Noise Pollution: Shining Dimensions, Tiansheng, Broken, Hutong Bikini Party, Wu Hongfei, Bigyuki

It’s muggy out there folks, but if your brain hasn’t melted yet from the heat, might I suggest you venture to your nearest livehouse and let your mind wander with these knee-slapping and riotous shows about town. From round-robin experimental mayhem to good old fashion pop-rock, there’s plenty to go around. So rise up, shake a leg, and let’s indulge in the glory that is Beijing’s music scene.

Friday, Jul 19 

Lastboss, 4 Channels Club, thruoutin, Nico & Rudi x Shining Dimensions at Aotu Space
Shining Dimensions – the series curated by Guiguisuisui and Aotu Space that aims to create an intersection between different dimensions of creativity – hits its final edition tonight and they're going out with a bang. For their last show, they're throwing numerous artists into a cage match ‘round-robin’ that’ll set up the performers around the edges of the space while putting the audience smack-down in the middle. They’ve gone full-on with the lineup, including some returning faces and some exciting new ones artists including producer Lastboss making the journey from Zhuhai, as well as 8-bit maestro 4 Channels Club, thruoutin, and Nico & Rudi. The visual artists will include James Sserwadda, Chandoso, Shui Wong, and Nan Guazi with movement curated by Duna. You can read our recent interview with Lastboss here. RMB 50 

Tiansheng at DDC 
Qinghai-Tibetan post-rockers Tiansheng combines ethnic elements with rock, electronic, and experimental influences. After seven years together, they’ve finally released their debut album Confusion, and have set out on tour to promote in. RMB 80 

Okamoto’s Boy at Mao Livehouse 
Four-piece rock outfit from Shinjuku, Tokyo whose members all use “Okamoto” as their last names, will pay respect to everyone from avant-garde artist Taro Okamoto and legendary punk band Ramones with their refined and "rebellious" pop tunes to Wukesong tonight. RMB 360

Mikelangelo Loconte (IT) at Tango
Italian singer Mikelangelo Loconte got his big break playing Mozart in the epic musical Mozart, L’Opera Rock, in France where he has also charted number one hits all over the pop charts. The singer, author, composer, musician, performer, and artistic director, looks to make a big splash on his return visit this evening. RMB 580

The Doo Wop Project at Blue Note
The Doo Wop Trio features talented vocalists from Broadway and further afield, including Charl Brown, Dominic Scaglione Jr., Dwayne Cooper, Dominic Nolfi, and Russell Fischer, performing Doo Wop with pianist Sonny Paladino and drummer Joseph Bergamini. RMB 130-360

Wireless Puppet, Bluso, Local Solution at Omni Space
Melodic and tender pop-rockers Wireless Puppet celebrate the start of summer vacation and the release of their new album with a light-hearted romp over at Omni Space with the help of hip-hop duo Bluso and rock ruffians Local Solution. RMB 100

Broken at School 
Old school Chinese rock 'n' roll forefathers Broken make the trek down from Harbin tonight and they’re looking to wreak havoc! Formed in 1998 they released their first album in 2000, followed by a move to Beijing, more EPs and LPs, and an inevitable hiatus. The band reformed on their home turf back in 2015 and have been going strong since. RMB 100

Mojo Hand, Ramblin Roze, Boogie Man, Double Beat, Eric Allen, Forbidden City Horse at Soi Baochao 
Soi Baochao goes all out with their blues-themed evening of heart on your sleeve blues rock that’ll have your crooning into the early morning featuring some of the scenes finest, including tight-jeaned classic rock boys Ramblin Roze, blues supergroup Mojo Hand, and many more. FREE 

All Unknown, Miga, FE, Feline Wu at 13 Club 
An evening of riotous head-banging tunes in Wudaokou with some heavy-hitters and veterans of the scene looking to tear a hole into all the summer course students, including pop-rockers All Unknown, hard rockers Miga, and more. RMB 80 

The Peking Floyd, Husband Killers at Modernista
Beijing's Premier Pink Floyd tribute band bring their vast and ever-increasing collection of cuts from Pink Floyd's most creative years, priding themselves on emulating their live performances during the 1970s when their improvisation and psychedelic jamming were at their best. Support from rustic folk-rock troupe Husband Killers. FREE

Théo Duboule at The Bricks 
Born in 2018 in Switzerland, the Théo Duboule quartet, made up of four active French and Swiss musicians who have been working the circuit, indulge in jazz standards and originals, sometimes inspired by pop music among other things. FREE 

LicyJones, Aaron at Mogu Space
Britpop singer-songwriter LicyJames who dips his toes into dream pop from time to time joins Aaron in Xizhimen. FREE

BUA Seven at Pink Moon
The BUA Seven guitar club whose motto is “We are abstract singers in the sense that we abstract” get down and jiggy at Pink Moon this evening. FREE 

Saturday, Jul 20 

Miss Mix, Qianshui Daxiang, Starr69, Hard Candy Revolution at School 
Looking to escape the heat? Then head over to School Bar’s Annual Hutong Bikini Party which as you guessed involves great music, tons of alcohol, multiple kiddy pools, water guns, and more. Bikini wearers get in for free! Music comes courtesy of female rock 'n' rollers Miss Mix, indie rock foursome Qianshui Daxiang, alt-pop outfit Starrr69, and female-fronted glam-punk band Hard Candy Revolution Yup – it’s on. RMB 100, RMB 50 (if in a swimsuit), free (if in a bikini)

Larry’s Pizza, Power Powder, All Unknown, Seagull at Yue Space
Yue Space deep dives down the indie rock and pop-punk hole with a lively lineup of some of Beijing’s most sought after acts – from long-standing skateboard pop-punk trio Larry’s Pizza, to old school indie pop outfit Power Powder – it’s a solid gathering of rock and roll sounds intended above all else, to get your ass moving. RMB 100

Guibog, Li Jianhong, Liquid Palace at Fruityspace
An improvisational performance that looks to disassemble electronic instrumentation and look at the relationship between technological and organic expansion – so yeah, be prepared for a trip. Participating artists are experimental electronic artist Guibog, noise/improvisational artist Li Jianhong and psychedelic noise-rockers Liquid Palace. FREE 

Wu Hongfei at Mao Livehouse 
Wukesong hosts one of Beijing’s most esteemed folk artists, Wu Hongfei, who has been integrating electronica, trip-hop, and her Dong minority ethnicity (from Guangxi province) more and more into her music. She celebrates the 20th anniversary of her band Happy Avenue's debut release with a slew of special guests. RMB 150

Hitobashira, Alpaca, Never Before, Hock at Temple
An evening of badassery as Shanghai guests Alpaca, who bring a more old-school Southern swamp blues mentality to their layers of feedback and down-tuned guitar and bass tones, and the ever-brutal Hitobashira join Beijing’s own sludge metal demigods Never Before and Hock – a night for folks who enjoy the intricacies and instrumental power of metal. FREE 

Intimacy Dub Vibe at DDC 
Join producers, singers, rappers, dancers, visual artists, and more for an evening dedicated to the electronic sounds that originated from reggae music in the 1960s AKA dub. RMB 150 

Bigyuki at Blue Note
NYC's best-kept musical secret weapon Bigyuki whose unprecedented sound has attracted the attention of many, including Grammy Award-winning and nominated artists such as Q-Tip, Bilal, J-Cole, Talib Kweli, Kamasi Washington, and Robert Glasper, brings it to Blue Note. Infusing elements of jazz, classical, hip-hop, soul, rock, dance, and electronica into his compositions. RMB 100-300

The Mantras at Modernista 
The Mantras, previously known as Parakeet, are back at their favorite place with an eclectic mix of genres – joining friends and foes at Modernista to make us dance away to their fusion of pop and jazz. FREE 

Mr. Freeman at Jianghu Bar
Mr. Freeman, veterans of the local music scene – whose fusion of pop, punk, hip-hop, and blues have made them audience favorites for the last good decade – swing over to the cozy Jianghu Bar for some fun. RMB 80

Steve Blaque, John at Pink Moon
American artist and producer Steve Blaque, who played formerly in the genre-bending rock band The Radiance, joins friends tonight. FREE

Xue Yuzhou, Da Qiao at Mogu Space
Acoustic offerings in Xizhimen, courtesy of guitar slingers and tender singers Xue Yuzhou and Da Qiao. FREE 

Sunday, Jul 21 

Nocturnes, Royal As Purple at School
The atmospheric, sultry, and immersive indietronica duo Nocturnes join indie-pop outfit Royal as Purple as they say farewell to their drummer in perfect form – with a school-attire celebration to keep you feeling young. RMB 60, free (in school uniform) 

Bisiugroup (TW) at Yue Space
Bisiugroup (formerly known as Amazing Show) has a retro Taiwanese grassroots color that bleeds rock and folk into their pop-leaning old school sound. From their costumes to their music, the vintage vibe of the good old days is ever-present in their performances. RMB 120

From the Mountain, Mountain Mausoleum, Beacon-Tower, Big Face at DDC 
Hit up DDC for a night of indie rock and fusion as indie outfit From the Mountain, fusion rockers Mountain Mausoleum, prog-rockers Beacon-Tower, and Big Face take the stage for a night of mellow enrapturing rock and roll. RMB 60

Bigyuki at Blue Note
NYC's best-kept musical secret weapon Bigyuki whose unprecedented sound has attracted the attention of many, including Grammy Award-winning and nominated artists such as Q-Tip, Bilal, J-Cole, Talib Kweli, Kamasi Washington, and Robert Glasper, brings it to Blue Note. Infusing elements of jazz, classical, hip-hop, soul, rock, dance, and electronica into his compositions. RMB 100-300

Bluso, Da Wu Tong AKA Daochang, East Run West, DAB, Round Trip at Mao Livehouse
Wukesong indulgences itself with a hip-hop party featuring an array of hip-hop acts and rappers looking to get their alien freak on including Bluso (Yinu Boy and Baddie Rose),  Da Wu Tong, and many more. RMB 80 

Bastion, State, Tuixia at Temple 
Melodic metal kids Bastion join nu-metal ruffians State and noise rockers with a grunge outlook on life Tuixia (formerly and infamously known as Swamp Pussy). FREE

Théo Duboule at Modernista 
Born in 2018 in Switzerland, the Théo Duboule quartet, made up of four active French and Swiss musicians who have been working the circuit, indulge in jazz standards and originals, sometimes inspired by pop music among other things. FREE 

Mojo Hand at Jianghu Bar
Blues supergroup Mojo Hand, made up of some of the skilled rockers of the Beijing scene, including OOC frontman Cheng Chen, bassist Wang Zheng, and guitarist Wei Wei, bring their richly flavored Chicago blues to Jianghu Bar. FREE

Aaron, Holyn at Pink Moon
Holyn joins fellow singer-songwriter Aaron for some acoustic tender loving tonight. FREE

Gao Jin Li at Mogu Space
Folk singer Gao Jin Li, who received a bit of attention after a stint on The Voice of China, kicks off a cozy Sunday night at Mogu Space. FREE

Many gigs, much nightlife – it's all listed in our Events section, right here.

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of event organizers