Noise Pollution: Gao Jiafeng's Emotional Dance Music, Finger Family, Ember Swift, Che Nian Po x Rong Shadow Puppet, and Tomorrow's Salt

As schools slowly begin to reopen, Beijing's music scene is bringing things to a simmer – most likely a precaution as the final pieces slide into place to bring us to some semblance of normalcy. Better safe than sorry right? Nevertheless, there's still plenty to chew on from our friends both big (Yue Space, Mao Livehouse) and small (Jianghu Bar, nugget café) – and I’d wager that if you walk in one of our other fine establishments, you’ll find some sort of music to get you through the weekend. So venture forth into the night and seek out those sweet sweet live tunes. 

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4th 

Finger Family 指人儿, Laisee 利事, Larry’s Pizza拉披 at Mao Livehouse 

Mao keeps it proud and loud tonight with a trio of electrifying bands including pop-punk outfit Finger Family who, despite starting when they were in high school, has managed to hold onto their musical integrity and gain a rabid following. Also joining in on the fun are the aerobatics hardcore ruffians Laisee and skate punk legends Larry’s Pizza, holding down the fort as usual. 8pm. RMB 130. 

Heartland 内心深处, The Diagon Alley对角巷, Chinatown唐人街, Recycle 再循环, Wireless Puppet 无线木偶 at Yue Space

Yue Space, holding the torch for rock and roll showcases inside the Gulou area, rounds up the usual suspects with a pop-rock night courtesy of The Diagon Alley, Chinatown, Wireless Puppet, and more. 8pm. RMB 120/150.

Shi Xiaofei 石小飞, Poetry x Music at nugget café 

A veteran of the indie and folk-pop scenes for well over a decade, singer Shi Xiaofei may have found the perfect outlet for her pop sensibilities and lush lyricism as her new outfit joins the aptly named duo Poetry x Music – consisting of classical guitar maverick Liane Halton and poet Anthony Tao. 9pm. RMB 60/70.

Ember Swift at Jianghu Bar 

Known for her unique, jazz-influenced guitar playing and elastic vocals, the Canadian born Beijing based singer-songwriter Ember Swift has been a fixture of the capital's music scene for years, releasing an array of LPs and melding Mandarin, English, and French into one intoxicating package. 9pm. RMB 60/80.

Dadan at Guru Hole 

Dadan, one of the few domestic musicians skilled with a Clawhammer Banjo, brings his refined talents and love of old-time tunes as he pays tribute to the one and only Johnny Cash tonight over in Sihui. 9pm. RMB 55.

Sue & Friends at The Bricks 

Jazz looks to keep things lively over in Sanlitun as esteemed vocalist Sue Wang joins her band, including Anthony Tropea on trumpet, Li Weile on guitar, and Liu Jianhuang on bass, for some good fun. 9pm. Free.

莫奇MY at Mogu Space 

Both a contestant on season three of Super Idol and I’m A Singer – who ranked in the top 12 no less – singer-songwriter Mo Qi clearly has the chops. Expect some serenading tonight at Mogu Space. 8.30pm. 50/60 RMB. 

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5th

Gao Jiafeng 高嘉丰at Yue Space 

Self-described "karaoke/alternative pop/comedy project’," Shanghai-based musician Gao Jiafeng has all the makings of a viral star, throwing out an irreverent saxophone solo at will and stitching together retro-fitted music videos that often come across like something you’d find at your auntie's KTV parlour. But always lurking underneath his guise is a multi-talented musician on the cusp of breaking through into the mainstream. Jiafeng’s chops as a producer and singer are in top form on his latest endeavour, Emotional Dance Music, a hybrid game/music release that mixes dynamic "Hyper Pop, sugar-coated dance music and lighting speed Trance-Pop" with some with the frantic competitive game aesthetics of DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) for a unique multi-media experience that’s unlike anything else. 8.30pm. RMB 100/120. 

Low Bow, Richard D. & Nathan B. at nugget café 

Irish-Chinese guitar and drums duo Low Bow is at it once again – playing noisy garage rock jams that shake your nerves loose. The two scene veterans, Risteard O. Deorian and Wang Xinjiu (of Birdstriking) let loose with tracks that range from "in-your-face pogo inducers to blues-punk train wreck ballads." Richard also invites his friend and fellow folk punksmen Nathan Borokfa for some tunes. 9pm. 60/70 RMB.

Che Nian Po x Rong Shadow Puppet 车撵坡乐队 & 融皮影at Jianghu Bar

The Qin style rock band Che Nian Po, led by singer Xu Jun, joins forces with the Beijing Rong Shadow Puppet Theatrical Company for an exquisite evening that takes the sound of the local Qin, the soul of rock, and traditional shadow puppetry and twists them into the same rhythm. 9pm start. RMB 80/100.

Ah-Q Arkestra at Valley Resident Space 

Named after the main character in a Lu Xun novel, the Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra has stubbornly found its own niche in the Beijing jazz scene for more than a decade, bringing together an eclectic mix of musicians, styles, and original jazz compositions. Playful, creative, adventurous, the Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra uses the rich language of jazz to explore the rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and emotions of our world. 7.30pm. RMB 50/80/100.

The Great Buffalo Blues at RAM Brewery

The electric four-piece band that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at RAM Brewery (keeping shit tight over in 798) with their unique musical style that’s unlike anything else. Expect a high-energy show that is guaranteed to keep you moving all night. 9pm. RMB 58/68.

tapeWitness, Swayzy, STL, Jojo at Soi Baochao 

Soi Baochao returns (kind of), with the first-ever Beatmakers Contest in Beijing featuring four contestants duking it out for a top prize. There are only 30 tickets available, so best to snag 'em fast. 9.30pm. RMB 50.

Li Gaoyang Quartet 李高阳 at The Bricks 

Saxophone prodigy and recipient of the Chinese Golden Melody Award Li Gaoyang heads over to Sanlitun for some top-notch jazz. Turns out Li is pretty humble as well, as this dynamic player is also "praised by many critics for giving ample stage time to his bandmates." 9pm. 

Greg Luttrel Trio at Guru Hole 

US-raised guitarist, singer, and harmonica player Greg Luttrell brings his particular set of skills to Guru Hole in Sihui with the help of French bassist Peter Stone and percussionist Kris. Together they’ll bring a jam-packed evening of jazz, blues, rock, reggae, and then some. 9pm. RMB 70.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6th 

Tomorrow’s Salt明天的盐,  Lonely Leary孤独的利里 at Yue Space

Hangzhou’s Tomorrow's Salt, the post-punk outfit focused on razor-sharp melodies rich in lyricism, close out their nationwide tour with a show at Yue Space. Led by former Wisdom Tooth singer and guitarist Li Wangnian, it’s equally playful and tender – unafraid to slow down the pace to an affectionate simmer before cutting loose with a jangly off-kilter chord progression that ratchets up the tension with each turn. Highly recommend. Joining them for some fun are the always dependable Lonely Leary. 8.30pm. RMB 60/80.

Mad Rat 疯狂老鼠 at Jianghu Bar

Wuhan outfit Mad Rat, known for their seamless blend of new wave, disco, synth-pop, garage, and more, have been making strides over the past year with a sound that’s both a throwback to the emotive New Pants style and the more lush kinetic melodies of bands like The Big Wave. Fresh off their debut release with Modern Sky, the band is swinging through town as part of their nationwide tour. 9pm. RMB 80/100.

Mysterain小雨 at Mao Livehouse

Female-led Guangzhou symphonic metal band Mysterain brings their fusion sound which takes gothic metal and ties in traditional Chinese folk elements, creating something that invokes both the sweeping landscapes of China as well as the epic battles which became legends over time. Their latest album takes a look at the Song Dynasty and the heroes, sons, and daughters who prospered during its 300 year history. 8.30pm. RMB 100/120.

READ: On the Record: Backspace and Disparate Sensibilities

Images: Gao Jiafeng, courtesy of the organizers