Noise Pollution: Swarrm, Dirty Dishes, 33EMYBW, Backspace, Joker's Belief, Peach Illusion
Beijing is rife with live music this weekend – everything from overflowing rock and roll showcases that’ll help you shed a kilo or two, to low-key impromptu psychedelic jams that’ll have your earworms doing backflips till midnight. And what better weather than early-autumn in Beijing to venture into the boundless weekend and discover new wonders (or for those curious enough, new venues even). So head forth music goers and find your paradise this weekend – you’ve earned it.
Friday, Sep 18
PRISM三棱镜, Axis Neptune海王星轴 at nugget café
Hip hop folk trio with an unplugged primitive musical sound, Prism put their emphasis in the ‘natural connection amongst souls through the medium of drum, lyric, and voice. Joining them is singer-songwriter Axis Neptune, who’ll be bringing soulful, jazz-inspired grooves to the stage. 9pm. RMB 60/70
Supertt超人田田, The Upside Down 完美倒立 at Omni Space
Two bands with a lot of buzz around them hit the road for a joint tour. Representing Chongqing is The Upside Down, who shed their noisier rock and roll skin and reemerged this summer with a softer, more finely tuned electro-pop skin on their sophomore LP Dream Tide. While the hushed ethereal voice of singer Huang Jing remains, the dream-pop angle they previously rode has been reformatted to make way for a disco-led electro sheen straight out of the 80s. From neighboring Chengdu comes Supertt, who takes the electro-rock genre to a more heightened arena, putting an absurd quirky spin on their sincere and often sprawling sound and donning clownish outfits in the process. Color me intrigued. 8.30pm. RMB 100/120
Miss Mix 女子, The Beauty, Hermit Cookies 隐士小甜饼, Backhand Wave 反手浪 at Mao Livehouse
There's a grab bag of styles and influences over in Wukesong tonight with this eclectic lineup featuring seasoned female pop-rock trio Miss Mix, rising J-rock power-pop kids Backhand Wave, rustic indie rock troupe Hermit Cookies, and one of last year’s nicest surprises, The Beauty, who toe the line between old school blues-ridden rock and jangly indie-pop without missing a beat. As always with Mao Livehouse, all-you-can-drink is thrown in for good sloppy measure. 8.30pm. RMB 100/130
Qianchuan Drugstore 浅川药店, Healing Hands 妙手回 at School
Alternative rockers Qianchuan Drugstore, whose madcap blend of post-punk attitude and avant-garde electronica, close out their nationwide tour in support of their dense and sprawling 2019 debut, Fuzzy Century. Supporting the world-builders are the much more upbeat funk and blues-infused indie rockers Healing Hands. 8.30pm. RMB 80/100
Swarrm 撕妄, Xiaowang 小王 at Cloud Nine
Wangjing jazz club continues to veer toward the dark show as they host an evening of combustible rock and roll featuring some of Beijing’s most fierce acts. On the bill is offbeat industrial alt-prog metal outfit Swarrm, who bring a technical virtuosity to their sound, and kawaii core quartet Xiaowang, a giddy Molotov cocktail of punk, self-respecting hardcore, J-rock, and pop whose cathartic unleashing of high-octane bittersweet yet ferocious songs strike down with vengeance. 9pm. RMB TBD
Guiguisuisui, ANXT, Nina Dillenz at Aotu Space
Aotu Space presents a night of audiovisual delights, with the electric psych doomsday duo Guiguisuisui, electronic producer ANXT, and visual experimenter Nina Dillenz bringing their diverse talents to the art space. As well as individual sets featuring new songs and performance concepts from Guiguisuisui, the night will culminate in an audio-visual collaboration (aka orgy) between the three artists. Turn up, tune in, drop out. 9pm. RMB 60/80
Dirty Dishes, 4TAEL, Diva G at Yue Space
Beijing's ‘vibeyist party,’ Sugar House, brings their monthly righteous dance party to Yue Space for the first time. This R&B-influenced party "celebrating diversity, creating memorable unique music experiences, and a safe space for like-minded people to dance, to sing, to laugh, to love, and to create" will have Dirty Dishes, 4TAEL, and a special dance performance by the "waccking queen of China," Diva G. 9.30pm. RMB 80/100
The Great Buffalo Blues at Jianghu Bar
The electric four-piece band that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at Jianghu 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
Tea & The Bags at Guru Hole
A sultry offering of jazz, soul, R&B, and even acoustic disco, Tea & The Bags, led by Croatian songstress Tea, looks to bring some good vibes to Sihui this evening. 9pm. RMB 70
Saturday, Sep 19
Residence A公馆, Dirty Fingers 脏手指, XiShi 囍适, A.J.K玉麟军, Nuclear Fusion G核聚变G, Dream Spirit梦灵, Bliss Illusion 虚极, Duskystar暗星 at Yue Space
Local promoters Jingzao celebrate four years with a killer bash at Yue Space featuring the rock scene’s most cherished characters as well as a few surprises. Renowned acts like indie power-pop stars, Residence A will perform alongside seasoned Mongolian heavy metal troupe Dream Spirit, Shanghai punk renegades Dirty Fingers, energetic pop-punk outfit XiShi, black metal group Bliss-Illusion – known for adding Chinese Buddhist scriptures in their songs – and many more. For those looking for big epic sets, look no further. 3pm. RMB 130/150
33EMYBW feat Li Jianhong 李剑鸿, Aqua Market, Slowcook, DJ Cinnamoroll, Dj 灼灼 at Zhai
I’m making an effort to avoid dipping into the electronic scenes in these writeups (bring back ‘Beijing Beats’!) but this is too good to pass up. Imagine Koyaanisqatsi reimagined for the 23rd century where hive-like colonies of humans and sentient robots file in and out of sprawling vertically rising cities, and that only scratches the surface of what Shanghai producer and musician 33EMYBW’s high-wire brand of electronica accomplishes. The forward-thinking artist gives a live set tonight with the help of guitar demi-god and noise improv maverick Li Jianhong. Expect a surreal showcase featuring members of the collective Asian Dope Boys. 10pm. RMB 100
Three King 老K蛋, MenSheng闷声, Uncle Bad, Secret Club 秘密俱乐部 at School
D.O.G – the rock and roll label birthed in School Bar eight years ago, which has since made inroads all across China, celebrates their anniversary with an all-star lineup featuring Taiyuan old school rockers Three King, Britpop trailblazers Secret Club, ska-punk veterans Uncle Bad, and mysterious newcomers MenSheng, who promise some psychedelic pop tunes to help you dance the night away. Raise a glass to D.O.G! 9pm. RMB 100 (w/ drink)
Li Er Yang & His Cosmic Brothers 尔杨和宇宙兄弟们 at nugget café
Psychedelic guitarist and singer-songwriter Li Er Yang gets cosmic this evening, inviting friends and adversaries to the stage for an improvisational jam showdown as they try to unlock the wonders of the world through the medium of music. 9pm. RMB 60/70
The Hotline 热浪, Young Drug 回春丹, Brickleberry 脆莓, Mild Cure温和治疗, Runaway Snail暴走蜗牛 at Mao Livehouse
A lineup so titillating that they had to do it twice! Two sessions – the first kicks off at 3.30pm and the second at 7.30pm – for this red-hot batch of indie rock bands from Shanghai and Beijing. Leading the homefront are disco-pop outfit The Hotline, dance rockers Brickleberry, and funk-infused indie-pop trio Mild Cure. Holding down the fort for Shanghai are Guangxi-raised new wave ruffians Young Drug, and earnest indie-pop outfit Runaway Snail. 3.30pm/7.30pm. RMB 198
Backspace at fRUITYSPACE
Backspace, Beijing’s indie psych scrappers who have been preparing for their sophomore release this year, are heading to fRUITYSPACE for a special impromptu performance that'll have the band following every mind-altering earworm into the void. Formed in Yulin, Guangxi province and now based in Beijing, the noise rockers are one of the most talented and sincere bands in our fair city – so it’ll be a treat to see them flex their muscles and jam out like there’s no tomorrow. 9pm. RMB 40
Huzun日忽忽, The Superhero Died In Vain 白死侠, Whistling Chambers 花哨密室, Pylon水晶塔 at RAM Brewery
Post-rock night over at RAM Brewery in 798 – though don’t let that deter you folks who despise the often instrumental-only genre –as this show packs plenty of flavor in its lineup, enough to make you question the use of the term "post-rock" in the first place. On the bill is world music tripping, shoegazey rockers Huzun, indie rock soundsweepers Whistling Chambers, the pop-oriented electro-rockers Pylon, and the most post-rock worthy of the lot, The Superhero Died in Vain. 7.30pm RMB 80/100
Mabang 马帮 at Jianghu Bar
Heading up from Guangxi in the south, world music troupe Mabang, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Agang, percussionist Fanfeng, wind instrumentalist Afei, drummer Xiaodao, and bassist Atang, imbed their music with both southern Chinese folklore and tradition, as well as contemporary sounds like reggae and rock, fusing a sound that’s very much their own. 9pm. RMB 100/120
WHAI, Yu Zijiun 余梓桾 x Zhang Ziwei 张子薇, Hind Brain 反骨 at WISE Live
An audio-visual experience or perhaps just a new venue’s excuse to play around with their newly-installed LEDs – whatever the case – WISE Live, located just above Xicheng’s Rending Lake Park, has put together a hefty lineup. Featuring grunge rock heavyweights Hind Brain, trip-hop prog-rock veterans WHAI, and folk-tinged rock duo Yu Zijiun & Zhang Ziwei, expect killer tunes to rock your head to. 8pm. RMB 60/80
Joker’s Belief at Temple
Funk rock and roll thespians Joker’s Belief, who certainly know a thing or two about keeping the crowd moving, head to their homebase of Temple Bar to bring the good times as they unveil their "Boom Bam Boom" MV dedicated to none other than "The Gypsy King" Tyson Fury. In fact, word on the street is that Joker's is trying to get their video in front of the fury himself, so turn out to the show and help hype it up! 9.30pm. RMB 50
Forest of Memories 拾光森林, phoebe非比, New Task 新任务, Question 雀跃 & Dee at MTA Space
Remember MTA Space?! The swanky spot over by Shilupu. No? Well, they’re back giving the spotlight to some of Beijing's emerging bands including fresh on the scene electro-rock band Forest of Memories, tender psych-folk duo Q&D (aka Question & Divine) featuring vocalist and guitarist Kaiyue & percussionist Dee. Plus pop-rock outfit Phoebe (clearly named after everyone’s favorite Friend) and contemporary emo rockers New Task. 8pm. Free
Zhou Yunpeng 周云蓬 at Omni Space
The folk singer, guitarist, and poet Zhou Yunpeng became blind at the age of 9. Since beginning his musical career in 1994, he’s released five studio albums and several books of poetry. He’s received several awards for both his music and his written work. Needless to say, dude’s a legend. 8.30pm. RMB 120
Yuan Xiang 吕乐 at Valley Resident Space
Steel tongue drum maestro Yuan Xiang, who has played in countless rock bands, been involved in numerous environmental organizations, and televised productions, brings his ample experiences to various unique instruments under the banner of "healing." 7.30pm. RMB 120/150
Ember Swift Duo at Guru Hole
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 Beijing music scene for years, releasing an array of LPs and melding Mandarin, English, and French into one intoxicating package. Tonight she teams up with guitarist Gabriel Beaudoin. 9pm. RMB 60/70
Sunday, Sep 20
Hoo!, Peach Illusion 桃子假象, DizzyBoy 舒大卫 at Yue Space
Merrie Records, who are having a hell of a year, kick off a tour led by two hard-working acts with a penchant for crafting infectious melodies, both of whom also recently dropped new albums. Hoo! - the Guangzhou indie outfit whose youthful vigor and irresistible hooks are colored in shades of city pop and scrappy alternative rock brought their eccentric yet deviant prowess to their exceptional self-titled debut a couple of months back. Meanwhile, the (now) Shanghai-based indie-pop outfit Peach Illusion just gifted audiences with their newest punch-drunk love release, which takes their signature blend of wistful lyricism and jangly guitar pop melodies and wraps it up in a summer-hued comic book (quite literally as the release came paired with an anime-stylized comic book). Check out our recent interview with Peach Illusion, and then catch the pair as they hit the road with the support of rising city pop singer-songwriter DizzyBoy. 8pm. RMB 120/150
Tongue 舌头 at Mao Livehouse
Despite numerous lineup changes over the past decade, seminal art-rock outfit Tongue has marched forward seemingly reinventing themselves in the process. The band, originally from Urumqi, were a force to be reckoned with in the early ‘00s and since their return nearly a decade ago, has managed to bring back their bass-heavy, aggressively funky, madcap, and lyrically rich rock and roll with much success. They’re releasing their new album which veers further into rustic avant-garde territory and are hitting the road. 8.30pm. RMB 180
Zhang Shouwang 张守望, Xiao Dou 小豆 at fRUITYSPACE
Carsick Cars frontman Zhang Shouwang, fresh off of a stint on The Big Band (where, despite losing out to Radiohead-aping Mandarin, proved themselves worthy) returns to the small stage for an improvisational duet with drummer Xiaodou, who studied under such heavyweights as Izumi Koga, Steve Altenberg, Joost van Schaik, Ralph Peterson, and Gene Jackson. 9pm. RMB 100
P-Town 皮痛, Shochu Legion 烧酒军团 at School
Long-standing Hefei punk torchbearers P-Town are back with their impassioned street punk as the road warriors throw up their fists against 2020 and prepare for their newest release. With razor-sharp lyrics that cut you deep and shake you loose, they’re one of punk’s most earnest and respected groups out there. Supporting them are Beijing’s own hardcore punk rebels Shochu Legion. 9.30pm. RMB 80/100
Ping San 平三 at Square方形Studio (Yantai 烟台)
For this special afternoon show and exhibition, springiscoming lead singer Ping San (one of this year’s breakout bands) will give a special unplugged performance alongside an exhibition and creative sharing of Mogu label manager Zhan Xu’s "Mushroom Writing" calligraphy works. 4pm. RMB 30
Long Xiao 龙啸, Dominic Bautista at Jianghu Bar
A Beijing regular for nearly twenty years, the Philippines born drummer & percussionist Dominic Bautista joins singer-songwriter Long Xiao for an evening of old fashion rustic folk music. 9pm. Free
READ: Shanghai's Peach Illusion Brings Their Wanderlust Sound to Comic Book Life, Sep 20 at Yue Space
Images: grayarea.org, courtesy of the organizers
