Noise Pollution: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Edition
The next two weeks are going to be an onslaught of shows and gigs with every venue and every promoter looking to end the year on a high note. Add in the Christmas spirit which has been co-opted to the point of meaninglessness and you’ve got a jam-packed weekend that will be merry in more ways than one. Ho Ho Ho! Time to stuff those stockings with some red hot gigs.
Friday, Dec 25
Xiao He 小河 at Cloud Nine
Hebei-born folk artist Xiao He – known for free-wielding genre-bending and acute avant-garde folk musings – returns for a special New Year showcase. Constantly evolving whilst still displaying his command of tone and melody, as well as his brazen innovative use of modern and traditional instruments, there’s no one like him in the music scene. The contemporary folk star whose intimate and unpredictable presence has made him a must-see act for decades gives a special New Year showcase in Wangjing. RMB 150/200
Longshendao 龙神道 at Blue Note
Nothing says Christmas like reggae jams courtesy of China’s premier reggae outfit Longshendao, a band that has been around since the 1990s, wrapping crowds in their upbeat and happy-go-lucky tunes. Coated in layers of electronica, dub, and hip-hop and embedded with the bands’ signature Eastern Taoist philosophy, they’re one of the most reliable acts out there. 8pm. RMB 199
Finger Family 指人儿, Gentle Grapes葡萄不愤怒, The Power Powder 大粉 at Yue Space
Long-standing promoters Rock Brothers bring back one of the tackiest concert devices that I’m pretty damn eager to join – the pillow fight! Grab some feathers and deck that girl or boy you’re too frightened to say hi to! Love! And while you’re busy doing that some killer pop-punk and indie-pop courtesy of distinguished pop-punk ruffians Finger Family and Gentle Grapes, indie-pop hitmakers The Power Powder, and a super-secret guest. 8pm. RMB 150/180
Laisee 利事, Miss Mix, Time Street 时光街 at School
School joins forces with underwear company Aimer NYC, and you better believe they’re collaborating on a line of sports underwear. So best expect some of the fine ladies (and boys though come one look at the lineup) to be sporting some gear while delivering rocking riffs and beats. On the docket, you’ve got the aerobatics hardcore ruffians Laisee, female garage rockers Miss Mix, and 8-bit pop-rockers Time Street. 9pm. RMB 120
DaWei and Social Poetry 大卫与社会诗歌, East Cotton No. 7 东棉花七号, Zimmerman at Temple
An alcohol-fueled hot mix of jazz, funk, blues, and hip-hop, Temple Bar celebrates Christmas with a merry genre-spinning night of tunes as they invite hard blues outfit East Cotton No. 7 to the stage alongside country-fried funk boys Zimmerman and hip-hop artist and his soul-funk supergroup Dawei Wang & Social Poetry, who’ll look to heat things up with their contemporary mix of poetry-led rhymes and bass-charging melodies that are both fierce and tender. 9pm. RMB 60
Chang An at Aotu Space
Chang An, an experimental sound artist and musician who is currently a sound research teacher at the Central Academy of Fine Arts brings her prolific and diverse experience in the field of sound to Aotu Space for a multi-media performance entitled The Peregrine. 8.30pm. RMB 60/80
Jiabaasan 贾巴阿叁 at Jianghu Bar
Stallion Era throws down this weekend with a series of Christmas-themed parties entitled Lullaby for Grown-ups, complete with mulled wine and other treats. It all kicks off at Jianghu Bar with Yi musician Jiabaasan 贾巴阿叁, whose music is inspired by the Daliang Mountains and the people who grew up there with him. Since then, the musician has integrated Western rock, African music, and jazz into his sound. 8.30pm. RMB 100/120
Saturday, Dec 26
Laughing Boy 笑男孩 x M!$ter K at fRUITYSPACE
Rising hip-hop wordsmiths Laughing Bar and M!$ter K – known for their vibrant, tongue-in-cheek, and propulsive lyrics amidst sweltering beats – look to bring down the house over at fRUITYSPACE with the help of friends Buluko, ESY, and DJ 3ri. 8.30PM. RMB 100/120
Alexei, Chang An, Gia Wang, Guan Xiao Meng, Wen Liang, Li Yan Zeng at UFO Space
UFO is looking more and more like a new haven for experimental acts in Beijing and I couldn’t be happier. Tonight they host the first part of their 24-hour experimental electronic party entitled Power Storage Pool featuring an array of acts including Alexei, Chang An, Gia Wang, Guan Xiao Meng, Wen Liang, Li Yan Zeng, and many more. Kicks off at half-past 9pm so best be prepared for a late one. 9.30pm. RMB 70/95
Tian Shui 天水 at Aotu Space
Find enlightenment with Tain Shui, a collective of like-minded musicians and artists – including Weng Quxian, Yang Dang, Zhong Yang, and Jiu Shang – who strive to capture zen through their music. 8.30pm. RMB 100/120
Hind Brain 反骨, H.C.R 硬糖革, Youth Fever 青春热 at Temple
Punk rock loud and proud and at no better home than Temple as grunge rock heavyweights Hind Brain joins sultry female-led glam rockers Hard Candy Revolution and 90s pop-punk inspired Youth Fever. Expect fans and revelers tearing up a storm. 9pm. RMB 60
Dan Taylor x Jia Mi Stand-up Comedy at CloudNine
Stallion Era throws down this weekend with a series of Christmas-themed parties entitled Lullaby for Grown-ups’ complete with mulled wine and other treats. Night two called F.R.I.E.N.D.S features Yorkshire-raised folk musician Dan Taylor (of the Harridans) who’ll be joining local Beijing comedy club Jia Mi Stand-up Comedy. 8.30pm. RMB 150/180
YUGO 羽果 at School
Rising Shanghai indie rock outfit Yugo, led by singer and guitarist Xie Hui, return to Beijing for their latest tour in support of their new LP Angry Horse. Despite their arena rock aspirations, they’re aiming for something more tender and delicate. Expect a packed house. 9pm. RMB 120
Sunday, Dec 27
Sparrow文雀, Amber琥珀, 16th Floor层, Anti Dogs 反狗, Lotus Through Heart穿心莲, Nerve Passenger, Shanghai Qiutian at Tangoo
Take a survey of China’s ever-evolving and blossoming post-rock scene with the third edition of the Lost City Festival which will host a heavy roster of bands pushing the genre in new and exciting directions. On the bill you’ve got Beijing post-rock heavyweights Sparrow, Shanghai’s Anti-Dogs (made up of former members of the legendary Top Floor Circus), Xi’an soundscapers Amber, spirited math rockers Shanghai Qiutian, evocative indie rock swayers Nerve Passenger, and more. If you’re at all curious at the diversity found within the world of post-rock – this is your jam. 5pm. RMB 220/260
Pocket Moon, Mandara 曼陀罗, Bu Liao Swordsmen 不了侠客 at Temple
Temple gets back to showcasing Beijing’s new generation of rockers – a grab-bag of talent and genres. But therein lies the beauty of showcases like this – the sense of surprise. So whether it’s post-rockers Pocket Moon, rustic world music rockers Bu Liao Swordsmen, or hardened veterans of the hard rock scene, Mandara (alright, the new generation opening is meaningless now) one is bound to perk your ears. 9pm. Free
Blue Eyes Jazz Band 蓝眼睛爵士, Xiao He & Friends 贺虓&朋友们 at Jianghu Bar
Stallion Era throws down this weekend with a series of Christmas-themed parties entitled Lullaby for Grown-ups, complete with mulled wine and other treats. The final installment is most awesomely named Meet Haruki Murakami in Hutong and features Blue Eyes Jazz Band led by Polish jazz pianist Michal Ciesielski and Baroque cello virtuoso He Xiao. 8.30pm. RMB 100/120
READ: Sneak Peek at New Year's Eve in Beijing
Images: yoursalesplaybook.com, courtesy of the organizers
