2009 Nov 20 Weekend Live Music Roundup: Synth Pop, Bossa Nova, DJs and Rock n Roll
While the big names coming to town this weekend are Au Revoir Simone and Owl City, local talents are also jamming in their own manner. First, a quick quiz - what’s the original singer of "Casablanca" and "Another Day In Paradise"? Answer - Bertie Higgins. No prize, sorry. But you can go to his concert at Beijing Exhibition Theater on Nov 22.
Friday
Au Revoir Simone
Straight out of Brooklyn, the keyboard beauties of Au Revoir Simone play indie pop. Local songstress Dong Chanchan supports. See the Beijinger’s article on Au Revoir Simone here. RMB 150. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)
DH & Chinese Hellcats, Skarving, 24 Hours
The city’s hottest swing darlings DH & Chinese Hellcats and big orchestral band Skarving will make you dance. Just when it’s becoming too mellow, 24 Hours turns on the hard rock spirit. See the Beijinger’s article on DH & Chinese Hellcats here. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)
Evil Befall
Go to the city’s most genuine metal club and bang your head with eight black metal bands. RMB 50. 9.30pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)
Saturday
Afrokoko Roots
Sunny Dee brings Afrobeats and reggae classics to Andingmen. RMB 20, free (before 10pm). 10.30pm. Ginkgo Restaurant & Bar (6402 7532)
Owl City
Adam Young synthesizes Beijing with his one-man pop orchestra, supported by the similar minded Silkfloss. RMB 160. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)
Wang Yue
The former Hang On The Box diva releases her bossa nova album, supported by Ding Ke's dreamy pop. See the Beijinger’s interview with Wang Yue here, and watch out our December issue for the album review. RMB 60. 9pm. Mao Livehouse (6402 5080)
Learn To Fly
A new electronic music party featuring new live set and kinky DJs. See here for more details. Free. Matata Club (5136 5592)
Sulumi, LIman, iLoop, Doshy, Metwang
Local electronic collective gather in the drive-in cinema bar and keep the beats going, with guest DJ from Germany in support. RMB 30 (first 50 people get a copy of Shanshui compilation album). 9pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)
Ajinai
Tired of Hanggai? The latest Mongolian addition to Beijing’s music scene performs home tunes with beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics, of course, in throat-singing style. Free. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)
G-Eleven
Jazz newcomers turn one year old at the quiet alleyways in Fangjia Hutong. RMB 30. 8pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)
Sunday
Bertie Higgins
Go back to the good old days with all the classics. Tickets at 400 810 1887 or 8408 5551. RMB 180-880. 7.30pm. Beijing Exhibition Theater (6835 4455)
David Braid
Classical meets jazz in Braid’s piano recital. See the Beijinger’s interview with David Braid here. RMB 30-380. 7.30pm. Forbidden City Concert Hall (6559 8285)
See the Beijinger directory for more venue infomation.
- 256 views
-
You might also be interested in :
Punk Turns Bossa: An Interview with Wang Yue
Fans of the disbanded Beijing punk group Hang On The Box (HOTB) should be glad to hear that lead vocal Wang Yue (aka Gia) will release her solo debut this Saturday (November 21) at Mao Livehouse. But before you get all excited, diehard punk fans, weep your tears - the one-time punk-girl-of-the-nation has turned bossa nova in her upcoming album The Brilliant Gia. Chanting gently with lighthearted melodies and soft guitar riffs - it’s hard to imagine this is the same person who trashed the stage while shouting shabi and caodan to the streets.
Mozart Could Play Jazz: An Interview with David Braid
Awarded 2009 Jazz Pianist of the Year in Canada, David Braid visited China in 2006 and 2008. Now he's coming back and perform piano recital sessions in various cities. Before his Beijing concert on November 22, the Juno Award winning pianist and composer shares some insights with the Beijinger.
Au Revoir Simone say Bonjour to Beijing
“I love Au Revoir Simone, these girls have what it takes. Music just flows out of them so naturally, and it’s great music.”
- David Lynch
Dreamy, sweet, hip and relaxing - it's the kind of sound you'd like to hear after waking up in the morning, or during a traffic jam (quite practical for a Beijinger). With vintage keyboards rescued from garage sales and a wooden drum machine inherited from a movie set, Heather D’Angelo, Erika Forster and Annie Hart founded Au Revoir Simone and started practice at Erika’s apartment in 2003. Their shared love of keyboards – Erika and Heather have both been playing piano since their childhoods – has led to their easy-listening electro-pop populated by experimental characters.
Weekend Live Music Roundup: Beyoncé comes to town, Arch Enemy headbanging and Midi turns 10
The weekend feels shorter after the week-long holiday, but here are three shows worth checking out (or to miss) over the coming weekend.
Weekend Live Music Roundup: St. Vincent at starry night, Elvis’ back from the grave, DJ Vadim spins that sh*t
The snow on Monday, I don’t know what’s that all about, it’s March already. Don't know how it's been affecting the festival season (which is spring, in case you haven't seen it's coming), but the Beijing leg of JUE Festival is well under its way. Presented by Split Works, the festival consists of art, cinema and music events across Beijing and Shanghai (see our interview with the organizers here and full event schedule here). On Friday night, JUE sees the appearances of American indie singer/instrumentalist St. Vincent at Yugong Yishan and Danish rockabilly group Dead Elvis & His One Man Grave at D-22. On the local side, things get more hardcore at Mao Livehouse, where TOOKOO, Bigger Bang! and The Reason rock on the northern end of Nanluogu Xiang - maybe you can hear them in YGYS, since St. Vincent's music is relatively quiet, maybe.
