Weekend Live Music Roundup: See The Killers, Return of Beijing Talking, Saosin Brings Emocore

We've reported on some big actions in April. Since yesterday, we've been spending some time talking to the organizers about the possible Bob Dylan show on April 4. Despite the Beijing tour date being anounced here, they haven't decided on a venue yet, so stay tune at our site for updates.

Before Dylan arrives with his, you know, wind, local scene is rocking with a full schedule over this weekend. Of course the big one is The Killers on Jan 26 (Tuesday, Workers' Gymnasium. See our interview here) - evidence: a student battle of bands called Rock AM is taking place at Vics (yes, a place for what is called again?...right, rock, and roll) on Jan 23, and the winning band get free tickets. Another breath of fresh air comes from the visiting Qingdao rockers The Dama LIamas (Jan 23, 2 Kolegas), let's see if we capital snobs can make peace with other fishes in the ocean. Also on Saturday, world music esemble Beijing Talking (Jan 23, The Star Live) return to stage after a long absence. To finish the week, Californian emo rockers Saosin (Jan 24, Mao Livehouse) shakes Gulou (like it's not being shaken enough).

Jan 22 (Friday)

Dirty Seed, Brave Face, Gray
Drunken lads dream about London, posing Brit and acting punk. RMB 30 (includes a drink). 9.30pm. What Bar (1590 123 6743)

Jess Meider
The acoustic songbird returns from NYC. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Narakam, Wrath of Despot, Last Chance Of Youth
Metal Friday. RMB 50. 9pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

Pan Yueyun
Influential figure of the 1970s folk protest movement in Taiwan visits Beijing, when all answers are still blowing in the wind. RMB 180-880. 7.30pm. Beijing Exhibition Theater (6835 4455)

Skarving, Rubber Phonograph Needle, The Me Guan Me’s, Old Fashion
Big ska band faces alternative rock invasion. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Tommy Chung, Zhang Ling, Long Long
Blues dogs jam behind a bus station. RMB 150, RMB 260 (VIP, includes a red wine). 8.30pm. The One (400 898 8383)

Zhang Si’an & Band, Vital Time
French expat play self compositions in Chinese. Free. 9pm. Jianghu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Jan 23 (Saturday)

Beijing Talking
The world music ensemble returns to the stage after five years of absence. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance), RMB 220 (VIP). 8pm. The Star Live (6425 5677)

Brain Failure, The Face, CMCB, Steely Heart
Founders of China’s ’90s rock scene supported by the fresh beats of Steely Heart. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Everset
Japanese pop rock makes the one. RMB 150, RMB 260 (VIP, includes a red wine). 8.30pm. The One (400 898 8383)

Fanny, Yuan Jing
Folk night with self-written materials and acoustic covers. RMB 30 (includes a drink). 9.30pm. What Bar (1590 123 6743)

Fanzui Tuanhuo
Emo punksers play it loud. RMB 40. 9pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

Guai Li, Birdstriking, Josh Frank, Lu Xin Pei
Noisemakers operate experiments on the punk street. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Hanggai
Mongolian chiefs greet the new opening. RMB 50, RMNB 40 (advance, students). 9.30pm. Mako Livehouse (5205 1112)

Jin Song
Folk poet takes you on the road. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 9pm. Tiny Salt Coffee Club (5900 0969)

Nancheng Erge
Lao Beijing crosstalk goes rock n roll. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Nanwu, G-Eleven, Landaotian, Boy No.6
Folk rock meets funkster, with a jazz line-up. RMB 60, RMB 50 (students, advance). 8pm. Mao Livehouse (6402 5080)

Rock AM
The Global Student Association in Beijing (GSAB) offers an international student battle of bands with Street Hustle Productions. Winning band gets free tickets to see The Killers. RMB50. 6pm. Vics (5293 0333)

Ziyo, Wu & The Side Effects, The Amazing Insurance Salesmen, The Dama Llamas, Sambasia Beijing
Helen Feng, Wu Kejia and Zhang Si’an rock the night out with friends – watch out for rock and blues. Supported by visiting Qingdao rockers and Beijing's community samba drumming troupe. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Jan 24 (Sunday)

Chen Jin & Eight Hands, Channel [9], Heaven, Liquid Oxygen Can, Yao Lin
A friendly gathering of guitarists and hard rockers. RMB 25, RMB 20 (advance). 7.30pm. The Star Live (6425 5677)

Gangzi
Throat singing, Mongolian folk. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Saosin, Saving Molly, Alt Senior
Cove Reber and emo co. makes a hard landing from California, supported by local raging machines. RMB 240, RMB 180 (advance), RMB 480 (VIP). 8pm. Mao Livehouse (6402 5080)

Jan 26 (Tuesday)

The Killers
Alternative rock stars make a Beijing Stop on their tour. Tickets at 400 620 6006 or here. RMB 380-780. 8pm. Workers' Gymnasium (6501 6300)

Check the Beijinger Directory for venue details