Weekend Live Music Roundup: Festival Season, Show Oligarch and Shanghai Attack

Right, without further ado - outdoor festivals, rock shows, basically everyone from Beijing's live music scene is out there performing this weekend, foreign bands at festivals are also playing solos, even Show Oligarch (who perform like once a year, read more about the band here, P64) is rocking their fierce materials tonight. More to say, Boys Climbing Ropes on Saturday, I've been waiting for this for quite some time, these Shanghai rockers are just everything punk rock is about.

Enough is enough, instead of keep sitting here reading all these, let's go out and get rocking!!!

Check the Beijinger Directory for venue details

Festivals

May 1-2
Metal Music Festival

Beijing’s diehard fans congregate at the city’s most reputable metal club. Metal of all kinds at your service. RMB 50 (per day), RMB 80 (two days). 9pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

May 1-3
Strawberry Music Festival
Xiu Xiu, Does It Offend You, Yeah? (David Brent says), Pet Conspiracy and Re-TROS … Beijing’s eastern suburb welcomes its biggest event of the year. Click here for full lineup and more details, see interviews with DIOYY here, The Inspector Cluzo here and Xiu Xiu here. RMB 80 (per day). 1-9.30pm. Tongzhou Canal Park (8952 3044) www.modernsky.com

May 1-4
Midi Music Festival
China’s Woodstock is back for outdoor fun: British punk veterans Sham 69 returns to the Middle Kingdom, joined by bands and artists from more than ten countries. Local acts include Free The Birds, Hanggai, Xiao He, Carsick Cars, Brain Failure, SUBS and many more. Click here for full lineup and more details, see interview with Sham 69 here. RMB 80 (per day). 1-10pm. Haidian Park (6285 0569) www.midifestival.com/english

Friday (April 30)

Bigger Bang!, The Face, 3421
Disco punk, melodic metal and electronic set warm up for May holiday. RMB 50. 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Huang Bo
The Verse frontman goes acoustic, wonder if he can still make it funky. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Jess Meider
Obiwan starts its birthday celebration with New York songstress Jessica Meider. RMB 40. 9.30pm. Obiwan (8322 1231)

Ordance, S.A.W, Chinatown, Violation, Ego Fall, Nuclear Fusion G
Metal warriors scream rebel rebel. RMB 50. 8pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

P.K.14, Ourself Beside Me, 24 Hours, The Molds
Maybe Mars congregation celebrates D-22’s four-year young birthday. RMB 80, RMB 60 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Propeller, Skarving
Reggae and ska supported by DJs. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Show Oligarch, Sertraline, Dong Zi, Liu Er, Liu Ming
Alternative rockers and folksters raise money for Yunnan. RMB 30. 8.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Skip Skip Ben Ben, Zhan Pan
Taiwanese noise rocker greeted by The Gar’s frontman. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Tiny Salt Coffee Club (5900 0969)

Fenni
Dream vocal accompanied by trip-hop and gothic music. RMB 30. 9.30pm. VA Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

X-Doctor, SSS, Bedstars
Alternative rock takes place. RMB 30 (includes a drink). 9.30pm. What Bar (1590 123 6743)

Xia Jia Piano Trio

Jazz pianist operates on his keyboards. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Saturday (May 1)

Attractive rOOtine
French duo charge ska with electro power and minimal beats. RMB 50. 9pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112)

Boy Climbing Ropes, Reptile Retard, Me Too
Danish techno soul group and Shanghai punk trio meet Beijing electro rockers. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Carsick Cars, Hedgehog, AV Okubo, Rustic
Sonic heroes return home from America, speak Chinese or die. RMB 80, RMB 60 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Hao Feier
Modern Sky newly signed talent sings dreamy ballads. RMB 50. 9.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Lao Liu & Sand
Liu Donghong rocks the shadow of Gulou with blues. RMB 50. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Liu Yuan Saxphone Quartet
China’s jazz forefather keeps the Houhai shores smooth. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Ming’s Pretty Heroes, Audio’s Pain, Caracal
Bands from the Netherlands, Spain and Singapore play indie rock in various forms. RMB 50. 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Sunday (May 2)

Funeral For A Friend
Welsh rock band bring their emo screamo. RMB 120, RMB 80 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Girls Are Waiting To Meet You
They are, only that it’s a seven-piece folk rock band. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Guai Li, The Offset: Spectacles, Bird Striking, Soviet Pop
Street punk gives fingers to experimental hipsters and art rock underground. RMB 80, RMB 60 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Li Jianbin, Zhang Weiwei
Lanzhou folk singer brings love songs from the deserted mountain ranges. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance, students). 9pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112)

Moreno Donadel Trio
Italian pianist collaborates with a few Beijingers. Free. 9.30pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Proximity Butterfly, The Reason, Bigger Bang!, The Amazing Insurance Salesmen
Chengdu psychedelic junkies make noise with emo, disco punk and experimental rockers. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Monday (May 3)

Asaf Avidan & the Mojos
Folk rockers hail from Jerusalem. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Hao Feier & Band
Indie songstress shines from the Chinese Pop Idol contest. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance, students). 9pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112)

Skip Skip Ben Ben, White
Taipei shoegazing machine meets Beijing ambient generator. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Zhang Ying Jazz Group
Jazz quartet with blends of bossa nova and funk. RMB 50. 9.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)