2010 Dec 24 Christmas Live Music Roundup: Brain Failure, Su Yang, 13 Club Anniversary
Once again, many of us will be reminded that there are not enough cabs in Beijing tonight. While walking might become the fastest way of transportation, it's lucky for those of you who live in the Gulou area – you don't have to join the "Taxi War" to find good parties. And you will feel even luckier if you are into punk rock: MAO Livehouse goes punk from Friday all the way to Sunday. Long term punkheads Brain Failure lead the scene tonight; a few D-22 regulars will come down to Gulou and host the “last big punk party” of the year on Saturday, and Japanese top punk band Good 4 Nothing keeps the same spirit rolling on Sunday.
I know MAO usually ends early and you will look for somewhere else to move on to. If a taxi is not an option, bars like Jianghu, Zuiyuefang, Jiangjinjiu and Gulou 121 all have Christmas parties planned with live bands and they are all located in the same area.
A little bit east from Gulou, still along the north second ring, Star Live gets folky. Two out of the best Chinese folk musicians choose the same location to celebrate: Su Yang releases his new album tonight and Hao Yun invites you to spend the Christmas night with his cheerful tunes. Not far from there, the band Christmas has waited a long time till their day finally comes; they are ready to bring out the best to have the craziest Christmas party with you at V.A Bar.
Wudaokou is like another world for people who don’t live there, though 13 Club’s 6th anniversary may be worth the boring taxi ride for metal lovers, and its punk neighbor, D-22 has Residence A and 24 hours lining up for this festive weekend.
Last but not least: before you go out, please make sure you wear enough clothes. Though I’m pretty sure some of you won’t. OK, I’ll shut up and let you have a look yourself:
(For venue details, check the Beijinger Directory)
Friday (December 24)
6th Anniversary of 13 Club
Metal heads gather to celebrate their birthday. Lineup includes Ego-fall, Surprise, Saw and more. RMB 50. 9.30pm. 13 Club
Ajinai
Khoomei out your stress with the some Mongolians. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar
Christmas Party
Celebrate the festival in a friendly atmosphere with live music. Free. 8pm. Zuiyuefang Bar
Funk Night
Dance near by Gulou with live funk songs. Free. 8pm. Gulou 121
Little Hotel, Jolly Fellow, Miss Freak
Make an excuse to have your Christmas at Fangjia Hutong and dance with some blues tunes. Free. Hot Cat Club
Retrodance “Nostalgia”
Golden oldies for Christmas Eve. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan.
Robust Husband X-Mas Rock Party
Have a punk Christmas Eve with Brain Failure, The Dancers and ex-Joyside’s frontman Bian Yuan. RMB 120, RMB 100 (advance, students). 9pm. MAO Livehouse
Snapline, Golden Driver, Birdstriking, Residence A
The best surprise of 2010 – Residence A is your date for Christmas Eve. RMB 80, RMB 60. 10pm. D-22
Su Yang
The most sincere Chinese folk musician launches a new album. Let the wind from the north-west blow your mind. RMB 80, RMB60 (advance).
8pm. The Star Live
What's Christmas
It’s not a question, but a party with electronic, emo, indie and post-rock near the Forbidden City. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Old What
Saturday (December 25)
24 Hours, Defy, Molds, Lazy Camels
They want you to dance, mosh and dive. RMB 80, RMB 60 (students). 10pm. D-22
DH & Chinese Hellcats, The K, Skarving, Amazing Insurance Salesman
Swing and ska bands get together to make sure you have a merry Christmas. Trumpets and saxophones are horning, stop thinking, start swinging. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 10pm. 2 Kolegas
Get Drunk at Old What
Old-school Punk? Brit-pop? No matter what kind of tunes the bands will produce, your mission is to get drunk. RMB 30. 9pm. Old What
Hao Yun
An easy merry Christmas with Hao Yun’s folky cheerful tunes. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance). 8.30pm. The Star Live
Happy new year & Fxxking X'mas
Trash Cat, Soju Legion, Hell City and Misandao bring you the last big punk party of 2010. RMB 50. 9pm. MAO Livehouse
I Am Happy to be so Lonely (我就乐意这样寂寞了)
Musical directed by Peng Lei, New Pants' guitarist; features live music by New Pants. Tickets at 400 610 3721 or here RMB 80-280. 7.30pm. Donglian Art Community Theatre (opposite of the Minzu University of China)
Kun, Not There
Relaxing party with some lazy tunes. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club
Liu Donghong & Sands
Liu Donggong rocks in his country-folk style. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar
SomeOne
Young rock band kicks off the night. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar
Sub Jam
Folk and pioneer musicians (Li Tieqiao, Wan Xiaoli and many many more) get together and make sounds. Free. 4-6pm. UCCA
Sunzhuang Folk Night
Merry Christmas with Tongzhou's top folk musicians. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance, students). 9.30pm. Zuiyuefang Bar
The Nightmare Of Christmas – Masquerade
Christmas party with the band Christmas. RMB 50. 9.45pm. V.A. Bar
Sunday (December 26)
Meng Zhi Folk Night
Yes, it’s a folk night. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22
Anison Winter Festival
Welcome to the 2-dimmension world, animation nerds gather and sing their favorite animation theme songs. RMB 30. 1.30-4.30pm. MAO Livehouse
Good for Nothing
One of the best Japanese punk bands of the moment, here to smash Beijing. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse
Buyi
Folky rock Buyi gives the weekend a perfect ending. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance, students). 9pm. Gulou 121
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