The temperature may be dropping into the below zero range, but some of Beijing's best acts are just coming back to the city, while others are moving to even colder climes. Our "queen of XXXXing everything" and her band Subs take over Yugong Yishan tonight. MAO Livehouse is going to be packed with skater punk boys and young girls on Saturday because their favorite pop punk band Reflector has finally finished their national tour. They'll be having a final celebration of their "new album" with their hommies, although the album is not so new anymore, since it has been out there for more than six months. Meanwhile Lure, another local pop punk band formed in the '90, just finished their new one, and will celebrate in the same venue on Sunday.

There are more local acts this weekend, but let's talk about laowais.

With fire crackers still keeping the city loud and noisy, it seems reasonable for our local musicians to rest for another night. If you really have the urge to see a gig tonight, a pop punk tribute to Bob Marley at Gulou Dongdajie's MAO Livehouse might be enough to re-warm your rock and roll nerve. Apart from that you don't have many options. But don't worry - the music scene will start its post-chunjie revival on Saturday.

Earlier this week a weibo (微博) post by folk/rock band Buyi stating that their gig tonight at Jiangjinjiu will probably be their last at the venue set off a swirl of speculation that the popular Gulou area club had closed down and was set to be demolished – a rumor that was dispelled (somewhat) the following day when the band explained they had merely heard that Jiangjinjiu will be torn down in March. The management, for its part, claims no further knowledge and says it will remain open until the wrecking ball comes.

My 2010 started with New Pants' absence at the Orange Hall of Sanlitun Village. But over the next 12 months, the music scene thrived in Beijing faster than ever. Though there's still a long way to go for the music industry in China, the music festivals did bring us some great times and albums released by the local bands came across as one surprise after another.

But it's time to move on. Almost all the best of the local acts are out celebrating the New Year during the next two nights: Carsick Cars, Free the Birds, Re-Tros, Hanggai, Long Shen Dao… and the "godfather" of Chinese rock music, Cui Jian.
See a full list of this weekend's lineup at the bottom of the post.

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.