Weekend Live Music Roundup: Kurt Cobain Tributes, King Ly Chee and The Randy Abel Stable

From grunge to metal rock, rounding an Eric Clapton tribute outfit, past hardcore, reggae and folk, with a soft Kurt Cobain landing, the weekend provides us with a musical gauntlet to negotiate.

Allow me to introduce myself before I embark on my first blog post as music editor of the Beijinger. I'm Paul Ryding and I like music, but that's enough about me. We have a lot of music chatter to squeeze in.

I’ve opted to wade in at the shallow end with a gentle reminder of what’s coming up as we ramp up to leap headlong into the weekend.

Temple Bar kicks off something of a Kurt Cobain-themed weekend with a Nirvana tribute show tonight, before MAO Livehouse round-off the Seattle love-in on Sunday with a show dedicated to the great man himself.

In between there’s a visit from Hong Kong hardcore ambassadors King Ly Chee as they embark on their Time Will Prove tour promoting their new album. While on the same night (Friday April 6th) Belgian indie pop duo JVK Band are joined by Beijing rockers Abominati at Hot Cat Club.

If you fancy a night off from all that rock music, you can enjoy a hip-hop album launch on Saturday as the 1043 Rap Team pour some out for their debut album at MAO Live House. If that’s not your tip, there’s folk at Yugong Yishan with The Randy Abel Stable and Ajinai, or failing that there’s reggae at 2 Kolegas with One Drop.

Enjoy a rock-tastic weekend!

Thursday April 5th

Nirvana Tribute Night
Three bands cover Seattle’s favorite sons. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (1316107 0713)

Claptomania with D’Black
The first Russian Eric Clapton tribute band play Slow Hand’s greatest hits. RMB 60 (door), RMB 40 (students). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Friday April 6th

Brand New, You’re Retro
For a description, pick any five words from a Scrabble dictionary. Uber-hipster sonic delights in association with Wang Ba Records. RMB 50, RMB 30 (advance). 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

JVK Band and Abominati
Belgian indie pop and some hard rockers. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Nancy J. Brown
The lovely Nancy sings a diverse range, from jazz to electronica. RMB 40. 9pm. V.A. Bar (5844 3638)

Saturday April 7th

The New Vibe
Time to get funky. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Randy Abel Stable
The hicks with licks bring the bluegrass. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

VHR, Wang Wei and Rock Rhino
Rockers delight. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

1043 Rap Team Album Launch
The hip-hop trio launch their new album. RMB 60 (door), RMB 40 (advance). 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Sunday April 8th

Folk and Blues Sunday
Jon Zatkin and Liu Yusi bring the folk. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Kurt Cobain Tribute Show
Celebrate the life of the godfather of grunge with a secret special guest performing his finest hits. RMB 100 (door), RMB 80 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)