Weekend Live Music Roundup: Olympic Bashes and a Busy Weekend of Plan B

This weekend marks the start of the London Olympics and the highlight will be a party in the great event's honor. 2 Kolegas will host a kick-off party on Saturday night, featuring the Beijing Beatles, that should be a lot of fun with a smattering of British music, fun and games before a rerun of the Opening Ceremony itself. A cracking way to kick off the Olympics.

Elsewhere this weekend, Aussie rockers Plan B get the ball rolling on a busy weekend for themselves at 2 Kolegas at 9pm tonight, while Los Crasher provide something more of what you like at Temple. But if you're not feeling in a particularly rocky mood, why not take in some jazz over at East Shore Live Jazz Cafe with the Alex Morris Jazz Trio?

Friday is a biggie. It marks the start of the Zhangbei InMusic Festival, which sees a host of top acts taking the stage in the grasslands, including our very own DJ Moto of Fez. Meanwhile, back here in Beijing, Buyi play 2 Kolegas, while The Red Pirates hit up Hot Cat Club, supported by the Intrepid Adventurers. Over at Gulou 121, The Randy Abel Stable bring bluegrass to the masses, and for something completely different, check out
Jungle Mico Project where electronica fuses seamlessly with jazz.

On Saturday, the 2 Kolegas kick-off party is just one of the many Olympics-themed bashes in town. Los Crasher are back (this time at Hot Cat Club), Plan B are at it again (this time at Temple), and V.A. Bar will host its own Olympics party with 16mins, Pacalolo and The Red Pirates performing.

In the spirit of all thing Olympian, here's Muse's official Olympic anthem.

Enjoy your weekend.

Thursday July 26

Alex Morris Jazz Trio

The well-travelled jazz musician brings his trip to East Shore as part of their jam session. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Plan B

The Aussies cap off a busy return to the capital. RMB 50. 9pm. 2 Kolegas (135 5227 6845)

Los Crasher

The Chinese hard rockers hit the Gulou venue. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Friday July 27

Buyi

Beijing’s veteran “band of the people” rock out at the drive-in. RMB 60. 9pm. 2 Kolegas (135 5227 6845)

Jungle Mico Project

A party night with beats by Mico, ambient effects by Fei Fei, sub bass frequencies by Gao Fang and VJing left to Xiong Wei. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

The Amazing Insurance Salesmen

Supported by Arrows Made of Desire, Metoo and Linkoban of Denmark. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

The Randy Abel Stable
Bluegrass pioneers pick away. Free. Gulou 121 (8404 3430)

The Red Pirates

A night of hard rock as the Red Pirates shiver your timbers. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Zhangbei InMusic Festival 2012

It’s a fair trek, but this year’s InMusic Festival is even bigger and better than last year’s. Legendary electronic duo Orbital feature on the lineup. Go to www.damai.com for details. RMB 120 (one day). RMB 300 (weekend). Zhangbei County (400 610 3721)

Saturday July 28

Beijing Olympics Kickoff Party

Celebrate the start of the London Olympics with an open-air party. View the opening ceremony on the giant screen, take part in the mini Olympics competition and rock out to the Beijing Beatles. Dress up in your country’s national colors for a chance at a prize. RMB 150. 8.30pm. 2 Kolegas (135 5227 6845)

Los Crasher

The classic rockers return for another tear-up. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Plan B

The Aussie rockers are back, busy bees that they are, this time at Temple. Free. 9pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Rock Prelude Of The Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

16mins, Pacalolo and The Red Pirates play before a live broadcast Of the Opening Ceremony in London. RMB 50. 10.30pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Zhangbei InMusic Festival 2012

See Friday July 27. Go to www.damai.com for details. RMB 120 (one day). RMB 300 (weekend). Zhangbei County (400
610 3721)

Sunday July 29

Zhangbei InMusic Festival 2012

See Friday July 27. Go to www.damai.com for details. RMB 120 (one day). RMB 300 (weekend). Zhangbei County (400
610 3721)