Noise Pollution: Back to Britain, Thrash China Festival, Zhang Shouwang, Caravan 2 Year Anniversary
After a week of wisdom toothless misery, I’m seriously jonesing for something loud and in my face. A bombardment of the senses. A symphony of musical mayhem. Straight into my bloodstream. And looking at the layout this weekend gig wise – from Caravan’s three day blitzkrieg of celebrations, to the latest incarnation of the 330 Metal Festival, as well as an assortment of top notch acts across town, there’s plenty out there to ease the pain. Let’s jump into the deep end courtesy of Live Beijing Music (WeChat ID: livebeijingmusic).
Friday, March 24
ChaCha, Machaco (Japan), Chakka C (Singapore), Cyalda, Aivilox at Modernsky Lab
The Reggae Sistas, made up of prominent Japanese reggae artist Machaco, Shanghai’s vital trip hop artist and MC ChaCha, Singaporean performer Chakka C, Chengdu-based DJ and artist Cyalda and Aivilox, a dance and soul music artist, bring their eclectic set of skills and laid back grooves to Modernsky Lab alongside Raddam Ras aka MCWebber. Expect good vibes to carry you through the evening. 100 RMB
Elenore, The Twenties, Mr. Honey, Me Guan Me, L-Gentlemen, PoShangCun at Yue Space
Britpop, ska, sunshine pop, indie rock, and more at the ‘Back To Britain’ themed evening at Beixinqiao’s Yue Space but don’t let that scare you – there’s some serious talent on display here. From the alt rock melodic perfection that is The Twenties to the ruff and tumble Manchester rock of Elenore, to the big band fun of Mr. Honey, this is a top notch billing that’ll more than worth your time. 100 RMB
Ancestor, Bio-Cancer (Greece), Punisher, Toxic Waste, Explosicum, Alcor, Choleraic at Mao Livehouse
Thrash metal fans unite! It’s time to indulge in the trashing sounds of yes, The Trash China Festival. Nuclear invasion, social inequalities, and some of the most extreme metal bands this side of China including the infamous Explosicum from Nanchang, rising Liaoning champs Punisher, Huazhong representatives Cholera, and a slew of other hot blooded bands, like Greece’s own Bio-Cancer (band name for the win!) ready to thrash the night away. Gotta love it. 320 RMB
Peter Harper & Midwest Kind (AUS) at DDC
‘An amalgamation of blues, soul and world music’ – catch award-winning, Billboard charting didgeridoo and harmonica blues master Peter Harper and his band Midwest Kind at DDC with their highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled “World Blues.” Dope sounds indeed. 60 RMB
Zhang Shouwang, Yan Yulong, Nick Parsons at Mogu Space
Three artist take the stage at Xizhimen including Carsick Cars and White+ frontman Zhang Shouguang who’ll shred alongside violinist Yan Yulong from the band Chuiwan, and indie singer-songwriter Nick Parsons, who recently released an experimental ‘back to nature’ album. 66 RMB
Hoochie Coochie Gentlemen at Jianghu Bar
Veteran blues rock outfit Hoochie Coochie Gentlemen look to bring the good vibes to the cozy Jianghu Bar – harmonica, acoustic guitars, and some very merry singers. These cats are pros and have been working the crowds for ages – expect nothing less than a harmonica-infused evening of homegrown blues. 100 RMB
Backspace, mystery band at Temple
Psychedelic-tinted indie rockers Backspace, one of this year’s rising stars bring their energetic blend of mayhem to Temple alongside special guests and secret bands – ahhhhhhhh. Free
Lost In Space, The Tek Dead, The Skin I Live In, Time So Fast at School
Things get heavy at School as post-hardcore outfit Lost in Space, deathcore five-some The Tek Dead, female fronted electro-post-hardcore band The skin I Live In, and post-hardcore (‘with a smidgen of pop-punk thrown in’) group Time So Fast converge on Wudaoying Hutong to stir up some trouble. 60 RMB
David Binney’s Tres Tierras (USA), Cuong Vu Trio at Yugong Yishan
Two groups of jazz masters converge in Beijing for two nights of shows. David Binney and his band, the Tres Tierras, which formed in California in 2016, play avant-garde jazz with a punk sensibility. They’re joined on stage by the Cuong Vu Trio, featuring Cuong Vu himself on trumpet, Stomu Takeishi on bass and Ted Poor on the drums. 150 RMB
Star Band at Caravan
Caravan kicks off it’s ‘Anniversary Musical Orgy’ with the happy-go-lucky celebratory Star Band, who, along with the 50 percent off Tajine deal, look to make folks fulfilled in style. Free
Kuso Eyes, Lake, Richer King, Labor Glory, Kahlua at Hot Cat Club
The Hot Cat Club puts on a free concert featuring multiple great local bands. The show will feature up and coming local bands making a name for themselves, including indie rockers Kuso Eyes and Lakes as well as acts like Richer King, Kahlua and others. Free
The Plum Trees, Nathan Boroka and Jurat at 69 Cafe
Beijing indie band The Plum Trees, which consists of vocalist Shannon on the ukelele, Clancy on bass and Scott on guitar perform their laid back folk rock for audiences alongside guest guitarist Nathan Borofka and Uyghur musician and singer Jurat. 60 RMB
Bluso, XiZi, Heaven & Earth, QianZi at Mars Club
Pop rap, jazz rap, old school hip hop – you guessed it – it’s an evening of hip hop and rap-offs of up and comer rap groups Bluso, XiZi, and more take to the Batong line located venue. 60 RMB
Krazy Family, H.O.G, Easy Boyz Gang, ZDev at SOKARTMALL
There’s a player at 798 by the name of Sokartmall and after last week’s silent movie soundtracking there’s throwing a hip hop show with an array of hip hop and rap artists taking the stage at the art space (that strangely has ‘mall’ in their name). 60 RMB
Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at Modernista
Inspired by all things classic, pop, and big band, Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies bring ‘a vintage approach to contemporary music’. Enjoy classic reimaginings from the ever-expanding trope at Modernista. Free
Saturday, March 25
Ritual Day, Nine Treasures, Crack, Never Before, Defeated Sanity, Silent Elegy, Hierarchy, Tumour Boy, Eclipsia, Rupture, Dark Haze, The Dark Prison Massacre, Inferno Requiem (TW), Screaming Savior, Cankered Corpse at Tango
330 Metal Festival returns with a vengeance! The longstanding indoor metal festival, with 16 years under its belt of bringing China’s best metal acts to the stage, is at it again with a hefty filling of all things metal. Besides established and respected acts like Crack, Nine Treasures, and Ritual Day, each fresh off of a stellar release, taking the stage, the event is chock full of acts that’ll have you raising hell in no time. I mean, just look at the list of names – Cankered Corpse anyone? You’re in or you’re out. 330 RMB
Casino Demon, Da Bang, The Hotline at School
Sweat it out at School with this killer one-off double showcase show featuring Modern Sky heavyweights Casino Demon and Da Bang, who’ll bring their rock and roll charm and indietronica vitality to the venue with a lil help from electro rock up and comers The Hotline. Get their early and claim your spot on the dance floor cause it’s gonna be packed and crazy real quick. 100 RMB
Li Xia, Wu Ning Yue, Wu & the Side Effects at Caravan
Badr’s musical orgy three day celebration continues at Caravan and they’ve pulled a killer Ningxia bill out of their sleeve as renowned folk singers Li Xia (of Li Dong) and Wu Ning Yue (of Buyi) bring their ruff and tumble rock and roll folk spirit to the small stage alongside psychedelic blues madmen Wu & the Side Effects. Three bands that haven’t shared the stage since the days of Dos Kolehas and one that’ll have the Moroccan joint in high spirits till the early morning. Did I mention fifty percent off the Lamb Mechoui. Yum. 80 RMB
Rhonda, Black Hipster, Motorbike Girls, Jokers Belief, Ogenix at Mao Livehouse
Catch some of the expat scene’s hottest items with this wild n’ out showcase at Mao Livehouse featuring everything from electro metal outfit Ogenix, math rocky instrumentalists Rhonda, noise garage rockers Motorbike Girls and much more. 100 RMB
Fork, Romantic Betrayal at Chen Livehouse
What’s more metal than Nietzsche? God is dead at Chen Livehouse on Saturday as two great bands, Fork and Romantic Betrayal, play. Fork has been together for 12 years, and through many tours and lineup changes, have stayed metal. Romantic Betrayal is a new metal and industrial metal trio. 50 RMB
Toy Soldiers, Self Portrait, Siberia Cocklebur at Mars Club
Pop punk, britpop, and indie pop – lots of refined pop sounds coming through Mars Club, the latest livehouse to start a buzz in the Western outskirts of Beijing, as Toy Soldiers, Self Portrait, and Siberia Cocklebur take the stage. 80 RMB
Wang Fanrui at Yue Space
Contemporary folk singer-songwriter Wang Fanrui launches his latest national tour in support of his fourth album Thousands of Mountians, which was released late last year. He’s gonna a big deal with the young ones so expect a packed house. 100 RMB
Jacques Mauger (France), Eglantina Grapshi (Albany) at La Plantation
Ex-soloist of the Opéra National de Paris, Jacques Mauger, gives a master class performance on the trombone, elevating it to a new level alongside Albany-born pianist Eglantina Grapshi, who has performed as a soloist in music chamber ensembles, recital and orchestra in various festivals across Europe. Catch these two highly trained musicians at La Plantation. 150 RMB (7pm start)
David Binney’s Tres Tierras (USA), Cuong Vu Trio at Yugong Yishan
Two groups of jazz masters converge in Beijing for two nights of shows. David Binney and his band, the Tres Tierras, which formed in California in 2016, play avant-garde jazz with a punk sensibility. They’re joined on stage by the Cuong Vu Trio, featuring Cuong Vu himself on trumpet, Stomu Takeishi on bass and Ted Poor on the drums. 150 RMB
Techno Prisoner, Duff Beer at Temple
Left-field metal punk look to fry your brain alongside up and coming punk scrapper Duff Beer, who have been killing it with their rambunctious take-no-prisoners style of punk tomfoolery. Free
Hard Candy Revolution, Back, 4U, Cui LongYang at Laifu Livehouse
Britpop-infused rockers Cui LongYang join female fronted glam rockers Hard Candy Revolution, electronic rock outfit 4U and more at the Shuangjing livehouse for some fun. 80 RMB
Ma Xiao at Jianghu Bar
The folk artist Ma Xiao touches down at Jianghu for a Pisces birthday concert alongside his band. Like the famous fish, the artist’s music has a complex character and a good heart, playing simple, soulful guitar, and mournful flute, and singing about life and love. 70 RMB
Samaga at Hot Cat Club
Finding roots in Indian, Middle East and worldwide musical influences with a joyful dash of modern harmonies, Samaga’s music happily marries different musical traditions as the band melts modern compositions into Indian ambiances, delivering their own interpretation of traditional Arabic Maqam and Indian Raga, constantly reinventing the soundscapes painted by the Indian Sitar, Middle Eastern percussion, and the oud. Whoa. Hot Cat Club is getting otherworldly. Free
Dee, Acid, Gael, Zhu Songjie, Axiang at Fruityspace
Noise heads gather together around the bin fire at Fruityspace – as a collection of the music scene’s most offbeat characters concur up a storm including Dee, Acid, Gael, Zhu Songjie, and Axiang. Tomfoolery and audio visual hijinks will ensue.
Guo Ming, Wu Gui, Hou Kang at Mogu Space
Guo Ming, whose ‘anti-folk’ with rugged lyrics joins harmonica and guitar player and poet Wu Gui as well as local Beijinger Hou Kang, always one foot in the folk world and one foot in rock and roll. Three unique artists at the Xizhimen hotspot. 60 RMB
Uighur Sama at Modernista
A mixture of traditional Arabic songs and lively Spanish rumba classics, with lyrics both in English and Uyghur, Uighur Sama continue bringing the energetic sounds of Xinjiang to China´s capital. Free
Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at DDC
Audience favorites, Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, RnB, 3-piece horn section, rock and roll fun to DDC. 50 RMB
Yang Chali at Snail Hostel
Folk singer-songwriter Yang Chali, who has been on the scene and on the road since the 2008 release Living in Dali, performs at Snail Hostel. Stories of the country and of longing for the past should make for a relaxing evening. 70 RMB
Liu Yong at Blue Stream
Folk artist and indie musician Liu Yong, who’ll be releasing his first album later this year, plays at the Blue Stream Bar. 60 RMB
Sunday, March 26
Randy Abel, the Hunters, Jordan Darling, Redundant Seconds, Dooder, Cello Love, Eric Allen, Star Band, Coupla Cups, Kamau & Friends at Caravan
As the experienced music champion said himself – it’s the ‘ghost of dazeFeast’ returning for one last shagging this Sunday at Caravan as the Moroccan restaurant celebrates three years of satisfying food and tunes. There’ll be going all out with ten bands performing from four o’clock onwards – including sets from Randy Abel, the Hunters, Jordan Darling, Redundant Seconds, Dooder, and much more. Expect a barbecue on the terrace and plenty of drunken shenanigans throughout the afternoon and evening. And if that wasn’t enough, its 50 percent off all food all day long – so yeah, there’s goes your weekend. 60 RMB
Last Goodbye, Backspace, Uncle Hu at Yue Space
Blurred dreamy soundscapes, psychobilly vibing, and melodic melancholic Elliot Smith-styled storytelling – it’s a makeshift lienup of this year’s most promising contenders including shoegaze groovers Last Goodbye, indie rock renegades Backspace, and folk artist Uncle Hu. A very solid Sunday night outing. 60 RMB
Life Awaits, Ice Moon, CoupDeGrace, Fearless, Chaos Kills The Pain, Leviathan, Duskystar, 641 at Modernsky Lab
It’s a core-fest! Modernsky Lab sneaks in a stellar lineup of some of the core scene’s finest up and comers – from the emotive emocore rock of Life Awaits, to the rambunctious energy of Chaos Kills The Pain, the angst postcore rock of Ice Moon and the bonafide star power of Leviathan, who are in no way small fish – this is a jam packed lineup – one that wisely kicks off nice and early at 4pm. 120 RMB
Finger Family, Next Door Band, Black Mint, Mr. Deer at Yugong Yishan
Feel young again as ‘In Beijing Gang’ throws an party with the help of pop punk superstars Finger Family, fresh off their latest album and Japanese tour, indie pop outfit Next Door Band, as well as Black Mint and up and coming folk pop trope Mr. Deer. 150 RMB
Racoon Dog, Raven, Ringer, Ciel Errant, Shut Up N Listen, Foes, ShuKe He BoTa, ChangChang FanDiao at School
‘Campus Rock’ night at School Bar with an extensive rock n ready lineup of bands from across the university pool looking to cut their teeth and make a name for themselves. Who knows – you might just find this year’s biggest catch. 60 RMB
Katie Goes To Tokyo (Sweden) at DDC
Swedish singer/songwriter Kathrine Bergstrom brings her charming melodic pop tunes, reminiscent of The Cardigans to DDC. 100 RMB
Fofox, Zin, GaoGe, Jin YuHang at 69 Café
Folk singer-songwriters including Fofox and Zin take the cozy stage at 69 Café for an intimate evening of melodic storytelling. 60 RMB
The First Medal, Back, Miga, SuijiChen at Mars Club
Rock it out down on the Batong Line with these troublemakers looking to prolong their weekend. 60 RMB
Need a Name, Outspoken, Love Eye at Temple
Temple cover night! Witness three bands take the mantle and take turns plugging away at such classics from Iron Maiden, Halestorm, Rage Against The Machine, and the presidential Papa Roach. This is my last resort! Free
The Big Wave, Qianchuan Drugstore, XianTong, Skin Bad at Central Academy of Fine Arts
Cold Neo, the label/promotion team that’s been steadily building quite the rep over the past two years, is going all in this next month with a series of shows across the country showcasing the team’s stock of bands and friends. It all kicks off tonight at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (just west of Chongwenmen) at 6.30pm with auditorium performances from an array of bands – from juggernaut synth wave rockers The Big Wave, to up and coming (and fellow Fine Arts students) indie rock outfit Qianchuan Drugstore, there’s a bit of something for everyone. Must share their post and then a screenshot to the ColdNeo wechat (coldNEO) for a chance to get a ticket.
Phew! Still hungry for more? For events, videos, and photos from Beijing's thriving music scene, head over to Live Beijing Music or check out all of our live music listings here.
Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers
