Noise Pollution: Cloud Nothings, Dreamtale, The Paper Tigers, Alcest, Night Beats
As we get into the thick of spring, the scene begins its annual hemorrhaging as festivals, tours, album releases, and all-out mayhem unfolds across town. Some serious Sophie’s Choice scenarios will indeed arise so my suggestion – just follow your gut instinct. Or better yet, throw on a blindfold and wander aimlessly for 20 minutes – you’re bound to hit something. Here's your weekend roundup courtesy of Live Beijing Music (WeChat ID: livebeijingmusic).
Friday, April 14
Cloud Nothings (US), Backspace at Modernsky Lab
Prolific American garage rock outfit Cloud Nothings are the latest catch from promotion juggernauts Split Works and it’s a hell of a snag – snarling, frenetic lo-fi rock and roll that ignites and bombards, the band has been on a Pitchfork-approved winning streak since the beginning of the decade and their just released Life Without Sound has garnered the band even more acclaim. Catch the "band incapable of writing a bad song" at Modernsky Lab along with Beijing’s own Backspace, who are becoming quite the breakout stars themselves. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance)
The Molds, TOW, The Dice at School
Jangly, gangly alternative punk outfit, The Molds, one of Beijing’s most sought after acts (if only due to their rare appearances) bring their latest tour ‘Solitary Gold’ to School Bar. The Molds singer, Liu Ge, will also be performing alongside ex-singer of Ourself Beside ME, Yang Fan, as TOW – the duo’s new psychedelic folk project that’s been picking up steam in the past year. Expect a packed house chock full of Beijing underground rock royalty as well as The Dice keeping the space rock vibes going. RMB 80
Re-TROS at Yugong Yishan
A new album from Re-TROS!? Pinch me, as I must be dreaming. The esteemed post-punk band, after eight years in hiding, return with their ‘old, sharp, rhythmic’ Before The Applause – which promises a swift departure from the band’s Bauhaus-vibing days with a much tauter emphasis of electronic sounds and perpetual loops. Regardless, new Re-TROS (whose full band name is Rebuilding The Rights Of Statues) is new Re-TROS and I’m forming at the mouth at the thought of that. Catch them on their national tour at Yugong Yishan. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance)
Say Mosquito (HK), Death Narcissist, Rhonda at Temple
Gypsy punk trio Say Mosquito from Hong Kong make the trek up north to wreck havoc upon Temple Bar – returning for the occasion are the now default punk rockers Death Narcissist as well as math rock trio Rhonda, who have been slamming them out this month. Dangerous sounds indeed and what promises to be a gnarly good time. Free
Glow Curve, Amber, 16th Floor, Return To Delicate Past, Sun of Morning (TW) at Mao Livehouse
It’s a post-rock fever dream with some of the countries finest post-rock bands converging on Mao Livehouse for one night – Taiwan’s Sun of Morning joins Xi’an’s Amber, Jiaozuo’s Return to Delicate Past, as well as Beijing’s The 16th Floor and Glow Curve, that’s a lot of soundscapes to soak in and a must see gig for any post-rock fan out there. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance)
Zhuoling Wu, Dumb Plants, Ni Bing, Elephant House (UK), Ambient Intelligence at DDC
Electronic label Drum Rider will hold a label showcase this weekend with two shows – the first goes down at DDC with London based psychedelic drone combo Elephant House, local house duo Dumb Plants, together with Chengdu’s dream pop singer Wu Zhuo Ling (of Wednesday’s Trip), modular synth duo Ambient Intelligence, and label head Ni Bing. A diverse group of sounds to rattle your brain around. RMB 80
Necronoumena, Stanford Stanley, Fomalhaut, Prelude of Oblivion, Black Lotus, Three Quarters Dead, The Tek Dead at Mars Club
Gaobeidian livehouse Mars Club hosts an evening of hard rock and metal bands including Necronoumena, a brutal death metal act, appears with metal-to-the-core group Stanford Stanley and Fomalhaut, which explores the melodic side of metal. With over six groups lined up there’ll be plenty of moshing. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance)
Zaliva-D, Noise&Noise, Mabonona, Nous at Yue Space
Things get twisted and dark as some of the electronic scene’s most menacing characters including Zaliva-D (check out their Do Hits! release if you haven’t), Mabonona, NOUS, and Noise & Noise, who’ll be paying tribute to iconic German director Rainer Fassbiner, whose debut film Love is Colder Than Death (1969) will be acting as the backdrop to the evening. RMB 80.
Zhenren, The Grateful Duo at Caravan
"Long-time Beijing resident, freedom fighter for pre-war blues and master of puns," Peter Murchison, is getting ready for his 北XIT. For the night, Peter will be performing a double set, starting with the Grateful Duo (featuring Parker Trevathan) and then followed by Zhen Ren, his longstanding musical project with Richard Barnes. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance)
Norcelement, Kepler, Snow Windmill, East Factory, Daleiyin at 13 Club
13 Club keeps it real with a fiery lineup chock full of heavy metal outfits bringing the pain, long hair, pounding drums and laser fast guitar riffs. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance)
Di Vi Kappa 3 at Hot Cat Club
Italian trio Di Vi Kappa 3 bring their dark and trippy takes on rock legends like the Stones, Cash, Zappa, Talking Heads, and more to Hot Cat Club. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance)
Dreamtale (Finland) at Tango
Metalhead converge on Tango for Dreamtale, the Finnish power metal band known for their symphonic metal tunes. The band who have been together since 1999 and have released seven studio albums will appear for the first time in China. RMB 300, RMB 240 (advance)
Nick Parsons at Mogu Space
It’s a David Bowie memorial night in Xizhimen as various musicians including Nick Parsons pay tribute to the otherworldly artist in support of the Chinese language release of a new Bowie biography. There will also be a screening of the documentary David Bowie – Five Years and talk by the book’s translator. RMB 50
Ya Dong at Jianghu Bar
Delta bluesman Ya Dong appears at Jianghu in support of his new album These Rough Things, recorded in the USA in Nashville and Memphis. Ya Dong mixes rock, country and folk into his blues, and appears solo at the show playing guitar and harmonica and singing. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance)
Nathan Borofka, XuJun, YanJiuYuan, LiZhiXi at 69 Café
Get your folk on at the ever-cozy 69 Café with these acoustic story weavers including regulars Nathan Borofka, Xu Jun, and more. RMB 60
The Rebel 5 at Modernista
The Rebel 5, formerly known as The Rotten 5, is a soul, R&B and funk music ensemble covering some of the greatest songs of all times. Catch them working the dance floor at Modernsita. Free
Saturday, April 15
Mercader, Lonely Leary at School
One of the biggest breakout bands of southern China in 2016, Mercader makes their first appearance in Beijing tonight. With plenty of post punk swagger, no wave grit, and an on stage presence that’s downright explosive, the band from Guangzhou has been on my ‘must-see’ list since their killer self-titled debut in 2014. There’s something sinister going on with these kids and I want in. Speaking of which, opening for them with be the always-reliable Lonely Leary, fresh from recording their own debut. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance)
Tongue at Modernsky Lab
Seminal art rock outfit Tongue wraps up their nationwide tour in support of their 2016 album Primitive People Love Air Conditioning. The band, originally from Urumqi, were a force to be reckoned with in the early ‘00s and since their return in 2013 has manage to bring back their bass-heavy, aggressively funk, fun house madcap, and lyrically rich rock and roll with much success. Catch them at their homebase Modernsky Lab tonight. RMB 120, RMB 100 (advance)
The Paper Tigers, The Harridans, Joker’s Belief at Jianghu Bar
Join Beijing’s indie rock band, The Paper Tigers, as they celebrate the release of their debut EP with a huge launch show at Jianghu Bar – the band whose dance-heavy, indie rock has been keeping the music scene bubbling are joined by psychedelic minstrels The Harridans, back from the winter hiatus, as well as funk and soul infused rockers Joker’s Belief, who’ll be giving a special acoustic performance. RMB 50
Alcest (FR) at Yugong Yishan
New Noise invites back French blackgazers Alcest to China to present their latest masterpiece Kodama. Widely praised for innovating metal music by adding translucent acoustic guitars, sky-shaking thunderheads of distortion, and tender, wispy harmonies, the band’s fifth album returns to the epic and contrasted style of their earlier work. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance)
Bugs of Phonon (TW) at Omni Space
Omni Space, the little big venue that’s still looking to find its feet, invites Taiwanese instrumental rock outfit Bugs of Phonon to their beautiful space. The band, who have won acclaim back home since their debut in 2008, will bring their feedback heavy, melodically pleasing transporting soundscapes to the Tianqiao hotspot. RMB 120
Tumor Boy (pictured at top), Return the Truth, Mystery Band at Temple
Metal and hardcore collide for one epic evening of rowdiness as veteran hardcore outfit Return the Truth join Tumor Boy and more for some head banging. Free
Samaga at Caravan
"Indian, Middle East and worldwide musical influences with a joyful dash of modern harmonies," Samaga 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, the Middle Eastern percussion and oud. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance)
Feng Hao, Abing, 3 at Fruityspace
Three guitar players from various troupes, bands, and ensembles go solo for the night including Dreaming Julie’s Feng Hoa, Boiled Hippo’s Abing, and The Dice’s 3. Let’s get noodlinggg! RMB 40
Cool Rhythm at DDC
Contemporary blues/funk outfit Cool Rhythm featuring Joan Gong on guitar, blues harmonica musician Jason Zhang, jazz drummer Wu Zhijun, and bass player Sheng Zhi, bring their genre-bending, culture-blending jazz fusion to DDC. RMB 100
Drug Dock, Lattice, Hind Brain at Mars Club
Indie rock night in Gaobeidian with hard hitting scrappers Hind Brain, britpop pleasers Lattice, and funk-filled poppers Drug Dock (anyone have a clue what a Drug Dock is?) – sounds about right. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance)
Zhang GuoNian at Yue Space
Contemporary folk singer-songwriter releases his latest single, ‘Solaris’ inspired by the Gobi Desert. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance)
Shao Yibei, Xiao Pu, LuGengXu at Tango
Heavy-weight folk pop stars bring their intimate and widely beloved tunes to the big stage at Tango. Serious hits between these folks so expect a big crowd holding onto every word out of these three mouths. RMB 120, RMB 100 (advance)
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre at Modernista
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernsita. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. Free
Jordan Darling, Nick Parsons, ZhangHaoNan, DanzengZhuoGa at 69 Café
Get your folk on at 69 Café with these acoustic story weavers including regulars Jordan Darling, Nick Parsons, and more. RMB 60
Liang Zi, Jasmine Monk at Snail Hostel
Folk musician Jasmine Monk whose "complex and textural acoustic guitar, harmonica, and own mellow voice" has made hit a favorite returns to the petit Snail Hostel alongside Liang Zi. RMB 100
Big Star at Hot Cat Club
Funk, jazz, soul, pop, and of course rock – join Big Star on Fangjia Hutong for some fun as they do originals and dance-worthy covers. Free
Sunday, April 16
Djang San, Rhonda, BPM, Sino Hearts, The Beauty, Diaster Chat at Yue Space
The Beijing Underground Evening series hits its third edition this Saturday with a host of bands ready to keep your feet tapping throughout the evening including hard hitting instrumentalists Rhonda, jazz punk trio BPM, power pop punk outfit Sino Hearts, indie rockers The Beauty and Disaster Chat and event curators and East-West fusion rockers Djang San and his rollicking band, always a treat. Plus, a special exhibition from A.Borealis. Dope. 5pm start. RMB 60
The Glamour Manifesto, Inxu, Liangren, Zhongzuo at Omni Space
Tianqiao venue Omni Space (or the new Jiangjinjiu for you old timers) present the XIAN Project – which will open it doors to aspiring artists across Beijing. So if you’ve got a band and need a new place to play – with a killer sound system – then look no further. The opening party will feature electro industrial trio The Glamour Manifesto, instrumental rockers Inxu, indie folk artist Liangren, and hard rockers Zhongzuo. Free
Pork, Panda Eye, Nan, Toy Soldiers at Modernsky Lab
Starting from 1pm, Modernsky Lab will bring together DJs, artists, beer, vinyl and haircuts for a special Easter Sunday market. Shop for home goods, get a tattoo or buy a pet scorpion, get an undercut and listen to China’s best Chicago-style house DJ Kaize, or Pork, Panda Eye or one of a number of great bands. Free
Night Beats (US) at Mao Livehouse
Seattle band Night Beats continue their first ever China tour this Sunday, bringing their psychedelic-fueled garage rock and folk-laced sounds, a winning combination that has had them open for such bands as The Black Lips among others. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance)
Zhang Kehan at La Plantation
Award-winning violinist Zhang Kehan, who ha played and studied across the world since the age of four, gives a virtuoso performance at La Plantation this afternoon. 4pm. RMB 150
Dona Rosa & Ensemble at Tianqiao Theater
Embodying ‘the true longing of soul’ Dona Rosa, the Portuguese vocalist, who has released four albums, has become one of the most notable performers of “fado,” the Portuguese version of blues. She brings her ‘Hello, Destiny’ tour to the Tianqiao Theater. RMB 100-580
D.Cortisol, Ocean Ghost at Temple
Sunday evening goes folk at Temple but not without a little strangeness thrown into the mix as psychedelic country outfit D.Cortisol joins folksters Ocean Ghost. Free
Fork, Super Bad at Mars Club
Gaobeidian hotspot refuses to let the weekend die as they plow through into Monday with the Super Bad and Fork for some dirty but oh-so-good rock and roll. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance)
Ghetto Blaster, Lily Team, Lost Lecia at School
Promotion team Super Street Fighter round up the newest comers ready to win over you with this diverse lineup at School Bar. RMB 40, RMB 30
Sedar Ensemble at DDC
Get your jazz fusion fix at DC this Sunday as acclaimed pianist Sedar Chin joins some of the scene’s most skilled musicians to explore new compositions in jazz. RMB 80, RMB 60
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: Return The Truth, Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers
