Noise Pollution May 5-7: Rhonda Farewell, The Meantraitors, MC Dawei, Twinkle Star
A deceased laptop, a Chilean house party, and an overnighter in the dining cart – just a few of the highlights from my holiday. Hope you all had a swell one too cause it’s time to get back to basics – cool evenings, lukewarm beer, and steamy tunes to keep you enthralled throughout the weekend. Keep your eyes on the prize and let’s get right to it. Here's your weekend roundup courtesy of Live Beijing Music (WeChat ID: livebeijingmusic).
Friday, May 5
Rhonda, Macondo, Pacalolo at Temple
Drummer and music man about town Alex bids farewell to Beijing and its music scene with a two day Temple blow out that have the musician pulling triple duty and most working his way toward developing carpel tunnel syndrome (don't even get me started on what his liver will have go through!). Evening one finds Alex rocking it will post-whatnot outfit Rhonda, a band that I’ll surely miss. Joining them will be Macondo and Pacalolo – so expect some high octane farewells. Free
Mekrop, TAT at Yue Space
Two new projects fronted by Kazakh avant-garde veteran Mamer emerge tonight at Yue Space. Mekrop and TAT, the Kazakh names of two bands, their respective meaning is "bacteria" and "rust". These two bands will be exploring musical boundaries like none other – delving in the deep end of experimentation and the ugliest corners of post punk. Believe me, you’ve never heard anything quite like this. The evening will also act as the album release night for the two projects. RMB 100
LMT Connection (Canada) at Omni Space
Funk legends LMT Connection return once again for their third straight year in a row! True masters of the craft, the band has been together for twenty eight years, have recorded six albums, and played over 6000 shows including extensive tours of Europe and China. Headed by Leroy Emmanuei, Mark Rogers, and John Irvine, the band will be celebrating BB King’s 80th birthday and bringing the funk on hard at Omni Space (previously DDC). RMB 100
D-Crash, Struggle Session, The Demonstrators at School
Get your crust punk fix with Beijing’s premier ‘D-Beat’ outfit – D-Crash who recently released their scrappy, hot-bloodied and alert EP Doom of Authority. They’ll be hitting up School Bar in support of the EP and set loose a parade of daggers into the depravity of society, the administration, and beyond in China. No one comes out clean – support from Struggle Session and The Demonstrators. RMB 60
Menghan, Nhozagri, Xiao Hanqiu, Chenchenchen, Wang Jiyu, Xiang YaTa, Chenzhuo, HuXimiao, Songk at fRUITYSPACE
The evening is titled “Magic Sampling” – which refers to the ‘use of sampling method in music and art works, which includes the artistic creation of collecting and restructuring subconscious fragments and imagination’. The abstract lineup features some sleeper players such as Hangzhou’s Chenchenchen, an experimental electronic musician and guitar virtuoso whose been quite the presence down south, as well as Beijing’s Menghan, Wang Jiyu, and more artists in both fields. Intriguing indeed. RMB 50
Special Task, Time Capsule, Zhege, Single Shangyi at Modernsky Lab
The return of the ‘MF United’ party which sadly is the MF United team playing polka. But fear not cause on duty will be rockers Special Task, britpop indie outfit Time Capsule, pop rock ruffians Zhege and Single Shangyi keeping things nice and lively. RMB 60
Liu Donghong & Sand at Jianghu Bar
Blues-ridden singer-songwriter Liu Donghong and his band The Sand have been known as one of the most important rock 'n roll artists in China since their formation in 1998. Catch them give a special unplugged performance this evening at the hutong space. RMB 80
Pu Han, Heike Kagler, Nick Parsons, Kamau at 69 Café
Artists from around the world including American guitarist Kamau, German cellist Heike Kagler, Sichuan folk vocalist and guitarist Pu Han and Beijing indie star Nick Parsons, share the stage at 69 Café for a 60’s inflected jam session. RMB 66
Mamonahi Theater Dance Company at Yugong Yishan
Mamonahi (stylized as MaMoNaHi) are a theatre-dance company who combine live music with theatre and choreographed dance. In this performance, the troupe performs two plays ('The Grey Life' and 'Relationship') while being accompanied by Spanish guitarist Alberto Cuellar, American violinist Shawn Moore and Chinese saxophonist Xu Peng. RMB 150
Thomas Enhco (FR) at La Plantation
Classically trained jazz piano virtuoso, who began composing at the ridiculous age of six and has since then played concert halls and festivals across the world, gives a solo performance at La Plantation. Top notch stuff there. 7pm start. RMB 100 (students)/RMB 200 (adults)
Yang Chu Xiao, Li Jingwen at Mogu Space
Skilled guitarists Yang Chu Xiao and Li Jingwen, who both play classical-style (or fingerpicked) acoustic guitar, join forces in Xizhimen for an unplugged concert performing folk, jazz and rock on acoustic guitar. RMB 60
Quintet at Mars Club
Folk outfit Quintet, who got their start playing in the Beijing Sport University Folk Orchestra, perform over at Gaobeidian with a lineup that includes traditional instruments like the pipa, the erhu, the huqin and the bamboo flute. RMB 80
He Bingbing, Huan Zhengrui, Nian, Yan Bo Zhou, Cui Longyang at Snail Hostel
The petite Snail Hostel goes big (relatively) with this expansive folk lineup featuring renowned singer-songwriter Cui Longyang who’ll join dream pop duo Nian, as well as other up and coming folk artists. RMB 60
Sayonara Presents a Sanyuanqiao Underpass Production
I’ll let the poster do the talking on this one. Just a thing of beauty. For those looking for a little adventure. Free
Saturday, May 6
The Meantraitors (RUS), Rolling Bowling, Underdog at School
Russian psychobilly trio The Meantritors return to China after two years and they’re ready to cut loose. The band has been a staple of the European punk scene for over twenty years, and have the scars to prove it. With the ‘roots of 50's rockabilly multiplied by aggression and amplified by contemporary sound systems’ these guys are not to be missed. Better yet, they’ll managed to get the one and only Rolling Bowling, Beijing’s premier rockabilly band to join, as well as up and coming super group Underdog – a ska/reggae/blues outfit made up of members of SMZB, Casino Demon, and Human Centipede. Yeah – it’s gonna be a wild one. RMB 100
MC Dawei at Yue Space
Described as a poetic tsunami, rapper Dawei continues to break down walls with his hard hitting, intellectually stimulating and affecting verses, and embarks on his next journey as he presents Through You, I Conquer Time – which looks to combine art installation, theatrical performance, and live music into a fever dream of contemporary hip hop. Color me intrigued. RMB 120
Twinkle Star, Tookoo, Surprise, IC, Alt Senior at Yugong Yishan
Beijing emo-punks Twinkle Star play a homecoming show at Yugong Yishan following a nationwide tour to promote their new album, Full of Hope, which showcased Zhao Meng’s transformation into lead singer. The former bassist (who also basses for the ever mighty New Pants) carries the catchy, life-affirming and energetic tunes with power pop aplomb. Their music is literally bursting with hope, happiness, sentimentality and passion - as far as emo power pop goes, there’s no one better. Some killer guest there as well including the disbanded Tookoo and the first incarnation of Twinkle Star, Alt Senior. RMB 100
TOW, The Dice! at fRUITYSPACE
Psychedelic vibes, folksy dream pop, and plenty of noise – things get rightfully and righteously heady at the basement hangout fRUITYSPACE as TOW - the new psychedelic folk project from The Molds singer Liu Ge, and ex Ourself Beside Me singer, Yang Fan, perform alongside space rock cadets The Dice!. RMB 40
The Swinging Barearellas, Struggle Session, Duff Beer, Sino Hearts at Temple
Night two of the annihilation of Alex’s liver (and soul) as scrappy punk garage rock outfit Swinging Barbarellas go out, well, swinging alongside a spoonful of the newest and loudest bands to shake up the scene this year including Duff Beer, Struggle Session and Sino Hearts. Pour one down Alex’s guzzler one last time and give the ol chap a proper sendoff. Free
Yishi at Omni Space
Yishi – a folk band based on the dialect of Sichuan Yibin gives it their all at Omni Space. Formed in 2010 in Zhuhai (Guangdong province) by animal vet You Miao and teacher Lin Quan Hong, and featuring an extensive cast of musicians from just about everywhere in China, the band combines elements of just about everything – from reggae, blues, ska, jazz, folk, Chinese opera, and even the songs of local boatmen (hells yes) – to create something that’s brimming with life. RMB 100
Nasty Ray, Boom at Modernsky Lab
ModernSky Lab hosts the Dope Flow Freestyle Battle, where the city’s best rappers will be squaring off to be crowned number one and win prizes (and sick ass equipment). The contest will be judged by Ijapa Banton and Jiggy, while beats will be provided by DJ 4tel, and heavy weight veteran rappers Nasty Ray and Boom will be on hand to show the kids how it’s done properly (and possibly having their own battle for all the marbles). RMB 120
Qianchuan Drugstore, Boss First, Chinatown, Defence Mechanism at Mars Club
The Gaobeidian hotspot continues rocking steady with a solid lineup featuring the trumpet-infused alt rockers Qianchuan Drugstore, Tianjin’s Boss First, funk rockers Chinatown and more. RMB 60
Liu Donghong, Carlo, Nick Parsons at 69 Café
Blues folk singer-songwriter vet Liu Donghong joins Carlo (of Djang San an d various other projects) and Nick Drake invoking Nick Parsons for an evening of acoustic goodness. RMB 66
Latitude-30°N at Jianghu Bar
Roots hard rockers Latitude-30°N will be debuting their EP tonight at the hutong spot. RMB 60
Haozi at Snail Club
A new take on Chinese folk music with singer/songwriter Haozi, whose music branches out across atmospheric post rock, meaningful folk and head nodding reggae. RMB 80
Guo Gan Erhu at La Plantation
Renowned erhu master Guo Gan, who cut his teeth aboard where he found the first Chinese jazz band – Dragon Jazz – in Paris, performs at La Plantation with his band. 7pm start. RMB 100 (students)/RMB 200 (adults)
Sunday, May 7
The White Papers, The First Medal at School
Chairman Wow kicks off his latest concert series with School Bar and Loreli – Beijing Rock 101 – where the scenester will ‘showcase local acts that represent important aspects of the Beijing scene's past, present, and future’ with performances from an array of Beijing noise makers as well as on stage interviews conducted by the good folks at Loreli. The series kicks off with some of the city’s new blood – pop infused post punk outfit The White Papers and the female fronted emo rockers The First Medal. Dope indeed. RMB 20
Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones (USA) at Yue Space
Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones are old-time musicians from Galax, Virginia - an area in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southeastern United States that is famous for traditional music. They are married - in life and music. Expect sweet song-duets and powerful fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo tunes as the Appalachian musicians bring the Americana bluegrass and square dance staple to Yue Space (previously DDC) for an afternoon outing. 3pm start. RMB 60
By Dream, SNSOS, Before the Sunrise, Wonder Sea, New Youth at Yue Space
It’s a post rock hoedown at Yue Space as they invite an array of post rock artists – from the math rocky She Never Sings Our Songs to the cheery indietronica infused Before the Sunrise – each giving their own take on the instrumental genre that’s all the rage with Chinese kids these days. RMB 80
Zhang Shouwang at 69 Café
Carsick Cars and White+ frontman Zhang Shouwang goes solo this evening at 69 Café with his guitar. RMB 66
VK (TW) at Modernsky Lab
Taiwanese piano virtuoso VK appears at ModernSky Lab as part of his China tour. The artist, best known for his hits ‘Magic City’ and ‘Divorce Lawyers’, also serves as a composer and recording artist on several popular TV shows. Cue the screaming parade of fans. RMB 300
Images: backstageclub.ru, courtesy of the organizers
