Noise Pollution: Protomartyr, Deniz Tek, Xiao Wang, Lil Akin, Robb Bank$, Punk Rock Tribes Fest

Will Griffith | Jun 15, 2018 4:00 pm | Add a comment | 2122 reads

Happy Dragon Boat Festival everyone! Fill up some zongzi, wear some incense to drive away contagious diseases (and last’s night excess), and don’t talk down that quirky poet who has given up on society. Traditions! But most of all, indulge on the musical excess the holiday has to offer – from punk festivals to visiting post-punk ragers and avant-pop duos, as well as the kick off of this year’s Fete de la Musique and a stacked lineup at this weekend's Burger Fest, it’s almost too much to handle (I actually had to cull quite a bit this time out). Partake!

Friday, Jun 15

Protomartyr (US), Deadly Cradle Death ay Yue Space
At the top of everyone’s international band wish list - Detroit’s Protomartyr brings their 'angular, bleak, intelligent post-punk’ to Beijing courtesy of Split Works. Equal parts The Fall, Mission of Burma and Gang of Four it’s lyrically rich, emotional, devastating, and brutally honest take on the genre that 'offers a small light in the darkness, while never denying that we are all just standing in the dark.’ They hit up Yue Space with a very notable support act - the ever evasive Deadly Cradle Death, whose witch house drum n bass anti-club music is devilishly fun. Read our recent interview with Protomartyr frontman Joe Casey here. RMB 140

Deniz Tek (US), Round Eye, Sino Hearts, Holy Shit at DDC
American singer, guitarist, and songwriter and a founding member of legendary Australian rock group Radio Birdman, Deniz Tek rolls through Beijing alongside Shanghai circus punk ring leaders Round Eye. The underground rocker known for exerting his burning Detroit-style guitar influence over the punk rock genre in Australia will be joined by The Fleshtones guitarist Keith as well as Beijing rockers The Sino Hearts and Holy Shit. Read our recent interview with Tek here. RMB 200

Xiao Wang, Pinboard, Miss Mix, Wasted Laika at Temple
‘Gender is not a genre! Music, beer, and dance are more important than gender discourse. Gender is a spectrum, emphasizing any gender in the scene is othering’. Right on. Xiao Wang (pictured at top)and more look to scatter all notions with a whip-smart lineup featuring the new two-women fronted Xiao Wang lineup, as well as touring Guangzhou ska punks Pinboard, plus Wasted Laika, and Miss Mix. FREE

Lil Akin, Chacha, Digi Bear, Luxixi, DJ Yeahnine at 13 Club
Two of the hip-hop scene’s finest contributors, both at the top of their game – the longstanding constantly evolving Chacha, from Shanghai, and R&B singing sensation Lil Akin, join forces in the unlikeliest of places – Wudaokou’s 13 Club – for what will surely be a crackling, energetic showcase. RMB 250

Deep Mountains, Xue Chen at Yugong Yishan
Black metal outfit Deep Mountains, out of Tai’an, are considered one of the country’s leading black metal acts. They combine elements from traditional Chinese music with soul-crushing deafening metal and have garnered lots of fans in and outside of China. They’re joined by folk-metal band Xue Chen. RMB 100

Sun Dawei, Layer + Ambra Corinti at fRUITYSPACE
Sun Dawei (known to many as Sulumi) returns to Beijing since moving to Japan to hone his craft and deep dive into the electronic scene. This evening he’ll be performing a special ambient set involving as he describes a ‘lot of modified original timbre, like atmospheric pressure, ambitious ultrasound experiments’. Support from fellow ambient musician Layer and Ambra Corinti. RMB 60

Robb Bank$ (US), Young Dragon at Hustle
Part of the explosion of South Florida rappers, in which artists like Kodak Black, Ski Mask the Slump God, Lil Pump, and others have become indisputable rising stars within the genre, Robb Bank$ was one of the first and finest. His on ire 2018 release ‘Molly World’ has only raised his stature and he’s jumping on that success with a stint out in Asia accompanied by up and coming Chinese American rapper Young Dragon. RMB 260

Liron Man (Israel), Lan Tung (Singapore), Yiliyaer Ayoupu at Yichang Cafe
Yichang is proud to present a unique concert with three masters of their instruments, Liron Man from Israel, Lan Tung from Singapore and Yiliyaer Ayoupu from Xinjiang. They will be playing together in the large room of 27 Yard, which used to be a theater in the traditional courtyard. Get ready to be enchanted by the erhu, handpan, and tabor as the artists take you through a musical voyage. 7.30pm. RMB 150

The Glamour Manifesto (Italy), Scare the Children, SHAS at School
After clubbing across China last fall and playing over 20 club dates, The Glamour Manifesto is back in China with their signature "wall of sound" punch to the face brand of electro indie rock tunes. They’re joined by Beijing’s masked horror metal favorites Scare the Children and SHAS aka Stinky Human Abuse to Subsist. Gnarly sounds indeed. RMB 60

All Unknown, You Chang

Tuan, Feline, Glasses Man of Song Dynasty at Laifu Livehouse
Pop-rock favorites All Unknown, humorous world music ensemble Glasses Man of Song Dynasty, and more good vibing, fresh blooded rockers take the stage at Shuangjin’s ever-growing Laifu Livehouse. RMB 60

Ad Libitum, Max Sleigh at Pink Moon
Ad Libitum which features three of the small stage’s finest characters Kamau and Dooder of Great Buffalo Blues and cellist Heike Wyler (of everything) hit up Pink Moon alongside independent singer-songwriter Max Sleigh. RMB 66

DJ Wesley, AKA-141, Galsun, K.C.N, Evilzz, DJ Crazy, Omiplume, Ty$wae at Mao Livehouse
Mao Livehouse gets in on the MC Freestyle Battle business with a big ol’ bar dropping, trash talking, off the cuff face-off between an array of rappers and hip-hop artists. RMB 150

Ramblin Roze, Wicked Bones, ADS at Hot Cat Club
Fangjia Hutong’s lone music survivor Hot Cat Club gets down to business with a rocking, tight-jeaned evening of classic rock sounding tunes from a variety of bands. RMB 80

The Donald Harrison Quartet at Blue Note
Combining jazz music with traditional New Orleans African music to create his own sound, called ‘Nouveau Swing’, sax player Donald Harrison, who's performed with everyone from Art Blakey to Notorious B.I.G, swings through Beijing with his band. RMB 380

Scandal (JP) at Tango
Scandal is an all-female Japanese rock band from Osaka. Formed in August 2006 by four high school girls, they played live street performances until they were noticed and signed to the indie label Kitty Records. Although all four members have provided lead vocals, their primary roles are Haruna on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mami on lead guitar, Tomomi on bass guitar, and Rina on drums. Pretty big deal these girls. RMB 480/680

Soul Liberty at BSP Livehouse
Hard rock ruffians Soul Liberty bring their Yaogun-inflicted, Chinese culture-referencing brand of folk metal to the concise Chaoyangmen livehouse BSP Livehouse. RMB 100

Lu Qiang (TW) at Laifu Livehouse
The first mainland tour of Taiwanese singer Lu Qiang the wake her stint on the Voice of Dreams, since then the usually introverted singer has earned millions of fans. RMB 100

The Southern Wind at La Plantation
With lyrics and music that originated from the Yuan Ming Dynasty, The Southern Wind collective performs ancient music from the Fujian region using the Quanzhou dialect and an array of traditional instruments. RMB 200

The Hunters at Jianghu Bar
Beijing’s hottest crowd-pleasing outfit One of Beijing’s best foreign cover bands The Hunters combine old school funk, soul, and rock classics with intoxicating delivery. 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 Modernista. FREE

Pierre Pradat Jazz Trio at The Bricks
Pierre Pradat is a French jazz piano and keyboard player, bandleader, composer, sound designer, producer, teacher, and actor. Catch him and his highly skilled mates bring some jazzy fun to Sanlitun. FREE

Saturday, Jun 16

Kawa, Underbaby, Shave N’ Shut, Subs, Casino Demon, Dungeon Beijing, Gum Bleed, Zankou, Finger Family at Yugong Yishan
The good ol' chaps over D.O.G. - one of the platforms to emerge from that haven - are throwing down once again with their annual punk festival with a two-venue hoedown featuring bands not only holding the punk torch in Beijing, but across the entire country. Over at Yugong Yishan, the big game is afoot with School Bar home players Casino Demon, anti-establishment veterans Gum Bleed, red-blooded J-pop punk favorites Finger Family, as well as legends Underbaby and special guests Yunnan reggae rockers Kawa and hip-hop collective Dungeon Beijing. See our preview of this round of Punk Rock Tribes here. 3pm. RMB 180

Pinboard, Early Bus, Xiao Wang, The Flyx, Uncle Bad, Unregenerate Blood, Hell City, Holy Shit at School
D.O.G’s Punk Tribes Festival continues at ground zero for all things punk School Bar – with a feisty bunch of homegrown talent keeping things hot and sweaty – including special Guangzhou ska punk guest Pinboard, Xiao Wang in their new female double trouble lineup, as well as some of the scene’s most underrated bands such as long-standing outfits The Flyx, Unregenerate Blood, and Early Bus. RMB 100

Jajatao, Birdstriking, Qianchuan Pharmacy at Omni Space
Makeup smeared, wool sweater pimping grunge revisionists, who bring in everything from Chinese nationalists songs to high-pitched souna to their high wire act are back and touring the country. Check out their latest material as they join the always-dependable noise rockers Birdstriking and up-and-coming Qianchuan Pharmacy, who have been quietly honing their material at university. RMB 120

Tenniscoats (JP), me:mo feat. Li Wei at fRUITYSPACE
Considered one of the hippest on the Japanese underground scene, Tenniscoats have been creating achingly beautiful and fragile psychedelic folk music (or avant-pop as some like to call it) since the late 90s. Made up of acoustic guitarist Takashi Ueno and vocalist Saya Ueno, with other dizzyingly intoxicating effects and instruments thrown in (warbling sax and flute for instance) it’s quietly alluring stuff that will sweep you off your feet. Support from fRUITYSPACE gatekeeper and ambient musician me:mo. RMB 100

Backspace, Atelier II, Wen Liang, Zhou RiSheng at Magnet Theater
Looking for afternoon mind-bending tunes to blast off in – then head over to Magnet Theater where noise rock kids Backspace, drone duo Atelier II, ambient producer Wen Liang, and Zhou RiSheng will be performing. RMB 80

DFA1989 at Temple
What to do with a failed Motorhead tribute night – give the reins to ‘local sonic-gravediggers, ash-sculptors, and Lord of the Rings enthusiasts DFA1989’ who will be tweaking the evening’s theme to Mordorhead – which as you may expect is a night of LOTR-themed Motorhead reinterpretations. Come dressed as a dirty hobo Hobbit as I did last weekend. FREE

Yan, Rainbow Machine at Jianghu Bar
Producer Yan brings his contemporary stylings on everything from abstract hip-hop to old movie dialog to Jianghu Bar alongside Rainbow Machine, a collaborative project formed between Noise Arcade and Rothwell, that focuses on rhythmic drone excavations. RMB 80

Cornelia (Sweden), Acid Accident, Swarrm at DDC
After several years in the industry as a songwriter and being part of various artist constellations, such as the world touring DJ-vocalist duo “Stockholm Syndrome”, Swedish artist Cornelia is now taking her next step as a solo artist with what she describes as “dynamic emotional live music”. Check out the indie folk artist’s new direction alongside prog metal outfit Swarrm and post-rock avengers Acid Accident. RMB 60

Skylar Spence (US) at Yue Space
New York-based artist Skylar Spence (Ryan DeRobertis) touches down at Yue Space as part of his cross-China tour. His electronic music project Saint Pepsi received acclaim from Stereogum and Pitchfork. Catch him live at Yue Space this evening. RMB 150

Stanisław Słowiński (Poland) at DDC
Stanisław Słowiński is one of the most active musicians on the Polish scene. As a frontman in his own projects, a sideman and a session musician, he gives over 100 concerts a year, visiting club and festival scenes around the world, including Chile, China, South Korea, Iceland, Spain, Serbia and Hungary. 3pm. RMB 80

Mr. Big (US) at Tango
I’m the one that wants to be with you!!!!!! American rock band Mr. Big bids you farewell in Beijing on June 16th. Together since 1988, the hard rockers scored a number of hits around the world including the chart-topping To Be With You. They now come to say goodbye following the death of their drummer Pat Torpey in 2014. See them live for the last time at Tango 3F. RMB 780

Monesque & the White Russian, Canzilians at Caravan
One-half Dutch-Australian and the other half Russian, Monesque & the White Russian is a new original indie pop guitar duo. They join transnational duo Canzilians – who play a blend of Canadian tones and Brazilian rhythms combined with pop covers. RMB 60

Black Lotus, Rose in the Dark, Frost, Alpha Cat, Bai He Zu at 13 Club
These young, ambitious, nimble rockers take charge this weekend at the university-district located 13 Club. RMB 50

Miss Mix, Met U at 69 Café
Girl group Miss Mix mixes up rock, punk, blues, Britpop, and grunge with a killer stage show and a vampy look. They perform at 69 Cafe with pop-rock artists and fellow all-women band METU, who draw on punk, funk, and hip-hop to create their signature sound. RMB 69

Liron Man (Israel), Lan Tung (Singapore), Yiliyaer Ayoupu at La Plantation
Yichang is proud to present a unique concert with three masters of their instruments, Liron Man from Israel, Lan Tung from Singapore and Yiliyaer Ayoupu from Xinjiang. They will be playing together at the exquisite La Plantation. Get ready to be enchanted by the erhu, handpan, and tabor as the artists take you through a musical voyage. 730pm. RMB 200

The David Benoit Trio (US) at Blue Note
For three decades, the Grammy-nominated pianist/composer/ arranger David Benoit has reigned supreme as one the founding fathers of contemporary jazz. He has served as conductor with a wide range of symphonies including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Asia America Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Basically, the guy is an LA legend. RMB 400

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre at Modernista
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernista to help with their six-year anniversary celebrations. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE

Sid Silwal, Max Sleigh, Lan at Soi Baochao
Soi Baochao and host L-Force presents the latest volume of Da Hottest Talent Show, giving a ragtag team of musicians a chance to strut their stuff and prove their musical abilities. FREE

Liu Donghong at Mogu Space
Liu Donghong, dusty blues singer of Sand, China’s first ‘cold rock’ band, and a scene player for over twenty years gives an intimate performance in Xizhimen. RMB 66

Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at The Bricks
The ever-expanding (ten members deep at the moment) jazz-pop trope Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to The Bricks for some good times. FREE

Sunday, Jun 17

Carsick Cars, Jajatao, Kingdom of Rain (TW), Gentle Grapes, Wang Weima at Tango
Come together with some of the rock scene’s fiercest talent as MIDI moves to Tango for the holiday weekend – as the institution looks back fondly on Midi Music School’s early days back the Drum & Bell Tower. The first day's bill is comprised of noise-rock stalwarts Carsick Cars, grunge revisionists JaJaTao, Taiwanese post-rockers Kingdom of Rain, pop-punks Gentle Grapes, and folk artist Wang Weima. RMB 220, RMB 300 two-day pass)

A Love Electric (Mexico), WHAI, Nocturnes at School
A Love Electric is a critically acclaimed rock trio born out of Mexico City's jazz scene. Made up of three highly skilled musicians, the band has accomplished the uncommon – making music on their own terms and touring the world. From cities throughout Mexico, the United States, and on tours through Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, Morocco, to Panama, and through Argentina to Patagonia, A Love Electric has won fans and praise from critics for its energetic and altruistic approach to creating and performing. They close out their China tour with a gig at School alongside WHAI and Nocturnes and will also make an appearance at Sunday's Burger Fest earlier in the day. RMB 80

Old Baby, Uncle Bad, Alfie’s Children Songs at Temple
Get down and dirty this Sunday at Temple as Oldy Baby (who will sadly be kaput at the end of the month) joins Oi! punk outfit Uncle Bad and Alfie’s Children Music, where you can sing your favorite pop tunes about sniffing glue. FREE

Hugh Reed & The Electric Shadows, The Playcat, I Know You Are A Girl Like This at DDC
Politically ravaged and punk rock attitude, catch the one and only Hugh Reed before he pisses off to Scotland to stir up more trouble for the summer. He’ll join the Baoding/Beijing noise rock gazing beauties The Playcat as well as the extremely difficult to translate 'Jiù zhīdào nǐ shì zhèyàng de nǚhái.' Google translate – how’d you do? RMB 60

Los Crasher, Ramblin’ Roze, The GT Bitches, Car Car Cars, Wicked Bones at Yue Space
Jinan ruffians The GT Bitches and Changsha’s Car Car Cars bring their old school rocking sound to Yue Space alongside some of the scene’s tightest jeaned bad boys this side of KFC, including Los Crasher, Ramblin’ Roze, and Wicked Bones. Good clean deviant fun. RMB 120

Tenniscoats (JP) at Magnet Theater
Considered one of the hippest on the Japanese underground scene, Tenniscoats have been creating achingly beautiful and fragile psychedelic folk music (or avant-pop as some like to call it) since the late 90s. Made up of acoustic guitarist Takashi Ueno and vocalist Saya Ueno, with other dizzyingly intoxicating effects and instruments thrown in (warbling sax and flute for instance) it’s quietly alluring stuff that will sweep you off your feet. 330 pm. RMB 100

Elvins J and the WPF Band at 69 Cafe
Catch the WPF band, fronted by saxophonist Wang Pengfei with popular indie guitarist and producer Elvins J. They’ll be joined by friends Da Wu, who plays guitar and guqin and singer Sui Sui for a get together in Wudaokou. RMB 60

Yasuhiro Kohama Quartet (JP) at DDC
Tenor sax maestro Yasuhiro Kohama whose years of experience abroad, including releasing nine albums with the C.U.G Orchestra, gets down and dirty, jazz-style this afternoon. 3pm. RMB 60

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

Rudra’s Sage at Pink Moon
Philippines born sitar player Rudra’s Sage, a scene regular since the heydays of River Bar in Sanlitun, and who studied down the street from Ravi Shankar’s guru, hits up Pink Moon alongside Scott Silverman. RMB 66

Eric Allen at Snail Hostel
Singer Eric Allen brings the soulful sounds of America's heartland and the spirit of southern blues and cowboys to the cozy Snail Hostel. FREE

Monday, Jun 18

Deniz Tek (US), Round Eye, Lysistrata (FR), Les R’tardataires (BE), Mademoiselle et son Orchestre, Hot Club of Beijing at 77 Theatre
Fete de la Musique warms up the grill as it gears up for musical mayhem next week. To get the word out, they’ll be hosting a special outdoor Dragon Boat Festival party at 77 Theatre – with food, drinks, fun and of course tons of music. Catch fresh blooded math rock French band Lysistrata, American underground rock legend and singer Deniz Tek, founder of Australian rock outfit Radio Birdman, who’ll be joined on stage by Shanghai sax-wielding party rockers Round Eye, plus Belgium hip-hop duo Les R’tardataires as well local gypsy jazz staples Mademoiselle et son Orchestre and The Hot Club Of Beijing. Best come prepared to dance. Read our full preview of Fete de la Musique here. 2pm. FREE

Brain Failure, Laisee, Default, Black Mint, Life Awaits at Tango
Come together with some of the rock scene’s fiercest talent as MIDI moves to Tango for the holiday weekend – as the institution looks back fondly on Midi Music School’s early days back the Drum & Bell Tower. The second day's bill is comprised of post-hardcore band Life Awaits, hard rock outfit Black Mint, shoegaze blazers Default, hardcore acrobatics Laisee, and punk legends Brain Failure. RMB 220, RMB 300 (two-day pass)

Tenniscoats (JP), Little Six at DDC
Considered one of the hippest on the Japanese underground scene, Tenniscoats have been creating achingly beautiful and fragile psychedelic folk music (or avant pop as some like to call it) since the late 90s. Made up of acoustic guitarist Takashi Ueno and vocalist Saya Ueno, with other dizzyingly intoxicating effects and instruments thrown in (warbling sax and flute for instance) it’s quietly alluring stuff that will sweep you off your feet. RMB 120

Sham 69 (UK), Uncle Bad at Yue Space
Sham 69 is one of England’s original and most successful punk bands. Formed in 1975, they broke up in 1979 after putting out charting hits, but came back together in 1987 and have kept touring together to this day. The Oi! boys return to Beijing to stir up some trouble alongside local Oi! baldies Uncle Bad. RMB 150

Pure, Hind Brain, Blood Feast, Getting Better at Mao Livehouse
Keep it rock, keep it steady, keep it loud with this grunge-filled evening at Wukesong’s Mao Livehouse as two of this year’s finest new contenders Pure and Hind Brain hold the fort down in Haidian. RMB 80

Vyan & Heyo (HK) at School
Hip-hop is all the rage these days, and come to School tonight to check out two of the best from "down South." Guangdong MC Vyan and Hong Kong hip-hop artist Heyo descend upon School tonight for the Beijing stop of their current China tour. RMB 150

Just Chellin Trio at Jianghu Bar
Just Chellin' is Joy Stuhr (USA), Heike Wyler (Germany), and Nicole Jahng (USA), bringing their three cellos and three voices to the stage, whilst playing original music and fun covers with fresh creativity and a little jazzy soul. RMB 60

Dream Catcher at 69 Café
Consisting of five students who are currently from the National Academy of Traditional Chinese Opera and the Central Conservatory of Music, Dream Catcher revel in original songs in different styles that brush up against every genre. RMB 60

Zhao Yang, Gao Bosi at Pink Moon
Singer-songwriters take the time to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with an unplugged evening of easy-going tunes. RMB 60

Want to cut a rug instead? Check out the best of this weekend's nightlife here.

Photos: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers