Noise Pollution: CHAI, Glow Curve, The Molds, Wilddogfest, SNSOS, Peking Floyd
2019 is getting to a hell of a good start – front-loading gig after gig, new release after new release, and one good time after another – before the city turns to dust for the Spring Festival. ‘Get while the gettin's good,’ they say. So whether you’re itching for neo-kawaii out of Japan, indie rock bliss from Taiwan, or six hours straight of hard-hitting doom and sludge metal, this weekend’s got it and you best go out there and get it. Venture forth gig-goers!
Friday, Jan 11
CHAI (JP) at Omni Space
All-female Japanese punk outfit CHAI have been redefining kawaii (cute rock) with their eccentric eclectic take on rock and roll and pop music since they formed in 2012, quickly amassing a cult following at home and eventually abroad – with recent shows at SXSW in Austin as well as New York and Los Angeles just this past fall. While critics cite everything from Gorillaz to CSS, the band is in its own league with lyrics focused on ‘women empowerment’. A true sugar rush that'll have you sizzling in delight. RMB 220
Glow Curve, Silent Speech at Yue Space
Glow Curve, one of Beijing’s most reliable hits of indie rock pixie dust magic are back to tease us with their forthcoming new album. The band, known for their ethereal blend of post-rock and dream pop groves has been a favorite of ours here for some time, and are known to treat their shows as a “spiritual dojo.” Their new album is reported to be more compact and detached than their earlier works – digging the evolution of these cats more and more. Support from indie rock swooners Silent Speech, who just dropped their debut EP this week. RMB 120
The Tek, Goodbye Sunset, Bastion at School Bar
Join metal/hardcore outfit The Tek as they release their debut EP tonight - with their passion and inspiration stemming from the progressive deathcore genre, there’s no messing around this evening as the band looks to tear the roof down. Joining them and opening the show are friends in the post-hardcore electronic-core group Goodbye Sunset, as well as metal band Bastion. RMB 80
Funky#16, Bad Clutch, Bong of Spirit at Temple
A righteously ramshackle evening of rock and roll over at Temple as Ricky Sixx of Click #15 debuts his new cover band Funky #16, designed to teach Chinese audiences about funk music. Joining him is emotionally metal outfit Bong of Spirit and retro thrash metal outfit Bad Clutch making sure revelers keep on hand banging long into the night. FREE
The Peking Floyd at DDC
Beijing's Premier Pink Floyd tribute band bring their vast and ever-increasing collection of cuts from Pink Floyd's most creative years including Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. While staying true to the original structure, Peking Floyd prides itself on emulating the live performances of Pink Floyd during the 1970s when their improvisation and psychedelic jamming were at their best. RMB 60
Prototype at Caravan
Prototype, the new jazz supergroup with some of Beijing's most talented jazz musicians including Edward Barroetabena on drums, Pierre Pradat on keys, Daren Burns on bass and Zhang Jing on guitar explore new sonic boundaries tonight. RMB 60
The David Kikoski Trio feat. Johnathan Blake at Blue Note
Berkeley grad David Kikoski has been working with New York’s best jazz musicians since 1985. The post-bop artist has been involved in the recording of more than 100 albums, with a stack of Grammy nominations and wins to show for it. He appears tonight with drummer Johnathan Blake. RMB 100-300
ICE, Lil EM, WatchMe, YangHeSu, YuJiaMeng, DJ Kaka at Mao Livehouse
Trap, pop rap, and beats to get those hairs on your arm rising, Mao Livehouse throws a hip-hop extravaganza unlike anything else (or until next weekend) with a red-hot bill of the scene’s finest, most hyped, and television approved rappers including ICE, Lil EM, and more. RMB 1080 (lottery?)
WHAI, The Great Buffalo Blues at Jianghu Bar
Everyone’s favorite prog-rock group WHAI, who have been together since 2012 and have committed themselves to their heavy, offbeat brand of psychedelic rock and roll and now find refuge in the cozy hutong spot alongside electric blues outfit The Great Buffalo Blues. RMB 80
Bang Bang Mary, Sons of Thunder at Modernista
Alternative rockers Bang Bang Mary, who draw their influences from artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Fokofpolisiekar, and Pretty Viscous joins Sons of Thunder, a new explosive cover band who look to indulge in their love for 90s and 2000s rock music. FREE
Liu Donghong at FM Live
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 at FM Live. RMB 80
Liu Minghui, Zhang Yifan, Tang Ning at T-House
Pop singer-songwriters take the stage over by Tuanjiehu’s T-House included Qingdao-raised Tang Ning, folk-rock pioneer Liu Minghui, and Beijing’s own Zhang Yifan. RMB 120
Cui Longyang, FreeWhen at Pink Moon
Acoustics wonders and other goodies at Pink Moon as singer-songwriters and urban folk kids make their way to the Nanluoguxiang spot. RMB 66
Dimitry Strelianny Jazz Quartet at The Bricks
A cozy Friday evening with classic jazz quartet headed by drummer Dimitry Strelianny and featuring Michael Ciesielski on piano, Liu Xiaoguang on sax, and Ray Ding on bass. FREE
Saturday, Jan 12
2018 School Bar Music Awards at School Bar
The School Bar Awards are back celebrating the bands, labels, shows, people, etc. that stood out amongst the rest during the concluding year, as well as some other fun awards! Expect good times, laughter, and an irresponsible amount of alcohol. The evening will showcase various performances from the winning bands (you’ll have to wait and find out!) as well as a special performance from Chengdu’s Tomorrow Wanted – a blues-tinted funk rock outfit that left quite the impression on School Bar last year. Hells yeah. FREE
Never Before, Punisher, SCOD, Deathpact, Struggle Session, Stabbing, Dress To Kill, Stonetropper at Yue Space
Beijing’s premier sludge metal band Never Before, merciless and face-meltingly awesome in their might – celebrate the fifth anniversary of Wild Dog Fest – an underground festival for all things doom, metal, punk, hardcore, and general badassery. Some of the scene’s most ferocious thrashers and rockers converge on Yue Space from 4pm onwards including hardcore ruffians S.C.O.D from Wuhan, Jinzhou technical thrash/speed metal outfit Punisher (whose commanding work has garnered them attention worldwide) as well as Struggle Session, Deathpact, and much much more. Expect ‘black t-shirts, an incredible amount of hair, and blood in the sink(s)’. 4.30pm start. RMB 180
Cephalosis, Yangji at fRUITYSPACE
Cephalosis, the Kunming-based coldwave, synth post-industrial duo has slowly been making a name for themselves since they formed in 2016. The band’s abstract sound palette – full of mysterious, unnerving, and alluring aesthetics – comes to light on their just-released debut album under Ruby Eye Records. The duo hits up fRUITYSPACE to celebrate with support from quirky yet musically arresting KTV punk singer-songwriter Yangji. RMB 80
Guiguisuisui x Shining Soundscape at Z-Space
Shining Soundscape – the new multi-media series taking the scene by storm - an artistic performance that combines both digital painting and music, live in a way in which the two mediums feedback to one another – makes its way to Z-Space by Zhangzizhong Lu. The duo behind the concept, the ambient spiritual punk doom duo Guiguisuisu, fresh off the release of their new EP – which ‘blends minimal wave synths, trip-hop beats, and shoegaze guitars with samples of traditional Chinese instruments and whispered poetry juxtaposed against Chinese opera vocalizations’ will be on hand. FREE
Brain Failure, CMCB, Liquid Oxygen Can, Paradise, OOC, Scar Constitution, 4U, Luo Bing, Magic Stone, Zhang Jun, Zhao Wei Refers To the Walker, Zhang Guwei, Chen Hui, DJ Tattoo at Mao Livehouse
Better late than never – Mao Livehouse celebrates the new year with a blowout festival-worthy show featuring legends of the rock and roll scene – from nu-metal veterans CMCB, to punk renegades Brain Failure, to even acts like Liquid Oxygen Can and hard rock old timers Paradise – it’s a who’s who of the yaogun and classic rock scene. So if you’re feeling a bit nostalgic, there ain’t no better place to be. RMB 200
Electric Lady, Led Barons at Temple
This evening, celebrate the works of Robert Plant, John Bonham, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones alongside psychedelic stoners Electric Lady and newly formed Led Zeppelin tribute band Led Barons (in a debut of their own) as we continue to ride that Rock 'n' Roll wave as Led Zeppelin’s self-titled debut turns a ripe 50! FREE
Slap at Omni Space
Genre-hopping, satirical cross-talking folk-rock outfit, one of the scene’s best kept secrets with one the biggest fan bases out there, perform at Omni Space for their annual Spring Festival showcase. RMB 180
Naturally 7 at Blue Note
Naturally 7 has recorded and toured with Michael Bublé, appeared with Coldplay, Diana Ross, and recorded with Ludacris on a Quincy Jones album. They’ve been on the Royal Variety Performance, Jay Leno, Ellen Degeneres, Craig Ferguson, and other major television programs. They’re currently touring in support of their new album, Both Sides Now. Top-notch cats they are. RMB 200-400
Hegjiltu at La Plantation
Hailing from Inner Mongolia's ZaLute prairie, Hugejiletu is one of China's most well-known representatives of traditional Mongolian music. Founder of Ajinai and a member of Dawanggang, the horse-head fiddle player and throat singer is also garnering an impressive reputation as a solo artist. RMB 200
Xiaoyue Boss at Tango
Folk sensation and harmonica king Xiaoyue Boss brings his delicate and opera-like voice and harmonica prowess to Tango to his adoring fans. RMB 150
The Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
Multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble brings their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC so best bring your dancing shoes. RMB 60
Gou Mao at Jianghu Bar
Gou Mao grew up in Taiwan, heavily influenced by mainland music. The rocker now appears at Jianghu Bar with his backing band, an eclectic group of professional musicians and music educators. RMB 70
Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at The Bricks
The ever-expanding (ten members deep at the moment) jazz-pop trope Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to The Bricks for some good times. FREE
Zhang Qianqian at FM Live
Veteran sing-songwriter Zhang Qianqian, a staple of the folk scene since her debut in 1996, gives a special showcase at FM Live. RMB 99
The Mantras at Modernista
The Mantras, previously known as Parakeet, are back at their favorite place with an eclectic mix of genres - joining friends and foes at Modernista to make us dance away to their fusion of pop and jazz. FREE
Dan Zengga, Lang Tianyi, Wu Younan at Pink Moon
Tibetan folk-rocker Dan Zengga performs alongside fellow female singer-songwriters Lang Tianyi and Wu Younan tonight in Xizhimen. RMB 66
Sunday, Jan 13
Midnight Ping-Pong (TW), Heartbroken (TW), SNSOS at Mao Livehouse
Beijing instrumental rockers SNSOS who infuse their sound with math rock playfulness, dream pop pulp, and post-rock crescendos that are spirited, intricately assembled, and brimming with life team up with two of Taiwan’s most talked about bands – the indie pop emo rockers Midnight Ping-Pong, whose upbeat, emotionally charged tunes will have you reliving your high school years and folk punk outfit Heartbroken (Shangxin Yujue) whose classic barstool lively tunes hit you in the gut – for a hefty evening of indie rock prowess. Read our recent interview with SNSOS frontman Chen Zeyang here. RMB 150
The Molds at fRUITYSPACE
The Molds whose cult-like status over the past decade in Beijing has made them a must-see act have called it quits folks. They’re kaput! And what better timing – fresh off their long-awaited debut – ‘a surf rock album strung out on methadone for those who prefer the company of tumbleweeds’ and full of atmospheric sexiness – the band lead by the nonchalantly charismatic Liu Ge has ended on what I’d say a high note. It’s cowboy music made in the urban decay of this glorious city – where each rhythm and verse lingers long in the air allowing the dirt and humid air to seep into the pores. We’ll miss y’all! Expect this one to sell out quick. 4pm start. RMB 100
Hell City, SCOD, Nao Nao Si, Strike on the South Wall at School
Beijing meets Wuhan with this punk and hardcore match made in crusty, war-torn heaven. Making the trek up from Wuhan are old school extreme crust grindcore outfit SCOD (Speak Chinese or Die), as well as in your face punk foursome Nao Nao Si who I was lucky enough to catch last year and let me tell you – they're a ball of hyperactive rambunctious energy. Representing Beijing are street punk metal dudes Hell City and the hardcore trio with a ska vibe Strike on the South Wall. RMB 80
INXU, Screaming Kong, Hybrid Theory, Cui Longyang at Yue Space
MTA presents the Road to Supernova, putting the spotlight on an eclectic batch of acts whose genre touch upon everything from soundtrack rock to folk, punk and more including sets from INXU, Hybrid Theory and more. RMB 70
Zhang Ling & The Old Guns, Click #15, Windmill Isle at DDC
Zhang Ling who embodies the soul of blues returns to DDC with his merry band of ‘Old Guns’, which includes guitar maverick Robin Liu (of Mimik Banka) and Jason Coffey. No fuss- just straight up blues that goes down smooth, the band will be supported by funk-tastic outfit Click #15 and electro-rockers Windmill Isle. RMB 120
Naturally 7 at Blue Note
Naturally 7 has recorded and toured with Michael Bublé, appeared with Coldplay, Diana Ross, and recorded with Ludacris on a Quincy Jones album. They’ve been on the Royal Variety Performance, Jay Leno, Ellen Degeneres, Craig Ferguson, and other major television programs. They’re currently touring in support of their new album, Both Sides Now. Top-notch cats they are. RMB 200-400
Mojo Hand at Jianghu Bar
Blues supergroup Mojo Hand, made up of some of the skilled rockers of the Beijing scene, including OOC frontman Cheng Chen, bassist Wang Zheng, and guitarist Wei Wei, bring their richly flavored Chicago blues to Jianghu Bar. FREE
Reol (JP) at Tango
Japanese vocalist, lyricist, and star extraordinaire, Reol, lands in China for her three-date tour ‘Made In Faction’. Prep yourself for a unique, artistic, and eclectic night of the best EDM to have come out of Japan in years. Bridging genres and constantly inverting expectations and norms, this promises to be a Reol thriller. RMB 580
Wedge Cut at Mogu Space
Ska outfit Wedge Cut bring their reggae-infused tunes and good vibes to Xizhimen’s Mogu Space. RMB 60
Young Gu Kim at Modernista
South Korean guitarist and jazz player Young Gu Kim swings through to Modernista with his quartet of talented this Sunday evening. FREE
Want to cut a rug instead? Check out this weekend's nightlife offerings here.
Photos: Will Griffith, courtesy of the promoters
