Noise Pollution: Silent Speech, Sainkho Namtchylak, Dong Zi, Boys Age, Joyce Jonathan

What a glorious week it’s been (knock on wood)! There’s really nothing more I want to do on days like these except sit outside a music venue with a cold drink in hand, cooling off in the breeze with the other live music ruffians (and cats) before the next band kicks off. Join us.

Friday, May 24 

Silent Speech, Dan Taylor at School
Indie rock that swoons one moment and explodes the next, Silent Speech are one of Beijing’s unsung heroes – veteran rockers who have been working the scene for a solid decade. Effortlessly maneuvering from one style to another they’re a melodic, emotional wry, and instrumentally charged blend of '90s alt-rock that’s above all else, genuine and assured. They close out their nationwide tour tonight in support of their EP so expect a homecoming party like none other. Support from the highly charismatic and distinguished Dan Taylor. Read our recent interview with Silent Speech here. RMB 100

Sainkho Namtchylak (RU) at Poly Theatre 
Tuvian traditional music goes avant-garde as one of the Tuva region’s most beloved musicians – Sainkho Namtchylak – performs tonight. At 61 years old, the artist is a khoomei renegade, a female singer whose voice spans seven octaves who has since used her gift to take the traditional music of Tuva and bring it into a new era. Combining elements of avant-jazz, electronic music while referencing blues, desert rock, and more into her modern compositions, there’s a trailblazing quality to her music that is simply hypnotic. Read our recent interview with the legendary songstress here. RMB 180-580

Awake Mountains, The Sweet Escape, Mystery Guests at Yue Space
Metalcore outfit Awake Mountains, who seamlessly entwine thundering drums with post-rock interludes, emo shadings, and guttural vocals are celebrating the release of their robust debut LP which finds the young band firing on all cylinders. They’ll be joined by electronicore outfit The Sweet Escape and some mystery special guests. RMB 120

Never Before, Dressed To Kill, Tractor at Temple
Stoner rock galore this evening at Temple as some of the genre’s most mischievous and prevailing characters look to terrorize patrons with some hard-hitting, deviant jams that’ll drag you across the floor. Sets from Never Before, Dressed To Kill and Tractor. Oh, what a glorious evening. FREE 

Alip & Two Girls, Drunkard, Brickleberry at DDC 
Rising folk star Alip presents his latest project, aptly titled Alip & Two Girls, which will again showcase his warm and tender folk tunes. Joining him are grunge veterans Drunkard (since 2003!) and rising dance-punk outfit Brickleberry whom I’ve been meaning to catch again. RMB 80

Vijay Iyer Trio at Blue Note 
Grammy-nominated composer-pianist Vijay Iyer described by Pitchfork as "one of the most interesting and vital young pianists in jazz today," and winner of DownBeat Magazine's Artist of the Year four times, is a bonafide superstar in the world of virtuoso piano performing. RMB 180-380

The Great Buffalo Blues at Jianghu Bar 
The electric four-piece band that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at Jianghu Bar with their unique musical style that’s unlike anything else. Expect a high-energy show that is guaranteed to keep you moving all night. FREE

Spina & Benignetti Piano Duo at La Plantation
Eleonora Spina and Michele Benignetti are two compelling, talented young musicians that come from strong and varied backgrounds as soloist and chamber musicians. Their acclaimed recording of Brahms’s complete works for two pianos was praised by audiences and critics alike – they’re the real deal. RMB 200

Mademoiselle et Son Orchestre at The Bricks
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Sanlitun for some foot-tapping fun. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. RMB 60   

Huang Ying at Omni Space
The pop singer who hit it be ten years back when she rose to prominence after her fourth-place performance in the 2009 season of the Super Girl contest, is back with a new single and the massive frenzy of fans that come with any new material. RMB 200

The Flip Side at Modernista
The Flip Side is Beijing’s only live disco band. Bring your boogie shoes and come prepared to freak out, shake your booty, get jiggy with it and celebrate good times and a weekend kick off! FREE

Bugholler, J.K.S.O at Caravan
Caravan welcomes two Shenyang bands to their digs for some splendid fun including bluegrass and folk-rock duo Bugholler and The Jhett Kirschbaum Sunshine Orchestra - a rock, blues, and punk duo. FREE 

Liu Ming, More Feel at Mogu Space
Indie synth-pop duo More Feel share, as you can imagine, their feelings over in Xizhimen alongside singer-songwriter Liu Ming. FREE

Bang Jianing, Li Jin, Lu Jianwei, Zeng Yi, Yang Bingzhen at Pink Moon
The BUA Seven guitar club whose motto is “We are abstract singers in the sense that we abstract” – get down and jiggy at Pink Moon this evening. FREE 

Saturday, May 25

Dong Zi at Caravan
One of the most influential artists in the folk scene, acclaimed Hubei singer-songwriter Dongzi welcomes the summer with a special performance at Caravan. With a voice that’s rich, direct, tainted by melancholy while not too revealing, he uses the experiences of ordinary people to influence his music and looks at life as an endless journey with friends. Expect a packed house for this one. RMB 80

Maybe Ensemble (Yan Yulong, Sheng Jie, Zhang Shouwang) at CHAO Amphitheatre 
Maybe Noise – the new avant-garde contemporary music label (made up of some of Maybe Mars most influential characters) – are back with their latest installment of experimental compositions that blur the line between improvisational and classical music. For the occasion, they’re inviting audience to get involved in the composition – first with a workshop (that’ll explain the ‘rules’) and then with a live recording session. Delightful. RMB 80

Los Crasher, Secret Guest at School 
Formed in 2010, Beijing's premiere sleazy glam rockers a la Hanoi Rocks and Motley Crue tonight descend on rock HQ for a special showcase gig – with more than a handful of tours under their belts, the gang has a special ten-year career-spanning set list to unleash, special guests, and a secret opening band. So many secrets! So many surprises! RMB 100

iimmune, Far Infinity, VU, Vast Vacant Vacation at fRUITYSPACE
Prajnasonic – the Beijing-based electronic label kickstarted by four of the scene’s more intriguing electronic artists with an affinity for cold, intricate beats showcase their sublabel Atmos – which gives its members and other musicians a chance to shake loose and burrow into new territory and genres. On the bill are label runners iimmune, Far Infinity, VU (joined by visual artist DaDazoo) and impromptu trio Vast Vacant Vacation. RMB 50

Flowers of Fire at Jianghu Bar
Dwelling in the intersection of different music genres, Flowers of Fire is a new band with an old history. The supergroup consisting of four veterans musicians from three continents, including Ajinai horse-head fiddle player Hugejiletu, fuses together their diverse and rich backgrounds and styles to create something fresh and unique – transcendent grassland music with an electronic edge and a psychedelic gloss. RMB 70

Nekroma, Gum Bleed at Temple 
Nekroma – an atmospheric carnival of sounds that blends art rock, skateboard guitar, metal doom, and synths – bring their alter-egos to Temple Bar alongside anti-establishment punk veterans Gum Bleed, who are always the kick in the ass one needs Saturday night. FREE 

Roberta Gambarini Featuring Jeb Patton at Blue Note
As part of the Mercedes-Benz Jazz Master Series, vocalist Roberta Gambarini appears at Blue Note with pianist Jeb Patton. The Italian singer is a fixture on the international jazz circuit, performing with giants of jazz at concert halls, festivals, and clubs around the world, while Patton has performed in and out of New York with a similarly long list of great names. RMB 200-400

Xiao Wang, Eluvia, Jaruco at DDC 
The ever-combustible kawaii core punk favorites Xiao Wang join country-grown fusion reggae group Eluvia and fresh-faced rockers Jaruco for some dirty fun this evening – plus, a special DJ set from soul-funk vinyl spinner Boss Cuts. RMB 80

Chen Zhi & Dreaming in the Garden at Yue Space
Wuhan-based indie folk artist who blends together Chinese aesthetics with Western technique is back with his latest release which continues the artist’s injection of indietronica and new age elements into his music. RMB 100

Scarlet Horizon at Omni Space
Beijing visual kei outfit brings its theatrical death metal to Omni Space. The band just released their latest 7-inch LP titled, of course, 7 – which explores different genres and styles of modern metal elements onto deathcore, bringing visual kei outfits to a new era. RMB 120

Jess Meider x Moreno Donadel Trio at The Bricks 
One of Beijing’s best jazz vocalists, Jess Meider has spent 20 years gracing stages, festivals and music venues all over China with her amazing voice. She’ll grace the stage at The Bricks tonight alongside Moreno Donadel Trio. FREE 

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 

Gaojinli at Mogu Space
The Voice of China contestant brings his rustic, devastatingly beautiful voice to Mogu Space as the folk singer gives a special performance. FREE 

Shi Dong and Sun Yue at La Plantation
Another alluring piano duet recital from the skilled Shi Dong and Sun Yue, who’ll perform everything from Schubert to Arensky. RMB 200

Steve Blaque, Ariane at Pink Moon 
American artist and producer Steve Blaque, who played formerly in genre-bending rock band The Radiance, joins female singer-songwriter Ariane. FREE

Sunday, May 16 

Boys Age (JP) at Omni Space
Known as the “Japanese DIY masters” of subtle, poetic pop music, since 2011, Boys Age has been one of Japan’s most prolific indie acts. The guitar-drum duo has released a handful of records across the globe including California imprint Burger Records creating music that seamlessly weaves between "woozy synth rock, lazy Sunday folk rock, and instrumental psych burners." They’re on their own wavelength and if you’re looking to join best get to Omni Space come Sunday. RMB 160

Sourtower, Water & Light, Happy at DDC 
One of this year’s most intriguing new acts, the all-girl cold wave post-punk outfit Sourtower are back at it with a show at DDC alongside two other up and comers – hard-edged pop-punk kids Water & Light and Britpop indie rockers Happy.  

Joyce Jonathan (FR) at Mao Livehouse
French singer-songwriter Joyce Jonathan appears at Mao Livehouse on Sunday, May 26th. Her first album Sur Mes Gardes went platinum only five months after its release and she’s released several since then, including Ça Ira, which included Mandarin. So yeah – she’s one of China’s favorite clearly and she’s back for more. RMB 240

Peking Floyd, Haze Maze 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 as they join all-star ensemble alternative rockers Haze Maze to help fundraise for the short film Hutong Drifters, written and directed by Jenny Man Wu. RMB 80

Jin Jian, 2z, Young Clan, Nick Shy, Yungssaw, Mok at School 
School sneaks in some Sunday hip-hop via this ragtag team of rappers and spinners including Jin Jian, 2Z, the Young Clan, Nick Shy, Yungssaw, and Mok, who’ll each take the stage to unleash an onslaught of beats and rhymes. RMB 100

Electric Sewage, The Lightning Club, MA at Temple
Old school metal renegades Electric Sewage join indie rockers The Lightning Club plus melodic rockers MA. Nothing but rock and roll to soothe your soul. FREE 

Roberta Gambarini Featuring Jeb Patton at Blue Note
As part of the Mercedes-Benz Jazz Master Series, vocalist Roberta Gambarini appears at Blue Note with pianist Jeb Patton. The Italian singer is a fixture on the international jazz circuit, performing with giants of jazz at concert halls, festivals, and clubs around the world, while Patton has performed in and out of New York with a similarly long list of great names. 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, get a Chicago blues jam on at Jianghu Bar. FREE

Henrik Jensen Jazz Quartet at La Plantation 
Henrik Jensen's rich bass tone has worked all over the world, from Blue Note Tokyo to concert halls in Moscow while still keeping busy on the London jazz scene. RMB 200

Takeshi Sakamoto Jazz Quartet at Modernista
Jazz it up this Sunday with Japanese guitarist Satoshi Kataoka along with Nathaniel Gao on sax, Charlie Wang on bass and Satoshi Kataoka on guitar. FREE

Duanyuan, Chenyifeng, Lirui Hao, Zhang Tianli at Mogu Space
A finger-style jam session in Xizhimen with these classical guitar-loving freaks. FREE  

READ: 5 Bands to Watch at This Year's RYE Music Festival, May 25-26

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of event organizers