Well, ain't that a doozie. Just as we're just about better and rested from the fun that was NYE, Friday sees two huge international acts land in Beijing's clubs making sure 2020 is off to bang of deep-bass rumble and tribal drum patterns. Let's get right into it.
Andy Stott
Having last played Beijing as part of Douban's Wetware Festival at Tango in 2017, Mancunian producer extraordinaire Andy Stott returns to the capital to play the much more intimate venue of Wigwam. So intimate in fact, that this will be the first time that the organizers will cap entry, so you better turn up early if you want to get down and dirty to Stott's own brand of sparse, disjointed, and mind-altering techno. RMB 150 (before 11pm), RMB 200 (after 11pm), free (after 1am). 9pm doors. Wigwam
WaqWaq Kingdom
Over in Dada, meanwhile, they'll be having a whole other beast of a dance party courtesy of Japan's WaqWaq Kingdom. Made up of duo DJ Scotch Egg (also of Seefeel) and Kiki (of King Midas Sound), together they combine to make a sonic free-for-all of tribal rhythms, African thumb piano, MIA vocal samples, and spurts of noise that never drift too far away from their playful roots. RMB 100 (before 11pm), RMB 120 (after 11pm). 9pm doors. Dada
Peace and Love Presents: Teodora Van Context
Hanoi-based Serbian DJ Teodora Van Context hits up Lantern for their first booking of 2020. Described as eclectic and adaptable, Van Context's bread and butter is dance floor bangers, deep moody cuts, and strong techy tracks. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 10.30pm. Lantern
Dance With Us
Over in Sanlitun, Pancake Lee (pictured above) and crew – Juliana Lima (who'll somehow also be at Migas Mercado), Eva Xu, Beekoo, and Tucoco + Sunk – take to the decks this Friday for an improvisational back-to-back, for a night of "inspirational collisions and graceful rhythmic changes." Expect tight-knit-community vibes and plenty of experimentation to keep you moving. Alternatively, get some beauty sleep and head over on Saturday night for their Single's Night Party. RMB 30. 10pm. Aurora
Totally Rad Presents: Junks
Totally Rad presents an '80s-inspired night at Dada on Saturday with a live set from Hangzhou’s pop futurists Junks, as well as DJ sets by Pacaloco, Junks' frontman Ectoplasm, and Junks' synth player Onichan that’s sure to turn the dance floor into a hot mess. RMB 60. 10pm. Dada
UN Presents: Cliche Morph + Blackout
On Saturday, Lantern keeps up the techno heat with the young Belarussian DJ and "bedroom producer" Cliche Morph. Having cut his teeth at Tresor club in Berlin, this will be his first time in China and finds support from Lantern's mainstays Meng Meng and Weng Weng, while the Blackout crew occupies Room 2. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 10.30pm. Lantern
Bring Your Own Vinyl (BYOV) ft. ADDJ, Dizzy Di, and Wild Wata
Finally, what better way to relax and rewind after a heavy weekend than with an afternoon filled with the warm crackle of vinyl? Anyone is free to step up and fill the gaps between the three DJs – ADDJ, Dizzy Di, and Wild Wata – on this lazy day of spinning, simply turn up with your records of choice and jump on the decks. There'll also be a selection of wax on sale. Free. 3pm-late. El Nido
READ: Beijing's Best New Club is a One-Room Venue in Lido
Images courtesy of the organizers, Kevin McCutcheon (via Unsplash)
