Weekend Live Music Roundup: The Trouble, The Bluegrass and The Legend

Usher's in town at Wukesong Arena on July 11, but for this weekend we've got Michael Bolton on Saturday ("Why does everyone dislike Michael Bolton? He's a legend," said one of my colleagues yesterday.), enjoy. Sichuanese ska boys The Trouble pay a visit, Bluegrass/country troupe The Redbucks release their debut, Bad Mamasan and Last Chance of Youth show metal pride in Wudaokou, Acid Live move their funky jazz party to Sihui at The One. Plus, new music venue opens in 798 Art District (with support from Zhang Tie, Wang Juan and Zhang Si'an). Considering all art galleries and museums are free of entry this weekend, it's definitely musicians' turn to collect some money.

Check the Beijinger Directory for venue details

Friday (June 4)

Ataraxia, Bloody Woods
Medieval folk group bring dark wave from Italy to Beijing, supported by local similar minds. RMB 200. 8pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Bad Mamasan, Last Chance Of Youth
Old school metal hits Wudaokou. RMB 50. 10pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

Brain Failure, Dude
Punk rock mainstays shake Yonghegong Lama Temple. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. The Star Live (6425 5677)

Buyi
Wu Ningyue and indie rock collective play an acoustic set. RMB 50. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

El Johnson & The Taste of Soul
Real blues. Free. 9.30pm. Frank's Place (6437 8399)

Hummingbird
Big salsa band with Xinjiang flavor. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance, students). 9.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Maggie Who, Operation Bojinka, Mr. Ruckus
Glory shines upon these hard rockers as they play that grunge and blues rock. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Wu Zhuoling, Zhang Guonian, Xiao Yu
Folk singers gather for an acoustic set in office blocks. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Tiny Salt Coffee Club (5900 0969)

The Trouble, Flyx , The K
Wudaokou takes a happy break with visiting ska punk from Chengdu. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Xia Jia Piano Trio
Jazz pianist operates on his keyboards. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Saturday (June 5)

Acid Live, Pair
These guys know how to throw a funky jazz party. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. The One (5914 8087)

Ben Houge, Yes No Break, Mr. Graceless, Which Park
Rockers from Shanghai and Dalian join local garage forces. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Big Nose
French hip-hop with traditional Chinese elements. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Lazy Camel, The Gray, Mr. Rodent
The new punk generation takes stage. RMB 30 (includes a drink). 9.30pm. What Bar (1590 123 6743)

Lidong Band
Folk group sing love songs from the deserted mountain ranges. Free. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Liu Yuan Saxphone Quartet
China’s jazz forefather keeps the Houhai shores smooth. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Michael Bolton
I bet you all laughed and tried to come up with jokes, but some of you secretly want to go - it beats Party World and Melody. Tickets at 400 610 3721. RMB 200-1,200. 7.30pm. Beijing Exhibition Theater (6835 4455)

Miserable Faith
Rock veterans release an EP. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 8.30pm. The Star Live (6425 5677)

The Redbucks
The bucks release their debut album, painting Beijing’s skyline with bluegrass, old-time, and country music. RMB 80 (includes a copy of the album), RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

The Trouble
Chengdu ska band get ya dancing in Fangjia Hutong. RMB 40. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Zhang Tie, Wang Juan, Zhang Si’an
Folk singers greet the opening of new music venue in 798 Art Factory. RMB 50 (per show), RMB 40 (students). 3pm. 798 Live House (59789861/62 ext 806/802)

Zhao Zhao
Multi-instrumentalist sings his folk materials. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Tiny Salt Coffee Club (5900 0969)

Zhou Yunpeng, Ilchi, Liu Dongming
Folk hero has his acoustic afternoon with Hanggai leader and rising star from Shandong. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 3pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112/3)

Sunday (June 6)

1984
French indie rocks Dongcheng. RMB 50. 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Ajinai
Mongolian band play a folk set. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Cocoon, Wang Juan
French folk singer jam with local talents. RMB 80, RMB 60 (students), RMB 50 (advance, RSVP at wangba.piao@gmail.com). 9pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Gangzi
Mongolian folksy chap with his guitar. Free. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Moreno Donadel Trio
Italian pianist collaborates with a few Beijingers. Free. 9.30pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Xiao Juan & Residence From The Valley
The Chinese Peter, Paul & Mary perform three concerts with covers of Taiwanese ballads. RMB 120-180. 7.30pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112/3)

Zhao Laoda
Folk on the grass. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance), RMB 30 (students). 3.30pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)