Weekend Live Music Roundup: Subs, Your Favorite Enemies, Acoustic Spring & Autumn

Some people will be losing something at Intro 2011 this weekend – might not be their wallets, doesn't have to be cell phones, could be their faces and minds. But who cares? And why is everyone talking about Intro? There's so much more in Beijing waiting for you to explore. Such as Slap, the band of Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar's owner, which is awesomely niubi, but not as widely appreciated like it deserves to be. Maybe their too cynical tones and well-arranged rock patterns seem a little out of date to the youngsters? You can find out in Dongmianhua Hutong tonight.

And have you ever seen Subs at MAO Livehouse? Perhaps you’ve heard about how crazy the punk band's frontgirl Kang Mao is, and how they named their last album Queen of F***ing Everything? Well, their spirit is best savored at MAO. Plus, they’re only one of three bands who will play there on Saturday night - along with Your Favorite Enemies from Canada and The On Fires from Australia. Alternately, you can try understanding what Bai Shui is trying to communicate via those random noises they intermix with the nice pure sounds from traditional Chinese instruments. It's hard to explain their music. I might call them experimental indie post-folk, but you shall find your own explanation at Mako Live House.

Moving on to Sunday night: At D-22, the favorite refuge of punkheads, metal band Spring & Autumn goes acoustic. Though technically it’s not Spring & Autumn, since there will only be three members representing: frontman Yang Meng and guitarists Kaiser Kuo and Kou Zhengyu.

Have a lovely weekend!

Friday (May 20)

Arrows Made of Desire, The Ghost Spardac, The Amazing Insurance Salesmen
A mixed night of indie pop, hardcore punk and experimental rock. RMB 40. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Beijing Alchemists
Original folk, blues and jazz. RMB 40. 9pm. Zuiyuefang Bar (6405 4482)

Brazzaville
Bossa nova from Spain. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance). 8.30pm. The One (5914 8087)

Dime Records' Metal Night
Local metal powers gather. RMB 50. 9.30pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

Flyx, Mr. Graceless, Poshangcun
Meet Beijing’s young guitar talents. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Modern Sky 6
Local label Modern Sky releases their sixth collection. Bigger Bang, Me Guan Me, Streets Kill Strange Animals will be there to cheer. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 9.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Perdel, Jackey Danny, Gao Shan, Maoyi Ge
Rock, punk and metal - plus a sense of humor. RMB 60, RMB 50 (students), RMB 99 (per couple). 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Slap
The most cynical rock band in Beijing takes everything with a laugh. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

The Hot Club of Beijing
Echoes of Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club de France in the ’30s. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A. Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Yan Tiao, Los Crasher
Tribute show to Guns & Roses. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Saturday (May 21)

Abhorrence
The hardcore punk group from east Europe gathers with local punk heads and throws two shows in one day. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 2pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)/ RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Bai Shui
Trditional and unique Chinese sounds. Bai Shui releases two albums tonight. RMB 70, RMB 60 (advance, students). 8.30pm. Mako Live House (5205 1113)

Dafay & Skyscraper
Beijing described in simple lyrics and music. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A. Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

DH & Chinese Hellcats, Skarving, The Flying Mantas, The Clamps
Swing it up, punk it out and surf away. RMB 60. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Red Pirates, Nakoma
’70s rock and hard rock. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868).

Rock & Roll Nite
Wudaokou's metal bass gives the night to rock. RMB 40. 9.30pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

The Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra
An eclectic mix of jazz, funk and Latin. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Your Favorite Enemies, Subs, The On Fires
Canadian alternative band YFE is proof that DIY is no impediment to fame. Punkheads Subs and The On Fires join in. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Zhang Ying
Jazz girl explains jazz in her own way. RMB 50. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

Sunday (May 22)

Spring & Autumn
Beijing’s metal giant goes acoustic. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Toreador
Local gothic band shows you how dark their souls are. RMB 50. 7.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Wu Tun
Go underground with the folkster. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

Photos from Douban.com/subs, Douban.com/biggerbang and Douban.com/baishui