Weekend Live Music Roundup: Cui Jian, Taylor Momsen, Queen Sea Big Shark, Mongolians

Mid Autumn Festival is always so sentimental. It's the time every traveling child wishes they can be home while most of them can’t. Maybe the greatest musicians in Beijing sense this homesickness or they are also among the migrants – China's capital is having the best lineup in a while this long weekend.

Some longtime punks show their sensitive side on Friday: SUBS' Kangmao plays with her melodic folk band Bye Bye, Thanks For The Fish at D-22. Elsewhere, a few ex-Joyside members bring their indie pop tunes to Blue Stream Bar near Gulou. The same night, dance rockers from Queen Sea Big Shark are looking to have a "Neo Party" at Tango. Mako Livehouse hosts talent from Inner Mongolia who are here for the city’s first Mongolian Music Festival (Fri & Sat) with the message that the Grassland is not just about wilderness.

Another exciting show down town would be the encounter between German free jazz master Peter Brötzmann and local maverick Li Tieqiao at Yugong Yishan tomorrow night. Yes, it's the jazz feast time of the year again. In addition to the regulars at East Shore, V.A Bar and CD Blues, there will also be shows at Yugong Yishan, Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar and the National Library Concert Hall.

All too soft for you? What about a two-day hardcore party with bands from three different countries (all under the lead of Hong Kong's Mensheng) at MAO Livehouse starting Sunday? How can a long weekend in the summer be without a big outdoor music festival? You should already know that you can catch Cui Jian, Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club and Taylor Momsen right at Chaoyang Park at Intercity Music Festival. Yes, there's only one Chaoyang Park.

Happy Mid-Autumn!

Friday (September 9)

Byebye, Thanks For Your Fish, Dirty Seed, Syringe
Go crazy with Wudaokou's unique noise. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22

Lone
Former punkheads go quiet. RMB 20. 9.30pm. Blue Stream Bar

Love's Tourettes
A mean funk groove overlaid with rap vocals infused with indie rock energy and a brush of psychedelia. RMB 30. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre
The perfect combination of chanson and American jazz. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A. Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Mario Canonge
One of the best French jazz pianist open for NineGates Festival. Price TBD. 8.30pm. Zhongxindao Theater, Chaoyang Park

Miss Lulu Galore
Swingin’ sounds blending with hot dance. Free. 9pm. Alanting (8571 5168)

Neil Young Tribute Show
A night of the finest exports of Winnipeg, featuring members of Randy Abel Stable, Christmas, Birdstriking! and many more. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Qian Xing Zhe Quartet & Peter Brötzmann
German legendary free jazz saxophonist Peter Brötzmann encounters eccentric Chinese saxophonist Li Tieqiao. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance, students). 9.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Queen Sea Big Shark
Beijing's dance pop favorite takes you to a "Neo Party." RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance). 9.30pm. Tango (6428 4080)

Whai
They claim to make the most underground music in China, check if it's true at their debut. Free. 10pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Xia Jia Piano Trio
One of the best jazz pianist from China makes the night easy listening. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Saturday (September 10)

The Beijing Beatles
Beijing's fab four heats up the hutongs. Free. 10pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Buyi
Rock in a refreshing and natural style. RMB 50. 9pm. Alanting (8571 5168)

DH & Chinese Hellcats, Black Cat Bone
A non-stop blues, rockabilly, and swinging soul party. Why not? RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Everyone's Pipe Dream
Art rockers from Qingdao come with fresh works. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A. Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Hard Rock Night
Old bones and young powers rock as hard. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Pierre Brahin
Have some inspirational jazz. RMB 30 (include a free beer). 9pm. Tushuguan 98 (8400 1532)

Residence A, The Power Powder, UVB-76
Meet Beijing's young rock talents. Price TBD. 10pm. D-22

Friday - Saturday

Anda Mongolian Music Festival
Mongolian folk-rock masters Hanggai lead a roster of all Inner Mongolia-based bands. They’re pop, hip-hop and very fun. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance), RMB 70 (students). 8pm-12am (Friday), 3-9pm (Saturday). Mako Livehouse

Sunday (September 11)

Aka Moon Trio
The Belgium group brings their own style of jazz. RMB 50. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

Jerez-Texas
A mix of flamenco, classical music and jazz. Free. 7.30pm. Chaoyang Park Theatre

Klaus Filip, Ye Hui, Philipp Leitner
The third hit of Subjam's Miji concert. Check out how the geeks play with sounds. RMB 40, 8.30pm. 2 Kolegas

Mr.Moreno Donadel Piano Trio
The same old jazz. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Monday (September 12)

Puerto Candelaria
Taste the Latino jazz spirit. RMB 50. 9pm. Yugong Yishan

I Sing, Moon Wanders
China's two most influential folk lunatics get together for a musical. RMB 30-100. Nine Theater

Wu Tun, Zhang Weiwei, Guo Long, Zhang Quan
Folksters' nostalgia. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance, students). 8.30pm. Mako Live House (5205 1113)

Sunday - Monday

Inter City Music Festival
Forget about the mooncakes. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Taylor Momsen's The Pretty Reckless and more international and local stars are coming next door. RMB 220, RMB 180 (advance). Daily 2-11pm. Chaoyang Park

The Moon Rock Festival
Go hardcore punk for two days with Crossfaith (Japan), Mensheng (Hong Kong), Big D And The Kids Tables (USA), Locofrank(Japan), Unlimits (Japan) and more local powers. RMB 100 (per day), RMB 80 (per day in advance). RMB 150 (two days). 8pm. MAO Livehouse

Photo: Southcn.com, Madisonmusicreview.com