Weekend Live Music Roundup: Microfilm, Post-Rock Festival, Temple of the Nomad

Maybe it's because the summer has actually gone, or because the big party season is just ahead, that Beijing’s live music scene is taking it easy this weekend. It's perfect if you are in a laid-back, sentimental mood. It's better than perfect if you like post-rock. French group Microfilm returns to Beijing after their first show four years ago. Their show tomorrow night at Yugong Yishan will be free and their rather dark instrumental performance will be mixed with random sounds and dialogues from film clips.

On Saturday, there’s even a Post-Rock Festival, though it’s more like a post-rock night. Five bands from around the country who are expert at making dreamy, mellow instrumental songs gather at Mako Live House. They are led by Wangwen from Dalian and Wuhan’s Hualun. It’s not only rock that can be “post,” A new band called Black VA claim to make post-industrial jazz and they will debut also on Saturday night at, of course, VA Bar.

To have a guaranteed soothing time, go check out Temple of the Nomad at Jiang Hu’s courtyard. The duo sound like troubadours from an ancient time, based on their recordings online. The live set might be more interesting, though some people will probably fall asleep to their songs. If you don’t have any interest in any of the slow gigs, Beijing never lacks punk shows. Punk night at D-22 keeps kicking while MAO Livehouse also has a gathering tomorrow of some long time punk rockers.

Here’s the full listing of this weekend’s music shows:

Friday (October 21)

16 Mins, Zhang Xiaosong
Some old blues and new alternative rock. RMB 30. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

The Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra
They present an eclectic mix of straight-ahead, modern, funk and Latin jazz compositions. RMB 40. 9.45pm. VA Bar

Anna Stamburg Group
Live soul and R&B for the small weekend. Free. 9.30pm-12.30am. Ciro’s Pomodoro (5208 6008)

Lazy camels, Old fashion, Trouble Trouble, Miss freak
Young noise makers punk it up. RMB 40 (include a free drink). 9.30pm. What Bar

Longjin
A reggae night by the Drum Tower. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9.30pm. Gulou 121

Ma Di, Song Dongye
Their own kind of folk songs. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Microfilm
French post-rockers revisit Beijing for a delightful night. Free (tickets available at Alliance Française branches, starting Oct 11). 8pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Misandao, Tiantang
A 12-year-old punk band and a 20-year-old rock band share their spirits. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance). 9.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Punk Night
Soju Legion, Hell City and more. Punk will never die. RMB 50, RMB 40 (studetns). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Skiv
Not just jazz, rock, neither electro. Free. 10pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Second Ring Zoomin’ Night
Wudaokou’s noise makers take over the hutongs. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Xia Jia Piano Trio
Houhai's jazz tradition continues. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Zhang Si'an
The French man's Chinese folk project goes electronic. RMB 30 (include a free beer). 9pm. Tushuguan 98

Saturday (October 22)

Black VA
Jazz goes industrial. Free. 10pm. V.A Bar

Cactus & Tequila
Electronic covers of rock songs along side half price tequila shots. Free. 10pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

The Clippers Band
A group of comedians from tell their jokes with pop tunes. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9.30pm. Gulou 121 (8404 3430)

Jordan Mitchell
Jordan will be performing an initial set of acoustic folk, traditional American spirituals, and original material, with a follow-up set of improvised guitar and voice. Free. 9pm. Beiluo Cafe and Bar (8402 1126)

Li Lei & Liu Meimei, The Suggestions
Keep on the reggae spirit. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Mako Post Rock Festival
China's best melodic instrumentalists gather in Beijing. Lineup includes Wangwen and Hualun. RMB 80, RMB 70 (advance, students). 6.30pm. Mako Live House (5205 1113)

Steely Heart, Toy Head
Dance rockers and pop ska youngsters try to bring back the retro Mod trend. Free. 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

New Perfume
A night of Chinese pop rock. RMB 40. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Temple of the Nomad
Two troubadours from Australia bring their temple to a Courtyard. Free. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Per Arne Ferner, Per Gunnar Juliusson, Liu Yuan Jazz Quartet
Jazz talents from Norway joins Liu Yuan's soothing night. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Sound Fragment's Ten Anniversary
Loops of the simplest notes build up an ongoing story. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance). 8.30pm. The One Club

Sunday (October 23)

Los Amigos
A touch of latin jazz. RMB 30. 9.45pm. VA Bar

Maximilian Hecker
Indie gloomy hymns from Germany. RMB 150, RMB 100 (advance). 8pm. Yugong Yishan

Mr. Moreno Donadel Piano Trio
The Italian pianist keeps the night easy listening. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)