Noise Pollution: U.TA, Marthe, Terumasa Hino Quintet, Nocturnes, 330 Metal Fest, Qi Zitan

Will Griffith | Mar 30, 2018 8:30 am | Add a comment | 2121 reads

Almost missing winter at this point. Just saying. At this rate, the only thing getting me out the door at this point is the tunes – and let me tell you – there are some glorious tunes to be found this weekend. From Taiwan’s new wave of trendsetters, to release parties, surprise metal outings, and the long-awaited return of Yugong Yishan – there’s plenty of music to live and breathe this weekend. Fingers crossed you won’t need a mask.

Friday, Mar 30

U.TA (TW), Last Goodbye, The Playcat at School
Atmospheric dream pop psychedelic rockers U.TA from Taipei, who cite their influences as Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star, 4AD, and filmmaker Wong Kar-wai look to ‘transform all beauty and stylistic decadence into beats, sounds, melodies, and lyrics.’ They’ve been making waves across the sea for some time and now are ready to show China what they’ve as they hit the road. Support from the slick shoegaze blazers Last Goodbye, and the feral, frisky, and melodically pleasing The Playcat – a band I’m psyched to see back. RMB 90

Sunset Rollercoaster (TW), Gong Gong Gong at Yue Space
Down the street, another indie rock trendsetter trailblazing band from Taiwan will be throwing down – Sunset Rollercoater – whose ripped from an '80s prom night sound that recalls Mando-pop hits of yesteryear has already SOLD OUT.

dMH, Wen Liang, Bokkeh at Yichang Café
CCTV television and web personality Richard Doran who lived in Beijing from 1998 to 2014 – known for his bombastic role in lo-fi blues-punk band Low Bow – is back in town – presenting his softer more ambient side – dMH which he describes as a ‘simplistic minimalism electronic and field recording project’. He’s joined by the new project from a former Luv Plastic renegade – Bokkeh –where loops and field recordings form build and plays with ideas of ambient, psychedelic, new age and drone. Closing the out the lineup is the prolific electronic producer and composer Wen Liang, whose award-winning work and collaborations have made a prominent fixture of the scene. RMB 50

Pacalolo, 4 Channels Club, Pei, DJ Thomson Kwong at Mao Livehouse
The Sad Robot returns! Come celebrate the lonely existence of artificial intelligence with this madcap themed party in Wukesong where the talented designer Jinlu – a designer for VICE and the JinWa (the Golden Baby) – joins the pulsating 8-bit and electro-rock tunes of 4 Channel Club and Pacalolo, as well as DJs Pei (of Bye Bye Disco) and Thomson Kwong for an interactive robot jam. RMB 80 (7pm start)

Elvis T. x Feng Mengbo at CHAO
CHAO Hotel shakes things up with an intriguing multimedia showcase for one of the visual arts and electronic scene’s most sought-after artists and producers – Taipei raised electronic producer veteran Elvis T. teams up with cutting-edge computer animator and professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts Feng MEngbo, who has worked with New Pants, HWA, and many others and has had his work hosted by MoMA, the Guggenheim, and much more. FREE

The Peppercorns, Swarm, Wasted Laika at Temple
It’s another psycho night at everyone favorite asylum and dive – Temple – and they have rounded up a mischievous cast of characters tonight including the fresh blooded and riotous art rockers Wasted Laika, the post-metal instrumentalists Swarm (Who have become quite the talk of the town), and psychedelic swimmers The Peppercorns. FREE

3C Ensemble at DDC
The Creative Composers Collective (3C) – a supergroup of rotating jazz statesmen – celebrate one year of spectacular collaborations and innovative sonic imaginations with an all-star lineup featuring J Kyle Gregory, Nathaniel Gao, Liu XiaoGuang, Simone Schirrum Daniel Callaghan, Anthony Vanacore, and more of the collective finest performers of the last year. RMB 70

Bang Bang Mary, Dangif, Moor Hick, Liu Yao Dong at Caravan
From Beijing to Cape Town, going through Kashgar and Casablanca, catch the four-piece rock outfit, made up of one Brit and three South Africans join the new and improved Moor Hick as well as Kazakh folk singer Dangih and singer Liu Yao Dong for an special evening of tunes before the four hit the big stage next week for the Water & Pear Blossoms World Music Festival. FREE

Eric Allen, Andres, Electric Sewage, Chris Hopkins at Soi 69 Cafe
Singer-songwriter Chris Hopkins stays true to his roots with his homeland’s blues, rock n roll, and Texas country and joins classic metal-punk outfit Electric Sewage, blues singer Eric Allen, and Andres at 69 Café in Wudaokou. RMB 60

Ember Swift at Soi Baochao
Known for her unique, jazz-influenced guitar playing and elastic vocals, the Canadian born Beijing based singer-songwriter Ember Swift has been a fixture of the Beijing music scene for years releasing an array of LPs and melding Mandarin, English, and French into one intoxicating package. FREE

Marthe (FR) at La Plantation
Marthe is a music group founded by Greek saxophone player Alexis Moutzouris and French trumpet player Florent Briqué. Together they decided to build a singular musical universe exploring jazz, rock, and improvisation. RMB 200

Hz, Syndrome, Snow Windmill, YF & MakeTubu at 13 Club
Rock’s the name of the game and you’re either in or not, especially when you’re in the ruins and adolescent debauchery that is Wudaokao – so why not join the young revolutionaries shake loose this evening. RMB 80

Terumasa Hino Quintet at Blue Note
One of the most acclaimed Japanese jazz musicians of his generation, trumpeter Terumasa Hino is a dynamic performer, known for his huge, powerful tone, and expressive post-bop style. Along with his commercial success, he continued to grow creatively, displaying his abiding love of the jazz tradition with a broad mix of acoustic and electric jazz, originals, and standards. RMB 420

Golden Buddha & Friends at Jianghu Bar
Jazz it up and take it easy at the cozy hutong Jianghu where Chinese national jazz pioneer Kong Hongwei (Golden Buddha), always committed to the creation and exploration of Chinese elements and jazz fusion, invites his friends Liang Zhipeng, Shao HaHa, and more to the stage for some fun. RMB 80

The Game Gurus, Roberto & The Sons of Thunder at Modernista
Inspired by the composers of video game classics, The Game Gurus play an organic mix of the best, bit-tastic songs from the games of yesteryear. From Zelda to Mario, let the Gurus ‘help you dance, stomp, and sing the goombas of your life away’. Support from Roberto & The Sons of Thunder. FREE

Zulu Panda (Canada), Li Yu, Zhang Qilong at Blue Stream
Indie folk rock singer-songwriter Zulu Panda from Canada joins two local guitar singers Li Yu and Zhang Qilong this evening in Gulou. RMB 50

Andrew Little, Monesque & The White Russian, Steve Blaque at Mogu Space
One half Dutch-Australian and the other half Russian, Monesque & The White Russian is a new original indie pop guitar duo. They join banjo player and singer Andrew Little and producer and old-school rocker Steve Blaque. RMB 60

Saturday, Mar 31

Nocturnes, SNSOS, Last Goodbye, Anxt at Yue Space
Nocturnes, the Beijing indietronic duo made up of Qinghai native Wei Du aka Leslie, who provides the deep melancholic vocals, and Ireland expat David Carey, who provides the airy ethereal guitar notes and stellar production, celebrate the release of their full-length LP Lines Written in Code as well as their nationwide tour with an epic outing at Yue Space (read our recent interview here). On hand to support will be two of the indie hottest commodities - jangly post-rock instrumentalists SNSOS, and slick shoegaze movers Last Goodbye. Plus local electronic producer Anxt will be on hand as well as other special guests. RMB 80

Die From Sorrow, Black Kirin, Barque of Dante, XueChen, Suffocated, Explosicum, Dream Spirit, Close to Abyss, XuJi at Tango
Perhaps not the biggest metal festival to be held in China, but arguably one of the most prominent metal festival – 330 Metal Festival – returns with a vengeance! The longstanding indoor metal festival, with 17years under its belt of bringing China’s best metal acts to the stage, is at it again with a hefty filling of all things metal. Besides established and respected acts like thrash metal veterans Suffocated, black metal outfit Black Kirin, and Die From Sorrow, there are other killer bands that have slowly climbed their way to the top like thrash face-melters Explosicum, atmospheric blackgaze band XuJi and many more looking to do the deed. 230pm start. RMB 280

Scare The Children, Xiao Wang, Megalithic Erection, Electric Sewage at Temple
Bring your metal face cause things are about to get heavy as all hell as everyone’s favorite mask-wearing creeps Scare The Children return to settle into your nightmares. They’ll joined by Kawaii core riot girrrls Xiao Wang, Electric Sewage and the ever delightfully named Megalithic Erection, which is just about the perfect name for a band described as ‘upbeat doom metal’. FREE

Discord, Ghetto Blaster, The Demonstrators, Devil Mask, Wu & the Side Effects at School
A delightfully eclectic and old school rock showcase featuring an array of veterans of the punk and rock scene – from street punks Discord to blues-rock slayers Wu & The Side Effects – as well as some of the scene’s freshest blood, including hard rock blues gunners Ghetto Blaster and metal outfit Devil Mask. Rock and roll with a capital R. RMB 80

Hoochie Coochie Gentlemen at Jianghu Bar
Veteran blues-rock outfit Hoochie Coochie Gentlemen look to bring the good vibes to the cozy Jianghu Bar – harmonica, acoustic guitars, and some very merry singers. These cats are pros and have been working the crowds for ages – expect nothing less than a harmonica-infused evening of homegrown blues. And they’ve invited trumpeter Lu Xiaolin and trombonist Han Lin for the occasion. RMB 100

Qi Zitan at 69 Cafe
Ethereal singer-songwriter Qi Zitan, from Hangzhou, has been making quite the name for herself since university; from starting the indie rock band Stolen Joy, to appearing on ‘The Song of China’. With music that seduces, haunts, and bewilders with its graceful and exquisiteness that’s almost otherworldly. She’s a force to be reckoned with among female singers in China. Catch her hanging in Wudaokou this evening. RMB 90

Atelier II at Magnet Theater
'Interested in addressing the paradox of being out of the nature and at the same time hopelessly in it', Atelier II, the electronic drone duo made up of Alex Damboianu and Huang Huan, bring their latest audio-visual experience to the theater space in Wangjing. Expect to be immersed. 4pm start.

Sha!, AnYu at Soi Baochao
Two improvisational outfits look to stir up some musical mayhem at the end of Baochao – progressive rock instrumentals SHA! bring their highly technical and 70s invoking rock and roll alongside up and coming experimental sound collage duo AnYu, who I’m quite curious about. RMB 55

Liu Donghong & Sand at Mogu Space
Liu Donghong and his band, Sand, return to Mogu Space this evening. China’s first ‘cold rock’ band, they’ve been playing together for over 20 years and have reinvented their sound several times, and are now at the peak of the musical maturity and emotional depth. RMB 80

Nasty Ray, N-Bomb, Saber, DJ 4tael, DJ Quaver, Def Capone & Buckchild at WEST
Rap continues to embed itself on the Gongti club scene and why not!? Join veteran rapper Nasty Rap alongside rising stars N-Bomb and Saber plus DJ Quaver, DJ 4tael and more for an evening of hard-hitting beats, rapid-fire rhythms running to turn at the drop of a hat, and plenty of swaggers. RMB 150

Chuan Zi at BPS Media Center
Renowned folk singer-songwriter, Chuan Zi, who honed his guitar and lyrical grace whilst spending eight years in a Beijing prison, brings his odes to love, family, loss, and longing to the BPS Media Center between Chaoyangmen and Dongsishitiao subway stations (so basically the Poly Theater). Expect a packed house for the grizzled earnest artist. RMB 280

Sourpuss at DDC
Kirk Kenney and Parker Trevathan been performing American traditional and blues music to Chinese audiences for years. Their travels have taken them to the mountains of Dali and the stages of China's top-tier concert halls. Catch their assortment of unique instruments, charming stories, and stage banter this afternoon. 3pm start RMB 60

Mr. Miss at DDC
Retrofitted adorably cute ukulele-led indie pop duo whose old-school jazzy tunes has garnered them quite the fanbase, as well as a prestigious Golden Melody Award in Taiwan, get intimate at DDC as they welcome springtime. RMB 100

Sourpuss at Caravan
Yes as you can see Sourpuss are double dipping – but who cares! Appalachian Back Porch Ditties for all! Catch Kirk Kenney and Parker Trevathan perform American traditional and blues music at Caravan this evening. RMB 60

Sofar Sounds at Qianmen/Dashilar Location
Sofar Sounds, ‘the global community where guests and artists come together to experience music in an intimate and respectful setting at a secret concert’ throw their latest secret gig this afternoon in Qianmen. 5.30pm start. Join here

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre at Modernista
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernista to help with their six-year anniversary celebrations. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE

Yu Piano Duet feat. Yu Meina & Fu Hong at La Plantation
The ‘Yu Piano Duet’, formed by Dr. Yu Meina and Dr. Fu Hong – two esteemed pianists who have achieved the highest-level degree in piano performance and are teachers in the China Conservatory of Music – perform tonight at La Plantation. RMB 200

The Rebel 5 at Kirin Place
The Rebel 5, formerly known as The Rotten 5, is a soul, r&b, and funk music ensemble covering some of the greatest songs of all times. Catch them working the dance floor in Wangjing’s Kirin Place. FREE

The Basement at Blue Stream
The Basement, the multi-national rock and soul outfit, ‘united through serendipity and the love of music’ get down with it over at Blue Stream. FREE

Joe Longardner at East Shore Cafe
Beijing based, American Jazz tenor saxophonist, teacher, and composer Joe Longardner lays it down over ay Houhai this evening. FREE

Sunday, Apr 1

Wang Le at Yugong Yishan
You may have heard the good news already but here it is again – Yugong Yishan – long considered one of Beijing’s most beloved venues is back in business after a three-month hiatus that had music goers biting their nails. There’s nothing outlandish about their first night back (they saved that for their Great Wall Festival in late April) but it’s fitting enough as they host lo-fi indie singer-songwriter who using elements of pop, funk, reggae, bossa nova, punk, rock, tango, rap, trip-hop, folk and the profound influences of his formal classical music training, creates something unique. RMB 180

Once And For All at Yue Space
Once and For All present their DJent and ambient sound amidst heavy beats. For those who don’t know what Djent is (like myself) here, you are – Djent: a style of heavy metal music that developed as a spinoff of traditional progressive metal and an onomatopoeia for the distinctive high-gain, distorted palm-muted, low pitch guitar sound found in the music. So emo metal. That poster does not do the band justice. RMB 100

Zulu Panda (Canada) at DDC
Filled with folksy charm and raw passion, and delivered with an outstanding live presence, Zulu Panda, who hails from Vancouver BC, is a dynamic indie-rock singer-songwriter whose music combines heartland rock with grunge while maintaining a pop sensibility. A troubadour of sound, stage and beard and one of Canada’s finest. 3pm start. RMB 50

Mike Rolling, Rhonda, Miracle Pot at DDC
Mike Rolling – not much is known about these cats other than they delve into the world of pop and rock helping folks get their kicks. They will be joining the ever dependable instrumental whiplash rockers Rhonda, and another fresh-faced group by the name of Miracle Pot, which you can read however you like (along with Mike Rolling for that matter). RMB 60

All Unknown, Friendly Tips, Mr. S, All Sixes at School
Rock em and sock em with this pop-friendly rock and roll Sunday outing at School Bar as toe-tapping pop outfit All Unknown, pop-punk dudes Friendly Tips, pop rockers Mr. S, and pop-punk indie rock outfit All Sixes take the stage. RMB 60

Suzuki Tsunekichi (JP) at National Art Center
Mega Japanese folk star brings his exquisite voice and sober story-telling tunes to Beijing’s National Art Center. Good luck with tickets. RMB 380

Junichi N. Jazz Organ Trio at Modernista
Modernista welcomes back exceptional Japanese keyboardist Junichi Naruse on stage one more time for a wild 'n’ out jazz Sunday as he presents his latest compact jazz trio featuring Dolphin on guitar and Izumi Koga on drums. FREE

L-Force presents Da Hottest Talent at Soi Baochao
Hosts - local rap crew L-Force– present Da Hottest Talent Show, giving a ragtag team of a chance to strut their stuff and prove their musical abilities – competing tonight will be Michael V, David Campbell, Christopher Perry, James Thomason, and Huang YuQing. FREE

Shai Rosenboim, Dariusz Mikulski, Shawn Moore at La Plantation
Call of the Horn! For all young French Horn lovers out there – don’t forget to swing by La Plantation for Beethoven, Mozart, and all your other sonatas being performed by a trio of skilled musicians in the piano, violin, and best of all, French horn region. RMB 200

Hot Club of Beijing at Blue Note
The high end jazz club continues ‘Good Day Beijing Brunch’ series offering customers the fine pairing of brunch with top grade music – today they’ll host the multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble, the Hot Club of Beijing, fresh off their tour of China, who’ll bring their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to the stage. RMB 248

Fofox at 69 Café
Hear covers of prominent Chinese rockers Zhang Chu – whose Shameful Being All Alone, released in 1994, continues to influence a generation of Chinese artists – from mega fan and folk-rocker Fofox. RMB 60

Hou Kang, Kaile at Blue Stream Bar
Soulful indie guitarist from Northern China Hou Kang joins folk artist and producer Kaile for an intimate acoustic outing at Blue Stream. RMB 50