Noise Pollution: DDC and Temple Anniversaries, Horse Radio, Perpetual Motion Machine, Hutong Rap Battle
Birthday parties, saxophone-based mayhem, songs from the grasslands of Mongolia and enough rock and roll to decimate your ears (and souls) – summer just can’t be stopped. And while I’ll be busy soaking up everything Southeast Asia has to offer in the next month, I’ll be thinking of you, Beijing. And all the magnificent tunes I’ll be missing. So without further a due, here’s your weekend roundup.
Friday, Jul 27
Gum Bleed, Hind Brain, By Dream, Click #15 at Temple
Rock and roll central and a hub for all things loud and proud, Temple Bar turns seven years old and it’s time to celebrate. With a riotous spirit that sucks you into its vortex of glorious rowdiness, they’re all going all out this weekend. Friday brings punk and more fun via anti-establishment veterans Gum Bleed, hard-edged rockers Hind Brain, post-rockers By Dream, and funk outfit Click #15. FREE
Macondo, Solaris, Dawei & The Social Poets, Back to The Lab (Switzerland) at DDC
DDC’s four year anniversary kicks into overdrive this weekend with some truly floor-shaking lineups. Friday finds some of DDC’s closest pals – including mathcore post-rock mammoths Macondo, psychedelic gazers Solaris, and funk hip-hop outfit Dawei and The Social Poets. They will be joining visiting Swiss band Back To The Lab, who mix jazz-fusion, soul, funk, and hip-hop into an intoxicating package. RMB 80
Horse Radio at DDC
Horse Radio is back! Inner Mongolians troupe that conjure up the sounds of the grasslands return to the stage after a two-year hiatus. Led by the dynamic Bayan Dalai, they’re a band that delivers on all fronts and isn’t afraid to dip their toes into other genres – injecting their jams with an exploratory almost improvisational vibe that works on some many levels. Curious to see what the new lineup is like. RMB 100
Dungeon Beijing, Dr. Liu & The Human Centipede, Underdog, Hielektromen at Yugong Yishan
Another of Peking Salad, which tosses together a variety of flavors and bands in the bowl and shakes it up – a little hardcore punk courtesy of The Human Centipede; a little hip-hop spice from the rap collective Dungeon Beijing; a little ska sweetness via Underdog; and a wallop of hard-hitting techno house tunes from Hielektromen. That’s a tasty salad! RMB 150
Found Sound China at fRUITYSPACE
Found Sound China presents the results of their one-month residency pairing Chinese & American musicians in different corners of China. Really dig the idea and the team has amassed an array of talent – Yao of Naxi descent from Yunnan, Chinese producer sususu, and the one of a kind ChaCha. They join New York-based rapper Jamel Mims, Chinese/Dutch-Indonesian artist Kayla Briët, and Baltimore beatmaker Travon Henry. Expect more surprise guests. RMB 80
Pure, Synth Cells at Soi Baochao
Things get a little unhinged over at the Baochao stronghold as new age grunge punks Pure bring their boisterous sound to Soi alongside Synth Cells. RMB 55
Pizza Face, Astrologers, Lang Zhi, Ban at Laifu Livehouse
Shuangjing gets down to business with another scrappy lineup of rock and roll up-and-comers looking to make some noise – including the awesomely named Pizza Face, Ban and more. RMB
Wang Lei at School
Tonight classically trained musician, music producer, and keyboardist for many of the biggest names in Chinese rock will hold a special showcase show at School Bar along with some friends in support of his recently released debut album. Expect tender folk tunes – a nice change of pace for School. FREE
Ricardo & The Sons of Thunder at Modernista
This new explosive cover band has been making you all millenials get on your feet with a bunch of well made 2000 hit songs. Be there for their solo debut this Friday, it promises to be another crazy weekend party night. FREE
Make Tuzhou, Steve Blaque, Cheng Yufeng at Mogu Space
Avant-garde folk-rock singer Make Tuzhou joins Steve Blaque and Cheng Yufeng for some folk happenings at Xizhimen’s Mogu Space. RMB 60
Saturday, Jul 28
Swarrm, No Trace, Acid Accident, Birdstriking at DDC
DDC’s fourth anniversary kicks into overdrive this weekend with some truly floor-shaking lineups including this wallop of a Saturday – featuring noise-rock stalwarts Birdstriking who will join post-rock aficionados Acid Accident, instrumental prog maestros Swarrm and the indescribable No Trace (under the new Dusk Dawn label). RMB 80
Li Jianhong, Wang Ziheng, Li Yangyang, Li Zenghui at fRUITYSPACE
Noise and experimental junkies rejoice! Beijing’s own impromptu saxophonist and noise freak Wang Ziheng releases his latest piece of musical mayhem via WV Sorcerer Reocrds (a France/China label) and he has rounded up quite the team to celebrate including guitar demi-god Li Jianhong, Li Yangyang aka AZOIK of the NOJIJI collective and Li Zenghui. RMB 80
WHAI, Boss Cuts, Xiao Wang at Temple
Rock and roll central and a hub for all things loud and proud, Temple Bar turns seven years old and it’s time to celebrate. With a riotous spirit that sucks you into its vortex of glorious rowdiness, they’re all going all out this weekend. Saturday night brings out the big guns – trance-inducing badasses WHAI, surf rockers Boss Cuts, and the ridiculously fun Xiao Wang. Plus the release of the first edition of CUE Comic. FREE
Candy Monster, Chuksy, Pacalolo, Da Wei and Band, Cypher T at School
New promoter Hongmiao Diguo debut with a solid lineup that includes rock n' roll mainstays Candy Monster, the fast-rising trio from the Hangzhou, Chuksy, the always fun electro-rock 'n' roll vibes of Pacalolo, hip-hop artist and poet Da Wei, and hip-hop rock combo act Cypher T. RMB 100
Perpetual Motion Machine, Auburn, Poshangcun, Black Mint at Yugong Yishan
Some of the indie rock scene’s most sought-after (with a hefty amount of mainstream appeal) acts converge onto Yugong Yishan including folk-pop troupe Poshangcun, hard rockers Black Mint, Britpop outfit Auburn and the always dependable Perpetual Motion Machine. RMB 100
Macondo, The Glamour Manifesto, INXU at Omni Space
Powerhouse rock and roll with an electronic bent – these three bands go for epic sounds each and every time out and when you’ve got Omni Space’s sound system backing you, you know you’re in for a treat. Catch post-rock core boys Macondo, industrial electronic rock duo The Glamour Manifesto and soundtrackers INXU. RMB 120
Cherry Mor, Electric Lady, Friendly Tips, Re-Schedule, CengXueYa at Laifu Livehouse
Shuangjing’s Laifu Livehouse rounds up an array of ‘barrels a blazing’ bands including stoner rock group Electric Lady, pop rock ruffians Friendly Tips, shoegaze swingers Cherry Mor and more. RMB 60
Just Chellin’, Sisi Yufan at DDC
DDC’s fourth anniversary kicks into overdrive this weekend with some truly floor-shaking lineups. Nevertheless, the venue will still find time to dial it down this afternoon for some tender folk courtesy of cello trio Just Chellin’ (made up of Joy Stuhr, Heike Wyler, and Nicole Jahng) and Sisi Yufan. 3pm start. RMB 60
Hutong Rap Battle Vol.7 w/ Ember Swift at Soi Baochao
Head to Soi Baochao and lay down your best rhymes as an array of rappers compete and jam to their heart's content. Plus a special (perhaps hip-hop filled) set from the Canadian born Beijing based singer-songwriter Ember Swift, known for her unique, jazz-influenced guitar playing and elastic vocals. FREE
Liu Dongming at Mogu Space
Folk rock singer-songwriter Liu Dongming - a prominent figure in the folk world for years, and whose album with his band The Sand recently was awarded the Best Folk Album Prize from Douban’s Abilu Music Awards – returns tonight to Mogu Space. RMB 80
Jasmine Monk at Pink Moon
Indie folk artist Jasmine Monk appears at the new Pink Moon to promote his new album. The singer-songwriter has been a fixture of the folk scene – a voice of pure emotion that’ll transport audiences. RMB 80
Alfredo Rodríguez (Cuba) at Blue Note
Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez has not only been mentored by legendary producer Quincy Jones but is also a Grammy nominee. He plays everything from jazz standards, his own originals, and covers of Michael Jackson hits in his homeland's timba style. Read our recent interview with Rodriguez here. RMB 160-380
Nancy Jenkinson Brown Quartet at Bricks
Nancy Jenkinson Brown alongside with her ever-skillful band of troops presents a delicious cocktail of music and playful renditions of songs you know and love, providing listeners a new sense of joy for jazz. FREE
Uighur Sama at Modernista
A mixture of traditional Arabic songs and lively Spanish rumba classics, with lyrics both in English and Uyghur, Uighur Sama continue bringing the energetic sounds of Xinjiang to China´s capital. FREE
Ad Libitum, Eric Allen at Jianghu Bar
Ad Libitum which features three of the small stage’s finest characters Kamau and Dooder of Great Buffalo Blues and cellist Heike Wyler (of everything) hit up Jianghu Bar alongside independent singer-songwriter Eric Allen. RMB 60
Canzilians at Blue Stream Bar
Transnational duo Canzilians – who play a blend of Canadian tones and Brazilian rhythms combined with pop covers, hit up Blue Stream. FREE
Sunday, Jul 29
Diamond Lil, Fishdoll, Rainbow Machine, DJ 4teal at DDC
DDC’s closes out their four year anniversary this Sunday with an afternoon electronic party. On the bill are Shanghai-based producer Diamond Lil, known for her intoxicating groove-based tunes with Ran Music, the jazzy indie electronic singer and producer Fishdoll, DJ 4teal, and Rainbow Machine, a collaborative project formed between Noise Arcade and Rothwell, that focuses on rhythmic drone excavations. 2pm start. RMB 50
The Foreigners, Derby Day at School
Britpop finds refuge down in humid trenches of Guangzhou via The Foreigners - whose no-nonsense commitment to melody and catchy lyrics wears you down till you throw your arm up in elated surrender. Their full-length LP is a loose, emo-infused, melodically tight, and extremely replay worthy introduction to a band that has serious potential. Catch the band as they roll through Beijing on their tour. RMB 80
Pure, Tulegur, special guests at Temple
Sunday Temple celebrations are the best. Everyone is basically riding the wave from the evening before and all bets are off. Help them celebrate with a rocking evening full of games, rock trivia, DJ Battles and sets from grunge punks Pure and nomad rockers Tulegure. FREE
3C Ensemble at DDC
Creative Composers Collective (3C) was founded by Italian Jazz Guitarist Simone Schirru with the idea of creating a synergy between some of the best jazz composers in Beijing. Beginning in March 3C will be presenting a series of concerts at DDC, with each concert featuring a different composer and their original project. They will close out DDC’s fourth anniversary. Expect some top-notch jazz-infused surprises. RMB 80
Mizang, Mojo Hand, Wu Zhangfa at T-House
Long-standing blues-rock outfit Mizang, who have been performing for over fifteen years, finish off their tour, with ring their soulful, Chicago-era-invoking blues to T-House alongside fellow blues supergroup Mojo Hand plus singer Wu Zhangfa. RMB 100
Drop Science, Cloudy Tunnel, Bluso, Sabado, Deformed Boi, Xiao Yu Shi Ye at Mao Livehouse
Hip-hop makes its way to Wukesong as Mao Livehouse hosts a variety of homegrown hip-hop acts including Drop Science, Cloudy Tunnel and more. RMB 100
Gui Bian at Tango
Hip-hop sensation Gui Bian appears at Tango in support of his new album and second outing, Longitudinal. Rapping over heavy bass, the ghostly artist weaves fairytales, constantly surprising and delighting his audiences. RMB 260
Seigo at Modernista
Japanese drum master Seigo looks once again to fuse techno and jazz and cook up even more delightful ideas this evening at Modernista. FREE
More Feel, HeDaQian at Mogu Space
Indie synth-pop duo More Feel share as you can imagine their feelings over in Wudaokou alongside singer-songwriter He Daqian and his jazz-infused band. RMB 60
Want to cut a rug instead? Check out this weekend's nightlife offerings here.
Photos: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers
