Noise Pollution: Soi Baochao's Eleven-Year Anniversary, Pumpkins at Yue Space, Toconoma at Omni Space

Noise Pollution: Soi Baochao's 11th Anniversary, Pumpkins at Yue Space, Toconoma at Omni Space

Will Griffith | May 31, 2019 2:24 pm | Add a comment | 185 reads

Ready for musical hijinks of the highest order!? How about some auditory mayhem courtesy of Beijing’s finest? Get those ears up to snuff cause this weekend we’ll be cramming hi-hats, razor-sharp riffs, guttural vocals, and other tunes looking to lodge themselves in your cerebellum.

Friday, May 31

WHAI, Jun & BHR, Chill Heads, Tenzin Dolkar, Hazemaze, Saso ft. Spirit Rebellion at Soi Baochao
Soi Baochao, it’s hard to believe, has been here eleven friggin years. Getting to double digits is a feat in itself so congrats. The dive bar and music venue has always played it low-key but for their anniversary they’re going all out with an epic evening of tunes from a variety of characters – including hard-edged trance electro rockers WHAI, up and coming prog rock hitmakers Hazemaze, Tibetan infused indie rockers Tenzin Dolkar, and many more. FREE

Guiguisuisui, thruoutin at Aotu Studio
Shining Dimensions – the new series curated by Guiguisuisui and Aotu Space aims to create an intersection between different dimensions of creativity (Sound Art, Multimedia Vision, and Movement) all mixing together whilst removing the barrier between performers and the audience. The second volume under the theme ‘Make A Sound’ will invite audiences to collaborate in the creation of soundscapes and will feature the music of Guiguisuisui and thruoutin, the Tagtool visuals of Nan Guazi and Julia Z, plus the ‘movements’ of Duna. RMB 50

New Gen, MetU, Ma Xiaoye at DDC
A female-led revolution of rock and roll tonight as DDC hosts three up and coming female-led bands that dabble in everything from pop rock to vocal-heavy post-rock jams – including indie rockers Ma Xiaoye, the young and impassioned New Gen, and the J-pop leaning MetU. RMB 80

Heartland, Hard Candy Revolution, 4U, Shiguang Senlin, Shensi
A bit of punk, a bit of pop – add in a Jager shot or two and legions of fans looking to sweat it out and you’ve got yourself an evening at School Bar where folk-tinged pop-rockers Heartland, glam outfit Hard Candy Revolution, pop-punk troublemakers 4U, Shiguang Senlin, and Shensi take the stage for some musical antics. RMB 60

Gui Bog, Ma Jin, Zhu Wenbo, Liu Lu
Some of the experimental scene’s most mischievous characters will try to awaken old synths and pay tribute to Japanese renegade experimental musician Kayu Nakada who created soniferous structures from the circuit boards of malfunctioning synthesizers and drum machines.

Durian, Great Buffalo Blues at Temple
Like the infamous fruit, Durian is a round-pointy fusion band with a strong smell. With echoes of reggae, funk, and Latin rhythms, mixed with the pulp of eclectic grooves, jazzy notes, and tropical city mantras, they’re a band custom-made to get you moving. Joining the visiting band tonight will be Beijing’s own funk blues travelers The Great Buffalo Blues. FREE

Black Mint at Omni Space
Bluesy hard-rockers Black Mint, formed in 2012, has been steadily rising through the ranks with their falsetto-style rock and roll that takes no prisoners (while being very digestible at the same time). Catch them on their nationwide tour tonight. RMB 100

Manuel Valera Trio at Blue Note
Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Manuel Valera is a force to be reckoned with in the modern jazz scene garnering national reviews and lending his talents as a pianist and composer to such notable artists as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Brian Lynch, Dafnis Prieto, and many more. RMB 220-340

Sun Da Sheng at Jianghu Bar
The band Sun Da Sheng, led by Shanxi folk singer-songwriter Bai Liang, bring their mystical and pristine folk tunes, already a viral sensation on Netease, to the cozy hutong spot. RMB 100

Sons of Thunder at Modernista
Started by four members from Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies, this new explosive cover band looks to indulge in everyone's favorite songs of the 2000s. FREE

Diva Simona Quartet at The Bricks
Italian award-winning singer, composer, educator Simona De Rosa has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the NY jazz scene and continues touring internationally. FREE

Mr. Nick at Caravan
Siberian singer-songwriter Mr. Nick who ‘plays those weird forgotten songs of all styles squeezed through a blues filter’ brings his gruff voice to Caravan. FREE

Ren Shangtong and Gao Qianhe at La Plantation
Guzheng and piano together again! La Plantation hosts two maestro musicians with plenty of accolades and credits under their belt – Ren Shangtong and Gao Qianhe. RMB 200

BUA Seven at Pink Moon
The BUA Seven guitar club whose motto is “We are abstract singers in the sense that we abstract” – get down and jiggy at Pink Moon this evening. FREE

Saturday, Jun 1

Pumpkins, Last Goodbye, Yangji at Yue Space
Ruby Eyes Records – the indie label that’s been killing it as of late – showcases their diverse and wicked roster with a lineup featuring some crazy good bands – from veteran Xinxiang old school punk outfit Pumpkins who embody the spirit of punk like none other, to Hangzhou's cult punk singer-songwriter Yangji, whose lo-fi anime pop punk with a heart of gold is something to behold, and Beijing’s own dream pop rockers Last Goodbye, whose debut is full of colorful aplomb and encroaching rhythms that are hard to shake. Now that’s a satisfying meal. RMB 140

Sick Fungo, TOSS, Hind Brain at DDC
Feverish, charming and dangerously sexy all at once – alternative rockers Sink Fungo bring their affinity for destructive noise and bombast prowess whilst kicking ass and taking names to DDC. Hailing from the coastal city of Qingdao, the gloriously spastic, atmospheric and downright crunchy outfit don’t hold back, the veteran cult legends are in town supporting their ten-years-in-the-making release Wandering. Support from Beijing’s own grunge torchbearers TOSS and Hind Brain. RMB 100

Xiao Wang, The Blue Guy, Landfills, Wasted Laika at School Bar
Indie rock from Yunnan, grunge ruffians from Guangzhou – School has assembled quite the rock 'n’ roll lineup this evening with special guest The Blue Guy, whose dance-ready indie tunes has been igniting the south of China alongside highly combustible grunge kids Landfills. Supporting them will be Beijing’s own Xiao Wang and Wasted Laika two bands that have been soaring high this year. RMB 100

New School Waste Choir, Gentle Grape, Summer Sunshine, Recycle, Boss First, Radical Spinz at Mao Livehouse
Calling all pop-punk enthusiasts! It’s your clan over in Wukesong where some of the scene’s most righteous and high-octane bands bring their high spirits to the stage including rising stars Gentle Grape, veterans Summer Sunshine, Tianjin guests Boss First and many more leading the charge and making you miss the days of playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater. RMB 120

Husband Killers, Old Tea, Joker’s Belief at Temple
Husband Killers know what they’re doing – stealthy injecting down and dirty melodies into their dusty rugged blues-ridden rock and roll, it’s a big sound with an emphasis on rich storytelling and old school magnetism. They join funk groovers Joker’s Belief and post-punk scrappers Old Tea for some wickedness this Children’s Day. FREE

Bluso, Dirty Sakura, JiJi, Polaris Universal, Dreamy, Dann5 at Temple
If that wasn’t enough Temple for you – the venue will also be hosting a special Children’s Day themed hip-hop extravaganza from 7pm onwards featuring a swarm of rappers and hip-hop artists including Bluso, Dirty Sakura, JiJi, Polaris Universal, and more. 7pm start. FREE

Water & Light, Hermit, Amber Worms, Soft Sound Bank, and Gu Nai at 13 Club
What better place to celebrate Children’s Day than in the heart of Wudaokou, where young adults refuse to grow up. Long-standing 13 Club hosts an array of acts with rock and folk sensibilities including Water & Light, Hermit, Amber Worms, Soft Sound Bank, and Gu Nai. RMB 80

Stranding Imbrium, Spontaneous Ensemble at Mogu Space
Up and coming math-rock instrumental outfit Stranding Imbrium, who I’ve only heard good things about hit up Xizhimen alongside improv ensemble. FREE

Aaron Kwok (HK) at Cadillac Center
Hong Kong superstar Aaron Kwok is back baby! And with some of that stature, one can only expect a live show on an epic scale, with stunning visuals and stage effects, crazy choreography, and great music. RMB 380-1580

Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies at The Bricks
The expansive (ten members deep at the moment) jazz-pop troupe Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to The Bricks for some good times. FREE

Steve Blaque, Lang Tianyi at Pink Moon
American artist and producer Steve Blaque, who played formerly in the genre-bending rock band The Radiance, joins female singer-songwriter Lang Tianyi. FREE

Sunday, Jun 2

Toconoma (JP) at Omni Space
New Noise welcomes one of Tokyo’s hottest bands: Toconoma. The quartet combines jazz, funk and instrumental music that’ll have you moving in no time. Formed in 2008, the band is here in support of their latest album Newton – a brilliantly crafted masterpiece that perfectly combines emotional melodies with grooves born from passionate dance beats. RMB 180

Mando Diao (Sweden) at Tango
Mando Diao is a Swedish alternative band, known for their classic rock and roll sound. They've gradually shifted more towards pop and dance tunes, but they've also maintained their early energy and attitude, paired with Björn's unmistakably soulful voice. They’re platinum selling juggernauts not to be missed. RMB 380

The Blue Guy at Yue Space
Hailing from Yunnan, The Blue Guy is an old-school dance-rock outfit whose sole purpose is to get you swinging those hips. With large slabs of blues-rock and doo-wop infused into the band’s DNA, they may not be reinventing the wheel but they’re a breezy and fun throwback. RMB 100

Fei Hei Ji Bai, Double Y, Deformed Boi, MASH, Deng Pao at School Bar
Rap duo Fei Hei Ji Bai – made up of X$core and S2R3K, a little fat and a little thin, some boomrap and a lot of hunting – bring their flavorful flow to School Bar alongside special guests Deformed Boi, Double Y, and more. RMB 120

Super VC at Tango
Longstanding indie-pop darlings Super VC are unstoppable. It’s like the Beatles if they never discovered drugs. Do they age? Who knows. Do they win awards? Of course. One thing is constant – they make super catchy music that you may hate yourself for enjoying. RMB 120

Damage Control at Modernista
The Damage Control trio which includes saxophonist Nathaniel Gao, bassist Wang Chenhuai, and drummer Alex Morris combine jazz, electronic sounds, and visuals in order to create an aurally as well as visually pleasing experimental jazz experience. FREE

Lai Chuqi Quartet at DDC
Led by maestro female drummer Lai Chuqi, the jazz quartet brings some ripping good tunes to DDC this evening. RMB 60

Henrik Jensen Quartet at Jianghu Bar
The Henrik Jensen Quartet led by the cellist and featuring Kyle Gregory on trumpet, Moreno Donadel on piano, and Antonio Fusco on drums keeps things jazz this evening. RMB 60