Noise Pollution: No Fraud, Sturle Dagsland, Kashiwa Daisuke, Anxiety Night, Mega Soul
Hardcore, math rock, post-punk, and straight-up rock 'n' roll – it’s time to let these genres loose as the music scene slowly enters the autumn season. School’s back in season, vacation time is over, and the government is slowly getting their panties in a bunch for their big ol’ birthday party – so as always, get at it while you can.
Friday, Sep 6
No Fraud (US), Oldy Baby, Reptile Dysfunction at Temple
One of Florida, USA’s finest and most treasured hardcore punk bands No Fraud come to take on China, and with 25 years under their belt, they’re not to be messed with. Known for their unhinged and epically wild live performances, the band has released countless records since the '80s and shared the stage with the likes of Suicidal Tendencies, Circle Jerks, and Bad Brains. Support from garage punk trio Oldy Baby and rugged Guangzhou folk-punk outfit A Reptile Dysfunction. Read our recent interview with frontman Dan Destructo here. FREE
Sturle Dagsland (Norway), Bye Bye Fish at DDC
Highly acclaimed Norwegian duo Sturle Dagsland (made up of Sturle Dagsland and his brother Sjur) is a boundary-crossing indie/electronic/world group that have been attracting notice for Sturle’s distinctive voice, large vocal range and unique approach to songwriting and composition. Catch them alongside avant-garde electro-folk act Bye Bye Fish. RMB 80
Kashiwa Daisuke (JP) at Omni Space
The Japanese post-rocker Kashiwa Daisuke got his start as the composer and guitarist of the post-rock band yodaka before creating his own solo project, which encompasses grain-filled electronic soundscapes that combine classical instruments, spoken word, and crisp beats. Catch the always evolving musician tonight in Tiantiao as he kicks off his China tour. RMB 150
Qianchuan Pharmacy, Vegetation Sound, NiL at Soi Baochao
Local label and promotion group Cold Neo, one of the unsung heroes of the scene, rounds up their newest contenders, a rugged batch of rockers looking to make some noise including carnivalesque art-rock post-punks Qianchuan Pharmacy, post-rock groovers Vegetation Sound, and grunge psychedelic scrappers NiL. RMB 80
Twinkle Star at Yue Space
Beijing emo-punks Twinkle Star whose catchy, life-affirming and energetic tunes with power-pop aplomb have stirred up emotions among fans for nearly a decade swing through Yue Space on their nation-wide tour. Their music is literally bursting with hope, happiness, sentimentality, and passion – and as far as emo power pop goes, there’s no one better. RMB 100
Big Lottery, Shuang Zi, Dungeon Beijing at School
Straight out of Kunming, rockers Big Lottery kick off their nationwide tonight. Since 2014, the ska-rap rockers ala Rage Against The Machine, Korn, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, etc. have been making noise down south the past few years and are now ready to show their goods to the rest of China. Support from Beijing hip-hop’s finest – Shuang Zi and the Dungeon Beijing crew. RMB 100
ATM at Mao Livehouse
Rap trio ATM, short for A1 Top Masta and featuring some of the country’s top-notch rappers including Ansr J, Lil Shin, and Mengzi look to wreak havoc on Wukesong tonight. RMB 200
Antonio Fusco Jazz Quartet at La Plantation
Led by maestro drummer and featuring Italian pianist Moreno Donadel and two excellent musicians of the Japanese jazz scene: Yasuhiro Kohama (tenor and alto sax) and Satoshi Tokuda (double bass), the quartet reworks jazz classics into original songs with a mix of groove, interplay, and open space. RMB 200
Ember Swift at Modernista
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
Rosewood Bullet, Calm Storm, Wave at 69 Café
Li Bo (formerly of Jacky Danny) leads his new band Rosewood Bullet, purveyors of old school rock and roll (and the tight jeans and headbands that come with it) in Changping with the help of Calm Storm and Wave. FREE
The Great Buffalo Blues at Jianghu Bar
The electric four-piece band that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at Jianghu with their unique musical style that’s unlike anything else. RMB 60
Gao Jin Li at Pink Moon
Folk singer Gao Jin Li, who received a bit of attention after a stint on The Voice of China, goes unplugged. FREE
Ding Yiwen (TW) at Mogu Space
Taiwanese indie-pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ding Yiwen gives a special performance tonight at the Xizhimen spot. FREE
J.P & Colette, Cotterill & Pope at Caravan
An evening of duos over at Caravan, as J.P & Colette aka Battle of the Clouds, performs alongside Cotterill & Pope. FREE
Saturday, Sep 7
GDJYB (HK), Soulfa (TW), Fazi, WeirdoRoom, Future Orients, Nocturnes at Tango
While this one flew under my radar! A glorious indie-rock lineup featuring some very exciting acts including fuzzy math-rock outfit GDJYB out of Hong Kong and indie-pop outfit Soulfa out of Taiwan. If that wasn’t enough you’ve two of Xi’an’s finest – post-punk stalwarts Fazi and post-rockers WeirdoRoom – as well as Beijing’s own dance rockers Future Orients and indietronic duo Nocturnes. Some serious bang for your buck there. RMB 180
Pacalolo, Larry’s Pizza, Laisee, The Hotline, Three Kings, Uncle Bad at School
I feel like School Bar is asking for trouble with this one. A free Saturday night gig (sponsored by Vans) hosting some of the venue’s most beloved bands – including aerobatic hardcore kicks Laisee, electro-rock charmers The Hotline, and KTV Nation party animals Pacalolo, Taiyuan rockers Three Kings, and then some. Best get there at 7pm if you want your spot in the filled beyond capacity gig. FREE
Mega Soul at Yue Space
Nu metal heavyweights Mega Soul, one of Beijing’s most respected bands that have risen to the top of the genre over the past decade, bring pain and glory to Yue Space tonight as they return to the scene with their new lead singer Wang Hao (of Sick Pupa) and a ‘Best Hard Rock Performance’ award from MIDI under their belts. RMB 150
Sourtower, Heta Uma at Fruityspace
Sourtower, one of this year’s most intriguing new acts, a sultry cold wave post-punk project joins visual artist and illustrator yayeci as well as HK-raised Heta Uma – the electro surf punk project that sounds devilishly appealing. RMB 60
Heat Mark, The Power Powder, Time Capsule, Sugar-Free Monster at Mao Livehouse
Heat Mark, the dance-punk outfit, return after some time with their infectious, sultry rock alongside some other familiar faces including indie pop wranglers The Power Powder, Time Capsule and more. RMB 100
The Peppercorns, Silent Speech, String at DDC
Art rock outfit The Peppercorns celebrate the release of their newest album with the help of dear friends, indie rock soarers Silent Speech, instrumental world musician String and DJ Tsenjen who’ll be banging out jams late into the night. RMB 80
The Reprobates, Bang Bang Mary, Eric Allen & Woodshed, Better off Alive, Chanel, OGMC, Reese at Soi Baochao
Cangku Unplugged returns to Baochao Hutong! Join them for an eclectic evening of music as multi-national grunge punk outfit The Reprobates, Americana blues veteran Eric Allen and his band Woodshed, alt-rockers Bang Bang Mary, cowboy party animals OGMC, Chanel, and Reese take the stage with Unplugged host Cluster Cuss. RMB 100
MadeinTYO (US) at Arkham
Not your average hip hop artist, MadeinTYO, began his career in the vibrant culture and city of Tokyo, uploading his work to Soundcloud and eventually attracting attention. Blood Orange, A$AP Ferg, and Tinashe have all collaborated with the singular artist whose unique music style, playful lyrics and bass-heavy beats. RMB 250
Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at Temple
Audience favorites Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, RnB, three-piece horn section, rock and roll to Temple for an evening of knee-slapping good tunes. FREE
Drop Science, G&T, Jeezy-yang, SONG, 404, Anyar, pini$, Hui Zi, Crazy Monkey, JiaoJinBaiJia, Shuang Bang Er at Omni Space
Trap, pop-rap, and beats to get those hairs on your arm rising, Omni Space throws a hip-hop party unlike anything else (or until next weekend) with a red-hot bill of the scene’s finest, most hyped, and rugged rising stars including crew Drop Science, Anyar, Jeezy-yang and more. RMB 160
Wang Yingtian, Lang Tianyi at Jianghu Bar
Singer-songwriter heavyweight Wang Yingtian brings his soulful folk tunes to Jianghu Bar alongside his band and special guest and fellow singer-songwriter Lang Tianyi. RMB 60
Carlo and The Benjamins at Modernista
Carlo is back! The long-haired drummer and pianist joins his old team Carlo and The Benjamins for an evening of great blues-rock covering everyone from BB King to the Rolling Stones. FREE
PRIM (Austria) at DDC
The Austrian jazz trio Prim takes ideas from the world of classical music, borrows rock riffs and looks to film scores for inspiration in their sound. Catch them this leisurely afternoon. 4pm start. RMB 80
Kenja Time, Li Hangming at 69 Café
Up and coming indie rockers Kenja Time who cite Joy Division and Prinzhorn Dance School as influences hit up Changping. FREE
Mademoiselle et Son Orchestre at The Bricks
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Sanlitun for some foot-tapping fun. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE
Liu Donghong at Mogu Space
Liu Donghong, dusty blues singer of Sand, China’s first ‘cold rock’ band, and a scene player for over 20 years gives an intimate performance in Xizhimen. FREE
Steve Blaque, John Haba at Pink Moon
American artist and producer Steve Blaque, who played formerly in the genre-bending rock band The Radiance, joins friends tonight. FREE
Sunday, Sep 8
Larry’s Pizza, Icing Dolls, Banana Fish, Bobby’s Satellite at School
Local promoters ZING, who have been making noise booking shows all over China, are back at it again with an eclectic line-up this evening at School Bar featuring seasoned skate punks Larry's Pizza, indie rockers Icing Dolls and Banana Fish, and easy-going psychedelic folk-rockers Bobby's Satellite. RMB 100
Marie Mørck Quartet at DDC
Rising Nordic jazz outfit, whose lead has a voice draws inspiration from ‘Norah Jones ́ smearing charm and the brutal honesty of Joni Mitchell’ bring their dreamy and lively original compositions to DDC. RMB 80
Lei Yuxin, Meng Fanming at Mao Livehouse
Indie pop singer Lei Yuxin, who's not afraid to add a little bubbly electronica to her work joins folk-pop singer-songwriter Meng Fanming on stage tonight at Mao Livehouse. RMB 100
Takeshi Sakamoto Jazz Quartet at Modernista
Jazz it up this Sunday with Japanese guitarist Satoshi Kataoka along with Alex Morris on drums, Yongmoon Park on bass and Sejin Bae on piano. FREE
Wu Zhangfa, Idiot at Jianghu Bar
Crossing-talking folk-rock outfit Idiot brings their modern take on the classic genre alongside world music group Wu Zhangfa who use the guqin and other traditional instruments to explore new sounds. FREE
Cerulean, Qin Zhen, Di Rung An at Mogu Space
British performing artist & digital wellness activist based in the US, Cerulean, performs alongside fellow singer-songwriters Qin Zhen and Di Rung An. FREE
Wan Xu at Pink Moon
Wan Xu, a singer-songwriter from Wuhan, brings his seasoned career, which includes performing at Strawberry Music Festival to Pink Moon tonight. FREE
Many gigs, much nightlife – see all the latter, right here.
Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of event organizers