Noise Pollution: Poetry in Shorts, We Lost The Sea, Nine Treasures, and OXYD

Things are beginning to get loopy as Halloween nears and winter teases us ever so unsubtly that our autumn days over. And with the smog making a blockbuster comeback, I’m starting to get a sense of déjà vu. Luckily there’s music to cure those Beijing blues, and what a glorious weekend for live music it is. From apocalyptic post-rock to rugged garage rock; to free-wheeling avant-garde jazz to grassland metal – there’s a poison for every desire out there.   

Friday, Oct 25

We Lost The Sea (AUS), Macondo at Omni Space 
After shaking the post-rock and metal scenes for over a decade, the Sydney band are back with latest opus Triumph & Disaster, which is told through the eyes of a mother relaying the story of the "towering juggernaut of power, failure, history, and death" that eventually leads to the Earth's demise. Managing to interweave moments of collective empathy and harrowing pain with ease, the album is chock full of the band’s signature sprawling, emotionally enthralling, and cinematic walls of noise that put listeners through the wringer. Support from Beijing’s own earth-shakers Macondo. RMB 150 

Poetry in Shorts, Uncle Hu, YangJi at fRUITYSPACE
Rugged garage rock twisted around the zombified corpse of psychedelic-inflicted blues-rock with more than enough grit, Poetry in Shorts feels like a breath of fresh air – a band that knows exactly the kind of sound they’re going for whilst managing to add in their own flavor. Made up of members of fellow Shanghai punk outfit Dirty Fingers there’s a vitality and an innovative mischievous to the way the band tackles issues beholden to young adults. Catch them alongside Beijing based acts Uncle Hu and YangJi. RMB 90

Discord, Hell City, The Flyx, The Sailor's Grape, Labor Glory at School
Stop by School tonight for some punk rock, boozing, and rock n' roll wildness! Taking the stage this evening and punk legends Discord, metal punk foursome Hell City, China's answer to Anti-Flag The Flyx, punk dudes with a reggae twist The Sailor's Grape, and ultras punk outfit Labor Glory. This is School Bar at it’s best folks! RMB 100 

Chikan Chef, King Of Lazy, Return The Truth at Temple Bar
A wild night of visiting troublemakers as Kansai kimoi-core outfit Chikan Chef (‘covering challenging topics ranging from ramen induced diarrhea to contracting diseases from sexual liaisons with stray cats’) joins stoner rock group King of Lazy (gotta love the name) from Kunming. Rounding out the mayhem are Beijing’s own hardcore kids Return the Truth. FREE 

OXYD (FR) at DDC 
French progressive jazz group OXYD are on tour in support of their brand new album The Lost Animals. See them at DDC tonight (and tomorrow afternoon for those who prefer the daytime) where they’ll bring their Radio Head meets Sonic Youth meets free jazz sensibility to the stage for a night of genre-crossing jazz. RMB 80 

Marduk (Sweden), Fleshgod Apocalypse (Italy) at Tango
Legendary Swedish black metal act Marduk and Italian symphonic technology death metal group Fleshgod Apocalypse, two of the biggest acts in their respective genres, join forces for a crushing night of metal at Tango. RMB 280

The Paramecia, EONG, SZX at Jianghu Bar
Su returns to the stage with a vengeance and plenty on his mind – the deep and rustic-voiced singer is known for blending impromptu instrumental and world music – taking the best of Eastern and Western musical concepts to create an immersive experience. They join world music duo Eong featuring Tabi drummer Hadi and guitarist Szx and more. RMB 150

Hee Young Lim at La Plantation 
Praised by the Washington Post as "a deeply gifted musician, with a full, singing tone, near-flawless technique and a natural lyricism that infused nearly every note she played," cellist Hee-Young Lim has quickly established herself as one of the most charismatic and fast-rising cellists of her generation. Catch her get her Bach on tonight. RMB 200

Spirit Rebellious, DJ Bullot at Soi Baochao
Soi Baochao continues its lively elastic evenings of riotous fun in check as they host Spirit Rebellious, led by Ugandan singer Saso and afrobeat dancehall renegade DJ Bullot. FREE

Stacey Kent at Blue Note 
Grammy-nominated Gold, double Gold and Platinum-selling jazz singer Stacey Kent comes whose long career has won her fans around the world swings through Blue Note with her most recent release won album of the year at the 2017 Jazz Japan Awards. RMB 320-420

Liu Sheng Wan Ju at Yue Space
Folk singer-songwriter from Shandong, a hotbed for folk music brings his catalog of small-town story-telling songs to Yue Space as the artist heads north on his tour. RMB 100

Li Xianda, Meng Fanming at Mao Livehouse 
Folk-pop singer-songwriter Meng Fanming brings his pristine voice and direct, emotionally honest and tender melodies to Mao Livehouse alongside fellow folk-pop star Li Xianda. RMB 150

Takeshi Sakamoto Quartet at The Bricks 
Japanese jazz drummer Takeshi Sakamoto – who’s worked with jazz legends including Jerome Harris and Sonny Rollins, and whose performances include pop, rock, funk, rhythm, and blues presents his new album tonight. FREE

Sue Wang Quartet at Caravan 
Sue Wang has worn many faces – bilingual host, musical performer, Gala singer, and now jazz star – catch the multi-talented artist along with her band at Caravan. FREE

Li Yan at 69 Cafe
Veteran singer-songwriter Li Yan, known for his role is old school punk band Rustic and his indie-pop singles, unplugs over in Changping tonight. FREE 

Wang Wei, Zhang Sikun at Mogu Space
Acoustic offerings from an array of aspiring singer-songwriters including Zhang Si Kun and Wang Wei. FREE 

Saturday, Oct 26

Nine Treasures, Mysterain, Dream Spirit, Ritual Day and Twilight Blooming at Mao Livehouse 
Some of the folk metal scene’s most acclaimed acts join forces for an epic evening of grassland-charging, wind-sweeping, and majestic metal that’ll leave you grinning mouth to ear. The lineup features Mongolian prairie metal from Nine Treasures, whose Inner Mongolian throat singing thrashers whose Metallic with an erhu twist has ignited crowds for years, as well as fellow WACKEN graduates Dream Spirit, Ritual Day, and more. RMB 260

Dreaming Julie, Hang on the Box, Julian at frequent collaborative 
Free jazz experimental supergroup Dreaming Julie is a boundary-crossing artistic ensemble who bring together instrumental art, sound art, collages, and audiovisual performance. Made up of renowned experimental and jazz figures Feng Hao, Liu Ping, and Yang Tao they’re avant-garde freaks of nature. Join them alongside veteran female punk-turned-indie group Hang on the Box and singer-songwriter Julain. RMB 80

JaJaTao, Bye Bye Noise, Song Yuzhe, Xuan Nan at Yue Space 
An eclectic evening of intoxicating sounds – Yue Space has wrangled up quite the offering – one that includes mastermind improvisational artist and folk legend Song Yuzhe (fresh off the genre-smashing release with psych-folk troupe Wood Pushing Melon), grunge revisionists JaJaTao, known for their live-wire live performances, as well as garage rockers Bye Bye Noise, and more. RMB 150

Jaruco, Amber Worms, Cheery Core, Big Dreamer at 13 Club 
Wudaokou shakes things up with a down and out punk and rock showcase featuring some of the scenes up and comers including three-piece rockers Jaruco, known for playing simple upbeat songs about hutong cats and holidays gone wrong, all-female outfit Cheery Core, Britrock-inflicted pop-rockers Amber Worms and more. RMB 70

Inspirative (Thailand) at Mao Livehouse 
Thailand post rock band Inspirative, whose slow-burning, soaring guitar-driven music has garnered them a diehard following over the last decade, return to Beijing tonight. RMB 150

The Beauty, The Hunters, Resse, Husband Killers at Temple 
Old school surf rocking bluesmen The Beauty join other party starters including rustic punk folk rockers Husband Killers as well as freak-folk singer Resse and The Hunters. FREE

Under The Neon, 208 Madhouse, Hu Xiao Chun at MTA Space
MTA presents the Road to Supernova, putting the spotlight on an eclectic batch of acts whose genre touch upon everything from soundtrack rock to folk, punk and more including sets Under The Neon, 208 Madhouse, and Hu Xiao Chun. RMB 80

Diego Ramo & E Os Zumbis at Caravan 
Caravan kicks off their week of Halloween parties by grabbing some Caipirinhas and party the Brazilian way with funk, samba, sertanejo. Plus they welcome Diego Ramos E Os Zumbis to the stage to help the party move from the streets of Beijing to a Spooky Carnival in Brazil. RMB 50

The Green Book Band at DDC
The pop-rock act Green Book Band, whose lead singer has appeared on China’s “The Voice” hits DDC alongside old friends and musicians as part of their nationwide China tour. RMB 100

Cory Henry (US) at Blue Note
Multi-instrumentalist Cory Henry is at the top of his game, whether as a solo artist, with Snarky Puppy, collaborating with Lauryn Hill, Frank Ocean, J. Cole and other big names or with his own band, The Funk Apostles. Catch them this weekend at Blue Note. RMB 380-460

Talked Across The Room, Hazemaze at Modernista 
A collection of world-class musical talents from Venezuela, Ukraine, and France, this high-energy synth-pop trio is an eclectic mix of different cultures and music – catch them alongside indie prog-rock hitmakers Hazemaze. FREE

Olivier de Spiegeleir at La Plantation 
Trained both at the Conservatory of Brussels and the University of Louvain, Olivier De Spiegeleir is now famous for his intense career as a recitalist around the world. Catch the exceptional Belgian pianist, acclaimed for his great clarity, his sensitive and delicate sound this weekend. RMB 200

Hutong Rap Battle Vol.21 w/ Cypher 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 hip-hop filled set from rockers Cypher as special guests. FREE

Stevie Mac & the Mac Daddies at Home Plate BBQ
The ever-expanding (ten members deep at the moment) jazz-pop trope Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to Home Plate for a Halloween bash. FREE 

A Jian at Jianghu Bar 
Contemporary folk singer-songwriter A Jian brings his pristine voice and emotional resonating stories to Jainghu Bar as the artist shows off his third full-length album. RMB 100

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

Sunday, Oct 27

Hard Candy Revolution, All Unknown, Hz, The Grain Rain at School
Local promoters Rock Bros aren’t ready to say farewell to the weekend so they’ve rounded up some hot contenders for a Sunday night rock off featuring female-fronted glam punk rockers Hard Candy Revolution, pop outfit All Unknown, indie rockers HZ, and punk band The Grain Rain (featuring ex-members of Misandao, 0190, and 16mm). RMB 80 

2D-Foil, MFMachine at DDC 
Two of the scene’s rising indie acts pair off this Sunday at DDC including 2D-Foil, whose recently released a debut full of bittersweet and ethereal shoegaze-infused dream pop. Also on the bill are MFmachine, another indie rock outfit with synth-pop elements. RMB 60

Andy Tubman (US) at Omni Space 
Singer-songwriter, producer, film composer and performer Andy Tubman (aka Skinnytub) - whose downtempo soul-pop has made him much sought after in the film and theater world as well as a key member of the LA-based groove band The Jane Does, swings through Omni Space. RMB 150 

The Candle Thieves (UK) at Mao Livehouse 
Celebrate ten years of mini-pop and indie-pop masters The Candle Thieves bring their bubbly charm and Sujfan Stevens-lite sound to Mao Livehouse. The British band won over quite a few fans in China on previous tours, so expect a full house. RMB 150

Great Buffalou Blues, Luka, Zhang Ziwei & Yu Zi Jun, He Bingzhen at Jianghu Bar 
A stacked Sunday night for Jianghu Bar as they host electric blues group Great Buffalo Blues alongside world musician Luka, acoustic folk duo Zhang Ziwei & Yu Zi Jun and more. RMB 80

Cory Henry (US) at Blue Note
Multi-instrumentalist Cory Henry is at the top of his game, whether as a solo artist, with Snarky Puppy, collaborating with Lauryn Hill, Frank Ocean, J. Cole and other big names or with his own band, The Funk Apostles. Catch them this weekend at Blue Note. RMB 380-460

The Seven Gurus, Blow Fever, Sean ZH, Sun Xu, ODE at Tango 
The Seven Gurus hip hop crew brings together a diverse batch of leading hip-hop stars including Gibb-Z, JD, Swimming, Ice, and Sasike, who’ll join local special guests Blow Fever, muti, Sean ZH, Sun Xu, ODE for their China 2019 SG Snatch Tour. Hip-hop fans, this ones for you. RMB 230 

Wild Strings Trio at The Bookworm
Hailing from Ljubljana as a collaboration between Slovakian jazz violinist Petra Onderufová, French classical cellist Toby Kuhn, and Slovenian ethno guitarist Aleksander Kuzmić, the Wild Strings Trio have challenged themselves to blend and highlight the various musical genres encountered along their respective ways - from Balkan to Celtic, Jazz to Classical by way of Flamenco. RMB 100 

Takeshi Sakamoto Quartet at Modernista
Japanese jazz drummer Takeshi Sakamoto – who’s worked with jazz legends including Jerome Harris and Sonny Rollins, and whose performances include pop, rock, funk, rhythm and blues presents his new album tonight. FREE

READ: Terri Camping and Music Festival Gives Beijing Urbanites a Taste of the Great Outdoors, Oct 25-27

Images courtesy of event organizers