Jing-A's 2021 Summer Bie Nao Sessions Kicks Off at Yue Space on Jun 19

It goes without saying that COVID-19 impacted everyone in a monumental way. However, depending on who you talk to, that impact comes in various forms. For me, as a devout music lover, the absolute biggest bummer (human toll and tragedy, notwithstanding) was the disappearance of live shows, virtually overnight. In fact, the worst of the pandemic came pretty early on, when I got a devastating text message in mid-April explaining that the following month’s Stereolab show would be canceled. But that’s a conversation for another time. The reason I’m leading with this long-winded personal anecdote is that without live music, I wallowed in a soundless purgatory for far too long, and yearned for the day that I could begin incrementally destroying my hearing on the heavenly altar of Rock N’ Roll once more.

Thankfully, that sweet, sweet sonic release finally came on Jun 6, when stalwarts of Beijing’s punk scene, SUBS, descended on Jing-A’s Longfusi Taproom for the inaugural iteration of Bie Nao, a series of collaborations and live performances between the brewery and Chinese bands. The event was a massive success, if for no other reason than it was shut down some three or four songs into SUBS’ set, a proud – albeit irritating – badge of honor for any punk band. At any rate, that show set in motion a semblance of normalcy for Beijing’s live music scene, and will forever hold a special, raucous place in my heart as my first “post-COVID gig.” Hence the long-winded, nostalgia-induced introduction.

Now, one year and a number of Bie Nao sessions later, Jing-A is back with their summer lineup, which kicks off next Saturday, Jun 19 at Yue Space, featuring two of the city’s newest acts, post-punk darlings Kenja Time – who signed to Maybe Mars records late last year – and psych-rock genre-benders 8 Immortals Restaurant, alongside folk-rock funk veterans, Planet & Tree.

The appearance of two up-and-comers is no accident. In fact, this time around, Jing-A is making a concerted effort to bring more fresh talent into the fold and is collaborating with indie music platform Streetvoice to host an open call for bands that want to participate. Between now and Sep 1, Beijing-based bands can submit their tunes for a chance to open one of the monthly Bie Nao shows that Jing-A has planned, all of which will be held at Yue Space.

"The Open Call was something we'd wanted for Bie Nao right from the beginning," says Kristian Li, co-founder of Jing-A. "We see Bie Nao as a platform that can elevate emerging sounds in the local scene, and we wanted to do our part to help! We're programming around ten 'Sessions' shows this year through the open call, and the exciting thing is that we don't know what to expect. Just like in brewing, curation and combination can often produce something really special, and unexpected."

Aside from the Jun 19 kickoff party, this year’s Bie Nao sessions will of course feature the signature Jing-A/band beer collaborations and tours – as well as a documentary – which includes Hangzhou-based math-rock quartet Griffo, who will be taking over Yue Space with indie-dance favorites Future Orients on Jun 30 before heading to Guangzhou with Zhaoqing's summery dream-pop outfit Moonband on Aug 27. Meanwhile, the electro-rock troupe Sixi out of Nanjing will play Shanghai’s Bandai Namco Dream Hall on Aug 7 and Hangzhou’s Mao Livehouse on Sep 12.

Bie Nao kicks off on Saturday, Jun 19 at Yue Space with Kenja Time, 8 Immortals Restaurant, and Planet & Tree. Presale tickets run RMB 100, or RMB 120 at the door. For more information, click here. Likewise, if you’re in a band and would like to submit your music for the chance to play a Bie Nao show, click here.

READ: Revinylize Your Collection During Record Store Day at Nugget and BBB

Images: courtesy of Jing-A, Drew Pittock