Weekend Live Music Roundup: Rustic, X is Y, Liquid Oxygen Can

With DJs and VJs trashing the hutongs more and more often, it’s time for the rock bands to take down Sanlitun. Rustic and Residence A are leading the charge into the heart of the club zone on Saturday at Club Le. The bands say: "Beijing is a place where people love to pay a couple of thousand for a woman's body, but they will not pay 50 kuai for a Rock n Roll show." Why not prove them wrong?

Yet the rock spirit is not leaving the hutong areas. Also on Saturday night, in Dongmianhua hutong, Liquid Oxygen Can is going to perform acoustic metal. As one of the most unique metal bands in China, LOC knows how to bring out the most in metalheads. But their acoustic show is something else. I saw one last year and was shocked that they could mix traditional Chinese elements with metal and make it sound so calm and wonderful.

Besides the Beijingers noted above, we have a lineup of interesting visitors this weekend. Bands and musicians such as Luke Chow from Hong Kong and X is Y from Shanghai take indie and experimental as their leading edge, but folk is the one not to be missed. I’m not a huge fan of folk music to be honest, but I was so touched when I saw Wu Tiao Ren for the first time. I was left thinking: why can’t we all be so cheerful and easygoing all the time? The Guangdong band will be here for two nights: Saturday at Mako Live House and Sunday at D-22.

Here comes more:

Friday (November 12)

Luke Chow (Hong Kong)
Have an easy night with indie pop music. Joined by Arrows Made of Desire, Pacalolo and Old Fashion. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22

Moonglow Cabaret 1925
Moonglow Burlesque, the only burlesque performance troupe in Beijing, presents a two-hour extravaganza. Price TBD. 9-11pm. The One

Peggy Hsu
Indie pop girl from Taiwan. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse

Residence A
One of the best young rock bands in Beijing. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Tiny Salt Cafe

Skarving
Dancing is the best way to keep your body warm. Why not dance with some ska tonight. RMB 40 (including a draft beer). 9pm. What Bar

Steely Heart, Candy Monster, Metoo
Young Chinese bands rock in English. Disco punk, pop punk and post punk. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas

X is Y
Warm up your weekend with some mild experimental tunes. Shanghai band X is Y plus Amazing Insurance Salesman and Street Kill Strange Animals. RMB 50, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan

Nov 13

Air Supply
Sing along to ‘80s hits with the Aussie duo. They are not too old to be “lost in love.” RMB 280-2880. Tickets at 400 610 3721. 7.30pm. Capital Gymnasium

Christmas, Soul Doctors
Beijing’s most “retarded” band and funky doctors. Free. 10pm. Hot Cat Club

Jordan Thomas Mitchell
Beijing-based singer-songwriter Jordan Mitchell serenades you with his guitar and mix of original folk and reinterpreted classics. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Liquid Oxygen Can
Acoustic metal is not to be missed. RMB 70, RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar

Maze, X is Y, MeToo, The Flying Mantas
Post-rock, math rock, indie rock, folk rock … RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22

Moonglow Cabaret 1925
See Friday.

Thrash Till Death
Metalheads gather. RMB 50 (if Explosicum plays), RMB 45 (if they don’t). 9.45pm. 13 Club

Rustic
The best surprise last year joined by the best surprise this year: Residence A. RMB 60, RMB 50 (students). 9pm. Le Club

Wu Tiao Ren
Folk group singing in their local language (something between Cantonese and
Hokkien), talking about their normal lives with the most relaxing music. So simple,
so real. RMB 60, RMB 50. 8.30pm. Mako Live House

Nov 14

Amazing Insurance Salesman, The Grinding Ear, Bedstars…
Young rock bands gather. RMB 50. RMB 40 (advance, students). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse

Wu Tiao Ren
Missed them on Friday? Here’s your second chance. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)