Weekend Live Music Roundup: Ephemerals' Festival, French Horn Rebellion, Reflector

Beijing is probably the only Chinese city that music fans can choose bands to go out to see instead of having to wait for bands to visit. This is not always a good thing. Not when you are greedy and don't want to miss anything.

Tonight, Ephemerals' Festival Opening Night at Yugong Yishan is not to be missed. Experimental legend Xiao He is set to improvise, followed up by artist/ musician Joseph Arthur's live music and painting session. Then at Guloudong Dajie, Beijing punk bands gather at MAO Livehouse for a tribute to China's most influential but (already defunct) punk band Joyside and the launch of their last live DVD. Oddly, Joyside's actual ex-front man Bian Yuan will be at The One Club to support American pianist Dustin O'Halloran.

Then on Saturday, the "golden triangle" of live music around the north second ring gets really intense. Ephemerals' Festival moves on to Dongmianhua Hutong, Beijing's favorite poppy punkers Reflector return their love to the fans in the Lama Temple area at Tango (third floor), Fake Music Media wants to keep you at Zhangzizhong Lu with French Horn Rebellion plus their top DJs, and there's Young Guns from the UK taking over MAO Livehouse.

Here comes more: (For venue details, check the Beijinger Directory):

Friday (April 8)

DVD Launch of Joyside's Last Live
Six bands, including Me Guan Me and Candy Monsters, come to pay tribute to the punk legend. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance).
8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Dustin O'Halloran
American pianist brings classical melodies. RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance). 8pm. The One Club (5914 8087)

Ephemerals' Festival Opening Night
European electro-rockers Stranded Horse opens the show. Experimental folk legend Xiao He improvises music for Zhang Yuedong's film of ephemeral moments. And to wrap it all up, singer-songwriterartist Joseph Arthur brings live music and live painting. See Livehouse, p56. RMB 130, RMB 120 (advance), RMB 90 (under 25). 8pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Love's Tourettes
From punk to hip hop, from neo-soul to Aussie "pirate rock." RMB 30. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre
Original and classic gypsy jazz. RMB 30. 9.45pm V.A Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Oak
One of the oldest underground rock bands from Tianjin is back to the scene. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Ricky Sixx Band, Summer Tribe, Chaos, Pork
Punk, hardcore and other things to accelerate your heartbeat. RMB 50, RMB 40. 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Saturday (April 9)

Blackwater
The most authentic Irish music to be found in Beijing. RMB 80-380. Time TBD. National Library Music Hall (6848 5462)

Ephemerals' Festival Jiang Hu Session
Mongolian khoomei professional Gangzi, traditional Chinese folkie Li Daiguo and Stranded Horse are all here. Where are you? RMB 130, RMB 120 (advance), RMB 90 (under 25). 8.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

French Horn Rebellion
Fake Music Media presents the "irresistible, panting synth-pop" duo. The New York Times calls them "the next big thing." RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance), RMB 70 (students), RMB 300 (four tickets + a CD). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Purple Smog
Jimi Hendrix's echo in Beijing. RMB 30. 9.45pm. VA Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Reflector
These pop punks have a growing fan base around the country, but don't play in Beijing so often anymore. Seize your chance! RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. Tango (6551 9988)

Soju Legion, Hell City, Trash Cat, Why Reason
Come follow up with the punk updates. RMB 50, RMB 40. 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

The Ghost Spardac
Have some pop punk tunes and also enjoy Wu &The Side Effects, Nucleus and The Amazing Insurance Salesmen. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. 2 Kolegas

Young Guns
New rock sound from the UK takes over Gulou Dongdajie. RMB 120, RMB 80 (advance). 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Zac Courtney Sax Trio
One of the brightest jazz trios in Beijng. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Sunday (April 10)

Beijing Alchemists
Folk and blues to calm down your night. RMB 30. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Blaque and Blunt
Australian trio creating/slamming punk/folk/Vegas style tunes the way they like them. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22

Rusty Crown
Young hardrockers' one year anniversary. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 8pm. MAO Livehouse

Wednesday (April 13)

Digger & The Pussycats
The nasty garage punk duo claims to be "Australia's worst export since UGG boots and uranium." What do you think? RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)