Weekend Live Music Roundup: Eels on Monday, Suede "Coming In August”

Piao.com has just announced that Britpop’s founding fathers, Suede, will play in Beijing on August 7, following by another concert in Shanghai on August 9. As frequent visitors to China over the years – the group played Beijing together in 2003, while frontman Brett Anderson has since returned for solo gigs – the band shouldn’t have too many troubles with getting permission to play, although neither Chinese date on Suede’s world tour has been confirmed on the band’s official site yet …

What we are certain to get is Kama Love Music Festival, which will take place near the North Third Ring Road in the National Olympic Sports Center this coming Sunday and Monday. Differentiating itself from the rock and folk festivals we’re used to, Kama Love presents a lineup aimed at a more mainstream Chinese audience. Of course, the bitter cynicism of headliners Eels won’t be too familiar to the average Chinese person, but there’s plenty of crowd-pleasing populism with acts like Zhang Yadong – known as the "best producer in China" – and Chinese supermodel, Chun Xiao (apparently she's also a "singer").

The indoor fun hasn’t stopped either. For people who don't live in Wudaokou, it takes dedication to make the journey up to D-22, but this weekend it might be worth going up on both Friday and Saturday night. Young rockers Die Die Die from New Zealand play D-22 on Friday, followed by an experimental feast on Saturday. Having said that, Pet Conspiracy's album launch does make me want to stay downtown on June 4. It’s been a long time since these lunatics last took to the stage. I admit to having had doubts about whether they would be as good following the departure of iconic frontwoman Helen Feng, but their first show without her last year allayed my fears.

Maybe, just maybe, before the Pets start to play, I’ll have enough time to see Brain Failure's show at Jiangjinjiu Bar. After all, how could I miss those awesome punkheads going acoustic in Gulou’s finest folk bar?

June 3

Die Die Die
New Zealand punkers visit Wudaokou, supported by B-Side Lovers and Birdstriking. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Lonely Drifter Karen
Indie group from Austria. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance), RMB 100 (students advance). 8.30pm. The One Club (5914 8087)

Mademoiselle, Lidong Band, Zhang Si’an
A night with some of the finest folk in Beijing. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

June 4

10, Soviet Pop, Golden Driver, White+
The inimitable Seoul-based “electric video game psychedelic music duo,” joined by three of Beijing’s finest experimental duos. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Brain Failure
The punk group’s acoustic set is not to be missed. RMB 50. 9pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Chiren, Pb33, Organic Bomb, Poshangcun, Mang
Rock out with local influences. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance, students). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Hot Club of Beijing
Gypsy jazz to take you back to the 1930s and Le Hot Club de France. Free. Time TBD.
Alanting (8571 5168)

Pet Conspiracy
The launch of the Pets’ first studio album. RMB 100, RMB 80. 10pm. Tango 3F

June 5

10, Small Red & Smaller Red, Ice Seller
A night of electronic experiments. RMB 30. 9pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

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

Rush Hour
Hard rock and metal riffs with six Beijing bands. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance, students). 8.00pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

June 5-6

Kama Love Music Festival
New competitor joins the music festival fight; the lineup includes Eels, Cowboy Junkies, Lisa Ono and more. Tickets at 400 610 3721. RMB 260 (one-day pass), RMB 180 (one-day pass; advance), RMB 300 (both days; advance). 1-9.30pm. National Olympic Sports Center

Photos from lostateminor.com, and qianlong.com