Weekend Live Music Roundup: Yugong Yishan Reopens

After finishing its "renovation project" for the fire alarm system, Yugong Yishan has reopened! Club owner Gouzi confirmed that "all scheduled events will go on as planned" and I think we should take his word for it. Although actually, I’d been hoping that they would also take advantage of the downtime to improve the sound quality. Anyway, we love Yugong Yishan for its atmosphere. And this Friday, YGYS’s sound system will be challenged by Rustic's hysterical tunes. Those three young punk lunatics always bring good shows.

This album launch of theirs was originally scheduled for April before their national tour but was canceled due to problems with the “fire alarm system.” Finally, here they are again, back with (or to) their City of Heartbreak ‘N Horror. And on Sunday, Japanese post-rock/hardcore band Envy will show you how ice and fire can work together. (Don’t worry – it’s just a metaphor for their music.) They just sound too good on record – I'm dying to find out how good they are live.

If you’re heading to any rock shows this weekend, you’ll find no shortage of electric guitars. Some of you might have seen these words coming because you spent more than an hour this morning plucking the "strings" on the Google Doodle’s digital guitar plate. It’s a tribute to Les Paul, who would have been 96 years old today. And thanks to his contribution to the invention of the electric guitar, we are blessed to have the chance to soak in rock & roll.

If actual music is not enough to fulfill your passionate thirst for the local rock scene, a photo exhibition at Bloom Gallery in 798 Art District can help round out your sensory experience. The photos exhibited there will show you some fragments of Beijing's rock scene over the past few years. All photos were taken by Chai Dongxin, one of the very best photographers to persist in documenting the underground scene. Funnily enough, though, the exhibition’s called “Surface.”

Friday (June 10)

Anthelion
Just scream and mosh. Metal group from Taiwan takes the lead. RMB 60, RMB 100 (VIP). 8.30pm. Mako Live House

Candy Monster, The Amazing Insurance Salesmen, The Ghost Spardac, K362
Just rock it. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Hang On The Box, Cha Cha, Pacalolo
Girls rock out with punk, rock and electro. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance, students). 9.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Porcelain
What kind of music can ceramic objects produce? The Zhou brothers tell you. RMB 50, 10pm. Aluss (8400 2628)

Rustic
The launch of the band’s debut album City of Heartbreak ’N Horror. RMB 60, RMB 40 (advance). 9.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Vom
All-girl punk quartet from Denmark show off their love of rock, dresses, men and food. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Saturday (June 11)

Bad Apples
A combination of rock & roll and blues. RMB 30. 9.45pm. VA Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Blossom In The Summer
Indie vocalist Wu Zhuoling unveils her new works. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan
(6404 2711)

Buyi
The folk-rock band celebrates their 16th anniversary. RMB 100. 9.30pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Christophe Lier Trio
Lier brings his Parisian sound back. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Russian Red
Indie girl from Madrid. RMB 100, RMB 70 (advance), RMB 60 (students advance). 8.30pm. The One Club (5914 8087)

Sambasia’s 5-Year Anniversary
Ooh, shake it, shake it – a night of nonstop Brazilian music. RMB 60, RMB 50 (students). 9.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

The Vibe
Jazz and eclectic plus rock. Free. Time TBD. Alanting (8571 5168)

Vom
Didn’t catch the Danish girls last night? Here’s another chance. RMB 40 (a free drink included), 9pm. What Bar (159 0123 6743)

Sunday (June 12)

Envy
Noisy monsters from Japan. RMB 200, RMB 180 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Photos from Douban.com and douban.com/hangonthebox