Weekend Live Music Roundup: Suede And James Blunt Confirmed, Chinese Bands Compete to Play in Japan

Beijing (Aug 7) and Shanghai (Aug 9) have finally been added to Suede's tour schedule. Tickets are available now. Move fast – the cheapest (RMB 280) and most expensive (RMB 1,280) are already sold out (as usual). And James Blunt is also confirmed to play – on August 20. Their respective tours are taking them to different places, but the Brits will meet up at one of Japan's biggest music festivals, Summer Sonic in mid-August. I'm not mentioning this to say how much I want to be there, but its lineup will have Chinese bands in it for the first time – eight of them.

If you want to help vote on one of them, go to MAO Livehouse this Friday. Namo, Joker, Misandao and Army of Jade Kirin already made it to Friday’s final; another two bands will be voted on by fans tonight. The competitors include Voodoo Kungfu, Dafay & Skyscrapers, and Birdstriking. The same competition in Shanghai will select another band and MAO will be in charge of choosing the other six.

Speaking of competitions … As part of the Canada Day Celebrations to be held on June 25 at the Canadian International School, the Canada Day Idol Singing Contest is looking for participants. Candidates will go on stage and sing any song from a Canadian artist/group. Once the song is over, a panel of three judges will “kindly comment” on the performance. At the end of the performances, the winner will be announced and receive a grand prize. Want to try your luck? Just send your name, contact information and the song you’d like to sing to Olivier Lanoix at olivier@ccbc.com.cn. You have until the end of Friday to sign up.

The rest of the weekend is looking rather electronic. 2 Kolegas is holding a "Low Party" on Friday, German group Pitchtuner takes over Yugong Yishan on Saturday, and although D-22's punk routine keeps going on Friday, it's electronic night on Sunday over there.

Friday (June 17)

ANT
The Swedish folkster takes over. RMB 100, RMB 70 (advance), RMB 60 (students advance). 8.30pm. The One Club (5914 8087)

Discord, Hell City, Trash Cat, Soju Legion
Punk night out at Wudaokou. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Christopher Jazz Quintet
Original jazz composition from Christopher as well as some classical pieces. RMB 40.
9.45pm. VA Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Bands Battle For Summer Sonic
The Beijing final of bands who sign up to compete for a chance of playing in Japan's Summer Sonic. Show your support by voting! RMB 80, RMB 70 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Junglemico
An electronico project leading by drummer Mico. Live drum n bass, dubstep, deep techno, broken beat and more. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas.

Saturday (June 18)

Dafay & Skyscrapers
Simple music for a simple life. RMB 40. 9.45pm. VA Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Hard Rock Night
Rock hard and be fun. Lineup includes Red Pirates, Kick Ass Jacky Danny and more. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Pierre Pradat Trio
Follow the jazz route. Free. Time TBD. Alanting (8571 5168)

Pitchtuner
German electronic group venture out onto the creative edge. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance, students). 10pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Zac Courtney Jazz Trio
One of the best and brightest groups in Beijing. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Fun Fair
A free music fest with a lineup including Dafay and Skyscrapers, Freeman, and more. Free. 3.30pm. Sanlitun Soho, South Square

Photos from sweetjmusic.com, allaboutcards.wordpress.com and Pitchtuner