Weekend Live Music Roundup: Upcoming Big Acts, Queen Sea Big Shark, Reflector and Lots Of Beers

I have a feeling that this week's music roundup will look more like "Talking Pints." But it's not my fault that music lovers enjoy alcohol so much (or the other way around). Anyway, on Saturday, the Beijinger Beer Festival is not to be missed, if you are getting drunk why not get drunk surrounded by great music? Bluegrass Randy Abel Stable and Mongolian folk Ajinai will be your company for the afternoon. If you are not unconscious you will agree with me to describe Ajinai's music"mind-blowing."

Still related to beer, the Tiger Translate Battle of the Bands starts this weekend. The beer brand is putting in serious effort to reach rock kids from all over the country. The event will go on for about two months and six cities are involved; more importantly, they have put together some proper headliners: starting with dance rockers Queen Sea Big Shark at MAO Livehouse on Friday and pop-punkers Reflector at Yugong Yishan on Saturday. Both are leading figures in their own genres in Beijing and always gather good crowds. I do hope to get more good surprises from the battlers.

Walk a little west from MAO Livehouse on Gulou Dongdajie, where new rock bar Temple is finally opening this Friday, there will be some Devils At The Crossroad bringing blues and hardcore rock.

And is pop punk making a come back this year? Sum 41 and the reformed Yellowcard both released their new albums in March, Simple Plan's new works just came out last month. What makes it more interesting is that they are all coming to Beijing: Simple Plan on August 10 at Tango 3F, Yellowcard in September and Sum 41 in October. By the way, we just heard that DJ Shadow will perform in Beijing in October as well.

Also, Neon Trees are coming on August 9, and the boys at Street Hustle want you to open for them. Well, only if you're any good - they're running a contest to select a band to open for Neon Trees, so get your act together and make a video of yourself or your band playing. Upload that video to any video hosting site, then email the link to letsrockbeijing@gmail.com. The winning act will get the chance to play a 15-20 minute set opening for Pet Conspiracy and Neon Trees on August 9 at Tango. Good luck!

If you are thinking of escaping from the city, InMusic Festival on the Grassland in Zhangbei and Ocean Midi Festival on the beach in Rizhao are happening over the next two weekends. Stay tuned for details.

Friday (July 22)

The Amazing Insurance Salesmen, Fuzzy Mood, Tookoo
A decent rock night in a quiet zone. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Half Mile Radius, Shuhari, ONC
American rockers and Japanese punks take over. RMB 30. 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

King Statue
Indie rocker takes over Fangjia Hutong. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre
When jazz meets French Chanson. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A. Bar

Punk Night
Punk regulars, Discord, Cold Case, The Flyx and Xiao Kuai Shou gather for a night of loudness. RMB 40, RMB 30. 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Temple Bar Opening
The new rock bar on Gulou Dongdajie is finally ready to for the crowd. Devils At The Crossroad and guest DJs make the "Boom." Free. 8pm. Temple Bar (138 1020 7796)

Tiger Translate Battle of the Bands
The first round robin battle starts in Beijing with bands facing off and support from Queen Sea Big Shark. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance). 7.30pm. MAO Livehouse

Saturday (July 23)

the Beijinger Beer Festival
Enjoy sampling and sipping over 20 beers from around the world. Ajinai's Mongolian folk songs, Randy Abel Stable's bluegrass tunes and a few great DJs accompanies you through a lazy afternoon. RMB 100 (includes buses to and from the event, five complimentary samples, the Beijinger beer stein, T-shirt, vouchers and other gifts). Noon-8pm. Villa Castanea (6272 0130)

Dafay & Skyscraper, Gaofeng & G-Eleven
When blues rock meets R&B and soul. RMB 50 (include a free drink). 9pm. Gulou 121 (8404 3430)

Devils at the Crossroad
A sound that combines blues, punk, stoner and hard rock. RMB 30. Free (before 9pm). Time TBD. Alanting (8571 5168)

Half Mile Radius, Shuhari, ONC
Missed them on Friday? Seize this second chance. Streets Kill Strange Animals join in.
RMB 50, RMB 40. 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Randy Abel Stable
Missed their honky tonks at the Beijinger Beer Festival? Catch them in Fangjia Hutong. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club

Reggae Party
Long Shen Dao and reggae DJs ease the heat. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance, students). 5pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Tiger Translate Battle of the Bands
The battles contine for the second night with pop-punk Reflector headlining. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance). 7.30pm. Yugong Yishan

Vital Time
Warm up the new venue with pure rock & roll. Free. 9pm. Temple Bar (138 1020 7796)

Sunday (July 24)

Half Mile Radius, Shuhari, ONC
These punks just can't get over Beijing. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Les Terribles
One of the greatest French rock bands from the '60s. RMB 50, RMB 40. 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Photos: Mordern Sky, Hollywoodnews & Ajinai