Talking Tunes: Genius DJ's D-Park, Hard Rock and the Avant-Garde

Audi is throwing a special party in 751 D-Park on Saturday July 20 with a live performance by Robert Henke who helped create Ableton Live – one of the most important recording and DJ programs used today. Henke, also known as Monolake, will be joined by Dead J, Wang Meng, FAR/∞, SU, and FM3.

Only 200 tickets are available and there is a promotion running on Weibo to get them. Retweet this Weibo post with the name of the performers you are excited to see and add the phrase "週六，我为你而來!" Good luck. (Thanks to Smart Beijing for the tip)

Once you've done that, stop what you are doing and watch this awesome Beijing parody of Jay Z’s “Empire State of Mind.”

Now we can move on. As Shanghai prepares for an epic summer of music, it looks like there will be a second date for Metallica in August. The first show sold out so quickly, the concert organizers got the band to suit up for a second night. Metallica will play August 13 and 14. Tickets are available by phone 400-610-3721 and online at Damai.cn.

For a post-Hetfield chaser (the front man always left a bad taste in my mouth), Aerosmith will be sustaining the heavy chords with a performance on August 20.

Some hardcore shredding will be taking place in the capital this summer too. Don’t miss out on Steve Vai’s performance this month. More on that here.

Here’s what to look forward to in Beijing this week:

Friday Pick

Jacky Danny and Cars Cars Cars break necks in Temple: These head bangers take great inspiration from the tracks of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Classic rock and garage is a sound they know well and do well. I would pick this because I won’t be able to go in Shanghai in August. WARNING: Guns and Roses covers may be performed.

Saturday Pick

DJ TNEM’s China tour makes a stop at Lantern: Having lived in China for approximately a decade, TNEM surely takes part of the rep for the sick bass and electro scene in Beijing. He is also the man behind the DROP with Oshi, another regular name on local dubstep rosters. I would pick this for the rumble in the speakers and to see the hardworking musicians that really make this town vibrate.

On the Groovy Side

The Rasta fests this month continue with Jamafreeca at Yugongyishan. Live bands, DJs and dancers come together to “jama” the best of Caribbean and African music on Friday.

On The Heavy Side

Shanghai Post-Punkers Fei Ma release their album at XP on Saturday while My Summer Riot brings some of Beijing’s rowdiest bands together at Mao.

At Temple on the same night, Guiguisuisui brings noisy blues down from the Northern city of Changchun. Their music is described as “skateboard guitar songs about murder and cats.” I'll say no more. Local psychobilly trio Rowling Bowling will open.

On the Folky Side

Say goodbye to local darling vocalist Sarah Peel. She’s leaving Beijing, but not without a farewell show with the Hutong Yellow Weasels at Modernista on Friday.

On the Avant-Garde Side

On Saturday at Zajia, We Are Loop will be engaging the audience for some interesting music-making. The musical installation will require two participants sitting and facing one another. Their brainwaves and heart beats will be collected and transformed into audio as they engage in abstract conversation.

T.r.a.n.s.i.t.s.c.a.p.e will be performing dance and audio to symbolize a crossover of styles on Saturday at Yugong Yishan. Djang San And Matthieu Ha back up.

On the Decks

The Black Eyeliner DJ crew are fitting Dada with interactive installations and video games while the kids get dancing to new wave, dark and electronic music.

Lantern kicks off new Friday bashes with eight hours of the best techno the city has to offer. These nights will be running all summer until the end of August. WengWeng, X.L.F., Huang Weiwei, Naxx Noise, Mickey Zhang, Diva, and others will be spinning.

Dance Dangereux XXI with the three Discoteers: Migas is keen to shine disco lights on the murk of Saniltun and they’ve engaged three party legends to do it: Tobias Patrick, Metro Tokyo & Boflex work their magic on the decks this Saturday.

Photo: Mediamatic.net