Noise Pollution: METZ at Yue Space, 69 Cafe (Kinda) Returns, Nancy Jenkinson Brown Debuts New Band
Lots of new venues popping up this week — seems everyone and their mother is trying to get in on the live music racket. And why not? Wudaokou needs love, Wangjing needs love, and Nanluoguxiang most certainly doesn't need love, but its great to see 69 Cafe back, though in fancier digs and with a new name. Have at it I saw, where there's music, there's good times to be had. So venture forth Beijingers and claim those moments of musical bliss.
Friday, May 25
Metz (US), Xiao Wang at Yue Space
There’s something cathartic about Metz whiplashing deep dive into noise rock. The Canadian band was one of the best acts to roll through Beijing and they’re bringing the assault back -‘an artful hammer swing to the status quo...pure yet intricately arranged redline chaos’ that have the Yue Space in a whirlwind of hysteria. Support for riot grrrl torchbearers Xiao Wang. RMB 120
Aberration, Ghetto Blaster, Wu & The Side Effects at School
Spear-headed by frontman and guitarist Liang Zhan, formerly of Los Crasher, the school rockers Aberration, from Wuhan, being their dusty, whiskey-soaked brand of hard blues alongside some of Beijing’s finest heavy bluesmen - Ghetto Blaster and Wu & The Side Effects. RMB 80
Hang Nail, The Flyx, Struggle Session at Temple
Temple hosts the first in a series of future collaborations between our local visual art and music scene - street artist Chandoso will exhibit a bunch of skateboard and neon sign artwork, inspired by and in the spirit of Beijing's punk music scene. For the occasion, some of the scene’s finest ruffians take the stage including Hang Nail, The Flyx, and Struggle Session. FREE
The Originals Small Stories Big World at DDC
The multi-talented vocalist Nancy Jenkinson Brown who has a enormous repertoire that spans jazz, pop, hip-hop, rock, dance, electronic, metal, and funk for starters, presents her latest jazz filled rollicking project The Originals Small Stories Big World, which features a top-notch group of supporting members including Ember Swift, Gabriel Beaudoin, Fiach O’Briain, and Philippe Mege. Support from singer Jess Meider. RMB 60
Xu Jun, Aidina, Dan Zengga at Pink Moon
Damn – looks like 69 Café has essentially returned to its original digs under a new name. Pink Moon located next to the Central Academy of Drama, is opening up its doors this weekend with three nights of acts. Evening one brings Tibetan folk-rocker Dan Zengga, Xu Jun of the Qin style rock band Che Nian Po, and Aidina. RMB 66
Dungeon Beijing, Laisee, Theory of Relativity, N-Bomb, Saber, C-Jam, SistaKilla L. Spam, Odd Couple, Rtsunami, Drop Science, DJ Quaver at Yugong Yishan
Catch a horde of hip-hop acts like Dungeon Beijing, N-Bomb, Saber, C-Jam, SistaKilla L. Spam, Odd Couple, Rtsunami, Drop Science and DJ Quaver as well as hardcore kids Laisee and The Theory of Relativity (meh – I’ve seen stranger mash-ups) for the latest edition of Peking Salad at Yugong Yishan. RMB 150
Glasses People Of Song Dynasty, Grey, Ban at AR Art Space
Looks like Wudaokou may have a new live house – three nights in a row at the very least. Located in the Honghao building off of Xueyuan Road (next to Liudaokou subway station), it’s reassuring to see the university district pick up another rock venue and looking forward to visiting it soon enough. Tonight they host pop rockers Grey, the satirical Glasses People of Song Dynasty and Ban. RMB 50
Jaha at BSP Livehouse
Drawing on the Mongolian music of their ancestors, Jaha, which means conveying and sustenance, bear the spirit of their culture and the deep within their souls. So yeah, another Mongolian grasslands band that’s primed to hit it big. RMB 100
The Natural World, Swarrm at Mao Livehouse
Wukesong gets ‘experimental’ this evening and between that and the new Heaven Supermarket over there, I might just have to venture toward Mao Livehouse again. On the bill on the technical prog-rock monster trio Swarrm and traditional instrumental wielding nature lovers The Natural World. RMB 180
Ma Tiao, Dawn Moon Boss, Meng Huiyuan, Zhao Meili at Tango
One of the contemporary folk scene’s hottest commodities - Xiao Yue Laoban – presents his latest album of melancholic acoustic folk ballads that go down nice and smooth. He’ll be supported by fellow folk singer Zhao Meili, Mandarin pop singer Meng Huiyuan and the legendary Ma Tiao. RMB 150
Light The Night, Hz, Hard Shell, Mild Treatment at Laifu Livehouse
Britpop, pop punk, and other adolescent sounds of rock and roll make their way to Shuangjing as Light The Night, Hz and more head down south. RMB 50
Muti, Jamie at Miguel Space
Muti, the stripped down offbeat mutation of Tydi Knots, combines the classical influences with their already experimental rock sounds, creating a new soundscape that crosses various genres. They’re joined by Jamie of Bang Bang Mary in Xizhimen. RMB 60
WHAI, Loop Fighter at Soi Baochao
Everyone’s favorite psychedelic prog-rock outfit WHAI, who have been together since 2012 have committed themselves to their heavy, offbeat brand of psychedelic rock and roll find refuge this week in the frequently busy Baochao dive alongside improvisational guitarist Loop Fighter. RMB 80
Golden Buddha & Friends at Jianghu Bar
Jazz it up and take it easy at the cozy hutong Jianghu where Chinese national jazz pioneer Kong Hongwei (Golden Buddha), always committed to the creation and exploration of Chinese elements and jazz fusion, invites his friends Liang Zhipeng, Shao HaHa, and more to the stage for some fun. RMB 80
Disaster Chat, Great Buffalo Blues, Better Off Alive, Tres Guapos at 13 Club
Wudaokou’s university kids get a taste of Beijing’s extensive expat scene as Disaster Chat (back from the dead?) team up with Great Buffalo Blues and more for some good (not so) clean fun. RMB 90
BJ69, Junchen at Hot Cat Club
The Fangjia Hutong survivor gets back to basics with a swift rock and roll punch to the gut from the scene’s virgin bands - BJ69 (sexual innuendo much?) and Juchen delivering some old school rock and roll. FREE
Canzilians at Blue Stream Bar
Transnational duo Canzilians – who play a blend of Canadian tones and Brazilian rhythms combined with pop covers, hit up Blue Stream. FREE
The Spice Cabinet at Modernista
The Spice Cabinet is the jazz machine that slices, dices and reworks every pop number into the frenzy of a pop modern dance beat of wonder. It's pop according to jazz, sprinkled with funk, hip-hop, bebop, rock and a heavy dose of the avant-garde. FREE
Toy Soldiers, Make Tu Zhou at 69 Café
Pop punks outfit Toy Soldiers bring some levity to exam month in Wudaokou alongside Make Tu Zhou. RMB 60
Estelle Revaz (Switzerland) at La Plantation
Swiss cellist whose appearances as a soloist with orchestra and a repertoire ranging from Vivaldi to contemporary music have been highly acclaimed by reviewers and audiences in Europa, Asia, South Africa and South America, gets her Bach on today at La Plantation. RMB 200
Children of the Light at Blue Note
Since playing together in the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade have all built successful careers. Their new album showcases childlike mischief and West African beats, bringing together each member of the trio’s distinct personality and unique playing styles. RMB 500
Letian' Jazz Quartet at The Bricks
Jazz it up at the Sanlitun hot spot for all things classy The Bricks with saxophonist Wu Letian and his quartet. FREE
Saturday, May 26
Zhang Shouwang, Yan Yulong, Sheng Jie, Zhu Wenbo at Magnet Theater
Maybe Noise Records - the new avant-garde contemporary music label (made up of some of Maybe Mars most influential characters) kicks off its tenure with a release show for Píng Zè, which will be performed live by the Maybe Ensemble, which includes guitarist Zhang Shouwang, violinist Yan Yulong, cellist Sheng Jie, and clarinetist Zhu Wenbo. Plus a performance of DUO which entails ‘two cellists interacting via live, real-time video and audio streams, mediated through each performer's webcam and headlamp.’ Umm right – now I’m super intrigued. 3:30pm start. RMB 100
Ceremony (US), Alex Kelman (RU) at School
The fuzz and buzz of Ceremony, led by John Fedowitz (formerly of Skywave), from the East Coast of the US, has long enraptured Chinese audiences. They finally make their way over - expect love songs complete with distortion, lo-fi postpunk grittiness, raw shoegaze with reckless abandon, and psychedelic freakouts – a dirty good time and surely a sweatbox of epic proportions at School Bar. Support from Siberian artist Alex Kelman, founder and member of legendary Russian indie-bands Punk TV, Hot Zex, and Dsh!Dsh! RMB 200
The Peppercorns, Royal as Purple at Temple
Psychedelic prog-rock soundscapes The Peppercorns will be presenting their new music video Sirens - which simply based on the band's music, will be a head trip for sure. For the occasion, they’ve invited artists and filmmakers Brendan McCumstie and Michael Geelhoed as well as guest musicians Royal as Purple. FREE
Jordan Darling, Nathan Borofka, Li Er Yang at Pink Moon
Damn – looks like 69 Café has essentially returned to its original digs under a new name. Pink Moon located next to the Central Academy of Drama, is opening up its doors this weekend with three nights of acts. Evening two brings the gruff and cheeky Nathan Borofka, songstress Jordan Darling, and 70s evoking guitarist Li Er Yang. RMB 66
Wu Hongfei at Omni Space
Omni Space hosts one of Beijing’s most esteemed folk artists - Wu Hongfei – who has been integrating electronica, trip-hop and her Dong minority ethnicity (from Guangxi province) more and more into her music. She’s even invited the Dong Ethnic Music Trope to accompany her. RMB 150
RawHx Van Marley, Dio, Kooj, Solgi, Sowl at Caravan
Time to let the hip-hop reggae vibes loose at Caravan with a grade A lineup of artists from Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Dancehall, rap, reggae, expect a cracking party. RMB 80
60 Miles (Switzerland) at DDC
60 Miles choose to create its own music, inspired as much by Parker, Jarrett or Cohen as Led Zeppelin, Radiohead or Beethoven. Music where the rhythmic games take front stage, ‘between the fascination of the numeric abstraction and the enjoyable celebration of the ambiguity’. Sure, why not? 3pm start. RMB 60
The Funky Monks at DDC
The Funky Monks – Beijing’s premier Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band are back! This time performing the hit album Californication in its entirety along with many of your other favorite Chili Peppers songs. There will be tons of surprises in wardrobe, props, and much more. Cock socks here we come! RMB 50
Family of Slides Trombone Union at Jianghu Bar
You ready for a trombone party!? The Family of Slides Trombone Union is a private big-band jazz orchestra. Made up only of trombones (plus a rhythm section), it brings together masters of the instrument from every quarter and plays everything from classical music to modern music to jazz standards. RMB 80
Manji Line at Yugong Yishan
Kubozuka Yosuke is a famous Japanese actor and reggae artist. He started his music career under the name of "Manji Line" in 2006. The J-pop star will kick off his first tour in China this evening at Yugong Yishan. RMB 380
Children of the Light at Blue Note
Since playing together in the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade have all built successful careers. Their new album showcases childlike mischief and West African beats, bringing together each member of the trio’s distinct personality and unique playing styles. RMB 500
Hutong Rap Battle Vol.5 at Soi Baochao
For the New Rappers and the Young Money! For the Love of Music & Creativity! For all the contradictory phrases out there – head to Soi Baochao and lay down your best rhymes for a chance to win 1000 RMB in prizes. FREE
Mono Inc. (Germany) at Mao Livehouse
As the poster straight tells you – you’re getting some grade A German industrial gothic rock. The outfit that formed in 2000 in Hamburg, is a pretty big deal – a guitar-heavy throwback to rock and roll at its melodic goofy self. Love those outfits. RMB 380
Black Mint, White Paper, Nothing, Su Yuyang, 35 Tsinghua East Road at Beijing Forestry University
Nothing like hormones running amuck a university campus to turn a rock show into an all-out frenzy – at least that's my hope with this early evening hoedown going down at the Beijing Forestry University (just north of Liudaokou Station) with some refined acts like Black Mint and The White Papers mingling with up and comers. 6:30pm start FREE
Acid Accident, Later Islands at 69 Café
Wudaokou’s 69 Café is slowly picking up the rock and roll slack and good for them – there are university kids who need it more than ever. Tonight they host instrumental rockers Acid Accident and Houlai de Daoyu. RMB 60
All Unknown, Hz, Syndrome at AR Art Space
Speaking of picking up the slack in Wudaokou – AR Art Space in the Honghao building off of Xueyuan Road (next to Liudaokou subway station) is kicking all sorts of ass this weekend with a solid rock showcase each night this weekend – tonight they host pop punks All Unknown, Hz, and Syndrome. RMB 60
Chuan Zi, Red Chariot at I Can Livehouse
Seems like the Hongchangbang Sports Park (go-carts are just one of the many things you can do there) is throwing their hand into the live music ring with I Can Livehouse. They’ll be hosting a pretty solid folk lineup featuring renowned folk singer-songwriter, Chuan Zi, who honed his guitar and lyrical grace whilst spending eight years in a Beijing prison – as well as folk-poppers Rhythm Traveller, Pei Yu, Xin Zi, Pi Ge, and Qi Ge. RMB 200
Liu Donghong at Mogu Space
Liu Donghong, dusty blues singer of Sand, China’s first ‘cold rock’ band, and a scene player for over twenty years gives an intimate performance in Xizhimen. RMB 80
Uighur Sama at Modernista
A mixture of traditional Arabic songs and lively Spanish rumba classics, with lyrics both in English and Uyghur, Uighur Sama continue bringing the energetic sounds of Xinjiang to China´s capital. FREE
Hard Candy Revolution, Malnutrition, Left Behind Children, Xinling Kongjian at 13 Club
Female-led glam rockers Hard Candy Revolution return with a Wudaokou outing alongside some hard rocking regulars including Malnutrition, Left Behind Children and more. RMB 80
Great Buffalo Blues, Eric Allen at Yichang Cafe
Great Buffalo Blues is a three-man electric blues group who weave storytelling tunes with funk rhythms and blues. They join singer-songwriter Eric Allen who’ll bring the soulful sounds of America's heartland to Yichang Café. RMB 60
Drop Science, Deformed Boi, NYG, Double C, V.O.B, Frey G, Lao Na, aka, False channel at 808 Space
Located next to Wangjing Soho the 808 Space is looking to mix things up this weekend with a hip-hop showcase featuring all of the usual suspects. RMB 120
Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at The Bricks
Audience favorites, Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, RnB, 3-piece horn section, rock and roll fun to The Bricks in Sanlitun. FREE
Hanson String Quartet at La Plantation
The award-winning French string quartet brings their delicate, sophisticated, and with a lite French touch of humor, interpretations of Shubert and Debussy, to La Plantation. RMB 200
Sunday, May 27
Agoraphobia, Wu & The Side Effects, Noise Arcade at Yue Space
The Nasty Wizards are back with this ramshackle mash-up of genres and temperaments - a gleefully diverse lineup featuring indie pop wranglers Agoraphobia, blues rock lady-killers Wu & The Side Effects, and pedal board master and electronic day tripper Noise Arcade. There's a market, live music, tape slinging, and maybe people drinking Baileys out of a shoe. RMB 50
Saadet TüRköZ & Mamer at DDC
The Kazakh singer, improviser, performing artist, based in Switzerland Saadet TüRköZ returns with his "folklore imaginaries" and ‘songdreaming’ style of performing, repeatedly drawing on her rich supply of archaic songs from the region. She reunites with fellow Kazakh artist, the ever-prolific multi-talent Mamer for an afternoon meeting of nomad music. 3pm start. RMB 80
Cha at Laifu Livehouse
Cha – which could either mean cross or to open your legs – release their grunge-filled rock and roll throwback Beautiful People this evening in Shuangjing. RMB 80
All Unknown, Hard Shell，Need A Name，Anti Tune，Grey at School
School’s up to its usual Sunday evening antics aka a solid, hefty bill of young blooded rock and roll - tonight’s offering includes plenty of pop-punk from All Unknown, Need a Name and more. RMB 60
Zhang Haonan, De Zheng Ming, Wei Zi at Pink Moon
Damn – looks like 69 Café has essentially returned to its original digs under a new name. Pink Moon located next to the Central Academy of Drama, is opening up its doors this weekend with three nights of acts. Evening one brings Zhang Haonan, De Zheng Ming, and Wei Zi. RMB 66
No Trace at DDC
A band that’s been bubbling under the surface of the scene here in Beijing No Trace is hard to describe. Experimental in its approach, philosophical in its content – they’re a band who clearly have zero interest in taking after their contemporaries. Driving guitars, overlapping vocals, rhythms that engulf you, and a sense of the unknown spews forth from the tense atmosphere that the band creates. They’ll be kicking off their nationwide tour tonight. RMB 80
Rituals of Restoration Screening w/ Steve Cossman, Sandy Ding, Risheng Zhou at fRUITYSPACE
Check screenings of experimental filmmaking Steve Cossman’s extensive catalog as well as a special screening of a project between him and Sandy Ding with live music courtesy of nomad sound artists Risheng Zhou. RMB 60
V89 at Mao Livehouse
Melodic hard rock outfit V89 who have been kicking around for some time now, bring their charm and chops to Wukesong for a special showcase. 7:30pm start. RMB 100
Getting Better, Gossip, Outspoken at AR Art Space
Located in the Honghao building off of Xueyuan Road (next to Liudaokou subway station), it’s reassuring to see the university district pick up another rock venue in AR Art Space who’ll host these eager to please rockers Getting Better, Gossip, and Outspoken. RMB 50
Jesse Cook (Canada) at Omni Space
Canadian guitarist, composer, and producer who mixes elements of flamenco rumba, jazz and world music into his unique sound touches down at Omni Space as part of his nationwide New Flamenco Guitar tour. RMB 300
60 Miles (Switzerland) at La Plantation
60 Miles choose to create its own music, inspired as much by Parker, Jarrett or Cohen as Led Zeppelin, Radiohead or Beethoven. Music where the rhythmic games take front stage, ‘between the fascination of the numeric abstraction and the enjoyable celebration of the ambiguity’. Sure, why not? RMB 200
Golden Bamboo at 69 Café
A special exclusive performance from the Guizhou orchestra - Golden Bamboo, who combine native music from the southwest with modern day instruments and innovation. RMB 66
Rudra’s Sage, Li Er Yang at Mogu Space
The 60s and 70s evoking Li Eryang and Rudra’s Sage (who studied sitar next to the Beatles guru) team up for Beatles Night in Xizhimen. RMB 60
