Temple and DDC Go Head-to-Head With a Week's Worth of Anniversary Gigs, Jul 24-29
No matter where your allegiances lie there’s no denying the influence that Temple Bar and DDC have had on the music scene in Beijing. The Gulou-adjacent livehouses are pretty much institutions at this point – incubators for Beijing’s continuously evolving music scene, providing a platform for bands of all ilk – whether it be punk, jazz, indie, or good ol' fashion rock and roll – as well as audiences looking to indulge in said sounds. Temple and DDC turn seven and four this week, respectively. To celebrate, they're hosting night after night of anniversary party shows from Jul 24-29 that’ll have you and your earworms dancing in delight.
First up, the elder, more grizzled statesman of the two; rock and roll central and a hub for all things loud and proud; the one and only Temple Bar. It’s amazing how this venue has weathered all storms that have come its way over the years, including temporary closures, fire escapes mishaps and hijinks of the highest order. With a riotous spirit that sucks you into its vortex of glorious rowdiness, they have managed to stay true to themselves – providing Beijing’s music community with a Ferris wheel of bands and sounds for over seven years, all for the big, fat price of nothing. It’s a stomping ground for just about every up-and-coming act and never seems not to be packed to the gills with eager, hungry barflies looking to shake loose.
Though not exactly on the other side of the spectrum, there’s an accessible charm to DDC that has made the four-years-strong venue one of the most welcoming places to spend an evening. They take their motto – ‘Everything Sounds Here’ – to heart and have dabbled in everything from jazz to hip-hop, world music to experimental noise. Their owner Zhang Jincan (more fondly known as 69) goes into each event like a happy-go-lucky schoolboy, snapping pictures, shooting video, and generally reveling in the music. DDC's strength lies in its openness to disparate sounds, hosting acts from all around the world (over 30 countries to be exact), as well as day-time markets and exhibitions for those looking for a more artistic bent to their weekend shenanigans, before they fall off the deep end.
As for their respective birthday parties, the two venues have put together a stacked week of shows and events, providing something for every musical taste out there. If you’re looking to dip into something a little heavier, head to Temple’s signature ‘Psycho Night’ where Wu & The Side Effects join Showhand and ahem, Anal Fists, for some unfiltered fun. Indie rock more to your liking? Head to DDC on Saturday where noise-rock stalwarts Birdstriking join post-rock aficionados Acid Accident, instrumental prog maestros Swarrm, and No Trace (under Jincan’s new Dusk Dawn label).
My suggestion? Muse over the deep roster (Temple here, DDC here), find something that speaks to you, and pop over to both venues at some point this week to pay your respects and give a toast because the music scene just wouldn’t be the same without them.
Tuesday, Jul 24
Temple, 9.30pm: Loud 'n' Heavy Night ("the best metal musicians in town into doing a DJ set each")
DDC, 9.30pm: The Spice Cabinet (Jazz)
Wednesday, Jul 25
Temple, 9.30pm: Hard Rock Night feat. Los Crasher, Ramblin' Roze
DDC, 9.30pm: Grand Jam x Fender
Thursday, Jul 26
Temple, 9.30pm: Psycho Night feat. Wu & The Side Effects, Anal Fists, ShowHand
DDC, 9.30pm: Hot Club of Beijing
Friday, Jul 27
Temple, 9.30pm: Punk? Funk? feat. Gumbleed, Hind Brain, By Dream, Click #15
DDC, 8pm: Solaris, 大卫与社会诗歌, Back to the Lab, Macondo
Saturday, Jul 28
Temple, 9.30pm: Sonic Boom Night feat. WHAI, Boss Cuts, Xiao Wang + CUE comic launch party
DDC, 3pm: Just Chellin' Trio, 斯斯與帆
DDC, 8pm: SWARRM, 不留行, 酸性事件, Birdstriking
Sunday, Jul 29
Temple, 9.30pm: Let's Party! feat. a DJ battle, rock trivia, and special guest bands Tulegur and Pure Band
DDC, 2pm: BeatPot + art exhibition
DDC, 9.30pm: 3C Ensemble
Photos: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of Temple and DDC
