Noise Pollution: Life Awaits, Gatsby in a Daze, She Her Her Hers, Bloodz Boi, Thrash Night

November bids us adieu this weekend with a riotous offering of live music to help make the transition to December (and the frigid winter ahead) all the smoother. With a roundup that includes swirling psychedelic rock and roll, gut-wrenching post-hardcore, and intoxicating shoegaze pop, I have to tip my head to you November – you're going out with a bang. 

Friday, Nov 29

Life Awaits at Omni Space
With echoes of metalcore, post-hardcore, and emo rock, Beijing’s Life Awaits has tapped into something primal – delivering one musical catharsis after another and delivering their message loud and clear via earnest lyrics, gut-wrenching vocals, swirling instrumentation that’s brutal yet accessible, and a fraught ‘go for broke’ musical commitment to exposing every raw nerve for what it is. The band is set to release their sophomore album tonight at Omni Space. Read our recent interview with frontman Bai Yu here. RMB 150

Gatsby in a Daze at Yue Space 
Hangzhou’s Gatsby in a Daze has been gaining traction over the years – employing an endearing lo-fi jangly psych-rock sound that coasts on a ton of charm and skillful and melodies that suit their hometown like a glove. Now under Ruby Eyes Records, the band is ready to release their debut LP. RMB 130 

Hielektromen, VER_1015e, L+R, sourtower at DDC 
Rising electronic label Ran Music continues delivering the goods with a righteous showcase tonight featuring electronic band Hielektromen, who have recently added jazz singer Qian Ru to the mix, British modular synthesizer wrangler and visual artist VER_1015e, the atmospheric sound designer L + R, and one of this year’s finest new acts cold wave electro groover sourtower. RMB 80

She Her Her Hers (JP) at Mao Livehouse 
Boasting an addictive synth-pop sound with elements of shoegaze Japanese indie rockers She Her Her Hers have been making a name for themselves back at home and now they’ll be joining local label Weary Bird Records, and hitting the road – bringing romance and intoxicating melodies to Wukesong this evening. RMB 120

Stones Sessions (Netherlands) at School 
Stones Sessions hail from the Netherlands and are the closest thing to the Rolling Stones out there – a rousing tribute to the all-time greats. Fronted by singer Jeffrey Hendricks, the Dutch six-piece will bring the hits of the '60s and '70s to School for a nostalgic night of debauchery. RMB 120

The Paramecia, Rosewood Bullet at Temple
Su returns to the stage with a vengeance and plenty on his mind – the deep and rustic-voiced singer of The Paramecia is known for blending impromptu instrumental and world music – taking the best of Eastern and Western musical concepts to create an immersive experience. They join purveyors of old school rock and roll (and the tight jeans and headbands that come with it) Rosewood Bullet. FREE

Samaga at Jianghu Bar
World music act Samaga has been infiltrating venues across Beijing with their happy marriage of musical traditions from India, the Middle East, and more, utilizing the sitar, the oud, and other Middle Eastern percussion instruments in new and captivating ways. RMB 80

Ultra Grey, Lore Walker, Wei Warrior, Vanish in Mirage, Nie Pan at 13 Club
In a bizarre meeting of worlds, 13 Club will commemorate the king of pop, Michael Jackson with a whole bunch of bands that aren’t even in the same universe such as metal, core, and punk bands looking to knock your head off clean. RMB 60

Hee Young Lim at La Plantation 
Praised by the Washington Post as "a deeply gifted musician, with a full, singing tone, near-flawless technique and a natural lyricism that infused nearly every note she played," cellist Hee-Young Lim has quickly established herself as one of the most charismatic and fast-rising cellists of her generation. See her get her Bach on tonight at La Plantation. RMB 200

Sons of Thunder at Modernista 
Started by four members from Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies, this new explosive cover band looks to indulge in everyone's favorite songs of the late '90s and early '00s. FREE 

The Motherfolkers at Caravan 
Irish folk, gypsy jazz, and all that’s righteous over at the Moroccan food and music haven Caravan. FREE

Saturday, Nov 30

Outbreak Riot, Eagerkill, Witchslaught, Struggle Session, Tractor, Bad Clutch, D-Crash, Disanxian, BBQ, Hexfire at 13 Club
Thrashers unite! It’s time to indulge at THRASH TILL DEATH. Nuclear invasion, social inequalities, and some of the most extreme metal bands this side of China including speed metal group Witchslaught, fast-core favorites Struggle Session, crusty veterans D-Crash, retro kids Bad Cluth, and many many more grace the stage in Wudaokou. 4pm start. RMB 260

Dizkar, 56Loopy, Major Yao, DOLLARZOO at Yue Space 
Yunnan producer Dizkar, whose affinity for slick jazz hip hop instrumental oozing with R&B sensuality which pays tribute to a lot of hip hop greats all the while taking pleasure in its artistic flair and eccentricities, rolls through town in support of his new collaboration with rapper Lu1. For the occasion, he’ll have friends 56Loopy, Major Yao, and DOLLARZOO on hand to keep the vibes all-natural. RMB 120

Bloodz Boi at Fruityspace
While on the mainstream level there are more than enough posers to leave a bad taste in your mouth, the underground circuit is chock-full of hungry, impassioned rappers giving it their all. Bloodz Boi lies at the intersection of these two worlds. Having cut his teeth for years in Beijing, the young trap rapper has become more and more prominent in the hip-hop scene, eventually pivoting into cloud rap territory and adding an emotionally vitality and vulnerability not yet seen in the scene. RMB 100

Miss Mix, Hard Candy Revolution, Radical Spinz, Cherry Mor at School
Local promoters Zing are back at it with a rollicking Saturday night at School with plenty of entertainment – on the docket are female hard rockers Miss Mix, glam punk outfit Hard Candy Revolution, pop-punk group Radical Spinz, and righteous pop-rock up-and-comers Cherry Mor. RMB 100

The Peppercorns, Husband Killers, Chillheads at Temple 
Art rockers with a vibe straight from the 70's, The Peppercorns join rustic punks Husband Killers, who stealthy inject down and dirty melodies into their dusty rugged blues-ridden rock and roll, and Chillheads this evening. FREE

Thomas Buttenschon (Denmark) at DDC 
Danish musician, TV host and activist Thomas Buttenschon, heads to DDC for a night of jazz, pop and punk fusion. After hitting gold and wracking up a magnitude of awards in his home country, the artist is on town in support of his first English-language album. 7pm start. RMB 80

The Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
The multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble brings their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC so you had best bring your dancing shoes. RMB 70

Liron Man x Simon Mor at La Plantation 
After various successful performances over the past few years across Beijing, Liron Man, one of the world's top handpan players returns as to collaborate with seasoned multi-instrumentalist Simon Mor whose expertise lies in classical guitar and flamenco music. RMB 200

Lu Jiaxin, Rain Lee at Omni Space
Taiwanese Mando-pop star Jozie Lu presents her latest work Eclipse, at Omni Space alongside one of last year’s breakout stars, the Heilongjiang raised acoustic singer-songwriter Rain Lee, whose credits include participating in the 2017 Spring Festival Gala. RMB 180

Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at Modernista
Audience favorites Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, RnB, three-piece horn section, rock and roll to Modernista for an evening of knee-slapping good tunes. FREE

Daxi, hirnoys, HoTnT, oysocean, Shining, T Bobby, ZesT at MTA Space
The new swanky MTA Space down by Shilipu hosts their weekly hip-hop night sponsored by collective WR/OC which puts a spotlight on the new wave of hip-hop innovators – so if you’re looking to see what the latest trends are (or some of the strangest names out there) in the hip-hop world look no further. FREE 

Hutong Rap Battle Vol.22 w/ Cypher at Soi Baochao 
Head to Soi Baochao and lay down your best rhymes as an array of rappers compete and jam to their heart's content. Plus, a special hip-hop filled set from rockers Cypher as special guests. FREE

Li Rui at Jianghu Bar 
Shandong folk singer Li Rui has a deep heart – one along with his guitar has been gracing dives and livehouses from Tibet to Shanghai. Catch the seasoned singer on his latest tour tonight. RMB 80

Wang Wu at Mogu Space
Northeastern Chinese singer-songwriters, Wang Wu, whose loose hair and vibrant voice made him one of the finalists on one of the country’s top-rated American Idol clones, performs tonight at Mogu Space. RMB 66 

Su Yuyang at Mao Livehouse 
With over 100 million listens online, folk-pop singer-songwriter Su Yuyang is doing OK for herself. Check out the low-voiced urban explorer of souls tonight in Wukesong. RMB 120

Sunday, Dec 1

Soviet Pop, Zhu Wenbo x Han Zhong, Zhang Shouwang, Sheng Jie x Yang Fan at 20% Space
Maybe Noise Records – the new avant-garde contemporary music label (made up of some of Maybe Mars most influential characters) – have been throwing exhibitions and side-gigs for the past month and today they’re bringing together an array of genre-breaking avant-garde artists to their home turf in Gulou – as Soviet Pop, Zhu Wenbo, Han Zhong, Zhang Shouwang, Sheng Jie, and Yang Fan perform. 3pm start. FREE

HVOB (Austria) at Omni Space 
The Austrian electronic-pop duo has been able to win over both the indie and electronic critics swing through Omni Space on their latest tour, and are bringing their simple, but powerful interpretation of techno, weaving in ethereal vocals, cold industrial sounds and powerful emotions in their bombastic sound. RMB 220

Leng Shan Yu Shu, Da Yi Tu Dan, Color4, The Big Winner at School
Take a peek at "School's New Generation" – a batch of bands looking to make some noise at the Gulou hood in the next year – including indie rockers Leng Shan Yu Shu, grunge trio Da Yi Tu Dan, pop outfit Color4, and energetic pop-rockers The Big Winner. RMB 40

Nishihara Kenichiro (JP) at Tango 
Local promoters Bad News host hot-shot Japanese rapper Nishihara Kenichiro tonight. And you better believe he’s bringing his friends, so get ready for performances from the artists who have helped him create some of his biggest hits, including “Say You Love Me” and “Walk Out.” RMB 300

Wu Wenqing x 9000-Year-Old Band at Yue Space 
Formerly of the indie rock band Irreversible, independent singer-songwriter Wu Wenqing looks to stir up a little romance tonight with his new band who bring a little psychedelic flair to the singer’s tender melodies. RMB 120

The Nightingale String Quartet at La Plantation 
Dedicated to the study and performance of classical chamber music in collaboration with both Chinese and international musicians, The Nightingale String Quartet has recently been combining local Shanxi folk songs with Western music. RMB 200

Mojo Hand at Jianghu Bar
Blues supergroup Mojo Hand, made up of some of the skilled rockers of the Beijing scene, including OOC frontman Cheng Chen, bassist Wang Zheng, and guitarist Wei Wei, bring their richly flavored Chicago blues to Jianghu Bar. FREE

Mark Kuo Quartet at Modernista
Start off the month with the smooth notes of Mark Kuo's piano and his quartet as they bring audiences in on a whole different listening experience. FREE

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Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers