Noise Pollution: Glow Curve, Crocodiles, A Place to Bury Strangers, Angel Baby, Tokyo Shoegazer

Will Griffith | Dec 6, 2019 11:15 am | Add a comment | 196 reads

Good lord does this weekend have a hailstorm of good shows, full of seriously hefty lineups that aren’t skimping one bit. Whether it’s genre-twisting black metal, sensual psychedelic folk, or reverb-heavy dream-pop, there’s not one lacking gig this weekend. So let’s get right into it so everyone can panic at the decision-making that lies ahead.

Friday, Dec 6

Glow Curve x Dreaming Julie, Crocodiles (US), Whale Circus, Sisi & Fan at Omni Space
Over the past three years, Omni Space has slowly become a drawcard for both domestic heavy-hitters and established international acts. Now, for their anniversary this Friday, they've whipped up a hell of a crowd-pleasing lineup, including a one-of-a-kind collaborative performance between indie post-rockers Glow Curve and the experimental free jazz ensemble Dreaming Julie. Joining them will be US indie-pop veterans Crocodiles as well as orchestral pop producer Li Xingyu and his Whale Circus. Finally, it's rounded out by one of the summer’s biggest surprise: female indie-pop duo Sisi and Fan, who received a fair bit of press (and a horde of new fans) for their stint of this hit rock competition show The Big Band. Read our full run-down of what to expect here. RMB 180/240

Ghetto Blaster, Underdog, The White Papers, Candy Monster, Labour Glory at School
Yang Yao, dubbed the "Little Weekend King" at School Bar for turning the weekdays into a hotbed of musical activity, celebrates two years of his label One Year with a two-night weekend bash of rock 'n’ roll. Night one kicks off with the rustic blues-ridden rockers Ghetto Blaster (who were patient zero for One Year), tattooed-up ska outfit Underdog, rugged post-punk trio The White Papers, doo-wop veterans Candy Monster, punk football fanatics Labour Glory. See our full preview here. RMB 80/100

Mimik Banka, 2D-Foil at Mao Livehouse
Over the past several years, 16 mins, the alternative rock outfit led by singer Siyu and guitarist Robin, has undergone numerous evolutions, expanding on their sound and reemerging as Mimik Banka. Now, the trio is ready to share their shape-shifting, genre-bending sound with us as they release their elegantly assembled debut. With a sonic fingerprint that touches on everything from trip-hop, dream pop, and indie rock, with hints of jazz and classical music, they’re a band that defies categorization – a ‘post-impressionist’ album that rewards those patient enough to jump on its wavelength. Support from rising shoegaze dream-pop outfit 2D-Foil. RMB 80/100

Uncle Hu, No Mould, Sour Strawberry at Fruityspace
Crazy Item brings together a group of artists from new promoters Future Phonograph, including the indie rock artist Uncle Hu, the group No Mold, and local act Sour Strawberry. Not much known about these characters but expect a few surprises. RMB 60

Hang On the Box, PITOC, and Ren Zhi and Social Poetry at DDC
DDC brings a diverse bunch to the stage tonight as esteemed indie rock veterans Hang On the Box bring their synth pop-inspired to the stage alongside new Chinese art-pop grime act PITOC, featuring London based singer FiFi Rong and producer Shurk, and poetry funk rap rockers Ren Zhi and Social Poetry. RMB 80

Angel Baby (TW) at Yue Space
Psychedelic folk outfit, whose old school hazy romance oozing sound has put them among the likes of Sunset Rollercoaster and The Chairs (two other bands performing this weekend) bring their hypnotic sound to Yue Space. Or just go by their description: the result of two angels making love (and not wearing angel condoms). Bliss. RMB 150

Oldy Baby, Paths, Noise Arcade at 69 Café
Changping gets downright rambunctious tonight as a trio of noisemakers head to 69 Café including Americana garage punk trio Oldy Baby, spoken word poetry-weaving post-punk group Paths, and drone layering electronic producer Noise Arcade. RMB 40

Bob Dupont & The Outstanding Vegan Bankers at Modernista
Bob Dupont & The Outstanding Vegan Bankers – Djang San’s alter ego and the natural sequel to the much-beloved The Amazing Insurance Salesmen hits the stage for a night of experimental high-quality music. Prepare to be electrified. FREE

Toss, Silt & Lotus Root, Need A Name at Temple
Beijing’s own grunge torchbearers TOSS join fellow grunge rockers Silt & Lotus Root as well as new-school pop-rockers Need A Name. FREE

Monday Morning at Jianghu Bar
The Monday Morning jazz collective, which features Hao-Wen Cheng on sax, Mark Kuo on piano, Park Jung Moon on bass, and Steven Ma on drums, looks to get things smooth tonight at Jianghu Bar. RMB 80

Harriet, Tina at Mogu Space
Tianjin-raised blind singer-songwriter Harriet brings his original folk songs in Xizhimen alongside Inner Mongolian songstress Tina. FREE

Diego Campagna (IT) at La Plantation
World-renowned classical guitarist Diego Campagna is known as a charismatic performer famed for his poetic and virtuosic repertoire. With already two standing ovation sets at the prestigious Carnegie Hall he’s a bonafide killer. RMB 200

Lilith Liu Quintet at The Bricks
Jazz it up this Friday with the phenomenal diva Lilith Liu and her quintet which features an array of Beijing’s jazz talent pool. FREE

Saturday, Dec 7

Tokyo Shoegazer (JP), Brett (US), Fragile Girls (TW), Fogbow (TW), SNSOS at Tango
Dream pop, shoegaze, math rock, city pop, noise pop and heavy dabs of indie rock – for those look for ethereal soundscapes soaked in reverb and hushed whispers of adolescence then this is your jam. Leading the way are legendary Japanese shoegaze outfit Tokyo Shoegazer, whose wistful atmospheric walls of sound have engulfed listeners for over a decade. Out of Los Angeles is dream-pop quartet Brett and out of Taiwan – noise-pop slayers Fogbow and bubbly contemporary indie-pop duo Fragile Girls. Local support from the always-reliable instrumental rock groovers SNSOS. 7pm start. RMB 230/280

Dopamine, Heaven in Her Arms, Sans Visage, Vampillia, Violent Magic Orchestra at Mao Livehouse
Wukesong is in for a reckoning tonight as they welcome four of Japan’s most brutal cathartic acts including Tokyo post-hardcore group Heaven in Her Arms, Osaka 11-piece ‘brutal orchestra’ Vampillia, screamo outfit Sans Visage, and the collaborative ‘black metal filtered through electronic noise’ project Violent Magic Orchestra. Rounding out the insane evening are Nanchang’s own Dopamine, fresh off their latest depressive black metal opus. RMB 150/180

Pumpkins, Plastic, Hang Nail, Xiao Wang, Wasted Laika at School
Yang Yao, dubbed the "Little Weekend King" at School Bar for turning the weekdays into a hotbed of musical activity, celebrates two years of his label One Year with a two-night weekend bash of rock 'n’ roll. Saturday promises to even rowdier with a punk-heavy lineup that features visiting Kunming punks Plastic (who can’t seem to get enough of our capital), rambunctious Xinxiang punks Pumpkins, local scrappers Hang Nail, kawaii core band Xiao Wang, and Wasted Laika. See our full preview here. RMB 80/100

Sunset Rollercoaster (TW), Penicillin at Workers' Stadium
Taiwanese indie rock trendsetting, trailblazing outfit Sunset Rollercoaster, whose fame has risen to epic proportions over the past two years bring their '80s prom night Mando-city pop sound to none other than Worker’s Stadium alongside one of The Big Band’s biggest success stories, Beijing Britpop swooners Penicillin. RMB 680-811

Yaksa, Die From Sorrow, Xue Chen, Scare The Children, Ritual Day, Duskystar, Five Four, The Dark Prison Massacre at Omni Space
Praise the dark lord cause Omni Space is going all-in with for ROOTFEST, the metal festival launched by legendary nu-metal group Yaksa, who’ll be performing at the Tianqiao venue alongside pagan metal screamer Xue Chen, murder metal favorites Scare The Children, veteran black metal band Ritual Day, deathcore group Duskystar, melodic deathcore group Five Four, and some many more – it’s a hefty lineup, one that’ll have Omni Space converted into a MIDI Festival stage for one evening. 180 RMB

Wangweima at DDC
Born in Inner Mongolia, the brotherly duo Wang Weima brings dusty neofolk tunes to DDC to promote their forthcoming album, Xilin River, which draws on experiences from their homeland. If you’re in the mood of acoustic melodies and slow-burning tunes look no further. RMB 100

Charlize Quintet at DDC
Headed by female vocalist Charlize, who has a background in Chinese opera performance and studied jazz at the University of North Texas, the Chinese jazz group swings through DDC this afternoon. 3pm start. RMB 60

Bang Bang Mary, Hind Brain, Showhand at Temple
Alternative rockers Bang Bang Mary, who draw their influences from artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Fokofpolisiekar, and Pretty Vicious joins new grunge wreckers Hind Brain, and up and coming punk ruffians Show Hand for a deviant evening of music. FREE

Reprobates, Joker’s Belief, Woodshed Trio, Hugh Reed, Whistling Chambers at Soi Baochao
Multi-national grunge punk outfit The Reprobates say farewell but not without a banger at Soi Baochao as they invite indie rockers Whistling Chambers, funk rockers Joker’s Belief, rock and roll madman Hugh Reed and blues veteran Eric Allen and his band Woodshed – all for a gritty, melodic, and hellishly good time. RMB 50

Gia Wang, Julian, Yang Pipi x Dawei at Fruityspace
Over Voltage is an experimental music project established Gia Wang of Hang on the Box that explores synthesizer-laced electronically-infused orchestra pieces. Other members/guests for the evening will include HOTB guitarist Yang Pipi, hip-hop rapper Dawei, and sound artist Julian. RMB 50

Diving, Giant Saint, Diagon Alley at Yue Space
Three of the indie-pop scene’s rising stars converge on Yue Space for an evening of soaring Britpop-laced tunes, including headliners Diving who will be dropping their newest album Torch. Support comes in the form of duo Giant Saint and The Diagon Alley. RMB 120

Beijing Weezer, Sons of Thunder at Modernista
Let's relive one of our favorite '90s grunge rock indie bands as Beijing Weezer make their debut – sing along to the whole Blue Album and other greatest hits as the tribute band brings the goods alongside Sons of Thunder. FREE

Jo & The Hot Water, Chanel at Caravan
Explosive classic dancing rock that you’ll fall head over heels in love with – topped by the charismatic and sensual voice of Jo – all at Caravan this evening alongside South African acoustic guitar player and singer Chanel. FREE

Guangmei Chen at La Plantation
London-based Chinese pianist known for her ‘authoritative and compelling’ performances Guangmei Chen has performed throughout the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and China. RMB 200

Nancy Jenkinson Brown Quartet at Bricks
Nancy Jenkinson Brown alongside with her ever-skillful band of troops presents a delicious cocktail of music and playful renditions of songs you know and love, providing listeners a new sense of joy for jazz. FREE

The Great Buffalo Blues at Jianghu Bar
The electric duo that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at Jianghu with their unique musical style that’s unlike anything else. RMB 70

Liu Donghong at 69 Café
Liu Donghong, dusty blues singer of Sand, China’s first ‘cold rock’ band, and a scene player for over 20 years gives an intimate performance in Changping. FREE

Cui Longyang, HEX at Mogu Space
Acoustic offerings in Xizhimen, courtesy of guitar slinger and tender singer Cui Longyang and HEX. FREE

Sunday, Dec 8

Caspian (US), A Place To Bury Strangers (US), The Notwist (GER) at Tango
Seasoned promoters, New Noise, whose passion for music is only matched by their robust professionalism celebrate a killer ten years introducing a whole new generation of music lovers to true legends with a trifecta headliner – as they bring back some of their favorite guests, including Massachusetts instrumental rock band Caspian, Brooklyn noise rockers A Place to Bury Strangers (regularly described as "New York's loudest band"), and Munich indietronica group The Notwist. Read our full lowdown here. RMB 220/280

Nonku Phiri (South Africa) at DDC
Nonku Phiri started in music early, the daughter of one of South African’s most famous and revered musicians – Ray Phiri. Having made a name for her self in South Africa and Europe with her lush and hypnotic house-inspired dance sets which blend contemporary production styles with vintage Afropop influences, such as Kwaito, she’ll be making her Beijing debut. RMB 80

So Far So Good at Yue Space
Combining elements of screamo, trap, funk, R & B, and pop-punk rising stars So Far So Good, made up of a multi-cultural group of young musicians, are ready to release their debut EP, A Lake within the Sea, out of Modern Sky. Catch the emotive youngins tonight. RMB 100

Bad Clutch, Wei Warrior, Galaxy Entertainment, V-Kum, Taitan, Iron Throne at Temple
Things take a turn for the ominous and depraved as thrash metal kids Wei Warrior joins menacing ambient experimental outfit V Kum, hardcore outfit Taitan, retro thrash metal favorites Bad Clutch and more menacing acts for some Sunday night hijinks. FREE

Wireless Puppets, Radical Spinz, Sugar-Free Monster, Backside at School
Local promoters Rock Bros help you finish off the weekend on a high note with a ‘from top to bottom’ solid night of rock 'n' roll featuring pop-power-punk outfit Wireless Puppets, Radical Spinz, Sugar-Free Monster, and Backside. RMB 80

Magic Mama, Bluso, BrothaHood, Lil Rong, Molly, Pretty Mafia, Dirty Sakura, YUAN, DJ RiRi, DasZ, DaXi, Mr. Fatty, ROC, Wu Tong, K.A, Shi Lu, LUYAH, Old Xu, Boss Wang, Joey at Mao Livehouse
Head over to Wukesong for the fourth edition of AlienSaid, their ongoing hip-hop and rap series. Free flow of booze, and a heck ton of performances from an array of acts - including China’s first women’s rap alliance, Pretty Mafia, Britpop singers Magic Mama, hip-hop troupe Bluso, hip-hop dance music producer Wu Tong, and tons of other MCs with ridiculous names like Mr. Fatty. RMB 80

Nancy J. Brown Jazz Quartet at Modernista
The fabulous Nancy and her Quartet treats us to an evening of Christmas inspired vocal jazz tunes! Accompanying her on stage this evening is Michal Ciesielski on keyboard, Dan Zylinski on bass and Fiach O'Brian.