Noise Pollution: Cephalosis, New School Punk Choir, Xiao Wang, Maozi, Nous, Grey Silence

Get freaky this weekend as June kicks off with a bang! How much of a bang, you ask? How about seven shows already sold out! The music scene is alive and well I’d say, with electronic parties burrowing deep into the alleyways of Gulou and beyond, while punk rock in all its manifestations spills out onto the streets and into every venue. Have at it Beijing! It’s all there for the taking.

Friday, Jun 4

Cephalosis, Naja Naja at fRUITYSPACE

The Kunming-based cold wave, synth-filled post-industrial duo has slowly been making a name for themselves since they formed in 2016. The band’s abstract and smoldering sound finds ample space to feed and breathe on their second LP, Spring Styx, which takes its cues from Nordic metal, Akira, and more – crafting something mysterious, unnerving, and alluring all at once. Slink into the shadows that stalk the corners of their mind and into their dreary, jaded, and moonstruck world as the band kicks off their nationwide tour at none other than fRUITYSPACE. Support from Naja Naja, the new psych-pop duo, featuring members of Last Goodbye. 8.30pm. RMB 70/90

Underdog 败犬, Yao 爻x Lei 耒, Unce Bad at Yue Space

Following in the tradition of the holy matrimony that is reggae, ska, and punk, Beijing’s Underdog pulls up their bootstraps and adds a twist of surf rock, country music, rockabilly, and even dub to their riotous music. Lyrically driven with a keen sense of composition and empathy scored in its bones, there’s something authentically old school about the band – a maturity that reveals itself through their rustic charm, rhythmic control, and uncompromising defiance. The band is back at it and are bringing with them some special guests – newly formed improv electronic duo YaoxLei and fellow ska punks Uncle Bad. 8.30pm. RMB 80/100

Curry 咖喱3000, New School Punk Choir新学校废物合唱团, Updraft 上升气流, Wireless Puppets 无线木偶 at Mao Livehouse

Curry3000 – a Beijing based supergroup composed of members from New Pants (Hayato), Mr. Chelonian (Jiang Han), Reflector (Li Peng), and Human Centipede (Wang Zi) – deconstruct hardcore, punk, dance, and pop, resulting in ridiculously catchy and hilariously assembled tunes. Tonight, they bring their Trojan Horse of rallying punk music that’s irreverent, impossible to pin down, and primed for detonation to Wukesong alongside rising pop-punk stars New School Punk Choir, Wireless Puppets, and Updraft. 8pm. RMB 168/188

Peter O., Summer Palace Underground 地夏宫 at nugget café

Explore some of the folk scene's more unique characters over at nugget café as singer-songwriter Peter O. explores the human condition through song alongside psych-folk troupe Summer Palace Underground – led by singer/guitarist Yueyue, percussionist Didi, violin player En Zhou, and keyboard player Zhang Guo – who bring together the acoustic sounds of the world with "psychedelic, radical melodies on the considerations of life." 9pm. RMB 60/70

Samaga at CloudNine

World music act Samaga has been infiltrating venues across Beijing with their joyful 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. Catch them in the tasteful confines of CloudNine in Wangjing. 9pm. RMB 80/100

Saturday, Jun 5

Burned Island布鹅岛, Xiao Wang 小王, Ghetto Blaster 大音炮 at School

No fat on this baby – a killer trifecta of a lineup featuring lively blues -ockers Ghetto Blaster and punk favorites Xiao Wang, who furiously blend everything from dream pop, pop-rock, studious hardcore, J-rock, and Kawaiicore. Rounding out the bill are long-standing Shandong duo Burned Island, consisting of vocalist/drummer Zhang Wanwan and vocalist/guitarist Carrot, who interpret various music forms such as electronica, experimental noise, Shandong cross-talk, and down and dirty rock and roll – sometimes cheekily referred to as "The First Scum of Chinese Rock." 9pm. RMB 80/100

Jinsfake, Yoho Wang, B.C.K, Vertigob, GaoGao at El Nido/fRUITYSPACE

Beijing beat-maestro Jinsfake sets his eyes on Gulou this Saturday to celebrate his newest release, Midnight Soul Drive, with a one-two punch throwdown, hitting up two of the town’s finest venues whilst keeping the beats coming. First, he’ll swing by El Nido's courtyard for a live afternoon set before heading over to fRUITYSPACE for the after-party. All the while the Fruity collective will be on hand spinning specially prepared sets and fostering some seriously dank vibes. 2pm/8.30pm. Free/RMB 60

Loooooongish Cat, Tim Sonia, Davecoin, Gaku at Aotu Studio

Hutronics returns, celebrating those humid Beijing summer nights with a special lineup that’ll kick off in the afternoon and roll into the night – with rooftop DJ sets from German-raised duo Tim Somnia and house and techno spinner Gaku, followed by indoor live sets from Tim Somnia (whipping out a guitar, drums, and synth-driven set) and tape manipulator and live sampler Loooooongish Cat, who’ll be teaming up with keyboard synthesist extraordinaire Davecoin to keep things vibing late into the night. 4pm. RMB 100/120

MAOZI, Parker ＆ Yusi at nugget café

Experimental folktronica artist MAOZI – known for his penchant for live looping, free improvisation, and collaborative jamming – brings his eclectic blend of jazz, folk-punk, and hip hop to nugget café alongside veteran bluegrass collaborators Parker Trevathan and Liu Yusi, who cut their teeth in outfits such as the Randy Abel Stable and The Beijing Dead, and will be giving a pared-down acoustic set featuring guitar, mandolin, and vocal harmonies. 9pm. RMB 60/70

Wen Zhiyong 文智湧 x Wang Xiaofang 王晓芳 x Feng Hao 冯昊 at UFO Space

Three seasoned veterans of the experimental and improv scene, who got their start in everything from yaogun rock to experimental music, team up for an evening of musical lovemaking. While Wen Zhiyong and Wang Xiaofang were the creation and witness of Chinese rock music during their time in Bu Yiding and Cobra, Feng Hao was one of the earliest practitioners in the field of experimental music in China. So yeah – for you music nerds and experimental junkies – look no further. 9pm. RMB 120/140

Sunday, Jun 6

Nous, Badiation, Shinnnnn, DJ SØA and DJ Uyori at UFO Space

Cyberpunk, cult animation, and dark industrial electronic music to keep the demons at bay (or possibly conjure them), it’s time for the latest edition of Dying Art Production’s movie and dark electro series. This time around they'll screen acclaimed sci-fi series Love, Death, & Robots followed by some live sets of apocalypse industrial and ambient music, dark techno, and psytrance scream (?) courtesy of the nefarious Nous, Badiation, and Shinnnnn, followed by DJ sets from DJ SØA and DJ UYORI. End the weekend on a pitch-black note.

Tea Jelly 茶凉粉, Grey Silence 灰寂, Nightengale 夜莺, Garage Rat 车库老鼠, Pylon, Purpleline Fades 彼海, Stray Cat 今夜流浪猫聚会, 解禁艺术公园 at Yue Space

Looking for some cheap action this Sunday? An ever-eclectic onslaught of bands that dabble in everything from pop-rock and gothic metal to dance-punk and post-hardcore? Then let Yue Space take care of you for their musical free-for-all as everyone from Grey Silence to Guangdong-based (escaped?) Garage Rat looks to strut their stuff and more importantly, have a rocking good time. 6.30pm. RMB 40/50

Gutzby 盖茨比, 5th Dimension, Fatiaokamusuo 发条卡目索 at School

Tender sounds of the folk, funk, and indietronica variety as Tianjin folk-rock outfit Fatiaokamusuo bring their humor-filled, slice-of-life rock-and-roll – in Tianjin dialect, to boot – alongside funk-pop duo 5th Dimension and breezy R&B swooners Gutzby over at School. 9pm. RMB 80/100

READ: Creativity, Community, and Teachable Moments Take Center Stage at Beijing Africa Week, Beginning Jun 3

Images: Live China Music, courtesy of the organizers