Weekend Live Music Roundup: Akon, Hanggai & La Pegatina, Xiao He

Some acts are so big you feel you should see them live at least once, while some bands pull you back over and over again. As the cultural center of China, Beijing regularly offers both kinds of performers, sometimes even on the same night. Tomorrow night, Akon displays his charms at the MasterCard Center. Across town, the Mongolian rockers of Hanggai will cook up a musical feast with Spanish rumba band La Pegatina. Although I'm totally looking forward to the passion and joy of the multicultural double-bill, I'll feel a little sad knowing that I'm missing out on Akon singing his hit “I Just Had Sex.” Still, since that song has already made its way into Beijing's KTV parlors, I can perform it for my friends anytime.

It's always like this – choosing to see one show means you'll miss at least ten others. On Friday night, another band competing for your attention are the indie popsters Deep Green Sea from Chongqing. I wouldn't call them amazing, but they do represent a trend of musicians who insist on carving out a path outside of Beijing. Also, Spring Autumn will jam at Temple. It will be very interesting to see how those headbangers shake the intimate hutong venue.

Moving on to Saturday, one act that most people will miss is the Hub Session. The show is free, but there are only 136 seats available. Pioneering musicians from around the world will be gathering there for a jam session. Local world musicians like Song Yuzhe and Hugejiletu of Ajinai will be representing China. Still not artistic enough? A special session by folk lunatic Xiao He has been added. More details here.

If you don't really care about music, Yugong Yishan will feature the Beijing debut of the "hottest" Chinese MC tomorrow night: MC Shitou (MC石头). This guy is no doubt the biggest web-fueled music phenomenon of the year. Want to be "entertained?" Have a look at one of MC Shitou videos that went viral on Chinese streaming websites:

Friday (November 4)

Akon
Yes, it’s that Akon, the lonely one. RMB 280-1,680. 8pm. MasterCard Center (6828 6386)

Christmas, Residence A, Miss Freak
Pop or rock? All are denizens of the deep underground. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Deep Green Sea
Indie popsters from Chongqing is touring around the country. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance, students). 9.30pm. Tiny Salt Cafe (5900 0969)

La Pegatina, Hanggai
The Spaniards make rumba modern and the Inner Mongolians make folk rock. RMB 100, RMB 80 (students). 8pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112/3)

Longjin, Skarving
Join the funky crowd. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

MC Shitou
A demonstration of Chinese people's craziness. This internet phenomenon debuts in Beijing. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance, it might sell out). 10pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Old Fashion, Pork, Youxi
Be loud and be angry. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Rush Hour
Young hardcore rockers and metalheads gather for a mosh night. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Spring Autumn
Metal-heads test the limits of the new indie music base. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Saturday (November 5)

Hub Session
Chinese world music masters Song Yuzhe and Ajinai joined by world musicians from Canada and Europe. Free (contact beijing@walbru.be to book tickets; seats are limited). 8.30pm. Star Theater (138 1059 5634)

Ma Tiao
Folk musician Ma Tiao brings his "Reveries and Cities" session accompanied by video projections. RMB 60, RMb 50 (advance). 9.30pm. Zajia Lab (8404 9141)

Not There, Power Powder, Randy Abel Stable, The Flying Mantas
Quirky electronic dance music, classic blues plus a raucous bluegrass singalong and retro punk infusions. RMB 50. RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Peter Murchison
A melting pot of pre-war blues, bluegrass, and folk. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Skarving
Ska night on Gulou Dongdajie. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Time Capsule, Little Butter Cookies
Bring some Brit-pop back. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Sunday (November 6)

The Album Leaf
The instrumental group tells you a sentimental story calmly. See Review, p42. RMB 200. 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Xiaowei
A hip-pop gathering in the afternoon. Why not? Free. 1.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)