Weekend Live Music Roundup: Hanggai, Perdel, Abaji

First, let's clear up some rumors and make some corrections. For those worried about whether there'll be any music festivals this May, as it stands Strawberry Music Festival has already got all the government approvals it needs. Midi Music Festival has so far been approved by the Haidian District government and is now waiting for approval from the city government. As for the Pinggu Music Festival, we still don't know much more about it than we did last week, though more information promises to come next week. We'll see.

Moving on, a correction, just in case you're planning your weekend by referencing the websites events section: Zakk Wylde and his Black Label Society will NOT be playing this Sunday. The event was postponed. However, Wylde has been slotted in for a June date in Beijing, so stay tuned.

Back to what we can see this weekend. Mongolian-style rock group Hanggai's meant-to-be special gig at Yugong Yishan on Friday is definitely worth checking out. But you might also want to keep up with the JUE Festival, which presents two influential Chinese pop rock bands, Yuguo and Perdel, at MAO Livehouse on the same night, a set of pioneering sounds at Wudaokou's D-22 on Saturday and world musician Abaji at Jiang Hu on Sunday.

Here comes more: (For venue details, check the Beijinger Directory):

Friday (March 25)

Because of Love - Yunnan and Japan Earthquake Benefit Folk Concert
15 popular folk musicians will gather in the name of charity – half of the proceeds will benefit victims of the Japanese tsunami, the other half to the Yunnan earthquake. Get tickets at 400 610 3721 or online here. RMB 100. 8pm. Mako Livehouse (5205 1112)

Hanggai
Third heat of the Influential Sound & Vision series features Mongolian rock. RMB 100, RMB 70 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Gangzi Tuliguer, ElimAy
Sounds from the north west. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Liang Jun & Henry Jazz Quintet
Coma and have some decent jazz tunes. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Low Bow, Street Kill Strange Animals, Christmas
Rock some pop. Free. 8.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Metal Battle China
Metal bands battle to play at Wacken Open Air. RMB 50. 9.30pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

Miss Freak, Pacalolo, Qinxuan
Let some popy dance tunes to wake up the spring. RMB 40 (include a free drink). 9.30pm. What Bar (133 4112 2757)

Summer Breeze
Easy evening with acoustic pop. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Sunzhuang Folk
Folk musicians live in Sunzhuang, a small village in Tongzhou gather at Gulou. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Gulou 121 (8404 3430)

The Amazing Insurace Salesmen, Flying Mataz, Maze, Nakoma
From hardcore to pioneering rock & roll. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Yuguo, Perdel
Proper pop rockers out. RMB 50. 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Saturday (March 26)

Beijing Alchemists
Folk meets blues. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Blue Mantra
Take a journey from blues and jazz to rock & roll. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Chuiwan, Birdstriking, Xiaolong
Experimental geniuses and punk players. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

DH & Chinese Hellcats, Candy Monster
Get your dancing shoes ready and swing with the beats. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Echo
Get to know the "Chinese beats." RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Life Journey
Relaxing pop band brings new tunes. RMB 80, RMB 70 (advance).8pm. Mako Live House. (5205 1112)

Red Pirates, Boys No.6
Youngsters go old school. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Girls Rock
Summer Tribe, Grace and more show you that girls know how to rock. RMB 50. 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Song Yuzhe
Unique sounds from the snow mountains and grassland. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance, students). 9pm. Zuiyuefang Bar

The Gray, 81', Qingjiang, Paper Tiger Jamboree
Grunge party near the Forbidden City. RMB 30. 9pm. What Bar (133 4112 2757)

The Metaphor
Long-term metal diehards have a new album to launch. Five other metal bands come to support. RMB 50. 9.30pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

Xiaoxiao
Chinese pop girl play some acoustic. RMB 30. 9pm. Gulou 121 (8404 3430)

Sunday (March 27)

Abaji
The sounds of Beirut, via Paris, Cape Town and Casablanca. RMB 30. 7.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Bolan Tonghua, New Perfume, Magic Bus, Elenore
Brit pop night. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance, students). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse. (6402 5080)

Christmas, Cityzen, Zebrarun
Pop rock night over Wudaokou. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22(6265 3177)