Hip-hop parties aplenty, catalogs’ worth of electronic wizardry and other cutting-edge sounds, and double-baked birthday parties! Looks like folks are finally putting the summer to good use (or the summer is putting us to good use, finally). And that, my friends, is what a stacked weekend is all about. Get at it before the smog monster returns.
Friday, Aug 25
Nine Treasures, The Samans at Yugong Yishan
Things get heavy with this epic double bill of melodic pagan metal outfits – the Inner Mongolian throat-singing thrashers Nine Treasures, whose metallic-with-an-erhu-twist sound has made them favorites at festivals around the world. They’re joined by Changchun legends The Samans for a show that is already primed to be sold out by tomorrow evening. Gonna be a sweaty one. 200 RMB
Yllis (Singapore), Alex Wang, Jeanie, Jason Hou, Dokedo, Jyun Jyun + MissTANGQ at Yue Space
Cutting-edge electronic label Do Hits! return with their latest offline party – with a red-hot lineup featuring visiting Singaporean producer Yllis, Boston-based producer Alex Wang, fresh off his AI-minded LP Black Dragon, as well as Shanghai producer Jeanie, multimedia duo Jyun Jyun + MissTANGQ, and local hustlers Jason Hou and Dokedo – all decked out in their finest garments for their Exodus tour. Love me some offbeat club outings. 120 RMB
Casino Demon, Gentle Grapes, Only Jane, Windsor Forest, Wang Ruo Ning at Omni Space
Punk and indie rock migrates down south toward the Temple of Heaven as a slew of the scene’s hottest new bands take to Omni Space to spread the spirit of rock’n’roll including catchy indie stalwarts Casino Demon, pop punk outfit Gentle Grapes, multinational indie poppers Only Jane, and more. 120 RMB
Marco Donnaruma (IT/DE), SHAO, Gooooose at UCCA
The NEU Festival kicks off with a grand opening at UCCA with some pretty tasty electronic acts – Italian/German multimedia artist Marco Donnaruma will create music through AI with biosensors on his body, while Shao (formerly Dead J) will do an audiovisual live set with Wang Meng, and Shanghai madman GOOOOOSE (Han Han of Duck Fight Goose) will kill some modular synths. Dive deep into the future of electronica and don’t look back. Read more here. 120 RMB (7pm start)
The Sino Hearts, Struggle Session, Boss Cuts, Hindbrain at Temple
Chairman WOW aka Marshall the derelict prince of Temple gets down and dirty this weekend in celebration of his B-Day and has he cooked up a maelstrom – power pop, hardcore lunacy, surf rock vibing, and hard rock hijinks – enough noise to make those ears bleed in delight. FREE
Shave N’ Shut, Early Bus, Uncle Bad at School
It’s a ‘Boot Party’ – 70s punks, Oi! punks, skinheads, and ska kids joining together for a riotous evening of shenanigans featuring oi punks’ favorites Shave N’ Shut, ska staples Early Bus (back in fighting form with a new lineup), and the debut of Uncle Bad, who win on name alone. You’re either in or out. 60 RMB
Wang Juan at Jianghu Bar
One of the staples of the folk scene here in Beijing, with a voice that could silence a crying baby, veteran singer-songwriter Wang Jian, with five albums already under her belt, embarks on her latest nationwide tour in support of her new album My Heart of Peace. 80 RMB
Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
The multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble will bring their 1930s swinging jazz, hot latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC, so you best bring your dancin’ shoes. 50 RMB
Samaga at 6677
‘Indian, Middle East and worldwide musical influences with a joyful dash of modern harmonies’ Samaga melts modern compositions into Indian ambiances, delivering their own interpretation of traditional Arabic Maqam and Indian Raga at the new Houhai joint (me thinks the new touch ups to Houhai will be bringing a lot more upscale venues to the area). FREE
Rudra’s Sage, Scott at Mogu Space
Sitar Player Raymond aka Rudra’s Sage joins The Plum Trees’ guitarist for an evening of Beatlemania with a special focus on the band’s more aloof India fascination. Bring your own mescaline. FREE
Avery Sunshine (US) at Blue Note
Weaving together soul, gospel, jazz, and R&B into an intoxicating mix the Atlanta-based singer Avery Sunshine, who has worked everywhere from Broadway to President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, performs two nights at Blue Note. 360-460 RBM
Kehan Zhang, Ramez Mhaana (Denmark) at La Plantation
Kehan Zhang, the first Chinese violinist in the Soloist Class of the Royal Danish Academy of Muisc goes renowned solo pianist Ramez Mhaana from Denmark for a special recital that’ll cover everything from Mozart to J. Brahmas. 180 RMB
Zero at 13 Club
Featherweight pop rockers Zero, made up of a horde of horny high schooler,s bring their odes to love-stricken adolescence to the Wudaoku stage. 50 RMB
The Rebel 5 at Modernista
The Rebel 5, formerly known as The Rotten 5, is a soul, R&B, and funk music ensemble covering some of the greatest songs of all time. Catch them working the dance floor at Modernista. FREE
Saturday, Aug 26
Loga, Liberate Haze, Zafka + Fencha, GOOOOOSE, Huang Jin + Pink Money, Liia at Today Art Museum
It’s yet again an audio-visual feast for the eyes and ears courtesy of offbeat electronic multimedia collective Pixel Echo, whose latest offering is essentially catnip for fans of experimentally inclined electronic junkies. From the violin-glitch delights of duo Liberate Haze, to Shanghai’s Duck Fight Goose frontman GOOOOOSE bringing some augmented fun to the proceedings, and the insane drumming abilities of Re-TROS percussionist Huang Jin, there’s so good stuff here further elevated by the array of visual artists who’ll be on hand working those pupils. Count me in. 150 RMB (8pm start)
Candy Monster, Pacalolo, The Hotline, Dirty Moon at School Bar
Local label D.O.G. are back at with the latest summer treat “All Good Girls Can Drink!.” Electro-rockers The Hotline join doo-wop veterans Candy Monster, Pacalolo, and new disco rockers Dirty Moon, formed from members of Steely Heart and Nova Heart. And ladies get in free if they drink down an alcoholic beverage of D.O.G.’s choosing at the door. Which isn’t creepy at all. In fact, I’m a bit jealous. 80 RMB
Yuan Yuan, Long Long at 27 Yard
Been hearing mighty fine things about the courtyard space just south of Dongsi station and with their latest batch of bookings. I think it’s safe to say there’s a new home for folk and lo-fi fans. This early evening they’ve booked dream pop singer-songwriter Yuan Yuan who’ll be joined by beatboxing phenomenon Long Long, who is pretty much on a level of his own. Dig it. 60 RMB (7.30 start)
Atelier II, Chang An, Wen Liang at fRUITYSPACE
A evening of experimental music, drone, noise, and offbeat electronica at fRUITYSPACE hosts dark drone duo Atelier II, pianist and soundscaper Wen Liang, and sound artist Chang An, who’ll take turns stretching the limitations of sound. 40 RMB
Young Clan, MC Webber, General Huge, Shuang Bang, Danzhen Beijing at Yugong Yishan
Section 6 presents their best MCs and rappers as names like Young Clan, MC Webber (aka Raddam Ras), General Huge and others take over Yugong Yishan for a night of hard-hitting rap and hip-hop. 100 RMB
Su & The Paramecia at DDC
Folksy psychedelic troupe Su & The Paramecia bring their diverse catalogue of sounds (and instruments) to DDC as they present their new take of ‘Drinkers’ – the single which the band lives and dreams. Su will also present his new ‘world music’-heavy lineup in the first half, which includes a tabu drum player. “Be merry, be drunk” seems to be the theme – something I can surely get behind. 100 RMB
Uncle Hu, Boiled Hippo, Deezi at Caravan
Speaking of which, Caravan has been killing it as of late – mixing it up left and right and their latest weekend offering is the proof in the pudding – lo-fi folk rockers Uncle Hu, originally from Chengdu, join world music wanderers Boiled Hippo, and rapper MC Deezi. 50 RMB
Mystery Bands at Temple
Mysteries await at Temple as its manager and primo ruffian Marshall continue the birthday shenanigans from the evening prior – and one can only hold he whips out that saxophone for the occasion. FREE
Ananke, Shangyi, Yanzi & Babyface at Yue Space
Three diverse electrifying sounds converge at Yue Space as triphop duo Ananke joins ‘melodramatic’ indie pop outfit Shanyi, and melodic pop rock outfit Yanzi & Babyface bring some catchy heartfelt melodies to their fans. Big sounds, big emotions – you up to the task? 60 RMB (8pm start)
Di Gua at Rockland
High rising indie rockers Backspace send forth their jangly rad guitarist Di Gua for a special solo outing before the band, who just signed to Maybe Mars last month, hit the road for their first ever China tour. 80 RMB
Haozi, Chen Fei at Snail Hostel
A new take on Chinese folk music – singer/songwriter Haozi, whose music branches out across atmospheric post-rock, meaningful folk and head nodding reggae – joins fellow indie artist Chen Fei, whose music is said to bring to mind spring rain. The good kind. 80 RMB
Windowsill and Ashtray at Mogu Space
“Quasi-amateur independent duo” Windowsill & Ashtray bring their central Hong Kong sound to Mogu Space for an afternoon session. “Windowsill is a low-powered banker and Ashtray is an unemployed cartoonist (who made the poster). Together they make music that pisses off the neighbors.” Love the modesty. 60 RMB (3pm start)
Yue Lin at Mogu Space
Up-and-coming indie singer-songwriter Yue Lin (Jia Ni) appears for the first time at Mogu Space. The artist counts Tori Amos and Joan Baez among her influences and incorporates bossa nova, jazz and baroque into her unique sound. 100 RMB
Liu Wenxiang, Eric Chong at Jianghu Bar
Full time guitarist and composer Liu Wenxiang who currently working with the Slow Stone Trio appears with Hong Kong raised Eric Chong for a electric jazz duet. 60 RMB
Geeks in Concert at 13 Club
A show for geeks, by geeks? Not sure what Wudaokou’s getting into but count me intrigued. Part one brings Hong Kong visual programming and a street culture-obsessed guitarist to the stage for a mix of electronic and pop-punk music, while part two brings VJs Scarlet and AJ to the stage for an audiovisual feast. If you can sit through the New Found Glory and Paramore covers there will also be signature cocktails made by an AI. Better be a robot bartender. 100 RMB
Avery Sunshine (US) at Blue Note
Weaving together soul, gospel, jazz, and R&B into an intoxicating mix the Atlanta-based singer Avery Sunshine, who has worked everywhere from Broadway to President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, performs two nights at Blue Note. 360-460 RBM
Uighur Sama at Modernista
A mixture of traditional Arabic songs and lively Spanish rumba classics, with lyrics both in English and Uyghur, Uighur Sama continue bringing the energetic sounds of Xinjiang to China´s capital. FREE
Ariana Grande (UK) at Wukesong Stadium
Sure the Beijinger’s been paid enough to cover this one but here ya go again – Grammy nominated platinum selling singer Ariana Grande is bringing her world tour to China for the first time. It’s gonna be crazzzyyyy. 360-5,480 RMB
Sunday, Aug 27
J-fever, Another Van, L+R, thruoutin, Hielektromen at Omni Space
Ran Music celebrates the release of their latest – a remix album anchored by free-wheeling rapper J-Fever who teams up with some of the country’s hottest producers as well as the Beijing-based label’s extensive and downright sexy roster. Featuring everyone from Another Van to thruoutin, who’ll be setting down the beats for the mainstay artist – this looks to be a fine way to spend your afternoon come Sunday down at Omni Space. 80 RMB (3pm start)
Yang Ji, Gao Jiafeng, DVC at Meridian Space
Douban music throws a Karaoke-style party featuring some of the country’s strangest and alluring bedroom musicians, artists on the brink of breakout success that bonafide music company hopes to shine a light on – Hangzhou singer-songwriter Yang Ji, Shanghai prankster and mashup artist Gao Jiafeng, and Beijing cult music novice and sound shifter DVC. This is some out there stuff and the setting of Meridian Space makes this a show that has sleeper gig written all over it.
Itsogoo, Wu Tang Kele, Chinese-Rub-A-Dub, Major, DJ 4tael at Yue SpaceSummer and hip-hop go together like peanut butter and jelly and this old school party kicking off in the afternoon with a hip hop market sounds just right for the month of August – later in the evening some of the hottest groups including itsogoo, Chinese-Rub-A-Dub (points!), as well as some of the hottest DJs like Major, Trius and more let the good times roll. 100 RMB
Giant Saint, Windsor Forest at DDC
Get your Bbritpop treatment done right with this double bill featuring two of the scene’s finest and most committed synth-ready boys Giant Saint and psychedelic-infused Windsor Forest, fresh off their debut LP release. 50 RMB
Fondant, AM Rock at School
Jining (that’s southwest Shandong for you noobs like myself) rock-and-rollers Fondant bring their hometown-flavored jams to School Bar as they swing through on their nationwide tour. 60 RMB
Simon Schirru Quartet (IT) at Modernista
Italian guitar player, composer and teacher Simone Schirru, with a degree in ‘Jazz Guitar,’ brings his bonafide jazz stylings to Modernista (back and loving it) this Sunday. FREE
Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers