Doing a little overtime work here, cause despite the Qingming Festival forcing most of us to work tomorrow, the music scene could give two shits about whose grave we’ll be starting a bin fire in front of (which is pretty cool as far as holiday rituals go) and I’m OK with that. More tunes to soak in over the long weekend, more opportunities to check out some new bands, and plenty of time to recover from whatever it was you ingested the previous night. Did I metntion your contributor here will be throwing another LBM showcase this Sunday, April 2^nd at DDC with bands making the trek from Tianjin, Baoding, and Xinxiang – so throw a bone and swing on by! And without further a due here’s your weekend roundup

FRIDAY MARCH 31^st

Cosmic Child (Singpaore), Last Goodbye at Hot Cat Club

Singaporean shoegaze outfit Cosmic Child hit up Hot Cat Club on their five-stop China tour for a night of warm fuzz and reverb-drenched soundscapes (check out our interview with them). They’ll be supported by Beijing’s own shoegaze torchbearers Last Goodbye, who have been leaving their mark on the music scene with their DIIV-evoking melodies. FREE

Planet & Tree at Omni Space

One of this year’s biggest surprises has been the emergernce of folk rock outfit Planet & Tree. Headed by the esteemed and infamous Cui Xudong – a prominent musician from Shijiazhuang whose time included playing with bands such as Omnipotent Youth Society’s processor Nico, Ruins, Soundtoy, and more – the band is a dusty bluesy rock band that’s riffed with soul and the spirit of rock and roll. 100 RMB

Tulegur with Foes at Yugong Yishan

Veteran Inner Mongolian singer-songwriter Tulegur presents another edition of his concert ‘with foes.’ Such foes, there to challenge and unleash your greatness, include singer-songwriter Chu Qiao, hip-hop/rock DJ Zhang Ran, Liquid Oxygen Can frontman Zhang Yu, reggae guitarist Gao Xu and Cedric and Matt from metal band Scare the Children. Sounds like good fun.

Mobby Kingdom, Secret Club, Silent Speech at School

Nanjing britpop rockers Mobby Kingdom are currently winding their way through China on their current tour and tonight they’ll be docking at none other than School Bar – joining them are happy-go-lucky Britpop enthusiasts Secret Club and experimental alt-rockers Silent Speech. 100 RMB

Purgatory，Abnormal Infected，Electric Lady，Black Lotus at Temple

Four bands with a ‘female touch’ rock the stage – but don\’t be fooled as these ladies bring the pain. China\’s first female vocal melodic death metal band Purgatory, the most ferocious slam brutal death metal band Abnormal Infected, new school heavy-weights Black Lotus, and stoner / doom metal band Electric Lady. FREE

The Lawrence Ku Jazz Quartet at Jianghu Bar

Ku is a guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, currently the headmaster of the Shanghai JZ School of Music. He’s collaborated with jazz artists from around the world, including Dee Dee Bridgewater, John Legend, and Benjamin Koppel. Join him and his band tonight. 100 RMB

Zhege, The Hunters, Star Band at Yue Space

Zhege is releasing their second record; An EP titled ‘Ba Ba Beijing’ that will be available online from the 1st of April (Spotify, iTunes, etc). To celebrate the release, they will be hosting a party at Yue Space. The event will also feature crazed Hugh Reed & The Vlevert Underpants, and the melodic tunes of Star Band. 50 RMB

Ember Swift at DDC

Canadian artist Ember Swift who now resides in the magnetic city of Beijing, China has released 12 albums since 1996 and continues to have a loyal fan base across many national borders. She brings her swag and stylish indie rock to DDC as the longstanding Beijing-based artist presents material from her just released album Sticks and Stones, which echoes ‘childhood joys while living in an adult world’. 50 RMB

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre at Jianghu Bar

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre in a quartet version this time with Doug Martin on guitar, Fiach O\’Brien on drums and ET on double bass. One of the \”oldest\” foreign band in Beijing and the only one singing in French, they’re a joy to behold.

Niu, Steve Blaque, Miranda, Zin, Nick Parsons, Wu Gui at 69 Café

Indie musicians from around the world welcome spring at 69 Café including NYU student Niu, while folk singer Wu Gui, Miranda and Steve Blaque of Radiance, who just released their album The Fragile Strength and more. 60 RMB

SATURDAY APRIL 1^st

TOSS at Temple

The band Toss kicks off their national tour with a free show in support of their new eponymous double album at Temple. The trio challenges the rules of music and society with their explosive rock and roll, which can be confusing and melancholy but always pushes the limits of the genre. FREE

Free Sex Sop, Skin Bad, XianTong, Moland, LinCe at School

Local label and promotion group Cold Neo are throwing a hell of a party showcasing some of their roster as well as other guests including the newly signed punk trio Skin Bad, ambient post-rock group XianTong, as well as the trippy pop rock foursome Moland. 80 RMB

S.A.W, CMCB, Laisee, Drunkard, DR. V’Agent, Ephemerality, Scar Constitution, The Skin I Live In, City, Fearless, Devil Mask, Need A Name, The Uncrowned, AJK, Fukedeifu, Nuclear Bomb at Yugong Yishan

Take it up a notch with this epic lineup of hard rock and metal featuring a shopping list of bands that’ll get you screaming and moshing all night long including The Uncrowned, S.A.W. CMCB, City, Drunkard, Scar Constitution, Army of Sade Kirin, and much much more. Nu metal, industrial rock, and good ol’ fashion screamo – no genre goes untouched. Sixteen bands ready to give it their all so get there early. 5pm start/180 RMB

The Paramecia, Bian Yuan, Wangzi, Zhu Jie at Modernsky Lab

This April Fool’s concert is no joke – four respected artist with plenty of experience take the stage including Su Zixu and the Parmecia, who incorporate avant-garde rock, fantastical melodies and ideological melodies into their sound. They’re by Bian Yuan, the former singer of Joyside, Wangzi, the singer and guitarist from Casino Demon and Project A’s Zhu Jie. 100 RMB

Tong Yan at Snail Hostel

Tong Yang stops in Beijing on her national tour in support of her new album Mountain Side. The indie balladeer is known for her voice, which sounds like a ‘suppressed explosion, and her straightforward style, which can cut like a knife’. This is her third solo album, and she ‘s by friend and guitarist Chen Chuanquan. 80 RMB

Car Car Cars, Miss Mix, Los Crasher, Scare The Children, Self Portrait at Mao Livehouse

Tight jeans, garage rock dreams, horror metal, and sultry girl power – it’s just another evening at Mao Livehouse as the venues hosts an assortment of bands and styles including Scare The Children, Miss Mix, and more. 100 RMB

Sparrow, Next Door Band, Magic Mama, Xiao Bianer at Yue Space

Yue Space releases the holiday with a fan favorite lineup featuring post rock sweet tarts Sparrow, indie pop outfit Next Door Band, and much more. 100 RMB

Zhang Qianqian, Shi Xiaofei, Huang Yuqin at Mars Club

Mars Club hosts a concert to remember singer Leslie Cheung, who committed suicide in 2003. The show will start with a showing of the film Ah Fei Is, and followed by a folk concert featuring Zhang Qianqian, Shi Xiaofei and Huang Yuqin, playing songs by Leslie and as well as their own works. 70 RMB

Nancy J Brown Quartet at The Living Room (Chao Hotel)

Keep your finger on the jazz pulse of the city with Chao’s new series ‘Singer in the Spotlight’ which looks to showcase Beijing\’s finest vocalists. The session kicks off with Nancy Jenkinson Brown quartet made up of talented musicians from Italy, Ireland and England that blow away the idea that jazz is obscure. Expect some good ol time. FREE

Shai Rosenboim at La Plantation

Shai Rosenboim is emerging as one of the most promising young musicians in Israel – a highly requested performer of contemporary music who has worked with promient Israeli composers, Ami Ma\’ayani and Tzvi Avni and has been awarded the highest scholarship from the American-Israeli Cultural foundation as a \”highly sensitive and thoughtful pianist\”. 150 RMB

Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at DDC

Inspired by all things classic, pop, and big band, Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies bring ‘a vintage approach to contemporary music’. Enjoy classic reimaginings from the ever-expanding trope at DDC. FREE

Golden Buddha & Friends at Jianghu Bar

Golden Buddha Jazz Band was founded from 2005. This band is not only aims to explore the integration of Eastern and Western music cultures of different styles; it is also combined the modern Western music and the Chinese music together. All the members in the band are top-ranked Chinese musicians. 80 RMB

Tavey Lean and the Solid Gold Dream Machine at Modernista

Modernista is welcoming CandleX Non-Profit fundraising event to support mental health projects and awareness in Beijing, and to celebrate the 2nd year anniversary of this awesome organization in the most fun possible way – with afternoon dance workshops and live music at night courtesy of Tavey Lean and the Solid Gold Dream Machine. FREE

Templo de Samba at Caravan

Templo de Samba will be on hand to infuse the evening with the enchanting sounds of a Pagode, making us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Bossaboca, Samba, and latin flavors – it\’s gonna get magical folks. 60 RMB

Ani, Nathan, Nick Parsons, Yixia at 69 Cafe

Swiss guitarist Ani brings her American rhythm and blues to 69 Café alongside dream popper Yixia, music scene veteran Nathan Borofka, who mixes punk, folk and experimental rock, and Nick Parsons. 66 RMB

SUNDAY APRIL 2^nd

Pumpkins, Lonely Leary, Briefs Dryer, Qianchuan Drugstore, Division Control at DDC

Live Beijing Music makes its seasonal trek to DDC to cook up a live music extravaganza – a red hot, fresh off the market lineup that’ll spring you into the Qingming Holiday weekend. We’ve been scouring the landscape for some Beijing’s best-kept secrets, as well as a new breed of scoundrels, punks, and bands that have sprung up in Beijing’s various neighboring cities, including Xinxiang, Baoding, and Tianjin. The bill includes post punk favorites Lonely Leary, esteemed punk quartet Pumpkins (Xinxiang), indie rock swooners Briefs Dryer (Baoding), rollicking post punk renegades Division Control (Tianjin), and up and coming alt rockers Qianchuan Drugstore (Beijing). Each looking to kick start your spring and keep the good times rolling. 50/70 RMB

Suffocated, Dressed to Kill, Blade Edge at 13 Club

Thrash metal giants Suffocated celebrate their twentieth anniversary as a band and the tenth anniversary of the release of their first album, Against The Wind. They will perform works which have not been heard live in nearly a decade and are joined by fellow metal bands Dressed to Kill and Blade Edge. Shits gonna get loud. 120 RMB

The Hotline, The Diagon Alley, Backspace, Pacalolo at School

School’s Bad Education series continues onwards with a rollicking lineup featuring electro rock up and comers The Hotline, much talked about indie rock outfit Backspace, quirky female fronted electro rock duo Pacalolo and brit poppers The Diagon Alley. 60 RMB (ladies free)

Robella, CA, Hind Brain, The Pace of Time, Drunkard, Pork, Wacky Tobacco, Wang Yangming at Mao Livehouse

Pay tribute to Kurt Cobain and the grunge movement with this hefty annual grunge festival thrown by none other than Mao Livehouse who have rallied up just about every band under the grunge umbrella including veterans Drunkard, Pork, and much much more. 100 RMB

Elenore, december3am, SNSOS, 4 Channel Club at Yue Space

A solid lineup featuring post kraut rock favorites december3am, britrock hard hitters Elenore, post rock wranglers She Never Sings Our Songs, and 8bit tuner 4 Channel Club – lots of genre jumping going on here. 80 RMB

Dragon Kam, Penicillin, Puzzy Stack, Lofimaker, Zaliva-D at Modernsky Lab

A two part music festival – with two vastly different parts. First, bripop outifits Dragon Kam and Penicillin pay tribute to John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, BB King and Bob Marley. Afterwards hard hitting producers like Puzzy Stack, Lofi Maker, and Zaliva-D, bring on their A-game. 120/200 RMB (half pass/full pass)

Harper & Midwest Kind (AUS) at Temple

‘An amalgamation of blues, soul and world music’ – catch award-winning, Billboard charting didgeridoo and harmonica blues master Peter Harper and his band Midwest Kind at Temple with their highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled \”World Blues\”. 60 RMB

Mu Xi, Xiao Kou, Wang Jie at Snail Hostel

Snail Hostel hosts a celebratory concert for the Tianjin Folk Inn, celebrating the venue’s two year anniversary. Frequent performers including Mongolian ballad singer Mu Xi, pianist and folk singer Xiao Kou and guitarist and singer Wang Jie, along with other Tianjin artists will be in Beijing to perform. 70 RMB

Plum Trees, Read, Jurat and Ke Jueyao at 69 Cafe

Australian indie folk group Plum Trees join Read, a folk duo with a retro sound who is obsessed with poetry and Uighur folk singer Jurat, who blends folk, jazz and psychedelic punk, and others for a Qingming Festival concert. 66 RMB

MONDAY APRIL 3^rd

StarRo (USA), DaBozz, Gant.Z, By Dream, Trius at Yue Space

Grammy-nominated producer starRo, based in LA, Tokyo-born brings his dizzying mix of street culture and classical music to Yue Space along with the hiphop singer/song-writer Dabozz, Beijing\’s very own post-rock band By Dream, beatmaker SunXu Trius and Gant.Z of Elegant Music. An eclectic evening of sounds to soak in. 120 RMB

Chinese Football at Yugong Yishan

It only took two years but Wuhan’s emo stalwarts have hit the big time with their latest EP Here Comes A New Challenger – with a new drummer and four brand new songs that further solidifies the band’s tight musicianship and sound the math rock infused emo rock outfit is on a national wide tour now to promote it. Expect a packed house as the breakout successes bring their sincere sound to the masses. 80 RMB

Narakam, Spirit Trance, Evil Thorn, Chuge at Mao Livehouse

It’s a Qingming Festival Tomb Sweeping extravaganza of metal as melodic metal veterans Narakam celebrates with their friends the only way they know how —- black metal and mosh pits!!! 120 RMB

Project Impair, Motorbike Girls, The White Papers at DDC

Korean rock duo Project Impair return with their foot-stomping head bopping tunes inspired by Korean traditional music (“gugak”) and the blues. They’re joined by local garage rock outfit Motorbike Girls and The White Papers. 60 RMB

Not in Catalog, DVC at fRUITYSPACE

Experimental/improv rock group Not in Catalog, made up of some of the experimental and improv scene brightest characters who are ‘walking in the opposite direction to rock music’s evolution in various periods’ release their debut tonight with support from DVC. Expect beatnick vibes and musical tomfoolery of the highest order. 4pm start/50 RMB

TUESDAY APRIL 4^th

Yue Xuan, Dee, Wang Ziheng at UCCA (798 Art District)

Get in your art kicks while checking out this top notch lineup at the widely regarded UCCA space in 798 art district. Performacnes from award winning avant garde pianist Yue Xuan, experimental madman Shengdi (aka Dee), whose willing showmanship and willingness to push the boundaries has made him charmingly unpredicatable, and experimental saxophonist Wang Ziheng, one of the top in his field. 4pm start/80 RMB

Song Yuzhe at Yue Space

Song Yuzhe, the frontman for the world music collective Dawanggang, gives a special solo outing at the Beixinqiao venue where his particular brand of world fusion music which mixes everything from of Tibetan, Mongolian, and classical Chinese music to create soundscapes ripe with wonder and beauty will grace ears. 100 RMB

Nocturnes, Atelier II at DDC

Dark ambience and haunting indietronica coming your way at DDC as ambient drone duo Atelier II join atmospheric indie electronic duo Nocturnes, who just released their thrilling EP last month. 50 RMB

The post Weekend Update 这周末 03/31-04/04 first appeared on .

After a week of wisdom toothless misery, I’m seriously jonsing for something loud and in my face. A bombardment of the senses. A symphony of musical mayhem. Straight into my bloodstream. And looking at the layout this weekend gig wise – from Caravan’s three day blitzkrieg of celebrations, to the latest incarnation of the 330 Metal Festival, as well as an assortment of top notch acts across town, there’s plenty out there to ease the pain. Let’s jump into the deep end…

FRIDAY MARCH 24^th

ChaCha, Machaco (Japan), Chakka C (Singapore), Cyalda, Aivilox at Modernsky Lab

The Reggae Sistas, made up of prominent Japanese reggae artist Machaco, Shanghai’s vital trip hop artist and MC ChaCha, Singaporean performer Chakka C, Chengdu-based DJ and artist Cyalda and Aivilox, a dance and soul music artist, bring their eclectic set of skills and laid back grooves to Modernsky Lab alongside Raddam Ras aka MCWebber. Expect good vibes to carry you through the evening. 100 RMB

Elenore, The Twenties, Mr. Honey, Me Guan Me, L-Gentlemen, PoShangCun at Yue Space

Britpop, ska, sunshine pop, indie rock, and more at the ‘Back To Britain’ themed evening at Beixinqiao’s Yue Space but don’t let that scare you – there’s some serious talent on display here. From the alt rock melodic perfection that is The Twenties to the ruff and tumble Manchester rock of Elenore, to the big band fun of Mr. Honey, this is a top notch billing that’ll more than worth your time. 100 RMB

Ancestor, Bio-Cancer (Greece), Punisher, Toxic Waste, Explosicum, Alcor, Choleraic at Mao Livehouse

Trash metal fans unite! It’s time to indulge in the trashing sounds of yes, The Trash China Festival. Nuclear invasion, social inequalities, and some of the most extreme metal bands this side of China including the infamous Explosicum from Nanchang, rising Liaoning champs Punisher, Huazhong representatives Cholera, and a slew of other hot blooded bands, like Greece’s own Bio-Cancer (band name for the win!) ready to thrash the night away. Gotta love it. 320 RMB

Peter Harper & Midwest Kind (AUS) at DDC

‘An amalgamation of blues, soul and world music’ – catch award-winning, Billboard charting didgeridoo and harmonica blues master Peter Harper and his band Midwest Kind at DDC with their highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled \”World Blues\”. Dope sounds indeed. 60 RMB

Zhang Shouwang, Yan Yulong, Nick Parsons at Mogu Space

Three artist take the stage at Xizhimen including Carsick Cars and White+ frontman Zhang Shouguang who’ll shred alongside violinist Yan Yulong from the band Chuiwan, and indie singer-songwriter Nick Parsons, who recently released an experimental ‘back to nature’ album. 66 RMB

Hoochie Coochie Gentlemen at Jianghu Bar

Veteran blues rock outfit Hoochie Coochie Gentlemen look to bring the good vibes to the cozy Jianghu Bar – harmonica, acoustic guitars, and some very merry singers. These cats are pros and have been working the crowds for ages – expect nothing less than a harmonica-infused evening of homegrown blues. 100 RMB

Backspace, mystery band at Temple

Psychedelic-tinted indie rockers Backspace, one of this year’s rising stars bring their energetic blend of mayhem to Temple alongside special guests and secret bands – ahhhhhhhh. FREE

Lost In Space, The Tek Dead, The Skin I Live In, Time So Fast at School

Things get heavy at School as post-hardcore outfit Lost in Space, deathcore five-some The Tek Dead, female fronted electro-post-hardcore band The skin I Live In, and post-hardcore (‘with a smidgen of pop-punk thrown in’) group Time So Fast converge on Wudaoying Hutong to stir up some troiuble. 60 RMB

David Binney’s Tres Tierras (USA), Cuong Vu Trio at Yugong Yishan

Two groups of jazz masters converge in Beijing for two nights of shows. David Binney and his band, the Tres Tierras, which formed in California in 2016, play avant-garde jazz with a punk sensibility. They’re joined on stage by the Cuong Vu Trio, featuring Cuong Vu himself on trumpet, Stomu Takeishi on bass and Ted Poor on the drums. 150 RMB

Star Band at Caravan

Caravan kicks off it’s ‘Anniversary Musical Orgy’ with the happy-go-lucky celebratory Star Band, who, along with the 50% off Tajine deal, look to make folks fulfilled in style. FREE

Kuso Eyes, Lake, Richer King, Labor Glory, Kahlua at Hot Cat Club

The Hot Cat Club puts on a free concert featuring multiple great local bands. The show will feature up and coming local bands making a name for themselves, including indie rockers Kuso Eyes and Lakes as well as acts like Richer King, Kahlua and others. FREE

The Plum Trees, Nathan Boroka and Jurat at 69 Cafe

Beijing indie band The Plum Trees, which consists of vocalist Shannon on the ukelele, Clancy on bass and Scott on guitar perform their laid back folk rock for audiences alongside guest guitarist Nathan Borofka and Uyghur musician and singer Jurat. 60 RMB

Bluso, XiZi, Heaven & Earth, QianZi at Mars Club

Pop rap, jazz rap, old school hip hop – you guessed it – it’s an evening of hip hop and rap-offs of up and comer rap groups Bluso, XiZi, and more take to the Batong line located venue. 60 RMB

Krazy Family, H.O.G, Easy Boyz Gang, ZDev at SOKARTMALL

There’s a player at 798 by the name of Sokartmall and after last week’s silent movie soundtracking there’s throwing a hip hop show with an array of hip hop and rap artists taking the stage at the art space (that strangely has ‘mall’ in their name). 60 RMB

Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at Modernista

Inspired by all things classic, pop, and big band, Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies bring ‘a vintage approach to contemporary music’. Enjoy classic reimaginings from the ever-expanding trope at Modernista. FREE

SATURDAY MARCH 25^th

Ritual Day, Nine Treasures, Crack, Never Before, Defeated Sanity, Silent Elegy, Hierarchy, Tumour Boy, Eclipsia, Rupture, Dark Haze, The Dark Prison Massacre, Inferno Requiem (TW), Screaming Savior, Cankered Corpse at Tango

330 Metal Festival returns with a vengeance! The longstanding indoor metal festival, with 16 years under its belt of bringing China’s best metal acts to the stage, is at it again with a hefty filling of all things metal. Besides established and respected acts like Crack, Nine Treasures, and Ritual Day, each fresh off of a stellar release, taking the stage, the event is chock full of acts that’ll have you raising hell in no time. I mean, just look at the list of names – Cankered Corpse anyone? You’re in or you’re out. 330 RMB

Casino Demon, Da Bang, The Hotline at School

Sweat it out at School with this killer one-off double showcase show featuring Modern Sky heavyweights Casino Demon and Da Bang, who’ll bring their rock and roll charm and indietronica vitality to the venue with a lil help from electro rock up and comers The Hotline. Get their early and claim your spot on the dance floor cause it’s gonna be packed and crazy real quick. 100 RMB

Li Xia, Wu Ning Yue, Wu & the Side Effects at Caravan

Badr’s musical orgy three day celebration continues at Caravan and they’ve pulled a killer Ningxia bill out of their sleeve as renowned folk singers Li Xia (of Li Dong) and Wu Ning Yue (of Buyi) bring their ruff and tumble rock and roll folk spirit to the small stage alongside psychedelic blues madmen Wu & the Side Effects. Three bands that haven’t shared the stage since the days of Dos Kolehas and one that’ll have the Moroccan joint in high spirits till the early morning. Did I mention fifty percent off the Lamb Mechoui. Yum. 80 RMB

Rhonda, Black Hipster, Motorbike Girls, Jokers Belief, Ogenix at Mao Livehouse

Catch some of the expat scene’s hottest items with this wild n’ out showcase at Mao Livehouse featuring everything from electro metal outfit Ogenix, math rocky instrumentalists Rhonda, noise garage rockers Motorbike Girls and much more. 100 RMB

Fork, Romantic Betrayal at Chen Livehouse

What’s more metal than Nietzsche? God is dead at Chen Livehouse on Saturday as two great bands, Fork and Romantic Betrayal, play. Fork has been together for 12 years, and through many tours and lineup changes, have stayed metal. Romantic Betrayal is a new metal and industrial metal trio. 50 RMB

Toy Soldiers, Self Portrait, Siberia Cocklebur at Mars Club

Pop punk, britpop, and indie pop —- lots of refined pop sounds coming through Mars Club, the latest livehouse to start a buzz in the Western outskirts of Beijing, as Toy Soliders, Self Portrait, and Siberia Cocklebur take the stage. 80 RMB

Wang Fanrui at Yue Space

Contemporary folk singer-songwriter Wang Fanrui launches his latest national tour in support of his fourth album Thousands of Mountians, which was released late last year. He’s gonna a big deal with the young ones so expect a packed house. 100 RMB

Jacques Mauger (France), Eglantina Grapshi (Albany) at La Plantation

Ex-soloist of the Opéra National de Paris, Jacques Mauger, gives a master class performance on the trombone, elevating it to a new level alongside Albany-born pianist Eglantina Grapshi, who has performed as a soloist in music chamber ensembles, recital and orchestra in various festivals across Europe. Catch these two highly trained musicians at La Plantation. 150 RMB (7pm start)

David Binney’s Tres Tierras (USA), Cuong Vu Trio at Yugong Yishan

Two groups of jazz masters converge in Beijing for two nights of shows. David Binney and his band, the Tres Tierras, which formed in California in 2016, play avant-garde jazz with a punk sensibility. They’re joined on stage by the Cuong Vu Trio, featuring Cuong Vu himself on trumpet, Stomu Takeishi on bass and Ted Poor on the drums. 150 RMB

Techno Prisoner, Duff Beer at Temple

Left field metal punk look to fry your brain alongside up and coming punk scrapper Duff Beer, who have been killing it with their rambunctious take-no-prisoners style of punk tomfoolery. FREE

Hard Candy Revolution, Back, 4U, Cui LongYang at Laifu Livehouse

Britpop-infused rockers Cui LongYang join female fronted glam rockers Hard Candy Revolution, electronic rock outfit 4U and more at the Shuangjing livehouse for some fun. 80 RMB

Ma Xiao at Jianghu Bar

The folk artist Ma Xiao touches down at Jianghu for a Pisces birthday concert alongside his band. Like the famous fish, the artist’s music has a complex character and a good heart, playing simple, soulful guitar, and mournful flute, and singing about life and love. 70 RMB

Samaga at Hot Cat Club

Finding roots in Indian, Middle East and worldwide musical influences with a joyful dash of modern harmonies, Samaga’s music happily marries different musical traditions as the band melts modern compositions into Indian ambiances, delivering their own interpretation of traditional Arabic Maqam and Indian Raga, constantly reinventing the soundscapes painted by the Indian Sitar, the Middle Eastern Percussions and Oud. Whoa. Hot Cat Club is getting otherworldly. FREE

Dee, Acid, Gael, Zhu Songjie, Axiang at fRUITYSPACE

Noise heads gather together around the bin fire at fRUITYSPACE – as a collection of the music scene’s most offbeat characters concur up a storm including Dee, Acid, Gael, Zhu Songjie, and Axiang. Tomfoolery and audio visual hijinks will ensue.

Guo Ming, Wu Gui, Hou Kang at Mogu Space

Guo Ming, whose ‘anti-folk’ with rugged lyrics joins harmonica and guitar player and poet Wu Gui as well as local Beijinger Hou Kang, always one foot in the folk world and one foot in rock and roll. Three unique artists at the Xizhimen hotspot. 60 RMB

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

Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at DDC

Audience favorites, Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, RnB, 3-piece horn section, rock and roll fun to DDC. 50 RMB

Yang Chali at Snail Hostel

Folk singer-songwriter Yang Chali, who has been on the scene and on the road since the 2008 release Living in Dali, performs at Snail Hostel. Stories of the country and of longing for the past should make for a relaxing evening. 70 RMB

Liu Yong at Blue Stream

Folk artist and indie musician Liu Yong, who’ll be releasing his first album later this year, plays at the Blue Stream Bar. 60 RMB

SUNDAY MARCH 26^th

Randy Abel, the Hunters, Jordan Darling, Redundant Seconds, Dooder, Cello Love, Eric Allen, Star Band, Coupla Cups, Kamau & Friends at Caravan

As the experienced music champion said himself – it\’s the ‘ghost of dazeFeast’ returning for one last shagging this Sunday at Caravan as the Moroccan restaurant celebrates three years of satisfying food and tunes. There’ll be going all out with ten bands performing from four o’clock onwards – including sets from Randy Abel, the Hunters, Jordan Darling, Redundant Seconds, Dooder, and much more. Expect a BBQ on the terrace and plenty of drunken shenanigans throughout the afternoon and evening. And if that wasn’t enough, its 50% off all food all day long – so yeah, there’s goes your weekend. 60 RMB

Last Goodbye, Backspace, Uncle Hu at Yue Space

Blurred dreamy soundscapes, psychobilly vibing, and melodic melancholic Elliot Smith-styled storytelling – it’s a makeshift lienup of this year’s most promising contenders including shoegaze groovers Last Goodbye, indie rock renegades Backspace, and folk artist Uncle Hu. A very solid Sunday night outing. 60 RMB

Life Awaits, Ice Moon, CoupDeGrace, Fearless, Chaos Kills The Pain, Leviathan, Duskystar, 641 at Modernsky Lab

It’s a core-fest! Modernsky Lab sneaks in a stellar lineup of some of the core scene’s finest up and comers – from the emotive emocore rock of Life Awaits, to the rambunctious energy of Chaos Kills The Pain, the angst postcore rock of Ice Moon and the bonafide star power of Leviathan, who are in no way small fish – this is a jam packed lineup – one that wisely kicks off nice and early at 4pm. 120 RMB

Finger Family, Next Door Band, Black Mint, Mr. Deer at Yugong Yishan

Feel young again as ‘In Beijing Gang’ throws an party with the help of pop punk superstars Finger Family, fresh off their latest album and Japanese tour, indie pop outfit Next Door Band, as well as Black Mint and up and coming folk pop trope Mr. Deer. 150 RMB

Racoon Dog, Raven, Ringer, Ciel Errant, Shut Up N Listen, Foes, ShuKe He BoTa, ChangChang FanDiao at School

‘Campus Rock’ night at School Bar with an extensive rock n ready lineup of bands from across the university pool looking to cut their teeth and make a name for themselves. Who knows – you might just find this year’s biggest catch. 60 RMB

Katie Goes To Tokyo (Sweden) at DDC

Swedish singer/songwriter Kathrine Bergstrom brings her charming melodic pop tunes, reminiscent of The Cardigans to DDC. 100 RMB

Fofox, Zin, GaoGe, Jin YuHang at 69 Café

Folk singer-songwriters including Fofox and Zin take the cozy stage at 69 Café for an intimate evening of melodic storytelling. 60 RMB

The First Medal, Back, Miga, SuijiChen at Mars Club

Rock it out down on the Batong Line with these troublemakers looking to prolong their weekend. 60 RMB

Need a Name, Outspoken, Love Eye at Temple

Temple cover night! Witness three bands take the mantle and take turns plugging away at such classics from Iron Maiden, Halestorm, Rage Against The Machine, and the presidential Papa Roach. This is my last resort! FREE

The Big Wave, Qianchuan Drugstore, XianTong, Skin Bad at Central Academy of Fine Arts

Cold Neo, the label/promotion team that’s been steadily building quite the rep over the past two years, is going all in this next month with a series of shows across the country showcasing the team’s stock of bands and friends. It all kicks off tonight at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (just west of Chowenmen) at 6:30pm with auditorium performances from an array of bands – from juggernaut synth wave rockers The Big Wave, to up and coming (and fellow Fine Arts students) indie rock outfit Qianchuan Drugstore, there’s a bit of something for everyone. Must share their post and then a screenshot to the ColdNeo wechat (coldNEO) for a chance to get a ticket.

The post Weekend Update 这周末 03/24-03/36 first appeared on .

We’re pretty much reaching full capacity right now with shows folks – I count over forty gigs going down this weekend and I still had to leave a few out for the sake of my fingers. Whether you want to groove to instrumental electronic dream pop by way of Tokyo, celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with some genuine rock and roll hooligans, or check out a punk living legend – it’s a jam packed weekend – full of surprises, full of regrets, and full of musical encounters that might just make your day. Make the most of it.

MARCH 17^th

Miaou (JAP) at Yugong Yishan 

Tokyo-based post rock outfit Miaou ain’t your average post rock group – influenced by such greats as Telefon Tel Aviv and Boards of Canada, their music is closer to what some may call ‘instrumental electronic dream pop’ and utilizes everything from ‘swelling synths, spiraling melodies and IDM beats’ to create their soundscapes. The band swings through Yugong Yishan in spport of their latest album Drops. 180 RMB

Black Water, Free Sex Shop, Hugh Reed, End of the World at School 

School Bar celebrates every alcoholics’ ‘get out of jail free card’ day – St. Patrick’s Day – with music and drinking – two things that School Bar already specializes at. But with a tasty, whiskey-filled lineup like this it’s hard not to get excited. Beijing\’s preeminent Irish rockers, Black Water will be joining all-girl punk trope Free Sex Shop, ska punk mainstays End of the World and Scotland’s finest rocker Hugh Reed. Now that sounds like a proper St. Paddy’s to battle your liver with. 80 RMB

The Paper Tigers, Drunkard, Disaster Chat, Jokers Belief, Funky Monkey at Mao Livehouse 

In case you didn’t realize it, Mao Livehouse is alive and well, and to prove it they’re throwing down hard this St. Paddy’s Day with the second edition of the Shamrock Festival – with a lineup featuring funk- and soul-inflected rockers Jokers Belief; the steroidal power pop of Disaster Chat; Chinese neo-grungers, Drunkard; the eponymously descriptive Funky Monkey; and indie-rock dance punks, The Paper Tigers. Expect drinks deals on you guessed it – Jameson and Guinness – yum yum. 100 RMB

Su & The Paramecia at Yue Space 

After a long tour of more than 30 cities and almost 100 shows in 2016, Su and the Paramecia members went to England to study music and perform across the country. That two-months experience inspired Su on songwriting and his latest single, which he’ll be presenting tonight. It also marks the first time the artist tried to write an English song. Folk rock that soars I think its easy to saw we can expect big things from The Paramecia this year. 85 RMB

Djang San at Temple 

East-meets-West fusionist and veteran show stopper Djang San, self-proclaimed ‘re-inventor of Chinese classical instrument zhongruan, philosopher, poet, composer, guitar hero, DJ, one man orchestra, music pioneer and explorer of new sounds’ bring their hypnotic riotous music to the one and only Temple for a buck wild St. Paddy’s Day celebration. FREE

Papanosh (FR) at DDC 

With a sound devoted to groove, rhythmic group improvisation and the history of jazz language, the French avant-garde jazz outfit Papanosh bring a breath of fresh air to the genre of imaginary folklore and art ensemble of Chicago. Just looking at those outfits you can tell it’s gonna get lively and goofy real quick. 70 RMB

The Lake, Norcelement, Hell Gates, Mr. Snowman at 13 Club

Death metal and indie pop join forces for what is surely the greatest plot for a buddy cop movie. Playing the role for the happy go lucky ladies man is The Lake and Mr. Snowman, while the role for the long-haired hardened rebel without a cause will be played by none other than Hell Gates and Norcelement. Think of the customer fan base for a franchise like this! Oh and did I mention it’s a balloon war themed show. Just take my money already! 80 RMB

Rhonda, Giant Saint, Eluvia at Mars Club 

Math rock instrumental outfit bring the pain this weekend to Mars Club and joining them will be roots music trope Eluvia and dream pop duo Giant Saint, made up of members of By Dream and more. 80 RMB

Zhang Yide at Snail Hostel 

Join artist Zhang Yide at Snail Hostel for a preview of his national tour show – the singer-songwriter, a campus favorite, is back after a year away and he’s got new material to show for it. Expect some soulful lyrically rich acoustic rock. 70 RMB

Logic Lab, Fomalhaut, Goodbye Sunset, Rope Angel at Hot Cat Club 

Hot Cat Club gets nice and rowdy with a hardcore, metalcore, just about every core lineup that features Goodbye Sunset, Logic Lab, and more. Expect some shedding and boisterous breakdowns. 50 RMB

Fofox, Qi Ming, Zin at Mogu Space 

Fofox, Qi Ming and Zin will appear at Mogu Space will appear at Mogu Space to cover Zhang Chu’s groundbreaking album Shameful Left Alone, released ten years ago and has since served as inspiration to a whole generation of indie artists in China. 50 RMB

Chu Boren at Laifu Livehouse 

Shuanging’s Laifu Livehouse hosts up and coming hip hop artist Chu Boren who by the looks of it has an amazing bod. He and his bod will be throwing a hip-hop party with a slew of guests and friends including Sweater, Englishman, MC Crane, Jay Dub and DJ NinJaBlade. 80 RMB

Huang Yuqin, Shi Xioafei at Jianghu Bar

Known for her sincere and poetic lyrics, both delicate and strong, singer-songwriter Huang Yuqin joins Shi Xiaofei and her band for some heartwarming indie pop at the ever cozy Jianghu Bar. 60 RMB

The Hunters at Modernista 

One of Beijing’s best foreign cover bands The Hunters combine old school funk, soul, and rock classics with intoxicating delivery. FREE

MARCH 18^th

Mike Watt & The Missingmen (USA), Round Eye, Streets Kill Strange Animals, The Screaming Barbarellas at DDC 

Mike Watt, bassist and founder of the highly influential and pioneering punk bands The Minutemen and fIREHOSE (as well as bassman for reunited Iggy Pop & the Stooges) is embarking on his first ever tour of mainland China with his group The Missingmen alongside Shanghai\’s punk ruffians Round Eye, who certainly know a thing or two about rocking out with reckless abandon. Catch them at their Beijing stop along with post punk faves Streets Kill Strange Animals and The Screaming Barbarellas. Mayhem will ensue. 100 RBM

Chui Wan, Da Bang, 16 mins, Silt & Lotus, Ma Yuan at Mao Livehouse 

Speaking of Mao Livehouse not shutting down (which for anyone whose been following this column weekly knows by now) they’ve snuck in this week’s sleeper gig with a killer lineup featuring the return of some of Beijing’s best – psychedelic mood shifters Chui Wan, dance indie rock outfit Da Bang (who should have a new album any day now), the always alluring alternative rockers 16 mins, as well as grunge mainstays Silt & Lotus, and hard rockers Ma Yuan. Diverse set of sounds there with plenty of room for surprises – my kind of show. 150 RMB

Perpetual Motion Machine at Yue Space 

One of Beijing’s most underrated bands, Perpetual Motion Machine, whose traditional Chinese rock revisionism has kept folks enthralled and full for years, are back! The three piece band kick off their 14 city nation wide tour this evening at Yue Space in support of their latest rip-roaring EP which finds the band mixing in even more traditional Chinese elements all the while keeping the rock and roll rolling. 120 RMB

Purple Soul, Saber, Missy, Rtsunami, SouthSideSamurai, Jinsfake, DJ Quaver at Modern Sky Lab

Modern Sky Lab brings some of underground scene’s leading rappers and hip-hop artists to the stage – artists who blend American, Chinese and international elements to create something entirely uniquely. The lineup includes the ever prominent Purple Soul, as well as Saber, DJ Quaver, Rtsunami, Missy and much more. 150 RMB

Los Crasher, Scare the Children, The Glamor Manifesto, Old Leather, Click #15, Risky Joy, Last Stand Doer, Electric Lady, Tumor Boy at Yugong Yishan 

A host of classic rock-inspired acts hit the big stage for the Vigor Classic Rock Festival – with a hefty lineup that includes Los Crasher, Scare the Children, The Glamor Manifesto, Old Leather, Click #15, Risky Joy, Last Stand Doer, Electric Lady, Tumor Boy and other great local and foreign acts you can expect a crazy showcase featuring everything from industrial electro-rock, horror metal, stoner rock, to funk rock and more, each giving you that old time feeling of what rock and roll used to be and used to mean. 7pm start. 100 RMB

Chai Mi, thruoutin, Anita Pan at Honyo Contemporary Art Center 

Last year I had the pleasure of documenting Shui – Resonance of Water, the latest audio-visual theater project from rising artist Chai Mi, who I first noticed back in 2013 with her performance project The Sparrow and the Raven. Since then the artist has been busy, hitting up festivals across the globe, and dabbling in every art form imaginable. And on Shui, she has outdone herself once again – a multimedia feast for the ears and eyes that found Chai Mi teaming up with sound artists thruoutin and Anita Pan to create an ‘experimental theater’ exploring the theme of water in all its intricacies. You’ve never seen or heard anything quite like it – trust me – catch the performance at the 798 gallery. 7pm start.

Dongzi at Yugong Yishan 

One of the most influential artists in the folk scene, acclaimed Ningxia singer-songwriter Dongzi welcomes the spring with a special performance at Yugong Yishan. With a voice that’s rich, direct, tainted by melancholy while not too revealing, Dongzi’s music hits you like a ton of bricks. Expect a packed house for this one. 80 RMB

Rhonda, Macondo, Streams of Life at Temple

It’s an instrumental hoedown at Temple with three of the scene’s biggest hitting instrumental bands including math rock tinted hard rockers Rhonda, power post rock gliders Macondo, and post metal gallopers Streams of Life. Who needs lyrics?! FREE

Hard Candy Revolution, Time Street, 0190, Gentle Grape, Zhao Yuchen at School

Support the young rock and rollers of tomorrow with this \”China\’s Late Sleepers” themed evening that’ll feature a bit of everything – from female fronted glamrock band Hard Candy Revolution, 8-bit electro rockers Time Street, pop punk dudins 0190, as well as new school punk act Gentle Grape, and solo artist Zhao Yuchen. The evening doubles as a birthday party so expect some cake throwing and enough drinking games to keep you out of work till Tuesday. 80 RMB (40 RMB if you’re a Pisces)

Sound Sculpture at SOKARTMALL

The psychedelic ambient trope the Sound Sculpture bring their genre-shifting and multiple layered sound to 798’s SOKARTMALL as they’ll live soundtrack the 1934 Irish fictional documentary Man of Aran. 80 RMB (8:30 start)

Wang Wu, Jordan Darling, Sid Sidwal, Qi Ming, Nian at Mogu Space

Beijing’s favorite folk artists come to Xizhimen’s Mogu Space for the Mushroom Folk Festival including ‘wild-man’ Wang Wu, known for his unrestrained performances, indie songstress Jordan Darling, Nepalese singer-songwriter and Redundant Seconds frontman Sid Sidwal, vivid and moody guitarist Qi Ming and folk duo Nian. 70 RMB

Les R’tardataires (Belgium), LiA (Switzerland), Keith Kouna (Canada), KKC Orchestra (France), Napoleon Gold (Luxembourg) at Yugong Yishan 

Yugong Yishan hosts the latest Mars En Folie curataed by the French Cultural Union and featuring artists from around the Francophone area including Belgian hip-hop act Les R’tardataires who’ll kick off the event with Canadian folk singer Keith Kouna at 7pm. Later on Swiss rocker LiA and France’s KKC Orchestra, a hip-hop electro quartet will take the stage. 7pm start. FREE

Wang Shengnan, Nathan Borokfa, Wen Liang, Li Qin Nan at fRUITYSPACE

fRUITYSPACE gets intimate with an eclectic batch of solo artists whose talents are far reaching – from the indie pop swagger of Wang Shengnan, to the composer at heart skills of Wen Liang, the rocky folk fusing of Nathan Borofka, to even a Golden Melody Award winner, there’s something for everyone. 50 RMB

Elenore, Banana Fish, Big Magellan at Mars Club 

It’s a britpop heavy lineup tonight at the Batong Line venue – with the ever reliable Elenore leading the charge alongside am array of bands that bring back the good ol’ tunes of the UK. 80 RMB

Wedgecut, Dj Wild Wata, MC Rawhx, MC A.C.E., MC L-Force at Hot Cat Club 

Hip hop and reggae night at Hot Cat Club as ska and reggae outfit Wedgecut joins an array of MC’s ready to spit out bars as well as DJ Wild Wata who’ll keep the good vibes flowing throughout the night. FREE

Jasmine Monk at Snail Hostel

Folk musician Jasmine Monk whose ‘complex and textural acoustic guitar, harmonica, and own mellow voice’ has made hit a favorite returns to the petit Snail Hostel for a special spring showcase. 80 RMB

Nick Parsons, Wu Gui, Xu Jun, Chenianpo at 69 Café 

Chinese and American folk tales grace the stage tonight with this ragtag team of singer songwriters at 69 Café.

The Spice Cabinet at Modernsita 

‘The Spice Cabinet is the jazz machine that slices, dices and reworks every pop number into the frenzy of a pop modern dance beat of wonder’. FREE

MARCH 19^th

Alpine Decline, Lonely Leary at Yue Space 

After released the acclaimed LP \”Life\’s A Gasp\” last year (one of my top albums of 2016), the seminal dystopian outfit Alpine Decline moved back to sunny Los Angeles. Smartly waiting out the cold weather, the band returns to Beijing to record their next release and they’re gonna play a special performance at Yue Space for the occasion. The trio whose sound touches on everything from psych, shoegaze, and noise rock will be joined by Maybe Mars’ latest catch, post punk scrappers Lonely Leary. Killer Sunday evening right there. 80 RMB

Namo at DDC

Campus rock sensations Namo, a band that has captured the hearts of 80s born young adults continue in the vein of their high-spirited, infectiously catchy melodies has moved to the big leagues in recent years without losing a bit of their charm. Singing earnestly on the minute stories and themes which make up life in a contemporary China, with a tongue-in-cheek self-awareness that’s sincere above all else, the band gives a special showcase at DDC tonight – gonna get pretty crazy. 120 RMB

Nikola Mounoud, P.R.C.M, LG0000 at fRUITYSPACE 

Sound artist … aka Nikola Mounoud whose work focuses on the exploration in real time of analog, digital and hybrid feedbacks using a laptop computer and an analog mixer joins the People’s Republic of China mincer consisting of NOJIJI members Meizhiyong and Usisi and described ‘the most expressive harsh noise band in China’ and ‘will chop every inch of your bones and flesh usingt heir sound’. Yes please (for those of you dying to catch them P.R.C.M will be performing Tuesday and Wednesday as well) 40 RMB

Chaos Kills the Pain, Lost in Space, Goodbye Sunset, Three-Quarters Dead, Zeus at School Bar 

Transform into a howling monster this Sunday evening with this barn-burner of a showcase featuring some hard edged core music and metal – including hardcore up and comers Chaos Kills The Pain, post hardcore kids Lost in Space, metalcorers goodbyte Sunset, female fronted metal troupe Zeus and more. For those of you looking to exercise some demons. 70 RMB

Plateau, Russian Roulette, Malnutrition, AM Rock Band at Mars Club 

Mars Club continues to import the Gulou’s bag of rock bands with a not too shabby lineup featuring punk scrappers Russian Roulette, indie rock placeholder Plateau and much more. 60 RMB

Lattice, V89, Kuso Eyes, The Lake, Pati at Modernsky Lab 

Hard rock, indie pop, J-pop – the list goes on with this eceltic lineup at Modernsky Lab as they host an array of bands that have been working the circuit for years and are looking to break out this year. Best to ya! 100 RMB

Better Off Life, Re-X at Temple

Folk rock, groovy blues, and a Metallica cover band — who said Christmas doesn’t come early! FREE

Jurat, Zin, Nick Parsons at 69 Café

Local folk heroes Nick Parsons and Zin join Xinjiang raised singer songwriter Jurat whose mix of Urumqi and psychedelic rock has been a force on the scene for years. 60 RMB

The post Weekend Update 这周末 03/17-03/19 first appeared on .

Is it spring already? Thanks climate change! You’re the best! Not sure if I should cry or simply think back and enjoy the rapidly shifting weather patterns but either way there’s no excuse anymore to not trek out into the hutongs and streets of Beijing looking for that latest earworm to penetrate and overrun your neurons. From celebrating one of the city’s longest running record stores, to getting down with the underground sounds of Russia, there’s plenty of notes and chords to ingest this frighteningly warm weekend.

FRIDAY MARCH 10^th

DJ Quaaver, Saber, N-Bomb, FrankiD, Shuang Bang Er, Jiao Jin at Yue Space

Indie Music Store – one of Beijing’s longest running record stores celebrates six years of slinging CDs, tapes, vinyl, and record players (it’s where I got mine) with a three-day extravaganza at Yue Space. Night one gets intimate with the hip hop and rap sounds from a variety of the city’s MCs and rappers including Saber, N-Bomb, Shuang Bang Er, and more. 150 RMB (w/drink)

The Fallacy at Modernsky Lab

Hard hitting post punk outfit The Fallacy, from Xi’an, hit up Beijing in support of their new album, Uneasiness. Expect throbbing rock and roll weaved with poetic lyrics from the likes of a mad doctor – full of philosophical thoughts about life and death. Dopeness. 80 RMB

The Flyx, The Rope Angle, The Demonstrators at Mars Club

So put this on your bucket list – get out to Batong Line and check out Mars Club already – cause these cats are starting to put together some seriously alluring lineups. Tonight goes all in on punk with a Mohawk-ready lineup featuring the always reliable The Flyx, the Rope Angel, and The Demonstrators. 60 RMB

Dry River, Sequoian Aequison at DDC

Moscow based instrumental post rock outfit Dry River bring their deep emotional soundscapes to DDC alongside post metal trope Sequoian Aequison – big sounds out of China’s big neighbor to the north. 120 RMB

Wu & the Side Effects, Royal as Purple at Temple

Unsung heroes of the blues rock scene, Wu and the Side Effects are set to release their second album this coming year but till they’re bringing their acid funk good times to Temple alongside electro pop outfit Royal as Purple. FREE

Pill Couple (RUS), Anoshkin (RUS) at Hot Cat Club

Get down to Hot Cat Club to bask in the sounds of the Russian Underground with dark wave synthpop outfit Phil Couple and surf rock post jazz’ trope Anoshkin – two bands with incredibly unique sounds that’ll have your ears perking in no time. FREE

Eluvia, Mr. Freeman at Jianghu Bar

Playing rock and roll, with country, reggae and modern Chinese folk elements, Eluvia brings together the best of Western and Chinese traditions. And following them after 10:30, the Belgian-Chinese blues rock outfit Mr. Freeman will play a free showcase. 60 RMB/FREE

Disaster Chat, The Hunters, The Game Gurus, Horse Feather at School

4 sick bands, drinks flowing, great night of music, going to be a fun time – that’s what you’re gonna get according to School Bar as Disaster Chat, The Hunters, The Game Gurus, and Horse Feather. 60 RMB

Roy McGrath Sextet performJohn Coltrane’s classic BLUE TRAIN from 1958. The evening also featured a solo art exhibit and live painting by visual artist Sarah Mueller.

Roy McGrath at Modernista

Modernista gets lively as they host the Roy McGrath China Tour – ‘a Chicago Latin Jazz Experience with Roy McGrath on Sax, Jonathon Wenzel on Drums, Kitt Lyles on Bass and Bill Cessna on Piano’. Bring your dancing shoes. FREE

Liu Yaodong at 6677 Bar

A member of the Wuhai people from Inner Mongolia, Liu Yaodong spent his early years in Guangdong and has worked as a guitar and piano player for several years – now he’s ready to express his ideas in lyrical form. 60 RMB

Symbiz (Germany) and friends at Yugong Yishan

Ghetoo Bass from Berlin! Symbiz is best described as Germany’s answer to Major Lazer. With family from China, they grew up in Berlin, was influenced by Jamaican reggae, dancehall and African music as well as dubstep and other influences. Join they alongside guests Blood Dunza, and Raddam Raz. 150 RMB

SATURDAY MARCH 11^th

Nova Heart, Glow Curve, The Big Wave, Siberia Cocklebur at Yue Space

It’s indie rock night for Indie Music Store’s second evening of festivities and boy have them rounded up a killer lineup including the ever evolving dark wave disco queen Nova Heart, post rock shapeshifters Glow Curve, synth new wave party animals The Big Wave and indie poppers Siberia Cocklebur. Some serious big hitters here at the Beixinqiao joint. 150 RMB (w/drink)

Gate to Otherside, Rhonda, December3am, The White Paper at School

Volume 18 of School Bar’s ‘Keep Calm and Fly On’ series and they’ve snagged a hell of a lineup that includes spacey rock trio Gate to Otherside, who’ll be releasing their debut later this month, as well as the undeniable post-kraut rock duo december3am, as well as instrumental math rockers Rhonda, and post punk scoundrels The White Papers. 50 RMB

Sleepmakeswaves (AUS), Macondo at Yugong Yishan

New Noise presents Australia’s biggest instrumental post-rock quartet Sleepmakeswaves who’ll be embarking on a nine city tour of China in support of their new album – the band over the past decade has grown to become one of the most prominent post-rock bands touring all over the world with bands such as Tortoise and Mono. Expect a packed house of post rock fans geeking out so hard. Opening support from Beijing’s own Macondo. 150 RMB

Pill Couple (RUS), Anoshkin (RUS) at Caravan

Get down to Caravan to bask in the sounds of the Russian Underground with dark wave synthpop outfit Phil Couple and surf rock post jazz’ trope Anoshkin – two bands with incredibly unique sounds that’ll have your ears perking in no time. FREE

Residence A, Big Magellan, Self Portrait, Penicillin at Mao Livehouse

The Pumpkin No. 1 label welcomes four bands to the stage including indie U2-inspiring rockers Residence A, chivalrous britpoppers Penicillin, Big Magellan and Self Portrait. Looks of swooning, big hooks, and heartfelt melodies – expect the place to be jam packed with the wide-eyed (aka not yet jaded) youth of China. 120 RMB

Wang Tong at Lei Theatre (Workers Stadium)

Renowned pianist Wang Tong will play a special, unamplified concert at the Lei Theatre for children and their families. The pianist and other members of the ensemble will explain the pieces they play, guiding children to love classical music and the piano with works by Bach, Chopin, Mozart and Clayderman. Wang Tong is the real deal folks! 60-180 RMB

Ogenix, Fomalhaut, Goodbye Sunset at Temple

Blast away those emotions with this gut-busting night of metal brought to you by Temple – featuring electro metal outfit Ogenix, prog metal ids Fomalhaut, and post hardcore band Goodbye Sunset. Bring your earplugs cause its gonna get loud. FREE

Default, Silent Speech, Mother of Small Lucy at Mars Club

Campus rock and roll with some bite – shoegaze outfit Default joins alternative indie rockers Silent Speech and more for some mischief down by the Communications University. 60 RMB

Toy Soliders, Double Blade, Ghetto Blaster, Mandela, Pulse Doppler at 13 Club

Five bands look to get folks nice and humid about spring and with the amount of hormones that’ll surely be running amuck this evening at the Wudaoku hotspot, you might just catch some spring fever. 80 RMB

Ding Yuan, Grass Jam at DDC

Rising female folk singer-songwriter, fresh off the release of her latest album Flowers, brings her strong and pristine voice to DDC alongside upbeat folk pop collective Grass Jam. 80 RMB

Hou Kang, Kaile at Blue Stream Bar

Indie sensibility with folk serenading – it’s time to swing by the Gulou mainstay for a lil folk action. 50 RMB

Mosiac at Modernsky Lab

Chengdu dance rockers bring their youthful enthusiasm and riotous stage presence to Modernsky Lab in support of their newest album as they hit the road across a whopping nineteen cities. 80 RMB

Xue Ting, Wang Yuguang at Jianghu Bar

Take two for some awesome shadow puppetry as musician Xue Ting joins shadow puppet artist Wang Yuguang on stage at Jianghu Bar for a concert that combines a new take on the traditional Chinese art of shadow puppetry, with a new take on traditional Chinese music, blending traditional instruments from home with new ones from abroad, like the digeridoo. 60 RMB

Liu Donghong, Qi Ming, Fofox at 69 Cafe

Singer-songwriters Liu Donghong (frontman of folk blues band Sand), Qi Ming and Fofox get down at 69 Café for a laissez-faire folk night. 66 RMB

Tian Sida, Zhang Lanfang at Mogu Space

Liaoning singer-songwriter Zhang Lanfang joins champion campus singe Tian Sida for an evening of soulful, melodic acoustic story telling. 60 RMB (7pm start)

Carlo, Michael, Andrew at Mogu Space

Further into the evening Mogu Space brings you two musicians who don’t need last names – Michael and Carlo. American pianist Carlo (of the Harridans and Djang San) and acoustic countrymen Michael, better known as half of Interracial Staple. 60 RMB (9pm start)

SUNDAY MARCH 12^th

St.ol.en at Modernsky Lab

Chengdu breakouts St.ol.en appear at ModernSky Lab to preview material from their new album. Since their debut release, the synth-heavy electro rock post punks have been busy evolving their sound ever further – catch a preview of that evolution tonight. 100 RMB

The Samans, Deep Mountains, Never Before, Chu Ge at Yue Space

Day three of Indie Music Store’s six year celebration goes for the kill with an epic metal lineup featuring some top notch talent including Tai’an atmospheric black metal outfit Deep Mountains, as well as sludge metallers Never Before, and much much more. 150 RMB

Greta Now (AUS), Zhang Shouwang, The Dice!, Zhao Cong at fRUITYSPACE

Australian indie singer-songwriter Greta Now brings it down a notch with some other offbeat characters at fRUITYSPACE including Carsick Cars frontman Zhang Shouwang, Zoomin Night’ regular Zhao Cong and psychedelic soundsmiths The Dice. (plus a lecture on dada machines starting at 8pm for you sound nerds out there) 50 RMB

Qianchuan Drugstore, Plateau, By Dream, Elvis Fucx at School

Get psycho this Sunday with an offbeat, eclectic lineup at School featuring alt art rockers Qianchuan Drugstore, psychedelic poppers Plateau, post rock foursome By Dream, and more. 40 RMB

Near-Death Experience, Toxic Waste, Dressed to Kill, Hierarchy, Eclipsia at Mao Livehouse

Need a little thrash metal to spice up your life? Can’t hold off till Trash China? Well, Metal Mania has you covered with a thrash-filled lineup that mixes everything from black rock to even heavier metal. Brutalize your Sunday! 80 RMB

Free Sex Shop, V89, Dressed To Kill, Wireless Puppet at Mars Club

Mars Club refuses to dial it in this Sunday with an explosive punk-filled, hard rocking lineup featuring all girl punx group Free Sex Shop, aerobatic hardcore outfit Dressed to Kill and more. 80 RMB

Anoshkin, Roy McGrath at DDC

‘Post-latino, shoe-jazz’ outfit Anoshkin, who hail from Russia join the Roy McGrath jazz trope for some righteous otherworldly jazz sounds that’ll have you up and at em. 60 RMB

Anton Anoshkin at Temple

Need some more (here’s the full breakdown from all the publications) post-lation/post-jazz/shoegaze/surf-rock from the Vladivostok outfit – well they’re be hitting up Temple for some more zaniness. FREE

Nick Parsons, Nathan Borofka, Nian at 69 Café

Local folk heroes Nick Parsons and Nathan Borofka join forces for some acoustic storytelling alongside up and coming folk duo Nian. 60 RMB

The post Weekend Update 这周末 03/10-03/12 first appeared on .

With February just a distant memory its time to roll out the main course with a massive helping of gigs, showcases, and escapades on the menu this weekend. Electronic tomfoolery, big indie sounds out of Japan, and even a few releases to get revved up about – it’s looking like March is getting off to a good start.

FRIDAY MARCH 3^rd

Mr. Honey, Los Crashers, Ramblin’Roze, Elenore and ByebyeNoise at Mao Livehouse

For those looking for a bit of that crunchy LA and Manchester sound – Mao Livehouse is hosting some of the hardest influenced rockers out there. From the loose bluesy rock of Los Crasher to the new wave britpop aplomb of Elenore, to even the swing-infused big band fun of Mr. Honey, there’s a lot of eras receiving fair play here. 100 RMB

Braids (Canada) at DDC

Montreal three piece shoegaze art rock outfit bring their Juno Award winning sound which combines ‘stunning vocals, powerful drumming, and tasteful electronics, warped and sewn together with widescreen warmth and full-bodied punch’ to DDC – color me intrigued. 120 RMB

WHAI, 16 mins, By Dream at Temple

WHAI is back folks – and they’ve brought a few friends with them this time round including indie alt rockers 16 mins, fresh off a strong 2016, and By Dream, the post rockers looking to hit it big this year. FREE

Wu and the Side Effects at Jianghu Bar

Unsung heroes of the blues rock scene, Wu and the Side Effects are set to release their second album this coming year – but before then they’ll be bringing it tonight at Jianghu Bar where they’ll ‘fuse blues, funk, rhythm and gospel’ together into a wicked concoction. 60 RMB

The Lake, Rhythm Traveller, Zhang Ling, Churen Huaiyu, Li Guoliang, Liu Shang, Little Wave Organization, Hou Muren at Yue Space

Hit up Yue Space for this epic charity event geared toward hearing impaired children around China – with a slew of acts ranging from indie pop outfit The Lake to singer-songwriter Liu Shang, as well as an array of child acts, expect a packed house donating to a good cause. 100-160 RMB

4 Channel Club, anxt, Fei Jiao at fRUITYSPACE

Get loose with these ‘off the beaten track’ electronic artists including 8-bit soundscaper 4 Channel Club, field recording laced hip-hop courtesy of anxt (of Macondo), and the lead singer of the Peppercorns who’ll hopefully be bringing his theremin. 50 RMB

Rookiez is Punk’d (JP) at Yugong Yishan

Japanese artists Rookiez is Punk’d are, as their name implies, a punk band. The band hit their big break in 2010, when one of their songs was featured in the anime Headless Knight, Different Smell. They’ve been going strong ever since, touring around the world and bridging the anime and punk communities. 200 RMB

Fathoms (UK) at School

UK metalcore band Fathoms have been riding strong since their formation in 2010 and the five piece isn’t showing any signs of slowing down as they embark on an eight city tour of China. With already plenty of street cred back at home and aboard expect them to tear down the house. 100 RMB

December3am at Mogu Space

December3am has a style that’s best described as experimental krautrock. The duo is made up of members of the Inner Mongolian folk rock outfit Horse Radio, and their music is dark, hauntingly beautiful, and unpredictable and frankly, unlike anything you’ve heard before. 66 RMB

Goodbye Sunset, Time So Fast, Lucky & Kiss, Lost in Space, Streams of Life at 13 Club

Core Alliance shows off their best artists at the Wudaoku center for music with a hefty lineup featuring hardcore, punk, and fast paced metal that’ll surely have the kids rocking late into the night. 80 RMB

1099 (Norway) at Modernsky Lab

Norwegian post-rock group 1099 kick off their first, nine-city Chinese tour at Modern Sky Lab. ‘Instrumental music that melds earthshaking bass and melancholy topline’ you know where to find the post rock kids tonight. 100 RMB

L+R, J.R.G, Hielektromen, Beijing Eastside Jam Squad at REC Room

A bit of underground electronica sneaking into our update – over in Sanlitun local label Ran Music present their latest comp with some of the best house and techno producers including live sets from L+R, J.R.G, Hielektromen, and Beijing Eastside Jam Squad. FREE

Kuso Eyes, X-Summer, Cha at Mars Club

Rock it out with the beautiful students of the Communications University as the freshly minted Batong line venue hosts a trio of up and coming rockers including the melodic emo rockers Kuso Eyes. 3 RMB

An Sangjie, Yi Latu at Music Barn

The Music Barn just a bit east of Tuanjiehu, presents an evening of traditional Tibetan and Mongolian folk music, performed by Tibetan singer An Sangjie, known as the ‘king’ of Tibet, and Yi Latu, a master qin player. New digs, good gig – count me in. 60 RMB

Zhang Qianqian at 69 Café

Veteran sing-songwriter Zhang Qianqian, a staple of the folk scene since her debut in 1996, gives a special showcase courtesy at 69 Café. 80 RMB

SATURDAY MARCH 4^th

The fin (JP) at Yugong Yishan

Tooted as ‘one of the most exciting indie bands to emerge out of Japan’ The fin are indeed a band that seems destined to find global success. With a sound that’s a cross between Phoenix and Toro y Moi – a intoxicating blend of synth-pop, chill wave and dream pop – the young band has been making headway since their appearance at SXSW last year and are hitting up Beijing in support of their latest release Through the Deep. 150 RMB

LaiSee, Gum Bleed, The Twenties, The Diders, Secret Club, The Hotline at School

Local label and promotion group D.O.G. return with their stockpile of bands and are ready to tear School Bar a new one with an explosive lineup featuring all your favorites – punk heroes Gum Bleed, 90s alt garage rockers The Twenties, hardcore ruffians Laisee and much more. Expect an evening of debauchery as per usual. 100 RMB

The Paper Tigers, INXU, Feng Di, OOC at DDC

One of Beijing’s best kept secrets, The Paper Tigers, will celebrate the release of their first single and accompanying music video with a supporting hand from some hard hitting bands including post rock soundtrackers INXU, hard rock rocketeers OOC, and more. 60 RMB

The Mountain High, Hegjitu at La Plantation

The folk music of the US mountains meets the Mongolian grasslands as Appalachian roots explorers The Mountain High team up with the original horse-head fiddler of Hanggai and frontman for Ajinai, Hegjiltu, to play an all-acoustic show blending the two traditions. Sounds pretty awesome to me. 150/200 RMB

thruoutin, Major at REC Room

Some more underground electronica to dip your toes in. Day two of Ran Music’s release party in Sanlitun – the evening includes live sets from thruoutin, Major, and more in support of the label’s latest sexy compilation. FREE

Die From Sorrow, Darknage, Ephemerality, Nuclear Fusion, The Uncrowned at Mao Livehouse

Metal heads be getting some at this earth-shattering line-up at Mao with headliners Growing Calamity joining Die From Sorrow, Darknage, Ephemerality, Nuclear Fusion and The Uncrowned for a night of dark and violent heavy metal that may just give you the willies. 130 RMB

NZT, Zhen Ren, Better Off Alive at Hot Cat Club

Justin Richardson, whose been active in the scene in China for nearly twenty years, will screen a trailer for his new zany TV series about the scene, Subtrainian, at Hot Cat Club alongside live performances from NZT, Zhen Ren, and Better Off Alive. FREE

Wu Ning Yue at Snail Club

Frontman for Ningxia folk rock legneds Buyi goes solo at the acoustic hideaway Snail Club for a concert in honor of man’s best friend. Performance fees will go toward supporting legislation against the sale of dog and cat meat for human consumption, and as well as providing homes for Beijing’s homeless dogs and cats. Expect warm banter and even warmer folk tunes. 80 RMB

Yang Lang Lang & The Frogs at Jianghu Bar

Well-known singer, composer and lyricist, who’s worked with Chinese pop royalty in his past life, appears on stage in support of his new solo album, Big World, with back-up band The Frogs. 60 RMB

Zhang Zhi, Xiao Pu, Li Jin, Jasmine Monk at Modernsky Lab

Some urban folk heavy hitters take the stage tonight at Modernsky Lab including Xinjiang musician Zhang Zi, whose world music with the Travellers has won much acclaim as well as Xiao Pu, Li Jin, and Jasmine Monk. 100 RMB

Windsor Forest, Mr. Freedom, Time Capsule, Rhythm Traveler at Mars Club

Mars Club gets down with some of the hottest bands in the indie pop scene including urban folkster Windsor Forest, Belgian-Chinese rockers Mr. Freedom, the dreamy Time Capsule, and guitar keyboard duo Rhythm Traveller. 80 RMB

Carlo, Ani and Nick at 69 Café

American guitarist and indie rocker Carlo (The Harridans, Djang San) is joined by Swiss singer-songwriter and guitarist Ani, and retro, psychedelic loving Nick Parsons. 66 RMB

Gong Zhao, Xiao Su, Qi Ming at Mogu Space

A night of indie ballads from these female champs including Miss Mix lead singer Gong Zhao. 66 RMB

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The poster says it all. Enter at your own risk. FREE

SUNDAY MARCH 5^th

A.Borealis, Wang Shengnan, Jordan Darling, Ani, Oldy Baby, Inko di Ö, Sofia Huang, Joy Stuhr, Djang San at DDC

Handicrafts, jewelry, poetry, story telling, art performances, and live music – where else can you have it all than DDC where the eighth edition of ‘An Art Show’ takes place with an array of performers of all ilk joining female entrepreneurs and poets in celebration of the upcoming Women’s Day. 60 RMB

Rhonda, D.CORTISOL, Star at Temple

Temple shakes things up this Saturday with some fresh faces, like the mysterious experimental posters D.Cortisol, alongside sharp instrumentalists Rhonda and more. FREE

Asaka Pharmacy, Gentle Grapes, Glasses Man of Song Dynasty, MC Webber at School

Celebrate Jingzhe aka the beginning of Spring with this slick lineup featuring some of the scene’s up and comers, who made not be household names now, but are already proving their worth including scrappy indie rockers Asaka Pharmacy. 80 RMB (w/ beer)

Bluso Rap Team, Longjin, T.O.B, Mr. Honey at Yue Space

Reggae meets hip hop with this spring welcoming, red hot lineup featuring swing favorites Mr. Honey, reggae pop outfit Longjin, rap collective Bluso and more. Sounds like a proper winter send off. 80 RMB

Read, Floating, Diffuse, My Friend at Modernsky Lab

Beijing University of Technology in da house!!!!! Support some homegrown university talent as four bands take the stage this afternoon performing everything from folk rock to violin-infused experimentalism. 50 RMB

Yi Chen, Xin Yi at Mogu Space

Known for their brisk tempos and rich melodies join Yi Chen, lead singer and guitarist of the band V89 and Xin Yi, the lead singer and guitarist of Lattice at the Xizhimen space. 60 RMB

Fofox, Qi Ming, Zin, Ho Nam at 69 Café

69 Café hosts a Sunday folk night with four great artists whose influences include Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, and Bach. 60 RMB

Vatican Ink at Snail Hostel

Together since 2008, when they released their first single and online hit ‘Sad Canon’, indie rockers Vatican Ink appear at Snail Hostel. 80 RMB

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