Gotta put it to ya December – you ain’t so bad. Give or take a few days where I can’t see past my neighboring apartment building and end up in the fetal position under my sofa crying, it’s been a pretty chill month. It certainly helps that the gigs just keep on coming. And this weekend’s no different. In fact, it’s downright sexy. Keep up the good work December – here’s your weekend gig guide.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 16^th

Birdstriking, Mr. Graceless, Agroaphobia at Yue Space

The Mentha Project, a European-Chinese platform briding the two cultural industries, invites Maybe Mars darlings Birdstriking (inching closer and closer toward their much anticipated sophomore release) and Mr. Graceless (a band that hasn’t played Beijing in quite some time) to the ‘new nucleus’ of Beijing rock – Yue Space – for some fun alongside up and coming band Agoraphobia. 100 RMB

Rhonda, Division Control, Silent Speech, SNSOS at School

The ‘Keep Calm and Fly On’ series returns for its 17^th edition of tunes to get lost in with a fresh lineup featuring some of the scene’s new hopefuls, including atmospheric indie rock outfit Silent Speech and Tianjin post punk scrappers Division Control who’ll join post rock darlings SNSOS and math rock ballers Rhonda. 50 RMB

Sparrow at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center

Had a chance to check out the Tianqiao venue last week and it’s the real deal – big space, killer sound, and no neighbors to bitch and moan. And it looks like they have an even bigger space next door – a proper theater actual where they’ll host sublime post rock soundscapers Sparrow, a band that hit it big last year and have been soaring high since. 100-580 RMB

Misako Oshiro (JP) + Huun Huur Tu at DDC

DDC doubles down this every with an ethically rich evening showcasing two very diverse cultures. First up will be two performances (one at 5pm and one at 7pm) from Misako Oshiro, one of the greatest singers of Ryukyu Folk – a classical Japanese style of singing and dancing. After catching the ‘voice of silk thread’ stick around to see the living mythologies aka Huun Huur Tu, who multi-national ensemble who look to bridge languages and cultures in their lush music – from Tuvan throat singing to Uzbek percussion, to Uyghur vocalizing. They’ll kick off their Space Oasis tour tonight. Misako Oshiro (150 RMB) Huun Huur Tu (80 RMB)

WHAI, Motorbike Girls at Caravan

Head over to Beijing’s Diplomatic corner and stir up some trouble as Caravan plays hosts to powerhouse electro rock favorites WHAI and psychedelic garage rock trio Motorbike Girls. 50 RMB

The Glamour Manifesto, Backspace, december3am at Temple

Three wildly different bands bring the pain and glory to Temple with a hot red lineup featuring Italian electro rockers The Glamour Manifesto, jangly indie rockers Backspace, and krautrock duo december3am. FREE

Brickleberry, The White Pages, FM.E. The Pace of Time, Devil Mask, Bounty at Mao Livehouse

The Gulou staple goes back to basics with a rock and roll heavy lineup featuring some of the scene’s newest members, each looking to break into the multiverse come 2017. 60 RMB

Humbert Humbert (JP) at Tango

Japanese folk duo formed in 1999 with Ryousei Sato and Yuho Sano present their latest hit album FOLK – Japanese vocal harmonies and heart on your sleeve folk ballads. 280 RMB

Uncle Hu, Nick Parsons, Liu Yusi at Mogu Space

Folk singer songwriters Uncle Hu, Nick Parsons, Liu Yusi and other take the small stage to pay tribute to the greats. 60 RMB

Tairan Ashura at Omni Space

Chinese pop group, formerly Asura, who formed in the heydays of 1998 in Chengdu, present their latest electronic dance driven EP Nice To Meet You at the new Tianqiao space. 100 RMB

The Losers, Ramblin Roze’ at Hot Cat Club

Hard rock covers – all night baby. Relive the 90s and 80s over on Fangjia Hutong and don’t be surprised if you find yourself raging out with the best of them. FREE

The Lunatic Moires at Jianghu Bar

The Lunatic Moires, a tribal bellydance tribe based in Beijing, revisit the tradition of the HAFLA, meaning “party” in Arabic, by connecting it to the special vibes of the full moon. After a introduction to the tribe, it’s leader Inko will teach American Tribal Style (ATS) bellydance, and together we shall participate in a collective dance. Tonight’s theme – 1001 Nights! Rad. 50 RMB

Wootacc, Murukao, DJ Fake at fRUITYSPACE

Digging the eclectic diversity of fRUITYSPACE more and more as it gives the hip hop scene a home away from home rapper Wootacc, producer Murukao, DJ Fake and more take turns spinning. FREE

The Groove Collective at Modernista

Feel the soul and fun-loving funk of the long-standing vibers The Groove Collective at the ever lively Modernista on Baochao Hutong. FREE

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SATURDAY DECEMBER 17^th

SMZB at Yugong Yishan

SMZB continue their 2016 tear – between massive tours both here and aboard and a killer new LP, The Chinese Are Coming, already a critical darling, the Wuhan based Celtic punk band has been having quite the year – especially considering it’s their 20th year as a band. Unafraid to poke the embers of racism, nationalism, and mass fear in China, the band is probably the nation’s most genuine punk band there is. 100 RMB

Xiao He at Yue Space

Not keen on ‘being a slave to records’ renowned folk singer-songwriter Xiao He went ahead and put together his latest work differently – an ‘Echo Action’ where he travelled across 13 cities, collaborating over social media and in person on various new tracks with fellow artists, musicans, and fans. The artist celebrates that one wild year tonight with discussions, video presentations, and of course, a heck ton of singing. Xiao He’s boss in my book – so expect something quite amazing. 120 RMB

Nekroma, Rhonda, Never Before at Temple

Theatrical cosmic art rock duo Guiguisuisui and hard-edged instrumental outfit Nakoma, two of Beijing’s finest, join forces for something unruly and downright awesome – Nekroma – they’ll ‘create dark and doomy soundscapes themed around immoral acts, environmental destruction, and misguided faith. Adding to the pitch black undertones will be post rock maestros Rhonda and stoner metal renegades Never Before. Holy hell, that’s gonna get crazy. FREE

Nine Treasures at Tango

Inner Mongolian pagan metal outfit Nine Treasures continue their reign of terror after a jampacked year which saw them in Europe and beyond. Expect a culture blend of influences and a horse whipping frenzy of moshing as the band prepares to unleash their newest LP. 150 RMB

Octopoulpe (France/South Korea), Le Crabe (France), Digou (Wuhan), Klaus Legal (Mali) at School  

A grab bag of acid-inducing, musical mayhem of the highest order – the multi-national circus returns to Beijing for one last stop. Featuring the theatrical mummified (or Trumpified according to one audience member in Chengdu) angular rock of Digou, to the awe inspiring one man band Octopoulpe, who played perfectly in sync with his video-only bandmates (all the same character mind you), to the epileptic techno mind erasing of Klaus Legal, and finally the schizoid bastard electronica maelstrom of Le Crabe, there’s something for everyone. If by everyone, you mean that neighbor of yours who never quite survived that acid trip back in 89’. 50 RMB

Deep Mountains, Purple Hell, Alcor, Tumour Boy, The Dark Prison Massacre, Spirit Trance, Dark Lake, Narakam at Mao Livehouse

Mort Productions, who specialize in all things heavy, celebrate 15 years of keeping it black with an all out rager at Mao Livehouse featuring as you might have guessed, some heavy hitters, including Tai’an atmospheric black metal outfit Deep Mountains, veterans Narakam, as well as Alcor, Tumour Boy, and The Dark Prison Massacre, another recent find that is as brutal as you’d imagine. For those who are looking for some authentic soul crashing rock and roll.

Mojo Hand w/ Shun Kikuka at Jianghu Bar

Chicago Bluesman Shun Kikuka has played with Blues greats including B.B. King, Koko Taylor, James Cotton and Otis Rush, and has played at blues festivals around the world, including the legendary Chicago Blues Festival. Over the past two years, he has turned his focus to deepening the blues tradition in China and has played around the countries. He appears with Mojo Hand, a Texas-style blues band heavily influenced by the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan. 150 RMB

Toy Soldiers, In Sensitive, Lost In Space, FM.E, Heping Beilu, Heartland at DDC

Post hardcore, emo rock, funk jazz, and hard rock – no genre goes untouched this evening at DDC as a horde of young, energetic bands take the stage. 60 RMB

Li Qinzhan, Wang Shengnan at Hao Shi Hao Se Culture Space  

Two indie pop singer-songwriters, including the ever-busy Wang Shengnan perform at the NLGX located culture center. 50 RMB

Living Mythologies at Mars Livehouse

The Living Mythologies aka Huun Huur Tu, who multi-national ensemble who look to bridge languages and cultures in their lush music – from Tuvan throat singing to Uzbek percussion, to Uyghur vocalizing. They’ll kick off their Space Oasis tour this weekend. 80 RMB

Chinatown at Omni Space

Wildly popular hip hop collective (with just the right amount of nu metal to make you remember its not 1999) present their latest at the newly opened Omni Space. 100 RMB

Hip Hop Party at MOMA Post Mountain Space

Get ready for a massive night of Beijing style hip-hop featuring the Beijing Dungeon crew! MCs, DJs, beat-boxers, and more including Dungeon Beijing crew, CashBros, FrankiD VAVA, Pact, and much more – if you’re looking for some authentic homegrown hip hop this is the place to be. 200 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

Liu Donghong at 69 Cafe

Blues breathing folk-turned renegade Liu Donghong brings his popular homegrown style to the petite 69 Cafe. 60 RMB

Liang Zi at Snail Hostel

Join singer-songwriter Liang Zi for the debut of his album Big Screen as he\’s joined by special guests – expect soulful guitar arrangements and songs about life on the cozy Snail Hostel stage. 60 RMB

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 18^th

 

80’s Revolver, Golden Rum at School

In the midst of a 15 city trek through China dubbed the \”Now or Never\” tour, Harbin hard rock outfit 80\’s Revolver play at School for their last stop – send this hard rocking grunge foursome back home to Harbin with a wild last show. 50 RMB

Rie Fu (JP) at Tango

Tokyo-based Japanese singer-songwriter Rie Fu brings her madly popular bilingual ballads to Tango. Have no idea who this lady is but looking at that price tag – she’s gotta mean business. 200 RMB (second floor) 300 RMB (third floor)

Dragon Jazz Quartet at Hot Cat Club

All the way from Guangzhou comes the Dragon Jazz Quartet – the hottest quartet in southern China. Let their sweet grooves warm you right up. FREE

Yang Zhongguo at 69 Café

Xi\’an Conservatory of Music graduate and a prominent figure in the underground scene there, Yang Zhongguo gives a final performance at 69 Café. 80 RMB

The Nightcrawlers at Temple

Feel the Chicago blues as The Nightcrawlers get down at Temple to ease away those weekend blues. FREE

Mojo Hand w/ Shun Kikuka at Jianghu Bar

Chicago Bluesman Shun Kikuka has played with Blues greats including B.B. King, Koko Taylor, James Cotton and Otis Rush, and has played at blues festivals around the world, including the legendary Chicago Blues Festival. Over the past two years, he has turned his focus to deepening the blues tradition in China and has played around the countries. He appears with Mojo Hand, a Texas-style blues band heavily influenced by the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan. 2:30pm start/200 RMB

Xu Yan, Wang Yalun, Zhang Weiqi, Chen Yusheng, Lin Shiyu at DDC

It’s a classical folk gathering at DDC as a gaggle of classical trained folk artists and singer-songwriters take the stage including Xu Yan, Wang Yalun, and Zhang Weiqi. Expect to see a bunch of instrumental pros using everything from erhus to violins. 60 RMB

Bike (Taiwan) at Chen Livehouse

Taiwanese rock n roll representatives Bike bring their polished charm to the new 798 district venue – genuine indie pop that goes down nice and easy. 4pm start/50 RMB

Tobias Elof (Denmark) at Snail Hostel

Tobias Elof is a Danish ukelele player, who studied under the Canadian ukelele virtuoso, Juno Award-nominated James Hill. Elof appears at the Snail Hostel to wow audiences with his signature bright, clear ukelele stylings, playing Hawaiian and reggae classics. 50 RMB