Weekend Update (29/01-31/01)

One last gasp! It’s that time of year again when Beijing goes into a deep freeze and takes a break from being, well, Beijing. And with that comes the absence of anything music related. So please, folks get out there. Cause it’s gonna be slim pickings come Chinese New Year. Here’s your weekend update.

 

Friday January 29^th

 

Tulegur at Caravan

Moroccan food heaven Caravan continue giving music lovers the perfect excuse to head down to Jiangguomen. Tonight, they host Tulegur, the veteran Mongolian folk rock duo whose grungy revisionist take on Mongolian music has won acclaim here and aboard. 50 RMB (w/ drink)

 

Wenliang, Punx, Lisiwei, thruoutin, Old What? Bar

If you’re in the mood for some offbeat electronica next door to the Forbidden City, then the Old What? Bar is the place to be where a host of the experimental and electronic scene’s renegades including Wen Liang and thruoutin perform. 40 RMB

Rhonda, Da Lei Yin, Ji Ti at Temple

Math rock enthsuianst Rhonda, one of 2015’s great finds, return to the always dependable Temple for a righteous evening of rock n roll with support from grunge outfits Da Lei Yin and Ji Ti. FREE

 

Macondao, Paper Tiger at Hot Cat Club

Fangjia Hutong veteran venue Hot Cat Club hosts two up and coming rock and rollers looking to ‘rock the cold out’, including psychedelic electro rock heavyweights Macondo. FREE

 

Bull at Yugong Yishan

Not exactly a gig per say, but it’s too intriguing to pass over, and does include live music. Bull is the award-winning play from Mike Bartlett which follows three office employers desperately fight to keep their jobs amidst the economic recession. The play, directed by Chen Minghao, will be performed in Chinese and will have both Chinese and English subtitles. Live music (they it is!) will be provided by none other than rising star MC j-fever as well as Zhai Jiaji, Han Shuo, Chu Zhiyong. 150 RMB (presale)/200 RMB(door)

 

Bye Bye Noise, Secret Club at School

Looking for that garage rock new wave sound that was all the hype in 2000? Then look no further than Bye Bye Noise, the Strokes-esque rock and rollers who are in the midst of a nation-wide tour. Catch them at School, alongside britpop swooners Secret Club. 60 RMB

Black Mint, Brozzers, Next Door Band, Mr. Honey, FTKMS at Mao Livehouse

Mao Livehouse lives on! After months of rumors and semi-confirmations, the Gulou hub stands tall. At least for now. Tonight sees the end of three-day festival highlighting some of the indie pop’s world hottest catches including Black Mint, Next Door, and Mr. Honey. 100 RMB

 

Zhenren at Jianghu Bar

Old-timey blues to ease away the pain at the cozy laid back Jianghu Bar, catch Zhenren perform that deep rural American South blues from before the Chicago era. 60 RMB

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Saturday January 30^th

 

The Diders, Gate to Otherside, The Hotline, The Twenties, Heat Mark at School

As per usual before CNY, School is going all out with a massive (free) night of rock and roll. The night doubles as the christening of the newly renovated space – dubbed School 3.0 – as well the first School Bar. Such make for an exciting night. Lineup includes psych indie rockers Gate to Otherside, 90s alt faves The Twenties, and other School regulars such as The Diders, Heat Mark, Laisee, and The Hotline. Gonna be a rowdy one. FREE

 

Residence A at Mao Livehouse

Indie rock veterans Residence A give a special CNY send-off at Mao Livehouse where they’ll utilize various shadow puppets during their performance. Color me intrigued. And if their show writeup speaks the truth, Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand. Which begs the million dollar question – how many friggin puppets to they have on hand. 150 RMB

 

Joe & CC at DDC

Indie pop duo, Joe & CC, fresh off a simultaneous album debut in Taiwan and China, return to Beijing for a special Chinese New Year show. 80 RMB

 

Tulegur at Jianghu Bar

Inner Mongolain ‘grasslands meets rock’ duo swing by Gulou for a performance at Jianghu Bar. 80 RMB (w/ EP)

 

Anan, The Plum Trees, Cui Longyang, Bianyuanxingzou at 69 Café

Snug Nanluoguxiang venue 69 Café throws a two-day ‘Year of the Monkey’ folk fest featuring a mass of the scene’s most pristine performers. 30 RMB

 

Mr. Honey w/ Bluso at Temple

Big band swingers Mr. Honey, throw down their upbeat dance rhythms at none other than Temple. Expect some good ol’ fashion fun. FREE

 

Sound Sculpture, Rhonda at Hot Cat Club

Math rock power slammers Rhonda release their debut at the Hot Cat along with the help of The Sound Sculpture, a crew of musician misfits who improvise soundtracks over various films. FREE

 

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Sunday January 31^st

Never Before w/ Demerit, Renegade, Vine House at Mao Livehouse

Stoner rock annihilators Never Before return from a epic nation-wide tour and they’re bringing along their latest release, King of Worms, as well as their fellow rock-minded buddies. 80 RMB

 

Uncle Hu at Snail Club

Indie folk artist Uncle Hu, originally from Chengdu, charms over at the Snail Hostel, the Daxing Hutong space that has provided a outlet for Beijing’s budding folk scene for years. The singers hit it big last year with his debut, When Memories Collide, even landing gig opening for Destroyer later this year. 30 RMB

Bian Yuan, Liu Donghong, Nathan Borofka x Nick Parsons, Dahe at 69 Café

Snug Nanluoguxiang venue 69 Café throws a two-day ‘Year of the Monkey’ folk fest featuring a mass of the scene’s most pristine performers, including veterans Liu Donghong and Bian Yuan. 30 RMB