Well there goes the neighborhood – looks like Marty Mcfly wasn’t able to get his hands on that sports almanac after all. Well, fear not. Cause this weekend gig guide’s got some real winners to get excited about. Beijing Electronic Musical Encounters of the Third Kind, jangly shoegaze offerings from Shaoxing and Shanghai, skweee sweetcakes to tweak out to, and plenty of red hot suitors to take home this Singles Day. Look on the bright side and all hail Biff!

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11^th

 

Dream Can, Xian Tong, The Lone, Penicillin at School Bar

Singles Day – find a date you buffoon! Buy copious amounts of useless shit that’ll be long forgotten by next year! Or let loose and find that next song you’ll hold dear at School as all female Shanghai psychedelic shoegaze trio Dream Can perform alongside new post rock outfit XianTong, folk rock trope The Lone, fronted by School regular and ex-Joyside member Bian Yuan, and Britpop-stylized rockers Penicillin. Killer bill. 120 RMB

 

Macondo, Hotline, Streams of Life at Temple

Indulge in inebriation and all of its wonders cause you’ve got a free pass this Friday as Temple throws a charity concert to raise awareness for APEPCY (AIDS Prevention Education Project for Chinese Youth). Good cause, good folks, and some solid tunes from the likes of power post rockers Macondo, sunglass-wearing electro rockers Hotline, and post metal outfit Streams of Life. FREE

 

Scare the Children, Heavy Duty, Labor Glory, Bastards of Imperialism, Coup de Grace at AO Club

Love takes a backseat to amplified rock and roll as Qianmen’s Ao Livehouse teams up with Sanlitun rock and roll sanctuary 3Rock, with a bill of heavyweight bands with zero sympathy for your crybaby hysterics – including the masked nightmare trope Scare the Children, the politically charged Bastards of Imperialism, the aptly named Heavy Duty, and more. 110 RMB

 

Te’ (Japan) at Yugong Yishan

Two guitars, a bass, and a drum – that’s all Japanese post rockers Te’ need to get the job done. The instrumental post-rock ensemble hailing from Tokyo, Japan, unlike their drowsy and melancholic counterparts, has gathered sufficient acclaim from both critiques and fans alike for their bombastic compositions and their energetic live performances. For fans of post rock who want a little more math rock and progressive edge in the mix. 150 RMB

 

Sheng Jie x Daniel Beban, Dee, Li Yangyang, Meipu Band at fRUITYSPACE

Venue and platform for all things New Zealand and experimental, Pyramid Club hosts its third Beijing event with fRUITYSPACE as experimental noise artists Li Yangyang, Dee, and Sheng Jie join curator Daniel Beban as well as ‘free kosmiche’ rock band Meipu for some instrumental madness – expect things to veer radically off the beaten path pretty quickly. 40 RMB

 

Residence A, The Power Powder at Mao Livehouse

For all that is holy someone needs to check out one of these ‘Pillow Fight’ shows for me – I need to know. Cause nothing spells fun (and best ‘how I met my significant other’ story) like belting a bunch of strangers to the head with feathered pillows whilst indie rock hit makers Residence A perform. Am I crazy? 130 RMB

Bloody Daisy, Self Portrait at Blessing Livehouse

Well now they’re just yanking my chain. Two simultaneous pillow fight parties in the same evening. The Illuminati’s plans are going smoothly I see. This time smother your potential bride or groom to be with a pillow alongside the soothing britpop and J-pop sensibilities of Bloody Daisy and Self Portrait. 100 RMB

 

Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies, The Hunters, The Game Gurus at DDC

Give the hits of today and yesteryear a singles’ day makeover. Beijing’s premier expat cover bands – the ever expanding Mac Daddies trope, The Hunters, and new four piece The Game Gurus, each give their rejuvenated funk-filled takes on our favorite songs. 50 RMB

 

Xiao Chong, Beans Town, Zhao Xiaotong at Mogu Space

Have a low-key evening of delicate story telling courtesy of these singer-songwriters whose soul searching love-stricken (and broken) songs will have you reaching for the Kleenex. 60 RMB

 

Zhenren at Jianghu Bar

Wrap yourself up in the old timey Chicago Blues era as Zhenren takes stage at Jianghu Bar. They’ll have the help of harmonica maestro Zhang Xiaosong. 50 RMB

 

Out of Focus, The Big Face, Purple Will at Chen Livehouse

Unless 798 Livehouse is under new management it seems the art district has found another home for music lovers as the new venue (located by the south gate of 798) hosts some good old fashion pop rock from up and comers Purple Will, Out of Focus, and more. 40 RMB

 

Galen Crew (USA) at Modernsky Lab

Galen Crew – producer, artist, songwriter, mixing engineer, and worship leader (!?) from Nashville bring his song writing talents and folk laced gospel music to Modernsky Lab. 160 RMB

 

Carlo, Shannon, Nick Parsons at 69 Café

Enjoy the acoustics stylings and folklore from regular guitar handlers Carlo, Shannon, and Nick. 50 RMB

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12^th

 

Hong Qile, A Ming, Ding Chenchen, Azoik, Yan Yulong, Zhang Shouwang, more at fRUITYSPACE

Hunker down with Sinotronics this weekend at fRUITYSPACE as BEME (Beijing Electronic Music Encounter) returns for its fifth year with a two-day electronic feast for the ears, with some of the scene’s most prolific and offbeat characters in the underground electronic realm. First in the late afternoon local label Bwave hosts label head and glitch artist Hong Qile alongside A Ming, Dingchenchen, and Azoik. Later on Maybe Noise, the avant grade label spill off of Maybe Mars, will invite some guests to the stage including violinist Yan Yulong (of Chui Wan) and Zhang Shouwang (of white+). Bring an open mind and get some. 4pm start. 70 RMB

City Flanker, Last Goodbye, Backspace at School

New indie rock label Nerd Noise celebrate the release of their first ever compilation album featuring the underground scene’s newest additions with a stellar lineup that includes Ningbo shoegaze torch bearers City Flanker, Beijing’s best new band neo-psychedelic outfit Last Goodbye, and jangly indie rockers Backspace. For those looking to soak in all that fuzz and reverb. 80 RMB

 

Dub Zen Melodist, Guzz, FLØØØD, Meng Qi, Noise Arcade at DDC

Beijing based cassette label 87FEI87 releases it’s latest Skittle flavored blast of electronica, Frleep Flormp, from producer Dub Zen Melodist – honed in and playfully ambient dancefloor beats with a schizoid’s charm. He’ll be joined by fellow mavericks of the scene including Guzz, also fresh off a debut, Meng Qi, FLØØØD, and Noise Arcade. A pretty sexy lineup indeed. 40 RMB

 

Xiao Yue, Chen Hongyu at Yugong Yishan

Up and coming folk wunderboy Xiao Yue, known for his low key, crosstalk-esque, harmonica-infused brand of folk pop, continues his nationwide tour with a stop at Yugong Yishan. Expect droves of young impassioned adults singing along. 120 RMB

Cursed Eyes (HK), Valley of Slaughter, Retribution, Source Code at Temple

Metal comes in all shapes and sizes, as well as all corners of the country: Temple hosts a night of high octane metal with Hong Kongers Cursed Eyes, Jinan’s Valley of Slaughter, Qingdao’s Retribution, and Beijing’s own Source Code. FREE

 

End of the World, Bastards of Imperialism, Jaruco Punk at Hot Cat Club

Beijing’s premier ska collective End of the World say farewell to their longstanding drummer – Kevin – but they’re not gonna do so without setting a few more fires on the way together. Catch them at the Fangjia Hutong hotspot alongside Bastards of Imperialism and Jaruco Punk. FREE

 

Los Crasher, Tumour Boy, Last Stand Doer, Ramblin’ Roze, The Loser at Mao Livehouse

Mao Livehouse throws what they are dubbing ‘A Classic Rock Cover Party’. Pretty self explanatory – expect tight jeans, long dangling hair, cigarette buts and a marathon of hard rock covers of Motorhead, Alice Cooper, Gun N’ Roses, abd Black Sabbath. Oh yeahh. 80 RMB

 

Mademoiselle et son Orquestre at Modernista

Five years strong, Modernista celebrates it’s reign over Baochao Hutong the only way they know how – with a gypsy jazz hoedown from everyone’s favorite party starters Mademoiselle et son Orquestre, whose sultry, swing inducing set will lay waste to the dance floor. FREE

 

Longjin at Yue Space

Long standing reggae outfit Longjin celebrate their nine-year anniversary with a special performance at the Beixinqiao space. East flavored reggae music with elements of funk, dub, and pop. 80 RMB

 

Hierarchy, Black Diamond, Three Quarters Dead, Nearing Death, Autarchy, Lunar Ellipse at 13 Club

Head to Wudaoku for some brutal punishing from Beijing’s metal scene as they converge on 13 Club for some black tinted mayhem from a host of hardboiled bands including Hierarchy, Autarchy, and more. 60 RMB

 

Next Door Band, Caffe-In at Modernsky Lab

The ever popular Next Door Band, continue their reign of terror and adolescent-ridden pop rock at Galaxy SOHO’s Modernsky Lab – they’ll be supported by the perky J-pop outfit Caffe-In and more. 120 RMB

 

Uncle Hu, Nick Parsons at Mogu Space

Chengdu-raised, Beijing based folk outfit Uncle Hu interpret the works of The Beatles and Bob Dylan alongside Nick Parsons at the Xizhimen space. 60 RMB

 

The Nightcrawlers at Jianghu Bar

Feel the Chicago blues as The Nightcrawlers get down at the hutong hotspot to ease away those weekday blues. 60 RMB

 

Tsering Norb at Snail Club

Tibetan singer-songwriter gives an intimate performance at the cozy acoustic heaven Snail Club. 50 RMB

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13^th

 

WoGui de HuoChe, Bian Yuan at School

Take the opportunity to check the booming scene outside of the second ring road as Nanjing indie trio, WoGui de HuoChe bring their new album, Aftermath, to School Bar. Intricate, rich in emotion, with plenty of rock and roll gusto to spare, it’s a heck of a debut. They’ll be supported by Chinese rock and roll mainstay Bian Yuan, fresh off a nationwide tour. 70 RMB

 

Gooooose, gogoj, Menghan, L~N, VU, iimmune, MMS at fRUITYSPACE 

Day two of the BEME convention has Sinotronics teaming up with Beijing’s new techno-focused label Prajnasonic, with kinetic and eccentric electronic occurrences from Shanghai electronic sentient Gooooose (of Duck Fight Goose), world-builder iimmune, as well as Sheng Jie (gogoj), Menghan, LN, VU, and MMS. Lots of abbreviations – lots of layered soundscapes to get lost in. Bring it. 4pm start. 70 RMB

 

Li Xia, Zhao Laoda, Ma Tiao at Yue Space

Li Xia, the grizzled Ningxia frontman (Li Dong/Nucleus) presents his band’s latest, Leaving Beijing with a star-studded performance at Yue Space. He’ll be joined by friends Zhao Laoda, whose glassy-eyed performance I saw back in 2012 was simply spellbinding, and renowned rustic Xinjiang singer-songwriter Ma Tiao. Some serious ‘old guard’ talent there. Expect a packed house. 100 RMB

 

Madaem and the Houseguests, The Plum Trees at DDC

Lighthearted folk tunes with strong female voices with a healthy dash of blues rock – head to DDC this evening as The Plum Trees join new trope Madame and the Houseguests for some fun. 50 RMB

 

Ma Jingtao, Wang Chengzhang at Snail Club

Travel back to the warm sounds of 1990s Taiwan and Hong Kong as two singer-songwriters pay tribute to the melodies that defined their childhood. 70 RMB

 

Adam Wang Jazz Quartet at Hot Cat Club

Cool your jets and keep toasty this Sunday with some free jazz courtesy of the Adam Wang Jazz Quartet – nough’ said. FREE

 

The Nightcrawlers at Temple

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

 

Shi Yu Jazz Trio at Modernista

Close out the weekend for one last celebratory toast to Modernista making it to five with happy hour deals paired with some soulful jazz courtesy of the Shi Yu Jazz Trio. FREE

 

Hai Hanyang at Mogu Space

Experience a special guzheng performance from the classically trained and former China Conservatory of Music student Hai Hanyang. 60 RMB