Prepare yourself for the weekend onslaught folks – it’s gonna get messy. Album releases galore, a Tianjin landmine of bands invading Gulou, and synth-ridden visitors from aboard, toss a stone and you’re bound to hit something. Best of luck out there – here’s your weekend roundup.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 18^th

 

SISU (USA), Earsnail, Noise Arcade at Modernsky Lab

SISU, the solo project of Dum Dum Girls’ drummer Sandra Vu, is heading to China to present their “echo-ridden, cold, distorted synth sounds”. The Los Angeles based band, who dabble in everything from psychedelic pop to electronic music, got their first taste of the Mainland back in October in cozy LA with Chui Wan, Carsick Cars, and Alpine Decline, and now they’re coming to return the favor. Catch their first performance tonight at Modern Sky Lab alongside Earsnail, the duo of Wang Xu (white+ drummer) and Yan Shuai (of Da Bang). 160 RMB

Macondo, Jokers Belief, Motorbike Girls, Paper Tigers at School

Converse hosts the latest generation of expat driven bands that have sent shockwaves through the scene – from the power post rock symphony of Macondo, to the noise punk trio Motorbike Girls, there’s a bit of something for everyone – and very generous on the ol’ wallet to boot. FREE

Bi Yuanfei, Chen Zhipeng, Wang Yu at DDC

Musical cultures entwine at this early Shamanic world music showcase at DDC featuring some of the scenes unsung heroes, including Mongolian percussionist Bi Yuanfei, of Moxizishi and Zhangzi, southern-bred Chinese nature documenter Chen Zhipeng, and Yunnan based frame drummer Wang Yun, as well as other friends. 100 RMB

Anoraak (France) at DDC

From world music to sythnwave. A prominent figure in indie synthwave scene, the French raised producer has been making (!) waves since his underground classic Nightdrive With You. He returns with his latest EP, Figure, with a live performance at DDC. 80 RMB

The Paramecia, Me Guan Me, By Dream at Temple

As the poster entails it’s time to trip balls. Ummm, OK. Last time I ‘tripped balls’ in Temple was when they had couches in the corner. Place turned into a hive of debauchery and lunacy before we had to leave cause the hundred pound girl with us started having an exorcism that was becoming all to real. Freakish times – anywho, some quality music tonight including the dense folk rock tunes of The Paramecia, the indie rock swagger of Me Guan Me and some post rock soundscaping courtesy of By Dream. FREE

Mizang, Sumito Ariyo at Yue Space

Long standing blues rock outfit Mizang celebrate their 15th anniversary with a powwow with friends and family, beer and glory, as well as esteemed special guest – Chicago blues pianist Sumito Ariyo. 80 RMB

The Dice!, Ding Chenchen, Xiu Di, San Zhuang at fRUITYSPACE

Spacey psych duo The Dice! joins harsh noise connoisseur Ding Chenchen and more for some musical mischief. 40 RMB

Poshangcun at Blessing Livehouse

Indie pop outfit Poshangcun, bring their sugar-coated sunshine pop to Shuangjing to celebrate the release of their new album. These guys are pros – don’t be surprised if you find yourself clutching your heart and singing along by the end of the night. 100 RMB

David Braid and Peking Sinfonietta at The Beijing Concert Hall

Not exactly on my menu often but it’s always nice to check in on the classical scene here in Beijing – tonight David Braid, a world-renowned pianist/composer from Canada, along with the Peking Sinfonietta, is giving a concert entitled ‘Jazz Meets Classical’ – expect crossover interpretations of such classics like ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. 100-580 RMB

Suzi Xu, Hadi, Andrew Gannon at Jianghu Bar

Suzi Xu of folk rock trope The Paramecia presents tracks from the band’s upcoming album with some fellow bandmates and friends, including Hadi on the tabla drum, and Andrew Gannon on the violin. 75 RMB

Lighthouse, Heroin Dounut, Hideout, Mayhem, JiTi at 13 Club

Fresh faces over in the resident college livehouse, 13 Club in Wudaoku – rock and roll is my guess – hear that’s all the rage these days. Really though can’t go wrong with a band named ‘Heroin Dounut’. 50 RMB

Ember Swift at Hot Cat Club

Indie singer-songwriter Ember Swift brings her swag and stylish indie rock to the Fangjia Hutong hangout. FREE

Wang Wu at Mogu Space

Northeastern Chinese singer-songwriter, Wang Wu, whose loose hair and vibrant voice made him a finalist on one of the country’s top rated American Idol clones, performs at the (still open) Nanluoguxiang space. 50 RMB

Miss Larry Tango Band at Caravan

Former front women of seminal female rock band Cobra, Xiao Ying Zhu joins ‘Casa Flamenco’ founder Liu Qiao and Liu Teng for some gypsy jazz goodness. FREE

Nathan Borofka, Nick Parsons at Mogu Space

Folk scene and acoustic regulars take over the Xizhimen space to pay tribute to the late and great Leonard Cohen. 60 RMB

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19^th

 

Our Tango Orchestra, Division Control, Boss First, Instant Plasma, Slingshot,

Tianjin based label and promoters 20 Years Record brings the party to Beijing with an all day music fest featuring some of the city’s most eligible bachelors. Session one kicks off at 3:30 with Argentine tango styled orchestra, followed by some fast, loose rock and roll from post punk outfit Division Control, punk pop kids Boss First, post rock soothers 16^th Floor, metallers Three Quarters Dead, and more. The organizers will also be bringing their latest Tainjin compilation, so be sure to grab that. Kick ass opportunity to check out what kind of ruckus our neighbors can make. 40 RMB (one session) 100 (all day)

SUBS at Yugong Yishan

Visceral punk veterans SUBS bring the tour home in celebration of the band’s newest EP – Grotesque Show. The band’s been digging into their electronic edge more and more and it’s front and center on their latest – expect a visual treat and one of the city’s hardest working bands doing what they do best. Getting you moving. 120 RMB

 

Future Orients, Lonely Leary at School

With their debut release, Eat Or Die, picking up praise here and aboard, and in the midst of a nation wide tour, Beijing’s indie rock outfit Future Orients seem all grown up now. Which makes their tour stop at School something of a homecoming party for the lively, dance-worthy, Foals-esque rockers. Support from the ever-evolving post punks Lonely Leary, also recently signed to the Maybe Mars family. 80 RMB

Elenore, Penicillin at Yue Space

If that wasn’t enough releases to worry about, there’s the latest EP release for catchy indie rock trio Elenore, another band I can’t recommend enough. Tight, melodic, and robust UK-stylized rock and roll. They’re be closing out their nine city tour and keeping fans happy over in Beixinqiao with the help of britpop rockers Penicillin. 100 RMB

Black Mint, The Blue Print, Tong, Gentle Grape, Zeus, Black Flag Army at Mao Livehouse

Mao Livehouse looks to turn things up as they set loose a grab bag of bands and genres – from the new school pop of Gentle Grape (great name), the folk rock of Black Mint, to the female pop rock of Tong – there’s a bit of everything for everyone. 80 RMB

The Glamour Manifesto, WHAI at Temple

Industrial electro rock and other psychedelic musings courtesy of the (new) Glamour Manifesto and the always dependable WHAI. Not sure where the ‘tripping balls’ suggestion is but if there’s any band that deserves some shroomage it’s WHAI. FREE

Mawe, Aytjan, Ardak Funk at Mogu Space

Hear classic Kazakh folk songs as these seasoned musicians from across China perform followed by a funk dance jam in the second half. 70 RMB

 

Drunkard, Hind Brain, The Jungle Fever at 798 Livehouse

Grunge, funk, hard rock and just maybe some skanking, the old warehouse in 798 hosts some the local flavor with these ruffians. 100 RMB

Paper Tigers, Joker’s Belief, One Hung Low at Hot Cat Club

If you missed them Friday night here’s your second chance to catch indie rock catchers Paper Tigers and Joker’s Belief who’ll join their fellow brethren One Hung Low for some Hot Cat fun. FREE

Reonda, Mimi Ke at 69 Café

Chinese American singer songwriter honed her skills in Victoria Harbour and now she’s presenting her new album, The Lightness of Being at 69 Café. OK is that the last album release? 77 RMB

Yuri Favorin (Russia) at La Plantation

Recipient of countless awards across the globe Russian born pianist Yuri Favorin sets up shop at La Plantation for an exquisite recital featuring the works of Beethoven, Bellini, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and more. 150 RMB

Jipeng, XiaJi, Hideaki Tokunaga, Scott Silverman at Jianghu Bar

Jazz talents pay tribute to blues legend Grant Green with guitar pickers Scott Silverman, Hideaki Tokunaga, and more. 60 RMB

Soviet Psychedelic KLAB Party at fRUITYSPACE

A Soviet psychedelic music party – this is just too enticing to pass up. Cartoons, documentaries, music, and workshops dedicated to the underground psychedelic scene across the Soviet countries of yesteryears. Dope. FREE

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20^th

SISU (USA), Pacalolo at School

Seasoned drummer Sandra Vu, who has played with such greats as The Raveonettes, Dum Dum Girls, and Dirty Beaches, presents her solo project SISU for a special Sunday performance at School – expect dark, layered, and dreamy synthwave to get lost in. Support from electro rock veterans Pacalolo. 80 RMB

Electric Lady, Ramblin’ Roze, Tumour Boy at Temple

Now here’s a hell of a way to try to back out of the coming workweek – pedal to the metal rock and roll from some of the scene’s most primed and fresh outfits – stoner rock class, hard rock theatrics, and sped-up metal riffs courtesy of Electric Lady, Ramblin’ Roze, and Tumour Boy. Just make sure to call in sick Monday. FREE

David Kuckhermann Handpan Concert at DDC

David Kuckhermann specializes in the art of the handpan, having created his personal style, incorporating techniques and rhythms from the handdrumming traditions of Iran, India, Egypt, Europe, Turkey and Africa. Catch the unique performer and instrument in all its glory tonight. 80 RMB

Bloo (US), Owen Ovadoz (US), Loopy (US), and Nafla (US) at Modernsky Lab

West Coast meets the Far East with this Korean American hip hop showcase featuring rising bilingual stars Bloo, Owen Ovadoz, Loopy, and Nafla – get the lowdown over here. guarantee

Sumito Ariyo, Mojo Hand at Jianghu Bar

Chicago blues piano maestro gives a masters class before jamming out along fellow musicians. Master class starts at 3:30PM if that’s your thing – jam session takes place at 9PM. 60 RMB

Reonda, Mimi Ke at 69 Café

Chinese American singer songwriter honed her skills in Victoria Harbour and now she’s presenting her new album, The Lightness of Being at Yue Space. 100 RMB