Weekend Update (06/02-08/02)

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Two more weekends left before Beijing turns into a ghost town and your savior that is jiaozi place around the corner will close up shop. Till then, we’re scraping up the remnants of the music scene. But fear not yet, there’s still a pulse, as evident by these intriguing options about town. Let’s get into it, and as always beat up the calendar for more.

Friday February 6^th

There’s really no way one can hate on reggae. You can try, and believe me, after spending too many nights in hostels across southeast asia, I came close to – but, when those off-beat guitars hit, and that bass leads that rhythm in – it’s just too hard to resist. Good vibes be good vibes. And while the last reggae party in Beijing left a very sour taste in a many mouths, Bob Marley would never let ‘The Man’ wreck a good time. And when you got China’s premier reggae outfit, Long Shen Dao, whose seamless mix off Eastern taoist elements and traditional reggae jams, has won over countless fans across the nation, leading the charge, well, it’s time to head on down to Yugong Yishan and celebrate the legend’s birthday. Two of indie rock’s most prominent figures – the driving forces behind Maybe Mars – shed their skin (and bands) for a solo outing at the ever cozy and couch-approved 69 Café. Zhang Shouwang, of Carsick Cars fame, has always been an active musician, testing the waters to varying degrees, whether it be playing with loops, turning his guitar right side up and having a whirl, or simply delivering pop tunes at their simplest. Meanwhile, Chen Xi, of space cadet Snapline fame, has been edging out further with his latest solo project, Late Troubles, which involves loop machines, inner ramblings, and an ukulele. So yeah – most definitely an evening to see two accomplished artists stretch their legs. Fujian-born, Beijing-based electronic musician and visual artist Hong Qile reboots his BrainWave Communication label with a live audio/visual performance in a Chaoyang pop-up space coordinated by Moujiti. Live performances from Hong Qile and special guest A Ming (address: #1 Xindong Lu, Ta Yuan Diplomatic Residence, 7-2-22). Temple is bein pretty mum about this secret showcase which features a increasingly sought after rock band that theu dub the new kings of ‘techno rock’ – my money is on Residence A or The Big Wave – trust. Last, flop on down to DDC with some of that old timey blues goodness as Zhen Ren perform.

Saturday February 7^th

This is what School does best! Filled-to-the-brim, balls to the wall punk outings for absolutely nothing. Well, expect your sweat and tears. Besides the some of punks brightest and youngest, including The Diders, who are back in fighting form since reformatting, The Flyx, always ready to bring the grit and fun, and Free Sex Shop, the all female gut punch of punk bliss that’s steadly becoming one of the most sought after punk groups in town. Fresh blood in GT Bitches, out of Jinan and Quick Shot – as per the venue, it’s always grand to see fresh blood ready to kick up a storm. What more could you – the last big bang of the year in my opinion. Alright, stretching a bit here. But really, it’s too good to turn down free nail piantings and ‘alien synth techno music’. No really I caught the new duo Fratricide last week at the Gulou Double Decker and it immediately put a smile on my face – my kind of weird. They’ll be performing at the Color Wave event happening at the latest art studio (and hair salon) Aotu Studio located nearby Mas. More of that event here. All I saw was fortune tellers, gif. overload, intricate nail designs, and electronic music courtesy of the above mentioned duo as well as Mark Dwinell of Forma, so that’s cool. Music kicks off at nine but I’m picturing myself getting my nails done while having someone lay on me all the good fortune heading my way. Baller. Claimed as the greatest Swedish Death Metal band ever—At The Gates will bring their genre-defining melodic death metal style to legions of fans at Yugong Yishan. Meanwhile, the Hellenic Sino Band is getting their greek on over at DDC as Soul Pollution keeps the funk grooving at Jianghu Bar. Last, catch some expert drumming and paino play at 69 Café with Deepspace Cowlas and Carlo.

Sunday February 8^th

The weekend closes out with a star-filled lineup at Mao Livehouse of some of the city’s loudest, biggest performers out there at the moment – apart from prog electro rock outfit WHAI, who have been laying waste to just about every venue in town since the new year, you’ve got Residence A, rave rockers to the max, who are growing bigger and bigger – so big, they require a five thousands yuan container, just for their sound guy. Alternative rock with a sultry twist in the form of CAssette, who don’t preform nearly enough. Likewise with post rock enthusiast The Grinding Ear, who have been cultivated their sound (and fanbase) over the past year. Closing out are hard rock country-tinged The Power Powder. Hard to beat a lineup like this folks.