Weekend Update (13/03-15/03)

Alright, even with the government getting their panties in a bunch once again there’s still plenty of musical love to go around this weekend, starting of course with the second installment of the Gulou Double Decker, which should be all kinds of bananas. So after the smoke clears from that atom bomb of a show, rally up and venture forth to these ace acts about town, and be sure to hit up JUE Festival. And as always, check out the fully updated and sexy new calendar for more.

Friday March 13^th

The first big bang out of JUE Festival’s smoking gun – brash, visceral Australian synth punk pioneers, Primitive Calculators, who have been on a tear since they reemerged in 2009, continue their trek across China with a stop in Yugong Yishan. I was able to catch them a couple nights back, and I’ll say this – they have a way with words. Some of the most raw, nihilistic, piercing lyrics out there. Combine that with some electronically disturbed punk riffs, it’s gonna be a loud one. Check out this fresh interview here from Mr. Feola. Support from indie noise quartet Birdstriking and art punk trio SUBS, two bands who definitely know how to get loud. The night also doubles as the opening party for ‘Limitless’ the photography exhibition from Wizard Tung, which looks all kinds of dope. Xian rapper Killa4Nia, whose been racking up awards and kudos across the country kicks off a nationwide tour tonight over at Mako Livehouse – fresh beats, expertise wordplay, and good old school west coast vibing – fist bump! Meanwhile, at DDC, get your Mongolian fix with Nair, a band composed of ethnic Mongolians who have graced various CCTV showcases before. Djang San’s got a new electric pipa and he wants to show it off with a rager tonight at Temple – expect sweaty pits, east west fusion rock and rock, and beer bottles being used to play guitars – yup, my kind of show. To celebrate twenty years of Rancid’s ‘And Out Came The Wolves’, a slew of bands including The Diders, The Reason, Li Shi, and Spit Devil pay tribute at School. Danish hard rock legends D-A-D (Disneyland After Dark) return to Beijing with a performance at Mao Livehouse. Finally, catch The Groove Collective at Jianghu Bar and Tibetan folk outfit Tsering at the Hot Cat Club.

Saturday March 14^th

Cool Ghoul aka Shanzhai Laowai aka scene promoter Darryl Pestilence is looking to shake the music scene up with a variety of bills this year that promise to put acts together that would otherwise never be together. Tonight’s feature highlights some of the scene’s driving female talent with sets from rip roaring female punk act Free Sex Shop, rock and roll smirkers Maoxuewang (though I prefer their English name, Cat Learned Dog) and Nakoma, a name that’s been popping up more and more. Not too heavy, not too light, I think Mr. Ghoul has here the makings of a fun and more importantly distinctive night in the always rowdy home of shenanigans, Temple. Stuff your Saturday with a little mainstream appeal as School hosts a gaggle of rock worthy endeavors, both old and new. While both punk band The Flyx and new wave garage rockers Steely Heart have earned their keep, I’m more curious about the rest of the flock, which includes moody all female rock outfit NUT, scrappy ‘anything goes’ punk trio Diseased Fruit, and metal poppers Muppet, who are about to embark on their first tour. A shot it the dark for sure, but sometimes that’s all you need. If you’re looking to add some old timey barn dancing bluegrass music to bring you back yonder then The Yellow Hutong Weasels is the best medicine you can ask for. The local bluegrass heroes release their second album tonight (give it a listen) at Jianghu Bar and knowing these cats they’re gonna do it in style. Expect square dancing, fiddle playing, banjos galore, and lots of foot stomping. Amazing how well the genre translates to a Beijing setting but really, you can’t go wrong here. You can finally get in on that hootenanny you’ve been dying for. School kicks off it new monthly series of free afternoon gigs as WHAI, Hot Wave, The Truth, and The Diagon Alley perform before evening’s fall. Goth industrial metal heads, A.J.K., one of the scene\’s most reliable acts, return for a solo outing at Mao Livehouse. The first French-Chinese rock band in China, Gemini, which consists of French composer, guitarist, and vocalist Gabryl and Chinese singer-songwriter, pianist, and lead vocalist release their latest power electro pop album to the masses at Yugong Yishan. Singer songwriter bluesmen Liu Donghong goes solo at Blue Stream Bar while over at DDC filmmaker Monika Luka present her ‘Ten Seconds Of My Day’ project which will be accompanied by a musical performance from Anna, Daniele, and Marco. Last, new venue Monkey Mountain Club (by Chaiwai SOHO) brings you pop and rock in the form of The ProzaX , V89, Redcash, Wall of Air, and Yan Liang.

Sunday March 15^th

The eighth edition of “Mars en Folie” gets underway at Yugong Yishan with ‘four members of the French pop, rock, rap and folk scene gathering for your listening pleasure representing the humanistic and cultural values of the Francophonie’. Whoa! In other words, a grand ol’ European hoedown – and trust me, those French know how to party. There’s a bit of everything – lo fi psychedelic folk from Swiss French musician Gary Cooper, ‘swing pop’ from Ginkgoa, Belgium folk pop from Olivier Juprelle, and Quebec rapping from Webster, which sounds all kinds of badass. Never heard of any of these cats, but I like what I hear. I imagine this is what it’d be like if Café de la Poste and Modernista joined forces for one righteous evening. Starts early – full details here. FREE (get your invitation at 010-6553 2678 or simply just show up) While other venues are strap for gigs, or are simply closing their curtains out of fear, School just can’t be stopped. And if a gig just about every day wasn’t enough, the Wudaoying venue is introducing a monthly series of free afternoon weekend gigs. This Sunday keep that buzz going with some ska blues action courtesy of Mr . Honey and Mizang. Or perhaps the Britpop stylings of Secret Club – or hey, even the metallic abrasion of Icy Whiskey (which goes great with icy whiskey I’m told). Best thing about an afternoon showcase. No commitments. Stop in for a brew, check out a performance, and then continue on your way to whatever food joint will soak up the sins of your past weekend. 69 Cafe takes their featured performers to bigger pastures with this one-off Mushroom Festival throw down at Mako Livehouse – performers include Bian Yuan, Zhang Qianqian, Mr. Miss, Coroline, Zhangjia Di, and V–Day. It’s folk night at School with Zhang Yide. And finally, check out the JUE Creative Market at LANNG Art Center in Guoamo – they’ll be tons of cool things to do like stuff your face with food, sip on some brews, and listen to music from The Yellow Hutong Weasels and Wang Shengnan. Definitely a chill way to spend the afternoon.