Weekend Update (14.08-16.08)

Grim times here in Beijing, grim times. While I’m not quite ready to get out of dodge, it will say I’m quite happy I’ll be taking a month off in Europe. Nevertheless, don’t let all the chemical explosions, sword wielding maniacs, free falling currency get you down, and worst of all, abrupt music venue closures – cause there’s still some music left in this grumpy city to pick up those spirits. Right?

FRIDAY AUGUST 14^th

The best game in town this weekend —– local booking mammoths Cold Neo and Mushroom Festival team up for a three day Indoor Music Festival at School Bar – day one brings in the up and comers with indie rockers The Eat, Rhonda, and Baxian Chophouse joining post rock flavors Glow Curve, The Grinding Ear, and SNSOS. Meanwhile over at Temple, catch Beijing’s highly acclaimed and insanely addictive live electronica band The Junglemico Project performing dubstep, techno, drum n bass, trip hop – whatever genre of club wets your whistle – live in front of your very eyes – they will be release they first ever EP — gonna get wild this one. Mao Livehouse gets down and see through for a White Party featuring performances from Miss Mix, Pisces, and L-Gentlemen. Swedish alternative rock outfit Her Bright Skies cuts loose over at Yugong Yishan. Get funky with Li Gaoyang Electric Band at DDC. Folk singer songwriter Via serenades over at Snail Club. SuZixu & The Paramecia join Dan Taylor for some low key rock and roll hijinks at 69 Café.

SATURDAY AUGUST 15^th

Day two of Indoor Music Festival (really aiming high with that name) commences at School and it’s a doozy as indie rock faves Hedgehog join punk rock storm troopers The Diders, Da Bang, and new additions (savaged from the axed Borderless show at the just deceased Mako) CNdY and DJ Chuchu – which god damn, makes this a must see gig now. Blues journeyman Dafay drops his newest album at Yugong Yishan with a little help from his friends. Mao Livehouse goes big with a lineup of hard-hitting rock and rollers including Scare the Children (recommended!) Rosewood Bullet, Black Hipster, Car Car Cars, and GT Bitches, making the trip down from Jinan. Ska veterans Mr. Honey bring the swinging good times to Jianghu Bar. Meanwhile, at Temple local promoters D.O.G welcome dance indie kids Heat Wave, doo wop funsters Candy Monster, and Britpop loverboys Secret Club for some late night mischief. DDC doubles down with first an afternoon summer bash featuring BBQ, games, and performances from MC Dawei and Soulspeak and more DJs.; later in the evening acclaimed Taiwanese indietronica artist Chui Pi takes stage. It’s an ambient love fest at fRUITYSHOP as Zhao of FM3 joins Charm and Vavava for some soundscaping. Last, pay tribute to Nick Drake with David Cui and Xiao Pu at 69 Café.

SUNDAY AUGUST 16^th

Day three of Indoor Music Festival at School gets its afternoon groove on with performances from Birdstrking, Jajatone, and Zhang Shouwang + Shi Lu. Later that day at School Hong Kong based Mexican trip hop electronica outfit Deer perform. Meanwhile at Mao Livehouse, it’s your usual lineup of pimpled face rock and roll with Time Capsule, Brozzers, Dream Garden, L-Gentlemen and Mr. Honey. Over at DDC heck out Berkeley all star electric jazz fusion band Sun Beatzz on their China Tour. Finally, join reggae outfit Ultimate Band Crew at Drum Tower joint Ball House as they perform a charity show for Nepal.