Weekend Update

Blood pressure is on high people…as I prepare to get my hands dirty in southeast asia next month, I’m trying to cram as much music in as possible. Work hard, play hard – or better yet play hard, and then play so more. Just can’t get enough of the it – like a kid in a candy store – let’s see what the flavors of the week are…

FRIDAY

Flew a bit under the radar but pop folk singer Hao Yun will be bringing his soft charisma for a big show at Tango. Tianjin based electro duo Wanderlust will soon be heading off to NYC, and there’s only three more chances to catch before their go on hiatus – so head to their two farewells shows this weekend – tonight they’ll be at the Old What? Bar with electro artist Old S and indie rockers Dirty Little Secret. If you’re looking for an experience that you’ll never forget get over to XP where tribal primitive all around crazed group Sikhara will be getting their freak on alongside Little Red, Small Little Red, and Mini Train Heart – check out my interview of Sikhara below. The summer continues to throw down upbeat chill electronic parties – tonight at Dos Kolegas get down and funky with beats from Tobias Patrick, Yaumen, Blackie, and MC Chronmaster. Rock, plain and simple, just how we like it over at Yugong Yishan with Rock Rhino Wangwei, VHR, Velvet Road, and Spanish Mania. The Tiger Translate Battle of the Bands continues eliminating the competition – see who moves on at Mao Livehouse where Logic Control and Po Shang Cun duke it out among others – special guest Hedgehog. Chengdu folk artist Liangzi will bring his smoothing sounds to the Blue Stream Bar. Mongolian group Dolan are bringing their pristine sounds to Jianghu Bar as well. The Beijing Beatles do what they do best at Temple, while Los Crashers bring old school rock n’ roll to the Hot Cat Club. Of course, metalheads can find their way over to 13 Club to catch Raging Mob, Guinea Pig, Dream Spirit, and Beyond Redemption. Finally, for some blues and jazz get to VA Bar for Skyscraper, or to Zajia Lab to see Kite Orchestra, local musician David Mitchell’s fusion act.

SATURDAY

Dos Kolegas has a quadruple punch of four kick ass bands taking the stage, Residence A, WHAI, Nucleus, and The Amazing Insurance Salesmen – that’s a lineup from heaven if you ask me. Wanderlust continues their farewell the to Big Red, as they play at the Hot Cat Club with indie group Fuzzy Mood, electro rockstress Jia Huizhen and Old S. You want your rock n roll with high-flying kicks and long hair, hell yes you do, Temple looks to put its crowd into a frenzy tonight as Kick Ass, Jacky Danny, Los Crashers, and Ricky Sixx take the stage. Indie label Fruity Shop hopes to show off some of its artists at Zajia Lab including Nostalgia For The Stars and Me:Mo. You can always get down and dirty over at the Old What? Bar with Trouble Trouble, Pork, Hatch, and Silt & Lotus. Veteran folk rockers Liu & Sand take the stage at the Blue Stream Bar. Catch Beijing-flavored hip-hop tonight at Mao Livehouse with New Street, with support by Longjin and Finger Family. The Tiger Translate Battle of the Bands is held tonight at Yugong Yishan with Summer Sunshine, 4U, Mid-Island, and more battling – special guest Perdel. Lastly, for some funk and jazz get VA Bar should suit you as Elephant Fresh and The Intrepid Adventurers take stage.

SUNDAY

Spilt Works is starting to churn out some big shows in the near future – tonight their bring Welsh math rockers The Gallops over to XP where they’ll be supported by none other than psychedelic kids Chui Wan. And if metal is your calling then get over to Mao Livehouse where German trancecore group His Satue Falls is joined by locals NewTank and The Lifeless.