This is how you jam-pack a weekend full of goodness. I’ve pretty much have given up at this point already – it’s just too much to handle. Have fun out there you crazies.

FRIDAY

School just keeps getting better in my book and tonight show is gonna be a wild one. Casino Demon, the ‘no fuss’ catchy beyond belief rockers, who also happen to have the craziest fans, are joined by Mr. Chelonian, a Chengdu-based band who make high spirited pop rock that goes down nice and easy. It’s gonna be a groovy night of tunes. And in the greatest marketing move ever, girls with mini skirts get in free. Nice. 69 Café, the NGLX joint is in the midst of an indie festival, which basically just means their throwing more shows than usual. Tonight they host noise pop heroes Car Sick Cars improv side project, adeptly named SickCarSick – have no idea what to expect here, but for those who are too lazy to get their experimental during the weekdays, and want to take it easy tonight, this might do the trick. Mosh it out at Yugong Yishan with these heavy hitters including Liquid Oxygen Can, Ego Fall, Heavy Duty, 641, Chi Ren, and Teshurenwu – it’s gonna be a sweaty one. Hip hop has officially invaded Beijing and it’s here to stay – check out the MC Battle happening down south at Mako Livehouse where spit artists will square off. Finally, one can catch ska worshippers Early Bus at the Old What? Bar, Xinjinag rockers Xinzhe at Temple, rockabilly legends Rolling Bowling at Dos Kolegas, chick rockers Miss Mix and Red Cash at the Hot Cat Club, and the on and off again rock group Las Perracas at XP.

SATURDAY 

A all star lineup at XP if I ever saw one with two very notable additions – I’ve shared my love for Skip Skip Ben Ben and white+ plenty of time but it’s the other two bands that have perked my excitement – Deadly Cradle Death, whose brand of tribal death rap is straight up bonkers and otherworldly – its black tar club music and its freakishly good; the other is Obladi Oblada, Ben Ben’s side project with DICE guitarist Dou Dou, which is all kinds of cute – arty jams that makes you wanna open up a café. Speaking of killer lineups this baby over at Mao Livehouse is all over the place – metal, punk, new wave, nu metal – yet somehow I totally see it all coming together spectacularly. First there’s Subs who are back at it again, and if I had to pick one band that needs to be seen it’s these three – vigorous bunch they are – but Steely Heart ain’t slacking either – they have a wicked sense of how to rock a stage and with Logic Control and Soma rounding out the night you’re surely going to get some serious moshing going. Punk, electronica, and post rock go off the beaten path this evening at School – another night of odd though fascinating match ups – some seriously interesting stuff going on here. Streets Kill Strange Animals, who turn the post punk genre into their own playground, with numerous tempo changes, jaded lyrics, and lush instrumentals. Whereas the trio CNdY take electronica for a spin giving it a twisted acid tone, whilst mixing in real instrumentation and vocals into their fun dark dancehouse vibe. Last up, are Lotus who make pleasant, derivative-enough post rock that’s sounds genuine enough to warrant a listen. It’s a grab bag night of music – and that’s half the fun. In the afternoon, catch post punkster Streets Kill Strange Animals and Me Too at 69 Café – later that evening see Daniel Taylor shake things up with some indie folk. . Sinotronics host their second electronic hoe down at The Other Place with the ever intriguing lineup of Nara, iimmune, and Zlok cooking up some fabulous soundscapes. For those looking to keep things upbeat, Dos Kolegas has you covered with Skarving, Mademoiselle et la Orchestre, and Sambasia, while over at Blue Stream Bar ska kids Toyhead take stage. Finally, hip hop takes over Yugong Yishan where New Street, DJ Baker, Duier K and more show Beijing how it’s done

SUNDAY

It’d be a shame if no one made to 69 Café once this weekend (they are throwing five shows) with tonight’s gig be the last of the bunch – the ethereal voiced Wang Juan whose pristine folk has already once floored me, and I suppose a lot of other folk as she’s been picking up recognition left and right, with a album released recently as well – nice way to kill those Sunday hangover blues. Did I mention that hip hop is making a comeback in this city –  tonight a showdown across a whole range of rhymsters, including Playlord, Beijing Face, Instigator, Shishigui, EMC, Dui\’er K, FreedP might just translate perfectly within XP’s narrow walls. To celebrate Metallica’s descent onto The Big Red, Mao Livehouse will host a slew of heavy bands – Silent Resentment, Temple, Longway, Heavy Duty, Subject, and Raging Mob. And finally Xinjiang folk courtesy of Xiao Pu at Jainghu Bar.