As the summer peaks, it’s looking like all the big guns are coming out to play – a lot of happenings so if you’re in the mood to get rowdy there’s plenty to go around. Check the calendar for details.

FRIDAY

No pretensions here – this is gonna be some good old fashion fun with two bands you definitely know how to liven things up. Perpetual Motion Machine, makers of some crispy slick new wave rock and roll that kicks, as well as that summer time single “Beihai Lake”, these guys fit right in with Dos Kolegas where stoner blues-infused crusaders Devils at the Crossroad, who only have a few shows left, before singer Joris pulls up stakes, will also bring the rambunctious fun. Electronic level raisers white + bring their magnetic show to Temple bar along with tight jeaned surf rock duo The Dyne – that’s a fabulous combo there and free as well. However, this little show at XP is what’s really perking my interest. Four bands whom have been steadily popping onto flyers across town cutting their teeth on the rock circuit for the past six months, there’s a diamond in the rough here somewhere – Fat Tree with its heavy new wave rock equal parts Strokes and Arctic Monkeys, Magic Bus’s breezy ska-influenced funk n roll, intimate low-key post rock from Lotus, and the garage indie goodness of Bye Bye Noise (been listening to their one available song on repeat now). Take my word for it, come next year some of these kids will be hitting it big in town. Across town, Mako Livehouse is hosting an eclectic lineup of artists as well with disco rockers Pacalolo, along with indie popstress Elenore, electronica group CNdY, and beat maker ChuChu – some more underrated artists there. Ska continues to weasel its head into the Old What? Bar as Toy Head bring the good times to the Forbidden City hangout. Get classy with the hard rock night at School with Rolling Rolling, Miss Mix, CD Box, Era Rebels, and more. And finally, catch bluesmen Zhan Ren at Jainghu Bar and folkster Liu Minghan at Blue Stream Bar. And if you happen to make it to The Beijinger\’s Burger Fest, The Randy Abel Stable will be playing in the late afternoon – burgers and bluegrass…yum.

SATURDAY

Yeah, these bands play almost every other week but tonight’s might be a little different considering it’s Ben Ben’s (of indie noise rockers Skip Skip Ben Ben) birthday tonight and you know birthday rock parties are just another way to guarantee it’s gonna be a shitshow. Someone’s not gonna be standing up at School by the end of this – expect the usual dosage of sleazy rock and roll and psychedelic jams from Bedstars and DICE. If you’re looking for something with a bit more ethnicity how about some Tibetan folk music – Neemah’s got you covered. No gimmicks, just straight up earthy folk tunes to bob your head to. A mix of Tibetan, Chinese, English, and the list goes on, if your plans Saturday night involve chillaxin with a smile on your face then look no further and head over to Yugong Yishan. For those of you craving post rock – crusading riffs, reverb out the wazoo, and epic soundscapes – get over to Mao Livehouse where Glow Curve, who have been steady recording their latest and been drifting more and more into electronic territory (check out SmartBeijing’s piece on them here), Nylon out of Changchun and Tendra. Crunchy hard rock tunes and Temple go together like peas of a pod – catch Jacky Danny bring the old time feeling to patrons. Rock it out over at Blue Stream Bar with Stone Lions, Black Bohe, and My September. The 69 Cafe festivities continue tonight with Cai Xiaolun and Zhang Yifan, while finally folk artist Li Jianhong stops by the Old What? Bar and Mama’s Mud hits up the Hot Cat Club.

SUNDAY

King-Size China is throwing another after-evening bash at Mao Livehouse – a little bit of something for everyone – hardcore from Saving Molly, emo rock from Tookoo, industrial metal from Nuclear Fusion G, cute indie pop from Plantanus, hip hop from Longjingshouchang, death metal from Eternal Wings, and more. A tattoo shop will set up upstairs, a flea begins at 3 in the afternoon, and the music kicks off at 7 – thing of it as a mini festival. And best of all, it’s free, so you can pop in and out as you like. Now that sounds pretty damn great to me. You can always join Liu Yusi’s mushroom party a 69 Café – which sounds all kinds of awesome or hit up School for their freebie folk night with Li Xintong. And finally, there’s Soviet Tank and Bilaye bringing the rock at Blue Stream Bar.