Beijing Gig Blog

2013 May Festival Season

alex — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:15:15 +0000

The annual battle between Midi and Strawberry is upon us. Maybe you’ve already seen the lineups, but if you haven’t, they’re pretty damn solid. If you have to pick just one day to go to the futhest-flung reaches of Beijing, though, my money’s on the first day of Strawberry Festival. The lineup is truly epic, with their biggest headliner Travis taking the main stage in the evening. It’s also got some of the biggest names in Chinese talent Modern Sky could rustle up: veteran electro-pop group New Pants, indie pop crooner Peng Tan, post-punk trio Snapline, Taiwanese indie pop goddess Joanna Wang, Dalian post-rock legends Wang Wen, and just… so much more. Do not. Freaking. Miss it.

Wednesday is up for grabs, with seriously solid lineups on both sides of the fence, but Midi’s Tuesday is solid with Chinese rock gods Muma & Third Party, Lanzhou folk rock group Low Wormwood and wild punk rockers SUBS. Whatever decisions you make, both festivals are set to be loads of fun — at least from a performance point of view.

Transportation, however, is going to be a bit of a bitch for Midi punters. Strawberry will be fine, as always, because with so many years at Tongzhou Canal Park under their belt they have this down to a science (and so do I; I take public transportation). But Midi is out in Pinggu, at the China Music Valley venue of Yuyang International Ski Resort. Their buses run from the Line 10/8 stop Beitucheng Exit A and cost 20/40RMB (single/round trip). They leave every half hour from 9am-2pm, and return every half hour from 8–11:30pm. My personal recommendation is find a bunch of friends and the number of a trusty mianbaoche driver, lay down a few extra kuai and be secure in the knowledge you’ll have a designated driver for the ride home, all the way back to your house. You do not want to be stranded and drunk in the far west of Beijing. Trust me.

I’m Back From The Dead!

alex — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:08:52 +0000

I like to think of it as “thawing out”.

After a long hibernation period, a lot of apathy, and more than a few unhappy faces around the place, the Gig Guide is back up and running. Now, I know I’ve said this before, but I mean it this time. I’ve been moping for personal reasons, but a thread on Reddit, of all things (I’m no Redditor), gave me the final kick in the ass. It reminded me why I have the website — there’s nothing else out there like it.

For the moment it’s just a scrape of the City Weekend live music events, but over the May holiday I will go through and do a better job. What takes up most of my updating time is the artist pages, so I’m going to forego them for the moment until I have some more time. More information about artists (should there be any) will be in the notes section on gig pages. Which looks a bit ugly on the app, but whatever. At least there’s gig info, I say.

I’m working on a few things to make the site easier to update, including getting some sort of way to get people to add their own shows to the site, but those will come. Mostly, I need some more help. So if you’re an expat who can use Douban and has a really boring job or something, just drop me a line and I’ll put you to work. Compensation is erratic but can occasionally be arranged in the form of thanks, tickets, and beers, depending on availability.

Gig of the Week: 9 Jan — 15 Jan 2013

alex — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 05:05:54 +0000

Where: School Bar
When: Sat, Jan 12 @ 9pm
How Much: 100RMB
Who: Omnipotent Youth Society (Full Info)
Why: There are a couple of noteworthy gigs this week, but if you haven’t yet seen Omnipotent Youth Society, this is a great chance to catch them in an intimate setting. The last time I saw them, they performed about five songs, but I was blown away, and not just by the number of people who were singing along. I’m not going to sugar-coat it, though, this is going to be a packed show. School Bar is restricting the ticket count to 100, and you have to buy them at the door, so you’ll have to commit to an early dinner this Saturday. It will be worth it, though.

If you can’t make it out for the Pick of the Week, try these on for size…
65DAYSOFSTATIC: Sun, Jan 13 @ 9pm, ¥220/160 advance
These British post-rockers will leave you mellow at the end of a long weekend. It also marks a diversification for metal mag/promoters Painkiller. Hit it up if you like ambient music.
Most Anticipated Bands in 2013: Sat, Jan 12 @ 9:30pm, ¥80/60 advance
Maybe Mars is at it again. This time they’ve got veterans Streets Kill Strange Animals, drunk punks Bedstars and new group Dice on the lineup.
GUIGUISUISUI: Sun, Jan 13 @ 6pm, ¥30/20 students
It’s always fun to get visitors from second-tier cities, and Changchun-based experimental blues artist GUIGUISUISUI should be an interesting one. He plays with Low Bow.

Gig of the Week: New Year’s Edition!

alex — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:49:40 +0000

Where: School Bar
When: Mon, 31 Dec, 21:00
How Much: 80RMB, limited sale
Who: Hedgehog, Steely Heart, Candy Monster and more (Full Info)
Why: So I was pretty certain that the 150 tickets that School Bar said they were going to sell would sell out pretty fast, but as of December 23 they still have tickets. This either means that 1) they’re not selling fast, 2) everyone will get them on the night, or 3) they’re not really limiting the sales to 150. That last one scares me, but if it doesn’t scare you, I fully suggest you either grab some tickets now or head to Wudaoying early on the night. It’s gonna be nuts! But I also predict that it’ll be a lot of fun, provided you get enough 30 kuai whiskey in you.

Last weekend might have been a bit of a bust, but this weekend has a few prospects! On Friday, Maybe Mars is filling up Yugong Yishan with their best bands and the sounds of The Velvet Underground with Peel Slowly and See, 9PM, 80/60RMB. On Saturday night, hit up School Bar for Xiao He, 9PM, 100RMB, or the Acid Jazz show at 2 Kolegas with WHAI, Mickey Zhang and JungleMICO, 10:30PM, 60RMB.

Gig of the Week: 19 December — 25 December 2012

alex — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 05:50:55 +0000

Where: 2 Kolegas
When: Mon, 24 Dec, 21:00
How Much: 60RMB
Who: Perpetual Motion Machine, Rolling Bowling, Candy Monster, The K (Full Info)
Why: There’s really not that much going on this weekend. With everyone either planning for the apocalypse or recovering from a hangover or home for the holidays, there’s really not a lot of exciting new stuff going on this weekend. If you’re dedicated, though, and want to spend Christmas with your rock ‘n’ roll family, there’s no better place than 2 Kolegas, who have put together a decent lineup, including runners up for the Best New Artist award, Perpetual Motion Machine. It’ll be a fun night, if you don’t have to work the next morning, and it’ll be warm inside the venue if not outside. Happy Christmas, everyone!

When I said there wasn’t anything else on, I meant it. Relax, take the weekend off, and I’ll see you back here in a week to talk about new year’s.

MIDI Awards 2012: Perdel Wins Everything

alex — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:59:11 +0000

As with the Oscars, which is known for films that sweep the boards, the MIDIs are known for falling in love with a group and having them win multiple categories (we’re looking at you, Miserable Faith). This year, it was the indie pop group Escape Plan (逃跑计划), which in a colossally bad move changed their English name from Perdel (I don’t know what it means either, but I liked it) earlier this year from their original, twee Britpop stylings to something a little more rock ‘n’ roll. Their debut album, The World, was released at the beginning of 2012, and included some of their earlier tracks, remastered by the UK’s Giles Tully. They won for Best Album, Song, Rock Group Performance and Best Male Vocalist of the year.

Other big awards for the evening included Best New Artist going to Residence A (and as you may guess, I’m friggin’ ecstatic about that!!!), and the Special Award by the Grand Jury going to long-time rockers Second-Hand Rose. Congratulations to all the winners! Here they are:

Album of the Year: Escape Plan, World 逃跑计划《世界》
Song of the Year: Escape Plan, “The Brightest Star in the Sky” 逃跑计划《夜空中最亮的星》
Best Rock Performance By Group With Vocals: Escape Plan 逃跑计划
Best Male Rock Vocal Performance: Mao Chuan, Escape Plan 毛川-逃跑计划
Best Female Rock Vocal Performance : Helen Feng, Nova Heart 冯海宁-Nova Heart
Best Hard Rock Performance: King Lychee 荔枝王
Best Metal Performance: Four Five 肆伍
Best Rock Instrumental Performance: Mamu’er (bass), Mamu’er & IZ 马木尔-马木尔与IZ主唱／贝斯
Best Live Performance: Brain Failure 脑浊
Best New Artist: Residence A A公馆
Best Album Art: Iron Kite, Where the City and the Country Meet 铁风筝《城乡结合处》
Best Folk Music: Matiao 马条
Award For Special Contribution to Chinese Rock: Scream Records 嚎叫唱片
Special Award by the Grand Jury: Second-Hand Rose 二手玫瑰

Gig of the Week: 12 December — 18 December 2012

alex — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:25:45 +0000

Where: 2 Kolegas
When: Fri, 14 Dec, 21:00
How Much: 40RMB
Who: Friend or Foe, Residence A, Thruoutin, Devils at the Crossroad (Full Info)
Why: It was really tough not to say Su Yang this time. I think these two shows really tie for first place in my heart. But Friend or For at 2K is just going to be a super fun show, and you shouldn’t miss out. These guys are up from Shanghai with a remix album (on which one of the tracks was remixed by Thruoutin, performing at the show), and they’re always such an energetic live show. And as mentioned in last issue, I haven’t seen Residence A in ages, so it’ll be a great excuse. PLUS, if that wasn’t enough, we all know Dos Kolegas is going to take an extended winter holiday (they always do) so we may as well get our 2K time in while we still can. Though do rug up, it’s going to snow out there.

As mentioned, folk musician Su Yang is going to steal my heart on Saturday night, playing at Mako Live House, and you should come and see him too, 8:30PM, 100/80RMB. If you’re not there, Da Bang releases their new EP “Celebrate” at Yugong Yishan, 9PM, 80/60RMB. And if you miss out on Friend or Foe at 2K, you can always see them on Saturday at Temple for free with Fuzzy Mood and The Dyne, 9:30PM. Sunday is equally as packed, with the 2012 MIDI Award Ceremony at Wukesong M-Space, 4-10PM, 100/80RMB, a massive lineup at the Immerse Your Soul in Love show to benefit the elderly homeless at Yugong Yishan, 5:30PM, 100/70RMB, the Taiwanese indie poppers Tizzy Bac at MAO Live House, 8PM, 150/120RMB, and finally the ever-mesmerising Zhou Yunpeng at Mako Live House, 8:30PM, 100/80RMB.

Gig of the Week: 4 December — 11 December 2012

alex — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 04:32:27 +0000

Where: Yugong Yishan
When: Fri, 7 Dec, 20:30
How Much: 60RMB, 50RMB pre-sale
Who: Sparrow, Grinding Ear, Hua Lun (Full Info)
Why: In polar opposite to the Pairs show, this one’s a post-rock pick that’ll have you swaying in the aisles. I first discovered Sparrow a while ago, I don’t even know how, seeing some other band I don’t even remember now. Oh wait, yes I do, it’s their good friends and complete opposite in band styles, TooKoo. Anyway, Sparrow are friggin’ amazing, and they’ve come a long way from me buying their 5RMB self-burned CD. They’re releasing their newest EP, Rainbow Mountain, which I had the pleasure of listening to over the weekend. As expected, it’s ace, and of course Grinding Ear and Hua Lun will also bring some good energy to the stage as well. I haven’t seen the new Hua Lun myself, but I hear they’re great.

This weekend, School Bar reopens itself after a few cosmetic changes and one big change of heart: gone are the DJ sets, they’re going to focus on live music. How they’ll accomplish that, I have no idea, but that’s why I’m headed there for Chui Wan and more on their School Reborn night on Saturday, 9:30PM, 30RMB. If you were bummed about missing PK14 last week, check out the Clashing Noise show at Mako, where they’ll play alongside Streets Kill Strange Animals and Deadly Cradle Death, 8:30PM, 100/80RMB. Seriously, guys, PK14. They’re so great, and as Yang Haisong said last weekend, 好久不见.

Gig of the Week: 28 November — 4 December 2012

alex — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 03:57:06 +0000

Where: XP
When: Sat, 1 Dec, 21:00
How Much: 40RMB, 30RMB students
Who: Pairs, Gum Bleed, 16 mins, Baby Formula (Full Info)
Why: I’m not gonna lie, I’m super disappointed that Residence A is off the bill for this show. I haven’t seen them in ages and this was going to be a good opportunity for it. However, that doesn’t mean this show doesn’t deserve the spot as gig of the week. I first saw Pairs last year at Hot Cat, and while I slept through most of the other bands that night (there’s some great photographic evidence, thanks friends), the catnap gave me the energy to keep up with the energy of their show. I really have no idea how they do it, but they put everything into one hell of a set and I cannot wait to see it again, this time with different songs. Best part of all, it’s a vinyl release, so I can add to my collection of retro music recordings I can’t listen to.

Runners up this week are many and fucking awesome. Kicking off the season right, Maybe Mars First Winter Show gives you a taste of what’s to come from the label on Friday night with PK14 (back from recording in Sweden and the U.S.), Rustic and Skip Skip Ben Ben at Yugong Yishan, 9PM, 100/80RMB. Also at Yugong Yishan, tomorrow night they host German electro act Brandt Brauer Frick, who used to be the sort of techno group I didn’t really care for, but recently they’ve added some awesome layers of orchestration. Obviously they’re not bringing over an orchestra, but it’ll still be way rad. Check them out tomorrow, 9PM, 150/100RMB. Finally, Sunday sessions at XP bring Shanghai punk group Round Eye for their Genjing Records release, a 12-inch split with American prof-punk (that’s a thing?) band Libyan Hit Squad. Check out more info at the Genjing Records website.

Gig of the Week: 21 November — 27 November 2012

alex — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:52:44 +0000

Where: Temple
When: Sat, 24 Nov, 21:30
How Much: Free
Who: The Fever Machine, Devils at the Crossroad (Full Info)
Why: Shanghai bands in Beijing is becoming a sort of a thing recently, but as far as I’m concerned it’s a great thing. Fresh blood from Beijing is fun, but when you’ve got practiced bands coming up to the capital it means you get something new and something polished all at once. And while The Fever Machine is a little heavier than music I usually like, from the previews I’ve heard of their new album it’s going to be a rocking good time. Local act Devils at the Crossroad will be there to warm up the crowd, so expect it to be hot as hell (no pun intended) in Temple no matter what the weather is like outside.

On Friday night, catch Hong Kong indie pop group My Little Airport at MAO Live House, 8PM, 180/150RMB. Or for something completely different, try out rap collective Itsogoo with their debut album launch, also at MAO Live on Saturday, 9PM, 60RMB.