Weekend Gig Guide, Nov 18-20: SISU, Trip Balls Night, Future Orients, Grant Green Tribute Night

We here at the Beijinger are pleased to present Live Beijing Music's weekend gig guide, written by head honcho Mr. Will Griffith. Will has been running around Beijing for over four years, documenting the city's shows and the requisite onlooking drunkards with various cameras/sound recorder setups, losing plenty of equipment along the away in his attempt to capture Beijing's aural spirit. You'll occasionally catch him pogoing like a madman when he's not got a camera in hand. Remember to add LBM on WeChat (ID: livebeijingmusic) for up-to-date and comprehensive gig updates and media. Take it away, Will ...

 

Prepare yourself for the weekend onslaught folks – it’s gonna get messy. Album releases galore, a Tianjin landmine of bands invading Gulou, and synth-ridden visitors from aboard, toss a stone and you’re bound to hit something. Best of luck out there – here’s your weekend roundup. 

 

 

 

SISU, the solo project of Dum Dum Girls’ drummer Sandra Vu, is heading to China to present their “echo-ridden, cold, distorted synth sounds”. The Los Angeles based band, who dabble in everything from psychedelic pop to electronic music, got their first taste of the Mainland back in October in cozy LA with Chui Wan, Carsick Cars, and Alpine Decline, and now they’re coming to return the favor. Catch their first performance tonight at Modern Sky Lab alongside Earsnail, the duo of Wang Xu (white+ drummer) and Yan Shuai (of Da Bang). RMB 160

 

 

Converse hosts the latest generation of expat driven bands that have sent shockwaves through the scene – from the power post rock symphony of Macondo, to the noise punk trio Motorbike Girls, there’s a bit of something for everyone – and very generous on the ol’ wallet to boot. Free

 

 

Musical cultures entwine at this early Shamanic world music showcase at DDC featuring some of the scenes unsung heroes, including Mongolian percussionist Bi Yuanfei, of Moxizishi and Zhangzi, southern-bred Chinese nature documenter Chen Zhipeng, and Yunnan based frame drummer Wang Yun, as well as other friends. RMB 100

 

 

From world music to sythnwave. A prominent figure in indie synthwave scene, the French raised producer has been making (!) waves since his underground classic Nightdrive With You. He returns with his latest EP, Figure, with a live performance at DDC. RMB 80

 

 

As the poster entails it’s time to trip balls. Ummm, OK. Last time I ‘tripped balls’ in Temple was when they had couches in the corner. Place turned into a hive of debauchery and lunacy before we had to leave cause the hundred pound girl with us started having an exorcism that was becoming all to real. Freakish times – anywho, some quality music tonight including the dense folk rock tunes of The Paramecia, the indie rock swagger of Me Guan Me and some post rock soundscaping courtesy of By Dream. Free

 

 

Long standing blues rock outfit Mizang celebrate their 15th anniversary with a powwow with friends and family, beer and glory, as well as esteemed special guest – Chicago blues pianist Sumito Ariyo. RMB 80

 

 

Spacey psych duo The Dice! joins harsh noise connoisseur Ding Chenchen and more for some musical mischief. RMB 40

 

 

Indie pop outfit Poshangcun, bring their sugar-coated sunshine pop to Shuangjing to celebrate the release of their new album. These guys are pros – don’t be surprised if you find yourself clutching your heart and singing along by the end of the night. RMB 100

 

 

Not exactly on my menu often but it’s always nice to check in on the classical scene here in Beijing – tonight David Braid, a world-renowned pianist/composer from Canada, along with the Peking Sinfonietta, is giving a concert entitled ‘Jazz Meets Classical’ – expect crossover interpretations of such classics like ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. RMB 100-580

 

 

Suzi Xu of folk rock trope The Paramecia presents tracks from the band’s upcoming album with some fellow bandmates and friends, including Hadi on the tabla drum, and Andrew Gannon on the violin. RMB 75

 

 

Fresh faces over in the resident college livehouse, 13 Club in Wudaokou – rock and roll is my guess – hear that’s all the rage these days. Really though can’t go wrong with a band named ‘Heroin Dounut.’ RMB 50

 

 

Indie singer-songwriter Ember Swift brings her swag and stylish indie rock to the Fangjia Hutong hangout. Free

 

 

Northeastern Chinese singer-songwriter, Wang Wu, whose loose hair and vibrant voice made him a finalist on one of the country’s top rated American Idol clones, performs at the (still open) Nanluogu Xiang space. RMB 50

 

 

Former front women of seminal female rock band Cobra, Xiao Ying Zhu joins ‘Casa Flamenco’ founder Liu Qiao and Liu Teng for some gypsy jazz goodness. Free

 

 

Folk scene and acoustic regulars take over the Xizhimen space to pay tribute to the late and great Leonard Cohen. 60 RMB

 

 

 

Tianjin based label and promoters 20 Years Record brings the party to Beijing with an all day music fest featuring some of the city’s most eligible bachelors. Session one kicks off at 3:30 with Argentine tango styled orchestra, followed by some fast, loose rock and roll from post punk outfit Division Control, punk pop kids Boss First, post rock soothers 16th Floor, metallers Three Quarters Dead, and more. The organizers will also be bringing their latest Tainjin compilation, so be sure to grab that. Kick ass opportunity to check out what kind of ruckus our neighbors can make. RMB 40 (one session), RMB 100 (all day)

 

 

Visceral punk veterans SUBS bring the tour home in celebration of the band’s newest EP – Grotesque Show. The band’s been digging into their electronic edge more and more and it’s front and center on their latest – expect a visual treat and one of the city’s hardest working bands doing what they do best. Getting you moving. RMB 120

 

 

With their debut release, Eat Or Die, picking up praise here and aboard, and in the midst of a nation wide tour, Beijing’s indie rock outfit Future Orients seem all grown up now. Which makes their tour stop at School something of a homecoming party for the lively, dance-worthy, Foals-esque rockers. Support from the ever-evolving post punks Lonely Leary, also recently signed to the Maybe Mars family. RMB 80

 

 

If that wasn’t enough releases to worry about, there’s the latest EP release for catchy indie rock trio Elenore, another band I can’t recommend enough. Tight, melodic, and robust UK-stylized rock and roll. They’re be closing out their nine city tour and keeping fans happy over in Beixinqiao with the help of britpop rockers Penicillin. RMB 100

 

 

Mao Livehouse looks to turn things up as they set loose a grab bag of bands and genres – from the new school pop of Gentle Grape (great name), the folk rock of Black Mint, to the female pop rock of Tong – there’s a bit of everything for everyone. RMB 80

 

 

Industrial electro rock and other psychedelic musings courtesy of the (new) Glamour Manifesto and the always dependable WHAI. Not sure where the ‘tripping balls’ suggestion is but if there’s any band that deserves some shroomage it’s WHAI. Free

 

 

Hear classic Kazakh folk songs as these seasoned musicians from across China perform followed by a funk dance jam in the second half. RMB 70

 

 

Grunge, funk, hard rock and just maybe some skanking, the old warehouse in 798 hosts some the local flavor with these ruffians. RMB 100  

 

 

If you missed them Friday night here’s your second chance to catch indie rock catchers Paper Tigers and Joker’s Belief who’ll join their fellow brethren One Hung Low for some Hot Cat fun. Free

 

 

Chinese American singer songwriter honed her skills in Victoria Harbour and now she’s presenting her new album, The Lightness of Being at 69 Café. OK is that the last album release? RMB 77

 

 

Recipient of countless awards across the globe Russian born pianist Yuri Favorin sets up shop at La Plantation for an exquisite recital featuring the works of Beethoven, Bellini, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and more. RMB 150

 

 

Jazz talents pay tribute to blues legend Grant Green with guitar pickers Scott Silverman, Hideaki Tokunaga, and more. RMB 60

 

 

A Soviet psychedelic music party – this is just too enticing to pass up. Cartoons, documentaries, music, and workshops dedicated to the underground psychedelic scene across the Soviet countries of yesteryears. Dope. Free

 

 

 

Seasoned drummer Sandra Vu, who has played with such greats as The Raveonettes, Dum Dum Girls, and Dirty Beaches, presents her solo project SISU for a special Sunday performance at School – expect dark, layered, and dreamy synthwave to get lost in. Support from electro rock veterans Pacalolo. RMB 80

 

Now here’s a hell of a way to try to back out of the coming workweek – pedal to the metal rock and roll from some of the scene’s most primed and fresh outfits – stoner rock class, hard rock theatrics, and sped-up metal riffs courtesy of Electric Lady, Ramblin’ Roze, and Tumour Boy. Just make sure to call in sick Monday. Free

 

 

David Kuckhermann specializes in the art of the handpan, having created his personal style, incorporating techniques and rhythms from the handdrumming traditions of Iran, India, Egypt, Europe, Turkey and Africa. Catch the unique performer and instrument in all its glory tonight. RMB 80

 

 

West Coast meets the Far East with this Korean American hip-hop showcase featuring rising bilingual stars Bloo, Owen Ovadoz, Loopy, and Nafla – get the lowdown over here.

 

 

Chicago blues piano maestro gives a masters class before jamming out along fellow musicians. Master class starts at 3.30pm if that’s your thing – jam session takes place at 9pm. RMB 60

 

 

Chinese American singersongwriter honed her skills in Victoria Harbour and now she’s presenting her new album, The Lightness of Being at Yue Space. RMB 100