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Sep
6thQuickslants: Indiechina Celebrates, Apocalyptica, Shufuland, Tuya Festival and more..There’s a mouth watering variety of great gigs coming your way this weekend folks. You want metal, you got it. you want reggae, you got it, you want pop, you got it etc… i’m pretty stoked about this one folks so let’s get it started! Friday Sept. 7th Apocalyptica @ Yugong So we might not have gotten Metallica in town but we get something close enough here.. The Cello version! Apocalytica has been making waves for years with their own take on the songs. The monsters of rock themselves have given them their endorsement and they are usually picky. Indie China Anniversary @Mako Indiechina.com celebrates 8 years of covering the scene and they’re bringing in the big guns for this celebration. We’re talking really big underground guns: Low Wormwood, Omnipotent Youth Society, Glow Curve as well as relative unknowns (for me) The Dyne. This might be one of the few chances people get to see OYS without it being silly crowded and sold out considering Mako has a bigger capacity than Mao at least. A great bill and a good celebration of people that have supported the music industry for a long time. That said.. 8 years and they can’t figure out how to make a poster for their big event??? WTF? Longshendao @ Mao Dreadlocks and linen with be all over the Mao pit as China’s reggae icons, longshendao, comes out to party! Expect a lot of funny smells in the air, good times, sing alongs and one hell [...]
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May
3rdDitan Folk Festival 2012 Day 1 Review: Lotsa Fun, Good Times and a Little Less PizzazzI make no qualms about Ditan Folk Festival Being one of my favorite days of the years. As I wrote before, it’s the perfect day to bring together all the musos and non-musos alike for a whole day in the park relaxing. This year, despite a less than stellar lineup, it was no exception. We got there early with the crew so that we could stake out a good spot on the grass and so we did, just left of the stage, giving us a good perspective on everything happening. Much like the previous editions, this was a chilled event with people bringing in their picnic supplies along with a stand in the back for emergencies. I love that it’s all about music and no pressure. Talking about the music, day 1 was a bit lackluster, at least in the beginning. The performances by Ma Di, Song dong Ye and Co. were less than overwhelming, partly due to bad acoustics. To be honest, i didn’t care about any of those first acts even though i tried but it did make for good background music. It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that a voice wrapped itself around me like a lasso and dragged my attention back to the stage and away from the hoola hoopers: I found out later that their name was Polad & David, hailing from Shanghai. The simple mix of suave/riveting voice with deep low guitar strokes came in time to remind us that there was a huge music element [...]
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Dec
14thLive Music Quickslants: Shanren & Hanggai throw parties, new albums from Jurat & Duck Fight GooseWah, I’m still recovering from last weekend, is it really time for Quickslants again? The year may be winding down, but there’s still no shortage of great gigs to check out this weekend. Here’s just a taste of what’s available. Thursday December 15th: Little Marbles @ Yugong Yishan Swedish indie-gypsy-pop meets American bluegrass, a strange, but hopefully good combination of Little Marbles and the Randy Abel Stable. That p-word makes me want to run and hide, but if you’re into that kinda thing, this is one to check out. WHAI @ Jianghu Post/prog-rock ningxia style in the hutongs with WHAI, made up of Long Shen Dao & Buyi’s Zhang Wei on guitar, keyboard & guzheng, Lidong & Nucleus’s drummer Liu Miao and Chen Zhong on bass. I’ve caught these guys out at the drive-in a couple of times now and I’m really enjoying their style. Friday December 16th: Shanren & Lidong @ Mao Livehouse Two of the best folk bands in the city team up for one big night at Mao, Lidong from the north-west and Shanren from the south. Shanren are currently recording an album with Daze Central friend Martin Rawlins, we’re looking forward to that coming out in the New Year. Hanggai @ 2 Kolegas There’ll be lambs cooking, voices roaring and dancing galore when Hanggai throw a party in their home base 2 Kolegas. No matter where you start tonight, this will be the place to end it, I can see this one going all night! Saturday [...]
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Jun
28th‘dazeFEAST: The aftermath of a day filled with Sunshine, Music, Love and CelebrationI’m not sure where to start reviewing this baby because it’s so close to my heart and it’s very very very freaking biased but here comes folks! It’s gonna be a long one so buckle up and get a cup of coffee! I’ll start off by thanking 2 Kolegas for being the perfect venue and the Beijing Meteorological Bureau for their outmost cooperation. I need to thank the amazing Ruby for being at my side throughout the whole thing and helping keep the show rolling smooth. Trust me folks, dealing with 15 bands and their schedules was not an easy feat and she was a freaking Champ. Couldn’t have pulled it through without you babe! Thank you to Iris, Grace, Fiona and Mo Mo for manning the merch table I also need to thank Jaime Welton of Black Cat Bone/Bad Mamasan for cutting his vacation short to come and play ‘dazeFEAST no matter how hard that was. Huge thanks go out to Yang from Painkiller Mag and Rock in China for sorting out the Orange Amps Another big ups for Chery Bomb of the Flying Mantas for helping get flyers sorted out Thanks to Lauren Johnson, nightlife editor at City Weekend for the huge support she provided over the past few weeks. Thanks to Timeout, The Beijinger, Beijing Boyce, Beijing Gig Guide and Music Dish China and all others for also listing the event. A huge round of applause to all the bands and musicians because without the bands, there [...]
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May
9th‘daze FEAST: A day of Music and CelebrationYes folks, after threatening to do this for a while, we’ve take the plunge thanks to great friends all over Beijing that will make it possible! I’m announcing the first ( and probably only) ‘dazeFEAST to be held at 2 Kolegas Saturday June 25th 2011 What: ‘daze FEAST – A Celebration of Music & Fun When: June 25th, 2011 Where: 2 Kolegas – Liangmaqiao How Much: NO COVER ( buying CD from a participating band encouraged) Summary: Throughout the past two years, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet amazing people in this town in and out of concerts. The musicians, the fans, the friends, the venues have filled my life with enough memories for a few lifetimes. Well, now, these people are getting together to celebrate in Beijing for a whole day of music and fun at my favorite venue in town: 2 kolegas! This is a No Cover celebration but I’m hoping all of you will support the musicians, who have all gracefully donated their time and skill, by purchasing one or more of their CDs at the door. These cats have spent a lot of time and energy bringing you the fun and the music, they deserve the recognition. The Confirmed Lineup ( with many surprises coming up) * Mademoiselle et Son Orchestre * Dude * The Flying Mantas * Zhang Si’An * Black Cat Bone * Maggie Who * at least 2 more acts to be announced * There will be a lamb roasting in the pit [...]
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Nov
29thMusic for AIDS Awareness and Beijing’s Musicians Coming Together: 10 Questions with William GrayOne could argue that music/concerts have been one of the better publicized ways of draw attention or fundraising for a certain issue! Live Aid, Farm Aid etc… We’ve had concerts in Beijing held to raise money for the victims of various natural disasters so it nothing new. What’s new though is the approach one man has taken in the lead up to World’s AIDS day: William Gray has joined hands with P.T.E to put together a compilation of songs donated by Beijing based bands hoping to bring more awareness to the issue. Read what he’s got to say about PTE, himself, the bands and get ready to come out to the CD launch next week: 1- Who is Will Gray? This is you chance to plug your stuff I am a local foreigner (as apposed to expat) who’s lived in Beijing for 2 years, and a Year in Taiwan before that. I arrived in Beijing on the last day of the Olympics and my first objective was to get involved in the community, and to learn a little about some of the challenges of my new environment. I always felt that it wasn’t enough to just live in a place, I needed to be active and learn what was important to the local population . You cant do that from eating in Subway, and sitting in SanLiTun bars drinking QingDao Beer… 2- What’s the AIDS CD and how did it all come together? I think making mix tapes was always [...]
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Oct
7thBeijing Live Music Quickslants: 80s still rock, Cape Verde, Ember and a different set of musical flavors.It’s a holiday week coming out of a 2 festival weekend so things are understandably on the slow side in Beijing. There ain’t much taking place right now but some goodies are definitely worth a little stop over to get your live music fix: (updated friday with 2 gigs at 2 Kolegas (thanks Ruby)) Thursday October 7th: Zhang Si’An at Jiang Jin Jiu: The Frenchman is fresh from his win at GBoB with the insurance salesman and back on folk mode! He’s been working on a bunch of new songs that might just get played tonight. Expect a full band and a full house for tons of fun… you know Ruby will be there for sure. Friday October 8th: Ember Swift trio @ 2 Kolegas: Ok, I’m lame… how could i forget this one? there is some sort of conspiracy in the musi-verse against me catching Ember’s gigs at this point. Other obligations will keep me away yet again but I will catch her sooner or later. Bluesy rock, attitude and talent… good set of musicians + 2 Kolegas = you can’t go wrong Christophe Lier Trio at Jiang Hu: We’re getting started with Jazz season here and this might not be a bad show to hit on a Friday where there is literally nothing else happening in town. There’s supposed to be pianos involved but I’m not sure how they’re gonna pull that one off at Jianghu. Maybe a keyboard if we’re optimistic. Saturday October 9th: Back to the [...]
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Aug
27thLockdown in Nanluoguxiang or the Days the music died?Two gigs shut down at two different NanLuoGuXiang venues inside one week, is it simply the police flexing their authority for a little while or the start of something more serious? I wasn’t at Jianghu last Thursday, but I was getting reports during the night from friends who were. Three songs into their set Jean-Sébastien and Ubuul put down their instruments and called off the show. Apparently the neighbours thought it was too loud and asked the police to pay Jianghu a visit. Really, too loud? They have done something to the sound system at Jianghu, it’s significantly louder than it used to be, but this is Zhang Si’an after all, it’s folk! I’ve seen GAWTMY with 7+ people on that stage, yet a hand drum and guitar is too loud? I made it to Jianghu a little early last night, so I was able to catch Heath Marshall’s sound check. No problems checking the guitar, but when he started the drums (yes, he plays guitar and drums at the same time, the guy is an octopus!) suddenly there was a lot of discussion and the call came from Tianxiao (BD note: the owner) – no drums, too loud. And not only no drums, but turn down the vocals and guitar. It seems that Thursday wasn’t a once off, the police have been round a few times this week. Everyone was a little on edge about the noise levels, there was even mention of the bar being shut down …. [...]
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May
25thErguang headlines but Nanwu and Zhang Si’an steal the show @ Mako Live House on 2010.5.22At some point last week, I got a tip about this show at Mako Live House by some band called Erguang who’d been together for a few years and is finally releasing an album. I had never heard of them before but the facts that Nanwu and Zhang Si’an were on opening duties peaked my interest. Ruby and I got to Mako around 9:00PM just in time for the start of the festivities. There was s decent turnout that i estimate at maybe 150 folks hanging out in there. Zhang Si’an opened up the festivities with his standard songs accompanied by Uighur percussionist Ubuul. The duo played about half an hour of solo material including 幸福在哪里 and summertime much to a few people’s delight. his voice and guitar playing both stood out through Mako’s sound system which seems especially suited to Folk performances. JSB playing and voice were both sharp but what stood out even more was Ubuul’s drumming…. it just worked! good start to the gig! Nanwu was up next and the audience decided to get off their seats. Did I say that I love the infectious nature of these guys’ performances? I got the CD and listen to it often but when they play live, it’s something else. Their unique brand of crosstalk meets rock just sucks you in and gets you hooked. Saturday night was no different with the band pulling of yet another great performance and the audience eating it up including a few friends i [...]
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May
20thFree Music for the masses: Zhang Si’an Live @ Jianghu – a Beijing Daze exclusive*note:* Sorry about the broken download link. It’s fixed now! Just because the anniversary is over, it doesn’t mean we’re gonna stop bringing you folks the good tunes and with cause, we got a whole Live CD available today exclusively and nowhere else ever but at BeijingDaze.com. Yup folks, it’s none other than Zhang Si’an himself that was gracious enough to provide us with this fantastic recording of one his recent performances at jianghu jiuba in March 2010! This particular performance has Jean-Sébastien Héry (Zhang Si’an, 张思安 on Rythm Guitar, Zhongruan, Voice) & Mathieu Wahiche (Solo Guitar, sound effects 麻雀) Track Listing 1- 世界上的人 – Living on the back of the earth 2- 离开这个地方- Leave this place 3- 花儿为什么这样红 – Why are the roses so red (Cover, Uyghur folk song) 4- 引言 – Intro (Played on a Chinese instrument, the Zhongruan) 5- A 号火车 Take the A Train (Jazz classic from Duke Ellington played on the Zhongruan) 6- 幸福在哪里 – Where is happiness (Played on the Zhongruan) 7- 我的心死了- My heart is dead 8- 忘了- I forgot 9- 解放我。天净沙·秋思 Free me (Cover of an ancient Chinese poem by Ma Zhi Yuan) Please download the records above (by clicking on the cover) and enjoy it…. JSB is one of my favorite musicians to listen to these days and I have truly enjoyed the conversations we’ve shared at the various live venues in town. Again, sincere thanks to Jean-Sébastien for doing this and releasing this live album exclusively through BeijingDaze. If you [...]
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What once started as my personal ramblings has morphed into the number one collective resource about underground live music in Beijing and China. All bands, all music, all Rock n Roll, all the time with a little side of eclectic topics.. best of all, it's still as BIASED as ever
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- Joann on Quickslants: Jurat, PiL, XTX, Yangjima for a Loaded End of Week
- On The Scene: 2013 Strawberry Festival Day 1 | Live Beijing Music on MIDI 2013: Anywhere, Anytime, Thanks for the Rock n Roll
- ex virility pill on Quickslants: Jurat, PiL, XTX, Yangjima for a Loaded End of Week
- ruby on MIDI 2013: Anywhere, Anytime, Thanks for the Rock n Roll
- Beijing Daze on MIDI 2013: Anywhere, Anytime, Thanks for the Rock n Roll