Noise Pollution: Devendra Banhart, Underdog, DFA1989, and More

It’s an inferno out there, folks. Brain waves are drifting apart, and motor functions are on their way out. Meaning, you’re susceptible to all the curiosities that Beijing has to offer, including it’s massive, sprawling music scene. So whether you’re looking to check out one of the psychedelic folk scene’s finest, Beijing’s premier ska punk band, or some doom drone (for those looking to go off the deep end), it’s there for the taking. So venture forth, you amorphous blobs of sweat, hormones, and sandals.

Nocturnes x Mimik Banka feat. Fu Liwei, Tan Yingjie at Yue Space
There's nothing better than a high concept gig – that sense of uncertainty and unexpected surprises that await you. Friday's team up of Beijing alt-rockers Mimik Banka and indietronica duo Nocturnes has all the makings of being a gig folks will certainly be talking about afterwards – an interlocked duet between the two bands (one on stage, the other on the floor), a dancer on hand, and an entirely one of a kind set design involving some cutting-edge strobe lights and sleights of the hand. I really have no idea what's in store, but that's part of the beauty. RMB 80Underdog, Xiao Wang, Wasted Laika at DDC
The Beijing ska punk band Underdog, one of last year's best new additions to the scene, delivered their debut LP earlier this year and it's all kinds of good. Lyrically-driven with a keen sense of structure, chops, and tender humor, they deliver one dusty horn-infused, harmonica-pimping ska anthem after another. A class act of old-school ska punk, bluegrass swag and rockabilly charm that immediately wins you over. They're rolling through DDC as apart of their tour, with riot grrrl outfit Xiao Wang and art punks Wasted Laika on board to help. RMB 80Backhand Thrust, Accidental Collision, Shave N' Shut, The Demonstrators, Discord, Hell City at School
It is going to get wild tonight as visiting noise punks Backhand Thrust and old-school ska punks Accidental Collision, from Chongqing, descend upon School for some dirty fun. Joining the fun are oi punks Shave n' Shut, street punks The Demonstrators, punk legends Discord, and mohawked metal punks Hell City. Best to mosh your face. RMB 80Devendra Banhart (US), Noah Georgeson (US) at Yugong Yishan
Weird, but weirdly irresistible, the charming, witty, and whimsical work of singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is one of a kind. Often classified as 'freak folk', his work brims infectious energy, hearty laughs, and bossa nova-laced grooves. With nine studio albums under his belt, he's been at the forefront of the alternative folk scene for over a decade – a true auteur whose music needs to be seen to be believed. He'll be joined this special evening by Grammy winner and musician Noah Georgeson. RMB 180DFA1989 at Magnet Theater
The infamous doom drone collective, with a constantly shifting line up of musicians with a diverse repertoire of instruments and talents, creates an experience that does not revolve around songs or melodies, but rather an overwhelming audio-sensory dreamscape. Accompanied by original avant-garde horror films that pierce through darkness, the dirge drones will rise like mountains and haunting spoken words tell tales of nightmares, incubi, and other ghastly and grisly themes that invite you to explore the depths of your own imagination and design. 4pm start. RMB 80Swarrm, Acid Accident, Sardine Is Back and the Wheel is Broken at Temple
Crunchy instrumental rock, sweeping post-rock vistas, and improvisational freakouts of the highest degree to get those legs moving – just another evening at Temple as they host up 2018's newest additions to the scene, Acid Accident and Swarrm, as well as the seasoned mania that is Sardine Is Back and the Wheel is Broken. FREESleep Party People (Denmark), SNSOS at Mao Livehouse
Sleep Party People's wistful, brooding dream pop, the brainchild of Danish artist Brain Batz, is unlike anything you've heard of before. While a dense atmosphere, crisp drum machine, and thick synthetic sounds make it easy to point to acts like Animal Collective and Cocteau Twins, Sleep Party People is more paranoid in their sound, creating tightly wound melodies with ups and downs, with gentle piano lullabies matched with distorted signals – truly going down the rabbit hole. They finish off their tour with support from SNSOS. RMB 150Deformed Boi, N-Bomb, Saber, SiWeiTe, Odd Mido, Odd Pluton, SistaKilla.L, Rtsunami, Spam, C-Jam, DJ Quaver, Apw at Omni Space
Homies, the latest platform to shine a light on the exploding hip-hop scene in Beijing and beyond, throw down at Omni Space with a hip-hop extravaganza featuring the Dungeon Beijing crew as well as guest of honor Deformed Boi – the hardcore rap group. RMB 180Jeremy Chenalier (Switzerland), Julie Semoroz (Switzerland) at fRUITYSPACE
Swiss artist Julie Semoroz and Jeremy Chevalier hit up fRUITYSPACE as part of their cross-China tour, bringing experimental techno/noise music that explores mournful themes, abstract poetics and intangible and untouched territories to audiences across the country. RMB 80

Want to cut a rug instead? Check out the best of this weekend's nightlife here.

Photos: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers

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