Let There Be Beats! – Top Upcoming Electro Acts in Beijing

Comments(0) Add Your CommentFeb 13, 2012 By Joel Evans, eChinacities.com

As I left England after my Christmas break, I noticed with no little pang of jealousy a poster on a shop wall. It proclaimed the imminent arrival to the local venue of Drum and Bass legend Andy C, supported by none other than Shy FX, another giant of the genre. It's one of those things that I really miss about living in the West. While there is a burgeoning electronic music scene in Beijing, there is relatively very little in the way of good gigs or shows here, unless you happen to be one of the hordes of screaming A-pop fans. Personally, I'm allergic to the stuff and it gives me a rash every time I go into Tous Les Jours.

Imagine my surprise then to learn of a veritable raft of acts coming to our fair city in the not too distant future, and they are all ones that you don't want to miss if you have any interest in the genre. Not least because seeing them in Beijing is likely to be a slightly surreal experience.

Let There Be Beats! – Top Upcoming Electro Acts in Beijing
Photo: 4volt.com

1) Calvin Harris
So we begin, as so much does, with a choice! Lines from trashy fantasy novels aside, since Calvin Harris and ConRank are playing on the same night, it's really all a matter of taste. Scottish producer Calvin Harris is another massive name in Britain, and his appearance at The One Club (along with Pendulum in March) says a lot about the ambition of the club's owners.

If you ever leave your house you will probably already be aware that Harris is visiting Beijing, which also shows they aren't shying away from promoting the hell out of the night. More mainstream than ConRank, Calvin Harris nonetheless has produced multiple top 5 tracks with his catchy and eminently 'danceable' sound. The mood is likely to be more relaxed and less sweaty at this venue than at Lantern so it depends what you want out of your evening. If knowing the words is a prerequisite, definitely go to The One Club.

Date: Feb. 18th, 22:00
Venue: The One Club
Price: 250 RMB pre-sale; 300 RMB at door
Website: www.cooldjagency.com
Ticket booking: 010 8671 6600; 158 1066 4900 (table booking)

2) ConRank
Hailing from London and after the release of his 'Next Step' EP last summer, Shanghai-based DJ ConRank helps to blow away the remnants of the January blues with a healthy dose of Drum and Bass built on dub step foundations. This gig comes courtesy of the Syndicate team, who will be supporting ConRank with some of the more than capable resident DJ members.

ConRank has an impressive pedigree and a proven ability to fill dance floors all over the world. For example, he fought off competition from such international luminaries as Fatboy Slim & Major Lazer to win the best international DJ award by Taiwanese magazine, WaaKao. Perhaps in recognition of his prowess, he is signed to no fewer than three well-respected European labels and has hosted his own MTV show. He was also ranked fifth on Baidu's 10 hottest celebrities in China. With much of his influence coming from the some of the more established electronic sounds of the last 10 years, ConRank has skilfully created his own take on the relatively new Dubstep genre. Live, he pulls those influences into a mash-up of Hip-Hop, Drum and Bass, Dubstep and Jungle – looped with his own beats, bass lines and tracks to create something energetic and eclectic.

Date: Feb. 18, 21:00-06:
Venue: Lantern Club
Tel: 010 5136 5592
Price: 50RMB

3) Cut Chemist
Lucas MacFadden, better known as Cut Chemist, is a hip hop and turntablist DJ from the States. As a key member in both Jurassic 5 (another awesome band in its own right) and Ozmatli, Cut Chemist proved his worth as one of the world's most forward thinking DJ / producers. After leaving both groups he then began collaborating with the legendary DJ Shadow on a number of projects before the two began a worldwide tour, selling out countless venues.

As with any Cut Chemist gig, the visual show should be almost as much of a spectacle as it is a musical experience. He is particularly accomplished at scratching, and so there should be a lot thrown in while he plays. That should be particularly exciting for anybody who used to mime doing that as a kid (I know I did). The beats are pretty chilled and his latest music has been strongly influenced by traditional Latin and African sounds which is definitely conducive to a good night of dancing. Yugong is also a good venue, with a fair amount of space on the dance floor without it being too rammed (dependant on ticket sales of course!), but still managing to keep a good atmosphere. It's also not too far to trek to the bar either! All in all, should be a cracking night out.

Date: Mar. 3rd, 01:00
Venue: Yuyong Yishan
Tel: 010 640 42711
Price: TBA
Website: www.yugongyishan.com

4) Pendulum
If you are in any way interested in the Drum and Bass or the electronic genre then Pendulum will undoubtedly need no introduction. Founded in Perth in 2002, they exploded onto the British scene in 2005 with the likes of 'Slam' and 'Tarantula' from their first album "Hold your Colour". Since then they have changed their sound a great deal over the course of two albums culminating in something which perhaps could be considered the spiritual successor to alternative dance legends The Prodigy.

While the legitimacy of their claim to such illustrious company is a matter of personal taste there is no doubt that they are a class act. If your preference for drum and bass is so passionate then it allows no room for other musical forms then you might be disappointed in the way Pendulum have deviated from their roots. If, however, you're game for some frenetic and sweaty dancing to metal-inspired dance music then you should get an advance ticket. Owing to Pendulum's profile, tickets are likely to sell out quickly and 300 RMB on the door is a little pricey.

Date: March 10th
Venue: The One Club
Price: 200 RMB for early bird tickets (Feb.5-20); 250 RMB pre-sale (Feb.20-Mar.9); 300 RMB at the door
Ticket website: http://en.piao.com.cn/beijing/ticket_4402.html
Ticket hotline: 400 610 3721

Tags: Nightlife,Events

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