5 Best Live Music Shows in Guangzhou This Weekend

By Bryan Grogan, November 15, 2018

That's Guangzhou takes a look at the best gigs of the week.

Fri, Nov 16: Lionman @ Brasston

Brasston bring together a trio of funk musicians in Lionman, Dizkar and Xia Zhijun this Friday evening. Known for wearing a traditional Chinese lion mask on stage, and for his thick thumping bass notes, Lionman's distinctive style contrasts well with Dizkar's jazz-laced, static-infused beats. Keen for an evening of chill beats? This is most certainly the event for you.

Fri Nov 16, 9pm; RMB80 presale, RMB100 at the door. Brasston. See event listing. Tickets.

Fri, Nov 16: Swindle @ Mao Livehouse

Image via Swindle/Facebook

Shanghai event promotor Big Beat Soundsystem are bringing a bunch of garage/grime artists to Guangzhou this weekend. Top of the bill are Swindle and Royal T. Whereas Royal T harnesses the raw power of UK garage, Swindle tends towards dub music. Both have a magnificent talent for inflating bass notes and creating raw, unadulterated energy.

Fri Nov 16, 10.30pm; RMB100 presale, RMB150 at the door. Mao Livehouse. See event listing. Tickets.

Sat, Nov 17: nmlss @ Floating Island Club

After putting on a pair of performances last weekend in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Hoodoo bring you a third and final event in celebration of their fourth birthday. This time they draft in nmlss, a British DJ out of Shanghai, who brings with him a penchant for electro, outsider house and deep industrial beats, as well as a fondness for yoga. Joining him will be Province of Nowhere and the usual Hoodoo crew for another of their awesome 12-hour parties at Floating Island Club.

Sat Nov 17, 8pm; free entry. Floating Island Club. See event listing.

Sat, Nov 17: Kawa @ T:union

Since Kawa rose to prominence as one of the first-ever reggae bands in China, younger upstarts like JahWaZoo have sprouted up around the country. On this tour, the band make their way back to the Southern province, Yunnan, and will entwine their own popular Caribbean sound with a lesser known side of Chinese folk. A legendary band in their own right, their stop in Guangzhou is one you shouldn't miss.

Sat Nov 17, 8pm; RMB80 presale, RMB100 at the door. T:union. See event listing. Tickets.

Sun, Nov 18: Sparrow @ T:union

Sparrow return to T:union this weekend. The last time we caught this band in this particular venue, the crowds were out the door, stood stock-still and absorbing the intense sound that this awesome post-rock band can muster. They return to Guangdong this week with their latest release, Temple Rain Lianzhu. Expect the same again, and grab your tickets early.

Sun Nov 18, 8pm; RMB100 presale, RMB120 at the door. T:union. See event listing. Tickets.

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[Cover image via Swindle/Facebook, @Lionman狮子侠/Weibo, @Kawa乐队/Weibo, @文雀乐队Sparrow/Weibo]