For the runners up this week, I’m gonna have to link you to CW. Sorry again. This weekend is also the epic China Music Valley festival which, while expensive and far away from the city, really is worth it for the lineup. Where else in China are you going to see Joss Stone, Jesus and Mary Chain and Eason Chan in one place? It’ll be pretty epic. May 18–20, 350RMB per day on site. Back in the city, Friday night sees Australian pop-punk group The Stanleys play Old What Bar, 9PM, 40RMB; Local ‘zine kings Jing Weir host a night at Zajia Labs with some great experimental acts, 9PM, 30RMB; and acid jazz troupe Acid Live celebrate their 3rd anniversary at Yugong Yishan, 9PM, 80/60RMB. On Saturday, if messy nights at 2K doesn’t sound like your thing, Aussie-via-Rangoon-via-Japan singer-songwriter Tamas Wells takes the stage at Tango 3/F, and if everything I hear is true, there are still plenty of tickets, 7:30PM, 150/100RMB.

Get out and see it! The only other stand-out event I would recommend (if you like that sort of thing) is another electronic group, this time one that doesn’t use any laptops. Swiss group Syndrome WPW play Hot Cat Club on Sunday, 40RMB.

There’s a bunch of interesting electronic stuff going on this week, mostly at YGYS. Check out Strawberry performers Jeans Team and Pitchtuner at the Made in Berlin night, Friday @ 9PM, 80/50RMB, veteran Japanese MC Shing02 on Saturday @ 9PM, 150/120RMB, or X-1 tonight at 9PM, 50RMB. Yugong also hosts adorable indie pop duo Agnes Kain from Australia on Sunday @ 9PM, 120/80RMB. For something a little more down and dirty, hit up 2 Kolegas for The Argies, an Argentinian ska group which promises to be a rockin’ good time, 10PM, 60/50RMB.

Day 1, April 29. Strawberry Festival, Tongzhou Canal Park
Without Ditan Folk on this particular day, it’s between heavy hitters Strawberry and MIDI. And while MIDI’s first day has a good array of hard rock and metal groups, there’s nothing we can’t see at MAO Live House within the next month or so. And even if things were different, they’d be up against some seriously good acts at Strawberry’s opening day. Every single stage is jam-packed with awesome bands I’d pay good money to see elsewhere. The Strawberry stage has headlining foreign act, Blonde Redhead, alongside Hanggai, Re-TROS and New Pants. The Love Stage has indie pop rockers Convenience Store, the blind master of folk Zhou Yunpeng and rarely-seen punk rockers Reflector. The new Planet Stage has smaller-name foreign acts like Arms & Legs (US), Jeans Team (UK) as well as Hong Kong’s Killersoap. Plus, the Overload Stage kicks MIDI’s ass for metal groups, with veteran act Voodoo Kungfu alongside younger (but still just as hardcore) A.J.K. And even the electronic stage has stepped up its game, with Migas’ resident Nassdak, Lantern favorite Elvis.T and Italian newcomers and Haze regulars The Pipesmokers. As though that wasn’t enough, they also have their School of Rock stage with fresh young bands out for some festival experience, the experimental Cha stage and the “Strawberry Life” exhibition hall which will host cultural activities and events. There’s no reason not to get your ass to Tongzhou on the first day of May holidays.

Day 2, April 30. Ditan Folk Festival, Ditan Park
It’s hard for a little folk festival in a park to win out over mosh-pit wonders like MIDI and behemoth juggernauts like Strawberry, but Ditan Folk Festival has a solid chance this year. Even though my favorite band (Residence A, in case you had forgotten) is playing at MIDI, and some of my indie pop indulgences (Perdel and The Life Journey) are playing Strawberry, my heart belongs at Ditan. Two of my favorite folk acts are on that day, with Yunnan wunderkids Shanren and always-interesting experimental artist Xiao He likely closing out the evening. Bluegrass starlets The Randy Abel Stable are also performing, as well as the very talented French multi-instrumentalist Zhang Si’an. All in all, weather permitting it’ll be a lovely day to just sit in the grass listening to quality music amongst your friends. Stay in the city and recoup some of your energy.

Day 3, May 1. MIDI, Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park
I know that the word “Shunyi” makes people shudder at the thought of getting taxis to and from, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. MIDI has a 10-minute shuttle bus to and from the Fengbo (俸伯) subway station, which will be great on the way there, but I do worry about the fact that the last train is at 22:11; the last train at the Line 13 interchange is 23:24, and that will likely get you to Dongzhimen after the last train anywhere else leaves. Still, it’s doable, and I’m sure there’ll be a plethora of heiche willing to get you home. At any rate, transportation issues aside, the lineup is going to be a good one. The VANS stage plays hosts to Xi’an hip-hop crosstalkers (who famously cussed out Japan in their last appearance in Beijing) Black Head, one of my favorite high-energy punk rockers SUBS and old stalwart of the scene, Miserable Faith. Other stages host Aussie hardcore rockers Arcane Saints, veterans of the punk scene Misandao, the bizarre addition of indie pop-rock group Perdel and foreign rockers The Amazing Insurance Salesmen. Should be a great night, and check out the photos of the park — it looks amazing.

It’s worth noting that Day 2 & 3 are easily interchangeable, if you don’t like Xiao He or really don’t think Black Head are worth it. MIDI April 30 brings Mos Def, Residence A, Muma & Third Party, Voodoo Kungfu and folk artist Hao Yun. Ditan May 1 has solid Ningxia acts like Li Dong and Buyi, as well as funk outfit Afrokoko Roots and folk legends Traveler.

If you’re into ageing rockers, Yugong Yishan has your show — Marky Ramone’s Blitzkreig on Friday at 9PM, 240/180RMB (I have to say I’m kind of intrigued, but maybe not 240RMB intrigued). There’s also a few crazy Japanese things going on — experimental Subjam hosts two of Japan’s foremost experimental musicians at 2 Kolegas Fri @ 8:30PM, 60RMB, and then breakbeat duo Hifana perform at Yugong Yishan on Sat @ 9PM, 150/100RMB. And for something totally oddball, check out Norwegian punk rock group (with costumes!) Scampi Dips Chips & Campari at Temple, Sat @ 9:30PM, 50/40RMB. But if you’re just looking for a reliable weekend night, get over to 2 Kolegas for Skarving, DH & Chinese Hellcats and Mademoiselle, Sat @ 10PM, 60RMB.

When 2 Kolegas re-opened after the epic winter months, it was fitting that it was a Ningxia night. I really didn’t care who was on the lineup, though it was all the old faves — Buyi, Wu & The Side-Effects, WHAI, Lidong. I think I just spent most of the evening wandering around saying how much I had missed 2 Kolegas…

The Sally Can’t Dance experimental festival was held over two days at “the new D-22″ at Di’anmen, which made it doubly as interesting as it would have been by itself. I posted about the space, but the music was great as well. I went for the second, less harsh noise day and really enjoyed myself, and was happy to discover that Li Daiguo’s music was just as amazing as everyone had always told me.

Continuing in the theme of Sally Can’t Dance, the first JUE event I attended was the Tea Rocker’s Quintet, which was just as amazing as you’d imagine a band with Xiao He, Li Daiguo and Yan Jun would be. It was held in a gorgeous guqin studio in 798, and it was a delightful afternoon show filled with tea, music and relaxation.

Also at JUE’s 798 extravaganza that weekend, I managed to catch David Thomas Broughton, a wonderful folky singer-songwriter from Britain via North Korea who does a wonderful job looping sounds and weaving them into amazing songs. There were a couple of incidents where he threw things (a water bottle, his shoe) that I found more than a little odd, but it was forgiven for how great he sounded. I also stayed for a while afterwards to catch Lucifer’s quieter solo side, but they were mostly covers and I left when he started to cover Adam Green.

And then it was JUE, with their big first act of the festival, Death Cab For Cutie. This is, of course, not Death Cab but Life Journey, because the entire crowd was comprised of exuberant American youths, which is fine when you’re one yourself but mostly just makes you feel alienated if you’re not. The band put on a great show, though, and musically I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Post-rock night at Mao was just what it was advertised as: some of Beijing’s best post-rock musicians performing one after another. I got to see Sparrow, who I haven’t seen for nearly two years. They were just as good as ever, as was Glow Curve, but pentatonic and Grinding Ear weren’t really my favorites. However, we were hanging with an ex-member of pentatonic and got lots of juicy band gossip that I have totally forgotten by now.

This was billed as Black Cat Bone’s last show, since Jon Campbell was in town for The Bookworm and his book tour, and it was pretty damn good. It started after 1AM, and it was a total change from the zen-like night at Mao, but with enough fire in the belly it was jam-packed fun, as those masters of blues always are.

Another JUE offering, this was a snap decision on my part. With Jianghu being so close to my house, and the fact that singer-songwriters are a particular weakness of mine, I went down to see Courtney Wing after dinner and I do not regret the decision. It was a low-key night, with a bunch of people at some alumni party who didn’t even realize where they were, and the music was great. I also got to meet the lovely Qu Wanting, who had played a sold-out show at Yugong Yishan the night before.

Chapelier Fou is one of those artists you really have to see to believe. Listening to his tracks is great, but describing him is difficult and doesn’t do him justice. He’s an electronic artist who uses the violin, guitar, his voice, and whatever else he can get his hands on to create not only interesting pieces of music but also ones that wouldn’t go astray at clubs. Check out his myspace for now, and if/when he’s back in Beijing, catch him. Seriously.

I have never really considered myself a fan of trip-hop, though that’s probably because I never really gave it a chance. It’s a good genre, though I will admit it’s not the best one to see performed live. I enjoyed myself at the AM444 show, but I think the music lends itself to creating an atmosphere in headphones rather than in person. I didn’t stick around for ROM. Enough said.

One of the most anticipated Shanghai bands, though, were Rainbow Danger Club. It’s too bad I had been to Great Leap for the chili cook-off because that meant I was a little more than tipsy when I got to 2 Kolegas. Still, I remember having an amazing time, even if it took me a while to remember who was actually there with me. I do remember pogo-ing to RDC, and having the promised Jager shots with the guys from Friend or Foe. It was a super night and while I wish I had been more sober, I’m also glad I had that water break and got through it like a trooper.

Jef from New Noise had told me about how popular pg.lost was with the Chinese crowd, but I sort of didn’t believe him. But when I turned up to a totally packed-out Yugong Yishan, the proof was right in front of me. It wasn’t as fun as it could have been, stuck watching the show on a projector, but the music was great — I definitely really enjoy their brand of post-rock. And yet again, I close out the month with a Swedish post-rock group…

I want to highlight another show as well, though this one isn’t a live music event. The Beijing Gig Guide doesn’t cover electronic music, generally, but as City Weekend nightlife editor I have gotten to know the scene a little, and most of the people within it are just as lovely as in the live music scene. One of these lovely people, and a pioneer and driving force behind the electro scene here is one Miao Wong. She went into the hospital last week to prepare to have a brain tumor removed (yes, a brain tumor), which will happen this Friday. To help raise funds and celebrate Miao, Lantern (the venue she and Acupuncture runs) is throwing a party. I suggest that after knocking back a few shots at Temple, hop in a cab to Gongti and put down a pink hundo for Miao, and dance the night away. She’s worth it, whether or not you like electronic music. More info here.

And of course, there’s no official artist lineup, but Shanghai already has international acts Backyard Surgeons, Little Fish and Marky Ramone’s Blitzkreig, as well as big local bands Muma & Third Party, Brain Failure and Miserable Faith on the lineup. Fingers crossed we get in on most of that action, too. But if you want to check out a totally unofficial lineup that’s in the works and will likely change a thousand times before the bands actually get on stage, check out this post at Rock in China.

This Friday, another post-rock group is coming to Beijing, Sweden’s pg.lost at Yugong Yishan, 120/80RMB, 9PM. Mr. Graceless finally launch their album in Beijing with an afternoon show at Mao Live on Tuesday (which is okay for people who take Chinese holidays), 2PM, 30RMB. And Sound of the Xity is also hosting a couple Ningxia-style nights at 2 Kolegas, with Skarving and WHAI on Monday (9PM, 60RMB) and Wu & The Side-Effects and Nucleus on Tuesday (9PM, 50RMB). It should be a good weekend all around.