Bastille, Sam Smith, The Fratellis and more on Time Out Tickets

The best concerts, films, parties and more on Time Out Tickets

MUSIC

Mike Shinoda

Beijing Exhibition Center. Aug 12. 480-1,280RMB

The co-founder and vocalist from the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning rock bank Linkin Park comes to Beijing this August for his first solo concert in China. Performing songs from his brand-new debut album Post Traumatic, Mike Shinoda is set to provide insight into the difficulties he experienced after the death of his friend and Linkin Park co-vocalist Chester Bennington.

Wolf Alice

Tango. Aug 15. 400RMB; 350RMB (presale)

An evocative North London alt-rock outfit led by vocalist Ellie Rowsell, Wolf Alice deftly mixes folk, grunge, and electronic elements with vintage '90s indie rock. Their 2015 debut album My Love is Cool would go on to be nominated for a whole raft of awards, including the Mercury Prize as well as a Brit, Ivor Novello and Grammy awards. They're set to arrive in Beijing this August performing music off 2017's Visions of a Life.

Bastille

Tango. Aug 26. 580RMB; 480RMB (presale)

Best known for monster hit 'Pompeii', British indie pop band Bastille are storming Beijing this August performing music off their sophomore release Wild World.

The Fratellis

Tango. Oct 21. 580RMB; 480RMB (presale)

Scottish glam-fuelled rugged rock trio The Fratellis – best-known for inescapable mid-'00s hits such as 'Chelsea Dagger' and 'Whistle for the Choir' – are heading to Beijing following the release of their fifth studio album In Your Own Sweet Time. Get your dose of mid-'00s nostalgia from the Glaswegian oik-rockers this October.

Sam Smith

Cadillac Arena. Oct 25. 480-1,880RMB

Having started out guesting on dance-pop records, Sam Smith turned his hand to heartstring-tugging balladry when he launched his solo career proper, and it's fair to say it's worked out pretty well for him with a string of chart-topping tracks to his name at the age of just 26. Now the star is bringing his Wagas-famous hits to the capital for the first time.

THINGS TO DO

Hello, My Name is Paul Smith

Today Art Museum. Until Oct 7. 120RMB (weekend); 90RMB (weekdays)

From his company’s modest beginnings in Nottingham to its international prominence today, this exhibition showcases Paul Smith’s intuitive take on design, and the British fashion designer's journey in building his brand, as well as his evolving stylistic tastes. To read our interview with the iconic designer, click here.

The Forbidden City

Every day except Monday. 70RMB (Apr-Oct); 50RMB (Nov-Mar)

Got family visiting you in Beijing and can't be bothered dealing with the hassle of sorting out tickets to the Forbidden City on the day? Skip the crowds and guarantee a spot by purchasing tickets here.

STAGE

Cirque du Soleil: Toruk – The First Flight

Cadillac Arena. Aug 1-5. 280-780RMB

Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron's imaginary world in one thrilling production.

Matthew Bourne: Cinderella

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Aug 7-12. 99-880RMB

Matthew Bourne has made ballet into big business by remembering a very simple lesson – that dance, originally, was about entertainment. His production of the iconic fairytale is set in London during World War II with Cinderella's prince reimagined as a young RAF pilot. And like everything else he does, it's a hit.

Kinky Boots

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Aug 24-30. 280-1,080RMB

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots tells the story of a struggling shoe factory in Northampton. When factory owner Charlie Price has a chance encounter with drag queen Lola, he's inspired to create a line of sexy heels for transvestites in order to help save the family business. Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, with music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this Tony Award-winning musical is fabulously sassy, dazzling and uplifting.

Cats

Beijing Century Theatre. Sep 22-27. 180-1,280RMB

Based on TS Eliot's Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical Cats is set in a larger-than-life junkyard playground that's home to a variety of feline characters. With spectacular sets, breathtaking choreography and of course, the hit song 'Memory', Cats is a musical like no other.

Stomp

Poly Theatre. Sep 26- Oct 6. 180-780RMB

Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and more fill the stage with energising beats at Stomp, the inventive and invigorating stage show that's dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying experience.

Rent

Beijing Century Theatre. Oct 11-17. 80-880RMB

In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway... and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson's Rent continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, Rent follows a year in the lives of seven impoverished artists struggling to survive in the thriving days of New York City's Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

To purchase tickets or to check out more brilliant events, hit 'Read more'.

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