The best gigs in Beijing this September

The best live music in Beijing this month

Another packed-out month of musical mirth in the capital, with big-name acts from abroad and top local groups all doing their thing this September – here are just some of the best.

Kllo

Dusk Dawn Club. Sep 5. 80RMB.

Melbourne's Kllo, consisting of cousins Simon Lam and Chloe Kaul, fuse UK garage, dreamy synth-soul and laidback dance floor beats. They arrive in Beijing this September in support of their full-length debut Backwater, a coming-of-age release that sees them explore yearnings for the familiar.

Jessie J

Cadillac Arena. Sep 6. 380-1,580RMB.

Jessie J stops by the Cadillac Arena as part of a ten-stop tour of China. The singer, who made her name with global hit 'Price Tag', has found new fame in the country following her appearance and victory on Hunan TV talent contest Singer earlier this year. Building off of her success on the show and the release of a new four-part album R.O.S.E., she'll be knocking out the hits in Beijing this autumn.

Bilal

Blue Note. Sep 8-9. 300-400RMB. 

Philadelphia-born soul singer, Bilal is a dynamic artist whose eclectic music draws from gospel, jazz, soul, blues and hip-hop. He has been nominated for Grammy awards and also received one for his participation on Kendrick Lamar's critically acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly.

DAN

Yugong Yishan. Sep 9. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale). 

DAN are one of the hottest bands in Japan at the moment and have played huge stages such as the prestigious Fuji Rock Festival and shared stages with artists including James Blake and The xx. Their unique and thoroughly modern sound has influences ranging from underground house and techno through to psychedelic and African music.

Slowdive

Tango. Sep 14. 350RMB; 300RMB (presale). 

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Slowdive create unique, moody songs, with dreamy lyrics to produce a shoegaze sound with dub and ambient techno elements. Along with My Bloody Valentine and Ride, they've over the years become arguably one of the biggest bands in shoegaze.

Mild High Club

Omni Space. Sep 14. 200RMB; 160RMB (presale). 

A front for LA-based muso Alexander Brettin, Mild High Club arrive in Beijing armed with a psychedelic sound and spacey, grooving tracks such as 'Windowpane', 'Kokopelli' and 'Skiptracing'.

Cancer Bats + Spill Your Guts

School Bar. Sep 16. 150RMB; 130RMB (presale). 

Canadian hardcore bunch Cancer Bats mix hardcore, southern metal and punk rock into one lethal explosion. They've played festivals all over the world, including Sonisphere, Reading, Leeds and Mighty Sounds, and are joined by banging Shanghai hardcore outfit Spill Your Guts at School Bar this September.

Kesha

Workers' Gymnasium. Sep 21. 280-1,280RMB; 1,588RMB (VIP). 

Debuting at number one on charts around the world, as well as earning international acclaim and gold certifications, Kesha's newest album Rainbow speaks to emotive personal themes, ranging from female empowerment to finding inner forgiveness. She brings Rainbow to Beijing this September.

Upstream Gaze Festival: Volume 2

Omni Space. Sep 22-23. 180RMB (two-day); 130RMB (one-day); 100RMB (one-day, presale).

Modernsky hosts an excellent two-day shoegaze and psychedelic bonanza, featuring Fazi, Birdstriking, Default, Last Goodbye, The Romp and more.

For more great things to do in Beijing this September, hit 'Read more'. 

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