JUE Music + Art Fest
By admin on 2014-12-29

This month's ongoing JUE Music + Art Fest can be likened to a treasure hunt. Schedule in hand, the three-week event gets the musically curious trekking all over Beijing and Shanghai to tucked-away venues new and old, seeking out artists with names like Dead Elvis, Omnipotent Youth Hotel and Trippple Nippples, which upon discovery begs the question, "Was my city always this cool?"

"We absolutely planned JUE with the idea of encouraging people to go out and experience something new," Abby Lavin, marketing/media manager for JUE organizers Split Works, told the Global Times. "We really want to encourage different types of art lovers to mix and mingle and overlap and to perhaps discover new art forms to love."

Originally starting as a 2007 Split Works one-off fest in Shanghai, JUE (which translates to "senses") is a billed as an "independent annual festival of mixed-media goodness at venues across Beijing and Shanghai during 17 days of spring, showcasing up-and-coming local and international artists of all stripes," according to the event's website.

However with its scattered venues, mix of art showings and opting for pay-as-you-go events, JUE resembles the Beijing- Shanghai scene on any given month rather than a tightly organized festival. By coinciding with pre-existing art shows, the Bookworm Literary Festival and film events about town, JUE is at least, connecting dots in the music and art world.

"I think JUE is more like a slice of what is already going on here," said Helen Feng, Free the Birds lead singer and radio DJ, "putting it in a festival form just helps people rethink about going out."

Already bringing in international acts such as indie folk songstress St. Vincent (US) and rockabilly horror show Dead Elvis (Netherlands) last weekend, JUE is keeping up the international eclecticism with upcoming musicians hailing from Japan (electro outfit Trippple Nippples), Iceland (composer ólafur Arnalds) and Canada (folk singer Julie Doiron).

Beyond the overseas talent, JUE is a call to become more self-aware of your own city's scene, to get out of your comfort zone and see what's going on.

"Beijing bands like TooKoo and Bigger Bang! represent the vibrancy of the scene, how the movement has becomes strong and self reliant," said Mark Hiew, a Beijing music journalist. "There is a lot of electronic rock and post punk going on, but re-imagined in a Beijing context."

JUE further showcases local acts by giving Chinese bands a push with its "cross talk" series, shuttling Beijing bands to Shanghai and vice versa for some musical inter-city intercourse. The Beijing delegation includes Mongolian folksters Hanggai, electro outfit Yufeimen and the art-rock of Omnipotent Youth Hotel. Although Shanghai is only sending up one band, nu-metal quartet The Mushrooms, the show promises chaos.

"I hope more promoters start looking east, after all, this will help keep down travel expenses that the promoters are paying," commented Blake Stone-Banks, Music Editor at City Weekend-Beijing.

For listings, visit www.juefestival.com.

JD Twitch (OPTIMO) - UK

For those still standing up after Trippple Nippples, JD Twitch will make sure you get back down as the renowned Scottish DJ of Glasgow's Optimo Club takes to the tables for a vinyl nightcap.

"The man is a legend and his sets are always so eclectic. I'm looking forward to dancing my ass off," said Lavin from Split Works.

Shanghai: Friday March 19, Shelter 10pm Beijing: Saturday March 20, White Rabbit 10pm 70 yuan

Trippple Nippples – JAPAN

On tour for their upcoming album, Japanese electro trio Trippple Nippples (TN) will melt faces with their shut-up-and-dance attitude and Gwen Stefani whine-speak of frontladies Yuka and Qrea Nippple. Add a plethora of props and costumes yet to be revealed (most likely breast and nipple inspired) and you've got an evening to wreck yourself to.

"Fashionable, eccentric and totally intense, this is going to be a party night where you'll get everything you want from a band," said Lilisay, editor at Not Only Music magazine.

Shanghai: Friday, March 19 Yuyintang, 9pm Beijing: Saturday, March 20 2Kolegas 9pm 50 yuan

ólafur Arnalds – ICELAND

The prince of the JUE festival, Icelandic composer ólafur Arnalds was handpicked by Split Works to bring his ethereal soundscapes over for an 8-city tour of China. The 24-year-old has already toured with fellow countryman Sigur Ros and is scheduled to perform in Manchester, UK with Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead and the RNCM Symphony Orchestra in July.

Shanghai: March 27, Mao Livehouse 8:30pm Beijing: April 3, Star Live 8:30pm 100/70 yuan presale

Omnipotent Youth Hotel – CHINA

With thoughtful song form, orchestral arrangements and rock sensibility; a lot of anticipation is already surrounding this indie art-rock quartet from Hebei Province. "They've got a unique style, very home grown Chinese and not just regurgitating Western styles," said Helen Feng, lead singer of Pet Conspiracy and Free the Birds.

Shanghai only: Saturday, Mar 20, Dream Factory 9pm 50 yuan

TooKoo – CHINA

TooKoo brings a night of energetic rock that mixes the likes of Artic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand with enough emo to make it their own. Throw in years of touring and seven releases and you'll know why they have kids everywhere throwing themselves off stages.

"TooKoo is probably the closest you'll get to the almost-pop style of indie rock (at JUE)," said Alex Searson from Beijinggigguide.com. "I'm hoping to get to see them because it's one of their last gigs (before going on tour to Norway)."

Beijing only: Friday, March 19 at MAO Livehouse, 9pm 60/50 yuan