July Jamming: An Insider Guide to Hong Kong’s Best Live Gigs of the Month

  Get ready to get down to the sounds of the Hong Kong summer with our July roundup of the best gigs this month. Whether you plan to keep it local with some Canto classics, seek out the indie scene, or go international with some big names, you’re sure to find something to suit your need for the live and the loud this month!  

ChiLam: July 6–8th

Who doesn’t love a Canto-pop star? From their karaoke music videos to their perfecting of the pop ballad, these soulful crooners are part and parcel of everyday life in Hong Kong.

Julian Cheung, better known as ChiLam, with his puppy-dog eyes and woeful love songs, first hit fame with the wistful ‘Modern Love Story’ way back in 1991. Still breaking hearts in 2014, ChiLam will be playing on July 7th and 8th at the Hong Kong Coliseum. Be sure to catch these arena shows for a truly Chinese concert experience. Grab tickets here, but hurry, these gigs sell out fast!

 

Vader: July 13th

If you like your music free of such pleasantries, journey on over to the dark side as Polish metal masters Vader come to rain on the parade. Formed in 1983, these death-loving speed demons have been on a reign of musical terror, but they’re not all bad, despite being named after that Star Wars villain!

Josh Homme, of popular rockers Queens of the Stone Age, once called them: “The Eagles of death metal” – perhaps this is the metal band the expats have been searching for! Raise a fist here for tickets and catch them at Hidden Agenda on July 13th.

 

The Yours: July 19th

After the best in HK indie? Look no further than resident noise-poppers The Yours. Switching between Sonic Youth-style riffs and the garage-rock stylings of The Stooges, The Yours fill a noisy hole in the middle-of-the-road Hong Kong music scene.

Tickets to their album release show on July 19th at Hidden Agenda are only available on the door. Check their website for more info.

 

Lan Kwai Fong Beer and Music Festival: July 19/20th

With Hong Kong’s biggest music festival ‘Clockenflap 2014’ feeling light years away, how best to get your festival fix this summer? Fear not, as the streets of Central are soon set to overflow with people, music and booze at this year’s Lan Kwai Fong Beer and Music Festival.

Expect fevered sing-alongs to rival that of the loudest World Cup fans, as numerous bands take to the various pop-up stages around the district. Cool off with an ice-cold beer from the many Craft-ale sellers and party the night away, summer-style. Check the Facebook page for updates.

 

Russian Circles and ANWIYCTI: July 22nd

Chicago post-rock outfit Russian Circles return to Hong Kong after making their mark last year. With no vocalist, these rockers let their instruments do the talking via huge soundscapes and virtuosic guitar playing.

Promoting their 5th album ‘Memorial’, the group is experimenting with dark sounds and textures – the perfect antidote to Hong Kong’s bubblegum pop! Joining them on this journey is ANWIYCTI, a local band featuring three (that’s right, three) bass guitarists! For a sight, and sound, to behold, grab tickets for their July 22nd show (Hidden Agenda) at the record stores listed here.

 

Time Out’s Big Night Out: Girls Out Loud: July 25th

Looking to get your fill of homegrown talent, and for free? Time Out has you covered this month with their Big Night Out series, showcasing the hottest in Hong Kong indie goodness. With past shows featuring the likes of math-popsters Chochukmo to fan-favourites Supper Moment, the guys at Time Out sure know how to pick ‘em!

Now it’s time for the girls to show us how it’s done, with the Girls Out Loud event. Featuring Eman Lam from folktronica group at17, folk-math genre-hoppers GDJYB, and soothing songstress Yukilovey, this female fest is sure to be another hit. Entry is free, so bring your girls (and guys) along to the Piazza at the K11 Art Mall and have a frugal freakout. Psst... If you RSVP at timeout.com.hk/bignightout, you'll get a free drink (while stocks last)!

 

Slowdive: July 28th

In the biggest news for “the scene that celebrates itself” since the reunion of My Bloody Valentine, the newly reformed shoegaze stalwarts Slowdive are set to play at E-Max, Kowloon.

Get ready to be stunned as they play dreamy classics like ‘Allison’ and ‘Machine Gun’ with too many effects pedals to count! 90s bowl haircuts and anoraks optional. See here for tickets.

 

Stephen Bishop: Simply Acoustic: July 28th

Get ready for a bona fide legend in Hong Kong, as Stephen Bishop comes to town for a special acoustic set. His songs were made famous by the likes of Phil Collins, Diana Ross and Barbara Streisand, and he also penned a number of classic movie theme songs. You may remember his love-struck hit ‘It Might Be You’ from Tootsie, or perhaps it’s already a firm favourite down at the karaoke bar? See the star in action in a one-night-only show at Music Zone @ Kitec on July 28th, tickets here.

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