(City Weekend)
Updated: 2007-02-27 16:55

Four nightclubs a week open up in Beijing, but genuine music venues are rare as smog-free days.

The last big opening was D-22 about a year ago. Like Pettis and the boys, M.A.O. Live benefits from some foreign backing, namely a partnership with Japanese record label Bad News (home of punk rockers, Brain Failure). But instead of hyping the association and hoping for miracles, MAO manager Li Chi has drawn on their experience. He and his partners shopped hundreds of venues before settling on their current digs behind Nanluoguxiang. And they've parlayed the monetary investment into a high quality sound system that is second only to Starlive's in pure ampage. The rest of the place is as basic as they come. A bricked up bar. Some used furniture. Ten rmb beers.

It's like a jalope with a jet engine in it. But you know it's all about the music, and MAO Live will indeed be putting on some memorable shows if the opening two nights are any indication. Expect most of the bands to be skimmed off the local rock circuit with the occasional laowai act mixed in.

Musically, Li Chi leans toward metal and punk, but appreciates originality in any genre. And it this love of music which will make MAO Live work where Starlive has failed so noticeably in building community. And yes, in case you're wondering, the MAO in question is THAT Mao. Why? Because, according to Li, "He was the biggest rock'n'roller of all."

M.A.O. Live 
Location: 111 Gulou Dong Dajie, right behind Nanluoguxiang and just east of the Drum Tower
Tel: 010-64025080