Alcest

    Alcest is a French band founded in 2000 as a black metal solo project by Neige (Stephane Paut) soon after it became a trio, but following the release of Alcest’s first demo in 2001, band members Aegnor and Argoth left the band, leaving Neige as the sole member.

    Musically the band’s sound has changed over time. While their demo “Tristesse Hivernale” displays a very raw black metal sound, their following EP is considered by many to be the first blackgaze record, and the band is widely credited with pioneering the genre. The band’s sound is defined by a very atmospheric, uplifting atmosphere. From “Le Secret” to “Shelter,” the band drew on both black metal bands like Burzum and Ulver as well as shoegaze bands like Slowdive to create a huge wall of sound effects, using abrasive, screamed vocals, blastbeat sections, as well as fast tremolo-picked guitar passages. Their 2014 album “Shelter” was a significant departure from this sound, a purely shoegaze album entirely eliminating any trace of metal influence. However their following album “Kodama” was a partial return to their earlier blackgaze sound.

    Time: 8:30 p.m., April 18

    Tickets: 120 yuan

    Lamp

    Lamp is an indie pop, jazz and alternative trio from Japan. Formed by Taiyo Someya (composer, guitarist, conductor, producer), Yusuke Nagai (vocals, multi-instrument-player, composer) and Kaori Sakakibara (vocals, flute, accordion) in 2000, they are heavily influenced by 1960s Brazilian music, ethereal tunes and bossa nova. They have released seven albums so far.

    A wonderful mix of styles, drawing from genres like city pop, AOR, Brazilian music, new soul, psychedelic and harmony pop, their lyrics paint pictures of the days of youth to which one may never return.

    Time: 8:30 p.m., April 22

    Tickets: 150 yuan

    Venue: B10 Live, North Area, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District (南山区华侨城创意文化园北区B10现场)

    Metro: Line 1, Qiaocheng East Station (侨城东站), Exit A

    (SD News)