The most widely anticipated musical event since the Olympics, AIR revives Beijing's cultural scene for the fall with two nights at Yugong Yishan.

One of Beijing's premier live venues couldn't ask for a better way to jump-start the new season than with AIR's revered duo of Nicolas Godin and Jean Benoit Dunckel on September 26 and 27.

Godin and Dunckel made their debut alongside such artists as Alex Gopher and Daft Punk in the 90s and soon distinguished themselves from their contemporaries with subtle synth-pop, keyboard-heavy compositions and a unique sound that was both futuristic and retro. In China and all over the world AIR has drawn an impressive fan base and has influenced some of the best Chinese producers and musicians in today's music scene.

The only Asian dates for AIR's Pocket Symphony Close Up Tour 2008 will be the two exclusive shows the band has tailored especially for Yugong Yishan. As the name of their last album, Pocket Symphony, suggests, the atmosphere is especially suited to intimate venues.

It has been conceived as a mini orchestra, with the usual Moogs but with the addition of the Japanese shamisen (three-string lute) and koto (derived from the Chinese zither, guzheng), which Godin studied with a Japanese master. Old fans of the legendary Moon Safari will find themselves in familiar territory with the show's pastoral atmosphere and new fans will have much to discover.

Following AIR will be Beijing's own electronica talent Dead J, accompanied by visual artist Chen Xiongwei and featuring songs from Dead J's new album Psychedelic Elephant.

A great night out, just add your ears.

West courtyard of the former site of Duan Qirui Government, 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu

8402-8477

www.yugongyishan.com

(China Daily September 20, 2008)