Clinton Sparks
He’s a host on E! and has worked with Beyoncé, Ludacris and Akon. Be sure to check out his sickening hip-hop electro-comedy, a great way to start 2009. $200 for non-members. Sat, Jan 3, 10pm. M1NT, 108 Hollywood Rd., Central,
2261-1111.

HK PICKS
Kele Okereke
The afro’d guitarist and and vocalist of Bloc Party, that quirky indie rock quartet from London, plays a DJ set of nastiness. Check out Volar’s spankin’ new Circus Lounge and remember to book a table while your mercury’s in retrograde. Sat, Jan 10, 10:30pm, B/F, 38–44 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2810-1276, www.volar.com.hk, www.myspace.com/blocparty.

Open Bar Party
Not enough alcohol over Christmas and New Year’s? DJ King spins house/breakbeats in the Front Room and DJ Soul B spins hip-hop and R&B music in the Main Room. $220 for the men, $160 for the ladies. Sat, Jan 3, 10pm. Tribeca, 4/F, Convention Plaza, 1 Harbour Rd. Wan Chai, 2836-3690.

Kongkretebass Presents: LYNX
Start 2099 with the deeper side of drum n’ bass with edgy Lynx (Soul:r, Creative Force, 31Records), no stranger to big tunes and big stages. With proper support from DJ Wash, Electronic Mistress, Blood Dunza from Heavy, Arkham of Yumla and guest MC Didjelirium (Tahiti, Shanghai). Sat, Jan 10, 10:30pm. Backstage, 1/F, 52-54 Wellington St., Central, 2167-8985.

Gigs

HK PICKS
Enfant Terrible
The electroclash trio from Paris gets sexy at an open stage jam night at Backstage Live. Free. Tue, Jan 6, 9pm. 1/F, Somptueux, 52-54 Wellington St., Central, 2167-8985.

Bossa Negra
Australian vocalist Jacqueline Gawler, bassist Sergio Brandao from New York and pianist Jim Schneider bring the smooth sounds of Brazil. $120 in advance, $160 at the door. Fri, Jan 2, 8:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251.

Whence He Came
The local post-punk band reunites for a one-off show at a church (yes, a church) with indie bands The Lovesong and 22 Cats. $100. Fri, Jan 2, 8pm-11:30pm. The Vine, 2/F, Two Chinachem Plaza, 135 Des Voeux Rd., Central, 9608-4090.

HK Live!
A little something special for the third anniversary of HK Live! Aside from rocking out with alternative band Still from the Philippines and local indies Hungry Ghosts and Summer Junkiez, you can also a pre-party with free-flowing drinks. Just buy a ticket before the show and email the ticket number to events@asia-city.com.hk to get on the guest list. $100 in advance from the Fringe Club or selected SPORT b. stores (IFC, Sun Arcade, Festival Walk, Times Square); $150 on the day. Sat, Jan 3, 9:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251.

Beijing Explosion 8: Casino Demon
Musical prodigy Wang Zi leads this Beijing rock band described as “China’s Arctic Monkeys.” Members free, non-members $160 in advance, $180 on the day, includes one drink. Sat, Jan 10, 10:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251.

HK PICKS
Beijing Explosion 7: The Gar
Garage rock from the Beijing trio whose name translates as “the sound of hoarse screaming.” Members free, non-members $160 in advance, $180 on the day, includes one drink. Fri, Jan 9, 10:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251.

Listen Up!
The month’s lineup for the regular Mark-1 Music Centre features blues musicians Henry Chung, Jake Shaw and the Catfish Kings. Members free, non-members $100 in advance, $120 on the day. Fri, Jan 16, 10:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251.

Speed King
Bassist Koya and other local Japanese musicians play the blues. Members free, non-members $100 in advance, $120 on the day. Sat, Jan 17, 10:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251.

X Japan
Tokyo’s reunited power metallers glam it up. $490-$1,290. Sat, Jan 17, 8pm. AsiaWorld-Arena, Chek Lap Kok.

Yoga Lin
A Mandopop performance from the winner of Taiwanese reality TV show One Million Star. $290-$480. Fri-Sat, Jan 23-24, 8:30pm. HITEC Star Hall, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay.

Big Names
Tickets from HK Ticketing or Tom Lee outlets unless stated otherwise.

Mogwai
Glasgow post-rock heroes. $480. Sun, Jan 18. HITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay.

David Byrne
Multi-media artist and founding member of the Talking Heads. $488-$788. Mon, Jan 19, 8pm. Convention and Exhibition Centre,
1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai.

Ting Tings
Bitchin’ dance-punk duo. $380-$580. Tue, Feb 3. HITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay.

Chick Corea and John McLaughlin
Five Peace Band
The jazzmasters and their Five Peace Band.
$200-$640 from Urbtix. Tue-Wed, Feb 10-11, 8pm. Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Jason Mraz
Eclectic folk-rock singer-songwriter. $380-$580. Mon, Mar 2. HITEC Star Hall,     1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay.

Duffy
Not quite Amy Winehouse. $450-$850. Fri, Mar 20, 8pm. AsiaWorld Arena, Chek Lap Kok.