Kele Okereke - The afro’d guitarist 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.

Kongkretebass Presents: LYNX
Start 2009 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

Beijing Explosion 7: Quan
A last-minute replacement brings us Quan, the awesome singer of Australian band Regurgitator. 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.

Henry Chung Blues Quartet
The harmonica prodigy plays with Edward Chun on guitar, Ah Hong on bass and Jimi S. Galvea on drums. Free. Fri, Jan 9, 10pm. 49 Peel St., Soho, Central, 2540-2046.

HK PICKS
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.

Wang Lee Hom
The Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter brings his self-described “chinked out” tunes to Macau. $180-$980 from HK Ticketing. Sat, Jan 10, 8pm. Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macao, Macau.

El Destroyo
The rockabilly rebels get loud with fellow indie rock bands Bone Table and The Curs. Free. Sat, Jan 17, 9pm. The Wanch, 54 Jaffe Rd., Wan Chai, 2861-1621.

Tom Lee Music Carnival
The monthly show kicks off with its regular public drum circle, followed by indie rock bands VIM, Fate, Vinegar, Chun and Friends, Grin, Summer Junkiez and Empty Tomb. Free. Sun, Jan 11, 2pm-6pm. Piazza Area C, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, www.tomleemusic.com.

Angelita Li
One of the region’s top jazz vocalists performs with Eugene Pao. Free. Fri, Jan 16, 10pm. 49 Peel St., Soho, Central, 2540-2046.

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.

Bar Listings

Ladies Nights
Cliq DJ Tat and Thomas C. Open bar for the girls, $200 for the boys. Thu, 10pm. 2/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, 2868-3111.

Drop
Manicure and Moët—$200 for a manicure and a glass of Moët. Remember to reserve. Tue, 7pm-10pm. Geisha House—30 percent discount on Japanese sake. Wed, 10pm-4am. B/F, 39-43 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2543-8856.

Soda
“Pole Fever,” free champagne and a dance pole. Wed, 9pm-late. UB/F, 79 Wyndham St., Central, 2522-8118.

Happy Hours
1/5 Nuevo Chill out Latino-style with half-price drinks and champagne. Mon-Sat, 5pm-9pm. 9 Star St., Wan Chai, 2529-2300.
Bulldog’s Bar Two-for-one on all bottled beers and reduced prices on all standard drinks. Mon-Fri, 4pm-10pm; Sat-Sun, noon-10pm. 2/F, 21-25 Luard Rd., Wan Chai, 2529-2661.

Lotus
Two-for-one on house spirits and signature cocktails. Mon-Sat, 5pm-8pm.
37 Pottinger St., Central, 2543-6290.

McSorley’s
Happy-hour prices on beer all day, 30 percent off all drinks (except premium brands). Mon-Fri, 5pm-8pm.
55 Elgin St., Central, 2522-2646.

Peak Bar
Happy-hour prices on selected beers. Daily 3pm-9pm. 9-13 Shelley St., Central, 2140-6877.

Privé
Free hookahs and two-for-one drinks. Tue, 6pm-2am. 60 Wyndham St., Central, 2810-8199.

Shiro
$48 sake cocktails and $38 Asahi beers. Parties of five or more get a complimentary canapé platter. Daily, 4pm-8pm. 1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2155-8066.

Solas
30 percent off drinks, daily 4pm-9pm; free snacks, Wed-Sat, 5pm-9pm. 60 Wyndham St., Central, 3162-3710.


Big Names

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

HK PICKS
Mogwai
One of the biggest names in post-rock returns to Hong Kong. $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 jazz masters 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.

Rod Stewart
Tonight’s the night. It’s gonna be alright. $480-$1,480. Sat, Mar 7. AsiaWorld Arena, Chek Lap Kok.

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