Pitchfork

Photo by Kathryn Yu

For Western rock'n'rollers who dig heaps of paperwork, China's becoming yet another hot spot to bring the noise. Just this year, they've hosted (for better or worse) Sonic Youth, Jennifer Gentle, and the Go! Team. And this fall, the most populous country in the world is beckoning a handful of big-name American and European acts at a pair of forthcoming festivals. Looking to infiltrate communism? Grab an amp and load in.

First, there's the Beijing Pop Festival, which-- in addition to a ton of Chinese acts, including "godfather of Chinese rock" Cui Jian-- will host Nine Inch Nails, Public Enemy, Mando Diao, former Suede frontguy Brett Anderson, the New York Dolls, and Marky Ramone. The festival takes place at Beijing's Chaoyang Park September 8-9. Hey, that's this weekend!

Then there's the smaller-scale Modern Sky Festival, which has beckoned the ever-agreeable Yeah Yeah Yeahs to its headlining slot October 4. The rest of the lineup-- containing a not-exactly-modest 100+ bands-- is highlighted by friends-of-Thurston Carsick Cars and a bunch of their fellow locals. The three-day Modern Sky will open October 2 at Haidian Park in Beijing.

Thanks to Berwin Song of That's Beijing for the tips.