Living in China, it's easy to fall out of touch with new music trends and this is perhaps why we're a little behind on a brand-new genre of music that's taken the rest of the world by storm. Call it electro-rock, call it electro-clash, call it new wave - whatever you call it, it's in vogue everywhere from the UK to the States to Japan.

Once, rock & roll and dance music were two entirely separate entities. Now, synthesizers and laptop-induced sounds have found their way into the work of some of the hottest indie bands. From Bloc Party, Maximo Park, Arctic Monkeys, The Fratellis and Kasabian to the Sunshine Underground, Simian Mobile Disco, Caged Baby, Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem; dance and rock have become one and the same thing. The superstar DJ may be alive and kicking but you can bet your last kuai he's dropping a Killers or Bloc Party remix into his set.

"The dance scene is now established in Beijing," says Paul Wong, organizer of the Pingpong event to be held at Arena on June 30. "It's surprising that no one has tapped into this trend before but it's what myself and [Chinese promoter] Neebing are into right now and we want to bring it to Beijing. This city is, after all, the home of rock in China."

The organizers have enlisted the help of some local bands to help acquaint Chinese ears with the concept of merging rock and electronic music. Queen Sea Big Shark, Supermarket and Huzi have been chosen for their electronic elements and will perform live before the night is handed over to New York DJ Arthur Baker, one of electronic music's first producers.

"It¡¯s fitting that Arthur should spin at this gig for us,"says Wong. "He produced Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa - the first ever electronic rap record."

In addition to his work as a DJ, Baker's extensive and impressive CV includes his work remixing, producing and collaborating with prominent bands and artists such as New Order, Ash, Mansun, and Ian Brown.

"We chose the name Pingpong because it reflects the back and forth approach between electronic and rock. Arthur Baker's work embodies this. This event is something totally new for Beijing and we hope it will be the first of many."

Price: RMB 100. 10pm.
Address:Arena Club ,B1, The Place, A8 Guanghua Lu Guanghua Lu and Dongdaqiao Lu
Tel: 010-6587 2888/2666