photo: Courtney Barnett @ SXSW 2015 (more by Sarah Frankie Linder)
You can browse our full NYC show calendar for all of tonight’s shows, but here are some highlights…
Courtney Barnett, Chastity Belt, Darren Hanlon @ Bowery Ballroom
With a terrific new album and charmingly awesome live show, it’s no wonder Courtney Barnett sold out three nights at Bowery Ballroom. If you’re going, be sure to get there for Seattle’s Chastity Belt and onetime Lucksmith member Darren Hanlon.
Mastodon, Clutch, Graveyard @ Central Park SummerStage
If you like your metal more on the “heavy rock” side, this is a pretty amazing triple bill all around. Mastodon and Clutch are the co-headliners, and we’re told we can “expect surprises” from them. They’ve collaborated on stage before, so maybe that will happen again tonight?
Peter Gordon & Love of Life Orchestra, Michael Beharie, Diamond Terrifier, VHVL, Das Audit, Blue Jazz TV @ Baby’s All Right
Watched over by saxaphonist Peter Gordon, Love of Life Orchestra has, over the years, counted Laurie Anderson and the later Arthur Russell as members. The current lineup — which includes Gavin Russom and OG lineup trombonist Peter Zummo — will be playing Arthur Russell instrumentals tonight.
Ufomammut, Usnea @ Saint Vitus
Italy’s Ufomammut have been making killer psychedelic doom for over a decade, and this year’s Ecate on Neurot is another excellent addition to their catalog. Despite their long-running career though, they’ve never gone on a North American tour until now. Portland’s Relapse-signed doomers Usnea are opening.
FKA twigs @ Brooklyn Hangar
FKA twigs has always incorporated dance and fashion into her persona, but apparently these three shows at Brooklyn Hanger are going to be more that a concert. Titled “Congregata,” she says they’re “an insight into my mind, my roots, my inspirations. a swelling conceptual performance using dance, performance and my music to date to create a world that I want you to share with me.” Wearing Alexander McQueen and armed with 10 dancers and a wall of lasers, this two-hour performance piece is visually stunning. Sold out.
Drowners, July Talk, Slothrust @ Brooklyn Bowl
Not a bad triple bill of poppy indie rock, featuring the Strokes-meet-Britpop sounds of The Drowners, Toronto’s July Talk, and neo-grungers Slothrust.
Jon Fine, Ted Leo @ McNally Jackson
Onetime guitarist for Bitch Magnet (now editor of Inc. magazine), Jon Fine will talk with Ted Leo about his new memoir, YOUR BAND SUCKS: What I Saw At Indie Rock’s Failed Revolution (But Can No Longer Hear). 6:30 PM, free.
Michael Che @ Knitting Factory
Having just finished his first year as co-anchor of SNL‘s “Weekend Update,” the very funny Michael Che celebrates his birthday tonight. Special guests are promised, we’re hoping for Riblet.
Violent Femmes @ Rough Trade (2 shows)
They’re about to go on a summer tour of outdoor amphitheaters with Primus and Barenaked Ladies, but Violent Femmes play the much more intimate Rough Trade tonight. The late show is sold out but you can still get into the early show by purchasing their new EP at the store.
LODRO, Gold Dime, Air Waves, Shop Talk @ Silent Barn
Some very good local bands play this show, including the dark, bluesy LODRO, Gold Dime (featuring members of Talk Normal and Dreebs), and underrated Air Waves.
Jane’s Addiction, A Place to Bury Strangers @ The Capital Theatre
Veteran alt-rock outfit Jane’s Addiction are playing their 1988 major label debut, Nothing’s Shocking, and if you’re going, do check out longtime Brooklyn noisemakers/guitarthrowers A Place to Bury Strangers.
Sam Cook-Parrot, Matthew Milia, Tall Juan @ 603 Upstairs
Radiator Hospital’s Sam Cook-Parrot will be playing his band’s songs solo at this DIY spot, with support from Frontier Ruckus’ Milia, and The Beet’s Tall Juan
Crown the Invisible, The New Lines, Balancer, Monuments @ Union Pool
Brooklyn shoegazers Crown the Invisible celebrate the release of their new album, Aporia Daze, tonight. (Stream the album below.) They play with excellent baroque psych band The New Lines.
Jason Isbell, Craig Finn @ The Space at Westbury
It’s a double bill of two quality songwriters: former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell and Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn. They do it again tomorrow at The Cap too.
Laura Cantrell, The Human Hearts @ Union Hall
Singer, songwriter and former WFMU DJ Laura Cantrell is playing Union Hall every Tuesday in May. The “Springtime Songbook” residency promises “country and folk music for urbanites.” Also on the bill are The Human Hearts, led by terrific songwriter and indie mainstay Franklin Bruno.
For all of tonight’s shows, and tomorrow’s, check out our NYC concert calendar.
For laughs, check out the NYC Comedy calendar too.
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