It’s Halloween Weekend — check out our guide to all the spooky goings-on (music, movies, events) in NYC. You can also browse our full NYC show calendar for all of tonight’s shows, but here are some highlights…
Julien Baker, Half Waif @ Town Hall
After rapidly rising in the two years since the release of her instantly-great debut Sprained Ankle, Julien Baker finally returns today with her first album for Matador, Turn Out the Lights. She’s joined by a cellist for this tour, which should make things extra special. Half Waif is not to miss either.
Torres, The Dove & the Wolf @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Torres signed to 4AD this year and really changed things up for her new album Three Futures, which dives into bold art-rock territory. She supports the new album in NYC tonight, and if you’re a Torres fan, you’ll probably dig openers The Dove & the Wolf too.
Cloud Nothings, Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk @ Rough Trade
Having just opened for Japandroids last night at Brooklyn Steel, Cloud Nothings play this very intimate show tonight.
Fischerspooner, Carry Nation @ Brooklyn Steel
Fifteeen years past electroclash’s brief heyday, Fischerspooner are still with us, returning after a long abscence with their new Michael Stipe-produced album, Sir. Tonight’s show is their first in NYC in eight years.
La Femme, Jacques @ Warsaw
Parisian band La Femme’s 2014 album Psycho Tropical Berlin is also a pretty good descriptor for what they do, mixing minimal wave synthpop, twangy surf and a little psych rock too (not to mention that French touch). Live shows are wild parties — don’t be surprised to see singer Clémence Quélennec surfing on the band’s keyboard atop the crowd.
Marijuana Deathsquads, Polica, Spank Rock @ Pioneer Works
Performances arts space Pioneer Works counts Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon among their advisory board members, and he is a known supporter of all three of these very unique artists. Whether or not he had anything to do with this one, it should be a cool show.
Richard Lloyd, Miriam and Nobody’s Babies, I Am The Polish Army @ Bowery Electric
Founding (and former) member of NYC punk greats Television, Richard Lloyd graces the city that made his career with a solo show tonight. Also playing is Miriam and Nobody’s Babies, one of the projects of Miriam Linna (Norton Records, The Cramps, The A-Bones, etc).
The Paranoid Style, Choo Choo La Rouge, Charles Bissell (of the Wrens), William Matheny @ Union Hall
Headlining this show is DC garage rockers The Paranoid Style, who released their debut album on Bar/None last year, and it’s also a chance to see Charles Bissell of The Wrens, whose long-awaited followup to 2003’s The Meadowlands seems to be nearing completion.
Microwave, Big Jesus, Blis. @ Baby’s All Right
This is an all-Atlanta triple bill with three bands who are not afraid of huge rock riffs. If you’re going, be sure to get there on time for openers Blis, who recently released their very good debut album on Sargent House.
Lean Year, Christopher Tignor @ Alphaville
Rick Alverson has directed films such as the Tim Heidecker-starring The Comedy and the Neil Hamburger-starring Entertainment; directed music videos for Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Strand of Oaks, and others; he also played in the Jagjaguwar-signed 2000s-era band Spokane. He now has another musical project, Lean Year, a collaboration with singer Emilie Rex. They released their debut album on Western Vinyl last week and tonight they play NYC with experimental composter Christopher Tignor.
Springsteen on Broadway
It’s the hottest ticket on Broadway: Bruce Springsteen playing solo at the intimate Walter Kerr Theatre, performing some of his biggest hits and telling stories about them. His show runs through February.
Princess (Maya Rudolph & Gretchen Lieberum), Lenka Paris @ Brooklyn Bowl
There are a lot of tribute/cover bands playing this Halloween weekend but you’re unlikely to see one more fun and sincerely good as Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum’s Princess, their tribute to the Purple One.
Boy Harsher, FlucT, Odonis Odonis, DJ Eartheater @ Saint Vitus
For some, Halloween means goth/industrial music and tonight’s show features a few good modern bands who are carrying on the sound of bands like Xymox, Front 242 and others, including Canadian band Odonis Odonis and Boston-area band Boy Harsher.
The Sons & Heirs, Masters & Servants @ The Bell House
Popular local Smith/Moz tribute act The Sons & Heirs are throwing this Halloween party — titled Cemetery Gates, natch — that also features Depeche Mode tribute band Masters & Servants.
Demetri Martin @ Gramercy Theatre (two shows)
Brainy comedian Demetri Martin brings his “Let’s Get Awkward” tour to NYC for two shows tonight (and one on Saturday).
Gloria Gaynor @ BB King Blues Club
While her career as an R&B and soul singer began in the mid-’60s, Gloria Gaynor will forever be known for her disco hits, like the kiss-off classic “I Will Survive” and the equally great “Never Can Say Goodbye.”
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Margo Price @ Barclays Center
Margo Price recently released her sophomore album All American Made, which adds a political side to her expert alt-country songwriting. Having just played a very small Brooklyn show at Rough Trade, she now plays a way bigger one, opening for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
Florist, Emily Yacina, Lizard Kisses @ The Park Church Co-Op
Florist and Emily Yacina both recently released albums, If Blue Could Be Happiness and Heart Sky, respectively, that are both quiet, introspective, singer/songwriter type albums. Rounding out the bill is Lizard Kisses, who share members with Mutual Benefit.
For all of tonight’s shows, and tomorrow’s, check out our NYC concert calendar.
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