Coolfer's Music Picks

Frankly, this is not the best stretch for live music NYC has ever seen. Randall's Island is using the weekend between last weekend's Curiosa Festival and next weekend's garage rock blowout to host the Warped Tour...but Coolfer won't recommend an all-ages punk show to Gothamist readers. There seems to be a slight lull. Maybe everybody is heading out for a long weekend at their summer homes? Hard to say. It's okay I guess. Here's what strikes me as the best of this week's events:

This month's buzz band, Glasgow's Dogs Die In Hot Cars, is playing Rothko tonight with the Morning Theft. DDIHC borrow quite liberally from XTC, which isn't exactly a bad thing. If they borrowed from, say, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine or EMF their Rothko show certainly wouldn't get a recommendation. So go to their website, give a listen and check them out tonight.

Tomorrow is a sad day for the world of indie rock. Beulah is about the call it quits. New Yorkers are blessed, though, because the band's final show will be a free show at the Castle Clinton National Monument at Battery Park. Go see Beulah, bring a lighter for the slow songs and wish them a fond farewell.

Saturday, all fans of African music are required to attend the Celebrate Brooklyn! concert at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The park's 13th annual African festival will offer music and food from all over the continent. On the bill are Kanda Bongo Man, Sidiki, Lorraine Klassen, Kaleta and the African Brothers Collective. It runs from 2pm to 9pm. Coolfer attended last year's festival and had a great time. This year's show is sure to be fun.

Modest Mouse, who have incredibly been in the Top 40 for quite a while, are playing two shows at the Hammerstein--which is a helluva lot better than having to see them at Lollapalooza, huh? You know, Coolfer digs the Hammerstein. Depending on where you stand and how much you drink, it can be a good time. If you get a balcony seat, you're gonna have good sightlines and usually very good sound.

Concerts Are Fun:

- Ellis Hooks at Madison Square Park, tonight at 7pm
- Rilo Kiley at the Knitting Factory, tonight
- The Minders at Northsix, tomorrow
- Rachel Loshak at the Living Room, tomorrow
- Walking Concert at the Mercury Lounge, Friday
- Dirty on Purpose at Rothko, Saturday
- Xiu Xiu/On!Air!Library! at the Knitting Factory, Saturday
- David Garza at the Mercury Lounge, Saturday
- Kinski at the Knitting Factory, Sunday
- Ill Ease at Sin-e, Tuesday
- Lucinda Williams at Summerstage, Tuesday