I'm back with this week's show rundown. We realize it's frustrating to find out about a show and then find out it's sold out. This week we start the post with FIVE (actually SIX) recommended shows that are not yet sold out (some even free).
Caribou (formerly Dan Snaith's Manitoba) plus Four Tet with the Junior Boys and Russian Futurists are playing Bowery Ballroom on Wednesday, and Northsix in Brooklyn on Thursday. The Junior Boys make "hushed, blippy dance music with a contemporary sensibility." Their album from last year was critically acclaimed. Many would be excited to catch them alone, so with Caribou headlining this is officially a show not to miss.
Just last week Pitchfork published the review that would add Caribou's The Milk of Human Kindness to their favorite albums of 2005. Stylus agrees. James over at SoundFix Records in Williamsburg said that Caribou "is pure bliss." Get Tickets.
Next we want to tell you about two free shows happening tonight (Monday). Both feature talented singer-songwriters in an intimate setting. The first is Jaymay at The Living Room. It's the beginning of her month long residency. For more information, read the interview we published earlier today. The next show is a serious treat for music fans. It's Walter Schreifels, and you might know him from the Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival Schools, or even Walking Concert (his current band). He's playing in SOHO at 10PM, and here's more info.
Let's move to Saturday at The Mercury Lounge. There are no advanced tickets for what looks like an amazing lineup of five performers. It starts at 7:30 with Jeff Hanson. We personally expected Jeff to be headlining a venue like the Mercury Lounge by now, but apparently this Decemberists/Xiu Xiu label-mate is still way under the radar. He's the Elliot Smith sounding guy with the voice of a girl. Both of his albums have been great, and the critics tend to agree.
Next up is Dante DeCaro. You might also know Dante as the guitarist for Hot Hot Heat (the band headlining Webster Hall on May 20th). After Dante is Gothamist favorite Saints & Lovers. Check out our interview with Dennis the singer. Next is the Giraffes. Everyone who sees them says their live show is a special thing. The Brooklyn Rail said "The Giraffes were electricity on the stage, handled with professionalism and rock-star arrogance. It was a beautiful thing to witness." And finally The Vitamen finish off this show. Listen to them at Myspace and CD Baby.
Last up on this superlist of shows with tickets still available is Roots Manuva. Manuva was making British hip-hop when you didn't know the Streets from the avenues and Dizzee was but a little rascal (<-- I couldn't help it. sorry). You can catch him/them at Knitting Factory Saturday night with Airborn Audio. More info & get Tickets.
and now the day by day...
Monday
People that read books especially love the electronic sounds of the Books. (sold out)
Bowery Ballroom - Melissa Ferrick, Garrison Starr, Teddy Goldstein
Knitting Factory - The Books, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Greg Davis
Trash - Bad Flirt, Hexes and Ohs
Living Room - Chuck Costa, Heather Eatman, Jaymay, The Jack Grace Band, The Brooklyn Boogaloo Blowout
Club Soho 323 - Walter Schreifels
Tuesday
Shivaree & Angela McCluskey is where we might be this evening. We'd describe it as an adult-alternative-pop-country music sort of thing.
Sin-e - Dropping Daylight, The Static Age, Still Life Projectors, Evermore
Mercury Lounge - Daniel Marr, Chris Glover, Chase Pagan, Greg Shafritz Band
Bowery Ballroom - Shivaree, Angela McClusky, King of France
Rothko - Bravo Silva, Mason Dixon, COMA., The Swedes
Trash - Bathus, Favorite Sons, Downtown, A Place To Bury Strangers
Irving Plaza - Fall Out Boy, The AKA's
The Delancey - Hymns, Arboretum, Wholfin, Eugene (members of Soundtrak), DJ Ikey of Mars Volta
Joe's Pub - Sir Richard Bishop (of Sun City Girls)
Barbes - Jenny Scheinman
Wednesday
The Decemberists are one of our favorite bands. Naturally their show at Irving Plaza is also sold out.
Mercury Lounge - Serious Weapon, The Head Set, New Roman Times, The Caulfield Sisters, Michael Flynn
Southpaw - Richard Buckner, Paul Brill, Tara Angel, Mickey Ehrlich
Rothko - Hotel Lights, Choo Choo La Rouge, Jennifer O'Connor, Pete Fitzpatrick (of Clem Snide)
Bowery Ballroom - Caribou (formerly Manitoba), Four Tet, Junior Boys, The Russian Futurists
Irving Plaza - The Decemberists, Willy Mason
Knitting Factory - Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, The Boy Bathing, Days Away
Maxwell's - Sir Richard Bishop (of Sun City Girls), Apothecary Hymns
The Delancey - The New Spain, Chamisa Mesa, Goes Cube, Half Astronaut, Strike Your Trash, Hearts on Fire
Living Room - Jason Brody, Martha Redbone, Eric Hutchinson, Jenny Scheinman with Bill Frisell and Doug Wamble
Thursday
This is an all around great night for shows. New Order returns with one of the most in-demand tickets in the city - a chance to see them at Hammerstein Ballroom. Alternatively, indie-prog rockers the Mars Volta are are at Roseland, and the man, the myth, the legend (the band) Motorhead are at BB King. After helping define electrocloash, Fischerspooner are back with the first of many small performances at Canal Room. The Mountain Goats, aka prolific singer-songwriter John Darnelle, are at Knitting Factory.
B.B. King Blues Club - Motorhead, Monster Magnet, Slunt
Hammerstein Ballroom - New Order, Dragonette
Roseland Ballroom - The Mars Volta
Mercury Lounge - Oakley Hall, Bobby Bare Jr., Sam Champion, The Merediths
Sin-e - Assrockers, Bona Roba, Alabama Blacksnake, Lesion
Bowery Ballroom - Mike Doughty, Susan Enan
Canal Room - Fischerspooner
Irving Plaza - The All-American Rejects, Armor for Sleep, HelloGoodbye
Knitting Factory - The Mountain Goats, Shearwater, Erik Friedlander
Northsix - Caribou (formerly Manitoba), Junior Boys, The Russian Futurists
The Delancey - The Bluffs, The Natural History, Soft, My Best Fiend, Pela
Tonic - Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra (10 & midnight)
Friday
It's gypsy night at Irving Plaza. Gogol Bordello will put on a great show.
Knitting Factory - Night of a Thousand Stevies
Roseland Ballroom - The Mars Volta
The Woodser - Why?, Brother Danielson, Black Lights (Kyp from TV on the Radio)
Trash - Walk Humongous, The Bosch, Low Red Land, The Walk Ons
Mercury Lounge - Maktub, Pete Miser, The English Department, Cocoa Cracker Brown (DJ Set)
Bowery Ballroom - Earlimart, Okkervil River, Kevin Devine
Irving Plaza - Gogol Bordello, Devotchka, Skampida
Maxwell's - Bobby Bare Jr., Jon Langford & 6 Proud Walkers, Tony Maimone & Dan Zanes
Northsix - Prefuse 73, Battles, Four Tet, Beans
Union Pool - Tough & Lovely, Andy G & the Roller Kings, El Jesus del Magico, Necropolis, Goes Cube
Tonic - Sightings, Mouthus, Malkuth
Saturday
Prefuse 73 for fans of electronic and hip-hop.
Knitting Factory - Starflyer 59, The Pale
Crash Mansion Tiger Mountain, The Soft Explosions, Mighty Fine, The Bamboo Kids
Mercury Lounge - Vitamen, The Giraffes, Saints and Lovers, Dante DeCaro, Jeff Hanson
Club Ice - Oneida, Apes, Suprise Special Guests, Pterodactyl
Luna Lounge - The Couriers, Unsacred Hearts, Man in Gray
Rothko - The Clarks, Rosavelt, Jennifer Glass
Northsix - The Mountain Goats, Shearwater, Erik Friedlander
The Delancey - No Things (ex-Liars), Fur Cups for Teeth, Tunnel of Love, Big Digits
Union Pool - DC Snipers, Electric Shadows, Terribly Empty Pockets, Times New Viking, Blue Revision
Bowery Ballroom - Prefuse 73, Battles, Beans
Knitting Factory - Roots Manuva, Airborne Audio
Sunday
Webster Hall - Autechre, snd, Rob Hall
Knitting Factory - The Lucksmiths, The Ladybug Transistor, Pipas, In Interview
Knitting Factory - Medications, Z's, Michael Columbia, Blue Velvet
Mercury Lounge - Fog, Hrvatski / Greg Davis, Aarktica, Cementhead
Five Great Local Beaches You Can Get To Without A Car
$250 VIP GoogaMooga Tickets: You Would've Gotten More Full Eating The Money
Your Summer 2012 Top 10 Blockbuster Movie Guide!
Photos: Experience "NASA's" Amazing Mission To Mars Inside The Park Ave Armory
7 Best Rooftop Bars In NYC, For Your High-Altitude Drinking Pleasure
White Fence's Tim Presley Talks Recording With Ty Segall, Brooklyn's Blandness, & Peeing With His Cat
24 Magnificent Photos Of Manhattan Peacocks To Take The Edge Off Today
Mike Birbiglia Ate In An Airplane Bathroom, And Other Stories From The Moth Ball
John Hodgman Talks Nick Nolte, His Deranged Mustache, & How Money Buys Happiness
Videos: Mourning And Celebrating Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch
