Bryan Devendorf (drummer for The National, and soon-to-be dad) has once again documented a part of his life on the road for us (read his previous entries from 2007 and 2005). This time around, the Brooklyn-based band was back on tour with Arcade Fire—below is Devendorf's first dispatch from The Road, and we'll have more in the coming days. (Click through for photos and video that accompany the text.) more ›

Way back in 2004—before shows were rabidly documented with digital cameras, iPhone videos, live-Tweeting and whatever—we saw a little band called Arcade Fire play at the Mercury Lounge. It was amazing, and we knew we'd never see them in such a small venue again. Afterwards, as buzz built up rapidly around them, Win Butler told us he feared the industry might taint their innocence, and that he'd know it's time to pack things up for good when they collaborate with Sting. No mention of a Grammy. more ›

Tony-award winner Scarlett Johansson was the host of SNL last night, bringing her beautiful, awkward presence to the weekend comedy institution for the third time. She impersonated Bravo personalities, spoofed celebrity interviews, and tried on a couple funky accents to an unusually quiet audience. Arcade Fire was the musical guest, playing a sufficiently intense version of "We Used To Wait" from last album The Suburbs, and guesting on the Digital Short. Critics were mixed on the episode: AV Club thought it was surprisingly above average, while Jezebel thought it was the worst episode of the season. Click through for videos of a couple sketches, including the Model UN Digital Short, Maternity TV and more. more ›

So we weren't overly-enthusiastic about Arcade Fire playing MSG for their New York City run—but the realization that this band was actually meant to play the Garden sunk in pretty quickly last night. Instead of dwelling nostalgically on that time Win Butler nearly bled real possessed-musician-cutting-thumb-on-guitar blood on us at the significantly smaller Mercury Lounge in 2004, we embraced the goosebumps that were popping up in abundance as the band totally dominated the colossal venue they found themselves in last night, six years later. more ›

It's a little bit sad that out of all the beautiful venues in New York City that could have visually complemented the sound of Arcade Fire, they went with MSG—but now you don't even have to step foot inside of the venue to get the concert experience. Like so many other big live shows these days (we live in the future!) it will be live streamed on YouTube. The band will be playing there August 4th and 5th, following the release of their new album The Suburbs, and the latter show will streamed live. more ›

Despite the wishy washy weather, you can really tell Summer has begun by the new jamz that have begun to leak this week. And foremost among those leaks are new tracks from heavyweights Kanye West and Arcade Fire. Kanye began working on upcoming new album Good Ass Job almost two years ago, right after Graduation, but instead took a detour route into the world of auto-tune and self-pity on 808's and Heartbreak. "Power," the first single from the September-bound album, appeared online today (and features a King Crimson sample to boot!). Also this week, Arcade Fire announced their third album, The Suburbs, due out August 3rd, and released a double-sided single featuring the Kinks-influenced title track, and scuzzy rockabilly "Month of May" to whet appetites. more ›

Firefighters battled a 2-alarm fire at the Coney Island Arcade around 8:15 last night; according to a preliminary report, the blaze is being described as "suspicious." At one point the flames grew so intense that all of the firefighters were ordered out of the building due to the fear of a building collapse. According to Amusing the Zillion, the operator of the arcade and adjoining games is currently in China attending an amusement expo, and many people in the neighborhood were concerned about the two famous cats that live in the arcade, Target and Targette. more ›

Also this Week: more ›

FESTIVITIES: Forget about that big shiny show-off in Rockefeller Center. Tonight the menorah and Christmas tree in Washington Square Park will be illuminated for all. Come bask in the glow of holiday, people. 6pm // Washington Square Park [W 4th St to Waverly Pl between MacDougal and University] // Free FILM: In a week-long tribute to Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini (pictured), tonight The Film Society of Lincoln Center will be screening Notes for an... more ›

Pitchfork-approved blog darlings Tokyo Police Club have spent the last year and change transitioning from flavor of the month boy band to reputable musicians with an enviable knack for short, hook-happy hits. On Thursday night these clever Canucks will have the chance to further extend their fan base when they perform at the “Woodie” Awards; they’re nominated for a “Breaking Woodie”. Broadcast on the 24-hour college network mtvU, the award show will feature performances by... more ›

We're sure to take a bunch of flack about this, but bear with us for a sec. Maroon 5? Not so bad. In fact, at least judging by the first two singles off their latest album, they've moved past the tasteless soccer-mom rock into a legitimately perverted cocaine-sex territory (Exhibit 1: Their amazingly over the top video for 'Wake Up Call'). And that's a good thing. Combine that with a clever SNL/Samberg cameo on Iran So Far and an arena debut at MSG this week with Kanye West coming out as a surprise guest, we're officially impressed. Watch out. (pic via Jen DeRosa's Flickr) more ›

Over the weekend The Arcade Fire played a big show on Randall's Island, far far away from the Knitting Factory and Mercury Lounge (some of the first venues they ever played here). For those who made the trip to see them, the post-show transportation made for quite the afterparty. One concert goer wrote in: "10,000 people trying to get on express buses does not work - we ended up walking the Triborough back to Queens." more ›

This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King, and appreciated their beautiful skyline. more ›

Tonight they play Music Hall of Williamsburg, and tomorrow Bowery Ballroom (and in October, Randall's island with Arcade Fire). more ›

TIP: Starting tomorrow Opera-For_all begins the first of three nights of performances. For cheap! The New York City Opera is selling tickets to every seat in the house for just $25. Over the course of "opera season" 50 or more seats in the front orchestra will be priced at just $25 as well. As for this week, here's the sched: more ›

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A couple of years ago, Bryan Devendorf (drummer for The National) documented the band's trip to SXSW for us. We enjoyed it so much, we asked him to do it again! This time he documented their recent shows with Arcade Fire right here in New York, and even addresses those security guards at Radio City. more ›

The nicer the weather gets, the busier we get across the Ist-A-Verse. But we like being busy. Here's a peek at what we've been up to since last week! more ›

There has been much to-do about the anti-establishment efforts of The Arcade Fire at their recent Radio City concert, urging the fans to rush and outnumber the security guards keeping the aisles clear. What was overshadowed was that this is perhaps the best live band touring right now, and they were absolutely at the top of their game this week, playing each of these shows as if it was the last they'd ever do and merely asking the fans to react with an equal enthusiasm. While the debate will continue as to whether the band should have toned their calls to riot down a smidge, or why they were even playing a sit-down theater tour in the first place, what shouldn't be lost is that these guys seem to get better and better as their popularity grows. The inevitable MSG show their next time around is sure to be quite the spectacle. more ›

Last night Arcade Fire and The National played their third New York show of the week, and the first show of the inaugural High Line Festival (which kicked off at Radio City Music Hall). David Bowie, co-founder and curator of the festival and Arcade Fire's #1 fan, was in attendance but didn't perform with the band as expected. He also didn't announce the kick off to the festival - nor does he seem to know what the High Line actually is. Ah, rock stars. more ›

READINGS: Papermag points out an interesting reading tonight for "Queens of the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks." more ›

As we get closer to the kick-off of the much anticipated High Line Festival, let's take a closer look at what's to come, and at the man who co-founded and curated the whole thing, David Bowie. The eleven days of music, film, art and comedy starts Wednesday at Radio City Music Hall. Who else to play the first event at the inaugural festival than Bowie-beloved Arcade Fire? Pair 'em up with Brooklyn's The National and you've got a lineup that already beats most out there. more ›

READING: FreeNYC points us to a reading at B&N featuring Gong Show guru and possible CIA assassin, Chuck Barris: more ›

Are Robert DeNiro and David Bowie battling it out in a sort of festival turf war? Though both turned up at the Vanity Fair party thrown in honor of New York's Tribeca Film Festival - it seems there's some animosity in the air...or at least in the press. Bowie's High Line Festival begins on May 9th, just three days after DeNiro's Tribeca Film Festival ends. NY Mag describes the difference between the two: more ›

Tonight Joshua Bell will be awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, given once every few years to classical instrumentalists for outstanding achievement, at Lincoln Center. Not long ago, however, one of the best classical musicians in the world...performed as a street musician. more ›

One of the nice things about being a music fan in New York City is that you rarely have to wait very long to see a band you're recently missed. The Black Lips famously played about 6,000 shows at SXSW this year, yet despite our interest in checking them out, we managed to catch them exactly zero times (with our final chance being cut short by that whole collapsing balcony thing.) So we were stoked to discover they were going to play last Monday back home at Bowery Ballroom. The show lived up to our ever inflated expectations and managed to bring the house down with their drunken-fried punk. While their "wild boyz" antics may seem a bit forced at this stage in their careers, the music more than holds up on its own. It's not easy to play such sloppy rock and roll so precisely. (Pic via Sandwich!) more ›

The much anticipated, David Bowie-curated High Line Festival has finally announced a lineup. more ›