While we couldn't make it down this year (a bit festivaled out between SXSW and Coachella and Sasquatch so far this year), Bonnaroo kicked off last night with a couple local favorites warming up the early arrivers. The National, Langhorne Slim and Apollo Sunshine among others took the stage for the Thursday night festivities. Much much more on the way for the rest of the week, including hometowners Sam Champion, El-P and The Hold Steady. If you're stuck in NYC this weekend as well, relive our full coverage of the hippie/hipster fest from last year here, here and here. Also, stream the current fest at AT&T Blueroom. (Photo via EW's flickr.) more ›

Earlier this week, Interpol (who if you haven't noticed is suddenly on the verge of massive international superstardom) played a local, intimate show at Bowery Ballroom to a select group of friends, label people and fans lucky enough to snag tickets when they quietly went on sale last week. The show was excellent and the band certainly proved that they've got the chops to push it to much bigger stages, even if their lonely, isolated sound feels much warmer from close up. The more exciting development, however, is that Bowery Ballroom seems to be the go-to spot for big bands playing intimate shows these days. Next week the club will play host to both Franz Ferdinand and the suddenly semi-respectable Maroon 5. As the battle for venue and promoter dominance heats up, we can only hope for more shows like this, in an effort to one-up the competition. Looks like so far, Bowery Presents is winning this battle. (Though Rufus Wainwright at the Gramercy Theatre is a strong counter). (Pic via Bao.) more ›

When the band plays Sydney, Kapranos eats chilli crab; back in Scotland, it’s a cheese and chutney plate at a bookstore café. “Food is an adventure” is his Sound Bites mantra, and otherwise the book is filled with understated and disarming truths about dining, like how good company sometimes trumps bad shellfish, and how some people continually search to rediscover to relive the particulars of their first food memories. Gothamist started talking to Alex Kapranos about the parallel orbits of rock stars and chefs, and ended up with a mutton meatball recipe. more ›

January 25: Beer & Cheese Pairing Affair more ›

A few years back we experienced one of the most exciting concerts of our lifetime, and looking back now it's hard to remember if it ever actually happened. more ›

The weeks starts out right when a sucker punch on the field lands Chicagoist in the middle of a Sox/Cubs throwdown and the fists continue to fly in the comments. Despite suburban resident Ms. Pinney's best little try no books will be banned anytime soon and the El is really really gross. more ›

For a long time we didn't listen to Wolfmother just because they had "wolf" in their name. We were sick it. Wolfmother, Wolf Eyes, We Are Wolves..."how could any of them be better than Wolf Parade?" we thought. more ›

The Onion may have been joking about a Franz Ferdinand member getting injured, but one of them really did! The odds were pretty good it was going to happen...a few Scottish boys, on a scissor lift being hurled towards the sky in New York City...bottle of vintage Scotch in hand. Yeah, that scenario only ends with a first aid kit. more ›

This may be your last chance to see Danzig play NYC. Not only that, he'll be doing a 30 minute Misfits reunion set with Doyle (again). Don't miss it. We hear the new Nokia Theatre is a classy venue too. Get there early for the all-star lineup of metal bands that comprise this year's Blackest of the Black Tour. The music starts @ 6:30. (@ Nokia Theatre Times Square) more ›

PARTY: Neighborhoodies is having a dance party at Rififi this Saturday. Wear that clever t-shirt you made and get ready to dance, dance, dance. Click on the flyer to the right for more info. more ›

British Sea Power more ›

great, but want to check them out for ourselves, since we do like this video. Also check out the last sell outs post for more info on future shows we're not relisting here. more ›

Coachella confirmations are starting to appear, after many many rumors. This year, the 6th, will be held April 30th to May 1st at Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA (same venue as last year). The lineup is still unconfirmed but you can probably expect Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand and the Killers. Others asked to perform this year are the Futureheads, Snow Patrol, Keane, Bloc Party, Secret Machines, Hot Hot Heat, Phoenix, The Bravery and Radio 4. more ›

, where we can say "nyah-nyah" to the rest of the country, because we saw it first. more ›

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there are some shows coming up. Lemme collect myself... more ›

For a change, the best shows aren't in the smallest clubs. Let's start with the larger rooms: more ›

Sorry this is a day late. I'm going to lay the blame squarely on the MTA. Why not? more ›

Scott Lapatine, Stereogum.com more ›

This is where Gothamist tells you about all of the shows you should buy tickets for NOW because they will in fact sell out, and you will in fact be scanning Craigslist in hopes of finding a ticket for double the face value at the last minute. So pay attention and purchase wisely. This months list was particularly hard to compose because of the ratio of really good shows to the amount of money we have in our pocket. more ›

Before digging into this week's shows, and since more than a few of you might care, Gothamist should point out that Franz Ferdinand tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon. The show is on September 9th at the Roseland Ballroom, which is universally regarded to be one of the worst music venues on the planet. But if anybody could make a trip to that craphole worthwhile, it's Franz Ferdinand. Yes, believe the hype. Those guys put on a great show. Don't dawdle. Their last few NYC shows sold out. more ›

[Coolfer has given us the cost-efficient music guide for this weekend...hooray for free concerts!] more ›

Friday was a big music night last week: Cult favorite Phish at Keyspan Park in Coney Island and indie scene darling Franz Ferdinand at Volume. We hear that hipsters were close to passing out at Volume, since it was so hot, humid, and crowded (stereogum has a comments thread to complain about concert - except the music), which makes Gothamist glad we are not so hip and just watched broad comedies in an air-conditioned movie theater. But the Phish concert is another matter, if only because we would have liked to have witnessed special guest Jay-Z rapping with Phish backing him. Bold marketing move, Jay-Z, to further widen your audience from urban youth and posturing teenagers to now introduce 21st century hippie types (usually white, from colleges where there's a good amount of greenery) to "Big Pimpin'", Gothamist's favorite song of 2000. Tien, who went to the concert (he also took the photo above), tells us, "I think Jay-Z was the only black person there." Tien also has a .mov file of Jay-Z performing. more ›

[Ed: Like clockwork, music picks from prodigious music blogger Coolfer. Also check out more at Gothamist Events.] more ›

Lindsay Robertson more ›