It seems that every time The White Stripes fade away for a year or two, people seem to forget exactly how amazing they can be live. Perhaps it takes a show like the one at Irving Plaza last Tuesday...filled with hardcore, line-waiting fans and eager and excited members of the media to really drive home just how good a show Jack White puts on, and exactly how impressive Meg is to keep up with him (though not everyone agrees). Those in attendance were in for a treat, as any time an arena band brings it down for a club show, it's always a spectacle. We were floored at Keyspan Park two years ago, and are excited to see them bring it to another level at the Garden next month. Read the reviews at Productshop, The Modern Age, and Stereogum, to (name a few in attendance.) (Pic Via DanFun)
Gothamist's Week in Rock, Volume 25
Gothamist's Week in Rock, Volume 24
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.)
Gothamist's Week in Rock, Volume 15
Yes, when they played their own set on Saturday night at Studio B, Of Montreal pretty much ran through the same shtick they did a month earlier at Irving Plaza. Nothing wrong with that, however, as that set was just about the best show we've been to all year and we were more than happy to re-experience it. But this show, was not entirely about Of Montreal. It was about the fans. In particular, the fans with the BAC to get up on stage and sing karaoke standards with Kevin Barnes and friends playing backup. And believe it or not, It was an almost entirely enjoyable experience. Fluxblog has a nice write-up and links to YouTube videos of most renditions. (Recommended: Aquaman and The Rudd/Wain Experience.)
Gothamist's Week in Rock, Volume 1
This is traditionally a pretty slow time for music. Everyone is getting their feet back under them from the holidays, there aren't many bands putting out albums, and even less are ready to get back out and start touring. The news cycle in general is still pretty weak, and music has it no different. Nonetheless, we're starting a new feature this week recapping the biggest stories in rock around this town every Friday. So...
Opinionist: Muse @ Hammerstein Ballroom
There was a time, not too long ago, when I believed that Muse was the best live band on the planet. I was in Ireland at a music festival in the summer of 2004 and witnessed what was one of the most impressive concerts of my life. There were grown men crying beside me shouting "Matt Bellamy is a God!" at the top of their lungs. It just unbelievably surreal.
Movable Hype TONIGHT, Win Tickets!
Movable Hype 8.0 is coming up tonight! We want you there. The first person to email us (at GothamistContest (at) gmail dot com) wins two list spots to tonight's show. Contest closed!
Music Notes: Housing Works + Music Downtown
As we all know, CMJ is about to take over...however, non-CMJ events will also be taking place that week, unphased by the marathon. One that caught our eye is this Housing Works event starring Bright Eyes. Tickets are on sale now for $40. From the website:

