Frank Ocean at Lollapalooza 2012 (more by James Richards IV)

As mentioned, Frank Ocean who now has a much emptier September schedule after canceling a bunch of European dates will be in NYC to play the Afghan Whigs-curated ATP NY, which goes down on Pier 36 from September 21-23. Frank plays on the Friday (9/21). Tickets for ATP NY are still available.

He'll be heading to NYC a bit sooner than though, because as Entertainment Weekly points out, Frank Ocean will be the musical guest on the 38th seaosn premiere of Saturday Night Live on September 15. That episode will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane, who will be plugging new seasons of Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show, along the DVD release of his new movie, Ted.

Frank Ocean will also perform at the MTV VMAs, which airs on September 6. He's going up against Carly Rae Jepsen, fun., One Direction, and The Wanted for Best New Artist and his song "Swim Good" is nominated for Best Male Video against videos by Chris Brown, Drake, Justin Bieber, and Usher. It was also nominated for Best Direction.

The "Swim Good" video is below.

Continue reading "Frank Ocean performing on SNL and VMAs before ATP"

Frank Ocean at Lollapalooza 2012 (more by James Richards IV)

Frank Ocean, who The Afghan Whigs covered recently, has just been added to ATP NY, which the Afghan Whigs curated. The festival goes down on Pier 36 from September 21-23. Tickets are still available. Surely a live collaboration is not out of the question.

Frank Ocean also recently cancelled a number of European festival appearances and his dates over there opening for Coldplay. According to a note from Frank on the Way Out West Facebook page:

Let me start by saying I feel like an asshole right now but a tough decision had to be made in regard to my schedule over the next months and the casualties of that decision include my appearances at upcoming festivals in Europe and my opening slot of the European leg of the Coldplay world tour. Sorry as fuck, I'll be back if you'll have me.

Continue reading "Frank Ocean added to Afghan Whigs-curated ATP NY"

photos by James Richards IV

Frank Ocean/Bloc Party at Lollapalooza - 8/4/12

Lollapalooza continued in Chicago's Grant Park yesterday (8/4) after beginning one day earlier (8/3). Day 2 gave us sets from Frank Ocean, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, tUnE-yArDs, The Tallest Man on Earth, Neon Indian, Chief Keef, Bear in Heaven, Washed Out, The Weeknd, and more. Unfortunately, during Neon Indian's set (which was cut short), the festival was shut down due to "dangerous weather," causing the tens of thousands of fans to flood the streets of Chicago in evacuation. But the fest reopened at 6 PM CST with an updated schedule. A number of performances were cancelled, including Alabama Shakes, B.O.B., Chairlift, and the Temper Trap, but others, like tUnE-yArDs, were rescheduled and took place at later times after the gates reopened.

If you aren't at the fest, have you been streaming it online? Today's stream begins at 1:30 CST.

Pics of day 1 are HERE. More pics of day 2 are below...

Continue reading "Lollapalooza 2012 day 2 in pics (Frank Ocean, RHCP, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, tUnE-yArDs, Neon Indian & more)"

photos by Mighty Beardo

Frank Ocean & friends @ 285 Kent

After Frank Ocean played Terminal 5 and Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt played Best Buy Theater, Frank, Tyler, Earl, and most of the rest of the Odd Future crew that was in town (no Mike G or Syd The Kid), made their way over to 285 Kent where the free Brooklynvegan-presented afterparty was happening with an advertised set by Trash Talk (who record for Odd Future Records) and DJ Leftbrain (of Odd Future). Doors were scheduled to open at midnight, By then there were already more than capacity on line to get in. Naturally, everyone did not get in, and some actually stayed on line outside, still hoping while listening through the door until the end of the show.

As advertised/hinted, there were special guests who turned out to be all of Odd Future (even Frank Ocean). The show started with about an hour-long DJ set where the members of Odd Future were on stage dancing around, singing along to whatever songs were playing and hyping the crowd who started to get crazy, but not as crazy as when Trash Talk actually took the stage. It was a trip to watch Frank Ocean having fun on the 285 Kent stage with his friends, after just having seen him command a sold out crowd at Terminal 5. Not to mention Tyler and Earl goofing around, after also just having played a headlining show at the sold out Best Buy Theater. Tyler, Earl and others then stayed on stage for Trash Talk as the band played a signature set that includes lots of pit action and people jumping off speakers. Odd Future didn't technically perform a live set at 285 Kent, but Tyler, as he has done in the past, took over vocals for "Radicals," which you can watch a video of below. Said video also includes footage of Trash Talk playing their song, "Awake."

sweaty Trash Talk

For Trash Talk's last song, they asked every single person in the room to run out of the venue on to the street to join with the people who couldn't get in. That didn't work out so well though, as the security at the door was already overwhelmed and chaos and a fight quickly ensued outside as Todd P and the rest of the 285 Kent crew tried to calm the masses.

Among those in the crowd were Odd Future associate Lucas, members of Real Estate (who Trash Talk shouted out), Neon Indian, and Cults. Vampire Weekend and John Legend were spotted earlier in the night at Frank Ocean (where Odd Future and Trash Talk also was), and I saw Action Bronson, Despot, and Chavez guitarist Matt Sweeney all hanging out outside the Odd Future Best Buy Theater show. All in all, an eventful night for the NYC music scene thanks to the Odd Future crew coming to town.

We have even more pictures coming, but here's one set. More of them, with the video of Tyler joining Trash Talk, below...

Continue reading "Trash Talk & Odd Future brought chaos to 285 Kent after the Tyler, Earl & Frank Ocean shows (pics/video)"

No openers or special guests at Terminal 5 last night (7/26), but Frank Ocean, backed by a full band, was pure sex. From start (with a Sade cover at 9pm) to finish (10:15), the entire three-tiered room was going nuts and sang along while Frank effortlessly played songs off Channel Orange, arguably the best album of the year. Banter included acknowledgement of all the "trouble" he's been causing as he fearlessly and honestly introduced "Bad Religion" which, preceded by "Lost" and followed by "Pyramids", had the energy level in the Hell's Kitchen venue at record levels. Trash Talk and Odd Future buddies like Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt (who sang at the LA show but not in NY) and Left Brain, cheered Frank on from the balcony stage right. He closed the show with a one-song encore of "I Miss You", leaving everyone (missing him and) wanting more. For that he was just on stage alone sitting at a keyboard.

Check out the setlist and some videos below...

Continue reading "Frank Ocean conquered Terminal 5 (setlist & videos)"

Frank Ocean at Coachella 2012 (more by David Andrako)

Tyler, the Creator at Pitchfork Fest 2011 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Trash Talk at BV-SXSW 2012 (More by Greg Cristman)

today in NYC
* Mallu @ MoMA
* Kotorino @ Barbes
* Oren Bloedow @ Barbes
* Frank Ocean @ Terminal 5
* Kassa Overall @ The Stone
* Questlove @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Dave Hill Explosion @ UCB
* The Universal Thump @ Barbes
* Kishi Bashi, Tall Tall Trees @ Joe's Pub
* Bomba Estereo, Il Abanico @ Webster Hall
* Milagres, Indians, Zulu Pearls @ Glasslands
* Slowdance (DJ set) @ Ace Hotel New York
* Tom Shillue's Funny Story @ Brooklyn Brewery
* Eternal Summers, Ex Cops @ Mercury Lounge
* Pedrito Martinez Group @ MetroTech Commons
* Soul Asylum, Joseph Arthur @ Bowery Ballroom
* The Dust Rays, Smoota, SORNE @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Poolside (DJ Set), Sean Glass @ Hudson Terrace
* Persephone's Bees, Bizi Gara, Psychic @ Zebulon
* Oberhofer, The Soft Pack, Royal Bangs @ Pier 84 CANCELLED
* Marshall Crenshaw, Bottle Rockets @ City Winery
* Milo Greene, Family Of The Year @ Mercury Lounge
* Skaters, Liquor Store, Neon Windbreaker @ Swat Bar
* Beach Day, Chalk & Numbers, Island Twins @ Cake Shop
* Prawn, Calculator, Caravela, Tawny Peaks @ Maxwell's
* Agalloch, Taurus, Musk Ox @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Alien Whale, Ms. America, Dead Stars @ Ding Dong Lounge
* Rebecca Pronsky, Zachary Cale, Woodsy Pride @ Union Hall
* Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Geko Jones @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Jeffrey Gaines, Jennings, E. Clayton West @ Highline Ballroom
* Trash Talk, DJ Leftbrain (OFWGKTA), "special guests" @ 285 Kent
* Murals, Indian Rebound, Treppenverter, The Split @ Cameo Gallery
* Zomby, Rusty Lazer (DJ set), Lemonade (DJ set), LE1F @ The Hester
* King Khan & The Shrines, Nicky Da B, The Everymen @ House of Vans
* Kings County Ramblers, Andi Rae Healy, Whale Belly @ The Rock Shop
Night Panther, Ghost Beach, Nicos Gun, N/A, Silya, The Blakes @ Pianos
* Uncle Monsterface, The Planes, Little, Big, Attack.wav @ The Grand Victory
* Jack Quartet, C. Spencer Yeh, Patrick Higgins, Jantar @ Secret Project Robot
* Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Raekwon, Asher Roth @ Best Buy Theater
* Little Howlin' Wolf, Wes Buckley and Allie Klein, Hurricanes of Love @ Union Pool
* Oscar DeLeon, Luis Enrique, N'Klabe @ Seaside Summer Concerts in Coney Island
* Law & Order, Porches, No One and The Somebodies, Frankie Cosmos, Cave Cricket @ Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
* Our Mountain, Scott & Charlene's Wedding, The Amp, Bones Howell, Osekre & The Lucky Bastards @ 929 XPO
* Le Rug, EULA, Rainbow Party, Michael Jordan & The South Jersey Seashore Lifeguard Convention Band @ Shea Stadium

Trash Talk, who are on Odd Future records, play a FREE BV-presented show at 285 Kent tonight with DJ Leftbrain (of Odd Future) and "special guests." Odd Future's Frank Ocean plays a sold out show at Terminal 5 tonight and OF's Tyler, the Creator & Earl Sweatshirt play with Raekwon tonight at Best Buy Theater. The flier for tonight's Trash Talk show is below.

"Goldfinger" screens for free tonight in Tompkins Square Park.

"Clueless" screens for free tonight in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Speaking of free screenings, did you RSVP for our screening of "Celeste and Jesse Forever"?

Officially unelected Coney Island major Dick Zigun is giving his annual overview of the current state of Coney Island at the Coney Island Museum tonight.

Vol. 1 Brooklyn's 'The Greatest 3-Minute Punk Stories' is returning for a second installment tonight at Housing Works. Here's what they say about it and the full list of people who will be there:

For the first time ever, Vol. 1 is revisiting a Greatest 3-Minute story topic for a second time around. On July 26th we're presenting The Greatest 3-Minute Punk Stories 2.
Since we had such a fun time the first time around, we figured why not invited a bunch of people to get up on the Housing Works stage and tell stories that might or might not be about bad tattoos, bad hair dye jobs, bad tours, selling out, selling in, and/or having an emo phase in the mid to late 1990s. The event starts at 7 pm, is free and includes the following folks.

Ari Spool (Impose)
Michael Fusco (M+E Design)
Mishka Shubaly (Freshkills)
Syd Butler (Les Savy Fav/Frenchkiss Records/author of Who Farted Wrong?)
Maura Johnston (Village Voice)
Russ Marshalek (Silent Drape Runners/Flavorpill)
Alina Simone (Author, You Must Go and Win)
The Beets
Evan Smith Rakoff (Poets & Writers)
Jeanne Fury (Writer)
Matt Elkin (The So So Glos)
Ami Greko (Book Camp: NYC)
Jenn Pelly (Pitchfork)
Molly Neuman (Bratmobile)
Maria Sherman (Writer, WNYU DJ)
Alexis Fleisig (Obits)

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Murals play their first of 4 NYC shows tonight.

Bat For Lashes have a video for "Laura," the single off of their upcoming album, which you can watch below.

Wilco was on Fallon last night (7/25) after playing their third of three NYC shows. They performed "Art of Almost" and then "Laminated Cat" as a web exclusive. Videos of both performances are below.

Balam Acab remixed N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" (yes!). You can stream/download that below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

Off Future's Tyler the Creator with Trash Talk

As mentioned on BV Chicago earlier this week, Odd Future announced some news and a tour that happens after the previously announced The Internet and Tyler the Creator/Earl Sweatshirt shows.

Odd Future will head out on the "Camp Flog Gnaw" tour in September, tagging The Paramount in Huntington, NY on 9/4 and Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT on 9/8, along the way. Tickets for both of those shows go on sale at 10am today (7/20). All dates, which include Jay-Z's Made in America fest, are listed below.

Meanwhile, OFWGKTA member Frank Ocean is on tour, hit Austin last night, and will be in NYC for a sold out show at Terminal 5 on 7/26, THE SAME NIGHT Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt play NYC's Best Buy Theater with Raekwon and Asher Roth. Earl joined Frank on stage for "Super Rich Kids" in LA. Hopefully NY will get some of the same action. Listen to Frank's album Channel Orange at Spotify. All remaining tour dates are listed below.

And speaking of on-stage collaboration, Trash Talk are currently on a west coast tour with SpaceGhostPurrp and were joined by Tyler the Creator at their Anaheim show last night (7/19). Trash Talk will release their new record in the fall on Odd Future Records which also has new albums coming from Odd Future members Mellowhype, Domo Genesis, Mike G, and Tyler the Creator.

Domo Genesis' album, No Idols, is the first upcoming release. It's due out on August 1, and you can listen to/download the lead single "Elimination Chamber," featuring Earl Sweatshirt, Action Bronson, Vince Staples, and The Alchemist, at the bottom of this post. MellowHype's Numbers is due out on October 2. Take a listen to a new track for the album, called "La Bonita," below. Trash Talk release their new record, 119, on October 9, and Tyler, the Creator's Wolf is due out sometime in November.

Stay tuned for for another big NYC, related announcement coming shortly.

Songs and all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Odd Future announce tour, Long Island & CT shows included; Tyler, Earl & Frank Ocean will be in NYC the same day"

The Afghan Whigs at Bowery Ballroom, May 2012 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

The newly-reformed Afghan Whigs have been covering Frank Ocean's "Lovecrimes" at recent live shows (like at Bowery Ballroom back in May, video below) and have just released a studio version of the track which is a free download from their website. You can also stream it below. This is the second new recording the 'Whigs have released this year, the other being a cover of Marie "Queenie" Lyons' "See and Don't See."

The Whigs, who are curating and headlining this year's ATP NY ("I'll Be Your Mirror") which recently relocated from Asbury Park to Pier 36 in NYC, have recently added dates to their fall tour and that updated list is below.

While on the subject, tangentially, of Frank Ocean's Best New Music'd Channel Orange, it just got the "slowdown remix" treatment by DJ Slim K which you can stream below or download here.

Continue reading "The Afghan Whigs add tour dates, release Frank Ocean cover as a free download; Frank Ocean's 'Orange' remixed (stream)"

DOWNLOAD: Frank Ocean - "Sweet Life" (MP3)

We mentioned it in today's What's Going On?, but in case you missed it, Frank Ocean is streaming his new album, Channel Orange, in full on his tumblr. The album was set for a July 17 release date, but Frank put it up on iTunes last night/this morning at midnight, a week ahead of its physical release. You've already heard the ten-minute album track, "Pyramids," and he recently revealed another track, "Sweet Life," which you can download for free above.

It's been a pretty big week or so for Frank Ocean, who in addition to unveiling this great new collection of songs, came out about his sexuality, and made his television debut last night (7/9) on Fallon, performing the track, "Bad Religion." You can watch that performance below.

Frank's tour in support of the new album kicks off this Friday (7/13) and comes to NYC for a sold out show at Terminal 5 on July 26.

Video below...

Continue reading "Frank Ocean streaming 'Channel Orange' (which is now available on iTunes), played Fallon (video)"

Lee Fields at MHoW in March (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Today in NYC
* SWEET July @ Ella
* Robbie Fulks @ Barbes
* Naked Dance! @ The Stone
* Simon Amstell @ Theatre 80
* Slavic Soul Party @ Barbes
* Gold Sparkle Band @ The Stone
* DOSVEC, Krunk Pony @ Knitting Factory
* Cherub, Manicanparty @ Highline Ballroom
* Carla Morrison, La Santa Cecilia @ Littlefield
* Caramelo, Dientes de Caramelo @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Neon Trees, Penguin Prison, Jjamz @ Webster Hall
* Marco Benevento @ City Winery outside (free)
* Chubb Rock, Kurtis Blow, DJ Bent Roc @ Crotona Park
* MV & EE featuring Mick Flower, Spectre Folk, Images @ Death By Audio
* Lee Fields & the Expressions, Janka Nabay @ Fort Greene Park
* Emanuel & The Fear, Sprinkles, Shenandoah and the Night @ Cameo
* Dirty Projectors, Wye Oak, Purity Ring @ Prospect Park Bandshell
* Diamond Terrifier, Excepter, Hagfish & Poet Lounge, Hubble @ Zebulon
* Cult War, Through Thorn and Brier, Wolfmouth, Desensitized @ Saint Vitus
* Don Gator & The Kings of Spyrock, Makeup Monsters, Love Life, Blue Bird @ Pianos
* Cosmetics, Plastic Flowers, Psychobuildings, Heavenly Beat (DJ set) @ Glasslands
* Swimming, Spook Houses, The N'ere Dowells, The Chimneys @ Big Snow Buffalo Lodge

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival continues, with daily events ranging from shows to seminars to a film festival. No shows tonight, but there is a symposium and a screening of the great Wild Style. Head to the site for more details.

Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing series continues through July 14.

The Spy Music Festival is still ongoing.

Follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter.
Follow @bvChicago for just Chicago stuff.
Also follow @bvAustin for just Austin stuff.

Be our friend on Facebook too, and BV Austin's friend on Facebook and BV Chicago's friend on Facebook.

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We're throwing a photo show at 92YTribeca in August.

Dirty Projectors headline Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell tonight (with Wye Oak and Purity Ring). Last night it was a show at Music Hall of Williamsburg which you can now watch in full.

Fela! is back on Broadway.

Tom Waits talked to and played Letterman last night, performing "Chicago" from 2011's Bad As Me. Check out video of that appearance below. Look for Waits to do it again tonight on Fallon.

Frank Ocean, whose new album is streaming on Tumblr, made his television debut on Fallon last night. Video below.

Happy birthday goes out to the late great Ronnie James Dio (you are missed), Arlo Guthrie (who is honoring his father's legacy on the road), Sandy West of The Runaways, and possibly the most important of them all, Jessica Simpson (not really).

Holograms have proudly released their debut LP via Captured Tracks and are streaming it in full. Check it out below. Fans of The Cure, Iceage, and gothic-tinged punk rock everywhere, rejoice and look for them in September.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

Frank Ocean at Coachella 2012 (more by David Andrako)

Odd Future affiliated R&B singer Frank Ocean posted a note to his tumblr titled "thank you's," which was "intended to fill the thank you's section in [his] album credits, but with all the rumors going round.. [he] figured it'd be good to clarify." The rumors he was referring to were regarding his sexuality and were based on the inclusion of male pronouns on his upcoming album, Channel Orange (due out 7/17 via Def Jam). In the tumblr note, Frank Ocean describes how his first love was with a man that he spent entire summers with when both Frank and the other man had girlfriends. You can read his entire note below.

Though he doesn't explicitly identity as gay or bisexual in the note, Frank's coming out was a bit of a risky move in the hip hop and R&B community, and especially for a member of Odd Future, who have long been criticized for homophobic lyrics (though member Syd tha Kyd, whose project The Internet recently announced a tour, is openly a lesbian). However, Frank has gotten huge support all around. Fellow Odd Future member Tyler, the Creator tweeted, "My Big Brother Finally Fucking Did That. Proud Of That Nigga Cause I Know That Shit Is Difficult Or Whatever. Anyway. Im A Toilet." Def Jam boss Russell Simmons wrote a letter titled, "The Courage Of Frank Ocean Just Changed The Game!", in which he writes:

Today is a big day for hip-hop. It is a day that will define who we really are. How compassionate will we be? How loving can we be? How inclusive are we?

I am profoundly moved by the courage and honesty of Frank Ocean. Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear. These types of secrets should not matter anymore, but we know they do, and because of that I decided to write this short statement of support for one of the greatest new artists we have.

His gifts are undeniable. His talent, enormous. His bravery, incredible. His actions this morning will uplift our consciousness and allow us to become better people. Every single one of us is born with peace and tranquility in our heart. Frank just found his.

Frank, we thank you. We support you. We love you.

Read Frank's full note below...

Continue reading "Frank Ocean comes out about his sexuality"

We try to keep tabs on various festivals around the world here on BrooklynVegan, many of which you'll eventually see pictures from. Today we focus on Belgium.

Pukkelpop goes down from August 16 - 18. That festival includes The Stone Roses, Bjork, Bloc Party, The Black Keys, Refused, Wilco, The Hives, The Shins, The Afghan Whigs, Lykke Li, Hot Chip, Feist, Flying Lotus, tUnE-yArDs, Chromatics, Cloud Nothings, The Tallest Man on Earth, Baroness, Ceremony, A-Trak, Rustie, Hudson Mohawke, and more. The full lineup is listed below. Tickets for the festival are on sale now.

Rock Werchter, which falls a bit more on the mainstream side, happens in Belgium even sooner, running from June 28 - July 1. That lineup includes The Cure, Jack White, X, Mastodon, Garbage, The xx, M83, Metric, Amon Tobin, Skrillex, Perfume Genius, Bat For Lashes, Michael Kiwanuka, Alabama Shakes, My Morning Jacket, Regina Spektor, Florence + the Machine, The Vaccines and more. Tickets for the festival are on sale now sold out.

The full lineups for both Pukkelpop and Rock Wercher are listed below.

Continue reading "full 2012 Pukkelpop & Rock Werchter lineups"

Bon Iver at Bonnaroo 2012 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

Bon Iver recorded an iTunes session at East West studios which is available exclusively from iTunes starting today. It includes six tracks off 2011's great Bon Iver, Bon Iver and a cover of Bjork's "Who Is It?," which the band has played live many times. You can stream the session's opening track, "Beth/Rest" below.

As mentioned, Bon Iver is touring internationally throughout the summer and fall and will come to NYC on September 19 and 20 at Radio City Music Hall. Both of those shows are now sold out. All Bon Iver dates, including a recently announced European leg, are listed below.

Speaking of Bjork, she's teaming up with the New York Public Library (NYPL) and the Children's Museum of Manhattan to create interactive educational programs for middle school-aged students based on her Biophilia app. Speaking about the program, Bjork said:

"It's not a bookish thing. You cannot learn to make music from a book." "I love books; they're like the best ever," she added. "There are things you can only learn from books, but it's also important to introduce the physical aspects. So for me, it was very important to make, somehow, music education that was physical." (via NY Daily News)

Way Out West (Aug 9-11) in Gothenberg, Sweden features many of the same bands as Oya like Bon Iver, Refused, Afghan Whigs, St. Vincent, Purity Ring, John Maus, and Bob Mould in addition to Blur, Wilco, I Break Horses, Hot Chip, The War On Drugs, Mark Lanegan Band, Adolescents, Swans, and more. Check out the spotify playlist. The full lineup is listed below.

As mentioned, the reunited Mazzy Star is set to play both of those European festivals. Full lineups and the Bon Iver dates and song, below...

Continue reading "Bon Iver's new iTunes session, Bjork's new program at the NYPL & the full Oya & Way Out West festival lineups"

Coldplay at All Points West 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Swedish duo Icona Pop will be heading to North America this month, where they'll play Glasslands on June 22 (tickets). Before they play that show, they'll DJ a VIbrations party one day earlier, 6/21 at Hudson Terrace Roof Deck with DJ sets by Cassian, Sean Glass, and guests. The party is free til midnight with RSVP.

In related news, Charli XCX (who wrote Icona Pop's song "I Love It") has a new EP out today called You're the One. You've already heard "Nuclear Seasons" and the Balam Acab remix of that song. Now you can listen to the EP's title track as well, which is streaming below. The EP also includes a Blood Orange remix of that song.

Charli is one of the many artists opening for Coldplay (who will never work with Justin Bieber) on their upcoming tour, including the Chicago date with Marina and the Diamonds. Other openers on the tour include Robyn (who opens their Texas shows), Frank Ocean (who recently announced his own tour), Wolf Gang (who has nothing to do with any group Frank Ocean is part of), Temper Trap, The Pierces, and Emeli Sande.

Emeli was in NYC last week to play Bowery Ballroom and MHOW with Selah Sue (if you went, how were those shows?) and she'll be opening the East Rutherford, NJ shows at Izod Center on August 3 and 4 with Marina and the Diamonds. Tickets for those shows are available. If you're going to the Coldplay shows, be careful with the "Xylobands" that are being given out at the concerts. Fans are reporting that these bands, "which create a dramatic effect at Coldplay gigs," have been randomly reactivating after the shows and causing traumas such as waking fans up in the middle of the night. "It is believed the only way to stop the glowing is to jam a pencil clip into the band." Maybe they should call them jam bands.

As mentioned, Marina and the Diamonds will return to the NYC area after that for two headling shows at Webster Hall (8/16 & 8/18) with MS MR. The 8/16 show is sold out but tickets for the 8/18 show are still available. MS MR will play NYC even sooner than that at Santos Party House on June 27.

Speaking of Coldplay openers, Rita Ora just recently opened a few dates for the band and she's in NYC tonight for a free show at Gramercy Theater. RSVP is closed but you maybe don't wanna go anyway? Beyonce and Jay-Z on the other hand, might already have plans to be there. They went to support her at Coldplay's show in Manchester on Sunday (6/10) and were then spotted headbanging during Coldplay's set. A video of said headbanging is below.

That video, the Charli XCX stream, and a list of all Coldplay dates below...

Continue reading "Charli XCX (whose EP is out), Frank Ocean, Robyn & more opening on Coldplay tour; Icona Pop DJing in NYC"

King Tuff on stage with Witch at Santos (more by Sarah Coulter)

* Gwar @ Irving Plaza
* Phedre, Rioux @ Mercury Lounge
* Gary Jules, Vin Fischer @ Maxwell's
* DeLeon, Yiddish Princess @ Union Hall
* Thieving Irons, Peasant @ Mercury Lounge
* James Levy, Tubetops, Noa Furrier @ Cameo
* Dave Clarke, Sleepy & Boo @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang @ The Wellmont Theatre
* Caravan of Thieves, Brian Dolzani @ 92YTribeca
* Leather, Shoxx, Raw Meat, Dippers @ The Acheron
* Shellshag, Hilly Eye, Necking, Queening @ Cake Shop
* O'Death, Pop. 1280, Colin L. Orchestra @ Glasslands
* Howie Day, Matt from My Silent Bravery @ City Winery
* Vilipend, Hivesmasher, Ramlord, Deadbeat @ ABC No Rio
* 2:54, Widowspeak, Spanish Prisoners @ Knitting Factory
* IAmDynamite, Viva Mayday, The Yes Way, Careful @ Pianos
* How To Dress Well, Babe Rainbow, Rimar @ Public Assembly
* The Bouncing Souls, Cheap Girls, Static Radio @ Webster Hall
* Hollerado, Indian Rebound, Rah Rah, Sea Monsters @ Shea Stadium
* JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, DJ Todd-O-Phonic Todd @ Maxwell's
* Lazurite, Opal Onyx, Alan Watts, Seabat @ Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
* GDFX, Sto Len, Isfet, Maria Chavez, Jessie Gold @ Public Assembly
* United Battle Drum and Bass USA VS UK @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Esque, Brack Frag, Spencey Dude & The Doodles, Dreamdate @ Dead Herring
* King Charles The Martyr, Alec Gross, Portmanteaux, TIRES @ The Rock Shop
* King Tuff, Habibi, K Holes, A. Rex & J. Rex, Electric People @ 285 Kent Ave
* Cool Serbia, Weird Rivers, Magic Ian, Island Twins, The Hairs @ Death By Audio
* Rain Machine, Eric Copeland, Thurston Moore/Nate Wooley/Ryan Sawyer Trio @ Union Pool
* The Pimps of Joytime, DJ Nickodemus, Navegante, Yula & The Extended Family @ Bowery Ballroom
* Death Threat, Pale Horse, Suburban Scum, Agitator, Great American Ghost, Living Lazer @ The Morgan
* Phobia, Black Anvil, Strong Intention, Ramming Speed, Full Of Hell, Skullshitter @ Saint Vitus
* Southern Culture On The Skids, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Jon Langford & Skull Orchard @ Madison Square Park
* The String Orchestra of Brooklyn, Ghostlight Chorus (Darmstadt 2012: John Cage Centennial Concert) @ Issue Project Room
* Antibalas, Bajah & The Dry Eye Crew, Prince Paul, Superhuman Happiness, Billy Martin's Fang Percussion, DJ Monk-One, EMEFE, Little Shalimar @ Brooklyn Bowlty Hard) @ Brooklyn Bowl

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Yesterday, Frank Ocean announced a new album and tour, and since we last spoke he revealed the first track from that album. It's almost ten minutes long and it's called "Pyramids." Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

Frank Ocean at Coachella (more by David Andrako)

Frank Ocean posted a teaser video today for something called Channel Orange, which is his new album out July 17 via Def Jam. Soon after, he announced a tour which includes a NYC show happening on July 26 at Terminal 5 and in typical Frank Ocean fashion, tickets immediately went on sale.

A list of all dates and the teaser video below...

Continue reading "Frank Ocean releasing LP; going on tour, including T5 (dates)"

by Andrew Sacher

Jazz leaning instrumental hip hop trio BADBADNOTGOOD, made up of pianist Matt Tavares, bassist Chester Hansen, and drummer Alex Sowinski, released their second album, BBNG2, last month for free on their website. Their first album, live material, and singles, are also all available for free on their bandcamp.

The new album's got live instrument/jazzy takes on Odd Future (who they've collaborated with), James Blake, My Bloody Valentine, and Kanye West instrumentals, and a handful of originals as well. And if those covers just sound like a way for the group to get our attention...I can't say it isn't working. These kids (the whole band is under 21) can really play and the arrangements are tight. Also, somebody tell them to do a Death Grips track on their next record.

BADBADNOTGOOD have some dates coming up including a NYC show at TONIGHT (5/4) at Brooklyn Bowl with DJ Still Life. Tickets are available.

They recently played Coachella (but weren't part of the initial lineup announcement) and while they were there they also did some backing for Frank Ocean during his set. Check out videos of them from Coachella, along with music videos, other live videos, and a session with Tyler, the Creator below, along with all dates...

Continue reading "BADBADNOTGOOD touring (NYC tonight), cover James Blake, My Bloody Valentine & Odd Future (who they also play with)"

photos by David Andrako

Refused/Levon Helm RIP - Friday @ Coachella

The second week of Coachella 2012 (and unfortunately not streaming online this time around) kicked off on 4/20 and continues today, Saturday, Record Store Day...

Once again this year, Record Store Day will be a big part of the festival and is on Saturday, April 21st! ZIA will be celebrating in style by having great music exclusives and special RSD pieces available at the ZIA tent.

Well over 200 Record Store Day Exclusive releases will be available this year and on sale at the Zia tent on the second weekend of Coachella (April 20-22). Zia will also have a limited amount of RSD Exclusives from prior years available both weekends.

Many bands performing this year at Coachella will be releasing Record Store Day Exclusive pieces this year including The Black Keys, Santigold, Feist, The Hives, M83, Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, The Refused, Miike Snow, Childish Gambino, Mike Watt, Grouplove, The Black Angels, Kimbra, Gary Clark Jr., Laura Marling, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Real Estate, M. Ward, Death Grips, fIREHOSE and St. Vincent.

We will also have a few exclusives that will only be available both weekends of Coachella. First is At The Drive-In's amazing Vaya EP is being repressed on colored vinyl and will be limited to only 500 copies. Also Ximena Sarinana will be releasing a Coachella only 7" limited to 500. More exclusives are in the works so stop by and check us out.

ZIA Records will be offering shipping for items purchased over both festival weekends. ZIA will also have an option for customers who would like to have their items put on hold in the comfy, cool ZIA tent.

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Mazzy Star/Frank Ocean - Friday @ Coachella

This week we're mixing up the photo coverage a bit. We wouldn't normally go to a festival Pulp is playing and miss them, but after seeing them at Coachella last week and two times in NYC, it seemed like it would be better to give others on the five-stage lineup a chance. That's also why you won't find any Black Keys (who were joined by John Fogerty), Madness and Amon Tobin in this post. Unlike last week though, you will find Explosions in the Sky, WU LYF, Frank Ocean & Yuck. No Hasselhof this time, but David did spot Richie Sambora checking out Gary Clark Jr.. More pictures from Friday (4/20), below...

Continue reading "Coachella 2012 Week 2 - Day 1 pics (Mazzy Star, Refused, M. Ward, M83, Dawes, EITS, Kendrick Lamar, WU LYF & more)"

Frank Ocean & Tyler, the Creator @ Coachella 2012 (via yungzilla)

As Fader says,

Met her at Coachella/ I went to see Jigga, she went to see Z-Trip/ Perfect. An enterprising YouTube user ripped the official live stream of last night's Frank Ocean performance at Coachella, available in its entirety below. Ocean was backed by a full band, and at one point by a surprise appearance of fellow Odd Future member, Tyler, the Creator. The set list is below, as annotated by Pretty Much Amazing.

Continue reading "watch Frank Ocean's full Coachella set (video, setlist & a guest appearance by Tyler the Creator)"

Lollapalooza (more by Grant MacAllister)

Chicago Sun Times reports:

Lollapalooza has revealed its official 2012 list of performers -- a typically wide-ranging smorgasbord of genres and styles topped by nearly a dozen mainstage headliners: the Red Hot Chili Peppers, freshly reunited bands Black Sabbath and At the Drive-In, the Black Keys, Jack White, Florence + The Machine, the Shins and Passion Pit, plus spotlighted electronic music including Swedish house titan Avicii, French dance duo Justice and DJ-producer Bassnectar.

The annual music festival is scheduled for Aug. 3-5 in Chicago's Grant Park.

Rumored lineups have circulated widely, as they usually do, and Lollapalooza itself stoked the speculation in recent weeks via a series of CTA and online advertisements that seemed to hint at who would be playing.

The ads featured lyrics from such acts as Sigur Ros, Santigold, Jack White, Kimbra, Twin Shadow, the Weeknd, Bloc Party and more -- all bands that wound up on the bill.

Continue reading "Lollapalooza 2012 lineup (Jack White, At The Drive-In, Sigur Ros, Black Keys, RHCP, Afghan Whigs, M83, Weeknd, SBTRKT, Black Sabbath & more)"

Odd Future at FFF Fest 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

Odd Future are readying their new joint mixtape, The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2, and it's due out March 20 via their own Odd Future Records. Though other mixtapes have been released since their 2008 debut, The Odd Future Tape, this one seems to be somewhat of a conceptual followup. Their debut featured Tyler, the Creator, Left Brain, Hodgy Beats, Super 3 (1/2 of The Jet Age of Tomorrow), and Casey Veggies, who since left Odd Future (and is featured on the new Rockie Fresh single). The new tape will again feature Tyler, Hodgy, and Left Brain, in addition to Frank Ocean, Domo Genesis (who raps on the new Smoke DZA EP), Mike G, Syd the Kyd, and The Internet (aka Syd Tha Kid and producer Matt Martians).

They're about to announce a 10 city national tour which will happen in March that will include an OF pop up store in addition to a show in each city that it hits. The shows will each open with an exclusive viewing of their Adult Swim show, "Loiter Squad," which makes its premiere on March 25.

In other OF news, Tyler, the Creator will release his third album, Wolf, this May and MellowHype will release Numbers in the summer. Listen to a recent MellowHype track, "45", on Hodgy's tumblr. As Hodgy points out, "whats funny is that 45 shit aint even on numbers. just be ready. MellowHype is ill as fuck. bank on it."

Radiohead @ Roseland Ballroom in 2011 (more by Bao Nguyen)

Coachella which is taking place over the course of two weekends this year (April 13-15 and 20-22) revealed their 2012 lineup. Last week, Azealia Banks was the first artist confirmed, and earlier today they confirmed The Weeknd (maybe he found a band?), and before that, Jimmy Cliff, Breakbot, and Housse De Racket. The reunited Pulp then announced itself. The full lineup also includes headliners The Black Keys, Radiohead, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, not to mention, as predicted, the reunited At the Drive In and the reunited Mazzy Star (!), and Madness and Refused (!) and Jeff Mangum and many, many more that you can see below...

Continue reading "Coachella 2012 lineup announced (two weekends worth)"

Friends (more by Amanda Hatfield)

The BBC's list of 15 bands who will make up the "Sound of 2012" is below...

Continue reading "BBC lists the 'Sound of 2012' (Friends included)"

Frank Ocean at Bowery Ballroom (photo by djerickidd)

"During this show Mr. Ocean didn't do much. Mostly he stood at center stage, moved his hands a little and allowed the audience to take note of his background visuals, which were thematically pegged to each song: clips from "The NeverEnding Story" during "Dust"; a montage from "Menace II Society," "Boyz N the Hood" and other black coming-of-age tales during "Songs for Women." For "American Wedding," a remake of the Eagles' "Hotel California," he strapped on a Guitar Hero controller, turned his back to the crowd and pretended to play the song on the game as the screen showed him ringing up a flawless score: "1000 note streak!"" [NY Times]

Continue reading "Frank Ocean played 2 nights @ Bowery Ballroom"

Frank Ocean @ Bowery last night (photo by mikevii)

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Winter's Eve Fest
* Hot Tub @ Littlefield
* Jerron Paxton @ Barbes
* Frank Ocean @ Bowery Ballroom
* Thieving Irons, Kelli Scarr @ Zebulon
* Karl Berger's Stone Workshop Orchestra @ The Stone
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Red Baraat, My Pet Dragon, Gato Loco @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Jessica Ashley, Doris Cellar (of Freelance Whales), Mandy Duffy @ Pianos
* Curren$y, Trademark da Skydiver, Young Roddy, Smoke DZA, Marz Lovejoy @ Highline Ballroom
* King Louie's Missing Monuments, Night Birds, Ex Humans, Pretty Quick @ Cake Shop
* Rich Hinman, Tony Scherr Trio with Anton Fier and Rob Jost, Anthony da Costa @ The Living Room
* Mystical Wizard Business, Unstoppable Death Machines, Sickness, No Gang Colors, Big Shotsi @ Death By Audio

Curren$y is only listed as the "host" of the show tonight at Highline Ballroom.

Todd Barry is at Whiplash tonight.

Frank Ocean plays his second of two shows at Bowery Ballroom.

Dominique Young Unique has a new video for "Hype Girl" which you can watch below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"