UMO @ the recent Vice party (more by Ryan Muir)

As just mentioned, both DOM & Unknown Mortal Orchestra will make appearances in the "SmartLounge" at Thompson Hotel in NYC during CMJ. Both artists also play a Pitchfork/Brooklyn Brewery-sponsored event at the Aloft hotel on Duffield Street in Brooklyn on Saturday, 10/22. Unknown Mortal Orchestra plays later that same night at Brooklyn Bowl with Givers, Free Energy and others.

In November DOM heads out on tour with Architecture in Helsinki.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra are still currently on your with Toro y Moi and will tour in Novmeber with Gauntlet Hair who are also coming for CMJ. All UMO dates below...

Continue reading "Speaking of DOM/Unknown Mortal Orchestra CMJ shows in hotels... "

James Murphy @ Virgin FreeFest - 9/11/11 (photo by sanchita)

Holy Ghost! play a Fashion Week party at the Tribeca Grand hotel tonight (9/13). Additional sounds will be made by DJs Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Harley Viera Newton, Steven Rojas, Mike Nouveau, and Mandy Brooks. The invite says to RSVP at Events@GrandLifeNYC.com. The DFA-signed Holy Ghost's only other upcoming show at the moment is 11/4 at Grog Shop in Cleveland.

Speaking of DFA, Juan Maclean has some DJ gigs coming up including September 25th at Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn, part of Asa Ransom's residency. All JM dates are listed below.

As just mentioned, Free Energy are playing this year's CMJ Music Marathon in NYC. To be more exact, their show is at Brooklyn Bowl on 10/22 with Gotye, The Good Natured, and Bleeding Knees Club and you can get tickets now. All of their dates are listed below...

Continue reading "Holy Ghost! playing Fashion Week Party, Free Energy playing Brooklyn Bowl, Juan Maclean DJing stuff"

CMJ takes over NYC venues from October 18-22, and they just announced another round of bands that are playing. They are:

J Mascis, Shonen Knife, Gang Gang Dance, Boy & Bear, Cloud Nothings, Free Energy, T. Mills, Kendrick Lamar, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Casiokids, Oberhofer, Smif-N-Wessun, Pujol, Zomby, Joker, Painted Palms, Flatliners, Robbers on High Street, Bag Raiders, Young Buffalo, Skeletonwitch, Gary Clark, Jr. and 1, 2, 3.

Zomby is also playing Glasslands even sooner.

photos by Josh Darr

Flaming Lips @ Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on 7/7

Cruises are all the rage. There's Jam Cruise and Holy Ship!, and to a smaller extent Bruise Cruise, and now this January Weezer are launching the first ever Weezer Cruise. The cruise takes place over the course of 4 days (1/19-1/23) on the Carnival Destiny from Miami to the island of Cozumel, and features performances by a lineup curated by Weezer, who will also be performing themselves. The lineup is pretty heavy on members of the Dinosaur Jr. family including Dinosaur Jr. themselves, Sebadoh, J. Mascis, and Lou Barlow. Hey, they're all trapped on a boat together for four days, might as well mix up the formats. Other bands playing include Wavves, The Antlers, Yuck, and many others. Full lineup below.

As recently mentioned, Weezer and The Flaming Lips will set up "side-by-side" (sort of like "in the round") at their co-headlining shows happening at PNC Bank Arts Center in NJ (7/28) and at Jones Beach in NY (7/29). Both dates are with Yeasayer. Tickets for both are still on sale, and BrooklynVegan is giving away 2 pairs of Flaming Lips/Weezer tickets EVERY DAY between now and 7/26. Each day we'll award one pair of tickets to the NJ show, and one to the NY show. This will be the last time you see a post about it on the site though, but check our Facebook each day for an updated chance to win. Instructions on entering via email are below.

The Flaming Lips have also added more shows this summer, including a weird one: in Long Beach, Long Island on September 9. No more details on that at the moment. All dates are listed below along with a set of pictures from the 7/7 Lips show at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.

The Flaming Lips, who released collaboration EPs this year with Neon Indian and Prefuse 73, are currently working on one with Lightning Bolt. According to Wayne Coyne's twitter, "Mixing the final master of Flaming Lips/Lightning Bolt tracks!!!!". Video below.

All tour dates, video, contest details, and full Weezer Cruise lineup below...

Continue reading "Weezer Cruise announced, more Flaming Lips dates & pics too +++ WIN TIX to Weezer/Flaming Lips (we're giving away 60!)"

photos by Eric M. Townsend

B.O.M.B. Fest went down over Memorial Day Weekend at Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT. You already saw the Dan Deacon pictures from the first day of the two day fest. Now here are the rest from that Saturday (May 28th) (we have no pics from Sunday). They continue below...

Continue reading "B.O.M.B. Fest 2011 - Day 1 in pics"

Holy Ghost! in Austin last week (more by Tim Griffin)

The second edition of Noncerts goes down at Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn tonight (4/29). Elvis Perkins, Martha Wainwright, and Jesse Harris will all play sets with the all-star house band and tickets for the benefit are still on sale.

Stick around after Noncerts for the dance party happening in the same venue with DFA DJs Jee Day, Matt Cash and Juan Maclean who may not be joined by his bandmate Nancy Whang even though she will probably make an appearance earlier in the night across the street at the sold out Holy Ghost! show happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Nancy is scheduled to instead appear with Classixx tonight at Webster Hall (flyer below). If that's not enough DFA for you, Free Energy play a show tonight at Glasslands too. Oh, and if you're going to Holy Ghost!, save your ticket stub (if you have one). It gets you $3.00 off admission to Cameo (doors at midnight).

Holy Ghost! just got off a tour with Cut Copy whose next NYC show is in Prospect Park with Midnight Magic who you can catch way before that on North 6th Street too. On Cinco de Mayo, while BOBBY are doing there thing over at Knitting Factory, Midnight Magic, Arthur Baker, and DFA DJ Matt Thornley will play a show in the back room of Public Assembly while Colin Rogister [Disocography], Joakim [Paris/ Tigersushi], Sal P [Liquid Liquid], and Tim Sweeney [Beats in Space/ DFA] hold it down in the same venue's loft space. A $15 ticket will get you into both the main event and the "Discography" party in the loft, or you can skip the downstairs and pay only $5. The flyer for that part is below...

Continue reading "Juan Maclean DJ's after Noncerts, Holy Ghost! & Free Energy +++ catch Midnight Magic & even more DFA on Cinco de Mayo"

Wavves @ MSG in 2010 (more by Andrew St. Clair)

In the earlier ticket post today, I forgot to mention...

Tickets are now on sale for Guided by Voices / Wavves at McCarren Park.

It's unclear how many Northside badges they'll let in to that show, but those are on sale too.

Tickets are also still on sale for the Beirut Northside show happening at McCarren Park too.

Fang Island are playing Brooklyn Bowl on May 27th. Tickets are on sale.

Free Energy are playing Glasslands & April 29th. Tickets are on sale.

photos by Chris La Putt, words by Andrew Sacher

Weezer's opening set on Saturday night, the second of two shows at Roseland Ballroom with Free Energy, was somewhat of a time machine. They played one song from each album (excluding Raditude) in descending order from Memories to Blue Album. It was performed as a typical post-Red Album Weezer set, with Patrick Wilson abandoning his drums for a guitar, bassist Scott Shriner singing lead vocals on "Dope Nose" and Rivers Cuomo frequently choosing to put down his guitar and only sing. There isn't much to say about post-Pinkerton Weezer songs that hasn't been said at this point (although the band was admittedly impressive during "Hash Pipe") but the latter half of Weezer's "time machine" set rewarded the nostalgic Weezer fan with some real gems. This half of the set consisted of Blue/Pinkerton era b-sides including my personal favorite non-album Weezer track, "You Gave Your Love to Me Softly," from the Angus Soundtrack. This was also the first time Weezer performed the beloved "Jamie" since 1996.

After a short intermission, Weezer returned to the stage with Patrick Wilson back on drums, and a timid looking Rivers without his recent trademark tie and glasses hunched over his guitar. Seeing Weezer perform Pinkerton in its entirety was undeniably an incredible experience, but as soon as the band launched into "Tired of Sex" Rivers gave off the vibe that he was actually "tired of Pinkerton." The crowd's participation in every song proved that Pinkerton is still a collection of awe-inspiring tracks with a devoted fanbase, but Weezer seemed to lack the energy they had while performing their more-recent hits. They might just not be that same band anymore. Pinkerton is the album that upon its release was considered career suicide on Weezer's road to rock-stardom, and Weezer are rock stars now. Maybe Pinkerton is just meant be a buried treasure of the past.

One night earlier they performed the "Blue Album." The setlist and pictures from that show are HERE. The setlist and pictures, and a video of the band playing "Jamie", continue below...

Continue reading "Weezer played 'Pinkerton' @ Roseland Ballroom w/ Free Energy (pics & setlist)"

photos by Chris La Putt

Weezer's State Farm-sponsored Memories Tour hit Roseland Ballroom in NYC on Friday and Saturday. Weezer played their classic albums Blue Album (on night 1) and Pinkerton (on night 2) in their entirety. Free Energy opened both shows.

This post has pictures and the setlist from the first night (second night is HERE), and it continues below...

Continue reading "Weezer played the 'Blue Album' @ Roseland Ballroom w/ Free Energy (pics & setlist) "

by Andrew Sacher

Weezer @ MSG in 2008 (more by Chris La Putt)

In October, Weezer revealed NYC dates and venues for the Blue Album/Pinkerton shows, as part of the Weezer Memories Tour Driven By State Farm. In case you weren't able to muster up the 74 dollars for tickets, or you didn't act quick enough (the shows are sold out), we're giving away four pairs of tickets to the Pinkerton show on 12/18, which include meet and greets and an autographed copy of their new album "Hurley". Details on how to enter are below, and if you don't win here, you can also try your luck at the State Farm Nation Facebook where you can enter the "Grantin' Wishes with Weezer contest" (you can also win the opportunity to sing on stage and other stuff).

The Memories Tour kicked off in California in late November with Best Coast opening two LA shows. In case you didn't hear, it was at those shows that Bethany of Best Coast performed Weezer's "Island In The Sun" with Rivers during the first part of the show (they played the albums last). Both LA setlists and video of the Rivers/Bethany duet are below.

Unfortunately, Bethany won't likely be at either of the two New York dates, which are both being opened, like the rest of the tour, by Free Energy (which is appropriate though, because Weezer is somewhat of an arena band and Free Energy are not afraid to wear their arena rock band influences on their sleeve).

After the Weezer tour, Free Energy embarks on their final headlining tour in support of their current album. No New York shows in that new set of dates, but in addition to the Weezer tour, Free Energy just played a bunch in town on their last tours. They're promising new songs this time around (from the new album they're recording), and those new dates (Philly included) are listed below..

Videos, pictures, tour dates, and Weezer contest details below...

Continue reading "win Weezer 'Memories' tix --- contest + Free Energy tour dates "

photos by Chris Gersbeck

"I had no idea who Foxy Shazam was prior to the show, and I kinda wish it stayed that way.. Maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea, but this band was one big bad theatrical 80s glam-rock gimmick. It sounded like a hybrid of My Chemical Romance, The Darkness, and Queen rolled up in a ball... I will never understand the appeal of this band.

Free Energy took the stage, and even though a lot of the crowd filed out (partly cause they were seemingly there for Foxy, or because it was the night before Thanksgiving) Free Energy still put 110% in... I know that it's only a matter of time until Free Energy really blows up, so I will enjoy these intimate shows while I can... "Free Energy", "Dream City", and "Bang Pop" sounded mightier than ever. They treated us to a encore at the end giving us a fierce version of "C'Mon Let's Dance", a b-side... and "Something In Common" one can only scratch their head when wondering why they were left out of the record"
[We All Want Someone To Shout For]

Free Energy will log their fifth and sixth NYC appearances in four months when they support Weezer on their "Memories" tour at Roseland on 12/17 and 12/18. Both dates are sold out.

More pictures from MHOW are below...

Continue reading "Free Energy, Foxy Shazam & Hollerado played MHOW (pics)"

photos by Alysse Gafkjen

Weezer announced that Free Energy and Best Coast will handle opening duties on their upcoming "Memories Tour", though it's only one opener per show and NYC gets Free Energy. Weezer were another one of the bands that played Voodoo in New Orleans over the weekend. More pictures and some videos from their set there, and updated tour dates with openers listed, below...

Continue reading "Free Energy & Best Coast opening shows for Weezer who played Voodoo (pics & video) "

photos by kolored

After Screaming Females, came a set by Free Energy at Webster Hall on Saturday night. Free Energy were 2nd on the bill. Their tour-mates Titus Andronicus headlined the show.

Free Energy are in China this weekend (!), but head back to the US to play a string of dates before hooking up with Foxy Shazam for a tour that includes two more NYC shows in late November: at Bowery Ballroom (11/24) and Music Hall of Williamsburg (11/26). Stay tuned for ticket info.

All dates and more pictures from Webster Hall, below...

Continue reading "Free Energy played Webster Hall w/ Titus (pics) announce tour w/ Foxy Shazam (dates) "

"titus andronicus last night at glasslands was pretty special. and sweaty. a pretty sweaty special." - Ward

"For starters, [Titus Andronicus] looked like drowned rats by the time they hit "Arms Against Atrophy," just four songs in. At previous shows I was never sure whether or not Glasslands had air conditioning, but Glasslands definitely does not have air conditioning. Between Titus' cult following forming their requisite mosh pit up front and being in such a small venue for a band playing Webster Hall next month, the heat in that place was inescapable last night. Suffocating, almost. Everyone was very, very wet. The show, partly because of the heat I imagine, and partly because the cause, took on "an intimate show among friends with songs that haven't been played in a while" feel. They had to slow things down every so often, or they probably would have died. And so the calmer moments on songs like "No Future, Pt. 1" were even quieter; the silent pause before "No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future" turns noisy was even more dramatic; the outro to "Four Score and Seven" extended into an ethereal ambiance, and "And Ever" was like a modern-day "Piano Man." To make up for it, the louder material was more urgent, more epic." [L Magazine]

Check out Titus Andronicus again tonight at Maxwell's (if you have a ticket because it's sold out) where they kick off their tour with Free Energy. If you don't have a ticket, you can still get one for the September 25th show at Webster Hall where Free Energy is also opening (they kept that part a secret at first).

Updated dates below...

Continue reading "Titus Andronicus played a very hot show at Glasslands, kick off tour w/ Free Energy (including Webster Hall)"

photos by Chris La Putt

Best Coast @ the Seaport July 23rd...

One of the potentially rainy concerts this past weekend that made it through the weather was the free South Street Seaport show on Friday, July 23rd with Best Coast and Free Energy. Free Energy wrapped up right before the rain came down (Modest Mouse across the river was not so lucky).

Best Coast, which featured new drummer Ali Koehler, will be back at the end of September as part of their tour with Male Bonding. Brooklyn's Loose Limbs opened.

More pictures are below...

Continue reading "Best Coast, Free Energy & Loose Limbs played South Street Seaport (pics) "

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Twin Shadow - Slow (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Total Slacker - Cops Freak Me Out (MP3)

Summer Blondes

Ok it's a busy weekend of shows. It always is, I always say that. But this TWII is seems more packed than most. No doubt, it is time to try a little harder in the band name department. Especially when it comes to beachy ones of which, anyone who even casually checks in with Pitchfork can tell you, there are too many of. Adding to the band name clutter and confusion are Oakland, CA's Summer Blondes who are visiting us this weekend. They play tonight (7/21) at Shea Stadium, a house party in Bushwick on Friday (7/23) and Bruar Falls on Saturday.

Given their name and hometown, it may not surprise you learn that Summer Blondes (who are dudes, maybe that's a surprise) make low-fi surf garage rock. That said, and lack of moniker originality aside, I like these guys. Alternating between laid back instrumentals and blown-out rockers (and some that most interestingly fall in between), there's more musicality going on here than you might expect. Also: their drummer is a manic powerhouse, and their singer/screamer appears to be a little nuts. No records out yet, but the band do have CDR demos they've been handing out at shows so keep an eye/ear out for those.

Pujol

Also playing that Saturday Bruar Falls show are Nashville's Pujol who are on JEFF the Brotherhood's Infinity Cat label. Is it just me or does it seem like there's a Nashville band in town every weekend? Bye bye JEFF and Heavy Cream, but hello Pujol. You may know him from Wizardz or MEEMAW if you follow the Nashville scene closer than I do. Like all the bands on the Infinity Cat roster, Daniel Pujol makes poppy, punky party rock that is hard to dislike.

If you can't make the Bruar show, Pujol also play Silent Barn on Sunday night and that one's with The Beets, Knight School, and Moonmen on the Moon, Man. Check out a couple Pujol music videos at the bottom of this post with all dates.

Moving from Nashville to Memphis, as mentioned in the previous post, we've got Magic Kids in town for a couple of show. Read more about that there.

Twin Shadow

For being in a band who have never done a whole lot for me one way or the other (there, I admit it), I like every band on Chris Taylor's Terrible Records.  The label's next release is the debut from locals Twin Shadow which will be out September 28. The brainchild of stylish New Yorker George Lewis Jr., Twin Shadow mix a variety of '80s influences into a pretty distinctive sound. For example, on "Slow," which you can download at the top of this post, you can hear a little Joy Division in the drumbeat, and the arpeggiated, delay-effected guitar is straight out of The Chameleons or U2's playbook. You can even hear a little Prince ("I Would Die 4 U") and Bruce Springsteen ("I'm on Fire") in there too. But he makes it all into something new.

Lewis, who sounds like The Blue Nile's Paul Buchanan but looks more than a little like Phil Lynott, is a charismatic cat on stage... see them now in small places while you can. Twin Shadow play Cake Shop Thursday (7/22) and Coco 66 on Friday (7/23). Both shows are with Hooray for Earth.

Free Energy @ the Pitchfork Festival (more by Kate Gardiner)

And last but certainly not least, this Friday's edition of the Seaport Music Festival might just be the biggest of the Summer with Free Energy, Best Coast and Loose Limbs. Best Coast couldn't be any hotter right now with just about every media outlet writing about their debut album which comes out next week. It's a fine showcase for Bethany Cosentino's natural way with a melody, her great Loretta Lynn-ish voice, and her ability to rhyme the word "crazy." Much has been made of the single-minded lyrical themes -- a very bad breakup, weed -- but I prefer to focus on those melodies and her voice which can stop you in your tracks. It a gorgeous record in that respect, and Best Coast, now with full-time drummer Ali (swiped from Vivian Girls), have been good the three times I've seen them this year (twice at SXSW, once at Knitting Factory). It's also Best Coast's only NYC show (not counting the invite-only one last night) until they return at the end of September. All tour dates are below.

Headliners Free Energy should be right at home on a big outdoor stage, as their album is loaded with festival-ready fist-pumping rock anthems, stealing the best bits of Thin Lizzy, ELO and '80s stadium rock. Perfect summer music, that goes down easier than Bud Light. Get there early for trio Loose Limbs (who are signed to Seaport Music Records), and I'll be DJing a second week in a row. Will I play The Darkness? Seems likely.

--

That's gonna do it for this edition. There's some more daily picks of things worth checking out that I didn't cover above:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21

Montreal's Parlovr and Suuns play the first of their two shows this week at Mercury Lounge and both are worth catching (and one is now signed to Secretly Canadian). It's an early show.

You could make a Montreal night of it by then heading over to Home Sweet Home for the Wierd party where Automelodi play at Midnight.

Sludgy noisemerchants Total Slacker (check out new MP3 "Cops Freak Me Out" at the top of this post) and funky Ava Luna (who impressed during Northside) headline a bill at Glasslands that also includes Mala Strana and Baltimore's loud Weekends.

Diehard, who'll have a new EP out soon of catchy, classic-sounding indie rock,  at Union Pool with The Waylons and World War.

continued below...

Continue reading "Summer Blondes, Twin Shadow, Violens, Free Energy, Pujol, Best Coast, Midnight Juggernauts, more in This Week in Indie"

photos by Kate Gardiner

"And Yawnfork continues." - Jim DeRogatis

Robyn dominated Friday @ the Pitchfork Festival

"Who knew the best performer of the day would be a blonde bombshell spinning Euro-disco? Robyn -- another Swede and a former child star who's fought hard to regain her own artistic control -- came out throwing punches in the air when she wasn't doing that elbows-high, shoulder-leaning dance all '80s female singers used to do. Fiesty, sexy, spunky, Robyn opened with the virtues of being a "Fembot," assured us that love hurts "With Every Heartbeat" and sang flawlessly through new single "Dancing on My Own" in front of a band dressed in all white, twiddling knobs and pounding synth-pad drums. The latter really exploded at the end of "Cobrastyle," with Robyn showing some kick-box dancing. Her Pink-ish pluck reached its zenith in "Don't F---ing Tell Me What to Do," during which she led some kind of aerobics class (sporting a totally Pat Benatar green beret, too). And she was the crowd favorite. Go figure." [Chicago Sun Times]

This post comes five hours into Day Two of the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival (which is streaming online). Tonight's remaining acts are Wolf Parade, Panda Bear, and LCD Soundsystem. More pictures and a few videos from most of what came prior, below....

Continue reading "Pitchfork Fest 2010 - Day 1 & most of Day 2 (pictures & video) "

Titus Andronicus @ Northside Festival on Saturday (more by Marianne Ventrice)

Titus Andronicus just played an outdoor show at Barge Park in Greenpoint as part of the Northside Fest. They have an August/September with Free Energy that'll go across North America. Before that starts, Titus has a show at Maxwell's on August 19th (no opener listed). Tickets are on sale. At the end of the trip, they'll headline a Webster Hall show (currently no opener mentioned either) on Saturday, September 25th. Tickets go on sale Wednesday at noon.

Free Energy, Best Coast and Loose Limbs play South Street Seaport on July 23rd. All Titus tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Titus Andronicus touring w/ Free Energy, playing Maxwell's, headlining Webster Hall - 2010 dates "

Damian Abraham & child @ NXNE - 6/17/2010

After working all day in a hotel room on Thursday, I headed out into for my first-ever taste of both NXNE and Toronto music clubs. I've been to the city once before, but that was a very long time ago.

Things were kicking off at 6pm on the outdoor stage set up at Young Dundas Square. Locals will tell you that its Toronto's Times Square, but after being there I'd say its more like Union Square (in shape and size anyway). That said, I don't know what it normally looks like there, but for NXNE they turned the whole paved center of the square into a festival site complete with sponsored booths (free sample of flavored water anyone? Would you like to learn more about Sirius XM radio?) and a huge stage that anyone is free to check out (Iggy Pop plays there on Saturday).

Entry to any other NXNE venue will cost you. A festival badge, which you could purchase in Young Dudas Square, costs $50 and gets you into everything capacity permitting (though we never had a problem once). It's like CMJ and SXSW - there are NXNE shows in all the Toronto clubs.

We got to Young Dudas in time for Free Energy's set, and for the speeches that came before them. The first was by the man himself, Damian "Pink Eyes" Abraham from Fucked Up, aka the mayor of Toronto (he was the first of three Fucked Up members I spotted over the course of the evening). He, and a lady friend whose name I didn't catch, introduced the band and Michael Chan, the Minister of Tourism & Culture, who gave a nice little speech before the bands began.

More pictures and commentary below...

Continue reading "NXNE 2010 in pics - part 1 (Free Energy, Young Galaxy, more)"

Best Coast @ Knitting Factory in April (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Greetings from Toronto. NXNE, the Toronto music/film/interactive fest is happening this week. It kicked off its music programming last night, Wednesday, June 16th, and runs through Sunday with shows at 50+ venues (here's a map of the spots). The festival also coincides with the now-affliated Broken Social Scene-helmed Toronto Island concert that features Pavement, Band of Horses, Beach House and others on Saturday, June 19th.

There weren't many Wednesday night shows. The official kick off party was just Eagles of Death Metal (sadly, without their normal bass player) at The Phoenix. And there was a gig or two with Canada's Hollerado (who have at least six shows at the fest lined up). One of them was up in the CN Tower.Still Life Still played the Mod Club with Denmark's The Blue Van.

One of the main hubs will be the free-to-anyone outdoor stage at Yonge-Dundas Square with headliners Thursday night X and Mudhoney, Friday night Sloan and k-os, Saturday night Iggy and the Stooges preceded by The Raveonettes, Wavves, Surfer Blood and others, and Sunday's De La Soul, Kid Sister, Phenomenal Handclap Band and NOLA rapper Big Freedia.

continued below...

Continue reading "NXNE is underway in Toronto -- a quick guide to the music "

"I am not exaggerating when I say that Iggy Pop's udder was 6 inches from my mouth tonight. Thank god for corporate VIP shows that let me in." -Klaus Kinski

"thank you upscale corporate New York assholes" -Iggy

The Stooges @ MHOW in Brooklyn - May 12, 2010 (iPhone pic by Ryan Muir)

Iggy Pop and the Stooges have public shows coming up that include NXNE in Toronto in June and ATP NY in the fall. Last night (5/12) they played a free, but invite-only show at Music Hall of Williamsburg (capacity around 600 lucky people) with the Virgins (who joined the Stooges on stage) and Free Energy.

Despite rumors that he was retiring, Iggy did stage dive. As you can tell from the above picture, Iggy also invited the crowd on the stage as usual, but during "Shake Appeal". The band consisted of Mike Watt, Scott "Rock Action" Asheton, Steve McKay on sax, and guitarist James Williamson who took over for the deceased Ron Asheton. The crowd was not actually as upscale corporate as Iggy pointed out - there was a mix of everyone including old punks and models. Some young punk rockers spotted in the audience included Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear and members of Dirty Projectors. The venue was decked out with old rock n roll photos. There was a VIP area upstairs and open bar and food. Before the encore, Iggy made mention of the fact that it was cool that nobody had to pay to get in. Thanks PP for the report. The setlist and more below...

Continue reading "Iggy Pop & the Stooges played Music Hall of Williamsburg "

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals @ Rockwood in April (more by Chris La Putt)

XPoNential Music Festival will take place over three days, July 16th-18th in the waterfront Wiggins Park in Camden, NJ. The lineup includes Rosanne Cash, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Walkmen, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, Free Energy, Nicole Atkins and Dawes. Tickets and three-day passes are on sale now.

The current lineup as of now (more are TBA) and more info are posted below...

Continue reading "XPoNential Music Festival in Camden - 2010 lineup & tickets"

...and The Virgins

Iggy Pop (more by Chris La Putt)

[flyer for the May 12th event removed]

If you see Iggy Pop walking down Bedford next week, now you know why. As far as getting in, apparently it is 100% private and there doesn't seem to be an RSVP either. Thanks to anonymous for the tip.

South Street Seaport (more by Chris La Putt)

South Street Seaport, NYC (part of the River to River Festival)
July 02 - TBA
July 09 - Bear in Heaven & TBA Zola Jesus
July 16 - Thee Oh Sees & Golden Triangle
July 23 - Free Energy & Best Coast & Loose Limbs
July 30 - Avi Buffalo & TBA Chad VanGaalen
Aug 06 - YACHT & TBA

Also, "The annual Children's Day at the Seaport culminates with the spectacular Target Fireworks, featuring a special performance by The Apples in Stereo accompanied by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. During the day, families can enjoy performances by Gordon from Sesame Street, Angelina Ballerina, and more, while meeting their favorite storybook characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George, and Madeline. (June 26) "

And, there will be a July 4th show with the Old 97's.

Free Energy @ SXSW 2010 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

There is much touring in DFA band Free Energy's future including that series of Daytrotter Barnstormer dates with Nathaniel Rateliff and others, the Pitchfork Festival, and three weeks on the road with Jukebox the Ghost which brings them to Bowery Ballroom on May 29th. Tickets are on sale. Miniature Tigers, who open a portion of that tour, are also on the NYC bill.

We'll also get the chance to see Free Energy this summer when they play a free show at South Street Seaport with Best Coast on Friday July 23rd, part of the annual Seaport Music Series that kicks off on July 2nd (that day's lineup and the rest of the summer's will be announced, at least in part, soon). Best Coast, who are also playing the Pitchfork Fest, recently passed through NYC and played to packed houses at Knitting Factory and Mercury Lounge.

All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Free Energy tour dates w/ Jukebox the Ghost, co-headlining Bowery, playing South Street Seaport w/ Best Coast, more"