Hal Willner & Lou Reed

As previously mentioned, music producer Hal Willner will present a concert in Prospect Park celebrating the 50th anniversary Freedom Riders. PBS recently premiered a film on the same subject...

"FREEDOM RIDERS is the powerful harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever. From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives--and many endured savage beatings and imprisonment--for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, the Freedom Riders met with bitter racism and mob violence along the way, sorely testing their belief in nonviolent activism."

The free Celebrate Brooklyn! concert at the Prospect Park Bandshell on June 16 still hasn't revealed its entire lineup, but some more artists were announced including Lou Reed. If you've never been to a Hal Willner show, it's usually many different artists playing various covers over the course of a long show. The theme this time is music from the civil rights movement, "songs that inspired, illuminated, and sprang from the tumultuous aftermath of the Movement." and announced artists are Lou Reed, Rosanne Cash, Toshi Reagon, Tao Seeger, Geri Allen, and Steven Bernstein. More TBA. The artists will also hold a discussion before they perform. The event is free and begins at 7 PM.

Laurie Anderson is not listed on the lineup, maybe because she'll be on tour in Europe, but you can catch her in an outdoor setting with Bill Laswell at Castle Clinton on June 30th. She also plays Lincoln Center Out of Doors on August 10th.

MEANWHILE, Andrew Bird kicks off Celebrate Brooklyn! tonight at 8 PM (directions HERE). Although thunderstorms were initially in the forecast, as of now it's looking pretty clear. No opener.

Speaking of Lou Reed and Hail Wilner, the May 24th installment of their New York Shuffle Sirius radio show featured songs by Little Scream, Tyler, the Creator, Gang Gang Dance, Middle Brother, tUnE-yaRds, and more. Video of Lou & Hal recording an older show edition of the show, below...

Continue reading "Lou Reed playing Hal Willner 'Freedom Riders' show in Prospect Park (where Andrew Bird plays for free tonight)"

"For more than 30 years, the orchestra has performed free concerts in the parks in July. The shows draw thousands to sit on blankets and enjoy snacks and wine while listening to the classics under the stars.

Only in New York. But not this year.

Because the Philharmonic will not be offering Sousa in Central Park, Prokofiev in Prospect Park or Ravel in Cunningham Park. Vacation scheduling does not permit it, a spokesman declared.

The voice of the Philharmonic said orchestra members need time off in July because they will be performing in three special programs in September, including a Central Park outing with operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli." [NY Daily News]

Panda Bear at Governor's Island in 2010 (more by Erez Avissar)

Panda Bear is playing Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 3, a venue much smaller than last time. According to MHOW's website:

"This show will be will call only. No hard tickets will be issued. There is a 2 ticket limit per person and tickets are non-transferable. Tickets will be available online only. Not available at any outlets."

In related news, Panda Bear's voice can be heard on the new Zomby album, and Animal Collective has dates coming up too including a sold out show in Prospect Park with Black Dice who also opens the Merriweather Post Pavilion (the venue) show three days earlier. Black Dice also opened for AC in Prospect Park in 2009. Zomby did not.

Check out a new video of Panda Bear's "Slow Motion" directed by Cheryl Dunn spliced with an interview and live footage of his set at Governors Island in 2010, along with more dates, below...

Continue reading "Panda Bear announces Brooklyn show, new video +++++++ Black Dice opening for Animal Collective (again)"

Andrew Bird @ MHOW in 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

Summer is not technically here, but the summer season of free NYC shows is beginning. Summerstage (which now encompasses shows in many NYC parks) kicks off tonight (6/7) in two locations. The mainstage in Central Park is hosting "an evening of music, dance, art and stories with legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, his internationally acclaimed Silk Road Ensemble, and NYC students." On the other side of the spectrum, Betsy Head Park in Brownsville, Brooklyn is hosting the first of Funkmaster Flex's Salute to Hip Hop" shows tonight with EPMD. Special Ed plays Betsy Head Park on Wednesday (6/8). B.T. Express play there on Thursday (6/9).

Flex and EPMD again share the bill at an early show (2 PM doors) on the Central Park Mainstage with Rakim on August 21. Flex moves to other parks throughout the summer too.

To stereotype for a second, BV readers may not be flocking to see the cellist in Central Park or the hip hop in Brownsville this week, but are likely to be out in full force when indie rock violinist Andrew Bird kicks off the free Celebrate Brooklyn season in Prospect Park this Friday (6/10). After the opening night gala, the free-to-the-public Andrew Bird show begins (with no opener) at 8:15pm.

You can also pay to see Andrew on his previously announced solo tour this fall which hits Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie on October 17 (tickets and Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown on October 21 (tickets).

Celebrate Brooklyn continues on Thursday, June 16 (7:00pm / gates 6:00pm) with Hal Willner's Freedom Rides Project...

"The maverick music producer HAL WILLNER brings his golden Rolodex and singular genius for curating multi-artist concept shows to the music of the Civil Rights Movement. Commissioned for Celebrate Brooklyn!, this concert celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, which integrated the interstate bus system and helped bring America's and the world's attention to the deprivations of the segregated South. In what promises to be an unforgettable event, Willner will convene his usual surprising and eclectic array of musicians, actors, and other artists--established and emerging, famous and infamous--to perform songs that inspired, illuminated, and sprang from the tumultuous aftermath of the Movement. The evening begins with a pre-performance artists discussion. Performers subject to change.

Medeski, Martin & Wood play Central Park Summerstage on Saturday (6/11) as part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival with Josh Roseman & The King Froopy Allstars and Jim Black's Alasnoaxis.

Many more free summer shows to come. Check out the full Summerstage and Celebrate Brooklyn lineups at their sites.

My Brightest Diamond at Bowery Ballroom in 2010 (more by Chris La Putt)

Frequent Sufjan Stevens-collaborator (and now mother) Shara Worden aka My Brightest Diamond is opening for Sufjan at his previously announced Prospect Park show on August 2. Worden recorded vocals on the album epic "Impossible Soul" off Sufjan's The Age of Adz last year. Hopefully she'll come out and play it with him in Brooklyn. Tickets are still available.

My Brightest Diamond, who is busy working on a new album, also plays a free Castle Clinton show in NYC on July 7. Meanwhile she heads to Amsterdam for some performances of the Long Count. All dates are listed below.

Worden provided guest vocals on the recently released The Only She Chapters by Prefuse 73, who just released an EP with The Flaming Lips. Psych Explorations of the Future Heart has YouTube streams of all four songs. Those in Oklahoma can buy a 12" at Guestroom Records.

Flaming Lips have some shows coming up with Weezer. Prefuse 73 is on the lineup of Bass island.

Check out a new(ish) My Brightest Diamond video and more of her dates below...

Continue reading "My Brightest Diamond opening for Sufjan (dates), Prefuse 73 released an EP w/ the Flaming Lips (listen)"

photos by Kellyann Petry

Real Estate @ Culture Shock

To quote ourselves,

The WBARBQ is also one of a few scheduled for Real Estate, who will also play Culture shock the next day, and a show on May 20 at The Bell House with Julian Lynch, Big Troubles and Family Portrait (tickets) and May 21 at Maxwell's with the same lineup (tickets).

Continue reading "Real Estate 2 NYC-area shows w/ friends this weekend, BOMB Fest & Prospect Park, played Culture Shock (pics & dates)"

The National show in Prospect Park (more by Amanda Hatfield)

We already knew that 'Celebrate Brooklyn' is hosting an impressive lineup of ticketed Prospect Park Bandshell shows this summer: The Decemberists, Animal Collective, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver & Cut Copy. And we knew that the 33rd annual series of free shows would start with an Andrew Bird show on June 10th, and that BRIC is also hosting three free 'dance parties' in Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer too.

Now the entire 2011 lineup of "24 free performances, including 20 music concerts, two dance performances, two film screenings with live music, and a family concert" is here! You can check it all out (The Feelies, Real Estate, The Books, Junip, Doveman, Justin Townes Earle, Punch Brothers, Raekwon, Oumou Sangaré, Times New Viking, Ra Ra Riot, Delicate Steve, Buke & Gass and Hal Willner included), below...

Continue reading "Celebrate Brooklyn - complete 2011 Prospect Park show lineup"

Justin Vernon @ MHOW in 2010 (more by Paul Birman)

According to a press release, Bon Iver's August 10th 'Celebrate Brooklyn' show at the Prospect Park Bandshell will be his biggest NYC show yet, and...

"For the shows Justin Vernon will perform with a 9-piece band that includes many musicians who contributed to the forthcoming album 'Bon Iver,' out June 21 on Jagjaguwar. The touring band will consist of regular Bon Iver contributors Sean Carey (drums, piano), Mike Noyce (guitar) and Matt McCaughan (drums), Rob Moose on violin and guitar (Antony and the Johnsons, The National), Mike Lewis on bass (Andrew Bird, Happy Apple), and a horn section including Reginald Pace, Colin Stetson (Tom Waits, Arcade Fire), and C.J. Camerieri (Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens).

Speaking of Sufjan Stevens, his Celebrate Brooklyn show is still on sale too.

Speaking of Andrew Bird, you don't need tickets at all to see him play the same venue this summer.

Justin Vernon at Coachella w/ Kanye West (more by David Andrako)

Bon Iver will release his highly anticipated follow-up to For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver, Bon Iver on June 21 via Jagjaguwar. Check out a video snippet of a song recently released below.

I wouldn't be surprised if NPR streams the new Bon Iver when it comes out. Meanwhile head over there to get a "First Listen" to the new Fleet Foxes, and to the new Antlers too, and to to the new Donnacha Dennehy. Fleet Foxes head out on tour soon and play two nights at United Palace in NYC in May.

Bon Iver will return to NYC to play a Celebrate Brooklyn benefit on August 10th at the Prospect Park Bandshell. Tickets go on Venue/Celebrate Brooklyn presale at noon on Thursday (password TBA), and regular sale 24 hours later.

Justin Vernon's collaborator Kanye West is also playing NYC soon, but it'll cost you a bit (and will probably be a pretty short set).

Besides the NYC date and one other Wisconsin show, Justin Vernon doesn't have much of a tour schedule laid out for Bon Iver. Gayngs have some dates scheduled though, but you never know if Justin will play with them or not. All dates, an updated set for Fleet Foxes too, and that Bon Iver teaser video below.

Continue reading "Bon Iver announces NYC show, Fleet Foxes album streaming"

"much love to our friends in the desert (and Danny DeVito) for making coachella a truly memorable one for us! Epic crowd, Epic sunshine. x" - Cut Copy

Cut Copy @ Terminal 5 (more by Dana (Distortion) Yavin)

Cut Copy are currently finishing up a tour with Holy Ghost! that had them at Coachella Friday night. Check out videos of the crazy dance party that the Australian band brought to the California desert, below. Check out pictures of other bands who played Coachella that day, HERE.

Cut Copy's tour came to Terminal 5 in NYC three times in a row earlier in the month, and Cut Copy will return to NYC this August to, like Animal Collective, play a headlining show at the Prospect Park bandshell. Tickets for the August 11th 'Celebrate Brooklyn' benefit go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon, and then regular sale on Friday. Foster the People, who also tour through NYC in June, open the outdoor show.

The new Brooklyn gig comes a day before a show Cut Copy are playing Arizona, and almost a month after they visit North America to, like Animal Collective, play the Pitchfork Festival in Chicago. Most of their other announced dates are in Europe at the moment. They are all listed below...

Continue reading "Cut Copy played Coachella, playing Prospect Park, other dates"

Tickets to Sufjan Stevens' upcoming show at Prospect Park on August 2nd are currently on AEG Live/Ticketmaster/Celebrate Brooklyn presale. The password is "Heirloom". General sale begins Friday at noon (4/8).

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10am for the the upcoming A Perfect Circle shows.

"In 2004, Sounds Familyre released Sufjan Stevens' Seven Swans. And [last week], micro-label On Joyful Wings released Sevens Swans Reimagined. They've gathered quite the cabal of artists who have managed to dive into the Seven Swans material and fish from it some intriguing interpretations of the 2004 record. Appearances include Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Unwed Sailor, Inlets, and the David Crowder Band, but also our own Half-handed Cloud, Shannon Stephens, and DM Stith. It's quite good!

Profits from the album benefit the Susan G. Komen For The Cure breast cancer foundation." - Asthmatic Kitty

Stream Sevens Swans Reimagined in full below....

Continue reading "Sufjan Stevens playing Prospect Park, touring Europe w/ DM Stith +++ 'Seven Swans Reimagined' out now (listen)"

AB @ the Guggenheim in 2010 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Andrew Bird will be the artist to kick off this summer's season of free 'Celebrate Brooklyn' shows in Prospect Park on June 10th, though if you want to pay, they have that option too:

Friday, June 10, 2011
(rain or shine)
Prospect Park Bandshell
Enter at 9th Street and Prospect Park West

5:30pm Cocktails & Dinner
7:00pm Presentations in the Gala Tent
8:15pm Opening Night Concert with Andrew Bird (free to the public)
10:00pm After-Party with DJ and Dancing, for Friends of Celebrate Brooklyn & Gala Guests

Join us for the Celebrate Brooklyn! Opening Night Gala as we honor and present the Celebrate Brooklyn! Award to Brooklynite Ray Levin and longtime Celebrate Brooklyn! sponsor JetBlue. All proceeds from the Gala will provide vital funds for free, world-class programming at the Celebrate Brooklyn! Performing Arts Festival, which serves 250,000 New Yorkers each year. Support the festival you love and help us ensure performances remain free and accessible to everyone.

All AB dates below...

Continue reading "Andrew Bird kicking off free Celebrate Brooklyn season"

The Decemberists @ Beacon Theater (more by Chris Gersbeck)

If you were wondering what ever happened to that Decemberists / Best Coast show happenning in Prospect Park on June 14th, well it's back as part of an official Decemberists tour announcement that also includes more Best Coast shows, and a bunch with Justin Townes Earle. A presale is happening NOW. Look for Brooklyn tickets to appear back on Ticketmaster this week.

"In other Decemberists news, the band has introduced a Create-Your-Own Polaroid Slideshow on Decemberists.com where fans can pick from more than 2,000 of the Polaroids taken by photographer Autumn De Wilde during the recording of The King is Dead and sort them into a custom slideshow set to one of four album tracks.

The band has also announced the April 16 release of Live At Bull Moose, a limited edition EP in conjunction with Record Store Day. The seven-track CD--which will be available exclusively through participating independent record stores--was recorded live at Bull Moose in Scarborough, Maine, and includes songs from The King Is Dead, as well as a cover of the country ballad "If I Could Only Win Your Love" by The Louvin Brothers."

Continue reading "Decemberists announce dates w/ Best Coast, Justin Townes Earle (2011 shows are on presale now)"

Decemberists at Beacon Theatre (more by Chris Gersbeck)

Though Colin Meloy and Jenny Conlee recently flexed their acting muscles (Portlandia videos below), we are happy to report that they aren't pulling a reverse Jared Leto and The Decemberists will return to the stage (they were meant for it). After a European tour in March and a U.S. tour in April, the band will start hitting festivals like Jazzfest and Sasquatch and the Celebrate Brooklyn series of shows!. They play the Prospect Park Bandshell on June 14th with Best Coast. Tickets for the 'benefit' go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon (3/2), and regular sale on Friday.... will go on sale soon (they pushed it back a week I think).

The Brooklyn show happens five days after Best Coast play Bonnaroo. All tour dates for both bands, a Best Coast vs. Nardwuar video & more, below...

Continue reading "The Decemberists are playing Prospect Park w/ Best Coast (and other tour dates)"

photos by David Andrako

Rufus Wainwright @ Prospect Park over the summer

"What can I say, playing a solo show (or should I say recital) at Carnegie Hall is perhaps the greatest achievement in the world of musical performance. This concert means more to me than any other show I've done in the City of New York hence, and believe me, I've done a lot of hencing in the City of New York. Please come witness it, and in the meantime while you eat, drink and sleep I will practice! Practice! Practice!" - Rufus Wainwright

And speaking of that last show in Prospect Park (where Rufus's dad Loudon opened and then later joined him on stage), I have a set of pictures that never made it ot the site. Here they are (above and below), with the rest of his tour dates, and the contest details, below...

Continue reading "Rufus Wainwright is excited about Carnegie Hall (win tix), played Prospect Park (belated pics & more dates)"

photos by Matthew Eisman

Thurston Moore in Prospect Park

Christian Marclay: Festival Performances
Wind Up Guitar: Performed by Thurston Moore
Friday, September 17, 2010 7 PM TODAY
Fourth Floor

Christian Marclay: Festival features multiple daily performances of Marclay's musical scores by individual musicians and ensembles. A veritable "Who's Who" of downtown and avant-garde musicians, these performers will interpret more than a dozen of Marclay's graphic scores.

Please visit the exhibition website for more information about Marclay's scores, along with performers' biographies.

This event is free with museum admission; no special tickets or reservations are required.

For the month of September, watch daily musical performances stream live on whitney.org as part of the closing festivities for Christian Marclay: Festival.

Back before Sonic Youth played ATP, when it was still really summer, Sonic Youth played a show in Prospect Park for which we already posted a set of pictures. Here's another...

Continue reading "more Sonic Youth live pics --- Thurston plays the Whitney tonight (you can stream it online) "

photos by Winnie Cheung

a dancer in Prospect Park Sunday

"It wasn't just another day in the park for Snoop Dogg, who showed up to Spike Lee's 2nd Annual Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson Birthday Celebration in Brooklyn's Prospect Park to pay tribute to the King of Pop on what would have been his 52nd birthday. Snoop performed his hits remixed with MJ's classics and was given a sparkly glove, which he plans to take back to Cali.

"His music, his spirit represented love and peace around the whole world and it influenced me and what I do, so for me to come through, it's just showing love and respect and paying homage to a great artist who meant so much to music in general and the people," the rapper told the New York Daily News." [Rap-up]

Continue reading "more photos & video (Snoop Dogg included) of Spike Lee's Michael Jackson Birthday Party in Prospect Park "

photos by Dayane Ohira

"Later today / video of spike lee, snoop dogg, the ((((orb))), and myself at prospect park Michael Jackson day!" - Pharoahe Monch

"Michael Jackson's birthday is being remembered around the country, but unanswered questions about his death shadow the celebration of his life. [August 29th] would have marked the King of Pop's 52nd birthday, had he not passed away last June, at age 50. Recent developments in the music icon's murder trial may call for the exhuming of his remains. The controversy makes it difficult to celebrate Michael Jackson's birthday, when he may have to be laid to rest yet again." [AC]

Continue reading "pictures from Michael Jackson's birthday in Prospect Park (part 1) "

photos by Lori Baily

"Is there any better big venue live band these days than Sonic Youth? Okay, maybe Radiohead, maybe Phish, and maybe--depending on how their Madison Square Garden debut goes this week--even Arcade Fire. (Yes, we just used Phish in the same sentence as Sonic Youth; the crucifixion line forms on the right!) But none of those bands possess Sonic Youth's illustrious history, or restless dynamism, or reckless edge. Frontman Thurston Moore is middle age (his wife/bandmate Kim Gordon's even older!) but after seeing them crush the Celebrate Brooklyn bandshell in Prospect Park Saturday night, it's clear that their particular blend of punk-pop-noise rock is some sort of magical, anti-aging elixir that ought to be bottled and sold worldwide. Don't grow old gracefully; shred it every step of the way with Tonic Youth." [Gothamist]

Brooklyn's Talk Normal and SanFran's Grass Widow opened. The latter will be back in September for two TBA shows (both still listed without venues by Todd P). Sonic Youth were minus bassist Mark Ibold, who was/is touring with his old band, Pavement (who played Osheaga that weekend). SY's set list is posted below.

Sonic Youth's, and Lee Ranaldo's Text of Light's, upcoming shows include ATP NY over Labor Day weekend. Now that's true for Thurston solo too:

"Today we're happy to announce a few last minute additions to the ATP New York line-up.

First of all Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore will play a solo set on Sunday as chosen by Jim Jarmusch.

Second we have a fourth comedian to add to Friday's line-up as chosen by Syd Butler; Matt McCarthy." [ATP]

Continue reading "Sonic Youth played Prospect Park this summer (belated pics), Thurston Moore added to ATP NY "

by BBG

Spike Lee & DJ Spinna at Michael Jackson's Birthday Bash last year (more here)

Michael Jackson still reigns as the King of Pop.

Thousands will gather in Prospect Park on Sunday at what would have been the musician's 52nd birthday for the second-annual "Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson" celebration.

"I'm looking forward to everyone from all corners of the world coming together to honor, pay respect and love the life of Michael Joseph Jackson," said filmmaker and one-time Fort Greene resident Spike Lee, who worked with Jackson on his video, "They Don't Care About Us," and is organizing the celebration for the second year.

Last year, fans packed the park to pay tribute to the man behind such hits as "Billie Jean," "Thriller" and "Beat It," who died last summer, sporting Thriller outfits, white gloves and digging out their Michael Jackson T-shirts.

Expect more of the same during the five-hour party, where DJ Spinna will play the pop genius's innumerable hits.

"It's going to be bigger and better this year," said Lee, who will be documenting this year's celebration with his production company, 40 Acres And A Mule. "People are going to come from all over the world." -[BrooklynPaper]

The show is one (Gary Indiana with Joe Jackson) of many (9:30 Club in DC) tributes (a party in LA) happening (mjFanvention in Merriville, IN) around the US (Hueman bookstore in NYC).

More pictures from last year HERE. A pair of videos from Spike Lee and directions to the party are below...

Continue reading "Spike Lee having a birthday party for Michael Jackson in Prospect Park again, w/ DJ Spinna again (time, directions) "

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

"Metric played the exact same set (shaved a song or two) in the exact same way as they did at Terminal 5 a few months ago but with two big differences.The first was they kicked off with the now well known "Eclipse (All Yours)", their big deal single from their big deal appearance on the Twilight soundtrack, which is apparently some big deal with a lot of people (I wouldn't know, I refuse to watch anything in which vampires sparkle in the sun instead of burn). The live performance was infinitely better than the record. It fit right into the Metric mold. The other big difference was the band sounded better as a whole in the open air of Prospect Park than they did at the acoustic horror of Terminal 5. Same band, same performance, better venue = the awesome thunder of Metric in full display." [Sonic Parthenon]

Joan (Wasser) as Policewoman (who I saw in the crowd at Rufus Wainwright at the same venue a couple of weeks earlier) and Holly Miranda (who played a much smaller NYC three days later, and a medium sized show a month earlier) opened for Metric Thursday night, August 5th, at the all-female-frontwoman, free Celebrate Brooklyn show (two nights before Sharon Jones). More pictures from it, below...

Continue reading "Metric, Joan as Policewoman & Holly Miranda Celebrated Brooklyn in Prospect Park (pics) "

photos by David Andrako

"Sharon Jones absolutely murdered celebrate Brooklyn last night. #legendaryshit #ilovethatwoman" - Sleek

Sharon Jones & Lee Fields

"Wow...just wow. I don't know why it took me so long to experience the stunning Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, but lawdy, I'm sure glad I went to the concert that closed out a great summer of Celebrate Brooklyn! at the Prospect Park Bandshell and finally got to witness the phenomenon that she is. Sharon Jones blew my mind with her energy, singing, dancing -- you name it, she was a solid gold MVP, James Brown heir-apparent. For 2+ hours, she and her stellar bandmates (including members of the Bushwick Philharmonic) kept the [very large] crowd on their feet, grooving along to a wonderful retro-soul/funk sound that did not let up. She was also assisted on a few songs by the charming Lee Fields." [Qbertplaya]

Continue reading "Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (with help from Lee Fields & the Budos Band) dominated Prospect Park (pics & video)"

photos by Jessica Amaya

"One more time, The Dead Weather stomped Brooklyn last night. Great show." -artgig

"Dead weather KILLED. Didnt celebrate bklyn so much as set it aflame." -rathermarvelous

"I bet you read Brooklyn Vegan too," says Jack White, "any other vegans in the crowd out there? come on stage and we'll kill a cow together" -ndersonTEA

"i saw you at the dead weather concert in prospect park...i was going to say hello to you but you had some guy totally jocking you the whole night. any wasys youre beautiful" -M4W

"Not too many people would have the audacity to walk on stage, blow torch in hand, and proceed to light their front woman's cigarette. Then again, not everyone is Jack White. The Dead Weather was in full force from the moment they graced the stage. The all-black-everything entourage attacked the stage with pristine white guitars that were used as battle axes as they attacked the stage with their raw sound. Alison Mosshart prowled the stage taking complete command of each song as White's drumming thundered between wails on guitar and tight thumping bass. Song after song pummeled the crowd, showing that their strong suit really is in the live performance, as the set built to the electrifying "Will There Be Enough Water?" Once Mr. White strapped on his six string there was no turning back. He ripped through the track while sharing lead vocal duties and microphone battles with Mosshart. Despite being behind a kit instead of his usual lead, White still ran the show, top hat, feather, and all. His fills on the skins were pulsating all evening however, on both the occasions he took duty on guitar his true talent was unveiled. Few have been as productive as Jack White in this past decade and while I still believe that neither of his recent projects have matched the brilliance of the White Stripes, the Dead Weather truly earned much respect last night. "[omg nyc]

The Dead Weather are on Letterman tonight (and they play an invite-only show at Don Hill's). More pictures and the set list from the Brooklyn show (thanks for the shout out Jack), below...

Continue reading "the Dead Weather played Prospect Park (pics & setlist) "

photos by Matthew Eisman

Swell Season @ Prospect Park on July 30th

"In support of a new record, Strict Joy, the Swell Season came to Brooklyn to play to a hypnotized, but almost manic crowd. "Low Rising" from Strict Joy represented the best of where the Swell Season are going - soulful, deep seeded pop music. So no surprise when they later turned out Van the Man's "Into the Mystic", with a backing New York horn section. And they kept the orchestral machinations of the Once soundtrack to a minimum, focusing instead on electric and acoustic guitars, relying on one solid fiddle player for strings. And of course they shined strongest on the sparse acoustic torch songs, just the two of them on "Falling Slowly" (the way the song was meant to be played), and Glenn in particular on the almost over-the-top-it's-so-good "Say It To Me Now".

Meanwhile, The Low Anthem just about stole the damn show. The Low Anthem are a band, and Oh My God, Charlie Darwin is a record, that personifies American roots without immediately summoning a particular brand of it. What's evoked is a creeky, wooden empty room in a house, about sundown, and a few candles or incandescent bulbs alight in a chandelier. The guitars, the horns, the keys, the saw, that amazing upright bass (with a solo for the books) - the ghosts of America, thoughtful and contemplative, lost. Something where Moby Dick, Andrew Jackson, the Civil War, and Leadbelly have a get together."
[Sonic Parthenon]

Both bands also played the Newport Folk Fest over the weekend, and NPR streamed and recorded both sets. The Low Anthem doesn't seem to be up at the moment, but The Swell Season can be listened to now.

One-half of the Swell Season Glen Hansard will be back in NYC in November for a show with his band the Frames at Terminal 5.

The Low Anthem play a free show in CT on Tuesday night (8/3).

More pictures and videos from the show (and Swell Season's performance on Jimmy Kimmel) are below...

Continue reading "The Swell Season & Low Anthem played Celebrate Brooklyn (pics & video) & Newport Folk Festival (stream) "