today in NYC
* Optimo @ Public Assembly
* Thurston Moore @ Maxwell's
* Soul Rebels Brass Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Yardbirds, Vanilla Fudge @ Irving Plaza
* Luke Moldof + Reuben Son, Hell Hoarse @ The Stone
* Class Actress, Pictureplane, Beige @ 285 Kent Ave
* Bjork's Biophilia Live @ New York Hall Of Science
* Super Diamond, Booga Sugar @ Highline Ballroom
* Jozef Van Wissem & Jim Jarmusch @ Issue Project Room
* Marc Broussard ("La Route du Mardi Gras") @ City Winery
* Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Les Bonhommes, The Immaculates, Snake Oil @ Shea Stadium
* Bad Rabbits, Party Supplies, Worlds Fair @ Santos Party House
* Skrillex, Spank Rock, Zane Lowe, A-Trak @ Roseland Ballroom
* Three Sheets To The Wind (Yacht rock tribute) @ Knitting Factory
* Saigon, M Bars, J. Gunn, Fillthy Rich @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Nicolas Jaar, Acid Pauli, Valentin Strip @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Tropic of Pisces, Lazer Cake, Steel Phantoms, Plates of Cake @ Pianos
* Howth, Candidate, Elliot & The Ghost, Yoni Gordon @ Cameo Gallery
* Jim Sauter, Kid Millions, Chica Vas, Alien Whale @ Secret Project Robot
* Heloise & The Savoir Faire, THESWIMMINGPOOLS, Jogyo @ Union Pool
* Girls & Boys Presents: Le Castle Vania, Mustard Pimp, Surkin @ Webster Hall
* Hospitality, Glass Ghost, Dustin Wong(Hospitality album release) @ Glasslands
* Machine Head, Suicide Silence, Darkest Hour, Rise To Remain @ Best Buy Theater
* Quintus, Ambassadors, Miracles of Modern Science, Break Mission @ MercuryLounge
* Leslie Kritzer (sings Jule Styne - American Songbook) @ Lincoln Center's Allen Room
* Fergus & Geronimo, Overlord, Moonmen On The Moon, Man, Glass Anchors, Bright Lights @ Cake Shop
* Jose Valle "Chuscales", Jose Cortes, Oscar Valero, Fanny Ara, Jose Moreno, Marina Elana @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Andrew W.K., $hayne, Physical Therapy, Diamond Black Hearted Boy @ Santos
* Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble(performing Michael Gordon's score for Bill Morrison's "Decasia") @ World Financial Center Winter Garden

Check out This Week in Indie for more about this weekend's shows.

Check out Evillive for more metal.

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Pictureplane is playing 285 Kent, isn't DJing Santos.

Bjork begins her 10-show NYC residency TONIGHT. The other day she was on Colbert. I was expecting a but more laughs, but it was pretty straighforward (aka Bjork got off easy). Watch the interview and performance below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Friday?"

at least 1 of these 3 will be at Radio City in March

Billboard reports:

"The Secret Policeman's Ball is letting America in on the party: The British-based music and comedy festival is coming to New York in March.

Coldplay, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Mumford & Sons and Russell Brand are among the acts who have signed on for the event at Radio City Music Hall on March 4. The concert will benefit Amnesty International, as it has since it started back in 1976 with celebrities like John Cleese. Over the years, Bono, Sting and others have participated. This will mark the first time it's being held in New York City.

"For us, it's iconic and a very special thing, and has provided the opportunity to really celebrate the presence of freedom of expression and free speech, and how we can move people and how we can bring people together, and just how powerful that is," said Amnesty International spokesman Andy Hackman in an interview Tuesday. "

Reggie Watts is also on the bill. Tickets are on AmEx presale now. They go on general sale Monday at 10am, and range from like US $55.00 - US $505.00.

Coldplay also have shows coming up in NJ and other places.

The Black Keys @ Webster Hall (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

The Black Keys' NYC trip this past week brought them to SNL, Webster Hall, Letterman and Colbert (again). Videos from the last two TV appearances are below.

The Black Keys return to NYC on March 12th to play a show at Madison Square Garden with the Arctic Monkeys. Tickets for that show go on general sale at 10am.

Continue reading "Black Keys MSG tickets ---- Letterman & Colbert videos too"

photos by Ryan Muir

I think it went something like this:

1. Jack White "discovers" the Black Belles, releases a 7" on his Third Man Records label in 2010.
2. The White Stripes break up.
3. Jack White gets a divorce.
4. The Black Belles remain mysterious, but then suddenly show up as the musical guest on the Colbert Report Thursday night. This is of course the same week Colbert is airing three Jack White segments, so it's not that surprising that one of Jack's bands would play the final night.
5. The Black Belles, introduced by Jack on the TV show, end up playing with Stephen Colbert as their frontman. (watch below)
6. The song they play is the debut and announcement of a new Stephen Colbert and Black Belles single on Third Man Records. Like Conan O'Brien before him, Stephen Colbert is now officially part of the Third Man family.
7. Jack and Stephen also announce that they will appear in NYC at The Lot at the High Line the very next day at 11am (aka earlier today, Friday, June 24, 2011). Their plan is to sell the record.
8. But first Jack goes bowling.
9. On Friday morning and afternoon, they sell that record out of the Third Man Records Rolling Record Store that made its debut at SXSW.
10. Not surprisingly, large crowds gather at the High Line to get a record. Those in attendance witness Jack and Stephen sing the National Anthem followed by Stephen and The Black Belles performing their song.
11. The event ends with an autograph signing

Video of the The Black Belles playing the song on Colbert, audio of the single (a side and b side), and more pictures and videos from the whole High Line event, below...

Continue reading "Jack White, Stephen Colbert & the Black Belles sang & stuff @ The High Line (pics & videos)"

Here are some pictures I took of LCD Soundsystem at Bowery Ballroom in 2005...

LCD Soundsystem play their final show at Madision Square Garden tonight...

today in NYC
* Ken Filiano @ The Stone
* Gabrielle Coen @ The Stone
* Nellie McKay @ Feinstein's
* Graham Parker @ City Winery
* Toubab Krewe, Lynx @ Maxwell's
* Misstallica, Body Talk @ Union Hall
* First Saturday @ Brooklyn Museum
* Cut Copy, Holy Ghost! @ Terminal 5
* Oneida Japan Benefit @ The Ocropolis
* Peter Murphy, Livan @ Highline Ballroom
* Starfucker, Casiokids @ Bowery Ballroom
* Exitmusic, Zaza, Ancient Sky @ Union Pool
* Prisoners of 2nd Avenue @ Bowery Electric
* The Stepkids, Emil & Friends @ Littlefield
* Amos Lee, The Secret Sisters @ Irving Plaza
* Gold Panda, Bikini, Dam Mantle @ Glasslands
* Assembly Of Dust, Moonalice @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Pierre De Gaillande's Bad Reputation @ Zebulon
* WU LYF, Total Slacker, Wise Blood @ Shea Stadium
* Meta & the Cornerstones, City Billies @ 92YTribeca
* Obits, Sundelles, Tijuana Panthers @ The Bell House
* LCD Soundsystem, Liquid Liquid @ Madison Square Garden
* Big Troubles, Lame Drivers, Harpoon Forever @ Cake Shop
* Boat, MiniBoone, Landlady, Creeping Weeds @ The Rock Shop
* Forgetters, Little Victory, Ruffian Arms @ Public Assembly
* Black Breath, Ken Mode, Clean Teeth @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Eddie Spaghetti of The Supersuckers, Uncle Leon & The Alibis @ Europa
* Project Jenny, Project Jan, Indian Rebound, Poor But Sexy @ 285 Kent Ave
* Daedelus, Samiyam, Shlohmo, Cubic Zirconia @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Horns of Happiness, Conversion Party, Bells, Gordon Withers @ Bruar Falls
* JEFF the Brotherhood, Heavy Cream, Hell Beach, Xray Eyeballs, Colleen Green @ Death By Audio
* Food Stamps, Goferboy, Hellacopter City, The Sweet Lowdown, Charlie & The Sheens @ Silent Barn
* Thomas Giles (Between The Buried And Me), Stephen Brodsky (Cave In), Braveyoung @ Santos Party House
* Luke Wesley, Casey Shea Band, Black Bunny, Great Elk, Rachel Brown, Niall Connolly @ Rockwood Music Hall
* Gunter Muller, Taylor Deupree, Norbert Moslang, Lizzi Bougatsos (Gang Gang Dance), Jason Kahn, Richard Kamerman (Unsound Festival) @ Issue Project Room

After their last Cake Shop party got shut down, QxBxRx have moved the party to Public Assembly where Forgetters will again try to play a set.

If you aren't going to be at LCD Soundsystem's final show at Madison Square Garden tonight, you can always watch it live online.

Rebecca Black did not actually get signed to Universal, but she is apparently hosting some aspect of the Kid's Choice Awards today and Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and surprise guests did cover "Friday" on Late Night last night. Watch that below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday? (LCD Soundsystem's final show)"

Laugh with the stars at Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education on Saturday, October 2 at the Beacon Theatre.

Hosted by Jon Stewart, the evening will feature Lewis Black, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais, Joel McHale, John Oliver, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and too many more scheduled to appear!

Proceeds benefit autism education and family service programs across the country in support of the overabundance of autistic individuals that so desperately need quality services.

American Express® cardmembers can purchase advance tickets, Thursday, July 29 from 10AM - Sunday, August 1 at 10PM before they go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 2 at 9AM.

A great lineup for a great cause.

Much sooner: Tearing The Veil of Maya, the sometimes-weekly show that mostly happens at Union Hall is turning four and celebrating at Union Hall's sister venue The Bell House. The Four Year Anniversary Show will feature Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, Leo Allen, AD Miles, Wyatt Cenac "and friends!" Maybe Michael Showalter will be there too? That's at the Bell House on August 1st and tickets are on sale (note: "This show will be mixed seated/standing - please come early for the best seats.")

And speaking of weekly comedy shows happening in bigger, near-by venues, The Cameo's "Big Terrific" is happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg on August 27th. Hosts Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate (SNL) and Max Silvestri promise "Many Special Guests". Tickets are on sale.

Continue reading "comedians fighting autism @ Beacon Theatre, Tearing the Veil of Maya turning four, Big Terrific getting bigger"

Conan O'Brien & Vampire Weekend @ Radio City Music Hall (TomChau)

"Conan O'Brien brought The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour to Radio City Music Hall Tuesday night for the first of two performances. By far, the evening's highlight was the surprise appearance of Stephen Colbert, who came out onstage to rib O'Brien for leaving New York to do The Tonight Show in Hollywood...

...Their verbal tiff quickly escalated: "We're at Radio City, there's only one possible way to fight here," Colbert said with his face literally in O'Brien's face. "Anything that gets us to separate our noses and lips," O'Brien answered. "How about a good old-fashioned dance-off?" Colbert suggested. Cue "Pour Some Sugar on Me."

I would say Colbert was winning until he ruptured his hamstring. He was about to admit defeat when -- "Don't you dare, Stephen Colbert! Don't you dare! Don't you dare!" It was the voice of Jon Stewart booming from the back of the theater. (Even those of us in the last row of the second mezzanine who couldn't see him knew it immediately.) Stewart walked down an aisle to the stage -- wearing a red satin shirt, black pants, and a gold cummerbund -- as the audience exploded into a standing ovation. The fan reaction caught on the video says it best: "Holy f--ing s--!"... [EW]

Conan O'Brien was also joined by Vampire Weekend (good practice), Paul Rudd, and Bill Hadar at last night's show which was opened by Reggie Watts. Conan encouraged audience members to live tweet the show. Videos, including of the Colbert part, below...

Continue reading "Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Vampire Weekend & other guests joined Conan O'Brien @ Radio City Music Hall (videos)"

Eclectic rocker Neil Young, who has made no secret of his disdain for the Grammys, finally won a coveted trophy on Sunday for the first time in a career spanning almost 50 years.

Fittingly, the Canadian singer/songwriter was honored for a long-delayed boxed set collecting more than 120 tracks from his early days.

"Neil Young Archives Vol. 1 (1963-1972)" won the Grammy for best art direction on a boxed or special limited-edition package. Young, 64, shared the award with fellow art directors Gary Burden and Jenice Heo.

"Thanks a lot, everybody," Young said as he accepted his statuette.

He also competed for best solo rock vocal Grammy but lost to Bruce Springsteen, whose career total rose to 20.

On Friday he was honored by the music industry at its annual MusiCares charity fundraiser in recognition of his annual concerts for the Bridge School for disabled children.

The 10-disc "Archives" boxed set has been in the works for years, with Young frequently delaying its release so that technology could catch up with his vision. It boasts studio and live tracks, demos, outtakes and other rarities, as well as videos and the first digital release of his directing debut, "Journey Through the Past."

Fans have the choice of three configurations: CD, DVD and Blu-ray -- the most expensive at more than $200. [Reuters]

Kings of Leon won three. MGMT won none. Loudon Wainwright, Steve Earle, Levon Helm, Steve Martin (bluegrass), and Michael J Fox all won Grammys. Phoenix won for best Alternative Music Album. David Byrne & Brian Eno's CD won for 'Recording Package'. Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Les Paul and Michael Jackson were honored. Stephen Colbert won in the comedy category which came later in the show than his iPad bit. Video of that with the full list of winners below...

Continue reading "full list of 2010 Grammy Award Winners (Phoenix, Stephen Colbert, Kings of Leon, David Byrne, Leonard Cohen & more) "

The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) and The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) unite to present the third annual Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation at Town Hall in New York City at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 4th. Brian Williams will host Stand Up for Heroes, which will feature star performances by Louis C.K., Stephen Colbert, Lisa Lampanelli, John Ondrasik, Bruce Springsteen and other surprise guests. These and other A-list entertainers have agreed to Stand Up for Heroes and ReMIND our nation that "Support our troops" is no longer a slogan. It's an action. The evening promises unforgettable performances, laughter, and sincere gratitude, with proceeds going to the BWF.

For the third consecutive year, all of our nation's living presidents have officially expressed their support to the Stand Up for Heroes event. President Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush, President George H. W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter and President William J. Clinton serve as the Presidential Committee for this year's event. Major television network executives join the Presidents as event co-chairs including Steve Capus and Sophia Faskianos (NBC), Ken and Kristin Jautz (CNN), Jon and Jennifer Klein (CNN), Sean and Tracy McManus (CBS), Philip Miller and Anne Sweeney (ABC), Richard and Lisa Plepler (HBO), David and Sherrie Westin (ABC), and Jeff and Caryn Zucker (NBC).

Tickets are on sale. Bruce Springsteen also played this last year.

The show is part of the New York Comedy Festival.

In related news Louis CK is now on Parks & Recreation.

Colbert recently had John Darnielle on his TV show.

Bruce Springsteen plays his fifth and final show at Giants Stadium tonight (10/9).