"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]

No Philharmonic in July, but there will be Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Carole King, Natasha Bedingfield, LL Cool J, Whoopi Goldberg and others in a big free benefit concert in Central Park tonight (6/9). Approximately 60,000 people are expected to show up today starting at 3:30pm. Stay home and laugh at them via the Livestream.

DOWNLOAD: Ruby Isle - White Winter Hymnal (FF cover) (MP3)

Fleet Foxes @ Grand Ballroom in NYC (more by Chris Owyoung)

October 1, 2005 Steve Carell & Kanye West
October 22, 2005 Catherine Zeta-Jones & Franz Ferdinand
January 14, 2006 Scarlett Johansson & Death Cab for Cutie
January 21, 2006 Peter Sarsgaard & The Strokes
March 11, 2006 Matt Dillon & Arctic Monkeys
January 13, 2007 Jake Gyllenhaal & The Shins
February 3, 2007 Drew Barrymore & Lily Allen
February 24, 2007 Rainn Wilson & Arcade Fire
April 21, 2007 Scarlett Johansson & Björk
September 29, 2007 LeBron James & Kanye West
October 6, 2007 Seth Rogen & Spoon
November 3, 2007 Brian Williams & Feist
March 1, 2008 Ellen Page & Wilco
March 8, 2008 Amy Adams & Vampire Weekend
April 12, 2008 Ashton Kutcher & Gnarls Barkley
May 10, 2008 Shia LaBeouf & My Morning Jacket
September 20, 2008 James Franco & Kings of Leon
September 27, 2008 Anna Faris & Duffy
October 18, 2008 Josh Brolin & Adele
December 13, 2008 Hugh Laurie & Kanye West

The above is a list of some of the musical guests Saturday Night Live has had on in the past 3-4 years. It's not super surprising then that next week's musical guest is going to be one of 2008's biggest indie success stories. The Sub Pop-signed Fleet Foxes will join host Rosario Dawson on the NBC TV show on January 17th.

This week (January 10)'s SNL guests are Neil Patrick Harris and Taylor Swift. Watch it with your pants off.

Taylor Swift is actually on an indie label, and if you count Arctic Monkeys (along with Arcade Fire, Spoon, the Shins, and Vampire Weekend), Fleet Foxes will actually be the 7th indie indie-label band ever to play the show (for what it's worth).

Who do you think they'll pick next? Bon Iver? Animal Collective?

Many SNL members regularly play live in shows at NYC's UCB Theatre (the home of indie comedy).

Fred Armisen recently performed with Yo La Tengo, appeared in a Beardo sketch, played some shows with Aimee Mann, and helped raise money for NY Cares at the now-extinct Knitting Factory.

Video of Fleet Foxes performing "White Winter Hymnal" for one of La Blogoteque's Take Away Shows, below...

Continue reading "Fleet Foxes are playing Saturday Night Live next week"