Mountain Goats @ Knitting Factory, Halloween 2005 (more)

As previously mentioned, John Wesley Harding is holding a "Cabinet of Wonders" variety show at NYC's City Winery on October 28th with Hamilton Leithauser (The Walkmen), Eugene Mirman, John Hodgman, Emma Straub, Paul Harding, and more TBA. Since our last mention, two very special guests have been added to the bill: Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) and John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats). Hopefully you didn't sleep on tickets because the show is now sold out.

Tickets are however on sale now for A Haunted Hot Tub Halloween at Littlefield, also a comedy and music variety show, happening one day later (10/29) with Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, Wyatt Cenac, Andres du Bouchet, and... John Darnielle, and more.

Tickets are also on sale for Hot Tub on 10/10 and 10/17.

Tickets are also still on sale for the 11/18 Cabinet of Wonders at City Winery with The Blue Fisherman (from Edinburgh, Scotland), Howe Gelb, Myla Goldberg, Ted Leo, Eugene Mirman, Audrey Niffenegger AND "Plus for this Cabinet of Wonders, and this Cabinet of Wonders only, the House Band will be THE KING CHARLES TRIO, comprising: Peter Buck (REM), Jenny Conlee-Drizos, Chris Funk, John Wesley Harding (Appearing as Himself), Scott McCaughey (The Minus Five), John Moen, and Nate Query." That's a lot of Decemberists. More upcoming JWH shows HERE

Speaking of Ted Leo and Craig Finn, both are scheduled to make appearances at the BrooklynVegan-presented Replacements tribute shows happening at Bowery Electric in November. The previously announced two shows (and movie screenings) are sold out, BUT a third tribute concert - a late one on 11/17, has been added. Tickets for the new show are on sale. More info HERE.

Mountain Goats dates and flyers below...

Continue reading "3rd Replacements tribute show added, John Darnielle schedules guest appearances, Craig Finn too"

Todd Barry at MHOW in 2010 (more by Chris Gersbeck)

Comedy variety show Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen [Schaal] continues to hit Park Slope/Gowanus club Littlefield every Monday. Tonight's lineup includes Todd Barry, Rob Cantrell, Leibya Rogers, and musical guest Adira Amram and The Experience who performs at Hot Tub this whole month. Tickets are still available for tonight (6/13), 6/20, and 6/27.

If you want to go June 27th, you should probably act quick because the "very special musical guest" on that one (as it was listed before today) has been revealed as Ted Leo. The bill also includes comedy superstar Wyatt Cenac, so it's a great one all around. Ted also plays a free headlining show on July 9 at South Street Seaport. Ted recently performed a new song in 'Room 205' which you can listen to at their site.

Todd Barry, who is on tonight's Littlefield show, also plays a headlining show at Maxwell's on July 31 with Ted Alexandro. Tickets are on sale. Todd also plays at this month's Mr. Coconuts Comedy show at Union Hall (6/21). The new monthly comedy show (which I think started in May) is hosted by Gabe Delahaye and the June bill also includes Gabe Liedman, Jessi Klein and more. Tickets are on sale.

Adira Amram is part of the very musical Amram family, much of which just played Bruar Falls. Adira's sister Alana (their father is composer David Amram), the force behind Alana Amram and the Rough Gems, is releasing Snow Shadows: Songs of Vince Martin on June 21. Vince Martin is a NYC folk singer who got his start in the late '50s recording with The Tarriers and with Fred Neil in the '60s. Martin was more recently discovered by Thurston Moore who he has since performed with. Alana stumbled upon him on her own though. She told WNYC:

I got pretty heavy into Greenwich Village, urban, folk musicians who I felt that I could really relate to a lot of their stories. I ended up moving down to New York City and here I am, kinda this country kid isolated, trying to find my way. And I'm playing in a bunch of rock and roll bands, everything's loud and crazy. And then I discover Fred Neil. He did that song "Everybody's Talkin' At Me," the theme from Midnight Cowboy. That led me to finding Karen Daulton who eventually led to Vince Martin. Now, he's my really good buddy and I'm really lucky to get access...to this cannon of songs that have been lost and kind of hidden.

Listen to two songs off Alana's new album below...

Continue reading "Alana Amram covered Vince Martin, Adira Amram playing Hot Tub ++ special guest Ted Leo, Todd Barry gigs & much more"

Big Freedia & crowd @ FFFFest 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

today in NYC
* Risk! @ the Pit
* Brain Cloud @ Barbes
* Karsh Kale @ Highline Ballroom
* Glen Hansard @ the Met
* Dylan Fest @ Bowery Ballroom
* Questlove @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Ela Orleans w/ a Rooftop Film
* Bettye LaVette @ Cafe Carlyle
* The Donkeys, Citay @ Cake Shop
* Phyllis Chen, Cuddle Magic @ Barbes
* Big Freedia, Javelin @ Mercury Lounge
* Talibam!, Xalam Project @ Cameo Gallery
* Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ City Winery
* Jooklo Duo, Bill Nace @ Issue Project Room
* The Biters, The Booze, Wyldlife @ Maxwell's
* Aeroplane, JDH & Dave P @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Denman Maroney, Theo Bleckmann @ The Stone
* Adam Niewood & His Rabble Rousers @ The Stone
* French Horn Rebellion, Savoir Adore @ Glasslands
* The Ludlow Thieves, David Dondero @ Mercury Lounge
* Golden Animals, The Above, Boom Chick @ Shea Stadium
* Tribeca New Music Festival II @ Merkin Concert Hall
* El Jezel, The Whisperians, Birds in Weather @ Bruar Falls
* Noah Chernin Band, Takka Takka, Little Racer @ The Rock Shop
* The Prigs, The Yes Way, The Courtesy Tier, Monuments @ Pianos
* Across Tundras, Yorba Linda, Cavallo, Ominous Black @ Union Pool
* Ben Allison Band, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society @ Littlefield
* The Rassle, Ravens & Chimes, Living Days (Deli Fest) @ Brooklyn Bowl
* "Bhangra Dance Party" w/ Red Baraat & DJ Rekha @ Brooklyn Bridge Park
* Burning Star Core, Raft, Hiro Kone, Animal Hospital @ Public Assembly
* Menya, Tayisha Busay, Pomegranate, North, Jackpot Tiger @ Lit Lounge
* The Immaculates, The Splinters, Darlings, Household @ Death By Audio
* Bell, ARMS, Chairlift (DJ set), Bear In Heaven (DJ set) @ Knitting Factory
* Doveman, Rufus Wainwright, Sean Lennon @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Stornoway, Spirit Family Reunion, Sea of Bees @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Faith and Mark, Nidra, Teen Dreams, The Magick Report, False Positive @ Silent Barn
* Translations, Ravens & Chimes, ArpLine, Dream Diary, Prospector, Invisible Days (Deli Fest) @ Cameo Gallery
* Yc the Cynic, Add-2, Neak, Skotch Davis, Fresh Daily, The Black Sunn & 810, Sincerely Yours @ Public Assembly

Ravens & Chimes are not playing Cameo because Asher came down with pneumonia. Feel better Asher!

Lady Gaga and Good Morning America will be the reason there will be lots of people near Central Park Summerstage/Rumsey Playfield at 7am Friday morning.

Dylan Fest (night 1 of 2) tonight at Bowery features Norah Jones, Adam Green, Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis of SNL, Jesse Malin, Nikolai Fraiture (of the Strokes), Binki Shapiro (of Little Joy), Nicole Atkins, Tad Kubler (of the Hold Steady), Evan Dando, Reeve and Zane Carney, Danny Clinch, Adam Schlesinger and Jody Porter (of Fountains of Wayne), Sammy James, Jr. (of Mooney Suzuki), Ben Trokan (of Robbers on High Street), Steve Schiltz (of Longwave & Hurricane Bells), Antony Ellis (of Five O'Clock Heroes), Luke Rathborne, Jack Dischel (of Only Son), Josh Lattanzi (of The Lemonheads & The Candles) (Dylan Fest 2011) @ Bowery Ballroom.

Win tickets to see Fang Island tomorrow at Brooklyn Bowl on Facebook. We're also giving away a 3-day pass to the * Deli Fest shows at Brooklyn Bowl (starting tonight)

And congrats to the winner of the tickets to see Stornoway at Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight.

Big Freedia plays her first of two NYC shows tonight.

Daily Show correspondant Wyatt Cenac is one of the comedians who will "tell true stories they never thought they'd dare to share in public stories they'd normally tell close friends" at Risk! at the Pit tonight. Maybe you caught Wyatt Cenac's new Comedy Central special "Wyatt Cenac: Comedy Person"? If not it airs again Friday, June 3rd at 10:58pm. Maybe you were there? Listen to Wyatt discuss his friend's 30th birthday and Medieval Times in a video below.

Modern Weepers play Mercury Lounge this Friday night.

The Dodos have a new video for "Companions." Check that out below...

Yuck appeared on Jools Holland. Check that video out below too...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

Ra Ra Riot @ MHOW in 2010 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Speaking of Japan benefits, The Bell House has two special ones scheduled....

Continue reading "Ra Ra Riot, Wyatt Cenac, Tim Harrington, Todd Barry & many, many more playing Japan benefits @ the Bell House "

"The 2011 Solid Sound lineup thus far: Wilco (Fri. & Sat.), the Levon Helm Band, Thurston Moore, Syl Johnson & the Sweet Divines, Here We Go Magic, Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy, Pillow Wand (Nels Cline/Thurston Moore duo), Handsome Family, Liam Finn, Sic Alps, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Glenn Kotche, Pronto, the Autumn Defense, Comedy Cabaret curated by John Hodgman featuring Wyatt Cenac, Eugene Mirman & Morgan Murphy, plus the return of the Story Pirates -- all at the largest contemporary art museum in the country with the backdrop of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts."

The new New Pornographers?

Neko Case has been keeping busy on the road lately, recording with the Dodos, spending lots of time with Jakob Dylan, and even sometimes playing with her band The New Pornographers, so it's nice to know that she (and the rest of the New Pornos) got the day off when they were making the video for "Moves" from their recent album Together.

In their place is a cast of funny characters including Julie Klausner (as Neko), Jon Wurster (as one version of Carl Newman), Kevin Corrigan (as Dan Bejar), and Ted Leo (as Kathryn Calder). Also look for Todd Barry, Other Music, Death By Audio, Wyatt Cenac, a mound of cocaine, Gabe Delahaye, Max Silvestri, Horatio Sanz, Bill Hader and Paul Rudd (the cast of Expectant Dads) and many more in the Tom Scharpling (who directed this Ted Leo masterpiece) directed video, that you can watch with full credits listed, below...

Continue reading "new comedian-filled New Pornographers video w/ Ted Leo too"

John Oliver is hosting/taping a "New York Stand-Up Show" at NYU's Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Saturday & Sunday - January 14-16...

"Stand-up Comedian and Daily Show correspondent, John Oliver, hosts a unique series of stand-up comedy shows for Comedy Central which feature some of America's most influential stand-up stars and great upcoming comics. Season 2 is sure to be amazing. Headliners this year include Greg Behrendt, Pete Holmes, Al Madrigal and Maria Bamford as well as these great comics Brendon Walsh, Kyle Kinane, Anthony Jeselnik, Marina Franklin, Jen Kirkman, Deon Cole, Mike Lawrence, Kumail Nanjiani, Rory Albanese, Glenn Wool, Moshe Kasher, Rory Scovel plus more tbd..."

Wyatt Cenac is doing something similar. Free tickets available.

Free weekly series Whiplash continues every Monday night at NYC's UCB Theater. Tonight's special guests are John Oliver, Rory Scovel & Mike Lawrence.

Reggie Watts and Daniel Pinchbeck are having "An Open Dialogue About the Future" at Cameo Gallery tonight (1/10) (doors at 9pm). On January 17th, 2011, Daniel Pinchbeck will host a screening of "2012, Time for a Change" at the same venue.

The Wednesday night free "Big Teriffic" show has been happening again at Cameo Gallery, and it will happen again on 1/12 and 1/19 (and probably after that!). Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman, and Jenny Slate host. Other special guests perform too.

Hannibal Buress still hosts the free show every Sunday night at Knitting Factory. 1/16 promises Rory Scovel, Ben Lerman, Jermaine Fowler, John Mulaney & Rob Shapiro

Monthly show Variety Shac with Andrea Rosen returns to UCB on January 13th with special guests John Mulaney, Aasif Mandvi & Negin Farsad.

Joe Mande breaks out at Caroline's this Tuesday, January 11th. Tickets are on sale.

Neil Innes of Monty Python and The Rutles fame plays Highline Ballroom on May 10th. Tickets are on sale.

Did you miss all six appearances Patton Oswalt just made in NYC? If you live in Fargo, North Dakota you're in luck.

Did you miss the opening weekend of Daniel Kitson's show at St. Ann's Warehouse? Well, you have until January 30th to correct that!

Aziz Ansari's Carnegie Hall show happens on January 22nd. Tickets are still on sale.

Louis CK has a new CD and DVD entitled "Hilarious" which gets relesaed this Tuesday, 1/11. That's the cover art above. Have you seen it on Comedy Central? Well, the DVD is " uncensored and feature an additional 40 minutes of content not aired on TV." Check out the trailer/e-card thing below...

Continue reading "free John Oliver taping tickets, a Neil Innes show, Louis C.K. is 'Hilarious', Big Teriffic & other comedy shows & news"

words and photos by Chris Gersbeck

Last night was night six, and Yo La Tengo played their fifth night of Hanukkah shows on Sunday (12/5), with their eight night stay at Maxwell's quickly coming to an end. I can only imagine the amount of exhaustion that comes from planning and rehearsing these shows, though you'd never know it thanks to consistently great performances from Ira, James and Georgia.

The legendary Mission of Burma, who just may be the greatest long-running live act of all time, were tapped to open the night. Playing almost entirely new material, along with a slew of covers including the Buzzcocks' "I Don't Mind" and the Wipers' "Youth of America", Burma continue to prove that they're one of the few, if not only bands to reunite and still produce material as innovative as in their heyday. And maybe I just haven't seen them live in a while, but Roger Miller's new hairdo is fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing them again in January.

Daily Show correspondent Wyatt Cenac was the comedian guest of the night and his act was well received by the crowd. Cenac's stories were at times a bit convoluted, but the payoffs were definitely worth it. Apparently he and fellow correspondent John Oliver have a show coming in 2011 to follow the Colbert Report, which makes perfect sense.

It's kind of amusing that Yo La Tengo opened with the somber and mesmeric "Green Arrow", considering how intense their set would later become. Tearing through "The Room Got Heavy", Richard Hell's "I'm Your Man", and ending with "Mushroom Cloud of Hiss", Yo La's songs often collapsed into long, droning swells of feedback. Adding to the noise collage was Burma's tape-looper (and Shellac bassist) Bob Weston, who was sitting in with the band for the night, albeit from the soundboard. Manipulating YLT's vocals, guitars and percussion throughout, Weston added that unique quality that has become synonymous with Mission of Burma's sound.

All of this lent itself well to the encore, first with Roger Miller returning on organ to perform Jonathan Richman's "Astral Plane" with WFMU auction winner Jason Kaufman on vocals (who did a great job), then with MoB drummer Pete Prescott singing one of his and Weston's Volcano Suns songs (Weston came out to play bass on this one). Before long, Clint Conley also returned to the stage on guitar to perform as the supergroup I personally have dubbed "Yo La Burma". To say it was incredible to watch is an understatement. It's not too often you get to see things like this happen in such an intimate venue, so if you get the chance to check out any of the remaining shows, definitely do so.

More pictures from the fifth of eight crazy nights at Maxwell's are below.

Continue reading "Yo La Tengo, Mission of Burma & Wyatt Cenac @ Maxwell's (pics from the fifth night of Chanukah)"

As rumored, Mission of Burma stopped by Maxwell's this Hanukkah to be one of Yo La Tengo's eight openers. A full review and set of pictures from last night's show is coming soon, but meanwhile let's figure out what we've got so far:

12/1 - M. Ward, Todd Barry, Nash Kato
12/2 - The Parting Gifts, Jim Gaffigan, members of The Feelies
12/3 - Jeff Tweedy, Eugene Mirman & Kid Congo Powers
12/4 - Syl Johnson, Jon Glaser, Peter Wolf & Ira's mom
12/5 - Mission of Burma & Wyatt Cenac
12/6 - ?
12/7 - ?? & Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal & ??
12/8 - ?

Well, "Anonymous | December 2, 2010 9:31 AM" says that Amy Rigby and Wreckless Eric, who played Bowery Electric on November 12th, announced that they'd be at Monday's show "during their show near d.c." That comment was made four days ago. Since then Wreckless Eric made a surprise last minute appearance at Home Sweet Home Friday night. BUT, "Anonymous | December 6, 2010 11:10 AM" says "Tonight's opener is Mofongo, despite the apparent info that Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby would open. Perhaps Eric and Amy are the encore guests."

note that the proper spelling is: Mofungo

It should also be noted that Bonnie Prince Billy plays Town Hall Wedneday
(tickets are still on sale).

Last night's setlist is below...

Continue reading "Who has opened for Yo La Tengo so far? (Mission of Burma) Who still will? (Mofungo? Wreckless Eric?)"

Todd Barry @ Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)

Want to laugh Tuesday night? Head over to Lolita Bar at Broome and Allen for another edition of "Tell Your Friends!". This week's special guests include HANNIBAL BURESS (who performs a free show every Sunday at Knitting Factory) (and who recently opened for Aziz Ansari at Beacon Theater), LIAM McENEANEY, ANDY DE LA TOUR, and a "MYSTERY GUEST" who "is doing a big big show later in the week, and can't be advertised for this. He appears all over television and films, though, and this may be your last chance to see him in a basement before he's too famous for our show. - A MUST SEE!" Hmm.

Speaking of a big big show later in the week, Nick Kroll's two tapings at Music Hall of Williamsburg take place this Thursday, 11/18.

Nick also did a show at UCB tonight/Monday right before Whiplash (with special guest Mike Birbiglia). How was that? Whiplash takes place every Monday.

MGMT's Andrew VanWyngarden will be a guest at the live broadcast of WFMU's comedy/variety show "Seven Second Delay" at UCB Theatre on Wednesday (11/17). $5.00 tickets are still on sale, though note that he won't be performing. They'll be interviewing him, but they promise they have a couple of surprises planned. Other guests appearing on the same show: former New York Times Ombudsman Dan Okrent, and author / gambling expert / former bookie Beth Raymer.

That WFMU thing is early - like 6pm. Stick around after for an edition of Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkel's Totally J/K with special guests Hari Kondabalu (Comedy Central Presents), Greg Johnson (Sirius/XM Radio) "& more!" Then stay even longer, cause Joe Mande is also part of the show right after that too. Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn & Ed Gavagan also perform in "The Nights of Our Lives"

Much like Pee Wee Herman, Colin Quinn has a new show on Broadway (which is directed by Jerry Seinfeld) (the Colin show) (Jerry didn't direct the Pee Wee show). We are giving away tickets to see Pee Wee. The Apiary has a pair up for grabs to see Colin.

What about Eugene Mirman you ask? Well, in addition to stuff we've mentioned in the past and his somewhat regularly scheduled Sunday night shows at Union Hall, you can catch him along with John Roderick (as Santa Claus), A.C. Newman, John Hodgman, Gary Shteyngart, and Ollabelle on December 17th at City Winery for the next edition of John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders. Tickets are on sale.

You will also find Eugene Mirman at the Bell House on December 12th for "Pretty Good Friends (formerly Tearing the Veil of Maya) End of the Year Holiday Blowout" with Kristen Schaal, Jon Glaser and "more to be announced." Tickets are on sale.

Speaking of Kristen Schaal, was she at Littlefield last night/tonight/Monday night for "Hot Tub with Kurt"? It's unclear from the listings whether Kurt Braunohler is doing "Hot Tub" without her every Monday night through 11/29. Upcoming listed guests include Wyatt Cenac, Laura Krafft, Dan Friel, Jon Friedman, Liam McEneaney, and Chris Rozzi.

Patton Oswalt has four shows coming up at Caroline's - two on January 7th and two on January 8th. Tickets are on sale.

Last but not least, after postponing the original date, honorary Juggalo Gallagher will appear at Gramercy Theatre on April 8th. Tickets are on sale.

Continue reading "Andrew VanWyngarden, secret guests, John Roderick as Santa, Dan Friel, AC Newman & other upcoming comedy shows"

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.

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"

Day 1 photos by Weekly Dig, Wolf Parade photos by Kate Gardiner

Panda Bear @ Pitchfork Fest Saturday evening (Suckafreemike)

"Dear panda bear: you're playing a music festival, not an art installation." - Etan

"The only explanation for Panda Bear's set at the Pitchfork Music Festival is that it's a practical joke on people who are not on drugs." - lifeinzembla

"Panda Bear killed it. set was almost exclusively new stuff. pushing the art to the next level." - Luke Tipton

Panda Bear @ Pitchfork Fest Saturday evening (iissaaacc)

More pictures from the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival, below...

Continue reading "mixed reactions to Panda Bear & more pictures from the 2010 Pitchfork Festival (Days 1 & 2)"

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) "

Central Park Summerstage (more by Chris La Putt)

The schedule for the 2010 SummerStage series, which has music not just at Central Park, is out, and there are some great looking shows to highlight.

At Central Park, the first "rock" show happens on Saturday, June 5th with Living Colour, Ebony Bones!, Pillow Theory and CX KiDTRONiK. Baaba Maal, who just played Irving Plaza, will be at Central Park too on Monday, June 14th The Tinariwen show on Saturday, June 26th also features Syrian beat & mikeman Omar Souleyman. Gil Scott-Heron plays Central Park in June and Marcus Garvey Park in August.

There's also El Guincho, Bostich and Fussible and others in Central Park on July 7th. Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff plays Central Park on Sunday, July 11th. Raphael Saadiq performs there Saturday, July 17 at 3pm. The Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba/Fool's Gold show on Sunday, July 25th will also feature "West African electronica" band Burkina Electric.

On Wednesday, July 21st, there'll be a Comedy Central's The Daily Show and Friends Central Park gig hosted by Lewis Black with John Oliver, Rob Riggle, Wyatt Cenac, Adam Lowitt and Rory Albanese.

There's also music from St. Vincent, Tune-Yards and Basia Bulat on August 1st at Central Park. The xx play with Jack Penate and Chairlift there on August 8th. At the same spot, Public Enemy play an August 15th day show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Fear of A Black Planet, and the Specials play on August 22nd with Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears and $mall ¢hange.

The borough-wide shows kick off with Jay Electronica in Red Hook Park on June 1st. Also at that park is Dan Deacon on Tuesday, June 15th. White Rabbits play East River Park on August 12th.

There's lots of great jazz too: McCoy Tyner plays with Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding and Francisco Mela as part of the CareFusion Jazz Festival on June 23rd. He also plays in the Charlie Parker Jazz Fest, which comes at the end of the summer with an incredible lineup. McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Scott, Jason Moran and the Bandwagon and Revive da Live play during the day at Marcus Garvey on Saturday, August 28th. Then the next day, James Moody, Catherine Russell, Vijay Iyer and The JD Allen Trio play at Tompkins Square Park.

The park benefit shows include John Butler Trio and State Radio on June 15th (tickets on sale), The Flaming Lips on July 26th, The Black Keys with the Morning Benders on July 27th and 28th, Hot Chip/Hercules & Love Affair/Holy Ghost on August 4th, Govt' Mule on August 11th (tickets), and one of the four Pavement shows September 21-24. Plus there's a "songbook of Simon & Garfunkel" benefit on June 8th.

Not all "Summerstage" shows are in Central Park anymore which drives home the point even further that the name of the venue in Central Park is actually "Rumsey Playfield" which hosts non-"Summerstage" shows too. Those so far include Coheed/Torche, CAKE, Ween, and Broken Social Scene.

The full Summerstage free show schedule is below...

Continue reading "Summerstage (Central Park & elsewhere) - full 2010 lineup "

photos by Paul Birman

"Thanks to everyone who came to the BV Haiti benefit last night. You made it really special." - St. Vincent

"St. Vincent and Justin Vernon performing together was easily one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen/heard." - Steph Lo

Wyatt Cenac was funny. Then came Britt Daniel (of Spoon) with White Rabbits frontman Stephen Patterson. They had such a good time on stage together, you can tell they were buds. Janeane Garofalo came next - she has the smartest humor and is a strong rooted New Yorker. Made a ton of jokes about the L train and hipsters which the crowd took very warmly to. Gosh she's tiny. St Vincent went on and sounded like the lovely thing she is. Someone yelled while she was setting up 'show us your bush'????', In which she replied, 'that is the strangest thing someone has ever said to me...on or off stage'. Adorable. Following her was Zach Galifianakis who everyone was undeniably waiting for. It really looked like he just rolled out of bed, picked up some papers from a table and walked on stage totally winging his whole act...hilarious. Alas came Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver). His voice sounded just as amazing it does on record. The room was at its most quiet during "Flume". Unreal. He was the last act but did say something about a special guest - I heard it was Megafaun/My Brightest Diamond (had to leave early), which I imagine rounded out the benefit nicely. Really awesome that these guys all came together"...
[Stadiums & Shrines]

The night opened with a great debut set by singer-songwriter John Shade (previously Dave Godowsky) who brought out Justin Vernon on drums for two songs. Before and after John, and between every set of the night, came comedy by our two able hosts: Bobby Tisdale and Leo Allen. St Vincent's set included a National and a Nico cover. Justin covered John Prine. Britt Daniel did three songs, which was one less than he played at Sound Fix a few hours earlier.

And yep, the special guest after/during Justin's set was in fact Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) who (after headlining Bowery Ballroom one night earlier) played two jaw dropping numbers - one with Colin Stetson on his most-insane giant saxophone, and a cover of Prince's "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore".

But it didn't end there. A supergroup called Songer Singwriter featuring Annie, Justin, drummer, and Brad from Megafaun came back to close the night off right with a set of four more covers. Neil Young's "Harvest Moon", Tom Petty's "Face in the Crowd" (with Brad on lead), Dolly Parton's "Jolene", and Annie Lennox's "Why". Each of those final covers was better than the next. To quote one of my tweets, "To quote my friend, 'Sounds like sonic youth playing a dolly parton song. Sick!' and now Annie Lennox Why! Full room Bon Iver singalong".

We ran almost non-stop for 3.5 hours straight (8-11:30), and raised over $20,000. I'm still waiting for an exact number. More pictures (one of two sets we have) and some videos from the show, below....

Continue reading "Britt Daniel, Justin Vernon, St Vincent, Zach Galifianakis, Janeane Garofalo & others raised money for Haiti @ MHOW - pics & video "

I am very happy to announce....

A Night of Comedy and Music to Benefit Haiti
Presented By Bowery Presents and BrooklynVegan
With short sets by:
Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel (of Spoon), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), St. Vincent, Janeane Garofalo, Wyatt Cenac (of the Daily Show), the live debut of John Shade (ex Dave Godowsky) & possibly more TBA (stay tuned)

Venue: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Date: Sat 1/23 (AKA IN LESS THAN TWO DAYS)
Notes: 18+, Doors 6:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM

Tickets (on sale Friday at noon) are only going to be $35 in advance, and $40 at the door if there are any left. A more expensive VIP option will be available so we can raise as much money as possible. 100% of the proceeds will be split between an orphanage in Haiti (that Zach chose) and the Red Cross.

Note: this show is not to be confused North 6th for Haiti (1/27 @ MHOW) which will also be announced any second (and is already on Ticketmaster)

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We were lucky to get Justin Vernon who was in town just long enough after tonight's appearance (1/21) for the NY Guitar Festival.

Spoon was also in town tonight for a show, and Britt Daniel will be playing a show at Sound Fix that same day at 7pm (1/23).

Zach Galifianakis speaks to Natalie Portman in the video below...

Continue reading "Haiti benefit SATURDAY NIGHT (Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel, Justin Vernon, St Vincent, Janeane Garofalo & more) "

words by BBG, photos by Paul Birman

Souls of Mischief

Congratulations and sincere thanks go out to all who attended the Brooklyn Vegan sponsored Audible Treats Showcase at Southpaw on 10/22. Filled with an action-packed lineup of independent hip hop, Heiro legends Souls of Mischief headlined the show that also included the ever energetic Tanya Morgan, the all-star Trinity, aggressive spitter Kam Moye, the laid back flow of Oddisee, D-Town representer Finale, Jern Eye, and Truthlive. Southpaw was positively brimming with intelligent rhymes and equally killer beats from the artists as well as the house DJ fo the evening, Keelay of Keelay & Zaire. Hosted by Che Grand and the hilarious Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show), there was no such thing as downtime on 10/22.

Admittedly, the crowd took a while to warm up: West Coast MCs Truthlive and Jern Eye had to work hard to get onlookers involved in their brief opening sets. Jern Eye leaned on material from his newly issued sophomore CD, Vision (just out on MYX Music), a mature, confident effort. Detroit rapper Finale -who'd arrived from Motor City shortly before his performance, and announced he'd be heading back home directly after- ripped through a fiery set previewing material from his upcoming disc, A Pipe Dream and a Promise, as strong a debut as any we've heard this year.

DJ Keelay kept the energy high between sets, and showcasing new material was a theme that extended throughout the evening: Washington, D.C.'s Oddisee... kicked off his set here with even newer material and welcomed Diamond District bandmate yU to the stage for a cameo. Then came Kam Moye, who declared he was representing for "grown-ass men," and Trinity, who presented an explosive set and flung almost as many T-shirts as syllables... Tanya Morgan was down a member -Ilyas, stuck at home in Cincinnati- but compensated with tons of attitude and energy, not to mention an oversize cadre of Lessondary cohorts. By the time Souls of Mischief took the stage with a mix of fresh tracks, deep cuts and repeated salutes to the late turntablist Roc Raida, the crowd was whipped up to an ideally receptive fever pitch. [Time Out]

More pictures and some videos from the Southpaw show, below...

Continue reading "Audible Treats @ CMJ 2009 - pics (Souls of Mischief, Tanya Morgan, Trinity, Oddisee, Finale, Jern Eye, Truthlive)"