What's going on Valentine's Day? (Maxwell/Nas, TEEN, Mitski, Poison Idea, Noisem, Mac DeMarco, more)

You can browse our full NYC show calendar for all of tonight’s shows, but here are some highlights…

Benefit For Planned Parenthood of NYC feat. Mac DeMarco, Boss Hog, Kevin Morby, Kid Congo, Skaters, Delicate Steve, Joseph D’Agostino (Cymbals Eat Guitars), Saint Rich, Cassie Ramone (Vivian Girls), Juan Wauters, Mutual Benefit, Laura Gibson, Mark Eitzel, The Mystery Lights, No Eagles & @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
A whole bunch of cool musicians come out in force to suppport Planned Parenthood and celebrate Valentine’s Day. Expect a song or two from each, with some fun collaborations as well.

Maxwell, Nas @ Barclays Center
R&B/neo-soul great Maxwell hasn’t released an album since 2009’s BLACKsummers’night, which is supposed to be part one of a trilogy, and he’s saying he’ll release part two this summer (titled blackSUMMERS’night). Meanwhile, he plays his first NYC show in five years tonight and Nas makes it an excellent double bill. They both do it again at Prudential Center tomorrow.

Noisem, Ilsa, Lotus Fucker, Lucid Terror, Death Vacation @ Aviv
Thrashy hardcore band Noisem and the sludgy Ilsa play Vitus with Coffins tomorrow, but first they’re squeezing in this last minute show tonight.

Poison Idea, Iron Reagan, Child Bite, Chud @ Acheron
Portland punk legends Poison Idea had said they’d be going on hiatus last year but they quickly became active again. Their current tour is in support of last year’s very solid Confuse & Conquer on Southern Lord, their first album since 2006. Making this night even better is crossover thrash revivalists Iron Reagan and art punk weirdos Child Bite.

Mitski, Mal Devisa, 100% @ Knitting Factory
Mitski recently signed to Dead Oceans, and she’s set to release her anticipated new album on the label this year. Maybe we’ll get to hear a new song or two tonight.

The-Dream, Ro James, Abir @ Bowery Ballroom
The-Dream recently released his newest album Genesis, a nice dose of atmospheric, downtempo R&B. He’s also on the new Kanye album, and Kanye is in NYC this weekend… but maybe we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.

JG Thirlwell & Sarah Lipstate @ National Sawdust
Veteran experimental musician JG Thirlwell (aka Foetus) and the newer but also very talented Sarah Lipstate (aka Noveller) team up for a collaborative set tonight. Thrilwell is on synthesizers and sequencers, and Lipstate is on guitar.

Bettye LaVette @ Iridium
Soul veteran Bettye LaVette returned last year with her new album Worthy, which was nominated for the Best Blues Album Grammy. We’ll find out if she wins on Monday, but meanwhile she plays Iridum tonight.

The Soft Moon, WALL @ Saint Vitus
San Francisco’s The Soft Moon switched things up a little on their latest album, putting more of a focus on songs than sounds and mood. (Mind you the mood is still dark and foreboding.) It’s an odder record than anything they’ve done before, all of which is a good thing. One thing that hasn’t changed is the intensity (and volume) of The Soft Moon’s live show. Second of three NYC shows for the band. Sold out.

TEEN, Becca Kauffman, Miho Hatori (New Optimism), Gemma @ Union Pool
A perfect Valentine’s Day show whether you have a sweetheart or not: TEEN celebrate the release of their excellent new album Love Yes tonight.

Valium Valentine feat. Andrew Wyatt (of Miike Snow), Hisham Bharoocha, Heather Goldin of Beau, Damon McMahon (aka Amen Dunes), Charlotte Kemp Muhl, Empress Of, Zanna Van Vorstenbosch, Charli XCX and Nick Zinner @ MoMA PS1
Miike Snow singer Andrew Wyatt, in collaboration with German artist Sarah Ortmeyer, will be part of an event called “Valium Valentine” where over six hours “Mr. Wyatt is joined by male guest musicians for an improvised durational piece. Creating an emotional peak at the top of every passing hour, female singers each perform a song that Mr. Wyatt has composed especially for the occasion.”

The Sons & Heirs (The Smiths and Morrissey Tribute), Rob Sheffield, Doug Gillard (of Nada Surf), The Jewbadours @ Bell House
Are you miserable when two lovers entwined pass you by? There’s a place where you’re allowed to embrace your glumness and that’s at this Morrissey-themed Valentine’s Day party with Smiths/Moz tribute act The Sons & Heirs, Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield, and all-around good guy Doug Gillard.

Aparna Nancherla, Myq Kaplan, Matt Koff, Nick Turner, Carolyn Castiglia, Lane Moore, Katina Corrao, Corrine Fisher, Selena, Coppock & more @ Littlefield
In their own words: The Rejection Show is back with it’s “Super Bowl” of Rejection Shows, celebrating Valentine’s Day with an evening of its best breakup, heartbreak, and love related performances/stories from shows past, present, and future –blending into an evening of love songs, live music, and a party.

Mating Call with Rachel Coleman, Rob Harper, Alison Leiby, Mike Abrusci, Jennie Sutton, Scotland Green, Lynn Bixenspan and Eli Yudin @ Cake Shop
It’s a Valentine’s Day party for the single folks, featuring an open jam for singers/musicians to play love songs, followed by a comedy show where three pairs of single comedians do six minute sets and then have a three-minute speed date. Finally there’s real actual speed dating. Free.

Juan Wauters, Tall Juan @ Shea Stadium
Juan and Juan kick off their tour with this V-Day party that will feature karaoke after the live sets.

For all of tonight’s shows, and tomorrow’s, check out our NYC concert calendar.

For laughs, check out the NYC Comedy calendar too.

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