The 5 best NYC shows to see this week
Every day — 365 days a year — we post a list of suggested NYC shows happening that day, along with a reminder that you can also browse our full show calendar. Every Monday, we’ll also give you a preview of the week with our TOP 5 NYC SHOWS HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
in date order…
MONDAY, MARCH 9: Moses Sumney @ Public Records
Moses Sumney released part one of his highly anticipated double album græ last month and the rest arrives May 15 via Jagjaguwar, and the whole thing is shaping up to be one of the most monumental albums released this year. Before part two arrives, Moses will perform the album in full at this free, intimate show.
Status: RSVP is closed. Even if you RSVPed, entry is first come, first served, and doors open at 7.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 – SUNDAY, MARCH 15:The New Colossus Festival
SXSW may be canceled but NYC’s New Colossus Festival is still happening and will feature a lot of artists who were supposed to be on their way to Austin. That includes The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, UK bands Stealing Sheep, The Orielles, and Life, Norwegian group Pom Poko, Canadian band Kiwi Jr, French group Marble Arch, plus local acts like A Place to Bury Strangers, Public Practice, and more. Shows run Wednesday through Sunday at venues all over the Lower East Side and East Village, encouraging hopping around from club to club in a old school CMJ way. Most bands are playing multiple times, too, including a few free day shows on the weekend. There are even industry talks and panels for those jonesing to learn more about sync licensing, music activism and the “Illustrious and Ever Changing Landscape of Music in New York City.” Check out the full lineup and schedule and our picks for 14 New Colossus acts to see this week.
Status: badges are $100 get you access to all shows, based on capacity. You can also buy tickets to individual shows.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14: Bans Off My Body Planned Parenthood Benefit at Town Hall
UPDATE: The benefit has been postponed due to “public health concerns.”
Not only does this Hal Wilner-produced event benefit a great cause (Planned Parenthood of Greater New York), it features a star-studded lineup, including rare reunion of Courtney Love and onetime Hole Bassist Melissa Auf der Maur who had this to say about it:
“Following the November 2016 elections, I personally began to grow concerned with what negative affects an administration of this kind would have on the country… When the questions around women’s rights to choose and reproductive rights [came up], the first thought I had, as the former bass player of Hole, was ‘time to get the band back together’. I began to imagine Courtney and all of her complex feminist lyrics screaming at these old men who dared to judge what we should and should not have. I wanted to get back on stage supporting Hole’s legacy in being outspoken and fearless… We are both mothers of daughters, and as it was before, their rights and future generations’ women’s rights and freedoms are my inspiration. When [we were] contacted about this upcoming concert, it finally all lined up.”
Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell & Etty Lau Farrell (“Our family supports women’s basic right to healthcare. It starts there,” said Perry), Rachael Yamagata, Joan as Police Woman, and BETTY are also set to perform, along with “other special guests to be announced.”
Status: The benefit has been postponed due to “public health concerns.”
SATURDAY, MARCH 14: Human Impact (ex-Unsane), Norman Westberg, Conduit @ Saint Vitus
Unsane is no more, but frontman Chris Spencer is now leading the new band Human Impact — which also features Jim Coleman (Cop Shoot Cop), Phil Puleo (Cop Shoot Cop, Swans), and Chris Pravdica (Swans) — and their anticipated debut album comes out this Friday (3/13) via Ipecac. It’s not exactly the same thing as Unsane, but it’s cut from a very similar cloth and Unsane fans have no reason not to feel excited about Chris Spencer’s new endeavor. One day after the album comes out, Human Impact will play this hometown release show with direct support from another Swans member, Norman Westberg, plus fellow locals Conduit.
Status: Tickets are available.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14: Fennesz @ Bushwick Methodist Church (early & late)
UPDATE: “We regretfully must postpone this event until July due to the risks associated with Coronavirus.” Specific date is TBA.
There’s always the question of whether seeing a live show by an ambient musician is really necessary, especially when the majority of sounds are coming out of a computer, and you can’t even dance. There’s a strong contingent of those who sit squarely on the “no” side of this debate, and they’re not crazy, but now we’re talking about Fennesz, the legend, the master, the top of the top in his field, and this seated show in a beautiful looking and sounding church is part of his first tour in ten years, and hot on the heels of an album so wonderful, we called it one of the best of 2019. On that album, Agora, treated guitar is a key aspect of the sound, and as you can see in the below Instagram video clip, he plays one of those instruments on this tour too, when not bouncing between computers. The rarity of this experience alone, was enough for us to call this one of our top 5 live shows this week. The mentioned Instagram poster says it “was so overwhelming, so unbelievably good.” Presented by Ambient Church — whose specialty is ambient concerts in a church — there’s a late show with Britton Powell and an early show with Ulla.
Status: “We regretfully must postpone this event until July due to the risks associated with Coronavirus.” Specific date is TBA.
runner ups: Sudan Archives, Wire, Sorry, Bonnie Prince Billy & Jonathan Richman, Carissa’s Wierd, Insomnium, Josh Ritter, Jaimie Branch’s Fly or Die, Phil Lesh, Anti-Flag, Kenny O’Brien & The O’Douls (aka Kevin Devine), Billie Eilish, Body Count/Cro-Mags, The Soul Rebels w/ DMX, KRS-One, Foxtails/Murder Pact, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah.
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see also: More suggested NYC shows happening today.
