What's going on Saturday?
You can browse our full NYC show calendar for all of tonight’s shows, but here are some highlights…
Yumi Zouma, Maria Usbeck @ National Sawdust
Yumi Zouma‘s debut album, Yoncalla, just came out and it’s light, R&B-tinged synthpop in the best possible way: airy without dissolving into the ether, with memorable songs and perfect understated production. The New Zealand band celebrate at this show featuring former Selebrities singer Maria Usbeck whose gorgeous new album, Amparo, was also just released.
T-Rextasy, Fern Mayo, Wireheads, Anna Altman, Badmouth @ Shea Stadium
Adelaide, Australia’s Wireheads make a brand of indie rock that seems particular to their country: boozy and unhinged, sometimes dissonant and shouty, sometimes twangy, with a drony violin pulling a through-line. Tonight’s their second of three NYC shows, and it’s headlined by local witty punks T-Rextacy.
Heron Oblivion, Chris Forsyth, Spacin’ @ Union Pool
Psych-folk supergroup Heron Oblivion are fronted by Meg Baird and feature members of Comets On Fire and Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound. Their excellent self-titled debut came out earlier this year on Sub Pop, and tonight they celebrate it in NYC. Good openers too. Tickets still available.
‘Testimonium’ ft. Joan of Arc @ Knockdown Center
Back in 2013, Joan of Arc teamed with experimental theater ensemble Every house has a door for the performance piece Testimonium, which eventually resulted in Joan of Arc recording the music they wrote for it as Testimonium Songs. This is the final night of the show’s three-night New York premiere run.
Kayo Dot, Yautja, Geryon @ Saint Vitus
Kayo Dot are releasing a new album in June, and going by its recent single, it’s looking like another dose of completely genre-defying heavy music. Sludge weirdos Yautja and avant-garde metal locals Geryon make this a rock-solid triple bill.
Dowsing, Kittyhawk, Katie Ellen, Three Man Cannon @ Suburbia
For a night of indie-ish punk and punk-ish indie rock, Suburbia has a pretty solid four-band bill. Katie Ellen (ex-Chumped) are quickly becoming a local band to keep an eye on.
Bob Moses @ Surf Lodge
It’s the first weekend of free shows at Montauk restaurant/hotel/vacation spot The Surf Lodge, which is probably a pretty nice place to spend your Memorial Day Weekend if you’re looking to get out of NYC. Canadian electronic pop duo Bob Moses play today.
Abdu Ali, Tygapaw, Dreamcrusher @ Trans Pecos
As they often do, Trans-Pecos brings together an eclectic bill that pays no attention to genre boundaries.
Phil Lesh & Friends @ Capitol Theatre
Keep the Grateful Dead mania going all weekend with Phil Lesh & Friend’s three-night run at the Capitol Theatre. All three shows are with frequent Phil Lesh & Friends member Warren Haynes (Allman Bros, Gov’t Mule) on guitar/vocals and he’s always one of Phil’s best collaborators. Excitingly, tonight and tomorrow’s shows have longtime Jerry Garcia Band keyboardist Melvin Seals will be playing with Phil Lesh & Friends for the first time ever.
Jimmy Whispers, Aerial East, Okay Kaya, Jaakko Eino Kalevi @ Baby’s All Right
This FREE show features Chicago’s Jimmy Whispers (who just opened for Twin Peaks), Finland’s Jaakko Eino Kalevi and more.
Fred Thomas (of Saturday Looks Good To Me), Kyle Forester, Drug Pizza, DYGL @ Cake Shop
Indie pop at its finest tonight with Saturday Looks Good To Me’s Fred Thomas, and Crystal Stilts/Ladybug Transistor’s Kyle Forester.
Flower Girl, RIPS @ Seaport Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg’s South Street Seaport location opens this weekend and in celebration they’re having bands Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Today its indiepop band Flower Girls and the rather ripping Rips.
Hatsune Miku, Anamanaguchi @ Hammerstein Ballroom (2 shows)
Anamanaguchi play two shows today with Japanese virtual popstar Matsune Miku. This will surely be something to see.
Mike Birbiglia @ The Lynn Redgrave Theater
Comedian Mike Birbiglia has been doing his show “Thank God for the Jokes” for nearly two years. He’s putting it to bed, but not before this run which wraps up this weekend.
Mass Gothic, Boytoy, Dogs of Oz, TURF DURF @ Sunnyvale
Noel Heroux retired Hooray for Earth and started solo project Mass Gothic, whose debut album recently was released on Sub Pop.
Ex-Cult, Pop. 1280, Tournament, Decorum @ Acheron
Memphis punks Ex Cult clearly like coming to NYC during Memorial Day Weekend — they did the same thing two years ago. With killer new single “Stick the Knife In” out now, they’ve lined up great openers for tonight’s show. They’ll play Mercury Lounge on Sunday.
For all of tonight’s shows, and tomorrow’s, check out our NYC concert calendar.
We’ve put together a Memorial Day Weekend concert guide if you need other show suggestions.
For laughs, check out the NYC Comedy calendar too.
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