Dilly ding, dilly dong. We can cut the smalltalk, you really have some great options this weekend and the likes of Chelsea Wolfe, Beverly, Waxahatchee and a Woods/Ultimate Painting double-header didn’t even make the cut. If you aren’t getting out to see a show, I’m not sure I can ever be any help.
5) Honey, The Men, Foster Care, JJ Doll at ALPHAVILLE
Brooklyn psych trio Honey have plenty of local cred, with members who have played with the likes of Amen Dunes and Psychic Ills, and the band are set to release their debut album, Love is Hard, via Wharf Cat Records, for which you can get a taste below with the song Monk. I don’t envy anyone having to on on stage after The Men, however, and that’s even if there is anything left to play on by the time Foster Care are finished. Friday 5pm
4) Solids, Stove, CLIQUE, The Gradients at Palisades
Montreal 2-piece Solids have really put in the miles as a touring band over the last couple of years, and with the next few months fully booked, they aren’t slowing down. 2014’s Blame Confusion was a dense, scuzzy delight of a record, and in a “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach, they’re about to release new EP Else. Friday 8pm
3) Music Band, A. Rex and J. Rex at ALPHAVILLE
Music Band supported Diarrhea Planet last year and threatened to steal the show (which is no mean feat). With their straight-up classic rock sound, I’m not sure the band’s record collection contains anything after 1977, which is fine with me. The trio have just released Wake Up Laughing via Infinity Cat. Saturday 8pm
2) White Lung, Wives at Baby’s All Right
White Lung’s new album, Paradise, comes out tomorrow (6th of May) on Domino Records, and Baby’s All Right plays host to the record release show. The group have just released a new video (the third promo for the album) for Below, for which Mish Way says “I needed to try to do a ballad about glamorous women”. The band’s intense live performances are always a treat, and if you missed the chance to get tickets to this sold out show, they’re hanging around for a couple of extra days to play somewhere on Monday. As an added bonus, stick around after their set at Baby’s to catch Yonatan Gat, who plays some kind of free Jack Daniels thingamajig. Saturday 8pm
1) Ought, Priests at Silent Barn & Rough Trade
I’ve already felt the need to mention these shows earlier in the week, and there’s little else to say; two of the best live acts touring together is a must see. As previously mentioned, Between Ought’s angular, often technical compositions and Priests political, aggressive delivery, this is one not to be missed. Yesterday, Ought released a video for the song Beautiful Blue Sky, which showcases the value of repetition whilst being a scathing attack on the mundane cycle of everyday life. Silent Barn on Saturday and Rough Trade on Sunday!