Greetings! While certain events this week have painted a rather sombre reality on a time that usually brings the city together with so much fun and creativity, we have to press on and do our best with our time here. Concentrating on better news, the city finally repealed the 91-year-old cabaret law so not only can you spend time enjoying some great shows this weekend, you can even dance legally…
5) Grizzly Bear at Brooklyn Steel
Say what you want about Grizzly Bear, they have put on two of the best shows I have ever seen (at the Roundhouse in London in 2010 and Radio City in 2012), and while their first album in five years, Painted Ruins, hasn’t quite won me over, it could just be one of those albums that make more sense after you’ve seen the songs live, especially with their near perfect vocal harmonies. The band play three nights at Brooklyn Steel (Thursday – Saturday) and at the time of writing, the only show you can still get tickets for is Friday. As always though, there may be some tickets released day-of so pay attention if you haven’t gotten what you want already. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8pm
4) Chris Gethard at Knitting Factory Brooklyn
We’re making a comedy-interlude at #4 this week with the record release show of Chris’ comedy record, Career Suicide, tackling subjects like depression and mental illness and wondering why we can’t find honest, brutal, but hopeful ways of dealing with them. Friday 8:30pm
3) Waxahatchee, Ought at White Eagle Hall
Bear with me here because I’m suggesting you trek out to Jersey City, but the journey on the PATH train will be more than worth it for two exceptional acts. Waxahatchee released fourth record, Out in the Storm back in July, and it’s most likely the strongest of them all. One band you should see every chance you get is Montreal’s Ought, whose last album was the mesmerising Sun Coming Down from 2015 and I haven’t seen a band who can pull off repetition so well in perhaps decades. The band have just signed to Merge Records, which seems like a great fit. Ought are also playing at Silent Barn on Saturday but that show is understandably sold out, however, the two acts combined on this bill are hard to best. Sunday 7pm
2) L.A. Witch, Camera, Ghost King at Saint Vitus Bar
Los Angeles trio L.A. Witch released their self-titled debut album in September via Suicide Squeeze, which seems somewhat surprising since the band have been active for five or six years now (though their have been EPs and singles). Indeed, they were one of my must-see acts of CMJ 2014 and their reverb-drenched desert rock has only gotten better; Saint Vitus will be the perfect platform for them. Friday 8pm
1) Curtis Harding at Rough Trade
It should come as no surprise that Curtis Harding is emphatically the #1 pick this week. There’s not a whole lot more I can tell you since championing this show back in September, though his new record, Face Your Fear finally came out on the 27th of October, and it’s a wonderful album. Shifting to a smoother soul direction, it’s a move Harding takes in his stride, with more emphasis on his vocals and keyboards over the gritty guitars and horns of the debut. Everything should sound incredible with Rough Trade’s impeccable sound, from soul aficionados to rock and roll fans, Curtis should appeal to just about any music lover in between. Thursday 8pm
