RIP Burt Reynolds. No particular words of wisdom this week (are there ever any?), though you should check out the new Anna Calvi album whilst also going to one or more of these shows this weekend.
5) Saint Etienne at Warsaw
Good Humor turns 20 this year and the band will be playing it in full at Warsaw on Thursday. The record marked a change of direction for the band, veering away from their usual dance-pop and adding a full band, plus horns via Swedish producer Tore Johansson. Thursday 8pm
4) OctFest at Governors Island
Pitchfork and October have teamed up to bring a weekend of music and beer on Governors Island, with an impressive array of both artists and breweries present. Saturday sees Vince Staples headline alongside the likes of Preoccupations, Vagabon and Standing on the Corner, while Sunday sees The Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo, The Courtneys and more. Saturday and Sunday 2pm
3) Waxahatchee, Night Shop, Anna St. Louis at The Bell House
The Bell House (possibly my favourite venue in the city) is celebrating their tenth anniversary this weekend and have some great shows lined up (more of those coming up!). Katie Crutchfield released Waxahatchee‘s best album last year with Out in the Storm via Merge Records. Now on a solo tour, her latest release is the Great Thunder EP, featuring songs written 3-5 years ago, it’s the polar-opposite of Out in the Storm‘s rock influences and is more akin to her earlier, folky songs. Sunday 7pm
2) Hot Snakes, Bodega The Gotobeds, Savak at The Bell House
UPDATE – Unfortunately, Hot Snakes have had to cancel their performance this weekend. To make up for it, this is now a FREE show with Bodega, The Gotobeds and Savak, starting at 8pm. Still happening during the day is a free block party to celebrate the venue’s tenth anniversary, details here. Saturday 8pm
Yep, another of The Bell House’s killer tenth anniversary shows (they’re also hosting a free block party during the day on Saturday, details here). Hot Snakes released their first album in fourteen years this March with Jericho Sirens via Sub Pop Records, and it was worth the wait (now how about a new Drive Like Jehu album?). Having seen the band at The Bell House in 2017, they’re still as great as ever. Saturday 8pm
1) Ex Hex, EZTV at The Bell House
What a surprise, the number one show of the weekend is also at The Bell House. It has been four years since Ex-Hex‘s debut album, Rips, and three since they played my favourite set at the 2015 Northside festival, their high-kicks and power-trio anthems make for one of the most joyous shows around. Whilst they haven’t released any new music since Rips, new songs are promised on this tour and I can’t wait to see what they have in store. Speaking of new material, openers EZTV just released a new single this week called Daytime. Friday 7pm
