It’s always sad to hear of impending venue closures like Brooklyn Bazaar, come to think of it we’re almost at the 5-year anniversary of Vice media ripping Death By Audio out of our still beating hearts (still not over it). Anyway, let’s try to be a bit more positive with these excellent shows…
5) Les Savy Fav, The Dodos, Eleanor Friedberger, TWEN & more at Elsewhere
This show is to celebrate Frenchkiss Records 20 Year Anniversary, and they’re doing so in style at Elsewhere on Saturday. Featuring Les Savy Fav (bass player Syd Butler is the owner and founder of the Frenchkiss) and The Dodos, who will play their Visiter in its entirety. Doors open at 5pm and the promise of “special guests” as well as all the other acts is pretty enticing. Saturday 5pm
4) KAZU, Sound of Ceres at Rough Trade
Blonde Redhead singer Kazu released her debut solo album Adult Baby (released via her record label of the same name), which is awash with sweeping synths and layered vocals that is distinctly her but removed enough from Blonde Redhead to sound like a distinct project. The much poppier-but-appropriate Sound of Ceres open the show . Friday 8pm
3) Explosions in the Sky, FACS at Knockdown Center
Post-rock greats Explosions in the Sky are celebrating their 20th-anniversary as a band and I can’t even guess how many times I listened to The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place in my early-20s. My only concern about this show is that sometimes the sound at Knockdown Center isn’t great but I’m sure if anyone can sound pretty in a giant warehouse then it’s this band. Sunday 7pm
2) Big Thief at Webster Hall
The rise of Big Thief seems incredibly satisfying and it’s hard to think of a band who have made their ascent so seamless. A second record of 2019, Two Hands, is set for release on the 11th via 4AD, and if the two singles are anything to go by, it’s a more rock/band-orientated album than U.F.O.F‘s more traditional folk. They play two shows at Webster Hall, and while Friday night seems to be completely sold out, there are some tickets left for Thursday night at the time of writing. Thursday and Friday 8p,
1) Ex Hex, Crazy & The Brains, Baby Shakes & more at Double Parked Festival
Ok this show is in Jersey City but it’s a short-hop on the PATH to Grove Street and this show is free. I’m pretty sure Ex Hex make this column every time they’re in town and I like to be consistent. The band’s second album, It’s Real was released on Merge Records back in March and sometimes you just want riffs and guitar solos, when you do, you listen to Ex Hex. Saturday 12pm
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