Oppressive humidity appears to be the order of the day at the moment, just in time for a myriad of outdoor shows. Alas, cavorting is always preferable to hopeless ennui. Remember though kids, stay hydrated and wear your earplugs, and after that public service announcement, it’s on with this weekend’s best shows…
5) Stiff Little Fingers, Turbo AC’s, Two Man Advantage at Irving Plaza
Belfast punk legends Stiff Little Fingers may be playing their last show around here for a few years after a tricky tour schedule, so if you haven’t seen the band before, I’d certainly suggest you do so. They still put on a great show and play all the hits while still having a credible latter-day canon to show off as well. Thursday 7pm
4) Waxahatchee, Speedy Ortiz, Weyes Blood at Pier 84
The summer season is ramping up with the start of Hudson River Rocks on Pier 84, with Waxahatchee headlining on Thursday night. It has a been a steady rise for Katie Crutchfield and her band, who opened one of the River Rocks shows in 2012 and was the first time I’d heard of them (I made the wise decision to leave fairly soon after Generationals got going…), by the time I had seen them next, playing Vivian Girls’ penultimate show at Death By Audio, the confidence and growth of the band was startling, and with the release of Ivy Tripp, their first on Merge Records, the band are going in all the right directions. Opener Weyes Blood is well worth making the early start for, whether she’ll be looping tapes or have a full band, the Mexican Summer artist’s soothing vocal should help stem some of the summer heat. Speedy Ortiz complete the bill for what should be a nice quite-loud-slowcore trilogy. Thursday 6pm
3) Mudhoney, Pissed Jeans, Black Clouds at The Bell House
When you listen to the influx of grunge-influenced bands that have appeared in the last few years one can only wonder how many wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for Mudhoney. What can be said for a band that has released the likes of No-One Has, Sweet Young Thing, Touch Me I’m Sick and so many more classics. The band must be fans of Pissed Jeans as well, since they played with each other last time Mudhoney were in town as well in 2013. Black Clouds will offer something a little different on the bill with their instrumental post-rock and nifty lightshow. I always feel like I have to give extra praise for the Bell House as a venue as well, a great place to watch a show. Sunday 8pm
2) The New Pornographers, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down at Prospect Park Bandshell
The programs this year at the major parks have been a bit underwhelming for me this season, but one of the acts that jumped out was certainly power-pop stalwarts The New Pornographers. I’m not sure if Neko Case is in the touring band for these shows or not, but whatever the lineup there is bound to be plenty of sugar on offer. The band’s 6th album, Brill Bruisers, is perhaps their most “pop” to date. From a selfish point of view I’ll be hoping they dust off plenty of older tunes, having never seen them before. Shows at the bandshell can be great, the sound is usually good it’s easy to get a good view from wherever you end up. Saturday 7:00pm
1) 4 Knots Music Festival at Pier 84
The 4 Knots Festival has moved location from the seaport way up to Pier 84 on the other side of the city, it’s also no longer free, but the admission seems like a bargain given the lineup. From the old to the new, it’s a veritable indie go-to extravaganza with Super Furry Animals, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Mikal Cronin, Screaming Females, Twin Peaks, Happyness, Meatbodies, Heaters, Surfbort and Heaven. The first band kicks things off at midday (set times), so get there early, load up on food trucks and spend the whole day there. You’re not going to want to miss anything, but in particular, Heaters (1:25pm) and Meatbodies (2:05pm) will blow even most of this lineup off the stage, while Screaming Females are for my money the best live rock band around at the moment. Saturday 12pm
