This is the first weekend in which David Bowie no longer exists (and now, also tragically, Alan Rickman); still a hard concept to process. As the great man said, “I know when to go out, and when to stay in”, might I suggest the former this weekend. I’m not giving you much chance to put on your red shoes and dance with these suggestions, and you might get the blues, but if you decide the stay in, and get things done, perhaps the strange ones in the dome can lend us a book we can read up alone.
5) Yonatan Gat, PC Worship, Guardian Alien at Mercury Lounge
I’ve waxed lyrical of Yonatan Gat’s live performances before, and while Mercury Lounge usually seems a little more sedate (though I’d still say the best sounding room in the city), Yonatan is sure to whip up a storm as usual. PC Worship always seem to find their way in this series with some regularity, even if you’re never sure what kind of set they feel like playing. I haven’t actually seen Guardian Alien since 285 Kent Closed, which seems a shame as their improvised space-rock is always worth experiencing. Friday 7pm
4) What Moon Things, Punt, Brat Curse, No Friends at Aviv
The lineup for this show reminds me somewhat of those old Dime Bar adverts, smooth on the outside crunchy on the inside. What I mean to say is that headliners What Moon Things and openers No Friends will offer a slowcore sway whilst Brat Curse and Punt will give some chunky riffs in the middle of the sandwich. Sunday 8pm
3) Creepoid, Future Punx, Bambara, Tempers at Trans-Pecos
Making a relatively short trip from Philly, Creepoid are still out there promoting their under-appreciated third album, Cemetery Highrise Slum, making a stop at Trans-Pecos before a more comprehensive spring tour with Restorations. The rest of the bill is decidedly local with electro-dancers Future Punx, the artful noise of Bambara and the rather gothic Tempers. Thursday 8pm
2) Connections, The Motel Beds, Big Quiet at Cake Shop
There has been a distinct lack of jangle-rock so far this weekend, but fear not, it’s at Cake Shop in spades on Saturday. Dayton, Ohio’s Connections have decided it’s best to embrace the shadow of Guided By Voices and you’ll have no complaints from me about that. Fellow Dayton band The Motel Beds put out a record in October called Mind Glitter which is filled with pop hooks, while openers Big Quiet are not to be missed either. Saturday 8pm
1) METZ, Bully, Big Ups at Music Hall of Williamsburg
It’s very hard to come up with suitable superlatives to describe Metz as a live band; the Torontonian trio simply bring their A-game to every show and despite this being January, any Metz gig usually ends up being a solid contender for show of the year. The band have just released new 7″ single, Eraser, which you can listen to below. I’m looking forward to seeing Nashville’s Bully for the first time, their alt-90s influence should throw in some nice hooks while you should know exactly what to expect from local favourites Big Ups. If you don’t, whet your appetite with yesterday’s offering. Thursday 8pm
