No small-talk, go have fun this weekend. Suggestions below (also, eat ice cream)!
5) We’ve Come So Far – The Last Days of Death By Audio Discussion at Rough Trade
Ebru Yildiz‘s self-published photobook for the last days of Death By Audio, We’ve Come So Far, came out last week, but this week you can catch a discussion panel at Rough Trade with Ebru and many of the lovely DBA folk and other photographers. You can purchase the book took too of course, I have a copy and it’s a wonderful document that captures some amazing moments both behind the scenes and very much upfront at the shows themselves. Thursday 7pm
4) Bob Log III, The Kevin Dowling Fitness Hour, Borts Minorts at Mercury Lounge
One thing you can be sure of is that Bob Log III shows are never boring. There may be inflatable boats, balloons and dancers, but there will certainly be Bob Log III in a jump suit with a telephone connected to a motorcycle helmet, playing drums and slide guitar. It’s hard not to have a fun time at a Bob Log III show, although as Bob Log III rightly states “First of all, if you come to my show knowing I’ve got a song called Boob Scotch and you get offended, I’m sorry but I’ve got to say just get out”. Point is you should go and see Bob Log III, especially if you like one man band slide guitar blues, and drinking. Thursday 9:30pm
3) Evan Dando at City Winery
I’ve only ever managed to catch about 10 minutes of an Evan Dando set, when he supported Jesus and Mary Chain in London in 2007 I got stuck on the tube and arrived late. It seems like one of those unfulfilled holes in my life sometimes. His shows are often unpredictable but he could probably turn up and fart the melody to Into Your Arms then set fire to the stage and it could be magical. Friday 8pm
2) California X, Nine of Swords, Laika’s Orbit, HVAC at Shea Stadium
Free Williamsburg’s favourite sludge-pop band from Amherst, California X, are back in New York for what seems like the first time in a while. The band’s two records, a self-titled debut from 2013 and last year’s Nights in the Dark, both excel at fuzzy 90s riffs and Dinosaur Jr-esque buried melodies. Laika’s Orbit will bring some pure power-pop to the equation while Nine of Swords will threaten to steal the whole show. Sunday 8pm
1) Afropunk festival at Commodore Barry Park
The annual Afropunk festival takes place over Saturday and Sunday at the usual spot, Commodore Barry park. The line-up is as always genre-hopping and this year is no exception. TV On the Radio headline on Saturday (who also headlined back in 2012) along with the likes of Tyler the Creator, Flying Lotus, George Clinton, Shabazz Palaces and Downtown Boys. On Sunday you can catch Ice Cube, Janelle Monae, Living Colour and more. Tickets are still available. Saturday and Sunday from 12pm
