Pretty sure we had summer for a hot minute last weekend… but this one should be perfectly pleasant nonetheless. Did you get your Bowie metrocard? Have you started making summer festival plans? Perhaps your needs are of the more immediate variety, in which case, read on.
5) +/-, Great Lakes, Vaze at The Bowery Electric
Brooklyn trio Plus/Minus formed in 2001 from Versus members Patrick Ramos and James Baluyut along with Chris Deaner. The band haven’t released a record since 2014’s rather lovely Jumping the Tracks, but they have been recording new material so expect to hear some new tunes. This show is also the debut performance of Vaze, which features members of Versus and Elk City, and is also a record release show for Great Lakes forDreaming Too Close to the Edge. Saturday 7pm
4) Built To Spill, Rituals of Mine at Baby’s All Right
You could certainly make a good case for this show being #1 this week, but it understandably sold out instantly. The band are currently on a joint headline tour with Afghan Whigs (that just stopped at Brooklyn Steel this Wednesday), but added this particularly small show with Rituals of Mine a couple of weeks ago. Currently performing as a trio, as they have for a couple of years now, the last record was 2015’s Untethered Moon, though that was only their fourth record since 2001’s Ancient Melodies of the Future so it’s hard to say if they’re due any new material yet! Thursday 8pm
3) Preoccupations, Odonis Odonis at Elsewhere
Calgarian quartet Preoccupations released their third record last month, New Material, via Jagjaguwar. It’s another fantastic record, a little heavier on synths than their previous works, and that perfect amount of growing and changing as a band whilst still keeping their idendity. The band have two shows this weekend, as well as this highlighted show at Elsewhere, they play on Thursday at Rough Trade, though that show sold out fairly quickly. The Elsewhere show also has the benefit of having the excellent openers Odonis Odonis grace the stage. Friday 7pm
2) Will Sheff at Strand Bookstore
Okkervil River’s latest record, In the Rainbow Rain, comes out on the 27th of April, but you can score early copies and see Will Sheff play a few songs and being interviewed by AC Newman of The New Pornographers at Strand Bookstore on. Judging by the two songs that have been released from the record so far, it may be the most lush and upbeat Okkervil River record to date. Saturday 8pm
1) The Messthetics, Savak, Sunwatchers at The Bell House
We’re getting a little math-y with the #1 slot this week with The Messthetics, who feature drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally, who you may recognise as members of Fugazi (indeed, this is the first band they have played in together since Fugazi’s hiatus), the band are completed by guitarist Anthony Pirog and the trio weave a nice balance of technical wizardry and pummeling riffs. Their self-titled debut is well worth a listen and you can catch them at The Bell House on Friday with excellent support bands Savak and Sunwatchers. Friday 8pm
Now i will watch it