It’s that time of the year where people who have seen a picture of a four leaf clover, but probably couldn’t find Ireland on a map, think they’re Irish. What you should do this weekend instead, is check out these great shows.
5) Baked, Lost Boy?, BBGuns, The Zells at The Footlight
Two local stalwarts of the DIY scene of the last, well, decade in Lost Boy?‘s case, seven years for Baked, will be joined by two acts out of Pittsburgh. One of whom is particularly recommended, The Zells released Failure to Slide last year and sounds like it’s straight out of that Shea Stadium scene, they really shouldn’t be missed. Saturday 9pm
4) The Flesh Eaters, Porcupine at Bowery Ballroom
Supergroup The Flesh Eaters released their first album in 15 years called I Used to Be Pretty on Yep Roc. Singer/poet Chris D has assembled a formidable line-up for this version of the band, featuring members of X, The Blasters and Los Lobos. Openers Porcupine feature bassist Greg Norton of Husker Du fame and released What You’ve Heard Isn’t Real last year and are definitely worth seeing if you liked Husker’s more melodic moments. Sunday 8pm
3) Teenage Fanclub, The Love Language at Music Hall of Williamsburg
A Teenage Fanclub show should really be a shoe-in for the #1 slot on most weeks, but I have to confess it seems a little strange writing about a Fannies show that doesn’t include founder member and bassist/vocalist/songwriter Gerard Love. The show will still be great, Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley have classic tunes to last a lifetime as well, it just seems a little… weird. However, life moves on, and sometimes your favourite bands change their lineups, and they’ll still be wonderful. Thursday 8pm
2) Guster, Nada Surf at Beacon Theatre
I have to confess, I have no idea who Guster are, but they must have done something right to be headlining the Beacon Theatre. What I do care about, is one of my all-time favourite bands and, I submit, one of New York’s all time greats, Nada Surf. The band’s last album was 2016’s fantastic You Know Who You Are, so one would hope that new material is being worked on, but since they’re just opening this show and they don’t seem to have anything planned beyond this show be the looks of things, it only makes the #2 slot this week, but even a short set from Nada Surf, at the Beacon no less, is worth celebrating. Saturday 8pm
1) Have A Nice Life, Planning For Burial, Elizabeth Colour Wheel, Midwife, Consumer at Market Hotel
If you thought this lineup reads like it might be at Saint Vitus then you wouldn’t be too far off, since this is a Saint Vitus presents show at Market Hotel. Connecticut duo Have A Nice Life have released two full length records that mash up industrial, shoegaze, goth, post-rock,drone and doom (basically all the upbeat genres). With 2014’s The Unnatural World being the pick of the two. They also play at Brooklyn Bazaar on Saturday night, but the show is sold out at the time of writing, while Market Hotel currently still has tickets. Friday 8pm
