For some, this week marks the start of Fashion Week, a time when “front row” means sitting stiffly next to editors and celebrities as a barrage of waifs cascade down a lit runway. For music lovers, “front row” this week will mean getting sweated on by The National, Huey Lewis and the News, and Theophilus London. Here’s the best of the week’s musical acts.
Tuesday, February 8th
Who: Deerhoof, Ben Butler & Mousepad, Buke and Gass, Nervous Cop @: Europa Tickets: $15
Who: The National @: The Studio at Webster Hall, 8PM Tickets: Sold Out Details: The “MTV Live in NYC” show sold out in 1 second. Good luck scalping at the door!
Who: Gang of Four, Hollerado @: Webster Hall, 7PM Tickets: $37
Wednesday, February 9th
Who: Nicole Atkins & The Black Sea, The Gay Blades, Mon Khmer @: Bowery Ballroom, 8PM Tickets: $16 advance, $18 door Details: After making some adjustments in her band, which now features Christopher Donofrio on drums, Brad York on guitars, and Anthony Chick on bass, Nicole Atkins has changed the name from “Nicole Atkins and the Sea” to “Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea.” On top of the shuffling, Atkins has severed ties with Columbia Records, and has released her newest album, Mondo Amore, on Razor and Tie Records.
Who: Huey Lewis And The News @: Gramercy Theatre, 8PM Tickets: $49
Who: Soft Landing @: Matchless, 8PM Tickets: Not Listed Details: Here’s a little live bit when Soft Landing played Lit Lounge. Thursday, February 10
Who: Free Blood, Lymbyc System @: Brooklyn Bowl, 8:00PM Tickets: $5 advance, $7 door Details: Brooklyn New York’s Free Blood formed in 2003, and is in the RCRD LBL family. Their catchy dance tunes are more arty than poppy, and are almost sinister in some effect. Bonus point: Their music is featured on the 127 Hours soundtrack, and in this trailer:
Who: Titus Andronicus, Care Bears On Fire, Toy Sugar, Deux Chattes @: Mercury Lounge, 7:30PM Tickets: $20 Details: Shoegaze/Punk rockers Titus team up with the teen rock group, Care Bears On Fire (who started their band before they were 12 years old) for the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls Benefit tonight.
Friday, February 11th
Who: Josh Joplin, Jill Andrews @: 92Y Tribeca Tickets: $12 Details: Josh Joplin’s crooning sounds nearly identical to REM’s Michael Stipe. It’s a little creepy.
Who: Javelin, High Life, Monster Rally @: Glasslands, 8:30PM Tickets: $10 Details: Pitchfork accolades for Javelin, the “Punk/R&B” Brooklyn band, include: “Rising” artist, one of the “Albums of the Year” and has been mentioned under Pitchfork’s “Best New Music” category. They headline Glassland’s “Stuff Hipsters Hate” party.
Who: Colour Revolt, A Great Big Pile Of Leaves, Your Skull My Closet @: Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 8:00PM Tickets: $12 Details: The Mississippi band, Colour Revolt, play pretty, expressive indie rock widely considered to be underrated, which has earned them an enthusiastic following. This is their “music video” for “Mattressess Under Water.”
Saturday, February 12
Who: Sun Airway, Nightlands, Warm Ghost, Dinowalrus @: Glasslands, 8:30PM Tickets: $8 advance, $10 door
Who: Screaming Females, Laura Stevenson & The Cans, Shellshag, Lemuria, Byrds of Paradise @: Music Hall of Williamsburg, 7:00PM Tickets: $10 advance, $12 door Details: Don Giovanni Records Showcase
Who: The Forms @: The Rock Shop, 8:00PM Tickets: $10 Details: Mac Randall of The New York Observer described the band as “aggro-artsy trio fond of awkward time signatures, sly rhythmic manipulation, curlicuing vocal lines, and giving one song two separate track numbers for no obvious reason.” This is their album release party for “Derealization + Icarus.”
Who: Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band @: Webster Hall, 7:00PM Tickets: $25
Who: The Library Is On Fire, The Party of Helicopters @: Tliofhq Loft Space, 8:00PM Tickets: Not Priced Details: Loft party alert! See the swaggering, concrete punk rockers, TLIOF at their head quarters: The Tliofhq Loft Space at 114 Forrest St. 3c in Brooklyn!
Sunday, February 13th
Who: Wild Nothing, Abe Vigoda, MINKS @: Bowery Ballroom, 8:00PM Tickets: $13 advance, $15 door
Who: Bear Hands @: In Vino Wine Bar, 7:30PM Tickets: $25 Details: Tickets to see this post-punk/experimental/indie rock act includes 4 glasses of wine.
Monday, February 15th
Who: Theophilus London, PoPo, New Look @: Music Hall of Williamsburg, 8:00PM Tickets: $13 advance, $15 door Details: Theophilus London is a mixtape man (This Charming Man tape mashed up The Smiths and Elvis Costello) and joined Mark Ronson to form the band Chauffeur.