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Videos: ‘Portal’ Musical Spectacular, Plus Poll!
The original Portal had one helluva song at the end of it, for which we have Jonathan Coulton to thank. And guess what? Coulton’s done it again! Take a listen to “Want You Gone” in Portal 2′s ending credits, but beware of spoilers for the game itself: More »
Check Out The National’s New Music Video Starring Kristen Schaal And John Slattery
We’re huge fans of this trend of our favorite comedians starring in music videos by our favorite bands, even if the results can be a bit bizarre. In this vid for The National’s “Conversation 16″ stars Kristen Schaal as the United States President and also features John Slattery, James Urbaniak and a super intense love triangle. More »
Pool Parties to Continue, Another Summer Park Show Announced
As many of you know, the infamous JellyNYC summer Pool Parties were yet again in danger of not happening. Last summer the mostly free concert series were in danger of being discontinued after the venue they had been taking place for 3 years, McCarren Park Pool, was going to be under going construction to become a functioning pool again. Just in the nick of time, the concerts were moved to Williamsburg’s East River Park, which proved to be a wonderful… More »
Flaming Lips, Florence & the Machine, The National, Los Campesinos!, and More On Sale
Lots of new albums coming out, so that means lots of tours. On sale now:
After Hot Chip’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on February 4, the after party will be at Brooklyn Bowl, with a live set by We Are Wolves and a DJ set by Hot Chip. Tickets
Them Crooked Vultures are at Roseland Ballroom on February 8. Tickets
Tegan & Sara have announced a special Brooklyn show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on February 15. Tickets
Cage the Elephant is at Music… More »
Your Guide to the Halloween Concerts in NYC
Image: Newscom
From this year’s Thompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, October 26, 2009.
Still figuring out what to do for Halloween? Aside from lots of dog-costume parades, there are a ton of concerts, of course. Listed below are the shows happening on Halloween (Saturday, October 31), including some that were just announced. My picks are in orange.
Flavorpill Halloween: Gods and Heroes. With The Very Best, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, DJ Stretch Armstrong, Subswara at a “secret location” (I’m pretty sure… More »
Pitchfork: Saturday
To continue on my review of the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago last weekend (see first installment here), I will now give a review of Saturday. Of course, I did not see everything as that is impossible, but here’s what I did see:
Unfortunately, I got there pretty late and missed seeing Plants and Animals which was a bummer and The Antlers, who are awesome, but they play in NYC all the time and there next show is at Mercury Lounge… More »
Virgin Mobile Fest is Free This Year
Although not in New York, the Virgin Mobile Fest in Maryland is only a few hours away. And this year it’s free! Taking place on August 30, 2009, the festival will be at Merriweather Post Pavilion, one of my favorite venues anywhere (and also the namesake of Animal Collective’s last album). Regular free tickets are gone, but you can get free VIP tickets by volunteering. Find out how here. And here is the lineup:
Blink-182
Weezer
Franz Ferdinand
Girl Talk
Jet
Mates of State
Public Enemy
Taking Back… More »
BAM Next Wave with The National, The Breeders, and So Percussion
BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) has announced its lineup for this fall’s Next Wave Festival. I know it seems far away, but there are two very cool musical events happening.
1) The Long Count: “In an inspired collision of creative worlds, three inexhaustibly original artists—brothers Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner of indie rock royalty The National and omnivorous visual art phenomenon Matthew Ritchie—combine talents to create a song-filled myth about the beginning of time. A feast of images, instrumentals, and songs… More »
Dark Was the Night at Radio City Music Hall
Last year, Red Hot, which donates money to AIDS research, came out with their 20th compilation album, the amazing Dark Was the Night, featuring such great artists as David Byrne, Sharon Jones, Yeasayer, Bon Iver, and many others. If you don’t have the album I suggest you get it asap!
Last night there was a grand celebration to celebrate the album, with all proceeds going to Red Hot. It was at Radio City Music Hall and it really was great. The… More »
Lykke Li, Amanda Palmer, The Thermals, and More On Sale
This Friday is no different than other Fridays: Lots of tickets going on sale at noon. Here’s the rundown:
Image: Newscom, Zumawire
Matisyahu at Webster Hall in December 2008
Lykke Li will be at Highline Ballroom on June 1 (tickets)
Amanda Palmer will be at Highline Ballroom on June 5 (tickets)
Melissa Ferrick and Hesta Prynn will be at Highline Ballroom on June 6 (tickets)
Girl in a Coma (on Joan Jett’s Blackheart label) will be at Highline Ballroom on June 19 (tickets)
Phish at Jones Beach… More »
All Points West: Coldplay, Beastie Boys, Tool, and More
Image: Devorah Klein
Andrew Bird at All Points West Festival 2008
The dates and lineup of the second year of All Points West Festival has finally been announced. Here are the deets:
It’s at Liberty State Park In NJ again (they promised better trasnsportation this year) and will take place on July 31, August 1 and 2. But you want to know the lineup don’t you? Here it is:
Friday, July 31: Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, The National, Fleet Foxes, MSTRKRFT,… More »
India.Arie, MGMT, Aretha, and More On Sale
The following shows are on sale now, or at noon today:
Ratatat have added a second show at Terminal 5 on April 22. Tickets
Shiny Toy Guns are at Webster Hall on April 23. Tickets
James Morrison is at Webster Hall on April 30. Tickets
India.Arie will be at the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center on May 1. Tickets
If you didn’t get your Dark Was The Night tickets on presale, they are now on regular sale. The National, Feist, and others will be… More »
Dark Was the Night Show on Presale
Image: Amazon
Dark Was the Night, the awesome compilation put out by Red Hot (charity for AIDS) featuring the likes of David Byrne, Feist, Grizzly Bear, The National, Sharon Jones, and many more, is putting on a show at Radio City Music Hall.
On May 3, Dirty Projectors, Feist, My Brightest Diamond, The National, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, David Sitek, and more (rumored to be there: David Byrne, Grizzly Bear) will converge on Radio City Music Hall for a good… More »
Dark Was The Night Listening Party
Image: Amazon
If you haven’t heard of it yet, get ready to be really excited. Dark Was The Night is a compilation being put out to benefit the Red Hot Organization–an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture. This album will be 2 discs and chock full of amazing collaborations. Check out this track listing:
THIS DISC
1 Knotty Pine – Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
2 Cello Song (Nick Drake) – The Books featuring Jose… More »
Bands Playing with the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Two of my favorite classical side projects–Clogs (members of the National) and Bell Orchestre (members of Arcade Fire)–are coming to New York to play an amazing show at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) on February 26. They will be playing Shuffle Mode with the Brooklyn Philharmonic:
Shuffle Mode will bring a critically acclaimed independent artist to the mainstage in an exiting new concert format. Using seeming contradictory musical languages to create a dialogue, Michael Christie and the orchestra will team up… More »
Shugo Tokumaru with Impeccable Band
Last night Japanese indie popster Shugo Tokumaru made his NYC debut at the Mercury Lounge. The place was packed and the anticipation was palpable. Shugo didn’t talk much, but the music was splendid. With a back band made up of Jon Natchez (Beirut), Bryan Devendorf (The National), Perrin Cloutier (Beirut), and Lawson White (So Percussion). The set was pretty short (less than an hour), but Shugo did mention that he will be back next month to play at Bowery… More »
Shugo Tokumaru at Mercury Tonight
Japanese indie pop musician Shugo Tokumaru makes his U.S. debut tonight (finally!) at Mercury Lounge. He is celebrating the release of his latest album, which is the first to be released in the U.S. It’s called Exit and it is marvelous. Full of joyful hooks and bouncy melodies it puts a smile on my face every time I put it on.
Tonight he is playing with members of Beirut and the National so it is sure to be a grea show,… More »
The National, She & Him, Ratatat On Sale Friday
Yeasayer @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Photo Permission: Devorah Klein
The National, Yeasayer, and Plants and Animals (whose debut album I happen to really like) have been added to the SummerStage lineup and will be there on August 4. She & Him (M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel) are returning to NYC to play a show at Terminal 5 on July 26. And Finally, Ratatat have a new album coming out and will be at Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 15. All of… More »
BAM’s Next Fest Featuring Music All Over Brooklyn
Brooklyn Academy of Music’s second Next Fest is taking place the weekends of February 15-16 and 22-24 at BAM and at venues all over Brooklyn, including SouthPaw, Union Hall, Pete’s Candy Store, and Zebulon.
Performers include The National, White Rabbits, Ola Podrida, Citizen Cope, Takka Takka, Nuclear Family, Travis Morrison Hellfighters, Laura Cantrell, and many, many more. Check here for the complete schedule…. More »
R.E.M. to Tour with the National and Modest Mouse
Rock legends R.E.M. will be touring with two bands who are have been making their mark on the musical landscape for the past few years: The National and Modest Mouse. These three bands will be touring North America in the spring and are sure to put on an excellent show. Here are the dates announced so far:
May 23 – Vancouver, BC – Deer Lake Park
May 29 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
May 31 – San Francisco, CA – Greek… More »