Written by Patrick McNamara

Are you ready to talk about some good shows?

I said are you ready to talk about some good shows!

Nobody ever answers me.

That’s OK. I know that just means you’re listening extra hard.

Ready or not. Let’s talk about good shows.

Thursday - December 18th, 2014 A.D.

Real Estate (please pay no attention to that four year old band profile) + Shorts (that one's good, though - echo... echo) play a free show (with RSVP - and it’s already closed - and Rockness is a buzzkill) at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Will this show be easy? Will this show be breezy? What would you say if I told you it was going to be both? Yes. This one will be an easy breezy chill time.

Ice Choir play Cameo Gallery. This is a good band. Spandau Ballet and Tears For Fears to open... if only in... myyyyy... dreamsssss. Here's a wonderful holiday song for your pleasure.

Delicate Steve play Glasslands. Why am I recommending this show? It’s a “Butterfly” thing. You wouldn’t understand (unless you totally do, man…. unless you totally do).

*please note this song is already three years old and I'm going to keep posting it until it's 30

Mitski (click that) recently released one of the best albums of the year. See her and her band play songs from it in the real live flesh tonight at Knitting Factory. Bellows is playing this show too. Click their name to learn why I like them too.

Other notable shows = Soulside at Saint Vitus + Life Size Maps at Baby’s All Right + Nashville Pussy at Gramercy Theatre + John Hodgman at Grand Masonic Lodge + Walter Martin of The Walkmen at Joe’s Pub + Krill at Shea Stadium + Har Mar Superstar at The Bowery Electric

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Friday - December 19th, 2014 A.D.

Mates of State play two shows at Mercury Lounge tonight. I’m glad to see these two are still doing it all these years later. You can’t stop the male/female indiepop. You can only hope to sing along loudly for all to hear. Here's an oldie but a goodie.

L.A.’s Goldroom brings the beats, blips, and booms to Webster Hall. If this guy keeps it up I’m gonna have to award him a Dance Jam Master certificate of excellence that I print out from home using my off-brand PC.

Speaking of the beats, eccentro-dance man Matthew Dear does his thing at Verboten. He deserves a Dance Jam Master certificate of excellence too. And he’ll get one too. As soon as I have enough capital to replace my toner.

Hip-hopsters Ratking represent Harlem and XL Recordings. They lead a good free show at Brooklyn Night Bazaar where you can also purchase locally grown trinkets and tacos.

Other notable shows = Rivergazer at Shea Stadium + Run-DMC at Barclays Center + RL Grime at Output + Heaven’s Gate at Silent Barn + Thievery Corporation at Webster Hall

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Saturday - December 20th, 2014 A.D.

Fat White Family have developed a reputation as one of those “crazy” live bands. So things might get a little “crazy” at Baby’s All Right tonight. PC Worship and Sunflower Bean (the #1 Hardest Working NYC Band in 2014) also play. Let’s get “crazy.”

Lemuria + Slothrust + Spraynard + The Young Leaves play at Brooklyn Night Bazaar. This one should pop. This one should punk. You didn’t have to pay to go to this one either.

Widowspeak play Glasslands with Quilt and What Moon Things and this lends further support to my previous claim that just about every show at Glasslands from here on out is going to be good.

Other notable shows = Nick Lowe at Music Hall of Williamsburg + Com Truise at Glasslands (late) + Jonathan Toubin at Brooklyn Bowl + Matisyahu at Best Buy Theater + Chris Gethard at Union Hall

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Sunday - December 21st, 2014 A.D.

Dave Harrington (Darkside + a bunch of other bands) invited his friends to make the holidays spectacular at Glasslands. His friends include members of Bear in Heaven + Real Estate + The Antlers and not to brag but I’ve totally heard of all three of those bands, NBD.

The Front Bottoms are hosting a Champagne Jam party at Webster Hall with Kevin Devine + Craig Finn of The Hold Steady + The So So Glos + some special guests. This one looks fun. Just don’t have too much fun at a Champagne Jam. You’ll get a headache that’s resistant to any and all forms of OTC medication.

Oh, yeah. Tyler, The Creator plays Terminal 5. And this guy is still………. around.

Other notable shows = Netflix + Amazon Prime + Hulu Plus + Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust

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You know what we just did?

It's cool. You don't have to answer. I'll just tell you.

We talked about some good shows.

That's what we just did.