Written by Patrick McNamara

These are the good shows happening in NYC this weekend.

Please join me on a cosmic content journey through digital space and musical time.

Thursday - December 17, 2015 A.D.

Tim Kasher + Beach Slang + Field Mouse play Knitting Factory.

Solid. Solid. SOLID.

James Murphy does a DJ set at Output. Of course, the great Mr. Murphy (he who turned our subways into symphonies) is most famous for that one band he used to lead. You know that one band I'm referring to, of course. Speedking!

Will Butler plays Music Hall of Williamsburg. No. Not Win. Will. The other one. Like the other guy in Wham! if George Michael and the other guy in Wham! were brothers. In summation, Arcade Fire.

(*remind me to tell you about the time I saw Arcade Fire at tiny Arlene's Grocery the story goes a little something like this I saw Arcade Fire at tiny Arlene's Grocery once)

Other notable shows = Laurie Anderson at Secret Project Robot + Bayside at Gramercy Theatre + Painted Zeros at Alphaville

SEE ALL OF OUR THURSDAY PICKS

Friday - December 18, 2015 A.D.

Perfect Pussy (good band) + Big Ups (good band) + Guerilla Toss (good band) play Music Hall of Williamsburg.

File Under: Good Bands.

Foals plays Terminal 5. And really what more can be said about Foals that hasn't already been said.

I got nothing, guys.

Expert Alterations + Mercury Girls + Gingerlys lead a solid jingle jangle lineup at Alphaville. DJ sounds provided by Kip of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

Speaking of Gingerlys, they made it onto our Hardest Working Bands of 2015 list so be sure to check that out because we worked really hard making it.

Other notable shows = Rick from Pile at Palisades + Pete Tong at Output + H.R. from Bad Brains at The Bowery Electric + Todd Rundgren at The Wellmont Theatre + Armor for Sleep at Webster Hall

SEE ALL OF OUR FRIDAY PICKS

Saturday - December 19, 2015 A.D.

London's James Blake is in town. Again. He does a DJ set at Output. Again. Just move here, dude.

Remember when I was talking about Expert Alterations and Mercury Girls earlier? That's OK if you don't. I skim the Internet too, sometimes. Both bands are good and play again tonight, this time at Cake Shop with EZTV.

Legendary underground Washington D.C. duo Royal Trux (Neil Hagerty + Jennifer Herrema) play their first New York City show in something like 15 years at Webster Hall tonight. It won't be a Drag.

Other notable shows = Matmos at The Stone + Taking Back Sunday at Starland Ballroom + Moving Mountains at Music Hall of Williamsburg + Todd Rundgren at Gramercy Theatre + San Fermin at Bowery Ballroom

SEE ALL OF OUR SATURDAY PICKS

Sunday - December 20, 2015 A.D.

If you want to spend your leisurely Sunday afternoon listening to something heavy might I suggest Baroness at Rough Trade at 1:30 PM today? It's free with RSVP. Or, you could see them later tonight at Saint Vitus Bar. Or, go do something else I don't care.

The Bell House has a big time comedy fundraiser for Syrian children tonight. Guests include Todd Barry, Starlee Kine (her Mystery Show podcast is great, you know), David Cross, Dave Hill, Jon Glaser and more secrets and surprises.

Other notable shows = perhaps stream something while sitting on your couch I read on the Internet we're really living in the golden age of television

SEE ALL OF OUR SUNDAY PICKS

OK that's it. Have fun out there. Don't do anything stupid like stand around and stare at your phone the whole time.

You're the best. Around. Nothin's gonna ever keep you down.