Written by Patrick McNamara

Let’s discuss the Best Shows in NYC This Week. You skim and scroll. I’ll meander and veer. And together, we’ll both investigate the potential goodness of a week full of possibilities. Boom. For real.

Thursday - May 9th, 2013 A.D.

School of Seven Bells guitarist Benjamin Curtis was recently diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. Support Benjamin Curtis’ recovery with a benefit tonight at Glasslands. Lots of good bands are playing. Click that link. And, of course, it’s for a very good cause. Wishing him a speedy recovery.



I was watching E! the other day (relax, it was at the gym on the treadmill)(fine, i mean the elliptical)(sigh...it was one of those bikes you can slowly pedal while basically lying down) and there was some gossipy news show on. And they took a minute to play the Palma Violets video on their in-studio screen. It was weird. I can’t 100% remember if it was this video below since I was too busy gasping for air (have YOU ever tried to eat a Oh Henry! bar while slowly pedalling a reclining stationary bike?). Anyway, they’re playing MHOW tonight. Palma Violets, that is. They’re also playing tomorrow at Bowery. Ballroom, that is.



Neon Indian is doing a DJ set at Output tonight. I was going to put in a video of one of his DJ sets. But I didn’t want to make you throw up. No, no. Not because it sounded bad. But because apparently people only like to shoot REALLY shaky videos of Neon Indian DJ sets. It’s like, am I watching a guy turns some knobs or am I riding the Cyclone here? Am I right? Who are these monsters?

SEE ALL OF OUR THURSDAY SHOW PICKS.

Friday - May 10th, 2013 A.D.

The solid Downtown Music Festival starts tonight. Two nights. Various venues. Good bands (like Purity Ring + DIIV + Beach Fossils + Sky Ferreira + Ducktails + Teengirl Fantasy + on it goes). And good company (like you). Check out everything that’s going on in this cute little custom list we made for you. I think that list has my eyes. Don’t you?

Small Black do a DJ set for FREE (curse you CAPS LOCK) at the 7 Dunham Gallery tonight. It’s the opening of the “Limits of Desire” art show. Now, I can’t be going around describing “art” (whatever that word means) show concepts in three sentences or less. So just click the link for more information and enjoy this fine Small Black song while you do.



Mission of Burma + Merchandise play a FREE (did it again - and even linked it too - i hate myself sometimes) show outside for NYU’s Strawberry Festival today at noon. Look, I love strawberries as much as the next guy. But would I name a festival after them? Hard to say, dear Rockness reader. Hard to say.



SEE ALL OF OUR FRIDAY SHOW PICKS.

Saturday - May 11th, 2013 A.D.

Besides all the shows for the Downtown Music Festival tonight (you already clicked that link from one day ago, didn’t you? I said DIDN’T YOU, DAMN YOU!!!) - we’ll use this space to talk about some other shows going on tonight. Cool? Cool.

Gold Panda plays Knitting Factory. It’s sold-out. So if you don’t already have a ticket...you can’t go. And if you do have a ticket...what do you need to read about this for? You’re already going. Sometimes I just don’t know, guys. I just...don’t...know.



Mudhoney plays MHOW with Pissed Jeans (and tomorrow at Bowery). Watch the video below. Is it just me...or do those guitars sound a little....what’s the word....not muddy, exactly. They’re not THAT dirty sounding. Soiled? No. That’s not it. Wait. Maybe these guitars sound a little...grungy? Is grungy even a word? Hmm. Better keep thinking about it some. In the meantime, I’m gonna go buy a bowl of coffee from an alternative coffee shop. Just got to chain my wallet to my pants and find any old shirt to throw on. Yes. This flannel at the bottom of my hamper should do nicely.



Sleepies shred something good. They’re at Death by Audio tonight. Check out this video for Terra Firma. But first. Relax your mind. And your body will follow.



SEE ALL OF OUR SATURDAY SHOW PICKS.

Sunday - May 12th, 2013 A.D.

You still want to go to another show tonight?? After all you’ve seen and done this week??? OK. I admire your stamina. I’m just going to cool out though. I’ve been meaning to reconnect with my couch anyway. We’ve been drifting apart lately. And something so comfy shouldn’t have to be so lonely and sad. Maybe I’ll sit on it and together we’ll listen to Youth Lagoon tonight. That should make my couch feel better. Oh, yeahhh!!!! LET’S GET SADDDDDDDD.

SEE ALL OF OUR SUNDAY SHOW PICKS.

That’s it. That’s the update. There’s no more. You can go click around on something else now. Unless you want to read and stream it again. Words and sounds may not change. But the mind often does. Remember that, man. Remember that.