Written by Patrick McNamara

SXSW is over……...and we shall never speak of it again.

Let it go. Let it go.

I am one with the wind and sky.

Let it go. Let it go.

You’ll never see me cry.

(if you can’t say something nice don’t say that song sucks because it does)

These are The Best Shows This Weekend.

And this weekend is pretty good!

Thursday - March 20th, 2014 A.D.

Philadelphia shoegaze noise staggerers Nothing play Saint Vitus tonight. Their soaring darkness fills the swirling sinister void and makes me feel slightly better about things. It’s really something.

Ex-Hex is Mary Timony’s (Helium, Wild Flag) new band (with Betsy Wright and Laura Harris - they were also in other bands - wow! mint! rare!). They play Glasslands tonight (and Mercury Lounge on Friday). Expect to get power popped and feel pleasantly fuzzy after.

Scotland’s Withered Hand (aka Dan Willson) plays pop at The Bell House tonight. It’s to celebrate the 22nd issue of chickfactor - the jingle jangle indiepop loving magazine started in 1992 by Gail O’Hara and Pam Berry (of the band Black Tambourine). Speaking of Black Tambourine, here’s a Withered Hand song. It’s called Black Tambourine. And it’s really good.

(Jim Ruiz Set also plays this show - he plays good eccentro-pop similar to Adam Green or Stephin Merritt or Jens Lekman or whoever you think - and yes, I’m still trying to get “eccentro-pop” recognized as a music genre - and I will not rest until I see someone else use it in print - but seeing it used in digital would be fine too.)

Other notable shows tonight = Excepter at Radio Bushwick + Drive-By Truckers and Blitzen Trapper at Terminal 5 + Magic Man at Mercury Lounge + Keren Ann at City Winery.

SEE ALL OF OUR THURSDAY SHOW PICKS.

Friday - March 21st, 2014 A.D.

Ooh. This night is big. It’s almost as if everybody is coming back through town from a rather large music festival or something.

Some of my current favorite punks play Shea Stadium tonight. Roomrunner + Big Ups + Greys + Kal Marks. It’s going to be loud. And crunchy. And extremely fun. If you don’t go to this show you’re stupid.

(jk i luv u, bb boo boo)

Anamanaguchi play Brooklyn Night Bazaar tonight. It’s free. But I would pay for it. I’m totally not going to. But I would. Because this too will be an extremely fun show. What’s not to like about these guys? Anamanaguchi are like the most entertaining non-violent video game you’ve ever played in your life meets positivity and gladness of heart. Hell, it’s fun just to TYPE Anamanaguchi. Go ahead. Try it. Anamanaguchi. Anamanaguchi. Anamanaguchi. See how your fingers fly? What a kick!

How to Dress Well (aka Tom Krell) plays pretty popular alt ‘n b at Rough Trade tonight. At least this is supposed to be at Rough Trade. But one can never tell anymore. Bet that place has Baby’s All Right on speed dial by now. Also, remember speed dial? You should consider going to this show. But I won’t be there. Because I already know how to dress well. Arcade Fire taught me. One night in Bridgeport.

Never had the chance to dance Down Under? Let Cut Copy bring it to you. They play Terminal 5 tonight (and tomorrow too - and Sunday at the brand new Verboten). And they came over from the other side of the WORLD to do so. But if you think going alllll the way up to Midtown West for this show is a little too far of a commute for you, better sit this one out. Baby.

Remember when I was talking about chickfactor and their party at The Bell House? Tonight is Night #2 of that. Sweet jingle jangle is bigger than just one night, guys. The Clientele and Versus lead the good lineup. The Bell House is so pretty, isn’t it?

Other notable shows tonight = Warpaint at Webster Hall + Teengirl Fantasy at Baby’s All Right + Vulture Shit at Emet + Telepathe at Death by Audio + Future of What at Glasslands.

SEE ALL OF OUR FRIDAY SHOW PICKS.

Saturday - March 22nd, 2014 A.D.

New Jersey punks Screaming Females play the legendary (I think it’s safe to say that now) alt activism space ABC No Rio today. Didn’t I just write about Screaming Females last week on this thing? Or was that two weeks ago? I don’t even know anymore, guys. I just do the material and BLOOP out it goes into the ether to be promptly ignored (except by the 13 of you, of course - I love you guys). This will be a good show. Because punk.

Chicago’s Psychic Twin play Radio Bushwick tonight. Recommended if you like synth pop that makes you feel a little bit better about things. Read some more dynamic words I recently wrote about this band by clicking their name. Never feel sad again.

The Pizza Underground play Baby’s All Right tonight! AND HOW YOU GONNA JUST GO AND DROP YOUR SON OFF A CLIFF, MOMS?!?!?!

(that one dedicated to the 13.)

Other notable shows = Talib Kweli (day + FREE) at Rough Trade + Shearwater and Death Vessel at The Bell House + Elysian Fields at Rough Trade (later + pay).

SEE ALL OF OUR SATURDAY SHOW PICKS.

Sunday - March 23rd, 2014 A.D.

There’s some shows happening tonight that I’ve already mentioned in passing. Like The xx at Park Avenue Armory. And Cut Copy at Verboten. But I’ve said all I’ve needed to say about that.

Las Rosas and Baked play Shea Stadium tonight. Hey, I wrote about those two bands! You can click over to read more and get blown away by how dynamic the original content is - but since I know you’re not going to do that - Las Rosas = nice and dirty guitar jingle jangle - Baked = nice and delicious pastry makers. Recommended if you like sounds.

Like pretty much every Sunday night for the last I don’t even know how long, Hannibal Buress hosts comedy at the Knitting Factory front bar at 5pm tonight. Bring a jar of pickle juice and get 100% off your free ticket.

Feel like couching it tonight instead of going to a show? That’s fine. I get it! No more True Detective tonight, though ;(

What did you think about that final episode? I have some thoughts. But I don’t want to ruin it for any of the 13 of you who haven’t yet seen it. So I guess I’ll just keep them to myself. My opinion doesn’t matter, anyway. Except that it’s empirical truth and THE LAW.

(jk i luv u, bb boo boo)

Watch Cosmos instead. And take a trip over the folds and ripples of infinite space and time, man. Who knows what's even out there?

SEE ALL OF OUR SUNDAY SHOW PICKS.

That’s all I got.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for streaming. Thanks for supporting alt DIY muzik blobs.

See you out there.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Love, Patrick

(P.S. I drove all the snakes out of Ireland.)