The Best Shows in NYC This Week: St. Vincent + Future Islands + HAIM + Nick Cave + FKA Twigs + Temples + Modest Mouse + much more goodness! - Oh My Rockness

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The Best Shows in NYC This Week: St. Vincent + Future Islands + HAIM + Nick Cave + FKA Twigs + Temples + Modest Mouse + much more goodness!

August 1, 2014

Written by Patrick McNamara

Welcome to The Best Shows This Week!

Before you read and stream like the champion you already are, I want to mention that there are totally 100% no rules here. Except for these 3.

Rule #1 - this dynamic original digital feature is for alts by alts

Rule #2 - everyone is an alt

Rule #3 - imagine. love. one world. hope

I will now do my best to talk to you about the best emerging buzzy up-and-coming alts to the best of my blob abilities.

Pray for Whoa My Blobness.

Monday - August 4th, 2014 A.D.

Japanese noise legends Boris play Saint Vitus tonight. But it’s not a regular show (that was last week - you missed it - oh well - it’s only rock ‘n roll). This one is being billed as a “Drumless Drone” set. Sounds intense. Keep an open mind. This just might take you to Mars, man. "Drumless Drone" sets are what you make of it.

Bear in Heaven (please pay no attention to that 5 year old band profile - Oh My Rockness: not updating band profiles since 2004) haven’t played here in awhile. So it’s good to see them back in action at Rough Trade. Because Bear in Heaven is a good band. And they make me feel better about Walter Payton’s passing 15 short years ago. Sweetness. If you can read this up there. I just wanted to tell you. You were the best.

Nick Cave plays Florence Gould Hall. He played two shows last week too. But man, who keeps bringing up last week around here? We’re not here to talk about the past! A dynamic music blob doesn’t look back! It’s always the next, the next, the new, the NEW! What could be rather than what is! Tomorrow I’ll be happy! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! But yeah. Nick Cave. He’s a good post-goth.

(*please note: he didn't bring the Bad Seeds - they were acting up and he threatened to turn this car right around and send them home if they didn't start behaving themselves - and when Cave makes a threat - that good post-goth follows THROUGH.)

Other notable shows = RatKing at S.O.B.’s + Wyatt Cenac at Littlefield + The Offspring at Terminal 5 but I told you last week how I feel about this band...they won't rest...until they destroy me

SEE ALL OF OUR MONDAY PICKS

Tuesday - August 5th, 2014 A.D.

HAIM + Sleigh Bells play a free show Brooklyn Bridge Park. Now. Now. Before you get all crazy excited (assuming you like either HAIM or Sleigh Bells which, granted, could make a giant ass out of you and Ming) I should tell you that the RSVP list for this one is closed. But you know what? Maybe it’ll reopen? I do believe that’s never once happened in the ten years we’ve been doing this blob but maybe that just means we’re both due! Stay positive out there. It’ll add years to your life. Even if it means more instances of crushing disappointment. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Modest Mouse play The Capitol Theatre (and Thursday at the Starland Ballroom + Saturday at Forest Hills Stadium + well, it’s not like I’m going to discuss their whole tour or anything - keep it focused, Blobness - keep it focused). They’re a good band. But do you remember when they were a REALLY good band? No, no. It was before the “Float On” days. Think back. Here. Maybe this video will help remind you.

(btw Modest Mouse tooooootally stole their name from that one Vampire Weekend song)

Talented funnyman Liam McEneaney celebrates his birthday at The Bell House with his friends who also just so happen to be talented and funny. These friends include Gilbert Gottfried + Mike Doughty of Soul Coughing + more. You will also enjoy the adult contemporary tunes of Hand Job Academy and their sugar sweet rap ballads about menstruation, masturbation, and sharks. Bring Memaw and Grandpa!

Other notable shows = Panic! at The Disco (ha - sure - why not - that one goddamn door song was alright) at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden + Landlady at Death by Audio + Lost Boy? at Shea Stadium + The Teen Age at Brooklyn Bowl

SEE ALL OF OUR TUESDAY PICKS

Wednesday - August 6th, 2014 A.D.

Charlotte’s It Looks Sad play Cake Shop tonight. And holy shit. This is so weird. But I JUST wrote about that band. It’s almost like I PLANNED it or something, man. I definitely recommend you consider going if you like “gentle post-indiepop jingle jangle that shimmers like a setting summer.” (i love quoting myself back to me - it’s the best - not a sad dynamic content move at all.)

Good crunchy up-and-coming sludgy pretty punk one all around at Death by Audio tonight. Ex-Breathers (i’ll write about you soon) + Sneeze (click that) + Deism (you too) + Vulture Shit (click that) play. This one will be nice and noisy. Bring earplugs and nobody gets hurt. I wear ‘em to every show. Even the quiet ones. I’m just sort of into the idea of hearing stuff when I’m a little bit older. But I’m weird. So….. whatever. You do you. It’s your journey, man.

Smooth brooding London trip-hop-popster FKA Twigs plays Webster Hall tonight. Sexy, sexy beats meets sad, sad songs. Sounds like a party to me.

Presidents of the United States of America play at Irving Plaza. In a crowded field, this band wrote what is probably the finest pop song EVER about peaches. Yeah, girl. He went there. Speaking of peaches, did you see this? Oh, China. Never change.

Other notable shows = Old 97s at Brooklyn Bowl + Emmylou Harris at Damrosch Bandshell + Omar Souleyman at Glasslands + Jesse Malin at The Bowery Electric

SEE ALL OF OUR WEDNESDAY PICKS

Thursday - August 7th, 2014 A.D.

Are you ready to talk free? Let’s talk free. Future Islands play a free show at House of Vans tonight. Buuuuuuut……. the RSVP list is closed. Stay positive out there. Stay positive. If you can’t get into the show, just watch this clip over and over from the comforts of your home. Someone teach me these dance moves immediately. My whole repertoire currently consists of moves I learned watching this.

Atlanta sludge sluts Whores play Saint Vitus tonight. This loud ass beautiful BRUTAL noise will bury your FACE in a blitz of shreddy vengeful FURY. So bring your the MOMS. Bring your KIDS. Because this one spells F-U-N for the whole F-A-M-I-L-Y.

Super smooth easy breezy jingle jangle band Free Time play Baby’s All Right tonight. They’re led by Aussie turned New Yorker Dion Nania. Jonah Maurer is also in this band. He’s in some other band called Real Estate. I’m not familiar. Anyway. Free Time are good, dudes. Go if you like “what, me worry?” pop.

England’s psych-y “almost maybe” rock stars Temples + pure pop celestial angels Here We Go Magic + “local psych-y not quite yet but who knows maybe someday” rock stars Spires play a free show at Pier 84 in Hudson River Park. That’s pretty much my favorite pier. Although 57 is pretty good too. And 8 has its charms. Temples was cited by Noel Gallagher as being the best new band in Britain. If you’ll remember from last week, I also mentioned Noel said the same thing about Jagwar Ma (minus the Britain part - they’re from Australia). That guy sure is generous with the praise. Every new band should send him their song links STAT.

Other notable shows = Dead Stars at Mercury Lounge + Osekre & The Lucky Bastards at Joe’s Pub + Old 97s at Brooklyn Bowl (again) + Mykki Blanco at East River Amphitheater (free) + Modest Mouse at Starland Ballroom but I already straight told you that

SEE ALL OF OUR THURSDAY PICKS

Friday - August 8th, 2014 A.D.

It’s the annual Full Moon party at Governors Island’s tonight. Did you know this was an annual thing? Well, you do now. The electric-y dance-y lineup includes Delorean + The Knocks + JDH & Dave P + lots more. And this is an impossible coincidence! Tonight (if the scientists are to be believed) there is supposed to be a full moon! But who knows what to believe anymore. Science just slings liberal propaganda.

(please note: I went the extra mile and just checked some highly credible sources - and this spammy site says the actual full moon is two days from now on August 10th - you see? - LIBERAL PROPAGANDA)

Really solid up-and-coming alt punker rocker one at Death by Audio tonight led by Amanda X (This Band B Good) and Two Inch Astronaut (This Band B Good 2: The Legend of Curly’s Gold). You’re going to like the way this one sounds. I guarantee* it.

(*guarantee not a guarantee - you might not like up-and-coming alt punker rocker music - in which case I say good day to you, sir - i don’t hang with MONSTERS.)

Professional party music maker Pictureplane used to play out seemingly every night. But he’s been quiet lately. I was getting worried. Was everything ok in post-physical land? But I can breathe a little easier now knowing he’s playing Palisades tonight with Octa Octa, Future Punx and Germans (cruel tho). Whew. (some spell it “phew” but I don’t swing that way.)

Other notable shows = Brian Degraw (of Gang Gang Dance) + pals at Baby’s All Right + Temples and Spires at Asbury Lanes + The Rosebuds at Rough Trade + My Left Tit at Radio Bushwick because My Left Tit!

SEE ALL OF OUR FRIDAY PICKS

Saturday - August 9th, 2014 A.D.

One of the shows I have been looking forward to the most is finally here (well, technically not as I’m writing these very words... but there’s really no need to show you how the sausage is made around here). St. Vincent plays Prospect Park for Celebrate Brooklyn! It’s free. St. Vincent rules. And I would gladly pay to see this. I’m not going to. But I would, man. I so would. Can I get a digital witness on that, my 13 regular reading Rockness peeps?

Har Mar Superstar plays a free daytime show at Union Pool for its “Summer Thunder” series. Here’s one of my favorite Har Mar songs. It’s called “Lady, You Shot Me!” And did you know those were Sam Cooke’s final words? I didn’t even have to consult with Wikipedia for this one. I just knew! That motel owner may have taken his life, but Sam Cooke is still the best. Forever and Ever. Amen.

The Mad Decent Block Party happens in Coney Island today with Chance the Rapper + Big Gigantic + Diplo + Flosstradamus + many more decent fellows. I’ll meet you at the top of The Wonder Wheel. I know it claims never to have had an accident in over 100 years but I don’t care. Those sliding cars still be scary tho.

You may also dance your ass off at Output tonight with Detroit Swindle + Shit Robot + FIXED. However, sitting might prove to be a problem come tomorrow. It ain’t easy to do that without an ass. Oh wells. We’ll let tomorrow worry about itself.

Other notable shows = The Rock *A* Teens (with Will Sheff) at Glasslands + Infinity Shred at Webster “Marlin Room” Hall + Roseanne Cash at Damrosch Bandshell (free) + The Austerity Program at Shea Stadium + Dinowalrus at The Studio at Webster Hall + Cassie Ramone at Mercury Lounge + Modest Mouse at Forest Hills Stadium but we’ve been over this quite enough around here

SEE ALL OF OUR SATURDAY PICKS

Sunday - August 10th, 2014 A.D.

Bauuer + Boys Noize + Spank Rock + DJ LE1F + more fine folks play a dance party at Governors Island. Do you say “at” if it’s an island or “on.” Party ON Governors Island? Tough call, right? I have a similar question with parks. St. Vincent is playing AT Prospect Park or St. Vincent is playing IN Prospect Park. I’m just not sure. Tricky times, man. Tricky tricky tricky times.

Here's an oldie. But a goodie.

You may also listen to the lovely haunting sublime instrumental sounds of Heathered Pearls (aka Czestochowa, Poland’s own Jakub Alexander) at Trans-Pecos. This music makes me feel like I’m in a warm dream. And unlike most of my dreams, I’m not late for my final exam and I remembered to wear pants.

Or, if you’d rather feel like you’re in a dystopian nightmare, consider going to see brutal LA thunder doom band Prurient at Home Sweet Home (ahhhhhh). At least at this one you can always walk out if you can’t handle it. That’s a lot easier than willing closed eyelids to open. I know. I’ve done both.

Other notable shows = Allen Toussaint at Joe’s Pub + Tiny Ruins at Baby’s All Right + The Rock *A* Teens at (le) poisson rouge (this, again, is with Will Sheff but AGAIN I straight already did told you tho)

SEE ALL OF OUR SUNDAY PICKS

Thanks a lot for reading again this week. All 13 of you are THE BEST. Wait. I forgot a rule!

Rule #1 - this dynamic original digital feature is for alts by alts

Rule #2 - everyone is an alt

Rule #3 - imagine. love. one world. hope.

Rule #4 - I heart you. Forever and Ever. Amen.

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