NYC Attractions

Today in New York: Under the Radar Festival Provides a Stage for Avant-Garde Theater

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:24:48 -0500

[CDATA[You've got to give it to New York City; there's definitely plenty of opportunity to check out avant-garde art and theater that would otherwise go unnoticed. Mark Russell's Under the Radar Festival has a lot to do with that. Now in its fifth year, the festival presents plays and performances by local and international artists that otherwise would have a hard time finding a suitable stage. The mission is to create an arena for daring theater and art and they do so in a big way, with artists represented from Brooklyn to Cambodia. There's also an in-house venue for drinking and discussing (you'll want to discuss) after the shows. Under the Radar runs from until January 18 at the Public Theater. ]]

Today in New York: Okkervil River Rocks The Hipster Halls of Brooklyn

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:56:50 -0500

[CDATA[Famous rivers: Seine, Thames, Mississippi, Rubicon, Wolf (sorry Jeff), Phoenix, and Cuomo. Okkervil River should be on that list. The Austin band plays brilliant folk-ish rock, with a country-pluck hobby, literary/political lyrics, and infectiousness without the easy hooks. Every year their profile seems to rise, but not to the point that they can't still play the hipster halls of Brooklyn. Hence, Okkervil River plays The Bell House tonight. Jonathan Meiburg may be AWOL, focusing full-time on his Shearwater side-project (now full-time project), but Okkervil River will still bring the same aesthetic and set list to this show, and you'd be mistaken if you missed it. Fair warning. Also on the bill is Chris Mills. ]]

Today in New York: Carrie Rodriguez Shows off Her Impressive Alt-Country Stylings at Living Room

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:41:13 -0500

[CDATA[2009 is now five days old, but if you're at all like me, your recovery is still ongoing (what can I say, I take New Years Eve very seriously). Heavy metal, punk, and hard rock are all out of the question for at least another day, but alt-country sounds like sweet music to my ears, especially when it's performed by Carrie Rodriguez. The Austin-native (daughter to Texan singer-songwriter David Rodriguez) was discovered by Chip Taylor, a legend in his own right (he wrote "Angel of the Morning" and "Wild Thing"), and has developed a buzz collaborating with him. If you like your music boozy, sultry, and full of fiddle, you should check out Carrie Rodriguez tonight at Living Room. ]]

Today in New York: Wu Tang Clan Rock a Microphone Like it's 1993

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:07:03 -0500

[CDATA[When I was in high-school, if you listened to Wu Tang Clan then you were cool. If you didn't listen to Wu Tang then you weren't. And if you wore a Wu Tang shirt, or had them playing in your Walkman (yes Walkman - remember those?) then you were a superstar. Now, you can still tell who was cool in high-school because they are the ones at the Wu Tang show today, and they will Tuesday at Hammerstein Ballroom. Sure, they're getting older, but they still put on one hell of a show. With approximately 234 releases between them, the members have a lot of good material to choose from. Let's face it, though, you're going to be there to hear "C.R.E.A.M." and "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin to Fuck Wit". This one is close to Christmas, but this will be no holiday concert. ]]

Today in New York: Matisyahu Brings his Festival of Lights to Webster Hall and Music Hall of William

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:20:37 -0500

[CDATA[There's a lot of Christmas events in New York this season, but let's not forget that Christmas isn't the only holiday in town. From December 21 (this Sunday) until Monday December 29 is Matisyahu's Festival of Lights. Performing every night of Chanukah (minus Friday nights of course), the Hasidic reggae star will take the stage with a rotating cast of talented openers, including Easy Star All-Stars (the awesome Pink Floyd and Radiohead dub cover band), Crystal Method, Asher Roth, and The Leevees. The first four nights are at Webster Hall, while the last four nights are at the Music Hall of Williambsurg. Check it out and then hit the town for a nice meal of Latkes and Manischewitz. I know I will. ]]

Today in New York: DFA Holiday Party presents James Murphy, Pat Mahoney, and Shit Robot

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:37:27 -0500

[CDATA[In 2008, James Murphy tried his darndest to take over the world (or at least the hipster club scene). And you know what? He just may have succeeded. Murphy's DFA Records not only handles his own LCD Soundsystem, but also Hercules & Love Affair and Hot Chip, both of whom had a pretty great year (to say the very least). Jesse Keeler may want to fly a plane into his skull, but Murphy has a lot of fans and a lot to celebrate. And he will, Friday at the DFA Holiday Party at Le Poisson Rouge. Murphy will perform, along with Pat Mahoney, The Jaun Maclean, and Shit Robot. If you like to dance and like excellent new wave disco, you'll want to be there. ]]

Today in New York: Oasis Don't Look Back in Anger

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:52:17 -0500

[CDATA[Anglophiles rejoice: Oasis is back. Do you remember when (Whats the Story) Morning Glory? broke and everyone was walking slowly down halls and blowing off Sallys? That was great. Noel, Liam, and those two other guys bring their anthemic Brit-pop to Madison Square Garden tonight. Say what you will about massive career declines, but youll get shivers as soon as Wonderwalls acoustic strums begin. Granted, every open-mic night guitar-guy ever has played the song, but it'll still be special when you hear them do it. One of the most prolific jean-jacket strummers in the history of alt- country, Ryan Adams, along with his stellar back-up band, the Cardinals, opens this so- disparate- it- might- work gig. ]]

Today in New York: Of Montreal Revel in Flamboyance

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:53:06 -0500

[CDATA[Montreal is a utopia for indie rock. Fortunately for Of Montreal (who aren't actually of Montreal), Athens, Georgia is a close second. The kitchen sink pop band typically delves into basement, shoegaze, lo-fi, art-rock, and psychedelia while seeming at home in all of them. You've never heard such upbeat and danceable songs about death, loneliness, and despair. Still relevant and innovative, of Montreal have become stalwarts without stasis. Their recent stage performance has been known to include scantily clad men (mainly lead singer Kevin Barnes), props, a mock hanging, and an entire song performed from atop a majestic white horse. This will be, if not the best, at least the most memorable concert you'll attend all year, even this close to New Years. If you're convinced by now, you can attend their show tonight at Music Hall of Williamsburg. If you're not convinced, there might be something seriously wrong with you (or alternatively, not enough wrong with you). ]]

Today in New York: Neil Young Rocks Madison Square Garden

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:02:31 -0500

[CDATA[Canada's troubadour hero, poli-folk provocateur, and sideburn king, Neil Young is a force to be reckoned with. 62 years young, old Shakey shows can still rock out like it's 1974. Rumour has it he also has thousands of unreleased tracks that will probably find release (knock on wood) years after he gets to rocking in the next world. You pretty much know what a Neil Young concert will be like: stellar folk songs mixed with dirty rocking blues songs and an audience full of nostalgia-seeking former-hippies. But it doesnt matter what I say. It's Neil Young. So go. That's all there is to it. Neil plays Monday and Tuesday at the Madison Square Garden. Also on the bill are Everest and Wilco, both bands worth seeing in their own right. ]]

Today in New York: The Misfits Play an Anachronistic Set Full of Classic Punk

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:26:01 -0500

[CDATA[The Misfits play Saturday at The Chance Wait. Hold on a second...The Misfits are still around? The band, which formed in 1977, is still haunting the airwaves (sort of) despite the loss of lead singer Glenn Danzig to a solo career (which itself is already quite old). You may know the band from their mixing of punk rock and horror movie camp. Or you may know them from the t-shirts still sported by 15 year old girls and 30 year old former punks. This would make an excellent Halloween show, but hearing classics like "Die Die My Darling", "Green Hell", and "Mommy Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?" around the holidays just seems a bit off. On the other hand, I hate Christmas music and this is about as far from Christmas music as you can get. So go. You have my permission. ]]