Didn’t win a Grammy this week? Yeah, neither did we– unfortunately, we can’t all be Macklemore. Instead, let’s give each other a polite round of applause for surviving the sub-zero temperatures of the Polar Vortex. Maybe our day-to-day lives are not quite award-worthy, but this weekend’s shows (featuring Radical Dads, Grass is Green, Big Ups, Streets of Laredo & more) definitely deserve some gold figurines! You ready, robots of Bushwick?
#7 How To Be Topp, Zula @ Shea Stadium (THU 8PM, $8)
Ease into the weekend on Thursday night with How To Be Topp’s EP release show at Shea Stadium. Come early for groovy local favorites Zula, whom we dedicated Listening Party column to and also featured in our best of 2013 playlist, plua Star Rover, & Dey.
#6 Kim Gordon @ MoMA PS1 (SUN 4PM, $18)
Not quite Brooklyn, but still way cool. On Sunday, make the trek to Long Island City to catch Sonic Youth bassist/eternal noise rock goddess Kim Gordon at MoMA PS1, where she’s playing in honor of the Mike Kelley retrospective closing. Sigh. Maybe one day we’ll be that cool.
#5 Streets of Laredo @ Brooklyn Night Bazaar (SAT 10PM, FREE)
https://soundcloud.com/streets-of-laredo/need-a-little-help
Streets of Laredo are so dreamy, we included their song “Need a Little Help” in our epic Best of 2013 playlist. Also on the bill are Lily & the Parlour Tricks, Rocket & the Ghost, Mail the Horse and DJ Mikey Palms. As usual, see them all for the low, low price of free.
#4 Bbigpigg/Husbandry/Dead Tenants @ Radio Bushwick (FRI 8PM, $8)
Everyone knows that Radio Bushwick is the coolest new venue in the hood, so if you haven’t been yet, this weekend’s your chance. This Friday Bbiggpigg, Robot Death Kites, Husbandry, and Dead Tenants take the stage for some loud, debaucherous fun. Be there or be lame!
#3 Big Ups, Eula, Kal Marks & Malatese @ Death By Audio (SAT 8PM, $7)
We love Big Ups, big time (check out our recent coverage of their scary good music video, “Goes Black”). We also go way back with Boston band Kal Marks, one of our favorites from CMJ 2013. Catch ‘em both with Eula and Malatese at Death by Audio, where there’s never a shortage of sonic excellence.
#2 Poverty Hollow, Palehound, Baked, Grass is Green & Radical Dads @ Silent Barn (FRI 8PM)
Ooh, even more bands we like! The Silent Barn hosts a pretty epic lineup with Poverty Hollow, Palehound, Baked, Grass is Green and (former music crushes) Radical Dads on Friday night. Not too shabby.
#1 Thunder Gumbo’s First Annual Freezing Man @ The Paper Box (SAT 9PM, $10/15)
We’re pretty pumped for Thunder Gumbo’s First Annual Freezing Man, where you can party all night for a really great cause. Think Burning Man, but cold, satirical, and a place to partay. Roll into The Paper Box before 11PM (in costume) with a coat to donate to the homeless, and pay $10 (otherwise, $15). All jackets go directly to the New York Cares Coat Drive! It’s partying with a purpose, people. Additional details? Directly from the promoter: “There’s a ton of art and performances happening all night, highlights include the 9 ft Yeti shooting gallery, destruction of the Freezing Man effigy (around 1:30), and the fur coat library, so that people can enjoy the backyard area in warmth and style. The participatory games like cold potato and the ill-advised wet t-shirt contest will also be super fun. We’re also bringing the winning Idiotarod card, by the Skull Eaters.” NICE!