Still burnt out from Governors Ball last weekend? Sorry, kids; it’s time to do it all again. Starting Thursday, the summer festival fun continues with Northside, a magical, musical journey that traverses all of north Brooklyn, plus the wilds of your imagination. It’s a neverending story of awesome shows, both official and unofficial, so no need to worry if you haven’t scored a badge. Trying to hit them all might be impossible, but we’re going to do our best anyway. Hop aboard your your giant dragon-dog and let’s fly through Northside together, shall we?
#10 Sweat Fest Unofficial Northside Showcase @ The Neverlands (SAT 5PM, $5)
Get ready to get sweaty. This unofficial Northside show features a slew of great bands you’ve probably never heard of: there’s “Pig Ops,” “Buzzard Boys, High Strung Eating Tacos,” and more. If you’re clever, you might be able to figure out who these “special guests” might actually be. If not, well… sorry, we can’t help you. But you should show up anyway! It’s gonna be a good time.
#9 Amanda X, Tweens & Marnie Stern @ Rough Trade (FRI 9PM, $10/12)
It’s Friday, the 13th, and it’s Northside… sounds like a lucky combination to us. Kick off the festival at Rough Trade for a show presented by Gothamist and Impose Magazine. The stellar Amanda X of Philadelphia will be joined by Cincinnati’s Tweens and our hometown guitar hero Marnie Stern.
#8 Laurel, Corbu & My Midnight Heart @ Knitting Factory (SUN 8PM, $10/12)
A solid Sunday night show to end your Northside the right way. We’re mostly pumped to see Corbu, Brooklyn’s dreamiest dream pop collective.
#7 The Teen Age, My Teenage Stride, The Planes & Shark? @ Pet Rescue (FRI 9PM, $7)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRRQaP-L7Jc#t=93
Two of our Bushwick Daily faves band together for this official show on Friday. The Teen Age and their youthful garage-pop jangle kick things off, with Shark? rounding out the night via fuzzy rock and roll melodies. Presented by Hearts Bleed Radio.
#6 Neon Indian, Chrome Sparks & Lemonade DJ Sets @ Glasslands (THU 11:30PM, $15)
Wanna boogie down? Pencil in that disco nap and hit Glasslands late Thursday night. We’ve gotta admit, this DJ set lineup almost seems too good to be true: Neon Indian, Chrome Sparks, and Lemonade, presented by Lazerpop.
#5 Exploding in Sound Northside Party @ Baby’s All Right (SUN 2PM, $10)
These all-day Exploding in Sound affairs require stamina, but they’re always worth it. On Sunday, it’s essentially too many great bands, such little time: Ovlov, Krill, Baked, Washer, Flagland, Heliotropes, and more. Plus, $1 Pink Baby cocktails during happy hour– holla!
#4 Perfect Pussy, Hop Along & Frankie Cosmos @ Saint Vitus (FRI 8PM, $12/14)
Presented by Pitchfork, this show is sure to fill up fast, so get there early. Unleash your inner rage at Saint Vitus with Perfect Pussy, Hop Along, and the (slightly) less rage-worthy sounds of Frankie Cosmos.
#3 Eleanor Friedberger & Alvvays @ Brooklyn Bowl (SUN 8PM, $15)
Eleanor Friedberger (formerly of alliteration masters The Fiery Furnaces) plays Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday night. Also on the bill is Alvvays, the five-piece pop collective hailing from Toronto. A nice, breezy way to ease back into the work week (ew, sorry I even said that.)
#2 Titus Andronicus, Eagulls & Low Fat Getting High @ Warsaw (THU 7PM, $20)
Brooklyn rock vets Titus Andronicus headline one of Northside’s most anticipated shows. Sharing the bill is England’s Eagulls, plus shreddy local punks Low Fat Getting High.
#1 Thee Oh Sees @ McCarren Park (SAT 2PM, FREE W/ RSVP)
Well, ladies and gents, we’ve reached the end of our journey. By far the best Northside show this year is Thee Oh Sees at McCarren Park. After a quick reunion and a brand new lineup– plus a brand new record, because obviously– the San Fran garage gods have returned to our balmy Brooklyn shores. Catch John Dwyer and company for free in McCarren Park. We’ll see you there.