Friends, September 2, The Rock Shop, $20
Up-and-coming Bushwick indiepop outfit Friends have one of the most infectious singles of the year with “Friend Crush,” and continue to impress with their live show. While it may be pretentious to brag about seeing an artist “before they were big,” this really is a chance check out a band primed for great things.
Friday, September 2, at 8 p.m. The Rock Shop, 249 4th Avenue, Brooklyn NY, 11215; 718-230-5740.
Rock The Bells 2011: Lauryn Hill, Nas, Erykah Badu, Cypress Hill, GZA, Raekwon & Ghostface, BlackStar, Common, Big K.R.I.T., and more, September 3, Governor’s Island, $50-$100
Most certainly the best thing happening this week, and one of the most jaw-dropping lineups of the summer (or, ever, really), 2011’s Rock the Bells takes the whole “artist playing a classic album live” trend to the next level. Here are just a few of the performances: Lauryn Hill (The Miseducation of…), Nas (Illmatic), Erykah Badu (Baduism), Raekwon & Ghostface (Only Built 4 Cuban Linx), GZA (Liquid Swords). Damn.
Saturday, September 3 at noon. Governor’s Island – South Island Field, Governor’s Island, NY.
Pictureplane, White Hills, Psychic Paramount, Wise Blood, Realness, September 3, The Morgan, FREE
If the ticket price for Rock the Bells is too steep, an infinitely less expensive option (it’s free!) is the electro noise/dance assault headed up by Pictureplane at The Morgan in Bushwick. Also playing is Wise Blood, whose fantastic These Wings EP comes out tomorrow.
Saturday September 3 at 2 p.m. The Morgan 25 Bogart St., Bushwick, Brooklyn; 347-799-1314.
Feeling a bit too cheerful this week because you survived #Irene? There’s always Bright Eyes to put things back into perspective (with Real Estate) at The Williamsburg Waterfront. August 31.
Wise Blood also headline a show at Glasslands Gallery with d’Eon. September 1.
Diplo, Tiesto, Moby, David Guetta, Boys Noize, MSTRKRFT, Armin Van Buurin, Gui Burrato, SBTRKT and more hit the decks at Electric Zoo. September 2, 3, and 4.
San Francisco noise-pop outfit Weekend (not to be confused with Noir&B artist, The Weeknd) play Glasslands with Grooms. September 3.