SummerScreen: Empire Records (movie), Ducktails, Splash, The Babies: August 15, McCarren Park, FREE
What could be more perfect for an NYC summer than watching ‘90s alt-rock classic Empire Records along with live performances by some great local bands? New Jersey’s Ducktails specialize in reverb-heavy pop, while The Babies pump out catchy garage rock, and Splash comes off like an alternate-reality Bushwick boy band. The real question, though, is who will be the one to cover
Sugar High
?
Wednesday, August 16, 6p.m., McCarren Park, (Bedford Ave and North 12th Street); Brooklyn; No phone.
Erika Spring, Tiny Victories, Tezeo: August 15, Mercury Lounge, $10
Au Revoir Simone may be taking it easy since 2009’s Still Night, Still Light, but frontwoman Erika Spring’s new EP is as dreamy and compelling as ever. Opening are Brooklyn’s Tiny Victories and new agey synth-pop group Tezeo.
Wednesday, August 15, 9 p.m., Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street (between Essex and Ludlow streets); 212-260-4700.
Marina & The Diamonds, MS MR: August 16 and 18, The Bowery Ballroom, $25
We may be living in a golden age of alt-pop and Marina Diamandis is one of the reasons. Hailing from the UK, with a Welsh and Greek background, Marina makes hugely catchy, emotionally overwhelming musical gems (no pun intended). Opening are the mysterious duo MS MR, whose “Hurricane” was a recent Internet sensation. In a perfect world, these two bands would be topping the charts.
August 16 and 18, 7 p.m. Webster Hall, 6 Delancey Street (between Bowery and Chrystie); 212-533-2111.
Photos: Via The Bowery Presents, Ticketmaster