Woods, Alex Bleeker & The Freaks, Steve Gunn, Tide Eyed (DJ Set), December 19, Glasslands, $10
One of the most consistently great indie bands year in and year out, Woods have built a small empire around their bearded, Neil Young-indebted version of lo-fi. Also: They’re great live, so at $10 this is a no-brainer.
Monday, December 19, 8:30 p.m., Glasslands 289 Kent Ave (between South 1st and South 2nd streets), Brooklyn, New York 11211; 718-599-1450.
Yo La Tengo Hanukkah Shows, December 21 through 27, Maxwell’s, $35 (all proceeds go to charity)
What better way to celebrate the festival of lights than with the indie-rock elders in Yo Lat Tengo? Every year, the band takes the stage for eight nights in a row in their home town of Hoboken to celebrate Hanukkah, with all profits going to charity. Yo La Tengo will play rarities, covers, and classics as the week progresses, with each night serving up something a little bit different. Yo La Tengo will bring the noise, you bring the latkes.
Tuesday, December 20 to Tuesday December 27, 8 p.m., Maxwell’s, 1039 Washington Street (between 10th and 11th streets), Hoboken, New Jersey; 201-798-0406.
Dum Dum Girls (acoustic), Crocodiles (acoustic), Cassie Ramone (Vivian GIrls), Bleeding Rainbow, Glasslands, December 22, $10
On Thursday, Glasslands will see stripped-down performances from three of the best garage-pop acts of the last few years. Headlining is Dee Dee from Dum Dum Girls, with support from San Diego rockers Crocodiles and Vivian Girls’ Cassie Ramone. A rare opportunity to see three usually eardrum-shattering bands find their mellower sides.
Thursday, December 22, 8:30 p.m., Glasslands 289 Kent Ave (between South 1st and South 2nd streets), Brooklyn, New York 11211; 718-599-1450.
Up for more? Here are some bonus shows: