Bon Iver, August 9, United Palace Theatre, $45; August 10, Prospect Park Bandshell.
Bon Iver’s enormous second LP, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, had the former indie sad-sack expanding his sound, adding complex harmonies, ‘80s guitar licks, and saxophone. Both shows will be awesome, but the phenomenal acoustics of the United Palace Theatre could not be a better venue for Justin Vernon’s heartbreakingly epic falsetto. See him there if you can.
Tuesday, August 9 at 8:00 p.m. United Palace Theater, 4140 Broadway (between West 175 and 176 streets); 212-568-6700; Wednesday August 10 at 7:30 p.m. Prospect Park Bandshell, Prospect Park West (between 10th and 11th streets); Brooklyn.
The Cool Kids, August 10, Brooklyn Bowl, $15.
It took them a while, but throwback hip-hop act The Cool Kids finally released their first full-length, When Fish Ride Bicycles. Truth be told, it sounds like pretty much everything else they’ve released, which is a good thing: Old school beats, witty rhymes, and good times abound. Catch them at Brooklyn Bowl for what’s sure to be a great time.
Wednesday, August 10 at 9:00 p.m. The Brooklyn Bowl, Wythe Avenue (between North 11th and 12th streets); Brooklyn, 718-963-3369.
Sonic Youth, Wild Flag, and Kurt Vile, August 12, The Williamsburg Waterfront, $32.50.
Guitars. Lots of guitars. This stacked lineup features some of the best indie rockers in the world playing on the same bill. If it were any of these bands performing by themselves, the show would still be worth seeing, but together, this group effort can't be missed. The stoner-pathos of Kurt Vile, the ladies of Wild Flag (ex-Sleater Kinney, Helium, Minders), and indie royalty of Sonic Youth are all must-sees.
Friday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m. The Williamsburg Waterfront, North 8th Street at Kent Avenue; Brooklyn.
Up for more? Here are some bonus shows:
Gloomy/gorgeous awesomeness from oOoOO, Erika Spring (Au Revoir Simone), and Water Borders at the Mercury Lounge, August 11.