CONCERTNET 007: Storm’s a-comin’
Hot tunes for yer cold weekend
Bob Dylan sang “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” He also sang “A hard rain’s a‐gonna fall,” which sort of sounds like a forecast, and then, a few years later, on “One More Weekend”: “Slippin’ and slidin’ like a weasel on the run / I’m lookin’ good to see you, yeah, and we can have some fun.”
Slippin’ and slidin’ like a weasel on the run
Take that energy with you.
Fri, Jan 28 at 8pm
Castle Rat + Certain Death + Wicked Willow at TV Eye (tickets)
If you like your metal with swords, chain mail and flying V guitars, well, you should be friends with Castle Rat. The local group has crunchy retro metal riffs and soaring vocals provided by Her Majesty the Rat Queen. They play as part of TV Eye’s regular Friday night bash with DJ Jonathan Toubin spinning soul and rock after the bands.
Fri, Jan 28 at 11pm
Fred Thomas (of the JBs) at Freddy’s Backroom (tickets)
The JBs being James Brown’s backing band, and Thomas being the bassist who played on such records as Brown’s early ’70s classics Revolution of the Mind and The Payback and the JB’s supremely funky Food for Thought and Doing It to Death. The crew plays again Saturday night at Bar Lunatico.
Sat, Jan 29 at 10pm and Midnight
Ilhan Ersahin, Yusuke Yamamoto, Daniel Jodocy, Kenny Wollesen at Nublu (tickets)
Sun, Jan 30 at 8pm
Kirk Knuffke and James Brandon Lewis + Dave Sewelson Music for a Free World at Nublu (tickets)
Nublu provides a reliable outlet for jazz, funk and other improvised music.
Sun, Jan 30 at 10pm–midnight
Kenny Wollesen and Daniel Jodocy at Big Bar (free)
Around the corner from ’blu, this East Village bar has been hosting late-night Sunday jams. Catch a duo with master percussionist Wollesen on electric vibraphone and fellow mad scientist Jodocy on electric drums.
Mon, Jan 31 at 7pm
New York City Celebrates Philip Glass and The Rink's 85th Birthday (tickets)
File under only in NY: Musician Laurie Anderson hosts and deejays a birthday party for composer Philip Glass at the Rock Center ice rink…and you’re invited. The opening session is sold out, but the 8:50pm “after party” is still up for grabs.
Tue, Feb 1 at 8pm
Steve Gunn (solo) w/ special guest Laura Ortman at Union Pool (free, RSVP)
Last year guitarist Steve Gunn put out Other You, a collection of atmospheric Americana, and just released Nakama, an EP that reworks a handful of those tunes with heady players like Mdou Moctar and Natural Information Society. He plays solo for the first of three free Tuesday shows at Union Pool, this one with an opening set by avant violinist Laura Ortman.
Last call…
* Detroit experimental music meme lords Wolf Eyes have an exhibit of custom-built instruments at New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (a.k.a. the one in Lincoln Center). Brave the scary snow: Saturday is its last day. (info)
Something to look forward to…
* BAM’s recently announced spring concert lineup, curated by writer Hanif Abdurraqib, is remarkable and definitely “something to look forward to.” Tuareg guitar shredder Mdou Moctar and indie-rock lightning bolt Bartees Strange (listen to 2020’s Live Forever) open it on February 23 and American music legend Mavis Staples visits on May 20, with other shows featuring Moses Sumney, Devonté Hynes and Dawn Richard in between.
* SummerStage always announces its paid shows at Central Park before its free citywide programming. Some of the former have already been announced, including Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen and Julien Baker on August 21. Plus for fans of Canada or the Pacific Northwest, respectively, Barenaked Ladies (July 6) or the Decemberists (Aug 23).
* Ay, like spending money on music? Bandcamp Friday, in which the website forgoes its share of album sales, will be happening at least four times this year: February 4, March 4, April 1 and May 6, from midnight to midnight pacific time.