Devo

Friday

1. Devo at Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Tonight the Mothersbaugh and Casale brothers play Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! in full. Tomorrow it’s Freedom of Choice.

2. Timber Timbre at Joe’s Pub
Taylor Kirk & Co.’s lush, somber folk takes center stage tonight. Be sure to check the Volume later for an exclusive TONY in-office performance from the troupe.

3. 28 Hours of Innovative Art at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center
This marathon avant-jazz event on the LES has performances and activities running into the wee hours tonight and throughout the day on Saturday.

Saturday

1. Little Dragon at (Le) Poisson Rouge
The idiosyncratic Swedish pop group meshes meshed icy, down-tempo electronica with jazzy, organic neosoul. Read our preview on the show here.

2. Nader Sadek at Santos Party House
The art world and the metal underground come together yet again courtesy of this Egyptian artist. Read our show preview here.

3. Myron Walden Group at Smalls
Local sax mainstay Myron Walden fronts a quintet tonight and Friday.

Sunday

1. Devendra Banhart at the Town Hall
The high priest of the freak-folk movement returns to form with a new album and a show tonight, and one Monday at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Read our preview on the shows here.

2. Mike Bones at Cake Shop
Bones sings of women troubles at an intimate occasion. Read a recent show preview about him here.

3. Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl
Underground hip-hop’s unofficial leader brings a great bunch of rappers to Brooklyn’s new bowling alley and venue.

Dirty Projectors + tUnE-yArDs at Bowery Ballroom
Capping an extraordinary 2009, art-pop visionary Dave Longstreth, above, and his Dirty Projectors, about whom you may have read in TONY, kick off a triumphant homecoming stand. Opening is the compellingly eccentric one-woman band tUnE-yArDs.

Milton Nascimento at Carnegie Hall
The veteran Brazilian songman brings his unearthly falsetto to a hallowed stage.

Big Star + Kurt Vile and the Violators at Brooklyn Masonic Temple
A rebooted version of the iconic power-pop outfit Big Star plays behind a new rarities box. Support comes from tripped-out young tunesmith Kurt Vile.

Savion Glover: Jammin’ with the Masters at Blue Note
Star tap dancer Savion Glover matches wits with a fellow percussive genius, pioneering jazz drummer Roy Haynes.

Our Hit Parade at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater
Several fabulous wackos—led by Bridgett Everett, Kenny Mellman and Neal Medlyn—offer skewed takes on current pop favorites. Read a recent TONY feature on the series here.

Bob Dylan and Dion at the United Palace Theatre
Enigmatic folk-rock icon Bob Dylan brings his hot, loose roots combo and fellow legend Dion to uptown’s stateliest show palace for the first of three shows this week.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros with Fool’s Gold at the Bowery Ballroom
The buzz is strong for this high-spirited pairing of California bands: Tickets are officially sold out, but we know you’re crafty.

The Jesus Lizard with Noveller at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
David Yow and his rowdy reptilian combo headline their second local throw-down, with elegant local guitar-scaper Sarah Lipstate (Noveller) warming the crowd.

The Flatlanders at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely bring the Texas-troubadour tradition to Times Square.

Ethan Iverson, Albert “Tootie” Heath and Ben Street at Smalls
The Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson hits the stand with a different kind of rhythm section, featuring drum master Tootie Heath.

Art Brut

Friday

1. Numero’s Eccentric Soul Revue at Music Hall of Williamsburg

The great Chicago reissue label takes to the road for its first-ever tour and after the cancellation of Thursday’s show at the Grand Ballroom, this is your one chance to catch this lineup in New York. Read our feature on the Revue here.

2. Goodie Mob + Scarface + Slick Rick at B.B. King’s

Three excellent acts take to B.B.’s with the reunited Southern rap trailblazers headlining. Read our show preview here.

3. Art Brut + Midnight Masses + Surfer Blood at Brooklyn Bowl

London pop-punks Art Brut are consistently underrated; don’t underestimate this stacked bill. Midnight Masses features members of Trail of Dead and youngsters Surfer Blood might just be the next big thing. (Art Brut also plays Bowery Ballroom Sunday.)

Saturday

1. Peaches + Amanda Blank at Terminal 5

A couple of ladies get the dance party started on the far West Side.

2. Holden at Zebulon

This Parisian duo plays its folk-pop in Brooklyn tonight and continues all over town for most of the week.

3. Medeski Martin & Wood at Nokia Theatre at Times Square

The jam-jazz pioneers keep doing what they do best: rip it live.

Sunday

1. Afrika Bambaataa’s 35th Anniversary Party at S.O.B.’s

Old-school hip-hop artists like Naughty by Nature, Melle Mel and Dana Dane line up to honor the one and only Afrika Bambaataa.

2. Metallica + Lamb of God at Madison Square Garden

Metal takes to the Garden. The two groups play the arena on Saturday too.

3. Shrinebuilder at (Le) Poisson Rouge

The new doom supergroup plays the Blackened Music Series. Read our review of its latest album here.

Warren G, Kidz in the Hall and U-N-I at Bowery Ballroom
Resurgent California rapper Warren G, pictured above and previewed here, continues his quest along the comeback trail with a pair of potent opening acts: Kidz in the Hall, who you can see in our exclusive live video here, and U-N-I, whom we hailed back in April, right here.

Ray Lamontagne at the Beacon Theatre
The husky-voiced soul man returns to the Beacon for the second of three sans-band shows.

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs at City Winery
We’ve been somewhat lukewarm on the two overly respectful all-covers albums by pop savant Matthew Sweet and Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs, but there’s no denying their charismatic chemistry.

Jessica Pavone at Roulette
This violinist, violist, composer and bandleader takes a break from the avant-jazz rounds to showcase the sweet, folksy original string-group compositions she created for her latest CD, Songs of Synastry and Solitude.

Maude Maggart: Parents and Children at Feinstein’s at Loew’s Regency
Not just any cabaret star would stop into our offices for a private serenade (see it here), but Maude Maggart is not just any cabaret star. Catch her and be reminded why classics by Gershwin, Sondheim and Dolly Parton came to be classics in the first place.

Olof Arnalds at Rockwood Music Hall
Icelandic singer Olof Arnalds has the kind of voice that can silence a room, such is its sweetness. And high-profile fans such as Björk have been very vocal about Arnald’s awesome talent (check our review of Arnalds’ performance at Björk’s Housing Works show earlier this year). Arnalds’ debut album, Vio og Vio gets its U.S. release on One Little Indian in January.

The Levon Helm Band at City Winery
The Band’s iconic drummer celebrates the release of his book, Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble with a signing and “sampling.”

Daniel Merriweather at Joe’s Pub
You know that funked-up reworking of the Smiths’ “Stop Me if You Think That You’ve Heard This One Before” that you hear in Gap changing rooms? That’s Aussie singer Merriweather, teamed up with his pal Mark Ronson.

Peter Bjorn and John at Webster Hall
The Swedish indie-popsters are now playing behind Living Thing, the dark, chilly follow-up to their “Young Folks” success.

Wolfmother and the Heartless Bastards at Music Hall of Williamsburg
Andrew Stockdale’s hirsute Aussie combo Wolfmother presents its hard-rockin’ take on psychedelia—check out our preview here, which compares Wolfmother to Jimmy Page, and opening act Heartless Bastards to Robert Plant. Either way, we guarantee sweaty good times.

Cass McCombs at Bowery Ballroom
This scruffy-round-the-edges indie rock troubadour plays from his excellent Catacombs album.

The Heartless Bastards

Friday

1. Vijay Iyer Trio at Jazz Standard

The far-flung pianist teams up with rhythm-section mates for a weekend run. Read our preview on the shows here.

2. Warren G at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Everybody better get ready to get regulated upon tonight and at the Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday. Read our show preview here.

3. Girls + Real Estate at Bowery Ballroom

A buzz band headlines a showcase of a range of channeled ’60s sounds.

Saturday

1. Miley Cyrus + Metro Station at Prudential Center

The pop princess brings her Wonder World tour to town with support from her older brother’s band. Read our show preview here.

2. Modeselektor at Music Hall of Williamsburg

The electronic-music duo puts a live set together for a show celebrating the release of a mix-CD.

3. Bruce Springsteen at Madison Square Garden

The Boss has been circling around town for a few months now but finally takes Manhattan for shows tonight and tomorrow.

Sunday

1.Wolfmother + The Heartless Bastards at Terminal 5

Two bands call upon the sounds of early ’70s by British bands to forge hard rock & roll. Read our preview on the shows (they also play Monday at Music Hall of Williamsburg) here.

2. Monsters of Folk at Beacon Theatre

A group of “monsters” of indie rock—Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and M.Ward—come to the Beacon for a little folky sing-along. The quartet also plays a show earlier this weekend at United Palace on Friday. (Read our review on the band’s record here.)

3. No-Neck Blues Band at Knitting Factory Brooklyn

The intrepid local avant-psych outfit heads up a trippy bill in Brooklyn.

Sean Kingston + New Boyz at Gramercy Theatre
For our money, one of the year’s strongest singles is Sean Kingston’s kiss-off anthem, “Face Drop” (view the vid above). Tonight, check out the pop-reggae star as he performs in support of his sophomore LP, Tomorrow, a surefire mood lifter. If you found “Beautiful Girls” addictive, you’ll fall instantly for the disc’s breezy, danceable hooks. Opening is the skinny-jeans-sporting L.A. rap duo New Boyz, currently generating heaps of buzz with their brash rhymes.

Gretchen Parlato at Jazz Standard
She’s just past 30, but jazz diva Gretchen Parlato—who has held her own alongside heavyweights such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter—comes off like a seasoned pro. Here she plays behind her second disc, In a Dream. For more info, read Steve Smith’s preview of the gig.

Buraka Som Sistema at (Le) Poisson Rouge
According to our own Sophie Harris, this Portugese kuduro outfit put on one of 2009’s most infectious NYC shows at Bowery Ballroom back in May. Tonight it stops by a much smaller downtown venue for a sure-to-be-crazy performance.

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band at Beacon Theatre
The wry country favorite hits this classy uptown joint with a new album, Natural Forces, in tow.

Say Anything at Highline Ballroom
Max Bemis and his visionary, tragicomic emo outfit close out a two-night local stand. Read Hank Shteamer’s feature on the band here, and view an exclusive acoustic performance by Bemis here.

The Very Best at Santos Party House
The Euro-Afro pop experts—recently profiled in TONY—make up for a canceled CMJ appearance at this lively Tribeca spot.

Say Anything at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Things are looking much better these days for Say Anything frontman Max Bemis, and the group’s new self-titled album (out today on RCA) proves it. The band plays the first of two local gigs tonight: just enough time for you to read Hank Shteamer’s feature on Bemis and the boys, then head down for the show.

Bushwick Book Club: On the Origin of Species at Goodbye Blue Monday
Franz Nicolay, Susan Hwang, Dave Novak and other local luminaries offer a melodic tribute to Charles Darwin’s (r)evolutionary tome.

Noah and the Whale at the Mercury Lounge
A breakup is a terrible thing to endure, yet it can be a thrill to listen to a gifted songwriter recount amorous woe. Charlie Fink and his bandmates offer potent proof during their second show of the week.

The Mahavishnu Project at Drom
Whether you remember the days of blazing jazz-rock fusion or not, you won’t soon forget seeing drummer Gregg Bendian rolling sextuplets across his kit amid blazing guitars, violin and keyboards.

WBGO Champions of Jazz with the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and more at the Rose Theater
The local jazz community would be far poorer without the efforts of Newark radio station WBGO-FM, which celebrates its 30th anniversary by turning the spotlight on its own honorees: saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera and Downbeat magazine.

The King Khan & BBQ Show

Friday

1. The Wingdale Community Singers at Issue Project Room

Everyone in the band writes and sings in this real community quartet. Read our show preview on the Americana-plus troupe here.

2. It Came from Brooklyn with Yeasayer at the Guggenheim Museum

One of the best bands in the biz gets experimental in the right place: the Guggenheim. Read more about the museum’s new music series here.

3. Future of the Left at Music Hall of Williamsburg

The Welsh band that was founded after Mclusky dissolved makes some noise.

Saturday

1. Mount Eerie at Market Hotel

Planning an offbeat Halloween? Try Phil Elverum’s sometimes haunting sounds on for size. Read our review of his most recent record here. (Mount Eerie also plays Sunday at (Le) Poisson Rouge.)

2. The King Khan & BBQ Show at the Bell House

If partying tonight is more your speed, then this is the place to be, as King Khan always makes it wild and weird. The band also plays Friday at Bowery Ballroom.

3. Deer Tick at Brooklyn Bowl

And for the costume wearers, a costume performance: The Americana band takes on British punks with Nevermind the Sex Pistols, Here’s the Deer Ticks.

Sunday

1. The Ghost of a Saber Toothed Tiger + Doveman + Julianna Barwick at Mercury Lounge

Sean Lennon’s new project with his model girlfriend headlines a stacked bill.

2. Fang Records Night at Barbès

The two-decades-old NYC label Fang, a haven for a variety of eccentric songsmiths, shows off its roster in Park Slope.

3. Dysrhythmia + STATS at Union Pool

Dysrhythmia plays heavy prog with support from the math-rock of STATS (and Music staffer Hank Shteamer’s drumming.)

Vic Chesnutt with Clare and the Reasons at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
Topping a slim list of must-see shows for this soggy Tuesday morning is acidic singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt (pictured above), who’s playing the second of two local shows in support of his latest album, At the Cut, newly released on the Constellation label. As that provenance suggests, Chesnutt’s backing band includes musicians associated with Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as well as Guy Picciotto of Fugazi. Tonight’s show takes place at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, and sharing the bill once again are Clare and the Reasons (plugged in our recent CMJ roundup).

Vincent D’Onofrio Presents the George Gerkie Cowboy Experience at Joe’s Pub
Actor Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) spins a fabulous showcase around a fictitious country-music icon, with support from real-live twangers Laura Cantrell, Joe Vinciguerra and Sam Bisbee.

Tom Harrell Quintet at the Village Vanguard
A trumpeter equally capable of playing it hot and cool, Tom Harrell settles into the city’s most fabled jazz spot with a tight quintet.

Hot 97 Who’s Next Live with Serani at S.O.B.’s
Radio personality Peter Rosenberg’s regular showcase is an excellent place to catch talent on the verge of breaking into the big time, provided you’re willing to put up with a seriously packed room. Tonight you’ll get up close and personal with Jamaican singer and producer Serani, whose pop-reggae hit “No Games” is a good indicator of his charisma and knack for a solid hook.

Pearl and the Beard at Joe’s Pub
Forget about gray clouds and damp socks…this sweet, crafty trio of Brooklyn singers and multi-instrumentalists effortlessly conjures sunny afternoons.

School of Seven Bells

Friday

1. Califone at 92YTribeca The murky Chicago outfit creates a live soundtrack to a film of its own creation.

2. School of Seven Bells + The xx at Music Hall of Williamsburg A couple of hyped, super-cool groups prove why there’s so much buzz.

3. Portugal. The Man + The Temper Trap + Drug Rug at Bowery Ballroom The headliners fuse soulful vintage psych-pop with hectic modern production. Read our recent feature on the group here.

Saturday

1. Vernon Reid in the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center The guitar trailblazer Vernon Reid debuts Artificial Afrika, a work that combines techno-inspired music, computer animation and more. Read our current feature on him here.

2. Eyehategod at a Rocks Off Boat Cruise The misanthropic vets play everything from heroin metal to sludge doom aboard a boat. Read our preview on the show here.

3. Rain Machine + Sharon Van Etten + Violens at Bowery Ballroom Kip Malone’s new project has a coming-out party at CMJ with some excellent support.

Bonus: Check out the just-announced Pitchfork Showpaper Benefit at Market Hotel. Info is here.

Sunday

1. Holhouser, Bennink & Moore at Drom Two stalwarts of Holland’s improv scene team up with a Brooklyn accordionist. Read our preview on the show here.

2. The Almighty Defenders at Maxwell’s King Khan & BBQ Show and the Black Lips combine forces to create a big ol’ fun mess.

1. Freddie Gibbs + Pill + Paper Route Gangstaz at S.O.B.’s
Freddie Gibbs is that rare man: a nationally known musician from Gary, Indiana, who is not Michael Jackson. “The weight of representing such a beaten-down locale,” Jesse Serwer writes in this week’s magazine, “is not lost on Freddie Gibbs.” Tonight he joins a mammoth CMJ bill at S.O.B.’s.

2. The Citizens Band: The Debt Rattle at Abrons Arts Center
The wild performance troupe fixes its eyes on our nation’s money problems. Guests include the fantastic Justin Bond.

3. Yacht at Brooklyn Bowl
The CMJ showcase for the great Manhattan label DFA stars its recently crowned stars, Portland, OR, duo Yacht.

4. Richard Thompson at City Winery
The British folk icon plays an intimate concert, so close yet so far away from CMJ nuttiness.

5. Sean Bones + Ambulance LTD + Alec Ounsworth at Mercury Lounge
Tonight’s sprawling Mercury Lounge bill features, among others, the singer-songwriters Sean Bones and Alec Ounsworth, frontman of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

1. Ernest Jenning showcase at Knitting Factory Brooklyn
It’s Day Two of CMJ ’09, and though things are sure to get even busier come the weekend, there are still a dizzying number of options confronting tonight’s brave showgoing souls. Our top gig features bands signed to Ernest Jenning, a local label with a penchant for earthy indie sounds. Topping the bill are the ever-rousing Wild Yaks, whom we picked as one of five bands to watch at this year’s fest. For a taste of what to expect, check out the Yaks’ Live at TONY appearance above.

2. IAMSOUND showcase at Bowery Poetry Club
If you’re looking for a more danceable showcase, this one’s a good bet. Featured are Fool’s Gold, a large L.A. outfit that’s sure to satisfy your jones for post–Talking Heads world pop; read Colin St. John’s preview for more info. Also onboard are the indie-pop fantasists of Suckers—also previously featured on Live at TONY—and ultrastylish postpunkers Apache Beat.

3. Theophilus London + The Very Best at (Le) Poisson Rouge
Sleek grooves reign at LPR, where rising Brooklyn R&B-rap fusionist Theophilus London shares a bill with joyous Africa-meets-Europe crew The Very Best. [We've just received word that the Very Best has been forced to cancel their CMJ appearances due to "unfortunate travel circumstances." Bummer! Even so, this showcase, also featuring oddly alluring indie-rockers Violens, is still very much worth your while.]

4. Richard Thompson at City Winery
If you’re looking to steer clear of CMJ madness, check out this droll British folk-rock icon, celebrating a career-spanning box set.

5. Loren Stillman Quartet at Barbès
The saxist-composer and his band play behind Winter Fruits, a subtly bewitching new album.

Brooklyn Vegan Showcase with Fanfarlo, the Antlers and more at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
We told you in our CMJ Music Marathon preview feature that practically no band was coming into the festival with more significant buzz than sunny English indie-pop combo Fanfarlo (pictured). What more proof do you need than to see the group headlining an opening-night showcase bearing the imprimatur of one of New York’s savviest, most influential blogs? You’ll also catch the Antlers (who taped an intense exclusive live performance for the Volume back in May), Laura Marling, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel, former Quicksand frontman Walter Schreifels and quite likely even more.

Clare and the Reasons at the Mercury Lounge
Another top CMJ pick for us, which comes as no surprise, since we’ve been giddy about Clare Muldaur Manchon, Oliver Manchon and the swinging company they keep for quite some time now. They share tonight’s bill with Josh Mease, who specializes in delicate introspection.

Cold Cave, the Golden Filter, Free Energy and Glasser at the Studio at Webster Hall
Stereogum, another of our favorite music zines, is responsible for this rich, impressive bill, topped by the icy goth atmospherics of synth combo Cold Cave.

Enescu Re-Imagined by Lucian Ban and John Hébert at Merkin Concert Hall
If you’d prefer to avoid CMJ, consider this brainy, brawny and compellingly tuneful take on the music of Romanian Romantic composer George Enescu, refracted through a modern-jazz prism and played by a scary-good group.

Phil Woods Quintet at Birdland
An elite disciple of bebop architect Charlie Parker, alto-sax great Phil Woods soars into Birdland with his rock-solid combo, featuring fiery trumpeter Brian Lynch.

Sunset Rubdown

Friday

1. Sunset Rubdown at the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug took this project to the next level this year with the epic record Dragonslayer. See what he and his new main troupe can do live and read our preview on the show here.

2. Al Green at B.B. King’s The other Reverend Al brings nothing less than soul legend into our city. Read our preview on the show here. He also plays B.B.’s Saturday.

3. Mika at the United Palace The young hit maker heads uptown for a show of pure pop. Read our recent feature on him here.

Saturday

1. Incus Festival 2009 at Abrons Art Center John Zorn pays homage to an avant-garde hero with a starry lineup at this two-day fest that continues Sunday.

2. Fool’s Gold at Cake Shop This large L.A. band explores sounds across the board from African polyrhythms to Hebrew vocals on its anthemic tunes. Make sure to check the group out at this or one of its various gigs around the city this week.

3. The Avett Brothers at Terminal 5 The North Carolina group mines bluegrass and old-timey territory, most recently with the help of Rick Rubin on I and Love and You.

Sunday

1. Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet at Highline Ballroom The Cuban pianist from the Bay Area has made a name for himself through pursuing a modern fusion informed by jazz, Afro-Latin roots and hip-hop culture. Read our recent review of his latest album here.

2. The Raveonettes + The Black Angels at Music Hall of Williamsburg Two indie bands that dabble in the dark and droney play Brooklyn.

3. The Knew at Pianos A Denver band performs for its first time on the East Coast and arrives with stripped-down blues-rock and mustaches.

1. Daniel Johnston at Highline Ballroom
“I was having a nervous breakdown when I recorded it,” says songsmith Daniel Johnston of his 1983 underground classic Hi, How Are You in the excellent documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston (trailer above). Johnston may never shake the “outsider artist” tag, but his work holds up surprisingly well when divorced from its sad, strange backstory. Get an in-person glimpse of one of pop’s great enigmas at the incongruously swanky Highline Ballroom tonight. For a taste of what to expect, check out a review of a 2007 Johnston show by our own Sophie Harris.

2. Charles McPherson’s 70th Birthday Celebration
Over the course of a lengthy career, altoist Charles McPherson has worked with Charles Mingus and impersonated Charlie Parker. Tonight he’s at the helm of his own powerhouse quintet.

3. No Age + Woods at (Le) Poisson Rouge
L.A. art-punk darlings No Age share a bill with Woods, one of NYC’s leading psych-folk outfits.

4. Chita Rivera at Birdland
A Broadway legend demonstrates her continued vitality.

5. The Dodos at Bowery Ballroom
San Francisco band the Dodos brings its bittersweet guitar pop to the LES.

1. Clem Snide at the Mercury Lounge
We’ve always had a major soft spot for singer-songwriter Eef Barzelay’s scrappy rock combo Clem Snide (pictured), and were sorry to see the band out of commission for a while, even though Barzelay filled the gap with worthwhile solo material. The fullsome foursome springs back into action tonight, supporting a snappy new release, Hungry Bird.

2. Former Ghosts at Monkey Town
It may be Tuesday, but it’ll feel just like Monday again when this mope-rock supergroup featuring Freddy Ruppert (This Song Is a Mess but So Am I) and Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu) takes hold of your nervous system.

3. Built to Spill at Webster Hall
String-strangling frontman Doug Martch and his boisterous Boise bros play the second night in a clutch of local dates. Read our Fear-some CD review here.

4. The Raveonettes at Maxwell’s
Determined Danes Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo raise a righteous ruckus in Frat City.

5. Om + Six Organs of Admittance + Lichens at Bowery Ballroom
You’ll get a contact high just walking down the sidewalk past this show; give in and let the righteous orgone emanations vibrate your chakras.

Lenny Kravitz at Fillmore Irving Plaza
Yes, we may laugh at Lenny Kravitz, his ridiculous rock-star stylings (see left) and the fact that his own website describes him as a “legendary artist.” But Kravitz has sold 40 million records worldwide—some of them truly great (c’mon, you really didn’t like “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”?). Tonight’s show is the second of five intimate gigs by the “legendary artist.”

Kylie Minogue at Hammerstein Ballroom
The pint-size pop princess finally tours the U.S.; tonight is the second of her three nights in NYC. Read our preview here, and find out what took her so long in our Q&A, here.

Built to Spill at Webster Hall
The boys from Boise (see what we did there?), Idaho, celebrate the stony jams and reverb-heavy guitar heroics of their seventh album, There Is No Enemy (review here).

Hope Sandoval and the Warm Invention at Bowery Ballroom
The Mazzy Star singer brings her dreamy vocal stylings to town, playing behind a new disc, Through the Devil Softly.

Sonny Landreth at B.B. King’s
Louisiana bluesman Landreth’s fans include Allen Toussaint and Mark Knopfler. Can he bring his bayou vibes to the blues theme park that is B.B. King’s? You can bet he’ll do his darnedest to try.

After the jump: Lenny Kravitz sneers in the face of clothes.

Read more »

Gossip

Friday

1. Roseanne Cash at St. Ann’s Warehouse Johnny’s daughter plays songs that he selected for her more than 35 years ago. Read our feature on the shows (she plays Saturday too) here.

2. Kiss at Nassau Coliseum The fire-starting painted men come to town on the (platform) heels of a surprisingly good new record. Read our show preview here. (The foursome also plays Madison Square Garden Saturday.)

3. Gossip at Terminal 5 Beth Ditto gets her diva wail going on the stage and the dance party going on the floor. Read our review of the band’s most recent record here.

Saturday

1. Drummer at Mercury Lounge Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney recruits some other percussionists to play other instruments in his new side project. Read our show preview here.

2. Monotonix at Market Hotel The insane Tel Aviv band plays a set full of skin and sweat on the floor of the Bushwick venue. If you haven’t seen these guys do their thing yet, go. (The trio also plays Friday at Santos Party House.)

3. Timber Timbre at Mercury Lounge One Taylor Kirk of Toronto plays his lush, somber folk. (He also does so Friday at Union Hall.)

Sunday

1. Kylie Minogue at Hammerstein Ballroom It’s been said before, but we still can’t believe this is the first time the Aussie superstar has come to the U.S., so we’ll say it again: Wow. Read our show preview here. (She busts out her hits Monday and Tuesday too.)

2. Om + Six Organs of Admittance at Club Europa Trancey drifts and psych-folk are the name of the game tonight.

3. White Rabbits at Maxwell’s In May, White Rabbits released one of the better records of the year, It’s Frightening (read our review here). Tonight, the percussive locals bring the ruckus live.