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The Shins, Squeeze and Santigold Play New York

By DNAinfo Staff on April 25, 2012 7:08am

By Danny Jumpertz

Special to DNAinfo

Wednesday April 25

A double bill featuring Suzanne Vega and Duncan Sheik at the Highline Ballroom. Vega was at the vanguard of the early 1980s new folk movement, scoring a string of critically acclaimed albums and hits, ranging from her million-selling self-titled debut to the international hits "Luka" and "Tom's Diner" (both from 1987's "Solitude Standing.") Duncan Sheik broke through in the late 1990s with his Top 20 single "Barely Breathing." Last year, he released "Duncan Sheik Covers '80s" — featuring his highly personalized takes on classics of the synth-pop era, including tracks by The Cure, New Order, Tears for Fears and The Smiths.
Also tonight: Toronto's The Weeknd play Music Hall of Williamsburg, and Nick Lowe plays Town Hall. Lowe — who had a big hit in the late 1970s with the incredibly catchy "Cruel To Be Kind" — toured last year with Wilco.

Thursday April 26
George Lewis Jr. is the clever man behind Twin Shadow. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Florida, his album "Forget" from 2010 was produced by Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear. At Glasslands.

Also tonight — Wu Tang Clan's Raewkon rang in 2012 with the release of the free mixtape "Unexpected Victory." Tonight he plays B.B King Blues Club & Grill.

Friday April 27
Indie rockers Death Cab For Cutie released their first album "Something About Airplanes" back in 1998, but it wasn't until 2005's "Plans" that they hit the big time. Every album since then has been a top five hit, including 2011's "Codes and Keys." Also on the bill tonight, Youth Lagoon. At Beacon Theatre (Through to April 29).

Also tonight — US underground legends The Feelies play an upbeat, feel-good indie folk rock sound (not unlike REM.) They reunited in 2008 after releasing four influential independent albums between 1976 and 1992. An acclaimed fourth album — "Here Before" — was released last year. At The Bell House.

Saturday April 28
Although born in the era of new wave, Squeeze is an archetypal English band in the mould of The Kinks or The Beatles. Although their songs were cleverly observed vignettes with solid gold hooks, they struggled to break through in the USA — their best known track Stateside is probably 1981's "Tempted." In 2010, Squeeze released "Spot The Difference" — the band's 13th studio album — which consists entirely of new recordings of older Squeeze songs. The songs are arranged as similarly as possible to the original recordings, being done in such a way to invite the listener to "spot the difference." Tonight Squeeze team up with compatriots The English Beat  (known in the UK as The Beat,) rounding off an outstanding double bill for fans of new wave music at its finest. At Roseland Ballroom.

Sunday April 29
On the back of their new album "Port Of Morrow," The Shins are playing a string of dates at Terminal 5 (through to May 1). The Shins have won many fans worldwide since their catchy and understated 2001 debut "Oh Inverted World." Built around the sublime songwriting skills of singer James Mercer, the Shins broke through with the single "New Slang" — (it was included in the film "Garden State") and consistent international touring.

Monday April 30
Santigold is back! Philly native Santi White burst onto the scene in 2008 with her stunning self-titled album and has since collaborated with artists as diverse as RZA, Mark Ronson, The Beastie Boys, M.I.A and Basement Jaxx. Her new album "Master of My Make Believe" is out this week. Check out her new video for "Disparate Youth" here. At Bowery Ballroom.

Tuesday April 31
Japanese music legend — electronic and orchestral composer and member of the influential Yellow Magic Orchestra — Ryuichi Sakamoto plays the downtown home of the improvisational and experimental music scenes, The Stone.

For more Gigs of the Week, follow @bandupdate on Twitter.