Wednesday July 4
Celebrate the holiday by rocking out to classic cover bands Led Blimpie, AC/DC Done Dirt Cheap and Guns N Hoses at The Mercury Lounge.
Thursday July 5
One of New York's finest rock n roll troubadours Willie Nile will no doubt wow his disciples at Joe's Pub. Willie is the guy The New York Times called "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." He writes anthemic sing-along rock 'n' roll, not unlike classic Tom Petty or Keith Richards, and has been active on the New York scene since before his 1980 self-titled debut was released. His latest album is "The Innocent Ones".
Friday July 6
As part of the Ronettes, Ronnie Spector (Veronica Yvette Bennett) forged a path for dozens of female rock and roll singers who followed in her wake. A classic New York City girl group, The Ronettes formed in Washington Heights and played early shows at The Apollo in Harlem. They were global superstars in the early- to mid-'60s with a string of chart hits: "Be My Baby", "Baby, I Love You", and "Walking in the Rain." The Ronnettes toured with The Rolling Stones in England during 1964 and The Beatles on their final U.S. tour in 1966. After brief flings with both John Lennon and Keith Richards, Ronnie married notorious producer Phil Spector in 1968, divorcing him in 1974. With such an interesting life, she should have lots of material for this show; "Beyond the Beehive" — An evening of stories, images and songs". At the City Winery. (Also 14, 20 and 27 July)
Also tonight: Local band The Virgins play Bowery Electric. They formed in 2006 and have been compared to Talking Heads and The Strokes.
Saturday July 7
Roger Waters brings his truly epic concert experience "The Wall Live" to Yankee Stadium. Originally concieved as a Pink Floyd double album and motion picture film, "The Wall" deals largely with themes of abandonment and personal isolation. The album is a rock opera that centres on Pink, a character Waters modelled on himself. Pink's life experiences begin with the loss of his father during the Second World War, and continue with ridicule and abuse from his schoolteachers, an overprotective mother and finally, the breakdown of his marriage. All contribute to his eventual self-imposed isolation from society, represented by a metaphorical wall.
Also tonight: The CBGB Festival celebrates the roots of NYC punk and new wave with a show featuring some of todays alternative superstars: Guided By Voices (back together again with a great new album "Let’s Go Eat The Factory" - their first since 2004), The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Cloud Nothings at Central Park Summerstage.
Also tonight: Progressive Berlin electronicists, Tangerine Dream play Best Buy Theatre. Founded in 1967, Tangerine Dream have been an influential band to generations of musicians and bands including Kraftwerk and Neu!
Sunday July 8
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have plotted a slow and steady path since being anointed indie darlings by music blogs in 2005. Their wiry, super catchy, self-titled debut quickly sold and since then, only two albums have been released. Their most recent is titled "Hysterical". At Beekman Beer Garden.
Monday July 9
Together with artists such as R.E.M., 10,000 Maniacs defined college rock and created the first wave of alternative rock bands and also what became know as the alternative rock format on FM radio. Since original singer Natalie Merchant left the band for a solo career in the early 90s, the Maniacs have kept gigging with new singer Mary Ramsey and will salute their past with this special show at City Winery: the show celebrates the 25th anniversary of their acclaimed album "In My Tribe."
Tuesday July 10
Critics favorites Dirty Projectors will be featuring some new songs from their forthcoming album "Swing Lo Magellan" at Prospect Park Bandshell tonight.
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