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This Week's Best Shows and a Spotify Playlist of the Bands

 M.I.A., Haim and Metronomy are all playing New York this week.
Gigs of the Week, Thursday, May 8
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NEW YORK — It’s spring and this place is jumping! Get into the action with these amazing gigs over the next seven days.

Thursday, May 8
British-Sri Lankan rapper, producer and visual artist M.I.A. returns to New York City behind her 2013 album “Matangi.” In support, young Harlem rapper A$AP FERG performs. The show is happening from 7 p.m. at the Knockdown Center, a 50,000-square-foot restored factory at 52-19 Flushing Ave., Maspeth, Queens. Tickets are $38.

On their seventh album “Mess,” Liars have continued their evolution towards a more electronic dance-oriented sound, though their energy remains restless and engaging. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Greenwich Village’s (Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. with tickets for $25. Alternatively, see them Friday from 8 p.m. at The Wick in Bushwick for $25.

Friday, May 9
Glasgow’s Mogwai mixes thrilling, heavy post-rock with spacious ambient jams. Their eighth album, “Rave Tapes” sees the band “aging gracefully and brilliantly," according to the Alternative Press. Check them out at 8 p.m. at Midtown’s Terminal 5, 610 W 56th St. Tickets are $30.

Saturday, May 10
The Brooklyn Flea Record Fair returns to Smorgasburg in East River State Park. More than 50 vendors (including secondhand record dealers and labels like Rough Trade, Domino, Warp and DFA) will be hawking their recorded wares. Catch DJ sets from Sandra Electronics (Regis & Silent Servant), Autre Ne Veut, Caroline Polachek (Chairlift), Optimo and Jesse Cohen (Tanlines). It's all a part of the current Red Bull Music Academy series. Attend the free event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 90 Kent Ave. at North 7th Street.

Sunday, May 11
The all-female sibling pop-rock trio Haim were launched into a blaze of hype following a performance at South By Southwest in 2012 that won them a record contract with U.K. label Polydor. Their debut album “Days Are Gone” justified the hype — packed with catchy songs infused with the radio-friendly DNA of The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Destiny’s Child. See them perform at Friday and Saturday at Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th St. Doors are at 7 p.m. Both shows sold out, but tickets are available on Stubhub from about $70.

Monday, May 12
Himanshu Kumar Suri, aka Heems, is a Queens rapper, best known for being part of the alternative hip-hop group Das Racist and for his contribution to the Vampire Weekend track "Step," from their Unbelievers E.P. He’s also the founder of independent record label Greedhead Music. He'll be performing as Heems at 8 p.m. at Baby's All Right, 146 Broadway, Williamsburg. Tickets are $10.

Tuesday, May 13
Angel Olsen's vocal range extends from otherworldly and ethereal to snarly and aggressive. Her most recent album "Half Way Home" at times recalls Roy Orbison at his chilling best and is a great showcase for her songwriting. Olsen says that her new record is about "the endless searching, the fruitless waiting, the idea of a home that is inside yourself.” See her at Music Hall of Williamsburg for $18.

English five piece post-punk rockers Eagulls play the Mercury Lounge tonight. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at 217 East Houston St. Lower East Side. Tickets are $12.

Wednesday, May 14
On their fourth album “Love Letters,” accomplished English band Metronomy have produced a polished album full of dark, electronic-tinged pop. Lyrically, band leader Joe Mount adopts a more confessional tone than on their breakthrough album, “The English Riviera.” Innovative French video director and filmmaker Michel Gondry directs the video for the title track. Hear them at Webster Hall in the East Village. Tickets are $25.