By Daniel Jumpertz
Special to DNAinfo
Wednesday March 21
Oberhofer have the raggedy indie pop sound of Pavement and a similar creative ambience as the Animal Collective - shout lyrics, thumping beat & samples. At the Bowery Ballroom.
Thursday March 22
The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys follow their red hot performance last week at Madison Square Garden with more of the same. Headliner The Black Keys fuse rough and ready blues with super catchy rock hooks and concise songs. UK stars the Arctic Monkeys fuse elements of the best UK post-punk and indie pop (Franz Ferdinand, The Clash) to produce rousing rock anthems that have brought them much acclaim at home.
Also tonight: Witty '80s UK indie guitar pop band The Wedding Present at Le Poisson Rouge.
Friday March 23
Grimes is young Canadian electronic music producer Claire Boucher. Her first album, 2010's "Geidi Primes" was released on cassette, attracting the attention of hip UK label 4AD. Her new album, "Visions," is poppy and sweet with en experimental futuristic edge. At the Mercury Lounge.
Saturday March 24
Indie rocker Ben Kweller channels Weezer and The Cars on his latest album "Go Fly A Kite." Back in the '90s (as a teenager) Kweller formed the band Radish in his home state Texas. He toured widely, and even scored a UK top 40 hit with "Little Pink Stars," but failed to break through at home. A solo artist since his 19th birthday, Kweller has toured with The Lemonheads, Wilco and also formed The Bens (with Ben Folds and Ben Lee) for an EP and tour. At Irving Plaza.
Sunday March 25
Australian producer Gotye is enjoying the biggest hit of his career with the excellent single "Somebody That I Used To Know." Belgian born, but Australian raised, Gotye's sound straddles electronica and indie pop. His latest (third) album "Making Mirrors" is his most successful album since his DIY debut "Boardface" sent critics abuzz back in 2003. At Terminal 5.
Monday March 26
Singer-songwriter Fiona Apple hit the big time early on in her career; her 1996 album "Tidal" was a huge hit and won her a Grammy for the single "Criminal." Since then, she has explored a more challenging, less rock sound (on the 1999 album "When The Pawn…" and 2006's "Extraordinary Machine") that has earned her a devoted cult audience. Her most recent album - due in June 2012 - is "The Idler Wheel" prompting this promotional tour, her first shows outside LA in more than five years. At The Bowery Ballroom. Also Friday 23 at Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Tuesday March 27
Youth Lagoon (aka Trevor Powers) is the author of one of 2011's standout albums, the ethereal "The Year Of Hibernation." The Youth Lagoon sound is a layered mix of DIY synths and drum machines with dreamy vocals and beautifully arranged and soulful songs. At The Bowery Ballroom.
