NEW YORK — This week M.I.A. reveals her new long-delayed album "Matangi", Sunday night sees the first Youtube Music Awards, bringing a strong social media component to awards shows, Sebadoh launch "Defend Yourself" their first album in 14 years and the free, music-centric Brooklyn Night Bazaar launches in Greenpoint. Sink into the sounds of the city this week with my Spotify playlist below.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Chicago's Chance The Rapper brings his Social Experiment (with special guests DJ Roashad & Spinn) to SOB's tonight. His "Acid Rap" mixtape was nominated for Best Mixtape at the 2013 BET (Black Entertainment Television) Hip Hop Awards and received 8.4 out of 10, earning a "Best New Music" tag, from influential music blog Pitchfork.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Holy Ghost play bouncy retro synth pop equally influenced by their DFA record label roots (their 2003 self-titled album was produced by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy) and classic post-punk bands like New Order and OMD. At Terminal 5.
Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts have been heavily inspired by '60s garage pop and psychedelia on their most recent album, the excellent "Nature Noir." English blog "The Fly" say the album is "intimidating at first, but once your eyes acclimatise, you’ll relish joining them in the shadows." Join them tonight at the Bowery Ballroom on the Lower East Side. With out-there electronicists Excepter, slinky ambient blues from Zachary Cale and harmony laden psych jazz from 79.5.
Friday, Nov. 1
English-Sri Lankan M.I.A. is the only artist in history to be nominated for an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Brit Award, Mercury Prize and Alternative Turner Prize, and the first artist of Asian descent to be nominated for an Academy and Grammy Award in the same year. Her new album "Matangi" — out this week — features collaborations with American producer Danja, British DJ Switch and Dutch DJ production team The Partysquad. Tonight and Monday she brings her hybrid rap electro sounds to Terminal 5, Midtown.
The Spank Rock crew take over the Brooklyn Night Bazaar— a new night market and concert space in Greenpoint. Free.
Deerhoof, Elizabeth and the Catapult, Awkwafina and Lady Lamb The Beekeeper play Tinderbox Music Festival from 5 p.m. this evening. The annual event showcases a powerful and diverse lineup of emerging female artists producing innovative original music. At the Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Glasgow band The Fratellis exude a witty, energetic indie rock swagger that has earned them big hits at home, but, as yet, have failed to charm punters Stateside. "We Need Medicine" is their third studio album, and the first since their 2012 reunion. At Webster Hall, East Village.
Lou Barlow's Sebadoh plays the Bowery Ballroom, Lower East Side, tonight. Prepare to hear some of their recently released album "Defend Yourself" — their first new album in 14 years.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside plays the Mercury Lounge tonight. Sallie twists traditional notions of gender and genre, saying “it’s time for a girl to infiltrate the boys world of rock 'n' roll and grab it by the balls. To me rock 'n' roll isn’t a genre, it’s an energy.”
Initially formed by Alex Paterson and the KLF’s Jimmy Cauty in 1988, The Orb has since consisted of the former plus different collaborators, springing to prominence with 1989’s "A Huge Ever-Growing Pulsating Brain Which Rules From The Centre Of The Ultraworld" before 1991’s "The Orb’s Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld" created a new genre called "ambient house" but stretching into dub and avant garde. At Webster Hall, East Village.
Also tonight, Steve Earle and the Dukes play The Town Hall in Midtown, They Might Be Giants appear at Terminal 5 in Midtown and Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Trey Songz and Fabolous are on the bill — among others — for a Power 105.1 FM concert at Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
Sunday, Nov. 3
The YouTube Music Awards unfold at Pier 36 this evening. The cream of today's pop scene,
Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, Eminem, Lindsey Stirling and M.I.A., will be appearing at the live-streamed event designed to celebrate musicians who have had the biggest influence on YouTube over the past year. Winners will be chosen by popular vote from YouTube users around the world. At Pier 36, Lower East Side. Tune into the stream from 6pm.
Cuban jazz trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval brings his peerless chops to Blues Note. Sandoval is a protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie. Tonight is the final performance of his three-night run.
Experimental electronic musician Daniel Lopatin — known by his stage name as Oneohtrix Point Never — collaborates with artist Nate Boyce at P.S.1 in Long Island City. From 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 4
Best known as the Strokes' rhythm (and occasional lead) guitarist, Albert Hammond Jr. plays the Marlin Room @ Webster Hall, East Village. His new record , the five track EP "AHJ," has just been released.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Get down to the garagey, melodic punk rock of Atlanta's Black Lips at The Bowery Ballroom.
