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

  Ray LaMontagne, Suzanne Vega and Slick Rick are all playing New York this week May 1 through May 7. 
Gigs of the Week, May 1
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Thursday, May 1

The first annual Red Bull Music Academy Festival kicks off on Thursday and will feature events at various venues throughout the month of May. Highlights include David Byrne leading a tribute to mysterious Nigerian electro-funk musician William Onyeabor at BAM.

Ray LaMontagne just released his new Dan Auerbach-produced album “Supernova” on Tuesday. The album moves from his more traditional folk rock sound into psychedelic pop territory. Check him out at The Town Hall. Doors are at 8 p.m. The show is nearly sold out, but there are still plenty of tickets on StubHub and there is a second show on Friday.

Friday, May 2

She was one of the leading voices of the folk revival in the ‘80s, and Suzanne Vega is still going strong. The Manhattan native released her first album of new material in seven years in February. She’ll be at The Bell House with Ari Hest. Tickets are $35 and doors are at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 3

San Francisco’s Deerhoof has a sound that’s hard to categorize, though experimental noise pop comes close. That lack of a clearly defined genre is part of the band's appeal. One thing is for certain — their live shows are never boring. Expect an intense light show, plenty of jumping around and perhaps more musical changes than you’ve probably ever heard during a show before. At Le Poisson Rouge with Tomaga and Awkwafina. Doors at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $18.

John Maclean was one of the original members of the influential post-punk electro band Six Finger Satellite. After spending some time out of the music business, he got back in the game as The Juan MacLean. He’ll be DJ’ing at Brooklyn Bowl at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Sunday, May 4

Experimental jazz impresario John Zorn has had a project going for a little more than 10 years with ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo called Bladerunner. If you ever wanted to find yourself at the intersection of avant-garde jazz and thrash metal drumming, you may have to go to their show at Le Poisson Rouge at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Monday, May 5

Slint broke up before their influential album “Spiderland” was released in 1991. Some people have said it was the first “post-rock” record and it has since been considered a legendary underground album. They added a third New York Show at Greenpoint's The Wick after selling out both the Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg. Doors are at 8 p.m. and tickets are $30.

Matt Pond PA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their album “Emblems” with a series of shows. They’ll be at the Bowery Ballroom with The Lighthouse and the Whaler and Brian Bonz. Doors are 8 p.m. and tickets are $17.

Tuesday, May 6

Detroit-based producer Apollo Brown has an incredible new album coming out on May 6. “Thirty Eight” blends the sounds of ‘70s Blaxploitation soundtracks and current hip-hop. He is having an album release party at S.O.B.’s with special guests Ras Kass, Rapper Big Pooh and The 1978ers. Doors are 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $18. 

Wednesday, May 7

Hip-hop legend Slick Rick is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the release of his debut album “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.” He’ll be at B. B. King’s Blues Club & Grill at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.