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You've got a hell of a weekend to look forward to, NYC music heads. We've sifted through our listings and plucked out a handful of essential gigs.
Alvvays
Rough Trade NYC; Saturday
Alvvays is on the up-and-up. The wistful Toronto crew put out their self-titled debut back in July to a chorus of critical praise—Alvvays is a definite year-end short-lister for at least one Time Out New York Music staffer—and have positioned themselves as a beacon of hope for those jangle-loving guitar-pop purists who find themselves lost in a sea of EDM.
Joey Bada$$ and Pro-Era
Irving Plaza; Saturday
Brooklyn MC Joey Bada$$, head of the Pro Era crew, boasts a smoother-than-most flow, plus a fine line in mellow beats and keys. His latest single, "Christ Conscious," showcases the MC's dextrous wordplay and hints at the increased lyrical depth we may find on his upcoming LP, B4.DA.$$.
Antemasque
Brooklyn Bowl; Saturday. Bowery Ballroom; Sunday.
In their prior group, the Mars Volta, concision and catchiness seemed to rank pretty low on Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s priority list. But several months back, the duo (also known for their work in post-hardcore juggernaut At the Drive-In) delivered Antemasque, the self-titled debut by their new band. These 35 minutes of explosive and unabashedly accessible rock just might be their creative apex.
Mostly Other People Do the Killing
Cornelia Street Café; Sunday
This playful, provocative Astoria jazz group lays down a funky, whimsical groove as easily as it explodes form altogether, resulting in performances that feel at once anarchic and oddly wholesome. TONY recently spoke to the the group about its wildest endeavor yet, Blue, a note-for-note re-creation of Miles Davis's landmark Kind of Blue album.
David Nail
Irving Plaza; Sunday
Country crooner David Nail made a name for himself as a heartbroken, lovelorn balladeer, but with his latest record, I'm a Fire, Nail makes the jump into an unprecedented zone: that of happiness. At this show, expect to hear "Whatever She's Got," a downright cheerful 2013 single that rocketed Nail to the top of the country charts.