The Crystal Ark + Avan Lava

Headed up by DFA's resident wizard Gavin Russom and multimedia artist Viva Ruiz (and featuring Tyler Pope and Jaiko Suzuki, among other NYC underground notables), the Crystal Ark purveys a kind of paganistic synth-pop that's alternately hypnotic and funky; the band's live sets are by turns funny, weird and awe-inspiring. The similarly minded indie-pop outfit Avan Lava, whose live performances include choreographed backup dancers and trippy light shows, opens up.