Caleb's Concerts: May 2-7
Charli XCX, Pussy Riot, and Kim Gordon, plus hyper-pop, Sudanese hip hop, a Mexican singer-songwriter, Americana and more
It’s another gorgeous week in NYC, which means its time to get outside and see some music! The Long Play Festival and Charli XCX both take over Brooklyn all weekend, but there are plenty of other options of somehow you find neither of those are for you. Rising indie star Mei Semones is in town this week, as is Saya Gray, who's Tiny Desk blew me away. Americana fans will be torn between seeing singer-songwriters Allison Russell or Valerie June, both of whom perform at 8 pm at two different Manhattan venues on Tuesday. Plus Sonic Youth front woman Kim Gordon and the feminist performance artists and activists Pussy Riot perform on opposites sides of Brooklyn tonight.
Friday, May 2
Kim Gordon, 8 pm
Pioneer Works (159 Pioneer St, Red Hook)
Kim Gordon rose to fame as the founding member, bassist, and vocalist of Sonic Youth. Her second solo album “The Collective” got a lot of critical praise last year. It’s harsh. It’s noisy. It’s industrial. I think this will be really fun to experience live.
The event is part of the Long Play Festival which takes over downtown Brooklyn all weekend. Formed by the contemporary music collective Bang on a Can, the festival features tons of artists pushing the boundary of contemporary classical music and jazz. Most of my picks would be in the latter category. There are a lot of free shows throughout the weekend, or you can get a day or festival pass and see everything. Shows I’m excited about include: Trumpet player Peter Evans' band Being and Becoming with vibraphonist Joel Ross, the incredible drummer Tyshawn Sorey, and bassist Nick Joz (Fri, Roulette); a work for 100 tubas (FREE!, Sat, Fort Greene Park); avant-jazz guitarists Mary Halvorson and Bill Frisell (Sat, Roulette); a Jazz quartet with Sara Serpa, Marta Sanchez, Greg Ward, and Qasim Naqvi (FREE!, Sun, BAMCafe); the Tunisian singer-songwriter Nour Harkati (FREE!, Sun, BAMCafe); the great saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins with drummer Tomas Fujiwara and cellist Tomeka Reid (FREE!, Sun, BRIC Stoop). Complete schedule and details here.
Pussy Riot, 8 pm
Elsewhere (599 Johnson Ave, Bushwick)
Punk meets performance art. I honestly didn’t realize Pussy Riot was out there touring and performing music, I just knew them for showing up here and there, around the world, in balaclavas to protest Putin’s regime in Russia, but sure enough they’re on tour performing tonight at Elsewhere’s main hall. Video below from the Canadian leg of the tour helps explain what this night might be all about.
Lau Noah and Friends, 8 pm
The Owl Music Parlor (495 Rogers Ave, Prospect Lefferts Garden)
Lau Noah is a great guitarist and singer who’s collaborated with everyone from jazz singer Cecile McLorin Salvant to Jacob Collier. The Owl, as I’ve mentioned here in the past, is a perfect venue for singer-songwriters and soft, beautiful sounds. She’s bringing a bunch of friends for this performance, including Youtuber and bassist Adam Neely.
Saturday, May 3
Charli XCX, 8 pm
Barclays Center (620 Atlantic Ave, Downtown Brooklyn)
Brat Summer™ may be over, but Charli XCX is still riding the wave of her blockbuster album that won her the top prize at the GRAMMYs and a headliner spot at Coachella.
She’s in Brooklyn this week, if you somehow missed the memo. Performances continue Saturday and Sunday and tickets are expensive but always try for a extremely last minute re-sale ticket and you might find something more in your budget. Go hear some club classics from an artist at the top of her game who’s taken the industry by storm. It’s Charli XCX’s moment and it would be a shame not to experience what she has to offer.
Saya Gray, 8 pm
Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey St, Bowery)
I was unfamiliar with Saya Gray before her two shows this weekend show sold out* but she recently had a Tiny Desk concert released and I was instantly hooked. Her voice reminds me of Yebba, but it’s more alternative and pop than neo-soul. Give the Tiny Desk a listen below and hear for yourself.
*Don’t worry, the re-sale sites might have your back if you want to get a ticket.
Sunday, May 4
Check out my note above about Long Play Festival. Lots of free stuff happening throughout the weekend, including Sunday, in Downtown Brooklyn/Park Slope/Gowanus area.
Also, Charli XCX (see above) performs one last night at Barclays Center on Sunday.
Monday, May 5
Rhett Miller, 7:30 pm
LPR (158 Bleecker St, Greenwich Village)
Lead singer of the alternative country rock band The Old 97s performs his solo works which lean more into the indie space than americana.
Tuesday, May 6
Two of my favorite americana artists just both happen to be playing this Tuesday. Both with distinct styles and voices, I just happened to come across the two of them shortly after the pandemic.
Valerie June, 8 pm
The Town Hall (123 West 43rd St, Times Square)
Allison Russell, 8 pm
Webster Hall (125 E 11th St, East Village)
Wednesday, May 7
Ximena Sariñana, 8 pm
Irivng Plaza (17 Irving Pl, Union Square)
I first saw this Mexican singer songwriter and actress when she headlined a Summerstage show put on by the Latin Alternative Music Conference in 2019. The album she released that year was breezy Latin alternative pop. Her latest EP Rompe is a bit more electric guitar-driven alternative rock. So, I’m not sure what to expect sonically, but the EP and this tour all point to a new album coming soon.
Hannah Diamond, 8 pm
Elsewhere Rooftop (599 Johnson Ave, Bushwick)
Hyperpop. Happy that the club Elsewhere has finally opened their rooftop. It’s a great space, and just the right size. Summer’s nearly here! Will be publishing a special guide to all the fun outdoor things happening June-August in the coming weeks.
Nadine El Roubi, 8 pm
LPR (158 Bleecker St, Greenwich Village)
This Sudanese rapper is so smooth. Smooth with her flow, smooth with her singing, smooth with her beats. An Instagram post from the presenter points out that she has co-signs from SZA and A Tribe Called Quest's Jarobi White.
Mei Semones, 8 pm
Music Hall of Williamsburg
This indie musician, with some signature jazz-inflected guitar licks throughout her album, is definitely one to watch. Her debut album was released today, May 2. I haven’t heard the whole album yet but the singles have rocked.
If you have any tips about concerts, please let me know! Always looking to add dates to my calendar for possible inclusion on the list. And as always, any feedback about this space is more than welcome, and if you attended a concert you really enjoyed drop a line in the comments!