BEST SHOW FEATURING A BROOKLYN ROCK BAND
Guards and Fort Lean at Brooklyn Bowl
Tuesday, June 18
9pm
FREE with RSVP/$5 at the door
Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave.)
Brooklyn band Fort Lean has released a handful of EPs over the past few years featuring powerful, quivering and at times gut-wrenching vocals from lead singer Keenan Mitchell. But don’t be fooled by the subtle beauty and vulnerability in Mitchell’s voice. This band rocks, and there’s plenty of guitar to go around. Guards headlines this free show at Brooklyn Bowl. RSVP here.
BEST SHOW AT MUSIC HALL THAT’S NOT SOLD OUT (YET)
Low at Music Hall of Williamsburg
Wednesday, June 19
9pm
Tickets $25
Music Hall of Williamsburg (66 N.6 St.)
There are a few sold out shows at Music Hall of Williamsburg this week (Scottish electropop band CHVRCHES and Canadian electronic band Austra) but tickets are still available to indie-rock vets Low’s Wednesday night show. If Low’s daydream-y haze is too mellow for you, you can still catch some synth heavy pop at Cold Cave‘s midnight show at St. Vitus Bar.
BEST FREE SHOW
Blackalicious/Phony Ppl/D-Nice at Celebrate Brooklyn! Prospect Park Bandshell
Thursday, June 20
7:30pm
FREE ($3 suggested donation)
Prospect Park Bandshell (9th Street & Prospect Park West)
Brooklyn hip-hop collective Phony Ppl brings ‘Brooklyn Soul’ to Prospect Park this Thursday. Photo: phonyppl.com
After suffering a knee injury on stage a few weeks ago, Big Boi had to back out as headliner of this Thursday’s Celebrate Brooklyn! show at the Prospect Park Bandshell (9th Street & Prospect Park West), but the buzz-worthy draw on this bill is opening act Phony Ppl, a hip-hop collective of nine young guns from Bed-Stuy with an impressive horn section and collection of vocalists who dubbed their music “Brooklyn Soul” and tore up the stage at Brooklyn Bowl in February. Hip-hop duo Blackalicious are emerging from an almost decade-long hiatus and are taking over headlining duties.
BEST NIGHT OF BLUEGRASS
Andy Statman and Union Street Preservation Society
Thursday, June 20
8pm
$10 at door
Barbès (376 9 St. )
Brooklyn five-piece Union Street Preservation Society plays a lively, energetic blend of jazz-tinged bluegrass and Americana. Guitarist and frontman David Lieberman is as affable and energetic as they come, and it’s a real treat to hear mandolinist Sara Bouchard take over on lead vocals. Her voice is sweet, direct and always divine. Catch them at Barbès on Thursday night with mandolin master Andy Statman.
BEST. SHOW. PERIOD.
White Denim at Brookyn Bowl
Saturday, June 22
8pm
Tickets $15
Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave.)
I once flew all the way to Austin, Texas to see a White Denim show in their home city (and to eat some tacos). It was worth the trip. This is one of the most energetic, visceral live bands playing right now. Take advantage of their brief time in the Northeast before they head to the west coast and then Europe for their summer tour. If this is the one thing you do this weekend, you’ll be satisfied. They play Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday (with Houndmouth).
