TLD Contributor Flora Theden is kicking off a weekly run-down of the best live music on the Lower East Side.
Wednesday – Milkweed
Hailing from Binghamton, NY, Milkweed sounds exactly like their name. Soulful Americana and bluegrass emanates from the banjo, bass, fiddle, and guitar, and harmonizes with catchy folk vocals.
Listen: Luckiest Man
Rockwood Music Hall // January 7th // 11pm // Free
Thursday – The Rooks
If you’re looking for funky, vibrant, live music on the LES, make sure to check out The Rooks during a month-long residency at Arlene’s Grocery. A guaranteed feel-good concert that will have the crowd breaking a sweat and singing along, The Rooks are an indie-soul sextet with rock, R&B and hip-hop influences.
Listen to: Twister
Arlene’s Grocery // January 8th // 8:30pm // Free
Friday – The Bottom Dollars
A solid rock ‘n’ roll band from Brooklyn, NY, The Bottom Dollars are a high-energy trio with catchy guitar riffs that will make you want to tap your feet and throw back a beer. The band is known for lively performances and their blues-and-soul tinged sound.
Listen: Prizefighter
Bowery Ballroom // January 9th // 8pm // $12 in Advance, $15 Day Of
Saturday – Syvia
Syvia is alternative electronic rock/pop that evokes a world beyond this one, where the Northern lights meet the steel skyscrapers of NYC. If you like The Yeah Yeah Yeahs or Little Dragon, you’ll love this synth-filled show in the Showroom at Pianos.
Listen: Hideout
Pianos // January 10th // 9pm // $10
Sunday – Ravi Shavi
To sum it up: Deer Tick’s John McCauley did a stage dive at Ravi Shavi’s 2013 release party for their debut album. Reminiscent of rockers like Jack White and Surfer Blood, Ravi Shavi plays new wave/garage pop with a refreshing new take on the genre.
Listen: Indecisions
Cake Shop / January 11th // 8pm Doors //$7
Tuesday – Nick Hakim
Don’t miss Nick Hakim’s January residency at Mercury Lounge, where the singer-songwriter will perform his emotionally rich R&B/Jazz/Electronic tunes. If you like Bon Iver or Devendra Banhart, listen to his album Where Will We Go Pt. 2 (2014) , then go check out this show.
Listen: I Don’t Know
Mercury Lounge / January 13th // 9pm Doors //$13 in Advance, $15 at the Door
Get Tickets Now
Theophilus London tickets are sale now for his February 16th show at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets are $26. London is currently touring to support his new album, Vibes, which was produced by Kanye West and is a collage of experimental pop and R&B with an ‘80s new wave influence.
Flora Theden lives and works in the Lower East Side. She is an Account Executive in the Hospitality Division of Brandsway Creative, a Public Relations, Marketing and Branding firm.
