Here’s TLD Contributor Flora Theden’s weekly run-down of the best live music on the Lower East Side.
Saturday – The Rooks
Fresh off the heels of the recent release of Intermission (Wires), The Rooks are back for a second show at Mercury Lounge, and we’re offering two free tickets to a lucky reader who wants to get down to the sounds of this vibrant and energetic sextet. Known for a feel-good, melodic R&B/IndieSoul sound with the perfect mix of smooth vocal and jazzy bass, their music impossible not to dance to. Details on how to win tickets here.
Listen to: Intermission (Wires)
Mercury Lounge // March 21st // 8:30pm // $10 advance, $12 day of show
Monday – Erik Hassle
Swedish soul-pop in the best way. If you’re looking to get down on a Monday, this is the place to be. This pop sensation from Stockholm is sure to have the crowd dancing to catchy songs all night long. Listen to “Pathetic” and tell me you didn’t dance just a little bit. I dare you.
You can also catch Erik Hassle performing with Broods at Irving Plaza on March 25th.
Listen to: Pathetic
Piano’s // March 23rd // 8pm // $10
Tuesday – Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Their 10th studio album Freedom Tower: No Wave Dance Party 2015, will be released via Mom + Pop Records on the same night as the punk band’s Cake Shop show, which is sure to be a revelrous return to Manhattan for these scuzz-rock heroes.
Listen to: White Jesus
Cake Shop // March 24th // 10pm // Free with purchase of new LP
Tuesday – Big Data (with On and On and Chappo)
Led by Brooklyn-based producer Alan Wilkis, Big Data is a contemporary electro-pop group that’s funky, vibrant and a hell of a lot of fun to listen to. They’re playing with indie trio On and On, whose sound is youthful and sleepy and completely beautiful. If you haven’t heard their song Ghosts then you’re missing out. Make sure to get there early enough to catch Chappo, whose synth take on west coast psychedelia bring us from the 60’s into a galaxy far far away. They have a “Flaming Lips meets the Killers” vibe.
Listen to: Dangerous by Big Data
Bowery Ballroom // March 24th // 8pm // $18 in advance, $25 day of show
Wednesday – Jangula and Skii Lodge
Ok, so we may have highlighted Jangula two weeks ago. But you need to check out this Brooklyn-based gutter rock group during their March residency in the Piano’s Showroom. Plus, they’re playing with Ski Lodge, who released an EP in February called Trust that’s pure indie pop genius and incredibly fun to listen to.
Listen to: Trust by Ski Lodge
Piano’s // March 25th // 9pm // $8
Wednesday – Henry Hall
Siren Sounds PR presents Henry Hall, who will play songs from his forthcoming EP, along with great friends Captain Baby and Basic Shapes at Bowery Electric. Henry Hall has an eerily captivating voice that you can bob and sway to while enjoying beer. It’s indie-rock but mostly vocals and a slightly ethereal, dreamy vibe without the synth.
Listen to: Fake Words by Henry Hall
Bowery Electric // March 25th // 7pm // $8
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.
