Here’s TLD Contributor Flora Theden’s weekly run-down of the best live music on the Lower East Side.
Thursday – My Bubba
A female folk duo currently opening for Damien Rice. Swedish My and Icelandic Bubba met by chance five years ago in Copenhagen, combined vocals and suitcases and have been traveling together, performing their contemporary folk songs all around Europe and the US ever since. Check out their delicate version of “Sexual Healing.” Their songs are sparse, allowing their voices and entrancing harmonies to take center stage.
Listen to: Island
Rockwood Music Hall // March 26th // 8:30pm // $10
Saturday – Kool Keith (Lucky Bears Foot)
Well, the rapper known for raunchy jams like “Sex Style” in the ’80s and ’90s is back on the scene, with a new web show (that’s equal parts bizarre, hilarious and off-putting) and a new band called Lucky Bears Foot that will debut at Joe’s Pub this weekend. Your guess is as good as ours, but there’s no way this won’t be an entertaining show. We hear that tickets are already scarce, but it’s not sold out quite yet.
Listen to: Young Ladies
Joe’s Pub // March 28th // 11pm // $20
Saturday – Massive NYC
Brought to you by downtown legends Melissa Burns and Oscar Sanchez at one of the few grungy venues in the LES that still pushes boundaries and celebrates originality. A Saturday rager in true NYC fashion — expect live performers rapping, dance-offs and flashing neon lights in the foggy basement.
Leftfield // March 28th // 11pm // Free
*Monday – Gateway Drugs*
Our featured recommendation for the week, L.A.-based alt-rock band Gateway Drugs consists of members Gab, Noa, and Liv Niles – the children of bassist Prescott Niles, whose band The Knack is behind the 1979 classic “My Sharona.” They’re relatively unknown right now – their website isn’t even set up yet, endearingly enough, but something tells us that their recent SXSW appearance is going to change things. Catch them at a small venue while you still can.
Listen to: Dare Tonight
Mercury Lounge // March 30th // 9:30pm // $20
Monday – Hanni El Khatib
His sound is similar to The Black Keys with a mix of blues, garage, folk and rock ‘n roll. San Francisco native Hanni El Khatib worked as a creative director at HUF, a street wear/skateboarding brand, before making his debut as a singer/songwriter in 2010. He toured with Florence + The Machine in 2011 and released a new album, Moonlight, earlier this year.
Listen to: Moonlight
Bowery Ballroom // March 30th // 9pm // $15
Wednesday – Joseph
A band consisting of three sisters from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Joseph was their grandfather’s name. Expect honest words and genetically perfected harmonies. Fans of Feist and Of Monsters and Men will enjoy their folky, upbeat sound.
Listen to: Wind
Mercury Lounge // April 1st // 6:30pm // $10 in advance, $12 at the door
