April 24 – April 30 • Essential Weekly Concert Guide • NYC Edition

Jeff Nau

Avec Sans at Knitting Factory Brooklyn | April 24
The UK electro-pop duo bring their genre-bending sounds to New York for a night. Though Avec Sans really got noticed with a recent cover of Bon Iver’s “Perth,” they’ve been hard at it since 2013’s “Hold On,” a catchy, tender synthpop stunner.   

Diana Ross at New York City Center | April 24-29
The Queen of Soul is back in New York City for a five-day stint at NYCC. From “Stop! In the Name of Love” to “Endless Love,” expect a ton of classics, from her Supremes-era discography and solo disco days all the way to her most recent solo output.

Pvris at Music Hall of Williamsburg | April 24
The Massachusetts-based electro-rock band has rocketed into the stratosphere as of late, with stints on the Vans Warped Tour and their first headlining shows – all since dropping their first album, “White Noise.” Described as everything from ‘post-hardcore’ to ‘dark electro pop’ and are in the middle of prepping their sophomore LP.

Chris Brown w/ 50 Cent, Fabolous, O.T. Genasis, Kap G at Barclays Center | April 24
One of the best-selling and most controversial hip hop stars of our generation returns for a stint at Barclays. Also included in the lineup are 50 Cent – who just released a greatest hits compilation and will hopefully bringing some – and Kap G, who is touring in support of his latest, “Supa Jefe.”

Trombone Shorty at Brooklyn Bowl | April 24
Don’t be fooled by the name. This isn’t just some little dude playing your garden-variety brass music. Also known as Troy Andrews, Trombone Shorty plays an eclectic kind of funk-fueled, jazz-powered, classic R&B-flavored soul that will hit you right in the feels. Inspired by some of the best classic soul of the 70s, Shorty is a can’t-miss.

Rise Against at House of Vans | April 24
The beloved punk/hardcore act will play a free show at House of Vans. Hailing from Chicago, Rise Against plays a melodic, pseudo-metalcore style that a lot of kids love.  Fun fact about Rise Against: the band actively supports organizations such as PETA and Amnesty International, in addition to living straight-edge lifestyles.

Starset at Gramercy Theatre | April 24
The brainchild of Dustin Bates – mild-mannered former electrical engineering student at Ohio University and occasional science professor – Starset may very well define just what ‘eclectic’ means. The band steadfastly embraces a kind of proggy, spacey kind of pseudo art-rock, right down to the concept album ethics employed by bands like Yes, Porcupine Tree, and others.

Generationals at Music Hall of Williamsburg | April 25
Influenced by 3 decades or so of classic American rock, Generationals somehow manage to blend the doo-wop and classic soul sounds of the 50s-60s, with the occasional foray into seventies and eighties synth pop. In other words: this is one Frankenstein-like beast that will likely resonate with one of your musical tastes.

Jazz Cartier at The Gramercy Theatre | April 25
The latest in a long line of beloved hip-hop superstars who just seem born to play trap, Jazz Cartier AKA Jaye Adams has lived everywhere from Barbados to Kuwait –a world-weariness reflected in songs with titles like “Black and Misguided” and “See You in Hell.”

Gorillaz at Rough Trade | April 25
The legendary, all-star lineup of Dan the Automator and Blur’s Albarn, along with Tom Tom Club’s Tina Weymouth and Cibo Matto’s Miho Hatori returns. Since their stunning debut some 17 years ago, Gorillaz have only been on an upward climb – especially since “Demon Days” in 2005.

Shura at Bowery Ballroom | April 25
The British songwriter and singer specializes in a retro kind of synthpop, and has been riding high ever since her debut, “Nothing’s Real,” was released less than a year ago to critical acclaim. Fun fact: Shura was so good a soccer player in her youth, she nearly played professionally.

Bleachers at Webster Hall | April 25
Blending bright and shimmering 80s-influenced pop rock with thoughtful lyrics, Bleachers is the creation of mastermind Jack Antonoff, who also helped launch the massively successful band Fun a few years back. They released “Strange Desire,” their debut, to massive critical acclaim; now Antonoff and co. continue to tour in support of “Gone Now.”

Juliana Hatfield at Mercury Lounge | April 25
The former Lemonheads member not only has a stellar resume, but plays about a million instruments like piano, organ, drums, guitar, and bass – all like a boss. Hailing from Boston, the former alt rock superstar earned raves only a couple years back for her stunning cover of a classic Elliot Smith song, “Needle in the Hay.”

The New Pornographers at Terminal 5 | April 26
The New Pornographers are already being hailed as the next big thing from Canada and are touring in support of their latest, “Whiteout Conditions,” released earlier this year. Fun fact: Band members are a virtual who’s-who of Canadian alt-rock acts.

Susto at Brooklyn Bowl | April 26
Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, Susto is only a couple years old and yet already being hailed as “taking Americana in a brand new direction” (AOL) and are currently touring in support of “I’m Fine Today,” their latest on Missing Piece Records.

Bryce Dressner at Carnegie Hall | April 26
Bryce Dressner loves music, and he loves it weird. Painting haunting visual landscapes with lush, layered synths and various stringed instruments, Dressner has worked with everyone form Kronos Quartet to Andre de Riddler to create bizarre music.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band | April 26
Robert Randolph’s brand of soul–influenced blues music is really like a kind of magic. And with good reason: the man and his band have played so many festivals, by now they’re masters at their craft. With everything from classic NOLA jazz to Delta blues, Robert Randolph and co. put on a show that’s hard to miss.

Monster Energy Outbreak Tour” ft. 21 Savage, Young M.A., Tee Grizzley, No Plug at Irving Plaza | April 26-27
Once known for their heavy metal extravaganzas, Monster Energy is focusing on hip-hop for a little while as some of today’s biggest artists, including Atlanta’s own 21 Savage – fresh off a signing to the one-and-only Epic Records – Young Nudy, whose “Tell ‘Em again” and “Sex Appeal” caused a sensation a couple years ago. Toss in Young M. A., and a few others and you’ve got what is sure to be a smashing success with the younger crowds.

Goldfrapp at Brooklyn Steel | April 26-27
Fronted by the mega-talented Alison Goldfrapp who got her big break over 20 years ago with Tricky, one of the nineties’ biggest trip-hop artists – the England-based band eschews genre classification for lush and layered synthscapes. Though they haven’t released an album in years, it hasn’t made them any less relevant.

HAUX at Baby’s All Right | April 27
HAUX is a New York-based group that composes some dreamy, effective synth pop. Soft-spoken though they may be, HAUX has a dedicated legion of loyal fans that adore every beat the band makes. Hit singles likely to be played include “Touch” and “Homegrown.”

of Montreal at Music Hall of Williamsburg | April 27
Perhaps the most popular, and best-selling, ‘experimental’ band in modern recent history, of Montreal is pretty much unstoppable by now. The brainchild of Kevin Barnes, the Georgia-based group has pooled together a vast amount of influences – count everything from punk to pop to folk to glam rock in there – and gives you a great idea of just what ‘eclectic’ really entails.

Juliana Hatfield at Mercury Lounge | April 27
The human musical dynamo and alt-rock goddess returns for a second night at The Mercury Lounge, just in case you missed her on the 26th.

The Maine at Webster Hall | April 27
Hot off the success of singles like “Do You Remember?” and “Bad Behavior,” Tempe, Arizona-based The Maine play a catchy and anthemic all-American pop rock that resonates. They’re touring in support of their latest, “Lovely Little Lonely.”

Talib Kweli (DJ Set) at Brooklyn Bowl | April 27
The politically active entrepreneur and recording artist puts aside some of his more memorable recordings for a full DJ set. Should be interesting to hear just what music influenced one of hip-hop’s most influential acts. Seeing as how the man’s been relevant for, oh, about 20 years in the scene, it sounds like it’ll be worth a listen.

Bonobo at Terminal 5 | April 27
Also known as Simon Green, the UK-based DJ and musician has been one of Ninja Tune’s biggest-selling artists as of late. Since “Migration” and with the help of singles like “Break Apart” and “Kerala,” the band has recently decided to forgo backing tracks in favor of a full band to play all the hits.

Fenech Soler at Bowery Ballroom | April 28
Throw in some laid-back, strummed chords, along with some catchy, energetic synths, and you’ve got an idea of what French Soler sound like. Hits like “Kaleidoscope” and “Magnetic” manage to shine with a bouncy, happy, kinetic energy without sounding saccharine.

Mura Masa at Spring Studios | April 28
The electronica producer/recording artist/singer/songwriter got his start being influenced by the likes of Hudson Mohawke and Cashmere Cat, before dropping his debut album a couple years ago. Since then his mashing of house, pop, and electro. 200 million plays on YouTube means he’s doing something right.

Gaslamp Killer at Paper Box | April 28
The firebrand made a name for himself by putting in lots and lots of hours: Gaslamp has traveled to the farthest corners of the world, clocking in countless nights at clubs all over Earth. Now on Flying Lotus’s record label, Brainfeeder, Gaslamp, Daddy Kev, Nobody, D-Styles, and others will play sets for Low End Theory.

Flux Pavilion at Webster Hall | April 28
With about a billion YouTube views to their name, Flux Pavilion mixes all kinds of electro with hard-hitting rhythms and grimy beats – and successfully, so they’ve obviously earned those views. They bring their bizarre and mutated brand of electronica to Webster Hall Friday.

Kris Kristofferson at City Winery | April 28
The legendary musician (and celebrated actor) is behind a slew of classic hits, from Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” to solo recordings like “Help Me Make it Through the Night” and “Why Me.” Fun Fact: Kristofferson has even recently taken to voice-over acting in video games, providing one of the “Fallout” series of games.  

“Culture Shock 2017” ft. Raury, Mitski, Mykki Blanco, Alvvays, Ravyn Lenae, Saba at SUNY Purchase | April 28 + 29
The lineup says it all – this is slated to be one of the most eclectic and unusual concerts of the year. From talented rapper and producer Raury to poet and activist Mykki Blanco and electro/pop/alt rock group Alvvays, if there’s one thing you’ll get musically with the Culture Shock Festival, it’s diversity.

Mitski at Brooklyn Steel | April 29
She’s been one of the darlings of the indie scene as of late, but the Japanese-American singer and songwriter isn’t quite ready to rest on her laurels. She’s still touring in support of her latest record, “Puberty 2,” which was released last year to overall critical acclaim.

Thursday at Irving Plaza | April 29
The hard rock superstars first garnered notice around 18 years ago with the debut of “Waiting,” a debut that captured all the right attention from all the right labels. Fast-forward nearly two decades, and you’ve got a band still perched atop the post-hardcore pantheon – credited with helping popularize the genre in the mid-aughts. This stint at Irving is just one of several on their recent reunion tour.

Playboi Carti at Knockdown Center | April 29
Playboi Carti has already made a name for himself as one of the biggest stars in contemporary hip-hop with a slew of trap-heavy hits like “No. 9” and “Yeah Mean” demonstrate exactly why: the rapper writes incredibly infectious – and effective – hip-hop.  

Rozes at Knitting Factory Brooklyn | April 29
From the dancy and energetic all the way to the laid back, Rozes somehow manages to make it all flow together seamlessly. With hits like “Hangin’ On” and “Under the Grave” Rozes manages to blend equal parts upbeat and mellow with her own brand of R&B-influenced dance for something truly unique.  

Cherubs at Saint Vitus Bar | April 29
Fresh off a 20-year (!) hiatus, the experimental band’s new album, “2YNFYNYTY” is the culmination of a long and apparently much-needed period of down-time. The ferocious Texas foursome have been compared to everything from early Butthole Surfers to latter-day solo Mike Patton and few would argue that’s a bad thing. For the masses, this is noise rock at its most palatable.

Jamestown Revival at Brooklyn Steel | April 30
Named for the recording studio they recorded their debut album at, JR have been the darlings of the music industry as of late and earning rave reviews in pretty much every magazine you read. They also seamlessly blend rock with a mix of Americana and classic country – to awesome effect, as their legions of fans at SXSW, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, etc. will tell you.

Travis Scott at Terminal 5 | April 30
Travis Scott made himself one of hip-hop’s bigger names with his incendiary delivery, his love of vocal modulators, and bizarre videos. He’s bringing at least two out of those three to Terminal 5 at the end of the month.

Red Bull Music Academy Festival Presents “Beyond The Clouds: Ambient Excursions” ft.  Laraaji, Julianna Barwick, Huerco S., Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, and More at Bogart House | April 30
As part of the Red Bull Music Academy “Beyond The Clouds: Ambient Excursions” will feature ten ours of music. Look especially for Laraaji, an American who plays an incredibly diverse set of instruments like piano and zither. He’s been popular for the better part of 40 years now, since he was discovered busking in New York by none other than Brian Eno.

Thursday at Irving Plaza | April 30
If you missed the post-hardcore awesomeness on the 29th, they’re here to tide you over for another evening.