Who’s in town!? Not to miss shows in NYC

(Crookers, image via Panormx)

by Willie Avendano

Fall has already begun, the temperature is already starting to drop, but live music in October is hot. CMJ is this month, and artists will be crawling through the city during the festival.  We’ll be cosponsoring a show on October 20th with Poptartssucktoasted (more on that later!), but in the mean time, here are five non-CMJ not to miss picks for this month:

Justice (Webster Hall, October 29)

In promotion for their upcoming album, Justice, everyone’s favorite French DJs not named Daft Punk, is DJing a huge party at Webster Hall, as they return back to the States. This giant dance party, at one of my favorite venues for electronic and dance music, is a recipe for an endless night of lights, movement, remixes galore. This show is everyone’s early treat for Halloween weekend.

HARD NYC (Crookers/Major Lazer) (Terminal 5, October 10)

Another huge dance party headlined by the genius producers behind the amazing Kid Cudi hit, “Day N Nite.” These Italian DJs have plentiful libraries of remix and every one of them is an incredible dance hit. The second headliner, Major Lazer is the collaboration of DJ/producers Diplo and Switch who have made brilliant dancehall & techno and are currently promoting their record, “Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do.” If anyone heard their hype this summer, the innumerable remixes of the hit, “Hold the Line,” or their BBC Radio1 Essential Mix, will know that this show will be crazy.

Sufjan Stevens (Music Hall of Williamsburg, October 6)

I grew up loving Sufjan, and the reason I pick this show compared to the two before it at Bowery Ballroom, for its intimacy while still being able to have a crowd ambiance. MHOW is actually one of my favorite venues in town for location and its appeal to everyone, and with Sufjan and his amazing stage presence, this is definitely a can’t-miss show.

The Roots & Common: Hennessy Artistry Tour (Terminal 5, October 5)

Anyone who has seen The Roots play live can attest that they are one of the best live acts out now, so any chance to see them live is a must. And as New Yorkers, we get really lucky because with their Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, they get a regular residency at the Highline Ballroom. But I pick this show over the Roots Jams at HighLine because this is more of them playing, than just having a fun jam session with friends in town. Plus with Common, I expect a sick show, even though I know a fair share of guests will appear regardless.

Boys Noize (Santos Party Haus, October 31)

What are you doing on Halloween? Maybe you will be at the Parade in the Village? maybe trick or treating? or how about the sickest party of the night at the craziest party of the night? Santos Party Haus, the best music venue for dance party [though nothing on Webster Hall] is hosting a ridiculous Halloween Bash featuring Boys Noize on the turntables, giving everyone the best in techno (enough to make even the scariest monsters bust a couple of dance moves)

Tagged: concerts, .