What's happening here?

Is it just me, or is there a lack of really exciting shows coming up? I mean, there are lots of bands I'll happily go see, and I'm sure many will be fun and wonderful and everything, but looking at all the major venue's calendars, there is hardly anything huge or groundbreaking on the horizon.There's the Strokes "secret" show at the beginning of January...that I still have hardly heard anything about. There's The Editors at Mercury Lounge, which is awesome, but would have been so much better 3 months ago. Then there's WolfMother at Northsix in February, which I just noticed a few seconds ago (It was actually my reaction to seeing that they were coming back to town which made me realize how long it's been since I was that excited to see a band.) Then it falls off a bit. There's Colin Meloy at Town Hall, but there's no way he can live up to last years shows. I should be amped for Broken Social Scene, but I still haven't bought tickets yet. It won't be the same without Emily. There's Cake with Tegan and Sara and Gogol Bordello at Hammerstein, but I don't know if I wanna pay $34 to see all those guys in midtown. After that tho, there's hardly anything else that I can say right now I'll definitely be at.

So I guess we're in a bit of a rut. I think SXSW will shake some things up. I'm just seeing someone like Feist playing a place like Webster Hall and I'm like damn, didn't I see her supporting the same album like a year and a half ago? In a place a fraction of the size? I love her and all, but It's tough to get excited for someone who's been playing the same songs for as long as you've been listening to them.

I dunno. I'm sure things will fill themselves out over time. Just looking at the months ahead right now, it seems much thinner than usual. Am I wrong?

Comments

[jerry]

No, you are right. I used to have a stack of tickets in my room for upcoming shows. Now? I have two.

[bill p]

Two exciting January shows at Merc:

serena maneesh (1/21)
http://www.serena-maneesh.com

and field music (1/28) who put out one of 2005's best albums, in my opinion.
http://www.field-music.co.uk/

Also...

white rose movement (1/12)
http://www.whiterosemovement.co.uk/

and the longcut (tiswas on 1/14, mercury lounge on 1/16) from manchester who sound like '80s delay-pedal rock a la cure/chameleons/easterhouse/comsatangels
www.thelongcut.com

[jeff]

That Serena Maneesh show got a lot more interesting when Asobi Seksu got added, too. I haven't seen those guys in forever and I used to love them live.

[Dan]

I'm pretty psyched for the Editors show, but you are correct that there isn't much too look forward to. I am looking forward to Metric, but as you pointed out with Feist, Metric just played the Bowery Ballroom in support of the same cd that they are now bringing to Webster Hall.

Maybe the lack of shows stems from the fact that there has also been a lack of new releases as of late? I'm just hoping that Wolf Parade comes back to town since I missed there recent show.

I wouldn't worry about the lack of shows at present. After all, this is NYC. Anyone who is touring will be here.

Is it too early to get psyched for Coachella?

[Dan]

I'm pretty psyched for the Editors show, but you are correct that there isn't much to look forward to. I am looking forward to Metric, but as you pointed out with Feist, Metric just played the Bowery Ballroom in support of the same cd that they are now bringing to Webster Hall.

Maybe the lack of shows stems from the fact that there has also been a lack of new releases as of late? I'm just hoping that Wolf Parade comes back to town since I missed their recent show.

I wouldn't worry about the lack of shows at present. After all, this is NYC. Anyone who is touring will be here.

Is it too early to get psyched for Coachella?

[Papergirl]

There's Cake with Tegan and Sara and Gogol Bordello at Hammerstein, but I don't know if I wanna pay $34 to see all those guys in midtown.

eugene mirman is on that bill, too, and he's a riot but i too balk at the price, particularly because i found tegan and sara to be completely boring live.

i've got very few must see shows on my list, even though there's always a lot of stuff i'd be happy to go to. then again, a lot of those acts are local bands. must be bands not wanting to tour the northeast in the winter? guess it's part of a usual slowdown. additionally, not many new releases this time of the year, so i suppose there's fewer artists going out in support of a new release.

the only thing i'm actually keen about this week is seeing the earlies since i saw a very truncated set at SXSW earlier this year. (also luke temple's show at the mercury lounge will probably be very good but i'm going to have to miss it due to other commitments.)

[drewo]

There's Sufjan heading uptown in January for 2 shows. Maybe some new songs? New states?

maybe bands wanna go home for the holidays and just chill a little, bands have mothers too. And Isn't this traditionally a time when they dont tour or release new material. Spring and summer months are more exciting.

[danfun]

go see Akron/family at the Knitting Factory on Jan14. Going to be good.

the comas at mercury on the 29th and Holy Fuck at mercury on the 6th

[jjjay]

wolfmother is also playing merc that same week in feb.

i'm the one who picked the apple tree.

[david]

anyone want my earlies tickets (2 of them) for friday...i have to go out of town :(

[rajeev]

deerhoof. jan 30 @ the bowery. not to be missed! if you don't get their appeal on album, see them live and be converted. that was what did the trick for me. i've always seen them at the knit or northsix, so the bigger venue will be a change, but i'm sure they'll still tear it up.

[Daniel]

Knitting Factory has really good shows next year. Young People, as well as Ariel Pink and Psychic Ills in Feb. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin in March. Subtle in April. Also Baby Dayliner is playing Piano's in January. Calamine is playing a free show at Pete's Candy Shop on January 15th. Best of all Jose Gonzales in March. I am rediculously excite for next year.

[conrad]

i think broken social scene will be just fine without emily for these shows...