Music

Seven Days, Seven Shows

The concerts to see from July 26-August 1

by Josh Kurp   |   Jul 26, 2010

Seven Days, Seven Shows

They may or may not hurt a fly (Photo: kjten22, via Flickr)

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Monday, July 26
The Smashing Pumpkins
Terminal 5, 7 p.m.

Billy Corgan is certifiably insane, and the Pumpkins are basically Corgan & Three People Who Aren’t D’arcy Wretzky, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin. But this is the only way you can hear “Tonight, Tonight,” “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” and other songs that make you wish it was still 1995 performed live.

Also: “Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins.” “Homer Simpson, smiling politely.” $50

Tuesday, July 27
The Black Keys
Central Park SummerStage, 5:30 p.m.

I ranked their latest album, Brothers, the fifth greatest of 2010 so far, calling it “the best blues-rock album since 2003′s Elephant.” Considering I’m listening to the Keys as I’m writing this, I still clearly feel the same way. (Note: The National and Beach House are playing Prospect Park tonight too, and we’ll have an entire post dedicated to it on Tuesday) $35

Wednesday, July 28
Built to Spill
Irving Plaza, 8 p.m.

Some time ago, UGO.com published a list of the greatest songs under two minutes. Many were deserving choices, including the Ramones’ “Judy is a Punk” and the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood,” but there was one track they forgot: “Twin Falls” by Built to Spill from their brilliantly named album, There’s Nothing Wrong with Love. It’s about a guy (actually, considering lead singer Doug Martsch and the rest of the band are from Idaho, we can assume it’s quite autobiographical) who was lucky enough to escape his hometown—in this case, Twin Falls, Idaho—but still remembers his grade school crush. Martsch remembers playing 7-Up with her, and even fondly looks back at standing beneath a parachute and seeing her without shoes. Now, as an adult, he’s out of that nowhere town, thanks to his mother, and the former-crush has two kids (“or maybe it was three”?). For someone who grew up in a small town and escaped to the BIG CITY, it certainly hits home, all in less than 120 seconds. Martsch’s crush sounds mighty similar to the object of my elementary school obsession. Then, she was bright, chipper and beautiful; now she posts things on Facebook like, “I can’t stand when people use me…..krama will get them…and that’s a bigger bitch then me….”

That’s my long way of saying: Go see Built to Spill. $27

Thursday, July 29
The Lemonheads
The Knitting Factory, 8 p.m.

Why aren’t the Lemonheads more popular? It’s never made much sense to me. They almost became stars with 1992’s It’s a Shame About Ray, but considering that was 18 years ago, I doubt that Even Dando & Co. will ever hit it big. Instead, they go about making their slacker pop/fuzz pop/indie alternative rock/punk country, depending on which album you listen to, although you’re guaranteed Dando’s deadpan humor on all. $13

Friday, July 30
The Swell Season
Prospect Park Bandshell, 7:30 p.m.

The Swell Season, made up of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, won an Oscar for “Falling Slowly” from Once, a film they starred in and wrote the music for. Last year, they released their third album, Strict Joy, and tonight, they’re playing in Prospect Park for free (although donations would be mighty kind of you).

Saturday, July 31/Sunday, August 1
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
Parc Jean-Drapeau

There are some good shows in New York this weekend—Sonic Youth at Prospect Park, St. Vincent at SummerStage, Wavves at Bowery Ballroom, to name just a few—but they can’t compare to Arcade Fire, Pavement, Weezer, the National, the Walkmen, the Black Keys and dozens more, all in one outdoor location. Learn everything you need to know about the festival here. $65/day;$120/weekend pass.