New York is always filled with an influx of live shows and it can be difficult to decide which ones to attend. That’s why Atwood Magazine has scoured each concert throughout the month of March 2019 and selected the few not to miss!
words by Shayna Chabrow
:: New Collosus Festival ::
3/7 – 3/10, Lower East Side
Held in six independent music venues along the Lower East Side and East Village including Pianos, Coney Island Baby, Arlene’s Grocery, Berlin Under A, The Delancey, and Bowery Electric, the festival looks to establish a launching point for breaking, international artists. The intimate venues will host acts from around the world over the course of 4 days and 3 nights. Artists including Das Body, Wooing, Living Hour, Lev Snowe, Baywaves, Tallies, and more will be showcasing their wide-ranging talents, making it a great chance for people to catch up-and-coming musicians before they make their big break.
:: Nation of Language ::
3/8, Elsewhere (Zone One)
Brooklyn darlings Nation of Language is making new wave and post-punk inspired music for the masses. Their singles “Division St.” and “I’ve Thought About Chicago” contain electric synth lines and melodies that are both danceable and addicting. At a time when the reemergence of ’80s new wave can sometimes seem overdone, their revival is achieved with a contemporary flair that oozes nostalgia.
:: Her’s ::
3/9, Music Hall of Williamsburg
The Liverpool based duo Her’s, consisting of Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading, introduced the world to their infectious, dream-pop melodies through their collection of tracks on 2017’s Songs of Her’s. Drawing inspiration from Ariel Pink’s haziness, Wild Nothing’s vibrancy, and Mac DeMarco’s easy-going nature, they continued to craft woozy, romantic tunes that eventually made up their 2018 debut album Invitation to Her’s. Showcasing a modern shimmer with an ‘80s twinkle on tracks like “Harvey” and “She Needs Him,” a slinky, smooth essence on “Cool With You” and “Marcel,” and a humorous, oddball style of lyrics, Her’s creates their own style of music that goes beyond the Britpop norm.
:: Men I Trust ::
3/15, Bowery Ballroom
The Montreal, Canada based band have managed to build a large, organic following by captivating listeners with their downtempo, chillout songs that ease you into a relaxed state. With no labels backing them, each of their single releases including “Tailwhip,” “Show Me How,” and their newest track “Say, Can You Hear” have drawn in millions of streams and managed to sell out their shows. Their smooth, chin-bouncing rhythms and bass lines, warm guitars, and alluringly subdued vocals are the underlying theme in their successful craft.
:: Stella Donnelly ::
3/18, Rough Trade
The 26-year old Western Australian-based, folk-pop artist will be touring off her debut album Beware Of The Dogs of which she will be releasing on March 8th. Known for her punchy, humorous lyrics, Donnelly has taken charge on her debut by approaching touchy subjects like politics and sexism without hesitation and putting her rocky interpersonal relationships on display. Her sarcastic vocal style is endearing, her guitar skills are commanding, and her songs about sticking up for yourself, your friends, and what’s right should be heard by all.
:: Gary Clark Jr. ::
3/21, Beacon Theater
An artist whose keeping blues alive through a mix of contemporary soul, hip-hop, and rock, is Gary Clark Jr. whose Texas roots are spread throughout his newest album This Land. Inspired by his own reflections and perspective of a black American living in Texas during the current political landscape, Clark plays through his album with a raucous guitar style that’s often compared to Jimi Hendrix. His sensual falsettos are a force to be reckon with and his soul can be felt in every explosive song.
:: Homeshake ::
3/22, Brooklyn Steel
The smooth, indulgent sounds of Homeshake are a melodious blend of synthy indie-pop and lo-fi R&B. The Montreal artist creates hazy, dreamlike music that tingles and loosens the muscles in the body with every vulnerable song. His knack for exploring the different vibrations of a synthesizer has developed into his own signature over the years, molding his project from guitar-based, bedroom pop into warm, textures that sparkle and swirl around his high pitched vocals.
:: Fenne Lily ::
3/23, Union Pool
Last year, UK artist Fenne Lily released her debut album On Hold, a stripped-down piece of work built with minimal production and raw, open honesty that make up a captivating sound. Her voice is soft yet sincere and her music is heartbreaking yet hopeful. Her songs take you through the emotions of falling in love, breaking up, then falling back in love with yourself. As emotional as her lyrics are, Lily has an amusing, light-hearted stage presence that keep her shows entertaining while also profound.
:: Leikeli47 ::
3/28 + 4/2, Elsewhere
Brooklyn based hip hop artist Leikeli47 recently released her second album Acrylic of which she describes as one of her hardest records to date. “It speaks to how hard times don’t break you, they make you,” she explains. As always, she’s bold and brash without taking herself too seriously. Her music is about letting people into her culture, sharing her black experiences, and having fun while doing it. As much as Leikeli47 shows her identity through her music, while performing, she keeps her face hidden behind a ski mask, revealing only her eyes and the mouth she uses to spit her resilient flow through.
:: Maggie Rogers ::
3/29, Hammerstein Ballroom
Three years after the video of Pharrell critiquing her now hit single “Alaska” at NYU went viral, the songstress finally released her debut album Heard It in a Past Life. In it is sincere, infectious pop music that gets you moving to every bright, synthy beat. Rogers’ powerful voice soars throughout, bringing each song to a robust life. The artist is known to never shy away from dancing during her live performances and the positivity she always brings is transmissible.
:: Better Oblivion Community Center ::
3/29, Bowery Ballroom
3/30, Music Hall of Williamsburg
4/1, Brooklyn Steel
The collaboration between rising folk-rock star Phoebe Bridgers and Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst was announced through their unique performance on Stephen Colbert, during of which they used graphics that made them look like they were part of an infomercial. The next day, they surprise released their self-titled album and what came of it was an exemplary piece of folk-rock and a beautiful model of their partnership and songwriting skills. The well-balanced album never feels like one takes the lead over the other making for a harmonious combination of their styles.
:: Earl Sweatshirt ::
3/30, Irving Plaza
After a three year hiatus, the young hip-hop artist released his third studio album Some Rap Songs and in it his sound is more refined than ever. It’s also more New York than ever as it includes features from NYC rappers Methane and MIKE, Brooklyn group Standing on the Corner, Bronx collective sLUms, and production from Ade Hakim. Earl’s distinct flow has a way of pulling the listener deep into his stories and the production takes them on a journey that tests their attention. His reemergence is one that causes for celebration during his live return.
