Finishing this up on Thursday morning. The sky outside is reddish and the air quality sucks, so verify that any of the outdoor shows listed below are still happening. <sigh> Please be careful with the air you breathe and the ruffage you eat, and check on your friends and neighbors.
Thank you for reading, listening, following, and supporting the work; and thank you for living through this with me, and with each other.
Are there any voices left as great as that of 87 year-old Mavis Staples’ who can chart the history of America’s last heroic/ignoble century? Yes, her ex-boyfriend is playing in town too (see below) and don’t count brother Willie out either. But the great Chicago gospel/soul singer, and masterful song interpreter has lived to tell the tale through a thousand stories, and on the right night, her instrument rings truer than the Liberty Bell ever could. Always go see the legendary elders play if you never have, if given the chance, and especially if it’s the cost of a subway train. History isn’t made by the passive. Supported by Brother Wallace, Luv and most endearingly for the occasion, the LaGuardia High School Gospel Ensemble. (Thurs 7/16, 6p @ Summerstage, Central Park - FREE)
Alongside Dripping and 29 Speedway, the occasional Conditioner nights curate some of the most refreshing electronic-songforms-meets-experimental-noise-meets-weird-ass-DJing in NYC. They do so again this Thursday, by dragging back onto the soundsystem Balam Acab, once a poster boy for Tri-Angle witch-house darkness, for a live set, alongside Amsterdam-based ambient-pop songwriter Bby Eco. There are also DJ sets by Queens’ mighty songwriter-producer duendita, and Chicago footwork originator RP Boo. Plus: Woesum. (Thurs 7/16, 10p @ Nowadays, Ridgewood - $25-$30)
The wonderfully named Autotune the World NTS show, and now label and party, celebrate it initial release, Studio Simpa: Digital dance music on VCD from Dagbon, Ghana, curated by two of the most trustworthy white-boy African-diaspora musickers in the U.S., Chris K who runs the mighty Sahel Sounds label, and Morgan “modrums” Greenstreet, drummer in Loboko and producer for Lollise. Both will DJ, as well as host performances by Yawuza Alhassan & Wuza-Wuza Ensemble, and a hybrid electronic Studio Simpa performance by modrums & Yawuza Alhassan. Curious? Tune in to Dada Strain on The Lot Radio Friday morning (10a EST) to hear Chris and Morgan play music and discuss its roots. (Fri 7/17, 7p @ Light & Sound Design Studio, Greenpoint - RSVP + $20-$30)
A set and setting show: Helado Tropical is the all-star duo of Roberto “Helado Negro” Lange and Fabi “Reyna Tropical” Reyna, two Latinx post-punk polymaths and musicalogical explorers with careers drenched in emotional songwriting focus and artful approaches to interpreting folk culture for borderless modernists. This week, Roberto and Fabi drop a wonderful collaborative debut LP; and the local show is at the inimitable Red Hook community hub, a place Lange has some shared history with. It’ll be packed. It’ll be great. I’m sure Bene will have the doors open so everyone who gets there late can hear it too. (Fri 7/17, 7:30p @ 360 Record Shop, Red Hook - $uggested)
A first-rate NYC musicker for going-on three decades now, John Colpitts, better known as Oneida drummer Kid Millions, has been producing annual free shows at the Forest Park bandshell for six or seven years. Previously these afternoon concerts have featured Oneida, plus the guitar- and improvisation-centric DIY artists adjacent to the garage-psych institution. But this year, Colpitts, who’s created other all-drums spectacles pushing global polyrhythms, has created a bill leaning into that part of his practice. Goodhaven Queens Percussion Concert 2026 will feature Gamelan Yowana Sari, a Balinese art ensemble in residence at the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College, playing with the contemporary classical Talujon Percussion; the NYC-based Malian dance and drum troupe, Farafina; and the mighty Ryan Sawyer Shaker Ensemble. Rain date: Sunday. (Sat 7/18, 3p @ Seuffert Bandshell, Forest Park, Queens - FREE)
The fifth annual Wide Open Works (WOW) Summer Festival in the tiny Gowanus space, has three evenings of valuable programming. but their triple-bill on the closing Saturday night stands out. The trio of alto saxophonist Caroline Davis, guitarist Grey McMurray and drummer Qasim Naqvi (all on electronics) constantly open new roads into electro-acoustic music together. The Hemphill and More set will feature Julius’ archivist Marty Ehrlich on woodwinds, his old student Tim Berne on saxophone, alongside bassist Matt Pavolka. And Charmgiver: The Music of Joseph Jarman features the quintet of vocalist Kavita Shah, flutist Michel Gentile, pianist Leo Genovese, bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Rob Garcia rolling out the overdue-for-re-examining work of the late AACM composer/poet, Art Ensemble of Chicago stalwart and Buddhist priest. (Sat 7/18, 7:30p @ Ibeam, Gowanus - $30)
As a fiftysomething parent with an aging back, I am not usually here to say, “Hey, this Saturday you should try to do the entire Non-Stop!” But that changes when the overnight party in question is curated by Dripping. The ones I am familiar with are certified must-sees (DJ Synclaire’s psychedelic house globalization at 10p, Cry’s hardcore-punk electronics at 3a, Doula’s experimental free-funk DJing at 5a, Mark Ernestus’s currently never-ending fascination with how amapiano variants ooze from speakers at noon); and the ones that I do not know (Isabella Koen, Foodman, Primo, Baby Leo b2b DJ Plead) may soon be. Forever respect to Dripping. (Sat 7/18 10p @ Nowadays, Ridgewood - FREE w/RSVP before Midnight - $37)
Maturing as a NYC clubber and music-writer in the ‘90s, beginning to understand how New York, Detroit and Chicago’s (much less London-Paris-Berlin’s) sounds and communities fit into one another, there were few lodestar parties helping me musically understand the narrative. (I didn’t know shit about Mancuso/The Loft until I met David in 1999-2000, and then read Tim’s book.) To say Danny Krivit, François K and Joe Claussell’s Body & Soul Sunday afternoon gatherings at Club Vinyl in Tribeca shaped my sonic acumen, is an understatement. Those three are still my primary guides—with ”how to age gracefully, and in the club” for one—and Body & Soul is celebrating its 30th Anniversary tonight at Xanadu. Skating…optional? (Sun 7/19, 6p @ Xanadu, Bushwick - $35-$40)
One of the city’s periodic “experimental” music treasures returns for a mid-summer stand. Abasement #88 will feature Oliver Ackermann, once front-man of Bklyn noise-rockers A Place To Bury Strangers (and co-founder of the legendary W’burg DIY space Death By Audio); You-On is the piano-drums duo of Masami Tomihisa and Jim White; Hairbone, a multimedia synthetic-percussion and tangled-electronics-meet-performance-burlesque by Raúl de Nieves and Jessie Stead; and a duo set by electronic noise improvisers Keith Fullerton Whitman & Chuck Bettis. DJing by Eric Wrenn. Visuals by Wavefield, Projections by Bradley Eros. (Mon 7/20, 7p @ Artists Space, Manhattan - FREE)
Pianist Kris Davis, saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer (multi-instrumentalist) Tyshawn Sorey are three of the great artists currently generating creative music. They’re all composers, educators, collaborators, excavators, musickers, and improvisers of the highest order, three creators for whose defacto work descriptions such as “jazz” are a misnomer. They played as a trio in the late-00s/early-10s—I was unfamiliar with their work at the time—but seemingly not much since then. Not sure if a week-long stand at one of New York’s remaining jazz temples is a reappraisal of older music, or a sign that they’re collaborating on new pieces. In either case, together on that small room’s legendary bandstand, there’s little chance Davis, Laubrock and Sorey don’t channel power and gravity to seize the moment. (Tues 7/21 - Sun 7/26, 8p & 10p @ Village Vanguard, Manhattan - $45-$50)
GALLERY SHOW: If you’re into the cult of Ian Curtis/Joy Division, there’s an interesting exhibit at Voltz Clarke on Christie Street, around the corner from New Museum. Ian Curtis: Insight from the John Rylands Library at the University of Manchester is a collection of writing—mostly hand-written lyrics (including most of the band’s biggest tunes), but also notes and letters—as well as photos from the band’s Winter 1980 European tour. For me, the coolest things here are fliers from random Manchester gigs and Factory releases (one credited to Jon Savage - this Jon Savage?), plus the itinerary from a U.S. tour that never took place. There’s also video of two 1979 Joy Division gigs, though the tiny sound emanates through the projector’s speaker, which feels like a waste. I definitely had higher hopes for the show, but a proper post-punk completist will love it. (thru Wed 7/22, 10a - 6p / Sat noon-5p @ Voltz Clarke, Manhattan - FREE)
RALLY/PROTEST: Good Trouble Lives On x Public Service pres. “Defend the Black Vote! Protect Immigrant New Yorkers! Free Them All!” (Fri 7/17, 5:30p @ Foley Square, Manhattan - FREE) - Public Service DJs/Karlala Soundsystem bringing the message to the people; a DSA rally.
Max Glazer (Fri 7/17, 6p @ Central Library Plaza, Grand Army Plaza - FREE) - after being rained-out a few weeks back, one of Bklyn’s premiere reggae/dancehall DJs returns for freebie at the Library.
De La Soul + Pete Rock + DJ Hannibal Buress (Fri 7/17, 6p @ Worlds Fair Flagstaff/the Fountain of the Planets, Flushing-Meadows Park - FREE) - classic hip-hop bill in a Queens park, with Long Island Native Tongues legends, Bronx producer and a comedian behind the decks.
LISTENING PARTY: Lesley Mok’s “transient” (Fri 7/17, 6:30p @ Public Records Upstairs, Gowanus - FREE w/RSVP) - creative music drummer’s new album is full of electronic wonders - they’re premiering upstairs at PR.
Analog Soul (Fri 7/17, 10p @ Good Room, Greenpoint - $15-$20) - sister DJs Jacky Sommer and DatKat are two of Bklyn’s finest house-music purveyors, all night long.
Roni Size (Fri 7/17, 10p @ H0L0, Ridgewood - $20-$30) - Bristol’s legendary jazz-minded junglist, on a long drum’n’bass bill.
DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Beyond (Sat 7/18, 6p @ Worlds Fair Flagstaff/the Fountain of the Planets, Flushing-Meadows Park - FREE) - if I am not mistaken, mighty Rekha’s now-legendary Bhangra party is also approaching a big multi-decade anniversary; she’s expanded the celebration to crucial South Asian summer jams in the park, this one with Jaz Dhami, Mitika Kanwar, Babbulicious, Rajuju and special guests.
Mikaela Davis (Sat 7/18, 7:30p @ TV Eye, Ridgewood - $25) - wonderful upstate electric harpist/singer-songwriter, with heavy Dead/folk-rock vibes.
Matana Roberts + Ben Vida with Sara Magenheimer (Sat 7/18, 8p @ Issue Project Room, Downton Bklyn - $22) - wonderful heady double-bill: saxophonist Roberts’ solo performances are a wonder of power and storytelling, while multi-instrumentalist Vida and vocalist Magenheimer perform music from his new recent Oblivion Seekers album.
Golden Record NYC x Sights and Sounds present DJ Qu + LADYMONIX + Mike Servito ++ (Sat 7/18, 8p @ Green Room, East W’burg - $20-$30) - big ol’ house music bill.
BDA (Sat 7/18, 10p @ Good Room, Greenpoint - $20-$30) - Cesar Toribio’s **other** party welcomes Colore Craig and Carozilla.
A.B.E.L.A. (Sat 7/18, 10p @ Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights - $10-$12) - “Asociación de Bateristas ElektrónikXs de Latinoamerika” in full-flight
Love From The Sun with Specter + Nosha Luv + JADALAREIGN (Sun 7/18, 3p @ Public Records, Gowanus - $21-$32) - JADA’s great Black joy party keeps moving spots—this afternoon find it in the Gowanus, with two excellent Chicago visitors.
Hot Honey Sundays with A Guy Called Gerald + Soul Summit (Sun 7/18, 3p @ Refuge, East W’burg - $10-$20) - how’s that for a classic Sunday afternoon bill?
ARTIFACT (Sun 7/19, 8p @ Sleepwalk, Bushwick - $15adv/$20) - Sleepwalk’s excellent experimental music monthly welcomes Huichun Yang, Gryphon Rue and id m theft able.
Elsa Nilsson & Ravi Coltrane (Sun 7/19, 8p @ Soup & Sound, Prospect-Lefferts - $20) - the flutist and saxophonist duet at Andrew Drury’s wonderful house series.
Bob Dylan (Tues 7/21, 6p @ Forest Hills Stadium, Forest Hills - $$$) - Mavis Staples’ ex-boyfriend finally returns to the scene of some cultural shit-stirring, 61 years later; apparently still like to get rough and rowdy. My favorite “big” venue in the city, if yr asking. Tix still available.
Makaya McCraven (Tues 7/28 - Sun 8/2, 8p & 10p @ Village Vanguard, Manhattan - $40) - Alongside Shabaka, Jeff Parker and the late jaimie branch, the Chicago-based drummer has, for me, embodied the decade-long turn that the improvised music sometimes called “jazz” has made towards popular embrace. Makaya front-and-center’d the music’s groove. Now he’s making his leader debut at one of New York’s remaining jazz temples. The band will swing and stomp accordingly.
Luke Stewart residency (Wed 7/29 - Sat 8/1, 8:30p @ The Stone, New School, Manhattan - $20) - I have known Brother Luke well for about seven or eight years now, and I believe this is his first full-week residency at The Stone. His ideas of how music and community shape each other are in Dada Strain’s DNA. Expect Blacks’ Myths and Silt Trio, plus the unexpected.
Dada Strain & Pique-nique Present Sounds (Thurs 7/30, 7p @ Light & Sound Design Studio, Greenpoint - RSVP + $20-$30) - Jared and Sam Pique-nique and I will collaborate on an evening of deep listening music at everyone’s favorite DIY art-music loft. There may even be a special guest involved. Stay tuned!
Bex Burch: as yet untitled + Tomin (Fri 7/31, 8p @ Judson Church, Manhattan - FREE w/RSVP) - The good folks at FourOneOne present two of my favorite musical humans as a double-bill. Burch brings her conceptual work-in-progress, “as yet untitled,” back to NYC (it debuted at Dada Strain’s Winter Jazzfest showcase in January) with an exquisite ensemble that includes Peter Zummo, Mikel Patrick Avery, Lia Kohl, Gabriel Birnbaum, Evan Ziporyn and Carmen Quill. Opening the evening is my woodwind brother, Tomin.
Dada Strain @ L&SD (Sat 8/22, 7p @ Light & Sound Design Studios, Greenpoint) - SAVE The DATE! I have another great #rhythm #improvisation #community line-up for you.
Haruomi Hosono (Wed 9/16, 8p @ Radio City Music Hall, Midtown - $$$) - The 78 year-old co-founder of Yellow Magic Orchestra, and one of the seminal figures in 20th century Japanese popular, electronic and experimental music, is returning to the U.S. to support a new album also dropping in September.
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