Sweet Spirit at FMU/Monty Hall

Sweet Spirit at WFMU Studio last night. Sabrina Ellis is a great front-woman with charisma to spare. She alone makes them worth seeing but their new "St. Mojo" record is a winner- they've got a great glam/indie sound to them. See videos below, including their cover of Pulp's "Common People" (even better than William Shatner's).

UV-TV at Union Pool

UV-TV at Union Pool last night. Maybe the best show I've seen since SXSW. Band has SY, surf music, maybe even the Go-Go's in them with a guitarist who truly shreds.See more about them here: UV-TV US TOUR 2017. Also see pics and videos from the show below.

New Order at Radio City, NYC- April 14, 2017

These Manchester boys and girl still got it, especially when they ran through their 80's hits. Also convinced me that Gillian Gilbert is the heart/soul of this band- her synth riffs were amazing and even more so seeing that she was doing it all from one (Roland) keyboard. See videos below of them doing "Perfect Kiss" and "Blue Monday."

Charli XCX in NYC- April 2017

Charli XCX at (le) poisson rouge last night. Kinda weird to see a great dance-pop star play at a place that I've seen so many jazz/avant/classical groups. People were lining up at 9AM to get a good standing spot for the show. We got there about 12 hours later and still had a good vantage point. 4th show I've seen from CX and probably her best- she's more confident than ever and knows how to work the crowd into a frenzy.

All photos by Jason Gross

PRETENDERS AT TERMINAL 5

Last night as I went through the security line, a guard saw my camera and told me "the artist (presumably Chrissie) said that no photos will be allowed and the show will be stopped if pictures are taken." I thought that this would be an interesting challenge for a shutter-bug like me but I also didn't want to risk shutting down a show 'cause I needed a snap. I did joke with my friend Reuben that if they started playing ballads, the camera would come out, security be damned.

As the great band (especially guitarist James Walbourne and faithful drummer Martin Chambers) went through their early hits, I did see some cell phones come out to snap pics and the security guards shined lights on the perps to not only to call 'em out and embarrass 'em but to also mess up their photos.  It worked pretty well as most people thought the better of taking pics- then again, this was an older crowd who weren't as likely to need phone pics.

Admittedly, I found a perch behind one of the columns away from the guard's view so I could snap one of the photos below but for the last encore song ("Precious"), CH told the crowd, 'if you're gonna take a photo, you might as well do it now!' and plenty of people obliged.  Of course, bringing out tennis legend and guitarist John McEnroe helped to egg us on pretty well.

CH looked great during the show too, sporting a t-shirt that said 'I'm sexy and I know it.'  That kind of bravado is why we'll also love her after all.  And she's right too.

A Nonesuch Celebration in Brooklyn

Amazing night at BAM to celebrate Bob Hurwitz and Nonesuch Records.  Line-up below in photos: Kronos Quartet, Stephen Merritt (Magnetic Fields), Mandy Patinkin (one of the evening's highlights with a Randy Newman medley), Devandra Banhart, Caetano Veloso and a salute from the label's composers to BH including Laurie Anderson, John Adams, Steve Reich.  k.d. lang was also magnificent (and barefoot), doing Jane Siberry's "The Valley" with Kronos. Also on the bill was Pat Metheny and Natalie Merchant.  Amazing round-up of talent and a testament to BH and the label.

SLEAFORD MODS IN BROOKLYN

After a 2-3 year absence  good to see my fave white rap group from the UK back again, haranguing and such (though if you're a real hip hop fan, you need to check out that other great UK import, grime music).  Tough to get Jason Williamson down as he was constantly in motion, swatting his head or cranking his arm behind his back, looking half like a police collar and half like a cocky swagger-filled singer move.  Either way, he's quite a presence on stage though his DJ colleague could do more than hit PLAY on his laptop and stand there bobbing his head around behind JW.

Here's also some footage from their 2014 show at the Wick (also Brooklyn, their first NYC show).