A Night of Improvised Round Robin Duets
The Town Hall; 5/14 at 8 p.m.; 123 W. 43rd St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-840-2824
For this unique, fully improvised concert, the concept is this: one musician plays alone for five minutes. Then another musician joins and they make a sweet tune for five more minutes. Then a third musician comes on and the first one leaves the stage, and so on and so forth. Part of the Red Bull Music Academy Festival, this one-time-only happening will feature artists like Allen Toussaint, Daedelus, Jamie Lidell, Kaki King, Mac Ribot, and so many more. Be ready for anything.
The Roots
Public Theater; 5/14 at 8:30 p.m.; 425 Lafayette St., nr. 4th St.; 212-539-8500
In celebration of their latest concept album …and then you shoot your cousin, the Roots bring special guests and an appreciation of performance art to the Public Theater, inviting you along for the ride if you’ve got a spare $200 lying around (it’s a benefit).
The Faint
Music Hall of Williamsburg; 5/14 at 8t 8 p.m.; 66 N. Sixth St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg; 718-486-5400
Webster Hall; 5/17 at 7 p.m.; 125 E. 11th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-353-1600
Bowery Ballroom; 5/19 at 9 p.m.; 6 Delancey St., nr. Bowery; 212-533-2111
Fans of the Omaha dance punks know that their live shows are no light affair. They play three shows in support of their latest, Doom Abuse, perfect for nihilists who forgot to work out in time for summer.
Lykke Li
Apollo Theater; 5/15 at 8 p.m.; 253 W. 125th St., nr. Frederick Douglass Blvd.; 212-531-5300
The Swedish singer-songwriter pens gorgeous, noirish indie pop, but on her latest, I Never Learn, she takes on the torture of heartbreak through the medium of power ballad.
Cibo Matto
Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park; 5/15 at 7 p.m.; Old Fulton St.,at Fulton Ferry Landing, Dumbo; 718-802-0603
Let’s dance outside! And let’s do it for free at this Celebrate Brooklyn! electro-jam party, featuring JD Samson, Javelin, and avant-duo Cibo Matto, who recently released Hotel Valentine, their first album in fifteen years, a concept album telling the story of a hotel haunted by a ghost. It’ll make for a hauntingly good time.
Walter Martin
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater; 5/16 at 6 p.m.; 425 Lafayette St., nr. 4th St.; 212-539-8500
The multi-instrumentalist debuts his solo career with We’re All Young Together, an album of kid-friendly tunes with guest spots by hip Brooklyn grown-ups, including members of the National, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and his own band, the Walkmen. Maybe some of them will show up tonight?
Morcheeba
Warsaw; 5/16 at 8 p.m.; 261 Driggs Ave., at Eckford St., Greenpoint
Irving Plaza; 5/17 at 8 p.m.; 17 Irving Pl., at 15th St.; 212-777-6800
The Brit trip-hop pioneers can always be counted on for something more downtempo. Chill with them as they play in support of last year’s Head Up High.
Swans
Bowery Ballroom; 5/18 at 8 p.m.; 6 Delancey St., nr. Bowery; 212-533-2111
Music Hall of Williamsburg; 5/19 at 9 p.m.; 66 N. Sixth St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg
Cult hero Michael Gira (Angels of Light, World of Skin) and his droning post-punk project tour in support of their latest release, the two-disc To Be Kind.