1. 1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

   September 28 at Rumsey Playfield

   Their first show ever was less than three years ago at Hell’s Kitchen dive Siberia; now David Byrne–ish singer Alec Ounsworth and his quirky cohorts tackle one of the city’s biggest outdoor venues.

2. 2. Secret Machines

   October 2 and 3 at Irving Plaza

   Since forming in 2000, this outer-borough trio has built a national following on its inimitably epic live shows.

3. 3. The Hold Steady

   October 1 at Irving Plaza

   At their most recent local show (a free concert at Castle Clinton), the hard-rocking critical darlings played with full horn and string sections; their new album, Boys and Girls in America, showcases a more polished side of the band.

Related:

• Articles by Sara Cardace
• Table of Contents: Oct 2, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!