GZA with Grupo Fantasma
Music Hall of Williamsburg; 6/14 at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.; 66 N. Sixth St. nr. WytheAve., 718-486-5400
In 1995, GZA, the Genius, released his first post-Wu-Tang solo album, the stone-cold classic Liquid Swords. Tonight, he reinterprets the original RZA production with Latin-funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma.
Playing With: Brownout
Eternal Summers
Knitting Factory; 6/14 at 7 p.m.; 361 Metropolitan Ave., at Havemeyer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 347-529-6696
This now-trio have tightened and shined up their classic indie-pop rambles, without losing any of their charm. Catch them before the release of their second album, Correct Behavior.
Playing With: Class Actress, Bleeding Rainbow, Beach Day, Zambri, Air Waves
Daughn Gibson
Cameo Gallery; 6/14 at 7 p.m.; 93 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-302-1180
With shades of Richard Hawley and Lee Hazlewood, Gibson’s deep, expressive voice explores the area where stately, retro fifties country-rock meets dark, abstract, ambient electronics.
Playing With: Bell
Royal Headache
Warsaw; 6/14 at 9 p.m.; 261 Driggs Ave., at Eckford St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn; no phone
Lots of bands attempt 1966 garage/soul rock every year, and almost none of them can do it as well as these Australians, the rare band that can truly continue the “Maximum R&B” of the Who, with a singer who comes on like a modern Steve Marriott.
Playing With: Ceremony, Citizens Arrest, Magrudergrind
Chain and the Gang
Public Assembly; 6/14 at 9 p.m.; 70 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-384-4586
For twenty-odd years, Ian Svenonious has acted like an indie pied piper, leading his charges through mod hardcore to gospel yeh-yeh and now to loose anti-capitalist garage rock.
Playing With: Mucca Pazza, Magik Markers, M.A.K.U. SoundSystem, Starring, Dustin Wong, Dope Body
She Keeps Bees
Muchmore’s; 6/14 at 8 p.m.; 2 Havemeyer St., at N. 9th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 917-515-5444
Jessica Larrabee and Andy LaPlant manage to make the somewhat-tired idea of a blues duo sound like the freshest thing in the world. Sparse and grimy, it’s Larrabee’s vocals that put it over the top.
Playing With: Ancient Sky, Dust Engineers, Future of What
Jens Lekman
McCarren Park; 6/15 at 4 p.m.; Bedford Ave. at N. 12th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Sweden’s indie heartthrob returns to Brooklyn in preparation for his upcoming album, I Know What Love Isn’t. Although his new band hasn’t been able to get in the country, Jens promises a sing-along acoustic set where YOU will be the band.
Playing With: Of Montreal, The Thermals, Beach Fossils
Nude Beach
Public Assembly; 6/14 at 9 p.m.; 70 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-384-4586
Nude Beach has been kicking around Brooklyn for a few years, and the reissue of their second album, the helpfully-titled II, will hopefully get their tight power-pop (emphasis on “power”) the attention they deserve.
Playing With: NYMPH, Golden Clouds
Olivia Tremor Control
Music Hall of Williamsburg; 6/16 at 8 p.m.; 66 N. Sixth St. nr. WytheAve., 718-486-5400
Possibly the least well-known of Elephant 6’s “big three” bands (along with Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel), OTC’s weaving together of gorgeous psychedelic pop and burst of noise and ambient murmurs shouldn’t stay under the radar.
Playing With: Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Dinosaur Feathers
Future of the Left
Europa; 6/17 at 8 p.m.; 98 Meserole Ave., nr. Manhattan Ave., Greenpoint, Brooklyn; 917-826-1119
It seems unfair to continue to compare this Welsh four-piece to frontman Andy Falkous’s previous band, Mclusky. Having said that, FOTL has always been a more ambitious and experimental project, one that never lets their bitterness interfere with their hilarious outrage.
Playing With: Bomb the Music Industry!, TBA
Ultramagnetic MC’s
Music Hall of Williamsburg; 6/17 at 8 p.m.; 66 N. Sixth St. nr. Wythe Ave., 718-486-5400
These Bronx underground hip-hop legends have been innovating since the eighties, along with spawning the surreal career of Kool Keith (who will also be playing a solo show during the festival). Hip-hop would have been very different without them, so pay your respects at this rare reunion show.
Playing With: Phony Ppl
Leda
Union Pool; 6/17 at 8 p.m.; 484 Union Ave., at Skillman Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-609-0484
These newcomers, fronted by Amy Klein (formerly of Titus Andronicus), play melodically adventurous and dramatic orchestral folk.
Playing With: Air Waves, Grooms, Hard Nips
Movie Time
From June 18-21, Northside switches its focus from independent music to independent film. Along with the festival’s DIY Competition, there will be a multitude of screenings, including a documentary about Liberia’s General Butt Naked, live scores and performances at Nitehawk, and Lena Dunham’s debut feature Creative Nonfiction, where it’s possible there may be a scene where Dunham doesn’t wear pants. Check the official website for more info.