#live-performance

#live-performance

Singer/songwriter/musician Sylvia Black may have moved away from NYC a while ago, but she left at least part of her heart in the East Village specifically at Nublu, where she played a seasonably spooky set last week. With a fine band that included Ari Bortnik (guitar), Yusuke Yamamoto (vibes), Jacquelene Acevedo (percussion) and Kevin Shea (drums), Black filled out two sets with a mix of originals and covers that was perfect for the days leading up to Halloween.

Parcels does not shy away from abundance. The Australian quintet's songs often feature a myriad of guitars, rivaling piano and synths, slinky basslines, pulsing drums and four (yes, four) vocalists. But the group opens its Tiny Desk concert with a secret weapon: hauntingly bare harmonies, backed only by gentle keys and guitar, that transform a snippet of the irresistibly catchy "Leaveyourlove" into a solemn oath of devotion.

Straight out of Inglewood, Katalyst is a nine-piece, jazz driven collective, who for the last decade has been redefining, refining and putting their thumbprints all over the future of West Coast jazz.

They're calling it " the coldest summer in San Francisco in decades," which feels about right, but August always drags San Francisco out of hibernation. Outside Lands this year was, as always, a balance between long lines, interesting fashion choices, and the eternal gamble of a porta potty. But the music is always worth Karl's ice-cold mood swings, and this month is for Golden Gate Park. Festivals are funny that way; time slows down, and a great set can carry you through that $15 boba tea.

I observed from the venue's balcony as the Atlanta rapper strutted onstage, pleading for mosh pits and making devil horns with his fingers. "Open that shit up!" Che snarled, over and over again. He was so hellbent on manufacturing the destruction his music encouraged that it soon became obvious he was barely even rapping his songs. After a while it felt awkward, almost like the crowd was meant to perform for him.

In another reason why they should just form a dang band already, Hayley Williams and David Byrne have released another new collaboration in "Open The Door." The sentimental, sunshine-laden ballad is from the soundtrack to the new Netflix film The Twits (based on the beloved 1980 Roald Dahl children's novel). In the film, two kids and a "family of magical animals" team up to battle the "meanest, nastiest villains [who] pull a trick to take over their town." Check out the song below.

Bounding on stage just as the pubs are closing, a grinning Williams clearly relishes the intimate environment. I'm not doing all that stadium bravado and pointing, he vows, launching into a full, stripped-down run-through of his 1997 debut album, Life Thru a Lens, with lengthy between-song reminisces of the circumstances of its making. These are characteristically candid. His heart firmly on his brawny, tattooed arm, Williams recalls quitting Take That to find himself 300,000 in debt:

The 2025 Aftershock Festival closed up shop on Sunday by delivering another full day's worth of heavy sounds and cool performances. Rob Zombie, Marilyn Mason, Bring Me the Horizon, Mudvayne and In This Moment were among the big-name acts to perform on the fourth and final day of this year's Aftershock Festival at Discovery Park in San Francisco. Here's a look at some of our favorite moments, accompanied with stunning photos from ace rock photographer Chris Riley:

In the electrifying landscape of 2025, Lucy Dreams is at the forefront of a revolutionary fusion of art and technology, reshaping the very essence of pop music. With their upcoming LP VVVVV, the band amplifies their iconic identity, combining the warmth of analogue with the cutting-edge pulse of the digital world. At the heart of this project is Lucy, their innovative artificial band member, who enhances their creative journey and challenges perceptions of collaboration.

In a pop era where personal messiness is the oxygen of fame, Dua Lipa is the rare unfazed professional. Just as Taylor Swift and Charli XCX's (extremely asymmetrical) feud spilled over the Hot 100 trenches, in comes Lipa's Radical Optimism tour for four nights at the Forum to reassert that it is, in fact, possible to spin off hits while leaving one's personal life unscathed.

Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier looked out at the tens of thousands of heavy metal fans stretched out before him at Discovery Park in Sacramento and clearly liked what he saw. It's good to be back to our favorite (expletive) festival in the United States Aftershock, the vocalist-guitarist said. Basically, he summed up what everyone in the house or, umm, field was thinking: It was indeed so incredibly great to be back and rocking to four days of heavy music at the mighty Aftershock Festival.

Before Polo & Pan existed, the duo, Paul Armand-Delille and Alexandre Grynszpan, knew each other from their separate performances at Parisian bar Le Baron. Sensing synergy, the two musicians joined forces in 2012. At first, they mixed existing songs before producing their own music. This proved the correct move as in the following years, the duo became one of the leading electronic acts in France, echoing the careers of their musical ancestors, Justice and Daft Punk.

Everything is listenable and just plain fun, whether you're driving to work or picnicking on a late summer afternoon. When she's on stage, though, something about Chinouriri really clicks. She looks each fan directly in the eyes when she's waving at them. She played air guitar for some songs and triumphantly raised her microphone stand for others. It was almost palpable when the audience saw her; she just has so much energy and true stage presence.

Not only have Turnstile become one of the premier artists of the ongoing hardcore resurgence, but they've grown into that role with a noticeable amount of grace. Though born in the punk intimacy of crammed clubs, the Baltimore act has proven over the last few years that they can light up a sprawling festival stage or sold-out amphitheater as efficiently as anyone. Last night in Chicago, at the Huntington Bank Pavilion, they did just that.

Onstage, Manchester four-piece Maruja conduct a series of distinct rituals. Like Moses commanding the Red Sea, sax player Joseph Carroll might gesture for the crowd to part down the middle, then join them to kick off the first song. Singer and guitarist Harry Wilkinson will peel off his shirt and pump through a few pushups at the top of "Break the Tension." Drummer Jacob Hayes and bassist Matt Buonaccorsi may wave their arms in slow motion, like mediums leading a seance.

Now, more than ever, we need to brass against the machine. At least that's what founding guitar player Brad Hammonds thought during the first Trump administration.

What an honor to host Fito Paez, one of the pioneers of Argentine rock, at the Tiny Desk for the start of Latin Music Month. In 1984, Paez released his debut solo album one year after Augusto Pinochet's brutal dictatorship, joining the swell of Spanish language rock and roll that was growing in Argentina. His lyrical insight was poignant then and resonates now. In this set, his beloved storytelling is on full display as well as his connection to the audience.

Mac DeMarco was the musical guest on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last night (September 11), where he played "Shining" from his new album . Backed by his four-piece band, DeMarco sang and rocked from side to side as a screen played gentle footage of galloping horses. Saddle up below.

Produced by the trailblazing queer British duo Charlie Zlutz and Vascha, "Diva" transcends mere entertainment; it's a movement. The accompanying visualizer features Ivy adorned in stunning gold body paint, juxtaposed against a dark and shimmering universe that symbolises transformation, inner power, and the radiant glow that comes from embracing one's true identity. This vivid imagery captures the essence of owning who you are and shining brightly, even in the shadows.

In an empty comedy theater, Mack Lee is strutting around in a diaper. The local comedian moves toward a camera, sipping from a baby bottle filled with champagne. An unlit cigarette rests on Lee's bottom lip. It's 10 weeks until the next installment of Punchlines & Piledrivers, and Lee, who performs as an infantile character dubbed Bad Baby, needs to cut a promo for the pro-wrestling-inspired improv comedy show before an upcoming battle in October.

With each subsequent tour, PUP and Jeff Rosenstock's respective scopes continue to grow. Between well-received albums and increasingly dedicated fanbases, both acts have been able to fill bigger venues just about every time they embark on a new run (and deservingly so, might we add). Fortunately, they've also managed to successfully scale their high-energy stage show with each jump, retaining a sense of intimacy even as the crowds grow more expansive.

We spoke of Jerry Garcia and Elton John spent plenty of time on the subject of his dear ol' pal Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and touched upon his days working with such punk acts of X and Fear. He even mentioned that he'd read my recent interview with Robby Krieger of The Doors. Of course, he also talked a ton about Three Dog Night.

Everyone is trying to out-scream and out-diva each other at AG Cook's sold-out Brooklyn Paramount show. Midway through his Friday-night DJ set for his Britpop 25 tour, the producer and moptopped dungeon master of the hyperpop universe has put on his Von Dutch remix, a standout single from last summer's Brat invasion that brings pop princesses Charli xcx and Addison Rae together for some prima donna repartee atop a distorted, industrial production.