I don't think I've ever spend $100 on a concert ticket in NYC (I realize I'm in the minority), but it was worth it to catch LCD Soundsystem this past Saturday at their annual holiday residency at the Knockdown Center in Queens. (It was actually $125 with fees.) This was the 7th of 12 shows the electronic rock veterans played, and frontman James Murphy et.al. seemed no worse for the wear. Which is remarkable given that they played for almost two-and-a-half hours, with only a brief pause "to go pee," as Murphy put it. Suffice to say, I got my money's worth.

Murphy, now 54, sounds as good as ever. Somewhere between Morrissey Bowie, and Jack White, with the ability to belt on cue, his soaring tenor was always the secret sauce behind LCD's mid-aughts success, and remains so today. Joining him were longtime keyboardists Nancy Whang and Al Doyle, drummer Pat Mahoney, guitarist Tyler Pope and percussionist Korey Richey.

This was my third or fourth time at the Knockdown Center, and despite it's out-of-the-way location in industrial Maspeth, Queens, it's become one of my favorite venues in NYC: a massive 19th century open floor warehouse with a killer sound and light system, not to mention a shoebox design that allows for easy entry/exit out the sides. Bonus for this residency: a popup natural wine bar in back, courtesy of Murphy's Michelin-starred Four Horsemen.

If you haven’t seen them in awhile - or perhaps ever - go and have yourself a merry Liquid Christmas Display (yes, that’s their name.)

Setlist here. Brooklyn Vegan's somewhat more-in-depth take here. More pics on Instagram.

Zankel Hall was abuzz Thursday night where The Knights performed their final concert of the season as part of their new Carnegie Hall residency. Never content to just be a chamber orchestra, The Knights and their founder brothers, Colin and Eric, offered a little something for everyone: from (Jessie) Montgomery, to Mozart, to a searching new work for cello and orchestra by Anna Clyne, played with deep expression by Karen Ouzounian. But, what l’ll remember most was Gabriel Kahane appearing under his multiple guises: first as composer of the brilliant new piano concerto “Heirloom” written for and played by his father, Jeffrey Kahane. Then, picking up a guitar, Gabriel turned Zankel into “a Bushwick basement rock show” (his words) by performing “Where Are the Arms” and, later, “Little Love”. I’m sure Gabriel would say this kind of cross-genre mastery is no big deal - look at Terence Blanchard or Bryce Dessner - but even those guys never tried to pull off both things in the same concert. Impressive.

If you missed it, The Knights will be around this summer as the house band at the Naumburg Concerts in Central Park, along with appearances Caramoor and Tanglewood. And, they return to Carnegie next season with three more concerts that feature pianist Aaron Diehl and singer songwriter Aiofe O’Donovan. 

More pics on the photo page. 

by Pete Matthews(All photos by Pete Matthews)

Indie folk singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers played the first of two sold out benefit shows last night at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! The massive crowd - mostly female teens and tweens - sang along to all of Bridgers' upbeat hits, including "Motion Sickness" and "Kyoto", while quietly listening to her more somber "dirges", such as "Funeral" and "Moon Song." This tour is in support of Bridgers' sophomore release, "Punisher" (2020), delayed by two years because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

"A true ego death is putting out an album and not being on tour," Bridgers told Rolling Stone last month. "I didn't realize how much I relied on people screaming at me every night. It's just super-weird."

Among those in Bridgers' tight backing band was the versatile violinist Rob Moose, who has lent his talents to dozens of new music and indie projects over the past decade, trumpeter JJ Kirkpatrick, and drummer (and frequent collaborator) Marshall Vore. 

L.A. girl pop trio MUNA - who are signed to Bridgers' label, Saddest Factory Records - got the crowd going with their own high-octane set. Bridgers joined them onstage for their hit "Silk Chiffon," which Bridgers co-wrote and performs with them on the release.

Tickets for tonight's show are available on the resale market here. Setlist and photos below.

Phoebe Bridgers Setlist: 

• Motion Sickness
• DVD Menu
• Garden Song
• Kyoto
• Punisher
• Halloween
• Smoke Signals
• Funeral
• Chinese Satellite
• Moon Song
• Scott Street
• Savior Complex
• ICU
• Sidelines
• Graceland Too
• I Know the End
• Encore:
• Georgia