Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Winter Wolf waiting to play late this afternoon in a Show Brain-promoted concert at Tompkins Square Park...

About 2 free shows in Tompkins Square Park this weekend

The annual New Village Music Festival is today from 2-6 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park. 

According to organizers, the festival "was created as a vehicle to unite people of all ages and ethnicities. It is a free outdoor community concert that celebrates music, culture, and community." 

 You can find more details on the official Facebook page and website. 

And tomorrow (Sunday!) afternoon... Show Brain is back with a slate of bands...

The Rock Against Racism concert is today in Washington Square Park

The Rock Against Racism concert is taking place this afternoon in Washington Square Park.

This was rescheduled from the May 5 rainout. (The show was also once slated for Tompkins Square Park.)

Bands playing today from 2-6 include Ten Ton Mojo ... Four Trips Ahead ... Lake Lanier ... Skadanks ... and Butter Brain. 

Saturday's parting shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

From Day 1 of the Show Brain Festival 2024 (details) in Tompkins Square Park.

Here are some shots from a rambunctious set by Balaclava...

Back at it tomorrow afternoon with five more bands, including Pinc Louds and Skorts.

About the Show Brain Festival 2024 in Tompkins Square Park

Show Brain is hosting a two-afternoon concert this weekend featuring a slate of indie bands.

Here's the rundown:

Aug. 10 

• 2-2:30 Pons 

• 2:45-3:15 Balaclava

• 3:30-4:05 Native Sun 

• 4:25 to 5 95 Bulls 

• 5:20 to 6:05 Thus Love 

Aug. 11

• 2 to 2:25 Chronic

• 2:45 to 3:20 The Thing 

• 3:45 to 4:20 Pinc Louds 

• 4:35 to 5:10 Pop Music Fever Dream 

• 5:25 to 6 Skorts 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Bands we like: Skorts

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The second day of the annual Tompkins Square Park Riot reunion shows was canceled due to the threat of thunderstorms. (Several downpours occurred during the afternoon.) 

However, Scott Sturgeon (on the left, from Leftöver Crack/Choking Victim/Star Fucking Hipsters), who was set to open today as a special guest, did eventually play a set later in the day... along with Tibbie Skye West on bass and a few other familiar faces (Shayne!). 

You can read more about the Tompkins Square Park police riots of Aug. 6, 1988 here.

Feeling the need for Suburban Speed

Photos by Stacie Joy 

This past Saturday (July 27), Brooklyn-based Suburban Speed was a late addition to the Show Brain-presented afternoon of live music in Tompkins Square Park. 

It was maybe not the most enviable slot, with just a few people out early for the show, along with some curious passersby. 

Regardless of the time, Carson Walsh (vocals, guitar, soprano saxophone, power drill) and Seth Sosebee (bass, keyboards) were intent on delivering a compellingly abrasive and anarchic set of songs that commanded attention.

To date, Suburban Speed has released several singles ("Pink Plastic Lighter," "Monte Carlo" and "Provolone Pimps.") With their unconventional song structures and Walsh's sometimes free-form vocals delivery, we're looking forward to hearing how they put it all together on a full record.

You can follow the band here.

[Updated] The 36th annual Tompkins Square Park Riot reunion shows are happening this weekend

The free concerts commemorating the 36th anniversary of the Tompkins Square Police Riot of Aug. 6, 1988, are happening this weekend.

Bands are scheduled for today and tomorrow. The first band up today, Donut City, says they're on at 2 p.m. sharp. 

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Updated 8/4 2:42 p.m.

Due to the threat of rain/storms this afternoon, the show has been canceled. However, Scott Sturgeon (Leftöver Crack, Choking Victim and Star Fucking Hipsters) and a few others who were added to start the bill will still be playing. 

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And on Sunday...

Saturday in the Park

A four-band bill is slated for tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon in Tompkins Square Park... via Show Brain and starting at 2 p.m. 

The lineup features:

• Skortz (we wrote about them here) 

• Consumables — "Angular post-punk" 

• Aux Blood — "Brooklyn-based post-hardcore noize" 

• Clone — Their new album "embodies a raw and energetic punk ethos." 

Updated: Suburban Speed has been added to the bill. They lead off at 2 p.m.

Up next: Puke Island Part 12 from Iconicide on Sunday... and the 36th annual Tompkins Square Riot Reunion via The Shadow on Aug. 3-4.

Bands we like: Francie Moon

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Flashback to last Sunday in Tompkins Square Park, where we caught headliners Francie Moon (aka New Jersey-based musician Melissa Lucciola) in a show organized by Show Brain. 

We've heard Francie Moon's music, described as "garage psych & rock n roll," though never live until this day. We enjoyed the high-energy set and her appreciation of the opportunity to play in front of an audience.  

Lucciola also plays drums with Gustaf, another band we like. (Gustaf guitarist Vram Kherlopian and percussionist Tarra Thiessen joined this set. And if you're keeping track — they both also play in Tea Eater.)

You can find more from Francie Moon here and here.

The next show we're aware of is the 36th annual Tompkins Square Riot Reunion via The Shadow on Aug. 3.

About today's free show in Tompkins Square Park

Show Brain presents another solid slate of bands this afternoon (2-6) in Tompkins Square Park...

• Francie Moon, "garage psych & rock n roll," 5:20 

• Balaclava, NYC trash rock, 4:30 

• Chico Romano, bedroom pop meets '60s soul and R&B, 3:40 

• Draculas, "rock ‘n’ roll for the beach goth punks," 2:50 

• Teenage Halloween, power punk, 2 p.m.

 

Set times are approximate!

Upclose with Gustaf at Berlin

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Gustaf was set to headline Sunday's free show via Show Brain in Tompkins Square Park. 

After a galloping set by Shred Flintstone, the rain arrived... and we all left thinking we wouldn't get to see the last two bands — Miranda and the Beat and Gustaf. 

However, we received a message saying the two groups would each be playing sets for free at Berlin, the space under 2A at Avenue A and Second Street. 

We arrived in time to see the art-punk swagger of the Brooklyn-based Gustaf, a two-album quintet gaining momentum thanks to some unbridled live sets, both as headliners and supporting UK acts such as IDLES, Sleaford Mods, and Yard Act.

The last time we encountered Gustaf, they energized the vast outdoor stage with their performance at the Kilby Block Party in May, transforming a potentially dull early afternoon slot into a festival highlight.

Fast-forward to Sunday evening, and they seized every inch of Berlin's intimate venue with unrestrained energy, led by charismatic lead singer Lydia Gammill... (watch a live clip here)...

Gustaf headlines a free show in Tompkins Square Park TODAY

Show Brain presents a solid lineup of bands this afternoon (1:45- 6 p.m.) in Tompkins Square Park ... featuring the art-punk swagger of Brooklyn's Gustaf to end the afternoon. 

Here's the lineup (Skorts are taking over for Teenage Halloween): 

 • Gustaf • Shred Flintstone • Miranda and the Beat • Teenage Halloween  • Skorts • Abby Jeanne + the Shadowband 

And hopefully, the thunderstorms expected later today will hold off until late this evening...

At yesterday's hardcore matinee in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Tompkins Square Park played host to the "Back to the NYHC Roots" music series yesterday afternoon. 

The slate of bands, presented by The Shadow and New York Hardcore Chronicles, included Winter Wolf ...

... Kārtël ...

... and Non Residents...

...and scenes from the crowd...

... and there was a photogenic finale...

The afternoon also included sets from Redwoods and Incendiary Device.

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

At the end of the hardcore show today in Tompkins Square Park... more photos on the way tomorrow...

At the first Show Brain show of 2024 in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The weather held out on Sunday afternoon for Mother's Day — and the season's first show by Show Brain, which has been bringing live music to city parks the past few years. 

Here is Ozzie Silva of Show Brain with East Village-based singer-songwriter-composer Franzi Szymkowiak of Lukka (her band was not on the bill this day)...

The lineup included the gloom punk of Desert Sharks...

... and the high-spirited eclectic punk fusion of headliners Pinc Louds...

And taking in the bands...

The next Show Brain production in Tompkins Square Park is on June 30. (Keep tabs via the SB Instagram account.) 

The next concert promoted by Chris Flash of The Shadow is on May 25. Follow these shows on Facebook.