Pippy and Star's Revenge at Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy

This past Saturday afternoon's free Show Brain gathering in Tompkins Square Park featured a five-band bill, including Bonny, T!LT and Dallas Wax. 

We caught Pippy and the closing set from Star's Revenge, a project featuring Olive Faber (Sunflower Bean) and Emily Green (Geese). 

First up, the Brooklyn indie quartet Pippy, who recently released their excellent self-titled debut record ...

... and Star's Revenge...

Emily Green

Olive Faber

... and the full band with Show Brain founder Ozzie (in the shades) ...

... and in the crowd...

5 bands on tap for tomorrow's free Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park

Five bands are on tomorrow's bill for the latest free Show Brain concert in Tompkins Square Park, closing out with Star's Revenge. 

Approximate set times: 

• 1:55 to 2:25 Bonny 

• 2:45 to 3:20 T!LT 

• 3:40 to 4:15 Pippy 

• 4:35 to 5:10 Dallas Wax

• 5:25 to 6:00 Star's Revenge

First president of japan caps Show Brain show with a joyous set in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy

If you like your Sunday afternoon concerts fun and unpredictable, first president of japan delivered.

The Brooklyn punk band headlined Sunday's free Show Brain concert in Tompkins Square Park, capping the afternoon with a joyous, high-energy set that blurred the line between performance and audience participation.

Lead vocalist Non Kuramoto (also a comedian and actress by trade) spent much of the set in the crowd — crowd-surfing, dancing and encouraging fans to join the fun as the audience eagerly obliged.

The band's sound blends punk, garage rock and math rock with a healthy dose of absurdity. (Their latest EP, Your Recommended Daily Intake of first president of japan, includes songs featuring humor, heart... and whale facts.) 

And faces in the crowd on this Sunday...

Show Brain Sunday (part 1) with Diary, Tea Eater

Photos by Stacie Joy

We arrived at Sunday's free Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park just as Tea Eater had audience members ducking under an oversized inflatable stick of butter during a limbo contest inspired by "Butter," a track from the art-punk band's LP, I Don't Believe in Bad Luck. 

We knew it was going to be a memorable afternoon.

Next up, NYC's Diary, which just released an infectious new single, "Keep Comin' Up," that we happily heard on the Morning Show with John Richards on KEXP several times last week. 

The band's first LP, Spiral Bound, is out in September.

Show Brains veterans Pons were next, and they never disappoint...

Then came the headliners — The First President of Japan, who provided 30 minutes of unbridled joy...

To be continued ...

At Saturday's punk show in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy

We stopped by yesterday's punk show in Tompkins Square Park and caught a blistering set by NYC hardcore band Abism.

Did the crowd love them? You decide!