First President of Japan's wonderfully weird Halloween in Tompkins

Photos by Stacie Joy 

A little appreciation for first president of Japan, who brought their wonderfully chaotic mix of punk, garage rock, and absurdist humor back to Tompkins Square Park for a Show Brain show on Halloween. 

Led by the irrepressible Non Kuramoto, dressed as a sea nettle, the Brooklyn band tore through a set that included crowdsurfing, caterwauling and plenty of audience participation... and an operatic grand finale in front of the Hare Krishna tree. 

Kuramoto, who once trained as a clown, handed out handmade masks of her own face to the crowd... while the keyboardist came dressed as an AI bubble. 

It was gloriously ridiculous, unpredictable and exactly the kind of performance that makes these free afternoons in the park so much fun.

This is Show Brain's final free concert for the year in Tompkins... there's one more show tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon in Washington Square Park with Big Girl, Laveda, Dallas Wax and Grace Bergere.

Show Brain has 1 last treat for the season with a Halloween show in Tompkins Square Park

Halloween marks the last of the free Show Brain shows in Tompkins Square Park this year... and it's another stacked lineup, featuring headliners Radio Free Alice, the Australian popsters who released their debut record today. 

• Radio Free Alice 

• Nabihah Iqbal (she's playing a sold-out show later tomorrow night at Night Club 101 on A)

• First President of Japan 

• Trophy Wife 

• The Dracu-las 

2-6 p.m. ... with an after-party at Niagara on Seventh and A...

Scenes from 'Punk in the Park' with Non Residents

Photos by Stacie Joy 

On Sunday, NYC thrash metal band Non Residents, formed in 2019 by brothers Amarú and Roberto Fenoutt, headlined the Punk in the Park show in Tompkins...

At one point during the show, members of the crowd pulled apart an effigy dressed to resemble an ICE officer...

Parts of the effigy were subsequently set on fire ...

The scene also reflected a longstanding part of the park's identity: Music and political protest have a long, intertwined history in Tompkins Square Park.

The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black takes over Tompkins Square Park Saturday

The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black, the glam-punk performance legends led by East Village-based artist Kembra Pfahler, headlines a six-band bill in Tompkins Square Park on Saturday. 

The show runs from 2-6 p.m. 

On Sunday afternoon, there's a Punk in the Park extravaganza...

Show Brain keeps the free shows coming

Photos by Stacie Joy 

For the past few years, Show Brain has been bringing free live music to public spaces around the city, including plenty of memorable afternoons in Tompkins Square Park and Washington Square Park. 

Last Thursday, the shows moved farther afield when Brighton (UK!) punk band Lambrini Girls played a free Show Brain pop-up at Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy. 

The band was in town opening for Bikini Kill at Brooklyn Steel, and EVG's Stacie Joy made the road trip for the afternoon set...

There's plenty more ahead this month. 

This weekend, Show Brain takes over Maria Hernandez Park in Bushwick for two days of free, all-ages music on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. The lineup includes Noun, BALACLAVA, Dead Tooth, Cherry Cheeks, Francie Moon and chemical-x, among others. 

Then on Oct. 10, Show Brain is among the presenters of the free Seaport Music Festival, with eight hours of music scheduled at the South Street Seaport. Native Sun, Tall Juan, Pippy, CS Cleaners and others are on the bill. 

And Show Brain is scheduled to return to Tompkins Square Park on Halloween afternoon, Oct. 31. 

Details here. (Lineups subject to change.)

Always great to see touring bands — and plenty of local ones — playing outside for FREE.

Thanks to everyone who keeps free live music going in our parks, including Chris Flash and The Shadow, who have been bringing shows to Tompkins Square Park for years.

Hardcore returns to Tompkins Square Park

The New York Hardcore Chronicles presents another installment of its "Back to the NYHC Roots" music series today (Saturday) in Tompkins Square Park. 

The free, all-ages show runs from 2-6 p.m., with Bad Luck 13, Silence Equals Death, TREE, Fuggitt and RBNX.

Running with the 95 Bulls in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Brooklyn-Queens-based five-piece 95 Bulls, led by vocalist Emily Ashenden, tore through a grimy collision of garage punk, post-punk and synth-wave in Tompkins Square Park yesterday afternoon as part of a free Show Brain lineup. 

Here are a few scenes from their fiery set...

Show Brain brings more live music to Tompkins Square Park TODAY

Show Brain returns to Tompkins Square Park today for another afternoon (2-6)  of FREE live music.

Singer-songwriter Sid Simons headlines with: 

• 95 Bulls 

• Dauber 

• Joudy

• Gold Roger

A special pop up in Tompkins Square Park yesterday

Photos by Stacie Joy 

To celebrate the release of their 13th studio album, There Near (released yesterday), Dinosaur Jr. have been playing a series of smaller venues and pop-up shows around the city. 

After a Thursday evening appearance at Lucinda's on Avenue A, the trio turned up in Tompkins Square Park yesterday afternoon for a free surprise show presented by Show Brain and Fender. 

The concert was first announced on Instagram around 10 a.m. 

Despite some later rumors that it wasn’t going to happen, J Mascis, Murph and Lou Barlow took their places (no stage!) and delivered a short, tight set.

The band will move on to larger venues for its 2027 tour. 

And now, J Mascis and friends, as they were announced...

After the set, Mascis quickly left Tompkins... but we did find a happy Lou Barlow and longtime drummer Murph...