Lykke Li @ Bowery (CMJ): Look For The Swing

Absolutely magnetic! Fave TMS track of the evening: 'Breaking It Up'. Photos below.













MP3: Lykke Li - I'm Good I'm Gone (Metronomy Mix)

Friendly Fires @ Bowery (CMJ): Twist & Shout

Another phenomenal set from UK based trio. Visit Friendly Fires on MySpace. Photos below.









MP3: Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool

Diesel XXX NYC Pictorial: Hot Chip

The trio of Made In The Dark ditties was positively tantalizing. Official TMS Rating: 8/10.



(Setlist) Shake A Fist. One Pure Thought. Ready For The Floor.

MP3: Hot Chip - Over & Over

Diesel XXX NYC Pictorial: Chaka Khan

The living legend's fifteen minute set was absolutely flawless! Official TMS Rating: 9/10.





MP3: Chaka Khan - I Feel For You

Diesel XXX NYC Pictorial: T.I.

I hate to admit it but T.I.'s performance was brilliant. Official TMS Rating: 8/10.





MP3: T.I. - Collect Call

Diesel XXX NYC Pictorial: Franz Ferdinand

The new selections were hit/miss but the classics were amazing. Official TMS Rating: 8/10.







MP3: Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out (Remix)

Diesel XXX NYC Pictorial: M.I.A.

Pregnant and fabulous (in spite of some major sound issues). Official TMS Rating: 7/10.





(Setlist) Bamboo Banga. XR2. Boyz. Paper Planes.

MP3: M.I.A. - Boyz (Hatchmatik Mix)

Diesel XXX NYC Pictorial: N.E.R.D

An electrifying set (albeit much shorter than SXSW '08). Official TMS Rating: 9/10.



(Setlist) Lap Dance. Spaz. Everyone Nose.

MP3: N.E.R.D. - She Wants To Move

Death Cab For Cutie @ Radio City: Sun Shines Again

In the past three months, I've been treated to two magnificent Death Cab gigs. The first being an intimate solo show from Ben Gibbard, which included covers, rarities & tender takes on DCFC's most recognizable tunes. Last night's full band performance was my second within the last 100 days. The band's 95 minute set was robust & unfaltering from start to finish. As a massive admirer of The Photo Album & Transatlanticism, I was pleasantly surprised to hear 'We Laugh Indoors', 'Title & Registration' as well as the latter LP's stunning title track. However, the most well received ditty of the evening was, unquestionably, Death Cab's take on their 2008 epic, 'I will Possess Your Heart'. In summary, the Seattle based quartet's largest NYC show to date was a major success. View a handful of photos, the full setlist & a DCFC MP3 below. Watch their latest video here.







(Setlist) The Employment Pages. Your Heart Is An Empty Room. The New Year. We Laugh Indoors. Crooked Teeth. Company Calls. Grapevine Fires. Summer Skin. Soul Meets Body. I Will Follow You Into The Dark. I Will Possess Your Heart. Cath. We Looked Like Giants. Long Division. The Sound Of Settling. Bixby Canyon Bridge. (Encore) Technicolor Girls. Title & Registration. A Movie Script Ending. Marching Bands Of Manhattan. Transatlanticism.

MP3: Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body

Chairlift @ Tribeca Grand Hotel: Raspberry Swirls

Last night served as the official release party for Chairlift's stunning debut LP, Does You Inspire You. Bolstered by the inclusion of 'Bruises' in the latest iPod campaign, the Brooklyn based trio is currently riding a mountain of well deserved buzz. Their half hour set was charming, ethereal & melodic. Chairlift successfully mastered the following juggling act: seducing neophytes while satiating long time admirers alike. Pics, setlist & MP3 below.





(Setlist) Evident Utensil. Territory. Garbage. Ceiling Wax. Bruises. Earwig Town. Somewhere Around Here. Make Your Mind Up. Planet Health.

MP3: Chairlift - Evident Utensil

Au @ Spiegeltent: Autonomy & Cohesion

Prior to last night's tremendous performance from The Dodos, Jen & I were treated to a rousing set by Portland's keyboard & drum duo, Au. Both on paper and live, it's rather effortless to describe the band's sound & energy as a surreal hybrid of Animal Collective & Pattern Is Movement. At times otherworldly, at times dance inducing & at times simply compelling, Au proved themselves as, not only perfect tour partners for The Dodos, but also as a rapidly ascending force to be reckoned with. Visit Au on MySpace. Photos below.









MP3: Au - Are Animals

The Dodos @ Spiegeltent: Beyond The Storm

God bless The Dodos. For the third time this year, the San Fran based duo blew my mind. Last night's set (easily the best of the bunch) was nothing short of spellbinding. I'm still in a massive state of shock. View videos from the gig at Sup Mag's YouTube channel. Pix below.









MP3: The Dodos - Eyelids [alt link]