Photo: Courtesy of Beyoncé, Music Hall of Williamsburg, and Facebook.
Phosphorescent: Music Hall of Williamsburg, December 18, 19, 20, and 21, $20
Singer/songwriter Matthew Houck's Phosphorescent project has only gotten better over the years, and his latest LP, Muchacho, is a career highlight. This week, Houck will play four consecutive shows at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (the first acoustic, the rest with a full band.) We highly recommend you catch one (or all) of them.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 18, 19, 20, and 21, 9 p.m. Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th Street (between Kent and Wythe Avenues); Brooklyn; 718-486-5400.
Beyoncé: Barclays Center, December 19 and 22, $49.50
Just a week after shocking the universe with her new, straight-to-iTunes album, Beyoncé will try out her new material for two huge Brooklyn audiences. To say we're excited about this is a vast understatement. Christmas really did come early this year.
Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22, 8 p.m., Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue (at Flatbush Avenue); Brooklyn; 212-359-6387.
The Breeders, Speedy Ortiz: Webster Hall, December 19 and 20, $30
While the Pixies push on without her, Kim Deal's other legendary group is still fully intact and ready to rock. This week, The Breeders are playing alt-rock classics Last Splash and Pod in their fuzzed-out entireties. Also not-to-be-missed is opener Speedy Ortiz, whose Massachusetts-bred sound should perfectly complement the Deal sisters.
Thursday and Friday, December 19 and 20, 7 p.m., Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues); 212-353-1600.