Photo: via BAM, Diane Birch, and Au Revoir Simone. Diane Birch: Bowery Ballroom, January 22, $20
On her new LP, Diane Birch urged us to Speak A Little Louder and it paid off — this is some of her best music yet. Wednesday night, the New York-based singer-songwriter will headline Bowery Ballroom bringing an album full of genre-spanning pop and heartfelt Americana to enraptured Lower East Side ears.
Wednesday, January 22, 8 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street (between Bowery and Chrystie Street); 212-533-2111.
GODMODE Night: Motion Studies, Eaters, Negative Supply, Joel Ford DJ Set: Baby's All Right, January 22
Full disclosure: Motion Studies' singer Tyler McCauley is a friend of this writer, but that doesn't change the fact that his seven-piece disco-pop band is one of the most fun live acts in Brooklyn. The group's label, GODMODE, has been doing great things lately, and supporting acts Eaters and Negative Supply are both worth your time as well. Topping off the bill is Joel Ford (Ford & Lopatin, Ejecta), whose smooth synth sounds should carry you deep into the night.
Wednesday, January 22, 8 p.m., Baby's All Right, 146 Broadway (between Bedford and Driggs Avenues), Brooklyn; 718-599-5800.
Neutral Milk Hotel: BAM: Brooklyn Academy of Music, January 23, 24, and 25, $41
Even a three-day residency at BAM isn't enough to satiate Neutral Milk Hotel fans who scooped tickets faster than you can say "King of Carrot Flowers." But, those lucky enough to attend one of these shows are in for something truly special. While reluctant troubadour Jeff Mangum has been touring for some time, this is the first NYC show with the return of the full lineup in over a decade.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 23 , 24, and 25, 8 p.m., BAM: Brooklyn Academy of Music, Peter Jay Sharp Building, BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Avenue (between Ashland Place and St Felix Street), Brooklyn; 718-636-4100.