Chairlift, Twin Sister, Empress Of, Slowdance, Jason McMahon, Ice Choir (DJ Set): Glasslands, December 17, $20
Still recovering from last week's 12-12-12 Sandy extravaganza? Tonight's show at Glasslands is basically the polar opposite of that. Headlined by Brooklyn's inimitable Chairlift, with support from dream-pop Long Islander's Twin Sister, this should wash the taste of Paulvana out of your mouth for good.
Monday, December 17, 8:30 p.m., Glasslands, 289 Kent Ave (between South 1st and South 2nd streets); Brooklyn; 718-599-1450.
Leonard Cohen: Madison Square Garden, December 18, $29.50
Leonard Cohen is a legend, and his rare live shows live up to that status. Combining poetry, occasional storytelling, and renditions of classic material, seeing the Canadian folk hero in Madison Square Garden this week is a bucket-list type of achievement. Can't make the Madison Square Garden show? There's always the Barclays Center show on Thursday.
December 18, 7:30 p.m., Madison Square Garden, 2 Penn Plaza # 15 (at 33rd Street); 212-465-6741.
The Surfjohn Stevens Christmas Sing-A-Long Seasonal Affective Disorder Yuletide Disaster Pageant On Ice: Bowery Ballroom, December 21 and 22, $20
If that title doesn't do it for you, this event probably isn't for you. While Sufjan Stevens has been playing Christmas songs for years, nothing has approached the pageant he has planned for Bowery Ballroom this week. Tickets for the first show go on sale Wednesday at noon, so have your browsers at the ready.
Friday and Saturday, December 21 and 22, 8 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street (between Bowery and Chrystie Street); 212-533-2111.
Up for more? Here are some bonus shows:
December 17: Blood Orange plays the Sony Store.
December 18: Solange plays Bowery Ballroom.
December 19: Deer Tick plays Brooklyn Bowl.
December 19: King Tuff, Metz, Sean Bones, Devin play Music Hall of Williamsburg.
December 21: Dum Dum Girls and Crocodiles play Glasslands.
December 22: Ice Choir plays Cameo Gallery.
Photos: Courtesy of The Bowery Presents