Music for the Cool Kids

Back in early August, Bostonist advised the timely purchase of tickets to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, performing at TT the Bears on September 14. Clearly someone was listening because the show has long sold out and a frenzy of desperate Craigslist posts (buying, not selling) has since ensued. The story follows suit for Sufjan Stevens, playing with Laura Veirs at the Somerville Theatre on September 8.

Fortunately, the lineup of highly lauded bands visiting the Boston area stretches far beyond the aforementioned. Bostonist has done the homework for you, evaluating shows based on: (1) recent album hype (mostly merited); (2) bang for the buck (nothing over $22); and (3) absence of the underage set (as in smoking and voting). The result is a well-balanced menu of music, sure to garner the envy of your most music-savvy hipster friends. Buy tickets now and in a few weeks, shows sold out, you’ll be the coolest kid in town.

Saturday, September 3, 9:00 p.m.
Sons and Daughters @ Middle East, Tickets $10
Album: The Repulsion Box

Thursday, September 8, 6:00 p.m.
Bloc Party with The Kills @ Avalon Ballroom, Tickets $22
Album: Bloc Party, Silent Alarm; The Kills, No Wow

Friday, September 23, 9:00 p.m.
M.I.A. @ Paradise Rock Club, Tickets $18
Album: Arular

Friday, October 7, 9:00 p.m.
stellastarr* @ Paradise Rock Club, Tickets $15
Album: Harmonies for the Haunted, to be released September 13, 2005

Monday, October 10, 8:00 p.m.
The Decemberists with Cass McCombs @ Avalon Ballroom, Tickets $18.25
Album: The Decemberists, Picaresque; Cass McCombs, PREfection

Wednesday, October 12, 7:30 p.m.
Fiery Furnaces @ Remis Auditorium, MFA, Tickets $20
Album: EP

Saturday, October 22, 7:00 p.m.
Broken Social Scene @ Avalon Ballroom, Tickets $20
Album: Broken Social Scene, to be released October 4, 2005

Friday, November 4, 7:30 p.m.
Bell Orchestre @ Remis Auditorium, MFA, Tickets $20
Album: Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light

A few additional tidbits: Rumor has it that stellastarr* played a free concert at the Middle East last night as part of the WFNX and Smirnoff Ice “Off the Radar” Series. Bostonist signed up for a VIP Access invitation, but never received the promised confirmation email. Did we miss something?

And speaking of “Off the Radar", the Indie Rock Series at the MFA has attracted a pitiful lack of publicity, save for a blurb in Phoenix. Once word gets out that Richard Parry of the Arcade Fire is the founding member of Bell Orchestre, Bostonist hopes that will change.