If you’re like me, you get less than excited by outdoor festivals, due to the heat, length, and lack of intimacy—like going to a huge show at the Aragon with the benefit of a sunburn. More likely, you’re not a crank and are looking for something to do afterwards. The Reader has a rundown of the options; here are the ones I think will be good:
Wild Nothing, 7/15, Subterranean, $10. Gorgeous, lush, summery, Smiths-y shoegaze that will be a perfect chillout after the first day of the festival. I may be a little biased because young group mastermind Jack Tatum got his start playing in Virginia Tech college bands, and it warms my heart to see someone from Blacksburg headlining the Subterranean. Still, it’s really good.
White Mystery, 7/15, Cobra Lounge, free with RSVP. Everyone’s favorite local sibling garage classicists. A good-time band, conveniently near the festival, and free if you register.
Austra, 7/16, Empty Bottle, $10. Clean, darkly sexy, ever so slightly gothic new-wave out of Canada that definitely doesn’t sound Canadian, with a throwback chanteuse of a front woman. Danceable, but not the kind of dancing that’ll be too exhausting after a day in the sun. If you have happier feet, local mashup masters The Hood Internet are at the Darkroom the same night.
John Maus, Twin Sister, 7/16, Schubas, $14. If Austra is too dark and sexy for you, this is a good set of similarly atmospheric, electric new-wave-inflected music. Twin Sister in particular promises a pleasant comedown from the second day.
Syd tha Kid, BBU, 7/17, Beauty Bar, $5. I spoke my piece about Odd Future yesterday, and I don’t think I’m alone in admiring their music but being unable to deal with their lyrics. In that case, I have the show for you: Odd Future’s gifted young DJ by herself. The great local hip-hop collective BBU opens with their own DJ set.