Music on Television | 12.3-12.7

Here’s another new feature we’re trying out. The amount of great music on television each week can be hard to keep track of, so every Monday I’ll post a roundup of the best and most interesting performances coming up. I’ll be sure to give you one essential pick for each night, as well as a runner up or two if there’s a lot to great stuff to choose from.

With holiday schedules, the options might be a little sparse for December (for instance at least two shows are in reruns this week), so we’ll see how it goes!

Here are the best performances I think you should set your DVR (or check Hulu the next day) for:

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MONDAY (12/3)

DON’T MISS: Punch Brothers on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: The Americana/bluegrass rockers released a great album earlier this year and they just recently released a new EP called Ahoy! They always put on a great show!

If you missed their September performance at The Cannery Ballroom, you can catch them at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville in March. Here’s a taste of their live performance:

Bonus: Led Zeppelin (not performing) on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Though they won’t be performing (that would be epic), the legendary rock band stops by Letterman tonight to plug their just-released Celebration Day DVD (which recently played for one night at the Belcourt)

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TUESDAY (12/4)

DON’T MISS: Ke$ha on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: Ok, not only is Ke$ha a catchy, guilty pleasure of mine, but hear me out. On her new album Warrior (out tomorrow), the singer again enlists the help of superproducers Max Martin and Dr. Luke as well the likes of Wayne Coyne (of The Flaming Lips), The Strokes, Iggy Pop, Patrick Carney (of The Black Keys), and Nate Ruess of fun. That not enough to pique your interest? The record is a pretty astoundingly solid pop with a decidedly rock and roll throwback vibe, and Ke$ha’s known for her weird, over the top performances. Also, she’s sort of a local whether we want to claim her or not. Don’t miss out on this one!

The first single from her new album:

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WEDNESDAY (12/5)

DON’T MISS: Delta Spirit on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: Folk-tinged California indie rockers Delta Spirit put out an incredible self-titled album earlier this year. An immensely talented band known for their tight and energetic live performances, their stop at Conan is one not to miss. Man, Conan is killing it this week, huh?

Here they are on ‘Kimmel’ a few months ago:

http://youtu.be/3viD-_KjPzY

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THURSDAY (12/6)

DON’T MISS: The Gaslight Anthem on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: The Gaslight Anthem have had an amazing few years. After basically shedding their solidly punk beginnings and embracing a heartland rock, anthemic sound with punk undertones, the band have become critical darlings. Their latest record Handwritten (the followup to 2010’s universally revered American Slang) is fantastic and the band’s performance style is never anything below top-notch.

Here’s the a song from band’s excellent extended performance on ‘Letterman’ over the summer:

Bonus: Tanlines on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: Tanlines are a little bit poppy, a little bit progressive, a little bit synthy, and a lot nostalgic. Think Vampire Weekend unchained. The band’s latest album is also really fantastic.

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FRIDAY (12/7)

DON’T MISS: Big Boi on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: Though I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’d rather see the return of OutKast, a new solo outing from Big Boi is almost as good. Set to drop next week, if the rapper’s new record is half as good as his last one, it’ll make up for the wait!

The single from his new record ‘Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors’:

Bonus: Garbage on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Alt-rock legends Garbage put out a pretty awesome new record earlier this year. Still riding the promotional trail for the release, you know ’em, you love ’em, and they’re sure to be great.