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Once again, we’re bringing you our roundup of the best live music on television this week. The amount of great performances can be hard to keep track of, so every Monday I’ll post a preview 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.
Here are the best performances I think you should set your DVR (or check Hulu the next day) for:
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MONDAY (12/10)
DON’T MISS: Jack White on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: He’s made Nashville his home, his solo career has really exloded this year with Blunderbuss, Third Man Records is growing in popularity by the day, and his chemistry with Conan is unbeatable. Plus, he’s a modern day musical legend. Don’t miss out on this one!
Here’s White performing with accompaniment from O’Brien from a 2010 appearance on the show:
http://youtu.be/nfxu8qbY4Is
Bonus: The Hives on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: 2012 hasn’t quite proven to be the comeback year Swedish rockers The Hives were hoping for, since the release of their new album Lex Hives. Regardless, they always put on a top-notch, high energy performance.
Oddly enough, you can catch The Hives performing with Pink at Bridgestone Arena and City & Colour on 3/2/13. More info here.
Bonus: Of Monsters and Men on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Icelandic indie rockers Of Monsters and Men have had quite a breakout year after an amazing debut, and I have no doubt 2013 will be even bigger. Expect them as fixtures at all the festivals this summer.
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TUESDAY (12/11)
DON’T MISS: FIDLAR on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: FIDLAR (an acronym for Fuck It Dog, Life’s a Risk) are a no-B.S., punk-tinged garage rock band who play music about being broke, drinking cheap beer, and partying. And they’re so, so good at it.
Here’s the official video for their single “Cheap Beer”:
Bonus: AWOLNATION on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: It was a shame that Aaron Bruno’s old band, Under the Influence of Giants, never quite broke through. With a fantastic debut and already more critical and commercial attention, it’s great to see the talented singer get another shot with AWOLNATION.
AWOLNATION are performing at the Winter Wonder Jam in Atlanta on 12/15.
Bonus: Graham Parker & The Rumour on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: After over three decades of releasing music on his own, legendary British rocker Graham Parker has reunited with the original lineup of his classic late ’70s band The Rumour. The band just released a great comeback record called Three Chords Good.
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WEDNESDAY (12/12)
DON’T MISS: Atlas Genius on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 12AM/11c]: If their debut EP (released this summer) is any indication, Atlas Genius are destined for great things. They’re already gaining a ton of underground buzz and tons of touring and festival appearances are sure to make for a big 2013.
Atlas Genius will be at The Tabernacle in Atlanta on 2/14/13. Here’s the band’s official video for “Trojans”:
Bonus: Grizzly Bear on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Their latest record Shields is their strongest release yet, further cementing the fact that the indie rockers have more staying power than many of their peers. Plus, they always put on a great performance!
Bonus: The Heavy on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: English soul/funk rockers The Heavy made quite a splash in the U.S. in 2012 due to extensive touring and their great new album The Glorious Dead. Expect big things to come.
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THURSDAY (12/13)
DON’T MISS: Ryan Adams on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: By Ryan Adams standards, the dynamic singer has had a relatively quiet past couple of years. I can only assume the lack of new material in 2012 means we’ll see at least two new releases in 2013.
The singer performing last year on ‘Letterman’:
Bonus: Dan Deacon on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 12AM/11c]: Known for his strong live shows, indie/electronic musician Dan Deacon’s latest release America is the culmination of the unique, smart sound he’s spent years refining. Don’t miss him!
Dan Deacon is performing at the 40 Watt Club in Athens on 12/11. More info here.
Bonus: DIIV on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Brooklyn’s DIIV released their debut album Oshin this summer and have been an unstoppable force of buzz ever since. Expect the shoegaze, dreamy indie rockers to have a solid 2013 as well.
Bonus: The Jezabels on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Hailing from Australia, indie rockers The Jezabels have been developing something of a cult following over the past few years. The band has finally begun slipping into the mainstream radar since last year’s excellent Prisoner.
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FRIDAY (12/14)
DON’T MISS: Martha Wainwright on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: Though she’s been making ripples in the indie folk scene for years, Martha Wainwright’s recent release Come Home to Mama is poised to catapult her career to the next level. She’s also a seasoned and never anything but spectacular performer.
A live clip of Wainwright:
Bonus: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell has had quite an impressive solo run over the the past few years. The Alabama alt-country rocker just put out a great new live album and is sure to bring a good time.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will be at Mercy Lounge on 12/21. More info here.
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SATURDAY (12/15)
DON’T MISS: Paul McCartney on Saturday Night Live [NBC; 11:30PM/10:30c]: This one’s a no-brainer. Sir Paul, a longtime fan, occasional cameo, and sometimes performer on Saturday Night Live (this will be the former Beatle’s 4th time performing on the show) is a legend. It’s been a fairly strong season so far, so come for the musical guest, stay for the sure-to-be-hilarious holiday episode hosted by SNL alum Martin Short. McCartney tends to pop up in sketches whenever he appears on the show, so keep your eyes glued to the whole thing!
Sir Paul performing on ‘SNL’ in 2010:
http://youtu.be/PbtY4kMO6u8
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