Sorry I’m a little late on getting this feature posted, I came down with a touch of the plague that has been going around our staff. Fortunately there were no Monday television performances worth catching, unless you’re into boybands or reality show castoffs, so I’ve got the rest of your recommendations ready just in time.
I know it’s tough to keep track of all of the great performances on television each week, so every Monday (or, this time, Tuesday) I’ll bring you a roundup of the best artists (along with a bonus pick or two). So get those DVRs set (or remember to check Hulu the next day) for:
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MONDAY (1/14)
There weren’t any bands worth checking out Monday, unless you’re into radio-manufactured pop groups or reality show castoffs.
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TUESDAY (1/15)
DON’T MISS: Yo La Tengo on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: Yo La Tengo’s excellent new album Fade just dropped today. I’ll be covering it in my New Music Spotlight feature later this week, but for the time being you can catch a preview of some of their new material tonight on Fallon! They’re a consistently great band and it’s sure to be a fun performance!
Yo La Tengo will be performing at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville on 1/26/13. You can find more info here. Here’s the official video for the band’s new single “Ohm:”
Bonus: A$AP Rocky on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Buzzy rapper A$AP Rocky also dropped a new album today, the much-delayed Long.Live.A$AP. I’ll also be talking about that record soon in my New Release Spotlight, but it’s fantastic and the relative newcomer is pretty unpredictable with his performances.
Bonus: Big Boi on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: I already named Big Boi’s new record Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors one of my favorites of December. The former OutKast rapper is a more than seasoned performer and always fun on television. He’s also playing Friday on Leno, but Kimmel’s studio has a more fun and intimate vibe.
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WEDNESDAY (1/16)
DON’T MISS: JJAMZ on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: JJAMZ might just be the best indie pop group no one seems to know about yet. Featuring members of The Like, Phantom Planet, Maroon 5, Riley Kiley, and Bright Eyes, they are, for all intents and purposes, a supergroup. They’ve also got an incredible debut album, Suicide Pact, under their belts. They’re inevitability going to be the next big thing (and they deserve it)!
Here’s the group performing a live version of their single “Suicide Pact:”
Bonus: Trampled by Turtles on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: I’m feeling a little burnt out on indie folk breakouts Trampled by Turtles (including them on this list even feels like deja vu), but they always give a fun, tight, energetic performance. If folk/bluegrass is more up your alley, you can’t go wrong with this one!
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THURSDAY (1/17)
DON’T MISS: Jake Bugg on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: Jake Bugg is proof you can’t judge a book by its cover. He’s only 18, and might look like a British Justin Bieber (with a Gallagher brothers haircut), but his sound is more like a Beatles/Johnny Cash/Bob Dylan lovechild. He rose to prominence after being awarded an up and coming slot at Glastonbury, and his debut EP is full of potential. Don’t miss out on this kid!
Here’s Bugg performing a couple of his singles live on the radio:
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FRIDAY (1/18)
DON’T MISS: The Joy Formidable on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: The Joy Formidable’s much-anticipated new album Wolf’s Law drops next week, and I’ll definitely be brining you coverage in my New Music Spotlight. The band has been gaining lots of traction over the past couple of years, and for good reason- their unique indie/shoegaze sound is infectious. I can’t get enough of this band!
Check out a fantastic performance of their single “Whirring” at Glastonbury:
http://youtu.be/SIZRZKE0qUE
Bonus: The Amazing on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: I believe this might be the American television debut for Swedish ambient indie rockers The Amazing. I’m not entirely sure because it’s ridiculously hard to search for information about a band called The Amazing. Either way, they’re, well, amazing, and definitely a band to watch for!
Bonus: Big Boi on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: If you missed Big Boi’s Tuesday night stop on Kimmel, or if you just can’t get enough of the Atlanta rapper, here’s your second chance!
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SATURDAY (1/19)
DON’T MISS: The Lumineers on Saturday Night Live [NBC; 11:30PM/10:30c]: I don’t think it is scientifically possible to have made it through 2012 without hearing The Lumineers’ breakout single “Ho Hey.” Even though the radio has worn the single out for me, I still love the band and I’m sure their stop at SNL will be killer. Bonus points because Jennifer Lawrence is hosting!
Here’s proof that The Lumineers have other songs:
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