Lots is going on this weekend

FRIDAY

Low plays their second night at the Bowery Ballroom. Low's live shows are a big part of why I love them, and I'm psyched to see The Great Destroyer songs live. Hopefully they'll throw in a good cover or two - I'm pulling for Pink Floyd's "Fearless" or (even better) Spacemen 3's "Lord Can You Hear Me." This show is sold out but I bet you'd be able to get a ticket outside.

Wheels Instead of Hooves is supposed to be one of the best electronic parties in London, and it's making its first visit to NYC tonight at Rothko. Jega, Datach'i, and Shadetek are on the bill, which means you can't do much better tonight if you're looking for glitchy breakbeats and thick basslines.

Matador's newest signing The Double plays the new Mighty Robot space in Williamsburg, on the corner of Kent and Metropolitan. I'm really curious to hear these guys. Aside from my general affection for all things Matador, everything I read about the Double makes me think I'd dig 'em. Rah Bras, The Occasion, and Soft Sax are also playing.

Sasha and James Lavelle are "spinning" at Crobar. I use quotes because Sasha has given up the decks and now mixes with Ableton Live - which happens to be the software that Monolake wrote. Lavelle, of course, is the main man behind UNKLE. The $40 cover is steep though.

SATURDAY

M.I.A. and Diplo take over the Knitting Factory for a late show. This show couldn't have better timing for me - Arular is ruling my world right now. I've heard that she's mostly playing Arular versions of her songs (vs. those from Piracy Funds Terrorism, Vol. 1), though I've also heard Diplo has been cutting it up before and after the show. Nick Catchdubs is also spinning, and there's a free afterparty afterwards with both of them. It looks like M.I.A., though, will be heading to Luke and Leroys for Misshapes, where she'll be spinning along with none other than Jarvis Cocker - I have to think this will be mobbed.

It's the first weekend of the month, which means the excellent AllDisco party will be taking over subTonic on Saturday. This party is well worth checking out without the special guests, but it'll be even better this week. Tim Sweeney - the man behind One Louder fave RVNG PRSNTS MX3 and the mixed disc of DFA Compilation #2 - will be joining residents Dan Selzer, Jeremy Campbell, and Rob Uptight. Make sure you drink a lot if you go - the Tonic needs the money.

SUNDAY

I'm obsessive about baseball but pretty fair-weather with football. That said, go Eagles!

But WEDNESDAY?

While Rajeev is back in New York after trying out for the Yankees, he's currently buried under a pile of emails and overdue library notices. So much to everyone's loss, I'm still running THE SHORTS for at least one more day. Here we go...

Let's get things started with some links to the Village Voice. First, Michaelangelo Matos writes a nice compare and contrast between Daft Punk's disappointing Human After All and LCD Soundsystem's much more enjoyable self titled debut. Matos also reminds me that LCD is playing the Bowery on Saturday night. Thankfully I picked up tickets awhile back because the show is sold out now.

Next, the Voice has put together a very handy Reggaeton primer for novices, like myself. I've heard the term many times, but I'm totally unfamiliar with the sound. This page should help. It includes MP3 clips of artists such as Ivy Queen, Tego Calderon, and Daddy Yankee as well as some videos. I'm sure I'm the last kid on the block to catch on to this trend.