Cross posted at Daily Kos

Goddamn if I don't love this city in the summer. Yeah, it's hot and smells less than fresh some days. But, summer is also free outdoor music season and there isn't a city on Earth that does it better or more often than the Big Apple. There are some days when it's almost impossible not to feel that we live at the center of the effin' rock and roll universe. Today is one of those days.

Just check out what's on tap tonight:

The folks over at Celebrate Brooklyn give us a free show at the bandshell in Prospect Park by one of the finest and most fun live bands working today, LA'S Ozomatli. This band can do it all and do it well. They are also very politically conscious. And they just plain kick ass. from the Celebrate Brooklyn site:

The gritty Latin fusion clan Ozomatli provides the perfect soundtrack for some hot-blooded midsummer indiscretion with its "captivating brew of salsa, ranchero, rock, jazz, funk and rap" (USA Today).

Do try to catch them if you can.

Decisions, decisions. Uncle Tupelo alum and OG alt-country guru Jay Farrar does a free show with his superlative band Son Volt down at the South Street Seaport. They've got a new record that was engineered by a friend of mine. It rocketh. Should be a hell of show and, hey, it's free, yo.

The secert is out now. Free Williamsburg spills the beans:

The Roots "secret show"

Check them tonight at 7pm at Pier 54. This is the first of ten free shows to be put on by Fusion Flash.

Pier 54 is located at West Street and 13th Street.

The supreme Bad assness that is Calexico puts on a show tonight at the the Castle down in Battery Park. Free show, dude.

Need to get your electric Delta Blues on? Go check out Hugh Pool over at Robert F. Wagner Park. Once again, it's a free show.

Nothing tickled your fancy yet? How about an outdoor show with the original lineup of Dinosaur Jr? Jay Mascis has reformed the original lineup with Lou Barlow and Murph pounding the skins and are playing Summer Stage in Central Park. This is not a free show, but it'll be worth whatever it costs. Oh, and if past experience is any guide, it'll be fucking loud.

From MTV.com:

Good news for graying record-store clerks, and for anyone who wants to see a long-absent band that casts a stegosaurus-sized shadow over today's indie-rock: The original lineup of Dinosaur Jr. has reunited for a full slate of U.S. dates.

"We haven't spent too much time together, but hopefully things won't be too bad." — Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis

In the past few weeks, the band had stirred the long-dormant hopes of fans when it was announced that they would be playing a handful of shows in the U.K. and Japan (as well as reissuing their seminal first three albums, 1985's Dinosaur, '87's You're Living All Over Me and '88's Bug). Now all three Dinos — guitarist/singer J Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph — have put aside the differences from their contentious breakup.

"There's definitely some tension," Mascis said. "We haven't spent too much time together, but hopefully things won't be too bad. Lou and I have played together a few times over the years, so we're getting along a little better and we just thought we'd try out playing again."

This is just nuts. How am I supposed to choose here? I can't. I'm torn between Ozomatli and Son Volt. Of course I've been wating to see Dinosaur Jr again for almost 20 years. Fuck. I guess it's a great problem to have.

And don't forget earlier today we had the Wailers play a free show out in Brooklyn.

Oh, and this weekend is a free music Festival. The Siren Festival happens out in Coney Island this saturday thanks to the folks at the Village Voice. Last year was a hoot with TV on the Radio and MIssion of Burma among others.

This year Siren is being headlined by one of my faves, Spoon. Also on the bill this year are Mates of State, Brendan Benson and the Dears among many, many others. The Siren Fest is not to be missed.

Let's face it, my fellow NY'ers, we put up with a lot of shit to live here, but it's days like this that make it all worthwhile. We lead charmed lives, kids. Let's not forget it.

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