Tonight In Music: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Shabazz Palaces, Yo La Tango, and more

Godspeed You! Black Emperor with Thrones @ Showbox Sodo| 2/17 | 8PM | SOLD OUT |All Ages (bar w/ ID)

Photo by Eric Auv

This show is SOLD OUT, but go wait outside and look for scalpers/beg, because you know it’s worth it. Godspeed You! Black Emperor are one of the most distinguished acts in the arty post-rock movement, and they’re bringing along another classic act Thrones. This show will be a religious experience. If you have tickets, congratulations, you are one of the chosen. If you don’t, go anyway and weep/gnash your teeth outside. And bring money with your sackcloth/ashes/etc. Somebody might have extra tickets.

Shabazz Palaces w/ THEESatisfaction @ Neumos | 2/17 | 9pm | $15 adv |21+

Photo by: Kyle Johnson

For everyone else, don’t wait until the last minute to hop on this show. Shabazz Palaces puts on one of the freshest shows of our time. Ishmael Butler and Tendai Maraire put together some of the smartest hip-hop that Seattle has seen in a long time. It’s Africa, it’s inner-city, and it has the distinguished air that can only come from men who have lived a lot of life. Without effort, the lyrics of Shabazz Palaces embody urban culture with sophistication. The music is rhythmic, creative, and fresh. They’re taking some of the favorite retro sounds of electronic music when it was just budding in the ’70s and combining it with contemporary timing, instrumentation, bongos, and a few other choice notes, but listeners still can’t quite put their finger on their je ne sais quoi. Some call it “avant-garde” hip-hop, others call it Shabazz. Whatever you want to call it, this is going to be the music, the show you’ll be talking about for a long time. Get excited–this is coming! – Nikki Benson

Yo La Tengo, The Corin Tucker Band @ The Showbox at the Market | 02/17 | 9pm | $18adv/ $20dos | All Ages, Bar with ID

Yo La Tengo is coming to town next Thursday, and it’s guaranteed to be a show for the books. These gents and lady have been making music since 1984, which is longer than a good portion of our readers have been alive. Their music has been through many phases throughout their library of 12 studio albums. They haven’t released a new LP since their 2009 Popular Songs, so chances are Yo La Tengo will be playing a nice mix of their entire catalog, including your favorites. Being a band that has mastered the balance of strong, melodic music with powerful lyrics, their library of music has been the backbone of a lot of memories, garnering them one of the strongest cult followings of their ilk. The Showbox is going to be packed with fans who have their favorite songs, stories, and hopes in tow. Get your tickets now to be part of the fun. – Nikki Benson