Hot Tickets: Echo & The Bunnymen, José González, Grizzly Bear, The National

After My Bloody Valentine’s killing at Roseland earlier this week, we’re not sure there’s much music worth seeing or that we’d even have the capacity to hear it after such a brutal sonic barrage. But no matter ... the show must go on, particularly when they are birthdays to be had.

It’s the Echo & the Bunnymen’s 30th Anniversary, folks. So how old do you feel now? We hope not too old to make it out to Radio City Music Hall for the band’s only U.S. appearance this year. On Wednesday, October 1, the Bunnymen—otherwise known as the original Coldplay—will perform the entirety of their classic 1984 album Ocean Rain in the company of a 10-piece orchestra. Come out and see your colleagues in the hottest in executive goth-wear. [On sale now]

And speaking of anniversaries, New York magazine is in the midst of celebrating their 40th, and they’ve got a couple musicals events lined up for the occasion. On Sunday, José González will bring his lithe classical guitar playing to the Brooklyn Yard. Though you may recognize the Argentinean ex-pat from that tune on the Sony Bravia commercial from a couple years back (remember all those bouncy balls?), González has blazed an international trail for himself far beyond television. Last year’s In Our Nature nestled minimalist, vaguely-Spanish vamps next to killer covers, like Massive Attack’s “Teardrop.” Along with González will be the lovable kooks in the Upright Citizens Brigade. [On sale now]

New York continues the birthday celebration two weeks later on Oct. 10 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Grizzly Bear and the National—Brooklyn’s top two indie acts by any measure—pair off with the comedians in Stella. [On sale now]

Little Joy is coming to town. That would be Strokes-dummer Fabrizio Moretti’s new band about whom we spoke so fondly last week. Besides the Fabster, Little Joy features his girlfriend Binki Shapiro and Rodrigo Amarante—a singer who sounds like he’s working even less than Julian Casablancas (if that’s possible), but manages something sweeter and realer with his band's workingman’s blues. Little Joy makes the Mercury Lounge smile on November 13. [Tickets went on sale yesterday at noon]

Cover bands aren’t everyone’s pint of beer (okay, most people’s). But what if you could see four of them battle it out for the title of world’s greatest '90s cover band? We think you’d say yes, or at least your high school self would. On Friday, Schism, Facelift, Monkey Wrench, and The Battle of Los Angeles pay tribute to Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters, and Tool at the Filmore New York at Irving Plaza. Guess which cover band honors which '90s superstar and win a free flannel shirt. [On sale now]