Pitchfork

Normally we'd kick off a piece like this with some joke like, "Man, you'd have to pay us to stand next to the East River all day!" But in the case of the annual East River Music Project summer concert series, we'll accept some very cool rock free shows as compensation for the fishy smell. (Also, the East River Amphitheatre, where the shows take place, is quite an idyllic location.)

Indeed, the series kicked off last month with a show from Ex-Models; but that red, itchy patch on your forehead should've tipped you off that summer ain't over yet, and neither is the ERMP's slate of free shows.

They've got three planned for now, with the next one this very Saturday. July 28 gets Jennifer O'Connor, Lindsay Anderson (of L'Altra), and the Rats. August 11 sees Meg Baird (of Espers), Vampire Weekend, and Jonathan Kane's February. Closing things out September 8 are Dälek, These Are Powers, Clockcleaner, Despot, and Made Out of Babies.