Week in Rock: Awarding Edition
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<strong>The Grammys Succeed</strong><p>While it's not without faults, <a href="http://www.grammy.com/">The Grammys</a> accomplished something it's been fighting to maintain for quite some time now: It felt relevant. The 51st annual awards show, which will never be able to completely shake its reputation as a celebration of the old and established, took some impressive strides in keeping up with the kids this year. The show's focus was on the live acts, only actually presenting 10 trophies over the nearly 4-hour telecast and packing the rest of the night with performances spanning the genres. Not only were they able to get seemingly every recognized popular artist on stage, from Katy Perry to Radiohead, but they even pulled off a couple "once in a lifetime" collaborations. While nobody will (hopefully) think back fondly on the Jonas Brothers teaming up with Stevie Wonder, the MIA/Jay Z/T.I./Kanye/Lil Wayne extravaganza was one for the ages. While in the end, the awards settled in their comfort zone, giving the predictable Alison Krauss/Robert Plant record Album of the Year, it was not without its moments. As the MTV awards flounder further year by year, the Grammys seem to have picked up the slack this time around.</p>
<strong>Ferraby Plays Pianos</strong><p>The folkey Singer-Songwriter with the multisyllabic name has set up shop at Pianos for a residency this month. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ferrabylionheart">Ferraby Lionheart</a> played with a full band this week, trying out some new material for what could potentially become a new album. The music was on point, blending an old-fashioned traveling tune sound with an accessible modern indie aesthetic. He'll be at the Ludlow Street club every Monday for the rest of the month, and will also be opening for Noah and the Whale at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on the 21st.</p>
<strong>Lily plays Bowery</strong><p>While the actual social networking aspect of MySpace may have devolved into a wasteland of Spam friend requests and Macy's coupons, it's still the first stop for many music fans when looking to listen to new music. Offline, the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/secretshows">MySpace Secret Shows</a> crew have been chugging along for the last few years, setting up free shows for popular acts in small venuesâand they scored a major coup this week by booking Lily Allen at Bowery Ballroom. The tabloid star arranged a three show, three continent secret show tour, with upcoming gigs in Tokyo and London. This week found her in New York, performing a celebratory show for the release of her sophomore album, <em>It's Not You, It's Me</em>. Lily played a complete set, featuring songs off both album, and closing out with a cover of Britney's <em>Womanizer.</em> For some video from the show, check out <a href="http://www.themodernage.org/2009/02/11/video-lily-allen-at-bowery-ballroom/">The Modern Age</a>; more photos at <a href="http://stereogum.com/archives/photo/lily-allenmatt-kim-bowery-ballroom-nyc-21009_051961.html">Stereogum</a>.</p>