Green Day has become one of those ‘timeless’ bands that people either love to hate or love to… love. For us here at the Tripwire, our opinion falls somewhere in between (how’s that for not taking responsibility?). Well, the time has come for Billie Joe, Mike and Tre to release yet another studio album, but this time around the band is reverting back to a more intimate setting for their album release, having a party at the modestly sized Bowery Ballroom on May 18.

21st Century Breakdown will be Green Day’s eighth studio album, and we have to imagine that after all the success the band has encountered over the last decade, they must be tired of playing massive arena and stadium tours, so reverting back to a small venue like the Bowery Ballroom makes some sense. According to Billboard, the band has been playing some smaller gigs this past week in San Francisco as well at the DNA Lounge, where they have been previewing 21st Century Breakdown in its entirety for fans. 

The new album is set for release on May 15, and we’re hoping that Green Day’s choice to go embrace the smaller things in life these days, will be reflected in the content of the record as well. (We’ve had our fingers crossed for over a decade, so why stop now?)

New Zealand’s pop princess Ladyhawke swung through our New York to play the Bowery Ballroom after her earlier scheduled performance at Santos Party House was canceled due to visa issues. Despite the show being postponed 30-minutes because of a fire next door, it did little to dissuade anyone in the sold-out room from enjoying themselves. Tripwire contributing photographer Meg Clark was there, here is what she saw.

Tripwire all-purpose camera person Maia Stern rolled through the O’Death and Titus Andronicus show at Bowery Ballroom and caught all of the sights, sounds and smells one would expect, with a little crowd love to boot. Here is what she saw.


[Titus Andronicus]

[o'Death]

o’Death
Titus Andronicus

Tripwire photographer Kelli McNamara went to see Snow Patrol and their two very special — and very young — guests earlier in the week. Here is what she saw, see if you can pick out the guest musicians.

Snow Patrol
MySpace