Summer Sets: Afropunk with Danny Brown, Good Vibrations from Alex Wiley

Beat the summer heat at these cool venues. This week we're giving you a sampling of everything, from the country-soul of Humming House to the heart of American rap with Earl Sweatshirt.

Friday

Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne

American Folk Art Museum, 6PM

You could say Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne perform sorcery when the two combine their individual talents. Whether performing under a bridge or on a stage, their folksy, acoustic sound always manages to mystify. Catch them at the American Folk Art Museum as part of the museum's Free Music Fridays program.

Humming House, Matt Sucich

Joe's Pub at The Public, 7PM

Humming House is a 5-person band that looks and acts more like a family. This group is 21st-century Nashville personified, melding together the city's rich history of bluegrass and folk music with modern pop to make a sound that is wholly their own. Humming House is made for live performance, often featuring solo fiddle riffs and vocal improvisations. This cover of Justin Timberlake's "My Love" could make JT cry a river. 

Saturday

Earl Sweatshirt, Remy Banks, NxWorries

Best Buy Theater, 7PM

Earl Sweatshirt is extraordinary. Originally a member of the American hip-hop collective Odd Future, Earl Sweatshirt has produced music with Tyler, the Creator, Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis, Mike G, Frank Ocean, Left Brain, Syd Tha Kyd, Matt Martians, and Hal Williams. His debut mixtape, Earl, was released online when he was just 16, immediately after which his mom sent him to boarding school in Samoa. Now 21, Earl Sweatshirt has earned his place in the American rap scene with hundreds of thousands of views on youtube each week. This concert is rescheduled from an April 18th concert and tickets will be honored, so if you missed him back then, here's your chance.

Emily Wells, Psychic Twin, The Meaning of Life

Rough Trade NYC, 8PM

Emily Wells is a master instrumentalist, playing the drums, violin, guitar, keyboard, and beat machine, as well as providing distinctive vocals for her one-woman band. Wells produces and performs her own blend of classical training with modern, ethereal sounds. Her first full-length record is soon to be released but you'll want to see her live first. She creates all of her sound on site, carefully manipulating loop pedals to layer instruments and amaze her audiences. She came to our studio a few years ago to perform. Listen here to get a taste of what you'll be catching live Saturday. 

Danny Brown

Commodore Barry Park

Danny Brown is one of many incredible performers featured this weekend at Afropunk Festival Brooklyn. Think: Lenny Kravitz, Gary Clark, Jr., and Grace Jones. Danny Brown is authentic rap; he uses his first take when he's recording according to "20 Things You Didn't Know About Danny Brown." He's also a Soundcheck alum, listen to his session here. And here's an adorable behind-the-scenes interview with the young star of the "Grown Up" music video. 

Sunday

of Montreal, Mothers

Asbury Lanes, 7PM

of Montreal is an indie, electro-pop band that gets its name from singer-guitarist Kevin Barnes' failed relationship with a woman from Montreal. They've refined their sound over the past 18 years, producing album after album to high acclaim. of Montreal, "Your Magic is Working." Also notable: Asbury Lanes is in fact a combo music venue and vintage bowling alley. Strike!

Alex Wiley, Kembe X, Calez

S.O.B.'s, 9PM

Head over to the Village Party to feel good "Vibrations" from Alex Wiley. Growing up in South Side Chicago, Alex Wiley wandered into the rap world through his friend and headliner Kembe X. The two would meet up with friends and record joke raps under the collective name "Swag Village." Over the past five years, Wiley has evolved to make tighter verses and elevated soundscapes. He also freestyles.

Study up for your weekend concerts with our hand-crafted playlist: