Critical 5 Concerts in NYC: blasts from the past, Sept. 24-30

If only you had a time machine. Though the ball is still in Science's court, you can still check out some ridiculously amazing shows this week -- a few of which will have you thinking about the past. Especially Nirvana Night -- it's as as close to seeing the grunge outfit live again as you will ever get (if you aren't considering Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters as a weak subsitute that is). Plus, there are some local Brooklynites and foreigners to round you out going back in time. 

Nirvana Night, 9/24, 8pm at Spectacle Theater

In celebration of the 21st anniversary of Nevermind’s historic release, Spectacle Theater in Williamsburg is throwing a tribute to the band that changed the early 90’s music scene from metal to grunge nearly overnight. Featuring a video compilation of lost interviews, tributes, live footage, contemplation on how their legacy has affected, and continues to affect, the current music scene, and also get a chance to see Kurt Cobain’s long-lost 1984 homemade horror film, Horror Movies (Kurt’s Bloody Suicide). To conclude, there will also be another different and secret Nirvana film. For only $5 you won’t want to miss it. We promise they weren’t just good because you were in high school.

Two Door Cinema Club, 9/28,  6:30pm at Central Park, Rumsey Playfield

Northern Ireland’s indie/electro pop band, Two Door Cinema Club, is a band that makes you almost begrudgingly kind of like pop. Their catchy songs are clearly radio-ready, but they also draw from elctronica/electro, rock, and Afro-beats making an enjoyably guilty infusion of sound. Having just released their debut album Tourist History in 2010, their new record, Beacon, was released early this month you can catch them in Rumsey Playfield this Friday.

First Aid Kit, 9/30, 9pm at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Having created awe with their cover of the Fleet Foxes song “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song,” First Aid Kit is comprised of Klara and Johanna Soderberg -- two sisters from Stockholm, Sweden. They have these intoxicatingly eerie, angelic voices and create rural folk tunes that have the effect transporting audiences into some sort of half-disturbing children’s song. Whether they create comfort or further fear, or a mix of both, you'll certainly be lulled into dreamland. Their debut (and highly-praised) LP The Big Black & The Blue came out last year ,and was followed by their sophomore effort The Lion's Roar in January. Be sure to check out their captivating music videos as well.

Minus The Bear and Cursive, 9/29, 8pm at Best Buy Theater

The Seattle indie outfit, Minus the Bear, released their album, Infinity Overhead, at the end of August. They are known for having an electric, progressive sound, plus some amazing guitar athletics fused with odd-time signatures and catchy lyrics and hooks But, this isn’t just an opportunity to see Minus the Bear, it’s also a chance to catch them with the emo, post-hardcore Omaha natives, Cursive as an opener. Cursive’s lead singer, Tim Kasher may also be recognized for his side band, The Good Life. Although Cursive’s more recent exploits (such as 2012’s I Am Gemini) haven’t received extremely high praise, they’ve made some near-perfect creations in the past including The Ugly Organ and Domestica — both which should be staples in every record collection. Really, those are all reason enough for us.

Team Genius and Friend Roulette, 9/29, 8pm at Union Hall

Celebrate the locals. Brooklyn-based Team Genius you've perhaps heard on the obscure ABC shows The Gates with their fittingly titled song “ABC.” They are an indie pop band, but think more in the style of the Beatles, Beach Boys, or The Rolling Stones. It’s all very feel-good and toe tapping, but they actually focus on quality songwriting and lyrics. Friend Roulette, on the other hand, is all about whimsical orchestrated baroque-pop songs with odd-meter changes and haunting vocals that seem quite ideal for some epic film score. There is an abundance of spacey synth, violins, and horns all layered together to create an extremely cinematic sound that is still easily accessible for a night of heavy drinking.