Critical 5 concerts in NYC: free shows, nostalgia, indie buzz, August 6-12

Here at Critical Mob, we like to think of ourselves as that well-informed friend who's always ready to tip you off on new cultural goings on. In that spirit, we've done our research and compiled five of the most buzzworthy shows in New York City this coming week. No, we can't get you guest listed, but we've got five genre-spanning shows that are well worth marking on your calendar. 

Highline Ballroom: The Zombies & The Left Banke, 8/6, 8 PM

After The Beatles, we like to consider the Zombies as the most innovative of the great British invasion groups of the 1960s. Though they're down to two original members (lead singer Colin Blunstone and organist Rod Argent), you can still catch the masterminds behind Odyssey and Oracle on tour every now and then. On Monday evening, they're playing downtown Manhattan's Highline Ballroom in a nostalgic double bill that also features 60s Baroque pop pioneers the Left Banke. 

Music Hall at Snug Harbor Cultural Center: The xx & Chairlift, 8/6, 7 PM

If you're eager to hear new tracks from The xx's sophomore effort (due September 11 on Young Turks), Monday's Staten Island show is the place to be. The dreampoppers have already debuted the intimate "Angels" and the more dance-friendly "Swept Away"; Snug Harbor fans will get a chance to hear even more, alongside what figures to be a heavy dose of the band's instant classic self-titled debut. 

Brooklyn-based snythpop duo Chairlift, touring in support of this year's stellar LP Something, will serve as the opening act. 

Prospect Park Bandshell: M. Ward, Yo La Tengo & Wyatt Cenac, 8/7, 7 PM

Talk about a diverse bill- on Tuesday evening, Brooklyn residents get treated to an alt-folk standby (M. Ward), indie rock royalty (Yo La Tengo), and stand-up comedy from a Daily Show correspondent (Wyatt Cenac) at the Prospect Park Bandshell. It's part of the annual Celebrate Brooklyn! concert series and also serves as a benefit show, with a portion of proceeds contributing towards underwriting for the organization's free programming. 

Pier 84 (Hudson River Park): Grimes, Wild Nothing, & Diiv, 8/9, 6 PM

In one of this summer's most enticing free shows, fans can kick back after work and enjoy this triple bill, which includes three of our favorite buzzworthy acts to emerge in recent years. With a fantastic debut record and a spellbinding live show that often includes a set of dancers, Claire Boucher (AKA Grimes, pictured above) is beginning to come into her own as an indie diva. But be sure to arrive in time to catch the openers -- a pair of shimmering dreampop acts from the Brooklyn imprint Captured Tracks. 

Music Hall of Williamsburg: Braid, Owen, & Aficionado, 8/11, 7 PM

If the word "emo" makes you grin in memories of Jawbox and Sunny Day Real Estate (rather than grimace in thoughts of eyeliner and MySpace pages) then Saturday night's Williamsburg bill should be up your alley. Reunited 90s post-hardcore rockers Braid headline a bill that also features Owen, Mike Kinsella's long-running solo project.