Front Row Our favorite new bands, from the best seat in the house.
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Front Row

Our favorite bands, from the best seat in the house

Omar Souleyman performed during NPR Music's showcase at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Loren Wahl for NPR hide caption

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Omar Souleyman, Live In Concert

America's favorite Syrian wedding singer crossed the Atlantic Ocean to hold court at NPR Music's showcase in New York City. Souleyman performed songs with help from keyboard wizard Rizan Sa'id.

Pusha T performs live at NPR Music's showcase at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Loren Wohl for NPR hide caption

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Pusha T, Live In Concert

The rapper pulled no punches during a performance at NPR Music's showcase in New York City. Watch Pusha T perform a set that ranged from his work with Kanye West to his critically acclaimed new album.

NPR

Volcano Choir, Live In Concert

Volcano Choir is known in no small part for frontman Justin Vernon, an artist who built legions of fans as Bon Iver. Watch the band give a transfixing performance, recorded live in Washington, D.C.

The Lone Bellow performs at the 2013 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick/NPR hide caption

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The Lone Bellow, Live In Concert

Formed as a creative outlet for singer Zach Williams as his wife recovered from an accident that nearly paralyzed her, The Lone Bellow performs with a sense of necessity.

The Lone Bellow, Live In Concert

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Jucifer performs at the Black Cat. Mito Habe-Evans/NPR hide caption

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Jucifer: NPR Front Row

The duo has been destroying ears and rattling bodies for 20 years. Somehow, the towers of amp stacks have gotten bigger and louder along the way. Watch Jucifer level the Black Cat in Washington, D.C.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra performs live at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 27, 2013. Lizzie Chen/NPR Music hide caption

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Unknown Mortal Orchestra: NPR Front Row

Watch the band perform "No Need for a Leader," a tremendous cocktail of riff-rock and Black Sabbath-style psychedelia, recorded live at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Chris Tomson (left) and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend perform at Apogee's Berkeley Street Studio in Santa Monica, Calif. Brenda Janario/KCRW hide caption

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Vampire Weekend, Live In Concert

KCRW

For this performance, recorded for KCRW, Vampire Weekend took a night off from a West Coast tour to play for a small audience of eager fans at Apogee's Berkeley Street Studio in Santa Monica.

Iggy & The Stooges live from (Le) Poisson Rouge in New York City. Ryan Muir for NPR hide caption

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Iggy And The Stooges, Live In Concert

WNYC

NPR Music and WNYC's Soundcheck present a First Listen Live concert from Iggy & The Stooges. Watch the group rip through songs from its new album, Ready to Die, as well as a handful of favorites.

NPR

Brainstorm

Watch the rock band Brainstorm blast punchy, post-punk-inspired rhythms at Austin's TenOak during the 2013 South by Southwest music festival. Here, the group performs the thrilling "Maybe a Memory."

Ivan & Alyosha win over new fans during a spirited performance at TenOak in Austin. NPR hide caption

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Ivan & Alyosha

The Seattle natives in Ivan & Alyosha possess cool charisma and an infectious sound that won over listeners at 2013's South By Southwest music festival.

NPR Music

Blaudzun

Blaudzun made the trip from its home in the Netherlands to Austin, Texas, for the 2013 South by Southwest music festival. There, the group introduced its jubilantly beautiful songs to a new audience.

NPR

Metz

Watch the noise-rock trio tear it up at the 2013 South by Southwest music festival. Recorded live at Bar 96, the band performs a heart-pounding version of "Wet Blanket" here.

NPR

Bajofondo

Watch the eight-piece band perform "Duro y Parejo" to a huge crowd at Auditorium Shores for SXSW.

NPR

Gashcat

The Louisiana band Gashcat makes fantastically catchy rock and pop songs. They returned to South by Southwest to give a thrilling, all-too-short performance. Watch them perform "The Morning Sun" live.