Flying Lotus (finally!) plays Grand Central on Saturday, December 8.

UPDATE FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5:

We’ve added to the list. Click here to skip ahead to tonight’s listings.

Wednesday, December 5 kicks off the official start of Art Basel Miami Beach — and, with it, all the completely unofficial festivities that accompany the festival every year. While dollars still fly by the millions inside the official art fair itself, for most of the hordes of both out-of-towners and locals, the action happens away from the fair. It’s no secret that over the last decade, while actual art still reigns during Basel, it’s also kind of just an excuse to party, fabulously.

Similar to last year and the year before, the 2012 edition of this shebang promises a number of live shows around town with artsier acts, free drinks, and only the most tenuous connection to visual art. But for live music fans, it’s a special time of year, especially because, unlike during Winter Music Conference, no particular genre rules.

Here’s a somewhat curated list of our picks for music events going on next week. It’s not meant to be exhaustive. We’ve left out events at super clubs, for one, and the usual local shows or Basel-unrelated events that just happen to be next week. Otherwise, if we’re missing something important, please e-mail or drop a comment. We’ll be updating this often.

Jump ahead:

ONGOING | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

ONGOING

Le Baron @ various venues, December 4 through December 9
The Parisian club returns for another Miami pop-up throughout the week — this is where you’ll see all kinds of late-night nonsense. Unlike years past, though, Le Baron isn’t taking over a specific venue, but rather traveling to a different spot each night. To keep up, follow @LeBaronFamily on Twitter, like facebook.com/WhereIsLeBaron, or visit WhereIsLeBaron.com. Each night’s location will be announced that day at 6 p.m.

David Lynch’s Silencio @ FDR at the Delano, December 4 through December 8
It’s a battle of the Parisian pop-up clubs in Miami this week. Also throwing his hat in the ring is David Lynch, whose boite Silencio takes over FDR at the Delano. (Technically, that’s where Le Baron headed last year — meow!) Like the real thing, this is supposed to be members-only, so work those connections, wheedle, cajole, do what you gotta do to get in.

The Lost Beatles and Rolling Stones Photographs @ the Betsy Hotel
This isn’t a performance, but if you’re in the area, it’s worth checking out this free exhibition of the two legendary acts. The photos come from the archives of Bob Bonis, who worked as a tour manager for both bands.

Free and open to the public starting Monday, December 3 at the Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach. Call 305-531-6100, or visit thebetsyhotel.com

*NEWLY ADDED: Concept Album | Single @ the de la Cruz Collection

This interactive, music-based performance piece continues through tomorrow, Friday, December 6 and features a host of Miami-based artists collaborating on a recording. Click here to read our previous post about it.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6

KURT, with a performance by Thurston Moore @ Gusman Center
This multi-disciplinary event is simply a must for anyone who looks back in the ’90s fondly. It’s an evening all about Kurt Cobain, featuring a choregraphed dance piece by Ryan Heffington, a short film by Adarsha Benjamin, and a musical performance by Thurston Moore. It’s the stuff indie rock wet dreams are made of.

8 p.m. at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 E. Flagler St., Miami. Tickets cost $25 to $50. Call 305-372-0925, or visit gusmancenter.org

*UPDATED: Psychic TV and Merchandise @ the Vagabond
File this under a late, but seriously important addition — Genesis P. Orridge’s famous collective Psychic TV is plaing a club set at the Vagabond. Strangely enough, this is the band’s second appearance in Florida this year. This past summer, the group appeared at the Scion Fest in Tampa, and you can read our recap and check out PTV video from that day here. Support comes from Merchandise, a post-punk-y super-buzzy band also hailing from Tampa. Advance ticket and door-time information is still TBA.  Psychic TV is out (booo) but Merchandise is still in, along with Teengirl Fantasy and Italian Horn.

Psychic TV, with Merchandise, with Teengirl Fantasy and Italian Horn. The Vagabond, 30 NE 14th St., Miami. Call 305-379-0508 or visit thevagabondmiami.com

Unstoppable Death Machines & the So So Glows, Metro Zu @ Sweat Records
For the all-ages set, there’s this in-store at Sweat, featuring local weirdo rappers Metro Zu alongside headliners the Unstoppable Death Machines, a notorious Brooklyn warehouse party band.

8 p.m. at Sweat Records, 5505 NE 2nd Ave., Miami. Admission is free; all ages. Call 786-693-9309, or visit sweatrecordsmiami.com

Young Hearts presents Nicolas Jaar @ Bardot
Jaar, purveyor of chilled-out, next-level housey beats boasts a couple performances around town this week, but this is the only one for which the general public can buy tickets. Unfortunately, they’re sold out — but we figured we’d include it in case you can buy somebody else’s or work a connection at Bardot. Good luck.

10 p.m. at Bardot Miami, 3456 N Miami Ave., Miami. Advance tickets sold out. Call 305-576-55770 or visit bardotmiami.com

Leftroom and air London present Choice Meeting @ Electric Pickle
As always at the Pickle, here’s a night of quality four-to-the-floor dance music, this time featuring both top names from the U.K. as well as local boy made very good, Lazaro Casanova.

With Matt Tolfrey, Simon Baker, and Lazaro Casanova. 10 p.m. at Electric Pickle, 2826 N Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $15 plus fees via residentadvisor.net. Call 305-456-5613 or visit electricpicklemiami.com

*NEWLY ADDED: A$AP Rocky x Adidas x HWV8 Presents FORTUNE @ the Garrett
Los Angeles-based gallery HWV8 throws this party to celebrate the opening of its group show, Fortune, featuring works by Justin West, Hassan Rahim, Alessandro Moroer, and 13th Witness. The salient bit: Mr. Mauricio and Peachfuzz resident DZA both DJ, but the host of the event is rapper A$AP Rocky. Considering the nonsense that happened last time he performed in town, you might consider breaking out your finest Kevlar for this party.
8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Garret, upstairs at Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave. Admission is free with RSVP to [email protected]. Call 305-377-2277, or visit grandcentralmiami.com

*NEWLY ADDED: CSPG Basel BBQ With Robb Bank$, Metro Z, and others @ Electric Pickle
This show features some of the best rising, kinda weird hip-hop-ish acts from across Miami-Dade and Broward. The full lineup includes Robb Bank$, Metro Z, O’Grine, Shuttle Life, and Chalk. DJs Justin Miller and Benton also spin.
7 p.m. at Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Admission is free; age 18 and up. Call 305-456-5613, or visit facebook.com/events/138068063010264/

Art Africa Speakeasy @ Avenue D
It’s no secret that the talent represented among the various fairs is largely Euro-centric and white, save for the few Asia- and Latin America-focused pockets. In any event, African art has been virtually nonexistent during Basel until the advent of Art Africa Miami. To celebrate, after the fair’s opening, you can head to new venue Avenue D for a show by Bobby Stringer and the Special Touch Band, Zyznelay, the Balance, and thee Satisfaction.

10 p.m. at Avenue D, 8 S. Miami Ave., Miami. Admission is free $20; age 21 and up. Call 305-371-4823, or visit avenuedjazz.com

SCOPE Miami Official Party presented by Vh1 with Metric @ the SCOPE Pavilion
This one’s invite-only, but as SCOPE is an acknowledged Art Basel Miami Beach “parallel fair,” if you can score an official Basel laminate, you should be able to make your way in here.

7 p.m. at SCOPE Pavilion, 110 NE 36th St., Miami. Invite only. Visit scope-art.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7

*NEWLY ADDED: Spin Magazine’s NQB8R Party with Kool Keith, AraabMuzik, Hundred Waters, and More @ Gramps
So many reasons to check out this party. First of all, it’s free. Second of all, it’s a reason to check out new Wynwood bar Gramps. Third, it presents a legend — Kool Keith — alongside artists who have played huge places like Mansion — Araabmuzik — alongside the new names to know in electronic-ish (and other genres of) music. Representing the locals are Abdecaf and Metro Zu, and other acts include Floridian folkies Hundred Waters, Liverpool duo Bondax, and more.
4 p.m. till “late” at Grams, 176 NW 24th St., Miami.

Daniel Johnston @ Grand Central
Never thought you’d see Daniel Johnston in Miami? Neither did we. The famously talented, but unpredictable and slightly reclusive, artist will display visual art as well as perform a concert.

9 p.m. Friday, December 7 at Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $20 in advance; age 21 and up. Call 305-377-2277, or visit grandcentralmiami.com

Chromatics and Prince Rama @ Gusman Center
We’re glad to see the beautiful Gusman Center downtown being used more, especially for this gig. The long-running, Portland-based experimental act Chromatics headlines, and the Brooklyn-based, psychedelic duo Prince Rama opens.

8 p.m. at Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 E Flagler St., Miami. Tickets cost $20 in advance. Call 305-372-0925 or visit gusmancenter.org

Merchandise @ Churchill’s
If you miss the Psychic TV show on Thursday, here’s another chance to see Tampa act Merchandise, this time supported by a couple of Miami’s own buzz-worthy bands. Special sponsors for this show also promise some additional goodies, still TBA.

With Teepee and Lil Daggers. Churchill’s Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. Free. Call 305-757-1807 or visit churchillspub.com

JPatt of the Knocks @ Fountain Art Fair
The independent, slightly scrappy art fair returns, and its annual outdoor kickoff party this year comes soundtracked by JPatt of rising dance act the Knocks.

7 p.m. at 2505 N. Miami Ave., Miami. A single-day admission for Friday costs $8 in advance. Visit fountainartfair.com

Bells and ANR @ the Vagabond
This edition of Fridays at the Vagabond marks the Miami debut by Bells, a Bay area-based, low-fi-ish indie act that bases its songs around hand-clapping, found percussion, and other tinker-y noises. Support comes from local favorites Awesome New Republic, who, having released a free mixtape a month for the fall, promise plenty of potential new material for this performance.

10 p.m. at the Vagabond, 30 NE 14th St., Miami. Tickets cost $10 plus fees via wantickets.com. Call 305-379-0508 or visit thevagabondmiami.com

Rakim @ the Stage
Fan and scholar of the real hip-hop? You already know why this is special, then.

9 p.m. at the Stage, 170 NE 38th St., Miami. Tickets cost $30 in advance. Call 305-576-9577 or visit thestagemiami.com

PL0T presents Life and Death
Local collective PL0T regularly puts on some of the best nights of up-and-coming dance music at Electric Pickle, so it’s a bit of a surprise that this year marks the group’s first foray into the Basel fray. Besides the musical line-up, the brains behind the operation also promise a full artsy audiovisual experience appropriate for the week.

With Tales of Us, DJ Tennis, and Thugfucker. 7 p.m. at Electric Pickle, 2826 N Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $25 plus fees via residentadvisor.net. Call 305-456-5613 or visit electricpicklemiami.com

Solange Knowles, Neon Indian DJ set, Corin Roddick DJ set, Chris Taylor DJ set, Jacques Renault, and others @ Bardot
Okay, okay, okay, Solange Knowles, you officially get your hipster card, especially since you’re showing up here alongside Neon Indian, half of Purity Ring (Roddick), and part of Grizzly Bear (Taylor).

10 p.m. at Bardot, 3456 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Age 21 and up. Call 305-576-5570, or visit bardotmiami.com

Second Annual Art Basel Distraction @ Jelly Bros HQ
Here’s the local noise/weirds scene’s response to the ridiculous fancy schmanciness of the rest of the week. This is a two-day event, and Friday’s lineup includes the Jellyfish Brothers, Crucial Taunt, Testökra, Las Tias, Dividends, Gun Hoes, Rat Bastard, Kenny Millions, and the Cost, probably among others. This event also features an internet cafe (?) and video and art installations. A note: This event is BYOB.

8 p.m. at Jelly Bros HQ, 164 NW 20th St. Suite 206, Miami. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/events/117046305121948

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8

Gramps and Panache Art Basel Blow-Out @ Gramps
Consider this super-fun-sounding day party as a sort of coming-out party for Gramps, a new bar in Wynwood. The venue’s teamed up with Panache booking for a free evnet featuring live sets by Ital, Dent May, and Teengirl Fantasy, along with sounds by soul DJ Jonathan Toubin.

Noon to 8 p.m. at Gramps, 174 NW 24th St., Miami. Admission is free; age 21 and up. Call 786-75-BOOZE, or visit grampsbar.com

Basel Castle
What else do you need to know except that this is consistently one of the best late-night Basel weekend parties of the past few years? For this year’s edition, the Overthrow again opens the doors of its Wynwood castle (literally) for another party. But this time around they’re also expanding beyond the castle gates, taking over the surrounding blocks for a multi-stage party. Live acts include Jacuzzi Boys, Purity Ring, Teengirl Fantasy, Trinidad James, and others, alongside DJs like Tamara Sky, Brenmar, and more. There’s a pop-up gallery and live art, too, and you should show up early because this thing always goes to capacity.

6 p.m. to late, Saturday, December 8 at the Castle, 41 NW 20th St., Miami. Admission is free with RSVP from 6 to 8 p.m.; priority tickets are currently sold out. Age 18 and up with ID. For further ticket releases and full details, visit baselcastle.com

The Windish Agency Showcase @ Grand Central
If you were one of those people considering to the now-postponed UR1 festival just for Flying Lotus, you get the last laugh. He headlines a Windish showcase at Grand Central for his first-ever proper club show in Miami, alongside two very different but still amazing live acts: Zola Jesus and Dan Deacon.

Flying Lotus, with Zola Jesus and Dan Deacon. 11 p.m. Grand Central, 697 N Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $20 plus fees via ticketfly.com. Call 305-377-2277 or visit grandcentralmiami.com

Tiki Disco @ Fountain Art Fair
For its Miami edition, Fountain imports something else from New York: Tiki Disco, a Brooklyn dance party usually focused on a no-bullshit vibe and no-bullshit dance music. Though it usually takes place on Sundays, in Miami it gets moved to Saturday night. Unfortunately, you also won’t get to enjoy the pizza that usually comes with the Brooklyn edition, which takes place at Roberta’s in Bushwick. Whatever, the music and atmosphere should still be friendly and fun.

7 p.m. at 2505 N. Miami Ave., Miami. A single-day admission for Saturday costs $8 in advance. Visit fountainartfair.com

Joy Orbison and Ben UFO @ Cafeina
Local promoters SAFE specialize in putting on rare and Miami-debut performances, so for Basel, it makes sense that they’re going big. The group leaves its usual Electric Pickle digs for the slightly larger Cafeina and the Miami debut of U.K. acts Joy Orbison and Ben UFO.

9 p.m. at Cafeina, 297 NW 23rd St., Miami. Tickets cost $20 in advance. Visit safemusic.us

French Express @ the Vagabond
Where Cafeina goes Anglophile, the Vagabond goes Francophile — with the exception of Jonathan Toubin, who turns up among les francais to spin some soul, too. Other names on the bill include Moon Boots, Perseus, Jonas Rathsman, and Chris Malinchak. Freeloaders, turn up early — there’s free Absolut vodka from 10 to 11 p.m.

10 p.m. at the Vagabond, 30 NE 14th St., Miami. Admission is $10; age 21 and up. Call 305-379-0508, or visit thevagabondmiami.com

Jose Cuervo presents F*ck Art, Let’s Dance!
The Aquabooty guys have presented this no-nonsense dance party for years during Basel, and this year they score a sponsorship from Cuervo. As at all the best events at the Pickle, the lineup mixes up purely electronic fare with live dance music as well, including a set by locals Krisp. If you’re bummed Eats Everything had to cancel his last appearance at the venue due to visa issues, here’s a make-up, okay?

With Eric Duncan, Pillowtalk, Eats Everything, Krisp and more. 10 p.m. Electric Pickle, 2826 N Miami Ave., Miami. Call 305-456-5613 or visit electricpicklemiami.com

Moksha Art Fair Closing Party @ 7th Circuit Studios
The annual homegrown Moksha art fair definitely boasts a certain vibe — it’s a bit New Agey, conscious, multi-cultural, and unpretentious. Its closing party on Saturday follows that, with a mix of jam bands and improvisational and bass-heavy electronic acts on the bill. Names here include Toubab Krewe, Sounduo, Elastic Bond, and many, many, many others.

8 p.m. at 7th Circuit Studios, 228 NE 59th St., Miami. Tickets cost $40 in advance. Visit rmokshafamily.org/moksha-art-fair

Second Annual Art Basel Distraction @ Jelly Bros HQ
This free, kinda anti-Basel event continues tonight with performances by Ricky Lewis, Astrokats, Haochi Waves, Hot Hands, Talking Dogs, Dyslexic Postcards, DJ Fucked Up, the Grey 8s, Whoorish Boorish, the Lifeforms, Maskera, and, again, probably others. Again, remember to BYOB.

8 p.m. at 164 NW 20th St. Suite 206, Miami. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/events/117046305121948

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

Soul Clap Records BBQ
Need an easy comedown from a rough Saturday night, but love quality dance music? Here you go. The excellent duo Soul Clap headlines, naturally, at this party meant to celebrate the launch of its new label. A special treat here is a live set by the label’s artist Night Plane.

With Soul Clap, Night Plane (Live), and Nick Monaco. 5 p.m. at Electric Pickle, 2826 N Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $10 before 8 p.m. at the door. Call 305-456-5613 or visit electricpicklemiami.com

Hard 2 Leave
The Overthrow started the Sunday Hard to Leave party as an excuse to stretch out Winter Music Conference, and now they’ve extended the absurdity to Basel, too. Yeah, this is the party with strippers on a Sunday night. Bring singles.

With Craze, Tamara Sky, Caligula, Damaged Goods, Spinstyles, Heroes x Villains, Vavlt Boys, and more. Goldrush, 15 NE 11th St., Miami. Visit theoverthrow.com

Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses
Alright, this isn’t really related to Basel either, but it’s kind of artsy and unusual and we had to include it for the WTF/geek/nostalgia factor. This tour presents music from the last 25 years of the Zelda video game franchise, performed by a symphony and chorus and accompanied by related video.

8 p.m. at the Arsht Center Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Remaining tickets cost $95 to $125. Call 305-949-6722, or visit arshtcenter.org

ALREADY OVER:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5

Gentleman Jack’s Art, Beats + Lyrics Tour @ LMNT
This traveling tour started as a one-off event in Atlanta that combined music with urban art. Now, it’s sponsored by Jack Daniels, so that means bigger names, and, yes, free whiskey — so you must be 21 and up to enter, blah blah blah. One of the big names here Clyde Stubblefield, the musician responsible for the beats on James Brown’s “Funky Drummer,” one of the most sampled songs, ever. Also headlining is legendary Houston rapper Scarface (also one-third of the Geto Boys).

With Clyde Stubblefield, Scarface, Shock-G, Manions on the Moon, and others. 9 p.m. LMNT, 55 NW 36th St., Miami. Text “MIAMIABL” to 68405 for invite and alerts. Call 305-989-6963 or visit lmntartsmiami.com

Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Tour @ the Fillmore Miami Beach
You know what? This has absolutely nothing to do with Art Basel. We just love the idea that this show will be popping off at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the exact same time as the moneyed, glitzy Art Basel vernissage next door at the convention center.

Rick Ross, with Meek Mill, Wale, and Machine Gun Kelly. 8 p.m. at the Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets cost $82.50 plus fees via livenation.com. Call 305-673-7300 or visit fillmoremb.com

BlackBook and VIBE present Danny Brown with Shepard Fairey @ Bardot
Danny Brown’s last appearance in Miami came during the early November A$AP Rocky show at the Fillmore that is now remembered for the gunshot-firing foolishness at the end of the night. Brown’s fans are a little different, and will appreciate seeing him in this small venue, along with a DJ set by Shepard Fairey

9 p.m. at Bardot Miami, 3456 N Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $20 plus fees via showclix.com. Call 305-576-55770 or visit bardotmiami.com

Afrobeta @ News Lounge
In the neighborhood or need a respite from the Beach? Check out these local favorites for free at News Lounge.

11 p.m. at News Lounge, 5580 NE 4th Ct., Miami. Admission is free; age 21 and up. Call 305-758-9932, or visit thenewslounge.com

Afrobeta, Art Africa Speakeasy, Art Basel, Avenue D, Bardot, Basel Castle, Betsy Hotel, Chromatics, Daniel Johnston, Electric Pickle, Fillmore Miami Beach, Grand Central, Gusman Center, KURT, Merchandise, Prince Rama, Psychic TV, Sweat Records, the Stage, the Vagabond, Thurston Moore, VIBE