I often struggle with whether or not to announce hot tips on awesome concerts on this site. On one hand I’m really excited about the shows because someone cool is going to play. On the other hand, telling other people means I’m less likely to get tickets to the event.

I had one of these aforementioned struggles earlier today. But seeing as how the event is very far off, I’ve decided to reveal the lineup and information for this years’ Wall Street Rising Music Downtown series. Probably by the time tickets are being given out, every other site in the metropolitan area will have already been touting it 10x over, so here goes. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

Please try not to wet your pants. This could possible be the best free concert series of this year.

PRESS RELEASE

Wall Street Rising is thrilled to announce that tickets to our exciting Music Downtown series will be available to the public free-of-charge beginning Monday, October 17th at 11:00 a.m. Each individual is limited to two tickets for up to two shows i.e. four tickets total), which can be picked up at the Downtown Information Center located at 25 Broad Street, on the corner of Broad Street and Exchange Place. All concerts will be held at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and will begin at 8pm. The venue is a 900 seat auditorium.

Monday, November 14
Blind Boys of Alabama
Cat Power

Tuesday, November 15
Buddy Guy
Shamika Copeland

Wednesday, November 16
Jeff Tweedy

Thursday, November 17
Jeff Tweedy

Friday, November 18
Ryan Adams

Saturday, November 19
Rickie Lee Jones

Sunday, November 10
Aimee Mann
Keren Ann

Produced by Michael Dorf, founder of the Knitting Factory

Contemplating which of the hundreds of bands playing this year’s CMJ you should go see? Why not download a CMJ sampler comprised of one MP3 from each band playing? Start off with the first night of MP3s–84 of them. Let the download mania begin! Enabled by Wiredset.

Surefire at Pianos Sept 8, 2005.

Pete Doherty and his manager have brought it upon themselves to create a “living biography” Web site for the troubled musician named Bala Chadha–street slang for crack cocaine. Subscribers to the site will have access to home videos, song previews, poetry, and journal excerpts by Doherty.

Pete Doherty once again tests my faith in humanity.

Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow were playing Sigur Ros when baby Apple was born. Does this border on too much information?

The second Ryan Adams album of 2005, Jacksonville City Nights, is set for release on September 27th according to the record label Lost Highway.

The album will feature a free DVD with purchase, containing a short film called “September” created by rock photographer and filmmaker Danny Clinch. The 20 minute film shows Ryan Adams & The Cardinals during the writing and recording of Jacksonville City Nights and also boasts two audio bonus tracks.

According to a published report on NME.com, Jack White has been in talks with iconic red and white logoed beverage maker Coca-Cola to write a new song to be used in their next big advertising campaign. There has been no official statement made by either White or Coca-Cola. Stay tuned…

Just a word of advice to Coca-Cola, do NOT advertise the campaign with balloons. Simply a suggestion.

Earlier this month I was complaining how the White Stripes have never been on the cover of Rolling Stone. Someone must’ve heard my cries. Thanks to Hightower for the heads up.

Hot off the rumor mill…

“The Insider says Lindsay Lohan, 19, and Ashlee Simpson, 20, appear to have “kissed and made up,” if their recent chummy behavior is any indication.

The starlets reportedly spent quality time together backstage at Coldplay’s concert Sunday night in Irvine, Calif., where they enjoyed an extended tete-a-tete.”

Thank god.

Tonight I managed to hit the Dark Room’s 1 year anniversary party. I missed Spin’s Sia Michel and Mark Spitz take to the ones and twos, and I also missed the open bar, but I did manage to get the ever delightful Tricia Romano’s metal set.

Couldn’t stay until Interpol’s Paul Banks did his rumored hip hop set and the obligatory appearance by Carlos D, as I’m quiet old and tired but you’re more than welcome to share your saucy tales.

UPDATE: Here are some photos from the event. Looks like Banks was a no show after all. Sounds as though Carlos D didn’t show up either…but we did see him last night walking around the East Village.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Writes a reader, “I am surprised no one has yet corrected this post. Probably everyone who knows the real story is too jaded or hungover to care. Paul did indeed show up, just prior to Carlos, and was on the decks until he started playing too much hiphop and there was an emergency consult in the fabled midget basement to bring Carlos up early to take over for his tipsy bandmate. He spun with signature perfection and indifferent hauteur for the rest of the night.”