Just a few months ago, the idea of gathering for a live concert was a distant mirage. Yet as New York City begins to reopen, bands are dusting off their amps and running through scales in anticipation of upcoming shows—OK, they may be doing that exactly, but we picture it that way. Whether at brand-new outdoor stages like Little Island over the Hudson River and old favorites like Prospect Park Bandshell—which will be the site of noteworthy performances that are part of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn festival—we’re looking forward to safely gathering in the name of rock ’n’ roll (and other genres like jazz during SummerStage), all summer long.
Allan Harris
June 19
Battery Park City, Manhattan
Soul and jazz vocalist-guitarist Allan Harris grew up in Harlem, something that shows up in lyrics that mention the Apollo and taking the train uptown. A prolific artist, Harris has covered Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and others over the course of around a dozen albums. He livestreams performances every Tuesday from his Harlem brownstone, but you can see him live this June in Battery Park City’s Belvedere Plaza.
George Clinton. Photo: William Thoren
George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic
June 27
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, Manhattan
Grammy-winning R&B virtuoso George Clinton revives his funk band ensemble for the return of SummerStage. There are afternoon and evening performances.
See this year's full SummerStage lineup here.
Emmrose. Photo: Shervin Lainez
Emmrose
June 30
Little Island Amphitheater, Pier 55, Manhattan
Born and raised in Lower Manhattan, Emmrose is a self-described hopeless romantic, which comes through in her enchanting, plaintive piano ballads. The 17-year-old songstress started playing piano at age 8, and now she’s kicking off programming at a brand-new “floating” park on the Hudson River.
Gloria Gaynor / Sundae Sermon's - DJ Stormin' Norman of Disco Sequestered
July 17
Coney Island Amphitheater, Brooklyn
The formidable voice of ’70s disco and later of gospel music fills the Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk with her lively, danceable ballads, part of SummerStage.
Blackberry Smoke. Photo: Joe Lopez
Blackberry Smoke with the Allman Betts Band
July 27
Pier 17, Seaport District, Manhattan
Calling fans of southern rock and jam sessions: country blues outfit Blackberry Smoke comes to Pier 17 this summer as part of their Spirit of the South Tour. The Atlanta rockers will be joined by the Allman Betts Band and surprise special guests.
Rise Against. Photo: Wyatt Troll
Rise Against
July 30
Pier 17, Seaport District, Manhattan
On tour for their new album, Nowhere Generation, the politically outspoken Chicago hardcore punk band graces the Pier 17 rooftop.
Lucy Dacus. Photo: Ebru Yildiz
Bright Eyes with Lucy Dacus and Japanese Breakfast
July 31
Forest Hills Stadium, Queens
A trifecta of dreamy indie rock comes to Forest Hills this summer. The Conor Oberst–led Bright Eyes, which rose to prominence in the early aughts, is joined by Dead Oceans label-mate Japanese Breakfast (nee Michelle Zauner) and critics’ darling Lucy Dacus. Bright Eyes has partnered with PLUS1 and the Florence Project, contributing $1 from each ticket sold to provide legal aid and social services for detained adults and children under threat of deportation.
Ari Lennox, Kamauu and Nesta
July 31
Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn
This summer’s Celebrate Brooklyn begins late, but the wait should be worth it. Ari Lennox headlines the first show of the season, bringing her shea-butter-smooth R&B stylings to Prospect Park. Brooklyn-based rapper Kamauu and Jamaican soul artist Nesta get in on what’s sure to be a festive evening.
See Celebrate Brooklyn's full lineup here.
Blues Traveler
August 4
Pier 17, Seaport District, Manhattan
Can you believe your eyes? After re-recording their 1995 chart hits “Run-Around” and “Hook” this April (which they’ve dubbed “Run-Around 2.0” and “Hook 2.0”), Blues Traveler has announced a slew of tour dates, including a stop at Pier 17. They’ll be joined by JJ Grey & Mofro.
Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Weezer and The Interrupters
August 4
Citi Field, Flushing, Queens
For the long-awaited Hella Mega Tour, beloved indie rock-punk bands Weezer, Green Day and Fall Out Boy come to Queens this summer. The Interrupters open the show.
Buffy Saint Marie. Photo: D. Brian Campbell
Buffy Sainte-Marie & Naia Kete
August 6
Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn
The inimitable '60 folk songstress and climate activist Buffy Sainte-Marie performs with singer-songwriter Naia Kete as part of Celebrate Brooklyn.
Wilco. Photo: Annabel Mehran
Junglepussy, Tygapaw and Mari World
August 20
Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn
Part of Celebrate Brooklyn, iconic Brooklyn rapper Junglepussy will spin records alongside Tygapaw, who is known for hosting queer dance parties in Brooklyn and promoting Black electronic artists via their record label. LA-based artist Mari World will perform.
Wilco and Sleater-Kinney with NNAMDÏ
August 22
Forest Hills Stadium, Queens
It’s Time. That’s the name of the Wilco and Sleater-Kinney tour and a command for when you should buy your tickets. To prepare yourself for the show, watch Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker plan their tour on this phone call—and check out The Tweedy Show on Instagram Live or YouTube, which Jeff and his family have been doing since the pandemic began. The bands will be joined by multi-instrumentalist and producer NNAMDÏ.
Deftones, Gojira + Poppy
August 24
Pier 17, Seaport District, Manhattan
In what’s sure to be a heart-thumping, blood-pumping show, Deftones will be joined by French metal band Gojira. Singer-songwriter Poppy is the opening act; true to her stage name, the artist makes bubblegum pop but with a satirical bent.
Sad Summer Fest
August 27
Pier 17, Seaport District, Manhattan
This pop-punk mini-fest will tour the States this summer and fall, kicking off their East Coast dates in NYC. Headliners All Time Low are joined by The Story So Far, The Maine, Movements, Grayscale and Destroy Boys.
Glass Animals. Photo: Jennifer McCord
Glass Animals
August 31
Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn
Touring to support their third studio album, Dreamland, the UK’s Glass Animals comes to Prospect Park for this ticketed benefit show—part of Celebrate Brooklyn.
