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 —we're looking forward to safely gathering in the name of rock 'n' roll (and other genres like jazz during ), all summer long. June 19Battery Park City, ManhattanSoul 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 performances every Tuesday from his Harlem brownstone, but you can see him live this June in Battery Park City's Belvedere Plaza. June 27Rumsey 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 . June 30Little Island Amphitheater, Pier 55, ManhattanBorn 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.July 17Coney Island Amphitheater, BrooklynThe 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. July 27Pier 17, Seaport District, ManhattanCalling 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. July 30 Pier 17, Seaport District, ManhattanOn tour for their new album, Nowhere Generation, the politically outspoken Chicago hardcore punk band graces the Pier 17 rooftop. July 31Forest Hills Stadium, QueensA 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. July 31Prospect Park Bandshell, BrooklynThis summer's Celebrate Brooklyn begins late, but the wait should be worth it. Ari Lennox headlines the first show of the season, bringing her 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 .August 4Pier 17, Seaport District, ManhattanCan 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. August 4Citi Field, Flushing, QueensFor 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. August 6Prospect Park Bandshell, BrooklynThe inimitable '60 folk songstress and climate activist Buffy Sainte-Marie performs with singer-songwriter Naia Kete as part of Celebrate Brooklyn.August 20Prospect Park Bandshell, BrooklynPart 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. August 22Forest Hills Stadium, QueensIt'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 —and check out The Tweedy Show on or , which Jeff and his family have been doing since the pandemic began. The bands will be joined by multi-instrumentalist and producer NNAMDÏ. August 24Pier 17, Seaport District, ManhattanIn 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. August 27Pier 17, Seaport District, ManhattanThis 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. August 31Prospect Park Bandshell, BrooklynTouring 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.
