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If you love live music, there's no better place than NYC—home to countless venerated concert halls that host both superstars and rising stars every night of the week. Below, find a sampling of upcoming shows

May
June
July
August

Like your concerts free? Click the image below for our guide to no-cost performances in the City this summer.






 

May 9, 16 and 23
Celebrate Brooklyn Dance Parties at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1
Partygoers gather in Brooklyn Bridge Park for dance lessons, bands and beer. The dance themes include New Orleans, Afro-Cuban and old-school funk and hip-hop. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

May 13 and October 2
Phoenix at the Apollo Theater and Barclays Center
Not only does Phoenix give a great interview, the French foursome is also quite adept at cranking out dance-y indie rock songs. Their newest album, Bankrupt!, is due out April 22. Tickets for the Harlem show were distributed via lottery system, so you may also want to see if any ducats show up on stubhub.com. For info about the Barclays Center date, visit barclayscenter.com.

May 24–August 30
Good Morning America Summer Concert Series at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
Such stars as Carly Rae Jepsen, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Alicia Keys play very early sets on ABC's morning show. For dedicated fans, it's a rare chance to see their favorite acts at no cost. For more info, visit yahoo.com.

May 24–August 30
Today Concert Series at Rockefeller Center
Rise and shine for early-morning performances that are broadcast on NBC's Today show. The 2013 series includes showcases by Lionel Richie, Fun., Maroon 5 and Michael Bublé. For more info, visit today.com.

May 28–29
The Thermals at Bowery Ballroom
Oregonian garage rockers The Thermals, fresh off the release of new LP Desperate Ground, play the Bowery. For more info, visit boweryballroom.com.

May 29 and September 7
Fall Out Boy at Terminal 5 and Barclays Center
Remember 2009, when anything seemed possible? There's a good chance you'd never heard the word "jeggings." No one in your office was yet discussing Downton Abbey around the watercooler, making you feel confused and out of the loop. And headline-making emo juggernauts Fall Out Boy, bless their hearts, were touring the country with their rock show. Nothing can stop the steady march of time, but Pete Wentz is back with his flat-ironed hair, skinny jeans, eyeliner-ed face and bandmates. If you just ignore Patrick Stump's svelte new figure and picture a trucker hat on his head, for a few hours it can feel like the late aughts once again. In other words, get ready to dance, [dance,] pop-punk fans. For more info, visit terminal5nyc.com and barclayscenter.com.

May 31
The Dandy Warhols at Terminal 5
Years after breaking through with "Bohemian Like You," Portland's The Dandy Warhols are still chugging along. As luck would have it, they're playing the album with that song—13 Tales of Urban Bohemia—in its entirety in a nod to the record's 13th anniversary. For more info, visit terminal5nyc.com.

June 5
The National at Barclays Center 
Matt Berninger and his bandmates don't have to travel far for this Brooklyn set—the Cincinnati natives now call the borough home. That The National is playing an arena is a testament to how far the band has come—a decade ago, these guys were playing Mercury Lounge and North Six. For more info, visit barclayscenter.com. 

June 5
Patty Griffin at Prospect Park Bandshell 
Opening night for Celebrate Brooklyn! features Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Patty Griffin. Admission is free. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

June 5
Rakim at Red Hook Park 
Rakim, whose album Paid in Full was deemed the greatest hip-hop record of all time by MTV back in 2006, plays a free show. For more info, visit nyc.gov/parks. 

June 6
Fuzz at Red Hook Park
San Francisco psychedelian Ty Segall is a prolific garage rocker who releases records at a staggering pace. His new project, Fuzz, features drummer Charlie Moonheart, who has played as part of Segall’s live band. Expect to hear heavy, joyful rock—the sort featured on their debut recording, the 7" This Time I Got a Reason. For more info, visit nyc.gov/parks. 

June 7
Britt Daniel at Brooklyn Bowl 
The Spoon frontman spins in Williamsburg. For more info, visit brooklynbowl.com. 

June 7–9
Governors Ball at Randall’s Island
The annual three-day festival returns. Heavyweights like Kanye West, Kings of Leon and Guns N’ Roses headline, while the likes of Nas, Animal Collective, The Lumineers and Grizzly Bear round out the eclectic lineup. For more info, visit governorsballmusicfestival.com.

June 7, 14, 21 and 28
Seaport Music Festival at South Street Seaport
Every summer, thousands of fans flock to the waterfront for this free Friday-night series that’s brought in acts like Animal Collective, Battles and The National. This year, performers include Oblivions and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. For more info, visit seaportmusicfestival.com.

June 8
Chris Keating at Brooklyn Bowl (DJ set) 
Keating, sometime vocalist for psych-pop outfit Yeasayer, takes over the sound system at the Williamsburg bowling alley. Note: the show starts at 1:45am. Summer Friday, anyone? For more info, visit brooklynbowl.com. 

June 8
John Zorn and Bill Laswell at (Le) Poisson Rouge 
Experimental downtown composer John Zorn headlines this heady bill, which also features renowned bassist and producer Bill Laswell. For more info, visit lepoissonrouge.com. 

June 8 and 10
Paul McCartney at Barclays Center 
Stella McCartney’s dad takes his Out There! tour to Brooklyn for two performances. For more info, visit barclayscenter.com. 

June 9
Almost Summer Celebration at Museum of Jewish Heritage
Get ready for summer at this kid-friendly outdoor concert featuring Dan Zanes of children’s music group Dan Zanes and Friends, and folk musician Elizabeth Mitchell. The event also includes story readings, art and other activities. The event runs 11am–2pm, and the concert starts at noon in Wagner Park, adjacent to the museum. For more info, visit mjhnyc.org. 

June 11
Saul Williams at Highline Ballroom 
See award-winning actor, poet and hip-hop artist Saul Williams perform his spoken word act. For more info, visit highlineballroom.com. 

June 11
Sinatra in the Park at Central Park
The City Parks Foundation's annual benefit pays tribute to the iconic singer-actor during a night of cocktails, dinner and live renditions of Frank Sinatra classics. For more info, visit cityparksfoundation.org.

June 11–August 8
Madison Square Kids Concerts at Madison Square Park
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout the summer, families can start the day with a complimentary outdoor show at Madison Square Park. This year's performers include Audra Rox, Recess Monkey, The Rockdoves, The Suzi Shelton Band and Shine and the Moonbeams. For more info, visit madisonsquarepark.org.

June 12
Big Daddy Kane and DJ Scratch at Herbert Von King Park 
If you’ve ever enjoyed a hip-hop album, odds are you’ve benefitted from the influence of Big Daddy Kane, who headlines this bill with influential turntablist DJ Scratch. For more info, visit nyc.gov/parks. 

June 12
Devendra Banhart at Town Hall 
Freak-folk magnate Devendra Banhart (now with short hair!) plays a show at uptown venue Town Hall in support of his latest album, Mala. It’s weird, and it’s excellent. For more info, visit bowerypresents.com. 

June 13–July 14
River to River Festival
Each summer, the River to River Festival takes over downtown Manhattan for a month of free performances and events. This year's shows include Bang on a Can, Leon Russell and the New York Electronic Art Festival. For more info, visit rivertorivernyc.com.

June 13–20
Northside Festival at various locations in Williamsburg and Greenpoint
Brooklyn's hippest area gets even indie-rockier than usual, as bands like Black Flag, The Walkmen and The Men descend on venues throughout the neighborhood. The festival also incorporates film screenings. For more info, visit northsidefestival.com.

June 14–16
Breakin' Convention at the Apollo Theater
Three days of hip-hop dance, film screenings and DJ sets come to Harlem's most famous performance space. For more info, visit breakinconvention.com.

June 14–15
The Postal Service at Barclays Center 
Give Up, released in 2003, is Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello's only album as a duo—but one might say that the single LP has been enough to lift their careers to "Such Great Heights." The evidence: platinum sales, and now a headlining Barclays Center date on their reunion tour. The show comes fresh off the release of Give Up: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition, which comes complete with 15 bonus tracks. For more info, visit barclayscenter.com.

June 15
Calexico at Prospect Park Bandshell
This Tuscon-based outfit brings its alt-country songs to the Prospect Park Bandshell. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

June 15–16
Subhumans at Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg 
We’d like to get these British punks’ takes on this year’s Met Costume Institute show; they seem like they might have a thing or two to say about it. For more info, visit boweryballroom.com and musichallofwilliamsburg.com. 

June 15
The Zombies and Django Django at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
Respected British rockers of the past (The Zombies, who've been around since the 1960s) and present (Django Django, who formed in 2009) play together. For more info, visit cityparksfoundation.org.

June 16
New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men at Barclays Center
The hardest thing you'll ever have to do is live with yourself if you miss out on this epic boy band extravaganza in Brooklyn. So, step one: go down to the end of the road (specifically, where Fourth Avenue reaches the Barclays Center sidewalk) and buy your tickets. For more info, visit barclayscenter.com.

June 17
Joan Baez and Indigo Girls at SummerStage in Central Park 
Singer-songwriter and activist Joan Baez performs in Central Park with folk-rock duo Indigo Girls. For more info, visit cityparksfoundation.org.

June 18
The Airborne Toxic Event at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
This Los Angeles indie rock band's name is a reference to Don DeLillo's acclaimed novel White Noise, so it's no surprise that they're known in part for their literate lyrics. They're joined by their frequent companions The Calder Quartet. For more info, visit cityparksfoundation.org.

June 19
Low at Music Hall of Williamsburg 
The Duluth melancholy merchants bring their pretty, minimal music to Brooklyn. For more info, visit musichallofwilliamsburg.com. 

June 20
Big Boi at Prospect Park Bandshell
The man who made wearing a Montreal Expos cap cool again performs solo cuts and Outkast favorites. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

June 20
LL Cool J with Ice Cube and Public Enemy at Roseland Ballroom 
Queens rapper (and occasional actor) LL Cool J headlines the Kings of the Mic Tour with Ice Cube and Public Enemy. For more info, visit ticketmaster.com. 

June 20
Man or Astro-Man? at The Mercury Lounge
Spacey surf-rockers (or is that surfy space-rockers?) Man or Astro-Man? hold down the fort at one of the Lower East Side’s finest clubs. For more info, visit mercuryloungenyc.com.

June 21
Amadou & Mariam at Prospect Park Bandshell
West African husband-and-wife duo Amadou & Mariam have been performing together for decades, but they're keeping up with the times. Their latest album, Folila, sees them collaborating with the likes of Santigold and Theophilus London. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

June 21
Martin Rev at The Bowery Electric 
The Suicide instrumentalist plays this solo show, much to the delight of the City’s electro-punk music fans. For more info, visit theboweryelectric.com. 

June 22
Punk Island at Pier 1, Staten Island
Bands with names like Zombie Fight, The New Scum and Meek Is Murder play a free festival on Staten Island. For more info, visit punkislandnyc.org.

June 26
Comedy Central Stars Under the Stars at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
Comics including Anthony Jeselnik, Amy Schumer, Nick Kroll and Jeff Ross play a free show. It should be funny, but you'll probably want to make sure the kids are nowhere near this one. For more info, visit nyc.gov/parks.

June 27
Peter Frampton at The Beacon Theatre
Frampton's "Guitar Circus" comes to town. Robert Cray and other yet-to-be-announced guests are set to join the accomplished rocker. For more info, visit beacontheatre.com.

June 28
Eleanor Friedberger at Music Hall of Williamsburg
The female (and vocalist) half of sibling duo The Fiery Furnaces plays a solo set in Brooklyn in support of her latest album, Personal Record. For more info, visit musichallofwilliamsburg.com.

June 29
4Knots Festival at South Street Seaport
The Village Voice's annual free festival returns to the Seaport, bringing two stages of indie rock to the waterfront. This year's hip lineup includes the likes of Kurt Vile, The Men, Parquet Courts and Marnie Stern. For more info, visit villagevoice.com.

July 6
Theophilus London at Prospect Park Bandshell
Do us a favor and go listen to "I Stand Alone," the terrifyingly catchy single from London's debut album Timez Are Weird These Days. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

July 6
She & Him at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
This performance by M. Ward and The New Girl star Zooey Deschanel is likely to be positively adorkable. For more info, visit bowerypresents.com.

July 10–11
Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival at Brookfield Place Plaza
Head downtown for alfresco concerts on the water. This year's lineup includes B.B. King, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Alejandro Escovedo and The James Hunter Six. For more info, visit brookfieldplaceny.com.

July 11
Generationals at Pier 84, Hudson River Park
Since opening for The Apples in Stereo at the Bowery in 2010, Generationals have toured extensively, released work steadily and secured a spot on the new HBO Girls soundtrack (the lovely but not exactly prophetic "Yours Forever," Jessa's wedding-dance song). Tonight they're headlining a free waterfront show, performing their signature sunny, spare pop in support of their new LP, Heza. For more info, visit riverrocksnyc.com.

July 16–August 1 
Met Opera Summer Recital Series
Experience the music of The Metropolitan Opera for free in City parks. The series features shows in all five boroughs. For more info, visit metoperafamily.org.

July 17
OMD at Terminal 5 
Even after three decades, British ’80s synth-pop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark—known for hits like “If You Leave,” from teen flick Pretty in Pink (1986)—won’t let go at any price. They're touring behind brand-new album English Electric.  For more info, visit terminal5nyc.com.

July 17
The Specials at Pier 26, Hudson River Park
Legendary two-tone ska outfit The Specials, responsible for hits like "A Message to You, Rudy," "Too Much Too Young" and "Ghost Town," play an outdoor show on the waterfront. For more info, visit bowerypresents.com.

July 18
Alice Cooper at The Beacon Theatre
There was a time when Alice Cooper scared parents. At his upcoming NYC show, it's probable that the orchestra seats in this grand concert hall will be filled primarily by responsible adults singing "school's out forever!" For more info, visit beacontheatre.com.

July 18–August 8
River and Blues at Wagner Park
Head down to Battery Park City near the Hudson River for free blues performances. July and August artists include John Hammond (July 18); Christian Scott (July 25); Bill Sims, Jr. (August 1); and The Wiyos (August 8). For more info, visit bpcparks.org.

fun. Photo: Lindsey Byrnes

July 22–23
Fun. at Pier 26, Hudson River Park
The gentlemen behind mega-hit "We Are Young" have two albums full of gooey, exuberant pop to draw from for their live show. For more info, visit bowerypresents.com.

July 26
The Gaslight Anthem at Pier 26, Hudson River Park
The Garden State’s heirs to the Bruce Springsteen sound—who have actually performed onstage with the Boss himself—bring their rollicking live show just across the Hudson from their home state. Punk veterans The Bouncing Souls open. For more info, visit bowerypresents.com.

July 26
Keren Ann at City Winery 
Israeli singer-songwriter Keren Ann, who’s had her songs featured in television shows like Grey's Anatomy and Big Love, brings her soft, wispy sound to City Winery. For more info, visit citywinery.com.

July 26
Trampled by Turtles at Prospect Park Bandshell
Bluegrass is back, and the Minnesotans in Trampled By Turtles bring an indie-rock energy to the tried-and-true genre. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

July 30
Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds Five and Guster at Prospect Park Bandshell 
Three bands that came to popular attention in the 1990s and, any jokes aside, are still going strong today—you hear BNL's music every time The Big Bang Theory airs in syndication, Ben Folds Five is touring behind a top-10 album and Guster's 2000s LPs have all charted higher than Lost and Gone Forever—play outside in Brooklyn. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org. 

August 2
Justin Bieber at Barclays Center
That sound you'll hear all the way from the Brooklyn Bridge to the beach at Coney Island is 15,000 teenage girls shrieking for the Biebs. For more info, visit barclayscenter.com.

August 2
Jamie Lidell and Dan Deacon at Prospect Park Bandshell
Dance and feel weird for free. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

August 8
Titus Andronicus at Pier 84, Hudson River Park
Critically acclaimed New Jersey punks Titus Andronicus play just across the Hudson from their home state. For more info, visit riverrocksnyc.com.

August 9
Shaggy at Prospect Park Bandshell
Dancehall dynamo Shaggy may insist that "It Wasn't [Him]," but we have to say that the evidence suggests otherwise. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

August 10
They Might Be Giants at Prospect Park Bandshell
Brooklyn's own thoroughly quirky rockers play a free show—for adults—behind new LP Nanobots.  Moon Hooch opens. For more info, visit bricartsmedia.org.

August 11
Shuggie Otis at Central Park
After releasing his third solo album, Inspiration Information, in mid-April and touring around North America throughout the month, Shuggie Otis heads to Central Park for a free SummerStage set. He's joined by José James. For more info, visit cityparksfoundation.org.

August 20
Bobby McFerrin at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
[Whistles introduction to "Don't Worry, Be Happy"] For more info, visit nyc.gov/parks.

August 21
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Summer Concert at Naumberg Bandshell, Central Park
Hear classical musicians perform pieces by Beethoven, Dvorák and Mozart at this gratis outdoor concert. For more info, visit naumburgconcerts.org.

August 23–25
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival at Marcus Garvey Park
The free annual festival honoring jazz legend Charlie Parker features a lineup of acts that are greats in their own right. This year's performers include Jimmy Heath, Kenny Garrett, Jaleel Shaw and the Lee Konitz Quartet. For more info, visit cityparksfoundation.org.

August 30–September 1
Electric Zoo at Randalls Island Park
Made Event is back with another round of its three-day house, electro and techno fest. The 2013 lineup has yet to be announced, but last year’s Electric Zoo featured David Guetta, Skrillex and Tiësto as headliners. For more info, visit madeevent.com.

September 21
Sarah Brightman at Radio City Music Hall 
Classical crossover soprano Sarah Brightman—whose far-reaching career has included a starring role in The Phantom of the Opera, two performances at the Olympic games and more than 30 million records sold—sings live. For more info, visit radiocity.com.

October 31
Zappa Plays Zappa at The Beacon Theatre  
It's all in the family for this Halloween show, where Dweezil Zappa—son of Frank Zappa—is set to play his dad's music. For more info, visit beacontheatre.com. 

December 8–9
P!nk at Barclays Center
!n-your-face pop art!st P!nk (who makes no comprom!ses when !t comes to styl!ng her name) plays l!ve and !n person. For more !nfo, v!s!t barclayscenter.com.

Ongoing
Historic Richmond Town Tavern Concerts at Historic Richmond Town
Cozy up at Staten Island's Historic Richmond Town for this Saturday-evening series featuring folk and acoustic acts. For more info, visit historicrichmondtown.org.