New York has a rich history of entertainment; you could even say performing in the Big Apple is a rite of passage for any modern musician hoping to make it big. After all, some of the biggest events in music history have happened here!
When Duke Ellington came to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance, for example, he helped propel the entire genre of jazz toward its eventual stature as one of the most prominent musical forms. The Beatles’ first show on American soil was held before throngs of screaming fans at Shea Stadium in Queens. From Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center, from Madison Square Garden to Radio City Music Hall, filling one of the seemingly countless iconic venues in New York means that you have certainly made it as a performer.
With its rich history and reputation, then, New York City is unquestionably one of the premier locations to check out a live show. Between local talent and touring artists, The City That Never Sleeps offers tons to do and see on any given night. So how do you find the best shows to check out? Here, we’ll list some of the most useful and comprehensive sources to find out about New York concerts:
Time Out: New York
Started as a humble listings magazine for events around London, Time Out has grown into one of the world’s leading travel guide publishers. Its New York-oriented magazine and affiliated website is an essential resource for locals and tourists alike. You can find the magazine almost anywhere in New York City, and the online site is easy to navigate. Not only can you find dates for upcoming New York concerts, but Time Out: New York covers just about every cultural event around the city. Plus, most events listed online link out to where you can purchase tickets. Time Out: New York is an excellent place to start your search for concerts in New York, and it may end up being the only resource you need.
Songkick
Another comprehensive listings service, Songkick serves a broader range of locations beyond New York. Its New York, or Metro Area, index is exhaustive, and allows you to search for events, purchase tickets, set reminders about events, as well as sync and share info about an event you plan to attend on social media. The drawback to Songkick is its navigational features. Searching through the website is not as easy or specific as Time Out. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent resource to peruse and potentially discover New York concerts you might want to attend.
The Village Voice
This free weekly tabloid, serving New York and New York only, is a trusted and decorated periodical with a specific penchant for the city’s cultural arts. It’s easy enough to find throughout New York City, and offers details for plenty of interesting events throughout the week. You can also find an events calendar online, although it mostly functions as an aggregate directory, redirecting to outside websites for more detailed information about event details.
New York Magazine
As the title might indicate, New York Magazine is another New York-specific publication that details events in and about the city, among other things. As is the trend, there is a print edition along with an online resource. New York Magazine doesn’t offer much more than what you’d find with any of the sources mentioned above, except perhaps by way of esthetic. Its online ‘Entertainment Agenda’ also highlights the staff’s top picks for upcoming events.
Oh My Rockness
While the above publications and websites offer listings across many music genres, Oh My Rockness serves a more niche purpose. Here you’ll finding listings oriented toward independent and up-and-coming artists. For those interested in music not likely heard on commercial radio, Oh My Rockness is a great resource for you. Most events listed here are held at smaller venues.
Bonus: Central Park Summerstage
If you’re planning a visit to New York in the summertime, this is a great website to bookmark. Throughout the summer months, several outdoor concerts are held throughout the city as part of the Summerstage Series. Besides the appeal of big name acts that often headline the shows, most of the smaller events offer free admission. The biggest acts play the stage in Central Park and typically have a ticket charge, but it absolutely worth attending in this unforgettable environment! Although the concert series is only held during the summer, demand for tickets is usually very high, and certain artists can sell out months in advance.
With so much going on in New York, concerts aren’t difficult to find. The hard part? Deciding which ones to attend!
Photo by JuntosWorldwide
Suzy S.