July 24 – July 30 • Essential Weekly Concert Guide • NYC Edition

Joseph Baura

Muse at Central Park SummerStage | July 24
Since their debut album, 1999’s “Showbiz,” Muse has become one of the biggest alt-rock bands thanks to their aesthetically pleasing performances that are somewhat opera-like. Headed by frontman Matt Bellamy, Muse is one band that has continued to create a sound that is unlike any other. From Bellamy’s powerfully unique vocals to the band’s wildly complex, somewhat psychedelic and dreamlike instrumentation, Muse continues to push the envelope for what alt-rock is perceived to sound like.

Tribute to Portishead ft  Joan As Police Woman, Holly Miranda, Erin Markeyu at Le Poisson Rouge | July 24
In celebration of Portishead’s iconic performance at Roseland NYC, several artists will be in attendance to honor the legendary show’s 20th anniversary. With the LARCENY Chamber Orchestra serving as the event’s centerpiece, artists such as Joan As Police Woman, Holly Miranda, Erin Markey and others will all be performing their renditions of Portishead’s famous songs to commemorate the landmark event.

Billy Bragg at City Winery NYC | July 25
Known for his folk/punk rock and his outspoken activism, Billy Bragg has spent four decades in the music industry trying to make a difference in both music and in society. For Bragg, the music has always been about creating change in the world. To this day Bragg continues to push for a better society, using his music to motivate others into making a change themselves, as evidenced on his album “Life’s a Riot With Spy Vs Spy.” However, Bragg doesn’t only focus on the bigger picture, sometimes taking his time to get personal with his views on love as notably featured on his album, “Workers Playtime.”

Jidenna at Gramercy Theatre | July 25
Always dressing dapper and known for his slick tongue and clever rhymes, rapper/singer Jidenna has a style that is uniquely his own. With a sound that blends both genres and eras, Jidenna brings to the stage an appeal that draws in fans of hip hop through his uptempo, bouncy dance beats while also appealing to the more suave, smooth sounds of soul artists of old like Nat King Cole through his crooning hooks.

Hans Zimmer at Radio City Music Hall | July 25 + 26
In film, soundtracks can arguably play as large a role as the visual aspect that movie goers see on the screen, as the sounds play a big role in shifting the emotions associated with the film. As far as movie soundtracks go, none reach the kind of masterful manipulation of emotions as those scored by Hans Zimmer. As the composer of films such as “The Lion King,” “Gladiator,” “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Inception,” “Interstellar,” and most recently “Dunkirk,” Zimmer’s tones have played the starring role in some of cinema’s greatest films.

Mighty Mighty Bosstones at Webster Hall | July 25 + Starland Ballroom | July 29
Dressed like they come from the era of martinis and The Rat Pack, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, are easily the best dressed band around. Credited as the founders of the ska-core genre, which is a mix between ska and punk, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones were key figures in building the ska genre in the early 90s and late 80s. Despite a short hiatus from creating music, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are back in full force and touring with their classic sound.

Phish at Madison Square Garden Arena | July 25-26 + 28-30
With the release of the band’s newest album, “BIG BOAT,” Phish continues to push the boundaries of progressive rock in a way that many bands can only dream of. With this current stint at Madison Square Garden, Phish is entering an elite group of artists that have performed at the famed venue more than 50 times. Their iconic sound that features long, driving solos and extended jams continues to blend psychedelic rock with elements of folk, jazz, blues, and bluegrass into a complex package that has garnered the attention of millions of dedicated fans.

Mt. Joy at Baby’s All Right | July 26
Influenced at a young age by artists like Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead along with more contemporary artists like Vampire Weekend and Alabama Shakes, Mt. Joy brings to the stage a sound that features both soul and rock in a carefully crafted package. The Philadelphia based band takes a page from bands like The Black Keys with their laid-back bass lines and powerful guitar riffs, providing a nice foundation for lead singer Matt Quinn to lay down his soul-driven vocals.

NPR Music’s Turning the Tables Live ft. Rickie Lee Jones, Ronnie Spector at Lincoln Center | July 26
In a collaboration between NPR and the Lincoln Center, a special night spotlights the pioneering women of the “classic album era,” which spans 1964 to the present. One of the highlights for the night will be singer/songwriter Rickie Lee Jones, whose famous album, Pirates, will be on display in its entirety. Along with Jones will be some of music’s up and coming female acts such as Ronnie Spector, Nona Hendryx, and Lizzo Gaby Moreno among others.

Soul Asylum at The Capitol Theatre | July 26
Since forming in 1981, Minnesota bred Soul Asylum has recorded 11 studio albums and have won a Grammy for their single “Runaway Train.” In a similar vein to bands such as REM, Soul Asylum is a gathering between hard driving, electric guitar driven tracks, to more mellow, relaxed songs featuring acoustic guitars. Soul Asylum’s songs provide an honest look at overcoming personal fears while also focusing on the passion found when discovering love.

Sylvan Esso at Prospect Bandshell Park | July 26
First breaking out into the music scene in 2014 with the release of their self-titled debut album, Sylvan Esso is one of the up-and-coming acts in electropop. With music that brings an air of feeling artsy without being overbearing, Sylvan Esso’s sound has a breezy, light feel that is perfect for a day of relaxation inside of your local coffee shop. Coming off of the recent release of their sophomore album, “What Now,” Sylvan Esso turns out an album that brings more life to their sound as they discover new territory.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at Forest Hills Stadium | July 26 + 27
It has been over four decades since Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their self-titled debut album in 1976, yet something about Petty and the boys has continued to keep them around, making for one of the best live performance experiences to this day. As inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, having sold millions of albums and wracking up 18 Grammy nominations, there’s no doubt that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are one of the most successful and most praised bands in the genre.

AFROPUNK Brooklyn Battle of the Bands ft. Amalia Watty, Tang Sauce, Bangarang Tampa at Knitting Factory Brooklyn | July 27
With AFROPUNK Brooklyn just around the corner, their annual Battle of the Bands is here to provide a warm-up for the growing music and cultural festival. Featured on this year’s bill will be the soft and soulful sounds of female songstress Amalia Watty, whose recent single, “Cry Sometimes,” is sure to find its way to the charts with its upbeat and positive look on love. Also showcasing will be young MC, Tang Sauce, and psychedelic hip hop band, Bangarang Tampa.

G-Dragon at Barclays Center | July 27
As the frontman and leader of the KPOP group BIGBANG, G-Dragon has branched out on his own and has become one of the biggest and most sought after acts in South Korean hip hop. Breaking out with his debut album, “Heartbreaker,” G-Dragon has gone on to sell millions of albums in South Korea and has produced hits such as “A Boy,” “That XX” and “Who You?”

Nite Jewel at Brooklyn Night Bazaar | July 27
Bred in Los Angeles, Nite Jewel, also known as Ramona Gonzalez, offers an honest perspective of the female inner dialogue as she reflects on the challenges of living in our current society and finding respect and selfhood. Within her dance inspired, chill wave/electronica tracks, Nite Jewel also delves into her ideas of love, and she speaks to her listeners about finding the answers to its most complicated questions.

Peterpalooza ft. A$AP Ferg w/ Dave East at Knockdown Center | July 27
As one of the leading DJs in hip hop culture today, Peter Rosenberg has continued to give back to the culture through his annual event, Peterpalooza. This year’s event will be headed by two of hip hop’s biggest New York bred rappers around, with ASAP Mob’s very own ASAP Ferg. Ferg, burst onto the scene with his album “Trap Lord” and shook up clubs with his hit single “Shabba.” Ferg will be joined by fellow MC and up-and-comer, Dave East, whose recent album, “Kairi Channel,” has been one of New York’s most talked about releases this year.

Regina Spektor at Central Park SummerStage | July 27
Born and bred in Russia, the bright-smiling and perky Regina Spektor made her way to the states via her passion for music. With the release of her album, “Soviet Kitsch” and “Begin to Hope,” Spektor broke out into the pop scene and has since brought her upbeat piano ballads to the White House to perform for former president Barack Obama. Spektor is set to release her seventh studio album, “Remember Us To Life,” in September.

Slayer w/ Lamb of God at Madison Square Garden Arena | July 27
Regarded as one of the “big four” in heavy metal along with bands like Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax, Slayer is easily one of the biggest and most revered metal bands in history. With several grammy nominations and millions of albums sold, Slayer’s iconic fast paced guitar picking and double bass drumming have become features that many bands after them have adopted into their music. Slayer will be joined by fellow metal bands Lamb of God and Behemoth for a night that can’t be missed by any metal fan.

Andrew Bird at Prospect Park Bandshell | July 28
With his violin as his primary choice of weapon, Andrew Bird takes the stage to assume the responsibility of bringing his unique take on the folk rock genre. While classically trained, Andrew Bird takes much of his inspiration from jazz artists like Johnny Hodges and Fats Waller. His love for jazz is evident in his music as he blends elements of jazz into his folk based songs, while also incorporating elements of swing and pop. Andrew Bird has a simplicity to his music, yet his complex balance between his masterful playing of his  violin, guitar, and glockenspiel are far from simple.

Cherry Glazerr w/ Mannequin Pussy at Rough Trade | July 28
Coming from Los Angeles, Cherry Glazerr is as eccentric and unpredictable as a bunch of young musicians could ever be. With a style that can be described as both sophisticated and casual to laid back and over the top, Cherry Glazerr exemplifies what rock and roll is nowadays. Their most recent release, “Apocalipstick,” is just another example of how beautiful the current state of rock can be with driving and powerful guitar riffs and dreamy vocals that perfectly glide over harsh yet appealing tones.

Homeshake at Warsaw | July 28
Coming all the way from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Homeshake produces music for those looking to kick their feet up with some coffee and enjoy a relaxing morning. His production and vocals bring elements of soul, hip hop, and pop in a package that is suited for those looking for an easy listen and is inspired from places of different cultural backgrounds such as island tones from the Caribbean to  more gritty tones from New York.

Imagine Dragons at Central Park SummerStage (Good Morning America) | July 28
Continuing on with their Summer Concert Series, Good Morning America is bringing Las Vegas based rock band Imagine Dragons to the stage in the middle of Central Park. First breaking out with their album, “Night Visions,” which carried their single, “Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons has since become a worldwide hit. With two more albums under their belt and with hit singles like “I Bet My Life” and “Sucker For Pain,” Imagine Dragons has become one of the leading forces in testing the boundaries of alt-rock by blending in elements of EDM, folk and pop.

Jagwar Ma at Bowery Ballroom | July 28
Bred from Australia, Jagwar Ma makes songs for those that are looking for romantic love and is told through the voice of frontman and songwriter Gabriel Winterfield. Jagwar Ma’s tracks delve into the psychedelic areas of rock but also cross into the lines of dance and experimental through their bass heavy, yet light tunes that make their songs an easy listen.

Moose Blood at Baby’s All Right | July 28
Taking a note from rock bands like The Get Up Kids and Brand New, Moose Blood has been one of the bands to keep an eye on in the emo genre.  Their release “I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time to Time,” reached critical claim in their homeland of the UK, and they have since then found their way over to the states to build some buzz. Through their performances on recent VANS warped tours, Moose Blood brings their fast paced riffs and passionate vocals to songs about love and heartbreak.

Queen w/ Adam Lambert at Barclays Center | July 28
As one of rock’s most influential and iconic bands, Queen has lasted throughout the decades with songs like “We Are The Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Another One Bites The Dust” becoming timeless classics. After the loss of lead singer Freddie Mercury, the band was later joined by American Idol winner Adam Lambert, and the band found their resurgence under Lambert’s faithful take on Mercury’s incredible vocal talents. Now touring around the world once again, Queen will be taking their greatest hits to Brooklyn to perform at the Barclays Center.

Liam Gallagher at McKittrick Hotel | July 28 + Rough Trade | July 30
Famously known as the Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher has taken it upon himself to piece together a special performance that features his solo works, which are soon to be featured on his upcoming album, “As You Were.” His latest single, “Chinatown,” features a sound that is a departure from his work with Oasis and showcases a psychedelic inspired tone and a softly presented vocal performance by Gallagher. With a showing that has been highly touted by critics, Gallagher will be performing at the McKittrick Hotel before taking on Rough Trade.

Panorama at Randall’s Island Park | July 28-30
With the summer music festival scene in full swing, Panorama Music Festival comes back to Randall’s Island for its second year. For the hip hop and r&b fans, Frank Ocean, Solange, A Tribe Called Quest, Tyler The Creator and Vince Staples will all be performing during the weekend. Rock fans can enjoy performances Nine Inch Nails, Glass Animals, Tame Impala, Belle & Sebastian and more. For those whose tastes fit somewhere in between, acts like Future Islands, Girl Talk, MGMT, DJ Shadow, Nick Murphy, and Justice will also be performing.

Dionne Warwick w/ Rumer at Lincoln Center | July 29
In a performance that brings two powerful female voices to the stage at once, the Lincoln Center will be hosting both Dionne Warwick and Rumer in a special performance. Called a true heir to female artists like Dusty Springfield and Karen Carpenter, Rumer’s lush vocals have become attached to a sound that feels like it has come straight out of the 1970s. Joining her on stage is the legendary Dionne Warwick, whose countless hits in the disco era provided anthems for those looking for or were currently in love.

Jerry Lee Lewis at B.B. King Blues Club | July 29
If there is one person who is a prime example of the term “living legend” in music, Jerry Lee Lewis has to be one of those mentioned in the conversation. Known for his hit singles, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire,” Jerry Lee Lewis’ iconic performances on record and live on stage are prime examples of why the rock and roll pioneer is truly one of the greatest to ever do it. While being one of the factors in pushing rock into the mainstream, Lewis touches on many genres including blues, country, and gospel.

Lake Street Dive at The Capitol Theatre | July 29
Boston-bred Lake Street Dive became one of the bands to keep an eye on after the release of their album “Side Pony” in 2016.. Since then, they’ve made appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and have even been invited to perform at the White House. Lake Street Dive’s brand of music is a welcomed blend between southern rock and soul that feels completely inspired by that genre of rock from the 1970s.

OneRepublic w/ Fitz and the Tantrums at Jones Beach | July 29
OneRepublic has come a long way from their humble beginnings in Colorado Springs and have become one of pop rock’s biggest acts. After a rough beginning to their music career, the band found success after their single “Apologize,” went viral through gaining popularity on Myspace. Since their breakout, OneRepublic has released four studio albums, which have produced several hit singles such as “Stop and Stare,” “All the Right Moves,” and “Secrets.”

Classic East Fest ft. Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Journey at Citi Field | July 29 + 30
In a special tour that is one for the ages, Citi Field will play host to Classic East Fest, which will bring some of rock’s legendary acts to the stage for a special two-day engagement. As six of the biggest rock bands coming from the golden era of rock, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan and Journey will all be sharing the stage for an event that is sure to bring fans both old and new. With the amount of star power on stage, it’s hard to miss an event like Classic East Festival.

Rock Steady Crew 40th Anniversary ft. Mobb Deep (A Tribute To Prodigy), MC Lyte at Central Park SummerStage | July 30
In celebration of hip hop’s iconic collectives, Central Park will be hosting the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Rock Steady Crew. With the recent passing of legendary hip hop MC Prodigy, who was known for being one-half of hip hop duo, Mobb Deep, the celebration will be paying tribute to the late rapper, with fellow Mobb Deep rapper, Havoc, performing live for the first time. Also performing for the day will be the pioneering female MC, MC Lyte. Westcoast legend, MC Eiht, and one of hip hop’s greatest DJ’s, DJ Premier.