Aug 14 – Aug 20 • Essential Weekly Concert Guide • NYC Edition

Des Delgadillo

Khalid at Terminal 5 | Aug. 14
With the release of his debut album, “American Teen,” and his now platinum single, “Location,” young r&b star Khalid made his way into the limelight. With a unique vocal range and his honest depiction of what it’s like to be a teenager dealing with heartbreak, love and discovering oneself, Khalid’s soft r&b tone readily appeals to all fans of the genre. Tickets are currently sold out, however a handful are available via StubHub.

Olivia O’Brien at Mercury Lounge | Aug. 14
Like many artists, Olivia O’Brien tried to find her way into music through the help of Soundcloud, but unlike many, she truly built a following and found herself on the way to stardom. While Olivia O’Brien hasn’t had a long career as of yet, she has already made huge steps with her song “I hate u, i love u,” which was a collaboration with Gnash. At only 17 years old, O’Brien could be one to watch in the coming years as she’s poised to become one of pop’s newest stars. Tickets are currently sold out, however a handful are available via StubHub.

Amir Obe at Bowery Ballroom | Aug. 15
Hailing from Detroit, Mich., Amir Obe stays loyal to the land that bred him and brings a lot of what he learned on those streets into his music. With the release of his latest EP, “None of the Clocks Work,” earlier this year, Amir Obe incorporates both grit and smooth vibes in his music through a combination of both silky sounding vocals and an aggressive rapping style.

Black Sheep at Sunnyvale | Aug. 15
As one of hip hop’s beloved duos from the golden era where the likes of Eric B and Rakim found their start, Black Sheep is one of the genre’s most timeless acts. With the hit song, 1991’s “Flavor of the Month,” Black Sheep burst onto the hip hop scene with a combination of unique rhythms and intelligent, conscious lyrics.

Delta Rae at Music Hall of Williamsburg | Aug. 15
The blues/folk rock sextet hailing from Durham, N.C., brings a sound to their music that is indicative of their rich southern roots. Bringing both soulful harmonies along with their traditional folk sound, Delta Rae has been welcomed onto stages across the country, including festivals such as Lollapalooza, Kaaboo, Hangout Fest among many others.

El Ten Eleven at Rough Trade | Aug. 15
Made up of duo Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogerty, El Ten Eleven is known for their multi-layered instrumental tracks that have built a cult following. Consisting of bass and drums coupled with elements of an orchestral atmosphere, El Ten Eleven provides a sound that incorporates many genres and satisfies many different moods. From upbeat dance tracks to deeper, soul shaking tunes, El Ten Eleven has something for everyone.

Iron Butterfly at B.B. King Blues Club | Aug. 15
As one of the most influential psychedelic bands around, Iron Butterfly has a distinctive sound that incorporates elements of metal into their classical psychedelic sounds. With groovy vibes that are ushered in by bombastic organs, Iron Butterfly brings a hallucinogenic vibe with their heavily distorted guitars and mix of enchanting and haunting tones.

Cobi at Mercury Lounge | Aug. 16
At an early age, Cobi had already been immersed in the smoke filled bars of Northern Minnesota where he would sing when he was 12 years old. From the moment that he picked up a guitar, Cobi knew that he wanted to create music, and has done so through his affiliation with bands like Gentleman Hall. Since breaking out as a solo artist, Cobi has released singles such as “Don’t You Cry For Me,” which feature his soaring vocals and powerful instrumentation. Singing with the level of conviction that he does, it’s difficult to not feel Cobi’s songs about love and his honest stories of personal struggle.

Donovan Frankenreiter at Brooklyn Bowl | Aug. 16
As a surfer at heart, Donovan Frankenreiter brings the relaxed, sun-soaked vibes that he thrives off of into his own music. Known for his soft/surf rock, Donovan Frankenreiter strums away at his ukulele and guitar with the intention of bringing positivity and good vibes in the same vein as artists such as Jack Johnson.

The Districts at Bowery Ballroom | Aug. 16
With the release of their album, “Popular Manipulations,” The Districts made waves with their thunderous drumming, driving guitar riffs, and outstanding vocals from lead singer Rob Grote. While exploring a sound that they are trying to shape on their own, The Districts harken back to bands such as Velvet Underground for their inspiration.

Marika Hackman w/ The Big Moon at Baby’s All Right | Aug. 16
With her dark and melancholy sound and lyrics, Marika Hackman is a standout artist in the genre of English-folk. Hackman broke out onto the scene with the release of her EP, “Free Covers,” and has since released two albums, including her latest release, “I’m Not Your Man,” which came out this June. Hackman’s brooding tones are complimented by her outlandish production and distinctive vocals.

Maggie Rogers at Brooklyn Steel | Aug. 16 + 17
In a fated meeting with Pharrell Williams while attending NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, Maggie Rogers had the opportunity to play her music for the famed musician and producer, a fortunate turn of events that was documented and uploaded onto YouTube. After the video went viral, the shy and timid Maggie Rogers found her way on the fast track to stardom with a sound that is unlike any other. Her music, taking elements of folk, pop, synth and hip hop, paints a tapestry that mimics the calmness of her Maryland home. Tickets are currently sold out, however a handful are available via StubHub.

Shawn Mendes at Barclays Center | Aug. 16 + 17
While Vine has since moved on, stars like Shawn Mendes, who found their success via the social media platform, have continued to shine. After attracting a following through posting covers of famous songs via his profile, Shawn Mendes went on to release his debut studio album, “Handwritten,” which contained the chart topping hit, “Stitches.” With other singles, like “Treat You Better,” tearing up the airwaves, Shawn Mendes is one of pop’s young and budding stars.

The Beach Boys at Beacon Theatre | Aug. 17
Led by founding members Mike love and Bruce Johnston, the legendary American singing group known as the Beach Boys are truly one of music’s living wonders. With many timeless hit singles in songs such as “Good Vibrations,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” and “California Girls” to name a few, The Beach Boys are the true pioneers of a “California” sound that shaped the pop genre during the 1960s.

The Dead Daisies at Highline Ballroom | Aug. 17
Sounding like and also looking like they were inspired by bands of the 70s and 80s, The Dead Daisies bring a sound that features muscular vocals, blues infused guitar riffs, and driving melodies. Inspired by bands such as Aerosmith and Foreigner, The Dead Daisies brings a stellar performance to the stage and features the likes of Motley Crue’s John Corabi on vocals, Marco Mendoza of Whitesnake on guitar and Brian Tichy on the drums.

DIIV at Murmrr Theatre | Aug. 17
Despite coming from Brooklyn, indie rock band DIIV has a sound that could have been easily raised on the beaches of Southern California with its laid back, relaxing type of delivery. In what can be called chillwave, DIIV’s dreamy guitar riffs and light vocals make for a listening experience that is ideal for those looking for an easy listen.

Dru Hill at B.B. King Blues Club | Aug. 17
In the 90s when r&b boy bands were at their peak, Dru Hill stood amongst other groups like Jodeci, Boyz II Men, and New Edition as one of the biggest groups around. Headed by Sisqo, Dru Hill released several hit songs including “Tell Me,” “Never Make A Promise,” “These Are Times,” and “How Deep Is Your Love,” which was famously featured on the Rush Hour soundtrack. As one of r&b’s hidden gems, Dru Hill is one of the proponents of sexy sounds of the 90s.

Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl | Aug. 17
While Talib Kweli is known for being a rapper, he has since found a new love in his DJ sets. As one half of Blackstar and seemingly one of hip hop’s greatest contributors in his solo work, Talib Kweli is still considered to be one of the genre’s greatest lyricists. As a proponent of what hip hop fans call “conscious rap,” Kweli has become one of the leaders of speaking on social injustice and providing political insight through his music.

In The Valley Below at Mercury Lounge | Aug. 17 + Rough Trade | Aug. 29
Comprised of the songwriting duo of Jeffrey Jacob and Angela Gail, In The Valley Below first made their way onto the music scene with the release of their album, “The Belt,” in 2014. Hailing from Echo Park, Calif., by way of Memphis and Muskegon, Mich., In the Valley Below’s sound is a culmination of all three regions with their echoing, soulful vocals, and emphatic guitar riffs paired with synths and electronica based tones.

Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall w/ Chance The Rapper | Aug. 17 + w/ Childish Gambino | Aug. 19 +  w/ Lauryn Hill | Aug. 20
With a special residency at the famed Radio City Music Hall, Dave Chappelle is continuing to bring some of his favorite musical acts to the stage to accompany him in a night of comedy and entertainment. For this week, Chappelle will be featuring recent Grammy winner, Chance The Rapper, funky crooner and rapper, Childish Gambino, and the powerfully soulful songstress, Ms. Lauryn Hill. Along with the musical performances, Dave Chappelle will be doing a special stand-up set.

Goo Goo Dolls at PNC Bank Arts Center | Aug. 18
While the Goo Goo Dolls are infamously known for their timeless single, “Iris,” the alt-rock band has had many popular singles such as “Name,” “Naked,” “Stay With You,” and “Better Days” within their nearly three decade career. In 2016, the Goo Goo Dolls released their latest album, “Boxes” which was met with critical success and features their single, “So Alive.”

John Maus at Baby’s All Right | Aug. 18
Known for his highly energetic stage shows, John Maus has been rocking on stage since his days of collaborating with Ariel Pink. Bringing a mix between synth pop, punk and medieval tones to his music, Maus brings a dark undertone to his instrumentals that dabble heavily in deep percussion and striking synths.

Mark Lanegan Band at Gramercy Theatre | Aug. 18
Having formed the grunge band Screaming Trees in the mid 80s, Lanegan is one of the pioneers of the grunge sound in general. Finding critical success for solo album, “The Winding Street,” Mark Lanegan worked alongside the likes of Kurt Cobain and Lead Belly in his early climb to success. Since then, Lanegan has gone on to release six studio albums and is highly regarded for his contributions to the grunge sound.

Mary J. Blige at Ford Amphitheatre at Coney Island Boardwalk | Aug. 18 + Theater at Madison Square Garden | Aug. 19
As the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige has had a career that truly speaks for itself. Achieving the honor of winning nine Grammy Awards and 30 Grammy nominations, Mary J. Blige is one of the few musical artists to have eight or more albums reach platinum status. When Mary J. Blige sings her many songs about heartbreak and overcoming loss, you best believe that she makes you feel every word deep down in your soul.

Lionel Richie w/ Mariah Carey at Prudential Center | Aug. 18 + Madison Square Garden | Aug. 19
The soothing sounds of Lionel Richie’s silky smooth tones will be bringing along one of r&b’s most powerful vocalists in Mariah Carey. After leaving the Commodores, Lionel Richie went on to have a successful career as one of soul’s biggest artists. Mariah Carey’s amazing vocal range is one that is legendary in all of music, and has spawned several platinum albums and timeless hits. The two musical powerhouses will be sharing the stage at both the Prudential Center and Madison Square Garden for back-to-back nights.

Daphni w/ John Maus, Delia Gonzalez at MoMA PS1 | Aug. 19
Continuing on with their summer music series, the MoMA will be bringing their next installment of their Warm Up shows featuring Daphni, John Maus and others. Going under several names including, Caribou, Daphni has been bringing his signature electronica sound to the stage for years.  Coming off of his performance at Baby’s All Right, John Maus, will also be taking the stage for another high energy performance of his dark sound.

Dick Dale at Brooklyn Bowl | Aug. 19
Many artists can’t claim that they created a whole new sound all their own, however in the 1950s, legendary guitarist, Dick Dale, did just that with the surf music explosion. Known as the “King of the Surf Guitar,” Dick Dale paired with iconic amplifier and guitar guru Leo Fender, and was the first person to publically play the Fender Stratocaster.  Ever since, Dale has made many iconic songs, including “Misirlou” which was featured in the film “Pulp Fiction.”

Fool’s Gold Day Off ft. Jay Electronica, Flosstradamus, A-Trak, PNB Rock, Remy Bank at Coney Art Walls | Aug. 19
Keeping on with their annual tradition, the Fool’s Gold record label will be holding their annual “Fool’s Gold Day Off” and will feature some of hip hop and edm’s best acts. The ever elusive emcee Jay Electronica will be headlining the day’s festivities along with edm duo Flosstradamus, A-Trak, PnB Rock and several others.  With some new artists and established ones in the fold, the day off will be one show to not miss.

John Mayer w/ Dawes at PNC Bank Arts Center | Aug. 19
With his latest album, “The Search for Everything,” John Mayer provided fans with a multi-part release of two four-track EP’s before delivering the final four songs on the official release of the complete album. As one of the best rock/jazz guitarists around and a set of new intoxicating love songs for fans, Mayer will be bringing his soulful riffs to the stage along with budding folk band, Dawes.

Miami Horror at The Well | Aug. 19
Hailing from Melbourne, Victoria Australia, Miami Horror brings a special kind of mix between both indie rock and electronica.  The band burst onto the music scene with the release of their debut album, “Illumination,” in 2010 and have since released a couple more albums, including their latest EP, “The Shapes.” Miami Horror perfectly balances the two genres that they take from and is presented in an upbeat display that feels like it could have come straight out of the 80s.

Summer Love ft. Soul Clap, Wolf+Lamb, Black Motion, Just Blaze, Nick Monaco at La Marina | Aug. 19
Bringing in some of the best DJs around, the love train is coming back to New York with the latest installment of Matte & Crew’s Summer Love event. Featuring some of hip hop and electronica’s established and upcoming acts, Summer Love will be held over a one day period. Headlining this year’s event will be Boston’s own Soul Clap, hip hop super producer Just Blaze, Black Motion, and many others.

Stabbing Westward at Gramercy Theatre | Aug. 19
Headed by Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus in 1986, Stabbing Westward released their debut album, “Ungod” in 1994. With their industrial rock sound, their music evokes getting into your deepest and darkest emotions and letting them free.  Their experimental sound is amped up to the maximum levels with the powerful vocals of Hall pushing the limits.

Hot 100 Music Festival ft. Demi Lovato, Big Sean, DJ Khaled, Marshmello, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, Tinashe, Zedd, Blackbear, Bebe Rexha at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater | Aug. 19 + 20
Down at Jones Beach, Billboard will be bringing some of music’s hottest artists at the moment to the stage for a two-day affair that will surely be an epic engagement. On the first night of the festival, the likes of Big Sean, Zedd, Demi Lovato, and Gucci Mane will be taking the stage, followed by Major Lazer, Marshmello, Camila Cabello and Dj Khaled the following evening.