Dec 11 – Dec 17 • Essential Weekly Concert Guide • NYC Edition

Springsteen on Broadway at Walter Kerr Theatre | Through June 30, 2018
It’s an acoustic performance written by The Boss himself with all the grandeur that Broadway allows. Get ready for an intimate night with Springsteen himself as he takes you on a two hour journey. With so much demand for these shows, the run has been extended through June 30 of next year, so make sure to get in on the action while you can. The first batch of tickets went like hot cakes, and it looks like the additional shows will sell out just as quickly.

Bishop Briggs at Music Hall of Williamsburg | Dec. 11
Briggs’ singles “Wild Horses” and “River” have become inescapable pieces of music’s modern framework, proving that her dark pop sensibilities resonate with most listeners. Briggs’ knack for taking introspective and often moody themes and incorporating them into catch fare is quickly taking her to the front of the line, already landing her coveted opening slots for Coldplay. Now she headlines her own show in Brooklyn with Shaed and Manatee Commune.

Fantasia at Highline Ballroom | Dec. 11
The former “American Idol” winner won the support of the American public and, most notably, ended up one of the more long-standing victors, remaining on a label longer than many of her contemporaries. Her gospel-ready voice lends itself well to her unique takes on tried and true favorites. Catch Fantasia when she plays a very special date at the Highline Ballroom with opener Demetria McKinney.

SZA at Irving Plaza | Dec. 11
Sza continues her slew of New York dates with a performance at Irving Plaza. Expect her to lay more of that sweet r&b we’ve come to know and love on the Big Apple audience. Fashioning gems that range from straight trips to dreamy traipses across the sonic spectrum, SZA’s star is still on the rise. Get there early to catch Smino and Ravyn Lenae.

LCD Soundsystem at Brooklyn Steel | Dec. 11 + 12, 14 + 15, 17-19, 21-23
LCD Soundsystem is the band that just keeps on giving. They’ve got quite the gift in store for Brooklynites when they play a string of Brooklyn Steel dates longer than that string of Christmas lights hanging on your tree. The reunited outfit will bring their long-celebrated energy to the masses for 10 tantalizing dates, so there’s no excuse to miss out on the fun this season.

Lil Pump at Playstation Theater | Dec. 12
Frequent Smokepurpp collaborator Lil Pump had the hip-hop world eating out of the palm of his hand despite not even putting out a mixtape until 2018. His repetitive raps are ridiculously fun to shout along with, and every time he takes the stage the dance floor erupts into a full-on rager. Pump plays the Playstation Theater, so expect fireworks. Lou the Human will also be on the bill.

Perfume Genius at Music Hall of Williamsburg | Dec. 12
Mike Hadreas pairs unflinching lyrics with sweet pianos, but he also touches on the swagger you can only get from glam rock. The result is a tapestry of musical prowess that often rings like the most poignant of poems. With a knack for telling stories that are sometimes unsettling, Hadreas certainly has a foothold that he’s not looking to relinquish any time soon. With one more date on tap for Brooklyn music fans, there’s no excuse for missing Perfume Genius. Arrive early to catch opener Lydia Ainsworth.

Ryan Kinder at Mercury Lounge | Dec. 12
Spurred by John Mayer’s debut album, Kinder stuck to his decision to become a singer-songwriter. His single, the infectious “Kiss Me When I’m Down,” kicked his career into proper gear. Don’t miss the up-and-comer when he plays a Mercury Lounge date with Jenna Smith.

Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom | Dec. 12-15 + 17-19
A group that’s never too far away from critical acclaim, Yo La Tengo thrives on the kind of defiant experimentation that endears groups to the indie crowd. Sometimes pushing the boundaries of blistering guitars while other times venturing into wholly Melodic pop. They’ll be playing a slew of Bowery ballroom dates as part of “The 8 Nights of Hanukkah,” so treat yourself to an early holiday gift and check this group out and see what everyone’s raving over.

Fresh 102.7 Holiday Jam ft. Backstreet Boys and Fergie at Beacon Theatre | Dec. 13
Holiday cheer will be at full tilt when the Backstreet Boys and Fergie bring the noise to New York’s Beacon Theatre. With so many anthems in store from both hitmakers, there’ll be plenty of singing along and merrymaking. If this doesn’t make you want to deck the halls, who knows if anything will.

The Dear Hunter at Warsaw | Dec. 13
Originally a side project for The Receiving End of Sirens’ Casey Crescenzo, The Dear Hunter grew to encompass more of his musical efforts until he left the latter band altogether. Crescenzo used The Dear Hunter to dive deep into unfettered musicality, from experimenting with chamber pop to fashioning highly ambitious concept albums, including a six-album story. Enjoy The dear Hunter’s eclectic, otherworldly symphony of sound when the group performs at Warsaw

Andrea Bocelli, Eugene Kohn, Heather Headley and Kristin Chenoweth at Madison Square Garden | Dec. 13 + 14
There’s a positively supercharged lineup headed to Madison Square Garden this week, and you’re not going to want to miss out. A bona fide legend in both opera and pop ballad circles, Andrea Bocelli will prove to be one of the defining icons of the 20th century. His voice has taken millions of listeners on incredibly cathartic journeys, and he’ll take a few more when he plays two dates at the Mecca of New York entertainment. Add incredible soprano Kristin Chenoweth along with Eugene Kohn and Heather Headley to the mix, and you have one superb musical extravaganza.

Stacey Kent at Birdland | Dec. 13-16
The acclaimed jazz vocalist has a three-date affair scheduled for Birdland, and it’s worth making plans to attend at least one show. From dazzling with improvisation to full-on orchestral arrangements, Kent has more than proven she can do it all.

Damien Escobar at Playstation Theater | Dec. 14
Also an accomplished children’s author, Escobar’s violin prowess is virtually unparalleled. He melds seemingly disparate genres into his pieces, creating winning fusions of pop, hip-hop, and most recently Latin. Let this acclaimed maestro of strings take you on a musical excursion when he plays the Playstation Theater.

Hot 4 the Holidays ft. Chris Brown, 21 Savage at Prudential Center (Newark) | Dec. 14
NYC’s go-to hip-hop station has a history of turning out the hottest holiday bash in town, and this year looks to be no exception with Chris Brown, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, Cardi B, 21 Savage and so many others holding it down. It’s the kind of celebration that’s bound to get your holiday cheer flowing. Throw your hands in the air and make all the noise you can, because the season is finally upon us.

Ingrid Michaelson at Terminal 5 | Dec. 14
Hit shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “One Tree Hill” exposed a new fanbase to Michaelson’s winningly irresistible songs, which frequently feature upbeat subject matter and some downright witty wordplay. Michaelson blazed her own trail thanks to online distribution before commercials and TV shows gave her an outlet to sell her music. These days her songwriting has reached new personal highs, with collaborations with everyone from Tegan and Sara to Sara Bareilles. It’s bound to be a hopping night when Michaelson comes to Terminal 5 to ring in the holidays with special guests A Great Big World.

Kip Moore at Town Hall | Dec. 14
Get set for a rip-roaring good time when Moore brings his emblematic country sound to Town Hall in New York. He has proven his ability to create some powerful party fodder with singles like “Wild Ones,” but maturation is the name of the game, and Moore shows a more tempered side on his latest album, “Slowheart.” Moore comes to town with Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers in tow, so get ready to dance the December night away.

Shamir at Elsewhere | Dec. 14
Shamir Bailey has quite an eclectic musical arsenal at his disposal, dancing at the fringes of low-fi indie rock while layering in the poignant lyricism found in country. His high register adds a cheeky feeling to some of his more electronic productions, which touch on house and hip-hop. His latest album, “Revelations,” feels more personal than ever, with Shamir recording it after a stint in a psychiatric hospital following a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Shamir’s joined at his Elsewhere date with Partner and Francis Rose.

Aaron Neville at B.B. King Blues Club | Dec. 15
The legendary singer and his unmistakable vocal stylings make a stop at B.B. King Blues Club for what’s bound to be a merry performance. With such an expansive catalogue behind him, Neville’s pulling out all the stops this holiday season. Catch a music legend, and why not bring a friend along and introduce them to what Neville has to offer? Music is the greatest gift of all, after all.

Bear Grillz at Playstation Theater | Dec. 15
Aside from Gwar, it’s rare that artist fashion an elaborate backstory for themselves, but then there’s a phenomenon like Bear Grillz, an EDM DJ who dresses like a bear who became a musician after stumbling on a MacBook while loping around Yosemite National Park. Don’t think for a second success has tempered the gimmick, with Grillz still performing in full animal garb and issuing cleverly titled albums like “Fuck Bitches, Get Honey.” But where this bear truly excels is when it’s time to get the party started. Bear Grillz brings that party to the Playstation Theater with cohorts Dirt Monkey and PhaseONe.

Holiday Cheer for FUV ft. Aimee Mann, Randy Newman, Jeff Tweedy, Lo Moon at Beacon Theatre | Dec. 15
New York’s premiere public radio station curates music discovery all year long, making them a valuable player at the forefront of the music scene. It’s time to give back for the holidays, and what better way to contribute to a great station than by getting to attend an amazing night of music while you do it? Aimee Mann, Randy Newman, Jeff Tweedy and Lo Moon will be the featured acts this year. Surround yourself with the most die-hard music fans in the Big Apple and enjoy an awesome night of tunes.

Lee Fields & The Expressions at Brooklyn Bowl | Dec. 15
Fields has been bringing the funk since 1969, but when he signed to Truth & Soul and paired up with the label’s house band The Expressions, there was an explosive kind of chemistry that the veteran couldn’t deny. The group has powered forward with a grueling touring schedule, cranking out critically acclaimed albums as they go. Their latest, “Special Night,” leans more on the ballad-heavy side, giving a glimpse into the raucous outfit’s quiet side. Feel the funk in full when they come to the Brooklyn Bowl with The Sugarman 3 and The shacks.

Little Scream at Rough Trade | Dec. 15
The songwriting alias for Laurel Springelmeyer, Little Scream endows the traditional indie-pop formula with a larger-than-life cinematic sound before humbling itself with traces of intimate folk. Both her albums so far vacillate in such a way, showing off the songwriter’s poise for lyrics that cut to the bone before amplifying a true flair for sonic gold. Little Scream comes to Rough Trade with Leif Vollebekk.

Odesza at Barclays Center | Dec. 15
The dreamy indie electronica duo of Catacombkid and Beaches Beaches pump a satisfying weightiness into their work without compromising the atmospherics that define their euphoric sound. It’s dance-pop for dreamers, pure and simple. Their latest album, “A Moment Apart,” features appearances from Leon Bridges and Regina Spektor. Sofi Tukker and Chet Porter join Odesza at their Barclays show.

The Reverend Horton Heat w/ Big Sandy, The Blasters at Irving Plaza | Dec. 15
Fixtures of the psychobilly scene, The Reverend Horton Heat updated the genre for the alternative age, and for years nobody rocked harder or faster. The crew even gave the world the first ever psychobilly holiday album with “We Three Kings.” They’re rocking Irving Plaza with Big Sandy and The Blasters.

Tensnake at Good Room | Dec. 15
The German DJ has been responsible for numerous great nights out on the dance floor thanks to his irresistible disco-heavy anthems. It’s possible to not want to strut your stuff when Tensnake comes on. Let the party commence when he plays the good Room.

Ofenbach at Rough Trade | Dec. 16
The Parisian DJ duo mix bluesy, rock elements with those of pop and house music. It’s a mix that’s easy on the ears, giving party crowds a reason to groove and sing the blues at the same time. The duo will be doing their thing at Rough Trade.

Ozuna at Prudential Center (Newark) | Dec. 16
This reggaeton sensation from Puerto Rico pens some of the most upbeat bits of Latin fire you’ll hear on the radio, and those larger-than-life anthems are coming to The Prudential Center for one special date. Groove to Ozuna’s phenomenal ear-worms and get lost in his clean but party-ready lyrics when he hits Newark.

Rezz w/ Mad Zach at Playstation Theater | Dec. 16
Born and raised in the Ukraine, Rezz took to the EDM scene quite quickly, and as soon as she was able she was crafting powerful productions that shined despite their minimalistic nature. The Novo will turn into a dance wonderland when she and cohort Mad Zach take over the place.

Lil Uzi Vert at Terminal 5 | Dec. 17
This North Philly MC grew up on rock acts like Marilyn Manson while also consuming a steady diet of Kanye West, and he has managed to merge his influences into a kind of rap that nods to those alternative sensibilities. He most recently topped the Billboard 200 with his album “Luv is Rage 2.” His star is still very much on the rise, so don’t miss out when Lil Uzi comes to Terminal 5. Next time you see him, it might just be from the cheap seats at a stadium show. Make sure to get there early to catch Playboi Carti, DJ Austin Millz and Lil Skies.

Questlove and Rabbi Dan Ain at Brooklyn Bowl | Dec. 17
When the Roots’ drummer isn’t writing cook books or just tweeting about fine cuisine, he’s laying down tunes at the hippest holiday extravaganza around. Jive to the music of the Rolling Stones while DJ Questlove dominates the turntables like only he can. Wrap up the Christmas shopping and then head to the Brooklyn Bowl for the most exciting party on the block.