March 13 – March 19 • Essential Weekly Concert Guide • NYC Edition

Jeff Moses

Bodega Bamz at Knitting Factory Brooklyn | March 14
Nathaniel De la Rosa, better known by his stage name Bodega Bamz, is one of New York City’s hottest underground MCs. Though he may hail from Spanish Harlem, his fans and crew are going to show up in Williamsburg this Tuesday.

Secondhand Serenade at Webster Hall Marlin Room | March 14
Emo rock musician John Vesely has been performing under the name Secondhand Serenade since way back in 2004. He hasn’t put out a new record since 2014, but he hasn’t stopped touring.

The Shins at Bowery Ballroom | March 14
The Shins started as a side project for their lead songwriter James Mercer, while he focused more on Flake Music. They evolved into one of the most well-traveled (and reviewed) indie rock bands in America. As they start heading into festival season, they’re ramping up with this show in the Big Apple.

Sting w/ Joe Sumner at Hammerstein Ballroom | March 14
What can possibly be said about an artist and performer like Sting that hasn’t already been said? The man is without a doubt an icon of the music industry, and one of the greatest pop songwriters that has ever lived.

Strand of Oaks at Music Hall of Williamsburg | March 14
Burned-down houses and cheating spouses are all in the past for Philadelphia based singer-songwriter Timothy Showalter. His solo act, Strand of Oaks, just released a record less than a month ago and are bringing the Hard Love to Brooklyn.

Alina Baraz at Bowery Ballroom | March 14 + Music Hall of Williamsburg | March 16
This young songstress burst onto the scene in 2015 with her down-tempo electronica / R&B stylings. She’s a young songwriting talent making some huge strides early in her career.

Art Garfunkel at City Winery NYC | March 15
One half of the legendary songwriting duo brings his music to the City Winery for a small, intimate performance. The dulcet tones of Art Garfunkel’s acoustic guitar and well-known voice will no doubt fill the intimate venue with musical bliss.

Green Day w/ Against Me! at Barclays Center | March 15
Argue all you’d like, but Green Day is the biggest punk band of all time. And they’re coming through Brooklyn with Florida Folk punks Against Me! Between the two of them, this surely ranks as one of the best pop-punk bills possible – even if it has to be inside an arena.

The Shins at Music Hall of Williamsburg | March 15
A sound so nice, New York wants to hear it twice. The Shins are crossing the East River for a second New York City show in Brooklyn.  

Rejjie Snow at Berlin | March 15
Dublin, Ireland may not exactly be known as a hotbed of hip-hop talent, but it is where Alex Anyaegbunam – better known by his stage name Rejjie Snow – hails from. For a man who still has yet to release an L.P, there’s a ton of hype around Snow. And according to the Irish rapper, his debut album Dear Annie is not far from a release date.

Devendra Banhart at Webster Hall | March 16
Devendra Banhart’s middle name is Obi, as in Obi-Wan Kenobi – because even when he was just a tiny baby his parents knew their child was destined for great things. Banhart will be taking the stage at NYC’s oldest venue for an evening of freak-folk at Webster Hall.

The Expendables at The Gramercy Theatre | March 16
It’s going to be a punky reggae party when surf rock-inspired reggae punks The Expendables boogie through New York hot on the heels of their In This Moment E.P. The Expendables have been bringing Irie vibes and upbeat songs on tour for nearly two decades and they really are perfecting the art.  

House of Pain at Irving Plaza | March 16
Everlast and Danny Boy are going to be in New York City Thursday night – and even though the two MCs have put a few years and a few pounds on since the early 90s, they still put on one hell of a hip-hop show in 2017.

Tortoise at Le Poisson Rouge | March 16
It’s pretty hard for a completely instrumental band to find success in this day and age, but Chicago-based experimental post-rock outfit Tortoise has found a way. It makes for a hard-to-define-but-likeable sound, and Le Poisson Rouge is just the right place for a group like them.

“Tibet House Benefit Concert” ft. Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Iggy Pop, Bernard Sumner, Phil Cunningham, Patti Smith, Sufjan Stevens, Alabama Shakes, Ben Harper at Carnegie Hall | March 16
There’s only one way to get to Carnegie Hall, and between all the performers at this big-time benefit show, there is about 400 years’ worth of practice. With more big names than most stages can handle, this year’s Tibet House Benefit at one of New York City’s most historical venues may just legitimately be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

CJ Ramone at Bowery Electric | March 17
It’s not exactly like catching The Ramones at CBGB, but CJ Ramone’s album release at Bowery Electric – just a few doors down from CBGB’s old location – is about as close as you can get without a time machine. The former bassist of the legendary pop-punk band has been steadily making new music, as well as touring since his days with the iconic New York punks.

Hippie Sabotage at Webster Hall | March 17
EDM is more than just dance music to brothers Jeff and Kevin Saurer – it’s a brotherly bonding activity. The California-based DJ duo has been racking up the dance hits since 2013, and as any of their fans know, it can get a little raucous when 2,000 people are all dancing to Hippie Sabotage.

Lionel Richie at Prudential Center (Newark) | March 17
The best you can hope for when going to see Lionel Richie live is that the show will go “all night long” – pun intended. Odds are it will be an early one in Newark, but even still, Richie is a pop innovator and will likely put on an amazing show.

And The Kids at Knitting Factory Brooklyn | March 18
North Hampton, Massachusetts-based pop trio And The Kids are friends first, band second. The three musicians all grew up together and found safety in the close bond which they shared as children.

Amos Lee at The Capitol Theatre | March 18
When Bob Dylan or Elvis Costello take you on tour as their opener, that more or less says that you have made it. When both of them do it, you’re pretty much a bonafide legend-in-the-making. Amos Lee is an awesome songwriter whose grit has taken him as far his musicianship.

Colin Hay at The Concert Hall @ N.Y.S.E.C | March 18
Colin Hay is best known for his work as the frontman of Men At Work, but just because he was an 80s icon doesn’t mean his career ended when the piano key necktie went out of style. Hay saw a late career resurgence with some help from actor / filmmaker Zach Braff – and with a new record, Fierce Mercy recently dropped, he will be on his A-game.

EDX w/ Jonas Blue at Webster Hall | March 18
If there is one thing New York’s oldest music venue does well, it’s the EDM dance nights. Their mainroom will no doubt be bumping when Swiss deep house producer Maurizio Colella (better known as EDX) comes through for a headlining gig.  

Florida Georgia Line at Prudential Center (Newark) | March 18
In the lexicon of great and popular country acts, only one of them has ever reached the diamond distinction for one of their tracks – and that was Florida Georgia Line. Some may say that the duo doesn’t make “real” country and that this is “bro-country,” but regardless of genre, the tandem has struck a nerve in America with their tunes.

Ezra Furman at Rough Trade | March 18
Whether marching out on stage with his bands The Harpoons or The Boy-Friends, Ezra Furman makes a big impact at every show. His brand of rock ‘n roll is the critically acclaimed kind, and really the only reason it hasn’t taken the young songwriter into the stratosphere yet is he just can’t seem to keep a project together long enough.

Modern Baseball w/ Kevin Devine at Warsaw | March 18
Based in Philadelphia, where all of its members attended college, Modern Baseball is a band that is still very much on the rise. They’ve been touring together since 2012, and while they have a made a significant mark on the East Coast pop punk scene, they’re still working to spread their tunes nationwide.

Senses Fail at Webster Hall | March 18
Senses Fail is embarking on a nationwide tour to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of their formation, and for the tour they will be playing Still Searching – the album that put them on the map – in its entirety. The group is also working on a new album due out later this year, so it’s a safe bet some of those new tunes are going to seep into the setlist for the 15-year anniversary tour.

Wilco at Beacon Theatre | March18-19 + March 21-22
Wilco is one of the biggest touring acts in the world, due in large part their seminal record Yankee Foxtrot Hotel. Since their inception they have been a critical darling – and with really good reason, as they are a tremendous group of talented individuals.

Jens Lekman at Bowery Ballroom | March 18  + Music Hall of Williamsburg | March 19
Life Will See You Now Jens Lekman’s will be one day over a month old when the Swedish singer and guitarist comes through two of New York City’s premier music venues. The terrific songwriter, who has even been compared to the incomparable David Byrne, will spend his Saturday in Soho and his Sunday in Williamsburg.

Eric Clapton at Madison Square Garden Arena | March 19-20
One of the greatest musicians that has ever lived is playing inside of the world’s most famous arenas – this ticket is big-time. Eric Clapton has been known the world over as a master guitarist for groups like Cream his own solo act, and with nearly half a century of experience playing, this is another can’t-miss show.