Summertime in New York is always special, but especially this summer, after more than a year of isolation. There’s simply nothing better than taking advantage of the warm weather and endless daylight by taking in an outdoor concert.
Whether you’re headed to the park with armchairs and picnic blankets in tow, cramming in to an open-air arena or catching a show at your local brewery, there are plenty of opportunities left on the calendar to catch some incredible live music, within the five boroughs as well as Upstate. Check out our list of the 21 must-see outdoor shows in the Empire State below.
August
Because you’re part of a very specific demographic
Green Day, Weezer and Fall Out Boy at Citi Field, Queens, Aug. 4
Because you want to celebrate a jazz great
The Cab Calloway Orchestra, directed by Cab’s grandson C. Calloway Brooks at Astoria Park Lawn, Queens, Aug. 5
Because you appreciate a little climate activism with your music
Buffy Sainte-Marie & Naia Kete at Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, Aug. 6
Because you want to say happy birthday to a hip-hop icon
Funk Flex Birthday Concert with live performance by Ginuwine and Rakim, Kranium, Jeff Redd, Red Alert, DJ HR, and hosted by Ralph McDaniels at Coney Island Ampitheater, Brooklyn, Aug. 7
Because you want to float on, but the Brooklyn Steel shows are all sold out
Modest Mouse at Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, Aug. 7
Because you can’t go for that (no can do)
Hall & Oates, KT Tunstall & Squeeze at Jones Beach, Aug. 11
Because you want some good tunes to go with your wine
Dar Williams at City Winery Hudson Valley Amphitheater, Montgomery, NY, Aug. 15
Because you’re a big jam-band fan
Garcia Peoples at The Sultan Room rooftop, Brooklyn, Aug. 18
Because you want to pretend you’re in a romantic comedy
Harry Connick, Jr. at Bethel Woods, Bethel, NY, Aug. 19
Because you’re ready to celebrate the fact that New York City’s back, baby
Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Paul Simon, LL Cool J, Elvis Costello, Earth Wind & Fire, Jimmy Fallon, The Killers, Journey, NY Philharmonic, Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Polo G, Jennifer Hudson, Wyclef Jean, Barry Manilow, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Jon Batiste, and more at Central Park Great Lawn, Manhattan, Aug. 21
Because last year’s Jeff Tweedy solo album was way underrated
Wilco and Sleater-Kinney at Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, Aug. 21
Because Afrobeat is absolutely infectious
Antibalas at Rumsey Playfield (in Central Park), Manhattan, Aug. 21
Because you wore out your copy of Sweet Baby James
James Taylor at Bethel Woods, Bethel, Aug. 21
September
Because the Hanukkah Concert is still months away
Yo La Tengo and Mountain Movers at Rumsey Playfield (in Central Park), Manhattan, Sept. 1
Because you should catch Dr. Dog one last time before they hang it up
Dr. Dog and Bowerbirds at The Rooftop at Pier 17, Manhattan, Sept. 9
Because a vacation to New Orleans is too expensive
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Michelle at Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, Sept. 18
Because it’s Patti fucking Smith
Patti Smith and Her Band at Rumsey Playfield (in Central Park), Manhattan, Sept. 19
Because we should celebrate 100 years of a historic venue
The Town Hall Centennial Concert, hosted by Chris Thile at Bryant Park, Manhattan, Sept. 20
Because you really want to hear Shake Your Money Maker in its entirety
The Black Crowes at Bethel Woods, Bethel, NY, Sept. 25
Because you’ll always be a ’90s kid at heart
Spin Doctors at City Winery Hudson Valley Amphitheater, Montgomery, NY, Sept. 26
Because Woodsist is your favorite indie label
Parquet Courts, Kurt Vile, Natural Information Society, Laraaji, Steve Gunn, Anna St. Louis, Sessa at Arrowood Farms (Woodsist Festival), Accord, NY, Sept. 26
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