Central Park Summer Stage
For more information, go to summerstage.org
Rhett Miller
June 17, 3pm
With Teddy Thompson and Olabelle
Grab a blanket and your best boy or girl and take in the summery sounds of Rhett Miller’s sickly sweet post-Old 97s output. Request ‘Question.’ Propose. Cuddle.
Canada Day
June 25
With Feist, Buck 65 and Jason Collett
Witness our supremely talented northern neighbors as they bring their elegant, grown-up indie rock to droves of kids hoping Neko (or Neil) shows up. Jason Collett is better known as 1/100th of Broken Social Scene.
Seu Jorge
July 2
With Jose Gonzalez and Alex Cuba Band
We love Seu Jorge around here. So much that we even pretend we knew him before we saw him in The Life Aquatic. Show up early for Sweden’s Jose Gonzalez.
Lady Sovereign
July 30
With Pete Rock, curated by DJ Rekha
Because who doesn’t like a little British grime from time to time? Hey, that rhymed! Oh my God so did that! Sorry.
Prospect Park Bandshell
For more information, go to celebratebrooklyn.com
Maceo Parker
June 15
There could be one (million) too many strollers up in the park for this show, but it’ll be worth it. Dude can play.
TV on the Radio
June 30, 6:30pm
With Matt Pond PA and Voxtrot
Rolling Stone cited TVotR as a “band to watch” or something. Go and tell everyone you’ve been “watching” them for years. And don’t miss Voxtrot, because Rolling Stone’s gonna say the same thing about them in three years. Idiots.
Yo La Tengo
July 13, 7:30pm
The Sounds of Science / Samara Lubelski
Jersey’s best performing their scores to Jean Painlevé’s short, fucked up documentaries about underwater life. Shit’s gone be weeeeird.
Brooklyn Philharmonic
July 14, 8pm
Oh, calm down. Just fucking go and enjoy yourself.
Leela James
July 28 , 7:30pm
With BFE (Brooklyn Funk Essentials)
Honestly? I don’t even know you, yet I feel completely comfortable when I say that you need to be a little bit funkier. Leela James will get you (and me) on the right track.
Seaport Music
For more information, go to seaportmusicfestival.com
Super Furry Animals
June 2
with Dead Meadow
There’s obviously going to be a rumble at this show. Choose your side wisely. My prediction: the Dead Meadow fans will make quick work of the Super Furry Animals fans.
Amy Rigby and Robbie Fulks
June 30
It seems fairly safe to assume there will be a lot of Fender Telecasters up in this piece. And that’s good. No one seems to be playing Telecasters anymore. It’s all big hollow-bodies and whatnot. God bless the alt-country kids for their striking unwillingness to change.
Richard Hawley and Nicolai Dungar
July 28
Nicolai Dunger is way, way underrated. He’s like the Swedish John Prine — practically overflowing with simple yet insightful commentary on regular people in difficult situations. Hawley is a British songwriter who loves the shit out of Roy Orbison.
Hot Chip
August 4
with Oppenheimer
It’s still not entirely clear to me that anyone’s actually heard Hot Chip yet, but they’re British, and people seem to be writing about them quite a bit. The internet let me borrow one of their songs, and it’s not so bad. Go to the show, if only to see thousands of nerds carrying around NME.
Josh Ritter
August 11
with Elvis Perkins
A few years ago, I received a promo copy of Josh Ritter’s Golden Age of Radio and I proceeded to write a glowing, over-the-top review of it. Then I forgot it (and he) existed. Now other people seem to love him, and I feel a lot better about myself. Smart, rootsy rock like the kind Wilco used to play.
Ted Leo + Pharmacists
August 25
with DC Snipers
In his second consecutive year playing at the Seaport, Leo will have people dancing like crazy to his subtly political, driving post-punk. He’ll also have some of us wondering if he’s going to release a new record any time soon.
Castle Clinton at Battery Park
For more information, go to rivertoriver.org
Mates of State
July 6, 7pm
Everyone’s favorite married indie-rock couple has been making perfect summer music for years. And now you’ll finally have a chance to see them in the appropriate environment, churning out hit after keyboard-heavy hit.
Okkervil River
July 13, 7pm
Okkervil River received a crazy amount of praise when they released their last record, Black Sheep Boy, and I’ve said it in these pages before, but it’s always struck me as weird, since it’s their worst record by a long shot. They put on a crazy, drunken show, though, so go and hope they play your favorites.
Josh Rouse
July 20, 7:30pm
Some people would argue that Josh Rouse is a bit fickle. He’s moved around the world a lot over the years, and his music has, to a weird degree, always reflected his surroundings. What always shines through, though, is his scary understanding of feel-good melodies.
The Hold Steady
July 27, 7pm
I just went back and listened to the Hold Steady’s Separation Sunday from last year, and it’s actually even better than I thought it was. And I already thought it was good. It’s smarter than most of the stuff that passes for art-rock, and more punk rock than the shit that passes for punk rock. Their live show is unparalleled.
Dave Holland Quintet
August 3, 7pm
Man, do you remember the 90s? Right around the time you were sitting around watching Reality Bites and wondering if maybe Soul Asylum wasn’t that bad, there were people in terrible clubs and later in terrible sorority houses driving that whole silly swing revival. The craze didn’t last long, and when all the late-arriving imitators picked up and started nu-metal bands, we were left with people like Dave Holland, perhaps the most skilled swing bassist of them all.
World Financial Center
For more information, go to rivertoriver.org
Eels and Smoosh
June 13, 7pm
This is a strange one. The creepy, death-obsessed rock of Eels might work well outside under the stars, but the real draw just might be Smoosh, the surprisingly talented pair of 12- and 14-year-old girls who play straightforward, hook-laden pop music. Good thing they’re playing early — it is a school night.
Son Volt
June 20, 7pm
I love that Jay Farrar and Son Volt keep playing these outdoor summer shows, but it makes exactly zero sense. They’re the least sunshiney band on the planet, save for a few choice cuts from Trace, but they’ll be out there in the heat, earnestly playing their broken hearts out for you.
Puffy AmiYumi
July 11, 7pm
When this Japanese duo first arrived in the States, they were originally called simply, Puffy. They had to alter their name, though, when Diddy got all pissed off that people would confuse him with a pair of teenaged Japanese girls. Whatever. Score big points with daughters, nieces and little sisters by inviting ‘em along o see their favorite cartoon come to life. I’ve seen the cartoon, and believe me, you should too.
Battery Park
For more information, go to rivertoriver.org
Belle and Sebastian
July 4, 3:30pm
Let’s be honest: you spend every other day quietly reflecting on how glad you are to be an American. So really, you needn’t worry about taking Independence Day to wish you were Scottish and in the most impeccably tasteful band in the world. It could be rainy and cold in the middle of January, and ‘Another Sunny Day,’ from Belle and Sebastian’s brilliant The Life Pursuit would still make me smile. The thought of them playing it on a crystal clear summer day might be too much for me to handle.
Rocks Off Concert Cruises
For more information, go to rocksoff.com
The Unforgettable Fire
June 16, 8pm
Naming your band after another band’s record is, in all but one scenario, totally dumb. Which scenario is that? Oh, the one where you’re in an honest to goodness tribute band. Yep, the Unforgettable Fire is a U2 tribute band, which is a little bit scary and a little bit awesome. I hope the singer doesn’t just rock Bono’s stupid fly shades and opts instead for the old school mullet.
Black 47
July 21, 8pm
There’s literally no telling how many drunk Irish people are going to fall overboard while puking into the river. Stay away from the edges and watch it all unfold.
Jamie Lidell
August 31, 8pm
Just think about it: You will have had an amazing summer. Maybe you even met that special someone and spent three months in the throes of a passionate, wild romance like you’ve never experienced before. I can think of no better way to cap it all off than with one last romantic summer night on a boat, with Jamie Lidell’s soulful crooning as the perfect background music. Sigh.
For more information, go to summerstage.org
Rhett Miller
June 17, 3pm
With Teddy Thompson and Olabelle
Grab a blanket and your best boy or girl and take in the summery sounds of Rhett Miller’s sickly sweet post-Old 97s output. Request ‘Question.’ Propose. Cuddle.
Canada Day
June 25
With Feist, Buck 65 and Jason Collett
Witness our supremely talented northern neighbors as they bring their elegant, grown-up indie rock to droves of kids hoping Neko (or Neil) shows up. Jason Collett is better known as 1/100th of Broken Social Scene.
Seu Jorge
July 2
With Jose Gonzalez and Alex Cuba Band
We love Seu Jorge around here. So much that we even pretend we knew him before we saw him in The Life Aquatic. Show up early for Sweden’s Jose Gonzalez.
Lady Sovereign
July 30
With Pete Rock, curated by DJ Rekha
Because who doesn’t like a little British grime from time to time? Hey, that rhymed! Oh my God so did that! Sorry.
Prospect Park Bandshell
For more information, go to celebratebrooklyn.com
Maceo Parker
June 15
There could be one (million) too many strollers up in the park for this show, but it’ll be worth it. Dude can play.
TV on the Radio
June 30, 6:30pm
With Matt Pond PA and Voxtrot
Rolling Stone cited TVotR as a “band to watch” or something. Go and tell everyone you’ve been “watching” them for years. And don’t miss Voxtrot, because Rolling Stone’s gonna say the same thing about them in three years. Idiots.
Yo La Tengo
July 13, 7:30pm
The Sounds of Science / Samara Lubelski
Jersey’s best performing their scores to Jean Painlevé’s short, fucked up documentaries about underwater life. Shit’s gone be weeeeird.
Brooklyn Philharmonic
July 14, 8pm
Oh, calm down. Just fucking go and enjoy yourself.
Leela James
July 28 , 7:30pm
With BFE (Brooklyn Funk Essentials)
Honestly? I don’t even know you, yet I feel completely comfortable when I say that you need to be a little bit funkier. Leela James will get you (and me) on the right track.
Seaport Music
For more information, go to seaportmusicfestival.com
Super Furry Animals
June 2
with Dead Meadow
There’s obviously going to be a rumble at this show. Choose your side wisely. My prediction: the Dead Meadow fans will make quick work of the Super Furry Animals fans.
Amy Rigby and Robbie Fulks
June 30
It seems fairly safe to assume there will be a lot of Fender Telecasters up in this piece. And that’s good. No one seems to be playing Telecasters anymore. It’s all big hollow-bodies and whatnot. God bless the alt-country kids for their striking unwillingness to change.
Richard Hawley and Nicolai Dungar
July 28
Nicolai Dunger is way, way underrated. He’s like the Swedish John Prine — practically overflowing with simple yet insightful commentary on regular people in difficult situations. Hawley is a British songwriter who loves the shit out of Roy Orbison.
Hot Chip
August 4
with Oppenheimer
It’s still not entirely clear to me that anyone’s actually heard Hot Chip yet, but they’re British, and people seem to be writing about them quite a bit. The internet let me borrow one of their songs, and it’s not so bad. Go to the show, if only to see thousands of nerds carrying around NME.
Josh Ritter
August 11
with Elvis Perkins
A few years ago, I received a promo copy of Josh Ritter’s Golden Age of Radio and I proceeded to write a glowing, over-the-top review of it. Then I forgot it (and he) existed. Now other people seem to love him, and I feel a lot better about myself. Smart, rootsy rock like the kind Wilco used to play.
Ted Leo + Pharmacists
August 25
with DC Snipers
In his second consecutive year playing at the Seaport, Leo will have people dancing like crazy to his subtly political, driving post-punk. He’ll also have some of us wondering if he’s going to release a new record any time soon.
Castle Clinton at Battery Park
For more information, go to rivertoriver.org
Mates of State
July 6, 7pm
Everyone’s favorite married indie-rock couple has been making perfect summer music for years. And now you’ll finally have a chance to see them in the appropriate environment, churning out hit after keyboard-heavy hit.
Okkervil River
July 13, 7pm
Okkervil River received a crazy amount of praise when they released their last record, Black Sheep Boy, and I’ve said it in these pages before, but it’s always struck me as weird, since it’s their worst record by a long shot. They put on a crazy, drunken show, though, so go and hope they play your favorites.
Josh Rouse
July 20, 7:30pm
Some people would argue that Josh Rouse is a bit fickle. He’s moved around the world a lot over the years, and his music has, to a weird degree, always reflected his surroundings. What always shines through, though, is his scary understanding of feel-good melodies.
The Hold Steady
July 27, 7pm
I just went back and listened to the Hold Steady’s Separation Sunday from last year, and it’s actually even better than I thought it was. And I already thought it was good. It’s smarter than most of the stuff that passes for art-rock, and more punk rock than the shit that passes for punk rock. Their live show is unparalleled.
Dave Holland Quintet
August 3, 7pm
Man, do you remember the 90s? Right around the time you were sitting around watching Reality Bites and wondering if maybe Soul Asylum wasn’t that bad, there were people in terrible clubs and later in terrible sorority houses driving that whole silly swing revival. The craze didn’t last long, and when all the late-arriving imitators picked up and started nu-metal bands, we were left with people like Dave Holland, perhaps the most skilled swing bassist of them all.
World Financial Center
For more information, go to rivertoriver.org
Eels and Smoosh
June 13, 7pm
This is a strange one. The creepy, death-obsessed rock of Eels might work well outside under the stars, but the real draw just might be Smoosh, the surprisingly talented pair of 12- and 14-year-old girls who play straightforward, hook-laden pop music. Good thing they’re playing early — it is a school night.
Son Volt
June 20, 7pm
I love that Jay Farrar and Son Volt keep playing these outdoor summer shows, but it makes exactly zero sense. They’re the least sunshiney band on the planet, save for a few choice cuts from Trace, but they’ll be out there in the heat, earnestly playing their broken hearts out for you.
Puffy AmiYumi
July 11, 7pm
When this Japanese duo first arrived in the States, they were originally called simply, Puffy. They had to alter their name, though, when Diddy got all pissed off that people would confuse him with a pair of teenaged Japanese girls. Whatever. Score big points with daughters, nieces and little sisters by inviting ‘em along o see their favorite cartoon come to life. I’ve seen the cartoon, and believe me, you should too.
Battery Park
For more information, go to rivertoriver.org
Belle and Sebastian
July 4, 3:30pm
Let’s be honest: you spend every other day quietly reflecting on how glad you are to be an American. So really, you needn’t worry about taking Independence Day to wish you were Scottish and in the most impeccably tasteful band in the world. It could be rainy and cold in the middle of January, and ‘Another Sunny Day,’ from Belle and Sebastian’s brilliant The Life Pursuit would still make me smile. The thought of them playing it on a crystal clear summer day might be too much for me to handle.
Rocks Off Concert Cruises
For more information, go to rocksoff.com
The Unforgettable Fire
June 16, 8pm
Naming your band after another band’s record is, in all but one scenario, totally dumb. Which scenario is that? Oh, the one where you’re in an honest to goodness tribute band. Yep, the Unforgettable Fire is a U2 tribute band, which is a little bit scary and a little bit awesome. I hope the singer doesn’t just rock Bono’s stupid fly shades and opts instead for the old school mullet.
Black 47
July 21, 8pm
There’s literally no telling how many drunk Irish people are going to fall overboard while puking into the river. Stay away from the edges and watch it all unfold.
Jamie Lidell
August 31, 8pm
Just think about it: You will have had an amazing summer. Maybe you even met that special someone and spent three months in the throes of a passionate, wild romance like you’ve never experienced before. I can think of no better way to cap it all off than with one last romantic summer night on a boat, with Jamie Lidell’s soulful crooning as the perfect background music. Sigh.
