Tag: downtown music scene

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Culture Music

Downtown Concerts You Can’t Miss

Summer is the time to live for NYC music.

While New York City plays host to world-class concerts pretty much every night, music aficionados often overlook Downtown as the hotspot to check it all out. It’s time to stop undermining the wealth of musical choice in Lower Manhattan.

We’ve lined up the best Downtown concerts to check out in the next week. Don’t miss these excellent live performances.

Ages and Ages at Mercury Lounge

Joyful lyrics and soaring melodies define this Portland group’s stomp and holler sound. Similar to groups like Family and Friends, they use folk and indie sounds to address themes plaguing millennials. Before you go, check out this video that includes them singing with a children’s choir.

Tickets range from $10 to $12 and are available here.

Tonight July 20, 7:30 p.m., doors at 6:30.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St.

Jesse Malin, Juliana Hatfield and Matthew Ryan at The Bowery Ballroom 

If you were around for the feminist-punk-alternative-rock movement of the 90s, you might remember Juliana Hatfield, or one of her songs like “Universal Heart-Beat.” Let nostalgia carry you to her show with Jesse Malin and Matthew Ryan at The Bowery Ballroom this weekend. Malin, who was recently featured in a Paste Studios clip, is following up his critically acclaimed 2015 record with “Outsiders,” due out in October. His 2002 record was produced by Ryan Adams. This show is for fans of alternative punk and rock.

Tickets range from $22 to $25 and are available here.

Saturday July 22, 9 p.m., doors at 8.
The Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St.

George Ezra at The Bowery Ballroom

You may remember George Ezra for his hit “Budapest” from a few years back, but the British singer-songwriter is worth checking for more than his songs named after European cities (see “Barcelona,” also). His deep, velvety voice is truly unlike anything you’ve ever heard, and his lyrics are often a toss-up between sweet and sarcastic. His most recent release is a new upbeat single called  “Don’t Matter Now,” which comes complete with this quirky music video.

Tickets are sold out, but may be available from third party sellers.

Monday July 31, 8 p.m., doors at 7.
The Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St.

Okkervil River and Jesse Hale Moore at Joe’s Pub

Okkervil River is running a slew of acoustic trio shows, and their next stop is Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater. They’re bringing a personal and low key feel to this tour of shows. Their album “Away” was named one of the best albums of 2016 by the Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic. Check out this show for a chill evening of singing and guitar.

Tickets are $25 and are available here.

Thursday July 27; Two performance times: 7 and 9:30 p.m., doors at 6 and 9 p.m.
J0e’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. 

 

Categories
Culture Music

Downtown’s Own Music Festival: Lowdown Hudson

Did you know Downtown has its own summer music festival?

The seventh annual Lowdown Hudson Music Fest comes to the heart of Downtown this week. Grammy-award winning rapper Common, along with wacky rock band OK GO, will headline the festival. The best part: it’s free for all to attend!

The festival, which occurs tomorrow and Wednesday evenings, happens at the scenic Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place. The doors and bar open both nights at 5 p.m.

Arts Brookfield, whose mission is to bring premier, free events to Brookfield properties in cities around the world, is presenting the festival for the seventh year. Past headliners include The Roots, Neko Case and B.B. King.

On Tuesday Lion Babe, an electro soul duo from here in NYC, will open for Common. Indie pop group Flint Eastwood will open for OK GO on Wednesday. Both evenings’ performances are free standing and first come first serve. The festival bars, located on the Terrace and Waterfront Plaza, will also be open both nights. The event is rain or shine.

Food will be available to purchase at Brookfield Place restaurant spots Le District and Hudson Eats.

Common shares with John Legend two wins for their song “Glory” from the 2014 film “Selma“: a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. He has also won two Grammy awards. A multifaceted artist, Common also has an acting career. You probably know him for his roles in “Now You See Me,” “Wanted” and “Date Night.”

As for OK GO, you probably remember them for their 2000s rock hits like “Here it Goes Again.” They gained fame for their creatively choreographed music video which featured treadmills and channel an All-American Rejects vibe with their angsty yet alternative sounds. “Hungry Ghosts” is their album from 2014.

For more information about the festival, visit www.artsbrookfield.com.

Photos courtesy of Arts Brookfield

Categories
Culture Music

Don’t Miss These 5 Upcoming Downtown Concerts

On Tuesday, July 4, a New York Downtown rooftop is the only place to be. A drink in your hand, fireworks in the sky and friends by your side make for a celebratory day of merrymaking in honor of our country’s history and freedom.

But for the rest of the week, try celebrating with music. Downtown is home to a wealth of venues, and we’ve highlighted upcoming shows from some of our favorites. Be sure to buy your tickets early, as many sell out on the day of. “We the People” shall revel in the music of New York this week.

Dustbowl Revival at City Winery

This multi-piece Americana group is taking over the City Winery tomorrow night. Formed in 2007 in Venice, Cali., the group brings together as many as 15 members to create a stomping, rollicking sound, rooted in folk, swing and bluegrass. Don’t miss their NYC show.

Tickets are available on the City Winery website.

Tomorrow, June 30, 8 p.m., doors at 6. 
City Winery, 155 Varick St. 

The Mae Trio at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3 

The Mae Trio is a sweet Aussie triad from Melbourne. Members Maggie Rigby, her sister Elsie and Anita Hillman incorporate elements of bluegrass and folk to create a pleasing harmony. Their second album, “Take Care Take Cover,” was released in April. Skilled in instruments like the banjo, cello and ukulele, they are sure to make your foot tap.

Tickets available at Ticketfly.

Sunday, July 2, 8:30 p.m., doors at 8:15.
Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3, 185 Orchard St. 

Rooney, Run River North and ROMES at The Bowery Ballroom 

You’ve probably forgotten about Rooney, the group made famous for their song “When Did Your Heart Go Missing?” – which probably circled your high school playlists a few times in 2007. It turns out they’ve been making music since then – three albums worth – and now they’re taking on 2017 with a summer tour. Run River North, a six-member group from California, joins them this Wednesday at The Bowery Ballroom. You’ll fall in love with the charming group, who filmed a music video in the back of a Honda.

Tickets available here.

Wednesday July 5, 9 p.m., doors at 8.
The Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St.

(Sandy) Alex G, Japanese Breakfast and Cende at The Bowery Ballroom

(Sandy) Alex G has made one of the best and most interesting albums so far this year, as hailed by the likes of NPR and Pitchfork. His record “Rocket” has been praised by indie rock fans and critics alike. Japanese Breakfast is another up-and-coming soloist, and released a new single, “Boyish,” this month.

Tickets are sold out, but may be available from third party sellers.

Friday, July 7, 8:30 p.m., doors at 7:30. 
The Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. 

Animal Reporters at Mercury Lounge

This band got its start right here in Lower Manhattan, when members created their group on the Lower East Side in 2013. They combine funk, rock, blues and garage music to create their danceable sound. The Mercury Lounge hosts them at the end of the week for lively jam session.

Tickets available here.

Friday, July 7, doors at 10:30 p.m.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St.