New York City has such a vibrant music scene that it would be self-defeating to list every gig or even every gig that might appeal to geezers. So this is just a selection of upcoming shows that I personally am interested in. Check out videos of past events at https://www.youtube.com/@NYC.Geezer
Here's a selection of geezer-friendly bands to put on your calendar. Many of them are hugely popular so you should either get your tickets early, preferably in the pre-sale, or keep your eye on resale prices.
A total '80s-fest at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ, about an hour from Manhattan.
Weezer bring The Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour to Madison Square Garden, with support from The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr. It's pretty expensive but should be a good show. Weezer promise to play the blue album in full, and that one is my personal favourite, so I can't wait.
Britpop Indie icons, Pulp, are coming to the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn for one night only. Tickets are expensive for the sold out show. I have a spare pair so if you are interested please mail me or leave a message.
End of an era? If this truly is a farewell tour, then I want to pay my respects to Jeff Lynne who was a huge influence in my formative years.
My 2023 top pick for "Band most likely to sound like The Cure", Public Circuit get to play a large venue when they support GIFT at Bowery Ballroom this autumn. It promises to be a brilliant evening.
Public Circuit "Caustic Cross" at Arlene's Grocery on 3rd August 2023 (Live, Full) (youtube.com)
I've never seen The Smiths heroic guitarist before so this is a must-see for me. And James are performing, to boot. Sit Down!
Andy McCluskey and his mates never disappoint. This will be my second time seeing them at Terminal 5 and I recall that the last time was amazing.
The Norwegian singer, songwriter and musician is coming to Le Poisson Rouge on Bleeker Street to promote his new album, Understudy.
The Irish rockers will showcase their new album in Brooklyn at the Paramount Theatre this autumn.
I will be celebrating my wedding anniversary with an outing to The Beacon Theatre to see Matt Johnson and The The, on the New York leg of their "Ensouled" world tour.
Ride are coming through the city again this December to promote their new album, Interplay. They'll be at Warsaw, the only venue in the city that offers perogies and kielbasa as a pre-concert treat. I'll be hoping for another rendition of Leave Them All Behind, my all-time favourite Ride song that appears in my top 10 of 1990s' bangers.
Watch this space, and please let me know what I'm missing!
I'll post here when something comes up.
The alt-rock band, formed in Portland, have been a favourite geezer band ever since their extraordinary Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia album (2000). They played at Elsewhere, Brooklyn. If you haven't watched their rock-documentary Dig! then you must remedy that immediately.
Young Gun Silver Fox played a sold out show at the Bowery Ballroom. Man, they are so TIGHT. If Young Gun Silver Fox were a glass of wine, I would say they have hints of Steely Dan, Prince and Michael Jackson. Great musicality that lingers on the palate, and good legs. Very quaffable!
If you weren't one of the lucky few who got to see Muse at a more intimate venue last year then catch them at the cavernous MSG. The show is sold out but you can get tickets in the resale market starting at $99 for the nosebleed seats.
Muse 'Resistance' at Madison Square Garden on 17th March 2023 (Live, Full) - YouTube
Dammit - I would love to see this Irish band again. They were terrific at Irving Plaza last year, but I already got my ticket for Muse. Honestly, save yourself $$$'s and go and see this up and coming band at Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom instead.
Inhaler "My Honest Face" at Irving Plaza on 4th April 2022 (Live) - YouTube
English electronica pioneer Gary Numan(Cars, Are 'Friends' Electric?) brings his 'Intruder' tour to Webster Hall.
Gary Numan "Cars" at Webster Hall, NYC, on 2nd May 2023 (Live, Full) - YouTube
The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee from The Hollies and Crosby Stills & Nash presents Sixty Years of Songs and Stories at City Winery.
The Crowded House: Dreamers Are Waiting North American Tour comes to the Beacon Theatre.
I heard Syml on Guy Garvey's Finest Hour radio show (they are creative collaborators) and love his dreamy, laid-back vibe and stellar piano playing.
The legend from south Wales played the Beacon Theater on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Tom Jones “It’s Not Unusual” at the Beacon Theatre, NYC, on 25th May 2023 (Live, Full) - YouTube
Barry Manilow put on an old-school musical spectacular, complete with 40-piece orchestra and a segment showcasing his new Broadway show, Harmony. The lively crowd were clearly massive Fanilows and joined in with many of Manilow’s legendary hits and not-so-hits, waving their glow-sticks in time to the music. A good time was had by all, and no fights broke out in the cheap seats.
[Video has been taken down]
The Feelies formed in New Jersey in 1976 and disbanded in 1992 having released four albums. Although not commercially successful, the Feelies had an influence on the development of American indie rock. Their first album, Crazy Rhythms (1980) was cited by R.E.M. as influencing their sound. (Wikipedia). Go see them at Brooklyn Made.
The Feelies “On the Roof” at Brooklyn Made on 16th June 2023 (Live, Full) - YouTube
The British goth band previewed their 2023 album Songs Of A Lost World and played classic numbers from their outstanding back catalogue.
The Cure wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cure
Setlist: The Cure Concert Setlist at Madison Square Garden, New York on June 20, 2023 | setlist.fm
Gallagher brought his new single "Easy Now" to the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage. Noel was joined by seven-time Grammy nominated rockers Garbage ("Stupid Girl", "I'm only happy when it rains", etc.)
The Smiths Tribute put on a brilliant live show. They delivered a crowd-pleasing setlist consisting of all the seminal indie band's hits and one or two deep cuts.
The perennial new wave punksters hit Pier 17.
Pixies at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on 22nd August 2023 (Live, first 30 minutes of set) - YouTube
I simply cannot understand why The Baxbys are not huge. 1,074 monthly listeners is a crime. Let's put this right, people!
My favourite NYC music venue, as long as the weather is good. I bought tickets just to see Fontaines DC who were great, but Arctic Monkeys impressed me with their musicianship and stage presence.
Fontaines DC “I Love You” at Forest Hills Stadium on 8th September 2023 (Live, Full) - YouTube
Arctic Monkeys “505” at Forest Hills Stadium on 8th September 2023 (Live, Full) - YouTube
I didn't go (I was at Fontaines DC) but my family had a good time.
"One of the most uncompromising bands, Michael Gira's Swans make music that alternates between bleak, brutal noise-rock and dark, ambient, moody folk coupled with intense live performances." Blimey! My ear-drums are still ringing after their LOUD noise-rock performance.
Ok, so it's not quite the real thing, but it's the nearest you're going to get in this world. Tickets very pricey, so probably one for die-hard Queen fans.
I've never seen The Mission but I feel I am becoming more and more goth as I get older. The Mission was formed in 1986 by guitarist/singer Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams, who both left the Sisters of Mercy to do so. I can't wait to see them at the slightly seedy and cool LPR on Bleeker Street.
Full of hubris, as usual, Morrissey is attempting to fill the cavernous United Palace four times over and at sky-high prices. It will be interesting to see if his fan base is as large and loyal as it used to be. And do they have that much spare cash?
The April show sold out in seconds so DM fan get a second chance to get tickets when they return to NY in October, and at a more reasonable price. Plenty of tickets available for the Barclays Centre show so no need to go to the resale market (yet). MSG show is close to sold out.depeche mode dot com
Darlings of the UK indie scene, Yard Act will be playing the slightly off-kilter Warsaw venue in Brooklyn.
Just Give Me A Reason? P!nk flew on a wire over London's Hyde Park and that is good enough for me. Her ultra-high energy show is sure to raise the roof at MSG.
Another Guy Garvey recommendation, Hänlyn has a stunning voice and a great new album. Get in on the ground floor while she still has a relatively small following (160k monthly listeners). Tickets at the Mercury Lounge are a very reasonable $14 + fees.
Slothrust (pronounced Sloth Rust) delivered a visceral performance at the Terminal 5 venue in the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood of Manhattan. I'm not sure that this recording captures the full energy and emotion of their performance, and suffers a bit from the usual chatterers and a poor unfortunate who passed out just in front of me and couldn't stop apologizing most of the way through Crockpot.
Slothrust at Terminal 5, Manhattan, on 10th November 2023 (Live) - YouTube
Great times at the Bowery Ballroom. The murky Londoners delivered their trademark brand of out of tune, out of time grungegaze sounds.
Bar Italia "skylinny" at the Bowery Ballroom on 4th December 2023 (Live) - YouTube
Rufus and Martha returned for another "Not So Silent Night" festive family concert at distinctly not-family-friendly prices at the Town Hall this December. The stage was crammed with Wainwright family aunts, uncles and cousins and their friends, including the amazing Gail Ann Dorsey, Chaim Tannenbaum and Nora Jones.
The Smiths Tribute put on a brilliant live show so I was delighted to spend my birthday in their company this year, down at LPR on Bleeker Street.
The Smiths Tribute NYC at Le Poisson Rouge on 10th February 2024 (youtube.com)
The Brits deliverd an energetic set at Baby's All Right, Brooklyn, including their crowd pleaser "Eddie My Love".
My favourite band of 2023, The Baxbys are still unsigned (so I'm told) despite a fabulous catalogue of up-and-at-'em crowd-pleasers at Bowery Electric.
The Baxbys “Human Music” at Bowery Electric on 13th February 2024 (Live) (youtube.com)
So much fun! A terrific high-octane set from TDCC, although the constant use of flashing strobe lights behind the band was a fly in the ointment.
Two Door Cinema Club "What You Know" at Terminal 5 on 29th February 2024 (Live) (youtube.com)
At Bowery Ballroom. The British Indie popsters du jour wowed the crowd with their off the wall lyrics and catchy tunes.
Blimey! Stephin Merritt brings his sleeping bag to The Town Hall and looks like he might gain squatters' rights by the time he finishes his long run of shows celebrating the 25th anniversary of 69 Love Song. See The House of Tomorrow.
The Jonathan King tribute band delivered an OK performance at Webster Hall.
Real Estate "Water Underground" at Webster Hall on 18th April 2024 (Live, Full) (youtube.com)
I dread to think how their name is pronounced, but I'm really enjoying the sound of this Portland, Oregon band. They played two nights at Brooklyn Steel.
Man, I loved his EPs back in the 1990s. Remember "Dry the Rain"? Classic! At Le Poisson Rouge.
Playing at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
A really fun show at the beautiful, newly renovated Brooklyn Paramount.
Belle and Sebastian "The State I Am In" at Brooklyn Paramount on 1st May 2024 (Live) (youtube.com)
An awesome show, as per, at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
It's been a while since Neil Young played NYC so I subscribed to the Neil Young Archive (a very cool app which also gives access to his entire catalogue, highly recommended) and used my pre-sale code to snap up a couple of seats in the nosebleed section of Forest Hills.
Ian McCullock is no spring chicken but for aging 80's indie rockers like me, this is the real deal. The Bunnymen were last seen in NYC in 2022 and there may not be many more chances so get over to Brooklyn Steel. Be sure to visit Beer Street on Graham Avenue for some pre- or post- concert sounds. The bar's playlist is awesome!
Echo & the Bunnymen "The Cutter" at Terminal 5 on 14th September 2022 (Live, Edit) - YouTube
The American indie band from Dayton, Ohio, came to Irving Plaza.
Inspired by Jeff Tweedy's recent book of autobiographical musings, I decided to buy Wilco tickets for the first time. I bought tickets for the Beacon Theatre show in the pre-sale when the only seats available were in the back row of the balcony. The next day tickets open up all over the venue and I could have bought tickets in the front row of the balcony for $20 extra. Grrr.
The Brummie reggae band (minus Ali Campbell) performed a brilliant set at Sony Hall in Times Square including '80s bangers and some great tunes from the new album, UB45.
UB40 “One In Ten” at Sony Hall, Manhattan, on 2nd July 2024 (youtube.com)
Another fun throw-back show at Sony Hall.
10cc “Rubber Bullets” at Sony Hall, Manhattan, on 25th July 2024 (Live) (youtube.com)
One of my top live bands of 2023, Public Circuit played tunes from their new album "Lamb" at Union Pool, including this one I recorded a few months ago. Wth Control Top and Pop Music Fever Dream.
Public Circuit "Caustic Cross" at Arlene's Grocery on 3rd August 2023 (Live, Full) (youtube.com)
My top live band of 2023, The Baxbys, at Bowery Electric (again) and showcased their new single Damn Wrong. Also, an unexpected rendition of this Arctic Monkeys song:
Surveying the NYC music scene since 2006
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