The NYC Concerts You Need to See this Summer
Summer concerts are a rite of passage for New Yorkers old and new alike, and this year is no exception.
Chock full of rock bands, from Bon Jovi to Lynyrd Skynyrd the line-up seems to be a harkening to simpler times of the past. Rest assured that local stalwarts like Billy Joel, who plays every month this summer at Madison Square Garden, will be in high-demand. New venues like Pier 17 in the Seaport District should be on your radar as well, with soon-to-be-announced shows beginning this August. But for now, read on for our pics of must-see concerts all around the city this summer.
The Best Concerts in Manhattan this Summer
Springsteen on Broadway It may not be a concert, concert, but it will be moving nonetheless. Don’t miss your chance to see the Boss during an intimate night of his career highlights on Broadway. Tickets are available throughout the summer, but act quickly because they are selling out.
Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series Met Opera stars perform some of the company’s most famous arias and duets on stage in Rumsey Playfield, Central Park. June 11
New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park will commence with their 53rd season this year, lead by conductor James Gaffigan. The concerts are free and outdoor, including this year’s performance on the Great Lawn of Central Park on June 13.
Chromeo A ticket to this upbeat 80s-vibe pop music band at Terminal 5 on June 15, gets you a complimentary download of their new album Head Over Heels.
City Parks Foundation Gala This private event and fundraising gala on June 18
will include dinner and a private performance by Steven Tyler in Central Park.
Imagine Dragons The award-winning modern rock band from Las Vegas brings their latest album Evolve to Madison Square Garden on June 19th.
U2 needs no introduction. Their Experience and Innocence tour will have three NYC dates at Madison Square Garden on June 25th, 26th, and July 1.
Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton bring classic rock to Radio City Music Hall on June 27.
Foo Fighters Dave Grohl and the band bring their Concrete and Gold tour, which promises to be “unpredictable,” to Madison Square Garden, July 16 and 17.
Britney Spears Oops she did it again, but this time at Radio City Music Hall. Don’t miss one of her two NYC shows on July 23 and 24.
Rod Stewart & Cyndi Lauper The two legendary singers bring their raspy vocals together for beloved oldies and new material at Madison Square Garden, August 7th.
Jason Mraz & Brett Dennen Most well-known for his catchy tune The Remedy, Mraz brings his Good Vibes show to SummerStage in Central Park on August 9th.
Shakira Her hips won’t lie during the El Dorado World Tour, showing at Madison Square Garden on August 10th.
Paul Simon ends his Farewell Tour with four performances in New York City. See him at Madison Square Garden on September 20 and 21.
Notables Worth Leaving Manhattan For
Three longtime members of The Grateful Dead will play with an assist from the Allman Brothers’ bassist and singer John Mayer as Dead & Company at Citi Field on June 15th.
Grammy-award-winning Kool and the Gang, who’ve made their mark on soul music with immortal songs like Celebration and Jungle Boogie, will put on a surprise performance at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on June 16th.
Jimmy Buffett See the salt life master at Jones Beach amphitheater overlooking the bay on August 2nd.
Jay-Z and Beyonce, otherwise known as Mr. and Mrs. Carter, will perform together at the Meadowlands on August 2nd and 3rd.
