New York City’s Summer Stage is a killer concept. Who wouldn’t like epic free concerts in beautiful parks? Does the thought of Tedeschi Trucks Band bringin’ the soul to Central Park not tickle your fancy? Of course it does! And it tickles our’s too.
This year’s Summer Stage lineup is absolutely great. From heavy metal to smooth jazz, there are plenty of reasons to hit up the parks this year and enjoy some music. Here are the events we’re most excited for, all of which are free unless noted otherwise. The full schedule is just below our …
Tedeschi Trucks Band @ Central Park on May 18
Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks have an incredible band going. With the Allman Brothers retired, these guys are kicking it into full gear for 2015. This should be a great start to the summer!
Mastodon + Clutch @ Central Park on May 19 [Paid Show]
Mastodon have to be one of the best metal bands of all time at this point. They’re blend of sludge, stoner, doom, and thrash will be gnar-gnar in the middle of beautiful Central Park.
The Felice Brothers & The Barr Brothers @ Red Hook Park on June 4
Battle of the brothers? Both of these bands put their own spin on indie-folk music, and it should be a great kick-off for the Governors Ball weekend.
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires @ Corona Park on June 7
If you aren’t going to Gov Ball on Sunday, you have to go see Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires at the site of the World’s Fair. This will be a rockin’ soul show!
Lettuce & Soul Rebels @ Central Park on June 13
Shout outs to Lettuce! We’ve been covering these guys for years and couldn’t be more stoked that they get to bring their funktastic jams to Central Park this year. Super sick!
Maxi Priest + Gyptian @ Central Park on June 27
The last reggae show we went to in Central Park was Chronixx and Junior Reid, and it was absolutely INSANE. We couldn’t even get into the show, because it was so packed, but there was a good couple thousand people outside the venue listening to the music, dancing, singing, and lighting up.
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic @ Queensbridge Park on July 15
George Clinton and his funky squadron may be just slightly passed their prime, but I’ve heard they still put on a great show. Since it’s free, you have to go check these legends out.
Bombino + Young Fathers @ Central Park on July 25
Bombino’s blend of world music and American blues makes for a concert that is definitely worth attending.
Ratking + Bishop Nehru @ East River Park on August 5
A couple of upcoming MCs will play a free show in Manhattan, at the East River Park. Support good hip hop!
Father John Misty + Angel Olsen @ Central Park on August 5 [Paid Show]
If hip hop isn’t your thing, maybe Father John Misty’s hilarious blend of folk and indie is. With a full band in tow, and Angel Olsen supporting, this should be worth the money for sure.
Caribou @ East River Park on August 6
Our Love was one of our favorite records last year, so we have to attend this free show in Manhattan!
Glass Animals + Taylor McFerrin @ Central Park on August 9
McFerrin’s Early Riser was a great record of 2014, blending downtempo, jazz, and soul with some really spacey stuff. Glass Animals and Taylor McFerrin makes a great bill for a Sunday afternoon affair.
Charlie Parker Jazz ft Dr. Lonnie Smith @ Marcus Garvey Park on August 22
I first heard of Dr. Lonnie Smith because he was sampled on Jay Z’s “Dead Presidents.” Perhaps more importantly, he’s a legendary jazz pianist.
Complete SummerStage Schedule:
Monday May 18 – Central Park – 6pm – Tedeschi Trucks Band
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Tuesday May 19 – Central Park – 6pm – Mastodon + Clutch + Graveyard
Tuesday June 2 – Red Hook Park, BK – 7pm – Lyricist Lounge with Scarface
Wednesday June 3 – Red Hook Park, BK – 7pm – Troy Ave + Phony Ppl + Ebro, Laura and Rosenberg
Thursday June 4 – Red Hook Park, BK – 7pm – The Felice Brothers + The Barr Brothers
Friday June 5 – Red Hook Park, BK – 7pm – Lemon Andersen + #LoveHustle with DJ Reborn and J. Keyes
Saturday June 6 – Red Hook Park, BK – 7pm – KanKouran West African Dance Company
Saturday June 6 – Central Park – 3pm – Blue Note Jazz Festival with Meshell Ndegeocello + Roy Hargrove + Gabriel Garzón-Montano
Sunday June 7 – Red Hook Park, BK – 4pm – Brooklyn Family Day with Unlocking the Truth + Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls + Black Girls Rock + DJ Diamond Kuts
Sunday June 7 – Red Hook Park, BK – 7pm – BattleFest League Dancers + Film Screening: Flex is Kings (2013)
Sunday June 7 – Central Park – 3pm – Angelique Kidjo + Emmanuel Jal + Rich Medina
Sunday June 7 – Flushing Meadows / Corona Park, QNS – 4pm – Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires + Hollis Brown + Damien Escobar
Thursday June 11 – Betsy Head Park, BK – 7pm – Duck Down BBQ 20th Anniversary with Boot Camp Clik + Kirk Knight & CJ Fly of Pro Era + Chelsea Reject + Statik Selektah
Friday June 12 – Betsy Head Park, BK – 7pm – Horace Brown + Jeff Redd + DJ Chuck Chillout + DJ Mell Starr
Saturday June 13 – Betsy Head Park, BK – 7pm – Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe with Elaine Del Valle’s Brownsville Bred
Saturday June 13 – Central Park – 3pm – Lettuce + Soul Rebels
Sunday June 14 – Betsy Head Park, BK – 4pm – Brooklyn Family Day with Martha Redbone + Ebony Hillbillies
Sunday June 14 – Betsy Head Park, BK – 7pm – DJ Fulano + Film Screening: Annie (2014)
Monday June 15 – Central Park – 8pm – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
Tuesday June 16 – Central Park – 7pm – Yiddish Soul featuring Cantorial and Chassidic virtuosos
Wednesday June 17 – Brooklyn Bridge Park, BK – 7pm – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
Wednesday June 17 – Herbert Von King Park, BK – 7pm – Lyricist Lounge with Biz Markie and Masta Ace
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Wednesday June 17 – Central Park – 7pm – Lindsey Stirling
Thursday June 18 – Herbert Von King Park, BK – 7pm – Taana Gardner + Johnny Kemp + DJ Yoda + TC Izlam
Friday June 19 – Herbert Von King Park, BK – 7pm – Laurie M. Taylor / Soul Movement
Saturday June 20 – Herbert Von King Park, BK – 7pm – Hearts of Men
Saturday June 20 – Central Park -7pm – Jungle + Ibeyi
Sunday June 21 – Herbert Von King Park, BK – 4pm – Brooklyn Family Day with Laurie Berkner + Something Positive + Brooklyn United Marching Band
Sunday June 21 – Herbert Von King Park, BK – 7pm – DJ Spinna + The Bullitts + Film Screening: They Die By Dawn(2013)
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Monday June 22 – Central Park – 6pm – SummerStage Gala
Wednesday June 24 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 7pm – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
Wednesday June 24 – Crotona Park, BX – 7pm – Judy Torres + Tony Touch
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Wednesday June 24 – Central Park – 6pm – The Kooks + Atlas Genius + Joywave
Thursday June 25 – Crotona Park, BX – 7pm – Lyricist Lounge with The LOX
Friday June 26 – Jackie Robinson Park, MN – 7pm – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
Friday June 26 – Crotona Park, BX – 7pm – Hybrid Movement Company + The Incredible Incredible + IMPACT Repertory Theatre
Saturday June 27 – Central Park – 3pm – VP Records 35th Anniversary with Maxi Priest + Gyptian + Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons + Massive B (Bobby Konders and Jabba)
Saturday June 27 – Crotona Park, BX – 7pm – Nuyorican Poets Cafe with Jive Poetic + Jamaal St. John + Pamela Sneed
Saturday June 27 – Brooklyn Bridge Park, BX – 4pm + 7pm – Magmanus
Sunday June 28 – Brooklyn Bridge Park, BX – 4pm + 7pm – Magmanus
Sunday June 28 – Central Park – 3pm – Catalan Sounds On Tour with Oques Grasses + La Iaia + Silvia Perez Cruz + DJ Guillamino
Sunday June 28 – Crotona Park, BX – 7pm – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Monday June 29 – Central Park – 6pm – Ingrid Michaelson + Jukebox the Ghost + Secret Someones
Tuesday June 30 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – 7pm – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
Thursday July 2 – Central Park – 8pm – Un Break à Mozart + The DASH Ensemble
Sunday July 5 – Central Park – 3pm – Global Family Day with Shine and The Moonbeams + The Noel Pointer Youth Orchestra + The Red Trouser Show + Batoto Yetu + Ziporah Roney and Collaborative Artists
Sunday July 5 through Sunday July 26 (Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 8pm – The Classical Theater of Harlem presents The Tempest
Tuesday July 7 – St. Mary’s Park, BX – 7pm – LAMC presents Our Latin Thing + DJ Afro
Wednesday July 8 – Central Park – 6pm – LAMC presents Systema Solar + Compass + Helado Negro
Wednesday July 8 – St. Mary’s Park, BX – 7pm – Ismael Miranda
Thursday July 9 – St. Mary’s Park, BX – 7pm – Cano Estremera
Friday July 10 – St. Mary’s Park, BX – 7pm – Nuyorican Poets Cafe with La Bruja + Patty Dukes + Reph Star + Nene Ali
Saturday July 11 – Central Park – 3pm – LAMC presents Vicentico + Ximena Sariñana + No Te Va Gustar
Saturday July 11 – St. Mary’s Park, BX – 7pm – Hip Hop Dance: From the Streets to the Stage
Sunday July 12 – Central Park – 3pm – Cesária Évora Orchestra + Mayra Andrade + Dino D’Santiago
Sunday July 12 – St. Mary’s Park, BX – 4pm – Bronx Family Day with Mister G + Soul Street Dance + DJ ASHO
Sunday July 12 – St. Mary’s Park, BX – 7pm – Gerardo Contino y Los Habeneros + Film Screening: Celia – The Queen (2008)
Tuesday July 14 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 7pm – The Chi-Lites
Wednesday July 15 – Central Park – 7pm – NPR and WNYC’s Ask Me Another – SummerStage 30 Year Celebration
Wednesday July 15 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 7pm – George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
Thursday July 16 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 7pm – Lyricist Lounge featuring Large Professor + Marley Marl
Friday July 17 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 7pm – Soul Inscribed & The Spinning Wheel by Baba Israel + Twists & a Bridge by Jennifer Cendaña Armas
Saturday July 18 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 7pm – Rashida Bumbray & Dance Diaspora Collective
Saturday July 18 – Central Park – 7pm – The Freedom Party NYC – SummerStage Anniversary
Sunday July 19 – Central Park – 7pm – Jorge Drexler + Diego Garcia + Danay Suarez
Sunday July 19 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 4pm – Queens Family Day with Wycliffe Gordon and Friends + B-Love’s Hip Hop Jazzy Groove + Karisma Jay and Abundance
Sunday July 19 – Queensbridge Park, QNS – 7pm – Pete Rock + Film Screening: Time Is Illmatic (2014)
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Wednesday July 22 – Central Park – 7pm – Milky Chance + X AMBASSADORS
Saturday July 25 – Highbridge Park, MN – 7pm – Jose Peña Suazo y La Banda Gorda
Saturday July 25 – Central Park – 3pm – Bombino + Young Fathers + Fantastic Negrito
Sunday July 26 – Central Park – 3pm – The Rock Steady Crew’s 38th Anniversary Concert with Whodini and Big Daddy Kane
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Monday July 27 – Central Park – 6pm – Dawes + First Aid Kit
Tuesday July 28 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – 7pm – Mack Wilds + host Peter Rosenberg
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Tuesday July 28 – Central Park – 6pm – Rise Against + Killswitch Engage + LetLive
Wednesday July 29 – Central Park – 8pm – PHILADANCO! + TU Dance
Wednesday July 29 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – 7pm – Jellybean Benitez + DJ Street Tech + D-Train
Thursday July 30 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – 7pm – TU Dance
Friday July 31 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – 7pm – Mr. Joy by Daniel Beaty with Tangela Large
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Friday July 31 – Central Park – 5pm – Smorgasburg
Saturday August 1 – Central Park – 3pm – Dr. John and The Nite Trippers + Amy Helm
Saturday August 1 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – 7pm – TKA + Tony Touch
Sunday August 2 – Central Park – 3pm – Brasil Summerfest with Nação Zumbi + Nation Beat’s Carnival Caravan with Cha Wa + DJ Vinil Pompéia
Sunday August 2 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – Staten Island Family Day with Little Club Heads + Sugar Free Allstars + Hopalong Andrew
Sunday August 2 – Clove Lakes Park, SI – 7pm – The Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue + Film Screening: Get On Up (2014)
Monday August 3 – Central Park – 8pm – Beautiful: The Carol King Musical in concert
Tuesday August 4 – East River Park, MN – 7pm – Tito Nieves
Wednesday August 5 – East River Park, MN – 7pm – Ratking + Bishop Nehru
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Wednesday August 5 – Central Park – 6pm – Father John Misty + Angel Olsen + Summer Moon
Thursday August 6 – East River Park, MN – 7pm – Caribou
Friday August 7 – East River Park, MN – 7pm – Nuyorican Poets Cafe with Sarah Jones
Saturday August 8 – Central Park – 6pm – SummerStage 30th Anniversary DJ Celebration with Afrika Bambaataa + Gilles Peterson + Quantic
Saturday August 8 – East River Park, MN – 7pm – Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company
Sunday August 9 – Central Park – 3pm – Glass Animals + Taylor McFerrin + BattleFest League Dancers
Sunday August 9 – East River Park, MN – 4pm – Manhattan Family Day with Invincible: A Tribute to Michael Jackson + Marika Hughes and Bottom Heavy
Sunday August 9 – East River Park, MN – 7pm – The Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue + Film Screening: Our Latin Thing (1972)
Tuesday August 11 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 7pm – Rakim + DJ Tedsmooth
Wednesday August 12 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 7pm – Mobile Mondays! Live: Everybody Loves Roy Ayers
Wednesday August 12 – Central Park – 8pm – The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music
Thursday August 13 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 7pm – The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music
Friday August 14 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 7pm – The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music
Saturday August 15 – Central Park – 7pm – Brazilian Film Festival of NY featuring Baby Do Brasil + Film Screening: Samba & Jazz (2014)
Saturday August 15 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 7pm – Tinder & Ash + Ephrat Asherie Dance + Kiebpoli & Shine + Claire Parsons Co. + Brooklyn United Marching Band
Sunday August 16 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 7pm – Tinder & Ash + Ephrat Asherie Dance + Kiebpoli & Shine + Claire Parsons Co. + Brooklyn United Marching Band
Sunday August 16 – Central Park – 6pm – Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito 25th Anniversary Concert + Film Screening: Stretch and Bobbito – Radio That Changed Lives (2015)
Wednesday August 19 – Central Park – 8pm – ALT MODE + ARCH Dance Company
Friday August 21 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 6pm – The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival featuring Oliver Lake Big Band + King Solomon Hicks + Michela Taps: Bird Lives
Saturday August 22 – Marcus Garvey Park, BX – 3pm – The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith + Andy Bey + Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts + Camille Thurman
Sunday August 23 – Tompkins Square Park, MN – 3pm – The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival featuring Joe Lovano + Rudresh Mahanthappa: Bird Calls + Myra Melford + Michael Mwenso
Sunday August 23 – Central Park – 7pm – Jazmine Sullivan + Jordan Bratton
Wednesday September 2 – Central Park – 6pm – Lake Street Dive + Kitty Daisy & Lewis
PAID TICKETED BENEFIT SHOW – Thursday September 24 – Central Park – 7pm – Walk the Moon