Music in New York
In the heart of The Big Apple lies a vibrant music community that defines
the soul of New York City! From cozy cafe performances to electrifying
concerts in iconic venues, the city offers melodious events in abundance.
Annual music festivals illuminate the city, plus the enchanting tunes of
live shows and concerts will always get you goosebumps. Take in the melodic
streets of New York and feel the enchantment of a city that never sleeps!
Music Venues in New York
1) Madison Garden Square
Music is in the heart and soul of
Madison Garden Square
! The most famous venue in NYC is home to world-renowned artists like Elon
John, Elvis Presley, and Led Zeppelin, the ones who stepping stones on the
stages of Madison Garden.
2) Carnegie Hall
Practically a holy place for musicians and artists,
Carnegie Hall
is a prestigious place for classical and pop music in the world. With more
than 200 performances every year, the finest classical and jazz artists
enter the doors and create a one-of-a-kind symphony, leaving everyone in
awe!
3) Radio City Music Hall
The mighty Rockefeller Center is home to the
Radio City Music Hall
, which has been entertaining the crowd since the 1930s. The balcony-style
seating, art deco style, and outside venue don’t leave room for bad seats
for various concerts, comedy, and theatre shows!
4) Webster Hall
The go-to basic venue hosting some of the best musical events is
Webster Hall
, and it’s been doing that like a pro since 1886! The place has a massive
disco ball, balcony seating, and a production crew that has won several
awards! That's why musicians like Linkin Park, John Mayer, and Capital
Cities loved to perform here in the past!
5) Cutting Room
A nightclub with an intimate atmosphere,
Cutting Room
is one of the most unique places to enjoy live music concerts. The stage has
been marked by performances by David Bowie, Sting, Lady Gaga, and John
Mayer, and it is undoubtedly worth visiting! The beautiful decor and amazing
food and drinks add to the list of reasons to visit the Cutting Room!
Bars with Live Music in New York
1) The Mercury Lounge
The ideal indie venue,
The Mercury Lounge, is known for its acoustics, fostering, and launching
up-and-coming artists and bands! It has a capacity of more than 250 people.
Founded in 1993, it has been on top ten lists numerous times, including
Billboard Magazine!
2) The Red Lion NYC
Standing out from the chaotic pubs and bars, the large Greenwich Village
pub, The Red Lion NYC, features three
different bands each night. It is usually just bustling enough with a
well-utilized dance floor and a lengthy bar. It is the ideal place to enjoy
music and not die with loud noises!
3) The Bitter End
Once a hangout bar for Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and Joni Mitchell,
The Bitter End
is an iconic place where local bluesy and folk singers perform in current
times. I'm not giving you hope that you will find these stars here ever
again, but despite that, it is a wholesome feeling to visit the bar for its
amazing music!
4) Stitch Bar & Blues
Since 2004, a shoulder for the ones finding amazing live shows is
Stitch Bar & Blues
! The baar has hosted over 2 million visitors, including big celebrities
from film, theatre, music, media, and television! The unique point is that
it also hosts lovely events for corporates and event partners!
5) Cellar Dog
The first impression of
Cellar Dog
is always that it is a Jazz Club rather than a pool Hall. It is situated
underground and has eleven tables with open play where live jazz
performances keep happening! You can enjoy board games and vintage video
games in this tucked-away place, set to become your go-to place!
6) Cafe Wha?
Enter the OG live music bar, which has been flying since 1959! With a rich
entertainment history of music legends like Jimi Hendrix and Allen Ginsberg,
Cafe Who? has the
city’s best sounds right now, including Soul, Classic, Modern Rock, R&B,
Funk, Motown, Reggae, and so many more!
Music Festivals in New York
1) Electric Zoo
With the city’s skyline as a backdrop,
Electric Zoo
has become the IT electronic music festival of the Big Apple. It celebrates
electronic music, from breakbeat to trance to UK rubbish, and draws over
80,000 revelers annually. Some of the world's best and most innovative DJs
play on its four major stages. Dancing is appreciated, and so is screaming!
2) Summerstage New York
A free summer concert series,
SummerStage
combines 80 complementary and benefit concerts throughout Central Park. The
diverse culture of New York is represented here from jazz, hip-hop, Latin,
global, indie, and contemporary! Walking down the streets and finding a
concert isn’t abnormal during SummerStage!
3) BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
The only festival that goes for the whole summer is
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
, the one which never fails to amaze people! Discover new genres, artists,
and a whole new culture and community each night of the Festival! 250,000
attendees from across New York attend, which is quite literally bringing the
city together!
4) Blue Note Jazz Festival
The excellence and efficiency of
Blue Note Jazz Club
in hosting the Blue Note Jazz Festival are epic! Encouraging dynamic,
culturally rich experiences and top artistry, the festival features
performances from famous jazz artists at different venues in the city, such
as Blue Note New York, Sony Hall, The Town Hall, Beacon Theatre, Hammerstein
Ballroom, SummerStage, and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
5) Ithaca Reggae Fest
For those who enjoy reggae music, the
Ithaca Reggae Festival
is the ideal music festival. Starting in 2017, Stewart Park's atmosphere is
filled with reggae music thanks to an incredible roster of international
artists. The festival's first day is devoted to greeting visitors, while its
second day is packed with fascinating activities, including yoga, food, art,
water education, and reggae music.