Summer in New York City means free outdoor concerts.
Unfortunately, Brooklyn’s wildly popular Pool Parties and the Siren Music Festival (held annually at Coney Island 2001- 2010) aren’t returning this year. Likewise, “The Beach Concerts” on Governor’s Island – the coolest concert series of 2010 – has also folded. But before you get all mopey about “signs o’ the times” and having to pay for concerts this year, check out these summer 2011 musical freebies:
My Brightest Diamond – River to River – Castle Clinton – July 7th – 7:00 PM
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – 4Knots Kickoff Show at the South Street Seaport – July 9th – 6:00 PM (4Knots is the Village Voice’s newest festival, replacing Siren)
Patti Smith – Castle Clinton (tickets are required, but are free) – July 14th – 7:00 PM (UPDATE: setlist and pics via Brooklyn Vegan)
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – 33rd Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series (West 21st Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island) – July 14th – 7:30 PM
tUnE-yArDs (with Austra) – RiverRocks Concert Series: Pier 54, Hudson River Park – July 14th – 7:00 PM
The Radio Dept. (with Asobi Seksu) – River To River Seaport Music Shows: Pier 17 Stage – July 15th – 7:00 PM
A so-called “MP3 Experiment” led by New York comedy group Improv Everywhere – “participants download an MP3 file, head out to the same public location, and press play simultaneously” – location is a surprise TBA – July 16th – 1:00 PM
Village Voice 4Knots Music Festival featuring The Black Angels, Titus Andronicus, Eleanor Friedberger, Davila 666, Oberhofer and more – South Street Seaport – July 16th:
MAIN STAGE
1:30 p.m.: Mr. Dream
2:30 p.m.: Eleanor Friedberger
3:30 p.m.: Oberhofer
4:30 p.m.: Davila 666
5:30 p.m.: Titus Andronicus
7:00 p.m.: The Black Angels
4KNOTS INDOOR LOUNGE DJ SETS (210 Front Street)
2:00 p.m.: Brahms
5:00 p.m.: Finger On The Pulse
7:00 p.m.: Punches
8:00 p.m.: Dan Deacon
10:00 p.m.: Yeasayer
The Monkees – 33rd Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series (West 21st Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island) – July 21st – 7:30 PM
Talib Kweli – SummerStage Red Hook – July 21st – 7:00 PM
Reggie Watts – SummerStage Central Park – July 22nd – 7:30 PM
The Feelies (with Real Estate, Times New Viking)- Celebrate Brooklyn: Prospect Park – July 23rd – 7:00 PM
UPDATE: Janes Addiction free tickets quickly “sold out” – but Brooklyn Vegan is giving away tickets via email (BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM, subject: Jane’s Addiction) and the BrooklynVegan Facebook page. This show is the “world’s first 3D user-generated concert event“, says LGThrill4G.com – “The technological force of LG is uniting with YouTube, the largest video-sharing site on the web, to create a one-of-a-kind concert experience that will push senses into another dimension. On July 25, LG Mobile Phones and YouTube will give Jane’s Addiction and tech fans the exclusive opportunity to watch and be a part of the World’s First 3D User-Generated Concert event. Adding a whole new dimension to the concert experience, attendees will use LG Thrill 4G devices to shoot their own 3D video of what is sure to be an electrifying performance. The 3D creations will then be collected and combined by LG into one 60-minute documentary…”
Wanda Jackson (with Imelda May) – SummerStage Central Park – July 27th – 7:00 PM
Billy Bragg leading “The Big Busk” (various buskers) – Lincoln Center Out of Doors Damrosch Park Bandshell – July 27th – noon
Twin Sister (and Your Youth, followed by screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) – Summerscreen series in McCarren Park – July 27th – 6:00 PM
Mary Wilson of The Supremes – 33rd Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series (West 21st Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island) – July 28th – 7:30 PM
NOTE: Though not free, nor in New York City, The Flaming Lips/ Weezer joint sets on Thursday, July 28th at New Jersey’s PNC Bank Arts Center New Jersey and the next night at Long Island, New York’s Jones Beach get a nod here for their proximity to the city and the unique set-up (the two bands will trade off songs back and forth for the entire length of each concert-more info here). Plus, the real reason it’s listed here: there may be free parking lot Zaireeka parties/ tailgate concerts hosted by yours truly. Tweet at me, or e-mail futureheart@ymail.com if you are interested in attending..
The Raveonettes (with Eternal Summers) – Beach Party Concert Series: Beekman Beer Garden, north side Pier 17 – July 31st – 3:00 PM
The Budos Band – SummerStage Tappen Park – August 3rd – 7 PM
Ra Ra Riot (with Delicate Steve and Buke and Gass) – Celebrate Brooklyn! Prospect Park – August 5th – 7:00 PM
A Tribute to Shel Silverstein – SummerStage Central Park – August 6th – 7:00 PM
Friendly Fires (with The Naked and Famous, Cults) – SummerStage Central Park – August 7th 3:00 PM
Deer Tick (with DOM7) – RiverRocks Concert Series: Pier 54, Hudson River Park – August 11th – 7:00 PM
Cheap Trick – 33rd Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series (West 21st Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island) – JAugust 18th – 7:30 PM
Rakim (with EPMD and FunkMaster Flex) – SummerStage Clove Lakes Park – August 21st – 3:00 PM
Hudson River Park – Blues BBQ – August 21st – 2:00 PM
4th Annual Astoria Music Now! Festival – August 21st
Wavves – SummerStage East River Park – August 25th – 7:00 PM
Archie Shepp Quartet and others – SummerStage Tompkins Square Park Charlie Parker Jazz Festival – August 26th – 3:00 PM
More info, and more shows:
Celebrate Brooklyn
Central Park’s Summerstage.org
River To River NYC
Brooklyn.com/events
nycfreeconcerts.com
June Events
In 1953, Yoko Ono composed “Silent Piece”.
On 2011’s summer solstice her follwers’ actualized it….
Who: various Yoko’s fans (Ono was a no show… bummer)
What: “Silent Piece”
Where: Columbus Circle/Central Park, New York City
When: June 21, 2011, 5AM – 8AM
Why: ImaginePeace.com, “Bring any musical instrument or just your voice, and we will send you to a secluded part of the park to play the note of your choice to the accompaniment of birds….At 8AM we will all return to Columbus Circle for hot green tea.”
The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger – Sean Lennon’s latest band with Charlotte Kemp Muhl – played a free concert at South Street Seaport, Pier 17 on Friday, June 24th. To get a hint of it watch their set opening for The Flaming Lips’ “Soft Bulletin Live 2011” opening night (May 19, 2011), courtesy of Jim Charna (seriously folks, if you like proggy psych-rock check this link out – it’s edited from two cameras; you won’t find better Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger footage anywhere).
Improv comedian/ actor/ musician Reggie Watts appeared at Central Park’s SummerStage on June 22, 2011 and at Red Hook Park on June 24th – both free. After opening for Conan O’Brien’s Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour last year, Watts has become popular on the music festival circuit since (he’s also in talks with Wayne Coyne about a possible collaboration in the near future). Check out his recent Daytrotter Session.
Fitz & The Tantrums also played a free Central Park show, with Lee Fields & The Expressions, Andreya Triana and Rich Medina – on June 25th 2011.
Laurie Anderson and Bill Laswell played at the Castle Clinton National Monument in New York City’s Battery Park on June 30th.
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The Future Heart 