Hot Fun: Your Summer Guide to Live Music, Indoors and Out

By

The National (Deirdre O'Callaghan)

We’re just a month away from the official start of summer (though this weekend is clearly the unofficial start), and already Brooklyn’s warm weather concert line-up is looking pretty hot. In the next couple of months, the borough will host concerts by powerhouse acts like Robert Plant, Depeche Mode, Bruno Mars, Beck, Beyonce and Paul McCartney. But don’t be intimidated by those big name stars–there are also the usual indie rock faves (Belle and Sebastian, The National), an eclectic mix of world music (Les Nubiens, Ladysmith Black Mambazo) and classic R&B and soul acts (Mavis Staples, Shuggie Otis) on offer as well. Here’s a selective round-up of some free and not-so-free Brooklyn shows guaranteed to rock your summer of 2013

Patty Griffin (Cambria Harkey)

Patty Griffin (Cambria Harkey)

Celebrate Brooklyn!
Prospect Park Bandshell
June 5-August 10

This year’s Celebrate Brooklyn! concert series at the bandshell has an eclectic, fantastic and mostly free lineup, and the shows that do charge benefit the free program and the park. The few times I’ve been there for past shows like Metric and The Feelies have been really great experiences–from the view of the stage to the overall, feel-good chill atmosphere. There are so many terrific acts here, but my local picks would be fast-rising Brooklyn country band The Lone Bellow, whom we spotlighted a few months back, and of course borough mainstays They Might Be Giants.

June 5
Patty Griffin
8:15 PM
Free

June 8
Jazz at Lincoln Center (for kids) with Wynton Marsalis
4:00 PM
Free

June 13
Grouplove/Alpine
7:30 PM
Free

June 14
Mavis Staples/Cody ChestnuTT
7:30 PM
Free

June 15
Calexico/Susana Baca/Radio Jarocho and Akoko Nante Ensemble
7:00 PM
Free

*June 18
The Roots/Jim James (benefit concert)
7:00 PM
$41

June 20
Big Boi/Phony Ppl/D-Nice
7:30 PM
Free

June 21
Amadou and Miriam/Bombino
7:30 PM
Free

June 27
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
8:00 PM
Free

June 28
Ladysmith Black Mambazo/Aurelio Martinez
7:30 PM
Free

June 29
Os Mutantes/Javelin/Janka Nabay and The Bubu Gang
7:30 PM
Free

July 6
Theophilus London/Les Nubians/Aabaraki
7:00 PM
Free

*July 11
Belle and Sebastian (benefit concert)
7:00 PM
$42.50

July 12
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible/Mexican Institute of Sound/Mariachi Flor de Toloache
7:00 PM
Free

July 13
Dracula with the Philip Glass Ensemble/Kishi Bashi
7:30 PM
Free

July 18
The Tiger Lillies: Rime of the Ancient Mariner/Cynthia Hopkins
7:30 PM
Free

July 19
The Waterboys/Alasdair Roberts
7:30 PM
Free

July 20
The Lone Bellow/The Low Anthem/Joe Purdy
7:00 PM
Free

July 25
BeBe Winans/Alicia Olatuja
7:30 PM
Free

July 26
Trampled by Turtles/The Devil Makes Three/Brown Bird
7:00 PM
Free

*July 27, 2013
Robert Plant presents The Sensational Space Shifters (benefit concert)
7:00 PM
$80 Reserved/$50 General Admission

*July 30, 2013
Barenaked Ladies/Ben Folds Five/Guster (benefit concert)
6:30 PM
$55 Reserved/$49.50 General Admission

August 1
Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal
8:00 PM
Free

August 2
Jamie Lidell/Dan Deacon/The Stepkids
7:30 PM
Free

August 3
Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra/Banda Magda
7:30 PM
Free

*August 4
Beck (benefit concert)
7:00 PM
$50

August 8
Live score to Beasts of the Southern Wild by Dan Romer, Benh Zeitlin and The Wordless Music Orchestra / Slavic Soul Party
8:00 PM
Free

August 9
Shaggy/TK Wonder
7:30 PM
Free

August 10
They Might Be Giants / Moon Hooch
7:30 PM
Free

New Order (Rhino)

New Order Photo: Rhino

H&M Concert Series at Williamsburg Park
50 Kent Avenue and North 12th St

I’m totally biased here, but the one show from this venue’s line up that I would go see is definitely New Order. I saw them for the first time last fall at Roseland and it was a terrific experience–even if this current incarnation of the band does not have founding bassist Peter Hook. There’s definitely going to be a lot of folks dancing at this gig when the band does classic synthpop songs like “True Faith,” “Blue Monday” and “Temptation” on show night. As for Williamsburg Park, it kind of reminded me of being at a giant loft party (albeit outdoors) when I was there to see Bob Mould—-it has a vast and stark quality to it, but nevertheless it’s a decent setting to see music, surrounded by some first-rate food vendors.

May 26
The Shins w/MAN MAN
5:30  PM– 10 PM
$45

July 20
Peter Rosenberg’s 2nd Annual Birthday Show featuring Odd Future & Meek Mill
7:00 PM
$42

July 24
New Order w/Holy Ghost
5:30 PM-10 PM
$50

August 10
Mad Decent Block Party
1:00 PM
$33.50

September 28
Rock Allegiance Tour feat. Volbeat, Him, All That Remains & Airbourne
5:30 PM-10 PM
$39.50

Shuggie Otis (B + for Mochilla.com)

Shuggie Otis Photo: B + for Mochilla.com

R&B Festival at MetroTech Commons
corner of Flatbush and Myrtle Avenues
June 13-August 8

Nothing says summer in New York better than some good old school R&B. This concert series from BAM features some of the best soul artists past and present–among them Mint Condition, bluesman Bobby Rush, and percussionist extraordinaire (and former Prince associate) Sheila E. The one show I would love to see is musical genius Shuggie Otis, who has returned after a long hiatus in terms of album releases with the recent reissue of 1974’s Inspiration Information coupled with Wings of Love, a compilation of previously unreleased songs.

June 13
Bobby Rush
12 PM
Free

Jun 20
Zozo-Afrobeat Orchestra
12 PM
Free

Jun 27
Stooges Brass Band

12 PM
Free

Jul 3
Avery*Sunshine
12 PM
Free

Jul 11
TBA
12 PM
Free

Jul 18
Fatoumata Diawara
12 PM
Free

Jul 25
TBA
12 PM
Free

Aug 1
Sheila E
12 PM
Free

Aug 8
Shuggie Otis
12 PM
Free

Eleanor Friedberger (Press Here Publicity)

Eleanor Friedberger Photo: Press Here Publicity

Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 North 6th St.

An interesting mix of artists at this venue during the summer, featuring the legendary Paul Weller and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Fiery Furnaces singer Eleanor Friedberger, and Rogue Wave, who has an excellent new album coming out called Nightingale Floors. Oh, and did I mention “Full House” icon Bob Saget will be there too?

May 28
John Talabot (Live) featuring Pional
8:00 PM
$15/$20

May 31
The Gaslamp Killer and Friends
9:00 PM
$15

June 1
The Wildhearts
9:00 PM
$25/$30

June 13
Iceage/Lower
9:00 PM
$15

June 15
Son Volt
9:00 PM
$20/$22

June 19
Low/Mike Doughty
9:00 PM
$25

June 21
Rogue Wave/Caveman
9:00 PM
$20

June 26
The Neighbourhood/The 1975
9:00 PM
$17/$20

June 28
Eleanor Friedberger/TEEN/Cassandra Jenkins
9:00 PM
$15/$17

June 30
Small Black/Heavenly Beat
9:00 PM
$15/$17

July 9
The Polyphonic Spree
9:00 PM
$18/$20

July 18
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
9:00 PM
$18/$20

July 20
Bob Saget
11:00 PM
$35

July 27
Paul Weller
9:00 PM
$59.50

August 16
Medicine/Leverage Models
9:00 PM
$20

Beth Orton (Jo Metson Scott)

Beth Orton Photo: Jo Metson Scott

The Bell House
149 7th St  Brooklyn, NY 11215

Take note of these two interesting shows at the Bell House (and also take a look at their full calendar which is packed with crazy dance parties, comedy and trivia nights, too). If you’re a fan of ’60s garage rock, particularly the type of music found on the classic 1972 compilation album, Nuggets, then the show headlined by Boston band the Remains is a must-see. The group is best known for their song, “Don’t Look Back,” whose soulful grit and bare-bones attitude would prefigure the energy of punk by ten years (next year mark’s the group’s 50th anniversary). As for British indie folk singer Beth Orton, she’s a first-rate performer who epitomizes grace and elegance with that achingly forlorn voice of hers—I’ve been in love with Orton’s music since her debut Trailer Park. Go check her out.

June 7
The Remains
9:00 PM
$20/$25

July 31
Beth Orton
8:30 PM
$30/$35

HAIM (Big Hassle)

HAIM Photo: Big Hassle

 

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11249

Admittedly out of the many venues I’ve been at to cover shows, I have not yet visited Brooklyn Bowl. But when you have an establishment that is a bowling alley/music venue, how can you not have a good time? The lineup for the summer is pretty impressive: alt-country group Old 97s, ’90s alt-rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket  (I still have a soft spot for these guys–they remind me of my college years) and legendary surf rock guitarist Dick Dale.

May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1
DJ ?estlove presents: Bowl Train
11:00 PM
$5-$8 each show

June 8
Toad the Wet Sprocket
8 PM
$15

June 8
HAIM
11:30 PM
$15

June 22
White Denim
8:00 PM
$15

June 27, 28, 29
Old 97s
8:00 PM
$15

July 10
Yacht Rock Revue
8:00 PM
$10

July 26, 27
Dick Dale
8:00 PM
$20 each show

August 7-10
Galactic
8:00 PM
$15 each show /$60 4-night pass

August 17
10th Annual Madonnathon
8:00 PM
$12

Wainwright1_PC_TBD for Brooklyn Based

Kate’s Kids Photo: Brooklyn Academy of Music

Brooklyn Academy of Music
Peter Jay Sharp Building
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
30 Lafayette Ave.

Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle is best known as one-half of the famous musical act the McGarrigle Sisters with Anna McGarrigle. Sadly, she died in 2010 at 63 from cancer. On June 26, she will be the subject an all-star tribute benefit concert spearheaded by her children Rufus and Martha Wainwright accompanied by special guests Norah Jones, Mark Ronson, Emmylou Harris and others to be announced. The occasion coincides with a tribute record, Sing Me the Songs, and a documentary film Sing Me The Songs That Say I Love You: A Concert for Kate McGarrigle. Proceeds from the event will go to the Kate McGarrigle Foundation, which aids in cancer care and research.

June 26
Kate’s Kids: A Tribute to Kate McGarrigle with Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris and Mark Ronson
7:30 PM
$45-$300

Depeche Mode (Press Here Publicity)

Depeche Mode (Press Here Publicity)

Barclays Center
620 Atlantic Ave

It’ll be almost a year since the Barclays Center opened for business, but in that short amount of time, it’s has attracted some pretty big talent, almost rivaling that of the “World’s Most Famous Arena” across the river—no doubt bolstered by the presence of Paul McCartney for two shows in June. And it’s not just the big name rock and pop stars (Beyonce, Justin Bieber) that grace the summer bill at the Barclays—Brooklyn’s own The National will be playing there as well as Vampire Weekend and the Postal Service. And for those still stuck in the ’80s, Depeche Mode will be pumping out the beats when they pay a visit to the borough in September.

June 5
The National
8:00 PM
$29.50-$49.50

June 8 and 10
Paul McCartney
8:00 PM
$69.50-$304.50

June 14-15
The Postal Service
8:00 PM
$35-$50

June 16
New Kids on the Block/98 Degrees/Boyz II Men
7:30 PM
$29.50-$99.50

June 29
Bruno Mars
8:00 PM
$40-$130

July 11
Further featuring Bob Weir and Phil Lesh
8:00 PM
$49.50-$89.50

August 2
Justin Bieber
7:00 PM
$45-$95

August 3-5
Beyonce
8:00 PM
$49.50-$254.50

Sept. 6
Depeche Mode
7:30 PM
$49.50-$129.50

Sept. 7
Fall Out Boy
7:30 PM
$35-$45

Sept. 20
Vampire Weekend
8:00 PM
$35-$49.99

Jessica Pratt (Force Field PR)

Jessica Pratt Photo: Force Field PR

Union Pool
484 Union Avenue

This venue’s free program is highlighted by Summer Thunder every Saturday in June through September, with shows, El Diablo tacos, and booze in the venue’s back yard. They make a damn fine margarita slushie.

June 1
Summer Thunder
Rocksteady Yeti
2:00 PM-7:00 PM
Free

June 1
Jessica Pratt, Gambles, Zachary Cale
9:00 PM
$10

June 8
Summer Thunder
Heavy Blanket, Love as Laughter
2:00 PM-7:00 PM
Free

June 15
Summer Thunder
Inter Arma
2:00 PM-7:00 PM
Free

June 22
Summer Thunder
Johny Fritz, Wild Yaks
2:00 PM-7:00 PM
Free

June 29
Summer Thunder
Endless Boogie, TV Baby, Degreaser
2:00 PM-7:00 PM
Free

Every Monday
Reverend Vince Anderson and His Love Choir
11:00 PM and 1:00 AM
Free

Heliotropes (Force Field PR)

Heliotropes Photo: Force Field PR

Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway

June 1
Claudia Acuna/Chica Libre/Rebel Diaz
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Free (part of Target First Saturdays)

June 1
Mariachi Flor de Toloache
7:00 and 8:30 PM
Free (part of Target First Saturdays)

June 20
Dance Party: I Love Vinyl Presents “LP48”
6:30 to 8:30 PM
Free with museum admission

July 25
The Heliotropes/The Suzan
7:00 PM
Free with museum admission

August 15
DJ Rizzla/Xenia Rubinos
7:00 PM
Free with museum admission

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)