Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Bon Jovi, and more are coming to a stage near you
The City’s Concert Calendar Is Filling Up Fast
Spring has arrived and with it one of the most exciting live music lineups New York City has seen in years. From Madison Square Garden to Barclays Center, the city’s major venues are booked with artists spanning pop, rock, and everything in between. Whether you are a longtime arena concert devotee or someone who prefers a more intimate setting, the months ahead offer something for every kind of music lover. Here is what to know about the most anticipated shows of the season.
The Marquee Acts: March Through August
Lady Gaga kicks things off with her Mayhem Ball tour, playing Madison Square Garden on March 19, 20, and again on April 13. Gaga’s reputation as a live performer is unparalleled, and the Mayhem Ball promises the kind of theatrical spectacle she has made her signature. Tickets are still available for some dates, but availability is tightening. Cardi B follows with her Little Miss Drama Tour at Madison Square Garden on March 25 and 26. Cardi has proven herself as one of the most energetic live performers working today, and the Garden shows are expected to sell out quickly. For fans of alternative and indie-adjacent rock, Hayley Williams — best known as the frontwoman of Paramore — plays the Hammersmith Ballroom on April 9, 10, and 12. Williams has developed a devoted solo following, and her live shows are known for their intimacy and emotional directness. Florence and the Machine brings the Everybody Scream Tour to Madison Square Garden on April 21, 22, and 24. Florence Welch is one of the most compelling performers in contemporary rock, and her tours routinely rank among the most visually arresting live experiences in the industry.
Summer Blockbusters
The summer lineup is headlined by two icons at opposite ends of the pop spectrum. Ariana Grande returns to New York with her Eternal Sunshine Tour, playing Barclays Center on July 13, 16, 18, and 19. Grande’s vocal performances and production values have made her one of the defining live acts of her generation. Bon Jovi occupies multiple dates at Madison Square Garden in July, bringing the band’s classic rock catalog to one of the most storied stages in American music. For the alternative crowd, My Chemical Romance closes out the summer season with a massive show at Citi Field on August 9, performing The Black Parade in what is expected to be one of the most emotionally charged stadium shows of the year.
Smaller Stages Worth Your Attention
Not every great show in New York City happens at an arena. Tray Wellington and Johanna Wacker play Cafe Wha? in the Village on March 20, offering an evening of Americana and acoustic music in one of Greenwich Village’s most historically significant performance spaces. Snow Tha Product brings the Before I Crash Out Tour to Palladium Times Square on April 11. The Catalyst Quartet performs at the Museum of Arts and Design on May 17 for an evening of chamber music in a world-class setting.
Planning Your Concert Calendar
Tickets for all major shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the individual venue box offices. The Madison Square Garden events calendar is the best resource for current availability and upcoming show announcements. For smaller and independent venue listings across New York City, Songkick’s New York City calendar aggregates live music events across hundreds of venues and is an essential tool for fans who want to discover emerging artists alongside established headliners. The coming months offer a remarkable range of live music options across New York City’s venues large and small. Whatever your taste, the city will be alive with sound from now through the end of summer.
