Next Week In the Tri-State (Monday-Sunday)
My top shows coming to each area:
NYC:
The Black Keys - The Paramount - May 12th - Blues Rock
Ice-T - LPR - May 15th - Hip-Hop/Rap
Bunt - Marquee - May 15th - EDM/House
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - MSG - May 16th - Rock
Philly
If Not For Me - The Foundry - May 11th - Hardcore
Kayzo - The Ave Live - May 15th - Bass
The Martinez Brothers - The Ave Live - May 16th - House
Claire Rosinkranz - The Foundry - May 16th - Indie Pop
New Jersey
Skizzy Mars - The House of Independents - May 13th - Hip-Hop/Alternative Rap
Waiting on Mongo - The Wonder Bar - May 16th - Indie Rock/Alternative
Drake Milligan - Asbury Lanes - May 17th - Country
For a full view of every show that is coming to TOWN next week, take a look at the Excel file here.
Just Announced Shows (April 30-May 7)
NYC:
Illenium - Marquee - May 30th - EDM
Turnover - Warsaw - June 4th - Indie Rock
Finn Wolfhard - Webster Hall - July 21st - Indie Rock
Philly
Oliver Tree - Franklin Music Hall - August 2nd - Alternative pop
JPEGMAFIA - The Fillmore - October 20th - Hip-Hop
The Menzingers - The Fillmore - November 20th - Punk Rock/Pop Punk
New Jersey
Yawn Mower & Black Flamingos - The Asbury Hotel - June 18th - Rock
Ax and the Hatchmen - House of Independents - July 17th - Indie Rock
Meduza - HQ2 Poolclub - August 22nd - House
For a full view of every show that was announced this past week, take a look at the Excel file here.
My Top 5 of The Week
Best Arena Show
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band at Madison Square Garden is the can’t-miss arena show of the week. It is a rare concert that delivers both scale and heart, with enough legendary songs to make the whole room feel part of the set. Bruce and the band are playing MSG on May 11th. For last-second tickets, click here.
Best Intimate Show
Ice-T at Le Poisson Rouge is the most intimate show on the list, giving fans a rare chance to catch a true hip-hop legend in a room that puts you right in the action. It’s the kind of night where the setting makes the performance feel personal, raw, and a little more special than your typical big-venue stop. Ice-T is playing at LPR on May 15th. Get your last-minute tickets here.
Most Underrated Show
Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band with Des and the Swagmatics at The Stone Pony is the kind of Asbury Park show that feels like a homegrown throwdown. With high-energy, guitar-driven rock and a legendary room behind it, this is an easy one to call an underrated pick for readers who want a loud, local, and genuinely fun night out. They are playing at The Stone Pony on May 15th. Get your last-minute tickets here.
Best Value Ticket
Bilmuri is the kind of show that turns into a full-blown party fast — heavy riffs, big hooks, and just enough chaos to keep it feeling unpredictable. With the Kinda Hard Tour energy, it’s a great pick for anyone who wants a loud, fun night that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Bilmuri is playing at Pier 17 on May 17th. Get last-minute tickets here.
“If you could only go to one show..”
If you can only see one show this week, make it The Black Keys at Brooklyn Paramount. They’ve got the songs everyone knows, the live energy to make it feel bigger than a club show, and the kind of venue that turns a great set into a full-night event. The Black Keys are playing Brooklyn Paramount on May 11th & 12th. For last-second tickets, click here.
News & Updates
Support Update - Stential and Prop House are joining Horse The Band at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, June 13th. Tickets are on sale now!
Lineup Announcement - Breakaway Music Festival announced its lineup for Philly 2026. See full lineup below. Get your tickets here.
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco are hosting a conversation on September 18th at Webster Hall to celebrate Benny’s book, “F*ck Failure”. They will have an intimate conversation about their lives, careers, and the power of embracing failure to overcome life’s challenges. For every ticket purchased, $25 will be donated to the Rare Impact Fund, and you will receive a copy of Benny’s new book. Get your tickets here.
Date Change - Due to the NBA and NHL playoff schedule in Philly, the Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s concert at Xfinity Mobile Arena has been rescheduled to May 30th.
Lineup Announcement - Gov Ball After Dark’s concert series has been announced! See the graphic below for all shows listed and their dates. Tickets for these shows will be available on Friday, May 8th, at 10am. Get your tickets here.
Pop-Up Announcement - The Black Keys are having a pop-up at a popular bar/restaurant/venue, Johnny Brenda’s, on May 9th, from 11pm-2am. This event will take place after they play their show earlier on May 9th at Franklin Music Hall. This event is free for everyone to enjoy!
Pop-Up Announcement - On Thursday, May 14th, Baklava AKA Action Bronson is taking over Katz’s Delicatessen. The infamous Lower East Side deli, Katz, is hosting a one-night-only experience with Action Bronson and his band (Human Growth Hormone Band). Each ticket includes a Katz’s sandwich + fries with drinks available for purchase. What a cool event! Ticket Link Here
Venue of The Week
Wellmont Theater
Originally opened in 1922 and designed by architects Reilly & Hall for a whopping $400,000, the Wellmont Theater has become one of New Jersey’s best mid-sized venues for catching major touring artists without the chaos of a giant arena. Since then, The Wellmont Theater has been sold twice and underwent extensive renovations to add better seating to fit nearly 2,500 concert-goers, new stage lighting, and a cutting- edge sound system; thankfully, they kept the original stage. Located right in downtown Montclair, the venue blends old-school theater charm with a modern concert atmosphere that works equally well for indie shows, comedy, rock, and electronic acts.
What makes the Wellmont stand out is the balance between size and intimacy. Big enough to attract nationally touring artists, but still small enough that almost every spot in the room feels close to the stage. The balcony views are underrated, the sound system is consistently solid, and the crowd usually feels there for the music rather than just the scene.
The venue has hosted everyone from legendary legacy acts such as Charlie Chapman, Meat Loaf, Miss Lauryn Hill, and more, to rising alternative artists, making it one of the most versatile rooms in the Northeast concert circuit.
The next couple of shows at The Wellmont Theater are:
The Wallflowers on Saturday, May 9th.
Alter Bridge on Wednesday, May 13th.
For a full list of shows coming to the theater, click here.
🎟️ Pro Tip: If it’s a general admission show, getting there early can make a huge difference — the floor fills up quickly, especially for sold-out indie and alternative tours. Plus, Montclair has plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance, making it one of the easiest concert nights to turn into a full evening out
Before The Show: Head over to Porta, a two-story Italian restaurant known for its lively atmosphere, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, cocktails, and a big communal vibe that feels perfect for a concert night out.
After The Show: If you’re not ready to head home after the concert, Montclair has plenty of late-night dessert spots within walking distance of the Wellmont. Benvenuti is perfect for fresh gelato and a quieter post-show stop. If you want the party to keep going, head over to Bar Franco, one of Montclair’s better late-night spots for wine and cocktails.
“Discovery Corner”
Looking to find something new this week? Here are five artists flying under the radar that deserve a spot on your playlist before they get bigger.
Blond in Car
Dreamy indie pop with a nostalgic, late-night feel. Blond in Car mixes shimmering synths and emotionally honest songwriting into tracks that feel equally inspired by bedroom pop and vintage movie soundtracks. Perfect for fans of hazy, cinematic indie music.
Strange Lot
One of those local bands that feels built for sweaty small venues and word-of-mouth hype. Strange Lot leans into raw indie rock energy with a sound that feels loose, loud, and made for live shows.
Diva Smith
A rising artist blending attitude, personality, and modern alternative influences into a sound that stands out from the usual local scene. Definitely an artist worth catching early before bigger rooms start calling.
Goalkeeper
Philadelphia’s own Goalkeeper has quietly become one of the strongest up-and-coming bands in the modern pop punk scene. Their music balances huge hooks with emotional songwriting, and their live shows have earned them a loyal following throughout the DIY and touring circuit. Fans of The Wonder Years and The Menzingers should pay attention.
Des and the Swagmatics
A genre-blending mix of funk, soul, R&B, disco, and rock that feels impossible not to dance to. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Deseree Spinks, the band has become a staple of the Asbury Park scene thanks to high-energy performances and grooves that feel both classic and fresh.