Next Week In the Tri-State (May 25th-May 31st)
My top shows coming to each area:
NYC:
Junior Varsity - LPR - May 28th - Indie Rock/Alternative
Nate Smith - Pier 17 - May 28th - Country
Kid Cudi - Madison Square Garden - May 30th - Hip-Hop/Rap Alternative
Philly:
Young M.A - The Foundry - May 27th - Hip-Hop/Rap
Chet Faker - Union Transfer - May 29th - Electric/Indie
Jigitz - The Ave Live - May 29th - EDM/Dance
New Jersey:
The Beach Boys - Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - May 29th - Rock / Classic Rock
Cheat Codes - House of Independents - May 29th - EDM/Pop-Dance
Jason Maraz - Borgata - May 30th - Pop / Folk Pop
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 (May 14th-21st)
NYC:
Greta Van Fleet - Bowery Ballroom - May 27th
Kettama - Knockdown Center - October 8th
John Summit - Barclays Center - November 11th
Philly:
LUCKI - Franklin Music Hall - October 4th
Charles Wesley Goodwin - October 18th - The Fillmore
John Summit - November 27th - Liacouras Center
New Jersey:
Hot 97 Summer Jam - July 24th - Prudential Center
Waylon Wyatt - August 10th - The Stone Pony
Dan + Shay - September 24th - PNC Bank Arts Center
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 Big Show 🏟️
Kid Cudi, at Madison Square Garden on May 30th, is the kind of arena show that feels bigger than just a concert. Between the visuals, emotional highs, and massive singalong moments, Cudi has a way of turning a huge venue into something surprisingly personal.
With a catalog that spans everything from “Pursuit of Happiness” to “Day ’N’ Nite” and “Mr. Rager,” the show pulls together longtime fans and newer listeners for a night that feels equal parts nostalgia and celebration. Few artists can headline a big room while still making it feel intimate — and that’s exactly why this is the must-see arena show next week. Click here for last-minute tickets.
Best Intimate Show 👀
Harvey Street at Kung Fu Necktie on May 29th is the kind of show that reminds you why small venues matter. Their mix of indie rock, funk grooves, and jam-band energy feels best in a packed room where the crowd is right on top of the stage, and every song turns into a shared experience.
Kung Fu Necktie’s tight, sweaty atmosphere makes this the perfect setting to catch a band built on live energy and musicianship before they outgrow rooms like this. If you’re looking for a show that feels personal, loose, and genuinely fun from start to finish, this is the intimate pick of the week. Click here for last-minute tickets.
Most Underrated Show 🚨
Chet Faker feels like one of those artists people forget how good live music can sound until they see him in person. His mix of soulful vocals, electronic production, and late-night atmosphere creates a show that’s smooth, emotional, and completely immersive from start to finish.
Whether it’s the intimate feel of Union Transfer or the skyline backdrop at Pier 17, both venues fit his sound perfectly. While bigger tours may grab more attention next week, this is the sleeper pick for anyone who wants a live show that feels more atmospheric and memorable than just loud. For last-minute tickets to his show at Union Transfer on May 29th, click here. For last-minute tickets to his show at Pier 17 on May 30th, click here.
Best Value Ticket 💰
This feels less like a normal concert announcement and more like a rock band staging a pop-up show in the middle of Manhattan. Greta Van Fleet — a band that was just playing arenas and Madison Square Garden — suddenly dropping a one-night-only Bowery Ballroom show for $20 is about as absurd of a value as you’ll find all year. Tickets are only being sold in person at the box office, which somehow makes the whole thing feel even more old-school and chaotic in the best way possible.
Part of what makes this special is the room itself. Seeing a band built for giant stages squeezed into a venue this intimate is the kind of thing people talk about years later — the type of “I was there” show that instantly becomes part of NYC concert lore.
If you’re even remotely interested, expect lines early, wristbands, and a first-come-first-served scramble for tickets. This isn’t just the best value show next week — it might be one of the coolest concert experiences of the summer.
Greta Van Fleet will play at the Bowery Ballroom on Wednesday, May 27th. Tickets start being sold on Tuesday, May 26th, but expect a line to start forming hours before then.
“If you could only go to one show..” 🥇
Jigitz at The Ave Live on May 29th is my personal pick for the week — and I’ll actually be at this one myself, so say hi if you see me! He’s coming off an incredible performance over the weekend at Under The K Bridge with BUNT, and if you missed catching him there, this is your second chance.
His high-energy mix of hard dance, bass-heavy drops, and nonstop crowd interaction feels perfectly built for a venue like The Ave. This is the kind of show where the entire room moves from start to finish, with the energy getting more intense every set. Between the crowd, the smaller club atmosphere, and the momentum he’s carrying into this show, this has all the makings of one of the best nights of the week. For last-minute tickets, click here.
News & Updates
Date Change & Show Announcement - Due to the rough Memorial Day Weekend weather forecast, Shadow of the City Festival has officially been rescheduled to August 28. But the weekend isn’t completely lost — Bleachers will now be playing a FREE indoor show at The Stone Pony to celebrate the release of their new album, everyone for ten minutes, dropping tomorrow, May 22.
If you want a shot at getting in, fans must RSVP here ahead of time, with confirmations going out Saturday, May 23, at 6 p.m. Everyone selected will also receive a +1. Considering the size of the venue and the possibility of surprise guests, this has all the makings of one of those classic last-minute Jersey Shore shows people end up talking about for years.
Event Announcement - The World Cup is officially taking over North America this summer, and Adidas is bringing the energy to Brooklyn with a free fan experience at Brooklyn Bridge Park running from June 11 through July 19. Along with match watch parties and events throughout the tournament, there are also two huge free concerts on the schedule: PinkPantheress and Larry June on June 26, plus a still-unannounced surprise performance set for July 18. If NYC already felt alive this summer, this is about to turn it up another level. Stay tuned for updates and more details on what to expect throughout the tournament. Click here for more information on what to expect during this exciting time!
Jazz Festival Announcement - After more than a decade away, the Asbury Park Jazz Fest is officially returning on June 28 with a free, full-day concert at Sunset Park. Running from noon to 8 p.m., the revived festival brings eight straight hours of live jazz performances to the Jersey Shore, featuring artists including Marel Hidalgo, Ultrablue, Dee Brown, Paula Atherton, and more. The beloved festival originally ran for over 15 years before going on hiatus, making this year’s comeback feel like a major win for local music fans.
Festival Line-Up Announcement - The Hot 97 Summer Jam festival is set to take place on July 24th at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This Hip-Hop heavy festival will include performances from French Montana, Max B, Fetty Wap, Rick Ross, Ice Spice, DaBaby & so many more. Get your tickets here. (Presale code is SOCIAL)
Festival Line-Up Announcement - The “All Things Go” New York City line-up has been announced, and it is stacked! Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile, and Muna will headline the festival on September 25th-27th, with a special sunset performance from Carley Rae Jepsen. Secure your tickets here.
Support Added - De La Soul & The Alchemist will be joining Erykah Badu at Forest Hills Stadium on September 18th. Get your tickets here.
Venue Change - West 22nd, who was set to play at The Foundry in Philly, will now play at Brooklyn Bowl on November 21st due to high demand. Same date, different venue. All original tickets purchased for The Foundry show will be honored at Brooklyn Bowl. Get your tickets here.
Tour Announcement - John Summit has announced his first-ever arena tour, and he is making stops in both NYC and Philly. He will be playing at Liacouras Center in Philadelphia on November 27th and Barclays Center in NYC on November 28th. Presale will begin on May 27th at 10 am, but if you’re a Cash App cardholder, you can access presale a day early on May 26th. To register for presale, click here.
Festival Announcement - The Philly Music Fest will be making its rounds at three of Philly’s most intimate yet iconic venues on October 12th-18th. Underground Arts, MilkBoy, and Ardmore Music Hall will host artists such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Remember Sports, Solar Circuit, and a surprise headliner. For a look at which artists are playing which venues, and to secure your tickets, click here.
Support Added - Social media breakout band In Color has officially announced they’ll be joining The Maine on select dates of their “The Tour Next Door” run — including a stop at Wellmont Theater on November 13. Already shaping up to be one of the best pop-rock shows of the fall, adding In Color to the lineup makes this feel even bigger. Their online momentum has quickly translated into real-world buzz, and getting to catch them in a venue this size before they level up even further feels like a steal. New Jersey lucked out with this one. Get your tickets now before this date starts picking up serious attention.
Venue of The Week
The Bowery Ballroom - 6 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002
There’s a reason Bowery Ballroom has become one of the most legendary small venues in New York. Opened in 1998 inside a building that dates back to just before the Great Depression, the room somehow still feels timeless — intimate enough to discover your next favorite artist, but iconic enough that music history seems to happen there every other week.
Part of what makes Bowery special is the sheer number of massive artists who’ve played the room before exploding even bigger, or came back later for surprise underplay shows. Over the years, artists like Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Radiohead, Kanye West, Coldplay, The Strokes, and Frank Ocean have all taken that stage. Patti Smith even played New Year’s Eve shows there for 14 straight years.
What keeps people coming back, though, is the feeling of the room itself. The balcony hangs perfectly over the floor, the sound is incredible from almost anywhere, and every show feels close enough that you’re actually part of it. It’s the kind of venue where you walk in for an opener and leave convinced you witnessed the start of something bigger.
The next couple of shows at The Bowery Ballroom are:
Nia Archives on Thursday, May 21st.
Frankie Cosmos on Friday, May 22nd.
Just Mustard on Tuesday, May 26th.
Greta Van Fleet on Wednesday, May 27th.
For a full list of shows coming to The Bowery Ballroom, click here.
🎟️ Pro Tip: Bowery Ballroom sounds great almost anywhere, so don’t stress too much about being dead center — focus on getting in early, grabbing a drink, and settling into the vibe before the crowd packs in. If you’d rather have a little breathing room, grab a spot near the back or up on the balcony before the room fills up. There is also a bar on the balcony, so you don’t have to worry about going too far for a refill.
Before The Show:
If Bowery Ballroom is the destination, Time Again Bar is the warm-up act you might not have heard about. It’s the kind of LES spot that feels effortless—dim lights, tight space, strong drinks, and just enough buzz that you know you’re about to head into a real concert night. No overthinking it, no waiting for a rooftop reservation—just walk in, grab a drink, and let the energy build.
What makes it perfect for a Bowery night is timing and proximity. It’s close enough that you can finish a few rounds and still make it to the doors without rushing, but far enough away that it feels like its own scene before the show starts. Enjoy some cocktails, natural wine, and small plates that will fuel your night.
Think of it as the reset button before the chaos—cheap-ish, fast, and always a little lively in a way that gets you in the right headspace for a packed Bowery floor.
If Bowery is the main event, Time Again is the pregame that sets the tone.
After The Show:
When Bowery Ballroom kicks out into the night, Home Sweet Home is exactly where the night naturally spills into next. It’s loud, a little messy, and always moving—basically the opposite of the controlled chaos you just came from, but in a way that keeps the energy going instead of killing it.
Home Sweet Home is about as easy as it gets: it’s right across the street, cheap drinks, dim and smoky, and the kind of place where the night just keeps bleeding forward without you having to think about it. You’ll probably run into people you were just dancing next to a few minutes earlier at Bowery, still buzzing off the same set and trying to extend the moment a little longer.
What makes it the perfect after spot is that it doesn’t try to be a “cool-down” bar. It keeps the night alive. Drinks stay flowing, the crowd stays mixed, and it’s close enough to Bowery that you don’t even have time for the energy to dip.
If Bowery is the show and the walkout is the comedown, Home Sweet Home is where you stretch the night just a little further.
“Discovery Corner”
Sometimes the best part of a concert is discovering the artist who opens the show. Here are four names worth getting to the venue early for this week.
Low Gap
Low Gap delivers raw, indie-rock energy with a slightly rough-around-the-edges feel that makes their live set hit harder than their recordings. It’s urgent, emotional, and built for small rooms that feel like they might explode by the last song.
Get there early because their set is a full-tilt momentum builder—they’re the kind of band that turns a half-full room into a packed crowd without anyone noticing it happen.
If you like Fontaines D.C. or Arctic Monkeys, this is an easy win. Catch Low Gap open up for Colby Acuff at MilkBoy on May 30th.
Gordi
Gordi blends indie folk and electronic textures into cinematic, slow-building songs that start intimate and end huge. Her sets are all about emotional escalation—quiet moments that gradually bloom into something overwhelming.
You want to catch her early because she builds entire emotional arcs live, and walking in mid-set means missing the payoff.
If you like Bon Iver or Phoebe Bridgers, she fits right in—but leans more toward an experimental sonic approach. Catch Gordi open up for FIGHTMASTER at Bowery Ballroom on May 28th.
Young Benny
Young Benny mixes indie-leaning hip-hop and alt-pop with a laid-back, melodic delivery. The production is minimal but moody, giving his live performance room to stretch and evolve.
Arrive early—his sets often start subtly and slowly become unexpectedly addictive, with improvised moments that don’t exist on record.
If you like Steve Lacy or Dominic Fike, you’ll probably stick around for the whole set. Catch Young Benny open up for Waka Flaka Flame at the Williams Center on May 29th.
Beacon
Beacon creates sleek, atmospheric electronic music that blends R&B, synth-pop, and ambient textures. Their sound is controlled and hypnotic, built more for immersion than flash.
Getting there early matters because their set is about world-building—the earlier you arrive, the more you experience the full atmosphere take shape.
If you like James Blake or Rhye, this is your lane. Catch Beacon open up for Chet Faker at Union Transfer on May 29th.
Mary In The Junkyard
Mary In The Junkyard sits between indie rock chaos and experimental tension, shifting between delicate passages and sudden bursts of noise and emotion.
See them early because their sets feel alive and unpredictable, with songs that evolve and hit harder in a live setting than on record.
If you like English Teacher or early The Cure, this is one of those discovery-band moments worth catching. Catch Mary In The Junkyard open up for Dove Ellis on May 30th & 31st at the Bowery Ballroom.