Fact: There is no better way to listen to live music than perched atop a patch of grass on a warm summer night.
With a bottle. And some company. And maybe another bottle.
Helping you achieve that: our shortlist of the 21 best outdoor shows of the season.
Governors Ball? Leave it to the kiddos. We’ve got Wu-Tang under the stars and the Flaming Lips by the beach.
Pick a show, click to purchase and shake off your picnic blanket.
MAY
Because you don’t call Mom enough
Summer on the Hudson: Mamapalooza at Pier I, May 27
JUNE
Because we’re one nation under a groove
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at Rumsey Playfield, June 4
Because sometimes you want a songbird, other times a powerhouse — and she’s both
Patti LaBelle at the Prospect Park Bandshell, June 4
Because the best way to kick off summer under the sun is almost sold out
All Day I Dream at the Brooklyn Mirage, June 9
Because this is something to f*ck with
Wu-Tang Clan at the Ford Amphitheater, June 16
Because you’re not NOT hoping to trigger an acid flashback
Khruangbin, Connan Mockasin and Kikagaku Moyo at Central Park Summerstage, June 20
Because road trip. To a brewery.
Death Cab for Cutie and Jenny Lewis at Ommegang Brewery, June 21
Because Vice called it the “World’s Coolest Party” and we concur
Everyday People at Von King Park, June 22
Because the stairway to heaven is taking to the open seas
The Led Zeppelin Experience on Circle Line Cruises, June 27
Because Queen deserves a better tribute than Bohemian Rhapsody
Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen and Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, June 30
JULY
Because you like long hair and guitar solos
Kurt Vile & the Violators with Dinosaur Jr. at Rumsey Playfield, July 26
Because you sometimes scat in the shower
Jazz Concert II: Ulysses Owens Jr. and Friends at the MoMA Sculpture Garden, July 26
Because they’re one of the 50 acts you should see before you die
The Flaming Lips at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, July 28
AUGUST
Because you remember the early ‘90s
EPMD 30th Anniversary “Unfinished Business,” a Funk Flex B-Day Celebration at Crotona Park, August 3
Because … that’s still a thing?
Smashing Pumpkins at Jones Beach Theater, August 9
Because bring out your Dead
Dark Star Orchestra at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, August 10
Because your soul is craving a religious, psychedelic experience
My Morning Jacket at Forest Hills Stadium, August 10
Because there wasn’t just one Woodstock, dude
The 50th Anniversary Black Woodstock at Marcus Garvey Park, August 17
Because it’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday
Boyz II Men at the Ford Amphitheater, August 22
Because it’s blues, rock and activism embodied in one very prolific man
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals at Rooftop Pier 17, August 26 & 27
Because summer might be winding down, but you’re just warming up Warm Up at PS1, August 31
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