Image via Complex Original
Missed out on Kanye West last night at Roseland Ballroom?
Feeling down because every major artist charges hundreds of dollars for a seat in the nosebleeds at Barclays Center?
Sure, New York can get expensive but now that it's summertime that means one thing: tons of free concerts from the Bronx to Brooklyn. Series like SummerStage bring over 100 performances to 17 parks throughout the five boroughs. The possibilities are endless, and your pockets will still be full. Here are 10 Free NYC Shows You Can Catch This Summer.
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Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers
Venue: Red Hook Park
Date: June 4
Time: 7:00 pm
Performers: CityParksFoundation.org
Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers are two of Brookyn's best, and rising, hip-hop crews. Five years from now when they're selling out Barclays, you'll be able to say you saw them at a park in Red Hook—for free. Considering the psychedelic nature of their music, you definitely want to sit close to the stage and take in the cloud of smoke.
Rakim
Venue: Red Hook Park
Date: June 5
Time: 7:00 pm
Site: CityParksFoundation.org
Other Performers: None
Presented as part of SummerStage's "This is __ Hip-Hop" series, Rakim will be hitting the Red Hook SummerStage to perform his classic records. The event, hosted by Lyricist Lounge in association with MoCada's Soul of Brookly Initiative, directly follows this year's 20th Annual Red Hook Fest.
Big Daddy Kane
Venue: Herbert Von King Park
Date: June 12
Time: 7:00 pm
Site: CityParksFoundation.org
Other Performers: DJ Sets by DJ Scratch
SummerStage's "This is __ Hip-Hop" series wouldn't have been complete without a performance from Brooklyn's finest, Big Daddy Kane. He'll be performing at Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy, accompanied by DJ Scratch. Given the fact that Kane's masterful lyricism influenced an entire generation of rappers after him, you can't miss this.
Big Boi
Venue: Prospect Park Bandshell
Date: June 20
Time: 6:30 pm
Site: BRICArtsMedia.org
Other Performers: Phony Ppl, D-Nice
Just because he's from the South doesn't mean Big Boi can't perform at Celebrate Brooklyn. He'll be bringing those legendary ATL vibes to Prospect Park as part of the Bud Light Music Series. Brooklyn's own Phony Ppl and D-Nice will open the night's festivities.
Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)
Venue: Central Park
Date: June 24
Time: 7:00 pm
Site: CityParksFoundation.org
Other Performers: TBD
This year, the Blue Note Jazz Festival will roll out an amazing slew of artists to perform throughout the month of June. Included in the roster is Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), who is performing in Central Park. The openers for the event, produced by Jill Newman Productions, have yet to be announced.
Lianne La Havas
Venue: Central Park
Date: July 27
Time: 7:00 pm
Site: CityParksFoundation.org
Other Performers: Quadron, LP, DJ Sets by DJ Center
Lianne La Havas will grace the stage in Central Park later this summer. The neo-soul jazz singer will be joined by later sets from the duo Quadron, whose latest single, “Hey Love” has received rave reviews, vocalist and ukulele player LP, and DJ sets from New York's DJ Center.
Bilal
Venue: Marcus Garvey Park
Date: August 7
Time: 7:00 pm
Site: NYCGovParks.org
Other Performers: None
Bilal's music was made for outdoor venues—just imagine his voice soaring toward the heavens. Be sure to catch him at Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park, where he and his band will be serenading you and the skies on a summer's night.
DJ Kool Herc and Special Guests
Venue: Central Park
Date: August 10
Time: 3:00 pm
Site: CityParksFoundation.org
Other Performers: Unannounced special guests
It's rare to be entertained by a live performance from the godfather of hip-hop, and for free, too. But if you head over to Central Park later this summer, you're in for one of the best free shows in your life. Thanks to SummerStage's "This is __ Hip-Hop" series, DJ Kool Herc and special guests will be spinning, scratching, and giving you a hip-hop history lesson. It's all part of the 40th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Culture event.
Pete Rock vs. DJ Premier
Venue: East River Park
Date: August 27
Time: 7:00 pm
Site: CityParksFoundation.org
Other Performers: None
Are you a "They Reminisce Over You" person or a "Unbelievable" person? It's OK, you don't actually have to choose for this late summer DJ battle featuring two titans of '90s rap production, yet another entry in SummerStage's "This is _ Hip-Hop" series.
Mac Demarco
Venue: East River Park
Date: August 28
Time: 7:00 pm
Site: CityParksFoundation.org
Other Performers: None
Mac Demarco just sold out a show at the Williamsburg Music Hall earlier this year but for those who couldn't get in, don't worry—he'll be performing for free at the East River Park as part of the SummerStage series. His live performances are just as wild as his music videos—make sure to familiarize yourself with his latest project 2 before the show.