As far as live music goes, summer concerts in Brooklyn are a music fan’s paradise—an opportunity to see and hear a ton of bands, many of them performing outdoors. Taking a glance at what’s coming up over the next few months, the summer concert season doesn’t disappoint. The good part is that a couple of programs–most notably Celebrate Brooklyn and BAM’s R&B Festival at MetroTech are free—and collectively they feature some top-tier acts: Lucinda Williams, the New Pornographers, tUnE-yArDs, the legendary George Clinton and Al B Sure! In August, the Afropunk Fest offers a broad range of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic acts—this year’s lineup features Lenny Kravitz, Kelis, and a rare appearance by the great Grace Jones. The new (old) kid on the block of the Brooklyn music scene, the Kings Theatre, is bringing out the neo-soul and old school R&B guns with a lineup consisting of the wonderful Jill Scott, Stephanie Mills, and The Whispers–not to mention a night of nostalgia for freestyle fans headlined by Stevie B and the Sugarhill Gang. And for something completely different, there’s Contemporary Color curated by David Byrne at the Barclays Center, featuring the the pageantry of color guards, with live music by St. Vincent, Nico Muhly and Devonte Hynes.
Here’s a partial list of what’s in store for music fans this summer–along with a Google calendar so you don’t miss your favorite acts–so go get out of the house and soak up some new sounds.
Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 North 6th St.
June 28
They Might Be Giants (family shows)
12:30pm, 3:30pm, $25/$90 family 4-pack
June 30
Sondre Lerche
8pm, $30
July 10
Archers of Loaf
8pm, $22/$25
July 26
They Might Be Giants
Songs from Lincoln, Dial-A-Song and more!
7pm, $25
August 6
Philip Selway
8pm, $20
August 7
Justin Townes Earle
8pm, $25
August 22
The Cribs
8pm, $20
September 11
The Juan Maclean
8pm, $15/$17
September 18
of Montreal
8pm, $22/$25
Rough Trade
64 N. 9th St.
June 29
Sloan
8pm, $25
July 10
Heliotropes
8pm, $10/$12
July 17
Reptar/Stranger Cat/Brothertiger
8pm, $20
July 22
Mourn
8pm, $12/$14
August 5
Ezra Furman
8pm, $12
September 6
Jenny Hval
8pm, $12
September 18
Ultimate Painting
8pm, $12