NYC Concert Calendar: September 2025 Live Music Guide
As the summer festival season winds down, the live music scene in New York City heads indoors, with major arenas, historic theaters, and intimate clubs all hosting incredible shows. September is a prime month for live music, with big-name tours rolling through town and local bands playing to hometown crowds. Here’s a guide to the best concerts and live music venues for September 2025.
Major Arena Shows
The city’s biggest venues host the world’s biggest stars. Keep an eye on the schedules for these iconic arenas:
- Madison Square Garden (Manhattan): “The World’s Most Famous Arena” is a bucket-list venue for any artist. Expect major pop, rock, and hip-hop acts.
- Barclays Center (Brooklyn): Brooklyn’s modern arena is another top stop for A-list tours.
- Forest Hills Stadium (Queens): This historic outdoor stadium has a fantastic fall lineup, offering a festival-like atmosphere for big-name indie and rock bands.
Mid-Size Theaters and Halls
These venues offer a more intimate experience than an arena but still host well-known national and international acts.
- Radio City Music Hall (Manhattan): A stunning Art Deco theater with incredible acoustics, perfect for legendary performers and seated shows.
- Brooklyn Steel (Brooklyn): A popular, modern venue in Williamsburg known for its great sound system and lineup of indie rock and electronic acts.
- Terminal 5 (Manhattan): A multi-level hall in Hell’s Kitchen that hosts a wide range of popular rock, pop, and electronic artists.
Intimate Club Shows
To see emerging artists and experience the city’s grassroots music scene, head to a small club. These venues are also great for catching a comedy show or a live jazz set.
- The Bowery Ballroom (Manhattan): A legendary Lower East Side venue that’s a favorite stop for up-and-coming indie bands.
- Baby’s All Right (Brooklyn): A trendy Williamsburg spot known for booking the next big thing in indie and electronic music.
- Blue Note Jazz Club (Manhattan): For a different vibe, this iconic Greenwich Village club hosts world-class live jazz performances every night.
How to Find Tickets
For major shows, check official vendors like Ticketmaster first. For sold-out shows, reputable resale sites like StubHub or SeatGeek are your best bet. For smaller club shows, you can often buy tickets directly from the venue’s website. Be sure to check the full September events calendar for festival listings that include musical performances.
