You already know this week is stacked with live music. But here’s the thing — the best shows haven’t happened yet. From Thursday through Sunday, NYC is serving up arena-level spectacles, intimate rock shows, a once-in-a-lifetime film concert experience, and enough jazz to keep your soul fed through the weekend. Here’s what you need to grab tickets for right now.
Don’t Miss: La La Land in Concert at Radio City Music Hall
This is the one. On Saturday, April 11 at 8:00 PM, Radio City Music Hall transforms into the most magical movie theater on Earth when La La Land in Concert takes the stage. Composer Justin Hurwitz himself conducts a full orchestra and jazz band performing the entire Oscar-winning score live — perfectly synchronized with the film on Radio City’s massive screen. After selling out two Carnegie Hall shows earlier this year, this is your shot. Tickets range from $50 to $225 via Ticketmaster.
Hayley Williams Takes Over Hammerstein Ballroom — Twice
The Paramore frontwoman brings her solo show to the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center on Thursday, April 9 and again on Sunday, April 12 at 7:00 PM. Whether you fell in love with her voice screaming “Misery Business” or through her critically acclaimed solo work, this is a performer who owns every room she walks into. Two chances to catch her means no excuses.
Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM Ball — Final NYC Show
Monday, April 13 at 8:00 PM at Madison Square Garden. This is it — the last of Lady Gaga’s extended MAYHEM Ball residency at MSG, which has been running since March 19. The tour supports her latest album and has been one of the hardest tickets in town all spring. If you’ve been putting it off, this is literally your last chance. Tickets start around $200 on resale platforms, but honestly? Worth every penny for the spectacle Gaga delivers in that arena.
Garden of Laughs at Radio City Music Hall
Also on Monday, April 13 at 8:00 PM, the annual Garden of Laughs comedy show hits Radio City Music Hall, benefiting the Garden of Dreams Foundation. This star-studded lineup brings together some of the biggest names in comedy for one unforgettable night — and every dollar goes to helping kids in need. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.
Rock and Hardcore at Brooklyn Paramount and Knockdown Center
Friday is a big day for guitar music in Brooklyn. Bush headlines Brooklyn Paramount at 6:00 PM on April 10, joined by Mammoth and James and the Cold Gun. Meanwhile, the heavy hitters take over Knockdown Center the same night at 5:00 PM when Poison the Well and Converge rip through a bill that’ll have the walls shaking in Maspeth. Two very different flavors of loud — pick your poison.
Hip-Hop Royalty at Brooklyn Bowl
Talib Kweli — one half of the legendary Black Star duo and a Brooklyn icon — hits the stage at Brooklyn Bowl on Friday, April 10 at 8:00 PM. This is one of those shows where the venue matters as much as the artist. Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl is hip-hop in its natural habitat. Don’t sleep on this one.
Intimate Shows Worth Seeking Out
Not every great show this week is in a big room. Glen Hansard (yes, the Once guy) plays Bowery Ballroom on Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 PM with Margaret Glaspy opening — an evening of raw, heart-on-sleeve songwriting in one of NYC’s most beloved venues. On Saturday, April 11, Maya Hawke (Stranger Things star turned genuinely great singer-songwriter) performs at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn at 7:30 PM. And Kishi Bashi brings his lush, orchestral indie pop to Irving Plaza that same night at 8:00 PM.
Jazz That Feeds the Soul
NYC’s jazz scene never sleeps, and this week is no exception. Michel Camilo with Pedrito Martinez and Ricky Rodriguez continues his run at the Blue Note Jazz Club, where you can catch sets nightly. If you want something more intimate, head downtown to Smalls Jazz Club in the West Village for nightly late-night sets (doors open at 7:30 PM, last set starts after midnight), or try Mezzrow across the street for piano-focused jazz in a room that fits maybe 60 people. For something special, Bill’s Place in Harlem runs BYOB sets at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays in a brownstone that once operated as a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
The Mexican Icon at BAM
Natalia Lafourcade — the Grammy-winning Mexican singer-songwriter — performs at the Howard Gilman Opera House at BAM in Brooklyn on Friday, April 10 at 7:30 PM. Lafourcade’s blend of Latin folk, pop, and bolero is mesmerizing live, and BAM’s opera house provides exactly the kind of gorgeous setting her music deserves. This will sell out if it hasn’t already.
Your Weekend Plan
Thursday: Hayley Williams at Hammerstein or Glen Hansard at Bowery Ballroom
Friday: Bush or Poison the Well/Converge in Brooklyn, Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl, Natalia Lafourcade at BAM
Saturday: La La Land in Concert at Radio City, Maya Hawke at Baby’s All Right, Kishi Bashi at Irving Plaza
Sunday: Hayley Williams round two at Hammerstein
Monday: Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM Ball finale at MSG, Garden of Laughs at Radio City
Also happening this week: Broadway’s hottest April openings are still running, and if you want to balance your nights out with some daytime culture at NYC’s museums and galleries, we’ve got you covered there too.
