New York City: Rock music
New York's rock music scene is still built on white-boy guitar bands, with three-chord rock the default setting. That said, many foreign acts - especially British bands - travel to New York's shores first when trying to break into America. Frequently you'll have the opportunity to see these groups play in small venues at low admission prices.In Manhattan, most of the energy is provided by bars and venues located in the East and West Villages. The listings below will point you to the primary spots where you should find something for your ears, no matter what you're looking for.
BIG PERFORMANCE VENUES
Madison Square Garden
7th Ave at W 32nd St tel 212/465-6741.
New York's principal large stage, the Garden hosts not only hockey and basketball but also a good proportion of the stadium rock acts that visit the city. Seating 20,000-plus, the arena is not the most soulful place to see a band, but it may be the only chance that you get.
Radio City Music Hall
1260 6th Ave (at 50th St) tel 212/247-4777.
Not the prime venue it once was; most of the acts that play here now are firmly in the mainstream. The building itself has as great a sense of occasion, though, despite a recent renovation, and Rockette dolls are still sold in the gift shop.
SMALLER VENUES
Apollo Theatre
253 W 125th St (between 7th and 8th aves) tel 212/749-5838 (show info), tel 212/531-5305 (tickets), tel 212/531-5337 (tours),
www.apolloshowtime.com
.
Stars are born and legends are still made at the Apollo, where everyone from Billie Holliday to Aretha Franklin and Duke Ellington had their day. Now the just-renovated theater features a cast of black music acts, comedy, and weekly amateur nights (Wed). $13-35.
Arlene Grocery
95 Stanton St (between Ludlow and Orchard sts) tel 212/473-9831.
An intimate, former bodega that hosts nightly free gigs by local, reliably good indie bands - and there's no cover charge during the week. Frequented by musicians, some talent scouts and open-minded rock fans. Go on Mon nights for the metal and punk karaoke, where you can sing along with a live band. $3 Fri & Sat, $5 Sun.
Beacon Theater
2124 Broadway (between 74th and 75th sts) tel 212/496-7070.
Once the quirky Upper West Side host of off-the-mainstream names, now featuring the more mature artist-from Spinal Tap to Cher. $25-100.
The Bottom Line
15 W 4th St (at Mercer St) tel 212/228-7880.
Not New York's most adventurous venue but one of the better known - where you're most likely to see singer-songwriters. Cabaret setup, with tables crowding out any suggestion of a dance floor. Cover varies, with shows at 7.30pm & 10.30pm. Cash only.
Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey St (at Bowery) tel 212/533-2111.
A minimum of attitude among staff and clientele, great sound, and even better views has earned this site praise from fans and bands alike. Great bar and solid lineup. Shows $10-20.
Brownies
169 Ave A (between 10th and 11th sts) tel 212/420-8392,
www.browniesnyc.com
.
The place to see major-label one-offs, bands on the cusp of making it big and impressive local talent. Around $7-10.
CBGB (and OMFUG)
315 Bowery (at Bleecker St) tel 212/982-4052.
After 20+ years the black, sticker-covered interior may be the last of its kind in New York, but this legendary punk bastion is not as cutting-edge as it was. Noisy rock bands are the order now, often five or six a night. Shows begin at 7 or 8pm; occasional Sun matinees at 5pm. Prices about $5-10. Less scruffy counterpart next door,
CB's 313 Gallery
, host folk, acoustic and experimental music seven days a week; $5.
The Cooler
416 W 14th St (between 9th and 10th aves) tel 212/229-0785.
Maybe it's the indigo lighting that lends a
Blue Velvet
feel to this underground bunker - or perhaps it's because the club is a former meat refrigerator. Adventurous indie rock and avant-garde attract a youthful, hip crowd. Mon-Thurs shows begin at 9pm; Fri & Sat shows start at 10pm. free-$12; advance tix from X-Large.
Fez
380 Lafayette St (at Great Jones St) tel 212/533-2680.
The mirrored bar and sparkling gold stage curtain suggest a disco fantasy; poetry readings and acoustic performances are high caliber. Around $10.
Hammerstein Ballroom
311 W 34th St (between 8th and 9th aves) tel 212/564-4882.
Refurbished ballroom that hosts a few shows a month, mostly indie rock and electronic music, in a 3600-seat venue. Uptight bouncers limit movement between seating levels and prohibit smoking on the balconies. Cover varies, but upwards of $18.
Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place (between 15th and 16th sts) tel 212/777-6800.
Host to an impressive array of rock, electronic and techno acts. The uproom has wildly divergent acoustics; stand toward the back on the first floor for truest mix of sound. $10-25.
Maxwell's
1039 Washington (at 11th St), Hoboken, New Jersey tel 201/798-0406.
Neighborhood rock club hosting up to a dozen bands a week: some big names and one of the best places to check out the tri-state scene. Admission $6-12.
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston St (at Essex St) tel 212/260-7400.
Dark, medium-sized Lower East Side mainstay, which hosts a mix of local, national and international rock acts. It's owned by the same crew as Bowery Ballroom, but generally houses less established bands. Around $7-12.
Roseland Ballroom
239 W 52nd St (between Broadway and 8th Ave) tel 212/249-0200.
A historic ballroom that opened in 1919 and was once frequented by Adele and Fred Astaire, among others. Now a ballroom dancing school that, six times a month, turns into a concert venue, hosting big names and various pop and electronic acts. Take a gander at the shoes and photographs displayed in the entry hall. $10-50.
SOB's (Sounds of Brazil)
204 Varick St (at Houston St) tel 212/243-4940.
Premier place to hear hip-hop, Brazilian, West Indian, Caribbean and world music acts within the confines of Manhattan. Vibrant, with a high quality of music. Two shows nightly, times vary. Admission $10-20 with $10-15 minimum cover at tables.
The Supper Club
240 W 47th St (between Broadway and 8th Ave) tel 212/921-1940.
White linen tablecloths, a large dance floor and upscale lounge jazz/hip-hop groups. Fri and Sat at 8pm, Eric Comstock and the Supper Club's house big-band swing with a vengeance. $25 before 11pm; $15 after.
Village Underground
130 W 3rd St (between Macdougal St and 6th Ave) tel 212/777-7745,
www.thevillageunderground.com
.
This no-smoking-yet-smoky wee place is one of the most intimate and innovative spaces around, where you might catch anyone from Guided By Voices to RL Burnside.
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