September concert season boasts big names in big venues

E.R. Pulgar, Highlighter Editor

September is shaping up to be an exciting month for music fans, with several big name players coming to New York City. Despite the concert season winding down, the month will feature two big festivals: the three-day electronic romp Electric Zoo, held from Sept. 4 to 6 in Randall’s Island Park, and 90s Fest, which will take place in 50 Kent, a venue in the heart of Brooklyn. Electric Zoo will feature performances from top acts ranging several facets of electronic music like Alesso, Galantis, Cashmere Cat and The Martinez Brothers, while the latter will star favorites from the namesake decade like Smash Mouth and Salt-n-Pepa.

For those who love Brooklyn’s unique scene, rising post-punk icons the Vaccines will stop by Rough Trade on Sept. 1 for an angst-fueled and intimate set that will feature cuts from their May release “English Graffiti.” Back in Manhattan, rock is on full force: alt-rock essentials Death Cab for Cutie will be headlining Madison Square Garden on Sept. 12, while Led Zeppelin’s legendary frontman Robert Plant is playing the Hammerstein Ballroom on Sept. 19 with his backing band, the Sensational Shape Shifters. Other standout shows include Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. at Bowery Ballroom on Sept. 21 and soulful rockers Alabama Shakes and Drive-By Truckers at the Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on Sept. 19.

As always, there is no shortage of chart-toppers in the area, with Nick Jonas playing two shows at the Best Buy Theater and Terminal 5 on Sept. 7 and 8, respectively, and “Bang Bang” singer Jessie J will be playing in Brooklyn’s Pier 97 on Sept. 3. Fellow British hit-maker Charli XCX will be bringing her raucously catchy live performance to the Central Park SummerStage on Sept. 21. Rising songstress Empress Of, who opened for Florence + The Machine during her surprise set at Music Hall of Williamsburg back in May, will be headlining her own show at the venue on Sept. 18, and similarly doleful indie singer Daughter will be at the illustrious Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 28.

Several big name rappers will also be making their way to some of New York’s biggest venues, with both A$AP Rocky and Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator playing the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 22. Meek Mill, whose sophomore effort “Dreams Worth More Than Money” topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks, is teaming up with hip-hop newcomer Post Malone for a night on Sept. 7 as part of Brooklyn’s Live at The Inlet concert series.

With so many high-caliber genre-spanning performers putting on a show at once, it’s no secret that music fans in New York have a month to look forward to — the fall concert season is off to a roaring start.

Email E.R. Pulgar at [email protected].