New York City is well into planning its 2016 summer outdoor concert schedule. Does anything beat an ice cold one while watching your favorite artist jam outdoors? From piers to parks to a re-purposed tennis stadium, NYC has seriously great venues for outdoor shows. Mumford & Sons, the Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Heart, Joan Jett, Josh Groban, and Black Sabbath are just some of the artists hitting the road this summer and we're looking forward to catching them in NYC.
Click here to read about the city's best (indoor) concert venues.
Central Park
Central Park SummerStage, which turns 31 this year, is one of New York City's most popular outdoor concert series. Their rich history of performers over the years includes Simon & Garfunkel, Sonic Youth, and Patti Smith, to name just a few. This year's lineup will include a triple bill of Barenaked Ladies with '80s greats Howard Jones and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (O.M.D.) on 6/13 (tickets go on sale 2/5). Stay tuned for additional summer lineup info. summerstage.org
Citi Field
Home of the New York Mets, Citi Field opened in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, in 2009, following the closing of the legendary Shea Stadium. Beyoncé has announced two concert dates, 6/7-6/8 (tickets on sale 2/16). Dead & Company (comprised of Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir plus John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band) and Jeff Chimenti (RatDog), will be performing 6/25-6/26 (tickets on sale Feb. 13). ticketmaster.com
Randall’s Island
With a capacity to hold between 35,000 and 40,000 people, Randall’s Island has been a popular venue for big shows since the 1930s. Located on the East River, Randall’s Island is separated from Manhattan by the river’s main channel. Acts and festivals that have appeared here include the Dave Matthews Band, Cirque du Soleil, Lollapalooza, and the Tibetan Freedom Concert. In 2016, the summer's highly anticipated three-day Governor’s Ball (6/3-6/5) lineup includes Kanye West, The Strokes, The Killers, Gary Clark Jr., Beck, Robyn, Eagles of Death Metal, Death Cab for Cutie, Haim, Elle King, and many others. If you can't make the show in person, you can catch a livestream from VICE here. Randall’s Island is accessible by public transportation and a pedestrian bridge. randallsisland.org.
A second festival has recently been added at Randall's Island, Panorama (7/22-7/24). Top acts include Arcade Fire, Alabama Shakes, Kendrick Lamar, The National, LCD Soundsystem, Sia, and many, many more. panoramafestival.com
Prospect Park Bandshell
The Prospect Park Bandshell was designed by architect Aymar Embury II (1880-1966), who also designed the Prospect Park Zoo. The Bandshell was renovated in 1983 in response to the success of the four-year-old Celebrate Brooklyn! Performing Arts Festival, and improved again in 1998. The three-story Bandshell features food and beer/wine concessions, public restrooms, and first-come, first-served seating in the 2,000-seat plaza or 5,000-capacity lawn. Last year, the great Willie Nelson performed. In 2016, Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala will be performing benefit concerts 6/14 and 6/15. Stay tuned for additional 2016 info. Prospect Park is easy to reach by subway; best bets for the bandshell are the F or G Train to 15th Street-Prospect Park or the Seventh Avenue station. Prospect Park West at 9th St., Brooklyn, 718-965-8999 (Prospect Park Events Line); prospectpark.org, vividseats.com
Forest Hills Stadium
Just 15 minutes from Penn Station via the LIRR, Forest Hills Tennis Stadium enjoyed a revival in 2013 with a blockbuster concert given by Mumford & Sons. The stadium is owned by the adjoining Forest Hills West Side Tennis Club, which in 2012 celebrated its 100th anniversary. Last year, The Who performed under blues skies for their 50th anniversary, along with top-notch artists including Alabama Shakes, D'Angelo, Modest Mouse, Van Morrison, and Santana. The 2016 summer lineup looks bright as well, with the return of Mumford & Sons on (6/16-6/17) and Disclosure Presents Wild Life: w/Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals, Mobb Deep, Dusky, Justin Jay (6/18). Forest Hills native Paul Simon performs locally for the first time in 40 years (6/30-7/1). Bob Dylan, who played the Stadium in 1965, returns for a special performance (7/8), with Mavis Staples. Comedian Louis C.K. performs (7/22). Van Morrison returns this fall for a special concert (10/9) Stay tuned for additional summer season lineup info. foresthillsstadium.com
Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
If a concert under the stars near the beach is your thing, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, aka Jones Beach, is your place. This amazing outdoor amphitheater is located at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York. (Get the LIRR to Wantagh or Freeport station, then it's 10 minutes away by bus or cab.) Originally opened in 1952 as The Jones Beach Marine Theater, the original 8,500-seat theater underwent a renovation in 1992 and now can accommodate 15,000 seats. (Just remember, if you want to drink, bring your ID!) Last year's lineup included shows with Van Halen and Def Leppard. The 2016 lineup so far includes the Dave Matthews Band (6/21), Sting & Peter Gabriel: Rock, Paper Scissors Tour (6/24), Journey/Doobie Brothers/Dave Mason (6/27), Weezer/Panic at the Disco/Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness (6/30), Def Leppard returns (7/11) Josh Groban & Sarah McLachlan (7/22), Laid Back Festival/Gregg Allman (7/23), Darius Rucker (7/24), a triple bill of Heart, Cheap Trick, and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (7/28), and Black Sabbath/Rival Sons (8/17). 1000 Ocean Parkway, 516-221-1000, www.livenation.com/venues/14252/nikon-at-jones-beach-theater, vividseats.com
The Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk
Brand spanking new, this Brooklyn venue will be be celebrating its Grand Opening Weekend during Independence Day, with some big shows lined up, including Sting & Peter Gabriel (7/3) and the Beach Boys (7/4). Other shows include crooner Maxwell (7/9), Hollywood Vampires w/Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, & Joe Perry (7/10) Jane's Addiction with Dinosaur Jr. (7/15), Boston (8/10), Rick Springfield w/Night Ranger & The Romantics (8/18), country legend Willie Nelson & Family with special guest Aaron Lewis (9/13), and Don Henley (9/21). 3052 W 21st St, Brooklyn, NY coneyislandlive.com
