NYC's Outdoor Concerts for the Vaccinated and Unvaccinated

Guns N' Roses at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on August 5

The summer of 2021 is half gone and, unlike other Augusts, the number of outdoor concerts in New York City is increasing rather than decreasing. With Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement on August 3 that all indoor performance spaces, restaurants and fitness centers must become vaccination-only zones starting on August 16, outdoor music may become even more prevalent. In many cases, the concerts will be open to both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Weather permitting, under sunlight or moonlight, more New Yorkers will enjoy summer breezes with their live music.

New York City awaits the NYC Homecoming Week concerts in the five boroughs on August 16 to 21. These five free concerts will feature Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Andrea Boccelli, Maluma, the Killers, Kane Brown, Journey, LL Cool J,  Earth, Wind & Fire, Jennifer Hudson, Elvis Costello, Wyclef Jean, George Clinton + the P-Funk All Stars, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and many other artists. Ticketholders must present proof of vaccination in order to be admitted.

Global Citizen also promises a major free concert in Central Park's Great Lawn on September 25. The agency's website says it will announce the details of the concert in August. There is no indication yet if the event will be for vaccinated ticketholders only.

Brandi Carlile at Forest Hills Stadium on July 23

Amythyst Kiah at Forest Hills Stadium on July 23

Popular music acts have started touring again, so concerts are coming to several of New York's larger open-air venues. This month, Dead & Company will perform at Citi Field, Pink Martini, Yacht Rock Revue, Jason Mraz, Blackberry Smoke, All Time Low and Kesha will headline at the Rooftop at Pier 17, Common and Lake Street Dive will be at SummerStage Central Park, the Roots, Skip Marley and San Fermin are among the artists playing in Prospect Park, and a Wilco/Sleater-Kinney double-bill and a Dropkick Murphys/Rancid double bill are coming to Forest Hills Stadium. All of these concerts will gather thousands of eager music fans.

Descendents at the Rooftop on Pier 17 on July 30

Spanish Love Songs at the Rooftop at Pier 17 on July 30

New Yorkers love free, and so free concerts get a lot of love. Central Park, Prospect Park, Bryant Park, Little Island, Lincoln Center, Hudson River Park, the Brooklyn Public Library, DUMBO and Madison Square Park are all hosting free concerts in August. A general guide to free outdoor concert series in New York City can be sourced here.

Shaina Taub + Community rehearing at the Amph in Little Island on July 19

PigPen Theatre Co. at the Glade in Little Island on July 19

Chris Flash, publisher of the local anarchist newspaper, The Shadow, is attempting to revive his summer concert series and political rallies in Tompkins Square Park, starting this weekend. He has scheduled Spike Polite & Sewage NYC, Sea Monster, Jezo Black + the Element, Skitzopolis, Les Bicyclettes Blanches, Val Kinzler and Jonny KT for Saturday, August 7. VindictA, Hot Knives, the Nihilistics, Ruckus Interruptus and Dutch Gutz will perform on Sunday, August 8. Both concerts have free admission and will begin at 2 p.m.

The Meetles at Tompkins Square Park on July 25

Mat Kastella at Tompkins Square Park on July 31

Meanwhile, many lesser-known performers have taken to the urban outdoors, from parks to sidewalks, on their own. These buskers will continue to perform where they can, weather permitting. They seek your attention and your tips!

If You Give Us Money We'll Take It jammed in Tompkins Square Park on July 21

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's August 2021 calendar.