Who Is Rocking the NYC Area in December?

Luke Combs performed at Madison Square Garden on November 29 (photograph by Francesco Marano)

The year is closing with a bang. After many months of isolation, bands are back on the road and playing our favorite concert halls and clubs. Here is what we can see in December.

In the arenas, Madison Square Garden will have a holiday concert with with Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Kane Brown and others, and headlining shows by Genesis, Andrea Bocelli, Billy Joel plus a four night stretch with Phish that includes New Year's Eve. Barclays Center will have Playboy Carti for a night and the Strokes for New Year's Eve; the Genesis concert there was cancelled. Prudential Center will have Dan + Shay, Pentatonix, Evanescence and Halestorm, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

In the theaters, David Byrne continues his limited engagement at the St. James Theatre. The Beacon Theatre will have the Allman Family Revival featuring the Allman Betts Band and others,  two nights of Brett Eldridge, and two nights of Gov't Mule, which concludes on New Year's Eve. The Capitol Theatre will have Chris Isaak, Hot Tuna, moe., and Patti Smith. The Town Hall will have a benefit concert with Steve Earle & the Dukes, Bruce Springsteen, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nile, Matt Savage, and the Mastersons. Brian Fallon & the Howling Weather also will headline a night at the Town Hall; Straight No Chaser was cancelled.

Gary Clark Jr. at the Capitol Theatre on November 2 (photograph by Geoff Tischman)

Alkaline Trio at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 29

War on Women at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 29

In the larger clubs, Brooklyn Steel will continue its 20-show run of LCD Soundsystem, followed by Patti Smith, Lupe Fiasco and New Year's Eve with Azealia Banks. Terminal 5 will headline Pink Sweats, Caroline Polachek, Lawrence, 100 gecs, Neck Deep, San Holo, Mac Ayres, Jack Harlow and Nora en Pure will headline on New Year's Eve. The Brooklyn Bowl will have the Hold Steady, the Weight Band, Bully, Fondude, the Rebirth Brass Band, and four nights of Soulive ending on New Year's Eve.

Ryley Walker at Brooklyn Steel on November 20

Lunachicks at Webster Hall on November 27

The Toilet Boys at Webster Hall on November 27

In the mid-sized rooms, Webster Hall will have Roosevelt, Hiss Golden Messenger, the New Pornographers, Ingrid Michaelson, Alex G, Silverstein, the Aces, the Louis Cole Big Band, Sullivan King, Shaky Graves, Chicano Batman, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jordan Davis, Misterwives, Coin, Zach Bryan, and close the year with Claptone. Webster Hall also has a series of EDM artists performing late on weekends. Irving Plaza will have lovelytheband, Giveon, Starset, Tobe Nwigwe, Young M.A., Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Juice, D Smoke, Gwar, the Slackers, Lagwagon, the Sleeping, and two nights of Ripe ending on New Year's Eve.

Wolf Alice at the Bowery Ballroom on November 12

Bria at the Bowery Ballroom on November 12

Mannequin Pussy at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 28

The Bowery Ballroom will continue its eight nights of Hanukkah with Yo la Tengo, followed by The Walters, Fred Again..., the Lemon Twigs, Low Cut Connie, Preoccupations, Jesse Malin with special guests, Choir! Choir! Choir!, David Shaw, Steve Gunn, and Lenny Kaye and Friends; the Joy Formidable and the Hunna cancelled. The Gramercy Theatre will have Ricky Montgomery, Carbon Leaf, Poison the Well, Puddles Pity Party, Niko Moon, Lez Zeppelin, Intervals, Our Lady Peace, Moon Tooth, and Spafford. The Music Hall of Williamsburg will have Alice Phoebe Lou, Fred Again..., Amyl and the Sniffers, Melt, Yeek, and Mipso.

Doll Skin at the Gramercy Theatre on November 11

Bad Cop/Bad Cop at the Gramercy Theatre on November 11

Anti-Flag at the Gramercy Theatre on November 11

City Winery NYC will have Ivan Julien, Allen Stone, Betty, Jose James, Los Lobos and others, with several nights of Aimee Mann including New Year's Eve. Le Poisson Rouge has She Past Away, Julian Lage, MewithoutYou, Hot Mulligan, Benny Sings, Stars, Kat Edmondson, Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Daley and others.

Alisa Amador at City Winery NYC on November 8

Radkey at le Poisson Rouge on October 27

Astari Nite at the Red Party at Mercury Lounge on November 13

The smaller clubs will have dozens of outstanding acts as well. The highlights include Wet Leg at Mercury Lounge, Delicate Steve at the Sultan Room, Nothing at Saint Vitus Bar, and James Maddock at the Loft.

Happy rocking holidays and best wishes for a rocking 2022!

Gina Healy at the Bitter End on November 7

The WrayCyclers at Unsteady Freddie's Surf Rock Shindig at Otto's Shrunken Head on November 6

The National Reserve at Skinny Dennis on November 5

Seth Kessel at the Red Lion on November 7

The Black Cats NYC at the Parkside Lounge on November 13

Flowmingos at the Bedford Street subway station on November 5

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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 December 2021 calendar.