Summer is quickly approaching and with it all the summer outdoor music festivals. The great thing about being outside and listening to music is the communal aspect of the experience; being inside a dark club doesn¹t make you feel like you are part of something like being out and actually seeing other people grooving to some cool tunes. Here is Clubplanet¹s guide to NYC summer festivals:
McCarren Pool
Lorimer Street, between Driggs Avenue and Bayard Street
Notoriously the provenance of hipsters, the Pool offers some stellar indie acts and even some suprising big names like The Breeders (performing there July 13th). Current hot band of the moment MGMT hit the Pool on July 27th.The vibe at McCarren harkens back to the once-ubiquitous neighborhood record store, where sonic experimentation was not frowned upon.
Pros: Cool acts you can brag about knowing before anyone else.
Cons: The hipper-than-thou attitude of some of the concertgoers.
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Central Park SummerStage
Rumsey Playfield in Central Park
The biggest festival in NYC suffered through some lackluster seasons, but this year it delivers big time. Highlights include Thievery Corp (June 26), Afrika Bambataa (July 6), Santogold with Diplo (July 20), and Jill Scott (Aug.12).
Pros: Easy to get to and a good lineup this year
Cons: The lines can sometimes be long (get there early, like 12pm) and the lack of food choices surrounding the venue.
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Water Taxi Beach
2nd Street and Borden Ave, LIC, Queens
Who said Queens wasn't cool? This man-made beach across the water from the city is the summer home for the Turntables on the Hudson crew (every Friday) and hosted DJ extraordinaire Benny Benassi a couple of weeks ago. Sunday July 6, house DJs Brian Burnside and Jose Burgos host their Deepa del Playa event there, with a performance by gospel house scion Kenny Bobbien.
Pros: Breathtaking views of the city from across the water and a very chill vibe
Cons: Port-a-potties
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Celebrate Brooklyn
95 Prospect Park West
Looks like McCarren has been influencing the programmers for Celebrate Brooklyn. Check out Brazilian Girls on July 11th and Ghostland Observatory on July 26. June 28th is going to be stoopid fresh; Jeru Da Damaja, O.C., Chubb Rock, Masta Ace AND DJ Premier. Wow!
Pros: All shows are free
Cons: If you are going to drive there, parking can be a hassle.
Click here for more info.
Paul Van Dyk
Pier 54
Not a "festival," per se, but the trancemaster extraordinaire's outdoor show is worth mentioning.
Pros: Van Dyk's expansive sound is perfect for an outdoor venue.
Cons: Certain concert goers taking "hands in the air" to another level.
Click here for tickets.