2015 Guide to Summer Music

With festival season upon us, it's time for WFUV's annual Guide to Summer Music. We've compiled our picks for some of the best outdoor festivals throughout the New York area, and a few if you're up for a longer road trip. Wherever you're headed, have fun, keep your fingers crossed for good weather and keep your eyes (and ears) open for Team FUV.

CELEBRATE BROOKLYN

Where: Prospect Park Bandshell

When: June 3-August 12; Doors open an hour before show starts

Highlights:

• Chaka Khan (June 3)
• Esperanza Spalding Presents: Emily's D+Evolution / José James (June 12)
• Lucius, Luke Temple, Pavo Pavo (June 13)
• Damien Rice, Josh Ritter* (June 17)
  Listen live on FUV starting at 7:30pm (FUV's Celebrate Brooklyn coverage is supported by Squarespace)
• DanceBrazil, Forro in the Dark (June 20)
• Lucinda Williams, Jason Walker (June 25)
• Punch Brothers, Sarah Jarosz (July 9)
• The New Pornographers, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down (July 11)
• Rhiannon Giddens, Joe Henry (July 18)
  Listen live on FUV (FUV's Celebrate Brooklyn coverage is supported by Squarespace)
• Interpol* (July 21)
• Modest Mouse* (July 22)
• Jason Isbell, Dawn Landes (July 24)
• Sylvan Esso, Porches (July 25)
• Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Preservation Hall Jazz Band* (August 4)
• tUnE-yArDs, Shabazz Palaces (August 8)
• Willie Nelson & Family, Old Crow Medicine Show* (August 12)
  Hear Willie Nelson live on FUV (FUV's Celebrate Brooklyn coverage is supported by Squarespace)

Tickets: Concerts are free with a suggested donation of $3, except for the benefit concerts. Tickets for benefit concerts (*) can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

Information: www.briconline.org/cb

FYI: Prospect Park is easily accessible via the F, 2, 3, B and Q subway lines. On street parking can be difficult. (specific directions)

SUMMERSTAGE

Where: Rumsey Playfield in Central Park

When: through late September

Highlights:

• Angelique Kidjo, Emmanuel Jal, Rich Medina (June 7)
• Jungle, Ibeyi, Sunni Colón (June 20)
• The Kooks, Atlas Genius, Joywave* - June 24
• Basement Jaxx - July 1
• Ingrid Michaelson, Jukebox the Ghost, Secret Someones* (June 29)
• Cesaria Evora Orchestra, Maya Andrade, Dino D’Santiago (July 12)
• Guster, Kishi Bashi* (July 20)
• Dawes, First Aid Kit* (July 27)
• Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, Amy Helm (August 1)
• Father John Misty, Angel Olsen, Summer Moon* (August 5)
• Glass Animals, Taylor McFerrin, BattleFest League Dancers* (August 9)
• Lake Street Dive, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (September 2)
• Phil Lesh & Friends (September 16)*

Tickets: Concerts are free, except for benefit concerts. Tickets for the benefit concerts (*) can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

Information: www.summerstage.org

FYI: In addition to the concerts in Central Park, the City Parks Foundations presents concerts in parks throughout the five boroughs under the SummerStage umbrella. The line-up includes:

• The Felice Brothers / The Barr Brothers at Red Hook Park (June 4)
• World’s Fair Anniversary Festival: Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires / Hollis Brown / Damien Escobar at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (June 7)
• George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at Queensbridge Park (July 15)
• Caribou / Sinkane at East River Park (August 6)
• Charlie Parker Jazz Festival at Marcus Garvey Park (August 21-23)

GOVERNORS BALL MUSIC FESTIVAL

Where: Randall's Island, NYC

When: June 5-7

Highlights:

• Friday: Benjamin Booker, Chromeo, The Decemberists, Drake, Florence & The Machine, My Morning Jacket, Ratatat, St. Vincent
• Saturday: Ryan Adams, Bjork, Deadmau5, Future Islands, Conor Oberst, SBTRKT, Kate Tempest, Sharon Van Etten, J. Roddy Walston & The Business
• Sunday: The Black Keys, Lana Del Rey, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Mayer Hawthorne, Hot Chip, Strand of Oaks, Tame Impala, The War on Drugs, “Weird Al” Yankovic

Tickets and information: www.governorsballmusicfestival.com

BONNAROO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

Where: Manchester, Tennessee

When: June 11-14

Highlights:

• Thursday: Courtney Barnett, Houndmouth, Jungle
• Friday: Alabama Shakes, Ben Folds & YMusic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sylvan Esso, Tears for Fears, Unknown Mortal Orchestra
• Saturday: Belle & Sebastian, Gary Clark Jr., D’Angelo and The Vanguard, Hozier, Jamie xx, Mumford & Sons, My Morning Jacket
• Sunday: Caribou, Brandi Carlile, Florence & The Machine, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Billy Joel, Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Shabazz Palaces, Spoon, Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear

Tickets and information: www.bonnaroo.com

FYI: Rita Houston and Alisa Ali bring you The Whole Wide World live from Bonnaroo, Friday, June 12 at 7pm on FUV.

CLEARWATER FESTIVAL

Where: Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, NY

When: June 20-21

Highlights:

• Saturday: Sam Amidon, Joseph Arthur, Neko Case, Citizen Cope, David Crosby, Guy Davis, Delhi 2 Dublin, Angelique Kidjo, Los Lobos, Shelby Lynne, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Josh White, Jr.
• Sunday: Bhi Bhiman, Blind Boys of Alabama, Ani DiFranco, The Felice Brothers, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Guster, The Kennedys, Bettye LaVette, The Lone Bellow, The Mavericks, The Pine Hill Project (feat. Richard Shindell & Lucy Kaplansky), Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely, Todd Snider

Tickets and information: www.clearwaterfestival.org

FYI: This is Clearwater’s 38th Great Hudson River Revival, and the lineup seems to get better every year. Clearwater has many family-oriented activities. (Children under 12 are free). Festival goers can sign up for two-hour sails on the sloop Clearwater or the schooner Mystic Whaler. FUV will once again be broadcasting live from the Clearwater: Festival Saturday 3-8:45pm and Sunday Noon-8:35pm. (FUV's Clearwater Festival coverage is supported by Westchester Medical Center).

MIDSUMMER NIGHT SWING

Where: Damrosch Park (Lincoln Center)

When: June 23-July 11

Highlights:

• Nikki Hill (June 24)
• Roomful of Blues & Friends play the Music of Doc Pomus (June 27)
• Dr. K’s Motown Revue (July 4)
• Harlem Renaissance Orchestra (July 11)

Tickets and information: www.midsummernightswing.org (Tickets required for access to the dance floor)

FYI: Dance lessons precede the live music at 6:30. If you don't want to dance, you can still enjoy the music on the plaza.

SOLID SOUND FESTIVAL

Where: MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA

When: June 26-28

Highlights:

• Friday: Expandable Brass Band, Real Estate, Wilco (acoustic set; electric encore). Hear Wilco, live on FUV
• Saturday: Bill Frisell with Sam Amidon, Cibo Matto, Luluc, Mac DeMarco, NRBQ, Parquet Courts, Richard Thompson Trio, Ryley Walker, Shabazz Palaces, Wilco (electric set; acoustic encore)
• Sunday: Charles Lloyd Quartet, Glenn Kotche + Jeffrey Zeigler, King Sunny Ade, Spirit of Akasha: The Autumn Defense and Windy Hills tribute to Morning of the Earth, Stained Radiance: Nels Cline & Norton Wisdom, The Felice Brothers, Tweedy (feat. Jeff Tweedy & Friends)

Tickets and Information: www.solidsoundfestival.com

FYI: Envisioned by Wilco and presented in collaboration with MASS MoCA, the weekend features two headlining Wilco concerts, a comedy cabaret programmed and hosted by John Hodgman, additional musical performances on four stages selected by Wilco, a wide array of all-ages programming, and world-class modern art. Weekend packages and single day tickets are available.

ROCKLAND-BERGEN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Where: German Masonic Park, Tappan, NY

When: June 27-28

Highlights:

• Saturday: Aztec Two-Step, Steve Forbert, James Maddock, Willie Nile (with band), John Sebastian
• Sunday: Tom Chapin Trio, Shawn Colvin, Garland Jeffreys, David Johansen, Willie Nile (solo piano)

Tickets and information: www.rocklandmusicfestival.com

FYI: Presented for the second year by musician Joe D’Urso, the festival benefits a number of organizations, including Light of Day Foundation and WhyHunger. Anyone born in 1965 will get in free in celebration of their 50th birthday. Weekend and single day tickets available. Children 12 and under are admitted for free with an adult; students with high school or college ID $20. Blankets and chairs welcomed. Through June 26th, WFUV Members can buy discounted tickets.

AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Where: Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts, Katonah, NY

When: June 27

Highlights: Lucinda Williams, Parker Millsap, Larry Campbell & Teresa William, Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess, Kristin Andreassen Band, Mason Porter, Spuyten Duyvil, Matt Turk, Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, Cole Quest and the City Pickers

Also at Caramoor:

• Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O’Donovan: “I’m With Her Tour" (July 10)
• Suzanne Vega (August 1)

Tickets and information: 914-232-1252 or www.caramoor.org

FYI: You can buy tickets for all day and evening or day only. Bring a picnic, chair or blanket for the afternoon performances on the lawn. Caramoor is family-friendly, has free parking, and is accessible by MetroNorth.

LOWDOWN HUDSON MUSIC FEST

Where: Brookfield Place Plaza at World Financial Center

When: July 14 & 15 (Tuesday & Wednesday), 6-10pm

Artists:

• O.A.R. and Ryan Bingham (July 14)
• The Wood Brothers and The Word (July 15)

Tickets: Concerts are free.

Information: www.brookfieldplaceny.com/events/lowdown

FYI: Enjoy the live music in seats next to the harbor or from a table at one of the restaurants on the plaza.

GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Where: Shorefront Park, Patchogue, NY

When: July 16-19 (Thursday-Sunday)

Highlights:

• Thursday: Christina Perri, Colbie Caillat
• Friday: 311, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
• Saturday: Lotus, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds
• Sunday: Electric Hot Tuna, Lou Gramm, Jefferson Starship, New Riders of the Purple Sage

Tickets and information: www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com

FYI: Single day and weekend packages are available. The festival prides itself on presenting both national acts and top local artists on four stages, plus a Kidzone. Laurie Berkner will perform a family concert on Sunday morning. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, unless you have VIP tickets.

LINCOLN CENTER OUT OF DOORS

Where: Damrosch Park Bandshell (DPB) or Hearst Plaza (HP) on the Lincoln Center campus

When: July 22-August 9

Highlights:

• Muscle Shoals All-Star Band with David Hood and Jimmy Johnson and Muscle Shoals Horns (July 22, DPB)
• Dorrance Dance: The Blues Project Revisited with Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely (July 24, DPB)
• Randy Newman, Wycliffe Gordon and His International All Stars, Lil Buck (July 25, DPB)
• The Mavericks, Orkesta Mendoza (July 29, DPB)
• Electric Counterpoint + Dither and friends, featuring Lee Ranaldo, Yo La Tengo, and Mark Stewart Matmos (August 5, DPB)
• Rock My Soul: The Fairfield Four & The McCrary Sisters, Junior Mambazo (August 7, DPB)
• AmericanafestNYC:
  - The Quebe Sisters, Sam Outlaw (August 8 at 2pm, HP)
  - Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited performed in its entirety by house band the Watkins Family Hour and special guests, plus Justin Townes Earle (August 8 at 7pm, HP)
  - An Evening with Lyle Lovett and his Large Band (August 9, DPB)

Tickets: The concerts are free.
Information: www.lcoutofdoors.org

NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL

Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

When: July 24-26

Highlights:

• Friday: Leon Bridges, Calexico, Heartless Bastards, Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell, The Lone Bellow, The Tallest Man on Earth, Roger Waters, The Watkins Family Hour
• Saturday: Courtney Barnett, Brandi Carlile, The Decemberists, Field Report, Jose Gonzalez, Jason Isbell, Sufjan Stevens
• Sunday: ’65 Revisited (closing set), The Felice Brothers, First Aid Kit, Lord Huron, Laura Marling, J Mascis, Shakey Graves

Tickets: All three days are sold out!

Information: www.newportfolk.org

FYI: FUV will be back at Newport, so if you’re at the festival, stop by our booth, say hi, and pick up some swag. Details coming soon about FUV's live coverage from Newport.

FALCON RIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL

Where: Dodds Farm, just off Route 22 north of Hillsdale, New York

When: Tastings Day & Farm Market (Thursday, July 30); music from July 31-August 2 (Friday-Sunday)

Highlights:

• Judy Collins
• Ray Bonneville
• Susan Werner
• Nerissa & Katryna Nields
• Garnet Rogers
• The Duhks
• Martyn Joseph
• Brother Sun
• Ellis
• The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Tickets and information: www.falconridgefolk.com

FYI: Early bird camping is available starting Wednesday afternoon for ticket holders with pre-paid camping tickets, and there will be a pre-fest Tastings Day and Farm Market on Thursday. The Friday afternoon Emerging Artists Showcase is a chance to scout new talent, and the dance tent is a popular destination. Children ages 12 and under are free.