December is one of the busiest months of the year for indoor concerts, and New York City has plenty of shows for the lover of live music in all of us.
This month we have everyone from Billy Joel to Joey Bada$$, Kurt Vile and Erykah Badu, Cindi Lauper and Zeds Dead coming through NYC.
The question really comes down to whether you should go to each and every single one of these.
If you're anything like us, well, that's an easy one: Yes. Of course, 35 different concerts in only 31 days is a little ridiculous, so choose wisely.
Keep an eye out for our New Years Eve concert guide coming soon, detailing all the shows and three night runs going down for the ball drop!
1. The Sword (12/1, Webster Hall)
theswordofficial Our tour with @royalthunder kicks off tonight at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans, it's gonna get rowdy!
The Sword is an American heavy metal band, dabbling in doom and stoner metal styles.
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They invoke a good bit of Norse mythology in their schtick, so if you're looking for Valhalla, this is the way to go.
2. Ground Control Touring 15th Anniversary (12/2, Webster Hall)
groundcontroltouring We've added four new acts to our 15th anniversary show: @leeranaldo, @woodsist, #PerfectPussy (@gravesmeredith) and #ScreamingFemales (@official_screamales)! Limited tickets just released, get them at gct15.com. @websterhall @noisey
Webster Hall is hosting the 15th Anniversary celebration of Ground Control Touring, featuring some of the best contemporary rock 'n' roll including Superchunk, Kurt Vile, Titus Andronicus, Speedy Ortiz, and many more.
3. Erykah Badu (12/2, King's Theatre)
Badu's name is synonymous with modern soul, alt-hip hop and R&B. She even has a successful trek as an actress is known for her outspoken activism.
4. Narc Twain (12/3, Knitting Factory)
dfkirkwood @tommysiegel taught me everything I know about songwriting. He's also one of my closest friends. Its been my privilege to listen to his new album as it took shape this year. It's just really really good. It's angry and catchy, fun and scary. The band is #narctwain and it's just really damn good.
Narc Twain is the dystopian indie-punk brain child of Brooklyn guitarist Tommy Siegel.
5. Girls + Boys, Exmag etc (12/4, Webster Hall)
Exmag is an ever evolving force of electro-funk and modern hip hop with a healthy dose of blues.
6. Twiddle & Alphabet Soup (12/4, Brooklyn Bowl)
twiddlemusic @catskillchill 's final year at CampMinglewood was glorious. We're beyond grateful to the #chillfam + D Marz + the whole crew that took real good care of us. PHOTO- @csmpromotions #Lordofthephotopit
Twiddle ranges from Disco Biscuits-esque jamtronica to heartfelt acoustic numbers, juggling reggae and funk in between.
7. Zeds Dead & Astronomar (12/4, Music Hall of Williamsburg)
zedsdeadofficial La! Last night felt so good! Been a while since we've been here for a club show. Can't wait for tonight got so much new stuff! After party at Sound too. Stoked!! #2nightstand
DC and Hooks melt elements of drum & bass, house, ambient, and electro to form the sound that is Zeds Dead.
8. Twiddle & Cabinet (12/5, Brooklyn Bowl)
twiddlemusic 6 color 18"x24" LE run of 100. Poster by @onedropdesignstudio #carlthecrustacean #hugyourlobsta #paradise. @cabinetmusic @mihalimusic @zdenekgubb @wheresnorb @brookjordanvt
Cabinet can maybe be best described as an Americana act, touting deep roots in Appalachian bluegrass, country, and folk.
9. Zeds Dead & Hunter Siegel (12/5, Music Hall of Williamsburg)
zedsdeadofficial San Francisco #2nightstand rocked so hard! This is what it's all about! Much love! โโค ๐ท: @julianedward_
Fellow Toronto-based artist Hunter Siegel is another rising star in the dance music scene, producing originals and remixes in a multitude of styles that can't be ignored.
10. Cindi Lauper (12/5, Beacon Theatre)
80s superstar Cindi Lauper is back again with her annual holiday series at the Beacon Theatre.
11. Kid Cudi (12/6, Terminal 5)
Kid Cudi is a world-renowned producer who gives off the same vibes as Kanye without the disappointment of actually being Kanye.
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He's now the musical host on IFC's awesome show, Comedy Bang Bang.
12. John Scofield & Jon Cleary (12/7, BB King's Place)
Scofield is simply one of the best jazz guitarists on the planet, and has been for decades. His influences spills over in to tons of genres, including jazz, rock n roll, and jam music.
,13. Deerhunter (12/8, Irving Plaza)
Atlanta, GA indie rockers Deerhunter count disco and Miles Davis among their influences, amalgamating a variety of styles into a modern rock 'n' roll sound.
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Of course, saying disco or Miles Davis is anything close to what they produce might be misleading. Suffice it to say, they don't sound like jazz or disco. Check it out.
14. Mariah Carey (12/8 - 12/15, Beacon Theatre)
mariahcarey @livenationnyc is giving away two tickets to my show at Beacon Theatre on December 1st! Visit their page for details. #AIWFCIY #Repost @livenationnyc ใปใปใป Whatโs your favorite Christmas song? Comment below for a chance to win two tickets for Mariah Careyโs All I Want For Christmas Is You show on Dec 11! #AIWFCIY By commenting, you agree to the Official Rules: http://livemu.sc/1MyqmBb
Mariah Carey's Christmas concerts are almost as world famous as her Christmas albums.
15. Andrea Bocelli (12/9, MSG)
Perhaps Italy's greatest internationally acclaimed contemporary singer, Bocelli is back at MSG.
16. Rusted Root (12/9, Brooklyn Bowl)
rustedroot First show with the new custom drum head from @evansdrumheads! Don't forget to post your concert pics with the hashtag #RustedRoot. Glad that we get to break it in at @ziggyswsnc tonight! #LetsJam ๐ท:@carusocory
Pittsburgh, PA's own Rusted Root is a melting pot of sound and themes, including a solid percussive element drawing from world drumming traditions.
17. Z100's JingleBall (12/11, MSG)
While this year's JingleBall is sold out, tickets are still available by calling into Z100.
This year's line up includes The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Selena Gomez, and Nick Jonas among others.
18. Anders Osborne (12/11, Brooklyn Bowl)
New Orleans' own Anders Osborne is a force of the contemporary American singer/songwriter tradition.
19. Andrew W.K. (12/11, Knitting Factory)
It's always a party with Andrew W.K.
20. The London Souls 2nd Annual Holiday Jive Drive (12/11, The Hall at MP)
thelondonsouls See you tonight at @cambcornex and tomorrow night in Southhampton @o2guildhalls for our last show of tour! Photo credit: gigview
One of the best bands to emerge from the fertile rock n roll fields of NYC is the London Souls. Do not miss the London Souls.
21. Thievery Corporation (12/11, Terminal 5)
thieverycorporation Here are some Photos from our show at ALL GOOD FEST on July 10th! Photo by: John Shore #ThieveryCorporation #AllGoodFestival
DC collective Thievery Corp is headed by Rob Garza and Eric Hilton features a deep ensemble of supporting artists drawing the sound in any number of directions reggae, soul, hip hop, Indian, house, and trance.
22. America with a Decade of Soul and Dr. K's Motown Revue (12/12, BB King's)
If you've ever heard "Horse with No Name," you know America. They're one of the most classic classic rock bands still around!
23. Monica (12/13, Gramercy Theatre)
monicabrown God saw fit to keep my heart warm through the coldest winters ever... For that I'm Grateful... Nothing happens for Nothing... Still Standing.. CODE RED pre-order NOWโค๏ธCoat: @pologeorgis ๐ข: @stuartweitzman
American singer, producer, and actress Monica is back and on the road in support of her 2015 album, Code Red.
24. Between the Buried and Me (12/15, Irving Plaza)
Avant-garde progressive metal outfit Between the Buried and Me hail from Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Some compare their sound to the likes of fellow southern rockers Mastodon, and they're pretty ruthless with their raging.
,25. India Arie (12/15, Gramercy Theatre)
indiaarie One more happy birthday to the artist hat created this headpiece from the #essencefestival This year. @rahrah_shida - she's SO DOPE! #soulbirdsworlwide follow her. #libra #libraseason still #birthday - ing. โ๏ธ๐๐ณ๐พ
India Arie is a world famous, four-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and producer.
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She won the grammy for Best R&B Album back in 2003.
26. Jerry Lee Lewis (12/16, BB King's)
rockabilly_gas #jerryleelewis #rocknroll #legend #sunrecords #memphis #neworleans #bealstreet #johnnycash #elvispresley #piano #love
Jerry Lee Lewis is the band behind "Great Balls of Fire." What else do you need to know? Go see him, he's still a-rockin' and a-rollin'.
27. Mac Miller (12/16, Terminal 5)
Mac Miller is a Pittsburgh, PA rapper who made a huge splash back in 2010 when his album Blue Side Park debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, the first independently distributed album to do so since 1995.
28. Billy Joel (12/17, MSG)
Billy Joel might as well be the singer-songwriter-pianist of America, with such classics as "Piano Man," he is one of the best selling artists of all time.
29. Perfect Pussy (12/18, Music Hall of Williamsburg)
Perfect Pussy has been called "the most important punk band to come out of Syracuse since Earth Crisis." 'Nuff said? Check them out.
30. Gigamesh (12/19, Brooklyn Bowl)
Minneapolis-based triple platinum producer and DJ Gigamesh is going to be a rager at Brooklyn Bowl. Buy tickets ASAP.
31. The Slackers (12/19, Irving Plaza)
The Slackers are NYC legends rocking ska, rocksteady, dub, soul, and jazz for almost a quarter century!
32. Big Grams (12/21, Irving Plaza)
Big Grams is a relatively new project combining the forces of OutKast's Big Boi and electronic rock duo Phantogram.
33. Joey Bada$$ (12/22, Playstation Theater)
One of Bed-Stuy's own contemporary hip hop stars, Joey Bada$$, will inevitably pack out the Playstation Theater.
34. Sophistafunk (12/23, Brooklyn Bowl)
Syracuse, NY's Sophistafunk is exactly what the name sounds like.
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They're a sophisticated blend of funk, hip hop, and jazz designed to make your booty move.
35. Harlem Gospel Choir (12/24, BB King's)
harlemgospelchoir If you have run out of leftovers after Thanksgiving why not come to our gospel brunch @bbkingbluesnyc next Sunday, and enjoy some good soul food and some good gospel. #HarlemGospelChoir #Gospel #GospelMusic #TimesSquare #BBKINGBLUESNYC #BBKINGBLUESNY #Singers #AllenBailey #Choir #GospelChoir #SweetSundayBrunch #SundayGospel #SundayGospelBrunch #OperationSmile #Showtime #Music #GospelMusic #ugospel #Church #ChurchMusic #Inspiration #Inspirational #squadgoals #teamHGC #thanksgiving
The Harlem Gospel Choir is world famous, and their Christmas Eve specials at BB King's are certainly not to be missed.
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[Feature Image Courtesy Maguzz.com]