Friday, December 15, 2017

Rock Shows to Check Out in New York and New Jersey This Weekend (December 15-17, 2017)

The weekend is fast approaching. If you haven’t been bombarded with all the holiday party requests yet and are still looking for something to do, why not check out a live show.

There are a lot of options in New York and New Jersey when it comes to live music this weekend, especially when it comes to rock shows. Yo La Tengo and LCD Soundsystem are both in the middle of giant residencies. WFUV, 94.3 The Shark, Taking Back Sunday, The Starting Line and The Front Bottoms all have their holiday shows this weekend.

With so many great options out there, it could be hard to choose who to see. That’s why Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has compiled this list of rock shows happening in the New York and New Jersey area this weekend. Here are eight that we think will be worth checking out.


1.       Yo La Tengo: Yo La Tengo are right in the middle of their annual eight-night run of Hanukkah shows. This is the first time the band has been able to put a residency together, which makes these shows extra special. The band had some spectacular guests so far for the first three nights, including Nick Lowe, comedian Bob Odenkirk (night one), Los Straitjackets, John Doe and comedian Neil Hamburger (night two), The Sadies and filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (night three). Guests for the next five nights are still unknown. Saturday and Sunday are sold out, but you can still snag tickets for tonight, Monday and Tuesday. (Friday-Tuesday, Bowery Ballroom)

2.       LCD Soundsystem: Fresh off the release of their latest album, the well-received ‘American Dream,’ LCD Soundsystem have set up shop at Brooklyn Steel for a 10 show residency that started Monday night and will last through next week. This run will bring their total of Brooklyn Steel shows for the year up to 22. Unfortunately, all shows are listed as sold out at this point. (Friday, Sunday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday, Brooklyn Steel)

3.       Holiday Cheer for FUV: WFUV will be hosting their annual Holiday Cheer benefit show tonight. Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, Aimee Mann, Randy Newman and Lo Moon are set to perform. Proceeds from the show go to keeping the listener-supported station afloat. (Friday, Beacon Theatre)

4.       Taking Back Sunday: If you feel like heading to New Jersey, Long Island’s Taking Back Sunday will be holding their annual holiday shows this weekend. Friday’s openers include The Dear Hunter and Diet Cig, while Saturday’s openers include The Maine and Modern Chemistry. There will also be a charity pop-up shop on Saturday afternoon where people who purchase a pass can take a photo with Santa and  see an acoustic show by TBS. All proceeds from that will go towards fighting cancer. (Friday & Saturday, Starland Ballroom)

5.       The Front Bottoms: New Jersey pop-punk band The Front Bottoms will be holding their annual Champagne Jam at Asbury Park’s Convention Hall this weekend. With 10 bands and two stages, this will be like a mini year-end festival. Besides The Front Bottoms, bands include AJJ, The Districts, White Reaper, American Trappist, Delicate Steve, Slaughter Beach Dog, The Big Easy, Weakened Friends and Strange Eclipse. (Saturday, Convention Hall)

6.       Blood Sweat & Tears: Blood Sweat & Tears celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Known for their incorporation of jazz, blues and classical in their rock, the band has a sound all their own with a massive stage presence. ‘American Idol’ alum Bo Bice is currently fronting the band. (Saturday, The Paramount Huntington; Sunday, B.B. King Blues Club)

7.       Sponge: Best known for their single “Plowed,” rock band Sponge will be headlining 94.3 The Shark’s final Ho Ho Ho Fest show at Long Island’s newest venue, Stereo Garden. Sponge puts on an aggressive show and frontman Vinnie Dombroski acts like a mad man on stage, so you won’t want to miss it. (Saturday, Stereo Garden)

8.       The Starting Line: For what the band calls the “first time in a while, “Emo” band The Starting Line will be playing their holiday show in New York this weekend. Having reunited in 2013, the band released their first studio album in nine years, ‘Anyways,’ in 2016. Opening the sold out show will be Prince Daddy & The Hyena. (Sunday, Irving Plaza)


These are some of the hottest rock shows happening in New York and New Jersey this weekend. Check out these or any of the other amazing shows happening in the area and rock out into the holidays.

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Before heading out to the venues this weekend, drop by Vinyl Bay 777 to find music from these artists and more. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres that would please any music lover. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

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