“This year was a great year for music!” is a highly debatable statement. But whether or not you were a fan of 2013, it’s always a good idea to end things on a high note.
True, going out in New York City on New Year’s can be painfully annoying, but it all depends on what you decide to do. So if you don’t want to spend your last moments of 2013 in watching Miley Cyrus twerk on your flatscreen, here are a few foolproof New Years Eve options you should check out:
Perfect Pussy
Acheron// 21+
Perfect Pussy was recently taken under the Captured Tracks label, making this show one of the best indie-rock options in the city.
DIIV, Potty Mouth, Ratking
Baby’s All Right// 21+
DIIV headlines New Year’s Eve at Brooklyn’s new venue Baby’s All Right.
Billy Joel, Ben Folds Five
Barclays Center// All Ages
Before he starts his residency at MSG in 2014, Long Island’s legendary Billy Joel closes out ’13 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, along with the reunited Ben Folds Five.
Delta Spirit, Cults (DJ set)
Brooklyn Bowl// 21+
Delta Spirit come to Brooklyn Bowl (QRO venue review) for New Year’s – hopefully frontman Matthew Vasquez won’t be climbing the rafters… (QRO photo).
Avan Lava, Juan Maclean (DJ Set)
Cameo Gallery// 21+
One of DFA’s best DJs, Juan Maclean (QRO interview), will be teaming up with Avan Lava for one hell of a disco-dance party in Brooklyn at Cameo (QRO venue review).
https://soundcloud.com/avanlava/the-easy-way-radio-edit
Mykki Blanko, DJ Rashad, Boychild
Gramercy Theatre// 16+
Sharp-tongued local rapper Mykki Blanko will headline the one-of-a-kind NYE show at Gramercy Theatre (QRO venue review). A ton of other hip-hop-influenced openers are included in the bill, most notably Chicago’s ‘footwork’ duo DJ Rashad. Their album Double Cup was released under Hyperdub Records this October – if you’re unfamiliar, you should definitely give it a listen.
Andrew W.K.
Irving Plaza// 16+
If you want to party on New Year’s Eve – and who doesn’t? – why not go to Irving Plaza (QRO venue review) and see the eminent expert on partying, Andrew W.K.?
Phish
Madison Square Garden// 18+
One way to end your year with positive vibes, at Madison Square Garden (QRO venue review). Rolling your eyes? Maybe Carrie Brownstein’s Phish testimony will change your mind. If you want another jam band option, The Disco Biscuits will be playing close by at the smaller Theatre at Madison Square Garden as a part of their four day New Year’s Eve run.
(playing 12/28 to 12/31)
Alesso
Pier 94// 18+
It might be cold outside, but heading onto the water with superstar DJ Alesso will be sure to warm things up at Pier 94.
Big Gigantic, White Panda, Paper Diamond, Dallask
Roseland Ballroom// 18+
Big Gigantic will play the final New Year’s Eve show at the iconic Roseland Ballroom (QRO venue review), which is planned to close next April. This isn’t be the duo’s first NYE show – they’ve hosted two successful December 31sts in Chicago in the past. With their unique blend of electronic production and live instruments, this performance is bound to be one of the most uplifting ways end the year.
(playing 12/30 & 12/31)
Thurston Moore & more
The Stone// 21+
Punk & noise icon Thurston Moore beings his residency at The Stone with not one, not two, but three performances there on New Year’s Eve! It starts with his first ‘regular’ residency show with saxophonist John Zorn, then he teams up with punk-icon-in-his-own-right Mike Watt & Raymond Pettibon Trio, before closing out the night with his new ensemble, Chelsea Light Moving.
(Moore & Zorn performances continue through 1/5)
Gogol Bordello, Man Man
Terminal 5// All Ages
NYC gypsy punks Gogol Bordello will be playing two nights at Terminal 5 (QRO venue review), just like they did back in 2011. This show is guaranteed to be sweaty and rowdy as ever – there is no such thing as a slow Gogol Bordello show. They will be joined both nights by America’s own wild Man Man – both just came off of a tour in the U.K. (QRO photos – QRO photos).
(playing 12/30 & 12/31)
