Electro-Afrobeat. Digital-dub-soul. Latin ska-reggae. It’s the season of live music packaged in sounds as hyphenated as the make-up of New York City. SUMMER! That’s right, it may not feel like it outside, but the humid temps are around the corner, and we don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for mosh pit B.O. and sweat drenched skinny pants. From the free shows at Celebrate Brooklyn, Central Park SummerStage, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors, to the impromptu conga drum jam sessions in subway cars, it’s hard to top live music in New York. Below are just a few picks to get you going this June concert season.
Diego Garcia y Los Pumas Negros
Mercury Lounge, June 1
Kick off the summer with Diego Garcia at the Mercury Lounge. The former Elefant lead singer abandons his indie pop-rock hooks and sounds like an older soul as a solo performer. The Detroit native was born to Argentine parents, and says his recent music was made with grandma in mind. It shows, both in the mellower grooves and flamenco-tango tinged melodies.
Los Auténticos Decadentes (pictured)
B.B. King Blues Club, June 4
It’s been a minute since the ultimate Argentine party band spread their decadence across New York City. Los Auténticos Decadentes stop by B.B. King’s to turn the ska formula on its head with percussions and traces of their former punk rock selves. See them play hits from way back like, “Somos” and “Amanacer,” plus hear new tracks from their latest album, Irrompibles. It’s the perfect Friday night show – nothing like getting the work week angst out while skankin’ in the mosh pit.
Federico Aubele featuring Carol C from Si*Se
Joe’s Pub, June 5
Buenos Aires romantic Federico Aubele, aka our favorite skinny guy with a ‘fro, teams up with the soulful Carol C from Si*Se for a night at Joe’s Pub. Federico’s Spanish guitar and dub beats are a perefect match for Carol C., who also leans on steady beats and is forever experimenting with trip-hoppish, electro elements. Not recommended for the recently dumped – wistful lyrics will be rampant.
Os Paralamas do Sucesso
Central Park SummerStage, June 12
One of biggest Brazilian rocks bands takes time out of their busy tour in Brazil to stop by Central Park SummerStage. Os Paralamas do Sucesso has kept the same lineup since 1982, and they keep at it with ska and reggae influenced rock. Watch them on the closing night of The 8th Annual Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil with Brazilian guitarist and singer Maria Gadu.
Chico Mann
El Museo Del Barrio, June 24
Jersey City’s Chico Mann (pronounced “maeng”) grew up with a dad who owned a Latin record label in Hell’s Kitchen, so it’s no wonder his sets sound a bit like 1970’s New York, except with a distinct ’80s baby perspective. Think of a Fania All-Stars/Lisa Lisa mash-up vibe with an electro-futuristic twist. The multi-instrumentalist producer performs as part of El Museo Del Barrio’s Summer Nights Concert Series, in partnership with TeatroStageFest.
Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club + Omara Portuondo & Nelida Tirado
Celebrate Brooklyn at Prospect Park, June 24
There’s never an excuse to pass up a show where the artists represent something more than music: The Buena Vista Social Club was more like a phenom – an accidental explosion that brought the golden age of Cuban music front and center, even if it was decades after the fact. See some of the original musicians in the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club and original singer Omara Portuondo, with flamenco dancer Nelida Tirado.
Remezcla’s July concert picks coming soon: Pacha Massive, Los Rakas, Maldita Vecindad, Bomba Estereo, Mexcian Institute of Sound, and more!