NYC Summer Concerts: 7 Best Shows Happening This Week

After a quiet week this past week musically (in New York City terms), this week is filled with all sorts of fun options ranging from your favorite (or your dad's favorite) jam bands, to everything else.

1. Monday, July 8 — She & Him at Central Park's Summerstage

Zooey Deschanel plus M. Ward, plus two other people = the lovely musical talents of your favorite star of New Girl. Touring behind Volume 3, this group always puts on a good show, and Summerstage is a great place to catch a show. Get there early for a good spot! Tickets are $40 and can be found on Ticketmaster here.

2. Tuesday, July 9 — Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the McKittrick Hotel

One of my personal favorite acts, who are playing for an entire week at the set of Sleep No More, and it comes with a copy of their new album? Sounds like a no brainer to me. This band has featured a rotating cast of unbelievable musicians continuing the dixieland tradition for more than 50 years. No band that I have ever seen is more professional than this group and I can virtually guarantee a foot-stomping great time. Tickets range from $50 to $65 and can be found here.

3. Wednesday, July 10 — Phish at the PNC Bank Arts Center

What would a list of shows going on around the city be without inclusions of my personal favorite band, the Phish from Vermont.  Coming off a three-night run at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC if you will), the Vermont quartet is gearing up for their 13th appearance in Holmdel at the shed. The band will also be playing the amphitheater at Jones Beach on Friday if you don't want to phish mid-week (what would a post about Phish be without a little pun). Tickets are still available for Wednesday's show through Live Nation here for $45 to $60.

4. Thursday, July 11 — Belle and Sebastian with Yo La Tengo at the Prospect Park Bandshell

While I'll be at Furthur at the Barclays Center, something tells me that the average reader of this site is not a big dead-head. With that in mind, go check out this terrific double-header of bands in Prospect Park. I just caught Belle and Sebastian at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and they wonderfully entertaining. Throw in local favorites Yo La Tengo (whose Maxwell's Hanukkah runs will certainly be missed), and this is an evening of music that should have something for everybody. Or you can join me at Furthur, who always put down great shows in New York City. Tickets for the show at Prospect Park are currently sold out; however, keep trying as they release tickets closer to the show date often times.

5. Friday, July 12 — Chris Potter Underground at the Jazz Standard

If seeing Phish on Jones Beach isn't your thing (it is also sold out), and Furthur out in Holmdel doesn't float your boat either, check out one of my favorite sax players in my favorite jazz club in the city (I feel as if I am throwing out the whole "this is my favorite" thing around a lot, but allow me to back this one up). No other jazz club of any worth has no table minimums, the Jazz Standard doesn't feature such punitive measures.  But why just sit there when you can eat some of the food from Danny Meyer's "Blue Smoke," located upstairs from the club, delivered to your table while you watch Potter and his quartet work their way through jazzy opus'. Sure to be a good time, the group is there from Thursday through Sunday, playing 3 shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 and two more on Thursday and Sunday at 7:30 and 9:30. Tickets for this can be found on Ticketweb here.

6. Saturday, July 13 — Consider the Source at the Escape Guest House

To introduce this band, I need to tell a personal story. I was 16-years-old and misread the ticket I had to see Victor Wooten and got there earlier than I had planned on and walked into the first few rows of the Highline Ballroom and out walked this self-described "Sci-Fi Middle Eastern Funk" band. Intrigued, I decided I would eschew a real dinner in favor of listening to the first song of this band. If I liked them, I would stay. Forty-five minutes later and one of the craziest bass solos ever, I have never been happier with a decision in my life.

Consider the Source has ever since been my favorite local band as that night I watched EVERY SINGLE person in the room become a fan. I know, Journalism 101 says that unless literally everyone became a fan, you can't make a declarative statement like that. Well, everyone that witnessed Consider the Source play their set that night became a fan of the band. At this private venue, you can see these incredible musicians give a masterclass and then play a rare acoustic set. For $25, you are not going to find anything better to do. I will most certainly be there and you should too. Tickets are available here.

7. Sunday, July 14 — Citizen Cope at City Winery

While this show is sold out, I would strongly recommend doing your very best to get a ticket to this show. While the first time I saw Citizen Cope, I left underwhelmed, since then, they have received nothing but rave reviews, and their residencies at City Winery, a great venue in downtown Manhattan, have been fan favorites. Tickets are sold out, but Craigslist and the Internet can be your friend in this situation.