Brooklyn’s July Music Scene Is Hot, Hot, Hot!

June 29, 2019 by David K. Moseder

From Williamsburg to Prospect Park to Coney Island, and points in between, July is filled with musical fireworks covering a wealth of genres, with Brooklyn-based artists well represented.

Courtney Barnett Wails On The Bandshell Stage at Celebrate Brooklyn! / photo by Kyra Kverno

The 41^st edition of Celebrate Brooklyn! is well underway with a variety of great June shows at the Prospect Park Bandshell setting the stage for more diverse musical treats ahead. Brooklyn Roads was on hand for opening night with Patti LaBelle, as well as concerts by The National and Courtney Barnett, Calexico and Iron & Wine, Father John Misty with Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, and Tank and the Bangas with local artists Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles opening for them.

Rap is on tap at CB! with Brooklynite LeiKeli47 teaming up with Chicago MC Mick Jenkins to headline a quadruple bill of hip-hop and soul, July 5, and Burna Boy and Jidenna headlining shows on July 19 and 26. On July 6, Sudanese American MC Oddisee and Palestinian-Jordanian band 47SOUL join with NARCY for a show that taps into their Arabic roots. World music legend Salif Keita returns to the Bandshell July 13 after a decade’s absence, this time with 2017 Afropunk Battle of the Bands semi-finalist Courtnee Roze opening for him. Another returnee to CB!, one with Brooklyn roots, is I’m With Her (Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins), July 18.

July highlights at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk include Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, July 19, and, the following night, “Saturday Night Summer Fever,” featuring, among others, Thelma Houston, Tavares, the Trammps, Peaches and Herb, The Delfonics, Carol Douglas and The New York Bee Gees Live Band. Fela Kuti, known as the founding father of Afrobeat, hits the Amphitheater stage on July 26.

Our borough’s own Citizen Cope takes the stage at Brooklyn Steel July 9 in support of his new album, Heroin & Helicopters. Music Hall of Williamsburg presents CHAI, July 15, and Aimee Mann, July 17, with Brooklyn artists Bodega and Jonathan Coulton as the respective opening acts.

For fans of acoustic music, DeGraw Sound has curated “Unplugged,” a live music series, on Friday evenings in July at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 3 Greenway Terrace. On July 11, Live From the Vault: Songwriter Sessions at Putnam’s Pub & Cooker in Fort Greene features host Devlin Miles performing with special guests Trina Hamlin and Orly Bendavid.

Variety is the spice of Brooklyn Bowl’s lineup, with upcoming shows by Jamaican reggae sensations Raging Fyah, July 21; country blues man Charley Crockett, July 24, and the soulful McCrary Sisters, July 28.

Artists on our Radar

Janet LaBelle Takes the Spotlight: Blending Vintage Vibes with Modern Magic

Janet Labelle With Guitar In Hand / photo by John Nyboer

Dynamic Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Janet LaBelle continues to push her creative boundaries. Known for her unique ability to fuse analog warmth with modern production, LaBelle has been praised by Jersey Beat for her “sweet voice and sharp, thoughtful songwriting,” and her newest projects are no exception. Her music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of folk, classic rock, and pop into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. LaBelle recently released her single “Day in the Sun” on September 13 via her own Wild Violet Records, and it has already been captivating audiences with its sunny melodies and deeply personal narrative. The song, inspired by a meaningful hike with a friend in 2023, showcases her talent for finding beauty in simplicity, a theme that resonates through much of her work. The inclusion of horns marks an exciting creative evolution, adding a new layer of depth to her already richly textured sound. Throughout her career, LaBelle has explored a wide range of musical styles. She first made waves as a teenager in the punk-pop band Avery, and since then, her solo work has spanned genres like classic rock, folk, pop, and even French chanson. Her previous EPs, including Moon Songs (2010) and Blossom & Blue (2011), demonstrate her eclectic tastes, with influences ranging from surf rock to vintage country. Working with respected producers such as Evan Taylor (Bernie Worrell) and Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants), LaBelle continues to expand her sound, evolving with each new release. Fans can catch her live at upcoming performances, including a show at Our Wicked Lady on September 24th and at Sleepwalk on December 3rd. These live shows will give listeners a chance to hear both her new and classic material in an up-close setting. Her combination of memorable songs, captivating performances and a unique voice sets her apart as an artist who continues to rise, drawing listeners in with every new creation.

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