Brooklyn’s Music Venue Scene is Ever Vibrant and Thriving

October 9, 2023 by

Live music is one of the iconic symbols that makes New York City one that never sleeps. Brooklyn is home to many music gems that have been cultivating audiences and musicians alike for years.  Whether enriched in history or the site of 21st century beginnings, Brooklyn music venues have conquered the myriad of music genres.  Brooklyn Roads takes a dive into some of the those venues. 

Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie / Kings Theatre /October 12.,2018 /photo by Mark Doyle

Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie / Kings Theatre /October 12.,2018 /photo by Mark Doyle

First is the Kings Theater in Flatbush.

Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires at the Kings Theatre / February 3, 2018 / photo by Kyra Kverno

Jason Isbell at the Kings Theatre /February 3, 2018/ photo by Kyra Kverno

Formerly Lowe’s Kings Theater, this venue first opened as a movie palace in 1929. It closed in 1977, sitting idle for decades before private developers restored and reopened the theater as a performing arts venue in 2015.   

Today, everything old is new again as the theater is a hub for live entertainment of all music genres. Legends like Patti La Belle have graced its stage, along with Grammy winners Ed Sheeran and Bob Dylan, set to perform there later this fall. 

We now travel to Williamsburg for National Sawdust.

Iris Lune at National Sawdust / September 24 2016/ photo by Ray Fontaine

Iris Lune at National Sawdust / September 24, 2016/ photo by Ray Fontaine

Opening in 2015, the non-profit venue supports the creation of innovative new work. Contrasting the grandness of Kings Theater, National Sawdust is an intimate space that seats 350 in a century-old sawdust factory.

Specializing in avant-garde performance, the venue has featured Phillip Glass, Yo-Yo Ma and many others. The venue is also home to one of the very few cultural institutions in New York operated by women. Co-founders Ana De Archuleta and composer Paola Prestini serve as Managing Director and Artistic Director.

Jan Bell & The Maybelles at Barbès / February 28, 2019 / photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Jan Bell & The Maybelles at Barbès / February 28, 2019 / photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Now, we focus on Barbès in the South Slope.     

Opening in 2002, Barbès has been home to thousands of performers. The venue’s original goal was to provide a space and community for Brooklyn based artists and musicians who were independent and needed an alternative to Manhattan clubs.    At a time when Brooklyn was not well known for its various cultures as it is now, the venue has been home to many across all genres, including some who take up monthly residency  such the Andy Statman Trio , Slavic Soul Party , Stephane Wrembel and  Jenny Scheinman .