NYC's Most Exciting Underground Music Pop-Ups

Music venues have begun to reopen. In addition, an increasing number of restaurant owners seem willing to try live music. These are the more traditional avenues for musicians to pursue for gigs. The most intrepid musicians, however, are charting their own paths and finding off-the-grid places to perform for new audiences.

Helixx C. Armageddon in the storefront window at the Gene Frankel Theater on April 3

Claudi Love of Pinc Louds performed for a dancing crowd at the Nexus flea market at Peretz Square on April 3

The Carvels NYC, normally a quintet, played as a trio at the Nexus sidewalk flea market at Pertez Square on April 3

Pinc Louds performed as a full band for the first time in 2021 at Tompkins Square Park on March 27

Ayla Hugs was a support act for Pinc Louds at Tompkins Square Park on March 27

Dirty Circuit brought its own large following to Tompkins Square Park on March 27

BB Y.T.K. played stoner rock at Tompkins Square Park on April 3

Slade (left), Scott Newman (center) of the band Skitzopolis, and a friend jammed on classic rock songs at Tompkins Square Park on April 3

The Meetles played 1960s and 1970s pop hits at Tompkins Square Park on April 4

The cleverly-named [Insert Name Here] Trio became a quartet outside Tompkins Square Park on April 4

Rapper Mike Ruiz and three horn players from Flowmingos worked on arrangements at Washington Square Park on April 4

The 15-piece Eyal Vilner Big Band resumed its weekly swing dance parties at Washington Square Park on April 4

The Eric Paulin Quartet played jazz standards at Tompkins Square Park on April 6

Steve Bryant, who bills himself as Cru the Dynamic, played solo drums to recorded band tracks at Tompkins Square Park on April 6

Off the Bar Brass roamed through Greenwich Village playing for outdoor diners on April 6

Leroy Webb returned to singing by the fountain in Washington Square Park on April 6

The Chris Johansen Trio in Madison Square Park on April 6
(photograph by Seth Okrend)