The New Colossus Festival 2023

A Place to Bury Strangers' festival-closing performance at the Bowery Ballroom was delayed one day to March 13

Hundreds of young musicians and music industry hopefuls from around the world performed, networked and partied with local musicians at several venues within a 10-block radius in Manhattan’s Lower East Side last week. From noon until past midnight on March 8 to 12, these sidewalks were packed with excited musicians enjoying a taste of their dream lives as they unloaded vans, prepared to perform for new audiences, and listened to innovative bands as they waited their turn on stage. Many of the aspiring musicians were in New York City and even in the United States for the first time.

Pure Adult from Brooklyn, New York, at the Bowery Ballroom on March 13

Plattenbau from Berlin, Germany, at the Bowery Ballroom on March 13

Lunacy, from Pennsylvania, at the Bowery Ballroom on March 13

The Depreciation Guild, from Brooklyn, New York, reunited for the first time since 2011 and performed at Mercury Lounge on March 8

The New Colossus Festival generally attracts musicians that have worked their local circuits and are seeking a pathway to greater success in the international music industry. They embrace a do-it-yourself ethic, often recording original songs and playing gigs with no support from record companies, management, public relations or tour manager. They may generate a little revenue from merchandise sales, but not enough to cover their expenses. Their drive is nested in a love of playing original music to enthusiastic and like-minded audiences. For five days in New York City, these aspiring artists build the larger community they crave.

The Down and Outs, from Providence, Rhode Island, at Berlin on March 8

Thus Love, from Brattleboro, Vermont, at Pianos Showroom on March 8

Telescreens, from New York City, at Mercury Lounge on March 11

Two-Man Giant Squid, from Brooklyn, New York, at Berlin on March 8

This invasion happens every March, as more than 100 emerging indie-rock acts looking to break into the larger music industry meet, learn from experts about the most recent trends in the music industry, and showcase their music. The New Colossus Festival, launched in New York City in 2019, is an annual five-day festival hosting showcase performances, industry talks, discussion panels and networking events. For five days and nights, participants choose to attend numerous events, many happening simultaneously, all within walking distance of each other.

Mary Shelley, from Brooklyn, New York, at Mercury Lounge on March 11 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

The Vices, from Groningen, the Netherlands, at Mercury Lounge on March 10 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Blushing, from Austin, Texas, at Mercury Lounge on March 10 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Ghum, from London, England, at Mercury Lounge on March 10 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

This year's participants attended programs including “Publishing and Sync: Unlocking New Revenue Streams”, “Music Video Masterclass with Vevo”, “Gig Economy: Navigating New Challenges in Live Music”, “Spotify for Artists Masterclass” and “Future Music Trends: Staying Ahead of the Genre.” Networking events and parties included Kanine Records' 20th anniversary party, the DedStrange label showcase, a Canadian block party presented by M for Montreal, a 12-hour shoegaze party, and even a “Bloody Caesar” mixer. The centerpieces of the days, however, were the multi-act showcases at Arlene’s Grocery, Berlin, the Bowery Ballroom, the Bowery Electric, Heaven Can Wait, Mercury Lounge, Pianos Showroom and Pianos Upstairs Lounge.

French Cassettes, from San Francisco, California, at Mercury Lounge on March 11 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Layzi, from Novi Sad, Serbia, at Mercury Lounge on March 11 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Marci (second from left) of TOPS from Montreal, Canada, at Mercury Lounge on March 11 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Sid Simons (second from left), formerly known as Girl Skin, from New York City at Mercury Lounge on March 11 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

While many of the performances were by New York area bands that normally play the same downtown club circuit throughout the year, dozens of bands made the New Colossus Festival a destination adventure. Canada was well represented, with 27 music acts. Musicians traveled from Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and Wales. Several of the bands had performed at the festival in previous years and returned for another round.

Naya Ali, from Montreal, Canada, at Mercury Lounge on March 10 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Slow Fiction from New York City at Mercury Lounge on March 10 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

O. Wake, from Brooklyn, New York, at Mercury Lounge on March 10 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Namesake, from Brooklyn, New York, at Mercury Lounge on March 10 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Several music acts performed at multiple showcases across the five days. Many acts came with a stronger word of mouth that drew larger crowds, while numerous more-unknown artists played to audiences eager to discover new music. Absolutely Free (Toronto, CA), Adwaith (Carmarthen, WS), Big Sea (Bologna, IT), Blushing (Austin, TX), Gäy (Copenhagen, DK), Heaven for Real (Toronto, CA), Jane Inc (Toronto, CA), Jeanines (Brooklyn, NY), Kamikaze Nurse (Vancouver, CA), Marci (with members of Tops; Montreal, CA), Mary Shelley (Brooklyn, NY), Naya Ali (Montreal, CA), Noah & the Loners (London, EN), Plattenbau (Berlin, DE), Teenage Halloween (Asbury Park, NJ), THUS LOVE (Brattleboro, VT), Poster Paints (with members of Frightened Rabbit; Glasgow, UK), and Spirits of Leo (Brooklyn, NY) were among the buzz bands generating advance attention.

Gäy, from Copenhagen, Denmark, at Berlin on March 8

The After Hours, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at Pianos Upstairs Lounge on March 8

Trinket at Pianos Showroom on March 8

Monsoon, from Athens, Georgia, at Arlene's Grocery on March 8

This year, 135 bands performed on the various stages of the New Colossus Festival. At the last minute, the festival organizers were forced to extend the festival an extra day when an issue at the Bowery Ballroom caused the closing concert scheduled for Sunday night to be rescheduled for Monday night. Two of the four bands originally scheduled for the closing concert, Sorry Mob (New York City) and Demob Happy (Brighton, EN), were unable to perform on the delayed date.

Hoorsees, from Paris, France, at Arlene's Grocery on March 8

Boy with Apple, from Gothenburg, Sweden, at Pianos Showroom on March 8

Grand Sun, from Lisbon, Portugal, at Pianos Showroom on March 8

Yndling, from Oslo, Norway, at Pianos Showroom on March 8

The timing of the New Colossus Festival each year coincides with the SXSW festival in Texas a few days later. Many of the musicians and music industry personnel participating in the New Colossus Festival also then travel to SXSW.

The Manhattan Beat captured images of 35 of the music artists that performed throughout the New Colossus Festival 2023.

Emmrose from New York City at Pianos Upstairs Lounge on March 8

Laveda, from New York City, at Arlene's Grocery on March 8

Church Crush, from Brooklyn, New York, at Pianos Upstairs Lounge on March 8

Lahnah, from Portland, Maine, at Arlene's Grocery on March 8

Fears, from Dublin, Ireland, at Pianos Upstairs Lounge on March 8

Colatura, from Brooklyn, New York, at Arlene's Grocery on March 8

Click on related articles from The Manhattan Beat archives

The New Colossus Festival 2020

The New Colossus Festival 2019

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

For a listing of upcoming performances for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's March calendar.