The New Colossus Festival 2024

Cucamaras from the United Kingdom at Mercury Lounge

For five days in March, the New York City sidewalks between the Knitting Factory at Baker Falls and Rockwood Music Hall were flooded day and night with young musicians carrying their own gear. Aspiring musicians from all over the world descended on that half-mile strip in the East Village and the Lower East Side of Manhattan in order to network, attend conferences, build community, party, and play brief sets to live audiences in eight independent music emporiums. Many of the participants were on their way to SXSW, the similar but larger festival that always takes place the following week in Austin, Texas.

Arlene’s Grocery, Berlin, Bowery Electric, Heaven Can Wait, the Knitting Factory NY at Baker Falls, Mercury Lounge, Pianos, and Rockwood Music Hall hosted the concerts, conferences and parties from March 6 to 10. Badges cost $150, including fees, and gave the badge holders priority access to the multiple shows, panel discussions, and parties. The New Colossus Festival this year attracted participants from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mali, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Los Premios from Spain at the Knitting Factory NY at Baker Falls

Keegan Powell from Canada at Rockwood Music Hall

Ducks Ltd. from Canada at Pianos

Head North from the United States at Mercury Lounge

Sarakiniko from France at Rockwood Music Hall

Several of the events were themed or sponsored. DITTO X: NYC 24 made its inaugural US event with two days of music industry conferences and networking events at Pianos. Dedstrange, the record company operated by A Place to Bury Strangers, featured performances by Hot Garbage, flirting., BALACLAVA and more. The annual all-day shoegaze party at Arlene's Grocery featured performances by sunsetter, Melody Fields, Boy with Apple, and additional acts. BrooklynVegan showcased Holiday Ghosts, la Securité, Meagre Martin, Mx Lonely, NOBRO, Prewn, Robber Robber, and Silent Mass. M for Montreal held a showcase of Canadian artists with Winona Forever, Housewife, la Sécurité and other artists. A Spanish Wave party introduced Los Premios, the Gulps and other artists from Spain.

Diary from the United States at Arlene's Grocery (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Hause Plants from Portugal at Pianos Showroom (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Shunk from Canada at Pianos Showroom (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Sham Family from Canada at Pianos Showroom (photograph by Kevin Keane)

The annual festival began in 2019, named after Emma Lazarus' 1883 sonnet about the Statue of Liberty. Festival alumni include A Place to Bury Strangers, Blushing, GIFT, Kiwi Jr., Peel Dream Magazine, Penelope Isles, Pom Pom Squad, Sid Simons, THICK, the Orielles, Thus Love, and Water from Your Eyes. The photo gallery below show some of the promising artists that performed at this year’s festival.

Starcleaner Reunion from the United States at Arlene's Grocery (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Palomino Blond from the United States at Arlene's Grocery (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Sara Parigi from Italy at Pianos Upstairs (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Flowers for the Dead from the United States at Arlene's Grocery (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Friend of a Friend at the Knitting Factory NY at Baker Falls

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The Manhattan Beat reports on 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 The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's March calendar.