Underground Sounds: Good Music at NYC's Smaller Live Music Venues

New York City has enjoyed a thriving live music circuit since the 1920s. These are the new Roaring 20s, with larger ballrooms drawing buzz bands from all over the world.

What about the upstart bands? Where in New York City do they hone their performance skills? Here is a quick overview of some of the outstanding music acts and jams that played in New York City's smaller and lesser-publicized venues in the past week.

Ruby Dee & the Snakehandlers at the monthly Flip Flop and Fly night at Otto's Shrunken Head on October 3

Love and Murder at the Bowery Electric on October 1 (photograph by Alan Rand)

Killcode at the Bowery Electric on October 1 (photograph by Alan Rand)

Eva and Her Virgins at the Bowery Electric on October 1 (photograph by Alan Rand)

Brass Knuckle Evangelists at Berlin on September 30 (photograph by Alan Rand)

Mismiths at Berlin on September 30 (photograph by Alan Rand)

Max Creek at the Bitter End on October 4 (photograph by David Sussman)

The weekly Tuesday Night Hot Jazz night at Mona's on September 30 (photograph by David Sussman) 

The weekly Live Bluegrass night at Lucinda's on September 30 (photograph by David Sussman)

The weekly Bluegrass Wednesdays at Mathilde on October 1 (photograph by Matt Bonner)

Jeff Slate and Friends at Cafe Wha? on October 5 (photograph by Shelley Fromm)

Ruby Laks (left) at the Perelman Performing Arts Center Lobby Stage on October 2

The James Austin Jr. Quartet at the Cellar Dog on October 2 (photograph by Seth Okrend)

The Dexters at the Leif on October 4

Related Articles

Under-the-Radar New York Musicians on the Rise

Good Live Music by Rising Local Musicians

Rising Local Music Acts Graced NYC Last Week

***

The Manhattan Beat regularly lists the best live music events coming to the New York City area. The twice-weekly guide also celebrates via photographs some of the musicians who have performed locally in the past few days.

Everynight Charley recommends the following 40+ concerts in the New York City area this week. Consult the web site or social media of the venue for more information about a show, including location and directions, parking, ticket availability, show times, age restrictions, and COVID compliance.

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