Photo: Adam and the Metal Hawks play TSQ LIVE 2023; credit Michael Hull Photo

Including First-Ever TSQ LIVE Open Call for Performers to Take the Stage

The Times Square Alliance is pleased to announce the lineup for TSQ LIVE, a series of over 80 free, open-air performances across Times Square’s public plazas, beginning this May and running through September 2024. This year’s edition features programs from renowned organizations, including Carnegie Hall Citywide, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ailey Extension, Elsewhere, Soul Summit, Street Lab, among others. This year marks the very first TSQ LIVE open call, in which performers can apply for a spot on the big stage.

TSQ LIVE is one of New York’s largest free outdoor events series which serves hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers every summer. Featuring a dynamic array of dance, performance, and music, the program reflects the diversity, creativity and talent that defines New York City, while bringing audiences from all walks of life together. The series highlights both established institutions and emerging talents by turning over Times Square as a platform to showcase their work and reach a cross-section of the district’s hundreds of thousands of daily visitors.

New to TSQ LIVE this season, visitors can expect gender-expansive DJ sets with FEMME HOUSE, elder-millennial friendly dance parties with Matinée Social Club, and live music from MTA Music coupled with interactive art programs from Street Lab. The Summer Friday series has doubled the amount of concerts and includes celebrations of pride with jaw-dropping performances from JORDY and Molly Grace. TSQ LIVE’s on-going partnerships with Ailey Extension providing a variety of dance classes and esteemed performances by Carnegie Hall Citywide and Jazz at Lincoln Center remain staples throughout the line up.

“Living up to its name, the Crossroads of the World, the free public programming of our plazas in Times Square is a direct reflection of our community, culture, and all that New York City has to offer and is just as diverse and dynamic as the people in Times Square,” said Joe Papa, Director of Events and Programming at the Times Square Alliance. “Complete with emerging artists as well as charting pop stars, this year’s TSQ LIVE lineup is stacked with an incredible range of talent, from a solo cellist creating an intimate soundscape to in-your-face rock-out moments; from a 17-piece big band to a 40+ dance crew; and everything in between at a venue like no other.”

“Just like Times Square itself, TSQ LIVE has something for everyone this year and we look forward to seeing the hundreds of thousands of visitors each day take in this amazing array of programs,” said Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance. “Enjoy all these great events on your way to your hotel, Broadway show, favorite restaurant or after work in the heart of Times Square.”

Thank you to the supporters who make TSQ LIVE possible. This program is supported by a Market New York grant from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism, awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
All Wednesday performances are presented by Nasdaq.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

TSQ LIVE Open Call

For the first time ever, TSQ LIVE is handing over its stage with an open call, inviting singers and musicians to apply for the opportunity to join the roster and perform in Times Square, which sees over 400,000 visitors a day. For those interested they can apply using the registration link for a chance to be on the stage previously shared by Maneskin, Adam and the Metal Hawks, The Scarlet Opera, Couch, and more.

DJ SETS

Presented by New York Modular Society, Matinée Social Club, FEMME HOUSE, Soul Summit and Elsewhere.

Tuesdays | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
Every Tuesday, TSQ LIVE presents an eclectic assortment of music from some of the city’s most popular nightclubs and collectives. With five sets from May to September, FEMME HOUSE will make their TSQ LIVE debut with their roster of femme, gender expansive, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ DJs and producers. In May, the nightlife experiential committee Matinee Social Club will take the stage. In June, July and August, Brooklyn’s beloved live music venue Elsewhere returns with beats to electrify the crowds. Soul Summit Music, the Brooklyn-based group known for their soulful Sunday afternoon festivals in Fort Greene Park, makes waves through June, July and August.

New York Modular Society is an electronic music artists collective devoted to nurturing and connecting the modular synthesizer community through live performances, workshops and the sharing of knowledge.

  • Tuesday, May 7 at 5:00pm

Matinée Social Club creates “nightlife” experiences that match the changing lifestyles of millennials.They host “nighttime” dance parties from 5-10pm on select Saturdays in NYC with Matinée Resident DJs Vosters & Sean Doe.

  • Tuesday, May 14 at 5:00pm

Project 91 x Analog
Project 91 is a promotion and production company based in New York City founded in 2019. Following the return of live events in 2021, Project 91 has experienced explosive growth, welcoming over 90,000 attendees across 200+ events between New York, Miami, and The Hamptons. Project 91 primarily focuses on the house music community. It has featured artists such as Diplo, Loud Luxury, Gryffin, Cheat Codes, and many more.

Analog is recognized as one of the most established house and techno agencies in the world. With more than 80 artists in the client roster including Carl Cox, Sasha & John Digweed, Joseph Capriati and many more it has now expanded to have offices in Madrid, Buenos Aires, Punta Del Este, New York, Barcelona, etc.

  • Tuesday, May 21 at 5:00pm

FEMME HOUSE is a non-profit founded in 2019 by LP Giobbi and HERMIXALOT to create equity in music by amplifying the voices of women, femme, gender expansive and non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC creators by offering education, scholarships, mentorship, community, and visual representation for aspiring DJs and musical artists.

  • Tuesday, May 28 at 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, June 25 at 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 30 at 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 27 at 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, September 24 at 5:00pm

Soul Summit Music, a Brooklyn-based group consisting of DJs Jeffrey Mendoza, Sadiq Bellamy and Tabu, is best known for their soulful Sunday afternoon festivals in Fort Greene Park where the collective has built a devoted following from across the tri-State area over two decades for their joyful and inclusive dance parties.

  • Tuesday, June 4 at 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 16 a 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 13 at 5:00pm

Elsewhere is Brooklyn’s leading venue & night club dedicated to new music, presenting underground and unbound music with love since 2017. Across three floors, Elsewhere is a space for all New Yorkers to experience expansive sonic offerings, spreading the joy of radical music, for all & forever.

  • Tuesday, June 18 at 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 23 at 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 20 at 5:00pm

ART Street Lab Supported by Nasdaq
Wednesdays in May until June 26 | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd and 44th Streets
In this new series of events, Street Lab, the nonprofit that has been creating and sharing programs for NYC public space since 2011, will create a pop-up place to gather and connect around artistic activities for children, families and creative minds alike.

Schedule:

  • Wednesday, May 8 at 5:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 15 at 5:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 22 at 5:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 29 at 5:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 5 at 5:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 12 at 5:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 26 at 5:00pm

DANCE Ailey Extension Thursdays | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
Ailey Extension was founded to continue Alvin Ailey’s legacy that “dance came from the people and should be delivered back to the people” by offering open dance classes for all levels. For the last 19 years, the Extension has brought together people of all backgrounds to train with renowned dance instructors from around the world at the home of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Join Ailey Extension online or in person for dance and fitness classes open to everyone, from absolute beginners to professional dancers.

Schedule:

LIVE MUSIC A yearly tradition and the heart of TSQ LIVE, live music accompanies the event’s programming throughout the summer. The live music portion of programming promotes the festive summer energy the bustling hot city requires.

Haitian Cultural Exchange Haiti Cultural Exchange (HCX) is a nonprofit organization established in 2009 to develop, present, and promote the cultural expressions of Haitian people. In June 2024, under the theme of ‘Memwa/Evolisyon’ (Remembrance/Evolution), Haiti Cultural Exchange will be celebrating its 15-year anniversary! Remembering the last 15 years of community arts events that have honored the music, dance, film and literature of Haiti and its Diaspora, and looking forward to the future evolution of Haitian arts.

Paul Beaubrun + Special Guests
Tuesday, June 11 | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Paul Beaubrun is a Haitian singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer. Blending his exceptional guitar playing skills, soulful vocals, and innovative arrangements, that draw on his rich cultural heritage, he seamlessly weaves together elements of Haitian Creole, French, and English, creating a musical tapestry that reflects the diverse influences that have shaped his artistic vision.

MTA Music Under New York Supported by Nasdaq
Wednesdays from May to September | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd and 44th Streets
MTA MUSIC (Music Under New York) is one of the many visual and performing arts programs administered by MTA Arts & Design that enhances the transit environment for customers. Through MTA MUSIC, more than 350 individuals and ensembles contribute to over 12,000 annual performances within the MTA’s transit system. These performances encompass classical strings, jazz ensembles, world music bands, folk, a cappella groups, singer-songwriters, and more, featuring a wide range of instruments such as the Gambian kora, Korean drum, West Indian steel drums, Andean pipes, Cajun cello, Celtic and Baroque harps, guitars, violins, hammered dulcimers, and musical saws.

  • Every Wednesday from May 8 through September 25 at 5:00pm, excluding June 19th and August 7, 2024.

CARNEGIE HALL CITYWIDE

Carnegie Hall continues its 50+ year tradition of bringing dynamic performances into neighborhoods across New York City’s five boroughs, partnering with local community organizations to present its free-concert series, Carnegie Hall Citywide. Carnegie Hall Citywide concerts—featuring renowned artists of all musical genres including classical, jazz, folk, global music, and beyond— will return to Times Square for two free concerts.

Ensemble Connect
Thursday, June 6 | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect is an evolving group of exceptional young professional musicians, called “the new face of classical music for New York” by The New York Times. With virtuosity, versatility, and an irrepressible sense of adventure, they perform a vast repertoire that ranges from historic essentials to lesser-known pieces and brand-new commissions.

Natalie Tenenbaum
Thursday, June 13 | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
Critically acclaimed composer, pianist, music producer, and singer-songwriter Natalie Tenenbaum imaginative compositions and arrangements gives audiences a stirring performance. While she’s a frequent collaborator with artists ranging from Lang Lang to Pentatonix, Lea Michele, and Tori Kelly, her solo performances—a recent one called “sparkling” and “consistently invigorating” by The New York Times—are not to be missed.

JAZZ IN TIMES SQUARE
Thursdays | 5pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets

Jazz at Lincoln Center

The not-for-profit organization, dedicated to entertaining, enriching, and expanding a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy, will take over Times Square to bring New York City’s jazz scene to Broadway. JALC will infuse the area with good vibrations, featuring some of the most talented emerging artists amidst the hustle and bustle of Times Square.

Schedule:

  • Thursday, July 11 at 5:00pm – Ivan Llanes & Friends
  • Thursday, July 18 at 5:00pm – Hiruy Tirfe Quartet
  • Thursday, August 8 at 5:00pm – Annette A. Aguilar & String Beans
  • Thursday, Aug 15 at 5:00pm – Akiko Tsuruga Organ Quartet
  • Thursday, Aug 22 at 5:00pm – Roxy Coss
  • Thursday, Aug 29 at 5:00pm – Jesus Ricardo Quintet
  • Thursday, Sept 5 at 5:00pm – C. Anthony Bryant
  • Thursday, Sept 19 at 5:00pm – Josh Evans Big Band

The Headhunters | September 12
Few bands can boast a history as fortuitous and storied as The Headhunters. That history began back in 1973 when iconic musician Herbie Hancock formed the Headhunters — saxophonist/clarinetist Bennie Maupin, bassist Paul Jackson Jr., drummer Harvey Mason, and percussionist Bill Summers. What each member of the Headhunters brought to the table helped forge a timeless legacy and history that most bands can only dream of. With over a million albums sold, the band’s legacy would inspire musicians of every genre for years to come, be sampled by various rap artists throughout the ’80s and ’90s, and influence countless musicians’ styles of playing today.

Sungazer | September 26

Sungazer is an international Future Jazz duo featuring YouTuber / bassist Adam Neely and drummer Shawn Crowder. Originally formed in Brooklyn, NY in July of 2014, Sungazer has brought their unique blend of hard-hitting Jazz Fusion, 8-bit, Progressive Rock and EDM to audiences in the U.S. and Europe. Sungazer explores the human element of improvisation within the context of modern electronic music. Exciting, hard-hitting, and never predictable, Sungazer creates music aimed squarely ahead into the 21st century.

SUMMER FRIDAY CONCERTS
Fridays | 6pm
Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets

Check out the trendiest up-and-coming talent live on Fridays in Times Square. Musicians from New York City and beyond will present free concerts, ranging from pop, rock, indie, and musical theater, many of whom will be celebrating the debut of new songs or an upcoming summer album release. The 2023 season featured a pop-up show by the global rock sensation, Måneskin, Brooke Alexx, The Scarlet Opera, Adam and the Metal Hawks, Couch, and Julia Wolf. TSQ LIVE has doubled down on this series with 16 concerts this year. Read on for a list of upcoming shows you’ll want to mark your calendars for and stay tuned on TSQ.org/LIVE and @TimesSquareNYC for more performances to be announced.

Des Rocs | May 10

New York City’s own Des Rocs is opening the 2024 Summer Friday concert series. His brand of self-titled “bedroom arena-rock” — which captures a blend of DIY intimacy and large-scale vision — is ready to infect the masses. With a Top 10 rock single, “I am the Lightning” from his latest album, Dream Machine being played on ESPN, WWE and UFC networks, he won’t be a best kept secret for long. Des Rocs is here to bring back the glory days of epic rock. Just ask The Rolling Stones who handpicked him to open on their last tour.

JORDY | June 7

Kicking off Pride Month, GLAAD Media Award-nominated pop artist JORDY amplifies the TSQ LIVE stage with dynamic songwriting about relationships, getting older, and his relatable experiences as a queer artist. Garnering over 100 million career streams, JORDY has impacted the contemporary music scene with his anthemic melodies including the viral TikTok hits, “Long Distance” and “Story of a Boy,” his acclaimed sophomore album BOY (2023), and his latest singles “Nice Things” and “Second Minute Hour.”

Molly Grace | June 14

The Nashville-based pop-funk star Molly Grace is a humorous and charismatic performer. Her music touches on women empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, and body positivity as she hopes to make changes in these realms through her craft.

Marcin | July 19

As a guitarist, arranger, writer, and producer, Marcin combines percussive guitar techniques with modern electronic production. He is known for arranging entire symphony orchestral pieces for one guitar, blending classical, latin and hyper pop influences. His videos amassed over 200 million views, and before the age of 19 he won two major talent shows in Europe, and performed on America’s Got Talent.

Greg Bank$ | August 2

Greg Bank$ is a self-taught guitarist who honed his skills performing on the streets of New York during the pandemic where he drew crowds of thousands. He now performs on the stage for thousands of people, still in New York where his original fanbase is from.

Third Reprise | August 16

Third Reprise was born when producer, arranger, music director and pianist Daniel Rudin sought to connect the many threads of his musical personality. Honing his instincts for musical storytelling, Third Reprise has been releasing genre-bending and wildly adventurous arrangements of show tunes for theater kids and music connoisseurs alike.

ABOUT TIMES SQUARE ARTS

Times Square Arts, the public art program of the Times Square Alliance, collaborates with contemporary artists and cultural institutions to experiment and engage with one of the world’s most iconic urban places. Through the Square’s electronic billboards, public plazas, vacant areas and popular venues, and the Alliance’s own online landscape, Times Square Arts invites leading contemporary creators, such as Charles Gaines, Joan Jonas, Jeffrey Gibson, Pamela Council, Mel Chin and Kehinde Wiley, to help the public see Times Square in new ways. Times Square has always been a cultural district and place of risk, innovation and creativity, and the arts program ensures these qualities remain central to the district’s unique identity.

ABOUT TSQ LIVE x Nasdaq
Through this partnership with TSQ LIVE centered at the Crossroads of the World, Nasdaq aims to amplify artists, singer-songwriters, and storytellers by celebrating New York’s vibrant and inclusive culture and championing people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.

ABOUT Nasdaq

Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at http://www.nasdaq.com.

TSQ LIVE is supported by a Market New York grant awarded to the Times Square Alliance from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

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