SummerStage 2022 is back in New York’s Parks — Lineup Released

In the same way that nothing beats listening to your favorite song on vinyl, there’s something about an outdoor concert that makes music sound even better — and if you’re hoping to jam-pack your summer evenings with breezy fresh-air shows, check out SummerStage’s 2022 lineup of mostly free concerts across the city’s parks. 

The just-released official lineup includes artists like Caribou, George Clinton, Sharon Van Etten, Waxahatchee, MC Solaar, The Barenaked Ladies, Modest Mouse, Fitz and The Tantrums, Trombone Shorty, Belle & Sebastian, Andy Grammer, Lucy Dacus, Angel Olsen, Julien Baker and The Decemberists.

Sponsored by Capital One and the City Parks Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to maintaining, improving, and providing programming for New York’s public greenspaces, SummerStage returns to a full season as the city’s largest outdoor performing arts festival, mounting 90 concerts over from June to September across 12 parks in the five boroughs. 

“We are so happy to be back in local neighborhood parks after a two-year hiatus and to be able to once again build our newly refurbished flagship concert venue in Central Park,” said Heather Lubov, City Parks Foundation’s Executive Director. “Parks have always been neighborhood gathering spaces, but the pandemic brought to light just how absolutely critical they are to our city’s health. We are thrilled to be able to bring neighbors together in their parks to enjoy a diverse, representative line-up that is reflective of our city’s rich cultural fabric.”

SummerStage organizers stressed an emphasis on the diversity of their programming — the women-run festival features a lineup of 52% women and non-binary performers and 95% BIPOC-identified artists. 

“Each season, SummerStage has always presented a festival full of talent as diverse and broad as the communities that host these performances in parks across all five boroughs,” said Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage. “The artists we are presenting this season not only represent their own distinct cultures but reflect the global diversity that truly matches the spirit of New York City.”

While shows will take place in parks across the city, the majority of concerts will be held conveniently adjacent to Hell’s Kitchen at the newly-renovated Rumsey Playfield venue in Central Park. Acts from the free Central Park lineup include legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock with Keyon Harrold in association with the Blue Note Jazz Festival, a series of Metropolitan Opera recitals, a Dancehall meets Hip Hop 90s music evening hosted by music video director Ralph McDaniels, and DJ sets from Black Midi / Sal Valentinetti / Alisa Ali hosted by SNL’s Sarah Squirm. 

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In addition to a significant selection of free SummerStage acts, there are also several high-profile benefit concerts available for purchase, including 90s legends Barenaked Ladies (don’t be shy, you know all of the lyrics to One Week!!!), indie acts Modest Mouse and Belle & Sebastian, rapper Big Freedia, and Andy Grammar (of the summer earworm Honey, I’m Good). 

And if you’re down for a double feature, concerts at Rumsey Playfield will begin with showings of international short films through SummerStage’s partner org, Rooftop Films and their Summer Series showcase of new independent cinema. The festival will also feature a free outdoor screening of the Oscar and Grammy award-winning documentary Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) for its second year in Marcus Garvey Park —site of the original Harlem Cultural Festival documented in the film — on June 17, commemorating Juneteenth. 

Organizers hope the season-long festival will contribute to the city’s continued cultural recovery. Said Andy Ramamoorthy, Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking and New York City Market President, Capital One: “Now more than ever, we are committed to both supporting and celebrating New York’s revival. Vibrant parks, free live music, dance performances, and this festival’s mission of diversity and inclusion are critical to revitalizing our neighborhoods and building a sense of community. We are honored to play a role in New York City’s revival by sponsoring SummerStage performances again this year and keeping them free and open for all New Yorkers to enjoy.” 

Check out the full schedule below: