Sick of the standard champagne and party hats? Well, pop on over to one of these locales and have more fun this New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re into Maroon 5 or Chuck Berry, there’s a way to ring in the new year for everybody. We’ve compiled a list of fresh New Year’s events in the area. Get a head start on your New Year’s resolution to listen to more music!
Timeless Rock
The Detroit Cobras/The Fleshtones
Two popular garage rock bands come together for this New Year’s Eve event. The Detroit Cobras are a popular cover band out of Michigan and The Fleshtones, a Queens-based rock band with over 30 years of live experience. Both bands have been a prominent part of American rock for years and bands are known to put on electric and exciting live performances. You can see them both at Maxwell’s. Tickets for the 10:30 p.m. show are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Must be 21 or older to attend. —by George Steffani
Psychedelic New Year
Juggling Suns
Long time jam masters Juggling Suns, along with Doug Mikula And Friends and Lemon Juice will be performing at The Stone Pony for a special New Year’s Eve celebration. Juggling Suns has roots in funk, rock and psychedelia, which they mix into their own style along with improvisation and simple jamming out. The grounf have been in it together for over 14 years, so the show is sure to be an experience in and of itself. Join the band and their special guests for the 8 p.m. show for just $20. This is an 18 and older show. —by George Steffani
Lovely Beginnings
Passion Pit
Having relationship problems this holiday season? Just do what Passion Pit’s Michael Angelakos did. His band started as a one-man project just to make an EP for a loved-one on Valentine’s Day. After Angelakos’ music began to spread, Passion Pit became a full band that played live gigs. After opening for popular bands like Death Cab For Cutie, the group began drawing attention from labels, and eventually re-released the EP and a full-length album. Try bringing your date to the Passion Pit concert at the Wellmont Theatre. Tickets range from $45 to $70 for the 9 p.m. show. — by George Steffani
Chalk One Up For Diplomacy
Salute to Vienna
The annual Salute to Vienna is coming back to the State Theater, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Polish soprano, Katerzyna Dondalska and the Budapest tenor Daniel Vadasz will perform, along with the Kiev-Aniko Ballet of Ukraine. Klaus Arp will make an appearance as the new conductor for the Strauss Symphony of America. Great as either a date-night or for families, tickets can also include a package deal with varying restaurants in the area, and a fireworks show will ensure that 2010 ends with a bang. Tickets start at $47. —by Travis Downs
Swimming Down To The City
Phish
For 27 years, Phish has won fans over with a wide blend of genres, from psychedelic rock to bluegrass. With over 200 songs to their name, the quartet is as prolific as they are eclectic. Now the Vermonters are making reservations for a three-day tenure at Madison Square Garden. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or you still don’t understand how anyone could misspell the word fish you can head to the Garden starting at 8 p.m. Tickets go from $82.50. —by Travis Downs
Some Extra Pop For Your Champagne
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is famous for their poppy attitude on songs like “She Will Be Loved” and “Won’t Go Home Without You.” They’ve been certified platinum, and now they’re looking to break the record with a third release, Hands All Over, which includes the singles “Misery” and “Give a Little More.” The quintet is set to make an appearance at House of Blues to help get the ball rolling to reach that goal, dust off some of their old hits to feed any nostalgic hunger and remind fans why their name is universally known. The show starts at 9 p.m., with tickets starting at $73. —by Travis Downs
Rock, I Am Your Father
Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry, who, after recording “Johnny B. Goode,” was credited with conceiving the rock and roll genre as we know it, is taking New Year’s Eve as a chance to reclaim his title as father to that child. Berry’s first hit “Maybellene,” released in 1955, kicked off a 55-year career that shows no sign of ending. One of the first members of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he has been immortalized as the creator of a movement that forever changed music and the world, but he’ll reinforce the foundation to his legacy once more as he picks up his guitar at B.B. King Blues Club starting at 8 p.m. with tickets going for $98. —by Travis Downs
Some Homemade Hip Hop
The Roots
The Roots will be coming by Brooklyn Bowl to serve up a batch of their eccentric hip hop, which, iced with some jazz, is sure to get your stomach growling. From their first album, which dropped 16 years ago, to their latest, Wake Up!, the group has proven itself to be a master pastry chef when it comes to musical cuisine, thanks to butter cream-sweet hooks and fudge-smooth beats that can go with or without a glass of milk. Tickets are already sold out. —by Travis Downs
Indie At Its Best
Guided By Voices
Lead by Robert Pollard, the popular indie band of the ‘80s and ‘90s has taken on a reunion tour with the original members of the band back together. After a hiatus in 2004, the band brought its fusion of psychedelic and punk back to stages all over the country. They played their label’s 21st anniversary show, and decided to embark on a full tour afterwards. To see Guided By Voices with its original members, be sure to check out Irving Plaza on New Year’s Eve. The show begins at 8 p.m. —by George Steffani
Stuck In The Past
Drive By Truckers
If you’re looking for some country to rock out to on your New Year’s Eve, you’ve found your show. The southern rockers Drive By Truckers are as old school as it gets. In addition to digital and CD releases, the band pushes its record label to continue releasing vinyls of each album. The Drive By Truckers are also promoting their newest album, expected to hit shelves this February. Take the jalopy down to Terminal 5 this New Year’s and get 2011 off to a foot stompin’ start.—by George Steffani
