2023 is just around the corner, which means if you aren’t planning on bidding adieu to 2022 from the comfort of your couch, it’s time to start scheming your New Years’ shenanigans. With the live music festivities completely back in full swing, the options for NYE are rather, shall I say, thick. In order for you to rock into the new year with your funkiest foot forward, here’s a list of the happen-ist happenings out there for live music lovers looking to end 2022 with a serendipitous ball drop.
1. Phish
The iconic Phish Madison Square Garden run re-stakes its New Year’s claim with a triumphant first return to MSG on actual New Years for the first time since 2019. The incendiary jam band did perform four rescheduled nights from NYE 2022 back in April when they transformed the famous arena into a real-life aquarium for a spectacle that will be hard to top (although we cannot wait to see what the jam daddies have in store).
Dates: 12/28-31
2. Billy Strings
For those looking to get buck with Billy, fans of the psychedelic jamgrasser can ring in the New Year with Strings at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. The new year’s throwdown will take place shortly after the band’s 10-date European tour. After serving up three legendary nights in Asheville for Halloween, announcing a new album with dad Terry Barber (set to release 11/18), a year of stacked tour dates, and even a live Grammy performance, there really isn’t any stopping this hard-working crew – whose irreparable waves in the bluegrass and jam band scenes have become impossible to deny.
Dates: 12/30-31
3. Goose
Goose will make their long-anticipated return to The Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, for two nights of groovy goodness to say sayonara to 2022. Multi-instrumentalist and singer Peter Anspach says that “Cincinnati truly is our home away from home. From the band’s first-ever two-night run in 2018 to a handful of sold-out shows, we’ve shared so many memorable experiences with our amazing Cinci and Covington fans. We haven’t been there since March 2020 and we’re so excited to return.” These shows will cap off a growth-filled year for the band, which saw the release of the album Dripfiled, sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, as well as a small fall run with Trey Anastasio Band that kicks off this week.
Dates: 12/30-31
4. Denver & Boulder
Oh, the Mile High City, the reigning New Year’s home for having the best options for those who want to party their way into the turn of the year. 2023 will be brightly welcomed by three nights of The String Cheese Incident at Mission Ballroom, two nights of Lotus at the Boulder Theater, three nights of STS9 at the Fillmore Auditorium, and an evening with Neal Francis and guest Karina Rykman at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom on the 31st. Pick your party poison, kids.
Dates:
SCI – 12/29-31 with special guests Kanika Moore & Antwuan Stanley (12/29), and Judith Hill (12/30)
Lotus – 12/30-31
STS9 – 12/29-31
5. The Infamous Stringdusters
Fresh on the cuff of their fall tour, talented grass-pickers The Infamous Stringdusters will say ‘goodbye’ to 2022 with a run in Richmond, Virginia. The band will play a heavy three nights at The National Richmond, joined by Fireside Collective on Friday and Circles Around The Sun on Saturday – with more special guests yet to be announced.
Dates: 12/29-31
6. Snowta Fest
You know we had to throw at least one event on here that is outside of the jam-bluegrass-rock arena, and we are doing that with Minnesota’s Snowta Fest. This two-night extravaganza praises all things bass music and is headlined this year by the one and only Tipper. Held at the Armory in Minneapolis, this year’s lineup also sees Jade Cicada, Bluetech, and Carbon Based Lifeforms.
Dates: 12/30-31
7. Sunsquabi
Livetronica trio Sunsquabi brings their futuristic soundscapes to the Lone Star State for two nights of New Year’s love. Straight off the release of their brand-new album Arise and a recently kicked-off joint tour with lespecial, the Squab train will be rolling into Texas for what is sure to be two truly special nights. Night one kicks off at The Parish for a more intimate-style concert following the NYE banger at Empire Garage with lofi beatmaker and feel-good sound extraordinaire and producer Cloudchord.
Dates: 12/30-31
8. Papadosio
The multi-genre jam quintet Papadosio will head to their home away from home for two nights at The Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina for New Years. The band will be joined by acid jazz producer Mark Farina and DJ Bowie on the first night and DJs SOOHAN and Numatik on the second night. Papadosio is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of their album T.E.T.I.O.S. so this run is guaranteed to be a stellar time.
Dates: 12/30-31
9. moe.
It was an exciting evening for moe. fans last weekend as the band celebrated the Fox Theatre’s 30th anniversary last weekend in Boulder. Guitarist Al Schier announced the wonderful news that ailing band member Chuck Garvey will play with the band at their NYE show in Philadelphia at the iconic Fillmore. Heartfelt excitement filled the Fox as long-time moe lovers began to plot their way to Philly for one sure-to-never-be-forgotten night. Extra bonus, those Eggy guys that everyone has been talking about are opening.
Dates: 12/31
10. Greensky Bluegrass
Household name stringers Greensky Bluegrass will honor the changing of the years with a rip roarin’ two-night run at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. The fun-loving quintet will be joined by their buddies Cris Jacobs and Dusty Ray Simmons to ring in 2023 in perfect Bluegrass fashion.
Dates: 12/30-31
11. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong & The Magic Beans
Celebrating 15 years of funky jams, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong teams up with The Magic Beans to bring New Year’s magic to Pittsburgh. The harmonious pairing of bands that are no New Year’s strangers to one another will perform for two nights at Stage AE. Fans who plan to attend are eager to hear of the run’s theme, which in years past has seen “Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” “Disnye,” and more.
Dates: 12/30-31
12. Kitchen Dwellers
And lastly, but never least, one final NYE shebang we cannot leave out is two nights in Salt Lake City with the brilliantly awesome Kitchen Dwellers. Quickly making waves as one of the favorite touring bluegrass bands right now, the cosmic country crew will return to their New Year’s home at The Commonwealth Room.