What’s the best way to get though the dog days of summer? Well, air conditioning…but the second best is really where it’s at: outdoor concerts! New York City is full of outdoor stages and this summer top acts plan to play in the open air until well after Labor Day. Whether you want to groove to Lisa Lisa or fist-pump to Jay-Z, there’s an outdoor show on the schedule for you, so check out our guide to the best spots for al fresco entertainment below. If the music isn’t enough to cool you down on its own, try drinking lots of beer before the show….


Just a quick ferry ride from lower Manhattan, Governor’s Island will host some choice summer shows (plus you get to ride a boat!). Whether you think she’s bourgeois trash or actually has something to say, you gotta admit that MIA has some pretty kick ass tunes (who hasn’t rocked out to “Paper Planes?”), and she’s taking the stage on July 24th. Indie/experimental favorites Grizzly Bear are set to roar on August 24th and expect a crowd for their gig, since the island is so close to their home borough Brooklyn. If you need a little breathing room, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes bring their folksy charm to the Island on July 21st. It shouldn’t be as crowded, but plenty of folks should be on hand to jam out to their hit “Home” as the sun sets.


Summer Stage is kickin’ it old-school this year, and we’re ready to do the same. On July 20th, Lisa Lisa takes the stage. Yes, she’s still alive, and yes, she can still get you lost in some emotion. Too bad it’s a little hot out for leg warmers. July 26th brings the Flaming Lips to the main stage, which promises to be summer’s hottest show…for 40 year old rock fans and the hipsters who love them. Meanwhile, VH1 fans might be disappointed, but R&B fans can rejoice: Flavor Flav is taking some time off from his reality show shenanigans to perform with Public Enemy this summer. They’ll hit the stage on August 15th, gigantic clock necklaces in tow.


Don’t be too sad that the McCarren pool doesn’t have shows anymore. Williamsburg Waterfront keeps the dream alive in the neighborhood with cooling breezes from the river and killer acts headlining this summer. Plus, McCarren was always so dusty (cough). If you want to mosh with a bunch of geeked-out late-twenty-somethings, hit up the Weezer show on July 16th. Then, head to nearby Pinkerton Wine Bar for a theme-appropriate post show recap. Modest Mouse and Keane have been in the music biz for so long that both can remember what the Bedford area looked like years ago (hint: a lot less skinny jeans), so expect big Brooklyn crowds to turn out on July 23rd and August 6th, respectively. Meanwhile, if you’ve been obsessively following indie rock since the early 1990’s, get ready to freak out! If not, you’ll probably still enjoy Pavement’s reunion show on September 19th.


Prospect Park Bandshell
Once an afterthought in the warm-weather concert scene, the Prospect Park Bandshell now has a schedule stacked with some of the season’s best outdoor acts. If you’re in the mood for some old-fashioned crooning, and have been waiting to whip out your brand new glittery scarf, then check out singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright on July 20th. Old-school Brooklyn favorites Sonic Youth will play the shell on the 31st…can someone still be an alternative icon after 25 years on the scene? Thurston Moore says yes. If Sonic Youth is the wise old elder, then Metric is the charming upstart. This female fronted band fires up their guitars on August 5th.


South Street Seaport (free!)
The best thing about the shows at the South Street Seaport? They’re free! This can create problems though—just ask the hordes of manic fans that showed up for the recent Drake performance—it had to be cancelled due to massive overcrowding. Instead of bumping elbows, hit the Seaport for some lesser-known indie acts. Free Energy brings their fun ‘70s inspired funk to the pier on July 7th and Bear in Heaven will light things up with their psychedelic stylings on July 9th. If you want something more mainstream, check out Yacht on August 6th. This electro-pop outfit hits the stage as part of their North American tour to promote their new album.


The Stadiums
Summer just isn’t complete unless you’ve stood in the nosebleed seats and fist-pumped to the Jumbo Tron (ask any Bon Jovi fan). A few massive stadium shows are on their way to town, so you can still see your favorite performer in person, albeit ant-sized. First up is the Dave Matthews Band, who take over Citi Field on July 16th. They’ll fill the stadium with their fiddle, alternative tunes, and, well, let’s just say you can buy it legally in California. On August 24th, Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers will rock out in Giants Stadium. Well, it’s not technically Giants Stadium anymore, it’s called the IZOD center, but whatever…if Tom Petty can still pack a stadium without changing his beat, we’re not changing either. Finally, one of the last big shows of the season goes down on September 13th, when Eminem and Jay-Z play Yankee Stadium. It promises to be rap-tastic, even though Eminem and Jay Z would beat down anyone who used such a lame phrase.

-James Mulcahy