Across the country — from Coldplay and Jay-Z in Brooklyn and Nicki MInaj in Vegas to Skrillex in Detroit and Willie Nelson in Austin — many American music fans will be kicking off 2013 with their favorite artists. Here then are 13 write-ups (for 2013) and listings of major U.S. concerts.
Coldplay/Jay-Z in New York (Barclays Center, Brooklyn)
“Beach Chair” BFFs Jay-Z and Chris Martin will team up for a co-headlining show between the rapper and Coldplay at the new home of the Nets. Three months after headlining eight shows to open the Barclays Center, Hov has added one of the biggest rock bands in the world to the show; what’s not to love?
Lights All Night Festival in Dallas (Axwell, Diplo, Ghostland Observatory; Fair Park)
Get your EDM on with this expansive three-day fest in Dallas’ Fair Park: Swedish House Mafia’s Axwell will be spinning when the clock strikes midnight, and Diplo and Ghostland Observatory will each have 90 minutes to blow your minds on Monday night.
The Black Keys in Las Vegas (The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino)
Fresh off an Album of the Year Grammy nomination for their “El Camino” LP, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney (along with special guests Divine Fits) will say goodbye to a huge 2012 with their tightly wound rock stylings.
Check out the rest after the jump!
A$AP Rocky in Los Angeles (House Of Blues, West Hollywood)
The Harlem native is sure to be one of 2013’s biggest success stories when his debut album, “LongLiveA$AP,” is released on Jan. 15; join the A$AP Mob mastermind when he hits L.A. in full force to ring in 2013.
Phish in New York (Madison Square Garden, New York City)
What would New Year’s Eve be without an epic Phish show at New York’s Madison Square Garden? After performing for over four hours at Bonnaroo last summer, expect another long-running opus from Trey Anastasio and company.
Nicki Minaj in Las Vegas (Pure Nightclub, Caesars Palace)
With “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded” and its expansive reissue released this year, Nicki Minaj became an all-encompassing hip-hop/pop star and notched hits like “Pound The Alarm,” “Starships” and “Beez in the Trap.” Calling all Barbz: this will be one can’t-miss New Year’s extravaganza.
Skrillex in Detroit (The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills)
The dubstep maestro heads to Motor City, with supporting acts like Boys Noize and Flosstradamus in tow, to ring in 2013 with some particularly inspired bass wobbles. This show will likely have more exciting moments than an entire season of Pistons basketball.
Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra in New York (Terminal 5)
This New Year’s, the always elegant and Kickstarter-friendly Amanda Palmer will perform Prince’s “Purple Rain” in its entirety along with her Grand Theft Orchestra band — so if you want to sing along to “When Doves Cry” next to 3,000 other people to kick off 2013, this is the place to be.
Jane’s Addiction in Atlantic City (House Of Blues)
Perry Farrell and co. will hit the Jersey Shore and bring the best cuts from their 2011 album “The Great Escape Artist” with them. While Atlantic City is always host to a slew of great New Year’s option, Jane’s Addiction is one of the strongest picks this year.
Pitbull in Miami (American Airlines Arena)
Mr. 305 returns to Miami, with “special guests,” to toast the start of 2013 with a slew of impossibly catchy club bangers. With the singles off new album “Global Warming” still heating up, Planet Pit will be in full force on Monday night.
Willie Nelson and Iron & Wine in Austin (Moody Theater)
The country legend comes home to Austin with special support act Iron & Wine. Will fans get to hear new music from either artist? There’s only way to find out.
Backstreet Boys in Pennsylvania (Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem)
Who needs One Direction and The Wanted when you have “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life”? BSB will take the stage just outside of Philadelphia to kick off 2013 — and yes, expect former Backstreet defector Kevin Richardson to be there as well.
Snowglobe Festival in California (Chromeo, Polica, Royal Teeth; South Lake Tahoe)
The three-day festival in South Lake Tahoe will have dance duo Chromeo toasting 2013 as the Monday headliners, after performances by Wiz Khalifa and deadmau5 earlier in the weekend. Be sure to check out rising stars like Laidback Luke, Polica and Gramatik earlier in the evening as well.
More New Year’s Eve Music Highlights Across the Country
New York
Disco Biscuits (Theater At Madison Square Garden)
Nas (Radio City Music Hall)
Blonde Redhead (Irving Plaza)
Coldplay/Jay-Z in New York (Barclays Center, Brooklyn) (see above)
Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra in New York (Terminal 5) (see below)
Los Angeles
Kevin Hart (Staples Center)
Cake (The Wiltern)
Redd Kross The Melvin (King Eddie Ballroom, The Alexandria)
A$AP Rocky in Los Angeles (House Of Blues, West Hollywood) (see above)
Idina Menzel (Walt Disney Concert Hall)
Nicky Romero, Zedd (ClubNokia)
San Francisco
Primus (Warfield)
Las Vegas
Red Hot Chili Peppers (The Chelsea At The Cosmopolitan)
The Black Keys (The Joint) (see above)
Avicii (Wynn Hotel)
Celine Dion (The Colosseum At Caesars Palace)
Nicki Minaj (Pure Nightclub) (see Above)
Chicago
The Airborne Toxic Event (Metro/Smart Bar)
Charles Bradley (Lincoln Hall)
Charlie Wilson (Chicago Theatre)
Paul Oakenfold (The Castle at Excalibur)
Michigan
Skrillex (The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills) (see above)
Atlantic City
Jane’s Addiction in Atlantic City (House Of Blues) (see above)
Tiësto (HQ Nightclub @ Revel)
Florida
Pitbull (AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami) (see above)
B.B. King (Broward Ctr. Au-Rene Theater, Fort Lauderdale)
Carl Cox (Mansion, Miami Beach)
Kaskade (Amnesia, Miami Beach)
Kid Rock (Seminole Hard Rock Live, Hollywood)
Washington, D.C.
Drive-By Truckers (9:30 Club)
Louis C.K. (Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore)
Boston
My Morning Jacket (Agganis Arena)
Mighty Mighty Bosstones (House Of Blues)
Bethlehem, Penn.
Backstreet Boys (Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem)
