Prospect Park Bandshell

The entrance to Prospect Park Bandshell is on Prospect Park West and 9th Street.  Located deep within Brooklyn, Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux...

Prospect Park Bandshell

Jones Street Station

The entrance to Prospect Park Bandshell is on Prospect Park West and 9th Street.  Located deep within Brooklyn, Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux after they finished Manhattan’s famed Central Park.  The park itself is a wilder version of Central Park, given more room to roam in Brooklyn, though much of the forested areas are fenced off.  Depression-era mayor Fiorello La Guardia appointee Robert Moses added the Bandshell in 1939, but it fell into disrepair in the sixties and seventies.  The Prospect Park Alliance and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! revived the Bandshell in the early eighties, with a major revamp in the late nineties.  Now BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! holds concerts at the Bandshell during the summer.

There are actually two audience areas in front of the Bandshell, a 2,000-person seated area, and behind it, a 5,000-person lawn.  All together, it makes one of the largest venues in all of New York City, larger even than the Central Park Summerstage or the late McCarren Park Pool.  There’s a distinct slope down from all sides towards the front-center, creating a better view; spectators on the lawn often sit on their own blankets.  There’s usually a photo pit in the front; on free events, there’s often a reserved ‘VIP’ area at the very front.  Beer tents can be found on either side.

Most of the events held by BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! are free (though they ask for a three dollar voluntary contribution), with a few paid events as benefits for the organization.  BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! holds a mix of concerts, from fairly big-name acts to indie-rock, as well as world music and adult contemporary.  Usually, there is at least one free show from a well-known Brooklyn alternative act, and often at least one ticketed benefit with a large indie band.  While the events are relatively infrequent, the few that do happen are well worth attending.

Capacity: 2,000 plaza, 5,000 lawn

all ages

Address:

Within Prospect Park, at Prospect Park West and 9th Street

By Subway:

F & G trains to 7th Avenue/Park Slope – walk 1 & 1/2 blocks west
F & G trains to 15th Street/Prospect Park – walk 6 blocks north
2, 3 & 4 trains to Grand Army Plaza – walk 13 blocks south
B & Q trains to 7th Avenue (Brighton) – walk 2 blocks west, 13 blocks south
B, Q, & S trains to Prospect Park – Enter Park at Flatbush and Ocean Avenues, follow the Blue Trail across the park

QRO Coverage:

-Meshell Ndegeocello, August 15th, 2024 – photos

-Seun Kuti, with Lollise, July 13th, 2024 – Seun Kuti photos, Lollise photos

-Wordless Music Orchestra, with François K, July 12th, 2024 – Wordless Music Orchestra photos, François K photos

-The Head and The Heart, August 24th, 2023 – photos

-Alvvays, with Alex G, August 23rd, 2023 – Alex G photos

-The Revivalists, with Band of Horses and The Heavy Heavy, August 10th, 2023 – The Revivalists live review, The Revivalists photos, Band of Horses photos, The Heavy Heavy photos

-Yemi Alade, with Amindi, August 6th, 2022 – Yemi Alade photos, Amindi photos

-Erykah Badu, August 5th, 2022 – photos

-Kronos Quartet & Sam Green, with Roomful of Teeth, July 14th, 2022 – Kronos Quartet & Sam Green photos, Roomful of Teeth photos

-Vic Mensa, with Aja Monet, July 9, 2022 – Vic Mensa photos, Aja Monet photos

-Fonseca, with La Cumbiamba eNeYé, June 24th, 2022 – Fonseca photos, La Cumbiamba eNeYé photos

-Robert Randolph, with Deborah Cox, Israel Houghton, Barry Brewer, and Mali Music, June 19th, 2022 (Juneteenth UNITYFEST) – Robert Randolph photos, Deborah Cox photos, Israel Houghton photos, Barry Brewer photos, Mali Music photos

-Fantastic Negrito, with Seratones, June 18th, 2022 (NPR Tiny Desk Contest On the Road) – Fantastic Negrito photos, Seratones photos

-Davido, June 16th, 2022 – photos

-Kamasi Washington, June 8th, 2022 – photos

-Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, with Lady Blackbird and Michelle, September 18th, 2021 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue photos, Lady Blackbird photos, Michelle photos

-Club Quarantine, September 16th, 2021 – photos

-Glass Animals, with binki, August 31st, 2021 – live review, Glass Animals photos, binki photos

-San Fermin, August 28th, 2021 – photos

-Broken Social Scene, July 25th, 2019 – live review, photos

-The Breeders, with Speedy Ortiz, August 11th, 2018 – The Breeders photos, Speedy Ortiz photos

-Gary Clark Jr., August 9th, 2018 – photos

-Brandi Carlile, July 26th, 2018 – photos

-Courtney Barnett, with Julien Baker at Vagabon, July 25th, 2018 – Courtney Barnett live review, Courtney Barnett photos, Julien Baker photos, Vagabon photos

-Fischerspooner, with Xeno and Oaklander, June 23rd, 2018 – Fischerspooner photos, Xeno and Oaklander photos

-Aimee Mann, with Superchunk, June 21st, 2018 – Superchunk live review, Aimee Mann photos, Superchunk photos

-Vance Joy, with Alice Merton and Savannah Conley, June 14th, 2018 – Vance Joy photos, Alice Merton photos, Savannah Conley photos

-Common, June 5, 2018 – photos

-Whitney, with Moses Sumney and Weyes Blood, August 11th, 2017 – Whitney photos, Moses Sumney photos, Weyes Blood photos

-Fleet Foxes, with (Sandy) Alex G, August 2nd, 2017 – Fleet Foxes photos, (Sandy) Alex G photos

-Andrew Bird, with Esperanza Spalding, July 28th, 2017 – Andrew Bird photos, Esperanza Spalding photos

-Sylvan Esso, July 26th, 2017 – photos

-Planetarium, with Joan As Police Woman, July 18th, 2017 – Planetarium photos, Joan As Police Woman photos

-Ben l’Oncle Soul, with Sweet Crude, July 15th, 2017 – Ben l’Oncle Soul photos, Sweet Crude photos

-Musiq Soulchild, July 7th, 2017 – photos

-Pharoah Sanders, with Brooklyn Raga Massive, June 23rd, 2017 – Pharoah Sanders photos, Brooklyn Raga Massive photos

-Yeasayer, with Poliça and Cymbals Eat Guitars, June 22nd, 2017 – live review, Yeasayer photos, Poliça photos, Cymbals Eat Guitars photos

-Alice Smith, with Bilal, June 10th, 2017 – Alice Smith photos, Bilal photos

-Andra Day, with Son Little, August 13th, 2016 – Andra Day photos, Son Little photos

-Angelique Kidjo, with Yosvany Terry Quintet, July 29th, 2016 – Angelique Kidjo photos, Yosvany Terry Quintet photos

-Greg Porter, with Marcus Strickland & Twi-Life, July 28th, 2016 – Greg Porter photos, Marcus Strickland & Twi-Life photos

-Femi Kuti, with Bombino, July 23rd, 2016 – Femi Kuti photos, Bombino photos

-Jon Batiste & Stay Human, with Emilio & Kojo and Emily Bear, July 22nd, 2016 – Jon Batiste & Stay Human photos, Emilio & Kojo photos, Emily Bear photos

-Hakim, with Krar Collective, July 15th, 2016 – Hakim photos, Krar Collective photos

-Red Baraat, with DJ Rekha Anja Dance and KarshKale Soundsystem, July 7th, 2016 (Red Baraat’s Brooklyn Mela) – Red Baraat photos, DJ Rekha Anja Dance photos, KarshKale Soundsystem photos

-¡Cubanismo!, with Richard Lemvo with L’Orchestra Afrisa International, June 24th, 2016 – ¡Cubanismo! photos, Richard Lemvo with L’Orchestra Afrisa International photos

-Alvvays, with Ducktails and Big Thief, June 23rd, 2016 – Alvvays photos, Ducktails photos, Big Thief photos

-Tame Impala, June 14th, 2016 – photos

-Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, June 8th, 2016 – photos

-tUnE-yArDs, August 8th, 2015 – photos

-Big K.R.I.T., with Angel Haze, July 31st, 2015 – Big K.R.I.T. photos, Angel Haze photos

-Sylvan Esso, with Porches., July 25th, 2015 – Sylvan Esso photos, Porches. photos

-Jason Isbell, with Dawn Landes, July 24th, 2015 – Jason Isbell photos, Dawn Landes photos

-Modest Mouse, July 22nd, 2015 – photos

-The New Pornographers, with Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, July 11th, 2015 – The New Pornographers photo gallery, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down photo gallery

-Punch Brothers, with Sarah Jarosz, July 9th, 2015 – Punch Brothers photos, Sarah Jarosz photos

-Lucinda Williams, with Jason Walker, June 25th, 2015 – Lucinda Williams photos, Jason Walker photos

-Lucius, with Luke Temple and Pavo Pavo, June 13th, 2015 – Lucius photos, Luke Temple photos, Pavo Pavo photos

-Esperanza Spalding, with Jose James, June 12th, 2015 – Esperanza Spalding photos, Jose James photos

-St. Vincent, August 9th, 2014 – live review

-Warpaint, June 26th, 2014 – photos

-Amos Lee, with Lake Street Drive, June 20th, 2014 – Amos Lee photos, Lake Street Drive photos

-‘Celebrate Ornette’, June 12th, 2014 – photos

-Jack Johnson, June 10th, 2014 – photos

-They Might Be Giants, with Moon Hooch, August 10th, 2013 – They Might Be Giants photos, Moon Hooch photos

-Barenaked Ladies, with Ben Folds Five and Guster, July 30th, 2013 – live review, Barenaked Ladies photos, Ben Folds Five photos, Guster photos

-Trampled by Turtles, with The Devil Makes Three and River City Extension, July 26th, 2013 – Trampled by Turtles photos, The Devil Makes Three photos, River City Extension photos

-The Lone Bellow, with The Low Anthem and Joe Purdy, July 20th, 2013 – The Lone Bellow photos, The Low Anthem photos, Joe Purdy photos

-Belle & Sebastian, with Yo La Tengo, July 11th, 2013 – Belle & Sebastian photos, Yo La Tengo photos

-Ladysmith Black Mambazo, June 28th, 2013 – photos

-Grouplove, June 13th, 2013 – live review, photos

-Patty Griffin, June 5th, 2013 (Celebrate Brooklyn! season opener) – photos

-Lyle Lovett, with Aoife O’Donovan, August 11th, 2012 – Lyle Lovett photos, Aoife O’Donova photos

-Little Dragon, with Frankie Rose, August 10th, 2012 – Little Dragon photos, Frankie Rose photos

-Sigur Rós, July 31st, 2012 – photos

-The Head and The Heart, with Lost In the Trees, July 27th, 2012 – The Head and The Heart photos, Lost In the Trees photos

-Laura Marling, June 14th, 2012 – photos

-Ra Ra Riot, with Delicate Steve and Buke & Gass, August 5th, 2011 – Ra Ra Riot live review, Ra Ra Riot photos, Delicate Steve photos, Buke & Gass photos

-The Feelies, with Real Estate and Times New Viking, July 23rd, 2011 – The Feelies photos, Real Estate photos, Times New Viking photos

-Raekwon, with Smi-n-Wessun, Joel Ortiz, Neek The Exotic & Large Professor, and Skyzoo, July 9th, 2011 (Lyricist Lounge) – Raekwon photos, Smit-n-Wessun photos, Joel Ortiz photos, Neek The Exotic & Large Professor photos, Skyzoo photos

-The Heavy, with The London Souls and Superhuman Happiness, June 25th, 2011 – The Heavy photos, The London Souls photos, Superhuman Happiness photos

-Andrew Bird, June 10th, 2011 (Celebrate Brooklyn! season opener) – photos

-Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, with Budos Band, August 7th, 2010 – Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings photos, Budos Band photos

-Metric, with Joan As Policewoman and Holly Miranda, August 5th, 2010 – Metric live review, Metric photos, Joan As Policewoman photos, Holly Miranda photos

-The Dead Weather, with Harlem, August 3rd, 2010 – The Dead Weather photos, Harlem photos

-Sonic Youth, with Grass Widow and Talk Normal, July 31st, 2010 – Sonic Youth photos, Grass Widow photos, Talk Normal photos

-The Swell Season, with The Low Anthem, July 30th, 2010 – The Swell Season photos, The Low Anthem photos

-The Roots, with Talib Kweli and Janka Nabay, July 11th, 2010 (OkayAfrica) – The Roots photos, Talib Kweli photo, Janka Nabay photos

-Norah Jones, June 9th, 2010 (Celebrate Brooklyn! season opener) – photos

-Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, with Deer Tick and Jones Street Station, August 7th, 2009 – Jones Street Station live review, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals photos, Deer Tick photos, Jones Street Station photos

-Dean & Britta’s ’13 Most Beautiful’, with Crystal Stilts, August 1st, 2009 – Dean & Britta’s ’13 Most Beautiful’ live review, Dean & Britta’s ’13 Most Beautiful’ photos, Crystal Stilts photos

-Dr. Dog, with Phosphorescent and These United States, June 27th, 2009 – Dr. Dog live review, Dr. Dog photos, Phosphorescent photos, These United States photos

-Blonde Redhead, with Ólöf Arnalds, June 26th, 2009 – Blonde Redhead live review, Blonde Redhead photos, Ólöf Arnalds photos

-The Jealous Girlfriends, with Bear Hands, July 26th, 2008 – The Jealous Girlfriends live review, The Jealous Girlfriends photos, Bear Hands photos

-Cold War Kids, with Elvis Perkins in Dearland and Sam Champion, June 27th, 2008 – live review, Cold War Kids photos, Elvis Perkins in Dearland photos, Sam Champion photos

-The Hold Steady, August 9th, 2007 – live review, photos

-The Stills, June 30th, 2007 – photos

These United States

Prospect Park Bandshell

Click here for the venue’s website

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!

Categories
Venue Reviews

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