Bluebird Comes to New York

It’s summer, which means festivals and outdoor concert season. What you can’t beat no matter the season is the experience inside intimate small venues. There’s no experience to compare it to. For country music Nashville might have New York beat with the history of places where artists were discovered like the Bluebird Cafe or the inductions of newcomers into the Grand Ole Opry circle. But once inducted and on world tours the music travels the globe and lucky for New Yorkers we have some of the most premier up close and personal spots where you can be practically standing on the stage with the greats. I’ll take you through some of my favorites!

The Highline Ballroom

Dierks Bentley Last Call Ball May 25th two days before his new album Black was released, in between touring with Randy Houser and Cam on the Somewhere On A Beach Tour Dierks took a night off to bring a songwriter’s round to NYC for his fan club. After hours outside (starting the line) I secured that front row spot right in front of Dierk’s stool. Accompanied by fellow songwriters who wrote with him and produced the album Black you got to hear the stories behind the songs. It was great to see even the performers get lost in the songs, so much so that Jessie who sang Maren Morris’ part in I’ll be the Moon forgot her verse. And vice versa, watching Dierks watch Jessie sing her first number one song The Climb, the whole night was so inspirational. Dierks said it right- it was like bringing the Bluebird to New York with the NY energy, they don’t get that in a big stadium or arena with a structured set list. Purely in the moment!

Gramercy Theatre

I’ve seen plenty of shows here, all equally priceless and memorable- from the front row spots to the eye contact and artist interactions that you would never forget or get in larger venues. Charles Kelley, Maren Morris, Kate Voegele, Tyler Hilton, Wakey Wakey, and just this week Jana Kramer and Drew Baldridge. Standing room only in a heat wave, not the best, but completely worth it especially with artists who love interacting with the crowd. Jana Kramer is the best when it comes to this. She has so much fun on stage, every song she gives all she’s got. See video of Bullet @ Gramercy above! Even comes down from the stage to take selfies with the crowd! She addressed what she called the elephant in the room as she has just as loyal One Tree Hill following as she does country (Jana Kramer a.k.a Alex Dupre). The crowd went crazy as she sang the song I Won’t Give Up from the show, also the song that got her signed.

Irving Plaza

First show I saw here was Rachel Platten with Christina Grimmie. I didn’t even have to wait outside on line for hours to get an amazing up close spot for this show. Rachel was amazing. My favorite was when Andy Grammer came on stage for Hey Hey Hallelujah.

There was an undeniable energy during her performance of Fight Song. The whole crowd singing with all they had “this is my fight song take back my life song prove I’m alright song cause I still got a lot of fight left in me”. You didn’t just hear those words you truly felt them and knew everyone in the place screamed them with meaning (including myself).

I am honored I got to meet the talented Christina Grimmie- such a tragedy and a terrible loss. What a powerful singer, she sang her audition song from season 6 of the Voice Wrecking Ball. The crowd was waiting for the moment when she knocked the song out of the park-which she completely delivered. Looking forward to being back here for more moments with Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown!

Rockwood Music Hall

Stage 1, 2, or 3 you are going to get a private performance in this place. I saw Josh Kelley (Charles Kelley’s brother) here with my good friends. I was the first one there, before Josh Kelley even, and it was such close corners he said Hi when he walked in and we had a few minute conversation about city traffic. Oh and then we met and hung out with him and his wife Katherine Heigl! Tell me the next time you can chill with the artist and his movie actress wife in a stadium venue. I still can’t believe that happened!

The Bowery Electric

Ahh my favorite basement to see a show! I saw Old Dominion here for a free pop up show. The best spot, if you can get to it, is dead center. On most stages the band will move around, so any spot is dead on with the singer at some point in the show. The Bowery stage is a little more constricting, so it was an entire full band set with direct eye contact with Matthew Ramsey the whole time. You would think a place that can fit a max capacity of 200 would only accommodate a low acoustic set. Not Old Dominion, they rocked that downstairs as if they were playing Gillette Stadium and rocked the entire stage!

Joe’s Pub

Another one of my favorites. This venue is reserved for Old Dominion shows. I’ve been there twice for them and both times had seats right up against the stage. Can’t get more personal than eating dinner (and the food is delicious) and having drinks along the stage while your favorite band is performing. See it for yourself here! Old Dominion @ Joe's Pub: Can't Get You

It was at these intimate shows that I’ve heard new songs they’ve written-even ones not recorded on the album. Like this one Do it With Me:

Is there a record for how often you can see a band before they’ve even had their first headlining tour? I think my friend has me beat, but I am definitely catching up! 7th stop is another super small venue Housing Works Cafe. It’s literally a bookstore! Songwriters round with Matthew, Trevor, and Brad from Old Dominion. Can’t wait to report on that venue!

So as you can see NYC is filled with Bluebird Cafes. New York City is well preserved with the variety of intimate concert venues. I’m sure there are more to discover, but these have just been my go-to ones along my concert goings. I am always on the lookout for more, the smaller the better (just as long as I get in first- HA!)