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upcoming free NYC shows (Taj Majal, Aretha Franklin, Gang Gang Dance, Chrisette Michele, Raveonettes, Man Man, more)

Aretha

If you don’t want to go all the way out to Long Island and spend 200 dollars in the process to see soulful R&B (Jill Scott at Jones Beach), you can get your fix for free right here in NYC. As mentioned in What’s Going on Thursday, Chrisette Michele (who Jill Scott has interviewed) plays a free show tonight (7/28) in Springfield Park.

For some more venerable musicians, who may have very well influenced artists like Chrisette and Jill, blues guitarist/singer Taj Majal plays a free show tonight (7/28) at World Financial Center and Motown vets Mary Wilson of The Supremes and The Spinners play for free at Seaside Summer Concert Series in Coney Island tonight (7/28).

As mentioned multiple times, including This Week in Indie, Metronomy play Hudson River Rocks tonight (7/28) with Class Actress and American Royalty.

Some pretty major free shows are also happening on Friday (7/29). And I’m not even talking about the free 3 Doors Down show or Journey show. They Might Be Giants are playing a free Williamsburg Waterfront show with Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal. Their show is one of few this summer before they head out on tour in support of their recently released album Join Us. You can also head over to House of Vans for the unreal lineup of Fucked Up, Cro-Mags, Screaming Females, and Pissed Jeans. We’re also giving away VIP tickets to the show. Contest details HERE.

If you’re trying to see free music on Saturday (7/30), I can’t imagine why you would want to be anywhere other than the Mad Decent Block Party at South Street Seaport. The party will be headlined by Gang Gang Dance and also feature Zeds Dead, Claude VonStroke, BAIO (Vampire Weekend DJ set), The Hood Internet, Bosco Delrey, and PO PO. If you’re into the block party, and specifically Chris Baio of Vampire Weekend’s DJ set, you’ve got time afterwards to head over to Brooklyn Bowl and see a DJ set by another NYC indie band member Albert Hammond Jr. (of The Strokes). Doors are at 11 PM.

On Sunday (7/31), head back to the Seaport for the great lineup of The Raveonettes and Eternal Summers at Beekman Beer Garden .

If you don’t make it to that show, you could check out the equally great JEFF the Brotherhood, Kingdom, and Friends free show at Rockaway Beach Boardwalk. RSVP required.

On Monday (8/1) , Surfer Blood play a free late show at Mercury Lounge.

On Tuesday (8/2), you can check out the oldest of old school hip hop at Summerstage with Sugarhill Gang. If you prefer reggae over hip hop, you might be in luck by heading over to City Winery for the Hudson Square Music and Wine Festival with CCB Reggae All-Stars.

On Wednesday (8/3), The Budos Band plays a free Summerstage show in Staten Island. You can also catch them tonight (7/28) at a not-free Rocks Off Concert Cruise. A-Trak also DJs on Wednesday (8/3) at the new Fool’s Gold Store in Brooklyn. Summerscreen in McCarren Park is screening Clueless, and Zambri is performing.

Things in the free concert world pick up again on Thursday (8/4). It’s been revealed that Mystery Night at Seaside Summer Concert Series will be ‘The Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin who just played Jones Beach (and who cancelled last time she was scheduled to play Coney Island). As awesome as that show will probably be, if something modern is more your style, House of Vans, who continue to bang out killer lineups, has Man Man, Glass Candy, and Crystal Antlers on the bill for Thursday’s (8/4) show.

Also, don’t forget that Summerstage and Celebrate Brooklyn are continuing to present free shows throughout the summer, including many this week.