The Massive Apple continues to be the most important stage round.
The metro space was primarily named the Metropolis of Dwell Music — because it recorded a sweep of prime spots on “Billboard’s 2025 High Music Venues” record.
MetLife Stadium, Madison Sq. Backyard, Forest Hills Stadium and the Brooklyn Paramount had been named, respectively, one of the best stadium, enviornment, amphitheater and music membership within the japanese United States.
Williamsburg’s well-known Brooklyn Bowl was even named the area’s “Greatest Meals and Music Pairing,” making the New York space probably the most honored on the record.
“Why is New York music one of the best? As a result of New York is one of the best!” Larry Miller, the director of the music enterprise program at NYU Steinhardt, instructed The Submit.
“New York is a beacon of dwell leisure expertise in america and world wide.”
The Massive Apple took residence 5 out of Billboard’s 28 classes — totaling about 18% of the awards .
MetLife Stadium — which sits 10 miles from Manhattan in New Jersey, and has been the scene of mega concert events from Beyonce to Bruce Springsteen — received the the highest stadium within the area due partially to its “putting exterior facade.”
And whereas its been a spot to look at some fairly poor soccer these days — its cutting-edge video boards and totally immersive audio techniques make it a champion for concert events, Billboard mentioned.
Madison Sq. Backyard — which has a live performance historical past that features being the location of Led Zeppelin’s legendary “Track Stays the Identical” live performance movie to Billy Joel’s 104-show residency — nabbed the No. 1 spot for East Coast arenas due to its “energy and attract” that makes it among the many highest-grossing venue within the county.
Final yr alone, MSG offered a whopping 2 million tickets throughout 145 exhibits.
Forest Hills Stadium — the place the Beatles famously performed to 16,000 in 1964 — clinched the title for East Coast amphitheater, with Billboard emphasizing how the venue “[harmonizes] with the encircling neighborhood’s appeal.”
Lastly, the Brooklyn Paramount — which reopened final yr to proceed a century-long historical past that when noticed greats like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald play there — stole prime billing for the area’s golf equipment and theaters due largely to its lore.
“Moving into the constructing is like strolling right into a time machine, with its intricate stone carvings, Artwork Deco aptitude and a marquee that evokes old-school appeal,” Billboard wrote.
The rating for the ornate early-Twentieth Century facility is notable to Miller, contemplating the placement’s brief time open following a significant renovation undertaking.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s completely outstanding what they had been in a position to do with the restoration, the transformation, the visitor expertise, the standard of the sound, the sightlines, the standard of the bars, the presence of the historical past of the place,” Miller gushed.
Though it wasn’t didn’t nab a regional accolade, even the Brooklyn Bowl made the record, making it tied for the smallest venue to be acknowledged together with Stomach Up in California. Each can match simply 600 partiers.
The impartial venue, tucked in Williamsburg, received the title for “Greatest Meals And Music Pairing” — additionally making it the one Massive Apple venue included on Billboard’s record to not be operated by both LiveNation or AEG.
House owners of even smaller venues throughout the 5 boroughs have raised considerations that the monster leisure corporations have usurped the dwell music trade through the years, leaving nothing however crumbs for halls like Our Depraved Girl in Bushwick — a 200-person live performance corridor that’s preventing to remain alive amid skyrocketing costs and tamer nightlife.
One of many winners on the Billboard record is extra controversial than others — although Forest Hills Stadium has loads of supporters, it’s battling lawsuits from residents who say the open-air stadium constantly exceeds noise limitations.
Final summer season was lapped with noise violations at 11 of its 36 concert events.
“What Billboard doesn’t appear to know is that the stadium has been a horrible neighbor and has been breaking metropolis noise legal guidelines,” Andy Courtroom, President of the Involved Residents of Forest Hills, raged to The Submit.
In line with Miller, nevertheless, the venues all earned their prime spots due to their consuming and mystical vitality.
“The backyard is by far fingers down the world’s most well-known enviornment for one million completely different causes,” he mentioned.
“World-class experiences technically may embrace unimaginable sound and lights and unbelievable sightlines and nice experiences are actually essential. However simply as essential is feeling the soul of the place if you stroll in there. You are feeling that if you stroll into the Backyard and you are feeling that if you stroll into the Brooklyn Paramount,” Miller continued.
“We’re fortunate that we dwell in a market the place, sure, you’re going to giant venues the place the most important acts on the planet can play, however you can too get an ideal expertise alongside along with your ticket and your alternative to purchase a $100 sweatshirt.”
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