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New York Music Month is turning the volume all the way up this June. The city’s official celebration of its music industry returns for its eighth year with a whopping 50-plus free events, ranging from high-wattage concerts and indie showcases to expert panels, artist workshops and a flagship industry conference. Produced by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the monthlong festival aims to both spotlight New York’s creative pulse and give artists and fans access to the kind of resources, insight and inspiration that could spark a career—or at least a killer playlist.
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It all kicks off June 3 with the New York Music Month Conference at NYU Skirball. More than 40 speakers, including RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier, Variety’s Jem Aswad, and Taylor Hanson (yes, that Taylor Hanson), will unpack the music industry’s biggest shifts. Topics range from streaming fraud to merch monetization and the rise of music tech, with backing from sponsors including Sony Audio and Hudson House Distillery.
But the programming doesn’t stop at the industry’s gate. NYMM Talks, a 36-event lineup, dives into the state of modern artistry with panels like “Cutting Through the Noise” (Empire), “Inside the Voice” (Abiah Institute of the Arts), and “Gender Equity in Musical Theatre” (Maestra). There are masterclasses, mentoring sessions, and roundtables with heavyweights like Young Guru, Neil Giraldo and Anthony Cruz.
“NYMM is more than a celebration—it’s a powerful reminder that music is the heartbeat of New York,” said Jeremiah Abiah, who will present a vocal masterclass at Carnegie Hall. “And our voices, quite literally, matter.”
Live music lovers can catch 18 free performances around the city, including the Radio City series—a new program highlighting New York’s independent radio stations like WFMU, WFUV and The Lot. Other highlights include five-borough artist showcases, open mics, family concerts and even a celebration of hip-hop pioneer MC Sha-Rock.
And for artists needing space to rehearse? NYMM has that covered too, with free studio time at locations from Smash Studios in Manhattan to Fenix Studios on Staten Island.
All events are open to the public, free and underscore one thing: when it comes to music, New York doesn’t miss a beat.