Drake, Billy Joel, Taylor Dayne and more great spring concerts on Long Island, in NYC
Drake performs at Morehouse College in Atlanta in 2022. Credit: WireImage/Prince Williams
When Styx returns to Long Island on March 27 headlining NYCB Theatre at Westbury, there will be a moment in the set that sparks some magic. Halfway through their hit “Come Sail Away,” the band stops for a second and then kicks back in like a tidal wave of rock.
“It's the high point of every show. Wherever we are playing, that moment is the same,” says singer-keyboardist Lawrence Gowan. “The exuberance that arrives with that one crashing C chord just lifts you. It literally feels like a rocket taking off.”
This is an example of the live concert experience, which blooms this spring. Here are 25 shows to catch in Nassau, Suffolk and New York City.
MARCH
TAYLOR DAYNE
Taylor Dayne performing in 2017 in Bridgehampton. Credit: Steven Henry
Long Island’s own dance diva returns for a homecoming show that will get everyone moving to bangers like “Don’t Rush Me” and “Tell It To My Heart.”
“Every show has to tell a story. I take people on a journey through song,” she says. “Songs take you back to a place and time. They become part of the soundtrack to people’s lives. That's the power of music.”
WHEN|WHERE 7 p.m. March 3, The Suffolk, 118 E. Main St., Riverhead
INFO $79-$99; 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
MAMMOTH WVH
The son of Eddie Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen, fronts his own band that blends pop, rock and metal with songs from their 2021 self-titled debut and current release, “Mammoth II.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. March 6, The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO $38.75-$43.25; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
MOLLY HATCHET
These Southern rockers from the '70s will bring some soul to Suffolk County with tunes like “Flirtin’ with Disaster” and “Whiskey Man.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. March 9, The Suffolk
INFO $55-$75; 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
KK’s PRIEST
KK's Priest will perform at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts. Credit: Sam Singer
After parting ways with Judas Priest, guitarist K.K. Downing put together his own band with former Priest lead vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens. They will be playing songs from their two albums, “Sermons of the Sinner” (2021) and “The Sinner Rides Again” (2023), mixed with Priest classics such as “Hell Patrol,” “Victim of Changes,” “The Ripper,” “Night Crawler” and “Breaking the Law.”
“I just wanted to go out playing my songs — both old and new,” says Downing. “I wrote, recorded and performed those songs, therefore I hope the fans would like to hear Priest’s original axman using the same guitar techniques.”
WHEN|WHERE 7:30 p.m. March 23, Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue
INFO $49-$79; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND
Robert Cray performs in 2017 in Nashville. Credit: AP/Mark Zaleski
The multiple Grammy Award winner is ready to set Westhampton ablaze with his blues guitar and charismatic vocals on tracks like “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” and “Smoking Gun.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. March 23, Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main St., Westhampton Beach
INFO $93-$122, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org
BLACKBERRY SMOKE
The country rock quintet from Atlanta is prepared to deliver the thunder on the “Be Right Here Tour” with special guest Duane Betts.
WHEN|WHERE 7 p.m., March 24, Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
INFO $35-$250; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
STYX
Tommy Shaw of Styx performing in 2018 in Alpharetta, Ga. Credit: Invision/AP/Paul R. Giunta
For two solid hours expect to hear a cavalcade of classic rock hits from “Renegade,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and “Blue Collar Man” to “The Grand Illusion,” “Lady” and “Fooling Yourself.”
“The moment the show starts, we are feeding off the crowd. The devotion from the fans inspires us every single night,” says Gowan. “We especially love to play in Westbury where there's not a bad seat in the venue.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. March 27, NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury
INFO $64-$152; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
BILLY JOEL
Billy Joel performs at "The 66th Grammy Awards" in Los Angeles.
Credit: Getty Images for The Recording A/Kevin Winter
Long Island’s Piano Man is starting to wrap up his monthly Madison Square Garden residency. Among his hits and fan favorites, Joel has included his new hit single, “Turn the Lights Back On.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. March 28, April 26 and May 9, Madison Square Garden, 4 Penn Plaza, Manhattan
INFO $343.95-$1,947, 212-465-6000, msg.com
DRAKE
Drake performs in 2023 at Manhattan's Apollo Theater. Credit: Getty Images for SiriusXM/Dimitrios Kambouris
The 37-year-old Canadian rapper brings his “It’s All a Blur Tour — Big As the What?” to Elmont for back-to-back shows with Lil Durk.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. March 28-29, UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
INFO $332.65-$839.20; 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
NICKI MINAJ
Nicki Minaj performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, New Jersey. Credit: Getty Images/Dia Dipasupil
The “Queen of Rap” brings her “Pink Friday 2 World Tour” to Manhattan with special guest Monica.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. March 30, Madison Square Garden
INFO $229.55-$414.20, 212-465-6000, msg.com
APRIL
JOHN OATES
The quieter, mustachioed half of Hall and Oates performs an acoustic show that includes solo cuts, covers and H&O hits.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 4, The Paramount
INFO $45.25-$265.50; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
OLIVIA RODRIGO
Olivia Rodrigo performing at the 2022 Glastonbury Festival in England. Credit: Getty Images/Kate Green
From the Disney channel to pop sensation, the 21-year-old wonder from California pulls her “Guts Tour” into MSG for multiple dates.
WHEN|WHERE 7:30 p.m. April 5-6, 8-9, Madison Square Garden
INFO Prices to TBA, 212-465-6000, msg.com
ADAM ANT
The original New Romantic pirate king returns to reclaim his throne. His set list will blend his solo career (“Goody Two Shoes,” “Strip,” “Vive Le Rock”) and days with the Ants (“Antmusic,” “Stand and Deliver,” “Prince Charming”). The English Beat opens the show.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 5, Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
INFO $65-$239; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
LOUDER THAN LOVE
Celebrate the freestyle genre with a festival of favorites including George Lamond, TKA/K7, Judy Torres, the Cover Girls, Rob Base, Cynthia, Alisha, Kim Sozzi and Lime.
WHEN|WHERE 7:30 p.m. April 6, NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $53-$220.05; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
JOE SATRIANI & STEVE VAI
The axmen from Nassau County team up for a co-bill concert of instrumental music. Vai, of Carle Place, used to take lessons from Satriani, of Westbury, back in the '70s and now they are the Wonder Twins of the electric guitar.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 6, Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, Manhattan
INFO $102.55-$272.60, 212-465-6000, msg.com/beacon-theatre
MARTINA McBRIDE
Martina McBride performing in 2019 in Atlanta. Credit: Getty Images for Taste Of The NFL/Gerardo Mora
The country pop soprano from Kansas will charm Long Islanders with her songs “Independence Day,” “Valentine” and “This One’s for the Girls.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 11, NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO $30-$118.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
COLIN HAY
Former Men at Work frontman flies solo acoustically playing cuts “Waiting for My Real Life to Begin” and “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” plus ‘80s classics “Down Under” and “Overkill.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 13, Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
INFO $59-$89; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
BUDDY GUY
Buddy Guy performs at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Credit: Invision/AP/Amy Harris
Don’t miss this 87-year-old bluesman playing his guitar on his “Damn Right Farewell Tour.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 14, NYCB Theatre at Westbury,
INFO $30-$129.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
THE WALLFLOWERS
Led by Jakob Dylan, this '90s band will break out the hits “One Headlight,” “6th Avenue Heartache” and “Three Marlenas.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 17, The Paramount
INFO $38.75-$293.80; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
MELISSA ERRICO
Melissa Errico performing in 2021 in Holmdel, New Jersey. Credit: Getty Images/Manny Carabel
Spend the evening with the Broadway diva from Manhasset who starred in “My Fair Lady,” “High Society,” “One Touch of Venus” and “Amour.”
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 19, Landmark on Main Street — Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street #1, Port Washington
INFO $49.48-$70.21; 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org
SHAWN COLVIN & KT TUNSTALL
These two singer-songwriters team up for “an evening with” show that includes performing together on stage.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 19, Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
INFO $45-$75; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
THE BLACK CROWES
The Black Crowes performing in 2021 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Credit: Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer
The Robinson brothers, singer Chris and guitarist Rich, have reunited and are touring behind their upcoming new studio release.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. April 27, Beacon Theatre
INFO $66.55-$356.35, 212-465-6000, msg.com/beacon-theatre
MAY
QUEENSRŸCHE
Metalheads will get full performances of the band’s original self-titled EP plus “The Warning” in their entirety on “The Origins Tour” with special guest Armored Saint.
WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. May 3, The Paramount
INFO $38.75-$413; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TIM McGRAW
Tim McGraw performs at the 2023 CMA Fest in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Amy Harris
After headlining Jones Beach two years ago, the man in the black cowboy hat comes back to Long Island with opening act Carly Pearce.
WHEN|WHERE 7 p.m. May 9, UBS Arena
INFO $47.85-$506.25; 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS
This WLIR New Wave favorite, known for the ‘80s classic “I Ran (So Far Away),” comes to the village of Patchogue for a rare club gig.
WHEN|WHERE 7 p.m. May 17, Stereo Garden, 9 Railroad Ave, Patchogue
INFO $42.67-$63.27; 631-416-7755, stereogardenli.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
