Skyscanner is partnering with Exceptional Alien to bring you music guides in Toronto, Los Angeles, Manchester, New York, and Berlin. Here, Jitwam recommend the must-visit music venues in NYC.
Jitwam’s New York: concerts, clubs, live music spots
Though the undisputed birthplace of hip hop, New York has a music scene which reaches far beyond one genre’s limits. Influential in the development of jazz, rock, indie and EDM scenes, this East Coast city is a major player in shaping the sounds the world hears today.
Few serious artists skip a session there, with recent New York concerts from Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles and Paul McCartney. And North America’s most populous city constantly attracts fans from all over the globe to its skyscraper-lined avenues and legendary clubs, restaurants and shops. Visitor numbers are likely to continue to rise thanks to ‘gig-tripping’, a recent travel trend where music fans opt to watch their favourite artists perform abroad, rather than waiting for them to visit their homeland.
So if you plan on visiting New York any time soon, make sure to add these NYC music venues and hidden gems to your itinerary, courtesy of resident musician, Jitwam.
But before you read more about the NYC music scene, discover hidden gems and favourite local spots, all in the Skyscanner x Exceptional Alien guide.
Who is Jitwam?
Jitwam is an instrumentalist, producer and DJ known for his genre-blending musical style. His tracks range from psychedelic and soulful to melodic and meditative, and fuse jazz, hip hop and funk. Born in Assam in India and raised in Australia, the DJ’s globe-trotting background (he also spent three months in a monastery in Thailand and has lived in London and South Africa) has had a great influence on his unique sound. He’s released two albums since 2017 and collaborated with artists including Kamaal Williams, Soul Clap and Sivey.
How does New York inspire him to create music?
The Big Apple might be the place where dreams are made of, but it’s certainly no guarantee. Jitwam spent a number of years living in the legendary city honing his music and describes it as ‘cutthroat’. “[New York’s] stomping grounds were my first foray into the music scene,” he says, “I feel blessed to have sharpened my DJing skills among some of the most creative, diverse, and gifted selectors out there.”
A city that has only grown in influence and stature since its founding in the 17th-century, New York is one of North America’s most historic states. Its exponential growth has attracted the best minds in nearly every industry from every corner of the world, making it a magnetic and inspirational destination for aspiring artists. Jitwam wasn’t immune to its influence. “The sights, sounds, and smells of the city have deeply informed my music,” he articulates. “New York, to me, is a beautiful mess of craziness. It’s literally a cultural melting pot. You see so many different sides, colours, sounds, and languages within it. There's so much magic and beauty to be found as well.”
Jitwam’s favourite New York music venues
Forget the obvious – Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden won’t appear on this list. Jitwam’s favoured venues are as alternative as his music. Here are his top three.
THAT House Party THO
Various
In Brooklyn’s northern borough of Greenpoint, a creative collective has converted their apartment into an enigmatic music events venue. “[It’s] an event space with an open mic — people come up, recite their poetry, their stand-up, and sing songs — it's a mad vibe," Jitwam says. THAT House Party THO aims to support and represent local artists with an emphasis on inclusivity and fair pay for those in the creative industries.
Xanadu Roller Arts
1970s and ‘80s disco, funk and pop
This retro roller-skating rink in Brooklyn invites visitors to ‘find their flow’ and ‘enjoy existing in [their] bodies’. Part skate rink, part disco hall, Jitwam describes this New York music venue as ‘serious vibes’. “I played there earlier in the month, and the dance floor is like no other. So creative, so free, so childlike — a great selection of DJs, skaters, and dancers to boot.”
Blue Note
Jazz
When it comes to live jazz music in NYC, there’s nowhere more prestigious than Blue Note. There are few major jazz artists who haven’t played there and it’s a key stop on any jazz-lover’s itinerary. “[It] hosts a whole bunch of artists from Thundercat and Butcher Brown to Pharoah Sanders. It’s the whole slew of old to new music, so definitely go."
