Top Live Music Events in New Jersey This Spring and Summer

It is that special time of year again, folks.

Combine beautiful weather (not all the time) and vibrant music in a lively New Jersey setting, both indoors and out, and you’re bound to create lasting melodic memories. Add delicious food and refreshing drinks to the mix as you reconnect with old friends, while making new ones, and celebrate with family, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an awesome, rocking time.

Here is a list of upcoming spring and summer musical performances, some of which come at no cost to you.

On Saturday, April 5th, at 7:30 PM: Dave Murphy will be putting on a show at the Bull N Bear Brewery with Chris Tarrow and Ron Baumann at 425 Springfield Ave., in Summit, N.J.

A New Jersey-based singer song-writer, Murphy plays his own brand of hard-fought, seasoned Americana rock with classic vocals, as he powers his ways to poetry storytelling glory.

Come out to the Bull N Bear Brewery and enjoy great music while sipping on some tasty brews.

Friday, April 11th, has Mid-Life Crisis, from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 p.m., party rocking the River Grille in Chatham, N.J. (34 River Road) with its own style of top cover tunes from every musical era.

Also on Friday, April 11th, at 9:45 p.m., Brian Kirk & The Jirks will be in Hoboken, N.J., at Willie McBride’s.

Brian KIrk & The Jerks have been described as New Jersey’s ultimate party band, playing fun covers, telling bad Jokes and a tossing little bit of Bruce….Springsteen, of course, into the mix. Who else?

This is a show you do not want to miss if you are in the area.

Next, on Friday April 11th, Mr. Lovejoy, a hip cover band, will hitting center stage at the Mr. Crabby’s Seafood House and Sports Bar at 9:30pm in Randolph, N.J.

Also, on Saturday, April 12th, from 9:00 p.m. to 12:30, Mr. Lovejoy will be performing at the Famished Frog at 18 Washington Street in Morristown, N.J.

On Saturday, April 19th and Wednesday, May 7th, This Old Engine, a tri-state area band that plays Greatful Dead-inspired music, will be performing at the Sterling Hotel (227 Main Ave.), from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the Homestead Bar & Kitchen in Morristown N.J. (10 Dehart Street), respectively.

Also, at the Homestead Bar & Kitchen will be Divided Sky – Phish Tribute Band on Wednesday, May 14th, at 8:00 p.m.

Divided Sky will play the legendary group’s crowd-pleasing tracks that mess rock, funk, jazz, bluegrass, psychedelic, and progressive elements, that has garnered them a loyal legion-like, cult following across the country.

Arguably the best cover band in the United States, The Nerds will play four more shows in April, and four in May.

Friday, April 18th at 10:00 p.m. — Boots & Bones at 116 Newark Ave., in Jersey City, N.J.

Thursday, April 24th at 8:00 p.m. — Green Knoll Grill — 645 U S 202, in Bridgewater, N.J.

Friday, April 25th at 8:30 p.m. — Riv’s Toms River Hub — 1850 Hooper Ave, Toms River, N.J.

Friday, May 2nd, at 9:30 p.m.at Ringside Pub, located at 379 Bloomfield Ave. In Caldwell, N.J. (973) 226-6781.

On Wednesday, May 28th, at 8:00 p.m., Homestead Bar & Kitchen— Morristown, N.J. will feature the cool cover band Spare Tire, who will be performing classic and alternative rock music.

Saturday, May 3rd, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. — Rock the Foundation — Westfield Armory — 500 Rahway Avenue, in Westfield, N.J. All proceeds will benefit the rebuilding of American Legion Post 3 which includes 22 units of housing for homeless veterans.

Additional acts include special guests Better Late and 14-year-old gifted musician Kobe Reese.

On Friday, May 9th, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., 4 Flight Rock–a classic, cool cover rock band–will be performing one of many shows, starting with Climax Brewing Co. (112 Valley Road, Roselle Park, N.J.).  

Next, on Thursday May 22nd, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., 4 Flight Rock’s Electric Trio will be hitting the stage at Stage House Tavern Somerset (1719 Amwell Rd., Somerset, N.J.).

Saturday, May 24th, starting at 7:00 p.m. and going through 10:00 p.m., 4 Flight Rock will be playing on the outdoor patio of Shogun Legacy in Toms River, N.J. (1536 N Bay Ave.).

On Sunday, June 1st, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 4 Flight Rock can be seen gracing Garwood Rocks (Center Street, Center St, Garwood, N.J.).

You can catch 4 Flight Rock on Friday, June 6th (7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m.) at Clement’s Place, located on the Rutgers Newark campus (15 Washington St, Newark, N.J.).

4 Flight Rock Trio will be back at Shogun Legacy in Toms River, N.J. (1536 N Bay Ave.) on Saturday, June 14th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

4 Flight Rock will be playing two dates at Dowling’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 117 Chestnut St, Roselle Park, N.J. on Sat. June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd, from 9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

On Friday, June 27th, from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., 4 Flight Rock makes its way back to Climax Brewing Co. (112 Valley Road, Roselle Park, N.J.).

On Saturday, June 28th, 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., 4 Flight Rock returns to Shogun Legacy in Toms River, N.J. (1536 N Bay Ave.).

Friday, May 16th at 8:00 p.m. — Cooper’s Riverview, located at 50 River view Plaza in Trenton, N.J.

Saturday, May 24th at 8:00 p.m. — B2 Bistro + Bar (125 Bayville Ave, in Bayville, N.J.) will host a Memorial Weekend Party.

On Saturday, April 19th, Sixx Seconds to Mars, a Motley Crue tribute band, will heading over to Dingbatz in Clifton, N.J., (620 Van Houten Ave,), for an 8:00 p.m. show.

You are sure to hear classic Crue tunes such as Kick Start My Heart, Girls, Girls, Girls, Wild Side, and more.

Come Friday, April 25th, at 7;00 p.m, the World of Rock Trio (one of my favorites) will be making its way to the ultra-sleek Albion Summit (in the lobby) in Summit, N.J. — 570 Springfield Ave.

Check out some of their covers below, including Collective Soul’s December, and Morgan Wallen’s Whiskey Glasses.

The rocking trinity will perform its own version of classic cocktail rock songs and up-to-date hits.

On Wednesday, May 7th, The Benjamins, AKA The Brother Benjamins, are set to perform at Uncorked Wine Shop Lounge Totowa, N.J. (Union Blvd.).

The Bejamins, a 5-piece rock band that can go up to nine members, plays its own original music, like “Go,” their Debut album which was released in 2004. In 2007, the band put forth the album “Chronicles of the Garden State,” which was nationally released and then again, a single song release “My Best Mistake” in 2011, and more recently, “We own the night” in 2017.

The Albion Summit will play host to The Next Stage Duo on Thursday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. The duo performs an eclectic mix of radio-play classic, alternative, and party rock and pop covers.

On Sunday, June 1st, at 7:00 p.m., Street Hassle will be belting out classic rock, blues, Motown and pop tunes with an incredibly powerful horn section behind it at the Florham Park Gazebo at 111 Ridgedale Ave. in Florham Park, N.J.

Next, Emerson Hotel & Restaurant Bar (31 Emerson Plaza East in Emerson, N.J,) will feature the music of London Calling: A Beatles Tribute Band on Friday, June 20th at 9:00 p.m.

Then, Separate Ways, a Journey tribute band, will be heading over to the Florham Park Gazebo on Sunday, July 27th at 7:00 p.m., to play the legendary rock band’s tunes, such as Don’t Stop Believing, Open Arms, Faithfully, Any Way You Want it, Lovin’ Tochin’ Squeezin’, and other awesome hits.

On Sunday, July 6th, Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis will take center stage at the Florham Park Gazebo for a night of shake, rattle and rolling, as the crowd enjoys the King of Rock N’ Roll’s phenomenal cover songs.

On Thursday, July 17th, from 6:30 – 8:00, Kings Road Band, a very talented cover band, will be performing at the Gazebo in Downtown Chatham –, near the New Jersey Transit stop.

One of the summer’s most anticipated outdoor concert series is the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series on the Village Green in Summit, N.J. All performances take place on Tuesday, and start at 7:00 p.m.

Here is the sizzling summer lineup:

7/15 – Almost Eras – Taylor Swift Impersonator.

7/22 – Steppin’ Out @ Community Night.

7/29 – Ladies of the 80s.

8/5 – Element K— a cool, versatile band covering the greatest hits of yesteryear and today @ National Night Out.

8/19 – Brian Kirk and the Jirks.

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Thank you for stopping by and reading my articles. See you again real soon.

— Jerry Del Priore