As the 2026 music calendar fills with tour dates and long-awaited releases, a fresh wave of artists are setting their sights on New York City stages. From breakout tracks to defining performances, these are some of the most compelling acts making their mark, along with where you can catch them live this spring.
Quarters (f/k/a Quarters of Change) return with “Headlight,” a forward-motion indie track that signals the next chapter ahead of their 25-city North American tour. Their signature urgency and melodic edge are fully intact, with enough evolution to hint at what comes next. Fans can catch them bringing the new material, along with choice cuts from their catalog, to Irving Plaza for a two-night stand on April 17 and 18.
Sir Chloe continues to refine their brooding rock aesthetic with “Eyes,” a simmering track threaded with serrated guitar lines and Dana Foote’s half-confessional, half-confrontational delivery. Uneasy and seductive in equal measure, the song thrives on emotional exposure. Their upcoming show at Webster Hall on April 16 promises to match that same intensity.
On “Machine Ghost,” Erin Lecount filters raw vulnerability through a flickering electronic shell, where synthetic textures buzz like exposed wiring. The track’s tension reflects a broader sonic world she is building, one that comes to life across her celebrated tour that lands at Baby’s All Right for two nights on February 9 and 10.
She’s Green offers a more introspective energy with “Graze,” distilling their signature slow-burn haze into one of their most defining tracks to date. Soft-edged, aching, and quietly expansive, the song captures the band’s growing range. Their performance at Brooklyn Paramount on May 16, part of the SlideAwayNYC festival, is a natural next step in their continued ascent.
Sarah Kinsley’s “Fleeting” balances baroque-pop grandeur with modern precision, turning time anxiety into something lush and cinematic. Carefully composed yet emotionally open, the track adds another layer to her growing catalog. Kinsley headlines Brooklyn Steel on April 28 with support from Charlie Burg.
Leaning into heartland-tinged indie, Hudson Freeman’s “Wild Horses” captures movement not as escape but as necessity. Built around quiet resolve and wide-open emotional space, the track will come into focus live at Baby’s All Right on April 1.
For those seeking an underground NYC experience, Sydney Sherrill delivers a promising debut with her single “Closer.” She will be supporting Garret Elias at Astor Place Hair on February 13, a show presented by Vigil Records that promises raw talent and DIY charm.
From DIY beginnings to venue-packing momentum, each of these artists brings a distinct voice to the current landscape. Whether you are looking to discover your next favorite track or witness a breakthrough set, New York offers no shortage of moments worth hearing and feeling firsthand.
SPIN Magazine newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
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