M.E.A.N.Y Fest Music Festival Every year in September/October

New York City is a hub of underground music. With some of the best studios and stages in the world, the city has a reputation for turning emerging artists into global stars. To help find the next big thing in New York’s music scene, the annual M.E.A.N.Y. Fest (Musicians and Emerging Artists New York) invites local bands to battle it out for a shot at success.

Since 2004, the annual M.E.A.N.Y. Fest has featured two weeks of concerts from the end of September to the beginning of October at participating New York venues like The Delancey, Brooklyn Fire Proof, Santos Party House, Fontanas, and Fat Baby. The best local bands compete for audience votes and the judges’ approval in short 30-minute sets. Past performances at M.E.A.N.Y. have included bands and artists like Earl Greyhound, Pillow Theory, Bill Ray with DJ L Trendz, DJ Danika, The Pre-Raphaelites, Sweet Fix, Christy Thompson, and Pol the Fisherman.

The contest is judged by a panel of local industry giants like Michael Musto of the Village Voice, popular radio DJ Rich Russo, and Showtime writer Ben Xavier. Past winners of M.E.A.N.Y. Fest include Almost Six Six, Last Stand for Lucy, and Code Anchor. M.E.A.N.Y. Fest winners are given a career-making opportunity with a radio play package, studio software, and two full days of studio recording time.

Tickets to M.E.A.N.Y. Fest are around $10 for each performance. Check out some great underground acts and cast your vote to help launch your favorite band into international fame. After catching the concerts, dance the night away at the sponsored after party featuring live music by local talent like Ferrari Snowday.