“Devoted to new acts from around the world" - THE NEW YORK TIMES
"It operates out of independent venues packed close together, giving the festival a truly buzzy feel for attendees" - Billboard
"It's a lot, and it's not for the faint of heart." - Paste Magazine
“New Colossus is the smaller but well-formed new kid on the block aiming to step into its shoes as New York’s showcase festival of choice” - DIY MAGAZINE
Since 2019, NYC’s Lower East Side has been the home of The New Colossus Festival, a week-long showcase of emerging artists from around the world. Now entering our 8th edition, this series of performances, panels, parties, and more will happen March 9-14, 2027. This is the biggest opportunity for international artists to connect with local and international music industry and fans in an intimate setting.
The majority of the bands that will be performing will be coming over from Europe, UK, Canada, Australia, Scandinavia and Asia with some on their way to SXSW. Festival alumni include:
Baby Queen (ZA), Balaclava (US) CHAII (NZ), Delivery (AU), Die Spitz (US), Ducks ltd. (CA), GIFT (US), Hachiku (AU), Jaywood (CA), Kiwi Jr. (CA), MX Lonely (US), NOBRO (CA), Peel Dream Magazine (US), Penelope Isles (UK), Personal Trainer (NL), Pom Poko (NO), Pom Pom Squad (US), Pop Music Fever Dream (US) Prewn (US), Prostitute (US), Robber Robber (US), Shower Curtain (US), Sid Simons (US), Slow Fiction (US), Sobs (SG), Starcleaner Reunion (US), The K’s, The Orielles (UK), Thus Love (US), Water From Your Eyes (US), Ultra Q (US), Zoon (CA) and over 1000 other artists.
All of the shows take place within walking distance from one another in Manhattan’s historical Lower East Side. Participating Venues Include:
- Arlene’s Grocery (95 Stanton St, NYC)
- Baker Falls (192 Allen St, NYC) (New Location)
- Berlin Under A (25. Avenue A)
- Ki Smith Gallery (170 Forsyth Street)
- Niagara (112 Ave A, NYC)
- Nublu (151 Loisada Ave, NYC) Misguided Spirits Showcase
- Nublu Classic (62 Loisada Ave, NYC)
- Parkside Lounge (317 E Hoquston St, NYC)
- Pianos (158 Ludlow St, NYC)
- Silver Lining Lounge (145 Bowery, NYC)
- Sour Mouse (110 Delancey St, NYC)
- The Francis Kite Club (40 Loisada Ave. NYC)
The New Colossus
By Emma Lazarus (1883)
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”