Janelle Monae
Prospect Park Bandshell, June 4
Incredibly, the futuristic R&B singer still isn’t quite the superstar she should be — which means more room to dance when she plays Brooklyn. Free;
The National
Prospect Park Bandshell, June 17-19
The epic indie-rockers will perform songs from their last album, “Trouble Will Find Me,” as well as deep cuts. Tickets from $49.50; bricartsmedia.org
Beck
SummerStage in Central Park, July 1
Beck’s latest album “Morning Phase” is a snooze-worthy acoustic affair, but his back-catalog spans more than 20 years and he’s not afraid to dig deep to find nuggets like “Devils Haircut” and “Loser.” $69;
Neon Trees
SummerStage in Central Park, July 7
The Utah synth-rock group has made quite a career of being that annoyingly catchy band you always hear on commercials. Now they’re hitting up Central Park with their arsenal of earworms. Be prepared to be hypnotized. $47;
Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings
Brookfield Place, Waterfront Plaza, July 16
Having beaten cancer and just released one of her best albums to date in the shape of “Give the People What They Want,” Jones is now set to bring her life-affirming soul to lower Manhattan as part of the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival. Free;
Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden
Jones Beach Theater, Aug. 1
Don’t call it a ’90s nostalgia tour. Both Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden might be old-school alternative-rock mainstays but both bands have recently released surprisingly strong new albums to ensure they’re not relegated to the oldies circuit just yet. Tickets from $28;
Dr. John
SummerStage in Central Park, Aug. 2
Living in Gotham sure has its perks. Fans of Dr. John will pay big money and travel around the globe to see the New Orleans blues legend in the flesh. This summer, we get to see him for nothing and only need to take the subway. Free;
St. Vincent
Prospect Park Bandshell, Aug. 9
Thanks to her superb, self-titled latest album, New York art-rocker Annie Clark (a k a St. Vincent) has ascended to hipster royalty. Her many acolytes will be out in force to pay their respects at this Brooklyn show. Free;