Who: Korean rapper G-Dragon
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn
When: July 27th
Though his group, the K-pop boy band Big Bang, which recently surpassed the Backstreet Boys as the best-selling boy band of all time, are on a hiatus for the foreseeable future as the members approach the age when Korean men must complete their mandatory military service, bandleader G-Dragon, born Kwon Ji-Yong, is setting off on an globetrotting arena tour. With a musical style as eclectic as his androgynous, avant-garde fashion sense, G-Dragon is known for his dynamic stage presence and vocals that range from nasal quickfire rapping to emotional crooning. The name of this tour “Act III: M.O.T.T.E.,” first indicates its status as G-Dragon’s third world tour, while the initialism “M.O.T.T.E.,” which stands for “Moment of Truth: The End,” indicates G-Dragon’s wish for this tour to act as a last hurrah for him, showing a more personal side of himself before he too goes off to the military.
Who: English emo band Moose Blood, with openers Choir Vandals and McCafferty
Where: Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg
When: July 28th
Hailing from Canterbury, England, Moose Blood combine emotional punk sounds with solid, catchy pop songwriting. A mainstay of the alternative music scene in recent years, Moose Blood are returning to the United States this July in support of their sophomore album, “Blush.” Lead singer Eddy Brewerton’s raw vocals combine effectively with lead guitarist Mark Osbourne’s simple, evocative riffs, and bassist Kyle Todd’s solid rhythms. A fourth member, drummer Glenn Harvey, was booted from the band in March over sexual misconduct allegations, with a temporary musician filling in on tour until they find a full-time replacement. Joining Moose Blood are two up-and-coming acts from the alternative scene, St. Louis indie rock band Choir Vandals and Ohio-based acoustic emo band McCafferty.
Who: Japanese rock band One Ok Rock, with openers Set It Off and Palisades
Where: Playstation Theater in Times Square
When: July 28th and 29th
After a spring spent filling stadiums in their native Japan, One Ok Rock are embarking on a North American tour in support of their latest album, “Ambitions.” One Ok Rock are known for frontman Takahiro Moriuchi’s dynamic vocals and for their energetic, anthemic music, which mixes influences ranging from the electro-metal of Linkin Park to Japanese punk icons Ellegarden. One Ok Rock have long chased the American market, but after signing to Fueled by Ramen Records, a Warner-owned label known for housing American alternative chart-toppers like Paramore, Panic! At The Disco, and Twenty One Pilots, and releasing “Ambitions,” their first record entirely in English, they seem to be closer than ever. One Ok Rock are joined on tour by the darkly upbeat Florida pop-rock act Set It Off, and the New Jersey band Palisades, which mixes hardcore punk with electronic dance music to create a high-energy sound.
Who: Baltimore pop-punk band All Time Low, with openers SWMRS, Waterparks, and The Wrecks
Where: Central Park Summerstage, at Rumsey Playfield
When: July 31st
Hailing from the suburbs of Baltimore, the four-piece pop-punk outfit All Time Low are frequently on tour, and they don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon, playing at the Central Park SummerStage at the end of July in support of their new album “Last Young Renegade.” All Time Low mixes three-chord punk guitars with personal, often juvenile lyrics about the struggles of youth, which rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Alex Gaskarth has been singing about for over a decade, since he started the band when he was only 15 years old. On “Last Young Renegade,” All Time Low exhibit a slightly more mature sound, eschewing much of their pop-punk roots for 80s-tinged pop rock. Opening for All Time Low are three new-to-the-scene rock bands: Oakland punk band SWMRS, Texas pop-punk band Waterparks, and Los Angeles-based indie rock band The Wrecks.