Northside on the cheap 2018: The best free and cheap shows to see without a badge

The Northside Festival is back this year – North Brooklyn’s answer to SXSW. There will be many venues, bars, and must-see spots to crawl and music to take in. There’s a pretty sweet roster of bands and artists to check out (headliners include Liz Phair and Parquet Courts, and one of our personal faves, Shannon Shaw) starting today, Thursday June 7.

If your wallet is a little tight and your budget is on the mend, fret not dear readers. We rounded up the best free and cheap shows you can’t miss at this year’s festival.

THURSDAY, June 7

FREE SHOWS

Laura Wolf, Proudest Ever, Gussie (Pete’s Candy Store, 8:30pm)

Feral Scouts, Blank Neon, Veda Rays, Big Bliss, DJ Allie Cat (Diveria Drive, 9pm)

FRIDAY, June 8

FREE SHOWS

AWAL NYC Summer Party: WESLEE, Matt Simons, Janelle Kroll, Otzeki, Dizzy Fae, Penguin Prison (DJ Set) (Baby’s All Right, 8pm)

Garchamp, Shadow Monster, Jeanines, Ben Pagano & The Space Machine, Def.GRLS, A Deer A Horse, Emma Rogers & The Reveries (comedy), Holy Tunics (Little Skips, 8pm)

KRT_, Taurée, Monica Riskey (Pete’s Candy Store, 9pm)

CHEAP SHOWS

T-Rextasy, Julia Haltigan, Shannon Shaw (of Shannon + The Clams) (Brooklyn Bowl, 8:30pm) *Note: entry to this show is technically free if you purchase Shannon Shaw’s Shannon in Nashville release at Rough Trade. Receive a free ticket with album purchase at the record shop. Rough Trade opens at 11am and the promotion runs until 5pm. Two albums per customer and limited tix available. Otherwise, the tickets are $15 each.

Madam West, Shelter Dogs, Busy Bee Project, Secret Nudist Friends, Blushed, The Rizzos (Pet Rescue, $8, 8:30pm)

SATURDAY, June 9

FREE SHOWS

Katie Battistoni, War Violet (solo set), Terry Edelman, Jordyn Blakely, Nihioceros, Emily Madge, The Black Black (Two Boots Pizza, 2pm)

Lucite Tokki, Half/Brother, Osypa, Varsity Star, B.R. Mackie (Pete’s Candy Store, 7pm)

Pale Ramon, Dru Cutler, Megg Farrell & Friends, Pete Lanctot & The Stray Dogs, MAMA JUKE, Olu Bliss (Gold Sounds, $8, 8pm)

The Glitch, Kevin Hairs, Kate Mohanty, Parrot Dream, Dumb Wolves, Straw Pipes, Emma Rogers & The Reveries (comedy), Sic Tic (Little Skips, 8pm)

CHEAP SHOWS

Brokelyn + Supercrush Studio Showcase: YAASSS, Lola Pistola, Native Sun, Grim Streaker (Knitting Factory, $10, 1pm) Enter to win tickets to our show here.

Nightfear, Funeral Leech, Secret Guest TBA, The Armed (Saint Vitus, $5, 7pm)

SUNDAY, June 10

FREE SHOWS