New Colossus Festival 2024 kicks off this week, and a plethora of music acts from around the world will unite in NYC for a slew of concerts across seven venues. We look at 10 music acts worth checking out during the music festival, which runs from March 6 through March 10. More information about New Colossus Festival can be found here. Our special podcast episode about the forthcoming festival can be heard here.

BackDrop Cinderella

Founded in 2006, Japanese punk rock band BackDrop Cinderella have earned praise for their live performances at festivals such as SummerSonic and Countdown Japan. Last year, the band held their first-ever U.S. performance at SXSW, which inspired their latest single "Dance a Unza Unza in the USA". This year, the band will be playing a handful of shows across the United States alongside Gokumon, and this brief trek will kick off at New Colossus Festival. Backdrop Cinderella will perform at Bowery Electric on Saturday (10 p.m.).

Bruiser and Bicycle

Formed in 2017, Albany rock band Bruiser and Bicycle quickly gained attention with their mixture of indie rock, artpop, and progressive pop. After a handful of releases, the band joined Topshelf Records for the release of their latest studio album Holy Red Wagon. Following the album's release, the group embarked on tours along the Northeast and landed shows with Horse Jumper of Love and Waveform. Bruiser and Bicycle will perform at Berlin on Thursday (11:30 p.m.).

Friend of a Friend

Indie rock band Friend of a Friend hit the ground running with the release of their debut album In Arms with multiple tours across the United States and Europe. The indie rock act will release their new studio album FACILITIES on March 15. The release was produced by Jordan Lawlor, who is best known for their work in M83. Friend of a Friend will be performing at Pianos - Showroom on Thursday ( 7 p.m.) and Rockwood (8:30 p.m.) and Baker Falls (2:15 p.m.) on Friday.

Hot Garbage

Toronto psych rock band Hot Garbage are festival warriors with appearances at Treefort Music Fest, SXSW, and Pop Montreal. The band will kickstart a slew of performances in support of their recently released studio album Precious Dream, which is out on Mothland and EXAG’ Records. Catch the band perform at Arelene's Grocery on Wednesday (8:30 p.m.) and Berlin on Thursday (12:15 a.m.).

Iceblynk

Queens dreampop act Iceblynk have found a steady following in the city and beyond; the group made their way to North Carolina to wow crowds at Noir Bizarre’s IHaveADreamPop! Electric Underground Railroad last year. Iceblynk will be performing at Arlene's Grocery on Saturday (12:45 p.m.).

NOBRO

A decade since their formation, Canadian garage punk band NOBRO have been one of the genre's most beloved acts with tours alongside PUP, Alexisonfire, and Rise Against alongside festival appearances at Pouzza Fest and City Folk Fest. NOBRO will perform at Baker Falls on Wednesday (10:15 p.m.) and Thursday (9:15 p.m.) and Pianos - Showroom on Friday (10 p.m.) in support of their debut album, which is out on Dine Alone.

Shelf Lives

While they only formed back in 2021, U.K. electro-punk act Shelf Lives have been turning heads at major festivals such as Glastonbury Festival and The Great Escape Festival. The group also managed to tour their homeland alongside Skunk Anansie. The band will perform at Heaven Can't Wait on Thursday (10 p.m.) and Pianos -Showroom on Friday (4:45 p.m.) in support of their new EP You Okay?, which is out right now on Modern Sky.

Stuck In The Sound

French indie rock band Stuck In The Sound will return to the New Colossus Festival after five years with a brand new album in hand. Last month, the group unveiled 16 Dreams a Minute, which found them working alongside producer Ash Workman (Christine & The Queens, Metronomy). The band are best known for their track "Let's Go," whose music video gained a whopping 144 million views since its release back in 2012. Stuck In The Sound will perform at Pianos - Showroom on Friday (5:30 p.m.) and Berlin on Saturday (8:30 p.m.).

William The Conqueror

After the release of some critically acclaimed solo albums, Ruarri Joseph began the Scottish alternative rock band William The Conquerer as a fresh new musical outlet. Last year, the band delivered their fourth studio album Excuse Me While I Vanish, which was inspired by vocalist Ruarri Joseph’s journey into being a temporary care worker during lockdown. William The Conqueror will appear at Mercury Lounge on Thursday (7:45 p.m.) and Pianos - Upstairs on Friday (1:15 p.m.)

Eclectic Charango Beats

Merging the sounds of Andean music and cumbia, Brooklyn multicultural music collective Eclectic Charango Beats have been a lively fan favorite at venues across the city. Over the past two years, the group delivered a string of singles, including collaborations with Outernational, La Manga, and Bial Hclap. Eclectic Charango Beats will make their way to Baker Falls this Saturday ( 7 p.m.)