Make Music New York: Five events you don't want to miss

On June 21, Make Music New York returns to the five boroughs for its seventh year of public live music. Come celebrate the first official day of summer with over 1,000 free concerts from 10am to 10pm, featuring everything from high-school bands to world-class touring musicians. Head over to makemusicny.org for a full schedule of events or just take a walk down the street; you're bound to find something interesting.

Song Reader
Astor Place (yelp.com/biz/the-cube-astor-place-new-york), 11am–7pm
Last year, Beck shocked his fans with his release of Song Reader, a full-length album released exclusively in the form of sheet music. Now, you don’t need to be a musician to hear the 20 songs; just head over to Astor place where the album will be performed in full from 11am to 7pm.

The Nevermind Orchestra
Malt & Mold (maltandmold.com), 7–8pm
LaGuardia Corner Gardens (laguardiacornergardens.org), 8:15–9pm
There's no shortage of Nirvana cover bands floating around but none are quite like the Nevermind Orchestra. Come as you are, and see what happens when Seattle grunge meets the New Orleans brass-band tradition.

Mass Appeal
Various times and locations (makemusicny.org/special-features/mass-appeal)
If you need a break from watching live music, grab an instrument yourself and head over to one of the Mass Appeal events throughout the city. Join in with hundreds of other musicians of all skill levels, and see what it's like to perform on the streets of New York.

Of Clocks and Clouds
Sidewalk Café, 3:15–4pm
Bushwick Coffee House, 7–8pm
For those of you looking for a more standard concert experience, be sure to catch Brooklyn’s own Of Clocks and Clouds, who are bound to draw an audience with their punk-infused synth-pop.

Dead Stars
BreakThru Radio (breakthruradio.com), 5–6pm
If anybody needs a dose of rock & roll, head to Chelsea and watch Dead Stars crank up the distortion with their ferocious riffs and lyrics.