Emerging Music Festival

Heathers is the musical project from Heath Michael Thomas. Based in Carbondale, Illinois, he has been making music almost all his life, often in solitary. The project is defined by Heathers’ ability to do everything himself without sacrificing any quality. At just 22 Heathers is making some of the most compelling rock records that effortlessly bend his countless influences into something that feels alarmingly new and unique.

Magi Merlin [pronounced Mahd-j-eye] calls her sound ‘Broken R&B’, but really, it’s whatever she feels like breaking down and rebuilding in the studio. It's a singular sonic universe that defies easy comparison, fusing indie pop, ’90s house, R&B, hip-hop, and jazz into a collage where the glue is a masterful use of harmonies and a clever juxtaposition of lyrical lightness and depth. Merlin doesn't just write and compose; she acts as a co-producer with long-time collaborator Funkywhat and the driving force behind the project's art direction, ensuring the visual world is as intentional and self-defined as the music.

With her 2022 EP Gone Girl, the Montreal-based artist gained praise from outlets including Bandcamp Daily, The FADER, The Line of Best Fit, and Nylon, which led to touring with Noga Erez and Omar Apollo. Ever since, Merlin has kept busy, working on new music, releasing singles and a smaller surprise project: A Weird Little Dog, which dropped as she began a US tour supporting saxophonist Nubya Garcia. She then reworked IDLES’ POP POP POP, flipping it into a club banger that she performed live for Glamcult TV. She’s made continuous festival appearances at Osheaga, Festival d’été de Québec (opening for Ty Dolla $ign), Treefort, Reeperbahn, and the Montreal International Jazz Festival, while simultaneously making her acting debut in Mile End Kicks (with Barbie Ferreira, Devon Bostick and Juliette Gariépy). After unveiling her creative work one layer at a time over the last few years, Magi Merlin will unleash POWER HOUSE, her debut album, onto the world on July 10th, 2026. The title alone tells you she’s not playing it safe.

Quiet Light is the recording project of 24-year-old Texas-raised electronic folk artist Riya Mahesh. Raised in Austin’s band scene before relocating to Boston for medical school, Riya is normal—an identity she wears proudly. Drawing her artist name from an eponymous track off of The National’s 2019 album ‘I Am Easy to Find’, the project houses songs that Riya says, “make you feel like you’re floating, music that feels like soft light.” She believes in working in extremes; mentioning her ideal song as one that "Charli XCXs a Gillian Welch song."

Currently, Riya continues to pursue a medical degree at UMass; her moonlighting as a musician has seen support from Spotify’s Fresh Finds Experimental playlist, opening slots on tour with Superfan, for Hovvdy at their Austin album release show, and Luna Li, and continues to open doors unknown.

Initially developing indie notoriety for her Bandcamp ambient release Blue Angel Sparkling Silver, which saw ambient production underlying voice memo recordings small windows into her life, Riya leaned into lyricism and synth work for new EP Contact. Drawing from acoustic guitar and synths, she captures her dreamy Texas upbringing and all the ways that she has grown since.

New York City-based Starcleaner Reunion is a new band of old friends. Singer Jo Roman, guitarists Pat Drummond & Neil Torman, and bassist Adam Kenter have been making music together in various configurations since they were high school students together in New Jersey, but never all together in the same group. After Drummond moved back to New York from Montreal, the band solidified and began rehearsing in 2022.

Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first come, first served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs. 

Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere on the lawn except for the center lawn blanket zone. 

Purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn or bring your own picnic. Look for Stout NYC and Heaster Street Fair vendors, and be sure to visit the Bryant Park Shop, too!

Visit the Bryant Park Shop tent for exclusive Picnic Performances merchandise and more.

Find a parachute, hula hoops, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events. 

Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but not on the lawn.

Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.