The New Colossus Festival returns to New York City's Lower East Side with 180 bands performing across 12 venues over five days starting March 3. Paste magazine has selected 12 standout acts to catch during the event, ranging from indie rock to post-hardcore. Highlights include emerging bands like Aunt Katrina and Junk Drawer, offering diverse sounds for festival-goers.
The New Colossus Festival kicks off on March 3, 2026, bringing 180 bands to 12 venues in New York City's Lower East Side for five consecutive days. Paste magazine's guide focuses on 12 acts worth seeing amid the packed schedule.
Aunt Katrina, a Baltimore band formed from guitarist Ryan Walchonski's solo project, now features a six-piece lineup including Snail Mail’s Alex Bass and Tosser’s Eric Zidar. Their debut album, This Heat is Slowly Killing Me, blends guitar-driven rock with electronic elements in a style dubbed “laptop gaze,” as described by Paste writer Camryn Teder: “This Heat is Slowly Killing Me’s yearning lyrics shroud in blurry guitars—it’s textured but neat.” They perform Friday, March 6, at Parkside Lounge at 7 p.m.
Toronto's cootie catcher delivers indietronica on their sophomore album Something We All Got. Paste noted their sound as “jangly, heart-on-their-sleeve indie pop” mixed with drum machines and glitches. Catch them Friday, March 6, at Arlene’s Grocery at 10 p.m.
Chicago post-hardcore outfit ira glass combines shredding riffs, rapid drums, and free jazz elements. They play Saturday, March 7, at Parkside Lounge at 11:30 p.m.
Belfast's Junk Drawer follows their sophomore LP Days of Heaven, praised for its ‘90s and ‘60s influences and hypnotic grooves. They won Best Live Act at the 2022 Northern Ireland Music Prizes and have multiple sets: Wednesday, March 4, at Berlin at 12:15 a.m.; Friday, March 6, at Arlene’s Grocery at 3 p.m.; and Saturday, March 7, at Pianos NYC at 10 p.m.
Pinc Louds, led by Claudi, offers loop-heavy punk rock with gender-bending energy. Performances are scheduled for Friday, March 6, at Sour Mouse at 7:45 p.m., and Saturday, March 7, at Nublu Classic at 11:30 p.m.
Pop Music Fever Dream brings no-wave post-punk with chaotic live energy, playing Friday, March 6, at Francis Kite Club at 9:15 p.m.
Prism Shores previews their upcoming third LP Softest Attack with power pop single “I Didn’t Mean to Change My Mind,” featuring chiming guitars and a shrugging delivery. See them Friday, March 6, at Arlene’s Grocery at 8:30 p.m., or Saturday, March 7, at Baker Falls at 3:30 p.m.
Punchlove's 2024 debut Channels revived shoegaze with “blazing instrumentation and poetic lyricism,” earning a Paste Pick. Shows are Thursday, March 5, at Arlene’s Grocery at 7:45 p.m., and Saturday, March 7, at 8:30 p.m.
Star’s Revenge, a side project of Geese's Emily Green and Sunflower Bean’s Olive Faber, explores mellower indie-pop. They perform Tuesday, March 3, at Pianos NYC at 8:30 p.m.
Toronto pop-rock group Triples debuts with EP Every Good Story and single “Be Around,” capturing infatuation's thrill. Sets are Sunday, March 8, at Arlene’s Grocery at 1:30 p.m. and Baker Falls at 8:30 p.m.
Wilby, Maria Crawford’s indie-rock project evoking ‘90s melancholia like Mazzy Star, released Center of Affection last October. They play Friday, March 6, at Ki Smith Gallery at 6:45 p.m.
YUVEES, now Brooklyn-based mutant disco art-rockers, showcase their 2024 debut Dead Keys across three shows: Wednesday, March 4, at Arlene’s Grocery at 10 p.m.; Friday, March 6, at Francis Kite Club at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, March 7, at Pianos NYC at 2:45 p.m.
For venue details and tickets, visit the festival's official site.
