Brooklyn Comes Alive 2022: Everything You Need To Know

Venue – The Brooklyn Mirage

The Brooklyn Mirage, located at 140 Stewart Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, is a sprawling oasis in the heart of the industrial East Williamsburg neighborhood. The immersive courtyard venue is encircled by towering walls lined with evergreen plants. New this year, a massive, wrap-around LED wall encircles the stage and the dancefloor, enveloping the audience in the Mirage’s multi-sensory production. A catwalk connects a network of expansive outdoor environments and rises to surround the venue, offering views of the iconic New York City skyline and bustling courtyard below.

All of the Brooklyn Comes Alive 2021 artists will perform on the Brooklyn Mirage’s main courtyard stage, allowing fans to catch every minute of music played throughout the day while enjoying more room to dance in a spacious, outdoor environment. Even beyond the stage itself, the Avant Gardner complex provides a veritable playground to explore, plenty of spaces to hang out and visit with friends, and views from virtually every angle.

Lineup

This year, Brooklyn Comes Alive will feature livetronica heroes STS9, avant-groove explorers Medeski Martin & Wood, future-funk sextet Lettuce, and the debut of Cool Cool Cool, a new project comprised of familiar faces that is funky, fresh, and ready to throw a party.

Much like past “Comes Alive” events, the 2022 Brooklyn Comes Alive lineup presents a number of exciting firsts and notable milestones. The event will serve as STS9’s first show in NYC since its last Brooklyn Mirage takeover in 2019, and the band plans to celebrate its return to Brooklyn with a two-hour late-night set. This will also mark the first time STS9 or any of its members have participated in a “Comes Alive” event.

Similarly, Medeski Martin & Wood, who have not played together on their home turf in NYC since 2019 and have not performed live since before the pandemic, will use the special appearance to celebrate their 30th anniversary as a band, which took place last year. While organist John Medeski and drummer Billy Martin have taken part in Brooklyn Comes Alive in years past, this rare Medeski Martin & Wood show will mark bassist Chris Wood‘s BCA debut as well as the trio’s first official appearance at the festival—an event that grew from the same Brooklyn improvisational music scene that they helped champion in the ’90s and ’00s. Read our 30th-anniversary MMW retrospective featuring interviews with Medeski and Martin here.

While this year’s appearance will serve as Lettuce’s official Brooklyn Comes Alive debut, the individual members of the band have consistently participated in the event since its earliest incarnations with one-off projects, all-star tributes, and more. Read a full rundown of the band members’ BCA exploits ahead of the big show here.

Cool Cool Cool is a new band made up of Craig Brodhead (guitar/keys), Chris Brouwers (trumpet/keys), Michelangelo Carubba (drums), Shira Elias (vocals), Sammi Garett (vocals), Greg Sanderson (tenor sax), and Josh Schwartz (baritone sax/vocals), who fans in New York City and beyond will recognize from their past work together in Turkuaz as well as their performances in a variety of formations at previous editions of Brooklyn Comes Alive. While Schwartz won’t be present for this performance, the band’s first-ever appearance will feature special guest Nate Edgar (The Nth Power) on bass. Read our interview with the members of Cool Cool Cool about the new project here.

Between sets, SiriusXM host/curator Ari Fink will handle the vibes with a specially curated mix featuring the sounds and artists that inspired the band about to take the stage.

Schedule

The Brooklyn Mirage’s doors will open for Brooklyn Comes Alive 2022 on Saturday, September 17th at 6:00 p.m. ET. Cool Cool Cool will open the show at 7:00 p.m., followed by Medeski Martin & Wood at 8:30. Lettuce will then perform from 10:30 to midnight before STS9 takes over for a two-hour late-night set. Check out the full Brooklyn Comes Alive 2022 schedule below.

VIP Tables

A limited amount of VIP tables are available in prime locations all around The Brooklyn Mirage for Brooklyn Comes Alive. Table service includes bar credit and a dedicated server for up to 10 people. To inquire about VIP table availability and pricing, email [email protected].

Merch

Stop by the merchandise booth all night long to grab limited edition Brooklyn Comes Alive gear including can koozies, t-shirts, and foil posters while supplies last.

 

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Giveaways

While you’re at the merch booth, ask about Live For Live Music’s giveaway to get a free gift from the team at L4LM.

Philanthropy

Built from the vibrant live music community of Brooklyn, NY and inspired by New Orleans, LA and its famed Jazz & Heritage Festival, Brooklyn Comes Alive has been breaking the mold of traditional festivals with unprecedented music experiences since 2015. This year, Brooklyn Comes Alive—presented by GMP Live, Avant Gardner, Bowery Presents, and Live For Live Music—will donate a portion of every ticket sold to Backline, a national nonprofit organization that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources.

What Am I Allowed To Bring?

–Hats
–Sunglasses
–Earplugs
–Film and digital cameras with fixed lenses
–Phone charging case or phone charger
–Small bags (bags larger than 8.5” x 10” must be checked)
–Cigarettes, e-cigarettes and lighters
–LED gloves or glowsticks

What Am I Not Allowed To Bring?

Avant Gardner/The Brooklyn Mirage maintain strict guidelines regarding prohibited items, and all attendees will be subject to search upon entry. Of particular note, any bag larger than 8.5″ x 10″ must be checked at the venue’s official bag/coat check, which costs $6 per item. The following items are not permitted:

–Backpacks (large totes, large purses, duffle bags, Camelbaks, and any bag larger than 8.5” x 10” must be checked)
–Weapons of ANY kind (including but not limited to mace, pepper spray, knives, sharp objects, bats, clubs, tasers)
–Illegal Substances (current prescription medication in the original container is permitted, provided the attendee produces identification matching the prescription container)
–Outside food or beverages
–Skateboards, scooters, or personal motorized vehicles
–Large Umbrellas (personal sized are okay)
–Pets
–Toys of any kind, including stuffed animals
–Glass or metal containers of any kind
–Selfie sticks
–Laser pointers
–Professional camera equipment (no detachable lenses, no tripods, big zooms, or commercial use rigs)
–GoPros
–Audio/video recording equipment (excluding mobile phones)
–Drones or hover cameras
–No illegal vending is permitted. No unauthorized/unlicensed vendors allowed.
–Totems, hula-hoops or poi
–CBD, THC, or cylindrical tobacco cartridges
–Chewing gum

Can I Leave & Re-Enter?

Re-entry will not be permitted during Brooklyn Comes Alive.

But What If I Get Hungry?

The Brooklyn Mirage offers an array of food options including gourmet sandwiches, pizza, salads, deserts, snacks. For a full menu of food options available at the venue, click here.

Is There A Simple, Cashless Method To Pay For Drinks, Food, Merch, & More During The Show?

Glad you asked. Avant Gardner/The Brooklyn Mirage uses a cashless system for beverage purchases. Attendees will receive a wristband upon entry which they can connect with their preferred form of payment at kiosks near the venue entrance. Once connected, attendees will be able to make purchases within the venue simply by scanning their wristband. Cash will be accepted for tips and at the box office. For further details, head here.

Tickets

Brooklyn Comes Alive tickets are available now via the festival website.