New York's top live music venues

New York City's reputation for producing inspirational and innovative music is known throughout the world. As well as being the birthplace of hip-hop and disco, the city has spawned a litany of era-defining rock bands that includes The Ramones, The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, Blondie and The Strokes.

As can be expected for a place with such musical prestige, the city boasts a wide and eclectic range of venues that cater to all sort of live music fans. From cavernous arenas to intimate backstreet clubs, New York has all the bases covered.

Music lovers visiting the Big Apple for the time will find an exciting scene that offers something for everyone, whether they already have tickets for a show or are looking for something new to grab their attention.

Here's a rundown of the top music venues in the city:

Bowery Ballroom

One of New York's most popular spots for live music, the Bowery Ballroom is situated on Delancy Street on the Lower East Side. The theatre was built in 1929 and converted into a music venue in the mid-1990s.

The Bowery has a capacity of 500 people, which means that it often plays host to up-and-coming acts before they go on to larger venues. In the coming months it will stage gigs by the likes of Ben Howard, White Denim, Fiona Apple and The Big Pink.

Mercury Lounge

With space for just 250 people, the Mercury Lounge is an East Village venue that mainly hosts hotly tipped local bands that are yet to taste mainstream success.

Occasionally larger acts will choose to play private or secret shows at this club, which is renowned for its low-key, intimate atmosphere and impressive sound quality.

Madison Square Garden

Known locally as The Garden, this huge arena in Midtown Manhattan is used to stage concerts by some of the world's most successful performers.

The venue has a history of hosting the biggest names in music, with pop legend Elton John famously describing it as his favourite place to perform. In 2007, the British songwriter celebrated his 60th birthday by playing there for the 60th time.

Madison Square Garden was also the venue for John Lennon's last ever concert appearance before he was murdered outside his New York apartment building in 1980.

Acts due to appear on stage at Madison Square Garden in the next few months include Bruce Springsteen, The Black Keys and Nickelback. The venue is also the home of the city's NBA basketball team the New York Knicks.

Trash Bar

Although musical activity in New York is often associated with the bright lights of Manhattan, Brooklyn is also a thriving creative hub that has nurtured many acclaimed bands in recent years.

One of the borough's best venues is the Trash Bar on Grand Street in Williamsburg, which was formerly a club called Luxx that played a central role in the city's electroclash dance scene.

Following a full renovation, it now offers a well-stocked bar and regular shows featuring local and touring bands.

Roseland Ballroom

This historic building in New York's theatre district is a multi-purpose venue that hosts everything from awards ceremonies to movie premieres and celebrity birthday parties. However, many people know the Roseland Ballroom first and foremost as a unique setting for live music.

Beyonce showcased her latest album 4 at the Roseland in 2011, while acts such as Nero, Counting Crows, Mac Miller and Squeeze are due to perform there this year.

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