Shall we dance?
MoMA PS1’s Warm Up 2025 rules the school on six Fridays in July and August.
Now in its 27th season, the tradition mixes DJ sets, live performances, fetching outfits, and unbridled joy in the open-air PS1 Courtyard on a set designed by NYC-based artist and musician Jeffrey Joyal.
This year’s lineup celebrates new sounds from around the world, including opening-date headliner MikeQ, a Ballroom music icon who returns following performances in 2017 and 2012.
Other main draws are Hackney-born rapper, poet, and producer John Glacier; Nigerian Alté innovator Sarz; Breakbeat stalwart Special Request; improvisational spoken word and bass collaborators Fred Moten & Brandon Lopez; influential club duo Nguzunguzu; rising London party-starter OK Williams; Godfather of Memphis Rap DJ Spanish Fly; dystopian Darkwave producer Marie Davidson; and Detroit techno legend DJ Stingray 313.
It’s great, so hurry because tickets go fast! General admission is $30 per event or $25 in advance. A season pass is $95, and discounts are available for students. Long Island City residents can obtain a free ticket with proof of residency in the 11101, 11106, and 11109 ZIP codes.
Each date features four distinct sets that build from sonic experimentation to dancefloor breakbeats.
Here’s the full lineup. All shows are 4 pm to 10 pm.
July 18
MikeQ / Qween Beat / New Jersey DJ Empress / Empower Recordings / New York Alex Zhang Hungtai / New York & Tashi Dorji / Drag City / Asheville LYDO / Futura Artists / New York
July 25
Sarz / UnitedMasters / Benin City DJ Q / Huddersfield John Glacier / Young / London Tati au Miel / Montreal
Aug. 1
Eric D. Clark / Whirlpool Productions, SUBCURRENT MEDiA™, reboot.fm, Cashmere Radio / Berlin OK Williams / NTS Radio / London DJ Spanish Fly / Memphis Masaaki / New York
Aug. 8
Marie Davidson (DJ set) / DEEWEE / Montreal LOKA / Discwoman / New York Fred Moten & Brandon Lopez / TAO Forms, Reading Group / New York Concrete Husband / White Owl Records / Brooklyn
Aug. 15
Special Request / UK Nguzunguzu / Los Angeles Authentically Plastic / Nyege Nyege Tapes / London and Kampala NEW YORK / Estonia & US
Aug. 22
DJ Stingray 313 / Berlin DJ Travella / Nyege Nyege Tapes / Dar es Salaam Natural Wonder Beauty Concept / Mexican Summer / New York xexexe\halfpet / Charlot Abhors A Void / New York
Tickets also provide access to MoMA PS1, and purchasers are encouraged to visit the museum galleries and experience the full slate of exhibitions, especially Yto Barrada’s monumental installation Le Grand Soir, which serves as a setting for the series.
Each summer since 1998, Warm Up has presented experimental and avant-garde music to amplify emerging, underground, and legendary performers. Program alums include Lizzo, Solange, and Cardi B. (Due to Covid, the 2020 series was cancelled and the 2021 version was abbreviated to one day.)
Located at 22-25 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City, MoMA PS1 is close to the Court Square-23rd Street station for the E, M, 7, and G subway lines.
Editor’s note: A group of leading cultural practitioners linked to NYC’s sound, music, and nightlife scenes serves as this year’s host committee. They are Enyonam Afi Amexo (Dweller), Kay Gabriel (The Poetry Project), Maggie Lee (artist), Ser Serpas (artist, The Gatherers), and Gage Spex (The Spectrum). Warm Up 2025 is organized by Kari Rittenbach, Assistant Curator, and Nick Scavo, Senior Project Manager, Music, Performance, and Events, with Sheldon Gooch, Curatorial Assistant. Support comes from the Daniel Graham and Mieko Graham Foundation.
A Little Background
Located in a former public school building, MoMA PS1 presents emerging artists in an outdoor gallery, a two-story display room with high ceilings, and many creatively utilized nooks and crannies. Yes, it’s affiliated with Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art, and the two venues collaborate on exhibitions, education activities, and special programs.