Live Review: iNDIEPLAZA April 18 at Rockefeller Center

Superchunk at IndiePlaza in New York City, NY, April 18 2026, by Bobby Nicholas III

Rough Trade NYC hosted its fifth annual iNDIEPLAZA on Record Store Day 2026 at Rockefeller Center. It was very much like a holiday at this time of year for music enthusiasts. Nestled between 48th and 5th Avenue, the outdoor stage invited dedicated fans who mingled and thoroughly waited out every artist and band while frequent onlookers spontaneously joined the event. Despite long technical delays, ideal weather conditions and booming DJ sets drew in more people from every direction.

Weird Nightmare:

Weird Nightmare kicked off iNDIEPLAZA with an energetic set of power pop led by guitarist and singer-songwriter Alex Edkins. Setting the first impression for a varied lineup, Weird Nightmare received a positive reception from a growing audience. The band introduced their next album, Hoopla, set to be released May 1 via Sub Pop Records, which was a noticeable crowd pleaser.

Nuovo Testamento:

Nuovo Testamento performed in all black, which made a fascinating visual contrast against their colorful synth-pop sound. The songs performed were a hit for the crowd, making fans sing and dance in a rave-like spirit, culminating in “Dream On” from their record Trouble. Chelsey Crowley on vocals, Giacomo Zatti on drums, and Andrea Mantione on synth came all the way from LA for the show and expressed genuine thanks to their New York fans.

Friko:

As a first time viewer of a Friko set, the praise from friends made a lot of sense. Niko Kapetan on vocals and guitar, Bailey Minzenberger on drums, David Fuller on bass, and Korgan Robb on guitar had a noticeable aligned chemistry on-stage. It was easily one of the most electrifying sets of iNDIEPLAZA this year. It was the kind of performance that became unforgettable. With their upcoming album Something Worth Waiting For set to release April 24 through ATO Records, there’s a lot more to listen to from the Chicago four-piece outfit.

Winter:

Samira Winter, Brazilian-American artist, brought a calmer vibe with her band compared to earlier sets, offering a necessary balance for a stacked event. Between tracks, she asked the audience to close their eyes and make a wish. From their latest album Adult Romantix, a few couples embraced and danced, fitting perfectly to the love themes of the record.

Momma at IndiePlaza in New York City, NY, April 18 2026, by Bobby Nicholas III

Momma:

Allegra Weingarten and Etta Friedman of Momma had a special duo set in store for Record Store Day this year. “This is not something we do often,” Weingarten said. “We’re giving something special for iNDIEPLAZA,” Friedman added. They performed every track stripped down, the way the songs were written, including “I Want You (Fever)” and other popular singles. As a longtime fan, Momma never disappoints to give a memorable performance.

Hotline TNT:

Hotline TNT preceded their set with a playful warning that they would be explicit. At one moment they introduced “Candle,” saying “This one goes out to all the iPad babies,” before pulling out an egg shaker and launching it into the crowd. As a closer, they introduced “I Thought You’d Change,” pausing to declare “New York Knickerbockers in 4,” as the Knicks were playing the Hawks in Game 1 of the playoffs that night. The last time I personally saw Hotline TNT was opening before Momma on that same 2022 Snail Mail bill. I thought seeing both bands years later on the same day felt like a full circle moment.

Incendiary:

Incendiary riled up the audience quickly, with diehard fans moshing and crowd surfing in front of the stage. It was a fun time that astonished strangers to the band. Brendan Garrone and his bandmates brought the noise while staying respectful and engaging often with the crowd. They spoke out in defense of the rights of New Yorkers and people elsewhere, noting how important it was for them to use their voice to do so. Near the end of their set, Garrone commented, “Shoutout to the hardcore kids that are here.”

Superchunk:

Superchunk was the last set of iNDIEPLAZA for Record Store Day 2026. Mac McCaughan on vocals, Laura Ballance on bass, Jim Wilbur on guitar, and Laura King on drums closed out the night in style. “This is our first show since Halloween of last year,” McCaughan said early on. The North Carolina band introduced tracks from Songs in the Key of Yikes, released last year, to a crowd that had been there all day and was still thrilled to stay for one of the most exciting sets of the night. Superchunk got the call to fill in for Say She She for iNDIEPLAZA, and it was a pleasant surprise. At one point McCaughan added, “Thank you so much, you’re too kind, New York.”