Erykah Badu live is less a concert than a ceremony — towering hats, incense, stretched-out grooves and a voice that bends 'On & On,' 'Tyrone' and 'Window Seat' into new shapes every night. Forest Hills Stadium's open-air horseshoe, a converted 1920s tennis stadium ringed by Tudor rooftops, is about the most atmospheric place in New York to hear her. If you see one legacy artist under the early-fall sky, make it the queen of neo-soul.
What to expect
A headline set that unspools on Badu time: long-form jams, band breakdowns, mid-song monologues and the hits arriving when she decides they should. The stadium is general-admission field plus stadium seating, with Queens twilight overhead and a famously mixed crowd — day-one heads, jazz kids and neighborhood families all in the bowl together.
Good to know
- Take the LIRR one stop from Penn Station or Grand Central to Forest Hills, or the E/F/M/R to Forest Hills–71 Av; both are a short walk
- The stadium is open-air with no roof — dress for the evening weather
- Neighborhood noise rules mean shows end relatively early for a stadium gig
- Concessions lean local — Queens vendors beat typical stadium fare
- Austin Street in Forest Hills is lined with restaurants for a pre-show dinner
- Seat-cushion rentals and the upper stadium rows suit those who don't want the GA field
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Common questions
How do I get to Forest Hills Stadium from Manhattan?
The LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central reaches Forest Hills in about 15 minutes; the E, F, M and R trains to Forest Hills–71 Av also work. Both stations are a short walk from the stadium.
Is the stadium outdoors?
Yes — it's a fully open-air 1920s tennis stadium with a field GA area and tiered stadium seating, so plan for the weather.
What is an Erykah Badu show like?
Expansive and improvisational — expect extended versions of songs from 'Baduizm' through 'New Amerykah,' band jams and plenty of between-song talk rather than a tight radio-hits set.
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