Public recordCompiled from 15 credited sources · Updated Sep 23, 2026
Sonic Youth
Rock band from New York City, NY · formed 1981
- Shows on record
- 57
- Rooms played
- 53
- Cities
- 40
- Releases
- 50
- Last show
- Jan 22, 2010St. Ann's Warehouse
About
Sonic Youth is a band from New York City, NY, formed in 1981, tagged alternative rock, art rock, experimental rock by its sources. Shows on record run from 1981 to 2010, across 53 rooms in 40 cities.
- Sonic Youth formed in 1981 — MusicBrainz
- Sonic Youth is based in New York — MusicBrainz
- Sonic Youth disbanded in 2011 — MusicBrainz
- Anne DeMarinis: keyboard (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Richard Edson: drums (drum set) (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Kim Gordon: guitar, lead vocals (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Thurston Moore: lead vocals (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Lee Ranaldo: guitar (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Bob Bert: drums (drum set) (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Jim Sclavunos: drums (drum set) (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Steve Shelley: drums (drum set) (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Jim O’Rourke: bass guitar, guitar, synthesizer (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Mark Ibold: bass guitar, guitar (former member) — MusicBrainz
- Sonic Youth has 25 release group(s) on MusicBrainz spanning 1983–2009 — MusicBrainz
- Sonic Youth is based in New York, New York — Sonic Youth on Bandcamp
- Latest release on Bandcamp: Hold That Tiger (2025-03-07) — Bandcamp
- Sonic Youth is from New York City, U.S. — Wikipedia
- Sonic Youth plays Noise rock — Wikipedia
- Sonic Youth plays indie rock — Wikipedia
- Sonic Youth plays experimental rock — Wikipedia
- Sonic Youth plays post-punk — Wikipedia
- Sonic Youth plays art rock — Wikipedia
- Sonic Youth has 2714117 listeners on Last.fm — Sonic Youth on Last.fm
- Sonic Youth has released 10 recordings between 2020 and 2026 — Sonic Youth on Discogs
- Sonic Youth has 205 followers on Genius — Sonic Youth on Genius
- Twitter/X handle (per Genius): @thesonicyouth — Sonic Youth on Genius
- Country (per TheAudioDB): New York City, New York, USA — Sonic Youth on TheAudioDB
The summary is assembled from the record fields and shows on this page; each fact listed names its source. See Sources & corrections for what each source supplied.
Shows
57 on record · SongkickNo upcoming shows on record.Know of one? Tell us
Shows per year
- 19812 shows
- 19853 shows
- 19872 shows
- 19883 shows
- 19907 shows
- 19919 shows
- 19934 shows
- 199510 shows
- 19964 shows
- 19971 show
- 19991 show
- 20022 shows
- 20064 shows
- 20094 shows
- 20101 show
| Date | Venue | Billing | With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2010 | St. Ann's Warehouse · BrooklynSupportwith Nothing, Lou Reed, Jolie Holland, +19 | Support | Nothing, Lou Reed, Jolie Holland, +19 |
| Jul 24, 2009 | Capitol Hill · SeattleSupportwith The Jesus Lizard, Gossip, Deerhunter, +42 | Support | The Jesus Lizard, Gossip, Deerhunter, +42 |
| May 28, 2009 | Markan · HässleholmSupportwith Placebo, Phoenix, Mando Diao, +52 | Support | Placebo, Phoenix, Mando Diao, +52 |
| May 15, 2009 | Music Hall of Williamsburg · BrooklynSupportwith Bastard Noise, Bardo Pond, Blank Dogs, +25 | Support | Bastard Noise, Bardo Pond, Blank Dogs, +25 |
| Apr 27, 2009 | Scala · LondonHeadlinerwith Chora | Headliner | Chora |
| Jun 19, 2006 | Earthlink Live · AtlantaHeadlinerwith Be Your Own Pet | Headliner | Be Your Own Pet |
| Jun 17, 2006 | The Orange Peel · AshevilleHeadlinerwith Be Your Own Pet | Headliner | Be Your Own Pet |
| Jun 15, 2006 | 9:30 Club · WashingtonHeadlinerwith Be Your Own Pet | Headliner | Be Your Own Pet |
| Jun 14, 2006 | Starlight Ballroom · PhiladelphiaHeadlinerwith Be Your Own Pet | Headliner | Be Your Own Pet |
| Oct 12, 2002 | Axis · BostonHeadlinerwith Damon & Naomi, Mark Dwinell, Pat Orchard, +32 | Headliner | Damon & Naomi, Mark Dwinell, Pat Orchard, +32 |
| Mar 15, 2002 | University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) · Los Angeles (LA)Headlinerwith J Mascis, Unwound, Television, +6 | Headliner | J Mascis, Unwound, Television, +6 |
| Jul 2, 1999 | Greek Theatre, UC Berkeley · BerkeleySupportwith Rocket from the Crypt, Guided By Voices, Scarnella, +3 | Support | Rocket from the Crypt, Guided By Voices, Scarnella, +3 |
| Aug 29, 1997 | Champoeg State Park Amphitheatre · St PaulSupportwith Beck, Built to Spill, Elliott Smith, +2 | Support | Beck, Built to Spill, Elliott Smith, +2 |
| Apr 18, 1996 | O2 Forum Kentish Town · Kentish TownHeadlinerwith Movietone, Crescent | Headliner | Movietone, Crescent |
| Apr 10, 1996 | Neu Isentl · FrankfurtSupportwith Stereolab, Unwound | Support | Stereolab, Unwound |
| Apr 9, 1996 | Docks Hamburg · HamburgHeadlinerwith Stereolab, Unwound | Headliner | Stereolab, Unwound |
| Jan 7, 1996 | Fremantle Oval · FremantleSupportwith Beastie Boys, Jawbreaker, Foo Fighters, +5 | Support | Beastie Boys, Jawbreaker, Foo Fighters, +5 |
| Dec 16, 1995 | Event Center Arena, SJSU · San JoseSupportwith Radiohead, Everclear, Oasis, +6 | Support | Radiohead, Everclear, Oasis, +6 |
| Dec 2, 1995 | Mercer Arena · SeattleHeadlinerwith Everclear, Tripping Daisy, Oasis, +3 | Headliner | Everclear, Tripping Daisy, Oasis, +3 |
| Nov 19, 1995 | New Daisy Theatre · MemphisHeadlinerwith Polvo, Unwound | Headliner | Polvo, Unwound |
| Nov 17, 1995 | The Bomb Factory · DallasHeadlinerwith Polvo, Unwound | Headliner | Polvo, Unwound |
| Nov 16, 1995 | Numbers · HoustonHeadlinerwith Unwound, Polvo | Headliner | Unwound, Polvo |
| Nov 10, 1995 | Hollywood Palladium · Los Angeles (LA)Headlinerwith The Amps, Bikini Kill | Headliner | The Amps, Bikini Kill |
| Nov 7, 1995 | The Warfield · San FranciscoHeadlinerwith Bikini Kill, The Amps | Headliner | Bikini Kill, The Amps |
| Nov 5, 1995 | Roseland Theater · PortlandHeadlinerwith Bikini Kill, The Amps | Headliner | Bikini Kill, The Amps |
| Nov 4, 1995 | Sam Carver Gymnasium, Western Washington University · BellinghamHeadlinerwith Bikini Kill | Headliner | Bikini Kill |
| Nov 3, 1995 | Paramount Theatre · SeattleHeadlinerwith Bikini Kill, The Amps | Headliner | Bikini Kill, The Amps |
| Jun 5, 1993 | Knitting Factory - Original Location · ManhattanHeadlinerwith Free Kitten, Lee Ranaldo, Alan Licht, +1 | Headliner | Free Kitten, Lee Ranaldo, Alan Licht, +1 |
| Mar 8, 1993 | Paramount Theatre · SeattleHeadlinerwith Cell, Mecca Normal | Headliner | Cell, Mecca Normal |
| Mar 5, 1993 | The Warfield · San FranciscoHeadlinerwith Screaming Trees, Cell | Headliner | Screaming Trees, Cell |
| Mar 3, 1993 | Santa Monica Civic Auditorium · Santa MonicaHeadlinerwith Screaming Trees | Headliner | Screaming Trees |
| Nov 2, 1991 | Shoreline Amphitheatre · Mountain ViewHeadlinerwith Neil Young & The Stray Gators, John Lee Hooker, Don Henley, +3 | Headliner | Neil Young & The Stray Gators, John Lee Hooker, Don Henley, +3 |
| Oct 26, 1991 | The New Ritz · New York (NYC)Headlinerwith John Zorn, Lovechild, Jad Fair, +2 | Headliner | John Zorn, Lovechild, Jad Fair, +2 |
| Aug 30, 1991 | Serenadenhof Nürnberg · NurembergHeadlinerwith Nirvana | Headliner | Nirvana |
| Aug 29, 1991 | LKA-Longhorn · StuttgartHeadlinerwith Nirvana | Headliner | Nirvana |
| Aug 28, 1991 | Easy Schorre · HalleHeadlinerwith Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr. | Headliner | Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr. |
| Aug 24, 1991 | Monster Of Spex · CologneHeadlinerwith Dinosaur Jr., Nirvana | Headliner | Dinosaur Jr., Nirvana |
| Aug 23, 1991 | Reading · ReadingSupportwith Iggy Pop, Pop Will Eat Itself, Dinosaur Jr., +17 | Support | Iggy Pop, Pop Will Eat Itself, Dinosaur Jr., +17 |
| Aug 21, 1991 | Top Hat · DublinHeadlinerwith Nirvana | Headliner | Nirvana |
| Aug 20, 1991 | Sir Henry's · CorkHeadlinerwith Nirvana | Headliner | Nirvana |
| Aug 25, 1990 | York Theatre · VancouverSupportwith Melvins, Nirvana, STP | Support | Melvins, Nirvana, STP |
| Aug 24, 1990 | Moore Theatre · SeattleHeadlinerwith Nirvana, STP | Headliner | Nirvana, STP |
| Aug 23, 1990 | Melody Ballroom · PortlandHeadlinerwith Melvins, Nirvana, STP | Headliner | Melvins, Nirvana, STP |
| Aug 21, 1990 | The Warfield · San FranciscoHeadlinerwith Nirvana, Melvins, STP | Headliner | Nirvana, Melvins, STP |
| Aug 20, 1990 | Crest Theatre · SacramentoHeadlinerwith Nirvana, STP | Headliner | Nirvana, STP |
| Aug 17, 1990 | Hollywood Palladium · Los Angeles (LA)Headlinerwith Nirvana, STP | Headliner | Nirvana, STP |
| Aug 16, 1990 | Calamity Jane's · Las VegasSupportwith Melvins, Nirvana, STP | Support | Melvins, Nirvana, STP |
| Nov 14, 1988 | One Step Beyond · Santa ClaraHeadlinerwith Mudhoney, Screaming Trees | Headliner | Mudhoney, Screaming Trees |
| Nov 12, 1988 | Pine Street Theatre · PortlandHeadlinerwith Screaming Trees, Mudhoney | Headliner | Screaming Trees, Mudhoney |
| Nov 11, 1988 | Union Station · SeattleHeadlinerwith Screaming Trees, Mudhoney | Headliner | Screaming Trees, Mudhoney |
| Oct 14, 1987 | Metro · ChicagoHeadlinerwith Urge Overkill, Plywood | Headliner | Urge Overkill, Plywood |
| Apr 29, 1987 | Idols · RochesterHeadlinerwith Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Das Damen, +1 | Headliner | Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Das Damen, +1 |
| Sep 25, 1985 | CBGB & OMFUG · New York (NYC)Headlinerwith Dinosaur, Salem 66, Antietam | Headliner | Dinosaur, Salem 66, Antietam |
| Aug 17, 1985 | The Stone · San FranciscoHeadlinerwith Tupelo Chain Sex, Slovenly | Headliner | Tupelo Chain Sex, Slovenly |
| Mar 20, 1985 | Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) · LondonHeadlinerwith Boyd Rice, Frank Tovey, Tools You Can Trust, +1 | Headliner | Boyd Rice, Frank Tovey, Tools You Can Trust, +1 |
| Jun 3, 1981 | Great Gildersleeves · New York (NYC)Supportwith Glenn Branca | Support | Glenn Branca |
| Jan 20, 1981 | Inroads · New York (NYC)Headlinerwith Coup D'Etat | Headliner | Coup D'Etat |
Where they play
53 rooms in 40 citiesRooms played most
- The Warfield · San Francisco3 shows
- Hollywood Palladium · Los Angeles (LA)2 shows
- Paramount Theatre · Seattle2 shows
- 9:30 Club · Washington1 show
- Axis · Boston1 show
Cities played
- Seattle6 shows
- New York (NYC)4 shows
- San Francisco4 shows
- Los Angeles (LA)3 shows
- Portland3 shows
and 35 other cities
Releases
50 releases, 1983–2026Diamond Seas
2026
Mar 7, 2025 · Album · 18 tracks
Nov 22, 2024 · Album · 13 tracks
Feb 9, 2024 · Album · 18 tracks
Jan 26, 2024 · Album
The Flexi E.P.
2024
Aug 18, 2023 · Album · 17 tracks
Apr 14, 2022 · Album · 9 tracks
Play The New York Dolls
2021
In/Out/In
2021
Live In Dallas 2006
2021
Live In Austin 1995
2021
Live At Brixton Academy 1992
2020
Live In Yugoslavia 1985/1987
2020
Perspectives Musicales - Live At Cat's Cradle 2000
2020
The Eternal
2009 · Album
Mix Tape #6
2007 · Compilation
Mix Tape #5
2006 · Compilation
Rather Ripped
2006 · Album
The Destroyed Room: B-Sides and Rarities
2006 · Compilation
Mix Tape #3
2005 · Compilation
Mix Tape #4
2005 · Compilation
Hidros 3
2004 · Album
Mix Tape #1
2004 · Compilation
Mix Tape #2
2004 · Compilation
Sonic Nurse
2004 · Album
Murray Street
2002 · Album
Terrastock 5
2002 · Album
NYC Ghosts & Flowers
2000 · Album
A Thousand Leaves
1998 · Album
Washing Machine
1995 · Album
Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star
1994 · Album
Screaming Fields of Sonic Love
1994 · Compilation
Dirty
1992 · Album
Goo
1990 · Album
Daydream Nation
1988 · Album
Sister
1987 · Album
EVOL
1986 · Album
Bad Moon Rising
1985 · Album
Confusion Is Sex
1983 · Album
Album
Album
Album
Album
Album
Album
Album
Album
Album
Lineup
No current lineup on record.
Former
- Anne DeMarinis · keyboard
- Richard Edson · drums (drum set)
- Kim Gordon · guitar, lead vocals
- Thurston Moore · lead vocals
- Lee Ranaldo · guitar
- Bob Bert · drums (drum set)
- Jim Sclavunos · drums (drum set)
- Steve Shelley · drums (drum set)
- Jim O’Rourke · bass guitar, guitar, synthesizer
- Mark Ibold · bass guitar, guitar
Airplay
Photos, art and posters
Sources & corrections
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| MusicBrainz | Artist facts |
| Sonic Youth on Bandcamp | Artist facts |
| Bandcamp | Artist facts, Releases, Photos |
| Wikipedia | Artist facts |
| Sonic Youth on Last.fm | Artist facts |
| Sonic Youth on Discogs | Artist facts |
| Sonic Youth on Genius | Artist facts |
| Sonic Youth on TheAudioDB | Artist facts |
| KEXP | Airplay |
| Songkick | Show history, Show posters |
| TheAudioDB | Photos, Logo |
| Discogs | Credited on the record; no item on this page cites it |
| Genius | Credited on the record; no item on this page cites it |
| Last.fm | Credited on the record; no item on this page cites it |
| Wikidata | Credited on the record; no item on this page cites it |
This is a partial record of publicly documented activity. Missing shows, releases or members do not mean there are none. It does not confirm availability for booking.