Clockwise from top left, Luna Lounge (photo courtesy Luna Lounge), Glasslands Gallery (photo by Tracy Morford), the United Palace (photo by Jessica Antola), HighLine Ballroom (photo by Guy Salvadore).

Terminal 5
610 W. 56th St., nr. Eleventh Ave.; 212–260–4700
Starting October 11, Bowery Presents' 3,000-seater elbows in on the competition. Shows featuring Justice, M.I.A., and the National give every indication that Hammerstein and Roseland should be scared.

Glasslands Gallery
289 Kent Ave., nr. S. 1st St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-1450
Although this exhibition-space-cum-music-hall officially launched in early September, random drop-ins from art-rock icons like Thurston Moore and Karen O have been happening here for nearly a year.

Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 212–260–4700
Last-minute construction issues delayed the September opening (good-bye, Patti Smith; hello, Against Me!) but now the Music Hall is fully operational—although we kinda miss the dingy downstairs where obscure bands played in front of a fish tank.

HighLine Ballroom
431 W. 16th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-414-5994
B.B. King's owner Steve Bensuan opened this refined space with a Lou Reed concert on April 30; since then, he's been booking a hypervaried array of acts from the Budos Band to Mos Def to Black Dice.

Death By Audio
49 S. 2nd St., nr Wythe St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; no phone number
A tiny DIY space that has played host to a wide swath of avant-indie acts since opening in April, Death By Audio is basically a glorified Brooklyn loft party that might disappear just as suddenly as it appeared.

The Box
189 Chrystie St., nr. Rivington; 212-982-9301
Simon Hammerstein has delivered on his promised spectacle: Suspended, caged midgets reading personal diaries are as likely at this burlesque space as beatboxing flautists or tap-dancing twins.