Jay-Z To Reopen New York City’s Webster Hall

Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images – Jay-Z
Jay-Z performs at Miami’s American Airlines Arena on Nov. 12, 2017.

Webster Hall announced its reopening date and first show on Monday. Jay-Z will headline the beloved Manhattan club on April 26.

The set, which marks the iconic rapper’s first at Webster Hall, is billed as “B-Sides 2,” making it the spiritual successor to two “B-Sides” shows that took place at Manhattan’s Terminal 5 in May 2015. True to its title, the shows featured career-spanning deep cuts and several special guests.

“When we were thinking about who would be the right choice to open this legendary venue, we knew it had to be a world-famous New York City icon,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global, in a statement. “No one fits that description better than Jay-Z, who will join an unparalleled list of celebrated performers who have played Webster Hall.”

Jay-Z’s Webster Hall booking marks his second announced show of 2019, after the rapper was unveiled as one of Woodstock 50’s headliners last month. Well into his career, Jay-Z remains staggeringly popular live: In 2018, his tour with Beyoncé ranked No. 3 on Pollstar‘s Year End Top 100 Worldwide Tours chart, grossing $254.1 million; in 2017, he appeared on the chart as a solo artist with a gross of $39.3 million.

Webster Hall closed for renovations in August 2017, months after it was acquired jointly by Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and AEG Presents’ regional partner The Bowery Presents.

In early January, Webster Hall teased its reopening; in late February, the venue announced an initial slate of spring, summer and fall programming that kicked off May 1 with Patti Smith and Her Band and also included Sharon Van Etten, MGMT and Broken Social Scene.

“After a decade-long relationship with the venue, The Bowery Presents is truly excited to return to Webster Hall now in both an operational and booking capacity alongside our new partners at BSE Global,” Bowery Presents partners John Moore and Jim Glancy said in a statement at the time. “As we honor the rich history this venue holds with fans and artists alike, we are excited to begin this new chapter with artists that we love and respect.”

The extensive renovations to Webster Hall include central air conditioning, expanded restrooms, added stairwells and a bolstered sound system by L-Acoustics.

An American Express presale for Jay-Z’s Webster Hall show begins at 10 a.m. ET on April 18. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET on April 19.