Jocelyn & Chris return to touring along with a new single, Sugar and Spice, their first release since the world health crisis took hold last year. This is a taste of their forthcoming eighth studio album.
Siblings Jocelyn & Chris, who balanced their careers while finishing their degrees at Harvard University, first formed their band in middle school. Along the way the duo, originally from Upstate NY, have released eight albums and collaborated with some of alt-rock’s biggest names, including Cory Wong (Vulfpeck), G. Love, Byron Isaacs (Lumineers), and Gov’t Mule’s Danny Louis.
Eight albums and continual touring has earned Jocelyn & Chris three consecutive commercial radio singles in the Billboard AAA Top 40 and two #1 records on the Relix Jambands Top 30 Album Chart. Their 2019 album The Fun in the Fight landed them their national TV debut with The TODAY Show. This past May the siblings won three major awards at the second annual Eddies Music Awards, those being Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Solo / Duo Artist of the Year.
To celebrate “Sugar and Spice,” Jocelyn & Chris have teamed up with a couple of great product partners for a series of exciting collaborations, including a Sugar and Spice Rock and Roll BBQ Sauce collaboration with Coal Creek Smokehouse in Rocky Top, TN. The limited-run sauce will be available through the smokehouse website and at their restaurants.
A family of avid homebrewers, Jocelyn & Chris have also teamed up with boutique craft brewery Peacemaker Brewing in Canandaigua, NY, to brew Sugar and Spice Passion Fruit Milkshake IPA. This IPA is available at Peacemaker Brewing’s flagship location, Wegmans Supermarkets, and select Jocelyn & Chris performances this summer and fall.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
June 18 – Sugar & Spice Release Party (virtual)
June 21 – Playlist Live: FATHERS (virtual)
June 24 – Peacemaker Brewing: Couch Concert – Canandaigua, NY
June 28 – Playlist Live: LETTERS (virtual)
July 9 – The Bend – West Best, WI
July 10 – Barnato! – Omaha, NE
July 12 – City Winery – Chicago, IL
July 13 – Couch Concert On Location at The Bur Oak – Madison, WI
July 14 – Marshfield Insurance’s 4th Annual Fore Roger Fundraiser – Marshfield, WI
July 15 – Levitt at the Falls – Sioux Falls, SD
July 16 – Fridays on the Plaza – Cheyenne, WY
July 17 – Big Stars Bright Lights Concert Series – Park City, UT
July 18 – Concerts on the Commons – Teton Village, WY
July 21 – Marathon Center for the Performing Arts – Findlay, OH
July 22 – Rumba Cafe – Columbus, OH
July 23 – The Auricle – Canton, OH
July 24 – Purple Fiddle – Thomas, WV
July 25 – The Crafthouse Stage & Grill – Pittsburgh, PA
July 29 – Grain’s Rocking the Docks Series – Lewes, DE
Aug. 7 – Caroga Lake Music Festival – Caroga Lake, NY
Aug. 12 – Musikfest – Bethlehem, PA
Aug. 28 – Live Under the Arch – Portsmouth, NH
Sept. 3 – Rams Head on Stage – Annapolis, MD
Sept. 26 – Maine Craft Distilling Sunday Concert Series – Portland, ME
Bryant Park Picnic Performances has more than 20 upcoming events this summer. All performances are free and beginning June 25, first-come, first-served seating, and advance ticket registration will no longer be required.
Entry is now open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis for all audience members who present either digital or physical proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or an immediately recent negative COVID-19 test, along with government issued photo ID.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances Schedule (All Shows Start at 7 pm, Doors at 5:30)
New York City Opera’s annual LGBTQ Pride concert will feature a diverse program of selections from opera and musical theater sung by a quartet of stars from City Opera’s Pride Series. We will close this performance with a special new arrangement of the finale from Stonewall, Iain Bell and Mark Campbell’s opera which was commissioned by NYCO and given its world premiere in 2019.
Presented by professional performers and teaching artists of New York Chinese Cultural Center, this program is designed to engage a wide range of audiences for a taste of authentic Chinese culture and art. Signature performances include Dance China NY, Chinese Yo-Yo from artist Graham Lo, Kung Fu master David Fung, a demonstration of an array of Chinese instruments including the Erhu, Guzheng, and Dizi, plus colorful costumed classical and folk dance from different regions in China.
Mykal Kilgore’s artistry cuts through traditional barriers and represents the hope of gospel, the soul of R&B, and the vulnerability of country. His debut release, A Man Born Black, which earned him an NAACP Image Awards nomination for Outstanding New Artist, is an exploration of faith, loss, the stumble and spills on the way to maturity, and the beauty of hope and love. His multi-octave ability is powerful and elegant – and stretches across music genres, while his lyrics color the outlines of each of our personal experiences.
The innkeeper Lillas Pastia narrates the tempestuous story of the irresistible seductress Carmen and her hapless lover Don José in this fully staged, hour-long adaptation of Bizet’s opera, providing a perfect introduction to opera for newcomers of any age. This will also be City Opera’s first fully staged, hour-long adaptation performed this year. The performance features music direction and piano from Kathryn Olander, stage and choreography from Sarah Doudna, and a cast including Lisa Chavez (Carmen), Jason Karn (Don José), Joshua Jeremiah (Escamillo), Kristin Sampson (Micaëla), Stacy Dove (Frasquita), Kristee Haney (Mercédès), and Bill Van Horn (Lillas Pastia).
Described by Vibe as “one helluva rock’n’roller-coaster ride” and by PopMatters as “a treasure waiting to be found,” Toshi Reagon is a one-woman celebration of all that’s dynamic, progressive and uplifting in American music. Since first taking to the stage at age seventeen, this versatile singer-songwriter-guitarist has moved audiences of all kinds with her big-hearted, hold-nothing-back approach to rock, blues, R&B, country, folk, spirituals and funk. The New York Times described her blend as “… a love of mixing things up … [her] vocal style ranges from a dirty blues moan to a gospel shout to an ethereal croon.” Her live performances, in particular, aren’t just accessible; they’re irresistible.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the three-time Grammy-winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New York style, hard core salsa. Whether in a concert hall or at an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in, they come at you full force, from start to finish. Their energy on stage and their rich sound and musical precision leave audiences mesmerized until the last note is played. With an unwavering respect for the music’s storied history, the ensemble’s thirteen world-class musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience. Their latest release and 6th album, Anniversary, won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Tropical Album.
The Knights are a collective of adventurous musicians dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audiences and music. Driven by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and exploration, they inspire listeners with vibrant programs that encompass their roots in the classical tradition and passion for artistic discovery. The orchestra has toured and recorded with renowned soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Béla Fleck, and Gil Shaham, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, and the Vienna Musikverein.
Adrienne Warren made her West End debut in the World Premiere of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical in the title role of Tina Turner (Olivier, Evening Standard & WhatsOnStage Award Nominations). She was last seen on Broadway in Shuffle Along as Gertrude Saunders / Florence Mills, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. She originated the role of Danielle in the Tony-nominated Bring It On: The Musical on Broadway. She was also seen at the Apollo Theater as Lorrell in Dreamgirls, followed by the national tour. She has toured and recorded with the multi-platinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra and is currently working on her solo debut album. Hosted by Broadway vet Mauricio Martinez.
Saturday, July 31: Greenwich House Music School – Riley Mulherkar and Ella Bric
Carnegie Hall Citywide: Terence Blanchard & the ECollective with Turtle Island Quartet
Since top-tier jazz and multiple Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard embarked on his solo recording career with his eponymous Columbia Records album in 1991, the New Orleans-born-and-based artist has traveled many paths musically, including delivering adventurous and provocative acoustic jazz outings of original material, composing over 50 soundtracks and even, in 2013, debuting Champion: An Opera in Jazz. He has also, in the spirit of his one-time membership in the jazz school of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, mentored several musicians in his bands who have gone on to have significant recording careers of their own including Lionel Loueke, Aaron Parks, Kendrick Scott and one of his current band members Fabian Almazan). As a leader and co-leader, Blanchard has recorded more than 30 albums that often defied genres, yet were still critically acclaimed. For his latest Blue Note Records album, Breathless, Blanchard powerfully and playfully journeys into another jazz realm with his new quintet, The ECollective – an exciting zone of grooved fusion teeming with funk, R&B and blues colors.
Aug 12: Harlem Stage – Craig Harris’s Nocturnal Nubian Ball…: A Tribute to Sun Ra
Aug 13: Jazz at Lincoln Center – Dizzy’s Club: Young Stars of Jazz
Aug 14: Jazz at Lincoln Center – Dizzy’s Club: Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quintet
Aug 16: Limón Dance Company and Music from the Sole
Aug 20: Paul Taylor Dance Company and Elisa Monte Dance
Aug 21: New York City Opera – Now That’s What I Call Opera!
Aug 27: Save the Date – Dance Performance TBA
Sept 3: New York City Opera – Rigoletto
Sept 10: Classical Theatre of Harlem
Sept 17: National Sawdust – Allison Loggins-Hull premieres Diametrically Composed
Sept 20: The Town Hall – Centennial Concert featuring Chris Thile and special guests
In line with city and state safety protocols, Bryant Park Picnic Performances will host approximately 2,000 vaccinated or negative-tested audience members live at each of our performances. Attendance requirements for all audience members include a government issued photo ID and on-site proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. Food and beverage is available for purchase from vendors in the park before taking a seat on the lawn. All event attendees are invited to bring food and drink. There are two sections for seating: vaccinated and tested.
Vaccinated audience members will be offered open seating on the world-famous Bryant Park Lawn with ample space to distance from others at their own discretion. it is highly encouraged attendees wear masks during the check-in process. Masks may be removed at their own discretion once within the fully vaccinated areas of the lawn. Attendees can bring a blanket or use a park chair; no outside chairs allowed.
For tested seating, attendees presenting a negative COVID-19 test will be seated in a separate, socially distanced section (six feet from other parties at all times) with masks required. No outside blankets or chairs allowed.
For the most current guidelines, program updates, additional venue details, safety requirements, information, and restrictions, visit bryantpark.org/picnics.
Foo Fighters performed the first show back at Madison Square Garden (MSG) and made New York and music history as they welcomed vaccinated fans back to the iconic venue on June 20 for the first 100% capacity concert in a New York arena since March 2020.
The three hour long, sold out show with no opening act marked Madison Square Garden’s first concert in more than 460 days in yet another resounding endorsement of the return of live music. The last full capacity show at MSG was The Brothers, which celebrated the Allman Brothers Band music on March 10, 2020. Since then, limited capacity events like Knicks games have taken place at the arena.
Despite anti-vax protests, MSG required a vaccination check for entry at the show, mainly the Excelsior Pass, the NYC-only digital “passport” that provides proof of vaccination. The venue allowed attendees to mask up at their own discretion. For children under 16, a negative COVID-19 test paired with an ID could, and can, suffice in place of a vaccine passport.
“We’ve been waiting for this day for over a year,” said Dave Grohl. “And Madison Square Garden is going to feel that HARD. New York, get ready for a long ass night of screaming our heads off together to 26 years of Foos.”
AMAZING. First concert in almost two years, and it's the FOO FIGHTERS. Threw my voice out singing almost every song. Possibly one of the BEST concerts I've ever been to. Feels great to be back at concerts again. Also, Dave Chappelle is GREAT. #FooFighters#MSG#GetVaccinatedpic.twitter.com/zqlXTngkbt
Dave Chapelle joined the band to sing a cover of “Creep” by Radiohead. Other covers of the night include “Somebody to Love” by Queen and as a sneak peek for the new Foo Fighters Record Store Day album, they offered a cover of “You Should Be Dancing” off Hail Satin, due on July 17, a satirical take on The Bee Gees.
The 12 time Grammy Award-winning band, sold tens of millions of records and created anthems, their globally anticipated 10th album, Medicine at Midnight, was released February 5, preceded by the chart-topping groove of “Shame Shame,” the brain-rattling “No Son of Mine,” and the epic swell of “Waiting on a War.” Since 1995, the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, and Rami Jaffee have held the title of the last great American arena/stadium rock band.
Foo Fighters first headlined a sold-out Garden in February 2008 on their “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” tour, returning to rock the venue for another sell-out show in November 2011 on the “Wasting Light” tour. Most recently, the band sold-out two nights at The World’s Most Famous Arena in July 2018, on their “Concrete and Gold” tour. The announcement of the June 20 MSG show follows the news of Foo Fighters’ first six U.S. dates on their “25th 26th Anniversary” tour taking place later this summer.
The June 20 Foo Fighters show, along with other recently announced shows across MSG Entertainment’s venues, are part of the company’s efforts to restart New York, which also include two sold-out events this month – the closing night of Tribeca Festival featuring “Untitled: Dave Chappelle Documentary” at Radio City Music Hall on June 19 and “Two Evenings With Trey Anastasio” at the Beacon Theatre on June 22-23.
Foo Fighters – Madison Square Garden (MSG) – June 20, 2021
Setlist: Times Like These, The Pretender, Learn to Fly, No Son of Mine, The Sky Is a Neighborhood, Shame Shame, Rope, Run, My Hero, These Days, Medicine at Midnight, Walk, Somebody to Love (Queen cover with Taylor Hawkins on lead), Monkey Wrench, Arlandria, Breakout, Creep (Radiohead cover with Dave Chappelle), All My Life, Aurora, This Is A Call, Best of You
Encore: Making a Fire, You Should Be Dancing (Bee Gees cover), Everlong
Bryant Park honors one facet of the rich cultural tapestry of NYC’s AAPI community with a program of traditional Chinese music, acrobatics, dance, and martial arts from New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC).
Bryant Park Picnic Performances’ season of free, live performances continues on Friday, June 25 with an evening of exciting multi-genre artistic programming courtesy of the NYCCC. Founded in 1974, NYCCC, a nonprofit cultural and educational institution, is dedicated to deepening the understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture through the arts in the global and local communities. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the show starts at 7 pm.
Entry to this event is now open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis for all audience members who present either digital or physical proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or an immediately recent negative COVID-19 test, along with government issued photo ID.
NYCCC’s Executive Director Ying Yen says, “New York Chinese Cultural Center is excited to be a part of the Bryant Park Picnic Performances along with other amazing performing groups. It’s wonderful to see New York City’s diverse arts community come together to share our love of the arts and bring moments of joy to the heart of Manhattan in Bryant Park.”
This program is designed to engage a wide range of audiences for a taste of authentic Chinese culture and art. Signature performances include Dance China NY, Chinese Yo-Yo from artist Graham Lo, Kung Fu master David Fung, a demonstration of an array of Chinese instruments including the Erhu, Guzheng, and Dizi, plus colorful costumed classical and folk dance from different regions in China.
In line with city and state safety protocols, Bryant Park will host approximately 2,000 vaccinated or negative-tested audience members live at each of our performances. Requirements for all audience members include a government issued photo ID and on-site proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. Food and beverage is available for purchase from vendors in the park before taking a seat on the lawn. All event attendees are invited to bring food and drink. There are two sections for seating: vaccinated and tested.
Vaccinated audience members will be offered open seating on the world-famous Bryant Park Lawn with ample space to distance from others at their own discretion. It is highly encouraged attendees wear masks during the check-in process. Masks may be removed at their own discretion once within the fully vaccinated areas of the lawn. Attendees can bring a blanket or use a park chair; no outside chairs allowed.
For tested seating, attendees presenting a negative COVID-19 test will be seated in a separate, socially distanced section (six feet from other parties at all times) with masks required. No outside blankets or chairs allowed.
For the most current guidelines, program updates, additional venue details, safety requirements, information, and restrictions, visit bryantpark.org/picnics.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances Schedule (All Shows Start at 7 pm)
June 18: New York City Opera – Pride in the Park
June 25: New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC)
June 26: Joe’s Pub – Mykal Kilgore
July 2: New York City Opera – Carmen
July 9: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely
July 16: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Spanish Harlem Orchestra
July 23: Carnegie Hall Citywide – The Knights
July 30: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Adrienne Warren and Friends
July 31: Greenwich House Music School – Riley Mulherkar and Ella Bric
Aug 6: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Terence Blanchard & The E-Collective with the Turtle Island Quartet
Aug 12: Harlem Stage – Craig Harris’s Nocturnal Nubian Ball…: A Tribute to Sun Ra
Aug 13: Jazz at Lincoln Center – Dizzy’s Club: Young Stars of Jazz
Aug 14: Jazz at Lincoln Center – Dizzy’s Club: Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quintet
Aug 16: Limón Dance Company and Music from the Sole
Aug 20: Paul Taylor Dance Company and Elisa Monte Dance
Aug 21: New York City Opera – Now That’s What I Call Opera!
Aug 27: Save the Date – Dance Performance TBA
Sept 3: New York City Opera – Rigoletto
Sept 10: Classical Theatre of Harlem
Sept 17: National Sawdust – Allison Loggins-Hull premieres Diametrically Composed
Sept 20: The Town Hall – Centennial Concert featuring Chris Thile and special guests
The Lesson GK shared the upbeat new single “Boogie” featuring DJ Premier. The first glimpse of what is bound to be the underground hit of the summer.
The Lesson GK, a diverse multi-instrumental collective residing in New York City featuring Lenny “The Ox” Reece, J. Hoard, and more, have announced their long awaited debut full-length album Another World, to be released on June 25 via Jammcard Records. This will be the inaugural official release from Jammcard Records, a brand new arm of Jammcard, the Music Professionals Network.
DJ Premier, producer and half of the duo Gang Starr, said of the collaboration, “I love their whole movement! You can tell that the soul is in every player and musician that plays along with them. And J.Hoard, just his singing, his style, his flambioency, everything is just fully packaged and it’s a must see if you’ve never seen or heard them.”
As for Another World, fans have been asking for an album to take home for ages, but the band didn’t want to rush it. Now, the time finally felt right to take production from the stage to the studio, in a way that was most authentic for the group.
“Usually people write a song, compose it, record, then figure out how to get it live but we do it live first,” explained Lenny of their process. “We tricked ourselves into making an album. We all care so much about what happens – we’re all best friends – this is our passion project. Sometimes caring so much can be a hindrance, so we started with making a beat tape to set low stakes, but we tricked ourselves into making a tape that came ultimately together into an album.”
The care, the heart, the community can be fully heard on The Lesson GK’s new music. It’s the perfect sound for summer and an anthem for modern times.
Doctor Lo Faber, formerly of celebrated jam band God Street Wine, shared the title track from his upcoming folk/Americana-leaning LP Claiborne Avenue. He’ll hit the road for four shows in June, starting at The Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Albany.
Faber has a rich musical history; prior to adding the “Doctor” title to his moniker, he founded legendary jam band God Street Wine in 1988. GSW landed a record deal with Geffen in 1994, and later with Mercury. During that time they toured nearly constantly, pausing only to record. Ultimately, GSW hit a wall of burnout and played their farewell show in December 1999.
Faber went on to form the Lo Faber Band, composed and recorded the double-CD concept rock operas Henry’s House and Friday Night Freakshow in 2001 and 2003, respectively. Meanwhile, the age of social media led to GSW fans congregating in a Facebook group that successfully brought the band back for a series of annual reunion shows beginning in 2010.
When the pandemic hit the US in full force back in March 2020, Doctor Lo took to his YouTube channel to connect. While at first he was hesitant to embrace live streaming, by June 2020 he was all in and now continues to broadcast twice a week to his social media pages.
The album, Claiborne Avenue, features musicians, such as Dave Eggar (The Who, Coldplay, Beyonce) on cello and string arrangements, Jason Crosby (Phil Lesh, Jackson Browne, Tedeschi & Trucks) on piano and fiddle, God Street Wine’s Jon Bevo and Aaron Lieberman on keys and lead guitar, New Orleans musician/DJ Marc Stone on slide guitar, Blake Collins on mandolin, and Ted Marotta and Tom Pirozzi, who worked with Ominous Seapods in the 90s, on drums and bass.
Faber is set to celebrate the release with a limited run of live shows, including a sold-out performance at Albany, NY’s The Hollow on June 18.
DOCTOR LO FABER UPCOMING LIVE DATES
June 18 – The Hollow – Albany, NY
June 20 – Gabe-Gate – Sussex, NJ
June 22 – The Tap Shack – Duck, NC
June 23 – The Tap Shack – Duck, NC
Listen to Claiborne Avenue on Bandcamp or Spotify out on June 18.
On Sept 29, multi-faceted folk-rockers The Accidentals will kick off a long-awaited U.S. tour. Joined by their friend and collaborator Sawyer Fredericks, this co-bill tour will take the female-fronted, multi-instrumentalist power trio throughout the Midwest before heading east through New York and down into the Southeast.
The Accidentals—Sav Buist, Katie Larson, and Michael Dause—are touring in support of their upcoming release Vessel, which is due out Oct 1.
This tour is not the first time The Accidentals have collaborated with Fredericks. The Accidentals’ Larson and Buist contributed two songs to Fredericks’ recent Flowers For You album—“Lies You Tell” and “Days Go By”—and were also featured in the video for “Lies You Tell.”
“The Accidentals have great energy on stage and a very driven work ethic,” says Fredericks. “In addition to the fun of touring with good friends, I also feel I will learn and grow a lot through working with them.” Fredericks will perform solo from the first date in Traverse City, MI, until his band joins him at Chicago’s City Winery for the duration of their tour.
Fredericks hails from his family farm in central New York State. At the age of 13, he played local farmers markets, open mics, and iconic New York venues like Caffe Lena, the Towne Crier Cafe, and The Bitter End. At 15, with his deep, beyond-his-years original lyrics and melodies, raw, soulful vocals, and powerful live performances, he won season 8 of NBC’s The Voice.
Fredericks went forward with the release of his major label debut, A Good Storm, with Republic Records, an impressive blend of soulful Folk, blues, and rock. In 2018, after choosing to go independent, for more creative freedom, Hide Your Ghost was released, fully written and produced by Fredericks. Shedding the high gloss major label treatment, and staying true to Fredericks’s honest and elegantly stripped down style, a self-described “free range folk”, incorporating elements of blues, roots rock, and jazz with live instrumental arrangements throughout.
May 1, 2020 Fredericks released his 4th album, Flowers For You. Two songs from Flowers For You won top awards from the 18th annual Independent Music Awards, “Born” won in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category and “Amen” won the Vox Pop award in the Social Action Song category. “Born” was recently officially added to SiriusXM’s Coffee House channel.
Female-fronted, multi-instrumentalist power trio, The Accidentals, (Sav Buist, Katie Larson, and Michael Dause) kicked off 2018 with the release of their debut album, Odyssey, with Sony Masterworks. They followed the album release with two-hundred days of touring nationally, seventeen festivals, sync placement with Turner Classic Movies and FOX sports, and a RAM Trucks BANDvan #tourtough commercial.
In 2019, The Accidentals released a self-titled live album and toured the UK; all while scoring an indie film, teaching workshops across the country, playing with symphonies, and recording new music. In their downtime Sav and Katie are making a name for themselves as a go-to Nashville string team, composing, arranging, and playing string tracks for bands like BTS, Keller Williams, Flint Eastwood, etc.
Catch The Accidentals and Sawyer Fredericks on Tour:
9/29 – Traverse City Opera House – Traverse City, MI *
9/30 – Traverse City Opera House – Traverse City, MI *
10/1 – State Theatre – Bay City, MI *
10/2 – The Ark – Ann Arbor, MI *
10/3 – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH *
10/7 – Great Lakes Center For The Arts (Blissfest) – Petoskey, MI *
10/8 – Cheboygan Opera House (Blissfest) – Cheboygan, MI *
10/9 – Calvin University – Grand Rapids, MI *
10/10 – City Winery – Chicago, IL
10/13 – Lake Michigan College Mendel Center – Benton Harbor, MI
Andy Frasco and The U.N. have announced their 2021 US tour dates, taking their live act across the country this fall. To open each night, Andy is featuring the World Saving Local Talent Search – a variety show searching for each city’s most talented Frasco fans, hosted by Nick Gerlach.
Andy Frasco & The U.N. have released a series of acclaimed records, share bills with the likes of Leon Russell, Galactic, Gary Clark, Jr., The Revivalists, and Marcus King among others, and slay festival stages everywhere from Mountain Jam in the U.S. to Rock am Ring in Germany and COTAI Jazz & Blues in China.
Frasco began writing poetry that eventually became songs. He wrote about despair and anxiety, about friendship and growth, about accountability and potential, transforming the poems into defiant rock and roll anthems. These songs became his most recent album ‘Keep On Keeping On’ released at the beginning of the pandemic in April of 2020.
Like many, the pandemic hit Andy hard. He was once again feeling that ‘breaking point’ and he quickly transformed his high energy road show into a year long digital blitz of new music, a 33 episode variety show (Andy Frasco – “World Saving Sh*tshow”) which garnered 20 millions views, a digital Dance Party and Andy further developed his Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast. His variety show and podcast included interviews and musical performances by many notable guests such as Tony Hawk, Kurt Vile, Nathaniel Rateliff, Kamasi Washington, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and more.
Additionally, Frasco recently scored ‘The Great Depresh,’ an HBO documentary about Gary Gulman exploring the comic’s struggles with depression that was produced by Judd Apatow and directed by Mike Bonfiglio). This summer, Frasco will perform at multiple summer festivals including Summer Camp, FloydFest and hopefully many more to be announced.
9/8: Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
9/9: Last Concert Cafe – Houston, TX
9/10: Deep Ellum Art Co – Dallas, TX
9/11: Antones – Austin, TX
9/14: Rebel Lounge – Phoenix, AZ
9/15: Belly Up – Solana Beach, CA
9/16: Jammin’ On – Las Vegas, NV
9/17: Lodge Room – Los Angeles, CA
9/18: The Chapel – San Francisco, CO
9/22: Crazy Horse Saloon – Nevada City, NV
9/23: Sessions – Eugene, OR
9/24: Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
9/25: Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
10/9: Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
10/19: Elevation – Grand Rapids, MI
10/20: The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI
10/21: Iron Works – Buffalo, NY
10/22: Spirit Hall – Pittsburgh, PA
10/23: Madison Theatre – Covington, KY
10/24: Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
10/28: Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
10/29: Greenfield Lake Amphitheater – Wilmington, NC*
Rochester Events welcomes back live and in-person concerts with Get The Led Out, beginning June 25 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in downtown Rochester. The series is aptly named “Live at MLK!”
Organizers of the Rochester Lilac Festival and Party in the Park will kick off “Live at MLK!” beginning June 25. The 2019 edition featured George Thorogood and St. Paul and the Broken Bones, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Get The Led Out, the premier Led Zeppelin tribute band, will open the season on Friday, June 25 at 8pm, doors open at 6:45 pm.
Returning to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square will be a craft beer garden featuring rotating showcases of IPAs, ciders, stouts, and more. A Bubbly Bar with prosecco and mimosas and the VIP Ultra Lounge and Chill Lounge will feature access to a private lounge areas, full bar, private A/C restrooms, front stage access, and a commemorative lanyard.
Patrons may bring blankets and one sealed bottle of water into the park. Lawn chairs, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and pets will not be allowed in. Shows are rain or shine/no refunds.
In order to run the event safely and to cooperate with NYS Covid rules and regulations, ALL patrons must show proof of the Covid-19 vaccination either with their vaccine card or through the Excelsior Pass.
Parking is available at nearby parking garages including the Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd.; the Court Street Garage, 194 Court St. and at the East End Garage, 475 E. Main St. Parking will also be available at The Strong Museum, 1 Manhattan Square.
Tickets go on sale Monday June 7 at 10am must be purchased online in advance on the Rochester Events website. Pricing is $18 in advance, $25 day-of, plus service fees. Tickets to the VIP Ultra Lounge and Chill Lounge must be purchased in advance and will be available on a limited basis for each show.
Songwriter Peter Bogolub under the moniker Loops & Loops has created the album, Fake Face, released on June 11.
Knowing that this project was recorded during quarantine and almost entirely in the closet of his NYC apartment, listening to it feels like even more of a personal experience. Aptly so, Pete took a dive into analyzing failed relationships throughout his life, relying on his affinity for shoegaze-style indie rock while merging elements of pop synths and melodic guitar/ukelele loops.
Citing Yo La Tengo, My Bloody Valentine, and The Magnetic Fields as his biggest musical influences, Fake Face can be seen as a return to his DIY/ indie roots. A self-taught musician and collaborator in bands for over 20 years, this album showcases a side of Pete that could only be brought out as a solo act.
So far, the singles for this album have been “County Fair”and “Pain In My Heart”.
“Dark Clouds” is the opening of the album, a slow soft beginning to a melancholic motif. A stand out lyric being, “People see what they want to see / They can tell there’s something wrong with me.”
“The Light,” the second song, has bright happy guitars with a familiar beat. Telling the story that sometimes the end of something is really the beginning. None of the songs on the album are really happy but they’re neither all doom and gloom either, this song really highlights that.
“Down in Mexico” is almost wistful but similar to how I do not speak Spanish beyond a high school level I could understand about 50% of the words in this song. That isn’t a dealbreaker considering what could be heard clearly is, “Someday it’ll be okay,” which is comforting.
“Things Are” is the focus track, an indie anthem reminding us how to get by in life. Sometimes things just don’t go our way, but not sweating what we can’t change. The line “Things are what they are no matter how you feel” a lament to the unchangeable nature of life and the relationships within them. An acceptance of the hard truths despite the hope that it won’t be true.
It’s a song about accepting things as they are instead wishing circumstances were different. Written during the pandemic when life was rather chaotic, the upbeat melody offers a glimpse of hope.
Peter Bogolub
“Pain in my Heart” with its squishy beat as if hitting a cartoon frog stretched into a banjo. Echoey vocals are a heavy feature on this album but they really shine on this track. The lines “There’s a pain in my heart / Why are we so far apart” painting the picture of when you make a promise with someone and find it is no longer being kept and you’re alone.
“Outta Control” has the vibe of the opening track to a lighthearted coming of age movie that will inevitably take a turn and have a sad ending or the two best friends will fall in love after much trial and error. “Making bad choices too many times”
“Gaslight” a slow track in tribute to society’s general growing awareness to the toxic trait of gaslighting. With the lyrics “that’s not really an apology,” there’s a realness. Very reminiscent of mooseblood, joyce manor. “Run To You” is very instrumental heavy where the vocals seem to be more of a background element to the song. Gives the same vibes as an underwater town being explored.
“Drawn To You,” with the acoustic guitar being the star of the track and johnny cash style, is about being drawn to someone without control. Whether for better or for worse the attraction is there.
“Not Yet” feels like the end credits to a comedy show. Which is ironic considering the line “You ain’t catch me yet.” “County Fair”, if “Not Yet” felt like the end “County Fair” is the after credits scene.
Overall the album delivered on what Pete set out to do, which is to tell the stories of relationships and their messy ends in a way that is pleasing to the ears. Stream Fake Face on your chosen platform.
