The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio will reopen to live audiences for the first time since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic with a performance by the Paa Kow Afro-fusion Orchestra on Saturday, June 19 at 8pm.
Ghana born drummer and composer, Paa Kow, blends rhythm and artistry from his home with jazz and African roots creating his own Afro-Fusion sound. Dubbed “Ghana’s most artistic drummer” (Modern Ghana), he plays a custom, hand-carved, traditionally inspired Ghanaian drum set that is the only one of its kind in the world, guaranteeing an extraordinary cultural and musical experience. Paa Kow has toured internationally, sharing stages with both African and American luminaries including Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, and Victor Wooten.
Growing up in the small village of Enyan Denkyira near Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa, Paa Kow is widely recognized as one of the most remarkable drum set players to tour in Africa, Europe, and America. Paa Kow’s deep groove and prodigious talent reveal a unique ability to speak to listeners with his drums, inspiring a profound spiritual conversation and fulfilling his vision to spread the music and culture of his homeland by touring the world with his Afro-fusion Orchestra.
With his albums such as Hand Go Hand Come, Ask, and Cookpot, Paa Kow has spread his creativity and his culture all across the world. His newest album, Nkwa Na Ehia, released in April of this year, heavily features Paa Kow’s native language of Fante. The rhythmic songs will be a great way to celebrate the reopening of The Linda.
A restricted quantity of seats will be available to maintain social distancing guidelines. Fully vaccinated patrons will be allowed to attend maskless and unvaccinated patrons will be encouraged to wear face masks. Seating and common traffic areas will be socially distanced. Additional live concerts and performances at The Linda will be announced in the next few weeks.
Tickets for the Paa Kow Afro-fusion Orchestra are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show. Advanced tickets are available through The Linda’s website.
For more information and updates regarding The Linda: WAMC’ Performing Arts Studio visit The Linda’s website. To stay updated follow their Facebook and Instagram.
Brooklyn-based neo-soul singer-songwriter Kristen Merritt is releasing her first single and music video off her debut self produced album Joi. The song, “I’m Done,” is available now on all streaming platforms.
Marked with a soft, mellow guitar opening, and playful “Check, one, two,” the track sets up a bright instrumental to a sad story. The layered vocals are a refined touch to the full sound of the track. The chorus then also sees the welcoming of a warm, fun drum that pushes the song forward.
Merritt doesn’t overload the listener, she simply lets her lyrics tell the story while the music sets a leisurely pace. It’s a great break up song, but it’s also a fantastic song to play in a small COVID safe gathering, or out back by a bonfire. The tempo and vocals are perfect to both belt out in your car on the way to pick up the rest of your belongings and slow dance alone in your room.
The music video, with it’s spilt screen style, gives a visual representation to Merritt’s anger and sadness. On one side, a yellow adorned Merritt laments a failed relationship and the other shows a red dressed Merritt divulging all her frustration over a less-than partner.
“I’m Done” is the beginning of a must-follow new era for the Detroit native that will demonstrate the breadth of her powerful artistry and ability to dissect and interpret our most intimate emotions from a relatable and personal perspective. Heartfelt and soulful, Merritt scorches with her poignant lyricism and passionate delivery. It’s vulnerable and cathartic, with each jazz-tinged inflection and mesmerizing line, she finds her voice and freedom.
Merritt has been inspired by Take 6 and neo-soul greats such as Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott and their soulful musical compositions and lyrical storytelling ability. Newer inspirations of hers include artists such as Daniel Caesar, Jacob Collier, Hope Tala, and H.E.R. These elements in her own sound have led to music with a nostalgic twist and modern warmth.
My hope is that “I’m Done” becomes the anthem of the person who has both feet out the door, and wants to leave their former partner with a memorable goodbye. I want it to serve as the Millennial/Gen Z equivalent of Erykah Badu’s “Tyrone,” where the goodbye is short, direct, and permanent (and also a little humorous at points to cut the mounted tension).
Since emerging in 2019 with her debut EP, Spectrum, Kristen Merritt’s storytelling has been the clear driving force at the heart of her craft. Last year, Kristen unveiled three singles, “Thyme,” “Never Again,” and “Ending.” Having been featured on Spotify’s playlists, the songs have already accumulating over 32,000 streams, with more on the way, Kristen Merritt is an artist you can’t miss.
Starting her musical journey in NYC Merritt scooped up local performance slots and open mics, building her confidence on stage while developing her sound and voice. During which she worked in the background on things that felt more raw, intimate, and worth exploring. the culmination of those efforts will soon be shared.
Modest Mouse announced their return earlier this month with two new singles off their forthcoming album and an extensive US tour. The tour includes an August 7 show at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, and two stops at Brooklyn Steel on August 11 and 12. Tickets for the tour go on sale Wednesday, May 26 at 10 am local time.
Newly released is “Leave a Light On,” the second single off their anxiously awaited seventh full-length, The Golden Casket, out June 25 via Epic Records. The song finds Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock navigating the existential threat of losing our humanity – and the interconnectedness that comes with it – amidst a constant societal barrage of physical and digital materialism. “Leave A Light On” can be listened to here.
Earlier this month, the band shared the first single “We Are Between.” The song explores the faults that make up each person’s character as it pertains to the wider world. With a hook that will get stuck in your head all day, the band made a great first single choice. “We Are Between” can be listened to here.
Over the past 25 years, Brock has served as indie rock’s resident backwoods philosopher, pondering his infinitesimal place in the world at large and seeking balance in a universe governed by polar opposites. On Modest Mouse’s earliest records, he was surveying the changes in the world’s physical landscape from the windows of the tour van, lamenting the displacement of natural beauty with big-box blights.
The band’s seventh studio album, The Golden Casket, heralds another new chapter in the band’s unpredictable evolution. The albumexplores the degradation of America’s psychic landscape through the glass of the smartphone screen and invisible technology. Brock also touches on a new theme in his life, fatherhood.
Produced with Dave Sardy and Jacknife Lee in Los Angeles and in Modest Mouse’s studio in Portland, the album hovers in the liminal space between raw punk power and experimental studio science. Pre-order/Pre-save The Golden Casket here.
Brewery Ommegang is located on a 136-acre farmstead in Cooperstown, New York and offers tours, tastings, a 100-seat café, a well-stocked brewery store, and a calendar of public events including a summer concert series and a legendary beer festival, Belgium Comes to Cooperstown. For more information visitwww.ommegang.com. To stay up to date follow Brewery Ommehang’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
DSP Shows Presents: Modest Mouse Saturday, August 7, 2021 7:00pm (5:00pm doors). Tickets and a limited number of camping passes go on sale Wednesday, May 26 at 10am and will be available at dspshows.com. To stay up to date follow DSP’sFacebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Along with their in-person tour dates The Allman Betts Band has announced three virtual shows. NoCap will be hosting the three livestream shows for The Allman Betts Band during the month of June.
The Allman Betts Band’s debut album Down to the River saw them selling out a US tour and topping charts until late July of 2019 when their European leg got cut short after Devon Allman’s hospital stay. After Allman’s healthy return and a run of fall tour dates, he and co-founder, guitarist, and singer Duane Betts, wrote their second album, Bless Your Heart.
Over a week’s time, they recorded 13 songs, at Alabama’s Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, the historic recording facility where they’d cut their debut album with additional tracking in Memphis and St. Louis. Grammy-winning producer Matt Ross-Spang reprised his role helming the recording.
Bassist and singer Berry Duane Oakley’s ABB vocal debut on his original song (“The Doctor’s Daughter”). With guest contributions for Jimmy Hall, Shannon McNally, Art Edmaiston, Susan Marshall, and Reba Russell. Singer-songwriter Stoll Vaughan, who collaborated on five of Down to the River’s nine tracks, advised on the developing material.
Among the setlist for the tour is “Magnolia Road,” “Pale Horse Rider,” “Ashes of My Lovers,” and “Airboats & Cocaine.”
NoCap Allman Betts Band Livestream Shows
Monday, June 14 – From the famous Village Studios in Los Angeles, The Allman Betts Band will play a special seated, intimate acoustic show. Featuring songs from Down to the River, Bless Your Heart and some other gems.
Monday, June 21 – The Allman Betts Band will play their latest album Bless Your Heart in its entirety for the first time ever. Live from the famous Roxy Theatre on The Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California.
Monday, June 28 – By very popular fan demand, The Allman Betts Band for the first time ever, will play an entire set of Allman Brothers Band songs. Live from the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Allman Betts Band on Tour
May 27 | Florence, SC @ Francis Marion University PAC
UPDATE: Monday, August 23, 2021 – With Nine Inch Nails cancelling all 2021 tour dates, including this year’s Riot Fest, the festival has announced two major headliner additions.
Those who purchased a three-day or single-day Sunday ticket will now gain access to the festival’s Preview Party on Thursday, September 16, free of charge. Performing Thursday will be Morrissey, who will curate a selection of special guests to perform exclusively on Thursday. Plentiful vegetarian options will be offered by food vendors, following Morrissey’s tradition of no-meat at performances which will be honored across Douglass Park for the entire day on Thursday, September 16.
On Sunday, September 19, Slipknot will close the night out on the Riot Stage, bringing one of the most iconic metal acts ever to Riot Fest for the first time.
Riot Fest this fall returns to Douglass Park in Chicago over September 17–19, 2021 with their first in-person festival since 2019. In an unprecedented move, festival organizers revealed the lineup for 2021, along with tickets for 2022.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Nine Inch Nails will headline the festival’s 2021 edition, alongside The Smashing Pumpkins and Run the Jewels. New additions for this fall’s lineup include Faith No More, a recently reunited Mr. Bungle, DEVO, NOFX, Dinosaur Jr., The Ghost Inside, Motion City Soundtrack, along with many others.
After quickly selling out 3-day passes for 2021, Riot Fest announced that for next year’s festival The Original Misfits, including Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, will headline Riot Fest 2022. The band will be performing their first album Walk Among Us in full for its 40th anniversary.
My Chemical Romance will also return to headline the festival’s 2022 edition, a hotly-anticipated reunion, finally realized. The group initially announced their reunion in 2019, playing a single show at Shrine Exposition Hall in Los Angeles before postponing their entire sold-out North American tour—including a slot at Riot Fest—to 2022.
After the Jersey band’s 2013 hiatus fans have been waiting for another chance to catch My Chemical Romance live. Considering their reunion tour is sold out, Riot Fest is a great opportunity to snag tickets for 2022.
3-day passes for this and next year’s festivals are on sale now; single-day passes to this year’s festival will go on sale this week, alongside more band announcements for 2021. Previous ticket holders can purchase 2022 passes at a special price for a limited time; ticket transfers to next year, as well as refunds, are now available.
Safety measures regarding COVID-19 will be frequently updated, as directed by local health and public safety officials.
More info and tickets are on sale through Riot Fest’s website.
Daily lineups have now been announced for Riot Fest 2021.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 MORRISSEY with Very Special Guests
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, COHEED AND CAMBRIA, LUPE FIASCO (performing The Cool), NOFX, DIRTY HEADS, SUBLIME WITH ROME, CIRCLE JERKS, DINOSAUR JR., MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK, THRICE, CIRCA SURVIVE, MEG MYERS, THE LAWRENCE ARMS, BEACH BUNNY, ANTI-FLAG, LIVING COLOUR, FISHBONE, ENVY ON THE COAST, THE SOUNDS, AMIGO THE DEVIL, EYEDRESS, BEACH GOONS, MEET ME @ THE ALTAR, SERATONES, RADKEY, KISSISSIPPI, JACKIE HAYES, OXYMORRONS, GIRLPUPPY, SEŃOR KINO
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 RUN THE JEWELS, FAITH NO MORE, DROPKICK MURPHYS, RANCID, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, VIC MENSA, GOGOL BORDELLO, MAYDAY PARADE, BAYSIDE, STATE CHAMPS, THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES, ANDREW W.K., BEST COAST, BIG FREEDIA, GWAR, HEPCAT, LES SAVY FAV, THE BRONX, FOUR YEAR STRONG, CITIZEN, FUCKED UP, JOYWAVE, NIGHT MOVES, MAN ON MAN, HOLY FAWN, THE BOLLWEEVILS, GANSER, JUST FRIENDS, THE ORPHAN THE POET, BEARINGS, SPIDER, DEVON KAY & THE SOLUTIONS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 SLIPKNOT, MACHINE GUN KELLY, PIXIES, DEVO, MR. BUNGLE, NEW FOUND GLORY, THE GHOST INSIDE, BODY COUNT, THURSDAY, K.FLAY, KNUCKLE PUCK, HEALTH, THE BLED, MOTHER MOTHER, 3OH!3, FEVER 333, ALEX G, KENNYHOOPLA, BLEACHED, THE GORIES, FACS, RATBOYS, BLACKSTARKIDS, SKATING POLLY, PET SYMMETRY, MELKBELLY, GYMSHORTS, THE WEAK DAYS, AIRSTREAM FUTURES
On June 24, Riot Fest unveiled the first round of Late Night after shows to coincide with this year’s festival, held September 17–19, 2021. Tickets for the Late Night shows are now on sale via RiotFest.org.
RIOT FEST 2021 LATE NIGHT SHOWS On sale Friday, June 25 at 12:00 p.m. CDT
FRIDAY, SEPT. 17 more to be announced! MR. BUNGLE With Special Guests Radius 17+ | Doors: 10pm | TICKETS
SATURDAY, SEPT. 18 more to be announced! NEW FOUND GLORY and SIMPLE PLAN POP PUNK’S STILL NOT DEAD TOUR with Lolo Radius 17+ | Doors: 9pm | TICKETS
DINOSAUR JR. with Ryley Walker Bottom Lounge 17+ | Doors: 10pm | TICKETS
TOO MANY ZOOZ and BIG FREEDIA The Vic Theatre 18+ | Doors: 10pm | TICKETS
