Category: NYC Metro

  • The Weeknd Announces 2022 After Hours World Tour, with Stops at MSG, Barclay’s and UBS Arena

    The Weeknd announced his After Hours World Tour, a 104-date global tour beginning at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on January 14th, 2022.

    He will be playing in New York on February 11th and 12th in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center, and will be back in early April on the 4th and 5th at Madison Square Garden. He will then be playing at the new UBS Arena in Belmont on April 7th.


    The worldwide tour announcement comes just days ahead of the multi-platinum singer’s headlining Super Bowl performance, and also includes a handful of rescheduled dates shifting from 2021 to be a part of the After Hours World Tour in 2022.

    With the addition of 39 new tour dates, The Weeknd will also release The Highlights on Friday, February 5th. The Highlights is a way to present some of The Weeknd’s most notable works in one place. While this isn’t a “Greatest Hits” album it does provide a new listener a rich foray into some of the iconic artist’s best and favorite work. Fans can pre-save and pre-order the album on theweeknd.co/thehighlights.

    Tickets for the tour will be available following The Weeknd’s Super Bowl performance starting Monday, February 8th at 10 A.M. local time on TheWeeknd.com/Tour.

    AFTER HOURS WORLD TOUR 2022 DATES:
    * New Show
    Jan 14 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
    Jan 15 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
    Jan 17 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
    Jan 19 – Winnipeg, MB – Bell MTS Place
    Jan 21 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
    Jan 23 – Chicago, IL – United Center
    Jan 24 – Chicago, IL – United Center*
    Jan 26 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum*
    Jan 27 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
    Jan 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
    Jan 30 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
    Feb 01 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
    Feb 02 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
    Feb 03 – Montreal, QC – Centre Bell
    Feb 05 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
    Feb 06 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
    Feb 08 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
    Feb 09 – Boston, MA – TD Garden*
    Feb 11 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
    Feb 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center*

    Feb 13 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
    Feb 15 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
    Feb 16 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
    Feb 19 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center*
    Feb 20 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
    Feb 22 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center*
    Feb 24 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
    Feb 25 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
    Feb 27 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
    Mar 01 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena
    Mar 03 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
    Mar 04 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena*
    Mar 06 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
    Mar 08 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
    Mar 09 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
    Mar 11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum*
    Mar 13 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
    Mar 15 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
    Mar 16 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center*
    Mar 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
    Mar 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
    Mar 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
    Mar 22 – Glendale, AZ – Gila River Arena
    Mar 25 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
    Mar 28 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
    Mar 29 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
    Mar 30 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
    Apr 01 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
    Apr 03 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center*
    Apr 04 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
    Apr 05 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden*
    Apr 07 – Elmont, NY – UBS Arena*

    Apr 08 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
    Apr 10 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
    Apr 11 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena*
    Apr 14 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
    Apr 16 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha
    Apr 18 – Austin, TX – Moody Center*
    Apr 19 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
    Apr 23 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena*
    Apr 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Suns Arena*
    Apr 27 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center*
    Apr 30 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena*
    May 01 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
    Sept 10 – Helsinki, Finland – Hartwall Arena*
    Sep 13 – Stockholm, Sweden – Ericsson Globe
    Sep 15 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
    Sep 16 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena*
    Sep 18 – Oslo, Norway – Telenor Arena
    Sep 20 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena
    Sep 21 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
    Sep 23 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
    Sep 24 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
    Sep 26 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle*
    Sep 28 – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis
    Sep 29 – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis*
    Oct 01 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena*
    Oct 03 – Amsterdam, Holland – Ziggo Dome
    Oct 04 – Amsterdam, Holland – Ziggo Dome*
    Oct 06 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 07 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 08 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 10 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Arena
    Oct 11 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
    Oct 13 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena*
    Oct 15 – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
    Oct 16 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 18 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
    Oct 19 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
    Oct 20 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
    Oct 22 – Bordeaux, France – Arkea Arena*
    Oct 24 – Madrid, Spain – Wizink Center*
    Oct 25 – Lisbon, Portugal – Altice Arena*
    Oct 28 – Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi*
    Oct 29 – Montpellier, France – Sud de France Arena*
    Nov 01 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum*
    Nov 02 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion*
    Nov 04 – Budapest, Hungary – Budapest Arena*
    Nov 05 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena
    Nov 07 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena*
    Nov 10 – Mannheim, Germany – SAP Arena*
    Nov 12 – Lyon, France – Halle Tony Garnier*
    Nov 13 – Paris, France – Accor Arena*
    Nov 15 – Glasgow, Scotland – The SSE Hyrdro*
    Nov 16 – London, UK – The O2*

  • Black Suit Youth Release Acoustic Single, “Survivor’s Guilt”

    New York City based band, Black Suit Youth, released a new single off their upcoming album, The World Is Almost Over, due out this spring. The group began work on the album in late 2019 following the release of groups 2017 project False South. The 9-song LP navigates the harsh reality that the worst may be yet to come.

    Black Suit Youth

    “Survivor’s Guilt” is the second single off the bands upcoming new album. Bryan Maher, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, comments on the song’s meaning:

    It’s a song about two buddies of mine, Mark and Mike (who was Black Suit Youth’s original bassist). I miss Mark and Mike the most out all of those I’ve lost. The first verse is a reflection about Mark when we were teenagers, and the second verse is about Mike and I growing apart before his untimely death and the total shock of it.

    Bryan Maher, Guitar and Vocals

    Formed in 2005, NYC’s Black Suit Youth remain a relentless 4-piece outfit that blend elements of punk rock, classic rock, and indie rock. Two-thousand and ten saw the release of the LP, Meet Me in Death Valley, from which Black Suit Youth managed to secure opening gigs for Story of the Year, Alien Ant Farm, The Undead, and more.

    After a few DIY tours, the album was re-released on vinyl. In 2016, the band signed with 59 X Records and released 2017’s False South which saw the band take a new direction while maintaining their DIY punk rock ethos. Black Suit Youth is comprised of Bryan Maher (Vocals/Guitar), Fed Canalos (Guitar), Juan Orellana (Bass), and Ray Mazza (Drums).

  • Premiere: Sam Rappaport steps out with “Till the Morning Comes”

    East Williamsburg based singer/songwriter, Sam Rappaport, released his debut single today, “Till the Morning Comes.” The song is an intimate and emotional piano-driven ballad with a paced delivery that recalls Norah Jones and Randy Newman.

    sam rappaport

    For most of his life, Sam believed he was headed for a career in the NBA. But after a clarifying stint as a shooting guard on the Vassar College Men’s Basketball team, he decided to turn his aspirations toward his first love: music.

    I have to be honest–I was a mediocre D3 college basketball player. I held onto the NBA dreams as long as I could, but once I hit college it was pretty clear that those dreams were out of reach. Still, I spent the first three years of college thinking that I’d end up overseas playing in some Euro league. I remember finishing a practice my senior year, running to the bathroom, heaving all the liquid in my body into a trash can, and thinking–I don’t want to do this anymore. So I quit. And it was quite liberating, until I realized there was a great void in my life that I now had to fill.

    Sam cut his teeth as a keyboardist in Chicago, playing for two years with R&B singer Brandon James at venues across the city. At Brooklyn open mics, house parties and comedy shows, he started to gain his footing as a songwriter with the ability to pull from folk, rock, and soul to craft intimate, understated arrangements. 

    Rappaport is also a member of indie-rock band Gooseberry, and began writing “Till the Morning Comes” early in the pandemic, knowing that it would be geared for his solo work.

    I’ve been playing piano since I was five. It’s always been there. But frankly, I’ve never felt that I was good enough to put it front and center. I mean, I still don’t. There were a lot of mental blocks I had to find my way around before I was able to share the things I was writing.

    “Till the Morning Comes” is a song that I wrote toward the beginning of the pandemic. It just seems to flow better as a piano-driven ballad, as opposed to something that needs a drum kit, electric guitar, etc. I wanted to open an avenue to release solo material that might not fit with Gooseberry, which leans a little more toward indie-rock.

    With a style that reflects the aforementioned Jones and Newman, his song writing style is still in development. Rappaport teamed up with East Williamsburg based producer Lorenzo Wolff. A stripped down piano ballad soars into a second chorus with the help of ethereal synths and the twang of a lap steel. It is there that Sam’s knack for poignant storytelling and tasteful melodies is on full display.

    If I do have a songwriting style, I don’t know what it is. I’d rather others decide. I have, over the past year, spent a lot of time listening to Tom Waits and Randy Newman, and I’m sure those influences show up in “Till the Morning Comes.” I’m interested in storytelling, loneliness, intimacy, the sounds of an old upright piano–I hope some of that comes across in the song. I’m still finding my footing.

    The vocals, both melancholic and hopeful, float delicately above the instruments. “Till the Morning Comes” is a song that rises from the stillness of the night, yearning for some way to steel itself against the uncertainty of tomorrow. 

    For more from Sam Rappaport, visit his Bandcamp and Instagram.

  • Dynamic Duo Break Out the Crazy Drop Newest Single, “Fool For You”

    Singing-songwriting couple, Katya Diaz and Chris Hierro, combine artistic forces and sound to form Break Out the Crazy, their soulful band that prides itself on breaking genres and blurring the lines between them. The worldly couple is released their newest single, “Fool For You,” on January 29, a song that explores the theme of risking everything for love.

    break out the crazy

    Katya Diaz has a lengthy background of touring internationally, both a singing and dancing background, for artists such as Passion Pit, Beyoncé, Alejandro Sanz, and Thalia. She worked as a vocalist for Snarky Puppy‘s Family Dinner DVD in which she sang background for Lalah Hathaway’s Grammy-winning live performance of “Something.” For the past five years, she’s shifted her sights onto songwriting, even writing the national commercial for JC Penny’s 2015 spring campaign and getting to work alongside acclaimed writers Itaal Shur and Stewart Matthewman.

    Writing and producing Latin music from a young age, Chris Hierro has worked with many popular artists such as Leslie Grace, Eli Jas, and Prince Royce. He toured as a keyboardist and backup vocalist for some of Latin music’s most popular artists, including Jerry Rivera, Obie Bermudez, and Alejandro Sanz. One of his most noteworthy songwriting and producing achievements is reaching the #1 position of the Billboard Tropical Airplay Charts with the hit, “We Never Looking Back” featuring Toby Love.

    Together, the recently married duo has composed singles in multiple genres and themes, ranging from soulful love songs to tropical pop songs made to dance to. Their newest single, “Fool For You” is accompanied by a powerful and hypnotic music video showcasing the couple’s passion for both their music and each other.

  • Machine Gun Kelly makes Saturday Night Live debut

    For the first episode of 2021, Saturday Night Live welcomed host John Krasinski and musical guest Machine Gun Kelly.

    Atlanta-based artists Outkast and TLC received shout-outs during the ‘Blue Georgia’ sketch, and The Office theme song finally gained lyrics courtesy of John Krasinski.

    For his first song, Machine Gun Kelly sang “My Ex’s Best Friend” The punk-lite track recalled Sum 41’s performance on October 6, 2001, the second episode after 9/11. Kelly channeled Gen Z’s muffled rage, throwing his guitar into the crowd at the end of the song.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7APH5XeFc

    MGK performed “Lonely” for his second song, an emotional song about his father who passed away in July 2020. Both songs are from Machine Gun Kelly’s fifth album Tickets to My Downfall, released in September 2020.

    Uproxx notes how fitting the second song is, “not just because of what he shared about watching the show being a family affair, but because these emotions of loss, grief, and loneliness are pervasive right now during the coronavirus pandemic that has been plaguing the world since last year.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_djsCw1iS8

    To close the night, Machine Gun Kelly attempted to pick The Dirt co-star Pete Davidson, allowing hilarity to ensue.

  • Upcoming Indie Band Yo Kinky Release new single “Resistance,” video for “Wire”

    Alternative duo Yo Kinky is in its nascent stage, with members Tom Unish and Laura Wight meeting in early 2020. The duo immediately felt a musical bond, and started crafting songs together.

    Yo Kinky
    Laura Wight and Tom Unish of Yo Kinky

    Queens-based band Yo Kinky follows their first single “Somebody That I Used to Know,” with the second single, “Resistance.” The song is delicately created, yet exudes a confidence created by Tom Unish’s spaced-out guitar licks. The sonic landscape undulates with hypnotic layers of sound; the song yearns for the intimacy long lost by social isolation.

    Laura Wight sings “Love is all we breathe,” and “Swing me off my feet,” transporting the listener to a beautiful place where love is all-surrounding. “Resistance” is an ode to the sanity one has during this time by finding delight in the small things in life. 

    Resistance” follows their first single “Somebody That I Used to Know,” which, albeit its darker vocal passages, is playful, seductive and clever. It has received heavy play on WFMU’s radio station, as well as named as one of the best tracks of 2020 by Three Chord Monte. The band is beaming in their own path as they create and release more infectious music.

    Over 2020, Yo Kinky self-produced and are releasing their first, self-titled EP. This collection of songs addresses trust, communication, love, loneliness, freedom, identity, and expectation. The group combines drum machines and bright, buzzing synths and guitars that shimmer with reverb and delay.

    Yo Kinky’s music is reminiscent of Blondie, X, Mitksi, and Soccer Mommy, as they blend the pop and rock elements of indie into an incandescent artwork. When shows are possible again, Yo Kinky looks forward to playing locally, nationwide, and beyond.

    Yo Kinky’s debut EP is due out on February 26, 2021.

  • Chris Garneau Releases New Transparent Album The Kind

    New York City Indie singer, Chris Garneau, released his newest and vulnerable album titled The Kind, on The Orchard on Jan. 29.

    The Kind is Garneau’s fifth studio album and resonates with the themes present in his debut album Music For Tourists. This album was written and recorded during a rough time in his life when his father passed away. Garneau goes through the motions and expresses grief and transparency. It serves as a release of emotions and explores his relationship with his father, setting boundaries, growing into and accepting self, and resilience. With every song, you feel the authenticity in his lyrics and empathize with his journey. The Gay Times presented the record and acclaimed it as “beautifully haunting.”

    Along with Garneau’s candid lyrics was the production coming from versatile musician Patrick Higgins. Their creative collaboration thrived through patience and understanding. The album was carefully crafted and made with the intent of staying true. Higgins respected the time Garneau needed to tap into his most artistic self, leading to every song’s completion before entering the studio. His mellow instrumentals complemented the mood of the words in each track. The beats didn’t overpower the words, it helped bring them to life.

    Garneau announced that he’s playing a live-streamed release show in New York’s oldest theater, Hudson Hall Opera House, on Feb. 14. Higgins will join him and play the drums, bass, synth, and programming. They are performing the whole album onstage. The show will be airing at 3 p.m and tickets can be found on Dreamstage. 

    https://soundcloud.com/arcadianow/sets/the-kind-1/s-FOftkn3dws1

  • Let Love Reign with Flushing Town Hall’s Valentines Jazz Jam

    Jazz musicians from around the world will celebrate Valentine’s Day with Flushing Town Hall’s band leader Carol Sudhalter for a Virtual Jazz Jam.

    jazz jam

    Even though doors are closed to auditoriums everywhere, Flushing Town Hall will still perform this year with its popular Virtual Jazz Jam: Celebrating the Legacy of Louis Armstrong. Their dynamic online entertainment program FTH At Home! will have Let Love Reign on February 10th 2021 at 7:00PM (EST). Jazz musicians from New York City and around the world will play love songs and funny valentines that embrace the theme. 

    Flushing Town Hall at Home has been a resilient force in an environment in which live music cannot exist. Each month, musicians come together to play songs reflecting each month’s theme, showing the power of art and music even in this time. The February Jazz Jam will include 15 love songs, and participants are invited to jam or simply watch with their significant other, perhaps share champagne or heart-shaped chocolates as they watch from the comfort of their homes. 

    Since April 2020, Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Jazz Jam has brought thousands of people together, not only from new york but places such as Germany, Italy, and Australia where viewers watch the beautiful performances in the early hours. The number of viewers has surpassed the capacity of the in-person venue! 

    Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Jazz Jam is supported by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and has been led by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter. House band members include incredibly talented musicians such as Joe Vincent Tranchina, Scott Neumann, Joe Vincent Tranchina, and Eric Lemon, who pay tribute to the great Louis Armstrong, performing songs associated with the legendary trumpeter/vocalist each month of the year.

    Anyone who wishes to experience the monthly Jazz Jam is welcome to, free of cost, on February 10th, 2021 at 7:00PM EST. The links are here for Zoom and Facebook.

    To participate, email education@flushingtownhall.org and identify the three- to four-minute tune you intend to play. Only 15 musicians will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Jams are every second Wednesday of each month, and details can be found on the Flushing Town Hall website.

  • Elsewhere in Brooklyn Expands Horizons with New Show

    On Jan. 28, Elsewhere, an independent music venue in Brooklyn is airing a new live comedic and musical variety show called Elsewhere Sound Space on Twitch.

    Elsewhere Brooklyn
    Elsewhere Sound Stage Press Photo

    Along with many other venues, Elsewhere closed due to COVID-19. As a place founded on innovation, Elsewhere Studios in Brooklyn was made to allow their community to keep creating. The series is among Elsewhere’s attempts to keep live performances alive during this time. In November, the East Williamsburg venue created a Twitch channel, ElsewhereTv, which streams performances on some Wednesdays along with music sessions on Fridays and Saturdays from their venue.

    The show is based on a musical deity’s journey back to Earth after being trapped in space. Live from the Astral Spa and Sound Bath the host, trans comedian Peter Smith, has a goal to bring live music to the isolated citizens on Earth.

    Elsewhere Brooklyn
    Elsewhere Sound Stage Host Peter Smith Press Photo

    Each episode filled with comedic skits, out of this world performances, raw interviews and holistic wellness treatments, will air monthly. Elsewhere co-founder, Jake Rosenthal, says the new series “combines the spirit of Space Ghost with the liveness of an SNL musical performance.” Twitch’s API is bringing the visions to life through original 2D and 3D animations and face-tracked video effects. The virtual production software, Aximmetry, makes the tracked-camera performances possible. Elsewhere Sound Space receives its art direction from Dark Igloo and creative direction from Hard Work Party.

    Princess Nokia’s Elsewhere Sound Stage Press Photo

    Princess Nokia is the musical guest for the debut episode launching on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Musical guests from New York City’s underground music world are set to do live performances in upcoming episodes. Alternative artist Starchild & The New Romantic and rapper Paperboy Prince are the next two performers appearing on the show. Announcements of future performers are being made soon. Elsewhere Sound Space is airing every fourth Tuesday after its premiere on Thursday. 

  • Singer-Songwriter Mackenzie Shivers Shares “Martha’s Vineyard” from Upcoming Album

    Indie-folk singer Mackenzie Shivers releases her first single “Martha’s Vineyard” for her upcoming 2021 full-length release, Rejection Letters

    Singer, songwriter and pianist, Mackenzie Shivers, premiered her new dreamy video for her song “Martha’s Vineyard.” Her song radiates the intimate, eerie qualities of indie-folk, akin to Phoebe Bridgers. At the end of the song, a spoken-word verse adds mystery and edge to Shivers’ unique sound. The music video features a vignette of Shivers alone on a beach save her acoustic guitar, immersed the world of her music. 

    Mackenzie Shivers

    I’m not sure I ever learned healthy ways to express anger. But I’m learning now. I’m much more comfortable with sadness than I am with anger. I think that’s because female anger is so often met with shame and dismissal. That’s certainly been my experience, and it really started to hit home as I wrote this song.

    Mackenzie Shivers – “Martha’s Vineyard.”

    Shivers’ third full length album was borne out of the strange circumstances which we have all endured in 2020. She sought refuge in Cape Cod from her home in New York City. With an old family guitar gifted by her father, Shivers experimented with alternate tunings, thanks to Instagram live tutorials from folk artist Laura Marling. Since touring was an adventure left in another world, Shivers inadvertently wrote a collection of songs that became Rejection Letter

    Her newfound time for introspection led to topics she seldom discussed on past records. Female anger – questioning the contemporary world, trying to have a child and struggling to conceive color. This record is in a poignantly personal way. She hopes that her lyrics help those with grand uncertainties can listen to someone that feels the same. Shivers revels in her rebellion, embracing her fiery nature. 

    “I’m proud that I found a way to make this record during a very scary, chaotic, uncertain time. I wanted to make something that would give my listeners permission to get angry, to commiserate. My goal is always and ultimately to remind people they’re not alone,” says Shivers.

    I feel like this is me at my best and most complex to date. You get to see new sides of me through this music – a darker, moodier, sometimes angrier side. But it’s still whimsical. It still balances that dark with the light. 

    Mackenzie Shivers

    Prior to her upcoming third release, Mackenzie Shivers has released two full-length albums: 2014’s Neverland and 2019’s The Unkindness and three EPs titled Living in My Head (2016), Ravens (2017), and Midwinter (2019). She currently lives in New York City with her husband. 

    For more info visit Mackenzie Shivers’ website.