One of the best Grateful Dead tribute/cover bands out there today, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) has announced they’ll celebrate 10 years with a performance where it all began, at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on January 26. They’ll follow up that intimate show with a three-night weekend at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester January 27-29.
The band first performed on January 26, 2013, with a lineup of drummer Joe Russo, Ween’s bassist Dave Dreiwitz, keyboardist Marco Benevento, guitarist and vocalist Scott Metzger, and guitarist and vocalist Tom Hamilton. Part of Freaks Ball XIII, JRAD was pulled together after the Dean Ween Group pulled out, leading to Russo bringing together four musicians he had played with over the years, leading to the formation of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. Later that year, they played The Capitol Theatre on December 27, 2013, their second ever show.
JRAD have made their presence known from coast-to-coast, with shows at Red Rocks, festivals across the country, and regular appearances throughout New York State.
Tickets for JRAD’s 10th anniversary shows go on sale to the general public this Friday, October 7 at 10 a.m. ET. Presales takes place on Thursday with details available here.
Reba McEntire has 15 American Music awards, 3 Grammys, 16 ACM awards and more. She’s in the Country Music Hall of Fame and a member of the Hollywood Bowl; she’s been honored by the Kennedy Center and has the GMA Dove Award and much more — but she’s never played Madison Square Garden. But after a string of sold out shows on the fall leg of the REBA: Live In Concert Tour, Reba has decided to add 14 more dates for Spring of 2023, with special guests Terri Clark and The Issacs. The tour will conclude at MSG.
The “Fancy” singer will be joined by Canadian country legend Terri Clark and gospel family band The Isaacs. The tour will kick off on March 9 in Jacksonville, FL and two shows in New England scheduled for April before the MSG show.
Tickets for Reba McEntire‘s extended tour go on sale October 14 at 10 a.m., but fans can access the special fan ticket presale that opens October 4 if they register by 11:59 p.m. on October 3.
Reba McEntire REBA: LIVE IN CONCERT, 2023 Dates
March 9 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville, FL
March 10 Columbia, SC Colonial Life Arena
March 11 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
Depeche Mode, the influential English electronic duo of Martin Gore and Dave Gahan, will embark on their first tour in over five years, in support of the band’s forthcoming studio album, Memento Mori, due in Spring 2023. They’ll make one stop in the Empire State at Madison Square Garden on April 14, before heading over the Europe for four months of shows across the continent. Stella Rose & The Dead Language will join as support. Just announced – they’ll play later this year at MSG on October 28, with an additional performance at Barclays Arena on October 21.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020 inductees, Depeche Mode remains an ever-evolving and singularly influential musical force. An indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike, Depeche Mode continues to press on as the Memento Mori album and tour represents the opening of the newest chapter of a peerless and ongoing legacy.
We started work on this project early in the pandemic, and its themes were directly inspired by that time. After Fletch’s passing, we decided to continue as we’re sure this is what he would have wanted, and that has really given the project an extra level of meaning.
Martin Gore
Fletch would have loved this album. We’re really looking forward to sharing it with you soon, and we can’t wait to present it to you live at the shows next year.
Dave Gahan
Memento Mori (Latin for “remember that you must die”) will be Depeche Mode’s 15th studio album and the follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed Spirit. Memento Mori will be released worldwide in Spring 2023 via Columbia Records.
Opening Acts for Depeche Mode
Darkly poetic and industrial leaning, Stella Rose and her band The Dead Language have graced venues all over their native New York City and Brooklyn. With a confidence that belies the band’s relative newness, The Dead Language has quickly built a distinctive sonic and visual identity on the foundation of Stella Rose’s lyricism and stage presence. Myles Mullen completes The Dead Language’s assault on the senses, painting the stage with imagery that meshes with and reacts to the music, creating a visceral story for the audience. The result is utterly unique and new—while paying homage to the downtown NYC golden age(s) that gave us the Velvet Underground, Patti Smith, Blondie, and Warhol’s Factory. Stella Rose’s first two singles, “Muddled Man” and “Angel” were released in Fall 2022.
Wales-born London-bred musician and producer Kelly Lee Owens’ unique melding of electronic music’s coolness and warmth has built her an eclectic following of fans, critics, and fellow musicians including St. Vincent, Bjork, John Cale, and of course Depeche Mode. With vocals as confident and captivating as her beats, Owens has built a formidable solo discography that includes the albums Kelly Lee Owens, Inner Song, and her latest record LP.8, released in spring 2022 to unanimous critical praise, including Clash magazine’s lauding its “giant leap in her evolution as an artist, continuing to build on an ever-growing discography of limitless promise”
For further information on the tour routing and ticket on-sale dates, please go to depechemode.com.
Depeche Mode Memento Mori World Tour 2023
Memento Mori World Tour 2023 – Leg One
March 23 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
March 25 San Jose, CA SAP Center
March 28 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
March 30 Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena
April 2 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
April 5 Chicago, IL United Center
April 7 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
April 9 Quebec City, QC Videotron Centre
April 12 Montreal, QC Centre Bell
April 14 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
May 16 Amsterdam, NL Ziggo Dome
May 18 Amsterdam, NL Ziggo Dome
May 20 Antwerp, BE Sportpaleis Antwerpen
May 23 Stockholm, SE Friends Arena
May 26 Leipzig, DE Leipziger Festwiese
May 28 Bratislava, SK Národný Futbalový Štadión
May 31 Lyon, FR Groupama Stadium
June 2 Barcelona, ES Primavera Sound Festival
June 4 Dusseldorf, DE Merkur Spiel-Arena
June 6 Dusseldorf, DE Merkur Spiel-Arena
June 9 Madrid, ES Primavera Sound Festival
June 11 Bern, CH Stadion Wankdorf
June 14 Dublin, IE Malahide Castle
June 17 London, UK Twickenham Stadium
June 20 Munich, DE Olympiastadion
June 22 Lille, FR Stade Pierre Mauroy
June 24 Paris, FR Stade de France
June 27 Copenhagen, DK Parken
June 29 Frankfurt, DE Deutsche Bank Park
July 1 Frankfurt, DE Deutsche Bank Park
July 4 Bordeaux, FR Matmut Atlantique
July 7 Berlin, DE Olympiastadion
July 9 Berlin, DE Olympiastadion
July 12 Rome, IT Stadio Olympico
July 14 Milan, IT San Siro
July 16 Bologna, IT Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
July 21 Klagenfurt, AT Wörthersee Stadion
July 23 Zagreb, HR Arena Zagreb
July 26 Bucharest, RO Arena Națională
July 28 Budapest, HU Puskás Aréna
July 30 Prague, CZ Letňany Airport
August 2 Warsaw, PL PGE Narodowy
August 4 Krakow, PL Tauron Arena
August 6 Tallinn, EE Tallinna Lauluväljak
August 8 Helsinki, FI Kaisaniemen Puisto
August 11 Oslo, NO Telenor Arena
– New dates just added –
September 21 Mexico City, MX Foro Sol
September 29 Austin, TX Moody Center
October 1 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
October 4 Houston, TX Toyota Center
October 7 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
October 10 Orlando, FL Amway Center
October 12 Miami, FL Miami-Dade Arena
October 19 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
October 21 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
October 23 Washington, DC Capital One Arena
October 25 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
October 28 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
October 31 Boston, MA TD Garden
November 3 Montreal, QC Centre Bell
November 5 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
November 8 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
November 10 Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
November 13 Chicago, IL United Center
November 16 Denver, CO Ball Arena
November 18 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Arena
November 21 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place
November 24 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
November 26 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
November 28 Portland, OR MODA Center
December 1 Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena
December 3 San Francisco, CA Chase Center
December 6 San Diego, CA Pechanga Arena
December 10 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
December 15 Los Angeles, CA Crypto.com Arena
Kelly Lee Owens supports on all dates except * Stella Rose & The Dead Language
Toubab Krewe is making four stops in NYS this week, with a fifth stop next month. They will be hitting Buffalo, Albany, and Ithaca, with an appearance in Port Washington in November.
Toubab Krewe is an instrumental powerhouse from Asheville, NC that fuses west-African traditional music with elements of rock, jam, and Appalachian styles. Formed in 2005, the group is made up of Justin Perkins (Kora, Kamelngoni, guitar, percussion), Terrence Houston (drumset), Drew Heller (guitar, organ), Justin Kimmel (bass, keys), and Luke Quaranta (Djembe, Congas, Dundun, Sangban, Kinkini).
The group takes inspiration from African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab, and Salif Keita but remains true to themselves. They have also gone on many trips to learn more about African music, traveling to places like Guinea, the Ivory Coast, and Mali.
This short tour stops in numerous places in NYS. On October 4, they will stop at Buffalo Iron Works, a venue they have toured before. They will head to Albany on October 5, playing at Lark Hall. The next day they will go to Ithaca and play at Deep Dive. They’ll be in Brooklyn at Industry City on Saturday, October 8th. For tickets to the tour, go here.
In November and December, LCD Soundsystem will return to Brooklyn Steel for a month-long residency. “We’re not aware that we’re getting older and somehow think that 20 shows is a good idea,” said bandleader James Murphy in a social media announcement.
Murphy wearing a Halloween mask with the face of his friend/collaborator/former bandmate Steve Nebesney.
The band’s concert dates at the venue are as follows: Nov. 18-22, 26, 27, 29, 30, and Dec. 2-4, 6, 7, 9-11, 13, 14, 16, and 17. For Nov. 27, 29, and 30, only American Express card members can purchase tickets.
Amex card members will also get early access to tickets from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Thursday before the general sale starts the following morning at 10 a.m. Customers can also request “fan presale access” for the opportunity to purchase seats between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday.
The announcement also came with the single release of “New Body Rhumba,” the group’s first song in five years. The track was made for the Noah Baumbach movie “White Noise” which debuted on Netflix in August.
This fall, Secret Machines heads out their first US tour in 12 years, starting on September 24th in Asheville, NC and wrapping up with two nights at Brooklyn Steel over October 27-28. They’ll be joined by Metric for all 24 shows of the tour.
In 2007, co-founding guitarist Benjamin Curtis (who passed away from a rare form of lymphoma in 2013) left his brother Brandon and Secret Machines’ stellar drummer Josh Garza behind to focus on his new project School of Seven Bells. The saving grace of Benjamin’s departure from Secret Machines despite two buzz-worthy albums and years of electrifying live shows together, however, was guitarist Phil Karnats. A fellow Dallas native who played alongside Brandon and Benjamin in the psych-pop band Tripping Daisy, he wasted no time falling into place alongside Josh’s lead-footed rhythms and Brandon’s sinewy, rip-roaring hooks.
Secret Machines’ original label (the Frank Sinatra-founded Reprise Records) never quite got the group. Warner Brothers’ way of supporting the trio’s powerful sound in the four years between their breakout debut (2004’s Now Here is Nowhere) and the Secret Machines sessions wasn’t to try and wrap their heads around it. They’d rather boost the band’s studio budget until it burst and hope a hit would emerge from the ether.
That is until they heard Secret Machines’ third album. Reprise was so perplexed by the bold LP they immediately hit the brakes and refused to promote it. “One particular guy epitomized the vibe,” explains Brandon. “He was obviously unhappy with the record, but the way he communicated his feelings was so convoluted. He asked us to make changes, and as I expressed our willingness to discuss any ideas he may have, he just kept saying ‘no.’ I’m not sure what he was even saying ‘no’ to!”
“At that point,” adds Josh, “the writing was on the wall. They felt like they’d given us a chance and were really upfront. So we asked them to give us the album and they were like, ‘Sure, take the album; no harm, no foul.’”
Reprise’s eagerness to cut their ties from Secret Machines led to a rushed, ill-fated deal with World’s Fair Label Group. While it had already worked with such reputable artists and imprints as Rough Trade, Jarvis Cocker, and Daptone, the part-time PR company shuttered its own label right in the middle of a Canadian tour that was supposed to support the band’s self-titled record. A record it hadn’t bothered to officially release, mind you.
People didn’t even know the album was out. Things got really bad from there and started leaving a bad taste in our mouth. Our problem was never with the music, though; it was with the business itself.
Josh Garza
The good news about Secret Machines’ DOA status is that it’s finally being released as it was originally intended. Much like a long overdue director’s cut, it now features a dynamic sequence that makes far more sense in the long run than the original and boasts the added benefit of hindsight and a renewed sense of purpose within the group’s widescreen back catalog.
Rather than spark the record’s proceedings with the candy-laced chords and immediate hooks of “Atomic Heels,” the power trio now knocks our jowls back like a Maxwell ad with the jarring opening of “The Fire is Waiting.” It’s as if they’re daring us to step one foot closer, only to reward our patience with a subtle recorder pattern from glam-rock demigod Tony Visconti and a windswept, 11-minute sequence Phil rightfully describes as “like being swallowed up by an indomitable, mountainous wave, bated breath and an inevitable end.”
Bringing the record into full relief are crisp remastered recordings by Slowdive drummer Simon Scott, and tracks that have taken on a new life in 2022 — from the torn space-time continuum of “The Walls are Starting to Crack” to the simmering intro and gleaming, rigid groove of “Have I Run Out.”
Tickets are on sale on now and can be purchased here.
The Beacon Sloop Club will once again host an Annual Pumpkin Festival on Sunday, October 16th at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park in Beacon. The rain or shine event offers free admission to all and runs from Noon to 5pm.
The Beacon Pumpkin Festival features Hudson Valley pumpkins of all sizes & shapes, fresh homemade baked pumpkin pie, hot pumpkin soup, hot and cold apple cider and much more available for purchase.
You’ll also find many free children’s activities,many food and craft vendors, hula hooping, free sails on the Sloop Woody Guthrie and much more. Environmental non-profits will feature displays of local Hudson River history and the environment including information about their organization.
On two solar powered music stages (one just for the kids), much music is on tap at Beacon Pumpkin Festival, with performers including Betty and the Baby Boomers, The B2’s, Rick and Donna Nestler David & Jacob Bernz, The Judith Tulloch Band, Last Minute Soulmates, Spirit of Thunderheart, Beacon High School Chorus Singers, Beacon Songsmiths, Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle, Bindlestick Bill, Pat Jones & Laurie Siegel, The Neverly Brothers, and Lydia Adams Davis.
Pete and Toshi Seeger Park is located at 2 Red Flynn Drive in Beacon, right next to the Metro North Train Station.
The Beacon Sloop Club’s boat, the Woody Guthrie, will be taking guests on free sails from the Beacon Harbor, weather permitting. The public may sign up for an afternoon sail to relax and experience the beauty, power and grandeur of the Hudson. Sign up at the Beacon Sloop Club table starting at noon.
The Beacon Sloop Club is an all volunteer and non-profit organization. The Beacon Sloop Club’s Strawberry, Corn and Pumpkin Festivals raises money for the public sailing program on the Woody Guthrie and other environmental education programs. The Beacon Sloop Club meets the first Friday of each month at the clubhouse in Beacon for a potluck dinner, business meeting and live music. The clubhouse is located on the banks of the Hudson River near the Metro-North train station. Everyone is always welcome.
Happy Birthday to one of Harlem’s most influential public figures, A$AP Rocky. The Grammy nominee was born on October 3, 1988 and since has made his mark globally as a fashion icon, trendsetter as well as a versatile rapper. Before reaching double digits, he began rapping, however it was not until 2007 when Rocky’s professional career took off as a member of A$AP Mob. In the years to come, he cemented himself within the music and fashion industries forever.
In 2011, Rocky released his first mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP and from then on out, the sky was the limit. If people did not know of the talent within Rocky’s words and his delivery, then they knew from that very moment. His psychedelic album changed the game as he broke away from traditional New York rap. His hit songs “Peso” and “Purple Swag” had everyone talking about who Rocky is and wondering what’s next on his agenda.
In 2012, he made his first guest appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show, to reveal his talents to an ever-growing fanbase, where he performed his newly released top single “Goldie”. All within the same year, he extended his discography with another hit song, featuring the legendary Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar, on “F**kin’ Problems”. There was no surprise when both topped the charts and went platinum.
As his debut studio album, LONG.LIVE.A$AP dropped, Rocky, was accoladed with being an essential component of today’s rap game. On this album, he released the record “Fashion Killa”, which accentuated his capability to intertwine rap with fashion so effortlessly. His debut, along with his sophomore album AT. LONG. LASt. A$AP, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts.
Although Rocky stayed true to himself, he undoubtedly improved throughout the longevity of his career. Unlike others within the music industry, Rocky allocated his time to maintaining his status as a fashion muse, alongside his rapping career. In 2014 he appeared in the DKNY Spring campaign, as well as the Dior Homme’s fall campaign in 2016. Additionally, collaborations with Guess, Under Amour, J.W. Anderson, Calvin Klein and more revolutionized the way rappers, especially from New York were perceived. His cultural influence on the music and fashion industries were nothing less than monumental.
As for now, Rocky is cherishing a new beginning with his iconic girlfriend, legendary artist, businesswoman and creative genius, Rihanna, a description which only scratches the surface of how powerful she is. The two first collaborated together in 2012 on her single “Cockiness”, whereas he later joined her during Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. In Rocky’s hit song “Fashion Killa”, Rihanna was featured as the “It girl” and the rest was history. Today, Rocky welcomes his first child with whom he describes as the “love of my life.” He recently released his debut directional video called “D.M.B.” featuring Rihanna, which showcases “a ghetto love tale”.
Although Rocky is a new father, his career is from over. In fact, his upcoming album is almost ready to be introduced to the world, as he wraps up his visuals for it. Back in 2018, Rocky released his third studio album Testing, but now he has declared to be pushing himself to the limit with his latest masterpiece.
Going from that industrial, subversive sound from Testing and then graduating with a more polished sound…I just like where it is.
Asap Rocky
As a significant representative of this generation’s hip hop artists, his elevated style will always live on. His creative ability to synthesize rap history, while staying true to his own unique sound is what led him to the success he has today. Once again Happy Birthday to A$AP Rocky, and may his impact forever live on.
Saturday Night Live returned for Season 48 at Studio 8H of Rockefeller Center, bringing in four new SNL featured cast members, along with host Miles Teller and musical guest, Kendrick Lamar.
Opening with a deeply self-referential Manningcast sketch, featuring host Miles Teller as Peyton Manning and repertory player Andrew Dismukes as Eli Manning, the pair began to break down the upcoming changes to SNL this season, with a cameo from actor Jon Hamm as well. Referencing cast members who departed and facing criticism during a transition year head on, the breakdown of the cold open as the cold open was underway was a fresh idea for SNL and a bellwether for the season to come.
With a fresh SNL font and new cast intros segment, the start of Season 48 also marked the 20th season for Kenan Thompson, as well as the 20th season for the Grand Central Terminal set, each debuting during Season 29 in 2003. Teller, star of this summer’s Top Gun: Maverick, shared his excitement for making it to the SNL stage, having been a fan since he was a kid. Teller shared childhood videos of he and his sister as Spartan Cheerleaders – with Teller as Cheri Oteri and his sister as Will Ferrell. This is a trend seen among hosts recently as they celebrate making it the long transition from SNL fan to SNL host, such as Oscar Isaaclast season.
Miles Teller SNL monologue
For the first performance on the night, Kendrick Lamar performed two songs – “Rich Spirit” and “N95” – from his fourth album, Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers. Using a minimalist approach to the performance, Lamar performed alone in a blue-hued box room with a single pedestal fan facing him, while his shadow was prominently featured to his right. After a minute, the shadow began dancing as he shifted into the speedier “N95” with spotlight and strobes highlighting the solo artist confined to this white room, similar to his stage set up on his recently ended North American leg of his ‘Big Steppers” tour.
A stunning performance, text flashing on the white walls during “N95” included “Lil L got his passport,” “4 peez Kee riches,” “The homie Jason Keaton wrote two books in prison,” “The Edges Envy in the Eyes,” and “Yea we still playing industry politics.”
These referenced, respectively, Compton rapper and friend of Lamar, Lil L; 4 Peez who grew up on Piru Street, two streets down from the location of the Good kid Maad city house; rapper Kee Riches who was shot and killed last week; and Jason Keaton, who earned college degrees and wrote two books while incarcerated for 15 years, and who is also referenced in the 2009 K.Dot song “Jason Keaton and Uncle Bobby.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ursSZ0NCw
For his second performance, Kendrick was once again in a white box, this time with a bed, lamp, table and chair, where British rapper Sampha was rocking. Lamar dove in with Sampha joining in on “Early mornin’ wake ups, practicin’ on day-offs. Tough love, bottled up, no chaser, neat, no chaser.” Throughout the performance, the walls closed in on Kendrick and Sampha, as they rapped and reflected upon an upbringing with limited emotional outlets amid home invasions and daddy issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04qA4krEub8
Tonight also marked the fifth appearance on SNL for Kendrick Lamar, starting with his 2013 debut where he performed “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice,” then returned in 2014 to play “i” and “Pay For It” off To Pimp a Butterfly, alongside Jay Rock and Chantal Kreviazuk. Lamar has also joined other musicians on SNL, including Imagine Dragons on “Radioactive” in 2014 and Anderson .Paak in 2018 on “Tints”.
Closing out the night, Teller wore an NYU shirt, celebrating his roots at the NYU Tisch School of Arts where he received a BFA in Drama in 2009.
Not seen this evening was longtime cast member Cecily Strong, who is in Los Angeles performing in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life. Expect Strong to return to SNL in November.
Next week, SNL will be hosted by Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, star of The Banshees of Inisherin, with musical guest is Willow, daughter of Will Smith.
New York Public Radio will host its annual gala on Nov. 9 to honor Brooke Gladstone, the host of WNYC’s On The Media.
The evening will be hosted by comedian Samantha Bee, a former correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and the former host of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee who was named one of TIME’s Most Influential People in 2017.
Samantha Bee is hosting this year’s New York Public Radio Gala. (Photo credit: James Macari)
The event also includes Kronos Quartet as a musical guest, a Grammy-winning collective whose nearly 50-year history includes thousands of concerts, over 70 recordings, and over 1,000 works from composers worldwide. The night will take place at Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel.
Brook Gladstone, the host of WNYC’s On The Media. (Photo credit: Matthew Septimus)
Gladstone examines the worldly impact of media with On The Media, a weekly production. She started her career in public broadcast at National Public Radio in 1987 as senior editor of Scott Simon’s Weekend Edition, later working on the station’s flagship news program All Things Considered.
She joined WNYC in 2000 to host On The Media, and during her tenure, the program has won two Peabody awards, became the first national public radio show to be offered as a podcast, and now airs on 425 public radio stations.
Information regarding tickets and more can be found here.
