The Man in Black, a Johnny Cash tribute show, has announced a 17-date North American fall tour that includes three stops in New York State.
The nearly two-month tour begins Sept. 15 at the Strand Center for Arts in Plattsburgh, with later shows at the Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center in Chester on Oct. 6 and the Swyer Theater at the Egg in Albany on the 7.
Shawn Barker as Johnny Cash (photo credit: Ed Gregory)
Led by Shawn Barker’s portrayal of the American country icon, The Man In Black’s first show was performed in 2004 in a Niagara Falls casino. Since then, the show has seen over 1,000 performances in 12 different countries.
“With the recent passing of Cash and the biopic film Walk The Line having recently been released around then, our show delivered a new outlook into Johnny Cash’s music and career that people really seemed to want to see,” said Barker of the show’s success early on.
The Man in Black features Barker in character during the entire show, portraying each stage of Johnny Cash’s life and career. Performance of Cash hits such as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Hurt” include a full backing band.
Information regarding tickets and more can be found on The Man In Black website.
Snippet video of the show in promotion of a 2019 performance.
Thu. September 15 Strand Theatre for the Arts Plattsburgh, NY
Fri. September 16 The Cabot Beverly, MA
Sat. September 17 The Flying Monkey Plymouth, NH
Thu. October 6 Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center Chester, NY
Fri. October 7 Swyer Theater at the Egg Albany, NY
Sat. October 8 Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, CT
Sun. October 9 Beacon Theatre Hopewell, VA
Wed. October 12 Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD
Thu. October 13 Birchmere Alexandria, VA
Fri. October 14 Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre Red Bank, NJ
at the Count Basie Center for the Arts
Sat. October 15 Keswick Theatre Glenside, PA
Sun. October 16 American Music Theatre Lancaster, PA
Wed. October 19 Carnegie of Homestead Munhall, PA
Fri. October 21 Pabst Theatre Milwaukee, WI
Sat. October 22 Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Prior Lake, MN
Mike Doughty announced his first solo tour in two years, as well as an exclusive Brooklyn residency with his band, Ghost of Vroom at Union Pool in Nov.
Photo Credit: Jamie Harmon
Mike Doughty hasn’t had a solo show in over two years because of the pandemic. He is known for his over two-decade career full of solo work, and his band Ghost of Vroom, which he created with his longtime musical collaborator, bassist Andrew “Scrap” Livingston. They have two albums, praised by American Songwriter for their “urgency and relevance…a beyond-perfect union, centered around a solid rhythm section, that elaborates on the hip-hop influences Doughty picked up as a young kid when he had just moved to New York in the late eighties.”
They change their sound up a lot, mashing up weird jazz, psychedelic trances, and Doughty’s blend of his signature art pop. The band will be having a residency in Brooklyn at Union Pool, every Sunday in Nov., starting the 6, with Doughty doing a set of his solo music. Surprise guests will be announced soon, some including Billy Martin (Medeski Martin & Wood), Michael Wilbur (Moon Hooch), and Jamie Saft (John Zorn, Wadada Leo Smith).
For more information and to buy tickets to Mike Doughty’s tour and Brooklyn residency, go here.
After a 2 year hiatus due to COVID, Afropunk made its return home to Brooklyn at Commodore Barry Park. The long-awaited festival took place the weekend of Sept. 10-11 and featured headliners The Roots and Burna Boy. Keeping up with the times, the entire festival was live-streamed on Twitch for the entire weekend.
Ebonee Davis at Afropunk 2022
The festival originated in Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2005. It was a free festival aimed at making a safe space for young black punks to be properly represented. As the festival grew bigger, the focus shifted from youth interested in punk to a wider array of music genres to grow a bigger audience. Today Afropunk is more than just a music festival. It is considered a celebration of black culture and art.
There is a common stigma that black culture is monolithic. It is often that black artists who do not make traditional rap or R&B are still categorized in these genres or they may not even get a chance to have work played on mainstream radio. Afropunk offers the opportunity for artists who do not fit the norm to have a platform to display their work for what it is to members of their own community.
But Afropunk is more than just music. When you entered the gates, you walked right into markets set up on either side of the park. Both markets featured local art, fashion, and beauty services, mostly from black-owned businesses. There were also food vendors that offered many vegan and vegetarian options to accommodate all types of diets. There were 2 stages; the red stage was set up in the corner of the park, and the green stage was towards the back of the park. Behind the green stage, in a separate part of the park, featured what was called a “Wellness Village.” Services such as massages, yoga, meditation sessions, and djembe drum lessons were offered to festival goers.
A Hot Start for a Highly Anticipated Return
Saturday started off hot, but the outfits were even hotter. Going with the theme of Afro-centrism, fans came in stunting with their best Afro-centric inspired outfits. Many were homemade or altered articles of clothing that made every look unique. Fans traveled from all over the country to experience the festival.
The Red Stage featured a fashion show from Lavntg and an energetic performance from Rodney Chrome. Rodney Chrome had his mother in attendance and gave her a shout-out while performing. Chrome discussed with fans his struggles growing up as LGBTQ in Little Rock, AR.
Freedie Gibbs at Afropunk 2022
The Red Stage was headlined by Freedie Gibbs who started his set about an hour late. With the ongoing tension between police and the black community, he had fans release that frustration by screaming “f-ck the police.” Gibbs’ DJ also played memes from Dr. Umar during the set that helped to break the tension from the crowd.
Doechii Lives up to the Hype
Bodies were moving all day on the Green Stage. Doechii delivered a highly anticipated and widely energetic performance. As part of this year’s XXL Freshman class, Doechii has a lot to live up to as one of this year’s up-and-coming rappers.
Doechii at Afropunk 2022
There was no moment when Doechii was not moving during her performance. Her set started out by cleansing the stage of bad energy by burning sage. Only good vibes were shared from there on out between Doechii and her beloved fans. She evokes confidence from her fans and her audience. It was undeniable that Doechii and her dancers had full control of the crowd for those 45 minutes she was up there.
Her alternative rap style fused with a well-choreographed dance sequence made her one of the more memorable artists that took the stage on Saturday. Doechii also did take a moment to pay tribute to her mother by bringing her on stage. Doechii would come back later to perform a song with Isaiah Rashaad during his performance.
The Roots Solidify a Strong End to Day 1
The Roots closed out Saturday on the Green stage with an exhilarating performance. They played for at least an hour and a half and took no breaks. The band moved very fluently together and had smooth transitions between songs that made it feel as though you were listening to one song the whole time. The band’s unique rap style infused with jazz had the crowd grooving for the rest of the night.
The Roots lead vocalists, Black Thought, performing at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022The roots drummer, Quest Love, performing at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022
Sunday was wet and muddy as it rained all day. The drastic weather change from the previous day did not stop people from showing up in droves. The theme shifted from mostly rap and R&B artists to alternative rock, rage rap, and afrobeat. On display were alternative forms of Afro-centric music that typically wouldn’t be heard on mainstream radio.
Kaleta and Super Yamba Band bring Afro-funk to Afropunk
The band centered around Afrobeat brought a little more than that to the Afropunk stage. Drawing inspiration from small bands in Nigeria and Ghana to large American music pioneers such as Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and The Who, the band offered listeners a unique version of Afrobeat all sung in the native language of Benin. Listening to their music, references to Afrofunk, American funk, and jazz could be heard.
Kaleta and Super Yamba Band at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022
Kaleta has studied behind the pioneer behind Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, and toured with him throughout the 80s and 90s before coming over to America. In Brooklyn was where Kaleta united with the Super Yamba band. They released their debut album, Mèdaho, in 2019. They were playing their album across America and soon were going to start a European tour before the pandemic canceled everyone’s plans. They were not able to play together for 15 months.
Sean Smith of the Yamba Band performing at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022
Though Afropunk was not their first time playing together since quarantine, it was special playing on such a big stage in the place where they got their start. With such a unique blend of styles of music, Yamba Band Drummer, Daniel Yount, described their set as “bringing the Afrofunk to Afropunk.” From the James Brown-like grunts to the psychedelic guitar, to the Afrobeat of the drums, it is hard to really just put this band in just one category.
They have a tour coming up starting in October that kicks off in Pittsboro, NC.
Ambré Brings Light to a Dark Day
The Grammy awarding winning artist Ambré took the Red stage on Sunday and showed the crowd that there was still fun to be had despite the rainy day. The New Orleans Native described her performance at Afropunk “as one of the best shows I’ve ever done.”
“The energy in the crowd was amazing. Everyone still had fun despite the rain.”
Ambré
While on stage Ambré brought out her entourage who sprayed bubbles all over the stage. Her light and airy voice coupled with the bubbles floating around the stage lifted the spirits of her fans who probably were not expecting to be drenched all day. Ambré energy and charisma faired well in getting her fans to sing “I’m Baby” with her.
Ambré at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022
Ambré has a pretty impressive track record thus far in her career. Not only does she have a Grammy, but has had the chance to work with other artists including Khelani, 6LACK, and H.E.R. She continues to grow and learns from every show she does, offering something different at every show she performs. Ambré plans to release more music soon and put together her own tour.
Fans Hold their Breath Before the End of Afropunk
Afropunk closed out with headliner Burna Boy. He showed up half an hour late to his set, but fans waited patiently and anxiously in the rain for his performance. There was no announcement about him running late, but instead, his absence was filled by a word from Afropunk’s founder.
Burna Boy did not disappoint as the crowd sang “Last Last” with him in the pouring rain. He played for about 10 mins past the scheduled set time. With the way the crowd was singing, it felt as if you were walking into a summertime block party.
Afropunk’s long-awaited homecoming was worth the wait. It was built on the idea of highlighting artists who may not fit the norm for black music. This year continued the tradition of not only giving musical artists a platform but all kinds of black artists a chance to display to their community that black culture is not monolithic. Afropunk’s next installment moves to Bahia, Brasil for the weekend of Nov. 26 and 27.
Adekunle Gold at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Ambré at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Ambré at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Bartees Strange at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022BbyMutha at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Doechii at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Doechii at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Doechii at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Earl Sweatshirt at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Freedie Gibbs at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Isaiah Rashad at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Jany Green at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Lavntg Fashion Show at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Ebonee Davis at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Kah Lo at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Lucky Daye at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Mick Jenkins at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Pawpaw Rod at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Rodney Chrome at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022The Roots Drummer, Quest Love, at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022The Roots lead vocals, Black Thought, at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022The Roots at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Tierra Whack at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Sean Smith of the Super Yamba Band performing at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022Kaleta and the Super Yamba Band at Afropunk Brooklyn 2022
The inaugural Ramble Festival at Camp Ramblewood in Darlington, MD has announced its lineup, featuring the best in jam, grass, and brass performing on three stages from Oct. 7-9.
The community-centric music festival is located about an hour from Baltimore and Philadelphia, about two hours from Washington DC, and about 3 hours from New York. Camp Ramblewood is nestled on more than 200 acres in Harford County, MD.
The Ramble Festival is born out of the idea that sharing the unique experience of live music with others is a powerful and unifying force that brings people from all walks of life together and builds community. We believe that live music is one of the most compelling catalysts to building meaningful connections with others, and that’s exactly what we are doing at The Ramble. Oh, and the lineup is killer too.
festival co-founders Brandon “Brick” Lohr and Jason “J” Hubert.
The three-day festival features a lineup of high-energy jam bands. On Oct. 7, the lineup features Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring The Hillbenders. Williams’ band is inspired by the Grateful Dead, and his impact on the Upstate New York groove scene is large, often cited as the “one-man-jam-band.” Other bands on the lineup that day include Big Something, Abby Bryant & The Echoes, and Annie Sellick & Pat Bergeson.
The second-day features Dogs in a Pile, Fishing for Hippies, Naptown Brass Band, and more. The third day features The Travelin’ McCourys and Pink Talking Fish along with more bands. The Travelin’ McCourys became the only group to have each member recognized with an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for their instrument at least once. Pink Talking Fish is a fusion tribute band that plays Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish.
The Ramble Festival is happening from Oct. 7-9 at Camp Ramblewood, and weekend and single-day tickets are on sale now.
The Irish Arts Center (IAC) will host a weeklong residency for Pillow Queens, an all-female Irish indie rock band from September 13 to 17.
A NYC-based institute dedicated to Irish & Irish-American art/culture, the IAC’s showcase includes a film presentation, a literary event and two nights of performance by the band.
Tuesday the 13th offers a presentation of “You Are Not My Mother,” the debut film of writer-director Katie Dolan. Her previous work includes music videos for Pillow Queens tracks “Holy Show,” “Brothers,” and “Gay Girls.”
The 14th showcases a conversation around “This Woman’s Work: Essays on Music,” a collection edited by writer Sinéad Gleeson and musician Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth fame. Gleeson will be joined in discussion by fellow writers Leslie Jameson and Jenn Pelly with Sarah Corcoran of Pillow Queens moderating.
Concluding the residency on the 16th and 17th will be two concert performances featuring special guests SOAK, a Mercury Prize nominated singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland, and Toronto-based indie rock artist Deanna Petcoff.
Having formed in 2016, Pillow Queens have performed with the likes IDLES and Pussy Riot. They have two studio albums to their name and also appeared on CBS’ The Late Late Show in 2021.
Information on tickets and more regarding the Pillow Queens residency at the Irish Arts Center can be found on the institute’s website.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts on Thursday, September 15th, the UAlbany Performing Arts Center presents Flamenco Rhythms. The show will be held on Wednesday, September 28th, at 7:30pm on the UAlbany campus located at 1400 Washington Avenue. The program features virtuoso guitarist Maria Zemantauski, percussionist Brian Melick, and dancer La Nina.
Guitarist and composer Maria Zemantauski is one of the world’s few heralded female flamenco-style guitarists and one of even fewer female flamenco composers. She is a nylon-string guitarist and composer whose style is influenced by a variety of musical genres, most notably, Spanish classical and flamenco.
She has performed Flamenco Rhythms in Spain, Italy and across the continental United States to great acclaim. By embracing the classical and traditional flamenco repertoire for her foundation, she takes her audience on a musical journey inspired by her flair for experimentation and pure love of the instrument. Zemantauski’s relationship with the UAlbany Performing Arts Center goes back to 2012 when she was involved in the first residency by NYC-based Flamenco Vivo at the venue.
Musician, educator, author and designer Brian Melick has been professionally involved in music since the early age of 13. He is a featured recording artist on over 400 commercially released recordings on independent as well as major labels in addition to his seven solo projects. Melick is a highly active drummer performing locally as well as around the United States and Canada.
Lastly, La Nina is a native of Colombia who studied flamenco in Spain at the Academia de Flamenco de Mariquilla and in New York City with master teachers Jose Molina, Jorge Navarro and Mariano Parra.
Admission to the Flamenco Rhythms performance is free. No reservations or tickets are required. For further information, contact the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s main office at (518) 442-3995 or click the link here.
Warren Haynes, Don Was and Jamey Johnson will reunite this November for The Last Waltz 2022 Tour, a live celebratory tour that pays homage to The Band’s 1976 farewell concert. The 13-show tour will see these three artists, along with an all-star lineup, to recreate moments from Martin Scorsese’s 1978 film The Last Waltz.
The concert event is presented by Robbie Robertson, his son Sebastian, and Keith Wortman of Blackbirds Presents. The aforementioned all-star lineup joining Haynes, Was, and Johnson includes Anders Osborne, Kathleen Edwards, Dave Malone, John Medeski, Cyril Neville, Terrence Higgins, Bob Margolin, Mark Mullins, along with the Levee Horns, who will play the original arrangements of the late Allen Toussaint.
The tour kicks off with two nights at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on November 3 and 4, then head up I-87 to Schenectady for a performance at Proctors Theatre. After a stop at The Met in Philadelphia, the tour heads to Huntington, Long Island for a show at The Paramount. The tour will conclude with a performance at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida on November 20.
Tickets go on sale here Friday, September 16 at 10 am ET.
The Last Waltz Tour 2022 Nov. 3 & 4 — Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre Nov. 5 — Schenectady, NY @ Proctors Theatre Nov. 6 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia Nov. 8 — Long Island, NY @ The Paramount Nov. 9 — Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre Nov. 11 — Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre Nov. 12 — Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre Nov. 13 — Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater Nov. 15 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy Nov. 17 — Pompano Beach, FL @ Pompano Beach Amphitheater Nov. 18 — St. Augustine, FL @ The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Nov. 20 — St. Petersburg, FL @ Mahaffey Theater
This theatrical chamber concert will feature a string quartet Cuartetango, comprised of two violins, a viola, a cello, and dancers and the bandoneon. A Q&A with the artists will follow the performance. The event is free for all those who attend, but register for it here.
Led by Artistic Director Leonardo Suarez Paz, Cuartetango is one of the only quartets of its kind to perform Nuevo Tango, a musical style that infuses elements of Jazz and Classical music with traditional Tango music.
Cuartetango will offer attendees the unique experience to hear Nuevo Tango, a style that may sound familiar to many but in a new way. Nuevo Tango was created in New York City and I am very excited to present this music at the Four Freedoms State Park underneath the beautiful backdrop of the city Nuevo Tango calls home.
Leonardo Suarez Paz
Leonardo Suarez Paz has been hailed as the “torchbearer of Argentine Tango and the legacy of its greatest composer, Astor Piazzolla” (All About Jazz, UK). He creates across cultures and genres, continuing a family legacy of over 100 years. At age 16 he became the youngest member of the Orquesta Estable del Teatro Colon, and his work as a soloist includes the most distinguished tango orchestras.
The production features songs from Cuartetango’s two-time Latin Grammy nominated album Masters of Bandoneon. Performers include director, violinist, vocalist and dancer Leonardo Suarez Paz; violinist Omar Falcon; violaist Ron Lawrence; cellist Danny Miller; bandoneonist Rodolfo Zanetti; and dancers Olga Suarez Paz, Carolina aurena and Juan de Argentina.
The Cuartetango Music & Dance event is on Sept. 18 at 4:00 P.M. within “The Room” at 1 FDR Four Freedoms State Park, Roosevelt Island, and is free for everyone attending.
This September, Glenn Tilbrook of the critically lauded and much beloved 80s band Squeeze will embark on his first solo tour of the U.S. in years. While in New York, he’ll perform on September 15th at City Winery Hudson Valley, the beautifully restored factory on the Wallkill river in Montgomery.
Glenn Martin Tilbrook is the lead singer and guitarist of the English band Squeeze, a band formed in the mid-1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade’s end. Tilbrook has earned his place at pop’s top table as one of our most cherished singers, guitarists, and songwriters. Not to mention, an in-demand and endlessly endearing live performer.
Squeeze made their recording bow with the Packet Of Three EP in 1977. Those three tracks led to such Tilbrook written pop classics as “Tempted,” “Take Me I’m Yours,” “Pulling Mussels From A Shell,” “Up The Junction,” and “Black Coffee In Bed,” not to mention landmark albums like Argybargy, East Side Story and Some Fantastic Place.
When the band went on pause in 1998 Glenn embarked on a solo career that spawned the albums, The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook (2001) and Transatlantic Ping-Pong (2004). Thus, showcasing an ever-maturing songwriting talent (his first major works) without the input of lyricist Difford.
Tilbrook then formed his new band, The Fluffers, who recorded Pandemonium Ensues (2009). Armed with ready wit, raucous vibes, and a shedload of grin-inducing great songs, there are few musicians able to connect with their audience on such an immediate and warm level.
The show will be located at City Winery Hudson Valley on the outskirts of the small village of Montgomery. The venue has a lovely atmosphere in an historic and beautifully restored factory on the river. Wooden beams, antiques, wine casks and everything is spotlessly clean. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Wallkill River, with good drinks and vibes, enjoy a great performance by Glenn Tilbrook.
Post Malone and Dre London announced that after select tour dates of Malone’s Twelve Carat Tour there will be after parties featuring multiple special guests in some of the hottest cities in North America, including two nights at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC on Oct. 12 and 13.
Post Malone is one of the most successful pop stars of the last decade with 66 entries in the Billboard Hot 100 — including 11 top 10 hits — and is a 9-time Grammy nominee. Malone is from Syracuse and lived in the state until he was ten when he moved to Texas.
In 2019, he became the youngest artist in history to have a total of three diamond-certified singles with the records “Congratulations,” “Rockstar” and “Sunflower” reaching ten million sales. His brand new album Twelve Carat Toothache was released on June, 3 and debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200.
Post Malone and Dre London have a close relationship, as London is Malone’s manager. The Twelve Carat tour started on Sept. 10 in Omaha, NE, and has been described as emotionally driven, with high energy and a stadium full of fans excited to see Malone. The after-parties happening in select cities are on sale now, and guests must be 21+ to attend, except in Canada where events are 19+ to attend.
Post Malone After Party Dates
Sun Sep 11 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Wed Sep 14 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
Thu Sep 15 – Milwaukee, WI – Potawatomi Club
Tue Sep 20 – Toronto, ON – Private Event
Fri Sep 23 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live
Sat Sep 24 – Boston, MA – The Grand
Wed Sep 28 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
Tue Oct 04 – Washington, DC – Soundcheck
Wed Oct 12 – New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre
Thu Oct 13 – New York, NY –The Gramercy Theatre
Sun Oct 16 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
Tue Oct 18 – Atlanta, GA – District Atlanta
Fri Oct 21 – Dallas, TX – HOB – Dallas Foundation Room
Sat Oct 22 – Austin, TX – Don Londres x HWood Official F1 Party*
