Grammy award winner and music Icon Barry Manilow has just announced a special six show arena tour, Manilow: Hits 2022. Manilow’s tour is taking place this August with special guest David Koz.
Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, Barry Manilow is one of the world’s all-time bestselling recording artists. Some of his hit recordings include “Could It Be Magic,” “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Copacabana.”
The show will be located at the UBS Arena at Belmont Park, a place located in Queens that was made for music and built for hockey. The $1.1 billion multi-purpose, state of the art arena opened in November 2021 and has welcomed top artists including Harry Styles, Sebastian Maniscalco, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Genesis and TWICE.
He’s had an astonishing 50 Top 40 singles including 12 #1s and 27 Top 10 hits. Manilow is ranked as the #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all-time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines. Growing up in a lower-class neighborhood in Brooklyn, Barry made a name for himself. His abilities made him a famous American pop singer and songwriter who specialized in elaborately orchestrated romantic ballads. Thus, winning him a wide audience in the 1970s.
MANILOW: HITS 2022 TOUR DATES:
Thu Aug 04 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Fri Aug 05 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Sat Aug 06 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
Fri Aug 12 – Allentown, PA – PPL Center
Sat Aug 13 – Providence, RI – Dunkin’ Donuts Center
Sun Aug 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Tickets go on sale starting Friday, May 13th at 11AM on Ticketmaster. For more information and to buy tickets, click the link here.
Host James Corden during the opening number of the 2019 Tony Awards.
The 2022 Tony Awards will mark 75 years for the award ceremony, which are bestowed upon theatre professionals for high achievements. It is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and one of the most prestigious award ceremonies on television.
Legitimate theatrical productions taking place in any of the 41 eligible Broadway productions, and the Tony Awards will be voted in 26 competitive categories by 650 designated Tony voters within the theatre community.
Nominations for the 2022 Tony Awards
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing
Best Book of a Musical
Girl From The North Country
Conor McPherson
MJ
Lynn Nottage
Mr. Saturday Night
Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel
Paradise Square
Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas & Larry Kirwan
A Strange Loop
Michael R. Jackson
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Flying Over Sunset
Music: Tom Kitt Lyrics: Michael Korie
Mr. Saturday Night
Music: Jason Robert Brown Lyrics: Amanda Green
Paradise Square
Music: Jason Howland Lyrics: Nathan Tysen & Masi Asare
SIX: The Musical
Music and Lyrics: Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss
A Strange Loop
Music & Lyrics: Michael R. Jackson
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy Adam Godley, The Lehman Trilogy Adrian Lester, The Lehman Trilogy David Morse, How I Learned to Drive Sam Rockwell, American Buffalo Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Lackawanna Blues David Threlfall, Hangmen
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Gabby Beans, The Skin of Our Teeth LaChanze, Trouble in Mind Ruth Negga, Macbeth Deirdre O’Connell, Dana H. Mary-Louise Parker, How I Learned to Drive
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Billy Crystal, Mr. Saturday Night Myles Frost, MJ Hugh Jackman, The Music Man Rob McClure, Mrs. Doubtfire Jaquel Spivey, A Strange Loop
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Sharon D Clarke, Caroline, or Change Carmen Cusack, Flying Over Sunset Sutton Foster, The Music Man Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square Mare Winningham, Girl From The North Country
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Alfie Allen, Hangmen Chuck Cooper, Trouble in Mind Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Take Me Out Ron Cephas Jones, Clyde’s Michael Oberholtzer, Take Me Out Jesse Williams, Take Me Out
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Uzo Aduba, Clyde’s Rachel Dratch, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Kenita R. Miller, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Phylicia Rashad, Skeleton Crew Julie White, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Kara Young, Clyde’s
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Matt Doyle, Company Sidney DuPont, Paradise Square Jared Grimes, Funny Girl John-Andrew Morrison, A Strange Loop A.J. Shively, Paradise Square
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Jeannette Bayardelle, Girl From The North Country Shoshana Bean, Mr. Saturday Night Jayne Houdyshell, The Music Man L Morgan Lee, A Strange Loop Patti LuPone, Company Jennifer Simard, Company
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Beowulf Boritt, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong, Skeleton Crew Es Devlin, The Lehman Trilogy Anna Fleischle, Hangmen Scott Pask, American Buffalo Adam Rigg, The Skin of Our Teeth
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt and 59 Productions, Flying Over Sunset Bunny Christie, Company Arnulfo Maldonado, A Strange Loop Derek McLane and Peter Nigrini, MJ Allen Moyer, Paradise Square
Best Costume Design of a Play
Montana Levi Blanco, The Skin of Our Teeth Sarafina Bush, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Emilio Sosa, Trouble in Mind Jane Greenwood, Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite Jennifer Moeller, Clyde’s
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Fly Davis, Caroline, or Change Toni-Leslie James, Paradise Square William Ivey Long, Diana, The Musical Santo Loquasto, The Music Man Gabriella Slade, SIX: The Musical Paul Tazewell, MJ
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Joshua Carr, Hangmen Jiyoun Chang, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Jon Clark, The Lehman Trilogy Jane Cox, Macbeth Yi Zhao, The Skin of Our Teeth
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Neil Austin, Company Tim Deiling, SIX: The Musical Donald Holder, Paradise Square Natasha Katz, MJ Bradley King, Flying Over Sunset Jen Schriever, A Strange Loop
Best Sound Design of a Play
Justin Ellington, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Mikhail Fiksel, Dana H. Palmer Hefferan, The Skin of Our Teeth Nick Powell and Dominic Bilkey, The Lehman Trilogy Mikaal Sulaiman, Macbeth
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Simon Baker, Girl From The North Country Paul Gatehouse, SIX: The Musical Ian Dickinson for Autograph, Company Drew Levy, A Strange Loop Gareth Owen, MJ
Best Direction of a Play
Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin of Our Teeth Camille A. Brown, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy Neil Pepe, American Buffalo Les Waters, Dana H.
Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Brackett, A Strange Loop Marianne Elliott, Company Conor McPherson, Girl From The North Country Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage, SIX: The Musical Christopher Wheeldon, MJ
Best Choreography
Camille A. Brown, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Warren Carlyle, The Music Man Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, SIX: The Musical Bill T. Jones, Paradise Square Christopher Wheeldon, MJ
Best Orchestrations
David Cullen, Company Tom Curran, SIX: The Musical Simon Hale, Girl From The North Country Jason Michael Webb and David Holcenberg, MJ Charlie Rosen, A Strange Loop
Author: Martin McDonagh Producers: Robert Fox, Jean Doumanian, Elizabeth I. McCann, Craig Balsam, Atlantic Theater Company, Jon B. Platt, Len Blavatnik, Richard Fishman, John Gore Organization, Stephanie P. McClelland, David Mirvish, The Shubert Organization, Jamie deRoy/Sandy Robertson, Patrick Myles/Alexander ‘Sandy’ Marshall, M. Kilburg Reedy/Excelsior Entertainment, Playful Productions, The Royal Court Theatre
The Lehman Trilogy
Author: Stefano Massini, Ben Power Producers: National Theatre, Neal Street Productions, Barry Diller, David Geffen, Kash Bennett, Lisa Burger, Caro Newling, Ambassador Theatre Group, Stephanie P. McClelland, Annapurna Theatre, Delman Whitney, Craig Balsam/Heni Koenigsberg/John Yonover, Fiery Angel/Seth A. Goldstein, Starry Night Entertainment, Gavin Kalin Productions, Paul & Selina Burdell/Bill Damaschke, 42nd.club/Phil & Claire Kenny, CatWenJam Productions, Amanda Dubois, Glass Half Full Productions, Dede Harris/Linda B. Rubin, Kallish Weinstein Creative, Kors Le Pere Theatricals LLC, James L. Nederlander, No Guarantees, Mark Pigott KBE, KStJ, Playing Field, Catherine Schreiber/Adam Zell, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Richard Winkler/Alan Shorr/Dawn Smalberg, The Shubert Organization, Independent Presenters Network, John Gore Organization, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Jillian Robbins
The Minutes
Author: Tracy Letts Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Rebecca Gold, Carl Moellenberg, Spencer Ross, Louise Gund, Elizabeth Armstrong, Blakeman Entertainment, HornosBerger, Across the River Productions, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley/Leah Lane, Jayne Baron Sherman, Kathleen K. Johnson, Emily Dobbs, Robert Flicker, Jacob Soroken Porter, The Shubert Organization, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Skeleton Crew
Author: Dominique Morisseau Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove
Best Musical
Girl From The North Country
Producers: Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Steven Lappin, Sony Music Entertainment/Sony ATV, David Mirvish, Len Blavatnik, The Dodgers, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Dianne Roberts, John Gore Organization, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Tommy Mottola, Independent Presenters Network, Rod Kaats, Diana DiMenna, Mary Beth O’Connor, Barbara H. Freitag, Patrick Catullo, Aaron Lustbader, The Old Vic, Matthew Warchus, Kate Varah, Georgia Gatti, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett
MJ
Producers: Lia Vollack, John Branca, John McClain, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Music Entertaiment, Roy Furman, Cue to Cue Productions, James L. Nederlander, Kumiko Yoshii, Naoya Kinoshita, Latitude Link, Candy Spelling, Stephen C. Byrd, John Gore Organization, Sandy Robertson, Ed Walson, Peter W. May, CJ ENM, Martin Bandier, Michael Cassel Group, Albert Nocciolino, Playful Productions, Ken Schur, Willette & Manny Klausner, Doug Morris, Michael David, Estate of Michael Jackson
Mr. Saturday Night
Producers: James L. Nederlander, Face Productions, Inc., Hunter Arnold, Michael Cohl, TEG Dainty, Candy Spelling, Steve Traxler, Marc David Levine, Caiola Productions, Crossroads Live, Jamie deRoy, Roy Furman, Arny Granat, Grove Entertainment, John Gore Organization, Wolf Gutterman, Van Kaplan, Larry Magid, Peter May, Carl Moellenberg, Beth W. Newburger, Albert Nocciolino, Eva Price, Iris Smith, The Shubert Organization, Howard Tenenbaum, Barry and Fran Weissler
Paradise Square
Producers: Garth H. Drabinsky, Peter LeDonne, Jeffrey A. Sine, Matthew C. Blank, Joe Crowley, RSR Finance LLC, Hunter & Mariana Milborne, Len Blavatnik, Joseph Coffey, Sherry Wright & Craig Haffner, Bernard Abrams, James Scrivanich, Rick Chad, Arthur M. Kraus, Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, Brian Luborsky, Gilbert & Elisa Palter, The Shubert Organization, Terry Schnuck, Urban One, Inc., Robert Wolf, Richard Stursberg, Mark W. Everson, Sanjay Govil, Jeremiah J. Harris, Amabel James, Sheila C. Johnson, Dennis Mehiel, Louise H. & John G. Beard, Henry R. Muñoz, III & Kyle Ferari Muñoz, Walter Swett, Zachary Florence, Berkeley Repertory Theatre
SIX: The Musical
Producers: Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes, George Stiles, Kevin McCollum, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
A Strange Loop
Producers: Barbara Whitman, Pasek, Paul & Stafford, Hunter Arnold, Marcia Goldberg, Alex Levy & James Achilles, Osh Ashruf, A Choir Full Productions, Don Cheadle & Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, Paul Oakley Stovall, Jimmy Wilson, Annapurna Theatre, Robyn Coles, Creative Partners Productions, Robyn Gottesdiener, Kayla Greenspan, Grove Entertainment, Kuhn, Lewis & Scott, Frank Marshall, Maximum Effort Productions Inc., Joey Monda, Richard Mumby, Phenomenal Media & Meena Harris, Marc Platt & Debra Martin Chase, Laurie Tisch, Yonge Street Theatricals, Dodge Hall Productions/JJ Malley, Cody Renard Richard, John Gore Organization, James L. Nederlander, The Shubert Organization, RuPaul Charles, Alan Cumming, Ilana Glazer, Jennifer Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Billy Porter, Page 73 Productions, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons
Best Revival of a Play
American Buffalo
Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Steve Traxler, Stephanie P. McClelland, GFour Productions, Spencer Ross, Gemini Theatrical, Chris and Ashlee Clarke, Suna Said Maslin, Ted & Richard Liebowitz/Cue to Cue Productions, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Brad Blume, Caiola Productions, Joanna Carson, Arthur Kern, Willette Klausner, Jeremiah J. Harris and Darren P. Deverna, Van Kaplan, Patrick Myles/David Luff, Alexander Marshall, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kathleen K. Johnson, Diego Kolankowsky, Steve and Jacob Levy, Morwin Schmookler, Brian Moreland, Jacob Soroken Porter, The Shubert Organization
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Producers: Nelle Nugent, Ron Simons, Kenneth Teaton, Ellen Ferguson and Vivian Phillips, Willette and Manny Klausner, Hunter Arnold, Dale Franzen, Valencia Yearwood, One Community, Audible, Dennis Grimaldi, Terry Nardozzi and Tracey Knight Narang, Grace Nordhoff/Mickalene Thomas, Angelina Fiordellisi/Caiola Productions, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett
How I Learned to Drive
Author: Paula Vogel Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove, Daryl Roth, Cody Lassen, Vineyard Theatre
Take Me Out
Producers: Second Stage Theater, Carole Rothman, Khady Kamara
Trouble in Mind
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers, Steve Dow
Best Revival of a Musical
Caroline, or Change
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers, Steve Dow, Lot’s Wife, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions/Willette & Manny Klausner, Chambers -D’Angora/Joseph & Alyson Graci
Company
Producers: Elliott & Harper Productions, The Shubert Organization, Catherine Schreiber, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Crossroads Live, Anapurna Theatre, Hunter Arnold, No Guarantees, Jon B. Platt, Michael Watt, John Gore Organization, Tim Levy, Grove – REG, Hornos – Mollenberg, Levine – Federman – Adler, Beard – Merrie – Robbins, LD Entertainment/Madison Wells Live, Benjamin Lowy/Roben Alive, Daryl Roth/Tom Tuft, Salmira Productions/Caiola Productions, Aged in Wood/Lee – Sachs, Berinstein – Lane/42nd.club, Boyett – Miller/Hodges – Kukieiski, Finn – DeVito/Independent Presenters Network, Armstrong – Ross/Gilad – Rogowsky, Boardman – Koenigsberg/Zell – Seriff, Concord Theatricals – Scott Sanders Productions/Abrams – May, deRoy – Brunish/Jenen – Rubin, Fakston Productions/Sabi – Lerner – Ketner, Maggio – Abrams/Hopkins – Tackel, Levy & Chauviere, Jujamcyn Theaters
The Music Man
Producers: Barry Diller, David Geffen, Kate Horton, Fictionhouse
Tony Nominations by Production
A Strange Loop – 11
MJ – 10
Paradise Square – 10
Company – 9
The Lehman Trilogy – 8
SIX: The Musical – 8
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf – 7
Girl From The North Country – 7
The Music Man – 6
The Skin of Our Teeth – 6
Clyde’s – 5
Hangmen – 5
Mr. Saturday Night – 5
American Buffalo – 4
Flying Over Sunset – 4
Take Me Out – 4
Trouble in Mind – 4
Caroline, or Change – 3
Dana H. – 3
How I Learned to Drive – 3
Macbeth – 3
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive – 3
Sadie Jean sold out the iconic Mercury Lounge in Manhattan, a venue that has historically hosted many up and coming artists, this past week on Saturday, May 7th, supported by artists Simone and David Alexander.
Sadie Jean is a 19-year-old rising singer-songwriter based in New York who recently found fame last year through the popular social media app TikTok, with her original song, “WYD Now?” The audio now has over 130K videos associated with it and has remixes, duets, and everything in between.
By halfway through the opening acts’ sets, the house was already packed with not much room between each other. Sadie performed her own original songs, as well as covers, but through it all, had her fans singing along with her. She often paused between each song to say the same line, “this is crazy you guys!” as her face revealed the same sweet happiness over her sold out NYC show. Sadie’s songs followed the same “coming-of-age” themes as her hit “WYD Now?” has, with the same infectious pop melodies.
Photo by Ambika Verma
Sadie Jean is certainly one to watch in the coming years, already gaining the attention of many influential artists, like Charlie Puth, and fans through her TikTok, which now has over 500K followers and over 13 million likes. Sadie recently played a show in L.A., and while there are no current shows coming up, she does have a few festivals lined up she is slated to play in.
Photo by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika Verma
We’re very opinionated when it comes to music. That stands to reason, since music is so much a guiding force in our lives. So, we listen to songs, and when we find one we love, we want to hear every song like it. That’s how we ended up with genres. And it is not easy for a band like NEQ that crosses genres to gain traction, because, essentially, they are creating their own, new genre.
NEQ, a.k.a. Nelson Esposito Quintana, is just such a band, and their new album, Nevertheless is a fine example of how to cross musical boundaries. The band is comprised of Todd Nelson, Kyle Esposito, Manuel Quintana, Mike Kelly and Carlos Valdez.
RRX: Okay, so not to bury the lede, you have a new album out, “Nevertheless.” It’s amazing. Tell us a little bit about it, if you will. How long did it take to put it together? And what was your concept for it going in, or was it more a collection that precipitated from some jam sessions?
TN: All told, it took a couple of years, although we weren’t working steady on it. We did a couple of tracks in 2018, and then the band kind of took a hiatus for a little while from live gigs, and we can talk about the reasons for that, but then we reconvened when COVID was getting kind of hard and realized we could keep working on this if we did it in such a way that the recording was done remotely. Rather than having such a large ensemble all playing together, we’d have maybe two or three people in the studio at a time. It was all put together in Manuel’s studio, although some of the recordings are done here at my house, and Manuel very expertly integrated all of those things.
KE: I think the concept sort of snowballed as it went along, as far as our approach, I mean, it became evident to us what it was like, what the strength of it was, which it became almost more of a cinematic approach where we weren’t really thinking about can the trio play this live? But more, what does the individual song call for? And we just went with it completely. So, in a way, that’s different from our previous recordings, where we kept it closer to a trio format. No holding back there as far as overdubs, adding what it seemed to need.
RRX: NEQ is so-called because of Todd Nelson, guitarist Kyle Esposito, and Manuel Quintana. And the great thing about the band is that, by listening, none of you are clearly ‘leading.’ It seems very much an equal contribution to the music. Now you usually think in a band like this, one person puts everyone together. Was that true with NEQ?
MQ: I think it was a team effort, but I think Todd led the way, as far as bringing in both full compositions and sections that were completed to some extent. But it was a big collaboration, I think we all put our stamp on it and what not.
TN: I have to say that you were the person that was the impetus behind the recording. If you didn’t have this great studio and the motivation to work on this stuff, because you did a lot of the work on your own. And as far as the composition of the stuff, it kind of just worked out that I’d written all of the composition of this particular album. We’d written together in the past, and I’m sure we will in the future. But usually, the way we would do that is through jam sessions, we would get an idea, and take it home and develop it, decide what needs another section. So, we would work that way. But we couldn’t really work that way with the COVID thing going on.
RRX: When I hear NEQ, I think fusion. I think Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, with a feel of a Friday Night in San Francisco – McLaughlin, Dimeola, DeLucia. A lot of references, but it’s a feel of musical exploration. But fusion is something more than simple experimentation. How does NEQ transcend ‘noodling around?’
Kyle: I’m a strong proponent for noodling around, but I think this is the least we’ve ever left to chance as far as putting the songs together. Solos are still solos, but even the sections that are their places are composes, not the solos but sections set aside for someone to improvise on, as opposed to just playing the song over and over again, different people soloing over the same form, that kind of thing, that’s what I’m getting at. There’s a lot more through-composed material, a lot more specific events set out to conquer in this batch of tunes, for the most part. That’s my impression.
Todd: That’s basically what I was going to say. I think that people want to hear soloing, I think they want to hear that kind of thing, but I also get tired of it. I think what we’re trying to do is tread the line between that jam-band thing and a totally composed approach, and not fall too heavily to either side. That might keep people’s interest, hopefully.
Kyle: And I think that the solos are interspersed with other sections which, to go back to my cinematic comment, there are a lot of scene changes going on in the songs that are pretty much designated. We’ll go from a keyboard solo to another section that’s composed for everybody to play their part and move on into another section where there’s space for a guitar solo, that kind of thing. It is kind of Weather Report-ish in that way.
Todd: Yeah, they were not head-solo-solo-head. A lot of that arrangement comes from jazz musicians – it’s their language, and that’s how they get together and play together even if they’ve never met each other, never played together before, makes it easy to gig.
RRX: One thing I would definitely say about NEQ is that it’s a very expansive sound. I had a very worldly signature. I imagine that having such an expansive sound is difficult, not just a matter of skill, but also a matter of vision. I mean, we’re talking about musical sources that evolved and intermingled globally. Are there any guiding principles to this?
Manuel: I don’t think we had any guiding principles, no. However the song came to be what we went with.
Kyle: It’s a bit of a mystery. I think it comes down to tastes and sounds and grooves that we all like as individuals, what overlaps, and really the essence of what Todd’s idea was to begin with. Things didn’t change that drastically; now that I think of it, wasn’t Camoplaid a jam?
Manuel: Yeah, that was a rehearsal from a long time ago. Rehearsal jam; Todd may have had it. Recorded piece for a while too. We definitely sat on that, and I do think it came from a jam.
Kyle: The beginning bassline thing I remember being out of the blue. Maybe I was working on a different song too; maybe it was that song.
Todd: Yeah, I remember writing the melody for it, but I don’t remember jamming on it.
Kyle: Getting back, that’s all to say that it’s stuff we’ve been influenced by that just comes out without too much intention.
Todd: One intentional thing for me is to not censor myself so much, you know? And as a band, we refrain from censoring ourselves, saying ‘oh that’s too Latin sounding,’ or too something else. We embraced it all, we didn’t look at something and say ‘that style doesn’t belong.’ We just let it happen.
New York band Monotronic release new single, “In Between”, on May 27. Monotronic is the brainchild of musician/producer Ramsey Elkholy. “In Between” was recorded in Costa Rica during the pandemic.
Monotronic defines itself as not just a band but “a music collective that defies genre”. Their punchy brand of electronic music features bouncy synths, energetic vocals, and approachable lyrics.
“My friend Dan Freeman has a studio in Nosara, which is on the coast and surrounded by lush jungles,” Elkholy explained. “It’s kind of a hippy place, lots of yoga going on, organic food, ayahuasca retreats. Very simple location, close to nature, which inspired a lot of creativity.
When Elkholy returned to New York he began working on the lyrics. Once they were complete he collaborated with vocalist Russell Graham to record the vocals for the track. Elkholy, Freeman, and engineer Killian Cruiser played and recorded all the instrumental parts on the track, which Cruiser mixed and produced.
Monotronic released its debut album in 2019, which it then followed up with the notable singles “Kids of Summer” and “Buy Yourself a Dream”. Both of which debuted at #1 on VEVO’s Incoming Indie playlist.
There are currently plans for an upcoming music video for “In Between”.
Trey Anastasio Band played one of the newest music venues in Boston, Roadrunner, over May 7 & 8, playing a variety of TAB originals & Phish classics. The first night Trey played an acoustic encore featuring “Theme From The Bottom,” “More,” “Chalkdust Torture,” & “Harry Hood.” Highlights of the second set included dueling leads of James Casey & Trey, “Moma Dance,” “Camel Walk,” “Night Speaks to a Woman,” “Gotta Jibboo,” “First Tube,” and “Blaze On.”
Trey Anastasio Band is playing as good as ever and clearly having a lot of fun doing it. Mixing a good amount of Phish fan favorites, TAB classics, new Trey songs, and some acoustic songs the show is proven to be as diverse as it is entertaining. Setlists via Phish.net.
Trey Anastasio Band – Roadrunner, Boston, MA – Saturday, May 7, 2022
Set 1: Alive Again, Set Your Soul Free, Love Is What We Are, Magilla, Ocelot, Olivia, Camel Walk, Drifting, The Moma Dance, Night Speaks to a Woman
Set 2: Speak to Me, Everything’s Right, Gotta Jibboo, Hey Stranger [1], Liquid Time > Ghost > Mozambique, Ether Sunday, Rise/Come Together > Sand
Encore: Theme From the Bottom [2], More[2], Chalk Dust Torture[2] -> Harry Hood [3] > Chalk Dust Torture[2], Push On ‘Til the Day
[1] Debut. [2] Trey solo acoustic. [3] Trey solo acoustic; started mid song and unfinished. Cyro teased Watermelon Man before Gotta Jibboo.
Trey Anastasio Band – Roadrunner, Boston, MA – Sunday, May 8, 202
Set 1: Blaze On, Mercy, Undermind, Curlew’s Call, Tube, The Silver Light, Money, Love and Change
Set 2: No Men In No Man’s Land, Cayman Review, Simple Twist Up Dave, I Never Needed You Like This Before, Spin, 46 Days, Roll Like a River [1], Valentine, A Life Beyond The Dream
JazzFest White Plains has announced the artist line-up for the 2022 festival, to be held from September 14-18 in several locations including ArtsWestchester, Grace Episcopal Church and White Plains Public Library.
Headliners for the festival include the Joey Alexander Trio, the Buster Williams Quartet, Grace Kelly and Ragan Whiteside and Friends. These major acts will also be joined by Miki Hayama and Richie Goods, the Albert Rivera Quintet, the Carlos Jimenez Mambo Sextet, the G. Thomas Allen Quartet and more.
Grammy Award winning instrumentalists Joey Alexander and Buster Williams will command the stage with their refined and unique performances. Alexander has been praised as one of the most engaging pianist-composers of his time, while also being the youngest artist to ever be nominated in the Jazz Grammy category.
Williams, a legend in his own right, has played alongside other big names including Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Betty Carter. The “Something More” Quartet, composed of members Steve Wilson (saxophone), Lenny White (drums) and George Colligan (piano/keyboard), will support him.
Grace Kelly has accomplished many milestones in her career despite her young age. She has released more than 10 albums, sold out numerous shows and even appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert as part of the house band.
As a community staple, JazzFest White Plains has brought entertainment and culture to Westchester for more than a decade. It was produced by ArtsWestchester in collaboration with the City of White Plains and the White Plains Business Improvement District.
Long Island-based emo-pop duo poptropicaslutz! released their debut EP, just in case the world ends on May 6.
poptropicaslutz formed during the pandemic. Credit Eli Rae.
Composed of Nick Crawford and Christian Cicillia, the group’s seven-track project explores their inspiration with a no holds barred approach to making music.
Just In Case The World Ends is a project that started during the global pandemic, as poptropicaslutz! was forming, and the “end of the world” didn’t seem so farfetched,” the duo explained. “We thought about what album we’d make if it was our last chance to make one.”
The cover art for the debut EP, “just in case the world ends”, from poptropicasltuz!
The EP is released under Epitaph Records and is mixed by Matt Malpass, who previously worked with Blink 182 and MGK.
Most of the songs on just in case the world ends have a traditional pop punk song structure and content—self-aware lyrics and romantic themes. But poptropicaslutz! modernizes them with sparkly synths in their production. The combination of which makes for a fresh take on the hyper-punk genre.
poptropicaslutz! also released a music video for their lead track “this might be our last december” featuring Canadian artist 8485. According to the duo, this collaboration is the embodiment of the intersection of pop-punk and hyper-pop that they’re known for.
Throughout the EP the Gen Z duo showcase their interests in experimentation. Particularly with the track “lackluster at best, masterpiece at worst” which features an acoustic guitar as opposed to their usual hard hitting electric guitars of pop punk.
On “hysteria is impossible without an audience” they offer up some classic emo music before closing out the track with some impassioned screamo.
just in case the world ends is accompanied by a series of animated music videos from Rob Fidel. The 3-part cartoon series follows the mishaps of a group of evil genius pigs with mohawks who desperately search for a way to fly.
On the heels of an upcoming and ambitious new 4-album studio and film project, I Am The Moon, Tedeschi Trucks Band has just unveiled dates for their highly-anticipated annual return to the Beacon Theatre this fall.
The 12-piece rock and soul collective led by singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks will play seven nights in New York City – September 29 & 30 and October 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8 –as part of their multi-year, dual city residency with MSG Entertainment, which also includes annual shows at The Chicago Theatre.
The 2022 Beacon Theatre shows mark the group’s 11th multi-night Beacon run, and will include their 50th lifetime show at the famed New York theatre on October 3. Tedeschi Trucks Band’s annual tenure in the Big Apple is a destination event, featuring surprise sit-ins, special guests, and set lists that go deep in the band’s catalog, becoming a can’t-miss concert experience.
The Beacon is always a place for us to stretch out and explore musical territory. We have an incredible amount of new material coming out this year with I Am The Moon and the Beacon shows will be some of the first where we’ll be able to draw from all of it and have the space to really dig in.
Derek Trucks
The 2022 residency will feature support from Amy Helm on Thursday, September 29 and Ruthie Foster on Thursday, October 6. Friday and Saturday nights will feature two sets of Tedeschi Trucks Band. This year will also be one of the few opportunities in the U.S. to catch the band live after all four albums of I Am The Moon, are released.
I Am The Moon is a creative milestone for us – and we’ve got our 50th show at The Beacon, another milestone. We’re looking forward to celebrating both and all the hard work that went into getting here – it’s not something that just happens.
Susan Tedeschi
I Am The Moon is the most ambitious studio project of Tedeschi Trucks Band’s storied career – comprised of four albums and four companion films to be released throughout the summer. Inspired by a mythic Persian tale of star-crossed lovers, and emotionally driven by the isolation and disconnection of the pandemic era, the thematic I Am The Moon totals more than two hours of music unfolding across a robust tapestry of genre-defying explorations that propel the treasured American ensemble into new and thrilling creative territory. Watch the project trailer below.
The four albums that comprise I Am The Moon — I. Crescent, II. Ascension, III. The Fall, and IV. Farewell— will be released in successive months beginning with I. Crescent. The corresponding films which combine studio and performance footage with atmospheric photography and imagery will debut three days prior to each audio release offering fans an early opportunity to digest each album in its entirety via the band’s YouTube channel.
The first film debuts Tuesday, May 31 followed by the first album release available digitally and on CD, Friday, June 3.
Tedeschi Trucks Band is Susan Tedeschi (guitar, vocals), Derek Trucks (guitar), Gabe Dixon (keyboards, vocals), Brandon Boone (bass), Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell (drums, percussion) Isaac Eady (drums, percussion) Mike Mattison (vocals, guitar), Mark Rivers (harmony vocals), Alecia Chakour (harmony vocals), Kebbi Williams (saxophone), Ephraim Owens (trumpet) and Elizabeth Lea (trombone).
Tickets for all seven Beacon Theatre shows will be available for purchase by the general public beginning at 11:00AM (ET) on Friday, May 13 via ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre box offices on Saturday, May 14. Prices range from $29.50 to $135.00.
Fandiem has teamed up with Les Claypool of Primus and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello to raise funds for relief efforts in Ukraine.Their special sweepstakes will run until July 15.
Participants can choose to donate a certain amount of money to be entered into the sweepstakes or they can choose to skip donating. Donation amounts range from $10 to $500 and those who donate at least $100 will receive a custom “Man With the Iron Balls” t-shirt.
By signing up for the sweepstakes, participants have the chance of winning a trip to see Primus & Ween at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for “South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert”, two VIP Tickets to the concert with preferred seating, round trip airfare, a two night hotel stay, local ground transportation to/from Red Rock Amphitheatre and exclusive signed memorabilia from performers on “Man With The Iron Balls”.
All donations will go to NOVA Ukraine, a nonprofit created in 2014 to provide aid to Ukraine while also educating the world. Proceeds will help fund humanitarian efforts, including first aid, medical equipment and refugee care.
Before Fandiem partnered with Les Claypool and Eugene Hütz, the duo had released “Zelensky: The Man With The Iron Balls,” a tribute to President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky. The single, also aimed at raising funds for relief efforts in Ukraine, featured a number of talented artists including Billy Strings, Stewart Copeland and Sean Lennon.
