English musician Pete Beat is opening up to fans about his mental health struggles with his new single “Another Galaxy.” The single is in support of his upcoming fourth album, The Strange Museum, due for release this April. The Strange Museum explores his involuntary stay in a psychiatric hospital, during which he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Photo Credit: Victoria Wai
Pete Beat can be argued as the “lost member” of The Beatles, having been dismissed from the group before they achieved mainstream success. Since then, Pete has focused on his solo career. He has written and recorded 500 songs over the last 13 years, including “Another Galaxy.”
Pete’s newest single can be rather deceptive, as it starts with an upbeat tune. It’s not entirely clear to listeners that they are about to learn about some of the singer’s deepest struggles and emotions. For a debut track, it works perfectly. The Strange Museum details Pete’s journey with his mental health, so it’s natural that the opening track starts out calm and upbeat. Throughout the album, listeners will get a closer glimpse of the dark place Pete was once in, and how he came out of it.
“Another Galaxy” is more than just a matter of being a good or bad song. Whether Pete’s work is the type of music you’re into is subjective. No one can argue against how much courage it took for Pete to talk about his personal struggles so openly. Pete hopes his album will reduce the stigma surrounding schizophrenia, and show fans that the disease doesn’t have to talk over your life. In Pete’s case, he has been symptom-free since 2010, with the help of medication.
Of the stigma, Pete says “this adds more of a reason to do it, and the time seems right, and I feel happy and confident in my life, so I’m going to talk about it.”
“Another Galaxy” from Pete Beat is out now. available for purchase now. For more information on Pete Beat’s newest album, visit here.
The Highlights in Jazz concert series celebrates its 50th anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.
Founded and produced by Jack Kleinsinger, Highlights in Jazz is New York’s longest-running Jazz concert series. NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan, guitarist Russell Malone, and bassist Jay Leonhart will accompany the anniversary show, along with surprise guests.
Photo credit: Highlights in Jazz
The milestone 50th anniversary of Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights in Jazz has experienced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, he never lost hope. “I was sure I’d celebrate this anniversary, though I wasn’t sure it would happen in 2023,” says producer Kleinsinger. “I was determined to do a 50th concert somehow. And here I am, at it again,” he notes with a laugh.
The Highlights in Jazz concert series has attracted the attention of not only audiences but musicians as well. “I must be there,” declared Sheila Jordan, as soon as she heard the golden anniversary concert was in the works. The anniversary concert marks a return after a short absence for Jordan, last performing at the March 22, 2022 show.
The singer is a force to reckon with, still performing at the age of 94. “Sheila lives by Sheila’s laws, she blows my mind,” declares fellow musician Art Baron. Baron and Jordan have known each other since the ’80s, and have performed together alongside Roswell Rudd, George Gruntz, and others.
Unlike previous years, the 50th-anniversary show for Highlights in Jazz will not feature a “living legends” concert, due to this year’s abbreviated schedule. “Since the start, we saluted a living jazz artist every year. I believe in doing it while they’re alive and it means something, that’s part of our tradition. Lionel Hampton was the first living legend we saluted and it became an annual tradition,” Kleinsinger said. However, two previous living legend honorees, bassist Jay Leonhart, and guitarist Russell Malone are part of the 50th-anniversary lineup.
This year’s Tribeca performance comes as Kleinsinger does some serious reflection on his career. “This may be the last concert I ever do. “It’s bittersweet because there have been so many losses to covid. I’m ready to pack it in. I’m doing one concert, I’m not ready to do a whole season, that’s a lot of work,” Kleinsinger said.
Whether the Highlights in Jazz 50th anniversary will mark Kleinsinger’s last hurrah is still to be determined, but fans can always count on Kleinsinger to continue supporting the music and the musicians so dear to him.
Tickets for the Highlights in Jazz 50th Anniversary Gala are available here.
Three-time Grammy-nominated guitarist and 25x Billboard chart-topper Joe Bonamassa announced on February 6 that his tour will be coming to New York this summer, and is scheduled to perform at Jones Beach on August 12th and the Bethel Woods Center on August 13. The two-night performance is part of a concert series, “Keeping the Blues Alive presents: Joe Bonamassa and Friends.”
Also joining Bonamassa in concert are the rock band Styx, and former Eagles lead guitarist Don Felder. In line with its inaugural event last year, the concert series will feature individual performances from each act. The final act features a jaw-dropping encore with members from all three bands.
On a related note, Bonamassa is currently preparing for his spring 2023 tour. The tour starts Feb. 15 in Charleston, West Virginia, and continues through the Midwest and East Coast. Bonamassa will conclude his tour with the sold-out Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea VIII, scheduled for March 13-17, departing from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Prior to his Jones Beach and Bethel Woods Center shows, Bonamassa is scheduled to perform at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre on Feb. 28
Originating in Chicago, Styx is comprised of six members, James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals), and ‘Crash Of The Crown’ producer and co-writer Will Evankovich (guitars.) Their career spans over 50 years, with their anonymous first album debuting in 1972. The band released its 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in June 2021 through their label Alpha Dog 2T/UMe.
Born in Gainesville, Florida, Felder got his big break after the release of the Eagles’ third studio album, On the Border, in 1974. It was Felder’s first record with the Eagles, remaining with them until 2001. While he was still a member of the band, Felder released his debut solo record, Airbourne, in 1983. Further, in 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Eagles. On his own, Felder was inaugurated into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 2016 and the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2017.
Bonamassa in concert
Born in New Hartford, NY, and raised in Utica, Bonamassa rose to fame in 2000 with the release of his debut record, A New Day Yesterday. In 2020, Bonamassa created his independent record label, Keeping the Blues Alive Records, which promotes and supports the talent of musicians. Similarly, he also runs the 501(c)(3) non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation.
His fifteenth and most recent record, Time Clocks, was released in Oct. 2021 by J&R Adventures. In support of his latest album, Bonamassa recorded a live concert film, Tales Of Time, in Aug. 2022, scheduled for worldwide release on April 14, by Bonamassa’s J&R Adventures in CD/DVD, CD/BR, vinyl, and digital formats.
Tickets for Joe Bonamassa at Jones Beach and Bethel Woods, and all other shows, go on sale Friday, Feb. 10, beginning at 10 a.m.
Joe Bonamassa U.S. Tour 2023 Feb. 15 – Clay Center – Charleston, WV Feb. 17 – Playhouse Square – Cleveland, OH Feb. 18 – Riverside Theater – Milwaukee, WI Feb. 20 – The Orpheum Theater – Madison, WI Feb. 22 – Peoria Civic Center Theater – Peoria, IL Feb. 24 – DeVos Performance Hall – Grand Rapids, MI Feb. 25 – Morris Performing Arts Center – South Bend, IN Feb. 28 – Shea’s Buffalo Theatre – Buffalo, NY March 1 – Benedum Center – Pittsburgh, PA March 3 – Ovens Auditorium – Charlotte, NC March 4 – Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA March 5 – Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Auditorium – Chattanooga, TN March 7 – Montgomery Performing Arts Centre – Montgomery, AL March 8 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA March 10 – The King Center – Melbourne, FL March 11 – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL March 13-17 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea VIII – Miami, FL August 12 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY * August 13 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY *
* Keeping the Blues Alive presents: Joe Bonamassa & Friends: Styx and Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
Canadian music group Skinny Puppy is scheduled to celebrate their 40th anniversary with a performance at Irving Plaza in New York City, accompanied by special guest Lead Into Gold. The April 21 performance will be one of the last for the group, as the Skinny Puppy: Final Tour kicks off on April 6 in San Antonio.
Skinny Puppy’s upcoming final tour also marks a return to the road for the group.
“It’s been eight long years since we’ve toured, and there is no better way to end our run as a group than with a tour celebrating our 40th anniversary. To our west coast fans, don’t worry! We’ll see you soon!” – Skinny Puppy
All current members cEvin Key (Kevin Crompton),Nivek Ogre (Kevin Ogilvie), and Mark Walk will be present for the upcoming final tour.
Originating in Vancouver in 1982, Skinny Puppy is in large part created for founding and popularizing the industrial rock and electro-industrial genres. Formerly of the new wave band Images in Vogue, Key initially envisioned the group as a side project. After the addition of vocalist Ogre, they evolved into a full-time project.
Skinny Puppy’s first full-length album, Bites, was released in Canada in 1985 and certified gold by Music Canada in 1994. Their subsequent releases have charted in North America and Europe. Noted for their theatrical and controversial live performances, Ogre once remarked that touring for himself was like “dating hydrogen peroxide”, referencing the numerous injuries he has acquired while touring.
Tickets for Skinny Puppy’s final tour and Irving Plaza show are available for purchase beginning Friday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m.
SKINNY PUPPY: FINAL TOUR 2023 TOUR DATES:
Thu Apr 06 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater
Fri Apr 07 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Sat Apr 08 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
Mon Apr 10 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
Tue Apr 11 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
Thu Apr 13 – Atlanta, GA – The Buckhead Theatre
Fri Apr 14 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
Sat Apr 15 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Mon Apr 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Roxian
Tue Apr 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
Wed Apr 19 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
Fri Apr 21 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Sun Apr 23 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
Tue Apr 25 – Montreal, QC – The Corona Theater
Wed Apr 26 – Toronto, ON – History
Fri Apr 28 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts
Sat Apr 29 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
Mon May 01 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
Tue May 02 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall
Wed May 03 – Denver, CO – Summit
Thu May 04 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
Sat May 06 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House and Event Center
Over the past few weeks, Democrats and Republicans have come to an unprecedented place of unity. Ever since the Ticketmaster controversy over Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”, Congress has been in discussion over the best course of action to combat, what many refer to as, a monopoly that Ticketmaster has on the concert industry. In response, Biden has suggested a ticketing reform bill, the “Junk Fee Protection Act.”
President Biden has expressed his support for the ticketing reform bill and is urging congress to pass it. As expressed by Biden during a meeting of his competition council, the bill would “lower the huge service fees that companies like Ticketmaster slap on tickets for concerts or sporting events that can easily add hundreds of bucks to a family’s night out.”
The President added, “Congress should pass the Junk Fee Protection Act, so we can crack down on these fees and give hard-working Americans just a little bit more breathing room.” President Biden hasn’t been the only figure to express his discontent with the leading ticket company.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled “That’s the Ticket: Promoting Competition and Protecting Consumers in Live Entertainment” taking place on Tuesday, January 24.
Jerry Mickelson, the chief executive of Jam Productions, said “For the leading ticket company not to be able to handle bots is, for me, an unbelievable statement.”
Jack Groetzinger, the chief executive of SeatGeek, a smaller but aggressive competitor to Ticketmaster, has called for the break up of Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment.
Jack Groetzinger, CEO of SeatGeek, testifies at Senate hearing of Ticketmaster debacle, Jan. 24, 2023.
“The only way to restore competition in this industry,” he said, “is to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation.”
The Ticketmaster monopoly accusations aren’t just smoke and mirrors. Reputable experts have expressed their concern. The time has come for action to be taken.
In order for a monopoly to be in effect, there must be a lack of competition. A specific person or enterprise is the sole “winner” in a case where a monopoly is in effect. To that end, think about the last time you bought a ticket for a concert or other live music event through any platform outside Ticketmaster.
At the hearing, lawmakers cited more than just the Taylor Swift presale controversy. They drew a broader image of an industry where Live Nation is often all of the ticketing agent, promoter, and venue owner/operator.
Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senate Judiciary Committee chair, stated at the start of the hearing, “Ticketing and live entertainment markets lack competition and are dominated by a single entity.” Members of both parties expressed their support for Durbin’s sentiments. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), has referred to this concept as the “triangle of a monopoly.”
Heavy Metal band Disturbed has announced their 36-date Take Back Your Life Tour for Summer 2023, supporting their eighth studio album, Divisive, and their first tour in five years.
The tour kicks off on Thursday, April 27, and includes a stop at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse on Aug. 12, and Northwell Health Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on Aug. 19.
Cover of Distubed’s latest album, Divisive
Additionally, Disturbed’s latest tour will feature performances by metalcore band Jinjer and rock band Breaking Benjamin. Disturbed will be joined by both groups in Syracuse on Aug. 12, and Jinjer will perform with them at Jones Beach on Aug. 19 as well. On the collaboration, Jinjer said, “We are really looking forward to hitting the road in the US again, alongside Disturbed and Breaking Benjamin. We can not wait to see some old fans and welcome some new ones as well!”
Originally from Chicago, Disturbed first emerged on the music scene in 2000, with the release of their debut album, The Sickness, through Giant and Reprise Records. Nominated for two Grammy Awards Disturbed has achieved five consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200. Significantly, they are the only rock group other than Metalica to accomplish this feat. Their catalog of hit songs includes the platinum “Stupify,” “Inside The Fire,” and “Land of Confusion, just to name a few. At the 2017 iHeart Radio Music Awards, the band significantly earned the award for “Best Rock Artist.”
Divisive is out now via reprise records. Its 10 tracks were composed with the help of producer Drew Fulk in Nashville over the last year. The album’s first single, “Hey You”, proceeded its release, emerging as their 15th #1 single on Rock Radio. Its newest single, “Bad Man” is in Rock Radio’s top 10.
Tickets for Disturbed’s Take Back Your Life Tour will go on sale Friday, Feb. 10 starting at 10 a.m. Listen to Divisive on all formats here.
Disturbed Take Back Your Life Tour
Apr 27 | Montreal, QC | Bell Centre +
Apr 29 | Quebec City, QC | Videotron Centre +
May 01 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena +
May 08 | Winnipeg, MB | Canada Life Centre +
May 10 | Edmonton, AB | Rogers Place +
May 12 | Abbotsford, BC | Abbotsford Centre +
Jul 11 | Denver, CO | Ball Arena # ~
Jul 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | USANA Amphitheatre # ~
Jul 15 | Ridgefield, WA | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater # ~
Jul 16 | Auburn, WA | White River Amphitheatre # ~
In their more than 50-year history, pop-rock duo Sparks have never headlined a tour as big as the one they’re about to embark on this May. The duo will be performing in four North American venues, with the first at the Beacon Theatre in New York on Tuesday, June 27, and the last at a to-be-announced venue in their hometown of Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, July 16.
Sparks members: Ron (left) and Russel Mael (right)
The world tour is in support of Sparks’ 26th studio album, The Girl Crying In Her Latee,arriving Friday, May 26 via Island Records.
Sparks is a pop duo consisting of brothers Ron and Russel Mael. They grew up in Pacific Palisades, an affluent beach neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA. The brothers have been performing for over 50 years, since their late teens/early adult years. Prior to The Girl Crying In Her Latee, they were signed with Island Records from 1974-76. Their upcoming 26th studio album is their first release with the label in nearly 50 years.
The Beacon Theatre, located on Broadway between 74th and 75th streets, was built in 1929 and seats 2,600 guests. In 2006, the venue was acquired by Madison Square Garden Entertainment. Other than Sparks, some of the greatest names in music have played at the Beacon Theatre, such as the Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Coldplay, Ray LaMontagne, and Eddie Vedder. In October 2014, The Allman Brothers Band performed their final concert there.
For Sparks Fan Club members, presales began Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.; Mailing List presales followed at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. General on-sale starts at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, and tickets can be purchased via allsparks.com/#tour.
SPARKS TOUR 2023
MAY
23 – Oxford, UK – New Theatre
24 – Liverpool, UK – Philharmonic Hall
26 – Glasgow, UK – Clyde Auditorium
27 – Manchester, UK – Bridgewater Hall
29 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
30 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
JUNE
2 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Barcelona *
8 – Madrid, Spain – Primavera Sound Madrid *
10 – Porto, Portugal – Primavera Sound Porto *
13 – Paris, France – Le Grand Rex
14 – Utrecht, Netherlands – Grote Zaal
16 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Store Vega
18 – Berlin, Germany – Tempodrom
20 – Brussels, Belgium – Cirque Royal
27 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
28 – Philadelphia, PA – Keswick Theatre
30 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
JULY
1 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur Theatre
3 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
5 – Chicago, IL – Copernicus Center
6 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
8 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
Roots band The Wood Brothers have announced their eighth studio album, titled Heart Is The Hero, which is set to be released on April 14 through Honey Jar/Thirty Tigers. The album will be supported by a tour, with stops in Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Accord, and Fairpoint. Prior to embarking on their tour, the band will release the first single from Heart Is The Hero in February.
From left to right: Chris Wood, Jano Rix, and Oliver Wood
The Wood Brothers consist of brothers, Chris and Oliver Wood, who grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Their “honorary sibling,” Jano Rix is also in The band. They focused more on the importance of performing rather than studio perfection for this album, resulting in an album that emphasizes the themes of presence, grace, and faith.
“The chorus of the album’s title track says, ‘the heart is the hero of every song.’ By no means was it intentional, but much of the material we were writing for this record seemed to come full circle to the idea of trusting in your heart in matters that you can’t control,” says Oliver Wood.
I’m looking forward to going on the road with these new songs from Heart Is The Hero and seeing how they evolve from night to night when performed in front of audiences. The recording process for this album was completely different from our last one, Kingdom In My Mind, where we had all the time in the world to experiment, tinker, and shape performances. For those sessions, I was living in Nashville close to Oliver and Jano, but I’ve since relocated to Canada, so our time to record together this time around had to be extremely focused and intentional.
Chris Wood
The Wood Brothers tour has New York shows that start this March. Dates and venues are available below. As of Jan. 26, artist pre-sale has begun. General on-sale started Jan. 27. Tickets can be purchased at thewoodbros.com.
The Wood Brothers 2023 Tour
1/31 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern ^ (Sold Out) 2/1 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern ^ (Sold Out) 2/2 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall ^ 2/3 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater ^ 2/4 – Stateline, NV – Bally’s Lake Tahoe Casino Resort ^ 2/6 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre ^ 2/8 – Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom ^ 2/9 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre ^ (Sold Out) 2/10 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall ^ (Sold Out) 2/11 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall ^ 2/24 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena ^^ 3/1 – Lexington, KY – Lexington Opera House 3/2 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre 3/3 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom 3/4 – Ithaca, NY – State Theatre 3/6 – Westerly, RI – The United Theatre 3/8 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live 3/9 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center (Sold Out) 3/10 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat 3/11 – Chattanooga, TN – Walker Theatre 4/11- Scottsdale, AZ – Virginia G. Piper Theater – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 4/12 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater 4/14 – Beaver Creek, CO – Vilar Performing Arts Center 4/15 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom 4/17- Salina, KS – The Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts 4/18 – Fayetteville, AK – JJ’s Live 4/20 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom 4/21- Tilmon, TX – Old Settler’s Music Festival 4/22 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater 5/10 – Peoria, IL – Premier Event Center * 5/11 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed * 5/12 – Minneapolis, MN – Utepils Brewing Co. * 5/13 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater * 5/15 – Akron, OH – Goodyear Theater * 5/16 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre * 5/18 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern * 5/19 – Raleigh, NC – North Carolina Museum of Art * 5/20 – Washington, DC – The Anthem * 5/21 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre * 6/7 – Portland, ME – State Theatre * 6/8 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner * 6/9 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 * 6/10 – Accord, NY – Arrowood Farms * 6/11 – Fairport, NY – Perinton Center Park Amphitheater * 6/13 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall * 6/15 – Charlottesville, VA – Ting Pavilion * 6/16 – Williamsburg, VA – Virginia Arts Festival’s Williamsburg Live * 6/17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mountain View Amphitheatre * 6/18 – Grand Rapids, MI – venue TBA * 6/23 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival 8/18-20 – Wellston, MA – Hoxeyville Music Festival – Wellston, MI
^ w/ Taylor Ashton ^^ w/ The Avett Brothers & Turnpike Troubadours * w/ Shovels & Rope
By popular demand, long time New York music sensation Billy Joel will continue his concert residency at Madison Square Garden. The venue announced that Joel’s August 29 performance will mark his 93rd monthly and 139th lifetime show at the arena. Named a franchise by MSG in December 2013, the upcoming 93rd performance for Billy Joel comes nearly 10 years after he started his residency.
Billy Joel pictured on the cover of his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971
Billy Joel’s career spans more than 50 years, earning him a number of awards. The sixth best-selling recording artist of all time, his song “Piano Man” was chosen for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2016 for its “cultural, historic, and artistic significance.” Joel ranks as one of the most popular and respected entertainers in history.
Significantly, in Dec. 2013, Joel received one of the top cultural awards in the country, The Kennedy Center Honors. He has won six Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Legend Award, and is a member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joel has won various industry awards, awards including a Tony Award for “Movin’ Out,” a Broadway musical based on his work.
In Nov. 2014, Joel received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The award honors living musical artists’ lifetime achievements in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding, entertaining and informing audiences, and inspiring new generations. Moreover, that same month, he won the ASCAP Centennial Award, which is presented to American music icons for their achievements in their respective genres.
Joel performed at MSG’s benefit concert, “12-12-12, The Concert For Sandy Relief,” to raise awareness and money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Similarly, he performed at “The Concert for New York City,” to provide aid and relief to the victims and heroes of 9/11. Adding another milestone to his career, Joel has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tickets for the Aug. 29 show go on sale to the general public starting Friday, Feb. 10 starting at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the MSG box office on Saturday, Feb. 11.
Long Island will become a hotspot for music entertainment this year when the NYCB Theatre at Westbury opens its doors to some of the world’s biggest performers. On Jan. 30, the venue announced eight new shows as part of its ongoing Catholic Health Concert Series. The entertainment venue is located just outside Westbury in the hamlet of Jericho.
NYCB Theatre at Westbury seating
The Westbury Music Fair became a reality on June 18, 1956, when the three entrepreneurs opened their first Westbury production. After 10 years of presenting Long Island with the best of Broadway and top-name talent, the theatre was expanded in 1966. This expansion provided the venue with the ability to provide top-tier theatre entertainment all year round. Still in operation today, the NYCB Theatre is now owned and operated by Live Nation Entertainment.
The new acts will be rolling out from Spring to Fall. Terry Fator on April 23; classic rockers Cheap Trick on May 18, and Chicago on June 23; Pop Icon Johnny Mathis on July 22; tributes to ABBA and Elvis Presley, on Aug. 9 and 23, respectively; singer-songwriter Peter Noone on Sept. 23; and comedian Howie Mandel on Nov. 19.
Amongst these acts, also scheduled to perform are Tommy James and The Shondells on March 18; Nick Cannon’s Next Superstar Tour on April 6; Dionne Warwick on April 7; Theo Von on May 11; Kool and The Gang with the Spinners and Average White Band on May 12; The Temptations and the Four Tops on May 14; and Air Supplyon on Aug. 5. A complete lineup is available here.
Tickets will be made available beginning Friday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. through LiveNation.com. “Fee fee” tickets to all 2023 NYCB Theatre at Westbury shows will be available from Friday, Feb. 3. until Sunday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the theatre box office. A chance to win tickets will take place on Saturday, February 4 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., accompanied by refreshments and music.
