Rock & Roll Man, a new musical honoring legendary American DJ Alan Freed, opens on Broadway on June 21, announced today by Tony Award-winning producers Caiola Productions and Jay & Cindy Gutterman. Previews begin June 2. Constantine Maroulis stars as Alan Freed, and Randal Myler directs the musical.
Set on the last day of Freed’s life, Rock & Roll Manchronicles the life and accomplishments of Alan Freed, the boundary-pushing musician who popularized the records that became the foundation of rock. The musical comprises an original score with genre-defying hits like “Lucille,” “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” and “Tutti Frutti,” to name a few. Unsurprisingly, the production won the 2019 Broadway World Berkshires Awards for Best Musical.
Producers Caiola Productions and Jay & Cindy Gutterman said “Rock & Roll Man is a timeless and tremendously entertaining musical that will move and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.” They expanded on Freed’s accomplishments in the industry, including defying the then-status quo by being the first white DJ to play Black music on mainstream radio. In doing this, Freed united Black and white artists at the dawn of the civil rights movement.
Randal Myler, Director of Rock & Roll Man
Randal Myler is a Tony Award nominee for co-conceiving and directing It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues at Lincoln Center. Additionally, he wrote and directed the critically acclaimed Hank Williams: Lost Highway. Other credits include his Janis Joplin bio-musical Love, Janis, which surpassed 700 performances at the former Village Gate, a many more.
Constantine Maroulis, star of Rock & Roll Man
Constantine Maroulis, born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey is best known for his iconic star turn in Broadway’s Rock of Ages, earning him a number of accolades, including Broadway.com Star of the Year. He hails from the heyday of American Idol, winning the hearts of 30 million viewers weekly during the show’s fourth season, despite coming in sixth place. A graduate of the prestigious Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music, Maroulis resides in New Jersey and has a 12-year-old daughter, Malena James.
Keep an eye out for Rock & Roll Man on Broadway ticket information.
Rochester artist Tony Gallicchio just dropped his new single, “My Baby,” featuring vocals by Canada native Yanick Allwood. The track additionally features John Viviani on guitars, funk master Sean McLay on the bass, and Jimmy Grillo on drums and percussion.
“My Baby” was recorded at The Green Room in Rochester, where Matt Ramerman helped to engineer, mix, and master the song.
The soul-funk track is fun, upbeat, and energizing. It’s the perfect song to lift up your spirit after a long day of work, school, or if you’re simply coming out of a dark place and in need of inspiration. “My Baby” can be anyone in your life that inspires you and takes out of that dark place you’ve been in, whether it be a romantic partner or best friend.
Rochester artist Gallicchio has been the keyboardist for the band Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad for the last 10 years, providing the keyboards for his most recent track. According to Gallicchio, Allwood “exceeded all expectations we had for this song.” Guitarist Vivani has played for bands like Filthy Funk and The Able Bodies. McLay provided the bass, giving the song a smooth feel and natural flow, and Jimmy Grillo was “so good, so solid and so graceful” on drums and precussion, according to Gallicchio.
Brooklyn-born rapper CeddyJay released his debut extended play, “Heartbroken In England” on Feb. 25. His EP was born out of heartbreak, detailing the emotions from his trip to England for love, and not getting what he hoped for. The single “Ginger” was released ahead of the EP on Feb. 14.
Cover of CeddyJay’s Heartbroken in England. Credit: Spotify
CeddyJay grew up in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush and is of Haitian descent. Pursuing his career since the age of five, he quickly became a hit in New York City’s hip-hop scene. He has been compared to the likes of J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, but still has his own unique style. CeddyJay draws audiences in with his special sound and catchy lyrics, and fans are certain to be entertained by all four tracks on his EP. The previously mentioned debut single, “Ginger” stands out as the best track from Heartbroken In England, followed shortly by the opening track, “Broken.“
The EP signifies a new chapter in Ceddyjay’s career. As they say, cliche as it is, “everything happens for a reason.” The rapper certainly found his reason, being the creation of a powerful EP reflecting the raw emotions of heartbreak and the resilience it takes to move on. Significantly, CeddyJay’s music is versatile. His music simultaneously showcases his love for music and personal experiences, telling a story that many can relate to.
The Knottie Boys, a rising punk rock band from New York, are scheduled to perform their EP A Face Fulla Dirt twice in New York this spring. Their first performance will be at Club Odyssey in Oneonta on April 9 at 7 p.m. This will be followed on April 11 at 6 p.m. with a performance at Amityville Music Hall in Long Island, part of Makes My Blood Dance’s tour.
A Face Fulla Dirt, The Knottie Boys’ EP
A Face Fulla Dirt compiles five punk rock tracks from The Knottie Boys. The entire EP can be enjoyed in less than a half hour (for those in a rush, at least.) Otherwise, it’s safe to say the crowd will be demanding an encore at their Oneonta and Long Island shows. There’s enough variety in their music for everyone to enjoy, but there’s still more than enough energy in their tracks to sustain an action-packed live performance. If you’re looking for a fun night out with live music, The Knottie Boys are a band you can’t miss.
New York natives, The Knottie Boys formed in 2018 after high school. At the time, they were working at Hot Topic. The band is known for its theatrical playing style and story-driven songs. Their entire EP can now be listened to on Spotify. For more information, check out their official website.
The Knottie Boys’ Tour Schedule:
Sun, Apr 9, 7:00 P.M:Odyssey, 80 Water Street, Oneonta
Tue, Apr 11, 6:00 P.M:Amityville Music Hall, 198 Broadway, Amityville
Ambient Country band SUSS announced on Feb. 22 that they are staging a four-night concert series in their hometown, Long Island City, this spring. The concert series will take place over four consecutive Fridays, from March 31-April 21 at the Culture Lab. All four sides of their self-titled LP will be featured in the series.
SUSS and Culture Lab have worked together in the past, including co-producing the 2021 concert film Promise Live. Night 1will feature Night Suite, side 1 of the double LP. Night 2 will feature side 2, Heat Haze. Side 3, Winter World, will be performed on the third night. The fourth side of their LP, Across the Horizon, is scheduled for the fourth and final night of the concert series.
Long Island City natives, SUSS consists of Pat Irwin, Bob Holmes, and Jonathan Gregg. Irwin’s credits include composing for shows like Dexter: New Blood, HBO’s Bored to Death, and Rocko’s Modern Life. Holmes was a member of the band Rubber Rodeo. Gregg is formerly of the alternative country band The Linemen and had his own rock band, Jonathan Gregg and the Lonesome Debonaires. Together, the three create vivid ambient music using classic Americana instrumentation.
Culture Lab is a 501(c)(3) formed to be the arts and culture umbrella for Western Queens. Local, national, and international art, of all genres, can be enjoyed there by audiences. They provide space, resources, and a sense of community for New York artists and audiences. The 12,000-square-foot warehouse also hosts two fine art galleries, an 80-seat theater, and an 18,000-square-foot outdoor venue. Equity, diversity, and inclusion across all our platforms are among the core values at the Culture Lab.
Download Suss and purchase the concert series tickets here.
“Echo Lake” from the Promise Live concert film recorded at Culture Lab LIC.
Legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses have announced their 2023 world tour, with a performance at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Sept. 1. The world tour, which lasts throughout summer and fall, marks the group’s first North American tour since their We’re F’N Back! Tour in 2021. Supporting the band on tour is a lineup of superstars, including Carrie Underwood, The Pretenders, Alice In Chains, The Warning, and Dirty Honey.
Guns N’ Roses members, from left to right: Axl Rose, Richard Fortus, Duff McKagan Dizzy Reed, Slash, Melissa Reese, and Frank Ferer. Credit: Katarina Benzova.
Originating from Los Angeles, Guns N’ Roses’ current members include Axl Rose (vocals, piano), Duff McKagan (bass), Slash (lead guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboard), Richard Fortus (rhythm guitar), Frank Ferrer (drums), and Melissa Reese (keyboard). The group is one of the best-selling rock bands and arguably the face of the genre. Their first album, 1987’s Appetite For Destruction, has been crowned “the best-selling U.S. debut album ever” and “the 11th best-selling U.S. album of all time.”
Similarly, their 2016-19 “Not In This Lifetime…” tour ranks as the “fourth-highest grossing concert tour of all time.” In 1991, the band took the music scene by storm with their two-part record, “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II,” marking their third and fourth studio albums, respectively. Their 2008 sixth studio album, “Chinese Democracy” marked the band’s last full-length record, though continue to tour and produce music.
Pre-sale begins Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. General on-sale begins Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. through gunsnroses.com. For more information, including VIP Package details, visit vipnation.com.
2023 TOUR DATES
Aug. 5 – Moncton, NB @ Medavie Blue Cross Stadium with Carrie Underwood Aug. 08 – Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean Drapeau with Carrie Underwood Aug. 11 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium with The Pretenders Aug. 15 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium with The Pretenders Aug. 18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PNC Park with The Pretenders Aug. 21 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park with The Pretenders Aug. 24 – Chicago, IL @ Wrigley Field with The Pretenders Aug. 26 – Nashville, TN @ GEODIS Park with Carrie Underwood Aug. 29 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center with Dirty Honey Sept. 1 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center with Dirty Honey Sept. 3 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre with The Pretenders Sept. 6 – Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena with Dirty Honey Sept. 9 – St. Louis, MO @ Busch Stadium with The Pretenders Sept. 12 – Knoxville, TN @ Thompson-Boling Arena with The Warning Sept. 15 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live with The Warning Sept. 17 – Atlanta, GA @ Midtown Music Festival Sept. 20 – Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum with Dirty Honey Sept. 23 – Kansas City, MO @ Kauffman Stadium with Alice in Chains Sept. 26 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome with Alice in Chains Sept. 28 – Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park with Alice in Chains Oct. 1 – San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium with Alice in Chains Oct. 6 – Indio, CA @ Power Trip Festival Oct. 8 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival Oct. 11 – Phoenix, AZ @ Chase Field with Alice in Chains Oct. 14 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena(support act TBD) Oct. 16 – Vancouver, BC @ BC Place with Alice in Chains
Grammy-winning guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have announced their latest album, In Between Thoughts…A New World, and an international tour in support. The duo’s first album since 2019 is due for release on April 21. Their international tour is scheduled for a performance at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on June 27.
Rodrigo y Gabriela’s latest album, In Between Thoughts…A New World
Rodrigo y Gabriela self-produced the album in their recording studio in Ixtapa, Mexico. The album’s debut single, “Descending To Nowhere,” is available now and can be heard below. The new album sees Rodrigo y Gabriela explore electronic and orchestral elements, a departure from their previous releases.
Rodrigo y Gabriela’s career spans more than two decades with, including the forthcoming In Between Thoughts…A New World, six studio albums. The duo’s first widely released album, re-Foc, debuted in 2002. Their sixth studio album comes after a period of spiritual awakening for Rodrigo y Gabriela.
While recovering from Covid in the fall of 2020, Rodrigo discovered the concept of non-dualism. According to the study of non-dualism, there is a “single, infinite, and indivisible reality, whose nature is pure consciousness, from which all objects and selves derive their apparently independent existence,”, says author/teacher Rupert Spira. When Rodrigo shared his feelings with Gabriela, she felt a similar epiphany, and they began channeling these feelings in song form. The music just started flowing out, without any real intention. We didn’t change the foundation of the songs from that point, so what you hear on the album is the music as we were creating it.”
In a testament to Rodrigo y Gabriela’s musicality, In Between Thoughts leads the listener through a complex narrative with a plot, emotional arcs, and dramatic tension.
Available exclusively at www.rodgab.com, the band is offering a deluxe version of the album on vinyl. Pre-orders are available now. Tickets for the international tour go on sale this Friday, Feb 17, and can be purchased here.
ODRIGO Y GABRIELA
TOUR 2023
+A Special Performance with Antonio Sanchez
*With support from Krooked Kings
^With support from Bahamas
⁰With support from Ondara
APRIL
24 – London, UK – Roundhouse
25 – Paris, FR – Bouffes Du Nord
26 – Paris, FR – Bouffes Du Nord
30 – Cheltenham, UK – Cheltenham Jazz Festival
MAY
18 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre*
19 – Austin, TX – ACL Live At Moody Theatre*
20 – San Antonio, TX – The Espee*
21 – Dallas, TX – AT&T Strauss Square*
25 – Scottsdale, AZ – Scottsdale Center for the Arts*
26 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts By The Bay*+
27 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts By The Bay*+
JUNE
1 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theatre^+
2 – San Bernardino, CA – Yaamava’ Theater
3 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater^
4 – Sacramento, CA – Mondavi Center UC Davis^
7 – Portland, OR – Grand Lodge^
10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Sandy Amphitheater^
11 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre^+
13 – Minneapolis, MN – Fitzgerald Theatre
14 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater⁰
16 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre⁰
17 – Detroit, MI – Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre⁰
19 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium⁰
20 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall⁰
22 – Durham, NC – Carolina Theatre⁰
23 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater⁰
25 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club⁰
27 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre⁰
28 – Philadelphia, PA – Longwood Gardens⁰
29 – Boston, MA – Chevalier Theatre⁰
JULY
1 – Montreal, QC – Montreal Jazz Fest, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier | Place des Arts
2 – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Avalon Theatre
SEPTEMBER
25 – Hamburg, DE Mojo
26 – Berlin, DE Passionskirche
29 – Milan, IT – Santeria
30 – Bologna, IT – Estragon
OCTOBER
2 – Rome, IT – Auditorium Parco della Musica/Sala Sinopoli
NYC-based The Backfires are scheduled to headline a performance at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Prior to the show, they have released the single “Joyride”, out on Feb. 21. The track follows an alternative rock sound, in line much of the band’s other work.
The Backfires: Alex Gomez (frontman, bottom right) Harry Ruprecht (lead guitar, top left) Max Wanduragala (drums, top right), and Matt Walter (bass, bottom left) Credit: The Backfiress
If the rest of The Backfires’ performance is anything like “Joyride”, fans are in for a treat at their Baby’s All Right Show. The track is the perfect song to open a show and get fans in the concert mood. It’s upbeat, but not in a “bubble gum pop song” way. The title of “Joyride” can have multiple meanings, depending on the fan. A “joyride” can be literal, like a trip you take with close friends, or metaphorical to describe the high you feel around someone significant or important in your life.
Equally British and American, The Backfires formed in 2018 when Alex Gomez was studying in London and met Harry Ruprecht and Max Wanduragala. Matt Walter, a childhood friend of Gomez, joined the band in 2019 ahead of recording their debut EP, Consider the Backfires. They finished recording their debut EP in Jan. 2020, shortly before the world shut down due to COVID-19. Since then, they relocated to New York City at the beginning of 2022. Honoring both their British and American roots, they performed in London on Jan. 12, and are scheduled to perform in New York on Feb. 22.
Rock band The Gaslight Anthem is following up their 2022 comeback with a headline tour this spring. During the tour, the band will perform at the Buffalo Outer Harbor Site, The Paramount in Huntington, and the Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette.
The Gaslight Anthem Members, from left to right: Benny Horowitz, Brian Fallon, Alex Levine, and Alex Rosamilia
The band’s 2022 tour marked the first time since 2018 that they performed together.
The Gaslight Anthem consists of Brian Fallon (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Alex Rosamilia (lead guitar, backing vocals), Alex Levine (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Benny Horowitz (drums, percussion, backing vocals). The band first came on the music scene in 2007, with their debut album, Sink or Swim. Their most recent album, Get Hurt, was released in 2014, after which the band went on an indefinite hiatus. After a brief reunion for the 2018 Governor’s Ball Music Festival, the group officially got back together in early 2022. The Gaslight Anthem announced they were working on their yet-to-be-titled new album in Dec. 2022.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. begins the artist presale. Local/venue presales begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. All presales conclude on Feb.16 at 10 p.m. General on-sales begin Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. For more information, please see www.thegaslightanthem.com.
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM – US TOUR 2023
MAY
1 – Houston, TX – House of Blues * †
2 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater †
3 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom †
6 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Music Festival ^
7 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall *
9 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution * †
10 – St Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live * †
12 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz * †
14 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium †
16 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte T
17 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live * †
19 – Atlantic City, NJ – Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino * †
20 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Outer Harbor Site *
21 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome at Toyota Presents Oakdale * †
23 – Portland, ME – The State Theatre *
25 – Bethlehem, PA – The Wind Creek Event Center *
26 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount *
27 – LaFayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards *
On Feb. 9, Opera Saratoga’s board of directors named Mary Birnbaum their new general and artistic director. Birnbaum succeeds Lawrence Edelson, whose eight-year tenure concluded at the end of the 2022 season. The 10th general director in Opera Saratoga’s history, Birnbaum’s hiring comes ahead of the summer 2023 season.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to have Mary Birnbaum join Opera Saratoga. She was selected after an extensive nationwide search, in which we interviewed many highly qualified candidates. Mary’s level of enthusiasm and love of opera are infectious and I am certain she will be an inspirational leader for the company as well as an integral part of the Saratoga Springs community,” said Board President Steve Rosenblum.
Other than her hiring at Opera Saratoga, Birnbaum teaches acting for singers as the Dramatic Advisor to the Masters of Music and Graduate Diploma Program at Juilliard. Birnhaum will main her position at Juilliard in addition to her role at Opera Saratoga. Birnbaum has worked both internationally, from Taiwan (Otello) to Australia and Israel, and across the U.S.
“I am thrilled to accept the position of General and Artistic Director of Opera Saratoga and look forward to collaborating with the talented staff and superior board of directors to bring exceptional music theater to Saratoga Springs and the surrounding communities,” Birnbaum said.
Fans can meet Birnbaum this summer, during the 2023 festival season. Her introduction to the public will happen on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Saratoga National Golf Club.
Opera Saratoga started under the name Lake George Opera Festival on July 5, 1962. Its first production was Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre. The company now calls Saratoga Springs home and has put on productions for more than 25,000 people annually.
Shortly after Birnbaum’s introduction, Opera Saratoga’s summer festival will begin Friday, June 30, and continue until Sunday, July 9. Curated by Managing Director Amanda Robie, Don Pasquale, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and The Selfish Giant, are among the acts set to perform. Tickets can be purchased through www.operasaratoga.org.
