NYS Music 2023

Author: Faith Logue

  • Comedians Amy Poehler and Tina Fey Announce Four Added Beacon Theatre Shows to Tour

    Comedy icons, writers, producers, actresses, and Saturday Night Live alumni Amy Poehler and Tina Fey announced they are adding dates to their sold-out Tina Fey & Amy Poehler: Restless Leg Tour, including four shows at The Beacon Theatre in February.

    Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

    The initial leg of the tour included a sold-out, limited run of East Coast shows in Spring 2023, where fans saw the duo celebrate their 30 years of friendship with an evening of jokes, never-heard-before stories, and conversational entertainment.

    Tina Fey is an award-winning writer, actress, author, and producer, known for creating and starring as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock, which holds the record for the most Emmy nominations in one season for any comedy series (22) and received a total of 103 Emmy nominations and 16 wins over seven seasons. Prior to creating 30 Rock, Fey completed nine seasons as head writer, cast member, and co-anchor of “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live. 

    While at SNL, Fey also wrote the screenplay for the hit comedy film, Mean Girls, which Fey subsequently adapted for Broadway (12 Tony Award nominations) and again as a new musical feature film, now in post-production for Paramount. Fey’s memoir, Bossypants, topped the New York Times best-seller list and remained for 39 consecutive weeks, and went on to sell over five million copies in the US thus far.

    Amy Poehler is one of Hollywood’s most versatile and sought-after talents, with credits including actress, writer, executive producer, and bestselling author. Poehler, perhaps best known for her starring role on the Emmy-nominated NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, can currently be heard as the titular character in the scripted podcast Say More with Dr? Sheila. She also serves as executive producer on the series in partnership with Audacy and her production company, Paper Kite Productions.

    Last year, Poehler made her documentary directorial debut with Amazon’s Emmy-winning documentary Lucy & Desi, which she executive produced alongside Imagine Documentaries & White Horse Pictures. She also starred in and directed Netflix’s Moxie and will star in and produce the upcoming Roku film, First Time Female Director. She has several additional projects in development as part of Paper Kite Productions, including NBC’s thriller-drama The Mother-In-Law, and the Netflix animated feature Steps.

    They will hit The Beacon Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 7, Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9, with a matinee show on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

    Presales begin on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 10 AM, including an artist presale with code RESTLESS. General on-sale starts on Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 AM here. 

    AMY POEHLER & TINA FEY: RESTLESS LEG TOUR DATES: 

    Sat Sept 30 – Denver, CO – Buell Theatre

    Sun Oct 1 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre – matinee show

    Sun Oct 1 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre – evening show 

    Thur Oct 12 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall

    Fri Oct 13 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall

    Sat Oct 14 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall – matinee show

    Sat Oct 14 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall – evening show

    Sun Oct 15 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall – JUST ADDED

    Wed Nov 8 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Theater

    Fri Nov 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre*

    Sat Nov 11 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre*

    Thur Dec 14 – Philadelphia, PA  – The Met

    Fri Dec 15 – Philadelphia, PA  – The Met

    Sat Dec 16 – Philadelphia, PA  – The Met – matinee show

    Sat Dec 16 – Philadelphia, PA  – The Met – evening show

    Fri Jan 12 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – JUST ADDED

    Sat Jan 13 – Portland, OR – Alaska Airlines’ Theater of the Clouds – matinee show

    Sat Jan 13 – Portland, OR – Alaska Airlines’ Theater of the Clouds 

    Fri Jan 19 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre – JUST ADDED

    Fri Jan 26 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic – JUST ADDED

    Sat Jan 27 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre – JUST ADDED

    Wed Feb 7 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED

    Thur Feb 8 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED

    Fri Feb 9 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED

    Sun Feb 11 at 2 pm – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED

    *not a Live Nation tour date

  • Live Nation to Drop Merch Fees, Pay $1500 Stipend to Acts with “On the Road Again” Program

    Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, is launching a new program to improve the lives of touring musicians and cut down on the growing costs traveling artists are facing.

    Willie Nelson performs in concert during Farm Aid at Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center on Sept. 23, 2023, in Noblesville, Indiana. Gary Miller/Getty Images

    As reported by Billboard, the concert giant has announced the launch of “On the Road Again,” a new program inspired by legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson to support developing artists and their road crews. The program has no expiration date and is expected to save artists tens of millions every year. It tackles the growing costs of travel expenses and the ability of artists to make money through merch sales.

    “Touring is a crucial part of an artist’s livelihood, and we understand travel costs take one of the biggest bites out of artists’ nightly profits,” a press release from Live Nation reads. “By helping with these core expenses, we aim to make it easier for artists on the road so they can keep performing to their fans in more cities across the country.”

    Starting today, all acts playing Live Nation-owned and operated clubs, from headliners to support acts, will receive a $1,500 gas and travel cash stipend per show to all headliners and support acts, on top of nightly performance compensation. The company’s clubs will no longer charge merchandise selling fees, allowing artists to keep 100% of merch profits, which many artists rely on to generate cash for the band while they’re on the road.

    Participating venues.

    In January, Ineffable Music Group became the first company to waive merch fees for the company’s venues and showrooms. The decision by Live Nation to waive these fees will likely lead to more cash in the hands of touring artists. Participating venues in New York State include Warsaw, Gramercy Theatre, and Irving Plaza.

    “Touring is important to artists so whatever we can do to help other artists, I think we should do it. This program will impact thousands of artists this year and help make touring a little bit easier,” said Nelson, who provided his hit song On the Road Again as the anthem for the program. 

    On the Road Again also includes financial bonuses to local promoters who help execute shows as well as tour reps and venue crew members who have worked over 500 hours in 2023. It also includes $5 million to Crew Nation, a fund created during the pandemic to support crew across the industry facing unforeseen hardship.

    Some industry workers have commented that this program could kill independent venues, who wouldn’t be able to compete. Prices on other things may increase as well to pay for the program as well. The National Independent Venue Association said in response “Temporary measures may appear to help artists in the short run but actually can squeeze out independent venues which provide the lifeblood of many artists on thin margins…it appears to be a calculated attempt to use a publicly-traded conglomerate’s immeasurable resources to divert artists from independent venues and further consolidate control over the live entertainment sector. Such tactics threaten the vitality of small and medium-sized venues under 3000 capacity, many of which still struggle to keep their doors open.”

    Company officials added that On the Road Again is “a true collaboration that draws on insights from Nelson’s years on the road as well as feedback from touring artists, their teams, and venue operators to help support day-to-day life on tour. All benefits from On the Road Again are being provided directly from the venue’s existing earnings, with no increases to consumers.”

    For more information on the program and a list of participating venues, visit here.

  • Festival of Firsts Returns to Lincoln Center

    Festival of Firsts returns to the David Rubenstein Atrium as part of the Lincoln Center Presents fall/winter season, from Oct. 5-27.

    The Festival of Firsts features artists embarking on new journeys and celebrating significant moments in their careers, with milestones spanning Lincoln Center debuts, World, U.S., and NYC Premieres, album releases, fresh collaborations, and more. With a wide array of genres and artists, Lincoln Center invites audiences to enjoy these free performances.

    Festival of Firsts Schedule

    Rami Khalifé’s LOST, Return to Beirut

    Thursday, October 5 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    LINCOLN CENTER DEBUT

    *THIS EVENT WILL ALSO BE LIVESTREAMED*

    Considered “a musician of extreme caliber and pure expression” by the Daily Star UK, the adventurous Lebanese pianist Rami Khalifé presents work that is as eclectic as it is bold, ranging from improvised concerts, original film soundtracks, reimagined electronic club music with his AUFGANG project, and live tours with his father, the famed composer and oud player Marcel Khalifé. His musicality has led him to classical training at Juilliard; solos with Globalis Orchestra, the Qatar Philharmonic, the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, as well as live performances at the Kennedy Center, the Sydney Opera House, and Queen Elizabeth Hall.

    J Noa

    Friday, October 6 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    LINCOLN CENTER DEBUT

    J Noa’s 2023 major label debut Autodidacta is a blazing-hot introduction to the San Cristobal rapper’s considerable gifts: tongue-tying rhymes, nonstop bars, and the skills to switch up her flow from heartbeat to heartbeat. Her intricate lyricism ties together relevant social and political statements on drug addiction, racism, homophobia, and clapbacks at local government mismanagement. At the ripe age of 17, J Noa can already boast a ten-year songwriting career and a million-plus viewed YouTube hit with “Betty,” depicting the challenges of teen pregnancy.

    Vuyo Sotashe and Chris Pattishall

    Wednesday, October 11 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    NEW SINGLE RELEASE

    Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center

    Over the past decade, South African vocalist Vuyo Sotashe and American pianist/composer Chris Pattishall have become mainstays of the NYC live club scene, with each contributing separately to a wide range of projects spanning jazz, gospel, theater, and film. Now they will present their live debut collaborative performance at the Atrium with an evening of soulful original arrangements. In a program that references Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and traditional South African Xhosa hymns, Sotashe and Pattishall will celebrate the release of their first single, “They Say I Look Like God.”

    Photo by Yekaterina Gyadu.

    Salty Brine’s And If You Listen Very Hard: The Led Zeppelin Show

    Thursday, October 12 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    LINCOLN CENTER DEBUT

    The showy performance artist, playwright, and vocalist Salty Brine is the next big name in outré downtown alt-cabaret. As part of the Festival of Firsts, Brine makes his Lincoln Center debut with a show from his ongoing Living Record Collection, a thus far 20-chapter series of expeditions into the heart of popular music. Each event merges the live recreation of an entire classic album with stories of personal experience alongside literature and theater, autobiographical monologues, a musical celebration of great LPs, and a fresh look at the artistic process. This evening features Robert Louis Stevenson’s immortal pirate adventure Treasure Island and the heavy metal folk-rock masterpiece, Led Zeppelin IV.

    Lady Wray

    Friday, October 13 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    LINCOLN CENTER DEBUT

    A mainstay of the U.S. Billboard charts since the early 2000s, Nicole “Lady” Wray’s clear voice, potent storytelling, and deeply emotive performances combine the 70s soul and the hip-hop-inflected R&B of the 90s. The Guardian calls Lady Wray’s long-awaited third album, Piece of Me, which boasts a recent remix from New York’s own Pete Rock and a guest verse from Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, “a classy retro-soul LP… steeped in experience, familial warmth, and overcoming heartbreak.” She will make her long overdue Lincoln Center debut with songs from Piece of Me interspersed with favorite covers and classic hits, all supported by a full live band packed with special guests.

    Story of the Sky by the Bruces & Friends

    Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 am 

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    DEBUT CHILDREN’S ALBUM

    Husband and wife team Morley and Chris Bruce recently self-released and produced their debut family and children’s album, Story of the Sky. This multi-cultural and inter-generational beginning-of-life narrative centers our inter-belonging—connecting human beings with one another and the natural world.

    Truth to Power Café

    Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    U.S. PREMIERE

    From Adelaide to Zagreb and now in New York for its U.S. premiere, Jeremy Goldstein’s Truth to Power Café is a profound theatrical reflection on loss, hope, and resistance. This inspirational event is told through memoir, image, film, poetry, music, and true and authentic stories in response to the question: “Who has power over you and what do you want to say to them?” Truth to Power Café is inspired by the political and philosophical beliefs of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter and his inner circle “The Hackney Gang,” which included Café creator Jeremy Goldstein’s late father, Mick Goldstein, and poet and actor Henry Woolf.

    Photo by Kate Holmes.

    Erni Lu

    Thursday, October 19 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    FIRST ALBUM & LINCOLN CENTER DEBUT

    Peruvian-born singer-songwriter and guitarist Ernesto “Erni Lu” Lúcar has found his true musical home in New York. From a young age, he fell in love with the city’s music scene, particularly the rhythms of boleros, waltzes, acid jazz, and funk, using these genres and strains of contemporary Latin pop and traditional Peruvian folk in his sound. Over the past several years, Lu has gained significant experience composing film scores for movies such as Gary Terracino’s Elliot Loves and Gonzalo Benavente’s Rocanrol 68. He will make his Lincoln Center premiere, backed by a full live band performing a set of original songs celebrating the release of his debut album Siempre, including the new hit single, “Amor Platónico.”

    ¡VAYA!

    Uptown Royalty

    Friday, October 20 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    LINCOLN CENTER DEBUT

    A Lincoln Center favorite since 2015, ¡VAYA! is a showcase for the finest Latin dance traditions. It offers devotees of Latin music a friendly community, excellent orchestras, and the city’s most inviting dance floor. The husband and wife duo of trombone player and bandleader Ron Renaissance and the glamorous vocalist Jodi Music are at the heart of the NYC-based Uptown Royalty, a combo at the forefront of the future of the modern salsa revolution, fusing classic salsa with contemporary pop, disco, rock, and R&B. Backed by a multi-piece band, their fresh approach to live performance has irresistible charisma, energizing audiences with their spectacular energy.

    Migguel Anggelo’s JOY

    Wednesday, October 25 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    WORLD PREMIERE

    Venezuelan-born and Brooklyn-based artist Migguel Anggelo’s work explores the intersections of queer, Latiné, and immigration identities. As a musician, he has released three albums (English with an Accent, La Casa Azul, Dónde Estara Matisse). As a theater creator, he has been awarded residencies to develop new works at MASS MoCA, the Kimmel Center, Washington Performing Arts, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. For his new multidisciplinary project, Anggelo dons the whimsical persona of JOY, inspired by the mime Marcel Marceu’s immortal Bip the Clown, who asks us to consider the power of silence in new ways. With the addition of an all-star lineup of live musicians, JOY features original music by Migguel Anggelo and Michelle J. Rodriguez.

    Truth Future Bachman’s Skyward: An Endling Elegy

    Thursday, October 26 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    WORLD PREMIERE

    Brooklyn-based composer, playwright, vocalist, and La MaMa resident artist Truth Future Bachman interweaves three of the most compelling cultural threads of our moment: musical theater, gender fluidity, and superhero/sci-fi parables. Following the 2022 presentation of Luna and the Starbodies at last year’s Festival of Firsts, Lincoln Center is proud to host the world premiere of Bachman’s next great origin story within their multiversal mythos, Skyward.

    Larissa Luz

    Friday, October 27 at 7:30 pm

    David Rubenstein Atrium

    NYC & LINCOLN CENTER DEBUT

    *THIS EVENT WILL ALSO BE LIVESTREAMED*

    Presented in collaboration with AFROPUNK

    The multitalented and Latin GRAMMY-nominated Brazilian singer-songwriter Larissa Luz also hosts a popular talk show, has acted in numerous television and film roles, and placed second this year in Brazil’s nationally televised edition of The Masked Singer. She is a social activist, speaking out against sexism, racism, and colorism in a field that’s still greatly defined by it. She is a regular performer in music festivals, including Lollapalooza and Rock in Rio, and will be performing music from across her career, including new songs and cuts from her most recent release, the trap pop EP Deusa Dulov.

    For more information about the free Festival of Firsts performances, visit here.

  • BRIC Jazzfest 2023 Announces Lineup, Featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow, Terrace Martin, and More

    BRIC, a leading, multi-disciplinary arts and media institution anchored in downtown Brooklyn, unveiled the artists slated to perform at this year’s BRIC JazzFest.

    Set to take place at BRIC House from October 19-21 with two stages, this year’s festival promises to be an extraordinary celebration of jazz and its influences. In addition to the live acts, BRIC JazzFest will kick off the first night with a special panel discussion exploring the intersection of Jazz and Hip-Hop, with an ongoing film series taking place onsite during the festival.

    Some of the artists announced for the festival include Reggie Workman, one of the most original and technically gifted bassists in jazz and American contemporary music, vibrant and versatile jazz saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, and multi-instrumentalist and rising staple Ciso Swank. Other acts include Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Nite Bjuti featuring Candice Hoyes, Val Jeanty, and Mimi Jones, Strings N Skins, and Panikkar Rosner & Leigh. Also happening at the BRIC Jazzfest is Jonathan Michel: L’Ouverture, a world premiere concert featuring Emeline Michel, Riva Precil, and Val Jeanty, celebrating the vital role of Haitian women in music and culture.

    Photo by Liz Ligon.

    Previously announced headliners include Georgia Anne Muldrow and Terrace Martin, as well as Isaiah Collier, Amina Claudine Myers Trio, Melanie Charles / Orrin Evans Duo, B. Cool-Aid, BIGYUKI, Miki Yamanaka, and George Burton.

    The festival’s closing night jam session promises an unforgettable experience with the Trill Mega Jam Featuring The Jungle and Guests, culminating in an “expanded sense of jazz” led by a well-known NYC party The Jungle, which will feature artists spanning across multiple genres. It is comprised of DJs, musicians, and artists delivering a stimulating sonic experience that traverses the African Diaspora, embracing Latin, Jazz, Afrobeat, Amapiano, Percussion, Brazilian, Caribbean, House and Soul.

    Tickets for BRIC JazzFest 2023 are available now, with options for daily and three-day passes.

    LINEUP

    Oct. 19

    Terrace Martin
    Melanie Charles / Orrin Evans Duo
    Isaiah Collier
    Reggie Workman
    Alexa Tarantino
    Panikkar Rosner & Leigh

    Oct. 20

    Georgia Anne Muldrow
    BIGYUKI
    George Burton
    Jonathan Michel: L’Ouverture
    Cisco Swank
    Strings N Skins

    Oct. 21

    Amina Claudine Myers Trio
    B. Cool-Aid
    Miki Yamanaka Origami Project
    Sarah Elizabeth Charles
    Trill Mega Jam Featuring The Jungle And Guests
    Nite Bjuti feat. Candice Hoyes, Val Jeanty and Mimi Jones

  • Madison Square Garden Given Short 5-Year Permit by New York City Council

    Madison Square Garden received the shortest extension in the arena’s history, with The City Council unanimously voting on September 14 to give the venue only a five-year permit to continue to operate above Penn Station in Manhattan.

    Madison Square Garden Permit
    Photo by Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times.

    “At this time the Council cannot determine the long-term viability of an arena at this location, therefore five years is an appropriate term for this special permit,” said Erik Bottcher, a Manhattan councilman whose district encompasses Madison Square Garden. The arena’s owner, James Dolan’s MSG Entertainment, wanted a permanent extension of the operating permit, which expires this year, receiving ten-year permits in the past.

    “A short-term special permit is not in anyone’s best interest and undermines the ability to immediately revamp Penn Station and the surrounding area,” MSG Entertainment said in a statement. The issue at hand is the ongoing tension between Penn Station and the Garden. There needs to be a creation of a transportation management plan to address “use conflicts” related to the arena’s loading operations on West 31st Street and pedestrian access, with MSG ordered to provide a plan within six months of its progress. If the venue fails to do so, they could have their operating permit revoked.

    “I still believe that ultimately, we would be able to build the most extraordinary train station if Madison Square Garden was not there,” Bottcher said in an interview.  “I’m still hopeful that would happen someday, but in the immediate term there are plans under consideration that would permit us to have a very extraordinary Penn Station with Madison Square Garden in place.‘’

    For now, state officials are focused on a $7 billion renovation of the station, putting away a broader redevelopment plan for the area.

  • Tedeschi Trucks Band Announces Garden Parties Special Guests

    The Tedeschi Trucks Band has announced the special guests joining them on their “Garden Parties” short run at TD Garden in Boston and Madison Square Garden.

    Tedeschi Trucks Band is a Grammy Award-winning 12-piece rock and soul powerhouse, led by the husband/wife duo of guitarist Derek Trucks and singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi. They are known for their world-class musicianship and contemporary blend of a wide range of American musical influences. The band continues to tour in support of I Am The Moon, their acclaimed fifth studio project which “explodes with joyful, powerful and positive music” (Guitar Player). The album was made off the road during the pandemic and includes four albums released over the summer of 2022.

    Since forming in 2010, the band has traveled countless miles to bring their music to fans all over the world, from sold-out multi-night residencies across America to tours through Europe and Japan, and their flagship annual summer amphitheater tours. Their extensive catalog isn’t geared towards one genre, spanning rock, blues, jazz, and even country, and no setlist is ever the same.

    Credit: David McClister.

    The band announced that joining the show at TD Garden in Boston, MA on Sept. 27 is Warren Haynes, and Trey Anastasio & Norah Jones at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 29. The opener for these performances will be fellow Grammy Award-winner, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Derek Trucks said “We’re excited and honored to throw these Garden Parties with our good friends. Both venues are hallowed ground, so collaborating with great artists that we have a shared history with makes it that much sweeter. It’s going to be a blast!”

    To purchase tickets, visit here.

    2023 Tour Dates

    9/22 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena

    9/27 – Boston, MA – TG Garden^ 

    9/29 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden^

    11/6 – New Orleans, LA – The Big Easy Cruise

    ^Lukas Nelson + POTR

  • Mondo.NYC Announces Inaugural AI Track at Williamsburg Hotel

    Mondo.NYC, the annual global business summit and showcase music festival held in New York from Oct. 10-13, announced the agenda for its new AI track, consisting of ten-panel sessions at the Williamsburg Hotel.

    A highlight of this track will be Mondo.NYC’s first-ever AI Hub, hosted by SingularityNET, a day-long immersive experience held in the hotel’s iconic Water Tower on Tuesday, October 10. SingularityNET was founded by Dr. Ben Goertzel with the mission of creating a decentralized, democratic, inclusive, and beneficial Artificial General Intelligence.

    Mondo.NYC’s inaugural AI track will cover the most important topics and trends in the AI and music space, including AI sourcing, ethics, AI artists, creator tools, using AI safely, and AI’s opportunities and challenges. In addition to the AI track, Mondo.NYC 2023 will also feature programming focusing on topics including the state of the industry, management, music tech, gaming, policy, finance, investment, creation and production, touring, and more.

    Amidst the ever-evolving issues facing the music business, AI has emerged like no other, roaring into our collective consciousness, capturing the attention of thought-leaders across the industry spectrum who are seemingly – and often simultaneously – cheering its potential for good and decrying its potential for disaster. We can’t wait for Mondo attendees to experience the latest in all things AI from the top minds in our industry and start conversations that will reverberate throughout the music business long after Mondo.NYC 2023 ends.

    Bobby Haber, Managing Director of Mondo.NYC

    See the complete agenda here. Mondo.NYC tickets are available here.

    Panel Agenda & Speakers – More to be announced

    Tuesday, October 10, 2023

    1:00 PM – AI: Opportunity or Apocalypse?

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Albhy Galuten, Senior Fellow, Intertrust Technologies

    David Hughes, Principal, Hughes Strategic

    Dr. Martin Clancy, PhD, Founder & CEO, AI:OK

    Albhy Galuten and others will discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence in the music ecosystem. Is it just another invention like the synthesizer or electric guitar, or is it the end of life (and income) as we know it for musicians and writers?

    3:00 PM – Days of Future Passed: Disruptive Technologies and the Music Industry

    Speakers:

    Bill Rosenblatt, President, GiantSteps Media Technology Strategies

    Howie Singer, Adjunct Professor, NYU Music Business

    If you want to predict how new technologies such as AI and social video will change the music industry, one way is to analyze how previous innovations impacted the business. Howie Singer and Bill Rosenblatt, authors of the new book Key Changes: The Ten Times Technology Transformed the Music Industry, look at lessons from historical developments over more than a century to help us predict how the latest disruptive technologies will shake up the music business.

    4:00 PM – Sync Re:Defined – Re:Designed – Re:Imagined

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Justin Gray, CEO/President, Songistry Inc.

    Music supervisors, songwriters, labels, and publishers all have differing opinions about the benefits of AI and its long-term effect on creativity and job security. Come see how Songistry is using AI to completely reshape how music is managed, discovered, pitched, and licensed.

    5:00 PM A Whole New Ecosystem: Creating & Releasing New Music with AI

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Sean Glover, Director of Industry Engagement, SoundExchange

    The co-writer of your artist’s next big hit or the reason you debut on the charts could be AI. With endless ways artists can collaborate and access beats, samples, tracks, and more, we are living in an age of true musical exploration and innovation. The experts on this panel are one step ahead, leveraging these tools or building them, and will dig into how they create and how they release new music into the world.

    Wednesday, October 11, 2023

    12:00 PM – Beyond the AI Boogeyman: Trust & Safety in the Modern Music Industry

    Speakers:

    Christine Barnum, Chief Revenue Officer, CD Baby

    The critical conversation around trust and safety in music’s digital marketplaces has never been louder, but as each business lays out its own position, how can the industry align to formulate a collaborative approach to a nuanced issue? In this discussion, our panel will focus on the impact of streaming fraud, how a proactive approach to trust and safety is necessary, and why AI=Fraud isn’t the nuanced understanding the industry needs to progress.

    2:00 PM – AI Alchemy: The Future of Creator Tools

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Daniel Rowland, Head of Strategy and Partnerships, LANDR

    Matan Kollenscher, CEO, MyPart

    Rachel Lyske, CEO, DAACI

    Yotam Mann, Musician & Software Maker

    AI is becoming increasingly good at not just prompt-based generation of full songs, but one-shot samples, loops, and even presets for digital instruments, along with composition assistance, mixing, mastering, and other workflow enhancements. But most popular music production software has few – if any – AI features. Will the old guard adapt, or will we see a surge in the popularity of fresh, AI-native creator tools?

    3:00 PM – The Artist as API: The Next Level of Fan Engagement

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Daniel Rowland, Head of Strategy and Partnerships, LANDR

    Seth Goldstein, General Counsel and Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, Moises.ai

    Stefan Heinrich, Co-Founder & CEO, MAYK Inc.

    Outside of using AI in their own productions, some artists are offering fans AI models of their sound, likeness, and voice. Is this the future of fan engagement, brand building, and collaboration at scale?

    4:00 PM RIAA Presents The End of Reality: AI and the Future of Music…

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Jem Aswad, Executive Music Editor, Variety

    Dr. Moiya McTier, ExplAIner-in-Chief, Human Artistry Campaign

    Jonathan Taplin, Director Emeritus, Annenberg Innovation Lab, University of Southern California

    Jessy Wilson, Songwriter & Recording Artist

    Variety Executive Music Editor Jem Aswad leads a discussion with USC Annenberg Innovation Lab Chairman Emeritus Jonathan Taplin, author of The End of Reality; Grammy-nominated songwriter and recording artist Jessy Wilson; and noted scientist, author, and storyteller Dr. Moiya McTier for their expert perspectives on AI, innovation, and the future of the music business.

    5:00 PM – The Well-Trained Model: Ethically Sourced AI for Artists

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Daniel Rowland, Head of Strategy and Partnerships, LANDR

    Chris Horton, SVP Strategic Technology, Universal Music Group

    Stefan Lattner, Research Leader, Music Team, Sony Computer Science Labs

    Joe Lyske, Inventor and Co-Founder, Mashtraxx Ltd.

    How does an artist know what dataset the AI tool they are using was trained on, and whether their own music was used? A discussion of how AI is trained and the future of attribution and compensation for artists.

    Friday, October 13, 2023

    1:00 PM – Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: Hot Topics in Generative AI in the Music Industry from Neural Networks to Fake Drake

    Speakers:

    Moderator: Phil Hill, Special Counsel, Music Industry Practice, Covington & Burling LLP

    Chris Horton, SVP Strategic Technology, Universal Music Group

    Shannon Sorensen, SVP, Legal and Business Affairs, National Music Publishers’ Association

    Generative AI has been the hottest topic in the last several months from board rooms to dinner parties. Our panel will discuss this new technology’s impact on the music industry and will address topics such as copyright, rights of publicity and privacy, contracts and licensing, and overall policy.

  • F.I.R.E., The All-Woman Festival, Returns to Oswego Music Hall

    Musician and festival curator Jess Novak has announced the F.I.R.E. (Females Inspire, Rock, Empower) Festival will return to the Oswego Music Hall on Oct. 15 from 1-5 p.m.

    The idea of the F.I.R.E. Festival is to promote women in music, art, and business. While many festivals boast all-male lineups with cover-centric headliners, F.I.R.E. will feature women playing original music. Vendors and artists include Unremorseful Art, AzureEyes Photography, Foxxy Bones (who creates art and jewelry from animal bones), and more. Musicians include local performers Amanda Rogers, Caitlin Barry, Ella Drotar, Novak, Buffalo-based artist Stress Dolls, and more. This year’s event will also include an open mic portion. This will allow female attendees to share on stage even if they aren’t regularly performing musicians, encouraging artists of all ages and talents the opportunity to be brave and perform.

    “This was originally planned for March 2020,” Novak explains. “That didn’t happen because of COVID, but last October we brought it to life at Oswego Music Hall. It was so successful we started planning the next festival right away.”

    Novak continues “When I was a kid, I never attended a musical event where women were as well-represented as men. This provides an opportunity for young people to see that anything they dream of – they can do.”

    The event is part of the Oswego Music Hall guest curator series where people from the community pitch event ideas to utilize the space. The festival was created by Jess Novak who performs alongside the Jess Novak Band. She has performed over all over the country, recorded multiple albums, and is an award-winning journalist.

    Just a few years ago, I was too afraid to sing on a microphone. I dreamed to be on stage but wasn’t brave enough to try it. I hope the open mic part of the festival will reach a few people who are just like I was: eager to perform, but too afraid to try. Now is your chance.

    Jess Novak

    Novak also plans to bring the festival to The Center for the Arts of Homer on Friday, March 8, 2024, International Women’s Day, hoping to establish northern and southern CNY versions of the event. All ages are welcome and admittance is $10 at the door (children under 12 are free). 50/50 raffles will be held and goods and art will be available for sale.

    For more information on the F.I.R.E. Festival, visit here.

    Lineup

    Jess Novak

    Starting Off Red
    Ella Drotar
    Caitlin Barry
    Brynn Race
    Jennifer Horstman
    Gina Holsopple
    Amanda Rogers
    Stress Dolls
    Unremorseful Art
    Golden Age Reiki
    Jamie Santos
    Wildebeest Publishing Co. 
    Foxxy Bones
    Azure Eyes Photography

    Lake Effect Stained Glass

    Deborah Chalone

    Laura Dobrota

  • Cold War Kids Share Emotional Single, Announce Headline Tour Coming to Webster Hall

    Cold War Kids have announced their new single “Another Name” off of their upcoming record Cold War Kids, their tenth record. The group also announced a headline tour in support of the record, with two nights at NYC’s Webster Hall.

    Cold War Kids from California is made up of Nathan Willett (vocals, piano, guitar), Matt Maust (bass guitar), David Quon (guitar, backing vocals), Matthew Schwartz (keyboards, backing vocals, guitar, percussion), and Joe Plummer (drums, percussion). Since its inception nearly two decades ago, the group has garnered over one billion streams, adding to its eclectic catalog with its newest endeavor Cold War Kids.

    “The band started out with four guys who have very specific tastes and styles, and now it’s mostly me making the records in a way I love and have always envisioned,” Willett says. “The sound of Cold War Kids has always been there, and I wanted this record to be the ideal, best version of all those things we’ve always been.” Instead of just releasing a five-song EP or an entirely different record, Willett took a breather and contemplated how the record should sound, infusing it with meaningful discourse about his life, and the state of the world.

    The aptly self-titled result is perhaps the strongest and most well-rounded record Cold War Kids has ever produced. They previously shared their current single “Run Away With Me” which debuted at #33 on the AltRock charts. With its funky groove and huge chorus, the track sets the tone for the LP as a whole, featuring 12 high-minded, stylistically diverse songs referencing everything from Curtis Mayfield to the Pretenders and Elton John to Happy Mondays and Gang Of Four. They also released “Double Life,” which American Songwriter called “an energetic, shoulder-shaking new single.” 

    The album draws inspiration from the band’s blues-and-soul-driven past as well as fresh dance beats and 80s pop/rock. The themes of the record speak about Willett’s introspective state of mind and his reality. The newest single “Another Name” is an emotionally driven track, slow and melodic, speaking of heartbreak in a tear-jerking way.

    This summer Cold War Kids were on the road as the direct support for Tears For Fears. Now, they are excited to announce a North American headline tour in support of Cold War Kids with dates kicking off in January. They will play at New York City’s Webster Hall on March 1 and 2. Tickets are on sale Friday, Sept 15th at 10 AM local time.

    Cold War Kids tour dates

    1/31 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore^

    2/01 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom^

    2/02 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre^

    2/03 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre^

    2/05 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory^

    2/06 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM^

    2/08 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen^

    2/09 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre^

    2/10 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre^

    2/13 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom^

    2/15 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues^

    2/16 – Houston, TX – House of Blues^

    2/17 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater^

    2/23 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed#

    2/24 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue#

    2/26 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues#

    2/27 – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix Concert Theatre#

    2/28 – Boston, MA – House of Blues#

    3/01 – New York, NY – Webster Hall#

    3/02 – New York, NY – Webster Hall#

    3/03 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore#

    3/05 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club#

    3/08 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz#

    3/09 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre#

    03/15 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post*

    03/16 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst*

    03/18 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park*

    03/20 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre*

    03/21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre*

    03/23 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy + Harriet’s*

    ^ – Hovvdy support 

    # – Joe P support 

    * – TBA support

  • North Beach Music Festival Returns to Miami, Features Disco Biscuits, Eggy, Heavy Pets, And More

    Miami-based concert promoter and event producer GMP Live is thrilled to announce the return of the North Beach Music Festival, happening from Dec. 1-3, featuring headliners The Disco Biscuits, Eggy, Heavy Pets, and many more.

    Taking place at the Miami Beach Bandshell and the adjacent Bandshell Park, NBMF 2023 returns for its third year, and pledges to donate $1 per ticket sold to Backline. Live For Live Music stated that “NBMF combined the convenience of a city show, the immersive experience of a ‘farm’ festival, and the breezy inclinations of a beach vacation into one thoroughly enticing live music getaway,” in its inaugural year.

    Reflecting on the return of the North Beach Music Festival, Gideon Plotnicki of GMP Live shares, “It’s been amazing to watch this event and the community around it grow over the past few years. We’re so excited to bring North Beach Music Festival back to South Florida this December with our biggest lineup yet!” Regarding this year’s lineup, Plotnicki states, “We’re thrilled to have The Disco Biscuits and Cory Wong as headliners. It’s exciting to have such talented bands from opposite ends of the musical spectrum at the top of our lineup, and we’re looking forward to showcasing just how musically diverse this scene is. We’ll see you at the Bandshell in a few months!”

    The lineup welcomes headliners The Disco Biscuits for three sets over the weekend, with two sets scheduled on Friday, Dec. 1, and one set on Saturday, Dec. 2, in addition to Sunday’s headliner, Cory Wong. The festival’s third-year lineup also welcomes the likes of SunSquabi, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Eggy, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Mark Farina, Say She She, The Heavy Pets, Adam Deitch for both a quartet performance as well as a producer set, Electric Kif, Erica Falls & Vintage Soul, Ajeva, Twyn, and Brad Miller Trio feat. Oz Noy & Thomas Pridgen. 

    Photo by Slightly Skewed Photography.

    Friday night’s festivities will take place exclusively in the Miami Beach Bandshell. While the Park will be open on Friday night, attendees can expect full food and craft vending, additional programming on the Park Stage, and the Park Stage’s immersive light show experience over Saturday and Sunday.

    General on sale for the 2023 addition of NBMF starts this Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at 12:00 PM EST here. This year, the festival will once again offer two- and three-day ticketing options, as well as a new ticket type, GA+, and three different levels of VIP.