NYS Music 2023

Category: Funk/Soul/R&B

  • Mix Master Mike and More Feature On “War: The Remixes” EP

    To mark the 50th Anniversary milestone of The World is a Ghetto, American Funk band WAR have announced a brand new collection called WAR: The Remixes featuring Mix Master Mike.

    Out May 12th, the EP expands the influence of WAR’s music on the worlds of contemporary hip-hop, as esteemed DJs, producers and musicians including Beastie Boys turntablist Mix Master Mike, and DJ Logic, reimagine eternal hits that spans several of the band’s years. 

    Named as “the world’s greatest DJ” by USA Today, Mix Master Mike’s status as a premier, award-winning DJ and producer has allowed him to maintain his rank as an influential musician, and become a household name. After being inducted into the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 with the Beastie Boys, His skillful, hard-hitting scratch work has rightfully earned him the status of a pioneer in the hip-hop and DJ communities. 

    Recently, Mike has been found opening for the Vancouver Winter Olympics, joining the official Emmy’s orchestra with the legendary Michael Bearden , creating music that has been featured on major television networks, producing the theme music for the FIFA World Cup, and more. In 2016, he was invited to the White House by former President Barack Obama to perform at the Kennedy Center Honors 36th Gala honoring Herbie Hancock. 

    war

    Across WAR’s six decades and counting, the band spread its messages of harmony and inclusion through songs that have soundtracked the anti-Vietnam movement, Watergate, and multiple Barack Obama summer playlists. Bolstered by the gold-selling success of the title track and the boundary-breaking power of “The Cisco Kid,” The World is a Ghetto topped Billboard’s pop and R&B charts, launching WAR’s legacy not only of creative and commercial triumph, but of timely and timeless relevance.

    Led by Lonnie Jordan, WAR remains one of the busiest bands on the road today, and throughout 2023 they will headline dozens of shows, in addition to appearing at festivals like BottleRock Napa Valley and more to be announced soon.

    For more information, please visit WAR’s website.

  • Keyanna Hutchinson announces “Plugged and Unplugged” at the Greenwich House Music School 

    The gifted Keyanna Hutchinson announced her Uncharted concert, Plugged and Unplugged, at the Greenwich House Music School.  The show will begin at 8pm on Thursday, April 13.

    Keyanna Hutchinson is a Brooklyn-born versatile musician. The multi-talented artist uses her Caribbean lineage, love for music, conservatory training, experience with rock, jazz, R&B and experimental composition tours as inspiration. While known for her mastery of the guitar, Hutchinson is also a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer.

    Hutchinson reveals that the efforts of Terri Lynne Carrington, Lizz Wright, and Brandon Ross of Harriet Tubman have motivated her throughout this journey. Her mentors inspired her to craft a sound that pays homage and to propagate the roots of black and indigenous sound. She also is a recent awardee of the prestigious Next Jazz Legacy fellowship through New Music USA. 

    Plugged and Unplugged will feature Hutchison’s many talents for a new project that will eventually be released as a debut album. The album will fuse her love of live performance with recent explorations into electronic composition and remix culture. In its ninth year at Greenwich House Music School, the Uncharted residency and concert series provides a resource for New York-based musicians to develop original material, foster new collaborations, and premiere first-look projects in an intimate concert setting. 

    Greenwich House Music School was founded in 1902 and currently offers innovative programs in arts and education, older adult services, behavioral, mental health, and workforce development. The music school strives to help communities by taking thoughtful risks, piloting new models and approaches, and implementing effective solutions. More information about the Greenwich House Music School can be accessed here.

    Tickets are available for purchase here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie1kGk0mifM

  • Sid Seth Drops Sizzling “Hopeless War,” More Music to Come

    Singer-songwriter Sid Seth has a new single “Hopeless War,” out now, and announced that more new music is coming. The new single, released via Earmilk, was accompanied by a music video in support. If “Hopeless War,” is any indication, Seth will have a long and successful career ahead of him.

    sid seth hopeless war
    Singer-songwriter Sid Seth. Credit: Dara Ó Cairbre

    Sid Seth is originally from India and moved to New York City to pursue a career in music in 2018, studying at the Manhattan School of Music. His music is a combination of soul and pop, drawing inspiration from The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Boney M, and Abba, while his father introduced him to the rhythm and melodies of Bollywood, Hindustani Folk Music, and Indian Classical music. Seth’s enriching sound can be honorably compared to the likes of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Ella Fitzgerald.

    Since moving to New York City, Seth has performed at several music venues, including the Rockwood Music Hall, Parkside Lounge, the Bowery Electric, Breaking Sound, Feinstein’s 54 Below, and the Green Room, on top of multiple cities in India. Seth has received acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone India, Earmilk, Celeb Mix, Variance, and Atwood Magazine, and, with thousands of streams across his repertoire, we are likely to see much more of him in the future.

    The strength of “Hopeless War,” comes from its versatility. Almost everyone can relate to that feeling, whether it be in a romantic relationship, friendship, or even familial relationship, when something is just not working anymore, and you have to let each other go. Enough is enough. With Seth’s powerful lyrics, hopefully, anyone struggling with whatever situation they’re in can find the courage to do whatever they need to do. Because of this, it’s safe to assume future music by Seth, which has already been confirmed by the singer, will similarly resonate with audiences.

    Of his newest track, Sid wrote: “‘Hopeless War’ comes from a classic situation: a battle of ‘you did this, I did that.’ Both parties go crazy, and after a certain point in the argument, it doesn’t even make sense anymore. Someone takes the lead and is like, ‘Okay, let’s just end this, it’s pointless.’ It’s that scene. And after all that, it leaves you with silence and the question lingering ‘where do we go now?’

    The latest single by Sid Seth, “Hopeless War,” is now streaming. Stay tuned for more music coming soon.

  • Natalie Merchant Debuts Singles/Videos for “Tower Of Babel” & “Big Girls”

    Jamestown, NY’s Natalie Merchant debuted her new single “Tower of Babel” recently, alongside a soul-infecting indie video to paired alongside. The single anticipates Merchant’s forthcoming album Keep Your Courage, set for an April 14th release. Merchant stated, “For the most part, this is an album about the human heart.”

    Natalie Merchant Debuts New Single/Video “Tower Of Babel”

    “Tower of Babel” is soul-inflecting, featuring horn arrangements by trombone player Steve Davis, and follows the first single and video, “Come On, Aphrodite.”

    As much as I had wanted to not let events in the world intrude, I couldn’t disregard the prevailing atmosphere of fear and confusion that we have been living in as a result of the pandemic, climate crisis, economic instability, insane politics, violent insurrection and the shocking fallout from the conservative-stacked reactionary Supreme Court.

    Natalie Merchant

    Keep Your Courage is the Natalie’s ninth solo studio album, and the latest new material since 2014’s self-titled record. In the words of Uncut, “‘Keep Your Courage,’ almost a decade in the making, finds Merchant as witty and welcoming as always, turning her gaze to what helps us endure life’s ups and downs.”

    The eclectic album features contributions from Celtic folk group Lúnasa, Syrian virtuoso clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and jazz trombonist Steve Davis. There are lush orchestrations by seven composers throughout, including: Gabriel Kahane, Stephen Barber, Colin Jacobsen and Megan Gould. The new record is comprised of nine original songs by Merchant as well as an interpretation of “Hunting the Wren” by Ian Lynch of the Irish band Lankum.

    In celebration of the new music, Merchant will embark upon an extensive tour this spring, going into the fall of 2023.

    NATALIE MERCHANT TOUR—U.S.  

    April 14—Poughkeepsie, NY—Bardavon, 1869 Opera House‡ 

    April 15—Poughkeepsie, NY—Bardavon, 1869 Opera House‡ 

    April 18—Pittsburgh, PA—Byham Theater 

    April 19—Charlottesville, VA—The Paramount Theater‡ 

    April 21—Philadelphia, PA—Kimmel Cultural Campus 

    April 22—Hershey, PA—The Hershey Theatre 

    April 24—Greenville, SC—Peace Center Concert Hall 

    April 26—Clearwater, FL—Ruth Eckerd Hall 

    April 27—Fort Lauderdale, FL—with The South Florida Symphony Orchestra 

    Au-Rene Theater – Broward Center for the Performing Arts† 

    April 28—St. Augustine, FL—The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre 

    April 30—Atlanta, GA—with The Atlanta Symphony at Atlanta Symphony Hall†‡ 

    May 9—Portland, ME—Merrill Auditorium 

    May 10—Boston, MA—Emerson Colonial Theatre‡ 

    May 11—Boston, MA—Emerson Colonial Theatre 

    May 13—Cleveland, OH—Keybank State Theatre 

    May 14—Cincinnati, OH—Taft Theatre 

    May 16—Carmel, IN—The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts 

    May 17—Ann Arbor, MI—Michigan Theater 

    May 19—Chicago, IL—Chicago Theatre 

    May 20—Milwaukee, WI—The Pabst Theater 

    June 2–3—New York, NY—Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts—Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center† 

    June 25—Newark, NJ—New Jersey Performing Arts Center† 

    June 28—Providence, RI—Veterans Memorial Auditorium† 

    June 30—Washington, DC—John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts† 

    July 1—Washington, DC—John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts† 

    July 8—Chautauqua, NY—Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater† 

    September 20—Spokane, WA—Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox 

    September 22—Seattle, WA— Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery  

    September 23—Portland, OR—Keller Auditorium 

    September 26—San Francisco, CA—The Masonic 

    September 27—Saratoga, CA—The Mountain Winery* 

    September 29—San Diego, CA—Humphrey’s‡ 

    September 30—Los Angeles, CA—Walt Disney Concert Hall 

    NATALIE MERCHANT TOUR—EUROPE 

    November 2—London, UK—London Palladium 

    November 3—London, UK—London Palladium 

    November 5—Glasgow, UK—Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 

    November 6—Manchester, UK—O2 Apollo Manchester 

    November 8—Dublin, IE—Olympia 

    November 11—Bath, UK—The Forum 

    November 13—Amsterdam, NL—Carré Theatre 

    November 14—Brussels, BE—Cirque Royal 

    *On-sale timing TBA 

    †With symphony orchestra 

    ‡Sold Out 

    To listen and watch “Tower Of Babel,” click the link here. 

    Pre-save/pre-order the forthcoming album here. 

  • 75th Annual Albany Tulip Festival Features Guster, American Authors, and More

    The City of Albany announced the 75th annual Tulip Festival will take place on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 in Washington Park, featuring many notable New York State artists and headliners Guster, American Authors, and more.

    Tulip Festival

    The Albany Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event, featuring nearly one hundred artisans selling their handmade crafts, a fine arts show, delicious food trucks, the KidZone family fun destination, three world-class live entertainment stages, a brand new wellness stage with free dance classes, and more than 248,000 tulips in 175 different varieties. The festival will bring many genres from across the state and beyond performing on multiple stages for the many people that attend.

    Saturday, May 13

    Main Stage, Washington Park Parade Grounds

    1:30 p.m. – Precious Metals is a solo project led by Troy native singer-songwriter J Lee White, featuring a band of established local musicians including Mateo Vosganian (drums), Jesse Bolduc (bass), and Chase Keener (keys, guitar). The band’s high-energy alt-rock sound pulls from the early 2000s emo explosion and 2010s indie rock revival.

    3:00 p.m. – Karina Rykman has garnered a lot of attention and avid listenership through her playing of the bass, singing, and enjoying herself through her performances, like jumping and dancing while she sings. Her music straddles the worlds of jam rock and indie pop with touches of psychedelia. She has only released six singles so far but continues to be an unmissable live act.

    4:30 p.m. – Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston founded in 1991. They are known for their unique style of live shows with notable humor and touches of their own tastes. The band is comprised of Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel, formed when they did band practices at Tufts University.

    Local 518 Stage, Washington Park Lakehouse Stage

    1:00 p.m. – Space Trash is a local quartet combining rhythm, blues, rock, funk, and pop originals.

    2:15 p.m. – Frank Palangi is an indie rock recording artist from Upstate New York, reigniting the fuel on a genre that refuses to die. He has received numerous awards, including Best In the Region for Glens Falls and Albany areas, the national unsigned-only competition finals, radio artist of the year (radio wigwam), and an LA Music Award single Nomination.

    3:30 p.m – OHZHE is a hip-hop artist from Albany, bringing his charisma and versatility to the stage, connecting with his audience through his reliability and vulnerability. He looks to inspire his city with his lyrics, perspective, and lifestyle.

    4:45 p.m. – T.V. Doctors are a trio from Upstate New York comprised of Bob Morris, Acoustic & Electric Drums, Josh Witmer, Guitar, Guitar Synth, Keys, Samples, and Evan Conway, Bass, Bass Synth, and Keys.

    Tulip Festival
    Albany Tulip Festival.

    Sunday, May 14

    Starting off the day from 9-10 a.m. is the annual Yoga Fest on the Main Stage. The event is free, but those who wish to attend must register here.

    Main Stage

    1:30 p.m. – The Age is a project of Adrian Lewis, who makes music so the audience can get a glimpse of how he sees the world, through fragments of introspection and humility. He touches on themes of insecurity, devotion, heartache, and more.

    3:00 p.m. – Eastbound Jesus doesn’t fit into one genre, they shred on the banjo, play ballads, and make you jump to their fast-paced rocking tunes in what they call “Northern rock.” Everything they do comes from a real, genuine place that makes for a sound all their own.

    4:45 p.m. – American Authors are a New York-based pop-rock band that has accomplished what many bands dream of doing, having their music climb to the top of the charts and singles go multi-platinum. Their single “Best Day of My Life” has been featured in over 600 movie trailers, commercials, and TV shows, also appearing as the theme song for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. American Authors has played award shows and hit the stages of legendary venues all over the world.

    Local 518 Stage

    1:00 p.m. – Caity and the Gallaghers are the full band iteration of the folk singer-songwriter Caity Gallagher, joined by the talented bassist Ben Woodul, pianist Dan DeKalb, and percussionist John Morris. Compared to a modern combination of The Cranberries and Jackson Browne, she elevates melodic, emotional, and lyrical expression in her music.

    2:15 p.m. – Glass Pony is an Albany collective that plays a variety of genres spanning multiple decades from psychedelic and jam-focused rock to funk, post-punk, and more. The band offers a sound that truly translates through generations with a stylistic blend that engages a broad listenership, with the focus squarely set on delivering captivating live performances

    3:30 p.m. – Nickopotamus combines elements of jam, funk, rock, punk, groove, and zydeco to provide the listener with an exciting experience that will have them singing along. Hailing from Albany, the four-piece is led by singer/songwriter/ guitarist Nick Souder, with Andy Flemming on Bass, Dave Pemrick on Drums, and Kate Beauvais on Aux Percussion.

    4:45 p.m. – DJ HollyW8D, originally from Brooklyn, is an influencer who curates shows for independent artists and hosts a radio segment on WCDB 90.9 FM. He energized crowds throughout the Upstate New York Capital Region and believes music brings joy, energy, nostalgia, and good vibes. His latest venture is titled #MoreMusicLessViolence which is a community concert series focused on bringing creatives of all ages together along with community members through positive music.

    For more information about the Albany Tulip Festival, visit here.

  • Lollapalooza Reveals Lineup Featuring Over 170 Musicians for 2023 Edition

    Lollapalooza revealed a powerhouse lineup for their 2023 edition, featuring stars such as Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, ODESZA, Lana Del Rey etc. The biggest music festival of 2023 will take place August 3-6 at Grant Park in Chicago.

    The exhilarating celebration will showcase over 170 bands with nine stages and four full days of music and programming.  Lollapalooza is always on the hunt for upcoming artists to take the stage. As a result, fans can enjoy the must-see breakout stars including, Dom Dolla, Sabrina Carpenter, Lovejoy, Knock2, Jessie Murph, Suki Waterhouse, Thee Sacred Souls, and The 502s. Fan favorites Lil Yachty, Tems, J.I.D, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maggie Rogers, Carly Rae Jepsen, Diplo, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Fred again and Noah Kahan will also be featured in the festival. 

    Lollapalooza is recognized as the premier music festival across the world because of its diverse lineup. The 2023 edition presents NewJeans,, The Rose, Rina Sawayama, Rema, NIKI, Morgan Wade, DPR IAN + DPR LIVE, Lainey Wilson, L’Impératrice, Ivan Cornejo and Sudan Archives.Furthermore, Lollapalooza makes history this year with its first Latina female performer, Karol G. Additionally, British superstars The 1975, and Tomorrow X Together will also take the stage. Chicago will be fully represented with musicians such as Louis the Child, Dehd, Sincere Engineer, Friday Pilots Club, Motherfolk, Kidd Kenn, and more.

    lollapalooza 2023

    Lollapalooza was founded in 1991 by Perry Farrell and remains an innovator in festival culture over 30 years later. The festival made its mark by being the first festival to bring together artists from a wide range of musical genres on one bill, the first to expand to multiple days, the first to blend art and activism, and the first to expand internationally. Besides Chicago Lollapalooza has held shows in culturally rich countries including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France, Sweden and India.

    Lollapalooza’s contribution to the City of Chicago trumps all other festivals in the region., Although the festival occurs over an annual four-day weekend in the summer, Lollapalooza strives to provide meaningful engagement and impact year-round.  The festival supports local communities by introducing Chicago youth to creative opportunities in the concert industry and reducing barriers to arts access in Chicago schools. To support arts and education in Chicago Public Schools, organizers created the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund donating $2.2M to programs. Additionally, Lollapalooza hosts an annual Sueños Job Fair and is united with African American Heritage Festivals, Teens in the Park Fest, Black Culture Fest, Musically Fed, and After School Matters.  For more information, please visit here. 

    To secure 4-Day General Admission, fans can sign up for the SMS Presale that begins this Thursday, March 23 at 10am here. A full list of amenities can be accessed here. Layaway Plans are also available on all ticket types starting at $20 down.

    1-Day Tickets, along with the lineup-by-day will be available later. Kids eight and under may attend for free with a ticketed adult and enjoy Kidzapalooza. It’s presented by Lifeway Kefir and is an interactive music playground within the festival that presents a lineup of family-friendly performances, activities, music, and dance workshops and more. 

  • Members of TAB & JRAD Light Up Albany with LaMP Trio

    It was a birthday party like no other on Saturday, March 25th, as members of the Trey Anastasio Band and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead joined forces as LaMP to light up Lark Hall in Albany.  The memorable evening of stellar improvisation and infectious grooves was extra special for the venue’s owner, Jennifer Miller. That’s because many of her nearest and dearest friends helped pack the place to capacity in celebration of her turning 50 years young.

    FUNGKSHUI kicked off the party at Lark Hall on Saturday, March 25, 2023

    Kicking off the festivities with a high energy, fun-fueled set was Asbury Park, NJ young bloods FUNGKSHUI.  Pronounced “funk-shway,” the exciting upstarts made the most of the opportunity to share the stage with a few of their musical heroes.  Comprised of Jack Reed (guitar), Max Vitale (guitar), Jon Scheps (bass), and Kyle Donovan (drums), the psychedelic funk quartet had Lark Hall moving and grooving from the beginning. 

    FUNGKSHUI performing at Lark Hall in Albany, NY 3/25/23

    With two powerhouse guitar players and an incredibly tight rhythm section, the young band showcased a musical maturity well beyond their years. With irresistible hooks, dynamic soloing, and plenty of room left for improvisation, songs like “Orange Cadillac,” “Sinkhole” and “Blue Rat Bastard” highlighted the set. Clearly grateful to be there, afterwards the band members stuck around to chat with new fans and hand out free stickers, while also managing to create quite a buzz about their upcoming appearance at the nearby Rye Bread Music Festival later this summer. With their debut album also on the way, we expect to hear a lot more from this talented group in the very near future.

    Ray Paczkowski, Scott Metzger & Russ Lawton performing together as LaMP at Lark Hall on 3/25/23

    After a rain-soaked intermission dampened many a spliff, the party reignited inside with a special performance from the recently revived trio known as LaMP.  Made up of Soule Monde/TAB members Russ Lawton on drums and organist Ray “The Milkman” Paczkowski, the time-tested duo was joined by Joe Russo’s Almost Dead/WOLF! guitarist Scott Metzger. The band gets takes its name from the first letters of each members’ surname. Originally debuting in 2018 at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont, LaMP released their debut album in the summer of 2020 and to date has only played a handful of gigs together, making each appearance a bit of a novelty and a “can’t miss” affair. 

    Opening their set with a funky rendition of the title track from 2021’s Mimi Digs It, Metzger immediately fits right in with the guys from Soule Monde. Tastefully adding guitar textures and subtle melodies to the otherwise drum and organ instrumentals, The Milkman, as always, pulled double duty by supplying the bass lines on the lower deck of his vintage Hammond organ. All warmed up and full of smiles, LaMP then cooked up something fresh for the curious cats who still weren’t sure what the band was all about. Pro-shot footage of “Out of Curiosity” has been posted on the band’s Facebook page at the link below, courtesy of our friends at Mirth Films.

    Ray Paczkowski, Scott Metzger & Russ Lawton performing together as LaMP at Lark Hall on 3/25/23

    The avant-groove compositions continued on with “Hit Return,” “Ollie ‘ 88” and “Hey Francis.” Each song undeniably groovy and each with a different feel, every member had ample opportunity to shine and empty their bag of musical tricks. Following “Seven Days” came one of the biggest highlights of the set in the form of “Q Division.” It was here where guitarist Scott Metzger really let things rip, playing off Paczkowski’s funky Clavinet lines and launching into one of the biggest shreds of the evening.  Afterwards, an excited Paczkowski would get on the mic and tell everyone how much he loves playing improvisational music with these guys and that it was for moments just like that. Lightning in a bottle. 

    Scott Metzger performing with LaMP at Lark Hall on 3/25/23

    LaMP would continue socking it to the Lark Hall faithful with “Sock Full,” then an extra greasy rendition of “Bernard,” which saw drummer Russ Lawton in complete command behind the kit.  Showcasing a wealth of styles and versatility while diving in-and-out of groove pockets with a cool confidence, Lawton would use every inch of his instrument, at one point even banging on the side walls of his kit, cross-sticking it to great effect yielding a huge pop from the crowd.

    LaMP’s Russ Lawton got sound from every inch of the drum kit on 3/25/23

    The bumping progression of “Elsie’s River” came next, followed by “Allah Uya,” which had the entire room moving and grooving to the world-beat. “Clipse Dog” would then bring the main portion of the show to a close and leave the audience hollering for more.  Happy to oblige, the LaMP trio returned to the stage with some very kind words about the venue, its staff, and to wish it’s owner a very happy 50th birthday.  “Tinyland” was chosen as the night’s only encore.

    LaMP packed the house at Lark Hall on 3/25/23

    Truly masters of the craft, the years of experience and chemistry between these three talented musicians is something rarely seen in a live setting.  Seamlessly blending together a myriad of styles and creating a sound that simply couldn’t be replicated by anyone else, it was another special night of music at Lark Hall and a birthday party The Millers will never forget. Not only does Brick Tamland love LaMP, it’s safe to say Albany does too.

    Up next, the guys will head downstate for a performance at Brooklyn Bowl on March 30th before returning to Burlington for a pair of sold out shows at Nectar’s this weekend.  With each member of the group balancing extremely busy touring schedules with their “other” bands, there’s no telling when fans will get another chance to see LaMP light it up again.  If you have the opportunity, I would highly suggest going to see this incredible act while you still can. For those unable to make the trip, free livestreams of both Nectar’s gigs will be available via Volume.com.

    LaMP | March 25, 2023 | Albany, NY | Lark Hall

    Setlist: Mimi Digs It,  Out of Curiosity, Hit Return, Ollie ’88, Hey Francis, Seven Days, Q Division, Sock Full, Bernard, Elsie’s River*, Alla Uya**, Clipse Dog
    Encore: Tinyland

    *Abdullah Ibrahim cover
    **Ali Farka Toure cover

    FUNGKSHUI:

    LaMP (Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger and Ray Paczkowski):

  • Newport Jazz Festival Announces 2023 Lineup

    The legendary Newport Jazz Festival returns for the summer at Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island from Aug. 4-6, featuring legendary talents like Herbie Hancock and Diana Krall, and newcomers like Bronx native Samara Joy.

    Newport Jazz Festival 2023

    The Newport Jazz Festival returns for its 69th anniversary at Fort Adams State Park, one of the most important and enduring cultural institutions in America. Fans and artists alike return each year to the venue to experience the joy of this long-running tradition of diversity, discovery, and artistic virtuosity. The festival is produced by The Newport Festivals Foundation (NFF), a non-profit organization with the goal to offer opportunity, inspire through exposure and facilitate the collection of resources needed for musicians to celebrate and innovate. This year’s festival features many legendary artists, including a thrilling new class of GRAMMY winners and nominees.

    This year’s festival lineup features artist legendary keyboardist, NEA Jazz Master, and 14-time Grammy winner Herbie Hancock and Canadian jazz pianist and singer known for her contralto vocals and for selling 15 million albums worldwide, Diana Krall. Charles Lloyd, NEA Jazz Master who plays tenor saxophone and flute, and Vijay Iyer, Grammy-nominated and multi-award winning composer, and pianist also make an appearance.

    Some of today’s most virtuosic artists and cultural leaders like Jon Batiste and Kamasi Washington will perform at the festival as well as GRAMMY winners and nominees including Best New Artist Samara Joy, DOMi & JD Beck, and the first Pakistani to win a Grammy Award, Arooj Aftab. The lineup also includes bounce legend Big Freedia, musical polyglots Thundercat, and DJ Pee .Wee (aka Anderson .Paak). Big Gigantic and Alfa Mist, as well as songwriters Cautious Clay, Durand Jones and The War & Treaty, perform as well. Special ensembles include Newport Jazz artistic director Christian McBride’s annual Jam Jawn, MoodSwing, Scary Goldings featuring John Scofield, Superblue, Orrin Evans Quintet, and the Bill Charlap Trio.

    Tickets are on sale now, with specially priced three-day tickets and student tickets available. Children ten and under are free, and single-day and two-day tickets go on sale at a later date. For more information about the Newport Jazz Festival and to purchase tickets, visit here.

  • NYS Music March Madness 2023: The Final Four

    And then there were four: welcome to the Final Four of NYS Music March Madness 2023, featuring up and coming bands from around New York State, all coming to a local music venue near you.

    For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition is the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers. March Madness 2023 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 4 here.

    Enter your email address, get to know the bands, and vote for your favorites below!

    [forminator_form id="404413"]

    Yard Amphitheater Region Winner

    Mainline

    Mainline officially hit the scene at the end of 2019 when Anthony Schettino (Bass), Johnny Iodice (Lead Singer & Guitar), Mason Servedio (Drums), and Devin Reck (Guitar) released their debut single “Open Fire” which eventually led to the self-titled EP that came out in February of 2020. Their album “The Unholy Idol” has garnered up over 80,000+ streams across platforms, and has gotten worldwide attention. The current lineup since 2022 now includes Ryan Hartell on guitar, replacing Devin Reck. As of November 2022, the band released their most recent single “In Nothing We Trust” everywhere on streaming. You can find Mainline on April 15 at The Chance Theater.

    Straight from the band:

    “We are just excited to have been asked to be part of this year’s March Madness competition, and now to make it into the final four! It’s been a great way to engage with our own fans, also to promote ourselves and everyone involved. Thank you to everyone who has been voting!”

    Mainline

    Funk n Waffles Region Winner

    The Forest Dwellers

    The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ indie group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal medicine music. The band blends melodic music with incredible vocal harmonies. Stemming from different styles and genres, The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own. Listen to their song “Open Road” here. The Forest Dwellers are playing Sterling Folkfest in Sterling, NY dates May 25th- 29th. As well as The Family Hoedown at the G Lodge in Hannibal, NY dates June 9th-11th. You can also catch them playing every Wednesday in June at Abilene Bar and Lounge in Rochester as part of their first residency.

    Straight from the band:

    “We’re very excited to have made it into the final four of the NYS Music March Madness! We didn’t anticipate it happening but we’re just incredibly grateful for all the support. Over the last 5 and a half years we’ve had the pleasure to play music over the greater NYS region, and we hope to receive more opportunities to continue doing what we love. Thanks to NYS Music Magazine, the sponsors, venues and all the contributing bands. Much Love.”

    The Forest Dwellers

    Jane Dough Region Winner

    Murder in Rue Morgue

    Murder in Rue Morgue is CJ Carr, John Wolff, Matt Biss, and Dan Ouimette, hailing from the hometown of Manowar, and Level 7 in Auburn. The band is highly influenced by melodic death metal, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage, and Times of Grace. The band is a group of hardworking musicians who leave it all up on the stage giving the best show every time. On the news front, Murder in Rue Morgue are representing the 315 metal scene, and are soon releasing their brand new single and music video for “Blood Song”. Listen to their 2019 album Endless Cycles here.

    Straight from the band:

    “Throughout New York there are tons of incredible bands and it is an honor to be part of this bracket! We are excited to see all the scene coming together and supporting each other! Together we flourish!  Every week that has gone by we’ve listened to so many new artists and did some deep dives and research on our opponents. Genuinely incredible. We are also very excited about the possibility of playing at new venues in the state, many places we haven’t heard of.

    We are grateful to be here, we are driven to keep going, and we respect and love all these wonderful musicians from all over New York State! “

    Murder in Rue Morgue

    Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Region Winner

    Seize Atlantis

    Seize Atlantis has a unique, tight sound fueled by punchy bass, hard-driving percussion, melodic lead guitar, and pronounced moody vocals with meaningful lyrics, a truly dynamic range of soft to heavy Alternative Rock. Formed in 2019 out of Glens Falls, Seize Atlantis is a four-piece band most closely influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, providing their own spin on a variety of covers from classic rock to modern pop in addition to their own original music.

    Catch them this Friday and Saturday at Scally’s Roadside Bar and Grill in Hudson Falls NY and Pauly’s Hotel in Albany, respectively.

    Straight from the band:

    “We couldn’t be more grateful and excited to have reached the Final Four of NYS Music March Madness! We’ve been up against some truly amazing and talented bands, and this competition has shown a light on how many quality performers there are in New York. We couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this state’s independent music scene! We look forward to competing with some legitimate powerhouses this round, and even if we don’t win we will continue to support and collaborate with as many other independent artists and prestigious venues as possible. We also can’t wait to release our new EP this summer!”

    Seize Atlantis
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    NYS Music has partnered with these great businesses across New York State to highlight the 64 up and coming bands and artists of NYS Music March Madness.

    The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.

    Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023.

    WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.

    Check out Past Years’ NYS Music March Madness Here

  • TLC & Shaggy Announce Hot Summer Nights Tour, Stopping In Wantagh & Saratoga Springs

    The illustrious TLC and Jamaican icon Shaggy have announced their upcoming amalgamated Hot Summer Nights 2023 Tour. The tour begins the first of June and will make a stop at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on June 13th and at SPAC on June 16th.. Fans can also expect to enjoy special performances from special guests En Vogue and Sean Kingston.

    Hot Summer Nights Tour

    The Hot Summer Nights 2023 Tour will feature top hits from both TLC and Shaggy that will transport you back to the late 90s and early 2000s. You won’t want to miss TLC’s performances of “Waterfalls,” “No Scrubs,” “Unpretty,” and “Creep.” Fans will also encounter Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me,” “Boombastic,” and “Angel”; En Vogue’s “Hold On, My Loving (Never Gonna Get It)”, and “Free Your Mind.” Finally, Sean Kingston will perform “Beautiful Girls” and “Take You There.” 

    After thirty-two years, TLC remains the best-selling American girl group of all time with over eighty-five million records sold worldwide. The trio earned thirty-five Major Awards including the Diamond Award, video of the year award for Waterfalls, four Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, Brit Award and five Soul Train Music Awards. TLC is ranked number 12 on the list of 100 Greatest Women in Music and was recognized as one of the greatest musical trios by Billboard magazine. 

    Shaggy, the multi-Grammy award winning musician makes history as the only diamond-selling dancehall artist in music history. The legend has sold more than 40 million album units to date, in addition to landing eight singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and seven albums on the Billboard 200.

    Tickets are now on sale. Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, access to the Takin’ It Back per-show lounge, special gift item, exclusive swag bag & more. For more information, visit here.

    HOT SUMMER NIGHTS 2023 TOUR DATES

    Thu Jun 01 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

    Sat Jun 03 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater @ Bayfront Park

    Sun Jun 04 – St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre

    Wed Jun 07 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park @ Walnut Creek

    Fri Jun 09 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

    Sat Jun 10 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

    Sun Jun 11 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

    Tue Jun 13 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

    Thu Jun 15 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

    Fri Jun 16 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    Sat Jun 17 – Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre

    Wed Jun 21 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center

    Fri Jun 23 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

    Sat Jun 24 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

    Sun Jun 25 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

    Wed Jun 28 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

    Fri Jun 30 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory

    Sat Jul 01 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

    Sun Jun 02 – Lake Cowichan, BC – Laketown Shakedown (with Shaggy Only | Buy Tickets Here)

    Mon Jul 03 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall~ (with TLC, Shaggy, & Sean Kingston Only | Buy Tickets Here or Here)

    Thu Jul 06 – Salt Lake City, UT – Granary Live (with Shaggy & Sean Kingston Only | Buy Tickets Here)

    Fri Jul 07 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

    Sat Jul 08 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre

    Sun Jul 09 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion

    Thu Jul 13 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton EXPO Centre (with TLC & Shaggy Only | Buy Tickets Here or Here)

    Fri Jul 14 – Calgary, AB – Cowboys Music Festival (with TLC & Shaggy Only | Buy Tickets Here or Here)