Category: Genres

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Kick off Weekend at Brooklyn Bowl

The most prolific and exciting band in the jam scene, this side of Phish, is Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (PPPP), and they brought their rabid flock of fans and patented bevy of groovy tunes to the famous Brooklyn Bowl for the opening night of a 3 night run on April 13th. The 3 hour show showcased the band’s vast talents and was buoyed by a fervent fan base happy to see their favorite band return to New York City. The show was brought to us by Dog Fish Head and Record Store Day.

photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

Baltimore-based, Pigeons has been around longer than one might suspect. The members have been performing as a unit for over 15 years. The band formed at University of Maryland when Greg and Jeremy were in the dorms together in 2007 – the boys inform me that Wikipedia has this wrong. Drummer Gator was hired in 2015 to complete the current lineup of Scrambled Greg Ormont (Vocals, rhythm guitar), Jeremy Schon (lead guitar) and Ben Carrey (bass.) Some acts PPPP has opened for include Umphrey’s Mcgee, Moe., Disco Biscuits, String Cheese Incident, and Lotus. Some acts that have opened for PPPP include Goose, Kitchen Dwellers, Tauk, Karina Rykman and Magic Beans. PPPP present their own festival, Domefest, which is highly respected and regarded in the scene.. The band serves up a lively chat of all things PPPP in their FB group appropriately titled, “The Flock.” There is another FB group for merchandise and tickets. The band has released an initial EP and then 5 full length albums that all start with the letter P.

photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

Over a tasty dinner, I was able to ask Jeremy and Greg some questions. Greg ordered the salmon – a dish he orders almost every night for dinner on the road because it packs on protein and energy while being easy to digest before the show.

Chadbyrne: What’s the most challenging song you play live and why?

Greg: I find our newest songs are most challenging, especially when they have vocals. I’ve been focusing more on lyrics these days, sometimes finalizing them right before showtime, which makes them tricky to memorize. Instrumentally, our new song “Miyagi” is a doozy.

Jeremy: You’ll know when you hear it!

Chadbyrne: PPPP has blown up in recent years, is there a specific moment when you felt like you “made it”?

Greg: That’s really nice of you to say. I don’t know if I’ll ever truly feel like we “made it” per se, but it was so exciting when we decided to quit our day jobs to pursue music full-time about 12 years ago. I held a few jobs after college, but we were simultaneously touring almost every weekend of the year. We would go on these epic weekend runs and then I’d show up for work just so beat. Eventually we decided it was time to give this thing a real shot and tour full-time, and the fun hasn’t stopped.

Jeremy: Every time I look into the crowd and see people smiling and/or losing themselves to our music, I get that amazing feeling that “we made it”. We’ve had so many awe-inspiring moments at shows and festivals that it’s hard to just pick one, but a few big ones that come to mind are some of our Peach Festival sets, our first headlining shows at the 9:30 Club, and All Good Festival in 2015.

Chadbyrne: As a songwriter, what song are you most proud of and why?

Greg: All of them! Writing music is so fun because you always remember each song’s origin and development. Some ideas develop quickly, others take years, but in both cases it’s so exciting when they’re finally played live because you remember the journey.

Jeremy: I try not to pick favorites, but it’s always a proud moment when I hear people singing along with our songs!

Chadbyrne: If music hadn’t worked out, what profession do you think you would have undertaken?

Greg: I was in sales after college. I had a knack for it, but I wasn’t passionate at all. I don’t know if I could go back to a 9 to 5, but I could see myself getting into real estate as a means to an end to spend more time with my family.

Jeremy: If I didn’t find myself somewhere in the music industry, I’d probably be working some sort of IT job. I have degrees in Marketing and Business Information Systems, in case anyone is wondering the secret behind my playing.

Chadbyrne: Who is your favorite guitarist and why?

Greg: I always keep my ears open for inspiration and don’t play into the favorites game much. That said, I love Nile Rodgers, but I also love Shmeeans from Lettuce, Ryan from The Motet, Dan from Kyle Hollingsworth Band and countless others. They’re all great listeners, unique players, always melodic and in the pocket. Also since we don’t have a keyboardist, I often listen to those elements live. Huge fan of Joey Porter from The Motet and his funky approach on the clavinet, and everything Page from Phish plays.

Jeremy: I’m a huge Phish fan, so I can’t deny that Trey Anastasio has been a huge inspiration – he’s a master of tension/release.

photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

“Let Your Cup Overrun”

Yam Yam opened the night. Pigeons took the stage just after 9pm. This was the only night of the run anticipated not to sell out but that was just as well for the hard core members of The Flock in attendance as they were afforded more dancing room. “Distant Times” was the perfect up-tempo opener and the crowd knew all the lyrics. But it was “Live it Up” that was the highlight of the first set. The popular Pigeons staple builds and builds until Jeremy and Greg get locked into a tight call and response ultimately paying off with an exquisite crescendo.

After a Chili Peppers cover, as usual, Fun in Funk provided a spark near the end of the set. PPPP are masters of no matter the genre or the song – they can always find a groove and it is usually danceable. Manny Newman again demonstrated why he is one of the best LDs in music.

photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

PPPP is like going to the Circus. Greg is the affable and enthusiastic carnival barker who lures in patrons, Jeremy is the lion tamer guiding and patient who leads the posse to the next level and Ben is the charismatic clown always entertaining the masses with zest.

A highlight of the 2^nd set was Gator on the drums – he is a heavy hitter adept at keeping impeccable time behind the kit as best exemplified by his bombastic extended drum solo at the end of “Water.” PPPP should do the soundtrack to a sci-fi film as the music is not of this world. Jeremy continues to demonstrate that he is the most underrated guitarist around – with the fastest fingers in the scene. The show was complete, with even Ben singing a tune. The encore was special with arguably the band’s best tune, “Dawn a New Day.” Upbeat and packed with lyrics ala “Strawberry Letter 23,” it is a lengthy joyous romp and a proper way to end the epic night on a positive note.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg – Thursday, April 13

Set 1: Distant Times, Henrietta, Live it Up, Hit the Ground Runnin, Around the World, Overrun, Fun in Funk>Skinner

Set 2: Fall in Place, Water, Beneath the Surface, Bad for You, Melting Lights, Ha ha ha yeah, su casa, schwanthem

Encore: Dawn a New Day

April 14, 2023
Fake Dad Releases 80’s New Wave Single “FASHION GIRL”

NYC’s Alt-pop duo Fake Dad has released their newest single titled “Fashion Girl,” today, April 14^th. The alt-pop duo is delivering their second project of 2023 that perfectly captures an electrifying, cathartic, throwback 90’s grunge sound that is a departure from their usual discography, demonstrating their versatility as both songwriters and performers.

The single “FASHION GIRL” is angsty and nostalgic sounding, paying homage to groundbreaking throwback styles like 80’s new wave and 90’s female led riot grrrl punk. In the song, Fake Dad tells the story of a personal best friend breakup while offering commentary on a variety of topics like beauty standards, body and gender dysmorphia, daddy issues, insecurity, and female rage.

At first glance, “FASHION GIRL” is a fun, energetic track that calls upon listeners to let-lose with contagiously danceable reverb-soaked Oberheim drum machine patterns, messy driving distorted guitar, heavy bass, and surf-rock style riffs. With a deeper look into the single, Fake Dad speaks to an untapped, silent pain that so many people carry around with them about constantly being made to feel like they will never look good enough, be pretty or hot in the right way, and the unacknowledged frustration, and rage, that they live in a world that assigns so much of their worth to people’s ability to live up to superficial ideals.

Following recent releases “maybe next year” and “New Machines,” the duo delivers their second project of 202. They perfectly capture an electrifying, cathartic, throwback 90’s grunge sound that is a departure from their usual discography, demonstrating their versatility as both songwriters and performers.

Birthed from Fake Dad’s deep dive into Russian Dark Wave (and post-punk bands) and a tragic falling out with a fashion major (childhood) best friend who hailed from a wealthy UES Manhattan type family, this song is about the insecurity and sadness hidden behind the eyes of so many of the people the fashion industry swallows up with the promise of beauty and power. It at once exalts, criticizes, and empathizes with them, aiming to hand the fashion girls back their power and grant them an opportunity to reconcile with the ephemeral love and power that masquerades as the ideal, golden shell of a life.

When listening to the single, fans can hear a reminiscent of 80s New Wave (New Order, Joy Division, The Cure, Talking Heads) for a non-male-led era. In other words, all the female-fronted, angsty energy of 90s riot grrrl/bikini kill punk along with its slightly more pop-leaning, bratty (yet still unequivocally angry) early 2000s sound reminiscent of bands like No Doubt, The Cardigans, Alanis Morissette, Paramore, and P!nk.

Fake Dad wants listeners to experience a sense of catharsis from this track, “whether it’s someone who dedicates their life to changing themselves into something that looks good enough, or someone who wishes they could opt out of the value system entirely, there is an anger that needs to be released.”

“Fashion Girl” premiers on all platforms April 14^th.

For more music by Fake Dad, click the link here.

April 14, 2023
An Unforgettable Bruce Springsteen Performance of Passion and Power at Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland

Bruce Springsteen performed a tour de force at the Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, April 5th. Being just down Interstate 90 from Buffalo, many fans that couldn’t attend the sold out Buffalo show took the road trip three hours west to Cleveland.

Springsteen set the tone for the evening with a powerful performance of “No Surrender.” The Boss and his E Street Band set the tone for the evening with a passionate rendition that left the audience eagerly anticipating what was to come. What followed was a show that showcased Springsteen’s immense talent and musical prowess, and left the crowd spellbound.

Bruce Springsteen’s connection to his audience was palpable from the first note, as he masterfully worked the stage and engaged with the crowd throughout the night. The setlist was a perfect blend of old and new, with some surprises thrown in for good measure. Springsteen and his band delivered a night of music that had the audience on their feet, dancing and singing along to every word.

The band’s musicianship was exceptional, with each member delivering an outstanding performance. Bruce Springsteen’s voice was as powerful as ever, and his emotive guitar work filled the arena with sound. He seamlessly moved from one song to the next, delivering hit after hit. Some including “Ghosts,” “Prove It All Night,” “The Promised Land,” “Backstreets,” and “Badlands.”

One of the standout moments of the night was an emotionally charged performance of “Last Man Standing,” which Springsteen wrote for a close friend who had passed away. The song was a moving tribute that left the crowd in reflective silence. Springsteen’s musical prowess was further highlighted in “Last Man Standing” as he delivered a poignant and memorable performance.

The encore was a fitting end to a night that will be remembered by all who attended. Springsteen and his band delivered a medley of hits, including “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight),” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Thunder Road.” The crowd sang and danced along, showing their appreciation for a performance that will be talked about for years to come.

Bruce Springsteen’s performance at the Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland was nothing short of exceptional. Springsteen proved that he is still one of the greatest musicians of our time, with a performance that was both powerful and passionate. The Boss and his E Street Band left the crowd wanting more, and provided a night of music that will be remembered for years to come. Bruce Springsteen has proven he still has it at 73 years young.

Bruce will return to New York State later this year with stops in Syracuse and Albany.

April 14, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2023-24 Season, Featuring 4-Night Phelps Mansion Museum Series

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Daniel Hege, will begin its 2023-24 season this September and conclude the following, and a special four-night Phelps Mansion Museum Series will be featured in the new season. The new Phelps Mansion Museum series will consist of four Sunday afternoon chamber music concerts sponsored by Garufi Law, P.C. This year’s Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra season will be sponsored by Visions Federal Credit Union and include both the M&T Bank Symphonic Series and the Pops Series.

Sept. 30 begins the M&T Symphonic Series with “Beethoven’s Fifth,” featuring Aaron Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody, Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto with cello soloist Annie Jacobs-Perkins, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Towards the end of the season, on April 6, “Roman Holiday,” will explore Roberto Sierra’s Fandangos, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, and Ottorino Respighi’s monumental Pines of Rome. Kids 17 and under get in free to all Symphonic Series concerts. Kids 17 and under get in free to all Symphonic Series concerts thanks to M&T Bank.

Annie Jacobs-Perkins, the opening performer for the M&T Bank Symphonic Series. Credit: Binghamton Philarmonic Orchestra.

The Pops Series features programs to delight music fans of all ages and on Oct. 28, “Phantom of the Philharmonic,” is full of surprises. “Other Worlds: Superheroes, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi,” towards the end of the series on May 4 explores music across the genres, from Black Panther and Avatar to Game of Thrones, ET, among others. Thanks to Visions Federal Credit Union, kids 17 and under get in free to all Pops Series concerts.

Poster for Phantom of the Philharmonic, the opening show for the Pops Series. Credit: Binghamton Philarmonic Orchestra.

General admission for the new Garufi Law, P.C. Phelps Mansion Museum Series begins Sunday, Oct. 15. with the Juilliard Honors Chamber Music Program’s Marian String Quartet. Internationally acclaimed soprano Robin Johannsen will be joined by Philharmonic pianist Tomoko Kanamaru on Dec. 3. The series continues into the new year, when the Castalia String Quartet, led by Philharmonic Concertmaster Uli Speth, performs on Feb. 11. The new series concludes on March 10 with violinist Melissa White and pianist Pallavi Mahidhara.

The Marion String Quartet, the opening group for the Phelps Mansion Museum Series. Credit: Binghamton Philarmonic Orchestra.

The Binghamton Philharmonic, founded by cellist/conductor Fritz Wallenberg and his wife, violinist Marianne Wallenberg in 1955, is the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving symphony orchestra. It was originally founded as the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society, with the goal of providing the Southern Tier of New York with live, full-scale orchestral works. The orchestra unionized following Fritz Wallenberg’s 1976 retirement, becoming fully professional, and after its merger with the BC Pops (an orchestra formed in 1974 by Russell Hawkes and violinist/conductor David Agard), in 1996, became the Binghamton Philharmonic. Since 2016, Maestro Daniel Hege has led the Binghamton Philharmonic (as Principal Guest Conductor for his first two seasons, and as Music Director since 2018). Serving 10,000+ people annually, the Binghamton Philharmonic connects professional musicians with audiences to stimulate the economy and expand music’s possibilities for a broad listenership both within and beyond the concert hall.

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is generously supported by the Frank and Lydia Bergen
Foundation (Wells Fargo); the Community Foundation of South Central New York; the Conrad and
Virginia Klee Foundation; the New York State Council on the Arts; Tioga Downs Regional Community
Foundation; the Victor and Ester Rozen Foundation; and the United Cultural Fund of the Broome
County Arts Council. The Philharmonic’s extensive Educational and Community Engagement
programming is underwritten by IBM.

For more information on the 2023-24 season of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, including the new Phelps Mansion Museum series, visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

April 14, 2023
Flushing Town Hall Announces Mini-Global Mashup Concerts Where Brazil Meets China

Flushing Town Hall has announced their monthly series of Mini-Global Mashup concerts fusing Brazilian and Chinese culture. On April 16, Brazilian artists Rogério Boccato and Vitor Gonçalves will perform alongside the Chinese guzheng artist Wei Sun. Fans can enjoy the series at Northern Boulevard at Linden Place in Queens.

The Mini-Global Mashup was curated by acclaimed klezmer trumpeter Frank London. The concert series will showcase various types of cultural music and unexpected collaborations that create new and spontaneous sounds.

“Our mini–Global Mashups are unique every time – they bring together artists from different parts of the globe who have never played together before with an intimate experience for the audience.”
-Ellen Kodadek, Flushing Town Hall Executive & Artistic Director

Rogério Boccato has been featured on three Grammy-award-winning albums including Kurt Elling & Danilo Perez‘s “Secrets Are The Best Stories,” “The Thompson Fields,” with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and Billy Childs’ “Rebirth.” He has also contributed to projects led by stellar jazz artists known as Maria Schneider, John Patitucci, Fred Hersch, Brian Blade, Kurt Elling, Danilo Perez, and Renee Rosnes. Boccato is a longtime member of the “Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo”and has played with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, Milton Nascimento, Egberto Gismonti, João Bosco, Joe Zawinul, etc. Apart from his spectacular performances, Boccato teaches Brazilian Music and Ritmica at the Manhattan School of Music, NYU, and the University of Hartford.

Vitor Gonçalves is a pianist, accordionist, and composer from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2012, Gonçalves moved to New York City following a prominent career in Brazil, playing with such icons as Hermeto Pascoal, Maria Bethânia, Itiberê Zwarg, etc. Since his arrival to the city, Gonçalves has added more success to his resume by performing at Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard, the Jazz Gallery, the Newport Jazz Festival, NPR’s Jazz Night in America, and The New York Times. Gonçalves also frequently collaborated with members of New York’s jazz scene, such as Anat Cohen, Vinícius Cantuária, Anthony Wilson, Cyro Baptista, and Yotam Silberstein.

Wei Sun is a young guzheng artist who began her journey at the age of six in China. It was no surprise that Sun was quickly drawn to the music industry due to being born into a family of musicians. In China she was a certified senior teacher of guzheng and a member of the China National Instrumental Association and the International Guzheng Association. In 2016, Sun moved to the United States as a guzheng performer and teacher at the CBA Cultural and Arts Center. Sun is now the principal performer of guzheng of the Chinese National Orchestra in New York. She’s also performed at the Lincoln Center, United Nations, Columbia University, Flushing Town Hall, Queens College Art Center, and more. Sun has also cultivated success by cofounding the trio bands, StringsW and Miss, holding a concert at Carnegie Hall in 2017, and performing on the Broadway musical show “Noble Family” in 2022.

Flushing Town Hall presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens, New York. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, they are on a mission to inspire an appreciation for art and culture by supporting local, immigrant, national, and international artists. Flushing Town Hall is also a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG). The Town Hall celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz by showcasing the finest in jazz performances.

For the more information about Flushing Town Hall’s 2023 Spring events, visit here.

April 13, 2023
Setting Sun Announces LP + Shares Single “Feelings Cure”

Hudson Valley based indie rock-folk band Setting Sun has just announced their sixth full-length studio album in ten years, The Feelings Cure due out on May 19^th.

Alongside the announcement, the band shares a brand-new hit single “Feelings Cure,” along with an accompanying music video. Setting Sun will also be playing live in Woodstock for their official album release show the day before the album drops.

The single “Feelings Cure” aims to resist feelings of pain and sadness through music. Levitt says the track is about “denial and playing music and finding a cure for sadness or pain.” Written three months into the start of the pandemic, Levitt was forced to confront the reality of diving back into music, only this time, in quarantine with his wife and toddler which presented new challenges.

“Setting Sun create an Arcade Fire urgency, creating sweeping orchestrations, driving rhythms”
–Pop Matters

Levitt adds, “It took a while to be able to turn on the creativity at will according to the clock, but I found it was actually possible. The limitations made me more productive. This song was one of the first I recorded for the new record and maybe it helped get out some of that frustration from being forced into a new life and future not made by my choice.”

The band Setting Sun, led by songwriter Gary Levitt, began in San Francisco where the band’s first release, holed up, was recorded in 2003. From there, Levitt moved to Los Angeles, then to Brooklyn and now resides in the Hudson Valley.

With their newest, and most comprehensive body of work yet, Setting Sun is ready to re-introduce themselves to society. In the band’s current state, joining Levitt are long-time collaborators Lawrence Roper (keyboards, vocals), Jonathan Hambright (drums) and John Burdick(bass/vocals).

The Feelings Cure was recorded like no other Setting Sun record, diligently. Explaining the creative process and creating the album while now being a father, Levitt says, “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get in the creative zone with set times of having to turn creativity on and off like a switch. I used to write and record in creative blasts when I felt it come on like a wave or virus. Having kids forced me to write, record, and mix in the gaps of being a father and the maturity shows on this record.”

Over 10 rich tracks, Levitt turns inward to blend genres and juxtapose upbeat instrumentals and production with melancholic lyrics. Unafraid to take risks and allowing himself to create without reserve, the album chronicles Levitt further discovering himself and his artistry, culminating in the band’s most realized work to date.

While producing the album, Levitt learned to listen to himself and how he was feeling to best use his time and play to his strengths. “I produced this record myself in my studio and enlisted friends to lay down some tracks like drums, harmonies, violins, etc. One trick I learned is to be aware of my mood. If I wasn’t feeling a creative wave, I’d then do some mixing. If I was in the creative zone, I’d sit and write and record a part to one of the songs.”

The creative process became casual, free-flowing and unforced. Levitt says, “Most of the sounds you hear on this record were written and recorded simultaneously, so you’re getting the raw thing, not a reenactment of the moment it was written, this is the moment.”

Setting Sun will celebrate the release of their first album in ten years with a show at Colony in Woodstock on May 18^th. The following month, the band will perform at Riverside Concerts in Germantown on June 15^th.

Tickets for the release show are on sale, to purchase click the link here.

To pre-order The Feelings Cure, click the link here.

For more music by Setting Sun, click the link here.

April 13, 2023
Second Annual Shinefest is Scheduled for June 17 at Bullville Park

Soulshine Market has announced that the second annual Shinefest will be held on June 17 at Bullville Park from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m, in Bullville, NY, nestled in the Catskill Mountains, 30 minutes west of Newburgh.

The festival will feature activities for all ages including an inflatable house, craft tables, cornhole, live music, food, and vendors. Throughout the day, Shinefest will showcase a variety of local talent, as it did last year.

TEL The Poet, a local performer at last year’s Shinefest. Shinefest will continue to showcase local talent at this year’s festival. Photo Credit: Soulshine Market.

Shinefest was first held last year at the start of summer at Bullville Park, the same time and location as this year’s festival, and welcomed a variety of musical guests including Kieran McGee, REL The Poet, and more. This year, the event will kick off with a performance by local musician Dewey, followed by performances by Kevin Thomas, Caswyn Moon & Faith Kelly, Prize Fighter, The Blue Hearts Band, Kieran Mcgee, Jacob Kantner, and The Bunker Boys. The main headliner will be announced later this month.

All proceeds for this year’s Shinefest will go to Hudson Valley Honor Flight. For more information click here.

Soulshine Market is a food vendor for Shinefest. Photo credit: Soulshine Market.

Shinefest is hosted with support from Soulshine Market, a food vendor for the festival. Soulshine Market is a family-owned local health food store located at the foot of the Shawangunk Mountains, providing the best in nourishing food, supplements, and gift items for healthy living. The market uses organic and local produce whenever possible, and is committed to using only the cleanest ingredients, including their own sauces and dressings, and several GMO-free, vegan, and gluten-free items are available on their menu.

Tickets for this year’s Shinefest at Bullville Park are “pay as you go” and available now.

April 13, 2023
W.A.S.P. Announce New Summer Tour With Date At Hammerstein Ballroom

Heavy Metal band W.A.S.P. has announced their newest tour, The 40th Never Stops World Tour 2023. This 33-city run kicks off in Wheatland, CA, on Saturday, August 5, and includes a stop at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, NY, on Saturday, August 26.

W.A.S.P. are known for their controversial lyrics, style and performances. Notorious for its raunchy and, at times, shocking live shows. W.A.S.P. were known to tie semi-naked models to a torture rack, and to also hurl raw meat into the audience.

Despite their music being banned in multiple countries, W.A.S.P. persevered over the past 40 years, continuously recording and releasing music, touring with other metal legends like Iron Maiden and Metallica, and even making the occasional film cameo.

The 2023 North American tour comes following the band’s first U.S. tour in 10 years wrapping up in 2022, ending with 18 sold-out shows. The tour was selected by Metal Edge as one of the 10 Best Hard Rock and Metal Tours of 2022 and one of the 22 Memorable Rock Tours of 2022 by Ultimate Classic Rock. BraveWords writers listed the tour as the Top Concert of 2022 and selected by the Detroit radio station WRIF as one of the Top Concerts of 2022.

W.A.S.P. is currently playing off their massive European leg of the 2022 40th Anniversary World Tour, with upcoming shows taking place in Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and more before wrapping on May 18 in Sofia, Bulgaria at Universidada Sports Hall.

For more information, and to purchase tickets please visit W.A.S.P.’s website.

THE 40TH NEVER STOPS WORLD TOUR 2023 DATES:

Fri Aug 04 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theatre *

Sat Aug 05 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live Sacramento

Mon Aug 07 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater

Tue Aug 08 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre *

Thu Aug 10 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre

Fri Aug 11 – Spokane, WA – The Podium

Sat Aug 12 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House and Event Center

Sun Aug 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot

Tue Aug 15 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha

Wed Aug 16 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis presented by Affinity Plus

Thurs Aug 17 – Moline, IL – The Rust Belt *

Fri Aug 18 – Eau Claire, WI – RCU Theater *

Sat Aug 19 – Clive, IA – Horizon Events Center *

Sun Aug 20 – Gary, IN – Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana

Tue Aug 22 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live @ 20 Monroe

Wed Aug 23 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre

Thu Aug 24 – Wheeling, WV – Capitol Theatre *

Fri Aug 25 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater *

Sat Aug 26 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom

Sun Aug 27 – Hampton, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

Tue Aug 29 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome At Oakdale Theatre

Wed Aug 30 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia

Thu Aug 31 – Warren, OH – Packard Music Hall *

Fri Sep 01 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall

Sun Sep 03 – Montreal, QC – Mtelus

Tue Sep 05 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center

Thu Sep 07 – Memphis, TN – The Soundstage at Graceland

Fri Sep 08 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall

Sat Sep 09 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom

Sun Sep 10 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion

Wed Sep 13 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre *

Fri Sep 14 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues

Sat Sep 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium

April 13, 2023
Bryant Park Free Picnic Performances Return This Summer

Bryant Park Corporation has announced the 2023 lineup for its free summer performing arts series, Bryant Park Picnic Performances, presented by Bank of America, happening from June 1 to Sept. 14.

Photo credit Chris Lee.

Located in Midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park’s Picnic Performances has grown into one of the foremost outdoor performing arts festivals in New York City. Over 75,000 people attended last summer, and nearly half a million watched the live streaming of the free performances. The 2023 season features world-class local artists as well as performers from as far away as Italy, Colombia, Turkey, Finland, and South Africa. More than 20 shows from the 2023 season will be live-streamed for free on Bryant Park’s social media channels and website, reaching national and international audiences. Attendees may bring their own food or purchase from on-site food and beverage vendors near the Lawn.

“Bryant Park Picnic Performances is an uncommonly collaborative project that is meant to showcase the best of the arts in New York City,” says Dan Fishman, Vice President of Public Events at Bryant Park Corporation. “I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate New York than to provide a platform in partnership with the many cultural institutions – large and small – that make this city great.”

This summer, the New York City Opera will host a number of shows in Bryant Park, kicking off the picnic performances on June 1 at 7 p.m. with a one-night-only, staged, and costumed production of Puccini’s La Bohème with orchestral accompaniment, conducted by Maestro Joseph Rescigno. Later on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m., there will be a live music-supported production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville featuring members of the New York City Opera Orchestra. Tenor Alessandro Lora performs a special concert of Italian favorites on Aug. 19. Closing out the New York City Opera series is Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet on Sept. 8, starring Ekaterina Siurina and tenor Won Whi Choi.

New York City Opera, 2018, photo credit Angelito Jusay.

Different contemporary dance performances curated by Tiffany Rea-Fisher will take place in June, starting with Robin Dunn, Buddha Stretch, and Mr. Wiggles with additional artists TBA, marking 50 years of hip-hop dance on June 8. The next day brings Dance Heginbotham, a New York-based contemporary dance company founded in 2011 committed to supporting, producing, and sustaining the work of choreographer John Heginbotham, enriching national and international communities with its unique blend of inventive, thoughtful, and rigorous dance theater works. Two rising stars in contemporary dance, Terk Lewis and Kayla Farrish perform on June 15. Lewis began his formal ballet training at the age of 17 with Tony Calucci at The Dance Extension in Columbus, earning his BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University. He has choreographed his own commissioned works for The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, The Joffrey Ballet School, Black Boys Dance Too (Presented by Bryant Park NYC), and Western Michigan University.

Farrish is a Black American Director merging dance-theater, filmmaking, narrative, and sound score, receiving the Sundance Uprise Grant for Emerging BIPOC Directors, Bessie Awards for NYLA’s Motherboard Suite, the Harkness Promise Award for 2022, and more. The last contemporary dance performances feature two of New York’s extraordinary percussive dance artists, Soles of Duende and Josh Johnson on June 16. Soles of Duende is on a lifelong mission to elevate the joy and music of true collaboration across disciplines and the celebration of the forms they practice, based on the sounds of Tap (Amanda Castro), Flamenco (Arielle Rosales), and Kathak (Brinda Guha). Johnson is a Harlem native, who tap-danced on the trains of New York City to pay for college at Penn State University, going on to perform at many jazz clubs in the city, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, and has made multiple appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Kayla Farrish, photo by Sarah Annie Navarrete.

The Emerging Music Festival presented by Bryant Park and curated by AdHoc returns this summer with some of the best up-and-coming artists today. Starting June 23, THUS LOVE, Psymon Spine, and Katy Kirby grace the stage. THUS LOVE was founded in 2018 by three trans-multi-instrumentalists in Brattleboro, Vermont, Echo Marshall (she/her), Lu Racine (he/they), and Nathaniel van Osdol (they/them). The mission statement of the group is to amplify the voices of those who struggle, tackling weighty themes with startling intimacy and vulnerability. Brooklyn-based dance group Psymon Spine is comprised of Noah Prebish, Peter Spears, Brother Michael Rudinski, and Sabine Holler, taking inspiration from Talking Heads and Os Mutantes along with the rush of the NYC dance scene, fuzing psych-pop and post-punk.

Katy Kirby is an indie rock songwriter, with lyrics focusing on unspoken rules, misunderstandings of all kinds, and boredom, forming a band to work on recording a full-length record. The Emerging Music Festival’s final day on June 24 consists of Ky Vöss, Seramic, Miss Grit, Dead T00th, and More TBA. Vöss is an NYC-based American producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, utilizing stark contrasting lyrics, striking visuals, and synthesized melodies to walk the line between otherworldly and deeply human. Seramic (Marcus Foster) showcases a powerfully unique and varied range of influences, releasing two critically acclaimed EPs, combining his love for Prince, gospel, & soul singers of the 70s and 80s mixed with 90’s hip hop and RnB. New York-based musician Margaret Sohn created Miss Grit to function as an outlet for their own analysis and expression of self, releasing their debut record Follow The Cyborg earlier this year.

Dead T00th is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band that has released several EPs, winning OWL Winter Madness (a 16-band, 5-week-long “battle of the bands” at Brooklyn’s legendary rooftop venue Our Wicked Lady). Other concerts include Shaina Taub and Friends on Aug. 11. Taub is an Obie Award-winning, Emmy Award-nominated songwriter and performer. She is an artist-in-residence at Joe’s Pub and at the Public Theater, where she wrote and starred in Suffs, garnering Drama League, Drama Desk, and Lortel Award nominations. She has three solo records released, created, and starred in critically acclaimed musical adaptations of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and As You Like It at Free Shakespeare in the Park, as part of their community-based program, Public Works, among many other accomplishments.

Psymon Spine.

On June 2, Jazzmobile brings trumpeter, Steve Oquendo, to lead a 19-musician Latin jazz orchestra. Other events include the Jalopy Theatre curating a three-part folk festival with bluegrass headliners Michael Daves Quartet Ft. Tony Trischka, Malian kora virtuoso Yacouba Sissoko, and lap steel guitarist Terrell King on June 30, the Classical Theatre of Harlem performing an abridged version of Langston in Harlem, five nights of music presented by Carnegie Hall Citywide, and more. For more information about the Bryant Park Picnic Performances, go here.

Schedule of Events

June 01 – New York City Opera: La Bohème – 7pm

June 02 – Jazzmobile: Steve Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra- 7pm

June 08 – Contemporary Dance: Robin Dunn and more TBA – 7pm

June 09 – Contemporary Dance: Artists TBA- 7pm

June 15 – Contemporary Dance: Terk Lewis + Kayla Farrish- 7pm

June 16 – Contemporary Dance: Soles of Duende + Josh Johnson – 7pm

June 23 – Emerging Music Festival: THUS LOVE, Psymon Spine, Katy Kirby – 7pm

June 24 – Emerging Music Festival: Ky Vöss, Seramic, Miss Grit, Dead T00th – 5pm

June 30 – Jalopy Theatre: Michael Daves Quartet ft. Tony Trischka, Yacouba Sissoko, Terrell King – 7pm

July 07 – Carnegie Hall Citywide: Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra – 7pm

July 14 – Carnegie Hall Citywide: Tessa Lark + Michael Thurber – 7pm

July 21 – Carnegie Hall Citywide: Magos Herrera featuring The Knights – 7pm

July 28 – Carnegie Hall Citywide: Champe-Soukous Collective – 7pm

August 03 – Ailey Moves NYC: Ailey II – 7pm

August 04 – Carnegie Hall Citywide: Ndlovu Youth Choir – 7pm

August 18 – New York City Opera: The Barber of Seville – 7pm

August 19 – New York City Opera: Alessandro Lora in Concert – 7pm

August 25 – Accordions Around the World: Diana Burco, Suistamon Sähkö, Ragini Ensemble – 7pm

August 26 – Roulette Intermedium: 75 Dollar Bill, Ka Baird, Additional Artist TBA – 7pm

September 01 – Classical Theatre of Harlem: Langston in Harlem – 7pm

September 07 – American Symphony Orchestra: American Expressions – 7pm

September 08 – New York City Opera: Romeo and Juliet – 7pm

September 09 – Drom: Gaye Su Akyol (U.S. Debut) – 7pm

September 14 – Harlem Stage: 40th Anniversary Celebration – 7pm

April 13, 2023
UB40 Anniversary Tour “UB45” Stops at The Space at Westbury

Reggae-pop band UB40 is celebrating its 45th anniversary with its “UB45” summer tour throughout July, which will stop at The Space at Westbury on July 6.

The Cover of UB40’s debut studio album, 1980’s Signing Off.

The band will perform their hits “Red Red Wine,” “Food For Thought,” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You,” among others, on their anniversary tour, in addition to being joined by special guests such as Maxi Priest, Inner Circle, Third World, and Big Mountain. Concurrently, UB40 will release a new album this summer, titled UB45, with new songs and reworked classics, and a yet-to-be-announced release date.

Guitarist/vocalist Robin Campbell said of UB40’s US tour, “We love playing the U.S., and celebrating our 45th year and having a new album makes our return even more exciting.”

UB40 was originally formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England, and its current members consist of Jimmy Brown (drums), Robin Campbell (guitar/vocals), Earl Falconer (bass/vocals), Norman Lamont Hassan (percussion/vocals), Martin Meredith (keyboards/WX7/saxophone), Tony Mullings (keyboards), Laurence Parry (trumpet/flugelhorn/trombone), Ian Thompson (saxophone) – and Matt Doyle (lead vocals.) Doyle only joined the band recently, taking over for a retired Duncan Campbell after Doyle’s group, KIOKO, opened for UB40 at The Royal Albert Hall in 2018, and later supported them on UB40’s subsequent UK tour and European tours. UB40 released their debut studio album, Signing Off, in 1980, and since then have released a total of 20 studio albums, most recently 2021’s Bigga Baggariddim.

UB40’s 45th-anniversary summer tour is in support of their upcoming studio album, UB45. One of the most successful British groups of all time, UB40 is represented in the USA and South America by Jeff Epstein and Paul Gaudio of Universal Attractions Agency (UAA.). For more information visit UB40’s website.

The Space at Westbury originally opened as Westbury Movie Theater in 1927, with a screening of Hula, starring Clara Bow, while The University of Maryland Collegian’s Band thrilled the audience with a spectacular performance. One of the six theaters built by Salvatore Calderone in Nassau County, the Westbury Theatre eventually closed due to a decline in patronage in the late 70s. Eight years ago, Cyrus Hakakian and his partners saved the Westbury Theater from demolition, and the venue now enters a new chapter of its illustrious history as The Space at Westbury.

For tickets to see UB40 on their 45th-anniversary tour, which includes a stop at The Space at Westbury, click here.

UB45 Tour Dates Are as Follows:

7/4/23 Wiggins Waterfront Park Camden, NJ
7/6/23 The Space Westbury, NY
7/7/23 Chevalier Theatre Medford, MA
7/9/23 Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts Vienna, VA
7/11/23 Schermerhorn Nashville Nashville, TN
7/13/23 The Amphitheater at Phillip S. Miller Park Castle Rock, CO
7/15/23 Marymoor Park Seattle, WA
7/16/23 Bossanova Ballroom Portland, OR
7/17/23 Brittfest Jacksonville, OR
7/20/23 Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA
7/21/23 The Microsoft Theater Los Angeles, CA
7/22/23 Palm Pool Las Vegas, NV
7/23/23 Saroyan Theatre Fresno, CA

April 12, 2023