NYS Music 2023

Category: Genres

  • The ‘Wilco Weekend’ Finale at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester was a Show for the Ages

    Kicking off the spring with a tour in support of their twelfth studio album (Cruel Country, dBpm Records) released in May 2022, recorded live at their studio known as The Loft, Wilco played three consecutive sold-out performances this past weekend at The Capitol Theatre located in the center of downtown Port Chester. As one of 1,800 lucky participants to attend the Chicagoans residency finale on Saturday night (April Fool’s Day) and witness their multi-genre talents, all were treated to an eclectic blend of experimental rock, indie art rock and alternative country.

    Dubbed the “American Radiohead” due to their stylistically diverse catalog, Wilco’s career-spanning trio of shows at the iconic concert hall constructed nearly a century ago boasted no repeat songs. Their setlists from Thursday, Friday and Saturday night included a whopping total of sixty-nine different offerings, making for the perfect recipe of deep cuts and crowd favorites that were presented to their adoring fans.

    Promptly at 7:30 pm, fellow Chicago natives Horsegirl unassumingly strolled onto the stage. Formed a little more than three years ago when they bonded over their shared love for acts like Sonic Youth, Stereolab and Pavement, the punk-infused trio of indie-rockers comprised of Nora Cheng (guitar, vocals), Penelope Lowenstein (guitar, vocals) and Gigi Reece (drums) have been providing support each night of Wilco’s residency at The Cap, including Wilco’s three night residency a couple of weeks back at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago.

    Speaking of Pavement, I first witnessed the immense talent of these young women back in October 2022 when they also opened for said band at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Although it was merely six months ago, their growth as a live act has blossomed since then, and they are surely on the right path to a bright future in the music business.

    With a palpable, undeniable chemistry, Horsegirl performed a 28-minute set filled with guitar feedback and hypnotic melodies during a collection of songs taken from their debut album (Versions of Modern Performance, Matador Records) released in June 2022, including Homage to “Birdnoculars,” “World of Pots and Pans,” “Option 8” and “Anti-glory.”

    As I stood in the photo pit talking with fans along the steel barricade, all of whom were waiting with eager anticipation for the roadies to finish preparing the stage and Wilco’s instruments, I reminisced about the very first time I witnessed the greatness of Wilco. It was here at The Cap, way back on October 30, 2014, when Wilco were celebrating their 20 year anniversary as a rock ‘n’ roll outfit. The night I was in attendance, like tonight, was also the third consecutive sold-out evening of a residency stint that has hosted legendary artists the likes of Janis Joplin, Traffic, Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead.

    At 8:30 pm sharp, when the house lights suddenly went dark, I raised my trusted Nikon “Kamera” to my eye as the sextet of frontman and guitarist Jeff Tweedy, guitarist Nels Cline, bassist John Stirratt, drummer Glenn Kotche, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen took the stage to thunderous applause. Tonight’s two-hour, 23-song set that would bridge nine studio albums altogether – only offerings from 1995’s debut album (A.M.), 2015’s Star Wars and 2016’s Schmilco would be absent – commenced with two tunes from their fifth studio album (A Ghost Is Born, 2004), including “At Least That’s What You Said,” followed by “Spiders (Kidsmoke).”

    As I remained in the photo pit for the third song of the night (“The Universe”), taken from the newest addition to their discography Cruel Country, I reminded myself to unglue my eyes from the band in front of me and occasionally glance at the thousands of fan faces behind me. The expressions I witnessed included sheer joy and complete awe, and even one guy headbanging incessantly as he clutched the rail in front of him with both hands. Then, with the song nearing its end, Cline’s guitar tech quickly emerged from the dark shadows at stage right and began working on what appeared to be the pedal board.

    While the technical snafu lasted for several minutes until it was successfully resolved by either a repair or a complete change-out of the rig, it resulted in an impromptu setlist change as “Jesus, Etc.” (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, 2001) moved up to the fourth song slot – it was originally slated to be the last song before the encore. Tweedy, taking advantage of the rare down time, also executed a “Tight Five Comedy Set” where he explained the rules behind winning the “Best Behaved” trophy awarded to only one lucky audience member each night. He also enlightened us that even Horsegirl claimed the top prize back at one of Wilco’s recent Chicago gigs.

    The bulk of the main set, which included one musical treasure after another, had Wilco fans dancing with each other, as well as in the aisles. Whereas queues of fans had inundated the venue’s bars and merch tables earlier in the night, they were non-existent now that Wilco was playing. With too many incredible tracks to dive into for this concert review, a few highlights (to name but a few) included the title track from 2011’s The Whole Love, two more songs from Cruel Country (“Mystery Binds” and “Tired of Taking It Out on You”), “Impossible Germany” from 2007’s Sky Blue Sky (there were six total tracks performed tonight from this formative LP) and “Laminated Cat,” a cover song dating back to 2003 by the indie rock supergroup of Tweedy and Kotche, along with multi-instrumentalist Jim O’Rourke of Sonic Youth.

    After nearly 100 minutes on a non-stop musical journey, Tweedy and his bandmates, in prime form all night long, collected their breath backstage. After a short recess, our heroes reappeared onstage with Tweedy exclaiming, “I hope you all had as much fun as we have,” before launching into “The Late Greats” (A Ghost Is Born). The gifts kept on coming in the four song encore with “Heavy Metal Drummer” (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot), “A Shot in the Arm” (from 1999’s third studio album Summerteeth) and the final number, “On and On and On” (Sky Blue Sky).

    From the box office to the security personnel to the bartenders to the ushers and of course, to the fans, it’s always a memorable time at The Cap, and Saturday night’s closing show was certainly no exception. One of America’s most critically acclaimed acts, Wilco’s rich history of music for nearly the past three decades has made them a beloved band on a generational scale. My NYS Music colleague Chris McShane, a diehard fan since 2007 who attended all three residency shows at The Cap and has seen them perform live more than forty times, proclaimed “What’s amazing is that Wilco is still getting better and better over time, and their three-night run at The Cap had all of their incredible skills on full display. If and when they return to the venue, you’ll want to grab a ticket, whether you’ve never seen them before or are a seasoned veteran of a Wilco show.”

    Next up for Wilco is a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland for another three night, sold-out residency on April 6-8. The spring tour continues back in the United States with a stopover at the High Water Festival in North Charleston, South Carolina (April 16), followed by eleven more dates culminating in Athens, Ohio on April 30. Additionally, Tweedy will be performing solo at the Vic Theatre in Chicago, Illinois for a pair of dates on May 19 and 20.

    Wilco are also set to release an alternate version to their seminal album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot for Record Store Day on April 22, dubbed Crosseyed Strangers: An Alternate Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Only 4,500 copies of the vinyl will be available to purchase through participating record stores, so you’ll have to act fast!

    Wilco Setlist: At Least That’s What You Said > Spiders (Kidsmoke) > The Universe >  Jesus, Etc. >  You Are My Face >  Whole Love >  Mystery Binds >  I’ll Fight >  Side With the Seeds >  One and a Half Stars > Tired of Taking It Out on You >  Everyone Hides >  Impossible Germany >  Sunken Treasure >  Laminated Cat (Loose Fur cover) >  Reservations > Either Way > Hate It Here >  Dawned on Me > Encore: The Late Greats > Heavy Metal Drummer > A Shot in the Arm > On and On and On

    HORSEGIRL GALLERY

    WILCO GALLERY

  • Romi O Releases Punk/Aesthetic Single “M2M” 

    Brooklyn’s Romi O has just released her second ever single “M2M” on Friday, March 24th, a ballad you won’t want to miss. The single is brilliant, having a truly one-of-a-kind musical journey feel to it; retaining more immediate elements from punk and alternative music.  

    Understanding the flow of “M2M” requires a bit of a backstory about the artist. This is the second single from her upcoming debut album, which is expected to be released later in 2023. Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, Romi O has been making music ever since she can remember. She continued to develop her songwriting chips, eventually switching from singing and writing in Hebrew to performing in English. 

    Romi O Releases Her Second Single “M2M” 

    Romi O’s sound is unique because of the juxtaposition of understated textures, relatable lyrics, and hard-hitting grooves. By the time she turned 22, the artist had relocated to Brooklyn, where she had sought a fresh start in music. She co-founded the band “PowerSnap” to pursue high-octane punk and garage aesthetics.  

    Eventually, Romi O circled back to her initial fondness for ballads. The resulting sound she made is truly one-of-a-kind, still retaining more immediate elements from punk and alternative music. But this time, in “M2M,” she comes to light in a soothing, softer way that makes her sound more intriguing and dynamic. 

    Her chosen stage name comes from the beloved figure of “Romeo,” from Shakespeare’s timeless “Romeo and Juliette” play. Being a huge fan of Shakespeare herself, Rome O felt a truly special connection to the character.  

    Romi O Releases Her Second Single “M2M” 

    The single stands out as an example of her art and musical craft. The song deals with the idea of always being ready to question life choices and decisions and approaching everything without the fear of taking things too seriously. It’s important to find a balance, and the song is a very poignant observation of the fleeting nature of the path we carve for ourselves in life with our choices.  

    Romi O Releases Her Second Single “M2M” 

    The song’s music video feels like another layer. In a way, it is another approach to telling the story, and it offers a visual representation of the core concept that drives this release. Overall, it features some punchy electronic sounds, as well as organic elements such as vocals and guitars to round up the wide palette of sonic colors on this song. 

    To listen and watch the music video for “M2M,” click the link here. 

    To listen to more music by Romi O, click the link here. 

  • 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.

  • Tears for Fears Summer Tour includes shows at MSG, SPAC and Bethel Woods

    Tears for Fears are going on the road this summer for a 2023 North American tour, which includes stops at three music venues in New York. The iconic band will perform at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on June 26, then make their way over to Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 2, followed by their last New York performance at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on July 5.

    The performances support Tears for Fears’ The Tipping Point Tour Part II, and they will be joined by special guest Cold War Kids. 

    MSG SPAC and Bethel Woods.
    Curt Smith (left, vocals, bass, keyboards) and Roland Orzabal (right, vocals, guitar, keyboards) make up Tears for Fears. Credit: Valeska Thomas

    Tears for Fears, originating in Bath, Somerset, England, composes music by musicians Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal, and former members include Manny Elias and Ian Stanley. The band’s career spans over 40 years, with their first album, The Hurting, debuting in 1983, supported by their first single “Suffer the Hurting.” They have since released seven studio albums, most recently The Tipping Point in 2022, their first album since 2004’s Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. Their debut album birthed the hit “Mad World”, the band’s first international success, inspiring several cover versions, most recently by Demi Lovato on the singer’s 2021 album Dancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Over. Tears for Fears has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and performed on countless sold-out shows.

    Tickets for the Tears for Fears 2023 summer tour, which includes performances at three new york venues – Madison Square Garden (June 26), Saratoga Performing Arts Center (July 2), and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (July 5) are available with artist presale as of April 4 at 10 a.m. and continues until April 6 at 10 p.m., and general on-sale begins April 7 at 10 a.m.

    TEARS FOR FEARS 2023 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES: 

    Fri Jun 23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

    Sat Jun 24 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

    Mon Jun 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

    Thu Jun 29 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

    Fri Jun 30 – Montreal, QC – Place Bell

    Sun Jul 02 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    Wed Jul 05 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

    Fri Jul 07 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre

    Sat Jul 08 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

    Tue Jul 11 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater

    Thu Jul 13 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre STL

    Fri Jul 14 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre 

    Sun Jul 16 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

    Mon Jul 17 – Austin, TX – Moody Center

    Thu Jul 20 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

    Sat Jul 22 – Portland, OR – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

    Mon Jul 24 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena

    Wed Jul 26 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater

    Thu Jul 27 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

    Sat Jul 29 – Sacramento, CA – Toyota Amphitheater

    Tue Aug 01 – Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena

    Wed Aug 02 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

  • Jonas Brothers Announce Two Nights at Yankee Stadium

    Jonas Brothers are returning to New York State with two massive shows at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 12 and 13, performing five albums each night, including their new album The Album which features the upcoming single “Waffle House,” out this Friday, April 7.

    The Jonas Brothers

    The Jonas Brothers recently wrapped up their five-night Broadway residency, each night dedicated to an album or era of theirs. They will be returning to the state for two nights at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 12 and 13, catering to fans of all ages by performing all their different records each night. Their new single “Waffle House,” releases via Republic Records on Friday, April 7, launching a new era for the band’s latest full-length record The Album, executive produced by Jon Bellion, set for release on May 12.

    The Jonas Brothers took the world by storm in 2019 with the surprise release of their critically acclaimed and widely successful single “Sucker” following a six-year hiatus. The single has since become 5x-platinum and debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, becoming the first #1 for the band and the first #1 debut from a group this century. The band went on to release Chasing Happiness, an Amazon Original film documenting the brothers’ rise and return to music before going on to deliver their third #1 album with the arrival of their platinum-selling Happiness Begins.

    The band has won multiple awards, including three in the categories of “Top Duo/Group,” “Top Radio Songs Artist,” and “Top Radio Song” for “Sucker” at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, a 2019 MTV VMA for “Best Pop Video,” “Best Duo/Group” at the 2020 iHeart Music Awards, and two Teen Choice Awards, including the prestigious “Decade Award.” They have garnered a Grammy nomination and an American Music Award nomination as well.

    This Saturday, April 8, the band will be performing on Saturday Night Live as a musical guest for the third time alongside host Molly Shannon.

    There will be multiple presale options for each night, including a Citi and Verizon presale starting April 12. Fans who previously registered for the Broadway shows will have the opportunity for first access to tickets with a special Verified Fans on sale, more information is available through email. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. ET, and to purchase tickets and find more information on Jonas Brothers at Yankee Stadium, visit here.

  • 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. 

  • Hot 97 Summer Jam Announces Star-Studded Lineup

    The infamous Hot 97 Summer Jam is returning to UBS Arena in Elmont after a long stint at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. Summer Jam will take place on Sunday June 4th, 2023, and is spotlighting the recent rise of women to the forefront of the hip-hop movement. The show will also feature a performance from Yonkers own The LOX, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop.

    Summer Jam Logo

    This year’s lineup is full of New York talent, including Cardi B, Ice Spice, Fivio Foreign, Lil TJay, Lola Brooke, The LOX, Kenzo B, Sha EK and McVert. Even with its New York Heavy lineup, Hot 97 is bringing in talent from beyond with artists like French Montana, Coi Leray and NLE Choppa.

    Tickets officially go on sale April 8th at 10:00 AM EST at hot97.com/summerjam and Ticketmaster. American Express® Card Members can purchase pre-sale tickets before the general public April 4th 10:00 AM – April 6th 10:00 PM.

    Hot 97 Summer Jam Full Lineup: Cardi B, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Coi Leray, Fivio Foreign, French Montana, Lil TJay, The LOX, NLE Choppa, Kenzo B, 2Rare, Sha EK, McVert and TQ.

    Dive into the history of Summer Jam and check out the San Francisco origins of the series.

    Stay tuned to NYS Music for more information about the festival.

  • JAWNY Electrifies New York City’s Bowery Ballroom

    On Friday March 31st, lo-fi pop rocker JAWNY took over Manhattan’s infamous Bowery Ballroom. JAWNY and his opener Wallice had performed their first night in New York City at Brooklyn’s Baby’s Alright just a couple nights before, but they expressed their bottled excitement they withheld for the ballroom. Just over half way through their North American tour, the JAWNY and his crew still had lots of energy to rock with.

    Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

    The opening act, Wallice, put on a full indie-rock concert of her own. The crowd was immediately responsive to her sound, as they sang all her lyrics right back to her. Her stage presence was inviting, and commanded a sort of confidence most artists aim to possess. The Bowery Ballroom show was Wallice’s last with JAWNY, because as he revealed later in his set, she will be supporting The 1975 on their Australian leg of tour set to start on April 8th. She kicked off JAWNY’s North American Tour at the start of March, and concluded her contribution with an electric bang.

    When Wallice bid her farewells, the floor of the ballroom volumized tight with fans. Conversation was buzzing under the fluorescent blue lights, and the clock ticked down meticulously to JAWNY’s set. Finally, the lights dimmed and the universal music-listener’s hype song “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers took over the speakers. The conversational buzz erupted into an animated sing along. When the first chorus fell into silence, the crowd jumped and called out for JAWNY.

    Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

    The instrumental intro mimicked the “Twin Peaks Theme” song. The eerie guitar riff turned hype as it successfully revved up the crowd. On the stage was a tall mannequin with a long-haired platinum wig adorned in a suit to mimic JAWNY’s presentation, a green electric guitar, a bass, and a drumset. Out came JAWNY’s supporting band members, Gambee on the bass and Curtis Kelley on the  drums, and they took to their instruments. They played their own welcoming intro for JAWNY before he ran onto the stage, pumping his arms to elicit screams from the crowd. He wanted noise, and unsurpassable volume is what he got.

    It seemed as though the crowd’s volume exceeded Bowery’s usual noise capacity. As the strobe lights cascaded onto the crowd and the percussion pounded against the venue’s foundation, the building’s body began to shake. Before singing his first song, JAWNY affirmed into the mic, “It feels good to be home in New York City baby.”

    Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

    He dove into his setlist with one of his most popular songs “strawberry chainsaw.” The song’s lyrics preached the paradoxical sweet violence of young love, as did many of the songs on his setlist. JAWNY’s lyrics paid ode to the blissful oblivion of being young and the tumultuous and continuous transition into the awareness that’s only awarded to a person by time. His rocker presence invoked a surge of movement in the audience. As he jumped and kicked around on stage while shredding his guitar, members of the crowd bounced on and off of each other.

    In between songs, he paused to tell a story he “hasn’t told on tour yet.” He reminisced on a Whitney concert he saw at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, another renowned New York City venue, in 2016. He told his girlfriend at the time that he was going to sell out a venue like this. She and his friends laughed at him, because he had never put out a song. The crowd also collectively laughed in response, but he interjected and declared his dreams fruition, “But you all made that dream come true. I just sold out two nights in New York City!”

    Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

    His music held such an individual sound, but shared the affectivity of artists like Twenty-One Pilots, COIN, Still Woozy, and Peach Pit. This promised a night of dancing and scream-singing various fan-favorite lyrics. JAWNY revealed that the Bowery Ballroom show was going to have “the longest set on tour.” He went on to play new and old songs, like his aged song “4Tounce,” that weren’t usually on his setlist.

    Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

    As the night flowed on, JAWNY expressed his gratitude for New York City. “Y’all are f*ckin’ fun,” he praised. Sadly, the neon lights had to fade and the high energy had boiled down to a steaming simmer. When JAWNY made his final departure and the ballroom lights turned on signaling the crowd’s exit, there was a brief moment of the surreal. Music was still playing in everyone’s ears and the lights danced behind their eyes. Everyone stood still.

    Photographs by Sophie Gurwitz

  • 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.