NYS Music 2023

Category: Festival News

  • Kupferberg Center for the Arts presents Viva El Cinco De Mayo: Festival Del Son on May 6

    The Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College will present its first Cinco De Mayo family celebration “Viva El Cinco De Mayo: Festival Del Son” on Saturday, May 6 at Colden Auditorium. This celebration will feature four world-renowned ensembles on stage presenting traditional Mexican music and dance, including Tlen Huicani, Mariachi Real De Mexico, Ensamble Huasteco, and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York, joined by special guest José Adán Pérez.

    Kupferberg Center for the Arts presents Viva El Cinco De Mayo: Festival Del Son on May 6
    Viva El Cinco De Mayo: Festival Del Son

    Kupferberg Center for the Arts (KCA) is the largest multi-disciplinary arts complex in Queens, and hosts performances by world-class artists, regional and local talent, and professionally-produced shows by Queens College’s students and faculty. KCA’s mission is to provide high quality, accessible and affordable cultural attractions to the Queens College community and the borough’s 2.3 million residents. Colden Auditorium, the venue host the Cinco De Mayo celebration, is the largest indoor venue space with 2,000 seats within the borough of Queens, conveniently located on the campus of Queens College in Flushing, NY.

    “We are thrilled to be hosting the first annual Cinco De Mayo festival this year. Our goal is to create a fun and inclusive event for all ages that celebrates Mexican culture and brings people together through the power of music and dance.”

    Jon Yanofsky

    Festival Del Son is a family-oriented music and dance festival that features the three most important “Son” musical styles from Mexico. In this Cinco de Mayo celebration, Ensamble Huasteco will bring traditional Son Huasteco, Mariachi Real De Mexico will share the traditional Son Jaliscience, and Tlen Huicani will feature the traditional Son Jarocho. Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York will dance with all three groups to share both the beauty of dances and dresses from each region.

    This event is presented in partnership with Consulate General of Mexican in New York and Mexican Cultural Institute of New York. “Queens College and the Kupferberg Center for the Arts (KCA) have been instrumental in fostering cultural exchange and understanding. This Cinco de Mayo celebration exemplifies the power of collaboration and the beauty of our shared heritage. It is honored to bring Mexico’s vibrant traditions to life, creating a memorable and enriching experience for families in New York.

    Tickets for the Cinco De Mayo celebration are on sale now and can be purchased online or at the box office.

  • Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Comes to SPAC and Forest Hills Stadium this Fall

    The Outlaw Music Festival has added an additional 16 shows to its lineup, including a performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and Forest Hills Stadium this fall. Additionally, it was previously announced that the festival would have a performance at the Darien Lake Amphitheater and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts this July.

    Presented by Wheatley Vodka, the largest-ever Outlaw tour continues the celebration of Willie’s milestone 90th birthday just as Willie wants it – on the road with his friends, family, and beloved fans.

    Willie Nelson performing in 2004. Credit. willienelson.com

    The Outlaw Music Festival first began in 2016, and the sold-out show was so well received that Blackbird Presents and Nelson have developed it into one of North America’s biggest annual touring franchises. Musicians such as Robert Plant, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Eric Church, Bonnie Raitt, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers and many more have been a part of the Outlaw Tour.

    “I am so thrilled to announce these additional dates for our 2023 Outlaw Music Festival Tour,” said Willie Nelson. “I can’t wait to keep the celebration of my 90th birthday going into the fall with this great lineup of artists, my friends and family, and of course, the amazing fans.” 

    David Binder, Willie and Wheatley fan and brand director at Sazerac, said “Wheatley Vodka is thrilled to be hitting the road with Outlaw Music Festival this year. Our vodka is made in the heartland of the USA in Frankfort, KY, and is crafted to be the smoothest, most sippable vodka on the market. It’s the perfect spirit to enjoy when rocking out to music from all the talented artists on tour with Outlaw this summer.”

    Tickets to the Outlaw Music Festival, which includes a performance at SPAC and Forest Hills Stadium, go on sale April 28 at 10 a.m.

    Information on individual Outlaw Music Festival tour dates and lineups:

    Friday, September 8, 2023

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

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Tedeschi Trucks Band

    The String Cheese Incident

    Los Lobos

    Particle Kid

    Saturday, September 9, 2023

    Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Tedeschi Trucks Band

    The String Cheese Incident

    Particle Kid

    More TBA

    Sunday, September 10, 2023

    Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack

    Particle Kid

    More TBA

    Tuesday, September 12, 2023

    Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack

    Particle Kid

    Friday, September 15, 2023

    Saratoga Springs, NY – SPAC

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack

    The String Cheese Incident

    Los Lobos

    Particle Kid

    Saturday, September 16, 2023

    Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack

    The String Cheese Incident

    Los Lobos

    Particle Kid

    Sunday, September 17, 2023

    Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack

    The String Cheese Incident

    Los Lobos

    Particle Kid

    Wednesday, September 20, 2023

    Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack

    Particle Kid

    Friday, September 22, 2023

    Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

    Willie Nelson & Family

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack

    The String Cheese Incident

    Particle Kid

    Friday, October 6, 2023

    West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

    Willie Nelson & Family

    The Avett Brothers

    Gov’t Mule

    Elizabeth Cook

    Particle Kid

    Saturday, October 7, 2023

    Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

    Willie Nelson & Family

    The Avett Brothers

    Gov’t Mule

    Elizabeth Cook

    Particle Kid

    Sunday, October 8, 2023

    Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater

    Willie Nelson & Family

    The Avett Brothers

    Gov’t Mule

    Elizabeth Cook

    Particle Kid

    Wednesday, October 11, 2023

    Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater

    Willie Nelson & Family

    The Avett Brothers

    Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

    Particle Kid

    Friday, October 13, 2023

    Brandon, MS – The Brandon Amphitheater

    Willie Nelson & Family

    The Avett Brothers

    Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

    Elizabeth Cook

    Particle Kid

    Saturday, October 14, 2023

    Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove

    Willie Nelson & Family

    The Avett Brothers

    Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

    Elizabeth Cook

    Particle Kid

    Sunday, October 15, 2023

    Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

    Willie Nelson & Family

    The Avett Brothers

    Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

    Elizabeth Cook

    Particle Kid

  • Django A Gogo Music Festival Comes to Town Hall in New York City for 20th Anniversary

    The 20th Anniversary of the Django A Gogo Music Festival begins early this May and culminates with the main event: an intensive “Guitar and Violin Camp” at The Town Hall in New York City on May 6 at 8:00 p.m.

    Additionally, Django A Gogo includes an enhanced “Guitar and Violin Camp” from May 2-May 7 at The Woodland in New Jersey. The concerts will follow the Django canon and veer into reinterpretation, improvisation, and interplay between artists.

    Poster for the Django a Gogo Music Festival. Credit: Stephane Wrembel Presents.

    Wrembel has produced Django a Gogo since 2003, bringing together some of the finest musicians to celebrate the constant evolution of the Sinti guitar style, commonly referred to as “gypsy jazz.”

    The 3 concerts at The Woodland are as follows:

    On May 3, Stephane Wrembel Band (Stephane Wrembel on guitar, Josh Kaye on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass, and Nick Anderson on drums) presents The Art of the Guitar with special guests Simba Baumgartner (Django Reinhardt’s great-grandson), Paulus Schaefer and more!

    The Art of the Violin follows on May 4, featuring violinist Jason Anick and Trio Dinicu featuring Tommy Davy on guitar and Luann Homzy on violin as well as guitarists Stephane Wrembel, Debi Botos and, and Sam Farthing.

    The Woodland concerts conclude May 5, celebrating the release of Wremble’s new album, Django New Orleans, recorded with his NYC-based supergroup of musicians. Django New Orleans features Stephane Wrembel and Josh Kaye on guitar, Adrien Chevalier on violin, Joe Correia on Tuba, Scott Kettner on drums, David Langlois on percussion, Nick Driscoll on sax/clarinet, Joe Boga on trumpet and Sarah King on vocals.

    The main event on May 6 at The Town Hall opens with Stephane Wrembel Band, Simba Baumgartner (France), Paulus Schaefer (Holland), Debi Botos (Canada), Samy Daussat (France), and Sam Farthing (U.S.) on guitar; and Aurore Voilqué (France) on violin. The second set follows with a short performance by Trio Dinicu featuring Tommy Davy on guitar and Luann Homzy on violin, followed by a set from Django New Orleans. The concert concludes with a grand finale with all performers on stage.

    The concerts for the Django a Gogo Music Festival, both at The Woodland and The Town Hall, are open to patrons of all ages. Tickets for The Woodland Concerts start at $35/show and a limited number of three-day passes for $90 are available. Tickets for The Django A Gogo Music Festival at The Town Hall start at 49.50.

  • Hilltap Festival Returns To Holiday Valley For A Full Day Of Adventure in July

    42 North Brewing Company and Holiday Valley Resort have announced their partnership to celebrate the third annual Hilltap Festival at Holiday Valley on July 2nd. From 12pm-9pm this outstanding festival fuses music, craft beer, and outdoor adventure atop the mountain at Spruce Lake.

    Hilltap Festival holiday valley

    The Hilltap Festival will kick off with Kody & Herren bringing their roots from Springville, NY as the opening act. Following the guitarists will be the Buffalo-based Ten Cent Howl. The folk band is renowned for their up-tempo, Americana sound. Ionic band, The Probables will be giving a special performance at the base of the mountain for the closing act. Fans can expect to hear their bluegrass, rock and contemporary sounds at the festival as part of their 2023 Destination Tour. 

    “This is one of our favorite events of the year. There is no better place to merge craft beer, roots music, and adventure. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind venue”

    -John Cimperman, 42 North Brewery Founder

    Festival attendees will park at the Tannenbaum Lodge and take a chair lift ride to the top of the mountain. Once everyone has arrived at the mountain, a full day of music and adventure can be enjoyed along with thrilling activities such as mountain biking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), and ax throwing. Furthermore, attendees can fill their stomachs at Fat Bob’s BBQ and Villagio. 

    Presale tickets are $40, same day tickets are $45 and $50 if you want to transport a mountain bike on the chairlift. Admission provides a lift ride to Spruce Lake, a full day of music, and access to the vendors and demos. Children ten and under are admitted for free if they’re accompanied by a paying adult. 

    More information about about the Hilltap festival and tickets can be found here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWDkn5yLvL4

  • Urbano Street Announces U Street Musical Festival in Brooklyn

    Urbano Street announced their U Street Music Festival, inviting people of all ages with an appreciation for street art, culture, and vinyl to celebrate record store day and the return of live music. The all-day festival will be on April 22 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY on Suydam St. between Irving Ave and Knickerbocker Ave. 

    U Street Music Festival

    The U Street Festival will feature two stages that serve as a discovery platform for multicultural and non-commercial musicians and street artists. Stars such as Rebelmatic, La Sazound, Dubcorps, Spite Fuxxx, Chico Raro, Tambor y Caña, Hecho en Brooklyn, Eclectic Charango Beats, Prince of Queens, Jah Point, Vee Vee, and Wild Roots will take the stage. The festival also emphasizes the long-standing record of street culture and urban art, focusing on BIPOC artists who enrich New York City. U Street is on a mission to support underground and alternative artists in the independent space.

    U Street Music Fest is the first street event of its kind, no one has ever attempted to bring subcultural music communities together before. Think of it as a cumbia punky reggae party on the streets of Brooklyn.

    – Diana Hernandez, Urbano Street Lead Organizer 

    The music festival will expose local talent while also celebrating the diversity of its vibrant community which is largely made up of immigrants from Latin America. Although the neighborhood has recently battled gentrification-related tensions, the U Street Music Festival strives to cultivate collaboration uniting its residents with Bushwick’s artistic roots. They also hope to help bridge the generational and socio-economic gap between old and new members of the community. 

    Urbano Street is a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers, music lovers, and donors. Whilst focusing on BIPOC artists who enrich New York City. Urbano Street is on a mission to support underground and alternative artists in the independent space, opening doors for underrepresented musicians by bringing them to urban places and shooting music videos, a passport to more gigs, press, and opportunities.

    More information about the non-profit organization can be accessed here.

  • First Ever Lake George DJ Takeover Festival Set July 29 and 30.

    The inaugural Lake George DJ Takeover Festival is scheduled for July 29 and 30, as announced by event planning service All We Do Is Epic Dot Com. The inaugural festival will be held at the Barn at French Mountain, 1.5 miles south of the village of Lake George.

    Map of the festival location. Credit: Mark Brenneisen

    The inaugural Lake George DJ Takeover Festival will run from noon to 10 p.m., and feature 10 acres of countryside fields, a whole western town, and the beautiful skyline of French Mountain. Live DJ entertainment in all genres of music will be inside the 9,000-square-foot climate-controlled venue, and several vendors, food trucks, and activities including a cornhole tournament will be at the festival. DJs from Florida, NYC, Boston, Rhode Island, Maine, New Jersey, and all over New York State will appear at the event, to provide an experience like none other. Admission to the festival is exclusive to those 18 years of age and older.

    Mark Brenneisen, the organizer of the festival spoke about the event, saying, “We’re hoping for 1000 attendees the first year with this special blend of multiple music genres to attract more than just your typical EDM festivals which only play one type of music. That coupled with a nice mix of DJs from all over the East Coast and many local acts who have a following we should be able to reach our goal.” Brenneisen continued, “Food is available on demand on-site or pre-order for groups as well and multiple cash bars will also be around the property. If we reach our goal, weather-depending, we will be adding a third outdoor music area.” Mobile DJs will be spotlighted in this event as they usually would not get a chance to play at a festival in general, creating a “unique environment of music and fun.”

    Tickets to the inaugural Lake George DJ Takeover Festival are currently available at a reduced early bird rate. Visit here to purchase tickets and learn about the artists and even contact the venue directly.

    A video from a wedding, another special event the Barn at French Mountain hosts.

  • Cooperstown Music Festival Opens 25th Anniversary Season With Ying Quartet on May 7

    The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival will open its 25th anniversary season with a performance by the Ying Quartet on May 7 at 4 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church.

    Ying Quartet
    Ying Quartet photo by J. Adam Fenster.

    Founded in 1999 by flutist Linda Chesis, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has been bringing world-class chamber music performances to the Cooperstown area. The festival has featured performances by the American, Juilliard, St. Lawrence, Jupiter and Jasper, String Quartets, and more. Concerts are held in venues across Cooperstown, including the grand Otesaga Hotel, The Farmers’ Museum, and Christ Church (the church of author James Fenimore Cooper).

    The Ying Quartet is an American string quartet formed in 1988 by the Ying siblings, presenting a program entitled “American Made,” opening with Samuel Barber’s Quartet in B Minor, from which his famously moving Adagio movement is drawn. The program continues on with works by Jennifer Higdon and Billy Childs that draw on American roots and bebop music tradition, Southern Harmony and Agitato respectively. The night ends with Quartet No. 13 in G major by Dvorak, a European composer who helped define the American musical voice. “The tradition of American string quartet writing is full of magnificent music,” says cellist David Ying. “We have all of these wonderful composers to thank for contributing to the vibrant American music scene that we enjoy today.”

    Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children, available now.

  • CMAC Events Announces Roc The Lake Festival With Pop Trio AJR

    The Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) in Canandaigua has announced the 2023 Roc The Lake Festival with the renowned trio AJR as a headliner. On July 17, fans can jam to their favorite songs by AJR, and a lineup including Chelsea Cutler, Lawrence Blake Rose and Almost Monday.

    AJR, is a renowned pop trio of brothers that has garnered an abundance of success since their formation in 2012. Over the past decade AJR has accumulated billions of streams, released a platinum album, double-platinum single, triple-platinum single, and four platinum singles. The band has also been ranked #1 on the Top Alternative Albums and Rock Albums Charts following their biggest first-week debut at the Neotheater in 2019. Apple Music and Spotify showed appreciation for the trio’s electric sound by placing AJR’s “Sober Up” & “Weak” among the Best Rock and Alt Songs of the 2010s. Fans can rock out to songs from the brother’s fourth full-length album, OK ORCHESTRA at the Roc The Lake Festival. 

    Chelsea Cutler is a singer, songwriter, and the producer of introspective EDM.  After signing to Ultra Records in 2017, the vocalist released mixtapes such as Sleeping with Roses I and II and a full-length debut, How to Be Human. Lawrence Blake Rose is an upcoming Australian singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles.  The gifted musician recently released a new single “Rest Of Us.”

    The San Diego based trio, Almost Monday quickly transformed from garage band to an upbeat pop sensation.  While only having a few songs released, the boys gained a tremendous amount of fame and millions of streams since the release of their disco-infused track “Broken People” in 2020. 

    The Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) was founded by Marvin Sands. The arts center has been on a mission to unite communities through art and culture since 1983. 

    Tickets to the Roc The Lake Festival can be found here. 

  • 24 HOUR DRONE Festival Returns To Basilica Hudson For Memorial Day Weekend

    Experimental music festival 24 HOUR DRONE has announced their full artist lineup plus art installation details and food vendors for this years festival taking place at Basilica Hudson Saturday May 27 – Sunday May 28 from noon to noon as part of Drone Day.

    Featuring 24 hours of unbroken, immersive sound, 24-HOUR DRONE blurs the line between artist and attendee to create transcendence through communal experience. Presented by Basilica Hudson and Le Guess Who? In collaboration with Sarah Van Buren, the festival activates the entire Basilica Hudson campus through audio/visual art installations and food pop-ups, with music centered in Basilica Hudson’s 6,000 sq. ft. Main Hall.

    A total of 18 acts will perform, including six new artists announced today include Legendary experimentalist eucademix (Yuka C. Honda), Wolf Eyes performing in its latest incarnation as a duo, and renowned US-Based Balinese percussion orchestra Gamelan Dharma Swara returning to 24-HOUR DRONE for the first time in nearly a decade.

    Further additions include pioneering queer saxophonist Michael Foster & DC-based jazz luminary Luke Stewart performing as a duo, a solo set from “transcendental black metal” artist Liturgy (Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix) featuring looped guitar counterpoint, vocals, and electronic percussion, and internationally celebrated sitarist Veena Chandra returns to DRONE with her son, accomplished Tabla percussionist Devesh Chandra.

    These artists join previously announced 24-HOUR DRONE acts including: 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Music winner Raven Chacon, C. Lavender, Fuji|||||||||||ta, and Photay with Celia Hollander and special guests Laraaji + Arji OceAnanda, each performing a special three-hour endurance set.

    Lisa Bernard Kelley, a close collaborator of the late great music and Deep Listening® pioneer Pauline Oliveros, will facilitate The Heart Chant (© Pauline Oliveros, 2001) sonic meditation to close out the festival.

    This will be the first 24-HOUR DRONE held in-person at the venue in four years. It will once again be streamed live on Wave Farm Radio broadcast live on WGXC 90.7-FM: Radio for Open Ears.

    For more information, a full lineup, and to purchase tickets, please visit the festivals website.

  • Adirondack Bluegrass Festival To Debut In Lake George in July

    Coming this July to the Lake George region, The Adirondack Bluegrass Festival has announced the launching of its inaugural event, held over July 1-2.

    adirondack bluegrass festival lake george festival

    This new annual event will be held at the Barn at French Mountain, just 2 miles south of the village of Lake George. The Adirondack Bluegrass Festival will encompass 10 acres of expansive countryside fields and the beautiful skyline of French Mountain.

    Live entertainment will be inside a 9,000 square foot finished barn and the grounds will be home to over a 100 vendors, food trucks and other activities, like our Cornhole Tournament, and Bounce Houses in the Kids Zone.

    There will be fun for all ages, and kids under 12 are free with a parent. The festival has many lodging options nearby with a campground, and hotels within walking distance, and even more options within a short drive. Onsite parking will be no charge.

    The Adirondack Bluegrass Festival’s mission is to help highlight the bands and musicians of the greater Adirondack area. This two day event will be centered around many local bands that play both traditional music, as well as modern contemporary bluegrass. The festival has brought together a great lineup of upstate’s finest bluegrass players including The Bands Cedar Ridge, the Hilltown Ramblers, Washington County Line, High Peaks Bluegrass Band, Adirondack Song Dogs, The Meat Chickens and the Soggy Derby Boys Band.

    Also, there will be many an impromptu jam to brighten your day as a picker or a spectator. The eclectic mix of vendors and activities will certainly provide a weekend of fun and enjoyment. Tickets start at $30 per day and are available now on the festivals website.

    For more information on the Adirondack Bluegrass Festival in Lake George, or to purchase tickets, please visit the festivals website.