NYS Music 2023

Category: News

  • Eric Clapton Announces “The Definitive 24 Nights” Box Set from 1991 Royal Albert Hall Residency

    The historic Royal Albert Hall in London is Eric Clapton’s home away from home. Since his debut at the historic venue with the Yardbirds in 1964, Clapton has performed there more than any other artist, over 200 times, and counting.

    eric clapton royal albert hall
    photo by Carl Studna

    Clapton also holds the record for the longest run of concerts at the venue, set in 1990 with 18 shows, then breaking that record the following year with 24 concerts. These were some of the most ambitious shows of Clapton’s career, with each night featuring him performing a career-spanning set with one of three lineups – a rock band, a blues band, or an orchestra conducted by Michael Kamen. Kamen previously worked with Clapton on the Lethal Weapon soundtracks, plus the TV show Edge of Darkness. Before his untimely passing in 2003, Kamen had become a leading film & TV composer, with X-Men, Die Hard & Band of Brothers among his many credits.

    Clapton surrounded himself with superlative musicians for the performances on during the 1991 residency, with a roster of legends including Johnnie Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, Chuck Leavell, Phil Collins, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Nathan East, Greg Phillinganes, Steve Ferrone, Ray Cooper, and Jerry Portnoy.

    Clapton released 24 Nights in October 1991, commemorating that record-setting run. The double live album and home video delivered great performances but only covered a fraction of what was filmed and recorded. Now, Warner Records is giving the concerts the release they deserve this summer with a limited edition box set, Eric Clapton: The Definitive 24 Nights. Featuring nearly six hours of live music and 35 unreleased performances, the collection distills Clapton’s 1990-91 Royal Albert Hall residencies using the best performances from the rock, blues, and orchestral nights to create full concerts for each genre.

    All the audio and video included in The Definitive 24 Nights was painstakingly restored and upgraded by Clapton’s team of Simon Climie (audio production and mixing), producer Peter Worsley (Slowhand at 70 and The Lady In The Balcony), and director David Barnard (The Lady In The Balcony). 

    For the rock concert, Clapton played many of his classic songs including “Sunshine Of Your Love,” “Can’t Find My Way Home,” “Layla,” and “Wonderful Tonight.” Covers of “Crossroads”, and a reggae version of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” with Phil Collins on drums are highlights. Clapton also featured several tracks from his most recent studio album (1989’s Journeyman), including the hits “Pretending,” “Running On Faith,” and “Bad Love.” 

    With Eric Clapton aided by special guests Buddy Guy, Albert Colins and Robert Cray, the blues concert delivered a master class in the genre with ripping versions of standards like “Key To The Highway,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Black Cat Bone,” and “Reconsider Baby.” 

    The orchestral concert is the most unique of the collection. For those performances, Clapton’s nine-piece band was joined by the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by legendary composer Michael Kamen. The collaboration resulted in stunning arrangements for “Layla,” “White Room,” “Bell Bottom Blues,” “I Shot The Sheriff,” “Lay Down Sally,” and more.

    The biggest highlight from the orchestral concert – and possibly the entire box set – is the previously unreleased 30-minute epic, “Concerto For Guitar.” Kamen composed the piece especially for Clapton, which made its live debut at Albert Hall. In the set’s liner notes, music journalist David Fricke writes about the version included in the collection: “Near the halfway mark in this 1991 reading, [Clapton] takes off on guitar as if he has the rest of Cream at his heels – at once precisely melodic and jubilantly unhinged – as Kamen echoes that ferment in the strings and brass.” 

    The Definitive 24 Nights will be available on limited edition box sets as either 6-CDs ($139.98) or 8-LPs ($199.98) on June 23. Both versions come with three Blu-ray discs for the video content, a hardbound book, and an individually numbered lithograph featuring a photograph of Clapton by Carl Studna. Each are limited edition versions and available now to pre-order HERE. 

    Standalone versions of the individual concerts – 24 Nights: Rock, 24 Nights: Blues, and 24 Nights: Orchestral – will be released the same day in 2-CD/DVD ($29.98) and 3-LP (Rock and Orchestral) ($49.98) and 2-LP (Blues) ($39.98) configurations. 

    Eric Clapton fans will also now have the opportunity to experience the excitement of the legendary Royal Albert Hall concerts on the big screen as Unique X and Iconic Events present the Across 24 Nights cinema event globally on May 17th, with encore screenings from May 21st. Edited from the original footage and remastered in Dolby ATMOS and 5.1 Surround Sound, Across 24 Nights will bring fans together to celebrate the ultimate musical event cinema experience. For further information & tickets, please visit ericclaptoncinema.com 

    The Definitive 24 Nights Track Listing

    24 Nights: Rock

    1. “Pretending”
    2. “Running On Faith”
    3. “Breaking Point” *
    4. “I Shot The Sheriff” * 
    5. “White Room” 
    6. “Can’t Find My Way Home” *(Feat. Nathan East on lead vocals)
    7. “Bad Love”
    8. “Before You Accuse Me” *
    9. “Lay Down Sally” *
    10. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” *
    11. “Old Love” *
    12. “No Alibis” *
    13. “Tearing Us Apart” *
    14. “Cocaine” *
    15. “Wonderful Tonight”
    16. “Layla” *
    17. “Crossroads” *
    18. “Sunshine Of Your Love” *

    24 Nights: Blues

    1. “Key To The Highway” *
    2. “Worried Life Blues”
    3. “Watch Yourself”
    4. “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”
    5. “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” *
    6. “Something On Your Mind” *
    7. “All Your Love (I Miss Loving)” *
    8. “It’s My Life Baby” *
    9. “Johnnie’s Boogie” *
    10. “Black Cat Bone” *
    11. “Reconsider Baby” *
    12. “My Time After A While” *
    13. “Sweet Home Chicago” *
    14. “Watch Yourself” (Reprise) *

    24 Nights: Orchestral

    1. “Crossroads” *
    2. “Bell Bottom Blues” 
    3. “Lay Down Sally” *
    4. “Holy Mother” *
    5. “I Shot The Sheriff” *
    6. “Hard Times”
    7. “Can’t Find My Way Home” * (Feat. Nathan East on lead vocals)
    8. “Edge Of Darkness”
    9. “Old Love” *
    10. “Wonderful Tonight” *
    11. “White Room” *
    12. “Concerto For Electric Guitar” *(composed by Michael Kamen)
    13. “A Remark You Made” *(A tribute to Jaco Pastorius)
    14. “Layla” *
    15. “Sunshine Of Your Love” *

    *Previously Unreleased

  • New NYC Law makes Buying Concert Tickets a more Transparent Experience

    A new NYC bill, titled the “Disclosure of service fee charges associated with tickets to entertainment events in NYC” was proposed by NYC lawmakers, forces ticket selling retailers to fully disclose the price of each ticket, including added service and convenience fees, up front. 

    concert tickets live nation ticketmaster

    Recently, concert tickets for Taylor Swift’s “Eras” Tour cost, at face-value, from $49 to $499. When they were sold on Ticketmaster, though, some Swifties ended up paying far more for each stadium seat, after days of waiting in line. And that’s just for the ticket alone.

    What buyers don’t always know is that when they select their seat number and squint at their credit cards, is that the ticket cost is about to be augmented by service and convenience fees, added at the last minute from Ticketmaster.

    It isn’t just Taylor Swift, Zach Bryan spoke out against Ticketmaster, arguing that his music speaks to working class people and working class people should be able to attend his concerts, without having to take out a second mortgage. Since merging with Live Nation, Ticketmaster has all but monopolized the live music consumer scene, to the point that the government has had to get involved. Live Nation was brought into a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last January where they were accused of stifling competition by antitrust experts and lawmakers — all while Swifties gathered and sang just outside the building’s doors.

    Councilmember Justin Brannan
    Councilmember Justin Brannan.

    The new bill, sponsored by New York City Councilmember, Justin Brannan, states that the early disclosure of the full price ensures customers can make a truly informed decision. Not only should the full price of the ticket, including added fees, be disclosed to the customer, but the bill specifies that added fees should be included in all advertisements as well. 

    “As a whole, the concert industry is shifting to all in pricing,” said Jennifer Sellers-Dimitrov, who has been managing and coordinating concerts and events in the NYC area for over a decade. “In fact many ticketing companies have adopted this practice already. A fan should see the cost of a ticket before purchase. However what’s important here is the ticket price for the concert or event clearly spells out the base ticket and the fees. To place them together without the breakdown affects the artist’s value in the market.  When you see a ticket price as $30 plus $15 in fees versus $45 flat, it shows which portion you’re spending on the act, $30, which is their ticket value in the market.”

    “It’s important that ticket inventory is sold to the customer and fan, and that allotment and data is controlled by the entity taking the risk on the event whether it be the venue, promoter or the artist,” Sellers-Dimitrov continued. “This allows for the buyer to be notified about changes, cancelations, and other events from the artist, venue or promoter. When tickets are sold on the secondary market, that can’t happen. Along with price gouging and fake tickets, but that’s a whole other topic. “

    The new law requires the operator of a place of entertainment to disclose the full price of a ticket whenever they display a ticket price on advertisements. The advertised price would be required to include fees such as taxes and service fees to increase transparency. Violators of the law would be subject to civil penalties from zero dollars for the first violation up to $500.

    The bill passed the city council and committee, and is set to take effect toward the end of 2023.

  • Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Announce World Tour with Three Stops at New York Music Venues

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats begin their world tour at the end of April, which includes three performances at New York music venues.

    The band will have two consecutive New York shows, first on July 29 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts followed by the Darien Lake Amphitheater on July 30, and their third performance in the empire state will be on Sept. 20 at the MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport. The performances follow the release of the band’s latest EP, What If I, due for release June 2.

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Credit: Danny Clutch.

    The band is also slated to appear at Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend, Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration, and Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson & Family. See below for full tour routing.

    Rateliff grew up in Missouri and his career spans more than two decades. His music career began with his first band, Born in the Flood, followed by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel, which only released one album in 2007, after which he released three solo albums: In Memory of Loss (2010), Falling Faster Than You Can Run (2013) and And It’s Still Alright (2020.) The Night Sweats released their self-titled debut album in 2015, and have released a total of three albums, most recently 2021’s The Future.

    The title track of What If I will have audiences anxious and ready to hear more music by The Night Sweats. The track’s lyrics speak to audiences at a crossroads in their lives, wondering “what if.” What if I’m taking too long? What if I just quit tomorrow? Listen to the track here.

    What If I will feature four previously unreleased songs recorded during The Future sessions as well as a newly written and recorded track called “Buy My Round.” All songs on What If I were produced by Bradley Cook (Bon Iver, Kevin Morby, The War on Drugs) and R.M.B.—the production trio of Rateliff, Meese, and James Barone (Beach House). In addition, the track “Slow Pace of Time” features The Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s leader and clarinetist, Charlie Gabriel.

    Tickets to see Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats on their world tour, which includes three performances at New York music venues, go on sale April 21 at 10 a.m.

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Live

    April 29-April 30—Los Angeles, CA—Hollywood Bowl *
    May 12—Miramar Beach, FL—Seascape Resort
    June 3—Chattanooga, TN—Riverbend Festival
    June 4—Lexington, KY—Railbird Music Festival
    June 16—Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom—Black Deer Festival
    June 18—Landgraaf, The Netherlands—Pinkpop Festival
    June 20—Cologne, Germany—Live Music Hall †
    June 21—Berlin, Germany—Huxley’s Neue Welt †
    Jun 23—Vienna, Austria—Arena Wien Open Air †
    June 25—Munich, Germany—Backstage Werk †
    June 26—Zürich, Switzerland—Kaufleuten †
    June 28—Paris, France—Cabaret Sauvage †
    June 29—Rotselaar, Belgium—Rock Werchter
    July 2—Ferrara, Italy—Comfort Festival
    July 3—Milan, Italy—Magnolia Open Ai
    July 6—Madrid, Spain—Mad Cool Festival
    July 7—Algés, Portugal—Nos Alive
    July 23—Redmond, OR—Fairwell Festival
    July 28—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion ‡
    July 29—Bethel, NY—Bethel Woods Center For The Arts ‡
    July 30—Darien Center, NY—Dairen Lake Amphitheater ‡
    August 1—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE §
    August 3—Grand Rapids, MI—GLC Live at 20 Monroe §
    August 4—Rochester Hills, MI—Meadow Brook Amphitheatre §
    August 5—Columbus, OH—KEMBA Live!
    August 7—Madison, WI—The Sylvee §
    August 9-10—Chicago, IL—The Salt Shed §
    August 12—Minneapolis, MN—Surly Brewing Festival Field §
    August 15—Moorhead, MN—Bluestem Amphitheater §
    August 18-19—Missoula, MT—Kettlehouse Amphitheater ||
    August 22-23—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre ||
    September 16—Asbury Park, NJ—Sea Hear Now Festival
    September 19—Cleveland, OH—Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
    September 20—Newport, KY—MegaCorp Pavilion
    September 22—Milwaukee, WI—BMO Pavilion
    September 24—Franklin, TN—Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
    September 26—Asheville, NC—ExploreAsheville.com Arena #
    September 27—Raleigh, NC—Red Hat Amphitheater #
    September 30—Bridgeport, CT—Sound On Sound Music Festival
    October 1—Ocean City, MD—Oceans Calling Festival

    * Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration
    † with William the Conqueror
    ‡ with Willie Nelson & Family
    § with Thee Sacred Souls
    || with Waxahatchee
    # with Sierra Ferrell

  • Moscot Mobileyes and Music Will Present “Punk & Beyond: Legends of the Lower East Side” at the Mark Miller Gallery

    The Moscot Mobileyes Foundation has announced a partnership with national music education nonprofit, Music Will, for Punk & Beyond: Legends of the Lower East Side, at the Mark Miller Gallery in New York City.

    Punk & Beyond: Legends of the Lower East Side is an immersive art experience celebrating the musicians that rose to fame in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The exhibit is free and open to the public, running Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. from April 20th – July 9th.

    “My Love Rains” by artist Hektad, from a previous exhibition at the Mark Miller Gallery. Credit: Hektad

    With support from legendary music producers Perry Margouleff and Steve Rosenthal, Punk & Beyond: Legends of the Lower East Side will raise funds for the launch and expansion of Music Will’s music programming in public schools, and The Moscot Mobileyes Foundation has kicked off the initiative with a $26,000 donation to open four music programs in local public schools to fund teacher training, instrument donations, curricular resources, and scholarships to attend the Music Will Modern Band Summit. Both organizations hope to continue this initiative annually, building lifelong connections between students and music worldwide.

    I’m delighted to have the opportunity to evolve Moscat Mobileyes from one passion of providing eye care to those in need, to my other great joy in life—music, by providing music education to local public-school kids. I am dedicated to finding ways to give back to the city that has been so good to Moscat.

     Dr. Harvey Moscot

    Designed by Daniel Kershaw, Exhibition Design Manager at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Punk & Beyond: Legends of the Lower East Side will feature artifacts from Johnny Thunders, Lou Reed, Norah Jones, David Peel, and more. 

    “We are so grateful to Moscot Mobileyes for their invaluable support of our mission promoting music education in the Lower East Side, and to Perry Margouleff for his unwavering dedication to our cause,” says Janice Polizzotto, Music Will Interim CEO. “We are so proud to be part of an exhibit that commemorates the rich musical heritage of this historic neighborhood and celebrates its vibrant diversity.”

    Moscot Music originated in 2004 when Harvey Moscot grabbed his guitar and started jamming on a rainy Saturday. Since then, Moscot has added a music element to its repertoire, by connecting fans worldwide with emerging and established musical artists. Presently, their initiative has shifted from solely providing medical eyecare to supporting the needs of the community as a whole.

    The largest nonprofit music program for schools in the United States, Music Will, in the last 20 years, has provided teacher training, curriculum, and instruments to over 6,000 schools across all 50 states – impacting over 1.2 million students to date. The organization strives to restore and transform music education in schools as districts continue to lose funding for music and arts programs. Music Will hopes to reach one million more students in the next five years. 

  • Punk-rock Musical Good Vibrations opens June 14 at the Irish Arts Center

    Acclaimed punk-rock musical Good Vibrations is coming to the Irish Arts Center starting June 14. Written by Colin Carberry and Glenn Patterson based on their BAFTA-Nominated Film and directed by Des Kennedy, Good Vibrations at the Irish Arts Center closes July 9.

    The opening of the musical marks the first musical and largest-scale theatrical offering ever presented by the Irish Arts Center.

    Good Vibrations Irish Arts Center
    A scene from Good Vibrations. Credit: Irish Arts Center.

    Good Vibrations initially made its world premiere at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast in 2018 to rave reviews and sold-out performances. The Irish Times said, “The full-throated spirit of punk is alive and roaring” in this “glorious” production, and The Irish News described audiences “losing their hearts to [the] fascinating character” of Terri Hooley. Good Vibrations at the Irish Arts Center is sure to be a musical you won’t want to miss.

    Since 1968, the Lyric Theatre has been a creative hub for theatre-making, a safe space for nurturing talent, and embodies an unwavering passion for creating meaningful connections through theatre and the arts. The theatre has been a stepping stone for internationally acclaimed playwrights, poets, and actors, and is the only full-time theatre in Northern Ireland to produce its own productions from page to stage. The Lyric Theatre is committed to maintaining a high-quality, diverse, and inclusive program.

    Produced by Lyric Theatre, Belfast, Good Vibrations is led by a large ensemble cast that includes Cat Barter as Marilyn Hyndman, Connor Burnside as Billy Doherty, Darren Franklin as Dave, Marty Maguire as George Hooley, Odhrán McNulty as Ronnie Matthews, Chris Mohan as Graham ‘Getty’ Marshall, Christina Nelson as Mrs. Hooley and Mrs. Sharkey, Jolene O’Hara as Polly, Gavin Peden as Brian Young, Dylan Reid as Feargal Sharkey/Greg Cowan, Glen Wallace as Terri Hooley, and Jayne Wisener as Ruth Carr. Good Vibrations chronicles the story of the beloved titular record store/label, through the songs of punk rock legends like The Undertones, the Outcasts, and Stiff Little Fingers (including, respectively, “Teenage Kicks,” “Just Another Teenage Rebel,” and “Alternative Ulster”). The central character is Terri Hooley, who when the Troubles shut down his city and his friends take sides, opens a record shop.

    Rounding out the creative team is Katie Richardson (Musical Director), Jennifer Rooney (Choreographer), Grace Smart (Set Designer), Gillian Lennox (Costume Designer), Jack Knowles (Lighting Designer), Megan Joyce (Audio Engineer), Barry McCusker (Live Sound Engineer), Aidan Payne (Set Carpenter), Ian Vennard (Production Technician: Sound/Lighting), Simon Bird (Production Manager), and Stephen Dix (Deputy Stage Manager/Props).

    Founded in 1972 and based in Hell’s Kitchen, the Irish Arts Center is a home for artists and audiences of all backgrounds who share a passion for the evolving arts and culture of contemporary Ireland and Irish America. Additionally, IAC provides community education programs and access to the arts for people of all ages and ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Through a historic partnership between the people of Ireland and New York, the Irish Arts Center recently opened a state-of-the-art new facility to support its mission for the 21st century.

    Tickets and more information are available on the Irish Arts Center’s website.

  • Boy George and Culture Club ‘Letting It Go Show’ Summer Tour includes Bethel Woods, Jones Beach and Darien Lake Stops

    English pop band Boy George and Culture Club will headline a summer 2023 tour, the Letting It Go Show, which will stop at three New York Music venues.

    Culture Club will appear at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on July 22, followed by a performance at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre the next day, and lastly the Darien Lake Amphitheatre on July 29, before finishing the rest of their tour across the country throughout August. Culture Club will be joined by Howard Jones and Berlin for all dates of their tour.

    The members of Boy George and Culture Club, from left to right: Mikey Craig (vocals, bass, keyboards) Boy George (vocals, tambourine), and Roy Hay (guitars, vocals, keyboards.) Credit: Maya Sarin.

    Culture Club was initially formed in London during the New Romantic movement and consists of Boy George, Roy Hay, Mikey Craig, and formerly Jon Moss (drums and percussion.) They released their debut album, Kissing to Be Clever, in 1982 and, with the help of lead singer Boy George, achieved mainstream success in both the U.K. and the U.S. George dressed in flamboyant dresses and wore heavy makeup, creating a disarmingly androgynous appearance that created a sensation on early MTV, earning the band considerable media attention.

    During the 1980s, Culture Club released several hit songs, including “Karma Chameleon” which reached number one on both sides of the Atlantic, and “It’s a Miracle” and “Miss Me Blind” which reached the Top 10. The band initially broke up in 1986, before reuniting from 1998-2002 and again in 2011. Their sixth and most recent studio album, Life, was released in 2018, credited as “Boy George and Culture Club.”

    Howard Jones, born in Southhampton, Hampshire, England, began his career with his hit single, “New Song,” from his debut album, Human’s Lib, and has had a nearly 40-year career since. His most recent album, Dialogue (2022) is part of a trilogy of albums with Engage (2015) and Transform (2019.) Jones’ hits have been featured in high-profile series and films such as “Stranger Things,” “Breaking Bad,” “Watchmen,” “The Carrie Diaries”, “Superstore” and “Bumblebee.”

    New wave band Berlin formed in Los Angeles in 1978, founded by vocalist Terri Nunn, bassist John Crawford, and keyboard player David Diamond. The band’s career began with Information (1980), and they have since won twelve gold and platinum album awards. Berlin’s 1986 hit “Take My Breath Away” significantly appeared in Tom Cruise’s hit film Top Gun (1986) solidifying their ever-lasting place in American pop culture, and winning the award for “Best Original Song” at both the Golden Globe and Academy Awards.

    Nunn’s ongoing influence earned her the #11 spot on VH1.com’s “100 Greatest Women in Rock. As an actress, she played leading roles in films including Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold with Kim Basinger, and Thank God It’s Friday with Jeff Goldblum and Debra Winger. Along with comedienne Wendy Liebman, Nunn previously hosted the critically acclaimed radio show Unbound with Terri Nunn.

    Pre-sale for the Boy George and Culture Club Letting It Go Show, which includes three stops at New York music venues, starts April 19 with a Citi presale at 10 a.m., continuing until April 20 at 10 p.m., with additional presales continuing throughout the week and general on-sale tickets starting Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m.

    The Letting It Go Show 2023 tour dates:
    Thu Jul 13 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
    Sat Jul 15 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
    Sun Jul 16 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place Amphitheatre
    Tue Jul 18 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
    Wed Jul 19 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
    Thu Jul 20 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
    Sat Jul 22 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
    Sun Jul 23 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
    Tue Jul 25 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
    Wed Jul 26 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
    Fri Jul 28 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
    Sat Jul 29 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
    Sun Jul 30 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann
    Tue Aug 01 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
    Thu Aug 03 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    Fri Aug 04 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
    Sat Aug 05 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
    Tue Aug 08 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
    Thu Aug 10 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
    Fri Aug 11 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
    Sat Aug 12 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
    Mon Aug 14 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
    Fri Aug 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
    Sat Aug 19 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
    Sun Aug 20 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion

  • Sting Bringing ‘My Songs’ Concert to Jones Beach this Summer

    Legendary English musician Sting is bringing his My Songs concert to the Empire State with a performance at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Sept. 8.

    Throughout his tour, Sting will be accompanied by an electric, rock ensemble and, on select shows, special guest Joe Sumner. Sting will perform songs from his career as both a solo artist and a member of The Police.

    sting my songs jones beach
    Promotional Picture for Sting’s My Songs Tour. Credit: Valeska Thomas

    Sting was born in Wallsend, England, and began his musical career with the rock band The Police in the 1970s as their bass guitar player, lead and backing vocalist, double bass player, and studio synthesizer, accompanied by fellow members Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland, and briefly, Henry Padovani. The band went on their first tour, The Police Around the World Tour, from 1977-1980. The Police released their debut studio album, Outlandos d’Amour, in 1978, preceded by their debut single, “Roxanne.” The band had a nearly decade-long career, releasing their fifth and final studio album, Synchronicity, in 1983, before officially breaking up in 1986. They reunited for a final from 2007-08, for their Reunion Tour.

    Since The Police’s breakup, Sting has had a successful career as a solo artist, releasing over a dozen studio albums. His first solo release was 1985’s The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Since then, Sting has released a total of 15 solo studio albums, most recently 2021’s The Bridge. Throughout his career, Sting has won 25 American Music Awards, 17 Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On his My Songs tour, Sting will perform classic hits like ‘Fields of Gold’, ‘Shape of my Heart’, ‘Roxanne’, ‘Englishman In New York,’ ‘Every Breath You Take,’ ‘Roxanne,’ ‘Message In A Bottle’,  ‘Demolition Man’ and many more.

    The My Songs tour will offer a variety of VIP packages and experiences. Packages vary but include premium tickets, access to the pre-show VIP lounge, specially designed VIP gift item, limited edition tour poster, and more. For additional information, visit vipnation.com.

    Tickets to the My Songs concert by Sting, which includes a performance at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Sept. 8, go on sale April 21 at 10 a.m. at Sting.com.

    STING: MY SONGS 2023 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:
    Sept. 05 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
    Sept. 07 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
    Sept. 08 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
    Sept. 12 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live*
    Sept. 15 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
    Sept. 17 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX
    Sept. 20 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    Sept. 21 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    Sept. 23 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
    Sept. 26 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
    Sept. 27 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
    Sept. 29 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
    Oct. 01 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort and Casino*
    Oct. 02 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
    Oct. 04 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU
    Oct. 07 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
    Oct. 09 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
    Oct. 12 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
    Oct. 14 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
    Oct. 15 – Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

  • Sports Playoff Schedules Postpone MSG Concerts

    Two shows, Billy Joel and Juan Luis Guerra, have been postponed at Madison Square Garden due to the New York Knicks and New York Rangers playoff games.

    Madison Square Garden

    The New York Rangers will be going up against the New Jersey Devils in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Billy Joel’s concert scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2023, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2023, due to this event, and all tickets purchased for the previous date are valid at the new one. Joel’s MSG franchise run will resume as scheduled on May 5, 2023, but fans should note it is subject to change if it conflicts with a playoff game.

    Potentially, the New York Knicks will be playing Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at MSG, therefore Juan Luis Guerra’s concert scheduled for Friday, April 28, 2023, has been rescheduled a night earlier on Thursday, April 27, 2023, with all tickets honored for the new date.

    Madison Square Garden

    To stay up to date on the status of MSG events as playoff games keep ramping up, visit here.

  • 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.

    Binghamton Orchestra 2023-24 season

    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.

    Binghamton Orchestra 2023-24 season Phelps Mansion Museum Series
    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.

    Phelps Mansion Museum Series
    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.

    Phelps Mansion Museum Series
    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.

  • 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.

    bullville shinefest
    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.

    logo2.jpg
    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.