John Oliver and Seth Meyers, two Emmy Award-winning comedians, will be combining their individual stand-up tours on August 17th at The Beacon Theatre in New York City.
As two prominent television personalities, Meyers and Oliver have been increasingly impacted by the Writers Guild of America Strike of 2023 which has put Last Week Tonight With John Oliver and Late Night With Seth Meyers on an indefinite stand still. The hosts are continuing to move forward in spite of the controversy and have both announced stand-up tours to last the summer.
Oliver is a long-time participant and pro in the stand-up world and continues to perform sold-out venues across the country. He is best known for being the host and producer of his tonight show along with select appearances in television and film including Disney’s The Lion King, Community, Big Mouth, Bob’s Burgers, and many more. For his work as a writer and comedian, Oliver has gone on to receive twenty-three Primetime Emmys, five Writer’s Guild Awards, two Critics’ Choice Television Awards, four Television Critics Association Awards, and two Peabodys.
In a similar light, Meyers is no stranger to the stage or the screen as he began his television career with “Saturday Night Live” in 2001. He has been given the title of everything from host to executive producer and has been nominated for an Emmy Award twenty-six times for his work on the screen. In addition, Meyers was named one of the 2014 TIME 100, Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Tickets for their combined show in August have already become available as local presales began on June 6th and general sales will start on June 9th. Both can be accessed with Ticketmaster.
“For the Music!” is a live music event created to help raise funds for Brooklyn non-profit Spoke The Hub. The fundraiser features performances from seven different musicians, many of whom are Brooklyn locals. The event gets underway on Saturday, June 10 at 6 p.m.
Spoke The Hub is an arts organization that offers classes, performance spaces, and community events for the Brooklyn community. Originally created in 1979, Spoke The Hub has helped to foster and nourish the arts scene in New York City throughout the years. The organization has contributed to the work of thousands of artists through their multiple different series.
Proceeds from “For the Music!” will go toward finding an upright piano to better serve musicians, vocalists and musical theater artists who want to rehearse and teach at Spoke the Hub.
Victor V. Gurbo and his band are known for their unique and multi-faceted folk music. While Gurbo’s sound is reminiscent of traditional American folk, there are unmistakable flavors of blues, jazz, rock and even ragtime. High in tempo and energy, Gurbo’s music is made for dancing.
Petra Jasmiina a Finnish singer-songwriter who has crafted her own lane and sound in New York City. Jasmiina’s music has the catchy and bubbly nature of modern indie-pop with the soulful features of folk. Cinema and storytelling are however the most pervasive influences through her work, helping to create songs that are perfect to sing along to.
Kathryn “Kat” Lewis enjoys playing mostly classic country songs but is also a fan of reggae and pop. She often performs with The Sheriff of Goodtimes at the Thompson Street Medicine Show, Billygoat, and her band Country City.
Guitarist and composer Carlos Pavan has been creating intricate and delicate music for over a decade. Despite the classical nature of his music, the sounds of guitars and strings help to bring a liveliness to each one of Pavan’s songs. He is currently the composer/artistic director of Trio Concertante & Park Slope Chamber Players.
Buffalo native Don Militello is a jazz pianist and educator who has done just about everything in his musical career. Besides going on an international tour, Militello has shared the stage with Etta Jones and performed at the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. Alongside Militello, bassist Charles Ruble will also be performing. Ruble is currently a member of the High School Jazz Academy at Lincoln Center.
A longtime friend of Spoke, David Goddy will also be performing as part of the fundraiser.
Brooklyn-based artist Elijah Wolf released a new single “Fading” on May 23. The single previews his upcoming album,Forgiving Season, scheduled for release on June 23 via Mtn Laurel Recording Co. The song was co-written with Wolf’s longtime creative partners Sam Cohen, the album’s producer, and drummer Joshua Jeager.
“Fading” was written “about the experience of meeting someone special while fighting the impulse to self-sabotage. The song deals with the tangled emotions of excitement, fear, and the euphoria of total surrender,” explained Wolf.
Furthermore, Wolf explained that he wrote the song “after meeting someone who made me feel present and in sync. As good as it felt, I couldn’t help but feel the anxiety of allowing someone in. To me this song is about the process I went through to reach acceptance and an openess to new experiences and the happiness it brought me.”
“While recording, I was incredibly inspired by the changing season outside the studio, where I would watch the trees grow greener by the day. The outro is particularly inspired by the sounds of the earth coming back to life—crickets at night, wind through the trees, the hum of frogs, the thawing of the ground all into a spring dance.”
“Fading” follows the release of the official video for other songs on the album, “We Talked About It” and “Care Anymore.“ Elijah Wolf’s childhood friends created the videos using footage of New York City from early 2020.”Care Anymore” was praised by Under the Radar who said, “Wolf has managed to both wrangle the disaffected swirl of emotions he was dealing with when writing the record and crystalize those feelings into vibrant indie rock.”
After a successful 2021 album Brighter Lighting, accompanied by notable tour dates and festival performances, including Newport Folk Festival, Austin City Limits, and The End of the Road in England, Wolf returned to New York feeling lost and plagued by self-doubt. Through this, Wolf found himself unable to write or record. Finally, months later, he called producer Sam Cohen who urged him to visit the studio and scrap his previous work, starting fresh.
“At Sam’s direction, we made a decision to take a leap and not recreate anything I had done already. We wanted to get away from the folk-rock band sound of traditional instruments in a room together,” Wolf explains. “In the end, I wrote a record about vulnerability, about the ways that mechanisms of self-protection can make you miss the good around you. It’s about allowing the walls to come down and accepting your own failures and imperfections.”
Forgiving Season follows Wolf’s 2021 album Brighter Lighting, standalone single “Yesterday, With You” featuring Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold, and an Aquarium Drunkard Lagniappe Sessions release.
Seven Lions, known for his melodic and emotionally-driven music, curated a setlist that took the audience on an unforgettable sonic journey at Brooklyn Mirage on Friday, May 26. From his signature blend of dubstep and trance to his mesmerizing future bass compositions, each track was carefully selected to evoke a range of emotions.
The crowd was transported through euphoric highs and introspective lows, as the artist seamlessly weaved together his own productions, remixes, and crowd-favorite collaborations. Notably, tracks like “Strangers” and “Rush Over Me” resonated deeply with the audience, resulting in countless hands raised to the sky and voices singing along in unison.
The atmosphere at the Brooklyn Mirage was nothing short of magical as electronic dance music (EDM) enthusiasts gathered to witness the awe-inspiring performance of none other than Seven Lions. The open-air venue, with its towering walls and intricate lighting design, created an ethereal ambiance that perfectly complemented the artist’s unique sound. The warm spring night added an extra touch of enchantment to the evening, making it an ideal setting for a captivating musical journey.
The energy pulsating through the crowd was electric from the moment Seven Lions took the stage. The passionate fans, adorned with vibrant neon accessories, exuded an undeniable sense of excitement. As the music began to fill the air, an incredible unity swept through the sea of people. From start to finish, the audience was engaged and fervently moved to the rhythm, igniting a palpable energy that could be felt throughout the entire venue. It was truly a testament to the artist’s ability to connect with his fans on a profound level.
The Brooklyn Mirage proved to be the perfect backdrop for Seven Lions’ captivating performance. The sprawling outdoor venue, with its industrial charm and impressive architecture, provided an immersive experience like no other. The stage, positioned at the center of the venue, allowed for optimal sightlines and enhanced the connection between the artist and the crowd. As the night progressed, the lighting design transformed the space into a captivating kaleidoscope of colors, further enhancing the visual spectacle. The venue’s ample space and strategic layout ensured that everyone had an unobstructed view, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the artist’s sonic world.
Seven Lions’ concert at Brooklyn Mirage was an enchanting EDM experience that left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to be in attendance. The ethereal atmosphere, fueled by the venue’s unique design and lighting, set the stage for a night filled with soaring melodies and immersive beats. The crowd’s infectious energy and unwavering passion further amplified the magic of the evening. Seven Lions’ thoughtfully curated setlist captivated the audience, taking them on a sonic journey that touched the depths of their souls. The Brooklyn Mirage proved to be the perfect canvas for this unforgettable performance, adding an extra layer of wonder to an already extraordinary event.
NYC’s City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage is back for another year of concerts and entertainment. This season the series features everything from folk music icons to some of hip-hop’s most innovative voices. Most of the notable concerts will take place at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. 12 different neighborhood parks across all five boroughs of NYC will also serve as venues. Concerts begin on June 3 and run until September 30.
Since its inception in 1986, SummerStage has established itself as one of New York City’s premier concert series. With 80 shows Summerstage showcases a diverse set of artists from various genres week after week. Apart from some ticketed benefit concerts, SummerStage events are usually open to the public and free.
In addition to concerts, Central Park will also screen films and host a multitude of different celebrations. The iconic greenspace has become an inseparable from NYC, hosting some of the most well known artists throughout the years. Curtis Mayfield, Elvis Costello, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Jazmine Sullivan have all graced the stage in Central Park.
The other parks and outdoor spaces hosting SummerStage in 2023 include Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, Von King Park and The Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, Crotona Park in the Bronx, Stapleton Waterfront Park in Staten Island, and SummerStage’s flagship venue at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
This year SummerStage will celebrate hip-hop as the genre celebrates its 50th anniversary. The series aims to highlight not only its significance to NYC but also the impact it has had worldwide.
As part of the celebration, a special edition showcase will take over Coney Island on August 6. The event will feature artists Special Ed and many more, hosted by Ralph McDaniels. Frankie Cutlass and Black Sheep’s Dres will join the festivities on August 12 in Staten Island. A day later DJ Funk Flex will bring his birthday celebration to Brooklyn on August 13.
SummerStage’s 2023 roster boasts several international musicians but also tries to celebrate some of the city’s local artists. Argentina’s TRUENO and Puerto Rico’s Villano Antillano highlight the influence of Caribbean and reggaetón. Meanwhile Brooklyn-based artist Nick Hakim looks to bring his soulful R&B sounds back to his hometown.
We are thrilled to present another vibrant season filled with captivating artists from around the world and introduce music fans to their diverse sounds
Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage.
Saturday, June 3, 7 p.m., Central Park – Hippo Campus & Gus Dapperton – Benefit Concert
Sunday, June 4, 6:30 p.m., Central Park – Indigo Girls – Benefit Concert
Saturday, June 10, 6 p.m., Central Park – Opening Night American Blues – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 14, 7 p.m., Central Park – New York Sings Yiddish! – FREE Concert
Thursday, June 15, 7 p.m., Central Park – Sammy Rae & The Friends – Benefit Concert
Saturday, June 17, 4 p.m., Central Park – The Aussie BBQ – FREE Concert
Sunday, June 18, 6 p.m., Central Perk – Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell Tour – Benefit Concert
Monday, June 19, 4 p.m., Central Park – Park Jams, a Juneteenth Celebration – Benefit Concert
Tuesday, June 20, 7 p.m., Central Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes / René Barbera / Will Liverman and Dimitri Dover – FREE Concert
Friday, June 23, 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bridge Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes / René Barbera/ Will Liverman / Dimitri Dover – FREE Concert
Saturday, June 24, 5 p.m., Central Park – Stanley Clarke N 4ever / Kenny Garrett / Brandee Younger / DJ Logic in Association with Blue Note Jazz Festival – FREE Concert
Saturday, June 24, 7 p.m., Jackie Robinson Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Sunday, June 25, 3 p.m. – Dreamland – Pride in Central Park – Benefit Concert
Monday, June 26, 6 p.m., Williamsbridge Oval – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 6 p.m., Socrates Sculpture Garden – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 7 p.m., – Michael Franti & Spearhead – Benefit Concert
Friday, June 30, 7 p.m., Clove Lakes Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 1, 5 p.m., Central Park – Andy Shauf / Leith Ross / Yves Jarvis in association with the Consulate General of Canada in New York – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 2, 5 p.m., Central Park – Andy Shauf / Leith Ross / Yves Jarvis in association with the Consulate General of Canada in New York – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 8, 5 p.m., Central Park – Catalan Sounds On Tour: Queralt Lahoz / Marala / Lia Kali with DJ sets by DJ Trapella in association with the Institut Ramon Llull – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 9, 5 p.m., Coney Island – Tuff Gong Takeover feat Skip Marley & Friends – FREE Concert
Monday, July 10, 6 p.m., Central Park – Noel Gallagher & High Flying Birds and Garbage – Benefit Concert
Wednesday, July 12, 6 p.m., Central Park – Juanes / Conexion Divina in association with LAMC – FREE Concert
Thursday, July 13, 5 p.m., Central Park – Bastille Day: Joachim Garraud & Marie Berson / Passi / Bénabar / Adèle Castillon in association with Consulate General of France – FREE Concert
Thursday, July 13, 7 p.m., Von King Park – Works & Process at SummerStage: The Masterz at Work Dance Family with Courtney Washington – FREE Concert
Friday, July 14, 6 p.m., Von King Park – Nick Hakim / June McDoom / Evan Wright – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 15, 4 p.m., Von King Park – MIKE’S Young World III: Noname / Georgia Anne Muldrow / 454 – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 15, 5 p.m., Central Park – TRUENO / Villano Antillano / Dawer x Damper / KEXP’s El Sonido with Albina Cabrera ft. Camola DJ set in association with LAMC – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 16, 4 p.m., Coney Island – GOLDEN OLDIES ON THE BOARDWALK 2023 feat. The Duprees / The Coasters / Charlie Thomas’ Drifters w/ Jeff Hall / Bobby Wilson / Stan Zizka’s Del Satins / Vito Picone & The Elegants / The Chiclettes and More / Hosted by Joe Causi with DJ Vinnie Medugno in association with Fever Productions and Brian Rosenberg – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 16, 6 p.m, Von King Park – dead prez / th1rt3en / Large Professor DJ Set – FREE Concert
Wednesday, July 19, 5 p.m., Central Park – Julia Jacklin / Y La Bamba / Black Belt Eagle Scout -FREE Concert
Thursday, July 20, 5 p.m., Central Park – Horsegirl / Iceage / Water From Your Eyes / Lifeguard – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m., Central Park – Michael Brun Presents BAYO – Benefit Concert
Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m., Flushing Meadows Corona – Kool and the Gang – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 23, 5 p.m., Central Park – Taiwanese Waves: Waa Wei / The Dinosaur’s Skin / Mandarin Homework (DJ Mr. Skin) – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 23, 6 p.m., Flushing Meadows Corona Park – DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Bacchanal: DJ Rekha / Malkit Singh with live band / DJ Ana / Sikh Knowledge / Rolex Rasathy / Param Singh / Dholi Anuradha and guests – FREE Concert
Thursday, Aug 3, 6 p.m., Crotona Park – Ted Smooth’s Freestyle Jam ft. TKA and Judy Torres – FREE Concert
Friday, Aug 4, 5 p.m., Crotona Park – “Birth of a Culture” Grandmaster Flash and Friends – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 5, 5 p.m., Central Park – The Originals: Stretch Armstrong / Rich Medina / Tony Touch / Clark Kent / D-Nice – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 5, 7 p.m., Crotona Park – Stonebwoy in association with Ghanafest-NY Crotona Park – FREE Concert
Sunday, August 6, 4 p.m., Coney Island – Hip-Hop 50: SPECIAL EDITION: Nice N Smooth / Special Ed /Buckshot of Black Moon / Masta Ace / CL Smooth / Rah Digga / Rampage / Black Sheep Dres / Sweet Tee / Joeski Love / Sparky D / Hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) – FREE Concert
Wednesday and Thursday, Aug 9 & 10, 7 p.m. Mt. Joy – Benefit Concerts – Sold Out
Saturday, Aug 12, 5 p.m., Waterfront Park – Frankie Cutlass / The Original Cover Girls / Cynthia / Black Sheep / DJ Millo and DJ Medina in Association with Maker Park Radio Stapleton Waterfront Park – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 12, 5 p.m., Central Park – VP Records Presents Roots Reggae Review – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 13, 5 p.m., Coney Island – Funk Flex & Friends Birthday Concert Featuring Raheem DeVaughn, Rob Base & More – FREE Concert
Aug 13, 5 p.m, Waterfront Park – Las Cafeteras / Natu Camara / Justy / DJ Kitty the Disc Jockey in Association with Maker Park Radio and La Isla Bonita Stapleton – FREE Concert
Thursday, Aug 17, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Works & Process at SummerStage: The Missing Element with The Beatbox House / LayeRhythm – FREE Concert
Friday, Aug 18, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Jason Moran and the Big Bandwagon: James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield in Association with Jazzmobile – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 19, 5 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Mixtape (Film Screening) / DJ sets by Ron G / Doo Wop / Mister Cee / Tony Touch / Brucie B – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 19, 5 p.m. – Cautious Clay, Wet, Christian Kuria, and Zindelphia – Benefit
Sunday, Aug 20, 4 p.m., Coney Island – Jose Alberto “El Canario” / The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra: The Music Of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente – FREE Concert
Aug 20, 5 p.m., Central Park – Everyday People – FREE Concert
Aug 20, 5 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Hip-Hop 50: Native Tongue Edition: Monie Love / Black Sheep Dres / Chi Ali / DJ Red Alert hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) – FREE Concert
Wednesday, Aug 23, 4:30 p.m. – Manchester Orchestra and Jimmy Eat World – Benefit Concert
Thursday, Aug 24, 8 p.m. – Regina Spektor – Benefit Concert
Friday, Aug 25, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band featuring Dianne Reeves / T.K. Blue in association with Jazzmobile – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 26, 3 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: The Cookers / Endea Owens and the Cookout / Nduduzo Makhathini Trio / Akua Allrich and The Tribe – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 27, 3 p.m., Tompkins Square Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Charles McPherson with Terell Stafford / Something Else! Vincent Herring Septet / HERA feat. Chelsea Baratz and Andromeda Turre / Michael Mayo – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 27, 5 p.m., Central Park – Palmwine Festival: Show Dem Camp and Friends in association with Move Forward Music – FREE Concert
Wednesday, Aug 30, 7 p.m. – Vance Joy with Dan Sultan – Benefit Concert
Thursday, Aug 31, 6 p.m., Central Park – In Our Own Sweet Time Tour: Vance Joy / Dan Sultan Subaru Music Series – Benefit Concert
Sunday, Sep 3, 5 p.m., Central Park – Emicida / Goyo / Screening: AmarElo: It’s All for Yesterday / in Association with 27th Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival – FREE Concert
Thursday, Sep 14, 5 p.m., Central Park – Tanya Tucker / Nikki Lane Subaru Music Series – FREE Concert
On the heels of releasing her eighth solo studio album on April 14, Keep Your Courage (Nonesuch Records), Natalie Merchant played the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center for two consecutive sold-out shows this on the evenings of Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3.
A huge fan of hers since the heyday of the 10,000 Maniacs in the late-1980s and early-1990s, I was “blessed and lucky” enough to be in attendance for the night two performance on June 3.
At the midway point of a 45 date tour that shares the same name as her new album, the Jamestown, NY native brought her trademark, unmistakable alto chops to the Adrienne Arsht Stage, within the warm, wood veneer confines of the Starr Theater. In celebration of her first new material since 2017, Merchant has been performing several shows on the tour while backed by an orchestra. And Friday and Saturday’s concerts were no different as The Knights, a symphonic orchestral collective based in New York City and led by Associate Conductor Michael P. Atkinson, accompanied Natalie Merchant onstage for lush arrangements of career-spanning tunes.
On an atypically chilly evening for late-spring on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, patrons began to congregate in Alice Tully Hall’s foyer one hour before showtime to relax with a drink from the bar and to check out the ‘merch’ table, which included signed vinyl copies of Keep Your Courage selling for $50. At 7:30 pm, doors to the 1,086-capacity theater renovated in 2006 and known for its exceptional acoustics officially opened. Walking into the theater alongside other attendees to take our respective seat in the orchestra section or balcony, we were immediately taken aback by the theater’s grandeur, particularly the venue’s centerpiece, a cathedral-sized, 19-ton, Swiss-made pipe organ built in 1974.
Running slightly behind schedule, the house lights suddenly dimmed at 8:10 pm and the moment we all had been waiting for was finally upon us! Entering stage right in the first of two elegant, long skirt and blouse ensembles Merchant would be rocking tonight, the epic 23-song show comprised of two sets (separated by a 20-minute intermission) and an encore was officially underway with “Lulu,” from her self-titled studio album released in 2014. At the song’s conclusion, Merchant explained that she wrote the song about Louise Brooks, the American film actress and Jazz Age icon of the 1920s and 1930s who of all things, popularized the bob hairstyle.
With a setlist mimicking Friday night’s selections and order (despite Merchant and The Knights reportedly sound checking “Seven Years” and “My Skin” at rehearsals earlier in the day), Merchant’s voice was in top form, like a fine wine, as she gracefully danced, twirled and flowed from one end of the stage to the other, frequently interacting with her beaming audience.
Speaking of superb vocals, Merchant was joined onstage by two back-up vocalists for several songs, including “Lady Bird,” “Break Your Heart,” “Big Girls,” “Come On, Aphrodite,” “Kind & Generous” and “Tower of Babel.” One of the vocalists who teamed with Merchant during both Lincoln Center performances was Abena Koomson-Davis, a renowned performer and the musical director of the Resistance Revival Chorus, who also sings two duets on 2023’s Keep Your Courage.
As The Knights continued to compliment Merchant’s repertoire of current and past array of heartfelt melodies Saturday night, her innocent charm was palpable. Having matured into a beautifully refined artist over the course of nearly four decades, her songs have the ability to touch the inner soul of her listeners. Tonight, during “Beloved Wife” (Tigerlily, 1995) and “Sister Tilly” (an homage to powerful women from Keep Your Courage), she pulled on her own heartstrings as she was brought to tears during each of these emotional song deliveries. Poking fun at herself as she continued to wipe away the tears, the 2 hour, 30 minute display of live solo material was unfortunately nearing its climax.
The second set consummated with the entire house rising to their collective feet for a rousing rendition of “Kind & Generous” (Ophelia, 1998), followed by thunderous applause which lasted for minutes until Merchant appeased her adoring fans for a three song encore consisting of “Tower of Babel” (Keep Your Courage), fan-favorite “Carnival” (Tigerlily) and “These are Days” (Our Time in Eden, 1992), the lone 10,000 Maniacs number of the night. Before commencing the encore, Merchant quipped, “You are [all] gluttons! A three hour show, that’s what you all get, like Bruce Springsteen!”
Well past 11:00 pm, Natalie Anne Merchant fans of all ages, including a generous sampling of teenagers with their Gen X parents, gleefully filed out of the concert hall and into the Gotham night. Despite all of us going our separate way, we unanimously agreed on one thing – that it’s true, we are all “blessed and lucky” to have witnessed firsthand an emotionally-captivating performance by an artist that oozed both life and passion.
The North American leg of Merchant’s Keep Your Courage Tour will resume in St. Louis, Missouri on June 22. And in case you missed either of her Lincoln Center shows in the Big Apple, or you just need another dose of ‘90s nostalgia, Merchant will be back in the tri-state area to perform with a full orchestra again at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, New Jersey on June 25. The thirty-sixth and final show in the lower 48 will occur on September 30 in Los Angeles, California.
Following a much-needed respite during October, Merchant will then continue her tour abroad with nine more shows, including five across the pond in the United Kingdom, as well as stopovers in Dublin and Amsterdam, with the tour finale scheduled for November 14 in Brussels, Belgium.
Setlist
Set 1: Lulu > Maggie and Milly and Molly and May > The Feast of St. Valentine > The Worst Thing > Frozen Charlotte > Ladybird > Giving Up Everything > The Letter > Narcissus > Break Your Heart > Big Girls
Set 2: River > Ophelia > Guardian Angel > Beloved Wife > Sister Tilly > Wonder > Come On, Aphrodite > Life Is Sweet > Kind & Generous
Encore: Tower of Babel > Carnival > These Are Days (10,000 Maniacs song)
Up-and-coming artist Sarah Gargano released her new single “Self Diagnosis” on June 2. The song features a unique melody and thoughtful lyrics that highlight Gargano’s distinctive sound.
Sarah Gargano is a 25 year old singer-songwriter born and raised in New York City. She started writing when she was fifteen and in 2018 released her first EP, Paper Girl. Furthermore, American Songwriter described Gargano as having “highly melodic acoustic-based songs consistently feature insightful and introspective lyrics that often tackle unusual subjects.”
“Self Diagnosis” is an interesting song. The unique sound of the song draws even more focus to the lyrics which consist of self-reflective lines. The straightforward and literal lyrics allow the listener to see into Gargano’s headspace when writing the song. The song gets better with every listen as you register more of the lyrics.
Other releases from Gargano include songs like “Deadline,” “Dear Juliet,” “London,” and, most recently, “Eating Peaches Daily.”
Outside of music, Gargano has a degree in creative writing and sociology. She also enjoys frolicking in flower fields, crying over fictional characters, arts-n-crafting, taking pictures, antique hunting, journaling, and eating cookie dough. Additionally, Gargano runs her own small jewelry business on the side, known as The Crafty Songwriter.
Gargano also opened for Jeffrey Lewis in Huddersfield, England and continues to play gigs in many different cities. Her next show is in Nashville, TN on July 11.
The Chelsea Music Festival in NYC announced the return of its annual June festival, this year titled Songs For The Earth, running from June 24-29.
The Chelsea Music Festival celebrates the creativity of one of New York City’s most dynamic neighborhoods and brings together world-renowned performers to celebrate great music. Since 2010, the festival has become a critically acclaimed, accessible, and interactive gateway to chamber music in non-traditional concert spaces like art galleries, churches, and more. The 2023 festival theme is Songs For The Earth, focusing on honoring and drawing attention to the changing needs of our planet.
Iranian-Canadian composer and pianist Iman Habibi joins the festival as the Composer-in-Residence. Habibi is the co-founder of the piano duo ensemble Piano Pinnacle with his wife and pianist Deborah Grimmet and is a 2022 laureate of the Azrieli Music Prize and a recipient of dozens of international music awards. Tying in with the theme of helping the planet, Habibi’s work and values as an artist are shaped by his care for the natural world. Festival Co-Artistic Director and conductor Ken-David Masur performed Habibi’s work “Jeder Baum spricht” with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, translated as “every tree speaks,” a line by Beethoven.
This year’s festival has events ranging from chamber music, art song, jazz, and daytime outreach will foster ecological awareness and focus on the earth as our shared home. This season, the festival partners with a number of environmentally-focused culinary partners including Growing Uptown, an organization that teaches communities to grow their own food and promote food security.
Chelsea Music Festival 2023 Lineup
June 24- Opening Weekend
11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.- Taking place at the Genesis House is a performance by the Asaran Earth Trio and Festival Talks with Visual Artist-in-Residence MaDora Frey and composer Nicky Sohn alongside Artistic Directors Melinda Lee Masur & Ken-David Masur.
7:30-9:30 p.m.- The performance this night is titled Dear Earth, Dear Friend, featuring music that spans the centuries including composers such as Franz Schubert, Amy Beach, and Edvard Grieg, alongside New York Premiere Performances of works written by Nicky Sohn and David Evans, as well as solo piano works by Olivier Messaien, Louis-Charles Daquin, Edward Macdowell, a trio by Edvard Grieg, and music by Composer-in-Residence Iman Habibi.
Genesis House.
June 25
1:30-3 p.m.- Back at the Genesis House, there are performances by gamin, violinist Tomotaka Seki, and violist Ayako Tahara.
3-4 p.m.- The Verona Quartet, described by The New York Times as an “outstanding ensemble…cohesive yet full of temperament,” appear at the Chelsea Music Festival.
6:30-8:30 p.m.- Performances by cellist Angela Lee, violinists Lisa Lee & Jocelyn Zhu.
Verona Quartet.
June 26
7:30-9:30 p.m.- In Rite of Healing, the Veron Quartet performs Reena Esmail’s breathtaking quartet from their new album SHATTER alongside quartets by Korean-born American composer Texu Kim and Beethoven. The performance takes place at the General Theological Seminary.
June 27
12-1 p.m.- The Asaran Earth Trio, an all-female multinational group of virtuosic musicians and educators who perform folk songs from around the globe as well as original compositions, return.
5:30-7 p.m.- The Stay Grounded Planting Workshop & Happy Hour features performer Rogério Boccato on percussion with all natural materials and group, as well as artwork displays.
7:30-9:30 p.m.- The concert of the night is Beloved of the Sky, featuring soprano Sonya Headlam and Festival Strings performing works by Dvorak, Holst, Florence Price, and World Premieres by Iman Habibi and Sung Jin Hong with intermission reception.
June 28
5:30-7:30 p.m.- Dinner from 5:30-7:30 and a show immediately after. The Four Elements Concert features the tour de force quartet of the most sought-after percussionists including Rogério Boccato and Keito Ogawa collectively composing live on stage a four-part suite based on nature’s four elements (earth, water, fire, and air). Their music will be interspersed with readings from poems from around the world about each of the elements.
June 29
7:30-9 p.m.- Our Shared Home Festival Finale at St. Peter’s Chelsea, featuring works by Takashi Yoshimatsu, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Patricio Molina, Claude Debussy, and Gerald Finzi with a reception to follow.
9-10:30 p.m.- Jazz Finale with Los Hermanos with Cuban pianist Aldo López Gavilán and violinist Ilmar Gavilan. Pre-concert reception included.
For more information about the Chelsea Music Festival and to purchase tickets, visit here.
The celebratory and legendary concert Hip Hop 50 has been announced for Aug. 11 at Yankee Stadium, celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop with some of the biggest names in the genre including Run DMC, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and more.
Hip Hop 50 is celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop right in the birthplace of the genre, the Bronx. EMMY Award-winner and BASSic Black Entertainment CEO Adam Blackstone, who was the musical director for the dynamic, star-studded halftime show at Super Bowl LVI, where he also performed bass guitar on stage, is serving as managing creative music director, along with partner, producer/keyboardist Omar Edwards (Musical Director for JAY-Z).
The event is a part of Mass Appeal’s Hip Hop 50 initiative – a massive cross-platform initiative that celebrates Hip Hop’s anniversary in the most authentic and globally impactful way possible by acknowledging and recognizing Hip Hop as not only a genre but a movement that has impacted the worldwide community. Every facet of the Universe includes a charitable component connected to the Universal Hip Hop Museum.
Aug 11th is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So…’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history! I am honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this little shy kid from Queens to grow up and become The Mighty King of Rock! Thank you Hip Hop!!!
DMC
The event includes many well-known artists from the five boroughs and rappers born outside of New York. Featured is Run DMC’s “Bottom of the Ninth…The Walk-Off” performance, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, a “Queens of Hip Hop” set featuring Eve, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, Trina, and more, as well as the beginning founders of rap like DJ Kool Herc, who was known for his turntablism that influenced early rap, and the Sugar Hill Gang. More artists are to be announced soon.
DJ Kool Herc, credit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Hip Hop 50 live at Yankee Stadium tickets will become available beginning with presales on Thursday, June 8 at 10 a.m. EST until 10 p.m. EST before the general sale on Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. EST. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Brooklyn’s alternative rock band Superbloom returns to the stage with their newest rock single “Head First.” Along with this release, the band is getting ready for their upcoming release Life’s A Blur, out on June 8th with an EP release show at Brooklyn Made on June 10th.
Feverish and raw, and with an instantly memorable punch, Brooklyn’s latest rock phenomenon is a group of four guys making the songs that they want to hear. That means searing, overdriven guitars and thrashing drums; heavy, hearty riffs full of fire and flavor; and impassioned, driving vocal melodies that get stuck in your head for weeks on end.
Behind the out-of-world sound is Dave Hoon (vocals/guitars), Tim Choate (guitars), Brian DiMeglio (bass) and Matteo Dix (drums). Having played in bands for their whole lives while pursuing full-time careers, they decided to form the infectious Superbloom in 2018.
With no room for bluffs or half-hearted attempts, Superbloom introduced themselves with 2020’s “Level Head,” followed the next year by their 12-track debut album Pollen. This release represents Superbloom’s early era of self-discovery.
Superbloom’s newest upcoming EP Life’s a Blur is music you can feel in your gut. A conscious progression from Pollen, its songs have a harder edge and an undeniable, ever-present weight.
They reach greater depths of sound through dynamic, varied songs and interludes that range from ethereal to manic, all while retaining those signature hooks, dreamy tones, and infectious bouncy rhythms that made their debut so irresistible. These new songs showcase an expansion into new sonic dimensions and dynamics as is evident on the new single “Head First.”
As a hard-hitting band with an unapologetic sound, Superbloom is a success story to never give up on your dreams, and they have a lot more in store as they step into a bold new era. “I’d be lying if I said we planned to throw away the playbook for the EP, but I’m glad we did, because everything cool and unfamiliar mushroomed from there — on and off stage,” Dave Hoon says. “Pollen is in the rearview and I’m hungry for what’s next.”
Tickets for the album release show are available here.
