Peach at the Beach, the full-day live music gathering at the new Summer Concert Stage at ISLAND Water Park at Showboat Resort in Atlantic City, NJ, on Saturday, July 13, announced two Peach After Dark sets for Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13.
Peach at the Beach, inspired by the legendary music of the Allman Brothers Band, features the headliner Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD), Dogs In A Pile, Trouble No More performing the Allman Brothers Band iconic album Eat A Peach, Karina Rykman, Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru, and more.
The theme of The Peach at the Beach is reconnecting with friends and embracing the essence of what makes The Peach so unique. Their mission is to continue spreading as much love and positive energy as possible.
The Summer Concert Stage at ISLAND Waterpark at Showboat Resort is Atlantic City’s newest concert venue, located outdoors among the sand, the sea, and stars, steps away from the beach, and boardwalk. It is the largest indoor beachfront waterpark in the world, covering 120,000 square feet and holding more than 317,000 gallons of water, with 11 crazy slides.
The Disco Biscuits will perform a pre-party Peach After Dark set on Friday, July 12 at the Bourbon Ballroom inside the Showboat Resort. Marco Benevento & Friends, along with Doom Flamingo presents Queen Is Doomed, will perform a post-party Peach After Dark set on Saturday, July 13, also inside the Bourbon Ballroom at Showboat.
An early bird presale will begin on Tuesday, March 19 at 12 p.m. ahead of the general on-sale on Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m.
Super VIP packages include access to the Peach After Dark sets, and passes to the ISLAND Water Park at Showboat Resort on Saturday. VIP and GA+ tickets include passes to the ISLAND Water Park at Showboat on Saturday with additional amenities.
The Oswego Music Hall is proud to present Shawna Caspi and Rachael Kilgour, as part of its Women in Music Series, on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Before the concert, the public is invited to the Annual Member Meeting which will take place at 4:30.
Shawna Caspi. Photo by Terence Gui.
“I’m excited to be kicking off the first year of our new Women in Music Series during Women’s History Month with two talented Canadian singer-songwriters that put on incredible performances at the NERFA conference,” said Tom Lambert, Artistic Director.
The Oswego Music Hall evolved from a little coffee house venue called “The Low Life Cafe,” created by Richard Reinert in 1976, on Water Street in Oswego, known as the Market House Music Hall. Oswego Music Hall was incorporated in 1979 and received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1985. The venue relocated twice before settling into the McCrobie Civic Center, a historic municipal building adjacent to Breitbeck Park, overlooking the Great Lake Ontario.
Run by an incredibly reliable team of volunteers, Oswego Music Hall has produced diverse and high-quality concerts on their National Stage every other Saturday night during their fall, winter/spring seasons, and national stage events for 40 years. Their programs offer Oswego and the Greater Central New York community exposure to top-quality touring musicians, singers, and songwriters of many genres. Most importantly, the venue helps support artists and music not typically heard in the mainstream media, encouraging the development of emerging artists from the community.
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Shawna Caspi takes her time crafting poetic and meaningful lyrics, often using unusual rhymes. She spent years on the road playing solo shows at festivals and in concert halls, train cars, backyards, and living rooms, supporting her warm, clear voice with intricate fingerstyle guitar accompaniment, and drawing energy from shifting landscapes and long drives through Canada and the United States. After taking a break from the road, she returns with her fifth album, Hurricane Coming, a collection of raw, deeply personal songs set against a backdrop of colorful cinematic soundscapes. She also created a series of abstract paintings inspired by the songs on the album.
Hurricane Coming was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Album of the Year and the Ontario Folk Music Award for Album of the Year. Her songs have also won awards from Folk Music Ontario and the Songwriters’ Association of Washington. She strives to tell the truth and empower listeners to come to terms with the parts of themselves and the world that they might find scary.
Rachael Kilgour. Photo by Kara Dupre.
Rachael Kilgour is a Canadian-American songwriter and performing artist whose plain-spoken, lyric-driven work and intimate performances have endeared her to listeners and fellow artists alike. Kilgour has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and the Sundance Film Festival.
Her exquisite fourth full-length collection, My Father Loved Me, is a tribute to her late father, produced by JUNO Award-winning songwriter Rose Cousins and recorded in the senior Kilgour’s native Canada. Kilgour gives us a complex portrait of a man through his daughter’s eyes, posing questions about identity, inheritance, and grief, affirming the value of one ordinary working man’s life in an often indifferent world.
Tickets are on sale online or at the Rivers End Bookstore in Oswego.
Oswego Music Hall Events Calendar
Mar 16 The Intention – Jazz by the Lake
Mar 22 Open Mic w/Hosts Frank Stefanek and Julie Clement
Mar 23 Shawna Caspi and Rachael Kilgour (Women in Music Series)
Apr 12 Open Mic w/Host Mark Zane
Apr 13 Big Sky Quartet
Apr 20 Count Blastula w/Special Guest Mike Dubaniewicz Jazz by the Lake
Apr 26 Open Mic w/Host Larry Kyle
Apr 27 Livingston Taylor w/Ash & Eric opening
May 11 Season Finale – Sam Robbins & Emerging Artists Showcase
Each Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up-and-coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from W.Y. Huang, Sara Devoe, and Luminous Crush.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
Singaporean singer-songwriter W. Y. Huang has released the new song “Life Just Lately.” The New York-based musician captivates audiences with his groovy instrumentals and irresistible vocals.
Sara Devoe is a singer/songwriter from Albany. She takes most of her inspiration from artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Haley Heynderickx, Field Medic, and Grimes. Her catchy song “am i pretty in the light?” will be played on EQXposure on Sunday.
Scarsdale Music Festival has announced its fourth annual lineup- featuring amazing talent who will perform on two main stages throughout the day and an all-new acoustic stage. Twelve bands from Scarsdale and the greater Tri-State area were chosen through an extensive selection process from over 70 submitted applicants.
SMF is an exceptional, family-friendly community event that brings together thousands of people of all ages to celebrate their love of music, food, and community. The fourth annual festival, hosted by the Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA), will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 1st, from 12-6 pm in Scarsdale Village, benefitting Daniel’s Music Foundation, which empowers individuals with disabilities through music education, performance, and socialization.
This year’s Grand Tasting Village will feature elite wines from around the world, specialty cocktails, and food pairings. In addition, guests 21+ can also purchase beer and wine by the glass. The Family Fun Zone will feature carnival games, face painters, arts and crafts, musical demonstrations, DIY and STEAM activities, sports, inflatables, and more!
Scarsdale Music Festival Lineup
Artia Tobia, a NYC-based artist who infuses his Americana roots with a modern edge, will deliver heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies that resonate with audiences across genres. Conversing with Oceans is a fully evolved indie rock band based in Westchester looking to their rock past to explore new sounds and musical landscapes. Their debut LP WILD / DREAMS is a dedicated rock album, displaying what these four musicians can do. The Del Bocas have been a Scarsdale-based band for over ten years, seeing themselves as a “wild jukebox” – with a large repertoire of songs from the ’60s to today.
Doni Nicole and the DNE Band is a multifaceted artist, entrepreneur, and mother, based in New Rochelle, whose music spans various genres, from gospel to world music. Notable achievements include singing background for iconic artists like Patti Labelle and releasing chart-topping singles such as “New Joy2” and “Drummer Boy.” Euphoria is a five-person band from New York with a unique brand of performance style, entertaining audiences with a refreshing take on beloved songs. Hunter Roa is a band whose sounds harken back to when rock was rock and originality was essential, drawing influences from Soundgarden, Aerosmith, and other greats – leading the Rock Renaissance. Lauren Minear is a critically acclaimed indie folk-pop singer-songwriter, psychotherapist, and mother based in New York, drawing inspiration from her eclectic background to craft soulful melodies and introspective lyrics that captivate audiences with their authenticity and depth.
The Men of Soul is a talented, dynamic three-man vocal group from NYC, accompanied by a four-piece band bringing classic, neo-soul, and R&B music to the stage. Rennie Pincus & Friends is a Scarsdale-based band whose recent album, DEAL, explores the music of The Grateful Dead and features guests Elliot Easton (The Cars), Jack Petruzelli (Joan Osborne), Matt Rae (Arlen Roth), and Annalyse & Ryan. NYC/Westchester-based band Skyfactor released their newest album A Thousand Sounds, and they’re behind the song “OK” from MTV’s hit show Teen Mom. Trinity is a versatile artist whose eclectic sound seamlessly blends elements of R&B, hip-hop, and pop, captivating audiences with her soulful vocals and introspective lyrics, advocating for social justice and empowerment.
Finally, the Zac Hoina Trio is a dynamic blues trio known for their electrifying live shows, where they skillfully blend raw emotion with authentic blues sounds, captivating audiences with their soulful performances and masterful musicianship.
The Daniel Music Foundation has featured performers, including Daniel & Gerry, performing folk-rock songs that focus on kindness and understanding, with an overall message of acceptance. George Dennehy will perform his heart and soul on stage, telling his story, while Opera singer Iolanta Mamatkazina shatters stereotypes. Finally, Jake Nielsen brings the rock vibes.
Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Scarsdale Music Festival.
The Great Blue Heron 2024 festival lineup has been announced, featuring 33 artists on three stages from July 5-7. Fan favorites and amazing Heron first-timers come together for what is sure to be a great weekend!
The Great Blue Heron Festival draws in thousands of fans from across the U.S. each year, remaining a tradition for people young and old to celebrate self-expression and music. The festival will take place at the Heron Farm in Sherman, an award-winning campsite, voted number one in the U.S. by HipCamp. The Heron is open daily for seasonal camping from May through October along with the Green Heron Growers Farm Store.
David Tidquist and Julie Rockcastle founded the festival, built to present a diverse assortment of original music from regional and national artists, create a collaborative space where all are encouraged to participate and interact, foster a cooperative and positive environment for celebration, and ensure a safe and satisfying experience for the whole community.
There are three stages; the Main Stage, the big top Dance Tent, and the Tiger Maple Stage, as well as over 30 artists, featuring returning headliners Donna the Buffalo. The group has been together for over thirty years, releasing over ten records, and performing with various musicians, including prominent folk/roots performers such as Jim Lauderdale, the father and son zydeco musicians Preston and Keith Frank, and more.
The lineup for the Great Blue Heron 2024 Festival includes Donna the Buffalo, Sam Bush, Rubblebucket, Couch, Jimkata, Driftwood, Cool Cool Cool, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Buffalo Zydeco, and so much more.
To purchase tickets for the Great Blue Heron 2024 Festival, visit here.
The Kaufman Music Center (KMC) presents music programs for students, performers, and audiences alike with its intimate performance space Merkin Hall and the Special Music School – among other things. It is the premier destination for learning and listening to music in New York City. The center is constantly cultivating and nurturing new generations of artists, inspiring both the young and old to learn instruments and turn their passion for music into a career.
Kate Sheeran – the Executive Director for KMC – spoke about the many initiatives she has helped create, providing insight into the center, her favorite things about it, and holding such a high position of power.
Kaufman Music Center believes “Music is essential to the human experience and a vital component of education for everyone,” showcasing that mission with its variety of programming. Merkin Hall – the Center’s intimate performance venue – provides access to today’s most compelling artists, competitions, and workshops. Other programs, like Artist-in-Residence, give performers resources to develop groundbreaking protects and educational opportunities to mentor and inspire the Special Music School students; New York’s only K-12 public school prioritizing musically-focused education without financial barriers.
Executive Director Kate Sheeran handles a lot in her day-to-day life at KMC. “My overall position is overseeing the entirety of the organization, obviously in conjunction with our board of trustees, and on any given day, that can mean a number of things. It’s overseeing how the building works and working with a team; making sure that we’re sticking to our mission of giving as much access to as many people as possible to music, whether it’s as audience member or student or various other things. But on any given day, you can find me in or out of the building doing all kinds of things,” she explained.
Kate Sheeran with students.
In her personal life, she is a professional French horn player, attending school for performance – learning educational and leadership skills along the way. She has performed with a wide range of ensembles including Ensemble Signal, The Wordless Music Orchestra, Alarm Will Sound, Ensemble LPR, and the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. As a student of music, she can put herself in other people’s shoes and create programming and events to better serve the community.
The building staff are surrounded by students and audience members of all ages. Students as young as four up to their 80s come to the center to learn, while new and old audience members enjoy the magic that is the Kaufman Center. “I love to pop down to a classroom and see young class learning, you know, a new lesson for the first time. Sometimes even sneak into the balcony to watch a dress rehearsal to get to see everything happening,” she added.
Students learning, photo by the Kaufman Music Center.
Kaufman Music Center has only been led by women since its origins in 1952. Kate is the third of three; her predecessor was in the leadership role for 40 years, and hers before that was also there for decades. “It’s very natural to have a woman at the helm and it makes for very efficient activities and it makes my job even more joyful,” she explained.
Faced with adversity as a young woman in a male-dominated industry, Kate explained that finding allies and mentors helped her network and move into her many career paths. She was inspired and motivated as the Provost and Dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in San Francisco when a grad student said she saw herself in Kate. “I hope we see an ever-increasing amount of women in positions up and down in the music industry,” she explained.
Find the work that you think is interesting, whether it’s an artist or someone running an organization – learn about that organization…Ask questions. I think a lot of my careers were shaped by just asking lots and lots of questions – so don’t be afraid if you have questions, probably someone else in the room or someone else has that question too. Try different things. Sometimes I thought that my career would go one way and I tried something else and then that ended up being the right thing. Instead of waiting for the perfect thing to come along, try something that might be a little different; it usually leads to a pretty interesting outcome.
Advice from Kate Sheeran.
Under the stewardship of Kate, KMC has implemented various transformative initiatives including the introduction of The Musical Storefronts Project. Split over two seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic, this project produced over 200 safe concerts for the community and provided employment opportunities for professional artists when traditional concert halls were closed. “Thousands of people showed up over these 200 concerts. It was really interesting to have all artists home in New York City. When does that happen that people aren’t on tour? We had classical musicians and Broadway and jazz people singing pop tunes…you just saw hundreds of musicians pouring their hearts out after being home and not being able to do that.”
Since the pandemic, she says she sees more people buying last-minute tickets and concerts are still well populated. More adults are learning instruments and joining ensembles. Also, KCM has more artist connections from the pandemic, fostering more diversity.
She also spearheaded the newly launched Pathways Program, which offers students tuition-free weekly private instrumental lessons and group classes, as well as access to masterclasses, workshops, and performances. School, which is the largest of the community art schools in New York. We do music, theater, and dance for about 2500 students every year and we try to give as much scholarship as we can to those with financial needs, so that access is really paramount for us,” she explained.
Within the NYC Public system, KMC runs the Special Music School, providing music education with free lessons and instruments; some of the kids that join the program are as young as four or five. Kate explained, “In New York City, a lot of students, more students who have access to instruments, tend to pick string instruments or piano. Other places are the opposite; we’re starting with winds and brass to build that from eight years old when students usually start those instruments and grow the pool of students who can go on to high school for music and college and we hope to professional life.”
Kate Sheeran is also responsible for starting the Artists-in-Residence program (now in its fifth year) – which gives performers the resources to develop multidisciplinary projects as well as educational opportunities to mentor and inspire. From masterclasses to imaginative performance experiences, they can be on stage at Merkin Hall, in the classrooms, and out in the community participating in dynamic and engaging learning experiences with students across the programs. “We’re bringing in artists to inspire our community and especially our students. But the flip ends up happening just as quickly that the artist is inspired by the younger people or by the audience members, and doing projects with the students,” Kate said.
In terms of age and demographic and style and everything we have in our New York City public school, they can all find mentors that look or sound like them or have careers they might want to model. And to me, that’s the magic because it kind of demystifies what it is to be a musician and they get to know these artists as people – that is magical. I think that’s just so important and it’s inspiring to see that that’s happening whether people may know about it or not know about it.
Kate Sheeran
From the day-to-day operations to making the magic happen for the hundreds of students at KMC, Kate Sheeran’s ability to cultivate diverse and inspiring programming for young and old is something to be admired.
For more information about the Kaufman Music Center and to purchase tickets to upcoming events, visit here.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter David Shaw of The Revivalists has shared his powerful new single, “Alabama,” serving as his deep response to the ongoing battle against women’s reproductive rights.
Recorded at the historic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL, “Alabama” also speaks about last week’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos created during IVF fertility treatments should be considered children. Shaw’s frustration and the recent birth of his daughter inspired his emotional return to the feelings originally captured while recording in Muscle Shoals.
“Music has always been, and always will be at its core a way for people to come together over a common love and bond,” says Shaw. “It’s the great communicator. It reaches the heart of the unreachable and the voice of the unspeakable. It has the distinct ability to pierce the heart of the hardened. Alabama was written to be a beacon of awareness for what’s going on in the South and our beloved country.
Known far and wide as frontman for The Revivalists, David Shaw made an extraordinary solo debut with 2021’s David Shaw, exemplifying his hard-working and courageous nature. Produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, Solange), the album saw the singer, songwriter, musician, and producer following the direction of his internal compass, with rock ‘n’ roll impulses and honesty. Listening solely to his creative impulses, Shaw constructed a studio in his backyard where the songs took shape before recording at The Parlor Recording Studio in New Orleans, LA. Accompanying Shaw on the album is an ensemble of talented musicians and friends including Neal Francis (vocals/guitar), PJ Howard (drums), Mike Starr (bass), and Chris Gelbuda (guitar).
In addition to The Revivalists’ five studio albums – which have earned close to 800M worldwide streams and include the RIAA Platinum-certified #1 hit, “Wish I Knew You” – Shaw spearheaded the creation of the band’s RevCauses, a philanthropic umbrella fund supporting organizations dedicated to investing in our communities, health, and environment. By donating a portion of ticket sales, through fan donations, and a variety of other fundraising efforts, the band assisted multiple national and local organizations in building a better future. Current organizations benefitting include After School Matters, Mercy Ships, Musically Fed, Trans Lifeline, ACLU of Louisiana, Healing Minds NOLA, New Orleans Family Justice Alliance, and Restore The Mississippi River Delta.
I adore living in the south. It’s my home. There’s a warmth here to the people and places we inhabit. But sometimes it can feel like you’re swinging upstream without a paddle with an 800-pound gorilla on your back. It’s hard and it hurts to realize where we are and how far we have to go to reach some sort of common ground and understanding. We’re divided in so many ways but bodily autonomy and reproductive rights for women shouldn’t be one of them. We’ve got to stand up and come together on this. I’m hoping with some action we can find a way forward together. I love you all.
David Shaw
The powerful and emotional single “Alabama” is out now.
GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated artist, actress, producer, and entrepreneur Mary J. Blige has announced the return of the third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, in partnership with Live Nation Urban and Pepsi. The NYC festival features three days of music, comedy, female empowerment sessions, keynote speakers, and more from May 10-12.
Photo Credit: Will Sterling.
Created and curated by the iconic Mary J. Blige, Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit is the only festival experience in the market, brought to you exclusively by an all-Black, female team, arriving in the birthplace of Hip-Hop, New York City. She has dedicated the majority of her career to amplifying and giving voice to BIPOC women, through the art of music and truth-telling.
After selling out in less than 72 hours last year, the festival will bring iconic moments with three incredible nights of music and entertainment, featuring a concert at Barclays with performances by Mary J. Blige and special guests 50 Cent, Jill Scott, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Muni Long, Lola Brooke, and Funk Flex; a Comedy Show featuring Tiffany Haddish, Don’t Call me White Girl, and Paris Sashay; Jazz Concert with Robert Glasper; Gospel Brunch, hosted by Mary J. Blige, and Gospel Concert headlined by The Clark Sisters. The Strength of a Woman Summit on May 11, hosted by Angie Martinez, will empower and engage with women and includes inspiring programming, pivotal panels, keynote speakers, workshops, and much more.
“I’m so excited to bring our Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit to my hometown, New York City, a place that has always been a huge source of inspiration for me,” said Mary J. Blige, Founder of Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit. “Having the opportunity to continue to uplift, inspire, and build within my community is the reason I created this festival. I’m so grateful for all the support from our performers, attendees, and of course, our partners Live Nation Urban and Pepsi. Nobody does it like New York, so get ready.”
Presented by Pepsi, the festival’s inaugural partner returns to support Blige and her impactful work on and off the stage, in a shared mission to inspire and empower the next generation of women. Pepsi will once again bring its powerful platform to the production and event experience across the festival, bringing delicious food by local Black female restaurateurs to the fan experience through Pepsi Dig In—a platform designed to provide visibility, resources, and awareness to Black restaurateurs.
As a brand rooted in celebrating culture and music and uplifting communities, Pepsi is honored to return as presenting partner and co-producer of the Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, continuingour shared vision with Mary to elevate and empower women. The festival’s move to New York City, Pepsi’s own backyard, provides an even larger stage to highlight and support more remarkable women in the community. As it moves into its third year, the festival’s continued success is a testament to Mary’s impact and the power of amplifying Black women and their voices.
Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President, PepsiCo Industry Relations and Multicultural Development
In celebration of Women’s History Month (March), presale tickets go live Wednesday, March 6 – Thursday, March 7, with code STRENGTH, while general ticket sales begin Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. ET. For tickets and schedule, visit here.
Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit Schedule
Friday, May 10, 2024
Comedy Show
The Apollo Theatre
Performances by Tiffany Haddish, Don’t Call me White Girl, and Paris Sashay
Jazz Concert
Blue Note Jazz Club
Performance by Robert Glasper
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Strength of a Woman Summit
The Glasshouse
Hosted by Angie Martinez
Strength of a Woman Concert
Barclays
Performances by Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Jill Scott, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Muni Long, Lola Brooke, and Funk Flex
Legendary French duo AIR has announced an extensive North American tour to celebrate the 25 anniversary of their debut album Moon Safari, which includes two stops at the Beacon Theatre on October 21 and 22, 2024.
AIR live in Vienna by Chérie Hansson.
Similar to their recent European tour, which sold out in record time, AIR will be playing their widely celebrated album in its entirety for the first time. The band released the demo version of “New Star In The Sky” ahead of the digital release of the 25-anniversary deluxe album on March 15, featuring over ten cherry-picked Moon Safari audio rarities.
On Jan. 16, 1998, AIR released Moon Safari, an album that catapulted Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel to the top of electronic music’s ladder. Their sound – Fender Rhodes trills, loping basslines, and sensual yet playful vocal hooks – conjured the sensation of the masses.
Since forming the band in 1995, the prolific duo has released six albums in addition to their acclaimed EP Premiers Symptômes, the release of the aforementioned classic Moon Safari, and two soundtracks that sold millions of copies. AIR garnered an extensive list of worldwide accolades for their unique brand of downtempo electronic music.
“The hype was a violent experience,” reflected Jean-Benoit Dunckel, 25 years later. “AIR’s music is not accessible or easy to discern: The format is strange, the voices are strange, the subjects are strange. Even ‘Sexy Boy’ sounds strange. We were a duo doing some electronic thing, dreaming of selling 10,000 copies and being recognized by other musicians as cool. Then suddenly, we met the world. Personally, it took me time to see that we could be a big, important band.”
In short, Moon Safari was a nest of contradictions. Today, the record’s legacy is canonical, but its multi-million success was far from assured.
“This kind of bedroom music was all about fantasy,” says Nicolas Godin. “In my mind, I was picturing myself at Capitol Records, surrounded by all the best musicians, feeling like Burt Bacharach. In reality, I was in the fucking 18th arrondissement of Paris, with a sampler, singing into one microphone. But when your fantasy is so strong, I think it goes in the wires and through the speakers. The power of Moon Safari was to make people believe in what we believed in.”
While AIR’s precise alchemy and absence of geographical anchoring placed Moon Safari outside the grip of trends, the album intersected with the world below’s revolutions at precisely the right moment.
Through Moon Safari, AIR transfixed some of the great visionaries of the late 20th century — David Bowie, Madonna, Beck — as well as influencing preeminent aesthetes of the incoming age – including Charlotte Gainsbourg Kevin Parker, and Sofia Coppola. AIR helped fan the flames of a rare Francophilia which surged through the typically nativist British charts in 1998. Moon Safari birthed three hit singles in “Kelly Watch The Stars,” “All I Need” and “Sexy Boy,” which shifted over half a million copies in the UK and pushed AIR into headline contention at banner festivals such as Glastonbury.
25 years on, it’s not hard to alight upon why Moon Safari has stood the test of time. AIR’s unique grasp of pace and mood, surety of direction, and earworm hooks compelled the world toward it.
“To me,” Godin concludes, “Moon Safari is perfect.”
Presale goes on sale on March 7 at 10 a.m., while general tickets are on sale on March 8 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased here. There are VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages include premium tickets, an official tour poster, vouchers to the concession stands, and more. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
Sea.Hear.Now 2024 has announced its lineup, bringing Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band to the beaches of Asbury Park, NJ for a historic headline performance on Sunday, Sept.15, along with another first-time headliner set from Noah Kahan on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The Gaslight Anthem, Trey Anastasio Band, The Black Crowes, Norah Jones, 311, The Revivalists, Kool & The Gang, The Hives and more will perform at the world-class two-day festival in North Beach and Bradley Park. Sea.Hear.Now celebrates music, surf, and art with over 25 artists, three stages, a professional surf contest, and art installations throughout the weekend.
Fans can watch some of the biggest East Coast surf legends catch waves between the jetties. This year’s surf contest returns with the ocean calling the winner; the “North Beach Sessions” pro surfer who catches the “wave of the day” will take home the prize purse. The 2024 esteemed surf lineup includes surfers: Balaram Stack, reigning champ Cam Richards, Sam Hammer, Cassidy McClain, Rob Kelly, Pat Schmidt, Mike Gleason, Tom Ihnken, Jamie DeWitt, Logan Kamen, Cole Deveney, and Audrey Iglay. Stay tuned for future announcements!
Stoke Henge, located in the sand just off the boardwalk, is once again the center of all things art. Asbury Park visual artist Pork Chop will return with his iconic jellyfish and surfboard arch serving as the festival’s visual centerpiece.
Photo by Ismael Quintanilla III.
Ocean County-based muralists and artists Jasen Mack and Tim Sramowicz are the featured artists on the beach. A special nod this year will be given to legendary surf photographer Dick “Mez” Meseroll.
Over in Bradley Park, the Transparent Gallery will feature artwork from participating festival musicians, a special surfboard collaboration, and special pop-up performances.
Presale for one-day or two-day tickets for Sea.Hear.Now 2024 begins Thursday, March 7 at 10 a.m. ET and is the best chance to purchase 2-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP, Platinum, or Ultimate Experience tickets. Fans can sign up now for a presale passcode.
GA+ allows unlimited access to the GA+ Lounge with relaxed seating and air-conditioned restrooms, a private bar with drinks for purchase, complimentary water, and a dedicated GA+ Concierge to assist with festival needs. VIP Tickets provide an exclusive viewing area with elevated sightlines of the stages, VIP Lounges, and more. Platinum Tickets offer all GA+ and VIP amenities, plus exclusive front-of-stage viewing at the Surf, Park, and Sand stages, and much more.
