NYS Music 2024

Author: Molly Higgins

  • In Focus: Saint Levant Brings DEIRA Tour to Terminal 5

    Palestinian singer-songwriter Marwan Abdelhamid, known professionally as Saint Levant, showcased his debut full-length album DEIRA with a powerful performance December 13 at Terminal 5.

    Photo by Molly Higgins

    The packed venue was dotted with Palestinian flags and traditional keffiyehs, and fans shouted in English and Arabic alike as they eagerly awaited Levant’s entrance. After an opening set from fellow Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul, Levant kicked off the evening with “On This Land,” the first song on DEIRA.

    Backed by a group of dancers performing soldier-like choreography, Levant alternated seamlessly between rapping in English and singing in Arabic in one of many musical tributes to his homeland: “We are a nation of displaced dreamers/Heritage keepers,” Levant’s lyrics profess.

    “Deira is the name of the hotel that my father, Rashid, an architect, built with my mother in 2000 when they moved to Gaza,” Levant told Variety when he released the album’s title song. ““Deira means the Kasbah or the old city…Deira is anchored in Algerian culture through its sound (where my mother is from) and in Palestinian culture through its words (the land of my father). Deira represents represents a mix of my parents’ cultures.”

    Levant’s Terminal 5 performance showcased his versatility as a musician—in musical style, language, vocal range, dance, and as an instrumentalist: halfway through his second song, Levant traded in his microphone and began riffing on the saxophone as fans screamed their support.

    Levant played the final performance of his DEIRA tour December 16 in Chicago.

    Saint Levant – Terminal 5, Manhattan – December 13, 2024

  • In Focus: Katie Gavin Offers Soulful Simplicity at The Bowery Ballroom

    Singer-songwriter Katie Gavin, who rose to fame as lead singer of indie pop trio MUNA, gave a heartfelt performance at The Bowery Ballroom December 10—the first New York show of her solo What a Relief tour.

    Photo by Molly Higgins

    After an opening set from Liam Benzvi, Gavin strutted on stage to Frank Sinatra’s “(Theme From) New York, New York,” and poured herself a cup of tea before she sat down to tune her guitar. Immediately, the atmosphere in the 575-capacity venue was cozy and personal, as if Gavin was inviting her fans into her living room for a private acoustic show.

    Candles flickered and the stage lights warmed as Gavin began her set with “Today,” a soft track that set the tone perfectly for an evening of showcasing her folk-leaning solo record What a Relief.

    Katie Gavin and Nana Adjoa

    In contrast to the upbeat pop sound of much of MUNA’s discography, Gavin’s solo project is stripped-down, with an acoustic sound and deeply personal lyrics that highlight her artistic versatility. Throughout the live show, Gavin delivered warm vocals, chatted with the audience like friends, and seamlessly cycled through instruments, trading in her acoustic guitar for everything from the keyboard to the violin to a shruti box.

    After playing an additional Bowery Ballroom show December 11 (which featured an appearance by surprise guest Emily Saliers of The Indigo Girls), Gavin will continue on the What A Relief tour through December 18.

    Liam Benzvi and Katie Gavin

    Katie Gavin – Bowery Ballroom, Manhattan – December 10, 2024

    Setlist: Today, Sparrow, As Good As It Gets (with Liam Benzvi), Casual Drug Use, Inconsolable, Sanitized, Sweet Abby Girl, I Want It All, She Gives Me Feeling, The Baton, Keep Walking, Sketches, Aftertaste

  • In Focus: Tinashe Returns to New York With Sold-Out Brooklyn Paramount Show

    R&B sensation Tinashe returned to New York for her second show this year with a dazzling performance at the newly renovated Brooklyn Paramount November 4.

    Part of the singer-songwriter’s Match My Freak world tour, the sold-out show followed the release of her seventh studio album Quantum Baby—featuring the viral lead single “Nasty,” which propelled Tinashe to her first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 this summer. 

    Tinashe

    Tinashe’s smooth vocals and expert choreography were as fierce as ever Monday night, as her ever-growing fanbase packed every inch of the 2,700-capacity music hall. After a soulful opening set from Raveena, Tinashe made a confident entrance and kicked off the show with “Getting No Sleep,” the second single from Quantum Baby. 

    Tinashe

    The historic theatre felt more like a vibrant nightclub as fans danced and sang along to Tinashe’s hits like “Needs,” “2 On,” “Gravity,” and more. Backed by a skillful team of dancers, Tinashe never missed a beat as she moved through each precisely choreographed number, complete with unique visual effects for each track. As both a masterful vocalist and a former competitive dancer, Tinashe’s stage presence is magnetic, and the crowd erupted with cheers at nearly every move.

    Tinashe

    Even before heading out on the road, Tinashe has had a busy 2024—the release of Quantum Baby amplified her pop notoriety as “Nasty” quickly became a viral sensation. She was also featured on Charli Xcx’s track “B2B” from brat and it’s completely different but also still brat, a remixed companion to one of the most culturally significant albums of the year, as well as “More Than a Little Bit” from Grammy winner Kaytranada’s album Timeless. 

    The Brooklyn Paramount show looked to be an upgrade in production value from Tinashe’s February BB/Ang3l tour stop at Terminal 5, before “Nasty” was released. Virality aside, Tinashe has been hard at work delivering vibrant performances and R&B hits for years, and it seems the public is finally taking notice. 

    Tinashe – Brooklyn Paramount – November 4, 2024

    Setlist: Getting No Sleep; When I Get You Alone; Needs; Link Up; Bouncin; Bouncin’; Pt. 2; Thirsty; Red Flags; ZOOM; The Worst in Me; Save Room for Us; Throw a Fit; Talk to Me Nice; X; Unconditional; Party Favors; All Hands on Deck; 2 On; SHY GUY; Cross That Line; Uh Huh; Gravity; No Broke Boys; Nasty (Match My Chic Remix); Nasty 

  • In Focus: Hozier Captivates With 4 Nights at Forest Hills Stadium for Unreal Unearth Tour

    Queens’ Forest Hills Stadium was a fitting venue for folk-rock singer-songwriter Hozier‘s Unreal Unearth tour, with the artist playing four back-to-back shows beneath picturesque sunsets in the open air stadium.

    Photo by Molly Higgins

    Hozier’s New York City dates kicked off June 4, and the atmosphere was cozy as hundreds of fans dressed in whimsical, earth-toned outfits to match the artist’s aesthetic packed the venue.

    The artist made his first entrance with his 2024 hit “Too Sweet,” which he noted was his first song to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His soulful vocals and expert instrumental skills were captivating, whether he was belting out “Francesca” with a stronger rock influence, or softly strumming “Cherry Wine” from the B-stage with a single acoustic guitar.

    Hozier’s stage presence was humble yet commanding—between songs, he addressed the audience like old friends. But when each number started, the crowd was left transfixed by the sheer power of his vocals. Fans swayed, sang along, and then exploded into applause between each song as the sun set over Forest Hills.

    Hozier’s ongoing tour in support of his 2023 album Unreal Unearth includes three more shows at Forest Hills Stadium June 5, 7, and 8, and is currently scheduled to continue through late November. Additional New York dates include July 7 in Bethel.

    Hozier – Forest Hills Stadium – June 4, 2024

    Setlist: Too Sweet, Jackie and Wilson, To Be Alone, Dinner & Diatribes, Wildflower and Barley (with Allison Russell), Francesca, Eat Your Young, Cherry Wine, Unknown/Nth, De Selby (Part 1), De Selby (Part 2), From Eden, Would That I, Almost (Sweet Music), It Will Come Back, Movement, Take Me to Church, Like Real People Do, Nina Cried Power, Happy Birthday to You (sung to the tour’s lighting crew chief Kitty Hoffman), Work Song (with Allison Russell)

  • In Focus: Olivia Rodrigo Brings Pop-Rock Star Power to Sold-Out Madison Square Garden Shows

    Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo brought the house down April 9 at Madison Square Garden, marking the last of four sold-out shows at the famed arena for her ongoing world tour. Fans decked out in purple, sequins, and feather-trimmed cowboy hats filled the venue, eager to sing along to Rodrigo’s 2023 angsty pop-rock album GUTS. 

    olivia rodrigo
    Olivia Rodrigo — Photo by Molly Higgins

    After an opening set from 90s alternative rock favorites The Breeders, Rodrigo’s crowd of young, spirited supporters screamed with excitement as four 3D candles—spelling out GUTS, of course—were projected on stage. When the wax melted, Rodrigo would make her much-anticipated appearance.

    olivia rodrigo

    Electric guitars crashed as a platform lifted Rodrigo to center stage, kicking off the show with her upbeat single “bad idea right?” Decked out in a sparkling silver outfit for the start of the show, Rodrigo worked the full stage from the moment she appeared, sprinting from one catwalk to another, dancing with her musicians, and interacting with fans in the crowd. 

    olivia rodrigo

    Rodrigo’s setlist featured nearly every song from GUTS and her debut album, SOUR, plus a few surprises, including an unexpected duet with special guest Jewel. Backed by eight skilled backup dancers and eye-catching effects—a significant upgrade in production value from her 2022 Sour Tour—Rodrigo put on a dazzling show, radiating confidence throughout. 

    olivia rodrigo

    Whether seated at a grand piano, shredding on the electric guitar, or floating on a giant crescent moon above the crowd, Rodrigo brought an electrifying energy to the MSG stage. Her seamless transitions between heart-wrenching ballads and early 2000s-style pop rock anthems kept the audience on the edge of their seats. As star-shaped confetti rained from the arena ceiling throughout the final notes of “get him back!,” Rodrigo danced her way backstage, triumphantly closing a show that certainly solidified her superstar status.  

    olivia rodrigo

    Olivia Rodrigo – Madison Square Garden – April 9, 2024

    Setlist: bad idea right?; ballad of a homeschooled girl; vampire; traitor; drivers license; teenage dream; pretty isn’t pretty; love is embarrassing; making the bed; logical; enough for you; lacy; jealousy, jealousy; Can’t Catch Me Now; You Were Meant For Me (with Jewel); happier; favorite crime; deja vu; the grudge; brutal; obsessed; all-American bitch; good 4 u; get him back!

    olivia rodrigo
    olivia rodrigo
    olivia rodrigo

  • In Focus: Tinashe Shines at Terminal 5

    New York City’s Terminal 5 was packed on Friday, February 9 as R&B star Tinashe played to a sold-out crowd. The singer-songwriter’s current tour showcases her sixth studio album, BB/Ang3l, which was released in September, 2023.

    Tinashe terminal 5
    Tinashe — Photo by Molly Higgins

    The energy in the 3,000-capacity venue was electric as Tinashe’s stylish fans packed in, and the crowd eagerly shouted along with a projected digital countdown in the minutes before she took the stage. 

    Tinashe terminal 5

    Tinashe emerged on top of a towering platform washed in blue light to sing her first song, “Treason.” She disappeared momentarily before reappearing at center stage, flanked by a group of athletic backup dancers, and transitioning into her upbeat track “X.”

    Tinashe terminal 5

    The choreography for Tinashe’s BB/Ang3l tour is sharp and energetic, and looked truly effortless on the artist, who has been training in dance since the age of four. The crowd went wild with nearly every move Tinashe hit, and she worked the stage with a cool, laser-sharp focus. 

    The BB/Ang3l tour will continue through mid April, culminating in Tinashe’s set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. 

    Tinashe Terminal 5 Setlist: Treason, X, None of My Business, Talk to Me Nice, Life’s Too Short, Throw a Fit, HMU For a Good Time, Die a Little Bit, Stormy Weather, Bouncin, Link Up, Cash Race, Sunburn, Cold Sweat, The Worst in Me, Unconditional, Story of Us, 2 On, Rascal (Superstar), Gold Teeth, Uh Huh, Ghetto Boy, SHY GUY, Tightrope, Gravity/Superlove, Needs/All Hands on Deck 

    Tinashe terminal 5
    Tinashe terminal 5
    Tinashe terminal 5

  • In Focus: Searows Play to a Sold-Out Crowd at the Mercury Lounge on First Headline Tour

    Indie-folk artist Alec Duckart, known professionally as Searows, played a sold-out show January 25 at New York City’s Mercury Lounge as part of his first headline tour.

    searows
    Alec Duckart – Photo by Molly Higgins

    The show was the last of the tour’s U.S. leg and his second in the NYC area, having played Brooklyn venue Baby’s All Right the day before. The intimate, 250-capacity Mercury Lounge proved to be a cozy home for Duckart’s serene sound. 

    searows

    The crowd of fans, mostly in their teens and twenties, cheered and shouted “I love you”s while Duckart tuned his guitar, before opening with his 2023 single “Older.” The room was hushed as Duckart captivated his audience—the crowd swayed and sang along quietly, but many were silently transfixed by Duckart’s blissful acoustic guitar and poetic lyrics. 

    searows

    Duckart wrote, recorded, and produced his own debut album Guard Dog, which was released in September 2022. In 2023, Duckart released the single “House Song,” which has amassed nearly 20 million streams on Spotify. By the end of that year, Duckart signed to Matt Maltese’s record label, Last Recordings on Earth, and released his six-track EP End Of The World, which his ongoing tour is promoting. 

    searows

    Now that the U.S. leg of the tour is complete, Duckart will make stops in London and Paris. Duckart previously toured as a supporting act for artists including Maltese, Gracie Abrams, and Leith Ross.

    Searows Setlist: Older, End of the World, Coming Clean, Collector, Keep the Rain, Roadkill, Used to be Friends, I Have More Than Enough, I Can and I Will, House Song