Author: Zoe Alatsas

Upbeat on the Roof and More Return to Tang Museum in Saratoga Springs
The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announced the list of events they will be hosting during the summer season. Events include Frances Day, Family Saturdays, Crafts on the Grass, and the inaugural Skidmore College Juneteenth Celebration.

The most anticipated of these events is the 2024 rendition of its summer concert series, “Upbeat on the Roof,” located in Saratoga Springs, NY. The series will run each Thursday from July 11 through August 15. All events are free and open to the public. Art-making activities are geared toward children 5 and older, with an adult companion.

A wide variety of performers will attend the concert series, including both revisiting and new performers. This year, a new collaboration with The Orchard Project and a theater and performance incubator in residence at Skidmore are among the newcomers.

The Tang Teaching Museum – Official website

For 23 years, the Tang Teaching Museum has brought the summer concert series to Saratoga Springs. However, the concert series is not just for musicians, as the aforementioned arts and crafts events, as well as the debuting of art for the museum’s gallery, take place after the performances. Showcasing a diverse set of performers and artists, and spanning across several genres, Upbeat on the Roof brings the best of what Skidmore College has to offer.

The Tang Teaching Museum located at Skidmore College is a monumental feat in the world of education. With exhibition programs that bring together visual and performing arts with interdisciplinary ideas from history, economics, biology, dance, and physics, the Tang inspires learning on a higher level adapted to our modern times. The Tang has one of the most rigorous faculty engagement initiatives in the nation, as well as a robust publication and touring exhibition program that brings the Tang all around the world.

Staff at Upbeat on the Roof are dedicated to providing a family-friendly, fun space for their upcoming concert series. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, camping chairs, food, and drink to picnic on the lawn. Craft kits will be available at 5:30 pm; concerts begin at 6 pm.

Below is the full schedule of summer events hosted by the Tang, including the lineup of the 2024 rendition of Upbeat on the Roof.

Skidmore College’s Juneteenth Celebration – Saturday, June 22, noon to 3 pm

Celebrate Juneteenth at Skidmore College’s annual celebration. The event features Juneteenth-themed arts and crafts, storytelling, food, and performances, with ongoing activities and timed events inside and outside the Museum. Black-owned businesses will have items for sale, including clothing, hand-crafted products, flowers, baked goods, and more. Live musical performances are scheduled for the event, as well. It’s a great opportunity to support local Black artists!

Musical performances will be:
- Noon-12:15 pm: Welcome and hip-hop dance performance by Prodigal B
- 12:15-1:15 pm: Neo-soul music performance by Adrian Emanuel
- 1:15-2 pm: Congolese dance and drumming workshop by Nkoula Badila and Angel Lau
- 2-3 pm: Gospel performance by The Heavenly Echoes Gospel Band
Family Saturdays – Saturdays, July 6, August 3, August 17, 2 to 3:30 pm

Our popular Family Saturdays foster multigenerational creative cooperation through looking at artwork, discussing it, and engaging in a hands-on art-making activity. The programs, which are free and open to the public, run from 2 to 3:30 pm. They are suitable for children ages 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. No registration required; supplies provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Led by Njeri Jennings, the Laurie M. Tisch Educator for K-12 and Community Programs at the Tang Teaching Museum, the programs are inspired by current exhibitions and art from the Tang collection. Details for each Family Saturday will be announced later.

Crafts on the Grass – Thursdays, July 11 to August 15, 5:30 pm

Before each Upbeat on the Roof concert, Tang museum educators will offer Crafts on the Grass, art-making kits for kids starting at 5:30 pm. A different kit with a craft project will be available each week. All projects are suitable for children aged 5 and up, with adult supervision. Materials will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Frances Day – Saturday, July 20, 2 to 6:30 pm

The Tang Teaching Museum’s annual open house features contemporary art exhibitions, art-making activities, tours, food, music, and more in honor of the museum’s namesake, Frances Young Tang. Details of Frances Day—including tours, art-making activities, and musical guests—will be announced soon and listed on the Tang website.

Visitors of all ages engage in art-making activities during the 2023 Frances Day community open at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College. This year’s Frances Day is July 20. Photo by Megan Mumford.

Upbeat on the Roof Summer Concert Series

July 11 – Future of Broadway

The Orchard Project is a preeminent artistic development laboratory and accelerator for creators of performance and dramatic stories, in residence each summer in Saratoga Springs. This special Upbeat on the Roof performance features selections from project-in-residence Safety Not Guaranteed, a theatrical version of the 2012 feature film, with music by Guster’s Ryan Miller and Nick Blaemire, that will have a major New York City production this fall; and from composers-in-residence Jesse J. Sanchez, Anna DeNoia, and others

July 18: Great Mutations

Great Mutations is a Troy, New York-based rock band that brings melodic, intricate songs about love, work, and death to their performances. Since their formation in 2012, they have released four studio albums, including their most recent LP, Gifted Kids, in April. Band members are singer and guitarist Matthew Thouin, bassist Mitchell Masterson, drummer Ian White, and guitarist Tommy Krebs. Join them for the 2024 Upbeat on The Roof on July 18!

Great Mutations – Bandcamp

July 25: Dust Bowl Faeries

Celebrating their tenth year in 2024, Dust Bowl Faeries perform a faerie-tale medley of dark cabaret and gothic polka music, infused with a dose of witchcraft and a dusting of woodland magic. Hailing from the New York Hudson Valley, the band draws inspiration from circus music, murder ballads, and Eastern European folk songs. Instruments like the accordion, lap-steel, electric bass, percussion, and acoustic guitar combine to create the Dust Bowl Faeries’ mystic sound. Founded by Ryder Cooley (“faerie queen”), Dust Bowl Faeries includes Jon B. Woodin (“rocket faerie”), Jude Roberts (“hobbit faerie”), Rubie LaRue (“feisty faerie”), and Andrew Stein (“time faerie”).

Dust Bowl Faeries, photo by Stephen Spera

August 1: Drank the Gold

Drank the Gold is made up of two members: fiddler Oona Grady and multi-instrumentalist James Gascoyne. In 2023, the band was named the Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year at the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards. The duo plays North Atlantic dance tunes and traditional folk songs with their own original twist, bringing a new face to the folk scene. See them perform at Upbeat on the Roof on August 1.

Drank the Gold, photo by Elizabeth Pedinotti Haynes

August 8: Dan Carr and the Cure for Asthma

The band, in their own words: “Deep within the piney hills of Albany, New York, lurks a gaggle of obnoxious strummers, bangers, and sangers on an epic plot to take over all of Albany. Their music is so incredibly catchy it will brainwash and destroy all the evil-doers in Albany AND Troy. Rock, Country, distortion, they have it all. Tori, Juliana, Gabe, Joe, Sam, and Dan won’t stop ever.” Join them for a rock’n’roll night at Upbeat on the Roof on August 8.

August 15: Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band

The 2023 and 2024 Americana Artist of the Year at the Thomas Edison Music Awards, Reese Fulmer and his band are among the fastest-rising groups in the Capital Region. The Carriage House Band has appeared in duo, trio, quartet, 5- and 6-piece formats, and has featured artists including Chris Carey, James Gascoyne, Andy Arnold, Connor Dunn, Dustin DeLuke, Julia Alsarraf, JP Hubbs, Orion Kribs, Bobby Kendall, Chris Bloniarz, Matt Griffin, Connor Armbruster, Paul Guay, Sara Milonovich, Jimi Woodul, Katie Weissman, and Joe Woodul. Join them on August 15 as they close out Upbeat on the Roof!

Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band – Official Facebook

Performances will take place every Thursday from July 11 through August 15. Tickets and more information are available here.
June 17, 2024
Summer Hoot Music and Nature Festival Returns To Ashokan Center

The Ashokan Center, located in Olivebridge, NY, announced the lineup for the twelfth rendition of their Summer Hoot Music and Nature Festival. From August 23 through the 25, attendees can enjoy an array of activities, including parades, music workshops, nature walks and hikes, petting zoos, and more.

The festival will also feature live performances from local, regional, and nationwide musicians, comedians, and other performers.

Nestled deep within the Catskill Mountains, The Ashokan Center has dedicated more than five decades to the conservation, protection, and preservation of New York’s forests. As a non-profit retreat center, they host a variety of programs and community engagement activities. Most notable are their Music & Dance camps, an opportunity for people of all ages to engage in their favorite activities and collaborate with one another. The Ashokan Center’s unique educational offerings explore natural science, history, environmental issues, arts and music, and writing through programming for children and adults.

In February 2013, Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar planned a festival to raise awareness for the Center. The plan was to create a fun, engaging space for all ages to enjoy the culture and nature of the Catskills. Over 400 people attended the first Winter Hoot, but that was only the beginning.

During the summer of that year, the team built two outdoor stages on “Hoot Hill,” giving the festival its name. This launched the Summer Hoot Music and Nature Festival we know today, which has brought in crowds of over 1,200 attendees year after year.

In addition to raising money for the Ashokan Center, the Hoot aims to invite locals and visitors alike to gather in the mountains for a friendly, upbeat celebration of the unique culture, community, and beauty of the Hudson Valley and Catskills region.

“The Hoot is a way to share the joy and freedom I was privileged to experience in my own childhood at Ashokan, and keep the party going for generations to come.”
Ruth Ungar Merenda

In addition to live music on two stages on Ashokan’s Hoot Hill, the Hoot Music and Nature Festival offers a wide range of programming for the entire family. All-day activities for children in the Kids Zone, including daily kids’ parades, will be hosted all weekend long. Music workshops, blacksmithing demonstrations, morning gong baths with Love Waves, yoga classes, guided hikes to Ashokan’s historic Cathedral Falls, and an all-hours Jubilee Jam Tent are merely just a few examples of the exciting weekend planned.

The full lineup and information for the Summer Hoot Music and Nature Festival are listed below. For more information, visit here.

Summer Hoot 2024 Lineup

THE MAMMALS are Indie folk ambassadors and songwriting ninjas featuring Hoot producers,
Ruth Ungar & Mike Merenda. The band is known for its high-energy shows, original
repertoire, and Americana sound. Their music blends old-timey, vintage pop, and contemporary
folk.

TUBA SKINNY is a New Orleans-based traditional jazz street band. Known for their
interpretations of early jazz, ragtime, and blues music from the 1920s and 1930s, they have recently branched into other genres such as traditional New Orleans soul and R&B. Their instrumentation includes cornet, clarinet, trombone, tuba, tenor banjo, guitar, frottoir, and vocals.

STEVE POLTZ is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is a founding
member of the indie-rock band the Rugburns and collaborated on several songs with singer
Jewel, including the 1996 single “You Were Meant for Me”, which reached number 2 in the US.

BRIDGET KEARNEY is a Brooklyn-based musician and songwriter. She is a founding member of the band Lake Street Dive and winner of the 2005 John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the Jazz category.

JAY UNGAR & MOLLY MASON have contributed immense vision and hard work to preserving
the Ashokan Center and its music and nature programs. From organizing big-picture
development to playing “Home Grown Tomatoes” and “Ashokan Farewell” for visiting 5th
graders nearly every week, their leadership and love of Ashokan helped to preserve the
land and a “safe place to try new things” for thousands of adults and children to experience yearly.

THE BIG TAKEOVER is a seven-piece band from New York’s Hudson Valley known for their original music that blends Jamaican pop genres like reggae, ska, and rocksteady. The band blends their own unique sounds with those of Motown, retro soul, and R&B. Jamaican-born singer and songwriter Nee Nee Rushie leads the band.

NAIIKA SINGS is a Brooklyn-based Hoot favorite known for soulful performances and creative, dynamic performances that engage any audience. A variety of genres, including R&B, folk rock, pop, world music, and jazz influences her music. Naika Sings surely stands out in a crowd. Join them for their performance at the Summer Hoot and Music Nature Festival.

JEFFERY BROUSSARD & THE CREOLE COWBOYS is a Creole & Zydeco group from Louisiana. One of the most influential accordionists and vocalists in modern Zydeco music, Jeffery Broussard continues to be one of the genre’s most dynamic performers. Join them for an unforgettable night of Zydeco music.

SETH BERNARD & JORDEN HAMILTON are a beloved singer/songwriter and hip/hop-influenced duo from Michigan. They perform original music on electric guitar and cello, combining classical music with a hip-hop influence to create a unique, fun, and original sound.

GUACHINANGOS is an energetic Latin-American ensemble from NYC fusing Mexican son jarocho with Colombian cumbia and other rhythms.

LAURAL MASSÉ & VINNUE MARTUCCI are a Hudson Valley-based vocal and piano jazz duo. As the founder of the band Manhattan Transfer, Massé toured worldwide and appeared on TV. Vinnue Martucci teaches jazz history part-time at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He accompanies Massé on a monthly live show on WAMC in Albany.

THE CITY STOMPERS are a percussive Appalachian dance troupe from New York City that will
bring their dance performance to the Toshi stage and invite attendees to join in the evening
square dance in the Pavilion.

ARM-OF-THE-SEA THEATER is an inventive, larger-than-life, storytelling troup focused on eco-educational stories and themes. Through visual storytelling and great live music in original works of mask and puppet theater, Arm of the Sea Theater has dedicated nearly 3 decades to family-friendly, creative environmental storytelling.

CAROLINA MAMA is an Argentinean songwriter. A graduate of prestigious arts programs at Buenos Aires’ Universidad Nacional del Arte and NYC’s New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, Carolina also records and tours with Samir LanGus and the GRAMMY-nominated vocal group ROSA.

DAVID & JACOB BERNZ are a son-father duo from Beacon who have been performing
throughout the Hudson Valley for many years. David is known for his tribute to The Weavers (Work O the Weavers) and as a two-time Grammy award-winning producer for Pete Seeger albums, Pete Seeger at 89 (2008) and Pete Seeger and the Rivertowns Kids (2010). Together David and his son Jacob sing
original material and new versions of older tunes blending modern and traditional sounds.

GASLIGHT TINKERS is a band from Brattleboro, Vermont, known for their high-energy,
danceable shows that blend traditional New England fiddle music with global rhythms. Their sound is a joyful, exciting journey with unexpected textures and turns. The band draws inspiration from their musical backgrounds in traditional folk, Caribbean, Celtic, and rock, creating a delightful blend of genres that are simply unforgettable.

BRENDAN DANIEL is a founding member of Town Meeting from New England. As a harmonica prodigy, Brendan Daniel is surely a performance you will never forget. His rich voice and skilled harmonica playing are a sight unlike any you have seen before.

NATE THE GREAT is a master juggler, musician, and comedian who is hilariously fun for the
entire family. Join him at the Summer Hoot for a fun-filled magic and comedy show!

June 17, 2024
Riot Fest 2024 Announces Lineup, New Venue, and RiotLand

Riot Fest has announced the lineup of its 2024 festival, along with a new venue and adventure experience, “RiotLand.” The festival is located in Chicago and, for the first time, will be held at the SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.

This year, over 90 performers will take the stage over the span of three days. From September 20 through the 22, Riot Fest brings a top-tier lineup of punk-rock and alternative powerhouses and a fun, fully immersive theme park to the village of Bridgeview.

Headlining performances include hometown favorites Fall Out Boy, who make their first return to Riot Fest since their performance in 2013, Beck with special guest Pavement, and a reunion show from metal legends Slayer, who will be closing out the festival on Sunday, September 22.

This year, Riot Fest hosts about 90 different artists, ranging from some of the biggest names in rock to up-and-coming artists. Rock band NOFX will be celebrating their last hoorah with Riot Fest, putting on show-stopping performances for the entire weekend. Something Corporate will play their first Chicago show since 2010. Attendees will also get to experience the reunion of the iconic hip-hop group Public Enemy. Also making a comeback this year is Slayer, who will be closing out the show on Sunday. Fans can also witness a rare live performance from Dr. Dog, who retired from full-time touring in 2021.

For fans of reggae and ska, The Marley Brothers, featuring Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Ky-Mani, and Damian, are performing a full Bob Marley tribute set along with original music. The full album plays this year are The Offspring playing “Smash,” Manchester Orchestra playing “Cope,” and Mastodon performing their classic, “Leviathan.”

For the first time, Riot Fest will also be including the aforementioned “RiotLand,” an immersive “Choose Your Own Adventure” experience. Activities include a casino, a gay punk and dance club, carnival games, and more. RiotLand also features a wide variety of concessions, including the World’s Largest Festival Bar, Professor Pizza, and Nihilist Arby’s. RiotLand features fan favorites from years past, including the Wedding Chapel, the Riot Pop!!, Skate Ramp, free arcade games, Professor Pizza, the rock-n-roll circus freak show Hellzapoppin Circus, mini golf, and more.

Founded in 2005 by Mike Petryshyn and Sean McKeough, Riot Fest showcases the best and biggest names in the alternative rock scene. In the almost 20 years since its inception, the fest has brought in crowds of thousands each day. This year, the festival expects to draw in approximately 50,000 people each day.

Tickets are now on sale for Riot Fest 2024 and can be purchased through the festival’s website. Options for 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day tickets are all available.

June 16, 2024
Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” Certified 5x Platinum

Ahead of the release of the live album LOUIS IN LONDON, the RIAA has announced that Louis Armstrong’s legendary track “What a Wonderful World” has been certified 5x Platinum, marking the original recording’s cumulative US sales of more than 5 million since its first release in 1967.

To coincide with this milestone moment, Verve Records is releasing the official performance video of the track, along with a live recording of his GRAMMY-Award-winning Hello, Dolly!

left to right: Jamie Krents – President, Verve and Impulse; Wynton Marsalis – President of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation / Managing and Artistic Director at Jazz at Lincoln Center; Jackie Harris – Executive Director of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation; Ken Druker – Senior Vice President, Jazz Development at Verve and Impulse; Oliver Schrage – Senior Director, Marketing and Jazz Development at Verve and Impulse

Recorded at the BBC in 1968, Louis Armstrong’s live rendition of “What a Wonderful World” marked his last great live performance. He had done the recording just weeks after the song hit #1 on the UK’s top charts, and afterward, it became the biggest song in the country for that year. Along with his biggest hit, Armstrong had recorded an entire concert in London with the BBC.

An iconic figure who transformed the world of music, Louis Armstrong continues to be honored by the Recording Academy and celebrated worldwide. Born in New Orleans, Louis Armstrong rose to prominence in the world of jazz and eventually moved to New York City. He quickly became an iconic figure at The Cotton Club, the most famous jazz club in Harlem. He lived the rest of his life in New York City and was buried in Flushing Cemetery in Queens.

The Louis Armstrong House Museum, located in Queens, holds hundreds of collected items that document his life, both in and outside the world of music. The upcoming album includes insider-exclusive liner notes by Armstrong’s biographer and Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum, Ricky Riccardi.

The posthumous live album Louis In London contains 13 live performances recorded in London in 1968. In addition to the live recordings, the collection features six previously unreleased tracks, including “(Back Home Again) In Indiana,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Ole Miss,” and “Blueberry Hill.” The album will be released on July 12, 2024.

The Louis in London album will be available for purchase and download on July 12, 2024. Pre-orders are available here.

June 16, 2024
EagleMania Music Festival Coming to North Creek

On August 24, EagleMania will return to North Creek, NY, for their headlining EagleMania Music Festival. The festival includes two live performances from The Brass Machine and the World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band, EagleMania.

EagleMania Music Fest – official website

Set against the backdrop of Gore Mountain, fans and attendees have the opportunity to explore the scenic location during the festival. All tickets include a pass for a complimentary skyride along the Northwoods Gondola. This gives fans the ability to hike, camp, or enjoy the views around them, all while listening to music we all know and love.

For over a decade, EagleMania has performed all over the country. Eagles, one of one the biggest bands of all time, had a major influence over thousands of fans. As lifelong fans of the classic rock band, EagleMania has dedicated their band to replicating their classic, steady sound. The band is comprised of five members, all with different experiences, stories, and expertise. However, there is one thing they all share in common, and that is their love for Eagles’ music.

Joining a little over ten years ago, EagleMania has gone through several lineups. For the last few years, the band’s official seven members: Frankie Reno, Marc Hoffman, Ken Darcy, John Gaechter, Dennis Espatman, Ron Negro, and Josh Leclerc, have been bringing their Eagles tribute all over the country. Yet, they still remained one of the biggest tribute bands of the decade. Their slogan, “The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band,” exists for a reason. Since the creation of the band, they have promised to bring audiences an authentic, well-developed replication of Eagles’ music. Through thorough breakdowns of albums, hundreds of hours practicing, and a decade of performing, EagleMania has proven that they are nothing if not deserving of the title.

Below is the lineup and information on the bands performing at EagleMania Music Festival. For ticket and festival information, visit here.

August 24 @ 1:00 pm – The Brass Machine

Led by frontman “Kidd” Kyle Yagielski, The Brass Machine is one of the hottest brass bands on the scene. Formed in Buffalo, NY, The Brass Machine features a rotating cast of musicians for each performance and includes a huge variety of horns, guitars, keys, drums, and more. They have performed with many noteworthy groups, such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, and several music festivals. With The Brass Machine, no two shows are ever the same! Join them at 1:00 pm for an opener that weaves together funk, jazz, and R&B.

The Brass Machine – official website

August 24 @ 3:30 pm – EagleMania

EagleMania will be headlining the festival, following the performance of The Brass Machine. The EagleMania show consists of authentic, show-stopping renditions of Eagles’ greatest hits, as well as music from the solo acts of Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh. Join the World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band for their performance of the songs you know and love at 3:30 pm.

June 15, 2024
Santa Fe Klan Announces “Blanco y Negro” Tour Stop at Prudential Center

Following his recent international success, Mexican rapper Sante Fe Klan announced his upcoming “Blanco y Negro” Tour, with special guests That Mexican OT and Aleman. The tour takes him across the United States, including a stop at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Hailing from Guanajato, Sante Fe Klan has dedicated the last seven years to becoming the face of music in Mexico. With his passionate lyricism, creative flow, and elements of traditional Mexican music, it is no wonder Santa Fe Klan has been dominating the Mexican hip-hop scene.

Since 2017, he has released ten albums and topped the country’s charts year after year. His growing international popularity has acquired quite a diverse fanbase, stretching from fans in Mexico and Latin America to the United States. His international success is seen through his most recent album, “TODO,” which includes guest features from hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and Latin pop powerhouses Peso Pluma and Duki. Over the years, the rapper has performed in several festivals within Mexico, including the Tecate Pa’l Norte music festival in Monterrey, and the Vive Latino festival in Mexico City.

After years of dominating Mexico’s music industry, Santa Fe Klan brought his energetic and exciting stage presence to the United States earlier this year. In March, The South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, was his U.S. festival experience, where crowds were stunned by his dynamic, fun, and electrifying performances. In April, he made his Coachella mainstage debut and sold out two separate weekends, solidifying his spot as one of Mexicoâs most prominent artists.

Santa Fe Klan performs at Coachella – Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Coachella

This summer, Santa Fe Klan announced his “Blanco y Negro” Tour, named after his highly anticipated upcoming album. With this nationwide tour, U.S. fans can finally experience his showstoppers performed live. International fans can finally join the rapper in some of the country’s most renowned venues, such as the Smart Financial Center in Houston, and the Prudential Center in Newark. With this tour, Santa Fe Klan promises to deliver unforgettable moments for new and longtime fans.

All tour dates are listed below. For more information, fans can follow the artist here.

TOUR DATES:

Fri Jul 26          Salt Lake City                Maverik Center

Sat Jul 27         Las Vegas, NV               Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

Fri Aug 02         Sacramento, CA            Golden 1 Center

Sat Aug 03        Palm Desert, CA            Acrisure Arena

Fri Aug 09         Fresno, CA                    Save Mart Center at Fresno State

Sat Aug 10        San Diego, CA               Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

Fri Aug 16         Los Angeles, CA            Crypto.com Arena

Sat Aug 17        San Jose, CA                 SAP Center

Fri Aug 23         El Paso,                        TX UTEP Don Haskins Center

Sat Aug 24        Phoenix, AZ                  Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

Sun Aug 25       Anaheim, CA                 Honda Center

Fri Aug 30         Ridgefield, WA              RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

Sun Sep 01       Auburn, WA                  White River Amphitheatre

Thu Sep 26       Newark, NJ                   Prudential Center

Sat Sep 28        Bristow, VA                   Jiffy Lube Live

Fri Oct 04         Charlotte, NC                PNC Music Pavilion

Sat Oct 05        Duluth, GA                    Gas South Arena

Sat Oct 12        Milwaukee, WI              BMO Pavilion

Fri Oct 18         Miami, FL                      FPL Solar Amphitheatre

Sun Oct 20        Tampa, FL                    Yuengling Center

Fri Oct 25         Hidalgo, TX                   Payne Arena

Sat Oct 26         Laredo, TX                    Sames Auto Arena

Fri Nov 01         Houston, TX                  Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land

Sat Nov 02        San Antonio, TX            Freeman Coliseum

Fri Nov 08         Dallas, TX                     Dos Equis Pavilion

Sat Nov 09        Tulsa, OK                      BOK Center

June 14, 2024
New York-Based Artist Macinizby Debuts With “Closet”

On May 24, Manhattan-based indie pop artist Macinizby released her debut single, “Closet.” The thoughtfully crafted single tells the coming-of-age story of a queer person finding their way through life, love, and heartbreak.

Released right before the beginning of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, “Closet” opens the door for the next generation of queer artists and musicians to come into the spotlight.

Photo Credit: Hellen Elizondo

Before her solo debut, Macinizby had already built a reputation for herself as a drummer in the city’s indie rock scene, playing with acts such as Bec Lauder and The Noise, Breaker, and Rose Paradise. However, unlike her work as a group performer, “Closet” gives us a deeply personal perspective of who Macinizby is, not only as an artist but as an individual, writer, and producer.

Produced alongside Jacob Geoffrey, “Closet” stands out from Macinizby’s past indie rock records with her group acts. The single acts as a method of storytelling for Macinizby. It’s hard to ignore the passion in her voice, let alone the meaningfulness of the lyrics. Reminiscent of the early days of Avril Lavigne and other pop-rock artists of the early 2000s, Macinizby puts her own creative spin on a classic teen love story.

The steady guitar riffs, coming-of-age angst, and bouncy vocal melody brings this song back, while the storyline brings us into the modern day. With “Closet,” time travel is absolutely possible. Any listener instantly feels as if they’ve traveled in time to a music video from 20 years ago. Macinizby’s “Closet” is a great way to introduce new audiences to the pop-rock genre.

As for the storyline, it is clear from the beginning what the artist is trying to convey. The struggles of a queer relationship are highlighted very poignantly. Yet, there is a sense of comfort that Macinizby’s lyrics and voice provide. Even in a situation as difficult as m maintaining a relationship, there is still hope. Love may or may not be the end result, but while it is there, it’s best if we enjoy it.

Get ready to rock…but also be prepared to shed some gay
tears.
Macinizby

For now, we must wait. But, there is no doubt that Macinizby’s new song, and solo career, are highly anticipated. Fans can listen to “Closet” on all major streaming platforms, as well as with this link.

June 14, 2024
NYC Native Noah Lehrman Announces U.S. Tour with FlowPoetry

Following a landmark performance at the Hard Rock Singapore, NYC’s own Noah Lehrman announces a tour with FlowPoetry coming this summer. With FlowPoetry, Noah Lehrman brings immersive, exciting performances to numerous festivals and concert series, including three shows in New York.

Noah Lehrman – official website

Noah Lehrman is a multi-instrumentalist and multilinguist born and raised in New York City. For the last decade, Lehrman has brought creative storytelling and poetry through a mix of genres such as funk, jazz, country, and psychedelic rock. Throughout the years, Lehrman has performed all over the world, both as a solo and group artist.

When he first emerged onto the music scene, he served as the drummer of the jam band The Grove. Since then, he has performed in national and international festivals and concerts. Lehrman’s latest tour as a solo artist brought him across several continents, jumping back and forth between North America, Europe, and Asia. Before his return for the US leg of the tour, Lehrman lit up the Hard Rock Singapore, where he stunned crowds with a spontaneously debuted new upcoming single, “Marx & Spenser.”

For the rest of the tour, Noah Lehrman is joined by special guest FlowPoetry, a performative spoken word group based in Wisconsin. Lehrman will be accompanying the group as a drummer and percussionist. In addition to the FlowPoetry tour on drums, Noah will also be performing solo acoustic at Weekends at Bertha’s and at the 10th Year Anniversary Froggy Daze in Narrowsburg, NY.

Tour dates are listed below. For more information, fans can visit here.

7/24, Gamma Ray, Madison, WI

7/25, The Golden Road, Toledo, OH

7/26-28, Weekend at Bertha’s, Townsend, DE

7/28, Dharma Bums, New Hope, PA

7/29, Stella Blues, New Haven, CT

7/30, Electric Haze, Worchester, MA

7/31, Rockwood Music Hall, NYC, NY

8/1, Bullfrog Brewery, Williamsport, PA

8/4, Silvana, NYC, NY

TBA, Froggy Daze Festival, Narrowsburg, NY

Noah Lehrman – Official YouTube

June 12, 2024
From Ashes To New Announces Full U.S. Tour With Set It Off

Fresh off of their resounding and successful Blackout Tour, rousing alt-metal outfit From Ashes to New announced that they will officially join fellow metal band Set It Off on a full U.S. tour this fall.

The tour will take the duos nationwide, with three shows in New York. They will be joined by metal powerhouses New Years Day and If Not For Me.

Following the end of From Ashes To New’s current 2024 tour, “The Deathless Tour Part Two” will begin on Saturday, September 21, in Johnstown, PA. The tour starts just as From Ashes to New and Set It Off complete their joint supporting tour dates with Nothing More. The co-headlining jaunt will make its way across both coasts before ending in Wantagh, on November 2.

The official tour dates are listed below. Fans can visit here for more information on the tour, music, and merch.

“THE DEATHLESS TOUR PART TWO” TOUR DATES
with Set It Off + FROM ASHES TO NEW w/ support from New Years Day & If Not For Me
9/21   Johnstown, PA – Frank J. Pasquarella Conference Center &
9/25   Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
9/28   Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre
9/29 Omaha, NE – The Admiral
10/1 Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater
10/2 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
10/5 Fresno, CA – Tioga Sequoia Brewery
10/7 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
10/8 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
10/9 Seattle, WA – Showbox Sodo
10/11 Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom
10/15 Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
10/17 Wichita, KS – Cotillion
10/19 Davenport, IA – Capitol Theater
10/22 Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center
10/23 Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
10/25 Syracuse, NY – Sharkey’s Stage
10/26 Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
10/27 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
10/29 Albany, NY – Empire Live
10/30 Portland, ME – Aura
11/1 Stroudsburg, PA – The Sherman Theater
11/2 Wantagh, NY – Mulcahy’s Concert Hall

June 11, 2024
Ellie Announces EP Release at Rockwood Music Hall

New York City-based trans pop artist Ellie will release her upcoming EP, Forbidden Fruit, on June 14. She will release her newest single, “Not Like Other Girls,” on Tuesday, June 11.

Along with the release of her EP, Ellie will be hosting a free release show at Rockwood Music Hall, located in the Bowery neighborhood of Manhattan. The show will take place on Thursday, June 13, at 9 pm.

As a trans woman, Ellie uses “Not Like Other Girls” as a response to the nationwide increase of transphobic rhetoric. The idea of her being “not like other girls” plays a cheeky spin on the popular phrase used to tear women down.

In the song, Ellie jokes, “I’m not like other girls, I’m worse.” With the chorus, she manages to send a sarcastic message to everyone with strict and bigoted expectations of women and trans people.

So many people (the majority of which are cis) have LOTS to say about trans people.
So, why not talk back for once?
Ellie

The tense themes that are in “Not Like Other Girls” extend throughout the EP. The single discusses the expectations of what women should be, which are oftentimes exclusionary of transgender women.

One of the most eye-opening lyrics is actually one of Ellie’s favorites: “Make all your friends turn to envious wrecks as they question the dogmas they bark.” The line implies that by defying society’s expectations, people will begin to wonder why they exist in the first place. Questioning society is exactly the point.

With the help of fast-paced, energetic pop-rock, Ellie’s single and EP send a relatable, funny message anyone could enjoy. The heavy rock music behind Ellie’s vocals emphasizes the intensity and frustration of the song’s message.

Join Ellie on June 13 at Rockwood Music Hall in Bowery, Manhattan, for a free release party! The venue is located right off the F train stop on 2 Av.

Ellie’s Forbidden Fruit will be available on all streaming platforms starting June 14th. For the full EP, fans can visit here.

June 11, 2024

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