NYS Music 2024

Category: World/Reggae

  • Singer/Songwriter Mihali Releases Latest Single “Free Ride” Ahead of Northeast US Tour

    Reggae/Indie artist Mihali has released his latest track titled “Free Ride” which is now streaming on all platforms. The single releases in the midst of his northeastern US tour, which stops in Port Chester on October 25.

    Mihali Free Ride

    The track “Free Ride” uniquely combines multiple sounds which I find extremely interesting, and effective at grabbing the listener’s attention. There are immediately elements of pop, southern rock, country, indie, reggae and even a touch of R&B. I find it fascinating that Mihali can effectively combine these very different genres and make it a sound that portrays himself.

    The track screams positivity – that it is wildly important to be yourself and to get what you want out of life. Life isn’t just a free ride, you have to seize the day, make it what you want it to be. This message is something refreshing in comparison to a lot of other messages in music today.

    Mihali is currently touring the northeast as both a solo act, and as a band. The tour consists of 15 dates total at 13 different venues. One of these stages is in Port Chester, NY, where Mihali is set to perform “Free Ride” along with his other hits live.

    Mihali Free Ride
    photo by Dave Decrescente

    Announced Mihali Tour Dates:

    September 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Cellar at Pittsburgh Winery ^
    September 27 – Harrisburg, PA – Stage on Herr ^
    September 28 – Bridgeport, CT – Park City Music Hall ^
    October 9 – South Deerfield, MA – Tree House Brewing Company ^ (SOLD OUT)
    October 10 – Portsmouth, NH – 3S Artspace ^
    October 11 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met ^
    October 12 – Orleans, MA – Outermost Roots & Blues Festival *
    October 18-20 – Kent, CT – Le Getaway V #
    October 25 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre &
    November 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Venice West ^
    November 8 – San Diego, CA – Winstons Beach Club ^
    November 9 – Sanger, CA – Golden Road Festival ^
    November 10 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall ^

    ^ Solo Looping Set
    # Band Set
    * Solo Looping Set, with G. Love & Special Sauce
    & Solo Looping Set, with TAUK and G. Love & Special Sauce

    “When I go to write a song, sometimes I do so with a specific subject in mind, but other times the lyrics just come out of nowhere! Those surprise songs usually end up being my favorites, and Free Ride is one of those. I hope everyone takes its message to heart too. Get out there and live your life! There’s no time to waste.”

    Mihali Savoulidis

    To give a listen to Mihali’s latest single “Free Ride” and to purchase tickets to his current tour, click here.

  • The Marley Brothers Legacy Tour at Forest Hills Stadium: A Tribute to Reggae’s King

    On Sunday, September 22, Forest Hills Stadium in Queens was transformed into a musical time capsule, as the Marley Brothers united for the first time in two decades to celebrate the enduring legacy of their father, Bob Marley.

    The Marley Brothers Legacy Tour, which kicked off in Vancouver, brought together Damian, Stephen, Julian, Ziggy, and Ky-Mani Marley for an epic 22-date journey across North America, paying tribute to their father’s timeless work. The tour, which ends in early October in Miami, features a nostalgic setlist of nearly 30 of Bob Marley’s most cherished songs, bringing generations of fans together to rejoice in the spirit of reggae music.

    A Family United by Music

    The significance of this tour cannot be overstated. Though each of the Marley brothers has had successful solo careers, it has been 20 years since the five have shared a stage. Bob Marley’s influence, both on reggae and on global consciousness, is unparalleled, and the brothers’ reunion not only honors their father but also the rich musical heritage he helped to create. Performing together, their synergy is unmistakable, and their collective energy invokes memories of Marley’s original performances while breathing new life into the music.

    The Show: A Journey Through Bob Marley’s Greatest Hits

    The Forest Hills Stadium show, one of the highlights of the tour, featured an electric atmosphere, with the Marleys delivering a setlist packed with classics. From revolutionary anthems like “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Buffalo Soldier” to love ballads like “Is This Love,” the brothers brought Bob’s music to life, reviving both the message and the passion that defined his career.

    The crowd erupted during timeless hits such as “Three Little Birds,” “Iron Lion Zion” and “Positive Vibration” singing along in unison, while more politically charged songs like “War” and “Exodus” reminded the audience of the power of music as a vehicle for social change. Damian, known for his harder-edged, dancehall-inspired sound, added a modern twist to the night with fiery performances while Ziggy’s soulful voice channeled the spirit of his father throughout. The setlist for the tour has been consistent with nearly 30 songs, a true testament to the power and breadth of Bob Marley’s work.

    Honoring a Legend: The Life of Bob Marley

    Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in Nine Mile, Jamaica. Rising from humble beginnings, Marley became the voice of reggae and a symbol of resistance and hope for millions around the world. He started his musical career in the early 1960s with The Wailers, along with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The group became known for their unique fusion of ska, rocksteady, and reggae.

    Marley’s music was more than entertainment; it was a message. Songs like “Get Up, Stand Up,” “One Love,” and “Redemption Song” became anthems for unity, resistance, and peace. His blend of spirituality, activism, and culture resonated far beyond the Caribbean, elevating reggae to international acclaim. Tragically, Marley passed away from cancer in 1981 at the age of 36, but his legacy has continued through his children, who have carried on his mission and music.

    A Night of Unity and Celebration

    The Marley Brothers Legacy Tour is more than just a reunion; it’s a celebration of Bob Marley’s profound influence and a reminder of the unifying power of music. At Forest Hills Stadium, the brothers’ performance felt like a historic moment, one that bridged the past and the present. With each song, they brought their father’s message to new ears while giving long-time fans the opportunity to experience Marley’s magic once again.

    As the tour continues across the country, fans from all walks of life will have the chance to partake in this once-in-a-generation experience. Bob Marley’s legacy lives on through his music, and through his sons, who have proven that the message of love, peace, and unity is more relevant now than ever.

    Whether in Vancouver, New York, or Miami, the Marley Brothers Legacy Tour is a testament to the enduring power of Bob Marley’s music—and to the familial bond that keeps that legacy alive for generations to come.

    Setlist: Natural Mystic, Get Up, Stand Up, So Much Trouble in the World, Coming in From the Cold, Positive Vibration, The Heathen, Concrete Jungle, Wake Up and Live, Shalom Salaam, War/No More Trouble, Running Away/Crazy Baldhead, Three Little Birds, Is This Love, Don’t Rock My Boat, Buffalo Soldier, Jammin, Easy Skanking, Boom Draw, New Heights, Medication, Kaya, Iron Lion Zion, Exodus, Could You Be Loved, One Love

  • Mihali Releases Introspective Single “Circus Life” Feat. Andy Frasco

    Returning for his third single of the year, singer-songwriter Mihali has partnered up with fellow musician Andy Frasco and producer Spencer Thomson to offer listeners a peek into the traveling musician’s “Circus Life” in the midst of their respective tours.

    Mihali

    Former frontman of rock band Twiddle and a rising reggae star in his own right, Mihali Savoulidis is no new face to the music industry. His solo career formally began in 2020 with the release of “Breathe and Let Go”, with several singles following throughout during the Covid-19 pandemic. This year marks an exciting series of singles following the 2022 release of his last album, Effection, the most recent being his collaboration with fellow musician and songwriter Andy Frasco, “Circus Life”.

    Both seasoned in the touring artist lifestyle and currently on the road for their respective acts,  “Circus Life” is the product of Mihali and Frasco’s reflections upon the ups and downs of life, specifically as it pertains to musicians whose day to day lives become a cycle of performance and travel- possibly for months at a time.

    With a slightly more acoustic americana sound than some of Mihali’s recent works, “Circus Life” meshes a rolling beat with calming piano chords and lyrics that come from the heart to express both the unspoken struggles of touring life and the beauty of it- the sacrifice that must be made to bring love to the fans, the friends, and the family he holds dear.

    “​​Mihali and I were talking about living on the road one day after a gig, depleted but happy, and he said “Yeah, it’s like we’re in the circus.” We both looked at each other and didn’t say a word, but knew that exact feeling. Two months later, he sent me a demo called “Circus Life,”and I asked if I could add a bridge…I love when songs come out like that.”

    – Andy Frasco

    Both Mihali and Frasco are currently touring with a handful of dates in New York between the two acts.

    Mihali will be at Wonderland Forest in Lafayette on September 21 and The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on October 25- tickets are available here.

    Frasco and the rest of his band, Andy Frasco & The U.N., will be performing at this year’s River Jam in Buffalo on October 13. Tickets are available here.

    To learn more about Mihali’s work, ongoing tour, and story, visit his website here. 

  • QUIP World Music Festival Returns to Queens

    The Queens United International Party (QUIP) presents the seventh annual World Music Festival, taking place in Sunnyside Gardens Park on Saturday, September 21.

    quip

    An annual celebration of all 120 countries and 135 languages represented in Queens, the QUIP World Music Festival brings the entire borough and beyond together to enjoy the music, art, culture, and food of the community, for the community, by the community.

    This year’s QUIP offers a full roster of events for all ages- music, arts and crafts, dance contests, a wide array of food vendors spanning from arepas to momos, and all that the historical community park has to offer. 

    Musical performances will occur on two alternating stages from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a lineup that is sure to stun, including but not limited to the renowned kora player Yacouba Sissoko, dancer and educator Malini Srinivasan, all-women, trans, and nonbinary Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line Fogo Azul, and the ever-entertaining Pinkie Special.

    Tickets are $15 at the door, and kids under 12 years old are free. For further information, please visit here.

    The full lineup can be found below.

    Full Festival Lineup

    Somer Suarez

    Malini & Ensemble

    Pinkie Special

    Yacouba Sissiko

    Fogo Azul

    Liftoff Brass

    Akoko Nante

    Alea

  • Nigerian Star Asake Storms New York With ‘Lungu Boy’ Tour

    Nigerian star Asake roared into New York Friday night for his debut at Madison Square Garden with a show in support of third and latest album, “Lungu Boy.” Asake is promoting his third album, titled Lungu Boy which is out now via EMPIRE/YBNL Nation and features appearances from Central Cee, Ludmilla, Stormzy, Travis Scott, and Wizkid. 

    In the lead-up to the release of ‘Lungu Boy,’ a lot of the chatter around the project hinted at Asake introducing the world to Lagos Island and the quirks of its subculture, in order to contextualize his stunning rise and his stage design and presence did just that. The evening started with a narrating explaining the experience that the crowd was going to set on with none other than Asake himself. The show opened in spectacular fashion as Asake ascended from beneath the depths of Madison Square Garden. The performance had everything from pyrotechnics to choreographed dances and visual effects.

    His set Friday night at New York’s Mecca, Madison Square Garden — his debut MSG performance— saw him backed by a full band, street dancers, DJ and MC, including horns, to bring his jazz-influenced sound into a live setting. Clad in between two outfits show off his unique wardrobe style, he performed cuts from the entire album such as “Active” featuring Travis Scott, “Wave” featuring Central Cee, “Skating” which saw an elaborate display of skating and BMX biking tricks and more from the album.

    In addition to performing songs from his new album on the Lungu Boy tour, Asake also performs tracks from his 2022 studio debut, Mr. Money With The Vibe (“Terminator,” “Peace Be Unto You,” “Muse,” “Joha,” “Sungba”), and its 2023 follow-up Work Of Art (“Amapiano,” “Basquiat,” “Lonely At The Top,” “Remember” and “2:30”). 

    In the end, it was hard for the crowd to fathom the electric show ending and even harder for Asake himself.

    In true Asake fashion, he left the New York crowd with a night that they will never forget, the Lungu Boy from Lagos Island.

  • Versatile Guitarist Shubh Saran Announces Tour, Syracuse Show

    New York based-guitarist Shubh Saran announced his “Being Anybody Else” Tour, with a stop in Syracuse.

    Saran’s unique blend of varied influences has earned him popular acclaim. Saran will play Funk N Waffles September 14, with local Syracuse band Paega opening.

    Lev Sloujitel

    Growing up in six different countries exposed Shubh Saran to a wide range of work he would come to draw inspiration from, from classical and contemporary Indian music to progressive rock. Saran has performed globally with his band, in addition to being a composer and producer.

    Guitar World likened Saran to a “shred chameleon”. The international influences and versatility are evident is his work. Pitchfork described his music as, “a heartfelt exploration of the ups and downs of being part of the world’s fastest-growing floating tribe—part global citizen, part cultural refugee”.

    Saran was also included in Pitchfork’s list of Best Jazz and Experimental Music of 2021. The Shubh Saran tour includes shows at Syracuse’s Funk N Waffles, and Manhattan’s Nublu. Tickets for the Syracuse show are available at the following link, and more information about Shubh Saran is available here.

    Saran’s fifth release, an EP entitled Being Anybody Else, will be out September 27th. The official music video for his newest single, “To Be”, is available below.

  • Afrobeat Artist AMAYO Releases New Single “Madam President”

    Afrobeat artist AMAYO released his new single, “Madam President,” on August 22, garnering attention across streaming services.

    Madam President

    The track “Madam President” begins with an explosion of percussion, brass, keys, and vocals. Right off the bat the song hooks the listener and once you read into the lyrics, you see the subject matter is deep upon the funky, groovy, upbeat instrumentals.

    AMAYO is urging the listener to fight – for freedom, for peace, and for justice. With the upcoming presidential election this November 5, the political nature of the track speaks volumes. The artist is speaking through his heart about moving forward and never back.

    Madam President

    AMAYO believes that all people of color, and other marginalized groups win if Kamala wins, clear that he is for Kamala Harris’ victory in the presidency. It is also clear that he draws much inspiration from Bob Marley and the Wailers, Steel Pulse, and other reggae/afrobeat artists.

    Once a part of Antibalas, a massively influential Afrobeat band, AMAYO is no stranger to the sounds he is currently releasing unto the world. He is credited for bringing Afrobeat to a global audience, leading it to become a genre of itself.

    Antibalas Live

    To hear AMAYO’s new single “Madam President,” click here and choose your preferred service.

  • Drumstock Festival Returns to Geneva for Fifth Year

    The fifth annual Drumstock Music and Arts Festival will return to Geneva on Saturday, September 7th. The open-air festival will celebrate the region’s rich musical and artistic heritage with 14 hours of entertainment.

    Drumstock Festival

    Since its start, Drumstock has been so much more than just a music festival. Its organizers are dedicated to crafting an inclusive environment through collaboration with local artists and activists. This year, Drumstock will begin at 12pm on Saturday, September 7th at Geneva’s Lake Drum Brewing. The festival will take place in the outdoors in an open-air space behind the brewery. The free festival will feature a day of live music and community partnerships.

    The 2024 Drumstock Festival will feature 17 artists – both local and nationally renowned. At the top of the ticket is avant-garde funk group Soule Monde. Founded by Trey Anasastio Band members Ray Paczkowski and Russ Lawton, Soule Monde combines over 20 years of musical experience. Since their start, the band members have played with artists like Mike Gordon and Dave Matthews. With Lawton on Drums and Paczkowski on Hammond Organ, the duo crafts syncopated and highly improvisational tracks with ease. The band has previously appeared at Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and Saturday Night Live.

    Alongside Soule Monde, Drumstock will highlight diverse local talent with a number of New York bands. Among the featured bands are Finger Lakes’ natives St Vith. The indie rock group blends influences ranging from Wilco to Animal Collective. With synthesized electronics and acoustic instrumentation, St Vith crafts an eclectic brand of alternative.

    The festival’s local talent spans countless genres, showcasing the region’s rich musical heritage. On top of St Vith’s indie rock, Kajuneji will perform, highlighting their mixing of jam, jazz and world music. This musical heritage will take festival-goers on a musical trip around the world. Geneva’s Zydecorp will bring audiences cajun-inspired accordion dance music and Colors Do Som will play their Brazilian-influenced stylings. Drumstock’s performances will begin at 12pm and last until 2am.

    In addition to countless musical performances, the festival provides visitors other ways to engage with local arts and culture. Throughout the day, Drumstock will feature art exhibitions and performances from local Hobart & William Smith students. In addition to arts, local vendors will be present throughout the day, giving visitors the chance to buy local handicrafts and delicacies. This all reflects Drumstock’s core mission of strengthening the local community through its exhibition of arts.

    Admission to this year’s Drumstock Festival is free thanks to local partnerships. Lake Drum Brewing, LDC, Geneva Community Projects, Red Jacket, Wayne Bank, Community Proud, and Dave & Wendy’s contributions have made the festival possible. For more information on the 2024 Drumstock Festival, visit their website here.

    Drumstock Festival Lineup

    Soule Monde (Featuring Ray Paczkowski and Russ Lawton of the Trey Anastasio Band)

    St Vith

    Kajuneji

    Zydecorp

    Cool Club & Lipker Sisters

    ProjectX

    Karen

    Colors do Som

    El Ka Bong

    Streetcat

    Charlie Reitz

    Seager

    Brad Dorrington

    Calya Lea

    Scott Tremolo

    DJ Haggard

    NuNu

  • Sharon Marley Shines at City Winery with a Tribute to Bob and Rita Marley

    On August 7th, Sharon Marley delivered a captivating performance at City Winery in New York City, paying homage to the legendary music of her parents, Bob and Rita Marley, as well as showcasing her own artistry. The intimate venue was filled with the soulful sounds of reggae as Sharon performed iconic tracks like “Is This Love,” “One Draw,” “Trench Town” and “No Woman, No Cry.” Each song resonated with the audience, blending nostalgia with the vibrant energy of live music.

    In addition to the music, the evening offered a special preview of an upcoming art exhibit titled The Garden That Rita Grew: My Grandma Rita. Curated by filmmaker Donisha Prendergast, the granddaughter of Bob and Rita Marley, the exhibit is a tribute to the strength, resilience, and creativity of Rita Marley. The showcase, powered by Humanity Ova Vanity (HOV), features a collection of photographs and artwork that celebrates Rita Marley’s enduring legacy.

    Sharon Marley’s performance was not just a musical journey but a celebration of her family’s influence on reggae music and culture. The preview of The Garden That Rita Grew: My Grandma Rita added a profound layer to the evening, reminding attendees of the powerful legacy of the Marley family, not only in music but in the arts as well.

    City Winery proved to be the perfect setting for this heartfelt tribute, where music and art intertwined to honor the past while inspiring future generations. The event left attendees eagerly anticipating the full unveiling of the exhibit, which promises to be a poignant homage to one of reggae’s most influential matriarchs.

  • In Focus: Rochester’s Pan Afrikan Festival

    The 16th Annual Pan Afrikan Festival at the Highland Bowl in Rochester hosted by A.B.O.V.E. (Achieving and Bringing Our Vision to Excellence).

    Throughout the day local independent artists performed, like Baaba Lin, Dane Jah & Jamal Younglood and Sould of the City.

    The headliner for the day for Will Holton a smooth jazz saxophonist from Buffalo. He had a special guest come out and join him, Billboard Chart topping artist Judah Sealy. The played long after the sun set to end a great day of music.