On December 19, Brooklyn-based softcore/alternative rock band Boston Flowers release their highly anticipated EP, Afterlife, featuring the title track alongside previously released singles “Soul Creature,” “Fever Dream,” and “Cancer Man.”
This introspective collection invites listeners to delve into profound themes of life, death, and the mysteries that lie beyond, making it a compelling addition to the band’s discography. The music video for “Cancer Man,” directed by James Morano, is already available for fans, alongside a lyric video for “Fever Dream,” showcasing artwork by Ellis Gale.
Photo by James Morano
Boston Flowers emerged from the vibrant Brooklyn rock scene, establishing a signature sound with their debut album, Mondegreen, released in 2023. The band draws inspiration from a diverse range of influences, including The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Turnover, Kid Bloom, and Mk.gee, blending melodic alternative rock with softcore grit. Their name pays homage to the iconic film character Austin Powers, infusing their identity with a touch of groovy nostalgia.
The band Boston Flowers consists of a talented lineup, each member contributing to their unique sound. Sam Trestman, the vocalist and rhythm guitarist, brings a decade of experience in healthcare and insights from a personal near-death experience that deeply inform the themes explored in their Afterlife EP. Zaid Khan adds atmospheric layers with his synth work, enhancing the band’s melodic richness. The driving force behind their rhythm is Rio Kelemen on drums, delivering dynamic beats that propel their music forward. Alejandro Ortiz, the lead guitarist, provides intricate guitar work that adds depth and texture to their tracks. Finally, Michael Agazzi on bass guitar anchors the band’s sound with solid bass lines, creating a strong foundation for their music.
Photo by James Morano
As Boston Flowers prepares to release Afterlife, they look forward to expanding their reach and continuing to engage with fans through live performances across the tri-state area. Their local NYC show lineup has included popular venues such as Arlene’s Grocery, The Delancey, Berlin Under A, and Bar Freda, as well as their own rooftop shows in Brooklyn.
Photo by James Morano
With the release of Afterlife, Boston Flowers invites you to join them on a journey through the complexities of human experience, celebrating the cycles of change and the exploration of what lies beyond. Pre-save the title track on Spotify and stay tuned for the official release on December 19!
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
Marky Ramone, the legendary drummer of The Ramones, brought his annual Holiday Blitzkrieg tour back to New York City’s Gramercy Theatre on December 12th, delivering a high-energy night filled with punk rock classics.
This yearly December tradition sees Marky hitting the road with a rotating lineup of talented musicians, offering fans a chance to relive the sound and spirit of the iconic Ramones.
This year’s lineup featured an all-star cast. Pela Scb, a staple of Marky’s tours, took center stage as lead vocalist, injecting charisma and passion into every song. On guitar was Tommy Victor, the powerhouse musician best known as the lead singer of Prong.
Victor’s impressive résumé includes collaborations with Ministry, Danzig, and Rob Zombie, making him a perfect fit for the night’s high-octane performance. Holding down the low end was bassist Craig Setari, a hardcore legend from Sick of It All, whose credentials also include Youth of Today, Agnostic Front, and Cro-Mags.
The setlist was a dream come true for Ramones fans, featuring 40 classic tracks that spanned the band’s illustrious career. Highlights included “Do You Wanna Dance,” “Commando,” “Beat on the Brat,” “Rockaway Beach,” “Pet Cemetery,” “California Sun,” and “Rock and Roll High School.”
In the holiday spirit, the band performed “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight),” adding a festive touch to the punk-filled evening. The night ended with the anthemic “Blitzkrieg Bop,” leaving the crowd shouting “Hey! Ho! Let’s go!” as they spilled into the Manhattan streets.
The Holiday Blitzkrieg is more than just a New York event. Marky’s December schedule also included shows at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, the Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City, NJ, and Mechanicsburg, PA. For fans who missed this year’s holiday run, Marky has announced an exciting lineup of 2025 dates in South America, including stops in Argentina and Brazil:
March 29, 2025: Teatro Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina
April 3, 2025: Toinha Brasil Show, Brasília, Brazil
April 4, 2025: Mister Rock, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
April 5, 2025: Carioca Club, São Paulo, Brazil
Marky Ramone continues to keep the punk legacy alive with his relentless touring and dedication to the music that defined a generation. For more information on upcoming shows and news, visit Marky Ramone’s official website.
The Holiday Blitzkrieg at Gramercy Theatre was a night to remember, proving once again that punk rock is far from dead. With Marky behind the drums and a stellar lineup at his side, fans were treated to a masterclass in punk history—and a reminder of why The Ramones’ music remains timeless.
Setlist: Do You Wanna Dance, Havana Affair, Teenage Lobotomy, Commando, Beat on the Brat, I Dont Care, Sheena is a Punk Rocker, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, We’re A Happy Family, I Just Wanna Have Something to Do , I Wanna Be Well, Rockaway Beach, Gimme Gimmie Shock Treatment, Let’s Dance, Surfin Bird, Judy is a Punk, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, I Believe in Miracles, The KKK Took My Baby Away, Pet Cemetery, Needles and Pins, I Wanna Be Sedated, Chinese Rock, Oh Oh I Love Her So, She’s the One, California Sun, I Don’t Want to Walk Around You, Pinhead, Cretin Hop, R.A.M.O.N.E.S., You’re Gonna Kill That Girl, Rock and Roll High School, Chainsaw, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, Glad to See you Go, Listen to My Heart, Wonderful World, Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight), Blitzkrieg Bop
New York City-based Irish Arts Center has announced their Spring 2025 season featuring bold and inventive new programming.
The Irish Arts Center is renowned for its dynamic, inspiring, and collaborative experiences that showcase the evolving arts and culture of Ireland and Irish America in its environment of warm Irish hospitality.
Founded in 1972 in Hell’s Kitchen, this year’s Spring 2025 season will be hosted in the Irish Arts Center’s recently opened state of the art facility as the organization platforms the newest works and artists of the future.
Highlights for the season begin on February 12-16 with John Scott Dance and Mel Mercier’s Begin Anywhere. A response to the inspirations and methodologies of the iconic choreographer Merce Cunningham and composer John Cage, Scott and Mercier will debut a new piece inspired by their shared histories with Cunningham and Cage’s works.
This world premiere will feature a preceding performance of Four Solos by Merce Cunningham presented in a continuous dance event with music by John King.
February 28-28 will host the GRAMMY-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill alongside the talents of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in an exploration of the intersection between Irish folk and Afro Latin music.
Brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac have expanded the lineup of Ye Vagabonds to feature Alain McFadden (concertina) and Caimin Gilmore (harmonium) for their first North American performance since the band’s sold-out debut at the Irish Arts Center on March 11 and 12.
April 30-June 1 will feature the five-week North American premiere of Colin Murphy’s The United States vs Ulysses directed by Conall Morisson.
A funhouse vision of 1930s radio performers re-enacting the courtroom battle for the future of James Joyce’s Ulysses against U.S. censorship, this production captures the very same world-changing potential IAC has sought to emphasize throughout its entire existence as an organization.
Arriving to the States with its original cast, The United States V. Ulysses celebrates the power of an idea on a page as it examines the forces that benefit from holding culture in stasis instead of allowing evolution of thought in the public eye.
In celebration of the famed Irish producer, composer, and performer Bill Whelan’s 75th birthday, the IAC will hit a two-day musical jubilee featuring fellow artists and special guests on June 26 and 27.
Throughout the season, Dublin-based artist Paul Hughes’ paintings will be displayed in the I am here & I am unwaiting exhibition from February 1-June 21, filling the walls of the IAC with vibrant abstract landscapes. An artist talk will also be hosted on March 6.
For further information on the IAC and their full calendar of events for the upcoming Spring 2025 season, be sure to visit their official website here.
Radio City Music Hall has unveiled their newest addition to the iconic venue, a completely renovated sensory room.
Engaging with the vibrancy and volume of theater may be exciting, but it can also be exceedingly overwhelming- especially for those with particular sensory needs. A passion for attending live performance may be hindered or completely prevented by uncontrollable and overwhelming experiences- which is exactly what Radio City and donors Christopher and Veronica Jackson seek to remediate.
A GRAMMY and Emmy-award winning songwriter, composer, and actor, Christopher and his wife Veronica understand just how overwhelming such experiences can be, as their son CJ is one of many individuals to be diagnosed with autism. Since the diagnosis in 2007, the couple have become staunch supporters of KultureCity, the world’s leading nonprofit on the acceptance and accommodation of invisible disabilities and sensory needs.
“This sensory room reflects our shared dedication to creating an inclusive environment for everyone – ensuring that the magic of Radio City is accessible to all. Our son CJ has been an inspiration to so many and we are honored for him to represent our family at Radio City Music Hall!”
– Chris and Veronica Jackson
Donated and created in honor of CJ, the Radio City Music Hall’s completely renovated sensory room features adjustable lighting, comfortable seating, calming visuals including a piece created inspired by Radio City’s architecture by an artist with autism, and a wide range of sensory tools such as bubble walls, Yogibo bean bags, and a vast range of tactile objects.
Designed to be fully accessible for folks of all abilities and ages including wheelchair users, the Chris and Veronica Jackson Sensory Room joins several other sensory rooms under the MSG Family of Companies in partnership with KultureCity.
Thus far, Radio City, Madison Square Garden, and Sphere feature sensory rooms, have been certified by KultureCity, and feature guest-facing staff that have all completed KultureCity training.
This renovation marks a major step towards a universally enjoyable live performance experience, not just within Radio City’s walls but across the entertainment industry in New York City and beyond.
For more information on Radio City Music Hall’s full range of accessibility resources and services, visit their official website here.
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 10âthe 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
The Apollo Theater in Harlem has announced the 2025 winter and spring season with a stunning array of performances, exhibitions, and educational programs in performance spaces new and old.
The historic Apollo Theater has been providing the community of Harlem and beyond with quality entertainment and education since it opened its doors in 1914.
Having played a major role in the exponential growth of quintessential American genres such as jazz, swing, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and the list goes on- the impact felt by the Apollo within New York and across the world cannot be stated enough.
Beginning as a platform for emerging jazz and tap acts which would feature the likes of soon-to-be icons such as Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday, The Apollo has since evolved into not only a musical performance space but a nonprofit presenting theatrical and dance programs, film screenings, educational programs, and community outreach.
Returning with their 2025 winter and spring season, The Apollo has announced an extensive lineup of performances and events that explore legacy and lineage while celebrating the impact of Black artists with time-honored works alongside bold and cutting-edge new productions.
With three dates spanning January 9 to the 11, the Apollo will be hosting a multi-media performance of Loss in Under the Radar: Loss. Originally produced by The Theatre Centre, Loss explores themes of grief within Afro-Caribbean communities in an immersive experience towards healing as audiences follow the intergenerational family narrative retold live on stage.
Organized in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble, Lineage Legacy and Liberation: An Examination of Urban Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxis will open as a multi-media gallery on January 13 and remain open to the public through March 12.
In addition to its expansive display of rare photographs, performance footage, audio clips and more, the exhibition will feature a series of pop-up performances on select dates throughout its installation period.
A showing of Claudine directed by John Berry and starring Diahann Carroll will be held on January 17. Oscar-nominated, the romantic comedy balances warm humor with its serious approach to a variety of issues ranging from cyclical poverty to the indignities of the welfare system. An emphatic piece on both Black working-class strife and Black joy, Claudine is presented in collaboration with the Harlem Festival of Culture Foundation.
Returning once more is Apollo’s partnership with WNYC and the March on Washington Film Festival on January 19 as scholars, community leaders, and activists will engage with the audience of Harlem and beyond in conversation about the lasting legacy and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.
Presented on the first Thursday of each month from February through May is the Apollo Comedy Club. Made in partnership with the producer of Def Comedy Jam and creator of Laff Mobb on Aspire Bob Sumner with Freddie Ricks as host, the Apollo presents the best of comedy’s emerging acts on their Stages at the Victoria.
The Apollo Music Café series returns for the first Friday and Saturday of each month from February through May, featuring diverse performances spanning the sonic pallets of R&B, hip-hop, soul, jazz, funk, rock, and more. The Music Café seeks to showcase artists of the independent music scene who have made/are making an impact on the way music as an art form is consumed and experienced.
On February 22, composer, pianist, and vocalist Samora Abayomi Pinderhughes will perform The James Baldwin Essays: As Much Truth As One Can Bear in celebration of Baldwin’s legacy. Commissioned by Harlem Stage in 2015, the piece is one of Pinderhughes’ many performances that utilizes music to examine socio-political issues.
Each Wednesday from February 19 to June 25 will host the time-honored Amateur Night, America’s longest running talent show. Having been revered by artists as a once-in-a-lifetime experience uplifting emerging talent, names such as Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R and more have graced Amateur Night’s stage where the audience has the power to shape a career.
The Grand Finale winner will receive $20,000 alongside the “Child Star of Tomorrow” who will win $5,000.
While the 2025 lineup is already full of rising stars, live auditions for the 2026 season will be held on March 22 at The Apollo’s Historic Theater.
Guardian Spirit will present the poems, prose, and essays of bell hooks set to the musical works of Martha Redbone on March 29. Highlighting and celebrating bell hooks’ work and influence on the modern artist and individual, Redbone will set her stories within the world of music and storytelling.
Highlighting the intricate dynamics of generations of Black female strength and resilience is Jeffrey Manor from April 7 through the 12. Set in the south side of Chicago, Jeffrey Manor explores themes of generational dysfunction and mental health struggles born of a lifetime of trauma through the secrets and tragedies of Black women bound together by lineage.
Jason Moran will celebrate Duke Ellington’s great canon on April 11 through his illuminating piano explorations alongside iconic images of The Duke taken by legendary photographer Gordon Parks.
Among all of these stunning productions, the Apollo offers a myriad of educational programs including but not limited to MLK Young Changemakers, Treasures from the Archives, professional learning workshops, and more.
For more information on the Apollo’s Winter and Spring 2025 season, their expansive educational programs, and ticketing information, be sure to visit their events page here.
From 1986 until 2014, David Letterman would close out his final show of the year with a Christmas episode that featured the one and only Darlene Love. Over the span of those 28 years, Love would perform her holiday hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” one of Letterman’s favorites.
The appearance found its origins after Letterman saw Love perform the song at the Bottom Line, in a show called Leader of the Pack. He immediately had to have her on the show. Love told Variety in 2014:
He had David [were] down to see the show. [Letterman] said, “You know that song that girl sings? That Christmas song? That’s the greatest Christmas song I’ve ever heard. We need to get her on the show.” That was 1986, and so I’ve been doing it ever since.
The tradition spanned two networks over nearly three decades, appearing from 1986 until 1993 on Late Night with David Letterman, and later on the Late Show with David Letterman when Letterman joined CBS.
The song was originally recorded for the 1963 Phil Spector album A Christmas Gift for You, and while Love performed the song on Letterman’s shows, she told the New York Times in 2014 that she will not sing it for any other TV talk-show hosts moving forward.
For her final performance, the Late Show paid tribute to Darlene Love. Following her brief interview with Dave, the stage filled in with additional musician, including string and horn sections and several backup singers. These singers would not overshadow Love’s powerful voice, and sang her final last verse from the top of Paul Shaffer’s piano, with fake snow falling around her.
Recently, an animated version of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” has been released through Legacy Recordings. The short video follows a young Black girl as she walks home through a snowy neighborhood, accompanied by a happy snowman. Along the way, she stops to admire a Christmas tree and runs into her dog, who is singing along with a pair of carolers. The girl and her dog arrive home, where they are lovingly greeted by her parents. As the video nears its end, the girl opens up one of her presents to find a snow globe with the smiling snowman inside.
At the end of the music video, Love posted a message paying tribute to her late sister, Edna Wright Perry, who sang backing vocals on the track.
Featured on the show prior to Love’s show-stopping performance, Letterman annually welcomed comedian Jay Thomas, to share, as Letterman put it, “the best story I’ve ever heard.” Thomas would then launch into his true story about an encounter with Clayton Moore, the actor famous for playing The Lone Ranger. For 17 years starting in 1992, Thomas would come on the show and deliver the joke, much to Letterman and the audience’s approval. Watch the story unfold over the years.
After Thomas delivered the punchline, he and Letterman would alternate throwing a football at the meatball on top of the Late Show Christmas tree. To wrap up the show, Darlene Love would come out for “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and send the show into the night.
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg will be playing a few select holiday dates on the East Coast including Gramercy Theatre tomorrow, December 12. See below for all dates and links to purchase tickets.
Dec. 12 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre Buy Tickets
Dec. 13 Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater Buy Tickets
Dec. 14 Atlantic City, NJ – Tropicana Showroom Buy Tickets
Dec. 15 Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s Brewing Co Buy Tickets
The Rooftop at Pier 17, one of New York City’s most scenic venues, has announced the addition of a one-of-a-kind glass structure to the space, enabling winter shows upon its installation in late 2025.
artist rendition of the indoor structure atop Pier 17
With Manhattan’s skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge as its backdrop, The Rooftop at Pier 17 has quickly become one of the city’s most iconic new venues.
Opening in 2018 alongside the complete reinvention of Pier 17 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction, The Rooftop has hosted some of New York City and the world at large’s biggest names as a part of its annual concert series.
In its nature as an outdoor venue, The Rooftop has been limited in its ability to host concerts when the weather becomes too cold to bear- however, in a revolutionary new announcement, this constraint will soon be no more.
Starting in late 2025, The Rooftop is set to become a year-round live performance venue with the introduction of a custom-designed glass structure that will completely transform the space’s capabilities.
Jordana at The Rooftop at Pier 17
This innovative enclosure will take the once warm-weather exclusive venue into a climate-controlled, indoor setting without compromising the stellar views it’s become synonymous with.
“We look forward to The Rooftop at Pier 17 transforming into a year-round concert venue. Our state-of-the-art space will deliver an unparalleled experience for both artists and guests, providing the quintessential New York City live music venue no matter the season.”
– Anton Nikodemus, CEO of Seaport Entertainment Group
Accommodations for fans will shift slightly, limiting The Rooftop’s regular capacity of 3,500 down to 3,000, however the introduction of the enclosing structure will also provide ample opportunity for a brand new VIP balcony level.
In addition to its standard season of 60+ shows a year, The Rooftop’s new glass structure will enable an additional estimated 25 performances throughout the late fall and into the winter months.
Each spring, the structure will be removed and The Rooftop will return to its original state as an open-air venue with a capacity of 3,500, maintaining the space’s signature charm while elevating the audience experience entirely.
This development marks an exciting expansion of what was thought of as possible for fans of the venue and New York’s music scene at large- attendees and artists alike.
For more information on this revolutionary expansion, upcoming shows, and other announcements about The Rooftop at Pier 17, be sure to check out their official website here.
