NYS Music 2024

Category: Manhattan

  • Artist Lineup Set for Crosby, Stills & Nash Tribute at Carnegie Hall

    The last round of artists has been added to tomorrow night’s tribute to the music of Crosby, Stills & Nash at Carnegie Hall. Steve Earle, Guster, A.C. Newman (of the New Pornographers), and Sarah Jarosz are set to join a star-studded lineup that will pay tribute to the iconic rock band. The show is also set to raise proceeds to support music education for kids.

    Crosby, Stills & Nash

    It promises to be another successful Music Of tribute concert, produced by Michael Dorf Presents. This last round of artists will combine with Todd Rundgren, Grace Potter, Taylor Meier of Caamp, Yola, Iron & Wine, Rickie Lee Jones, Joseph, Shawn Colvin, Real Estate, Aoife O’Donovan, Neal Francis, and Sammy Rae of Sammy Rae & The Friends to bring their interpretations of both Crosby, Stills & Nash and their respective solo careers to Carnegie Hall.

    The evening will also feature a special performance by Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), a beneficiary of the Music Of Series, further highlighting the series’ commitment to support music education initiatives for children across communities.

    To be a part of this incredible evening at Carnegie Hall, celebrating the music that David, Stephen, and I created together, is a profound honor. I look forward to seeing a diverse and talented group of artists perform our songs. Music has always been about connection, about sharing stories and emotions that resonate with each other. This event allows us to relive those connections and support a cause close to our hearts—music education.

    ~ Graham Nash

    With Nash scheduled to be in attendance, the concert’s performances will be anchored by a house band of remarkable talent, led by Todd Caldwell and featuring Adam Minkoff, Michelle Willis, Thad DeBrock, Chris Bruce, and Josh Dion.  Founder of the Music Of series, Michael Dorf notes, “This extraordinary lineup coming together to celebrate the enduring music of Crosby, Stills & Nash at Carnegie Hall is truly remarkable. It’s not just about paying homage to these icons; it’s about investing in the future of music and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore the transformative power of music.”

    Tickets and VIP Packages are currently available at musicof.org

  • Punk Extravaganza With Social Distortion and Bad Religion At The Rooftop At Pier 17

    On May 8, The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City, with its breathtaking backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building, witnessed an electrifying event as two iconic punk rock bands, Social Distortion and Bad Religion, took the stage as part of their co-headlining 2024 tour.

    Pier 17, perched five stories above the East River, has become renowned for its dynamic open-air atmosphere since its opening in 2018, making it the perfect setting for a night of raw, energetic music.

    What made this particular show even more special was the reunion of these two legendary bands, who first played together in 1980 and now, 43 years later, embarked on an epic nationwide tour. The journey to this momentous occasion was not without its challenges, as in June of 2023, Mike Ness of Social Distortion revealed his diagnosis of tonsil cancer, prompting the postponement of the tour. However, after undergoing surgery, Ness and the band were back on their feet, ready to deliver an unforgettable performance.

    Kicking off the evening was Lovecrimes, a band led by Julian Ness, son of Mike Ness, who inherited his father’s talent for delivering gritty, soulful vocals. With Trevor Lucca on guitar, Collin Schlesinger on bass, and Josh Roossin on drums, Lovecrimes set the stage on fire with their high-energy set, featuring tracks like “Sabotage,” “I’m Your Ghost,” and “Lovesick,” setting the perfect tone for the night ahead.

    As the anticipation reached its peak, Social Distortion took to the stage, led by the incomparable Mike Ness on vocals and guitar. Joined by Jonny Wickersham on guitar, Brent Harding on bass, David Kalish on keys, and David Hidalgo Jr. on drums, Social Distortion unleashed a barrage of hits, including “Bad Luck,” “Mommy’s Little Monster,” “Ball and Chain,” and their iconic rendition of “Ring of Fire.” The crowd was fully immersed in the raw energy and emotion that is quintessentially Social Distortion.

    Closing out the night was Bad Religion, with Greg Graffin commanding the stage with his powerful vocals, backed by Brian Baker and Mike Dimkich on guitars, Jay Bentley on bass, and Jamie Miller on drums. Their set was a relentless onslaught of punk anthems, featuring classics like “No Control,” “Recipe for Hate,” “Struck a Nerve,” and culminating in an explosive performance of “American Jesus.” The crowd erupted into a frenzy, with a massive mosh pit forming in the center and fans surfing the sea of excitement.

    As the final chords faded into the night, it was evident that Social Distortion and Bad Religion had delivered a show for the ages. For the fans who had waited 43 years for this moment, it was a night they would never forget—a celebration of punk rock’s enduring spirit and the power of music to unite and ignite the soul. And as the lights dimmed over the iconic skyline of New York City, the echoes of punk rock reverberated through the air, leaving a lasting impression on all who were fortunate enough to bear witness to this historic event at The Rooftop at Pier 17.

    Bad Religion Setlist: The Defense, No Control, Leave Mine To Me, Suffer, Anesthesia, Fuck You, Beyond Electric Dreams, Recipe For Hate, Drunk Sincerity, I Want to Conquer the World, 21st Century (Digital Boy), New Dark Ages, Struck a Nerve, Do What You Want, My Sanity, Lookin’ In, Generator, Sorrow, You, Fuck Armageddon…This Is Hell, Los Angeles is Burning, American Jesus

    Social D Setlist: Bad Luck, Through These Eyes, I Wasn’t Born to Follow, Tonight, Mommy’s Little Monster, The Creeps, Hour of Darkness, 1945, All Over You, Warn Me, Reach For the Sky, Ball and Chain, Born to Kill, Ring of Fire

    Lovecrimes Setlist: Sabotage, Halfway Heart, Stay With Me, All Alone, Lost in a Minute, I’m Your Ghost, Hold Me Back Again, Harbor Blvd, Lovesick

  • Dark Star Orchestra Announce More Summer Dates – Shows at Wonderland Forest, Pier 17, Frog Alley and Innovative Field in Rochester

    Dark Star Orchestra, one of the country’s premier Grateful Dead tribute bands, have finalized their U.S. summer touring schedule. The tour will span both coasts and everything in between, and the band’s August slate now contains shows all throughout New York State.

    Dark Star Orchestra summer

    Along the tour, Dark Star Orchestra is going to be performing some special this summer. For the July 21 show at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ the band announced today they will be recreating the Dead’s epic 9/3/77 show from nearby Englishtown, NJ. “Its proximity, only 25 miles from Asbury Park, and the fact that it was an epic outdoor show, made sense for us to choose,” notes DSO bassist Skip Vangelas.  “It’s a classic show in the GD world and one that New Jerseyans, whether Deadhead or not have never forgotten!”

    A few weeks later, the band is scheduled to play Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, NY on August 9 and 10. The newly established venue located just south of Syracuse will also play host to the Biscoland festival this summer. DSO will also play The Rooftop at Pier 17 on August 11, Innovative Field in Rochester on August 21 and the Frog Alley Summer Stage in Schenectady the following day on August 22.

    Special dates are dotted all throughout the summer tour, including the band’s debut at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on July 13. It marks a celebration of 40 years of the Rex Foundation and the benefit performance will see DSO offer a 40-years-to-the-day recreation of the Dead’s 7/13/84 performance from The Greek Theatre.

    More information and links to ticketing info can be found here.

  • Bryant Park Picnic Performances Feature Extensive Lineup of Latin Music this Summer

    Bryant Park has an exciting season of free, live Latin Picnic Performances lined up for the summer of 2024. From June 7 to September 13, you can expect paramount talent of Latin performers from around the globe.

    Bryant Park Picnic Performances

    Many of this season’s performances will livestream for free on Bryant Park’s social media channels and website, reaching national and international audiences. Food and drink are available for purchase from a curated lineup of local vendors near the lawn. At all performances, attendees can discover new dishes and celebrate classics from the five boroughs. A rotating line-up of artisanal vendors by Hester Street Fair welcomes all hungry fest-goers. Stout NYC offers light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

    All shows are free to the public and designed to be enjoyed casually. There are more than 700 picnic blankets for audience members to borrow and ample chairs available. A total of 22 Latin performances are set to hit Bryant Park this summer. Genres range from jazz to classical to funk and much more. This series of shows are free for the public and should not be missed.

    Bryant Park Picnic Performances

    Bryant Park Latin Picnic Performances 2024

    June

    June 07: Contemporary Dance – David Dorfman Dance, Soles of Duende, Joffrey Concert Group

    June 14: Contemporary Dance – Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Robin Dunn and Friends, Kevin Wynn Tribute

    June 21: Jazzmobile – Sarah Vaughan Centennial Featuring Charenée Wade

    June 28: Emerging Music Festival Day 1 – Artists TBA

    June 29: Emerging Music Festival Day 2 – Artists TBA

    July

    July 05: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Tania León and The Harlem Chamber Players

    July 12: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Thandiswa Mazwai

    July 19: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Louis Cato

    July 26: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Michael Olatuja & Lagos Pepper Soup

    August

    August 02: Carnegie Hall Citywide – La Excelencia

    August 09: Joe’s Pub – Broadway en Spanglish: Florencia Cuenca and Jaime Lozano

    August 10: New Victory Theater – Ephrat Asherie Dance + Barkin/Selissen Project

    August 16: World Music Institute – Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Artists TBA

    August 17: Jalopy Theatre – Artists TBA

    August 23: New York City Opera – Tosca

    August 24: New York City Opera – Tosca

    August 30: Asian American Arts Alliance – Vijay Iyer Trio

    August 31: Contemporary Dance – Mark Morris Dance Group, Blacks in Ballet, Reed Luplau

    September

    September 05: Accordions Around the World – Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Afro Dominicano, Artist TBA

    September 06: American Symphony Orchestra – Beyond the Hall

    September 12: Harlem Stage – Artist TBA

    September 13: The Town Hall + Belongó – The Man with The Golden Horn

    For more information on the upcoming Bryant Park Picnic Performances, visit Bryant Park’s website or click here.

  • The Lemon Twigs Release LP ‘A Dream Is All We Know’, Int’l Tour Includes Levon Helm Studios and Webster Hall Shows

    NYC sibling duo The Lemon Twigs have just released their latest LP, A Dream Is All We Know, via independent Brooklyn label, Captured Tracks. They also embark on an international tour, stopping back in New York for shows at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, and Webster Hall in the East Village.

    The Lemon Twigs

    The Lemon Twigs – a duo consisting of brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario from Hicksville, Long Island – have been described as “remarkably inventive… harmonically unlike anything that’s come before them” by Michael McDonald. The brothers formed the band while still enrolled at Hicksville High School, and have been consistently recording and touring since 2014.

    A Dream Is All We Know was recorded completely to tape and mixed and mastered by Brian and Michael themselves on of-the-era equipment, and explores the timeless tropes of the Lennon-McCartney songbook, with Sean Ono Lennon co-producing “In The Eyes Of The Girl.” The album features the harmonies of the Wilson family, and many other 1968 influences including The Move, Big Star, The Raspberries, The Byrds, The Left Banke, and many more.

    The Lemon Twigs have also announced a massive, 30 date headlining tour this fall. The run of shows include some of their biggest US venues to date including Webster Hall. The fall tour follows summer dates across the Southeastern US and a leg in the EU.

    The Lemon Twigs Live Dates

    USA 

    5/4 – White Eagle Hall / Jersey City, NJ

    5/5 – The Southern Cafe and Music Hall / Charlottesville, VA

    5/7 – King – Raleigh, NC

    5/9 – The Pour House / Charleston, SC

    5/10 – Tuffys Music Box / Sanford, FL

    5/11 – Heartwood Soundstage / Gainesville, FL

    5/12 – Crowbar / Tampa, FL

    5/14 – 40 Watt / Athens, GA

    5/15 – Saturn / Birmingham, AL

    5/16 – 805 After / Huntsville, AL 

    5/17 – The Burf / Lexington, KY

    5/18 – Rumba Cafe / Columbus, OH (SOLD OUT)

    Europe

    5/25 – CCVF / Guimarães, Portugal

    5/26 – LAV / Lisbon, Portugal

    5/28 – Sala Copérnico / Madrid, Spain (SOLD OUT)

    5/29 – Kafe Antzokia / Bilbao, Spain

    5/30 – Sala Oasis / Zaragoza, Spain

    6/1 – Primavera Sound Festival / Barcelona, Spain

    USA 

    7/20 – Fort Collins, CO / The Aggie

    7/23 – Indianapolis, IN / HI-FI

    7/24 – Detroit, MI / Magic Bag

    7/26 – Northampton, MA / Iron Horse Music Hall

    7/27 – Woodstock, NY / Levon Helm Barn

    Europe & UK

    8/29 – 9/1 – End of the Road Festival / Salisbury, UK

    8/30 – The Globe / Cardiff, UK

    9/2 – O2 Academy Oxford / Oxford, UK

    9/3 – Thekla / Bristol, UK

    9/4 – Concorde 2 / Brighton, UK

    9/5 – Electric Brixton / Brixton, UK

    9/7 – Hangar 34 / Liverpool, UK

    9/9 – The Grove / Newcastle, UK

    9/10 – St. Luke’s Church, UK

    9/11 – Brudenell Social Club / Leeds, UK

    9/12 – Academy 2 / Manchester, UK

    9/14 – The Button Factory / Dublin, IE

    9/16 – Bataclan / Paris, FR

    9/17 – Botanique / Brussels, BE

    9/18 – Tolhuistuin / Amsterdam, NL

    9/21 – Club Volta / Cologne, DE

    9/22 – Kesselhaus / Berlin, DE

    9/24 – L’Aeronef / Lille, FR

    9/25 – Big Band Café / Caen, FR

    9/27 – Rock School Barbery / Bordeaux, FR

    North America 

    10/3 – Boston, MA / Crystal Ballroom

    10/4 – Montreal, QC / Théâtre Fairmount

    10/5 – Toronto, ON / Lee’s Palace

    10/7 – Cleveland, OH / Beachland Ballroom

    10/8 – Pittsburgh, PA / Thunderbird Cafe

    10/10 – Washington, DC / Atlantis

    10/11 – Philadelphia, PA / Underground Arts

    10/12 – New York, NY / Webster Hall

    10/18 – Chicago, IL / Lincoln Hall

    10/19 – Minneapolis, MN / Fine Line

    10/21 – Milwaukee, WI / Shank Hall

    10/24 – Dallas, TX / Deep Ellum Art Co. 

    10/25 – Houston, TX / White Oak Music Hall 

    10/26 – Austin, TX / Antone’s 

    10/29 – Atlanta, GA / Terminal West

    11/1 – Asheville, NC / The Grey Eagle

    11/2 – Richmond, VA / Richmond Music Hall 

    11/8 – Denver, CO / Globe Hall

    11/9 – Denver, CO / Globe Hall

    11/11 – Salt Lake City, UT / Kilby Court

    11/12 – Boise, ID / Shrine Basement

    11/14 – Portland, OR / Aladdin Theater

    11/15 – Seattle, WA / Barboza

    11/16 – Seattle, WA / Barboza

    11/22 – Los Angeles, CA / The Belasco

    11/23 – Pioneertown, CA / Pappy & Harriet’s

  • The Ephemeral Cinema of Sam Green Festival Comes to Lincoln Center in NYC this June

    Lincoln Center in NYC has announced The Ephemeral Cinema of Sam Green Festival as a part of their Summer for the City series. The festival lasts three days from June 13 to 16.

    Sam Green, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, brings three masterpieces to the festival: 32 Sounds, A Thousand Thoughts, and The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller. The festival interweaves film and performance, with live narration from Green and live music from JD Samson, Kronos Quartet, and Yo La Tengo. The Ephemeral Cinema of Sam Green takes place at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.

    The festival kicks off with the immersive documentary 32 Sounds (2022) on June 13 at 7:30pm. Headphones are provided for all audience members to experience the dynamic, dimension-expanding binaural sound mix. A Thousand Thoughts (2018), written and directed by Green and Joe Bini, marks the last-ever performance of the film in New York City on June 15 at 8pm.

    Lastly, The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller (2012) takes place June 16 at 7:30pm. Green explores the 20th century futurist, architect, engineer, and inventor’s utopian vision of radical social change through a design revolution. This collaboration with legendary indie band Yo La Tengo, originally commissioned by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s Design and Architecture Department, concludes the festival.

    Green’s most recent projects are “live documentaries” that explore the depths of social, societal, and natural phenomena. All of Sam Green’s works are performed live, with Green narrating and musicians performing the soundtrack.

    JD Samson is best known as leader of the band MEN and for being one-third of the electronic-feminist-punk band and performance project, Le Tigre. JD’s career as a visual artist, musician, producer and DJ has landed her at the intersection of music, art, activism, and fashion. 

    Yo La Tengo’s uninterrupted 40-years-and-counting career is unparalleled in its creative breadth and refusal to rest on laurels. The band has released more than a dozen full-length albums and composed soundtracks for a number of films. These include Adventureland, Old Joy and Shortbus.

    Tickets to all three nights are available through Lincoln Center’s Choose-What-You-Pay ticketing model, starting at $5. To purchase tickets and for more information, click here.

  • 2024 River To River Festival in NYC Lineup Announced

    Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) is pleased to announce the 23rd annual River To River Festival from June 7 – 23, 2024.

    2024 River To River Festival

    Celebrating local artists and honoring creative diversity across disciplines, The River To River Festival is Downtown New York City’s leading free summer arts festival. This year’s River To River Festival aligns with LMCC’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.

    Created in the aftermath of 9/11 to heal and celebrate New Yorkers’ resiliency through the power of art, the River To River Festival is an opportunity for New Yorkers to engage with their local artistic community across disciplines, all for free. A champion of independent artmaking since 1973, and the driving force behind this unique festival for over 20 years, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has been a proud proponent of the experimentation and exploration that the festival provides to the community. LMCC is marking five decades of championing independent artists and fostering vibrant cultural communities throughout New York City.

    Manhattan’s Arts Council, LMCC has expanded its work and reach beyond Lower Manhattan and LMCC now serves the entirety of the borough, from Governors Island to Inwood. 50 years on, the organization stands as a pillar of strength, boasting renowned artist service programs and a rich and diverse alumni community. LMCC has sustained the city’s arts landscape, spearheading cultural revitalization efforts in the Financial District after 9/11 and securing essential resources for artist communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    2024 River To River Festival
    River to River 2023 Closing Concert. Photo credit: Cherylynn Tsushima.

    In honor of this milestone, the 2024 festival features LMCC residency and grants alumni from the Extended Life program working across disciplines, with a captivating array of dance, music, video, installation, and exhibitions that reflect the interdisciplinary, diverse ethos of LMCC. Featuring 13 projects of live art, performances, and participatory events (including seven premieres) in public spaces throughout Downtown New York, the 2024 River To River Festival explores themes of resonance, reconsideration, and resistance.

    2024 River To River Artists include mayfield brooks, Jesi Cook, Leslie Cuyjet, Miguel Gutierrez, Kayla Hamilton and Kate Speer, John P. Hastings, NIC Kay, jaamil olawale kosoko, Samita Sinha, Elisabeth Smolarz, Nattie Trogdon + Hollis Bartlett, Stories from the Stoop & Billion Oyster Project, and LMCC’s Workspace. 2023-24 Artists-in-Residence are Francheska Alcántara, Blanka Amezkua, Lucas Baisch, Elvira Clayton, Francisco Donoso, SaraNoa Mark, Miriam Simun, Corinne Spencer, Alex Strada, Cici Wu, and Jessica Lagunas

    Events range from the local and participatory, the open and artistic, to the sweet and memory-laden, as in the cases of Love for NYC Waterways: Stories from the Stoop, in partnership with Billion Oyster Project. It is a Moth-style storytelling and open mic event that celebrates the legacy of the Blackwater stewards of New York, and Elisabeth Smolarz’s (2012 artist-in-residence) presentation of ice cream flavors inspired by her experiences during her 2012 artist residency on Governors Island.

    Nile Harris. Photo by Cherylynn Tsushima.

    Other highlights include Samita Sinha’s June 20 performance of Tremor. This special iteration is performed in a duet with Cecilia Vicuña presented in the historic and resonant space of Federal Hall. Sinha and Vicuña infuse their vibrations and lineages into the dense history and monumentality of the site, opening other ways of sensing, knowing, being, and being together.

    Honored this year with LMCC’s 2024 Sam Miller Award for Performing Art, celebrated choreographer Miguel Gutierrez will present THE POWER OF THE BOUNCE on June 7. An interactive, high-energy dance performance complete with group choreography, aerobics, and costumes, come in costume and learn the famous “Aerobicon” dance that Miguel created to Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon” in 2000.

    Doing more than double duty, choreographer mayfield brooks will use found objects, sound, light, movement, and projection to conjure an abyssal underwater world that transforms the formerly munitions storage warehouse into an imagined site of a decomposed whale. Both presentations are a culmination of brooks’ project Whale Fall, originally commissioned by Abrons Arts Center and virtually premiered as an experimental dance film in 2021 during the height of the pandemic.

    Dates, times, and locations are subject to change—be sure to check here for up-to-date information. Please note that all events are free, but due to limited capacity, some require advance registration. RSVPs open May 21, 2024.

  • God Street Wine Announce Four Shows in NY and NJ this September

    Jam band God Street Wine has announced they are playing four live shows, three of which in New York this September.

    God Street Wine was formed in 1988 by Lo Faber, Aaron Maxwell, Dan Pifer, Jon Bevo, and Tom Osander. The band hails from NYC and are known for their multi-genre approach to music. They perform in the styles of Jam Band, Jazz, Bluegrass, Pop, Reggae, Funk, Rock, Psychedelia and so on. The group has had infrequent yet memorable musical gatherings since their separation in 1999.

    2024 brings more activity for God Street Wine. On top of marking the 30th anniversary of the band’s first major label release, $1.99 Romances, and digitally releasing the long-lost Hot Sweet & Juicy, the band is also releasing three albums from their catalog on vinyl for the first time. This all culminates with the original fives-ome performing together again with four New York area shows.

    God Street Wine sees the stage in Woodstock on September 20 and 21. They also perform at The Cutting Room in NYC on September 27. Lastly, the band plays in Asbury Park, New Jersey on September 28. These four shows welcome fans of GSW and those who simply love music. There is a bit of everything for everyone when it comes to GSW’s music.

    For more information on God Street Wine’s upcoming show at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, click here. For information on GSW’s show at The Cutting Room in NYC, click here.

  • Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka Announce Co-Headlining Tour this Fall

    Music icons Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka have announced their co-headlining tour which arrives in Philadelphia on September 29. The tour sees two dates in New York – The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester and Summerstage in NYC.

    The tour kicks off September 29 in Philadelphia for a run of 14 shows across the US, wrapping in Paso Robles, CA, on October 19. Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka have partnered with The Ally Coalition. The partnership donates $1 per ticket to support housing for mental health resources for people of color, single mothers, and unhoused LGBTQ Youth. The tour sees support from artist Yasmin Williams.

    Brittany Howard is a multi-instrumentalist and vocal powerhouse who specializes in soul, funk, and rock. She plans to play music from her sophomore album What Now along with older hits from her discography. Michael Kiwanuka introduced himself and his art with the acclaimed debut album, Home Again, followed by his decidedly left turn LP, Love & Hate. He has won a Mercury Prize and BRIT Award. Together, the two icons plan to bring their musical gifts to the forefront of several cities across the US.

    Brittany Howard Michael Kiwanuka

    BRITTANY HOWARD AND MICHAEL KIWANUKA CO-HEADLINE DATES

    Sept

    29                 Philadelphia, PA        The Met+

    30                 Boston, MA                Roadrunner*

    Oct

    2                    Port Chester, NY       The Capitol Theatre+

    3                    New York, NY            Summerstage*

    6                    St Paul, MN               Palace Theatre*

    8                    Denver, CO                Mission Ballroom+

    10                  Boise, ID                    Outlaw Field at Idaho Botanical Garden*

    11                  Portland, OR              Edgefield+

    12                  Vancouver, BC          Queen Elizabeth Theatre*

    14                  Jacksonville, OR        Britt Pavilion+

    15                  Seattle, WA               The Paramount*

    17                  Berkeley, CA             Greek Theatre+

    18                  Los Angeles, CA        Greek Theatre*

    19                  Paso Robles, CA       Vina Robles Amphitheatre+

    *Brittany Howard to close

    +Michael Kiwanuka to close

    Support from Yasmin Williams

    Brittany Howard Michael Kiwanuka

    For more information on Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka’s co-headline tour and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Prof Stages Birthday Heist at Racket on Gallery Tour

    Prof is a Minnesota rapper and founder of the independent label Stophouse Music Group. He is most known for his witty lyricism, a personal favorite being “I moved further from the bank so I could laugh longer” from his raunchy hit “Tarzan.” Prof brought his Gallery Tour and a number of hits to Racket in Manhattan on April 29. Prof has made numerous stops in New York over the years, slowly growing his fanbase, though, by his own admission, not as quickly as he has grown in other markets.

    Futuristic opened the show, jumping around the stage with his videographer. His performance felt deserving of its own show, which is convenient because he will return to New York next month for his own headliner tour. He also debuted a new song with a Prof feature that will be released next week. The second opener, Grip, was equally impressive and invited some fans to rap with him onstage. Grip first introduced a fan he had run into and become friends with after rapping Eminem’s verse from Grip’s song “Walkthrough!” Though the fan was obviously nervous and had some trouble with the mic, he got the crowd hyped and made the song extra special with his excitement.

    To start Prof’s set, his DJ, Willie Wonka, came out first onto an empty stage adorned with cardboard cutouts of marble statues, ancient (plastic) urns, Greek columns, and crates full of artifacts. He began “casing” the stage like an art museum while donning a ski mask and carrying a duffle bag and flashlight. After Wonka finally gave the all-clear, Prof burst out onto the stage with “Feed the Dogs” and more energy than most people have in their entire lives. A gallery is an ironic concept for Prof, who feels more like a bull in a china shop in most settings.

    Prof wore a mathcing teal ski mask and windbreaker combo, pink flamingo socks, and white driving shoes. He has a stage presence like no other and immediately began mean-mugging the crowd while whipping bottled water all over the audience and stage and waving his trusty white towel. After two songs, Prof slowly removed the mask, his face twisted in horror at his own reveal.

    Later when Wonka came out from behind his DJ table to twerk for the audience for the second time that night, Prof used that same towel to slap Wonka’s butt. Prof is not one to focus on his birthday as much as his music. That didn’t stop his crew and the team at Racket from bringing out a huge sheet cake on stage with dozens of candles for him. The audience joined in, singing “Happy Birthday” before Prof eventually moved into his next song.

    Now, Prof continues his tour down south and ends with a show back home in Minneapolis. Hopefully, Prof’s success across North America translates into bigger shows in NYC. He puts on a great show, and it would be even better to share it with a huge crowd.

    Prof – Racket, Manhattan – April 29, 2024