NYS Music 2024

Category: NYC Metro

  • Rockwood Music Hall Faces Sudden Closure

    Prospective performing musicians have announced show cancellations at the East Village’s Rockwood Music Hall following the venue’s sudden closure.

    Known for their seemingly never ending roster of all flavors of live music, Rockwood Music Hall has built quite the reputation for themselves over the past twenty-odd years of operating.

    Boasting up to ten performances a day by local, national, and global artists alike on their nine-by-nine foot stage, Rockwood provided smaller artists the chance to work with a larger venue with high-quality production and fans the opportunity to know they’re a part of something much bigger than themselves.

    Many household names got their start at Rockwood, including Sara Bareilles, Lady Gaga, and Elle King among countless others. With such an extensive daily schedule, artists were offered opportunities to return routinely and build their audience while retaining 100% of merch sales made within the venue’s walls – something invaluable to smaller acts.

    In addition to their live performances, Rockwood records thousands of live shows each year with many being released formally. Notable live releases include Johnnyswim, The Marcus King Band, and Gretchen Parlato’s Grammy-nominated “Live in NYC” album.

    It’s for all of these reasons and more that the sudden removal of Rockwood’s events calendar on their website and subsequent announcements from several upcoming performers of show cancellations left regulars and newcomers alike in shock. 

    Posts from New York’s Finest’s Oscar Bautista, Americana artist Arielle Silver, and several others detail the surprise and disappointment felt in response to an e-mail seemingly received by all artists on the morning of November 10 that were booked for upcoming and future dates at Rockwood .

    “Due to circumstances beyond our control, this Rockwood Music Hall location has closed its doors today, Sunday November 10 2024. Hence all shows going forward are cancelled. Apologies for the short notice and thank you for your support. Please reach out if needed.”

    – Rockwood Music Hall, in email to artists

    The end of Rockwood Music Hall marks the end of an era for New York City’s music scene, and it’s not difficult to say the same for the music industry as a whole. A beloved venue for avid music listeners and up-and-coming stars alike, the loss of Rockwood is sure to be felt sorely.

    As of writing, there is no formal announcement on Rockwood Music Hall’s website or social media accounts concerning the venue’s closure.

  • Eric Alexander Quartet To Play Flushing Town Hall

    On Friday, November 22 at 8 pm, saxophonist Eric Alexander and his quartet will perform a set of bebop jazz at Flushing Town Hall.

    Eric Alexander

    Eric Alexander, joined by David Williams (bass), Neal Smith (drums), and Rick Germanson (piano), has been described by NPR as “one of the finest bebop saxophonists in the world.” After releasing more than 40 albums as a quartet or sextet leader, and being heard in over 100 albums that feature his playing, Alexander has been on the cutting edge of the jazz scene for over 30 years.

    Eric Alexander started on the piano at the age of six and took up the clarinet three years later. He switched to alto sax when he was 12 and studied classical music. When he was 18 years old, he fell in love with jazz and settled for the tenor saxophone. At William Paterson College in New Jersey, he advanced his studies under the tutelage of Harold Mabern, Joe Lovano, Rufus Reid, and others.

    In 1991, Alexander placed second behind jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman, and ahead of Chris Potter, in the Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition. He then decided to become a professional jazz musician. In 1992, Alexander released his debut album, Straight Up for Delmark. More recordings followed, including Man with a Horn (1997) and a 1998 quartet with George Mraz, John Hicks, and Idris Muhammad, Solid!. That year also marked Alexander’s first recording with One For All, his enduring jazz sextet with Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, Joe Farnsworth, Peter Washington, and Dave Hazeltine.

    ”Jazz plays such an important part in the history of Queens,” says Clyde Bullard, Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Producer in Residence. “We at Flushing Town Hall want to continue the legacy of great jazz with outstanding established as well as emerging jazz artists on our stage. We are delighted to welcome the extremely talented Eric Alexander.”

    Learn more and purchase tickets here.

  • NYC-Based Pop Artist Ren Genevieve Reveals a Heartfelt Reflection on Growing Up in “forts”

    NYC-based singer-songwriter Ren Genevieve has released her latest single “forts,” an extremely intimate track that illustrates the cycle of growing up and outgrowing relationships. “forts” delves into themes of nostalgia, sadness, and the heartfelt yet inevitable nature of change and growing up. 

    Ren Genevieve

    “forts” is the feeling one gets when they are deep in reminiscing about being a child and how it is to navigate life as a full-time adult. The track draws listeners in, tugging at their heartstrings and allowing them to connect with their deepest emotions. Ren Genevieve’s approach to songwriting and storytelling is what makes her stand out amongst many, “forts” is a prime example of her mastery. With its expressive and deep-seated lyrics, the track hits home for many listeners, while presenting a relatable angle on the struggles of adulthood and how it re-molds past connections people had. With the blend of soul-touching melodies and soft vocals, Genevieve captures all the elements perfectly.

    Born in Boston and raised in New York, Michigan, and Bermuda, Genevieve has always been one for the arts. Genevieve started singing, acting, and dancing at a young age, her college years at NYU were what pushed her to pursue writing and sharing her music. She made a name for herself back when her single “I Like You (I Think)” dropped in February 2022 which was then followed by her second single “tongue-tied” in November 2022. Her first few projects were created to share with her friends and family, however, she took the idea and ran with it to perfect her producing skills. Genevieve’s singles helped pave her way as an ardent introduction to her story.

    Ren Genevieve

    For more information on Ren Genevieve’s music including her latest single “forts” click here.

  • Pigkaso Releases Energetic Single And Music Video Ahead Of His Final Album

    Bronx native, hip-hop musician, and professional yo-yoer Richard Pigkaso has released the music video for “Ready, Set, Go,” alongside “Wanna Play With My Yo-Yo?” ahead of the release of the album slated to be his final studio release.

    Born in Castle Hill in the Bronx, Richard Pigkaso has been influenced by old school Hip Hop and R&B since youth. Described as a loner and often set apart from the crowd for being marching to the beat of his own drum, Pigkaso found solace and joy in the yoyo. 

    “It became my creative outlet because I would always be alone – playing video games, going outside and not having many friends. I realized it became something calming for me. Something that allowed me to forget what was going on in my life at that point.”

    – Pigkaso

    Over time, playing with the classic toy grew from a simple hobby to an impressive skill he showed off in competitions across the United States- even qualifying in a few international meets. The joy of the yo-yo has never left Pigkaso’s heart, but since graduating from college he saw his horizons broadened with the exciting addition of music as a medium. 

    Pigkaso’s musical ventures have brought him incredible joy already, but with his upcoming release he hopes to expand his love for the yo-yo and channel his musical roots through a message of love and support for those who struggle to find acceptance within themselves.

    Lusus Naturae 3: You’re Beautiful Gorgeous is set to be Pigkaso’s final studio album as an artist, the culmination of both his image as the humble and charismatic yo-yoer and the ambitious emcee inextricably tied to the Bronx.

    With a hard-hitting beat and one piece of the culminating lyrical royale that is the album, “Wanna Play With My Yo-Yo?” will excite old listeners and new with its hard-hitting sound.

    In addition to the release of “Wanna Play With My Yo-Yo?” is the publication of the official music video for “Ready, Set, Go,” fittingly utilizing sharp editing tricks and an overarching race car driving theme.

    Pigkaso’s final studio release Lusus Naturae 3: You’re Beautiful Gorgeous, the culmination of his multidisciplinary skill as a yo-yoer and musician, will release on November 15, 2024. 

    To learn more about Pigkaso, his past work, and all future ventures, check out his official website here.

  • Jam for Tots Shows Announced Across New York, Benefit Kids Most in Need

    The 2024 holiday season is upon us, and along with a spirit of giving and supporting those most in need in our local communities. Jam for Tots will once again be held at venues across New York State, bringing live music fans together for great shows while collecting toys to brighten the spirits of children statewide.

    jam for tots 2024

    For more than 10 years, Jam for Tots has been held across New York State and the Northeast, where fans are encouraged to bring along with an unwrapped toy for a child (under 13) to drop in the donation box. These toys will be brought to local charities within the venue’s community, to ensure that these toys brighten the day of children within the local area.

    Shows for the 2024 holiday season will be hosted by multiple venues, including Funk ‘n Waffles Syracuse, Lark Hall, Putnam Place, Stewart House, The Strand Theatre Hudson Falls, Bearsville Theatre, The Pub (Philmont), Hibernian Hall in Albany and The Waterhole. We gratefully thank these venues for their support of this worthy cause.

    Things kick off at Hibernian Hall in Albany on November 15 with One Heart Band. See below for the full lineup of 2024 Jam for Tots shows across New York State (chronological order).

    Friday, Nov. 15 – One Heart Band – Hibernian Hall, Albany

    Saturday, Nov. 16 – Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room – The Strand Theatre – Hudson Falls

    Thursday, Dec. 5 – Open Mic Jam hosted by John Pinder – The Stewart House, Athens

    Friday, Dec 6 – The Warped Tour Band – The Waterhole, Saranac Lake – Benefitting Saranac Lake Holiday Helpers

    Friday, Dec. 6 – Across the Pond (Beatles tribute) – The Strand Theatre, Hudson Falls

    Saturday, Dec. 7 – Lespecial – Lark Hall, Albany

    Wednesday, Dec. 11 – Luke Weiler and Josh Anderson – The Pub, Philmont

    Thursday, Dec. 12 – Mihali – Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs

    Saturday, Dec. 21 – Chris Maxwell, Amanda Parsley – Bearsville Theater, Woodstock

    Sunday, Dec. 15 through Dec 22 – Tato for Tots – Funk n Waffles, Syracuse

  • “A Wonderful World” Review – Louis Armstrong’s Biography Unfolds on the Broadway Stage

    Trees of green, red roses, and timeless jazz standards await audiences in Andrew Delaplaine and Christopher Renshaw’s “A Wonderful World”. The new Broadway presentation of Louis Armstrong’s personal life and music career opened at Studio 54 on November 12th. 

    James Monroe Iglehart in “A Wonderful World”. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

    As I took my seat at Studio 54, it was clear that the audience was a mixed bag of casual listeners, broadway lovers, jazz enthusiasts, and Louis Armstrong superfans. No matter what group each person fell into, we all knew at least one detail of Louis Armstrong’s story: the instantly identifiable tone of his voice.

    From the very first word of Aurin Squire’s book, it was clear that star and co-Director James Monroe Iglehart was able to channel Armstrong and imitate the gravelly tone with great precision. He fully embodies the icon in both his captivating vocals and his dialogue, the latter of which volleys seamlessly between dramatic and comedic throughout the production.

    As the story unfolds, we find that Squire’s book takes a brilliant approach to Armstrong’s biography, choosing to utilize the legend’s four wives to advance the plot through the 50+ years that are covered on stage. Each romance marks the beginning of a new chapter on the Studio 54 stage in a fast-paced narrative. This format not only lends itself well to walking the audience through Armstrong’s life and career, but it also treats us to four strong leading women.

    Most notably, Darlesia Cearcy, last seen on a Broadway stage earlier this year in “How To Dance In Ohio,” delivers a masterful performance as Louis Armstrong’s fourth and final wife Lucille Watson. Cearcy gives such a wide range of emotion in her lines that makes her one of the most well developed characters in the show despite the fact that she is not introduced until after intermission.

    James Monroe Iglehart and Darlesia Cearcy in “A Wonderful World”. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

    While the cast delivered an excellent performance, I was most impressed by a duo who was never on stage. Set Designers Adam Koch and Steven Royal somehow created a stage that was both simple and sophisticated, vintage and modern, and all around perfect for this story. The versatile scenery masterfully uses one stage design to carry audiences from jazz clubs to dining rooms to tour buses and beyond with very few changes between scenes. 

    “A Wonderful World”. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

    Overall, “A Wonderful World” delicately walks the line between a feel-good musical and an American history lesson. The beautiful set, joyous music, and captivating drama are sure to entertain audiences through their bright blessed days and their dark sacred nights.

  • Prolific Haitian-American Rapper Mach-Hommy Marks First-Ever New York City Performance At The Appel Room At Lincoln Center

    Mach-Hommy, the enigmatic Haitian-American rapper, will be performing in New York City for the first time ever on Wednesday, November 27 at The Appel Room at Lincoln Center. Presented by Live Nation, the performance will see Mach-Hommy bring his (most recently) heralded album #RICHAXXHAITIAN to life in its entirety. This rare, intimate show promises an unforgettable fusion of raw talent, rich storytelling, and the magic of live music at one of the city’s most iconic venues with the city skyline as the backdrop. 

    Mach-Hommy
    Mach-Hommy will offer a glimpse into his enigmatic persona.

    About Mach-Hommy

    Moreover it will offer a glimpse into the Mach-Hommy persona that has buzzed about throughout hip hop’s underground scene for nearly a decade. That is until his 2021 album Pray For Haiti (executive produced by Westside Gunn) broke through on a larger scale, earning him looks from the likes of Black Thought and Jay-Z. Nonetheless, the Mach-Hommy persona operates like a successful, family-owned business. Using the principals of quality control, Mach is intentional in not over-saturating himself or his product. How else would one gain a loyal following while keeping their lyrics off of lyric decoding websites, only granting a handful of interviews since debuting on the music scene over a decade ago, maintaining no social media presence, and covering their face with a bandana featuring the Haitian flag?

    The answer lies in how Mach-Hommy treats each project like a culture-shifting piece of art, worthy of a place at the Louvre, delivering exclusive vinyls and artwork to go along with each project. After all, Mach—who established a fund to support social, economic, and technological growth in Haiti with his 2021 classic, Pray for Haiti—views #RICHAXXHAITIAN as a small musical antidote to the political strife that has long plagued his cultural homeland, intensified since the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse. “Within two months of releasing Pray for Haiti, the president was assassinated by a paramilitary hit squad,” says Mach. “Now we’re talking about a place with no central governing body. Haiti was the world’s first free Black republic, but now it’s in free fall.”

    Mach-Hommy show promo
    Mach-Hommy’s first ever performance in New York will see him perform his latest album #RICHAXXHAITIAN

    Fans can purchase tickets for Mach-Hommy’s historic debut performance in New York City here.

  • Sammy Rae and The Friends bring Heartfelt Joy and Community to Terminal 5 

    Sammy Rae & The Friends brought soulful vocals, upbeat rhythms, sweet horns, and a genre-crossing show to Terminal 5 on Friday, November 8. Most importantly, they brought heartfelt joy and community to a packed venue when it was so needed – less than a week after the most contentious election in recent history.

    Fresh off their first full studio album Something for Everybody, Sammy Rae & The Friends made a New York homecoming at Manhattan’s Terminal 5 for two nights on November 8 and 9. This isn’t the first time the band has toured in New York, having finished their CAMP world tour in Buffalo earlier this year, but it is the first time they’ve been back to showcase their new album.

    Sammy Rae & The Friends appeal has grown exponentially since they formed in New York City, and played their first 30-person gig, as Sammy Rae said from the stage. The singer moved to the City in her late teens, originally intending to study music. She ended up playing at venues around the city and building her own network of musicians who would later become the eponymous “friends” in her band.

    Smoke Ring, followed by Sub-Radio, opened the show, with the latter jumping onto the stage from their first note. The Washington DC-based Indie-pop band kicked, high jumped and sang soring lyrics for an action-packed hour before Sammy Rae & The Friends came on.

    Showcasing that “Friends” isn’t just a name and community isn’t just an ideal, C-Bass Chiriboga, Sammy Rae’s drummer, replaced Michael Pereira, Sub-Radio’s drummer, with just four days’ notice since the latter was stuck out of the country. Throughout their set, Sub-radio and C-Bass created a safe space for queer teens highlighting the importance of music for those finding themselves, especially after an “incredibly hard week.”

    As soon as Sammy Rae & The Friends stepped on stage, they exploded with energy, joy, and hope. Building on Sub-Radio’s message, early in the set, Sammy Rae highlighted that governmental policies may come and go but that community and radical joy will build true strength. The rest of the show expanded that message both on stage and in the audience. More than most front people, Sammy Rae shares the spotlight with her band, physically moving to the back of the stage to let her horn section riff off each other, her guitarists take the spotlight, and even letting her bassist solo with a standup bass. A string quartet even joined the band, so did Jacob Jeffries who was in from Los Angeles.

    Their message of joy and community didn’t end at the stage. Throughout the audience, lyrics were yelled, fans danced, and Sammy Rae & The Friends encouraged it all – allowing fans to feel everything they needed. At one moment, as Sammy Rae saw members of the audience crying, she stopped the show, saying, “I see so many of you crying, and you’re so beautiful.” The singer then asked audience members to turn to their neighbors and tell them that they were beautiful. 

    As the night wore on, the band ended by bringing all their stored energy to bear, thanking their hometown audience with massive solos, sending the audience off with one more moment of joy.

    Setlist: Friends Intro >Thieves, The Feeling, We Made it, Jackie O, Cool Douge, No Rule Book > Winds Intro, I Get It Now, David, Call Ya Back, Good Time Tavern, Luck of the Draw, Good Life Medley, State Song, Hold the Line, Coming Home Song

    Sammy Rae & The Friends will be on tour in the northeast through December before going to Europe in February 2025. Notably, The band has committed to making their entire tour as environmentally friendly as possible, working with Headcount across the U.S. to register voters, and donating one dollar of every ticket sale to local LGBTQ organizations in each city they play.

    Tour Dates: 

    Nov 11, 2024 Ulster Performing Arts Center Kingston, NY

    Nov 12, 2024 Academy of Music Theatre Northampton, MA

    Nov 13, 2024 Academy of Music Theatre Northampton, MA

    Nov 15, 2024 Roadrunner Boston, MA

    Nov 16, 2024 Roadrunner Boston, MA

    Dec 31, 2024 The Anthem Washington, DC

    • LIMEHOF Hosts 20th Anniversary Celebration in Stony Brook

      The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) will host two days of live music, comedy, film screenings, and family events in celebration of their 20th anniversary on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in Stony Brook.

      LIMEHOF

      Presented by Catholic Health, Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s anniversary celebration will feature continuous entertainment including Kerry Kearney, DMC with Johnny Juice, Stanton Anderson, American Idol Christian Padavan, comedians, surprise guests and more. Admission includes refreshments and an appearance by Santa. Kids under 12 are free.

      Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. They have inducted more than 100 musicians and music industry executives, and also offers education programs and scholarships to Long Island students, sponsors the Long Island Sound Award, and features traveling educational exhibits, including a state-of-the-art mobile museum.

      Admission also includes access to LIMEHOF’s Billy Joel exhibit. The exhibit features over 5 decades of rare memorabilia including albums, tours, inspirations and personal experiences from Billy Joel’s life-spanning career. Videos, awards, recordings, instruments, photos and more were donated from Billy’s personal collection.

      The event will feature holiday music videos of LIMEHOF inductees and will have visits from Santa Claus at 2pm on both days and surprise visits from LIMEHOF inductees. It will also feature the set and sleigh from Twisted Sister’s Christmas Special. More performances to be announced.

      LIMEHOF 20th Anniversary Celebration Full Lineup

      Nov. 30:

      Casey Baron (1 p.m.)

      Kerry Kearney Band (4 p.m.)

      Stanton Anderson Band (5 p.m.)

      Dec. 1:

      Ernie & the Band (12 noon)

      DMC with DJ Johnny Juice (1 p.m.)

      comedian Paul Anthony (2 p.m.)

      Firetog & Co. (3 p.m.)

      “American Idol” Christiaan Padavan (4 p.m.)

      the original Gossip Band (5 p.m.).

        Buy tickets and learn more here.

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

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

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

        Tinashe

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

        Tinashe

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

        Tinashe

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

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

        Tinashe – Brooklyn Paramount – November 4, 2024

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