NYS Music 2024

Category: NYC Metro

  • Gov’t Mule Announces Annual New Year’s Run in NYC from December 30-31

    Southern Rock jam band Gov’t Mule has announced the return of their annual New Year’s show at the Beacon Theatre from December 30-31. The band will also see the stage at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut on December 28 as well.

    gov't mule beacon theatre

    The three-night stand – Celebrating 30 years of The Mule – kicks off Saturday, December 28 at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, CT and then return to the Beacon Theatre in New York City, the longstanding home of their New Year’s shows, for back-to-back nights Monday, December 30 and Tuesday, December 31.

    These special year-end shows mark the first Gov’t Mule headlining shows since their February “30 Years Strong Tour” and continue the celebrations for this major milestone as they honor the band’s past, present and future. This year marks the 22nd year in a row the band has hosted the annual New Year’s Run.

    Gov’t Mule has galvanized a global fan base with their honest, organic and daring music and improvisational virtuosity, leading them to be recognized as one of the most timeless, revered and active bands in the world whose spot amongst rock titans remains unshakable. This celebratory performance is one you’ll want to see live at the Beacon Theatre this December.

    The general on sale will commence Friday, September 20 at 12 pm ET. VIP packages will also be available, which include reserved seating, access to soundcheck, limited edition signed poster, and more starting Wednesday at 12pm ET. 

    “It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years. It’s also hard to believe we’ve been celebrating New Year’s together for over 20 years. These are always such special shows for us. I’m looking forward to being with the band revisiting some of the stuff we haven’t played in a long, long time and, of course, being with our incredible fans.”

    Warren Hayes, Guitarist and Vocalist

    For more information on the upcoming Gov’t Mule New Year’s Run and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Hearing Aide: Sons of Venus’ “Crisis to Crisis”

    Crisis to Crisis, the third album by NYC band Sons of Venus was released on in June. The album is a nuclear missile of existential prog-rock aimed at the heart of American greed.

    Crisis to Crisis

    Sons of Venus are John Sully, (Composition, Production, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards) Ruslan Baimurzin (drums), and Igor Reznik (Bass). Sully the band’s frontman, was a composer and sound designer at Ideal Glass, a film and TV studio in the east village, where he put together after-hour jams when he met Baimurzin. After adding Reznik to the trio, the band now experiments with musical styles like prog, psych, punk, and funk, and has three albums to their name.

    Crisis to Crisis, the third Sons of Venus album was recorded first by Sully; who tracked all the vocals, guitars, and keyboards, then sent the tracks to Baimurzin and Reznik for overdubbing. The result is a psychedelic journey that stays true to progressive and punk roots.

    Sons of Venus

    The particular sound of Sons of Venus’ Crisis to Crisis is difficult to pin down for many reasons. First, it is of a fleeting genre that has been out of the spotlight for decades. Second, the length of the songs averages over 6 minutes each, and third the lyrics are quite sad – depressing really. In all, Crisis to Crisis is not a pop album by any extent of the word. Sully says, “Crisis to Crisis is not music for the casual listener.” It will not be played on the radio. This, to me, is a positive. While not being tethered to what the broader population wants, the project has the freedom to speak of the future honestly and refreshingly. The lyrics explore the disappointing trajectory the world is heading down. Look no further than the album cover to see images of forest fires natural disasters, nurses, and the stock market.

    The album has a spacey psychedelic sound that is clearly inspired by classic 70’s prog and psych bands such as, Yes and Rush. Additionally, many of the songs have distinctly David-Gilmore-esque, bending, trembling solos which add to the 70’s zeitgeist. Even the vocals are often mixed in such a way that adds to the aesthetic of belonging to a different era.

    Standout Tracks:

    “Dead Languages,” the opening track, begins with a crunching scratchy acoustic guitar that I wish there was more of throughout the album. The song blasts by on an intergalactic mission to expose the crux of our society. Sully’s lyrics reflect on the current state of human affairs. “We will forget the truths we let die inside ourselves.”

    “Guaranteed,” the second track on the record has a unique groove to it that brings The Flaming Lips to mind. Sully says, “Forget about the world you can hardly care, as long as you’re getting what you think is fair.”

    “The Art of Coincidence” is the sixth and final track which is the existential climax of the album. Heavy ominous bells ring announcing judgment day for us all. The finale of Crisis to Crisis has heavy synth production, tremolo, delay, reverb, and the tappings of crash symbols. Sully advises, “Touch the heart, tilt the scales, unfold the flags, raise the sails.”

    Support Sons of Venus here.

  • Jane’s Addiction Cancels Tour Following On-Stage Altercation and Mental Health Struggles

    Jane’s Addiction has officially canceled the remainder of their tour with Love and Rockets following a string of incidents involving frontman Perry Farrell. Tensions within the band became evident during their September 10th performance at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City, where Farrell appeared incoherent on stage, leading to an underwhelming show.

    This came just days before a public altercation between Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during a concert in Boston, where Farrell lashed out, escalating tensions.

    Jane’s Addiction at Pier 17 9/10/24

    Love and Rockets, who had been opening for Jane’s Addiction on this tour, brought their own legacy to the stage with their unique blend of gothic rock and alternative sound. Fans were excited to see the iconic band reunite after years of absence, and their performances were well-received throughout the tour. However, the tension within Jane’s Addiction cast a shadow over the shows. While Love and Rockets delivered solid sets, the unpredictability surrounding Jane’s Addiction’s headlining performances often left audiences uncertain about the night’s outcome.

    With the tour now canceled, Love and Rockets’ involvement has come to an abrupt end as well, disappointing fans who were eager to see both bands share the stage.

    Love and Rockets Pier 17 9/10/24

    The band announced their decision on Monday via Instagram, stating they were taking time away due to Farrell’s ongoing struggles with mental health. Navarro, along with drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery, also issued a joint statement citing concerns for Farrell’s well-being and the safety of the entire band. Their message expressed regret over the cancellation but emphasized the need to prioritize safety and ensure a stable environment for future performances. The tour, which was set to run through October, was cut short, leaving fans disappointed but understanding of the difficult situation.

    Perry Farrell Pier 17 9/10/24

    Farrell later issued an apology to the band and fans, acknowledging his behavior during the Boston incident and taking full responsibility for his actions. He expressed regret over reaching a “breaking point” and the impact it had on those around him. Despite hopes that the band would return to the stage soon, no further tour dates have been announced, and refunds for the canceled shows are being offered to fans.

    Dave Navarro Pier 17 9/10/24

    This sudden breakdown has cast a shadow over what was expected to be a high-energy tour, leaving the future of Jane’s Addiction unclear. Fans are left wondering what lies ahead for the band as they face these internal challenges.

    Jane’s Addiction Setlist: Kettle Whistle, Whores, Pigs in Zen, Ain’t No Right, Ted, Just Admit It, Summertime Rolls, Jame Says, Then She Did, Mountain Song, Three Days, Ocean Size, Stop, Chip Away

    Love and Rockets Setlist: The Light, Kundalini Express, No Big Deal, The Dog End of a Day Gone By, Haunted When the Minutes Drag, No New Tale to Tell, An American Dream, So Alive, Ball of Confusion, Mirror People, Yin and Yang

  • Clairo Charms On Night 1 of 5 Night Residency at Webster Hall

    Clairo kicked off her five-night residency at Webster Hall on Friday, September 14th to a sold-out crowd. Webster Hall is the perfect venue to experience Clairo’s music, and more artists should prioritize smaller venues like this. Sure, she’s playing four extra shows to sell the same amount of tickets as she would in an arena, but the difference in experience is staggering.

    While Chappell Roan is currently making headlines for setting boundaries with fans, Clairo is just coming off a three-year hiatus with her new album Charm due to her own experiences with people repeatedly invading her privacy. Finding a way to comfortably interact with fans at shows and online should be a priority for any artist. Clairo deserves huge props for her commitment to doing things in a way that feels comfortable for her.

    Webster Hall was packed before Frankie Cosmos opened, with people overflowing through the side doors of the main ballroom and lining the balcony. Frankie Cosmos’ sound has developed nicely over the past years, with better production and instrumentation. In particular, her drummer injects some extra funk into the mellower songs. Even though Frankie Cosmos was a late addition to the Webster Hall shows, Greta Kline said she was happy to see people outside her fanbase singing along.

    Clairo and her ensemble entered the stage single file with a tray of glasses to cheers and sat down on the set for a little pre-show drink. As she poured wine and handed it to her bandmates, Clairo, in her headphones, black dress with gold ribbons, black tights, and heeled loafers, talked quietly with her ensemble before they eventually clambered to their designated positions on the stage’s tiered platforms covered in green carpet. The stage held a staggering amount of instruments to be used over the show’s hour and a half runtime with a flute, chimes, sax, electric guitar, nylon string acoustic guitar, bass guitar, a real piano on the stage, synths, and a drum machine on an antique table next to Clairo for her song “4Ever.”

    Clairo played through the entirety of her excellent new album, Charm, interspersed with some of her fan favorites. Charm adds much more intrigue to Claro’s sound, incorporating jazzy layered synths and a laid-back West Coast cabana vibe on some tracks such as the album’s opener “Nomad” and “Glory of the Snow.”  Clairo takes this sound further with a modern electronic spin on tracks like “Sexy to Someone” and “Echo.” “Echo” specifically features a jaunty little synth that harkens back to the likes of Broadcast.

    After four songs she requested the lighting tech turn off the front lights and spent most of the show backlit by the giant light handing over the middle of the stage. She seemed reserved at the beginning, but by the second half of the show, she found her groove, and you could tell she was enjoying playing in her home city. A fan held up a red and white ringer tee they made for her that said “Clairo is For Lovers,” and Clairo loved it, saying she would wear it to bed that night. That’s probably the only fan out there who can say they’ve given an artist their favorite pajama tee.

  • BRIC JazzFest Celebrates 10th Anniversary JazzFest

    BRIC Arts and Media Institution of Brooklyn announced this past week its 10th anniversary celebratory JazzFest 2024, with 18 performances over the course of three days.

    BRIC JazzFest

    BRIC Arts Media, based in Downtown Brooklyn has been bringing free access to creative and cultural programming as well as opportunities for local artists to realize their works since its inception. 

    Originating as The Fund for the Borough of Brooklyn in 1979, the organization offers residencies, youth fellowships, grants, prizes, and partnerships to the artists of the Brooklyn community, as well as collaborations with other public resources in the area including Media Education classes at the Brooklyn Public Library, a cyclical program focused on community engagement through the arts titled the Intergenerational Community Arts Council, and partnerships with over 75 organizations to bring media and production skills to nonprofits based in Brooklyn.

    One of the biggest programs run by BRIC in recent years is the BRIC Jazzfest, an annual presentation of the newest voices and hidden gems of the Jazz scene. Now, a decade into the program, BRIC will present “A Decade of Discovery” from October 17-19, a dazzling three-day lineup showcasing rising stars, contemporary innovators, and jazz legends.

    Day one will consist of performances by NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz co-headlining with acclaimed harpist Brandee Younger, genre-defying drummer Kassa Overall, rising star Josh Johnson, and emerging talents Milena Casado and Mali Obomsawin.

    Performances for day two feature cutting-edge drummer and produce Makaya McCraven, jazz luminary Terri Lyne Carrington, innovative alto saxophonist Caroline Davis, and percussionist Daniel Villarreal.

    The concluding evening will cover the full spectrum of contemporary jazz, highlights including powerhouse saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, jazz elder statesman Reggie Workman, jazz and Iraqi maqam fusionist and trumpeter Amir Elsaffar, Australian neo-soul artistAllysha Joy, and Afro-Cuban jazz master Joaquin Pozo. 

    In addition, the final evening will conclude with a special jam session honoring the legacy of jazz drummer Casey Benjamin curated by a party and live music experience called The Jungle, a collaboration of DJs, musicians, and artists for a unique journey across the African Diaspora- embracing Latin, Jazz, Afrobeat, Amapiano, Percussion, Brazilian, Caribbean, House, and Soul sounds.

    Three-day passes are available now. For tickets, the full festival schedule, and more information, please visit here.

  • Bert McCracken Announces Fall Tour, Show in NYC

    Bert McCracken is most known for his two decades in The Used. By his 40th birthday, he jumped into a new genre, creating his own wave. Soon, he’ll be performing under his solo project robbietheused on a short cross-country tour from Oct. 30 – Nov. 6, with one of his key stops in New York City.

    Bert McCracken

    This tour follows the release of McCracken’s latest singles, “The Feels” and “Just a Little Bit,” which have garnered praise from fans. Therefore, Bert can share his new technique and lifestyle with his fans.

    The solo project’s genre vastly contrasts from his work with his band, allowing Bert to shape his own comfort zone where he wants. Through the creation process, McCracken explained how he and his long time producer, John Feldmann would have coherent conversations, including about his mental health.

    “My solo project has been a lot about rebirth and a way to reconnect with my childhood love for pop music, so to be able to say that robbietheused is playing 5 LIVE SHOWS and gets the opportunity to sing these songs in a room with you guys is a dream come true I’m so fucking excited, nervous, grateful… Thanks for being here See you there, Love Robbie” 

    Because of this, he is able to put his present experiences in his music, allowing for complete immersion for both the creators and audience.

    After navigating recent challenges, McCracken is branching out to come up with new creations. Meanwhile, innovating his work for new lyrics and melodies. So far with five shows on the calendar, Bert is one month away from doing what he does best.

    Looking ahead Bert McCracken has teased a full album and more tour dates, aiming to spread messages of positivity and personal growth through his music.

    Tickets are available now here.

    robbietheused Tour Dates

    10/30 House of Blues – Anaheim, CA

    10/31 Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA

    11/3 Brooklyn Bowl – Philadelphia, PA

    11/4 Gramercy Theater – New York, NY

    11/6 House of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ

  • Gooseberry Release Debut Album “All My Friends Are Cattle”

    Indie Brooklyn band, Gooseberry, have released their debut full-length album titled, All My Friends Are Cattle.

    Gooseberry
    Gooseberry continue their buzz with the release of their debut album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

    Gooseberry, formed in 2019, is a band which takes inspiration from genres such as alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their sound. Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass) form the group and have played major venues across the east coast including, Baby’s All Right, the Knitting Factory, and The Bowery Ballroom in NYC.

    Since the release of their 2022 debut EP Broken Dance, the trio has received praise from editorials such as Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. In April, Gooseberry announced their debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle. The album was released on Sept 6 and has been steadily growing in popularity since its release. The band has been on tour leading up to the release of the album over Aug and Sept, including four dates in New York.

    “We are super fortunate to call a lot of really great – and buzzing – NYC bands our friends. We feel ourselves part of that community and eternally grateful for being welcomed with such open arms. Our hometown has truly shaped what this band has become.”

    Asa Daniels

    The ten-track album was recorded at Precision Sound Studios in New York City with an all-star production team including, Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush), Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon), who served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). They were joined also by Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) who mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) who mastered it. The band’s “honorary fourth member” Dan Janis of Baked Goods, provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

    The album begins with “Kikiyon,” a harder, driven track with an instantly recognizable riff that pays homage to many classic rock songs over the years, most notably The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” The solo on that song in particular has a distinct feeling to it that sounds much different than what is in vogue. As the album runs on, the songs grow softer and softer ending in the reverb-soaked “Start Over.”

    Though powered by heavy 90s alternative influences, the standout tracks on the album are the gentler, simpler songs, like “Cherry Blossoms,” which remind listeners of artists like Jack Johnson. It is through these tracks that Gosseberry reveals who they can be.

    The album contains a multitude of interesting musical ideas, most notably, the feature of the distinctive blare of the saxophone especially on “All The Same.” Many songs have clear Nirvana, Bush, and other 90’s alt inspiration, but the vocals on the record bear a recognizable similarity to more contemporary pop groups. As with many young bands, Gooseberry is still attempting to find their own sound.

    The kaleidoscopic image on the cover is representative of the entire album in more ways than one. With just a glance, you see a menagerie of colors and feelings, each one notably different from its counterparts. While interesting for a moment, a deeper look renders the full image fractured and without a clear cohesion through all parts. Yet still briefly pretty.

    Key Tracks: Cattle, Cherry Blossoms, One of the Good Ones.

    Gooseberry will play the Richmond Music Hall in Richmond VA on Oct 3 and at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, in NC on Oct 5.

  • Dua Lipa Announces Additional 2025 Tour Dates, Including Two Nights at Madison Square Garden

    Pop sensation Dua Lipa announces additional dates for her worldwide Radical Optimism Tour, which includes two nights at Madison Square Garden in 2025, on September 17 and 18.

    Dua Lipa Tour promotional artwork

    About Dua Lipa

    To the younger pop-consuming generations, three-time GRAMMY and seven-time BRIT Award winning global pop sensation Dua Lipa needs no introduction. Since signing a record deal in 2014, she’s released hit after hit. Her fifth overall single “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” became her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 at 72, followed by her self titled first album that became her first ever number one in the UK, and the first female solo artist to top that chart since Adele’s “Hello” in 2015. 

    With this release, her career skyrocketed. Followed by countless top ten charting tracks, appearances at major festivals, becoming Spotify’s most streamed woman of 2017 in the UK, and countless award nominations. In January of 2018, Dua Lipa broke records once again by receiving five nominations at the Brit Awards, becoming the first female artist to do so ever.

    Thus, after an extensive list of other successes, singles, reissues, and remixes, Dua Lipa is touring with her most recent release, Radical Optimism. Released on May 3, 2024, the album went number 1 in 11 countries, and became the biggest album to debut from a UK artist in 2024. Moreover, hailed as a “joyous blast of pop savvy” by Variety and “an album of ear candy” by New York Times, Dua Lipa will be bringing her electrifying new release to the stage beginning this fall.

    About Radical Optimism Tour

    Kicking off with the previously announced dates in Asia, The Radical Optimism Tour will be arriving in New York City on September 17 and 18, 2025 at Madison Square Garden. Ticket sales will open to the public on Friday, September 20 at 10:00 AM. For more information and ticket purchasing, please visit here.

  • Australia’s Paul Kelly Comes to Le Poisson Rouge on October 14

    It’s been close to a decade since Paul Kelly – Australia’s finest export this side of wombats – has played in the U.S., and he’s coming to le poisson rouge in New York City this fall in support of his brand new album Fever Longing Still set for release on November 1.

    paul kelly le poisson rouge
    Photo Credit: Joe Brennan

    Lovingly dubbed the Land Down Under’s Bruce Springsteen, Kelly’s new LP is a throwback to poetic love, with its title coming from a line in Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 147,” whose writing has thrilled and inspired Kelly ever since schooldays.

    Fever Longing Still Album Art

    Paul Kelly’s Le Poisson Rouge show is at 7:30 pm, with doors at 6:30 pm and are on sale here. Support will be provided by Paul Kelly’s nephew, singer-songwriter-guitarist Dan Kelly.

    Other tour stops currently include the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, California on October 7, followed by an appearance at the Austin City Limits Festival on October 11.

    Watch the official video for “Taught By Experts” below.

    1. In Focus: Buzzcocks at Irving Plaza on September 11

      Buzzcocks made a stop in NYC at Irving Plaza on Wednesday, September 11th as part of their recent North American tour. The show included opening performances by Native Sun and Lovecrimes. The crowd inside Irving Plaza spanned generations, all eager to support the UK band’s U.S. return.

      Hailing from Bolton in the United Kingdom, Buzzcocks has made frequent stops in NYC since their formation in 1976. The inspiration behind the band’s sounds have New York origins, with late frontman Pete Shelley citing The Velvet Underground being part of inspiring the band’s formation.

      Buzzcocks’ music was said to be ahead of its time, with songs alluding to subject matter that was considered taboo during the period of their formation. This led the band to be seen as a driving force of the Manchester punk scene. Buzzcocks has gone on to perform with many legends from the early era of New York punk and CBGB, including opening for Blondie in 1978. 

      With lead vocalist Pete Shelley’s passing in 2018, Steve Diggle has led the Buzzcocks vocals while also continuing on guitar. Diggle has continued on the high energy and humor that Shelley brought to Buzzcocks performances.

      On Wednesday night, Buzzcocks played a setlist spanning 50 years of the band’s discography, including songs from their most recent 2022 album “Sonics In The Soul.” The current line-up consists of Diggle on vocals and guitar, Danny Farrant on drums, Chris Remington on bass, and Mani Perazzoli touring on guitar. 

      Buzzcocks continues on their North American tour with stops in Pittsburgh on September 14th and House of Blues in Cleveland on September 15. Starting September 22nd, Buzzcocks will embark on a US tour with Descendants throughout early October