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 Rochelle indie duo Frog have returned with the first pre-release single for their upcoming album, a festive track titled “Did Santa Come”.
Photo: Collin Heroux
Comprised of the skilled musical brothers Daniel and Steve Bateman, the duo Frog has returned with the first pre-release track from their upcoming album.
Festive, jazzy, and playful, “Did Santa Come” leans into the newfound enthusiasm and naïveté about Christmas experienced by young children. “This song is about my son when he was two years old at Christmas time. Every morning for 2-3 weeks after, he would wake up and ask, “Did Santa come?” Seeing the world through the eyes of your children makes it all very beautiful.”
“Did Santa Come” is the first of many tracks fans and newcomers can look forward to, as Frog has also recently announced the release of their sixth album.
Slated for release in February, 1000 Variations on the Same Song will be promptly followed by a series of live performances all throughout March and April, including two dates in New York.
Visiting Cornell University in Ithaca on March 8 and the Bowery Ballroom on April 3, this tour is sure to excite. To learn more about ticketing information, visit their touring page here.
To learn more about all of Frog’s other works and keep up to date with their future releases, be sure to check out their official website here.
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.
New York City-based outfit Ecce Shnak has released their latest single off of their forthcoming EP titled Prayer on Love, meditating on the complexity of the word and all of its implications.
Subverting all concepts of genre and style while playfully embracing the full spectrum of sonic opportunities, Ecce Shnak is truly a one of a kind band. Based in New York City, their art-rock endeavors span pop, classical, punk, and beyond as they tackle the wide variety of ideas that capture their interests most.
Debuting in 2019 with Joke Oso with their second album Metamorphejawns soon to follow, Ecce Shnak has returned with the second pre-release single off of their latest project Shadows Grow Fangs.
Self-described as their most “whole-grain rock song to date,” “Prayer on Love” considers the concept of love in contrast to the conclusions drawn by today’s society.
Richly textured with guitars, snare drums, and distinct vocals, the track explores their ruminations on the topic above the group’s signature sound that subverts notions of style and is simply overflowing with dedicated creative care and complexity.
“It’s a meditation on the nature of love and its diverse manifestations. It honors the complexity of love without declaring that it ‘is all we need.”
– David Roush, frontman of Ecce Shnak
Defining love as not a singular necessity but a beautiful, intangible entity that coexists with the countless other aspects of life and in turn only making the others more precious, “Prayer on Love” is an entrancing contemplation whose deft lyricism lends itself to a rather poetic track at large.
Ecce Shnak has also published an official music video for “Prayer on Love” alongside the track’s release, featuring the members exploring their ruminations among a field of flowers and various eye-catching psychedelic visuals.
“Prayer on Love” is one of five tracks slated for release on the band’s upcoming EP Shadows Grow Fangs, which will reach the public on February 7.
For more information on their current endeavors, the upcoming Shadows Grow Fangs, and all things Ecce Shnak, be sure to check out their official social media pages here and here.
Music superstar Nelly will hit the road in 2025 with his “Where The Party At Tour.” The tour will celebrate the 25 anniversary of Nelly’s debut studio album, Country Grammar and includes dates at the Darien Lake Amphitheater in Buffalo on Aug. 1, and Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on Jul. 27.
Known for iconic 2000’s hits such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” Nelly will perform his catalog across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States in 54 shows in the “Where The Party At Tour.” The tour will marks Nelly’s return to headlining following his success as a special guest for Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour.
An incredible lineup of special guests will accompany Nelly across the various legs of the tour. Fans can look forward to electric performances from collaborators and friends such as Ja Rule, Eve, St. Lunatics, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri, Chingy and Additional surprise guests.
The show will take fans on a journey through Nelly’s career, including chart-topping hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” and “Ride wit Me.” Known for his larger-than-life personality and ability to bridge genres from hip-hop to country. Nelly promises a show packed with surprises.
New York City-based singer-songwriter Olivia Reid has released her latest work in the form of the beautifully nostalgic “Quite Simple”.
A singer-songwriter who’s been putting her proverbial musical pen to paper since just six years old, Olivia Reid’s indie folk anthems contain an undeniable yet intangible touch of vibrant humanity.
Capturing the human experience in all of its forms, Reid and her guitar formally debuted in her 2021 EP Earth Water. Since then, Olivia’s work has caught the attention of many through its appearances on television shows in the likes of Love Island Australia and several official streaming service playlists.
Returning for her latest release, Reid has decided to channel hopeful optimism into the single “Quite Simple” in the face of personal and global strife. Inspired by her strong relationship with and gratitude for her grandparents who have recently passed, Olivia reflects upon the wisdom granted by her elders and the inherent wisdom and fondness for life that comes with age and a retrospective understanding of life.
Through a nostalgically woven sonic soundscape and storytelling-style lyrics, Reid walks listeners through an enlightening conversation with an older man that reframes her entire understanding of the world, especially in the face of the busy mindset so many share today- life is, in fact, “Quite Simple.”
“In old age, it seems there’s so much to look back on fondly and so many experiences that you don’t even know are ahead of you. I wanted to write a song that gives people my age some optimism. We’ve got time.”
– Olivia Reid
Curating a beautifully nostalgic ambiance with its guitar plucking, vocal layering, and warm outro, “Quite Simple” captures the beauty found in taking life in the slow lane while also giving a nod to the kind of perspective on life that comes with age and wisdom.
To learn more about “Quite Simple,” her future endeavors, and all things Olivia Reid, be sure to check out her official website here.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center has announced their 10th annual Melrose Parranda, a musical Puerto Rican holiday procession, for December 21.
Developed as a performance venue and community cultural center, the Bronx Music Hall is dedicated to cultivating and showcasing the vibrant music, dance, theater, and interdisciplinary arts of the borough.
With a 250-person performance theater, grand lobby and exhibit hall, rehearsal rooms and classrooms, and an outdoor amphitheater and plaza, the space of the Bronx Music Hall is as versatile as the creatives it hosts.
In addition to creations of the modern day, the BMH acts as the permanent home for the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco)’s Bronx Music Heritage Center, which preserves and promotes the history of the artists of the Bronx while simultaneously cultivating the creatives of today.
Among the Center’s vast collection of events is their time honored Melrose Parranda. Rooted in the Puerto Rican caroling tradition, folks participating in the festivities can expect to join the parade led by members of the Bronx music and cultural community including Jorge Vásquez, Matthew Gonzales, and Bobby Sanabria.
Each stop along the parranda will feature a different casita reminiscent of the homes on the countryside of Puerto Rico, winding through the Melrose Commons and community gardens before concluding at “La Casita de Chema,” or Rincón Criollo Centro Cultural, a casita renowned for its musical legacy.
Now in its tenth year of tradition, the parranda will feature a set of new businesses incorporated within the route in addition to its routine program booklet with information on the traditions and lyrics on some of the songs to be sung during the night of festivities.
The tenth annual Melrose Holiday Parranda will be hosted on Saturday, December 21. This event is completely free and open to the public. To RSVP and learn more, check out the event’s page here.
To learn more about the Bronx Music Heritage Center, the Bronx Music Hall, and their calendar of events, be sure to visit the space’s official website here.
A tour-de-force combination of acclaimed jam band artists, the Skeleton Krewe Trio composed of Rob Barraco, Barry Sless, and Stephen Inglis have announced their debut tour along the east coast, including dates in Williamsburg and Woodstock.
Born from what was intended to be a one-off performance partnership, the Skeleton Krewe Trio is possibly one of the most exciting collaborations of today’s jam band scene.
Comprised of Rob Barraco of Dark Star Orchestra, Phil Lesh & Friends, and The Dead, Barry Sless of Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, David Nelson Band, and Phil Lesh and Friends, and the GRAMMY-nominated Hawaiian slack key guitarist Stephen Inglis, the Skeleton Krewe is a set of individually talented artists whose skills, distinct backgrounds, and natural musical connection culminate in a sound definitively their own.
In an exciting development, the Skeleton Krewe Trio has announced their debut tour across the east coast, including nights at the Brooklyn Bowl on February 22 and the Bearsville Theater on February 28.
In addition to their own talents, the unit will expand to a quintet for two nights with the addition of Barraco’s DSO bandmate Skip Vangelas on bass and his son Tom Barraco on drums- one of which includes the Brooklyn Bowl.
“This collaboration represents a unique moment in time where three distinct musical paths converge. We’re creating something entirely new while honoring the traditions we each bring to the table.”
– Rob Barraco
The Skeleton Krewe Trio’s debut tour promises a variety of sounds spanning original compositions, interpretations of works by the Grateful Dead, and dynamic improvisations that span genres from traditional Hawaiian to psychedelic Americana.
Tickets for the Trio’s tour are on sale now. For more information on the tour and the Skeleton Krewe Trio as well as ticketing information, visit their official page here.
The full list of tour dates are available below.
TOUR DATES
Feb. 20 • The Hamilton • Washington, DC
Feb. 21 • 118 North • Wayne, PA
Feb. 22 • Brooklyn Bowl • Williamsburg, NY
Feb. 23 • Newton Theatre • Newton, NJ
Feb. 24 • Rams Head On Stage • Annapolis, MD
Feb. 26 • Space Ballroom • Hamden, CT
Feb. 27 • Portland House of Music & Events • Portland, ME
Feb. 28 • Bearsville Theater • Woodstock, NY
Mar. 1 • Narrows Center for the Arts • Fall River, MA
