NYS Music 2024

Category: NYC Metro

  • Gorillafest Takes Over Coney Island Amphitheater with Unforgettable Performances and Iconic Headliner

    On Sunday, August 4th, the Coney Island Amphitheater hosted Gorillafest, a free music festival hosted by Coney Island’s own rapper NEMS, captivated thousands of fans. Part of the City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage series, this event was a tribute to the vibrant local culture, bringing together an eclectic mix of artists for a day of unforgettable performances.

    Nems

    NEMS, renowned for his catchphrases “Don’t Ever Disrespect Me!” and “Bing Bong!”, hosted the festival with charisma and flair. Signed to Goliath Records by Paul Rosenberg, NEMS has proven himself to be more than an internet sensation, showcasing his talents as a formidable rapper and an engaging host.

    Tony Touch

    The festival kicked off with a dynamic DJ set by the legendary Tony Touch, setting an energetic tone for the day. Following Tony Touch, the podcast “Outside with Gorilla Nems” took the stage, featuring NEMS alongside Pas, Six the Don, Hubert Ramos, and Christina Boykin. Their lively 20-minute session, filled with humor and candid conversation, entertained the audience and provided a glimpse into NEMS’s larger-than-life personality.

    Statik Selektah

    Next, DJ Statik Selektah took over, delivering an electrifying set and bringing out special guests Termanology and rising female rapper Billy B, who both delivered standout performances. DJ Drewski then kept the momentum going, thrilling the crowd with appearances by Consequence, Juelz Santana, and Grafh.

    Nems

    As the evening progressed, Scram Jones stepped up as the final DJ of the night, his set building anticipation for the headline act. Scram Jones’s performance set the perfect stage for NEMS, who performed several of his hits, including the viral anthem “Bing Bong.” The crowd roared with excitement as NEMS delivered a high-energy set, demonstrating why he is a beloved figure in the local music scene.

    Pharoahe Monch

    Throughout the night, an impressive lineup of hip-hop talent took the stage, each adding their unique touch to the festival. Capone, Cory Gunz, Ron Browz, Justina Valentine, Masta Ace, Smif-N-Wessun, and Pharoahe Monch all made appearances, keeping the audience engaged and energized.

    Bun B

    The highlight of the night was a surprise performance by Bun B, who brought his southern rap style to the New York crowd, adding an unexpected and thrilling twist to the festival. The grand finale came with the appearance of the legendary Ghostface Killah. As the headliner, Ghostface delivered a powerful and captivating performance, closing out Gorillafest on a high note

    Ghostface Killah

    Gorillafest was more than just a music festival; it was a celebration of community, culture, and the enduring spirit of Coney Island. Thanks to NEMS, the City Parks Foundation, and SummerStage, fans were treated to an incredible day of free entertainment and iconic performances, cementing Gorillafest as a must-attend event in the heart of Brooklyn.

  • Trevor Noah Hosts Two-Night Event in Celebration in NYC of New Book, “Into the Uncut Grass”

    Best-selling author and comedian Trevor Noah has announced he will return to New York City to host a two-night celebration of the publication of his latest book, Into the Uncut Grass. The book will be released on October 8.

    In the meantime, he will be hosting his events at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan on release day, and at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on October 9.

    trevor noah

    During these celebrations, Trevor Noah plans to do more than just party. Joining a moderator on stage, he offers a deep dive into the essence of his latest work.

    Trevor is the author of the 2016 #1 New York Times bestseller Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, a memoir depicting the hardships of growing up mixed-raced in apartheid South Africa. His storytelling ability caught the attention of readers of all ages, adapting the bestseller into a young readers’ version in 2019. This year, he’s back with another testament to his storytelling abilities with his latest book, Into the Uncut Grass.

    However, unlike Born a Crime, Trevor Noah’s latest book is a work of fiction rather than a memoir. Trevor’s new book is a gorgeously illustrated and moving modern fable for readers of all ages about forgiveness, acceptance, and the secret to solidarity. Inspired by classic children’s fables like Alice in Wonderland and The Little Prince, he adjusts these longstanding stories to fit his own personal experience, as well as

    “Few memories in my life bring me more joy than the first few books I read as a child,” says Trevor Noah. “Either with my mom or reading alone, those simple stories shaped so much of how I saw the world. I hope this story can bring a little bit of that same joy to readers of all ages.”

    General on-sale for these celebrations begins on Friday, August 9 at 10 am local. Tickets are available with this link here.

  • The Empire State of Phish

    While the origin of Phish is firmly rooted in Vermont, the band’s history in neighboring New York runs almost as deep. The band made the slow and natural progression from private parties and gigs at frat houses, to small clubs and theaters, later graduating to full scale amphitheaters, to now selling out Madison Square Garden on a regular basis. Phish may have been born and raised in the Green Mountain State, but its more recent history is firmly entrenched in the Empire State.

    photo by Dave Decrescente

    It took a few years after the band’s inception, but Phish finally waded into New York waters in 1987 with a now-legendary show at Ian McLean’s Farm in Hebron, NY on August 21, 1987 with three sets of music that included the first known performance of their cover of “Hold Your Head Up.” Phish would continue to make New York a regular part of their touring schedule in the early ’90s, with 1992 featuring more NY shows than any other year to date.

    Phish New York

    Lower show totals would follow in the late ’90s and early aughts as the band started to tour globally and play shows all throughout the country. But the “3.0” era of Phish has seen an influx of NY shows, primarily due to the renovations done to Madison Square Garden which has made The World’s Most Famous Arena the band’s preferred choice for multiple night New Year’s Eve runs. And the modern day pinnacle was set in 2017 with Phish’s legendary Baker’s Dozen Run of thirteen shows over three weeks which served as the foundation for “17 (shows) in ’17” at MSG which also included a 4-night New Year’s run.

    In 2023, Phish came fairly close to matching this number with 14 shows spread throughout New York State which included another 11 at MSG. To date, Phish has played 288 total shows in The Empire State, so NY show #300 is certainly on the horizon.

    Phish NYC license plate Empire state
    Photo via Marshall Chasan, frame via phrames.com

    To showcase this long-standing and still evolving relationship between Phish and New York, NYS Music presents our own reference guide, a map of every show the band has played in the Empire State. In the same vein as our Grateful Dead Map, this will link to each and every article published here with our own take on the show or appearance.

    Big thanks to Alex Grosby of the Phishsonian Institute for helping us map out all of the New York venues and locations you see below.

  • Woodstock Photographer Henry Diltz Hosts Anniversary Galleries

    Woodstock photographer, Henry Diltz, is hosting Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace, Love & Music with Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York on Aug. 11. In light of the 55th anniversary of Woodstock ’69 and the 30th anniversary of Woodstock ’94, MHG is showcasing photos from each of the three festivals all of which Diltz, the official photographer for them, was present for.

    Morrison Hotel Gallery Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace, Love & Music

    For the first time ever, Morrison Hotel Gallery is exhibiting a series of photos documenting the three festivals from the perspectives of many mixed-generation photographers. Special host, Henry Diltz, makes the event all the more special as such a prominent figure in music and festival photography.

    Diltz captured the ’60s folk music scene with some of the most iconic portraits and album covers. As the man behind the Morrison Hotel, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and Sweet Baby James album art, it’s only fitting that he presents an exhibit full of his work as well as the work of those who succeeded him. His work is the lasting blueprint for music photographers today.

    The original Woodstock 1969 was very organic, all peace and love, we just made it up as we went along. Woodstock 1994 was a bit more planned, it was at an abandoned Air Force base. This was the first Woodstock where there was crowd surfing… it hadn’t been thought of yet in ’69! I took so many photographs of people up above the crowd being passed around. Woodstock will always be the festival that had all the biggest and the best music of its time.

    Henry Diltz

    The photos start with the original festival and show how it evolved through the years, reflecting the changes in not just music, but society. Other featured photographers include Danny Clinch, Joseph Cultice, Sam Erickson, Elliott Landy, Lisa Law, Ken Regan, Amalie R. Rothschild, and Rowland Scherman. Additionally, the exhibit provides a special glimpse of different artistic perspectives on the same events.

    The special exhibit will have two bi-coastal grand openings. Prior to the New York opening on Aug. 11, Diltz will also be in attendance at the Aug. 8 opening in West Hollywood. The galleries are available to the public, and on show until August 20.

    The New York exhibit of Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace, Love & Music will be held at the Morrison Hotel Gallery at 116 Prince Street. To RSVP for the opening visit morrisonhotelgallery.com.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-DvJHxMEa4

  • Jalopy Theatre Presents Washington Square Park Folk Festival

    On August 25, the 14th annual Washington Square Park Folk Festival will be available to the public in the heart of Greenwich Village. The festival’s sponsor, the Jalopy Theatre will introduce one act per hour from 1-5 PM.

    Washington Square Park Folk Festival

    Sunday, August 25 will be an exuberant and colorful day in New York City. Music lovers from across the city are welcome to come to WSP for amazing sets by talented and versatile musicians. The festival will go on from 1 to 5 PM with five acts throughout the day. However, the folk festival will not be limited to folk. Genres range from traditional Latin Jazz, acoustic blues, and jug band music.

    Nonetheless, the opportunity to experience a free folk festival in one of the most significant locations in the history of folk music is not one to miss.

    Washington Square Park Folk Festival

    Kicking off the day at 1 PM is Juntas Chicas, a Latin music duo from NYC whose music reflects the diverse sounds the city has to offer. Their blend of Mexican folk music with jazz, cumbia, and flamenco creates a melting pot of musical culture.

    Following Juntas Chicas, 2 to 4 PM at the festival is full of acoustics, harmonies, and folk roots. First, Eli Smith will return to the WSP Folk Festival with combinations of traditional folk, country, and blues. Subsequently, two different collaborations will treat the audience to unique interpretations of traditional folk. Feral Foster & Ali Dineen will exhibit a soulful partnership with their different yet complimenting voices. Jim Kweskin and Samoa Wilson will follow with explorations of folklore as well as rural music and blues.

    Lastly, closing out the day is Tambor y Caña, an Afro-Venezuelan musical project based in the city. The collective highlights Venezuelan culture through its music. Making it a point to extend the culture’s influence to the U.S., Tambor y Caña represents the musical diaspora of New York City.

    For more information about the Washington Square Park Folk Festival, visit www.wspfolkfest.com

    Washington Square Park Folk Festival Lineup

    1 PM- Juntas Chicas

    2 PM- Eli Smith

    3 PM- Feral Foster & Ali Dineen
    4 PM- Jim Kweskin and Samoa Wilson

    5 PM- Tambor y Caña

  • Greg Freeman Announces Fall Tour With Two Shows in New York

    Vermont’s own Greg Freeman has announced the details of his newest nationwide tour. Freeman’s tour includes two music festivals and several concerts, with two shows in New York, the first in Sprakers and the other at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Freeman will be joined by supporting acts Snail Mail, Merce Lemon, and A. Savage on select dates.

    greg freeman

    In an eclectic combination of noise rock and Americana, Greg Freeman has been paving his way through the experimental music scene since his 2022 debut EP I Looked Out. With his use of instruments like soprano saxophone and slide guitar, Freeman brings his fresh, unique sound with him everywhere he goes.

    For the last two years, Freeman has garnered attention in the experimental music scene, drawing in crowds from all genres. In regards to his performances, Rolling Stone raves, “He really means every word, bashing away on his electric guitar as bandmates on bass, drums, saxophone, and pedal steel guitar add rich colors to his visions.”

    Freeman’s tour began on August 2 at the Pickathon experimental music festival in Portland, Oregon. His tour takes him across the United States, including the two separate shows in New York. His first trip to the Empire State brings him to The Root in Sprakers, celebrating The 11th Annual Limbsnapping with the rest of the town. His second show in New York takes him to Brooklyn, performing at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg.

    The full tour is listed below. Tickets and more information are available on Freeman’s website, linked here.

    GREG FREEMAN LIVE!

    August 2nd – Happy Valley – Portland, OR – Pickathon
    August 3rd – Seattle, WA – The Black Lodge
    August 4th – Happy Valley – Portland, OR – Pickathon
    August 16th – Sprakers, NY – The 11th Annual Limbsnapping- The Root Community
    August 26th – Portsmouth, VA – Prescott Park *
    October 4th – Burlington, VT – Radio Bean ^
    October 5th – New York, NY – Baby’s All Right ^
    October 6th – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s ^
    October 8th – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle !

    * With Snail Mail
    ^ With Merce Lemon
    ! With A. Savage

  • Lunar Vacation Brings Their Spacey Sound to Brooklyn Steel

    The Band

    Lunar Vacation is the musical embodiment of a summer daydream. Hailing from Georgia, this indie rock quintet is made up of five lifelong friends. Their debut album, Inside Every Fig Is a Dead Wasp, was a gentle introduction to their hazy, feel-good vibe. But now, with their upcoming sophomore album Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire, they’re ready to turn up the volume and the feels.

    The Show

    When Lunar Vacation hit the stage at Brooklyn Steel on August 1, they weren’t just there to warm up the crowd—they were there to make sure everyone was floating on cloud nine before Vacations started their set. Starting with “Set the Stage,” they did just that. The track was like the musical equivalent of opening a window on a perfect summer day, inviting everyone to lean in and soak up the goodness.

    As they transitioned into “Cutting Corners,” you could feel the energy in the room amp up. The sharp guitar riffs sliced through the Brooklyn air, locking the band into a groove that had the crowd swaying and grinning. “Unlucky” blended sadness and hope, captivating the audience with its lyrical contrast.

    By the time they hit the final notes of “Tom,” the crowd was fully under their spell. The song ended the set with a burst of energy, leaving everyone feeling like they’d shared something truly special.

    Lunar Vacation, with sunny tunes and deep lyrics, navigated the stage with confidence. And with Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire on the horizon, it’s clear this band is only just beginning to light up the indie music scene.

    Setlist: Set the Stage, Cutting Corners, Unlucky, Monterey, Tom

  • Brooklyn Folk Festival Announces 2024 Lineup

    The Brooklyn Folk Festival, presented by the Jalopy Theatre will take place from Nov. 8-10 at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights. This year marks the 16th annual BFF, showcasing an array of artists with unique musical backgrounds and impressive musicianship.

    Brooklyn Folk Festival

    The festival is produced by the Jalopy Theatre & School of Music, a live music space and record label with the purpose of exhibiting the growth of folk and traditional music. With this mission in mind, the Brooklyn Folk Festival effectively brings the evolution of multi-generational and multi-cultural music to fruition.

    Artists taking the stage at St. Ann’s are given a platform regardless of how big or small their audience is. Significantly, everyone gets the opportunity to showcase their years of experience, strengthening their talents and cultural identities through their music.

    Brooklyn Folk Festival

    The three-day festival includes over 40 musical performances, with the addition of surprise guests, film presentations, jam sessions, and many more artistic activities and events. Accordingly, BFF will also feature a vast spectrum of genres. Alongside folk, attendees can enjoy gospel, soul, country, Latin, and Iraqi music, among many others. Some highlights include Riyae Park, a 9-year-old multi-instrumentalist; La Banda Chuska, a combination of cumbia and surf music; and Wazumbians, a Ghanaian music ensemble.


    Diverse, spontaneous, counterculter, and trenchant… one of the most vital and spiritually sound folk-music events in the country

    Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker

    Artists participating in the film showcase are Cyrus Moussavi, Shiva Lakhan, Tamar & Kyle, Royce Martin, Ken Schatz, Trail Papa, Boxcutter Collective, Jan Bell, Ginny’s Kitchen, Wolf van Elfmand, and Isto.

    Additionally, the performers will uniquely highlight issues in need of attention. Utilizing the community gathering to band together for important causes honors the root of folk music- activism. The Jalopy Theatre community recognizes the power artists and their music have in politics and society, carrying on the ethos of folk music.

    For tickets and the full Brooklyn Folk Festival schedule and lineup visit www.brooklynfolkfest.com

    Brooklyn Folk Festival Lineup

    Michael Hurley

    Nora Brown

    Bill Frisell

    Sunny War

    David Amram

    Unholy Modal Rounders

    Resistance Revival Chorus

    Beareather Reddy

    Nikki Giovanni

    Sabine McCalla

    Lone Piñon

    Martha Spencer

    The Deslondes

    Jackson & The Janks

    Gina Leslie

    Fatboy Wilson & Old Viejo Bones

    The Slide Stops

    Wilson & Walsh

    Feral Foster

    Down Hill Strugglers

    Wazumbians

    Yva & Miriam

    Guanchinangos

    Zahra & Al Jinub Ensemble

    Dirdy Birdies

    Roochie Toochie

    Jerron Paxton

    Hop Along Andrew

    The Music of Emahoy Tsege-Mariam Gebru played by Thomas Feng

    The City Pickers

    Chrisitian & Cole

    Vaianos Paisanos

    Pine Leaf Boys

    Suzi Shelton

    Eric & Suzy Thompson

    Los Texmaniacs

    Terri Thal

    Riyae Park

    La Banda Chuska

    Mat & Yvonne

  • In Focus: The Black Ties at Fort Wadsworth Overlook

    On August 1, The Black Ties delivered a blast from the past performance at the Fort Wadsworth Outlook in Staten Island, entertaining an audience with their dynamic blend of rock, soul, folk, and even a few Black Ties original songs while the sun sets right in front of the Manhattan skyline.

    The evening was getting underway with breathtaking views of the Manhattan HighLine, leaving the crowd in a serene setting. The Black Ties opened their act with a medley of classic rock hits that got them up and dancing right off the bat. With seamless transitions between rock to soul anthems like “Band On The Run” by Paul McCartney to “My Girl” by The Temptations, the energy never dipped from its top.

    The Black Ties kept the audience guessing all through the night with their freeform style. With no setlist, it was a breeze from song to song, well-loved classics blended with their own material. Among the highlights were timeless hits done and some from their own catalog. The enthusiasm of the crowd was in the air with cheers and applause that went ringing across the Outlook.

    The energy peaked as the show came to a close with a spontaneous “one more song” chant from the audience. The Black Ties responded in kind, driven by a strong and sincere performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” effectively closing the evening patriotically and emotionally. The audience joined in to create one of those really special moments of unity and shared experience.

  • Mariah Carey Announces 2024 Christmas Tour With Stops in Brooklyn and Belmont Park

    Mariah Carey, the queen of Christmas, has just announced a 2024 Christmas tour, visiting 20 cities across the U.S. with two stops in New York State: one in Belmont Park and the other in Brooklyn.

    The annual tour is particularly special this year, with 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of her Merry Christmas album and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

    Mariah carey Christmas

    The best-selling female artist of all time, with over 200 million records sold, Mariah Carey, has announced her highly-anticipated annual Christmas extravaganza is back and going national. Carey’s Christmas Time will visit 20 cities across the country, including a stop at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Friday, December 13; UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY, on Sunday, December 15; and Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

    This tour marks Carey’s grandest holiday spectacle to date and is the first of many surprises she has in store to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her legendary album Merry Christmas and its record-shattering single “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” The show will feature the global superstar’s timeless holiday classics alongside fan-favorite chart-toppers, promising an unforgettable festive experience.

    Tickets will be available starting with a Verizon presale beginning Tuesday, August 6. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, August 9 at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com. Fans can also purchase VIP packages, which may include premium tickets, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge, exclusive VIP merch items and more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit here. See below for the full list of tour dates.

    Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz / Getty

    Full Tour

    Wed Nov 06 | Highland, CA | Yaamava Theater

    Fri Nov 08 | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Bowl

    Wed Nov 13 | Greater Palm Springs, CA | Acrisure Arena

    Fri Nov 15 | Phoenix, AZ | Footprint Center

    Sun Nov 17 | Austin, TX | Moody Center

    Tue Nov 19 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center

    Thu Nov 21 | Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center

    Sat Nov 23 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena

    Mon Nov 25 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena

    Wed Nov 27 | Rosemont, IL | Allstate Arena

    Fri Nov 29 | St. Louis, MO | Enterprise Center

    Sun Dec 01 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena

    Tue Dec 03 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center

    Thu Dec 05 | Boston, MA | TD Garden

    Sat Dec 07 | Baltimore, MD | CFG Bank Arena

    Mon Dec 09 | Raleigh, NC | PNC Arena

    Wed Dec 11 | Pittsburgh, PA | PPG Paints Arena

    Fri Dec 13 | Newark, NJ | Prudential Center

    Sun Dec 15 | Belmont Park, NY | UBS Arena

    Tue Dec 17 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center