On Sunday, September 22, Forest Hills Stadium in Queens was transformed into a musical time capsule, as the Marley Brothers united for the first time in two decades to celebrate the enduring legacy of their father, Bob Marley.
The Marley Brothers Legacy Tour, which kicked off in Vancouver, brought together Damian, Stephen, Julian, Ziggy, and Ky-Mani Marley for an epic 22-date journey across North America, paying tribute to their father’s timeless work. The tour, which ends in early October in Miami, features a nostalgic setlist of nearly 30 of Bob Marley’s most cherished songs, bringing generations of fans together to rejoice in the spirit of reggae music.
A Family United by Music
The significance of this tour cannot be overstated. Though each of the Marley brothers has had successful solo careers, it has been 20 years since the five have shared a stage. Bob Marley’s influence, both on reggae and on global consciousness, is unparalleled, and the brothers’ reunion not only honors their father but also the rich musical heritage he helped to create. Performing together, their synergy is unmistakable, and their collective energy invokes memories of Marley’s original performances while breathing new life into the music.
The Show: A Journey Through Bob Marley’s Greatest Hits
The Forest Hills Stadium show, one of the highlights of the tour, featured an electric atmosphere, with the Marleys delivering a setlist packed with classics. From revolutionary anthems like “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Buffalo Soldier” to love ballads like “Is This Love,” the brothers brought Bob’s music to life, reviving both the message and the passion that defined his career.
The crowd erupted during timeless hits such as “Three Little Birds,” “Iron Lion Zion” and “Positive Vibration” singing along in unison, while more politically charged songs like “War” and “Exodus” reminded the audience of the power of music as a vehicle for social change. Damian, known for his harder-edged, dancehall-inspired sound, added a modern twist to the night with fiery performances while Ziggy’s soulful voice channeled the spirit of his father throughout. The setlist for the tour has been consistent with nearly 30 songs, a true testament to the power and breadth of Bob Marley’s work.
Honoring a Legend: The Life of Bob Marley
Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in Nine Mile, Jamaica. Rising from humble beginnings, Marley became the voice of reggae and a symbol of resistance and hope for millions around the world. He started his musical career in the early 1960s with The Wailers, along with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The group became known for their unique fusion of ska, rocksteady, and reggae.
Marley’s music was more than entertainment; it was a message. Songs like “Get Up, Stand Up,” “One Love,” and “Redemption Song” became anthems for unity, resistance, and peace. His blend of spirituality, activism, and culture resonated far beyond the Caribbean, elevating reggae to international acclaim. Tragically, Marley passed away from cancer in 1981 at the age of 36, but his legacy has continued through his children, who have carried on his mission and music.
A Night of Unity and Celebration
The Marley Brothers Legacy Tour is more than just a reunion; it’s a celebration of Bob Marley’s profound influence and a reminder of the unifying power of music. At Forest Hills Stadium, the brothers’ performance felt like a historic moment, one that bridged the past and the present. With each song, they brought their father’s message to new ears while giving long-time fans the opportunity to experience Marley’s magic once again.
As the tour continues across the country, fans from all walks of life will have the chance to partake in this once-in-a-generation experience. Bob Marley’s legacy lives on through his music, and through his sons, who have proven that the message of love, peace, and unity is more relevant now than ever.
Whether in Vancouver, New York, or Miami, the Marley Brothers Legacy Tour is a testament to the enduring power of Bob Marley’s music—and to the familial bond that keeps that legacy alive for generations to come.
Setlist: Natural Mystic, Get Up, Stand Up, So Much Trouble in the World, Coming in From the Cold, Positive Vibration, The Heathen, Concrete Jungle, Wake Up and Live, Shalom Salaam, War/No More Trouble, Running Away/Crazy Baldhead, Three Little Birds, Is This Love, Don’t Rock My Boat, Buffalo Soldier, Jammin, Easy Skanking, Boom Draw, New Heights, Medication, Kaya, Iron Lion Zion, Exodus, Could You Be Loved, One Love
On Saturday, September 21, Khruangbin wrapped up the second of two nights at Forest Hills Stadium to a sold out crowd.
Well on their way through a lengthy global tour promoting their new album, A La Sala, Men I Trust warmed up the crowd as they hit the stage at 7pm sharp. With the bar set high and excitement at its peak, the lights went dark as the trio from Houston, Texas hit the stage at 8:15.
Khruangbin, which translates to airplane in thai, takes their audience on a journey playing consecutively through A La Sala. Exploring many themes and motifs with great style and ambiguity, the music, accompanied by choreography, stunning lighting, and set design created a touching spectacle. If it wasn’t already clear that the band is telling a story with A La Sala, the last song of set 1 exemplified this when Mark Steele, Guitar and Vocals, along with Laura Lee, Bass and Vocals, walked down and sat at the very edge of the stage.
With DJ Johnson on Drums and Keys not far behind them, they gently played through “Le Petit Gris”, a soft piano driven melody. Sounds and visuals of thunder and rain trickling down in the windows behind them, a soft breeze that reminded everyone summer is over and fall is here, the band and audience became one.
The second set featured classic material that could make anyone dance. Notable highlights included “The Number 3”, “August 10”, and “Evan Finds The Third Room”. With genre bending sounds of global influence that all seamlessly weave together, their minimalist approach creates soundscapes of deep grooves, catchy hooks, and mesmerizing rhythms. The trios meteoric rise to the top is no coincidence. Playing iconic festivals and venues like Coachella and Bonnaroo, Radio City Music Hall and Red Rocks, they have solidified their position in the music industry.
With Emmanuelle Proulx of Men I Trust joining them for “Dearest Alfred”, they closed out the evening with the funky renditions of “Maria tambien” and “People Everywhere, (Still Alive)”. After the finale, Leezy reemerged from the back, throwing her extra head bands into the crowd, dancing along with the audience to “September” by Earth, Wind, & Fire. Their tour continues for a few select dates in the United States before departing again to resume tour around the world.
Khruangbin – Forest Hills Stadium – September 21st, 2024
Set 1: Fifteen Fifty-Three, May Ninth, Ada Jean, Farolim de Felguerias, Pon Pon, Todavia Viva, Juegos y Nubes, Hold Me Up (Thank You), Caja de la Sala, Three from Two, A Love International, Les Petits Gris Set 2: The Number 3, August 10, Lady and Man, The Infamous Bill, Pelota, Evan Finds the Third Room, Time (You and I) Encore: Dearest Alfred*, Maria tambien, People Everywhere (Still Alive) *with Emma from Men I Trust
LCD Soundsystem has announced their upcoming “Winter FUNction” series of shows beginning November 21 at Knockdown Center in Queens for three long weekends in November and December.
The LCD Soundsystem shows take place November 21 through 24, December 5 through 8, and finally, December 12 through 15. The electronic rock band plans to dazzle audiences for these three long weekends for their “Annual Winter FUNction.”
The shows include special guest bands for each night of the performances, along with international deejays, after parties, and Four Horsemen Wine Bar. LCD Soundsystem is known for putting on a high-energy, captivating, and groovy show. These are not shows you want to miss.
LCD Soundsystem performs at Madison Square Garden on April 2, 2011
The group was formed in Brooklyn in 2002 by James Murphy, the co-founder of DFA Records. The band comprises Murphy (vocals), Nancy Whang (synthesizer, keyboards), Pat Mahoney (drums), Tyler Pope (bass, guitar), Al Doyle (guitar, percussion), Matt Thornley (guitar, synthesizer), and Korey Richey (synthesizer, piano, percussion).
LCD Soundsystem’s musical sound is described as electronic rock, indie-rock, dance-punk, amongst many others. In short, this group holds a unique, heavy groove, with a persistent electronic backbone. Public on-sale tickets are available on Thursday, September 26 at 10AM ET. Fan presales being September 25.
For more information on the upcoming LCD Soundsystem shows at Knockdown Center in Queens, and to purchase tickets, click here.
On September 19, the West Side Tennis Club welcomed Kings Of Leon to the borough of Queens with open arms on a picturesque Wednesday evening.
The 18th stop on their ”Can We Please Have Fun” summer tour, the indie rock quartet from Mount Juliet, Tennessee are touring in support of their ninth studio album of the same name, released on May 10.
Kings Of Leon | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger Photography
One of New York City’s best concert venues, indoors or out, Forest Hills Stadium is truly a gem with a rich, storied history that is now one year removed from its centennial anniversary. Originally designed in the early-1920s as the original home of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, the Romanesque stadium and its grounds hosted 60 editions of the major tournament before it moved to its current home in Flushing Meadows in 1978. Beginning in the 1960s, the tennis club began booking concerts and quickly attracted some of the most culturally significant artists of our generation, including The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.
In August 2013, after decades of neglect and narrowly escaping demolition, the 14,000-capacity facility re-opened with Mumford & Sons performing the inaugural concert (my wife and I were there!). Not yet satisfied with their face lift, over the next few years, Forest Hills Stadium underwent multi-million dollar state-of-the-art renovations including optimized acoustics, the installation of a permanent stage and redesigning and expanding the concourse to twice its original size.
Forest Hills Stadium | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger Photography
Providing opening support for Kings Of Leon on this 28-date tour of North America, which launched in Austin, Texas on August 14, was Phantogram. Formed in 2007 and hailing from Saratoga Springs, just a few hours’ drive up the NY State Thruway, the electronic dream pop duo are comprised of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter. Friends since their preschool days, Barthel and Carter were joined by a touring drummer and keyboardist as they mesmerized the steadily growing audience filling up the stadium with their swirling guitars, spacey keyboards and airy vocals.
Over the course of 40 minutes, Phantogram presented a 10–song set spread evenly across their soon-to-be five album discography, including their opening song “Don’t Move” from Nightlife, an EP released in 2011. Their fifth studio album, Memory of a Day, is scheduled to drop on October 18 via Neon Gold. The 12-track LP is preceded by lead singles “All A Mystery” and “Happy Again,” both of which were performed live onstage as if they were already classics in their storied repertoire.
Phantogram | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger Photography
Barthel and her hypnotically engaging lyrics were perfectly complimented by Carter’s atmospheric guitar work (who was sporting another one of his signature baseball hats, this time with “NY” fittingly represented) and mastery of his beat sequencing machinery, for a captivating, dreamy set. Stand-out numbers from Phantogram’s trip hop setlist were “Fall in Love” and “Black Out Days,” released more than a decade ago on their sophomore studio album Voices.
As the night’s festivities continued to move briskly along to comply with the strict 10:00 pm curfew (an effort implemented in April by the State Supreme Court order to appease residents in the surrounding neighborhood), I secured my position back in front of the mixing soundboard and readied my camera. The sun having completely set, Kings Of Leon took the stage at 7:45 pm, led by frontman Caleb Followill. As “Ballerina Radio” got underway, the lead track from Can We Please Have Fun, brothers Nathan (drums) and Jared (bass), along with cousin Matthew (lead guitar), suddenly appeared from the dark shadows. Accompanied by touring musicians Liam O’Neil (keyboards, percussion) – who was also celebrating his birthday – and Timothy Deaux (rhythm guitar, keyboards), it was ‘Game On!’
Kings Of Leon | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger Photography
Formed in 1999, the gritty, garage rock sound that Kings Of Leon embodies has been compared to that of Manhattan’s very own The Strokes, intermixed with blues boogie vibes reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd for good measure. The entirety of Kings of Leon’s impressive catalog, now going on more than two decades, was represented in Queens this hump day by at least one track, with Can We Please Have Fun getting the strongest representation (six numbers in total), an album reminiscent of their innovative, early career recordings.
Having never seen Kings Of Leon perform live, the song I wanted to witness firsthand, above any other, was “Sex on Fire” (Only by the Night, 2008). Well, I did not have to wait very long, because my wish was granted one-third of the way into their set! After that, everything else was gravy.
Kings Of Leon | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger Photography
Since I am not someone who checks out setlist.fm or does extensive research ahead of a band’s gig, because I like the element of surprise, I did not know that on this tour Kings Of Leon have been setting aside ‘one-off’ numbers not performed at other shows on the same tour, affectionately known as “song for the city.”
This is the point of the evening where we play a special song just for you. No one else gets to hear it on the tour. In fact, not many other people have ever heard it. So, uh, we’re gonna give it to you tonight for your song for the city. This song was written in New York, and it’s about New York. This is “The Face” [second ever performance and first since 2014].
Caleb Followill
Being only my fifth show at Forest Hills Stadium . . . in addition to Mumford and Sons in 2013, I saw them again in 2016, along with Beck and Cage the Elephant (2019) and Weezer (2023), like the others, tonight’s show was just about fun, enjoying yourself and/or who you were with, and forgetting about life for at least a little while. Aside from stellar musical offerings from both Phantogram and Kings Of Leon, the stage design was visually stunning and the balloon rainstorm during the encore was the cherry on top to a glorious night.
Watch Kings Of Leon conclude their epic, 26-song set with the anthemic “Use Somebody,” from Only by the Night, here:
With just 10 more shows to go on the tour over the next couple of weeks, what lies next for these Southern gentlemen – outside of a much needed break from the road – is still a mystery. Regardless of future plan announcements or details about their next project, eager anticipation by their legion of fans is sure to ensue.
Phantogram Setlist: Don’t Move > Fall in Love > Pedestal > All a Mystery > Cruel World > Mr Impossible > Happy Again > Answer > Black Out Days > When I’m Small
Kings Of Leon Setlist: Ballerina Radio > The Bucket > The Bandit > On Call > Nowhere to Run > Manhattan > Razz > My Party > Sex on Fire > Revelry > Beautiful War > The Face > Supersoaker > M Television > Back Down South > WALLS > Pyro > Mustang > Molly’s Chambers > Waste a Moment > Find Me > Seen > Closer > Encore: Rainbow Ball > Knocked Up > Use Somebody
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
September 20 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
September 22 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
September 23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for the Performing Arts
September 25 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
September 26 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
September 28 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
October 1 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
October 2 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
October 5 – Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
COLORS has announced the “Tones of NYC” program which will see a diverse array of talented artist performances over the span of two days. The program lasts from October 10 to 11 and is hosted at Queens’ Knockdown Center.
Knockdown Center in Queens
About COLORS
COLORS’ brand-new event concept, TONES OF, launches in New York in October 2024. It is set to explore NYC’s undisputed reputation as one of the most powerful cultural capitals in the world. Tones of NYC features a program of live music, art, workshops, discussions, pop ups and more. The aim is to unite leading creatives and up to 6,000 guests for 2 days of cultural exploration.
The event boasts a stacked line-up including Street Dreams, Mustafa, Kidsuper, Moses Sumney, Half Moon BK, Sadboi, Naomi Sharon and many more. Another huge element of the TONES program is dance. TONES pulls in some of the world’s finest dancers and choreographers in the form of Charm La’Donna and Amari Marshall. They are both delivering panels as well as workshops.
Mustafa the Poet
Built in the city, for the city – ‘TONES OF’ unites both established and next-gen cultural pioneers to collaboratively curate each event. As well as music, TONES day-time agenda opens up discussions on topics from innovation in the arts to the future of design and more.
TONES OF connects live acts, DJs, artists, community projects, fashion brands, style heads, creatives, foodies and more. These creative minds deliver talks, workshops, pop-up events, Q&A sessions, parties and of course live music.
Charm La’Donna
For more information on the upcoming “Tones of NYC” event presented by COLORS, click here. Tickets are available to purchase on ColorsxStudios website.
The Queens United International Party (QUIP) presents the seventh annual World Music Festival, taking place in Sunnyside Gardens Park on Saturday, September 21.
An annual celebration of all 120 countries and 135 languages represented in Queens, the QUIP World Music Festival brings the entire borough and beyond together to enjoy the music, art, culture, and food of the community, for the community, by the community.
This yearâs QUIP offers a full roster of events for all ages- music, arts and crafts, dance contests, a wide array of food vendors spanning from arepas to momos, and all that the historical community park has to offer.
Musical performances will occur on two alternating stages from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a lineup that is sure to stun, including but not limited to the renowned kora player Yacouba Sissoko, dancer and educator Malini Srinivasan, all-women, trans, and nonbinary Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line Fogo Azul, and the ever-entertaining Pinkie Special.
Tickets are $15 at the door, and kids under 12 years old are free. For further information, please visit here.
On Saturday, August 31, Porter Robinson took the stage at Forest Hills Stadium for the New York stop on his worldwide SMILE! 😀 tour.
Hot off the release of his latest album, SMILE! :D, Robinson was joined by an incredible four-piece band consisting of keys, drums, guitar, and a dual bassist and backup vocalist. Regardless of whether the band was propped up on the mini stage behind him, or if they joined him on top of the enormous LED screen center stage, they were a stellar support system for Robinson’s infectious energy.
The seats of Forest Hills Stadium were filled with an endearing and incredibly excited crowd, with many dressed in the pink and black motifs of the album. The rest were adorned in bright, colorful gear resembling his other two albums. Others held signs, fans, or sparklers, occasionally bringing the party out of the pit and into the stands. No matter what album Robinson was playing from, the crowd sang along as they danced and jumped around together in disjointed harmony.
Robinson opened the tour with a full rendition of his latest album, which, unlike his previous work, resembled that of a rock band. The rest of his show went along in his own Eras-Tour-style fashion, dedicating sections of the evening to his albums with special announcements before each one.
When Robinson was wrapped up with SMILE! 😀, the enormous LED screen adorned with colorful graphics and lyrics in bright, sparkly fonts would transform into a billboard, with each album’s title and years stretching across the screen.
After the announcements, Porter Robinson played each of his albums in their entirety. It was endearing to see him look back on all of his work with such passion and admiration but also to see his evolution as an artist. His mixing of music styles from alternative and electronic genres had definitely changed over the years, and it was clear that he intends to continue this steady growth in the future. It was refreshing to see, not only because artists with his acclaim and style tend to be stagnant, but because the passion and thought put into his work is clear.
The show’s energy seemed neverending, with a crowd that wanted to keep the party going long after the concert’s end. During his set, he brought out special guest Frost Children, who collaborated with him on his song “Mona Lisa,” and even invited his bassist to perform vocals on his older tracks, particularly from Nurture and Worlds.
Porter Robinson ended the show with an encore of “Shelter” and “Cheerleader,” two of his biggest hits and the most explosive performances of the night. The crowd welcomed him back on stage with resounding cheers and applause, chanting, “One more time!” as he walked off stage. With the end of “Cheerleader” came flashing pink lights and an explosion of paper confetti, blowing away in the wind and getting in the crowd’s hair as they made their exit.
The rest of Porter Robinson’s tour continues through the end of 2024 and into 2025, spanning across five continents and over 20 countries. Robinson’s next show will take him to Atlanta, Georgia, on September 5. More dates in South America are yet to be announced.
For the full list of tour dates, merchandise, and music, fans can visit here.
Setlist:
(SMILE! :D) Knock Yourself Out XD, Perfect Pinterest Garden, Kitsune Maison Freestyle, Year of the Cup, Easier to Love You, Is There Really No Happiness?, Mona Lisa (with Frost Children), Everything To Me, Russian Rouhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzMkFIw8ETMlette.
(Nurture) Wind Tempos, Musician, Something Comforting, Everything Goes On, Unfold, Get Your Wish, Trying to Feel Alive / Look at the Sky
(Worlds) Sea of Voices / Sad Machine, Divinity, Fresh Static Snow, Hollowheart, Language, Goodbye to a World, Sad Machine
In the vibrant land of New York City, each borough offers its unique culture, style, and history. In music, the historic jazz clubs of Harlem, projecting unforgettable stars like Duke Ellington, to the indie rock bands in Brooklyn, Manhattan’s Broadway avenues, Queen’s melting pot of cultural musicians, the Bronx’s hip-hop roots, and Staten Island’s hidden diamonds, the city offers something for everyone.
The Rockwood Music Hall is a small live music venue on NYCâs Lower East Side, with world-class sound and a storied history. Anchored by a 9âx9â stage and a Welte & Sons baby grand piano, Rockwood hosts artists of all genres and musical styles, 7 days a week.
The club is filled with vibrant jazz-loving people from all over the world. The musicians are all top-rate and playing their hearts out for an adoring and sympathetic crowd.
Irving Plaza is a ballroom-style music venue located within the Union Square neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was featured on the Complex City Guide list of “50 Best Concert Venues of America” in 2013.
Webster Hall is one of New York’s most significant large 19th-century assembly halls, and it became famous for its Bohemian masquerade balls in the 1910s and 1920s.
Known for its mix of local talent and acoustic acts, the funky venue has an intimate stage for all performances. As a local staple of the East Village, locals and visitors love then venue.
The Bitter End is a 230-person capacity nightclub, coffeehouse, and folk music venue in New York City’s Greenwich Village. It opened in 1961 at 147 Bleeker Street under the auspices of owner Fred Weintraub. The club changed its name to The Other End in June 1975. However, after a few years, the owners changed the club’s name back to the more recognizable The Bitter End.
The Mercury Lounge is celebrated as an iconic indie venue due to its acoustics, its fostering and even launching of upcoming artists, and its no-frills, rock n’ roll presentation. It has made numerous top-ten lists over the years including that of Billboard Magazine. It has a capacity of 250 people.
LPR is a music venue and multimedia art cabaret in New York City founded in 2008. The performance space was designed and engineered by John Storyk/WSDG. It has become known for its focus on artistry, bringing contemporary classical music into the club setting, offering a variety of setups so that a seated classical performance can be followed by a standing set by a rock band or a DJ.
Sounds of Brazil, known as S.O.B.âs, is a legendary live music venue in the lower Manhattan neighborhood of SoHo. It was opened by owner and director Larry Gold in June 1982. Gold opened the venue to expose the musical wealth and heritage of the Afro-Latino Diaspora to as many people as possible.
Nublu is a unique club and record label from the cultural epicenter of New York City, the East Village. There are three entities of the Nublu universe, a live music venue, a record label, and a recently launched Nublu Jazz Festival which has premiered in NYC, Sao Paul and Istanbul.
Being a staple in the East Village, the venue is owned and operated by rock and roll lifers. Known for the raw and gritty charm, the establishment hosts rising stars.
The Gramercy Theatre is a music venue in New York City. It is located in the Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan, on 127 East 23rd Street. Built in 1937 as the Gramercy Park Theatre, it is owned and operated by Live Nation as one of their two concert halls in New York City, the other being the nearby Irving Plaza.
The Red Lion is a living, breathing Rock-n-Roll juke box. This is the place where bands get their start, making their bones, paying the rent and barely paying their tab. Just like the Rolling Stones did with their first three albums: Interpreting the songs they loved the best.
The Rooftop at Pier 17is New York Cityâs most scenic concert stage. A dynamic open-air entertainment venue, set five stories above the East River, concert goers annually see their favorite artists within an intimate atmosphere (3,500 capacity), all from a one-of-a-kind rooftop location with direct views of such iconic skyline landmarks as the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and One World Trade Center.
Groove is a venue that remains, honoring the rich musical tradition of Greenwich Village. Groove has seen many changes since opening in 1998, but the mission to uplift local musicians and fans and to preserve the soul of American music continues to this day.
Dueling Pianos is an all-request, rock-and-roll party where you pick the playlist. Two top piano entertainers, mixing music, comedy and audience interaction in a singalong, laugh-along, dance-along show! Itâs everything from Billy Joel to Bon Jovi, Britney Spears to Bruno Mars. Nothing is off-limits from pop, rock, country, hip-hop, hairbands, disco, punk rock, standards, showtunes.
The Beacon Theatre was developed by Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel and built as a movie palace with 2,894 seas across three levels. The theater is designated as a New York City interior landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Part palace, part industrial shed, Park Avenue Armory fills a critical void in the cultural ecology of New York, supporting unconventional works in the performing and visual arts that cannot be fully realized in a traditional proscenium theater, concert hall, or white wall gallery. With its soaring 55,000-square-foot Wade Thompson Drill Hall and an array of exuberant period rooms, the Armory enables a diverse range of artists to create, students to explore, and audiences to experience epic, adventurous, relevant work that cannot be done elsewhere in New York.
The National Sawdust commissions, produces, and presents cultural programming rooted in sound, supporting artists in various disciplines who are passionate about experimentation and innovation. In its intimate venue equipped with a state-of-the-art spatial sound system, National Sawdust connects audiences to the performing arts’ powers to inspire deep thinking, joy, and uphold human dignity.
Elsewhere is a multi-room music venue, nightclub, and arts space in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Our focus is underground and unbound music, presented with love. Since 2017, Elsewhereâs three stories of dance floors and stages have been home to expansive sonic offerings for all New Yorkers to explore. We are and will forever remain fiercely independent.
Located next door to The Brooklyn Monarch, The Meadows is quickly becoming a late night hotspot. This 500 capacity venue is an oasis, complete with a full bar, food, and trippy picturesque backyard with a seasonal outdoor stage.
Skinny Dennis is located in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The bar features 18 beers on draft, our signature cocktails, a vintage jukebox and our INfamous Willie’s Frozen Coffee. Since February 2013, Skinny Dennis has been home to the some of the best live country & roots music in New York City. Offering high quality musical entertainment 7 nights a week.
Quirky Brooklyn bar prized for ‘divey’ vibes, eclectic decor & live performances in the back room. The eclectic decor within the bar adds and build unique character and is a local favorite.
Opened in September of 2008, the warehouse venue hosts big-name acts & up-and-comers. Before opening, the space was used for recording the NPR program “Ask Me Another.”
On November 24, 1928, Brooklyn Paramount introduced the most immersive entertainment experience the world had ever seen. Crowds stretched around the block to leave the world behind for a baroque palace of overwhelming spectacle and groundbreaking performances. Emboldened as âAmericaâs first movie theater built for sound,â Brooklyn Paramount set the stage for a storied saga of beginnings.
Located within the former horse stable of the ASPCA HQ, The Atrium is a cocktail bar and plant based restaurant that transforms into a late night music space. The room is crowned by a historic skylight and imposing 20â² columns that frame a monolithic travertine bar. The Atrium hosts a diverse range of record selectors over dinner service and internationally touring DJâs later in the evening.
With 15,000+ square feet of space on each of two floors featuring high ceilings and ample open space. 3,000 person capacity uniquely positioned to take advantage of the burgeoning Hollywood movie and TV rental business in Brooklyn. The Hangar also has a pre-approved NY State-certified Soundstage/New York State Qualified Production Facility (QPF) for usage rights.
Opened in 1999, Pete’s Candy Store continues as Williamsburg’s original live music venue. Featuring acts such as Will Oldham, Beth Orton, Devendra Barnhart and Norah Jones, this small venue and neighborhood tavern developed an early reputation for special shows and rare treats. While the list of noteworthy performers is quite lengthy, Pete’s Candy Store has always been a free venue and has booked mostly unknown and unsigned bands, many of which have gone on to greater recognition.
The Kings Theatre, formerly Loew’s Kings Theatre, is a live performance venue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. Opened by Loew’s Theatres as a movie palace in 1929 and closed in 1977, the theater sat empty for decades until a complete renovation was initiated in 2010.
The Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island is an outdoor live entertainment venue within the Childs Restaurants building on the Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City. The venue opened in June 2016.
Founded in 2014, Câmon was born out of a desire to amplify the underserved creative voices of LGBTQ/QTPOC people (and allies) and to serve as a safe space for the queer community.
Brooklyn Music Kitchen is Brooklynâs newest music infusion giving local and global artists the opportunity to perform, record and stream their live performances from a fully loaded sound and video stage.
TV Eye is a new kind of night club on a geographical and cultural frontier, proudly occupying both a space on the edge of the Bushwick/Ridgewoodborder and in the vanguard of contemporary nightlife.
Industrial-chic venue of rehearsal space, art studios & rooftop bar with live music, films & snacks. From indie to R&B offers a great offering of rising artists.
Established in 2013, Babyâs All Right is an independently funded & operated music venue in the heart of Williamsburg. Its intimate, 250-capacity show room has hosted past perfomers including SZA, Cypress Hill, Lil Yachty, Blood Orange, Charli XCX, Mac DeMarco, James Murphy, David Byrne, Hot Chip, Courtney Barnett, Willow Smith, Jack White, Billie Eilish & many more.
This spot is a favorite hangout and go-to spot for live music and draft beers. Regularly hosting live performances, the venue has the perfect atmosphere for a casual night outing.
The Music Hall of Williamsburg us operated by the Bowery Presents, a group stemming from Bowery Ballroom that was brought by AEG in 2017. The Music Hall of Williamsburg has a capacity of 650 people and has shows on most nights of the week.
Imagine retreating back in time to enjoy live jazz in an intimate, restored 19th-century Victorian brownstone in the historical district of Brooklynâs Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Brownstone Jazz presents jazz concerts complete with a piano, bass, drum set and other acoustic instruments as well. A Southern fish-fry buffet and open mic sessions add to the experience.
Gemini & Scorpio, two funky Brooklyn gals, have been running the second-largest non-commercial New York City events list since 2002, spreading the word on underground happenings you’d otherwise never hear about. They are also the makers of themed costume parties with live entertainment: legendary happenings from wild circus throw downs to dazzling vintage dance socials to one-of-a-kind Russian baths bashes.
Address: 267 Douglass St 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Issue Project Room A pioneering Brooklyn-based performance nonprofit founded in 2003, ISSUE presents projects by interdisciplinary artists that expand the boundaries of artistic practice and stimulate critical dialogue in the broader community. ISSUE serves as a leading cultural incubator, facilitating the commission and premiere of innovative new works spanning genres of music, dance, literature and film.
Formerly Queens Theatre in the Park and before that Queens Playhouse, is an American professional theatre, located in Flushing MeadowsâCorona Park, Queens, New York City, New York.
Address : Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave S, Queens, NY 11368
Terraza 7 is a live music venue and community center; the perfect hub for local art, political expressions, and your favorite coffee or mixed drink. Located in the heart of Queens, New York, between Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, two locations containing the most diverse population of immigrants on the planet, is committed to a progressive model of business that grows within its community base on local values.
The Wolfhound is a contemporary Irish pub in Astoria Queens NYC. We serve lots of Guinness as well as craft beer + domestic favorites along with a seasonal cocktail list We pack the calendar with weekend events – live music, DJ parties, and more. Trivia on Tuesdays. Rocking since August 2016.
Forest Hills Stadium is a historic outdoor music venue that has welcomed fans to the picturesque New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens for over 100 years. Designed to optimize acoustics and with no obstructed views, the 13,000 capacity stadium is the only outdoor venue of its kind and size in the city.
Flushing Town Hall is a performing arts center and historic town hall at 137-35 Northern Boulevard in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens in New York City. It served as the seat of government of the village of Flushing until the village became part of City of Greater New York in 1898.
Featuring programming of diverse formats and media, Knockdown Center aims to create a radically cross-disciplinary environment. The particularity of our architectural environment and history leads us to gravitate toward projects that demonstrate a sensitive reactivity to site and environment.
Gantry Plaza State Park is a 12-acre state park on the East River in the Hunters Point section of Long Island City, in the New York City borough of Queens. The park is located in a former dockyard and manufacturing district, and includes remnants of facilities from the area’s past.
The Paradise Theater, formerly Loew’s Paradise Theatre, is a movie palace-type theater located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. Constructed in 1929 at the height of grand movie theaters, in the later 20th century the building was used also for live entertainment.
The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) developed the Bronx Music Hall (BMH) as a performance venue and community cultural center dedicated to honoring, showcasing and cultivating music, dance, theater, and interdisciplinary arts in the Bronx.
The Bronx Brewery The Brewery is committed to using what we create and where we create it to bring people together, while celebrating the rich and diverse creative scene in our home borough and across New York City and Manhattan.
Pregones was founded in 1979 when a group of artists led by Rosalba Rolón set out to create new works in the style of Caribbean and Latin American âcolectivosâ or performing ensembles.
THE POINT Community Development Corporation is dedicated to youth development and the cultural and economic revitalization of the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Its programming falls within three main headings all aimed at the comprehensive revitalization of the Hunts Point community: Youth Development, Arts and Culture, and Community Development.
An Beal Bocht Cafe, in operation since 1991, began as a small cafe. Serving only non-alcoholic beverages, it centered as a spot for artist to gather and performs, and quickly cemented itself as a neighborhood favorite.
Orchard Beach is the only public beach in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The 115-acre, 1.1-mile-long beach is part of Pelham Bay Park and is situated on the western end of Long Island Sound. Orchard Beach indeed has music, with Salsa Sundays held every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, from noon to 5 pm, as well as Pride in the Bronx in June, Camping, Pelham Bay Park canoeing and much more!
The St. George Theatre is a performing arts venue, picture palace, and office complex at 35 Hyatt Street in St. George, on the North Shore of Staten Island, New York City. The 2,800-seat St. George Theatre was built for Staten Island theater operator Solomon Brill and opened on December 4, 1929.
Harbor Lights is Staten Islands own professional Theater Company presenting Broadway actors in beautifully designed productions at an affordable price.
Located at the heart of the 204-acre campus of the College of Staten Island (CSI), a four-year senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), the Center for the Arts (CFA) is one of the leading, state-of-the-art, performing arts centers in Staten Island.
Address: 2800 Victory Blvd #1P-116, Staten Island, NY 10314
On August 16th and 17th, the NYC Ferry in collaboration with Rhino Records launched a series of Ramones-themed ferry rides. These rides came in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ramones’ CBGB debut show.
The Ramones were founded in Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. From the start, their music marked a stark shift from 1970s rock conventions. With Johnny Ramone’s lightning fast guitar lines, and Joey Ramone’s sneering vocals, the band helped invent the fledgling genre of Punk Rock. Perhaps the most important date of the band’s career was August 16th, 1974. On that day, the four members made their stage debut at CBGB in Bowery, Manhattan. Donning ripped jeans and leather jackets, the band exuded a coolness that went on to revolutionize rock music.
Following this performance, the punk scene was born. From that point forward, CBGB went on to sit at the heart of New York’s punk music circle. For the next few decades, the band became a regular stop for Blondie, Talking Heads, Joan Jett, and more. The Ramones themselves returned to CBGB over 70 times throughout their career.
The impact of the Ramones’ August 16th has not been forgotten. According to Rolling Stone, afterwards the Ramones “inspired more bands than anybody since the Beatles.” The New York Times added that their influence “has been incalculable.”
To celebrate this revolutionary moment in punk music, Rhino Records partnered with the NYC Ferry for themed boat rides. In homage to the Ramones’ classic “Rockaway Beach,” three ferries out of Pier 11 took up Ramones theming. These ferries traveled the “Rockaway Route” from Manhattan’s Pier 11 to Brooklyn’s Sunset Park and ultimately Rockaway Beach.
Along this route, the ferries featured Ramones’ themed decor and music. Additionally the cruises offered a raffle for a Ramones prize pack, sticker giveaways, and samples of locally-owned Rockaway Soda. At the ferry’s endpoint, the Rockaway Beach Bakery offered riders special Ramones-themed sweets. Among the offerings were “Ra-scones” and “Now I Wanna Sip Some (Cold) Brew.”
In addition to these cruises, Rhino Records has planned a number of vinyl releases to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. In September, Vinyl Me Please will release an exclusive pink vinyl pressing of 1977’s Rocket to Russia. Upon its release, the album helped spawn timeless classics like “Rockaway Beach” and “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker.” The 2024 repressing features an exclusive liner notes booklet and print of the band. Rhino is also releasing limited editions of Too Tough to Die and Road to Ruin on exclusive color vinyl. These vinyl releases go on sale on August 30th, at the link here.
Australian band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard formed in 2010, mashing up a combination of prospective band names into their now iconic name. The name tells you almost everything you need to know about this band of Australian goofs and their ability to turn any concept and sound into a piece of complex and intriguing art. In the past 14 years, they have released 26 studio albums covering many genres, from psychedelic rock to metal to indie and everything in-between. That’s almost one full album every six months for over a decade. King Gizzard gave us a taste of all of it Friday, August 16th at Forest Hills Stadium.
Opening for King Gizzard was Geese, coming off of their well-received second studio album, 3D Country and 4D Country EP. Geese’s sound fits well within Gizzard’s world, with more of an american blues lean meets Pearl Jam feeling to their sound. With these shows, Gizzard took a page out of the Grateful Dead’s book, playing three-hour sets with a changing setlist. Comparing the setlists from their Friday and Saturday shows at Forest Hills Stadium, they didn’t repeat a single song across the two shows. Their discography is so deep that they could repeat that feat across almost a dozen of these three-hour marathon sets without ever repeating a song.
If you are a fan of a more niche Gizzard song, now may be your opportunity to see it live as they trawl through their discography over the coming months. The setlist for this first Forest Hills show was a perfect welcome to fans who may not have had a chance to see the band before. The band played a majority of their most popular tracks, with an overall metal lean and a healthy serving of Gizzard’s home base psychadelic funk/rock to round out the 25 song setlist.
With the lack of breaks and varied repertoire, Gizzard amazingly suffered very few hiccups during their set, playing an almost seamless blend of tracks with some especially unique transitions between songs that made the audience’s ears perk up. All of the band’s members are multi-instrumentalists, adding to the complexity and giving King Gizzard their unique layered sound. They invited a fan named Gabby who was holding a sign in the audience on stage to sing the intro to “Nuclear Fusion.” The intro is probably best described as throat singing with some heavy effects layered ontop and Gabby killed it.
Another notable aspect of King Gizzard’s live performances is the audience, a unique combination of deadheads, metal heads, and monster heads, people dressed in a smattering of medieval clothing and monster costumes harkening to King Gizzard’s ever growing lore. Many of these costumes touch on themes inherent to Gizzard’s visual media and lyricism such as the eponymous awareness around the earths climate and the eponymous King Gizzard and Lizard Wizard. King Gizzard’s media presence is heavily based in fantasy and sci fi and has given way to fans concocting a unique world out of an amalgamation of lyrics and imagery. The looseness of this world is what makes their crowds so unique, as fans craft outfits that fit into a world created of their own creation, serving as a true reflection of the wearer in a way that typical fan regalia can’t.
The show stopped exactly at 10pm due to a hard curfew implemented by Forest Hills Stadium last year in an effort to cut down on noise complaints. Following their shows in Queens, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard continue on with their North America tour, which is a marathon itself, with 36 more shows through November of this year. Then in May of 2025 they make their way to Lisbon, Portugal for the European leg, which extends through June.
Setlist: Field of Vision, Daily Blues, Cut Throat Boogie, Gamma Knife, People-Vultures, Mr. Beat, Boogieman Sam, Work This Time, Iâm In Your Mind, Iâm Not In Your Mind, Cellophane, Iâm In Your Mind Fuzz, This Thing, Self-Immolate, Organ Farmer, Venusian 2, Gila Monster, Flamethrower, Straws In The Wind, Pleura, All Is Known, Doom City, Rattlesnake, K.G.L.W. (Outro)
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Forest Hills Stadium – August 16, 2024
