Rising rap, reggae and R&B artist Jehry Robinson released his new single “Pilot” alongside a music video on May 24. This is the first solo single from the Brooklyn native, following his 2023 album, Drink More Water.
After jumping into the scene with his first record, Pt. IV, V, VI, in 2017, Robinson made his Strange Music record label debut with his August 2020 record 20/Twenty. Since then, Robinson has found a clear lane in the industry, showcasing a unique blend of rap, reggae and R&B influences. With multiple co-signs from rap veteran Tech N9ne and an opening spot on country star Jelly Roll‘s 2022 Son of a Sinner Tour, Robinson’s role as a notable figure in the rapverse is undeniable.
Since his Strange Music debut, Robinson has released two more studio albums, one in 2021 and the other in 2023. His 2023 album, Drink More Water, earned positive reviews from Underground Hip Hop Blog, Folk N Rock and Dancing About Architecture. Now, with the release of “Pilot,” Robinson appears to be starting the album cycle once again.
On “Pilot,” a nimbly plucked guitar gives way to a head-nodding beat kickstarted by simmering cymbals. Robinson alternates between hummable melodies and airtight rhymes in the verses. However, his vocals really take flight on the chantable chorus, “I think we’re going down, so I went to see the pilot ’cause I been getting tired, let’s turn this plane around.” In the accompanying visual, Robinson assumes the multiple roles of passengers on a commercial flight, breaking through the turbulence as our hero confronts the man at the wheel (who just so happens to be him).
“It’s about being the pilot of your own life and you can always turn it around. You’re in control to follow your destiny,” said Robinson.
Listen to “Pilot” on your preferred streaming platform here.
Experience live new works from world-renowned composers of today debuting at the Albany Symphony’s 2024 American Music Festival, “Water Music NY: More Voices.”
The event will take place between June 7-9 at the EMPAC concert hall on the RPI campus and locations throughout Troy, NY. “This is the beginning of a three-year project in which we will celebrate and explore the history of New York through the lens of people whose stories have not been told,” writes Music Director David Alan Miller.
Performances will kick off with Dogs of Desire on Friday, June 7. The festival will also celebrate 30 years of the innovative ensemble by Dai Wei, del Pino, Sohn, Bansal and JURAKHAN.
Taking place on June 8 is FLOW, a “Water Music NY: New Voices” commission by Clarice Assad. The suite for piano and orchestra is a musical journey through the symbolic currents of emotions, exploring themes of change, resilience, and the passage of time through the idea of water. All the movements connect seamlessly, each representing a different dynamic ebb and flow of emotions and experiences. Its lively and improvisational character is a celebration of endurance, affirming the idea that even in the face of challenges, the capacity to adapt and emerge stronger exists. The festival will host some of its favorite composers and performers, including Joan Tower, Christopher Theofanidis, and Brandon Patrick George. It will also feature wonderful creators who are new to its stage.
Performances include Jack Frerer’s covers of hits by NY-born songwriters, from Cab Calloway to Grace Jones and Lana Del Rey, not to mention an audience. Following the concert, there will be a late-night lounge event where listeners can enjoy the sultry Brazilian rhythms of father-daughter duo Sérgio and Clarice Assad. Sergio Assad is one of the world’s greatest living classical guitarists. Clarice is a major Brazilian-American composer, much loved by the Albany Symphony audience and community.
The Last of James Fenimore Cooper on Sunday, June 9 is set to close the event at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. Native American composer Brent Michael Davids has composed a witty, satirical quartet about James Fenimore Cooper. Davids. He embraces indigenous themes and subjects in his music, considering Cooper’s ignorance of native culture in “The Last of the Mohicans” in this work for string quartet, featuring members of the Albany Symphony. This event is featured as part of the Sanctuary for Independent Media’s Freedom Festival in collaboration with the American Music Festival.
The year is 1964 on Long Island, when a group of four high school friends decide to form a garage band called The Vagrants. Little did they know, this pet project would have a massive impact on the music scene within its four short years of existence. Its members would play with legends like Jim Morrison, John Lennon, and The Who. Their singles would influence everything from punk rock to metal to one of Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits. Their lead guitarist would even rise to classic rock stardom at Woodstock. So how is it that The Vagrants could so quickly fade into obscurity?
Like so many other bands. The Vagrants began because of the Beatles. In August 1964, friends Peter Sabatino and Larry Weinstein watched The Beatles play the Forest Hills Stadium and knew they had to start a band. The duo went around town to assemble a ragtag group of their friends to join. Peter would be lead singer, with Larry on bass guitar and backing vocals. They enlisted the best guitarist they knew, who just happened to be Larry’s brother Leslie West. They met future drummer Roger Mansour when their high school principal suspended him and the other fledgling band members for their long hair. Finally, they got Jerry Storch, a regular at the local bowling alley, to join on keys.
Storch’s bowling alley connection would save the band, as the local lanes would become their base of operations. From this headquarters, the quintet mapped out their plan for future success. As it turns out, Sabatino and Weinstein were as good entrepreneurs as they were musicians, networking to get early gigs across Queens and Long Island. They made the high school circuit, playing everything from sweet 16s to NYC nightclubs. On top of all of this, the band’s members were all still actively enrolled in an arts high school.
This early grind worked out for The Vagrants, as they soon caught the eye of a record label willing to promote and release their music. In 1965, representatives from Southern Sound approached the band, having seen their rudimentary press kit. The label offered to release The Vagrant’s debut single, an opportunity that would kickstart their fleeting career.
This debut single was “Oh Those Eyes” with b-side “You’re Too Young.” The A-side is a hidden gem of 1960s rock, starring Sabatino’s sneering vocals that sound straight out of “My Generation.” His vocals are backed up by Beatles-esque harmonies, eerie Hammond organ, and Leslie West’s reverb-laden surf guitar. All of these come together to create something punky and psychedelic, unlike much rock that had preceded it.
Their debut single propelled The Vagrants to greater stardom than before. Soon they had gotten residencies in Hampton Bays in the East end of Long Island, and the Rolling Stone in Manhattan. The single also pushed the group into movie-stardom, after gaining the attention of director Douglas Hickox in 1966. Hickox was in the process of making Disk-O-Tek Holiday, a film about an aspiring musician named Casey Paxton attempting to gain radio airplay of his song. Hickox thought that “Oh Those Eyes” would make a perfect musical number for a dance party scene, and hired the group to perform in his film.
The Vagrants soon became regulars on the “Good Guys” program of NYC’s WMCA radio station. Bolstered by its early radio support of The Beatles’ early singles, WMCA had become a haven for cutting-edge rock. The Vagrants, alongside legends like Eric Clapton’s Cream, and The Who, would often play sets for the station, broadcasting their singles across the NYC metro.
Until 1968, The Vagrants continued to release 4 more singles, which would later be collected in the 2011 compilation I Can’t Make a Friend. These singles are quintessential 1960s rock, melding influences from all of the decade’s most defining genres. “Hasty Heart” sees the band hearken back to early 60s surf rock. It combines melodic harmonies, exotica-esque organs, and reverberated guitars to craft a hazy, lazy tune that wouldn’t feel out of place at a tiki bar. Their next single, a 1967 cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect” is straight-up soul, with upbeat guitars and a catchy keyboard line. This cover allegedly caught the ear of producer Jerry Wexler who passed it along to his client Aretha Franklin.
Despite their best efforts, none of these singles were radio hits. Desperate for success, The Vagrants called in Cream producer Felix Pappalardi to record “Beside the Sea.” This single is a stark departure from their earlier soulful style of garage rock. The track is a slow psychedelic dirge, with guitars so distorted they almost don’t register as instruments. The harsh, raucous guitars foreshadow the later metal, industrial, and noise-rock genres. “Beside the Sea” mirrors the growing psychedelic and acid rock scenes expanding across late 1960s America. Despite this, the track was not the hit The Vagrants were looking for.
While The Vagrants didn’t find much success in their studio output, they became infamous for their fiery live performances. In 1966, they became the house band at The Action House in Island Park, NY. The Action House was a Mecca for the Long Island live music scene. Owned by Lucchese mafia family associate Phil Basile, the venue was infamous for its drug use, fights, and overall chaotic atmosphere. Despite its ill repute, it attracted bands both local and national. Bands like The Doors, The Hassles–with a young Billy Joel on keys–and Vanilla Fudge all played The Action house alongside The Vagrants.
The Vagrants’ live sets fit right into The Action House’s chaotic atmosphere. As the house band, they were paid $1,500 to perform 28 nights every month. Eager to earn their pay, The Vagrants cranked up their live antics to eleven. They padded out their sets with slowed-down, distorted covers of popular songs, like The Beatles’ “No Reply.” These covers, along with those of their Action House colleagues Vanilla Fudge, would lay the foundation for early heavy metal that would emerge soon after.
Their antics went beyond just musical experimentation, with the band often incorporating pyrotechnics into their performances. They timed fireworks so that they would go off at the climaxes of their songs. One night, extra fireworks stored under Storch’s organ ignited after the show. The explosion set the stage, along with the band’s instruments on fire, destroying them. The Vagrants were so popular, however, that their show set for the next night couldn’t be delayed, so their label replaced their instruments and repaired the stage in less than a day.
Despite their live success, The Vagrants’ future was far from set in 1968. None of their singles had become radio hits like they had hoped, and the band was growing restless. As a result of this restlessness, the band members began fighting more and more, worsened by their increasing drug use. Joey Ramone, who went to school with The Vagrants and followed their career, recalls that Larry modeled himself after “Jim Morrison at that point – just like permanently f—-d-up.” By summer 1968, things were beyond repair, with Jerry Storch leaving. Less than one year later, Leslie West also left, starting a new band with collaborator Felix Pappalardi, leaving The Vagrants all but dead.
While the Vagrants died in 1968, West’s new band Mountain was born, launching him to guitar god status. Mountain built off the distortion of Vagrants tracks like “Beside the Sea” to create heavy, psychedelic blues rock. The band got off to a running start, playing at Woodstock less than one year after its founding. At 9:00 PM on the second night of the festival, mountain played an eleven song set to over 500,000 people: a show that was only their fourth gig ever.
With albums like Climbing! and Nantucket Sleighride, Mountain became legends of classic rock radio. West used his newfound fame to collaborate with some of the biggest names in rock. He went on to record a demo jam with Eric Clapton and John Lennon, as well as playing guitar on the Who track “Baby, Don’t You Do It.”
While West soared to superstardom with Mountain, the other members of The Vagrants remained quiet for the next few decades. Drummer Roger Mansour became a missionary in Haiti, and keyboardist Jerry Stroch became a rabbi. Peter Sabatino started a local catering business, but still remained hopeful of a Vagrants reunion.
In 1990, Sabatino reformed The Vagrants with no other original members. These “New Vagrants” made the rounds of NYC and Long Island venues, with regular shows at Amityville’s Odyssey Club. After years of live shows, the group began recording their comeback/debut full-length LP 21st Century Vagrants in 2002. The recording was cut short, however, when their drummer Joe Forgione died of a heart attack during a live show in 2003. Any hopes of a Vagrants comeback died alongside Forgione in 2003, and the band broke up for good. For the second time in their history, The Vagrants had ended before they really got started.
Enjoy The Vagrants performing a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” at The Action House.
Pride month is upon us once again, and New York has no shortage of inclusive pride events. From live music events to festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Below you’ll find a complete guide to New York State’s pride events this coming June, from Long Island to Rochester.
Albany
May 31, 5:00 PM: Start Pride on the right foot with the Waterworks Pub’s Pride Kick-Off block party and BBQ. Admission is free!
June 1, 9:00 PM: Pay homage to queer art with ICONS: A Pride Variety Show and Party at Lark Hall. The celebration begins with a pre-show party from 9-11, where there will be giveaways and teaser performances. The main show, ICONS- The Variety Show, will feature drag queens Brita Filter, Lagoona Bloo, Amanda Blair, and many more. The fun does not stop after the show. An after party with DJ Synes will begin at midnight and continue until 2 AM. Tickets are available here.
June 9, 11:30 AM: Capital Pride Parade & Festival will take place in Washington Park. Registration can be found at the following link, and proceeds go to the Pride Center of the Capital Region’s programming advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.
Troy
June 15, 2:00-6:00 PM: Join Collar City Pride for their picnic in Troy’s Prospect Park. The barbecue will feature vegan and non-vegan options, snacks, and beverages. There is a suggested donation on a sliding scale, and everyone is invited to bring lawn games, speakers, and frisbees.
July 14: The pride celebration continues into July, with performances by Typhoid Mary and DJ Lovely Candela. More queer artists and drag performers are to be announced. Good Karma Studios will also be performing an acrobatic act. There will be a family section with balloon animals and a drag story hour. There will also be over 40 vendors, most of whom are from Rensselaer County and LGBTQ+ owned and operated. The festival will be held in Riverfront Park, further details can be found on the facebook page linked here.
Schenectady
June 1, 10:00 AM: The Dynasty will introduce their first ever wrestling event for this year’s pride celebration. “Sounds Gay, I’m In” will be held at Gateway Park. The festival will begin at 10:00 AM, and the wrestling will begin at 6:00 PM. All ages are welcome, and more information is available at the following link.
Saratoga Springs
May 30, 2:45: Join the Ballston Spa High School in the raising of the pride flag.
June 27, 6:00 PM: LGBTQ parents and children are invited to Saratoga Arts’ “POP” Gathering (parents of pride). The event will feature arts, crafts, and community building activities for the whole family. More information can be found here. Saratoga Arts hosts the event monthly, so dates will be available all year!
July 11, 6:30 PM: Join Saratoga Pride members for their Cornhole League. The informal, weekly drop-in league costs $15 a ticket, which offers guests a 20% discount on all food and drinks. Tournaments will be held at Saratoga Winery, and guests are encouraged to support the local restaurant. There will be more sessions every Thursday throughout the summer, with the tournament finals on August 29.
June 23, 2:00 PM: Saratoga’s Pride festival will return to High Rock Park this year, with an after party to follow. The family friendly event will feature live music, family activities, and community groups. Food and ice cream will also be available for purchase on site.
Lake George
Lake George Pride Festival, ages 16+ (under 16 admitted with parent/guardian only), featuring DJs from the community representing, vendor village, disc golf, frisbee golf, lawn games, walking trails, photo areas, cash bar and more! $20 to enter, brought to you in partnership by Warren County and The Lake George Area and powered by Rocavaka and Goldstein Auto Group.
Binghamton
June 20, 6:00 PM: Binghamton Pride Coalition will host a clothing swap from June 3-10. Participants are asked to donate gently used, clean clothes and accessories at Butterfields. On June 20, the clothes will be organized and displayed for people to choose. There is a suggested donation of $10, which will be donated to Identity LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Binghamton. The invitation is available at the following link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Pride Palooza will return this year to Otsiningo Park. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic blankets and lunches to enjoy live music and entertainment. Local food vendors will be available, and admission is free! The flyer is available at the following link. There will also be a firework show in Martin Luther King Jr. Park & Promenade.
June 21, 5:00 PM: Join Southern Tier Aids Program (STAP) in celebrating their 40 year anniversary. STAP will hold a gala at the Binghamton DoubleTree, and admission costs $50. Tickets are available at the following link. STAP will honor the dedication of Drew and Gertrude Noden, whose support of their AIDS Ride for Life fundraiser has been instrumental. STAP also thanks JPMorgan & Chase for their generosity and allyship. A cash bar will be available, and there are menu options for vegetarian and vegan guests.
Otsego County
June 1, 2:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host their annual Pridefest. The festival will be held on Main Street in Oneonta. Parade line up begins at 1:00 PM, and the route will begin at 27 Market St to Elm St. Guests are asked to bring a chair, water, cash to tip performers and flags. The full schedule can be found below, and the event is open to the public.
June 13, 7:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host a Baseball Pride Night at Damaschke Field. Admission is $5, with discounts available to seniors and students.
June 1: Winners of the “Pets for Pride” event will be announced at the OPA’s Pridefest. Voting is open to decide on the winner, cast your ballot at the following link.
Hudson Valley
May 30, 6:00-10:00 PM: Dutchess County Pride Center is throwing Poughkeepsie’s Kick off Party for pride month. The Factory at Sloop Brewing will host the party, with appetizers and drinks available. There will be special programing to commemorate the 100 year mark of the modern pride movement, and guests will be offered a sneak peek of the Annual Pride Auction items before they’re released to the public. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 1, 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM: Habitat Newburgh will host a Pride Build, bringing together members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to help those in need. Attendees will help build affordable homes for local families, and celebrate pride while making a difference. Volunteers can register here.
June 1, 12:00-5:00 PM: New Paltz Pride Coalition and Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center will host their annual Pride March & Festival in Hasbrouck Park. Voting for local Pride Marshall is also open, cast your ballot at the following link. More information about the festival and parade is available here.
June 1, 12:00-4:00 PM: Join Opus 40 and Queer Conspiracy for a family-friendly celebration of pride in the Hudson Valley. The picnic will be held at Opus 40 in Saugerties, and carpool tickets are available here. The event will feature a drag story hour, live music, a kids dance party, and local vendors.
June 1, 4:00-7:00 PM: Join DJ Trevor for an afternoon tea party in Pine Plains. More info about the dance celebration is available here.
June 1, 7:00: Join Hudson Valley Improv for their celebration of PrideProv! Doors open at 6:45 and the show starts at 7:00. The show will be held at Boughton Place in Highland. Tickets are only available online at the following link. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to GLSEN, a non-profit dedicated to ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
June 2, 9:00-10:15 AM: Inspired by Holi and powered by pride, Pound Ridge Partnership and the Human Rights Advisory Committee have come together to host the 3rd annual Pound Ridge Color Run. The 5K race will begin at Pound Ridge Elementary School, and runners of all ages and abilities are welcome. Registration is available at the following link. Highlights from the 2022 race are available below.
June 2, 11:30 AM: Watch the White Plains raising of the Pride Flag outside the Michaelian Office Building. More information is available on The Loft LGBTQ’s instagram here.
Didn’t find an event in your town? A full list of Hudson Valley Pride Events is available here.
Catskills
June 15, 5:30: Catskills Pride will host an Awards Gala to honor champions of the LGBTQ+ community. The awards ceremony and following reception will be held at The Eldred Preserve. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 8, 1:00 PM: Woodstock Public Library will host a drag story hour and sparkle party with Katrina Mirage, who will read a book about peace, acceptance, and love. More information is available here.
Syracuse
June 13, 5:00 PM: Join the Syracuse Mets in their pride celebration. Enjoy a tailgate party with giveaways, a DJ, $1 hot dogs, and $2 beers. Everyone is welcome, tickets are available here.
June 22, 11:00 AM: Central New York Pride will host a Pride Parade and Festival in Progress Park. The parade will begin at 11:00 AM, and the festival will go from 12:00 to 5:00 PM. More information is available at the following link.
Watertown
June 2, 12:00 PM: Watertown NY Pride, Lewis County Pride, and Planned Parenthood of the North Country New York, Inc., have joined together to host their annual Pride Picnic.
June 14, 11:00 AM: Join Watertown NY Pride for their pickleball activity. Foster community while picking up a new hobby at the downtown YMCA. The event is open to beginners, and no sign up is necessary. 30 spots are available, the announcement is available at the following link.
Rochester
July 20, 11:00 AM: Celebrate pride at the Rochester Pride Festival at Highland Park. The festival will feature food, wine, beer, games, vendor tables, and live music and performances. Tickets are available for purchase at the following link.
July 14, 11:00 AM: Join the Rochester Rainbow Riders in this year’s Pride Ride. The race is 18+, and registration is available at the following link.
July 14, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride at the annual Rochester Pride Picnic. There will be food trucks, DJs and dancing, a piano bar, a gift raffle, and community information tables. Check this link for ticket information, which is TBD.
Finger Lakes
June 7, 4:00 PM: Join Southern Finger Lakes Pride for their “Twas the Night Before Pride” event. There will be an official raising of the pride flag at 6:00 PM, and several activities throughout the evening. Art installations, drag bingo, and tarot readings are among the exciting activities SoFLX has scheduled for the event; find the full schedule here.
June 7: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will also host a 21+ dance party, featuring performances 5 DJs. There is a suggested donation of $5 for entry, which supports SoFLX and local breweries and restaurants. More information is available here.
June 8, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will welcome back its Pride fest for the fifth year, with an exciting lineup of performers and a weekend of celebration. More details are available at the following link.
Ithaca
June 5, 8:30 PM: Ithaca Pride Alliance hosts weekly support meetings for LGBTQ+ youth. This is the first meeting of pride month, but the meetings take place every Wednesday. More information is available here.
June 8: The evening of June 8th will mark the beginning of the celebration, with speeches from Ithaca Pride Alliance and notable LGBTQ+ leaders in the community. The ceremony will take place on the Bernie Milton Pavillion at 6 PM, more details are available at the following link.
June 9, 2:00 PM: Pride in the Park will celebrate Ithaca’s LGBTQ+ community with food vendors, arts and crafts, and a resource fair. Performances will be held on the Pride Stage, including local bands, dance groups, and drag performances. More information is available here.
Buffalo
June 2, 202411:00 AM: Show off your pride at the Buffalo Pride Parade. The march is free and open to the public, though registration has ended. The parade will march along Elmwood Avenue, and volunteering positions are available at this link.
June 15, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM: Oliver Street Merchants’ Association presents the 4th annual Pride Fest at Heritage Park. Admission is free, and over 70 vendors will be there. All are welcome, more information is available here.
New York City PRIDE
Manhattan
June 28, 7:30 PM: City Winery at Pier 57 will host a documentary concert exploring the history of the Stonewall Uprising. Proceeds from ticket sales go to The Stonewall Community Foundation, which works towards liberation for all LGBTQ+ people. Enjoy the musical performances and oral history that make up the story of the Stonewall Uprising and the vibrant community culture it stemmed from. Tickets are on sale at the following link.
June 29, 12:00 PM: The South Street Seaport will host a Youth Pride event, celebrating LGBTQ+ teens and youth. The event is free, and a wide range of activities will be available, including carnival activities, free food and snacks, DJs, and musical performances. More information is available at the following link.
June 30, 11:00 AM: Join New York City’s 30th annual Pride March. The march began in 1970, on year after the Stonewall Uprising, and has continued the legacy of civil rights and awareness. The march will form on 25th St and 6th Ave, and move down to Christopher Street, passing the Stonewall Inn. Footage of the 2023 Pride Parade is available below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGl2QbxsjrI&t=51s
Brooklyn
June 7, 7:30 PM: In New York, enjoy Brooklyn Pride’s Movie Night for a screening of Sekiya Dorsett’s inspiring short film Caribbean Queen. RSVP here for a free ticket.
June 15, 12:00 PM: Join the Brooklyn LGBTQ+ community for a youth festival. Intended for kids and teens age 13-21, there will be arts and crafts, food, music, and giveaways. RSVP to attend at this link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Brooklyn Pride’s Main Stage offers an exciting lineup this year, with a wide range of genres and performances. Find the full lineup of up and coming artists here.
Queens
June 2, 12:00 PM: Celebrate your Pride at the 32nd Queens New York Pride Parade. The parade will start in Jackson Heights, and the multicultural festival will memorialize Jackson Heights resident Julio Rivera, whose murder sparked community activism. Learn more about Julio Rivera here, and find more details about the parade at the following link.
June 28, 7:00 PM: Join the New York Mets in celebrating pride at Citi Field. The first 15,000 fans to arrive will receive an exclusive Mets hat. Festivities will include a DJ, in-game entertainment, Mets merchandise, and themed cocktails. Tickets are available here.
The Bronx
June 18,7:00 PM: Join the New York Yankees in celebrating Pride Night. A portion of every ticket sold will go to The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. Purchase of a special event ticket includes a special edition hat, a hot dog, and your first drink of the game. More information is available here.
July 20, 11:00 AM: The 13th Annual Bronx Pride Fair will be held at the Crotona Park Amphitheater.
Staten Island
June 1, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride with the Pride Center of Staten Island at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. The event will feature live music, art, activities, food, and performers. More information is available here.
Long Island
June 9, 12:00-5:00 PM: Huntington Village will host the 34th Annual Pride Parade and Festival. The parade will end with a concert and festival. More information is available here.
July 1-July 7: Commemorate the Fire Island Invasion of 1976 by recreating the event with the New York LGBT community. A longtime landmark in LGBTQ+ history, Fire Island has served as a safe haven for members of the community to express themselves freely. In 1976, after a restaurant in Fire Island Pines denied entry to a visitor in drag, the visitor and their friends stormed into the Pines dressed in drag. More information about this year’s recreation is available here.
Pier 17 has announced a co-headlining show from Jane’s Addiction and Love and Rockets on September 10. This Manhattan show comes as part of a 23-city cross-country tour in August and September.
Pier 17, located at Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, is one of the city’s most scenic venues. The 1.5 acre rooftop venue is located stories above New York City’s East River. Pier 17 provides concert-goers with stunning views of the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and other famous sites. With a 3,500 person capacity, the venue is intimate, while still providing a lively atmosphere. Since its inaugural season in 2018, the venue has hosted acts from The Fugees to Billie Eilish. This season is especially busy for Pier 17, with shows from Taking Back Sunday, Slash, and more scheduled for the Summer.
Below the Pier 17 stage, the Seaport hosts a venue of restaurants and shops for concert-goers to enjoy. With offerings like sushi, tacos, ice cream, and seafood there is a large variety of options at the venue. The Seaport additionally hosts vintage clothing, book, and wine shops for visitors to enjoy before and after their concerts.
Since their start in 1985, Jane’s Addiction has become one of the most influential alt-rock bands of all time. Perry Farrell’s distinctive vocals, and Dave Navarro’s heavy guitars propelled the band into rock stardom, spawning countless hits. Concert-goers are sure to recognize “Jane Says” off of their 1988 debut Nothing’s Shocking and “Been Caught Stealing” off Ritual De Lo Habitual. Their signature brand of alternative has inspired legendary acts, including The Smashing Pumpkins and Rage Against the Machine. Jane’s Addiction are also renowned for their energetic live shows, with their 1991 farewell tour spawning the legendary Lollapalooza rock festival. This 2024 tour comes after the band’s first reunion in over 14 years.
Love and Rockets began after the breakup of the seminal goth band Bauhaus in 1983. Members Daniel Ash, David J, and Kevin Haskins sought to combine their goth roots with more pop and psychedelic influences, crafting a unique brand of alternative that led them to stardom. Emerging with a dark cover of the Motown classic “Ball of Confusion,” the band’s music became 1980s club standards. Across their 7 studio albums, the band achieved major radio success with the 1989 hit single “So Alive,” which went to #3 on billboard. Bands like The Flaming Lips, Jane’s Addiction, and Pixies have since cited Love and Rockets as musical influences. This tour comes after the band’s 2023 reunion.
This concert at Manhattan’s Pier 17, is only one stop on a nation-crossing tour throughout August and September. The tour’s 25 stops across the US and Canada are listed below.
Fri Aug 09 — Las Vegas, NV — Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Sun Aug 11 — San Diego, CA — Gallagher Square at Petco Park
Tue Aug 13 — Los Angeles, CA — YouTube Theater
Thu Aug 15 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre
Sun Aug 18 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Mon Aug 19 — Houston, TX — 713 Music Hall
Wed Aug 21 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
Fri Aug 23 — Durant, OK — Choctaw Grand Theater
Sun Aug 25 — New Orleans, LA — The Fillmore
Tue Aug 27 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily’s Place
Thu Aug 29 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 31 — Hollywood, FL — Hard Rock Live
Tue Sep 03 — Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheater
Thu Sep 05 — Portsmouth, VA — Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
Sat Sep 07 — Atlantic City, NJ — Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Tue Sep 10 — New York, NY — The Rooftop at Pier 17
Fri Sep 13 — Boston, MA — Leader Bank Pavilion
Sun Sep 15 — Bridgeport, CT — Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
Wed Sep 18 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage
Fri Sep 20 — Rochester Hills, MI — Meadow Brook Amphitheater
Sun Sep 22 — Milwaukee, WI — BMO Pavilion
Tue Sep 24 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Thu Sep 26 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Sat Sep 28 – Huntsville, AL – South Star Music Festival*
Sun Sep 29 – St. Louis, MO – Evolution Festival*
Tickets presales for this show begin on May 28th, with general sales beginning May 31st at 10am.
Gary Clark Jr. captivated a full house in the Mainstage Theater at Artpark in Lewiston, NY on Saturday, May 25. While he may best be known for his prodigious blues playing he’s made an effort in recent years to broaden his musical stylings, incorporating a wide range of genres in his more recent releases.
Nowhere is that more apparent than in Gary Clark Jr.’s latest full length release, JPEG RAW, which was showcased throughout the evening’s selections. Backed by his eight piece band he deftly moved through funk, rock and hip-hop inspired tracks to the delight of the crowd. His tour rolls on with upcoming shows in Albany and Lafayette, NY.
Gary Clark Jr. – Artpark, Lewiston, NY – Saturday, May 25, 2024
Setlist: Maktub, When My Train Pulls In, Hyperwave, This Is Who We Are, The Healing, Alone Together, Triumph, Bright Lights, Habits Encore: Stay (with Abraham Alexander), Funk Witch U
Summer Soundsystem Series – Coney Island Reggae On The Boardwalk and Reggae Under The Bridge – returns on June 9, July 7, August 4, and August 31st in Brooklyn and Queens.
The first event at K Bridge Park on June 9 from 2-7 p.m. will feature DJ Puma from Brooklyn’s famed LP International soundsystem, DJ Misbehavior, DJ Anthony, African Violet Roots, Chanter The Timeless Sound, and Carter Van Pelt. The beloved free outdoor series features an array of reggae vinyl specialist DJs from Brooklyn, New York City, and beyond.
WKCR DJ Carter Van Pelt founded the event in June 2010, to play classic reggae at an accessible location (the Coney Island Boardwalk) to a broad audience. “It caught on from the very beginning, and I feel proud of what it’s become and how the community has embraced it, including the support and endorsements of the Brooklyn Arts Council and Queens BP Donovan Richards. Over the last dozen years, there has been a growing interest in Jamaican soundsystem culture globally… Thanks to social media, people know about the event around the world and have travelled from Japan, Australia, Europe, and Jamaica to attend.”
In 2021, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards brought the event to the Rockaway Beach Amphitheater as part of his Queens -Live! series, where it returns again this year on Saturday, August 31st for Labor Day Weekend. “Reggae and Caribbean culture as a whole are integral parts of the Southeast Queens and Rockaway communities. I can’t wait to celebrate these roots when Reggae On The Boardwalk returns to Rockaway Beach this summer for an incredible day of music,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
The events have benefited from the participation of reggae and soundsystem luminaries, including Jamaican producers King Jammy and Jack Scorpio, singers Luciano, Johnny Osbourne, and Carlton Livingston, and emcees Ranking Joe, Sassafrass, Sister Carol, and Screechy Dan, among others. Giants in the soundclash world have been regular participants, including selectors Puma from LP International, Downbeat The Ruler, Federation Sound, and Sir Tommy. The events are also multi-cultural and multi-generational, featuring a core of Jamaican/Caribbean selectors and others passionate about the music culture, both men and women, ranging from teenagers to octogenarians. The large, Jamaican style soundsystem for the events at K Bridge Park are provided by Chanter The Timeless Sound of Brooklyn.
The event series is free to the public and generously supported by community donations from attendees, by the Brooklyn Arts Council, and the Office of the Queens Borough President. For more information, follow @coneyislandreggae on Instagram and “Coney Island Reggae” on Facebook.
Summer Soundsystem Reggae Event Locations, Dates, and Times for 2024:
Reggae Under The Bridge Sunday, June 9, 2-7 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2-7 p.m.
Coney Island Reggae On The Boardwalk Sunday, August 4, 2-6 p.m. Boardwalk at West 20th Street
Reggae On The Boardwalk – Rockaways Saturday, August 31, 3-7 p.m. Rockaway Beach Amphitheater (East 94th)
CMAC kicked off its summer concert season in a big way on Friday, May 24, with the much anticipated return by The Avett Brothers. The Avett Brothers, who last performed at CMAC in 2019, were joined by Sierra Ferrell.
It has been a long road for The Avett Brothers, now in their 24th year together. The North Carolina natives released their 11th studio album earlier this month, a self titled collection of ballads and rollicky folk-rock tracks which have helped the band build their passionate and devoted fanbase.
The evening kicked off with a brilliant set by Sierra Ferrell. Ferrell wasted no time getting the audience out of their seats and dancing along to her unique blend of folk and latin sounds. Seth Avett joined Ferrell early in the set to duet on the Steven Fromholz classic “I’d Have to be Crazy”, much to the joy of those in attendance. Ferrell closed out her set with the raucous “Fox Hunt”, which had the energy in the amphitheater boiling over like a pot of water.
After a short set change over, the Avett Brothers took the stage and wasted no time showcasing the beautiful harmonies fans have grown accustomed to. The band opened with an acapella duet between brothers Scott and Seth. The sounds segued brilliantly in to the opening track, the beautiful ballad, “Never Apart” off the band’s latest release. The band got the party moving next with the wild “Satan Pulls the Strings” which saw each band member taking a turn at the front of the stage to showcase their talents.
Through out the evening, the band brilliantly wove their new music with older fan favorites. The stunning new track “Cheap Coffee” held strong along side classic tracks like “Murder in the City”, “The Ballad of Love and Hate,” and “Laundry Room”.
Late in the set, the brothers reminisced on their past performances in the area. They spoke of their love for Canandaigua, and having vacationed there last year. The two praised the audience for the love and devotion they have shown the band since day one, a love not always reciprocated by the media. “Every night Seth says to me, ‘I love you, goodnight.’ We did not always get that from the media. Some of them loathed us. Some even compared us to muppets,” Scott proclaimed. With that, the stage lights dimmed on the band and a spotlight shone on ‘The Avetts’, a muppet version of the band, complete with their own instruments. ‘The Avetts’ would perform two tracks (with the brothers performing stage left, out of the spotlight), offering a reminder to never take yourself too seriously.
As the evening closed with the heartfelt “No Hard Feelings”, the band was met with a standing ovation, cheers, high fives and fist bumps. The message the audience sent back to the Avett Brothers was simple.
On May 19, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, located in Ithaca, announced its next Music Director: Guillaume Pirard.
The news of Pirard’s selection was revealed at the CCO’s Passing the Baton concert. Pirard will begin his endeavor as Music Director by conducting the first concert of the 2024-2025 season.
Photo Credit: Sarah Blodgett – 1
Guillaume Pirard was born in Belgium and studied at the Brussels Conservatory of Music and Den Haag. While attending, he studied classical, Baroque, and romantic styles. He continued his studies at Julliard and the New School, where he earned his master’s in Orchestral Conducting. During his studies, he played in various period ensembles and chamber music series in Europe and the United States. These include the Helicon Foundation, the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia, the Staunton Festival, Les Muffatti and the Context series at Rice University.
As the co-concertmaster and founding member of The Knights, Pirard has performed on tours all over North America and Europe. These performances include festivals in Tanglewood, Ravinia, Caramoor, the Festival-de-Paques in Aix-en-Provence, the Salzburg Festpiele, the Tonhalle in Zurich, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and the Muziverein in Vienna.
In addition to his European tours, Pirard has conducted all over the United States. These include The New York University and Cornell University Orchestras, the Orlando Philharmonic, and the Mannes Orchestra and School of Opera at the New School. Aside from conducting, Pirard has served on multiple university faculties across the United States. While working for the New York University ensembles, he also served on the violin and chamber music faculty. He has presented guest master classes at Cornell University and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Furthermore, he has served as a panelist for several arts organizations. This includes the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, the New York Youth Symphony, and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.
Formed in 1976, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra is designated as “Ithaca’s orchestra.” Over the years, they have performed hundreds of concerts through a variety of programs. During the season, these performances include the Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series, holiday concerts, and free Family Concerts. However, most notable is the Willard Daetsch Youth Outreach Program, which provides school students around Tompkins County with instruments and instructors.
Further information regarding the 2024-2025 season and Subscription options will be available in June. For more information, fans can visit CCOithaca.org, contact the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Box Office at 607-273-8981 or info@CCOithaca.org.
Finishing of the first leg of their Invincible Shield tour, Judas Priest played to a hyped-up crowd in Syracuse on May 22. With the help of Swedish metal group, Sabaton, the stage at Lakeview Amphitheater was rocking the shores of Onondaga Lake for nearly three hours.
50 years is quite the career in music. 50 years is something even more special when you are a pioneer, and Judas Priest is just that, special. Early pioneers of the heavy metal genre, Rob Halford and crew are still thrashing in 2024, promoting their newest release, Invincible Shield.
There is certainly some debate as to who are the OG’s of heavy metal. No matter who else you have on your list, Judas Priest deserves a spot. Formed in 1969, the band paved their own path to stardom, and it wasn’t until 1974, when a former salesman of men’s clothing took over as lead vocalist, did the band release an album. A young Rob Halford came in and in September of 1974, Rocka Rolla was released as the first of what would be nineteen studio albums.
Sabaton set list: Ghost Division, The Last Stand, Swedish Pagans, The Red Baron, Bismarck, Stormtroopers, Carolus Rex(done in Swedish), Resist and Bite, The Attack of the Dead Men, Primo Victoria, Soldier of Heaven, To Hell and Back
Hitting the stage around 9pm, Halford and Co began their set off with “Panic Attack”, the lead track from newest album. With lyrics that seem to fit the political and social media landscape these days, this was a fitting song for not only the show, but 2024.
The clamour and the clatter of incensed keys Can bring a nation to its knees On the wings of a lethal icon Bird of prey
Rounding out the first three for the photographers in the pit, Judas crushed “Rapid Fire” (1980) and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” (1982). Lucky for all of us photographers in the front of the stage, Halford and the rest of the band love getting up front and seemingly posing for the cameras.
While the music of Judas is not for everyone, it is always a joy to see fans bringing their kids to shows. Upfront, you see fans as young as four or five and as old as Halford himself, who is 72. Kids seeing a band their parents grew up with I am sure is a great bonding moment and testament to the power of music. The fact that a band like Judas Priest, while heavier in sound, is pretty family friendly music, which makes the decision to bring a child to the show that much easier.
As the progresses, fans get more and more into the music, chanting along and pumping fists as soon as the next song begins. “Turbo Lover” was prime example of this. Looking around, you could see faces open up as the drums and guitar notes were recognized. The guy next me ended his Tinder scrolling and the young lady in front of me began hooting and hollering by the time Halford started with “You won’t hear me, but you’ll feel me…”
Rounding out the set, were two more tracks from Invincible Shield: “Crown of Horns” and “Invincible Shield”, as well as “Painkiller”, which seemed to be the favorite of fans as the sounds from everyone was deafening.
After 50 years and a number of lineup changes, Judas Priest is still Judas Priest and Rob Halford, although his image has changed, is still Rob Halford. Nineteen studio albums, 50 million albums sold and several music awards later, Judas Priest has solidified their status among the greatest metal bands. Well deserved, they are a 2022 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as they were inducted by Alice Cooper.
Setlist: Panic Attack, You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, Rapid Fire, Breaking the Law, Lighting Strike, Love Bites, Devil’s Child, Saints in Hell, Crown of Horns, Sinner, Turbo Lover, Invincible Shield, Victim of Changes, The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Cow), Painkiller Encore: Electric Eye, (exit music We are The Champions – Queen) **Hell Bent For Leather and Living After Midnight were planned but venue was evacuated due to severe weather and set was cut short
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