On Thursday, May 2, PEAK took the stage at Brooklyn Bowl along side guitarist Ryan Liatsis and P(X3) for a night full of funk, riffed-out blues-rock and music to fuel the soul.
PEAK, a Brooklyn based band consists of guitarist and vocalist Jeremy Hilliard, keyboardist and vocalist Johnny Young, bassist Josh T. Carter and drummer Kito Bovenschulte. The group captivated their audience with melodic songwriting along with psychedelic funk groove that makes your body move. They took on a life of their own as some of the best musicians in the NYC improv rock scene with moody blues-rock and created an atmosphere for their danceable improvisations.
Brooklyn Bowl welcomed fans with an open floor to dance, as fans had an intimate engagement throughout the night with the New York jam band. Quick controlled snare, dominant guitar riffs, upbeat blend of melodies and synthesized sounds from keyboard combined to create PEAK’s ambience of psychedelic, funk variables of rock and roll, a musical narrative that let good-timey clash with poetic guitar.
By the end of the night, the crowd was in their groove and connected with the band, looking forward to their future music endeavors. After this show, PEAK will be on their way to Burlington, Vermont at Nectars on May 4th and 5th. Shortly after, the band will head to Newmarket, New Hampshire to perform at The Stone Church on May 16th.
PEAKSetlist: Forsythia Fills the Wilderness, Little Miss Mary Merry- Go- Round, Woody Guthrie with Ryan Liatsis, Daddy Donât Live in that New York City No More, When the Night Comes Calling You, Pastures of Plenty, It Ainât Over âtil the Credits Roll, Run Me Down
The third annual Wilmington Mountain Music Festival lineup has been announced, featuring a diverse lineup of five bands, and the beloved Smoke Show Firedancers as evening entertainment on July 27.
There will also be a lot of local food, beer/wine, and coffee vendors on site to keep you fed and hydrated throughout the day. The Wilmington Mountain Music Festival is a family-friendly and community-minded event, so grab chairs and blankets and get ready for a truly amazing show, the Wilmington way: tons of fun with our community members and visitors.
Acts performing at the festival #1 Bon Jovi Tribute Band – Don Jovi, the Van Halen Tribute Band -Completely Unchained, Taylor LaValley, The Midnight Stargazers, and Merle Jam.
The 2024 NY Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks lineup has been announced. Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, it will take place from June 11–14, 2024.
Photo by Chris Lee.
Conductor Thomas Wilkins leads four free outdoor concerts at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 11); the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 12); Cunningham Park, Queens (June 13); and Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 14). The program includes Beethoven’s Egmont Overture; Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, featuring Randall Goosby — who made his NY Phil debut on a Young People’s Concert at age 13 — as soloist; Elgar’s Wand of Youth Overture; the New York Premiere of Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances; Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol; and works by New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Dalya Shaman and David Wright. All four outdoor performances begin at 8:00 p.m. and conclude with fireworks by Santore’s World Famous Fireworks.
The Concerts in the Parks series has become an iconic New York summer experience since it began in 1965. It transformed parks across the city into a patchwork of picnickers and allowed them to hear classical music under the stars. More than 15 million listeners have been delighted by the performances since their inception.
The 2024 Concerts in the Parks marks Wilkin’s first time conducting the event, making his NY Philharmonic debut in 2015. He has since conducted and hosted numerous Young People’s Concerts, and returns in October 2024 for the Philharmonic’s exploration of Afromodernism on a program that features a New York Premiere by Nathalie Joachim and a reprise of Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances.
Following the Concerts in the Parks, musicians from the New York Philharmonic will perform a Free Indoor Concert on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., at St. George Theatre in Staten Island. The program includes Clarke’s Prelude, Allegro, and Pastorale for clarinet and viola; Mozart’s Oboe Quartet; and Prokofiev’s Quintet.
The New York Philharmonic’s annual Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, are always a highlight of our year. It is a joy to see tens of thousands of New Yorkers turn out to enjoy free concerts under the stars, creating a sense of community and shared experience that is rare and vital. We are deeply grateful to Didi and Oscar, the visionary and generous couple whose love of music and of New York City’s parks is essential to making possible the ambitious tour of our hometown.
NY Phil President & CEO Gary Ginstling.
Admission to the 2024 Concerts in the Parks is free, and tickets are not required. Admission to the Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island is free. Tickets are required and are available here.
GRAMMY-winning production house PARMA Recordings announced its acquisition of Albany Records, with PARMA assuming responsibility for Albany operations and catalog administration.
Albany Records is a record label that concentrates on unconventional contemporary classical music by American composers and musicians, established by Peter Kermani in 1987, based in Albany.
Albany’s catalog will be available alongside releases from PARMA’s Navona, Ravello, Big Round, and Ansonica Record labels. The acquisition aligns with and further strengthens PARMA’s offerings, adding new depth to diverse recordings. Through this, Albany’s catalog will continue to resonate with classical music enthusiasts for years. PARMA has updated and relaunched Albany’s website, maintaining the presence of Albany’s celebrated catalog with updated aesthetics, new features, and more.
PARMA Recordings specializes in high-quality audio production, social media promotion, digital advertising, website design and development, and multimedia creation. Their international team works with a diverse roster of creative types across several independent record labels to make compelling music and media in an innovative, engaging, and entertaining way.
We are honored to welcome Albany Records into the PARMA family. Albany’s historical focus on excellence and innovation in the arts mirrors our own values at PARMA. We are committed to upholding Albany’s legacy, and to ensuring that their extraordinary catalog of classical music continues to reach new audiences.
PARMA CEO Bob Lord.
Albany founders Peter Kermani and Susan Bush, who will continue to serve as artistic directors for the label, shared their thoughts on the transition. “Albany’s journey over the past few decades has been one of passion and dedication,” said Kermani. “Seeing it find a new home with PARMA, an institution that shares our vision for the future of classical music, is immensely gratifying.”
“We’ve always believed in preserving the traditions and integrity of classical music while also making room for new voices,” added Bush. “With PARMA, Albany’s legacy is in good hands.”
Lincoln Center in NYC has announced The Ephemeral Cinema of Sam Green Festival as a part of their Summer for the City series. The festival lasts three days from June 13 to 16.
Sam Green, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, brings three masterpieces to the festival: 32 Sounds, A Thousand Thoughts, and The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller. The festival interweaves film and performance, with live narration from Green and live music from JD Samson, Kronos Quartet, and Yo La Tengo. The Ephemeral Cinema of Sam Green takes place at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.
The festival kicks off with the immersive documentary 32 Sounds (2022) on June 13 at 7:30pm. Headphones are provided for all audience members to experience the dynamic, dimension-expanding binaural sound mix. A Thousand Thoughts (2018), written and directed by Green and Joe Bini, marks the last-ever performance of the film in New York City on June 15 at 8pm.
Lastly, The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller (2012) takes place June 16 at 7:30pm. Green explores the 20th century futurist, architect, engineer, and inventor’s utopian vision of radical social change through a design revolution. This collaboration with legendary indie band Yo La Tengo, originally commissioned by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s Design and Architecture Department, concludes the festival.
Green’s most recent projects are “live documentaries” that explore the depths of social, societal, and natural phenomena. All of Sam Green’s works are performed live, with Green narrating and musicians performing the soundtrack.
JD Samson is best known as leader of the band MEN and for being one-third of the electronic-feminist-punk band and performance project, Le Tigre. JD’s career as a visual artist, musician, producer and DJ has landed her at the intersection of music, art, activism, and fashion.
Yo La Tengo’s uninterrupted 40-years-and-counting career is unparalleled in its creative breadth and refusal to rest on laurels. The band has released more than a dozen full-length albums and composed soundtracks for a number of films. These include Adventureland, Old Joy and Shortbus.
Tickets to all three nights are available through Lincoln Center’s Choose-What-You-Pay ticketing model, starting at $5. To purchase tickets and for more information, click here.
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) is pleased to announce the 23rd annual River To River Festival from June 7 – 23, 2024.
Celebrating local artists and honoring creative diversity across disciplines, The River To River Festival is Downtown New York City’s leading free summer arts festival. This year’s River To River Festival aligns with LMCC’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.
Created in the aftermath of 9/11 to heal and celebrate New Yorkers’ resiliency through the power of art, the River To River Festival is an opportunity for New Yorkers to engage with their local artistic community across disciplines, all for free. A champion of independent artmaking since 1973, and the driving force behind this unique festival for over 20 years, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has been a proud proponent of the experimentation and exploration that the festival provides to the community. LMCC is marking five decades of championing independent artists and fostering vibrant cultural communities throughout New York City.
Manhattan’s Arts Council, LMCC has expanded its work and reach beyond Lower Manhattan and LMCC now serves the entirety of the borough, from Governors Island to Inwood. 50 years on, the organization stands as a pillar of strength, boasting renowned artist service programs and a rich and diverse alumni community. LMCC has sustained the city’s arts landscape, spearheading cultural revitalization efforts in the Financial District after 9/11 and securing essential resources for artist communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
River to River 2023 Closing Concert. Photo credit: Cherylynn Tsushima.
In honor of this milestone, the 2024 festival features LMCC residency and grants alumni from the Extended Life program working across disciplines, with a captivating array of dance, music, video, installation, and exhibitions that reflect the interdisciplinary, diverse ethos of LMCC. Featuring 13 projects of live art, performances, and participatory events (including seven premieres) in public spaces throughout Downtown New York, the 2024 River To River Festival explores themes of resonance, reconsideration, and resistance.
2024 River To River Artists include mayfield brooks, Jesi Cook, Leslie Cuyjet, Miguel Gutierrez, Kayla Hamilton and Kate Speer, John P. Hastings, NIC Kay, jaamil olawale kosoko, Samita Sinha, Elisabeth Smolarz, Nattie Trogdon + Hollis Bartlett, Stories from the Stoop & Billion Oyster Project, and LMCC’s Workspace. 2023-24 Artists-in-Residence are Francheska Alcántara, Blanka Amezkua, Lucas Baisch, Elvira Clayton, Francisco Donoso, SaraNoa Mark, Miriam Simun, Corinne Spencer, Alex Strada, Cici Wu, and Jessica Lagunas
Events range from the local and participatory, the open and artistic, to the sweet and memory-laden, as in the cases of Love for NYC Waterways: Stories from the Stoop, in partnership with Billion Oyster Project. It is a Moth-style storytelling and open mic event that celebrates the legacy of the Blackwater stewards of New York, and Elisabeth Smolarz’s (2012 artist-in-residence) presentation of ice cream flavors inspired by her experiences during her 2012 artist residency on Governors Island.
Nile Harris. Photo by Cherylynn Tsushima.
Other highlights include Samita Sinha’s June 20 performance of Tremor. This special iteration is performed in a duet with Cecilia Vicuña presented in the historic and resonant space of Federal Hall. Sinha and Vicuña infuse their vibrations and lineages into the dense history and monumentality of the site, opening other ways of sensing, knowing, being, and being together.
Honored this year with LMCC’s 2024 Sam Miller Award for Performing Art, celebrated choreographer Miguel Gutierrez will present THE POWER OF THE BOUNCE on June 7. An interactive, high-energy dance performance complete with group choreography, aerobics, and costumes, come in costume and learn the famous “Aerobicon” dance that Miguel created to Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon” in 2000.
Doing more than double duty, choreographer mayfield brooks will use found objects, sound, light, movement, and projection to conjure an abyssal underwater world that transforms the formerly munitions storage warehouse into an imagined site of a decomposed whale. Both presentations are a culmination of brooks’ project Whale Fall, originally commissioned by Abrons Arts Center and virtually premiered as an experimental dance film in 2021 during the height of the pandemic.
Dates, times, and locations are subject to change—be sure to check here for up-to-date information. Please note that all events are free, but due to limited capacity, some require advance registration. RSVPs open May 21, 2024.
Saigon and Fredro have teamed up for a new album called “The Jordan Era,” honoring hip-hop’s golden age from 1984 to 1998. The album, set to drop on May 3, via Payday Records, features production solely by Fredro and guest appearances from hip-hop heavyweights like Grandmaster Caz, Pete Rock, Big Daddy Kane, Grand Puba, Kool G Rap, and more.
“The Jordan Era” is poised to make waves within the hip-hop community and beyond. Notably, the album’s tracks have already found resonance in popular television shows like “BMF” and “Raising Kanan,” testament to the timeless quality of its sound and the relevance of its themes.
On May 1st, a select group of enthusiasts and industry insiders gathered at Payday Records in Manhattan for an intimate listening party, where Saigon and Fredro provided exclusive insights into the album’s creation. Track by track, they delved into the nuances of each song, offering glimpses into the creative process and the inspirations behind their artistry.
As the music played and the lyrics flowed, listeners felt like they were back in the prime of hip-hop. “The Jordan Era” captures the essence of that time, known for its real lyrics, heavy beats, and bold storytelling.
“The Jordan Era” album offers a mix of tracks, each giving a glimpse into hip-hop’s golden age. One standout is “Lyrical Genius,” featuring Grandmaster Caz, known for his sharp rhymes. Another is “Think Twice,” with Grand Puba, bringing smooth flow and deep lyrics. Then there’s “Make Money,” with Kool G Rap, a gritty song about street life. Each track shows the creativity and talent that defined hip-hop back then.
As fans anticipate its release, “The Jordan Era” promises to keep the spirit of hip-hop’s golden age alive. It’s not just about the music; it’s a tribute to the artists who shaped the genre and a reminder of why hip-hop continues to be a cultural powerhouse.
Sally Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, and Emma’s N Revolution will perform their second annual concert celebrating women, artists and change-makers at the 8th Step at Proctors (GE Theatre) in Schenectady on May 5.
The award-winning folk legends concert will be a part of their second annual Mother’s Day tour “Every Day is Mother’s Day”, which was formed to “lift up mothers and foremothers, trailblazers and hell raisers of all kinds,” according to Pat Humphries of the duo Emma’s Revolution.
Pat Humphries, who had a solo career as a folk singer and songwriter, recorded two albums before forming Emma’s Revolution with Sandy Opatow. Opatow had also been part of another folk duo, Petronella, when the two met. The duo is named after the statement attributed to Emma Goldman that “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution”.
In 1979, Sally Rogers embarked on a full-time touring career, encouraged by the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter Stan Rogers. She traveled throughout the United States, Europe, China, Hungary, Poland, England, and Scotland thanks to more than a dozen appearances on A Prairie Home Companion. Sally is well-known for having a clear voice and for playing the guitar, banjo, and mountain dulcimer for herself. Many of these instruments are featured in her solo concerts, in her interactive school residencies, in duos with her husband Howie Bursen, and with her longtime friend Claudia Schmidt.
Also performing at the Mother’s Day tour is Michigan-based folk and jazz singer Claudia Schmidt. Ever since her first performances in the late 1970s, Schmidt has been a well-known figure in the folk and acoustic music scene. Claudia Schmidt, who’s based in Illinois, made her stage debut at AmazingRace Coffeehouse in Evanston. After she established a relationship with the fledgling record label Red House Records in 1987, she went on to record five additional albums, including a pair with Sally Rogers. It was evident that the ten tracks listed above were all folk and acoustic.
Emma’s Revolution made of Pat Humphries and Sandy O, Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt will come together and create their powerful four-part harmonies in their second annual concert celebrating women, artists and change-makers. The concert will kick off at 7:00 pm on May 5, at the 8th Step at Proctors (GE Theatre), 432 State Street, in Schenectady.
Tickets are $30 advance / $33 day of show / $65 Gold Circle (front center), available through 8thstep.org; or through Proctors Box Office (518) 346-6204 and at the door.
2024 marks ten years of Live Nation’s highly celebrated Concert Week. Music and comedy fans in the U.S. and Canada can purchase $25 tickets between May 8-14, getting access to over 5,000 Live Nation shows, including several in Buffalo.
In honor of its milestone anniversary, Live Nation also announced its global expansion of Concert Week to over 20 countries in addition to North America this year, including those in Australia, Asia, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East. Across the globe, Live Nation will celebrate Concert Week throughout May with other special offers, promotions, and giveaways for fans.
For fans in the U.S. and Canada, this annual program marks the start of the summer concert season, creating excitement among concertgoers as they gear up to fill their calendars with unforgettable live performances from their favorite artists. Concert Week tickets include all fees upfront in the $25 all-in cost.
This limited-time ticket offer encompasses over 900 artists in pop, Latin, hip-hop, country, R&B, rock, metal, electronic, comedy, and more. From 21 Savage, Alanis Morissette, Cage The Elephant, Celeste Barber, Dan + Shay, Dierks Bentley, Feid, Janet Jackson, Meghan Trainor, New Kids On The Block, Peso Pluma, Sean Paul, Thirty Seconds to Marsand beyond. Concert Week offers something for everyone and features venues of all sizes from clubs and theaters to amphitheaters and arenas.
Tickets for Concert Week in the U.S. will be available starting with T-Mobile and Rakuten early access beginning on Tuesday, May 7. The general on-sale for Concert Week will begin on Wednesday, May 8 at 10 am ET through Tuesday, May 14 at 11:59 pm, or while supplies last.
Jam band God Street Wine has announced they are playing four live shows, three of which in New York this September.
God Street Wine was formed in 1988 by Lo Faber, Aaron Maxwell, Dan Pifer, Jon Bevo, and Tom Osander. The band hails from NYC and are known for their multi-genre approach to music. They perform in the styles of Jam Band, Jazz, Bluegrass, Pop, Reggae, Funk, Rock, Psychedelia and so on. The group has had infrequent yet memorable musical gatherings since their separation in 1999.
2024 brings more activity for God Street Wine. On top of marking the 30th anniversary of the bandâs first major label release, $1.99Romances, and digitally releasing the long-lost HotSweet & Juicy, the band is also releasing three albums from their catalog on vinyl for the first time. This all culminates with the original fives-ome performing together again with four New York area shows.
God Street Wine sees the stage in Woodstock on September 20 and 21. They also perform at The Cutting Room in NYC on September 27. Lastly, the band plays in Asbury Park, New Jersey on September 28. These four shows welcome fans of GSW and those who simply love music. There is a bit of everything for everyone when it comes to GSW’s music.
For more information on God Street Wine’s upcoming show at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, click here. For information on GSW’s show at The Cutting Room in NYC, click here.
