Pop sensation Dua Lipa announces additional dates for her worldwide Radical Optimism Tour, which includes two nights at Madison Square Garden in 2025, on September 17 and 18.
About Dua Lipa
To the younger pop-consuming generations, three-time GRAMMY and seven-time BRIT Award winning global pop sensation Dua Lipa needs no introduction. Since signing a record deal in 2014, she’s released hit after hit. Her fifth overall single “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” became her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 at 72, followed by her self titled first album that became her first ever number one in the UK, and the first female solo artist to top that chart since Adele’s “Hello” in 2015.
With this release, her career skyrocketed. Followed by countless top ten charting tracks, appearances at major festivals, becoming Spotify’s most streamed woman of 2017 in the UK, and countless award nominations. In January of 2018, Dua Lipa broke records once again by receiving five nominations at the Brit Awards, becoming the first female artist to do so ever.
Thus, after an extensive list of other successes, singles, reissues, and remixes, Dua Lipa is touring with her most recent release, Radical Optimism. Released on May 3, 2024, the album went number 1 in 11 countries, and became the biggest album to debut from a UK artist in 2024. Moreover, hailed as a “joyous blast of pop savvy” by Variety and “an album of ear candy” by New York Times, Dua Lipa will be bringing her electrifying new release to the stage beginning this fall.
About Radical Optimism Tour
Kicking off with the previously announced dates in Asia, The Radical Optimism Tour will be arriving in New York City on September 17 and 18, 2025 at Madison Square Garden. Ticket sales will open to the public on Friday, September 20 at 10:00 AM. For more information and ticket purchasing, please visit here.
It’s been close to a decade since Paul Kelly – Australia’s finest export this side of wombats – has played in the U.S., and he’s coming to le poisson rouge in New York City this fall in support of his brand new album Fever Longing Still set for release on November 1.
Photo Credit: Joe Brennan
Lovingly dubbed the Land Down Under’s Bruce Springsteen, Kelly’s new LP is a throwback to poetic love, with its title coming from a line in Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 147,” whose writing has thrilled and inspired Kelly ever since schooldays.
Fever Longing Still Album Art
Paul Kelly’s Le Poisson Rouge show is at 7:30 pm, with doors at 6:30 pm and are on sale here. Support will be provided by Paul Kelly’s nephew, singer-songwriter-guitarist Dan Kelly.
Other tour stops currently include the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, California on October 7, followed by an appearance at the Austin City Limits Festival on October 11.
Watch the official video for “Taught By Experts” below.
Buzzcocks made a stop in NYC at Irving Plaza on Wednesday, September 11th as part of their recent North American tour. The show included opening performances by Native Sun and Lovecrimes. The crowd inside Irving Plaza spanned generations, all eager to support the UK band’s U.S. return.
Hailing from Bolton in the United Kingdom, Buzzcocks has made frequent stops in NYC since their formation in 1976. The inspiration behind the band’s sounds have New York origins, with late frontman Pete Shelley citing The Velvet Underground being part of inspiring the band’s formation.
Buzzcocks’ music was said to be ahead of its time, with songs alluding to subject matter that was considered taboo during the period of their formation. This led the band to be seen as a driving force of the Manchester punk scene. Buzzcocks has gone on to perform with many legends from the early era of New York punk and CBGB, including opening for Blondie in 1978.
With lead vocalist Pete Shelley’s passing in 2018, Steve Diggle has led the Buzzcocks vocals while also continuing on guitar. Diggle has continued on the high energy and humor that Shelley brought to Buzzcocks performances.
On Wednesday night, Buzzcocks played a setlist spanning 50 years of the band’s discography, including songs from their most recent 2022 album “Sonics In The Soul.” The current line-up consists of Diggle on vocals and guitar, Danny Farrant on drums, Chris Remington on bass, and Mani Perazzoli touring on guitar.
Buzzcocks continues on their North American tour with stops in Pittsburgh on September 14th and House of Blues in Cleveland on September 15. Starting September 22nd, Buzzcocks will embark on a US tour with Descendants throughout early October
After a successful tour opening in Brooklyn, Clutch and Rival Sons brought their duel headlining tour dubbed “The Two-Headed Beast” tour to the College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut.
Joining the two bands was the Orange County California band, Fu Manchu. The night was summed up perfectly by Rival Sons lead singer Jay Buchanan when he said “What a rock and roll evening it’s been.” Clutch closed the evening playing the entirety ofBlast Tyrant. It’s always cool to see when artists play their records all the way through.
The rock and roll festivities started when the doors opened at 6:30 and fans began to file into the theater. When Fu Manchu jumped on stage, fans had parked themselves in front or upstairs to witness the headbanging set. Despite Fu Manchu only playing for half an hour, they left their mark on the audience. Their heavy set featured new songs off their new record The Return Of Tomorrowas well as classics.
The powerful quartet featured the duo of Scott Hill on vocals and guitar along with Bob Balch on guitar. Also, Scott Reeder was behind the drums kits with Brad Davis at stage right on the bass. The band created such a heavy sound that fans in the audience could feel the power through their speakers. They were so heavy that they could feel the thumping in their chests during the 30-minute set.
As is tradition with co-headlining tours, it was Rival Sons’ night to play as the middle band. With the lights dimmed, the five-piece band slithered on stage and jumped right “Mirrors.” For the entire time that they were on stage, they blew away the audience with amazing guitar chords and excellent songwriting.
It’s amazing that during the show, Buchanan didn’t lose his voice. His powerful screaming left the entire crowd in awe. While Buchanan pranced around the stage in his bright red, Scott Holiday was dressed and looking as cool as ever. Holiday was suited up with a beautiful teal jacket, hat, sunglasses and scarf. It made him look like the perfect rock and roll outlaw. Throughout the night, his guitar tech would continue to bring out colorful guitars that would sound just as they looked, amazing.
Rival Sons played a total of 13 songs that spanned their discography. They showed their versatility when they jammed during “Open My Eyes” and played a ballad off their 2014 record. Fans got their money’s worth at this point as it was easy to tell that Rival Sons is a tightly rehearsed band. They didn’t miss a beat and had a stage chemistry that was apparent to the audience with each passing song.
Joining Buchanan and Holiday on stage was Dave Beste on bass, Jesse Nason on keyboards and Mike Miley on drums. Miley was drumming so hard that you could see how sweaty he was while on stage.
As the night slowly got later, fans refused to go anywhere until Clutch played their entire record. It wasn’t till after 9:30 hit until they hit the stage but, like Rival Sons, the minute they started their first song, there was no turning back. Their set felt like a train that would not stop. The constant rhythm of their music and their high level of energy made for a great night of music.
Like with any hard rock band and a general admission audience, mosh pits are bound to happen. During Clutch’s set, one did appear. But, in one moment between songs, lead singer Neil Fallon announced to the crowd that there were “young people against the barricade.” He that they were able to continue to mosh but to be respectful of the people around them. What Fallon said is what a true lead singer should do. It was a very respectful move on his behalf. The moment certainly won over a few fans who might have stayed after the Rival Sons set.
During the set, Fallon was the only member of the band to come within three inches of the edge of the stage. Throughout the entire night, he was running back and forth from one side to the other giving it his all. Bassist Dan Maines and guitarist Tim Sult flanked drummer Jean-Paul Gaster on both sides and didn’t move for the entire show. Sult shredded the entire time and stared down at his guitar barely looking up once as if he was possessed by his guitar.
Their set was amazingly heavy, a perfect blend of rock music. With each song coming to a close, the entire place erupted with joy and filled the theater. Their style of hard rock was the perfect way to end the night. People excited the College Street Music Hall with smiles on their faces. It’s not very often that acts will play an album of theirs front to back and straight through. So when they do, it’s an extra special night.
Clutch & Rival Sons “The Two-Headed Beast” tour is not to be missed. Between Rival Sons’ classic 1970s rock and roll style and Clutch’s hard rock, despite their styles being different, they make for a spectacular night. Despite the tour not swinging back into New York, fans need to try and catch them on one of their other upcoming dates. This late summer/fall tour is one to be remembered for both styles of rock meeting in the middle for a night of thrilling music between multiple bands.
Fu Manchu Setlist: Eatin’ Dust, Evil Eye, Hands of the Zodiac, Hell on Wheels, King of the Road, Loch Ness Wrecking Machine, Saturn III
Rival Sons Setlist: Mirrors, Nobody Wants to Die, Tied Up, Sleepwalker, Too Bad, Get What’s Coming, Open My Eyes, Pressure and Time, Feral Roots, Where I’ve Been, Do Your Worst, Electric Man, Secret
Clutch Setlist: Mercury, Profits of Doom, The Mob Goes Wild, Cypress Grove, Promoter (of Earthbound Causes), The Regulator, Worm Drink, Army of Bono, Spleen Merchant, (In the Wake of) The Sollen Goat, Subtle Hustle, Ghost, (Notes From the Trial of) LACurandera, Burning Beard, Slaughter Beach, Nosferatu Madre, D.C. Sound Attack!
Watertown, NY will soon be home to a new music venue, the Harmony Performing Arts Center.
Joseph Foy, president and founder of HarmoNNY Performing Arts Community started this organization back in 2020 with the goal of creating a music-focused performance venue in the local area. Foy, a long-time musician himself, wanted to expand beyond typical small-town bar gigs and create a space where music could be the full focus.
“Sometimes it would be nice to just be able to play my songs in an environment where people are listening and I can try to create a show out of it,” Foy said. “There wasn’t really a place where I felt like I could really do that here.”
The Historic Strand Theater, Photo by Cinema Treasures
Since then, Foy’s idea has expanded to encompass all types of performing arts, from the theater to dance and comedy.
The Harmony Performing Arts Center is currently undergoing renovation and is set to be open this fall. The venue is located in the historic Strand Theater, a former silent theater turned nightclub, dating back to the early 1900s. The Strand closed its doors in 2018 and was left in the hands of a local non-profit Neighbors of Watertown, which eventually reached out to Foy to create a performing arts space.
The Strand Theater, 1987 article in the Watertown Daily Times announcing its re-opening as a nightclub. Photo: Watertown Daily Times.
The theater will seat 100 people and feature a rooftop area for additional events. Jefferson Community College will also share office space next door, a partnership that helped Harmony gain additional grant funding to renovate the space.
Foy said he took inspiration for Harmony from other small town theaters such as the Homer Center for the Arts located in Central New York as well as Auburn Public Theater. Both have non-profit models, as does Harmony.
“I thought to myself, in Watertown, we didn’t necessarily have anything that was specific to the performing arts,” Foy said. “We feel like in Watertown … people aren’t going out as much to see things anymore, in general, so us starting with a smaller venue makes a lot of sense in our mind to help build up that momentum again.”
Construction in the interior of the soon-to-be Harmony Performing Arts Center – Photo via Downtown News and Glenn Curry
For the past three years, Foy has worked with the local community to improve access to the arts. Harmony currently operates an instrumental lending library where local residents can rent instruments and musical equipment like mics and PA systems. More recently, Harmony partnered with the North County Library system allowing them to deliver instruments across multiple counties.
“The way I see it, you know, you start off small, and then you make it work, and then you build other things into it,” Foy said.
Foy started this program during the pandemic, when finding a theater and doing renovations would have been next to impossible.
“We’ve been doing things, just anything we can think of that helps enhance the arts, whether it be just having a calendar that shows what’s going on in the area each day, to having lists of the performers who are in the area, or the those who are teaching lessons in the area,” Foy said.
The outside of the theater as it undergoes renovations – Photo courtesy Joeseph Foy
Foy said he plans to keep growing the Harmony Performing Arts Center community well into the future.
“My real vision is to go down the line – and maybe this is 10-20, years from now – to create a bigger venue, but we’re so excited to be able to start with something that we can build up from, and that’s not going to be too much for us to take on.”
There is no official opening date or performances scheduled yet for Harmony Performing Arts Center although Foy hopes renovations will be done by this fall. He added Harmony is always looking for new members, volunteers and instrument donations.
“Just to see that momentum from the community is really fulfilling and exciting,” Foy said.
Mark Perro, co-founder of punk group The Men, will create an original, live musical score for the 1922 silent horror classic Nosferatu on Saturday, October 12 at Story Screen Cinema in Hudson, NY.
Mark Perro of The Men
Perro, a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter, co-founded The Men, known for their genre-blending sound that spans punk, rock, and experimental music.
The evening is co-presented by Upstate New York-based film programmers Sleepover Trading Co., who will create an exclusive retro clip show featuring vintage trailers, commercials and other oddities that will play before the feature. Based in Catskill, Sleepover Trading Co. is dedicated to retro VHS, toy and comic culture with the goal of recreating your perfect childhood sleepover, and are known for their custom made clip shows, presenting screenings of cult classic films throughout the Hudson Valley.
I’ve known Mark since The Men were a three piece playing the back room at Tommy’s Tavern. We are very excited for him to bring the noise to one of the world’s most famous silent films.
Sleepover Trading Co. co-founder Rob Ribar
This unique event is part of Story Screen’s month-long Story Scream HorrorShow X series, celebrating all things spooky and cinematic in the month of October. The live scoring also marks Perro’s first live score, having released nine albums and four EPs with The Men, including 2023’s New York City and 2024’s Manhattan Fire.
The Men
Nosferatu, directed by F.W. Murnau, is an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and continues to one of the most unsettling vampire films ever made. Portrayed by Max Schreck, the bald, spidery vampire has influenced countless incarnations throughout contemporary cinema in the century following its release. Famed critic Roger Ebert said of Nosferatu in 1997, “To watch F.W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (1922) is to seethe vampire movie before it had really seen itself. Here is the story of Dracula before it was buried alive in clichés, jokes, TV skits, cartoons and more than 30 other films. The film is in awe of its material. It seems to really believe in vampires.”
The screening and performance will take place at Story Screen Cinema, a community-focused movie theater located at 160 Fairview Ave, Hudson, NY. Story Screen also offers a full array of food, cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and local beers plus an extensive pinball and arcade game collection. Known for its creative programming and love for cinema, Story Screen Cinema brings together film lovers and casual viewers alike for unforgettable experiences.
Additionally, the Crandell Theatre in Chatham, will go back to its roots on Friday, October 4 at 7 pm and screen Nosferatu with musician and silent film historian Ben Model accompanying the film on theater organ, brought in for one very special night, allowing the audience to experience the film just as it sounded upon its original release in 1922. Tickets are $25 and $20 for members.
Following the announcement of their next album, 51122, NYC-based punk rock band The FMs have released the album’s first single, a cover of Joy Division’s “A Means to an End”.
Formed by founding members Matte Namer and Frankie Rex in 2016, The FMs’ foundations and legacy thus far are unapologetically punk and unapologetically queer. Brought together by the shared experiences of coming out as transgender and shared adoration for synthesizers, the two realized their debut LP Machinacene Epoch, released in 2017. The band’s performances quickly took on the same counter-culture personality their sound contained- forming a tight knit community around their SVBVERT shows on a ferry boat in the industrial canals of Bushwick, where they would continue to perform and produce in the years following.
After the success of their commitment to a more traditional approach to music making with their first release and 2,000 hours in the studio, The FMs had created their next double-LP, PINK + BLACK. With its own personality, PINK + BLACK marked a softer and more personal point in the duo’s sound. Tragically, prior to the release of such a deeply personal labor of love, Rex passed away from a fentanyl overdose. This aching loss put a pause on the project, but two years later Namer decided to release the work posthumously- ultimately, not even death could stop Frankie Rex’s voice from being heard.
After the release of PINK + BLACK and recognition from names including the GLAAD foundation, Namer reformed the FMs in Ithaca, introducing trans musicians Bubba Crumrine on guitar, Basim Hussain on synth and keys, and Nick Scollard on drums. PINK + BLACK and the new line up made their debut at the first- ever Frankie Fest, a tribute to Frankie Rex and fundraiser for Chosen Family Law Center.
The FM’s upcoming release, 51122, is another tribute to Rex- the title corresponding with May 11, 2022, the day they passed. A nod to one of the founding duo’s favorite bands, as well as Rex’s favorite song of theirs, A Means to an End is the lead single of the album.
Composed of demos recorded years prior, the album’s producer David Werner simplified and elevated the track, doing both the original song and Rex’s voice justice. Containing likely some of the final recordings of their vocals that will be released, A Means To an End and the FM’s upcoming album is not a quiet goodbye to Rex- it is a bold reminder to the world that they will not be forgotten, immortalized both by their own voice and their band’s never-ending love.
It’s also a bit somber being the last music that I think will ever be released with Frankie’s incredible, powerful, unique voice. I think there’s something about that that makes me remember they are really gone, like an orchid blooming from a coffin nail. 51122 is the date Frankie passed away, but is also a type of symbol in a way, or perhaps a word. I’m not sure what that meaning is yet, perhaps the orchid needs to grow.”
– Matte Namer
Following the release of 51122 this November, The FMs will celebrate with a record release show in New York City. More details will be revealed shortly. To keep up to date, visit their website here.
To pre-order or pre-save 51122, please visit here.
Brooklyn-based band TV On The Radio has announced a 20th anniversary edition of their critically acclaimed debut album, Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes, featuring five bonus tracks to be released on November 15, in addition to a return to live performance to celebrate.
Composed of Tunde Adebimpe, Dave Sitek, Kyp Malone, and Jaleel Bunton, TV on the Radio has developed a reputation that precedes them over their past twenty-plus years as a rock band. Recognized for their eclectic sound and experimental attitude, the band has toured worldwide, collaborated with countless household names, and released a total of five studio albums among a plethora of singles. An act of rebellion by simply existing as a Black indie rock band and a force of sonic exploration, TV on the Radio is truly not to be missed.
Now, just over twenty years since their debut album, TV on the Radio is returning to the public eye for a celebratory re-release of Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes, featuring five bonus tracks, two of which are unreleased. The first, “Final Fantasy,” is out now and is an early demo of their song “Bomb Yourself.”
Recognized by Rolling Stone as “an immaculate album about disappointment in all its forms” and featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, TV on the Radio’s first album release had made its mark on the world from the start. Saturated with concepts of life, love, and loss through the lens of post-9/11 America and heavy with the tension felt by the youngest generations at the time, Desperate Youth puts visceral emotions into words and words into never-before-heard sound.
In addition to the exciting rerelease, TV on the Radio has announced their first shows since 2019, with multiple nights in New York City at the historic Webster Hall. The band will be in the city on November 25, 26, 29, and 30, with dates in Los Angeles and London to follow. While still a part of the band, member Dave Sitek will be unable to join the tour. Tickets will be on sale Thursday, September 12 at 10:00 AM local time- for more information, visit here.
The full list of dates as well as the 20th Anniversary Edition track list are below.
TOUR DATES
November 25 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
November 26 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
November 29 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
November 30 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
December 4 – Los Angeles @ El Rey Theatre
December 5 – Los Angeles @ El Rey Theatre
December 7 – Los Angeles @ El Rey Theatre
December 10 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall
December 11 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall
December 12 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall
Atlanta rapper Jeezy has been no stranger to New York City over his decades-long career and his latest tour stop for ‘The Playlist’ in NYC was no different.
The Snowman brought his Playlist Concert Series to a sold-out Irving Plaza on Thursday, September 12, leaving the Big Apple with another memorable evening with one of hip hop’s most engaging performers.
Jeezy brought the house down at Irving Plaza last night with his electrifying Playlist Concert. Fans were treated to a night of unforgettable music and a high-energy performance. Backed up by DJ Ace, the atmosphere was buzzing as Jeezy took the stage, captivating the audience from the moment he appeared. The setlist was a perfect mix of fan favorites and new hits.
With his cohort DJ Ace, he cut through his hit-filled set like a pro. Rolling out classics like “RIP” and “White Girl,” as well as cuts off his 2023 project, Jeezy kept all eyes on him during his set. With an unmistakable voice and swagger, there is really nothing quite like a Jeezy show, and New York City showed the Snowman no shortage of love. In fact, it was one of the most engaged and energetic crowds and we know that NYC is a tough crowd.
In person, Jeezy is an endlessly positive individual. Performing alone, in front of a stark light projection that obscured his features and made him look more like a shadow than a man, he made every effort to highlight the idea that he, the famous rapper, is just like us: the day-job slob who paid for a ticket. He took time to directly engage with and show love to his fans.
In just over an hour, the man ripped through a career’s worth of hits with passion and charisma. He stalked the stage, switching his flow from a barking punk frontman’s delivery especially on “Seen it All” and Recession-era smash “Put On.” Also has NYC engaging in screaming the ad-libs back at him like on Thug Motivation standouts “Standing Ovation” and “Soul Survivor”. If you can, you can still catch Jeezy on tour, tickets here.
Brooklyn Bowl has announced the return of the annual Rosh Hashanah music bash, set to return October 2 and 3. This year marks the event’s 13th year.
Beginning at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, October 2 and 10 A.M. on Thursday, October 3, both musically driven services will feature Rabbi Daniel Brenner with musical director Jeremiah Lockwood. Also included are Antibalas’ Jordan McLean and Timothy Allen, drummer John Bollinger, saxophonist Stuart Bogie and Yula Berri on vocals and bass.
Internationally renowned teacher Jane Tuv will also lead a guided meditation at each event. There will also be Torah reading and procession led by Rabbi Brenner, as well as prayer, and shofar blowing. After the services on October 2nd, Brooklyn Bowl hosts a spiritually driven jam session featuring members of the service’s house band as well as additional guests. After services on October 3rd at 12:30 P.M., there is a lunch provided by Blue Ribbon with purchase of a ticket.
All proceeds will support the non-profit organization Shalom Y’all Jams, which works to organize holiday services at non-traditional locations. Brooklyn Bowl was ranked the number one busiest club in NYC in 2017. This celebration of Rosh Hashanah may very well love up to that title this October. You’ll want to get your tickets before they sell out.
To purchase tickets for the Rosh Hashanah music bash at Brooklyn Bowl and to learn more about the celebration, click here.
