NYS Music 2024

Tag: pop

  • Charli XCX “Brat 2025” Arena Tour Includes Two Dates in Brooklyn

    Avant-pop superstar Charli XCX has announced the “Brat 2025” Arena Tour which currently consists of five dates, two of which see Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

    Pop and electronic superstar Charli xcx has become an iconic figure in the arts, having helped expand the landscape of popular music over the last decade by seamlessly traversing the underground and mainstream with her artistic output. Over the course of a trailblazing career, the multi-hyphenate creative has earned critical acclaim for her innovative style and entrepreneurial spirit and seen her forward-thinking approach reshape pop culture in the process. 

    She released her sixth studio album ‘BRAT’ in June which stands as the most critically acclaimed album of the year and landed at Number 1 on the UK Official Album Chart in October. ‘BRAT’ has well and truly made its mark on the cultural zeitgeist this year; the audacious campaign has seen Charli cause roadblocks around the world with her pop-up ‘PARTYGIRL’ DJ sets, break the internet with viral videos and surprise collaborations with the likes of Billie Eilish, Lorde, Addison Rae, Robyn, Yung Lean, Julia Fox, Chloë Sevigny, and Rachel Sennott and introduce a new tone of green to the social lexicon.

    The album was nominated for the Mercury Prize 2024 while ‘Guess featuring Billie Eilish’ debuted at Number 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, making Charli the first British artist to land at the top of the charts this year. In October, Charli followed it up with ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’ – a brand-new version of the critically acclaimed album featuring reimagined takes and innovative reworks of tracks from ‘BRAT’ featuring the likes of Julian Casablancas, Bon Iver, The 1975, Shygirl, Ariana Grande, Caroline Polachek and more.

    The “Brat 2025” Arena Tour kicks off on April 22 at Moody Center in Austin, TX. The tour then wraps up on April 30 and May 1 with two iconic shows at Brooklyn’s famous Barclays Center.

    CHARLI XCX – BRAT 2025 – ARENA TOUR: 

    April 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center

    April 26 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center

    April 28 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena

    April 30 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

    May 1 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

    For more information on Charli XCX’s “Brat 2025” Arena Tour and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • NYC-Based Pop Artist Ren Genevieve Reveals a Heartfelt Reflection on Growing Up in “forts”

    NYC-based singer-songwriter Ren Genevieve has released her latest single “forts,” an extremely intimate track that illustrates the cycle of growing up and outgrowing relationships. “forts” delves into themes of nostalgia, sadness, and the heartfelt yet inevitable nature of change and growing up. 

    Ren Genevieve

    “forts” is the feeling one gets when they are deep in reminiscing about being a child and how it is to navigate life as a full-time adult. The track draws listeners in, tugging at their heartstrings and allowing them to connect with their deepest emotions. Ren Genevieve’s approach to songwriting and storytelling is what makes her stand out amongst many, “forts” is a prime example of her mastery. With its expressive and deep-seated lyrics, the track hits home for many listeners, while presenting a relatable angle on the struggles of adulthood and how it re-molds past connections people had. With the blend of soul-touching melodies and soft vocals, Genevieve captures all the elements perfectly.

    Born in Boston and raised in New York, Michigan, and Bermuda, Genevieve has always been one for the arts. Genevieve started singing, acting, and dancing at a young age, her college years at NYU were what pushed her to pursue writing and sharing her music. She made a name for herself back when her single “I Like You (I Think)” dropped in February 2022 which was then followed by her second single “tongue-tied” in November 2022. Her first few projects were created to share with her friends and family, however, she took the idea and ran with it to perfect her producing skills. Genevieve’s singles helped pave her way as an ardent introduction to her story.

    Ren Genevieve

    For more information on Ren Genevieve’s music including her latest single “forts” click here.

  • Sammy Rae and The Friends bring Heartfelt Joy and Community to Terminal 5 

    Sammy Rae & The Friends brought soulful vocals, upbeat rhythms, sweet horns, and a genre-crossing show to Terminal 5 on Friday, November 8. Most importantly, they brought heartfelt joy and community to a packed venue when it was so needed – less than a week after the most contentious election in recent history.

    Fresh off their first full studio album Something for Everybody, Sammy Rae & The Friends made a New York homecoming at Manhattan’s Terminal 5 for two nights on November 8 and 9. This isn’t the first time the band has toured in New York, having finished their CAMP world tour in Buffalo earlier this year, but it is the first time they’ve been back to showcase their new album.

    Sammy Rae & The Friends appeal has grown exponentially since they formed in New York City, and played their first 30-person gig, as Sammy Rae said from the stage. The singer moved to the City in her late teens, originally intending to study music. She ended up playing at venues around the city and building her own network of musicians who would later become the eponymous “friends” in her band.

    Smoke Ring, followed by Sub-Radio, opened the show, with the latter jumping onto the stage from their first note. The Washington DC-based Indie-pop band kicked, high jumped and sang soring lyrics for an action-packed hour before Sammy Rae & The Friends came on.

    Showcasing that “Friends” isn’t just a name and community isn’t just an ideal, C-Bass Chiriboga, Sammy Rae’s drummer, replaced Michael Pereira, Sub-Radio’s drummer, with just four days’ notice since the latter was stuck out of the country. Throughout their set, Sub-radio and C-Bass created a safe space for queer teens highlighting the importance of music for those finding themselves, especially after an “incredibly hard week.”

    As soon as Sammy Rae & The Friends stepped on stage, they exploded with energy, joy, and hope. Building on Sub-Radio’s message, early in the set, Sammy Rae highlighted that governmental policies may come and go but that community and radical joy will build true strength. The rest of the show expanded that message both on stage and in the audience. More than most front people, Sammy Rae shares the spotlight with her band, physically moving to the back of the stage to let her horn section riff off each other, her guitarists take the spotlight, and even letting her bassist solo with a standup bass. A string quartet even joined the band, so did Jacob Jeffries who was in from Los Angeles.

    Their message of joy and community didn’t end at the stage. Throughout the audience, lyrics were yelled, fans danced, and Sammy Rae & The Friends encouraged it all – allowing fans to feel everything they needed. At one moment, as Sammy Rae saw members of the audience crying, she stopped the show, saying, “I see so many of you crying, and you’re so beautiful.” The singer then asked audience members to turn to their neighbors and tell them that they were beautiful. 

    As the night wore on, the band ended by bringing all their stored energy to bear, thanking their hometown audience with massive solos, sending the audience off with one more moment of joy.

    Setlist: Friends Intro >Thieves, The Feeling, We Made it, Jackie O, Cool Douge, No Rule Book > Winds Intro, I Get It Now, David, Call Ya Back, Good Time Tavern, Luck of the Draw, Good Life Medley, State Song, Hold the Line, Coming Home Song

    Sammy Rae & The Friends will be on tour in the northeast through December before going to Europe in February 2025. Notably, The band has committed to making their entire tour as environmentally friendly as possible, working with Headcount across the U.S. to register voters, and donating one dollar of every ticket sale to local LGBTQ organizations in each city they play.

    Tour Dates: 

    Nov 11, 2024 Ulster Performing Arts Center Kingston, NY

    Nov 12, 2024 Academy of Music Theatre Northampton, MA

    Nov 13, 2024 Academy of Music Theatre Northampton, MA

    Nov 15, 2024 Roadrunner Boston, MA

    Nov 16, 2024 Roadrunner Boston, MA

    Dec 31, 2024 The Anthem Washington, DC

    • Stranger Cat Announces Sophomore Album “Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces” to Release Nov 15

      NYC-based musician, producer and multimedia artist Stranger Cat has announced her sophomore album Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces due out November 15 on North Street Records.

      Stranger Cat

      The resonant forthcoming album allowed the artist to feel it all. Putting the pieces of their body back together, both physically and emotionally, produced a collection of work that required careful reflection and complete surrender. Confined to a bed, the ten tracks that emerged was an accumulation of the pain, frustration and yearning for a brighter future. The result is a cornucopia of orchestral synth pop with layered vocals, sparkly synths and 808 beat driven dance parties.

      The project’s first single, out now, “Witness” is a raw, lush pop song that came together in a particularly painful period. The “Witness” lyric video captures the desire to be seen and the beauty of capturing one’s joy. While the track was created amidst deep pain, the video is a chance to display the artist on the other side. Recorded at the historic Guillaume Tell studio where everyone from Radiohead to Serge Gainsbourg recorded, the final vocals were done on vintage mics, and the musician played all the additional instruments heard on the track including: B3 organ, electric and grand piano, the echo effects and more.

      Stranger Cat is Brooklyn-born, Miami-based vocalist, producer, composer, light artist, video maker, DJ, dancer, and sound healer Cat Martino. She has collaborated with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Sharon Van Etten, Son Lux, Lucius, and The Shins and as well as supporting Empress Of, Marissa Nadler, and performing at iii Points Festival and Art Basel in Miami. Stranger Cat’s self-produced, vulnerable second album, Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces, sees the artist surrender, only to find beauty in her own healing. Its first single, “Witness” is out now, and the full project is due out November 15.  

      In The Wilderness, the artist’s soulful electronic art-pop debut album, arrived in 2015. Earlier this year, Stranger Cat collaborated bringing captivating vocals to author and musician’s Scott Guild’s debut album Plastic: The Album which now has over 250K streams across platforms. Despite such substantial setbacks in recent years, Stranger Cat is more than ready to bring her healing second album into the world, one that turns her isolation into hope and pain into power.

      For more information on Stranger Cat and her upcoming album Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces, click here.

    • New Hope Club: The UK Pop Trio Lights Up Brooklyn

      The Band

      New Hope Club, the British trio comprised of George Smith, Blake Richardson, and Reece Bibby, have been charming fans worldwide since 2015. Their infectious guitar-driven pop and catchy choruses quickly made them standouts in the pop music scene. Their 2020 self-titled debut album solidified their status, with hits that have defined their sound and energized audiences everywhere.

      Now, they’re back with new music, including their latest single “Trouble in Paradise,” which is out now, with more music on the horizon.

      New Hope Club at Baby’s All Right by: Yisroel Teitelbaum (@thebigpic.inc)

      Beyond music, Richardson is gearing up to play a young Paul McCartney in the highly anticipated Beatles biopic, Midas Man.

      Richardson’s casting has fans buzzing with excitement, eager to see how he continues expanding his creative reach.

      The Show

      On a warm night, New Hope Club took the stage at Baby’s All Right, turning the intimate venue into a buzzing cauldron of energy. This show gave NY fans an intimate, up-close experience with the trio in one of the city’s coziest venues.

      As soon as the band hit the stage, the atmosphere was electric. They opened the night with the crowd favorite “Worse,” instantly igniting the room. The trio’s tight harmonies and infectious energy had the crowd dancing, singing, and smiling from the first note.

      Throughout the night, the band treated fans to a mix of their biggest hits and some sneak peeks of what’s to come. They performed their newest track “Trouble in Paradise,” and the crowd responded with in an excited frenzy. The song, packed with their upbeat rhythms and smooth vocals, was an instant hit and gave a taste of the new, New Hope Club.

      Richardson, with his effortless charisma, led the crowd through the set. The crowd interaction made the show feel intimate and personal, the boys exuding a chemistry that can only come from years of friendship and performing together.

      A highlight was “Who Do You Think You Are?” where their vocal harmonies captivated the crowd, swaying together. The boys performed “Let Me Down Slow,” prompting the crowd to join in a massive singalong that echoed throughout the room.

      Closing the night with the explosive “Permission,” New Hope Club left Baby’s All Right on a high note. As the band waved goodbye, the crowd chanted for an encore, not quite ready for the night to end.

      New Hope Club proved from start to finish why they’re one of the most exciting young bands today. Their blend of charm, talent, and crowd interaction created a memorable night for everyone in attendance.

      Looking to the Future

      For those who missed the magic at Baby’s, make sure to catch them next time they’re in NYC. With new music and a movie debut ahead, the band’s future success promises to be even bigger. Don’t miss out!

    • Clairo Charms On Night 1 of 5 Night Residency at Webster Hall

      Clairo kicked off her five-night residency at Webster Hall on Friday, September 14th to a sold-out crowd. Webster Hall is the perfect venue to experience Clairo’s music, and more artists should prioritize smaller venues like this. Sure, she’s playing four extra shows to sell the same amount of tickets as she would in an arena, but the difference in experience is staggering.

      While Chappell Roan is currently making headlines for setting boundaries with fans, Clairo is just coming off a three-year hiatus with her new album Charm due to her own experiences with people repeatedly invading her privacy. Finding a way to comfortably interact with fans at shows and online should be a priority for any artist. Clairo deserves huge props for her commitment to doing things in a way that feels comfortable for her.

      Webster Hall was packed before Frankie Cosmos opened, with people overflowing through the side doors of the main ballroom and lining the balcony. Frankie Cosmos’ sound has developed nicely over the past years, with better production and instrumentation. In particular, her drummer injects some extra funk into the mellower songs. Even though Frankie Cosmos was a late addition to the Webster Hall shows, Greta Kline said she was happy to see people outside her fanbase singing along.

      Clairo and her ensemble entered the stage single file with a tray of glasses to cheers and sat down on the set for a little pre-show drink. As she poured wine and handed it to her bandmates, Clairo, in her headphones, black dress with gold ribbons, black tights, and heeled loafers, talked quietly with her ensemble before they eventually clambered to their designated positions on the stage’s tiered platforms covered in green carpet. The stage held a staggering amount of instruments to be used over the show’s hour and a half runtime with a flute, chimes, sax, electric guitar, nylon string acoustic guitar, bass guitar, a real piano on the stage, synths, and a drum machine on an antique table next to Clairo for her song “4Ever.”

      Clairo played through the entirety of her excellent new album, Charm, interspersed with some of her fan favorites. Charm adds much more intrigue to Claro’s sound, incorporating jazzy layered synths and a laid-back West Coast cabana vibe on some tracks such as the album’s opener “Nomad” and “Glory of the Snow.”  Clairo takes this sound further with a modern electronic spin on tracks like “Sexy to Someone” and “Echo.” “Echo” specifically features a jaunty little synth that harkens back to the likes of Broadcast.

      After four songs she requested the lighting tech turn off the front lights and spent most of the show backlit by the giant light handing over the middle of the stage. She seemed reserved at the beginning, but by the second half of the show, she found her groove, and you could tell she was enjoying playing in her home city. A fan held up a red and white ringer tee they made for her that said “Clairo is For Lovers,” and Clairo loved it, saying she would wear it to bed that night. That’s probably the only fan out there who can say they’ve given an artist their favorite pajama tee.

    • Brooklyn-Based Songwriter Sam Rappaport Releases First Work in Five Months with Single “Diorama”

      Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Sam Rappaport releases his new single titled “Diorama.” The track marks the artist’s first release since March 2024.

      Sam Rappaport Diorama

      Sam Rappaport grew up in Los Angeles, and now pursues his musical career in Bushwick, Brooklyn. His sound draws from multiple genres. Most notably, he shows inspiration from contemporary pop, folk, rock, and soul. Rappaport has a soft, whimsical sounding vocal style. It’s something comparable to Michael Bublé or John Mayer in its softness and pitch.

      “Diorama” explores all the unique nuances of Sam Rappaport’s voice and vision. The track opens up rather smoothly, with notes of contemporary jazz but with a modern undertone. A soft piano melody carries the tune to its heights and to its valleys. Rappaport’s soothing vocals and lyrics fall perfectly along the instruments throughout the entirety of the tune.

      The track explores Sam’s inner fears, loves, and life experiences. “Diorama” refers to a layout of all of what makes up oneself. Sam wants to study his own diorama, who he truly is, what makes him who he is. What is he afraid of and what are the fundamental aspects of his person. What does he love, desire and need, and why?

      My dad used to take me to the Natural History Museum growing up, and I would love looking at the dioramas. I started thinking, what if there was a diorama for my life and fears, what scenes would it show? So, I guess the main concept is reflection—organizing all one’s little traumas into a diorama for public viewing. 

      Sam Rappaport

      Be sure to keep on eye on Sam Rappaport’s further releases by checking his Spotify, Instagram and YouTube. Visit Rappaport’s website to hear the new single “Diorama” For more information on the artist, click here.

    • Brooklyn Based DIIV Returns With New Album

      DIIV, a beloved band from Brooklyn, has once again captured the hearts of fans with their latest album, Frog in Boiling Water. This record showcases a band that has truly evolved while staying true to their atmospheric roots. The album and its singles—such as “Brown Paper Bag,”—have been met with widespread fan acclaim.

      DIIV @ Brooklyn Paramount 8/7/2024 by Sam Schraub

      The Album

      Frog in Boiling Water is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a testament to DIIV’s perseverance and growth. The album’s creation was a four-year odyssey that nearly pushed the band to its limits. With a desire to push their sound to new frontiers, DIIV embarked on an ambitious journey, navigating their own relationships and the pressures of the music industry. Fraying friendships, financial strains, and creative differences marked the process, but the band emerged from this chaos with an album that dives deep into new lyrical and musical territories.

      DIIV @ Brooklyn Paramount 8/7/2024 by Sam Schraub

      The result is a record that is as gorgeous as it is haunted. Frog in Boiling Water balances powerful rhythms inspired by post-industrial sounds, creating a sound that is both mighty and ethereal. It’s a mesmeric reflection on endurance, capturing the essence of existing.

      DIIV @ Brooklyn Paramount 8/7/2024 by Sam Schraub

      If you missed DIIV at their most recent homecoming show at Brooklyn Paramount, make sure to catch them live the next time they’re in New York. With each performance, DIIV not only solidifies their place in the indie music scene but also redefines what it means to create immersive, emotional art.

      All photo credit goes to Sam Schraub

    • Tag’s Summer Stage Series: An Unforgettable Season

      Tag’s Summer Stage, located in Big Flats, NY, is set for three more concerts in their summer series.

      The large Southern Tier venue has hosted an impressive line-up featuring Billy Currington, Rip Moore, Larry Fleet, Brantley Gilbert and more. The rest of the season will feature Primus, Coheed & Cambria, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, and Flo Rida, bringing in a diverse genre of music from country to hip-hop, something for everyone to dance to.

      August 10th, 7:00PM – Primus, Coheed and Cambria with Puddles Pity Party

      The Mich Ultra Summer Stage at Tag’s welcomes cutting-edge rock superstars, PRIMUS with special guests’ progressive rock, & science fiction comic band Coheed and Cambria & America Got Talent Puddles Pity Party. Joining together for a night of unforgettable entertainment

      tag's summer stage series

      September 8th, 7:30PM – Australian Pink Floyd Show

      Selling over 4 million tickets worldwide and described by The Times as “The Gold Standard” and The Daily Mirror as “The Kings of the Genre”, The Australian Pink Floyd Show Performing the music of Pink Floyd with a note for note perfection, this critically acclaimed show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for more than three decades.

      Always striving to reproduce the complete Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show continues to include a stunning light and laser show, video animations, state-of-the-art, high-resolution LED screen technology, and other special effects. In addition, and in true Pink Floyd fashion, there are several huge inflatables including a giant pig and their own unique Pink Kangaroo.

      tag's summer stage series

      September 14th, 8:00PM – Flo Rida

      Grammy-nominated hip-hop superstar known for his party anthems, Flo Rida, brings his high-energy party to Tag’s Summer Stage Series for one electric night on, Saturday, September 14th. Joining Flo Rida is the #1 US Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, with over 100 million records sold worldwide, is MIMS. To get the party started off right a world-class DJ will spin the tunes to keep you dancing the night away. It promises to be one unforgettable evening. We can’t wait to see you all party at “My House”, as we all have a “Good Feeling”, it’s going to be one of the “Wild Ones.”

    • In Focus: Train Chugs on Through Artpark

      Train performed at Artpark Amphitheater on Friday, July 19, with Yacht Rock Revue opening, with both bands had the crowd singing and dancing to their classic songs all night.

      Train

      Yacht Rock Revue is not your typical tribute band. They add their own flare to the songs they sing, an array of classic hits songs from the 70s and 80s. Within their set, they also mixed in some of their original songs as well in the mix that the crowd loved. The band got the crowd grooving early on in the night, gearing them up for Train.

      Yacht Rock Revue

      Train started the night with a classic ‘Calling All Angels’, and the crowd immediately engaged with lead singer Patrick Monahan. The way that he kept everyone so engaged from start to finish was truly a true show of his artistry. He picked up the beat with his next song, “If It’s Love.” During this song, he grabbed the phones of some of the crowd and took selfies of them. It was a very sweet moment to see the interaction that he was having with the crowd when he was doing this, and had a smooth transition to “Get To Me.”

      When you go to a Train concert, you can tell he’s been doing this for a while because of his smooth transitions from song to song and stage presence. Not to mention his fantastic song discography. Crowd favorite songs were “Play That Song,” “Hey Soul Sister,” and of course, the classic “Drops of Jupiter.” with the crowd embracing the iconic piano intro.

      Many in the audience likely left the show with sore throats from singing, but with giant smiles on their faces.

      Train – Artpark, Lewiston, NY – Friday, July 19, 2024

      Setlist: Calling All Angels, If It’s Love, Get to Me, Save Me, San Francisco, Meet Virginia, Free, Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin cover with Pat’s son, Rock, on vocals), Long Yellow Dress, Play That Song, Parachute Angel in Blue Jeans, 50 Ways to Say Goodbye, Marry Me, Bruises, Hey Soul Sister, Drive By, We Were Made for This, Hotel California (Eagles cover with Yacht Rock Revue), Drops of Jupiter