Tags archives: live music
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The question of safety at shows gets rehashed at least once a year. Usually around festival season when there's a surplus of concerts, all the top outlets, popular musicians, and related voices chime in as to what they think this means. Factors and examples of good, bad, and ugly behavior are paraded out and readers are asked rhetorically: What do we think about moshing? Is stage diving safe? What about selfie sticks? Should we allow "all ages" shows? Some of these concepts and actions are labeled as questionable or unsafe only for the spirit of debate; however, some raise valid issues. A selfie stick in a thick crowd does have the potential to hurt someone. Or at least really tick off the people behind the user enough to insight a tiny riot.
Most of these concerns, like age restrictions, have the best intentions (eg, the well being of underage listeners) at heart. Warped Tour has intermittently tried to ban moshing, citing the likelihood of injury and a resulting lawsuit. Organizers understand that such behavior is integral to Warped culture, but ultimately take a sort of "this is for you own good" stance. This attitude has become somewhat controversial due to the lack of consensus, amongst members of both the bands and the crowd, on whether Warped has the right to make that decision. Some want to learn to avoid a -core pit the hard way and don't mind chipping a tooth in the process. Others want to be cautioned, but not restricted and given the option to participate i[...]
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Everyone gathered on Tuesday night to see not only the documentary Danny Brown: Live at the Majestic, but also to see the famed rapper Danny Brown himself. Best known for his 2011 album XXX, the Detroit native has been quiet in recent years. Apart from voicing the Fresh Off The Boat theme song and writing a Seussian children's book, Brown hasn’t released any new work or played many shows of late. This fact made his appearance at House of Vans all the more exciting. Those who had sustained themselves with the recorded versions of "Grown Up," "Dip," "Smokin & Drinkin," and "25 Bucks” and longed to hear them live would finally get the chance.
That crowd, the one that had been patiently waiting for years now anxiously passed the last hour of that interval outside the venue. Some groaned about having come straight from work while others repeatedly called the missing members of their parties, telling them to “hurry up.” Amongst them was a mix of safety pins, asymmetrical haircuts, Supreme brand clothing and the odd fannypack. They were a young, hip, image-conscious crowd, but despite all that originality and individuality, there was one thing that brought them together and that was Danny Brown. He was why they dragged out to Greenpoint, why they rallied their friends, why they skipped dinner just to get a good spot in line. “I had a multigrain kombucha in my fridge… I should've grabbed that,” one girl bemoaned. She the[...]
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The House of Vans sounds more like a lesser family in HBO’s Game of Thrones than a concert venue. At least in Brooklyn. Here, the famed shoe manufacturer is better known for its clothing than its concert space. Vans shoes, snapbacks, backpacks and hoodies can easily be found in just about any corner of the borough, but mention the House of Vans to a passerby and you’re likely to be met with confusion. Other venues like Irving Plaza, Terminal 5, and MSG have risen to the level of the common vernacular, amongst concertgoers and non-concertgoers alike; odds are even your landlord has heard of those. While the House of Vans doesn’t toil away at the level of obscurity of say Cake Shop or Palisades, the name doesn’t carry the weight it normally does. Out on the wider concert circuit, Vans rules supreme as sponsors of the famed Warped Tour. Here, it is just lesser known and that is a mistake.*
Hidden in the far reaches of Greenpoint, tucked up against the water, the venue boosts both an indoor and outdoor stage area, a bar, and enough ramps to qualify it as a skatepark. It’s an incredibly versatile space. Problem is that in order to have that much space in this city you have to be somewhere where there is still space to be had. You need to be able to gather hundreds of people on any given night and be loud until all hours of the morning. You need to be able to pull amps and all manner of equipment through the doors. Most importantly, you need to be able to afford the rent.
Ove[...]
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In part 1 of this series, we looked at a video that showcased an artist as a role model, another that shed light on the creative process of an up-and-coming band, and a third that brought international superstars back to their old digs to be humbled by their beginnings. For this installment, we’re going to revisit the political music video with TARICA's “But, Anyway” as well as examine the success of the web series with a look at NPR’s Tiny Desk.
Tarica's “But, Anyway”
Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" has been sampled, remixed, covered and served up in countless fashions. Over the years everyone from Aaliyah to Britney Spears to Fall Out Boy to R.E.M have tried their hand at the 1987 classic, always placing the songs unmistakable “duh duh duh duduh, duh duh duduh” at the forefront of their efforts. Most recently, D.C. rapper Tarica June included the interlude in her song “But, Anyway.” In the song rather than recounting the patrons of a local cafe as Vega did decades before, June discusses the gentrification of her home town. With personal, frank and adept lines like, “But anyway, this is third generation for me / My parents and my grandparents all from DC / So I feel like I notice things other folks can't see / And like I represent things other folks can't be”, June makes her point without so much as raising her voice. Her approach, unlike many others, is one of hope and positivity with the song's chorus opening with, “But anyway I can go on forever about all of the bul[...]
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9 years ago
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Tommy Siegel is best known as the guitarist of either piano band Jukebox the Ghost or noise rock group Drunken Sufis. The two bands exist on fairly opposite ends of the genre spectrum, with one brimming with gentle introspection and optimism while the other stopping its feet and howling against the government. Siegel has pooled elements of both projects, like the political-savvy of the Sufis and the humor of a younger Jukebox, to fuel his newest act: Narc Twain.
A dystopian punk band, the group was born from of all things a book of poetry. The symbiotic nature of Brooklyn is perhaps to thank for Siegel’s chance encounter with the book. He found Jeremy Schmall & Cult of Comfort by Jeremy Schmall in the recycling bin of his apartment building last year. The 99-page collection is brief, with fifty or so poems channeling anxiety, paranoia, pain, discomfort, understanding, introspection, hunger and hitting on a myriad of other emotions that the reader didn’t necessarily see coming. The poems twist and hairpin turn in a way that would make all MFA students smile and all passer-bys wonder what exactly did they pick up out of the recycling. The commentary on capitalism and cynicism struck a chord with Siegel. He wrote Schmall, whose email was hidden in plain sight in a poem in Cult of Comfort, eventually sending him music. And thus Schmall inspired what would eventually become the six song EP that is Narc Twain.
The band released the debut EP last week, playing a show in c[...]
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10 years ago
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Haven: Saturday, July 25th at The Mothership, Brooklyn- 7pm - 1am
It's summer and it's time to celebrate with great music and art! AFP is co-hosting this rooftop soiree with our good pals over at NOoSPHERE Arts.
Barry Komitor's (AFP's Art Education Manager) band Bad Faces is set to perform with solo music performances from Lesley Kernochan and Charles Davi. Also, AFP's Executive Director Frank Jackson (aka DJ Gatto) is breaking out some select choices from his vast vinyl collection, and longtime friend DJ/Producer SR SERGE will be spinning a late set for your dancing pleasure. To add to the flavor, we have AFP artists Daniel Maldonado (Gashouse Films) and Jeanne Wilkinson creating video installations, while Cat Del Buono will present her "Beauty Box" installation. Last but not least, the very talented performance artist Duckie L'Orange will intrigue us with her creativity. Check out the invite below, grab a six pack or a bottle of wine and let's celebrate!!
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10 years ago
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1. Governor's Ball
June 5-7, 2015
Randall’s Island Park
The sunburn of Warped Tour meets the popular appeal of Coachella at this NYC concert series. The Governors Ball Music Festival began in 2011 as a one-day affair on Governor’s Island featuring among others Girl Talk, Reptar, Big Boi and a DJ set by Passion Pit. After a healthily-attended inaugural year, Gov Ball has grown to be the concert series to wear your snapback to each summer.
This year the festival will bring dozens of bands to Randall’s Island for the weekend, but there are definite stand out that you should make a point of seeing each day:
Friday: My Morning Jacket, Ratatat, The Decemberists, St. Vincent, Twin Shadow will take the stage along with Drake, Florence + the Machine
Saturday: Future Islands, Marina and the Diamonds, Conor Oberst, Ryan Adams, Deadmau5, Bjork
Sunday: Lana Del Rey, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The War on Drugs, The Black Keys, Hot Chip, Echosmith,"Weird Al" Yankovic.
Be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot. Buses and ferries beginning shuttling concert-goers to the island at 11:00AM. Gates open at 11:45 and the music starts at 12:15 (and doesn't stop until 11:00PM!)
Don’t forget/lose/damage your wristband. Gov Ball, like many of the bigger music events, distributes wristbands to ticket holders via the mail (or via the box office for late purchases.) They are your ticket in and are what allow you to re-enter the festival each day. Mind you can only re-enter o[...]
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10 years ago
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UkrX_ikRUY
Sunday, May 24th at The Bowery Electric
Memorial Day Weekend we're kicking off the season properly with an incredible line-up of some of NYC's best bands, performers and DJ's on two levels.
ROCK, FUNK, HIP HOP, ELECTRONICA, AMERICANA
DOWNSTAIRS: Live Music: $9 Advance Tickets, $10 at the door
XNY, Soul Khan, Blythe Sword, Bad Faces, Digital Diaspora, Statik Vision
UPSTAIRS: Live Music until 10pm, DJ's til late: NO COVER
MAP ROOM: Graham Norwood and Amy Miles
DJ's: Sameer & Gatto - 10pm til late
Hosted by Art for Progress, Doors: 7pm, Music: 7:30pm
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10 years ago
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NYC non-profit Art for Progress hosts this special event Wednesday, April 22nd at The Bowery Electric to celebrate Earth Day and to raise awareness. The night will feature an outstanding line up of artists with local pop rockers Wyland headlining the night. The amazing Blythe Gruda will open the show and feature some very special guests followed by a one woman psychedelic rock performance from Brooklyn's Idgy Dean. Indie rockers Polyvox will close out the night with a set of synth driven beats. Tickets are $10 and include the chance to win amazing door prizes from Gibson Guitars and tickets to The Museum of Natural History.
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10 years ago
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South by Southwest (SXSW) is the Coachella of the American South. Much like over-hyped Indio music festival, this Texas alternative has skyrocketed in size and popularity in recent years. What began in 1987 as a local music festival has grown into an epicenter of not only music, but also culture. The SXSW events calendar has expanded exponentially and now includes film premiers, like Bridesmaids and Tiny Furniture, and speakers, like Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash and Jimmy Wales.
The coverage of the festival has grown at an equally alarming rate as well. Now-a-days it seems everyone has a tent, a representative, a something at Southby. This year’s festival in particular, which began on the 13th and will conclude on the 22nd, seems to be THE place to be. From McDonalds to Meerkat, brands have coated the festival in free gear and hashtags. This has been a rising trend, year to year, and in response, some claim SXSW has lost some of it’s original purpose amidst all this commercialization. The same or similar was said about Warper Tour, Burning Man and Sundance once they outgrew their underground status. It was only a matter of time before people started claiming the same of SXSW.
In 2013, Andrea Swensson wrote a piece for NPR's the record entitled "Why I'm Not Going To SXSW This Year". In her piece, Swensson admitted, “I can't help but feel that it has strayed far away from its original premise as a grassroots gathering place for new, undiscovered talent and increasin[...]
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10 years ago
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Join us for another excellent night of live music featuring NYC based artists that stretch across all genres of music and style.
This month we're very pleased to have The Tall Pines performing for our HomeGrown series. They've played with the likes of Charlie Louvin, Norah Jones and Justin Townes Earl among other greats, and their first self-titled album was named one of top ten best albums of the year by NPR's Meredith Ochs.
We're equally pleased to have Daughter Vision performing the late set. When they take the stage you can expect a multimedia, theatrical, sexy, philosophical experience. Blythe Sword is a new project featuring the vocals of Blythe Gruda and the music of Anton Sword. The band recently returned from a European tour where they delighted fans with their electronic textured dark ballads. Skunkmello returns to follow up on their great performance at HomeGrown last year. The band will be fresh off their date at SXSW and energized for a top notch set at Bowery Electric.
--March 18th: The Tall Pines, Blythe Sword, Daughter Vision, Skunkmello
8:00pm - Skunkmello, 9:00pm - The Tall Pines, 10:00pm - Blythe Sword, 11:00pm - Daughter Vision
Doors: 7pm, Music: 8pm, Cover: $10
The Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery Street, NY, NY
Hosted by Art for Progress
--April 22nd
We Deliver presents “Mother Earth Jam”
In celebration of Earth Day…
Featuring: Wyland, Polyvox, Blythe Gruda, Idgy Dean
Doors: 7pm, Music: 8pm, Cover: $10[...]
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