HOT TIPS
AN EVENING WITH PAUL VARIO AT NUNZI’S FREEPORT
On January 24, and 25, 2025, art enthusiasts and fans alike will have the extraordinary opportunity to meet Paul Vario, the first grandson of the iconic Paul Vario from the classic film Goodfellas. (Meet and Greet) Friday, January 24, 2025, will take place at Nunzi’s by the Water, located at 499 South Main Street, Freeport, NY 11520, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. January 25, 2025: The Art Show, and Special live painting start at 3:00 p.m.,The “Sit Down Dinner” seating starts at 7:00 p.m.
Highlighting the event will be the unveiling of “The Nunzi Marlin,” a commissioned original piece that reflects both Paul’s unique artistic vision and a connection to his roots in Brooklyn.
This remarkable evening will showcase Paul Vario’s impressive collection of original art, inspired by his early days in Canarsie. Leveraging his diverse artistic talents, Paul has crafted gallery-quality works in various mediums, including pencil, pen, and brush.
Be part of this exceptional event, where art meets history, and meet a rising artist with a legacy of creativity.
SLAMDANCE 2025 FILM FESTIVAL
The 31st Slamdance Film Festival, the artist-led organization “by filmmakers, for filmmakers,” has unveiled its 2025 lineup. Celebrating more than three decades of discovering and championing industry-changing talent, Slamdance takes center stage in Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment industry.
Screenings and events will run February 20-26, 2025 at the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) and Quixote - West Hollywood, kicking off with opening night at The Egyptian Theatre on February 20. Online screenings will be available on the Slamdance Channel from February 24 to March 7, 2025. The festival’s move to Los Angeles, following 30 successful years in Park City, will allow for the continued growth of Slamdance’s year-round mission to provide an accessible and dynamic community for truly independent, visionary filmmakers and creators.
A celebration of emerging filmmaking talent from around the world, this year’s lineup consists of 146 films - 21 of which are World Premiere featuresFor more information on Slamdance, visit: https://www.slamdance.com
JULIEN’S AUCTIONS CELEBRATING BOB DYLAN
Julien’s Auctions announced the forthcoming auction “Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Aronowitz Archive, T Bone Burnett, & More” will be held at the Musician’s Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville on Saturday, January 18th.
The auction features 60 items, 50 of these from journalist Al Aronowitz’s personal archive including two pages containing three progressive typewritten drafts of the lyrics to “Mr. Tambourine Man” (estimate: $400,000-$600,000), an early Dylan oil painting from 1968 ($200,000-$300,000), a 1963 handbill from his first major headline performance at Town Hall in New York City ($1,500-$2,000), early vintage photographs, original sketches and much more. The auction also includes a 1983 Fender Telecaster made for and owned by Bob Dylan ($80,000-$120,000) and signed handwritten lyrics for “Blowin’ In The Wind” ($15,000-$20,000). Find a full list of items with photos and descriptions via Julien’s Auctions website. Registering to Bid-Registration is required to bid in this auction and can be done in person on the day of the auction, or online before the sale at the Julien’s Auctions. For inquiries, please email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818.
THE THINKING GAME AT CAC
The Thinking Game takes you on a fascinating journey into the heart of DeepMind, one of the world’s leading AI labs, as it strives to unravel the mysteries of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Inside DeepMind’s London headquarters, founder Demis Hassabis and his team are relentlessly pursuing the creation of AI that surpasses human abilities.
Filmed over five years, the documentary puts viewers in the room for the pivotal moments of this quest, including the ground-breaking achievement of AlphaFold, a program that solved a 50-year grand challenge in biology.
Sunday, February 2nd at 7:30 p.m. Cinema Arts Centre 423 Park Avenue, Huntington. $16 Public | $10 Members
Photo by Val Wilmer, Getty Images
HOT TIPS
LONG ISLAND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM NEW EXHIBIT
Blast off with Moon to Mars, a new interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) exhibit at Long Island Children’s Museum. Created by the Omaha Children’s Museum and designed with support from NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Systems at Johnson Space Center, this exhibit will transport children to a world of possibilities about space travel. The exhibit will be in residence at LICM from January 18 through May 4.
Museum explorers will design and fly their own rocket, hover high above another planet in the Orion Spacecraft, experience what it feels like to walk in a reduced gravity environment and navigate the new terrain in the Lunar Rover.
The Moon to Mars exhibit features six immersive areas, tailored to specific types of play, including physical, social, inquisitive and creative.
Additionally, the LICM Theater will offer a production of Interstellar Cinderella, a future take on the classic story. Set in 3017, Cinderella is a space engineer who is looking to revolutionize space travel with her new invention. The production runs February 7-March 21. Tickets are priced at $11 with Museum admission ($9 LICM members) and $15 theater only. (Check www.licm.org/calendar for performance schedule.)
TAYLOR NATION-A TRIBUTE TO TAYLOR SWIFT
Taylor Nation - A Tribute To All Eras Of Taylor Swift show featuring the premier live band sing-along tribute of the iconic Taylor Swift will play a 4:00 p.m. show live from Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, February 2nd. Be immersed in the journey through the eras of Taylor Swift’s evolution.
Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com. Fans of the tribute experience can purchase tickets at the Mohegan Sun Box Office subject to availability. Leading the charge is the extraordinary Melody Ebner, a renowned songstress hailing from San Diego. With a voice that commands attention and a passion for Taylor Swift’s artistry, Melody is the driving force behind this unforgettable tribute experience. Taylor Nation is not just a band; it’s a time-traveling musical expedition. From the Country-infused melodies of Taylor’s early albums to the chart-topping Pop hits that followed, they meticulously recreate every era, allowing you to relive the magic of Taylor Swift’s music from start to finish.
D’ADDARIO RELEASES BEATLES STRAPS
It’s been 60 years since the Beatles kicked off their 1964 US Tour with a legendary performance on the Ed Sullivan show, changing music and culture forever. D’Addario is celebrating that moment, and the legacy which followed, with new Beatles and John Lennon gear.
On the night of February 9th, 1964, 73 million people tuned in to the Ed Sullivan show and met four lads from Liverpool. D’Addario is commemorating this incredible time in music history with an exclusive Beatles 60th Anniversary collection. These limitededition picks and straps come in two designs: the “Arrows” design features the TV backdrop from their performance on the Ed Sullivan show; the “1964 Ticket” design showcases a collage of ticket stubs from the U.S. tour which followed the iconic performance.
D’Addario is also releasing its first-ever John Lennon picks and straps in two collections: “Live” and “Mind Games.”
See the breadth of the new 60th Anniversary Beatles collection, plus all D’Addario Beatles gear at ddar.io/beatles-pr.
PAC TRACK
BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET AT COLDEN AUDITORIUM
NEA Jazz Master and three-time Grammy Awardwinning saxophonist Branford Marsalis one of the most revered figures in jazz and contemporary music. Marsalis presents a kaleidoscopic range of original compositions, along with jazz and popular classics, all supercharged by his quartet’s extraordinary energy and telepathic musical connection.
This concert is part of KCA’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration. For more than a decade, KCA and Queens College have held a special annual event in honor and memory of Dr. King’s legacy and his connection to Queens College, where he delivered a powerful speech from the stage of Colden Auditorium in 1965.
This special program includes a recognition ceremony and keynote address at 3 p.m. by the event’s honoree, Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League, followed by the Branford Marsalis Quartet concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, January 19th 3 p.m. (MLK Ceremony) & 4 p.m. (Concert) Kupferberg Center for the Arts | info@kupferbergcenter.org 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing
JIM MESSINA AT LANDMARK ON MAIN STREET
An undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music, Jim Messina’s legacy of musical genius spans five decades, three super groups, a vibrant solo career and scores of producing and engineering credits.
While acting as producer/audio engineer for Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Buffalo Springfield, Messina ultimately joined the band as its bass player. When “the Springfield” disbanded in 1968, Jim and fellow bandmate Richie Furay formed Poco. With Jim on lead guitar, Poco defined a new musical genre, Country Rock.
After a series of celebrated solo acoustic tours and a recording duo stint with Kenny Loggins, Jim formed a band made of acclaimed musicians who have played with him at various points in his career. His latest release, In the Groove, includes selected hits from all three of Jim’s previous bands, as well as several of his solo works.
He’ll be appearing Friday February 28th 8 & 10 p.m. at The Landmark on Main Street – 232 Main Street – (516) 767-6444 or email boxoffice@landmarkonmainstreet.org
THEATER: THE NEW YEAR BEGINS
Broadway’s original Elphaba, Tony-winner
Idina Menzel, returns to the New York stage for the first time since 2018 in the original new musical “Redwood” which she conceived with Tina Landau. Written and directed by Landau, with music by Kate Diaz, and lyrics by Landau and Diaz, “Redwood,” which premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2024, “explores the lengths – and heights – one travels to find strength, resilience and healing.” Menzel stars as a successful businesswoman, mother and wife who seems to have it all until a life-altering event forces her to leave everyone and everything behind. Driving to the ancient Redwood forests of Northern California, her life is changed forever by a chance meeting and a leap of faith. Previews begin January 24. (Nederlander Theatre) www. redwoodmusical.com/
“Both a buoyant comedy of communication and a subtle but probing exploration of what it means to speak out loud and feel understood” is how The New York Theatre Guide described Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “English” in its review of the show’s OffBroadway production in 2022. Set in Iran in 2008 in a prep class for a proficiency test in English as a Foreign Language, the comedy focuses on four Farsi-speaking students, their different reasons for learning English and how it will impact their futures. Knud Adams again directs the original Off-Broadway cast. (Todd Haimes Theatre) www. roundabouttheatre.org/get-tickets/2024-2025/ english/
David Cromer and Caitlin Sullivan co-direct Jordan Harrison’s “The Antiquities.” Set in the distant future where our non-human successors, curators at the Museum of Late Human Antiquities,
HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY AT WHBPAC
Jayden is stuck in detention with a book about Congressman John Lewis, but he thinks that history has nothing to teach him. Together we go on a musical journey through the decades that shows how the heroes in the Civil Rights movement inspired young John Lewis to protest injustice and get into ‘good trouble.’
As a boy, John dreams of being a preacher who can help others. While he doesn’t have a congregation yet, he does have a loyal group of singing chickens that listen to him as he finds his voice. On a harrowing road trip through the South, John’s eyes and mind are opened to the injustices of segregation and racism, inspiring him to take action. As John meets Rosa Parks and Dr. King and ultimately becomes a leader and American hero himself, Jayden learns how he too can take a stand. February 7th 7:00 p.m. at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street Westhampton Beach Box Office: (631) 288.1500
by Jane Klain
attempt to bring a lost civilization (ours) to life to discover what humans were really like. The play “imagines a civilization that’s in search of its past – but the real setting of the play is the present, where we sit on the precipice of a new world and anxiously wonder what it will be like.” (Playwrights Horizons) grief www.playwrightshorizons.org/about/production-history/2020s/2425-season/theantiquities-jordan-harrison
The world premiere of Eliya Smith’s new play “Grief Camp” examines loss and adolescence. Set in Hurt, Virginia, where each summer a halfdozen teenage campers (and a counselor) come to stay at a lone cabin to cope with loss and find community the play is directed by Les Waters. The Atlantic’s Access25 ticket initiative makes $25 tickets available to every preview performance in the 2024|2025 Season. (Atlantic Theater’s Linda Gross Theatre) atlantictheater.org/production/ grief-camp/
Director David Herskovits, the founding artistic director of the Obie Award-winning Target Margin Theater, reimagines the groundbreaking Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II’s 1927 musical masterpiece “Show Boat” for today’s audiences. Now called “Show/Boat: A River,” and using Target Margin’s “trademark extravagant theatricality, intricate design layers, and a vibrant celebration of language, song, and spirit,” Herskovits’ adaptation explores “America’s transformation from 1880s Jim Crow to the challenges of today – journeying from steamboats to airplanes, vaudeville to radio, and the Spanish-moss South to the bustling city of Chicago amid the Great Migration.” Production warning: “includes racially offensive language and incidents. Recommended for audiences 14 and older.” Runs January 9-26 as part of the Under the Radar Festival. (NYU Skirball Theater) https:// nyuskirball.org/events/show-boat-a-river/
Idina Menzel
Photo credit lensed by Emma Anderson
PAC TRACK
BAY STREET NANCY ATLAS
FIRESIDE SESSIONS
Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts announced the return of the ever-popular concert series, NANCY ATLAS’ FIRESIDE SESSIONS, featuring Nancy Atlas, her band, and a thrilling lineup of guest performers at Bay Street Theater in January and February, with five unique live concerts at the theater starting Saturday, January 18th. Performances continue every Saturday, January 25th, Saturday, February 1st, Friday, February 7th, and Saturday, February 15th.
All shows will feature Nancy’s Band, including Johnny Blood on Electric Guitar, Brett King on Bass, Denny McDermott on Drums, Joe Delia on Keys, and Greg McMullen on Pedal Steel.
Tickets are $42 & $54 in advance and $50 & $65 the day of the show and are available through the Box Office by calling (631) 725 9500, open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 24/7 at baystreet.org.
BOB SEGER EXPERIENCE AT PATCHOGUE
Hollywood Nights - The Bob Seger Experience is the ultimate tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. They are a 9-piece band based in New Jersey who continues to strive to recreate everything about Bob Seger and his music down to the core. They pride themselves on carrying on the legacy of Bob Seger’s unforgettable high-energy shows, roaring raspy vocals, and the groundwork Bob has laid over the past 30 years. Hollywood Nights shares the belief that only Bob and his fans have come
to know, learn, and love: Represent the voice of every fan, his or her values, working-class background, and the love of rock ‘n’ roll. If you are a true fan of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, you won’t want to miss Hollywood Nights! Tickets $50.00 - $80.00 including fees Saturday January 18th 8 p.m. Patchogue Theatre| PatchogueTheatre.org Box Office: (631) 207-1313
GESTURES AND CLUSTERS: AT ZUCCAIRE GALLERY
GESTURES & CLUSTERS is an immersive installation of two self-running sound art works: Gestures/ Murmurations, a collaborative work by John Driscoll and Cecilia Lopez, and Cluster Fields, a collaboration between John Driscoll and Phil Edelstein. Both works stem from the artists’ extensive multidisciplinary backgrounds in electronic music composition and performance, as well as the development of unique instruments, computer software, robotics, sculpture and installation. Original sound scores are created using custom sculptural loudspeakers (including 55-gallon metal drums, plastic pipes, fishing poles, large mica wings and robotic rotating speakers), hundreds of sound files and software for focused sound localization and distribution. Each sound installation is specifically tuned to take advantage of the architectural resolution.
Join them Wednesday, February 19 for a day of events with artists John Driscoll, Phil Edelstein and Cecilia Lopez. Exhibition Workshop Time: 11 a.m.12:15 p.m. Location: Zuccaire Gallery
Roundtable Discussion with artists John Driscoll, Phil Edelstein, Cecilia Lopez. Additional speakers to be announced. Time: 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Location: Recital Hall, 1st Floor Staller Center (next to the Zuccaire Gallery)
Closing Reception with the Artists 6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Zuccaire Gallery Staller Center for the Arts | Stony Brook University 1220 Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook.
Photo by John Driscoll and Cecilia Lopez
SPORTS BEAT
The Mets solidified their shaky starting rotation by re-signing their best pitcher of 2024, Sean Manaea, two days before Christmas. There is no argument that without Manaea’s mound heroics, especially considering ace Kodai Senga being lost for most of the season, the Mets would not have finished with an over .500 record in the regular season, let alone get to the National League Championship Series.
Yes, the Mets bolstered their offense by signing Juan Soto for all the gold in Fort Knox, but their starting rotation is still a question mark. Signing longtime Yankees reliever Clay Holmes to be a starter is a risky gambit. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said Holmes has the pitch assortment to be successful as a starter. He also admitted the Yankees never thought of using him that way.
The Yankees clearly wanted to retain Juan Soto, but as his wont, general manager Brian Cashman was prepared with Plan B by signing one of the best starters today, Max Fried; trading for closer Devin Williams and slugger Cody Bellinger; and landing veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
The Netflix Christmas Gameday pregame show dragged by coming on two hours before the start of the Kansas City Chiefs-Pittsburgh Steelers game. It was Netflix’s debut with the NFL, and it was clear that if they had to make an error, it would be preferable to go overboard than not provide enough time. In keeping with the season, they provided employment for two NFL personalities who recently lost their jobs,
Drew Brees and Robert Griffin III, who were let go by NBC and ESPN, respectively. Griffin did get off a good line by saying Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has more moves than a military family.
Netflix spared no expense when it came to its NFL debut. In addition to Beyonce performing at halftime in her hometown, Mariah Carey filmed a special video of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” before kickoff of the Ravens-Texans game.
Prime Video has just debuted a documentary titled “Chiefsaholic: A Wolf In Chiefs Clothing,” which looks at the bizarre life of Xaviar Babudar. For years, Babudar (a.k.a. “Chiefsaholic”) was a beloved, crazed Kansas City Chiefs fan who was known around Arrowhead Stadium for dressing in a wolf’s costume and acting as in-stands cheerleader. Think of an extreme version of Jets legend, and College Point native, “Fireman Ed” Anzalone. “Chiefsaholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing” is a compelling story which works even better because it does not use a narrator. We just see news clips and hear from the principals including Babudar himself.
By Lloyd Carroll
Prime Video has launched a second season of “Coach Prime,” starring Deion Sanders. Expect some behind the scenes commentary and drama about the 2024 Colorado Buffaloes season in which Deion was the team’s head coach and his son, Shedeur Sanders, was the team’s quarterback. Shedeur’s friend and teammate, Travis Hunter, who played both wide receiver and cornerback, won the Heisman Trophy.
It will be interesting to see whether “Coach Prime” will revisit the 2024 Alamo Bowl in which the Brigham Young Cougars destroyed the Buffalos.
BYU QB Jake Retzlaff, who signed a lucrative endorsement deal with Manischewitz (they weren’t going to pass on the best Jewish quarterback in generations), outplayed Sedeur Sanders.
Even with a bad finale in San Antonio, Giants fans are hoping Sanders or University of Miami QB Cam Ward, who was a finalist for the 2024 Heisman Trophy, will be available when Big Blue is on the clock for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The New York Jets also need a franchise quarterback as it appears Father Time has caught up with the mercurial Aaron Rodgers. There is a sticky financial issue facing the Jets regarding this issue. If they release him, they will face a salary cap hit of $23,5 million. It might pay for Gang Green to retain him for the 2025 season.
Love him or not, Aaron Rodgers is one of the most fascinating personalities in sports today. A three-part Netflix documentary appropriately titled “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” debuted last month and is certainly worth watching. It covers Rodgers’ childhood in Chico, CA; his years at Cal-Berkeley; his difficulties in Green Bay with the Packers; and of course, his ill-fated 2023 season with the Jets.
While the Netflix documentary does not shy away from Rodgers’ many controversies, if you want a more detailed look into his life then read Ian O’Connor’s “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers” (Mariner Books).
Ian O’Connor has long been an insightful columnist and author, and he maintains his high standard with this book. It is an open secret Aaron Rodgers has not spoken with his family in years. The Netflix doc does not get into the weeds, but O’Connor traces the issue to Rodgers’ former flame, actress Olivia Munn, who disliked his family. He also cites how Rodgers was a no-show at a good friend’s wedding which angered his family.
Rodgers misled people on the issue of whether he took the COVID-19 vaccine. He said he was immunized, but it was from his use of homeopathic medicines, and not from a Pfizer or Moderna jab. O’Connor reports that Rodgers claims not be an antivaxxer but too many vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, are ineffective.
Cam Ward
MOHEGAN SUN HOSTS REBA MCENTIRE
One of the most successful recording artists in history, Reba McEntire, has announced a Friday, March 28th show at Mohegan Sun Arena. The 8:00pm show will be filled with her greatest hits like “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There” and “I’m a Survivor”. It will be McEntire’s first Uncasville, Connecticut, appearance since October 2014.
Tickets for Reba’s live performance are on sale via Ticketmaster.com. Fans of the GRAMMY® winning artist can also buy tickets at the Mohegan Sun Box Office on subject to availability.
Multi-media entertainment mogul Reba McEntire has become a household name through a successful career that includes music, television, film, theater, retail, and hospitality. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Hollywood Bowl member has more than 50 award wins under her belt, earning honors from the ACM Awards, American Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, CMA Awards, and GRAMMY® Awards.
Reba has celebrated unprecedented success, including 35 career No.1 singles and more than 58 million albums sold worldwide. Reba earned her 60th Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, extending her record for the most Top 10 hits among female artists. For more information, visit www. Reba.com.
TOTO AND CHRISTOPHER CROSS TO HARD ROCK
Toto and Christopher Cross are bringing their beloved “yacht rock” tunes to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Friday, August 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity. com and Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. All shows are subject to change.
“Yacht rock” is the term embraced to describe a music genre first made popular in the 1970s and ‘80s, when multiple West Coast musical entertainers combined soft rock with soul, jazz and rhythm and blues sounds in recordings that climbed the pop music charts. Toto and Christopher Cross exemplify that genre. The total plays of the band’s collected works across all platforms is now approaching five billion. Amongst the most listened to recordings, “Africa” accounts for over one billion streams at Spotify alone.
The Los Angeles-based band of Steve Lukather, David Paich and Joseph Williams recently played the Hollywood Bowl to great acclaim from both critics and fans.
DEF LEPPARD TO PERFORM AT MOHEGAN SUN
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®-inducted icons and Rock music legends Def Leppard, will bring their electrifying performance to Mohegan Sun Arena for one night on Thursday, July 3rd. The unforgettable night of Rock ‘n’ Roll kicks off at 8:00pm. Known for their timeless hits and energetic live shows, the evening will include performances from Def Leppard’s catalog, with chart-topping classics like “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Photograph,” and “Love Bites.”
With over 110 million albums sold–
Joe Elliott (vocals), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick Savage (bass), Vivian Campbell (guitar), and Rick Allen (drums)–are hailed as one of the greatest live Rock bands of all time. Known for groundbreaking albums Pyromania and Hysteria they bring unmatched energy and showmanship to the stage. Since launching their catalog on streaming platforms in 2018, the band has gained 5.5 billion streams and continues to expand its global fanbase.
Tickets are available for purchase on Ticketmaster.com and fans of the group can buy tickets at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability.
Good Times Music Calendar
Photo by Carrie Leigh/Celtic Love Photography
Good Times Music Calendar
Good Times Music Calendar Your Guide To Local Events
February 2 • Toby Tobias/Jen Grace LIMEHOF • Stony Brook
Good Times Music Calendar Your Guide To Local Events
January 26 • Marshall Charloff as The Purple Experience Paramount • Huntington Photo Courtesy: Purple Experience
Good Times Music Calendar Your Guide
Saturday May 3, 2025 • 10am - 4pm
BUY • SELL TRADE
Freeport Recreation Center 130 E. Merrick Rd., Freeport, NY* Guitars, Basses, Drums, Amps, Pedals & Effects, DJ and Audio Equipment
Last year was a huge success. Reserve a booth now for your musical instrument store, recording and rehearsal studio, audio business or band. JOIN THE AREA’S LEADING MUSIC BUSINESSES**
Including My Generation Guitars, Murphy’s Music, Monster Music, All Music, SG Sound, Dream Studios and much more. Saturday, May 3, 2025 • 10am-4:00pm (Breakdown 4-6pm)
Exhibitor Load-In • Friday, May 2 • 4pm-8pm, limited load-in Saturday, May 3, 7-8am
Booth info: BIG 10x10 booth - $275 per booth. 1 table, 2 chairs per booth. 2 PASSES
BUY 3 BOOTHS, GET 4th FREE. We plan on 50 plus booths. Exhibit area is 10,000 sq. ft. Extra tables @ $20 each (Limited availability). Electricity at booth $50. (Limited on a first come basis). You should bring your own extension cords. Individuals with collections to sell are welcome. *This show not associated with any previous show or promoter. **Exhibitors subject to change.
Good Times Music Calendar
FEBRUARY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Good Times Music Calendar
2
2
2
5
6
6
7
7
7 Gamut
7
7
7
7 R.O.
7
7
7 Pete Mancini
7 slowdive
7
7 Dan Bern/Jeffrey Gaines Iridium NYC
7 Side Quest Mulcahy’s Wantagh
7 Tin Mango/Ghost Rodeo Pete’s Candy Store Brooklyn
7 Sonja Morgan Paramount Huntington
8 Good Kid Bowery Ballroom NYC
8 Hattie/Mim
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
RINGO AND HIS ALL STARR BAND SPRING TOUR
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band tour dates begin June 12th in Bridgeport CT, with stops at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, The Mann in Philadelphia and Wolf Trap in Vienna VA, On June 13th he’ll be at Radio City Music Hall.
The All Starr Band lineup remains the same and features Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, Gregg Bissonette as well as Buck Johnson on keyboards.
“I am happy to announce these new All Starr shows in June,” said Ringo. “I absolutely love playing live and I love this band. It’s been so great playing with these guys, I just want to keep this line up going and that’s why I haven’t changed the All Starrs in a while. So here we go again, and we look forward to seeing you on the road this Spring.”
Prior to these shows Ringo released his second Country album, Look Up, on January 10th. Produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett, this collection features 11 original songs, recorded this year in Nashville and Los Angeles. Look Up is Ringo’s first country album in more than 50 years and his first fulllength album since 2019. Visit: www.ringostarr.com
K R A F T W E R K NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
In 2025, KRAFTWERK, with legendary electro pioneer Ralf Hütter, will return to North America to commemorate their breakthrough album Autobahn and their first U.S. Tour, which took place in 1975. KRAFTWERK announced 50 Years of Autobahn with their Multimedia Concerts. Tickets are on sale at www.kraftwerktour25.com
Earlier this year Kraftwerk completed an extraordinary nine-night concert series celebrating 50 years of Autobahn–which was composed, produced, and recorded by founders Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1974–at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Bringing together music, visuals and performance art, Kraftwerk concerts are a true “Gesamtkunstwerk - a total work of art.” Shows will be held in 25 cities across America and Canada starting on March 6th in Philadelphia. Other markets planned for the tour include March 13th in Brooklyn at The Kings Theatre, and March 14th at The Beacon Theatre.
LETTUCE AND GZA CO-HEADLINING TOUR
Grammy nominated psychedelic funk band Lettuce will kick off 2025 with ‘The Get Up Tour,’ an expansive 17-date run at prominent venues throughout the U.S. Joining Lettuce on seven of those performances is legendary hip-hop artist GZA (of Wu-Tang Clan) presenting his iconic 1995 album Liquid Swords in full with The Phunky Nomads Band. On those performances, GZA will play the first set of the evening followed by Lettuce marking a full night of music and inevitable collaboration.
Ramping up anticipation for the co-headlining shows, drummer Adam Deitch exults, “Wu-Tang Clan to this day has such a cultural impact on this world. GZA aka the Genius, who we’ve gotten to know and work with over the years, is an integral part of the style, knowledge, and sound of this legendary group. GZA’s album Liquid Swords is a classic, and we are honored to be sharing the stage with him and his band. Lettuce looks forward to seeing you all in attendance for this monumental tour, featuring dates that will join classic Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, and mysterious psych jams into one big sweaty event!”
They’re appearing February 7th at Brooklyn Steel. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: lettucefunk.com/tour
MARSHALL TUCKER BAND ALL OUR FRIENDS TOUR
Marshall Tucker Band (MTB) will enter its 54th year on the road with its ALL OUR FRIENDS Tour. The national road show will pay homage to the uncountable number of fans the MTB has amassed over its storied career. With many additional dates to come, 16 dates have been announced for next year. Tour stops include Bethlehem, PA; Ridgefield, CT; Carteret, NJ; Auburn, WA; Baton Rouge, LA; Plano, TX; Myrtle Beach, SC and more.
“This new tour will without a doubt be one of the most exciting,” says MTB frontman Doug Gray. “With many shows featuring overwhelming friends, family and musicians, a pathway has been widened for us on our 2025 All Our Friends Tour! We are preparing now for a wonderful year ahead. Looking forward to seeing old and new friends. It never gets old.
For more information on The Marshall Tucker Band, visit marshalltucker.com
Photo by Scott Robert Ritchie
Photo by Jeremy Elder
WHEELS & DEALS
RACHEL GRAE SIGNS WITH VIRGIN
Rachel Grae, the rising NYC-based pop musician just signed a major deal with Virgin Music. With over 1.3M TikTok followers, 400M+ Spotify streams, and glowing praise from Rolling Stone, Rachel is captivating audiences with her deeply personal and poignant songwriting. Her debut album, Journal No. 1, released on December 6th features the powerful single, “If I’ll Ever Win,” which explores body image acceptance and the journey to self-love.
With themes of empowerment, personal growth, and healing woven throughout her music, Rachel has drawn comparisons to icons like Billie Eilish, Adele, and Tate McRae.
Born and raised in New Jersey and now making waves from her base in New York City, Rachel has always believed in the power of vulnerability in music. Her sold-out debut headlining show in NYC this year highlighted her ability to connect with fans on an emotional level.
KATY PINKE NEW SINGLE “LOOK AROUND”
NYC singer-songwriter Katy Pinke returns with “Look Around”—a soulful new single from her second album Strange Behavior. Recalling Aldous Harding and Mirah in its disarming sparseness, the affecting song bubbles up around hypnotic chords, with Pinke’s vocal pacing quickening as self-inquisitive thoughts build furiously on each other. She soars at the top of her range in the song’s final, cathartic moments.
In the swirling climaxes of Pinke’s songs, the fear that there may be nothing outside of our own heads appears at the margins. Even an orange we thought we ate might have never existed. Whatever else is true—and maybe nothing else is true—the act of writing and performing feels grounding. It helps Pinke work through a convincing theory of the world that reflexively provides her narrators with a clearer view of themselves. If you look around enough, Pinke suggests throughout Strange Behavior, reality may eventually seem like something worth counting on again. She’s appearing Feb 25th in Brooklyn @ The Sultan Room.
FOGHAT RELEASE NEW 45RPM 7” RED VINYL SINGLE
Their latest single can be viewed at https://foghat.info/OnTonsilsAndSneakers
Available on 7”- 45 rpm Red Vinyl, and dedicated to their original lead singer/ guitarist Lonesome Dave Peverett, who was lost in 2000.
The title is inspired by Dave’s stage intro “…and on Tonsils and Sneakers, I’m Lonesome Dave!”
The B-side, “BLACK DAYS & BLUE NIGHTS” from the #1 Charting Billboard Blues Album SONIC MOJO (where it remained for 34 weeks) also pays tribute to their amazing original slide guitarist,Rod Price, who sadly passed away in 2005! They chose to release both songs to honor their two original members and acknowledge their lasting contributions.
Also listen and watch the video for ‘Black Days & Blue Nights” here: https:// foghat.info/BlackDaysAndBlueNights
You can also order your copy of this limited edition Vinyl Record at www.foghat. biz or your favorite record store!
COMEDY
JOE GATTO STAND-UP TOUR “LET’S GET INTO IT
Acclaimed comedian, actor and producer Joe Gatto—best known for the hit television shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index”—is extending his “Let’s Get Into It” tour featuring all new material. New dates run through June, 2025, including stops in Boston, Las Vegas, Detroit, Toronto and many more.
“Let’s Get Into It” comes on the heels of Gatto’s highly successful “Night of Comedy” tour which sold out venues across the country and included stops at New York’s Beacon Theatre, The Met Philadelphia, Austin City Limits Live and many more, as well as runs of dates throughout Australia, New Zealand and Canada. “The ‘Let’s Get Into It’ tour has been so much fun to explore how people become who we are, especially me,” notes Gatto. He adds, “I am now this bold, loud, confident man, but I started as a nerdy, quiet loner kid who was obsessed with math and dragons.
Gatto recently released his first ever solo stand-up special, Messing With People—recorded live at The Paramount on Long Island during the “Night of Comedy” tour—which is available to stream via YouTube. On April 13th he’s in Port Chester, NY at The Capitol Theatre.
SAM WILES ‘HERE COMES SUCCESS!’
Comedian Sam Wiles announced the release of his new comedy album ‘HERE COMES SUCCESS!’ on A SPECIAL THING RECORDS. Recorded live at WHAMMY! video store in Los Angeles, Sam delivered a jubilant set about the drawbacks of going to a cheap gym, how adult entertainment can sometimes be too much, his millennial dad friends, how he feels about boomers and death, and more. This is also the only record on a special thing that is dedicated to OJ Simpson, but you’ll have to listen to find out why.
Sam Wiles is a comedian and writer in Los Angeles who recently achieved notoriety in The New York Times and USA Today for his viral political impressions and stand up. Sam has also written for shows on NBC, TNT and co-created the popular web series Gridiron Heights. Find more Sam Wiles at: linktr. ee/samwiles
‘ZACH PUGH DOES IT AGAIN’
Comedian Zach Pugh announced the release of his new comedy album ‘Zach Pugh Does It Again’ on A Special Thing Records. Recorded live at WHAMMY! video store in Los Angeles, Zach gets personal right away sharing a humiliating phone call and how he preps to shop at Whole Foods and reveals the secrets of Taco Bell, Airbnb lies, gun (non)sense, and more. ‘Zach Pugh Does It Again’ was released on limited-edition cassette with download code, and also available for digital download, and streaming on all platforms.
Zach Pugh has been touring the country for over a decade. He was the host of the podcast What Things are What Things as well as the long-running standup show Rod Stewart Live. His standup clips have racked up hundreds of comments accusing him of being a “soyboy” and a “liberal cuck.” He has yet to comment on these allegations. He has also appeared on Adult Swim. Find more Zach Pugh at: zachpughcomedy.com
COUNTRY
TRAVIS TRITT ANNOUNCES 2025 TOUR DATES
Country music icon Travis Tritt is set to hit the road in 2025, bringing his electrifying performances to cities across the United States. At the time of the announcement, the tour kicks off April 5 at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center in Cherokee, NC, and includes stops in major markets like Pompano Beach, FL; Bristol, VA; Sioux Falls, SD; and Lake Charles, LA, before concluding at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino on October 10.
Fans can expect to hear their favorite Tritt classic hits, including “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “Best of Intentions,” and his signature anthem, “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.” With a career spanning over three decades, Tritt continues to captivate audiences with his timeless sound and powerhouse vocals. To purchase tickets, visit https://travistritt.com/.
LACY DALTON TO HERITAGE HALL OF FAME
Singer-songwriter and outlaw original Lacy J. Dalton was honored recently with an induction into The Mustang Heritage Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. Dalton was inducted alongside John Falen, Randall Carr, B.J. Yeates, Bobby Kerr, Paula Carr, Fred Woehl, Trudy Midas, Patti Colbert, Sue Ann Wells, Marsha Sapp & Cobra, Dr. Ric Redden, and Victoria Craft, and the award was accepted by T.G. Sheppard and singer-songwriter, Kelly Lang.
Lacy J. Dalton recently released her latest album, ‘For The Black Sheep’ through (StarVista Music)—this deeply reflective collection of songs that delivers a powerful message of unity, empathy and universal kindness. The album features several standout tracks, including “Devil by A Different Name,” which challenges listeners to confront their biases and embrace one another. Another highlight, “Heart of Hearts,” speaks to the necessity of vulnerability and emotional openness.
KEITH URBAN TO PLAY MOHEGAN SUN
On Friday, October 3rd, Grammy Award-winning Country music superstar Keith Urban will make his highly anticipated return to Mohegan Sun Arena during the HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR. Special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karley Scott Collins will accompany Urban for the 7:00pm show.
Tickets to witness the man behind the hits like “Long Hot Summer,” “Days Go By,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “Somewhere In My Car,” “The Fighter,” “Wasted Time,” “Somebody Like You,” “One Too Many,” and new songs from his just released 11th studio album HIGH, can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com. Subject to availability, fans of Urban can also purchase tickets at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Urban’s career has been sprinkled with creative collaborations that have shown his brevity and thirst for musical possibility. They are what make him the musician’s musician. They’ve included, amongst others: Billy Gibbons, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, John Mayer, HARDY, Julia Michaels, Justin Timberlake, Dzeko, Miranda Lambert, Nile Rodgers, P!nk, Post Malone, The Rolling Stones and Vince Gill.
AD SALES CLOSER
HELP WANTED
CINEMA ARTS CENTER are currently looking to hire Theatre Ushers, Cafe Associates, Box Office Associates & Managers, as well as a new Technical Director/Head Projectionist to oversee the technical aspects of our three theaters, projection booths, and café. Go to: https://cinemaartscentre.org/about-us/jobopportunities/to apply (TFN)
BURGEROLOGY LOCATIONS are looking for help. We are looking for manager positions, servers, busboys, and bartenders. Please email Burgerology.rvc@gmail.com (TFN)
MUSICIANS AVAILABLE
GUITARIST, looking for Blues Rock Jams. 67 years old. (631) 462-5987 (1325)
DRUMMER, 38 Actual good drummer seeking non-horrible band. E-mail actualgooddrummer@gmail.com (1325)
CHICAGO BLUES, harmonica vocalist wants to play. (516) 398-8155 Western Suffolk/Eastern Nassau Preferred (1343)
MUSICIANS WANTED
LOOKING FOR GEORGE FOR BEATLE TRIBUTE Call Jim (631) 334-3784 (1343)
DRUMMER WANTED for Classic Rock and Blues. Over 50, Studio Play Only. (631) 462-5987 (1346)
FEMALE SINGER who can also DANCE wanted for New Orleans style BAND for VIDEO & GIGS (Brooklyn L.I. Based) Call or text Dave (917) 622-4578 (1313-1316)
BASSIST WANTED Classic Rock and Blues. +50 Studio Play only (631) 462-5987 (1338-1341)
FEMALE RAPPER WANTED for upcoming CD to be released soon for established band, The Midnight Soul Rockers. Call for more info Larry (631) 532-7832 or Kenny Max (631) 578-7877. (1331)
WHO WANTS TO JAM? Guitarist/singer seeks all other instruments for fun jams. I know lots and lots of jam band stuff and classic rock, too. Based in Huntington, I don’t mind driving to a convenient studio for all – give a call! Rob (516) 672-3957. (1325)
BASSIST WANTED Classic Rock and Blues, +50 Studio Play Only (631) 462-5987 (1339-1341)
FOR SALE
PERFECT FOR MUSICIAN: Console piano with flute, guitar, trombone, clarinet, effects
X 90¢ per word Times issues to run ______Total cost of ad = __________ ($10.00 minimum per issue.)
❐ Yes, run my ad 4 times, Iʼm enclosing a check for 3 issues. ❐ Run ad 8 times. Iʼm enclosing a check for 6 issues.
CLASSIC ROCK
WHAM’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY EP
To commemorate 40 years of “Last Christmas,” WHAM!, has released a very special Last Christmas 40th Anniversary EP worldwide. Out in limited edition vinyl, CD and digital, the release comes with news that the much-loved hit has reached its highest-ever chart position in North America on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three and notably reaching seven times RIAA Platinum.
The song’s lasting impact continues with reimagined covers from today’s superstars, most notably Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan who dueted the iconic song last week on Carpenter’s A Nonsense Christmas on Netflix as well as ROSÉ who covered it for BBC’s Radio 1 Live Lounge [WATCH]. The Backstreet Boys also covered the song for the NBC special Christmas at Rockefeller Center, where WHAM!’s Andrew Ridgeley joined host Kelly Clarkson.
The Last Christmas 40th Anniversary EP is available now and features all the original 7” and 12” versions plus George Michael’s 2006 previously unreleased performance of Last Christmas at London’s Wembley Arena. The EP is available on limited edition 12” Snowflake white vinyl, 12” picture disc, 12” zoetrope picture disc, plus CD and digital.
70’S BAND NEKTAR ALBUM “MISSION TO MARS”
METAL
GWAR UNLEASHES “MACHINES VS. MONSTERS”
The infernal legions of GWAR will lay siege to the Earth in 2025 to mark 40 years of blood-soaked mayhem on this pathetic planet. Prepare for the most brutal anniversary celebration imaginable as your alien overlords unleash a sonic firestorm of bone-crushing riffs and grotesque spectacle on this monstrous anniversary tour! First stop: the “Machines Vs. Monsters” tour! GWAR will join forces with the industrial metal juggernaut that is Static-X to crush skulls and melt faces across North America. The carnage kicks off this spring, leaving a trail of destruction from Albuquerque, NM (May 24th) to Oklahoma City, OK (June 18th). Prepare for total sonic obliteration with support from Dope and A Killer’s Confession.
HELMET BETTY 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Formed in Germany in 1969, Nektar favored extended compositions and concept albums over the constraints of pop. They were among the leaders of the progressive rock movement of the 1970s as well as the jam-band scene that arose in the late 1990s. Their sound traveled well to the States, where they enjoyed Top 40 success with “A Tab in the Ocean” (1972) and “Remember the Future” (1973). Nearly 20 albums later, the band’s artistic and personal charisma has earned them masses of devoted fans along with their album “The Other Side” (2020) which was Number 1 on Amazon Progressive Music. Nektar’s latest release, Mission To Mars, is the first in a trilogy and the first to feature new drummer, Jay Dittamo, alongside longtime members Ryche Chlanda (guitars, vocals), Kendall Scott (keyboards, synths), Maryann Castello (vocals) and original founding member Derek “Mo” Moore (bass guitar, vocals). Nektar melded those aforementioned traits with the soothing mellowness and adventurous jamming of Camel, the Grateful Dead and Caravan. https://www.dekoentertainment.com/nektar
WANG CHUNG DOUBLE LP RETROSPECTIVE
Some of the ‘80s biggest and most enduring synth-pop hits were created by a single band, Wang Chung – including “Dance Hall Days,” “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” “Let’s Go!”, “To Live and Die in L.A.,” “Hypnotize Me,” and “Fire In The Twilight” – and now all those tracks (and more!) will be included on the new compilation, ‘Clear Light/Dark Matter.’
Scheduled to release on Friday, March 7th, 2025, ‘Clear Light/Dark Matter’ reveals the many layers of Wang Chung’s music. This exclusive double vinyl set spans the band’s more than four-decade and career, featuring a carefully curated selection of their greatest hits and hidden gems, including never-before-released demos and a new live recording. The duo of Nick Feldman and Jack Hues came out of the post-punk/new wave scene in the UK, and went on to achieve global success selling millions of records. Throughout their 40+ year career, they have released 6 studio albums and 2 greatest hits collections. They have had 6 US Top 40 hits, including a massive #1 single. They composed and performed the complete score for the 1984 neo-noir action thriller film “To Live and Die in L.A.” and also the song ‘Fire in the Twilight’ for the legendary film ‘Breakfast Club’, amongst many others.
Following the success of the current European run, Helmet announced the North American leg of their Betty 30th Anniversary Tour, taking place February and March 2025. Fans can expect the iconic Betty album performed in its entirety alongside favorites from the band’s extensive catalog. Joining Helmet on this tour are special guests SLOMOSA and WAR ON WOMEN.
Helmet’s Page Hamilton shares: “I swore off anniversary tours after ‘Meantime’ & ‘Betty’ 20th celebrations, but we worked with our former label to re-release ‘Betty’ in the U.S. and decided to. We’re stoked to perform the entire ‘Betty’ album for the last time. It’s been 30 years since we released it; we just did a U.S. limited edition version that includes songs that were not on the original release. See you soon.”
Visit Helmet’s official site for ticket links. Helmet are also offering a VIP package that includes soundcheck attendance, meet and greet/signing session and the band plus exclusive merchandise including a tote bag, Betty card stock of the Betty album cover with tour date, laminate and lanyard. Appearing March 21st at The Music Hall of Williamsburg.
THE VERY BEAST OF DIO VOL. 2
Originally released in 2012, The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2 is compilation of classic tracks from DIO’s seventh to tenth albums: Angry Machines (1996), Magica (2000), Killing The Dragon (2002), and final studio album Master Of The Moon (2004). It’s a carefully curated follow up to The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 1. which included tracks from Dio’s first 6 albums.
The album also contains the last track ever recorded by Ronnie “Metal Will Never Die” which he performed with his cousin David ‘Rock’ Feinstein.
It includes later period DIO classics like “Push”, “The Eyes”, “Fever Dreams”, and two very rare tracks, “Electra” (intended for the never completed Magic II) and “Prisoner Of Paradise” (from the Japanese edition of Master Of The Moon).
Out of print for nearly 10 years, The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2 will be available on January 31st on Limited Edition Dragon’s Fire 2LP and 1CD.
2025
Photo by Carter Louthian
Photo by Raz Azraai
BITS & PIECES
DAVID GILMOUR “THE PIPER’S CALL LIVE AROUND THE WORLD
To celebrate an incredible year which has seen his new album ‘Luck and Strange’ hit the #1 spot in 8 countries and top ten in a further 14, as well as multiple sold-out shows in Rome, London, Los Angeles and New York, David Gilmour has released a very special live version of the first single from ‘Luck and Strange’, ‘The Piper’s Call.’
‘The Piper’s Call Live Around The World’ is a digital only release and was recorded at The Brighton Centre, Circus Maximus in Rome, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden in New York and edited together by Charlie Andrew and Matt Glasbey to form one seamless track recorded throughout the ‘Luck and Strange’ tour.
‘Luck and Strange’ was recorded over five months in Brighton and London and is Gilmour’s first album of new material in nine years. The record was produced by David and Charlie Andrew, best known for his work with alt-J and Marika Hackman. The album features nine tracks, including the singles’ The Piper’s Call’, ‘Dark And Velvet Nights’, and a beautiful reworking of The Montgolfier Brothers’ 1999 song, ‘Between Two Points.’
CLOSE ENEMIES WITH TOM HAMILTON OF AEROSMITH
BILLY MORRISON TEAMS WITH CYPRESS HILL AND DMC
Rock guitarist Billy Morrison is set to make waves with two releases featuring hip-hop’s most iconic voices. On December 13th, Morrison dropped “Phenomenon”, his hardhitting single and video collaboration with rap pioneers Cypress Hill, alongside the video release for “Just Like a Movie”, his explosive track from The Morrison Project—a bold fusion of rock and hip-hop that celebrates the power of legendary artistry, featuring the legendary rapper DMC of Run-DMC.
“Phenomenon” highlights Morrison’s longtime friendship and creative bond with Cypress Hill’s B-Real and Sen Dog. Recorded in Cypress Hill’s studio, the track blends Morrison’s signature guitar riffs with the unmistakable vocal power of the rap legends. The accompanying video takes it up a notch, featuring lasers, bouncing low riders, and the gritty West Coast energy that Cypress Hill is known for.
ERASURE VINYL REISSUES
Close Enemies, a powerhouse band featuring Tom Hamilton, multiple Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, and bassist of the biggest-selling American rock band of all time, Aerosmith, is joined by drummer Tony Brock (The Babys and Rod Stewart), touring veterans Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow and Don Henley) and Trace Foster on guitar, and singer Chasen Hampton. The Party announced their signing with TLG|ROCK for management and label services. The record will be distributed through Virgin Music Group. Unlike the name suggests, these five guys are close friends, each with an illustrious musical career.
The band released their debut single “Sound Of A Train” on January 17th and will be playing shows in support.
KATY PERRY DROPS 1432
With holiday celebrations at hand, Katy Perry has a special gift for her fans –1432, the deluxe edition of her new album. Released via Capitol Records in digital format, the new edition features four additional tracks, including the never-before released “OK,” alongside the album’s original 11 songs.
After opening with a gentle acoustic guitar, “OK” erupts into the infectious, inspirational chorus, as Katy pledges, “I’ll never let you drown / no matter if you’re up or down.” Setting the stage for the New Year, the anthemic song exudes hope, celebrating personal growth and confidence as new ambitions crystalize and relationships are rejuvenated. Visualizers for the three additional tracks that appear on 1432 were also released “I Woke Up,” “Has A Heart,” “No Tears For New Year’s.”
A bold, exuberant dance-pop album with the symbolic 143 numerical expression of love as a message, the album’s original 11 songs include “Lifetimes,” “I’m His, He’s Mine” Ft. Doechii, “Gimme Gimme” Ft. 21 Savage, “Gorgeous” Ft. Kim Petras and “Artificial” Ft. JID.
ERASURE, the award-winning songwriting duo of Andy Bell & Vince Clarke, have released the limited vinyl editions of Tomorrow’s World (2011), Snow Globe (2013) and The Violet Flame (2014), via Mute. Tomorrow’s World (available on limited edition clear vinyl) is a collection of classic Erasure tracks that finds the duo in their fourth decade together sounding simultaneously contemporary and classic. The album, features the singles “When I Start To (Break It All Down)”, “Be With You”, “A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot” and “Fill Us With Fire.”
Snow Globe (available on limited edition pink vinyl) is the duo’s first festive album release and sees Erasure eschew the hackneyed bells, whistles, glitter and tinsel often associated with Christmas, instead presenting a left field take on the genre.
The Violet Flame (available on limited edition white vinyl) arrived the following year, and embodies the sound of a duo refreshed and reinvigorated. The themes of love, hope, transformation and new beginnings imbue the album, presenting us with a band with a new zest for the future. The album flowed from electronic dance grooves, bringing an anthemic mood that comes through in the singles “Elevation”, “Reason:, and the Halloween release, “Dead of Night”.
“DUA
LIPA LIVE FROM THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Dua Lipa released Dua Lipa Live From The Royal Albert Hall. The new live album features a reimagined version of Radical Optimism performed in its entirety front-to-back, along with several of her previous hit songs, all accompanied by the 53-piece Heritage Orchestra conducted by Ben Foster, a 14-strong choir and her 7-piece band.
Her special, which was also filmed during the onenight-only concert at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, will feature Dua’s orchestral performances from the night interspersed between intimate interviews, in which Dua reflects on the pivotal moments that have shaped her life and illustrious career. As she revisits personal moments, from the New York City trip that changed the course of her career, to her favorite holiday memories in London, Dua shares her thoughts and emotions in real time, giving audiences a glimpse into the woman behind the superstar.
Photo by Jane Stuart
Photo by Eduardo Andrade
Photo credit: Polly Samson
Photo by Jack Bridgland
