Wavelength Music Festival Lineup Announced
Wavelength Music & Arts Festival has announced a partial performer lineup for this year’s festivities, set to take place at Tri-Boro Sportsmen in Allentown on July 14-15.
Tag Archives: groove
Spend New Year’s Eve in Allentown
Still in need of plans to ring in 2017? Allentown’s Hamilton District wants you to join its New Year’s Eve festivities – a proposition made even more tempting by the musical options available that night.
First, the City of Allentown will be hosting its official New Year’s Eve celebration at the corner of 7th and Hamilton Streets. Beginning at 10 p.m., the evening’s festivities include a fireworks display and an always-entertaining performance by Charlie Brown’s Notorious Groove.
Speaking of Groove, plenty of downtown restaurants will also be hosting New Year’s Eve festivities, such The Hamilton Kitchen, which will play host to The Groove Merchants beginning at 9 p.m. The five-piece from Kutztown will be playing tunes from its new album, “Take It” (which was included in LVU Founder Gerard Longo’s Best of 2016 picks), in addition to covers and other originals. It’s a Can’t-Miss Show of the Week for a reason!
The fun doesn’t stop there. Another LVU favorite, Copper Fields, will be right down the street at Bell Hall at the same time to deliver their unique brand of Americana. The trio has played all over the Valley in 2016, and has gained a reputation for their great musicianship and enjoyable tunes.
If jazz is more your speed, Allentown has something for you on New Year’s Eve, as well. Our friends at Sugar Hill Jazz House will welcome Nancy Coletti, who will provide smooth sounds to add to the evening’s ambiance beginning at 9 p.m.
There, now you have plans for New Year’s Eve! For information on these events and many more, visit The Hamilton District Main Street Program online.
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week: Dec. 26-Jan. 1
We hope you all had (or are having) a wonderful holiday! We took a couple days off ourselves, and now have the opportunity and feel refreshed as we ramp up for 2016’s final week.
Let’s close out the year in style with one last batch of…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Musikfest Five-Point Preview: Day 5
Tuesday’s lineup is particularly exciting to me. The official halfway point of Musikfest 2016 is marked by artists I’ve personally had the privilege of covering, as well as those I’ve seen, but who might be new to the Lehigh Valley Underground audience.
Come along with me, and I’ll make sure you know who’s who before the day is through.
Musikfest Five-Point Preview
Day 5 – Aug. 9, 2016
Joyous | 12 p.m.
Stage: Wells Fargo Festplatz (North)
Description: Sneak out for lunch (or just take the day off) to hear some classic soul and R&B.
Seamus Kennedy | 5 p.m.
Stage: Red Stag Pub Liederplatz (North)
Description: The popular Celtic folk artist returns to Bethlehem once more.
The Groove Merchants | 7 p.m.
Stage: Provident Bank Main Street (North)
Description: Funk, soul, blues, and jazz collide for the second time today (the band also plays in the same spot at 5 p.m.).
Voirvoir | 8:30 p.m.
Stage: Provident Bank Main Street (North)
Description: There Are No Good Goodbyes, so say hello once more to the local indie rock masters.
Scythian | 9 p.m.
Stage: Air Products Americaplatz (South)
Description: One of the ‘Fest’s most popular returning performers brings their unique, thrilling brand of rock.
There’s more where that came from! Check in with DustinSchoof.com every morning throughout Musikfest for a full free stage lineup!
PHOTOS: The Groove Merchants at Hamilton Kitchen & Bar’s Second Birthday Party
The Groove Merchants — the funky, bluesy pride of Kutztown — are the type of band that can draw a crowd. Their versatility and musical prowess will make even casual passers-by stand up and take notice. That’s what they did at Hamilton Kitchen & Bar’s second birthday party in Allentown on Tuesday night.
Restaurant and bar gigs can sometimes be tough for bands, in terms of keeping the attention of those in attendance. The fact that The Groove Merchants had folks hanging on their every note is a testament to the band’s ability.
Review: Shawn Cav Ensemble – Glass Houses
Artist: Shawn Cav Ensemble
Album: Glass Houses (Pre-order)
Release Date: Jul. 30, 2016
Genre: Jazz Fusion
On July 30, break out your good headphones and listen to everything happening on Shawn Cav Ensemble’s “Glass Houses.” The eclectic Easton quartet showcases its musicianship and improvisational abilities to speak volumes without saying a word.
The band displays its ability to move between ideas – and even genres – on the new release. A perfect example is opening track, “Four Years in a Box,” which is underscored by groovy rhythms and a tradeoff between Steve Collins’ guitar and Matt Truscott’s tenor sax that walks a tightrope between jazz and rock.
Another highlight is “Faces,” a funk-fueled track with a hooky bass line where Collins and Truscott both take turns speaking lyrically through their instruments. In contrast, title track “Glass Houses” is mellow in a way that ties the effort together, revolving around Shawn Cav’s bass to build a climax and achieve the EP’s resolution.
Track listing
Four Years in a Box
New Beginnings
Faces
Roll Call
Looking Busy
Glass Houses
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week: Jul. 11-17
We’re a bit late with our typical early-week preview. I guess that’s what happens when you’re out on the scene all day Sunday and have hundreds – literally, hundreds – of photos to sort through from Easton Heritage Day.
To make up for the tardiness, we present you with even more options as part of this week’s…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Tues., Jul. 12 | 6 p.m.
The Groove Merchants
Venue: Hamilton Kitchen & Bar, 645 W. Hamilton St., Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Listen to some funky, bluesy rhythms to celebrate Hamilton Kitchen’s second birthday.
Tues., Jul. 12 | 7 p.m.
Bryan Tuk Complex
Venue: Hook, 22 N. 6th St., Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Jazz drummer Bryan Tuk and his trio perform at Network Magazine’s release after-party
Jul. 15-17
Double Decker/Square of Opposition Anniversary Fest
Venues: St. Bernard’s, 331-333 Brodhead Ave., Bethlehem (Fri); Merchants Square Mall, 1901 S. 12th St., Allentown (Sat/Sun.)
Admission: $8-$50
Description: Celebrate 20 years of Double Decker and 15 years of Square of Opposition Records, all weekend long.
Sat., Jul. 16 | 4 p.m.
Julius’ Birthday Bash at Ranger Lake
Venue: Coplay, PA
Admission: FREE
Description: Celebrate the birth of one of the Valley’s premier rockers with his first gig at Ranger Lake.
Sat., Jul. 16 | 7 p.m.
Roi & the Secret People w/ Special Guest Carter Lansing
Venue: Tally Ho, 205 W. 4th St., Bethlehem
Admission: $5
Description: The Easton rockers perform as part of the WSCI Radio Summer Concert Series.
Review: Wetbrain ft. Rone and Russell Kutys – She Bad
Combine a funky groove with slick hip-hop verses and reggae rock undertones, and you have “She Bad,” the new single from Philadelphia’s Wetbrain.
The band draws well from an eclectic blend of influences on “She Bad,” ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper. This is Wetbrain’s first collaboration, with the band receiving support on the track from local rappers and friends Rone and Russell Kutys. Together, the artists combine with catchy verses and clever lyrics to make “She Bad” a fun and enjoyable track for the summer.
Check it out below, and stay tuned for Wetbrain’s upcoming EP this fall.