Lee Fields at Austin City Limits, Oct 2012 (more by Glen Brown)

Lee Fields & The Expressions just returned from a stint in the EU and is gearing up to head southbound for a tour on that side of the Mason-Dixon line at the tail end of this week (kicking off 11/30). After a New Year's Eve show in Boston, and a scattered few other shows along the way, look for an NYC date at Bowery Ballroom on February 15. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon.

All tour dates are listed below, along with recent live video.

Continue reading "Lee Fields & The Expressions touring, playing Boston on New Year's Eve, NYC in February (dates)"

In addition to everything else we posted, today, here's some more, and some reminders too...

Hope to see you at Pianos tonight, unless of course you're celebrating Yom Kippur which started at sundown (or under 21).

It's also National Voter Registration Day, as miss Annie Clark has so kindly reminded us above. Did you register to vote yet? We also would like to know, however, what's the deal with the Tiny Tim photo in the background?

That photo is actually part of a series orchestrated by HeadCount where over 200 celebrities, including Jeff Tweedy, were photographed with "Register to Vote" clipboards. You can see them all here.

Speaking of St. Vincent, it's David Byrne / St. Vincent Week here in NYC. Their first of three area shows together happens tonight at the Beacon Theater, as Kelly Pratt pointed out in the latest edition of his tour diary.

Neil Young has started a Twitter account and will be taking your questions via it in October. Right now, though, @NeilYoung seems to handled by a marketing intern.

Prince took a 40 minute encore break last night in Chicago.

Paper Bag Records just released the free David Bowie tribute album, Paper Bag Records vs. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, with covers by Austra & CFCF, PS I Love You, The Luyas, Yamantaka/Sonic Titan and more. Download it for free HERE.

Speaking of Yamantaka/Sonic Titan, they performed at the Polaris Prize Gala in Toronto last night, but ended up losing to Feist.

Converge is back with "Shame In the Way" a new song from their forthcoming LP All We Love We Leave Behind. Stream that new track, coupled with an interview with vocalist Jacob Bannon in the latest Show Now Mercy at Pitchfork. Look for the LP on 10/9 via Epitaph.

Sweden's Terrible Feelings have released a new video for "Next Round's On You" from their Shadows LP. Check that out below.

Field Report visited the A.V. Club's HQ in Chicago and took on the Sufjan Stevens mainstay "Chicago" for their Undercover series. Check out the clip below.

You can also check out Thee Oh Sees' side of the new Famous Class' "LAMC" 7" series which they were selling last night at their very sweaty Death by Audio show. It's streaming below.

Main Mountain Goat John Darnielle talks (vegetarian) food - including pizza, popcorn and, yes, hummus over at FoodRepublic. He and the band will be in NYC next month.

More stuff below...

Continue reading "ALSO: Register to Vote Day; Neil Young on Twitter; Free Bowie Tribute LP; new Converge, Cat Power's band & more"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

Wilco at Prospect Park - 7/23/12

Wilco brought their tour, three NYC shows included, to Prospect Park last night (7/23). It was their first of two at the outdoor Celebrate Brooklyn venue and with their first of two Lees (Lee Fields and the Expressions opened last night, Lee Ranaldo Band opens tonight).

It was pouring rain and there were a few moments of big lightning above and behind the stage, but the show went on and Wilco played for over two hours. They opened their show with "Dawned on Me," one of the standouts on their 2011 (comeback?) record, The Whole Love. The band then continued with a solid mix of new ones and old favorites (and a good deal of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). The set also included, "California Stars," one of the songs from the 1998 Mermaid Avenue album with Billy Bragg, which saw Wilco and Bragg putting unheard Woody Guthrie lyrics to original music. They play that one a lot but nonetheless, it was an appropriate time to honor the folk legend who would have turned 100 earlier this month.

During the show, Jeff Tweedy made a comment that we (Brooklyn) smelled like bacon, calling us the most bacon smelling show that he'd ever experienced. A commenter on a Wilco message board also noted that "at one point between songs he started singing a song called 'Bacon Rain.' He also made sure the rain wasn't causing anybody to chafe, and asked if anybody needed gold bond in the crowd." We're pretty sure he was smelling the fries being cooked stage right at The Farm on Adderley concession stand.

The tour continues in Prospect Park tonight (7/24). Last night, Jeff mentioned that for the people who are coming back for a second night, they'll be mixing up the setlist a bit, only playing repeats of certain songs (though it's hard to know exactly how serious he was being). After that, they'll play Terminal 5 on Wednesday (7/25) with Cibo Matto.

More pictures and the setlist from last night's show are below...

Continue reading "Wilco and Lee Fields played Prospect Park (pics, setlist)"

by Fred Pessaro // BBG

Lee Fields & The Expressions, Fort Greene Park 7/10/2012

It was right around the time that DJ Akalepse threw on a Roy Ayers classic followed by "The Planet" by Gang Starr (with its chorus "out in B-R-double-O-K-lyn the planet") that I realized just how "Brooklyn" the entire thing was. I rode my bike to the show. I was debating a quinoa falafel. I was waiting for a 60s throwback soul band in a park while sitting on a blanket. I just saw a band playing music from Sierra Leone and was now listing to a guy spinning 45s.

The subject of the beautiful evening was Lee Fields & The Expressions, the retro-soul crew featuring a sixty-year-old crooner as a frontman, who headlined a show at Fort Greene Park last night (7/10) featuring support from Janka Nabay. The opener practiced in Bubu music, a bouncy style that was perfect for the atmosphere, though nothing I would ever personally sink my teeth into.

I am a sucker for old soul, James Brown, The JB's, and anything associated with the People label of the 70s, so naturally I enjoyed the Lee Fields. The Expressions are tight and Fields is enigmatic on stage; he handles the crowd well by encouraging audience participation, engaging with individual ladies from the crowd, and gliding across the stage like his shoes were slathered in butter. Though I don't usually sit down and listen to Daptone-and-related records, their live shows are always interesting and fun to watch.

The next Fort Greene Park show goes down on July 24th and features Shabazz Palaces and THEESatisfaction.

More pictures from Fort Greene Park last night are below.

Continue reading "Lee Fields & The Expressions and Janka Nabay played Fort Greene Park (pics, review)"

Lee Fields at MHOW in March (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Speaking of free shows in Fort Greene Park, Lee Fields and the Expressions will play one at the outdoor Brooklyn venue on July 10 with Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang and DJ Akalepse. That show happens two weeks before Lee opens for Wilco at Prospect Park (7/23) (tickets).

Meanwhile, you can catch Janka Nabay in NYC TONIGHT (6/12) at Zebulon with Nass Gnawa and The Oracle DJ's. Janka's tour dates also list The Avant Garde Diaries on June 19 at a TBA address.

A list of all dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "Lee Fields & the Expressions playing free show at Fort Greene Park w/ Janka Nabay, who plays Zebulon tonight (dates)"

After teasing us with lineup addictions day by day over the past few days, the full lineup of Austin City Limits 2012 is finally here. Check it out below....

Continue reading "Austin City Limits Festival -- 2012 lineup "

Wilco in Chicago (more by Matt Zeigler)

"Levon was the glue, not just in The Band, but in all of what people think of when they think of North American music. He was a great unifier; a great glue. He unified blues and country, rural and city, and even North and South. Luckily he showed us all the way to keep it together and let it swing."- Jeff Tweedy

Wilco, missing Levon like the rest of us, have announced even more tour dates including two Celebrate Brooklyn shows at the Prospect Park Bandshell which happen right between the previously announced Camden and Rhode Island shows. The Brooklyn dates and openers are July 23 with Lee Fields & The Expressions and July 24 with Lee Ranaldo Band (of Sonic Youth). Tickets will go on pre-sale on May 2nd at 10AM EDT and regular sale on Friday at 10AM EDT.

Lee Ranaldo Band are doing a other few dates on the Wilco tour too and touring with M.Ward (who they play a sold out Webster Hall with). M. Ward also plays Prospect Park this summer, but with Yo La Tengo.

All tour dates for Lee Fields, Lee Ranaldo and Wilco are below, along with a recent video of Ranaldo interviewed/performing at his record release.

Continue reading "Wilco adds two Prospect Park shows, one at Hollywood Bowl & more tour dates"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

Lee Fields & the Expressions @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

""I consider myself a true soul man," declares Lee Fields with a confident laugh.
It's hard to argue with the North Carolina native. He's been on the grind since cutting his first single in 1969, an aching cover of James Brown's "Bewildered" that helped earn him the nicknames Little J.B. and Soul Brother No. 2. He's been at it ever since, in a journeyman's career full of hills and valleys.
"Oh man, more downs than ups, but the ups have been so beautiful," he says." [Austin Chronicle]

Continue reading "after SXSW, Lee Fields & The Expressions played MHOW w/ The Jay Vons (pics & setlist)"

Lee Fields @ Summerstage (more by Bryan Kremkau)

While the Budos Band (and special guest TBA) are ringing in the new year in Williamsburg, Dig Deeper will be presenting Lee Fields & the Expressions along with Sugar Pie Desanto over at the Bell House for a soul party closer to Park Slope. Tickets are on sale.

Meanwhile, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings will be helping Daptone Records celebrate 10 years with a run of special NY shows that include 2 at Bowery and 2 at Music Hall. The NYC gigs are now all sold out, but in case you were wondering, here's who they have as openers so far:

12/6 @ Music Hall: Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
12/7 @ Music Hall: The Sugarman 3
12/13 @ Bowery: The Sugarman 3
12/14 @ Bowery: Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens

The Budos Band in Prospect Park (more by David Andrako)

Lee Fields & The Expressions are headlining a benefit show at Brooklyn Bowl on Monday night (9/26). Tickets can be had for as low as $15 and as much as $100. Proceeds support NYC's non-religious suicide hotline run by Samaritans of NY. Corey Glover (Living Colour), Danielia Cotton, and The Smyrk are also on the bill. It's one of only three upcoming shows right now for Lee. The other two are in Chicago and Michigan and are listed below.

Other upcoming Daptone-related shows include the previously-mentioned Charles Bradley show at Bowery Ballroom in December (tickets), and the not-yet mentioned Budos Band show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on New Year's Eve (with "very special guests to be announced"). Tickets are on sale.

One thing I can assure you is that the MHOW NYE special guest is not Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings who are due to announce another NYC show of their own soon. Meanwhile they have scattered tour dates scheduled, some with My Morning Jacket. All dates for all of them, below...

Continue reading "Lee Fields playing a benefit @ Brooklyn Bowl, Budos Band & special guests playing NYE @ Music Hall (and other dates)"

photos by Bryan Kremkau

Lee Fields & the Expressions

Fitz & the Tantrums

"This weekend was truly a triumph for the state of New York's Gay Community and made my musically enlightened weekend that much sweeter! Friday night's passage of the legalization of same-sex marriage seemed to spark a fire of love and celebration in the city. It couldn't have made for a better day to head to Central Park for one of their summer series concerts.

I knew that the concert had a lot in store for me as the soulful Fitz & the Tantrums, easily one of my favorite new bands, would be performing! Also on the program was soul and funk legend, Lee Fields, who proved that even after a few decades, he's certainly got the moves!

Haling from Los Angeles, California, Fitz & the Tantrum's indie soul sound had the crowd dancing from start to finish... [and] I was happy to find that they sounded even better live, as most of the greatest bands do.

Playing hits from the album such as "Pickin' Up the Pieces" and "Rich Girls" , the group enchanted the audience... finishing their set with one of their biggest hits " MoneyGrabber", they left me wanting more and I feared it would be the last time I'd ever get to see them for free!

Feeding my hungry retro-soul, Lee Fields put on a magnificent performance that salutes the saying "you're as young as you feel.""
[The Vogue Vibes]

More pictures from the Central Park show below...

Continue reading "Fitz & the Tantrums played Central Park Summerstage w/ Lee Fields & the Expressions (pics)"

by BBG

Lee Fields at Bowery Ballroom (more by Andrew St. Clair)

Think you can wail like the great Lee Fields? Give it a shot with his the My World instrumentals LP, out now via Truth & Soul Records. If you're feeling really studious, then follow-up your LP purchase with a visit to Central Park Summerstage on June 25th for some more intense scrutiny, as Lee Fields & The Expressions will perform at the venue with Fitz & The Tantrums. The FREE summer show kicks off at 3PM.

Lee Fields will also make an appearance at Southpaw on 5/21 (tickets), as a special guest at a headlining date for The Sweet Divines. The Sweet Divines will also play The Bell House on 6/24 supporting Syl Johnson (tickets). All other Lee Fields dates, and some video is below.

Fitz & the Tantrums are meanwhile touring like crazy, and all their dates are also listed below...

Continue reading "Fitz & the Tantrums playing Summerstage w/ Lee Fields (and other tour dates) "

Syl Johnson supporting Yo La Tengo @ Maxwell's (more by Andrew St. Clair)

Deep Groove soul singer Syl Johnson will return to the NYC stage to play a headlining date at The Bell House on June 24th. Tickets are on sale. There he'll be supported by The Sweet Divines who are also scheduled to play a show with soul frontman Lee Fields at Southpaw on May 21st. Tickets are on sale for that too, as is the recently-released "My World" instrumentals on vinyl.

Lee's last show was another sold out affair on Friday, April 1st at Music Hall of Williamsburg with Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band...

"Bradley left everything he had out on the stage in about 45 minutes and was promptly relieved by headliner Fields, with the Menahan Street Band staying put and subbing for Fields' usual backing group, the Expressions. Looking like a pint-sized Lou Rawls, veteran singer Fields ably continued the retro-exploration into Daptone's dictionary of journeyman soul. As with Bradley, Fields is an older fellow influenced by the torchy, balladic nature of artists like James Brown and Bobby Womack as well as Al Green and the Hi Records crew." [Magnet]

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Maceo "Funk Dance Party" is the first in a 3-part series of free 'Celebrate Brooklyn' dance parties at the location. May 19th's "Tropical Dance Party" will feature La Excelencia & Que Bajo?!, and May 26th's "Bhangra Dance Party" will feature Red Baraat & DJ Rekha. They promise "Sweeping views, great lawn, dance lessons, beer garden, bike valet & it's free! Three spring evenings featuring some of the coolest dance bands on the planet, the funkiest DJs under the stars, and the greatest view in the world!"

More tour dates and some videos, below...

Continue reading "new Syl Johnson & Lee Fields shows, Budos Band & Maceo Parker dates ++ free dance parties in Brooklyn Bridge Park"

Steve Arrington & Dam Funk

After a record release show at Southpaw, Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band have spent the better part of the last two weeks on the road in celebration of his new LP No Time For Dreaming. Later this month Charles heads to Europe for a string of dates with Lee Fields & The Expressions who he will also play with again on April 1 at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Tickets for the Brooklyn show go on AMEX presale Wed 2/16 at noon and go on regular sale 48 hours later. The two sold out the same venue in November.

Outside of the Brooklyn date, Lee Fields & The Expressions have only one other US show scheduled that we know about: August 5-7 at Pendarvis Farm near Portland, Oregon as part of Pickathon 2011. There, the funk-soul crooner will be joined by Mavis Staples, Bill Callahan, Califone, and many others. Full lineup is below. Tickets are on sale.

This week presents some great funky live shows: Kings Go Forth play two shows in the next week, Fitz & The Tantrums play MHoW on Wed (2/16, tickets), and Slave vocalist Steve Arrington at Southpaw on Friday (2/18, tickets). Arrington, who recently collaborated with Dam Funk on some new material, will be backed by Chin Chin and joined by Little Shalimar (mems TV on the Radio, Antibalas), DJ Spinna and Chances With Wolves. Arrington can also be found spinning records at The Commodore the day before (2/17). Flyer for that is below.

Last but not least, Southpaw will host another upcoming funk show on Feb 26th featuring Willie West> with The Sweet Divines + The Sweet Divine Rhythm Band. Tickets are on sale.

For four decades, deep soul man Willie West has been one of New Orleans' best kept secrets.. Originally from the New Orleans area, Willie first broke into the business in 1958 with his band The Sharks. Members of that band later joined up with Joe Tex and Fats Domino. In the early 60's he and the band signed to Rusttone Records. They had a regional hit titled 'Did You Have Fun?' Which lead to gigs with Jimmy Reed and Solomon Burke. In 1966 Willie signed to Allen Toussaint's Deesu Records and together they record several incredible singles. Willie sang the title track 'The Greatest Love' to the movie Black Sampson and had two single released by Warner Brothers. The early 70's saw Willie join one of the most beloved New Orleans acts, The Electric Soul Train. Later in the 70's Willie joined the legendary band, The Meters for whom he sang lead vocals until they dis-banded in 1980.

All tour dates and some videos below.

Continue reading "Lee Fields & Charles Bradley playing more shows ++ Steve Arrington, Willie West & the Pickathon lineup too"

photos by Andrew St. Clair

Lee Fields & the Expressions

Throughout the 1970s, North Carolina's Lee Fields was better known as "Little JB," owing to his considerable debt to James Brown's indomitable presence both onstage and on record. Sporting a similar coif and husky singing voice as Mr. Dynamite (as well as some of his fancy footwork), Mr. Fields failed to make much of a dent outside of the South, cutting one album in the 1970s and bouncing around through the next two decades. But with the soul revival at the end of the 20th century (see his tourmate, Sharon Jones), Mr. Fields has stepped outside the shadows of obscurity. On such albums as "Let's Get a Groove On" and 2009's "My World," he reveals himself as having quite the range: handling drum-fueled soul cries, tender ballads and slinky funk expertly.-[Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading "Lee Fields & the Expressions and Michael Leonhart & the Avramina 7 played Bowery Ballroom (pics & setlists)"

Sharon Jones & friend @ Best Buy Theater on New Year's Eve (Dara Weinberg)

"The disarming warmth of the Dap Kings' homegrown sound translated well in the 2,100-capacity venue. Against the usual Dap Kings backdrop of bright horns and funky percussion, Jones sustained her boundless energy level for much of the two-hour performance. At one point, she even kicked off her high heels and summoned African ancestors for a shamanistic dance medley.

The band was fully synchronized from the opening number, the slinky ballad "If You Call" to a propulsive rhythmic buildup for an encore rendition of "100, Days, 100 Nights." Some of the night's finer moments, of course, alluded to economic hardships. The horn stabs of "Money" and "No Chimmeys in the Projects" carried a raw sense of urgency, while Jones cracked, "Ain't nothin' evil about money because we neeeeed that money." After a suitably cool take on "Auld Lang Syne," Jones pushed herself vocally to wring a double meaning from "Better Things."

"I've got better things to do than remember you," Jones sang. Puffs of fog machine smoke framed her band as balloons and confetti filled the room.

Warming up for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings was New Orleans songwriter Allen Toussaint.

"There's no place I'd rather be tonight. I really mean it," Mr. Toussaint said." [Soul Train]

As previously discussed, fellow Daptone-r Charles Bradley (who shared a bill with Lee Fields in Brooklyn recently) will celebrate the release of his new album No Time For Dreaming at Southpaw on January 25th. Tickets are still available. The date comes right in the middle of a tour Charles is going on with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (who played 12/30 & 12/31 at Best Buy Theater). A review from the 12/31 show is quoted above.

Bradley's new video for new-album song "The World (is Going Up In Flames)", contest details and all dates below...

Continue reading "Sharon Jones played New Year's Eve, Lee Fields plays tonight (WIN TIX) ++ a new Charles Bradley video"

DOWNLOAD: Charles Bradley - "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)" (MP3)

Charles Bradley album art (reminds me of something...)

Lotsa great funk and dancefloor grooves are coming to Southpaw and elsewhere for you old soul fans/45 collectors out there.

Though Charles Bradley just released the 45 of the same name, he is prepping to release No Time For Dreaming, a new LP for Dunham/Daptone Records. Is Charles Bradley a stranger to hard time?

Charles Bradley is no stranger to hard times. Born in Gainesville, Florida in 1948 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, he spent the better part of his childhood living on the streets. One of the more optimistic moments of his childhood came in 1964, when his sister took him to see James Brown at The Apollo. Brown's energy and showmanship would form a lasting impression on Charles. He went home and immediately began practicing microphone tricks with a broom attached to a string, imitating the Godfather's every move.

Forty years later, Charles was still trying to make ends meet, still trying to make it as a musician. He was performing his James Brown routines under his alter ego "Black Velvet" when Gabriel Roth of Daptone records happened upon his show at the Tarheel Lounge in Bedstuy. Roth recognized his raw talent and directly brought him into the studio for a session with The Sugarman 3.

Charles Bradley's last show was with Lee Fields at Music Hall of Williamsburg on 11/20, and Lee Fields & The Expressions have another show in the immediate future: 1/7 at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets are now on sale. Still no opener listed. I'd suggest Budos Band but they just headlined AND SOLD OUT the same venue recently themselves.

Speaking of Daptone, legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint will join Daptone queen Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings at Best Buy Theater during their two day stint at the venue (tickets for both Dec 30 and Dec 31 are still available).

Toussaint collaborated with The Meters in the 70s, who will also be in NYC in the coming months (the "Funky" version anyway) (tickets available for Feb 15th, 16th, and 17th shows billed as "The Funky Meters").

A soulful New Years Eve can also be had outside of Manhattan at the Bell House thanks to Dig Deeper who are bringing Marva Whitney, Billy Prince (of the Precisions) and the Sweet Divines to the Brooklyn venue that night.Tickets are still on sale.

Start the New Year at the Bell House too. The Detroit Cobras headline the venue on January 1st, one night after they ring in the New Year at Maxwell's with the Fleshtones.

Dig Deeper hosts soul singer Lenis Guess at Southpaw on January 22nd with The Solid Set. Tickets are on sale.

Dig Deeper most recently hosted Syl Johnson at Southpaw. Syl also played a show with Yo La Tengo one night later.

Milwaukee's Kings Go Forth will play Southpaw on 2/19 as part of a stint of East Coast dates in late February. Tickets are on sale, and their full tour schedule with some videos and stuff is below.

Continue reading "soulful New Years Eve options, Kings Go Forth tour dates, Allen Toussaint, Detroit Cobras, new Charles Bradley & more"

"Still reeling from Charles Bradley/MSB/Lee Fields show in #brooklyn on Sat. Absolutely floored us." - Dominic Umile

Sharon Jones & Lee Fields @ Prospect Park in August (more by David Andrako)

Lee Fields headlined the show at Music Hall of Williamsburg Saturday night (11/20), and with Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band also on the bill, it's no surprise that they reportedly turned away over 100 people at the door of the sold out Brooklyn show. Luckily for those that didn't get in, Lee Fields will return to the stage on January 7th, but this time at MHOW's Manhattan sister Bowery Ballroom. Stay tuned for more details like tickets and openers.

Meanwhile, tickets are still on sale for the shows that Charles Bradley's Daptone label mates, aka Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, are playing at Best Buy (formerly Nokia) Theater on December 30th and 31st.

Continue reading "Lee Fields played MHOW w/ Charles Bradley, playing Bowery"

Lee Fields at the waterfront (more by Tear n Tan)

The above picture comes from Lee Fields' recent Pool Party shindig with !!!. Lee Fields & The Expressions also opened for the Black Keys at Terminal 5 in the past month. And now comes word that Lee Fields & The Expressions will headline a NYC show, this time at Music Hall of Williamsburg on 11/20 with Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band. Members of Antibalas, El Michels Affair, the Dap-Kings and the Budos Band make up the members of both soulful bands. Tickets go on sale Wednesday (9/1) at noon.

The Dap Kings, whose most recent NYC show was a headlining one in Prospect Park, meanwhile will head out on tour with Sharon Jones in September. US and European dates below.

The Budos Band have a few shows coming up too, one of which is the release party for their new album ("The Budos Band III") at Southpaw in Brooklyn on September 18th. Tickets for that show are on sale. All dates below.

And last but not least, Daptone's Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens can still be found at Fat Cat every Friday night, and have some upcoming tour dates including Pop Montreal in October. All dates for everyone, below...

Continue reading "Lee Fields & Charles Bradley schedule a show, Sharon Jones leaving on tour, Budos Band & Naomi Shelton dates too"

photos by Tear-n Tan & Natalia Moena

Lee Fields / Darren Mabee

Lee Fields was probably the first act to ever perform at a Jelly Pool Party that promised the crowd his autograph after the show if they bought a CD, and that's part of the reason to love him. He's an old school genuine performer, now living in a land of modern day hipsters, at least that was the case on Sunday where he shared a bill with Future Islands, the Strange Boys and !!!.

Lee's soulful set included may of the great songs off his new album, "My World", including the title track, "Money is King", and "Ladies". The latter was one of many songs where Lee asked for crowd participation, and the rained-on crowd usually obliged. Many, including Darren Mabee, showed off their dance moves. Most at least swayed their arms back and forth in the air. For Lee, and some of his large backing band, it was their second big Brooklyn appearance in a short amount of time. The first was at Sharon Jones's headlining gig in Prospect Park.

Future Islands and the Strange Boys opened the free show for those that got there early enough. !!! headlined for those that stuck around around. More pictures from the whole day, below...

Continue reading "Lee Fields, Strange Boys, Future Islands & Chk Chk Chk played the Williamsburg Waterfront Pool Party (pics) "

photos by David Andrako

"Sharon Jones absolutely murdered celebrate Brooklyn last night. #legendaryshit #ilovethatwoman" - Sleek

Sharon Jones & Lee Fields

"Wow...just wow. I don't know why it took me so long to experience the stunning Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, but lawdy, I'm sure glad I went to the concert that closed out a great summer of Celebrate Brooklyn! at the Prospect Park Bandshell and finally got to witness the phenomenon that she is. Sharon Jones blew my mind with her energy, singing, dancing -- you name it, she was a solid gold MVP, James Brown heir-apparent. For 2+ hours, she and her stellar bandmates (including members of the Bushwick Philharmonic) kept the [very large] crowd on their feet, grooving along to a wonderful retro-soul/funk sound that did not let up. She was also assisted on a few songs by the charming Lee Fields." [Qbertplaya]

Continue reading "Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (with help from Lee Fields & the Budos Band) dominated Prospect Park (pics & video)"

DOWNLOAD: Young Man - Five (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Young Man - Heart of Chambers (Beach House cover) (MP3)

Local Natives @ Sasquatch 2010 (more by Chris Graham)

today in NYC
* Ken Vandermark @ Union Hall
* First Saturday @ Brooklyn Museum
* Asphalt Orchestra @ Lincoln Center
* Meshell Ndegeocello @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Class Actress, Twin Shadow @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Meta and the Cornerstones, DAX @ 92YTribeca
* Mucca Pazza, Balkan Beat Box @ Damrosch Park
* Mad Decent Block Party @ South Street Seaport
* Lioness, MKNG FRNDZ, Mystery Roar @ Cake Shop (Late Show)
* REBOOT Chip Music Concert Series feat IAYD @ Littlefield
* Local Natives, We Barbarians @ Governors Island (The Beach)
* Sharon Van Etten, Reggie Watts, Springs @ The Bushwick Starr
* Nicole Atkins, Simon Felice (of The Felice Brothers) @ City Winery
* Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Budos Band @ Prospect Park Bandshell
* Fuck The Facts, Attake, Magrudergrind, Defeatist @ Cake Shop (Early Show)
* Shark?, Motel Motel, Soft Black, Steel Phantoms, Charles Burst, Baby Fever, Harry May Kline, Toytrain @ 210 Cook Street (Rooftop)
* Me & Doug (members of The Big Sleep), Madam Robot and The Lust Brigade, Laughing Eye Weeping Eye, Winston Troy @ Zebulon
* Gavin Russom (DJ Set), Alden Tyrell, The Crystal Ark, Special Disco Version (James Murphy & Pat Mahoney - DJ Set) @ P.S. 1 (P.S. 1 Warm Up)
* The Beets (performing The Beatles), Slasher Risk, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Donner Party Picnic, The Pendulum Swings, Mister Wright, Kamui @ Shea Stadium (flyer below)

For more check out This Week In Indie.

Today's free Mad Decent Block Party @ South Street Seaport:

MAD DECENT NYC BLOCK PARTY LINEUP ANNOUNCED
DIESEL, MAD DECENT and JELLY are proud to announce the first official NYC Mad Decent Block Party lineup... Expect to see performances this Saturday from Eli Escobar, Max Glazer, Janka Nabay, Ricky Blaze & Chelly, Maluca, PO PO, Bosco Delrey, DJ Sega, Bathroom Sexx and Paul Devro!

Entrance is FREE and ALL AGES are welcome. Thanks to NYC partners Diesel, JELLY, AMP, Sixpoint Craft Ales, The Seaport, Biz 3 and Veoba.

August 7th, 2010 / 1:00-8:00 PM
Location:
South Street Seaport
Fulton & South Streets
Pier 17, New York, NY

BrooklynVegan presents Fuck The Facts, Attake, Magrudergrind, Defeatist @ Cake Shop (Early Show)

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings will be backed by the Bushwick Philharmonic in Prospect Park tonight....

the Bushwick Phil, which started as a growing string section that recorded on all of the SJDK albums and was only a Duo on 'Dap-Dippin', a Trio on 'Naturally', a Quartet on '100 Days' and a Sextet on 'I Learned the Hard Way'. For this epochal moment in the great Brooklyn soul revival, the line-up will expand to include Timpani, Vibes, the String Quartet and Victor Axelrod (Ticklah, Antibalas) on Piano.

This show will also serve as the record release party for the hard-hitting Budos Band, who will be release their new album (Budos Band III) right after the show.

The Honeydripper, a crucial member to the illustrious Daptone DJ roster, brings the 45 heat with a mix of world class Soul, Funk, and Latin that been proven to fill even the most discriminating dance floors. Bring your dancing shoes and a change of clothes, because this classy lady means business.

There will undoubtedly be some surprise special guests for this hometown show... don't miss it!

The Local Natives show at Governors Island tonight is not free, but it's cheap...

Governors Island ferries [FOR LOCAL NATIVES ON SATURDAY NIGHT] will begin running from PIER 11, South Street & Wall Street, beginning at 6:00 pm.

THERE WILL BE NO CONCERT FERRIES DEPARTING FROM THE BATTERY MARITIME BUILDING.

Will call & box office will occur on the island at the venue main entrance.

Show time is 8:00PM.

Young Man is opening at Governors Island tonight too.

Josh Ritter headlines the free show at Governors Island on Sunday.

Justin Townes Earle is healing and definitely opening for Josh Ritter, as is Dawn Landes...

We encourage everyone to come early and enjoy the beach. Governors Island ferries [FOR JOSH RITTER ON SUNDAY] will run from the Battery Maritime Building until 5:30PM ONLY. If you are on the island early, please make sure to get yourself to the Beach venue by 5:30 PM where concert wristbands will be available. Doors will open at 6:00 PM.

Dedicated concert ferries will depart starting at 7:15 PM. Please enter the ferry queue at the NORTH end of the Battery Maritime Building. Concert wristbands will be handed out, subject to availability, in the ferry queue starting at 6:45 PM.

Show time is 8:15PM.

Cut Copy headlines the free show at Williamsburg Waterfront Sunday. Memory Tapes, Restless People and Glasser are all also on the bill.

Memory Tapes last played Brooklyn during the Northside Festival.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

photos by Diana Wong

"Black keys midnight show at Terminal 5 melted my face. I officially have no fuckin face!" - Joe Thompson

Despite playing a headlining show at Summerstage earlier in the evening, the Black Keys still managed to melt faces for 90 minutes and 22 songs at Terminal 5 last night (7/28). The SPIN/ZYNC show, the third in a series of five, was opened by The Whigs and Lee Fields and the Expressions (including some familiar Daptone faces)...

"But the show belonged to Auerbach and Carney -- even when they had help. About halfway into the set, two members of Fields' backing band came out to play bass and keyboard for a few numbers. The extra muscle made songs such as Brother's "Everlasting Light" sound a tad conventional when compared to the lean aggression that fired "I Got Mine," from 2008's Attack & Release, but the former song's creeping eighth note bassline and eerie, clanging keyboard stabs were thrilling in their own right." [SPIN]

Continue reading "The Black Keys, Lee Fields & the Whigs played Terminal 5 (SPIN 25) - pics & setlist"

It's a busy week for big NYC shows. The Flaming Lips are here for two performances, starting with the gig tonight/Monday at Central Park SummerStage. Oneida opens. The Flaming Lips show Tuesday night at Terminal 5 is part of the Spin25 series of gigs running each day this week.

Spin25, sponsored by American Express's new ZYNC card (as you can see in the picture above), kicks off with Smashing Pumpkins tonight at Terminal 5, and continues with Flaming Lips on July 27th, the Black Keys on July 28th, the National on July 29th (all at Terminal 5), and Spiritualized on July 30th at Radio City. Show openers are listed below (Spiritualized, which has no opener, is the only one with tickets available currently).

THIS WEEK AT TERMINAL 5
7/26 - Smashing Pumpkins @ Terminal 5 (w/ Kill Hannah & The Jim Jones Revue)
7/27 - The Flaming Lips @ Terminal 5 (w/ Fang Island)
7/28 - The Black Keys @ Terminal 5 (w/ Lee Fields & The Expressions & The Whigs)
7/29 - The National @ Terminal 5 (w/ Suckers & Kurt Vile)
7/30 - Spiritualized playing Ladies and Gentlemen (TICKETS)

You can also watch the shows online: SPIN & ZYNC are streaming them.

Several of the above bands have more shows this week too. The Black Keys play two SummerStage shows with the Morning Benders on July 27th and 28th (the second being the an early show on same night they play T5). Those two shows are also a tour kick-off for the two bands. All dates below.

The National also play Celebrate Brooklyn on Tuesday, July 27th with Beach House opening. They'll be back in September for a show at Wellmont Theatre with Owen Pallett who opens both Arcade Fire shows at MSG next week.

Contest details and dates below...

Continue reading "SPIN 25 this week (win tix, stream the shows) ++ it's a busy week w/ more Black Keys, Flaming Lips & National shows too "

@ a 2009 Pool Party (more by Tim Griffin)

I don't know what Veoba is either. The press release explains it though...

For the past 4 years, JELLY has hosted over 200,000 people for what has become one of the most groundbreaking FREE concert series in New York. Summer Sundays in Brooklyn have become synonymous with The Pool Parties and in the series' 5th Anniversary year, Pool Parties promises not to disappoint.

This year, The Pool Parties are again on the Williamsburg Waterfront for 7 dates from July 11th--August 29th. Due to scheduling conflicts, our August 1st date will be moved to a "Block Party" in and around Brooklyn Bowl making it 8 total "FREE Pool Party Sundays".

In celebrating our 5th Year Anniversary, JELLY also would like to give a big thanks to Senator Chuck Schumer and Phillip Goldfeder from the Senator's office for all of their support ensuring JELLY'S return to the Williamsburg Waterfront. JELLY owners Alexander Kane and Sarah Hooper state that, "It has been a long hard road this year to bring this series back to Williamsburg and it 100% could not have been done without Senator Schumer's efforts. "

The Pool Parties will be co-presented by VEOBA, an online resource for artists, managers, and record labels. Based in Chicago, but with global reach, VEOBA provides the music community with select services to progress and maintain their livelihood. VEOBA launched in May 2010 as a collective made up of music industry veterans, writers, managers, artists, and cartoon characters. From co-founder Jay Parkin, "More often than not, musicians rely on others to take their careers to the next level. We're here for those who care enough to do it themselves." Sharing Jelly's values of creativity and innovation, the people at VEOBA are thrilled to be involved in this summer's production. Parkin concludes, "For the independent and the like- minded, VEOBA facilitates the next step."

JELLY as well wants to give a shout out to all of their partners this summer from the new faces to old friends. Special thanks to AllSaints and Vans. As well as Amp Energy, vitaminwater®, SESAC, ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water, ZYNC from American Express^(SM), Spin Magazine, KEXP, and Main Drag. Along with OSA sponsors: Time Out New York, Brooklyn Brewery, and Heineken.

Now onto our official Pool Parties 5th Year Anniversary lineup! Check back soon for surprise guests we cant announce yet, the official DJ lineup for The Pool Parties 2010, and more fun things that are SURE to make the 5th Year Anniversary series one you will never forget!

The Official After-Pool Parties, presented by Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, will be held at Brooklyn Bowl following every Sunday's Pool Party!

The only difference between the leaked lineup and the official lineup is the addition of another "SECRET SPECIAL GUEST" and the listing of some curators. You can see the full list of confirmed free shows, below...

Continue reading "Jelly & Veoba confirm Williamsburg Waterfront 'Pool Party' lineups ('Secret Special Guests', Brooklyn Bowl afterparties)"