Big K.R.I.T. at Rock the Bells 2011 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

June is Black Music Month, and Apple is celebrating with a series of intimate live shows at Apple Stores across the country. And for the fan who wants to get closer, we'll also be hosting Meet the Musician events -- your opportunity to ask questions and speak with select artists right in our store.* Browse store locations on the right to see who's appearing in your neighborhood. To hear more from this amazing and diverse group
of artists, visit Black Music Month Live on iTunes today.

As quoted above, Apple Stores nationwide are hosting in-stores in celebration of Black Music Month this month and NYC will be getting theirs at Apple Store SoHo, Apple Store Upper West Side, and Apple Store West 14th Street. The first one is TONIGHT (6/5) at the SoHo location with Apollo the Great, Freeway, and Sean Price. Others include Beanie Sigel in the SoHo store on 6/19, Ziggy Marley in the Upper West Side store on 6/18, and the West 14th Street store will get Big K.R.I.T. on Thursday (6/7), Robert Glasper on 6/21 and Slaughterhouse on 6/30.

Some of the events, including tonight's show, the Beanie Sigel show, and the Big K.R.I.T. show require wristbands. "Pick up yours early on the day of the event, as space is limited and wristbands are given out on a first-come, first-served basis at the host Apple Store." The full schedule of in-stores is below.

Speaking of Big K.R.I.T., he finally released his first official album after a long onslaught of mixtapes. It's called Live From the Underground, and its out today (6/5) via Def Jam. It features guest appearances from Bun B, Devin the Dude, Big Sant, B.B. King, 2 Chainz, and others. Stream it in full at NPR.

The flyer for tonight's in-store and the entire Apple Store Black Music Month schedule are below.

Continue reading "Apple Stores hosting 'Black Music Month'; Apollo the Great, Freeway, & Sean Price in SoHo tonight"

I just realized that Glassjaw added a 2nd "Worship and Tribute" show at Irving Plaza, starting late - at midnight, on the same day as the previously announced show. Tickets are on sale (they perform the full album at both shows).

Speaking of Irving Plaza, tickets went on sale at noon for the First Aid Kit show. Tickets go on sale at noon for the one they're playing in Brooklyn.

Tickets are on sale for the Cribs show at Irving Plaza.

Ziggy Marley, featured heavily in the new Bob Marley documentary that was made about his dad with his cooperation, plays Irving Plaza on June 17th. Tickets are on sale.

Speaking of reggae, don't forget the Central Park Summerstage schedule which this year features Jamaica's 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebration featuring Inner Circle, Israel Vibration, The Mighty Diamonds, DJ Carter Van Pelt .

""There is probably no musical artist who has as wide an audience internationally as Bob does," Macdonald says. "You can find people in any country in the world, whether the Arab world or Africa or Asia, who are into Bob. There is this huge built-in audience for people who want to know more about this man whose music speaks to them. And it's a really interesting life story. He lived a rich and eventful life, he died tragically young, and it's a great narrative. The amazing thing about Marley is that he's utterly unique. There is no other superstar in the world of music who came from the Third World -- he's the only one who speaks to the developing world. He's not just a popular musician, he's a philosopher. He's a prophet for them. He's somebody who gives advice and succor in times of need. There's nobody else who's like that. That's why I wanted to make a movie about him, to understand what he was saying and why he was saying it and why it is that the music has this ongoing resonance."" [Hollywood Reporter]

MARLEY, made with the full support of the Marley family, "is the definitive life story of Bob Marley: musician, father, believer, husband, revolutionary, legend: from his early days through his rise to international superstardom." Directed by Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald (One Day in September, The Last King of Scotland, State of Play), the documentary, which screened at SXSW this year, is being released on demand and in theaters, including the Sunshine in NYC, on 4/20 (naturally).

You don't need to wait that long to see it though because BrooklynVegan is proud to present a FREE advanced screening of the film at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on Thursday, 4/12, at 7pm (first come, first served). Like our recent screenings of The Island President, Boy, Senna, and Exit Through the Gift Shop, seats are put out in the main/back room of the club where a screen comes down over the stage, and the sound booms out of their concert-ready system. See you there.

Check out the trailer and video interview with Kevin Macdonald, Ziggy Marley and his wife Karen, below...

Continue reading "MARLEY documentary opens on 4/20 (BV Presents a free screening on 4/12!)"