"ON-THE-SIDE" 2008 February 22 Beat the Devil -Sold Out- February 22 A Night of Free Comedy May 8 & 9 Jack Lukeman Sings Newman SUMMER 2008 May 30 WIRE Die!Die!Die! River To River Launch June 27 to August 29 SEAPORT MUSIC Pier 17 Stage June 27 A Place to Bury Strangers King Khan & The Shrines July 11 No Age Telepathe Abe Vigoda July 18 Mary Weiss of the Shangri-Las July 25 Atlas Sound El Guincho August 1 Brother Ali August 8 Announcement Coming August 15 Dirty Projectors White Williams August 22 TBA August 29 TBA August 30 Modern Sky Festival SUMMER 2007 June 1 Animal Collective w/ Danielson and XXXChange (showtime 6 p.m.) June 16 Brooklyn Philharmonic June 29 Ra Ra Riot w/ Sam Champion and The Bikini Carwash Company July 6 Fujiya & Miyagi w/ Black Moth Super Rainbow July 13 Menomena, w/ Beat the Devil July 20 Bishop Allen, Rock Plaza Central July 25 Johnny Pacheco, The Latin Legend July 27 SUICIDE, w/ The Death Set and dj set by Richard Fearless of Death in Vegas (6 p.m. start time) August 3 A Night of Billie Holiday Remixed and Reimagined August 10 Au Revoir Simone, Metronomy August 17 The National w/ The Forms and Takka Takka August 24 Camera Obscura, w/ The Last Town Chorus August 31 Battles w/ Deerhunter ______________________
			Seaport Music 2008 New Look Coming Soon Yes, Any Day Now! Seaport DIY Show "On-the-Side" with Jack Lukeman Jack Lukeman Sings Newman 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8 7 & 11 p.m. Friday, May 9 The next installment of our new indoor series @Seaport is a night of free music, "On-the-Side" with Irish indie singer/songwriter Jack Lukeman performing the work of American iconic songwriter Randy Newman. Lukeman is scheduled to perform three shows, one at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8 (doors at 6:30 p.m.), and then at 7 and 11 p.m. Friday, May 9 (doors at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m.). @Seaport, the new performance/arts/music space, is located at 219 Water Street (at Beekman Street) in the South Street Seaport historic district, the original home of the legendary Carolines. Lukeman views Newman as a modern colossus whose songs reveal the complexity of the modern American condition in all its hilarity, hypocrisy and fragility. Well recognized in the UK and his native Ireland for his stunning vocals, Lukeman recently joined forces with a host of Ireland's finest musical talent; including U2, The Dubliners, Damien Rice, Shane MacGowan and Sinead O'Connor, for a special tribute to Ronnie Drew, one of the founding fathers of modern Irish music. In its review of a UK performance by Lukeman, The Guardian wrote, "It's not fair to reduce such a talented individual to \'a kind of blend between Frank Sinatra, Jacques Brel, Scott Walker and Nick Cave,\' but at least it gives some clue to his performance and material, and in any case, Sinatra and Brel are both dead, Walker refuses to perform and Nick Cave's an Australian." Now with DIY Shows! "On-the-Side" with Bryan Kennedy A Night of Comedy 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6 The second installment of our new indoor series @Seaport is a night of free comedy, "On-the-Side" with Bryan Kennedy, featuring Greer Barnes, Mike DeStefano, Bonnie McFarlane, Brad Trackman and Rich Vos. The "On-the-Side" show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6 (doors at 6:30 p.m.). @Seaport, the new performance/arts/music space, is located at 219 Water Street (at Beekman Street) in the South Street Seaport historic district, the original home of the legendary Carolines. The five comics featured in "On-the-Side" are celebrated national performers, whose credits, appearances and specials range from the top live venues throughout the country to the likes of The Aspen Comedy Festival, HBO Comedy, Comedy Central, Showtime The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Last Comic Standing, among others. Here's a quick review of the performers: Greer Barnes -- Chappelle's Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, Late Show with David Letterman. Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Shorties Watching Shorties. Mike DeStefano -- Aspen Comedy Festival (2007, 2008), Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Sirius Satellite Radio, Showwtime's White Boyz in the Hood. Bonnie McFarlane -- NBC's Last Comic Standing, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Drew Carey Show, Premium Blend, Late Night with David Letterman. Brad Trackman -- The Comic Strip Live, Carolines on Broadway, The Comedy Cellar, Stand Up NY, and Gotham Comedy Club, NBC's Later, NBC's Friday Night, CBS's Star Search, Comedy Central's Heroes of Jewish Comedy, and New Joke City hosted by Robert Klein. Rich Vos -- NBC's Last Comic Standing (seasons 1 and 3), Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and writer for Chris Rock (2005 host of The Academy Awards), The View, Def Jam Comedy, Opie and Anthony, and Comedy Central. Space is limited and seating is on a first-come basis -- remember, it's all free! "On-the-Side" with Beat the Devil SOLD OUT! Due to the limited occupancy of the @Seaport venue and the high demand for tickets, we are officially "sold out" and longer accepting RSVPs. However, if you're feeling lucky, we invite you to wait online at the venue on Friday evening. At 7 p.m. we will admit additional guests who are waiting online on a first-come-first serve basis until we reach capacity. Please note that we can not guarantee admittance once capacity is reached. "On-the-Side" with Beat the Devil 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 We're back and we're bringing a bit of summer, indoors for a few select shows dubbed "On-the-Side" at a new DIY venue called @Seaport. First up is "On-the-Side" with Beat the Devil, scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, February 22 (doors at 6:30 p.m.). The night of music, film and art includes a special performance by New York's Beat the Devil featuring Shilpa Ray, one of the city's most exciting new voices, performing tracks from the new album "Idiot's Guide." Many music fans will recall the band's performance as the opener for Menomena this past July at Seaport Music. Also slated for the evening is the premier of an untitled documentary on the Beat the Devil by filmmaker Ben Clayton, plus an exhibit of work by artist Jason Frederick and photographer Mitchell King. (artwork by Jason Frederick) @Seaport is located in the South Street Seaport historic district at 219 Water Street (at Beekman Street). Admission is free, however reservations are recommended. Please send an email request to rsvp@dimaproductions.com. (Suicide's Alan Vega on stage @Seaport) Translating the successful vibe of the summer into smaller, year-round shows is something we've always wanted to try. We've had interest from bands, but lacked an indoor space and a budget. With two out of three in place, we're giving it a try. While a programming budget still doesn't exist, the Seaport Music team is turning to a DIY model for performances. The model has proven highly successful in Brooklyn, so why not in lower Manhattan? Come check it out! 50 Essential Secrets We've been on a bit of a hiatus since the climactic Battles/Deerhunter show that wrapped the summer season. However, the new issue of Time Out New York (November 1-7, 2007) prompted us to come out of hibernation. The editors of the magazine named our little music series as one of the "50 essential secrets" of New York City! We're listed with the likes of Other Music, Hayden Planetarium, Anthology Film Archives, St. Ann's Warehouse, New York Theatre Workshop, Film Forum, Strand, The LGBT Community Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Carnegie Hall, among others! TONY says that the Seaport "has simply started presenting big names of the indie world, for free, on Friday nights, in one of the nicest settings to be had." And, our secret, which hardly anyone knew before reading it in the pub: "Paul Simon attended the very first Seaport show, featuring Polyphonic Spree in 2002. He and four other people made up the entire audience -- there were more people onstage than on the pier. As we watched, we knew the venue was both surreal and special ... we simply had to build awareness and a reputation. We achieved both this past summer. It's a beautiful thing seeing some 6,000 to 10,000-plus NYC music fans come out to support each band." Brilliant! Be assured that we're not resting our past laurels. Plans for the 2008 series are well underway. We'll be posting more updates in the coming months. Please do check back from time to time ... we may have some surprises. _________________________ It's Just a Blur! (photo by epicharmus) For fans and organizers alike, it's hard to believe that the "best ever" season of free music at South Street Seaport has come to an end. It's all somewhat of a blur. But what an amazing and incredible blur! Closing the series, with impressive sets by Battles and Deerhunter, proved a fitting swansong for an acclaimed, break-through summer. Although every Friday night of free indie music at the Seaport was a highlight. Check out the scene from the August 31st show: Video New York magazine (video) Photos and Accolades J Lyman Flavorpill NYC Beef Taco Supreme Brooklyn Heathen CitySearch StereoGum Even with the wide array of positive responses to the 2007 season -- from music critics, bloggers, agents, and most importantly bands and fans -- we're all a bit melancholy that there are not more shows to present. As witnessed over the past couple of seasons, and particularly this summer, the shows at the South Street Seaport are an opportunity for bands to perform before large audiences of existing fans and newfound fans, in a simple, accessible, and admittedly, surreal environment, that is quintessential New York City. We love doing this ... the bands, the music, and "keeping it free!" Thanks go out to all of the partners and sponsors of the River To River Festival. Without their support and funding, the Seaport shows would not be possible. Nor would Seaport Music have a home without the generous support of the Seaport Marketplace and General Growth Properties, Inc. Special thanks goes out to the booking and production team that makes Seaport Music happen -- Stephen Dima, Matthew Albanese, Frank Damico and Troy Moore. Finally, a big huge thanks to all of you for showing up and making this summer truly one to remember for all of us. Until next year ... or perhaps before. Cheers! _________________________ Beginning of the End Battles and Deerhunter Deerhunter and Battles Battles vs. Deerhunter Pick Your Exlixir Last Chance to See Battles? Certainly there is no better sendoff to a summer of FREE music in NYC than kicking off Labor Day Weekend with Friday night's show at the South Street Seaport. Oh yeah, remember it's FREE! Our good friends at Oh My Rockness know it. Having seen Battles perform at Oya Festival, they write, "If you missed every Seaport show this summer, just go to this and you'll still be able to call your summer show season a success." Click HERE to find out why the site recommends you not miss August 31st. Then there's NME, which reports that, "Battles played a storming puzzle pop set tonight (August 26) at Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival." Also, this may be the last time to see Battles for a "long, long time," according to Tyondai Braxton in an interview published in PREFIX. Responding to the question, "What's up next for Battles after the long touring schedule?" Braxton says, "We're going to break for a long time. This is going to be it for a long, long time. I'm going to work on my new solo record, and I imagine other people will be working on things, too." Finally, on the interesting props front BlackBook writes, "This summer's free Seaport concerts have consistently had the stongest lineups, from Animal Collective to The National, to this, their final show of the summer. Do not miss the chance to see Deerhunter's Bradford Cox... we want more." And then, comes this from Downtown Express: "... it is apparent that the Seaport ... has once again been a magnet for innovative bands on the rise. This year's program included Fujiya & Miyagi, Animal Collective and Menomena among others, altogether another successful summer for the producers of this terrific series of concerts. Building on past line-ups that have included Sufjan Stevens, The Hold Steady, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and legendary bands like Suicide and New York Dolls, the Seaport Festival continues to be a can't miss event in Lower Manhattan. Whether the weather was good or torrentially soaking the Seaport planks, the trek downtown to the old docks has been worth it this summer. "Remaining shows this year include ... Atlanta-based Deerhunter and ... Battles." The full article, which offers a terrific review of The National, The Forms and Takka Takka show on the 17th, is available HERE. _________________________ Summer Returns Friday Earlier this week amNewYork dubbed Camera Obscura "more than just a pretty band," which of course they are on both accounts -- pretty and more. The Glasgow-based group brings their acclaimed indie-pop sound, and pint-consuming abilities, to the Seaport Friday night (August 24), and with them comes the much welcomed return of summer, or so says the weather guys. Opening for Camera Obscura is The Last Town Chorus at 7 p.m. The Brooklyn-based singer, writer and lap-steel-guitarist Megan Hickey performs a mezmerizing cover of "Modern Love." Come early, as a large audience is expected once again for the FREE show! Check out Camera Obscura's appearance on WNYC's "Sound Check." _________________________ A Homecoming for The National For those who did not catch The National's five pre-summer, sold-out shows at The Bowery, this Friday (August 17) marks the band's only scheduled area show through December. The National have been touring the U.S. and Europe since the beginning of May and enjoying tremendous critical acclaim. They made their network television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman, by performing "Fake Empire" on the July 24. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with Takka Takka, followed by The Forms at 7 p.m. _________________________ Bring on the Heat!!! In an attempt to avoid cliches and hyperbole, we simply suggest you look to the right at the indie music line up for Seaport Music in August. Now you know where you're starting your next four weekends. Coming up this Friday (August 10) at 7 p.m. are our favorite "triple keyboard action" Brooklyn sweethearts, Annie, Erika and Heather of Au Revoir Simone, who recently returned from Europe. Their free show at the Seaport kicks off a 28-date North American tour. Come say "hi." Joining Au Revoir Simone is London-based Metronomy, who Drowned In Sound said of the band's performance at G! Festival, "They impress brilliantly. Combining an esoteric, Super Mario-influenced blend of dance, techno and electro with choreographed stage moves, shirts with light bulbs on them and keyboards a plenty, the band recreates a sweaty club atmosphere." Note that the August 17th show, featuring The National, begins at 6 p.m. _________________________ Catching a Groove Seaport Music switches up its sound a bit this week (7 p.m. Friday, August 3) with a special performance by Turntables on the Hudson. We're celebrating the launch the new CD "A Night of Billie Holiday Remixed and Reimagined." Join djs Nickodemus, Jazzy Nice, Nappy G and Jay Rodriguiez for chill grooves, and dancing on Pier 17 as the sun sets over the harbor. The night is made possible with the support of Legacy Recordings and 10 Cane Rum. More details here. _________________________ On the Blogs Deerhunter Robbed at Gun Point. The Death Set NY2LON Featured Artist. The National on Letterman. Metronomy at G! Festival. Au Revoir Simone Tour on NME. _________________________ A Rare Treat, Friday! The pioneering electronic music duo SUICIDE performs a rare free concert at the Seaport on Friday, July 27 - opening will be The Death Set from Baltimore. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with a dj set by Richard Fearless of Death in Vegas, thereby completing the seemingly morose trifecta. Details here! _________________________ Earning Our Props Times Says You're Spoiled Downtown Express touted Seaport Music last week in its review of the Menomena show (7-13): "In New York City where everything seems to be at least a little (or way) too expensive, savvy music followers look forward to summer as a time to get a windfall in return. With free shows from Coney Island to the Hudson River to Williamsburg's McCarren Pool, one can do a lot of catching up on entertainment while enjoying the outdoors in the process. The Seaport Festival is one of the more dramatic settings of the lot. People can buy beer or wine and socialize on the boardwalk with boats lurching around in the wake behind the stage and a backdrop of the East River and the lights of Brooklyn Heights. After the show, the crowd can filter back to the subway or continue the party around the pier ... in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge." Then, there's The New York Times: "But this is New York, and this summer especially, fans of indie and indie-friendly music have been embarrassed by riches. To name just a few recent gigs: the 77-drummer Boredoms performance under the Brooklyn Bridge; Vampire Weekend on Roosevelt Island; Animal Collective at South Street Seaport ; the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival; Built to Spill and Cat Power at McCarren Pool ... We're spoiled." (NYT, restricted). _________________________ Pacheco Returns! Tres de cafe y dos de azucar Dominating the Latin music universe for 50 years, Johnny Pacheco is a pioneer, an innovator and more importantly a living legend, some even say a musical god. Always ahead of his time, he is one of the most admired and loved musicians on the music scene all over the world. Pacheco returns to the Seaport for a special concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25. Learn more about his influence on the likes of David Byrne, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and countless others here. (Above: Johnny Pacheco) _________________________ Soul Series Starts KISS-FM's Summer Soul Nights gets underway this Thursday (7-19) with a free concert featuring Ruben Studdard. The KISS-FM Thursday night shows at the Seaport continue through August 23. _________________________ My Children Be Joyful! NYC's Bishop Allen with Toronto's Rock Plaza Central Fans of adopted New Yorkers, Bishop Allen, have much to celebrate at Friday's (7-20) free concert at the Seaport. For one, the co-bill features Rock Plaza Central, who will entice everyone to "be joyful." Secondly, the show is effectively a pre-release party for Bishop Allen's new album "The Broken String" due out next Tuesday (7-24). Plus the show marks the beginning of the band's 21-city tour across the U.S. (Above: Bishop Allen) _________________________ Bring On Friday the 13th! Portland's Menomena with NYC's Beat the Devil Put away any crazy superstitions about Friday the 13th, and head to the ghost-filled Seaport to see Menomena, the critically-acclaimed Portland-based band dubbed "a total package" and "a must-see in person." (Above: Menomena) Any evil spirits lingering about the historic Pier 17 will be chased away -- or perhaps awakened -- by opening act Beat the Devil. The voice of lead singer Shilpa Ray is described as a "primal-howl-and-rasp" and as doubling as an "air-raid siren." (Above: Beat the Devil) So what should one expect of a live show by Menomena? Check out this recent review from The Pitch, which as midwestern transplants know covers the Lawrence music scene. Then if you're sold, tell others about the show by sending a Menomena ecard here . _________________________ Top UK Act Comes to NYC Fujiya & Miyagi with Black Moth Super Rainbow The Friday evenings in the summer are never quiet at the Seaport, and this Friday (7-6) is no exception, as one of the UK's best live acts, Fujiya & Miyagi, comes to Pier 17, backed by the Pittsburg-based Black Moth Super Rainbow. Reviewing a recent Fujiya & Miyagi performance Prefix said, ...The usual arm-crossed, motionless, downtown-hipster set was rendered helpless to the exuberance of the music, and the audience members at least attempted some sincere dancing. The band's material sounds great on record, but the live performance is without question a fuller experience. Check F&M's recent Angle Injuries video here. If after Friday's show, you still want more, hop the train and head north for the band's show in Cambridge. _________________________ Props from Pitchfork In a recent post, our friends at Pitchfork tagged the updated line up for Seaport Music. It's not surprising they like the schedule. Four of the bands taking the Pier 17 stage this summer (and a few others we would have liked to have booked) are in the lineup of the sold out Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. _________________________ Thanks New York! The organizers of Seaport Music want to thank the thousands of New Yorkers, and those from the tri-State area, who came out to support Ra Ra Riot last Friday (6-29). With Sam Champion and The Bikini Carwash Company opening, it was a perfect night to absorb the music and the emotion from all three bands. Ra Ra Riot's debut EP is due out July 10. Check out coverage by our new friends: Ra Ra Riot photos (by ynks99chmps), Dying Is Fine video (by nycmusicfan) and a write ups here (by Pop Tarts Suck Toasted) and here (BrooklynHeathen.com) here. _________________________ Welcoming Ra Ra Riot with Sam Champion and The Bikini Carwash Company The rapidly rising indie music band Ra Ra Riot returns to the stage on Friday, June 29th for its first concert since the death earlier this month of drummer, bandmate and friend John Pike. Opening for the band, in what is expected to be an emotion-filled night, are Ra Ra Riot friends The Bikini Carwash Company (a Jersey-based band), and Sam Champion (a NYC favorite ). The show begins at 7 p.m. on the Pier 17 stage at South Street Seaport. Recently, Ra Ra Riot stated they would move forward with a planned summer tour that takes them to the UK, as well as to nearly 20 U.S. cities in July and August. At 11 of the U.S. dates, the band opens for Tokyo Police Club -- many will recall first seeing Tokyo Police Club last summer at the Seaport with Ted Leo + Pharmacists. Writing about the future on their myspace page, Ra Ra Riot says, ...All of us in the band are enthusiastic and determined to live out the plans we laid together with John. As we continue, the pain of missing a dear friend will remind us how much we loved him. Coinciding with the wishes of John's family, we have decided to continue onward. We are thankful for the continuous support from friends, family and the music community during this difficult time. We find comfort in this solidarity, and hope that it gives us strength. In addition, Ra Ra Riot has joined with the Pike family to create the John Pike Memorial Fund. According to Seaport Music producer Steve Dima, the hope is that members of the indie music community and fans alike come out in mass to support Ra Ra Riot and hear the music John Pike helped create. No doubt, it will be a special night. _________________________ Our Collective Loss The indie music community is mourning the loss of Ra Ra Riot drummer John Pike. Please join us in extending our condolences to John's friends and family. Given this tumultuous time in their lives, Ra Ra Riot has a standing invitation to perform here in New York when the time is right for them. Presently, the group is scheduled to perform at the Seaport on Friday, June 29th. Please check back for updates. _________________________ 10,000+ Rapt by AC For those who were at the Seaport on June 1, you know Animal Collective delivered, as did Danielson -- the latter in distinctive flight-attendant-meets-scout uniforms. If you missed the show ... well, we told you to come. Here is a round up of what you missed: Stereogum ...it was the official start to NYC's summer concert season. And you couldn't do better, opening with the uniformed Danielson and his familyre sounds 'til dusk, and the extraordinary avant-everything strawberry jamming of Animal Collective. For free. Love NYC. New York Times ...From a distance, Animal Collective always looks like a band that's going to make a lot of noise. The jungle-y name, with its co-operative implications; the group's love of echo and yelping, unusual percussion and guitar strumming; the fact that any of its four members might or might not be playing on their albums or tours: you could add this up and reasonably assume that Animal Collective is one of those bands that it's more fun to be in than to see. But melody and rhythm, much more than dissonance, sets them free. Animal Collective played as a three-piece band on Friday night outside at South Street Seaport, opening this year's River to River Festival, and in the absence of its guitarist, Deakin (known to his parents as Josh Dibb), its music grew even sweeter... JANE ...I stood in the biggest crowd I've ever seen squeezed into the pier, watching Danielson and Animal Collective through a sticky, sweaty fog. It was worth it though. Danielson played their childlike, campfire-sing-along folk while dressed in their usual matching, Girl Scout-ish uniforms. And Animal Collective tried out new songs, which embraced a psychedelic, drum-circle vibe and mostly ignored guitar... FILTER Every summer, New York City temporarily steps outside of its new role as a city for the wealthy and offers up a plethora of free concerts for the young, broke and curious. This season of en plein air rocking unofficially kicked off last Friday evening when everyone's favorite tribal soundscapers, Animal Collective, wowed the crowd of adventurous souls that turned up its collective nose at the rainy forecast and amassed at the historic South Street Seaport... Also see our friends at Brooklyn Vegan and The Great Whatsit. Video and photos here, here, and here. If you missed Animal Collective for free, you can pay to see them at another NYC venue this fall. _________________________ The Season Starts Friday This Friday, June 1st marks the official launch of the 2007 River to River Festival at South Street Seaport, featuring Animal Collective with Danielson. Plus XXXChange (from Spank Rock) will start the night off by spinning from 6 to 7 p.m. Set Times 6 p.m.     XXXChange 7 p.m.     Danielson 8 p.m.     Animal Collective Here's what a few of our friends have been saying about Animal Collective & shows at South Street Seaport. Oh My Rockness Pitchfork Flavorpill Yeti Don't Dance TimeOut New York _________________________ Best Line Up Ever! We're back and better than ever with a great line up this year. With artists like Animal Collective, The National, Camera Obscura, Menomena, Battles, Fujiya & Miyagi, this summer will surely prove to be the best. It's an incredible time to be in New York City and catch some amazing shows. All for free. _________________________ Animal Collective Headlines June 1 Launch of River to River Festival Chances are many New Yorkers have never seen Animal Collective perform live. In four weeks, you get your chance. Mark your calendars for 7 p.m., Friday, June 1 for THE show that kicks off New York City's summer music scene. The band spent the month of May touring major college music markets, such as Columbus, Lexington, Iowa City, Lawrence, Austin and Charlottesville. In mid-June they head to Europe ... so don't miss the show. _________________________ Our New Look A very special thanks to Are Kleivan of Skin Design Studio for our new look. Much like finding a great new band to get excited about, we're pretty psyched about our new friend in Norway and his designs. You may have seen his work for the Oya Festival, Norway's preeminent indie-, rock-, alternative music festival.