The concert was an immersive experience, with Dayes leading his ensemble through intricate rhythms and syncopated beats, creating a seamless interplay between jazz improvisation and contemporary sounds. His band, composed of talented musicians, added layers of complexity with smooth basslines, atmospheric synths, and melodic piano riffs, which paired perfectly with Dayes’ percussion work.

One of the highlights was his ability to engage with the audience, creating an intimate vibe despite the large outdoor setting. The energy was palpable, as fans responded to Dayes’ ability to shift effortlessly between tight grooves and more free-flowing, experimental sections.

The showcase also saw the introduction of new material, which drew strong reactions from the crowd, reflecting the anticipation around his evolving sound. Dayes’ performance was not only a showcase of technical prowess but also an emotional journey, full of depth and musical exploration. His live performance at Central Park was an unforgettable night for music lovers, blending virtuosic instrumentation with a deep understanding of rhythm and sound.

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Last weekend, SummerStage welcomed The Roots and DJ Scratch, names well known among music aficionados even before the Tonight Show. Founded in Philadelphia in the late ‘80s by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, The Roots have released nearly a dozen albums, won multiple Grammy Awards, and have been Jimmy Fallon’s house band since 2009.

DJ Scratch (born George Spivey), on the other hand, is a producer and collaborator of Busta Rhymes, Metallica, Wu-Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, among others. Scratch has been winning DJ battles since 1988 (New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy) and is a fitting accompaniment for this historic evening.

This evening, no introduction was needed. A band that claims the stage like The Roots earns their spotlight through sound. This is what make hip hop legendary: bars clear as day delivered my Black Thought, every sound perfectly executed by talented musicians. It was an honor to hear them play.

Coming up on SummerStage

July 26: GORILLAFEST featuring Busta Rhymes / ONYX / M.O.P / DJ Drewski & Friends / Scram Jones / Statik Selektah / DJ Perly

July 26: The Saw Doctors

July 27: Femi Kuti & The Positive Force / dead prez / Elida Almeida / Rich Medina / Alhanislam

July 30: The Head and the Heart: Aperture Tour

July 31: Frankie Negrón / Christian Alicea / Funk Salsa Urban

July 31: Summer Dayes 2025 with The Yussef Dayes Experience / FKJ / Venna / Salin

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Yokley, known for his highly sought-after talent as a percussionist, took a seat at a bright red drum kit while BIGYUKI stood behind an impressive synthesizer/keyboard setup. The entire evening was a big jam session. Riffs that the two were making up on the spot wove into songs from the album featuring Yokley’s sparse, deep vocals. After the first song, Yokley introduced the pair and shared the genesis of his debut project; you guessed it, heartbreak. It was very special to hear first-hand how this “breakup album” manifested sonically for Yokley. The lyrics are not meant to be deeply poetic or complex; they more so act as a guide through the jazzy and experimental sounds of the album. The uniqueness of Sometimes, Late at Night, especially hearing it live, lies in Jharis Yokley’s ability to be simultaneously novice and expert.

Singing into a microphone while drumming was a novel experience for almost everyone in the crowd as much as it was for Yokley. But his ability to drum and BUGYUKI’s ability to play the synth proved to be an expert right away. One didn’t know where to turn their head as the duo would play song after song. Eventually, they would wind down and share that they had never played that before. The audience truly felt like they were standing in someone’s garage or basement while the two “vibed.” Although the pair don’t love to use that word to describe their rehearsals, it is fitting to describe how the album was crafted and is shared with audiences. The evening felt like a jazz performance, and it essentially was.

A favorite track of mine was when Yokley started singing the outro of Tyler, The Creator’s “GONE, GONE / THANK YOU” and put his own flare on the instrumentals with BIGYUKI. Another sample used during the performance was “Things I Do” by Andy Shauf which is a tender song featuring simple, soft, slightly jazzy instrumentals. Yokley was fusing his skills with theirs; utilizing the vulnerable lyrics of other artists to further his message, his feelings, and their combined ability to hear a beat and weave it into a set.

The evening was incredibly special, and I can only imagine that no upcoming performance will be the same as the next. If you’re looking for a truly unique concert, Jharis Yokley and BIGYUKI are a shoo-in.

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The festival made the perfect use of the two parallel stages. On day one, the Great Hall was invaded by some bigger names on the EDM scene, including Remix and Trivecta. Slander headlined the night, playing to an audience of obvious long-time fans. The floor was packed full of energetic fans lost in the music and lights. Day two welcomed more big names, including Henry Fong and 4YU. Alan Walker headlined the night. The energy was non-stop and the excitement was palpable.

For those who preferred a more blissful energy, a short walk through a whimsically lit tunnel took them to King’s Hall. Night one at King’s Hall saw up-and-coming Asian and Asian-American acts, including Orlost and Dyvergent, both local to the New York area. Their acts brought transcendental vibes while the more intimate atmosphere of King’s Hall allowed the audience to really fall into themselves and sway to the music.  Day two at King’s Hall was equally riveting, welcoming acts like What So Not and Sunryse.

Regardless of the stage that you found yourself in front of, the eclectic mix of electronic dance music infused with traditional elements was invigorating. The crowd consistently matched the vibe and did not slow down all night.

The phenomenal performances were not the only thing on offer. Just steps away from both stages, attendees could get their faces blinged out for free with gemstones, write their wishes on the wall for the new year, and stock up on traditional Asian snacks by spinning the wheel. Traditional Lunar New Year dragon dances were performed throughout the night, bringing entertainment familiar to some and brand new to others. The atmosphere was alive with joy and excitement as attendees cheered, danced, and embraced the spirit of the holiday.

Pulse Events Lunar New Year 2024 left a lasting impression, reminding everyone of the power of music and culture to unite and inspire. They have once again delivered an extraordinary experience, marking the beginning of a new lunar cycle with a signature twist.

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Joey Valence and Brae are a relatively new duo that emerged onto the scene in 2021. They came from Pennsylvania- either via tandem bike or by skipping. They opened their set with their song “Watch Yourself,” and brought a very high-energy and rowdy set that got the relaxed crowd jumping along with them. Their music is very inspired by the Beastie Boys, and the connection was clear in both their sound and their presentation. They also brought a great sense of humor between songs, before eventually bringing it back to their first song that they ever released, “Crank it up.”

Switching up the tone and the audience quite a bit, the Beach Boys, joined by guest John Stamos, were the perfect beachside set. With their iconic songs about surf, summertime, and the beach, the Beach Boys reminded everyone why they are a living classic. Their longevity is incredible- my grandma watched them at her high school graduation in the ’60s, and they put on a fantastic show at the festival. They opened their set with “Do it Again.” Frontman, and original member, Mike Love was joined onstage by his daughter for a sweet performance of “Surfer Girl.” 

Weezer brought not only some of their greatest hits but also great background animated visuals. Rivers Cuomo sipped on his purple juice as the band performed their sometimes laidback and sometimes hardcore set. They started off with “My name is Jonas,” and performed some of their older tracks before moving into their newer work. 

The Foo Fighters finished out the night with a fantastic performance. Despite the rain starting up, they drew a huge crowd and finished off the weekend on a strong note. 

The Sea. Hear. Now festival was an amazing blend of new and old, and an amazing blend of genres in a beautiful and unique setting. What more could you ask for?

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Friday was arguably the most popular day overall because there was a great range of popular and upcoming artists spread out over the course of the day. Joey Badass delivered an incredible set with high energy to his die-hard fans. Remi Wolf was an absolute joy and her friendly, but funky stage presence made the crowd feel at home. Opening with “Disco Man” and closing with “Photo ID,” she had the entire audience dancing from start to finish. On the other stage, Ice Spice killed her short, but fabulous set with one of the largest crowds of the festival. New York absolutely showed up to watch the Queens’ native perform on her home turf.

Kim Petras and LIZZO were a perfect end to Friday and were amazing artists to kick off pride month with. Kim opened her set with her new single “Alone” and then proceeded to play the entirety of Slut Pop EP. She was nothing less than incredible and continued fiercely even as her set was interrupted by a downpour of rain. “You guys sure look wet out there” she shouted at one point after “They Wanna Fuck” teasing the crowd with her insinuation. LIZZO took the main stage playing all her hits and giving a killer performance as well as showering the audience with positive affirmations. “Soulmate” and “Good as Hell” had the entire crowd feeling self-love.

Saturday’s highlights included an incredible set from Rina Sawayama. She had earpiece troubles during her opener “Hold the Girl” but quickly recovered to deliver an amazing performance with beautiful visuals set as a backdrop. FINNEAS also delivered an amazing set, fairly simple. He and his band had the entire crowd singing along to “I Don’t Miss You At All”. One other highlight of Saturday was aespa’s Governors Ball debut performance. Although missing one of their members, Giselle, the group still delivered an impressive high-energy performance.

With Kendrick Lamar being the closing act  Sunday was the most packed day at the festival by far. There were people lining up for Kendrick the moment the festival opened. The other artists, however, still drew large crowds for their sets. Pusha T played a really fun set on the Bacardi stage dropping hits like “Diet Coke” and “Runaway”. Pink Pantheress charmed the crowd with her cute demeanor and bubbly personality. She was smiling and clearly having a lot of fun during her set, the audience couldn’t help but have fun with her. Closing with “Boy’s a Liar,” she promised the audience she’d be out there dancing with them to Kendrick later that night.

Lil Nas X had quite the performance as well, although I don’t think he’d argue it was his personal favorite. Halfway through the opening number “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” his earpiece blew out and he stopped the song exiting the stage to solve the issue. Lil Nas X returned soon enough letting the audience know this just was not his day. In all honestly, however, he still delivered an incredible set for the artist being down bad, but you could sense he wasn’t having the greatest time up on stage.

Kendrick took the main stage at 8:45 pm and gave one of the weekend’s best performances. No one would argue that he had the biggest crowd of the festival by far. That being said he had a lot of hype to live up to and his fans were itching for him to take the stage all day. Kedrick did not disappoint and delivered an unbelievably fantastic set. Opening with “N95,” the crowd absolutely roared when the beat dropped. He played a variety of songs from his collection including tracks like “King Kunta,” “Backseat Freestyle,” “DNA,” and “Humble.” One of the biggest highlights of the set was “family ties” where he surprised the audience and brought up Baby Keem. The chemistry between the two of them was remarkable to watch and listen to. It was an unforgettable night and a spectacular end to the Governors Ball.

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The duo, riding high on the release of their latest EP Metaphysical, performed to a full room of enthusiastic fans. Starting on a high note Churchill and Maguire carried the show in the same manner through to the end, interacting with the fans, dropping confetti, and dancing behind the decks. Here is a photo peek into the show.

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The other night this Alabama-born rapper came through Brooklyn for an epic late-night set. In the words of The New Yorker, Pink Siifu’s “world rewards a deep dive with artful and powerfully fearless expression” and tonight we got to see it first-hand, here are a few snapshots.

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Killboy started the night off and got the crowd going with ease. Accompanied by Miles Nalasa on guitar and Nick Sampson on drums, Killboy’s incredible vocals, badass personality, and energetic performance were the perfect way to get the night started. She graced the crowd with her own hits, including the new single, “Daddy Issues,” and her take on hits by other artists. My personal favorite was “Somebody that I Used to Know”. She closed out her set by singing Happy Birthday to a lucky fan. With the first act like Killboy, expectations were high for the rest of the show.

Lil Aaron took the stage next, rocking a Starbucks tea and his signature neon green accessories. Joined by drummer Max D’anda and guitarist Jakkyboi, he pulled off a stellar and heart-racing performance. Fans begged to hear one of his most popular hits, “DRUGS”. He also pleased fans by introducing some unreleased music to the mix. The crowd wanted to be close to him, so he delivered. He joined the fans and started a mosh pit while performing, before returning to the stage.

Sueco closed out the night with a wild and interactive performance, joined by guitarist James Marino and drummer Khristian. As fan after fan tried to crowd surf their way up to him, Sueco made it a bit easier, repeatedly coming out to the crowd and even inviting a select few fans onstage. He also whipped out his customized crowd surfing board and performed a song, literally, on top of the crowd. Sueco abandoned his shirt early on, but a wardrobe malfunction resulted in him losing his leather pants as well. Undeterred, he happily continued his performance in boxers and boots. This performance was intense with all the unintntional theatrics, but the musical talent was still the focus. With vibes ranging from slow and mellow to upbeat and energetic, it was easy to get lost in the music. 

All three performances were phenomenal, and crowd interaction was high throughout, allowing fans to connect with the artists and experience the show on another level. It was definitely a show that you would not want to miss.

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It’s easy to understand why Saba said it over and over throughout the night. It really is hard to believe that such an incredible show in such an expensive city is free of charge—but that’s SummerStage.

theMIND kicked off the night with a bang playing upbeat songs that had the crowd going from the start. His set was followed by Eryn Allen Kane, who brought super personable energy and dazzling vocals. 

Saba (real name Tahj Malik Chandler) headlined the show, starting off the set with “Stoney”. His energy was uplifting and fun, but his lyrics are impactful. Saba made sure to shout out the Chicago natives in the crowd, of which there was an impressive amount. He also kept it real and took time to acknowledge that he felt amazing being on stage, but strange because he has lost so many people that he wished could be in attendance. He also divulged to the crowd that performing with a drummer was something pretty new for him, but it worked seamlessly.

Saba is a genius when it comes to visuals, much like his music, they were lowkey but captivating. A video of an empty kitchen or a deserted sidewalk doesn’t sound like much, but the lighting and the mood created a sense of slightly altered reality, and it was the perfect background for his performance. 

The biggest twist of the night was when Saba performed “Still” from his most recent album, Few Good Things, which was released in February this year. The crowd went wild when he was joined on stage by Smino in the flesh to perform his verse. Saba and Smino are two-thirds of Ghetto Sage – a group that they formed with Chicago native, NoName. 

The trio was incredibly cohesive, creating the perfect balance of the upbeat and relaxing, lighthearted and emotional atmosphere. It was a perfect July night in Central Park, and yes, it was free!

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Poet Aja Monet started it off with a captivating reading of a selection of her poems. Accompanied by dreamy background music and backup vocals, she brings a new understanding of what poetry can be. Her poems bridged the gap between emotional and uplifting, and her set was the perfect complement to Vic’s more high-energy performance. The friendship between the two performers was clear, as Vic was visible watching Aja from backstage while she performed, before coming to join her for a duet.

Soon enough Vic took the stage with Dj Verner on guitar and Peter CottonTale as the DJ.  The energy intensified quickly, as he pumped up the crowd with old and new songs. Putting on a wild show while staying true to the causes he is passionate about, he paid a heartfelt tribute to Jayland Walker, a young Black man who was recently killed by police, before performing the iconic and emotional “16 Shots,” which was based on the tragic story of Laquan McDonald, a Black teenager who was also killed by police in 2014.

Vic Mensa later took time between songs to discuss his involvement in the decarceration of King Moosa and the granting of the clemency of Julius Jones, who was formerly on death row despite compelling evidence of his innocence, which resulted in his execution being halted. These serious topics were included in a way that resonated with the audience without interfering with the energy of the crowd because Vic has an impressive ability to connect with fans on a personal level. He jumped into the audience multiple times and promoted 93 Boyz, the first Black-owned cannabis brand in Chicago, which he founded. Through the performance, Aja was upfront vibing and supporting him, as he had done for her.

Vic’s unique love and appreciation for his fans were clear after the show ended as well – he was front and center signing shirts, taking photos, and having genuine conversations with the fans. 

It was a show that made devoted fans and new listeners alike reflect on societal issues, while allowing them to get lost in the music at the same time.

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