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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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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The sensory wonderland will kick off on Sunday night with breathtaking performances from upcoming and local Asian-American acts, including REMIX, Orlost, G-NET, DYVERGENT, GRIMMACE, and PSYTOXI. On Sunday night, SLANDER will be headlining the show with his Heaven Trap set.

The party does not stop there. It is right back to it on Monday night. EDM sensation Alan Walker will be making his Spring Festival debut to the excitement of his fans. With the support of 4B and Henry Fong, his set is sure to keep the energy going. Monday night will also bring well-known act like What So Not (cover), and local New York talents SunRyse and Kasi Opi B2B Charmy. Auxygen and Minijoy B2B 1MO will close out the night with a bang.

Staying true to its name as a Lunar New Year celebration, the festival will bring much more than music, in the form of traditional Lunar New Year food and treats from the night market. Attendees will also be able to partake in hands-on workshops and cultural activities, where you can learn traditional Lunar New Year activities. Dive deep into your wishes for the coming year and put them on display on the Fortune Wall. If you’re dying for some unique Kandi bracelets or lose some face gems in the crowd, you’ll have the exciting chance to stop by the bracelet station and touch up at the glam station. Then you can step into the photo booth to make sure you have a memory of the incredible night.

Whether you’re a lifelong celebrator of the Lunar New Year or whether you’re intrigued by a new experience, friends, Pulse Events’ Spring Festival Lunar New Year Celebration is the ultimate destination. Usher in the new lunar year with pulsating energy, vibrant entertainment, and a celebration that transcends boundaries.

Purchase tickets on DICE.

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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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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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