This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from September 30 to October 6, 2025
originally published: 09/30/2025
Here is a look at shows taking place from September 30 to October 6, 2025 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
Send press releases to [email protected] to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads are available from $50-$100 per event and can be purchased up to 3 months in advance.
FEATURED EVENTS
Friday, October 3 - Carteret PAC presents Tom Keifer Band and L.A. Guns. (CARTERET, NJ) -- Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Tom Keifer Band and L.A. Guns on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 8:00pm. Keifer is the resilient, relevant figure in the rock world through constant reimagination from his days as the singer-songwriter, guitarist and front man of hard rock heavyweights Cinderella.
Saturday, October 4 - The Wag presents Annual Halloween Spectacular Shows. Are you looking for something fun to do this Halloween? Bring your family and friends to The Wag's Halloween Spectacular! The band has two shows set for New Jersey and one for Pennsylvania. Come dressed in costume; enter the costume contest, and you just may win a prize!
Saturday, October 4 - McCarter Theatre presents Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band with "West Side Story Reimagined". (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre presents Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band – West Side Story Reimagined on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 7:30pm. This electrifying performance transforms Leonard Bernstein's iconic score through Afro-Caribbean grooves, Puerto Rican bomba and plena, and the vibrant swing of New York jazz. Over 1,000 images by the legendary photography collective Seis del Sur will be projected behind the orchestra, perfectly synced with the music.
Saturday, October 4 - MPAC presents Pink Martini All-Stars with special guest Storm Large. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Pink Martini All-Stars with special guest Storm Large on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 8:00pm. Joining the already fantastic lineup of Ari Shapiro, Edna Vazquez, and Jimmie Herrod, Storm will bring even more sparkle to this special show!
Sunday, October 5 - Vocalist Anais Reno to Perform at October Jersey Jazz LIVE! Concert in Madison. (MADISON, NJ) -- Vocalist Anaïs Reno recently released her second studio recording, Lady of the Lavender Mist (Club44 Records), and Jersey Jazz Magazine's Joe Lang wrote: "She is a pure pleasure to hear." AllAboutJazz's Pierre Giroux added that Reno, "continues to strengthen her reputation among the top young interpreters of the Great American Songbook.
Sunday, October 5 - McCarter Theatre presents Pink Martini All-Stars with special guest Storm Large. (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre presents Pink Martini All-Stars with special guest Storm Large on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 7:30pm. This all-new show brings an extra dose of excitement, featuring Thomas Lauderdale's globe-trotting "little orchestra" performing a mix of fan favorites and new delights.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Thursday, October 2 - Grammy Award Winner Raphael Saadiq to Bring "No Bandwidth" Tour to NJPAC. (NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to experience an exceptional performance by Raphael Saadiq at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 8:00pm. This highly regarded one-person show, entitled "No Bandwidth," will highlight Saadiq's extraordinary talents through a compelling blend of storytelling and musicianship. Attendees can anticipate an unforgettable evening filled with artistic excellence.
Friday, October 3 - Theatre at RVCC to Launch Season with Performance by Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets. (BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg will launch its 2025-2026 season with a performance by Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 7:00pm.
Saturday, October 4 - Starland Ballroom presents Finger Eleven. (SAYREVILLE, NJ) -- The last two years have been a full circle moment for Finger Eleven. After 25 years, the Juno Award-winning band began criss-crossing America again with Creed. Just as when they were rising up, Finger Eleven's musical hunger has been renewed. See for yourself when the band headlines a night at the Starland Ballroom on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Support acts include Alien Ant Farm, BRKN LOVE, Common Wealth, and Sonoa.
Saturday, October 4 - The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Love Story - A Tribute to Taylor Swift. (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Love Story - A Tribute to Taylor Swift on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Known as the pinnacle of Taylor Swift tribute shows, Love Story has captivated audiences across the U.S. and beyond, delivering a spectacular homage to the pop sensation. Performances take place at 2:00pm & 8:00pm.
Saturday, October 4 - Jersey Swamp Cats to Bring Jump Jive and Blues to Bradley Beach Fall Concert Series. (BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- The lively rhythm of fall is set to continue in Bradley Beach as its popular Saturday Fall Concert Series rolls on. This Saturday, October 4, 2025, the energetic Jersey Swamp Cats will take the stage at Riley Park from 4:00pm to 6:00pm for an afternoon of electrifying music. Admission is free.
Sunday, October 5 - The Newton Theatre presents Sierra Hull & John Craigie. (NEWTON, NJ) -- Sierra Hull & John Craigie come to The Newton Theatre on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Sierra is one of the most dynamic voices in bluegrass and Americana. John has mastered the art of creating live shows that feel more like intimate conversations than performances. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Sunday, October 5 - Light Opera of New Jersey presents "A Celebration of the Stage". (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) is thrilled to present A Celebration of the Stage, an afternoon of world-class vocal performances, on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Showtime is 2:00pm.
Sunday, October 5 - Altamura Legacy Concerts presents Arias & Art Songs with Altamura/Caruso Int'l Voice Competition Laureate Winners. (PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 4:00pm, Altamura Legacy Concerts (ALC) at Princeton United Methodist Church will present An Afternoon of Opera Arias and Art Songs with Laureate Winners of the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition. The event is dedicated to the memory of co-founder Leonard J. Altamura (1938-2024).
Monday, October 6 - Add It Up: Violent Femmes to Stack Their Hits During Fall 2025 Tour. (RED BANK, NJ) -- The trailblazing folk-punk band Violent Femmes have announced that they are bringing their genre-defying sound back to the stage with a highly anticipated North American Fall Tour. Locally, the band will perform at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Monday, October 6, 2025. Showtime is 8:00pm.
EVENT LISTINGS
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Thursday, October 2 @ 7:00pm - Buena Vista Social Orchestra at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Thursday, October 2 @ 7:30pm - Chris O'Leary Band at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Thursday, October 2 @ 7:30pm - YES: The Fragile 2025 Tour at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Friday, October 3 @ 7:30pm - Panama Dead - A Tribute to The New Riders of Purple Sage at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Friday, October 3 @ 8:00pm - Cinderella’s Tom Keifer Band with L.A. Guns at Carteret Performing Arts Center, 46 Washington Ave, Carteret
Saturday, October 4 @ 7:00pm - New Jersey Symphony: Moonrise: A Celestial Celebration at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Saturday, October 4 @ 7:30pm - The Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band –West Side Story Reimagined at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, October 4 @ 7:30pm - Julie Fowlis at Grunin Center - Main Stage, 1 College Drive, Toms River
Saturday, October 4 @ 8:00pm - Pink Martini All-Stars at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Saturday, October 4 @ 8:00pm - EagleMania - The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Saturday, October 4 @ 8:00pm - Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos & the Buena Vista Orchestra at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, October 5 @ 7:30pm - Pink Martini All-Stars at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
COMING SOON
Hear How Verdi Revolutionized Opera at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch (SURF CITY, NJ) -- In one amazing two-year burst of inspiration, Giuseppe Verdi composed three of the world's most beloved operas that set a new path for the art form and secured his place in the opera pantheon. Maestro Robert Butts will discuss "Verdi's Trilogy: Il Trovatore, Rigoletto and La Traviata," on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch. The event begins at 2:00pm.
MPAC presents An Evening with Amy Grant: Songs/Stories/Memories (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Six-time GRAMMY® Award and 26-time GMA Dove Award winner Amy Grant comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center on Thursday, October 8, 2025 at 7:30pm. Grant's career spans more than 40 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, philanthropist and has become as some have dubbed her, "The Queen Of Christmas" with her millions of Christmas albums sold over the years.
ProgStock 2025 to Take Place at Williams Center (RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- ProgStock 2025 takes place at the Williams Center from October 10-12, 2025. ProgStock is Northeast America's only Progressive Rock music festival. Performers include Steve Hogarth of Marillion with his solo project, h Natural, in his first U.S. performance.
Sports Illustrated Stadium Announces Concert Series with Jason Aldean and Ludacris (HARRISON, NJ) -- Sports Illustrated Stadium, one of the New York metropolitan region's fastest-growing sports and entertainment destinations, announced the inaugural "Sports Illustrated Stadium Concert Series" to be held over two nights on October 10-11, 2025. This landmark moment launches the venue's first major music series and kicks off a growing calendar of world-class concerts and special events at the 25,000+ seat stadium through 2025 and beyond.
The Adelphi Orchestra presents Echoes of the Isles (RIVER EDGE, NJ) -- The Adelphi Orchestra presents Echoes of the Isles on Friday, October 10th at River Dell Middle School Auditorium in River Edge, NJ (showtime is 7:00pm) and Sunday, October 12th at Broadway Presbyterian Church in New York City (showtime is 3:00pm). This concert celebrates the beauty and spirit of the British Isles.
NJPAC presents Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Last Encores (NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents an unforgettable evening featuring the legendary Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, set to grace the stage on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. With his iconic and mesmerizing falsetto that has captivated audiences for decades, Frankie Valli will take audiences on a nostalgic journey through his most beloved hits.
Toad the Wet Sprocket to Play Trenton with KT Tunstall and Vertical Horizon (TRENTON, NJ) -- Toad the Wet Sprocket continue to uplift audiences with their melodic alt rock guitars, introspective lyrics, and signature vocal harmonies that catapulted them to mainstream success 30+ years ago on the 2025 Good Intentions U.S. headlining tour. The tour will come to CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with KT Tunstall & Vertical Horizon.
Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents A Tribute to Pat Benatar and Bon Jovi (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents A Tribute to Pat Benatar (Best Shot) and Bon Jovi (1 Wild Night) on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 8:00pm.
Carteret PAC presents Annie Lennox - In Conversation (CARTERET, NJ) -- Legendary singer, songwriter, and global feminist activist Annie Lennox will take the stage on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at The Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center, for an unforgettable evening of stories, inspiration, and impact. Known for her groundbreaking music career and tireless activism, Lennox will share personal reflections on creativity, advocacy, and what it means to use one's voice for change.
The Beatles Concert Experience starring Britishmania comes to The Levoy Theatre (MILLVILLE, NJ) -- West Coast Performing Arts Concerts presents The Beatles Concert Experience starring Britishmania at The Levoy Theatre on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 7:30pm. Never before has there been a tribute to the Fab Four quite like The Beatles Concert Experience starring Britishmania!
WBGO Brings "All That Jazz" Concert Series To Morristown (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- WBGO "All That Jazz" concert series expands to Morris County. In addition to the ongoing "All That Jazz" concert series in Union County, Smooth Jazz New Jersey, WBGO, and the Morris Museum, are excited to announce three new shows starting this fall with the Nationally acclaimed and Grammy nominated group Special EFX October 11, followed by world renowned Keyboardist extraordinaire Alex Bugnon November 22. Rounding out the series March 14th will be 12-time Grammy Nominee and Grammy winner Saxophone icon Kirk Whalum.
The 7th Annual Bluegrass Festival to Take Place October 11th (MONROEVILLE, NJ) -- The 7th Annual Bluegrass Festival sponsored by Pine Tavern Distillery will take place at Hidden Pond Farm on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from noon to 7:00pm. The lineup includes Justin Trawick and the Common Good, River Bones Band, and Jason Ager & the Golden Eagles.
Debonair Music Hall presents Sean Chambers Deboniar Music Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Sunday, October 12. Show: 8pm. Tickets: $20. (advance); $325. (day of show). Info: (201) 833-0011 or visit debonairmusichall.com.
South Jersey Jazz Society presents "Jersey Fresh" Jazz Festival in October (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) wiill presents its annual jazz festival, JazzatThePoint, from October 16-18, 2025 at two Somers Point venues. Titled "Jersey Fresh," the three-day festival will highlight headlining artists that either were born in or currently reside in New Jersey. Headliners include John Pizzarelli, Howard Paul, Michael Pedicin, Paul Jost, and Matt Cappy.
Blowupradio.com Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Supersized Annual Benefit Webathon For The Spondylitis Association Of America (SOUTH AMBOY, NJ) -- New Jersey internet radio station BlowUpRadio.com - Where NJ Rock Lives, announces its 18th annual Banding Together Webathon to benefit the Spondylitis Association Of America. Taking place for a full week, Thursday October 16 through Wednesday October 22, 2025, on their internet radio station. Ninety acts from New Jersey and all over the globe will perform half hour performances, as they raise money to fund research and provide the programs and services to help the community suffering from this debilitating disease.
The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society presents two-time Grammy® award winners Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Christ Congregation Church. They are a duo of master musicians with a career spanning over 35 years. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Hiss Golden Messenger (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Hiss Golden Messenger (solo) on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 8:00pm. The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church in Montclair.
Asbury Lanes presents Everclear with Local H and Sponge (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Everclear, one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the '90s led by vocalist, guitarist and founder Art Alexakis, is coming to Asbury Park on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Asbury Lanes on the Sparkle and Fade 30th Anniversary Tour featuring special guests Local H and Sponge.
Crossroads hosts Prelude To A Cure: A Halloween Cancer Benefit (GARWOOD, NJ) -- Ghoul out and give back! Jersey's fiercest tribute bands, Looks That Kill (Mötley Crüe) and Sickness (Black Sabbath/Ozzy) will haunt the stage with heavy riffs and hell-raising energy during the Prelude To A Cure: A Halloween Cancer Benefit at Crossroads on Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Somers Point Unique Experiences Club hosts 3rd Opera Dinner (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- The Somers Point Unique Experiences Club is proud to host the 3rd Opera Dinner on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Gregory's Restaurant in Somers Point. This event will feature three professional award winning opera singers accompanied by a noted keyboardist performing some of opera most famous arias. The event begins at 7:00pm.
Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Steve Hackett (RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Steve Hackett on his Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo North American Tour. The concert takes place Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 8:00pm.
COLUMNS
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Case Road" by Dan Haase
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Case Road," the debut single by Makin Waves Award-winning bassist Dan Haase, who soon will release his solo debut album as a singer-songwriter.
MORE NEWS
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents two shows by Steve Forbert
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Steve Forbert is touring in support of his wonderful album, Daylight Savings Time, and has a pair of shows coming up at the Lizzie Rose Music Room on December 19-20, 2025. The first night is sold out, but a limited number of tickets are available for the second night.
CarteretPAC presents John Waite with Special Guest Jeffrey Gaines on Wednesday
StocktonPAC presents Swift Nation - Taylor Swift Tribute
JOURNEY's Final Tour Includes Show In Trenton
Makin Waves with Andy B.AND SoulFolk: Weird Little Stories
UPCOMING SHOWS
The Marquee Club in the Spotlight Cabaret at bergenPAC
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) recently kicked off a new performance series that showcases exceptional, internationally acclaimed musicians in an intimate setting. These talented individuals are scheduled to present their performances in the new listening room, The Marquee Club located in The Spotlight Cabaret, during the months of October and November.
Cousin Brucie Presents The Rascals LIVE! at PNC Bank Arts Center
NJPAC presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty
CarteretPAC presents John Waite with Special Guest Jeffrey Gaines on Wednesday
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