This Week in Music:
Previews for Concerts
in NJ from April 8-14, 2025
originally published: 04/08/2025
Here is a look at shows taking place in the New Jersey area from April 8-14, 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 info@newjerseystage.com 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 run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.
FEATURED EVENTS
Tuesday, April 8 - MPAC presents GRAMMY-Nominated Classical-Meets-Hip-Hop Duo Black Violin. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Step into Black Violin's Full Circle Tour, where GRAMMY-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop's pulse. Black Violin comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:00pm.
Friday, April 11 - bergenPAC presents WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW: The Bacharach Songbook Live featuring Todd Rundgren and Rob Shirakbari. (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW: The Burt Bacharach Songbook Live in Concert comes to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. The show is dedicated to honoring the award-winning music of songwriting icon Burt Bacharach and features Todd Rundgren and Rob Shirakbari.
Saturday, April 12 - bergenPAC presents Blackmore's Night. (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Blackmore's Night on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 8:00pm. The band features Ritchie Blackmore (legendary guitarist formerly of Deep Purple and Rainbow) and award-winning vocalist Candice Night.
Saturday, April 12 - Jersey Arts Podcast: Bewitched by Botti - A Chat with the Grammy Winning Trumpeter. Jazz fans, rejoice! Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti will be gracing the stage of the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Saturday, April 12 - Grunin Center presents Contemporary Folk and Americana Icon Vance Gilbert. (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College continues its thrilling spring season with a special performance by acclaimed singer-songwriter Vance Gilbert on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 7:00pm. The concert takes place in the Prima Studio Theatre (Building #12).
Sunday, April 13 - Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Ari Hest on Sunday. (TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Ari Hest on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Thursday, April 10 - Newton Theatre presents The Fixx and Jill Sobule. (NEWTON, NJ) -- The Fixx will perform at The Newton Theatre on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 8:00pm. Special guest Jill Sobule will open the night. The FIXX has been often heralded as one of the most innovative bands to come out of the MTV era.
Friday, April 11 - The Stone Pony presents Dean Lewis with opener Henry Moodie. (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Stone Pony presents Dean Lewis with opener Henry Moodie on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:00pm. Lewis is an Australian singer-songwriter, renowned for his heartfelt lyrics and emotive voice.
Saturday, April 12 - Scottish Rite Auditorium presents The Police Experience. (COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium presents The Police Experience on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 8:00pm. The band, known as the most authentic tribute to The Police, has been electrifying audiences both nationally and internationally with their high octane performances reminiscent of the original band's 1980s era. They will be celebrating the 45th anniversary of Zenyatta Mondatta and playing the greatest hits by The Police.
Saturday, April 12 - Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey presents Drama & Irony: Rossini, Mozart and Beethoven. (TRENTON, NJ) -- The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey presents Drama & Irony: Rossini, Mozart and Beethoven at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Saturday, April 12 - StocktonPAC presents The Drifters on April 12. (GALLOWAY, NJ) -- The Drifters, considered one of rock 'n' roll's founding vocal groups, will perform on the mainstage of Stockton University's Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Saturday, April 12 - Jazz at Princeton University presents the 2025 Jazz Festival on April 12th. (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Jazz at Princeton University presents the 2025 Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 12 from 1:00pm to 10:00pm. The lineup includes performances by Roxy Cross, Warren Wolf, Matt Stevens, Princeton University Faculty Septet, and Jazz at Princeton's and the Program in Latin American Studies present the Creative Large Ensemble, directed by Darcy James Argue and special guest Etienne Charles (trumpet).
Sunday, April 13 - RVCC to Present Concert by Faculty Pianist Abraham Alinea. (BRANCHBURG, NJ) --Raritan Valley Community College's Arts & Design department will present a solo recital by RVCC faculty pianist Abraham Alinea on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 3:00pm. The performance, which is open to the public, will be held in Welpe Theatre at the College's Branchburg campus.
EVENT LISTINGS
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Tuesday, April 8 @ 7:00pm - Black Violin: Full Circle Tour at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Wednesday, April 9 @ 7:30pm - Cristina Vane at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Wednesday, April 9 @ 7:30pm - Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre: Acoustic Trio at Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel Street, Avenel
Thursday, April 10 @ 8:00pm - The Phil Collins Experience at Carteret Performing Arts Center, 46 Washington Ave, Carteret
Friday, April 11 @ 5:30pm - Martin Barre - Legendary Guitarist of Jethro Tull (Afternoon Show) at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Friday, April 11 @ 7:30pm - Voctave at Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Avenue, Hillside
Friday, April 11 @ 8:00pm - Fearless – The Taylor Swift Experience at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Friday, April 11 @ 8:00pm - Martin Barre - Legendary Guitarist of Jethro Tull (Evening Show) at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Friday, April 11 @ 8:00pm - WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW: The Bacharach Songbook Live at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Saturday, April 12 @ 7:00pm - Vance Gilbert at Grunin Center - Studio Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River
Saturday, April 12 @ 7:30pm - Sugar Mountain - Celebrating the Genius of Neil Young at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Saturday, April 12 @ 8:00pm - Blackmore’s Night at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Saturday, April 12 @ 8:00pm - Chris Botti at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Sunday, April 13 @ 3:00pm - "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in concert with the New Jersey Symphony at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, April 13 @ 7:00pm - An Evening with Dawes at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Sunday, April 13 @ 7:00pm - Tony DeSare Presents Sinatra & Beyond at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Sunday, April 13 @ 7:30pm - Ari Hest at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
COMING SOON
Badfish, Longtime Sublime Tribute Band, Comes to Morristown With Original Music Badfish is a vibe. Badfish is a sonic house party complete with plenty of gyrating fans sipping libations and enjoying various extracurricular activities. Badfish is feel-good music.
"Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live" comes to NJPAC in April (NEWARK, NJ) -- Due to overwhelming demand following the North American tour announcement, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live, the world-wide smash hit 2.5D musical sensation based on the wildly popular Manga (comic book), will bring their sensational show to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 8:00pm.
The Newton Theatre presents Kashmir (NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Kashmir on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 8:00pm. Kashmir is the nation’s #1 Led Zeppelin tribute show and is the most authentic representation of Led Zeppelin on the modern national touring scene.
Endea Owens' Blend of 'Groove-Based' Music and Jazz Developed from Her Detroit Roots Bassist Endea Owens' 2023 debut album, Feel Good Music (Bass Bae Music), highlights her skills with tight arrangements, intricate compositions, and syncopated percussive elements that seamlessly interlock. The album's accessible, yet sophisticated, approach has made it a hit among casual listeners and discerning jazz critics.
The Newton Theatre presents Dweezil Zappa: The Rox(Postroph)y Tour (NEWTON, NJ) -- Dweezil Zappa brings The Rox(Postroph)y Tour to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. The son of iconic musician Frank Zappa, Dweezil has carved out an eclectic and illustrious career that spans music, television, film, and entrepreneurship.
NJPAC presents The Temptations and The Four Tops (NEWARK, NJ) -- Experience the nostalgia of Motown at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with the legendary singing groups The Temptations and The Four Tops on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. This concert celebrates The Temptations and The Four Tops’ 40th Anniversary Tour performing together.
Gateway Playhouse Jazzes Things Up with South Jersey Jazz Society and "Some Enchanted Evening" (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point is launching a new partnership with the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS). The exciting collaboration will kick off Saturday, April 19, 2025 when Emmy®-nominated trumpeter Benny Benack III and Broadway's Khailah Johnson blend Jazz's biggest hits with Broadway’s hottest tunes in "Some Enchanted Evening.
State Theatre New Jersey presents salsa star Willy Chirino (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Cuban salsa star Willy Chirino live in concert on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. This marks his first performance at the State Theatre.
Borgata Event Center presents Bonnie Raitt (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Borgata Event Center presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bonnie Raitt on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. Larry John McNally will open the night.
Bergen Professor Makes a Musical Call to Urgency on Climate Change for Earth Day (PARAMUS, NJ) -- Bergen Community College music professor and songwriter/performer Dan Sheehan brings a special presentation of his project The Seas Are Rising: Stories of a Climate in Crisis to Bergen's Paramus campus on Monday, April 21, 2025 as part of the college’s Earth Week celebrations.
NJPAC presents Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone (NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents two incredible female artists: Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 7:30pm. Melissa Etheridge is known as one the greatest American rockers of all time while Paste said GRAMMY® winner Joss Stone is "a genuine article of soul music".
The Newton Theatre presents Easton Corbin (NEWTON, NJ) -- Country music artist Easton Corbin will perform at The Newton Theatre on Thurday, April 24, 2025 at 8:00pm. Easton has been gracing stages with his memorable baritone and unique blend of traditional and modern country music for more than a decade.
Get the Led Out to Play Three Nights at Scottish Rite Auditorium (COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- Get the Led Out (GTLO) takes over the Scottish Rite Auditorium for shows April 24-26, 2025 at 8:00pm each night. From the bombastic and epic to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The concerts are presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
Grammy Award Winners and Jazz Icons the Yellowjackets Come to Bell Theater in April (HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Celebrate Jazz Appreciation month with the Yellowjackets, which Jazz Times describes as an "electric-acoustic outfit whose smart, often challenging and unpredictable compositions draw from fusion, post-bop and contemporary jazz." These jazz icons are headed to Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Kean Stage presents Michael Feinstein's "Because of You" - Tribute to Tony Bennett (HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage presents Michael Feinstein in Because of You My Tribute to Tony Bennett, featuring the Carnegie Hall Ensemble, will close Kean Stage's 2024-2025 season. The concert event will be presented on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside. Showtime is 7:30pm. This is the second time Michael Feinstein has performed at Enlow Recital Hall. He performed the inaugural concert for the venue on October 1, 2009.
bergenPAC presents That Motown Band on April 26th (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- If you love songs like "Heat Wave," "Ain't too Proud to Beg," "Baby Love," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "My Girl," and "Ain't no Mountain High Enough"? Be sure to check out That Motown Band when they come to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:00pm.
Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music Announces the Third Annual American Music Honors Recipients (WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music has announced the honorees of its third annual American Music Honors event, to be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch. The 2025 honorees are: Smokey Robinson, John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, Tom Morello, and Joe Ely. The event begins at 8:30pm.
The Newton Theatre presents Home Again - A Tribute to Carole King (NEWTON, NJ) -- Home Again is a tribute to the multi-award winning singer-songwriter Carole King. The tribute comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Vocal Ensemble Chanticleer to Make Rowan University Debut (GLASSBORO, NJ) -- Rowan University's Marie Rader Series presents Chanticleer: Music of a Silent World on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Pfleeger Concert Hall in Glassboro. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Split Level Concerts presents Rod Picott and Anya Hinkle at Jersey Shore Arts Center (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Critically acclaimed singer/songwriters Rod Picott and Anya Hinkle will co-headline a performance at Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Showtime is 8:00pm. The show closes out the 2024-25 season of the Split Level Concerts series which highlights renowned Americana and contemporary folk musicians in a uniquely intimate setting. The series will resume in the fall.
NJPAC presents R&B superstar Tyrese Gibson (NEWARK, NJ) -- R&B superstar Tyrese Gibson will perform at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 7:00pm. He is set to deliver an unforgettable night featuring his chart-topping songs like "Sweet Lady" and "How You Gonna Act Like That." Concert goers can anticipate a memorable experience as Gibson captivates the audience with his powerful vocals and engaging stage presence.
North Jersey Blues Society to hold Annual Blues Competition at The Stanhope House (STANHOPE, NJ) -- The North Jersey Blues Society presents its Annual Blues Competition on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at The Stanhope House. This lively event will showcase the incredible talents of local musicians in two categories: Band and Solo/Duo. Doors open at noon.
COLUMNS
BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 4/28/25
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Zachary West & The Good Grief; Roadside Graves; jpeck; Danello, The Sad Surfer; Monda; Cyborg Amok; Above the Moon; Arlan Feiles; and Ali Zanders. Plus a look back at "Up To Her Ears" by The Successful Failures.
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