(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The eighteenth Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9, 2023. Music begins at noon each day. This year’s headliners on Saturday are Red Baraat and Mihali. Headliners for Sunday are Remember Jones and Louis Cato.
Red Baraat (Saturday night at 6:48pm) is a pioneering band from Brooklyn, New York. The group has drawn worldwide praise for its singular sound, a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz and raw punk energy.
Mihali (Saturday night at 8:30pm) is Maplewood-born, solo singer, songwriter, guitarist, artist, and Twiddle co-founder. He follows reggae’s evolutionary ebb and flow, existing in a perpetual state of inspiration and creation, and remaining committed to sonic evolution. Mihali’s music entwines reggae spirit, fluid soundscape architecture, and invigorating mantras.
Remember Jones (Sunday night at 6:48pm) is a captivating showman, soul/pop singer, storyteller, and bandleader, with one of a kind song styling and expert storytelling that keep audiences on their toes and emotions in the moment. Evoking the authentic energy of the greatest front men and women, his original music, high energy, show-band staging, and creative, theatrical events have played to packed and sold-out clubs and theaters throughout the United States.
Louis Cato (Sunday night at 8:30pm) is a Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He has worked with an array of artists including Bobby McFerrin, Snarky Puppy, Jon Batiste, Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest. You may recognize Cato as the band leader for Stephen Colbert “The Late Show Band”.
From a record number of over 120 submissions, eighteen other bands were selected to perform throughout the two days, including the late Jim Buchanan’s JB Blues Band and other local and regional artists. The complete schedule can be found at the end of this article.
Maplewoodstock is a free event held in Memorial Park in a natural amphitheater, steps away from the Maplewood train station. It features approximately 25 food vendors, 120 art vendors, 20 Kidzone vendors and, of course, a beer and wine garden.
With much support from local businesses and t-shirt sales, Maplewoodstock continues to be true to its mission of presenting the best possible show for the community and of the community with nationally known closing acts and a collection of regional bands with strong Maplewood and South Orange representation.
Canopies are only permitted to those selected via the Canopy Lottery system. The details of the lottery process will be announced closer to the event. DO NOT BRING A CANOPY to the event if you were not selected in the lottery. The rest of the hill will be full of chairs and blankets and neighbors sharing what has become Maplewood’s biggest annual social gathering.
While the Township of Maplewood strongly supports Maplewoodstock, this is not a Township event. It is organized and managed by the Maplewoodstock Volunteer Committee.
Saturday, July 8
Noon – Essex Funk Collective. A local multi-generational band playing soul, disco, R&B and funk grooves.
12:42pm – Troubleman. A dynamic and electrifying band that has been making waves in the music industry. With a unique blend of rock, ska, and reggae, the band has captivated audiences.
1:24pm – Al Gold & Cool in Hand. Blues and Roots music stripped down to its essence.
2:06pm – Widely Grown. An Americana/Roots band, from “one of Hudson Counties most engaging songwriters over the last few years (NJ.com).” A little grass. A little rock. A lot in between.
2:48pm – Billy Walton Band. If a band that mixes high energy rock/soul/blues covered in psychedelic jams seems intriguing, then the Billy Walton Band is a must see live act!! Get your dancin’ shoes on!
3:30pm – Queen Bleu Nile & Family. A sultry, sassy Sistah bringing you unforgivable soul, with dabs of funk, sprinkles of reggae, a dash of jazz, and a dollop of rock! MUSIC is LIFE!
4:12pm – Rasha Jay. NJ based artist Rasha Jay is a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter who fuses her love for alternative, rock and soul with heart. Her latest project Muscle Memory is available now.
4:54pm – Carlos Frias & Circulo Social. In their music you can hear the heart of the Caribbean, the peasant chant, the voice of those speaking against injustice accompanied by Afro Caribbean rhythms.
5:36pm – Tia Holt Experience. The voice you need to hear. The experience you need to have.
6:48pm – Red Baraat (Featured Act). Pioneering band from Brooklyn, merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz and raw punk energy. Created with no less a purposeful agenda than manifesting joy and unity in all people.
8:33pm – Mihali (Headliner). The Vermont-based, but Maplewood-born, solo singer, songwriter, guitarist, artist, and Twiddle co-founder follows reggae’s evolutionary ebb and flow with a balanced mix of rich influence.
Sunday, July 9, 2023Noon – Isabella Dussias. A 20 year old singer-songwriter/composer from NJ whose indie pop music is influenced by folk, rock, and orchestral elements.
12:42pm – Zöös. This trio loves nothing more than to share a deep musical experience with our audience. They specialize in music of the 60’s and 70’s, always adding our own spices and originals.
1:24pm – SOMA’s Local Heroes Band. Features the powerhouse vocals of Charlie Pollock and Diane Davis performing a rousing mix of americana, country and rock music.
2:06pm – JB Blues Band. The JB (“Jim Buchanan”) Blues band has played Maplewoodstock before with the late great Jim Buchanan on bass. RIP in musical peace to Maplewood’s Music Mayor.
2:48pm – Workingman’s Jed. Offers unique set lists, with songs merged together in original ways, that feature beautiful multi- part harmonies. They thrive off each other’s (and the audience’s) energy.
3:30pm – Sarah Hodd & The Drive. Bluesy & explosive originals and fun, funky covers. Neo-soul meets modern pop, with a dash of Americana and a whole lot of heart.
4:12pm – Me & Nobody. An Indie pop/rock band from New York who simply loves making music that makes them feel something.
4:45pm – TimaLikesMusic. With sultry, nostalgic RnB instrumentation and clever, sometimes comical lyricism, TimaLikesMusic takes listeners through their daily emotional journeys. She’s too good. It’s true.
5:36pm – Q-Tip Bandits. Smooth yet powerful sound, thoughtful lyrics with danceable grooves.
6:48pm – Remember Jones (Featured Act). One-of-a-kind soul/pop singer, storyteller and bandleader with a throwback vibe and authentic energy, backed and supported by a large ensemble of musicians.
8:30pm – Louis Cato (Headliner). Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He leads the house band for Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show.”
This is a rain or shine event. Bands will continue to play under their covered stage in drizzle or light rain. If severe weather (downpours, dangerous winds, lightening, etc.) requires them to suspend the music, they will pick up as per the schedule (e.g., if they need to pause from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, they will pick up with the first band scheduled for after 4:00pm; any band rained out will be invited to next year’s festival).
