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FEATURES

Dear Mr. Morale: A Letter to Kendrick Lamar & the Big Steppers

This is our time.  To build morale… to step up. After missing coveted coverage of Kendrick Lamar this tour, I felt impassioned to write a review in a different direction altogether.  This is the first time I’m not basing it on an actual show, but rather, a think piece which ties into one song off Lamar’s latest album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.  The song is called “Mirror.”  And, it is my hope that, by the end of the article, the reader might feel as charged or impassioned.

 
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Five for Fighting LIVE! at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Out on the Atlantic City Boardwalk this Saturday, July 30, 2022 evening it feels like another steamy night at the Jersey Shore, but inside the Soundwaves auditorium at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino music lovers ride a cool wave of excitement as they ready themselves for a live concert by Five for Fighting.

"Timeless!" Smokey Robinson LIVE! at the Count Basie Center for the Arts

Music lovers inside Red Bank, NJ’s Count Basie Center for the Arts auditorium this Wednesday, July 27, 2022 evening patiently await the start of a performance by the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer, songwriter, producer, and Motown executive, Smokey Robinson.

PHOTOS from Lotus at The Bourbon Room

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Lotus performed at The Bourbon Room in Atlantic City on August 5, 2022 and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to take photos.The band, which has performed at festivals like Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Ultra, and Rothbury, has steadily built a devote fan base through steady touring.  They've also crafted a unique musical style outside of simple genre limitations. Equal parts instrumental post-rock and electronic dance, the band’s distinguishing feature is the ability to maintain a decidedly unique musical voice and remain current while bucking passing trends. 

Soul Asylum: A Beautiful Problem

​​​​​​​Soul Asylum were part of an amazing chunk of rock music history on the Minneapolis-based indie label TwinTone Records with The Replacements, Babes in Toyland, The Jayhawks and a bunch of other great acts. Then in Majorlabelland, they went on to accomplish even more, including a Grammy for the 1993 hit “Runaway Train.”



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COLUMNS


BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/10/26

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 with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Soaked" by Kiaura Rose




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 08/06/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from August 4-10, 2026






 

MORE NEWS

(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.


Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday




"Amazing!" Bruce Hornsby LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier




The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday




Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.


MPAC's Summer 2026 Preview




West Windsor Arts Announces 2026 Summer Music and More Series




Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd Announce Double Trouble Double Vision Tour; Includes Shows in Holmdel and Camden






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