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FEATURES

Catching Up With Keith Monacchio: An interview about "Under A Nightlight Sky"

Keith Monacchio has been one of my favorite artists from New Jersey for a long time.  His career started with the Semi-Beings and then The Commons (who put out some of the best records of the era, in my opinion).  He released his 5th solo record, Under A Nightlight Sky on March 22, 2022.  The record explores themes of family, fatherhood, political tribalism, aging, and a hope for a better future in these very uncertain times. 2022 marks the 30th year of Keith's musical journey, which makes him the ideal subject for a new series that takes a look at artists who were part of my old Upstage Magazine days and still very much active today.

 
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Black Violin: The Impossible Tour 2022 Comes to MPAC on April 14th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Black Violin, the genre-bending group that merges hip hop with classical, returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) as part of its 2022 Impossible Tour. Black Violin performs on Thursday, April 14 at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $29-$59.

Algonquin Arts Theatre To Present Annual Benefit Featuring Let’s Hang On: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Tribute Band

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will present its annual benefit for 2022, THE BROADWAY BOARDWALK BASH featuring Let’s Hang On, Classic Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons... with a salute to Broadway's Jersey Boys on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

Tab Benoit Comes to SOPAC

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Blues guitarist-vocalist and storyteller extraordinaire, Tab Benoit, has launched an ambitious 2022 Spring-Summer National Tour with the Whiskey Bayou Revue.  Locally, Tab performs in concert at SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center), in the Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall on Sunday, April 3 at 7:30pm.

Photos from George Clinton at NJPAC

New Jersey's own George Clinton - the "Godfather of Funk" returned to the Garden State on March 18th for a performance at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with Parliament-Funkadelic and a celebration of his 80th birthday. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take some shots.



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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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