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FEATURES

Valerie Simpson LIVE! at SOPAC

Inside South Orange, NJ's SOPAC auditorium this Saturday, December 14, 2024 evening music lovers who know there ain't nothing like the real thing ready themselves for a live Valerie Simpson and Friends Sing Ashford and Simpson performance by singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson.

 
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Split Level Concerts presents Jill Sobule at Jersey Shore Arts Center on January 11th

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Multi-talented singer/songwriter and guitarist Jill Sobule will perform at Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. Renee Maskin, a staple of the Asbury Park music scene, will open the show. The show is part of the on-going Split Level Concert Series which highlights renowned Americana and contemporary folk musicians in a uniquely intimate setting.

Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Songs

Here are the top 10 songs by New Jersey indie artists, according to Makin Waves:

Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums

Here are the top 10 albums by New Jersey indie artists for 2024, according to Makin Waves.

Makin Waves Dirty Jersey Dozen

​​​​​​​Each year, Makin Waves picks the 12 independent New Jersey bands who made the most waves. That means extensive touring in support of a new LP or EP, preferably internationally; professional quality narrative videos; singles that garnered broadcast and online radio play (since Spotify rips artists off, I don't really care about streams); national press, and other awards. Note that the Dirty Jersey Dozen are presented in alphabetical order. To get a sense of pecking order, please check out the 26th Annual Makin Waves Awards, as well as the Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums and Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Songs.



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COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "I Will Walk You Home” by Wiser Time

Wiser Time, aka Central Jersey singer-songwriter-guitarist Carmen Sclafani, just dropped his latest album, "There’s A Change A-Comin'," on his own Wiser Time Music. The closing focus track, "I Will Walk You Home," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from June 16-22, 2026




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/15/26




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Under the Carousel" by Josh Herman






 

MORE NEWS

(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.


Shadows of the '60s and One Hot Night LIVE! at PNC Bank Arts Center




Asbury Underground returns June 27th as part of North to Shore Festival




WXPN Musicians On Call Expands Healing Power of Music to Philadelphia’s Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation




The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


MPAC Announces Free Summer Concert Lineup for 2026

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center's Arts in the Community free summer concert schedule for 2026 has been announced. MPAC will present six free concerts between June and August. The lineup includes the return of three of their most popular events – Bollywood Dance Party, Country Line Dancing and Salsa at Sunset, as well as singer-songwriters, and more.


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




The North Jersey Blues Society presents "Blues & Brews" featuring BBD Rhythm & Blues Band on June 21st




Going Acoustic at Quig's to Mark 4 Years with Featured Sets from Emily Drinker and Gina LC on June 22nd






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