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FEATURES

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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26th Annual Makin Waves Awards

 ​​​​​​​Makin Waves' annual holiday gift to the New Jersey music scene turns 26 this year with a bevy of goodness, particularly for top winners Jackson Pines, Rachel Ana Dobken, and Emerson Woolf, who each won two. And here we go...

Makin Waves Song of the Year: "My God" by James Mastro

 The poignant, engaging "My God" not only sets the tone of Hoboken legend James Mastro's long-awaited solo debut LP, "Dawn of a New Error," it also is the Makin Waves Song of the Year.

Mandy Gonzalez is "Home for the Holidays" LIVE! at SOPAC

 Musical theater fans inside South Orange, NJ's SOPAC auditorium this Sunday, December 8, 2024 evening ready themselves for a Home for the Holidays performance by Broadway star and South Orange resident, Mandy Gonzalez.

bergenPAC presents Jim Messina on March 1st

 (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Jim Messina on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 8:00pm. An undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music, Messinas legacy of musical genius spans five decades, three super groups, a vibrant solo career and scores of producing and engineering credits.


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COLUMNS

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Bummer" by the dt's

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Bummer," the latest single from the Central Jersey band the dt's.



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from October 6-12, 2026



Makin Waves Song of the Week: "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" by Jake Thistle



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/01/2026






 

MORE NEWS


State Theatre New Jersey presents The Temptations & The Four Tops

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Temptations & The Four Tops on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 6:30pm. Two legendary Motown groups share the stage for one unforgettable night of timeless hits, smooth harmonies, and classic soul.


The Love of Soul Tour comes to Prudential Center on May 22nd



Wharton Arts Launches 2026–27 Season Under New President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden



Def Leppard, Goo Goo Dolls, and The Struts to play shows in NJ, NYC, and Philly in 2027



The Newton Theatre presents All You Need Is John - The Music of John Lennon






 

UPCOMING SHOWS

The Strand Center for the Arts presents The Bob Band on October 9th

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- The Bob Band comes to The Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, October 9, 2026. The band is a group of veteran musicians based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to capturing the vibe, spirit and arrangement of Bob Dylan's original recordings. Showtime is 8:00pm.


SOPAC presents Willie Nile's Jukebox on October 9th



The Levoy Theatre presents Classic Stones Live on Friday



The Newton Theatre presents SoulShine - An Allman Brothers Experience on October 10th






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