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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

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


The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library

(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

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



MPAC's Summer 2026 Preview



West Windsor Arts Announces 2026 Summer Music and More Series






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