Celebrating Brooklyn in Music
As we approach the winter and move indoors, warm thoughts come to mind about this past summer’s outdoor music scene here in Brooklyn–now known in many circles as the new music capital of North America. From the sands of Coney Island to the shores of Sheepshead and Jamaica bays, and from the streets of East New York and Bed-Stuy to the parks of Fort Greene, Prospect and Brooklyn Bridge, there were festivals galore presenting music of every genre and for every taste — and most if it was free.
BRIC Arts Media‘s Celebrate Brooklyn! cemented its place as one of Brooklyn’s premiere music and performing arts organizations, partnering with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy to bring us dance parties with Maceo Parker and DJ Spinna, La Excelencia with DJ’s Uproot Andy and Geko Jones, and Red Baraat with DJ Rekha.
The bandshell in Prospect Park boasted stellar performances by a diverse array of well-known and up-and-coming artists. Two local acts–Animal Collective and Sufjan Stevens–each headlined one of the five benefit concerts, and the demand for Stevens’ show was so great they added a second night. The Decemberists were at the park in June, while Justin Vernon with Bon Iver and The Rosebuds cooled off the overflowing crowd on a hot August night. The benefit fronted by Australia’s Cut Copy gave a boost to local opening act Midnight Magic, just as shows starring Los Lobos, Ra Ra Riot and The Heavy shone a spotlight on Brooklynites Zigmat, Buke & Gass and Superhuman Happiness, respectively. Dan Zanes, Smif-N-Wessum and salsa pioneer Larry Harlow also did their borough proud.
Among others who graced the Celebrate Brooklyn! stage were Andrew Bird, Courtyard Hounds, Justin Townes Earle, Roy Hargrove, Chuck Brown, Dr. John,Ledisi, The Feelies and Foster the People. Hal Wilner’s Freedom Riders Project brought the likes of legends Rosanne Cash and Brooklynite Lou Reed to the bandshell stage along with Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Toshi Reagon and Eric Mingus to pay musical homage to the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, which helped shine a spotlight to the injustices of segregation. The showing of the complete and restored Metropolis with Alloy Orchestra was a wondrous evening of film and music.
Brooklyn BP Marty Markowitz once again brought the stars out to both the Seaside Summer Concert Series(at a new location) and the Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series, with blockbusters that included Aretha Franklin, Joan Jett, The Monkees, Cheap Trick, Queen Latifah, Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson, Shaggy and The Mighty Sparrow. For oldies fans, our own Kenny Vance and The Planotones headlined Doo Wop in the Ballpark at MCU Park.
The Williamsburg Waterfront Concert Series ran the table with Bright Eyes, Dr. Dog, Fleet Foxes, Widespread Panic, Sonic Youth, Death Cab for Cutie, Stone Temple Pilots, Raphael Saadiq, Dam-Funk & Master Blazter, Guided by Voices, Coheed and Cambria, Adrian Belew and local favorite TV on the Radio.
Brooklyn Bodega’s Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, which as always included local acts such as M.O.P. and Ali Shaheed Muhammed, may have staged the coup of the summer. As if getting Q-Tip to perform and create special programming wasn’t enough, they got Kanye West and Busta Rhymes to make a surprise appearance during the closing night’s “Q-Tip & Friends” set.
Now to all our friends out there, a reminder: Autumn winds may blow cold, but Brooklyn’s music scene never cools off, as hot acts continue to play our many fine music clubs and concert halls.