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EVENT PREVIEWS | COLUMNS | FEATURES | LINKS



PHOTOS from 2026 Bobfest

(RED BANK, NJ) -- This year's BobFest, Pat Guadagno's annual tribute to Bob Dylan around Bob's birthday, took place at The Vogel on May 28, 2026. John Cruz, Steve Delopoulos, Pat Guadagno, Renee Maskin, Rob Paparozzi, and Anne Hills took part playing his tunes in a Nashville styled in the round setup. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.





 



Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.




Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey

Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/1/26

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 each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Songbird, Allison Strong, Hexagon Cat, Sleep Station, and Lily Vakili. Plus a look back at "Everything Explodes" by Joshua Van Ness.




PHOTOS from Be5D at Asbury Lanes on 5/22/26

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Be5D is a band that presents cosmic dance music inspired by the Grateful Dead's exploratory improvisational approach. On May 22, 2026, BE5D performed at Asbury Lanes and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to take photos.











 

EVENT PREVIEWS

MPAC

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.



South

South Jersey Jazz Society's Concert on the Beach with the PJ Keiter Octet Set for June 5th

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- For the fifth year, the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) will "unofficially" kick off the summer beach concerts on the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point with music by the PJ Keiter Octet on Friday, June 5, 2026.



The

The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of "musicforthemorningafter"

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New Jersey native celebrates the release of his debut album, which put him in the national spotlight.



Concerts

Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th

(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band includes Matt Keating, Jason Mercer, Steve Mayone, and Greg Wieczorek. You could say they are a new band with old roots.



The

The Princeton Festival's Opening Weekend has Broadway Melodies, Opera Arias, Ballet, and Family Friendly Fun

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The 2026 Princeton Festival opens at Morven Museum & Garden with a music-filled weekend including family friendly activities. Friday, June 5, Sierra Boggess, Broadway's original "Little Mermaid," returns to the Festival with her favorite Broadway songs mixed with personal anecdotes.












LATEST COLUMNS


BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/1/26

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 each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Songbird, Allison Strong, Hexagon Cat, Sleep Station, and Lily Vakili. Plus a look back at "Everything Explodes" by Joshua Van Ness.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Bike in the Ocean" by Kevin Hill & Secret Sound

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Bike in the Ocean,"a single from "Day/Night," the new album by Kevin Hill & Secret Sound.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/28/2026

It has been said before that time travel was a pipe dream, impossible, a crazy Einstein theory but today, thanks to the wonder of the internet, there is a growing consensus that it may be very possible but what if this space can prove it's not only possible but for a few hours now and it's quite probable?




This Week in Music

Here is a look at shows taking place this week along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas








FEATURES


McCarter Theatre Center presents Jazz in June

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Jazz in June, a five-performance series in McCarter's Berlind Theatre, featuring leading voices in contemporary jazz, global traditions, and family-friendly musical storytelling.




PHOTOS from Joe Russo's Almost Dead at Stone Pony on May 22, 2026

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Joe Russo's Almost Dead performed at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park on May 22, 2026 and photographer Chris Paul was there to take photos.




Brian Ostering presents The Elvis Spectacular at Middletown Arts Center on June 27th

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Jersey Shore musician Brian Ostering from The Wag is stepping out of his comfort zone with The Elvis Spectacular - "The Early Years" Concert on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Middletown Arts Center. This is the first time he has performed an Elvis show and it's a tribute to his father who helped pass down his passion for Elvis to Brian. I reached out to Brian to learn more about the show.




Arrival from Sweden LIVE! at UCPAC

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Arrival from Sweden at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on May 16, 2026.




"Mesmerizing!" Punch Brothers LIVE! at MPAC

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Punch Brothers at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on May 14, 2026.












LINKS

* The Penguin Rocks - a special music site presented by NJ Stage
* Classical Music
* Music Organizations in New Jersey
* Venues & Performing Arts Centers