New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


 

MUSIC

EVENT PREVIEWS | COLUMNS | FEATURES | LINKS



PuZL releases "Riverside"

PuZL, the St. John, USVI-based duo of Taylor Lissandrello and Aaron Strickland, return with their new single "Riverside". Known for their self-described fusion of "Outlaw-Disco-Punk with Freak-Wave-Metal-Folk," the pair have carved out a distinctive lane that blends genre chaos with a cohesive, lo-fi psychedelic core.





 



Seether releases "Beneath The Surface" EP

(LOS ANGELES, CA) -- Multi-platinum rock band Seether returns with Beneath The Surface, a powerful new digital EP. Expanding on the emotional depth and sonic intensity that have defined their career, the EP offers fans a deeper look into the band's creative core—where raw honesty and heavy-hitting melodies collide.




2026 Jersey City Jazz Festival to Take Place May 29-31

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Jersey City Jazz Festival returns in 2026 with its biggest event yet, inviting music fans of all ages to experience jazz from across the spectrum including straight-ahead, Latin jazz and more throughout an unforgettable three-day celebration. Presented by Exchange Place Alliance, the free event runs from Friday evening, May 29 through Sunday, May 31 along the Hudson River waterfront at Exchange Place Plaza, offering sweeping views of lower Manhattan.




Music at Bunker Hill presents Trio Zimbalist

(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill presents Trio Zimbalist in their first appearance on their series on May 10, 2026 at 3:00pm. Trio Zimbalist has been celebrated for its "highly charged performances" (The Strad) and its "liveliness and vigor of playing" (Athinorama).




João Bosco Quartet - 80th Birthday Celebration of Brazilian Music Legend João Bosco to take place at McCarter Theatre on April 25th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents the João Bosco Quartet in a special performance celebrating the legendary Brazilian artist's 80th birthday and more than five decades of groundbreaking music-making on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30pm. Presented in association with Brazil LAB, this performance celebrates João Bosco’s extraordinary career.











 

EVENT PREVIEWS

NJPAC

NJPAC presents a Spring Season of Jazz

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



John

John Coltrane's Centennial Birthday to be Celebrated at McCarter Theatre Center and NJPAC

Joe Lovano learned about John Coltrane in the basement of his Cleveland home. "My dad played saxophone," he said, "and he loved Coltrane. His record collection was full of Coltrane recordings from the earliest Bethlehem records, all the Prestige, into Atlantic, and, of course, the Impulse! period."



Soul

Soul Asylum to bring Acoustic Tour to the area in April

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum selling rock band Soul Asylum are heading out on a special acoustic tour in 2026.  Locally, the band will perform at City Winery in Philadelphia (April 14), The Vogel in Red Bank (April 16) and The Newton Theatre in Newton (April 18).



New

New Jersey Symphony presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem

(NEWARK, NJ) -- With just three programs remaining on the 2025–26 season, Music Director Xian Zhang conducts Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem, the composer's final composition last performed by New Jersey Symphony in 2018, from April 16-19, 2026. Mysteriously commissioned and incomplete at the time of Mozart's death, the Requiem is widely regarded as one of the composer's most accomplished works. Written for a funeral Mass, the music is intensely emotional, ranging from powerful drama to languid sorrow to serene tenderness.












LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Once I Wake Up" by Sam Tunkel

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Once I Wake Up" from "The Sting of the Blade," the recently released sophomore full-length from Central Jersey singer-songwriter Sam Tunkel.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 04/16/2026

"I'm doing good man, what's happening?" Laughed a very energized Alastair Greene as he discussed his upcoming April 30 show at Tuckerton's Lizzie Rose Music Room and his new EP, "Live in Sin City" as well as his thoughts on touring overseas. 




Lighty's Corner: April 13, 2026

I’m one of those guys who hates it when people say that rock and roll is dead. That there’s no good new music today. I actually think there may be more good music now than ever, but it’s just harder to find. Since we get a ton of new music sent to us at New Jersey Stage each week, I decided to try something new - a recorded DJ hosted radio show and a column spotlighting new works. The plan is to have a new one every two weeks.




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


The 17th annual Elephant Talk Indie Music festival Takes Place This Weekend in AC

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The 17th annual Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival will take place at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City from April 17-19, 2026. The festival features performances from over 70 acts.




Hey Bulldog to Pay Tribute to The Beatles at Liberty Science Center

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Hey Bulldog will perform a tribute to The Beatles in the Planetarium at Liberty Science Center on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Come see one of the area's best Beatles cover bands perform some good old fashioned no fuss rock and roll!




Grunin Center for the Arts presents The Brit Pack on Saturday

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Grunin Center for the Arts presents The Brit Pack on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. They are the most authentic British Invasion experience this  side of the Atlantic.  Limited tickets remain.




Raul Midón Takes the Stage at the Grunin Center's Prima Theatre on May 16th

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts welcomes Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Raul Midón to the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $35.




Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alastair Green on April 30th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alastair Greene on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 7:30pm. A native of Santa Barbara,California and now residing in Austin, Greene has ridden his Blues-soaked rock into the 21st century, traversing a constantly changing global (and musical) landscape.












LINKS

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