Philadelphia’s own SNACKTIME brought the sunshine—literally and figuratively—during their high-octane opening set on Day 3 of Boston Calling 2025. As the first band to hit the massive rotating main stage Sunday morning, the brass-fueled collective shook off any lingering festival fatigue with a jolt of funk, soul, and swagger that had the crowd dancing from the first […]
Gary Alpert
Gary Alpert is a contributor and photographer for What's Up Newp.
Having been diagnosed with a profound hearing loss at the age of 2, Gary has have always witnessed the world around him with a heightened sense of sight. While hearing aids offer him a world with sound, he continues to experience the world with a visual edge. With a camera in hand, he hopes to show you what he sees.
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Concert Review: Ollabelle closes out Northeast Tour with a spectacular sold-out show at The Narrows
On Thursday night, January 30th, Ollabelle delivered a breathtaking performance at The Narrows in Fall River, MA, capping off their Northeast tour with a sold-out show that left fans in awe. The venue’s intimate atmosphere provided the perfect setting for a night of rich harmonies, soulful melodies, and heartfelt storytelling from a band that has […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ollabelle celebrates 20th Anniversary of self-titled album with northeast tour
Roots music collective Ollabelle is hitting the road to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album with a special northeast tour. The band will bring their signature blend of gospel, folk, blues, and rock to City Winery Boston on January 26, Iron Horse in Northampton, MA on January 28, Infinity Hall in Hartford, […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Jazz Day 3: 2023 Festival ends on a high note
The Newport Jazz Festival had something for everyone this year, featuring dozens of artists performing in various sub-genres of jazz all weekend long. Sunday, August 6th had it all including funky rhythms from The Soul Rebels, pristine throwback vocals from Grammy-winning singer Samara Joy, and Cuban-influenced funk from Cimafunk. The final day of music also […]
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2023 Newport Jazz Festival: Day 2 Photo Gallery
A sold-out crowd for Day 2 of the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival was served some of the best music anywhere on the planet. From a Coltrane-inspired set from legend Charles Lloyd to the high-energy antics of jazz and folk festival veteran Jon Batiste, the day was filled was one great set after another. Check out […]
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2023 Newport Jazz Festival kicks off with new voices – Recap and photos from Day 1
The 2023 Newport Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday, August 4, before a near-sellout crowd comprised of the youngest jazz festival audience in recent memory. What brought the younger crowd to Fort Adams? A slew of contemporary artists who shatter the mold of traditional jazz, bringing fresh voices and new ideas to America’s original art […]
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2023 Newport Folk Festival Day 3 – Billy, Lana, Folk Family, and Muppets
The 2023 Newport Folk Festival wrapped up on Sunday, July 30th, fulfilling the newly revised mission of the Newport Festivals Foundation “to create moments of hope through the power of music and community.” Of course, the festival has always been about bringing folks together; that idea is in focus now more than ever. It played […]
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2023 Newport Folk Festival Day 2: Diverse lineup shines bright at Fort Adams
The second of three days at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival showcased what the annual event does best – exposing fans to world-class performances in a variety of genres with familiar and new artists. There was something for everyone. Highlights included traditional folk tales from “new to the festival” singer-songwriter Willi Carlisle and a set […]
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2023 Newport Folk Festival: James Taylor makes surprise appearance on Day 1
The 2023 Newport Folk Festival kicked off in grand style on Friday, July 28. Friends old and new performed at the sold-out festival, the start of two weekends of musical magic at Fort Adams State Park. No doubt it was hot, literally and figuratively! From headliners including My Morning Jacket, Maggie Rogers, and Nickel Creek […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: The Wood Brothers rock the United Theatre
The Wood Brothers descended on the United Theatre in Westerly on Monday night March 6 for a super show before a near sell-out audience of around 600 fans. The theater which opened in 1926 as a vaudeville venue, has morphed over the years into a movie theatre and now a unified complex to unite the community through […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: Tedeschi Trucks Band completes four-night run in Boston
Review by Gavi Elkind Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and the exceptionally talented Tedeschi Trucks Band returned to The Orpheum Theatre in Boston for their annual four-night run last week. Each show was filled with Tedeschi Trucks Band originals, genre-bending covers, soulful vocals, and awe-inspiring instrumentation. The band started their Boston run strong on Tuesday, November 29th. […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: The Smile brings joy to fans at The Vets in Providence
The Smile made their American debut at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The Vets) in Providence Monday, November 14 before a sold-out crowd of over 2000 fans. For those not in the know, The Smile are an English rock band made up of Radiohead members Thom Yorke on vocals, guitar, and keys, and Jonny Greenwood on […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: Levitate Flannel Jam brings good vibes to Marshfield
Levitate Flannel Jam 2022 in Marshfield, MA served up rollicking tunes and low-key, family-friendly fun on Saturday, October 8. Although it rained early in the day, the sun shone down on the 3,000+ flannel-clad festival-goers at the Marshfield Fair Grounds as they took in six bands and explored all that the festival had to offer […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: James Taylor christens new MGM Fenway
James Taylor and his All-Star Band opened up the brand new 5,000 seat MGM Fenway on Monday August 29. (Bearly Dead did a free soft opening of the venue and Godsmack had a fundraiser, Taylor’s was the first official opening concert.) Famed promoter Don Law began the evening with remarks on how a partnership with the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: 2022 Rhode Island Folk Festival a big hit in Riverside
Over 2,000 fans attended the 8th annual Rhode Island Folk Festival at Rose Larisa Park in East Providence Sunday, August 28, enjoying over 40 musical acts on three stages. The state’s musical talent was on full display all day long along with food trucks, crafts vendors, and a “Young Folks” tent where kids were able […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: War and Treaty at the Narrows Center
The War and Treaty descended on the Narrows Center Thursday, August 25th for a nearly two-hour soul searing performance! The band, who debuted at Newport Folk in 2018, is composed of husband and wife team Michael Trotter and Tanya Bount-Trotter, as well as their four-piece back up band. The sound is unique, a melting pot with […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Dead & Company take the field at Gillette Stadium
The present incarnation of the legendary jam band The Grateful Dead came to town Saturday, July 2 for another in a series of great concerts. Dead & Company played a rousing show before thousands of dedicated fans at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. Although everyone missed percussionist Bill Kreutzmann, on the DL due to […]
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Concert Review and Photos: Paul McCartney rocks Fenway Park
From the opening chords of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” through the pyrotechnics that closed out the “Golden Slumbers” medley at the end of the show, Paul McCartney electrified Fenway Park for the first of two Boston appearances. Adoring Boston fans were overjoyed to have Sir Paul back, and they showered him and his talented band […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Boston Calling ends on a bright note – Day 3 summary
Sunday, May 29, the final day of Boston Calling, saw fans lined up for nearly three hours before the gates opened. Once inside, fans rushed to their preferred stage to ride the rail all day until their favorite band started. Most were diehard fans of Metallica. One fan said that this show was his 100th Metallica show and […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Boston Calling continues to rock – Day 2 summary
Boston native and hometown favorite Julie Rhodes opened Day 2 of Boston Calling Saturday May 28 and totally crushed it! Rhodes and her band the Electric Company lit up the Red Stage in front of thousands of fans, some who knew her and others who walked away convinced. The day continued with more female musicians […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Boston Calling returns strong – Day 1
IT’S BACK!!! Boston Calling last graced the city three years ago, missing the last two years due to the pandemic. Finally, on Friday, May 27, fans arrived in droves in the sunny 80-degree weather, ready for a day full of music, food and normalcy! They were there to see 17 Bands across four stages at […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Trey Anastasio Band jams at Roadrunner
Trey Anastasio brought his 8-piece band to Roadrunner in Boston for a pair of sold-out shows May 7 and May 8. Hypnotic, electrifying, with deep, oftentimes dark grooves woven seamlessly tight, TAB delivered what could be considered a performance for the ages. Led by Phish frontman Trey Anastasio, the band performed for three and half […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Gogol Bordello at Royale Boston
It’s been five years since Gogol Bordello performed in Boston, (they have visited other cities in New England). Last Wednesday, May 4, they played a show with a purpose at the Royale in downtown Boston! Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy Punk Rock band with musicians from all over the world, incorporating violin, accordion, and percussion […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Bonny Light Horseman at the Berklee Performance Center
(Review by Gavi Elkind) Transcendent singer, songwriter, and musician Anaïs Mitchell took the stage at Berklee Performance Center on Friday, February 18th alongside her multi-instrumentalist Bonny Light Horsemen bandmates, Eric Johnson and Josh Kaufman along with drummer JT Bates and bassist/saxophonist Michael Lewis. The first set of the show was entirely Bonny Light Horsemen tunes, […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: The Wood Brothers at House of Blues
If you were one of the brave souls who traveled through the ice storm Friday night February 4 to catch The Wood Brothers performance at the House of Blues in Boston, you were not disappointed! The Wood Brothers are an American roots band consisting of brothers Chris (bass and upright bass) and Oliver Wood (acoustic and electric […]