Monthly Archives: May 2016

LVU Wants to Know: Where Do You Want a New Venue?

We’re not suggesting anything with that image. We swear…

With our ever-growing music community producing more talent than perhaps ever before, the demand for venues – particularly, those which support original music – has increased in recent years.

Of course, this demand has been met by the emergence of hot spots in certain pockets of the Valley. SteelStacks has dominated the music scene in Bethlehem over the past five years, while the South Side also boasts mainstays Godfrey Daniels and The Funhouse. Meanwhile, Allentown’s resurgence and Easton’s emerging presence have, respectively, provided more local, original acts with places to play. There is always room to grow, however, especially as the list of talented artists in our area continues to do the same.

Of course, there is always speculation about turning Bethlehem’s Boyd Theatre into a live music venue. While we’re still on board with that being a great idea – think of the foot traffic! – we don’t own the place, and we realize that there are other areas of the Valley where bands and the community at large would also benefit from an increased presence of live music venues.

So… tell us where you are, why it would make a great place for a new venue, and what kind of music it should support. Or, in your opinion, is our scene fine as it is? Either way, we want to know what you think!

Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week: May 30-June 5

Hopefully, you find yourself well-rested after a beautiful, (mostly) sunny holiday weekend. We say that, because you have another busy week ahead of you, especially if you go to the…

Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!

Thurs., June 2 | 7 p.m.
The Phoenix Bridge and Mind Grenade at The Originals Music Series
Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: The weekly showcase returns with two more great local bands, presented by The Fyre & Ice Show.

Sat., June 4 | 1-5 p.m.
Joe Wagner Jazz Trio and Cunningham & Associates at PBS39’s Sixth Annual BrewFest
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, 1050 IronPigs Way, Allentown
Admission: $35 general; $50 VIP; $5 designated driver
Description: Enjoy more than 100 beers from 45 distinct breweries, as well as live music from two top local acts. Proceeds benefit PBS39 programs and services.

Sat., June 4 | 10 p.m.
The Groove Merchants
Venue: The Funhouse, 5 E. 4th St., Bethlehem
Description: After a great day at the ballpark, head back to Bethlehem for a nightcap with the funky Kutztown ensemble.

PHOTOS: Scott Marshall & Marshall’s Highway at Mayfair Festival of the Arts 2016

Scott Marshall has a deep and very real appreciation and respect for the United States military. This can be heard in the songs he sings, and can be seen on full display on days like today.

To commemorate Memorial Day, Marshall and his band Marshall’s Highway performed on Mayfair’s Liberty Stage at Allentown Fairgrounds. Hundreds of friends and fans came out on what turned out to be a gorgeous Memorial Day to hear two-plus hours of music, as well as thoughts from Marshall, saxophonist Glenn Hofmann, and local guest of honor John Cramsey, who shared stories and letters to honor the nation’s veterans and to remember those who never returned from war.

Marshall’s Highway made Memorial Day 2016 one to remember. Now, this great day will forever be immortalized in photos on Lehigh Valley Underground!

 

Sunday Thought Series: We’ve Had Ourselves a Month

May has been so busy and exciting that it’s hard to believe that we were in the middle of our first media partnership with Allentown JazzFest only a few weeks ago. We started the month with Scott Tixier in Emmaus, and the festival would continue during the month’s opening week with performances from Steve Coleman and Five Elements, Lucy Woodward and many more.

The fun continued all month long. We’ve seen debuts, international rising stars, industry veterans, and long-time local favorites. We successfully closed the return season – and first on LVU – of our official podcast, The Quinn Spinn, with great hope for the future. And, of course, we met more great people and had insightful conversations that will surely help us all work toward the betterment of our original music community in the months and years ahead.

Through it all, there’s a sense of satisfaction in knowing that so many people in our music community have been positively impacted by Lehigh Valley Underground, both throughout this month and dating back to January. The fact that people are hearing about us on their own – and not just from my incessant, daily social media posts – means that we’ve strengthened the music scene, and that we can only get better from here together.

It should be an amazing summer. A lot of big things are beginning to take shape. Although I can’t talk about them yet, please know that May was just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot more #BuildingBetter where this came from.

PHOTOS: Dana Gaynor Band at Mayfair

It’s a blazing hot Memorial Day weekend in the Lehigh Valley, and that means it’s time for Mayfair Festival of the Arts! The festival rolls along all weekend, and began last night with an appearance from the Dana Gaynor Band.

Gaynor and her bandmates withstood the heat for two hours to deliver an incredibly tight performance of all original music across genres. Those in attendance heard shades of blues, rock, jam, rockabilly, country, and even a little pop throughout the night.

Mayfair continues all weekend long, highlighted by performances from the Godfrey Daniels Community, Big Valley Bluegrass, Craig Thatcher and more (full schedule here). We’ll be back to close the festival on Monday for Scott Marshall & Marshall’s Highway.

Until then, enjoy these photos from last night’s stellar performance.

When I’m Gone, Leave the Light On…

With the return season of The Quinn Spinn in the books, we want to encourage you all to follow and check in regularly with the show’s official blog (yes, a separate blog from LVU) for exclusive updates as we re-focus and get ready for a new season in the fall.

I took some time out this afternoon to share my thoughts about and gratitude for this great season, and I look forward to many more as we continue #BuildingBetter together.

https://thequinnspinn.tumblr.com/post/145017545418/when-im-gone-leave-the-light-on

QSLehighValley: May 26, 2016

The Quinn Spinn’s return season is complete with this all-new episode of #QSLehighValley, sponsored by The Valley Ledger. We offer you our heartfelt thanks alongside these local tracks for sticking with us and making this season a success. We’ll keep #BuildingBetter together!

Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
This Way to the Egress – This Side of Jordan
Lauren Marsh – Promise
Avi Wisnia – Rabbit Hole
Julius – Sunlit Day
AVYLON – Don’t Look Back
Rofo Audio – Hushed
Duke Maroon – The Man Who Laughs
Autoerotica – Slip Away
Alpha Zero Three – Take Me Over
JingerKroa – Echo
The Wayside Shakeup – Stay Up

LVU Wants to Know: What Upcoming Shows Have You Excited?

With the unofficial start of summer just days away, the music scene here in the Lehigh Valley (and anywhere else with a music scene) is making like the temperature and heating up. We’re lucky enough to live in a place where, virtually any night of the week, you can find great live music from local talent.

There is always much to look forward to in the prime time of the year, but we want to know: Which shows in particular have caught your eye?

Perhaps you’re looking forward to your favorite Musikfest headliner. Or, if you’re like us, you want to show the love to our local artists, who keep this scene going year-round. Whatever your tastes, there’s bound to be something for everybody — and we want to know what dates are on your radar!

A couple that are upcoming for us? Well, in addition to our Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week (hello, Mayfair), we’re really looking forward to Slingshot Dakota’s Hometown Record Release Show at SteelStacks on Friday, June 10. Also, we can’t wait to mix it up with Scott Marshall, Pinnacle, Valdez and a host of other local music folks at The Originals Music Series’ Musicians Social on Thursday, June 16. LVU plans to be in attendance for both of those — and many more!

It’s your turn to tell us. What’s most exciting to you as a local music lover?

Autoerotica’s “Alone” Featured in UFC Program

It’s been a huge week for Autoerotica. First, they were a part of a big night of rock at The Originals Music Series on Thursday. Then, of course, they made their Quinn Spinn debut yesterday with their new single, “Alone.”

Arguably bigger than a coveted appearance on The Quinn Spinn, however, is this. Autoerotica’s “Alone” is used in the fifth installment of UFC’s “Dana White: Lookin’ For a Fight.”

Seriously, that’s a huge opportunity! Check it out — the song begins at 21:47.

Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week: Memorial Day Weekend Edition

Memorial Day Weekend will soon be upon us! The unofficial start of summer brings with it increasing opportunities to check out the wild musical world around us.

Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!

Fri., May 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Dana Gaynor at Mayfair Festival of the Arts
Venue: 601 Hamilton St., Allentown
Admission: $6 advance, $8 at the door (free for children under 10 and U.S. military veterans)
Description: Dana Gaynor and her blues band headline Mayfair’s Discovery Stage on the festival’s first night.

Sat., May 28 | 8 p.m.
Julius at the West Coplay Maennerchor
Venue: 3326 N Ruch St., Whitehall
Admission: FREE
Description: Julius receives full band support to blow the roof off of the club. Membership is not necessary to attend.

Mon., May 30 | 12:30 p.m.
Scott Marshall & Marshall’s Highway at Mayfair Festival of the Arts
Venue: Allentown Fairgrounds
Description: Scott Marshall and his eponymous band cap a big holiday weekend with a performance for the troops, to be followed by a ceremony in their honor.

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