Author Archives: Nicole McGaffey

Spotlight Series: Sierra Hull

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Spotlight Series - Sierra Hull

Tonight, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Sierra Hull will enchant Levitt AMP Middlesboro concertgoers with her honey-crisp vocals and elegant command of intricate, bluegrass-inspired mandolin melodies. Once a teen prodigy from Tennessee, Hull is now a rising star in her mid-twenties who found her own unique voice and is using it to wow audiences, critics and living legends like Béla Fleck and Alison Krauss. Tonight’s performance will be Hull’s second Levitt AMP Music Series appearance, after delighting Levitt AMP Sheboygan audiences last year. In anticipation of tonight’s show, we’re bringing you 10 fun facts about this incredible talent! Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Devon Gilfillian

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Devon Gilfillian

Fresh off the heels of a rousing performance that launched Levitt Shell’s fall season, soulful rocker Devon Gilfillian heads to Levitt Pavilion Dayton—where he’ll perform as part of the venue’s inaugural season tomorrow night! Described as “one of the most exciting young artists in Nashville’s burgeoning soul scene” by Rolling Stone, Levitt Dayton concertgoers are in for an unforgettable night of sweltering blues guitar riffs, rich gospel vocals and velvet-smooth jams that pack a punch. This will be Gilfillian’s third Levitt performance of the season, following performances in Memphis and Middlesboro, Ky., earlier this summer. Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Big Freedia

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Tonight, the fierce and fabulous Big Freedia—pronounced “Big Free-da”—will take Levitt AMP Chattanooga by storm with her danceable rapid-fire beats and joyous messages of empowerment for people of all ages, backgrounds and genders. As an openly gay artist of color, Big Freedia fearlessly lives her truth, breaking down barriers and helping to create a more open and accepting world in the process. Dubbed the ‘Queen of Bounce,’ Big Freedia is a passionate ambassador of the high-energy, hip-hop with a twist coming out of New Orleans, known as bounce music. And her passion is contagious! Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Delhi 2 Dublin

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Tomorrow night, Levitt AMP Sheboygan concertgoers are in for a high-octane musical journey with Delhi 2 Dublin’s bass-heavy blend of bhangra, electronic, funk, hip-hop, Celtic music and more! In anticipation of tomorrow’s show, we’re bringing you five fun facts about this four-piece global sensation that has wowed international audiences, including those at Levitt Pavilion Dayton (2018), Levitt Shell Memphis (2017) and Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles (2012).   Continue reading →

Shining the spotlight on the final batch of Levitt AMP lineups!

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Throughout the summer, we’ve highlighted the incredible talent invigorating small and mid-sized towns and cities nationwide through the 2018 Levitt AMP Music Series—and today is no exception! While many students across the country are already heading back to school, there are many festive evenings of free Levitt concerts left to enjoy. The Levitt AMP Music Series is still in full force with dozens of concerts to look forward to in communities across the country, including St. Johnsbury, Vt., Berea and Middlesboro, Ky., Chattanooga, Tenn. and Escondido, Calif. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on this last batch of Levitt AMP lineups and celebrating the many evenings of free, live music under the stars ahead. Scroll down to learn more about the rising stars and award-winning talent filling these five towns and cities with the free, live music! Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Making Movies

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Tonight, genre-busting troubadours Making Movies bring their eclectic fusion of rock, cumbia, and spoken word to Levitt AMP Trenton. Known for their contagious Afro-Latin rhythms, socially-conscious messages, and heartfelt performances, Levitt AMP Trenton concertgoers are in for a fantastic show tonight. The members of Making Movies are no strangers to Levitt. Tonight’s show will mark the band’s fifth appearance on a Levitt stage—with past performances in Sheboygan, Wis. (2018), Santa Fe, N.M. (2018), Denver (2017) and Memphis (2017). Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Slambovian Circus of Dreams

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In just a few hours, “Hillbilly-Pink Floyd” rockers, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams will electrify the Levitt AMP Utica stage with their one-of-kind Americana! Hailing from the Hudson Highlands of New York, the group has been dubbed “The Hudson River Valley’s best kept secret” by Jam.Base.com, for good reason. Performing together for more than a decade, the group has found their niche in surreal and playful performances—bringing audiences an eccentric fusion of Americana meets rock meets folk meets blues. With an eclectic repertoire ranging from gentle ballads to sweeping cinematic style anthems, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams takes audiences on a colorful journey, complete with quirky costumes, surprising props and a heartfelt nostalgic sound. The result is simultaneously familiar yet original…and is bound to make for a memorable evening. Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Ranky Tanky

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Tomorrow night, the soulful sounds of contemporary Gullah music will fill Levitt Pavilion Westport, when South Carolina-based quintet Ranky Tanky takes the stage! Ranky Tanky celebrates the rich, multifaceted musical tradition of the Gullah (pronounced “guh-luh”)—a West African term translating to “a people blessed by God” that was born out of the transatlantic slave trade, and a cultural heritage that is still thriving in the Caribbean and the southern coastal areas, like the South Carolina coast and Sea Islands. Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Honey Island Swamp Band

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Tonight, ‘Bayou Americana’ jammers Honey Island Swamp Band will light up the Levitt AMP Ocala stage with their fun and funky fusion of roots-infused blues and country. Their blazing horns, searing harmonica, twangy guitar riffs and soulful vocals are bound to have audiences dancing and clapping along to their driving beats! The group’s joyous, upbeat tunes are an ode to their resiliency, showcasing their ability to relocate and rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina hit their hometown of New Orleans in 2005. Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Bella’s Bartok

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This Sunday afternoon, bohemian ‘circus punk’ rockers Bella’s Bartok will bring their vibrant kaleidoscope of sound to the Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury stage. Audiences are invited into a mesmerizing world steeped in vaudeville, playful camaraderie and the rich folk traditions of the band members’ immigrant grandparents. The six-piece powerhouse seamlessly blends Eastern European klezmer, Americana, punk and pop music, creating a lively fusion you won’t soon forget. Their passionate, eclectic sound is amplified by the group’s high-energy theatrical performances. “At their core, our shows are about a certain release,” explains the band’s lead vocalist, Asher Putnam. “We share with the audience all of our joy and grief, while they do the same back to us. It is a wholly cathartic experience for both the band and the concert attendees.” No stranger to the Levitt AMP Music Series, Bella’s Bartok wowed Levitt AMP North Adams audiences in 2016 and they’ll also be headed to Berea, Ky., in early August to perform in the 2018 Levitt AMP Berea Music Series. Continue reading →