From April 29 to May 21, 2017, Red Bull Music Academy Festival New York will feature performances by some of today’s most impactful musical artists, tributes to iconic NYC musicians and their scenes, conversations with creative trailblazers and celebrations of various international influences on the city’s nightlife. The shows will unfold at some of NYC’s most unique venues, ranging from prestigious institutions like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to outdoor locations and uncharted spaces completely reconfigured for the occasion.
The festival will feature Solange’s multimedia dance performance An Ode To, created exclusively for the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; a piano bar show by Atlanta rap godfathers Gucci Mane and Zaytoven, with Zaytoven taking a seat at the grand piano; Detroit house legend and Prince superfan Moodymann playing a special tribute set to the Purple One; a celebration of the life and music of visionary composer Alice Coltrane, including music made during her ashram years and heard on the upcoming compilation World Spirituality Classics 1: The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda; a 10-hour listening experience bringing together generations of ambient music-makers including Stevie Wonder’s synth guru Malcolm Cecil, Brian Eno collaborator Laraaji, Julianna Barwick, Huerco S., Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, thereminist Dorit Chrysler and more.
New York City’s rich musical tradition takes center stage as Brooklyn label Sacred Bones Records celebrate their 10th anniversary with many of the artists that have released music on the revered imprint, including Jenny Hval, Zola Jesus, Blanck Mass, Moon Duo with special guest Jim Jarmusch, Marissa Nadler and more; an all-star band pays tribute to the Harlem-raised songwriter, arranger, producer, A&R, engineer and living legend Patrick Adams; and prolific songwriter, producer and instrumentalist Teddy Riley will give a public lecture about his long and influential career including working with Michael Jackson to pioneering the New Jack Swing sound. Following Riley’s conversation will be a New Jack Swing dance party, featuring iconic DJs from the era.
Other lectures at this year’s festival include groundbreaking filmmaker Werner Herzog, who will talk about the music that has informed and inspired his films; and pioneering experimental music composer Alvin Lucier, who will discuss the tenets of his vital and exploratory work.
Celebrating the international fabric of NYC culture, the festival will also bring a range of global music scenes to the city. A night of Brazilian funk, or “proibidão,” which originated in the favela street parties known as fluxos, will feature stars of the scene such as MC Bin Laden and MC Carol, as well as US-based kindred spirits like DJ Assault, Sicko Mobb, Venus X and Asmara. GQOM: Durban → NYC will celebrate South Africa’s exhilarating new style of low-slung, lo-fi house music with a number of pioneering gqom artists performing in the US for the first time; and samba icon Elza Soares will give a special performance, presented in partnership with Brasil Summerfest and Summerstage.
Red Bull Music Academy Festival New York will also bring house music DJs from gay underground scenes across the country together for one night, including crews from San Francisco (Honey Soundsystem), Pittsburgh (Honcho), Washington D.C. (NeedlExchange), Chicago (Men’s Room), Los Angeles (Spotlight) and New York (Wrecked NYC, The Carry Nation); and Bed-Stuy as a hotbed of innovative dance music and party culture will be the focus of a daytime party with Juliana Huxtable, Tygapaw, Bearcat, and members of the Papi Juice and KUNQ crews.
Tickets go on sale today, Wednesday, March 22 at 11am EDT. See more details on the individual events, sign up for the #RBMANYC newsletter and purchase tickets at http://nyc.redbullmusicacademy.com.
In addition to the events, #RBMANYC will tell original stories through editorial content – such as an immersive digital experience that brings to life the Beastie Boys’ legendary Canal Street Studio on the 5th anniversary of Adam Yauch’s passing – on RBMA Daily (http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com) and RedBull.com’s Music channel (www.redbull.com/music). Red Bull Radio (www.redbullradio.com) will feature a month of NYC-focused programming, including event live streams, special broadcasts from Red Bull Arts New York, and more.
