Last year, Red Hot, which donates money to AIDS research, came out with their 20th compilation album, the amazing Dark Was the Night, featuring such great artists as David Byrne, Sharon Jones, Yeasayer, Bon Iver, and many others. If you don’t have the album I suggest you get it asap!

Last night there was a grand celebration to celebrate the album, with all proceeds going to Red Hot. It was at Radio City Music Hall and it really was great. The night began with a short set by the Dirty Projectors, and for two songs (one of which is one the album, “Knotty Pine”) they were joined by David Byrne.

Next up was My Brightest Diamond who blew everyone away with her version of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.” Man, that girl can sing. She returned throughout the night to sing with many of the other artists, including The National.

Next was The National, who played a handful of songs, including their song from the album “So Far Around the Bend,” as well as two new songs that were great. Can’t wait to hear more!

Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio came out next and sang his version of The Troggs’ “With a Girl Like You.” I have to say, I love this song.

Finally, to end the first half, David Byrne returned and played his three songs from previous Red Hot compilations: “Don’t Fence Me In,” “Dreamworld: Marco de Canavezes,” and “Waters of March (Aguas de Março)” which he sang with Feist and of course all of the songs were fabulous. He even came out with a drum band doing his fancy footwork that we all love.

The second half started off with Bon Iver, who played a great little set that got the crowd energized a bit. They played their song from the album, “Brackett, WI” as well as a few from their albums. They also brought out Matt Berninger from The National and My Brightest Diamond for some collaborations.

Next up was Feist. She played without a band, two acoustic songs and one electric, including a Little Wings cover. She was joined by Justin Vernon from Bon Iver for one song. Her set was not what I expected from her and I felt like she was trying hard to be someone else…although her voice did sound amazing.

Last but certainly not least was Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings who of course brought the energy like no one else can. They played a few songs, including her cover of Shuggie Otis’ “Inspiration Information” that is on the album.

Finally, all the other bands that had played earlier (except David Byrne!) came out and announced that in honor of Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday (which was being celebrated over at Madison Square Garden at the same time) they were going to sing “This Land Is Your Land.” They started in on a kind of pathetic low-key version, only to be stopped midway by Ms. Sharon Jones who announced that she and the Dap Kings were going to do their version, “if that was okay.” The crowd went nuts and they did their amazing version with everyone on stage. Great ending to a great night!

Image: Amazon

Dark Was the Night, the awesome compilation put out by Red Hot (charity for AIDS) featuring the likes of David Byrne, Feist, Grizzly Bear, The National, Sharon Jones, and many more, is putting on a show at Radio City Music Hall.

On May 3, Dirty Projectors, Feist, My Brightest Diamond, The National, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, David Sitek, and more (rumored to be there: David Byrne, Grizzly Bear) will converge on Radio City Music Hall for a good cause. Sounds like a can’t miss show, doesn’t it. So, get your tickets on AMEX presale now, Internet Bowery Presents presale today at 11 am (password: oksana), or regular sale on Friday at 11 am.

The following shows are on sale now:

• David Lynch Foundation Benefit with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Ben Harper, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Bettye LaVette, Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder, Donovan, and Moby at Radio City Music Hall on April 4
• Depeche Mode at Madison Square Garden on August 3
• No Doubt with Paramore at Jones Beach on June 27
• The Toadies at Irving Plaza on May 27
• Soulive at Blender Theater on April 16
• Def Leppard, Poison, and Cheap Trick at Jones Beach on July8
• Seal at Radio City Music Hall on April 16
• Mastodon and Kylesa at Irving Plaza on May 9 and Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 10
• David Byrne at Wellmont Theater on June 3
• Ian Anderson at Beacon Theater on October 13

Phish Accept 2008 Lifetime Achievement Jammy Award

Image: Newscom

Well, it has finally happened. Phish are reuniting. After playing three dates in Virginia in March, the band will be going on tour this summer and will kick it off with two dates at Jones Beach (June 4 and 5). Tickets don’t go on sale until January 30 at 10 am, but they are on presale now. Get them here. All tour dates below.

Tickets are also on presale for a second David Byrne show on February 28 at Radio City Music Hall. For presale, password is BOWBYRNE. Tickets go on regular sale on Monday at 10 am. Tickets here.

Phish - 2009 Tour Dates
03/06 - Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
03/07 - Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
03/08 - Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
06/04 - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY
06/05 - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY
06/06 - Comcast Center - Mansfield, MA
06/07 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
06/09 - Asheville Civic Center - Asheville, NC
06/16 - Fox Theatre - St. Louis, MO
06/18 - Post Gazette Pavilion - Burgettstown, PA
06/19 - Verizon Wireless Music Center - Noblesville, IN
06/20 - Alpine Valley - East Troy, WI
06/21 - Alpine Valley - East Troy, WI

John Legend is playing at Radio City Music Hall with Estelle on February 5. Tickets go on presale tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10 am. Click here and use the password “cove.” Tickets go on regular sale on Saturday at 10 am.

Lots of exciting shows have been announced recently. Yay!

Lissy Trullie + special guests Adam Green, Mark Ronson + Harley & Cassie on November 17 @ Santos Party House. Tickets on sale now.

Switch, D.I.M., Grandmaster Flash, and the Asteroids Galaxy Tour on November 21 @ Webster Hall. No advance tickets yet.

Gang Gang Dance and Marnie Stern on November 29 @ Santos Party House. Tickets on sale now.

Matt Pinfield’s Holiday Extravaganza featuring The Ting Tings, Mike Doughty, The Duke Spirit, and The Airborne Toxic  Event on December 9 @ Blender Theater. Tickets on sale now.

Candlebox on December 12 @ Irving Plaza. Tickets on sale now.

Butthole Surfers on December 12 @ The Warsaw. Tickets on sale now.

David Byrne on February 27 @ Radio City Music Hall. No tickets on sale yet.

Passion Pit on December 5 @ Glasslands. Tickets on sale now.

Cut Copy and Matt & Kim on March 21 @ Terminal 5.

St. Vincent @ Castle Clinton, Photo permission: Devorah Klein

Death Cab for Cutie will be at Radio City Music Hall on October 6 and it has just been announced that the fabulous St. Vincent will be opening for them! Ticket are on sale now.

A few more shows going on sale tomorrow (Saturday, August 9):

The Who @ the IZOD Center on October 29

Bon Iver @ Town Hall on December 11

Jason Mraz @ Radio City Music Hall on October 10

The Fratellis - Webster Hall, NYC - June 13th, 2008
Photo Permission by Chris | the other Chris

In addition to all the other shows that went on sale this week or are going on sale today, tickets to see Alanis Morisette at Radio City Music Hall on September 26 go on sale today at 10 AM. Also at 10 AM, tickets for the Fratellis at Roseland Ballroom on September 5 go on sale.

The rest of the summer and fall concerts are starting to come through en masse now, and many shows are going on sale this week. Those include:

Metric and Mates of State, August 7 @ Highline Ballroom. Tickets on sale Friday at noon.

Willie Nelson and Jakob Dylan, September 25 @ Radio City Music Hall. On presale this Thursday at 10 a.m., password is rosebud, on regular sale on Friday at 10 a.m.

Ray Lamontagne, October 11 @ Radio City Music Hall. On presale now thru 7/18, password is GRAIN.

Shudder to Think, October 4 @ Webster Hall. On sale Friday at noon.

Juliana Hatfield and Hayden, September 12 @ Bowery Ballroom. On sale Friday at noon.

Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, September 25 and 26 @ Mercury Lounge. On sale Friday at noon.

Joan as Police Woman, September 25 @ Bowery Ballroom. On sale Friday at noon.

Charlatans UK, October 14 @ Bowery Ballroom. Tickets on sale Thursday at noon.

Cesaria Evora and Madeleine Peyroux, October 3 @ Carnegie Hall. On sale Monday at 11 a.m.