The dirty secret of New York is that despite its image as the world’s nightlife’s mecca it’s effectively worked itself up to the point where it’s too cool to party. Yeah, we put on our cool clothes and venture out into the grime to act like we are having fun, but for many it’s just [...]

Photos by Sweetlife, video from Rick Dalberg‘s Youtube stream.  Sure, I’m a bit biased, but The Sweetlife Festival has muscled its way to becoming on of the most unique music events on the East Coast in just a few short years. The food and music festival has evolved from a gathering in a parking lot into a full [...]

At a sold out Webster Hall the stage was unadorned with the exception of a single table covered from end to end with wires. There was no concert lighting, or guest musicians or even hype men. It was a night to celebrate the kind of musician that pretty much only started existing in the 21st [...]

The Red Bull Music Academy grows larger and larger; in it’s original incarnation it was to help talented musicians collaborate and feed off each other. In the 2013 NYC edition these core values have expanded tenfold; it’s slowly becoming one of the best travelling festivals in the world. For two nights they decided to bring [...]

At Couch Sessions we’ve been a fan of Pyyramids since hearing their debut EP, Human Beings, but seeing the band live is where the band really begins to make sense. Lead singer Drea clutches the microphone and stares into the crowd lost in the words of her song. Her partner in crime, Tim, plays a [...]

In between their Coachella dates the dance music duo that is TNGHT brought their show to Webster Hall in NYC. A sold out crowd filled the venue, united by the catchphrase of the night, ‘Turnt up’, which they screamed aloud while unsatisfactory ambient electronic music played in between acts. First NYC rapper stalwart Roc Marcino [...]

Alicia Keys and five-time Grammy nominated crooner Miguel came to DC and basically set the Verizon Center stage in flames on their “Set the World on Fire” tour. Fresh off his stellar performance on SNL, Miguel wasted no time with warming up, he was –well, on fire (cliché, I know). He started the show with [...]

Cold War Kids live is different than a Cold War Kids record. When the Los Angeles-based band played a sold-out 9:30 Club Thursday night, their sound was unexpectedly colorful. On record, it’s pretty black and white. Since their first album Robbers & Cowards, the Cold War Kids have had a gritty black and white aesthetic [...]

What’s spectacular about Lady is the chemistry between Nicole Wray and Terri Walker. It’s readily apparent on record; where their voices easily play off and urge each other on. But seeing them live brings a whole other dimension. They go back and forth with each other; they tease, make faces, and try out off the [...]

Fresh off the showcase that was The Circus at SXSW, Haitus Kaiyote touched down in New York City for a handful of dates. Their Manhattan show at the intimate Slipper Room was moved to the much larger Le Poisson Rouge due to brisk ticket sales; even that sold out. The crowd was heavy with diehard [...]

Experiencing Flying Lotus live is like being in the presence of a master DJ; he plays hits, remixes them, and builds new tracks on the fly. His performances are unadorned (outside of a guest musician or five); it’s usually him on stage with his laptop close to the audience, singing, rapping, and head nodding along [...]

Hip-hop at SXSW this year was not as strong as others (and that statement deserves it’s own article), however all eyes were turned onto the annual Ice Cream Social showcase put on by Mass Appeal. Stocked with names such as Kendrick Lamar, Bun B, Pusha T, Danny Brown, Alexander Spit, A$AP Ferg, Roc Marciano, Raekwon, [...]