2023 Favorite Concert
Of course Taylor Swift was the big story in 2023! But we were lucky to have many other performers rock our world – well, Cincinnati – this year.
Classical music? Check.
Metalcore? Check.
Time’s Person of the Year? Yeah, we’ve got that too.
From intimate sets to huge stadium shows, music moved us to dance, feel, and come together as nothing else could.
See what had our Favorite Things panel on their feet in 2023.
Normally I’d say something country at Riverbend, but this year it was the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!
I had the opportunity to chaperone my son’s fourth grade class field trip and we all had a great time together. We are so fortunate to have CSO, Music Hall and so many other beautiful treasures in this town.
– Sarah Celenza
Flo Rida at Kroger Wellness Fest – Best free concert I have seen!
– Megan Coffey
Shakey Graves at Bogarts.
– Hillary Copsey
Pink at GABP She is an amazing performer!!!!!
– Bridget England
And Krista Katona Pille agrees:
PINK at Great American Ballpark – It was one giant summer party! No one puts on a show like PINK – She literally FLEW in the air!
AlphaWolf, Knocked Loose, and Motionless in White but also LS Dunes
– Christian Gill
Opening night of our new production of Madama Butterfly.
– Evans Mirageas
Beyonce! But in Cincinnati, it was The Reunion Tour at Andrew Brady Music Center
– Jenifer Moore
Photos by Shae Huth
TAYLOR SWIFT!
– Kathrine Nero
No really…
Taylor Swift who is raising a generation of good people. The two days of concerts at Paycor were memorable in so many ways for me and our city.
– Jackie Reau
Kronos Quartet at Memorial Hall
– Mindy Rosen
It’s a tie!
Taylor Swift at Paycor Stadium was the most wholesome display of friendship, feminine power, and fun I may have ever seen. People complimenting each other! Singing along in unison! Giving each other friendship bracelets!
Before the show, a young woman asked me if I wanted a friendship bracelet and showed me a giant bag filled with beaded masterpieces. I said thank you, but I didn’t have one for her. Assuring me that its was fine, she let me choose one. Once I stopped sobbing from this adorable kindless. I picked one that read “EVERMORE,” my favorite album.
Later that night the title track was one of the “secret songs.” I have considered that bracelet a good luck talisman since then.
Patti Smith at Homecoming. Seeing a woman command the stage at an age when so many others have retired, was astonishing. Not that I expected anything less from the godmother of punk. From reading an Alan Ginsberg poem to a rapt crowd to telling a story about “Bobby” Mapplethorpe, she had captivated the crowd. She was also in fine voice that night, joining The National during their set for “I Need My Girl.” She was a revelation and an inspiration.
– Tricia Suit
Candlelight Concert at Memorial Hall – Super relaxing and magical.
– Amy Thompson
Taylor Swift.
– Courtney Tomasetti
(Seriously, we mean it. It was a really good show.)
James Taylor – First time to see him in person.
– Jayne Utter
Sing a Chorus or Two
Stressing from holiday feast prep? You'll feel fine and dandy while listening to our holiday cooking playlist. (Start with track 39. Trust us.)
You need a holiday cooking playlist.
We don’t make the rules. But we can tell you one thing, cooking, especially during the hectic holiday season, is just better with music.
Don’t have a go-to playlist? You’re in luck!
We curated a happy, smooth jazz-y, get-that-turkey-in-the-oven-but-don’t-forget-about-it-while-doing-a-million-other-things, playlist to get you through the baking, cooking and inevitable clean-up. (With a few choice local picks, including a track from the Cincinnati Pops new holiday release, JOY!.)
Click our 2023 Holiday Playlist – Cooking Edition and Step into Christmas.
About Today
The National returns for Homecoming, back-to-back days of music featuring headlining sets by the band and a handpicked line-up of great artists.
For the first time since 2018, The National bring the Homecoming Festival back to Cincinnati. The two-night event at the Brady Music Center in Smale Riverfront Park feature performances from a host of beloved acts, including Patti Smith, Pavement, Weyes Blood, and The Walkmen.
The National, headlining both Friday and Saturday, will perform two critically acclaimed albums from start to finish for the first time, beginning with High Violet, followed by Trouble Will Find Me. Along with these two beloved works, the band will treat fans to a wide breadth of music from across their catalog.
Homecoming 2023
Friday
The National
(performing High Violet in full)
8:30–11 p.m.
Patti Smith & Her Band
6:45–7:45 p.m.
The Walkmen
5:30–6:15 p.m
Arooj Aftab
4:15–5 p.m.
Bartees Strange
3–3:45 p.m.
Carriers
2–2:30 p.m.
Allen Lanz
1–1:30 p.m.
Saturday
The National
(performing Trouble Will Find Me in full)
8:30–11 p.m.
Pavement
6:15–7:45 pm..
Weyes Blood
5– 5:45 p,m.
Snail Mail
3:45–4:30 p.m.
Julia Jacklin
2:30–3:15 p.m.
The Drin
1:30–2 p.m.
Leo Pastel
12:30–1 p.m.
Weekend Passes, Single Day Tickets, and VIP Packages are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and BradyMusicCenter.com.
In recognition of its then tenth anniversary, High Violet was meant to be the centerpiece of the band’s Homecoming 2020 performance before the festival was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. This year, Trouble Will Find Me also turns ten, allowing Homecoming 2023 to serve as both a belated and timely anniversary celebration of the two.
Band member Aaron Dessner had a more recent return to Cincinnati, taking the stage with Taylor Swift during her July 1 Eras tour stop in the city. Dessner co-produced Swift’s folklore and evermore albums and remains her frequent collaborator. Earlier this year, Swift returned the favor by appearing as a featured artist on The National’s song “The Alcott” from their critically acclaimed new album First Two Pages of Frankenstein.
Enjoy the Silence
Golf doesn't have to be so quiet. DJ Etrayn has music perfect for the greens.
To say DJ Etrayn knows how to get a crowd pumped is an understatment.
As the official DJ / host for the Reds and Bearcats, and a the former DJ of the Bengals, ETrayn has worked sports events and charity events and youth camps for athletes all over the country.
But golf calls for something a little different than the bombast of arena rock. Check out his exclusive playlist for this year’s Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G.
DJ Etrayn’s 18 Hole Playlist
1. “Smooth Operator” – Sade
2. “Is It True” – Tame Impala
3. “Return Of The Mack” – Mark Morrison
4. “Electric Feel” – MGMT
5. “Breathe Deeper” – Tame Impala
6. “Come Down” – Anderson Paak
7. “Heads Will Roll” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
8. “American Boy” – Estelle
9. “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” – Outkast
10. “On My Mind” – Diplo
11. “Believe Me” – Navos
12. “Music Sounds Better” – Stardust
13. Gimme Gimme Gimme – Abba
14. “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé
15. “Rain On Me” – Lady Gaga
16. “One Kiss” – Dua Lipa
17. “Ric Flair Drip” – 21 Savage
18. “Stir Fry “– Migos
For the Good Times
The Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G returns to Paycor Stadium in July, with a lineup of R&B music featuring Al Green, Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott, Babyface and more.
Cincinnati Music Festival is going to the Dogg this year!
Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G (CMF) returns to Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati from July 20-22, 2023, with an exciting lineup of R&B music featuring Al Green, Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott, Babyface and more headlining the event over the three days.
Thursday night’s concert, held at The Andrew J. Brady Center at The Banks, will celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop.
“We are thrilled with this year’s lineup for the Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G,” said Joe Santangelo, producer of the Festival. “It’s the first time for Snoop Dogg to perform at the Festival and Al Green last performed in 1974. We know they will both be huge draws for our fans. It’s also an honor for us to plan a Thursday performance to pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop.”
The 2023 lineup includes a tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop at the Brady Music Center, with artists to be announced later this year. The main event, at Paycor Stadium on Friday and Saturday features Al Green, Jill Scott, Jodeci, Midnight Star, and Gerald Albright on Friday, with Snoop Dogg, Babyface, P-Funk Connection, Avery Sunshine, and Norman Brown on Saturday night.
Catch the Sun
The ultimate party playlist for your red, white and BBQ.
Do you hear that? It makes you want to put the top down or float in the pool or hang out with your besties.
It’s the song of the summer.
The “song of the summer” is described as the dominant song between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That leaves plenty of room for debate about the true “song of the summer” each year, though. Let’s just say, you know it when you hear it.
Billboard officially started its “Songs of the Summer” chart in 2010, but has retroactively collected hits back to 1985. But to save you time, we’ve tracked the Top 5 songs from 2000 to 2022, creating the perfect soundtrack for all your summer parties.
The New York Times set out to define it a bit more, creating charts for a very different sort (hint: there's an algorithm). What they found was remarkable similarities among the Top 10 hits of each summer since 1970. So don’t be surprised if this year’s summer bop sounds familiar, but in a feel-good, nostalgic way.
From one-hit wonders to music legends, the playlist lets you travel back in time to more carefree summer days. Grab your sunglasses – and a drink – and have a great summer.
Our Song
Spoiler alert: We’ve got a sneak peek at the “Eras” playlist, courtesy of fans on Spotify.
Spoiler Alert: If you are going to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour shows this weekend and don’t want to know what she’s going to play – and when – stop reading now.
For everyone else, here’s a preview of the set list, courtesy of Apple Music.
But the set isn’t limited to just this list. Each night Swift adds two surprise songs, recently playing “Dear John” live for the first time in 11 years. (Pity John Mayer!)
Swift has also had surprise guests on the tour, including Ice Spice, Phoebe Bridgers, and even Cincinnati’s own Aaron Dessner.
Will Dessner or others from The National join her onstage at Paycor? I guess you never know, never know…
Stop, Look, Listen
Taste of Cincinnati is a true feast for the senses, with more than 30 bands set to entertain the crowds throughout one of the country’s largest culinary arts festival.
Need a break from all the eating at Taste of Cincinnati? Burn some calories dancing!
This weekend, 39 musical acts will appear on four stages, making Taste not only one of the nation’s largest free culinary arts festivals, but also one of the region’s largest annual music festivals.
Food Truck Alley Stage
Saturday
Linus Tate 12–3 p.m.
Soul Quest 4–7 p.m.
Eleven Arrows 8–11 p.m.
Sunday
Ricky Nye Inc 12–3 p.m.
Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts 4–7 p.m.
Catalyst –11 p.m.
Monday
Pete Wagner Band 11 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Jack Burton Overdrive 2–4 p.m.
The SunBurners 5–7 p.m.
Moonbeau 8– 9 p.m.
Taste of Cincinnati Main Stage
Saturday
Final Order 12 – 3 p.m.
Ralph and the Rhythm Hounds 4–7 p.m.
Buzz Bin 8–11 p.m.
Sunday
P. Ann Everson-Price and the All-Star Band 12 –3 p.m.
Tracy Walker Band 4–7 p.m.
The Whammies 8–11 p.m.
Monday
The Ingrid Rachel Project 12–2 p.m.
Big Gill and His Funky All-Stars 3–5 p.m.
3 Day Rule 6–9 p.m.
Taste of Findlay Market Stage
Saturday
Kryst Kruer 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Maria Keck 3–6 p.m.
Mark Joshua 7–10 p.m.
Sunday
Daniel in Stereo 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
AprinasRevolutionaryLove 3– 6 p.m.
Elizabeth Walters 7–10 p.m.
Monday
Jim Kelly 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tracy Walker 3– 5 p.m.
Matt Cowherd 6– 9 p.m.
ZYN Stage
Saturday
Dan Van Vechten 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Danny Frazier Band 2–4 p.m.
Jason Owens Band 5–7 p.m.
Kenny Welch Band 8–11 p.m.
Sunday
Missy Werner Band 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Jeremy Short 2:30–4:30p.m.
Soul Shadow 5:30–7 p.m.
The Varner/Netherton Revival 8– 11 p.m.
Monday
Big Whiskey 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Michelle Robinson Band 2–5 p.m.
Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle 6–9 p.m.
“Taste of Cincinnati is a unique opportunity to not only showcase Cincinnati’s culinary community but also the talented entertainers and performers we have in our own backyard,” says Rob Weidle, senior event producer for Taste of Cincinnati. “This year’s lineup offers a wide range of performers across multiple genres that will satisfy many musical tastes.”
Under the Bridge
Rockin' the Roebling returns every Thursday this summer.
Does summer get any better than music, beer, and friends?
The Gold Star Rockin’ the Roebling series starts this Thursday, May 18 at Moerlein Lager House on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn. Then each Thursday evening through the summer, you can experience music, food, and drinks with the best view in the city – gazing at the Roebling Bridge.
This year’s lineup:
May 18 – Floyd and the Walkmen
May 25 – Natural Progression
June 1 – Marsha Brady
June 8 –The Electric Indigo and Sylmar
June 15 –Brother Smith
June 22 –The Menus
June 29 –DV8
July 6 – Noah Wotherspoon
July 13 – Season Ten and Antematter
July 20 – JukeBox Heroes presented by Trauma Illinois
July 27 – 500 Miles To Memphis
Aug. 3 – The Foles and Steve Covington and the Humble Strays
Aug. 10 – Erin Coburn
Aug. 17 –Crown Watts
Aug. 24–Positive Vibe Band
Aug. 31–Naked Karate Girls
Food and beverage will be available on site and including Gold Star Chili Cheese Coneys. The Casa De Borracho’s Taco Hut, selling tacos and margaritas, will be open during each concert.
During the 16-week series, $1 of Moerlein beer sales will go to the Cincinnati Parks Foundation. Wheatley Vodka has partnered with Pink Ribbon Good with $1 from all sales of the Pink Ribbon Lemonade supporting PRG. Also, local nonprofits, including March of Dimes, Make A Wish, and Ken Anderson Alliance, will participate each week, with an informational table and fundraisings opportunities available.
Money Maker
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati brings back outdoor concerts, with a line-up guaranteed to bring summer fun with Steve Miller Band, Ludacris, Beach Boys, and more.
Outdoor concerts are returning to the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati this summer, with five headliners featured from July through September. The announcement this morning came from new Property President Justin Wyborn.
If You Go
Hard Rock Summer Concerts Line-Up
The Steve Miller Band
Friday, July 7Ludacris, Flo Rida, and Ashanti, Thursday July 20
Beach Boys
Friday, August 11Live with Fuel
Saturday, August 26KC and the Sunshine Band
Friday, Sept. 15
Tickets for the Summer Concerts go on sale at HardRockCasinoCincinnati.com via Ticketmaster on Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
“Our patrons have been asking about these concerts for years, and we are excited to bring them back to the city of Cincinnati,” said Wyborn. “This incredible lineup is just the beginning. We are actively adding to the schedule, with more concert news in the next few months.”
The outdoor area holds to 3,500 general admissions guests. Watch for more concert announcements coming this summer.
Making Arrangements
Plan now for amazing concerts throughout the year, from '80s favorites at Hard Rock Casino to global pop stars at Great American Ball Park.
Ready to rock in 2023? We are! So, we compiled a list of the biggest and best concerts heading to the Tristate!
Check out the gallery & links below for all the info.
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati: Bret Michaels, 38 Special, Michael Bolton and more take the stage!
The Andrew J. Brady Music Center: Parker McCollum and Elle King will make stops here, as well as Louis Capaldi and many more!
Heritage Bank Center: Carrie Underwood brings her Denim & Rhinestones tour to Cincinnati!
Blake Shelton’s “Back to the Honkey Tonk” Tour makes a stop here as well as New Edition’s Legacy Tour.
Riverbend Music Center: Dead & Company, Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20 and ZZ Top are just a few of the huge acts making their way to Riverbend in 2023!
4 More: Fran Santangelo
After a two-year hiatus, the Cincinnati Music Festival was back! And no one was happier about it than Fran Santangelo, director of marketing.
As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting some of our favorite Cincinnati People from 2022.
We checked in with the Director of Marketing and PR for the Cincinnati Music Festival, Fran Santangelo.
What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2022?
I think the competition was the biggest surprise for us in 2022...After the pandemic there are concerts being announced right and left! People are ready to go out and promoters are taking big risks to give people a lot of choices.
What’s changed since we last spoke?
We ended up having our BEST ATTENDED Saturday night since being at Paul Brown Stadium. Janet Jackson put on an amazing show and people came out in HUGE numbers to see her. Being together in that Stadium, with live music was enough to give anyone goosebumps after what we all had been through!
What have you learned about our community this year?
At the end of the day, people feel good being together. All the isolation made us realize how important gathering is and I think everyone in that Stadium left feeling a little more normal than before!
What are you most looking forward to in 2023?
A FRESH new lineup! We're really trying to keep it fresh and new with our headliners - looking forward to bringing people that we've never had before or who haven't performed on our stages in a long while.
We see our best attendance when we offer new and different, so we're rolling with it!
More from Fran and our chat before CMF ‘22 below.
Sound and Vision
Along with incredible displays of light and captivating art work, BLINK also includes great music, with area bands and musicians performing from The Banks to OTR all weekend long
There’s so much to see, AND hear at BLINK. Each night, local musicians and bands will perform.
BLINK’s website has a full list of performers, but if we’ve pulled some artists who were music to your ears to help you start the celebration on Thursday and Friday.
Abiyah
Alternative and electronica, renowned indie artist from Cincinnati. Listen at www.abiyah.com
Thursday, Oct. 13, 7–9 p.m. at Hanna Park Stage
Olivia Meade
Cincinnati-based artist with a chill, Fiona Apple-vibe. Listen at soundcloud.com/oliviameademusic
Thursday, Oct. 13, 7–8 p.m. at Washington Park Stage
Shiny Old Soul
“Comparisons range from Van Morrison to the Grateful Dead.. to The Decemberists.” List at cincymusic.com/bands/shiny-old-soul
Friday, Oct. 14, 7–8 p.m. at The Banks Stage
Matt FX
House, disco. Listen at soundcloud.com/mattfx
Friday, Oct. 14, 10:30–11 p.m. at Hanna Park Stage
MUSE Women’s Choir
One of the oldest social justice women's choirs in the country. Perfect if you like moving, heartfelt music with a message. Listen at www.musechoir.org/music,
Friday, 7–11 p.m. at Washington Park Stage
Fitz and Starts
We've got your playlist for all the music at Kroger Wellness Festival.
We all know music has a huge effect on our mood. Whether it’s your workout mix powering through that last mile or “your song” that gets you out on the dance floor, music can fire us up, lift our spirits, or sooth our souls.
Even Johns Hopkins points out that research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.
So it makes perfect sense that the Kroger Wellness Festival, a free event at The Banks this Friday and Saturday, would feature live performances from exciting musicians and bands each day.
FRIDAY
9:30 a.m.–10 a.m. – Live Easy Listening Music Experience The Jennifer Grantham Group on the American Greetings Stage
11 a.m.–12 p.m.– Live Folk Music with Tracy Walker and Brian Rivers on the Laura’s Lean Stage
3:15 p.m.–4 p.m. – Live Blues Music, boogie woogie and blues piano featuring Ricky Nye on the American Greetings Stage
4: p.m.–4:45 p.m. Live Country Music Grammy-nominated country artist Tom Wurth on the BODYARMOR Stage
5 p.m.–6:30 p.m.– Eli Young Band, the ACM Award-winning country music group performs on the Johnson & Johnson Stage
6:15 p.m.–7 p.m. – Live Pop + Indie Music Pop with Mikaylah Rose on the Laura’s Lean Stage
SATURDAY
11 a.m.–12 p.m. – Live R&B Music blues with Alexa Michelle. on the American Greetings Stage
2 p.m. –2:45 p.m. – Live Music from The Fries Band on the Johnson & Johnson Stage
4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. – Live Music: Fitz and The Tantrums resented by P&G on the BODYARMOR Stage
Brimming with imagination, energy and genre-smashing scope, Multi-Platinum band Fitz and The Tantrums defied the odds to become an indisputable phenomenon; a chart-topping, show-stopping modern pop combo unlike any other, with chart-toppers “HandClap,” “Out of My League” and “Sway.”
Get more info at www.kroger.com/f/wellness-festival.
Win Anyway
Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial wraps up a year of celebration with a huge concert featuring Walk the Moon.
What better way to cap off a yearlong celebration than with incredible music.
The Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial wraps up a year of events and programs in the community with a concertn on on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Andrew J Brady Music Center.
Walk the Moon and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue headline the concert, with special guest Lawrence for “Legacy: A Concert for Cincinnati.”
“Our objectives for this Bicentennial have always been to inspired, elevate, and connect,” said co-chair Kim Heiman. “Through the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, and with help from numerous sponsors and partners, we have helped create more than 50 events, exhibitions, and experiences since September of 2021. More than 25,000 people have commemorated this milestone with us. We like to say that this concert is one night, 200 years in the making!”
Going to the Show
Tickets for “Legacy: A Concert for Cincinnati” are available now.
General admission will start at just $20 per person, excluding fees and taxes.
Get tickets!
Hailing from Cincinnati, Walk the Moon catapulted to stardom in 2015 when their hit single “Shut Up and Dance” became a multi-platinum global smash that peaked at No. 1 on the Alternative, Hot AC, AC charts, No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and went to No. 2 at Top 40 radio.
Grammy-nominated NOLA icon Trombone Shorty has released four chart-topping studio albums since 2010. He has played Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Newport Folk, Newport Jazz, and nearly every other major festival, and has performed five times at the White House. He launched the Trombone Shorty Foundation to support youth music education and received the prestigious Caldecott Honor for his first children’s book.
Clyde and Gracie Lawrence have been writing songs and listening to countless Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman, and Aretha Franklin records in their family’s New York City apartment since they were children. After years of playing together, they officially created Lawrence, an eight-piece soul-pop band, that has since gained a devoted following for its high-energy, keyboard-driven sound, which features tight, energetic horns and explosive lead vocals.
“We have highlighted the contributions of the Jewish community over the last 200 years through a variety of exhibits, performances, and events,” continued Jewish Federation of Cincinnati CEO Danielle V. Minson, “and like so many in this city, we started out as immigrants. But we found common ground with our fellow Cincinnatians in every facet of life, enriching one another’s culture and ensuring connections that bind us today and give us reason to celebrate, along with hope for another 200 years of growing stronger together. What better way to mark such a tremendous anniversary, than by dancing and singing along with these outstanding artists during one of the most exciting weekends of the year? We can’t wait for everyone to share this night with us.”
Time to Get Down
With Charlie Wilson, The O'Jays, and Janet Jackson, the Cincinnati Music Festival had its biggest crowd in 52 years. Take a look at an unforgettable weekend in Cincinnati!
This past weekend, the Cincinnati Music Festival (CMF) presented by P&G saw a total attendance of 78,000 people – Making it one of the largest urban music festivals in the United States. CMF featured live performances by Janet Jackson, Charlie Wilson, The O’Jay’s, After 7, Ari Lennox and more.
“Saturday night’s performance with headliner Janet Jackson was the largest crowd on a Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium that we have seen in the history of Cincinnati Music Festival,” said Joe Santangelo, producer of the festival.
Make your plans for next year now! The Cincinnati Music Festival will return on July 20, 2023 with performances at the Andrew J. Brady Center and July 21-22 at Paul Brown Stadium. The full schedule of performers will be announced later this year.
Together Again
Janet Jackson headlines the triumphant return of the Cincinnati Music Festival, with three nights of music and more events at Paul Brown Stadium and the Andrew J. Brady Music Center.
After a two-year absence, the country's largest urban music festival, the Cincinnati Music Festival, returned July 21–23 with Janet Jackson headlining an outstanding lineup of R&B stars.
Photos by Shae Combs.
Want to relive the magic of CMF? Listen to these curated playlist from artists from this year’s festival
Rule of Three
Three sisters, '70s influences, and plenty of rock 'n' roll with Haim at Brady Music Center.
HAIM, brings their “One More HAIM Tour” with special guest more* to the Brady Music Center on Sunday, rescheduled from their original May 19 date.
The three sisters create infectious pop/rock with influences ranging from Fleetwood Mac to '80s synth pop.
The band’s Grammy® nominated album Women In Music Pt. III debuted at #1 in the Album Sales Chart, Alternative Chart, iTunes albums chart, and Rock Album Chart in the US. WIMPIII also entered the Billboard 200 in the Top 15 at #13.
Born and raised in Southern California, Este, Danielle, and Alana, began performing in the family band Rockinhaim, which played sets of classic rock covers at charity shows.
Haim formed in 2007, but the sisters drifted apart, musically speaking attending college and working as session and touring musicians for other bands. They re-grouped 2012, focusing on creating music together. Over the next decade, the band has been praised by critics, garnering a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2015, and playing sold-out shows as a headliner.
Finest Worksong
Get to know the workplace bands performing in Cincy Jams before you see them at Hard Rock Cafe.
If You Go
Cincy Jams
Hard Rock Cafe
May 19, 7 p.m.
Admission is FREE. Radio One’s R&B, Hip-Hop and “The People’s Champ” DJ Don Juan Fasho hosts the event.
Vote for Fan Funded Winner!
Some co-workers have taken their water cooler conversations to the next level!
CincyJams, a workplace band competition from ArtsWave, features more than 10 bands from throughout the region who will take the stage tonight at Hard Rock Cafe. More than just a show, the event is a fun way for people to cheer on their coworkers while raising money for the arts in the region.
The top two bands – the “Fan Favorite,” selected by audience applause and the “Fan Funded,” selected by funds raised to support the arts – will have the chance to perform at this year’s BLINK, illuminated by ArtsWave, happening October 13-16.
You can support the “Fan Funded” band by going to artswave.org/fanfunded. So far, Cincy Jams has raised more than $10,000 for ArtsWave, the region’s engine for the arts. Along with the BLINK performance, members of the “Fan Funded” band will receive pairs of tickets to this year’s Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G, featuring headliners Charlie Wilson and Janet Jackson.
The “Fan Favorite” band will have the chance to cut their own album as they prepare for their appearance on stage at BLINK, with recording time at Studeō Par- in Northside through Cincinnati Music Accelerator. Prior to the recording session, they will receive two one-on-one coaching sessions – one from the family of Bootsy Collins and the other from Drew Lachey. The runner up team to the “Fan Favorite,” will receive Beer for a Year.
CincyJams is part of the 2022 ArtsWave Campaign, the largest community campaign of its type in the nation and the primary local source for funding the region’s arts. After two years of a pandemic that has created $140+ million in losses to the nonprofit arts sector, CincyJams is a way everyone can come together in an enjoyable way to support the region’s arts.
Water Music
500 Miles to Memphis kicks off Rockin' the Roebling tonight, as the live music series returns to the Schmidlapp Event Lawn by Moerlein Lager House every Thursday during the summer.
500 Miles to Memphis May 19
Noah Smith May 26
Erin Coburn June 2
Push Play June 9
Brother Smith June 16
NKG June 23
DV8 June 30
Noah Wotherspoon July 7
Natural Progression July 14
Tropicoso July 21
Trauma Illinois July 28
Strange Mechanics August 4
The Menus August 11
Just Add Beer August 18
Crown Watts August 25
Bad Habit September 1
Summer in Cincinnati means listening to great bands outside with good friends and good beer.
Rockin' the Roebling, an outdoor concert series at the Schmidlapp Event Lawn adjacent to the Moerlein Lager House at The Banks, kicks off next Thursday, May 19.
Opening the series is 500 Miles to Memphis. Founded by Ryan Malott is 2002, the Americana/punk rock band released their first completely DIY recording, “Hard to Love,” last October.
From pop punk to salsa and Americana to ‘80s hits, Rockin’ the Roebling features an all-local lineup, continuing Moerlein Lager House’s longtime support of Cincinnati’s music scene. The concerts continue through Sept. 1.
The series is presented by Moerlein Lager House, Cincinnati Parks, and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, with $1 from every beer sold by the Moer To Go concession window donated to the Cincinnati Parks Foundation.
Food and additional beverages will be available at from the Moerlein Lager House. The event is located within the Banks DORA area.