Woonsocket Radio News Room

Line-Up Revealed: Levitt AMP Woonsocket Summer Concert Series

Woonsocket, RI, May 5, 2023 — The 10 headliners for the 2023 Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series was revealed Thursday night at Chan’s Fine Dining. The announcement was made during the intermission of a performance by Alexus Lee, a Providence-based R&B, soul, and jazz singer, during a free, public event. Attendees enjoyed a complimentary buffet and each received a 2023 Levitt AMP tote bag. 

 

The 2023 lineup ranges in musical genre including Reggae, Ska, Zydeco, Celtic Rock, and Blues. Bands will be travelling from as far as Los Angeles, CA to perform in Woonsocket this summer. They are incredibly diverse, offering something for everyone and a whole of danceable rhythms. Acts were selected based on recommendations from the community and criteria from the series lead sponsor, the Levitt Foundation. The series aims to revitalize River Island Art Park through the power of free, live music, drawing locals and tourists alike to downtown Woonsocket Friday evenings, June 16 – August 18.

 

Acts:

 

6/16 – Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano (Son Cubano): Son cubano is one of the             most popular musical styles in Cuba and Kiki Valera is one of its             foremost exponents. Over the last century, this style of traditional             Cuban music has contributed to many other genres of music including             jazz, cha cha cha, mambo, salsa, songo and timba. Cuban son is the             music that made the Buena Vista Social Club worldwide stars in the             late 1990s but Kiki Valera comes from a family of musicians whose             involvement with Cuban son pre-dates the BVSC by decades.

 

6/23 – Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers (Blues): Both on stage and in                         private life, these two internationally acclaimed artists share incredible                         chemistry! Their first introduction (lasting only a few seconds) in the                         crowded lobby of the historic Orpheum Theatre during the 2018                         International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee left a lasting                         impression on both of them. It was not until a year later, at a recording                         session during 2019 IBC that their professional acquaintance blossomed                         into a love affair, culminating in marriage in August of 2019! Since that                         time, renowned Canadian Blues-Rocker Paul DesLauriers and                         acclaimed American Soul-Blues singer Annika Chambers have unified                         their artistic destiny.

 

6/30 – Steve Smith & the Naked Truth (Big Brass): Nothing says Rhode Island             like Steve Smith and the Naked Truth. Celebrating their 50^th anniversary             as a band, this act has a well-earned position in the Rhode Island             Music Hall of Fame, The Nakeds are returning for a fifth season on our             Levitt stage. Though known for their covers, this show will feature their             original songs. “The ten-man unit consists of a four-piece rhythm             section, a five piece brass section, and its lead vocalist, Steve Smith.

 

7/7  – Kyshona (R&B): Kyshona is an artist ignited by untold stories, and the             capacity of those stories to thread connection in every community.              With the background of a licensed music therapist, the curiosity of a             writer, the patience of a friend, the vision of a social entrepreneur, the             resolve of an activist, and the voice of a singer, Kyshona is unrelenting             in her pursuit for the healing power of song.

 

7/14 – Angie K (Country): Born in El Salvador, Angie K offers a bit of Spanish                         flair to her on-stage presence as a Country music artist. Angie K is                         shaking up Nashville with her fresh blend of hard hitting country with a                         nod to her Latin roots. Her first bilingual single ‘Real   Talk’ catapulted                         her on the country scene by making her a ‘Highway Find’ on Sirius                         XM the Highway. Since then, she has accumulated over 20 million+                         streams, 500k+ followers, and was the only independent artist to play                         on the Nissan Stadium stage during the 2022 CMA Fest. She was                         recently named to the 2023 class of CMT’s ‘Next Women of Country’                         after scoring 3 back to back #1 music videos on the channel’s 12 pack                         countdown. Angie has shared the stage with artists like Big & Rich,                         Tanya Tucker, Sammy Kershaw, Trace Adkins, Melissa Etherige, Jake                         Owen and more.

 

7/21 – The Young Dubliners (Celtic Rock): With a thirty year history as one of the world’s leading Celtic Rock bands, this rock/Celtic fusion act brings a high energy show everywhere they go. In recent years the Young Dubs have appeared twice on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, had songs featured in TV shows (Sons Of Anarchy, Human Target) and toured extensively as a headliner and as the opener for such a diverse list of artists as Collective Soul, Jethro Tull, Johnny Lang, Los Lobos, Chris Isaak and many more.

           

7/28 -   B2Wins (World Music): Pronounced B-Twins, this high energy entertainment group continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique renditions of crowd favorites and engaging, uplifting live show that targets the masses. Led by charismatic Twin brothers from Brazil, they combine a plethora of genres into a feel good performance that is equal parts rock concert, dance party, jam session and vacation for the soul.

 

8/4 –    Girls on Grass (Rock): New York-Based a four piece, no frills rock unit. Taking a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to songwriting, the partnership of singer-guitarist Barbara Endes – her voice full of character, strong and tough, but far from angelic – and drummer Nancy Polstein lightly sketches faded, slice-of-life vignettes in funny, whip-smart lyrics and couches them in simple melodies and neat, tidy hooks.

 

8/11 – The Agents (Reggae / Ska): For the past 20 years, The Agents have proven to be a band that can’t be ignored. The group’s logo proudly displays the skyline of Providence, Rhode Island, where the band is from. "The small town with the big sound" is how The Agents like to think of their hometown. The band takes their energetic blend of ska, rock steady, and reggae throughout the U.S.A.

 

8/18 – Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas (Zydeco): Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, this group brings its own unique take on the regional South Louisiana music to all corners of the globe. With a home in the Louisiana hall of fame, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Zydeco Music Association, this group is coveted as one of the top Festival Bands. Keepers of the Zydeco Flame, they are committed to keeping their Creole Heritage alive.

 

Background:  The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series will run from June 16 – August 18 from 6pm-9pm on Friday evenings in River Island Art Park, Woonsocket, RI. Each night will include a local opening act, headlining act, food trucks, an on-site bar provided by Ciro’s Tavern, Cultural Intermission Performances organized by Geri’s Bluffing Boutique, youth activity provide by the Woonsocket Boys and Girls Club, and a great chance to get enjoy a riverfront park in the city of Woonsocket. The series is organized by NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley in partnership with the City of Woonsocket, Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative, and O-N Radio Worldwide. 

 

Sponsors: This series would not be possible without the generosity of national and local sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring the Series should visit www.neighborworksbrv.org.