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 50th 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.
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