News
Umphrey's McGee & Perpetual Groove To Join Forces In Charleston February 27, 2018 12:51
Photo by Abby Fox Photography
Proudly Presented by Friends With Benefits Productions (FWBpro) & WEmusic, rock stars Umphrey's McGee make their triumphant return to Charleston w/ Special Guests Perpetual Groove at The Grove at Patriots Point. This unique and beautiful venue is nestled in a clearing surrounded by trees near the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier in Charleston Harbor close to the base of the Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Come celebrate on Thursday May 31, 2018 at this space while you can— there are plans to develop the area. This will be one of the last big shows at The Grove in one of the world's top cities, Charleston, SC!
The music of Umphrey’s McGee unfolds like an unpredictable conversation between longtime friends. Its six participants—Brendan Bayliss [guitar, vocals], Jake Cinninger [guitar, vocals], Joel Cummins [keyboards, piano, vocals], Andy Farag [percussion], Kris Myers [drums, vocals], and Ryan Stasik [bass]—know just how to communicate with each other on stage and in the studio. A call of progressive guitar wizardry might elicit a response of soft acoustic balladry, or a funk groove could be answered by explosive percussion. At any moment, heavy guitars can give way to heavier blues as the boys uncover the elusive nexus between jaw-dropping instrumental virtuosity and airtight songcraft.
The conversation continues on their eleventh full-length album, it’s not us [Nothing Too Fancy Music]— Released January 12, 2018.
“It represents the band, because it basically runs the gamut from prog rock to dance,” says Brendan. “We’ve mastered our ADD here. The record really shows that.”
“No matter what you’re into, there’s something on it’s not us that should speak to you,” agrees Joel. “This is a statement album for Umphrey’s McGee. The sound is as fresh as ever. The songs are strong as they’ve ever been. We’re always pushing forward.”
It is also how the band is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Instead of retreading the catalog, they turn up with a pile of new tunes.
The Official 21+ Late Night immediately following Umphrey's McGee's show is at nearby Omar Shrine and will host a brand new collaboration called DOOM FLAMINGO between Umphrey's McGee bassist and Charleston resident Ryan Stasik, and a slew of standout Charleston musicians including Michael Quinn [sax], Ross Bogan [keys], Stuart White [drums], Thomas Kenney [guitar] & Kanika Moore [vocals]! Local psychedelic rock outfit The Artisanals fronted by Johnny Delaware (formerly of SUSTO) will open the Afterparty festivities before DOOM FLAMINGO's synth-wave dance party! You'll need a ticket to the main event in order to attend this very special Late Night!
This concert, hosted by Friends With Benefits Productions (FWBpro), the group behind The Major Rager®, will give back to the Charleston community by partnering with the following local nonprofit organizations - Communities In Schools Charleston & Redux Contemporary Art Center!
The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. FWBpro is thrilled to be working with Redux Contemporary Art Center to activate the festival grounds. As the premier venue for emerging contemporary art in Charleston, Redux will be our exclusive art partner, providing interactive art installations and activities throughout the event.
Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting live music experience and be on the lookout for some awesome fan-centric experiences available for purchase soon! This event will have a festival feel with delectable food vendors, multiple bars, art, and activities. VIP Tickets include a VIP Lounge, Upgraded Private Restrooms, Preferred Stage View & Private VIP Bar (2 Drinks Included).
Immediately following the event at the Grove, concert-goers can head a short ways down the road to the Omar Shrine for the Official 21+ Late Night with The Artisanals & DOOM FLAMINGO (Ryan Stasik of Umphrey's McGee + CHS all-stars), but the event is only open to those who purchase tickets to the main event!
Join us Thursday May 31, 2018 for one of the last big events at one of our favorite venues with some of our very favorite bands in support of Communities in Schools Charleston!
For Updates: Follow Friends With Benefits Productions on Facebook. (@FWBpro on Instagram & Twitter) & Join our mailing list at FWBpro.com!
Follow Us and RSVP on the Facebook Event Page/ invite your friends for your chance to WIN 2 FREE TICKETS to the show! Facebook Event Page— https://www.facebook.com/events/2283766975183434/
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY MARCH 2 at 10am ET at www.FWBpro.com
Ticket Tiers:
EARLY BIRD GA - $30 (Extremely Limited)
w/ 21 + Late Night - $50 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)
ADVANCE GA - $35
w/ 21+ Late Night - $55 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)
DOS - $40
w/ 21+ Late Night - $60 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)
VIP - $99 - (VIP include a VIP Lounge, Upgraded Private Restrooms, Preferred Stage View, Private VIP Bar & 2 Drinks Included)
w/ 21+ Late Night - $119 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)
The Major Rager Announces Official 2017 Lineup January 24, 2017 09:28
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Friends With Benefits Productions has revealed the lineup for The Major Rager (2017), the annual concert held in Augusta, GA on the Thursday of Master's Week. The fourth annual concert will feature a headlining set from The Flaming Lips, as well as performances from People of the Sun (Moon Taxi performing the music of Rage Against The Machine), Eric Krasno Band, and Stop Light Observations. Past performers at The Major Rager include Umphrey's McGee, Gov't Mule, Moon Taxi, Lettuce, The Revivalists, and Earphunk. Early bird tickets can be purchased this Friday morning (1/27) at 10:00 AM EST. For further details and official ticket information, visit the Friends With Benefits official website.
The Flaming Lips are an American rock band, formed in Norman, Oklahoma in 1983. Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles", "Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber)" and "Yeah, I Know It's a Drag... But Wastin' Pigs Is Still Radical". They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which feature costumes, balloons, puppets, video projections, complex stage light configurations, giant hands, large amounts of confetti, and frontman Wayne Coyne's signature man-sized plastic bubble, in which he traverses the audience. In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die".
The group recorded several albums and EPs on an indie label, Restless, in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they scored a hit in 1993 with "She Don't Use Jelly". Although it has been their only hit single in the U.S., the band has maintained critical respect and, to a lesser extent, commercial viability through albums such as 1999's The Soft Bulletin (which was NME magazine's Album of the Year) and 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. They have had more hit singles in the UK and Europe than in the U.S. In February 2007, they were nominated for a 2007 BRIT Award in the "Best International Act" category. By 2007, the group garnered three Grammy Awards, including two for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
On October 13, 2009 the group released their latest studio album, titled Embryonic. On December 22, 2009, the Flaming Lips released a remake of the 1973 Pink Floyd album The Dark Side Of The Moon. In 2011, the band announced plans to release new songs in every month of the year, with the entire process filmed.
Watch The Flaming Lips' music video for "Do You Realize?" here:
The members of Moon Taxi are no strangers to the stage. Hailing from Nashville, the five-piece formed in 2006 and set out to conquer the Southeast with their unforgettable live set. Nine years later, they’ve amassed over one thousand shows and released two albums, Cabaret (2012) and Mountains Beaches Cities (2013). The latter landed the band their first National late-night television appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman and Conan as well as multiple commercial and TV placements including BMW, Nashville, MLB, NFL and HBO Sports to name a few. With a rabid fan base under their belts, they’ve upped the ante this year to become a festival favorite with recent performances at Bonnaroo, Governor’s Ball, Wakarusa, Houston Free Press and upcoming appearances at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. Moon Taxi will perform as People of the Sun at The Major Rager, which will consist of an entire set of Rage Against The Machine covers (as seen at Hangout Festival 2014 & 2016).
Watch Moon Taxi (People of the Sun) perform "Sleep Now In The Fire" here:
Eric Krasno is a 2x Grammy winning guitarist, musician & producer best known for his work with Soulive, Lettuce, Tedeschi Trucks Band & Pretty Lights. For nearly two decades, Eric Krasno has been an omnipresent figure in popular music. We've heard his virtuosic, innovative guitar playing with Soulive and Lettuce (both of which he co-founded), seen him onstage supporting the likes of the Rolling Stones and The Roots, watched him take home multiple GRAMMY Awards, and benefited from his deft, behind-the-scenes work as a producer and songwriter for everyone from Norah Jones, Tedeschi Trucks, and 50 Cent to Talib Kweli, Aaron Neville, and Allen Stone. Krasno's rousing new solo album, 'Blood From A Stone,' reveals a previously unknown and utterly compelling side of his artistry, though, inviting us to bear witness as he both literally and metaphorically finds his voice.
Watch Eric Krasno Band perform 'Curse Lifter" here:
Home-grown Charleston, SC band Stop Light Observations (a.k.a. SLO) started playing together at the age of 13 when songwriter and pianist John Keith "Cubby" Culbreth asked guitarist Louis Duffie the iconic teenager boy question, "Wanna start a band?" His response was, "Yes." The young years were spent writing songs with captivating melodies and meaningful lyrics. The duo picked up childhood friends Luke Withers and Will Blackburn to "play dem' drums and sing dem' songs!" Over time they added Coleman Sawyer on bass and fiddle and Wyatt Garrey on lead guitar, which formulated the powerful six-piece band known today as Stop Light Observations.
SLO has been described as Southern-Retro-Electro-Rock with influences of Classic, Revival, Psychedelic, Garage, and Arena Rock, with Indie, Motown, Hip-hop and Folk flares. They are driven by the thrill they get from performing and writing songs, but the camaraderie among these lifelong friends is what keeps them close. SLO plans on furthering their impact on the national music fan community while having some fun and changing some lives for the good while they're at it.
Watch Stop Light Observations perform "Aquarius Apocalyptic" on Jam In The Van here:
James Brown Birthday Bash Confirms Sharon Jones, George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville + More on May 3rd April 14, 2016 00:04
Where: Augusta Common in Downtown Augusta (Broad St between 8th & 9th)
Tickets: JBfamilyBash.com
May 3rd is the birthday of The Godfather of Soul. Friends With Benefits, the same company that brought The Major Rager to town during Masters Tournament week, is working in conjunction with the City of Augusta and The James Brown Family Foundation for an unforgettable concert experience honoring the life, legacy and music of James Brown. The show will benefit the James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils (JAMP), whose mission is to further music education for Augusta’s youth through the music of James Brown.
JAMP is run by James Brown’s daughter, Deanna Brown Thomas, and his music director / lead guitarist, Keith Jenkins. The talented youngsters from JAMP Masters will open the night on May 3rd followed by Augusta's favorite hometown musical act Funk You.
Keith Jenkins has assembled the band for the James Brown Family Birthday Bash comprised of 13 former members of the James Brown Band. Sharon Jones, George Porter Jr. (The Meters), Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk), Ty Taylor (Vintage Trouble), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Chris Rob (Nasty Delicious), Gavin Hamilton (Funk You) and Greg Hester are confirmed special guests. This event will be open to all ages. Children under 12 are free. Concessions will be served on site. No re-entry, no weapons, no pets, no outside food or drink. Blankets and chairs are permitted. Gates are at 5PM.
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
JAMP Masters: 6:00 PM
Funk You: 7:15 PM