Tuesday, June 12, 2012

New Music Seminar Sponsors Music Festival June 17 - 21


This time around the New Music Seminar (NMS) will present four nights of music June 17 - 20 at 17 locations around New York City.  The NMS New York Music Festival is enlisting partners BMI, eMusic, Filter Magazine, Folk Alliance, OurStage, ReverbNation and SESAC, to bring emerging acts to mid-sized venues such as Irving Plaza and Webster Hall as well as smaller clubs in the Lower East Side and Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  The full line-up of over 150 artists is available on the NMS website, with a handy function allowing anyone interested in the concerts to narrow results by day or one of 16 genres from folk to indie, R&B or simply singer-songwriter.  All NMS Festival shows (excluding the NMS Opening Night Party) are open to the public with tickets available for purchase in advance and at the door of each respective participating venue.


Many of the acts are part of the NMS Artist on the Verge (AOV) 2012 project, a list of emerging acts that are creating their own buzz.  By promoting these artists, the NMS committee provides a spotlight on more than just sales of pre-recorded music.  The AOV Top 100 are also chosen by promotional giveaways, touring history, merchandise sales, media hits as well as social media.  There is a compilation stream available or the AOV Top 100 YouTube Video Playlist (over six hours long!) to peruse the participants online.


Kicking things off will be an invite-only Opening Night Party at Webster Hall on June 17, featuring a dj set by Andy Rourke, former bass player for The Smiths.  The event includes a full night of live music along with a "very special surprise performance" plus the Cabo Wabo VIP Lounge.  Panels and speakers will address the rapidly changing music scene beginning that afternoon, continuing throughout the day Monday and Tuesday. For the entire schedule go to http://newmusicseminar.com/event-details/schedule/.