Despite telling fans her next album is “beyond far away” in a March interview, Chappell Roan has released two new singles in the months since: “The Giver” and “The Subway.” However, anyone thinking that this was a sign her original timeline was a little generous might be disappointed by her latest update.
In a new interview with Vogue published today, she gave a more detailed timeline that puts her next album a full presidential term away. As she explained, “The second project doesn’t exist yet. There is no album. There is no collection of songs…It took me five years to write the first one, and it’s probably going to take at least five to write the next.”
“I’m not that type of writer that can pump it out,” she elaborated. “I don’t think I make good music whenever I force myself to do anything. I see some comments sometimes, like, ‘She’s everywhere except that damn studio.’ Even if I was in the studio 12 hours a day, every single day, that does not mean that you would get an album any faster.”
Although that might be disappointing to hear, it doesn’t look like she’s planning on disappearing in that time. In July, she announced the dates for Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things, a string of pop-up mini-residencies in Los Angeles, New York, and her native Missouri.
The Uproxx Music Travel Hot List series is sponsored by Priceline, where you can go to book your next music travel adventure.
There’s nothing quite like the energy of live music, no matter what genre or artist draws you to the collective listening experience. Between the pulse of the bass and the roar of the crowd between songs, concerts bring thousands of people together for a night of downright good vibes and fun.
What can elevate the live music experience even more, though? An epic venue. From historic theaters to famous landmark locations and open-air amphitheaters under the stars, the right setting can turn a great concert into an unforgettable experience. Naturally, the country’s biggest cities are home to legendary venues that are so iconic, they’re worth planning an entire trip around.
So, we’re sharing some of the coolest concert venues in the 15 largest US cities.
New York City — Brooklyn Steel
Getty
Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall are the first venues that come to mind when we think of NYC’s music scene, but we love Brooklyn Steel for that under-the-radar feel. It’s big enough to host major indie and alt-rock acts (think LCD Soundsystem, Tame Impala, and Phoebe Bridgers) but intimate enough to feel like you’re discovering something underground. The venue fits around 1,800 attendees. The crowd is always cool, the beer is craft, and the sound is next-level.
One of the most iconic venues in the world, the Hollywood Bowl is a mecca for music’s biggest names. Everyone from The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to Billie Eilish and Post Malone has played there. Not to mention its regular classical concerts with the LA Philharmonic. As an outdoor amphitheater carved into the Hollywood Hills, the venue’s ambiance is what sets it apart. Despite its capacity for 17,500 concert goers, it still feels relaxed and quintessentially LA, especially in the summertime.
Thalia Hall strikes the perfect balance between historic charm and modern edge. Originally built in 1892 as an opera house, the venue has been beautifully restored, keeping its vintage character while updating it with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. You’ll notice soaring ceilings, intricate molding, and a dramatic balcony mixed with epic light shows and incredible acoustics. Located in the artsy Pilsen neighborhood, Thalia Hall attracts a crowd that appreciates both music and atmosphere. It hosts a thoughtfully curated lineup of indie, alternative, hip-hop, and experimental acts, giving it major cred among locals and touring artists alike.
Born out of a 1920s warehouse in Houston’s East Downtown, Warehouse Live blends gritty, industrial aesthetics like exposed brick, LED chandeliers, and raw acoustics with cutting-edge production. With three distinct rooms, including a 1,300-capacity Ballroom, a mid-sized Studio (450), and the intimate Greenroom (125), it caters to everything from buzzy indie bands to mid-tier hip-hop or electronic acts. You’ll catch a range of artists from Drake to Passion Pit to local rap collectives delivered with stellar acoustics that make even the smallest stage pack a punch.
Sometimes, small crowds make for a more memorable live music experience, and that’s exactly what you get at Crescent Ballroom. Housed in a beautifully restored 1910s building in Downtown Phoenix, this venue combines historic and modern touches like exposed brick walls, vaulted ceilings, and a sleek bar and kitchen that keep the vibe lively before, during, and after shows. The 500-cap venue is known for its outstanding acoustics and close-up views, which attract a diverse lineup of indie, rock, and alternative acts. The intimate environment makes every performance feel personal.
The Fillmore is a modern yet character-filled space with a mid-size capacity (around 2,500). It’s big enough to host high-energy shows with major artists, but intimate enough to feel connected to the performance. There’s also a smaller room inside, The Foundry, that caters to emerging acts and offers a more underground vibe. Add in the venue’s spacious layout, balcony views, and excellent onsite bar and food options, and it’s easy to see why The Fillmore stands out in Philly’s competitive live music scene. Whether you’re seeing a rising indie band or a household name, this venue consistently delivers a memorable experience.
Located along the scenic River Walk, the Tobin Center offers stunning architecture, state-of-the-art acoustics, and versatile spaces like a 1,760-seat performance hall and an intimate outdoor plaza. You’ll find everything from symphonies and Broadway shows to major touring acts on the venue’s schedule. Its central location, comfortable seating, and refined amenities (like Grand Tier boxes with private bars) make it a favorite among both locals and visitors, consistently delivering a polished and memorable night out.
When it comes to outdoor concert venues, The Rady Shell in San Diego is top-tier. Perched on a slender peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, its seashell-inspired form offers sweeping views of the skyline, marina boats, and the harbor at sunset, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for any performance. Designed in partnership with the San Diego Symphony, the Shell delivers world-class acoustics and pristine sound, whether fans are seated in folding chairs or sprawled on the turf lawn. Catch major acts like Leon Bridges, John Legend, Maren Morris, and more.
The Bomb Factory in the artistic Deep Ellum neighborhood is hands-down one of Dallas’s coolest concert venues. The historic 50,000 square foot warehouse was once a Ford assembly plant and WWII munitions factory, and it was renovated in 2015 into a flexible indoor stage that can host up to 4,300 fans. With mezzanine views, VIP suites, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, The Bomb Factory sets the stage for acts like Radiohead, The Ramones, Phish, Fugazi, Robert Plant, Lauryn Hill, Future, and Disclosure.
Located in the Red River Cultural District, Mohawk offers both indoor and outdoor stages (including a rooftop patio with skyline views) that perfectly match the laid-back yet electric energy of the city. The venue’s design features recycled materials, multiple bars, and a breezy multi-level layout that feels as authentic as its curated music performances, which span a wide range of genres. With a max capacity of 900, guests get an intimate and memorable show.
The Florida Theater is a historic downtown gem that’s nearly 100 years old. The gorgeous theater architecture and excellent acoustics deliver a classic yet timeless concert experience where there are no bad seats in the house. If you’re in the mood for something atmospheric, well-produced, and steeped in music history, Florida Theatre is Jacksonville’s undisputed crown jewel.
Billy Bob’s Texas is Fort Worth’s legendary honky-tonk that brings together live country and rock music, sheer size, and Texas flair. Located in the historic Stockyards District, Billy Bob’s is the world’s largest honky-tonk with over 100,000 square feet of dance floor, memorabilia, live music, bull riding, over 30 bar stations, and straight-up Texas energy. It’s hosted country legends like Willie Nelson (who’s performed there more than 50 times), George Strait, Merle Haggard, and countless others, making it a pilgrimage site for country fans and music lovers alike.
Hailed as America’s longest continuously operating rock venue, Newport Music Hall has been putting on shows since 1921. Its historic and energetic 1,700‑capacity space hosts over 150,000 fans annually, delivering intimate, high-energy shows with bands ranging from rising indie favorites to veteran rock icons, such as AC/DC, The Smashing Pumpkins, and B.B. King.
Located in the East Charlotte neighborhoods and dating back to 1955 as Charlotte’s first civic auditorium, Bojangles Coliseum still boasts the city’s iconic steel dome and a long legacy of hosting legends like Elvis Presley (including one of his last live performances in 1977), Rush, Rod Stewart, and ZZ Top. Now, you can expect to see both big and mid-size artists take center stage, such as Megan Moroney, Tyler, the Creator, and DaBaby. With more than 10,800 seats, every show guarantees a lively and energetic atmosphere.
In San Francisco’s vibrant live‑music scene, The Fillmore reigns supreme as the coolest concert venue in the city. The historic space was built in 1912, but it’s most renowned for being a focal point for the psychedelic music scene in the 1960s and ‘70s. It featured shows by legends including Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Janis Joplin. The 1,300-person capacity, combined with the vintage chandeliers, hardwood dance floors, and walls lined with classic concert posters, makes each experience feel intimate and historic.
If there was any timeless 1970s band you’d have expected Sabrina Carpenter to bring out during her Lollapalooza set, Earth Wind & Fire probably wouldn’t be high on the list.
And yet, that’s exactly who she surprised fans with, inviting the funk-soul pioneers to join her onstage for rousing renditions of their generation-spanning hits, “Let’s Groove” and “September.”
“Does anyone wanna dance tonight?” she asked the crowd. “I have this idea. Let’s see how you feel about it. I guess I just thought it would be really, really fun if I could bring out some friends for you guys, and we can just let loose, right? We can just groove. So I thought, why not bring out my friends from Chicago?”
Carpenter has been gearing up for the release of her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, which has already generated plenty of buzz thanks to its controversial cover image. Carpenter has made it a point to troll concerned critics with her risqué visuals, and the Man’s Best Friend cover was no exception — although she did share an alternate version to give them something else to talk about.
EWF wasn’t the only band to join a contemporary pop star onstage at Lolla, though. During Olivia Rodrigo’s set, she was joined by Weezer, another cross-generation collaboration that earned her the approval of the parents in the crowd who perhaps underestimated her real-life alt-rock chops.
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. August marks the final full month of summer, and if you’ve been following this weekly series closely, you know that this has been a slightly uneventful year. While we’ve gotten several dope drops this summer, the big brands are drip-feeding them for whatever reason, which is why this week took us by surprise.
This week, sneakerheads are being treated to seven notable drops. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but when we’re hitting a weekly average of five all summer long, we’ll take the extra two! New Balance is bringing the heat with a new Tyrese Maxey signature, and a new colorway of the Made in UK 991v2. A new Jordan 1, Jordan 4, Kobe 4 Protro, Jordan 10, and LeBron 20. That’s five different signature basketball sneakers for multiple generations! It makes us wonder who the next big culture-dominating signature sneaker will come from.
But enough yapping, it’s time to dive into the best sneakers of the week.
Philadelphia 76ers point and shooting guard, Mad Max The Franchise Tyrese Maxey is getting his own New Balance signature. Well, sort of. This isn’t an outright signature model; it’s just a 1906R, but it’s been outfitted with a special build and graphic print celebrating Maxey.
Part of a larger collection of sneakers dubbed the “hero Back,” this Tyrese Maxey-branded sneaker features a lightweight woven textile upper with synthetic overlays, Stability Web tech, a TPU heel cage, and ABZORB SBS heel cushioning. Here’s to hoping Maxey gets his own signature from NB soon!
The Tyrese Maxey x New Balance 1906R is out now for a retail price of $159.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
If you’re not feeling the contemporary vibes of the Maxey 1906R, let us point you in the direction of something a bit more retro from NB this week. The 991v2 Grape Sorbet comes out of New Balance’s premium Made in UK line and features a mesh upper with hairy suede and synthetic overlays, thick rope laces, semi-translucent SBS ABZROB pods, and reflective details throughout.
The most striking detail is that soft pink colorway, though. It’s one of the best colorways we’ve seen all year!
The New Balance Made in UK 991v2 Grape Sorbet is set out now for a retail price of $249.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
Sneakers that sport a wear-away upper aren’t for everyone; for some, it’s a gimmick that goes too far, but when it looks this good, it’s hard not to be convinced of the value of this polarizing design ethos. The Jordan 1 High OG Black and Muslin features a leather upper with vibrant color block panels shrouded by a wearaway black overcoat. We’re loving the juxtaposition of the deep black color and the vibrant tones underneath.
It’s hard to get excited about Jordan 1 colorways that aren’t classic, but this Black and Muslin takes a risk, and it pays off!
The Air Jordan 1 High OG Black and Muslin is out now for a retail price of $185. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
Kobe IV Protro x FC Barcelona Team Gold and Persian Violet
A Kobe signature celebrating a soccer team might seem like a random combo, but Kobe’s commitment to excellence is in keeping with the mentality behind soccer’s greatest teams. So we’re not mad at this FC Barcelona-inspired Protro 4! The sneaker combines gold, violet, and black — a nod to FC Barcelona’s on-pitch kits — with a retooled underfoot build for better underfoot response, Flywire cables for a locked in feel, and an Air Zoom heel for maximum energy return.
It’s stylish, but above all else, functional!
The Nike Kobe IV Protro x FC Barcelona Team Gold and Persian Violet is out now for a retail price of $190. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
A classic Jordan 10 in an understated Steel Grey colorway? We’ll take it! The AJ-10 Light Steel Grey sports a tumbled white and black leather upper, grey webbing and accents, a Jumpman logo in contrasting Dark Powder Blue and a recreation of the original ’94 toe cap overlay.
It’s a release designed for AJ 10 Purists who want simply the best.
The Nike Jordan 10 Light Steel Grey is set to drop on August 2nd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $215. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
You have to give credit to LeBron for carving out his own style. The Air Jordan gives us classic elevated sneaker design, the Kobe Protro offers functionality and fashion, but the LeBron? That’s where stuff gets freaky deaky. The LeBron 20 features a low cut design with a bright pink woven upper, a semi-floated Swoosh, and chrome accents. It’s out there, in the best way possible.
The Nike LeBron XX Pink Gaze and Metallic Silver is set to drop on August 1st at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $210. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
Easily, the most hyped release this week is none other than the re-release of Undefeated’s coveted Jordan 4. Inspired by MA-1 military flight jackets, this sneaker features a rich forest green upper with black accents and a hint of orange trim. But purists are about to have a fit because, although this looks incredibly similar to the 2005 original, the heel branding features Nike Air branding rather than the original Jumpman logo.
In our view, that’s an improvement, but hardcore collectors might think differently.
The Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 is out now for a retail price of $230. Pick up a pair at Undefeated or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.
The turnaround for Yeat’s new EP Dangerous Summer turned out to be pretty quick. After dropping the video for “Im Yeat” earlier this month, the unrestrained Portland rapper followed up in relatively short order with the project’s release date announcement, just two days before it dropped. It’s out now, along with the Lyrical Lemonade-produced video for “Put It ONG.”
Directed by Cole Bennett, and in true Lyrical Lemonade fashion, the video takes a colorful aesthetic and runs it through a psychedelic filter, making it a nearly overwhelming visual feast. The video opens with a troupe of clown-faced ballerinas dancing outdoors, pulling back to reveal an entire carnival, which Yeat takes full advantage of. He rides roller coasters with the ballerinas, and shoots a pop gun for prizes, even subjecting one to the dunk tank.
Yeat’s collaboration with Lyrical Lemonade should come as no surprise, as he was chosen as a headliner of the production company’s growing festival, Summer Smash, this year alongside Young Thug. His co-headliner Don Toliver appears on Dangerous Summer as a feature, as do BNYX, SahBabii, and intriguingly, FKA Twigs.
Watch Yeat’s “Put It ONG” video above.
Dangerous Summer is out now via Lyfestyle Corporation/Field Trip Recordings/Capitol Records. Get it here.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of July below.
Nick Drake — The Making Of Five Leaves Left
Island/UMe
This is a holy grail for obsessives of Five Leaves Left, Nick Drake’s 1969 debut album. The Making Of Five Leaves Left, as the title indicates, offers a behind-the-curtain look at the project, as the 4-LP set showcases studio outtakes and previously unheard songs.
Eels have been more productive than most over the past 30 years: In 2024, they released their 15th album, Eels Time!. More recently, they took a look back and shared a new pressing of 1998’s Electro-Shock Blues, pressed at 45 RPM, an upgrade from the original 10-inch 33-RPD edition.
Third Eye Blind undeniably popped off on their self-titled 1997 debut album, which boasts the singles “Semi-Charmed Life,” “How’s It Going To Be,” and “Jumper.” Elektra is now honoring the project with a new reissue, a 2LP edition pressed on grape-colored vinyl.
Nelly brought his quarter-century celebration of Country Grammar to Stagecoach this year, and now he’s bringing it to your turntable. The “Ride Wit Me” album comes in a limited-edition translucent blue 2LP set, or a standard black 2LP for the traditionalists.
ZZ Top has quite the library and now five highlights — Degüello, El Loco, Eliminator, Afterburner, and Recycler — are available in one set, all cut from the original master tapes. It’s one to pounce on quickly, as there are only 3,000 numbered copies.
311’s beloved “Blue Album” has a fresh reissue that comes with seven songs previously unavailable on vinyl. The band says of the rerelease, “Thirty years ago, our self-titled ‘Blue Album’ came out and changed our lives. Today marks 30 years to the day since its release and we are so thrilled to be able to celebrate the anniversary with this special reissue. We cannot begin to express the love and appreciation we have for our incredible fanbase who have kept these songs alive with us for the last three decades.”
It’s been 30 years of this iconic Cranberries album. For the anniversary reissue, the band is pulling out all the stops, including two new remixes by Chvrches’ Iain Cook, live recordings from the band’s Woodstock ’94 performance, and the original demo of “Zombie.”
Nick Cave’s Bad Seeds side project Grinderman has a short-but-sweet discography, and now all three releases are on newly pressed vinyl (and CD as well). As for formats, all albums are available on eco-conscious black vinyl and digisleeve CD editions.
Clipse’s comeback is already one of the best albums of the year; It’s the top hip-hop album of 2025 so far, Uproxx’s Elliott Wilson argues. Clipse dropped some cool vinyl variations of it, too, including box sets that come with t-shirts.
For years now, Seth Rogen has had a weed company called Houseplant, and they’ve been getting into music, too. They just dropped their third vinyl box set, of songs meant to be played during a smoke session, and it includes songs by Jamie xx, Tune-Yards, and some more esoteric picks.
Talking Heads — More Songs About Buildings And Food (Super Deluxe Edition)
Rhino
Times have been good for Talking Heads fans. There was the big tribute album last year, and now the group has reissued More Songs About Buildings And Food. The 4LP edition comes with rarities, live recordings, and reissues of international 7-inch singles.
A couple of months ago, Blackground Records released a “new” Aaliyah song featuring her frequent collaborator Tank called “Gone,” to the record label’s streaming app, BLKStream. Today, the song has at last moved to traditional DSPs, along with the announcement of a “3D holographic experience” provided by the Meta Quest app Soapbox. Essentially, it’s a VR music video/concert in which you can watch Tank’s avatar sing to a wall of screens displaying various Aaliyah performances from her all-too-short life.
Depending on your take on things like this, this is either really exciting, or kind of disheartening. But if “Blackground 2.0” won’t let Babygirl rest, at least they didn’t trot out some gross AI-generated hologram to do a tour or something like that (please don’t).
The record, and its technologically-forward rollout, isn’t the first time Aaliyah’s label has pushed a controversial extension of the late singer’s legacy. In 2021, her voice was paired with The Weeknd’s for a new single, “Poison,” which would have been the first single from an all-new album featuring contemporary performers like Drake and Future. However, the album was never released, and as of 2024, the label still hasn’t issued any kind of explanation, although it insists it’s still “coming.”
You can check out “Gone” above and watch the holographic experience via Soapbox.
Reneé Rapp’s new album, Bite Me, has arrived and the Mean Girls star’s fans have already chosen their favorite track: “Kiss It Kiss It,” a song about a weekend-long fling with a girl from the other side of town. The song already has the most streams from the album on YouTube, which is often an indicator of the song artists and their teams should give the push to.
A glittery synth-pop dance floor anthem with some aggressive pop-punk breakdowns, “Kiss It Kiss It” finds Rapp warning her newfound lover, “You’re gonna kill me if you kiss it like that / Got me in tears, and not because I’m sad / Top of the mornin’, let me pull your hair back / Like, come on and kiss it, kiss it.”
The rollout for Rapp’s latest saw the singer indulging in redolent recollections of similarly hedonistic relationships on songs like “Leave Me Alone,” “Mad,” and “Why Is She Still Here?” She also announced the dates for her upcoming tour for Bite Me, which kicks off in September. You can see the dates below.
Rapp also performed the focus track “Shy” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night; you can check that out below.
Watch the visualizer for “Kiss It Kiss It” above.
Reneé Rapp’s 2025 Tour Dates: Bite Me
09/23 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre^
09/25 — Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena^
09/27 — Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill*
09/29 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden*
10/02 — Boston, MA @ TD Garden*
10/04 — Toronto, ON @ All Things Go&
10/06 — Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion*
10/08 — Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena*
10/10 — Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory*
10/13 — Portland, OR @ Theater of the Clouds*
10/15 — San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium*
10/17 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum*
10/22 — Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park^
10/23 — Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory^
10/26 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena^
10/27 — Tampa, FL @ Yuengling Center^
10/29 — Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center^
* with Syd
^ with Ravyn Lenae
& festival
Bite Me is out now via Interscope Records. You can find more info here.
The Uproxx Music Travel Hot List series is sponsored by Priceline, where you can go to book your next music travel adventure.
Across three consecutive weekends this month, Golden Gate Park will be hosting Doja Cat and Tyler, The Creator atop the lineup of the 17th annual Outside Lands festival, a three-night series of concerts by Dead & Company to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, and a country-leaning mega concert led by Zach Bryan and Kings of Leon. When it’s all said and done, 450,000 people will have come through Golden Gate Park between August 1st and August 15th in an unprecedented live music feat for the park.
Before last year, there had never been a concert in the park beyond 7 pm aside from Outside Lands. That’s when Another Planet Entertainment (APE) put on a one-night-only concert led by System of A Down and Deftones, the weekend after the festival — tickets sold out in an hour. Now, in the second year of APE’s expanded programming at the hallowed ground of Golden Gate Park’s meadows and fields, the park will become nothing short of the center of the live music world.
“If you take any venue in the history of San Francisco, from Oracle Park to Chase Center, Candlestick Park, etc., I don’t think there’s ever been a venue in a single month that has sold 450,000 tickets,” says Allen Scott, APE’s President of Concerts & Festivals. “That is historic in and of itself.”
Scott says that APE was heavily inspired by Hyde Park’s British Summer Time (BST) series of concerts in London. Started in 2013, BST grew in 2022 from a two to three-weekend slate of concerts, coaxing attendees from all over Europe and the world with some of the biggest names in music like Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones in the past, and this year’s iteration featuring Bryan. Stateside, what’s happening at Golden Gate Park is rivaling the springtime revelry at Southern California’s Empire Polo Field, which hosts two weekends of Coachella followed by the Stagecoach Festival.
When APE was seeking the ability to add another weekend or two of concerts at Golden Gate Park surrounding Outside Lands, the Berkeley-based promoter proposed throwing a series of free concerts each year in San Francisco as well. It’s been a win-win for the city as APE has already put on two shows with the Dirtybird dance music collective on the Embarcadero that each had 7,500 attendees, as well as a Portugal, The Man concert at the Civic Center, and another with country singer Don Louis at Union Square. There are two more free shows on the horizon this year as well, in collaboration with titanic local label Empire.
With this structure in place, APE’s biggest announcement this year came in the form of the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead series of shows with Dead & Company. Three nights in a row of ticketed concerts, which will coincide with Jerry Garcia’s birthday. From August 1st to 3rd, each show also has a unique headliner in Billy Strings (Fri), Sturgill Simpson (Sat), and Trey Anastasio Band (Sun).
“We’d been talking to Dead & Company for 2 years,” Scott explains. “We tried to get them for 2024, and they decided to do their Vegas residency at Sphere instead. So then we started gelling around the 60th anniversary for so many reasons. It made so much sense to have them come to Golden Gate Park, since they’d played shows here back in the ’60s when they called the city home.”
Before the Sphere residency, Dead & Company famously played in San Francisco at Oracle Park in what was deemed to be the “final tour” in 2023, presented by LiveNation. Scott says that those 30,000-person shows generated $31 million for the local economy. He expects twice that much economic impact with 57,000 tickets sold for each of the three nights (co-presented with LiveNation) at Golden Gate Park, noting that 74% of ticket buyers are coming from outside of the Bay Area and from many parts of the world.
The Polo Field at the Park is where the stage will be set up for the Dead & Company and Zach Bryan shows. Setting up the grounds for what’s necessary for each weekend is a dance that APE’s production staff got a lesson in last year.
“It was like a Tetris puzzle,” Scott says. “How to bring it down, the fencing and moving structures around. We’ll keep building for Outside Lands during the Dead & Company shows, with the extended Hellman Hollow footprint being built around the same time. So it starts small, then expands for the festival and then contracts again for the final weekend.”
As one can imagine, not having to build a fresh main stage three different times presents some serious savings in production costs. Scott says APE is using some of that money to add different festival-style elements for Dead & Company and Zach Bryan shows that will give each a distinctly unique aesthetic. Outside Lands’ famed legal cannabis sale and consumption area known as Grass Lands is expanding into a second weekend so Deadheads can experience it too, because it’s almost too perfect a placement. “A no-brainer if there ever was one,” as Scott puts it.
As for additional wear and tear on the grass turf of the Polo Field, SF Parks and Rec groundskeepers employ a method where they stop watering the grass a week or two before the festivities. It dries out the turf and hardens it to better maintain its integrity after 450,000 people will be walking on it. And while the grass dies out, the root structure of the field isn’t compromised. Boom.
But ultimately, the key to the success of these ventures lies in the lasting cultural and financial impact left behind once all of the structures are taken down. And while Scott says that APE will conduct economic impact reports following the three weekends, the cultural impact surrounding these unprecedented large-scale events at Golden Gate Park is already being felt.
“With the Grateful Dead and Dead & Company, specifically, the city has embraced the anniversary beyond these concerts,” Scott says.”The GD60 IndyCar is on display at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Jerry Day is happening again at McLaren Park, Mickey Hart has an art exhibit at the Haight St Arts Center, and there are street pole banners all around the city. And just like when a Taylor Swift or Beyoncé was in town — in any city, really — you feel it, everywhere, in those cities.”
The Uproxx Music Travel Hot List series is sponsored by Priceline, where you can go to book your next music travel adventure.
The serene City by the Sea is known as the sailing capital of the world, but this week, Newport, Rhode Island, is a pit stop for headliners like Janelle Monae, The Roots, and more at the Newport Jazz Festival. From Friday to Sunday, Fort Adams State Park is the hub for discovering soul, funk, and jazz to add to your summer playlist, and this stellar sold-out lineup won’t disappoint.
In addition to international acts like Esperanza Spalding, Raye, and the Yussef Dayes Experience, expect a special tribute to the late Rhode Island jazz legend George Wein, teased by Christian McBride in an early July post on Instagram. The aftershow is following Friday’s festivities at 10 p.m. at the Jane Pickens Film and Event Center, and it’s one of many post-performance parties lighting up Newport this weekend.
Whether you’re staying in Downtown Newport, Portsmouth, or a different part of Rhode Island, commuting to Fort Adams State Park shouldn’t be a hassle, as long as you’ve got a parking pass. On the festival’s website, water shuttles, biking, and rideshare are also recommended for a speedy arrival, and the Bellevue trolley is free to ride.
Each year’s festival brings thousands of people to the sold-out jazz celebration, and it’s a beautiful time of the year to uncover this coastal summer destination’s hidden gems. Depending on the amount of time you have in Rhode Island this weekend, be sure to grab a drink and survey the town’s Gilded Age mansions and other outdoor activities.
Newport Vineyards self-describes its 100-acre stretch of property as “more than a vineyard,” and you’ll easily understand their words with one visit. Arrive early and enjoy your time with a nearly two-hour tour of their winemaking process, and don’t forget to stop by the Vineyards’ extensive farm-to-table menu, which is available for dinner and brunch reservations. A quick drive outside of Newport opens up another selection of taprooms and tasting rooms, including the Greenvale Vineyard, Ragged Island Brewery, and Sowams Cider Works Company.
If you’re only attending the first or last day of the festival, save your Saturday evening for a night at the country’s first polo club. At Glen Park in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, picnics are encouraged, and pony-watching is mandatory at The Newport Polo Club. Snag a cheap first-come, first-served lawn seat for less than $30, and don’t forget to pack an enchanting, comfortable outfit, because this week’s match theme is Flora and Fauna.
Immerse yourself in the lavish lifestyle with a visit to the 11 colossal properties within Newport’s renowned mansions, including quaint cottages, grand staircases, jaw-dropping wallpaper designs, and the tulip-decorated topiary garden. Whether or not you’re into HBO Max’s historical drama The Gilded Age, this stop is ideal for the solo traveler, architecture fan, or history buff with an extra day on their hands.
Is it really a visit to America’s sailing capital of the world if you don’t go sailing? Perfect for families, a couple’s getaway, or a group of friends, the Narragansett Bay is calling your name with an experience from Newport Classic Cruises. Set sail on one of their hour-and-a-half-long rides for some of the best views of Newport, and stop by the town’s Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame before the weekend is over.
Determined to spend the remainder of your vacation outside? Depending on your preferred pastime, Newport’s got a few options for you. Rhode Island’s second-longest bike path, the Blackstone River Bikeway, breezes through a scenic route of the state. If you’re more of the walking type, Newport’s popular Cliff Hike is only 3.5 miles, plus you’ll get a whiff of the salty air. There are plenty more hiking options for the experienced adventurer looking for quick morning thrills, or you could bask in the sun before the festival at one of the nearby beaches.
Either way, stop by one of the town’s farmers’ markets for some seasonal goodies to fuel up for the night.
Similar to other seaside tourist spots, seafood is a staple in Newport, and reservations are recommended with this week’s influx of visitors. Essentially, you should be starting your weekend with one of the town’s best lobster rolls and ending your trip with a drink from a rooftop bar with an impeccable view.
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