Your outdoor concert line-up for the holiday weekend

"Heading up to San Francisco for the Labor Day Weekend show"?!?

Well, there's really no need to do that since we have SO MANY solid shows on the schedule right here in our area...

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It kicks off TONIGHT over at the Upper Merion Township Park in King of Prussia with a 7:00 PM show featuring Collie Buddz with DJ Proud - Born in New Orleans but raised in Bermuda, the dancehall singer was entranced by the urban music of his island home. He favored dancehall the most, but soca and hip-hop were important too, all of which exploded out the speakers of his DJ brother Matthew. His brother was also involved in recording Collie's demo track "Come Around," an infectious song that blew up in Europe and topped the charts in the U.K. before it came to Jamaica. The Atlantic City, New Jersey band, Sensamotion will also be on this bill - They have quickly established themselves as a rising force in the American reggae scene. They are known for their music that resonates with listeners on a deeper level, inviting audiences into a space of positivity and awareness, striving to create a feeling that is both mindful and spiritually uplifting. At the heart of Sensamotion's music is a passion for connecting on the collective human experience, bringing people together through the language of music and harmony. Their recent album, Life In True Color, was recognized for pushing the envelope of reggae, blending classic reggae influences with new sounds and themes that reflect their ongoing musical growth. Sensamotion's dedication to crafting music that is not only innovative but deeply connected to the heart of reggae has earned them widespread acclaim, solidifying their place as one of the most promising and respected acts in American reggae today.

More info at: tixr.com/groups/concertsunderthestars/events/collie-buddz-spark-up-summer-tour-178135

We follow that up on Saturday at 7:00 PM with a FREE Grateful Dead tribute show in the park from from Splintered Sunlight. As a long-time staple of the Philly Dead scene, Splintered Sunlight brings their listeners original songwriting influenced by the Dead, along with an incredible Garcia-inspired touch. You'll feel their passion and authenticity that defines their music in every groove that they perform.

Even though this is a FREE show, pre-registering beforehand is always a smart move... You can do that at: tixr.com/groups/concertsunderthestars/events/splintered-sunlight-178560

Also on Saturday over at the Veterans Memorial Pavilion in East Goshen Township Park (1661 Paoli Pike in West Chester), but with a 12:00 noon starting time, will be the rescheduled show featuring The John Byrne Band. This show was originally supposed to happen back on July 18th, but Mother Nature was in a bad mood that day & decided to rain on their parade... THIS Saturday is supposed to be glorious so we guess the old saying is true where good things happen to those who wait - lol...

Dublin native and Philadelphia resident, John Byrne leads his eponymously-named band. They perform songs about living and pushing forward through negative times. With influences ranging from Tom Waits to Planxty, John's songwriting honors and expands upon the musical and lyrical traditions of his native and adopted homes. Critics have called his writing "powerful, deeply moving work that will stay with you long after you have heard it;" Both as a solo/acoustic act, and a full 6-piece band, John logs in over 100 shows per year, building a loyal and devoted following along the way.

Byrne's songs are rich with the sounds and themes of Irish tradition, one that survives in a modern world… full of raw strength… The Philadelphia Inquirer called him "...one of the few musical artists today who truly manage to be traditional and modern at the same time." The Philadelphia Daily News shared that sentiment and wrote "He's good, period, with material that's edgy yet accessible in a Luka Bloom meets Bob Dylan kind of way."

Local talents Night Ride Home have been tapped to open this show - Brian Huff and Mary DeAngelis initially formed this songwriting duo inspired by their mutual love of Joni Mitchell, whose songs they still cover. Now they specialize in distinctive folk, pop, bluegrass and jazz-tinged originals featuring tight vocal harmonies and lush, intricate fingerstyle guitar. All of their influences-including Woody Guthrie, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Tom Lehrer, Rosanne Cash/John Leventhal, I'm With Her, Gillian Welch, and the Great American Songbook-impact the music you will hear with Night Ride Home.

This will be a DONATION concert event at the Veterans Memorial Pavilion put on by the good folks over there at Jackyard Concerts and is scheduled to run from 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM... So technically, one could attend BOTH shows on Saturday & make a memorable musical day of it!

Keep up with the latest info for this show at: facebook.com/groups/298020064581854

Finally, on Sunday, September 6th at 7:00 PM at the Gazebo in nearby Bryn Mawr, the talented singer-songwriters David Wilcox + Lucy Kaplansky are scheduled to appear...

David Wilcox has long been a quiet force in American folk music - a musician's musician, a writer's writer, and a seeker whose gift lies in making the personal feel universal. A string of acclaimed albums refined his reputation as a songwriter who knows how to say hard things in soft, lasting ways. Over the years he's shared stages and collaborations with artists like Shawn Colvin, Patty Larkin, and John Gorka. Wilcox's influence runs deep, especially among younger artists trying to build something real, and his music still resonates. His songs remain a rare kind of company. Not flashy. Just deeply, generously alive.

Lucy Kaplansky is no slouch in the singer-songwriting department either - She started out singing in Chicago folk music clubs as a teenager. Then, barely out of high school, she took off for New York City where she found a fertile community of songwriters and performers—Suzanne Vega, Steve Forbert, The Roches, and others. With a beautiful flair for harmony, Lucy was everyone's favorite singing partner, but most often she found herself singing as a duo with Shawn Colvin.

Most folks would embrace that opportunity, but she was convinced that her calling was in another direction and left the musical fast track to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Upon completing her degree, she took a job at a New York hospital working with chronically mentally ill adults, and also started a private practice.

But through it all, she continued to sing. Kaplansky was often pulled back into the studio by her friends, (many of whom had signed with record labels) wanting her to sing on their albums. She harmonized on Colvin's Grammy-winning "Steady On," and on Nanci Griffith's "Lone Star State of Mind" and "Little Love Affairs." She also landed soundtrack credits, singing with Suzanne Vega on "Pretty in Pink" and with Griffith on "The Firm," and several commercial credits as well—including "The Heartbeat of America" for Chevrolet.

Eventually, Shawn Colvin—who was itching to produce a record—hooked up with Lucy, her ex-singing partner. They went into the studio, and when Lucy's solo tapes got into the hands of Bob Feldman, president of Red House Records, he was blown away. Suddenly, Lucy was back making music full time... She signed with Red House Records and started playing gigs. Red House released The Tide in 1994 to rave reviews, and within six months Lucy signed with a major booking agency...

An incredible journey & one that plays out with each and every performance!

More info on the Twilight Concert series can be found at: brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com/

WOWZER! That's one PACKED weekend of outdoor music - Glad we have that extra day off on Monday to recover from it all... Not too much summer left, so we hope to see YOU at these shows!