Our 2023 Headliners and Featured Acts
MIHALI – Headliner, Saturday at 8:30 PM
The Vermont-based, but Maplewood-born, solo singer, songwriter, guitarist, artist, and Twiddle co-founder follows reggae’s evolutionary ebb and flow, existing in a perpetual state of inspiration and creation, and remaining committed to sonic evolution. Exuding a balanced mix of rich influences, Mihali’s music entwines reggae spirit, fluid soundscape architecture, and invigorating mantras meant to be chanted aloud in a packed venue.
Following years of fan demand, Mihali served up his solo debut, Breathe and Let Go, in 2020. It boasted collaborations with Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Trevor Hall, and instantly reacted with audiences, gathering millions of streams. In addition to glowing reviews from JamBase and Live For Live Music, Grateful Web exclaimed, “Mihali’s musical talent is special.”
During the global pandemic, Mihali kept writing songs and recording remotely – trading song files back and forth. Mihali said, “Every morning, I would wake up to a new .wav file, and it was like Christmas!”– The efforts lead to 2022’s Effection album with the song “Maplewood.”
RED BARAAT — Featured Act, Saturday at 6:48 PM
Red Baraat is a pioneering band from Brooklyn, New York. Conceived by dhol player Sunny Jain, the group has drawn worldwide praise for its singular sound, a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz and raw punk energy. Created with no less a purposeful agenda than manifesting joy and unity in all people, Red Baraat’s spirit is worn brightly on its sweaty and hard-worked sleeve.
But even as it’s clear that Red Baraat has built a startling history of performances in iconic settings, the band’s bread and butter remains the sweaty clubs, festivals, packed performing arts centers, and college auditoriums that keeps the band on the road all over the world the last several years. It’s here where Red Baraat does what it does best – communing with their audience in a joyful, near hedonistic celebration of music and dance which, tellingly, draws a crowd even more diverse than the players on stage.
The universality of what Red Baraat does is undeniable. And this is no happy accident. It is the product of intention and design.
LOUIS CATO — Headliner, Sunday at 8:30 PM
Louis was generous and accomodating to move his set 90 minutes forward as weather circumstances threatened. Unfortunately, the weather required the ending of his set after just 3-4 songs. We hope to have him back in a future year.
Louis Cato is a Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He has worked with artists including Bobby McFerrin, Snarky Puppy, Jon Batiste, Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest.
His love of music started at age 2 with a drum set and evolved into an appreciation of the southern gospel and continued into his education at the Berklee College of Music. Cato has an undeniable ability to craft sonic landscapes into timeless masterpieces. Cato released his first solo record Starting Now (2017), which he mixed and produced himself.
After playing in the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert since the show’s 2015 inception, Cato was recently named bandleader for the newly renamed “The Late Show Band.” For Maplewoodstock, Cato has assembled a band of his favorite collaborators and will be leaning into the funkier side of life for this special appearance.
REMEMBER JONES — Featured Act, Sunday at 6:48 PM
Unfortunately, weather circumstances required the cancelation of Remember Jones. We hope to have him back in a future year.
A captivating showman, soul/pop singer, storyteller, and bandleader, who keeps audiences on their toes and emotions in the moment. Evoking the authentic energy of the greatest front men and women, his original music, high energy, show-band staging, and theatrical events have played to sold-out clubs and theaters throughout the US.
Remember Jones has shared stages with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Darlene Love, Buster Poindexter, Rebirth Brass Band, Dumpstaphunk, Robert Randolf,and Bruce Springsteen. In addition to supporting original material, Remember Jones presents multiple productions, such as: back to BACK TO BLACK, a recreation of the entire Amy Winehouse album, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, YAS QUEEN!, a theatrical celebration of the music of Queen, a concert re-envisioning Tommy by The Who, among others! Remember Jones looks to bring Maplewoodstock some of these treats as well as original material – a plethora of body-moving goodness!
https://www.rememberjones.com/
Saturday, July 8, 2023:
Noon – Essex Funk Collective
A local multi-generational band playing soul, disco, R&B and funk grooves.
12:42 PM – Troubleman
A dynamic and electrifying band that has been making waves in the music industry. With a unique blend of rock, ska, and reggae, the band has captivated audiences.
1:24 PM – Al Gold & Cool in Hand
Blues and Roots music stripped down to its essence.
2:06 PM – Widely Grown
An Americana/Roots band, from “one of Hudson Counties most engaging songwriters over the last few years (NJ.com).” A little grass. A little rock. A lot in between.
2:48 PM – Billy Walton Band
If a band that mixes high energy rock/soul/blues covered in psychedelic jams seems intriguing, then the Billy Walton Band is a must see live act!! Get your dancin’ shoes on!
3:30 PM – Queen Bleu Nile & Family
A sultry, sassy Sistah bringing you unforgivable soul, with dabs of funk, sprinkles of reggae, a dash of jazz, and a dollop of rock! MUSIC is LIFE!
4:12 PM – Rasha Jay
NJ based artist Rasha Jay is a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter who fuses her love for alternative, rock and soul with heart. Her latest project Muscle Memory is available now.
4:54 PM – Carlos Frias & Circulo Social
In their music you can hear the heart of the Caribbean, the peasant chant, the voice of those speaking against injustice accompanied by Afro Caribbean rhythms.
5:36 PM – Tia Holt Experience
The voice you need to hear. The experience you need to have.
6:48 PM – Red Baraat (Featured Act)
Pioneering band from Brooklyn, merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz and raw punk energy. Created with no less a purposeful agenda than manifesting joy and unity in all people.
8:33 PM Mihali (Headliner)
The Vermont-based, but Maplewood-born, solo singer, songwriter, guitarist, artist, and Twiddle co-founder follows reggae’s evolutionary ebb and flow with a balanced mix of rich influence.
Sunday, July 9, 2023
Noon – Isabella Dussias
A 20 year old singer-songwriter/composer from NJ whose indie pop music is influenced by folk, rock, and orchestral elements.
12:42 PM – Zöös
This trio loves nothing more than to share a deep musical experience with our audience. They specialize in music of the 60’s and 70’s, always adding our own spices and originals.
1:24 PM – SOMA’s Local Heroes Band
Features the powerhouse vocals of Charlie Pollock and Diane Davis performing a rousing mix of americana, country and rock music.
2:06 PM – JB Blues Band
The JB (“Jim Buchanan”) Blues band has played Maplewoodstock before with the late great Jim Buchanan on bass. RIP in musical peace to Maplewood’s Music Mayor.
2:48 PM – Workingman’s Jed
Offers unique set lists, with songs merged together in original ways, that feature beautiful multi- part harmonies. They thrive off each other’s (and the audience’s) energy.
3:30 PM – Sarah Hodd & The Drive
Bluesy & explosive originals and fun, funky covers. Neo-soul meets modern pop, with a dash of Americana and a whole lot of heart.
4:12 PM – Me & Nobody
An Indie pop/rock band from New York who simply loves making music that makes them feel something.
4:45 PM – TimaLikesMusic
With sultry, nostalgic RnB instrumentation and clever, sometimes comical lyricism, TimaLikesMusic takes listeners through their daily emotional journeys. She’s too good. It’s true.
5:36 PM – Q-Tip Bandits
Smooth yet powerful sound, thoughtful lyrics with danceable grooves.
6:48 PM – Remember Jones (Featured Act)
Unfortunately, weather circumstances required the cancelation of Remember Jones. We hope to have him back in a future year.
One-of-a-kind soul/pop singer, storyteller and bandleader with a throwback vibe and authentic energy, backed and supported by a large ensemble of musicians.
8:30 PM – Louis Cato (Headliner)
Louis was generous and accomodating to move his set 90 minutes forward as weather circumstances threatened. Unfortunately, the weather required the ending of his set after just 3-4 songs. We hope to have him back in a future year.
Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He leads the house band for Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show.”
