The fourth annual Brooklyn Comes Alive is coming up this weekend! With over 50 artists slated to perform 15+ sets across two days in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Comes Alive is primed to take over the borough with a roster of incredible talent. On September 29th, attendees will be granted in-and-out access to three music venues—Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg, and Rough Trade —all within a 5-minute walking radius, creating the feeling of an indoor music festival.

Inspired by the vibrant musical communities of Brooklyn and New Orleans, this unique event puts the focus on the artists, bringing over 50 musicians together to see their passion projects come to life, honor their musical heroes, and improvise with their friends and peers. Similar to a fantasy sports league, these musicians are paired in dream scenarios that have rarely been experienced before. With various tribute sets, one-off supergroup formations, and debut band performances, the event pushes the boundaries of a traditional music festival model and creates an unprecedented experience, for artists and fans alike. The third year is positioned to be the best yet, so don’t miss out! Here’s everything you need to know…

Tickets

Purchasing a ticket to Brooklyn Comes Alive gets you a wristband that allows access to three venues: Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg, and Rough Trade. Wristband-holders can come-and-go from all three venues throughout the event, which will have non-stop music from the time the venue opens until it closes.

The main box office and check-in hub will be located in the Williamsburg Hotel (one block away from Brooklyn Bowl), in the lower level bar area. You will be able to pick up your wristband here any time between 2:00 PM and midnight. Please bring your ticket–either printed out or a digital copy–to the venue, where it will be exchanged for a Brooklyn Comes Alive wristband. You will only need to do this once, giving you access to all three venues for the duration of the day. GA and VIP tickets will also be available for purchase at this location day of show, pending availability.

For those late to the party, Brooklyn Bowl will be offering discounted “After Midnight” tickets for entry to Purple Party: A Tribute To Prince, starting at 12:00 am on the dot. These can be purchased ahead of time or at Brooklyn Bowl doors, while supplies last.

VIP tickets include VIP access to all three venues, including our “Artists Lounge” at Brooklyn Bowl featuring a private cash bar and private servers for ordering food, VIP access at Music Hall of Williamsburg and Rough Trade, expedited entry, and an exclusive, limited edition poster. VIP wristbands and posters can be picked up at the Williamsburg Hotel.

GA and VIP tickets can be purchased here.

Venues

Williamsburg Hotel Box Office (96 Wythe Ave): Open 2 PM – 12 AM

Rough Trade (64 N 9th St): Doors open at 2:30 PM; Music goes from 3:30 PM – 12:30 AM

Music Hall of Williamsburg (66 N 6th St): Doors open at 3:15 PM; Music goes from 4:15 PM – 3:45 AM

Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave): Doors open at 4:00 PM; Music goes from 5:00 PM – 2:30 AM

Note: Music Hall of Williamsburg and Rough Trade are 18+ venues, while Brooklyn Bowl is strictly 21+. If you are between the ages of 18 and 21, you are welcome to purchase a ticket, however you will not be allowed access to Brooklyn Bowl.

Music

Check out the schedule below, and continue to read for a full breakdown of all of the artists and sets featured at this year’s Brooklyn Comes Alive.

Full List Of Artists At Brooklyn Comes Alive 2018:
George Porter Jr. (The Meters)
Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy)
Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits)
Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits)
Adam Deitch (Lettuce)
Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, WOLF!)
Robert Walter (Greyboy All-Stars, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Mike Gordon)
Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power)
Skerik (Garage A Trois)
Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit)
Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff (Lettuce)
Borahm Lee (Break Science)
Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce)
Robert “Sput” Searight (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note)
Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce)
Michelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz)
Nigel Hall (Lettuce)
Shira Elias (Turkuaz)
Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy)
Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power)
Erick “Jesus” Coomes (Lettuce)
Wil Blades
Joey Porter (The Motet)
Todd Stoops (RAQ, Electric Beethoven)
Brandon “Taz” Niederauer
Johnny Vidacovich
Lyle Divinsky (The Motet)
Karina Rykman (Marco Benevento Band)
Rob Compa (Dopapod)
James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band)
Dave Watts (The Motet)
Alvin Ford Jr. (Pretty Lights Live Band, Dumpstaphunk)
Eli Winderman (Dopapod)
Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu)
Peter Levin (Gregg Allman Band)
Nate Edgar (The Nth Power)
Khris Royal (Rebelution)
Steve Swatkins (Allen Stone)
Ryan Jalbert (The Motet)
Dave Harrington (Darkside, Dave Harrington’s Merry Pranksters)
Sammi Garett (Turkuaz)
Chuck Jones (Dopapod)
Mike “Maz” Maher (Snarky Puppy)
Hayley Jane (Hayley Jane & The Primates)
Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy)
Casey Russell (The Magic Beans)
Tyler Coomes
Adam November (Karina Rykman Experiment)
Megan Letts (Mama Magnolia)
Chris Corsico (Karina Rykman Experiment)
Joel Gonzaléz
Maurice Brown (Tedeschi Trucks Band)

Comedians:
Brett Siddell (SiriusXM, Wokes With Jokes)
Walker Berry (Wokes With Jokes)
Ariella Wallen (Wokes With Jokes)
Pamela Mahler (Wokes With Jokes)
Richie Alfson (Wokes With Jokes)

Hosted By:
Ari Fink (SiriusXM)

Purple Party: A Tribute To Prince

After an instant-classic, sold-out late-night performance in New Orleans during this year’s Jazz Fest, the Purple Party will come together once again to pay their respects to the one and only Prince at Brooklyn Comes Alive. The band is an embarrassment of riches, with an all-star cast of incredible funk players across the board. The sensational former Prince bassist MonoNeon will join forces with Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note), Steve Swatkins (Allen Stone), Ryan Jalbert and Lyle Divinsky (The Motet), Shira Elias and Sammi Garett (Turkuaz), Chris Bullock and Mike “Maz” Maher (Snarky Puppy), Will Trask (Great American Taxi), and Megan Letts (Mama Magnolia). Casey Russell (the Magic Beans) will play keys and act as musical director.

As with previous all-star tribute shows at Brooklyn Comes Alive, you never know who might show up as a special guest…

Cory Henry / Nikki Glaspie / Scott Metzger / MonoNeon / Skerik

BCA veterans Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power), Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, WOLF!), MonoNeon (Prince, Ghost Note) and Skerik will join the ultra-talented keyboardist Cory Henry (formerly of Snarky Puppy, Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles) for his debut performance at the festival, making for an unforgettable quintet.

George Porter Jr. / Brandon “Taz” Niederauer / Adam Smirnoff / Jeff Sipe / Peter Levin / Elise Testone: In Honor Of Col. Bruce Hampton, Butch Trucks, Gregg Allman, & Those We’ve Lost 

This special performance will see an all-star cast of musicians come together to pay their respects to guitar prodigy Brandon “Taz” Niederuar‘s three mentors-Col. Bruce Hampton, Butch Trucks, and Gregg Allman-all of whom passed away last year. Joining Taz will be GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, the iconic bassist George Porter Jr. (The Meters), guitarist Adam Smirnoff (Lettuce), Jeff Sipe, the founding drummer in Aquarium Rescue Unit with Col. Bruce Hampton, keys/organ player Peter Levin (Gregg Allman Band) and vocalist Elise Testone (American Idol, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band).

Marc Brownstein / Borahm Lee / Alvin Ford Jr. / Khris Royal

Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits) will join forces with Borahm Lee (Break Science, Pretty Lights Live), Alvin Ford Jr. (Dumpstaphunk, Pretty Lights Live) and Khris Royal (Rebelution) for a unique mixture of electronic music and New Orleans funk. Brownstein & Lee are BCA veterans, having played the event several times, including as part of [B]reaking [B]iscuits, one of BCA’s most celebrated ensembles to date.

A Tribute To Steely Dan

With Members Of The Motet, Turkuaz, The Nth Power, Snarky Puppy, & More

A Tribute To Steely Dan will round out BCA’s tribute series, with Joey Porter (The Motet) serving as musical director. Porter will be joined by: Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power), Nate Edgar (The Nth Power), Michelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz), Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu), Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note), Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy), Mike “Maz” Maher (Snarky Puppy), Lyle Divinsky (The Motet), Hayley Jane (Hayley Jane & The Primates) and Sammi Garett (Turkuaz) for a respectful tribute to the innovative musicians and songwriters Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.

Johnny Vidacovich / Robert Walter / Eric “Benny” Bloom

A special one-off Jazz trio performance by New Orleans jazz drumming legend, Johnny Vidacovich, accomplished keyboardist Robert Walter (Greyboy-Allstars, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Mike Gordon), and the ultra-talented trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce).

Adam Deitch Quartet

Celebrated Lettuce drummer Adam Deitch will give a rare performance with his quartet – Adam Deitch Quartet – this year, joined by Wil Blades and Lettuce bandmates Ryan Zoidis and Eric “Benny” Bloom. 2017 saw the ensemble’s first record, Egyptian Secrets, and there have only been a select few performances since the release.

Karina Rykman Experiment

featuring special guests Robert Walter & Dave Harrington

She is best known for her touring chops in Marco Benevento’s band, but bassist Karina Rykman recently debuted her own band and she’s bringing a special rendition to BCA 2018. Karina Rykman Experiment will see Rykman and her band – featuring Adam November and Chris Corsico – joined by renowned keys and organ player Robert Walter and improvisational wizard, guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Dave Harrington

Switch Hitters

Earlier this year, a brand new band comprised of Wil Blades, Nigel Hall (Lettuce), Robert “Sput” Searight (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note) and Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note) made its debut at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco, followed by a much-talked-about late night at Jazz Fest. Now the Switch Hitters will make their East Coast debut at Brooklyn Comes Alive 2018.

Baby Jesus Peasant Party

The beloved Jazz Fest late night brainchild of Lettuce bassist Eric “Jesus” Coomes will make its Brooklyn debut this year. Baby Jesus Peasant Party sees Jesus play alongside his drumming and producing brother Tyler Coomes, Borham Lee (Break Science, Pretty Lights Live), Ryan Zodis (Lettuce) and Khris Royal (Rebelution).

Carubba Compa Winderman

A blast from the past comes courtesy of Carubba Compa Winderman, the original trio lineup of Dopapod. Back in their days at Berklee College of Music, keyboardist Eli Winderman founded Dopapod with his fellow classmates, drummer Michelangelo Carubba, and guitarist Rob Compa. Carubba is now known for his chops in the live powerhouse ensemble Turkuaz, but after reuniting with Compa & Winderman earlier this year for a set in Philadelphia, BCA 2018 provides another special opportunity for the original trio to reunite.

Shira Elias’ Soul Tracks

Shira Elias (Turkuaz) will lead her own time machine set, Shira Elias’ Soul Tracks, which will see the singer perform soul music from across eras encompassing everything from Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye, to Erykah Badu and Hiatus Kaiyote. She will be joined by Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power), Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power), Nate Edgar (The Nth Power), James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band), Lyle Divinsky (The Motet), Steve Swatkins (Allen Stone Band) and Joél Gonzalez.

Katharsis

In 2017, members of The Motet, Electric Beethoven, Dopapod, and Digital Tape Machine debuted a new side project, Katharsis, and they’re bringing their brand of psychedelic funk to BCA 2018. Katharsis is Dave Watts (The Motet), Todd Stoops (RAQ, Electric Beethoven), Chuck Jones (Dopapod) and Marcus Rezak (Digital Tape Machine).

Wokes With Jokes: Stand-Up Comedy About The Jamband Scene

For the first time ever, BCA will also present a comedy set alongside their usual musical programming. Wokes With Jokes: Stand-Up Comedy About The Jamband Scene emerged in 2017 during Phish’s New Years run, followed by successful shows based around multi-night runs with Umphrey’s McGee & The Disco Biscuits. The comedy troupe – comprised of Brett Siddell, Walker Berry, Ariella Wallen, Pamela Mahler and MC Richie Alfson – will be making their BCA debut this year.

Jam Cruise Presents… A Very Special Late Night In The JAM ROOM

A staple of the beloved festival-at-sea, Jam Cruise will bring their beloved Jam Room to land for the first time ever at Brooklyn Comes Alive 2018. The Jam Room gives artists the chance to collaborate in an open and relaxed atmosphere. Three hosts – George Porter Jr., Craig Brodhead, and Karina Rykman – will curate the special extended late-night jam sessions, for the first-ever land-edition of this fan and artist favorite.

Brooklyn Comes Alive is sponsored by Denver-based company, Pure CBD Exchange, which creates and sells a number of CBD/cannabidiol products (What is CBD?) from concentrates, tinctures, extracts, lotions, creams, and more. The use of CBD has gained much notoriety as of late, for use as both a health and wellness supplement and to treat conditions such as epilepsy, PTSD, cancer, and a number of mental disorders and is also used for anti-inflammation, nausea reduction, sleep aid, and more. Pure CBD Exchange was co-founded by Gregg Allman Band organist/keyboardist and Brooklyn Comes Alive musician Peter Levin back in 2017.

Pure CBD Exchange focuses on low-THC cannabis products with high CBD content. They work within the Colorado Industrial Hemp pilot program to distribute non-psychoactive tinctures, extracts, lotions, and more all over the world. The company has featured by companies like VICE, High Times, Leafly, and more.