Tap your toe or get up and dance along to some catchy bops and driving beats! This playlist features a variety of music genres from our GDPI program partners and local musicians. This fun and upbeat playlist is great to groove to and will give you some extra motivation this Sunday afternoon!
In 2020, our Programs Department was forced to cancel over 50 FREE concerts due to the public health crisis surrounding Covid-19, along with the cancellation of the other 400+ programs we had planned for the community this year. We are hopeful that in Spring 2021, Greensboro Downtown Parks will be able to return to in-person programming. In the meantime, we're bringing you this new blog series - Park Arts Playlists - a new playlist every week, featuring music from artists that either have performed at the downtown parks before or who would have performed this year.
If you're interested in helping us do more to support artists and creative engagement in our community, please consider becoming a donor and contributing to our $10K in 10 Weeks Campaign.
1. River Song by DownTown Abby and the Echoes: With powerful vocals and hard-driving rock 'n' soul rhythms, DownTown Abby and the Echoes first came on to the music scene in Asheville, North Carolina. River Song is a fun and soulful tune that will make you want to dance and sing along!
2. Illin by Funkelstiltskin: Funkelstiltskin considers themselves "a party band that grew up in the 90s" with a wide range of musical influences, from neo-soul and R&B to grunge and alternative. Funkelstiltskin was founded on campus at Appalachian State University, and the band currently resides in Boone, NC. Enjoy this song off of Funkelstiltskin's 2020 album, Big Chungus.
3. Dunun Don by Africa Unplugged: Africa Unplugged is dynamic band that uses traditional instruments from West Africa and musical inspiration from around the world. You'll be tapping your toe along to the unique beats in this Africa Unplugged song!
4. Hold On by Jujuguru: Jujuguru is a talented blues-rock band from Central North Carolina known for their soulful sound. Enjoy the rhythmic guitar and unique vocals in Hold On, which will soon become one of your new favorite bops!
5. Pretending by TerraBANG: TerraBANG is a 5 member band from Boone, NC, creating music that is a unique blend of hip hop, jazz, and soul. TerraBANG is a band that is "dedicated to spreading love and positivity through their music."
6. Another Dawn by The Fat Catz: The Fat Catz are a four member band based in Burlington, NC. The Fat Catz are known for captivating their audience with danceable grooves and taking listeners on "a thrill ride of sound." Another Dawn showcases the band's iconic guitar work interlaced with melodic synthesizers, driving percussion, and thumping bass.
7. Bruised by Anne Elise Hastings and Her Revolving Cast of Characters: Anne Elise Hastings and Her Revolving Cast of Characters are a New Orleans based folk rock band, whose music is inspired by the sounds of their Appalachian roots. Anne Elise leads the group with her powerful vocal range and lyrically driven music, accompanied by acoustic guitar, banjo and violin.
8. Soul Rock by Kassem Williams: Kassem Williams is a talented drummer and a 2016 graduate of UNCG. Soul Rock, which is from Kassem Williams's debut album, Universe Soul Pressure, features ambient music and and a variety of driving beats.
9. In the Clear by Dropping Julia: Lead singer Emily Kresky exudes soulful sass through her storytelling songs. Combined with Sean Bracken (drums), Sam Passe (guitar), Alex Bragg (guitar) and Sebastian Nikischer (bass), Dropping Julia's style is a mixture of mellow and dreamy yet upbeat and funky music.
10. You (The Lala Song) by J Timber: J Timber is a pop, rock, and soul artist, originally from Queens, NY, but now residing in Greensboro. This song from J Timber's EP Self-Titled has a little jazzy feel and a fun energy that will make you want to sing along.
Happy listening! Don't forget to check back next Sunday for more songs by local artists and GDPI partners!