2013 Today Show, GMA Concert Series Kick Off May 24th (Schedules)

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, it's time for the free morning TV-show concerts to get underway, and you'll find the schedules for "The Today Show" and "Good Morning America" series below.

See Today Show and GMA summer concert schedules below.

"Today" show summer concerts are held outside NBC studios in Rockefeller Center, with one exception: tomorrow's kickoff show, featuring indie-pop band Fun, will take place at the Jersey Shore. The GMA summer concerts take place at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. See the links for each series' show times, entry procedures, etc.
Enjoy!

(Editor's note: We'll be posting articles in the new future on SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn, and other free concert series. And we'll be posting on a regular basis again.)

"The Today Show" Concert Series:
May 24 - Fun (at the Jersey Shore)
May 31 - New Kids on the Bock, 98 Degrees, & Boyz II Men
June 7 - Lionel Richie
June 14 - Maroon 5
June 21 - Hunter Hayes
June 28 - Phillip Phillips
July 5 - John Mayer
July 12 - Ed Sheeran
July 19 - Fall Out Boy
July 26 - Train
August 2 - The Band Perry
August 9 - Michael Buble
August 16 - Luke Bryan
August 23 - One Direction
August 20 - Chris Brown

"Good Morning America" Concert Series:
May 24 -  Mariah Carey
May 31 -  Pitbull
June 7 - Little Mix and Emblem3
June 14 - Carly Rae Jepsen
June 21 - John Legend
June 28 -  Demi Lovato
July 5 - Imagine Dragons
July 12 - OneRepublic
July 19 - Jennifer Lopez
July 26 - Selena Gomez
August 2 - Ne-Yo
August 9 - Kenny Chesney
August 16 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
August 23 - The Wanted
August 30 - Alicia Keys

Now Streaming: Hear New CDs from Daft Punk, Majical Cloudz, the Handsome Family, & More

"Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams, from the new Daft Punk album (see streaming link below).

The big news of the week in terms of streaming albums is the much-talked-about "Random Access Memories" by Daft Punk. It's streaming now on iTunes, where the group's fans gave it more than 4,000 five-star reviews before it was even posted.

Daft Punk fans have been posting their excitement all over the Internet today. And comments from the critics, while not quite as gushing as those of the diehard fans, are nevertheless quite positive (see Rolling Stone's review of "Random Access Memories.")

It includes contributions from Strokes singer Julian Casablancas, legendary producer and guitarist Nile Rodgers, electronic music composer Giorgio Moroder, Pharrell Williams, and more, and has a strong '70s disco vibe. Take a listen at iTunes, and see how the innovators in the electronic dance music genre are taking on the form now.

NPR Music once again has an eclectic mix of streaming albums, including the new ones from the Handsome Family and Latin rock group Piñata Protest. More albums may be added as I come across them. Dive in and enjoy, and leave your reactions in the comments section below!

[ADDED May 14th: Majical Cloudz]

iTunes Preview: 
"Random Access Memories" by Daft Punk (click on "View in iTunes," which will open that program. If you don't see a link to preview the CD, click on Daft Punk and it should come up.)

YouTube:
"Promises" by The Boxer Rebellion 
 
Pitchfork Advance: 
"Impersonator" by Majical Cloudz
 
NPR First Listen:
"Wilderness" the Handsome Family
"The Lighthouse" by G&D
"El Valiente" by Piñata Protest

Concert Notes: Tickets for Bob Dylan, Laura Marling, Pere Ubu, Pet Shop Boys, & More On Sale Soon

Bob Dylan brings his Americanarama tour to Hoboken and Jones Beach; see ticket details below.

It's another big boatload of great concerts going on sale Friday (and some on Saturday). Among the most anticipated shows is the Americanarama tour featuring Bob Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket, which will come to Jones Beach and to Pier A Park in Hoboken, which hosted its first-ever major show last summer when Mumford & Sons played there.

And, of course, there are plenty of gigs at indoor venues, for us vampires who enjoy see shows in dark, smelly clubs, even when the weather is bright and sunny outside. Enjoy, all...

Speaking of outdoor gigs, next week I'll start posting about the lineups for this summer's free outdoor shows, including SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn, and the televised Today Show and Good Morning America concert series.

On sale Friday, May 3rd: 
* Laura Marling at Roulette, Tues., May 28th. On sale at 12 Noon.
* The Olms (Pete Yorn and J.D. King) at Gramercy Theatre, Mon., June 10th. On sale at 10 a.m.
* Counting Crows and The Wallflowers at Hammerstein Ballroom, Thurs., June 27th. On sale at 10 a.m.
* The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream at PNC Bank Arts Center, Fri., July 5th, and at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Sat., July 6th. On sale at 10 a.m.
* The Polyphonic Spree at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Tues., July 9th, and at Bowery Ballroom, Wed., July 19th. On sale at 12 Noon.
* Pere Ubu at Bowery Ballroom, Thurs., Sept. 12th. On sale at 12 Noon.
* Pet Shop Boys at the Beacon Theatre, Mon., Sept. 16th and Tues., Sept. 17th. Both on sale at 11 a.m.

On sale Saturday, May 4th:
* Americanarama Tour at Pier A Park, Hoboken: Bob Dyan, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, and Ryan Bingham, Fri., July 26th. Also at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater (with Beck, but without MMJ), Sat., July 27th. On sale at 10 a.m.