2013 SummerStage Highlights & Schedule (The Zombies Play Tonight)

The Zombies headline a free show at Central Park SummerStage tonight (above, playing a show in Essex County, NJ several years back).

Apologies for the short notice here, but legendary British invasion band The Zombies is playing SummerStage in Central Park tonight. The bill also features Django Django along with Adam Green and Binki Shapiro, and includes DJ sets by Modest P. The show starts at 6 p.m., and even if you're seeing this late on Saturday we hope you'll be able to get over there to see the headliners.

We caught The Zombies a few years back at a free festival show in North Jersey and they sounded just fine. You'll no doubt hear their classic hits such as "Tell Her No" and "She's Not There," as well as some deeper tracks from their canon.

See the SummerStage calendar for a full listing of events for this summer in parks throughout the five boroughs. Select "Music" on the left-hand side to see those events. you and also search by borough or by specific park.

June 15th - The Zombies, Django Django, Adam Green and Binki Shapiro, with DJ sets by Modest P. Central Park, 6 p.m.

June 18th - The Airborne Toxic Event featuring the Calder Quartet with Ensemble LPR. Central Park, 7 p.m.

June 29th - Canada Day celebration with Lights, Joel Plaskett, and Spirit of the West. Central Park, 6 p.m.

June 30th - Big Star's "Third": An Orchestrated Live Performance of the Legendary Album (with performers including Sharon Van Etten, Kurt Vile, Pete Yorn, Marshall Crenshaw, and more). Central Park, 7 p.m.

July 11th- Lila Downs, Natalis Clavier, Pamela Rodriguez, & Raul Campos- Central Park, 6 p.m.

July 12th - War; DJ set by DJ Afro. Crotona Park, 7 p.m.

July 13th - Julieta Venegas, Carla Morrison, and Alexander Anwandter. In association with the Latin Alternative Music Conference. Central Park, 7 p.m.

July 22nd - Trombone Shorty, Orleans Avenue, and Soulive. With Anders Osborne. Central Park, 6 p.m.

July 27th - Lianne La Havas, LP, and Quadron; DJ sets by DJ Center. Central Park, 7 p.m.

July 30th - Motown Revue and Felix Hernandez's Rhythm Revue. Tappen Park, 7 p.m.

August 11th - Shuggie Otis, José James, and Hiatus Kaiyote; DJ sets by OP! (I Love Vinyl).

Spoon, Robert Randolph, The Zombies, Suzanne Vega, & More Rock the Union County Music Fest (PHOTOS)

The Union County Music Fest in Clark, NJ has got to be one of the best-kept secrets in the NYC area as far as free music festivals go. As I wrote the other day, the 2010 UC Music Fest this past weekend had a great lineup, and I caught Sunday's show with Spoon, Robert Randolph, The Zombies, Nils Lofgren, Suzanne Vega, and more.

One surprisingly good act was the first one I saw Sunday, the Nils Lofgren "acoustic duo." I've long been a fan of Lofgren (above), but wondered if a two-man acoustic lineup could convey the power of his more rocking tunes.

Not to worry: Lofgren's guitar playing and voice did the songs justice, and his sideman (whose name I didn't catch) did a fine job not only on keyboard but on percussion: tap dancing on a wooden platform. Nils also took a couple turns hoofing it on the boards (who knew Lofgren could tap dance?)

I've seen Suzanne Vega (above) in concert more than almost any other performer, and part of the reason is because she never disappoints. Her UC Music Fest set with longtime collaborators Mike Visceglia (bass) and Gerry Leonard (guitar) was no exception.

It showed her range from moving stories in spare acoustic arrangements in several songs from her first album, "Suzanne Vega" (which came out 25 years ago), to the bossa nova of "Caramel," the industrial sounds of "Blood Makes Noise," and her collaboration with Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse, "The Man Who Played God."

The Zombies (above), that influential rock band from the 1960s, are still around? I had no idea until I saw them on the Music Fest's lineup. They're celebrating their 50th anniversary and are even working on a new album (due in 2011). They put on a good set of original Zombies songs and tunes the band recorded, as well as songs by keyboardist Rod Argent's group, Argent (including the hits "Hold Your Head Up" and "God Gave Rock and Roll to You.")

New Jersey's own Robert Randolph (above) and the Family Band got the crowd moving and shaking off the chill of the cool, wet afternoon. Randolph said it was good to be back home, and to know that the Giants won that afternoon. Yes indeed.

Austin's Spoon was back in the tri-state area to close the festival (above: Rob Pope and Britt Daniel). This was the band most people came to see (though Robert Randolph had a good-sized crowd, too). Spoon played a one-hour-plus set that included many of the same tunes as their recent sets at Madison Square Garden (opening for Arcade Fire), with an emphasis on their latest album "Transference" and its predecessor "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga."

The Music Fest featured a smaller stage for up-and-coming acts, and I liked the one band I saw: Brooklyn's A Million Years (three of four members above). (Unlike many Brooklyn bands, most of these actually grew up in the borough). They've been playing together for many years, it seems, and it showed. They had a solid, tight sound as they played tunes from their debut album "Mischief Maker," including the catchy title tune.

A Million Years will be playing a couple of gigs at next month's CMJ in New York and a show with Jesse Malin in the East Village.

The Union County Music Fest offered an amazing lineup for a free show, and getting in and out of the even was surprisingly hassle free. This is an event I'll definitely put on my calendar for next year.