Music

As Musikfest kicks off next week, some notable figures in its history shared their perspectives on the humble beginnings and what it's become. Join in the action in Bethlehem from Aug. 3-13.

The iconic Martin on Main festival returned to historic Nazareth at noon on July 29.

The annual festival happened on July 29 in Nazareth.

Industry pros will share their secrets of success at the free event at the Ice House.

Musikfest is set for Aug. 3 to 13. The main stage costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to build, and it takes about two weeks.

The net proceeds of the concert, "For Ukraine: A Concert of Remembrance and Hope," will be used to support Ukrainian humanitarian efforts.

The iconic Martin on Main festival is returning to historic Nazareth at noon on July 29, with two raffle prizes worth over $3,000.

Singer Tony Bennett, who died Friday just two weeks before his 97th birthday, graced the stages of the Lehigh Valley frequently in the final two decades of his performing career. And it seemed those shows often came during important moments in Bennett’s career.

David Foster and wife Katharine McPhee will perform at Wind Creek Event Center 8 p.m. May 9. Iconic English progressive rock band Yes will play at 8 p.m. Sept. 21.

The three-day festival features performances by Bywater Call, the Sensational Blues Brothers and Toronzo Cannon.

Backed by a four-man band and a back-up singer, Sheena Easton performed 15 songs in precisely 90 minutes at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Saturday.

The summer spectacle returns with headlining concerts, amusement rides, livestock shows and free family fun.

The Hooters performed to a nearly sold-out crowd Friday at Univest Performance Center in Quakertown.

The festival will feature bachata and merengue music and Latin eats such as empanadas and mofongo.

The local singer will debut her newest music at the National Sokols on Saturday.

The Weight Band, featuring former The Band guitarist Jim Weider, will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

The Hooters, who combined ska and folk-rock on 1980s hits such as “Day By Day” and “And We Danced,” will perform at 8 p.m. at Univest Performance Center, 301 W. Mill St. Gates open at 6, and an opening act will go on at 6:30 p.m.

Starting Wednesday, gates at the Allentown Fairgrounds will close between Liberty and Chew Streets, the north and south borders of the grounds.

While the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ stadium again will have music emanating from its baseball diamond — and will look to do more — it doesn’t mean the park is likely to become a steady stop on the concert circuit, General Manager Kurt Landes said.

Organizers had hinted that this year's crowds were expected to break records. On Tuesday, ArtsQuest confirmed it. More than 1.3 million visited Bethlehem during the 11 nights of Musikfest 2023.

The time-lapse was shot from the weather camera atop the Univest Public Media Center on the SteelStacks campus.

The 40th Musikfest drew to a successful close on Sunday night in Bethlehem. The nation's largest open-gate free music festival delivered more than 500 free performances, plus paid-ticket headliners. Organizers believe a record of roughly 1.25 million attended the 11-day event. An official count is expected to be announced Tuesday.