New York, NY, May 13, 2009 – Madison Square Garden's national music network Fuse and MSG Entertainment today announced they will present Dave Matthews Band live at the Beacon Theatre on Monday, June 1.
Fuse, the only national network dedicated to music, will also telecast "Fuse Presents Dave Matthews Band: Live from the Beacon Theatre" in high-definition and commercial-free on the eve of the release of Dave Matthews Band's Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit Dave Matthews Band's Bama Works Fund supporting charitable programs in the Charlottesville, VA area.
Kicking off with "Fuse Presents Dave Matthews Band: Live from the Beacon Theatre" on June 1, Fuse will air 7-days of original programming -- including a 4-part original documentary "Dave Matthews Band: The Road to Big Whiskey" -- in support of the album release. Jointly Fuse and MSGE will also put a full portfolio of marketing assets across multiple platforms to round out the promotional push in support of this partnership.
This distinctive and creative collaboration between MSG Entertainment and Fuse offers fans and viewers unique multi-platform access to Dave Matthews Band. The 360-degree experience began on April 14 as the band launched their Spring 2009 tour with a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden. While in New York the band stopped by Radio City Music Hall for an interview with Fuse about the new album. The network then followed the band to Charlottesville, VA where they captured behind the scenes moments of the band's hometown tour stop. All of this will be included in Fuse's 7-days of original Dave Matthews Band programming.
"Fuse is celebrating the release of the Dave Matthews Band's eighth studio album with an entire week dedicated to the band," said Mike Bair, president, MSG Media. "By tapping into MSGE's legendary venues and strategic marketing offerings, together we're providing an experience for Dave Matthews Band fans that goes beyond the show. From a live concert at the legendary Beacon Theatre to an intimate documentary taped at Radio City Music Hall, we're raising the bar and look forward to collaborating with other artists on similar projects to reach their fans."
"Together under the MSG umbrella, MSGE and Fuse are in the unique position to put the full weight of our assets behind Dave Matthews Band's release of Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King and create this type of unique experience for music fans," said Jay Marciano, president, MSG Entertainment. "Today's entertainment environment is all about providing unique content and a meaningful experience. We are thrilled to work with Dave Matthews Band to support them on their tour and the release of one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year, and such a meaningful project to the band and their fans."
"Working with MSGE and Fuse to bring this partnership to life has been a very positive experience," said Coran Capshaw, longtime manager of Dave Matthews Band. "With them we've developed several exciting ways to offer the band's fans a really great experience."
Fuse and MSGE together offer a one of a kind experience - from playing legendary venues to garnering national television programming attention and access to MSG's entire portfolio of marketing and promotional assets to supporting projects like this through collaborative partnerships that only Fuse and MSG Entertainment can provide. Airing live on Fuse and streaming live on fuse.tv, Dave Matthews Band will join artists including The Killers, The Cure, The Foo Fighters and Fall Out Boy who have all taken advantage of this type of collaborative live series.
The legendary and newly restored Beacon Theatre, recently hosted the grand re-opening of the theatre following a 7-month, $16-million restoration and featured seminal artist Paul Simon with special guest Art Garfunkel. This intimate rock room has recently played host to many of the music industry's most highly anticipated and sought after shows including the 40th anniversary spring run of the Allman Brothers Band with various special guests; the Martin Scorsese documentary film of the Rolling Stones, "Shine a Light"; and a performance by the legendary and reclusive folk artist Leonard Cohen to name a few. Dave Matthews Band fans will now have the opportunity to see the band at the 2800-seat Beacon Theatre before the release of their eighth studio album.
MSG Entertainment (MSGE), the live entertainment arm of Cablevision Systems Corporations, is a worldwide entertainment company recognized for its signature combination of event production and entertainment marketing. In addition to the nearly 700 entertainment concerts and events that take place each year at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, The Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, MSGE has recently signed an exclusive co-booking agreement with Boston's Citi Performing Arts Center/ Wang Theatre. MSG Entertainment's live events include The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which includes the national arena tour and the theatrical tour which played 23 markets outside of New York in 2008. More than five and a half million people attend MSG Entertainment branded events annually including concerts, special events, and family attractions.
Fuse brings viewers closer to their favorite artists and bands by featuring original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks -- all rooted in the music experience. Celebrating the hit makers of today, familiar favorites and edgy newcomers, Fuse accommodates the wide ranging tastes and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience with compelling music programming on-air, on-line, on-demand and via mobile technologies. Fuse is a part of MSG Media, which includes television networks MSG and MSG Plus and MSG Interactive, which oversees all company wireless and online initiatives. MSG Media is a division of Madison Square Garden, L.P., which is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, the Wang Center, the Beacon Theatre, as well as the legendary Chicago Theatre, and which manages wholly-owned live entertainment properties including the Radio City Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Additional information about Fuse can be found at http://press.fuse.tv/
With over 15 million tickets sold, Dave Matthews Band was named the top-drawing American band in the world by Billboard magazine. Formed in Virginia in the early 1990's, the group has sold a collective 35 million units (CD and DVD combined). Renowned for its eclectic sound, the band's numerous hits include "What Would You Say," "Crash Into Me," "Too Much," "Everyday" and "American Baby." Stand Up, released in 2005, was Dave Matthews Band's fourth consecutive studio album to debut at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. The band will launch an extensive world tour in conjunction with the June release of its latest album, which was produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Alanis Morissette).
The Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band is a donor advised fund administered by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. Established in 1998, the Bama Works Fund supports charitable programs in the Charlottesville area, with interests in disadvantaged youth, needs of the disabled, protection of the environment, and the arts and humanities. Each of the band's members sits on the Bama Works Fund board and plays a crucial role in its efforts.