By Daily Press staff
Saturday marks the finale of the summer-long Twilight Pier Concert Series, highlighted with four different musical performances.
KCRW is hosting “Next Up,” a showcase of independent local artists. For the fourth year in a row, KCRW produces its own concert with performances by some of Southern California’s rising stars. The event is free and open to the public.
This year’s featured artists are the pop/Americana musical amalgamation of AM; Jesca Hoop’s eccentric brew of traditional roots; the ethereal pop/rock of Quincy and Blue-Eyed Son’s new wave of acoustic rock.
The artists were selected by KCRW Music Director Nic Harcourt. Harcourt is the host of KCRW’s signature daily music show, “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” which airs weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon on 89.9 KCRW and streams live on www.KCRW.com. KCRW’s commitment to support new and emerging artists, without regard to record deals or promotional funding, has established the station’s credibility in the music world. Several times a week, Harcourt hosts unsigned artists as well as internationally acclaimed bands live in-studio on “Morning Becomes Eclectic.” Exposure on KCRW has helped launch the careers of such artists as Norah Jones, Coldplay, Jem, Damien Rice, Dido, Pete Yorn and David Gray.
For the past two years, “Next Up” took place in Costa Mesa as part of the Eclectic Orange Festival. Several previously featured artists have since signed with labels, including Gary Jules, Ramsay Midwood, Trespassers William and Minibar. Next UP was launched at The Getty Center in 2001. Featuring four live bands in the courtyard at sunset, the event was such a success that more than 6,000 people attended, the most people the Getty has ever had on one night.
The event will take place on the Santa Monica Pier from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It’s free and open to the public.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 17, 2004. Read the original PDF.