FUV High Line Bash 2024

WFUV toasted a spectacular year — and our loyal listeners and supporters — at the annual High Line Bash on Friday night, May 3, at City Winery NYC, overlooking the Hudson River. On this clement spring evening, as flutes of champagne were handed 'round and fried chicken sliders, rainbow maki, and wild mushroom flatbread pizzas were just a few of the eclectic epicurean treats on the menu, this united community of music lovers enjoyed three special sets from three soulful bands: the dynamic and legendary Lee Fields, charismatic Muscle Shoals magicians Billy Allen + The Pollies, and New York's effervescent funk-rockers Brandi and The Alexanders.

As always, the silent auction was a highlight, stocked with eminently tempting items and experiences to bid on: travelers could bid on excursions to Antigua, Panama, Maine and other getaway destinations while music lovers outbid each other on premium packages, including summertime tix for the Rolling Stones at MetLife Stadium and Phish at Bethel Woods Center.

While music is the shared experience that elevates every High Line Bash, there's always a theme that subtly sets the night's tone — and on this evening, family was a constant.  Listeners, longtime FUV supporters, music industry folks, and DJs met and mingled — with FUV hosts Corny O'Connell, Alisa Ali, Eric Holland, Darren DeVivo, Delphine Blue, Russ Borris, Janet Bardini, Paul Cavalconte, Benham Jones, Kara Manning, Sam Sumpter, and Emma Philippas all on hand — and warmly introduced to the stage by program director Rich McLaughlin. General manager Chuck Singleton also thanked the Bash audience and performers for their committed support for the radio station.

And family concisely describes Brandi and the Alexanders — the Brooklyn-bred band, led by the prodigiously talented singer and lyricist Brandi Thompson — not only marked their second Bash as performers (not to mention a past FUV Live session), but the group's drummer is FUV's assistant program director Eric Gottlieb. The band kicked off their set with a tempestuous, funked-up cover of Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House," but Brandi and the Alexanders' original songs were the focus, including the needs-to-be-a-hit-song "Sweet Thing" and the sultry "Black Cherry." Thompson is formidable vocalist — she commands the stage with superb confidence and meteoric vocals, notably on the gospel-tinged "Say Goodbye." The band — which also includes Sharisse Francisco (vocals, vibes), Noah Lexi (guitar), Paul Andy Gregg (keys),  Eric Wendell (bass), and Theo Moore (percussion) —  is prepping a new EP and they performed their most recent single, "Perfectly Imperfect," too.

The funk fantasia continued with Billy Allen + The Pollies, a perfect example of what happens when one musician (The Pollies' Jay Burgess) happens to randomly hear another singing in a bar band (Billy Allen) and wheels are set in motion. The band, which impressed in FUV's Studio A and at SXSW, is headed to public radio's NON-COMMvention in Philadelphia this week and made the High Line Bash one of their stops on the road to broader recognition. As a single entity, Billy Allen + The Pollies are an undeniable force of Muscle Shoals moxie, with Allen's soaring falsetto, both brusque and tender, tumbling across songs like opener "All of Me," "Lady Luck" and "If You Want Me to Stay." Allen gambols across the stage; he's a compelling frontman, with ferocious chops, a celestial falsetto, and charisma for miles. The Pollies — Burgess (guitar), Spencer Duncan (bass), Jon Davis (drums), Clint Chandler (keys or tickler of ivories) — already have a reputation as a superb band and have toured with Nicole Atkins, Dylan LeBlanc, and John Paul White. But with Allen, the paradigm changes completely; this blending of vocalist and band is singular and electrifying. Billy Allen + The Pollies made their half-hour Bash set memorable in every way. "We're so happy to be here!" enthused Allen, a broad smile on his face, and we couldn't agree more.

You know a legend is about to come onstage when his band vamps his entrance for a solid two minutes and you're asked by his shaggy-haired bassist — three times — to give the man the big greeting he deserves. Everyone did just that when soul star Lee Fields sauntered and spun on stage, a whirlwind of charm and expert showmanship. Fields sets are sincerely heartfelt; he's an emotionally intuitive vocalist, clear and strong. He frequently conversed with the audience, especially during his female-forward, sing-along ode "Ladies," a Lee Fields & The Expressions original from 2009's My World.  He asked just why people might respond enthusiastically to the song — especially, as he clarified, when the news headlines were filled with stories of women's rights being assailed. "I hold back the tears," he said, wishing for "good change" in the future.

Fields' between-song patter was laced with both humorous and thoughtful asides, asking the audience to think more broadly about the world. Leading into "Never Be Another You," from 2016's Special Night,  he looked out at the City Winery crowd and gently observed, "You're so lucky — there are so many people in the world who wish they had what you had." He coaxed everyone to lift their hands to the air and harmoniously sway in unison as he did the same. Towards the end of Fields' moving, 45-minute set, and genuinely moved by the rapturous reception he and his band received, he exclaimed, "You people are all so nice!" This veteran performer delivered an exquisite set: a rousing, sweet soul service with a happy congregation, grateful to see this celebrated man, who had weathered his share of good and bad times, at City Winery.

Following Fields, Joe McGinty and his Superstar Piano Bar brought the after-party to the mainstage with live piano karaoke. Not only did a silent auction winner get their chance to sing with Brandi Thompson (in true #FUVBash tradition!), but Thompson and Billy Allen covered the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" together, a gorgeous, unrehearsed duet between two powerhouse singers. (Someone get these two exceptional vocalists to record together!)

There was warmth and cheer (and much good food and drink) all night long at this year's FUV Bash, an event that takes a year's worth of planning by the radio station staff — especially the development team of Lynette Ardis, FUV's executive director of development, and her colleagues, Michael L'Abbate and Theresa Lynch. This year's High Line Bash, a benefit for the station, was integral to FUV's ability to spring into months ahead. Our gratitude to everyone who attended — seeing everyone's smiling faces meant the world to us.

If you attended the 2024 High Line Bash — or would like to go next year — relive the night via scores of photos found on FUV's Flickr stream, with our thanks to Gus Philippas, Neil Swanson, and Chris Taggert. More #FUVBash on X and Instagram; the latter has video too.