Whoa “Live At 9:30” – “will be unlike any music show on TV today” – launching April

screenshot via live at 9:30

From a press release:

“Launching nationwide on public television this April is a new series unlike any other: “Live At 9:30 Hosted by Squarespace” – an unpredictable, modern-day music variety show.

Off the beaten path in Washington, D.C. is one of the world’s greatest music venues — the 9:30 Club. It’s the most-attended music club of its size in the world – a 1200-person venue where world-famous artists have started their careers, refined their sounds, and played legendary shows. Now it’s home to TV’s most groundbreaking music show.

Each cinematic, one-hour episode of “Live At 9:30” will feature a collection of acts from different genres, interspersed with insightful and entertaining interviews, short films, and comedic bits. In a word: variety; variety that people will be talking about. Filmed unobtrusively with more than a dozen cameras, including hidden GoPros and an airborne cable-cam, “Live At 9:30” will be unlike any music show on TV today.

The first three episodes of the 12-episode premiere season will feature performances by Garbage, The Arcs, Tove Lo, Ibeyi, El Vy, MisterWives, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Frank Turner, MS MR, Cold War Kids, Youth Lagoon, and Jess Glynne. Wayne White, of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” fame, will be “Live At 9:30’s” art director. Episodes will feature an unexpected mix of contributors and hosts, including Henry Rollins, NPR Music’s Bob Boilen, Hannibal Buress, Jill Kargman, Ralphie May, and many more surprise guests.

Squarespace will host the digital destination of the show on www.LiveAt930.com. The first “Live At 9:30” teaser reel and show stills can be viewed on the site starting February 9. This spring, fans will have the opportunity to view full episodes and access exclusive content. The social media handles for “Live At 9:30” are: Twitter – @Liveat930, Instagram – @Liveat930, and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Liveat930/.

“We’ve been approached countless times to do a TV show here, and we’ve always passed,” said Seth Hurwitz, chairman of I.M.P. and co-owner of the 9:30 Club. “But ‘Live At 9:30’ is a great opportunity to work with people we trust to bring music variety to life in a way no one has even attempted. When I said we had no interest in just another concert program, they totally got it. They have come up with a truly entertaining bunch of new ideas on how to change the way people watch live concert shows.”

“I’ve been going to the 9:30 Club for 20 years, and my favorite concert memories are from here,” said Michael Holstein, executive producer of ‘Live At 9:30’. “This club is pure magic. Seeing how the community has rallied around this show – artists, managers, the D.C. Film Commissioner’s Office and more – that really drives home that this is much more than just a music club. For the 9:30 Club to trust us to make a TV show about this amazing institution is an awesome opportunity and responsibility.”

Contributing hosts include:

Henry Rollins – former frontman for seminal punk band Black Flag, actor, spoken word artist, radio host, columnist, author

Bob Boilen – host and creator of NPR Music’s “All Songs Considered” and creator of Tiny Desk Concert

Hannibal Buress – comedian, writer, star of Comedy Central’s “Why? With Hannibal Buress” and “Broad City”

Jill Kargman – creator, star of Bravo’s “Odd Mom Out,” novelist, writer for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Interview

Ralphie May – stand up comedian, “Last Comic Standing” and “Unruly”