Garden State Live

Tickets from $10
  • Reggae Night with LNJ Sessions, P-Funk North & Cheezy & The Crackers | Friday, February 27
    The Balcony at Hard Rock
  • Rock Night with Gab Cinque Band, Fat Mezz & Anthony Krizan Band | Friday, March 20
    The Balcony at Hard Rock
  • Emerging R&B/Neo Soul Artists with Show Tyme & Da Traffic, 120/Village Bridge and Lem Turner| Friday, April 17
    The Balcony at Hard Rock
  • Emerging Indie Rock Artists with CJ Sooy, Molly Ringworm, Surfing for Daisy | Friday, May 8
    The Balcony at Hard Rock
Get ready for Garden State Live — a monthly concert series that shines a spotlight on New Jersey’s vibrant music scene, at The Balcony. Each month, experience a fresh lineup of local talent, with every show delivering a different genre and vibe — from soulful blues and energetic pop rock to modern country, nostalgic pop punk, and everything in between.
 
Whether you're a die-hard local music fan or just looking for a new sound, Garden State Live offers an unbeatable mix of homegrown bands, intimate atmosphere, and high-energy performances — right here in Atlantic City.
 
 
Support local. Discover new sounds. Feel the energy of the Garden State – live and loud.
 

Punk/Pop

All Systems Go

All Systems Go is a high-energy rock band from Delran, NJ, known for their dual vocals, punchy riffs, and a sound described as “pop punk with rock & roll vibes.” Since forming in 2016, they’ve played more than 160 shows across the Northeast and built a strong regional following. The band has released multiple projects, including their LP Non-Fiction and their latest EP Finding Closure (2025).

FRND CRCL

One of South Jersey’s notable pop punk bands, FRND CRCL are coined "key players in the new wave of pop punk on the scene” (New Noise Magazine) having been compared to blink-182, Simple Plan, and Sum 41, bringing their delightfully nostalgic yet strikingly infectious fresh feel into the fifth wave of pop punk.

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper is a pop-punk trio from the South Jersey & Philadelphia markets, featuring Ryan Beebe (vocals/bass), Marc Juliano (guitar), and Cody Ritchie (drums). The band is known for melodic hooks and introspective lyrics, blending early 2000s vibes with modern pop-punk energy, drawing comparisons to artists like Blink-182 New Found Glory, and The Wonder Years.

Reggae

LNJ Sessions

From Williamstown, New Jersey, this four-piece band brings "NJ Homegrown Music" with a root's reggae touch. Kevin & Chris McDonald’s soulful vocals, guitar, harmonica & samples blend with powerful reggae inspired rhythms and percussion. Together, they create the unique LNJ Sessions sound that’s both grounded and uplifting, inviting listeners into a groove-rich journey that celebrates unity and spirit.

P-Funk North

Formed in 2013 by singer/songwriter & bassist David Sloyan, the name "P-Funk North" is homage to their hometown of North Plainfield, New Jersey. This eclectic trio has shared the stage with The Wailers, Sublime with Rome, King Yellowman, Rebelution, The Expendables, Ballyhoo!, Tropidelic, Bret Bollinger of Pepper, Shwayze, Eve6, Skatalites, and Fishbone!

Cheezy & The Crackers

Hailing from Southern New Jersey, Cheezy and the Crackers blend Caribbean rhythms, Top 40 hits, and genre-bending mashups into high-energy, dance-ready performances. Known for their upbeat live shows, they’ve toured internationally and shared stages with Snoop Dogg, ZZ Top, The Wailers, and many more. From beach parties to big stages, their unique sound keeps crowds moving coast to coast. Cheezy and the Crackers are all about fun, music, and good vibes.

Rock

Gab Cinque Band

The Gab Cinque Band is one of the East Coast’s most in-demand rock acts, led by powerhouse vocalist Gab Cinque and guitarist/keyboardist Fran O’Brien. Formed in 2022, the band is known for high-energy performances, eclectic rock sound, and a growing cult fanbase. With standout musicians and a mix of classic covers and original music, they’ve performed hundreds of shows from Vermont to Key West. The Gab Cinque Band continues to make their mark as the future of rock and roll.

Fat Mezz

Fat Mezz is a Jersey Shore rock band blending blues, rock, jam, psychedelia, and soul into a dynamic, genre-bending sound. Since forming, they’ve performed over a thousand shows across nine states, honing their chemistry and high-energy live performances. With multiple singles released—some in rotation on WMMR and WXPN—and more on the way, the band is building momentum toward their upcoming full-length album. Fat Mezz is rapidly emerging as a rising force in the modern rock scene.

Anthony Krizan Band

Anthony Krizan is a veteran rock guitarist and songwriter, known for his work with the Spin Doctors, Amphibian, and collaborations with Lenny Kravitz and John Waite. He has opened for the Rolling Stones and the Allman Brothers, and his songs have appeared on TV and chart-topping releases. Anthony’s solo work blends rock, blues, and soul, highlighted on his acclaimed CD Dust & Bone. He is also the owner of Sonic Boom Studios in Raritan, New Jersey.

R&B/Neo Soul

Show Tyme & Da Traffic

Show Tyme is a triple-threat artist—singer, songwriter, and producer—born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, with deep roots in soul and gospel music. Raised in a musical household and trained in the church, his sound is shaped by legends like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown. Show Tyme has collaborated with industry heavyweights including Case, Donell Jones, Kelly Price, Musiq Soulchild, and Pharoahe Monch. Now, he’s ready to bring his soulful expression to a wider audience.

Lem Turner

Lem Turner is an American R&B singer-songwriter known for his smooth alternative R&B sound and emotionally expressive vocals. Raised in New Jersey, he draws influence from artists like Michael Jackson, Miguel, and The Weekend. Through intimate storytelling and contemporary production, Lem Turner continues to emerge as a compelling voice in the modern R&B scene.

120/Village Bridge

Straight out of South Jersey, 120 is a powerhouse R&B group blending street soul with polished stage presence. Known for their raw energy and tight harmonies, they’ve appeared on BET’s 106 & Park and NBC’s The 10! Show, while earning multiple music awards. Having shared stages with R&B legends like Ginuwine, Boyz II Men, and Donell Jones, 120 continues to deliver authentic, high-impact performances that keep real R&B alive.

Indie Rock

CJ Sooy

In addition to being an in-demand producer, mix engineer, and songwriter in the tri-state area, CJ Sooy is a decorated performing artist, known for his ability to captivate audiences with his hypnotic vocals and dazzling guitar work. Atlantic City born and based, he maintains multiple
residencies in South Jersey and continues to write and record his own music as well as other’s.

Molly Ringworm

Molly Ringworm is a noise pop band from the Atlantic City area, blending catchy pop melodies with bursts of noisy chaos. Originally a solo project by frontwoman Sarah Holt, the band formed in 2015 and evolved into a full lineup featuring Johnny Zappas, Andrew Simpson, and Michael Auble. Known for nuanced storytelling and dynamic arrangements, Molly Ringworm delivers an emotionally charged, high-impact sound.

Surfing For Daisy

What began as friends jamming on a porch in Asbury Park, NJ has grown into a powerful, community-driven band. Their music blends heartfelt lyrics with driving rhythms and screaming guitars, creating an emotional, high-energy sound. With a tight-knit fanbase and momentum building, it’s only a matter of time before their audience grows even larger.