Contact: Vanessa Silberman Senior Director of Communications

& Strategic Initiatives 213.201.6106

vanessa@levitt.org For Immediate Release

The Suffers to Headline 2017 Levitt National Tour Critical sensation and rising stars to stop

at six Levitt locations this summer

“Much like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Franklin and The Suffers can own a room...it won’t be long before people are making room for The Suffers.” – Buzzfeed

We’re thrilled to announce that The Suffers, an 8-member band hailing from Houston whose blending of musical influences as diverse as rock, R&B, country and reggae into a dynamic sound they’ve coined “Gulf Coast Soul,” will headline the 2017 Levitt National Tour. Now in its third year and created to celebrate the collective

impact of the Levitt network of music venues in communities across the country, the 2017 Levitt National Tour will stop in six Levitt cities this July and August—Los Angeles; Memphis; Arlington, Texas; Denver; Bethlehem, Pa.; and Dayton, Ohio (home to a future Levitt Pavilion). This summer’s tour will invite Levitt audiences to experience these rising stars and critical darlings, hailed for their infectious rhythm and horns section mixing seamlessly with the sultry vocals of singer Kam Franklin.

Named by Esquire as one of 40 must-hear bands at Austin’s SXSW in 2015, The Suffers have wowed all kinds of audiences with their “Gulf Coast Soul,” from the very intimate as one of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series artists to large-scale crowds at the Newport Folk Festival and Austin City Limits Music Festival. They’ve reached even bigger audiences through appearances on late-night television

shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and the Late Show with David Letterman. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2016.

Having previously played at Levitt venues in Arlington and Memphis, The Suffers are excited to perform both old and new material for audiences of all ages during this summer’s tour. “It’s very different from playing a nightclub or festival,” explains bassist and band co-founder, Adam Castaneda. “At Levitt shows, we get people from the community we might not otherwise see. There are lots of kids and performing for kids is wonderful. It’s a way for them to interact with music more.”

“The Levitt network was unanimous in selecting The Suffers for our 2017 tour, as their multi-genre sound aligns perfectly with Levitt’s artistic vision of inclusivity and celebrating all types of music,” says Sharon Yazowski, executive director of the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation. “Each Levitt tour stop will be a super fun evening for the entire community. We’re excited for everyone to experience The Suffers and their incredibly dynamic show.”

On describing their Gulf Coast Soul sound, Castaneda says it “comes from living in the stew that is Houston. It’s about the soul of this place.” Along with pushing musical boundaries, The Suffers are dedicated to inspiring fans to live boldly and tap into their own potential. This dynamic band will move people of all ages and backgrounds, with their raw, fiery Gulf Coast Soul!

2017 Levitt National Tour concert dates:

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles | Saturday, July 8 Levitt Shell Memphis | Thursday, July 13

Levitt Pavilion Arlington | Saturday July 15 Levitt Pavilion Denver | Thursday, August 3

Levitt Pavilion Dayton (future site) | Thursday, August 17 Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks | Saturday, August 19

About the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation is a private foundation that exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. Through its support of creative placemaking, the Levitt Foundation empowers communities to transform neglected public spaces into welcoming destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life.

The Foundation's primary funding areas include permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards, an annual grants competition. During the past decade, the Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to support access to free, high caliber live music experiences while bringing new life to underused public spaces.

The Levitt network of permanent outdoor music venues and AMP concert sites collectively serves more than half a million people annually through 450+ free, family-friendly concerts in 22 towns and cities. As an example of the high caliber talent presented across the Levitt network, the 2017 GRAMMY nominees included 25 artists who have performed on Levitt stages in recent years.

Permanent Levitt venues are located in cities as diverse as Los Angeles and Pasadena, Calif.; Westport, Conn.; Bethlehem, Pa.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Arlington, Texas. Each permanent Levitt venue is programmed, managed and supported by its own 501(c)(3) Friends of Levitt nonprofit organization, with Levitt Los Angeles run by the Foundation. Each presents 50+ free concerts every year featuring acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning performers in all music genres. Due to accelerating interest from cities and engaged citizens, the permanent Levitt venue program is growing. Developing Levitt locations across the country include Denver (opening summer 2017), Dayton (opening 2018), Sioux Falls (opening 2019) and Houston (opening 2019), amongst other cities. Learn more: http://www.levitt.org.