May 16th, 2023 7pm Stage 2
8pm: Sam Nelson
Sam Nelson is the frontman and founding member of the multi-platinum and Grammy award-winning band X Ambassadors, who have dominated the alternative charts over the last decade. A self-proclaimed “townie” from the small rural college town of Ithaca, NY, Sam started X Ambassadors with his brother Casey while the pair were still in high school. The two were eventually joined by drummer Adam Levin when they moved to Brooklyn, NY to pursue the band full time. Since then, Sam has played the world’s biggest music festivals, headlined countless nationwide and world tours, celebrated a #1 song at Alternative radio and multiple songs in the Top 10, and collaborated with artists such as Eminem, Jay-Z, Jacob Banks, K.Flay, grandson, The Knocks, Kygo, Illenium, Machine Gun Kelly, and more. He has also had an eclectic career as a songwriter and producer for not only his band X Ambassadors, but also for artists such as Rihanna, Lizzo, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, SZA, and Marren Morris.
After over a decade in his band, Sam is set to release his first-ever solo material, introducing a new level of vulnerability through his solo songwriting and production style. Gifted with a disarmingly soulful voice, Sam’s songs paint heartbreaking, sensitive portrayals of relationships- in love, family, and friendship. His production is intentionally raw, intimate and messy, in stark contrast to his tight pop song structure and melodies. The album is a reference to Sam’s philosophy on life: “We’re all just stumbling through this world pretending we know what we’re doing. But no one knows what they’re doing. I’m no exception. I find that extremely comforting".