Featured clip
Tables Turn at The Delancey
Jun 18, 2025Newest live upload
SHADES live, as-is. Watch the room response first, then head to the full music page for the full clip library.
NYC Live Collective
Soul, R&B, and live energy that moves the room.
SHADES brings a multicultural NYC sound to stages, private events, and nights that need more than background music.
Multi-racial. Multi-culture. Multi-genre.
And yes, we got glasses.
Seen at Silvana, Shrine, Baruch, and Lehman.
Live proof
See the sound
A quick look at the room, the band, and the energy, plus the next confirmed public date while it is active.
NYC stages
Shrine + Silvana
From open mics to established rooms, the band is built for live settings.
Campus and event rooms
Baruch + Lehman
Trusted for banquet stages, college spaces, and curated community events.
Started local, stayed active
Since 2023
Founded in NYC and still growing through real performances, not placeholders.
Who SHADES is
Built in NYC for connection
Formed in August 2023 in the heart of NYC, SHADES is a collective of musicians from diverse backgrounds, united by a love for R&B, soul, and genre-bending grooves.
The band hit the ground running with its first open mic in September 2023. Since then, SHADES has brought that live chemistry to rooms across the city.
SHADES is not trying to sound polished from a distance. The point is the chemistry in the room: cultures, musical roots, and personalities landing as one live band.
Live-first energy
Built for rooms, crowds, and the kind of performance that changes the feel of the night.
NYC roots
Shaped by the city’s mix of cultures, scenes, and working-musician versatility.
Many voices, one sound
Different musical backgrounds come together as one band identity on stage.
Meet SHADES
People first, not placeholders
Different backgrounds, one band identity. Get the quick read here, then open the full member profiles for the longer stories and links.
Johné Figueroa
Founder & Lead Vocalist
Bronx-born vocalist, SHADES founder, and classically trained singer who has performed in 17 languages across some of NYC's most prestigious stages.
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Reina Hondo
Co-Founder / Violinist / Strings
Queens-born multi-instrumentalist with roots in classical music. She started piano at 5 and violin at 8, and hasn't stopped since.
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Alejandro (Al) Castro
Guitarist & Bassist
Alejandro Castro is an NYC-based electric bassist and guitarist with deep roots in the music of the African diaspora, performing across rock, hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and West African fusion.
View profileStay close or bring the band in
Choose your next move
For fans
Follow the next drop
Keep up with new show dates, fresh clips, and whatever lands next on the channel. Right now the real fan path is YouTube plus Instagram.
Get the next date first
Drop an email for future public dates, fresh clips, and release updates. Social stays active, but this gives the band a direct line back to you. Use email if you want direct updates before a full fan workflow is configured.
Email for updatesFor bookers
Bring SHADES to your space
Live music for venues, private events, campus programming, and rooms that need more than background sound. Start with the booking page and the band team can match the setup to your event.