COLORSxSTUDIO is more than just a visually striking platform. For nearly ten years, this Berlin-based music hub has been known for discovering and sharing incredible music. Until recently, though, US audiences could only experience COLORS online – they didn’t have a physical space to connect with the brand.
Honestly, it was great! As a fan here in the States, I was constantly getting new COLORSxSTUDIO videos – usually two every week! The performances looked amazing, and they featured artists from all over the world. It’s clear that COLORS has an incredible network of both established stars and rising talent since they started back in 2016, and it really makes them stand out when it comes to discovering new music.
Whether set against a bright blue, fiery orange, or soft yellow backdrop, a typical COLORS performance video gets around 30 million views on YouTube. As those numbers keep growing, with live music making a strong comeback after the pandemic, and New York City experiencing a particularly vibrant summer, bringing the COLORS platform to the city feels like the perfect move.
Driven by its strong community focus, COLORSxSTUDIO has opened its first permanent studio space in New York City. The new headquarters, located in Brooklyn, brings the platform’s core values – which many have experienced online – into a physical location.
Instead of a typical launch with advertising and publicity, COLORS stayed true to its style. They hosted “TONES of NYC” for three days, immediately establishing their new space as a lively center for free events – bringing together culture, community, and live music.
Kelela’s album release party for new avatar and a vibrant Friday night performance at Summerstage in Herbert Von King Park kicked off a busy first week for COLORS and TONES of NYC.
A Local Lineup of DJs During the Day
Each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from noon to 4 pm, COLORSxSTUDIOS in Bushwick hosted live DJ sets in collaboration with Half Moon. The series, called Half Moon in residence with Ballantines, showcased up-and-coming DJs from around the city. Each day had a different musical focus: Hip-Hop, Electronic/Open Format, and Caribbean sounds. Jamesy, Cutbird, Jeannel Briu, and Godspeed kicked things off on Tuesday, followed by Noah G, Denise Renée, Ken Dollaz, and Goldie Harris on Wednesday. Khalil, Citizen, Jfuse, and Sounds of Reality finished the series on Thursday.
An Intimate Night with Infinity Song
The first night at TONES featured a performance by the sibling quartet Infinity Song, led by Momo Boyd, but not before a special discussion with all four members. Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd all joined each other on stage, dressed in Levi’s, to talk about their creativity, what inspires them, and the experience of making music together as family. They then took the stage for a lively set, playing both familiar favorites and new songs. The group moved throughout the crowded room, interacting with the audience, sharing the microphone, and making their performance look effortless.
Three-Day Fashion Marketplace by Storage
Fashion platform Storage recently hosted a pop-up shop at its headquarters, showcasing a collection of vintage finds and local NYC brands like KidSuper, Advisry, and Tommy’s Gift Shop. Visitors could find everything from clothing and shoes to collectibles and accessories at the event, dubbed TONES of NYC.
WHATMORE Brings Their COLORS Performance to Life
WHATMORE truly shined Wednesday night – and deservedly so! The five-member band, embodying the community spirit of COLORS, played an energetic set at their headquarters just seven months after releasing their COLORS video. They even debuted some new songs. Having formed as friends while attending LaGuardia High School, WHATMORE brought a vibrant, distinctly New York City summer vibe to the room. Cisco Swank capped off the night with a slam dunk on the basketball hoop.
Street Dreams: A Love Letter to the City Photography Exhibition
Throughout the week at the Brooklyn location, the exhibit Street Dreams: A Love Letter to the City showcased photos of New York City streets, captured by local photographers, and offered a warm, nostalgic view of the city.
Lekan Live Performance
Lekan, the up-and-coming Nigerian-American R&B artist who first appeared on COLORS in March, finished off Thursday’s live performances at the Brooklyn studio with a captivating set.
TONES of NYC’s Summerstage Takeover, Starring Mereba, Mack Keane, and Arima Ederra
TONES hosted a free concert in Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King Park on Friday. Partnering with Summerstage, TONES showcased three up-and-coming artists: Arima Ederra, Mack Keane, and headliner Mereba. Each artist performed a full set during the enjoyable summer evening.
Kelela’s new avatar UNLOCKED Playback and Release Party
Kelela truly shone that night. Just before her new album, new avatar, came out, she celebrated with COLORS, hosting both a listening session and a release party in collaboration with YouTube Music. The celebration lasted well into the night!
One Love Community Fridge Hosts EAT.PACK.GIVE
Before I saw WHATMORE play on Wednesday night, something really cool happened at the studio! The folks from One Love Community Fridge were there hosting a community dinner. Everyone ate together, and then we all pitched in to pack boxes of food – they’re an amazing organization that gets free, healthy meals to people who need them all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. It was awesome being part of it!
The Levi’s Customization Station
Levi’s hosted a Customization Station all week where people could get unique, screen-printed merchandise. They could also personalize the designs to make them even more their own.
Sarah Lola’s Private COLORS Premiere
Sarah Lola performed an exclusive show on Thursday afternoon as part of the COLORS platform. While not open to the general public, special access was given to her biggest fans. The up-and-coming singer and musician made her first appearance with COLORS at their new studio in Bushwick, recording a video against a red background and performing live for a small, invited audience – a first for the venue.
2026-07-21 23:56