NYS Music 20​13

Category: News

  • Will Phish return to Watkins Glen this summer?

    NYS Music spoke to Michael Printup, President of Watkins Glen, about the possibility of Phish making a return to the Southern Tier this summer.

    Johnny Goff – Hey Michael, It’s been two years since we chatted pre-Super Ball to discuss Phish rumors at Watkins Glen. Here we are, two years later and I’m curious what you think the legacy is of having the Phish SuperBall 9 festival at Watkins Glen International?

    Michael Printup, Watkins Glen International Track President – It was such a great show. I mean, it was obvious so much more than I initially would have given it credit to be, even though I had attended some Phish shows in the past. What a great festie it was. It really gained some attention from the music business, which, in all honesty, was one of the goals. It wasn’t something we were surprised at. But we are still looking, you know. I went out to California to talk to Coran Capshaw and his main group Red Light Management about coming back and unfortunately, we just couldn’t find common ground to put it back together and come back and even the band, according to Coran, wanted to come back but it just wasn’t going to work for 2013. We just both agreed to put it on the hook and see if we could put something together and do it again in 2014.

    phish return to Watkins glenJG– So at this point, you can definitively say Phish would not be returning to Watkins Glen this summer?

    MP– Nope, Sorry folks, Phish is not coming back this summer. We are not even in discussions. We told them we’d stay in touch and every now and again, Richard (Glasgow) and I email each other and stay in touch but we don’t have any Phish shows coming back this summer.

    JG – May I ask what are the details behind the band not returning? Is it coming from WGI’s parent corporation in Daytona – (International Speedway Corp.) wanting to focus more on its core with Auto Racing or was it based on scheduling conflicts?

    MP– It was all scheduling and that’s what we told Coran and Richard. We’re booked almost a full year and half ahead for the following year so when we’re entering spring of 2013, we are already booked for 2014. So schedules materialize very fast and so by the time we went back out there in April to Coachella to speak with them, it was just a matter of conflict. They only had certain dates that worked for them and we only had certain dates that worked for us, it just wasn’t conducive to hold a concert in October or November, which was really the only timeframe we had open.

    JG– Does Watkins Glen still have a commitment down the road to holding more musical events there and have you engaged in any talks with Live Nation?

    MP– Yes. Absolutely. In fact, I’ve been meeting with Live Nation and another group out of Los Angeles. There’s interest from numerous promoters to put something on here, so at this point, it really just comes down to scheduling, like it did with Phish. So it is imperative we maintain a very historical spot for music, dating back to 1973’s Summer Jam to some of the famous festivals that have happened in New York State. It’s almost like something we have a reputation to do and the ability to do and I think there’s some type of cache’ with Watkins Glen so we want to keep it going. Our primary business is racing, that’s what we’re here to do and we’re going to keep that up too, but music is a big goal of mine, it has been since I got here. We were very fortunate to have booked Phish and we’re hopeful we can do it again in the future.

    JG– How does your plan for music play into ISC’s plans for auto racing at Watkins Glen and possibly segmenting your core audience?

    MP– It’s funny you asked this because I just had a conversation with John Saunders who is president of our entire company (ISC) and he shared with me that he’d like me to speak with some of the other (race)tracks about our model and how we did it because he said, ‘Let’s face it, you had a very successful concert so let’s take a look at that model and see if we can do that at other racetracks.’ The good thing is we do have a very successful model and the boss recognizes it and has been more than supportive in letting us our business. So I think that’s a good thing. John (Saunders) lets us run it and we’ve got a great group supporting us.

    photo by Andy Hill
    Phish @ SuperBall IX – photo by Andy Hill

    JG– Hypothetically, if all of your plans jive perfectly and the schedules fall in line with would-be promoters, what is EARLIEST fans could expect to see music back at Watkins Glen?

    MP– I honestly think Johnny that if we get really lucky, I want to say this year. Not Phish though.(laughing). I’d like to make that clear again. But there are some other opportunities that may just slip into our schedule. We’re still waiting to hear back from a couple of promoters on whether some things will work. We could do evening concerts all day long because our track is pretty much booked until October already so if we could put something together, you know, where we book 2-3 night shows and it works for someone else, we’re trying to find, right now for 2013, we need to find that perfect recipe to bake the perfect cake. I think we’ve found 1 of possibly 2 promoters who would be flexible in that and if we do, but then it’s just up to the artists at that point to tie it all together.

    JG– What genres do you forsee being good fit for a local and regional draw?

    MP– You know…I’m not going to rule out anything. I think whatever you can think of. Truly. I mean, we could be successful with everything from country to EDM so I really think we can do everything. That’s not an arrogant statement. I just think we have the population of all the cities that surround us, not even counting New York City, but Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany Erie, Binghamton, northern tier of Pennsylvania: you add all those up and that’s a pretty solid population base. Literally, we could do EDM, rock, country. I think we’ve get pretty lucky because one thing promoters have really liked and wanted to plan out after the success of that Phish show is our capacity for camping. That’s what really highlights and made it easier for the fans and in turn, makes it easier for the promoter.

    JG– Thanks again for your time Michael.

    MP– Pleasure’s mine. Take Care.

  • Steve Howe Leaves Asia

    Asia, the super-group formed by Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer and John Wetton sent along two press releases today. The first is announcing Howe’s departure from the legendary band to concentrate on his other musical projects and the second announcing his replacement and the band’s future plans.

    Asia released their first LP in 1982, driven by hits like “The Heat of The Moment”, it spent nine weeks at the top of the Billboard charts riding on the pedigree of the band while helping the explosive growth of MTV. The band reunited in 2006 for a US tour, which was followed by several world and continental tours, the release of three cds, three dvds and numerous live albums. Their critically acclaimed release XXX marks the end of Howe’s tenure. Just a 30 year history or so, and it continues on. Howe said, “Myself and the band wish to thank our fans for the enthusiasm shown during the original members’ reunion. I will continue with Yes, my trio and solo guitar works. I wish my friends continued success”.

    2013 will be a new chapter in Asia’s history as newcomer Sam Coulson joins the band to fill Steve Howe’s shoes on guitar. Sam is well known and world-renowned with virtuoso players. Asia will be touring and recording a new album titled “Valkyrie” cementing their relationship with new label, Frontier Records. Sweden Rock 2013 will mark Sam’s first international gig with the band, no pressure man.

  • Phish at Madison Square Garden, December 31, 2012

    Of the 220 different songs Phish played in 2012, #218 was Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party”, played on New Years Eve at the World’s Most Famous Arena, perhaps had the most defining chorus to all their phans. The bands opening tune on December 31, 2012 included these first lyrics:

    “I went to a garden party, reminisced with my old friends
    A chance to share old memories and play our songs again
    When I got to the garden party they all knew my name
    But no one recognized me I didn’t look the same.”

    Barring a flux capacitor, no one could have predicted the complete change of direction 3.0 phish took in 2012, let alone from last year’s “Steam” stunt to this year’s golf-themed funked-out classic New Years Eve throwdown into 2013. That juxtaposition from last year’s New Year’s Eve low energy affair that garnered much criticism from the band’s outspoken fanbase to this entire 2012’s stellar record of epic shows appeared to be the impetus behind the band choosing “Garden Party” as their opening number at MSG. Upon entering MSG, phans (some of whom paid as much as $1500+ for a scalped ticket) were greeted with lush green astroturf/grass on the stage and GA floor and perhaps the first time in the band’s 30 year history, people enjoyed lawn seats at an indoor venue.  Complete with sunbathers, croquet, badminton and picnickers, the stage was literally set for a Garden Party. Little did we know however, that an obscure phish-geek-stat-guy- type of song would prove to be the tee box for a golf-themed third set party that ensued in the wee-hours of 2013.

    Artist James Flames created this poster for the three-night run

    Once lyrics were clearly delivered by bassist Mike Gordon, it became obvious why the band chose to start their 3-set throwdown at the Garden with such an poignant, anticlimactic song. However, no one in attendance could have predicted the actual Garden Party that ensued hours later. Phish has always walked the line of music-geekery and headier-than-thou status among jam fans with their setlists. Perpetuating that pervasive purgatory, Phish delivered a masterful setlist for all, satisfying both the jam-centric lovers of “Ghost”, “Piper”, “Sand” and also for phans who love Phish for well-documented New Years’ antics.

    Following “Garden Party”, the band moved into one of their 1.0 staples, “Possum”, which appeared to be specifically chosen for that slot after Garden Party, in response to perhaps, previous phans criticism of the band overplaying the old fave too many times during Summer Tour. Can you imagine? The disgust and outrage! However, this 10+ min Possum was delivered flawlessly and was a great energetic springboard for easily, the band’s most energetic set of the three on New Years Eve. From “Possum”, they went feverishly through Ween’s “Roses are Free”, “Rift” and a thoughtful “Sample in a Jar” that prompted many noteworthy compliments around my section 102 at the Garden. From there, they played “Alaska” and a great “Mike’s Song”, but rather segue into the traditional “Hydrogen>Weekapaug Groove”, the band dropped a rousing  “Walk Away” cover before going into a frenetic, high-paced “Weekapaug” (Perhaps the best MSG version since 1995) that saw Trey Anastasio jumping, spinning his red locks and keeping his vertical head bobbing with his signature “Trey Face” that just continued to whip the Garden crowd into a frenzy. Finally the band wrapped up the 70 min set with an upbeat “Character Zero” that just wet the pallets of everyone in attendance for a dark, funky second set filled with historic jam vehicles from the Vermont quartet.

    The second set began swiftly with crowd favorite “Birds of a Feather”. A rather rudimentary rendition, the band simply spring-boarded that energy into the start of “Ghost”, which would be the last time the band would stop between songs during the second set.  During the next 65 minutes, Phish simply segued between songs playing puppet-master of crescendos with “Ghost>Piper>Light>2001>The Horse->Silent in the Morning>You Enjoy Myself.” The highlights of the set, hands down, were the quickly revved up Piper with early dashes of the epic Vegas 2003 version, and a 2001 that while short (like nearly all 3.0 ‘Sprach’s) had brief, deep concentrations of syncopation. Phish then appropriately slowed it down with a dash of perfectly placed Horse/Silent and gently placed the cherry atop the set with the always anticipated “YEM”, so much so during these 4-night runs that it’s previously prompting the lot acronym “YEMSG.” While typically not always a fan of the concluding YEM ‘Vocal Jam’, this year’s version was eerie and possibly intentionally weird, only foreshadowing the “Bizarro-Golf-Garden Party” that was about to ensue after the 30 min setbreak. During setbreak, the music notably included some gag hints, including Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” with phans energy soaring and crowds singing along.

    Around 11:45 pm, Phish returned for their final notes of 2012 and their first of 2013. It was a perfect 15-minute entertaining reprieve from the sweaty Garden crowd dancing their asses of. It was quite entertaining w/ Trey, Page Mike and a caddie-adorned Jon Fishman hitting tee shots into the crowd.Kicking things off w/ a fun “Party Time” before moving a 27-yr old obscure Phish chant “Kung.” Starting dark and creepy w/ odd lyrics including the lines “Can we stand?…Can we stare? We can stage a run away golf cart marathon!” (Unbeknownst initially to even this old 17 year  jaded vet) Basing this song as this year’s NYE theme (2010 was “Meatstick” and 2011 was “Steam”) Kung allowed the band to unleash a feverish on-stage Garden Party including midgets, dancers, the band hitting foam golf balls into the crow and an aforementioned “golf cart marathon” rapidly moving across the stage and through the backstage MSG tunnels at a frenetic pace.  Following the entire dimpled display, the foursome continued into classic upbeat “Chalkdust Torture” where the band brought us into 2013 with everyone in the garden hugging it out over “Auld Lang Syne.”  Following Auld Lang Syne, Phish capped off the 28th’s “Tweezer” with “Tweezer Reprise”, a great selection to commemorate 2012m considering NBC famously used ‘TweePrise’ as its audio accompaniment for its much heralded Gold-Medal video montage of Michael Phelps. I encourage readers to check out Youtube videos of this gag which includes a powerful “Tweezer Reprise”, complete with female backup vocals, featuring Syracuse’s own Carrie Manolakos.

    Following the ‘Reprise’ is just one more reason to either love Phish for their quirkiness or hate them for breeding setlist thirsty stat geeks. Follow me here: along with the golf-themed “Garden Party” third set, the band also made a point to play golf-themed songs from their catalog and bust-out covers with  “Sand”, “The Wedge” a masterfully played debut cover of Steve Miller’s “Fly Like An Eagle”, a rocking “Wilson” (with a Wilson-logo golf ball appearing on the MSG jumbotron) and a doo-wop version of “Lawn Boy”, before closing out the occasion with the encore of “Driver” (first attempt botched by band has led to online speculation they initially flubbed “Driver” as to try again ala ‘using their mulligan’) and a classic rock-n-roll bustout cover (and first time played the extended rock ballad version) of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” (Many phans also debated whether the song “Par Tee-Time” aka Party Time was also intentional by the band).  When the lights came around 1 am in 2013, the Phish crew had even orchestrated Kenny Loggins’ “I’m Alright” (from Caddyshack) as the departing chorus. Oblivious to many saggy-eyed faithful, it was just one more observation on how this band is still putting the inside-joke on us.

    While the night before was musically my personal favorite show of the four-night run, with 12/28 and 12/29 paling in comparison to the run’s latter shows. But Phish knows it not about how you start, but how you finish. That was evident with the entire 12/31 show including this monster version of “Iron Man” which proved to be historic. In return, the entire sweaty Garden crowd appeared thankful Phish chose such a powerful, energetic, classic song to close out what has been heralded by phans and myself as thee best year in Phish 3.0. The 220th different song of the year, “Iron Man” that Phish played, in some way, symbolized a band that had just wrapped up their 27th show at Madison Square Garden and triumphantly began their 30th year as one of most successful touring acts today: definitely an ‘Iron Man’ feat this day and age.

  • Big D and the Kids Table at Putnam Den, January 5th

    Going backstage to hang out with a band is always interesting.  You are never quite sure what you are going to get.  With Big D and the Kids Table it was a bunch of guys on couches and chairs around a table of fried chicken and Jameson Irish Whiskey.  That part was actually pretty normal.  What was strange was the conversation involving a viral video of Sonseed’s “Jesus is a Friend of Mine.”  Between watching the video on the iPad that was being passed around, to plans on redoing it as a ska or punk number, or finding a remake that another band did to mock the original.  Now the mystery of what happens back in the green room is gone forever.

    On the stage was completely different from a laid back, tongue in cheek conversation about a cheesy song.  What happened on stage was energetic, chasmatic, enthusiantic, and down-right fantastic.  The doors opened to the Putnam Den at 8pm and by 9pm the first of two opening bands, Sugar Eater, was met by over 100 fans. Sugar Eater is a Saratoga-based punk trio that have been playing together for 10 years.  They sounded great and to see an opening band surrounded by dozens of dancing, frantic lunatics by the stage as early as 9pm was an encouraging sign of what was ahead.  The most refreshing thing about Sugar Eater is that they have no sub-genre. They are PUNK. Simple, kick ass, grind it out, explosive, PUNK.  They will unfortunately be losing their bassist to the west coast, but I am hoping that they come back later this year with the same attitude and sound.  It will be a show that should not be missed.

    Next up was Rhodeachusetts-based Brunt of It, to say they were a traditional ska band would do them a great disservice.  Brunt of It could have been the headliner of any show in the capital region Saturday night and the cover charge would have been justified.  They are a big sounding ska band with an in-your-face punk attitude.  When the promoter thought of the line-up of how to get from Sugar Eater to Big D – Brunt of It was the perfect connecting piece.  Brunt of It’s vocals were what every band wants but few have – fast, furious and concise.  The horns section was outrageous and the bass and drums did not give you the choice -if you had a pulse you were dancing.  As to the dozens of people at the stage for Sugar Eater, add a couple more dozen lunatics to the bunch to imagine the dance floor at the Den.

    Big D and the Kids Table have been around for 17 years playing live nearly 200 times a year and supporting bands such as as Less Than Jake, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dropkick Murphys, Mustard Plug, Rancid, Reel Big Fish, and Anti-Flag.  They had a headlining national tour in 2007.  They know their way around a stage and Saturday night at the Putnam Den was absolutely no different.  David McWane’s Boston bad boy charm combined with Ryan O’Connor’s deadly sax invaded Saratoga Springs.  While I was suspected the ska/punk feel that Big D has been known for overly the past decade and a half I was not entirely disappointed to find it replaced with a new twist to Dub Step.  The kids in the audience stomped and strutted and twirled with delight at the never-ending barrage of upbeat tempo with enough brass to tie the songs together. The show had seemingly everything.  There was even a break in the middle of the long set for a young concert goer to ask his girlfriend to marry him.  According to the band this is the third time that someone proposed at the Big D show.

    For the first weekend of the year, Putnam Den started out with a bang.  Would there have been more people there when Skidmore was in session? Or a little more after the New Year recovery?  We will never know.  We do know that live music is alive and well in Saratoga Springs and can be found every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  No matter what your taste, keep an eye out for upcoming shows on the NYS Music site.

    Big D and the Kids Table – http://bigdandthekidstable.com/
    Brunt of It –      http://www.facebook.com/bruntofit
    Sugar Eater –     http://www.facebook.com/Sugar-Eater
    Putnam Den –     http://putnamden.com/

  • Umphrey’s McGee starts their 15th year together with 2 Upstate NY shows January 16-17

    Umphreys McGee will start their 15th year together as a band with a national winter/spring tour that starts right here in Upstate NY, with back to back shows at The Town Ballroom in Buffalo on Wednesday January  16th and at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse on Thursday January 17th. Rochester natives Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will open both shows.

    From there it’s a month’s worth of shows in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest. 3 weeks later, leg 2 will start with a 2 night stand in Aspen, CO, plus stops in Utah, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona.

    Umphrey’s McGee recently announced their return to the Full Moon Resort  June 17th through 21st, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains in Big Indian, New York for sUMmer school 2013. Musicians and music lovers will be given an up close and personal hands-on exploration into the music and inner workings of Umphrey’s McGee. Last year, attendees were treated to an unforgettable week where the band pulled back the curtain to reveal details on songwriting, improvisational techniques, gear, business, marketing and more.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm-8MjtqQ2c?&w=420&h=315]

    Umphrey’s McGee:
    Brendan Bayliss – Guitar, vocals
    Jake Cinninger – Guitar, vocals
    Joel Cummins – Keyboard, piano, vocals
    Andy Farag – Percussion
    Kris Myers – Drums, vocals
    Ryan Stasik – Bass

    umphreys.com
    allthings.umphreys.com
    facebook.com/umphreysmcgee
    twitter.com/umphreysmcgee

    Coming Soon! An interview with Jake Cinninger

  • Dopapod announces Winter/Spring Tour Dates

    Wasting no time in the new year, Dopapod follows the release of their new album Redivider with a 3 month winter spring tour.

    dopapodbanner

    Redivider is available as a free download at their website or you can purchase a physical copy, or even a hi-fi digital version. One of the many reasons Redivider stands out among their previous records is due to the fact that the band as added vocals for the first time to some of their tracks.  (Read Pete Mason’s CD review). The band has posted in-studio footage on their website from their most recent record making process.  Showing much appreciation for their fans, Dopapod recently announced a heavy jam packed Winter Spring tour, ranging all over the east coast, midwest and southeast.

    Winter Spring 2013 Tour Dates:
    1/29 Bloomington, IN: The Bluebird
    1/30 Urbana, IL: The Canopy Club
    1/31 Minneapolis, MN: The Cabooze
    2/1 Madison, WI: Majestic Theater
    2/2 Chicago, IL: House of Blues
    2/3 Detroit, MI: St. Andrews Hall
    2/6 Kent, OH: Kent Stage
    2/7 Cincinnati, OH: Mad Frog
    2/8 Pittsburgh, PA: Rex Theater
    2/9 Buffalo, NY: Nietzsche’s
    2/13 Wilmington, NC: The Soapbox
    2/14 Athens, GA: Georgia Theatre
    2/15 Charleston, SC: Music Farm
    2/16-17 Aura Music & Arts Festival, Live Oak, FL
    2/21 New York, NY: Highline Ballroom
    2/22 Boston, MA: The Paradise
    2/23 Philadelphia, PA: The Blockley
    2/28 Albany, NY: Red Square
    3/1 Syracuse, NY: Wescott Theater
    3/2 Rochester, NY:  Water Street Music Hall
    3/5 Evansville, IN: Lamasco Bar
    3/6 St. Louis, MO: 2720 Cherokee
    3/7 Carbondale, IL: Hangar 9
    3/8 Indianapolis, IN: Vogue Theatre
    3/9 Grand Rapids, MI: The Intersection
    3/16 Oneonta, NY: Oneonta Theater
    3/17 Williamsport, PA: Bullfrog Brewery
    3/20 Morgantown, WV: 123 Pleasant
    3/21 Muncie, IN: Be Here Now
    3/22 Lansing, MI: The Loft
    3/23 Columbus, OH: Woodlands Tavern
    3/24 Kalamazoo, MI: Shakespeare’s
    3/26 Louisville, KY: Gerstle’s
    3/27 Lexington, KY: Cosmic Charlies
    3/28 Boone, NC: Boone Saloon
    3/29 Asheville, NC: Asheville Music Hall
    3/30 Winston-Salem, NC: Ziggy’s
    4/2 Roanoke, VA: Martin’s Downtown
    4/3 Virginia Beach, VA: Jewish Mother
    4/4 Baltimore, MD: 8×10
    4/5 Vienna, VA: Jammin’ Java
    4/6 Richmond, VA: The Camel
    4/12 Greensboro, NC: Blind Tiger
    4/13 Raleigh, NC: Lincoln Theatre
    4/17 Stanhope, NJ: Stanhope House
    4/20 Northampton, MA: Pearl Street
    4/25Harrisburg, PA: ABC Brewery
    4/26 Ithaca, NY: The Haunt
    4/27 Burlington, VT: Higher Ground

    web: Dopapod.com
    fb: Facebook.com/dopapod

  • Backwoods Pondfest announces new dates for 2013

    One of Upstate NY’s most popular outdoor camping event has announced their dates for 2013. The 7th Annual BACKWOODS PONDFEST will be held August 2 & 3 at Twin Ponds Campsite in Peru, NY.

    Past performers include Max Creek, Break Science, John Brown’s Body, Chali2na, Rubblebucket, Assembly of Dust, Ryan Montbleau Band, Kung Fu, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, Lucid, Spritual Rez, Twiddle, Hot Day at the Zoo, and many more!

    Band Lineup and ticket information will be released soon! Stay tuned to the Backwoods Pondfest website and facebook for updates.

    website: www.backwoodspondfest.com

    facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Backwoods-Pondfest/303922390943

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjfo7cAsRzA?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

  • Ryan Montbleau Band with Jesse Dee at Red Square, Albany, December, 29th

    Even a little blast of Mother Nature’s fury couldn’t keep the Ryan Montbleau faithful away from a long overdue Albany gig. As the snow fell and temperatures plummeted below freezing, things were just getting warmed up inside the intimate Red Square.

    R&B singer-songwriter, Jesse Dee from Boston, MA opened the show for Ryan Montbleau. Dee’s soulful voice and playful personality were perfect foreshadowing of things to come. By the time Dee broke into “Slow Down” (probably his most popular song from his latest album, Bittersweet) around mid-set, the dance floor was packed and in full swing. Dee and the band finished up the opening set with a crowd-participating rendition of ”WhiskeyWash”. Although this completed Jesse Dee’s set, it would not be the last time we saw him on the stage!

    Setlist: Yet to Come, Fussin & Fightin, Stay Strong, No Matter Where I Am, I Won’t Forget About You, Slow Down, Sweet Tooth, Only Remedy, Whiskey Wash

    Much like his music, Ryan Montbleau’s personality is cool, confident but humble, and captivating. That personality transcended the small and intimate Red Square making the evening a special one, almost feeling as if we were in someone’s living room having a few beers and listening to tunes rather than being in an Albany nightclub. Montbleau opened the evening with “Head Above Water” and crowd favorite, “Songbird”. After commenting on how “it felt like old times”, the guys broke into a nice run of “I Can’t Wait”, “Stretch”, and “Fix Your Wings”. In an unexpected surprise, Jesse Dee joined Ryan on stage for a fun and playful version of “I’m Your Puppet”.

    The evening rolled on with plenty of dancing and partying. The calendar may have said December 29th but it sure felt like it could have been New Year’s Eve. After playing through other favorites like “Jealous Guy” and “You Crazy You”, Montbleau wrapped up the night with an encore which was a show all onto itself: “Boat Song” > “Here et al” > “Honeymoon” > “Driving Wheel”!

    The days of watching and listening to the Ryan Montbleau Band in a venue this cozy and intimate are probably numbered. After all, they’ve been selling out much larger venues as of late. Those fans that ventured out into the snowy and blustery Northeast evening were certainly rewarded for their efforts. Ryan Montbleau delivered a captivating, uplifting, and humble performance.

    Setlist: Head Above Water, Songbird, I Can’t Wait, Stretch, Fix Your Wings, I’m Your Puppet (w/ Jesse Dee), Grain, Shufflin’ Papers, Jealous Guy, You Crazy You, Straw > Naïve Melody, E: Boat Song, Here et al, Honeymoon, Driving Wheel