NYS Music 20​13

Category: Syracuse

  • Meet your NYS Music Staff: Writer Quinn Donnell

    Quinn Donnell started writing for in the fall of 2012 as a freshman at Syracuse University. Originally from Northwest Indiana, Quinn’s adjacency to the Chicago music scene allowed him to establish an appreciation for live music by exploring the city’s abundant venues and various festivals throughout his high school career. Quinn credits his dad for his early exposure to artists like Bob Dylan and The Beatles, who helped him develop a taste in current music that Editor Pete Mason warmly describes as “that hipster stuff.” (ed. note – I do call it that, but I enjoy it too)Quinn Donnell

    As a student at SU, Quinn studies in the Bandier Program for the Music and Entertainment Industries. With plans to pursue a career in the music industry after graduation, Quinn has also written for the Chicago-based music website windycityrock.net and interned for Miscreant Records and Chicago music venues Schubas and Lincoln Hall. He’s also involved in SU’s student-run radio station, WERW and works as a College Marketing Representative for Sony Music Entertainment.

    Quinn’s musical bucketlist includes Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips, Wilco, and Paul McCartney. He also hopes to someday make it to Bonnaroo, Primavera Sound, Sasquatch, and Newport Folk music festivals.

  • Candlebox 20th Anniversary Tour Stops in Oswego this Sunday

    The Seattle music scene in the autumn of 1990 was still the Pacific-Northwest’s best-kept secret. At the time, it was better known for Starbucks than for music and it would be another year before Nirvana’s Nevermind thrust the rainy town into the national spotlight. But in November of 1990, Candlebox was formed, ground their chops on the Seattle club scene and within three years had a quadruple-platinum self-titled album that launched the music career of Kevin Martin and company for years to come.  Following that success were two more releases, Lucy and Happy Pills, which both sold well.  But the relationship with the record company went sour in 2000 and the band took a six-year hiatus.

    In 2006 Rhino Records released a greatest hits album that led to a short tour that included all the original members of the band.  The tour led to a 2008 release, Into the Sun, that peaked at #4 on the Independent charts. Candlebox also released a live CD & DVD the same year, Alive in Seattle.

    Their fifth album, Love Stories and Other Musings, hit the stores in the spring of 2012 under Union Entertainment Group’s label Audionest.  Through some success and recent touring, Candlebox’s popularity has continued to rise back up enough to have the band scheduled for the ultimate rock cruise, “Ship-rocked” setting sail January of next year.  On the boat alongside Candlebox will be 5FDP, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace and Sevendust.

    This Sunday’s show at the new Oswego County Event Center will be Candlebox’s first time back in the Syracuse area since May 10, 2012 when they performed at the Westcott Theater. Prior to that they played the Lost Horizon in December of 2008 and have played other parts of Upstate New York every year since getting back together.

    We asked Candlebox front man, Kevin Martin, about the fans in Upstate New York and why the band seems to make New York a regular stop. “First and foremost, we sold one and a half million records in New York alone.  It has been our biggest market since day one.  New York fans have always been very supportive and purchased CDs, tickets and t-shirts.  The main reason we play New York so often is the fans and to keep the market alive.”

    Next year might be the first time in quite some time that we won’t be seeing Candlebox in New York, so the best chance for fans to see them on the 20th Anniversary tour is this week.  Kevin added that “next year we are going to take a break and work on being family members. We will be recording new material and when we do release a new album we will go back on tour and New York State will be one of those places.  New York State is where we have our best shows. But it probably won’t be until 2015.”

    A lot has changed in the 20 years since Candlebox released their quadruple platinum self-titled debut album.  The fans have gotten older and social media and the Internet have taken over the industry.  “Fortunately for us, the fans that started with us in 1994 had children. While their fathers and mothers listened to our music their children came to know every word and that is great for us.  Now we see the parents and their kids at our shows.  A lot of touring and large festivals [like Rockapalooza and Shiprocked] make it easier to reach those new fans.  Also, with Instagram we can immediately share pictures of guitars, our music, and what is happening on tour.  It’s been beneficial, yet a frustrating experience at times. People have opinions, people feel validation and an instant connection. In this day and age, it is also important to answer emails, Tweets and Instagram messages.  We do our best to let fans know you are listening to them.  Occasionally we cannot get back to everyone though.  You do get fans that don’t understand that we get between 150-200 emails a day. We try our best.”

    The Internet has also helped Candlebox reach other new markets, namely Europe.  While the band has only toured there three times, with social media and other ways of reaching out to fans, the European fan-base continues to grow and a Candlebox tour in Europe can be seen somewhere down the road.

    This Sunday at the Oswego County Event Center is a great chance for old and new fans alike to catch incredible musicians doing what they do best.  Some interesting discoveries that Upstate Metal also found when talking to Kevin Martin was that every song starts out acoustic.  Raw, unplugged, and from the ground up.  Kevin added that “shows like Unplugged was one of the best things for music. It showed what the music really sounded like, who had talent.  A lot of concert goers get used to hearing backing tracks, and live sets that are half ‘Pro Cuts’.”  With Candlebox you will get the real thing every time.  “Playing all live music is something special.”  We agree.

    Buy tickets by phone: (315) 668-1248 or Buy tickets online

    Visit Candlebox online and on Facebook

    Candlebox is Kevin Martin(vocals), Peter Klett (lead guitar), Scott Mercado (drums), Adam Kury (bass) and Sean “Memphis” Hennesy (guitar).

  • Keller Williams Comes to Upstate New York With Fall Tour Dates

    One-man-band Keller Williams hits the road this Fall performing his signature solo sets with stops in Upstate New York. Accompanied on stage only by a slew of instruments and musical gadgets. In his seemingly insatiable quest for constant musical evolution, Keller will also make very special select live appearances with any one of his creative collaborations.

    Keller_Kevin Burke

    Since he first appeared on the scene in the early ’90s, Keller Williams has defined the term independent artist. And his 16 recordings tell only half the story. Keller built his reputation initially on his engaging live performances, no two of which are ever alike. Williams’ solo live shows—and his ability to improvise to his determinedly quirky tunes despite the absence of an actual band—quickly became the stuff of legend, and his audience grew exponentially when word spread about this exciting, unpredictable performer.

    Keller will play 4 shows in Upstate NY on this tour, the first show will be held at Rochester’s historical, German House on September 12th. Doors open at 7:00PM The show starts at 8:00PM, tickets are $25 and all ages are welcome. To purchase tickets please visit KellerWilliams.net and for more information you can call 585-442-6880 or visit www.upallnightpresents.com.

    The following night, September 13th, Keller will play the Wescott Theater in Syracuse, NY. Doors open at 8:00PM and the show starts at 9:00PM. Tickests are $25 and all ages are welcome. Tickets can be purchased online at KellerWilliams.net or the venue box office. For more information please call 315-478-8634 or visit www.thewestcotttheater.com.

    September 14th Keller will play Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY. Doors open at 8:00PM, the show starts at 9:00PM and this is an all ages show. Ticket prices range between $35-$55 and can be purchased online at KellerWilliams.net.

    The last appearance in Upstate NY will be a special treat as Keller will be joined by special guests and New York natives, Floodwood, for the October 10th show at Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, NY. Doors open at 8:00PM and show begins at 9:00PM, this is an all ages show. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online or at the venue box office.

    Follow

    @KellerMusician | Facebook | Web

  • Widespread Panic announces their Fall Tour 2013

    widespread 13Widespread Panic has announced their Fall Tour plans for 2013.

    After performing at the inaugural Interlockin Festival Sept. 7th and 8th, Panic will embark on a 2 part tour, the first through the Southeast and Midwest Sept. 20th – Oct. 5th, and then another 3 week run starting in Texas Oct. 25th that will bring them through the Southeast and up the East Coast ending at the Theater at MSG on Nov. 16th.

    They will perform their only Upstate NY show of the tour on Thursday Nov. 14th at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse. The on sale date is Sept. 13th at 10am, $40.00 Reserved, available online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone 800.745.3000.

    Fore more information visit the band’s website : www.widespreadpanic.com

  • Turkuaz Lays Down the Funk on the Westcott Theater

    Brooklyn based power funk/soul/jam band Turkuaz dropped it hard on the Westcott Theater Saturday June 29th. Although a relatively smaller event in terms of attendance, Turkuaz fans and all the funky people in the house got down to the sound with no lack of soul.

    Turkuaz is a ten-piece band with a solid battalion of horns, rhythm, vocals and chords that round out a funky groove. Their compositions reflect an innovative and musically sophisticated take on the often repetitive funk sound – think James Brown telling you to “get on up” over and over again. Turkuaz has taken funk to a whole new level by composing multilayered, multi-movement funk orchestrations. If funk-opera were a thing, Turkuaz would be the originators. Their songs suggested a foundation built around tight and well-balanced vocal arrangements that utilized a number of band members. Slightly raspy and classically punchy guitarist Dave Brandwein traded off lead vocals with smoother, soulful, baritone sax player Josh Schwartz, while the team of midriff showing, short-skirt sporting, hip-shaking “back-up” vocalists Geneva Williams and Sammi Garett brought that unequivocal soul sister sound loud, proud and crystal clear. The band’s trumpet player, Chris Brouwers, even chimed in with some high harmonies on a number or two.

    But back to business folks…The backbone of any funk group is of course, the bass. Floppy-hat wearing, shadow-dwelling Taylor Shell played laser-accurate, complex lines while executing with an interesting muddy-thuddy sound (reminiscent of reggae bass). This was another funk contrast, as a lot of funk hits hard on the treble end, accenting the highly percussive slapping and popping innovated by Bootsy Collins of Parliament Funkadelic. This effect brings the baseline to the forefront as a lead instrument. While Shell’s bass lines provided a rhythmic and technically interesting platform to work off of, they somewhat melted into the heartbeat of the overall sound, sometimes drowned out a bit by the bass drum, delivered by the vigorous Michelangelo Carubba.

    Turkuaz continued this trend of funk-innovation and non-traditional experimentation throughout the night, as they demonstrated their ability to improvise well enough to hang with any jammin Jerry-Lovin’ audience. Worth noting is the  screaming saxophone solo by Greg Sanderson and a tripped-out, phaser-laden trumpet interlude by Chris Brouwers. Top the night off with a classic cover of “Hold On, I’m Coming” by Sam and Dave to get the crowd singing along and this one was the bag. Turkuaz was captivating and refreshing to listen to, sexy to watch, and as all good funk typically should be, a funkin heck of a good time.

    For up to date information on the band and tour dates please visit Turkazband.com

  • Jonesin’ for more Counting Crows at Turning Stone on 7/2

    When Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers came out to the cheering crowd at Turning Stone on July 2nd, the electricity was in the air – people were ready to dance and sway in their seats. The Wallflowers set included favorites like, “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache”.  They also covered a couple classics, first a Box Tops song, “The Letter”, early on in the set that the crowd really seemed to enjoy.

    Later in the set they performed a Rolling Stones tune, “Loving Cup”.  The sound was crisp and while Jakob seemed to be slightly on autopilot he interacted a few times with the crowd.  Mostly seated the whole set, he encouraged the over-30 concert goers to get up and move a little.  It took a little coaxing but by the time the last song of the set “The Difference” came around, most people were up and dancing.

    Adam Duritz and the Counting Crows on the other hand started off with a bang.  They came onstage and played one of their most famous songs to get things heated up in a hurry, “Mr. Jones”.  This led into one of Adam’s chats with the crowd while the band changed up instruments.  The music was flowing nicely and the crowd seemed to be on their feet for the whole set, except perhaps during the intimate “A Long December”, where Adam played piano under a warm spotlight. The Counting Crows also played a number of covers along with their big hits from the 90’s.  One of the covers during the main set was extra special, “Return of the Grievous Angel” by Gram Parsons, with co-writer Thomas Brown in the audience at Turning Stone.  The set ended with a long and powerful “A Murder of One” as seen in the video below.

    When the set ended, Adam didn’t want to get off the stage and was milking every last minute he could.  He talked about acting locally and the Greybird Foundation (greybirdfoundation.org).  The Greybird Foundation was founded because people feel small as the world expands and they need to feel like they can make a difference. So, the Greybird Foundation helps find the people down the street from you who are trying to do their part to help.  Typically at Counting Crows shows there are booths of local non-profits but the comfortable indoor seating that we were all thankful for wasn’t large enough or able to accommodate that part of the experience.

    The Counting Crows wanted to stay on stage so badly that they did two difference two-song encores.  The first included a cover of the Grateful Dead classic, “Friend of the Devil” and another well-known Crows tune “Hangin’ Around”.  The second encore was Bob Dylan‘s “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” followed by “Holiday in Spain”.

    The festivities at Turning Stone didn’t stop when the show ended either.  As with most shows at the casino, there is a drawing that every ticket holder is eligible for to win a signed guitar.  This time it was autographed by the members of both bands, and the lucky winner was Cassie from Oneida (just down the road from Verona). It was a great night of music helping to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the casino.  Many more great shows are coming up, be sure to keep an eye out for them.

    Set: Mr. Jones, Untitled (Love Song) (The Romany Rye cover), St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream, Hanging Tree, Hospital (Coby Brown cover), Colorblind, Start Again (Teenage Fanclub cover), Anna Begins, Hard Candy, Meet on the Ledge, A Long December, Return of the Grievous Angel (Gram Parsons cover), A Murder of One

    Encore: Friend of the Devil (Grateful Dead cover), Hanginaround

    Encore 2: You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (Bob Dylan cover), Holiday in Spain

  • Syracuse M&T Annual Jazz Fest July 4th – July 6th

    Jamesville Beach Park will host this year’s Syracuse M&T Jazz Fest. Taking place July 4th-6th, admission: is FREE for all events, Concerts & Shows. Headliners include: The Doobie Brothers, Taylor Dayne and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Also on the bill this summer are locals, Sophistafunk.
    Syrracuse JazzFest
    Event Parking: is not free. There is an event  parking fee for all  vehicles. This is not an admission charge. It ‘s an event parking fee.
    Coolers: are permitted but please do NOT bring any alcoholic beverages to the site, or on to the grounds.
    Open Seating Policy: Syracuse Jazz Fest has an open-seating policy. on a first come-first seated basis. Some seating will be provided, but please bring your own lawn chairs.
    Performance Start Times: As an outdoor music festival, we’re weather-dependent. We’re also not a concert. We are an all-day festival with many groups performing. Sometimes weather and encores have us running behind, but we try to stay pretty close to the published schedule as much as possible. However, because of weather and spontanaity, everything schedule-wise is subject to change.Pets: no pets please

    Thursday, July 4th

    2:00 pm ~ Gates Open, Paradise Food Court, Constellation Wine Court, Crafts Village

    VERIZON MAIN STAGE Schedule & Lineup
    (All performance times are tentative, subject to change)

    4:00 pm to 4:30 pm     ~  Syracuse Parks & Recreation Stan Colella All Star Band ( under the direction of Joe Carello )
    5:00 pm to 6:00 pm     ~  West Coast Cool w/ Manhattan Transfer’s Cheryl Bentyne and Mark Winkler & the Rick Montalbano Trio
    6:30 pm to 7:30 pm         ~  Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band (I.S.B.)
    8:00 pm to 9:00 pm     ~  Preservation Hall Jazz Band
    9:00 pm to 9:30 pm     ~  Free Price Chopper Fireworks Display
    9:30 pm to 11:00 pm   ~ THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

    Friday, July 5th

    2:00 pm ~ Gates Open, Paradise Food Court, Constellation Wine Court, Crafts Village

    VERIZON MAIN STAGE Schedule & Lineup
    (All performance times are tentative, subject to change)

    3:00 pm to 3:30 pm  ~  Paul V Moore HS Vocal Jazz Ensemble ( under the direction of Dennis Goettel )
    4:00 pm to 4:30 pm  ~  Fayetteville-Manlius HS Jazz Ensemble ( under the direction of John Jeanneret and Rebecca Bizup )
    5:00 pm to 6:00 pm  ~  Giacomo Gates Sponsored by the Central NY Community Foundation
    6:30 pm to 7:30 pm  ~  Sophistafunk
    8:00 pm to 9:00 pm  ~  The Yellowjackets ( w/ Russell Ferrante Bob Mintzer, Will Kennedy & Felix Pastorius )
    9:30 pm to Closing  ~  THE GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION
    ( 20th Anniversary Frank Zappa Memorial Barbecue w/ Original Mothers Don Preston, Tom Fowler, and Napoleon Murphy Brock )

    Saturday, JULY 6th

    2:00 pm ~ Gates Open, Paradise Food Court, Constellation Wine Court, Crafts Village

    VERIZON MAIN STAGE Schedule & Lineup
    (All performance times are tentative, subject to change)

    3:00 pm to 3:30 pm  ~  Liverpool HS Stage Band ( under the direction of Stephen Salem )
    4:00 pm to 4:30 pm  ~  Oswego HS Jazz Ensemble ( under the direction of Stephen Defren )
    5:00 pm to 6:00 pm  ~  Five To Life: Gospel A Cappella
    6:30 pm to 7:30 pm  ~  The Brubeck Brothers Quartet (BBQ) Tribute To Dave Brubeck
    8:00 pm to 9:00 pm  ~  Ronnie Laws
    9:30 pm to Closing  ~  TAYLOR DAYNE

  • Hollerback Productions Celebrates Ten Years of Great Acts with Club D’Elf and Marco Benevento

    Hollerback Productions celebrated ten years of presenting great music, brought about by the vision and hard work of Dan Mastronardi, with a special anniversary show on Friday, May 31st at The Westcott Theater.  The show at Hollerback Productions featured one of the first big bands booked by Dan, the highly esteemed jazz/prog/dance/world music group Club D’Elf, with special guest, indie/jazz innovator Marco Benevento.  Following a genuinely heartwarming, albeit awkwardly delivered speech by Dan Mastronardi, Syracuse music fans whooped with supportive thankfulness for the people that have helped construct the Syracuse scene.

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    Club D’elf then took the stage and fell instantly into a deep, bass-driven, psychedelic groove, laying down a warm and cosmic blanket of ambient sound and tribal rhythm, while masterful solo work was interwoven by the ‘Club’s’ highly gifted musicians.  Each artist brought their own worldly and masterful sound to Club D’Elf’s droning yet complex jam-compositions.  Besides talent, the Club boasted a diverse arsenal of cool toys.  Bass player and Club D’Elf originator Mike Rivard switched between a low profile, futuristic-looking stand-up electric bass and a standard electric bass, while world music master Brahim Fribgane traded off between hand-drums and a stringed Lutar, that poured out exotic and timeless-sounding melodies that could have come straight out of a National Geographic documentary.

    Together with Marco’s soulful, and dare I say “pretty” melodies on keys and Hammond Organ, Club D’Elf entertained, intrigued, and mesmerized listeners.  Unlike many popular improvisational groups and jam bands, Club D’Elf focused on laying down well-crafted, often danceable bass-lines and rhythms, while placing the lead guitar in a chord-dominated supportive role.  This kept the crowd moving and allowed space for lead instruments to develop melodies and themes spontaneously and collaborate on composition in the moment.  Many times throughout the night, I watched as the members of the club traded knowing and joyful glances, as they felt the music come together organically.  This, my fellow fans, is always a beautiful thing.

  • Upstate Spring Revival in Review Part 3/3

    Editors note: This is part 3 of our 3 part Upstate Spring Revival coverage that features the music from the weekend. Take a look at coverage in Part 1 and Part 2.

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    What a fantastic weekend! Despite possibly the worst weather conditions imaginable from Friday evening through Saturday morning, the State Wide Music staff came through. Kudos to sound man Tim, who gave us one of the best sounding festivals ever; site manager Jeff for his tank-sturdy stages, cameramen Kevin and Brennan for braving torrential downpour conditions with expensive equipment, and most of all, to the bands and festival-goers for keeping an upbeat “We’re all friends” attitude throughout the fracas. Big thanks to Herby One and State Wide Music for yet again delivering the perfect regional festival experience.

    Didn’t have enough yet? State Wide Music has two more shindigs planned for the summer at Miller Hollow in Marion NY.  June 13th-16th will be the second annual Fiddlers Picnic. Spotlighting some of the region’s best bluegrass music,  the festival will include the moe. side project Floodwood, Dangermuffin, The Rumpke Mountain Boys, and many more. July 11th-14th is Upstate Boogie 4, featuring one of the funkiest lineups ever with Kung Fu, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Sophistafunk and more to be announced!

    Here are some of the featured setlists from some of the hottest sets over the weekend at Upstate Spring Revival:

    Flabberghaster

    View From The Mountain, Lies, Stone Free[Hendrix],Hangin’ On The Moss,The Crunge>Dazed and Confused[Zeppelin],Who Put This Spell On Me,Coming Up For Air, Lose Your Shoes, The Machine, Whipping Post[Allmans]

    Mister F

    Deal Breaker, Everything You Say, This One Goes to 11, Jump the Shark,  Treadmill, Bed Intruder Song >Vocoder, Answer the Dog, Hedgehog

    Ocupanther

    I Feel Love[Donna Summer], Pyromancer*, Misunderstanding Hugs, Naga Golokia, Ghostless, Fraktura, Stompgoat

    * Debut

    Formula 5

    Earthbound Tim, King Harvest[The Band], New Untitled Song, The Clear %-> Nu-Gen -> 3 Ring Circus -> The Ride Ending

    % Unfinished

    Dopapod

    Nuggy Jawson -> Priorities -> The National Anthem[Radiohead] -> Priorities, Weird Charlie > Cloud World, Donkey Kong Theme *€> Trapper Keeper*, Bats In The Cave^, Present Ghosts, French Bowling+

    *contained elements of “Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2” by Pink Floyd
    €debut
    ^w/ Mike Gantzer from Aqueous on guitar for the jam, Dr Dre teases
    +contained elements of “Hey Are You Going To Burning Man?” by Electric Apricot

    Timbre Coup

    Snoop Tiger, July, TheWay > Jam > Roland Opus, I didn’t know She had a Mustache, June, Arnold Schwarzeneggar

    Aqueous

    Skyway, Strange Times, Aldehyde > Uncle Phil’s Parachute >Fur Elise[Beethoven]* >Uncle Phil’s Parachute > Knights of Cydonia[Muse] > Warren in the Window > Timmy’s Blades > Regulators[Warren G]**, Pictures > Origami % > Uncle Phil’s Parachute ***

    * Linus and Lucy tease

    ** With Chuck [Dopapod] on bass, Evan on vocals

    *** Schism teases [Tool]

    % Unfinished

  • Upstate Spring Revival in Review Part 2/3: The Sounds

    Editors note: This is part 2 of our 3 part Upstate Spring Revival coverage that features the music from the weekend. Come back tomorrow for our final article, “The Skinny and The Setlists”

    The music started promptly at 7:30pm Thursday night with the combined forces of Carly Jane and Train Rat. The Cohocton, NY band’s melodic hypnotizing jazzy blues with a hidden fury was a great way to kick start the weekends musical expeditions. Along with a slew of originals, they offered up sexy versions of Peggy Lee’s “Fury” and The Devil Makes Three’s “Old Number 7”. Following Train Rat was Springwater’s White Woods with their own brand of Cake-esque alt-rock with extra frosting.  The two bands also collaborated on a song with some expert mandolin play and an audience chanting “Chugging down to New Orleans” right along with the musicians.

    Thursday’s closer was Vermont’s Flabberghaster. While hard to define given their unique flavor, one could imagine AC/DC mashed up with the Allman Brothers and get a sense of their sound. This was some rocking music and the crowd ate it up. Beyond the head banging, the band also went on a number of exploratory improvisations from bare bones hard rock to jazzy percussive clap-alongs. While their set was somewhat cover heavy, they made songs like Led Zeppelin’s “The Crunge” and the Allman Brothers “Whipping Post” their own with no fear of straying from the original song structure. Where’s that confounded bridge? Who cares! The crowd wandered back to their tents completely flabbergasted. True to rock and roll form the band slept overnight on the stage.  

    Friday started out early with Canandaigua’s Upstate. The bands blues based rock and roll with lots of experimentation and fierce peaks got people out of their tents and down to the stages. In the middle of the set they offered a fun mash-up of one of their originals with the new Daft Punk song “Get Lucky”. Following Upstate was Buffalo’s Slip Madigan. The band’s upbeat happy music with funky breakdowns and hints of electronica was a great match to the unexpected sun shining down on the crowd. The newly formed Mister F followed, composed of  3 members of Albany’s Timbre Coup and Scott Hannay from Capital Zen. The F maintains their own sound, which runs the gambits of influences from funk and rock to jazz and electronica. Their self-described genre of “Neat and Clean, Hard and Dangerous” is pretty much spot on.

    Rochester’s Ocupanther then laid its claws into the audience with their brand of instrumental funk-space-psychedelia featuring the juxtaposing styles of Berkeley schooled axeman Colin Jones and self taught shred wizard Mikey Pantano. They opened with an adventurous cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” and the audience responded with much love of their own. Friday’s evening journey began with Albany’s Timbre Coup and their deep progressive rock influences, intertwining metal overtones and doses of electronic forays with top notch vocals. As the sprinkles started to turn to rain, true to their name, Project Weather Machine stormed the stage for an hour and a half of Grateful Dead and old school blues inspired improvisations with awesome names like “Nitrous Roxide”. As the rain progressed in intensity festival goers were treated to the first show by Buffalo’s Universe Shark in several months. Despite their hiatus they did nothing but deliver, keeping the crowd dancing in the mud. Closing out the evening was the return of the much revered Schleigho. Their set was nothing short of mind-numbingly brilliant, ranging from pure technical by-the-numbers wizardry to wide open “Space”-esque exploration. Musicians were buzzing about this set the rest of the weekend with phrases like “It was like going to jam clinic” and “I’m not worthy” being thrown about.  

    Saturday started later than anticipated. Stage equipment was all moved to the main stage due to the mud pit in front of the secondary stage. Thankfully the weather cleared, the sun came out, and Ithaca’s Solaris started things off with some excellent intense EDM. Albany’s Formula 5 proved quite the draw in the next spot with their genre-everywhere sound. Funk, rock, blues, jazz, electronic, it was all in the mix as well as a fun cover of The Bands “King Harvest”. The trio of Rochester’s Haewa filled the 5pm slot with some of the most extended jamming of the weekend, more of Colin Jones guitar-pyrotechnics, and a rock solid grooving core.

    The evening lineup of Vermont’s Twiddle, Buffalo’s Aqueous, and NYC’s exploding Dopapod was so hot people were wiring their doctors to re-up their heart medications. Twiddle started it off with a set filled with improv, explosive soaring peaks, and a jam of Phish’s “Contact” that ended up going from “Funkytown” to “Billy Jean”. The centerpiece of the show was a monster version of original “The Box” which simply went everywhere. Aqueous then one upped everyone with the biggest crowd of the weekend thus far, and a hot-as-fire set no amount of liquid could extinguish. Filled with effortless segues, memorable originals, a fun sit-in from Dopapod’s Chuck Jones on Warren G’s “Regulate”, and a brilliantly intense take on Muse’s “Knights of Cydonia”, Aqueous had the audience in the palm of their hand. Brooklyn’s Dopapod closed the evening set with an all out rager, effortlessly gliding from song to song with the best light show of the weekend by far. This band is on fire and should not be missed at any opportunity.  Aqueous’s Mike Gantzer sat in for original “Bats in the Cave” complete with some well placed Dr Dre “Xxplosive” teases.

    Those that survived the onslaught of Aquapod stayed up for the late night set of NYC’s Consider the Source, whose technical expertise may not be surpassed by anyone. Imagine a Primus that got all jammy and had three Les Claypools running the show. Pure intense perfection and an exquisite end to the fest. An incredible weekend of music, with each band bringing their A-games.

    Come back tomorrow for our weekend summation and an assortment of some of the weekends best setlists.