The Great Blue Heron, more widely known for their annual festival over the Fourth of July weekend, played host to the third annual Night Lights Music Festival September 13th and 14th. The sprawling acreage nestled in the Amish countryside of Western New York, was transformed into an interactive playground, tucking light displays along the wooded pathways, adding depth and interest to the already full weekend of music.
Over two dozen bands, many hailing from or with roots in Central and Western New York, drew a large local fan base and with that a community atmosphere missing at many larger festivals. The festival grounds and camping areas were full of surprises; drum circles, pop up campfires, jam sessions, and plenty of folks looking for adventures. Nationally touring bands The Heavy Pets, Jimkata and Marco Benevento provided a punch of energy to the already excited crowds, and more regional acts, Aqueous, Space Junk, Lazlo Hollyfeld, The Manhattan Project and Schleigho gave performances not easily forgotten.
The two stages kept music running at a steady pace, a credit to the hard-working volunteers, lighting folks, and sound techs, allowing for little lapse between acts. Set far enough apart, the walk to and from each stage gave the audience the opportunity to wander through the lighting displays. The participation of the observer whether it be playing a drum, or simply watching the bonfire as it flickered and grew, was essential to the overall experience. Night Lights Fall Music Festival with its multifaceted entertainment, peaceful and well-organized camping and clean and friendly atmosphere should be on everyone’s fall festival schedule.
The band’s newest release, This is Life, is an album simple in theme, yet complex in form. Showcasing the diverse talent of the Northern-bred quintet, it draws on elements of jam, jazz, bluegrass, and roots to capture the signature sound associated with the Floodwood name. Birthed out of the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, the album features Al Schnier (moe.) on guitar, Nick Piccininni (The Abrams Brothers, The Atkinsons, The Delaney Brothers) on banjo and fiddle, Jason Barady (Wooden Spoon) on mandolin, Zachary Fleitz (Wooden Spoon) on bass, and Vinnie Amico (moe.) adds a unique percussive dimension otherwise unseen in music of this kind. Al, Nick, and Jason all take lead on vocals, and the musical variation of the band makes each track on This is Life take on a form of its own.
As technology has developed and new methods of music listening have emerged, traditional radio has taken a hit in both popularity and listenership. For 26 years on the Syracuse University campus, however, WERW has consistently provided students with an outlet for music discovery. To celebrate another year of college radio on The Hill, 
John Scofield was in great spirits all night, joking with the crowd between songs about the music, but also about the hit television series Breaking Bad, asking the crowd what they were doing at the concert and not watching the third to last show of the series, as he is a fan of the show as well. He seemed to be awestruck by the rapturous response he got from the crowd after every song. Andy’s bass playing all night was a magnificent constant thumping, while Tony’s drumming was a force to be reckoned with from the beginning of the first song until the end. Avi’s guitar playing was tremendous, as were his loops that he set from a computer all evening.
