RUSH bring out the crowds at SPAC every time they perform at the open-air amphitheater. This year was no different. A little bit of rain before the show was little deterrent to the droves of RUSH fans that came from throughout the region and beyond to see the prog rock trio light up the stage. As well they should as 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and one of the few Prog Rock bands given the honor to have a permanent place in Cleveland.
Known for their elaborate live shows, with a mini-movie, a lot of stage props and of course, incredible solos. RUSH didn’t miss a beat with the Clockwork Angels tour. Two years ago when RUSH played SPAC they performs two numbers off the album, “Clockwork Angels,” “Caravan” and “BU2B”. It was at that show that this reporter/photographer became well-aware that the new material was going to be spectacular. In fact, “Caravans” that opens this year’s second set is one of my personal favorites.
The Clockwork Angels tour also highlights a special string ensemble consisting of six violins and two cellos placed directly behind Neil Peart’s drum kit. The setup allows for a bigger sound and an orchestral feel that SPAC is well accustomed to.
Neil Peart’s kit rotated so that the drummer could play his signature 360 degree setup. Intense focus and absolute precision is guaranteed when Peart plays. Fans are rarely disappointed.
Geddy Lee’s vocals were spot on and the high-tone lead singer and bassist for the band was energetic and theatrical at times. Facial expressions and primal screams to well-known lyrics that had the mostly male crowd chiming in at the top of their lungs.
Guitarist Alex Lifeson knew what he was doing when he founded the band RUSH 45 years ago. Named as a top 100 guitarist by Rolling Stones, the Canadian born guitarist can lay down a serious lick and keep up with other guitarists less than half his age. Like Peart, the concentration and intensity is mesmerizing to watch. Lifeson plays a Gibson Les Paul and the sound couldn’t be better.
After nearly a half a century RUSH doesn’t show much signs of slowing down. With tragedies behind them, the trio is looking forward and the new album and tour is proof that we can expect more from these legends from the north.
Set 1: Subdivisions, The Big Money, Force Ten, Grand Designs, The Body Electric, Territories, The Analog Kid, Bravado, Where’s My Thing? (including drum solo), Far Cry
*Set 2: Caravan, Clockwork Angels, The Anarchist, Carnies, The Wreckers, Headlong Flight (including drum solo), Halo Effect (guitar solo intro), Seven Cities of Gold, The Garden, Manhattan Project, Red Sector A, YYZ, The Spirit of Radio
Encore: Tom Sawyer, 2112 Part I: Overture, 2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx, 2112 Part VII: Grand Finale
* entire set with Clockwork Angels String Ensemble
To support the “House of Blues 20th Anniversary Tour”, Hollywood Undeadheadlines this NY tour with Escape the Fate, All Hail the Yeti and 3 Pill Morning throughout July, ending in West Hollywood. The tour hits Huntington 7/14 at The Paramount with Escape the Fate and then New York City at the Irving Plaza on 7/15.
Hollywood Undead:
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Hollywood Undead brings the party to the stage with their catchy lyrics and beats. This six-pieced band with members Charlie Scene (vocals/guitar), Danny (vocals/guitar), Johnny 3 Tears (vocals/bass), Funny Man (vocals), J-Dogg (bass), and Da Kurlzz (drums), are well known for wearing unique masks while performing. Currently, the band has successfully released a total of three albums, Swan Song (2008), American Tragedy (2011), and Notes from the Underground (2013). Hollywood Undead has shared the stage with Escape the Fate, All Hail the Yeti, Pop Evil, American Fangs, Limp Bizkit and many more. They have also featured in May’s major rock festivals this past year, Welcome to Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, Rockfest, Rock on the Range, and Rocklahoma. Hollywood Undead knows how to have a good time and they are ready to share that with their ever-growing fan base.
Escape the Fate:
From Las Vegas, NV, Escape the Fate returns to the stage with Mabbitt’s chilling screams ready to haunt the back of fan’s minds as well as the band’s incredibly catchy tunes. Members consist of Craig Mabbitt (vocals), the Money brothers, Bryan “Monte” (guitar) and Michael (guitar), Thomas “TJ” Bell (bass), and Robert Ortiz (drums). The band currently has four albums out, Dying Is Your Fashion (2006), This War Is Ours (2008), Escape the Fate (2010), and Ungrateful (2013). Escape the Fate has toured with various bands including Papa Roach, Attack! Attack!, and Pop Evil, and they have featured in a few festivals this year, Rocklahoma, Rock on the Range, Lazerfest, and Download Festival. This band is more ready to show the concertgoers what they have up their sleeve.
All Hail the Yeti:
This is the band that has forsaken their hometown to become something more, to revive metal. Lead vocalist Connor Garritty formed the band in 2006 with ex-guitarist K.J. Duval. Current members include Craw NeQuent (guitar), Nick Diltz (bass) and Steve White (drums). Upstate Metal’s Kate Drexel had the opportunity to interview NeQuent and Diltz back in March at Upstate Concert Hall when the band opened for In This Moment. “For those who don’t know what a yeti is, it’s a Himalayan Nepalese term for “bigfoot” so we’re all…well at least the singer and I are like real enthusiasts of all that kind of stuff…cryptozoology and bigfoot and all of that folklore and stuff and also we thought it fit the sound, just kind of a heavy, slow moving, crushing kind of persona. Backwoods, mythical, larger than life all of that stuff we feel like applies to the sound and the band also,” explained Diltz when asked about the band name. Fans look forward to what the band has in store for us.
3 Pill Morning:
From Minneapolis, MN, this small rock band’s first single “Loser” remained on rotation on the Top 100 chart on Active Radio for over 6 months. 3 Pill Morning has opened for Shinedown and In This Moment in Nebraska on select dates in the summer of 2012, as well as toured with Sevendust. The band involves Jeff Stebbins (vocals), Ryan Welch (guitar/keys), Ryan Lee (bass/vocals), and Trent Laugerman (drums). 3 Pill Morning is eager to share their material to the ever-adoring concertgoers.
Overall, this is a superb lineup and these bands are ready to give their fans a night to remember. Be sure to catch them while they are in the state, this is one event you will not want to miss!
This week, Halestorm hits the stage for the first time with Daughtry and 3 Doors Down on several select dates, including Big Flats, NY on July 13th and Canandaigua, NY on July 16th.
Halestorm:
From Red Lion, PA, Halestorm has not stopped rocking the stage since 2006, opening for bands like Chevelle, Shinedown, Evanescence, Stone Sour, Three Days Grace and many more. Band members consist of the Hale siblings, Lzzy (vocals/guitar) and Arejay (drums), Joe Hottinger (guitar), and Josh Smith (bass). Halestorm has released two full-length albums, their self-titled (2009) and The Strange Case Of…(2012). Through their hard work, the band won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for the song “Love Bites (So Do I)”. For sure, Lzzy Hale is ready to knock everybody out of the ballpark with her powerful pipes.
Daughtry:
Fronted by American Idol’s season 5 finalist, Chris Daughtry, this five-pieced band from McLeansville, NC hits the stage for a third tour leg with co-headliner 3 Doors Down. Band members consist of Chris Daughtry, Josh Steely (guitar), Brian Craddock (guitar), Josh Paul (bass), and Robin Diaz (drums). The band has released three albums, Daughtry (2006), Leave This Town (2009), and Break The Spell (2011), with a total of over 6.7 million records sold in the United States. Hit singles include “Over You”, “Home”, “It’s Not Over”, “No Surprise”, and many more. Daughtry is more than ready to show everyone what they have in store for this tour.
3 Doors Down:
Hailing from Escatawpa, Mississippi, this five-pieced band, consisting of Brad Arnold (vocals), Chet Roberts (guitar), Chris Henderson (guitar), Todd Harrell (bass), and Greg Upchurch (drums), hits the stage with Daughtry for a third time since the start of their co-headlining tour in December 2012. 3 Doors Down has released a total of five albums, The Better Life (2000), Away From the Sun (2002), Seventeen Days (2005), 3 Doors Down (2008), and Time of My Life (2011) with a total of 23 singles including “Kryptonite”, “Here Without You”, “When I’m Gone”, “Citizen/Soldier”, “It’s Not My Time”, “When You’re Young” and “Every Time You Go”. 3 Doors Down knows how to put on a hell of a show and they are ready to do so this summer.
Be sure to check each of the band’s Facebook page for tour dates. This is a show you will not want to miss!
What do you get when you combine great music, delicious beer, and a beautiful setting? The Brewery Ommegang’s Summer Concert series. This year’s summer concerts at Ommegang kicked off with a Memorial Day celebration that allowed Sunday night camping and a bluegrass/Americana lineup headlined by Old Crow Medicine Show.
Local bluegrass band Driftwood started things off. With great harmonies and well-written numbers, they greeted fans streaming in and finding spots in the open field. The sea of lawn chairs and blankets, along with tents set up in the back could only be appreciated from an aerial view. Fortunately, I was able to connect with Andy Trench from ZoomVideo.net and we went to get a helicamera setup, or, more appropriately, hell-of-a-camera setup. Flying it above the crowd, we were able to provide a birds-eye view of the crowd, the stage, the brewery and the beautiful Cooperstown area.
After Driftwood was Chuck Mead and his Grassy Knoll Boys from Nashville. They were a little more traditional country than bluegrass or Americana, but as I spoke to one of their members after their set, we agreed that it was a good fit. Many shows mix similar genres to offer a little variety and draw from different groups of music lovers. The crowd was pretty much settled in at this point and enjoyed the steel guitar, upright bass and fun lyrics of the band. The highlight was a modern telling of the ongoings of the gang from Mayberry.
As the sun set over the surrounding hills, beer-lovers had a chance to get refills of their favorite Ommegang brew, sweatshirts and coats got thrown on, and a last trip to the vendors for nachos or a burger and prepare for the seven-piece stylings of Old Crow Medicine Show. Starting out with “Carry Me Back” and “Alabama High Test” and moving onto “Take ’em Away”, the pace was fast and the bluegrass-induced Americana jams led to dancing, hula hooping and a whole lot of singing.
If I asked concert goers before the show what were they coming to see, they would have said “Wagon Wheel”. While that song rocketed OCMS to fame, their repertoire of upbeat songs led most to understand that this is not a one-hit wonder, but rather a group that have been around for fifteen years and have compiled a music library of incredible songs that can lend themselves to a two hour set that no one gets bored with, begging for that one song everyone knows.
What’s coming up at Ommegang this summer? Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will be there July 25th and Black Crowes on September 5th. Whether you come for the music, the beer or the atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with planning a trip to Ommegang this summer.
“That guy, you see that guy? He gets it. He knows how to support live music”, said Filter front man Richard Patrick as he was pointing right at me. “And wearing a Tool shirt, that band is awesome!”. People are slapping me on the back and handing out high fives. I give him the double metal sign back and the band blasts into another song.
Much of Filter’s June 18th show at Rochester’s Montage Music Hall went like this. As a more than 20 year vet on the national touring scene, Mr. Patrick certainly knows how to successfully work an audience. The band delivered an exceptional set full of energy, including classics like “Take a Picture”, “Do You (Trip Like I Do)”, and “Zero”, each of which were mixed in with enough deep cuts to make even the most jaded Filter vet (if such a thing could exist) ecstatic. Towards the end of their set the band delivered an angst-filled take on The Turtles classic “Happy Together”. After the song, front man Richard Patrick exclaimed they had never played that before and that we had all ‘made history together.’ This was a fantastic performance by adept performers that have managed against all odds to stay fully on top of their game. Syracuse’s Without Regret and Rochester’s Ghostfeeder opened the show with high energy performances of their own.
Filter is touring in support of their new album The Sun Comes Out Tonight. Released June 4th, the disc blazes through 12 songs in under 50 minutes. The disc opens with the headbanging track “We Hate it When You Get What You Wanted”, an obvious and excellent nod to those with envy issues. The rock keeps flowing through the following track and lead single “What Do You Say”. The lighter side of Filter is apparent with the family oriented “Surprise” and drug-haze-aftermath ode “Watch the Sun Come Out Tonight”. The entire album does an excellent job at merging the tapestry of Filter’s 20 year career of playing with different genres into one cohesive unit. Present are the full steam ahead headbangers, the introspective dark-edged softer tracks and forays into electronica influenced rock. The album ends with a twosome of songs, “It’s My Time” and “It’s Just You”, both of which invoke a non-copycat similarity to mega-hit “Take a Picture”. An excellent offering by seasoned veterans. Twenty years later, Filter has still got it. Check them out on the Summerland Tour throughout July.
Key Tracks: What Do You Say, Come Watch The Sun Come Out Tonight, Take That Knife Out of My Back
As original as the title, The Blind Owl Band presents their sophomore disc. A distinct set of vocal accompaniment would have one wondering if Tom Waits dropped in (he didn’t) for a batch of fiery bluegrass and dirty jams. Using traditional instrumentation, Arthur Buezo (guitar, vocals), Eric Munley (mandolin, vocals), James Ford (banjo, vocals) and Christian Cardiello (bass), all transplants to Saranac Lake, NY, draw upon their youthful influences mostly defined by their fathers’ flare for the good stuff. This Train I Ride is Made of Wood and Steel is a testament to their past whilst forging a path where their sound is becoming uniquely their own.
“Sailor Song,” whether intentional or not, exemplifies the magical undercurrent of the past popping up in today’s music. The disc intro gives a nod to a “House of the Rising Sun” look alike, but only for a few seconds. From this point forward, the disc launches into a fun-filled, fast-paced, barnburner, ho-down of a good time. They give a breather by slowing it down in “Missing My Home,” where Eastbound Jesus’, “Holy Smokes!” is given accolades. A bass solo introduces “Jazzy McGee,” in a tune that sounds just like its title. A neat little contrast in The Blind Owl Band is the depth of the tenor and bass vocals and the high-pitched use of the mandolin, where a balance is met and the band is defined.
The Blind Owl Band is quickly gaining attention by both fans and other, well known musicians. Performing around the northeastern territory, rich in roots Americana, has helped launched these bearded boys in musical stardom. With a new disc underway, an album release tour is scheduled. Please visit The Blind Owl Band for a list of tour dates.
The time is here for the 17th Annual All Good Music Festival on July 18- 21st at Legend Valley in Thornville Ohio. With that being said the lineup is unbelievable, with Furthur, Primus, Yonder Mountain String Band and Pretty Lights headlining throughout the weekend. This year’s All Good covers a broad spectrum of musical genres, with some killer late night acts as well as some chill daytime shows, sure to impress the most seasoned of festival goers. All Good’s lineup will even highlight some newer bands to the festival scene.
The festival will open on Thursday July 18th – opening bands John Scofield UberJam Band on the Dragon Stage and Toubab Krewe are set to get the party started. That’s two bands that will prime the whole fest, it only gets better from there. Thrown into this mix are bands Papadosio, Lettuce and Yonder Mountain String Band. Thursday night’s closing act is Beats Antique- who will be laying down heavy dance beats with a steamy belly dancing routine to entice and amaze all in attendance.
The first full day of All Good has an amazing line up with Cabinet starting the day of at 9:30 am on the grassroots stage. The lineup for Friday is not going to disappoint with bands like Mojoflo, Fear Nuttin Band, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (definitely worth checking out) and many other great bands throughout the day, the nighttime lineup is off the hook. Les Claypool and his crew Primus will be up first followed by The Bridge and STS9. Closers Moon Hooch will finish up the lineup for the late-night show.
At the apex of All Good on Saturday is reggae infused band Three Legged Fox. Saturday is when all the heavy hitters will be playing with bands such as The Sheepdogs, African ShowBoyz, Trombone Shorty, The Rex Jam, followed by Grace Potter and The Nocturnals , The Infamous Stringdusters, and Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, will close out the mainstage. Late night consists of The Werks, Pretty Lights, Founding Fathers – Andy Falco and Chris Pandolfi of the Stringdusters in their new electronic outfit and finally Upstate New York’s very own Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad.
Sunday will be packed with some bands to recharge your batteries as the festival finishes out its final day. The day will start with the Revivalists from New Orleans with the lineup closing with Keller Williams and The Travelin’ McCourys, what an end to a lineup filled with amazing musicians, and festivities.
This years All Good Festival has a few improvements from last years All Good, for starters the Horse Patrol is focused on leaving “ nothing behind and will clean up after their horses.” Safety and security in the campgrounds are all set with an entirely new security team – more seasoned to festivals then the crew that did security last year. The ancient fiberglass porto-johns have got an upgrade and there will be larger camping spaces. Vehicles that show up with 4 or more people will get the camping space of 2 vehicles. Also staff is prepared to get festival goers in and out of the show a lot faster every single time.
This Year’s Complete Lineup:
FURTHUR featuring Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Pretty Lights, Primus, Yonder Mountain String Band, STS9, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, John Butler Trio, Keller Williams with The Travelin’ McCourys, Dark Star Orchestra, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Beats Antique, Leftover Salmon, Papadosio, The Werks, Lettuce, North Mississippi Allstars, John Scofield Uberjam Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, MarchFourth Marching Band, The Soul Rebels, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Bright Light Social Hour, The Bridge, Digital Tape Machine featuring Kris Myers and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, Kung Fu, The Sheepdogs, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Moon Hooch, Fear Nuttin Band, Everyone Orchestra, Nahko And Medicine For The People, The Ragbirds, Cabinet, The Stepkids, Fruition, Superhuman Happiness, Founding Fathers, MojoFlo, Roosevelt Collier,The Rex Jam
On July 5th, as the first night of Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center came to a close, the town streets came alive as those attending the three-night run fanned out to find after-parties to keep the vibe grooving. At the legendary Putnam Den in downtown Saratoga, those looking to keep their booties shaking found a pleasant surprise in the tucked away venue as Dead Sessions started off the night with a boisterous “Franklin’s Tower”.
One of my personal favorite aspects of Putnam Den is when they put on a show, they never overcrowd the venue, so as the sound echoed into the street and more ticket holders entered the premises, we all had the perfect amount of room to get down.
For those who have never seen Dead Sessions, this band is the embodiment of the timelessness of The Grateful Dead’s music. Although the band calls Vermont home, the band is composed of rotating members who are from various locations around the country. While they performed a plethora of old favorites including “Bertha”, “Peggy-O” and “He’s Gone”, they also added their own improvisational jams and gave each song a piece of their own musical personalities.
During “Scarlet Begonias”, their first set closer, they went into an impressive improv streak that combined new age jam with old age style and an intertwining of spacey jams that tied it all together. Keyboardist Adam King’s playful melody danced around the crowd as guitar players Seth Yacavone and Adam Terrell (Assembly of Dusct / Ghosts of Jupiter/ Percy Hill), who was filling in for Tobe Kniffin dueled harmoniously with one another and the full sounded band, which included drummers Kevin Shapiro and Steve Hadeka (Seth Yacovone Band), supporting their beat every step of the way.
Dead Sessions was a great way to end the night for any Phish-Dead lover. Before we knew any better, it was 4am and with our hip joints thoroughly greased up from a full night of music, the crowd dissipated with a buzz of anticipation for two more amazing nights of music.
Also worth noting is that the show also doubled as a WaterWheel benefit and raised over $1,100 for the WaterWheel Foundation – which in turn donated it to the Saratoga Hospital Foundation which is working to build a community health center in Saratoga.
Setlist
Set 1: Feel Like a Stranger>Franklin’s Tower, Jack Straw, West L.A. Fadeaway, Bertha, Brown Eyed Women, Peggy-0, Alligator> He’s Gone> Scarlet Begonias
Set 2: Playin’ in the Band> Visions of Johanna> Playin’ in the Band, Blow Away, China Cat Sunflower> At a Siding> I Know You Rider, Easy Wind
Nothing goes better together than Fourth of July weekend and a three night run at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) with legendary band Phish.
The four piece jam band returned once again to the historic city of Saratoga Springs who welcomed the band as well as the thousands of dedicated fans from all over the country. Guitarist Trey Anastasio, Bassist Mike Gordon, Keyboardist Page McConnell and Drummer Jon Fishman started their summer tour on July 3rd at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, Maine, with Saratoga Springs two days later. One of the best features of SPAC is the beautiful State Park with cool shaded springs for fans to escape the humidity before the show and even catch soundcheck echoing off the valleys.
The venue itself has a beautiful indoor seating area with incredible sound and fantastic views from any seat. The lawn has gotten a bad reputation for being overcrowded with poor sound and visuals, but the fans make the best of it by partying and dancing that much harder. Knowing that my Phish filled weekend had finally arrived, I was just thankful to be there.
The parking lots were filled with hundreds of cars, covered in trendy bumper stickers plus more VW vans than you’ll ever see in one place. Thousands of people could be seen walking the aisles searching for the latest merchandise or reuniting with dear friends from past shows. The weather was a disgusting humid Friday evening, with the air so thick you couldn’t tell if it was the heat or all the smoke. With some relief of a brief but heavy rainstorm, fans headed through the gates with plenty of electricity and excitement left over from the storm.
Phish started the weekend with “Kill Devil Falls”, leading to the crowd instantly rejoicing and singing the lyrics that pretty much sum up Phish tour: “Who knew a day would turn into a week, but I learned my lesson, and I can still remember the last one, but this time will be different, until I do it again”, with a great high build up at the end. It gives one chills to hear the familiar breath from the thousands of fans as the groove of “The Moma Dance” starts. At a phish show, you can actually hear the crowd hold their breath in anticipation before each and every song. The slightest bass drop from Mike Gordon during “Moma” resulted in massive cheers as longtime fans are glued in to every single note. “Sample in a Jar” and Ween’s “Roses are Free” brought easy going melodies, giving fans a chance to take a deep breath, wait in the obnoxious beer lines and find friends. Page took a moment after a solid “Birds of a Feather” to thank the fans for joining them at one of their favorite venues being SPAC and recognized a close friend, Ian McLean, from Ian’s Farm shows in 1987 in Hebron, NY. One of the big surprises of the night was the debut of the band’s newest song, “Yarmouth Road”. The song was light-hearted with Mike leading on vocals and Trey Anastasio holding short riffs.
The thrilling beginning of the infamous riffs and oddball notes of “Bathtub Gin” brought back great memories of past shows, especially those at SPAC with the crowd always erupting to the classic line, “We’re all in this together and WE LOVE TO TAKE A BATH!” Once the catchy and bizarre vocals are over, the band carried the jam for over 10 minutes in glorious leaps and bounds. The set tooks a turn as we glided into the bluegrass vibe of “Nellie Kane” and the rocking ballad “Army of One” with Page serenading the audience amid light, airy finger playing. Suddenly we go straight into the ticking time bomb of “My Friend, My Friend”, with its comforting start but breaking down into a frightful free for all. The energy is kept at a high peak by playing right into the cover of “Cities” by Talking Heads, a predictable song for the weekend yet slightly unexpected for the first night. The set concluded with a 12 minute “David Bowie”, with fans in the fully packed lawn, throwing glowsticks up in the air, trying to keep in rhythm with the melody. It makes for great entertainment as long as you aren’t getting hit in the head and a special reminder to NOT throw glow sticks at the band.
The second set started with another surprise as the boys debuted “Energy” by The Apples in Stereo, with delicate harmonies and an upbeat temp, nonstop cymbals and steady cowbell from Fishman. Hearing an unrecognizable song temporarily threw off almost everyone’s groove, leaving the great sense of mystery that Phish fans have a love hate relationship with. Thankfully we were all reassured to hear the start of “Light”, a song that has the reputation for being a serious jam session with tonight at SPAC being no different, lasting just over 15 minutes. “The Mango Song” was kept playful as always with childish lyrics and Trey teasing the crowd with “Light” riffs. You could see the band members having a great time throughout the night as each wore their wide and familiar smiles. The song that stood out this night was “46 days”, which had the most intense surge of energy as the crowd screamed the lyrics and Trey shredded his guitar nearly to pieces. The funky jam gave the band more than enough space to jam right into “Steam”, a still newer song with a steady beat, spooky lyrics and deeps notes from Mike. The party mood got picked up right away as we stepped into a cover of The Who’s “Drowned” with Page reaching for those high notes and Trey teasing “Divided Sky” just like the “Hood” encore at Bangor. The show ended with the classic “Character Zero”, a high energy song with heavy loops of the strong organ and frenzied guitar grooves.
As security wasted no time pushing concert goers towards the nearest exit, many were still in shock that the first night had come and went. Despite being soaked from the rain and sweat, phans still had the biggest smiles on their faces and were eager to experience the rest of a Phish filled weekend.
Setlist
Set 1: Kill Devil Falls, The Moma Dance> Sample in a Jar, Roses are Free, Birds of a Feather, Yarmouth Road (1), Bathtub Gin, Nellie Kane, Army of One> My Friend, My Friend(2)> Cities> David Bowie
Set 2: Energy (3)> Light> The Mango Song (4)> 46 Days> Steam> Drowned (5) > Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore: Character Zero
1 Debut
2. No “Myfe” ending
3. Phish Debut
4. Light teases from Trey
5. Divided Sky tease from Trey.
6. Jean Pierre tease from Trey.
After Birds of a Feather, Page pointed out Ian in the crowd from “Ian’s Farm” fame and waxed nostalgic about playing there while also noting that SPAC was one of the band’s favorite venues. Yarmouth Road made its debut at this show.
Walking into MASS MoCA on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon were people of all ages and types. From teenagers and twenty-somethings to baby boomers and adults in their 30s and 40s with little kids, they all came in droves. The Wilco produced Solid Sound Festival is unlike any other festival in the country. MASS MoCA almost every other weekend of the year is just a place to go check out gigantic art installations and see special screenings of movies. For Solid Sound, you get this plus a concert curated by one of the best bands of the last 20 years.
Walking around to see all of the art was great, as there are massive installations throughout the site. One of the installations was Xu Bing’s “Phoenix,” two gigantic birds built out of scrap metal. Pop-up performances took place underneath them by some of the acts and every attendee at the festival had the same awe-struck reaction to the birds when first seeing them. There was also a record shop on site with artist signings and many albums on sale for those who felt the need to not only see music, but purchase some as well. Another great hidden gem inside of MASS MoCA was the interactive kid area for parents that wanted to see their kids create art at the festival as well as see art. All of this added to the uniqueness of the festival.
Xu Bing: Phoenix
Mark Mulcahy started the day of music off with some smooth rock and roll incorporating a small horn section beautifully. However, many people were getting ready inside the buildings for John Hodgman’s Comedy Cabaret. Jen Kirkman and Hodgman started the cabaret off by riffing back and forth on various news topics and then Jen took over for a 40 minute set that went every which way and had the audience rolling in the aisles. Later on, Reggie Watts took the stage to a standing room only crowd that saw him mix music and comedy to perfection like only he can. At the end of his 45 minute set ,Reggie drew one of the biggest ovations of the day and well deserved at that.
Reggie Watts
Lucius took to the Courtyard D stage where a large crowd saw the group destroy their 45 minute set in the midday heat. Dressed as though they were twins, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig blended their voices beautifully into soaring harmonies while being accompanied by a great band behind them. The audience wanted more as the band ended their set, but would have to wait until later in the day for what I was told was a great pop-up performance underneath the two phoenixes.
Lucius
Near the entrance of the festival, Gold Town from Manchester, VT, was playing an acoustic set of rocking bluegrass music to a tiny crowd. As people came and left the area, they were constantly stopping for a bit to see where this great music was coming from. The four piece band was clearly enjoying themselves and even taking requests from the crowd. Yo La Tengo hit Courtyard D next with the biggest crowd of the day to that point. Having performed for quite some time, it was great to see how easily all of the music came to them. Constantly switching instruments, all three members showed that they are in-tune with one another. “Ohm” and “Deeper Into Movies” were two of the better songs, but they really killed their entire hour long set.
Yo La Tengo
What came next was the most exciting set of the day: Foxygen took to Courtyard C and drew a crowd that was much bigger than that area of MASS MoCA could handle, and the band delivered. What you notice right away from Foxygen is the amount of energy every member of the band has. Lead singer Sam France had so much energy that he climbed part of the scaffolding of the stage, much to the dismay of the Solid Sound staff. Their mixture of rock and psychedelia was impressive. This is definitely a band that likes to have fun on stage and makes sure their audience is having just as much fun. Do not miss them if they come to Upstate New York in the near future.
Foxygen
Low took the stage next and was the exact opposite of Foxygen. Their hour long set seemed to drag a bit, but that is just because their style of rock is much slower. Although the music was great, especially “Dinosaur Act” and “Last Snowstorm of the Year,” it was a bit of a letdown after the raucous set Foxygen had just thrown down. Neko Case, who was the first performer to grace Joe’s Field on Saturday, was next and played a beautiful set of music mixing bluegrass, country, and rock. She also was very talkative to the crowd between each song, telling jokes and stories about each song. “That Teenage Feeling,” “I’m An Animal,” and “Train From Kansas City” stood out among her set.
Neko Case
The curators of the festival, Wilco, took to the stage next and played an amazing 28-song set. The previous night they had played an all request covers set and people I spoke with throughout the day remarked how amazing that set was. This set saw Wilco play a full set of original music and showed why they are so good at what they do. “I Got You At the End of the Century” kicked the set off in a rocking fashion and it seemed they never stopped from there. Jeff Tweedy joked with the crowd throughout the set and even brought a fan on stage to request a song, although the band really told her which song to pick, which turned into a small comedy routine on stage, before they jumped into a great version of “Candyfloss.” Kids could be seen on parent’s shoulders with headphones on enjoying the set, while the adults in their 20s and 30s were twirling and dancing around. With a four song encore that had Jeff continually saying how happy they were to be back at MASS MoCA after taking a year off, they capped the night with a triple shot of “California Stars,” “Just a Kid,” and “Dreamer in My Dreams.”
Wilco
Setlist: I Got You (At the End of the Century), Dawned on Me, Box Full of Letters, At My Window Sad and Lonely, Forget the Flowers, She’s a Jar, You Are My Face, One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley’s Boyfriend), Art of Almost, I Might, Summer Teeth, Candyfloss, I’m Always in Love, Sunken Treasure, Far Far Away, Via Chicago, Impossible Germany, Born Alone, Laminated Cat, Passenger Side, Whole Love, Can’t Stand It, Heavy Metal Drummer, I’m the Man Who Loves You
Encore: A Shot in the Arm, California Stars, Just a Kid, Dreamer in My Dreams
Solid Sound is one of the best festivals on this side of the country. Being only 45 minutes east of Albany in North Adams, MA, this is a festival you should be attending every year. The art that could be seen is worth the price of admission alone. There is camping in North Adams, MA, with bus services to and from the festival daily. There is also a great beer and food selection throughout the complex. The Solid Sound Festival is not to be missed for music lovers in the Capitol Region next year.
Hollywood Undead:
For those who have never seen
