Woodstock has gone through two major official reincarnations since the original fest changed the musical landscape forever. With the 45th anniversary this year, many have wondered whether the third installment of this epic music festival would be in the works. While this appears to not be happening, original promoter and co-creator Michael Lang appears to be in the early planning stages of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, an event that launched so many careers into the stratosphere.
Details are minimal at this point: the site will likely be near the original Bethel site, and it’s anyone’s guess which bands will be present. Considering the past two were fraught with issues (Mud, fires, crime etc.), one would hope they go back to the original mindset: hippies, peace and love. NYS Music will be monitoring this story and keep you abreast of any changes. Who would you like to see at Woodstock’s 50th?
In a day where digital music is more common for the everyday consumer than owning an album, that doesn’t necessarily hold true when it comes to Yes.
Yes, the iconic progressive rock band that has sold 40 million albums over the past 40 years, announced their latest release, Heaven & Earth, will drop on July 22nd. Bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes and singer Jon Davison, in conjunction with the release of their latest studio album, will proceed with a 35-date, summer tour throughout the United States starting July 8th.
The artwork of Roger Dean has become synonymous with Yes, making each of the band’s album covers unmistakably theirs. As has been in the past, Dean is back to provide the artwork for Heaven & Earth. This latest release will contain eight original tracks produced by Grammy Award winner, Roy Thomas Baker.
Heaven & Earth is available now for pre-order on Amazon .
Above: Album cover art for Heaven & Earth by Roger Dean
The first of 35 nights starts off July 8th at the Blue Hills Bank Pavillion in Boston, MA. From there, the band will meander throughout the Northeast with stops in New York City (July 9th – Radio City Music Hall), Wallingford, CT (July 11th – Toyota Oakdale Theatre), Westbury, NY (July 12th – NYCB Theatre at Westbury) and Newport, RI (July 13th – Newport Yachting Center). After a stop in Washington, DC, the band will come back north for a stop at Hampton, NH (July 16th – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom), and Salamanca, NY (July 18th – Seneca Allegany Casino).
The tour promises to feature, in their entirety, 1971’s groundbreaking album Fragile for the first-time ever and a repeat performance from last year’s tour of 1972’s Close to the Edge, followed by an encore of the band’s greatest hits. Tickets can be purchased at the band’s website.
The Basilica Hudson recently announced an abridged lineup for Soundscape 2014 for September.
The two-night affair promises at least the following five acts for September 12th and 13th: Swans, Deafheaven, Tim Hecker, Julia Holter, and Gamelan Dharma Swara. However, more acts are anticipated to arrive.
Purchase your tickets anytime before June 15th, and you are granted an “Early Bird” discount of $50 for the weekend. Afterwards, the price goes back up to $60.
Originally a foundry that produced railroad car wheels in the 19th century, Basilica Hudson is an 18,000-square foot arts and performance venue that boasts a capacity of 1,200 people, but no climate control. Hence, shows are scheduled during the Upstate New York springs and autumns. It is located on the South Bay off the eastern shores of the Hudson River, south of the Amtrak Terminal.
The Allman Brothers Band has called it quits – in their Monday statement to announce the makeup shows the band had canceled at the Beacon Theatre in New York City when Gregg Allman fell ill in March, the band stated the October dates will be their last. Though Gregg had previously denied reports of a break-up, this statement appears to all but confirm the end is near.
Since forming in 1969, The Allman Brothers Band has split twice, first after 1976 (then reunited in 1978), and again in 1982 (to be reunited in 1989). Over the 45-year span, the boys out of Macon, Georgia have earned a legendary status in the music world. After its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, the band earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), as well as a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Jessica” in 1996. Rolling Stone Magazine named the Allman Brothers on several “All Time” lists since the start of the new millennium, including Greatest Artists (No. 52), and Greatest Albums (No. 49 – for At Fillmore East) . In 2003, the magazine composed a list of 100 Greatest Guitarists: Derek Trucks (No. 81), Dickey Betts (No. 58), Warren Haynes (No. 23) and Duane Allman (No. 2) were all named. (Curiously, when the magazine composed a similar list in 2011 only three were named, with Trucks moving up from No. 61 to No. 18, and Haynes dropping off the list entirely.)
The group announced the makeup shows would be at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on Oct. 21st, 22nd, 24th and 25th. Those with tickets for the four canceled shows (from March 25, 26, 28 and 29) can use them on the corresponding dates, or can obtain refunds, before Aug. 1. Additional shows for Oct. 27th and 28th will be their last shows.
The Allman Brothers Band are scheduled to appear at Mountain Jam, June 8th, at Hunter Mountain, followed by Scranton, PA’s Peach Fest for August 14th-17th.
The band has had a long-standing residency at the Beacon, spanning several years. It had celebrated its 40th anniversary there in 2009.
In a one-two punch that even the most fanatic of moshers couldn’t ignore, the beginning of June 2014 brought new singles of Metal Glory from two of some of the most esteemed bands among headbangers.
Yesterday, Sweden’s Opeth, known for mixing absolutely brutal riffs and growling vocals with progressive psychedelia akin to King Crimson, released their newest single “Cusp of Eternity” from their upcoming 11th studio release, Pale Communion. Like their last album, Watershed, the death metal vocals remain absent as the band continues to head towards the path of progressive rock. However, unlike that last album, this single at least indicates a more focused effort, with a nice flow and a decidedly “evil” feel to it. Check the animated video out on Vimeo here.
Today, Upstate NY’s Mastodon released the second track from the forthcoming Once More ‘Round The Sun. If any band on earth has captured the fire Metallica left behind with 1990’s The Black Album, the Atlanta foursome is it. The newest track “Chimes at Midnight” seems to find a home somewhere in between the bare bones metal of the last release “The Hunter” and the blinding changes and underlying spooky vocals of Mastodon’s early days.
King Crimson is one of the most legendary bands in the prog-rock scene to ever take the stage and, they will have a reunion for a full tour for the first time since 2009.
Albany, New York’s own The Egg has the privilege to be the first stop on the tour on September 9th and 10th. The tour will roll south to New York City’s Best Buy Theater on September 18th, 19th and 20th for a special three-night run.
This has been a highly sought after show ever since Robert Fripp, the founding and only consistent member of the band, announced last September that the band would be getting back together. The line up is expected to include Fripp, Gavin Harrison, Bill Rieflin, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Mel Collins and Jakko Jakszy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAAqAnCBNKQ
The shows in Albany go on sale on June 6th at 11AM, and at noon for each New York City show.
Westport is a small country village located on the western shores of Lake Champlain, approximately halfway between the village of Lake George and city of Plattsburgh, at the intersection of US Route 9N and NYS Route 22.
The 2014 summer series begins on July 3rd at 7:30 pm and continues every Thursday night through August 27th on the hillside amphitheater overlooking Lake Champlain. Each concert is free of charge. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, and patrons are encouraged to bring food to picnic on the grounds. The rain site is across Main Street in the historic chapel of the Westport Heritage House.
“Soundwaves” The 19th Annual Westport Community Concert Series lineup:
July 3: Taylor Haskins’ ‘Fuzzy Logic’ – featuring Ben Monder, guitar with the Meadowmount School of Music String Orchestra July 10: Ryan Montbleau (opening: Jay Fiegl) July 17: Barika July 24: Samuel Torres & Manuel Valera July 31: Meadowmount String Quartets August 7: Joe Brent & Sara Caswell’s ‘9 Horses’ (opening: Staber & Chasnoff) August 14: Michael Chorney & Hollar General – featuring Brett Lanier, pedal steel; Magic City the songs of Sun Ra – 8-piece ensemble – featuring Miriam Bernardo (double bill) August 21: Jason Lindner’s ‘Super Future Griot’ – featuring Nate Smith and Gilmar Gomes August 28: Rebecca Martin & Larry Grenadier
The Capital Region is not short of live music during the summer months. Pay attention and you’ll find some gems, like the free weekly music series hosted by Colonie’s Frank A Leak Amphitheater for the Arts in Cook Park on Tuesdays.
Each concert takes place on a Tuesday throughout the summer starting at 6:30 pm. A different genre of music is represented with each concert, with some artists returning from previous years.
Kicking things off this season will be The Beatles tribute band, Across The Pond, on June 10th. The addition of this band out of Glens Falls seems most apropos with the recent announcement of Paul McCartney playing at Albany’s Times Union Center in July. The remainder of the line-up promises an eclectic assortment; from polka to swing, from Sinatra to The Beatles, and from country to Celtic.
And, speaking of Celtic, the ever-popular Hair of the Dog is slated to close out the series on August 26th.
For map and directions, please visit the Village of Colonie website.
Frank A. Leak Amphitheater Free Concert Series Line-Up: June 10: Across The Pond June 17: Jade June 24: Skeeter Creek July 1: Hallateu July 8: Pipe Kings July 15: Swing Docs July 22: T.S. Ensemble July 29: Grit & Whiskey August 5: Triskele August 12: Electric City Horns August 19: Rymanowski Brothers August 26: Hair of the Dog
We have confirmed with the Times Union Center’s box office that Bret Michael’s will not perform in tonight’s show in Albany.
Bret Michaels’ appearance at this time is still to be determined for a show scheduled in Albany, tonight at 7pm at the Times Union Center. He is slated to perform along with The Charlie Daniels Band and The Marshall Tucker Band.
In a statement yesterday from the Bret Michaels Team, he was diagnosed as having “complications involving insulin shock & severe low blood sugar, along with other conditions which doctors later determined included exhaustion, dehydration, fever and the noro flu virus”.
On Thursday, in Manchester, NH, after three songs into the first set, Michaels became ill and was was immediately rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. Diagnosed since childhood with Type I Diabetes, Bret was unable to stabilize his sugar levels. Friday’s show in Wilkes-Barre, PA was cancelled as Michaels continued to be observed by doctors.
Michaels, performed locally most recently in Verona, NY at The Turing Stone Casino Showroom on April 30th to a sold out crowd. His performance was action packed with an energy level and charisma that was off the charts. Fans of all walks adore him not only because he’s an amazing performer and musician, but because he also is a community oriented performer, and an advocate for several causes, including Petsmart Charities, Operation Homefront, and the American Diabetes Association.
Ticket holders and fans who are interested can follow his progress on his Facebook account and post their well wishes. Those fans who are currently following his progress are continuing their support in his recovery, and whether their shows go on or not doesn’t matter to them, as their love for his well being is their utmost concern. NYS Music Music Guide concurs. Get well soon, Bret.
The Nikon at Jones Beach Theater is one of Long Island’s premiere music venues. A killer stage, a capacity of 2,800 seats, and a beautiful view of the ocean side beach. Everyone needs to experience a show there at least once in their life.
Last Friday, Live Nation unleashed the news that there is a new designated area for drinking called the Backstage Oasis at Jones Beach. Unfortunately, you can’t bring the alcohol you purchases to your seat; however, there are giant monitors, sofas, and additional food truck venders to prevent you from feeling inconvenienced. Better than nothing at all, right?
After years of high demand for the Parks Department at Jones Beach to change their strict alcohol policy at the Nikon, Live Nation formed a committee at the end of 2012 to bring it to an end. As you can see, it seems both parties agreed to a compromise. Nevertheless, The Nikon at Jones Beach Theater finally serves alcohol. Party goers and music lovers rejoice.
