Category: Upcoming Shows

Road to Backwoods: DoomF*ck

The 8th annual Backwoods Pondfest, held in beautiful Adirondack Region of Peru, NY only a short drive from Plattsburgh and neighboring Canada takes place this coming weekend of August 8th and 9th. The 2 day festival will feature live music, art, yoga, hooping classes and new this year, a Disc Golf Tournament. Backwoods Pondfest attracts people from all over the East Coast every year, looking for an intimate festival experience that is family friendly yet knows how to party. The festival offers a large range of musicians, supporting both national and regional acts with this year’s lineup featuring The Manhattan Project, Chali 2na and The house of Vibe, Twiddle, Alan Evans’ Playonbrother, Aqueous, and many more. This “Road to Backwoods” piece will highlight the local improv band, Doomf*ck.

Doomf*ck hails from Plattsburgh, NY with Backwoods Pondfest being right in their own backyard to rage the Tent Stage first thing Saturday morning. There is a consistent rotation of band members with main stable member and bassist Catherine-Harrison-Wurster leading the heavy improv band. The diverse lineup creates a unique show experience each time with a fusion of jazz, punk, funk and simply noise. Doomf*ck will be performing tonight Aug 4 at Club Metronome, located above the historic Nectar’s in Burlington, VT as part of Metal Mondays with RAIL, Mac Swan and Black Holly. Doors are at 9pm with a charge of $5 for 18+ and $3 for 21+ event.

Tickets are still available for Backwoods Pondfest on their site or at any show with Lucid, The Garcia Project, Capital Zen and North Funktree. The last day to purchase tickets online is Tuesday Aug 5th but will be available at the festival at the gate. With early bird tickets already sold out, don’t miss out on your chance to experience Backwoods Pondfest. Be sure to like on Facebook, twitter and Instagram for Backwoods and all your festival coverage.

August 4, 2014
Road to Backwoods: Lucid

Excitement continues to build as one of Upstate’s top music festivals, Backwoods Pondfest, is only a week away. The 8th annual 2 day festival will take place in Peru, NY on August 8 and 9 with live music, car camping, art and much more. Settled way up in the North Country, Backwoods attracts people of all ages from all over the East Coast each year with a family friendly environment and party loving attitude. The lineup is never a disappointment, making this year no different especially with Chali 2na and House of Vibe, Twiddle, Spiritual Rez, Turkuaz, plus many more. This “Road to Backwoods” edition will focus on the band hosting the festival itself, Lucid.

Lucid is versatile enough to perform in small bars or large outdoor stages with a strong stage presence that is fun and captivating. Given their Plattsburgh upbringing, their music is raw and honest that fuse together northern rock, funk and honky-tonk blues. Lucid will perform two sets throughout the festival weekend, an acoustic set on Friday night and an electric late night set on Saturday. This past year, Lucid was the winner of the March Madness tournament, a true testimony to their passionate fan base after going strong for 10 years together. Lucid will be performing TONIGHT at the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs Aug 1, performing two sets starting at 9PM with a $7 cover for the 21+ event where you can also purchase tickets for Backwoods Pondfest.

Tickets are still available for Backwoods Pondfest and can be purchased on their website or at any show featuring The Garcia Project, Capital Zen and North Funktree. Tickets are only $70 including over 20 bands on 2 stages with 2 nights of car camping. Bring a non-perishable good and receive $5 off ticket price if you buy tickets Day of Show. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter for more to come from out “Road to Backwoods” series.

Lucid performing “Crazy Fucked Up World” from Backwoods Pondfest 2013

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybYQHFfPWoQ]

August 1, 2014
Blake Shelton: Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014 Hits Darien Lake Saturday August 2

Blake Shelton, country mega-star, and star of the hit TV show The Voice, brings his current tour, Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014 to Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center on August 2.

When Blake Shelton isn’t working on America’s next big thing with The Voice he is doing his day job, being a large part of the country music scene. Shelton has been nominated five times for a Grammy and since his debut album in 2001 he has been on top of the charts.

The Ten Times Crazier Tour has played the biggest venues and is supported by Neal McCoy, Dan + Shay, and The Band Perry.

Neal McCoy has seven Top 10 hits. And, in contrast to his more than 20 years of touring under his belt, Dan + Shay will be featured as the up and comers to see. The Band Perry have been putting out some solid Top 10 titles since 2005.

Make your plans on heading out to Darien Lake on Saturday for some great music and great times. Tickets can be purchased through Live Nation.

Blake Shelton – “Doin’ What She Likes”

Neal McCoy – ” A-OK”

July 31, 2014
Road to Backwoods: Big Mean Sound Machine

Less than a week until Backwoods Pondfest ignites Upstate, NY with two days and nights of music filled fun. Backwoods offers plenty of live music, car camping, art and much more on August 8-9th, in the beautiful Adirondack North Country. After 8 years, Backwoods knows how to book a kick ass lineup with acts like Chali 2na and House of Vibe, Lucid, Spiritual Rez, Alan Evans Playonbrother, Cabinet, and many more.

Our “Road to Backwoods” series continues with a look at Big Mean Sound Machine from Ithaca, NY. The band is comprised of over a dozen musicians that create a larger than life genre fusing symphony for the mind and body. Their live performances are a high energy afro-funk fest, as their studio work is crisp with tight experimental sonic grooves. Big Mean Sound Machine will be performing this Saturday August 2nd at Seed Stock which takes place at Reeds Seeds in Cortland, NY. The rain or shine all-day event is $20 for 15 bands with music starting at 10:45am and Big Mean Sound Machine at 7:30pm on the Front Stage. Their latest album, Contraband is available for free stream on Facebook or as a digital download for $7, cd for $10 and even vinyl for $20. Get familiar with the fierce and funky machine when they hit the main stage Friday at 5 at Backwoods Pondfest.

Tickets are still available for Backwoods Pondfest and can be purchased on their website here or at any show featuring Lucid, The Garcia Project, Capital Zen and North Funktree. Tickets are only $70 including over 20 bands on 2 stages with 2 nights of car camping. Bring a non-perishible good and receive $5 off ticket price if you buy tickets Day of Show. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter for more to come from out “Road to Backwoods” series.

July 31, 2014
Port Chester to Raise One Last Pint to Black 47

New York City’s own Irish-American rockers Black 47 may be winding down their career at the end of this year, but before they do so they’ll be hitting Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. this Thursday.

Black 47 has had an incredible 25-year career and to cap things off they have recently released their final album, Last Call, this past March. Aside from their latest, they have 16 full-length albums, including a few live recordings.

While Black 47 will be making two more stops in the Hudson Valley (Kingston and Peekskill) before the end of September, a packed house at Garcia’s will prove to be one heck of a party.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at the Capitol Theatre’s website here.

The event is open to 21-years and older, allowing all to raise their pints in the air!

Here’s a track off of Last Call: “The Night the Showbands Died”

July 28, 2014
Peekskill’s 8th Annual Music Festival to Feature The Nighthawks and Local Talent July 25-26

Downtown Peekskill will be the grounds for some great live (and free) music this weekend along with other goodies to go along as the city hosts its 8^th annual Music Festival featuring The Nighthawks.

Kicking off the weekend will be a “Best of the Valley” Battle of the Bands at restaurants and venues throughout the downtown area starting at 7pm Friday evening. The winner (chosen by vote) will be putting on a set on each of the two stages the following day. Over twelve local acts will be vying for the winning set during Saturday’s show.

Saturday’s events run from 12pm-10pm, with music starting at 2. Aside from the music, there will be craft brews, artisan food trucks, street performers, and a car show by the local Road Knights Auto Club. The afternoon and evening of music will be split between two stages – the outdoor Central Avenue Main Stage and the indoor stage at the Paramount Hudson Valley. A unique feature of the day is that each band will do two sets, one on each stage, making it easy to catch all of the performers.

Here’s a highlight of a few of the acts (full schedule follows):

The Nighthawks – now in their 42^nd year, this legendary blues and roots band has recently rocked Peekskill with an opening set for NRBQ at the Paramount.

Livin’ the Blues Band – Southern NY/Northern NJ driving blues rock with Nik Rael on vocals, who opened up for Robert Cray at the Paramount Hudson Valley this past April.

Jessica Lynn – A young talented country/pop singer-songwriter from neighboring Yorktown Heights, NY. Recommended if you like Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, or Rascall Flatts.

Dana Edelman – Yet another local talent, Dana will be adding bluesy singer-songwriter tunes to the afternoon mix.

Central Avenue Main Stage
Rock of Ages Band – 8:30 -10:00
The Nighthawks – 6:45 – 8:00
Livin’ the Blues Band – 5:15 – 6:20
Jessica Lynn – 4:00 – 5:00
Dana Edelman – 3:00 – 3:45
Best of the Valley Winner – 2:00 – 2:45

Paramount Hudson Valley Stage
Best of the Valley Winner 8:00 – 9:00
Dana Edelman 6:30 – 7:35
The Nighthawks 5:00 – 6:05
Livin’ the Blues Band 3:30 – 4:30
Jessica Lynn 2:00 – 3:05

July 25, 2014
Yet Another Big Weekend Coming at Willow Creek Winery July 25-26

Willow Creek Winery will be jumping again this weekend with two days of music. It all starts Friday night July 25, with Badfish-A Tribute to Sublime headlining with special guests Tropidelic and Whiskey Reverb. Saturday will be headlined by Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad with special guests Preach Freedom, Mosaic Foundation, The B-Side Dubs and Funktional Flow.

Badfish-A Tribute To Sublime is a tribute band that was formed in 2001. They have been selling out shows and touring for quite some time and have been giving Sublime fans something to fill their souls since Brad Nowell’s untimely death back in 1996, dissolving Sublime.

Tropidelic who comes from Kent, Ohio, and most recently played at Willow Creek Winery for the 2014 Buffalove Music Festival, won a lot of fans over with their music. Coming back to the same venue should get some fans real pumped up. Combining hip hop, funk, reggae and some cool masks on stage, Tropidelic is surely a must see.

Whisky Reverb will also be the special guest on Friday night, this band was also on this past Buffalove Music Festivals bill. The band hails from Buffalo and has been touring the past few years to about 125 shows a year. They keep evolving and they are becoming a must see band. Check them out and you won’t be disappointed.

If one night isn’t enough music for you, you can camp optionally for 10 dollars and check out the following day full of music with Rochester’s Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Preach Freedom, Mosaic Foundation, The B-Side Dubs and Buffalo’s Funktional Flow. GPSDS produces a psychedelic roots reggae sound that will send jolts through your body of euphoria. The group has been touring extensively the past few years as well as some of the country’s premier festivals. The quintet plays so well with each other adding their own layers together producing an improvisational jam that you will want to be part of.

Preach Freedom brings his soulful happy music to the winery and will get everyone in the right mindset the whole day. Mosaic Foundation comes from the Finger Lakes region, they bring their Roots Reggae to the Winery. The Group is Unique and diverse and will surely get everyone ready for the evening. The B-Side Dubs, whose members all have different musical backgrounds bring it all together producing a groovy reggae tone with a psychedelic vibe.

Willow Creek Winery is no stranger to Funktional Flow, and the band has played their in more than a few occasions. They blew the doors off at Buffalove Music Festival this year, played a great set opening for Conspirator and I would expect no different this coming weekend. You will want to make sure you are front and center when Flow hits the stage. You can grab your tickets through Ticketfly or at the gate.

Band Lineup

Friday: Badfish- A Tribute to Sublime w/ Tropidelic and Whiskey Reverb. Tickets are $18 advance or $24.50 day of the event, the show starts at 6pm.

Saturday: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad w/ Preach Freedom, Funktional Flow, Mosaic Foundation, The B-Side Dubs – $20 advance or $25 day of event, show starts at 2 pm.

July 23, 2014
Oak Mountain Second Annual Bluegrass and Arts Festival

Less than a month away, Adirondack bluegrass lovers are gearing up for the second annual Bluegrass & Arts Festival on August 16, 2014 at the beautiful Oak Mountain Ski Resort. With a full day and evening of festivities planned, attendees are in for a treat.

Oak Mountain Bluegrass & Arts Festival

Oak Mountain Ski Resort is situated in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, in Speculator, NY. This lovely ski lodge is the hub of the Speculator community and surrounding area for seasonal visitors and locals, offering activities year round. Owners, Laura and Matt O’Brien, have outdone themselves in coordinating events for all those in the community from trail races, to skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling competitions and events, snow shoe racing, tubing, cardboard racing, mountain biking, bbq’s, movie nights, Halloween parties, winter carnivals, holiday fairs, fireworks, and live music every chance they can offer it. In addition, this spectacular location is a hub for private weddings and events of all sorts. So it is only fitting to offer to those in the surrounding area an opportunity to enjoy some backwoods music at the most picturesque local.

Oak Mountain Chair Lift Rides

Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival 2013

With a highly successful first year event, they anticipate double the attendance as word has spread of how much fun, and how family friendly this event is for music lovers. Attendees can either purchase day passes for $15, or for $20 they can stay for overnight camping on the mountainside. In addition to a stellar lineup, there are activities planned for the children, and vendors will be on site selling their wares and edibles throughout the day. For those wishing a full meal, there is an on site full kitchen making some of the most delicious meals available in the area. With Saratoga Eagle sponsoring the beer and wine, patrons can choose between Bud Light, Davidson’s, Paradox, Widmer, or Shipyard- Pumpkinhead, as well as the fully stocked bar in the clubhouse.

Oak Mountain Cuisine

The lineup begins at 12:30pm with Swampcandy taking the stage, followed at 3:00pm with the Remsen Social Club who played last year’s event, then at 5:30pm The Old Main (aka The Birdseed Bandits) will take the stage, followed at 8pm by Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, and to finish out the night is crowd favorites Nick, Nigel, and Braids from Floodwood to cap off the amazing evening of music.

The Old Main

Nick & Braids

Tickets can be purchased online at http://oakmountainski.com/home/ or at the Oak Mountain Ski Resort. Do not wait till the last-minute to join us at Oak Mountain’s Second Annual Bluegrass & Arts Festival.

July 22, 2014
Find Family, Friends, Charity and Fun This Weekend at The Gathering at Chaffee’s

Most festival’s are lucky to get past their first year nowadays, the ones that hold longevity often do it deservedly and the 34th annual Gathering at Chaffee’s is no exception. Along with the storied history, the 2 day festival’s proceeds have always gone to charity, specifically the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie, PA.

Held just a hop skip and a 20 mile jump west of Erie, PA on the expansive land of the Chaffee family, this 2 day affair offers on site car camping, explorations through the woods, vendors, on site local beer tasting from Lavery Brewery and local home brewers (10$ for unlimited samples while supplies last) and a whole lot of excellent music. Beyond that, whether you’re a first timer or have been coming for years, you will find one of the friendliest group of festival denizens just about anywhere. Upgrades this year include a 100’x40′ party tent lit up with visuals and morning “hangover” yoga on Saturday.

Things will kick off at 2:30 Friday afternoon with a duo of Erie based bands. The experimental “little bit of everything” sounds of Triage Unit will be followed by the hard bluesy rock of Special Guest. After the locals, the tasteful jamtronica of Ohio’s Broccoli Samurai will make way for the funk bombs of Massachusetts Funktapuss. Eric Brewer and “Phriends” will bring it back to the local scene with a Phish tribute set and Buffalo’s red-hot groove machine Aqueous will headline Friday for the second straight year.

Things start-up earlier Saturday at 11AM with six straight locally based bands – the alt-rock of Falling Moira, the Trohoske Grey Jazz Trio, This American Songs americana, the hip hop jam of The L.E.C., Gnosis’s electronica, and arguably Erie’s biggest band, Falling Hollywood. North Carolina’s BIG Something will start the heavy jamming for the night. Twenty year vets and often moe. contributors Conehead Buddha will then set thing up for the nights two headliners – Ithaca’s Jimkata and Boston’s Spiritual Rez.

Make your weekend a gathering! Only 50$ at the gate and online, including free camping, parking and unlimited awesomeness. And remember, try to have some extra fun, because after all, it’s for the kids!

Funktapuss from the 2013 Gathering

July 22, 2014
Hop Aboard the Blues Express Train and Enjoy Music Under the Stars With Moon Boot Lover

The Cooperstown area has proven to be quite the stomping grounds for fun musical entertainment so far this year, so why not visit again for the unique experience of a blues cruise on land? Every Saturday night during the summer, the Cooperstown Blues Express Train provides a three-hour rocking blues party onboard a train that rolls you through the gorgeous countryside between Milford and Cooperstown. The bands perform on the rear car of the train, which is “open air” on nice evenings, allowing you to fully take in the scenery and the stars, but can be covered in the event of rain. Food and drinks are available as well throughout the ride in the bar car. There is a nice space set up in front of the stage to dance around, but if you do find yourself needing to sit down and grab a bite inside the train, the music can still be heard via speakers. Continuing its tradition of hosting both local and well-known national blues bands, the Cooperstown Blues Express Train is proud to be presenting Peter Prince and Moon Boot Lover on July 26!

Described by Peter Prince himself as “Rock-ET Soul” music, Moon Boot Lover can be thought of as rock ‘n’ roll at its finest, truly embodying the spirit and showmanship of the genre, influenced by such diverse musical acts as Al Green, Jimi Hendrix, Grand Funk Railroad, and Led Zeppelin. From their beginnings sometime in 1993 in New York City, Moon Boot Lover’s lineup is constantly rotating, but their sound is always awe-inspiring and invigorating, giving the audience a taste of music alternating between blues and rock with a good amount of jam mixed in for good measure. Seeing Moon Boot Lover live is a whole lot like going to the moon and back! The band will be bringing with them their lighting designer, Aaron Hunt, who is working on getting additional lights for this ride, making for an even more spacey and psychedelic experience. The band will be touring later this summer in support of Conehead Buddha, another great band who got their start in the ‘90s.

For those of you who have had their interests peaked, make sure to arrive at the Milford Train Depot at 6:30PM, as the train leaves the station at 7:00PM sharp, which gives riders the opportunity to see the countryside in the daylight for the first part of the ride. This event is open to those 21 and older, and be sure to have cash on hand, as this is a cash-only affair. Tickets cost $18, which is more than fair for the three-hour experience you are sure to enjoy on this blues cruise. Later on this summer, the Blues Express Train will be hosting Rhett Tyler and Early Warning on August 23, Blue Hand Luke on September 13, and the Hop City Hellcats on September 20, but be sure to check out schedule for a more complete lineup. Hope to see lots of you on the train!

July 16, 2014