Category: Western NY

moe. Auction For a Good Cause

Earlier this month Buffalo jam band, moe., is auctioned off Vinnie Amico’s Pooch Drumhead, to donate the proceeds to the family of one of the children featured in one of their recent videos.

Haley, a 12-year-old girl who was in the “Blond Hair, Blue Eye’s” music video, suffered a spinal stroke in May. The band reported that she was struggling but continuing to strive. She is partially paralyzed on her right side. She loves music and is an athlete and needs everyone’s help.

The drumhead is used and will be signed by the entire band during their July 2014 tour. You can read more about Haley’s story by visiting haleyshealing.org.

moe. recently announced additions to their fall tour, including stops in Montreal and Toronto September 14 and 16.

Pre-sale ticketing goes on sale 7/9 10am ET through moe.ticketing

FALL DATES

9-12- Orono, Maine- Collins Center for the Arts
9-13- Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada- Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival
9-14- Montreal, Quebec, Canada- Virgin Mobil Corona Theatre
9-16- Toronto, Quebec, Canada- The Mod Club
9-18- Peoria, Illinois- CEFCU Center Stage
9-19- Royal Oak, Michigan- Royal Oak Music Theatre
9-20- Cincinnati, Ohio- Moonlite Gardens

Support the moe auction!

July 21, 2014
Foreigner Taps Local Talent for Performance at CMAC

Mick Jones of Foreigner

The picturesque venue of Canandaigua Music and Arts Center, CMAC, located about 20 minutes outside of Rochester N.Y. was the setting for Don Felder, Styx and headliner Foreigner.

What stole the show was when Foreigner brought the Canandaigua Academy Jazz Choir on stage with them for a song. The Choir had been asked by Lou Gramm to sing with him at the Rochester Jazz Fest and later was asked by a representative from Foreigner to be the choir vocals in the hit 90’s ballad song “I Want to Know What Love Is”, which was gladly accepted by Amy Story, Academy Choral Director.

The stage is set under the shell with seating. Typically, no one is allowed to stand in the aisle that is in front the first row seating; an exception was made for this special occasion. Both supporters of the choir and fans of Foreigner crowded up to the front to get an up close, personal view and experience. The second to last song in Foreigner’s set, the choir came on the stage. The facial expressions and radiant glow from the smile of the choir member faces was contagious. The voices of the inspired younger generations seemed to exude the emotions of appreciation for the opportunity Foreigner had given them.

Sounds of voices quickly filled the air and were received with an energetic welcoming enthusiasm from Foreigner. The audience was feeding off the energy from everyone on the stage. By the looks from one gentleman in the front row, he had enough energy for the entire audience. He was proudly looking with a twinkle in his eyes at the stage as he stretched one arm out in front of him, singing with all his heart. This gentleman could only have been a proud Papa bear by the amount emotion that he was watching someone up on stage. The choir was professional the entire evening and did a tremendous job and were truly wonderful ambassadors for their school.

Kelly Hansen (Foreigner) and the Canandaigua Academy Jazz Choir

Although the choir stole the show, Foreigner was a class act and there is more to be said than just a great performance by these guys. They covered the stage like they were 16 years old still. Running from one side to the next, playing up to the audience. The interacted with the choir and made sure the focus was about them. Foreigner is a group of musicians that are quality people. They gave to a community; to a group of young adults by providing an incredible opportunity to perform with such a large act, instilling a memory that so many more than just the choir will never forget, impacted lives by just being able to experience and see that performance. If only more musicians and people could be like this the world would be a better place. Photo credit: Tony DeLeo

July 21, 2014
Phish in Canandaigua: Cuddly But Muscular

The 2014 summer tour from Phish continues to be an ever-unravelling adventure in setlist construction and jam sequences. The show at Canandaigua on Tuesday was no exception. Launching into the rarity “Buried Alive” right out of the gates, the foursome then segued into an oddly placed but adventurous first-set “Twist”, clocking in just over 8 minutes. From there, Phish went right into straight-forward versions of “Heavy Things”, “555” (the first of 4 tracks off the new album Fuego) and “Halley’s Comet” before really finding their stride for what was potentially the most focused closing 2^nd half of a first-set the band has played this summer tour. Starting at 8:06 p.m., When they started Bathtub Gin and really not letting up until the closing notes of David Bowie at 9 p.m., the band painted a melodic canvas for 54 minutes straight swaying in an out of intensity and exploration until the set finished.

Harkening back to the aforementioned adventurous setlists, this writer can assuredly say pre summer-tour, he would not be clamoring to ooze compliments over a “Bathtub Gin”, “Wingsuit”, “Divided Sky”, “Wombat”, “David Bowie” First set closer. However, it as if Phish, whether it be intentionally or serendipitously, is beginning to find their footing for the new Fuego tracks. The Canandaigua setlist did not contain one cover and had a ton of new material, so it could be argued the band is carefully, and strategically trying to integrate the new material into their setlists, that in many ways in recent years, had become very predictable.

Of note from the end of this first set, was the 17 minute “Divided Sky”, which seemed to perfectly jive with the divided sky and piercing sunset over Canandaigua Lake at the same time. This version is definitely a top-3 version from the 3.0 era. Another impressive showing also came from “Wombat” (clocking in at over 7 minutes) which has quickly risen to be a ridiculously fun dance number with bassist Gordon and keyboardist McConnell having enjoyable interplay. This has got to be one of the silliest, yet funkiest phish songs to come out of the barn in the past decade with the chorus “Cuddly, but muscular.” The entire pavilion inside of CMAC was getting down with many observed to be thrusting their Wombat wings in almost mock Chicken-dance and shadowing the original Wombat strut from Abe Vigoda from last year’s Halloween set. The jam was shorter than many of us would have liked but was a tight little package of funk. Definitely: one of the “jammiest” highlights of the night.

The second set began with a monstrous “Down With Disease” that ebbed and flowed from a laid back sonic sound scape to an intense funky jam with Page McConnell crushing several sections of the arrangement with powerful keystrokes. All told, the DWD clocked in just over 20 minutes and was truly a playground of emotions. It perfectly summarized where this band is at on this summer tour installment. Seemingly firing on all cylinders, Phish has is leaving predictability aside and blazing new trails, especially in the song selection and placement in the second set, specifically the previously notable 2^nd set, 2^nd song which had previously been “thee slot” to expect an exploration. That continued Tuesday at CMAC when the band, coming off the heels of the raucous DWD, eased into a shortened “Back on the Train”.

The second set continued in this quick-hitting fashion but never officially stopping and starting an arrangement and seguing set start to finish. Albeit short affairs with a 6 minute “Back on the Train”, a 5 min “NICU” (first one of summer tour), an 8-min “Theme from the Bottom” and a 5 minute “Meatstick”, the set truly felt like one big melodic jam with a 9-minute “Gotta Jiboo” and a 10+ minute “Fuego” taking center stage before a longer than 2014 summer-tour standard “Run Like an Antelope” brought what was one, very cohesive set and show to a close. The encore was “Character Zero” and the band quickly exited the stage to hit the long overnight trip to Detroit for next show on the tour.

July 21, 2014
Live Music at Frost Ridge This Summer?

Frost Ridge and other parties are embroiled in a legal battle over amplified music hosted at Le Roy campground are awaiting a decision to reverse a preliminary injunction levied by the State Supreme Court back in May.

State Supreme Court Justice Robert Noonan was expected to release a written decision last week, but reportedly needs more information.

No date for a follow-up hearing has been announced.

Attorneys for Frost Ridge Campgrounds asked the court to reverse the decision because the owners want to hold their annual concert series at the campground. Since the injunction, they have organized shows at alternative sites.

The injunction issued in May was in response to lawsuits from the Town of Le Roy. New information presented the court shows the Zoning Board of Appeals determined that Frost Ridge was being operated in 2013 within the bounds of its use.

Ownership of the grounds has changed hands the past several years. The Luetticke-Archbell family purchased the grounds in 2008. In doing so, there was no apparent confusion over how the land could be used, due in part to a 1998 decision by the town’s zoning board of appeals. As the land was being sold then the ZBA was asked to clarify how it was zoned. The board supposedly responded by viewing the activities on the grounds as “preexisting nonconforming”, as the nature of their business was established before the town devised a master plan in 1967.

Since 2012, Luetticke-Archbell have established a healthy summer music festival, luring music talents from across the country. According to the campground’s website, music has been played there since it was known primarily as a ski lodge. The campgrounds, according to the two brothers, were established in 1963.

The town, citing from their records, see only the ski lodge as being grandfathered into their zoning plans. Everything else, after 1967, would require a use variance, which would ultimately be granted through a review of the town board.

In addition to the on-going lawsuit, the Luetticke-Archbell family suffered the loss of their home by fire over the July 4th holiday weekend. The cause of the fire is reportedly undetermined.

Featured photo: The Farm, as they performed at the Frost Ridge Campgrounds in 2013. The picture was shared on the campgrounds’ Facebook page.

Sources: The Batavian, WBTA 1490

July 20, 2014
Halestorm to Perform at Town Ballroom

Grammy award winners, Halestorm recently announced they would be playing at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom on November 24th.

Halestorm has toured with rock and metal’s biggest bands, Shinedown, Stone Sour, Disturbed, Megadeth, Papa Roach and Godsmack. This year, they have stretched out their sphere of influence, having played a few selected dates with country singer, Eric Church.

The band scored two Top 10 singles from their debut, self-titled album, “I Get Off” and “It’s Not You”.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 18 at noon at TicketFly and Town Ballroom box office.

Check out Halestorm on their 2014 North American Tour:

7/18 — Oshkosh, Wis. — Rock USA
8/1 — Clearfield, Pa. — Clearfield County Fair
8/2 — Syracuse, N.Y. — KRockathon
8/3 — Mescalero, N.M. — Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino
8/15 — Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa State Fair Grandstand
8/16 — Sedalia, Mo. — Missouri State Fair
8/28 — Comstock Park, Mich. — Fifth Third Ballpark (w/ Theory of a Deadman)
9/27 — Baltimore, Md. — Shindig Festival
9/29 — New York, N.Y. — Terminal 5
9/30 — Watertown, N.Y. — McVean Gymnasium @ Jefferson
11/11 — Chattanooga, Tenn. — Track 29
11/12 — Knoxville, Tenn. — The International
11/14 — St. Petersburg, Fla. — Mahaffey Theater
11/15 — Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. — Revolution
11/16 — Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — House of Blues Orlando
11/18 — Louisville, Ky. — Mercury Ballroom
11/20 — Green Bay, Wis. — Resch Center**
11/21 — Peoria, Ill. — Civic Center**
11/22 — Evansville, Ind. — Ford Center**
11/24 — Buffalo, N.Y. — Town Ballroom
11/25 — Westbury, N.Y. — The Space at Westbury
11/28 — Sayreville, N.J. — Starland Ballroom
11/29 — Worcester, Mass. — The Palladium
12/1 — Cincinnati, Ohio — Bogart’s
12/4 — Wichita, Kan. — INTRUST Bank Arena**
12/5 — Kansas City, Mo. — Sprint Center**
12/6 — Sioux Falls, S.D. — Denny Sanford Premier Center**
12/8 — Memphis, Tenn. — Minglewood Hall
12/9 — Baton Rouge, La. — Varsity Theatre
12/11 — Duluth, Ga. — Arena at Gwinnett Center**
12/12 — Greenville, S.C. — Bon Secours Wellness Arena**
12/13 — Birmingham, Ala. –BJCC Arena**

** supporting Eric Church

July 17, 2014
Drake vs Lil Wayne tour kicks off at Darien Lake

Once again Hip Hop superstars Drake and Lil Wayne will hit some of their usual spots this summer as they bring their “Vs” tour to New York State.

Drake performing at the Sound Academy in Toronto in 2011. (Shot by Drew: Drake (The Come Up Show))

The unique tour was named “Vs” because both artists will not only play their hits, but at different points of the show, the artist will join each other on stage and collaborate with one another.

Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, N.Y will get the first show of the tour on Friday August 8th. Other N.Y dates will include Tuesday, August 12th at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga, N.Y and Tuesday, August 19th at the Forest Hills Stadium in Forest Hills, N.Y.

July 17, 2014
Justin Timberlake was Worth the Wait in Buffalo, NY

Justin Timberlake apologized from the start saying, “We owe the city of Buffalo, so tonight we’re gonna give it to ya.” Fans had been eagerly anticipating his performance since the postponement of the original concert date five months ago in February 2014. With cool confidence and smooth moves Timberlake poured himself into a stellar three-hour performance at the sold out First Niagara Center.

The ambitious world tour dubbed, “The 20/20 Experience”, boasted pure energy from start to finish. Along with his band, the Tennessee kids, JT dazzled the insatiable fans with nearly 30 songs including favorites, “My Love”, “Cry Me A River” & “SexyBack”.

Looking dashing as always, Timberlake owned the crowd with slide and swagger that only built as the night went on. During the second set, the crowd went wild when the front of the stage detached and transported JT, along with four back up singers, over the floor seats to the back of the arena.

Timberlake paid homage to influential legends when he covered Elvis Presley’s “Heart Break Hotel”, Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” – and took a moment to toast deceased Buffalo Bills founder Ralph Wilson saying, “Here’s to better late than never. Y’all know I’m a big sports fan. So, we’re going to do this one for Ralph Wilson.” If there was anyone left in Buffalo that didn’t love JT already, his toast to Wilson surely won them over.

Clearly a born entertainer, Timberlake seduced the crowd with ease. With boyish charm and undeniable talent, he proved to Buffalo that he was well worth the wait.

Set 1: Pusher Love Girl, Gimme What I don’t Know (I Want), Rock Your Body, Future Sex/Love Sound, Like I Love You, My Love, TKO, Summer Love, LoveStoned, Until the End of Time, Holy Grail (Jay Z cover), Cry Me a River

Set 2: Only When I Walk Away, Drink You Away, Tunnel Vision, Senorita, Let the Groove Get In, Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley cover), Not a Bad Thing, Human Nature (Michael Jackson cover), What Goes Around…Comes Around, Take Back the Night, Jungle Boogie (Kool & the Gang cover), Murder, Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe cover), Suit & Tie, SexyBack, Mirrors

July 15, 2014
Deltron 3030 Takes Buffalo Back to the Future

Seeing a band or artist for the first time can be a unique high that is only escalated by how long you’ve waited to finally catch them. It’s quite rare though for that personal experience to be shared by an entire room. As the futuristic rap group Deltron 3030 ascended upon Buffalo this past Friday, it’s likely that the majority of the crowd was collectively sharing a moment of seeing a longtime favorite for the first time, at the same time. Walking into the Waiting Room in Buffalo, you could feel that energy of built-up anticipation. The hype for Deltron was everywhere with small groups arguing over his best track and why he ever went on hiatus. Regardless of the reason, Del was in Buffalo and, judging on how packed the venue was, every die-hard in the city was clearly not missing this one.

Kid Koala, Del’s trusted turntablist, played a DJ set before the full group joined him onstage. For most DJ’s that open up for a group or band, they are typically there to warm up the crowd who is usually less than interested. This was not the case tonight as hip hop appreciators from around the city came out in droves and weren’t just going to grab another drink while waiting for the main act. The sea of heads nodded to every scratch as the Kid took to three separate decks. As if for only a taste of what was to come, beats were served up raw, giving samples of samples while juggling all that was coming out of the speakers. Kid Koala’s prowess was immediately noticed as he sliced and spliced his way through his set. As it ended, the crowd bellowed in enthusiasm and appreciation for how he started things off.

With Del up next, nobody seemed to move during set-break. For anyone who thought they’d be able to sneak up to the front, like me, they were sadly mistaken as everyone was holding their ground for the best seat possible. The crowd continued to bob their heads through the intermission as whoever was in control of the house music knew exactly what to play. Classic hip hop from A Tribe Called Quest was sent blasting through the speakers with songs from their ’93 album Midnight Marauders like “Sucka N***a”, “Midnight”, and “Electric Relaxation” all playing back to back. True hip hop is alive and well in America, you just have to know where to find it. We can only hope that with this many appreciators in Buffalo alone, that groups like Deltron 3030 eventually make it back to the top.

As each song finished, every head would turn towards the stage before another would begin to play over the PA. You could feel the tension across the room as everyone wanted to make sure they were ready to catch the first glimpse of Del when he finally walked out. Kid Koala and Dan the Automator were the first ones onstage along with, oddly enough, a full band. There were instruments setup from the time everyone walked in, yet it still took everyone by surprise when band members began picking up their instruments. As Del prepared to make his grand entrance, Kid Koala started spinning “State of the Nation”. Del the Funky Homosapien came out on fire as he launched into “3030” and “Positive Contact”, immediately feeding off of the crowd’s bursting energy. His older rhymes might be dated, technically, but they’re still just as relevant today as they were fourteen years ago. Everyone in the room was expecting Del, Automator, and Koala on their own, but with the band, the music from the past decade plus came alive through full instrumentation.

With so much love and appreciation filling the room throughout the entire night, the group made their way through a mix of songs from their two-album catalog. Kid Koala continued to showcase his skills, switching records mid-song and doing some serious scratching. The ying to Koala’s yang is Dan the Automator. While Kid Koala is a traditional DJ, employing three turntable decks, Dan the Automator embodies the next evolution, utilizing multiple gadgets and adding to the futuristic vision that’s realized through Del’s words. The group wasn’t leaving anything on the table for their first show in Buffalo.

About midway through the set, the group asked for some crowd participation during the new track “Nobody Can”. Dan the Automator asked the crowd to sing along with “Deltron is our hero/If he can’t do it, nobody can”. Del ripped into the intro, swiftly spitting and reinforcing the crowd’s anthem. The room was hotter than it had ever been, but that didn’t stop anyone from moving or getting down. As Deltron 3030 touched on old favorites like “Mastermind”, it was clear the crowd still preferred the old tracks with cell phones being taken out regularly to capture the moment. Throughout then night, the entire group brought so much energy to the stage. Hearing Del’s words live after listening so many times was electrifying, and you could tell the crowd was just absorbing that and giving it right back.

Taking a break, the band and Del left the stage to regroup. Dan the Automator stayed on with Kid Koala as Dan wanted to bring some much-deserved attention to the Kid. He specifically called out that the DJ only spins vinyl, poking a little fun at himself in the process. He went on, describing the inherent risk in Koala’s job as the needle can skip due to crowd noise. The paradox is that it’s the greatest shame for him to have his needle skip as he takes great precaution to stop that, yet it’s the biggest honor when the crowd is going crazy enough to make it do that. Kid Koala then dove into a solo segment like nothing I’ve ever seen live. His ability alone left a lot of jaws open, and upon finishing, had the crowd in a downright uproar.

After coming back out and playing a few more, Deltron 3030 finished up their set with a huge favorite in “Memory Loss”. For everyone who had the album version engrained in their brain over the years, being able to see it live was a real treat. You could see how much Del was enjoying the show as well with frequent grins and clearly giving it his all on the closer. As the song finished up, there was no way the crowd was going to let the group just go home. With some of the loudest cheering I’ve ever heard at a smaller venue, Deltron 3030 happily came back out for a two-song encore of new song “Do You Remember?” and the Gorillaz track “Clint Eastwood” to close out an incredible night of historic futurism.

As Kid Koala spun his turntables into a swirling build, it sounded as though the futuristic spacecraft known as Deltron 3030 was taking off again, leaving the crowd left to wonder when they would see the group again. I can’t say I’ve ever been to a show like this one where eagerness, anticipation, history, and appreciation ran so deep. Knowing it was the first time many in the room got to see Deltron 3030, it’s tough to say if I’ll ever run into those same circumstances; maybe in the future though we can all do it again.

Set #1: State of the Nation, 3030, Positive Contact, Stardate, Pay the Price, Nobody Can, Mastermind, Melding of the Minds, The Agony

<DJ Kid Koala Solo>

Set #2: Virus, Madness, City Rising from the Ashes, Memory Loss

Encore: Do You Remember?, Clint Eastwood

July 14, 2014
Phish return to CMAC after four year wait

Just before Phish sinks their toes into the ground and sets a different course for the Midwestern leg of their 2014 Summer Tour, The Vermont quartet will leave the Big Apple for greener pastures for one more Upstate stop in the Finger Lakes. Their pit-stop into Canandaigua Performing Arts Center (CMAC) Tuesday, July 15th will mark the 5th time Phish has visited Canandaigua; albeit only the 1st time in the past four years.

poster by Jeff Soto

Thus far on the 2014 Summer Tour, the band has charted new territory by perhaps placing their single-most ever determined focus on their new material, off their recently released album “Fuego.” Before the Phish faithful started hitting the message boards with “Mehs” and groans of disapproval, the first 6 shows of this tour beg phans to listen to the already interesting song combinations, cleverly slotted new album material, and in spots, those dirty, spacey jams all of us jaded vets drool over. In addition to the most recent shows at the Mann in Philadelphia and tour opener in Mansfield, Ma., Phish continued to recently please their “Upstate Base” with 3 consistent nights at SPAC in Saratoga Springs, NY over July fourth weekend, at what has evolved as the real summer home base for the band from Burlington.

In addition to staying true to his pre-tour omen of limited cover material this tour, Frontman Trey Anastasio and crew have mostly refrained from traditional second set opening favorites “Crosseyed and Painless” and “Golden Age”, despite the Mann 2nd night’s Crosseyed. The band really seems to be in their place, really focused on their core material, spanning the past 30 years and with their new material from “Fuego” – with the title song “Fuego” really showing some tentacles as the band’s next true jam vehicle.

Canandaigua is no stranger to the strange when it comes to Phish. Informally known as the “Fleezer” show (derived from combining Finger Lakes and Tweezer) from June 22, 1995, and this NYS Music Contributor’s first show, Phish dropped an almost entire Tweezer 2nd set. Surprises could still be in store for the CMAC as Phish has been known to drop serious sleeper setlists for shows that have yet to sell out.

Note to NYS Music readers: Tickets are still available for the Canandaigua show.

July 10, 2014
Willow Creek Winery Gets Electric This Weekend

If you’re experiencing any type of power loss this weekend there is a very good chance it is being drawn to Silver Creek, NY at Willow Creek Winery. This weekend the Winery and Buffalive Productions will be hosting two days of music that will surely get everyone raging.

Friday starts things off with Conspirator, which was started back in 2004. The group was formed by Disco Biscuits members Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein and DJ Omen. The group has seen some solid success in the festival circuits and in 2012 was joined by RAQ’s Chris Michetti and Pendulum’s KJ Swaka. The group will be sure to give you the full dance treatment and a fantastic electronica experience.

Opening the show will be Buffalo’s own Funktional Flow and if anyone saw them at 2014’s Buffalove Music Festival a few weeks back will tell you, get there early to see this band, they have stepped up big time and are on the way to something big. Jamestown’s Notixx rounds out the lineup for Friday night. Ryan Sinatra will get you moving with his electronic experience that will keep you wanting more.

If Friday isn’t enough for you, and I am sure it won’t be, the weekend continues with Saturday’s Electric Odyssey. The event starts at 12pm with two stages and music from 13 acts. If your camping there is a special treat with music going until the sunrise.

Schedule Of Events

Side Stage:
12pm-1pm – JennaBeatz
1pm-2pm – Chuck Latona vs. Mix Master Bates
3pm-3:45pm – Brian TheVerdict Atzrott
4:45pm-5:30pm – Medison
7pm-8pm – NeckBrace
9:30pm-10:30pm – Space Junk
12:15am-1:15am – DJ Big Basha

Main Stage:
2pm-3pm – Odyssey Superjam
3:45-4:45 – Mister F
5:30pm-7pm – The Manhattan Project
8pm-9:30pm – DrFameus
10:30pm-12:15am – Notixx

LATE NIGHT AFTER PARTY (CAMPERS ONLY):
1:15am-3:30am – The Manhattan Project>Mister F (Segue Set)
3:30am-SUNRISE – Sonder Sunrise Set!

It looks to be a great weekend at a great venue! Hope to see everyone out there this weekend.

Tickets for Friday can be purchased here $20/$26.50

Tickets for Saturday can be purchased here $18/$25

Onsite camping will be available for $10 per person/per night

July 9, 2014