NYS Music 20​14

Tag: Landmark Theatre

  • Celtic Women Emerald Tour Makes Their Final Stop in Syracuse

    As the Celtic Women Emerald Tour crossed the nation, bringing to their fans a production chock-full of Celtic music and dance, those in attendance at The Landmark Theatre on June 8, 2014 in Syracuse, NY were honored to be chosen as the audience to close their eighty-eight show run.

    Celtic Women, a production created in 2004 by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance, features a cast of the most talented vocalists, musicians, and dancers who bring to audiences a celebration of Celtic culture through angelic voices, sounds of traditional celtic instruments, and dances from their beloved home of Ireland.  With a mix of both traditional tunes such as  “Danny Boy” and modern numbers such as “Sail Away” and “You Lift Me Up”, these ladies mesmerize you with their harmonic voices, while being accompanied by the some the most talented musicians on tour.  Recently described by a fan as the “violin vixen”, Mairead Nesbitt commands the stage from the moment she steps foot on it.  As you watch her perform, it’s as if she entrances you with her amazing fiddle playing; she leads you around the stage as though she is the Pied Piper of the fiddle, never to be able to take your eyes off her.  Her energy and ease of playing while constantly moving astounds me each and every time I see the show.  The Emerald Tour featured four highly acclaimed vocalists: Susan McFadden, Mairead Carlin, Lynn Hilary, and Lisa Lambe (who I must add was dearly missed at the Syracuse show by all her fans).  Each of these women have mile-long resume’s under their belts for stage, screen, and recording.  Each a star in their own right, however together, their voices, for a loss of a words, are angelic.  The harmony, the rich mellow tones, the ease in which they sing, can only be what angels sound like.

    This production is A+ when it comes to the lighting, the sound, the musical scores, the background musicians, the choreography, and the dancers.  Too numerous to mention here, but each cast member deserves a standing ovation in their own right as they perform solely and together as a unit.  They seamlessly fit together and it is apparent how much they respect and love working together.  Always a crowd favorite is our friend, Anthony Byrne’s bagpipe solo of Amazing Grace, a number that never loses its emotion when played.  It brings a tear, recalls a loved one, and always brings a standing ovation.

    Another stand out moment during this show was the dance number with the three percussionists on the Cajon drums.  As they accompany the “dance off”  between Craig Ashurst and Nicholas Yenson, the choreography of this piece highlights the superior talents of both percussionists and dancers and makes it one of my favorite moments in the production.  Again, I would be remiss not mention the amazing talent of these two dancers as they defied gravity throughout their numbers the entire show.  Hands down though, it was the elaborate number “Mo Ghile Mear” in which the group really highlights and rises this production to award-winning status.  As the ladies shine through with their angelic voices, the percussionists vie for your approval through a “drum off”, while the background musicians and vocalists accompany them, highlighting their notes and movements.  Throughout this number, the entire cast is on stage holding your attention and demanding your respect as you sit agape at witnessing such superior talent.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcCVjiKfDk8]

    As the production takes a few months off, they will once again hit the road as they tour Brazil and Europe this fall.  With a few North American dates scheduled currently, keep note of new dates being added to towns near you as this is a must-see, spectacular production.  We thank you Celtic Women for the chance to be your final show as you definitely brought down the house.

  • Alice In Chains Level The Landmark Theatre In Syracuse

    Nearly 2,500 people crowded to downtown Syracuse to witness the arrival of Alice In Chains, who made their first appearance Central New York in over a decade at Landmark Theatre. The grunge gods are still releasing great music with the critically acclaimed rock album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here which was released last year and have been touring the world in support of that album.

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    This was my first time ever seeing a rock show at The Landmark Theatre. The place still has an eerie yet beautiful feeling to it due to the historic structure. The entire place is seated and crammed; however, I don’t think anyone cared.

    Canadian hard rockers Monster Truck had the pleasure of opening for Alice In Chains. They graced the stage at 7:30PM, played a very stellar 40 minute set and were well received by the fans. If Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd had a love-child in the modern era of rock music, it would most certainly be Monster Truck. Most of the songs they played were very jazzy with a flare of southern rock. While a very entertaining band, Monster Truck really shined during their slow and bluesy song “Through The Sun.” Their use of drums, guitar, and keyboards along with vocals and bass from Jeremy Widerman makes them a force to be reckoned with. I would expect this band to break out shortly.

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    Alice In Chains started their 18-song set shortly after, with massive production, killer and crystal clear sound, massive stage lights, the whole nine yards. They started off with “Them Bones, ” doing a great job mixing it up between their well known hits, as well as their album cuts and new material. Keeping the tone heavy, they went into “Damn That River” and “Again”, before they went into their new material such as “Check My Brain” and “Hollow.”  Also let me point out that this was the first time during what I call the “Duvall-Era” of Alice In Chains where William Duvall is front and center of the entire band. Duvall has done a sensational job of filling in the shows of arguably one of the greatest singers that ever lived, the late Layne Stanley.

    The highlight of the entire show was “Rain When I Die.” The duel harmonizing vocals of Duvall and Jerry Cantrell is nothing short of amazing. And another highlight was “Nutshell.” Cantrell displayed some of his best lead guitar skills during “Stone” and actually stopped midway through the song to fire up the crowd.   They wrapped their set with their super heavy “We Die Young” before closing with their Vietnam War themed “Rooster.” The band came back out for a three song encore of “No Excuses,” “Got Me Wrong,” and their dark hit “Would.”

    Overall, it was a fantastic show. Easily one of the best hard rock tours of this year. Cantrell addressed the crowd and said they hope to return to Syracuse real soon.

  • Sophistafunk Hosts Landmark Theater’s New Year’s Eve Bash

    The Landmark Theater in Syracuse was the place to be to ring in 2014. Sophistafunk hosted 40 Below’s B(e)LOW-OUT New Year’s Eve Bash and tickets were sold out almost as soon as the show was announced. Everyone in attendance was dressed to the nines for the classiest party in the city that included an open bar, VIP lounge with private DJ, hors d’oeuvres, photo booth, and a silent auction with items from local vendors. Sophistafunk’s keyboarder Adam Gold started the party as DJ, playing tunes ranging from new hip-hop to some old funk and soul standards.

    NYE 3
    photo by Wesley Feuz

    Shortly after 10pm, Jack Brown and crew took the stage to start off the show. The first set was a mix of new songs and old, including crowd favorites, “Gimme Some Space” and “Gotta Walk” featuring keyboard solos by Adam Gold.  For the majority of the first set, the third story stage and dance floor stayed mostly empty. The party’s guests were enjoying gourmet food and deserts and bidding on local goods downstairs until just before midnight, when everyone amassed upstairs for complimentary champagne to bring in the New Year with the band and dance the night away.

    NYE 1
    photo by Wesley Feuz

    After a short break, Sophistafunk turned it up to a new level, bringing the funk they’ve become notorious for. Jack Brown’s progressive lyrics backed by a solid rhythm section, keys, and effects were the perfect vessel for the band’s positive message. “Hard Enough,” from their new album Freedom Is, also seemed to be a fan favorite. Sophistafunk also included some older hip-hop classics from Notorious B.I.G. and “So Fresh and So Clean” by Outkast. The Landmark Theater was home to what proved to be the best party in upstate New York and had the best hip-hop funk trio in existence to make it truly epic.

    NYE 2
    photo by Wesley Feuz