Category: Genres

Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival: A Solid Way to Kick off Summer

In the foothills of the Berkshire mountains, lies the quaint town of North Adams, Massachusetts. In a town known for its fine dining, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a plethora of museums, one of its finest landmarks is Mass MOCA, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. With its unique design and set up, this museum is one of a kind. Making it even more special is the Solid Sound Festival, where every other summer is a home of Wilco’s.

A festival unlike any other, Solid Sound features a very family friendly atmosphere as well as some of the best musical acts, both known (NRBQ) and on the rise (Parquet Courts). Run like a well-oiled machine, there are parking lots set up across town and school buses running shuttles. There are many different performance venues set up throughout the museum. Joe’s field, the largest, is a beautiful field with a river running on one side of it and a train chugging along on the other.

The sign has moved!!!#solidsoundfest

A photo posted by NYS Music (@nystatemusic) on Jun 27, 2015 at 12:08pm PDT

On Friday night, Real Estate, a band hailing from New Jersey, started things off on Joes Field. Their melodic shoe gazer sound captivated the audience. Next up were Solid Sound curators, Wilco. Making this night particularly unique, Wilco would go unplugged – a undertaking the 20 year old band had never taken on before. The band opened their set with “Misunderstood,” a sing a long classic from the Wilco archives. Much of the set would follow suit. As Wilco front man, Jeff Tweedy said “they’ll bring the rock tomorrow night.” This caused a mighty stir from the audience. As they raised their arms and sang along to “She’s a Jar,” I’m always in love” and “Kamera,” the audience was left to wonder: What would be left for the next night? There was plenty and the festivities were just beginning. As the fresh morning air blew over North Adams Saturday morning, there was a feeling of togetherness throughout the town. As we first walked into the museum courtyard there was a blue grass group playing freely, unfettered by equipment or speakers. It was a sight to see.

Walking into the museum lobby, it was hard to decide in which direction to explore first. The comedy group, Superego, was performing in the Hunter Center – it was a mixture of funny and not so funny. The act was peppered with corny improvisation that seemingly only make sense to the performers, because they were the only ones laughing. They tried though, and it is possible a select portion of the crowd enjoyed this – there is something for everyone! Ryley Walker, a Chicago native, started off Saturday’s music program. With his Nick Drake-like voice and harmonies, Walker was the perfect way to musically kick off the Day’s festivities. His passion infused every word, captivating the crowd from the depths of his soul. The audience could not turn away as they knew they were in for a great day of music. LULUC, an Australian duo made up of Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett, occupied Courtyard D, a midsized viewing area. Their sound was quite unquiet, with strong soothing lyrics coming from Randall’s beautiful voice. The peaceful guitar on top of melodic vocals just had the audience in awe. They hit their stride and stayed there throughout their set.

LULUC harmoniously welcome the afternoon. #solidsoundfest

A photo posted by NYS Music (@nystatemusic) on Jun 27, 2015 at 9:54am PDT

NRBQ, a band who has been around nearly fifty years, put on a party in the late afternoon. Courtyard D went from melodic to Mayhem. With wailing saxophones and screaming guitars, NRBQ brought the ingredients to have a a good time.

NRBQ#solidsoundfest

A photo posted by NYS Music (@nystatemusic) on Jun 27, 2015 at 12:08pm PDT

The Parquet Courts, led by the voice of A. Savage, were the stand out surprise of the festival. People were bopping to the music at this special treat, swaying back and forth. The audience embraced the sound wholeheartedly, agog that this act was exceeding all expectations. By the end of the set, Savage’s vocals screaming through the air had the whole front of the stage jumping up and down, while the rest of the crowd was all smiles.

As the clouds thickened overhead, Wilco decided to move up their set times by an hour, not wanting to have a repeat of their second Solid Sound festival – it rained, it rained a lot. So Mac Demarco and crew took stage on Joes field. Cultivating a rocking sound that held the audience, Mac got the saturated crowd ready for Wilco.

With rain making a steadier presence and the temperature beginning to drop, Wilco fans, ponchos and all, came out in droves to see the men of the hour. After promising a rocking evening the night, Jeff Tweedy delivered and “Art of almost,” “Impossible Germany” and “Ashes of American Flags” were prime examples. With soaring solos from guitarist Nels Cline, and a whole aura of musicianship, Wilco showcased a tight band. There seemed very little they could do to make the audience any happier, unless, of course, they could have stopped the rain!

Sunday was a very relaxing day. The vibe throughout the museum was satisfaction and amazement at some of the galleries displayed. The Hunter Center was very happy to play host to The Autumn Defense and the Windy hills, featuring Johns Straitt and Pat Sansone of Wilco, who dedicated a set to the cult surfer classic Spirit of Akasha. This highlighted creativity and style that a fan may not have seen just watching a Wilco show.

Upstate New Yorkers,The Felice Brothers took the staged at Courtyard C to play a set of their unique style. Their storytelling was just that – telling. It was as if you were following them through their journey as they paved the way with their lyrics. People bobbed and waved, and exuded genuine happiness.

The final act of the festival was Tweedy, and Friends. The first half of the set featured the band Tweedy, highlighting Jeff and his son, Spencer. The second half of the set included almost every musician who played over the weekend – Ryley Walker, LULUC, Cibbo Matto, The Feelice Brothers, and all of the members of Wilco in one form of another. This collaboration was a great way to close out the festivities. Seeing the family on stage mirrored by the family-focused vibe of the whole weekend, this set brought everything full circle and it was done delightfully.

July 23, 2015
The Little Venue That Could: Why Broadway Joe’s Deserves More Respect

It’s hard to come across a band from the Western New York area who hasn’t played a show at Broadway Joe’s Bar and Grille. At the same time, it’s hard to attend a show in the Western New York area without hearing at least one person talking the venue down. “It’s too small”, “It’s poorly run”, “It’s shit”, are the usual complaints I overhear from various show goers. But I respectfully disagree with just about every bit of criticism I’ve ever heard about the place. That’s why I’m appointing myself the public defender of Broadway Joe’s in the Buffalo, New York metal scene’s courtroom.

With venues shutting down left and right in this area, both national and local metal acts in and around Buffalo are left with very few options. But for many years now, Broadway Joe’s has been there to host the shows that no one else will. Hundreds, probably thousands of metal acts by now have graced their stage and had successful shows. Over the last ten years, I’ve personally performed there in multiple bands as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist. Never once, have I had an issue with the staff or the venue itself. Sure, the room capacity is only 300, but if no other promoters are biting and the other venues in the area are either already booked or nonexistent, then why the hell wouldn’t you just appreciate what you can get and move on?

In recent years, I’ve seen both Soilwork and Shadows Fall play that room and realized that I prefer seeing bands of that caliber in a more intimate setting anyway. How many times have you gone to a show to see your favorite bigger band and had to deal with overpriced drinks, guard rails, huge crowds, a distant stage and constricting set times? At Bways, the drinks are cold and reasonably priced, the service is friendly, the headliners never get ordered off stage (unless they’re being big dicks), and the stage (your favorite band) is right in your face.

Furthermore, shouldn’t the band members who come and go from the venue be the only critics with any merit? It’s kind of interesting how most of the people I hear trash talking this room aren’t in bands, nor do they have any experience working in, with or for bands (at least none that I’m aware of). I’m not saying I know the life story of every last show goer in this area, but I definitely keep track of who I see in bands and who I see working the rooms they play in. If you think you can put on a better show for a band coming through the area, then where’s your venue? Where’s your offer?

Now, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to play in a bigger room in front of a bigger audience, but when the going gets tough, deal with it and make the best of the situation. Would you rather the shows not happen at all? Just this past Sunday night, I saw Psycroptic, Arkaik, Ovid’s Withering and The Kennedy Veil at Bways. Before that night, I had little to no experience with any of those bands. But it looked like a reputable tour with sick bands and I wanted to check it out. Evidently, the tour as a whole had been doing pretty poorly and their Buffalo date was nearly cancelled.

But the folks at Broadway Joe’s kept their promise and gave them a room to play in. The attendance was a little disappointing but those who were there had a great time and I got into some great new music. I wish more people in the scene paid more attention to bulletin boards in bars, or wherever fliers are typically found and of course, social media. Sure, people work, have kids, are married, and naturally, there are usually multiple shows booked each night in this town, especially on weekends. But I know there are more of you out there who just aren’t making the effort for whatever the reason may be. I’ve been plugging reasons to attend shows in this area on this site for months now, and I’m nowhere near done.

I suppose the last point I’m going to make about Broadway Joe’s is this: If you have no experience with bands or running a place of business, don’t badmouth this room. These are great people doing great things, and I’ve never really heard too many bands complain. Most bands that play Bways are just happy they still got to play a fucking show, which is one of the most important parts of being in a band. People like Bryan Parker (owner), Joe Tonaus (promotions), Frank Short (go-to sound aficionado), the bartenders, bar-backs, etc. are helping ensure that we still have a scene to support.

Now I’m going to post a few more clips. Here are some tunes from bigger acts who have played Bways in recent years. WARNING: The footage below displays band members and show goers having a good time in a smaller venue. “Live show elitists” are urged not to expose themselves to this level of fun.

This article was originally posted on The Metal on 7/21/15.

July 23, 2015
The Motet Announces Fall Tour Dates and a Midwest Halloween Run

With August just days away, touring bands are beginning to release their fall tour dates, including some exceptionally special Halloween shows. The Motet has done just that, letting fans know that this Halloween will be an ode to one of the funkiest decades in history. Designating it “Mixtape 1977,” the Colorado funk band is taking their annual Halloween tradition on the road with stops in Des Moines, IA, Minneapolis, MN, Milwaukee, WI and Chicago.

The Motet has kept with tradition in the past holding Halloween shows held in their home state. With a new twist on things, they are spreading the love this fall, giving fans in the Midwest an opportunity to get in on the experience. Colorado fans can look forward to a new tradition with The Motet’s “Hometown Hustle” at The Ogden Theatre on November 13 and 14. Friday’s show will feature Chicago electro-funk band The Main Squeeze. For Saturday, The Motet will be rolling out the “Spirit of ’77.” This will feature a special second set of music from their Halloween shows “Mixtape 1977.”

In addition to the “Mixtape 1977” mini tour and “Hometown Hustle,” The Motet is hitting a number of festivals including Catskill Chill, Summer Meltdown, Phases of the Moon and Magnolia Festival. With stops in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Arkansas, Arizona, Massachusetts and New York, The Motet will be covering a handful of states other than the above mentioned theme nights.

Be sure to check their website and Facebook page for complete tour dates and information.

July 23, 2015
Avenged Sevenfold Says Goodbye To Drummer Arin Ilejay

Future metal drummers of the world: Get your audition tapes ready. How would you like to be the next man banging the sticks for Avenged Sevenfold? Well there’s an opening behind cymbals as band members announced that they have parted ways with current drummer Arin Ilejay due to “creative differences.”

Arin Ilejay was the band’s second drummer after he replaced fan favorite James “The Rev” Sullivan. Sullivan passed away on Dec. 28, 2009 at the age of 28. Sullivan’s cause of death was from acute polydrug intoxication from mixing the drugs oxymorphone, oxycodone, diazepam and ethanol.

The band posted a statement on its website and social media about the parting.

Hello Everyone –
We are writing this to inform you all that we will be moving forward without Arin IIejay as our drummer. Arin has been nothing but a positive energy and monster drummer for us over the past 4 years. We love the guy and always will. We are and will always be grateful to him for helping us to move forward through some very dark times. Creatively though, we felt we needed to move in a different direction. While we can’t say more at this time, we are excited for the future and looking forward to sharing our plans soon with the greatest fans in the world. As always we appreciate your understanding and unwavering support.

With Love –
Matt, Zack, Brian, Johnny

The band had plans to record its seventh studio album this summer to be released in 2016. This could add a speed bump in those plans.

July 23, 2015
David Gilmour Adds Radio City Music Hall Date in April

In support of Rattle That Lock, David Gilmour at first had only announced four U.S. dates. Ticket demands quickly prompted second dates at each of those four cities. Some exciting news has come that Gilmour has added a third NYC date. He will take to the much smaller than MSG space of Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, April 10 making it the first of his now three nights in NYC. Tickets go on sale Thursday Dec. 3 at 10 am on Ticketmaster. Special presale times are listed on Ticketmaster.

The renowned guitarist behind Pink Floyd announced a new solo album last week, Rattle That Lock, and a four North America tour dates which went on sale the next day. The extraordinary response to that ticket sale brought about second chances for people to partake in the limited opportunity.

Rattle That Lock is Gilmour’s first solo album since his 2006 release On An Island. Along with the announcement came a preview of the album with the title track hitting the internet.

The song deviates slightly from elements used on his previous solo album and the final two Pink Floyd releases, The Division Bell and The Endless River, where he was the driving creative force. It calls back a bit to his older solo works, which brings speculation about what we might — or might not — hear when the album debuts on Sept. 18.

Gilmour’s first four tour dates garnered a lot of hype, with tickets for the Madison Square Garden show becoming slim pickings soon after they went on sale. High hopes became grounded as Gilmour announced four more dates to make each of his stops a two-night affair.

He will now play Madison Square Garden on April 11 and 12, 2016. Tickets for the just-announced April 12 show go on sale in less than a week, starting at 10 a.m. on July 27. As with last week’s ticket sales, every ticket buyer for the newly announced shows will receive a copy of Rattle That Lock.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and Gilmour’s website.

From Gilmour’s Facebook page:

Due to phenomenal demand David Gilmour has added four extra North American dates. In support of new album ‘Rattle That Lock’, these will be David Gilmour’s first North American concerts in more than a decade. Tickets go on sale on Monday 27 July and ticket buyers will be among the first to receive the new album, as every ticket purchased online will include a ‘Rattle That Lock’ CD.

David Gilmour Tour Dates:

3/24/16 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA
3/25/16 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA (new)
3/31/16 – Air Canada Centre – Toronto, ON
4/01/16 – Air Canada Centre – Toronto, ON (new)
4/04/16 – United Center – Chicago, IL (new)
4/08/16 – United Center – Chicago, IL
4/11/16 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
4/12/16 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY (new)

Gilmour is touring several European cities this September and October including five shows at the Royal Albert Hall. Unfortunately, these European stops are all sold out.

While Gilmour only released a one-song teaser, he has shared the track list for Rattle That Lock:

1. 5 A.M. (Gilmour)
2. Rattle That Lock (Gilmour/Samson/Boumendil)
3. Faces Of Stone (Gilmour)
4. A Boat Lies Waiting (Gilmour/Samson)
5. Dancing Right In Front Of Me (Gilmour)
6. In Any Tongue (Gilmour/Samson)
7. Beauty (Gilmour)
8. The Girl In The Yellow Dress (Gilmour/Samson)
9. Today (Gilmour/Samson)
10. And Then… (Gilmour)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHP7l0EaouM

July 22, 2015
Photo Gallery: Breaking Benjamin and Starset Take Big Flats By Storm

Not even a torrential downpour, thunder, lightning, flash flood alerts or a tornado warning can keep Breaking Benjamin fans from a show and that’s just what the weather had in store on Tuesday, July 14 at The Budweiser Summer Stage at Tags, located in Big Flats, NY.

While personnel urged concert goers to remain in their vehicles while the remainder of the storm passed, the show went on. Some came prepared with umbrellas and rain coats, others braved the elements in street clothes, standing in a line that stretched from the venue admission, out the gates and all the way to the road. Fortunately as the venue opened it’s gates, the rain ceased just as the show was about to begin.

Opening for Breaking Benjamin was Starset, a cinematic rock band based out of Columbus, Ohio. Their set was unique and their performance was out of this world. Starset’s debut album’s Transmissions was released on July 8th of 2014 and it’s definitely worth checking out. Starset consists of Dustin Bates on lead vocals/keyboard, Ron DeChant on bass/backing vocals, Brock Richards on guitar/backing vocals and Adam Gilbert on drums. Starset’s set list for the evening is as follows: First Light, Rise and Fall, Down with the Fallen, Antigravity, Halo, Telescope, Dark on Me, Carnivore, It Has Begun, The Future Is Now and My Demons.

Even with the weather conditions, the venue was packed full with Breaking Benjamin fans. The Wilkes-barre natives released their first album on June 23rd after a hiatus. Dark Before Dawn made it’s debut on the Billboard 200 chart at number 1 and has been widely embraced by fans with over 140,000 album units sold. Breaking Benjamin is back and going strong with many sold out venues along their 2015 tour. Taking on some new members in 2014, Breaking Benjamin’s current members are vocalist Benjamin Burnley, bassist Aaron Bruch, Keith Wallen on rhythm guitar, lead guitarist Jasen Rauch and drummer Shaun Foist. The set list for the evening consisted of some old favorites mixed with a few cover songs in addition to songs from their new album. Much love to Breaking Benjamin and Starset for a phenomenal show!

Setlist: So Colt, Angels Fall, Follow, Break My Fall, Who Wants to Live Forever (Queen cover), Unknown Soldier, Sooner or Later, Blow Me Away, Failure, Breath, Ænima (Tool cover), Phase, Away,. Give Me a Sign, Shallow Bay, Imperial March/Schism/Smells Like Teen Spirit/Walk (A cover song medley) Polyamorous, Evil Angel, Until the End and I Will Not Bow

Encore: Lights Out, Dance with the Devil, The Diary of Jane

You can still catch Breaking Benjamin on their 2015 tour!

July 21, 2015
Imagine Dragons, So Much More Than Just Smoke & Mirrors

After catapulting in 2012 to the spotlight with their Night Visions album, it seemed like a daunting task to follow-up their first extremely successful album. How did Imagine Dragons tackle that task? They did so by making an album for themselves. Writing while touring, these guys were able to put down feelings and emotions that translated to their second album Smoke and Mirrors.

My anticipation grew, as the date of the show slowly came upon me. I was anxious to see if these guys were as good live as I predicted. The songs on the new album lent themselves to epic live show spectacles.

As the show began, an extremely talented young lady, Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, took the stage with her band. Halsey, as they are known, rocked the stage with their Indie pop sound. I was absolutely captivated by her vocals. She’s an amazing artist and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how absolutely stunning this young lady was as well. She could be a model. The hair, oh my gosh her hair was epic. It was the most beautiful shade of blue/green I’ve ever seen. Wish I could pull that off. I’m digressing, sorry. Halsey’s eclectic musical influences from Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G, Slick Rick, as well as The Cure, Nirvana, and Alanis Morissette permeated her sound giving it an edge of sophistication and funk. From the moment she took the stage, she owned the audience.

Next up was Metric. This Canadian rock band has been around for quite a while amassing a strong following since 1998. With a heavy synth and punk sound, this band is more familiar to you than you probably realize. With several EPs and albums over the years, opening for acts such as The Rolling Stones, and their extensive credits for scores with Grey’s Anatomy, 90210, One Tree Hill, FIFA 10, NBA 2K10, Zombieland, Entourage Vampire Diaries, Rock Band 3, and so many more it’s almost unfathomable to think you haven’t heard their music. Commanding the stage their unique blend of music and instrumentation entertained this group and primed them for the main event.

As I returned to my spot to photograph the next set, the stage was set in a blanket of darkness and a cloth now covered the entire stage like a mask. Speaking with attendees while we waited for the Imagine Dragons set to begin, I learned the dedication and sheer love these fans have for this group. Traveling long distances and sitting outside since the wee hours of the morning to get a railing position on the floor, it was only a matter of moments before their perseverance would pay off. With posters in hand they were ready to sing along with every song (I’m sure they knew every lyric to each one) with hopes to possibly get a pick thrown their way or perhaps a touch of the hand of a member of the band they loved so very much. As the music began, the lighting shone through the curtain highlighting the silhouettes of each band member. With the score beginning, sheer adrenaline was pumping through the crowd like static electricity, it was impossible not to feel the tingle. As the curtain fell, out to the edge of the stage ran Dan Reynolds singing their newest single, “Shots”. Positioned just right, I was right there waiting for him as the fans went crazy and the energy levels exploded through the roof. I knew it. This band was a ‘live band’. You know, one of those bands that you have to see live to appreciate ever aspect of their talent. Always loved their music, but I wanted to feel the music.

The first thing I noticed as the show began was Reynolds ability to connect with the crowd. He felt the music through his entire body and extended it outward toward the audience. He spoke with the group as if they were just having a conversation sharing his newly acquired bling that his daughter had just made him, and commenting on issues affecting everyone in light of the recent tragedies in Charleston. These fans weren’t nameless faces to him. They were friends; they had been through it all with him. At one point and time he called out to the crowd as we celebrated “beard man”. But what really got me, was his recognition of fan Jacob Ziegler. Who is Jacob Ziegler? Well he’s a young man who loves Imagine Dragons and follows them on all social media aspects. He retweets, he shares, he comments, and Reynolds recognized that. He yells out to him, recognizing him in the crowd, saying “I see you Jacob Ziegler” he tells the arena full of people that he sees his tweets and comments and appreciates the love he shares. I was floored by this act of kindness. Jacob was beside himself happy. By the end of the night Reynolds made sure to give him a hug. Now to me, that’s a star. A star always shines bright.

As connected as he was with the crowd, he was the same with band mates Wayne Sermon, Daniel Platzman, and Ben McKee. You could tell the rapport they share was fun and loving as they teased amongst themselves. As he sang through his setlist, that consisted of both hits from Night Visions and the new Smoke & Mirrors, I heard the songs differently this time. Ones that didn’t stand now did. Ones that I loved, I loved even more. And let’s talk about the light show. That in itself was a spectacular show. Coupled together with the amazing sounds of Imagine Dragons, this show became one of my top five favorite shows of all time.

As Imagine Dragons travels for this tour, I strongly urge you to take the opportunity to see this event. You will definitely be happy you did.

SetList:
Shots, Trouble, It’s Time, Forever Young (Alphaville cover), Smoke and Mirrors, Polaroid, I’m So Sorry, Gold, Bleeding Out/Warriors, Demons, Hopeless Opus, On Top of the World, Friction, I Bet My Life, Radioactive, The Fall

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July 19, 2015
Failure Brings Reunion Tour to The Westcott Theater

Fans of the band Failure may have thought they had seen the last of the band back in 1997, when they announced they were disbanding due to personal differences. To much delight, Failure reunited in late 2013 and has been hitting cities across the country. In support of their new album The Heart Is a Monster, which was released on June 30, Failure headlined a show at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY on Friday July 17.

Opening the evening was Queen Kwong. Although many fans weren’t at the venue yet when the band went on shortly after 8pm, those who were witnessed an incredible act. Queen Kwong is an indie rock band that was founded by singer/guitarist Carré Callaway. With a couple of EPs out already and a new album due in August, Queen Kwong have been busy playing shows all over the world. The band consists of Carré Callaway on vocals and some other familiar faces. Playing guitar for Queen Kwong is none other than Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit and Black Light Burns. Many fans were delighted to see Wes, while others didn’t recognize him without full costume. Playing the bass for Queen Kwong is former Marilyn Manson bassist, Fred Sablan. Finally, filling out the band is Hayden Scott on the drums, who was part of AWOLNATION. The mix of raw talent and musical passion created an energy on stage that transformed right into the crowd. Skeptical at first about what they were going to see and hear, fans quickly seemed to get into the groove. Queen Kwong left the audience warmed up and ready to finish the night with Failure.

Failure took the stage just after 9pm to a large crowd of eager fans. Opening the night up with a couple of tracks off the new album The Heart Is a Monster, Failure fans knew they were in for a great night. Back together after 15 years, the original trio of Greg Edwards, Ken Andrew and Kellii Scott didn’t seem to miss a beat or note for that matter. When thinking of rock trios, the names Rush, Blink-182, Chevelle, Muse, Nirvana, etc. all come to mind. It’s incredible how bands with only 3 members can sound so great live and make live performances match the studio records or make the songs even better live. Failure belongs in that category with the great rock trios. The entire night, the band was playing with rejuvenated energy and passion.

For a small-scale production, Failure made it perfect. Behind the band, 3 symmetrical LED screens illuminated with various psychedelic designs and animated videos. Some of these images could have been compared to the likes of Pink Floyd’s, “The Wall” movie. Fans were able to focus on the music without over the top distractions that would normally take away from the actual musical performance. Failure’s setlist was composed of mainly 3 albums the entire night. Asides from The Heart Is a Monster, Failure’s newest album, they also played tracks off of Fantastic Planet from 1996 and Magnified from 1994.

Fans from all around New York State as far as Long Island, traveled to Syracuse to see Failure perform. These fans were thanked time and time again throughout the set by the band, who let them know how much they appreciated all the support. Many fans around the venue were wearing VIP laminates showing that they had participated in the meet and greet with the band. Others were walking around with the new album The Heart Is a Monster on CD and even vinyl. Failure’s fan base is definitely still intact after all of these years. For over an hour and a half, fans were sent back in time 15 years to when Failure’s first albums came out and got to experience the whole thing again with a mix of awesome new material.

Setlist: Segue 4/WalkOnCue, Hot Traveler, A.M. Amnesia, Atom City Queen, Otherwhere, Counterfeit Sky, Mullholland Dr., Heliotropic, Undone, Frogs, Another Space Song, Saturday Saviour, Sergeant Politeness, Segue 1, Pillowhead, Stuck On You.

Encore: Smoking Umbrellas, The Nurse Who Loved Me, Daylight

Failure has tour dates planned in the United States into the middle of October. If you missed your chance at the Westcott Theater, click here to find out where Failure is playing next.

The Westcott Theater Website: Click here

Queen Kwong Official Website: Click here

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July 19, 2015
Blind Owl Band and Yonder Mountain String Band Soak up Some Sun at Paper Mill Island

Spending an early July sunset at an amphitheater resting on an island nestled in the Seneca River as adoring fans tirelessly swing and twirl to American roots music sets the stage for a picturesque evening. That was the setting Friday night at Paper Mill Island Amphitheater in Baldwinsville, NY as Blind Owl Band and Yonder Mountain String Band took the stage to woo the audience with earthy vocals and strings.

The casual, backcountry grunge of Blind Owl Band suggests a certain comfort level they feel even when performing for a crowd. Guitarist and vocalist Arthur Buezo sported a pair of paint splattered overalls tucked into cowboy boots while barefoot bassist Christian Cardiello donned a pastel purple tie dye T-shirt with a prancing unicorn emblazoned across the front. Along with banjo player and vocalist James Ford and mandolinist and vocalist Eric Munley, the four musicians all let their wavy brown locks blow in the breeze, closing out their set with a powerful performance of “Whipping Post” by The Allman Brothers Band. With Buezo growling into the mic, they authentically captured the tortured nature of the rock ballad with a bluegrass twist.

As the sun continued to set, the fading daylight drenched Yonder Mountain String Band in a sea of gold as fans applauded their arrival on stage. The five-piece group confidently emanated a calm and collected demeanor, defying the unrelenting UV rays with an assortment of aviator sunglasses. Early into their performance, a remarkably rambunctious fan explosively dropped his beer on the paved ground, grasping his head in disbelief. Mandolinist and vocalist Jake Jolliff shot guitarist and vocalist Adam Aijala a wry smile, slightly amused by the small tragedy. Jolliff standing, center stage between his four band mates, scanned the crowd, often flaunting a euphoric smile in between mandolin breakdowns. Everyone in the band was afforded moments to display their skill both instrumentally and vocally. With Dave Johnston on banjo, Ben Kaufmann on bass, and Allie Kral on violin, and all contributing vocally, they harmonized effortlessly but also shining individually with a mix of voices evoking that country twang.

The give-and-take between musicians on stage was matched by the dosey doe and swing dance maneuvers of audience members as they took turns spinning each other around, enamored by the music. The high energy on stage and in the crowd was going strong during a bouncy performance of “All Around,” a song off their new album Black Sheep, which was released earlier this year. The full-length studio album represents the influx and evolution of talented artists that have coalesced over a seventeen-year period, culminating in the five-person powerhouse touring today. Yonder Mountain String Band closed out the evening with Kral taking the lead on vocals, exclaiming, “Time to bust out your ‘Pulp Fiction’ dance moves,” before sliding into a playful yet sultry rendition of Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell.”

July 18, 2015
Taste of Country Festival 2015 Closes With Toby Keith

After two days filled with incredible live performances by some of country music’s biggest stars, Taste of Country was set to close out it’s third annual festival at Hunter Mountain with one last day of music, food and fun. A lineup of Sasha McVeigh, Western Underground, Josh Abbott Band, Sara Evans, Jerrod Niemann and Toby Keith were set to bring the festival to a rousing finish. Despite the slight weather issues that once again plagued the mountain, the festival’s third day ran smoothly for the most part.

Sasha McVeigh – Taste of Country Festival 2015

They only ran into a few issues towards the end of the night when an impending storm forced Niemann to shorten his set and Keith to move the time of his set up, to ensure all performers were finished before the increment weather set in. Outside of the storm issues towards the end of the night, the rest of the day may have been the hottest out of all three, which is saying something since day two was a scorcher in it’s own right.

Toby Keith – Taste of Country Festival 2015

Around 3:00 p.m., the Texas based Josh Abbott Band, a lesser known group of the weekends performers at Hunter Mountain, took the stage for their set. Although they may not have been a household name, they did a wonderful job of introducing many new fans to their music, and by the end of their set the band fulfilled their promise that fans that were not familiar with them, would know their songs by the end of their set. The group often highlights some more traditional county instruments such as the fiddle and the banjo, and many of the songs that they performed Sunday, especially the more blue grass influenced, twangy “Brushy Creek” gave those instruments ample time to shine.

Jerrod Niemann – Taste of Country Festival 2015

“Road Trippin’” was a carefree song about a group of friends getting away for a long weekend and having a crazy fun time along the way, while lead singer Josh Abbott’s vocals were stellar on the slower paced “She Will Be Free.” Abbott also humorously informed the already inherently rowdy crowd that both line dancing and beer pong were more than welcome and even encouraged during his band’s set. The group then jumped into the fiddle infused “Oh Tonight,” a collaboration with fellow country artist Kacey Musgraves that was a romantic and charming track, while “Where’s The Party” from their 2014 EP Tuesday Night was a wild crowd pleaser. The band poignantly illustrated their love for their home town with “My Texas” before closing their hour long set with their more mainstream sounding single from Tuesday Night, the laid back “Hanging Around.”

Toby Keith – Taste of Country Festival 2015

Sara Evans was the next performer of the day, and if her outfit was any indication, she was ready to help close out the last day of the festival in style. Evans, who has proven longevity in the country music work with her continued success since her debut album in 1997, has been one of country music’s most popular and successful female artists. As a talented vocalist with numerous hits, and awards under her belt, Evans is a confident and experienced live performer. She kept the energy going during the hot weather at Hunter Mountain with classic hits like the uptempo “Suds In The Bucket,” which inspired an abundance of singing and dancing throughout the crowd, and opener “Born To Fly,” a country classic with an distinguishable chorus that tends to hook fans more and more with each listen.

Recent hit “A Little Bit Stronger” is an inspiring track that was well known and was a certainly a fan favorite, before the soaring “As If” and one of her older tracks “Perfect” took center stage. Evans dedicated her twangy hit “Coalmine” to all of the attractive men in the crowd at Hunter Mountain, which earned her a loud applause and cheer, and “Slow Me Down” with it’s clean, modern production and flowy hooks delighted the crowd. She also took the time to inform fans of her soft spot for sad songs, demonstrating her love for them with a heartfelt performance of “My Heart Can’t Tell You.” As her set was coming to an end, Evans played her romantic hit “I Could Not Ask For More,” before closing with her gigantic #1 hit from 2005 “A Real Fine Place To Start.”

Sara Evans – Taste of Country Festival 2015

Jerrod Nieman was the second to last performer of the night, and even though the impending storm cut his time on stage short, his set still rocked fans all over Hunter Mountain. He kicked off his set with “We Know How To Rock” a banjo infused tune of southern pride, before slowing the pace down a bit with the more intimate “Lover, Lover,” a #1 hit he scored as his debut single back in 2010 (and a cover originally recorded by folk music group Sonia Dada).

The Kansas native also broke out another one of his #1 singles, the upbeat party song “Drink To That All Night” which got the thousands in attendance up on their feet, as well as honkey tonk anthem “One More Drinkin’ Song” which had fans singing along enthusiastically. Niemann notably played a new song that he said is to be released in the coming weeks. The track features lyrics that mention many top festivals around the country, as well as ones that show appreciation to a specific type of country girl that you are likely to see at country music festivals and shows. Niemann showed off his silly side to the delight of the crowd when his banjo player wore a giant donkey head mask on stage during the performance of his very strange song “Donkey.”

Josh Abbott Band – Taste of Country Festival 2015

He busted out some fun covers as well, one of Alabama’s “Louisiana Saturday Night,” and another of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Pride and Joy,” a song that allowed his band to jam out during it’s tail end. Though his set was cut short, Neimann put on an exciting and uptempo show for the Hunter Mountain audience, proving to be strong direct support for upcoming headliner Toby Keith.

Toby Keith – Taste of Country Festival 2015

Keith’s set, like Neimann’s, was affected by the threat of an incoming storm looming over the mountain, though his set was moved forward rather than cut short. Although a light but steady drizzle persisted throughout his time on stage, it didn’t put a damper on the party that Keith unleashed on the rowdy and invigorated New York crowd. Since 1993, Keith has created and released 17 studio albums, scored 20 #1 hit singles (with 60 total singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts), sold over 40 million albums worldwide and won a myriad of country music awards, making him undoubtedly one of the most recognizable and successful artists in country music. Known not only for his music but his vibrant and humorous personality, Keith was the perfect choice to close out a wildly entertaining and successful 2015 Taste of Country Music Festival.

Unsurprisingly, Keith brought his usual emphatic and unapologetic brand of patriotism with him to Hunter Mountain, with American flags about and the screens around/behind the stage flashing pictures iconic American images and moments. The production throughout his set was flawless, at time featuring fire shooting out of the floor, fireworks and gorgeous lighting. His set started out with hits like the appropriately themed “American Ride,” and “Beer For My Horses” which featured a really cool moment when Willie Nelson joined him in the performance via video recording. Before the latter song, Keith made a point to salute New York firemen and police officers, and thank them for their service and sacrifices.

His sense of humor made an appearance when outrageous, eclectic hit “Red Solo Cup” a fan favorite, was performed alongside giant red cup props on stage which got a big laugh from the crowd. Keith’s set on this night included “I’ll Never Smoke Weed With Willy Again,” a song that he performed with Scotty Emerick, who was on the road with him. Hits like “Who’s Your Daddy” that featured a notable guitar introduction, “A Little Less Talk and A Lot More Action,” and a cover of Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold.” After leaving the stage briefly, the Oklahoma native returned for an encore performance. It was a special moment when Keith closed with an impassioned performance that included “American Soldier” and “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue,” two songs that once again hammer home the themes of patriotism and love of country. It was incredible to see fans all the way up the mountain shouting the lyrics to this anthemic classic as the rain fell down around them. There is no doubt that this was one moment that fans would bring home with them, and remember for the rest of their lives.

Actually, that same sentiment can be said for the entirety of the 2015 Taste of Country Music Festival, as this years star studded lineup of performers and the wonderful environment that Hunter Mountain provided raised the bar for the future. Country music fans on the East coast should take note, if it’s first three years are any indication, the Taste Of Country Music Festival is set to be one of the premier country festivals in the East for a long time to come.

July 17, 2015