NYS Music 20​16

Category: Reviews

  • The Local Rochester Train Turns Express: Joywave Steams Through Anthology

    Let’s travel back a bit to a small distinctive rock club, a mainstay on the scene hosting some of the most vibrant sounds of its time and place. CBGB’s in the ’70s? No, not quite that far back, and to the north and west. We’re talking about the Bug Jar in Rochester circa 2010. Bands like Joywave, KOPPS, Maybird and Makyo Star were playing its stage regularly, drawing larger and larger crowds. These bands cut their teeth inside the club’s wavy walls, and still can be seen there from time to time. But they’re each breaking through in their own way, and Joywave showed how and why in a big local gone express show at Anthology on June 18.

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    The show opened with Maybird — the brainchild of longtime Rochester music scene mainstay Josh Netsky. The band made the move down to Brooklyn last year, after which they signed with Danger Mouse’s 30th Century Records and caught the ears of NPR music guru and tastemaker Bob Boilen. Their first EP on the new label, Turning Into Water, was released earlier this year, and they’re hard at work on a full length. Their psychedelic-tinged set featured the unique overhand guitar approach of Sam Snyder and the multi-talented Kurt Johnson on pedal steel, sitar and guitar. In a set featuring powerful performances of “Turning Into Water,” “Call You Mine” and “Maybird,” the real hero was the songwriting prowess of Netsky.

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    Next up was KOPPS. The quartet out of Rochester has moved on from their electronic keyboard-heavy beginnings into a power-rock trio with wheels. Frontwoman Patricia Patron (the double PP of KOPPS) got this train moving with a full head of steam, and urged the crowd to get aboard. At this point, Anthology was feeling like a Bikram yoga studio. It was hot outside and much hotter inside, but KOPPS didn’t let that interfere with their plans to get it even hotter — heat is their currency. Continually coordinated dance moves by bassist Kyle O’Hara (the KO of KOPPS) and guitarist Travis Johansen flanked Patron’s energetic gyrations. You wanted to move to the music, but you couldn’t take your eyes off of the movements on the stage. They blasted through a few new tunes like “Baby, I’m Dead Inside,” “Get Juicy” and “Lose Control” with promises of new recordings on the way. With the ear and favor already of Howard Stern, and an infectious groove that can move the masses, what’s next could launch this group skyward.

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    Transviolet is not exactly a Rochester band, and this was in fact their first gig in the Flour City, but they’re not not a local band either. Three of the four members hail from Rochester, and two of them played together in the aforementioned Makyo Star. They’re currently based in Los Angeles, signed to Columbia, and quickly on the rise. Lead singer Sarah McTaggart has one of those made-to-be-a-pop-star voices that pull you in as soon as the sound hits. It was ’80s pop renewed and refreshed without being rehashed. Their first single, “New Bohemia,” added ethereal and catchy nuances that lifted it above the fray; it was an angelic oasis of sound in the overheated club.

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    Closing out the big night, Joywave, the band who asks, “Why Be Credible When You Can Be INCREDIBLE?,” finally took the stage to huge roars from the crowd. The lights, which had stagnated into a bluish purple for the evening, fired up to orange, the volume turned up, the bass thumped and the band bounced on stage. “Bug Jar, my how you’ve grown, this… is Joywave!” announced frontman Daniel Armbuster.

    Combining the songwriting of Maybird, the infectious energy of KOPPS and the pop finesse of Transviolet, Joywave is the full package. Even though they’ve exploded past the confinement of their hometown music scene, they haven’t left their roots behind — rather they’ve held on tight and seem determined to pull up as much as they can with them. This is evidenced not only in inviting their friends to the big stage with them here, but in sponsoring a local Little League team (complete with game updates on their Facebook page), creating a special coffee blend available for their favorite local cafe and any other number of connections they’ve sustained with their hometown.

    Their set relied mostly on their latest How Do You Feel Now? with hits like “Something New,” “Tongues” and a “Nice House” that had the whole crowd screaming along. They worked in a new song, and promised that a trip to the studio was in the works for later this year, which also means it was one of their last live gigs for 2016. After 187 days on the road in 2014, and 200 days on the road in 2015 (to places like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Europe), it will be a well-deserved break. Rochester will be happy to have them back for a little while.

    Flash forward now to a not-all-that-distant future; Joywave, Transviolet, KOPPS and Maybird are again on the same stage together. This time at the Rochester Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony where all four groups are being honored for their highly successful and influential careers that harken back to their humble beginnings at the Bug Jar — and that show at Anthology, just before they all “made it.”

  • John Mayer Leads Dead and Company at SPAC

    With Dead and Company having started their fall tour in Albany this past October, Capitaland got the first taste of John Mayer in a Jerry Garcia role, one that brought criticism and concern from those who weren’t familiar with Mayer’s guitar prowess but experts in tabloid fodder. But to those in the know, musicians and real fans alike, convivial awe and heightened expectations were the emotions directed toward Mayer, and when the October show ended with “Touch of Grey,” any musical concerns were laid to rest.

    John Mayer Dead and CompanyAnd they were laid to rest over and over, as the tour wrapped around the country, culminating with New Year’s Eve in Inglewood, CA, and now a summer tour that began this month, including a stop at Bonnaroo. Four shows deep and the expectations for the performance at SPAC on June 21 were as high as ever, partially because three members of the original Grateful Dead were back in Saratoga for the first time in more than 20 years, and partially thanks to no repeats in the setlist during the previous four nights.

    The SPAC lawn was as packed as ever with an all ages crowd enjoying the grounds, with kids playing with elder hippies alongside fans who were looking to get a taste of Mayer and Company in a classic summer show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Feel Like a Stranger” opened the night and while Bob sang about the long, crazy night ahead, John took the lead and emulated Garcia’s tone perfectly, but he didn’t get his chance to shine yet — that would come a little later in the set.


    The first day of summer was given a light nod with “Here Comes Sunshine,” as the beams poured in from behind the stage to light the pavilion audience in an ecclesiastic milieu.

    The band then led through first-set staples “Brown Eyed Women,” “Loser” and “Little Red Rooster,” the latter of which held the most meat of the three, as Weir jumped into let-me-show-you-how-we-did-it-back-in-the-day mode and furiously burned through the blues number in a brief duel with his padawan. The highlight of the set for many was “Cassidy” > “Deal,” where Mayer gave the crowd the first solid Jerry Jam of the night, spacey and nailed perfectly. A shredding “Deal” that hit multiple peaks as it reached the end of the set brought an eruption from the crowd, a perfect set closer now in its fifth decade.

    “Iko Iko” got the second set rolling nicely, reviving the energy that had dissipated from “Deal” and served as an appetizer to the main course: “Estimated Prophet” > “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider.” The “Estimated” alone was worth the price of admission, with Mayer bringing Jerry’s sound to life, as local guitarist Joe Davis put it, “as if Jerry never hit a bad note.” “China Cat” > “Rider” followed for a sing-along/dance-a-thon, as the energy never seemed to evaporate from the scorching “Estimated.” The crowd singing in unison, “The sun’s gonna SHIIIINE” back to the band was an exclamation point upon the second set, and “Drums” and “Space” were still to come.

    Drums->Space #deadandcompany #magicofspac

    A video posted by NYS Music (@nystatemusic) on

    If Dead and Company is John Mayer’s band, “Uncle John’s Band” takes on new meaning; the jam that ensued from the song, as well as the open spots for Mayer to strut his stuff, were more Mayer than Jerry, but still with a healthy dose of jazzy improv. “The Days Between,” while featuring some of Robert Hunter’s finest lyrics, brought everyone to their seat, lawn chair or to pull up some grass for an emotional and somber late set addition. “Good Lovin’” brought Bobby back to the forefront and roused the crowd once again to sing-along with a classic Dead cover. The double encore of “Brokedown Palace” and “Johnny B. Goode” were a taste of old and new — a Dead original beloved by fans and a cover brought to life by their own resident Johnny to take them home for the night. Listen to the show on Archive.

    Set 1: Feel Like a Stranger, Here Comes Sunshine, Brown Eyed Women, Loser, Little Red Rooster, Cassidy > Deal

    Set 2: Iko Iko, Estimated Prophet > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Rhythm Devils > Space > Uncle John’s Band > The Days Between > Good Lovin’

    Encore: Brokedown Palace, Johnny B. Goode

  • 50 Years of SPAC: Mumford & Sons Sells Out Saratoga’s Historic Venue

    Mumford & Sons brought an eclectic, sold-out show to Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, June 15, making it the first sold-out show of SPAC’s 50th season. The band’s set covered predominantly songs from their 2015 album Wilder Mind, while also throwing in hits from their more folk-influenced debut Sigh No More.

    Mumford & Sons opened with “Snake Eyes,” soon after followed by “Little Lion Man,” bringing the entirety of the audience to their feet. As Marcus Mumford sang the chorus, it was often difficult to discern his voice from the shouts of the crowd singing along.  The audience continued singing and standing through the close of “Little Lion Man,” into “Below My Feet,” off the band’s second album Babel.

    Marcus Mumford was energetic and engaged throughout: perhaps most impressively, he often swapped from playing guitar to drums, such as in “Lover of the Light.” Between songs, the band sparingly addressed the crowd, occasionally invoking some humor by bringing up topics such as the Euros.

    In the middle of the set, the band was joined on stage by Senegalese performer Baaba Maal, who sang two songs with Mumford & Sons. Maal took the vocals on “Si tu veux,” and then swapped vocals, singing with Mumford on “There Will Be Time.” The audience was less engaged during this portion of the set, perhaps from not yet knowing the songs, but most remained standing throughout.

    “The Cave” soon followed Maal’s exit, capturing the crowd fully, again making Mumford’s voice hard to discern from the singing along. As “The Cave” blended into “Ditmas,” Mumford left the stage to run up the aisles and through the lawn, before returning for “Dust Bowl Dance,” once again taking up the drums, as sparks poured down behind the band.

    The band played a four song encore, joined again by Baaaba Maal,” before closing with “I Will Wait,” and “The Wolf.”

    While many older songs such as “Little Lion Man,” “The Cave,” “White Blank Page,” and “Dust Bowl Dance” received the most prominent singing along and ovations, reactions to new songs such as “The Wolf” and “Ditmas” demonstrated that fans are still committed to Mumford & Sons evolving sound.

    Johannesburg, a five-track collaborative “mini album” with Baaba Maal, recorded during the band’s 2016 South African tour, was released June 17.

    Set list: Snake Eyes, Little Lion Man, Below My Feet, Monster, White Blank Page, Lover of the Light, Tompkins Square Park, Believe, Ghosts That We Knew, Si tu veux (with Baaba Maal), There Will Be Time (with Baaba Maal), The Cave, Ditmas, Dust Bowl Dance

    Encore: Hot Gates, Wona (with Baaba Maal), I Will Wait, The Wolf

  • Kenny Chesney Leaves Audience Feeling Like Rock Stars at CMAC Stop

    Thousands of members of the No Shoes Nation flocked to CMAC in Canandaigua to see their idol and leader Kenny Chesney on his Spread the Love tour. Kenny Chesney’s fans differ from other artist’s fans because they not only buy his music but are also buying and adopting his beach-bum lifestyle. You could sense this by the casual, easygoing vibe that filled the venue. People smiling with Coronas in hand made it clear that they were ready to unwind and let their workweek stresses melt away for the night.

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    Chesney himself made sure to let everyone know he was there to party by coming out onto the stage singing his hit “Beer in Mexico” while sporting his signature faded blue jeans, tank top and cowboy hat. All smiles, he welcomed the crowd’s cheers while going into another one of his hits “Reality.” He kept up the no worries beach vibe playing “Til it’s Gone,” “Summertime,” “Pirate Flag,” and “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.”

    Before playing “I Go Back” Chesney reflected on how many times he’s visited the area and said whenever the show is over at CMAC he always tells his crew that the rest of the summer has a lot to live up to because the crowd there is so great.

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    After a few more songs he brought out openers Old Dominion to perform “Save it for a Rainy Day,” a song the band wrote with him a few years back. Each member of the band joined in singing and playing with Chesney’s band and made the song a special treat for the audience.

    Taking a break in between his hits, Chesney sang his new, more serious single called “Noise.” This song may not have had everyone singing along but it didn’t spoil the party mood.

    Chesney threw in a cover of The Steve Miller Band’s “Space Cowboy.” He meshed this cover with Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” The set ended with his most well-known hit “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and came back out for an encore with “Don’t Happen Twice.”

    During his encore, Chesney brought a young girl on stage and he and Old Dominion signed a guitar to give to her. He also stayed for several minutes while the band played, signing autographs for lucky fans in the front, showcasing his love for his fans. Chesney also made sure to grab gifts that fans had given to him throughout the show including an old college fraternity composite that he was blown away by seeing. His appreciation for the signs, photos and other gifts from fans is another display of his true class act attitude.

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    Chesney performed for just over two hours and in that two hour span there wasn’t a moment he wasn’t beaming at his audience. He even had the venue light up the packed lawn so he could see each of his followers. You can’t argue with the fact that no matter where Chesney’s fans were in the crowd, he made sure to make each of them feel like a rock star for the night.

    Setlist: Beer in Mexico, Reality, Til It’s Gone, Summertime, Pirate Flag, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, Somewhere With You, I Go Back, Anything But Mine, Save It for a Rainy Day – (with Old Dominion),
    Living in Fast Forward, Young, Noise, American Kids, You and Tequila, How Forever Feels, Big Star, The Joker – (Steve Miller Band cover), Big Star, Out Last Night, She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy

    Encore: Don’t Happen Twice

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  • Catfish and the Bottlemen Light Up Buffalo’s Town Ballroom

    With the recent release of their sophomore album, The Ride, Catfish and the Bottlemen are rising to stardom quite quickly. On June 2, fans eagerly waited up and down the pavement for the Town Ballroom’s doors to open, where Catfish and the Bottlemen would be playing for a sold-out crowd.

    They have the uncanny ability to make every song feel like an encore. From the first note played to the very last, Catfish and the Bottlemen created a vibe in the Town Ballroom that is unprecedented in the music scene. At their colorful best, they were indie without indie dowdiness. The group’s latest singles “Soundcheck” and “7” ignited two of the loudest sing-alongs of the night. The energy and enthusiasm of the band did not falter, as the audience lapped up every moment.

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    Formed in Llandudno, Wales, almost nine years ago, Catfish and the Bottlemen have been working their way steadily through the ranks. Describing their new album as “stadium rock,” it is in their live performances that Catfish and the Bottlemen prove their worth. At times, frontman Van McCann didn’t even need to bother singing, stepping away from the microphone and listening to his lyrics — mainly about relationships, booze and hangovers — being chanted back at him. As rock stars, they’re unapologetically traditional, and they’re breathing new life into the genre. There is a reason why they are currently one of the most in-demand rock bands at the moment.

    The Naturalists had been added to the bill only shortly before the doors opened. These guys lit the crowd up, and were a perfect opener. The garage-alt Buffalo natives finally had a moment to shine in front of a sold-out crowd of new fans and continued supporters.

    Catfish and the Bottlemen will roll through the Empire State again this fall with an Oct. 18 show at New York City’s Terminal 5.

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  • Boy and Bear Sell Out The Hollow

    Hard-working Aussies, Boy and Bear worked a sold-out crowd at The Hollow Bar and Kitchen on June 8. The five-piece indie/folk band barely fit onto The Hollow’s stage, but that didn’t seem to matter to the crowd, which appeared to be filled with a mix of 20-year-old girls and a handful of limb-flailing hippies. Pants cuffed, Boy and Bear ripped through an 18-song set with ease, and although there was little movement from the band, lead singer, David Hosking, mesmerized the crowd with his passion and digit-flaring moves. Throughout the evening, Hosking kept his eyes focused on the abyss, while periodically addressing the attendees with little tidbits about the songs. A few standouts from the Boy and Bear set include “Showdown,” “Back To Black” (Amy Winehouse cover) and “Part Time Believer.” All three songs played in succession, leading up to the grand finale of “Harlequin Dream,” “Southern Sun” and “Walk The Wire.” Hosking was nice enough to inform the crowd that there would not be an encore, and seeing that the band played 18 straight songs, nobody seemed to mind; it’s a trend that many bands seem to be embracing.

    Perhaps just as impressive as Boy and Bear was the Capital Region’s own Bear Grass. By chance, the foursome had a similar name, but couldn’t have been more different. Lead singer Katie Hammon drove an absolutely intoxicating 10-song set, which quickly won over The Hollow audience. The performance even seemed to win over Boy and Bear drummer, Timothy Hart, who more or less stood and watched the entire set. Even Hosking himself exited the tour bus to check out a few numbers. Hosking was quick to praise and thank Bear Grass as the night concluded, even though the two were sharing the stage for just one night. It’s easy to see why Hammon and Bear Grass are a local band that stand out as on the rise; she’s reminiscent of a Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt fame.

  • Hearing Aide: Waydown Wailers “Empty Promises”

    The whiskey drinkin’ outlaws of Waydown Wailers from Northern New York have been roaming across the state supporting the release of their sophomore recording, Empty Promises. Brothers Dave (lead guitar/vocals) and Christian Parker (guitar) along with Michael Scriminger (drums/percussion) and Connor Pelkey (bass/backing vocals) outfit the four-man roots rock band, which coalesced in 2012.

    Waydown Wailers Empty PromisesReleased February 2016 through Woodstock Records, Empty Promises embodies a multitude of familiar human experiences nestled in straightforward blues-rock riffs and uncomplicated lyrics. The cautionary “Don’t Let Life Pass You By” opens the 10-track album, spurring listeners to derive meaning through a slew of thrill-seeking adventures. Dave contends, “You can spend your money, ya won’t ever get it back, to get that feeling that you lack.” Though jumping from an airplane or being shot from a cannon may only appeal to some, anyone can relate to the notion of attributing meaning through memorable experiences.

    The title track “Empty Promises” engages a harder rock sound with more percussive guitar. Waydown Wailers‘ genre-bending outlaw jam style is embodied by the varying stylistic elements of this song. Low octave backing vocals reiterate lyrics in a “Monster Mash” fashion, while the chorus in unison with guitar impart a likeness to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” “Jealousy” concludes with an uptempo organ-driven siege perfectly tailored for a wild west cowboy chase. Strong classic rock vibes on “No Time to Waste” emulate a satisfying Allman Brothers-esque guitar mix, while “St. Vraine” gets a little softer in Eagles fashion, depicting the unrelenting power of a river in Colorado.

    These rock outlaws are keeping fairly busy throughout the summer playing shows across the Empire State, with the next upcoming gig on Thursday, June 16 at the Westcott Theater opening for Devon Allman Band. Interested in the album? Purchase it here.

    Key Tracks: Empty Promises, No Time to Waste, St. Vraine

  • Hinder Brings its Stripped-Down Acoustic Show to Binghamton

    Hinder, best known for their hits “Get Stoned,” “Lips of an Angel,” “Better than Me,” “How Long,” “I Don’t Wanna Know,” and many others brought their acoustic set to Magic City Music Hall in Binghamton, NY, on June 7 in support of their new six-song acoustic EP titled Stripped. Stripped was released on May 13 via the End Records and includes the songs “Not An Addict,” “Intoxicated,” “Wasted Life,” Hit The Ground,” “If Only For Tonight” and “Get Stoned.” This is the band’s first strictly acoustic project to be released and is their second EP; the first being their 2003 debut Far From Close.

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    In March, the band announced the album would be titled Stripped and would be released on May 13. At the time the band also announced that they would be touring June through July with the New Zealand-based rock band Like a Storm in support of the new EP.

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    After a stellar didgeridoo-infused, 45-minute acoustic performance by Like a Storm, who played several numbers including “Becoming The Enemy,” “Amazing Grace/Southern Skies,” “Love the Way You Hate Me” and a cool rendition of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” Hinder took the stage and began their set with “Intoxicated,” “I Don’t Wanna Know” and “What Ya Gonna Do” that had lead singer Marshal Dutton and the band joking with the crowd about mixing up the brands when your usual whiskey “ain’t workin’ no more.”

    Despite a smaller than expected crowd, longtime band members Mark King, Joe “Blower” Garvey, Mike Rodden, Cody Hansen and lead vocalist and guitarist Marshal Dutton put on a fun-filled, entertaining and interactive show with an intimate audience and performed each song exceptionally well with great vocals and musicianship that they are known for. At times throughout the evening, various members swapped instruments with each other, showcasing how musically talented they are as individuals as well as a band. Hinder played a 12-song set with fun interactive breaks at times between songs and swapping instruments.

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    Hinder and Like a Storm continue their acoustic tour throughout the summer. If you’re out there and looking for a great show this summer, be sure to check out Hinder and Like a Storm.

    Hinder Set List 6/7/16:
    Intoxicated, I Don’t Wanna Know, What ya Gonna Do, Shoulda Known Better, Hit the Ground, Last Kiss Goodbye, Not an Addict, Red Tail Lights, Better Than Me, Get Stoned, Pussy Control, No Excuses

  • Boston Calling Music Festival Takes Over City Hall Plaza

    Over Memorial Day Weekend, thousands gathered in Boston’s City Hall Plaza for the final Boston Calling music festival in that location. Next year, the festival is expanding and will take place in Harvard University’s athletic complex. In addition to music, next year’s festival will also feature film and art exhibitions. (The festival was so enjoyable this year that I have already purchased my tickets for next year.) Despite the unpredictable and quickly changing weather, it was a terrific event with stellar musical performances. Read on below as we recap the three-day festival.

    Friday

    Friday started with an intimate set from Irish folk singer Lisa Hannigan and The National’s Aaron Dessner. It was an impressive performance, and a great way to start the weekend of music. Sufjan Stevens followed with a psychedelic, over-the-top set that started with an epic performance that involved a costume with wings and a banjo being smashed, and ended with a costume with balloons, tin foil and a disco ball strapped to Stevens’ chest. Boston Calling truly had a diverse array of music, and Friday’s lineup certainly displayed this diversity. Friday night closed with one of the festival’s most anticipated acts, pop singer Sia. Her powerful vocals and dance performances that featured Kristen Wiig, Maddie Ziegler, Paul Dano and Gaby Hoffman impressed crowds and left many awed and awaiting Saturday’s stacked lineup.

    city hall plazaSaturday

    Saturday started off with brutally hot weather, with the temperature hitting nearly 100 degrees at one point in the day. The festival managed the weather the best they could, providing free water and samples of Polar Seltzer. Although the water line could take up to 30 minutes to get through at points throughout the day, staff did a great job of making sure their patrons were cared for and safe despite the incredibly hot weather. BØRNS, famous for their hit “Electric Love,” created a fun, dancy atmosphere and lead singer Garrett Borns truly impressed crowds with his beautiful falsetto. Canada-based City and Colour played a soulful and bluesy set and featured a guest appearance from The Raconteurs’ bassist Jack Lawrence. Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow had a decent crowd, but they were mostly background music for those who wished to sit on the pavement of City Hall Plaza or grab something to eat and sit in the shade after a day of completely oppressive heat. The night finished off with impressive music, dancing and light shows from EDM duo Odesza and Swedish vocalist Robyn.

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    The weather changed drastically by Sunday, and was much cooler and clammier than most patrons expected. It was still a great day of incredibly diverse music. From Vince Staples’ powerful rapping to Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires funky set, the day started with two genres of music that fans had not yet seen at Boston Calling. Charles Bradley was especially impressive, and had me rocking out to his awesome moves and crazy-good voice. Next were The Front Bottoms, where lead man Brian Sella interacted with the crowd the entire set and gave the audience a really good time. Everyone knew the words to all of their songs, and the energy created by the interaction between the crowd and the musicians lent itself to a fun and energetic set. Elle King was next, with her bright blue hair and raspy voice. She faced some backlash from fans regarding her drinking, but she still put on a wonderful and engaging performance. To close out the night, Janelle Monàe really wowed fans with her nine-person band and powerful message of choosing freedom over fear. Her voice is great, her band was tight and fans really enjoyed her honest investment in her music. She also covered a Prince song. The next act, Haim, a rock band started by the Haim sisters, also covered Prince and played fan favorites like “The Wire” and “Falling.” Disclosure closed out the night with a mind-blowing light show and beats that resonated through fans’ chests.

    Overall

    Overall, Boston Calling was one of the most well-organized, fluid and fun festivals that I have ever attended. Staff dealt with the challenges of the weather with ease, and did their best to provide patrons with the most comfortable and healthy experience possible. The food vendors all had both healthy and delicious options, and I was really impressed by the quality of the food that was provided. They made sure that patrons weren’t just getting overpriced, greasy festival food, but an actual meal that tasted good and was well worth the money they paid for it. The diverse and eclectic acts all performed incredibly well, and no one disappointed. There weren’t even that many incidents of drunken fans that couldn’t handle themselves; as I said, it was an incredibly well-organized and fluid festival, and fans seemed to respond to that in a responsible and respectful way. Buy your tickets to the next Boston Calling as soon as possible — the expansion can only mean great things for this thrilling festival.

  • Buffalo’s Intrepid Travelers Hold Inaugural IT Fest

    13256114_10208273322704495_5022688047362925033_nIf you haven’t heard of the Buffalo-based quartet Intrepid Travelers yet, expect that to change. Forming in Buffalo in 2013, after two years the band seems to be hitting their stride with IT Fest. Intrepid Travelers consists of David Neimanis (bass/vocals), Brian Calisto (guitar/vocals), Donny Frauenhofer (keys/vocals) and Jon Fohl (drums/vocals).

    They held their first festival event on Sat., June 11. The event took place on the property of Josh Skowronski in Alden, NY. IT Fest offered camping, a variety of vendors and three long sets of Intrepid Travelers throughout the day—all on private property with nature trails and a nearby creek.

    The first two sets were a mixture of original songs with a few covers thrown in the mix. The last set they covered MGMT’s album Oracular Spectacular from start to finish. They put their own twist on the album, showing fans a side of the band that they might not be aware of.

    David Neimanis had this to say about IT Fest:

    We want to thank all those that attended this first-time event. We look forward to doing many more of these, and allowing this festival to organically grow with all of us. Josh really went above and beyond to put this together, and we couldn’t have asked for a better host. We are also incredibly grateful that mother nature had our backs and proved all the forecasters wrong by giving us a beautiful day. None of this would have been possible without all the help from sound engineers Ryan Bress and Tyler Dieckman, our volunteers and all the good people who came out and respected the land. It feels great to connect people together through music, and we are thrilled by the positive we received from everyone. We really can’t wait to have more Intrepid Travelers’ Family Reunions.”

    The band is headlining an event at Neitzsche’s in Bufflalo on June 25, and will be heading out on a month-long tour starting July 8 in Ithaca, NY, and a July 9 hometown show at the Lockhouse. The tour will take them across the country and back, before closing out with a performance in East Aurora, NY, on Aug. 19.

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    The music scene in Buffalo is alive and thriving. Intrepid Travelers are a fine example of this, and they have the pieces in place to make some noise in the music world.

    6/11/16 Setlist

    Set 1: Cities^ Maddy and Anna, Dark Disease > Funnel > Shake Your Body#
    ^ Talking Heads
    # Jackson 5

    Set 2: On the Grass, All About It, Conquistadors, Randoh’s Island > Lochs of Dread*# Jungle Boogie^
    * Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
    # featuring Phil Driesin on guitar
    ^ Kool and the Gang

    Set 3: Time to Pretend* Weekend Wars* > The Youth* Electric Feel* > Kids* > 4th Dimensional Transition* > Pieces of What* Of Moons, Birds and Monsters* > The Handshake* Future Reflections* Kung Fu Fighting % Woolify, Photo Booth, Youth, Stayin’ Alive^ Mountain Man
    * MGMT
    % Carl Douglas
    ^ Bee Gees

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