NYS Music 20​16

Category: Rock

  • Hobbled moe. Peps Energetic Saranac Crowd

    It’s a Central New York institution put on by New York’s jam band. For the second consecutive evening, moe., complete with an injured bassist, shook the Saranac Brewery to its hoppy core on Saturday with two sets filled with guitar-driven improvisation, fun set lists and even a few unconventional covers.

    Bassist Rob Derhak was in a seat for the entire show, laid up with a leg injury, which did not limit him in any way, as he was as animated as ever in the band’s annual residency in Utica. If Friday’s show was more laid back, then Saturday’s was a lesson in in-your-face rock and roll.
    Jim Houle Photography - moe. - Saranac Brewery - Saturday - NYSMusic Files-5

    And warming up the rowdy crowd was funk band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. PPPP laid down a straightforward set filled with danceable and rhythmic numbers. Out of the gate, “Seat Of My Pants” featured a big solo each from guitarists Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey, which were catapulted by the backing beats of drummer Vinnie Amico.  “Big World”>”Ricky Marten”>”Spine Of A Dog”>”Not Coming Down”>”Wormwood”>”Okayalright” took up the next hour or so. While there wasn’t a section of the groove that stands out as supreme, the songs flowed together, allowing moe. to display the tight musicianship they’re loved for. “McBain” featured a short outro jam that crescendo-ed the crowd into happy oblivion just before setbreak.

    In 2015, Saranac released a moe.-themed beer, aptly titled Hoppy Hour Hero, a strong IPA that was the featured beverage of the night. (Amico discussed this and a range of other topics with NYSMusic back in May). Without hesitation, moe. began playing “Happy Hour Hero,” which exulted a huge road from the attendees.

    “Bearsong” began and amidst the noodling emerged an unusual treat: House of Pain’s iconic hit “Jump Around.” It’s expected for moe. to throw in covers here and there, but I was among many who didn’t see this coming. The crowd sang every word of the anthemic chorus, before the band veered into “Tailspin.”

    Jim Houle Photography - moe. - Saranac Brewery - Saturday - NYSMusic Files-36

    “Opium” then bled into “lylelovit.” With the curfew approaching, and the guitars dueling, Schnier began “Downward Facng Dog,” eliciting a huge applause, and closed out the energetic and overall very good set with “32 Things.”

    “Buster” brought the 2016 Saranac run to a close and gave the moe.ron famoe.ly nothing but smiles and happiness. The band thanked the crowd and exited, and everyone in my area began hugging and embracing.

    Now that the band has found a legitimate home in CNY, it begs the question: Is moe. ever bringing moe.down back? Amico has said it will be back, so now we just have to wait. But two nights at Saranac every summer is a pretty great consolation.

    07/30/2016 • Saranac Brewery • Utica, NY
    Summer Tour 2016

    Set 1: Seat Of My Pants>,Big World > Ricky Marten > Spine Of A Dog > Not Coming Down > Wormwood > Okayalright McBain

    Set 2: Happy Hour Hero, Bearsong > Jump Around > Tailspin >, Opium > lylelovit.>, Downward Facing Dog >, 32 Things

    Encore: Buster

  • Gregg Allman Cancels Tour Dates Due to Serious Health Concerns

    Gregg Allman has cancelled several upcoming tour dates through October, citing serious health concerns. All dates beginning with Peach Music Festival in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Aug. 12 through the Clearwater Florida Jazz Festival on Oct. 16 have been canceled. This also includes Allman’s August dates with ZZ Top.

    Allman

    Allman will return to the stage for a performance at the Laid Back Festival at the Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 29. All subsequent dates are confirmed to take place.

    Though details concerning Allman’s condition have not been released, he is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic. In a Facebook post announcing the cancellations Allman writes, “I want to thank my fans and friends for supporting me while I rest up and focus on getting better and back on the road as soon as I can. I’ve been working hard with my band, my pride and joy, to play our music for everyone. We’ll see y’all in October.”

  • Photo Gallery: Coldplay Heats Up Buffalo

    Coldplay heated up Buffalo this on Monday, August 1 as they brought their show to the First Niagara Center. NYS Music was there to capture a few shots of the show for readers.  Usually the bells and whistles are saved for the close of the show, but these guys brought the big guns out right out of the gate with some of their best hits, canisters blasting confetti, and showering laser lights through the packed to capacity venue.

    coldplay buffaloTouring for their most recent album release, A Head Full of Dreams, Coldplay is half way through the tour that spans North America and then heads overseas to Australia for the month of December. Check to see if they’ll be coming to a city near you soon. This kaleidoscope band delivers one heck of a colorful high energy show.

    coldplay buffaloSetlist: A Head Full of Dreams, Yellow, Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall, The Scientist, Birds, Paradise, Always in My Head, Magic, Everglow, Clocks, Midnight, Charlie Brown, Hymn for the Weekend, Fix You, “Heroes” (David Bowie cover), Viva la Vida, Adventure of a Lifetime, Kaleidoscope, Green Eyes, In My Place, Til Kingdom Come, Amazing Day, A Sky Full of Stars
    Encore: Up and Up

    coldplay buffalo

    coldplay buffalo

  • Skillet’s Jen Ledger Hints At Possible All Women Supergroup

    Christian music rockers, Skillet, stopped by the recently opened Lucky Strike Social, inside the Crossgates Mall in Albany. The Q103 sponsored event, held a contest over the last week, giving fans the chance to enter for the chance to win a spot on the guest list, which was the only way into the intimate 3-song Q&A event. The event took place inside the venue’s, Jupiter Hall, which is a 900 person concert style club with tables and couches in a elegant setting.

    For years, rumors have persisted about an all-female supergroup consisting of Jen Ledger and Korey Cooper from Skillet, Lizzy Hale of Halestorm and Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies. During one of the Q&A parts of the show, hostess for the event, Q103’s Candace, told the ladies from Skillet, that the radio station had recently had Emma and Sick Puppies over for a Garage Session. Candace noted that Sick Puppies will join Skillet for a fall tour at the end of the year. She went on to tell the ladies that she was curious about the rumors of them teaming up with Anzai and Hale, and if there were a possibility that something could actually happen. Drummer and vocalist Jen Ledger replied, saying:

    We literally just spoke to Emma about this. We played a show with her recently, and she came on the bus with us, and hung out with us and I was like, ‘I feel were are getting a lot of demands on Twitter and Instagram, saying about them being a supergroup.’ The word is already out there, and we will see if we can make something happen. I think something needs to happen.

    Vocalist and bassist John Cooper quickly stated that they should do acoustic cover tunes, and he would help pick the songs for them.

    Skillet is set to release its tenth studio album Unleashed August 5. The band closed with an acoustic version of its lead single from the upcoming  album “Feel Invincible,” which has been heating up rock radio airwaves everywhere.

  • moe. Brings More Than Tasty Brews to Saranac On Friday July 30, 2016

    Some families, if they’re lucky, have reunions every year or so. If you’re a moe.ron, its whenever moe. the band is able to park it and throw down for a couple of days. Last weekend, the boys dropped into their old stomping grounds of Utica for two nights of their annual stint at the Saranac Brewery, over July 30-31, 2016; bringing a wave of openers and late night shows, along with their own bust-outs and full throttle psychedelic rock to 830 Varick St.

    With Ryan Montbleau opening the first night, fans were treated to a full band which, in typical Montbleau fashion, kicked off the weekend with sulky vibes mixed with high intensity big band sounds encapsulated within a small ensemble.

    People who know what a Montbleau Band show is capable of were buzzing over his electricity and for those who only thought they knew, were served a healthy dose of wild female vocals, buttery trombone, crazy fingered keys, and the smooth charm of the talented singer-songwriter.

    With gray skies, high heat and humidity hovering, a crowd with a propensity for partying gave moe. full-bellied cheers as the first set began with the classic ,”Timmy Tucker,” a sign that things were off to a great start. “Timmy” sneakily segued into the bouncy “Threw It All Away” followed by another segue back into “Timmy.”

    A quick hello and welcome to Utica from bassist Rob Derhak led into the cautionary, in-your-face monster, “Don’t Fuck With Flo” followed by “CIA.” Fans were then treated to two covers, “Fame” by the late David Bowie, and Steely Dan’s “Bodhisattava,” with Ryan Montbleau, accompanied by his female vocalists, sitting in on the performance. The two covers showcased guitarist Chuck Garvey’s vocal abilities and classic rock chops to help close out a stellar first set.

    The second set began with a bang, as drummer Vinnie Amico rolled off the opening beats to “Water,” followed by the instrumental ditty “Hector’s Pillow;”  the first two songs of a six-song segue. The beloved “Bring You Down” began patiently, but the jam soon grew to heights the song is known to reach. Yet each time the beauty of it is expanded upon as guitarist Al Schnier soloed his way into the songs closing lines, “be with me, be with me,” all while checking off stats as the first time played in the city as well as at the brewery.

    The last half of the segues included the epic “Silver Sun”. The Pink Floyd inspired tune quickly turned into a beast as it transitioned into the Grateful Dead’s “The Other One,” using the same quadraphonic sound implemented earlier in the summer by the bands front-of-house engineer, Steve Young. Heads were spinning as sound echoed from the towering brewery back onto the fully loaded crowd and segued back into “Silver Sun.”

    The night was completed with “Mar De Ma,” an Amico-penned instrumental honoring his wife and daughters, “Y.O.Y,”, and “Plane Crash.”

    Much to many fan’s pleasure, the band strayed from the setlist and chose “Sensory Deprivation Bank” for the encore. Attendees were then unleashed into the streets to take part in the late night acts offered throughout Varick Street.

    moe – Saranac Brewery, Utica, NY – July 30, 2016

    Set I: Timmy Tucker > Threw It All Away > Timmy Tucker, Don’t Fuck With Flo > CalifornIA > (n.h.) Fame, Bodhisattava

    Set II: Water > Hector’s Pillow > Bring You Down, Silver Sun > The Other One > Silver Sun, Mar-DeMa (n.h.) Y.O.Y., Plane Crash

    Enc: Sensory Deprivation Bank

  • Central New Yorkers Celebrate 75th Birthday at Red Rocks

    To play a show at the Red Rocks Amphitheater located in Morrison, Colorado is a modern day right of passage as a musician.  Constructed in early 1900’s, this National Historic Landmark documents it’s earliest show, the Grand Opening of the Garden of the Titans,  on May 31, 1906, some 100 years ago, featuring Pietro Satriano and his 25 piece brass band.  This spectacular modern day venue was the vision of John Brisbane Walker, who found this setting to be the perfect acoustic balance between these gigantic rock formations, just as the Ute might have for generations preceding.  In 1941 the City of Denver purchased the land and with the assistance of the Civilian Conservation Corps, built the amphitheater we know today. Dedicated on June 15, 1941, Red Rocks Amphitheater is now celebrating it’s 75th birthday, hosting concerts series each year with some of the worlds most elite performers.

    central new york red rocksIn an article by John Wenzel of The Denver Post, Wenzel revisits a few of Red Rocks’ most notable concerts throughout it’s history.  Notably the Beatles tour of 1964 was included.  This show actually was the only show on that tour not to sell out for them.  What very well could have set the precedent of the jam band movement at Red Rocks, can possibly be directly linked to the Grateful Dead’s show in 1978 spawning a myriad of jam bands to return each year since to the mystical setting.  Included also in this list was the Jimi Hendrix Experience who came to perform to the 9,525 capacity venue and was the only show there to date that did not document the event with photos or video.  Annual events tend to be a common occurrence with The Blues Traveler as they take up residence each 4th of July at Red Rocks.

    The late John Denver, was a huge advocate of Red Rocks and performed there a total of 17 times throughout his career, televising it live to a global audience reaching the masses and shining a light on the jewel nestled within the rocks.  In 1971, what is recalled today as the Riots at Red Rocks, ticket-less fans stormed the venue to see the Jethro Tull show prompting both a riot with law enforcement and spawning a five year ban of Rock & Roll at the Rocks.

    With such rich history, such breathtaking beauty, and such mystical healing of music and nature combined, it is truly a venue that every performer wishes to have an opportunity to experience at least once in their careers.  Joe Bonamassa, a native of Central New York, is no exception.  Having performed there several times to date, it seemed fitting that this journalist would experience her first show and check off her bucket list item with a hometown hero.  Bonamassa is one of this generations most influential blues guitarist forging music not for the airtime it would be grated, but solely for the love of music.  Influenced throughout his life by such greats as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Paul Kossoff, Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, Bonamassa knew guitar was what he wanted to do at the age of 4.  He had to experience the movement it gave him.  As he closed out his recent tour with his parents looking on from the audience at Red Rocks, it was an honor to take part in this magical night and hear what inspired him to become the musician he is today.

    As the angry storms poured down on eager concert goers just prior to the show, the delays forced all to take cover and ride the storm out.  It was only a matter of time that the clouds blew their way across the rocks to give a peek to what was most definitely the most spectacular view of Denver and the surrounding mountainous terrain that surrounded it.

    With concert goers encompassing the seating throughout the venue and sitting on the rocks surrounding the stage, it was as though they were hugging the stage.  The magical music was accompanied by the most spectacular back lighting highlighting the rocks behind and crowning Bonamassa in the center of the stage; creating the most breathtaking set I’ve seen to date.  As if that wasn’t enough, then moon crept up behind the stage to peek out above the jumbo tron.

    This show was everything and then some for myself and those lucky enough to attend the closing show of the tour.  To have Joe Bonamassa as the star in the middle of this jewel, was truly an honor shared by his hometown friend and those back home at NYS Music.  It is highly recommended to make the journey to see both Joe and Red Rocks, checking two “must sees” off your bucketlist.  Happy 75th Birthday Red Rocks from NYS Music.  It was an honor to bring this home to our readers.

    Setlist:  Beck’s Bolero/Rice Pudding, Mainline Florida, Boogie with Stu, Let Me Love You Baby, Double Crossing Time, Motherless Children, SWLABR, Tea for One/Can’t Quit You Baby, Little Girl, Pretending, Black Winter/Django, How Many More Times Encore: Locomotive Breath Intro>This Train, Mountain Climbing, Hidden Charms, and Sloe Gin.

  • Disturbed Turns up the Heat at Darien Lake

    It was a hot humid day this past Sunday at Darien Lake. In turn made some people harbor inside with the AC not to be seen until the temperature cools down and we can breathe easy again.  That didn’t stop rock fans from coming out and enjoying the top notch lineup that was about to implode the venue.

    Saint Asonia is a new name to the music scene, but the musicians in it are rather seasoned. Staind‘s Mike Mushok, Dark New Day‘s Corey Lowery and former Finger Eleven drummer Rich Beddoe help make up the group. With only one album out people had an idea of what to expect, though they threw a Three Days Grace song in the mix. I was highly impressed by this band and how tight they were. The stage presence was good but could use some work. Please don’t become a one trick pony. There is too much talent and years left for that. Though with the heat wave of 89 degrees we had, let’s dismiss this performance for lack of movement from some members.

    Alter Bridge, was formed from the ashes of Creed in 2004. Alter bridge came at you with tons of emotion from the moment they hit the stage. Myles Kennedy, whose voice, sounds radiantly clear despite moving continuously around from stage left to stage right. Adrenaline was running high at this point, and there was more to come. Mark Tremonti really knows how to schmooze the crowd with his killer smile and flawless guitar riffs. The rest of the set-list was a compilation of songs from of all their previous productions, but it was arranged in a manner that kept it agile and very engaging.

    Breaking Ben has been a heavy hitter in the scene for years. They have had their fair share of problems recently and have made somewhat of a comeback but seem to be slightly struggling. Not quite sure if the heat was getting to the bands that night but Breaking Ben vocally was not on their game. He didn’t quite hit the notes he typically does but we all have our off days. That didn’t stop the fans from loving every moment of the show. They sat and had a collection of their best songs ranging from all the catalogs. Fans sang along to ever y last one of them despite his diminished vocal ability.

    This band brings it each and every time they come to town, Disturbed has been dominating the rock scene for just short of 25 years; 22 years to be exact, only 20 of those years contained David. Disturbed brought extra heat with them that night with a pyrotechnics that could be felt from the back rows of the venue. David brought his deep heavy hitting vocals and was on point the entire night. He ranged from his older favorite tunes and even played a new song for the engaged crowd. He also did his rendition of “Sound of Silence” who was originally written by Simon and Garfunkel.  This seems to be his newest bit and people either love it or hate it; there is no in between. Regardless, his entire performance was one for the books and Buffalonians will always welcome him with open arms anytime he wants to come to Buffalo.

  • Foreigner Turns Heads at Turning Stone

    No Lou, no Mick … No Foreigner? NO WAY! Despite the fact that original Foreigner founding member and guitarist Mick Jones was not on stage last Tuesday, July 26, at the Turning Stone Event Center was not indicative of Foreigner’s inability to turn heads, wow the audience and put on a huge rock show at its sold out shows wherever it is on tour.

    The band performs all the classic and top Foreigner hits flawlessly, never missing a beat, a lick or even a second of doubt. The seasoned band, most who have been with this current version of Foreigner for the greater part of the last decade play the music as it was most likely heard in 1983. Close your eyes and you would swear this is the original Foreigner. For all intents and purposes, it really is Foreigner with Jones still performing when he is able. Jones, who has been hit or miss as of late due to speculated health issues was surely missed at the Turning Stone show, however the band which he cherry picked to become the new generation of Foreigner, picks up in his absence in superb form. Especially Bruce Watson, who is handling Jones amazing and timeless guitar work on all the Foreigner classics from “Hot Blooded” to “Feel’s Like the First Time,” “Dirty White Boy” and more.

    Foreigner, one of the world’s best selling bands of all time with worldwide sales exceeding 80 million records, formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran English musician Mick Jones and American vocalist Lou Gramm. The band’s debut album, Foreigner was released in 1977 and featured the mega-hits “Cold as Ice,” “Feel’s Like the First Time” and “Long, Long Way From Home.” This year marks the 40th anniversary of Foreigner and the band has currently been promoting the iconic success of the band with Foreigner40 merchandise from t-shirts to guitar picks and highlighting the milestone at every show. Jones has recently discussed, in a 2016 interview, a possible 40th anniversary reunion tour, featuring the Head Games era lineup. If a 40th Anniversary reunion tour becomes a reality and, “… hopefully feasible and possible to pull it off next year,” as Jones relates, It may include a line-up of original members including Lou Gramm, Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliot and Rick Wills.

    At just a little after 8:00 p.m. with the Turning Stone Casino Event Center totally blacked out, the pre-show recorded music stopped and gave way to Foreigner’s dramatic opening score as drummer Chris Frazier entered stage left and greeted the exuberant crowd with a wave of his sticks before sitting on his drum throne. At the same time, entering from stage right was Foreigner’s multi-talented keyboardist Michael Bluestein who also gave the crowd a well received greeting gesture before settling down behind his rig. As the opening score continued to build, the other members of Foreigner walked on stage including Jeff Pilson, Bruce Watson and Thom Gimbel. Then in an instant the house lights went up illuminating the band as lead singer Kelly Hansen ran out on stage and the band immediately broke into their first number, “Double Vision”. The large crowd at Turning Stone was now on their feet screaming and singing along and did not have time to catch their breath before Foreigner went right into their second song, “Head Games”. At 55 years of age, Hansen shows know signs of getting too old to rock as he has the stage energy and moves that keeps the fans engaged and entertained at the same time. Hansen performs and sings all the classic Foreigner songs effortlessly, all while running, jumping, leg kicks and mike stand twirling like a twenty something year old warped tour rocker. He shows know signs of letting up and seems to perform each show like it was his first.

    Foreigner continued throughout the night with Hansen engaging in the crowd to interact and engaged with the band and each other. Next on the set the multi-talented Thom Gimbel, who plays guitar, sax, flute, and backing vocals, moved in place behind a diamond plated piano case as Hanson reminded the crowd of this next song being heard “Maybe in their late twenties” and chuckled as he introduced one of the top hits of the 1977 album, “Cold As Ice.” As expected, as soon as Gimbel hit those unmistakable first notes of the hit song, the crowd at Turning Stone went absolutely wild. There was no letting up from the hit parade as Hansen talked briefly to the crowd telling them to grab their partner, lover or just find someone in the crowd to hold on to as he announced Foreigner’s 1981 mega-hit power ballad “Waiting for a Girl Like You” featuring the talented Bluestein on keys. Despite this being the digital cell phone era, there were actually a few old school lighters in the air for this one.

    Foreigner had the audience highly engaged and up on their feet for the entire set. Kelly Hansen urged the crowd to move up to the front of the stage where there was no barricade. It was elbow to elbow in front of the stage and Hansen, the energetic crowd pleaser made the fans feel a part of the show by high fiving them, running out into the crowd during “Head Games” interacting with fans as he circled the floor before jumping back up on stage. In fact, all band members were certainly into the performance and not lacking for energy. One highlight of the show was an acoustic version of “Say You Will”. Hansen shared this was the idea of bassist Jeff Pilson who arranged the song acoustically which ultimately led to their successful unplugged album Acoustique: The Classics Unplugged. Again, with much reverence for the Foreigner classics, Hansen announced the next song in their set, the mega 1977 hit that launched Foreigner into the big-time “Feels Like the First Time”. And again, as expected the crowd was enthralled in the moment, with most of them bodies deep in front of the stage waving and extending their hands in the air hoping to grab a high five or catch a guitar pick from one of the band members.

    The hits kept coming all night including “Urgent” from the 1981 number one album Foreigner 4, Then Bluestein and Frazier got the already pumped crowd even more riled up with an amazing keyboard/synth solo followed by a killer Chris Frazier drum solo. At times Frazier would take a drink from his bottled water then dump the rest on his floor tom and thrash it while the water lit by an underneath spot illuminated the splashing liquid. “Juke Box Hero” and “Long, Long Way from Home” followed.

    The kids backstage could probably barely contain their excitement and anticipation to join Foreigner onstage next to perform their number one and biggest hit to date, “I Want to Know What Love Is” from 1984’s Agent Provocateur album. One by one the students from the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School Choir made its way to the riser between keyboardist, Bluestein and drummer, Frazier as the intro to the number one song began. Foreigner has been inviting local high school and singing groups onstage to accompany them with this song for the last several years and it never gets old. This gesture continues to remain a very noble and gracious act on the band’s part. It is humbling to witness and very entertaining.

    Foreigner completed its summer 2016 tour at the end of July. The band then departs for a European tour the first two weeks of August before returning to the states to finish up its regular show. A much anticipated acoustic tour begins in the fall of 2016 beginning in October running through the end of November 2016. Whether you’re an old fan or a newcomer to Foreigner, the band is timeless and the current line-up features hand picked top notch musicians that perform all the Foreigner hits with flawless sound, energy, and passion check out the upcoming tour dates, news and more at their website.

    Foreigner’s Current Line-up:
    Mick Jones – Founding Member, Guitarist
    Kelly Hansen – Lead Vocals
    Bruce Watson – Guitar
    Thom Gimbel – Guitar, Sax, Flute, Keys
    Jeff Pilson – Bass Guitar
    Michael Bluestein – Keys
    Chris Frazier – Drums

    Set List:
    1. Double Vision
    2. Head Games
    3. Cold As Ice
    4. Waiting for a Girl Like You
    5. Dirty White Boy
    6. Say You Will
    7. Feels Like The First Time
    8. Urgent
    9. Keyboard Solo
    10. Drum Solo
    11. Juke Box Hero
    12. Long Long Way From Home
    13. I Want to Know What Love Is (w/VVS School Choir)
    14. Hot Blooded

  • The Werk Out 2016 Looks to Pack a Punch

    Nestled inside the Legend Valley Concert Venue and Campground, the Werk Out looks to be  the sleeper festival of Summer 2016.  With a jam packed lineup and the intimacy of a smaller venue, this year’s festival features a variety of musical acts, vendors, craftspeople and activities. Now in it’s seventh year, the festival returns to Thornville, Ohio, August 4 through 6.

    werk out

    Headliners and host band The Werks will perform all three nights, while Twiddle and Dopapod will hit the stages for two nights.  STS9 tops the lineup with two sets while funk masters Lettuce and The Motet lead the festival’s late night efforts.

    The Werk Out will also play host to several tribute sets including the highly anticipated Twerkapod “Tribute to the 90s” featuring members of The Werks, Dopapod and Twiddle as well as Daft Phunk – a Daft Punk tribute performed by Earphunk.

    Bluegrass sensation Greensky Bluegrass, rock/funk fusion band Kung Fu,  hip-hop funktronica Manic Focus, NYC Funk outfit Turkuaz, and the Everyone Orchestra featuring Todd Stoops round out the already diverse, funky and fun weekend of music.

    The festival is also packed with many of Ohio’s finest up and coming festival artists including Broccoli Samauri, reggae rock fusion Tropidelic, and Ghost Gardens.

    Other must see non native Ohio see include North Carolina based rock jam fusion Big Something, Maryland-based band Litz, and New York state based bands Mister F and Teddy Midnight.

    “Don’t miss the Glostik Willy late night set on Saturday Night/Sunday morning,” noted Grand Haven, MI, native Zachary Burns,  a three-year vet of the Werk Out. He also suggests getting to the venue early to take advantage of wooded shady camping, as space in these areas is limited.

    “Definitely don’t skip out in the Disc-O-Pizza vendor,” Burns also suggested. “ Some of the best/fairly priced festi food you can get.”

    Columbus, Ohio native Jake Ashworth agrees with Burns.  “When in need of food, seek out Disc-O-Pizza.  And Gilligan’s has the best smoothies.”

    Ashworth also mentioned taking advantage of the showers near the stage to stay cool and suggest if you want to post up in your hammock, to get there early because “the trees fill up fast.”

    Music begins on Thursday at 4 p.m.  Saturday day passes are available at the gate for $80.  Weekend passes are still available and can be purchased in advance or at the gate.  Camping is included.  No alcohol is sold during the festival, however, according to the festival website, “Please bring your own alcohol for the weekend. And some to share.”

  • Zac Brown Band Sling-Shots Their Way Into Syracuse’s Lakeview Amphitheater

    Zac Brown Band brought a diverse mix of traditional mainstream country, bluegrass, gospel and even rock ‘n’ roll to create an unpredictable evening of music for an enthusiastic crowd at the Lakeview Amphitheater on Thursday July 21. The eight-piece group transitioned seamlessly from one music style to another while incorporating a unique array of sounds including a three man horn line, pizzicato violin interludes, Latin percussion and powerful backup vocalists.

    Jim Houle Photography - Zac Brown Band - Lakeview Amp - Watermark-28

    The group kicked off their set with “Homegrown” followed by “Knee Deep” and “Whiskey’s Gone” before getting the crowed all revved up with the well-known “S.O.B.” (Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats cover). Brown was engaging and endearing throughout. He paused before playing “Tomorrow Never Comes” to invite the fans to “Forget whatever bull**** happened to you this week, this month or this year or whatever and just get lost in the music.” He took a moment to promote his new line of red wine and to let folks know it was being sold at the venue. The band also appeared to have a blast catapulting merchandise into the crowd using a hand-held cannon and giant slingshots.

    The band took a short break midway through their set before coming back to delight fans with their notable covers of the Who’s “Baba O’Riley” and John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane.” Both were interesting choices for a country band but they performed them well and the crowd responded by dancing and singing along. They ended their set with fan favorite hit “Chicken Fried” before coming back onstage to perform a two song encore that included “Let’s Go Crazy” (Prince Cover) and “Beautiful Drug.”

    Zac Brown Band proved that they are much more than a mainstream country act. The show was well worth long waits in traffic both getting to and leaving the venue. Hopefully, the venue’s powers that be will continue to work to improve the traffic situation before next season.

    Set list: Homegrown, Knee Deep, Whiskey’s Gone, S.O.B. (Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats), Goodbye in Her Eyes, As She’s Walking Away, Tomorrow Never Comes, Colder Weather, Sweet Annie, It’s Not Ok, I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter), Baba O’Riley (The Who), Toes, Loving You Easy, Jack & Diane (John Mellencamp), Keep Me in Mind, Castaway, Chicken Fried

    Encore: Let’s Go Crazy (Prince), Beautiful Drug

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