Bloc Party is an English indie rock band with artists Kele Okereke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, sampler), Russell Lissack (lead guitar, keyboards), Justin Harris (bass guitar, keyboards, saxophones, backing vocals) and Louise Bartle (drums). Their danceable rock music has made them one of London’s biggest hits.
The band has performed on the Late Show with David Letterman and the Tonight Show, been featured on multiple magazine covers, and performed highly-anticipated sets at major festivals such as Coachella.
The band’s fifth studio album, Hymns, the first to involve Harris and Bartle, was released in January 2016. They have collectively sold over three million albums worldwide.
Check out this playlist to see what Bloc Party has to offer.
Mark Lombardo and Derek Rogers make up Titanics who were named “Best Best” by Albany’s Metroland, featured on San Francisco’s most prestigious music blog “Indie Shuffle” and Mercedes Benz’ September 2013 “Best New Talent” mixtape. Their use of synthesizers and electronic beats create tranquil sounds, spiritual feels and a pop sensibility. Check out their website below for news updates and music downloads.
You can get a taste for the Titanics at their Bandcamp page here.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band returned to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 14, bringing along the North Mississippi All Stars and Los Lobos. Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi led the show getting the crowd going right away. The band opened up strong with “Laugh It Up” and “Made Up Mind.” TTB surprised the crowd with “Swamp Raga,” a song from The Derek Trucks Band. The group followed up with “Within You Without You,” a song by The Beatles.
At the end of the show members of both North Mississippi All Stars and Los Lobos came on to play “The Sky Is Crying.” The North Mississippi All Stars also celebrated their 20th anniversary. The Tedeschi Trucks Band wraps up their Wheels of Soul Tour on August 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Red Butte Garden.
Setlist:Laugh About it, Made Up Mind, Darlin’ Be Home Soon, Swamp Raga, Within You Without You, Just As Strange, Right On Time, Goin’ Down to Mexico, Don’t Know What It Means, Idle Wind, The Sky Is Crying, Angel From Montgomery, Jam,Let Me Get By
ENCORE: Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring, Sticks and Stones
Gregg Allman graced the Xerox International Jazz Fest to kick off the July in Rochester. Gregg’s ability through his music took over the anxiously awaiting fans in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre to a free spirits and a peaceful loving vibe. Fans danced, smiled and let loose as the venues incredible acoustics floated the sweet sounds of each song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vxAQkiPdq4
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist headlined as a main draw to attend the annual festival. People from all over the world attended the community to support all of the bands, including this performance. Music brought people together, enjoying the harmony of the music and with one another.
Take a look at what visuals were captured by NYS Music from the Friday night show.
Seeing an artist grow musically and gain fame over the years is truly amazing. Experiencing their headlining shows in a club is incredible, but as the sun set and the lights dimmed at the CMAC Amphitheater on July 2, Chris Young walked on that stage gleaming at a sea of his fans. A spectacular moment that induced goosebumps.
Tearing into his song “Underdogs” off of his latest album “I’m Coming Over,” Chris got the crowd going crazy, as his band’s riffs filled the amphitheater. Chris had three microphones set up, one in the middle of the stage and one on each side. This gave him the freedom to play his guitar and walk all around the stage interacting with the fans when he sang “Getting You Home.”
Chris performed more hits such as “Voices” and “Lonely Eyes,” which lead to the realization of how many hits Chris currently has on the radio. In between songs, Chris stopped to thank the audience several times making sure they knew that they were responsible for making his dreams come true.
About mid set Cassadee Pope, who opened for Chris, came out to sing their duet “Think of You.” The chemistry they have together on stage was simply mesmerizing. Chris and Cassadee sang in true duet form by facing each other and feeding off of each other’s energy to make the heartbreak of the song come to life. Once the song was over they embraced each other and Chris said, “Good Lord that girl can sing!”
From Chris’ stage presence, down to the way he interacts with his band members, shows how much he loves being a performer and musician. When Chris paused to thank his fans, he made it a point to introduce his band one at a time, treating the audience to solos.
Seeing Chris being so humble and sharing personal stories, shows that he is a great person as well as an entertainer. Before he performed “Who I Am With You,” Chris shared that he would be singing it at one of his friend’s wedding later this summer. He also shared a memory of having tickets on the lawn at a show with his mother in Murfreesboro, TN, where he grew up. Filling us in on his first gig, which was at a Mexican restaurant in Nashville, his payment was chips and a case of beer.
As the night went on Chris played “Aw Naw,” a ZZ Top cover, of “Sharp Dressed Man,” Keith Whitley’s, “When You Say Nothing At All,” “Neon,” and his latest single “Sober Saturday Night.” Ending the set with “I’m Coming Over,” Chris genuinely thanked his fans for making it his biggest hit that has changed his life forever.
After his touching “good bye”, the audience cheered bringing Chris back out to encore with “Save Water.”
Next year will mark 20 years since a group of guys got together, under a shared love of the Grateful Dead, and started what would grow to be the country’s most well-known Dead tribute act. Rob Barraco looks upon his time in our interview with the legendary keyboardist.
Dark Star Orchestra
From humble beginnings in 1997 to packing a baseball stadium in 2015, Dark Star Orchestra has more than put in the work to earn such praise. Not only does the band recreate specific setlists from the Dead’s more than 2,300-show cannon, but the members are all very well versed in the era each show took place. Now, they do not play note-for-note renditions, but they do alter their improvisational style to portray a mood similar to the original.
“We get a show book (of GD shows) before each tour,” Rob Barraco, DSO keyboardist of 11 years, said in a phone interview. “Sometimes it’s the ’70s, sometimes it’s the ’80s or ’90s, and then I think ‘oh no’ then we start the show and it just does not matter. We are all locked in and that’s when the best improv happens. We play the songs, but it’s anyone’s guess what happens when we go off.”
And that is the spirit of what Jerry Garcia left behind. Any given night, once the words were over and he started his unique flurries of notes, anything could — and did — happen. DSO brings that same mindset across the country upward of 120 times each year, and this Sunday at the Saranac Brewery in Utica, you can see the magic that occurs. On Friday and Saturday, the band is playing Stateside Ampitheater at Jay Peak Resort in Jay. Vt., to lead up to the Saranac show.
A few days later, on July 26, DSO returns to Frontier Field in Rochester, site of the largest non-festival crowd the band has ever performed in front of. Last summer at the minor league baseball stadium, the band hit a grand slam, packing about 10,000 fans and delivering what can only be described as a no-hitter complete with an offensive explosion.
“It’s the biggest turnout we’ve ever had as the headliner,” Rob Barraco said. “We loved it, and the energy was palpable. We went and fed off of that, and the crowd gave us back so much love. It was so great that we’re going back.”
For DSO, the show marked a step up in terms of audience size. Typically a festival and mid-sized theater band, DSO has been inching toward playing larger venues over the last three years. Maybe coincidentally, that’s when bassist Skip Vangelas took over for Kevin Rosen, who retired in 2013. Rob Eaton, an original member, plays rhythm guitar; Jeff Mattson plays lead; Dino English and Rob Koritz handle the rhythm section and Lisa Mackey is a backup singer/dancer extraordinaire.
Barraco doesn’t hide his roots. He first saw the Dead in 1972, and continued to attend shows as often as possible up until around 1980, not long after graduation from a college in New Paltz. He recalls the Wall of Sound and the band’s universally renowned 1977 Spring Tour, where he said he was lucky enough to catch a large portion of the Northeast shows.
It was, however, when he got the chance to play with Phil Lesh in 2000 when his music performing dreams came true. He was a member of the timeless Quintet (featuring Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring) and also toured with The Dead in 2002-03. He regularly played with Lesh until around 2012, and is very vocal about the lessons he learned from the legendary bassist.
“From the very first note I played with Phil, it was just complete improv,” he said. “Phil didn’t ask us to play like the Grateful Dead. He wanted us to be who we are, and it was magical every single night. We took the music and we did some crazy shit, man. With The Dead, they decided they wanted to be a bit more traditional, and that took a little adjusting. And Phil used to tell me, ‘it’s like playing in one band is a Ferrari and the other is a freight train.’ My heart will always be with Phil.”
In the summer of 2006, Phil and Friends did a co-headlining tour with GRAB (Mike Gordon, Joe Russo, Trey Anastasio and Marco Benevento), and they made a stop at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center. Anastasio sat in with Phil almost every night, but the Bethel show was special for many reasons, not the least of which was because it took place on the same grounds that hosted the original Woodstock.
“We were playing (with Trey) and then we all started to realize something, that we were playing the same setlist the Dead played at Woodstock,” Barraco said with a laugh. “That’s Phil — he gave us the setlist, but just didn’t mention that we were doing that.”
Of all the lessons he took from Lesh, the main one was this: “In DSO, I can never get above myself. None of us do, and that really makes it so great.”
Rob Barraco attended Fare Thee Well last summer, and gave a fun anecdote of an encounter he had.
“Trey did a phenomenal job (at GD50.) On the last night, I ran into him backstage and he looked at me and said, ‘Do you realize that if it wasn’t for these guys we wouldn’t have a job?’ Phish never would have done what they’ve done. The Grateful Dead are the architects of the jam band scene. The Allman Brothers Band wouldn’t have started the jam band thing we have. And when Trey said that to me, I said, ‘no shit, dude,’ and that’s the truth.”
The band recently discussed the state of DSO, and they all agreed they would like to keep this thing going forever. Barraco said the only change, due to band members having children and wanting more family time, is that they’d like to cut the number of shows down to around 100 per year.
“We are all looking forward to this tour,” he concluded. “We are giddy for the baseball stadiums and I think we are really going to knock some doors down.”
Making their way through New York this summer, the Jason Aldean and friends Six String Circus Tour recently made a stop at the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse.
Touring together with newcomers A Thousand Horses, this dynamic band is reminiscent of 70’s southern rock. Putting on an awesome set, they brought a bluesy and rock sound to those who were fortunate enough to get there early enough to see their set. This is definitely a band on the rise, and one you will want to check out next time they come to your area.
Following next was country music’s new favorite Thomas Rhett. Mentioning that this was his third appearance in New York, one thing he noticed was that New Yorker’s like to have a good time. That is correct Thomas, we sure do love our country music, and and with a full set of favorite tunes, a drum off that set the bar high, Thomas delivered the good time we New Yorker’s expect at our shows. Singing his ACM Single Record of the Year, “Die A Happy Man”, Thomas shared he wrote the song for his wife, Lauren, who was at home in Nashville. This dynamic young man has a fun loving personality that comes across in his performances, and the audience definitely joins in the fun.
As the black cloth fell, and the flood lights exploded, Jason made his way down the stairs belting out “Just Gettin’ Started” as he made his way to the primed crowd. Shaking hands and working the stage, fans erupted in noise. Only being allowed to see the first part of the performance, it appeared that the crowd would be in for one heck of a night if this energy continued.
As the summer breeze blew off the lake, and the fireworks exploded across the street at the State Fairgrounds, it was another amazing night that Central New Yorkers welcome amazing acts to the newly constructed Lakeview Amphitheater.
Setlist: Anthem, South Side, Make Me Wanna, Tangled Up / Cake By The Ocean, It Goes Like This, Beer With Jesus, T-Shirt, Die A Happy Man, Get Me Some Of That, Vacation, and Crash and Burn
Setlist: Just Gettin’ Started, Gonna Know We Were Here, Take A Little Ride, When She Says Baby, Night Train, Big Green Tractor, Lights Come On, A Little More Summertime (new single), Tattoos On This Town, Fly Over States, Tonight Looks Good on You, Asphalt Cowboy / Why / The Truth / Don’t You Wanna Stay, The Only Way I Know, 1994, Amarillo Sky, My Kinda Party (Brantley Gilbert cover), She’s Country, Dirt Road Anthem (Brantley Gilbert cover), Hicktown, Burnin’ It Down, and Crazy Town
Once a year families and friends gather at Sterling Stage Kampitheater, located in Sterling, New York to celebrate American freedom. This freedom was celebrated through music, art and dance. The three-day festival was held June 30 – July 3 and people of all ages joined for a beautiful weekend of love and laughter in a community where artistic expression is encouraged.
There were many arts and crafts available for children to take part in, which included painting, jewelry making, origami and much more, while everyone else enjoyed great music.
The festival featured The Heavy Pets, Sophistafunk, Rootshock, Freekbass, Flux Capacitor, and many more incredible artists such as The Primate Fiasco, who did their annual parade around the festival grounds allowing others to join in on the fun. The Ameribeat Orchestra, which includes Sterling family and alumni, one of which was Jack Brown, lead vocalist of Sophistafunk also took the stage, finishing off the set with a line that echoed through the forest, “Some come to chill, some come to rage, may the four winds blow you to Sterling Stage.”
On that note, make sure you make it to Last Daze of Summer, Labor Day weekend September 1-4, the last festival of the 2016 festival season at Sterling Stage featuring Max Creek two times, Ryan Montbleau, Formula 5 and many more to be announced.
Day 2 of this years’ 34th Annual M&T Syracuse Jazz Festival held at Onondaga Community College Campus in Syracuse, was the night that over 5,000 plus fans were waiting for. With a large roster of highly awarded artists and performers sharing 1 stage throughout 2 days and nights turned out to be an incredible event. As New Orleans’ own Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and the Orleans Avenue braced the lineup, other national and local bands brought their “A game” to get the crowds energized for the headlining act.
Returning to this years fest, the City of Syracuse Parks & Rec All-Stars kicked off the day with their fluid compositions, directed by the highly regarded Joe Carello. The all-stars swung through a 45 minute set, all taking turns at solos and giving the crowd a piece of their heart and souls.
Second Line Syracuse Brass Band was second in command of day 2 of the fest. Led by the Juilliard School of music master jazz trombonist Melissa Gardiner, the core group features one other trombone, two trumpets, a saxophone, sousaphone, and drums. The eight-piece ensemble performed a various array of original scores and a few covers.
Paulie Cerra and Andrew Lippman led Groove Legacy through a fantastic set of jazzy tunes, sprinkled with bluesy twists and soulful harmonies. Increasing with energy as the evening sun settled, the steadily growing audience was getting loose on their feet and enjoyed a new song recently recorded with Utica’s own Joe Bonamassa.
Originally scheduled was Larry Coryell and the Eleventh House. Tho, Larry is currently in post-surgery and was unable to perform, son and master jazz guitarist Julian Coryell led the group with determination to show Syracuse how to have a good time. Performing a variety of covers and originals, the group shined through the evening with many tasteful guitar licks and drum fills. Just as the group was ending, Executive Director Frank Malfitano rushed the stage accompanied with a beautiful plaque to present to the band, giving thanks for continuing to show up and perform considering the circumstances of Larry condition.
Malfitano briefly returned to the stage to give warm welcome to Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The band bounced onto the stage one by one as drummer Joey Peebles kicked up a funky groove. Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews dramatically appeared lastly with shades on, Trumpet in one hand and Trombone in the other. As the band got underway, they immediately cranked up the energy and didn’t let up until the their set was done. Aside from his skillful brass chops, Andrews danced his way across the entire stage, covering almost every inch replication the styles of James brown and Michael Jackson. At points, even gathering other members to march around in a huddle, while others shared solos and some spotlight. A memorable highlight of the nearly 2-hour performance was an intimate rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On,” along with accompanied with a crowd sing-a-long. Before closing out the weekend, Andrews eagerly invited Frank Malfitano up on stage to dance along to their mashup of “Mardi Gras Medly” and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” representing their hometown of New Orleans.
The packed venue of seated fans were told by Grace in between songs, her performance will feed from their energy. She elaborated sharing that if people felt like like they wanted to stand, dance sway, tap their foot to feel comfortable with enjoying as they wished. The crowd loosened up as she continued through her set and took up her offer to get up close to the stage if they wanted to. Fans faces were lit up with smiles as they enjoyed her close interaction by reaching out to them from stage. The air filled with the excitement while she was on stage. A piece of that night stays with each person of the energy that was created by the performance, music and people.
Grace and each member of the band played the whole set with meaning and directed it to those there to see them. It was an incredible treat to have attended to see Grace in action whipping her hair as she moved to the music playing. Every song was given the attention, emotion, energy and soul as if it was the first time they played it, no mechanical movement or sound could be noticed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty7J5tJRZIQ[
Setting on her piano had a large crystal on one side and an alien figurine on the other, a sign she is filled with wonder, depth, love and channeling energy. It was unforgettable night because of Grace Potter coming to Jazz Fest. The tone had been set for the remaining 9 days of the festival after that show. The Jazz Fest had the positive vibe of people coming to enjoy music to dance, smile and have a good time with one another each day. Check out these moments caught from the night brought to you by NYS Music.
Tasha Taylor is bearing her heart and her love of soul and blues in her third album Honey for the Biscuit. Daughter of American vocalist Johnnie Taylor, Tasha released her third album in February 2016. The 13-track disc infused with soul and blues, funk and pop, is the perfect vehicle for Tasha’s powerful yet measured vocals and instrumentation.
“It’s soulful blues and good storytelling, but it also has something you can shake your butt to here and there,” said Tasha.
Honey For The Biscuit features a star-studded line-up. Tasha is joined by Keb Mo on Track 03 “Family Tree,” Robert Randolph contributes to Track 06 “Little Miss Susie” and Tommy Castro lends his vocals for Track 13 “Same Old Thing.”
“I think being on tour and doing so much live music with these blues artists inspired me on Honey for the Biscuit to find my own blues,” she said. “Most of the songs I wrote on my guitar. I felt inspired by these guys. If I heard something I thought they’d be perfect for, I’d call them up and ask them if they had time.”
Track 10 “Leave That Dog Alone,” features a sultry and salty duet with Samantha Fish about kicking a man to the curb.
“Had a Sweet Talking Man. Had to let him go. He wouldn’t leave other women alone. He wouldn’t stop, messing round on me. I had to throw his stuff out on the street. Better leave, better leave, cause his back, his back, his back ain’t got no bone.”
The Blues Caravan, featuring Ruf recording artists Ina Forsman, Layla Zoe and Tasha Taylor, rolls into Rochester at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 at Abilene’s Bar in Rochester.
Nathan Watts, best known as Stevie Wonder’s bassist for 30 years, helped produce the album, pulling together a band for the studio recording including Tasha’s brother John Taylor on guitar. Tasha also collaborated with Richard Flemming and Grammy award-winning Buffalo native rock, country and blues artist Tom Hambridge on the songs “Weatherman,” “How Long” and “Leave that Dog Alone” during a traditional Nashville songwriting session.
A fireball of energy, actor/musician, Tasha is fresh off a European tour promoting her album and from starring in “The Heart of Soul…The Stax Musical,” about the record label with which her father recorded with Booker T. & the MG’s.
Tasha rolls into Rochester with the Blues Caravan at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 at Abilene’s Bar in Rochester along with fellow Ruf label artists Ina Forsman and Layla Zoe. Click here for information and advance tickets.
Key Tracks: Little Miss Susie, Leave That Dog Alone, Family Tree, That Man
Bloc Party is an English indie rock band with artists Kele Okereke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, sampler), Russell Lissack (lead guitar, keyboards), Justin Harris (bass guitar, keyboards, saxophones, backing vocals) and Louise Bartle (drums). Their danceable rock music has made them one of London’s biggest hits. 
Mark Lombardo and Derek Rogers make up Titanics who were named “Best Best” by Albany’s Metroland, featured on San Francisco’s most prestigious music blog “Indie Shuffle” and Mercedes Benz’ September 2013 “Best New Talent” mixtape. Their use of synthesizers and electronic beats create tranquil sounds, spiritual feels and a pop sensibility. Check out their website below for news updates and music downloads.
At the end of the show members of both North Mississippi All Stars and Los Lobos came on to play “The Sky Is Crying.” The North Mississippi All Stars also celebrated their 20th anniversary. The Tedeschi Trucks Band wraps up their Wheels of Soul Tour on August 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Red Butte Garden. 
Touring together with newcomers 
