Category: Regions

NYS Music Presents Thursday Nights @ Nietzsches

NYS Music Presents, Thursday Nights at Nietzsches in Buffalo.

7/7 Tyler Pearce Project, Dirty Smile, Noah Gokey

Tyler Pearce Project is a soulful pop rock band consisting of Miss Pearce and her band mates Greg Broadhurst (drums), Chris Vandenbos (Guitar), and John Cannon (Bass). Her enchanting voice and passionate performance is not one to miss.

Dirty Smile always comes prepared with honest songs and infectious energy. This rock pop soul band stands resolute in its pursuit of rock-n-roll greatness. The energy of their live performance leaps from the bandstand with grand enthusiasm. It’s difficult to ignore the vibrant, free flowing presence of Megan Brown at the microphone. Erik Eimiller, Jesse Raderman, Mike Suda, and Gus Walters form the adept band behind Brown that sounds seasoned beyond its years; dynamic and intense with a rock soul.

Noah Gokey is a Buffalo, NY based singer and songwriter who has produced over 120 songs and 9 albums while appearing on radio stations TV, and a variety of stages. Gokey’s unique sound is difficult to categorize in one genre but can be described as an eclectic mix of arsenal rock with influences from folk, blues, jazz, and reggae.

7/14 Tiny Rhymes, RADARADA, The Tins

Tiny Rhymes is an indie alt-folk chamber group from Buffalo, NY. Featuring tight vocal harmonies, richly melodic string lines, and the introspective songwriting of leader Sharon Mok. Though the group members are classically trained, they strive to be instinctive about their technical choices and arrangements

RADARADA  is Buffalo’s freshest Jazzy HipHop band. Inspired by artists such as Common and John Coltrane, RADARADA seeks to expose and exploit the similarities between jazz and hiphop in both a meaningful and creative way.

With influences ranging from Talking Heads to Tame Impala, The Tins masterfully create layered jams that USA Today claims as “brilliant pop exuberance.” From Buffalo NY, the trio has released a number of critically acclaimed records and are currently in rotation on SiriusXM Radio and have been licensed to several hit TV shows including Beverly Hills 90210 and Roadtrip Nation.

7/21 The Public Presents: The Get Money Squad, Uncle Crunchy & the Granolas, Feverbox, Jon Bap

The Get Money Squad  is a Surf Rock duo consisting of Quinton Brock & Jon Bap.

Feverbox , formed only at the beginning of this year consists of Josh Little, Nicholas Kelly and Griffin Smith who have been playing music together since high school. .Taking notes from bands like The Beatles, The Strokes, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys and The Shins, the trio decided to start a new project with the intention of making original music that stayed true to their creative influences with a focus on vocal harmony, catchy riffs, smart lyrics and a tight live performance.

7/28 Buffalo Infringement Festival Opening Ceremonies

8pm   Brass Pro and the Waterfront Revivalist
8:30pm   beerhall philosophers
9pm   the Minions
9:30pm   The Left Hand of Darkness
10pm   The Hell’s Harlots Burlesque
10:30pm   MatKa
11pm   Bagel Jesus & Friends
11:30pm   Lazy Ass Destroyer
midnight   Intent To Sell
12:30am   Hooked on Casiophonics

July 7, 2016
Show Preview : Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People to Play Funk N Waffles

Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People will be making a stop at the Downtown Syracuse Funk N Waffles on July 16. Ponder, a Rochester native, offers a transcendent mix of powerful groove and soul music with gospel roots.

Ponder and the Tomorrow People was named one of the “Top Ten Bands to Watch” by CityPaper and was the winner of the 2015 Roc Awards, “Best Local Band.” Ponder and her band are currently on tour in support of their 2016 EP release Blow Out the Sun.

Ponderhas been described as having a “riveting and honest” stage presence. Ponder describes her live shows as an interactive experience, “When I get on stage I want the audience to be just as important as the musicians. I want to hear them, feel them and see them dancing and moving.” The Funk N Waffles show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are still available here.

July 6, 2016
Phish Brings Joy to SPAC Night 3

Phish returned to SPAC to close out their 3-night run. Following two incredibly fun shows, excitement and expectations for the Sunday show were sky high. The weather was as perfect as Saturday night. Fans roamed the packed lots well before the show, and, upon entering the venue, were greeted with easier security lines than the previous night. While the music may not have met the expectations of those hungry for a monster show, it had its moments, and everyone was filled with love and joy.

The first set was filled with many of their fun shorter songs that didn’t see much jamming, kicking off with “The Wedge” and “Heavy Things.” The dance party got started when the band launched into “Tube.” While a very fun Gordon song, “Sugar Shack” has been on many fans’ drop list for Phish, preferring it played by Gordon’s solo band. Anastasio hasn’t seemed to be able play it well. McConnell came out from behind the keys to croon the audience with “Lawn Boy” before a fast-paced “Sparkle” made it’s triumphant return following an absence in 2015. Excitement built as the first notes of “It’s Ice” were heard, followed by “Guelah Papyrus,” but the band took it down again with “Ocelot.” The set ended on a high note with “Possum” that brought the energy through the roof and glow sticks flying as everyone waited in anticipation of what would likely be a big second set.

When Phish came back to open the second set with “Soul Shakedown Party,” the increased energy and excitement could be felt throughout the crowd. Then came the funk. “The Moma Dance” featured an extended Type II jam that brought us all to outer space, clocking in around 17 minutes and competing for best version. While much of the rest of the set was less interesting musically, the love throughout the crowd could be cut with a knife. “Joy” brought some needed relaxation to the set with the band telling us “we want you to be happy,” and the happiness spread like a wildfire. New song “Breath and Burning” came next, played for a third time this summer after its debut at Deer Creek. The energy returned at the end of the set with “Axilla > Theme from the Bottom > Harry Hood > Show of Life.” We all knew who our friends were during “Theme” as we were surrounded by them. “Harry Hood” featured a blissful jam and could have ended the set, but the band had another message for us. “Show of Life” returned for the first time since New Year’s Eve 2013 to close it out. When the band came out for the encore, we were all surprised that it would be “Rock and Roll.” It was, however, a fitting cap to what was a euphoric set as our lives had all just been saved by rock and roll.

The crowd was slow to disperse following the set as high fives, hugs and smiles were exchanged among new friends. The three-night run had come to a close, leaving all of us just a bit closer to finding ourselves in this show of life. Everyone walked out even more excited for the remainder of the tour. Next stop, Portland!

Setlist by Phish.net

Soundcheck: Winterqueen (x2), Guelah Papyrus

Set 1: The Wedge, Heavy Things, Tube, Sugar Shack, Lawn Boy, Sparkle > Sample in a Jar, It’s Ice > Guelah Papyrus, Ocelot > Scent of a Mule, Possum

Set 2: Soul Shakedown Party, The Moma Dance > Twist > Joy > Breath and Burning, Axilla > Theme From the Bottom > Harry Hood > Show of Life

Encore: Rock and Roll

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTxvxCal92k[/embedyt]

July 6, 2016
Whitesnake Fills Artpark For A Night Of Greatest Hits

On Tuesday, June 28th, Whitesnake and special guests Whitford/St. Holmes rolled into Lewiston, NY for an unforgettable night at Artpark.

The evening started off just after 7PM with Whitford/St. Holmes. For those who were unfamiliar with the band, they surely put two and two together once the two legends took the stage. Nearly 40 years ago, Brad Whitford left Aerosmith to team up with Ted Nugent vocalist Derek St. Holmes to do an album and a tour. Now in 2016, the duo have another album and are getting the crowds ready each night for Whitesnake. Together, Whitford and St. Holmes cranked through 6 songs off their new album Reunion and ended with a mix of Aerosmith/Nugent tracks. For fans of that pure rock/blues rock genre, Whitford/St. Holmes truly bring it. As an added bonus, immediately after their set, both Whitford and St. Holmes stopped by the merch booth to sign copies of Reunion and meet fans.

After a quick stage change, the sound of “My Generation” by The Who came over the PA. This sound meant it was time to start the show and out walked the man everyone came to see, David Coverdale. Forming Whitesnake in 1978 after leaving Deep Purple, Coverdale has been the front-man ever since. Joining Coverdale in Whitesnake on Tuesday, were Tommy Aldridge on drums, Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitar, Michael Devin on bass and Michele Luppi on keyboards.

The set kicked off with the track “Bad Boys” which was off the 1987 release Whitesnake. From that point, the crowd knew that the band was there for business. Labeled as “The Greatest Hits Tour”, Coverdale and the rest of Whitesnake surely delivered that to Artpark. Fans probably could have guessed what Whitesnake was going to play that evening but that wasn’t the point. It’s not often an iconic band such as Whitesnake comes to Lewiston, NY to play the beautiful Artpark. Judging from the turnout, everyone seemed to agree and bought tickets for the show. Artpark always offers great prices to their shows and at their concession stands.

One of the highlights of the night was watching Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitar. The two went back and forth all night trading guitar licks and ripping solos. The two of them play with such ease and know how to perform. Both Beach and Hoekstra have great résumés. Beach has worked with bands such as Winger, Dokken, Alice Cooper and more. Joel Hoekstra, on the other hand, played for Night Ranger and was a member of the Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Fans both young and old were spotted throughout the crowded amphitheater. Parents, who’ve been listening to Whitesnake for what seems like ages now, brought out their kids to see the show. Seeing generations rock out together to songs like “Slow an’Easy”, “Is This Love” and “Here I Go Again” goes to show how timeless these songs are. Whitesnake’s legacy is one that is surely going to last forever.

Coverdale and the rest of Whitesnake ended the night with the hard-hitting track “Still of the Night” off their 1987 self-titled album. Coverdale, for being 64 years old, still sings the classic hits, like this one, incredibly well and left the audience standing begging for more.

Whitesnake Setlist

Bad Boys, Slide It In, Love Ain’t No Stranger, The Deeper The Love, Fool For Your Loving, Sailing Ships/Judgement Day, Guitar Solo, Slow an’Easy, Bass Solo, Crying In The Rain, Drum Solo, Is This Love, Give Me All Your Love, Here I Go Again, Still Of The Night.

Whitford/St. Holmes Setlist

Shapes, Rock All Day, Hell Is On Fire, Gotta Keep On Movin’, Shake It, Hot For You, Dayjob Medley (Last Child/Train Kept A-Rollin’/Stranglehold)

[FinalTilesGallery id=’842′]

July 3, 2016
Phish Sets the Gearshift Out of Control for SPAC Night Two

Phish’s second night at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center was preceded by a beautiful early summer afternoon, a welcome change from Friday’s thunderstorms that served as the soaking precursor to the night one show. Fans also seemed to feel more settled, ready to dive into the middle of the run, despite having to wait in the lengthy security lines.

The boys kicked things off with “Crowd Control,” a solid but rather underwhelming choice considering the intensity that would awaken later in the show. Mike Gordon took the lead vocals on the “555,” with accompaniment from John Fishman before sailing into some improv grooves on “Seven Below.” The consistently upbeat and funky “Back on the Train” had fans howling with delight. Trey Anastasio slammed into a solo only to be matched by Page McConnell’s key shreds. This led to “Army of One” with additional impressive displays of jazz inspired liberties on keys. The “Divided Sky” included the basic choreographed dance jumps of Anastasio and Gordon. The song included its lengthy pause in which all four members appeared still as statues. The raw human emotion could not be hidden as a wide grin on Anastasio’s face shined like a pillar of light, letting the 20,000 or so die-hard fans know he was just as happy to be in the spa city as they were.

“Martian Monster,” a Halloween 2014 debut track, gave Anastasio another chance to demonstrate melodic percussion on Fishman’s marimba lumina as he did the previous night during the massive and lengthy “Chalkdust Torture.” A quick “Rift” followed by “Water in the Sky” moved into a slamming “46 Days.” Chris Kuroda’s new LED light boards beamed throughout the song, mimicking the look of liquid in motion as Anastasio and McConnell drove the song to the first set’s closer, “Walls of the Cave.”

The jam-heavy second set began with “No Man in No Man’s Land” before diving into the intensity of “Fuego,” featuring long and deep improvisations and jams. The crowd sang along the tune’s “whoa-ohs” and simultaneously tossed boat loads of glow sticks into the night sky. “Light” included some type II style jams before teasing back the lyrics of “No Man in No Man’s Land” and ended with a fun rendition of TV on the Radio’s “Golden Age.”

The later half of the second set was stocked with tour debuts, beginning with “Taste,” which featured some intricate piano playing that moved throughout the song with McConnell’s directive. “Horse” glided right into “Silent in the Morning,” as it typically does. The ever perky “Julius” made it nearly impossible not to boogie down before the foursome took to the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” bringing the second set to a triumphant close. A small child on her father’s shoulders graciously accepted Anastasio’s guitar pick as a token of his appreciation for even his youngest fans.

A bubbly “Bouncing Around the Room” kicked off the two-song encore before exploding into “Run Like an Antelope,” demonstrating the extensive musical prowess of all four members and closing SPAC night 2 with a bang.

As if your face hadn’t fully melted off after nights 1 and 2, there’s still time to grab the mop and bucket for night 3 at SPAC this evening. As they say, “never miss a Sunday show.”

Setlist via Phish.net
Soundcheck: Funky Bitch, How Many People Are You, Miss You, Tide Turns

Set 1: Crowd Control, 555 > Seven Below > Back on the Train, Army of One, Divided Sky, Martian Monster[1] > Rift, Water in the Sky > 46 Days, Walls of the Cave

Set 2: No Men In No Man’s Land > Fuego > Light -> Golden Age > Taste, The Horse > Silent in the Morning > Julius, A Day in the Life

Encore: Bouncing Around the Room, Run Like an Antelope
[1] Trey on Marimba Lumina.

July 3, 2016
24 Songs and a Monster Chalkdust Torture Keep the Energy Flowing at Phish’s First Night at SPAC

Phish made their triumphant return to SPAC for the first time since 2014 and brought with them a boatload of energy for a top show of tour thus far. The rain and tornado warnings peppered the pre-show with downpours and lightning, but a break in the weather gave the fans a chance to stroll Shakedown in the West 50 lot and catch up with friends new and old before heading into the venue for the band’s only three-night run on the east coast, and it’s a highly anticipated run at that.

Opening the night with “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan,” “The Birds” and “NICU,” Phish brought in the high energy from the outset, followed by “Cities” > “David Bowie,” which recalled the Ventura 98 “Bowie” > “Cities” > “Bowie,” if slightly short on replicating the magic from that sandwich.

“Free,” “Uncle Pen” and “Halfway to the Moon” followed, which kept the energy rolling prior to “Let’s Go,” the sole debut of the night and a new tune penned by Mike Gordon with the most promise thus far. It could easily stand out as the single off the forthcoming Bob Ezrin-produced album expected later this year. First impressions and a few relistens give a JGB funk vibe mixed with Gordon’s “Andelman’s Yard”; fans will definitely be clamoring for “Let’s Go” throughout the tour.

“Waiting All Night” dropped the tempo down slightly before a 10-plus minute “Bathtub Gin” took the reins and stood out as a highlight Type I jam of the set. A brief “Golgi Apparatus” seemed to be the set closer, but Trey let the crowd know “We’re gonna do one more,” leading into the perfect set closer, “The Squirming Coil.” A better first set in terms of song selection and maintaining energy could not have been scripted. Any dwelling on the memory of the storm that preceded the show had effectively been erased.

The new light rig for Phish this tour is an upgrade visually and aesthetically, and it will get even better given how lighting designer Chris Kuroda evolves through each tour. The depth of the screens plus regular lighting mixed in accents the band in a different manner but accompanies the new material perfectly.

#Phish @magicofspac Night 1

A photo posted by pete mason (@phanart) on Jul 1, 2016 at 5:58pm PDT

The second set of SPAC didn’t wait to get rolling, jumping out with “Sand” > “Carini,” two songs that signaled a stepping off point for Type II jamming. It was the “Chalkdust Torture” though that reigns supreme as the jam of the night and thus far of the tour, clocking in at more than 22 minutes and featuring intense, exploratory jamming, Trey on the Marimba Lumina, Mike on keys and a tone that derives from the drive-in set at Magnaball last August. Phish picked a great song to get weird during, rivaling the Randall’s Island “Chalkdust” from 2014 and creating its own moniker “SPACDust” almost immediately.

Trey on the Marimba Lumina during a huge Chalkdust Torture jam at #SPAC #phish

A video posted by NYS Music (@nystatemusic) on Jul 1, 2016 at 8:10pm PDT

A mellow “Prince Caspian” and “Bug” followed and while not nearly as high energy as the 45 minutes that preceded, there was no drop off from the crowd response and thus, no complaints. “Shine a Light” by the Rolling Stones made its first debut of the tour, as did “My Sweet One,” thanks to a banner hanging in the balcony before the song. Trey pointed to the fans and led the band into the bluegrassy love song for a short two minutes. “Sleeping Monkey,” always welcome, teased Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” in the intro, and eventually jumped into “2001” out of the blue, dropping funk late into the set ahead of a set closing “Fire.” The band returned to the stage to close the show with “Character Zero,” not relenting on the energy one bit.

Phish is having a lot of fun at SPAC, and it was only the first night. Given the extensive song selection already this tour, rare covers, new Phish songs and tour debuts, we could be looking at the best three-night SPAC run since 2012, if night one is any indication.

Setlist via Phish.net

Soundcheck: Alaska, Let’s Go, Unknown Trey Song, Unknown Mike Song
Set 1: Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, The Birds > NICU, Cities, David Bowie, Free, Uncle Pen, Halfway to the Moon, Let’s Go[1], Waiting All Night > Bathtub Gin > Golgi Apparatus, The Squirming Coil
Set 2: Sand > Carini > Chalk Dust Torture[2] > Prince Caspian > Bug, Shine a Light, My Sweet One, Sleeping Monkey > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Fire
Encore: Character Zero

July 2, 2016
Phish “Friends” Premieres at The Mann, Fishman shares Lyrics

Phish premiered a new song, “Friends” from Syracuse’s favorite drummer, Jon Fishman on June 29 at the Mann in Philadelphia. Fishman posted the lyrics in the comments of a fan’s (Peter Banta) Facebook post earlier today.

The band kicked off a three-night run at Saratoga Performing Arts Center Friday night, which included another debut, “Let’s Go.” NYS Music is on site and will have a full wrap up of the SPAC run.

NYS Music loves new songs as much as other dedicated fans. Share your thoughts on this, and other premieres on this tour.

Friends, by Jon Fishman

Friends,
If the lord ever comes

descending from the skies in some fiery fashion
as so many say he will
You will not see me
going joyously to greet him expecting my deliverance,
but running for the hills
For if such a day should come to pass
this is no God come to save the human race,
but a big boat
like the ones our forefathers sailed
having made it across the great ocean to our shores
from outer space.
And friends
when that boat finally comes
ascending from the depths of our imagination
to appear within our sight
We’ll be born again
as we’ve been so many times all throughout the ages when we find that we’re not right,
and with darkness lifted from our eyes, then we’ll find what should come as no surprise…
We’re on a big boat like the ones our forefathers sailed
headed across the great ocean from our shores to outer space

July 2, 2016
NYS Music Presents Saturday Nights in July at Funk ‘N Waffles Downtown

Beginning this Saturday, July 2, NYS Music will present a diverse lineup of artists at Funk ‘N Waffles in Downtown Syracuse. Cory Henry, the Blind Spots, Calliope Musical and the Zen Rites kick off the new summer series this weekend.

The Grammy award-winning Cory Henry is a one-of-a-kind, multi-instrumental musician and producer. He dabbles in a variety of genres with artists such as Yolanda Adams, Sara Bareilles, P. Diddy, Kirk Franklin, Kenny Garrett, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Shaun Kingston, Donald Lawrence and Michael McDonald. Yet, it’s his upbeat, jazzy tunes and captivating R&B performances that have caught the eyes of fans, while playing as a member of Snarky Puppy. Don’t miss a chance to hear his new hits from The Revival in person.

The Blind Spots are sure to get your hands in the air and your feet moving along to a pop-indie beat. This female-fronted, Ithaca-based band offers solid rhythm, an array of eclectic keyboard sounds and inventive electric guitar stylings.

If there has ever been a folk band that made you feel like you were at a psychedelic party, Calliope Musical is the one. This group’s high-energy performance engages the crowd to create a beautiful interaction between the dance floor and the stage.

The Zen Rites are an alternative folk duo from Ithaca who perform in hopes to spread positivity and consciousness. This couple began making music in 2015, with plans of releasing their first EP of lyrically driven songs full of passion and depth in the near future.

7/9 Hippie Ball II w/Pearly Baker’s Best, Solar Garlic, Two Hour Delay @ 8 p.m.

The authentic Grateful Dead tribute band, Pearly Baker’s Best, never plays the same show twice. Covering songs that span more than 50 years of timeless lyrics and jams, any fan would enjoy their performance.

Solar Garlic — another tribute band, but this time it’s Phish, coming right out of Syracuse. Driven by the improvisational thrills that make Phish jams such an epic live performance, these four members pay proper tribute to their favorite band.

Syracuse natives, Two Hour Delay, are an Americana rock jam band that has opened for Rusted Root, Donna the Buffalo, Floodwood, New Riders of the Purple Sage and Enter the Haggis. Influenced by rock and roll, blues, folk, country and bluegrass, they play a mix of tasteful original songs and covers.

7/16 Funknut, Danille Ponder and The Tomorrow People @ 10 p.m.

Funknut plays as a rotating cast of funk, soul and rock and roll. Funknut and its members have opened for and played with the Temptations, Bernie Worrell of Parliament Funkadelic and Talking Heads, Robert Randolph, John Medeski, the Four Tops, Soulive, KRS-One, Particle, Alan Evans and Break Science.

Titled one of the “Top Ten Bands to Watch” by CityPaper, Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People transcends musical genres with a blast of deep, powerful groove and soul. Danielle’s style and charismatic vocals has landed them with powerhouses such as George Clinton, Ledisi and the Roots. The Rochester native states, “Soul music is something you feel,” she says. “It gives you goosebumps.” In combination with her groovy band, their performance is both enchanting and seductive — this honest stage presence is sure to make you melt.

7/23 Rabbit in the Rye w/special guest Savannah and the Kings, Jackson Cavalier and The Fevertones @ 9 p.m.

Joseph Mettler on guitar and harmonica, Alexander Lavon on bass and Brendan O’Connor on percussion and mandolin make up a progressive folk rock trio from Hamilton, NY. Rabbit in the Rye’s fables and unique way of storytelling combined with a bittersweet, poetic sound reminds listeners of a forgotten American image with fantastic realism.

At a young age, Savannah began telling stories through lyrics exploding with imagery and passion that was well beyond her years. Her deep, expressive songs have caught the attention of artists such as Emmylou Harris, 10,000 Maniacs, Harpeth Rising, Field Report and award-winning Canadian country music singer-songwriter Ryan Cook and landed her opportunities to play with Buffalos Philharmonic Orchestra. After two brilliant solo tours, she extended her success as a harmony vocalist and rhythm guitarist with 10,000 Maniancs. In April, she recorded her latest album Bold and Unsteady with her new band, Savannah and the Kings, and is ready to share her passions with new and old fans alike.

Jackson Cavalier and the Fevertones has been voted Rochester’s Best Busker(s) for the past two years and holds the title of house band at The Daily Refresher. Starting up as street performers, they experimented with horns, strings, percussion and harmony and have now played over one hundred gigs since their formation in 2013. Their consistency has paid off as they now have two studio albums and a high demand trailing after their Indie Folk sound.

7/30 Castle Creek w/special guest SimpleLife @ 9 p.m.

Local barnyard burners Kim Monroe and Chris Eves of Castle Creek are a powerful duo out of Syracuse. Using lyrically powerful ballads and a blues/jam influenced musicianship to captivate audiences throughout upstate New York all while maintaining their roots of familiar classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd.

Starting as a trio of acoustic artists in 2001, this group has evolved from three part harmonies into a critically acclaimed band. You can catch them performing in different numbers, but they will always leave you wanting more. Two of the original members, Mike Frisina and Ben Lucas, have opened up 2 Bros. Studios where they write and record music consistently. Simple Life’s third album will be released this summer.

July 1, 2016
Miranda Lambert Brings the Sass to Darien Lake

Keeper of the Flame is Miranda Lambert’s 2016 tour, and she brought some friends with her to Darien Lake on June 23. Brothers Osborne kicked things off, but didn’t kick things off right. They did not get the crowd engaged, and more so, their commentary was rather off-putting. Regardless, some of the crowd loved it and that’s what matters, making your fans happy.

Kip Moore doesn’t quite fit into the country genre per say. He’s got the looks and charisma a country star might have but the raspy pipes of rocker. Regardless, he fit in and blew the opener away. He’s still in his infancy only being signed four years ago by MCA Nashville. Moore already has quite following and had some diehard fans singing along to almost every song. He belted some well-known songs like his very first single “Something ‘Bout a Truck” and his most played on the radio “Running for You.” Give him a few years and he’ll be ready to be the headliner of the shows.

As the lights went down the crowd began to scream, and a video that flaunted girl power featuring history icons from the decades sprawled across the screen, while Beyonce’s “Run the World” song played over the speakers. As the old saying goes, if you got it, flaunt it — and Lambert did just dazzling with a set that included each of the hits that have kept her name high atop the charts for the past decade, along with some new never heard before songs. Given that she writes much of her own music, Lambert let her songs do the talking from the stage and treated fans with tales of hard living, lost love, hope and happiness that made for an alluring evening of music.

July 1, 2016
Brewery Ommegang to Host the String Cheese Incident and Twiddle

Cooperstown, NY, is setting up to be a hot spot this summer for concert-goers as Brewery Ommegang and Dan Smalls Presents will host their short but sweet annual Summer Concert Series. The concert season kicked off in May with Lake Street Dive and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. The next show coming up on July 8, is Colorado-based folk-jam band the String Cheese Incident and Vermont’s Twiddle.

Known for their diverse catalog of bluegrass-rock music with energized jams, the String Cheese Incident thrive on live performances and the fans that push them to rock harder every night. Kings of the festival scene, SCI have been touring for more than 20 years with countless studio and live recordings available as well as DVD’s of recent shows courtesy of Tour Gigs. In May 2015, while building their new studio in Colorado, the group chiseled a week out of their schedules to rent a house in Arizona and construct some new material, while bonding like a good band should. Appearing on their website is a free download of a few songs from that recording, titled SCI Sound Lab Volume 1.

Twiddle, the four-piece groove machine that many people are warming up to, recently just sold-out the stunning Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY, and are in full work mode with an intriguing list of tour dates this summer, including appearances at North Coast Music Festival, the Peach Fest and Lockn’ Music Festival.

While on the road at this very moment, you can catch the String Cheese Incident at some of the major festivals and venues across the states which include Red Rocks, The Peach Fest and Big Sky Brewing Company before returning to New York to pump up the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.

July 1, 2016