Category: Regions

  • Steely Dan Touring This Spring and Summer

    Steely Dan is hitting the road again this spring and summer, kicking off its tour at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have booked several New York dates in addition to the opener, including stops in Niagara Falls, Bethel and Saratoga Springs.

    The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will first hit up theaters and event centers on the initial leg of the Dan Who Knew Too Much tour before Stevie Winwood joins them, hitting sheds and amphitheaters country-wide throughout the summer months.

    Following the tour opener in Port Chester April 18-19, the band makes a quick jaunt to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for a show April 22.

    The short spring leg visits the Seneca Niagara Events Center in Niagara Falls April 29, before wrapping at the Borgata in Atlantic City April 30.

    Following a month-long break, the tour picks back up in Cincinnati, where fellow Hall of Famer Steve Winwood joins the tour.

    Full tour information is available at Steely Dan’s Facebook page. Ticket sales begin Feb. 26.  Information is available here.

    Steely Dan’s The Dan Who Knew Too Much Tour Dates:

    4/18 — Port Chester, N.Y.
    4/19 — Port Chester, N.Y.
    4/22 — New Orleans, La.
    4/24 — Birmingham, Ala.
    4/27 — Wallingford, Ct.
    4/29 — Niagara Falls, N.Y.
    4/30 — Atlantic City, N.J.
    6/7 — Cincinnati, Ohio*
    6/8 — Detroit, Mich.*
    6/10 — New Buffalo, Mich.*
    6/11 — Chicago, Ill.*
    6/13 — Morrison, Colo.*
    6/14 — West Valley City, Utah*
    6/16 — Mountain View, Calif.*
    6/18 — Hollywood, Calif.
    6/19 — Las Vegas, Nev.*
    6/22 — Dallas, Texas*
    6/23 — Kansas City, Mo.*
    6/25 — Little Rock, Ark.*
    6/26 — Atlanta, Ga.*
    6/29 — West Palm Beach, Fla.*
    6/30 — Tampa, Fla.*
    7/2 — Charlotte, N.C.*
    7/3 — Camden, N.J.*
    7/4 — Holmdel, N.J.*
    7/7 — Mansfield, Mass.*
    7/9 — Bethel, N.Y.*
    7/10 — Saratoga Springs, N.Y.*
    7/12 — Bristow, Va.*
    7/13 — Colonial Heights, Va.*

    * with Steve Winwood opening

  • Disney Begins Casting for ‘Frozen’ on Broadway

    Disney’s Frozen is joining Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway. Based on the hugely popular movie that made Idina Menzel a household name (and one John Travolta will never forget), the musical adaptation begins its Broadway run in Spring 2018.

    Prior to the Broadway opening, an out-of-town premiere will take place at Denver’s Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in August 2017.

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    The show is directed by Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers and features music and lyrics from the film’s score creators, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, as well as from the book by Jennifer Lee.

    Frozen is loosely based on a Hans Christen Andersen fairy tale. It tells the story of a princess named Elsa who sets out on a quest to find her sister Anna. The film version spawned a slew of Elsa imitators and parody versions of its Oscar-winning song “Let it Go.”

    Casting is ongoing and Disney has yet to release dates or which theater will host the production.

  • Lil’ Wayne Lights Up The Blue Cross Arena In Rochester

    On Saturday, February 20, Lil’ Wayne brought “The Dedication Tour” to Rochester. The performance was held at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial which has had a busy year so far. Prior to the doors opening, not many fans were seen lining up outside the arena, which was surprising considering Rochester hit a high of 55 degrees.

    lil wayneThe night started off with a performance by S – Eighty who only had about 10 minutes of stage time. During this quick set, fans were busy trying to find their seats on the floor and around the area. Surprisingly, the floor was all assigned seating, which is why no one had to line up early to secure a spot on the floor. Shortly before 8pm, Rae Sremmurd took the stage. For 30 minutes these guys got the crowd on their feet dancing and singing along. The two brothers Khalif “Swae Lee” Brown and Aaquil “Slim Jimmy” Brown were a great choice as an opener for Lil’ Wayne on this tour. The crowd’s reaction was purely positive and it seemed like everyone wanted a little bit more.

    Even though Rae Sremmurd put on a great performance, the crowd came to Blue Cross Arena for one man and his name is Lil’ Wayne. Weezy took the stage shortly before 9pm and the crowd went wild. The night was started with Wayne’s classic “Mr. Carter”. As fans stood up on their chairs and waved their hands in the air, the appreciation of support was shown by Wayne. Throughout the night Lil’ Wayne thanked fans for coming out and supporting him while reminding them that he’s the best rapper alive. Between every couple songs, Weezy would also ask where the real Lil’ Wayne fans were and the entire area would chat “Weezy!”.

    For an arena that looked empty to start the night, the floor was filled from front to back and the lower bowl was packed. To no surprise the music of Lil’ Wayne got the entire place on their feet dancing, literally everybody. Hit after hit Weezy kept pleasing the crowd who were having an absolute blast. The vibes throughout Blue Cross Area were incredible and it goes to show how powerful music can be. Toward the end of the show, Weezy brought out a handful of up and coming rappers so they could show the crowd what they were made of. One thing that Wayne is good at is finding new talent and collaborating with other artists. The show ended with all the guys on the tour coming out on stage celebrating a great show and also included an appearance of Weezy’s son who looks like a mini version of his dad.

    For those who missed the show, Lil’ Wayne should be pretty busy this year on the road with the highly anticipated release of his last Carter album, the Carter V. Although the album is finished, its release has been held due to issues with the record label. Regardless of when the album finally gets put on shelves, Lil’ Wayne will be out on tour to give his fans their fix of Weezy.

  • Wild Adriatic Record Live Album in Saratoga at Putnam Den

    Wild Adriatic brought its show to the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs with a bit more hype than a typical show. The three-piece rock band, based out of Albany, announced months ago it was going to record a live album on February 20 in the Spa City. For a group that has been on a straight upward trajectory, which included an appearance at Bonnaroo last year after winning a lengthy Battle of the Bands put on by the Den, Wild Adriatic seems to have the hunger and determination to rise to the top of the rock world.

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    But before the near capacity crowd would be treated to two hours of in-your-face rock and roll by Wild Adriatic, Greenwich-based Let’s Be Leonard set the tone for the evening with a jazzy, up-tempo performance that lends itself somewhat to Steely Dan-meets-Herbie Hancock. The five-piece — displaying two guitars, bass, drums and a saxophone — weaved together a show reminiscent of a sunny Saturday afternoon set at a small festival. Guitarist Matt Griffin and saxophonist Connor Dunn traded solos over Karl Bertrand’s chunky rhythm and Chris Cronin’s bopping bass. Paul Gauy provided the beat.

    Toward the end of Let’s Be Leonard’s set, the Den grew crowded as fans filled in to support the local boys. Wild Adriatic’s drummer, Mateo Vosganian, was darting around the venue, greeting friends and fans. There was a festive and mildly rowdy feel, as many people had undoubtedly enjoyed the Saratoga Beer Summit in the hours prior.

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    As soon as the trio took the stage, the energy in the room grew electric. “Never Enough,” “Letter,” “Tight Grip” and “Lonely” started the show and saw guitarist Travis Gray and bassist Rich Derbyshire hop around the stage. Gray’s voice is a solid fit for their sound, which has a classic rock with an edge feel. The crowd in the front sang along as the band kicked it up with some fiery guitar work from Gray.

    After a breather, they launched into the Led Zeppelin favorite “The Ocean.” Gray again danced up and down the fret board with precision. “Can’t Be Your Man,” “Woe” and “Because of Me” continued the energetic theme. A spirited take on Neil Young’s “Keep On Rockin’ in the Free World” showcased Gray’s vocal abilities.

    Derbyshire and Vosganian provide an air tight rhythmic combo that gives Wild Adriatic a sound that is unique, funky and noticeable. Add in Gray’s fret work, and the band has a winning combination, no better displayed than during the show-closing combo of “Good Times, Bad Times”>”Communication Breakdown.” The crowd hadn’t thinned out at all and judging by the satisfied look on most faces, Wild Adriatic accomplished what it set out to do. It will be exciting to see how the raw energy translates to tape.

    Wild Adriatic Setlist:

    Never Enough, Letter, Tight Grip, Lonely, The Ocean, Can’t Be Your Man, Woe, Because of Me, Trouble, 40 Days 40 Nights>Rockin In The Free World>40 Days 40 Nights, Heavy Soul, The Fool, The Spark, Cooperstown, Use Me, Bound To Let You Go, Lose My Mind, Strange Persuasions, Mess Around

    Encore: Untitled New Song, Superstition, Good Times Bad Times>Communication Breakdown

    Let’s Be Leonard Setlist: 

    Jumpship, Rocky Road, Open Your Eyes, Comet> High and Dry, Most Days> LGWC> Most Days> Sad Town tease> Boy Into Man> Pourdungchoo> Sad Town, TOT, Wandering Frisbee

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  • 518 Songfest at the Egg

    The 518 Songfest, a local singer/songwriter showcase, will take place at the Egg in Albany on Saturday, Feb. 27.

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    The 518 Songfest is part concert and part panel discussion that will showcase four local up-and-coming musicians along with songwriter Tim Moore, who wrote hit songs “Second Avenue” and “Rock and Roll Love Letter.” The other musicians include Bryan Thomas, Ashley Sophia, Benjamin John and Rhiannon’s Lark (featuring Alyssa Yeager). Sandy McKnight, co-producer of this event and producer of the Indie Fest at the Egg, will also take part in the panel discussion. The discussion will be led by the other co-producer, Andy Gregory, and Exit 97.7 WEXT’s Dave Michaels, who will be fielding questions from the audience.

    Attendees will want to arrive as close as possible to 6 p.m., when the doors open, as performers and sponsors will have booths setup in the Swyer Theater lobby and be available for questions and to autograph merchandise. Meet-and-greet sessions will also take place during intermission. Seating will begin at 6:30.

    Tickets for the show are available for $10 at the box office or online. Buyers are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as seating will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, with the best seats going to the earliest buyers. Proceeds from the event will benefit Columbia Arts Team, WEXT and the Egg, all 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWbZ4iWWAAQ[/embedyt]

  • Bryan Adams Romances Central New York on Valentine’s Night

    Negative temperatures in Central New York couldn’t keep Bryan Adams from heating up the Event Center at Turning Stone on Valentine’s night.

    A nearly sold-out crowd in the town of Verona, NY warmed up quickly as the band took stage shortly after 8pm and the Get Up! tour got underway.  Thrusting into a lofty single set, the band consistently churned up the big hits from the past three decades like “Run To You,” “Summer of ’69,” “Somebody,” and made sure the audience was dancing and singing along to “Cuts Like A Knife.”  The first encore of the evening was a three-song mix of new tracks “Brand New Day” and “That’s Rock and Roll,” sprinkled with a cover, titled “C’mon Everybody” by Eddie Cochran.  The second and last encore was a romantic send-off, featuring 2 solo-acoustic love ballads by Adams and a full band power end with “All For Love.”

    Set: Do What Ya Gotta Do, Can’t Stop This Thing We Started, She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancin’, Run To You, Go Down Rockin’, Heaven, Kids Wanna Rock, It’s Only Love, This Time, You Belong To Me, Summer Of ’69, When You’re Gone (Acoustic), (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, If Ya Wanna Be Bad Ya Gotta Be Good, Here I Am, Somebody, I’ll Always Be Right There, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?, Cuts Like A Knife, 18 Til I Die, The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You

    Encore: Brand New Day, That’s Rock and Roll, C’mon Everybody (Eddie Cochran cover)

    Encore 2: She Knows Me (Solo Acoustic), Straight From The Heart (Solo Acoustic), All For Love (Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting cover)

  • Madison House, AEG Live Nears Approval for Big Music Festival

    This summer a brand-new music event could be hitting the festival circuit — although New Yorkers will have to travel west to Colorado. Madison House Presents and AEG Live announced plans for a four-day event with the possibility to host 20,000 people on a ranch near Buena Vista, Colorado. The expected run for the weekend event is Aug. 4 through 7.

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    According to the Denver Post, commissioners in Chaffee County, Colorado, seem likely to approve the proposal for the annual festival at a meeting in early March. “I don’t see having challenges we could not overcome. I have faith in Madison House that is well earned that they can do what needs to be done,” said Chaffee County Commissioner Dave Potts, as reported Tuesday in the Denver Post.

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    Photo from Facebook

    Last August, the Boulder-based Madison House Presents organized a two-day Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road festival in neighboring Salida, Colorado; other artists included the Flaming Lips, Dawes, Jenny Lewis and Blake Mills. Madison House is known for putting on such music festivals as Electric Forest Festival and Rothbury Festival and managing bands like the String Cheese Incident and JJ Grey and MOFRO, while AEG Live produces the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, among others, and Goldenvoice, a Southern California-based regional division of the company, organizes Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival.

    For this new event, the organizers hope to schedule performances until 1 a.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and 2:30 a.m. on the other two days. The festival’s headliners and lineup will not be released until early spring, but Madison House Presents and AEG Live promise a diverse group of acts to attract a wide range of ages. Stay tuned for updates as this story further develops.

    H/T Jambase

  • Barry Manilow to Play Turning Stone Despite Emergency Surgery

    It looks like Barry Manilow will be able to play his scheduled performance at Turning Stone after all.

    The 72-year old singer/songwriter made a surprise return performance Sunday night at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. He underwent emergency oral surgery on back-to-back days on Feb. 8 and 9 and, after performing in Memphis, Tennessee on Feb. 11, Manilow was rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital for a third procedure due to complications from the first two surgeries.

    barry manilow turning stoneET Canada reports that Manilow’s third surgery was a success. Manilow was instructed by doctors not to talk, sing or rap for 48 hours after the surgery. According to ET, music producer David Foster said the recent hospitalization isn’t as scary as it sounded and Manilow will be fine, but it was something that he just had to deal with.

    At Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party, Manilow performed his 1974 hit “Mandy.” Manilow told the audience, “I am glad to be here tonight. What a week.” Manilow then performed a duet, “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart,” with the late Judy Garland who appeared on the video screen behind Manilow.

    Days later, Manilow resumed his One Last Time-One Last Tour Wednesday night at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Two dates in Tennessee were postponed due to the hospitalization. Central New Yorkers can catch their last glimpse of this music icon when he hits the stage at the Turning Stone Events Center at the Turning Stone Casino on Friday, March 18, in Verona, outside Syracuse.

    From 2008-2011, Manilow held residency in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Hilton performing over 400 shows. Manilow has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide with several Billboard hits to go along with various multi-platinum selling albums.

    Manilow has won various awards in his career including a Grammy for Best Pop Male Performance for the song “Copacabana,” EMMY awards in 1977 for Outstanding Special (Comedy, Variety or Music) The Barry Manilow Special and 2006 for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music ProgramBarry Manilow: Music And Passion, a Tony award in 1977 for Barry Manilow on Broadway and several American Music Awards.

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  • Funk Yes: Lettuce Set to Groove University of Rochester

    Although you won’t find it listed on their current roster of dates, Lettuce will make a third appearance in New York state during this spring/summer tour. According to the University of Rochester’s event ticketing website, the funk-fueled jazz band is booked for a Feb. 26 show on the River Campus. The New York City group will also return to their home state for performances at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on April 8 and Hunter Mountain Jam Festival this June.

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    Known for soulful super jams, Lettuce debuted their fourth studio album, Crush, last year. Jeremiah Shea said in his NYS Music review that this album “is the convergence of road tested and polished material, musical exploration, deep pockets of groove, and a band that is simply on top of their game.” Brian Ferguson was on hand to catch the two-night Crush release party at the Playstation Theater last November, where Marco Benevento opened the show and Lettuce encored with a new tune titled “Phyllis” (hear the song below).

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    Eric Krasno

    The band, featuring Adam Deitch (drummer), Adam Smirnoff and Eric Krasno (guitarists), Erick “Jesus” Coomes (bassist), Neal Evans (keyboardist), Ryan Zoidis (saxophonist) and Eric Bloom (trumpet player), last played in Rochester June 2015 for the city’s Party in the Park (after Taj Mahal cancelled) and made a stop at Water Street Music Hall October 2014.

    Doors will open at 8:30 p.m. with show time of 9 p.m. Tickets are available online through the University, or at the Common Market in Wilson Commons. The concert is open to the public; special ticket pricing applies for students and faculty. If you’re nearby the Finger Lakes area next Friday, pencil in this performance as it’s guaranteed to be one energetic soul shakedown party.

  • Lotus Rocks Terminal 5

    On Saturday, February 6, Lotus played Terminal 5 in NYC and brought some serious funk and covers for this stop on their Winter tour.

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    Arriving at the venue, the line stretched almost the entire length to the West Side Highway. Faces of eager fans contorted and cringed at the thought of waiting in the cold to see Lotus bring the heat. Once inside, the familiar funk of “Greet the Mind” warmed things up a bit; it’s a great opener in terms of getting everyone grooving and in terms of title. Lotus continued the funk with “Philly Hit” and then laid into some heavy jamtronica grooves with “Neon Tubes.” We were only three songs in and it seemed as though the crowd were bobbing their heads and weaving their shoulders in unison. They closed out their first set with “Age of Inexperience” which had guitarist Mike Rempel laying down some fiery licks.

    Second set opened with “Eats the Light,” a newly released single which is a Lotus track in every way, shape and layer. Keeping the flow with “Kodiak,” “Spaghetti,” and “Nematode,” Lotus jumped into an excellent vocoder-laden cover of Tame Impala’s “Elephant.” For their encore, Lotus played “Behind Midwest Storefronts” and then busted out an amazing rendition of Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime.”

    Set 1: Greet The Mind> Philly Hit> Neon Tubes, Molluskunk, Travel> Greet The Mind, Marisol, Age Of Inexperience
    Set 2: Eats the Light, Kodiak, Spaghetti> Nematode, Elephant*, In An Outline, 128
    Encore: Behind Midwest Storefronts, Once in a Lifetime**
    * – Tame Impala Cover
    ** – Talking Heads Cover