NYS Music 20​17

Author: jg

  • CANCELED: Moriah Formica Added to Times Union Center’s Gala Celebration and Re-Opening

    The major concert celebrating the Times Union Center‘s grand re-opening has been canceled, according to the Times Union.

    The concert was to feature James Taylor, John Legend, Jim Belushi and Moriah Formica, a 15 year-old Albany-Shaker High student who recently competed on NBC’s The Voice, in a celebration of the arena’s $20 million dollar upgrade.

    The general manager for Times Union Arena, Bob Belber, cited the promoter’s failure to pay its deposit for the event. Metropolitan Entertainment Consulting from New York City was the event promoter with SMG, the arena’s management company listed as co-promoter.

    Belber said another event with well-known performers will be planned for later in the year.

    Upstate New York has seen its fair share of musicians from the area do amazing things on various singing competition shows over the last couple of years. The most current local artist to make waves in the music industry after her strong performance on “The Voice,” Moriah Formica, has been added to the artist lineup for the grand re-opening of the Times Union Center in Albany on Jan. 26.

    As part of team Miley Cyrus, the Albany Shaker High School teen made it to the show’s playoffs. She turned heads with her rock sound on the show and while performing shows around the Capital District. The multi-talented singer not only plays guitar she can also slam behind the drum kit and play some sweet melodies on a keyboard.

    After seeing Formica perform, Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale said “One of the few great hopes for female rock singers of the next generation. Absolutely incredible!!  I’m so honored and proud of this 15 year old powerhouse!! Don’t ever quit singing, Darlin’!” Formica released her debut EP of original material Bring It On, in 2016. It showcases her many talents, adding songwriting into the mix.

    Formica will join a  Times Union Center Gala Celebration lineup that includes 10-time Grammy award winner John Legend, five-time Grammy award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, James Taylor, and legendary comedian Jim Belushi. Tickets are on sale and cost between $62-$192 before fees.

    The Times Union Center will showcase it’s first phase of a 30 million dollar renovation. The once outside atrium, is now enclosed and carpeted, with a tall rain wall, glass elevators, and seating. The venue sports a new modern look, and a new media area that will accommodate coverage for larger sporting events like the upcoming 2018 NCAA women’s basketball regionals and the 2020 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The renovations have also connected the arena to the Empire State Plaza, and the Albany Capital Center. Phase two of the project will concentrate on painting the entire inside of the arena, and upgrading the private suites and concession areas.

  • Photo Gallery: Foreigner and Cheap Trick Bring Rock Back to SPAC

    It might have been a Tuesday night in Upstate New York on July 18, but the music was loud and people were dancing. Saratoga Performing Arts Center was fresh off a two-week stint with the NYC Ballet when Foreigner, Cheap Trick, and Bonham rolled into town to blare good old rock ‘n roll throughout the famed amphitheater and perhaps equally infamous ‘lawn.’

    The night was full of hits from the 70’s and 80’s, Jason Bonham brought his Led Zeppelin Experience to the stage to perform his father’s classic hits “Ramble On” and “Whole Lotta Love” along with a slew of Zeppelin songs that even the ushers were singing every word.  Followed up by the self-proclaimed, Greatest F’ing Rock and Roll Band, Cheap Trick put on their usual stellar and high energy performance.  The headliner was Foreigner and 40 years has taken a bit of a toll on the band with only Mick Jones remaining from the original members.  That didn’t stop them or the crowd to rock their socks off with an endless stream of favorites.

    The night ended with a special encore involving the area’s own Mayfield School Chorus on stage with Foreigner.  Something those kids will remember for the next 40 years.

  • Photo Gallery: SPAC was Packed for Nickelback

    The rains held off for Nickelback’s return to SPAC on Monday, July 10. Over 14,000 showed up to sing along to the Canadian rock band’s numerous hits as well as some new songs off the new album, Feed the Machine, that came out earlier this year. While it’s been 16 years since Nickelback’s only US #1, “How You Remind Me,” that didn’t stop dedicated fans from traveling hours to see Chad Kroeger and company on the famous Saratoga stage.   Five hours of music, with openers Shaman’s Harvest starting at as early as 6, and another crowd favorite Daughtry providing direct support before Nickelback’s two-hour set with three encores.

    Setlist: Feed the Machine, Woke Up This Morning, Photograph, Far Away, Too Bad, Someday, If Everyone Cared, Where Do I Hide, If Today Was Your Last Day, Because of You, Song on Fire, Something in Your Mouth, Rockstar, When We Stand Together, Animals, Figured You Out, How You Remind Me

    Encore: Gotta Be Somebody, This Afternoon, Burn It to the Ground

  • Photo Gallery: Third Eye Blind at SPAC

    Third Eye Blind’s twentieth anniversary of their debut self-titled album tour came through Saratoga on a rainy Saturday evening on July 1.

    Setlist: Weightless, Company of Strangers, Horror Show, Wounded, Queen of Daydreams, Shipboard Cook, Losing a Whole Year, Narcolepsy, Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, Graduate, How’s It Going to Be, Thanks a Lot, Burning Man, Good for You, London, I Want You, The Background, Motorcycle Drive By

    Third Eye Blind

    Silversun Pickups

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