NYS Music 20​17

Category: Music Festivals

  • Best of NYS Music 2017: Festivals of the Year

    The beat goes on as NYS Music continues to count down the best, the brightest and the most impactful events surrounding music in the year 2017.  If you’ve missed any of our previous entries, check out the Staff and Reader Picks for Best Venue and Best Album compiled earlier this week.  Today, we tackle Best Music Festival in New York State as well as the country.  And, somewhat unsurprisingly, there’s a striking simoe.larity between the Staff and Reader Picks for both.

    STAFF PICKS – NY FESTIVALS

    A sizzling Saurday night set from the Brooklyn rock/funk outfit known as Turkuaz was just one of the highlights of this year.  This came after the highly anticipated and well received set from up and comers TAUK.  Holly Bowling displayed her prowess on the piano all weekend with both an intimate late night set on Friday and by serving as the “Artist-at-large” all weekend, seemingly sitting in with everyone and everywhere.  Saturday late night sets from Break Science Live Band and Consider the Source served as more than ample entertainment before Pink Talking Fish closed out the festival on Sunday night.  NYS Music was on the scene, naturally. Check out our review here which features this awesome highlight video to give you a taste of 2017 and whet your appetite for next year.

    Rochester Fringe

    In somewhat of a sleeper pick, our staff was also really high on this fairly new and quite atypical music festival.  In fact, this festival is self-billed as a “multi-disciplinary visual and performing arts festival” with all of its events/performers spread out across the entire scenic city of Rochester.

    Fringe organizers have boasted that the event brought in over 78,000 attendees this year, which is a 15% rise from 2016 and can only pay dividends for the local economy.  And while most “traditional” music festivals take place over a long weekend or two with several stages in a fixed location, The Fringe couldn’t be more opposite as it spreads the fun out over 10 days and dozens of stages, with hundreds of shows from which to pick.  In addition to spotlighting local talent such as Rochester’s own The Demos or Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine, this year’s Rochester Fringe also featured the American debut of the renowned French street theater company Plasticiens Volants and comedy courtesy of headliner John Mulaney.  With a truly diverse schedule in all aspects and rising attendance, it’s clear this festival is doing something right with next year’s rendition already scheduled for Sept 13-22, 2018.

    For a more in depth look at this up and coming fest, check out our own Paula Cummings’ reviews of Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and Day 8 of the festival with some accompanying photos courtesy of Staff Photographer Brian Ferguson.

    Adirondack Independence Music Festival

    This Lake George-based festival also has somewhat of a unique set up and ranked highly among our staff.  Promising music from 2 pm to 3 am, ADK Music Fest delivers this by showcasing bands on two stages right in Charles R Wood Park by the southern tip of the lake during the day and then late night sets at nearby King Neptune’s Pub. With a very reasonably priced ticket (there were a limited amount of $60 weekend tickets available) and a slew of hotels nearby, this is one of the more accessible festivals in the state as well as one of the more scenic ones thanks to views Lake George has to offer.

    ADK Music Fest offered some of the more nationally known acts during the daytime sessions with bands like Twiddle, Ryan Montbleau, Kung Fu and Twiddle gracing the stage while the late night sets were dominated by favorite “local” acts like Mister F and Formula 5.  This was the third year of the festival, so it’s still in the nascent stages of development.  But with a strong attendance this year, and the continued rise of some NY State bands, there’s no reason to think planning insn’t already underway for year four.

    For a deeper dive on this festival, check out NYS Music’s review of the weekend. Here’s a clip from Twiddle’s set which closed things out on the main stage Sunday night and featured a special sit in from Lucid’s Lowell Wurster on washbord.

    And the last of our Staff Picks just so happened to be the same as the definitive winner as chosen by our loyal readers…..

    READERS’ PICK – NY FESTIVAL

    moe.down

    Not even the heavy rains and infinite mud that were both prominently featured at this year’s moe.down could keep our staff and readers from agreeing that this is truly one of the best festivals the state has to offer. Perhaps there was a sentimental vibe to this joint pick as well as moe.down returned after an excruciatingly long, near three year absence. Returned to its roots at Snow Ridge Ski Resort in Turin, this festival always does a tremendous job of creating an artist lineup that mixes both local “up and coming” acts with nationally known bands that may or may not be regularly associated with the jam scene. And seven sets of moe.in the span of three days doesn’t hurt either.

    While, traditionally, moe.down has been a Labor Day Weekend festival, in 2017, it was moved up to the weekend preceding the 4th of July. This made for some warmer temperatures but, unfortunately, the rain that can be often found at this fest was plentiful.  However, that didn’t deter campers from going out and enjoying acts like The Hip Abduction or Fishbone.  New York was well represented with other sets from Mister D and Wild Adriatic that had to navigate some questionable weather at parts throughout the weekend.  And in traditional moe.down style, the hosts were more than generous with the main stage.  Ryan Montbleau and Haley Jane (sans Primates) came out for a rousing rendition of Fleetwod Mac’s “The Chain” on Friday night.  That night also saw Kung Fu join moe. on stage for the second set for some powerhouse collaboration.

    Saturday was no different with both Fishbone and guitarist Charlie Star of Blackberry Smoke both sitting in at points. And Sunday, percussionist Mike Dillon was the guest du jour with appearances on the moe. staples of “McBain” and “Okayalright.”  Weather aside, the whole weekend was ‘alright’ enough for NYS Music readers to declare this the best festival in New York State.  Let’s see if it gets a chance to defend its crown again next year.

    Check out our team review here that goes a little more in depth about this memorable weekend.  It also includes links to retrospectives on moe.downs of years’ past for those interested in seeing how this festival has blossomed from a relatively low key annual gathering of moe.rons to one of the “cant miss” festivals of the summer.

    STAFF PICKS – NATIONAL FESTIVALS

    Peach Festival

    Of all the contemporary music festivals the Northeast has to offer, The Peach Music Festival seems to be gaining the most traction towards becoming a widespread or nationally known “must hit” event on the summer festival circuit. Throw an emotional 2017 with the deaths of founding Allman Brothers Band members Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman on top of that and it’s no wonder why The Peach ranked high on our national festival survey.  Similar to moe.down, but on a slightly larger scale, this festival offers camping on a giant hillside that’s used for skiing as well. But it also doubles as a water park in the summer months, replete with water slides and a lazy river.  This is all in addition to three different stages offering music for seemingly all tastes.

    One of the best parts of any festival, or music in general for that matter, is the ability to use it to heal and bring people together.  With ugly events transpiring in Charlottesville, VA that weekend, the 2017 Peach Fest served as testament to the good side of humanity and showed just how powerful it can be when large groups of people assemble for the right reasons. Sadly, those reasons this year were linked to the aforementioned deaths and an opportunity to really say good bye this time to one of the most influential American bands of all time in The Allman Brothers. Fittingly, the Peach pulled out all the stops this year with a tremendous tribute set spearheaded by keyboardist Chuck Leavell. When all was sang and done, he was joined on stage at various times by the likes of Warren Haynes, Scott Sharrard, Dave Schools, Oteil Burbridge and Jimmy Herring as well as other members of rock royalty.

    Peach Fest also proved that while one chapter of music may have closed, the ones to come are very promising.  Newcomers Spafford played to a packed house on The Grove stage, the smaller of the three. Hayley Jane and The Primates also played a set there while Rich Robinson took his new Black Crowes-esque offshoot The Magpie Salute out for a spin on the main stage. And in perhaps the clearest sign yet that there’s great promise for tomorrow in terms of musicianship, 14-year old guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer  left jaws agape after his sit in with Widespread Panic on Saturday night.  For a more detailed look at what went down at this year’s Peach, check out Eli Stein’s review here with photos courtesy of Alex Buschiazzo of 215Music.net

    And while some of the inspiration behind this festival may no longer be with us, the show will go on in 2018 and the festival has announced the new dates this year of July 19-22. Rumor has it that the festival’s typical mid-August weekend may be compromised by a certain other major festival thrown by a fairly famous foursome from Vermont.  You heard it here first.

    Rock on the Range

    In perhaps our other sleeper pick this year, Rock on the Range, a hard rock festival in Columbus, OH, was another popular staff selection.  Held at Mapfre Stadium, home to the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, this festival compiles some of the biggest and mainstream hard rock.  This year’s event saw revered bands like Metallica, Primus, Korn and The Offspring all grace the main stage with their presence and successfully turn a soccer stadium into a giant rock show.

    Sadly, Rock on the Range was not immune to tragedy this year either.  The untimely passing of Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell immediately preceded the festival and forced the Grunge era legends out of their headlining spot.  Much like Peach Fest, this community seemed to dust itself off and use the three day festival to pay tribute to both Cornell and his band with various covers and tributes.

    Even though NYS Music couldn’t be there to review the festival this year, here’s a clip of Metallica performing one of their classic hits to give you a taste of the harder energy that’s associated with this increasingly successful early summer tradition in the heartland of America.

    This year marked the 11th consecutive year of Rock on the Range with attendance increasing each year.  It’s gone from a relatively small one-day festival with an attendance of 35,000 to a gigantic three-day outing with total attendance this year nearing 135,000 people so it must be doing something right.  2018 shows no signs of slowing down as headliners Tool, Avenged Sevenfold and  Alice In Chains have already been announced for this year’s rendition taking place May 18-20.  For those looking to sprinkle in a little hard rock in their summer musical outings, this appears to be a necessary stop.

    Once again, our final pick from the NYS Music staff is perfectly in tune with our readers…..

    READERS’ PICK – NATIONAL FESTIVALS

    Summer Camp

    In a shocking development, moe. once again  serves as the common thread between Staff and Readers as the Upstate NY rockers have co-hosted this annual rite of passage into summer with their Midwestern brethren Umphrey’s McGee since 2003.  Summer Camp is held at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL every Memorial Day Weekend and is another true festival success story, growing from 1,000 attendees in its first year to more than 20,000 in recent years. It’s evolved from a regional music fest to near essential travel destination for fans throughout the country.  Umphrey’s McGee and moe. have built a strong friendship over the years and this carries over into the relaxed, family reunion vibe this festival has developed over the years, allowing it to truly live up to its name which conjures up memories of adolescent summers and the annual get togethers with friends .

    Unfortunately, in another common bond among early summer festivals, the rain made its presence early and often this year at Summer Camp, creating muddy terrain and slippery conditions everywhere. But it would take a whole lot more than rain to keep campers from seeing other performing acts like Trey Anastasio Band, Gov’t Mule, Pretty Lights Live and The Disco Biscuits throughout the weekend.  Side projects were prominent at Summer Camp this year as well as Les Claypool not only played with Primus , but also with his Claypool Lennon Delirium project as well.  Phish’s Mike Gordon took his band out here as well, joining bandmate Trey Anastatio and making for some popular sit-in rumors that never came to fruition. Aqueous, a clear band on the rise out of Buffalo, was also prominently involved this weekend with multiple sets.

    The videos above and below give a fantastic sampling of everything this year’s Summer Camp offered festival goers, including the copious amounts of mud.  For a photo retrospective and some additional video, check out our review of the proceedings.  This festival shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon and while it may not be exactly local to New York, with moe. serving as co-host and a top notch artist lineup that seems to get better every year, this is one that’s clearly worth the travel.

    That’s a wrap on Best Festivals of 2017 as voted by NYS Music and its readers.  Stay tuned tomorrow and the rest of the week as we continue with our look back on 2017 and the best music it had to offer.

  • Dave DiPrimo Band Returns to Rochester Fringe Festival

    On the eighth day of KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival, the city-wide celebration of performing arts was still going strong. I drove downtown after work on Thursday night to catch a set by Dave DiPrimo Band at Java’s Café. Even on a weeknight, people were out and about, congregating on the sidewalks or making their way to one of the 25 Rochester Fringe venues.

    Dave DiPrimo Band Photo: Joseph DiPrimo

    When I entered Java’s Café, Dave DiPrimo Band’s set was already in full swing.  The mid-size cafe was standing room only tonight for the local indie quartet. DiPrimo, front and center, strummed his acoustic Martin. He was flanked by Ian Benz on bass and Karis Gregory on saxophone. Reid Hoffmeier manned the drums. They were playing a dreamy folk-art song which could be pulled off as a solo singer/songwriter performance, but is made so much richer with a full backing band.

    The joy of alternative music is that the rules that govern music writing can be bent. And Dave DiPrimo Band revels in this freedom from needing to conform. Pulling on influences as varied as classic rock, soul, jazz, blues, punk, and even Latin music, they create original tunes that defy convention. Put a saxophone on a folk song? Why not!

    Karis Gregory Photo: Joseph DiPrimo

    Gregory traded the sax for an electric guitar, and DiPrimo switched to a hallow-body Ibenez for the next song, “Somethings.” DiPrimo was adept in the art of engaging the audience, getting us to sing along in a call and response of melodic oh’s and la’s. He picked up his favored Martin for the heartfelt ballad “Four Letter Word.” Gregroy was back on sax for this one, playing long, low notes full of longing and soulful expression. He stole the spotlight with solos full of fancy trills and flourishes.

    The songs got livelier as the night progressed. Midway through the nostalgic “Glory Days,” the music swelled in joyous revelry. That night Benz and Hoffmeier displayed skill, but restraint. Here, they finally had a chance to go all out. Hoffmeier, in his t-shirt from Rush’s 40th anniversary tour, threw himself into the song wholeheartedly. The song also showcased DiPrimos vocal range, from crooning soft contemplative verses to belting out the strong, bellowing chorus.

    Dave DiPrimo Photo: Joseph DiPrimo

    Before the final song, DiPrimo thanked everyone for coming out. He told us that last year he played Fringe Festival solo, this year as a full band, and joked that next year they might expand even further with the addition of a full backing choir.

    They closed out with “Selina.” DiPrimo counted in, in Spanish and the band launched into a spicy Latin-influenced number. It was a shame the room was so packed, there was no room to dance. But that didn’t stop people from moving in their seats and clapping along. In the morning, the members of Dave DiPrimo Band would be back in their college classes, but they still took the time to hang around for a while after the show to talk to members of the audience and pass out cards for a free download of their new single, “Now.”

    Dave DiPrimo Band Photo: Joseph DiPrimo

    Dave DiPrimo Band’s Thursday Setlist:  American Dream, End Of The World, Know You Best, Out In The Cold, Now, Somethings, Four Letter Word, Glory Days, And It Goes, Selina

    Dave DiPrimo Band’s music is available on CD Baby, iTunes, and Spotify. Watch for their new full-length album, coming out this fall. Follow on Facebook for updates.

    Photos by Joseph DiPrimo.

  • Sunday Fun Day at Rochester Fringe Festival with Tart Vandelay at Java’s Cafe

    KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival is still going strong. In its fifth year, the entertainment offerings are better than ever. After a couple nights at the main stage on Parcel 5 at Fringe Festival, I took a detour down Gibbs Street to check out one of the smaller Fringe Festival venues, Java’s Cafe. On Sunday, they featured a musical performance by art pop duo Tart Vandelay.

    Tart Vandelay Java's CafeJava’s Cafe is situated beside the Eastman Theatre and across from the Eastman School of Music, making it a natural place for musicians and music-lovers to congregate. The wooden interior, warm lighting and art-lined walls lend to the cozy atmosphere. The venue is a perfect pairing for local indie pop artists Tart Vandelay. Tonight they performed as a duo rather than a full band. The founding members, Katie Halligan  with her microphone and looping station and Martin LoFaso with his guitar, set themselves up in the corner of the shop, the tables already filled to capacity with family, fans, and people who came to see them for the first time. Among the crowd were members of The Demos, a testament to how supportive the local music scene is of each other’s work.

    Tart Vandelay Java's CafeThey started the set with a cheery song called “Spin.” Halligan worked her magic with the looping station to create repeating layers of playful vocalizations (“ba-da-ba”s and “ooh”s) and percussive beats with handshakers. Over-top this foundation, she began to sing in dulcet tones the optimistic chorus, “Spin, spin. Go with the flow. Let my orbit carry me where I need to go.” LoFaso chimed in on guitar, and his solo replicated the melody of the chorus. They radiated pure joy as they played, and the feeling was contagious. The audience was drawn in by their charisma. The typical coffee shop chatter and bustle seemed to be put on hold, as all eyes and ears were fixated on the splendor that is Tart Vandelay.

    Tart Vandelay continued to spin an intricate web of acoustic strands, deceptively simple yet completely spellbinding. The set included all the songs from last year’s debut EP Frontier Pioneer, and a couple new ones that they’ve been working on. One of the new ones, “I’m Gonna Try,” is a great example of how they incorporate wordplay into their songwriting. The chorus “Try, try, do my best and do it again” was repeated with slight variations of melody and layered over each other. It’s like having an entire choir of Halligans, a delightfully enchanting concept that she is able to bring to life using modern musical technology. It was easy to let oneself get lost in the enchantment of sounds as the duo continued to weave their magic spell. The set was over way to quickly, time seemingly suspended and the world having faded away for a too-brief period of time. Halligan dedicated the final song to her father, who was in the audience: a heartfelt cover of Julia Easterlin’s “Go Straight Away.”

    https://soundcloud.com/tartvandelay/spin

    Tart Vandelay Java’s Cafe Sunday Setlist: Spin, Alien, I’m Gonna Try, Not Alone, Bells, How Hard Could It Be?, High Life, Go Straight Away (Julia Easterlin cover)

    Tart Vandelay makes another appearance at Java’s Cafe on Thursday, September 21 at 9pm. Frontier Pioneer is available on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and Spotify. Follow Tart Vandelay on Facebook for news and upcoming events. To read more about the band, see their recent interview with NYS Music.

    Java’s Cafe offers a wide variety of environmentally-friendly and socially-conscious menu items, including free-trade coffee, an exotic collection of teas made from loose leaves, hormone-free dairy from a local farm, and allergen-free baked goods. They’re providing free entertainment during Fringe Festival.

    Remaining Fringe Festival Shows at Java’s Cafe:

    September 20 – 6pm – Cherrytree Jukebox (duo covering singer/songwriters of the past century)

    September 20 – 8pm – An Evening With Logan Miller (singer/songwriter)

    September 21 – 7pm – Dave DiPrimo Band (alternative rock)

    September 21 – 9pm – Tart Vandelay (indie pop)

    September 22 – 11pm – Ponder the Giraffe (alternative jam)

    September 23 – 2pm – Daniel Henry (tribute to Frank Sinatra and Friends)

    Rochester Fringe Festival continues through Saturday, September 23. Shows at Java’s Cafe and several other venues are free – arrive early for seating. Ticketed shows have been selling fast, so it’s best to purchase them in advance. For more information, visit RochesterFringe.com.

  • Saturday at Rochester Fringe Festival: Rocking with The Demos and Penthouse Views

    Excitement abounded downtown on Saturday September 16, the third day of the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival. With hundreds of shows on dozens of stages over a span of ten days, there’s a lot to see and do. I made my way down East Main Street of my native town, heading towards Parcel 5 to catch a set by power pop band The Demos and the second and final night of Plasticiens Volants. A sign on the corner of East Avenue invited festival-goers up to the building’s penthouse terrace. I kept that in mind for later, and continued on to the stage.

    The Demos were scheduled to play at Fringe Festival last year, but the show was called off due to rain. This time, the weather couldn’t have been better – a warm and sunny end-of-summer day. Native Rochesterians and visitors filled the square, milling about or relaxing on blankets and lawn chairs. Tonight, the stage was decked out in strands of fairy lights, with lawn flamingos perched about – the same flamingos from the videos The Demos used to promote their show.

    The band wasted little time on sound check, diving right into a cover of Velvet Underground’s “What Goes On.” While The Demos rocked out, the stage was flanked by a pair of girls with light-up hula hoops, who spun the circles with acrobatic skill to the rhythm and tempo of the music. Bubbles floated around the stage, carried by the wind from the street performer on the corner. The atmosphere was buzzing with a sense of fun and excitement, and people were drawn towards the sights and sounds of the stage.

    Members of the band were having fun, too, exchanging smiles and glances as they played “I Don’t Mind” and “Clearly” from their last release, Paramount Clouds. The synthesizer plays a particularly prominent role on these numbers, with Caela Moore grooving out at the helm of a double deck of keyboards. Frontman Jay Milton was on top of his game tonight, putting everything he had into the performance, from rich vocals to on pointe guitarwork.

    A rousing rendition of “Veronica” got the audience clapping along. They added some twists to the song, a few call-and-response-style lines sung by bassist Cal Saunders that aren’t on the version they recorded for their full-length album Lovely. Drummer RJ Papaleo may be the newest member of the band, but he didn’t miss a beat as they dug into the catalog of songs from the band’s archives. Jeremiah O’Reilley is also relatively new to the band, but has been a fan since the early days, and slipped seamlessly into the role of guitarist.

    The crowd continued to swell as the sun started to set. Jay asked the amassing audience who among us has seen the band before. A sea of hands flew into the air, with cheers. He asked who had been coming to see them since he and Cal started 15 years ago. There were still some hands in the air. “This one’s for you,” Jay said as they started playing a song called “Don’t Give Up On Me.”

    The tempo slowed a bit as they did a couple more stripped-back songs, starting with “Shooters and Fixers.” Then they played a new song, “All I Need,” a bittersweet ballad featuring Caela on ukulele, Jay on the keyboard, and Cal singing harmony. Jeremiah, his services not needed on the stage, took the opportunity to come down from the stage and dance with his wife. He hopped back on stage for a couple more new songs.

    The sea of people were nodding and moving along to the new tunes, but when the band followed them with their hit “Hardly Done,” people started singing along. Another new one, “Risin’ Up,” represents a departure from their typical lyrical themes. This anthemic song has more of a political bent. “People rising up, they’ve all had enough,” Jay sings. “Where do we go from here?”

    The pinnacle of the set was “Better.” The groovy pop song with a sweet hook peaked with a solo in which the instrumental sounds came crashing together in a frenzy of noise, amassing in a sheer wall of acoustic energy. The 75-minute long set concluded with an ode to Rochester called “My City.” They took a quick moment to thank their manager, friends and families before being whisked off the stage. Around me, a group was chanting for an encore, but Plasticiens Volants‘ “Big Bang” show was about to begin.

    Still buzzing with adrenaline and not ready to call it a night, I retraced my steps to The Penthouse at One East Avenue to scope out the scene. The 11th story penthouse is now a hip, upscale event venue which offers a unique perspective. The sleek interior does not detract from the view through floor-to-ceiling windows, and glass doors give way to a wraparound outdoor terrace. In the center of it all is a small bar which offers a selection of beer, wine, and spirits. In addition to private events such as weddings and corporate meetings, they’ve also held a series of musical performances and silent disco. Coming up on September 21 is a Bacon and Bourbon tasting, and on October 28 they’ve planned an interactive mystery night. Tonight, they’re open for viewing the events at Parcel 5, including the second and final Rochester performance by French street theater troupe Plasticiens Volants.

    Walking the length of the balcony, I witnessed the city alive with lights across the skyline glowing and traffic bustling down the main arteries. A crowd was already jockeying for position along the railing for a look at the multi-media show by Plasticiens Volants, featuring balloons the proportions of Macy’s Day Parade handled by puppeteers who walk through the crowd, a mix of narration and world beat music, pyrotechnics, lights and mirrors. For a more in-depth description, read the review from Friday night’s performance.

    The Demos’ next show is the Floated Halloween Bash at the Bug Jar on October 21. Find their music online at Bandcamp, iTunes, and Spotify. Read more about the band in their interview with NYS Music.

    The Demos’ Setlist: What Goes On (Velvet Underground), Regal Dimensions, I Don’t Mind, Clearly, Bobby Pins, Veronica, Impossible, Another Day, Only Want The World, Nervous, Truth & Lies, She Lives in Pictures, All I Need, We Could Do Anything, Elegant Ties, Not Coming Down, Hardly Done, Risin’ Up, Life’s A Gas (T. Rex), Better, My City

    Rochester Fringe Festival runs through September 24, with a wide variety of music, theatre, comedy, and other entertainment. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, as shows do sell out. For more information, visit RochesterFringe.com.

  • Rochester Fringe Festival Starts Off with a Bang

    The city was alive with the sound of music Friday, September 15. Dozens of venues throughout the downtown Rochester area are participating in the fifth annual KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival, featuring more than 500 music, art, and theatrical performances over a 10-day timeframe. I spent the evening at Parcel 5, the site on Main Street on which Midtown Plaza once stood. The plan for tonight was to catch a theatrical performance by French troupe Plasticiens Volants and a set of music by local legends Teagan and The Tweeds.

    Teagan and The Tweeds

    Upon approach to Parcel 5, I heard strains of syncopated reggae rhythms filling the air. Festival goers lingered around the lot, some heading closer to the stage, and others staring in fascination at props for the Plasticiens Volants show, and others joining the lines of food trucks parked along the street. Reggae music, courtesy of Rochester’s Noble Vibes, gave way to the sound of bagpipes from Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums, as people continued to pour into the square.

    The sun went down, and the lights came up on the far end of the lot. Plasticiens Volants began to perform a show they call “Big Bang.” Although the French street performance troupe was founded in 1976, this is their first time on tour in the US.

    Curiosity abounded as people young and old were drawn to viewing a video projected onto an inflatable globe. Narration spoke about the origin of life. A film began, which showed the evolution of civilization. The significance of the experience was not lost on those who grew up in Rochester, the birthplace of modern photography and film.

    Shadow puppets were incorporated into the visuals, and speakers pumped world music with a heavy techno beat. Suddenly, large inflatable balloons came to life, lifted by puppeteers who carried them through the crowd. Seashells and fantastical beasts and planets soared above the crowd, dipping and swaying to the music.

    Children on tiptoe stretched their arms to the star-studded sky to brush the balloons with their fingertips. The music and narration told the story of The Big Bang as a sci-fi fantasy. The magnificently choreographed spectacle ended in a light display, with mirrors like facets of diamonds catching spotlights and splaying beams of light across the city skyline.

    Teagan Ward of Teagan and The Tweeds posted a video of Platiciens Volants on social media as they prepped for their set, the final event of the night at this location. People gravitated towards the stage as the band cranked out boot-stomping tunes.

    This was my first time seeing the band, and I was completely enraptured. My jaw dropped as I watched Teagan, a barefoot blonde bombshell, belt out whiskey bar blues.

    Once the mesmerized gathering got over their initial shock, an impromptu dance floor opened up in front of the stage. Drummer Alfredo Encina provided a strong backbone and bassist Jeremy Stoner laid down grooves as deep as the day is long. They provided a foundation for Katy Wright’s stellar performance on the keys and Lou Giglio’s fancy fretwork. Tommy Formicola took it on home with his pedal-steel guitar.

    The people behind me must have been fans, because they knew all the words to “Morning Glory” and “Give It Up or Let Me Go.” They even played a new song, “Route 100.”

    Elsewhere, the city-wide party was still going strong. A silent disco was about to rage around the corner at the Speigeltent. Attendees donned headphones, through which they could switch between channels as three DJ’s in the tent dueled for the crowd’s favor. The dance wound down at 2am. (If you missed it, don’t worry, they’ll do it again on Saturday September 16, Friday September 22, and Saturday September 23.)

    Plasticiens Volants will reprise their performance on Saturday, September 16 at 8pm. Arrive by 6:30 to catch local pop band The Demos, and plan to stay late for Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine.

    Rochester Fringe Festival runs through Sunday, September 24. For a complete listing of events, go to the website. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, as several shows have already sold out.

  • Wild Woods Festival: An Intimate Affair

    Driving up the long dirt road to Page Farm, you start to realize just how far away from civilization you are. The trees get thicker, the houses scarcer. This comes as very good news because things get a little crazy once the sun sets on Wild Woods Festival.

    This small festival comes from the minds of Greenvibe Entertainment and founder Ryan Dubois. In its fourth year, Wild Woods had its best year yet, unfolding August 11-13. There’s something amazing about this place that you just can’t seem to put your finger on. It has an almost familiar feel to it.

    The campgrounds are tucked away in the forest, trails winding through with lights hanging overhead for when the day gets dark. As you walk out from your site, you pass a vendor village with treasures and trinkets of all kinds. A little further, you pass through a towering gate into an open field. Surrounded by trees on every side, you can’t help but feel at home. Every inch of the grounds feels like the woods you played in as a child. Except here, there was a wonderful lineup of music to be played.

    Strange Machines kicked off Friday with a bang. I said it last year and I’ll say it again this year: these guys had the best dance party of the weekend. Not to say it was the biggest, but the crowd was definitely dancing the hardest. Kung Fu gave us a huge dose of funk before the sun set on Page Farm and things took a very different turn. Supersyllius was joined by Lespecial for his “Lifeband” set. The main stage closed with a long intimate set from Papadosio. The crowd was really feeling it. The stage may have been small but The Reliquarium display that surrounded the stage was lit with mapped visuals. The night ended with sets from Lespecial, Esseks and Jade Cicada, rolling everyone into the early morning.

    Saturday was really quite a surprise. The threat of rain was constant and lightning in the distance was alarming at times but never came too close. Honestly, it made the whole night that much more memorable. The slight drizzle that came with it danced off of the lights and lasers. Local favorites, Harsh Armadillo, really brought the crowd to life that evening. It’s really hard not to dance to their high energy funk. The same could be said though for Hayley Jane and the Primates and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, both giving the crowd incredible shows. Hayley Jane was accompanied by her good friends in The What Collective. Their choreographed dancing was a really cool touch for the Primates’ set.

    New Hampshire’s own Roots of Creation played a very unique “dubtronica” set for the crowd. This is something the band is pretty used to playing. They love to put their own spin on the dub/reggae sound so it was a real treat to be able to get a lot more out of this set. Greenvibe was really proud to have Papadosio join the Wild Woods lineup this year, and the crowd was more than thankful. Their incredibly beautiful and deep tracks filled the field with violin and heavy bass sounds. The whole festival was in attendance for this set. The night finished with a huge set from Mr. Bill and Govinda played us deep into the morning with his mesmerizing tracks. Music bounced off the tents and tarps until the sun rose.

    The weekend was full of fun and laughter. The Wild Woods fam is a real thing, a real feeling you get after a weekend with these characters. Hopefully Wild Woods will return next year. If so, we can be sure that it will continue to live up to its name.

  • Sit-Ins, Covers and Heavy Improv Highlight Adirondack Independence Music Festival

    It doesn’t seem like the easiest feat to get a small music festival up, running and successful, but that’s just what the organizers of the Adirondack Independence Music Festival did this past weekend, September 2-3.

    In its second year and hosted in Lake George at the Charles R. Wood Commons, the two-day festival brought a stacked lineup to eager fans, and may have solidified itself moving forward as an Upstate New York gem. Ticket prices were beyond reasonable, the atmosphere was relaxed and omnipotent and every person who graced the stage brought something unique and memorable.

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  • Photo Recap: Night Lights Music Festival 2017

    Once a year in late August, The Heron becomes a temporary home for hundreds of friendly faces at Night Lights Music Festival. Also known for being the grounds of The Great Blue Heron Music Festival, The Heron holds a secluded location tucked into the woods of Sherman, NY.

    Night Lights Music Festival 2017The drive to Night Lights consists of winding hills, endless woods, and a considerable amount of horse-drawn carriages.

    Upon arrival, you can expect to be greeted by the gatekeeper with a genuine “Welcome home!” If you’re lucky, you might also have a friendly encounter with the Parking Wizard.

    The Heron takes an entirely different form when the sun goes down. The trees are lit up all throughout the woods, creating a breathtaking atmosphere.  And last but not least, the musicians that brought the NLMF family together.

  • Photo Gallery: Lockn’ 2017

    LOCKN‘ 2017, held annually at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, Virginia, draws lovers of funky jams, old school blues, and gritty hard rock from all corners of the country. This year, residents from every single state migrated to the mountainous landscape on a late summer weekend, August 24-27. Beautiful sunny weather with a scattering of clouds provided much welcome shade as festival goers danced and mingled, sampling a variety of local brews and food. All-star jams and vibrant performances by local artists studded the four-day event with excitement and musical release.photo gallery lockn 2017

  • Soulful Sunday Closes out LOCKN’ 2017

    People seemed to lazily roll out of their tents on the final day of LOCKN’ 2017′, but Keller Williams returned to the stage on Sunday in full force, this time with his Grateful Gospel project. It was specifically conceived as a Sunday morning installation for LOCKN’. Playing some of their favorite Grateful Dead tunes with a black gospel spice, it filled the dusty air with a fitting soundtrack for the snoozy attitude shared by many.

    Virginia-based Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos stayed with the funky blues theme, Rosano’s sturdy bellowing voice married soulfully with a sweetly played saxophone. “Devils Hand” was among their setlist, as was a tease of Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.” Mid-set he addressed the crowd, “Make some noise so I know you’re still breathing out there!” Glancing around at the listeners, some with nose and mouth draped in a bandana to block out the red dust billowing up, there was no doubt everyone’s lungs were a little worse for wear after four days of inhaling the dirt-speckled air. A quick nostril excavation would surely reveal the treasure trove of crusty reddish-black gems harbored by festival goers all weekend.

    Keepin it classy, Eric Krasno Band‘s jazzy flair featured an old school organ with those quintessential revolving speakers that have fallen out of popularity but are always a nostalgic site. The female vocalist sharing the stage complimented Krasno’s vocals beautifully, making for some soulful harmonies.

    Over at the main stage, The Record Company emerged with their rough and rowdy rock n roll to which lead vocalist Chris Vos assured, “It’s rock n roll, it ain’t gotta be pretty. At least not the way we do it I suppose.” After a short but intense set, the band thought their time was up but were cued to keep playing, to which Vos announced, “And now we will play the entire Rush 2112 album,” followed by cheering in the audience. Vos quickly responded, “Just kidding, we couldn’t play that if we tried! But glad you’d let us get away with it.” His humble humor made his set stand out even more after bonding with the crowd over a good laugh.

    JJ Grey and Mofro followed, dressed to the nines with lead vocalist JJ Grey donning a black sport coat and red satin tie. Bouncy keys and two horn players, who swayed in choreographed unison, brought a more upbeat and dance-worthy feel. Grey sang several songs inspired by his grandmother, a woman who heavily influenced his life. He exclaimed, “If she taught me one thing, it’s that you can’t fight darkness, you have to be the light.”

    The atmosphere mellowed out during Margo Price’s set which transitioned to a slightly more country folk style. Her soft vocals almost felt a bit lost as they floated through the crowd, her music seeming muted after the two lively sets before. Her song “Desperate and Depressed” spoke of the woes of trying to make it as a musician, but things must be looking up, getting a slot at LOCKN’.

    The Revivalists opened their set with “Bulletproof” and also played their popular radio hit “Wish I Knew You.” They played mostly to the books, without too much experimentation outside of their established  song structures. The band concluded with a classic, “With a Little Help from My Friends.” 

    Phil Lesh and friends accompanied by moe. was an eagerly anticipated collaboration given that it will be one of the last times moe. plays for a while as Rob Derhak tackles a recent cancer diagnosis. Their lighthearted sound brought a warmth felt throughout the crowd. After their set, the crowd thinned out a bit, leaving more room for fans excited to watch The Avett Brothers close out the festival. They opened with “Satan Pulls the Strings,” and also played “Down with the Shine,” during which their vocals could have been raised, a sentiment echoed by several in the crowd.

    The laid-back comfort between the band members gave the feeling that  they could just as easily be playing together in a cozy living room instead of on display in front of thousands of fans. Cellist Joe Kwon didn’t even utilize his cello stand, preferring to hold the instrument up and walk around with it, which was both amusing and impressive. Violinist Tania Elizabeth and Scott Avett shared a fun chemistry, as they both enjoyed breaking it down, at one point standing face-to-face before bending down on their knees at the front of the stage to the delight of the audience.

    The Avett Brothers also played “Headful of Doubt/Road Full of Promise,” “Laundry Room,” “Morning Song,” “Vanity,” “Kick Drum Heart” and “Murder in the City” before Bob Weir joined them onstage. Weir’s sweet guitar added a richness to their set, a perfect marriage of sound they continued to carry out for the rest of their performance. The Avett Brothers made a fitting cap to the four day festival, with their honest storytelling illustrating scenes many in the crowd can relate to. As their set played out, listeners seized the last opportunity to genuinely connect to the music and with the LOCKN’ family of music fans they forged over the long weekend.

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