NYS Music 20​17

Category: Genres

  • Audience Gets Wet and Keeps Dancing at Umphrey’s McGee in Central Park

    Central Park’s Summer Stage has quite the lineup this summer, with the centerpiece being a double bill of prog/jam goodness in Aqueous and Umphrey’s McGee on July 7.

    Aqueous performed just two songs, “Second Sight” and “Kitty Chaser,” in their 30 minute, all-too-short set to start the night, but that would be remedied by their post-show later this evening. Umphrey’s opened up their set with some technical issues, doing a double take on “Bridgeless” as a result. After the second attempt, the band played “Miss Tinkle’s Overture,” hinting they were slightly pissed off but pressed on with “2×2” and “Dump City” which highlighted the rest of the set, and the final segment of “Bridgeless” finishing the first set.

    Much like their Midwest counterparts playing in the Bronx this evening, Umphrey’s began to heat up when the rain cleared. Jams blossomed through the encore with two huge sandwiches in their second set. “Plunger” opened, as did the skies during “Utopian Fir” which had a “Whole Lotta Love” tease, as well as “Driven 2 Tears” which segued back into “Fir.” If the crowd wasn’t already wet, “Mantis” > “The Triple Wide” > “Mantis” took care of that. An encore of “Rocker Part 2” capped the night and sent the fans streamed out of a moist Central Park and headed to the Highline Ballroom where Aqueous and Umphrey’s would join forces for the after show.

  • Photo Gallery: Aqueous Welcomes Joel Cummins and Jake Cinninger to Highline Ballroom

    After a 30 minute set at Summer Stage, Buffalo’s Aqueous headed to Chelsea for a post-Umphrey’s show at The Highline Ballroom. Aqueous was joined tonight by Jake Cinninger and Joel Cummins, who joined the band for a majority of their set. After “Uncle Phil’s Parachute,” Jake and Joel hit the stage during “Don’t Do It,” and joined on a debut of Umphrey’s “Booth Love,” Radiohead’s “National Anthem,” and Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne.” To close the night, Aqueous performed ‘just one more song’ with a 40+ minute “Random Company” > “Numbers and Facts” > “Random Company” and an encore of “Origami.” Umphrey’s and Aqueous seem like a natural pairing, one that we hope to see again later this fall.

    Set: Skyway, Uncle Phil’s Parachute¹ > Don’t Do It¹ ² > Highline Jam², Booth Love² ³, National Anthem², Strange Times², Kid Charlemagne², Random Company > Numbers and Facts > Random Company
    Encore: Origami
    ¹ Unfinished
    ² Ft. Jake Cinninger and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee
    ³ Aqueous debut, Umphrey’s McGee cover

    Setlist via Aquiantances

  • Update: Eastbound Throwdown Returns with Driftwood

    The second annual Eastbound Throwdown returns to Irwin Farm in Salem, NY on September 8 and 9, with a number of New York acts, primarily based around Americana styles of music, including Driftwood and Upchuck Ramblers.

    The schedule for this year’s Eastbound Throwdown has been released. The two-day event will have acts on two stages, featuring a main stage set each night from host band, Eastbound Jesus.

    Acoustic Stage:

    Friday
    4:00-4:30 – Big Stone Gap
    5:30-6:00 – One For the Road
    7:00-7:30 and 8:45-9:15 – Ian Fitzgerald

    Saturday
    11:30-12:00 and 1:00-1:30 – Dan Johnson
    2:30-3:00 and 4:00-4:30 – J. Schnitt
    5:30-6:00 – Upchuck Ramblers
    7:00-7:30 and 8:30-9:00 – The Saratoga Strings Band
    10:15-10:45 – Turf n’ Turf

    Main Stage:

    Friday

    3:00-4:00 – Cobblestone
    4:30-5:30 – Under the Blacktop
    6:00-7:00 – Formula 5
    7:30-8:45 – The Mallet Brothers Band
    9:15-10:45 – Eastbound Jesus
    11:15-1:00 – Green

    Saturday

    12:00-1:00 – Graveyard Poets
    1:30-2:30 – Wreckloose
    3:00-4:00 – The Old Main
    4:30-5:30 – Swampcandy
    6:00-7:00 – Black Mountain Symphony
    7:30-8:30 – Cousin Earth
    9:00-10:15 – Drifwood
    10:45-1:00 – Eastbound Jesus

    Pre-sale tickets are still available for $60. The price rises to $70 at the gate. Saturday only passes are available for $40. Camping is available on site with the purchase of a weekend pass. Those wishing to bring an RV or camper must purchase a separate RV pass for $25. All tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.

    Festival organizers Eastbound Jesus headline the event with two sets. Eastbound Throwdown also features Driftwood, the Mallett Brothers Band, Black Mountain Symphony, Wreckloose, Swamp Candy, Green, The Old Main and Cobblestone.

    Tickets for the Eastbound Throwdown are on sale now for $60. Tickets include two days of music and camping.

  • Photo Gallery: The Tea Party at Canalside

    This past Thursday, July 6,  The Tea Party made an appearance in Buffalo as part of their Summer 2017 Tour. The Canadian hard-rockers brought out an older crowd for this week’s Canalside Live concert. Based on their performance, it was apparent that this wasn’t their first rodeo. The Tea Party came together in the early nineties, and the same three members stuck together ever since (with the exception of their 2005-2011 hiatus).

    the tea partyThe Tea Party’s sound features a blend of hard rock with all sorts of other genres, including Middle Eastern, Celtic, and Mediterranean music. Their songs feature a wide range of unique instruments, including the mandolin, sitar, hurdy-gurdy, and the list goes on. At one point during the show, front man Jeff Martin swiped his hand around what looked like an old theremin.

  • Hearing Aide: Escaper ‘Skeleton Key’

    Brooklyn-based band Escaper recently released their debut album, Skeleton Key. Escaper consists of Will Hanza on guitar and vocals, Johnny Butler on saxophone, Adam Ahuja on keys, Jay Giacomazzo on bass and Andrew Nesbitt on drums. This seven track album takes listeners on an unpredictable stroll through exploratory tones, multicolored rhythms and colorful melodies full of airy notes that leave songs wide open for improvised jams to be interjected during live performances. A unique element to this record is that the band laid down all the tracks in one day, with one take each, at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, NY. Each musician simultaneously played in separate rooms, beautifully capturing the raw essence of a live performance.

    The first track, “Skeleton Key, Pt. 1,” eases listeners into the album by playfully winding back and forth between light, jazzy beats and kaleidoscopic intonations. Picking up the energy, “Mutiny” lays out the vibes with heavy drums, deep bass and extended guitar notes that wrap around jazz infused keys and saxophone tones that linger on the edges of euphoric spaces, creating a relaxed mood for the listener.

    “Lighthouse” throws out crunchier funkadelic rhythms, begging the listener to sway back and forth to the beat. Punchy keys start out this refreshing track before flowing into a combination of jazzed out saxophone and trippy guitar. Once again, deep bass and tight drums keep the musicians in line throughout the melody. The fusion of so many genres puts Escaper into a unique category, blurring the lines between the jazz and jam scenes.

    A slow building “Night Crawler” is fully stocked with short bursts of brisk notes that tap dance their way through the tune, picking up varying musical elements that effortlessly move around the sweet-sounding melody. “Narwhal” glides around smooth jazz beats that flow on the edge of picturesque tones merged by the guitar, sax, and keyboard.

    The album wraps up with “Skeleton Key, Pt. 2” in a way that highlights breathy sax and a splashy guitar/key combo before an energetic “Castles” brings the music to a close. Overall, this debut album is filled with fluid compositions that will come alive during live performances due to the spacious range left open for improvisational play. A solid package of laid back, uncomplicated tunes that seamlessly run the gamut from jazz to jam with  touches of psychedelic grooves that will ease any listener into a relaxed mood.

    For more information regarding Escaper and their new album, along with tour dates, please visit their official web site.

  • Tedeschi Trucks Band Rocks SPAC with Hot Tuna and The Wood Brothers

    Tedeschi Trucks Band‘s Wheels of Soul tour rolled into Saratoga Springs on July 3 with rock legends of new and old, The Wood Brothers and Hot Tuna. Hot Tuna performed with their electric trio, featuring Justin Guip of Levon Helm Band on drums and two energized 70+ year old rock legends, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, strutting through classics and bouncing around the stage. The Wood Brothers brought a stripped down sound that was full of gusto, including spirited renditions of “Luckiest Man” and a set closing “Ophelia.”

    tedeschi trucks hot tuna wood brothersTedeschi Trucks Band stole the show and brought the audience to their feet numerous times throughout the show, sparking the crowd on this 4th of July weekend as though they had bought tickets for spiritual renewal. In many ways, that is what the night provided. TTB opened the night with a cover of Derek and the Dominoes’ “Anyday” with Mike Mattison providing ample vocal support to Susan Tedeschi. (Coincidentally, on June 16, Bobby Whitlock of Derek and the Dominoes opened his show at The Egg with the same track off Layla and Assorted Love Songs.)

    tedeschi trucks hot tuna wood brothers“Don’t Know What It Means” was one of the numerous times Susan showed off her powerful vocals, as well as Kebbi Williams’ jazz chops, during a breakdown at the end with drummers Tyler Greenwell and J.J. Johnson. Susan didn’t let up by then belting out “Anyhow,” supercharging the venue with three big band numbers to kick the set off. Carey Frank, filling in for the recovering Kofi Burbridge, made his presence known on “Let Me Get By” and “Save Me,” adding to the big band sound as the show wound down. Rock goddess Susan and husband Derek put on a clinic of blues guitar, pounding out powerful chords and engaging the audience, eliciting cheers as peaks were reached, only to then be taken higher and higher. The final songs of the set bookended a monster rock ‘n’ roll show that had hardly a mellow moment.

    For the encore, a perfect tribute to the late Gregg Allman in “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” preceded Susan’s calm rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?,” one that made it feel like we were at a revival and ready to head out and preach her good word. To close the night, “Made Up Mind” allowed all vocalists, including Mattison, Mark Rivers and Alecia Chakour, to show off their vocal chops. Susan then asked the audience to offer birthday wishes to a member of the TTB crew, Bobby, by singing “Happy Birthday” to him, an exclamation point on a night of pure rock ‘n’ roll.

  • NYS Music’s Guide to Baker’s Dozen Pre and Post Shows

    Phish’s Baker’s Dozen of shows at Madison Square Garden starts in just two weeks, and with 13 shows spread out over 17 days, the marathon of music won’t be relegated only to the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena.’ Pre and post show events can be found on virtually every day surrounding the Baker’s Dozen. For phans looking for a complete list of what New York City holds for Phish fans both before and after each night of Phish, NYS Music presents our handy Baker’s Dozen guide. Save the images, share with friends and rest up – this will be a musical endurance test like no other!

  • Camp Bisco XV Returns to Montage Mountain

    Welcome back campers! The Disco Biscuits are bringing Camp Bisco XV back to Montage Mountain again this year for the third time on July 13, 14 and 15. The line-up is shared by both jambands and EDM acts along with a few other genres thrown in.

    The headliners feature some usual suspects and past Camp Bisco alumni. The beats will be thumping to start things up on Thursday with Griz and Gramatik along with the Disco Biscuits playing a set to give everyone a taste of that thing they call Bisco.  On the more ethereal side, Emancipator and Nightmares on Wax are not to be missed.

    Things get a little more jammy on Saturday with two more sets of Biscuits, Lotus, Twiddle and Sphongle live. If you are at Camp to wait for the next drop, you can get your fill at Bassnectar. For more sexy beats, make sure to check out Classixx. The Disco Biscuits end things off on Saturday with 3 sets, the last of which will almost certainly feature a Basis. Pretty Lights live band and Action Bronson round out the headliners for the final night. Want to party like you’re at Studio 54? Check out Escort! For that Union Station feel, check out Too Many Zoos.

    If you want to keep the party going into the night than the Renegade stage is for you. Located in the RV lot, this stage will start up after midnight, featuring a takeover by a different label each night. On Thursday will be Sermon, Friday Mr. Bugsly, and Saturday Good Looks.

    Then of course, there is the ultimate Camp event, Color War! Returning for year 12, Color War features friendly yet competitive team events (this year it’s Biscuits fans vs Bassnectar fans for the ultimate bragging rights) including Capture the Rage Stick, SpacebirdVolleyball, Disco Biscuits Trivia and so much more! Read our profile on Color War from last year’s Camp and sign up on Friday to join the teams for one of the best Camp traditions going 12 years strong!

    Tickets for Camp Bisco are on sale on here. There you can find 3 Day, Camping, Saturday, Box Seat and VIP passes. See you on the mountain!

  • Interview: A Casual Conversation With Funktional Flow

    Sitting down to drink a beer with a band is an experience for which every journalist yearns. I had the pleasant opportunity to sit down with Guitar/Vocalist Jeffery Kueber and Keyboard/Saxophone/Vocalist Mathew Lester of Buffalo’s Funktional Flow for an interview

    The meet-up took place at Three Heads Brewery in Rochester, NY.  Over a heady Three Heads Brewery beer, we discussed Flowfest, Night Lights Music Festival, The Great Blue Heron Music Festival and Cobblestone live.  We also discussed the birth of the band, their long-term growth and a few of their influences.  In reality, we just sat down and chatted.  It was a ton of fun!

    The conversation was recorded in full and used as a “Rochester Groovecast” podcast episode.  The episode also contains two Funktional Flow tracks, “Back Door” and “Time Will Tell.”

    Click the play button below to listen!

    Keep in touch with Funktional Flow!
    www.funktionalflow.com
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/FunktionalFlowMusic
    Twitter: twitter.com/FunktionalFlow
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/funktionalflow/
    ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/funktionalflow
    Bandcamp: funktionalflow.bandcamp.com

  • House Party with the Christian Lopez Band

    The acclaimed Christian Lopez Band will make their Upstate New York debut on Saturday July 8 in Syracuse.

    Lopez, 22 years old from West Virginia, was named best new artist by Rolling Stone Magazine at Americana Fest in 2015 and was a finalist on American Idol in 2013.

    Christian Lopez Band shows are legendary because of high energy and a range of music which includes a mix of music from his debut album Onward, material from a forthcoming new album and covers of fun material. The band performs an amazing cover of the Bill Withers tune “Use Me Up,” The Beatles song “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and Levon Helm’s “Hurricane” which he performed with Levon’s daughter Amy Helm on the 2017 Cayamo Cruise.

    Because the Boilermaker Road Race is on Sunday morning, the show starts early at 5 PM.

    Tickets are just $20 and include food and beverages. This is an all-ages show.

    Stay up to do date and like the show on Facebook.

    This will be a special evening and one of the best shows this year, don’t miss out.

    For more information, contact Ed Griffin: ed@fleetfeetsyracuse.com

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