NYS Music 20​17

Category: Pop

  • Webster Hall Closing for Extensive Renovations Next Month, See Schedule of Final Shows and Club Nights

    Webster Hall will be closing for renovations. Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and AEG Presents bought the historic Manhattan night club and concert hall from longtime owners the Ballingers earlier this year. The final performance will be held on August 9. Shows which had been scheduled after that date have been moved to other venues.

    I highly recommend that you all stop by before the end of this era to pay your respects to the Ballingers and the building for providing us with a lifetimes worth of memories.” – Gerard McNamee, Manager.

    The Wood Brothers at Webster Hall – Photo: Thomas McKenna

    Upcoming Shows:

    July 13 – Myles Parrish – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 14 – Taking Back Sunday – Webster Hall -SOLD OUT-
    July 14 – Danny Delavie, Cook Thugless, DAZED, Killing H8 – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 14 – Girls + Boys ft. Bro Safari – Webster Hall
    July 15 – Taking Back Sunday – Webster Hall -SOLD OUT-
    July 16 – Teemonee Twizz E. Luxe Manic Ak40devin Chris Shine Ayanna Martine – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 17 – SOB X RBE, G. Perico, OMB Peezy, Cuz Lightyear – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 19 – The Color Morale The Plot In You Dayseeker Picturesque Restless Stre – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 20 – Promise of Redemption ft. Shane Henderson of Valencia, Best Ex – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 21 – Punchline – 20th Anniversary Tour – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 21 – Girls + Boys ft. Brillz, Jvst Say Yes, Ducky, GLD – Webster Hall
    July 22 – Roska, Back To Life, Jergo – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 22 – Phora – The Marlin Room at Webster Hall
    July 22 – Gotham ft. Feed Me – Webster Hall
    July 24 – AJ Mon – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 25 – Citizen Zero – Studio at Webster Hall
    July 25 – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones: Let’s Face It Twenty Years Later – Webster Hall
    July 26 – Make Them Suffer, Enterprise Earth, Spite – The Marlin Room at Webster Hall
    July 27 – Dalton Rapattoni, The House On Cliff w/ Special Guest Lauren Carnahan – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 28 – Like Moths To Flames (Performing When We Don’t Exist in its entirety) – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 28 – Girls + Boys ft. Graves & Uffie – Webster Hall
    July 29 – Alessandro Cortini, Telefon Tel Aviv, Richard Devine, PJay, Alex English – The Marlin Room at Webster Hall
    July 29 – Bonelang, Brandon Markell Holmes, Vesper, Poetic Thrust – The Studio at Webster Hall
    July 30 – Summer Slaughter: The Black Dahlia Murder, Dying Fetus, The Faceless and more – Webster Hall
    July 30 – Daniel J. Watts’ The Jam: Only Child – The Studio at Webster Hall
    Aug. 1 – Current Swell with Current Swell – The Studio at Webster Hall
    Aug. 2 – Aaron Cohen – The Studio at Webster Hall
    Aug. 2 – Rag’N’Bone Man – Webster Hall: The Final Shows – Webster Hall
    Aug. 2 – HOT IN HERRE That Wavy 2000’s Party ft. Sponge The Jawn, DJ Yung Neil – The Marlin Room at Webster Hall
    Aug. 3 – 070Shake – Webster Hall: The Final Shows – Webster Hall
    Aug. 4 – Allegory, Caye, Johnny Drama – The Studio at Webster Hall
    Aug. 5 – Just Surrender, Rare Futures, latewaves, Young Thieves – The Studio at Webster Hall
    Aug. 6 – Alesana Eyes Set To Kill, Lakeshore Alteras, The Amatory Murder – The Studio at Webster Hall
    Aug. 6 – Galactic Empire – Webster Hall: The Final Shows – The Marlin Room at Webster Hall
    Aug. 6 – Good Charlotte – Webster Hall: The Final Shows – Webster Hall
    Aug. 8 – Michelle Branch w/ Haerts – Webster Hall: The Final Shows – Webster Hall
    Aug. 9 – Marateck (Record Release Show) GRID, Kraus – The Studio at Webster Hall

    For Ticket Information, visit Webster Hall’s website. Webster Hall t-shirts and hats are still available online or on site.

  • Concerts By the Shore Series Brings Bands to the Beach in Rochester

    Rochester’s Concerts By the Shore series returns this season with free shows on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at Ontario Beach Park. The park features access to the beach and pier, a playground, and a vintage carousel. Performances take place at the gazebo, and include the return of local favorites: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Skycoasters, Brass Taxi, Ruby Shooz, and more.

    Concerts By the Shore Schedule

    July 5 – Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (Classical)
    July 12 – The Invictas (Rock & Roll)
    July 19 – The Skycoasters (Party Band)
    July 26 – Krazy Firemen (German & Big Band)
    Aug. 2 – Brass Taxi (Pop & Dance)
    Aug. 9 – Atlas (Party Band)
    Aug. 16 – Greece Jazz Band
    Aug. 23 – Allegro (Jazz, 60’s to 90’s)
    Aug. 30 – Ruby Shooz (50’s & 60’s Rock & Roll)

    Refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, call the Ontario Beach Park Information Line (585) 865-3320 or visit the Ontario Beach website here.

  • Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar Features National Artists All Summer

    The Riverboat Bar in Alexandria Bay has announced a stellar lineup for its Summer 2017 Live Music Series. Both regional and national touring acts will be featured at Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar.

    alex bay's riverboat barThe primarily free series brings live music to the Bay Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer. It began June 3 with Broken Arrow Hearts and followed with Earphorik, Mick Fury and Mister F. Friday’s featured artist is the Tyler Pearce Project, a soulful pop-rock act from Rochester.

    Saturday features local Bay act Adapter., an original improv band influenced by moe., the Tragically Hip, Pearl Jam and the Black Keys.

    The Riverboat is the only Thousand Islands area venue that spotlights such a prominent array of national and regional acts. Most shows are free to the public and cover a variety of genres. The main focus is to feature bands from the New York State music scene from cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Syracuse that have made names for themselves performing at festivals and venues throughout the Northeast and beyond.

    Bands returning to the Riverboat this summer include New York acts Mister F, Black Mountain Symphony, Chris James and Mama G, Subsoil, Folkfaces, Annie in the Water, Tiny Music, Haewa, Boogiehood, Adapter, Balkun Brothers from Connecticut, Tweed from Philadelphia, After Funk from Toronto and Jiggawaltz from Vermont.

    In addition to these returning acts, the venue welcomes newcomers Earphorik from Fort Wayne, IN, Formula 5 from Albany, the Old Main from Utica, the Medicinals from Rochester, Funktional Flow from Buffalo and the Tyler Pearce Project from Rochester.

    alex bay's riverboat barJoin NYS Music and the Riverboat Bar for a summer full of great live local, regional and national music.

    Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar Summer 2017 Live Music Series:

    June 30 – Tyler Pearce Project
    July 1 – Adapter.
    July 7 – Boogiehood
    July 8 – Formula 5
    July 14 – Balkun Brothers
    July 15 – Black Mountain Symphony
    July 21 – the Old Main
    July 22 – Chris James & Mama G w/s/g Johnny Richards
    July 28 – Funktional Flow
    July 29 – Tweed
    Aug. 4 – Subsoil
    Aug. 5 – Folkfaces
    Aug. 11 – Annie in the Water
    Aug. 12 – Tiny Music
    Aug. 18 – After Funk
    Aug. 19 – Jiggawaltz
    Aug. 25 – the Medicinals
    Aug. 26 – Haewa

    Check out footage of upcoming Riverboat artist Formula 5 below:

  • Rockin’ On the River 2017 in Troy’s Riverfront Park: Did You Say Free?

    Summertime fills the air with one-of-a-kind, free music–chirping birds, bikes whizzing by and children laughing as they play in the neighborhood. That’s not all the free music left to explore–all around the Capital Region, summer concert series have been crafted to offer a blend of different genres to the city’s inhabitants week after week. Rockin’ on the River in Troy has been a well-loved staple to its surrounding community, offering a free, 10-week concert series every Wednesday between June 7 and August 9.

    Wednesdays just got better, as “hump days” can now be marked on the calendar with *outdoor music at Riverfront Park* in downtown Troy. Attracting between 5,000 to 8,000 guests per night, the series already boasted four mid-week performances from Almost Queen, Deerhoof, Skeeter Creek and Alex Torres y su Orquesta.

    Lovers of live music can look forward to the remainder of Rockin’ on the River,  to bring musical appearances from The British Invasion Experience, Saintseneca, Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, Taina Asili y la Banda Rebelde, SIRSY and Rumours- Fleetwood Mac Tribute to close.

    Rain or shine from 5:00PM to 8:30PM, the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District brings the summer concert series to residents free of charge and in turn, draws in crowds to Troy’s local shops and businesses, keeping the town thriving!

    Check out the full Rockin’ on the River schedule below:

    July 5 – The British Invasion Experience
    July 12 – Saintseneca with The Sea The Sea
    July 19 – Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience with Kristen Capolino
    July 26 – Taina Asili y La Banda Rebelde with Girl Blue
    Aug. 2 – SIRSY with Sly Fox and The Hustlers
    Aug. 9 – Rumours – Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band

  • Freedom Park Concert Series Underway, Features Free Shows All Summer Long

    There’s something for everyone at Freedom Park’s summer concert series in Scotia. Upcoming shows include performances by Celtic band Screaming Orphans on June 28,  Bluz House Rockers on June 30, and world music by Maria Z & Alegria on July 2. The fun continues all summer with a wide array of artists to satisfy every musical palate. Concerts take place across from Collins Park, and start at 7 p.m. (with the exception of Bluz House Rockers, which starts at 8pm). For more information, visit the Freedom Parks website or Facebook page.

    freedom park summer2017 Scotia Freedom Park Summer Concert Series:

    June 28 -Screaming Orphans – Celtic rock
    June 30 – Bluz House Rockers – 8 PM
    July 2 – Maria Z & Alegria – flamenco/world music
    July 5 – Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band
    July 8 – Diva & the Dirty Boys – 60’s rock & blues
    July 9 – Music Company Orchestra
    July 12 – The AudioStars
    July 15 – Jeanne O’Connor & the New Standard
    July – 16 – Hot Club of Saratoga – gypsy jazz/swing
    July 19 – The Refrigerators
    July 22 – Rattail Jimmy – rock
    July 23 – Brian Patneaude Jazz Quintet
    July 26 – The Joey Thomas Big Band
    July 29 – Betsy & the ByeGons – 60’s music
    July 30 – The Route Fifty 5 – brass quintet
    Aug. 2 – Big Easy Playboys – Zydeco music
    Aug. 5 – Skeeter Creek – country music
    Aug. 6 – The Wister Quartet
    Aug. 9 – SIRSY – alt rock
    Aug. 12 – Funk Evolution – party R&B
    Aug. 13 – The Lustre Kings – rockabilly
    Aug. 16 – Grand Central Station – party rock
    Aug. 19 – Grit N Whiskey – country music
    Aug. 20 – Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
    Aug. 23 – American Runaways – punk/indie rock
    Aug. 26 – Dylan Perrillo Orchestra – jazz/swing

  • Clifton Park Free Summer Performing Arts Series Makes its Debut July 2

    July 2 marks the beginning of the Performing Arts at the Common & Performing Arts Family Series at the outdoor Clifton Common Stage. The series will offer free shows geared towards adults on Sunday nights with kids shows being featured on Wednesday nights.

    Some of the performers on Wednesday nights include: Let’s Get Cookin’, “a fun-filled performance that utilizes drama, music, complex rhythms, and acrobatics,” The Puppet People featuring their performance, The Last Dragon, comedian Sylvia Fletcher as The Magic Trunk and many others. The Town of Clifton welcomes the entire family to these shows but invites an older audience to their free Sunday shows. Some acts include: The Accents, soulful indie pop group Sirsy, Fiddler on The Roof performed by The Not So Common Players and a plethora of other works.

    Clifton Park, located just north of Albany is a fitting location for a series like this. The stage they will be using for both of the series is a smaller one but has an ample amount of lawn seating to fit hundreds of people. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a late summer’s night show by honest and hardworking performers set at the best price – absolutely free.

    More information about all these events are found on the Town of Clifton’s website. Most shows start after 7 and, as previously mentioned, there is no charge for any of these events.

  • Phoenix Rises From Red Ashes at Red Rocks

    There are certain things in life that move you in the most harmonious manner, that it sends chills down your spine. Phoenix was the cause of that exact sensation on a splendid and spectacular evening at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in colorful Colorado on Wednesday, June 7. The night was simply captivating, as giant natural rock formations surround you at this outside venue. An occasion like this should definitely be on a bucket list for those of you who have not had the chance to experience such an event at this magical place.

    phoenix red rocksThe night started off with an energetic group called The Lemon Twigs, who demonstrated their capacity to jam all while rocking funky outfits and made the crowd pop with extreme intrigue and positive responses. The audience slowly filled the arena and nature’s light began to dim. As their performance came to a close, boulders as crimson as can be started to glow underneath the moonlight in the background, and Miike Snow entered the stage not too long after that. As a Swedish indie pop band, they incorporated a sense of synthpop and alternative dance flare and gave fans a sweet taste for what’s to come next.

    Everyone was fooled that night; what was once a clear starry night moments before, took a turn for what was least expected. When it rains, it pours. However, the heaviest of downpours and even slight hail that evening surely didn’t stop the crowd from going wild. The weather gods somehow knew Phoenix was about to perform and it almost seemed like the rain was a grand opening display before an incredibly riveting performance. This French ensemble conquered the stage while standing on a giant LED platform and created a tantalizing memory to store in everyone’s minds. Thomas Mars soothed the surroundings with his vocals, Christian Mazzalai rocked on guitar, Deck d’Arcy on bass and keyboards, and Laurent Brancowitz on guitar and keyboards. The group included their touring members Robin Coudert on keyboards and percussion, as well as Thomas Hedlund on drums and percussion.

    This group’s style has developed over time only to create distinct soundwaves that hit one’s pleasure centers even more. Flavors of synth pop, alternative rock, and new wave filled the atmosphere all while including the French language in some of their masterpieces. This particular show at Red Rocks was actually the last one before they released their newest album, Ti Amo, which is now available for all to listen. It holds a unique and upbeat essence that puts the move in groove. They performed a couple fresh tunes off the new album such as “J-Boy” and “Ti Amo” as well. Certain underlying musical elements are discovered in the back beats of their songs. Other oldies magically graced the air including “If I Ever Feel Better,” “Lasso,” “Girlfriend,” “Trying to be Cool,” “Fences,” “Lisztomania” and “1901.”

    At the end of the performance, Thomas Mars of Phoenix entered the Red Rocks crowd as a personal closing of the night and shared that special moment with everyone around. ‘Twas a heart-warming and sincere performance with a sprinkle of friendliness. Phoenix rose and thus vanished into the night after wooing the crowd with their delectable sound.

  • Interview: Olivia Grace Discusses her Upcoming Releases and Next Steps in Brooklyn

    Indie pop artist Olivia Grace is originally from Maryland but ready to take the New York music scene by storm. She’s focusing her energy and creative juices into launching a musical career while completing her senior year of college. Her latest single “Blackbird” was released on September 30 enticing listeners with her unique style. NYS Music had the chance to find out more about Olivia Grace’s unreleased music including “Shoestrings” to be released early June.

    Sammy Steiner: As a singer-songwriter, where did your inspiration for “Shoestrings” come from?

    Olivia Grace: Ultimately, the song is about feeling out of place. It’s somewhat unapologetic, but it’s also about trying to make sense of everything when you’re not quite sure how you fit in. The story isn’t completely about me, as I do love creating fictional characters in my songs. However, when I wrote this song I had just moved to New York, and it was completely different from what I had been used to. I lived in Chicago beforehand, but New York just doesn’t compare. I think that feeling of navigating a new city and finding my place inspired a bit of the song.

    SS: Can you take us through your journey and involvement in the creation of this track? What was your favorite part of the record-making process?

    OG: The song took over a year to write. When I first started it, it sounded more like a folk song. It was slower with completely different rhythms. It didn’t really feel like THE song. I came back to it when I was flipping through old song ideas, trying to write something new. I picked it back up and it just flowed out. My favorite part recording was the “oh’s” that you hear in the beginning and after the chorus. They were actually added last minute. The song didn’t feel complete when my producer Matt and I had finished. He told me to just go crazy improvising over my piano/instrumental part, and eventually I started singing the “oh” melody. We both knew when we heard it that, that was it!

    SS: Do you have any upcoming plans or prospective venues where you hope to perform in the New York State area?

    OG: I do! I’m currently setting up some shows for July in New York, so I’ll probably be posting about it in June!

    SS: Can you name your top three favorite artists to cover at your shows and why?

    OG: Truthfully, I don’t cover that many artists at shows! I mostly perform my original songs. The one song I always try to fit in my set is Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games.” It’s just so beautiful and after years of performing it, I still love it.

    SS: What are your plans going forward? Are you going to focus on future musical projects or touring?

    OG: I have a lot of unreleased recordings right now, and I’m still going in the studio and recording more. I’m writing quite often as well. Both those things are my main focus right now. I don’t see myself doing a full on tour *right now* but I am traveling a lot this upcoming year, so I probably will be doing a few shows here and there.

    SS: What is one thing you’ve learned from your glimpse into life as an artist thus far?

    OG: Be patient. Everything takes time, hard work, and persistence. You can’t rush success.

  • So Last Year Embarking on Northeast Tour

    Rochester indie pop band So Last Year is setting off on a month-long journey through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and for the first time, Massachusetts. Tour kicks off on June 3 with a hometown show at the California Brew Haus and includes stops in Buffalo on June 18 and Syracuse on June 25.

    So Last Year describes their distinctive sound as “vibrant pop/indie-rock with a little bit of piano and a lot of soul.” On tour, they will be playing songs from theirself-released full length albums, It’s Later Than You Think (2013) and In Light of Summer (2015). Formed in 2013 from members of prog rock project Inneriot and other musicians, they’ve undergone some amicable lineup changes. The ensemble currently consists ofLogan Van Epps (vocals, keys), Jon Stowell (guitar), Jason Campbell (guitar), Curtis Matteson (bass), Mitch VanDenBerghe (drums).

    Tour Dates:

    June 3 – Rochester, NY – The California Brew Haus
    June 8 – Boston, MA – TBA
    June 9 – Pembrooke, MA – Lucky Dawg
    June 10 – Tauton, MA – Allaboutrecords
    June 11 – Boston, MA – house show
    June 15 – Pittsburgh, PA – house show
    June 16 – Kent, OH – The Outpost
    June 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Black Forge Coffee
    June 18 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works
    June 25 – Syracuse, NY – Spark Art Gallery

    Follow So Last Year on Facebook and Instagram for tour updates.

  • Joywave Makes a Splash with New Music Video “It’s a Trip”

    Joywave unveiled the music video for “It’s a Trip,” the first single from its upcoming album, Content. The lyrics of this catchy surf rock song are laced with dark humor.  What should be a fun day at the shore becomes commentary on wasting time trying to please someone else. The video captures the concept of the song by showing the members of the pop quintet aging progressively. The video was directed by up-and-comers Ghost + Cow Films, with makeup by Ben Bornstein.

    Visit Joywave.com to download or stream the song, or to sign up for their email list.

    The LP Content is out on July 28.

    The quintet from Rochester will spend August and September touring across the U.S. with Young the Giant and Cold War Kids. Their only show in New York State currently scheduled is in Central Park on September 13. Touring information and ticket information can be found on the Joywave website.

    Joywave It's a trip