Category: Upcoming Shows

  • Space Carnival to Headline Brooklyn Bowl in October

    One of our own 87/90 bands Space Carnival is headlining Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday, October 24!

    Space Carnival brooklynCatch Space Carnival in their first time headlining at Brooklyn Bowl! Also performing that night are Goose and The Southern Belles. Doors open at 6pm, and music kicks off at 8pm. Tickets just went on sale this afternoon, so be sure to grab them quickly here!

    Space Carnival blends high-energy disco, funk, and progressive rock into an interplanetary performance. Formed in Spring 2013, Space Carnival consists of Jeremy Kraus on Guitar, Cameron Fitch on Keys and Vocals, Chris Meier on Bass, and Nick Tassinari on drums. The quartet began honing their live sound when they launched into the Oneonta music scene in Fall of 2013. Space Carnival keeps a consistent, fun, and fresh energy by rotating set lists, adding covers and confidently debuting original material. This four piece is sure to have you dancing with their form of loose funk and relentless slippery disco.

    Find out more about the event here.

  • Kettlefest to Feature Homegrown Music

    The lineup for this year’s KettleFest includes Anastazja, Some Ska Band, Ruckus Juice Jug Stompers and String Chickens. The one day celebration of sustainable farming takes place in on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Kettle Ridge Farm in Victor, NY. In addition to music, there will be workshops, children’s events, crafts from local artisans, and a wide selection of food and beverages.

    kettlefestAdmission is $6, and children under 13 are free. Kettleridge Farm is located at 515 Log Cabin Road in Victor, NY. For more information, visit the Kettlefest website.

    Music Schedule:

    Main Stage:
    – 10:15 a.m. – Anastazja
    – 12:15 p.m. – Some Ska Band
    – 2:15 p.m. – Ruckus Juice Jug Stompers

    Porch Stage:
    – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – String Chickens

    kettlefest

  • Teenage Halloween to Play in Rochester and Albany in Advance of Upcoming Release “Eternal Roast”

    Teenage Halloween will be playing at Vineyard Community Space in Rochester on Sept. 16, and then at The Rice House in Albany on Sept. 17. Both venues offer safe spaces to showcase indie talent in home-like settings, promoting diversity, respect, and inclusion.

    Teenage HalloweenThese are values that Teenage Halloween embraces, as they deliver upbeat numbers about self-acceptance and empowerment served youthful exuberance and a twist of whimsical irony. Just this week they announced a new release, entitled Eternal Roast.

    In Rochester, Teenage Halloween will be sharing the stage at Vineyard Community Space with their tour mates from New Jersey, Secret Mountain, and local bands Full Body (celebrating their new release), as well as Taking Meds and California Cousins (on the final night of their East Coast tour). Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show ends by 10 p.m. The suggested minimum donation is $7.

    In Albany, Teenage Halloween and Secret Mountain will be joined by local bands Jouska, Hate Club, and i feel okay. The show runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. Entry is $5. 

    Members of Teenage Halloween hail from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The entire octet was in the studio to record the latest release: Luke Henderiks on vocals and guitar, Brandon Hakim on Saxophone, Kevin Sabik on trumpet, Lynn Tuimil on bass, Brian DeSeno on drums, Danni Ciminnisi on keyboards & vocals, Eli Frank on lead guitar & Connor Egan on trombone.

    Eternal Roast is the follow-up to Teenage Halloween’s 2015 EP It Was Weird But It Worked, and will be available on Oct. 20 in a variety of formats (including vinyl). The limited-edition cassette is now available for pre-order on ‘Get Better Records.’

  • Funk Night in Albany on Sept. 21 to be Hosted by Justin Mazer, members of Mister F and more

    September’s installment of Funk Night in Albany will featured members of Mister F and Let’s be Leonard, and will be hosted by Justin Mazer and Starbird. The return of Funk Night on August 17 was a rousing success and the crowd that packed The Hollow got down to music from members of Kung Fu, Wurliday and The Chronicles.

    Mazer has toured nationally with American Babies, Leroy Justice, and Miz and performed with Electron, Bob Weir, Oteil Burbridge, Larry Campbell, Steve Earle, Blues Traveler, and Dave Schools. Starbird is a trio featuring Al Smith (formerly of American Babies), and Dylan Skursky (of Cabinet). The trio have long performed together in various side project and will bring original compositions that focus on groove oriented music, sonic soundscapes, and a bit of twang. They’ll lay down the beats for funk night and welcome three local musicians to the stage during the night.

    Joining Starbird and Mazer are Scott Hannay of Mister F on keys and Connor Dunn of Let’s be Leonard on saxophone. Doors open at 8 with music starting at 9pm on September 21. Only $10 cover to get down with members of 4 bands laying down some funk! Take a peek at the last funk night:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BX6ycrRn0Cq/

  • The Great NYS Fair Has Your Local Music Fix

    The 2017 NYS Fair opened its gates Wednesday, August 23, and aside from the food, music, especially local, is arguably the biggest attraction at the New York State Fair. The main stage acts at Lakeview Amphitheater and Chevy Court draw the most attention, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a plethora of acts across the fairgrounds. From the various pavilions to the bars that set up camp at the fair, there is music of all types to be found.

    The Empire Experience Stage features live performances three times a day, free with fair admission. The complete 13 day schedule can be found here.

    Among the acts performing at the Empire Experience Stage are several tribute bands (Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffet, Rush, David Bowie, AC/DC, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd and Sublime); Latin music featuring Edgar Pagan’s Grupo Pagan, Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra, Orquesta La Muralla, Afrikan2 and BombaRoc along with local polka legends, Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame honorees and SAMMY Hall of Fame inductees, Fritz’s Polka Band.

    Aug. 28-31 features several original local acts presented by local rock station 95X. Oneonta’s Baked Potatoes kicks off the series Aug. 28 at 4 p.m., followed by Utica-area act Our Common Roots at 6:30 p.m. The Black River closes out the stage at 8:30 p.m.

    Other artists included in the local showcase at the Empire Experience Stage include Oswego’s Ethernauts (Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.) along with Syracuse’s Professional Victims (Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m.), Spring Street Family Band (Aug. 29 at 8:30 p.m.), Ahnest! (Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.), Townhouse Warrior (Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m.), Toronto’s Bleeker (Aug. 30 at 8:30 p.m.), Mattydale Music Collective (Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m.), Stacy White Suite (Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.) and Barroom Philosophers (Aug. 31 at 8:30 p.m.). Barroom Philosophers will also be performing at the West End Bar & Grille at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 3.  SAMMY Award recipients, Americana band the Ripcords will also be performing the Empire Experience Stage (Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.).

    In addition to the Empire Experience, there are several other stages to take in live music. The Pan-African Village is a cooperative effort between the NAACP and the New York State Fair. The village highlights New York’s African-American heritage and features vendors and performers with African and Caribbean roots. Performances are held several times per day throughout the fair’s run. Featured performers at the Pan-African stage include SAMMY Award Winner Bobby Green (Aug. 25 at 8 p.m), Matte Mase (Aug. 26 at 3:30 p.m.), Tanksley with two performances (Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. and Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.), Modern Mudd (Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.), Five to Life (Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.), Steve Wolf performing twice (Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.), Colleen Kattau & Dos XX (Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.), Soft Spoken (Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.), Hev’n Ayn and Friends (Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.), Afrikan2 (Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.), and the Brownskin Band (Sept. 4. at 6 p.m.).

    Some CNY favorites will take to the Dairyland Stage, appropriately located in the Dairy Building. Artists performing at this mini-stage-in-the-round include Just Joe on Aug. 31 (11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Joe will also be performing at the Courtside Grill Aug. 23-27 for two sets each day (12-1:30 p.m and 3:30-5 p.m.) Castle Creek for three half-hour sets on Sept. 2 (11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m.) and Max Scialdone on Sept. 4 (11 a.m., 2 p.m and 5 p.m.).

    Several bars take up residency during the fair and many also offer live music. The West End Bar & Grille is a NYS Fair institution. The bar is located just inside of gate six on the west side of the fairgrounds and offers live music every night of the fair. Solvay’s own Rhythm Method brings its blend of metal and classic rock to the West Side twice during the fair (Aug. 24 and Sept. 2, both shows begin at 7:30 p.m.). They will also perform at Bosco’s on Restaurant Row Aug. 28 and 29 at 6:30 p.m.

    Syracuse R&B and soul group the Horndogs bring their horn-driven funk to the West Side on Aug. 25  and alt-country musician Steve Cali performs a Sunday set on Aug. 27. Other bands performing the West End include 3 Inch Fury, Brass, Inc., the PEP Band and Kat Tale. All shows at the West End begin at 7:30 p.m.

    The Empire Room, one of the fair’s air conditioned venues, will host live music twice per day over the course of the fair’s thirteen day run. Utica-based harmonica player, Matt Lomeo will perform three days with a different partner joining him each day. On Aug. 24, Lomeo will be joined by guitarist Brian Mulkerne. On Aug. 27 Syracuse-based guitarist and leader of Morris and the Hepcats, Morris Tarbell joins Lomeo. Finally, on Aug. 29, Lomeo is accompanied by celebrated jazz saxophonist and pianist, Monk Rowe. All of Lomeo’s appearances at the Empire Room are 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

    Chris Eves will make two appearances at the Empire Room, one as a solo act on Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. and the other with his band, the New Normal for a Party on the Patio Aug. 27, also at 3 p.m.

    Verona-based Opus Black String Quartet brings its unique take on classical meets contemporary to the Empire Room Patio Aug. 30 from 3-7 p.m.

    Syracuse legend and SAMMY Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Whiting brings his exciting act to the Empire Room twice. On Aug. 31, Whiting will be joined by guitarist Loren Barrigar at 3 p.m. and hosts a Party on the Patio Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.

    The Suds Factory Courtside Grille is yet another spot to catch some hot local talent throughout the fair’s run. Just Joe makes several appearances Aug. 25-27. Utica-area southern rock band the Swamp Drivers, renowned for their arsenal of homemade instruments, perform at the Grille Aug. 25-26.  High energy Syracuse hard rock and metal aficionados, Scars n’ Stripes hit the Grille for two sets on Aug. 24 (6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.).

    Boonville native Shawn “Big Sexy” Smith, a 2013 contestant on NBC’s  The Voice brings his talents to the Grille for two sets Aug. 28 (3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.). Syracuse-area classic rock and blues band The Barndogs perform Aug. 28, 29 and Sept. 3 from 6-11 p.m. and Brian McArdell and Mark Westers perform acoustic classic rock Aug. 30 (12:30 and 3:30 p.m.).

    Prior to and following Brett Michaels’ free show at Chevy Court, attendees can take in LaFayette country rockers Country Swagg. The band performs Aug. 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. and again following Michaels’ set. Syracuse funksters Skunk City close out the fair at the Grille Sept. 4 with two sets (4:30 and 9 p.m.). A regular at Funk n’ Waffles Downtown, this eclectic collective is sure to end the 2017 NYS Fair with a groove.  For Courtside Grille set times for all of the above musicians and many others click here.

    Finally, Bosco’s at the Fair and Shamrock’s host Syracuse-area country workhorses the TJ Sacco Band with both solo and full band performances. Sacco performs solo sets at Shamrock’s Aug. 24, 28, 29 and 30. He’ll be joined at Shamrock’s by the full band on Aug. 26, 27 and Sept. 2 and 3. All performances at Shamrock’s are at 5 p.m. Bosco’s will host the band Aug. 25 (7 p.m.) and Sacco solo Aug. 31 (7 p.m.). Solvay’s eight-piece funk outfit In Too Deep drops the beats at Bosco’s Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.

    Bottom line: One can attend the NYS Fair each of its 13 days and spend the entire day taking in nothing but spectacular live local music. Check a few of them out and let them know you appreciate their efforts. They’ll remember it and when they hit the big stage you can brag that you saw them when. Remember, every band was local once.

  • Chenango Blues Fest to Celebrate Twenty-fifth Anniversary

    The Chenango Blues Fest will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary on Aug. 18 and 19 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich, New York headlined by the North Mississippi Allstars with John Medeski. The event kicks off with a free show on Friday night beginning at 6:00 p.m., with stylish showman Reverend Shawn Amos.

    Following Amos will be 2017 International Blues Competition Best Band Winners, Dawn Tyler Watson & the Ben Racine Band. Headlining the opening night will be twenty-time Blues Music Award nominee Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials. Lil’ Ed Williams continues the lineage of such Chicago slide guitar masters as Hound Dog Taylor, Elmore James, and Williams’ uncle, J.B. Hutto. The fan favorite, fez-wearing, toe-walking showman is not to be missed.

    Chenango Blues Fest anniversarySaturday’s ticketed event ($25 advance, $35 day of show) has a jaw-dropping amount of talented musicians. Acts will alternate between the main infield stage and the tent stage.

    Main Stage:

    11:30 – Gracie Curran & the High Falutin’ Band
    1:45 – Muddy Magnolias
    4:00 – Mannish Boys Allstars
    6:30 .- Tommy Castro & the Painkillers w/s/g Magic Dick
    9:00 – North Mississippi Allstars w/s/g John Medeski

    Tent Stage:

    12:45 – Alvin Youngblood Hart
    3:00 – Jason Ricci and JJ Appleton
    5:15 – Ghost Town Blues Band
    7:45 – Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots

    Gracie Curran, Muddy Magnolias, and the Ghost Town Blues Band all continue to confirm the Chenango Blues Festival’s ability to identify and feature emerging artists that captivate audiences and quickly become fan favorites, as the GTBB demonstrates with their third Norwich appearance since 2015. Alvin Youngblood Hart’s powerful vocals will kick things off on the tent stage, where he will be followed by Jason Ricci and JJ Appleton. Ricci is one of the most talented and creative harmonica players playing anywhere. Blues harp fans will come from far and wide to hear him. He teamed with Appleton on the 2015 acoustic blues release, Dirty Memory.

    The Mannish Boys Allstars is a dream team of veteran award-winning bluesmen including lead vocalist and front man extraordinaire Sugaray Rayford, guitar wizard Kid Ramos, Anthony Geraci on keyboards, and the rhythm section of Willie J. Campbell and Jimi Bott.

    Tommy Castro & the Painkillers will add harmonica ace Magic Dick Salwitz, known best for his work with J. Geils Band, to their lineup.

    Closing out the tent stage will be 2017 BMA Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year winner Victor Wainwright, appearing with his eight-piece project, Victor Wainright and the Wildroots. This band won the 2016 BMA Band of the Year Award. This group is a full-blown aural onslaught replete with piano, organ, guitar, bass, drums, horns, harmonica, and backup vocals.

    Headlining the main stage for the second time are the North Mississippi Allstars. The duo of brothers Luther (guitar, vocals) and Cody Dickinson (drums, piano, synth bass, vocals) are steeped in the traditions of Mississippi hill country blues music and will be complemented by in-demand keyboard virtuoso John Medeski. Expect the unexpected with this collaboration.

    More details on the 25th Chenango Blues Fest can be found here.

  • Nights Of Fire: A Conscious Evolution Festival Preview

    It is officially time to prepare for this year’s Nights Of Fire: A Conscious Evolution festival.  Hosted by Spun Out Productions, the annual music festival kicks off on Thursday, August 17, and runs through the morning of Monday, August 21.  Located at The Woods at Bear Creek, a “glamping”–glamorous camping–ground in Franklinville, NY, Nights of Fire will offer it’s patrons an educational exploration through fire dancing, art, live music, and workshops.

    As  eloquently described on the Nights Of Fire Event PageNights Of Fire is a FIRE, Art, Music, & EDUCATIONAL RETREAT. We invite all likeminded individuals and those who seek to learn and do more to improve themselves and the world around US. NIGHTS OF FIRE is an educational retreat where YOU can come study many different forms of FIRE SPINNING, FLOW, DANCE, DRUMMING, PAINTING and much more. Evolve with us at night as we will teach you how to celebrate life and simply being alive through song and dance with live music.”

    Pre-sales for the festival are no longer online, however, you can pick up a $75 ticket thru a ticket rep, or grab one for $100 at the gate! The ticket includes camping and parking.

    Take a peek below and click the play button. You’ll find a Rochester Groovecast podcast episode. This episode is a preview of the upcoming Nights Of Fire Music Festival.  During the episode, you’ll listen to Roots of Creation, Freekbass, The Mantras, Madam Bliss, Dixon’s Violin, Stereo Nest, Subsoil, Space Junk, Haewa, and  Flux Capacitor.  All of these artists are performing at this year’s Nights Of Fire Music Festival.

    If you peek even farther below, you’ll find an episode timestamp, and Nights Of Fire’s daily schedule.

    Enjoy!



    Timestamp:
    00:00: Roots Of Creation- Different
    04:12: Episode Introduction
    09:56: Roots Of Creation- Row Jimmy
    15:23: Freekbass– Put It In A Letter
    18:42: Freekbass- Milkhunt
    23:25: The Mantras- Here We Go
    29:27: The Mantras- Dirt Nap
    35:26: Madam Bliss Remix- Notorious BIG “Dead Wrong”
    39:15: Madam Bliss Remix- Erykah Badu “On And On”
    44:10: Dixon’s Violin- Ignition (Correction! Jade Dragon is the album name)!
    46:31: Dixon’s Violin- Night Spirit
    50:56: Stereo Nest- Gradient Peak
    55:03: Stereo Nest- Elder Ladder
    59:39: Subsoil- Joe Rogan
    1:03:24: Subsoil- Great Unknown
    1:07:34: Space Junk- Ascension
    1:14:31: Haewa- Chem De-Vision
    1:18:15: Haewa- Swampin’
    1:23:35: Episode Closing Comments
    1:26:46: Flux Capacitor- Big Bad
    1:36:29: Flux Capacitor- Unit

  • Two More Days of 1969: Woodstock 48th Anniversary Feat. Arlo Guthrie, Billy Cox, Leslie West, and More Coming This Weekend To Brooklyn Mirage

    Every August there are a variety of Woodstock 1969 tribute events, the last major one being the Heroes of Woodstock tour with many of the original festival performers in 2009 for the 40th anniversary. This Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and Aug. 19, several of the original Woodstock performers and key figures will be appearing at Brooklyn’s newest outdoor music and event space, the Brooklyn Mirage. 48th

    arlo guthrie Woodstock 48thLeading the two day event is the co-creator and founder of Woodstock, Artie Kornfeld, a Brooklyn native himself. Friday’s event is a speaking engagement with Kornfeld featuring a discussion about Woodstock. Doors open at 5 p.m., tickets are available for general admission ($10) or seated ($20).

     Woodstock 48th

    Saturday’s event will feature music by Arlo Guthrie, Billy Cox Band of Gypsys Experience, Melanie, and Leslie West (of Mountain). Kornfeld will be back to host the evening of music and there will also be an appearance by Wavy Gravy and special guests. Tickets for Saturday are $49 (general admission) and $69 (seated); doors are at 4 p.m.

    Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

  • Hollywood Undead and Butcher Babies coming to Rochester

    Rap metal heavyweights, Hollywood Undead and metalcore band Butcher Babies recently announced their North America 2017 tour. Anthology in Rochester will be one of their stops on Friday Nov. 17.

    hollywood undeadBoth bands have new unreleased albums but only Hollywood Undead have officially released details on their new album titled Five (stylized as V), while Butcher Babies have only stated on social media that they have finished recording a third full length album only referred to as BB3, presumably Butcher Babies 3. Tickets go on sale Friday July 28 at 10:00 a.m., with prices ranging from $25 to $30. This show will be 16 and up.

    For more dates check Hollywood Undead’s Facebook events page.

    In the meantime, you can check out Hollywood Undead‘s latest single “California Dreaming” from the album V.

  • Primus Announces 2017 Tour and Album Release

    Primus has named their 2017 tour Ambushing the Storm and that’s exciting in and of itself being they haven’t toured since 2014. It starts Oct. 1 in Texas and will make its way towards the east coast with New York dates Oct. 27 at the Palace Theater, the Capital Theatre on Oct. 29 and Brooklyn Steel on Oct. 31. Tickets will be available for purchase Oct. 1 on the Primus website.

    primus 2017 tourBut what’s even more interesting is the inspiration behind their new album that will hit the market Sept.29. The collection will be called The Desaturating Seven and it’s inspired by an Italian children’s book Les Claypool read his own kin years ago called Rainbow Goblins. So far, the public has only been graced with a single call “The Seven” (video link below) which holds a very promising tone and attitude. It’s synonymous with “Jerry Was a Racecar Driver” according to Claypool and retains that classic Primus sound coupled with dramatic shifts in tempo and time signatures.

    This project is something Claypool says he has been itching to work on, according to an interview with Rolling Stone.

    “I remember being incredibly impressed with the artwork and the storyline and the content and the message, and I thought, ‘Wow, this would make a great piece of music,’” he says. “As I’m getting older, I’m realizing I need to start knocking some of these things off my list. So we did the Willy Wonka soundtrack a couple years back, and this was a project I wanted to do.”

    What’s more – the gang is back together. Claypool originally considered piecing this album together with a side project of his, Claypool Lennon Delirium, but opted to work with his Primus band mates, Larry “Ler” LaLonde and Tim “Herb” Alexander instead. The group reportedly had some trouble taking off with such an unique platform but were able to piece together something they’re proud of.

    “These days,” Claypool admits, “you gotta go the extra mile because otherwise people just take it off the internet.”