NYS Music 20​17

Category: Saratoga Springs

  • Showmanship and Vocals: How to Spend a Summer Night in Saratoga

    If you were smiling in Saratoga on Wednesday night, you were probably at the Performing Arts Center singing along to Post Modern Jukebox and Straight No Chaser.

    PMJ took the stage to “All About That Bass,” performing the familiar tune in a jazzy 1940s style. Complete with costume, dancers, and instrumentation, PMJ didn’t disappoint fans of the well-loved YouTube sensation.  While the songs were from today’s radio, anyone listening could’ve sworn we were transported back in time to radio days of our grandparents.

    Group member Ariana brought the laughs, and sultry energy, as she sang, danced and introduced each song. The group brought out Demi to tap while Casey crooned to “Umbrella,” complete with a costume of yellow raincoat and umbrella. Demi then gave as close to a burlesque show as possible as she sang to “It Wasn’t Me,” and brought the laughs with self-deprecating jokes.

    The big moments of the night, though, were stolen by Kenton, a small Asian man who pulled off Nine Inch Nails “Closer” with unexpected energy. Joined on stage by Ariana and Dani, Kenton jumped, gyrated and sang a shockingly charged version of the well-known song.

    Casey’s rendition of “Creep” was the only thing that could follow such a performance. He crooned and laughed at himself initially, only to later bring the crowd to its feet with his vocals. Barely needing a microphone, Casey belted out “Creep” with possibly the most talented vocals of the show.

    Straight No Chaser followed the zany PMJ with more traditional energy and vocals. Noticeably more focused on harmonizing while wearing their matching summer suits, the group opened with “Sweet Dreams” with a nod to “Make Your Hands Clap” mid-song.

    Band members graciously demonstrated the different vocal parts of an a cappella group, for those who were unfamiliar, joked with audience members and learned the history of the group’s college origins. The singers played around with musical lyrics, performing “Straight No Chaser: The Musical” to the amicable crowd.

    Straight No Chaser demonstrated professional cohesion and musicianship, and also a joyfulness to quality music that comes from sharing best-known songs from across all genres. From pop music to country, the group offered something familiar for everyone to sing and dance to.

    All and all, it was a fun night out for fans of the non-traditional cover groups.

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

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

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

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

  • Poetry in Folk Rock: Moody Blues Reminds Saratoga that Rock Never Ages

    On Sunday, July 16, a crowd at Saratoga Performing Arts Center was treated to folksy, trippy, and bluesy pop music on a cool summer night. The sky was filled with golden and blue light as The Moody Blues took to the stage washed in purples and indigos, with Justin Hayward, John Lodge, and Graeme Edge singing along to “Just a Singer.” The British band paused to greet the crowd after three songs, and smiled as they reminded us to “Say it with Love,” washing their poetry over the swaying and mellow audience.

    Even if you couldn’t immediately name a song by The Moody Blues other than “Nights in White Satin,” the band reminded you as each song came out that they are familiar from years of singing along to the radio. A montage of photos celebrating their 50 years of playing together scrolled on the screen behind them, bringing old band members with them on the journey.

    From “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” to “Isn’t Life Strange,” Hodge smiled and crooned like a proper flirt. Lodge, squeezed into leather pants, shook his money maker and had the crowd clapping along. Even in their 70s, the men exuded a sexy confidence that had their fans swooning.

    The band brought its mellow and soothing folksy blues to Saratoga on a cool summer night, and while not every note hit its pitch, the words to the songs reminded the joyful crowd to simply be present with one another and celebrate connection.  The audience members were smiling to one another and sharing the mellow energy, dancing together in reverie.

    The message from The Moody Blues and their music, unlike the rest of us, never gets old.

  • Photo Gallery: SPAC was Packed for Nickelback

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

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

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

  • Photo Gallery: Third Eye Blind at SPAC

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

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

    Third Eye Blind

    Silversun Pickups

  • 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.

  • Free Winswall Park Concert Series in Ballston Springs

    Winswall Park will hold the The Ballston Spa Business &  Professional Association’s free concert series, Concerts in the Park. Local groups will hit the stage every Thursday between 6 and 8 p.m. following the afternoon farmer’s market, and will run from June 29 through  Aug.  31. BSBPA promises a diverse lineup  including: The Ballston Spa Community Concert Band, bluegrass group North and South Dakotas and 50’s rock group The Lusture Kings. The town site encourages those who are interested to bring the entire family as well as their blankets and chairs.

    The Lineup:

    June 29th – The Ballston Spring Community Band 
    July 6th – North & South Dakotas 
    July 13th – Emily Teller 
    July 20th – The Lustre Kings
    July 27th – The Bluebillies 
    Aug. 3rd – Union Fire Company Band 
    Aug. 10th – Blues Noir 
    Aug. 17th – Seth and the Moody Melix 
    Aug. 24th – Sirsy
    Aug. 31st – The Coteries 

  • Bringing Havana to Saratoga: Cuban Music Shakes Up Classical Scene

    Ten minutes down the road from Saratoga Performing Art Center’s Dead and Company concert June 20th, the performing arts center was co-hosting with Skidmore a classical event “Mozart in Havana.” While stylistically different from the jam up the road, and certainly separate in target audiences, the Cuban orchestra inspired by free expression and lighthearted love for music.

    Pianist Simone Dinnerstein and the Havana Lyceum Orchestra intrigued a full house of excited classical music lovers with over two hours of intricate dialogues between piano and orchestra. The concert featured a classical piece from Cuba, two Mozart concertos, a Copland, and a surprise arrangement of Cuban music that had the orchestra members dancing in their seats, and eventually off stage to a salsa rhythm. Simone Dinnerstein, a well-respected and acknowledged talent of her generation, paired her love of piano music with her interest in Cuban music and culture on this cool June evening.

    Taking the stage at Skidmore’s Arthur Zankel Music Center, Ms. Dinnerstein held the audience captivated with the technically challenging  yet beautifully managed Mozart concertos. Both concertos 21 and 23 were recognizable to the audience, making the music selection accessible to audiences while also demonstrating Ms. Dinnerstein’s well-controlled and expressive musicianship.

    Simone Dinnerstein, a well-respected and acknowledged talent of her generation, paired her love of piano music with her interest in Cuban music and culture on this cool June evening.  The concert’s bookends were well-loved compositions from both Cuban and American cannons for orchestra. Concert notes reflected thought about how to best bridge the cultures through classical music

    The concert’s bookends were well-loved compositions from both Cuban and American canons for orchestra. Concert notes reflected thought about how to best bridge the cultures through classical music choices and had settled on Farinas and Copland for this purpose.

    The true excitement of the night, however, came from an encore performance of an arrangement composed by the orchestra’s own violinist, Jenny Pena Compo, who delighted audiences with dueling melodies on the trumpet and later violins. Showcasing musicianship and a true passion for their country’s music, the young and diverse orchestra members swayed together to the rhythms of Cuba’s traditional melodies. Musicians left the stage dancing and playing their instruments with a joyful, young energy often missing from classical concerts.

    Audience members shared culture through music in the concert hall, laughing and dancing in their seats in an invigorating and inspiring night of music.

  • A Rainbow Shines over Dead and Company Performance at SPAC

    Dead and Company roared into Saratoga Springs on a rainbow for a show at SPAC on Tuesday, June 20 after a hot weekend of shows at Fenway Park. The national tour has Deadheads and Mayerheads alike buzzing about the continued pairing of the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti. Few tours of this nature attract an audience where grandparents bring grandkids to the show, tying music across generations and inviting fans of all ages to enjoy the music of the Grateful Dead with an infusion of new blood.

    dead and company SPAC rainbow

    Out of the gate, Weir led the troupe through “Hell in a Bucket,” and let Oteil take over on “Next Time You See Me,” laying down the deepest of bluesy grooves that Pigpen would nod at approvingly. “Loose Lucy” and “Mississippi Half Step” had the audience singing along with Bob and John, but “Looks Like Rain” was where the music connected with Mother Nature. Just as Weir returned to the chorus, the skies opened up and a soft sunshower began with a subsequent rainbow appearing over the gleeful crowd moments later. The refreshing rain led to a “Dire Wolf” sing along followed by “Lost Sailor > “Saint of Circumstance” that wrapped up a tight first set.

    The second set started with “Chinacat Sunflower” and instead of expected “I Know You Rider,” Mayer shifted gears into “Deal” where he let off steam, jumping up and down as he led through a rip roaring version of “Deal,” easily the highlight of the night. “China Doll” with Oteil’s heavenly vocals and “Terrapin Station” were the centerpiece of the second set feast. Bass ripples from “Drums>Space” rolled into mellow noodling that soon became “All Along the Watchtower” with Bob charging full ahead before pulling up the reigns for “Black Peter.” To sandwich the set, a patient segue into “Rider” tied the night together with tantric energy built up throughout. For an encore, “Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad” capped the night with a delighted crowd singing loudly and gleefully.

    Set 1: Hell in a Bucket, Next Time You See Me, Loose Lucy, Mississippi Half-Step, Looks Like Rain, Dire Wolf, Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance

    Set 2: China Cat Sunflower>Deal>China Doll>Terrapin Station>Drums>Space>All Along the Watchtower>Black Peter>I Know You Rider

    Encore: Goin Down the Road Feeling Bad

  • Folkfaces Announce Extensive 2017 Summer Tour

    Buffalo’s Folkfaces are gearing up for 2017 and their biggest summer tour yet. The extensive tour focus primarily on New York, giving those in the state plenty of opportunities to check them out.

    Buffalo-based Americana quintet Folkfaces has had a busy 2017 and the year is only half over. They released their debut album How Long? back in April while also completing two spring tours. The band consists of Tyler Westcott (guitar, vocals), Dan Borodzik (slide guitar, vocals), Ellen Pieroni (saxophones), Patrick Jackson (upright bass) and Dan Schwach (drums, washboard).

    Folkfaces’ summer tour features over 30 dates throughout New York with stops in five other states and Toronto. The tour kicks off this Wednesday, June 21 at Al’s Wine & Whiskey in Syracuse and closes out at the Night Lights Music Festival in Sherman. The tour primarily brings the band throughout New York with a heavy focus on the western portion of the state for their hometown fans.

    In addition to their own shows, they’ll be sharing the stage with a handful of other bands. They play with Dustbowl Revival on June 28 at Babeville in Buffalo. They’ll join The Tenants on July 14 for a house show in Akron, Ohio on July 14. On July 22, they play the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs with The North and South Dakotas. The Fredtown Stompers and the Buffalo Brass Machine join them on Aug. 2 at the Tralf in Buffalo. As part of the Buffalo Infringement Festival, they play alongside Swimmer, Minor Racket, Dark Matter Trio and The Funk Theory Extravaganza on Aug. 4 at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo. Nietzsche’s sees them again on Aug. 23 along with Minor Moon and Pine Fever.

    Folkfaces is one of NYS Music’s 87/90 up and coming featured artists.

    Folkfaces Summer Tour Dates
    June 21 – Al’s Wine & Whiskey, Syracuse, NY
    June 23 – 42 North, East Aurora, NY
    June 28 – Babeville, Buffalo, NY *
    July 6 – The Waterhole, Saranac Lake, NY
    July 7 – The Monopole, Plattsburgh, NY
    July 8 – Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, VT
    July 9 – The Pizza Stone, Chester, VT
    July 12 – Temple Bar and Grille, Rochester, NY
    July 13 – The Crittenden Tavern, Coudersport, PA
    July 14 – House Show, Akron, OH **
    July 15 – Cobblestone Festival, Buffalo, NY
    July 16 – 10th Ave. Burrito Co., Belmar, NJ
    July 17 – Shrine World Music Venue, New York, NY
    July 17 – Silvana, New York, NY
    July 18 – Arlene’s Grocery, Brooklyn, NY
    July 19 – Salt Gastropub, Stanhope, NJ
    July 20 – Cabaret at Germano’s, Baltimore, MD
    July 21 – TBA
    July 22 – Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs, NY #
    July 28 – Fiddler’s Picnic, Marion, NY
    July 31 – Buffalo Infringement Festival, Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY
    Aug. 2 – The Tralf, Buffalo, NY ##
    Aug. 3 – Funk ‘n Waffles, Rochester, NY
    Aug. 4 – 189 Public House, East Aurora, NY
    Aug. 4 – Buffalo Infringement Festival, Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY ^
    Aug. 5 – The Riverboat Bar, Alexandria Bay, NY
    Aug. 6 – Junction City Music Hall, Toronto, ON
    Aug. 11 – Slyfest, Sherman, NY
    Aug. 20 – Nights of Fire Festival, Franklinville, NY
    Aug. 23 – Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY ^^
    Aug. 25 – Night Lights Music Festival, Sherman, NY

    * w/ Dustbowl Revival
    ** w/ The Tenants
    # w/ The North and South Dakotas
    ## w/ The Fredtown Stompers, Buffalo Brass Machine
    ^ w/ Swimmer, Minor Racket, Dark Matter Trio, The Funk Theory Extravaganza
    ^^ w/ Minor Moon, Pine Fever