NYS Music 20​17

Tag: cohoes music hall

  • Live Music across the State this December, Presented by NYS Music

    Once again, NYS Music is happy to present to you another packed month full of great live music for New York State.  Make sure not to miss out on these shows taking place in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Saratoga Springs and Cohoes.

    Albany/Cohoes/Saratoga Springs

    December 8 – For an unforgettable pop-funk and party-rock performance, don’t miss when Ripe takes Putnam Den with psychedelic-soul duo Okey Dokey and indie rock band Campo! Event link.

    December 9 – On their 20th Anniversary “Cheers and Echoes” Tour, the highly acclaimed group Enter the Haggis will be stopping in Saratoga Springs a memorable night of Celtic Folk Rock. Accompanied by Black Mountain Symphony, it’s sure to be a night of incredible performances. Event link.

    December 15 – Back by popular demand, Pink Talking Fish will be sure to bring an electric performance with their unique synthesis of hits from Phish, The Talking Heads and Pink Floyd.  This time Annie in the Water is joining them to open up the night with some funk, reggae and rock. Event link.

    December 23 – For a fresh take on your favorite Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers come see Steal Your Peach Band. It’s a can’t miss show for jamband fans. Event link.

    Cohoes  (Presented by Guthrie/Bell Productions) 

    December 3 – At Cohoes Music Hall, come see Hot Tuna Acoustic, electric blues power duo of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady.  You don’t want to miss these living American music legends. Event link.

    December 7 – Fresh off the release of their second album Cheen, Lespecial will be at Parish Public House with Backup Planet to give a dynamic and captivating contemporary rock performance. Event link.

    December 8 – As it reads in their biography, “If intergalactic beings of pure energy, after initiation into an order of whirling dervishes, built some kind of pan-dimensional booty-shaking engine, powered by psychedelics and abstract math, it’d probably just sound like a CTS tribute band.” And that’s exactly why you can’t miss this.  If you have not experienced “Sci-Fi Middle Eastern Fusion” yet, there is no better opportunity than coming to see Consider The Source with Teddy Midnight at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Event link.

    December 9 – For pure musical brilliance and a horn section to die for, come see Big Mean Sound Machine with special guest Nautilus at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Event link.

    December 16 – Gratefully Yours would like to bring every Dead head their dream setlist of Grateful Dead music.  For this show at The Hollow, head to the bands website and make your suggestion for what the ideal setlist would be, then come out for an incredible performance! Band website.  Event link.

    December 20 – For a moving performance and an intimate night with Bettye LaVette, featuring simply her stunning vocals and a piano, come to The Cohoes Music Hall.  Her soulful style is widely acclaimed by all who have experienced her live and definitely a treat you do not want to miss out on. Event link.

    December 22 – ‘Tis the season for the Guthrie/Productions Christmas Party, this year featuring Eastbound Jesus, Girl Blue and the Eastern Highs at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen.  Nothing like some good bluegrass and rock and roll to get you in the holiday spirit! Event link.

    December 29 – For a once in a lifetime experience,  come see The Talking Heads tribute band, Start Making Sense, at The Cohoes Music Hall for some 80’s rock and funk. Event link.

    December 31 – Ring in the New Year with Mister F and Goose at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, a walk across Pearl Street from Twiddle the same night.  Come see Mister F’s last performance before going on hiatus and celebrate the new year! Event link.

    Buffalo – Nietzsche’s

    December 1 –  Formula 5, Blue Rootz, Vinyl Orange Ottoman – catch three powerhouse jam bands to kick off December! Event link

    December 8 –  Strange Machines, Dr. Slothclaw – Boston jam wizards Strange Machines are out to Buffalo on the heels of the release of their new album Voice of Color, along wit Dr. Slothclaw, an out of this world, freak explosion of funk, progressive rock, blues, and everything beyond that you must see for yourself. event link

    December 16 – Murmur (A Tribute to R.E.M.) recreates the power and passion of R.E.M.’s live performances with precise musical detail. Event link

    December 22 – Censored by ZFT: A Tribute to Frank Zappa. Honoring the music and legacy of Frank Zappa with two sets of his music. The show will feature songs from all eras and bands with an ensemble similiar in size to his touring bands of 1975-1976. Event link

    December 27 –  THE TRUTH, Elliot Scozzaro. THE TRUTH is a jazz/funk/fusion quintet from Buffalo, NY that takes a modern approach to improvising while keeping a connection to the deep language and history in the jazz community.  Event link

    December 31 – Celebrate New Years Eve at Nietzsche’s with Folkfaces and Intrepid Travelers! Event link

    Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

    December 5 – Backup Planet’s progressive funk-rock performances will have you feeling like you’re time traveling.  They will joined this time by the Jimmy Wolf Blues Band. Event link.

    December 7 – Check out Deadgrass, the five piece tribute band to Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Event link.

    December 8 – Mammal Dap, the electronic group, will be hitting Funk ‘n Waffles with the anti-genre indie band, SeeppeopleS.  Event link.

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    December 14 – Come out to The English Project’s Album Release Party for a free show featuring Chris Jame & Mama G, and make sure to grab an album while you’re there! Event link.

    December 16 – Dodapod After Party featuring Syncpulse, Craig Brodhead of Turkauz. Event link

    December 21 – For some progressive and psychedelic rock, come see Railbred, Astro Collective,  and Fordham Road. Event link.

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    December 22 – Come celebrate and hear some great jam rock music at The Album Release Party Chris Eves & The New Normal with Chiggin. Event link.Image may contain: 5 people, text

    December 23 – Syracuse’s longtime favorite hard rock band, Dracula Jones, will be performing with special guest TBA. Event link.

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    December 28 – For night one of their rock and roll New Years run, Gang of Thieves with Balkun Brothers will be hitting Funk ‘n Waffles and bringing their funky riffs, high energy, and some special surprises with the help of KTR Lighting. Event link.

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    December 29 – Barrom Philosophers, Astro Collective, and Organic Soul will be performing and bringing an overall mix of reggae, rock, and psychedelic sound. Event link.Image may contain: one or more people

    December 31 – Don’t miss Sophistafunk, for some hip-hop, funk fusion with Syracuse’s own Skunk City, the funk rock experience. Event link.

    Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

    December 5 – Be sure to click the link to the event page to grab your tickets for Larry Carlton Quartet with Chet Catallo & The Cats for some jazzy blues guitar. Event link.

    December 6 – Another local opportunity to see Lespecial with Backup Planet while they’re in New York. Event link.

    December 7 – Right before they hit Syracuse, Mammal Dap with SeedpeopleS will be giving you another opportunity to hear them in Rochester. Event link.

    December 8 – And right after they rock Syracuse with their Grateful Dead tribute, Deadgrass will be coming to Rochester. Event link.

    December 15 – For an unforgettably unique, psychedelic hip-hop fusion show, come to Hyperborealis III to see Haewa, Pine Needle Soul, and SKYwalker. Event link.

    December 20 – Railbred, Astro Collective, Fordham Road will be rocking out in Rochester before they roll to Syracuse. Event link.

    December 22 – Vanishing Sun will be releasing their album live, so the four Rochester-based including Lost Wax Collective, The English Project and Eli Flynn will be jamming together the celebrate. Don’t miss it! Event link.

    December 23 – Pearly Bakers Best, The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band and The Beatles tribute band will be bringing their usual great performance from their weekly residency in Syracuse to Rochester. Event link.

    December 28 – Personal Blend will be releasing their reggae/rock EP with special guests Upward Groove, and a solo performance by Joe Kaplan. Event link.

    December 30 – Check out The Pumpkin Patch All-Star Party featuring Barroom Philosophers, Syracuse’s own genre benders, as well as Mother Funkin Planets, Stone Jack Ballers, Aaron Rizzo, Nic Deluc. Event link.

    December 31 – Dirty Blanket and Root Shock will be starting off the year right with great music at Rochester’s Funk ‘n Waffles New Year’s Eve Celebration. Head to the link for tickets and more information! Event link.

  • The Wailers: Preserving the Musical Legacy of Reggae Great Bob Marley

    The Legendary Wailers, Bob Marley’s famed backing band,  will be performing the Reggae icon’s hits when they play at the  Cohoes Music Hall on Tuesday October 17. The Wailers have long been the caretakers of Marley’s musical legacy since his premature death from cancer back in 1981. The band continues to tour around the world in order to spread Marley’s timeless message of “Jah Love” just as he requested they do prior to his death.

    The Wailers Legacy

    The current version of the band, steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barret, along with original Wailers‘ guitarists Julian Marvin and Donald Kinsey, spread Marley’s message and music to a new generation of fans.  That message of love is masterfully channeled to the audience by Rastaman lead vocalist Joshua David Barrett.  The Wailers bring infectious Jamaican Reggae dance music wherever they go. If you love to groove, this is a show not to miss.  Tickets are available at the Cohoes Music Hall box office.

  • Cohoes Music Hall to Host Ominous Seapods Reunion this Weekend

    The Ominous Seapods’ Tom Pirozzi revealed in September that the band’s reunion show at Cohoes Music Hall on Saturday, January 13 would become a two-night run, plus an addition show on Sunday, January 14 at Brooklyn Bowl, followed by the Zen Tricksters.

    I want to thank everyone who bought Ominous Seapod tickets for January 13th. The show sold out in just 5 days! The band is overwhelmed by the support. Due to that fact, and the fact that Dana Monteith is coming all the way from Australia for the show, we’ve decided to expand the event to a weekend run. We will be adding Friday night, January 12th at the Cohoes Music Hall and an encore performance at the Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday Jan. 14th. The Brooklyn Bowl show will be one 90 minute set at 7:30pm followed by a set by the Zen Tricksters. The next day is a holiday so we can all rest on Monday. More details coming soon!!!

    When we last saw the Ominous Seapods, they were bidding a fond farewell to co-founder Dana Monteith as he and his wife Deb prepared for a life down under in Perth, Australia. The farewell was Dec. 17, 2011 at Valentine’s in Albany. That show saw a tight version of the band throwing down with guest appearances from moe. drummer Vinnie Amico, Josh Himmelsbach on mandolin and promoter Greg Bell on vocals. Tickets for both Cohoes shows are sold out

    The original lineup of the band (Monteith on guitar and vocals, Tom Pirozzi on bass, Ted Marotta on drums, Max Verna on guitar and Brian Mangini on keys) will be on hand for the reunion.

    Known for their psychedelic jams and onstage humor, the Ominious Seapods came of age during the “New Renaissance of Jambands” in the early to mid-’90s and achieved a moderate level success over the course of four albums. The band broke up in 2001 and have played a handful of reunion shows since.

    Listen to The Seapods discography on Spotify:

  • The Young Dubliners East Coast Tour Begins

    NYS Music welcomes the Young Dubliners once again to New York as they begin their east coast tour, making their first of three New York appearances tomorrow evening in Cohoes at the Cohoes Music Hall.

    Often considered one of Celtic Rock’s hardest working bands, The Young Dubliners blend their musical backgrounds and styles to create a unique sound that encompasses an electric mix of influences which of course includes a Celtic rock sound. Touring the entire year across the United States and Ireland, these few shows are their only east coast appearances scheduled this year in our area. Don’t hesitate to grab your tickets and take in a show as their energy as a live band is a must see.

    Sept. 22 – The Kate – Old Saybrook, CT
    Sept. 23 – Cohoes Music Hall – Cohoes, NY
    Sept. 25 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
    Sept. 27 – Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
    Sept. 28 – World Cafe Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
    Sept. 29 – Stouts Irish Sports Pub – Providence, RI
    Sept. 30 – Amp by Strathmore – North Bethesda, MD

    You can stream the Young Dubliners’ latest release NINE here.

  • Comedy Works to call Cohoes Music Hall home, Three Acts Already Signed

    After having been a staple in Albany’s comedy entertainment scene for the previous 35 years, Tommy Nicchi picked up his Comedy Works brand in 2016 and moved it up to Saratoga Springs. As he recalled the move last week during a press conference to announce the new partnership between the Comedy Works in Cohoes Music Hall, Nicchi said, “We would only come back for the right reason. And, this building is the right reason.”

    Less than a year after it was announced Cohoes Music Hall was making its return as a viable entertainment hub under the Palace Performing Arts Center Inc., the storied music hall continues to build partnerships that will ensure its lights will remain on.

    Palace Executive Director Holly Brown announced the partnership, Thursday, March 2, along with three scheduled acts to start later this month.

    “Comedy Works will bring a regular series of comedians to a ‘Comedy Works at the Cohoes Music Hall’ series,” said Brown.

    Nick DiPaolo kicks off the series Saturday, March 25. The next act features  former WWE wrestler, and Glens Falls native, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan on Saturday, April 22. And, on Saturday, May 13, Gilbert Gottfried will take to the Cohoes stage.

    Nicchi said he sent photos of the music hall to management firms before making calls out to comedians. The aesthetics of the venue, and its relative close proximity to New York City — where many such acts call home — made for an easy sell.

    “We made three phone calls out, and got these three acts,” said Nicchi.

    The Comedy Works comes back to the greater Capital District with stiff competition. In 2015, the Funny Bone Comedy Club established business in Crossgates Mall. It, too, brings a steady stream of regional and national acts to its stage. However, the partnership between the Palace, Albany’s Park Playhouse, the Comedy Works and Cohoes Music Hall, promises both a constant and eclectic stream of entertainment.

    The Comedy Works is no stranger to bringing national names to the Capital District. Aziz Ansari famously flew into Albany and immediately took to the Comedy Works stage on what was the anchor leg of a eight-hour marathon stretch of performances in August of 2015.

    Brown said she hopes to see at least one live comedy event at the Cohoes Music Hall each month through the new partnership.

    Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse expressed his gratitude for the positive affect Albany’s performing arts group has had on his city.

    “The Palace Theatre has certainly exceeded our expectations,” said Morse, who added that more than 7,000 patrons have visited the revitalized hall since the partnership was announced last September. “And, [it] has become our economic engine that drives success to our downtown.”

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Scott Hannay Joins Gubbulidis to Energize Crowd in Cohoes

    It had been quite a weekend for music in Albany thanks to the work of beloved promoter Greg Bell. Jamtronica founders, Particle, brought the heat to The Hollow Bar and Kitchen Friday, February 17 , followed there by Reed Mathis and Electric Beethoven Saturday, February 18. By Sunday evening, the fatigue of the long weekend had set in. But as committed fans, we got up, got dressed and headed up 787 to The Cohoes Music Hall to see Gubbilidis.

    Gubbulidis cohoesThe Twiddle side project, consisting of Mihali Savoulidis and Zdenek Gubb, was both upbeat and positive – the cup of Joe needed to energize this Sunday evening crowd. The added espresso shot was the venue itself. Having only recently come under management by The Palace Theater in Albany, many in attendance were visiting The Cohoes Music Hall for the first time. Built in 1874, the historical theater is the perfect size venue for shows too big for venues like The Hollow, but ones that would be dwarfed by the The Palace Theater. It boasts decorative details and grandeur but the wooden benches, floors and walls give the feeling of an old-timey, western saloon. The environment is thoroughly refreshing for Capital Region music fans growing bored of the same venues night after night.

    Using a loop pedal to layer the elements, Gubbilidis created the sound of a full band. Kicking off the evening with “Apples,” a Twiddle mainstay, Mihali beat boxed to create the percussion while Zdenek played his bass in such a way you’d think it was a lead guitar. “Every Soul” allowed the duo to get serious for a few minutes before letting the silly return with a funky “Brown Chicken Brown Cow.”

    Mihali and Zdenek welcomed Scott Hannay of Mister F to the stage. The 8-bit keys and synthesizer were loud and high pitched but added a fun, video game vibe to Blues Traveler’s “Run Around.” Hannay continued his sit-in for “Mamunes the Faun” before the trio paused for a set break.

    The second set featured an exciting mashup of “No Woman, No Cry,” “Glycerine,” “Farmhouse,” “Wagon Wheel” and “One Day.” Hannay returned to the stage for a cover of ALO’s “Barbeque” and Twiddle’s iconic “Jamflowman.” Zdenek nailed the bass solo and Mihali cranked out the guitar riffs, making this the highlight song of the evening.  The second set wrapped up with “Hattibagen McRat,” a touching tribute to Mihali’s late friend.

    All three men returned to the stage to encore with The Beatles’ “Rocky Raccoon,” which featured a thrilling solo by Hannay and intricate and powerful guitar riffs from Mihali.

    Set 1: Apples, White Light, Every Soul, Brown Chicken, Brown Cow, Run Around*, Mamunes the Faun*

    Set 2: Rivers Drift, No Woman No Cry/Glycerine/Farmhouse/Wagon Wheel/One Day, Zazu’s Flight, Barbeque*, Jamflowman*, Hattibagen McRat*

    Encore: Rocky Raccoon

    * w/ Scott Hannay