NYS Music 20​18

Author: Ramon Dario Sanchez

  • Formula 5, Swimmer Team Up for Birthday Bash at The Hollow

    Downtown Albany celebrated in style on Saturday, September 29, with two birthdays and a first-time performance at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Formula 5 hosted the night, as the Upstate NY group helped close out one member’s birthday while ringing in another during an appropriate hometown throwdown. Warming things up for the night ahead was a new-to-Albany band, Swimmer.

    Founded in the depths of rickety Plymouth State University basements in 2013, the funky, improvisational quartet has grown with the seasons and emerged on the scene as quite a contender in their genre. The Burlington, VT musicians have been able to corral flocks of fans from their shared bills with top tier performers like Dopapod and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Adding Formula 5 to the mix, it only made sense that Albany and it’s strapping live music scene was their next destination to become acquainted with.

    Formula 5 SwimmerAiming to set themselves apart from every other jam-band to emerge from the hippy depths of Vermont, Cotter Ellis (drums), Matt Dolliver (keys/sax), Joe Agnello (guitar) and Jack Vignone (bass) tapped into their truly zany nature, showing off their musical chops and refreshing individuality. It was their tasty covers of Frank Zappa’s “Son of Orange County” >”Trouble Every Day” that found all patrons swiveled in their barstools and cheering on foot, asking their neighbors what band was playing.

    Ready to bring the high-energy festivities to the stage, birthday boy Matt Richards (keys) along with Joe David (guitar) and James Woods (bass) brought their “Widespread’s Dead” covers to their NY fans. Their latest tour boasts an assortment of tracks from the well-loved artists Widespread Panic and Grateful Dead, with Formula 5 originals interwoven throughout the set.

    Richards kicked off the night manning the mic for F5’s own “Bird Song” before tossing in an array of anticipated covers. Although Grateful Dead cover bands certainly aren’t lacking, you can’t help but smile and sing along whenever a Dead tune begins. Once Davis sang the opening notes of the Dead’s “Tennessee Jed,” there was nothing left for anyone to do but smile, smile, smile. Widespread Panic’s “Coconuts” acted as the fan-favorite pinnacle of the night as it was sandwiched between “Tennessee Jed” and a soothing take on “Terrapin Station.”

    Normally celebrating the day after Thanksgiving at The Hollow, Formula 5 took the time to address the crowd for an announcement that their Black Friday gig would make the jump over to The Palace Theatre. On Friday, November 23 the quarter will support the Disco Biscuits during their two-night Albany run.

    Swimmer Setlist: Murphy’s Law, Do it Myself > Son of Orange County* > Trouble Every Day*Jig -> Hyperbole, Curious Spaniard, Cornwallis *zappa cover

    Formula 5 Setlist: Bird Song^-> Blue-> Bird Song^, Greta~-> Booher’s Pass, Tennessee Jed^ Coconuts~ Terrapin Station^ Nu-Gen*-> In The Sand-> Gettin’ Tough Again, Hot Box, Love Tractor~

    ^ Grateful Dead
    ~ Widespread Panic
    * Unfinished

  • Albany Latin Fest Celebrates Cultural Diversity in Upstate NY

    There’s nothing better in the world than good music, food, and dancing to make an event successful. The 23rd annual Albany Latin Fest had no problem delivering on those three markers and much more. The event was proudly presented by the Albany Latin Fest Association (ALFA) at Washington Park in Albany, NY. The event was a cultural mashup celebrating the best of the best of the Latin culture and influence in the world around us. Thousands of attendees from all backgrounds banded together to destroy barriers and appreciate the contributions made by Hispanics in an international scale. With live performances from Bachata Heightz, Don Sonero, Cuboricua, and local acts, the event was one of the largest turnouts the organization’s history.

  • Gallery: Formula 5 and Space Carnival at The Hollow, April 28

    Formula 5 and Space Carnival packed The Hollow in Albany on Saturday, April 28 as part of a Disc Jam Music Festival pre-party. Filling in the crowd early, Space Carnival‘s heater of a set included the funky “Queen of Cups” and “Mooshbah,” threw in a crowd-pumping “Africa” by Toto and wrapped up with their classic “Moon Boots.” Formula 5 got the party going with “Trout Waters, Pt I & II”, then threw in a few covers over the course of the night, giving nods to Bob Dylan with “Tangled up in Blue,” Widespread Panic, Little Milton and wowed the crowd with their debut of Rush’s “La Villa Strangiato.” The energy from the crowd was electric and wrapped up with a 20+ minute version of “Sad Bed.”

    Formula 5 Space CarnivalCatch Space Carnival at Summer Camp Music Festival later this month, and Formula 5 at Sterling Stage Folk Fest on May 25. Both artists will appear at Disc Jam Music Festival, June 7-10 in Stephentown, MA.

    Space Carnival setlist
    Sirius Rising, Uh Oh, I slipped my Disco, Queen of Cups*, Mooshbah, Pleasure in Sin*, Africa^, Moon Boots
    *Moon Boots teases
    ^Toto cover

    Formula 5 setlist
    Set 1: Trout Waters, Pt. I & II, Blue -> Booher’s Pass, Tangled Up In Blue^, Albatross and Wolves, La Villa Strangiato•

    Set 2: Tall Boy+, Breaking Glass, That’s What Love Will Make You Do^^, Sad Bed*

    Encore: Come Along~

    ^ Bob Dylan cover
    • Rush cover, FTP
    + Widespread Panic
    ^^ Little Milton cover
    ~ w/ extended outro and chorus reprise

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