NYS Music 20​18

Category: Festival News

  • Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival Announces Artist in Residence: Billy Strings

    Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival runs July 19 through July 22 and is located on the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, New York. New this year is the addition of Billy Strings as the festival’s first Artist-in-Residence.

    Billy Strings courtesy of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival press release.

    Grey Fox is a welcomed mix of Grammy, AMA, and IBMA award winners, long-time fan favorites, exciting rising stars, and unique collaborations. Grey Fox is known for presenting the genre’s top artists, producer Mary Tyler Doub feels it’s as important to bring exciting up-and-coming young bands. These bands are from around the country and come to the festival as part of it’s emerging artist showcase where discerning bluegrass fans get to hear them for the first time. Festival organizers have put together an extensive Spotify playlist of this year’s Grey Fox performers. Check that out here.

    Billy Strings is known for being a blazing young singer and multi-instrumentalist. He has been building a huge fanbase with his bluegrass in overdrive whenever he appears. Not only will he be performing with his red hot band he will also be sitting in with various artists, hosting hot jams, and meeting fans all weekend. He’s listed by Rolling Stone as one of the top ten new country artists you need to know, and have dubbed him the “Bluegrass Prodigy.”

    Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is known for its outstanding lineup, relaxed camping, friendly atmosphere, stellar jam sessions, flawless organization, and warm hospitality. It has six stages, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, beginner slow jams, dancing and dance lessons, tented and open-air venues, fresh ethnic and festive foods, top notch vendors, a very popular family stage, and a four-day Bluegrass Academy for Kids. Grey Fox is a haven for all ages from toddlers to teens; young singles and couples to older adults. Four-day passes (including camping) and day tickets are now on sale on their website.

    For more information and updates as they happen, visit the Grey Fox website.

  • Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival Of Music & Dance kicks off on July 19th 2018

    The annual Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival Of Music & Dance takes place July 19th- 22, 2018 in Trumansburg and takes place on four stages with approximately 75 bands each year. This year has notable acts such as Patty Griffin, Toots and the Maytals, and Valerie June.

    Patty Griffin courtesy of the Grassroots website.

    The festival is held at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds in Trumansburg which is located about 10 miles north of Ithaca on the west side of Cayuga Lake in Finger Lakes region of Central New York. The festival is also a mission-based organization which basically means, besides the music, they also try to work to nurture local artists and talent while reaching around the globe to bring world music and culture to new audiences, creating environments that inspire creativity and foster community building. A big part of this fostering and inspiring can be found in their Culture Camp which takes place the four days before the festival.

    Donna the Buffalo is known as the Grassroots host artist and will be performing as usual, closing out the festival on Sunday night. Some of the other notable artists performing are: Patty Griffin, a Grammy-Award winning artist; reggae legends, Toots & the Maytals, and Valerie June, a multi-instrumentalist encompassing a mixture of folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian and bluegrass. The full lineup can be found here.

    The festival is full of all kinds of music from local to national and international artists but the experience isn’t limited to just that. Other offerings include camping, local food and craft vendors, children’s activities, daily yoga, healing arts and instrument workshops, visual arts exhibits, and so much more.

    For tickets and more information visit the festival’s website.

  • Dead Ahead: Second Rock the Dock Festival

    Things you can buy with ten dollars: one beer in NYC, a chipotle burrito, almost a full priced movie ticket, OR you could save three dollars and buy a FULL priced ticket to Rock the Dock Music Festival.

    Ready to toot their own foghorn for the fest’s second gathering, bringing their familiar Upstate, NY jams back to the steel pier of the Lake George Steamboat Company on July 13, 2018.

    Driving a tough bargain, the improvisational powerhouse is offering advanced ticket sales for just $7 a pop to enjoy a fun-for-all-ages summer day, filled with live music, vendors, beer, food and crafts. Boasting a handpicked lineup of Soule Monde (Featuring Ray Paczkowski & Russ Lawton of Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard, the entertainment can be appreciated from any of the three historic Lake George vessels that appropriately dock around the stage, acting as musical grandstands and welcoming wandering folk to explore free of charge.

    “Rock the Dock was started as a way to celebrate the Lake George Steamboat Company‘s 200th anniversary by doing something that the company has never done in its history, hold a concert on the pier. The free concert was a way of giving back to all the loyal patrons as well as showcase the talents of local artists and food trucks. This year’s festival will also be focused on giving back, with 25% of all ticket proceeds benefiting the FUND for Lake George, to help with their efforts to keep the lake clean and pristine for years to come,” Luke Dow, event manager for Rock the Dock, shared about bringing the event to the docks on Lake George.

    Saratoga Springs’ Let’s Be Leonard kick things off at 4 pm for an hour long set of rock n’ roll jazz explosion before passing the baton to New England-based Strange Machines at 5:15 pm for a melting pot of funky rock and livetronica fusion. At 6:45 pm, Soule Monde will take the stage, featuring Russ Lawton and fellow Trey Anastasio band member, Ray Paczkowski. An ideal union of swagger and raw talent, the duo is colorful, bold and highly responsive to one another’s artistry. Lake George’s own Formula 5 will once again take shape as this year’s headliner at 8:15 pm. 

    “It’s pretty cool growing a band from such a little town. We play all over the Eastern watershed and to have so many people gather in a place that molded who I am, it’s pretty special,” said drummer Greg Marek. “This place is pretty special. I’m just happy I can share the beauty of the lake along with our music to such wonderful people.”

    If the music and cheap ticket price isn’t enough to reel you in, food trucks like The Plaid Pancake, Wood Shack Pizza and Sunshine Catering will keep your bellies full while a beer truck and bars on all three ships will keep your thirst quenched. Vendors will include Buffalo Bannon Designs and Adirondack Aromatherapy as well as other unique craftspeople selling soaps, oils, jewelry, festival gear and more.

    Day-of ticket prices for this year’s festival are $10 for ages 12 and up, and is free for everyone under 11. Advance tickets are for sale for only $7 at rockthedocklakegeorge.com. 25% of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Mayor Blais’s FUND for Lake George to help in it’s efforts to keep Lake George clean, pristine, and free of invasive species.

    Visit Lake George on July 13, support local causes, vendors and artists, and get ready to Rock the Dock!

  • NYS Blues Fest 2018 Kicks Off Thursday in Syracuse

    The 26th annual NYS Blues Festival has expanded to three days for 2018. The extra day of the free festival in Clinton Square has allowed organizers to bring in additional national acts, including Thursday’s headliner, sister duo, Larkin Poe and several local acts.

    Anders Osborne, C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band both bring a Louisiana flair to the festival as well as local legends, Los Blancos, who have been known to dip into some Zydeco from time to time.

    The festival kicks off Thursday with local blues/soul act the Lightkeepers at 5:00 p.m. They were recently featured on Soundcheck Live at Subcat Studios. You can catch their electric performance below.

    https://www.facebook.com/subcatstudios/videos/10155804844993668/

    Central New York native and saxophonist in fellow Central New Yorker, Joe Bonamassa’s band, Paulie Cerra, is the Friday night headliner for the festival.

    In addition to all the action on the main stage in Clinton Square, four venues will be providing free live music on Thursday night. The Dinosaur BBQ on Willow Street offers Anonymous Willpower; Empire Brewpub on Walton Street features Jimmy Wolf performing with Todd Minerd and Zubby; Neil Minet performs at Funk ‘n Waffles on Clinton Street and Shifty’s features the Barking Loungers. Shows at the Dinosaur, Funk ‘n Waffles and Empire begin at 9:00 p.m., while the Shifty’s show kicks off at 8:00.

    Everything kicks off with a pre-party Wednesday night with Jack Broadbent at the Syracuse Marriot Downtown. Opening the show for Broadbent is Colin Aberdeen and Max Eyle. Broadbent is being hailed as the “new master of the slide guitar.” Tickets for this show are $20 and are still available through the festival website. See the daily schedule below and check out the Spotify playlist curated by festival organizers to get a taste of what’s in store.

    Thursday June 28:

    5:00 p.m. – The Lightkeepers
    6:10 p.m. – The Hi-Jivers
    7:30 p.m. – Larkin Poe

    Friday June 29:

    3:00 p.m. – Blues Ignition
    4:00 p.m. – Chris Eves Blues Trio
    4:50 & 6:00 p.m. (side stage) – Jane Zell
    5:10 p.m. – Matt Tarbell’s Built for Comfort
    6:20 p.m. – The Ripcords
    7:30 & 9:00 p.m. (side stage) – Nate Gross
    7:50 p.m. – Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers
    9:20 p.m. – Paulie Cerra

    Saturday June 30:

    12:00 p.m. (side stage) – Workshop: Blues Harp Family Jam with Chris Merkley
    1:00 p.m. – Mike DeLaney and the Delinquents
    1:40 & 2:55 p.m. (side stage) – Mike “Cotton Toe” Scrivens
    2:00 p.m. – The Roustabouts with Tom Townsley
    3:15 p.m. – Los Blancos
    4:10 & 5:40 p.m. (side stage) – Mark Wahl
    4:30 p.m. – AJ Ghent [ j-ent ]
    6:00 p.m. – Bruce Katz Band
    7:10 & 8:40 p.m. (side stage) – Todd Fitzsimmons
    7:30 p.m. – C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band
    9:00 p.m. – Anders Osborne

  • SENSORiUM Music & Arts Festival 2018 Back for Second Year

    SENSORiUM Music & Arts Festival returns for its second year in Philadelphia at the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association (The Ukie Club on Franklin) on Saturday, August 25.

    SENSORiUM brings together fans of music and arts for multi-dimensional, ultra-curated events, and sensational visual and interactive art installations and was founded by Joe Vela the drummer for Tweed in honor late friend, Suman Addya who used to travel the road with Tweed.

    This year there will be some of the hottest national and local acts, the city’s finest craft and food vendors, and a sensational visual and interactive artist lineup including: Tweed, Daedelus, Wax Future, MINKA, Darla, Patrick Richards, Bad Leather, CyberSerum b2b Oni, CrypticFlow, and freedomtacos b2b iLL-Omega. A second phase of performers, including headliners will be announced on July 17.

    There is a limited number of early bird tickets, on sale now through July 1 for only $35 which can be purchased through Eventbrite. For more information, visit SENSORiUM Music & Arts Festival’s Facebook. For a feel of what to expect at this year’s SENSORiUM, check out the Spotify playlist below curated by the festival organizers.

  • The Great South Bay Music Festival Returns for its 12th Year

    The Great South Bay Music Festival is Back for it’s 12th Year at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, NY from July 12-15 with sixty-five performers on four stages over four days.

    Known for being Long Island’s longest-running and largest four-day music festival, The Great South Bay Music Festival has grown considerably from it’s first outing in 2007, when they presented 20 artists over three days, and their major headliners were Richie Havens and Foghat. The Great South Bay Music Festival definitely makes a mark of it’s own in the festival world by taking into account four completely different genres with a different tactic than most festivals use.

    This tactic is covering several genres by splitting up genres by days. Thursday is covering the indie scene with popular headliners the Front Bottoms, Thrice, the Get Up Kids, and Long Island’s Envy On The Coast. Friday covers the Rock-Reggae-Ska Party scene on the bay, with headliner Sublime with Rome, plus the Dirty Heads & Less Than Jake. Saturday covers a “Jam Day” vibe with headliners Umphrey’s McGee, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Papadosio, JGB featuring Jerry Garcia Band alum Melvin Seals, Infamous Stringdusters: Andy Falco & Friends with special guests: Alwyn Robinson of Leftover Salmon, and Andrew Altman of Railroad Earth.

    Sunday will consist of it’s annual Morning Children’s Concert, Great South Bay is bringing back Disney’s Imagination Movers and then the festival closes with a historic lineup, as they present guitarist, singer-songwriter, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Co-Founder of the Allman Brothers, Dickey Betts and His Band in his only New York Festival appearance. Supporting and returning for their third visit is Electric Hot Tuna, plus the legendary Little Feat, and the Devon Allman Project, featuring Duane Betts.

    The fest features three different craft beer tents, a wine garden, an artisan and craft market, and food court offering a diverse gourmet menu. Ticket price includes all concerts and entertainment. Food & beverages not included. Children ten and under are free, except for the Imagination Movers concert. For a full schedule and other info visit The Great South Bay Music Festival’s website.

    Drawing of The Great South Bay Music Festival courtesy of their website.

    Festival Door times:
    Thursday, July 12 – Doors are at 3:00 p.m., till 10:00 p.m.
    Friday, July 13 – Doors are at 3:00 p.m., till 11pm,
    Saturday the 14 – Doors are at 1:00 p.m, till 11PM,
    Sunday the 15 – 11:00 a.m. doors for Imagination Movers Kids Concert
    Sunday Regular Fest Ticket holders – 1:30 p.m. Doors till 10:00 p.m.

  • American Music Festival for the Lake Returns to Lake George

    The 2018 American Music Festival for the Lake returns to Lake George at Charles Wood Park June 30 and July 1 after being absent for a year. This year will feature a mainstream country headliner and an artist who shows a progressive viewpoint on America today.

    Amy Helm

    Jamie Lee Thurston will be performing on Saturday and is known for being “Nashville-by-way-of-Vermont.” He has perfected the roles of being an entertainer, a vocalist, an instrumentalist, and a producer all at the same time which isn’t often seen in the music industry. Thurston has shared stages with country music’s biggest acts, such as the Waylon Jennings, Roger Miller, the Dixie Chicks, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Billy Currington and Charlie Daniels. Joining him on Saturday will be award-winning rockabilly partymakers the Lustre Kings and rising 518 star Vinny Michaels and his solid backing band.

    Amy Helm and her Handsome Strangers band will be performing on Sunday. She is known for being a lifelong musician and music-lover. The Band is known for its legendary drummer and singer Levon Helm and singer/songwriter Libby Titus which are both known for guiding Helm’s training and influences. Helm has currently taken over the role of tribal chief of the Woodstock area’s musicians’ network which was previously a role her father filled. In the process, she has established herself as a major national act in her own right. Joining her on Sunday will be Boston-based twangster’s Girls Guns & Glory (which have been compared to Chris Isaak) and a reunion show by 518 jam band pioneers Raisinhead.

    Gates Open for both shows at Noon, with the music starting at 1:00 p.m. Headliners are due on stage at approximately 4:00 p.m.. Food and beverage service will be available, as well as a playground and skate park for the kids. All for free, as is the Million Dollar Beach right across the road. Attendees are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for best seating in the grassy, open-air field.

  • Grassroots Culture Camp Set to Kick Off July 15th

    The annual four day Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance has been alive and kicking in Trumansburg since 1991. It’s known for its for it’s multi-stage, multi-genre, multi-day fun but now it’s also getting known for its addition of the Grassroots Culture Camp which takes place July 15-18, the four days before the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance.

    Culture Camp photo courtesy of the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance website.

    The point of the Culture Camp is for participants to be able to Immerse themselves for four straight days of instrument, dance and movement workshops, with themed nightly dinners & dances include. The Culture Camp is a unique way for amateurs and professionals to connect and learn from each other. From those just picking up a fiddle for the first time, to those who are knowledgeable on an Irish fiddle, there is instruction for all. Most of the workshops are taught by performers at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance.

    And at the end of the long day of instruction there are new workshops included just this year called the, “Old Time Jam” and the “Cajun jam” which is basically a time when after a long day of workshops and before the nightly dinner where everyone can get together and jam. It’s open to all levels and everyone is encouraged to grab their instruments, join in and experience playing old time tunes in a group.

    There are workshops in: fiddle, banjo, bass, guitar, banjo uke, mandolin, old time jam, pedal steel, accordion, accordion and fiddle, Cajun double fiddling, Cajun Jam, Triangle, Scoreboard, Afro-Carribean hand drumming and song, Bodhran, Cajun drums and bass, origins of country drumming, improvisation, adult singing, singsong for children, Cajun song, country songs old and new, country harmony singing, songwriting, Native American, Cuban Son music, accompanying oneself on piano, one mic: hip hop and the power of voice, workshop for social change, “On the road again” (Learning the business side of getting your band out there), Dance, Yoga, Tai Chi, acrylic painting, youth square dance, and youth percussion.

    Full instructor bios can be found here for each work shop. For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance website. There is also an option to volunteer at the Culture Camp and in doing so acquiring admission free in exchange for working one three hour shift for each day you would like to attend the camp. Camping at the Culture Camp is also available for purchase.

  • Brooklyn Comes Alive Unveils 2018 Lineup

    Brooklyn Comes Alive recently announced its return on September 29 to Brooklyn’s beloved Williamsburg neighborhood for its fourth annual music marathon takeover at Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg, and the latest addition, Rough Trade. But now the lineup has also been released and contains many notable acts such as George Porter Jr. and Cory Henry.

    Courtesy of Brooklyn Comes Alive press release.

    An all-star cast of musicians including GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient George Porter Jr. (The Meters) will be performing and giving tributes to the greats we’ve lost, including Brandon “Taz” Niederauer who will honor his former mentors during the set, Adam Smirnoff (Lettuce), Jeff Sipe who founded Aquarium Rescue Unit with Col. Bruce Hampton, Peter Levin (Gregg Allman Band) and Elise Testone (American Idol, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band).

    Cory Henry (formerly of Snarky Puppy, Funk Apostles) will be joined for his debut performance at the festival by Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power), Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, WOLF!), MonoNeon (Prince, Ghost Note) and Skerik who are all Brooklyn Comes Alive veterans which will make for one unforgettable quintet.

    And it’s not just musicians performing at Brooklyn Comes Alive, it’s also made up of comedians from Wokes With Jokes: Stand-Up Comedy About The Jamband Scene, which emerged in 2017 during Phish’s New Years run. The full lineup is listed below.

    Courtesy of Brooklyn Comes Alive press release

    FULL LIST OF ARTISTS AT BCA 2018:
    George Porter Jr. (The Meters)
    Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy)
    Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits)
    Adam Deitch (Lettuce)
    Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, WOLF!)
    Robert Walter (Greyboy All-Stars, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Mike Gordon)
    Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power)
    Skerik (Garage A Trois)
    Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit)
    Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff (Lettuce)
    Borahm Lee (Break Science)
    Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce)
    Robert “Sput” Searight (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note)
    Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce)
    Michelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz)
    Nigel Hall (Lettuce)
    Shira Elias (Turkuaz)
    Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy)
    Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power)
    Erick “Jesus” Coomes (Lettuce)
    Wil Blades
    Joey Porter (The Motet)
    Todd Stoops (RAQ, Electric Beethoven)
    Brandon “Taz” Niederauer
    Johnny Vidacovich
    Lyle Divinsky (The Motet)
    Karina Rykman (Marco Benevento Band)
    Rob Compa (Dopapod)
    James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band)
    Dave Watts (The Motet)
    Alvin Ford Jr. (Pretty Lights Live Band, Dumpstaphunk)
    Eli Winderman (Dopapod)
    Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu)
    Peter Levin (Gregg Allman Band)
    Nate Edgar (The Nth Power)
    Khris Royal (Rebelution)
    Steve Swatkins (Allen Stone)
    Ryan Jalbert (The Motet)
    Dave Harrington (Darkside, Dave Harrington’s Merry Pranksters)
    Sammi Garett (Turkuaz)
    Chuck Jones (Dopapod)
    Mike “Maz” Maher (Snarky Puppy)
    Hayley Jane (Hayley Jane & The Primates)
    Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy)
    Casey Russell (The Magic Beans)
    Tyler Coomes
    Adam November (Karina Rykman Experiment)
    Megan Letts (Mama Magnolia)
    Chris Corsico (Karina Rykman Experiment)
    Joel Gonzaléz
    Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits)

    COMEDIANS AT BCA 2018:
    Brett Siddell (SiriusXM, Wokes With Jokes)
    Walker Berry (Wokes With Jokes)
    Ariella Wallen (Wokes With Jokes)
    Pamela Mahler (Wokes With Jokes)
    Richie Alfson (Wokes With Jokes)

    For more information please visit Brooklyn Comes Alive’s website.

  • Brooklyn Comes Alive Set to Take Place Sept. 29

    The fourth annual Brooklyn Comes Alive was just announced and will include it’s fan favorite venues, Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg and the latest addition, Rough Trade. With this new addition it make all the venues with in a 6-block walking radius from one to the next. Brooklyn Comes Alive is set to take place Sept. 29.

    Poster courtesy of Brooklyn Comes Alive press release.

    The one day festival has 50+ artists including some of the best all-star tribute sets and one-time-only super-groups. Brooklyn Comes Alive allows the 50+ artists to carry out passion projects, play with their musical heroes and collaborate in never-before-seen formations. Past performing tributes have included Herbie Hancock, Earth Wind & Fire, the Allman Brothers, Jamiroquai, and Green Day over the last three years. Brooklyn Comes Alive is known for giving bands like [Br]eaking [Bi]scuits(members of the Disco Biscuits and Break Science), their debut and are now known for having nationally touring projects.

    New this year is the Jam Room Presented by Jam Cruise. The Jam Room is a staple of the Jam Cruises and allows artists to collaborate in an open, relaxed atmosphere, put together by three hand-picked curators.

    Each attendee will receive a wristband that grants access to every venue and makes hopping from set to set easy to go from one venue to another. Blind faith on-sale for general admission and VIP tickets for the event will begin on on June 20. The 2018 lineup will be announced soon.

    For more information visit their website.