NYS Music 20​18

Category: News

  • Willie Nelson Announces Dates and a Star-Studded Lineup for Second Leg of Outlaw Music Festival

    Willie Nelson is heading back out on tour. And he’s taking some famous friends with him. Van Morrison and Neil Young are just a few of the stars that have been announced to join the second leg of the 2018 Outlaw Music Festival, joining a host of other well known and established musical acts.  The tour, which features a rotating cast of bands each night, stops in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, September 23 and will feature the legendary Neil Young as the prominent guest that night.  He’ll play a special show with Promise of the Real, who will also be there backing up Lukas Nelson, Willie’s son. The other 7 dates of the increasingly popular roving tour of rock and alt-country music will see lineups with rising stars like Sturgill Simpson, Greensky Bluegrass and Tedeschi Trucks Band on them to supplement Hall of Famers like Morrison and Nelson.

    What started out as a one-time concert in Scranton, PA two years ago has turned into a successful tour for Nelson and Blackbird Presents, a company specializing in the production of large scale concert events. Last year’s tour saw over 100,000 in ticket sales for concerts spread out all over the country.  2018 looks to follow up on that momentum with an opening portion of shows in early summer and the recently announced second leg with dates covering the month of September.  Tickets go on sale Friday, April 6 at 12 pm. For complete information, go to the Outlaw Music Festival official website.

    2018 Outlaw Music Festival – 2nd Leg Dates/Artists

    FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
    BURGETTSTOWN, PA – KEYBANK PAVILION
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Van Morrison
    Sturgill Simpson
    Brandi Carlile
    The Commonheart
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid

    Other Artists To Be Announced

    SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
    HERSHEY, PA – HERSHEYPARK STADIUM
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Van Morrison
    Tedeschi Trucks Band
    Sturgill Simpson
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid
    TBA
    Other Artists To Be Announced
    SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
    TORONTO, ON – BUDWEISER STADIUM
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Tedeschi Trucks Band
    Sturgill Simpson
    Terra Lightfoot
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid
    Other Artists To Be Announced
    FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
    SCRANTON, PA – THE PAVILION AT MONTAGE MOUNTAIN
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Van Morrison
    Tedeschi Trucks Band
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid
    TBA

    Other Artists To Be Announced

    SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
    CAMDEN, NJ – BB&T PAVILION
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Van Morrison
    Tedeschi Trucks Band
    Greensky Bluegrass
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid
    Other Artists To Be Announced
    SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
    HOLMDEL, NJ – PNC BANK ARTS CENTER
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Tedeschi Trucks Band
    Sturgill Simpson
    Greensky Bluegrass
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid
    TBA
    Other Artists To Be Announced
    FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
    MANSFIELD, MA – XFINITY CENTER
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Sturgill Simpson
    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
    Margo Price
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid
    Other Artists To Be Announced
    SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
    SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
    Willie Nelson & Family
    Neil Young + Promise of the Real
    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
    Particle Kid
    Other Artists To Be Announced

  • NYC Hot Spot to Host Art for Progress Benefit Concert

    The award-winning and popular New York City music venue (Le) Poisson Rouge will serve as the setting for a concert on April 10 that will feature both an All-Star band of esteemed musicians as wells as some local acts on the rise.  Art for Progress, a non-profit arts organization committed to providing arts education programs throughout city schools and impoverished areas, will present “Once in a Lifetime,” a benefit show that features such names as Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin & Wood), Nels Cline (Wilco) and Marc Ribot. Together, with other special guests, they’ll comprise The Art for Progress Band in what’s sure to be a memorable collaboration.

    Serving as supporting acts will be Big Sweater, a young band that melds blues and rock influences that features Gabriel Calderin on drums, Greg Morello on bass and Barry Komitor on piano and keys while Elijah McCoy and Franklin Santiago share lead vocal and guitar duties. Also appearing is Bad Faces, a Brooklyn power trio that goes heavy on improvisational rock.  Led by Singer/Guitarist Barry Komitor, who manages and teaches at Arts For Progress and is fixture on the NYC folk and bluegrass scene, sings and plays guitar with the rhythm section comprised of two of the city’s rising musical talents with Brian Stollery on bass and drummer Ethan Kogan. This is an 18+ show with advance tickets for $15, $20 at the door. Tickets can be bought through (Le) Poission Rouge’s website here.

    You can also visit the Art for Progress website here for more information.

  • Aqueous Gets Tiny

    The past few years have seen Aqueous grow from a well known local act out of Buffalo to a band with some national recognition.  Constant touring and hard work will do that.  However, while the venues and acclaim may both be trending upwards, for the band’s submission in this year’s Tiny Desk Contest, Aqueous has stripped it down to the roots of being a fledgling band with a performance of “Underlyer” that was filmed in a grimy basement, helping give new meaning to the term grunge rock.

    The increasingly popular band competition, held by NPR and based on its Tiny Desk Concert series, serves as an open casting call of sorts and a chance for bands/artists to submit video entries of a stripped-down, NPR-ish performance that takes place behind a desk of some sort.  The contest winner gets a chance to really increase their exposure with follow up performances on NPR programs and a corresponding national tour that gets awarded. Phish’s Trey Anastasio helped serve as a celebrity judge in last year’s competition and Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas, last year’s winners, will serve in the same capacity this year.

    Aqueous has upcoming tour dates in Rochester on April 13 and 14 as well as Ithaca on April 21 and none are scheduled to be in a basement.  For further details and dates, check out the band’s official website here.

  • Mike Doughty Kicks off Northeast Tour

    After placing the focus on his own work over the last 18 years, former Soul Coughing frontman and solo wordsmith, Mike Doughty is making a quick trip around the Northeast to turn back the clocks and perform the alternative rock group’s ‘Irresistible Bliss’ for a total of seven dates.

    You’d figure by the time he notched The Heart Watches While the Brain Burns, his ninth solo album since 2000, Doughty would settle into his ways and follow a musical pattern. Simply, that’s just not the way he operates. Always diving into and exploring new sounds, the ever-growing artist and former front man is constantly taking chances on new styles and setting personal deadlines of crafting and recording original music as often as possible.

    mike doughty

    From country crooning to hard hitting beats and even a 2015 rock opera by the name Revelation, it’s clear Doughty doesn’t rely on one-track mind of creativity. Instead, he chooses from a bank of ideas in his head and decides how he wants it to translate to the public. Appealing to his roots, An Evening with Mike Doughty performing Soul Coughing’s Irresistible Bliss with Andrew “Scrap” Livingston launched on March 22 in Portland, ME before heading to a sold out gig in Boston. Having just made his way through NJ and MD, Doughty finds himself in NY from March 28 to 30, playing for crowds each night in Pawling’s Daryl’s House, Homer Center for the Arts and Albany’s the Linda, respectively.

    Visit MikeDoughty’s website for tickets.

  • Skillet’s Jen Ledger to Release Solo EP

    Skillet drummer and vocalist, Jen Ledger, has shown her various talents behind the drum kit and on the mic during her run with the band. Now those talents will be showcased on even a higher level as she plans to release her first solo EP titled Ledger.

    Never doubting on using her talents to one day make a solo album, many fans and music insiders thought that Ledger would first unite with other very talented female musicians in rock music and form a female “super group,” with the likes of Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale, Sick Puppies bassist Emma Anzai, and Skillet bandmate Korey Cooper. Ledger, will be released on Atlantic Records on April 13. Skillet keyboardist and guitarist Korey Cooper, helped produce the EP with well known Nashville writer/producer Seth Moseley.

    In a recent Billboard article, Ledger shared her excitement about the upcoming project: “I feel I’ve just been growing and changing over the last few years and I feel the time is now. It just feels like everything is lined up all at once. It’s super exciting because it is a little bit of a destiny moment.”

    Ledger credits her Skillet bandmates John and Korey Cooper for helping her find her own sound while mentoring her though the process.

    Atlantic Records President of A&R Pete Ganbarg, spoke highly of Legder’s talents from knowing her over the past decade:

    From when I started working with Skillet 10 years ago, I was immediately impressed with how vibrant and talented Jen Ledger is. Her voice is so unique — and has become such an identifiable part of Skillet’s sound — that we’ve waited for most of the past decade for the moment when she would finally be ready to release her own music. What she’s been working on with John and Korey Cooper, as well as with Seth Moseley and others, shows that the wait has definitely been worth it. 

    Now that Ledger’s solo career is on the way, many Skillet fans are worried that her days in Skillet will soon be a memory, but the singer/songwriter has no plans on leaving the band. In fact, Ledger will pull double duty, and open shows for Skillet’s upcoming spring “Unleashed” tour starting on April 12, with her backing band, then head behind the kit for Skillet’s performance to close shows. Ledger was asked if she planned on leaving Skillet: “We’re all on the same team and we’re all kind of mixed into everything. John is actually going to be singing on one of my songs and Korey is co-producing all of it and writing it with me, so it’s ridiculously perfect. I get to do everything I want and have the best of both worlds.”

  • A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie teams up with Audiomack for Trap Symphony rework of “Drowning”

    Bronx rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has teamed up with emerging music discovery platform Audiomack to remake three of his smash hits with a professional orchestra for the Trap Symphony video series. The latest installment of the series is a rework of chart topper “Drowning,” joining orchestral versions of A Boogie hits “Say A” and “No Promises.”

    Joined by a nine-piece orchestra, A Boogie takes center stage as he dives into a classical rendition of his most popular single to date. Playing off the single’s opening piano chords, the Trap Symphony rendition of “Drowning” captures the emotive composition that brings new life to the track through composer John Clearly, who added a additional layers giving the song a richer depth. This particular Trap Symphony emphasizes A Boogie’s artistic versatility as he adapts to a more subdued performance style versus rambunctious performances fans have become accustomed to.

    A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

    David Ponte, Audiomack Co-Founder and Trap Symphony co-creator said of the series “…the purpose of Trap Symphony is to showcase a vocalist’s talent and emphasize their unique skill set over an unexpected musical backdrop. With the Trap Symphony series, artists prove that they can go toe-to-toe with classically trained musicians and create something that is sonically beautiful and unique.”

    Starting in 2015, the Trap Symphony series kicked off with mega-star trio Migos who reimagined their hits “Hannah Montana,” “One Time,” and “Handsome & Wealthy.” Fans of Trap Symphony can view each edition of the project, as well as additional content, via Audiomack’s recently launched platform audiomack.world, which highlights content, artists, and cultural tastemakers.

  • DATSIK, in Midst of Sexual Assault Allegations, Cancels Dates, Resigns from Label

    Dubstep DJ DATSIK is the next celebrity in the midst of sexual assault allegations as stories have started to circulate on social media about the 29-year-old Canadian DJ/producer, causing him to cancel the remaining shows on his tour and step down from his record label.

    DATSIK

    Datsik, real name Troy Beetles, is accused of raping multiple women after giving them alcohol and drugs such as ketamine after they received backstage passes to meet the DJ after his shows on his tour bus or hotel room, where he would then allegedly force himself on them.

    The passes that had the word “Tulsa,” written on them were handed to women. It’s said that “Tulsa,” stands for “aslut,” backwards. A female fan posted a pass she got from a show two years ago, and some fans said that they received similar passes when he performed in Syracuse at the Westcott Theater a few weeks back.

    Since the news broke, fans have been leaving many negative comments about the EDM artist on his recent Facebook posts. After a Las Vegas show post, one fan wrote “How many girls did you drug at this show???” Another fan wrote, “When you pull yourself from shows because you can’t give out any more “TUL$A” passes to girls and have sex with them.”

    Feeling the heat, Datsik took to his Facebook page and posted: “The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind of emotion and reflection. In light of the recent allegations against me, I am cancelling all the remaining tour dates and pulling myself off all future festivals. To anyone who has supported me, has faith in me or has offered to help me, I thank you.”

    Since the news broke, Datsik was forced to cancel the remaining dates on his tour, while stepping down from his record label Firepower Records. Firepower co-owner and label manager Sharra Grace, will take over all operations.

    After he stepped down from his label amid the allegations, Firepower Records stated: “Firepower does not tolerate sexual assault under any circumstances and we are utterly devastated by these statements that have come to light.”

    Datsik claims he is innocent and several fans have shown support for him by getting into a social media war of words with other fans. In a recent report on Syracuse.com, Datsik posted the following statement about his innocence:

    Yo everyone. This is a very serious matter to me… There have been recent allegations against me for things I have not done. I am a vibe reader, I hang out with a ton of people after every show, and always keep a positive vibe. I would never bend anyone against their will and I mean that.

    I’m an adult, I’ve seen and been thru it all. But these claims are shaking me to the core. This type of s— is detrimental to my persona as I truly take pride in being myself and being honest. I want everyone to know that I am being the best Datsik I can… It really breaks my heart when people feel upset at the end of the day because I am a good person and would never take advantage of anyone. This is my life and my passion as I know it. I care so much about my fans and my music and what you all think of me. I will make a bigger effort to make sure that nothing I do will be misinterpreted in the future.

  • Rochester Music Hall of Fame to Include Performances by 2018 Inductees Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, and More

    The seventh annual Rochester Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place at Rochester’s Eastman Theatre at 7 pm on April 22, 2018. Among those being honored this year are percussionist and composer John Beck, Sacred Steel band The Campbell Brothers, drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Tony Levin, and Emmy-nominated composer Ferdinand Jay Smith. Guest performers include members of the band L’Image and Grammy-winner Robert Randolph. More musical guests will be announced. Prime Time Funk will perform as the official Hall of Fame house band. Tickets are on sale now.

    Rochester Music Hall Of Fame 2018

    Steve Gadd is hailed as one of the most accomplished and skilled drummers of his generation. Born in the suburbs of Rochester, Gadd took up drums when he was seven years old. When he was 11, he sat in with Dizzy Gillespie, launching a lifetime of work with some of the greatest artists of our era. He has performed in studio and on tour with iconic artists such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Eric Clapton. He continues to make music in conjunction with other artists and with the Steve Gadd Band. His work in the field of percussion has inspired generations to follow.  Chick Corea once commented, “Every drummer wants to play like Gadd because he plays perfect…He has brought orchestral and compositional thinking to the drum kit while at the same time having a great imagination and a great ability to swing.”

    https://youtu.be/Z4-b7IVKdco

    Bassist Tony Levin was born in Boston, but moved to Rochester to study at Eastman School of Music, where he studied under the great Igor Stravinsky. After meeting fellow student Steve Gadd, he traded upright bass for electric bass. After playing in several New York bands, he was offered the opportunity to tour with Peter Gabriel in 1977. He still plays in the Peter Gabriel Band, and along the way has become a member of such acts as King Crimson, Stick Men, and Levin Brothers. He has authored books containing photographs he has taken throughout his career, and a book of poetry and lyrics.

    Percussionist and composer John Beck has been teaching at Eastman School of Music for six decades, and currently serves as Professor Emeritus of Percussion. His work has led him to perform around the world, and has earned him numerous accolades, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from prestigious organizations here and abroad. At the induction ceremony, Beck will perform solo as well as with a percussion ensemble and the Hall of Fame house band Prime Time Funk.

    Sacred steel band The Campbell Brothers features Chuck Campbell on pedal steel guitar, Phillip Campbell on electric guitar and bass, Darick Campbell on lap steel, and Carlton Campbell on drums. From their humble beginnings as the house band for a House of God Church, they have been invited to bring their gospel music to such venerable music halls Hollywood Bowl, The Kennedy Center, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Their work is now being featured in the Sacred Steel exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Heritage and Culture.

    Ferdinand Jay Smith’s impressive resume includes his work at Jay Advertising, his early career as a radio DJ and manager of musicians, and a list of credits in the music industry for movies and television. The Emmy-nominated composer is best known for his theme songs for the HBO feature presentation, the CBS movie of the week, NHL Tonight, and the musical themes for the 1980 and 1988 Olympics. A musical medley and video presentation will celebrate Smith’s contribution to music in the entertainment industry.

    https://youtu.be/CDTmv3Gjl48

  • The Flux Machine Release New Music Video ‘Hurricane’

    New York City alt-rockers The Flux Machine just released a groovy, psychedelic music video for “Hurricane.” The song is the title track of their sophomore album. Directed by John Jinks of FTC Studio, the video captures the band’s flair for a retro aesthetic and classic rock and roll influences.

    “The song puts into music the concept of one or a series of events that take over our life, like a Hurricane does, but we withstand this with our own fury.”

    – vocalist Luis Accorsi.

    Hurricanes is available on iTunes. Follow The Flux Machine on social media to stay up to date on news and upcoming events: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter.

    The Flux Machine Photo: John Jinks

  • The Curtain Comes Down on Paul Simon’s Touring Career

    Legendary musician Paul Simon is calling it quits as it pertains to full scale touring in his career and has released dates for his Homeward Bound – The Farewell tour. Appropriately named after a classic Simon & Garfunkel song, this final tour will see Simon play a swath of venues throughout North America and Europe beginning in May and ending in late September. The Jersey-born and Queens-raised icon will fittingly return home for a set of shows at Madison Square Garden at the end of the tour.

    “I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to reach the point where I’d consider bringing my performing career to a natural end,” said Simon in his official statement. “Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief.”  Simon did also include that he has no intentions of quitting music altogether and will still play the occasional show here and there.

    Friends and fellow musical luminaries James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt will accompany Simon for two shows overseas and one would think (and hope) that Art Garfunkel, the other half of one of the greatest folk duos of all time, will make at least one appearance. The full tour schedule is listed below.  Tickets are being sold for this once in a lifetime event via Ticketmaster with a public on sale date and time of March 16, 9:00 am.

    Paul Simon Tour Dates

    May 16 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
    May 18 – Seattle, WA – Key Arena
    May 19 – Portland, OR – MODA Center
    May 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
    May 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
    My 25 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
    May 27 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
    May 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
    May 30 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green
    June 1 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Arena
    June 2 – Houston, TX -Toyota Center
    June 4 – Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center
    June 6 – Chicago, IL – United Center
    June 8 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
    June 10 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Center
    June 12 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
    June 13 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
    June 15 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
    June 16 – Philadelphia, PA—Wells Fargo Center
    June 19 – Greensboro, NC—Greensboro Coliseum
    June 20 – Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena
    June 30 – Stockholm, Sweden—Ericsson Globe
    July 1 – Oslo, Norway—Spektrum
    July 3 – Copenhagen, Denmark—Royal Arena
    July 5 – Antwerp, Belgium—Sportpaleis
    July 7 – Amsterdam, Holland—Ziggo Dome
    July 10 – Manchester, UK—Manchester Arena
    July 11 – Glasgow, UK—SSE Hydro
    July 13 – Dublin, Ireland—RDS Arena*
    July 15 – London UK—Hyde Park, BST Festival*
    Sept. 5 – New Orleans, LA—Smoothie King Center
    Sept. 7 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
    Sept. 8 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL—BB&T Center
    Sept.11 – Orlando, FL—Amway Center
    Sept. 12 – Atlanta, GA—Cellairis Amphitheatre
    Sept. 14 – Washington, DC—Capital One Arena
    Sept. 15 – Newark NJ—Prudential Center
    Sept. 20 – New York, NY—Madison Square Garden
    Sept. 21 – New York, NY—Madison Square Garden
    Sept. 22 – New York, NY—TBA

    *w/ Special Guests James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt

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