NYS Music 20​18

Category: Upcoming Shows

  • Phallbany: Get Phishy in Albany as Fall Tour Kicks Off!

    A 48-hour, tie dye wave will splash over downtown Albany just in time for Phish’s back-to-back opening Fall Tour gigs. The famed jam quartet’s October 16 and 17 shows will appropriately notch their 16th and 17th shows ever played in the state capital of ‘Phallbany’ and the buzzing city is chock-full of opportunities to celebrate the mid-week shakedown while quickly exploring historic and artistic surroundings. NYS Music is here to give you the rundown on all things Phish, including helpful navigation tips and how to make your mid-week visit to Albany as smooth as possible.

    No strangers to the Times Union Center, some notable moments have come out of their many meetings with the 28-year old Albany venue. Over the years, Phish entertained crowds in some cozier quarters just around the corner at the Palace Theatre.

    With Albany’s extensive history of Phish, we went to IHOZ – the International House of ZZYZX and looked up some stats from all past shows in NY’s capital, aside from Pauly’s Hotel in 1989 where there is no known setlist.

    October 16th marks the first ever Tuesday show. In the last five shows there have been four debuts: Windora Bug and Mellow Mood (2000) and Golden Age and Tomorrow’s Song (2009). Given the frequency of songs below, “You Enjoy Myself” is quite a safe bet, as are “Bouncing Around the Room” and “Guyute,” and while “Jam” isn’t a song, that much is guaranteed over the two nights.

    Phish has yet to play “Divided Sky” in Albany, and we have yet to have a proper “Mike’s” -> “I Am Hydrogen” > “Weekapaug Groove,” with the H2 never showing up in the Capital District.

    Most commonly played since 1992, “You Enjoy Myself” holds the heavyweight title with a total of seven plays, while “Bouncing Around the Room,” “Guyute” and “Jam” come in second at five plays. “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” “Chalk Dust Torture,” “Ghost,” “Good Times Bad Times,” “Harry Hood,” “Maze,” “NICU,” “Possum,” “Prince Caspian,” “Sparkle,” and “Stash” tie at four performances each.

    Tuesday, October 16:

    Pre Shows: If you’re looking to get the party started early, join The Deadbeats around the corner from the venue at town-favorite gastropub, City Beer Hall. They’ll get you bouncin’ round the room from 5PM-8PM before Phish takes over.

    10/16 Afterparty:  Dynamic Albany outfit Wurliday will host a Phunk Night at Parish Public House, just one block away from the show! The Phish after party will be hosted by Albany’s own Wurliday, featuring Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy),Beau Sasser (Kung Fu), Adrian Tramontano (Kung Fu), Chris DeAngelis (Kung Fu), Justin Henricks (Wurliday) and Ilana J. Morris (Wurliday).

    Wednesday October 17:

    Phish Pre-Show Yoga Jam: Phans are generally all about the love and light, which means many of them crossover as yogis. Two of Albany’s newest ventures, Lark Street Yoga and Lark Hall are teaming up with Heartspace Yoga and Healing Arts for a for two hour, donation based yoga event. “Sharin’ in the Groove” proceeds will benefit the Waterwheel Foundation and the phun vinyasa class will be set to live phish tunes and taught by John Smrtic, E-YRT, JD from Heartspace. When sacred movement, jammin’ music, elevated intention, and connection to the spirit through breath comes together in ceremony and celebration, the potential exists to step into the groove. Book your spot from 12:30AM-1:30PM for $25 and check out Albany’s latest phan-friendly yoga studio and music hall.

    Peakin’ at the Knick:  Acting as the mullet of Wednesday’s activities, PEAK Builders Network will keep business in the front of the mind and partying safely tucked in the back. The conference filled with networking and mutual love of music will take place at the Hampton Inn, five guest speakers will share stories of their personal business and career empires and what goals they’re working towards next. The interactive conference encourages attendees to join the conversation and bounce YOUR ideas around the room with like-minded business professionals. Goodie bags, light snacks and a free drink await your 1PM arrival.

    Pre Show: Starting at 5pm, the Left Ear trio keeps the second day momentum rolling for a jazzy pre-show get down at City Beer Hall.

    Post show: Funky Albany ensemble Hartley’s Encore will bring it on back to City Beer Hall for a night sponsored by Fiddlehead Brewing Company while Pearl Street Pub hosts Tweed, Desolation Angels and McZwang for $10.

    Phish Food: Albany is buzzing with local restaurants at your disposal, spanning all types of cuisine, diets and cravings. For a morning wake up call and your AM fix of coffee and donuts, stumble over to Cider Belly Doughnuts for some of the most delicious and creative flavors imaginable.

    If you believe Herbivores ate well cause their food didn’t ever run, then you might want to check out Berben and Wolff’s and Healthy on Lark, both serving up tasty vegan meals to the public on Lark Street. For the carnivores ready for a meatstick and a beer to help wash it down after, look no further than Albany Pump Station, a brewery that boasts hearty meals and tasty craft beers. The Hollow and Ama Cocina each have a wide array of American and Mexican fare respectively, adding to the downtown Albany hustle and bustle with their energetic atmospheres and love for live music.

    Honorable mentions go to Steuben Street Cafe, with grab-n-go, delicious smoothies and sandwiches just down the road from the venue. For classic late-night, greasy grub, Pizzeria Sapienza usually stays open for a quick slice while crowds are flooding out of the arena.

    Parking tips: Don’t be a slave to the traffic light and be sure to consider your parking game plan beforehand. Aside from fighting for competitive street parking, garages are sprinkled throughout downtown Albany with fluctuating event pricing. If you’re lucky enough to snag a spot, there’s a parking garage attached to TUCenter with entrances on both Market Street and Beaver Street for a price. Throughout the downtown blocks you’ll stumble across Riverfront Garage, Green-Hudson Garage and Osborne Street Garage that are all reasonable parking options for the weekend. And of course, Albany has Uber and Lyft for access to downtown from your hotel.

    In its most natural habitat, Albany is thriving in its own glimmer of a golden age with up and coming professionals, passing artists and growing businesses. Add phans funneling down Pearl Street into the TUC like quicksand and we’ve got quite the mid-week renaissance to look forward to in six short days. The countdown continues…

  • Celebrate National Gumbo Day with Baked Shrimp at Parish Public House

    Long Island’s Baked Shrimp will be in Albany on Friday, October 12 to celebrate National Gumbo Day at the Parish Public House. Joining them are local Albany bands Hasty Page and Hilltop.

    Baked Shrimp has been tearing up Long Island and NYC spots on their Summer Tour and embark on a Fall Tour with their first ever show in Albany. Check out our review of their album Feast of Delight. Tickets are $10 and more info can be found here.

    Pete Mason: Fans in Upstate are getting their first taste of Baked Shrimp – what can they expect to get down to?

    Baked Shrimp: We’re so excited to finally make it to Albany! The band has played in Upstate before, multiple times in New Paltz, and now we’re heading back to Oneonta, but getting to play New York’s capital will be a real treat. Expect the unexpected! We’re going into Fall with over 40 songs that can come out at anytime, and with Albany being the first show of the tour everything is on the table. Over the Summer, on top of teaching Jager all of the already written Baked Shrimp songs, we were also all learning together new originals, Beatles tunes, meme songs, and other cool covers for our Five Night Special that took place in Woodmere. Check out the recap from that and the rest of the Summer to see what’s on the table!

    PM: Was playing on National Gumbo Day at a New Orleans themed venue/restaurant planned or just a delicious coincidence?

    BS: Both! We knew Albany was planned for mid-October, and Dan from Parish Public House mentioned that it would be National Gumbo Day on the 12th. So we had to do it!

    PM: What’s the best part of the Long Island scene?

    BS: The best part is how close the folks in the jam/funk scene community on Long Island are to one another. Everyone knows each other, and the shows become a big gathering for everyone to meet in one spot to support the bands and the scene around them. It’s a goal of ours in the next couple of summers to do an outdoor camping festival on the island that we would host. It’s still a ways away since we’re still trying to find a proper location where we can do such an event, especially on Long Island, but we’ll make it happen! 2020!

  • NYS Music Presents: Music All October Long

    As Upstate New York has officially welcomed fall and we prepare ourselves for the cold months ahead, NYS Music is preparing to keep you occupied all month long as per usual with our run down of all the can’t-miss live music for October.

    Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

    As always, Funk ‘N Waffles will be the go-to place for music 7 days a week for Rochester and Syracuse.  The calendar above outlines what can be expected this month in Syracuse.  The schedule includes a healthy mix of weekly regulars, such as Pearly Baker’s Best’s Dead Nights every Monday, as well as tour performances from some of the best performers both within and outside New York State, album release parties, and of course, a Halloween celebration.   For more details, check out the list and links below.

    October 4th – The unique strand of Americana Them Coulee Boys has created includes music for every occasion ranging from excitement and dancing to quiet thought.  For a heartfelt and genuine performance, make sure to come out as they are joined by Boots ‘n Shorts.  Event link.

    October 6th – Gratefully Yours’ dream team of musicians and stellar setlists make their shows a can’t miss for all Grateful Dead fans.  If you need your fix, make sure to come out for their show on the 6th. Event link.

    October 10th – All the way from San Diego, the psychedelic rock and world beat group, Elektric Voodoo, will be playing along with special guest and soul musician Raquel Rodriquez. Event link.

    October 11th – Orlando-native, blues and jazz-inspired rock band, The Groove Orient, will be taking the stage with local favorite and psychedelic band, Astro Collective.  Event link.

    October 13th – Brutal By Design Presents will be treating Syracuse to a very special tribute night. 2Pac vs. Biggie which will feature live bands playing their renditions of two of the biggest hip-hop/rap artists of all time.  Event link.

    October 17th – It is sure to an incredible night full of music from New York State as Syracuse-native, and guitarist and vocalist of Root Shock, Phil Grajko performs at Funk ‘N Waffles and will be bringing along Charley Orlando for a dose of Americana, folk, and organica groove sounds. Event link.

    October 18th – Enter the sonic earth of Late Earth through this performance of their indie rock and pop sound as they are joined by special guest Lucy.  Event link.

    October 20th – Soulful groove and reggae rock, Syracuse-native music collective, Sundrop Rise, will be having their EP release party at Funk ‘N Waffles.  Come join the group in celebrating their new music with what is sure to be an incredible performance.  Event link.

    October 25th – For jazz that will speak to your soul and put a smile on your face, come out to Sammy Miller & The Congregation as they take over Funk ‘N Waffles with Major Player.  Event link.

    October 26th – A Syracuse favorite and local group, Sophistafunk will be performing their funk and hip-hop sound at their 90’s Hip-Hop Halloween Party with special guest The Big Takeover. Event link.

    October 27th – It’s all about the psychedelic jam bands and funky sounds as Big Sexy & The Scrambled Eggs with The Phryg and Ampevene Event link.

    October 31th – It is sure to be an energized and entertaining celebration for Halloween as reggae/soul group, Root Shock, brings the Halloween Party on the 31st. Event link.

    Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

    Rochester’s Funk ‘N Waffles also will be hosting a wide variety of shows throughout October.  The calendar above maps out the month and our highlights are below:

    October 4th – Fresh off the release of their album “Shapeshifter II: Outbreak”, the heavy rock fusion band TAUK will be playing with psychedelic rock group, Flux Capacitor. Event link.

    October 5th – Before the Grateful Dead tribute band, Gratefully Yours, makes their way to Syracuse, they will be stopping in Rochester for all the Dead Heads in the area. Event link.

    October 9th – Another band that will be swinging through Rochester before they hit Syracuse will be Elektric Voodoo with Raquel Rodriquez on the 9th. Event link.

    October 19th – The tribute and revival of Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black, entitled back to BACK to BLACK, will feature an opening set of originals from Remember Jones, followed by a performance of one of Amy Winehouse’s most celebrated albums alongside a 12-piece orchestra.   Event link.

    October 26th – Following their performance in Syracuse, Sammy Miller & The Congregation will be moving onto Rochester joined by the Gospel, blues and jam band group, Campbell Brothers.  Event link.

    October 31st – Finally, the grand event for Halloween is sure to not disappoint.  The show will feature southern-powerhouse and funky-soul band, ROXY ROCA, as well as Swampcandy, and Shaba Duza. Event link.

    EVERY SUNDAY – Jazz Jam with Jon Seiger & The All-Stars starting at 3 PM for free!!

    Saratoga – Putnam Place

    October 4th – Putnam Place will be hosting the Enigma Festival Pre-Party at 10 PM on the 4th.  Entry is 18+ and the night will feature a multitude of DJs including Evac Protocol, Kill Rex, Leila, ValDee, MurMur, Send Help, and more.  Event link.

    October 6th – Power funk group, Turkuaz will be taking over Putnam Place with Butcher Brown at 9 PM.  Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time and secure your spot at this full of funk night. Event link.

    October 13th – Presented by Guthrie/Bell Productions, and always back by popular demand, come out for the Grateful Dead set of your dreams brought to you by Gratefully Yours. Event link.

    Gratefully Yours

    October 19th – Melvin Seals & JGB’s will be bringing the most satisfying mix of style, soul and spontaneity with an onstage chemistry that will be sure to have you dancing to Saratoga for the night.  Click the link to find out more. Event link.Melvin Seals & JGB

    Buffalo – Nietzche’s

    October 10th – If you’re curious what happens when you mix gypsy jazz with folk and then throw in some ragtime, come let the Ditrani Brothers & The Hammer of Spring along with James Margolis show you exactly what magical sounds they make out of this unlikely combination.  Event link.

    October 24th – It wouldn’t be Rockabilly Night without Rockabilly Steve and BR3.  Make your way to Nietzche’s on the 24th so that they can fulfill all your Americana and blues needs. Event link.Image may contain: one or more people, people playing musical instruments and text

    Western New York / Buffalo

    October 11th-14th – Courtesy of the band Folkfaces, come by the Cherry Hill Campground for yoga, workshops, art and of course, stellar live performances from acts such as Dirty Blanket, Shine Delphi, Matthew O’Brian, Haewa and Folkfaces themselves.  Click the link for more details. Event link.

    Albany

    The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

    October 12th – The distinct sounding funk and soul group, West End Blend, will be showcasing their incredible blend of horns, guitar and vocals and sharing their infectious good vibes. Event link.

    West End Blend

    October 18th – Bumpin’ Uglies will be bringing their funk-heavy ska, reggae, punk and rock sound to Albany accompanied by Victory Soul Orchestra. Event link.

    Bumpin Uglies

    October 27th – The groovy and improvisation heavy, Buffalo-native band Aqueous will be bringing their technical skill and undeniably fun dynamics to Upstate New York at the end of October.  Event link.Aqueous

    The Egg

    October 21st – Music of Cream is a group that is sure to recreate the, “chemical explosion” of all your favorites from the legendary band. Event link.Music of Cream

    Cohoes – The Cohoes Music Hall

    October 23rd – In tribute to the incredible music of Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Wailers will be recreating the good music and great vibes for Cohoes. Event link.The Wailers

    October 24th – Sonny Landreth, the virtuoso and versatile guitarist, will be performing at Cohoes Music Hall, and the performance is sure to have a little something for everyone. Event link.Sonny Landreth

  • Mike Powell set to release new solo EP, ‘Shelter Without Walls’

    Mike Powell has had a prolific few years, performing throughout the northeast with his solo act, his duo, and his full band the Black River.  He also released a solo album and an album with his band. This Friday, Oct. 5, Powell will release his latest solo effort, Shelter Without Walls.

    shelter without walls

    The six song EP features two previously released, but re-worked songs, “Twenty One Rounds” and “Sad Day in Champion” and four brand new heartfelt compositions. The album can be pre-saved on Spotify and Apple Music through this link. It will be available on all streaming services beginning Oct. 5.

    Powell is a unique storyteller who writes with emotion, breaking down walls to allow the listener into the story. He writes best when he draws from personal experiences. “Twenty One Rounds” tells the tale of a mother who lost her son while serving his country; something Powell has knowledge of through his upbringing in Carthage, just outside of the Fort Drum Army Base in Northern New York. This much-loved song gets a rework on the new EP and has lost little of the original’s emotional appeal.

    Writing songs has always been a soul satisfying activity for me. I just have a deep love for words and telling stories. Music is the most impactful medium I’ve found for connecting with people and evoking emotion. Being able to play intimate acoustic sets in tandem with rock n’ roll shows with my band is like scratching two creative itches at once. I feel like I have two separate vehicles that share the same fuel system.

    “Sad Day in Champion” recalls the closing of a paper mill in that same region of the North Country that affected so many of the people in the region as well as those close to the young Mike Powell.

    One of Powell’s new songs, “Poison Diamond” closes the record. A dirgy number, highlighted by Hanus’ trademark guitar and a church-like organ, where the narrator laments, “You took my hand/You stole my heart/ You loved me to pieces/That’s what tore me apart/You set the fire/And it made me cold/You made me higher/And you cut me down low/That’s what tore me apart/I need some glue, or something heavy I can hold on to/This old bottle here will do/I’m never together with you.”  This is one of the Powell’s most powerful recordings to date, from the lyrics to the delivery to the musicianship within the song. The subdued duet with a female voice on “I’m never together with you” hits the listener in the heart. This song could be Powell’s launching pad to a wider audience.

    shelter without walls

    “The Polite Rebel” will also embark on the most ambitious month of his professional music career beginning Friday. The busy month kicks off with the Black River opening for Canadian rockers The Trews at Exhibition Hall in Watertown this Friday, Oct. 5. Following the Watertown gig, Powell and his duo partner, John Hanus trip down to Goshen, CT for a main stage gig at the Black Bear Americana Music Fest on Oct. 6. The weekend wraps on Sunday with an intimate gig at The Sinclair in Skaneateles on Oct. 7.

    Powell’s intense schedule continues Oct. 10 and 11 as he makes his solo debut at Ani DiFranco’s 9th Ward at Babeville in Buffalo and Lovin’ Cup in Rochester. Oct. 12 sees Powell closer to home at the Brewerton Center for the Arts for another solo show.

    The most highly anticipated nights of the month occur at the historic Nelson Odeon, a renovated former Grange Hall located in the rolling hills of Nelson, near Powell’s current hometown of Cazenovia on Oct. 13 and 14. These shows will be used to record Powell in both solo and duo formats as well as certain selections with the Black River, to be included in a future live Powell album.

    The Odeon is one of Powell’s favorite rooms to perform and is the reason he chose this historic building for the recording of his first live album. He says of the building:

    The Nelson Odeon stands for everything I love about music. It’s like stepping back to a simpler time. I have always dreamed of releasing a live record and this is the perfect room to try and bottle up a moment in time. It will be a special night.

    The Black River, in addition to their gig opening for The Trews on Oct. 5, will take up a Thursday residency at King of Clubs in Syracuse’s famed Armory Square on Oct. 4 and 18. Dubbed “The Thursday Night Rock Show,” this ongoing event is hosted by the band and features some of the region’s top acts. Capital District rockers Wild Adriatic will join the Black River in a November session of “The Thursday Night Rock Show.”

    Finally, on Oct. 19 Powell makes a trip to Blue Mountain Lake for a performance at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts and wraps up with a songwriters and on Oct. 20 the 18 Songs Tour visits Casita del Polaris in Ithaca. This set brings together three of Central New York’s premier singer songwriters for a night of music – 18 songs- with Powell joined by Charley Orlando and Chris Merkley.

    When not on the road, Powell will be in the studio recording the Black River’s sophomore effort. The band released its debut, Classic Universe in January.

    Check out the video for “Sad Day in Champion” below featuring Powell and members of the Black River.

  • Hearing Aide: Groovestick ‘Mosaic’

    Mosaic carves out a unique jazz-funk sound in the vein of Head Hunters while injecting subtle pop melodies, making the album as accessible as it is complex. Original member Dan Gerken (guitar/bass/vocals) has assembled a power house of a group with Chris Carballeira on keyboard/vocals and Dave Berger on drums. A fun mixture of richly dynamic songs gives Groovestick a few staple releases, as well as 10 tracks of dance-able tunes drawing influences from funk pioneers all over the board.

    Right from the start, any funky human can tell that the album is going to be a pleasure to listen to. “Balloons” sets the scene with a laid back groove with a great hook and a theme of soulful guitar solos and organ majesty is conveyed immediately. Groovestick takes a handful of sticky riffs a step further than offering a single hook and elaborates on that by casting out a collection of ear worms within each song. They tastefully add in elements of prog rock by developing and layering on new ideas and hooks for the listener to latch on to. It is vital to be able to keep the song interesting to the audience in this style and genre, and Groovestick shows they definitely learned how to engage people with a song by playing live and getting that feedback. The key here for the band is that they were able to transfer the atmosphere of a live show onto an album. They do really well to keep the songs fun, and are able to showcase their jam-ability; no doubt a product of their intensive work on stage and in numerous musical projects.

    The second and sixth tracks (“Mischief”, “Nola”) show the band foremost instrumentally, as they’re able to keep the vibe of the opening track going without needing any words. Groovestick takes a wordless tune and still emotes the feeling of each piece through their skillful improvising. There are a few instrumental tracks on the album overall, with one standout being “Crablegs.” Gerken’s bass lines match seamlessly with Carballeria’s left-hand work on the organ to great effect. One major point on the album that stands out is the way these two are able to sync so well together to hold a groove. Berger is able to lay out quick yet spacious drum beats to hold the groove down, giving each song a flash of jazzed taste. There is a lot of play with dynamic range as well, namely in “Scrumptious” where the band seamlessly breaks the song down to almost nothing before coming back into set the mood for the next song, “Inkblot.”

    A highlight track on Mosaic is definitely “Inkblot.” It’s possible to write an entire review on this one song with how many dimensions the band is able to mesh together. From jazz, to funk, to even ska (!), this song covers so many bases while still being….a song! The band is able to navigate the line between these genres and fuse them together. As a whole, the album has a similar feeling to this song in that the transitions between each song gives the album a nice instrumental and dynamic arc. Switching between vocalized and instrumental pieces while maintaining a consistent theme and feel added a lot to the listening experience and gave a nod to the deep knowledge the band possesses in their musical experience.

    All of the performances are very tight, with everything from rumbling and climbing bass solos, to ripping guitar leads and magnificently executed key-lines, with the drums never faltering in the groove foundation. This was a very fun listen! Definitely check out Groovestick’s release and go out to see them live if they come to town. It’s going to be interesting to hear some of these songs live with how much they make me want to dance in my seat.

    Album release party is 9/29 at Parish Public House!

    Key Tracks: Inkblot, Crablegs, Mischief

  • Lark Fest to Pack a Punch this Weekend in Albany

    When Adrian Lewis takes the stage at Lark Fest this Saturday, Sept. 22, he will complete an unofficial Triple Crown here in the Capital District.

    Better known as The Age, Lewis played Rockin’ on the River and Alive at Five this year. He and his band will headline upstate New York’s largest one-day street festival this Saturday.

    “I’m super excited about Lark Fest,” said Lewis. “I’ve wanted to be a part of it for a few years now and it’s kind of mind blowing that we are going to be a headlining act this year.”

    To place his excitement into perspective, he opened for the B.B. King Blues Band featuring Tito Jackson at Alive at Five this June.

    The Age is one of two headlining acts which also includes Stellar Young. Saturday’s performance will be Stellar Young’s third at Lark Fest.

    “We’re so humbled to be a part of such an awesome event,” said lead vocalist John Glenn. He added that the band will be selling sunglasses to fund its third release “And Turned to Ash.”

    The lineup to this year’s festival, the 37th for Lark Street, is worth taking note.

    The music starts with Becoming a Ghost at 11 a.m. Becoming a Ghost most recently played at WEQX’s Battle of the Bands at Jupiter Hall. It put on a high energy, interactive performance that moved the crowd. The band could have just as easily won the competition to open last week’s Pearlpalooza.

    The lineup continues with the Ryan Leddick Trio, Onlyness, Bendt, Greens, Mirk, Apostrophe S, Kimono Dragons, Useless Cans, and JB & Victory Soul Orchestra. Stellar Young takes the stage at 3:45 and The Age follows at 4:20 p.m.

    The all-day event expects to attract 50,000 people with live music, local vendors, food trucks and more. Start walking at 10:30 a.m. and finish the day at 5:30 p.m.

    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.

  • Experience Phish: Riviera Maya this February for a luxurious, tropical concert vacation

    Time to start stocking up on sunscreen and swimsuits. Phish will be returning to Mexico this February for their Riviera Maya concert vacation. With a variety of packages to choose from, family and friends alike can enjoy Mexico’s Caribbean coastline while immersing themselves in cultural foods, tequila tastings, and  classic Phish performances. The four-night, all-inclusive event will be taking place February 21-23 on the gorgeous clear beaches of Barcelo Maya where fans can also be shuttled in from five other select hotel resorts.

    The activities for anyone attending are seemingly endless with each resort boasting a variety of quality restaurants, upbeat bars, and lounging by the beach or pool. Off-site adventures are just as plentiful with exploring the nearby town of Tulum, magnificent barrier reefs, and breathtaking views. After long days of soaking in the sun, concertgoers will be entertained by authentic Fire Dancers, Mayan Warriors, and be catered to with complimentary drinks as they are led to the main stage on the beach for an electrifying set of Phish music.

    As the unforgettable weekend concludes, you will also have an opportunity to purchase One-of-a-kind custom event merchandise. That being said, Revenge of the Return of Phish: Riviera Maya will truly be a spectacle for all attendees as well as an exotic vacation.

    For more information on Phish: Riviera Maya in February 2019, visit the event website here.

  • Cohoes Music Hall hosts Holly Bowling on Sunday September 16

    Holly Bowling returns to the Capital District on Sunday, September 16 at Cohoes Music Hall, bringing her classical interpretations from the catalogs of the Grateful Dead and Phish with her. Bowling has twice performed in Albany at the Massry Center for the Arts, as well as at The Whisper Dome in Schenectady, most recently last October. With Phish just one month away in the state capital, Bowling will find a familiar audience once again in one of the oldest venues in the state. Check out what we said of her performance at The Whisper Dome in March of 2017 and get your tickets to this special night of music.

    After studying piano performance at SF State University, Bowling has turned her agile mind and interpretive prowess to the works of Phish on 2015’s Distillation Of A Dream album and the Grateful Dead focused Better Left Unsung (2016, The Royal Potato Family). Her compelling playing and unerring ability to successfully collaborate with other musicians in an impressive array of styles has brought her to the attention of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes, and other luminaries who’ve asked Bowling to perform with them. Already a rising star on the festival circuit, Bowling currently tours as a member of Ghost Light with Tom Hamilton, Steve Lyons, Raina Mullen and Scotty Zwang. Texture, nuance, and a gift for dexterous high-wire improvisation are the hallmarks of San Francisco-based classically trained pianist Holly Bowling.

  • Rabbit Jaw responds to anti-immigration policies through music

    Erin Bahn is a singer, a dancer and a humanitarian. Through her art, she expresses her passionate messages against oppression and authoritarian regimes, and she is backed by her band of equally revolutionary-minded musicians. The Buffalo-based art-rock band Rabbit Jaw has released a music video for their song “Stowaway,” which is in response to right-wing American anti-immigration policies.

    Bohn, who choreographed and directed the video, recently told Buffalo Rising, “This film is one take, played in reverse. Within this film, although it is played in reverse, I wanted to play with concepts of restoration of dreams and dreamers.”

    Rabbit Jaw will be playing two shows in Buffalo on September 29: The Tabernacle from 6-8pm and then Dinosaur Bar-B-Que from 10-midnight. To stay up to date on news and events, follow Rabbit Jaw on Facebook.

    rabbit jaw
    photo by Glenn Murray

  • The Magpie Salute occupies The Space in Westbury Sunday

    The Magpie Salute is riding a wave of popularity following a busy spring and summer touring with Gov’t Mule and the Avett Brothers along with several well-received headlining and festival gigs. Sunday night the band rolls into The Space in Westbury in support of their debut release, High Water I.

    magpie salute westbury

    The band brings together three core members of the Black Crowes – guitarists Rich Robinson and Marc Ford and bassist Sven Pipien, along with drummer Joe Magistro, keyboardist Matt Slocum, and singer John Hogg. They first began collaborating in late 2016 and spent most of 2017 on the road perfecting their sound.

    The band has a catalog of over 200 songs in its repertoire, a mix of covers, Black Crowes songs and original Magpie Salute material and has quickly gained a reputation as an explosive live act. Robinson describes the renewed relationship with his former bandmates:

    It’s the recontextualization of playing with one another. When I was putting this thing together, I was thinking about how even though we may not have played for almost a decade, it just comes back immediately. The chemistry is unexplainable. Of course, I’m the same guy who played with the Black Crowes and wrote all of those songs, but this is a different context for myself, Marc, and Sven. It’s the convergence of three different worlds and eras for me. We’re all here together in this one place. Simultaneously, it’s amazing for Marc and Sven to play with Joe and Matt and John to be in the middle of it all. For me, that was really cool to witness. This is what I wanted to do.

    Tickets are still available for the Sunday show at The Space at Westbury. General admission tickets are $25 and reserved seating is $35. Following Sunday’s show, the band heads to the Canadian Maritimes to perform at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, NB. For ticketing information and tour dates, visit the Magpie Salute website here.

    Listen to “For the Wind” from High Water I below:

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