NYS Music 20​19

Category: Photo Gallery

  • The String Cheese Incident Delivers Heady Queso at 25th Anniversary Run

    Colorado’s The String Cheese Incident graced the tri-state area with a 3-night run at the storied Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY to celebrate twenty-five years as a band. This run featured numerous rare covers, the spirit of Jerry Garcia, NOLA style marching into the crowd, and special guests. The band includes Michael Kang (electric mandolin/fiddle), Michael Travis (drums), Kyle Hollingsworth (Keyboards/Synth), Billy Nershi (electric/acoustic guitar), Keith Moseley (bass) and Jason Hann (percussion).

    Night one started out with a bang, despite the band and crew travelling through the night from Del Fest and arriving at 8 a.m. that morning. The set started with “Believe,” from their 2017 album with the same name. The boys brought a piece of Del Fest to the Capitol Theatre with bluegrass tunes “So Far From Home” > “Cedar Laurels” and energized the crowd with an incredible segue. “Laurels” was last played at Red Rocks in July 2018. “Gone Crooked” is a new tune by Moseley, written with Raymond Baxter, and had a nice old timey feel. Rounding out the set was “BollyMunster” and the psychedelic “Peace of Mine” > “Let’s Go Outside.”

    Michael Kang on the fiddle

    Set 2 began with a SCI classic, “Smile,” played for Nershi’s wife Jillian who was celebrating her birthday that night. Nershi announced that the song was originally written for her. Fan favorite “Desert Dawn” segued into two tunes from The Beatles’ Abbey Road, “Polythene Pam” and “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window.” “Pam” was last played 15 years ago, on 04/04/2004, with six total live appearances in all. While not as rare, “Bathroom Window” was last played two years ago on 08/13/2017.

    These rarities continued the high energy segue chain into the traditional bluegrass tune turned jam monster, “Rivertrance.” A rocking drum segment followed, with only Travis and Hann on stage. The new Dead-influenced Hollingsworth song “Big Reveal” > “All We Got” closed the set, but the show was far from over. SCI encored with their latin classic “San Jose” and then finished “Desert Dawn.”

    Keith Mosely and Michael Kang jam together

    Night two picked up where night one left off. Set one started with “Vertigo” and the segue sandwich of “Black and White” > “Can’t Wait Another Day” > “Midnight Moonlight,” the latter being a cover of Peter Rowan for the Jerry Garcia side project, Old and in the Way. The party then went into high gear as the band dove into “Valley of the Jig,” a SCI dancehall beast that is a reworked version of the traditional bluegrass tune, “Red Haired Boy.” The set closed out with Untying the Not’s “Sirens” > the quintessential “Restless Wind.”

    SCI covers The Talking Head’s “Burning Down The House”

    Set two continued with jam vehicles “Just One Story” > “Rosie.” “Song In My Head” then proceeded, from the album of the same name, followed by their debut of the Jerry Garcia Band cover, “Tore Up Over You.” “45th of November,” from the album One Step Closer, started a funk and psychedelic sequence that reminded the Northeast who SCI is. This began with a segue into the Talking Head’s “Burning Down the House.” The walls of the Capitol Theatre were filled with projections of fire. This cover was last played on 10/29/16 at Hulaween. The jazz-jam monster by The Weather Report “Birdland” > “Wheel Hoss” > “Birdland” > “Just One Story” closed out set two. Apparently, the band was also supposed to play “Jellyfish,” but scrapped the song based on time constraints. Capitol Theatre owner and jamband promoter Pete Shapiro was in the crowd tonight and addressed the audience before the boys returned for the encore. Nershi’s timeless bluegrass tune about rekindling lost love, “Bar Stool,” ended the show.

    Pete Shapiro, owner of the Capitol Theatre, addresses the audience

    Night three began with the band announcing, “Never miss a Monday night show.” The venue was half full, and those in attendance were in for a cheesy treat. The show started on a high note with “You’ve Got The World” and Believe’s “Sweet Spot.” The perennial fan favorite plus bluegrass tune “Little Hands” included a tight jam and segue into “Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance,” a Jerry Jeff Walker cover. Kang’s “Beautiful,” also from Believe, led into the introduction of their friend, guitarist Scott Sharad. He joined the band on stage for a rocking version of “Outside And Inside” > “Hot’ Lanta.”

    Billy Nershi

    SCI seemed determined to top each setlist, and the last set was no exception. All six members started the second set by marching into the floor NOLA style, and played an acoustic version of “Dark Hollow.” This song was last played almost 13 years ago at the Tweeter Center on 07/15/2006. “Into The Blue” preceded the always inspiring “Joyful Sound” > “Rumble” and got the crowd moving again. The Keller Williams cover “Best Feeling” launched into a dark reggae jam and segued into The Police’s “Walking On The Moon.” This is the third time they have played this unique cover. “Moon” went back into “Feeling” and then transitioned into Song in my Head’s “Colliding.” Another quintessential String Cheese Incident classic and jam beast, “Texas,” closed out this sensational set. Peter Gabriel’s “Shaking The Tree,” last played 03/18/2017, ended the run and sent the hard core fans home happy. The Northeast awaits the return of this gouda band.

    Setlists courtesy of friendsofcheese.com

    Saturday, May 25, 2019

    Set One: Believe, So Far From Home > Cedar Laurels, Gone Crooked, BollyMunster, Piece Of Mine > Let’s Go Outside

    Set Two: Smile, Desert Dawn > Polythene Pam > She Came In Through The Bathroom Window > Rivertrance > Drums, The Big Reveal > All We Got

    Encore: San Jose > Desert Dawn

    Sunday, May 26, 2019

    Set One: Vertigo, Black and White > Can’t Wait Another Day > Midnight Moonlight, Valley Of The Jig, Sirens > Restless Wind

    Set Two: Just One Story > Rosie, Song In My Head, Tore Up Over You, 45th of November > Burning Down The House, Birdland > Wheel Hoss > Birdland > Just One Story

    Encore: Barstool

    Monday, May 27, 2019

    Set One: You’ve Got The World, Sweet Spot, Little Hands > Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance, Beautiful, Outside And Inside1 > Hot ‘Lanta1

    Set Two: Dark Hollow2, Into The Blue, Joyful Sound > Rumble, Best Feeling > Walking On The Moon > Best Feeling > Colliding, Texas

    Encore: Shakin’ The Tree

    Notes 1 with Scott Sharrard on electic guitar, 2 Unplugged, Acoustic

  • In Focus: MGMT Dazzle Capitol Theatre with Their Tricks

    MGMT & Warpaint recently performed at The Capitol Theatre. MGMT played an intimate and fun set with hits such as “Kids,” “Time To Pretend,” “Brian Eno,” and “Electric Feel” sprinkled within some of their newer material from their newest album Little Dark Age.

  • Sixth Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest Brings Music, Brews & Community Together in Brooklyn

    At The Well in Brooklyn, hosts Mike & Lauren invited 55 craft brewers, several local food vendors and two regional bands to come together for the 6th Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest. Attendees enjoyed 100+ beer and cider choices, gourmet eats and one hell of a rock ‘n’ roll show in an open, sunny setting splashed with bright and colorful street art, providing a pleasurable experience for both the palate and the eye.

    The day began with a lot of hustle and bustle; craft beer vendors buzzing around, ice trucks loading in, and the bands plugging in for soundcheck. Individual tasting glasses featuring the rockin’ Five Boro Craft Beer Fest logo were lined up at the registration table, the guest line formed and at 4 P.M. the party began. The event was an all-inclusive one, wristbands provided attendees with all you can eat, drink and dance for the duration of the afternoon into the evening.

    First up, the brews. It felt like a perfect summer night, pairing well with the plentiful selection of perfectly chilled craft beer and ciders from local, regional and out of state brewers. No matter your preference, there was something to appeal your fancy, including exclusive varieties that had never been poured before. Sours, stouts, lagers, IPAs and everything in between from breweries such as King’s County Brewer’s Collective, Barrier Brewing Co., Icarus Brewing, Noble Ale Works, Garvies Point Brewery, River Roost Brewery, Collective Arts Brewing, Hermit Thrush Brewery, District 96, Gun Hill Brewing Co., Torch & Crown Brewing Co. and many more.

    Five Boro Craft Beer Fest

    Beers were flowing, toes were tapping and it was time for some snacks. Staying true to the well balanced theme of the day, the food vendors provided festival goers choices of all things sweet, salty, savory, spicy and tangy to compliment the plethora of liquid libations. Traze, a Queens-based food shop that offers up gourmet “grandma-style” pizza were slinging slices as fast as the brews were pouring. Little Chef, Little Kitchen, a personal chef service served up “adobo chicken and waffle bites,” the sweet and savory combo hit with the crowd. More top-notch tastiness was brought to the party by The Huntress Whiskey n’ Wings, with delicious chicken wings, Sigmund’s Pretzels, with the ever-favorite salty pretzels and Kalahari Biltong, providing samples of “air dried, thinly sliced beef” a provision that beer drinkers, hikers, campers, festival goers alike would find handy. None went hungry at the 6th Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest, that is for sure.

    Five Boro Craft Beer Fest
    Little Chef Little Kitchen serving up “adobo chicken & waffle bites”
    Traze slinging little slices of pizza heaven.
    The Huntress dishing out a variety of addicting chicken wings and flavors.
    Five Boro Craft Beer Fest
    Kalahari Biltong sharing their “air dried thin beef.”

    Next, the tunes. First to take the stage was Black Brant, a rock trio hailing from New Jersey. Comprised of Pat Seiler (guitar), Mike McCabe (bass), and Shawn Latham (drums), the threesome got the crowd moving with a wide array of cover songs ranging from alternative, reggae, blues and classic rock. Sing-a-longs and “rock-on!’s” were heard coming from the dancing crowd.

    After a short changeover, Brooklyn-based band Of Clocks And Clouds hopped on stage. The stage and crowd warmed by Black Brant, they started right into a strong set of rock ‘n’ roll. Of Clocks And Clouds is comprised of Brooklyn-bred brothers Joe Salgo (guitar, vocals), Tom Salgo (lead guitar, vocals), Nick Salgo (drums), Russian-born Yuri Soussov (bass), and Connecticut native Zander Ryzinski (keys/synth), forming a powerful force that is both predictable and imperceptible; much like clocks and clouds. The first set featured several original songs and closing out with a saucy rendition of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love.” OCAC opened the second set with “Worst Look,” into an impressive, hard hitting cover of Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” led by drummer Nick Salgo on vocals. The sun was starting to set, the crowd was having a blast and the band jammed out six more big, emotive, rock tunes closing with another bang “Who I Am,” led by drummer Nick Salgo. The song is new to their repertoire, but quickly became a staple fan-favorite.

    Black Brant, rockers from New Egypt, New Jersey
    Five Boro Craft Beer Fest
    Brooklyn band Of Clocks And Clouds close out the night.

    The 6th Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest was an incredible success, a great time was had by all. Sunshine, delicious food, tasty brews, great music, friends and family all made for an event that will be attended year after year. For more information on this event, the breweries, provisions, and musicians, visit the Five Boro Craft Beer Fest website.

    In Focus: The Brews

    In Focus: The Bands

    In Focus: The Fun

  • Kat Wright and The Old Main Take on Clinton

    The Kirkland Art Center in Clinton was recently the scene for Kat Wright‘s return to her upstate roots. The Rochester-born chanteuse and her band performed a soulful, sometimes funky, 22-song set to a sold out audience at this small venue in Central New York.

    NPR once described Wright as a mix of Amy Winehouse and Bonnie Raitt. It’s easy to note tones of Susan Tedeschi in her delivery as well. This served Wright well later in the set when she and guitarist, Bob Wagner, teamed for a stirring duet of Tedeschi Trucks Band’s “Shelter.”

    Kat Wright 

    Wright’s band is one of the tightest around, making due without the presence of keyboardist, Shane Hardiman, who was missing due to health issues. Wright made note of the spaciousness to her right and wished Hardiman well in his recovery.

    Wright commands your attention with her presence and her voice. As soon as she opens her mouth, the notes pour out effortlessly. She possesses that rare quality of projecting deep soulful notes with what may seem to the onlooker as pure ease.

    Their set opened with an instrumental jam sans Wright, where the band: Bob Wagner (guitar), Josh Weinstein (bass), Colin Jalbert (drums), Jake Whitesell (tenor sax), and Phil Rodriguez (trumpet), displayed their chops right out of the gate.

    Wright joined the fellas for a sultry, soulful performance of “All About You” to get things rolling. The standing room only audience was rapt with the voice coming from the stage while the band provided a jazzy backdrop.

    Throughout the course of the night, Wright wowed with her voice while the band did the same. There were points during the show where the band seemed like they were ready to let rip but were holding back just a bit, to allow Wright to shine. These moments were sparse and when they let loose; they really let loose.

    This is a well-educated outfit, as shown in covers of blues classics from Howlin’ Wolf and Junior Wells and their jaw-dropping version of the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s “Shelter.” This is a band that wears its influences on their sleeves. If you want funk, they can funk you up with the best of them. If you want soulful ballads, you got it. Blues? Indeed. Kat Wright is one to check out.

    The night’s opener was the Utica-based Americana band, The Old Main. Their brand of music is rife with foot-stompers and tender ballads with the ability to flat-out rock. They’re a band on the rise around New York State, but knew their role on this night as the opening act. Humble and funny, they quickly won the audience over with witty, self-deprecating banter between songs and a solid set of original material spanning their two studio albums, as well as a new, as-yet-unnamed song.

    The Old Main

    The band, consisting of stand-up bassist Nash Robb, guitarist Seth Becker, drummer Mitch Eckler, and banjoist Dusty Elmer, rolled through a solid eight song set, incorporating an enthusiastic jam session that had Eckler using Robb’s bass as an adjunct to his drum kit during “Tuesday.” Robb and Owen offer some of the best harmonizing in Americana today with Eckler providing additional harmonies to add an extra punch. Elmer’s picking is effortless. The Old Main did exactly what they set out to do for this show — provide solid opening band material while winning over new fans.

    Kat Wright will be performing at the moe.down Festival in Turin Fourth of July Weekend. The Old Main will be performing at Woods Fest 2 in Westernville on August 10. Both bands are well worth checking out.

     

  • In Focus: Shakey Graves With Illiterate Light

    Shakey Graves With Illiterate Light – May 15, 2019 at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, NY.

    Unofficial Setlist: Hard Wired*, Nobody’s Fool*, Roll the Bones, Built to Roam*, Georgia Moon*, Pansy Waltz, Mansion Door, Dining Alone, Big Bad Wolf, Dearly Departed, Family and Genus, The Perfect Parts, Word of Mouth*, Tomorrow*.

    Encore: Late July.

    *Performed Solo Acoustic

    Illiterate Light

  • In Focus: Eric Krasno closes out Blue Note Residency

    On Sunday, May 19, Eric Krasno closed out his residency at the famous Blue Note Jazz Club with an amazing night of music and special guests. The eight-show residency concluded with two sets with the house band: keyboardist/vocalist Nigel Hall, drummer Louis Cato, and bassist Chris Loftlin

    Krasno welcomed previously announced guest bassist MonoNeon, as well as surprised guest saxophonist James Casey and lap-steel god Robert Randolph to close out this special run. This amazing group of musicians was such a treat and really seemed to be a close-knit group of friends, a quality that shines through in the music.  

  • In Focus: Jackie Greene Serenades City Winery

    On Friday, May 17, Americana singer/guitarist Jackie Greene treated an intimate City Winery crowd to an acoustic evening filled with rare catalog classics and his take on many classic rock hits. His second of a two-set evening, accompanied by Nathan Dale on guitar and vocals and special guest Leslie Mendleson on vocals and piano, showcased why he is one of the top musicians around today.

    This was a special, intimate setting for the musician who is usually flanking some of the biggest names in music with his soulful electric guitar. On this evening in a small venue like City Winery, donning only an acoustic guitar, Jackie told a different story using his amazingly rich voice and soulful lyrics. Known for his ties to the Grateful Dead family, he treated fans to stellar renditions of “Brokedown Palace” and “Peggy O.” But it was the stripped down version of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice it’s Alright” that made this evening a special one.  

    Setlist: Don’t Let the Devil Take Your Mind, Brokedown Emotion, Slip Slidin’ Away, Gone Wanderin’, Honey I Been Thinking About You, Never Satisfied, Mexican Girl, Animal, Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right, Shaken, Breakdown, Trust Somebody, Don’t Let Me Down, Scarlet Begonias, That’s What Love Will Make You Do, Brokedown Palace, Ball and Chain, Peggy O

  • In Focus: Tom Morello Unleashes Atlas Underground

    Tom Morello brought Atlas Underground Live to the infamous Irving Plaza, treating a packed house of young and old fans to his most ambitious project in years, on Wednesday, May 14 . “The Atlas Underground Tour is one-part Marshall-stack guitar-madness and one part bass-drop meltdown. The show will be an intense sonic and visual ‘less talk, more rock’ experience that’s somewhere between a crazy mosh pit, an illegal rave, a subversive art installation, and a prison riot.,” said the guitar god and social justice vanguard.

    The virtuoso has taken different genres of music and blended them like never before. A new mix of EDM and his powerful tone and attitude make Tom Morello one of the top guitar players in the style. Each song was carefully selected, paired with a powerful video message depicting giant problems going on in our society.

    The show touched all genres and aspects of Morello’s long illustrious career. With plenty of Rage Against the Machine Material, the set journeyed along with nods to a deep connection with his Audioslave band mate and friend, Chris Cornell, and an inspiring cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Ghost of Tom Joad.” During the final song Morello invited as many fans as could fit on stage with him; he blew the roof off the New York City venue with the Rage classic “Killing In The Name Of.” It was proof: the song’s lyrics are just as relevant now as when the song was originally released 18 years ago.

  • Griz Ride Waves Tour rolls into Brooklyn’s King’s Theatre

    Griz’ Ride Waves: Season One tour rolled into Brooklyn’s Kings Theater last week. Griz is an electronic music producer and saxophonist from Southfield, MI who combines the saxophone with his self described “future funk,” electro-soul, hip-hop and funk beats.

    Griz

    Ride Waves is Griz’ fifth album, and came after a prolonged hiatus from social media and music. Griz used this time to hone his craft and travel the country while recording new music. He was able to recruit talent such as Snoop Dogg, Matisyahu, Bootsy Collins and Dram, as well as address social issues like gun control. He also recorded his first rap verse.

    King’s Theater warmly welcomed Griz and his openers, Dwilly and Yung Bae. LA-based DJ and producer Dwilly took the stage first and delivered urban pop beats and remixes that got the crowd moving. Yung Bae, the Portland-based producer who has amassed millions of streams on Spotify, followed with his disco-centric funky beats.

    Fans enjoy the Yung Bae set.

    The crowd was on their feet as Griz took the stage. His setup included a raised area for his DJ equipment and saxophone, and an area to perform near the front of the stage, with a huge LED display illuminating with positive messages. Griz was accompanied on stage by guitarist Muzzy Bearr, vocalist Chrishira, and horn/trumpet players.

    “Can’t Get Enough” featured Griz’ first rap verse, and showed his depth and talent. He sounded great and the crowd was loving it. The lyrics pulsated in bold letters behind him, and the light show was incredibly well timed.

    Guitarist Muzzy Bearr, Griz, and vocalist Chrishira

    The saxophone and guitar combination in “Caught Up” has a classic disco funk meets reggae feel. It’s hard to not start dancing, and that is exactly what the crowd did.

    “It Gets Better” emanated with positivity, and combined elements of hip-hop, jazz and funk into one danceable tune. The LED screen displayed the lyrics and was a positive reinforcement of the chill vibe. The crowd enjoyed the song, and was singing along in unison by the end.

    Griz seamlessly intertwines his funk and hip hop beats with positivity and the saxophone, creating pure musical bliss in Brooklyn. This show was an enjoyable party, from start to end, that is not to be missed.

    griz ride waves

  • Griz Reigns as King of Palace Theatre in Albany

    The Palace Theatre in Albany, NY played host to Griz and his Ride the Waves tour on Wednesday, May 8.

    Openers, Dwilly and Yung Bae opened the night and got the adrenaline pumping early. The front rows were packed with a high energy, young crowd and they were soon ready for one of Colorado’s best.

    The lights dimmed, and the bass began to rumble. Griz emerged and began to throw out some incredible lyrics, not usual for past tours. The show continued to bring out surprises including two different singers and two artists on trombone and trumpet.

    The energy, production, and bass lines, were all at full capacity all night. You can catch this energy yourself as Griz continues his tour west and is a headliner at many festivals this summer.

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