Brooklyn-based Turkuaz got their latest Kuadrochrome tour rolling Thursday with a stop in Fairfield, CT. They sold out Fairfield Theatre Company’s Warehouse, and as they are known to do, turned the venue into a funkadelic dance party.
Turkuaz brought a Philadelphia trio by the name of GREAT TIME from to open the evening. GREAT TIME was able to form the crowd early and definitely got them warming up their dance moves for what was to come.
GREAT TIME at FTC Warehouse – Photo by: Chris Sidoruk
By the time Turkuaz hit the stage, the room was packed full and buzzing with energy. Everyone eagerly anticipated what was in store with the new tour. From opener to encore, the band delivered. They brought a 2-hour nonstop mix of new and old tunes with a sprinkling of cover material to which the crowd loved every minute. As far as tour openers go, you couldn’t have asked for much better of a night.
Caravan of Thieves recently returned to Fairfield, CT, with singer/songwriter P.J. Pacifico opening the night. The fans, or as the Thieves dub them “the freaks,” were treated to some great displays of musical talent and passion at the intimate FTC Stage One venue.
Caravan of Thieves at FTC Stage One – Photo by: Chris Sidoruk
P.J. Pacifico kicked things off with his acoustic performance and the Stage One room was the perfect setting. The audience was so attentive to his songs and musicianship, at times you could hear a pin drop. P.J. thoroughly appreciated this and thanked the attendees a few times.
P.J. Pacifico at FTC Stage One – Photo by: Chris Sidoruk
Caravan of Thieves, fronted by Fuzz and Carrie Sangiovanni, changed up the pace of the evening with their high-energy gypsy rock. They were a unique performance and a pleasure to watch. The band came out swinging and didn’t stop until the closer, in which they came out into the crowd and everyone gathered around. It was a special moment and a fitting send off.
Caravan of Thieves at FTC Stage One – Photos by: Chris Sidoruk
Like a great sandwich of leftovers from Turkey Day, the Vermont-based band Twiddle served up two nights of their homegrown musical jam at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Dubbed “Frendsgiving” by the band, the weekend show is now becoming an annual event, this being the third time around.
Twiddle
With the theme of “Frendsgiving,” a portion of each night’s door sales was donated to the non-profit organization White Light Foundation. The foundation, run completely by volunteers, assists various charitable organizations and community causes. WLF describes itself as “founded on the principles of community, love, generosity, and passion” and is inspired by the music of Twiddle.
Aqueous
I caught the second night of this two-night run which had Aqueous, who played both nights, opening the show. They kicked out a blistering 45-minute set, including a cover of Vampire Weekends “Sunshine,” stoking the house’s appetite for the main course. Twiddle took the stage to cheers from the crowd, serving up two sets of nonstop music to the delight of all. The second set opened up with “Latin Tang” which had Mike Gantzer and David Loss of Aqueous joining the band and taking the show to the next level .
Mike Gantzer and David Loss of Aqueous w/Twiddle
With this being the beginning of the holiday season, the band gifted the audience with two new songs: “Mistakes,” which closed out the first set, and “Just Gravy” which was featured in the latter part of the second. “Lost in the Cold,” from Plump, took it home as the encore for the night. To make the evening complete, before the band left the stage they had the entire house join them for one big “family” picture to cap off the holiday weekend.
Aqueous Set List
On The Edge, Kitty Chaser (Explosions), Come and Go, The Median, Sunflower, Skyway
Twiddle Set List
Set I Orlando’s, Jamflowman, Gatsby the Great, Hattigan Mcrat, Orlando’s, BeeHop, Carter Candlestick, Mistakes
Set IILatin Tang, The Box, Zelda Theme, The Box, Syncopated Healing, Machine FRENDS Theme, Just Gravy, Gatsby the Great (Ending)
Phish’s Fall Tour rolled into Long Island on Sunday with an appearance at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a building they hadn’t played in almost 17 years. While this Sunday show may not have reached the level of the esteemed February, 28, 2003 show, one of the more venerable shows in Phish history and they last time they played here, it still delivered two robust sets of music filled with old classics, bustout covers, intricate jams and a nod to the past. Check out NYS Music’s photo gallery of all the fun below.
Phish 12/1/19 Nassau Veterans Memorial Colisuem
Set 1: Ghost > Rift, The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday > Avenu Malkenu > The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday > The Wedge, Martian Monster > Timber (Jerry the Mule) > Cool it Down > Roggae > Poor Heart > Tube > Character Zero
Set 2: Everything’s Right > Down with Disease -> Cities > Carini > Ruby Waves > Twenty Years Later > Backwards Down the Number Line > Say it to Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Encore: Roses are Free > Slave to the Traffic Light
Phish geared up for two nights at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI to cap the month of November. It was long overdue, nine years since Phish had performed DDC. Even more thrilling than the Phish stage presence at Dunkin’, both dates directly infected the community with musical-euphoria, as were fans Friday and Saturday night. Phish, along with the Mockingbird Foundation have donated a $1,500 in tour grants to New Urban Arts in Providence.
Friday 11/29/2019
Set 1: First Tube, The Final Hurrah > NICU, Steam > Scent of a Mule, Bye Bye Foot, No Men In No Man’s Land, Gumbo> My Soul, Maybe[1], Sand > Fire.
Set 2: 46 Days > Back on the Train > Plasma > Farmhouse, Light -> Plasma Reprise > Birds of a Feather, Joy, Simple -> Set Your Soul Free -> Plasma Reprise, Walk Away.
Encore: Meatstick > Sleep, Driver, Bug.
[1] Phish debut.
Saturday 11/30/2019
SET 1: Turtle in the Clouds, Punch You in the Eye > Llama, Meat, The Old Home Place, Lawn Boy, I Didn’t Know, Maze, Horn, Gotta Jibboo > Stash -> Plasma Reprise > Golgi Apparatus.
SET 2: Bathtub Gin > Alaska > What’s the Use? > Piper > Golden Age -> Plasma Reprise > Harry Hood.
Encore: Big Black Furry Creature from Mars > Kung > Wombat, Possum > Plasma Reprise.
The fans voted, and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead delivered a dream setlist at the Brooklyn Bowl on Monday, November 25. “Make Democracy Rad Again” was a benefit for HeadCount included selfie moments as well as plenty of goodies for those who signed up to vote or showed support for democracy. The biggest treat was the incredible setlist played to a packed house.
If you aren’t familiar with the group, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead offer a fresh take on the music of the Grateful Dead. The band consists of Joe Russo (Drums), Dave Dreiwitz (bass), Marco Benevento (keyboards), Scott Metzger (guitar/vocals), and Tom Hamilton (guitar/vocals). They are known to sell out venues within minutes and offer experimental takes on classic tunes.
HeadCount is dedicated to registering new voters through music. Joe Russo and Marco Benevento were part of the first HeadCount benefit back in 2004, making Joe Russo’s Almost Dead an easy candidate for the first of many benefit shows between HeadCount and the Brooklyn Bowl. Brooklyn Bowl owner Pete Shapiro was recently named Chair of the Board of Directors at the non-profit. The band has also outgrown this venue, which made this pairing more enticing. According to HeadCount’s twitter, the benefit successfully generated $150,000.
In order to uphold one of HeadCount’s missions, democratic participation, the set list was voted on by those attending the show. The results included heavy hitters, starting with a full suite of “Terrapin Station,” “Eyes of the World,” “The Eleven,” and “Franklin’s Tower.” Notable favorites like “Fire on the Mountain,” and “Help on the Way” didn’t get enough votes to make the cut, however, two stellar non-Dead tunes made the cut, including “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” by the Allman Brothers and “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen.
After this incredible show of dynamic improvisation and fan favorites, it’s easy to see why this band quietly sells out venues. They are back on the road in 2020, kicking the year off at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Head on over to the band’s tour page for more details before the tickets are gone.
Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Headcount Benefit at Brooklyn Bowl, Monday, November 25, 2019
Set One: Althea > The Eleven > Viola Lee Blues > Franklin’s Tower, Atlantic City > Reuben & Cerise > Eyes Of The World > In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
Set Two: St. Stephen > Scarlet Begonias > Dark Star > Terrapin Station Suite > Shakedown Street > Throwing Stones > Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 jam > Throwing Stones
Electronic wizard and free music advocate Gramatik made people dance into the early morning hours with his digital weave of urban and funky beats at the premiere EDM venue in Brooklyn, Avant Gardner. He was supported by incredibly talented colleagues Opiou and Balkan Bump for a night of organic, hip-hop-infused electronica.
Balkan Bump is an electronic artist who mixes live instruments, world music and digital production. Trumpeter, producer and enthomusicoligist Will Magid is the brain child behind this band. A tapestry of funky beats, stellar trumpeting and dance hall vibes was cleverly woven throughout the set. At one point, Magid announced that he was playing a one word song, and everyone should sing along. That song was “Tequilla” by The Champs, and it was a huge hit with the crowd.
Opiou, a producer and artist from New Zealand, was up next, and brought his Kiwi electronic heat. Also known as Oscar Davey-Wraight, this DJ is known for funky beats and deep bass grooves, as well as a penchant for keeping the dance floor alive well into the late night. Will Magid joined Opiou during the middle of his set on trumpet, creating a refreshing organic synergy. His signature buildups and drops continued throughout the set, framed with an engaging LED light display and plenty of fog.
Gramatik took the stage to a packed crowd that was ready to dance. And dance they did. Denis Jašarević is Gramatik, hailing from Slovenia, and is known for his mind numbing hip-hop beats and fresh remixes. He played with guitarist Adam Stehr, adding an organic feel to his live performance. His stage setup included several LED panels that displayed colorful graphics, a healthy dose of fog, and a stacked lighting rig that fostered an elevated visual experience.
This evening’s stellar performance included samplings of “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” by NYC’s own Beastie Boys and “Can’t Get Enough” by Gramatik’s frequent cohort Griz. Will Magid joined the party on trumpet for a tune, and the crowd was loving every second of this vibrant collaboration. Gramatik noted that this was his last show of 2019 and he sure went out with a bang.
Crumb played some of their classic songs and sold out the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday. The show opened with sets from the groups of Shormey and Divino Niño. Both had a similar wavy, indie sound similar to Crumb. Divino Niño delivered a spectacle of a performance with an excess of dancing and tossing roses; their showmanship rivaled that of the headliner.
Crumb donned the stage to “Sweet Escape” and kicked off the show with “Cracking,” the opening song to their full length album Jinx. Lila Ramani delivered her signature sweet vocals and dreamy guitar licks. At some point, she brought balloons to the front of the stage and emptied a water bottle on the crowd. For their encore, Crumb played one of their most popular hits, “So Tired.” When the song picked up, everyone from the opening acts burst on stage to play and dance together.
The Disco Biscuits returned to Syracuse for two nights, their first run in the Salt City since Halloween 2015. The masters of live electronica and improvisation performed four flawless sets to enthusiastic crowds at SI Hall at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse on November 22 and 23.
On Friday, following an energetic “M.E.M.P.H.I.S.” opener, guitarist Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig stretched the intro to “Run Like Hell” out for an extended period before a triumphant burst into the Pink Floyd cover, then took the long route into an inverted “Aquatic Ape.” A full “Hot Air Balloon” closed the five song set, one of the few this tour to feature no new material that the band has been breaking out.
Set 2 opened with a pair of ‘global’ tunes, “Jigsaw Earth” and “Story of the World,” the latter of which sandwiched the remained of the set. “Anthem” and “Rocket Science,” two new originals debuted this tour, filled the sandwich, with an “Orch Theme” meshed in between. With the clock ticking, Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance” served as an encore, with the show ending right at 11pm. A sweaty and smiling crowd rejoiced at one of the finest nights of the tour thus far.
Disco Biscuits, Syracuse, NY – Friday, November 22 setlist via PhantasyTour:
Set 1: M.E.M.P.H.I.S. > Run Like Hell1 > Aquatic Ape2 > Svenghali3, Hot Air Balloon Set 2: Jigsaw Earth, Story Of The World > Anthem > Orch Theme > Rocket Science > Story Of The World Encore: The Safety Dance
unfinished
inverted version
ending only
The Biscuits’ Saturday performance featured a pair of new songs, a Tractorbeam jam, and one of the best sets from the eight fall shows thus far. Two songs, “Mulberry’s Dream” and “Crickets,” were each interpolated with “Catalyst” and recent debut “4th of July,” respectively. In between these two combos found another new tune, “Electric Slinky,” part of a potential series of ‘Slinky’ songs, including “Freebis Slinky.”
Set 2 was filled with pure heat from start to finish. The four song set featured three roughly-15 minute jams, and one monster jam that went past the half hour mark. Opening with “Clocks,” a debut from earlier this year, the band ventured into “Gangster” which was met with cheers and fist pumps from the audience. What came next was one of the longest jams of the tour (thus far) and the highlight of the weekend. A 30+ minute “Spacebirdmatingcall” featured a Tractorbeam jam on Crackazat’s “Fly Away,” which draws on Earth Wind & Fire’s “I’ve Had Enough” and seemed to never let up as the band dove deep and kept exploring what the jam had to offer. “Little Shimmy in a Conga Line” wrapped up the set nicely, and a pairing of “Frog Legs” and the ending section of “Run Like Hell” from the previous night’s version cemented the night as one of the best of the tour. Setbreak is indeed over.
The Disco Biscuits head south to Florida for four shows in mid-December, then return to New York City where they will close out the year in Times Square at the Playstation Theater, which will close on December 31st following their performance.
Disco Biscuits, Syracuse, NY – Saturday, November 23 setlist via PhantasyTour:
Set 1: Mulberry’s Dream > Catalyst > Mulberry’s Dream, Electric Slinky, Crickets > 4th of July > Crickets Set 2: Clocks > Gangster > Spacebirdmatingcall > Tractorbeam Jam1 > Spacebirdmatingcall, Little Shimmy In A Conga Line Encore: Frog Legs > Run Like Hell2
The energy level at Cohoes Music Hall was infectious on Thursday, November 21. Wax Future set the tone from their first note, that this was sure to be an epic school night. The main event that followed was nothing short of stellar. Lotus curated two sets that flowed seamlessly and had everyone at Cohoes Music Hall sharing the groove. Check out the full setlist and photo gallery below.
Set One: Eats The Light, Livingston Storm, One Last Hurrah, Philly hit>Spiritualize>Contagion>Spiritualize, 72 hrs Awake
Set Two: Move Too Fast>Fortune Favors, Kalea, 128>Comptroller>Echoes, Plant Your Root>128
