NYS Music 20​19

Category: Jam/Progressive

  • Hearing Aide: SPAGA

    Fresh off the heels of another successful Camp Bisco comes the debut release from SPAGA, a new and exciting Philadelphia-based jazz trio that blends intricate soundscapes and piano-driven melodies with a sturdy rhythm section that’s more than open to improvisation. This new project is the brain child of Disco Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner, whose delicate piano play fuels the self-titled release. Jason Fraticelli (upright bass) and Matt Scarano (drums) round out this latest addition to the burgeoning Philadelphia music scene, who recently performed at Xerox Rochester International Jazz Fest.

    Those expecting to hear songs similar in intensity and fashion to what the Disco Biscuits live catalog provides should look elsewhere, although there is a track (“Resurrection”) that fans will certainly recognize here. Instead, SPAGA offers a more relaxed and intimate musical environment that’s both technically proficient yet still malleable enough to explore new boundaries. The interplay between these three masters of their respective crafts on this record helps create moods that can range from brooding to blissful, sometimes within the same track. With seemingly only minimal post-production effects mixed in, this “mostly acoustic” album instead pays more attention to the organic nature and simplicity of a three-piece band that’s still able to produce a powerful and engaging sound.

    SPAGA
    © Ashley Smith

    A mix of styles begins the album as tenacious drum work and a foreboding bass line are joined by some ethereal piano-driven melodies, a practice common throughout. By the end, the opening track “Creed” develops a light and pleasant tone before slinking away with the return of the darker opening theme. “Marionette in the Snow,” which follows, may be the most enjoyable listen on SPAGA as it takes the listener on a true journey lasting near nine minutes. A joyous main theme gives way to some crispy drum and bass work, giving Fraticelli and Scarano a chance to take the reigns for a little and show off their chops. “Four Angels” produces an ambient and almost spooky soundscape at its outset before a comfortable groove is established, accentuated by more Magner-crafted melodies on the grand piano. And fans will surely recognize “Resurrection,” an instrumental take on the Disco Biscuits song that flows back and forth between two main thematic tempos, serving as almost a nod to the original and recently re-worked styles in which the song is played live.

    The album may only have six tracks, but each is a unique and easy listen that touches on distinctive elements of jazz, rock and improv that certainly lends itself to a world of possibilities in a live setting. For now, the album, which will be released on Magner’s own label AM Records on July 26, will have to suffice. But the band does have tour dates planned for later this summer as seen below, including a date at New York City’s (Le) Poisson Rouge, serving as the next stage of this musical exploration that’s off to a very promising start. For more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming shows, visit the SPAGA official website.

    Tour Dates

    August 6 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s

    August 7 – Denver, CO – Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox

    August 8 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Old Town Pub

    August 10 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Jazz Festival

    August 10 – Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House

    August 11 – Crested Butte, CO – Center for the Arts

    September 6 – Ardmore, PA – The Ardmore Music Hall

    September 7 – New York, NY – (Le) Poisson Rouge

    September 21 – Slippery Rock, PA – Resonance Festival

    January 7 – Miami, FL – MSC Divina

  • Uncle Ebenezer to perform on PhanArt-CEG Cruise this Friday in NYC

    For Phish fans looking to fill their plate with even more tasty jams this summer, this Friday, July 26 in New York City, CEG and PhanArt have teamed up for a Booze Cruise featuring Uncle Ebenezer, as well as Phish fan-artists and vendors Dave Russo, SetListTees and Outcasty Designs.

    Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 DOS, age 21 and up, and can be purchased here. Boarding begins 6:30PM om Friday, with The Lucille departing at 7PM sharp. The cruise leaves from Skyport Marina, located at East 23rd Street & FDR Drive (East side of Manhattan). There are cash bars on board the boat, as well as food available for purchase.

    uncle ebenezer phanart
    Art by Dave Russo

    PhanArt brings together artists from around the country for art shows during Phish tour, and this boat cruise is no exception. Featuring artist from the greater NYC metro region, fans will be able to pick up summer tour posters and shirts, clothing for kids, hats, koozies, stickers and a bunch of other surprises.

    uncle ebenezer phanart
    Design by Setlist Tees

    Outcasty Designs features clothing for kids and flat brim hats, among other items; Setlist Tees features a wide array of shirt designs that commemorate some of the biggest Phish shows, including a number of Baker’s Dozen designs; and Dave Russo who will bring his cartoonish style with pieces of art including “Slave,” “Pageside,” “Crowd Control” and “Puppeteer.” Check out a few designs here and find more info on these artists and Uncle Ebenezer on PhanArt.net and get your tickets for this unique NYC cruise.

    uncle ebenezer phanart
    Art by Outcasty Designs
    uncle ebenezer phanart

  • Soulive closes out Bowlive Night Six with Family Night

    Bowlive VIII’s final night brought a full house of great musicians alongside Soulive for “Family Night.” The special guests included Dan Mayer (guitar), Sam Kininger (saxophone), James Casey (saxophone) and Brian Thomas (trombone). Soulive’s lineup includes Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and Neal Evans (organ, bass keys, clavinet).

    Eric Krasno

    The evening began with the core trio from Soulive who delivered a sweet instrumental version of The Beatle’s “Revolution.” “Bubble” was up next, from 2007’s No Place Like Soul, followed by “Spark.” The vibe then quickly charged as saxophonist and frequent collaborator Sam Kinninger joined the band on stage. He sat in for “Hurry Up… and Wait” (Doin’ Somethin), “Rudy’s Way” (Get Down!) and “Liquid” (Next). The horn section increased by two at the end of the set as James Casey and Brian Thomas joined the party for a deliciously funky “Tuesday Night Squad.”

    Neal Evans, James Casey, Sam Kinninger and Brian Thomas

    Set two raised the bar as guitarist Dan Mayer, from Star Kitchen, added another strong guitar presence on stage. Krasno announced that Dan Mayer “is one of my favorite guitarists.” The quartet opened with “Curse Lifter,” followed by a stellar instrumental version of Jimi Hendrix’ “Manic Depression,” showcasing the talents of both guitarists. The horn trio then joined the squad once again and delivered a funky “Backwards Jack.” Mayer left the stage and the sextet rolled on with “Up Right,” “Hat Trick,” and “PJ’s”. The set closed out with “Canonball,” another Doin’ Something track. Mayer joined the stage once again for the encore of “Flurries” which included audience confetti. All seven musicians took a bow, and wrapped up another successful Soulive residency at the Brooklyn Bowl.

    Dan Mayer and Eric Krasno

    Setlist

    Set One: Revolution, Bubble, Spark, Hurry Up… and Wait^, Rudy’s Way^, Liquid^, Tuesday Night Squad^%

    Set Two: Curse Lifter*, Manic Depression*, Backwards Jack*^%, Up Right^%, Hat Trick^%, PJ’s^%, Cannonball^%

    Enc: Flurries*^%

    Notes:

    ^with Sam Kinninger (sax)

    *with Danny Mayer (guitar)

    %with James Casey (sax) and Brian Thomas (trombone)

  • Soulive and George Porter Jr. ‘Shake it, Sugaree’ for Bowlive Night Five

    Bowlive VIII rolled on at the rustic Brooklyn Bowl with Soulive and legendary Meters funk bassist George Porter Jr. sitting in. The setlist had no shortage of covers, including songs from The Beatles, The Meters and The Grateful Dead. Soulive’s current line up includes Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and Neal Evans (organ, bass keys, clavinet).

    Eric Krasno

    Soulive began the first set as a trio, delivering the band’s signature jazz-funk. Originals “So Live” and “Steppin’” got the crowd ready to party with Krasno’s delicious guitar work. A rocking instrumental version of The Beatle’s “Eleanor Rigby” was up next, followed by a new Soulive original, “Waves”.

    George Porter Jr.

    Alan Evans addressed the crowd with ,”Is it time?” The crowd responded with a resounding approval and the King of Bowlive, George Porter Jr., joined the funky party. Drawing from his time with The Meters, Porter led covers of “Pungee” and “Africa” and took the lead on vocals. The set wrapped up with the tasty New Orleans classic “Iko Iko,” by The Dixie Cups.

    Set two continued with more of The Meter’s catalog, starting with “Look-Ka Py Py” from the album of the same name. The funk classic “Keep On Marching” from the Fire on the Bayou album was up next. The funk single “I Need More Time” had the crowd dancing like no one was watching. Rejuvenation‘s “What’cha Say” then proceeded and “He Bite Me”, also from Fire on the Bayou, closed out this delightfully funky sequence.

    This talented group of musicians then switched gears and doubled down on one of Porter’s favorite songs to cover, The Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree.” Porter’s soulful voice and eclectic bass skills brought new life to this beloved classic. The frequent Dead cover and Bobby Bland original “Turn On Your Love Light” lit up the room and was the jam of the night. The set wrapped up with another Meter’s classic, “It Ain’t No Use.” This electrifying group then closed out one hot night with another Rejuvination tune for an encore with “Just Kissed My Baby.”

    Setlist

    Set One:  So Live, Steppin’, Eleanor Rigby, Waves, Pungee*, Africa*, Iko Iko*

    Set Two:  Look-Ka Py Py*, Keep On Marching*, I Need More Time*, What’cha Say*, He Bite Me (The Dragon)*, Sugaree*, Turn On Your Love Light, It Ain’t No Use*

    Encore:  Just Kissed My Baby*

    Notes: * w/ George Porter Jr.

  • In Focus: Bowlive Night Four Featuring Marcus King

    Thursday night kicked off the second round of shows celebrating the ten-year anniversary of Bowlive, the unique relationship that brought together Brooklyn Bowl and Soulive has produced some of the most interesting and classic musical collaborations in the New York music scene.

    For show number four of the anniversary run, Soulive welcomed the extremely talented Marcus King, the southern rock prodigy who has quickly rose in popularity for his immense musical talent and charm treated a sold out crowd to an amazing night of music with takes on a few Allman Brothers classics and the Soulive catalog.

    Bowlive is all about collaboration, not only chemistry on stage but a connection between musicians. It’s amazing to see the friendship blossoming between Erick Krasno and Marcus King as it shines through the music and joy shared on stage.  

  • In Focus: Pleasantville Music Festival Turns 15 in Stride

    The 2019 Pleasantville Music Festival is now in the books. This was my first time at the festival, held 30+ miles north of NYC, which was celebrating its 15th year. Before heading to the festival I found out a few things about Pleasantville, N.Y. It is a village in a town, it’s first train station was built circa 1846, and has roughly 7,000 people living there, per the 2010 census. I started to think, village, 1846, music festival? I was, well, concerned.

    But I was schooled- schooled quickly. With past headliners including Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler, The Smithereens, and Ian Hunter; the quality of music spoke for itself. The organizers maximized the large enclosed multi-use sports field enabling three musical stages, an abundance of food and drink vendors, large kids play section, tented shade areas and enough space for all to enjoy the day without being on top of one another.

    Recycle station volunteers

    As part of the festival and “to keep the Earth happy” they instituted a zero waste program including manned recycling stations and volunteers who continually roamed the site, picking up any trash that may have made it to terra firma. I was taken by how well they kept the festival site clean. Water stations offering free fill ups were available for all, whether you bought something to drink or brought a refillable bottle with you.

    Then there was music. Three stages offered different musical grooves from local to national acts. The Chill Tent, a very large covered area with a multitude of large fans circulating air throughout, offered acoustic styled acts including Dean Freidman and Chill headliner Matthew Sweet, who filled the tent to capacity. The Party stage, a decibel or two louder than the Chill Tent, true to its name was a party for all. Bands playing this stage were definitely adding heat to an already hot day. Two acts on this stage that caught my attention were Micky James and the band The New Respects, both had everyone on their feet and wanting more.

    Matthew Sweet in the Chill Tent

    The main stage was just that with BAILEN, Aimee Mann, Soul Asylum, and headliners Everclear playing to a field full of fans, singing and dancing to their hits. The bands were interacting with the crowd making the main stage feel like the most intimate of places.

    The day’s musical extravaganza started with the three winners of the Lagond Music Battle of the Bands competition. The winners, Mosa, SpitPhyre, and Lillimure, set the tone for each stage they performed on. It was great seeing support for new and developing musical talent. Eighteen acts played this hot, blue sky day. The coordination of the two smaller stages with the main stage allowed you to experience all the acts and not feel you missed out on something going from one stage to the other.

    With my knowledge of Pleasantville, N.Y. social studies enhanced and having had consumed a plethora of great music, all I have to do now is wait for year 16 to get on the calendar.

    Soul Asylum
    The New Respects
    Dean Friedman
    Swahoogie
    Ready for some rock ‘n roll
    Matthew Sweet
    Mosa
    Alex Cano
    Aimee Mann
    Bruce T Carroll
    BAILEN
    E’lissa Jones
    Field entertainment
    Color Tongue
    Lillimure
    Micky James
    Tough competition
    Melt
    SpitPhyre

  • Farewell Formula 5: Rock Foursome Plays Final Show at Rock the Dock

    On Friday, July 12, Upstate NY celebrated a final farewell performance from one of the area’s most beloved jam acts, Formula 5. The groove-rock foursome, for their final show, were headlining the third annual Rock The Dock Music Festival in Lake George, NY. Formula 5 had announced their intention to go on an indefinite hiatus earlier this year with plans to to finish out a select handful of live performances, the last of which was their main stage set at Rock The Dock, the one-day music event which they have hosted for the past two years.

    On this third time around, Rock The Dock saw a beautiful day of weather and an impressive turnout of festival patrons who flocked to a corner of Lake George to see an intimate list of popular music acts. Other acts on the festival main stage for the day were the funk dance band West End Blend, singer-songwriter Mike Powell, Saratoga Springs’ JT Maple, along with Americana rock outfit Eastbound Jesus and the Colorado-based jam quartet Magic Beans. And, of course, after all of these acts, Formula 5 closed the stage out, performing a highly lauded, headlining set of music.

    Adding to its serene views and amiable atmosphere, Rock The Dock equipped itself with an impressively nice sound. Patrons could sit atop the second or third deck of the massive steamboats —three of them boxed in the concert area in grand fashion—and enjoy the music as if they were riding the front row. In between sets, patrons could meander to close by vendors and be serenaded by the music of both JT Maple and Mike Powell.

    Magic Beans, one of Colorado’s most promising jamband acts in recent times, were on deck taking the stage just before Formula 5’s send off. And they played a short but strong hour-long set that really managed to warm up the energy of Rock The Dock properly. Towards the end of their set, Beans’ steady, focused approach to uplifting trance funk had hit the crowd right way and had the concert area flush with dancers and smilers. At the apex of this great set, Magic Beans delivered a uniquely slow version of Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime.”

    Formula 5 then took their time that evening to put on a proper close to a more than respectable seven year career of touring and recording. Those seven years saw a few different iterations of the band (every member of which was present this evening) craft and refine a highly popular, unique improvisational sound and live experience.

    That live experience came out in full force for one last time at Rock The Dock, with the band—in it’s most recent lineup of keyboardist Matt Richards, bassist James Woods, drummer Greg Marek, and guitarist Joe Davis—sounding off to hundreds of their most dedicated fans and family in true, larger-than-life style. The way they performed for this ending display, the band might as well as have been in front of thousands of people, let alone several hundred. It came with perhaps a bit of irony that this last set from Formula 5 was as musically thrilling as some of the best they had ever done. By the last of the exasperated yet tenaciously sung notes from lead Joe Davis on the night’s encore “Breaking Glass,” it didn’t seem right that such a great display was the end instead of being the beginning of a new chapter.

    But here at Rock The Dock there was no crazy setlist, no stage antics or tricks. Formula 5 simply offered an extremely well-executed, instrumentally colorful and comfortable display of original jams. A mighty “In The Sand” strapped Formula fans into a familiar rocket, and catapulted them towards the psychedelic reaches of high-energy space funk that this band had always demonstrated they could navigate better than most others playing today.



    By the time the band transitioned energetically into “Come Along,” the dock was rife with glee. Whether people were realizing or not that this was in fact Formula 5’s final show, for a moment, that didn’t seem to be clear. People were just happy, and they moved in colorful motion to the quartet’s shifting tempos and amazing collection of weird, wild rock sounds. 

    One of those sounds was the familiar and super heady keyboard intro from Matt Richards to the band’s “Sad Bed.” If anyone thought “In The Sand” would be the highlight point, they might have been subverted by this tune which was played even more ambitiously than the mega jam before it. Across the last couple of years, since the career-making release of their record All Points North, “Sad Bed” has been one of Formula 5’s most creative and transcendent vehicles for improvisation, stretching out on many live occasions past twenty-five or even thirty minutes in length. This farewell show at Rock The Dock boasted a “Sad Bed” to end all “Sad Beds,” a masterfully groovy, last improvisational exercise for the band. In this inspired performance, Formula 5 sounded like a synthesis between all of their influences, fusing together the cosmic ’70s feel of Parliament Funkadelic, the raunchy grit of Widespread Panic, and the artistic unexpectedness of The Grateful Dead.

    Even “Trout Waters Pt. 1 & 2,” which the band often in past shows would split up as segue points between other songs, was kept together in one long delivery and went near ballistic. Drummer Greg Marek, who was completely in the zone in this moment, deserves credit for helping to launch this one into a fantastic, power-rocking jam.

    Through the entirety of this fully loaded yet all-too-quick two hours, the band was all smiles, with all four members beaming at one another at every musical change or, at times it seemed, just because they were so into it. Here, in the last show, they were having fun, and perhaps that’s what counts most. The crowd was certainly more than appreciative, matching the band’s amazing gusto step for step through to the end. When the band had returned to a deafening encore chant, Marek took to the microphone and said a few words that must have eased at least a few minds. “I don’t see why there’s any reason we can’t do this again next year.”

    Swimmer continued the party for Rock The Dock at Lake George’s King Neptune’s Pub and the beach bar’s crowd eventually swelled to a cool gathering of festival attendees and turned the local hub into a sizzling last bit of dancing fun. Formula 5’s members, when they weren’t on stage making their last sentimental statements of the evening, were among the late night crowd, having a much deserved beer and mingling with fans and friendsSwimmer, this instrumentally intense yet often very melodically pleasing quartet, ripped up the last few hours of the festival between confident guitar shreds, jamtronic-tinged bass and drum lines, and even some moments of soulful saxaphone work thrown in. At the very least, this band that hails from the still musically fecund hotspot of Burlington, VT showed that while some of our favorites now and then have to call it quits, the music is always being carried on strongly by still younger and continually impressive artists.

    Formula 5 Setlist: Friday July 12, Rock The Dock Music Festival

    Set 1: Earthbound Tim > Booher’s Pass, Pedro -> In the Sand > Come Along, Trout Waters Pt 1 & 2, Sad Bed > Gettin Tough Again

    Encore: Breaking Glass

  • Pink Talking Fish Announces 2019 Fall Tour

    Pink Talking Fish just announced their 2019 fall tour which includes festivals, headlining at premier venues, multiple night runs, and a variety of concept shows including the debut of a PTF Kids show. Pink Talking Fish perfectly fuses the sounds of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish, creating a fresh and exciting experience for fans. The band features Eric Gould on bass, Richard James on keyboards, Zack Burwick on drums and Cal Kehoe on guitar.

    Fall tour kicks off Labor Day Weekend on the beach at Ocean Mist in Rhode Island, before other stops like the Umphrey’s McGee after-party in Asbury Park, NJ and Lake George for the Adirondack Music Festival. The band will close out their festival season at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in New Brunswick, Canada. Throughout October, Pink Talking Fish will stay on the East Coast with shows in Washington DC, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and a stop at Buffalo Iron Works in Buffalo, NY on October 24. The show in DC will be a special ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ concept where the band will perform the classic album intertwined with Talking Heads and Phish in between the album cuts. The Halloween show, held at The National in Richmond, VA, will create a ‘PTF is Bowie’ experience featuring a fusion of music from Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, Phish, and David Bowie.

    November starts off with a three-night run at Sweetwater Music Hall in California, each day will feature a different theme. On Friday November 1, PTF will perform their ‘Animals’ concept, combining Talking Heads and Phish with Pink Floyd’s Animals album, and Saturday night will see a West Coast twist on the band’s ‘PTF is Bowie’ concept. Sunday afternoon, the band will be putting a very special ‘Pink Talking Fish (4 Kids)’ show that will be an interactive experience the whole family can enjoy. Throughout December, PTF will be making stops at Montage Music Hall in Rochester, NY and Beachland Ballroom & Tavern in Columbus, OH before going out to Colorado to close out the tour, and then coming back east to Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA for New Year’s Eve. See the full list of upcoming shows below.

    For more information and tickets, check out the PTF website.

    SUMMER TOUR: 

    July 19 – Bath, NH – Jerry Jam 

    July 20 – Patchogue, NY – Great South Bay Music Festival 

    July 24 – Middletown, NY – Orange County Fair  

    August 2 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall 

    August 3 – Waitsfield, VT – Bear North on Sugarbush Mountain 

    August 8 – Norwick, NY – NBT Bank Free Thursday Concert Series 

    August 16 – Long Beach Island, NJ – Bird & Betty’s 

    August 17 – Bethel, NY – Yasgur’s Woodstock 50th Anniversary Reunion on Yasgur’s Farm  

    FALL TOUR: 

    August 29 – Kingston, RI – Ocean Mist 

    August 30 – Asbury Park, NJ – Wonder Bar for Umphrey’s McGee AfterParty 

    August 31 – Mason, NH – Marty’s Summer Concert Series 

    September 1 – Lake George, NY – Adirondack Independence Music Festival 

    September 13 – Greenfield, MA – Wormtown Music Festival 

    September 14 – Fredericton, NB Canada – Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival 

    September 20 – Fairfield, CT – The Warehouse at FTC 

    September 28 – Hardwick, MA – MTG Pheno Cup Music & Arts Fest 

    October 11 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall 

    October 13 – Washington DC – The Hamilton  

    October 14 – Roanoke, VA – 5 Points Music Sanctuary 

    October 16 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East 

    October 17 – Atlanta, GA – The Loft 

    October 18 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Music Hall 

    October 19 – Savannah, GA – Southbound Brewing Company 

    October 20 – Charlotte, NC – The Neighborhood Theatre 

    October 24 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works 

    October 25 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern 

    October 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Rex Theater 

    October 31 – Richmond, VA – The National

    November 1 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall

    November 2 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall

    November 3 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall – Pink Talking Fish (4 Kids) 

    November 13 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre 

    November 14 – Charleston, SC – Pour House 

    November 15 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum wsg Runaway Gin

    November 16 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live wsg Runaway Gin

    November 21 – Ocean Beach, CA – Winston’s 

    November 22 – Ocean Beach, CA – Winston’s 

    December 4 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall 

    December 5 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom 

    December 13 – Nederland, CO – The Caribou Room 

    December 14 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall 

    NEW YEARS EVE: 

    December 31 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club 

  • In Focus: Seventh Annual Levitate Music & Arts Festival

    This past weekend the Levitate Music and Arts Festival held its seventh annual grassroots event in the beautiful small town of Marshfield, Massachusetts. With one of the top lineups of the 2019 Festival season which included Tedeschi Trucks Band, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Damian Marley, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Stick Figure, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sublime with Rome, St Paul & The Broken Bones, and many other top acts in the jam and reggae music communities, it showed why it has become one of New England’s premier music festivals.  

  • moe.down 17: Bringing it Back Home

    moe.down 17 took place at its original home July 4-6, 2019, at Snow Ridge in the Tug Hill Plateau town, Turin, following a one-year hiatus. The Independence Day weekend featured steamy temperatures and equally scorching sets.

    The host band performed seven sets over the course of three days, as well as stints with side projects and sit-ins throughout. This festival has always been a family-oriented affair and this year’s moe.down proved no different — from guest spots from moe. bassist Rob Derhak‘s kids to drummer Vinnie Amico’s dedication of a cover of the Allman Brothers’ “Blue Sky,” to his daughter, who was celebrating her 19th birthday over the weekend. moe.down XVII was the family affair it has always set out to be.

    moe.down 17

    The moePods reunited at moe.down for a Friday afternoon set. Comprised of members of Ominous Seapods and moe., the band first got together at a sold out show at Cohoes Music Hall in January of this year and reconvened at moe.down. A true Wetlands reunion took place during this set when Lo Faber of God Street Wine, another of this year’s moe.down bands, joined the moePods onstage. All three bands came up through the second wave jamband scene of the early ’90s together and the mutual love was obvious onstage.

    Highlights of the weekend included an amped-up set from Cory Wong of Vulfpek with his band, all in matching outfits. The guitarist displayed his fret skills while the band funked up the main stage to kick off the music Saturday afternoon.

    Drive By Truckers brought a little bit of southern grind to the Tug Hill Saturday, delivering a blistering late afternoon set on the main stage that attracted more and more festival-goers throughout the set.

    The weekend was filled with a lot of positivity and small-town vibes one can only find at Snow Ridge this time of year. moe.’s seven sets over the weekend proved that they’re not standing still. Several new songs made it into the setlists and the accompanying light show was on point throughout.

    Cory Wong
    Karina Rykman
    Drive-By Truckers
    Mike Cooley
    Kat Wright
    Al Schnier
    Rob Derhak
Built in Breakdance