Till The Earth will be performing live at Chatham Brewing on Friday September 6 at 9:00PM. The five piece rock outfit has been creating and performing music around the Capital District since 2017 and is primarily comprised of former members of the now de-funk Bohemian Slacker and Conehead Buddha.
Based primarily in Columbia County, the band features: Tom Williams (bass, guitar, vocals), Seth Falon (guitar, vocals), Scott Basil (guitar, bass, vocals), Eugene Datri (percussion, vocals) and Jack Darraq (saxophone, bass clarinet, vocals). All veteran players of the music scene in Columbia and Greene County, Till The Earth bring a vast collective knowledge to the stage that only performing live can provide.
Till The Earth brings a jam band sensibility to their sets and have been featured regularly at the Chatham Brewery for past year or so, developing a contingent of loyal fans that grow every time they perform. Their performances primarily focuses on a variety of original works that the players have penned over the span of their musical careers, but also feature covers by bands such as The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Neil Young and more!
For the past seven years, LOCKN’ has been a true musical haven for improvisation, acting as a base for some of the most famous and remarkable collaborations. This year was no exception as some of this music scene’s most influential artists came together to share moments with festival patrons that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
The atmosphere at LOCKN’ this year was unique in that the festival felt smaller in scale compared to some of the past years when the grounds were overflowing with festivalgoers by virtue of acts like Phish, Disco Biscuits, The String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic. In a way, the experience was more intimate and special as a result, with the performing artists’ music sweeping out into the crowd to bring their audience on a journey that was curated for their experience and their memories only.
It is always interesting to see the year-to-year tweaks that the festival implements to change the mood or improve the experience for patrons. This year, the thing that stood out was the late night shows in Garcia’s Forest, which included Circles Around the Sun, Soulive and Galactic.
Never miss a LOCKN’ sunset. Oteil & Friends
For those of us that have been six-to-seven year patrons of the festival, it is nostalgic to remember back to a widely favored and heralded set at LOCKN’ by the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2014 in the Garcia Forest. What a trip, so many years later, to experience the powerhouse group headlining the festival, joined by superstar Trey Anastasio as the key acts of the weekend.
R.I.P Neal Casal, pictured at his last performance with Oteil & Friends.
Festivalgoers of this year’s LOCKN’ will forever evoke the memories of Neal Casal’s final performances, before our music community tragically lost him the Monday following the festival. This past weekend, Neal Casal performed late night on Thursday night with his outfit, Circles Around the Sun, which was orginially formed back in 2015 to record the interlude music for The Grateful Dead’s 50th Anniversary Fare Thee Well shows. Joe Russo performed a surprise sit-in with the group Thursday evening, in light of a collaborative EP that is due to release later this fall. Neal was seen again on stage with powerhouse group Oteil Burbridge & Friends, which also included Bob Weir and Duane Betts. Here is a clip of his solo on Thursday night with Circles Around the Sun:
“Interlocking” sets was the theme of the weekend, as always, at LOCKN’. Bob Weir graced a number of sets as a guest, as usual, including Oteil & Friends’ set where he sat in for “Cassidy” and a “Happy Birthday” song to Oteil; he joined Twiddle with Eric Krasno and John Popper for “Eyes of the World;” Old Crow Medicine; and Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians for “Deep Elem Blues.” Bob Weir was also “sitting in” during Joe Russo’s Almost Dead set when the camera spanned to him sitting side stage on a couch listening to JRAD’s set that included cuts like “Ruben and Cherise,” “Peggy-O,” “The Other One,” “Casey Jones” and “Uncle John’s Band,” to name a few.
Other notable moments of the weekend include one of the early sets of the weekend, when Trey played with the Thai-funk improv outfit Khruangbin, adding his legendary guitar licks to songs like, “Lady & Man” and “People Everywhere (Still Alive).” Moon Alice performed with the T Sisters and Lester Chambers and his son Dylan Chambers on Friday on classics such as “Uncle Johns Band” and “Attics Of My Life,” in addition to a few Moon Alice classics. Melvin Seals & JGB played a set together with John Kadlecik and the Pigeons Playing Ping Pong set had a sit-in from the Revivalist horns, to name a few more “Lockn’ Moments.” Honorable mentions should go to Fruition, who brought a sizable crowd to an 11 a.m. Garcia’s Forest set, finishing their performance with a crowd-requested “The Meaning.” Free Union started off the main stage performances on Saturday by inviting members of the Audacity Brass Band to play with them after their set was cancelled due to the storm on Friday.
Bob Weir and John Popper of Blues Traveler sit in with Twiddle.
But the weekend recap wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the extraordinary delicacy of seeing Trey and Derek performing together. Trey and Derek, certainly not strangers to each other’s guitar licks as the first time they played together was 20 years ago, had no trouble showing their respect for each other’s craft by adding the perfect additions to their respective sets. Starting with Friday night, Derek sat in for the entire second set with Trey Anastasio Band for songs like “Set Your Soul Free,” “Ghost,” and “Blaze On” with an additional sit-in from Susan on “A Life Beyond a Dream” and “Rise/Come Together.” On Saturday, Trey sat in with TTB for covers from the Derek and the Dominos’ classic album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs while TTB proper followed with “Keep On Growing,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” and “I Am Yours.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaJ4auxoI0E
Derek Derek Derek Trey Trey Trey
Once again, the spirit at LOCKN’ was alive and well this year, and is rooted deeply now for the tradition to continue next year all over again.
To fully appreciate Intelligence Is Rising one must step back from the business (and busyness) of everyday life. As the nature shot on the album cover suggests, the music draws its inspiration from singer/songwriter Chaz Hearne and their getaways to national parks.
In the title track, Chaz Hearne & The Dazzlers encourage the listener to set down their devices and go out seeking enlightenment. This jaunty tune leads us deep into a lush soundscape. Layers of sublime harmonies and a medley of stringed instruments and piano send spirits soaring as high as the treetops on the album cover. No, higher. And the mood continues to lift through the next few tracks, cresting like the lofty mountaintops referenced in the songs “Montana” and “All The Peaks Sing.” The reverb on vocals resounds like echoes in the canyons. And twinkling piano notes spill over in a rambling cascade in “Under The Falls.”
“Now We March” starts like a typical folk song, featuring Hearne’s signature banjo-playing, perhaps signifying the start of a hike with one foot in front of the other. “Match your stride to meet my own / Now we’re two never alone,” Hearne sings. About halfway through the song, the trumpet breaks out in joyous celebration, like that moment when a wooded trail opens to a breathtaking vista.
The collection takes a turn with “Holy Moly.” The heavier musical elements lend an air of gravity to this song about the damage people have inflicted upon the environment.
Well we thought it never ended so
We lived with no consequence didn’t we
And we didn’t want a drastic solution
But it was too late, isn’t it
Isn’t it
Is it?
– lyrics from “Holy Moly”
At times infused with rock and at other times pulling in psychedelic dream-pop elements, Intelligence Is Rising surpasses expectations. You’ll find Hearne’s trademark fingerpicking on the banjo and clear tenor timbre. He also recorded the guitar, piano and organ parts for these songs. For this project, he was joined in the studio by a host of “dazzling” musicians: Susanna Rose on vocals, John Delmonico on cello, Emily Dipaola on trumpet, Willa Finck and Katie Knudsvig on violin, Reilly Solomon Taylor-Cook on bass, and Hannah Weidner on drums. The album cover was photographed and designed by Jacqueline Goodman.
Intelligence Is Rising represents both a celebration of nature and a call to action to protect and preserve the environment. Chaz Hearne & The Dazzlers have created an instant classic you’ll want to add to your playlist for your next back-to-nature road trip, or for anytime you need a breath of fresh air in your life.
The 8th annual JazzFest White Plains features a lineup of internationally renowned musicians celebrating jazz, culture and community from September 11-15. The five-day festival is produced by ArtsWestchester, The City of White Plains and The White Plains BID.
JazzFest takes place during the White Plains Jazz & Food Festival from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15. Music and entry are free, with food and beverage vendors taking over Mamaroneck Avenue in front of the historic ArtsWestchester building. Five bands will perform throughout the day, ending with the New Orleans sounds of two-time Grammy-nominated trumpeter Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings.
In addition to dozens of free and affordable concerts taking place throughout the city, headlining performances will include artists such as Mwenso & the Shakes, Camille Thurman, and Emmet Cohen with George Coleman and Jimmy Cobb.
Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester, explains: “The 2019 JazzFest White Plains lineup presents a diverse roster of path-breaking artists from young rising stars Joel Ross (vibes), Melissa Aldana (sax), Emmet Cohen (piano), and Camille Thurman (voice/sax) to jazz legends George Coleman (sax) and Jimmy Cobb (drums). Featured artists are known for their work as performers and composers, bringing jazz into conversation with Afro-Brazilian music, Colombian folk rhythms, Cuban charango, hip-hop, Ashanti drumming, funk and reggae. There’s truly something for everyone at this year’s JazzFest.”
The 2019 JazzFest White Plains Lineup: Wednesday, Sept. 11 Noon |Downtown Music at Grace Church, 33 Church St. Nanny Assis Trio (FREE) Bahia native Nanny Assis is a singer, drummer, percussionist and songwriter. He is a master of Brazilian Jazz, Afro-Brazilian music and other popular and folkloric sounds from his homeland. 12:30 pm |Court Street Farmer’s Market, 59 Court St. Kristina Koller (FREE) As a vocalist, arranger and composer, Kristina Koller pushes “vocal jazz” in a new direction. Her music melds different genres with uplifting traditional jazz standards. 5:30-9:30 pm | Downtown White Plains Jazz Stroll (FREE) 5:30 pm | Mediterraneo White Plains (189 Main St.) Albert Rivera Quartet -Saxophonist Albert Rivera has toured North America and played at venues such as the River Room in Harlem and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center. In 2009, he was the recipient of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. 6:30 pm | Morton’s The Steakhouse (5 Mamaroneck Ave.) Pablo Mayor’s Folklore Urbano -NYC Trio Pablo Mayor is one of the leading contemporary voices of Colombian music. His trio combines the native rhythms of Colombia with Jazz, Salsa, and Cuban Charanga. The Folklore Urbano NYC Trio has been heard throughout the USA, including renowned venues across the NYC area, as well as Canada and Colombia. 7:30 pm | The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester (3 Renaissance Square) The Brian Carter Quartet -Jazz drummer Brian Carter has affiliations with many musicians, including Bob Baldwin, Gil Parris, Bernie Williams, Eddie Henderson, Wali Ali, Nico Morelli and the late Didier Lockwood. 8:30 pm | Sunset Restaurant Bar (49 Mamaroneck Ave.) Gilberto Colon Jr. & Ensalada De Pulpo- Gilberto “Pulpo” Colón Jr. is a pianist, composer, arranger, producer and band leader best known for his role as Musical Director for salsa superstar Héctor Lavoe. Colón has worked & recorded with some of Latin music’s most popular artists. Thursday, Sept. 12 Noon | Jazz at Noon: White Plains Public Library Plaza, 100 Martine Ave. Eunha So Quartet (FREE) -Pianist and composer Eunha So plays across genres, from classical to jazz. She has trained under several prominent artists, including Eric Gunnison, Art Lande, and Pete Malinverni. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase’s graduate program in Jazz Studies. 6:30 pm | Outdoor Plaza at 5 City Place Keyon Harrold (FREE) – Keyon Harrold, who was raised in Ferguson, Missouri, was schooled in the straight-ahead jazz tradition. The trumpeter has been featured on more than one hundred jazz, R&B, hip-hop, gospel and blues albums, in addition to Miles Ahead, the Grammy Award-winning movie about Miles Davis. Harrold has recorded or performed with Gregory Porter, Prince, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige and many others. 8:00 pm | ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave. Pete Malinverni’s Jazz-Chester, feat. Ralph Lalama, Mike Migliore and Aaron Seeber ($25) – Pete Malinverni is Head of Jazz Studies at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. He has been a fixture on the New York City jazz scene since moving there in the early 1980s, and has recorded fourteen times as a leader in solo piano, trio, quartet, quintet, big band and choral contexts. During his time in NYC, Malinverni has recorded and performed with a host of masters, including Joe Lovano, Vernel Fournier, Charles Davis, Mel Lewis, Dennis Irwin, Jon Faddis, Karrin Allyson, Steve Wilson and many others. 10:00 pm | ($10) ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave. Jazz Jam – Audience members can sign up for a jazz jam led by Jake Robinson of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, Ed Palermo of Hoff-Barthelson Music School, Bob Gingery from Concordia Conservatory and Pete Malinverni from SUNY Purchase College. Friday, Sept. 13 Noon | Jazz at Noon: White Plains Public Library Plaza, 100 Martine Ave. The Marcio Garcia Trio (FREE) -Dominican pianist, composer and educator Marcio Garcia has performed at the Stanford Jazz Institute, the 2016 Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, Five Points Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, Blue Note NYC, Birdland and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. 5:00 pm | White Plains Plaza, 1 N. Broadway Kotoko Brass (FREE) -Kotoko Brass melds the traditional drum rhythms of Ghana, the sturdy bass and keyboards of the Caribbean, and the joyous horns of New Orleans to forge a new sound of its own. The band has shared the stage with Femi Kuti, the California Honeydrops, Vieux Farka Toure, Innov Gnawa, Take 6, the Boston Pops and more. 7:30 pm | ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave. Joel Ross ‘Good Vibes’ ($20 for 7:30pm | $35 for both 7:30 & 9pm) Chicago native Joel Ross, twice selected as a Thelonious Monk Institute National All-Star and a 2013 Young Arts Jazz Finalist, has performed with established artists like Herbie Hancock, Louis Hayes and Christian McBride, as well as with cutting-edge contemporaries like Gerald Clayton, Jon Batiste and more. He’s also performed at the Brubeck, Monterey, Seattle and Chicago Jazz Festivals, and internationally-celebrated venues like Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York, SF Jazz in San Francisco, and Club Vibrato in Los Angeles. Ross recently completed a two year fellowship with the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet in California. 9:00 pm | ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave. Joel Ross ‘Good Vibes’ feat. Melissa Aldana ($20 for 7:30 pm | $35 for both 7:30 & 9 pm) – Chilean saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana has had a remarkably rapid evolution, from being a six-year-old sax prodigy to now being widely considered one of the most compelling tenor saxophonists on the scene. In 2013, Aldana became both the first female instrumentalist and the first South American to win the Thelonious Monk Competition. She is also a recipient of the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center and a double recipient of the Altazor Award, Chile’s prestigious national arts prize. Aldana has released four recordings as a leader. Recently, she premiered the commissioned suite, Visions for Frida Kahlo, before touring Brazil, Europe and Australia with her quartet.
Saturday, Sept. 14 11:00 am | Court Street Farmer’s Market, 59 Court St. Tim Veeder Quartet (FREE) – The Tim Veeder Quartet electrifies audiences locally, nationally and abroad with jazz/funk/fusion originals in addition to fresh, funky takes on jazz standards. Veeder has shared the stage with many notable artists, including Bucky Pizzarelli, Richie Cannata, Jay Azzolina, drummer Richie Morales and many others. 2:00 pm | Galleria White Plains, 100 Main St. Jazz at the Galleria Youth Showcase (FREE) 2:00 pm |White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave Hands-On Jazz for Families (FREE) – Join teachers from The Music Conservatory of Westchester for a participatory music event at the White Plains Public Library. 8:00 pm | White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place Emmet Cohen Quartet feat. George Coleman & Jimmy Cobb ($29-44) Recognized as a prodigy who began playing at age three, multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen has emerged as one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music. Cohen is the recent winner of the American Pianists Association’s prestigious 2019 Cole Porter Fellowship. In this performance, his ensemble will be joined by two of jazz’s greatest figures, George Coleman and Jimmy Cobb. Among countless accomplishments, Coleman was recognized as a National Endowment of the Arts “Jazz Master,” played in Max Roach’s band, was a member of the Miles Davis quintet with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams, and played on Hancock’s landmark Blue Note recording, Maiden Voyage. Jimmy Cobb made his name in support of Dinah Washington, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery and Sarah Vaughan, and on hundreds of studio sessions. As the drummer on Davis’ legendary album Kind of Blue, Cobb may be the most frequently heard drummer in jazz history. Sunday, Sept. 15: Noon-5:30 pm | Mamaroneck Ave. at Main St. White Plains Jazz & Food Festival (FREE ENTRY) Noon-12:45 pm | Lagond Music All-Stars – Lagond Music School presents a lineup of some of Westchester County’s finest young musicians. The ensemble performs a range of music from Latin jazz to danceable funk. 1:05-1: 50 pm | Art Bennett and The Organic Ensemble – Saxophonist Art Bennett was born and raised in White Plains, where he first began studying jazz. Active in the “Loft Jazz” movement of the 1970s in New York City, he has performed with greats Lonnie Smith, Rashied Ali, Roy Brooks, Willian Parker, and many others. 2:10–3 pm | Mwenso & The Shakes -Taking from the stylings of Fats Waller, Muddy Waters, James Brown and other American musical legends, Mwenso & The Shakes put on an electrifying show. Immigrating from Sierra Leone, London, South Africa, Greenwich Village, Madagascar, France, Jamaica, and Hawaii, the Shakes now call Harlem their home. 3:20–4:10 pm | Camille Thurman with The Darrell Green Trio -Camille Thurman is a “rising star” (Downbeat Magazine) who excels in both saxophone – from which energy soars, and vocals – from which she embraces a soulful dynamism and spirited “Fitzgerald-esque” (All About Jazz) scat. She has performed for audiences throughout the world. 4:30–5:30 pm | Alphonso Horne and The Gotham Kings -Two-time Grammy Award-nominated trumpeter Alphonso Horne has put together a band that weaves the sound of New Orleans into a rich musical fabric that demonstrates the history of the trumpet and the story of jazz. Inspired by the music of King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, The Gotham Kings use the virtuosity of the young Louis Armstrong and innovative genius of King Oliver to take you on a journey of sound that encompasses rags, stomps, shouts and funk.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the festival website here.
Summer is slowly coming to a close, and the Capital Region of Albany has had a trove of music this summer. Starting with Tulip Fest in May, to the Music Haven series in Schenectady, an incredible summer calendar at SPAC, to local weekly series that bring communities together and, of course, Albany’s Alive at Five, the quad-cities of New York have some of the most eclectic music offerings around the state. Check out the final performer at Alive at Five, Marco Benevento Trio and get ready for his set at Adirondack Independence Music Festival this weekend in Lake George!
Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and his band delighted fans at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Friday, August 23 on part of his Supernatural Now Tour.
Coinciding with the anniversary of Santana’s 50th anniversary at Woodstock, the Supernatural Now Tour initially felt like a substitute for the long-promised (and repeatedly canceled) Woodstock concert.
Playing after the Doobie Brothers, who got the crowd on their feet dancing and singing along for a solid hour before the main event, Santana came out at 8:45 pm after showing a montage of Woodstock photos accompanied by some sultry, jazzy guitar, trumpet and keys. The photos started with a hand-painted sign from the 1969 concert stating “War is not healthy for children and other living things.”
Not only did the photos serve as a reminder that the then 19-year-old Santana shocked the world with his talent on the guitar at Woodstock, but that he has spent the last 50 years impressing crowds – and is still impressing them – with his passionate commitment to using music to empower others to do right by the earth. To top it off, the montage was accompanied by the music of one of Santana’s influences, Miles Davis.
Opening with one of Carlos’s earliest compositions, “Soul Sacrifice,” Santana and the band began the night with a heavy emphasis on jazz fusion with elements of rock. Santana’s soulful signature sound came through immediately as he shared the stage with other incredibly inspiring musicians. His wife Cindy Blackman Santana, a creative percussionist and legend in her own right, was captured by overhead cameras demonstrating precision and strength on drums that was inspiring. Ray Green and Andy Vargas were on vocals, Benny Rietveld, perhaps best known for his touring with Miles Davis, was on bass, and David Mathews was demonstrating how keyboards can lend swing to the melody. Rounding out with Karl Perazzo and Paoli Mejias, also on percussion, and Tommy Anthony on guitar, the Supernatural Now Tour appeared unnaturally gifted with musical genius.
While better known for a few of his popular hits in the 1990s, Santana is powerful in his intuitive fusion of rock, Latin and jazz. He’s expanded interest to African music, recently releasing Africa Speaks. The combination of styles was the right formula to get the crowd dancing, and to show off the creative aptitude of the band. Their performance of “Jin-go-bo-la,” accompanied by a video of African men and women dancing in traditional garb, intensified the high energy of the crowd. Smoothing into “Evil Ways” right afterwards, the vocalists shone while demonstrating flexibility in pitch, style and presentation.
The diversity of music styles kept fans guessing about what would happen next. From hosting the Doobie Brothers back on stage for “Some Kind of Wonderful” to instrumentals featuring Carlos Santana’s ever-evolving but still consistent signature sound, the concert was constantly shifting, expanding musical styles and blowing through boundaries.
Of course, the crowd went wild for “Oye Como Va,” a popular favorite. Dancing in their seats, fans were inspired by the powerful drumming and compelling vocal performances.
And then there was Santana on guitar, vital and creative as ever. The 69-year-old was spry as he moved across the stage, still curious about music, still passionate about sound and movement.
The musicians used bongos, whistles, maracas, tambourines, trombones and, of course, their voices, drum sets and guitars to really shake up the sounds. It was more like attending a world music concert than a pop or rock concert, which is just what Santana wants. Honoring Coltrane and Davis, he reflected on his love of jazz but also moved to include some Latin and African roots music too.
Carlos Santana is passionate about peace, children and saving rainforests. He was proud to have his family on stage with him, and his smile and brief words reflected a man who has found his place in the world. He’s passionate about music and expanding boundaries. And from listening to the songs from his new work, Santana’s passion is keeping him as vital and youthful as ever.
The Knotfest Roadshow came to Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday with one of the heaviest lineups currently touring the United States, starring Slipknot.
This was not just a tour, but the foundation for a yearly “Knotfest Roadshow” package that could continue to add heavy-hitting bands if Slipknot so desires. The traveling museum with the display of the band’s iconic masks and other items gave fans a much more personal touch and is another reason why this tour is so good.
Fans packed into the nearly sold out Darien Lake Performing Arts Center ready for one hell of metal show. Metal isn’t dead, and this show proves just that.
Behemoth took the stage as “Solve” echoed through the amphitheater with a giant backdrop of the United States and an upside-down cross in the middle of it. Fans unfamiliar with Behemoth were shown exactly what they are about with the satanic imagery, black skull masks, and chanting as the band took the stage. Immediately, Behemoth started their heavy and relentless set with “Wolves Ov Siberia”, which included some great pyrotechnics and followed right into “Daimonos”.
The only real break during their set was when Adam “Nergal” Darski went side stage and grabbed two flaming metal spheres and performed what appeared to be a ritual before blasting into “Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer” – the highlight of their set which was accompanied by tons of pyro.
Behemoth commanded the attention of everyone watching, with Nergal being a charismatic frontman. With the amount of pyrotechnics, showmanship, and overall incredible sound, one would expect this to be direct support to Slipknot. The only downside to their set was that it was only seven songs long.
Closing out with “Sabbath Matter”, and lastly “Chant For Eschaton 2000” – Behemoth left a very good impression. With a loud “HAIL SATAN!” yelled by Nergal the band ended their set and had the crowd on their feet wanting more.
Gojira was up next, and the progressive metallers from France would not disappoint. Opening up with “Toxic Garbage Island”, Gojira delivered a heavy eight-song set. Joe Duplantier displayed his impressive fretwork on the guitar, while still doing vocals throughout the night. The sound was flawless as the band played some of their biggest hits, including “Back Bone,” and the fan-favorite, “Flying Whales”.
While not as theatrical as Behemoth’s performance, Gojira had a stripped-down, raw, and heavy feeling that captivates you and draws you right in. Finishing off their set with “The Gift Of Guilt,” Gojira had an intense performance that left the crowd buzzing.
After a quick set change, it was time for Volbeat. Fans seemed to be pretty mixed on their feelings towards this band. Some really enjoyed them, while others were clearly there for the heavier acts of the night. Once frontman Michael Poulson took the stage, the band kept the spirit alive with “Devil’s Bleeding Crown,” an early rock and country influence with a taste of metal.
Volbeat also played some new material, including the song “Leviathan.” Other highlights from their set included the fan-favorite “Warrior’s Call” as well as the Slayer-influenced “Slaytan”. Ending their set with their most well-known song, “Still Counting,” the audience was very enthusiastic in singing along and seemed to pleasantly surprise even the more hardcore metalheads in attendance.
Finally, it was Slipknot time. After almost five hours from the time the show started (there was also a good 45-minute wait between Volbeat and Slipknot) the headliner was ready to take the stage. With a huge black tarp covering the stage with “Slipknot” written across lit up in an eerie orange glow, the hype was real. Fans were already screaming waiting for the curtain to drop, with the thought of Slipknot performing completely reinvigorating the entire venue.
The curtain dropped giving a view of the brand new stage production Slipknot has brought, and it is big. The new three-tiered stage is almost overwhelming when you first lay eyes on it. There’s so much going on you don’t really know where to start looking first. There’s video panel walls, air vent windmills, a treadmill that Sid Wilson marched on, and a couple of epic drum kits.
Each song was also uniquely lit to fit the mood. The heavy opener “People = Shit” was very red-hued, followed by a relaxing blue hue for “(sic),” and lots of pyro for “The Devil in I”.
With the very recent release of We Are Not Your Kind, Slipknot played a few new songs off the album. The crowd went nuts over “Unsainted,” which sounds amazing live. “All Out Life” was another new one that performed very well, and also included some awesome pyro and explosions.
Clown made his way down from up top with a flaming torch that he used to beat on a steel drum hanging from above during the performance of “Duality.” The performance of “Sulfer” seemed to raise the energy even higher than it already was with Corey Taylor going all out.
They ended their set with an encore of “Spit It Out” followed by “Surfacing.” The crowd did not seem tired at all from the amount of chaos they had been enduring. Corey Taylor is an incredible frontman and is absolutely dedicated to his art and performance. The Knotfest Roadshow is an absolute must-see for fans of metal and rock music. All the bands on the bill bring a unique, fun, and lasting experience. Each of these bands could have easily headlined, and the fact that a tour like this can be brought together makes it exciting for what future Knotfest Roadshows could entail.
NYC has waited for a Rowdytown. We finally got one last Friday as Big Gigantic’s Rowdytown New York 3D descended into the Brooklyn Mirage to a sold out crowd. Hippie Sabotage, Shallou, Louis Futon and ilo ilo were the supporting artists at this high-energy EDM event. The industrial views of Manhattan from the venue combined with the onstage sensory odyssey made for a crazy night of music.
Ashe sings with Big Gigantic
Ilo ilo started off the evening. Little is known about this enigmatic duo, though recently they took Louis the Child on a scavenger hunt through New York City to release the track “come thru.” Their eclectic mix of electro-pop and bass distortion really got the crowd going.
ilo ilo
Los Angeles-based Louis Futon brought his exciting mix of electronic hip hop, r&b and soul to the stage next. He was joined by Hailey Niswanger (flute, saxophone), Jawann Blanchey (drums) and Ariel Shrumpet (trumpet), with Blanchey on stage the entire time. His blend of fresh beats, organic instruments and clever visual displays was particularly tasty.
Louis Futon
Shallou, also from Los Angeles, kept the party going with delicious ambient and house melodies. The venue was almost full to capacity at this point, and the crowd was really digging Shallou’s visual production.
Shallou
Big Gigantic took the stage to a roaring crowd wearing 3D glasses. The band members include Dominic Lalli (saxophone/producer) and Jeremy Salken (drums). Behind the band sat a huge LED screen with vibrant 3D imagery that coordinated with the lights on stage and at high points in the venue. Big Gigantic played new hits and old favorites, starting with songs like “Touch the Sky” and “C’mon.” Halfway through the set, singer Ashe joined the band on stage for their recent collaboration, “Friends.”
Big Gigantic’s Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken
Sacramento, California’s Hippie Sabotage provided even more high energy as the late night entertainment after Big Gigantic’s monster set. This indie electro duo isn’t afraid of late nights, as they started at 2:20 a.m. and blazed into the night.
NYC is still reeling from our first Rowdytown 3D party. The outdoor festival feel was well executed, bands were on point, and the venue was perfect for the occasion. NYC looks forward to the next one.
KISS brought their End Of The Road Tour to Syracuse, NY at the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater last night. Fans of the iconic rock stars were treated to loud heavy guitars, theatrics, explosions, silly gimmicks, lots of fire, fast paced music, and even more explosions. Even if you’re not a big fan of their music, it’s hard to not have a great time at a KISS concert. With all the production, rivaled by very few others in the music industry, KISS is just a great time.
As the name suggests, this claims to be their last and final tour ever. With Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley both near 70 years old, it would be good timing to retire the band that has been performing since 1973. If this truly is the final KISS tour, it is going out with a bang with one of the most pyrotechnic, flame-throwing concert sets you’ll ever experience .
Neal Casal, prolific guitarist and member of Circles Around the Sun, Chris Robinson Brotherhood and many more over his career, has died at age 50. Pitchfork reports through a representative of Casal that the death was ruled a suicide. The tragic news was confirmed on Neal’s Instagram account this morning.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1qfCJHDC73/
A native of Denville, NJ, Casal was best known for his work with Circles Around the Sun, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Hazy Malaze and Blackfoot. Ryan Adams shared his thoughts this morning on his Cardinals bandmate
Oh man. My heart is broken What an honor to have known you, true believer. I love you. Go easy “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain”#RIPNealCasalpic.twitter.com/4vlj3l2EoU
Casal had performed at Lockn’ Festival in Arrington, VA. this past weekend with Circles Around the Sun (as well as with Oteil and Friends), a project that originated from being tapped to compose music played over the P.A. during setbreak of Fare Thee Well in July 2015. That music was so well received by fans, that Circles Around the Sun released the music as a double album,Interludes for the Dead, in 2016 and made their debut at Lockn’ Festival that summer, as noted by Jambase.
In addition to his recent success with Circles Around the Sun, Casal was an original member of Chris Robinson Brotherhood alongside the Black Crowes co-founder. From 2005-2009, Casal was a member of Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, during which time Easy Tiger and Cardinology were released to critical acclaim. Neal spoke with American Songwriter in 2012 and said this of his time with The Cardinals:
“It really was a great lineup… For a couple years there, man, we were on fire. We really were. We were playing some amazing shows and running through Ryan’s entire catalog, just burning those songs to the ground. We really felt confident for awhile. We had a lot of synergy, we were all really connected, and everyone believed in it. We were firing on all cylinders. It was a great thing to be a part of.”
Casal was also a founding member of Hard Working Americans, a supergroup including Dave Schools and Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic), singer Todd Snider, and Chad Staehly (Great American Taxi), and performed with Phil Lesh and Friends on numerous occasions. Neal was also a photographer who shot cover art for a number of albums and publications.
This October 18, Casal’s upcoming EP Circles Around the Sun Meets Joe Russo, is scheduled to be released. Listen to “Peace Reprise” from the forthcoming album.
