So Last Year’s “Minutes Away. Worlds Apart” is a song about that moment in a relationship when one person is having to tell the other that things are just not going to work out.
The song came to Logan, lead singer and writer, over the course of a week, and after working on the song he realized that the bridge would be the perfect moment to bring the whole scene together. In the bridge, both people are singing to each other at the same time, one explaining how things aren’t working and the other explaining how there’s still hope to make it work. The song really conveys tension between two people that are at two different places in a relationship, both lyrically and musically.
Logan’s musical theater background leads him to write in story format often, and this song is no exception. Fans of catchy hooks, funky guitar riffs and toe-tapping drums with be in love from the moment they hear the song start. You can expect it to be featured on So Last Year’s upcoming album.
Guster made the best of weather malfunctions at SummerStage 2019 in Central Park on Thursday, August 8. The beautiful stage and lush canopy of trees created a secluded, intimate environment in the heart of New York City. The day was filled with beautiful skies, and the weather forecast was partially cloudy without indication of showers, up until later on in the day.
Rubblebucket has delicious clouds as they perform
Indie rockers, Rubblebucket, opened for Guster, and were fortunate to have blue skies and incredible cloud mood throughout the show. The Brooklyn based bunch includes: Alex Toth (trumpet, leader), Kalmia Taver (vocals, saxophone), Adam Dotzon (trumpet, vocals, flutero), Ryan Dugre (guitar), Noga Shefi (bassa), Jeremy Gustin (drums), and Sean Smith (trumpet). Their vibrant, colorful outfits and art-pop spirit descended upon Central Park, and offered synchronized dancing on stage, as well as a high level of connectivity as they grooved together. At one point, the energetic Taver had the audience sing “Love, Love, Love, Love” while pointing with one finger in the air, transitioning into “Came Out of a Lady.” Rubblebucket made many new fans that night.
Kalmia Taver interacts with the audience
Boston, MA’s Guster took the stage at 7:46 pm, with storm clouds moving Northeasterly, towards the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Guster consists of Ryan Miller (guitar and vocals), Adam Gardner (guitar and vocals), Brian Rosenworcel (drums and percussion), and Luke Miller (bass). They brought their signature blend of rock and roll as long as they could, starting with “What You Wish For” from Lost and Gone Forever.
Luke Reynolds of Guster is loving his job
A deep orange and pink sunset began during Ganging Up on the Sun’s “The Captain,” followed by “Don’t Go” from Look Alive. “Stay with Me” brought lightning in the west, and the orange sky transitioned into black clouds. Drops were felt during their final song, “Satellite,” another tune from Ganging Up on the Sun.
The stunning pink and orange cotton candy sunset behind Guster at SummerStage
At 8:04 pm, the rain came down, the venue cancelled the show, and the band announced that everyone needed to leave immediately. Within 10 minutes, ferocious lightning strikes rolled in, and pouring rain soaked anyone who wasn’t under cover. Mother nature took over to end the evening, but outstanding musical performances and great summer vibes were had until that point.
These Guster fans soon wished those clouds were not there!
Guster Setlist: What You Wish For, The Captain, Don’t Go, Stay With Me Jesus, Satellite…
Setlist: I Love It, Real World ’09, Lonely No More, Her Diamonds, If You’re Gone (Matchbox 20), Can’t Help Me Now, The Great Unknown, Street Corner Symphony, One Less Day (Dying Young), Little Wonders, Fire on the Mountain, Let’s Dance (David Bowie), Early in the Morning, 3AM (Matchbox 20), Ever the Same, Someday, I Am an Illusion
On Friday, August 2, Train, The Goo Goo Dolls and Allen Stone entertained a sold out crowd on a perfect summer night at CMAC. All three bands brought an amazing vibe and positive energy to the evening while The Goo Goo Dolls and Train performed all their classic hits from their respective extensive catalogs spanning from the 1990’s to the present.
Allen Stone entertains the crowd
Kicking off the evening was Allen Stone, an amazing R&B and soulful artist from Chewelah, Washington. He and his band definitely had the sold out crowd primed and energized for the night. Stone, who has been on the scene since 2010, cites his influences as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and other legends. Stone is a very dynamic exceptionally entertaining showman, not to mention a phenomenal singer. It is apparent in his music and performance from where his musical inspiration originates. His set included his songs “Brown Eyed Lover” and “Chippin’ Away.” Pat Monahan even joined them on stage for a number.
John Rzeznik and Robby Takac perform “Slide”
Making their way to the stage at 7:45 p.m. were co-headliners The Goo Goo Dolls. The enthusiastic crowd was already on its feet in anticipation as John and Robby made their way to the stage. The Goo Goo Dolls launched their hour-plus set with “Stay With You” and immediately followed with “Big Machine” before swapping out guitars. John greeted the crowd while making a reference about being close to his home town of Buffalo, NY before the band performed their third hit in a row, “Slide.” The Goo Goo Dolls continued playing their mainstream hits that span two decades, including “Black Balloon,” which, you guessed it, included what seemed like thousands of black balloons floating down into the crowd, “Name”and “So Alive,” before closing out the night with “Iris” and “Broadway.” They also played “Miracle Pill” in support of their upcoming album of the same name which is due out on September 13.
John Rzeznik performs “Stay With You” Robby Takac
Finally, taking the stage at 9:20, were co-headliner Train. Train seemed to pull out all the stops on this gorgeous summer night during their performance. Not only did they play an impressive hour and forty minute, 18-song setlist which included two encores, they also brought along confetti and streamer cannons as well as some pretty dazzling pyro effects. Despite the cool bells and whistles that helped make for a mesmerizing and stunning visual performance, there seemed to be something else, something uplifting and moving during Train’s performance.
Pat Monahan and Train sending love to the sold out crowd at CMAC
Train, formed in 1993 and hailing from San Francisco, CA , has been a hit-producing machine since the release of their self titled debut album Train in 1998 with “Meet Virginia.” The multi-platinum and Grammy award winning band kicked of their set with “Calling All Angels.” It was during this song when frontman Pat Monahan put his hands up towards the sky and asked the audience to follow him in sending love to all loved ones near and far as everyone sang along. Monahan’s energy seemed to flow through the audience and back, giving a sense of connection and tranquility that flowed throughout the venue. Train’s second song, “50 Ways to Say Goodbye,” incorporated blasts of colorful confetti into the audience which continued to enthrall the crowd along with their third song, “If It’s Love.”
Confetti shoots into the crowd at CMAC during Train’s set Pat Monahan of Train
Train continued throughout the night with hit after hit including “Meet Virginia,” which featured a blazing solo by guitarist Luis Maldonado, “Hey Soul Sister”, “Play That Song,” as well as a house-rocking rendition of Queen’s “Under Pressure” and Tom Petty’s “American Girl” where John Rzeznik joined them on stage. Allen Stone also made a guest appearance on “Bruises.” Train ended the night with two encores, including a Led Zeppelin cover with “Heartbreaker” and, finally, “Drops of Jupiter,” which also included visually stunning pyrotechnics. Train rocked into the night with the energy and power of a locomotive steaming full ahead, yet the atmosphere was fun, happy and positive. I mean with balloons, beach balls, streamers, confetti and sparklers, the show was definitely a fun experience for all that attended. Despite the fun and positive hoopla, let’s not forget about all the songs that these two bands with over 50 years of combined experience deliver flawlessly night after night, while still having a blast and keeping their crowds entertained and dancing ’til the last drop.
Rob Thomas’ Chip Tooth Tour rolled into Saratoga Springs on Wednesday, July 24, complete with some great opening acts, messages of gratitude and music celebrating both past and present. Although there was a smaller crowd for the venue, fans filled in to hear singer/songwriter Chris Trapper and the thunderously joyful Abby Anderson before Thomas took the stage at 9pm.
Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. Photo by Jim Gilbert.
Rob Thomas is the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, and he brought the rock star spirit in his dramatic entrance on stage. With lights flashing in time with the drum set, punctuating his presence, Thomas strode on stage, ceasing movement with generous pauses in light, sound and movement. The fierce guitar lick danced with Thomas, who ran backward high kneeing across stage. And in a moment it was clear: he’s a rock star – with or without his famous band.
Thomas welcomed the crowd after his second song, saying hello to Saratoga with a large grin. He added, ‘Here’s the thing. We’ll do this show tomorrow night, and we played it last night. But nothing is more special than this show tonight.’ And so started the message of the evening to be present and enjoy the moment. Thomas would reiterate this both in lyrics and words, chatting with the crowd throughout the evening – celebrating life’s every day moments in song and story.
From “Her Diamonds,” which acknowledges with brutal honesty loving someone with chronic pain, to the more folksy “The Great Unknown,” a song about death, Thomas’ desire to communicate his message resounded with authenticity. He invited Chris Trapp back up to sing Trapp’s original song about death, which was mashed up with Thomas’ “happy little song about death” in a joyful and honest moment on stage.
During “Streetcar Symphony,” Thomas expressed gratitude to his opening acts and fellow musicians on stage with him. He was clear in using his talent and velvety voice to share his wisdom to celebrate life in all its moments. Thomas talked about a time with his dogs on tour when he wrote “Little Wonders” for a movie soundtrack that made him recognize the joy in life through his animals.
Thomas covered David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” getting the crowd dancing in their aisles. After a full set of 17 songs, his fans called him back for an encore performance of “…Something to Be,” followed by loved Matchbox Twenty song “Unwell” and Santana’s “Smooth.” He was visibly having a great time, dancing and moving like the rock star he has become, without the rock star attitude. Instead he demonstrated generous gratitude, sharing the applause and calling his opening acts back to perform with him.
Thomas lives his message. He was present in the moment, and loving every minute of it.
Setlist: I Love It, Real World ’09, Lonely No More, Her Diamonds, If You’re Gone (Matchbox Twenty song), Can’t Help Me Now, The Great Unknown, Streetcorner Symphony, One Less Day (Dying Young), Little Wonders, Fire On the Mountain, Let’s Dance (David Bowie cover), 3 A.M., Ever the Same, Someday, I am an Illusion.
Encore: …Something to Be, Unwell, Smooth (Santana Cover), This is How a Heart Breaks.
John Mayer chose Albany to open his 2019 tour at the Times Union Center, and a sold-out crowd was there to greet him. Playing two full sets that each could have been stand-alone concerts, Mayer required no opening band for his fans, some of whom held up signs with recommended setlists.
Photo by Jim Gilbert
Mayer casually strode across the neon backlit stage after band members set up, picked up his guitar, and gave the room chills during this heatwave with his easy, bluesy playing. They would play two full songs before Mayer greeted the crowd with a gentle “Good Evening,” and he swapped out his electric guitar for his acoustic one. The stage was bathed in purple light as Mayer responded to a fan holding up requested songs, “You’re going to get your way, well at least half of your requests” he smiled. The crowd was entranced.
There was a mix of old and new songs, songs from Mayer’s earlier career as well as hits from the present. The crowd sang along as he played “Who Says You Can’t Get Stoned” like they were away at a summer camp, except the volume of the singalong was higher.
Photo by Jim Gilbert
Mayer and his band took a few longer breaks between songs, leading one to wonder if this first night together performing brought up some unexpected moments they needed to problem solve. But no problems came through to the crowd; Mayer’s relaxed performance, joined by his very joyful band of 8 musicians, seemed like it was simply a continuation of a longer standing tour.
Mayer announced mid-first set “Hey we’re back everybody” with a big grin and was very chatty with the crowd. He struggled to let go of the fan’s request list, even sharing he has “low-grade guilt” thinking of a fan holding a sign and getting disappointed during his performance. He presented as a giant sweetheart, seeking to please others and humble about his own musical talent. He even gently shifted his setlist to include a fan’s request, stating, “So I did some thinking,” and added “Age of Worry” to the second set to please her.
Photo by Jim Gilbert
Mayer is talented, too, possibly beyond what most folks who listen to him on the radio will realize. He started in Boston’s Berklee School of Music but left the conservatory to begin performing before completing his degree. Mayer pulls melodies out of the guitar like magic; his fingers look incredibly loose as he moves them over the strings, and somehow he brings a great groove line out of the instrument. It looks effortless, but as anyone who has ever played guitar knows, that reflects years of practice.
His lyrics, too, often reflect aching and longing that the timbre of the guitar matches perfectly. Sometimes sounding like bluegrass, other times like pop, and again changing to blues, Mayer’s versatility is constantly pronounced.
Photo by Jim Gilbert
By set two, the laser cut backdrop had added some trees and sun, and some fun (if not irrelevant) visuals played behind the band as they performed “Still Feel Like Your Man.” The dancing panda was completely adorable on the video, bringing a lighter vibe out. He shifted back to blues quickly with “Love is a Verb,” where he stayed for a few more songs.
Mayer can really do anything, and the crowd at the Times Union was swaying with him, mesmerized by not only his talent but the clear talent of fellow guitar player Isiah Sharkey. Sharkey has emerged as a guitar giant in his own right, and many fans were screaming out his name in recognition of his also stunningly riffs on the guitar.
Photo by Jim Gilbert
For many fans, the best song of the night was the raw and brutally honest “In the Blood,” a recent hit by Mayer that asks if we can escape our family of origin or if we are forever slaves to repeat earlier generations’ mistakes. The crowd was clapping and singing along with the lyrics, highlights of which were on the screen overhead. This is a brutal song, if really listened to, and was a truly intense and authentic experience to watch Mayer take so many in the audience on this honest line of inquiry.
Mayer followed with a more upbeat but similarly honest “Waiting on the World to Change.” He thanked the crowd for keeping the songs alive, stating “We only play these songs because you’ve made these great songs.” He spoke about how each song brought him back to earlier days, and noted that songs hold memories for all of us, allowing us to go back and visit our earlier selves.
Photo by Jim Gilbert
Mayer is a thinker, an artist who attempts to reach for joy but isn’t afraid to grind into anxiety, sadness, lost love and the depths of despair. His writing and playing reflect that with integrity, and this resonates with fans who see themselves in that very human and raw experience.
By the close of the concert, Mayer had performed 27 songs, some of which included long jam sessions showcasing the guitar talent he shares with band members. And he never missed a beat.
Photo by Jim Gilbert
Set One: Belief, Love on the Weekend, Who Says, Helpless, Moving On and Getting Over, Something Like Olivia, Edge of Desire, Vultures, Wildfire, I Guess I Just Feel Like
Set Two: The Age of Worry(Acoustic), Emoji of a Wave(Acoustic), Daughters(Acoustic), Something’s Missing(Acoustic)(First verse only), In Your Atmosphere(Acoustic)(First part only), Still Feel Like Your Man, Love Is a Verb, Why Georgia, The Beautiful Ones(Prince cover) (David Ryan Harris solo), Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, Rosie, If I Ever Get Around to Living, In the Blood, Waiting on the World to Change, Gravity
All Time Low announced in a tweet last week that they will be joining Blink-182 for the rescheduled Columbus, OH show of their ‘Enema of the State’ tour on September 22. Blink-182 and Lil Wayne have been on tour together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Blink’s beloved Enema of the State album. It was supposed to kick off last month in Columbus, but it had to be delayed due to production issues. For pop-punk fans, it looks like it was worth the wait.
Back in January, Blink-182 vocalist/ bassist Mark Hoppus and All Time Low frontman Alex Gaskarth joined forces to debut their new project, Simple Creatures. The duo released their first EP ‘Strange Love’ back in March, listen to it on Spotify here.
According to Lil Wayne’s website, he will not be on the tour for Columbus date in September, so fans will get a full night of pop-punk with All Time Low, Neck Deep, and Blink-182. Tickets for the remaining shows, (listed below) including the All Time Low date, are on sale now.
July 19 – New York, NY – Good Morning America July 20 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre July 21 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion July 23 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion July 25 – West Palm Beach – Coral Sky Amphitheatre July 26 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre July 27 – Atlanta, GA – Cellaris Amphitheatre at Lakewood July 29 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place July 31 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 1 – Austin, TX – Austin360 Amphitheater August 2 – Dallas, TX – The Dos Equis Pavilion August 4 – El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center * August 5 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion August 7 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre August 8 – Los Angles, CA – The Forum August 9 – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands ^ August 27 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre August 30 – Portland, OR – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater August 31 – Seattle, WA – White River Amphitheatre
September 2 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre September 4 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center September 6 – Wichita, KS – Hartman Arena * September 7 – Council Bluffs, IA – Stir Cove * September 8 – Kansas City, MO – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater September 10 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre September 12 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center September 14 – St. Loius, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre September 16 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center September 18 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion September 20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center September 22 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena $ October 11 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock ^
* without Lil Wayne ^ blink-182 festival date $ with All Time Low
Shira Yevin, better known as Shiragirl, upset The Vans Warped Tour atop her pink tour bus in 2004, so much that the following year she was given her own SHIRAGIRL stage to curate the amazing female talent in the industry. Since, she has been drawing fans with her edge and overwhelming personality – full of energy. So infectious that she has shared the stage with Joan Jett, NOFX, and Rancid, whom she is currently working on her upcoming album with.
“I’m Stoked to be playing the Warped 25th Anniversary in AC. I lived in Brooklyn for a long time, but I am originally a Jersey Girl, little known fact, so it’s pretty cool to be here.
Shiragirl. Photograph by Lisa Johnson – Rock Photographer. All Rights Reserved.
I’ve played in a lot of awesome, fun Jersey shows and obviously all the Warped Tours over the years. In Jersey we would do a lot of basement shows and in New York it’s about the clubs. I love New York City, it’s my favorite city in the world.”
Shiragirl just released a new single on Tuesday, July 2, called “Nothing to Loose” off their upcoming EP, Andi Underground. Produced by Rancid’s Tim Armsrong, the album weaves a mysterious concept loosely inspired by Alison in Wonderland. “It’s a dystopian tail where black mirror meets the runaways,” said Shiragirl. The album was recorded at The Boat studio, mixed by Cameron Webb and mastered by Andrew Alekel. Shiragirl features co-performers Raine Palladino and Leanne Bowes.
Finally, Andi’s crew hacks the system and takes down the filter software, and all that it upholds: social control, apathy and compliance. Now the people are free to see reality how it really is, rise up, empower themselves, and most importantly, do as they please.
Depicting “Creepin” – Andi Underground (To Be Released July 19).
“Nothing To Loose” when Andi follows Rabbit down a dark hole to an underground world.
“This is the character Andi Underground,” as she pulled a pair of anime-esque stickers out of her bag and showed me. “It’s about this girl that runs away from home and falls into an underground world and decides she needs to save everyone. I’ve always loved Alice in Wonderland. There’s a lot of different ways you can spin it; a lot of metaphors.”
The record is also inspired by our current political climate. “I feel that as much as we escape into TV and movies talking about futures, it is here already. Technology controls our lives, there’s a lot of things happening in the news where one could say we’re already in borderline dictatorship. There’s a lot of scary things happening so the record is an artistic way to make a statement about what I think, or dangers of the cultural norms that grow from being so technology based.”
“I think its hard in the social media day and age you have to put everything out there, you have to be on it – on it- on it. It’s hard to live in the moment with that, but constantly sharing content, music, videos and sharing, speaking to the fans and being connected to the fans. It is so cool to meet people after the show, just to feel like we made their day better is a great feeling.”
“It’s amazing to see how the tour has grown and affected so many people,” said Brooklyn’s Shiragirl. “To be apart of this is a huge honor – there are so many amazing bands. We are super stoked to be apart of the final chapter. Last year we were lucky enough to bring back the stage for the final full cross country tour. I just have nothing but great things to say about Kevin Lymann. I wanna be like him when I grow up.”
After 25 long years the famed Vans Warped Tour has decided to discontinue its summer tradition. But not without one last party! Three final festival dates announces in each section of the country, last weekend it was the east coasts turn and what better way than to close it out with a two-day party on the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey. An amazing lineup that included: Blink 182, Taking Back Sunday, Bad Religion, The Offspring, 311, The Used, A Day To Remember, and a lot more of Vans Warped Tour long list of alumni. Fans of the Pop Punk genre showed up in the thousands for one last time to get warped.
Joywave dropped the first single off their highly-anticipated third album, Like a Kennedy. In conjunction with the release, they announced “The Possession Sessions,” a handful of show dates including intimate shows in Rochester on June 29 and Brooklyn on July 11. The hometown show in Rochester at The Bug Jar sold out in a few hours, and a second-late night set has just been added. Tickets are on sale here. See the complete list of upcoming shows below.
In a commentary that is available to stream now, Armbruster explains:
“I think a lot of people will probably try to fit this song into some type of political narrative, but that’s really not the point. It’s a song about complete exhaustion and media burnout. It’s an anti-chaos song. Every screen you walk by DEMANDS your attention. Everything is BREAKING NEWS in all caps. It’s a really difficult time to think about the mundane small-scale things that have been the focus of human existence until very recently. I don’t think people should check out, but I think it’s beneficial to at least zoom out and not take the bait every time. It feels like everything is designed to keep us enraged 24 hours a day. We deserve a little sanity.”
– Daniel Armbruster
The Possession Sessions:
June 29 – Rochester, NY – The Bug Jar
JULY 9 – Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge
July 11 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere (Zone One)
July 13 – Chicago, IL – Taste of Chicago
July 18 – Fayetteville, AR – Free Summer Concert Series at JBGB *
July 19 – Kansas City, MO – Coors Light Block Party *
August 10 – Redmond, WA – 107.7 The End Presents Summer Camp *
