It really takes a special talent to bring a performance to life, like the way Lindsey Stirling does. Her show at the great New York State Fair on Friday, August 23 was inspiring. Lindsey can play the violin flawlessly while dancing choreographed parts of her songs with dancers, and alone. It was a beautiful mix of dance, ballet and music. Lindsey performed many of her hits including “The Upside,” “Crystallize” and “Shatter Me.”
20,000 fans showed up to party with Ice Cube to see the legendary rap icon, movie star and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer packed Chevy Court at the New York State Fair. Decked out in his trademark black bandana, tucked under a ball cap and dark sunglasses, Ice Cube got the party kicked off with the body moving track, “The New Funkadelic.”
Ice Cube and hype man Dub C “WC” delivered a slew of bass heavy, pumping dance songs spanning Ice Cube’s 30-year career from his beginnings in NWA to his most current release Everythang’s Corrupt.
Ice Cube paused and addressed the crowd shouting, “There ain’t nothing like rockin’ a house on Friday night.” He was quickly corrected by Dub C who pointed out that it was still only the middle of the week. “Whenever you see Ice Cube, it’s a goddamn Friday,” the rapper said as he gave Dub C the stare down.
Ice Cube kept the crowd bumping with notables such as “Check Yo Self,” “Straight Outta Compton” (tease) bridging into “Gansta Gansta,” followed by “No Vaseline.” The set felt short, 60-minutes, but no one in the crowd could complain about the closing number, “It was a Good Day,” one of his greatest tracks ever. So, for all of you who had their doubts, who didn’t think Cube could get on stage and still rock the mic, I say, “You better check yo’ Self before you wreck yo’ self.”
Setlist: That New Funkadelic, Now I Gotta Wet’cha, You Know How We Do It, Bop Gun (One Nation), Check Yo’ Self, Friday, Roll All Day, We Be Clubbin’, Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A.), No Vaseline, Natural Born Killaz, $100 Dollar Bill Y’all, I Ain’t Got No Haters, You Can Do It, Go to Church, It Was a Good Day.
As the skies opened up on day eight of the Great New York State Fair, it didn’t deter anyone from taking a seat at Chevy Court awaiting the two-o’clock show that would feature one of the areas favorite bands, The Mavericks. People put on their ponchos, opened their umbrellas and patiently awaited the sunshine they knew was on its way from Miami. It had been three years since they last played the Syracuse Jazz Festival, and the impression it had left on the crowd was evident; they could care less that it was pouring rain. In fact, nor did I. With an umbrella in one hand, and my camera tucked neatly underneath protected from the elements, I too awaited this charismatic band to take the stage.
Celebrating 30 years together, the two original members Raul Malo and Paul Deakin, and long time members Jerry Dale McFadden and Eddie Perez were joined on stage by a full ensemble immediately kicking it into gear with favorite, “Back In Your Arms Again.” From the moment they took the stage, their eclectic mix of country, latin and rock and roll produced a signature sound that stops you in your tracks and demands your attention.
You’re locked in a trance. Your feet begin to move, your shoulders sway and your head begins to bob along with the beat Paul is laying down. Before you know it, Raul Malo’s sultry sound has you in his spell and you can’t help but dance along with Jerry as he plays his keyboards, or Eddie as he sways with his guitar. It’s inevitable. You can’t fight it.
Playing favorites such as “All Night Long” and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” The Mavericks mixed up the set with covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart” and their newest release of John Anderson’s “Swingin.” Before you knew it, the set was over and all the rain had been chased away by these southern gentlemen. Perhaps it was the mash-up of “All Night Long” and “Let the Sun Shine In” that chased away the clouds. Or perhaps it’s just the sunshine they bring to Syracuse each time they play. Whatever their magic is, Syracuse couldn’t get enough and they once again brightened our day.
Setlist: Back In Your Arms Again, All Night Long / Let the Sun Shine In, Summertime (When I’m With You), Pretend, Easy As It Seems, Dance In The Moonlight, Loving You, Hungry Heart (Bruce Springsteen), As Long As There’s Loving Tonight.
Encore: Swingin’ (John Anderson), Come Unto Me, All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down.
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 .
The boys were back in town at the New York State Fair. In 2018, Dropkick Murphys was a last minute Chevy Court fill-in for Dickey Betts, who suffered a mild stroke and was unable to perform. Singer Ken Casey announced at the 2018 performance that it was the band’s first state fair appearance. The Boston-based Celtic punk rock band drew a crowd of 13,000 in 2018. This year, they more than doubled that with an estimated 30,200 in attendance. Casey joked that, “We played here last year as a last-minute addition. They invited us back this year. I can tell you, we don’t get invited back too many places.”
Singers Al Barr and Ken Casey traded vocals throughout the evening as they ran back and forth across the stage, getting the crowd amped up. They brought along their traditional entourage of back-up sounds that included an accordion, banjo, keyboard and of course the bagpipes. All punk music should have bagpipes! The Dropkicks played a nice mix of fan favorites and rebel rousing tunes including, “The Boys Are Back,” “The State of Massachusetts,” “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya,” “First Class Loser” and their spin on the traditional Irish song “Black Velvet Band.”
The Dropkicks ripped through 23 songs and kept the crowd on their feet and bouncing along to the music. A quick poll of the audience determined there were many first-time attendees. The band ended their main set with the inspirational union track “Worker’s Song” before coming back to finish off the night. For the encore, Ken Casey let the crowd sing along to the catchy hit “Rose Tattoo.” They rounded out the evening with “Until the Next Time” and ended with their biggest sing along hit, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.” Singers Casey and Barr ran through the crowd high-fiving fans and inviting them to sing along. The band knows how to make their fans feel welcome and that is why the Dropkicks will keep getting invited back.
Review by: Kelly Besaw
Photos: Chris Besaw
Thursday morning, just hours before her show at the New York State Fair Grace Potter announced the release of her first new single in four years, the soul wrenching “Love is Love.” Fans in attendance at Chevy Court were the first to hear the song performed live according to Potter. The song is the first single from Grace Potter off her upcoming album, Daylight, set to be released October 25.
Potter told fans they were going to play a few new songs but, “had to get warmed up first.” The band kicked off the set with “Medicine” and played many dance-worthy tunes including “Loneliest Soul,” “Nothing But the Water,” “Alive Tonight,” “The Lion, The Beast, The Beat and the hip shaking hit, “Paris (Ooh La La).”
Potter proclaimed her excitement for “being back in Central New York where she belongs.” She attended college at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and recalled visiting Syracuse while she was at school. “We used to go to Syracuse to go shopping and it was the big city.” She told the audience that she has a new appreciation for State Fairs now that she has a kid, “I used to spend the whole time avoiding the fried dough. But now I’m like, yeah I’m having the fried dough.”
Grace Potter and her backup band worked their way through a high energy 95-minute set leaving the estimated 8,700 in attendance dancing as she walked off the stage. Be on the lookout for her new album Daylight October 25 and available for pre-order now.
Rob Thomas stopped at the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview on July 23 on the Chip Tooth Tour. Opening acts were direct support Abby Anderson and Chris Trapper.
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
Encore: Something to Be, Unwell (Matchbox 20), Smooth, This is How a Heart Breaks
There is a saying that it takes 15 years to become an overnight success and, with a lot of hustle and hard work, that statement rings true for the band Shinedown.
Back in February of 2004, Shinedown headlined at a small club in Syracuse with maybe 50 people in attendance. Flash forward to July 6, 2019 and they practically sold out the Syracuse Lakeview Amphitheatre. It was truly a sight to see all of their hard work back then paying off with a fan-filled amphitheatre.
Shinedown’s band members, lead vocalist Brent Smith, drummer Barry Kerch, guitarist Zach Myers and bassist Eric Bass, pour their energy out into the crowd as soon as they hit the stage. They keep a curtain up to build up anticipation but once that curtain drops, Shinedown hit the ground running.
Lead vocalist Brent Smith is a tremendous performer and front man because of his magnetic engagement with the audience, his band members and even the photographers down in the pit. Smith loves his band and his fans, which shows in how he interacts with everyone he comes in contact with at Shinedown’s shows. Smith is always very humble and thankful for Shinedown’s fans. No matter how much a fan loves a band and their music, it is always heartfelt and touching to know the band appreciates the fan in return. All relationships are a two-way street and Shinedown helps to pave both sides.
Halfway through Shinedown’s set the entire band disbursed throughout the huge audience at the amphitheatre, playing stripped down versions of “Amaryllis,” “I Dare You,” “Through The Ghost,” and “Second Chance.” It is a challenging feat to play together so well being so far apart, but they pulled it off and it was a unique way to give audience members stripped down versions of the songs.
One of the highlights of the night was when they performed one of their latest singles, “Get Up.” Smith had the crowd light up the amphitheatre with their cell phones. It was a chilling site to see and the song portrays such a positive message that it almost served as a pep talk from the band to keep going no matter what life throws at you.
Shinedown is one of those bands that simply puts on an amazing show every single time and the Syracuse, NY show was no different. When a band truly loves and appreciates their fans and truly love what they are doing it shines through in their music and performance. It may have taken the music world a little longer than Shinedown’s earlier fans from that night back in 2004 to see their amazing talent, but now the music world is aware and it’s truly apparent with the filled Lakeview Amphitheatre a few weeks ago that Shinedown has touched so many fans throughout their still growing career!
Be sure to check out one of Shinedown’s shows when they come back to NY in September. You can see Smith & Myers acoustic on September 12 and the full band with Papa Roach, Asking Alexandria, and Savage After Midnight on September 20 in Albany, NY and September 27 in Buffalo, NY.
Shinedown’s Setlist:
Devil, Diamond Eyes, Enemies, Monsters, Black Soul, I’ll Follow You, Unity, 45, Bully, Amaryllis, Through the Ghost, I dare You, Second Chance, Simple Man, Cut the Cord, Get Up, Sound of Madness, Brilliant
The Great New York State Fair is gearing up to host the biggest event of the summer in Central New York, and kicking off August 21 and running through September 2, the 174th edition of The Great New York State Fair will be host to a wide range of artists, including many local and regional acts.
This years event boasts an impressive lineup of national artists from all genres, some of which are Grace Potter, Bad Company, Dropkick Murphys, Ice Cube, Theory Of A Deadman, The Roots, Vince Neil of Motley Crue and Gavin Degraw. Regional and local artists and acts that can be seen at The State Fair include Mike Powell & The Black River, The Brownskin Band with Joe Driscoll, C.K. & the Rising Tide, Root Shock and The Lightkeepers, Devinne Myers, CNY Songbirds, Country Swagg, Atkins Riot and Brand New Sin.
Mike Powell, a Syracuse native, is a prolific writer, songwriter and storyteller. Powell has toured with many greats, and shared the stage with Martin Sexton & Shooter Jennings and is a rising star in the regional scene, with honest and heartfelt songs.
C.K. & the Rising Tide is an alternative country/folk rock band hailing from Albany. C.K. & the Rising Tide’s brand of Americana features poetic, nostalgic lyrics supported by music that is rooted in rock n’ roll and has a highly emotive baseline.
The Lightkeepers are a Syracuse-based band that provides a soul, funk, rock, jazzy blues and roots experience. As the 2016 Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMY) winners for “Best New Artist,” The Lightkeepers are now hitting their full stride in 2019. With the previous year delivering high energy performances on “Soundcheck Live” and at the New York State Blues Festival main stage, along with the release of their SAMMY Nominated sophomore album, Talking Man’s Blues, The Lightkeepers are quickly becoming revered for their mind-blowing jams and funky grooves.
More information is available on the New York State Fair website.
Baldwinsville’s picturesque Papermill Island was the scene for a gathering of upstart and veteran alternative rockers Friday night as the Big X Cuse, presented by Syracuse alt-rock station 95X, rolled into town.
The second-year event featured veteran alt-rockers Silversun Pickups alongside singer-songwriter Meg Myers, indie pop duo I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, and Syracuse-bred shoegazers Trench.
Silversun Pickups wasted no time getting into their brand new album Widow’s Weeds, opening the show with the slow building lead-off track “Neon Wounds” and the second track from the album “It Doesn’t Matter Why.” Joe Lester’s synth and backing vocals from bassist/vocalist Nikki Monninger provided a dreamy, danceable feel, complete with handclaps in the latter tune.
The band got into rock star mode with a couple of early career tracks. “Well Thought-Out Twinkles” featured some stellar distorted basswork from Monninger and intense beats from the band’s secret weapon, drummer Christopher Guanlao. “Panic Switch” from their 2009 breakthrough album Swoon followed, kicking the crowd into high gear. Guitarist/vocalist Brian Aubert whipped up a frenzy playing to the sides and front of the stage while furiously riffing.
A mix of old and new songs throughout the night kept fans on their toes. The new songs were as well-received as the standards, showing a band still at the top of its game. They closed out the set with their hit “Lazy Eye,” introduced by Aubert asking the crowd to promise to meet back here at this beautiful island in ten years to catch up with each other.
Preceding Silversun Pickups was singer-songwriter, Meg Myers. In her stripped-down set, which included just Myers and her guitarist, she proved that’s all that was needed. Her voice, at times a whisper and other times a roar, commands the listener’s attention. Shades of Tori Amos and Kate Bush can be heard in her vocal style, the latter influence coming to the fore in what was the highlight of Myers’s set, a cover of Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” Myers has the songwriting chops, passion, and vocal ability that will have her sticking around for a long time.
The unwieldy-named I Don’t Know How But They Found Me had early-arriving fans dancing along to their electro-pop bass and drums that recalled Panic! At the Disco, which shouldn’t be surprising as bassist/vocalist Dallon Weekes spent several years touring with Brandon Urie’s ever-changing Las Vegas outfit. Weekes had a tremendous stage presence and utilized an array of pedals and synths to round out the duo’s sound. Drummer Ryan Seaman was a whirlwind behind the kit the entire set.
Opening the evening was Syracuse-based alt-rockers Trench. Their sound echoed mid-90s shoegaze bands such as My Bloody Valentine and the Jesus and Mary Chain with an emo slant. Vocalist/guitarist Chris Reilly’s dreamy vocals complimented guitarist Ron Ballweber’s distorted guitar to belie the sun-swept skies of Baldwinsville.
Trench has been getting a lot of play on local airwaves, especially the weekly 95X show Locals Only, hosted by recent SAMMY Hall of Fame inductee Scott Dixon. The station, along with its sister station, The Rebel, has long showcased local talent not just in specialty programming but during the day as well. The number of people at the front of the stage as Trench began playing is a true testament to this type of counter-programming local radio is doing to combat the rise of streaming and satellite radio. Also of note was the near-sellout crowd filling this island in the middle of the Seneca River. Alternative rock has evolved to include several different styles, many of which were represented at the Big X Cuse, and it is alive and well.
