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Vernon Planning Board Denies Woodstock 50 Appeal

(Updated 12:45 am, July 17, 2019) The Poughkeepsie Journal is reporting that Woodstock has issued a statement regarding the denial of their appeal to the Town of Vernon Planning Board Tuesday night. The statement thanks the artists and Vernon Downs owner Jeff Gural for their support of the festival. Read the full statement below:

Woodstock 50 is disappointed that the Town of Vernon has passed up the opportunity to hold the historic 50th anniversary festival by denying our robust and thoughtful proposal. We regret that those in Vernon who supported Woodstock have been deprived of the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of the rebirth of a cultural peace movement that changed the world in 1969 and is what the world needs now. We want to thank the artists who stood by us. We are grateful for the support of Vernon Downs and its generous owner Jeffrey Gural.

The Town of Vernon Codes Department twice denied event applications filed by Woodstock 50 promoters last week to hold the anniversary concert over three days in August. Tuesday night Woodstock and Vernon Downs officials pleaded their case before the town’s planning board only to have their appeal unanimously denied 3-0 with two members not present.

Nearly 200 people packed the town hall for the meeting which saw passionate pleas both for and against Vernon Downs hosting the event Aug. 16-18.

Woodstock officials held “open house” meetings on Monday and Tuesday to allow citizens to get to know them and hear their plans for the festival.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente and Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol have been vocally against the event being held with little time to prepare. Both released statements late Tuesday afternoon, just hours before the Planning Board meeting.

Picente said, “Currently with less than 30 days to go, their incompetence and misrepresentations are still front and center. They have consistently failed to provide traffic plans that scratch the surface of what would be necessary. They have yet to provide a parking plan that even begins to come close to tenable for the residents of Vernon.” Adding after the final decision, “I’m pleased with the decision of the Town of Vernon Planning Board to uphold the town codes officer’s decision denying Woodstock 50 a permit.”

Maciol’s statement said, “We should be talking about August of 2020 or 2021, not August of 2019. As the security plans were unveiled to us, I immediately developed serious concerns that I feel will jeopardize public safety.”

And while this decision seems to be the final nail in the Woodstock 50 coffin, promoter Michael Lang left open the possibility of it still occurring, telling Syracuse.com, “There’s a crack. We’ll know more tomorrow,” while also saying they won’t take this decision to the courts.

Vernon Downs owner Jeff Gural, who has expressed interest in making the harness track a concert venue in order to remain financially viable, spoke bluntly at Tuesday’s meeting, pleading for the town to “take a chance” while also stating, “If we don’t get permission to do this, I’m not going to try again.”

Woodstock 50’s troubled path began when investors pulled out, causing Watkins Glen to terminate the permit.

NYS Music will update this story as it develops.

July 17, 2019
In Focus: Phish Shines at Mohegan Sun
Two mid-week shows in Connecticut wrapped up Phish’s east coast portion of their summer tour, before heading west for three nights at Alpine Valley in Wisconsin, and three nights at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.

While at Mohegan Sun for their first ever shows at the venue, on Tuesday Phish brought back a cover of Apples in Stereo’s “Energy,” had fun with “Weekapaug Groove” in both sets, and took “Beneath a Sea of Stars Part 1” for a long psychedelic spin. A “Foam” encore, the first ever, was heartily enjoyed by fans chasing it all tour. Wednesday night fans were treated to impressive versions of “Wingsuit” and “David Bowie” as well as more love for Ghosts of the Forest with “Ruby Waves” appearing twice in Set 2.

A unique encore involving “Kung” and “I Saw it Again” preceded “Slave to the Traffic” light, which bid farewell to the East coast for five or so months.

Setlists via Phish.net

Tuesday July 9, Mohegan Sun Arena

SET 1: Energy -> Weekapaug Groove, The Moma Dance > Maze -> Lengthwise -> Maze, Petrichor, Things People Do > Sample in a Jar, Bathtub Gin

SET 2: Soul Planet -> Wider -> Undermind, The Final Hurrah, Beneath a Sea of Stars Part 1, Ghost -> Birds of a Feather, Waste > Golgi Apparatus

ENCORE: Foam, Contact, More

This show featured the first Energy since August 4, 2013 (226 shows) and the Phish debut of Wider. Trey and Mike teased A Love Supreme in Beneath a Sea of Stars Part 1. Ghost contained an Under Pressure tease from Trey and a Weekapaug Groove jam with lyrics. Birds of a Feather featured The Birds samples from Page and Third Stone From the Sun teases from Trey.

Wednesday July 10, Mohegan Sun Arena

SET 1: Buried Alive, Cavern > Dogs Stole Things, Sugar Shack, Stash, Wingsuit, Limb By Limb > Gumbo, Stray Dog, Steam > David Bowie

SET 2: Party Time, Chalk Dust Torture > Ruby Waves > Seven Below, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan > Piper ->Ruby Waves > I Always Wanted It This Way > Drift While You’re Sleeping

ENCORE: Bouncing Around the Room > Saw It Again -> Kung^[1] -> Saw It Again > Slave to the Traffic Light

[1] Sung over Saw It Again music.
July 16, 2019
Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People to Kick Off Thursdays on the Village Green This Week

Thursday July 18 will be the first of the “Thursdays on the Village Green”, a free concert series in Hamilton, NY featuring Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People. “Thursdays on the Village Green” is a family-friendly event, with activities hosted by the Hamilton Public Library every week starting at 5:30 p.m., and then music starting at 7:00 p.m..

Kicking off the series’ music lineup this week is groove-soul powerhouse Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People. The band’s groovy sound combined with Ponder’s powerful voice creates a beautiful and emotional experience for concert-goers. Ponder, a Rochester, NY native, will undoubtedly give you goose-bumps. Soultracks.com said, “Ponder’s vocals combine the spirit of the church with the speak-truth- to-power assertiveness of a movement leader.”

The rest of the series features music from Pearly Baker’s Best on July 25, Second Line Syracuse on Aug. 1, The Lightkeepers on Aug. 8, and West End Blend on Aug. 15. For more information on the series, take a look at their Facebook page.

July 16, 2019
The Great New York State Fair to Feature Many Regional and Local Acts

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.

July 16, 2019
Silversun Pickups Bring the Rock to 95X’s Big X Cuse
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.

Silversun Pickups

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.

Meg Myers

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.

Dallon Weekes – I Don’t Know How But They Found Me

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.

Chris Reilly – Trench

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.
- Ron Ballweber – Trench
- Chris Reilly – Trench
- Ryan Seaman – IDKHow
- Dallon Weekes – IDKHow
- Dallon Weekes – IDKHow
- Ryan Seaman – IDKHow
- Meg Myers
- Nikki Monninger – SSPU
- Jon Lester – SSPU
- Christopher Guanlao – SSPU
- Brian Aubert – SSPU
July 15, 2019
Hearing Aide: Frightened Rabbit ‘Tiny Changes’ is a Monumental Act of Love

Frightened Rabbit’s Tiny Changes released on July 12 pays tribute to the former frontman, Scott Hutchison. The album is a collection of covers off their 2008 album, Midnight Organ Fight, which marked the band’s breakthrough into the music scene. Originally, Tiny Changes was meant to be a celebration of the ten year anniversary of Midnight Organ Fight, to be released in 2018. The project was Scott’s, and upon his passing it was shelved until this year. It has now taken on a new meaning for the band.

The title for the album comes from a lyric in the song “Heads Roll Off” in which Hutchison sang, “While I’m alive, I’ll make tiny changes to Earth.” It’s a fitting title for a work made to remember a man who did exactly that.

Whether Scott was aware of his reach, his songs impacted many. Hutchison’s lyrics were always honest and raw, not hiding from the rough emotions stirred up by depression and his own thoughts on suicide. His voice was unmistakable, unique in its rolling Scottish tones and humble sound. Scott had a way of always singing from deep within himself as if he were imploring you for forgiveness for the flaws that come with being human. Even in his final tweets under the moniker of his solo project, Owl John, Scott asked people to “Be so good to everyone you love. It’s not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I don’t live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones.”

Tiny Changes is also the name of the charity started by Scott’s family, created with a goal to raise awareness about mental health issues amongst young people. To donate to the charity please go here.

Listening to the album Tiny Changes is incredibly cathartic. Each song is a loving memorial to a man who was cherished. The artists took it on themselves to produce a work that carried a tenderness to compliment the sincerity of Scott’s original vocals.

It’s hard to escape the echoes of Scott’s voice while listening to the album. Even while hearing the covers, his voice still lingers at the edges, vulnerable and raw.

The album begins with Biffy Clyro’s cover of “The Modern Leper.” Biffy Clyro is a fellow Scottish band who Frightened Rabbit originally toured with in 2008, around the release of Midnight Organ Fight. In the album liner, Grant Hutchinson, Scott’s brother, says that Biffy Clyro “gave us inspiration and motivation to be as true to ourselves as we could but still aspire to be as big as we hoped we could be.”

The song, originally performed with gentle honesty, takes on a harder edge. There are moments of softness when Simon Neil’s vocals are just a quietly spoken plea, but these moments are broken by the jagged rhythms of the guitars. When talking about the song itself, Biffy Clyro comment that “There are very few songs I wish I’d written: ‘The Modern Leper’ is most definitely one of them.” It’s easy to understand why. The lyrics are brutally sincere, speaking to all the times a person has felt too inadequate for the person they love, too crippled by their own faults and unable to believe that someone would still find value in them. Despite the disbelief throughout the song, there is an ending note of hope, a promise to start over, beginning with a simple conversation about their day.

Another particular track that stands out is Benjamin Gibbard’s cover of “Keep Yourself Warm.” In the original version, the song builds, progressing in momentum until the music stills, and you are left with Scott’s voice. It’s as if he’s teaching a lesson. As Scott sings, “It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm” it is almost as if he has come to the realization himself. The naked reality of the lyrics contrasts against the music which comes across as almost upbeat and hopeful.

Gibbard approaches the song through a haunting distance as if he is transmitting from afar. His words are slightly obscured, only bringing about clarity at the same point in Scott’s version where the music stills. Once more the song crescendos and crashes into you with a wave of emotion. Gibbard found this song particularly striking because he, “…had never heard anyone write about the ugly side of sex with such brutal honesty…”

This album is meant to be played on long winding car rides into the night with someone you care about.

When Frightened Rabbit released their album Midnight Organ Fight, they were unaware of the presence it would have on the indie music scene. There was something about the juxtaposition of the hopeful upbeat progressions of the music and the seriousness of the lyrics that struck the heartstrings of listeners. Tiny Changes speaks more to the nature of the lyrics, the singers’ are voices softer, and the songs take on an entirely different tone than they had before. Scott’s raw nature, his willingness to be vulnerable with the world left a mark with his fans. Tiny Changes serves as a loving memorial and a bittersweet reminder of what has been lost.

Key Tracks: The Modern Leper, Old Old Fashioned, Bright Pink Bookmark

July 14, 2019
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.

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

July 14, 2019
In Focus: A Taste of the Islands Land in Albany with Reggae’s Culture

Culture is reggae’s most dominating harmony group. Born in the 70′s golden age of reggae, Culture gained acclaim for its long series of classic “roots” albums. Joseph Hill, singer and songwriter for the legendary Jamaican vocal trio, collapsed and died while on a 2006 tour of Europe. Kenyatta Hill’s career began the day his father’s ended. Kenyatta stepped onstage and delivered electrifying performances and was able to complete the tour. While pursuing an active solo career, Hill keeps the Culture legacy alive by thrilling old and new fans with the classic sounds of this legendary harmony group. Performing at Jennings Landing in Albany with reggae from Jojo Romero & NIghtshift, Thursday, July 11, which was no exception.

Culture’s rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” had chill fans swaying. When Kenyatta noted he was not political, but then began the first few notes of “Policeman,” a song with lyrics of mistreatment by police officers, the crowd roared in support of the band.

It was a fantastic show, which kept a large demographic of fans happy. The tones of Kenyatta’s voice were smooth yet robust. If you are a fan of reggae or would like to hear what it’s all about, definitely look out for Culture.

July 13, 2019
Inaugural Northern Current Festival Announces Lineup

Saranac Lake‘s Riverside Park is set to host the inaugural North Current Festival on Sunday, Sept 1. The festival replaces Hobofest, a music festival held in Saranac Lake from 2009 to 2018 on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Organizers retired it last year and a new committee of local residents has formed to create a new festival, based on the Hobofest model while making it their own. The lineup announcement features local and regional acts across several genres.

Burlington-based songstress Kat Wright will headline the event, bringing her sultry, dynamic, delicate yet powerful – gritty but highly emotive sound to the Saranac Lake stage. Also joining the lineup is House of Waters, a Brooklyn-based trio that plays world music rooted in the hammered dulcimer, Rochester-based Mosaic Foundation bringing in the roots, ska, dub, dance-hall grooves, Chestnut Grove, a group from Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, who plays high-energy rock and roll, and also, Mal Maiz, an Afro-Latino orchestra based in Burlington headed up by Costa Rican “Brujo,” Maiz Vargas Sandoval that features both traditional and modern flair with cumbia, latin, reggae and afro-carribean sounds.

Rounding out the eclectic schedule is Saranac Lake’s own Arthur Buezo from The Blind Owl Band, and Soma Beats, an African dance troupe out of Lake Placid lead by Johnna MacDougall. This lineup is still being finalized. Organizers expect to announce a handful of additions soon.

Northern Current is a nonprofit festival under the umbrella of Saranac Lake Rotary, family friendly and free of charge. More information can be found on their website.

July 12, 2019
Peach Music Festival Returns to Scranton for 8th Year

The Peach Music Festival is returning to Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA for its 8th annual event at the end of the month, sporting a lineup that fans have been calling the best of the summer. Peach remains a favorite in many attendee’s hearts for its warm, friendly vibes and nonstop schedule of killer music. The festival begins on Thursday, July 25, shifting from last year’s earlier July 19 start date to the last weekend of the month.

Read more on the NYS Music Festival Guide

The lineup features multiple Peach Stage sets from headlining acts that didn’t play last year’s event, including three sets from jamgrass outfit, The String Cheese Incident, two sets from Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio’s side project Trey Anastasio Band, as well as a set on Friday afternoon from Blues Traveler. A few acts have graduated from the Mushroom Stage to the Peach Stage, notably Aqueous, who are performing the opening set of the festival on Thursday afternoon, as well as Lotus, performing the late night set on Friday night. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have gained a set from last year’s one main stage set, now performing both before and after String Cheese’s Thursday set.

Other sets to look out for on the Peach Stage include Billy Strings, a hot commodity on the bluegrass scene, at 5:30 on Thursday, moe. on Friday afternoon at 6pm, Lettuce on Saturday at 3:45pm, and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead on Saturday at 12:00am. The Mushroom Stage features a plethora of impressive acts, kicking off on Friday with Andy Frasco & the U.N., a soulful rock band led by a party animal of a frontman, followed by Vulfpeck alum and virtuoso guitarist Cory Wong, as well as prog rockers Dopapod and BIG Something. Saturday’s lineup features soulful female vocalist Kat Wright, Tom Hamilton’s recent project Ghost Light, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, and Colorado funk group The Motet.

The other Stage features a ton of fantastic acts, and catching any one of them would be a good thing to do. Here are a few that you definitely shouldn’t miss though: On Friday, Joe Hertler & and the Rainbow Seekers at 2:30pm, Upstate at 4pm, Cycles at 10:30pm, Magic Beans at 12:30am. On Saturday, Goose at 4:45pm, Mungion at 10:30 pm, and Organ Freeman at 12:30am.

Peach Festival offers a range of amenities to assist in making attendees comfortable including potable water stations, ATMs, food vendors and medical tents, among other things. The Mushroom Stage is located within Montage Mountain’s very own water park, which includes a lazy river and wave pool that attendees can enjoy their favorite Mushroom sets from. Attendees also have access to the lodge, also located in the water park, that sells pizza and other hot food items for those that want to purchase.

Check out the schedule above or create your own personalized schedule through The Peach Music Festival app, which can remind you when your favorite bands are about to start and let you know of any important updates. Check back with NYS Music for more coverage of this year’s Peach Music Festival in Scranton, PA

July 12, 2019