SPAC’s jam-packed July schedule kicked off Monday night with Blink-182 and Lil Wayne coming into town. The contrasting styles of the iconic pop-punk band and hip-hop legend, Lil Wayne, made the night all the more interesting, bringing in thousands of fans from each performer. Blink-182 is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of their most notorious album, Enema of the State.
The night kicked off with Welsh punk band Neck Deep. After their brief, eight song set, there was a 15 minute turn-around before Lil Wayne emerged from the giant Young Money logo at the center of the stage accompanied by a 4-piece rock band. The set was filled with impressive raps with a voice that is identifiable to only as Lil Wayne, solos you wouldn’t see at most hip-hop shows and an audience that was shouting out every bar through the hour long set. However, Lil Wayne never made the night about himself, constantly shouting out his band, fellow rappers and showing love to his loyal fans.
The intermission between Lil Wayne and Blink-182 was cut off when all the house lights came down and the voice of Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) came over the speakers reciting the now iconic Ezekiel 25:17 from Pulp Fiction. The moment at the end of the passage when the gunshot a fired, the lights shot on and Blink-182 began playing “Dumpweed,” the first song from Enema of the State. The band played the album straight through, as they have at each show throughout this tour. The album is one of the genre’s greatest, including hits such as “All The Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again?,” and “Adam’s Song.” After playing the record in its entirety, Mark Hoppus (bass) came out into the crowd and played a brief acoustic set. Following this, the band paid tribute to Nipsey Hussle, a rapper who tragically passed away earlier this year.
Travis Barker and his drum set were encapsulated by a spherical cage. Barker proceeded to play a two-minute solo and began spinning and flipping in the sphere, accompanied by a mini light show. Blink-182 finished off the night with a few more of their hits, including “I Miss You” and “The Rock Show, before finally closing the show with “Dammit.” Blink-182 brought the same energy they’ve been showcasing for over 25 years, the same energy their fans have come to know and love.
The 39th annual Old Songs Festival was held in picturesque Altamont, New York, nestled just below the towering Helderberg escarpment. Thousands of fans gathered for the weekend celebration of folk music, instruments, and friendship. Campers braved the, at times, heavy rain to hear more than 40 performers over the 3-day festival.
Intimate performances were held on three main stages, spread between the outdoor amphitheater and inside the fairground’s buildings. Musicians and festival goers gathered for more than 100 workshops over the weekend on topics ranging from dancing, open tuning, the bodhran (an Irish frame drum), and clawhammer banjo playing.
The festival drew performers from across New York State, as well as the world, including Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and South Africa. It was impossible to hear every performance, but the days were packed with great music. The artists were masters of their instruments, and wove together song and storytelling that made a performance in a barn in front of hundreds of people feel like sitting in a friend’s living room, listening to a jam session.
The entire festival had a feel of a family reunion. Several kids could be seen riding bikes in the infield, as well as taking advantage of the numerous kid’s music and activities. As Sunday’s performances drew to a close, attendees could be heard asking, if not reassuring each other that that they would see one another next year.
Ithaca prog soul outfit Noon Fifteen has emerged from the studio, where they just finished recording their sophomore album Finish What You Started. The first single “The Tick” was filmed in 360° video during their recording session in the studio at Cornell University.
“We’d experimented with Vulfpeck-inspired session videos for Volume 1, and I was looking for a way to develop that concept and make it our own,” keyboard player Sam Lupowitz told NYS Music. “The 360 camera let us really show what everyone’s playing on the track in a way that’s interactive, rather than passive entertainment. I loved the idea of really putting the viewer in the studio with us.”
As the into explains, if you’re seeing stationary photos, try using a different browser or device. Toggling around on the video will allow you to view the entire recording studio – from the acoustic ceiling tile to the guitar pedals on the floor and everything in between.
The music video for “The Tick” is just the beginning. Noon Fifteen announced they will drop three new songs, play three free shows, and release three podcasts this month. They’ve nicknamed this month “Julyfecta” in honor of this trio of trios. Follow this linktree to access content (videos, podcasts, and music streaming). And if you’re in the Finger Lakes area this month, save the date for these performances:
With a summer tour progressing steadily along, and each subsequent venue seemingly raising the bar higher at each stop, expectations for the upcoming set of Phish shows at Saratoga Performing Arts Center were at a fever pitch. The band never seems to disappoint at this classic Upstate NY shed, showing us this is what SPAC sounds like when the boys from Vermont come to town. Coming off of three stellar shows in Camden, marked with a notably missing “Tweezer Reprise” from the final night, expectations about the SPAC opener (and rest of the show) were rampant and lofty.
In vintage Phish fashion, the band bypassed the “Tweezer Reprise” opener many expected to happen as a nod to the unfinished business in Camden and replaced it with a first-time-played cover of The Everly Brothers’ “Cathy’s Clown,” leading to a confusing and somewhat mellow start. Afterwards, the expected “Reprise” was delivered in full force which fired up the crowd instantly and began a long stretch of high energy rock anthems, including “Carini,” a song that’s already opened two previous shows this tour. A silky smooth transition of funk from “AC/DC Bag” to “The Moma Dance” then followed before a mid set “Theme From the Bottom” that served as a respite of sorts. A rare performance of “Home” was a welcome surprise in the first set and set the waves in motion for the powerful “Bathtub Gin” that followed. That would have been more than sufficient for a complete first set, but Phish had other ideas and tacked on the perennial “Walls of the Cave” set closer in typical high octane, raucous fashion.
After a brief “Cool Amber and Mercury” to open Set 2, Mike Gordon provided the opening bass slaps to “Down with Disease” and with that we were off and running with a 21 minute gem of a jam. This instant classic found its way into the full “Scents and Subtle Sounds,” complete with intro which was soundchecked earlier that night, then dipped into “Twist” to continue a set of deep exploration. From there, the energy was sustained with “Wilson” > “Scent of a Mule” and “Fuck Your Face,” before a mild breather in the form of “Halley’s Comet.” The set closed out with a “Harry Hood” that closed out yet another Phish set that sustained the all killer/no filler trend that has been steady since Camden.
For the encore, much discussion led to Fishman tapping the kick drum to signal the start of “Fee,” which found Trey having megaphone issues but still pushed through with the help of the audience. “A Life Beyond a Dream” from Ghosts of the Forest, built up towards a pleasant landing ground, and after slight discussion, Phish wrapped up their second 3-song encore in a row with “First Tube.” Trey ran around the and marched from stage left to stage right hamming it up with the fans as he burned through the pinnacle show closer.
Joywave made their triumphant return to the Bug Jar on June 29, their first headlining show there in four years. The performance, the first in their intimate The Possession Sessions series, sold out in 45 minutes. A second set was added later in the evening, which also sold out.
The excitement was palpable on Saturday evening as fans lined up around the corner to get inside. Most were die-hard fans, longtime supporters of their hometown heroes, with a light sprinkling of first-time show goers.
There were no support acts on this show. Joywave took to the stage and started off the night with the live debut of their new release “Like A Kennedy.” The audience stood in rapt attention during the heartfelt anthem. “My TV’s talking to itself again. Do we shoot ‘em all dead? Or should we let ‘em all in?” Daniel Armbruster pondered in this poignant, introspective song about media burnout.
The crowd went wild when they launched into “Blastoffff.” Despite the heat of the midsummer day and the sweltering stagnant air in the venue, the band was wearing coordinating track suits – all in white except Daniel’s red pants. Drummer Paul Brenner went at the kit so hard that he cut his thumb, splattering blood onto his outfit. Rounding out the alt rock quintet were Joseph Morinelli (guitar), Kevin Mahoney (bass) and Benjamin Bailey (keyboards and guitar).
Armbruster used every inch available of the stage (even when the corners made his mic squeak). His hand movements and sweeping arm gestures whipped the audience into a frenzy as he worked the crowd the way a conductor leads an orchestra. Mid-set, they shared another new song – never before heard by fans. “Obsession” is aptly named. Immediately, we were infatuated with the song’s fixating beat and twinkly synth interlude.
Between songs, Armbruster filled in the audience on recent events, announcing that they just flew in late the night before from filming a new video, dropping the bomb that The Possession Sessions is so named because it’s a reference to the name of an LP, and that the full length album would be out next year. To this last bit of info, some impatient fans expressed their discontent, in the Bug Jar tradition of good-natured heckling. “Are you booing me?” Armbruster shot back incredulously.
Everyone was singing along to crowd favorites like “Parade” and “Traveling at the Speed of Light,” but not as many people were familiar with the words to “True Grit.” The song from their 2012 EP Koda Vista hasn’t been played live often in the past few years. Just before starting “Content,” Armbruster asked the guys in the booth to make the next one “extra spooky.” They delivered an amazing light show, cranking the strobes during the breakdown. It feel like we were in the midst of a stop-motion video.
An avid supporter of the hometown music scene, Armbruster encouraged the crowd to continue to come out to see live music and to support other local musicians and acts, like Ishmael Raps, The Demos, Mikaela Davis, and Maybird. (Fun fact: Armbruster recently produced The Demos’ latest EP If You Only Knew.)
The rest of the show ran together as the adrenaline hit full force. The camera got packed away, and I let myself get swept up in the waves of euphoria. Fellow Rochesterians, friends old and new, jumped up and down and sang along to beloved Joywave hits in unison. The show culminated in a finale featuring “Tongues” and “Destruction.” With a final wave, they made their exit.
The outro playing as people reluctantly shuffled out was the recorded version of two of the songs off the new album, including “Obsession.” Remnants of items from their last album Content were on sale by the door and people were glad to help clear out the inventory to make way for merch promoting the new album.
A second set (also sold out) was slated to start later that evening. The Possession Sessions will also be held in LA on July 9 (sold out), July 11 in Brooklyn (sold out), and November 20 in London. Joywave is also on the bill for several summer festivals throughout the US. Information and tickets are available at JoywaveMusic.com.
Setlist: Like A Kennedy, Blastofff, Somebody New, It’s A Trip, Obsession, Parade, Traveling at the Speed of Light, True Grit, Now, Content, Shutdown, Doubt, Nice House, Tongues, Destruction
For 16 years, the Cortland Main Street Music Series has been bringing local, regional and national music acts to downtown Cortland. This year, a total of 12 musical performances, spanning a variety of genres, will take place over the course of four free concerts every Friday this month at the CFCU Community Credit Union Stage.
The series kicks off on July 5 with the local duo of Lonnie Park and John West. Following them in the evening will be The Fall Creek Brass Band from Freeville, NY, with their funky big band sound. Headlining the evening will be alternative rockers from Connecticut, The Alternate Routes. The following week, July 12 is also SUNY Cortland Alumni weekend. The night will start off with local bands The Beauchesnes and The Cousins. To celebrate alumni weekend, internationally acclaimed Todd Hobin Band from Syracuse will be headlining. Todd Hobin Band has performed on the SUNY Cortland campus more than any other band in the school’s history, and they are returning in collaboration with the Music Legacy group’s unveiling of a commemorative sculpture for this year’s alumni weekend events.
On July 19, Cortland Main Street Music welcomes Enter The Haggis, a high-energy group of Celtic-rockers combining bag pipe and fiddles with a rock rhythm and meaningful lyrics to bring a distinctively electric sound. Opening up the night will be local favorites The Starmer Brothers, and following them will be the foot-stomping folk band The Old Main. The final Friday of July will bring Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, a sixteen-year old guitar prodigy, who got his nickname “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing. Openers for the July 26 show includes a solo performance from Marc Ryan from Tribal Revival, as well as the soulful Americana of Mike Powell and the Black River.
The veteran band treated the loyal Mule faithful to a perfect first set with a vibe and energy feeding off that relaxing beach feeling, on a traditional late June summer evening. Fan favorites “Hammer and Nails,” “Beautifully Broken” and “Birth of The Mule”filled the first set, leaving fans only wanting more. Sadly, after the first two songs of the second set, the show was canceled dues to inclement weather, just about the only thing dampening the spirits of the amazing Gov’t Mule fan base.
Bring On The Music-Live At The Capitol Theatre, a live album and concert film directed by Danny Clinch, was recorded at The Capitol Theatre on April 27 and 28, in 2018. It comes in a multiple variety of digital, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, and vinyl Packages. It features over two hours of live music, interviews with members of Mule, behind-the-scenes footage, photos shot by Clinch over the years and much more.
Set One: Hammer & Nails, Rocking Horse, Game Face > Mountain Jam > Game Face, Beautifully Broken, Birth of a Mule, I’m A Ram, Broke Down On The Brazos > Tributary Jam
Set Two: Stone Cold Rage, Kind Of A Bird, (Show ended due to inclement weather)
Next year will see a new Bonnaroo as the festival changes hands from Superfly, who founded the festival back in 2002, to Live Nation. Back in 2015, Live Nation bought a controlling stake in the festival, and Superfly’s influence in the festival has since dwindled. According to Billboard, Live Nation told minority owners in Bonnaroo that it plans to exercise a buyout clause in the 2015 agreement to purchase the rest of the festival, effectively ending Superfly’s role as the festival’s producer.
When the festival started, the lineup mainly consisted of jam bands, but eventually started expanding into a variety of genres. Bonnaroo took place on June 13-16 this year, and headliners of the sold out festival included Phish, Childish Gambino, Post Malone, Odesza, and The Lumineers.
Superfly will continue to be owners and operators of other events like Clusterfest and Outside Lands, both taking place in California. A joint venture with Comedy Central, Clusterfest, brings together music and comedy. With three nights of live comedy acts, live music with ridiculous themed dance parties, recreations of iconic television sets, and hilariously themed food and drink, the festival creates a new way to experience comedy. Outside Lands is a San Fransisco cultural experience featuring an eclectic line up of live music, show cases of the Bay Area’s finest artists, and a unique GastroMagic experience where chefs pair up with musicians and comedians to put on whimsical and unpredictable performances.
Kris Kelly has released his newest single “Cracked Porcelain,” featuring an all-star team of musicians, including” Todd Sickafoose (“Hadestown”, Ani DiFranco) on bass and arrangements by John Philip Shenale (Tori Amos). The track will appear on his forthcoming album, Runaways, due out on August 29, which also features previously released singles “Birthplace” and “We Flew.”
Kris Kelly is a singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Originally from Austin, TX, he moved to New York City to attend NYU, where he studied classical vocal performance and music composition. For years he performed his original compositions for guitar, vocals, flute, violin, bass, and percussion at many popular NYC venues. He then spent five years traveling through South America with just his guitar and a suitcase. Living mostly in Argentina and Brazil, Kelly met his husband, and his travel experiences inspired the core of Kelly’s album – pure love, loss, discovery, and growth.
Kris shares some insight into ‘Cracked Porcelain:’ “This is a story about two gay men who find freedom in defining their relationship in an unconventional, ‘open’ way but who end up getting lost in the revelry and ultimately drive each other apart. I think the LGBTQ community has a unique opportunity to redefine our relationship with sex within our partnerships. Not having forced onto us the traditional ways of defining a healthy partnership gives us the freedom to discover it for ourselves, but it also comes with a great responsibility, and I think we often fail. I failed at least. And that’s OK, because I realized if I wanted to be happy, I had to make a change. I’ve been forced to reevaluate constantly my relationship with my partner and to figure out how to respect each other while maintaining a healthy individuality, and we’re still navigating it to this day.”
“It’s easy to go unconscious and do whatever feels good in the moment, but without consciously, intentionally taking care of the relationship, it falls apart. There has to be a balance in order to nurture both carnal desires and the spiritual connection with another human being (if that’s something that you value). And when things are out of balance, suffering is inevitable. That’s what happens in ‘Cracked Porcelain’.”
Glens Falls will become a mecca for the arts, with the return of the 4th annual GEM Fest on July 26 and 27. The Glens Falls Entertainment and Music Festival brings together bands from across the greater Glens Falls area, as well as national acts, and combines comedy, live art, film, theater, photography and more at venues around Glens Falls for a FREE two-day event.
The focus on the arts started when Brian Michael visited Gugs in April of 2016. “Gugs is the central venue in Glens Falls where a ton of bands were just starting to cut their teeth at the time – Candy Ambulance, Joe Mansman, William Hale, Asa Morris and The Mess, among others. Mike Rios put together an open mic night on Thursdays, but Gugs was only open from Thanksgiving Eve until April 20,” said Michael, GEM Fest Director. So with the venue closing for the season, and there being very few places in the city of Glens Falls for live music, Brian and Joe Mansman had an idea to hold a Venue Festival in Glens Falls, where venues would host music throughout the day.
The organizers went to the owner of Mean Max Brewing and asked to back him on the festival concept. That led to the owner of 190 Grill and Cinema (now the Downtown Social) getting on board as well. From there, GEM Fest was born and the event became a one-day street fest in the Summer of 2016, which was entirely free to the public. It featured a art gallery presentation at the two venues, and several local bands.
From there, a team effort has helped bring GEM Fest for four consecutive years. Local venues are on board, and local businesses see better business on the day of GEM Fest than they do any other day of the year, according to Michael. With the help of Candice Frye, the Executive Director of LARAC (Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council), which supports the in Warren and Washington counties, Brian was able to secure grant funding. The ever growing event received maximum funding for this year, and with sponsors on board, the fest remains free for the fourth year in a row, accessible for everyone who wants to attend.
The impact of GEM Fest can be seen already. In 2016, there was one venue in town with regular music, plus Gugs was only open part of the year. Now, in 2019, there are four venues that book bands on a regular basis, with a fifth soon to open. Michael says of this development, “GEM Fest helped clue the local businesses in on the music in the region, and certain niche markets – Helping to elevate the visibility of the music & arts in our city. The integration of this festival into an organization called Art in the Public Eye has also further solidified our commitment to creating platforms for local / and now regional musicians – as well as many other forms of art – to be seen and heard in the heart of Hometown USA.”
Since 2016, GEM Fest brings an immense crowd out in support of the arts, with a benefit to local businesses, who are patronized by those who attend. The direct support of local businesses is supplemented by the careful selection of craft vendors – while encouraging patrons to eat and drink at local businesses, due to a markedly low acceptance of food type vending.
Thanks to grants and sponsors, GEM Fest is 99% free, with a fee charged only for the comedy shows each day. Since events are free, venues don’t sell out, although last year three venues reached capacity, a sign of growth after only three years of GEM Fest. In order to bring fans out, Michael says GEM Fest “keeps a high level of integrity, adding the best local musicians and a few national headliners. Getting the local support and financial backing is key to maintaining the fest, and we’re glad to have that for four years now. We are a destination event and it helps grow the scene and throws art in the public eye.”
There is history in the area as well, as plenty of art to be found that GEM Fest has brought greater attention to. The Hyde Collection, which includes work by Rembrandt, Picasso and Edward Hopper, is one of the greatest collections of art in the 518. The Park Theater has recently undergone a $13 million dollar renovation, and the Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls plays host to a wide variety of arts, from plays to concerts to comedians.
With the support of LARAC, Glens Falls can be viewed as always having been an artistic town, with a great deal of artists and painters emerging from the Lower Adirondack area. “There might be five different artistic communities within the city and we want everyone to work together on that day to exhibit what we’ve got as a community.”
GEM Fest is designed so that everything is going on at once, making it a challenge to decide what to see. “What we are encouraging people to do is to come out and see art they may not see otherwise. The music draws them out – if they like comedy, they can check that out, and maybe they see more comedy that year. Some kids might walk by a live painter and be inspired to become a painter. Everywhere you look, there’s something else going on. Walk about the whole city because for the two days, it’s an artistic showcase of Glens Falls.”
In just a few short years, GEM Fest has established itself as a destination event where music and art collide. Find out more at the official website for the festival and check out the music artists who will be performing around town July 26-27.
