NYS Music 20​19

Tag: SPAC

  • Rob Thomas’ Message Warms Cool Night at Saratoga

    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.

  • Jackson Browne and Lucius Bring Classic and Indie Rock Together at SPAC

    It was a humid Friday night in Saratoga Springs, where people of all ages were buzzing in anticipation for a throwback experience from singer/songwriter Jackson Browne at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Have you seen him before?” was one of the questions floating around the amphitheater and the responses varied from person to person. Many different dates of shows spanning from the early ’70s and onward came from the mouths of dedicated fans, proving the long-lasting impact Browne has had in his career. The show started right on time at 7:30 p.m. with the Brooklyn-born indie pop band Lucius.

    Jackson Browne
    Photography:  Carl Scheffel

    Lucius opened the show with a chilling a capella rendition of “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” with the women fronting the band wearing matching red ponchos and body glitter on their faces and palms. Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig stood around one microphone at center stage facing each other and immediately caught the attention of the crowd with their powerhouse harmonies. Though the stage setup allowed for the singers to be intimate and have a clear way to communicate cues for each other, it took away from the audience engagement and closed off a relationship fans desire from a live performance. The one microphone did aide the duo in creating a fading or floating audio and visual effect during their last song  “Woman” which played with the depth of the dynamics of the song nicely. The show heavily featured the two fronting ladies, however, the group consisted of three other band members playing their share of instruments, swapping between percussion and guitar frequently. Jackson Browne joined them in the middle of their half hour set to perform “Willin’,” entrancing the amphitheater with their three-part harmonies. Lucius released a compilation album of their back catalog, new songs, and a duet with Roger Waters in 2018 called Nudes. 

    Loud cheers from women and men alike echoed through the walls of SPAC when Jackson Browne and his band took the stage to close out the show with an impressive two hour set. Browne’s performance was filled with many of his classics that were easy to sing and dance along to even if you didn’t know the words. “Take It Easy,” which Browne co-wrote with The Eagles, was the second song in the more than 20-song set and it brought everyone to their feet. Browne’s easy-going vibe on stage seemed to take the edge off the heat and provided a relaxing atmosphere after the excitement of the 4th of July the day before. Browne joked about his age after there was a guitar mix up, saying to the stagehand, “I think you brought me the wrong guitar,” followed by the stagehand coming back out with the supposed right guitar and a sense of confusion. After a few seconds of conversation and bending down to read the setlist, Browne admitted that he was wrong and that he should have brought his glasses with him on stage. Many of Jackson Browne’s songs relate to immigration and issues that America deals with today. He played songs such as “Walls and Doors” that was written by Cuban singer/songwriter Carlos Varela and “Lives in the Balance” which were both in reference to South America and its culture. “Lives in the Balance” featured a very soulful performance from one of Browne’s backup singers, Chavonne Stewart, whose beautiful voice brought new life to an old classic. Lucius came out to help Browne on the last four songs and it was the perfect climax of vocal harmony and instrumental genius. The two acts were clearly very close and the respect and love for one another made for a really enjoyable performance. 

    Jackson Browne
    Photography:  Carl Scheffel

    Lucius setlist: A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Ilene Woods cover), Tempest, Right Down the Line (Gerry Rafferty cover), Something About You, Go Home, Turn It Around, Willin’ (Little Feat cover), Two of Us On the Run, Woman

    Jackson Browne setlist: I’m Alive, Take It Easy, The Pretender, Enough of the Night, The Long Way Around, Tender Is the Night, You Love the Thunder, These Days, Mohammed Radio (Warren Zevon cover), The Dreamer, Lives in the Balance, Walls and Doors (Carlos Varela cover), Doctor My Eyes, Somebody’s Baby, I’ll Do Anything, In the Shape of a Heart, Running on Empty, Dusty Trails (Lucius cover), City of Immigrants (Steve Earle cover), I Am a Patriot (Little Steven cover)
    Encore: The Waiting (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover) 

  • Lil Wayne and Blink-182 immerse New York State in an Enema

    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.

    Lil Wayne and Blink-182

    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.

    Lil Wayne and Blink-182

    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.

  • What You Need to Know About Phish at SPAC

    If you are heading to Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), here are some veteran tips for making the most out of the two-day run, especially for out-of-town phans.

    First things first — follow NYS Music on Twitter and Facebook for helpful hints throughout the weekend. We’ll be on location sharing traffic info, park updates and keeping fans aware of anything that they should know. In past years, Saratoga officials have announced a crackdown on alcohol and intoxicated people in the state park known as SPA, which includes SPAC. In the past, there has always been a lot of chatter preceding the summer concert season at SPAC regarding  the increased police presence and no-alcohol policy (with ticket enforcement and arrest potential). The past few times have not been as eventful, and as long as you pre-game smart, you should be fine. Our advice is to not treat SPAC as a free-for-all — this is a New York State Park and state troopers roam the grounds, not local just police.

    Saratoga Spa State Park is easy to get lost in, as this is an expansive park, and you can easily wind up walking around for an hour looking for the lot your car is in, or altogether become disoriented. Save the map below, just in case.

    phish at spac

    In the interest of making sure everyone knows what has been the norm in the past, whether you have been here before or not, keep these few things in mind:

    State Troopers. Keep all alcohol in a cup and don’t test the troopers. Phish fans are typically well behaved, but this is a state park, just like Jones Beach, something that shouldn’t be ignored while pre-gaming in the lots.

    Hotels. Some establishments have been known to call-in suspected drug use. Be smart when pre-gaming at the hotel or getting back, and try to enjoy the post-show scene before getting some needed sleep.

    Leaving SPAC. Expect checkpoints for drunk driving and K-9 units for the obvious. Don’t leave the park without a sober driver and when you do, drive the speed limit. Whether you’re driving down Route 9, Route 50, I-87 or towards the small towns north and south of Saratoga, take your time.

    Post Shows – more info coming soon!

    If you are headed south out of SPAC, or looking for music and eats, stop off in Malta for two nights of post shows at Nanola. Where is Malta? Just 10 minutes south of SPAC, off Exit 12 right on Route 9. The menu is fantastic — great Cajun-inspired food and American dishes, as well as one of the best draft and bottle selections in the Capital District.

    There is an amazing amount of music lined up after each day of this year’s Phish SPAC run. That’s the beauty of seeing Phish at a venue like SPAC — the town opens up its doors to Phish with many options for music, art and daytime and nighttime activities.

    We will see you all at SPAC!

  • Dead and Company Ushers in Summer Season at SPAC: Weir and Mayer Make What’s Old New Again

    Dead and Company ushered in the summer concert season at SPAC on Tuesday, June 18 with their bluesy, jazzy jam sessions that lasted late into the warm evening. Check out the setlist and photo gallery below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMeieLIBVfE

    Set 1: Feel Like a Stranger>Hell in a Bucket>Alabama Getaway, When I Paint My Masterpiece>It Must Have Been the Roses>Cumberland Blues>Cassidy>US Blues

    Set 2: Here Comes Sunshine>Shakedown Street>Wharf Rat>Playing in the Band>Uncle John’s Band>DrumsSpace>Viola Lee Blues>Dear Prudence>Casey Jones

    Encore: In the Midnight Hour>Playing in the Band

  • Zac Brown Band Announces 2019 Tour Dates With Possible New Album

    It seems that the Zac Brown Band won’t be slowing down anytime soon with the announcement of their 2019 The Owl Tour, with 36 dates starting this spring and going through to the fall.

    Zac Brown Band 2019 tour

    Opening for the band will be Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real with Caroline Jones joining the group for nine dates on the tour. Along with the tour announcement, the band is hinting at a brand new album. Both the tour and album will be inspired by the mythology and mystery surrounded by the great horned owl.

    Tickets for most of the dates go on sale Feb. 8, with tickets to the Boston and Dallas shows going on sale Feb. 15.

    Zac Brown Band 2019 tour

    May 25 — Legends Day – Indianapolis 500 – Indianapolis, Ind.

    June 7-8 — Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion *- Gilford, N.H.

    June 9 —St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview *- Syracuse, N.Y.

    June 14 — Blossom Music Center- Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

    June 15 —Darien Lake Performing Arts Center- Darien Center, N.Y.

    June 21 — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts + – Bethel, N.Y.

    June 22-23 – P.N.C. Bank Arts Center + – Holmdel, N.J.

    June 29 — KeyBank Pavilion – Holmdel, N.J.

    June 29 — Hollywood Casino Amphitheater- Tinley Park, Ill.

    June 30 — Milwaukee Summerfest- Milwaukee, Wisc.

    July 12 — Calgary Stampede – Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    July 21 — Faster Horses Festival – Brooklyn, Mich.

    July 24 — California Mid-State Fair – Paso Robles, Calif

    July 25-26 — Five Point Amphitheater- Irvine, Calif.

    Aug. 9 —Coors Field * + – Denver, Colo.

    Aug. 11 — Iowa State Fairgrounds + – Des Moines, Iowa

    Aug. 23 — Nikon at Jones Beach Theater + – Wantagh, N.Y.

    Aug. 24 — Nikon at Jones Beach Theater + – Wantagh, N.Y.

    Aug. 25 — Jiffy Lube Live + – Bristow, Va.

    Aug. 29 — Hershey Park Stadium * – Hershey, Pa.

    Aug. 30 — Saratoga Performing Arts Center *- Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

    Aug. 31 — Fenway Park *- Boston, Mass.

    Sept. 6 — BB&T Pavilion *- Camden, N.J.

    Sept. 7 —BB&T Pavilion *- Camden, N.J.

    Sept. 8 — XFINITY Theatre *- Hartford, Ct.

    Sept. 19 — North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre * – Chula Vista, Calif.

    Sept. 20 — Shoreline Amphitheater + – Mountain View, Calif.

    Oct. 17 — Daily’s Place – Jacksonville, Fla.

    Oct. 18 — Coral Sky Amphitheatre * – West Palm Beach, Fla.

    Oct. 19 —Coral Sky Amphitheatre *- West Palm Beach, Fla.

    Oct. 20 — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre * – Tampa, Fla.

    Oct. 25 — The Walmart Amp. * – Rogers, Ark.

    Oct. 26 —The Dos Equis Pavilion * – Dallas, Texas

    * with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
    + with Caroline Jones