NYS Music 202​0

Category: Upcoming Shows

  • Cher, John Legend and More Set to Perform in the Biden-Harris Campaign Virtual Concert ‘I Will Vote’

    Virtual campaign concerts have been a rising trend with Presidential Nominee Joe Biden. His campaign team put together, yet another, concert series with a prominent lineup including Cher, John Legend and The Black Eyed Peas, scheduled for Oct. 25.

    July 31, 2019 – Detroit, Michigan, U.S. – JOE BIDEN and KAMALA HARRIS pose for the photo spray during a commercial break at the second of two Democratic Debates in Detroit hosted by CNN and sanctioned by the DNC.(Credit Image: © Brian Cahn/ZUMA Wire)

    The ‘I Will Vote Concert‘ is an attempt to raise money for Biden’s campaign in the last waning days before the election. Tickets for the Biden campaign concert start at $25 and increase to $1000.

    Just last month, ‘Team Joe Sings‘ popped off with artists like Kesha, Ben Gibbard and Misterwives. Every Thursday up until the election, a group of musicians perform songs virtually to raise money for his campaign. The series has produced over 15 videos, each of a different artist featuring their music.

    Musical entertainment has always been used as a way to promote, whether it be for an ad or a movie. In this case, Biden is not only raising money for his shot in the White House, but also may increase his chances of getting more votes with well-known artists showing their support.

    The lineup: A$AP Ferg, Sara Bareilles, Aloe Blacc, Black Eyed Peas and Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi, Ciara, Darren Criss, Jermaine Dupri, NE-YO, Johnta Austin and Friends, Foo Fighters, Macy Gray, Dave Matthews, P!nk, Ben Platt, Cher, John Legend and The Black Eyed Peas.

    Also Scheduled: La La Anthony, Margaret Cho, Jaime Camil, Dave Grohl, Armie Hammer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Helen Mirren, Maren Morris, Billy Porter, Amy Schumer, will.i.am, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness.

    Make sure to tune in 8:00 p.m. EDT/ 5:00 p.m. PDT on Sunday. Tickets are on sale now.

  • OmniZen Studios’ Shane Morris Releases COVID-19 Album

    The Capital Region’s OmniZen Studios has announced a brand new album from founder Shane Morris. Dubbed Memories of Life, an album release party is set to occur at the historic remodeled Madison Theatre in Albany. The show is free with the purchase of food on October 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Joining Morris will be Capital Region songwriter Corry Loveday.

    OmniZen Studios

    Memories of Life is Morris’s first album in nine years. Previously he had released Waves of Inspiration in 2011 while a student at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Since graduation numerous musical ventures have taken place for Morris including the formation of OmniZen Studios in 2017. NYS Music spoke with Shane Morris on how life has changed for OmniZen particularly during the pandemic.

    Jessica Sherman: What pulled on you to create music?

    Shane Morris: The thing that really got me into music was the guitar. A childhood friend and I would listen to his mother play the guitar. So one day I told my mom that I really wanted a guitar for my birthday. They got me guitar lessons from a music shop in Walden, NY and off we went.

    In two years I went through two guitar teachers with the latter turning into a future jam buddy. Then I started singing in choir during middle and high school. Through conversations with my choir director I realized that having a career as a musician was plausible.

    Now I own OmniZen Studios with a Latin Grammy nomination under the name, thanks to work completed with Alex Torres y Su Orchestra in 2018.

    JS: What drove you to record the album?

    SM:The inspiration for this album actually came from the feelings and experiences I had during COVID-19. Specifically, during this time I actually fostered a new friendship. Six of the songs on this album are based on this friendhsip. I also chose to re-release a few of my older songs from my previous album, ‘Waves of Inspiration’. This album came out after my graduation from The College of Saint Rose in 2011.

    JS: How do you think the pandemic has affected the music industry specifically?

    SM: I think COVID has impacted the music industry in, honestly, one of the worst ways imaginable. My business has taken an approximate revenue loss of about 50% during this time period when compared to last year. It put me in a few really uncomfortable positions, and I’ve had to make some tough choices along the way. Usually during the summer months I’m out doing live sound reinforcement for festivals and shows while my other employees produce music back at the studio. With COVID, that side of my business basically doesn’t exist.

    For example, it took OmniZen Studios three venue changes just to put on a fundraiser for my friends whose house burned down in June. The two venues I was considering in Albany for the fundraiser eventually just ran into too much red tape to host my event, and I came to the decision that the best place for it would be Stable Gate Farm and Winery in Schodack, NY.

    JS: Any dream collaborations in the future?

    SM: I’m always very open on who I collaborate with! It’s actually part of my musical philosophy that music is part of the human spirit, and it helps us all to connect to each other. I love to host jam sessions in my space and make music with whoever is really interested in what we’re doing. One of the main focuses of OmniZen from its inception was to bring an open forum and space to the musical community where lower income artists can come together and help raise up and promote the entire Capital Region music scene.

    Some of my favorite collaborations include a roots/reggae album produced for Joseph Fleuriot, also known as Papa Joe, and most recently, my re-recorded version of “I’ll Be There Soon”, featuring the super talented Stephanie Gettys on backup vocals, which is also included on ‘Memories of Life’. In the future, I really hope to collaborate with some of the up and coming hip hop artists such as area native Freedom Stratton, who recently released his album titled The Future.

    OmniZen Studios Jam Session

    JS: What does the future hold for OmniZen and Shane Morris?

    SM: That is really an open ended question at this point. COVID has brought me to a point where I’m currently re-organizing the way my business operates to make sure it’s still profitable in the future, which involves taking on more remote and voice over type work.

    Also, I’m currently enrolled in a certificate program with the NYU Clive Davis Center for Recorded Music. After that is complete, I’m planning on applying to masters degree programs. I might even end up on the west coast in the next year or so. Of course, OmniZen will still exist in some capacity.

  • Phish Serves up a Trio of Halloween Sets for Dinner and a Movie

    Just in time for Halloween, Phish’s Dinner And A Movie series returns, and with a vengeance. Instead of a full vintage Phish show, phans will get three sets, choice selections from their infamous Halloween performances of 1996, 2014 and 2018 on October 31, the anniversary of each of the sets.

    halloween dinner and a movie

    The first installment from 2014 will feature the Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House set from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The band utilized a Disney sound effects album to create 10 songs, among them “Martian Monster” and “Your Pet Cat,” debuted that night and found their way into the Phish rotation quickly.

    halloween dinner and a movie
    Poster by Miguel Carvallo

    The second set on Halloween features the second set of Halloween 1996 at The Omni in Atlanta, when Phish covered the entire Talking Heads epic, Remain in Light.

    halloween dinner and a movie

    The third and final set of this Halloween Dinner and a Movie takes us back to 2018 in Las Vegas, when Phish performed under the alter ego Kasvot Växt, performing the debut of í rokk.

    halloween dinner and a movie

    With a three-part ‘movie,’ you’ll need dinner. Phish has teamed up with Burlington chef and Phish fan Justin Wright has set up a corresponding three-course fall meal: Delicata Squash Tempura, Primal Soup, and some spooky Ghost Brownies. Justin recently returned to Burlington this summer to open casual French eatery C’est Ca. Recipes can be found here.

    The beneficiary for the weekend is the Fair Elections Center, and donations can be made through phish.com/waterwheel. Fair Elections Center is a national, nonpartisan voting rights and election reform organization which works to remove barriers to registration and voting for traditionally underrepresented constituencies.

    The Center works to improve election administration through legislative, legal and administrative reform, to protect access to the ballot through litigation, and to provide election law expertise, voter information and technical assistance to voter mobilization organizations. Learn more about them at https://www.fairelectionscenter.org.

    Join Phish on Saturday, October 31 at 8:30 pm ET at webcast.livephish.com.

  • Planet Afropunk Announces Lineup for Global Virtual Show

    Planet Afropunk announces their lineup for their global virtual show. The free virtual show is taking place on October 23-25, 2020 and will include big names like Common, Mayra Andrade, Dua Saleh, Larissa Luz + Carlinhos Brown, Asiatica, Black Haus, Mc Yallah, T. Nava, Tciyf, Yves Tumor and many more. Planet Afropunk hopes to be a safe space for people to celebrate and inspire, cry and shout, and to heal and motivate one another during these trying times. 

    Planet Afropunk plans to create new ways for people to experience the next generation of Black creativity, music and culture. They plan to do this by bringing together the largest virtual gathering of the worldwide Black creative community into one curated online space in 15 years. One of the reasons Planet Afropunk is able to be such a big global celebration is because of it’s partners. These partners will help power Afropunk’s iconic digital destinations and make it a one of a kind show this year. Some of the big names they are partnering with include VERIZON, BOSE, TEQUILA DON JULIO, Ideaville, powered by Target. VERIZON is helping to bring the artist lineup for AFROPUNK’S festival on the World Stage. BOSE is supporting the audience’s musical discovery journey through a special set from Masego, Serpentwithfeet and Jonah Mutono also on the World stage. TEQUILA DON JULIO 1942 who is powering sets by DJ Poison Ivy and DJ Ruckus. Ideaville, powered by Target, will spotlight Black voices and stories. They hope to succeed at doing this by creating a safe space for all of AFROPUNK’s communities. Part of their charge in doing this is by partnering with Penguin Random House to uplift Black voices by featuring a selection of NY-Times best-selling authors in our Rock N’ Read Bookstore and powering author readings and conversations. 

    The full line up of musicians participating in the Planet Afropunk global virtual show include: Afrobapho, Afrocidade feat. Majur and Mahal Pita, Ari Lennox, Arka’n Asrafokor, ASIATICA, ÀTTØØXXÁ feat. Hiran, Balimaya Project, Blac Rabbit, BLACK HAÜS, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Bootsy Collins, Common, DJ Poison Ivy, DJ Ruckus, Dua Saleh, Duckwrth, DUMA, Duo B.A.V.I., Durand Bernarr, Ecko Bazz, Elaine, Jahmed, Johnny Cradle, Jonah Mutono, KIRBY, Larissa Luz + Carlinhos Brown, Loshh, Lous and the Yakuza, Masego, Mayra Andrade, MC Yallah, Mereba, Meshell N’Dege Ocello, Moonchild Sanelly, Moonga K., Moses Sumney, Muneyi, Muzi, Nêssa, Rebelmatic, Sampa The Great, Serpentwithfeet, Smino, Solo Ntsizwa Ka Mthimkhulu, Songhoy Blues, T. Nava, Tawiah, TCIYF, The Veldt, Theon Cross, Tiana Major9, Tiwa Savage, Tobe Nwigwe, Tomi Agape, TrapFunk & Alívio, Ukhoikhoi, Virus, Yan Cloud, Yves Tumor. 

    There will also be some speakers at the event which will include Amanda Seales, Ashlee Marie Preston, Blerdcon, Bridget Todd, Dawn Richard, Dulcé Sloan, Ivie Anie, Jesse Williams, Maimouna Youssef AKA Mumu Fresh, Robert Glasper, Tamika D. Mallory, Terrace Martin.

    People interested in attending and getting more information can visit Afropunk’s website. People who don’t want to miss any exclusives and updates on the event can RSVP here.

  • Disco Biscuits 10-Day Drive In Run Broadcast on Couchtour.tv Launch

    The new Couchtour.TV livestream service will offer a taste of what’s to come with Disco Biscuits Drive-In Broadcasts, starting tonight from Yarmouth, MA.

    Disco Biscuits founding member and lead guitarist, Jon Barber, now has a new title – Founder of Couchtour.tv. Thus, it makes perfect sense his band will test the startup platform. Tonight they will take to intergalactic heights – literally zapping a live feed into space then crashing down to your living room as you sip Dogfish Head on your couch.

    Couchtour

    The whole aim here is for you to enjoy the show responsibly – going on the most epic concert trip, without moving an inch. However, Couchtour.tv won’t stop there. For the adventure seekers, delve into their chat feature and engage with everyone. Get stoked on Couchtour.tv as it is far from it perfected final form.

    The beta launched October. 3, featuring live performances from Chicago house trio Orchard lounge and electronic breakbeat exploration, DrFameus. Get it while it’s hot. Couchtour.tv isn’t holding back that they’re the new kids on the block. As they work through the ‘bells and whistles,’ now is the best time to experience a raw, upcoming stream service.

    The project boasts their contributions to HeadCount, helping register voters and promote non-partisan democracy through the power of music. In addition, the multi-faucet idea will take on role of a promoter. It’s an all in one.

    Go to Couchtour.tv and sign up to access pricing and see your purchase options. 

    Couchtour.tv wasn’t a new idea, but time that would have otherwise been spent on the road opened up the space to finally bring Couchtour.tv to fruition. We’ve got a great team working on this, but it’s still gonna’ be a few months before we can roll this out in its complete form – bells, whistles and all – then it’ll be available wherever fans go to get their apps.

    Jon Barber – Disco Biscuits

    Couchtour.tv can be summed into two words. High Def. They guarantee above the rest with the highest quality stream, real-time customer service and the ability to host events literally anywhere. Their state-of-the-art satellite tech can zap converts from anywhere with a plugin. Maybe the Biscuits will be on a boat or teetering on the edge of a mountain, according tho the official press release on Wednesday. There are no limits.

    Flashback to ‘Summer 2020’: Disco Biscuits Play Ball at Citizens Bank Park

  • Hudson Valley Votes Announces Get-Out-The-Vote Virtual Concert

    Hudson Valley Votes (HVV) announces their third annual Get-Out-The-Vote virtual concert encouraging voter turnout. The virtual concert will take place on HVV’s YouTube and social media channels on Saturday, October 17, 2020. The lineup includes big names like Natalie Merchant, Norah Jones, Emily King, Antonio Delgado, Michelle Hinchey and more. 

    The event will include musicians, candidates, actors, students, and activists from the Hudson Valley area and beyond. The event encourages people to come together, celebrate, and defend their right to vote in what they call, “the most important election our country has ever faced.” The concert will take place online and will be free to the public. Donations via ActBlue are encouraged, with net proceeds to benefit Common Cause New York. As in years past, all of the performers and artists have donated their time to get out the vote and promote election integrity.

    Performers on the docket include: Justin Vivian Bond, Nels Cline, Brian Collazo, Abena Koomson-Davis, Jack DeJohnette, Gail Ann Dorsey, Energy Dance Co, Cheme Gastelum, Corey Glover, Amy Helm, Dave Holland, Norah Jones, Steve Jordan, Emily King, Joakim Lartey, Sean Lennon, Dan Littleton, Storey Littleton, John Medeski, Natalie Merchant, Jeremy Most, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ben Perowsky, Kate Pierson, Casey Ramos, Jackson Speller, Simi Stone, and Rock Academy.

    Special Guests include: Fred Armisen, Moraya Seeger DeGeare, Reggie Earls, Juan Figueroa, Brita Filter, Tim Guinee, Cally Mansfield, Rebecca Martin, Mary Stuart Masterson, Melissa Auf der Maur, Maitreya Motel, Thomas Sadoski, Amanda Seyfried, Bobby Tisdale, and Uma Thurman. 

    Candidates making an appearance include Antonio Delgado, Michelle Hinchey, Jen Metzger, and Karen Smythe. The event was originally going to take place at the landmark Opus 40, but inclement fall weather shifted plans and Hutton Brickyards generously donated its space in which to film the socially distanced concert reel, which will be shown virtually, interspersed with satellite performances and speakers. Earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the original Hudson Valley Votes canceled it’s plans for its live event, which had been originally scheduled for October 17 th at Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston, donating remaining funds to FAMILY of Woodstock. 

    The event will be airing on Saturday, October 17 th at 8PM, via HVV’s YouTube channel and social media, as well as via Radio Kingston, Radio Woodstock and others. This is the third annual concert-rally that features incredible local and international talent.

    For more information on the event visit Hudson Valley Votes’ website.

  • The Kitchen Offers Up New Virtual Performances

    Manhattan-based non profit, The Kitchen, will premier of The Brooding Exercises. The video project can be viewed at The Kitchen OnScreen, the venue’s virtual streaming platform on October 16-18. Times will be announced closer to the premier date.

    The video is in response to the cancellation of a previous project, Vivification Exercises. The video project stars Ka Baird and Max Eibacher. Organizer Matthew Lyons, Ross Karre (Audiovisual Supervisor and Camera), Merve Kayan (Camera), and Caley Monahon-Ward (Audio Assistance) round out the production team.

    The Kitchen

    Ka Baird is an American multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, producer and performer based in New York City. Baird is known for raw, ecstatic, boundary-pushing live solo performances. Energetic body movements, extended vocal techniques, luminous flute percussion/meditations and innovative use of live electronics fuse to create the concept of ‘body music.’ Centered in radical present tense and vigorous expression, the performances seek extreme release, both through physical exertion and psychic extension.

    Ka Baird’s latest recording Respires was included on Pitchfork’s Best Experimental Albums of 2019 list. In addition, Baird is a founding member of the legendary psych-folk/avant-garde group Spires That In The Sunset Rise, founded in Chicago in 2001.

    Max Eilbacher is an Baltimore-based intermedia artist who works primarily makes abstract computer music. The sound is an eclectic mix of electroacoustic, musique concréte composition and process intensive computer music.

    Soon to celebrate its 50th year in 2021, The Kitchen remains one of New York City’s most forward-looking nonprofit spaces. Programs range from dance, music, theater to video and film. All programs aim to showcase ingenious work of emerging and established artists alike. Known as the epicenter of the New Wave avant garde music genre in the late 70s, The Kitchen was home to many successful artists like Glenn Branca and Lydia Lunch.

    In July 2020 OnScreen program formed to host online program offerings, including virtual performances, livestreamed events, and newly published texts.

  • Aqueous Takes on The Silver Lake Twin Drive-In Again

    Aqueous announces their plans to perform at the Silver Lake Twin Drive-In. The drive-in is located in Perry, NY on October 24, 2020. 

    Aqueous Silver Lake Twin Drive-In

    This will be Silver Lake Twin Drive-In third time to host Aqueous. The drive-In also hosted two nights of live Aqueous fun, from the safety of viewers cars, back in August. This socially distanced concert experience is becoming a normality across the United States due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The Silver Lake Twin Drive-In is located at 7037 Chapman Ave in Perry, NY. The Silver Lake Twin Drive-In produces weekend film features on two outdoor screens with a casual restaurant, mini-golf & more on-site.

    The gates for the show will open at 5pm at the Silver Lake Twin Drive-In and Aqueous will be live in front of screen one  at the drive-in from 6PM – 9PM. Tickets are going on sale at 10AM on October 9, 2020. The general admission for the show will be $125 for a four-person carload. The VIP tickets for the show will be $175 for a four-person carload. The VIP tickets include admission to show, parking spot in the first two rows, limited edition poster. Individual add-ons for cars over four people will be $40 per person for general admission and $60 per person for VIP ticket holders. 

    All the parking at the event will be designated by Drive-In Security. Management has final authority over where viewers may park. VIP parking will be in the first 2 rows of the Drive-In while general admission vehicle parking will be on a first-come-first-park basis behind the first 2 rows. To help with the obstruction of guests’ view, vans, trucks, and SUVs will be asked to park on one side of the snack bar or in the last three rows of the theater. To comply with social distancing guidelines, all vehicles must park at least 6 feet away from neighboring vehicles. Once parked, do not move your vehicle. If you choose to leave in your vehicle, you will not be permitted to re-enter the drive-in.

    People will be allowed to sit  outside their vehicles or in the back of a pickup truck as long as the patrons remain a minimum of 6 feet away from other guests. Face masks are not required unless you are in a public area within 6 feet of other guests. All guests must remain inside or near their vehicles at all times except for bathroom trips, to visit the snack bar or Charcoal Corral restaurant, walking your dog, or walking to a designated smoking area. All guests must wear face masks whenever they are in a public area within 6 feet of other guests until further notice.

    For more information on Aqueous and their upcoming shows visit their website.

  • “The Afterparty” Weekly Concert Series Announced to Follow Trey Anastasio’s “Beacon Jams”

    “The Afterparty” was announced as a weekly streaming concert series to follow Trey Anastasio’s “The Beacon Jams” concert series. It will take place on James Casey’s live-stream platform, Aux Chord, and will run every Friday between October 9 and November 27 after Trey’s show.

    James Casey is the founder of Aux Chord, and a longtime member of the Trey Anastasio Band. Aux Chord is a live virtual music venue created by artists in support of bringing together the music community at large. 100% of the profits directly benefit the artists performing on each show. Because of this, 100% of the proceeds from “The Afterparty” concert series will benefit the performers from that night’s concert. Trey Anastasio Band Member & Aux Chord Founder James Casey are hosting the concert series and plan for it to take place across multiple stages. “The Afterparty” series will feature 2 hours of staggered live performances with a host DJ and multiple virtual stages that viewers can pop into throughout the night. 

    The first episode of “The Afterparty” will kick off on Friday, October 9 shortly after 10PM EST after the weekly “The Beacon Jams” airs at 8PM EST via Twitch. The first night will host DJ Raydar Starts Spinning at 10:15, James Casey at 10:30, and Louis Cato at 10:45. Tickets are on sale now here and tickets are only $10 for the first show. 

    There will also be an added feature on Aux Chord that will give the audience weekly interactive experience featuring “Fancam,” which allows viewers to watch alongside one another, dance together and truly interact with the performance.

    For more information on the “The Afterparty” concert series and on the lineups for the future performances, visit Aux Chord’s website.

  • Live at the Drive In to Host Dirty Heads, Almost Queen, and Disco Biscuits

    Live at the Drive-In announced performances by Dirty Heads, Almost Queen, and the Disco Biscuits at the Lafayette Apple Festival Grounds. The shows will take place throughout October with Dirty Heads on the 24 and Disco Biscuits on the 29, 30, and 31. The shows will follow social distancing guidelines made by the State of NY while providing some much needed live music. 

    The Lafayette Apple Festival Grounds usually hosts the LaFayette Apple Festival but due to COVID-19 the festival unforchinitly had to be cancelled this year. They are making room for five nights of musical fun. Doors open at 5PM for all the shows and they actually start at 7PM. Tickets are on sale already for the Dirty heads and Disco Biscuit shows and can be purchased here.  

    Live at the Drive-In

    The Dirty Heads are a mix of hip-hop, reggae, and rock. They are a California bred and raised group with a similar sound to Sublime. They formed back in 2003 and their members throughout the years include Jared Watson, Dustin Bushnell, Matt Ochoa, David Foral, Jon Olazabal, Shawn Hagood, and Josh Freese. They have seven studio albums and have hit the Billboard Top 200 multiple times. 

    Live at the Drive-In

    The Disco Biscuits are a well known and loved jam band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is made up of band members Allen Aucoin, Marc “Brownie” Brownstein, Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig, and Aron Magner and formed in 1995. The band is known for incorporating elements from a bunch of different musical genres. Their sound has a base of electronic and rock and has been described as trance fusion in the past. 

    For more information of the Live at the Drive-In performances visit Lafayette Apple Festival Grounds website and Creative Concerts.