Foo Fighters performed the first show back at Madison Square Garden (MSG) and made New York and music history as they welcomed vaccinated fans back to the iconic venue on June 20 for the first 100% capacity concert in a New York arena since March 2020.
The three hour long, sold out show with no opening act marked Madison Square Garden’s first concert in more than 460 days in yet another resounding endorsement of the return of live music. The last full capacity show at MSG was The Brothers, which celebrated the Allman Brothers Band music on March 10, 2020. Since then, limited capacity events like Knicks games have taken place at the arena.
Despite anti-vax protests, MSG required a vaccination check for entry at the show, mainly the Excelsior Pass, the NYC-only digital “passport” that provides proof of vaccination. The venue allowed attendees to mask up at their own discretion. For children under 16, a negative COVID-19 test paired with an ID could, and can, suffice in place of a vaccine passport.
“We’ve been waiting for this day for over a year,” said Dave Grohl. “And Madison Square Garden is going to feel that HARD. New York, get ready for a long ass night of screaming our heads off together to 26 years of Foos.”
AMAZING. First concert in almost two years, and it's the FOO FIGHTERS. Threw my voice out singing almost every song. Possibly one of the BEST concerts I've ever been to. Feels great to be back at concerts again. Also, Dave Chappelle is GREAT. #FooFighters#MSG#GetVaccinatedpic.twitter.com/zqlXTngkbt
Dave Chapelle joined the band to sing a cover of “Creep” by Radiohead. Other covers of the night include “Somebody to Love” by Queen and as a sneak peek for the new Foo Fighters Record Store Day album, they offered a cover of “You Should Be Dancing” off Hail Satin, due on July 17, a satirical take on The Bee Gees.
The 12 time Grammy Award-winning band, sold tens of millions of records and created anthems, their globally anticipated 10th album, Medicine at Midnight, was released February 5, preceded by the chart-topping groove of “Shame Shame,” the brain-rattling “No Son of Mine,” and the epic swell of “Waiting on a War.” Since 1995, the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, and Rami Jaffee have held the title of the last great American arena/stadium rock band.
Foo Fighters first headlined a sold-out Garden in February 2008 on their “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” tour, returning to rock the venue for another sell-out show in November 2011 on the “Wasting Light” tour. Most recently, the band sold-out two nights at The World’s Most Famous Arena in July 2018, on their “Concrete and Gold” tour. The announcement of the June 20 MSG show follows the news of Foo Fighters’ first six U.S. dates on their “25th 26th Anniversary” tour taking place later this summer.
The June 20 Foo Fighters show, along with other recently announced shows across MSG Entertainment’s venues, are part of the company’s efforts to restart New York, which also include two sold-out events this month – the closing night of Tribeca Festival featuring “Untitled: Dave Chappelle Documentary” at Radio City Music Hall on June 19 and “Two Evenings With Trey Anastasio” at the Beacon Theatre on June 22-23.
Foo Fighters – Madison Square Garden (MSG) – June 20, 2021
Setlist: Times Like These, The Pretender, Learn to Fly, No Son of Mine, The Sky Is a Neighborhood, Shame Shame, Rope, Run, My Hero, These Days, Medicine at Midnight, Walk, Somebody to Love (Queen cover with Taylor Hawkins on lead), Monkey Wrench, Arlandria, Breakout, Creep (Radiohead cover with Dave Chappelle), All My Life, Aurora, This Is A Call, Best of You
Encore: Making a Fire, You Should Be Dancing (Bee Gees cover), Everlong
A sea of joyful color and child-like wonder pulsed through the Goose crowd on June 15 and 16 at Silver Lake Twin Drive-in in Perry, NY. Many families emerged for their first time since shutdown and were welcomed by a space glowing with familial care. Permission was given to be fully present for the music. Hospitality at this venue made all the difference for so many in the last year and a half.
What’s better then 1 Goedde Light Show? 2.
Twenty6 Productions staff were able to touch hands at the end of their huddle. Staff reminisced together about all they had been through with jokes beginning with “back in my day.” Grace Vesneske and Josh Holtzman made their intention clear that they were here to support our whole night.
“We are so stoked to celebrate NYS ban being lifted! To kick it off with a power house like Goose make it even more epic. Thank you Twenty6 productions for making dreams come true.” – Josh Eppinger
Attendees painted the lot with their beautifully unique Blue Sky Tie Dye shirts made by “the guy that makes stuff happen” and local sweetheart Phil Vasile.
Jugglers, hula hoops and dragon kites twirled and swirled. The Haus of Peculiar entertainers snapped their fans with unparalleled sass. The character and the characters blended unexpectedly in order to create an upbeat, family vibe.
Goose fans seasoned and fresh here for the ferocity.
The best anecdote to communicate the mood of the night would be when two and a half year old fan Jonah fell on the ground just as the band came on for the second night. He lifted his head as the crowd began cheering and expression shifted to pure joy because he believed they were cheering for his Tumble.
Deep Goose
Experiencing Technicolor with Goedde Sound & Light
What made the night more special was that despite lifting restrictions, many attendees were doing so virtually and with the highest quality viewing experience. Goedde Sound and Light replicated the mood of “Dark Horse” with lights that behaved as if they were a rain stick or gong.
Crescent moon showing up just in time for the start of “Dark Horse” and its complementary lights.
Sam Bardini’s superb mixing allowed for fan Phil Paquet to experience “some deep Goose” from home and have conversation with those that were in attendance as if he and Mr. McGoose were right up there with Crepes.
Strategically placed plant creating a Peter Gabriel jungle vibe.
Danny McDonald traversed the stage with ease, carefully dodging open thermoses of Hot Tea on the cozy stage in order to share the best angles of Peter Anspach slapping his clavinet.
Trevor casually fire bending.
Marta Goedde knowing how to orchestrate angles and vantages to tell a song’s story in layers that have never been set before.
Adam Berta finding E.T.
Adam Berta, perched on the roof of the bathrooms, looked like a character out of a Spielberg movie where aliens are real and anything is possible. He knew exactly where to be and displayed a great balance between passive ninja and gentle direction in order to get some truly unique moments.
Goedde’s lights inviting all to lay back and enjoy
Deep Stashes And ‘Staches
The crowd shared two nights of pure reflective elation. The band went far into the jams and deep into the archives for a crowd that was not afraid to express how much it meant to them. Goose at Perry felt like an extra-terrestrial dream. Well orchestrated on all fronts, we moved on feeling like the war might actually be all over now, Baby Blue.
Phil Vasile (Right) with children both biological and metaphysical
June 15 Setlist: Turned Clouds, Doc Brown, I’m Alright (Kenny Loggins), Make The Move (Kenny Loggins), Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins), A Western Sun, Echo Of A Rose, Into The Myst, Travelers, Its All Over Now Baby Blue (Bob Dylan), Dark Horse, Empress of Organos
June 16 Setlist: Tumble, Doobie Song, Mississippi Half Step Uptown Toodeloo (The Grateful Dead), Wysteria, Innocent Son (Fleet Foxes), Labyrinth, Hot Tea, Electric Avenue (Eddy Grant), Creatures, This Old Sea, Jive II, Jive Lee
Setlists via “The Playbook” via “Coach” Jon Lombardi Facebook page
For more, show a family member the livestream for “Goosemas 2021” that helped comfort us all and introduce so many to what the Goose team has to offer.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) was alive once again on June 18, as Trey Anastasio kicked off three nights of acoustic shows with some friends along for the ride.
On Friday night, Trey welcomed Beacon Jams stars the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski for eleven songs during the show, while performing another eleven solo on acoustic guitar. The songs included Phish numbers, as well as one of Trey’s new quarantine home recordings, “Lost in the Pack.”
Trey told stories during the performance, asking the audience what they’d been up to since Mexico, the last Phish shows held in February 2020. Trey gave nod to HBO’s Succession Season 2 for best viewing this past year, as well as Marc Rebillet’s vaccine song.
The crowd, held to 30% capacity (due to live performance restrictions at the time of announcement) skewed slightly younger, with crowd pleasers “Everything’s Right,” “Turtle in the Clouds” and “Sigma Oasis” elating the audience, the latter especially with the line, “Take off your mask.”
Fans were treated to two lengthy compositions with the Rescue Squad Strings and Tanski with the early composition “Fluffhead” and the more recent “Mercury,” both wowing the crowd, the latter making its acoustic debut along with the Anastasio/Tansky duet of “Split Open and Melt.”
A show closing “First Tube” gave a nod to the late Tony Markellis, as Anastasio said, “With deepest love,” for the former TAB bassist and longtime resident of Saratoga Springs.
Set 1: Wilson [1], Alive Again[1], Stash [2], Water in the Sky[2], Lost in the Pack[1], Back on the Train[1], Sample in a Jar[1], Sigma Oasis[1], Theme From the Bottom[1], Shade [3], Fluffhead[2], Mercury [4], The Inlaw Josie Wales[2], Turtle in the Clouds[1], Maze[1], Snowflakes in the Sand[1], Everything’s Right [5], Split Open and Melt [6], Joy[2], Harry Hood[2]
Encore: More[1], First Tube[4] [1] Trey on acoustic guitar. [2] Trey on acoustic guitar; with the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski on piano. [3] Trey on acoustic guitar; with Jeff Tanski on piano. [4] Trey on acoustic guitar; with the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski on piano. First acoustic performance. [5] Trey on acoustic guitar. Started and stopped before being played in full. [6] Trey on acoustic guitar; with Jeff Tanski on piano. First acoustic performance.
Saturday night found Trey and a full house at SPAC for round two. Phish bandmate Page McConnell stopped by late in the evening, surprising fans for a few songs.
Just before the encore, Trey thanked the audience, crew and friends and spoke about the late Tony Markellis.
Tony will always be a part of all of our lives. He of course, Saratoga resident and native. Page reminded me backstage of a fact that was quite true that I had forgotten. His absolute favorite song in the repertoire of all of this groups of friends who play together is this next song. He just loved this one. One of Page’s favorites too.
Trey Anastasio
And with that, “Sleeping Monkey” was played by Trey and Page, with the crowd letting out a laugh, and later singing the “home on the train” part in unison. For the final songs of the encore, Trey brought Jeff Tanski and the Rescue Squad Strings as Page stepped off, closing the night with “If I Could” and “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.”
Set1: Set Your Soul Free, Blaze On, I Never Needed You Like This Before, Esther#, Brian And Robert*, Wolfman’s Brother*, Divided Sky*, Driver, When the Words Go Away, Twist, Foam#, What’s the Use*, Chalk Dust Torture, Sand#, Pebbles and Marbles*, Lifeboy*, Backwards Down the Number Line, Limb By Limb, Mountains in the Mist^, Sleep^, Waste^, Sleeping Monkey^
Encore: If I Could$, Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
* – with Rescue Squad Strings + Jeff Tanski # – with Jeff Tanski ^ – with Page McConnell $ – with Rescue Squad Strings + Page McConnell
For the third and final night of acoustic performance at SPAC, Anastasio spent the longest day of the year focusing intently on playing and less time sharing stories. On the 17 year anniversary of one of Phish’s most notable SPAC performances, Anastasio gave the date fresh significance as acoustic debuts of “Reba,” “Drift While You’re Sleeping,” “You Enjoy Myself” and “Tweezer Reprise” were the specials of the day.
With the mantra of ‘Never Miss a Sunday’ show holding true through a pandemic, Trey kicked off the show with an unexpected Father’s Day opener in “Carini,” noting afterwards this was a Father’s Day song with the lyrics “he went across the street and called his dad,” the ends seemingly justifying the means.
A spirited acoustic version of “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan” had a nice jam at end that worked its way into “Free” which had cheers throughout for “I feel the feeling I forgot.”
For the first acoustic debut of the night, “Reba” featured a duet with Jeff Tanski on piano, who added in a little ragtime style in the first third of the composition. The incredibly intricate song, one that Anastasio recently mentioned on Alive Again (Osiris Network) took the pair on a complex journey through one of Phish’s oldest fan-favorites. Anastasio noted afterwards that it was Tanski who helped him through the pandemic by playing together for 4-5 hours daily in a small practice space in New York City.
Welcoming back The Rescue Squad Strings – Katie Kresek and Maxim Moston on violin, Rachel Golub on viola, Anja Wood on cello – Anastasio dove into “Strange Design” and the debut of “Drift While You’re Sleeping,” the crowd moved by lyrics “It’s love, it’s love, it always was. And it is and it always will be love.”
Trey went solo for “Ghost” and “Farmhouse” before welcoming back Tanski for “Ghosts of the Forest” with aquarium-hued lighting and Anastasio hanging on the lyric “I’m drowning in my own mind” to the song’s morendo. The Strings returned for “Light” which used the blank canvas behind the stage to simulate a sunrise growing brighter as the song built towards climax.
“Bathtub Gin” and “NICU” had the audience singing along once again, followed by Tansky returning for two somber numbers in “Dirt” and “Miss You.” The Strings then came back again for the at-home composition from April 2020, “Till We Meet Again.” If there was any point of the evening where there was an interlude in the music, it was these previous few tunes, as the crowd would soon find out.
A solo version of “Tube” brought out big cheers for science, and with Tansky and the string section, fans were wowed with “The Lizards.” Debuting during the Beacon Jams in Fall 2020, the addition of strings to the fan-favorite had the song hitting a little different this evening. Paired with the “Slave to the Traffic Light” that followed, fans were blessed with two classic Phish songs plus strings in as intimate a setting as 30% capacity at SPAC could allow.
After a solo version of “Possum,” Trey read a sign saying “Play what makes you happy.” He obliged, playing “a little ditty that makes me happy,” that being “You Enjoy Myself.” The vocal jam afterwards was reminiscent of past performances with orchestras, such as at Carnegie Hall in 2009, with Anastasio standing in front of the canvas backdrop, his silhouette visible against orange and then blue light.
For the encore, Trey thanked everyone for three great nights, introduced the string section and Tansky, and moved into the Ghosts of the Forest ballad “Life Beyond a Dream.” The addition of strings to emotionally powerful songs from across his decades of performance stood out tonight, but the show closer, “Tweezer Reprise,” would be the icing on the evening as the first ever version with a string section, with Anastasio smiling ear to ear as the typical finale of Phish shows reigned supreme once again in the halls of SPAC.
Anastasio will perform two nights at The Beacon Theatre, June 22 and 23, the first shows with an audience at the famed venue since March 2020.
Set 1: Carini [1], Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan[1], Free[1], Reba [2], Strange Design [3], Drift While You’re Sleeping [4], Ghost[1], Farmhouse[1], Ghosts of the Forest [5], Light[3], Bathtub Gin[1], NICU[1], Dirt[5], Miss You[5], Till We Meet Again[3], Tube[1], The Lizards[3], Slave to the Traffic Light[3], Possum[1], You Enjoy Myself[4]
Encore: A Life Beyond The Dream[3], Tweezer Reprise[4] [1] Trey on acoustic guitar. [2] Trey on acoustic guitar; with Jeff Tanski on piano. First acoustic performance. No whistling. [3] Trey on acoustic guitar; with the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski on piano. [4] Trey on acoustic guitar; with the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski on piano. First acoustic performance. [5] Trey on acoustic guitar; with Jeff Tanski on piano.
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers played as part of the Beak and Skiff Orchards 2021 concert series down Apple Valley Road in LaFayette, NY on June 16, 2021.
“I’ve got a daughter in law in LaFayette, Louisiana,” he told the crowd. The band’s performance was part of a brief Northeast run to start the year. Bruce brings that old summer tour magic back to life for all those in attendance, 30 years to the day he was part of an iconic set opening Eyes of the World with the Grateful Dead at Giants Stadium.
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at Beak and Skiff Orchards,NY
Bruce’s archives shows what a true artist he is. Hornsby is consistently reimagining his sound with the a band. Syracuse region basketball fans might like to know that he played Allen Iverson of Georgetown in a game of one-on-one when the Virginia natives used to cross paths in the 90’s.
Bruce’s on stage team this night consisted of J.V. Collier on bass, Chad Wright on drums, J.T. Thomas on keyboards, John Mailander on Violin/Mandolin, and Gibb Droll on guitar. The 17 song setlist was a full court press blend of rock, gospel, heartland rock, jazz, bluegrass and blues.
Certain lyrics resonated across New York’s four season changing landscape. Show opener “Absolute Zero” could have been a nod to the unusually cold night in LaFayette. “Hey, come on, let’s go down to two seventy-three below” Up next was the most chilling composition of the night for “Shit’s Crazy Out Here” with Bruce singing the title track amidst heavy deep jazz transports.
Bruce Hornsby in LaFayette, NY
Mid set, the iconic “That’s Just the Way It Is’ ‘ got people dancing under the setting sun, including an extended improvisational jam to keep the song fresh to the times. The iconic piano riff that was part of West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur’s remake (and on what would have been Shakur’s 50th birthday) was reciprocated with Bruce sampling Snoop Dogg’s “Drop it Like it’s Hot” over the house speakers.
The song appropriately named “Prairie Dog Town” had Bruce exit the piano to center stage on his dulcimer, leading vocals over the mix. Snoop Dogg’s beat segued into J.V. and Chad holding the bottom end down for a funky outro. Bruce scatted “Popping up, popping down, burrowing making their funny little sounds, guarding the ground and spotting all around watch your dry bones in the prairie dog town”
J.V. Collier, Bruce Hornsby, Chad Wright, Gibb Droll, John Mailander, JT Thomas
The highlight of the night was a true blend of California artists. The band’s opening chords to “Sunflower Cat” might have tricked you into thinking it was Grateful Dead’s “China Cat Sunflower” during Summer 1991. Bruce’s original lyrics over the Dead groove make it his own: “ In my dreams I can fly high, over fields and across the sky, then I’m awake and I’m back on the ground, if you could take me back up there, I’m down, I’m down with that’.”
Mid-song, J.V. Collier and Chad Wright locked in on Tupac’s “California Love” groove with on the spot reimagined lyrics to the surrounding landscape. J.V. sang “ New York State… knows how to party… In the city of… Lafayette, in the city of good old Utica…In the city…of Syracuse.. We keep it rockin… you keep it rockin.” The band then crushed the “New York Love” remix before a shift back into “Sunflower Cat” to close the show.
Bruce Hornsby, J.V. Collier
The evening was encored with the “pod people” getting down in front of the stage for “Rainbows Cadillac.” Bruce called out to the crowd “Every night about a quarter to ten, from the middle of June till summer’s end. People would gather from miles around to see the mighty Rainbow knock ’em down, sending the audience into the night wide-eyed as part of New York’s live music return.
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers – Beak and Skiff Orchards – Lafayette, NY – June 16, 2021
Setlist: Absolute Zero, Shit’s Crazy Out Here, The Rat King, My Resolve, Fields of Gray, The Way It Is, Walk in the Sun, Spider Fingers > Dreaded Spoon, Funhouse, Every Little Kiss*, Shadow Hand*, Prairie Dog Town*, Sunflower Cat > (California Love) > Sunflower Cat Encore: Rainbow’s Cadillac * Bruce on dulcimer
The rhythm section of the Noisemakers J.V. Collier (bass) and Chad Wright (drums) took some time to talk past, present, and future music experiences in New York State at the Hotel Syracuse the night before the show:
Matt Romano: It’s good to have you guys back in New York State to play live. What great memories come to mind playing here?
J.V. Collier: Over 27 years, every time coming to New York is memorable. I love City Winery in TriBeCa, The Blue Note and Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, We’d go to Woodstock to Levon Helm’s Studio at his barn in Hudson Valley for their Friday night jams. When Bruce and I started, we played at Woodstock ’94 with The Band and got to rehearse there. I was only supposed to play three songs and then Rick Danko was like “stay up here.” All these great horn players from the city, like Howard Johnson. But playing with The Band was an amazing thing. Woodstock ’94 we hung out all three nights. During Green Day’s set they cleared everybody off stage except Bruce and I for some reason. So it was great. I remember the park in New York City where Jaco (Pastorius) used to stay. I don’t know if you heard he used to sleep with his bass and basketball there towards the end. But I’d go to that spot and try to gain something from his spirit to play off.
MR: You guys were here virtually at the end of last year to help raise 500K plus for Upstate Hospital in Syracuse to benefit front line workers a block from here.
Chad Wright: We did it at the Teragram Ballroom in downtown L.A.. We prerecorded it and it was the first time we did anything last year since August of 2019.
MR: Does Bruce keep you guys on your toes with the variety of his catalog?
J.V.: The great thing about playing with Bruce is the surprise guests along the way. You never know. Chick Corea, Dave Garibaldi, Bonnie Raitt. His studio gig is like his live gig because what he wants it to be different all the time. He always pushes you to be better.
MR: How does composition compare to improvisation?
CW: When I got this gig, Bruce was great at explaining that there is no structure. But there’s a method to the madness…but it’s all subject to change to be fluid.
J.V.: Some nights are magic and you don’t want to let it go. You get to a space and it’s a thing. 2:45 to 3:00 hours used to be the normal set times. Bruce has the mentality of an athlete. He’s the point guard. He’s orchestrating what everyone’s gonna do up there. He’ll pass you the ball and wants you to do something with it before it comes back
Two members of Snarky Puppy, violinist Zach Brock and guitarist Bob Lanzetti, closed out a quick run of shows as a duo Sunday night, June 13, in Rochester at Lovin’ Cup.
Lovin’ Cup always boasts immaculate sound, and when the seats and tables are out, it provides a nice intimate setting. Both were welcome for the rich and beautiful music Brock and Lanzetti were laying down this night. Being a free show, a disengaged crowd might be expected. However, everyone in the room was completely rapt, respectful and there for no other reason than to squeeze out just a bit more of that sweet live music that has been so absent from the world for way too long.
Unlike their regular gig with Snarky Puppy, this music was less booty shaking and more ear tickling, less dance party more dinner party. Each a master of his instrument, together they could interweave enough complex notes to create swells of sound and also bring it down to simple taps and plucks. Brock would put away the bow to create rhythmic “bass” lines for Lanzetti to play a whirlwind solo over, and Lanzetti would likewise settle into a groove for Brock to take the violin to eclectic heights.
Their dynamic range wasn’t left to just how they played, but also what. The evenings program covered chamber music, jazz, world, Americana, blues and even some choice tributes. Many artists cover the great Gillian Welch, but few do so as an instrumental. They took her “Elvis Presley Blues” for a ride early in the first set, which proved to be a highlight. Brock’s violin conjured up all the emotion of Welch’s voice in such a way that the lyrics still pushed through. Later, on a tune dedicated to Steve Lacy, Brock summoned different tones from his instrument, resurrecting Lacy’s early adoption of the soprano sax as an improvisation vehicle.
Both musicians were open and friendly from the stage, telling stories and imparting musical knowledge that furthered the attentive audience’s enjoyment and created a connection between the two.
We’ve been missing Sunday shows for over 15 months. Those are the ones they say to never miss, right? There’s just no better way to finish or start a week. Zach Brock and Bob Lanzetti fit the bill, snark or not.
On June 12 and 13, at the new Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT, Goose presented two unique anthologies, juxtaposed just so. The raw, epic intensity of the first night enabled the spirit of shenanigans and invoked a welcomed fugue where we forget about the factory and fiction became reality. Fortunately, Capt. John O’Hagan was not the one asking, “What happens to the next guy who says “Shenanigans?””
Frankie Bosco inviting shenanigans
The Venue
The Westville Music Bowl felt like home. There was an air of recognition that was difficult to place. The access, the reasonably tight security providing a sense of shelter, and most importantly, there was not a bad seat in the house to be found. Upon reaching the ticketing area, it all made sense. The show was put on by the Twilight company, best known for making sanctuary happen at the beloved, now defunct, South Farms in Morris, CT.
Bunny interpreting an echo of a rose
It was comforting to discover people hanging out behind the bowl for a pre-show jam session and socializing. Alien it felt, but glorious it was – violin, familiar faces and the occasional shenanigans involving small sloths and remote control cars.
Jon “Coach” Lombardi giving his blessing as the show begins
Saturday: “Greg Knight’s Quest for the Holy Jam”
On Saturday, the Goose army assembled and became fully aligned. Tony Vasile, longtime fan, commented, “In Goose country, the long haulers would be more likely to ditch their family Thanksgiving celebration before missing out on this.” The band communicated endless gratitude through their commitment to a flawless execution of the curated evening of music.
Love in the air for royal Goose court minstrel DJ Doey Joey.
As the night progressed and sequined clothing glistened under Andrew Goedde’s superb lights, the crowd appeared to become more cohesive.
Franz Petit Lupen wearing all of this gold
People were chatting on the bathroom line. Jenny Ruthie Pearlman theorized, “People were running into each other for the first time. There had been friendships cultivating over the internet and it was hard to figure out who someone was when our faces were covered. There were songs I loved that came on, but what was more beautiful was that I could think of all the people that were excited not because it was their favorite song too, but because they knew I loved it.”
Man of the hour, Greg Knight catching up with pal Little Baby Crepes
The Battle
Just as we were together in the throes of battle with the elusive pauses during “Earthling of Alien?,”things were getting desperate. Spirits were dwindling in the “Madhuvan”forest.
The army was beginning to doubt their planetary origins when suddenly a Knight by the name of Greg Knight appeared to contribute some reality through his flawless rapped verses. The battle was over and we were rewarded with a sought after and rare “Factory Fiction.”Greg’s last appearance with the band was a year ago during Bingo Tour, which happens to also be the last time we heard “Factory Fiction.” Were they related? I don’t know…
Shenanigans colors tastefully woven in by Andrew Goedde
The first night’s encore finished what they started the night before. After getting the PA cut during the encore of “So Ready” the night before, it was only fitting to start exactly where they left off in New Haven.
“So Ready” music video
But Make It Fashion
The anthology of Goose tales continued with a segue that could not have been more clever. Closing with a tune from their animated music video for “So Ready” was the perfect setup for the capsule-style show similar to the themes they have done with movie soundtracks on Halloween.
Shenanigans Trailer and fashion inspiration
The band showed up on stage wearing their respective outfits and opened with the “Trailer Jam” from their wildly cinematic video announcement for the album Shenanigans Nite Club. Goose and its incredible crew worked so hard over the past few years. Nothing could signify a moment worthy of celebration then a home show “flodown” party than the outfits (and very importantly, the hair) worn by the characters each band member played.
Frankie Bosco relishing
Shenanigans Under The Stars
Sunday kicked off with an upbeat, bubbly energy that was completely reversed, yet somehow, with essence of yin and yang, the band made thoughtful selections to perhaps assist our future long term memories of the weekend to seem as if they were one night. For example, we had a knight for both shows, but this time it was the cover “Knights in White Satin.“
Kevin hamming
Many bands created communities within their following, but Goose created a safe, supportive space for exploration of our own metaphysical dark forest in order to understand which turn might be next in the labyrinth. A fanbase full of artisans, creatives, and empaths. A healthy dose of unquestioned, unchallenged quirk made for a remarkable time for connection during the come up of Goose, especially during shutdown.
Tony Vasile and Orion Jewelry Design’s Val Walis have attended all but two Goose shows this season.
When artisans would post something they made to one of the many Goose Facebook groups, things would not only sell immediately, but the overwhelming support would have been hard to find in any other social group, pandemic or not. Some found even more down this electric avenue.
The elusive Lloyd 2.0
The mood progressed into actually feeling exactly like Thanksgiving dinner. Val Walis commented that “it was a feast of music and so many favorite people everywhere. There was hardly enough time to have a conversation with anyone, but the voltage level of emotion we were all feeling at the same moment did not need words.”
(dawn) Of A New Era
Both sets on Sunday felt like a victory lap of sorts. The aged and trusty jam vehicles like “All I Need” and mustache anthem “Mustang Sally” helped usher in the dawn of a new era for Goose to creep out somewhere along the line with the live debut of “SOS” and its accompanying jam-hymnal (dawn).
Same old shenanigans for Phil Paquet, Mr. McGoose 2.0 and Little Baby Crepes
From the ashes of solitude, we were able to give ourselves permission to go everywhere, see everyone and feel everything. Admirals like Greg Knight kept more in line than we could imagine.
Commander in Scarf Marc Komito basking in the “(dawn)”
The crowd could not have been more friendly. The amount of smiles might almost parallel the amount of scarves on peoples heads used as dance props. There were scarves everywhere!
Marc Komito (aka Scarf Guy) is perpetually the fearless (and fashionable) leader we all needed. He has taught to so many the responsibility we have to relish in these rare, perfect moments. By expressing our gratitude with individuality and without apology, balance is found. For some, it might have looked like giving Mike, from Spafford and JamBandWorkout, a run for his money. For those that prefer to turn inward, simply sitting still and watching with full attention could have been an equally respectful avenue.
Terry Alfredo in the new light
We as a community, felt the light of dawn creeping out while enjoying great music, and hopefully the band and its rock solid crew felt the little bit of ourselves that we tried to send up. Goose got us through it and Coach only knows what might happen as the days get brighter.
Setlist June 12: Me and My Uncle (John Phillips), Flodown, The Whales, Honeybee, Yeti, Seekers on the Ridge Pt., Seekers on the Ridge Pt. 2, Madhuvan>Fish in the Sea (Fat Freddyâs Drop), Jive I, Earthling or Alien?, Tumble > Factory Fiction
Encore: Slow Ready
Setlist June 13: Shenanigans Jam > All I Need > Indian River >Time To Flee > Your Ocean, So Ready >Arrow > Nights In White Satin (Moody Blues), Rosewood Heart > Bob Don > SOS > (dawn)
Encore: Mustang Sally > Butter Rum
It has been rumored that Frankie Bosco gained some kind of super shredding power when he is wearing bracelets from Orion Jewelry Design, made by my sister Val. If you would like to support her (and Little Baby Crepes,) check out https://orionjewelrydesign.com/
Frankie Bosco’s wrist adorned with Orion Jewelry Design Bracelets
Pink strat or bracelet? I don’t know, but it can’t hurt to support your local Goose Chick Val Walis and her jewelry business https://orionjewelrydesign.com/
Want to get in shape for scarf season? Check out this workout featuring a killer version of what some have affectionately nicknamed “Lookout Clav-land”
Curious what all the hype is about with Factory Fiction? Check out this similar, yet different version from the historical Bingo Tour
Buffalo continues to make its way back in the music scene while also bringing back the crowds. Local music venue The Cave, held a Funk Night on Thursday, June 10, presented by NYS Music.
Photo: Maddie McCafferty
The show established a nostalgic feeling as people gathered around for the jam band hits. The upbeat performance was held by Donny Frauenhofer on keys/vocals, Matt Fantini on guitar/vocals, Colin Brydalski on bass/vocals, Ellen Pieroni on sax/vocals, and Ryan Nogle on drums.
The group kicked off the night by opening with “Do It Like You Do” by Lettuce. The excitement from the crowd did not go unnoticed as everyone collectively felt a sense of normalcy again. This high energy extended even further when the musicians performed a mashup of The Whispers’ “And the Beat Goes On” and Will Smith’s “Miami.”
Photo: Maddie McCafferty
This month’s Funk Night was really special because although we’d been able to play the last few months, the guidelines didn’t allow for many of the things that make a funk show a funk show – dancing, musician sit-ins, interacting with the crowd, etc. This was the first show back where we could do all of that and we’re really excited to have more special guests and get more people dancing!
Donny Frauenhofer
The group invited guests on stage for a few songs, which included contributions from a singer and another sax player. The band closed the set with “What Is Hip?” by Tower Of Power. However, with the audience’s plea and many still wanting to dance, they performed “Squadlive” by Lettuce for the encore.
Photo: Maddie McCafferty
The set left many feeling energetic and ready for more. Luckily, the jam sessions are far from over. Funk Night will continue every second Thursday of the month. So, make sure to check out the next show on July 8 at The Cave.
Irving Plaza reopened on Saturday, June 12 with a performance by The Strokes in front of a fully vaccinated crowd, in support of Maya Wiley’s campaign for Mayor of New York City.
John Mulaney started the night with a stand-up, not far from his run of sold-out City Winery show. Wiley and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both spoke from the stage prior to The Strokes set.
photo via The Strokes Twitter
Guitarist Nick Valensi was unable to make the show, and had Longwave’s Steve Schlitz fill in for the night. Dev Hynes from Blood Orange joined The Strokes for âOne Way Trigger” amid a 16-song setlist that spanned the group’s discography. Check out videos from the night below.
photo via The Strokes Twitter
photo via Maya Wiley Twitter
The Strokes – Irving Plaza, NYC – June 12, 2021
Setlist: Juicebox Someday, The Adults Are Talking, One Way Trigger (w/ Blood Orange), You Only Live Once, Hard to Explain, Ize of the World, The Modern Age, 12:51, Is This It, Bad Decisions, Take It or Leave It
Encore: Automatic Stop, Last Nite, Ode to the Mets, Reptilia
On Friday, June 11, Dee Snider came back to Long Island and rocked Stereo Garden in Patchogue. The show was filmed and will be released simultaneously with his new album Leave a Scar. Check out the video for the first single “I Gotta Rock (Again)” below.
Snider joined Twisted Sister in 1976 and became the band’s sole songwriter. In 1982 they released their first studio album Under the Blade. By 1984 they had released their third and most successful album Stay Hungry. The album featured the metal anthems “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock”. In 1985 Snider was pushed further into the spotlight when he spoke before Congress against censorship in music and the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center).
I wasn’t sure what to expect since it has been a few years since Snider has performed. The the show was electrifying to say the least. Dee was full of energy and kept the crowd connected and engaged throughout the entire seventeen song set. His band also did a great job. He was accompanied by Charlie Bellmore on guitar, Nicky Bellmore on drums, Nick Petrino on guitar and Russell Pzutto on bass. Five songs from the new album made their debut as well as all of the classics. One of the highlights of the night was when former Twisted Sister bandmate Mark “The Animal” Mendoza joined Dee for a rendition on the 1982 song “Under the Blade.”
The show ended with a cover of what Dee said he considers to be the greatest rock song ever, Ac Dc’s “Highway to Hell.” The show was awesome and Dee proved he can still bring it! It was also good to see live music return after 16 months. This was the perfect show to bring it back.! You can preorder Dee’s new album here
Dee Snider – Stereo Nest, Patchogue, Long Island, NY – June 11, 2021
Setlist: I Gotta Rock (Again), Tomorrow’s No Concern, You Can’t Stop Rock and Roll, Down But Never Out, American Made, Under the Blade, Time to Choose, I Am the Hurricane, We’re Not Gonna Take It, Before I Go, Become the Storm, Burn in Hell, Stand, Ready to Fall, I Wanna Rock, For the Love of Metal, Highway to Hell
By 1992, there was no secret about the affinity the Grateful Dead had for Albany’s Knickerbocker Arena. This would be the third year in a row they made sure to make a tour stop here. But after two previous three-night runs, including the acclaimed one from 1990 that will always be associated with their acclaimed Dozin’ At The Knick live album, the Dead only had two nights to play all the hits this year. This first of these performance went down 29 years ago today.
Tonight’s Grateful Dead show, despite a ravenous Knickerbocker Arena, has a very relaxed open as the band slowly ambles into a “Bertha” opener. No complaints are heard as the crowd drowns out the opening lyrics in delight. After a mild jam that’s peppered with some thunderous bass notes from Phil Lesh, the entire room seems to be singing along for the remainder of this first set staple. The “New Minglewood Blues” that comes next begins in similar fashion. Garcia and keyboardist Vince Welnick each drop a couple of bluesy solos and get stretched out a little while, in between, Bob Weir takes care of the vocals, making note of the “Upstate fllies” in a nod to the locale.
“Row Jimmy” gets the rest of the band singing again, and sees more dexterous work from Garcia on guitar, as he digs into his MIDI bag of effects and offers something that sounds closer to a flute solo at one point. After three classic Dead originals, the first cover of the night is Bob Dylan’s “Queen Jane Approximately,” with Weir once again manning lead vocals. Welnick gets in on the act here and highlights this one with a blissful, ethereal piano solo.
“Dire Wolf” finally brings the tempo back up and the band rips through another first set mainstay, with Garcia plowing through his requisite solo with ease. But it’s near a minute and a half until the next selection is made, “Beat It On Down The Line.” With both the Dead and Knickerbocker Arena now alive and well, the sing-a-long is back on thanks to “Loose Lucy” as the crowd continues to add their collective backing to the lyrics in revelry. Welnick makes the shift from piano to Hammond organ nicely and adds some flavorful support as well. “The Music Never Stopped” then puts the fitting finishing touches on a crisp opening set that’s nothing but treasured Dead originals and a Dylan cover.
The Dead dive into one of their more recent originals with “Foolish Heart” to kick off the second set at the Knick. Garcia and Welnick once again complement each other beautifully on guitar and keys, respectively, as the band sears through this one effortlessly. No extended jam of note develops afterwards. Instead, it’s a brief pause and away with “Playin’ In The Band” where, after a quick run through of verse, the collective improvisation starts almost immediately and doesn’t let up anytime soon. When it does, the beginning to “Uncle John’s Band” ensues, as the audience seems to come back up for air after the quick yet heavy display of psychedelic mayhem that immediately preceded it.
The Dead then go back down to the bottom, the way bottom, courtesy of an extended “Drums” > “Space” sequence that stretches out to nearly a half hour. A well rested Knick is more than happy to help out with the vocals for the “I Need A Miracle” that finally emerges. A quick jam, punctuated by an aggressive Welnick piano solo, is crafted before things slow down one last time with “Wharf Rat.”
After another set comprised of solely live Dead originals, and some intense improv, the evening closes out with a pair of covers. Weir hams it up one last time on vocals, and Welnick on piano as well for that matter, on Chuck Berry’s rocker “Around and Around” that suits the crowd perfectly. And the band help themselves to some more Dylan material with “The Mighty Quinn” that serves as tonight’s encore.
With night one of the two-night run now in the books, expectations were surely through the roof for the following evening. Thanks to some sort of odd cross-promotional gadgetry straight out of 1992, if you held onto your ticket stub from tonight, the Dead would make sure you were well fed for tomorrow.
Grateful Dead Knickerbocker Arena – Albany, NY 6/11/92
Set 1: Bertha, Minglewood Blues, Row Jimmy, Queen Jane Approximately, Dire Wolf, Beat It On Down The Line, Loose Lucy, The Music Never Stopped
Set 2: Foolish Heart, Playin’ In The Band-> Jam-> Uncle John’s Band-> Drums-> Jam-> I Need A Miracle-> Wharf Rat-> Around and Around
