Category: Special

We Love NYC Homecoming Cut Short By Henri
The Central Park “We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert” was cut short Saturday, August 21 due to approaching Hurricane Henri. The announcement was made over the PA system in the middle of singer Barry Manilow’s set. Those in attendance were urged to move to the nearest exits and “proceed to outside of the park.”The concert was originally scheduled from 5pm to 10pm, but was abruptly shut down just after 8pm.

Despite the rain, concert organizer and music mogul Clive Davis along with Mayor De Blasio desperately tried to get the show restarted. Unfortunately it was to no avail as the rain was at its heaviest during 9pm and 10pm (a record-setting rainfall for Central Park). The concert was supposed to be the grand finale after a week of other homecoming concerts throughout the city.

Although We Love NYC concert was cut short, the 60,000 fans in attendance still got to witness some pretty amazing performances. “CBS This Morning” host Gayle King kicked off the show by introducing the New York Philharmonic. They performed a bunch of New York themed instrumentals including Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” featuring Billy’s former saxophone player Richie Cannata, and “Theme From New York, New York” made famous by Frank Sinatra. Then italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who himself had a recent battle with covid, joined the Philharmonic for beautiful renditions of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “O Sole Mio”. Before leaving he told the crowd “After a storm comes always the sun.”  It was an emotional moment.

Also joining the Philharmonic was Jennifer Hudson who stars as Aretha Franklin in the new biopic “Respect.” As a tribute to “The Queen of Sole” she performed “Nessun Dorma” which Franklin sang at the 1998 Grammy Awards as a last minute replacement for Luciano Pavarotti. Jennifer did not disappoint. It was a wonderful tribute that Aretha herself would have been proud of.

At this point the man of the hour himself, Clive Davis came out and greeted the crowd.  He also introduced one of his good friends Carlos Santana who performed “Maria, Maria” with Wyclef Jean. He also performed the 1999 hit “Smooth” with Rob Thomas.

Singer Kane Brown also made a quick appearance. He performed his 2018 hit “Homesick” as well as his 2020 single “Be Like That.”

Senator Chuck Schumer was also on hand. He introduced Journey who also played Jones Beach Theater the same night at the Never Forget 9/11 concert. There performance was explosive as lead singer Arnel Pineda belted out “Any Way you Want It” and “Don’t Stop Believing.” Yet another memorable moment.

Perhaps the best performance of the night goes to grammy award winner and hip hop legend L.L. Cool J. His set tuned into a hip hop lovers trip down memory lane. He was joined by fellow legend Rev Run as they performed the Run-DMC classic “It’s Tricky.” He also brought out Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s Scorpio and Melle Mel and performed one of the earliest hip hop songs ever recorded “The Message.” Other hip hop stars like Busta Ryhmes, Spliff Star, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, French Montana and A Boogie also contributed to Uncle L’s set.

Then, “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert came out and introduced Jon Batiste. He only performed one song, “Freedom”, but it was fantastic.

Perhaps the least favorite guest of the night was New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The 60,000 strong crowd greeted him with a round of boo’s, but he was able to get them back and he and his wife introduced the next performers Earth, Wind and Fire. They had recently released a new version of their hit song “You Want My Love” and performed it live for the first time with R&B start Babyface. They also sang their 1978 hit “September” with Babyface and Lucky Daye.

At this point of the show, we were starting to get warnings about the incoming weather as plastic tarps were brought out and put over the cameras and other equipment. Cnn anchor Don Lemon came out at this point and introduced Barry Manilow who was cut off in the middle of “Can’t Smile Without You.” It was just a few minutes later that the heavens opened up and New York City experienced the heaviest rain it has seen in years.

Still scheduled to perform was The Killers, Patti Smith with Bruce Springsteen, and Paul Simon who was waiting in his nearby apartment for word on weather the concert was going to resume. Unfortunately it did not resume but now Mayor De Blasio and Clive Davis are in talks to discuss a possible We Love NYC 2.0 Concert in the near future. NYSMusic.com will keep you up to date as soon as any new developments are made.
August 27, 2021
Miles Francis Releases New Alt-Pop Single “Popular”

Miles Francis, the multitalented NYC based musician has released a second single in 2021 titled “Popular.”

Earlier this year, they released “Service,” a catchy alt-pop romp exploring the dark side of devotion, complete with boy band style choreography of Miles Francis clones in the video. This actually mirrored Miles’ recording process in quarantine of cloning one element into many, making a band out of a solo artist.

Previously they’ve collaborated with Will Butler (Arcade Fire), Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Antibalas, Amber Mark, Angelique Kidjo, and many more. A popular project of Miles’ on YouTube #MultiMiles was started in January of 2021 and so far includes 12 videos plus an NPR Tiny Desk submission version of Service. Their previous EPs Doves and Swimmers have earned them praise from the likes of NY Times, FADER, Stereogum, and KCRW.

“Popular” comes out Aug 25 and is a continuation of the “Service” video, tackling the male need to take up space and power, from conversations to countries. The song features Lizzie Loveless and Lou Tides (aka Lizzie and Teeny Lieberson, formerly of TEEN) on background vocals. In the “Service” music video, Miles Francis and their two clones sing, play their instruments, and perform the synchronized choreography while constantly peeking over to the side of the camera. This small detail could be overlooked as a natural habit of the artist until about halfway through the video when all three clones get disturbed and paranoid before leading into a dance number. Then of course the ending features a downed Miles and an imposing silver mannequin.

This is where the “Popular” music video picks up. The video starts pretty intensely, a very different vibe than the previous video, where the now moving mannequin drags Miles to a different set. Fewer clones and more color and light distortions in this one. After a makeup application scene that felt like a hostage situation Miles goes back to the familiar two piece drum set up a changed person. Social commentary is littered throughout both videos and can be dissected with a few viewings.

To celebrate, Francis will be taking to the streets of New York today for live performances on a pickup truck (“Popularalooza” schedule here + Instagram live here), ahead of their Sept 15 hometown show at Our Wicked Lady benefiting Trans Asylias.

For more information visit their website.

To stay up to date on Miles make sure to follow them on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

Their music can be listened to on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Soundcloud.

August 25, 2021
Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Presents: 28th anniversary celebration of Charlie Parker

New York’s largest free outdoor performing arts festival is making a comeback to live performances after last year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. Since its inception 35 years ago, more than six million people from New York City and around the world have enjoyed SummerStage. In 2020, “Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Anywhere” was launched in response to the global pandemic, presenting 80 free digital performances, spanning all genres, available to all around the world.

Now, back in full swing, Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage will be hosting the annual celebration for esteemed jazz saxophonist, Charlie Parker. Recognized as one of the vanguards of jazz music’s evolution into the modern era, Parker is acknowledged for his advancement of Bebop, a subsidiary of Jazz known for its fast tempos. A highly regarded soloist, the celebration of Parker’s life and accomplishments will be comprised of his contemporizes as well as young jazz musicians who continue to push the art form forward. This year’s festivals will be held from August 27-29 at Harlem’s historic Marcus Garvey Park in addition to other partnered jazz events around the city that will run from the August 23-27.

All free performances will be open to the public and will be first come, first served and in accordance with venue capacity limits. In response to the increasing spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, all guests of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival SummerStage events at Marcus Garvey Park will be required to show either proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test within the last 72 hours in order to enter. Children under the age of 12 will be allowed to accompany their parent or guardian who provides proof of full vaccination or negative COVID test.

All information regarding vaccination/testing/mask guidelines as well as an itinerary of events for all Summerstage 2021 Season events can be found on the City Parks Foundation website.

August 25, 2021
New York Series: Onyx Struts their New York Walk

There was a time in history where hip hop gave insight into the issues facing the Black race. But as the infantile genre continued its ascendency into the mainstream during the mid-to-late 1990’s, popular acts and record labels began shifting away from the raw, gutter and street sound of rap. Rather than focus on tales of the inner-city, lyrics began to reflect a more glamorous lifestyle, that was backed by a wardrobe to match.

Onyx never suffered from that conundrum. The Southside, Jamaica outfit always seemed to know where their niche lied. They excelled in their raw, energetic, raucous, and lyrically inclined style of rap. Coming off a platinum-selling album and high-charting single, it would’ve been easy for them to continuously chase commercial success. Rather, the “Slam” emcees stuck with what originally garnered them critical acclaim.

Their sophomore effort, All We Got Iz Us, has been certified gold with over half-a-million sales yet, never reached the success of its predecessor. Nonetheless, the Jam Master Jay signees delivered several more classic hip hop records. The singles, “Live Niguz” and “Last Dayz,” have gotten their just due, but the anthemic “Walk in New York” best resonates with the parts of New York City many can’t fathom.

According to New York City’s crime database, in 1993 (the year Onyx’s debut album dropped) the city faced nearly 2000 murders, and over 85 thousand robberies. For better context, New York City is estimated to face only 468 murders in 2021, a substantial difference. In light, it is easy to see why Onyx’s style, sound and lyrics reflected such lawlessness and aggression, those were the times!

Their description of their hometown is more resemblant of a violence laden wasteland where ruthless aggression rules above all. Yet it’s clear as day the pride each emcee exudes when characterizing their beloved New York City, for better or worse.

The title “Walk in New York” refers to the strut and swagger one from New York maintains as they walk, particularly when part of a larger ensemble. And as the proprietors of hip hop, New Yorkers held a certain panache when it came to the culture, taking pride in setting all the latest trends.

Fredro Starr begins the record, emphasizing that New York was not a part of the gang culture that had become so prominent in hip hop as a result of the West Coast influence (possibly a jab, as this was during the height of the east coast-west coast hip hop beef), before reminding listeners of the intense animosity between NYPD and young minorities.

We don’t throw gang signs in New York
We just be on some shit in New York
New York City, shiftee low down gritty
You punk niggas yell pity and smell shitty
NYPD can suck my dick

One of Hip Hop’s greatest attributes is that it allowed inhabitants of inner cities to express their first-hand experiences. Unpolished thoughts that are not ready-made for the mainstream were encouraged during the 1990’s. On the song’s second verse, Sonsee furthers fortifies the real New York experience.

Them damn streets are eager to claim all lives
But fuck it, it’s my home hate it or appreciate it
It’s the torrid 8 million story orientated
Designated and made for the real renegades
So I never been afraid to stomp, comp, then get paid

As the song continues, Sonsee’s temperament changes, he goes from accepting the cards he was dealt, to taking pride in the lawless nature in which many from the inner-city were conducting themselves. Which I maintain should go in the case study for nature vs nurture.

New York hold shit down on keep locked we rock all night
And if Zoo York niggas wasn’t part of your shit, your shit wasn’t right
We known to start shit up from trends, to riots, to fracas
And big enough to fuck up anybody that wanna attack us
And that’s cause the five boroughs are deep
Most of us are peeps, true Zoo York niggas we play for keep

The unmistakable Sticky Fingaz concludes the record with a fitting encapsulation of mid-1990’s New York City. From the violence, the distinctive swagger that New Yorkers carry themselves with, the “by any means” mentality of its hustlers, and the tourists who visit the outskirts and the city’s landmarks, but would never step foot in the jungle.

Representin’ New York City and for what it’s worth
Yo we the triflest mother fuckers on the face of this Earth
So if you don’t like your life fuck with a nigga from New York
The instincts we got is to shoot first then talk
But what seems to always gives us away is our “niggery” walk
And I speak from experience, so pleader take heed to advice
We sellin guns and drugs and sex or anything for the right price
The crime rate’s so goddamn high, we had to name the shit twice
Cause tourists be scared to death to visit the criminal’s paradise
Home of bloodshed and tears and for souvenirs there’s fears
It appears nobody cares so say your prayers

While not a major hit record, the song resonates mainly with New Yorkers, specifically those who lived through those dangerous times as well as those who feel Onyx represent the values hip hop were founded on. Real street tales from people who actually experienced them.

So fuck the mayor, fuck Rudy, Ray, and the governor
Ya’ll niggas couldn’t walk my walk, my talk’s ruggeder
Fredro Starr

August 23, 2021
Catskill Mountain Jubilee: Upstate Symposium Charting The Intersection Of Electric and Electronic

The inaugural Catskill Mountain Jubilee (CMJ) was held August 12-14 at The Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, New York. The venue’s biggest event yet bent genres and danced around the intersection of electric and electronic. bands like Lotus bridged the gap between Doey Joey and Dark Star Orchestra. The eclectic influences and open minds made for a few days full of idea-filled conversations, exciting new music, and top notch vendors. The not-too-big, not-too-small festival in the middle of a humid heat wave created an atmosphere of mutual respect which cultivated a space ripe for profound understanding of ourselves and our community.

Gnomes and 9 Pins

The CMJ had a familiar story that aligned with folklore about sailors being led by gnomes deep into in the Catskills only to find joyful celebration full of music. Diverse creatures of the forest gathered to play games of 9 pin all night, illuminated by a seemingly ever burning bright firelight. It is said that every 20 years, that light can be seen and music heard. Some felt a pull, while others felt magic.

Blue emerges

This past weekend, bright lights could be seen and music heard. Strangely, in the land of Mountain Jams and Cosmic Alignment’s past, genres at CMJ could not be identified. In a most peculiar way, the over 400 residents at Blackthorne resorts were nowhere to be found the first and second day. It was as if they did not exist.

Pool Party with Doey Joey

Games were played at DJ Doey Joey’s pool party. Bright colors, bubbly movement existed in this thriving ecosystem that was the Joey crowd. Fans extended like dorsal fins, electric poi hung in the air like angler fish and glow sticks helped fasten hair into a bun as the warm day slowly cooled.

Meeting of the Minds in Transitional Times

“Face it, Black Tourmaline from the Himalayas is f***ing so rad. Believe what you want. The point is the aesthetics.” –

The intensity of the heat matched the the conversation during the day at CMK. Crystal Wielders and Zen masters took shade at the second stage which acted as an arena to discuss the ultimate debate: Quartz or Himalayan Black Tourmaline on your back?

Your Ocean

As night fell and humidity rose, attention could only be directed towards the place with the light. The oceanic thickness in the air combined with the “mind like alter” transition from healthy debate to learning seemed only appropriate.

Lotus gave intimate, yet energized upstate Flodown that evoked new levels of emotional connection for fans as guitarist Michael takes his victory lap with the band. Incoming stand-out guitarist Tim Palmieri and fellow guitar warriors exchanged theories on the most humane strategies for reducing a crowd into liquid form with their solos.

Moe. guitarist Al Schnier is not featured in this photo.

This is a moment that captures the heart and soul guitar playing in the band Lotus from Michel to Tim. Tim’s eagerness to learn from Michel and Michael letting go of this place will put a smile on all Lotus Fan’s Faces. We love the band. We will miss Mike, and we still want Lotus in our lives.
Alexander Wonnell Nicknames: Wonz, Wonzie, Wonnie, Fatass, Wonz Frat, Wonton, Wonnell (pronounced incorrectly)

Intensity’s Breaking Point

During tumultuous conditions, the vendors acted as protector and mother to any patron in need. Regardless of Maslow’s ranking, the vendors were there to provide quality accommodations every homeostasis need, like Keith’s Coffee.

Some vendors even appeared to have a special ability to live paint the eye of the storm, channel its dragon spirit and will the storm and all of its heat away.

Rainbow Party

After the storm passed and the heat broke, Annie In The Water acted as the rainbow ride all the way to a party “where the wine flowed like cheap booze in soup containers.”

The locals, feeling safe, were drawn out of what turned out to be their their air conditioned summer homes. What did the trick? It seemed the upbeat jams of Lucid did the trick. Lines of golf carts were full of folks seeing a world of possibility they never knew existed. The party continued into two nights of Dark Star Orchestra.

Powers and Abilities

Once the heat broke and everyone at CMJ began to interact with more cognizance, something unexpected happened.

Karina Rykman discovering what Umphrey’s McGee and Doom Flamingo member Ryan Stasik called “Levitation and Doom (Flamingo hat)”

As true celebration began, the inner power of each individual began to manifest itself in different ways.

Becoming Jellyman

These patrons responsibly used their powers to summon a deep feeling of gratitude and acceptance among all attendees. The group seemed to tie closer and closer bonds throughout the weekend.

Newfound confidence in community had many take their light bending to an entirely new level.

It takes some kind of magic to allow oneself to submit to romance and all that goes along with it. It is a scary world out there, but only with the support of our community can we find it in ourselves to kiss the girl.

Karina Rykman finding her inner light

Sometimes finding that one inner light in ourselves was all we needed.

Looking Forward

“fuck yes” – Woman on the left.

What does this all mean? It means that the power of a beautiful place, good music and supportive minds can remind us why we loved going to see music when it was all still new. It also allows us to tap into our inner optimist. Regardless of how bad life might feel, we could probably make it to the next set.

“It will buff out.” A rainbow Hemp Hatted Zen Master shared his mantra with the crystal keepers while gazing deep into the looking stone. He explained the phrase meant everything will be ok, but he has to do work.

“At least if the journey has no destination, the jubilant reassurance that we are all in this together” – Loosely quotes from David Byrne but with a CMJ twist

“Let’s cherish the Memories we’ve had so far, and have equanimity with what happens next.” – Wonzie

“F**k yeah!” -Woman on the Left (pictured above)

This Inaugural symposium brought together individuals from every planet, ocean, desert, pool party and pot of gold. It was a true meeting of the minds. Moving forward we will be empowered to take care of more fellow music fans, regardless of their favorite band or who they think is getting “The Torch.” In times where addiction runs rampant, we must remember that we are all in this together and everyone without a water bottle needs one.

The Catskill Mountain Jubilee certainly felt like it had been happening for centuries. and maybe it hasâ¦

For a reminder of how far we have come, check out this awesome video from shutdown with Karina and Marlo from Melt playing China Cat Sunflower

August 21, 2021
NYC Singer-Songwriter Swagata Biswas Releases Music Video For “Waves”

Swagata Biswas, a rising singer-songwriter born and raised in New York City, has just premiered the music video for her sophomore single “Waves”. Biswas brings an indie soul sound to the NY music scene, with a nostalgic, 90s-style twinge. She has peformed at venues like Rockwood Music Hall, City Hall, and Pianos NYC and cites inspiration from artists like Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones.

Photo from @swagatabiswas on Instagram, taken by Brian Wells

“Waves” was released in 2020 and followed Biswas’s debut single, “Lens”. “Waves” opens with pleasant acoustic strumming and Biswas’s clear and strong vocals. She muses, “The waves crash down but reveal smooth sand/The sun falls but it rises again”, sparking a message of optimism and overcoming struggles that seems especially pertinent in today’s unpredictable landscape.

The music video adds even more layers to Biswas’s thoughtful songwriting. We follow her through split screen scenarios, showcasing the butterfly effect of different life choices. On one side, Biswas pours herself into a desk job, typing at her computer, meeting with her boss, and repeating this daily monotony. On the other, Biswas leaves the meeting with her boss and heads home, where color floods the screen and she picks up her guitar to start writing music.

The worlds begin to converge as Biswas experiences highs in her work life, like promotions, and lows in her musical life, like a poor meeting with a record label. By the end, the whole video is in color and the two sides have merged. Biswas seemingly realizes that she does not have to choose one path over the other. She can explore her musical passions while still excelling professionally and life a truly harmonious life.

The video for “Waves” is creative and meaningful and the song itself is easy, late summer listening. Be sure to look out for Biswas in the future and connect with her through her website, Instagram, Facebook and Soundcloud.

Check out the video below, which premiered on August 19 at 12PM EST.

August 19, 2021
Donny Skipper Releases New Single “She Farts Just Like Her Daddy”

Independent comedy musician Donny Skipper has released a new single and music video for “She Farts Just Like Her Daddy.” With two albums already streaming and a third in the works, Skipper has been putting in the work. This latest track is based on the recent arrival of his baby, a daughter named Donna Skipper who farts so much he had to write her this song.

Originally born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada, Skipper moved to Syracuse about 10 years ago where he was a delivery driver at Syracuse University. He later moved to Cohoes to pursue his career as a musician and TikTok star. That leads to now where he has released his latest song “She Farts Just Like Her Daddy”.

The music video was to accompany the song was made with Skipper’s neighbor Montrese as the star. It was filmed at random farms in Halfmoon and the crew were asked to leave a few properties by angry farmers but regardless of that fact they still got everything needed. The video is directed and edited by Donny Skipper himself.

The lead up to this release was accompanied by a series of videos posted on TikTok involving a high end baby crib called the Snoo. In the skit like videos, Donny Skipper tells the story of a fussy baby only put to sleep by the Snoo. Except after only a little while with peaceful sleep, the crib was stolen while he was away from the apartment. In the resolution of the conflict it is revealed that Montrese, Skipper’s neighbor, had stolen the crib in order to gain the starring role in the “She Farts Just Like Her Daddy” music video.

Feel free to find Donny Skipper on TikTok or Instagram @DonnySkipper. To listen to this single and his previous two albums visit Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or wherever you listen to music.

August 12, 2021
Woodstock 94 Revisited

Twenty-seven years ago this weekend, Woodstock 94 took place on Winston Farm just north of Saugerties, New York. Woodstock 94, or “Woodstock II” was the next generation’s attempt to rekindle the same “Summer of Love” spirit their parent’s experienced at the original 1969 fest. This was the first shot at doing so, and many future attempts will completely flop, like Woodstock 50, or will end in fire-burning riots, like Woodstock 99. 1994’s rendition isn’t as shockingly awful, but some believe it’s still incomparable to ’69. This is Woodstock 94.

Woodstock ’94 poster, a playoff of the iconic Woodstock ’69 poster art.

Saugerties‘ Winston Farm is approximately 100 miles away from Bethel Woods and Yasgur’s Farm – the birthplace of “Woodstock.” But, Winston Farm was supposed to be the original location for the ’69 fest until the owners got cold feet. This change in location was a way of improving the flaws of the previous festival for the second time around, while still holding true to Woodstock roots.

The 1994 concert was scheduled for August 13–14, and Friday, August 12 was added after first-pool tickets sold out under 12 hours. Ticket prices hiked to $135, plus a three-day pass to the beer tent was $250 – a huge jump from 69’s $18 three-day pass. Tickets were only sold in sets of four, and one parking pass was provided per set.

A snippet of Billboard Magazine’s coverage

The star-studded lineup included ’69 alum mixed in with up-and-coming ’90s bands. Plus, the extra day allowed for many more artists to join the setlist.

Friday, August 12, 1994

Aphex Twin

Blues Traveler

Candlebox

Collective Soul

Deee‐Lite

Del Amitri

Jackyl

James

King’s X

Līve

Orbital

Orleans

Peace Bomb

Sheryl Crow

The Orb

Todd Rundgren

Violent Femmes

Huffamoose

Abba Rage

Lunchmeat

Saturday, August 13, 1994

Aerosmith

Blind Melon

Candlebox

Crosby, Stills & Nash

Cypress Hill

Fight

Hot Tuna

Joe Cocker

Melissa Etheridge

Metallica

Nine Inch Nails

Primus

Rollins Band

Salt‐n‐Pepa

Suicidal Tendencies

The Band

The Cranberries

Crosby, Stills & Nash

Youssou N’Dour

Zucchero

Sunday, August 14, 1994

Cypress Hill

Fight

Hot Tuna

Rollins Band

Salt‐n‐Pepa

Suicidal Tendencies

The Band

The Cranberries

The Roots

Weir & Wasserman

Green Day

Country Joe McDonald

Porno For Pyros

Sisters of Glory

Allman Brothers Band

Santana

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Spin Doctors

Traffic

Bob Dylan

There was no Youtube back then. If you wanted your band to get big, you had to hope it came on the radio. We hadn’t heard of bands like Blind Melon and Collective Soul yet, and a lot of these people (festival-goers) had never been to a concert before.
Dan Lane, Woodstock 94 attendee

The fest can be credited for the growth of many young millennial bands. Even Green Day was just finding their fame as their second album Dookie, released six months prior to Woodstock 94, would hit #4 on the charts only weeks after the festival weekend.

Snap of the Woodstock ’94 stage art

Promoters ensured the event would be secure with drug dogs, security brigade nicknamed the “peace patrol,” hundreds of port-o-johns, and chain-link fence. Re-entry was not allowed, but festival-goers smuggled food and drink over fences and through bushes. There were no reports of excessive force or need for riot control like there was in 1999.

From the looks of it we thought we were gonna get strip-searched at entry, (with the dogs and officers) but it was pretty mellow, actually. I think the light security is what they tried to fix in ’99 but that all went wrong.
Dan Lane

500,000 young-adults flocked from around the country in fear they were going to miss out on something great. Woodstock ’69 attendees even paid a visit to see how they compared. Festival-goers did seem to enjoy the excitement of making history and there was a notable peaceful vibe across the farm. People were just happy to be there and enjoying music.

People are understanding that Woodstock 94 is a seminal gathering and a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Promoter John Scher for Billboard Magazine

This fest was rumored to be even bigger than 1969, with two stages and constant MTV coverage. Unlike the first festival, ’94 hosted two large stages with constant live music on each. There were a mix of bands playing each stage, for example, while Green Day was playing on the South Stage, Weir & Wasserman were on the North. This helped spread audiences evenly and highlighted the divide of subcultures. DJ rave sets continued the party late into the night.

Don’t worry: The two stages, facing opposite directions, are about a third of a mile apart, so there’ll be little chance the sound from one will interfere with the other.
An excerpt from the Baltimore Sun 8/10/1994

A rainstorm passed over the festival grounds, on top of the cooling sprinklers, leading to the notorious moniker of “Mudstock.” Described by the New York Times as “a sea of mud and trash and amid evidence of anarchy,” festival-goers took this opportunity to roll around, dance, and sling the wet dirt onto the stage – it did not help that Primus had their song called “My Name is Mud” on the setlist.

Aug. 14, 1994 — A couple dances in the mud to Traffic in the North Stage area
(Credit: Times Union Staff Photo by Steve Jacobs ATU112)

There were mile-long conga lines with half-naked people running around. You could feel them coming – they wouldn’t stop either. If you were in the way, you were getting trampled by a train of muddy kids chanting “Primus Sucks.”
Dan Lane

Credit: Michael Greenlar

Was the hype just too much? Anything with the “Woodstock” name attached is bound to have some high expectations. At the time, some attendees complained the event was too saturated in over-commercialized gimmicks. Looking back 27 years later, It is difficult to compare Woodstock 94 to the pedestal Woodstock ’69 is on. After all, even ’69 was a commercialized event too, inviting the biggest names of the time to help put a spotlight on the era’s changing times. Even Led Zeppelin historically turned down Woodstock ’69 to make more money playing in Asbury Park on the same weekend.

All expectations aside, Woodstock 94 was just as good as fests like Lollapalooza were at the time. It’s the music and the people that make it a memorable experience, not the gimmicks.
Dan Lane

The mid-90s were a very different time compared to the late 60s as well, not everyone was in the same ex-Vietnam hippie-free-spirit in the 90s. There were people holding on to that Summer of Love spirit, but others were clad in platform boots, grungy flannels and buzzcuts.

Subcultures were everywhere. You’d be walking around thinking “wow that guy has a lot of facial piercings” and the same guy will be looking at you like “wow that guy has way too much tie dye on.” Like, immediately after Joe Cocker’s set you had people barricading the stage for Blind Melon. It was wild.
Dan Lane

(Image credit: Getty Images/John Atashian)

A commemorative double live CD set was released on November 8, 1994, nearly three months after the festival weekend. Titled “Woodstock 94,” the two-disc set documents the best song of each of the 27 performing artists. Check out our Woodstock 94 Spotify playlist based on the album, as well as a playlist with some live footage on Youtube.

After 27 years, it seems 1994’s rendition of Woodstock was, generally, pretty nice. Positive memories, crazy rumors and great music came out of it. The fest served as a cohabitation of multiple generations of music, so maybe, more peace and love came out of it than expected. Plus, Woodstock’s reputation was about to get much worse in the years to come. Enjoy ’94 while it lasted!

Other notable moments:

* A “protest concert” was rumored to go on at Yasgur’s Farm frontlined by ’69 alum, though many of the claimed attendees were playing at Winston Farm the same weekend. It is unclear if this rumor is true due to lack of media coverage.

*RHCP wore their iconic light bulb costumes for the first half of their Day 3 set, then changed into Jimi Hendrix costumes to pay homage to Woodstock ’69.

* Green Day engaged in a mud slinging fight with the audience.

* Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt was accidentally punched in the face by a security guard, knocking out some of his teeth.

* Rumors circulated that The Rolling Stones were to make a surprise appearance because they were scheduled to play a concert in New York that weekend.

* Johnny Cash was invited to perform on the last day, but after learning that he would not be performing on the main stage, declined to appear.

* Most of the ’90s-era bands (and their instruments) were completely caked in mud by the end of their performances, audiences were more respectful towards ’60s-era musicians.

August 12, 2021
Get the Scoop! Upstate New York Music Venues and Stewart’s Ice Cream Flavors

There are two things you can find a great deal of in Upstate New York – music venues in nearly every town, and Stewart’s Shops. There are more than 345 Stewart’s in New York and Vermont, and if you’ve been to a show or gone camping Upstate, you’ve probably stopped at a Stewart’s for provisions. With newly remodeled shops, Stewart’s is a staple for locals and visitors alike.

One of Stewart’s best sellers is their ice cream. Made from milk from New York farms, the variety of flavors goes well beyond the basic Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. The variety of music venues Upstate is equally varied, and gives music lovers an opportunity to see their favorite bands and new artists in unique settings.

We’ve partnered with Stewart’s Shops to look at their ice cream flavors and compared them to Upstate music venues. Below you’ll find 15 flavors paired with their appropriate venue, a small sampling of the more than 30 flavors Stewart’s Shops offer. Get the scoop before you get a scoop heading to your next show!

Brownie Cookie Sundae // Ulster Performing Arts Center, Kingston

This venue and flavor have each got it all. UPAC features one of the widest arrays of musical selections in the state. From Meatloaf to Willie Nelson, the HV Philharmonic to plays and musicals, UPAC has it all. Likewise, Brownie Cookie Sundae comes loaded with vanilla ice cream, chewy brownie bites, soft cookie dough pieces and a rich fudge swirl. Available in a cone or half-gallon.

Star Gazer // Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Saratoga Springs

Where can you see the most stars? Head north on I-87 and get off at exit 13 for Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where you’ll see the biggest artists and national touring bands at SPAC each summer! Originally the home of the NYC Ballet, SPAC has been bringing concerts to the edge of the Adirondacks since the 1960s, making this the perfect venue for seeing stars. Stargazer has Malt flavored ice cream with a rich caramel swirl and pieces of Milky Way candy bars mixed in. Available in a half-gallon.

Chocolate Sea Turtle // Snug’s Harbor, New Paltz

Turtles are found throughout the state, but they’ll always need a snug harbor somewhere to rest their shell. Snug Harbor provides a comfortable space for bands to play in the college town of New Paltz, with a variety of music and cold beer on tap. Stewart’s Chocolate Sea Turtle features chocolate ice cream with a sea salt caramel swirl and chocolate fudge pecans. Available in a cone for a limited time.

Fireworks // Empire State Plaza, Albany

One of the best spots for fireworks in Upstate New York is the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany. Capable of hosting more than 10,000 people and room for even more nearby, the Fireworks every 4th of July and for select events are a must see event, as well as the bands that perform on the plaza during the summer months. Pop Rocks encased in vanilla ice cream with a tart cherry swirl helps this flavor live up to its name! Available in a cone.

Blueberry Pie in the Sky // Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel

Summer and blueberry pie are synonymous. The summer of love lives on through Bethel Woods. Grab a cone of Blueberry in the Sky, with blueberry ice cream with shortbread and a Maine blueberry swirl, on the way to your next show and imagine the roads filled with cars headed to Yasgur’s Farm. Available in a pint.

Happy Camper // Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Oak Hill

When the music on the stage is done for the day, head to your campsite anywhere at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival’s campgrounds for pickin’ parties, where you can hear classic bluegrass songs and singalongs, just like at camp enjoy s’mores! With graham cracker flavored ice cream with a graham cracker pieces, a marshmallow swirl and peanut butter pieces, enjoy a cone of Stewart’s Happy Camper while friends old and new sit around and pluck away. Available in a cone.

Marionberry Cookie // Levon Helm’s Barn, Woodstock

Located just a few miles from Mount Marion near Saugerties, Levon Helm’s Barn is the perfect pairing for this sweet treat. Living in Woodstock at Big Pink with The Band and backing Bob Dylan for years, Levon Helm made a second home in Woodstock, establishing Midnight Rambles that continue to be a thing of legend. Marionberry Cookie is a pink-hued ice cream with a chocolate cookie swirl. Available in a cone for a limited time.

Mint Cookie Crumble // The Bardavon, Poughkeepsie

Two classics, presented in a new way. The Bardavon is the oldest continually operating music venue in New York State, offering various performing arts, cinema, theater, vaudeville, and performers ranging from David Byrne to Chick Corea, Dr. John to Gladys Knight, and Joan Baez to Natalie Merchant. Bardavon is also the home of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, making the classic venue fresh for a new generation of music lovers. Mint Cookie Crumble is a spin on mint chocolate chip, but with a chocolate cookie crumble fudge swirl mixed in smooth cool mint ice cream. A classic, presented in a fresh new way. Available in a cone, pint or half-gallon, and now available in a non-dairy pint!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup // The Egg, Albany

One of Stewart’s tastiest ice creams has a swirl of peanut butter inside, ready to surprise you with each bite. Inside The Egg in Albany, you’ll find not one but two music venues – The Hart Theatre and The Swyer Theatre, both offering an array of musical offerings, not to mention surprisingly incredible acoustics! Available in a cone, pint or half-gallon.

Sweet Bourbon Cold Brew // The Falcon, Marlboro

Both of these combine bourbon and coffee together in a perfect pairing, but The Falcon also offers live jazz in their intimate, rustic venue. The sweet cream/cold brew/bourbon flavors combine for a smooth ice cream experience. Available in a pint for a VERY limited time.

Crumbs along the Mohawk // Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes

Located 500 feet from the Mohawk River, Cohoes Music Hall, opened in 1874, has been home for live music performances, high school musicals and plays, theater performances and much more. With a name synonymous with music, Cohoes is a great small town to stop in for an evening. The perfect ice cream to go with such a classic venue is Crumbs Along the Mohawk, inspired by the 1939 film “Drums Along the Mohawk,” with graham cracker flavored ice cream holding together graham cracker pieces with a caramel swirl. Available in a pint or half-gallon.

Brew Ha Ha // Saranac Brewery, Utica; Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown

Where in New York can you get brewery fresh beer and live music? Two places come to mind – Saranac Brewery in Utica, and Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown. With their own wide selections of beers and other beverages, these breweries offer two things that New York is known for – great beer and great music – Brew Ha Ha takes Stewart’s richer roast coffee ice cream with espresso bean flavored chocolate flakes, a nice combination as well! Available in a cone or half-gallon.

Adirondack Bear Paw // The Waterhole, Saranac Lake

The northernmost venue on our list is The Waterhole, home to music year round, with Party on the Patio on Thursdays each summer, Winter Carnival music performances in February, and the heart of this Adirondack town. Vanilla ice cream mixed with sweet praline cashews and caramel swirls make a rich combination in this tasty northern delight. Available in a half-gallon.

Kaydeross Kreme Light // Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs

The classic creamsicle flavor is a throwback to summers spent in Saratoga Springs, with a twist. A classic Saratoga venue, Caffe Lena, has been a fixture in the Spa City since the 1960s, and new renovations in the building put a twist on the original! Available in a half-gallon at your local Stewart’s Shops!

Colombian Coffee // Club Helsinki, Hudson

Like coffee, Club Helsinki has something for everyone, serving as a music venue, bar and restaurant. Open mic nights, both virtual and in person, welcome all people and talents. The many flavors of coffee can be found in this Columbia County venue that welcomes a variety of artists to the east shore of the Hudson River. Available in a cone or half-gallon.

August 5, 2021
Newport Jazz Festival: These are a Few of Our Favorite Things

Jazz was back at Fort Adams State Park last weekend as the Newport Jazz Festival staged their 2021 program at reduced capacity and with only two stages of performances. Spirits were high, on stage and off, making for a thrilling three days of non-stop music. The playing was top-notch across the board, highlights abound, there was barely time to catch your breath. What follows is a chronological list of our absolute favorite moments.

Makaya McCraven at the Quad Stage, Friday

Drummer Makaya McCraven brought his quartet, including Marquis Hill on trumpet, Matt Gold on guitar and Junius Paul on bass, to the Quad Stage on Friday afternoon. McCraven often let his band form the rhythm between them while he danced within and around it, using his kit as more of a lead instrument. He was in constant motion, rarely settling into a groove, yet somehow managing to push and pull the quartet through multiple changes, from fusion to swing to funk to more freeform. They previewed an upcoming album re-imagining the work of Gil Scott Heron that featured some singing from Paul and spoken word recordings of Heron’s. “Misplaced That Place” gave McCraven’s kit the full workout while a cover of Tony Williams’ “There Comes a Time” allowed the band to stretch out while he established a hard grooving beat. Between the quality and diversity in his playing, we didn’t see a better drummer at the festival.

Robert Glasper Acoustic Trio at the Quad Stage, Friday

In his first of three sets for the weekend, artist-in-residence Robert Glasper presented his acoustic trio, with Justin Dyson on drums and Vicente Archer on bass. They were also joined by DJ Jahi Sundance on the “ones and twos” during a set that was heavy on improvisation. The hyper-tight quartet nee trio danced around themes of both pure invention and some more familiar, like Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” or an extended riff around “Happy Birthday” played for Glasper’s young daughter Lola who was hanging with mom side stage. Glasper took some long piano breaks, sang along with some of Jahi Sundance’s spoken word samples, and also gave his bandmates plenty of space to shine. The set closed with Glasper’s 2021 Grammy-winning song, “Better Than I Imagined.” The set was certainly some of the strongest improv we saw all weekend. It seemed that the trio had enough ideas to go another hour, but unfortunately they ran up against the end of their set time and had to cede the floor.

Kamasi Washington at the Quad Stage, Friday

Kamasi Washington and his big band overpowered the Quad Stage in their appearance late Friday afternoon. They closed out the stage for the day, fortunately for anyone who would have had to try and follow them. Festival artistic-director Christian McBride summed up Washington in his introduction from the stage as “A hurricane … of music.” It was an apt description! Washington’s large band featured a horn heavy front that came blasting forth while a massive rhythmic swirl was generated from the back. It sucked you in and spat you out before you realized what was happening. Whether playing the gently melodic “Announcement” from the soundtrack he made for Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” or the racial justice anthem “Fists of Fury,” the music is powerful and moving. The set peaked midway through with “Sun-Kissed Child,” a new piece written after Washington became a father that featured his most fiery playing of the afternoon. Washington created music you experienced as much as heard.

Danielle Ponder at the Quad Stage, Saturday

Rochester soul singer Danielle Ponder emerged from obscurity and quickly won over the early day crowd on the Quad Stage. She was admittedly nervous for what was likely the biggest show of her career so far, not to mention in front of a jazz crowd fixated on minutia. It didn’t show from the get-go. She commanded the stage like someone who was performing most of her life, which she has. She mixed together love songs like “The Only Way Out” and “Holding Me Down” with songs of social and environmental justice like “Poor Man’s Pain” and “Look Around,” constructing a set that took the unknowing audience on a journey establishing a clear picture of Ponder’s immense talent and m.o. Using Nina Simone as a compass, she called an audible from the stage and lead her band through an unplanned cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” It was already midway through the set, and she had already received a standing ovation, but she played it as a comfort to calm her nerves. The repeated lyric, “What am I doing here, do I belong here?” was incredibly apt though was answered with a resounding “Yes!” as the audience provided a second standing ovation in a row. For the set closing “Darker Than Blue,” Ponder had the entire crowd standing and singing along, “Can’t you see us rising, higher!” Thousands of new fans eager to buy whatever comes from the record deal Ponder announced she had just made.

Brandee Younger at the Lawn Stage, Sunday

The last piece of the lineup puzzle was placed just weeks away from the event, and it ended up being one of the very best sets we saw all weekend. Harpist Brandee Younger and her trio, with Dezron Douglas on bass and Allan Mednard on drums opened the proceedings at the Lawn Stage on the final day of the festival. The harp was the lead instrument but each player was superb and at their greatest moments were equals within the music, a place that was reached often. There were very little established solos. One piece ended in a short drum solo which gave Younger a laugh, since Mednard had told her, “No drum solos.” on the ride up to Newport. “In Love and Struggle,” written for the play of the same name, exemplified their penchant for three-way improvisation as it built with each instrument establishing an individually fantastic sound that meshed together to form something beyond. Younger invited Rochester’s Mikaela Davis on stage to help pay tribute to harp visionaries Dorothy Ashbee and Alice Coltrane, each celebrating August birthdays. Davis lead the trio through Ashbee’s “Action Line” showcasing the range of the harp, as each artist had their own unique style. Younger followed with a Coltrane medley to complete the harp history lesson beautifully. The set closed with a humorous nod to the pandemic with a piece titled “Toilet Paper Romance,” written during her and Douglas’ live stream events from their living room. Live music is better in person, and this was a thrilling set.

The Bogie Band featuring Joe Russo at the Lawn Stage, Sunday

The big band format got shuffled, blended, and mixed up when saxophonist Stuart Bogie brought his band to the main stage Sunday afternoon. The band was nearly a mirrored double quintet, with two trumpets, two trombones, two saxes, a flute, sousaphone, percussionist and drummer all standing in lines across from each other. The music had a New Orleans brass flavor played with a Lounge Lizards or Frank Zappa controlled chaos with a little Beastie Boys groove thrown in. Rhythms could be established by a repetitive flute or xylophone melody, from Joe Russo’s incredible drumming or multiple percussionists. Bogie played the part of band leader, frequently stepping out from his mic to stand front and center and conduct the 11-piece band. The band grew exponentially when he employed the audience to scream “Hey!” on command, which he used beyond the confines of one song. Russo was given the opportunity to play more of a lead role on “We Organize” as the rest of the band laid down a multilayered groove for him to explore regions beyond the beat. What a joyous set of music, keep an ear out for The Bogie Band.

The Jam Jawn at the Lawn Stage, Sunday

There were some great only-at-Newport ensembles at the festival, including the Vibe Summit and Jazz Gallery All-Stars, but one stood above the rest. The Jam Jawn, with Christian McBride, Joe Russo on drums, Marco Benevento on piano and keyboards, John Scofield on guitar, and Mikaela Davis returning to the stage, again uncredited, on harp. True to their name, the Jam Jawn used songs as a mere blueprint from which to start. An electric Miles Davis groove, likely “Miles Runs the Voodoo Down” turned into a free form session with the quintet eyeing each other from across the stage, either searching for improvisational cues or more often flashing recognition of great playing. Davis formed tight bonds with Benevento and Scofield, weaving harp lines enmeshed perfectly into their soloing. Festival artistic-director McBride also ably directed traffic from the stage, holding down the grooves whether on electric or upright. Russo continued his masterful drum work from the previous set with The Bogie Band. On a set-closing loose version of “Get On the Good Foot,” the band invited up a literal lineup of players from both David Ostwald’s and Stuart Bogies’ bands. Horn solos eventually became a horn backline and just like that the set was over. The hour went all too quickly, and as special as it was, we have to hope these five make music together again, it was just too good.

The Audience, Everyday

One of the key elements to live music is of course the audience. Some have expressed concerns about returning to crowded concerts and the common annoyances they can bring. But the people out enjoying the 2021 Newport Jazz Festival proved their own importance to the music. The artists fed off the crowd’s energy, it simply isn’t the same as playing to a virtual audience or half-filled room. Even at reduced capacity, it felt like the space around both stages were quite crowded the whole weekend and their excitement was infectious.

And the people came to listen. During quiet moments you could hear a pin drop. Keep in mind that at this venue the pin is falling onto grass. Then during more exuberant sets, like Khruangbin’s Friday night closer, a dance party broke out all over the lawn. Whatever the music called for, this audience was at the ready. When crowd participation was requested, everyone was at the ready to provide extra voices, hand claps, or perfectly placed “Heys!”

The weather was perfect each day and people were out in their Friday, Saturday and Sunday best. The typical concert attire of band t-shirt and whatever shorts were next in rotation was mostly dismissed in favor of a variety of fashionable dresses, button downs, pants and a very strong hat game.

It was simply a pleasure to be a part of this audience, the excellence of the music was only enhanced by being amongst like-minded music lovers who provided encouraging woos and whoops or slapped the ground or beamed a huge smile in recognition of great playing. Here’s to hoping the relationship between performer and listener can continue on unfettered, and grow to what it was not so long ago, and even stronger. We’re still stronger when we sing together.

August 4, 2021