Category: Pop

  • The Beatles Touchdown in New York City

    On Friday, February 7, 1964, Beatlemania arrived in the United States, as John, Paul, George and Ringo touched down on Pan Am Flight 101 at JFK Airport in Queens. More than 3,000 screaming fans greeted the mod suit wearing Beatles on the tarmac, leading to a few injuries among the crowd.

    the beatles
    AP photo

    In Anthology, Paul McCartney shared his thoughts as the plane approached New York.

    There were millions of kids at the airport, which nobody had expected. We heard about it in mid-air. There were journalists on the plane, and the pilot had rang ahead and said, ‘Tell the boys there’s a big crowd waiting for them.’ We thought, ‘Wow! God, we have really made it.’

    Paul McCartney

    At nearly 1:30 p.m., the plane taxied to the terminal and the aircraft door opened. Cheers and screams rang out from the crowd. The NY Daily News reported a 17-year-old June Clayton of Brooklyn saying “They’re so cute. And Ringo’s the cutest. Look at them comb their hair!” 

    In addition to the huge crowd carrying signs and placards, the press numbered 200, reporters, photographers and cameramen among them.

    the beatles

    How did so many people arrive at JFK Airport on this Friday afternoon? It seems Seltaeb, who handled The Beatles’ merchandising in the States, offered a promotion that promised every one who showed up at the airport would receive a t-shirt and a dollar, or $8.40 in 2021 dollars. The idea was crafted by Nicky Byrne of Seltaeb, with direction from Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

    Byrne made a deal with radio stations WMCA and 1010 WINS to promote the offer, but Capitol Records had a promotion of their own, arranging for posters and car stickers that read “The Beatles are Coming” being spread out across New York City. When fans called Capitol Records, receptionists would answer the phone, “Capitol Records, The Beatles are coming.” Between radio, print and offers of a free shirt and money, fans flocked to JFK to give the boys from Liverpool a proper welcome.

    Murray the K, DJ at 1010 WINS, announced The Beatles’ flight number and time of arrival over the air, which was spread by larger stations WMCA and WABC, helping to build anticipation.

    The band then held a press conference inside Kennedy Airport where they met Murray the K, and were asked by the press pool to say their names, as the were individually not well known to the press.

    The playful press conference was nothing more than a slapstick routine for the foursome, mildly frustrating the straight-laced press. Just as the crowd was dissipating, Paul grabbed the microphone to say “We have a message.” As reporters got ready to take notes and photographers jockeyed for position, Paul would say, “Our message is: buy more Beatles records!”

    The Fab Four would leave the airport in four separate limousines, with Cynthia Lennon accompanying John and the others riding solo. Epstein and others needed to hail a taxi to get into Manhattan. A play-by-play could be heard on the radio by McCartney, which culminated in a crowd of fans and reporters swarming the band at the Plaza Hotel, where the band was giving a 10-room suite on the 12th floor with a Central Park view.

    the beatles

    In the days that followed, The Beatles would make music history in New York City and Washington, D.C. On Sunday, February 9 at 8pm, Ed Sullivan welcomed the band to his stage for five songs: “All My Loving,” Meredith Willson’s “Till There Was You,” “She Loves You,” “I Saw Her Standing There” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” 73 million tuned in to watch The Ed Sullivan Show that night, roughly two-fifths of the population in America at that time. This would be the largest television audience at the time, according to Nielsen.

    On February 11 at the Washington Coliseum, The Beatles performed their first American concert, with 8,000 lucky fans in attendance. They returned to the Big Apple the next day for performances at Carnegie Hall on the 12th and 13th, each of which were attended by 2,000.

    From New York, The Beatles flew to Miami, making a second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 16, broadcast from the Napoleon Ballroom at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, bringing in another huge audience of 70 million viewers. Returning to England via Heathrow Airport on February 22, the band was met by 10,000 fans, leaving the beginnings of Beatlemania in their wake back in America.

  • Turkuaz shares “Remain in Light” set featuring Talking Heads members

    Originally premiered on the Bonnaroo Virtual Roo-ality, Turkuaz played a set of Remain in Light alongside two Talking Heads members, Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew. Although the album came out in 1980, the legacy of the band and passion of the existing band members continues to carry on well into 2021.

    turkuaz Remain in Light
    Turkuaz Announce “Remain in Light” Shows with Talking Heads

    Based in Brooklyn, Turkuaz is a band of nine members that strive to combine and perfectly balance harmonies of powerful voices, a variety of instrumentals, and an intense consonance incorporating elements from multiple genres.

    Remain in Light and Talking Heads have been part of the soundtrack of our lives, and a huge inspiration to us as a band since day one. It was definitely unlike anything I had ever seen and is still unlike anything I have ever seen. It was right about the time we were starting this band. We wanted to cover their material as much as we could so we could get inside the arrangements and figure out what was going on—what made it feel that way and sound that way.

    Dave Brandwein [ Turkuaz’s guitar/vocalist] on the collaboration with Talking Heads

    Originally set to tour alongside Harrison and Belew in the summer of 2020, COVID-19 unfortunately interrupted their plans and derailed live music for the foreseeable future. Turkuaz’s “Ophidiophobia” had garnered a lot of excitement, having yet to be performed live, so it was added alongside the Remain in Light tour. As live concerts seem unlikely anytime soon and the band was itching to perform, Bonnaroo Virtual Roo-Ality offered them a chance to perform several setlists together to an adoring virtual audience.

    The setlist consisted of “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads, “Houses in Motion” by Talking Heads, “Ophidiophobia” by Turkuaz, followed by the final “Crosseyed and Painless” by Talking Heads. The chemistry between the band and Talking Heads members is evident in their performance and how perfectly they bounce off of each other’s vibe.

    What a joy it is to be playing music with Adrian Belew again. Having recently produced music for Turkuaz, it was like I was introducing close friends who had never met. We all left the rehearsal very excited.

    Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads on performing alongside the band
  • T@NE Releases Sensual Pop ‘Autumn’

    “Autumn,” the new single from T@NE, is a pop song of sensual proportions conveying the feeling of fresh kisses on your lips, romantic nights, and ecstasy. Autumn is sure to highlight what love is and can be.

    Composed by T@NE and Be Steadwell and produced solely by T@NE, Autumn went through many musical stages. From the time T@NE and Be sat down at the piano and laid out its foundations, to the point of its completion where it became an epic pop song, one thing that stayed consistent throughout the writing process was the feeling and the vibe of the composition.

    t@ne
    Album design by Fishman Art 89

    “Autumn” is a step in a new direction for T@NE. The track exemplifies the diversity of T@NE’s sound, incorporating different pop elements to create the sensual vibe the song brings. While the sound of “Autumn” may stray away from the intricate jazz and rock heavy tones of T@NE’s debut single, “Rock Joint,” the quality of the track shows T@NE’s progression as an artist and producer.

    T@NE – a musician, saxophonist, composer, producer, rapper, and vocalist – hails from Brooklyn. Growing up in a musical environment influenced T@NE’s deep love and passion for what he does. T@NE, along with his bandmates Taber Gable on keyboard, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Dan Pappalardo on bass, and Peter Manheim on drums, are making music for the future. Incorporating elements from all genres of music and fostering a real sense of unity and teamwork allows T@NE’s music to be enjoyable, inspiring, and energizing to listen to.

  • Rufus Wainwright adds Zach Galifianakis and James Corden to Live Show Audience

    Grammy Award winning pop artist, Rufus Wainwright, announced Zach Galifianakis and James Corden as audience members to his acclaimed virtual live stream tour through all nine of his albums, Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective!

    Rufus Wainwright

    Galifianakis will be the guest for the two performances Out of The Game livestreaming on February 5 and 12 with Corden joining for Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets and a special Rufus at the Movies show. Past guests have included Jamie Lee Curtis and husband Christopher Guest, Joel McHale, Darren Criss, Marius de Vries, Rain Phoenix, and Scott Dunn. More guests will be announced for the remaining shows. The live streams proceeds go to help raise money for charities with the virtual audience donating to a cause chosen by the at-home guest during the shows.

    I am so excited to be playing some of my songs for Zach and James, both of whom I have known and admired for a very long time. Normally when doing a show I have to do all the talking in between songs so it is nice to actually have a chat with someone you like and probably will make you crack up quite a bit.

    Rufus Wainwright, Musician

    Rufus Wainwright was on the forefront of live-streaming with his IGTV Quarantunes Robe Recital series where each day he performed a song a day while playing in his bathrobe at his home. Now with Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective he takes a step further playing 45-minute concerts highlighting albums from his illustrious catalogue. Guitarist Brian Green and keyboardist/pianist Jacob Mann will accompany Wainwright in these concerts and fans will be treated to songs he has not played in many years with exciting new arrangements. On top of the songs from the albums, Wainwright will sprinkle in cover songs that fans can vote from over 100 that he has performed in the past, or has wanted to perform in concert.  

    Tickets for individual shows are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 day of show, and 4 show bundles are also available. Bundles come with the opportunity for fans to participate in intimate Q&A’s with Wainwright and other surprises. Go here to purchase tickets.

  • The Weeknd Announces 2022 After Hours World Tour, with Stops at MSG, Barclay’s and UBS Arena

    The Weeknd announced his After Hours World Tour, a 104-date global tour beginning at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on January 14th, 2022.

    He will be playing in New York on February 11th and 12th in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center, and will be back in early April on the 4th and 5th at Madison Square Garden. He will then be playing at the new UBS Arena in Belmont on April 7th.


    The worldwide tour announcement comes just days ahead of the multi-platinum singer’s headlining Super Bowl performance, and also includes a handful of rescheduled dates shifting from 2021 to be a part of the After Hours World Tour in 2022.

    With the addition of 39 new tour dates, The Weeknd will also release The Highlights on Friday, February 5th. The Highlights is a way to present some of The Weeknd’s most notable works in one place. While this isn’t a “Greatest Hits” album it does provide a new listener a rich foray into some of the iconic artist’s best and favorite work. Fans can pre-save and pre-order the album on theweeknd.co/thehighlights.

    Tickets for the tour will be available following The Weeknd’s Super Bowl performance starting Monday, February 8th at 10 A.M. local time on TheWeeknd.com/Tour.

    AFTER HOURS WORLD TOUR 2022 DATES:
    * New Show
    Jan 14 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
    Jan 15 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
    Jan 17 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
    Jan 19 – Winnipeg, MB – Bell MTS Place
    Jan 21 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
    Jan 23 – Chicago, IL – United Center
    Jan 24 – Chicago, IL – United Center*
    Jan 26 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum*
    Jan 27 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
    Jan 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
    Jan 30 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
    Feb 01 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
    Feb 02 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
    Feb 03 – Montreal, QC – Centre Bell
    Feb 05 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
    Feb 06 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
    Feb 08 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
    Feb 09 – Boston, MA – TD Garden*
    Feb 11 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
    Feb 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center*

    Feb 13 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
    Feb 15 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
    Feb 16 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
    Feb 19 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center*
    Feb 20 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
    Feb 22 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center*
    Feb 24 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
    Feb 25 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
    Feb 27 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
    Mar 01 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena
    Mar 03 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
    Mar 04 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena*
    Mar 06 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
    Mar 08 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
    Mar 09 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
    Mar 11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum*
    Mar 13 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
    Mar 15 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
    Mar 16 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center*
    Mar 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
    Mar 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
    Mar 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
    Mar 22 – Glendale, AZ – Gila River Arena
    Mar 25 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
    Mar 28 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
    Mar 29 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
    Mar 30 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
    Apr 01 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
    Apr 03 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center*
    Apr 04 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
    Apr 05 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden*
    Apr 07 – Elmont, NY – UBS Arena*

    Apr 08 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
    Apr 10 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
    Apr 11 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena*
    Apr 14 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
    Apr 16 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha
    Apr 18 – Austin, TX – Moody Center*
    Apr 19 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
    Apr 23 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena*
    Apr 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Suns Arena*
    Apr 27 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center*
    Apr 30 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena*
    May 01 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
    Sept 10 – Helsinki, Finland – Hartwall Arena*
    Sep 13 – Stockholm, Sweden – Ericsson Globe
    Sep 15 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
    Sep 16 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena*
    Sep 18 – Oslo, Norway – Telenor Arena
    Sep 20 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena
    Sep 21 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
    Sep 23 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
    Sep 24 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
    Sep 26 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle*
    Sep 28 – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis
    Sep 29 – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis*
    Oct 01 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena*
    Oct 03 – Amsterdam, Holland – Ziggo Dome
    Oct 04 – Amsterdam, Holland – Ziggo Dome*
    Oct 06 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 07 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 08 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 10 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Arena
    Oct 11 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
    Oct 13 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena*
    Oct 15 – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
    Oct 16 – London, UK – The O2
    Oct 18 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
    Oct 19 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
    Oct 20 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
    Oct 22 – Bordeaux, France – Arkea Arena*
    Oct 24 – Madrid, Spain – Wizink Center*
    Oct 25 – Lisbon, Portugal – Altice Arena*
    Oct 28 – Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi*
    Oct 29 – Montpellier, France – Sud de France Arena*
    Nov 01 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum*
    Nov 02 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion*
    Nov 04 – Budapest, Hungary – Budapest Arena*
    Nov 05 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena
    Nov 07 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena*
    Nov 10 – Mannheim, Germany – SAP Arena*
    Nov 12 – Lyon, France – Halle Tony Garnier*
    Nov 13 – Paris, France – Accor Arena*
    Nov 15 – Glasgow, Scotland – The SSE Hyrdro*
    Nov 16 – London, UK – The O2*

  • Girl Blue Releases Shimmering New Single “Just a Dream”

    Girl Blue released the first single, “Just a Dream,” off of her upcoming Fall debut, full-length album. Apt for a walk in the woodlands, her shiny piano tones and synths are reminiscent of breaking sunlight through trees.

    Her voice soars above the instrumental melodies weaving with the punchy percussion. She sings “You and me / we should be driving faster / music should be blasting / cast out.” She chronicles a journey to freedom, driving, and remaining her true self even through difficult periods.

    girl blue just a dream

    The album art beautifully juxtaposes the sonic landscape; a car floating in the sky, pink clouds, and her profile facing out to the path. Compared to her intricate, stripped-down Instagram videos, Girl Blue is venturing into a more vast sonic land with glittering synths and LIGHTS-esque vocals. 

    Her pensive lyrics focus on overcoming hardship and empowering oneself, especially in a period of isolation and global strangeness. Girl Blue’s voice sounds fresh against a warm piano and electronic drum beat. The sound is full and lush, painting a picture for Girl Blue’s sound to come.

    “Just a Dream” was written and produced by Girl Blue, released in mid-december 2020. Her debut full-length album is set for release in Fall 2021. The song was also engineered and produced by Scoops Dardaris, and mastered by Steve Fallone (Taylor Swift, Tame Impala, Kacey Musgraves). Recorded at White Lake Studios, another capital region favorite, the band Dark Honey also performed on the track. “Just a Dream” features Jimi Woodul on guitar, Dan Dekalb on piano, Ben Woodul on bass, and Josh Morris on acoustic drums. 

    Find her newest single and other projects here.

  • Upcoming Indie Band Yo Kinky Release new single “Resistance,” video for “Wire”

    Alternative duo Yo Kinky is in its nascent stage, with members Tom Unish and Laura Wight meeting in early 2020. The duo immediately felt a musical bond, and started crafting songs together.

    Yo Kinky
    Laura Wight and Tom Unish of Yo Kinky

    Queens-based band Yo Kinky follows their first single “Somebody That I Used to Know,” with the second single, “Resistance.” The song is delicately created, yet exudes a confidence created by Tom Unish’s spaced-out guitar licks. The sonic landscape undulates with hypnotic layers of sound; the song yearns for the intimacy long lost by social isolation.

    Laura Wight sings “Love is all we breathe,” and “Swing me off my feet,” transporting the listener to a beautiful place where love is all-surrounding. “Resistance” is an ode to the sanity one has during this time by finding delight in the small things in life. 

    Resistance” follows their first single “Somebody That I Used to Know,” which, albeit its darker vocal passages, is playful, seductive and clever. It has received heavy play on WFMU’s radio station, as well as named as one of the best tracks of 2020 by Three Chord Monte. The band is beaming in their own path as they create and release more infectious music.

    Over 2020, Yo Kinky self-produced and are releasing their first, self-titled EP. This collection of songs addresses trust, communication, love, loneliness, freedom, identity, and expectation. The group combines drum machines and bright, buzzing synths and guitars that shimmer with reverb and delay.

    Yo Kinky’s music is reminiscent of Blondie, X, Mitksi, and Soccer Mommy, as they blend the pop and rock elements of indie into an incandescent artwork. When shows are possible again, Yo Kinky looks forward to playing locally, nationwide, and beyond.

    Yo Kinky’s debut EP is due out on February 26, 2021.

  • Maxtreme Inc. and Yang 21 Come Together for “Shuda”

    Nigerian Afro-Pop singer, Yang 21, has released his latest single, “Shuda,” in collaboration with Talent Management & Music Distribution Company, Maxtreme Inc. 

    Yang 21

    The upbeat, Afrocentric tune is Yang’s latest effort on the heels of two EP’s, 2019’s Goose Bumps and Fall 2020’s What Do Girls Want

    “Shuda,” is a mellow tempo love-centric tune and is Maxtreme Inc.’s attempt to enlarge its coast and collaborate with recording artistes to serve its niche and fan base, as well as make exceptional music. Backed by a looping and rhythmic drum, the feel-good record (running just over 3 minutes), sees Yang 21 begin the song by declaring his affections for his newfound flame, amid his past struggles with love. 

    Yang 21

    Each subsequent verse then goes in detail about the kind of woman he wants in life, as he forges ahead with a new personal interest and moves on from past affections. Each verse sees Yang 21 characterize his ideal woman, while the chorus echoes the theme of the song, “coulda’ woulda’ shoulda’,” signifying the past-tense status of a previous lover.

  • Phil Spector, producer, ‘Wall of Sound’ Creator, Dies in Jail at 81

    One of the most notable music producers of the 20th century, Phil Spector, has died. Spector had been serving a 19-year prison sentence for the murder of Lana Clarkson, for which he was convicted in 2009. He died of natural causes in the California Health Care Facility, state prison authorities announced Sunday.

    phil spector

    Born Harvey Philip Spector on December 26, 1939 in New York City, Spector’s family moved to Los Angeles in 1953, a few years after his father committed suicide.

    Spector had number one records in three consecutive decades – 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and had his first hit song while in high school with The Teddy Bears, “To Know Him is To Love Him.”

    Soon after Spector would produce a wide range of hits – The Righteous Brothers “You Lost that Lovin’ Feeling,” “Unchained Melody,” “You’re My Soul and Inspiration,” The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” and The Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel,” among others.

    Spector had a long association with The Beatles, producing their final album, Let It Be, and tracks “The Long and Winding Road” and “Get Back,” as well as the title track. He continued to work with John Lennon, producing solo work “Instant Karma” and “Imagine,” and George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and 1971’s The Concert for Bangladesh.

    A producer as well as creative director, Spector wrote or chose material for musicians, supervised arrangements, conducted vocalists and session musicians, and mastered all phases of the recording process. Spector would pave the way for genres of art rock, dream pop, shoegaze and noise music.

    In addition to a litany of producer credits, Spector is credited with developing the “Wall of Sound” technique, which involved overdubbing scores of musicians for a fuller sound. The effect creator a “roar,” which Spector one described as “a Wagnerian approach to rock’n’roll: little symphonies for the kids.”

    He last produced an album in 1980, with The Ramones’ End Of The Century. Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Of note, Spector played a cocaine dealer in the 1969 cross-country drama “Easy Rider” and appeared on the 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.”

    According to the Phil Spector biography “Wall of Pain,” he sometimes kept a gun on the studio recording console, fired a shot during an acrimonious recording session with John Lennon and pressed a pistol barrel to singer Leonard Cohen’s neck.

    Spector has been in California State prison for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Spector said Clarkson’s death was an “accidental suicide” and that she “kissed the gun.” His first trial ended in a hung jury, but was later convicted of second-degree murder in 2009.

    phil spector

    According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, “Inmate Phillip Spector was pronounced deceased of natural causes at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at an outside hospital. His official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner in the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.”

  • Palace Sessions return with Moriah Formica, Sawyer Fredericks & Madison Vandenburg

    The Palace Sessions return with a trio of young talent that have each found a national audience. Moriah Formica, Sawyer Fredericks and Madison Vandenburg will be stream performances from Albany’s Palace Theatre on January 13 at 7pm on the Palace Theatre’s

    Formica, Fredericks and Vandenburg have each found fame through nationally broadcast music competition shows The Voice (Formica and Fredericks) and American Idol (Vandenburg). Through their performances and runs into the finals of their respective shows, they have each amassed a large following, bringing a focus to the Capital Region of New York.

    The Palace Sessions is a monthly live music series featuring some of our favorite regional acts performing in unique spaces within the historic performing arts center. Watch previous episodes of The Palace Sessions below.

    During the stream, donations can be made to benefit the Palace Performing Arts Center, Inc. – the 501(c)3 non-profit organization that owns and operates the historic Palace Theatre. Donations can be made or directly through the Palace Theatre’s Text To Give program, by texting Palace2020 to 44321.

    The Palace has been Albany’s iconic downtown landmark for the past eight decades, bringing  the biggest names in entertainment to the Capital Region. The history and programming of the  Palace is a unique and often untold story with roots dating back to the period of the Great  Depression. The Palace Theatre, built in 1931, originally presented vaudeville acts, feature films  and became a civic auditorium before closing its doors in 1969. The theatre maintains its original  beauty and design and is a historical landmark in the City of Albany.

    The Palace Performing Arts  Center was established in 1984 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1989, created to  operate the Palace Theatre. The mission of the Palace is to bring world-class arts and  entertainment to New York’s Capital Region, greatly enhancing the area’s cultural and economic  development. Our mission is carried out through core programming and community initiatives  that include performing arts entertainment, free arts education, family-friendly performances,  free summer movies and a classic movie program series. The Palace has a significant economic  footprint with over $3.5 million in ticket sales and 180,000 patrons. 

    Palace Sessions is presented by the Palace Theatre, the City of Albany and Mirth Films.