The inaugural LonCon Music Festival took place over August 27-29, 2021 at the legendary Arrowhead Ranch and Retreat in Parksville, NY. Organized by Long Island up-and-comers Baked Shrimp, the two day event served as a tribute to the late Lon Gellman, a well-known and beloved supporter of live music.
Fans attending LonCon 2021 saw performances by Twiddle frontman Mihali, Dogs in a Pile, RCA, Creamery Station, and artist-at-large, Hayley Jane. Unfortunately just two acts into day one, torrential rains and an intense lighting storm forced all music to be suspended due to safety concerns. Originally scheduled headliners Aqueous were unable to play their set. While gloomy and on the cusp of rain throughout all of Saturday, LonCon managed to rock on without a hitch.
RCA, comprised of Dopapod’s Rob Compa and Kung Fu members Chris DeAngelis and Adrian Tramontano, played mostly songs off Compa’s 2019 debut solo album, Same Damn Thing. In a set filled with more teases than you could count, including moe.’s “Rebubula” and the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood,” the undisputed highlight came when artist at large Hayley Jane sat in for a ferocious take on Alanis Morissette’s ‘You Oughta Know.”
Due to their opening day set being cut short by lightning, event organizers Baked Shrimp played an extra long mid-day set to make up for lost time. Picking up right where they left off by completing a “Rosa” jam, the ambitious young band also debuted “Hurricane Jane,” which saw both Hayley Jane and Rob Compa sit in.
Jersey Shore jam band Dogs In A Pile immediately raised the energy on the farm to a whole new level. Distinguished by their colorful outfits, two guitar-attack and otherworldly sounds courtesy of multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Kaplan, the band managed to turn the soggy farmland into a veritable dance floor. Making her third appearance of the afternoon, Hayley Jane returned to the stage once again, this time with a washboard draped around her neck, joining Dogs in a Pile on a rollicking version of the beloved The Band classic “Ophelia.” Not done with sit in’s just yet, Rob Compa would later join the band for an extra funky rendition of ‘Boogie on Reggae Woman.”
With nightfall now upon LonCon 2021, Day 2 headliner Mihali Savoulidis took the stage shortly after 8pm. Before starting his set, Mihali spoke candidly about his special connection to the late Lon Gellman and explained just how much of an honor it was for him to be there at this inaugural event. He would go on to play a sentimental set, highlighted by Twiddle staples “Apples,” “Mamunes the Faun,””Every Soul,”and “Hattie’s Jam” > “When It Rains It Pours,” and “River Drift.” Other highlights included an impressive mashup medley of “Glycerine” > “No Woman No Cry” > “Farmhouse” > “Wagon Wheel” and Hayley Jane joining on a cover of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.” The set also featured sit-in’s from Kung Fu/RCA drummer Adrian Tramontano and Baked Shrimp members Jared Cowen and Jager Soss.
Mihali Setlist: Be There (1), Collective pulse (1), Glycerine -> No Woman No Cry ->Wagon Wheel -> Farmhouse-> One Day, Ballad of the Broken (2), Living is the Lesson, Don’t Speak (3), Cali Roads (3), Open House (4), Heart Song, Apples, River Drift, Empty Overflow, Mamunes the Faun (5), Every Soul (6) Encore: Hatties Jam (1) -> When it Rains it Pours
(1) Dedicated to Lon Conscious (2) Formally known as CaliRado (3) W/ Hayley Jane (4) Formally known as Castle in the Sky (5) w/ Jager Soss (Drums; Baked Shrimp) Jared Cowen (Guitar; Baked Shrimp) (6) w/ Adrian Tramontano (Drums; RCA / Kung Fu)
Baked Shrimp Setlists
Friday, August 27 Setlist: NO2-4U, Molly Ann, Tulu, Melting Over Nothing, Pork Etiquette, Rosa (1) (1) Cut short due to lightning storm.
Saturday, August 28 Setlist: One Set: Rosa (1), Weird Times, Who are You and What am I?, Ollie Blu, Hurricane Jane (2), Stomatopoda, Level of Gold, Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts, Super Human Mutant, Benny, Down the Drain -> Equinox (1) Ending jam only; completes 8/27/21 version
A New York Welcome at Citi Field – Review/Photos by Steve Malinski
It was otherwise just a typically warm summer NYC evening to usher in this past Friday night when Dead and Company took the stage at Citi Field. After some strange times in the two-year gap since their last stop in NYC (and some Covid-19 checks before entering), however, the music restored a sense of normalcy and familiarity with experiencing a large-scale concert.
Just as if Dead & Co. hadn’t skipped a beat since their 2019 tour, they took the stage without an ounce of rust from their pandemic downtime. As they shuffled into the first set with “Good Times,” John Mayer commanded the mic, signaling the core role he has developed in this iteration of the Grateful Dead family. Bob Weir stepped up to the plate sharing the lead with Mayer on vocals throughout the night, rallying the Queens crowd for the New York City line in “Ramble on Rose.” The youngest surviving member of the original Grateful Dead lineup, Weir was nimble on his feet as he enjoyed crafting the rhythms just as much as the crowd relished the sound.
Set two took a trip to the late 1970s-era Dead setlists, featuring the classic pairing of “China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider” and fluidity from the start to finish of the set. The night was capped off on a high note with an energetic “U.S. Blues” and an encore covering The Band’s “The Weight,” featuring a trade of choruses between Jeff Chimenti, Mayer, Weir, and Oteil Burbridge.
Dead and Company Citi Field – Flushing, NY 8/20/21
Set 1: Let the Good Times Roll, Bertha, Good Lovin’ -> Big Railroad Blues, Ramble On Rose, They Love Each Other, Cassidy -> Casey Jones
Set 2: Eyes of the World -> Uncle John’s Band -> China Doll -> China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider -> Drums/Space -> Spanish Jam -> Althea, Stella Blue, U.S. Blues
Dead and Company Recreate 1969’s Woodstock Performance at Bethel Woods – Review by Matt Romano, Photos by Steve Malinski
It’s true, The music never stopped for the Grateful Dead. It’s newest reincarnation as Dead and Company continued its trip through the Empire State at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center on Monday, August 23. The band played on a stage set among the rolling hills of the original 1969 Woodstock festival. A sense of delight was in the air for all those on the adjacent path of the site towards the stage for this year’s festivities.
They opened with “Hell in a Bucket,” this time enjoying the ride. Jeff Chimenti immediately stepped out as he would the whole night on the keyboards. The band really seems to play off Jeff and the musical ideas he passes onstage. John Mayer especially picks up on the mixolydian blues concept Pigpen started in the ‘60s by taking lead on “Easy Wind.” This track is ideal for Mayer’s blues background and the words, “Easy wind going ‘cross the Bayou today. There’s a whole lotta women. Out on the streets in a red today.”
Mayer also stepped out in front for “Brown Eyed Women,” singing as humbly as Jerry sang about Delilah Jones. The band then drifted off into the seas to end the first set. A “Row Jimmy” out in the mist led to a “Lost Sailor,” and they came back to shore with a “Saint Of Circumstance.”
Tigers in trance deserve a second chance. That’s what the band was able to get on the other side of the hill from their Woodstock ‘69 performance. The Grateful Dead may have been one of the more famous performers at Woodstock, but their set didn’t exactly knock it out of the park. They played from 10:30 pm to midnight on the second day, but their entire performance was filled with technical difficulties. The band was even subject to electric shock on stage although that truly could have been them representing their infamous logo.
But on this night on the other side of the hill, Bob Weir said at the start of the second set, “Now 50-some years ago right here, we tried this next little sequence and it didn’t go so well. It didn’t work so we’re gonna try it again.” With that, Dead and Company, in all their glory, recreated the five song setlist from the 1969 festival that includes covers by Merle Haggard and Bobby Blue Bland: “St Stephen,” “Mama Tried,” “Dark Star,” “High Time,” “Turn on your Lovelight.”
Weir, who was 22 during the original Woodstock, sang Merle’s “Mama Tried” with the same howl in 2021 that he had in 1969. “I turn 21 in prison doing life without parole. No one could steer me right but Mama tried.” Bobby Bland’s “Lovelight” percolated throughout the set with John Mayer, who is no gravity stranger, wanting to be where the light is. The old memory set faded into a “Drums/Space” jam that featured a new “bass” segment from Oteil Burbridge – who has joined the Rhythm Devils on Halloween at Madison Square Garden – took his own featured piece. He was left on stage solo with only pure bass notes to the crowd’s ears. The band joined Oteil on his sky journey for “Space” While up there, they decide to return to the Garcia classic “Standing on the Moon,” to remind of summer tours past. Bob Weir and John Mayer then brought out the acoustics to send everyone back on the tree lined paths with “Ripple.”
You certainly could feel Jerry’s spirit in the same rolling Catskill hills that his music happily haunts. His music helped Dead and Company continue to set the bar high for likely their only recreation of this old performance. “It’s not enough to be the best at what you do. You must be perceived as the ONLY one who does what you do”
Dead and Company hit Darien lake Wednesday night, then head to Saratoga Springs on Friday.
On your way to SPAC, don’t forget that Stewart’s Shops is your ice cream shop! With over 345 shops in 31 counties across New York and southern Vermont, the convenience store chain is known for their fresh & local dairy products. With dozens of choices at the cone counter, you’re bound to find something you love! Try a shake, sundae, or cone today, What’s Your Flavor?
Dead and Company Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center – Bethel, NY 8/23/21
Set 1: Hell in a Bucket, Easy Wind, Loser, Brown-Eyed Women, Throwing Stones, Row Jimmy, Lost Sailor -> Saint of Circumstance
Set 2: St. Stephen -> Mama Tried -> Dark Star -> High Time -> Turn On Your Love Light, Drums/Space/Oteil Bass Solo -> Deal -> Standing on the Moon -> Turn On Your Love Light
NYC and surrounding areas have been forced to postpone various shows due to Hurricane Henri. Concerts and events have been cancelled and postponed in Hudson Valley, NYC, and Long Island.
Hurricane Henri
Hurricane Henri originated in the 200 miles north-northeast of Bermuda and is currently threatening Long Island, NYC, Hudson Valley, and the New England area as a whole. On August 16, the storm system became designated Tropical Depression 08L and a mere eighteen hours later the system strengthened into being declared a Tropical Storm Henri.
On August 21, 2021 Madison Square Garden announced that due to the state of emergency that was declared from the impending hurricane that the Eagles performance scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday, August 22, 2021, has been postponed to Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Tickets for Sunday’s show will be valid for the rescheduled date and will not need to be exchanged. The Eagles performance scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Madison Square Garden will proceed as planned.
The Eagles.
Bardavon Presents announced that due to the unpredictability of Hurricane Henri and the potential for dangerous storms in Kingston, New York they have postponed the Trombone Shorty performance. The performance was supposed to take place on Sunday August 22 and has now been rescheduled to Sunday September 26 at UPAC, 7PM.
Outside the State of New York performances are getting cancelled as well. Due to the state of emergency issued by the State of Connecticut Jason Mraz has been forced to postpone his performance which was originally scheduled for the evening of August 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena. Updates on a rescheduled Jason Mraz concert at Mohegan Sun Arena will become available via mohegansun.com and Ticketmaster.com. Guests can hold on to their tickets for the rescheduled date.
Jason Mraz
Scotty McCreery’s show at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA scheduled for Sunday, August 22 has been cancelled. The pre-concert cruise on the Indian Princess is also cancelled. Samuel Slater’s Restaurant will be closed all day Sunday.
Scotty McCreery
Pix11 is currently giving updates on events across NY state that are being cancelled. Visit their full list here. Hopefully Hurricane Henri will pass through the area without return to stages across NYC and surrounding areas.
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.
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
Imagine if you will, the Zac Brown Band’s “The Come Back Tour” as a Phoenix rising from the depths of musical silence. The 2021 tour, running from August to October, incorporates a host of rotating special guests to help reinvigorate those who had fallen into the abyss of the last year. The stop at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Upstate New York featured Ashland Craft opening and Teddy Swims in the middle spot with Zac Brown Band headlining
Ashland, inducted into CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2021, took to the stage with an “it’s time to party and let’s get it going” demeanor. In shorts and knee-high boots, Craft and band reinforced the vibe with “I Smoke Weed” and the classic rocker “American Woman.”
Teddy Swims opened his set strutting from one end of the stage to the other, deviating from a pure country sound to one with rap induce lyrics. He is a performer who can traverse many musical paths. At mid set, Karl Michael joined Swims on stage. The two performed their just released single “Liar.” From this point on, Swims’ vocal power became apparent. Closing with the powerful and emotional anthem “Bed on Fire,” Teddy solidified why he is part of the tour.
The Zac Brown Band
The Zac Brown Band offered the packed house a two-hour night of music that reached well beyond country. Throughout the night, Brown introduced tunes from his upcoming album release The Owl, most notably “Same Boat.” Classics such as “As She’s Walking Away” and “Whatever It Is” were standouts to his extensive catalog and not left by the wayside.
Zac appears like a warrior onstage: big, bold, and defiant with his guitar strapped to his barrel chest, ready to take on anyone who would challenge him. Mid-way through the night, he stripped down to a microphone for “Colder Weather.” That song found Brown opening himself up to the audience as if to expose his vulnerabilities. The sold-out crowd reciprocated back with big love for this genuine gesture that found Brown tapping his hand over his heart in humble appreciation.
To be clear, this is The Zac Brown Band and not Zac Brown supported by a group of musicians. Members of the band, affectionally called (musical) ninjas by Zac, stepped up front and center throughout the night sharing their musical abilities.
This was not a night devoted solely to country. Not at all. The set included the Beatles “Blackbird,” Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” (performed with Teddy Swims), Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” to name a few, offering something for everyone and acknowledging the bands apperception for good music, no matter the groove. The encore proved entertaining starting with an eight-song medley (Black Betty / I Want You to Want Me / Two Tickets to Paradise / La Bamba / Come Together/ Jump Around / Love in an Elevator / What’s Up), followed by Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” Of course, no Zac Brown Band show could end without “Chicken Fried” filling the hall to take everyone home. At the end of a hot night on the hollowed grounds of Bethel Woods, the musical horizon was once again ablaze with music, sweet music.
Lespecial, the heavy future groove trio from Kent, CT, is hitting the road for repeaTOUR an extensive run of shows this Fall. Including a show in Niagara Falls, NY and one in East Durham, NY for the Flyday Music Festival.
Dubbed “2021 Fall RepeaTOUR,” the jaunt is named after “Repeater,” a track on the band’s 2020 release, Ancient Homies. Starting on 10/1, the band will travel to upstate NY for a pair of shows, before heading to Portland, ME to support Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at the State Theatre on 10/8. Mid-October will see lespecial host “Le Getaway Part Deux,” a curated overnight music and camping experience at the beautiful Club Getaway in Kent, CT, with support from West End Blend and Cosmic Dust Bunnies. After a 10/28 play at Suwannee Hulaween in Live Oak, FL, lespecial will spend its’ favorite holiday in Asheville, NC for a Halloween throw-down at Asheville Music Hall.
November will see a handful of shows in the mid-Atlantic region, followed by a return to colorful Colorado on 12/2, where the band will headline Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver for the first time. After a visit to Fort Collins (12/3), the band will hole up at Old Town Pub in Steamboat Springs for two nights. Subsequent shows include a string of appearances in the Midwest with special guest Mike Dillon Band, including much-anticipated returns to Chicago, Indianapolis and Columbus. The tour concludes in Ferndale, MI on 12/18 at Otus Supply
Lespecial repeaTOUR Fall 2021
10/1 – Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theatre
10/2 – East Durham, NY – Flyday Music Festival
10/8 – Portland, ME – State Theatre (supporting PPPP)
10/16 – Kent, CT – Le Getaway – Club Getaway
10/28 – Live Oak, FL – Hulaween
10/31 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Music Hall
11/3 – Charlotte, NC – Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts
11/4 – Roanoke, VA – 5 Points Music Sanctuary
11/5 – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 (w/ Kick The Cat)
11/6 – Asbury Park, NJ – Wonder Bar
11/12 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall (w/ Space Bacon)
12/2 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
12/3 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
12/4-12/5 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Old Town Pub
12/8 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar (w/s/g Mike Dillon Band)
12/10 – Chicago, IL – The Point (w/s/g Mike Dillon Band)
12/11 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon (w/s/g Mike Dillon Band)
12/12 – Milwaukee, WI – Colectivo (w/s/g Mike Dillon Band)
12/15 – Indianapolis, IN – The HiFi
12/16 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache
12/17 – Columbus, OH – The Summit
12/18 – Ferndale, MI – Otus Supply
For more information, and to purchase tickets for the Lespecial ReapeaTOUR visit: lespecial.net.
After being closed for 18 months during the pandemic, Bardavon Presents has announced the reopening of Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) on Sunday, September 26 at 7pm. The show is rescheduled from August 22 due to Hurricane Henri, with tickets from August 22 being honored.
Sunday August 22 at 7pm with preformers Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, followed the week after by Brit Floyd on Sunday August 29 at 8pm.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue – Sunday, August 22 at 7pm at UPAC
Troy Andrews, or, “Trombone Shorty,” brings his R&B, rock, rap and funk brass band to UPAC for the first time ever! Come early and enjoy the Brasskill second line on Broadway starting at 5pm, and grab dinner in a great Kingston restaurant before celebrating UPAC’s reopening!
Trombone Shorty has draw the unqualified respect of some of the most iconic legends in jazz and is known to, “Deliver a high-energy funk rock show capable of mesmerizing international rock stars.”
Trombone Shorty is equally gifted on both trombone and trumpet. Originally from New Orleans, Trombone Shorty was a bandleader by the age of six. He spent a great deal of time absorbing lessons from his older brother James, a dynamic musical performer known as “Satchmo of the Ghetto.”
“It really is as good as they say – believe the hype and don’t miss it. The perfect rock show” -LA Times
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.
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.
The Soul Rebels have announced Part 1 of their Epic Vibes Tour, spanning Fall 2021 through Winter 2022. Touring will include concerts all across the US and a robust schedule of performances in New Orleans. Notable NY stops include Woodstock and Brooklyn.
Brass sensation The Soul Rebels are riding high in 2021 after receiving national attention following the release of their new album, Poetry In Motion. The eight-member collective appeared on Def Jam artist Dave East and Nas’ “Godfather 4” single, Big Freedia and Icona Pop’s “Pipe That”, and reached fans with original singles “Greatness” featured as ESPN’s official College Hoops theme anthem, and “Good Time” featured on Netflix’s #BlackAF and Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!
The Soul Rebels have impressed viewers with two recent appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk series with Wu Tang Clan frontman GZA, headlined the global TED Conference, and appeared on the official soundtrack for Universal Pictures’ hit comedy Girls Trip.
The Epic Vibes Tour features select concerts with The Soul Rebels in live performance collaboration with star artists including Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball of Tank And The Bangas, famed jazz trumpeter Keyon Harroldand hip hop icon GZAof Wu Tang Clan. Along with the Part 1 tour The Soul Rebels are excited to release new music this Fall in support of the tour and announce Part 2 in Spring 2022.
The Soul Rebels’ recent collaboration and partnership with Sony 360 Reality Audio showcases their latest album “Poetry In Motion” in the 360 format. Providing listeners an entirely new and immersive way to experience the album. The 360 Reality Audio version of the album is available to stream on Amazon Music HD, Tidal HiFi, and Deezer HiFi. The Soul Rebels can also be viewed in Sony produced and released advertisements and digital commercials.
**New Orleans Jazz Fest has been postponed until 2022.
Here’s some news sure to excite New York metalheads! Infected Rain are just three weeks away from kicking off their extensive fall tour around the country. The tour features over 30 dates, including stops across the Empire State in Buffalo, NYC, and Poughkeepsie. Infected Rain will be performing alongside headliners Butcher Babies on their “Butcher Babies vs. Goliath” tour. Other supporting bands include Stitched Up Heart and Kaleido.
Infected Rain’s newest album is expected soon. The five piece band from Moldova most recently dropped their full length album Endorphins in 2019. Endorphins brought fans favorite tracks like “The Earth Mantra”, “Passerby”, “Lure”, “Storm”, and “Black Gold” and definitely brought a head banging energy with booming instrumentation, heavy riffs and intense vocals.
Formed back in 2008, Infected Rain have established themselves as one of modern metal’s most iconic acts. Over the years, they’ve toured extensively around Europe and signed a deal with Napalm Records. The band is thrilled to be back on the road, especially with some of their contemporaries. Their three New York stops include Buffalo Iron Works in Buffalo, the Gramercy Theatre in NYC, and the Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie.
Here we come America – to all of you that have been patiently waiting, we are coming for you with the amazing Butcher Babies, Stitched Up Heart and Kaleido.
Lena Scissorhands, vocalist, Infected Rain
All tour dates are listed below. Connect with Infected Rain on their website, Instagram, and Facebook for updates.
INFECTED RAIN U.S. Tour Dateswith Butcher Babies, Stitched Up Heart and Kaleido:
Aug 29 – Jacksonville, FL @ Hooligans Music Hall
Aug 30 – Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
Aug 31 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Sept 1 – New Orleans, LA @ Southport Hall
Sept 3 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
Sept 5 – Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre
Sept 6 – Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
Sept 7 – Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater
Sept 9 – Chippewa Falls, WI @ Every Buddy’s Bar^+
Sept 10 – Ashwaubenon, WI @ Epic Event Center^+
Sept 11 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club
Sept 12 – Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop^+
Sept 14 – Lakewood, OH @ Winchester Music Tavern
Sept 15 – Warrendale, PA @ Jergels
Sept 17 – Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works
Sept 18 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East (Downstairs)
