Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night for EQXposure to hear new music from Fine Grain, Sarah King, and many more!
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
Fine Grain is tonight’s featured band for EQXposure. Pearson will be playing a collection of songs from their latest release, Missing Adult, now streaming all over the world and available for purchase on Bandcamp. Tune in to hear the tunes and join the discussion of this awesome bands incredibly creative and unique full length release, that is a genre bending and deeply interesting work of art to listen to.
Other artists featured tonight include Sarah King, who celebrates the release of her latest EP The Hour. Read our review of her new album here.
And stayed tuned for Jade Relics, a Vermont-based production group made up of Rico James, Elder Orange, and IAME and their latest tunes “Start Over” and “With You.” Plus check out Laveda, a genre blending dream pop/rock outfit who set nostalgic and cinematic moods with a 90’s-esque sound reminiscent of The Sundays and My Bloody Valentine.
From New York, NY, Backline will host “Set Break” on April 10th. This will be their first-ever livestream fundraiser on The Relix Channel, exclusively on Twitch. The event will feature live performances worldwide, public service announcements from music professionals, and immersive wellness experiences also.
Backline dedicates their time to connecting music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources as a nonprofit organization. Backline seeks to provide a safe, private, and immediate place to go for help with the difficulties that life in this industry brings.
Set Break intends to bring the music industry together to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the community. During the event, money will be raised to expand Backline’s programs and services in a time when they are needed most. In addition, Set Break will incorporate wellness experiences from Wanderlust, Breathwrk, The Big Quiet, and Meditation Studio by Muse to promote collective healing for those greatly affected by the closures within the last year.
Backline has provided a safe place to land for industry workers during this time, and the event will bring together fans, artists, and organizations who all believe in the cause and want to create a safer and more supported environment for music to thrive.
Backline’s Executive Director Hilary Gleason
The lineup for Set Break expands across an array of genres. The event will have performances by Alanis Morissette, Leon Bridges, Dawes, Black Pumas, Sara Bareilles, Bob Weir & Wolf Bros, Ben Folds, Oteil Burbridge, Los Lobos, Michael Franti, K. Flay, Galactic, American Authors, Larkin Poe, Deer Tick, DJ Millie, and more. Many musicians are coming together to raise mental health awareness and show support.
Join this Movement Through Livestream
Set Break will feature conversations with the Black Mental Health Alliance to represent the music industry’s diverse experiences. Also, there will debut findings conducted by the Tour Health Research Initiative (THRIV). The free event will have opportunities to donate and support the mental health of the music industry. In addition to supporting Backline, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Crew Nation and Sweet Relief’s Mental Health Fund. Fans even have the opportunity to turn their physical activity into charitable donations by signing up for the wellness app Sweatcoin before the event. Make sure to tune in to Set Break on April 10th to support the cause!
Two words succinctly sum up the driving force behind the first ever Phish show at Nassau Coliseum: Island Tour. It’s the impromptu run of shows that are now viewed as essential elements of Phish lore. As the legend goes, the band was preparing to record their new album and wanted to test run some of the new songs. The previous year saw them at the height of their powers to date so a last minute tour announcement was sure to have few issues. And, somehow, Phish had never played Nassau Coliseum before. This all changed with the Island Tour and an opening show that saw new songs debuted and older ones stretched out in the new, infectiously funky sound the band had begun to hone.
There’s no time wasted this evening, as Phish thoroughly rips a “Tube” opener to the delight of the Nassau Coliseum crowd. Page McConnell on keys drives the jam in its early stages with heavy clavichord work. After that, it’s not long before the band is in full funk mode with a digital delay loop in full effect, picking right up where 1997 left off. This “Tube” is a great sign of things to come. The band seems locked in from the get-go as they stretch this one to nearly eight minutes.
After a quick conference, “My Mind’s Got A Mind Of Its Own” is the selection, filling the customary bluegrass spot that was more prevalent at this point in time. Bassist Mike Gordon nails the lyrics before this quick one ends with a flourish on piano from McConnell. “Sloth” emerges next to the delight of the crowd as Phish takes a quick trip to Gamehendge. Despite some lyric fumbling from Trey, they’re able to make it out of this one fairly unscathed. “NICU” follows this which sees drummer Jon Fishman in fine fashion keeping the time on this older Phish tune. Afterwards, Trey makes his now famous comment about the band “being bored at home” and “wanting to do some shows.”
Then, the first song with some real exploration since “Tube” comes next in a complex “Stash”. It features some early dissonant playing from Anastasio on guitar that the band uses as fuel for this particular jam. Before long, Phish has filled Nassau with a dark, foreboding jam that’s accentuated by a menacing light show. The digital delay loop then makes another appearance as the jam then shifts into a near ambient space. It stays in this mode for a while, with the band patiently crafting this one. It’s a truly exploratory section that yields little payout, however. Instead of bringing it back around to the finish, the jam slowly trickles out and the opening chords of “Horn” ring out.
Trey shows a little rust on the guitar solo, but overall it’s a harmless effort that wraps up quickly. “Waste” comes up next, a popular track from Billy Breathes, their most recent studio album. Trey nails his part on this one, as it finishes with an inspirational flourish. Then, as if to make up for the last two “slower” songs, an absolutely incendiary “Chalkdust Torture” wraps up the first set. Immediately, Anastasio is in rapid-fire mode on guitar for this “Torture” which seems like it’s intentionally sped up. The rest of the band is up to the challenge though. Gordon on bass goes tit-for-tat with Trey while Page pounds away on the baby grand on this simply (and literally) electric Phish classic that sends the Nassau crowd into set break.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out the nice fan-shot video footage of the first set below or here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gehEr7EOLn0
The second set picks right back up with a return trip to Gamehendge courtesy of “Punch You In The Eye.” Once again, Phish exhibits impeccable patience and craftmanship as they deftly stretch out the intro to this one, much to the delight of the Nassau crowd. The rest of the calypso-style rocker is played to perfection, with Gordon shining on bass throughout.
“Simple” fills the two-spot for the second set, and after a standard composed section, eventually yields a spiritual instrumental jam spearheaded by Anastasio. Majestic, soaring guitar lines help create an incredible soundscape on one of the better extended pieces of improvisation this evening. As the jam winds down to a standstill, the choice is then made to drop the debut of a brand new song. The first ever “Birds Of A Feather” then leaves the nest, soon to be featured on the band’s upcoming Story Of The Ghost album they would record the following week. Instantly, everyone can tell this song has a bright future as another digital delay loop and some intense wah-wah from Trey warmly welcome this one to the live Phish catalog.
After some more banter from Trey about the new tune and upcoming album, the familiar opening chords of “Wolfman’s Brother” ring out. Gordon’s bass seems to has a little extra “pop” on this one and helps power yet another funk-fueled excursion. Eventually, McConnell reintroduces some more heavy clav sound and Phish ever so subtly slides right into their cover of Robert Palmer’s “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley.”
But there would be no customary vocal jam accompanying this “Sally” – the funk is too deep. Instead, the jazz-shuffle jam that had developed wanders for a bit before taking a turn to the dark side and into the debut of “Frankie Says.” This harrowingly beautiful number, with McConnell on lead vocals here, would also wind up featured on Story Of The Ghost. Although it hasn’t been played live in nearly six years now.
The final major improv of the evening then follows in the form of “Twist.” Once the opening vocals are out of the way, this one takes off with a another frenetic jam with McConnell emitting a myriad of tones and styles on keys with Fishman playing in metronome-like fashion on drums. An inspired Trey on guitar helps give this jam yet another ethereal feel that soon devolves into outright ambience with a drumbeat.
Phish then wraps up the second set of their first ever show at Nassau Coliseum with a couple of crowd favorite sing-a-longs. “Sleeping Monkey” takes it on down to the shore and a blisteringly fast “Rocky Top” puts a cap on a memorable set of music. For an encore, Phish goes dark one last time with “Guyute,” giving the Nassau crowd one last taste of what to expect on the forthcoming album.
Phish Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Uniondale, NY 4/2/98
Set 1: Tube, My Mind’s Got A Mind Of Its Own, The Sloth, NICU, Stash > Horn > Waste > Chalkdust Torture
Set 2: Punch You In The Eye > Simple > Birds Of A Feather, Wolfman’s Brother->Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley->Frankie Says->Twist > Sleeping Monkey > Rocky Top
Jazz at Lincoln Center announces their 2021 gala concert: Innovation + Soul. The gala concert will take place virtually on April 15, 2021 at 7:30 PM EST.
Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
The summer concert series at Lincoln Center started in 1987, later fully orchestrating the achievement of opening the world’s first venue designed specifically for jazz in 2004. Their mission is carried out through four elements—educational, curatorial, archival, and ceremonial—capturing, in unparalleled scope, the full spectrum of the jazz experience.
The gala concert will feature the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis who is known as the heartbeat of the organization. The performance will be pre-recorded at Rose Theater in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York, New York. The concert is being put on because of National Jazz Appreciation Month. It will attempt to not only honor the music but the artists and figures who have made outstanding contributions to jazz.
https://youtu.be/qQ__lmCOSeg
Some of the line up for the performance include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra bassist Carlos Henriquez, percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez, and trumpeter Michael Rodriguez. It will also feature appearances by President Bill Clinton, actor Anna Deavere Smith, jook dancer Lil Buck, vocalist Veronica Swift, and pianist Sean Mason throughout the evening.
The group will perform Henriquez’ composition, “2/3’s Adventure,” a piece that travels between mambo, swing, and guajira, and demonstrates Henriquez’ absolute mastery in orchestration and grooves. This song has been a hit for the group for over a decade. It has been featured in the Orchestra’s songbook in shows and the band’s recording of it remains one of Blue Engine Records’ most popular downloads.
https://youtu.be/YhikjvXpQ7g
Innovation + Soul performance-only passes are $30.00. Following the premiere on April 15, ticket holders will have on-demand access to the performance portion of the event through April 25. For virtual gala tickets and packages, and information on ways to contribute to the Center in a meaningful way, visit their website here.
Memorial Day Weekend 2021 in Central New York will be much more music filled than last year. Creative Concerts has announced four nights of Twiddle, May 27-30, at the new Apple Valley Park in Lafayette, just 10 minutes south of Syracuse. And they’ll be bringing some Frends with them.
Dopapod will join Twiddle on May 27 and 28, while Buffalo’s Aqueous arrive for the shows on May 29 and 30. The four nights of Twiddle and Frends kick off a season of outdoor live music from Creative Concerts, providing a safe and enjoyable concert experience for music fans both local and beyond.
All events at Apple Valley Park will be socially distanced, with roped-off PODS (Personal Outdoor Dance Space) available for parties of 2, 4 or 6. A thorough site plan has been developed allowing for temperature screenings and surveys to be conducted upon entering the event grounds. PODS are spaced a minimum of six feet apart, and fans will have a variety of food and beverage options available for purchase. Site map and FAQ for Apple Valley Park venue can be found here.
Apple Valley Park is located in beautiful LaFayette, NY. With its rural atmosphere, rolling hills, and expansive fall foliage, it has proven to be a wonderful home to the annual LaFayette Apple Festival since 1973. More recently it has expanded to host other live entertainment events, including a few successful drive-in concerts in the fall of 2020.
Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, April 2 at 10 AM on the Apple Valley Park website.
Coming this summer to rest stops along Interstates 81, 84, 86, 87, 88 and 90, New Yorkers and other travelers can discover new bands and artists thanks to the State Division of Tourism sponsoring the “Rest Stop Pop Up NY” Thruway Concert Series.
At the state’s Welcome Centers, multiple bands will be featured throughout the day, offering a small but distanced festival feel. Service Areas along I-90 and I-87 will feature top rock and jam acts performing on stages set up in parking lots, starting at 10am and going until 10pm.
moe. will give a nod to their New York roots by make appearances at rest stops near Buffalo, Utica and Albany. And provided their drummer can catch a ride, The Assortment of Crayons will reunite at the Plattekill rest stop on I-87 North.
Heading along I-88 and I-81, a broad selection of bluegrass and metal bands will perform at the more rustic rest areas located on these comparatively lesser traveled highways. Meanwhile, I-84 will feature singer-songwriters from the Hudson Valley at each of the four rest stops. Don’t miss July 4 with Don McLean at the Brewster Rest Area.
I-86, the state’s newest highway, will feature Buffalo’s Organ Fairchild. Much like the band, I-86 was years in the making and brings together many great parts of the state in one solid collective.
The new ‘Text Break’ stops will feature acoustic performances only, with requests taken by texting your song request to 38262. There will be no shows along I-495 on Long Island.
When the State Division of Tourism was asked what could go wrong with these Pop Ups, a representative admitted there would be some issues.
For one, there’s only so much parking, and while we will allow you to park on the grass for that true festival feel, some folks may need to park on the side of the road and walk into the festival. This state has a great history of parking cars and walking miles to see music, whether it’s the original Woodstock festival, Summer Jam 1973, or The Clifford Ball. We want to give people the real music experience, including, but not limited to, fatigue and mild exhaustion upon arrival at your destination.
Judith McCarty, State Division of Tourism
McCarty also discussed safety measures, saying “Of course people will socially distance. And if they don’t we hope they’re spending money and we feel that trade off is worth the risk.”
Alcohol will not be sold at any Thruway Rest Stop, per usual, but CBD vendors will be on hand for to provide attendees with an energetic natural high. “We strongly encourage CBD use. Please don’t drink and drive. That would make us look really, really bad,” said McCarty.
The State Division of Tourism feels that the Rest Stop Pop Up concert series will encourage travel across the state, and also allow travelers to learn about the history that happened here.
Additionally, toll money will be used to help balance the state budget.
Thank you for reading. This was an April Fools article, published on April 1, 2021.
In a move sending shockwaves through the Empire State, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has annexed the entire state of Vermont. The move makes Vermont’s maple syrup industry, ski towns, and the entirety of Lake Champlain, all a part of New York.
A map showing the borders of New York with the addition of Vermont. Source: Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Despite the recent accusations and calls to step down, the Governor seems emboldened, ordering National Guard Troops to stand back and stand by, hinting that more than the Green Mountain State may become part of New York.
Cuomo said in a brief statement on the takeover of Vermont, “I just felt that we needed to get Allthe great music scenes together, and since New York has so many, we should add in Burlington. So Allthe great music scenes are here now. Then I thought we have great skiing, so let’s get All the great skiing in the Northeast here in New York. So now we have All the best ski areas here.
Vermonters can deal with it. Go enjoy your Twiddling or whatever it is you do there. Welcome to New York.”
Governor Cuomo, arriving to see Twiddle in their new homestate of New York
With this statement, the Governor continues to give no indication he will resign, despite numerous allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and unwanted touching. See the whole list of accusers here.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival announces it’s 2021 lineup including big names like Megan Thee Stallion, Foo Fighters, Lizzo and many more. The festival will take place September 2nd through 5th in Manchester, Tennessee.
The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has been around and kicking since 2002. The festival takes place on the Bonnaroo Farm sprawling across seven acres, located just 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN. The festivities sprawl out across 10 stages over four days and over 100 performances.
Some of the big names include Andy Frasco, Larkin Poe, Nubya Garcia, Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Run The Jewels, Glass Animals, Deftones, Young Thug, Tipper, Lizzo, Tame Impala, My Morning Jacket, G-EAZY, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Phoebe Bridgers, Incubus, Seven Lions, Tyler, The Creator, Lil Baby, DEADMAU5, Leon Bridges, Young The Giant, Britanny Howard and more.
Festivals are slowly starting to creep back into existence. One of the main and real concerns with festivals coming back to life though is how they will handle the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival’s website they, “will continue to update Bonnaroovians with the important information needed to plan your[their] trip to The Farm, including any changes to policies and procedures you need to know before entering the festival and campgrounds. Updates will be shared on this page, through our social media channels and via our email list. If you haven’t already, sign up for our E-mail list to have the most current information sent directly to your[their] inbox.”
Any public space where people are present has an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying media conditions are especially vulnerable. They state very clearly that by attending Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, people voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. In time the festival will release more information on the safety precautions people should expect.
Tickets for Bonnaroo went on sale on March 31, 2021 and can be found here. Options for tickets include General Admission (4-Day), GA+ (4-Day), VIP (4-Day), Platinum (4-Day), General Admission Camping & Parking, VIP Camping, Platinum Camping, and more. Bonnaroo is presenting an array of affordable options, with tickets starting at $35 down and accommodations available for as low as $99 per night. Car Camping Passes are priced at only $60 (plus fees) per car, not per person, allowing fans to both save money and reduce their carbon footprint by carpooling.
On July 28, Bonnaroo 2021 announced the lineup for its famed Campgrounds and Plazas, once again promising the most inclusive and original camping experience of any festival, anywhere in the world.
Strategically located and well-lit public places throughout the campgrounds, Bonnaroo’s communal areas, known as Plazas, include shade, free public Wi-Fi, showers, activities, charging stations, Clean Vibes Trading Post redemption centers, cooling stations, medical, safety stations, information, and portable restrooms. The 2021 Campground Plazas lineup features several returning favorites along with several all-new experiences:
CENTEROO For the first time ever, Bonnaroovians can say “I roo” at the House of MatROOmony. Produced by iamsound, Bonnaroo’s new House of Love will host romantic activities like Lovesick Karaoke Happy Hour, interactive photo booth installations, and daily wedding ceremonies where attendees can get hitched by very special guests. Registration is available now HERE.
PLAZAS & CAMPGROUNDS “Sanctuary Of Self Love,” curated by Hayley Williams in collaboration with iamsound and Conscious City Guide, will be back and better than ever. Bonnaroovians can relax and rejuvenate themselves through the weekend with mindful movement practices (including a newly expanded meditation forest, tea ceremony gazebo, and yoga space), hairstyling by the new Good Dye Young on-site Hair Salon, deep sound bath rituals, talks, and panel sessions offering powerful tools for mental clarity and personal transformation, and, for the first time ever, a healers village offering pre-booked one-on-one sessions spanning massage to aura photography and reiki.
Presented by BACARDÍ, the totally re-imagined and re-oriented “Where In The Woods” stage will feature DJs and surprise headliners in a new magical treehouse environment where Bonnaroovians can chill during the day and party all night on a spectacular dance floor that comes to life after dark with kaleidoscopic lights and sounds. New additions also include immersive cabanas and a massive conga line hosted by NPI and Puzzle.
Plaza 3: House of Yes and Little Cinema return in 2021, bringing Brooklyn magic to Bonnaroo with epic spectacles, immersive movie screenings, circus shows galore, and of course all-night dance parties for the weird, wild, and wonderful. In addition, House of Yes will host Bonnaroo’s second annual Pride Parade, a rainbow celebration of diversity, sexuality, and humanity this year presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Plaza 5: The all-new Groop’s Galactic Giddy-Up is where interstellar vibes meet rhinestone-ridiculous. Located inside the Groop Camping area in the GA Campground and presented by iamsound, Galactic Giddy-Up is the space cowboy dive-bar built to empower the awesome and wonderfully weird Bonnaroovian community via groop and community-oriented games, activities, parties, mixers, and more, including catch competitions judged by celebrity guests, talent shows, Bonnaroovian battles of the bands, line dancing and more. In addition, Galactic Giddy-Up will bring all the usual plaza amenities to Groop Camping, including bathrooms, showers, shade and chill spaces, fans and misters, food and beverage vendors, charging stations, info booth, medical, security, and more.
Plaza 6:Killer Mike’s Swag Shop will showcase a cool, casual, and artistic approach to self-care, offering good music, casual conversation, and a great haircut.
Plaza 7:The Grove is a fantastical wooded oasis, filled with mythical creatures by Brett Douglas Hunter and live harp performances by Yomí That Harpist.
Plaza 9:VEEPS House – Exclusive intimate performances from some of Bonnaroo 2021’s artist streamed live from the farm to the world.
The new Rootanical Garden invites fans to see the world through the lens of a bug as they wander into a spectacular maze garden, produced by iamsound.
Last, but very definitely not least, the newly revamped VIP Campground Plaza will feature air-conditioning, private bars, complimentary Wi-Fi, daily yoga classes, games, live video feeds of the festival performances, and some special surprises. The VIP Campground Plaza is available exclusively to VIP patrons.
For more information on the 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival visit their website.
The Complete Bonnaroo 2021 Lineup:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Grand Ole Opry Featuring Special Guests 99 Neighbors Andy Frasco Big Something Briston Maroney Dabin Devon Gilfillian The Funk Hunters HE$H Joy Oladokun Larkin Poe Liz Cooper & The Stampede MIZE Nubya Garcia Scarypoolparty Spock Sweet Crude Taska Black Too Many Zooz ZiA
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Foo Fighters Megan Thee Stallion Run The Jewels Glass Animals Deftones Young Thug Tipper Jack Harlow Grace Potter Primus Nelly The Disco Biscuits Dashboard Confessional Big Wild TroyBoi Marcus King Band Lennon Stella Orville Peck Kim Petras Turkuaz w/Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew: Remain In Light SVDDEN DEATH Omar Apollo Lucii Waxahatchee The Weather Station Resistance Revival Chorus LP Giobbi ATLiens Mija Detox Unit Rome In Silver Jac Ross Mdou Moctar Tripp St. NotLö
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Lizzo Tame Impala My Morning Jacket G-Eazy Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Phoebe Bridgers Incubus Seven Lions Superjam: Sylvan Esso Presents “WITH” Kevin Gates Marc Rebillet Goose Subtronics Surfaces JID Jon Batiste The Band Camino Ashnikko Yaeji Ekali Tate McRae Pinegrove Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats Remi Wolf Wooli Dr. Fresch William Black Christone “Kingfish” Ingram Flamingosis Hero The Band Level Up DJ Mel Almost Monday Lick
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Tyler, The Creator Lil Baby deadmau5 Leon Bridges Young the Giant Brittany Howard Flogging Molly Boombox Cartel Greensky Bluegrass The Struts CAAMP Oliver Tree PEEKABOO Julien Baker LSDREAM Colony House Flo Milli Breland Niko Moon Jamila Woods Bill Frisell: Harmony featuring Petra Haden, Hank Roberts & Luke Bergman LUZCID Elderbrook Makaya McCraven
To support the #SaveOurStages foundation during the pandemic, artist Phil Robinson today releases a video for his song “Transcendental Cowboy” from the renowned The Bitter End venue in New York City.
Phil Robinson
Robinson’s live performance is another in his efforts to fundraise for live music venues that have suffered astronomically throughout the pandemic. In September 2020, he created, hosted, and performed in the “Save The Bitter End!” livestream fundraiser. It ended up raising over $24,000 towards The Bitter End’s $100,000 GoFundMe campaign, and ensured the venue’s April 9, 2021 reopening.
In addition to his venue fundraising efforts, Phil Robinson has organized and performed livestream events that benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, local food banks, and more.
“Transcendental Cowboy (Acoustic)” is out March 31st via Phil’s label Roomful Of Sky. His debut album Through the Middle is set for release later in 2021. His soulful rock music is a balm for the struggles of the pandemic, garnering comparisons to Cat Stevens and Bruce Springsteen.
Robinson shares: “‘Transcendental Cowboy’ is usually my encore song – it gives audiences the chance to yell at the top of their lungs, so it’s always a lot of fun to play live! I thought it’d be a great fit for the #SaveOurStages campaign because it highlights that LIVE engagement between audience and performer that we all live for. Performing the song in an empty venue as I do in this benefit video highlights exactly what’s been missing this past year and what we hope to get back once the pandemic’s over and our music venues can hopefully re-open.”
It’s been over a year since music venues had to shut down, and signs of life are starting to be seen this spring. With the passage of the COVID relief bill, which provides $15 billion for music venues across the country, small businesses are able to breathe a sigh of relief. Warm weather allows outdoor venues, both new and old, to utilize space to accommodate socially distanced shows while we wait for the country to get vaccinated and infection rates to subside
photo by Joseph Buscarello
Looking back on the February installment of this photo series, we can see the seasons changing and venues coming to life, if not getting a facelift. By the time we bring you the next edition, we hope to see fans in the crowd and venues back to business, with a greener summer to come.
A list has been circulating on Facebook recently, one well worth sharing. As you check out the current state of venues across New York State, courtesy of NYS Music’s photography team, consider these rules moving forward for the post-pandemic live music scenes across New York and the country.
RULE #1: No guest list. Don’t ask. Not now. Not ever. Everyone in the live music industry has been out of work for 13 months and we all need your support now more than ever. Buy the damn ticket.
Rochester – photos by Corinne Cummings
RULE #2: Support local. Before you buy that high priced ticket to see that big name artist at that big corporate venue, consider putting that money back into your own community. This is the best way to ensure that a thriving arts & culture scene will return to cities across America.
RULE #3: Wear a damn mask. If you’re going to a show, tiny cloth go over mouth & nose. Period. Vaccinated? Don’t care. Already had it? Don’t care. Rona is a hoax? Also don’t care. We only get one shot at restarting this machine. Please don’t be the one that messes it up.
RULE #4: We are not babysitters. We get it. Social distancing sucks. Masks suck. You’re tired of washing your hands. After more than a year of isolation, all you wanna do is lean in close and spew your spittle on friends and strangers alike. But it’s been 13 months. You know the rules by now — please follow them.
RULE #7: Support the scene. Can’t make the show? No problem. It costs $0.00 to support us in other ways. Share the posts. Listen to the music. Invite your friends to the event page. In order for this to work, we need all hands on deck.
RULE #8: Be kind. Look — it’s been awhile. We’re gonna be a little rusty. Plus, so much of what needs to happen in order to bring back live music safely is new for all of us — fans, venues, promoters and artists alike. There will be hiccups. There will be lines. There will be unforeseen circumstances. Be nice anyway.
Plattsburgh – photos by Jerry Cadieux
RULE #9: Go to the merch table. Support the artists. Buy the t-shirt. Buy a sticker.
RULE #10: Have fun. You’ve been waiting for this moment for more than -fully. Come out early. Stay out late. Dance. Laugh. Make a new friend. Discover a new band.
Albany photographer Zach Culver went on a road trip this month and shares his photos of venues in Denver, CO and Las Vegas, NV.
