NYS Music 202​1

Category: Regions

  • Howl in the Hills Festival is Coming to Western New York in 2022

    The new Howl In The Hills Festival will be coming to Western New York. The festival was originally supposed to take place on September 4, 2021 but has been postponed until 2022 due to rising COVID-19 cases. The festival will be taking place at the Holland Speedway in Holland, NY and will include multiple acts and activities. 

    The festival will host a full day of music and outdoor adventure with Pure Prairie League headlining the festivities. The band will be performing many of their iconic hits, including “Aimee.” Now in their 5th decade, Pure Prairie League continues to influence the new generation of country rockers, including Keith Urban, Counting Crows, and Wilco. 

    The rest of the lineup includes: Driftwood, Cody Webb, Fuzzy and The Rustbelts, and Two Hills Reloaded. The festival will take advantage of its open green space to feature vendors and outdoor recreation activities as well. From axe throwing to wood carving, there will be plenty of activities and entertainment for the whole family at the Howl In The Hills Festival, which will be located at 11586 Holland-Glenwood Road, Holland, NY.

    Early-bird tickets are on sale now and start at $45 for a full-day of music and entertainment. There will also be tickets available on the day of the festival but as the day approaches the price will gradually raise with time.  Children under ten do not need a ticket themselves and can get in with an adult who has a ticket. There is also a limited number of VIP tickets available for $85 and includes preferred parking, front-of-stage viewing, and a private VIP lounge. General Admission and VIP Tickets need to be purchased separately. Tickets for the festival can be found here.

    For more information on the festival visit their website here.

    Updated on August 25, 2021: On August 25, 2021 the owners of the festival announced the festivals postponement until 2022 due to rising COVID-19 case from the delta variant. People that have purchased tickets can hold their tickets for the 2022 Festival or receive a full refund by emailing events@twenty6productions.com.

    In a statement from the festival owners, “The enthusiasm and interest in the Howl in the HIlls Festival was fabulous. Fans were really excited about a new, country music themed festival in Western, NY. However, due to the growing concerns and changing rules for large scale events, we have decided to reschedule the festival to the summer of 2022. We thank everyone for their support and look forward to the Howl in the Hills Festival and other music events at the Holland
    Speedway in 2022.”

  • NYC Still Rising After 20 Years: A Comedy Celebration with Pete Davidson and Jon Stewart

    In remembrance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Pete Davidson and Jon Stewart will host NYC Still Rising, a star-studded night bringing together many of the greatest comedians of their generation at Madison Square Garden. Performers include Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Colin Jost, Colin Quinn, Dave Attell, Dave Chappelle, Jay Pharoah, Jimmy Fallon, John Mulaney, Jon Stewart, Michael Che, Pete Davidson, Ronny Chieng, Tom Segura and Wanda Sykes. 

    “We wanted to put on a fun celebration to honor this great city’s resilience. It’s nice to be able to do this with friends and people we love.”

    Pete Davidson and Jon Stewart
    NYC Still Rising

    In order to attend “NYC Still Rising After 20 Years: A Comedy Celebration,” all guests must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and an appropriate ID matching the name on your documentation. Full vaccination means the day of your event is at least 14 days after your final vaccine dose. Your proof of vaccination must be directly from the healthcare provider that performed the vaccination, and can be displayed on your smartphone, by presenting a physical copy or by using the New York State Excelsior Pass  or NYC COVID Safe App (Android / iOS). 

    No cell phones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at this show. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured in Yondr pouches that will be unlocked at the end of the show. Guests maintain possession of their phones throughout the night, and if needed, may access their phones at designated Yondr unlocking stations in the lobby. All guests are encouraged to print their tickets in advance to ensure a smooth entry process. Anyone caught with a cellphone in the venue will be immediately ejected. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free viewing experience.

    Tickets are on sale now and you can purchase one here. This is a highly anticipated event that will be the highlight of NYC comedy, so act fast to enjoy all of the action!

  • Hall and Oates are “Back Together Again” at SPAC

    Rescheduled from 2020, Daryl Hall and John Oates had been waiting to get their tour on the road for almost as long as we’ve been waiting to see them again. On Sunday, August 15th, they arrived with some 13,000 fans at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, one of the biggest crowds this venue has seen in some time. English band Squeeze opened the show.

    hall and oates
    Photo by Zach Culver

    The duo came out, clad in their best rocker gear, followed by their band. Starting out with the classic “Maneater” the crowd was in from the start. They ripped through a few of their oldies before Daryl moved over to his grand piano for “Sara’s Smile.” After tearing up the crowd’s heartstrings he moved back over to center stage with his counter-part. The whole band came in strong for “Back Together Again,” surely being a very meaningful track for them after this past year.

    hall and oates

    30 minutes before their slotted end time they left the stage, leaving the crowd hungry for more. Little did they know what they were in for. Hall and Oates came back on stage for a four song encore, starting with “Rich Girl” and flowing into “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” and lastly, “You Make My Dreams.”

    hall and oates

    The duo headed west after Saratoga and the next time they will be near New York State will be September 18th at the Merriweather Pavilion in Columbia, MD and Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT to close their tour on December 3rd and 4th.

    Setlist: Maneater, Out Of Touch, Method of Modern Love, Say It Isn’t So, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Barry Mann cover), She’s Gone, Sara Smile, Is It a Star, Back Together Again, I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),

    Encore: Rich Girl, Kiss On My List, Private Eyes, You Make My Dreams

  • Steve Conte To Release New Album ‘Bronx Cheer’, New Track Out Now

    NYC guitarist and singer-songwriter Steve Conte is back with his first solo album in five years. Bronx Cheer is set for release on November 5, with lead single “Dog Days of Summer” out now on all streaming platforms.

    Steve conte

    Conte has been a fixture of the rock scene for several decades as the lead guitarist of New York Dolls. He has also collaborated with countless esteemed artists, including Michael Monroe of Finnish band Hanoi Rocks, and Japanese composer and artist Yoko Kanno. Kanno and Conte are noted for creating various soundtracks for anime series (Cowboy Bebop, Wolf Rain, and more).

    Bronx Cheer features a core band of Steve Conte on guitar and vocals with bass by his brother John Conte (Southside Johnny & The Jukes, David Bowie, Ian Hunter) and Charley Drayton (Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, The Replacements) on drums. The album also features guest appearances by Clem Burke (Blondie), Andy Rourke (The Smiths) and Jesse Malin. It will be released through Wicked Cool Records.

    “Dog Days of Summer” was released last week, a fitting timeframe for its name. On the track, Conte explores topics like family, getting older, and the future.

    “It started with the title, which is a phrase I always liked, but when I was finished with it, I noticed that I wasn’t only writing about those awful hot days in August where you don’t want to do much of anything. I was also writing about getting older and watching the young upstarts, full of hope and goals, pushing hard to get somewhere – and seeing my kids zoom by me with all their energy. At this point, I feel like I can relax and don’t have much to prove, because my work is out there on records, on video, in the consciousness of the public – in my bubble, anyway. And the work speaks for itself.”

    Conte on “Dog Days of Summer”

    The album’s title refers to the true definition of a “Bronx cheer”–blowing a raspberry. Conte currently lives in the Bronx and loves the community. The cover art features a photograph of an NYC high schooler marching down Fifth Avenue in protest of Donald Trump’s election. Conte states, “Not only is the lead kid, Theo Fenton, raising his fist in protest, contrasting the word ‘cheer,’ the title also gives Trump a big fat raspberry!”

    Steve conte
    Photo by Grayson Dantzic

    Bronx Cheer draws from blues and punk rock influences as well as the charming and gritty spirit of New York. Tracking for the album began in September 2019 at Atomic Sound in Brooklyn. Overdubs were completed by February 2020, and the album was mixed during the pandemic by Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Keith Richards, Don Henley). Conte produced the album with Andrew Hollander, who has worked with big names in indie and pop.

    Listen to “Dog Days of Summer” below ahead of Bronx Cheer‘s November release. Be sure to keep up with Steve Conte on his website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

  • Billy Joel Dazzles Buffalo at Highmark Stadium

    Billy Joel performed at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, August 14 for his rescheduled 2020 date, with thousands of fans packing the Buffalo Bills stadium in a highly anticipated event that marked the return of concerts at the venue since the pandemic began.

    This was the first full capacity event to happen at Highmark Stadium, and the fans were really enjoying it. From tailgating out in the lots, to everyone together in the stadium the atmosphere was nothing short of electrifying. 

    The rules in place were well respected to give the best and safe experience as possible. Masks were required by all fans and staff when inside of the stadium concourses or in the bathroom. 

    Shortly after 8:30pm the stadium filled in as eager fans waited for the Piano Man to take the stage. The piano sat front and center in plain sight looking immaculate as anticipation grew for the performance to start. Fans were up front holding an assortment of different signs expressing their love and gratitude to Billy Joel, one woman even holding a sign saying how she named her child after him. 

    Billy Joel buffalo

    With an eruption of applause and cheers Billy Joel took the stage, giving a brief wave and smile to the crowd before taking his seat at the piano. Immediately he opened up with “Movin’ Out’ setting the crowd off into cheers. Billy Joel transitioned his songs flawlessly as one would expect from the lifetime of experience of performing music. Billy Joel performed “Miami 2017” and then “Pressure” before addressing the crowd with a “Hello Buffalo!”

    Billy Joel buffalo

    While being considered one of the greatest musicians of all time, Billy Joel also brings with him a fun and witty sense of humor. This was showcased when he informed the crowd of the origins of Buffalo’s name, stating it was too difficult of a French word to pronounce, so it ended up being “Buffalo”

    Billy Joel went on to perform an electrifying 24 song set that seemed to go way too quickly. Joel is known for bringing other musicians on stage with him, and it was no different for Buffalo. Introducing John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, a Buffalo native, they performed the bands hit “Iris” This was very well received by fans as everyone in the stadium was singing along, as Rzeznik looked like he was having the time of his life.

    The set consisted of many of Billy Joels top hits including “New York State of Mind”, “Allentown”, “She’s Always a Woman”, “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” and of course to end the set was “Piano Man”. But Billy Joel wasn’t finished yet – coming back for a five song encore of “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, “Uptown Girl”, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to me”, “Big Shot”, and “You May Be Right” to finish the night off. 

    Billy Joel gave a masterclass in live performance in Buffalo, and he shows no sign of slowing down. He truly is one of the greatest performers of all time, and demonstrated that with the combination of a beautiful production and his ability to command the crowd with his presence. 

    Setlist: Movin’ Out(Anthony’s Song), Miami 2017(Seen the Lights Go out on Broadway), Pressure, Summer, Highland Falls, The Entertainer, Vienna, Zanzibar, New York State of Mind, Don’t Ask Me Why, Iris(Goo Goo Dolls cover with John Rzeznik), Allentown, My Life, She’s Always a Woman, Sometimes a Fantasy, The River of Dreams (With “Tush” by ZZ Top interlude), Only the Good Die Yound, Nessun dorma (Giacomo Puccini cover with Mike DelGuidice) Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, Piano Man

    Encore:We Didn’t Start the Fire, Uptown Girl, It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me, Big Shot, You May Be Right

  • Modest Mouse Parade Discography, ‘The golden Casket,’ Over Four Nights In Brooklyn

    Modest Mouse wrapped up a four night stay at Bushwick’s Brooklyn Steel on Saturday, August 14th in celebration of their seventh LP The Golden Casket. Providing a different setlist each night, Modest Mouse played a significant portion of the new record along with songs from their entire catalog.

    Modest Mouse golden Casket Brooklyn
    Modest Mouse at Brooklyn Steel, 8/13/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

    The Golden Casket was released this past June, six years since the band’s previous record Strangers to Ourselves came out back in 2015. For nearly a quarter century, Modest Mouse have been making pop-infused indie rock and amassing a devout following. That was on clear display at Brooklyn Steel last week; arguably a smaller venue for the group, but four nights quickly sold out and the audience would have stayed there all night had they kept playing. Even after a 2 hour show with a 6-song encore, barely anyone left the floor until security began ushering the crowd out.

    Modest Mouse golden Casket Brooklyn
    Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Photo by Buscar Photo

    The new record draws on Modest Mouse’s signature sound, with a more psychedelic edge. Songs like “Leave a Light On” and “We’re Lucky” showcase shimmering guitar and horn loops while “Wooden Soldiers” and “The Sun Hasn’t Left” are reminiscent of Magical Mystery Tour era Beatles. These songs combined with quintessential Modest Mouse indie rock tunes and an artistic theme filled with rainbows and bright colors give The Golden Casket it’s own distinct place in the band’s discography.

    Modest Mouse golden Casket Brooklyn
    Modest Mouse at Brooklyn Steel, 8/13/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

    The lengthy ‘MMXXI’ tour continues with a dense schedule all the way through the end of October. You can find the full list of dates and ticket links on the band’s website HERE. Check out the music video for The Golden Casket lead single, “We Are Between” as well as the full photo gallery from night 3 at Brooklyn Steel below.

    As of Monday, August 16th, New York City is requiring proof of vaccination for most indoor activities including concerts, indoor dining and gyms. Depending on the show in question, negative COVID tests may be required in addition to vaccination. Make sure to check the policy of the show and venue in question. You can find Bowery Presents policies HERE.

  • In Focus: Zac Brown Band, “The Come Back Tour” at Bethel woods

    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.

    Zac Brown Band bethel
    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.

    Zac Brown Band

    Teddy Swims

    Ashland Craft

  • Lespecial Announces Fall repeaTOUR with Stops in Niagra and East Durham

    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.

    lespecial

    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.

  • Musicians For Harmony Plans 20th Anniversary Concert honoring 9/11


    Starting shortly after 9/11, Musicians For Harmony has confirmed its 20th Anniversary planned for September 11 2021, with an online and in-person concert at Merkin Hall in Kaufman Music Center in New York City. The special event aims to ‘elevate musical voices in the service of peace, health and equity to commemorate the victims of 9/11, Covid-19 and social injustice.”

    musicians for harmony

    Musicians For Harmony is an organization dedicated to advancing peace and cross-cultural dialogue through music. The aftermath of 9/11 has greatly changed our nation. It is important to remember and honor those who lost tragically lost their lives. There are many memorials to pay your respects, as the 9/11 memorial and museum are both free to explore.

    musicians for harmony

    The two-hour concert will be one of the first in-person music events of the fall season post-Covid.  Access to the online concert will be free, and the in-person show have tickets for sale.

    The show will feature the music of Juilliard String Quartet, ETHEL, Musique Sans Frontières, and more. Composers include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ulysses Owens, Jr, James “Kimo” Williams, Robert Mirabal, Pat Irwin and John King. Learn more about the artists here.

     

  • The Districts return to NYC for four nights at brooklyn Steel

    The Districts wrapped up a four night run at Brooklyn Steel Saturday August 14th in support of Modest Mouse’s MMXXI Tour. We were there for night three; you can see the full photo gallery below.

    The Districts
    The Districts at Brooklyn Steel, 8/13/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

    For so many bands today, these tours mark the return to the stage after nearly a year and a half pause due to the pandemic. Vaccine and testing requirements are constantly changing, but while this remains in flux, these early concerts have shown that both the fans and artists are eager to get back on tour. Brooklyn Steel was nearly at capacity for The Districts’ opening sets, drawing their own fans out early who were more than ready to get back to live music. 

    The Districts at Brooklyn Steel, 8/13/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

    The Districts released their fourth LP ‘You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere’ back in March 2020, right before COVID-19 would cause mass lockdowns around the world and in the US. These shows, more than 500 days later, are the first time the band has been able to perform the new songs live since their 2020 tour was cut short. Even with the hiatus, the band performed a tight set and did not show any sign of rust.

    The Districts
    The Districts at Brooklyn Steel, 8/13/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

    The band’s last pre-COVID show ironically was a hometown gig at Union Transfer in Philadelphia. The tour has the band making their return to Philadelphia in December for a show at The Fillmore with Dr. Dog. Check out all of their upcoming tour dates HERE. 

    As of this week in NYC, proof of vaccination will be required for most shows, including all of Bowery Presents’ venues. Visit their site for more information on acceptable proof of vaccination and individual venue policies.