albany Archives - NYS Music 2021

Albany’s Times Union Center will Be Renamed MVP Arena

Albany’s Times Union Center will be renamed MVP Arena after Albany County Legislature approved the name change on November 23, 2021.

The Albany County Legislature approved the change of Albany’s Times Union Center to MVP Arena unanimously. The name change comes as part of the five year deal with MVP Healthcare which was approved by the Public Works Committee. MVP Healthcare will be paying $2 million a year for the naming rights of the entertainment venue.

The majority of the money will be going to an innovation fund which works to support community projects within Albany. The other $600,000 is a cash payment just for the arena naming rights. This new name won’t happen right away with the new deal not being set to begin on January 1, 2022.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy spoke on the decision to choose MVP Healthcare and the name the arena saying, “When we announced the arena naming rights RFP, I said I wanted more than just a company’s name and logo on our facility. I wanted a partner that was committed to the success of the arena and the surrounding community. I’m thrilled to say that we have found that partner in MVP, which has a long history of successful collaborations of this kind.”

MVP will be pushing some initiatives forward with the venue. Some of the proposed initiatives include a neighborhood farmer’s market in the atrium of the new MVP Arena, MVP Arena shuttle for seniors, individuals with disabilities and others attending games and events, and a year-round youth sports and coaching clinics. These initiatives will highlight MVP Arena as being a destination to visit in Albany and surrounding regions.

The arena originally opened back in 1990, It is owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global. The facility has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events and averages around 145 events each year including concerts and sports events according to this WTEN news article.

For more information on MVP Arena renaming process check out the WTEN article on it titled, “Committee approves MVP Arena naming rights.”

November 27, 2021

In Focus: Tech N9ne Reigns Supreme at Empire Live in Albany

Tech N9ne brought his Strange New World Tour to Empire Live in Albany, NY on Wednesday, November 11. Opening the show were rappers Jhery Robinson, King ISO and Rittz.

After King Iso seemlingly died on stage from rapping too hard, Tech N9ne took the stage to a roaring crowd. Donning a crown or clown mask, he mixed old with new, finally ending the night with a heavy slew of classics. He spoke afterwards of recently turning 50 and gave a surprisingly elliquent speech about just being yourself and always moving forward.

TechN9ne takes this tour south before heading out midwest to end in Kansas City, MO at the beginning of December.

November 18, 2021

Bard College Alumnus Chevy Chase Plots Christmas Vacation Screenings in Utica, Albany, Binghamton

Bard College alumnus Chevy Chase will appear at a series of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation screenings in Utica, Albany and Binghamton in December. The events will include Chevy Chase performing live on stage plus an audience Q&A following the screenings.

Chevy Chase is an original member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live and over the years became a household name for his blockbuster movies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Caddyshack, Fletch, Three Amigos, and many more.

The screenings are taking place in different cities across the United States with three stops in New York currently. More screenings in New York could be announced in time though. The tour announces dates as they go, being precautious of COVID-19 spikes across the country.

The three stops in New York start in Utica on December 13, 2021 at the Stanley Performing Arts Center at 7:30PM. The second stop in New York will be on December 15, 2021 at the Palace Theatre in Albany at 7:30PM. And the last stop in New York currently will be on December 19, 2021 at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton at 7:30PM.

Tickets to all three Chevy Chase National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation screenings in New York and to the other stops on the tour can be purchased here.

For more information on Chevy Chase and his upcoming tour visit his website.

November 8, 2021

A Marvelous Show: The Dude of Life Band “Opens” for Phish at Lark Hall

A few songs into The Dude of Life Band’s first set at Lark Hall, Steve Pollak (aka, The Dude of Life) announced that after the show, they’ll be streaming the Phish show from San Francisco, which started shortly after 11pm ET on Saturday, October 16. “So we’re opening for Phish a few time zones away,” said Pollak, much to the crowd’s delight. And in a way, the band was opening for Phish, a band with whom Pollak has a decades-long connection.

The Dude of Life Band, a genre-bending group led by the Dude of Life, Steve Pollak, includes Pollak on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Fred Scholl on lead guitar, Charlie de Saint Phalle on bass, Doug Schneider on drums, and Jon Liebowitz of God Street Wine on keyboard and organ.

For several decades, The Dude has been writing songs in an ongoing collaboration with Phish, and first teamed up with Trey Anastasio while the two were in high school. The Dude wrote lyrics for a number of Phish’s most beloved songs, including “Fluffhead,” “Run Like an Antelope” and “Suzy Greenberg,” and has also been a mythical sideshow with the band, making random guest appearances often highlighted by the throwing of uniquely-inscripted rubber chickens into the crowd. The Dude’s debut album, Crimes of the Mind, was recorded with Phish for Elektra Records and released in 1994.

In recent years, The Dude of Life has developed a more refined sound, and a recent burst of creativity has yielded an album’s worth of new material which was recently recorded by acclaimed producer Bryce Goggin.

The Dude of Life Band performed some of these new songs – “Automatic Pilot,” “Dilaudid Nurse” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” alongside his Phish classics, plus a handful of Grateful Dead covers, “Ruby Tuesday” by The Rolling Stones and “Badge” by Cream. The flow to the show was smooth and the hits kept coming as the evening progressed. Pollak wrapped up the show with an appropriate “Show of Life,” right before turning the mic over to Phish, live from the Chase Center in San Francisco

Setlist: Crazy Too, Althea, Can’t Always Listen, Ain’t No More Caine, Nobody Finer, Mississippi Blues, Automatic Pilot, Franklin’s Tower, Suzy Greenberg, Dilaudid Nurse, Fluffhead, She Belongs to Me, Sugaree, Space -> Lost Moments in Time, In Case You Didn’t Know, Crimes of the Mind, Ruby Tuesday, Badge, Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad -> Show Of Life

October 22, 2021

Turkuaz Cancel Many 2021 Fall Tour Dates

Turkuaz has announced they are cancelling a majority of their Fall 2021 tour dates, citing health risks and logistics for the 9-piece Brooklyn-based touring band.

The band made the following statement on their Facebook page:

To All Our Fans,
We have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel much of our upcoming Fall Tour.
While the dates we had set out on this past August were primed to be an exciting return, there were many challenges we encountered in facing the reality of touring in these adverse conditions. Between unforeseen cancelations, health and safety risks, and logistical travel concerns, touring in this ever-changing reality proved to be very difficult. The resulting impact has forced us to take a hard look at our ability to go back out on tour while we are still facing these same issues and more, including continued public health concerns.
Touring is our life, and performing live for our fans is the best part of our job. This makes the realities we’re facing disappointing, but unfortunately necessary. The dates remaining are a result of reexamining what is logistically feasible, and keeps the many moving pieces in a band and touring operation of our size safe and secure. To the friends and fans in the cities that we must cancel, please know that we WILL be back! It’s just going to be a bit longer than we’d hoped for.
Refunds for all tickets purchased to all cancelled dates will be issued from the original point of purchase. Below is a list of tour dates that are still occurring. All Remain In Light performances will continue as planned. We’re grateful to our fans for understanding this decision and the difficult situation. Thank you for your continued support.

Remaining Turkuaz 2021 Fall Tour dates

10.28.21 Washington, DC: 9:30 Club*
10.29.21 New York, NY: Webster Hall*
10.30.21 New York, NY: Webster Hall*
10.31.21 Live Oak, FL: Suwanee Hulaween^
11.04.21 Burlington, VT: Higher Ground*
11.05.21 Boston, MA: Big Night Live*
11.06.21 Portland, ME: State Theater*
12.11.21 Denver, CO: Mission Ballroom~
12.29.21 Philadelphia, PA: Brooklyn Bowl
12.30.21 Hartford, CT: Infinity Hall
12.31.21 Hartford, CT: Infinity Hall
01.23-25.22 Riviera Maya, MEX: Panic En La Playa
01.28-29.22 Miami, FL: North Beach Bandshell
04.29.22 New Orleans, LA: Joy Theater^
05.05.22 New Orleans, LA: Tipitina’s

* w/ Thumpasaurus
^ Remain In Light w/ Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew
~ w/ Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe

October 5, 2021

William ‘Tragedy’ Yager Buys Albany’s Fuze Box

William ‘Tragedy’ Yager bought Albany’s Fuze Box. The entrepreneur will be bringing the club back to it’s counter culture heyday.

Time Union reported the sale of the Fuze Box on August 10, 2021 to William ‘Tragedy’ Yager. William ‘Tragedy’ Yager owns an array of businesses in Albany known as the ‘Tragic Empire.’ The empire includes Patsy’s Barber Shop, Modern Body Art, Shocker Tattoo Co., Lucky Cat Laundromat, and now the Fuze Box. The empire dedicates itself to uplifting the community of Albany and aims for inclusive style and design, and supports local charitable causes, including the William Yager Memorial Foundation providing educational stipends and addiction services to young adults and their families.

The Fuze Box cocktail club that offers punk & indie rock shows and has regular DJs sets. It’s a retro-themed space. The building has been around since the early 50’s but became a venue, first called the Q2E Club, back in 1986. Now the Fuze Box will be going back to surviving it’s counter culture and underground scene under its new management. The Fuze Box was listed for sale back in August of 2020 for $244,900.

William ‘Tragedy’ Yager wrote on the Fuze Box’s Facebook wall saying, “I am so excited with all the positive feedback. I am currently giving the place a good bath and decluttering. I look forward to collaborating with everyone to make this a success. My vision is a museum, memorial every changing art installation. I want to preserve the past as well as encourage the future. Love is the answer.” After signing the message attaching his own personal page to the message with a small follow up afterwards reaching out further to the public saying, “Ps. Inbox me with any ideas or anything at all. Super excited.”

It is unclear when the Fuze Box will reopen but under its new management it is sure to be an exciting reopening for the Albany music scene.

September 17, 2021

Steve Vai Announces 2022 Tour with Multiple stops in New York

Steve Vai has announced a tour with multiple stops in New York starting in January of 2022. The tour will have 54 stops across the country.

Steve Vai is an american guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer who is known for his solo work that has earned him 3 Grammy’s and for his work with Frank Zappa. Steve Vai grew up in Carle Place, New York and has released 8 solo albums throughout his time as a musician. Some of his most well known songs include “For The Love Of God,” “Tender Surrender,” and “The Attitude Song.”

The tour will start at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas, NV on January 27, 2022 and will wrap up at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, CA on April 2, 2022. The tour will include four dates in New York. The first date in NY will be in Huntington on February 25 at The Paramount. The second in Port Chester on February 26 at The Capitol Theatre. The third stop will be in Albany on March 3 at The Egg. The fourth and last stop in NY will be in Rochester on March 4 at the Kodak Center. Vai will be joined by his long-tenured ensemble members Dave Weiner on guitar / keys, Philip Bynoe on bass, and Jeremy Colson on drums.

Steve Vai explained the motivation behind this tour saying, “A performer thrives on performing. It’s been my life for the past 49 years, with the exception of the last two years, so we are chomping at the bit to get out there and play for people. A music concert has the ability to dissolve the many challenges we face, and celebrate one of the good things in life, live music.”

The general on-sale will go live on September 17, 2021, with a VIP pre-sale available on September 15, 2021. For tickets visit here. For more information on Steve Vai’s 2022 tour visit his website.

Steve Vai 2022 Tour Dates

1/27 Las Vegas, NV House Of Blues

1/28 El Cajon, CA The Magnolia

1/29 Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center

1/30 Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theatre

2/01 Salt Lake City, UT The Rockwell at The Complex

2/02 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater

2/04 Oklahoma City, OK Tower Theatre

2/05 Austin, TX Paramount Theatre

2/06 Dallas, TX House Of Blues

2/08 Houston, TX House Of Blues

2/09 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre

2/11 Birmingham, AL Lyric Theatre

2/12 Macon, GA Hargray Capitol Theatre

2/14 Atlanta, GA The Eastern

2/15 Clearwater, FL Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

2/16 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live

2/17 Ft. Lauderdale, FL The Parker

2/18 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

2/19 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore Charlotte

2/21 Charleston, SC Charleston Music Hall

2/22 Alexandria, VA The Birchmere

2/23 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre

2/24 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Theatre

2/25 Huntington, NY The Paramount

2/26 Port Chester, NY The Capitol Theatre

2/27 Providence, RI The Strand

3/01 New Haven, CT College Street Music Hall

3/02 Boston, MA The Wilbur

3/03 Albany, NY The Egg

3/04 Rochester, NY Kodak Center

3/05 Harrisburg, PA Sunoco Theatre

3/06 Greensburg, PA Palace Theatre

3/08 Warren, OH Packard Music Hall

3/09 Detroit, MI Masonic Cathedral Theatre

3/10 Morgantown, WV Metropolitan Theatre

3/11 Louisville, KY Old Forester’s Paristown Hall

3/12 Nashville, TN CMA Theater

3/13 St. Louis, MO The Pageant

3/15 Chicago, IL Copernicus Center

3/16 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater

3/17 St. Paul, MN The Fitzgerald Theater

3/18 Kansas City, MO The Uptown Theater

3/19 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre

3/20 Des Moines, IA Hoyt Sherman Place

3/22 Sioux Falls, SD The District

3/23 Fargo, ND Fargo Theatre

3/25 Billings, MT Alberta Bair Theater

3/26 Bozeman, MT The ELM

3/27 Missoula, MT The Wilma

3/28 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre

3/29 Portland, OR Roseland Theater

3/31 Turlock, CA Turlock Community Theatre

4/01 Napa, CA Uptown Theatre Napa

4/02 Los Angeles, CA The Theatre at Ace Hotel

September 15, 2021

2021 Capital Concert Series Comes to Albany’s Empire State Plaza

Albany-area music fans can enjoy four exciting (and free!) concerts at Empire State Plaza every Wednesday in August. The Capital Concert Series, presented by the State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU), which kicks off August 4, 2021 with a headlining performance by Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ginuwine. Other big-name artists include Lit, Wild Adriatic, Super 400 and the Legendary Wailers.

Lit, a grunge rock band from Southern California, famous for late 90s-era hits like “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Miserable”. Their performance on August 11 will cap off a full day event (11 AM-8:30 PM) of live music and great food by the many vendors located on the plaza.

The August 18 show will feature a special “518 Night” theme, spotlighting local talent. Acclaimed band Wild Adriatic are from Saratoga Springs and bring a smooth blues rock sound. Jam-rock trio Super 400 hail from Troy and were even given their own holiday by the mayor in 2006, declaring February 25 “Super 400 Day!”. Super 400 takes the stage at 5:30, followed by Wild A at 7:10.

The series will come to a close on August 25 with a set from the Legendary Wailers. Frontman Julian Junior has collaborated since the 70s with Stevie Wonder and late reggae legend Bob Marley. Junior and the band now play and sing Bob Marley & the Wailers hit songs “the way Bob intended them to be heard.”

Parking is available for $10 at Empire State Plaza’s visitor lot (V-lot) or for free in the East Parking Garage. The plaza is handicap accessible. Event and grounds rules are as follows: no tickets necessary, no alcohol not purchased on premises (ID needed for purchase), no coolers or glass containers, no animals (except service animals), no fireworks or sparklers, no audio or video recording, and bag inspection or item confiscation may be deemed necessary by security. For more details, including vendor and sponsorship opportunities, click here.

SCHEDULE

August 4: Ginuwine (7:15 PM). Additional performances by DJ TGIF, Freedom Stratton, and New York Players.

August 11: Lit (exact set time unknown)

August 18: Super 400 (5:30 PM) and Wild Adriatic (7:10 PM)

August 25: The Legendary Wailers (7 PM). Additional performance by Anthem

August 4, 2021

Turkuaz Hits The Road After Announcing 2021 Fall Tour With Special Guests Thumpasaurus

Brooklyn-based funk band Turkuaz has announced their safe and triumphant return to the road with a 2021 fall tour across the United States alongside the Los Angeles-based quintet, Thumpasaurus.

Turkuaz and Thumpasaurus will be kicking the tour off at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 8 with shows continuing throughout the South for the majority of October. The band then comes home for two Halloween shows at New York City’s own recently renovated and reopened Webster Hall before they make their way down the East Coast through November until early December. They will be making Two more stops in New York on November 16 at Empire Live in Albany and on November 18 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo. Following their East Coast stint, Turkuaz will then hit the Midwest and West with plays in Omaha, Nebraska, and Denver, Colorado before they wrap up in Chicago at Park West.

“We’re ready to be back on the bus, trekking around the country, and bringing that energy that only live (and loud) music brings to us and our fans alike.”
Turkuaz frontman Dave Brandwein following the band’s recent summer tour

To top off the year, Turkuaz will also be celebrating 2022 with their annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop event in Hartford, CT for two nights at Infinity Hall. General tickets are is now on sale via the band’s website with some free showings available. Be sure to listen to Turkuaz’s latest music and releases on Spotify HERE

Turkuaz Fall 2021 Tour Dates, with Special Guests Thumpasaurus

Aug. 11 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge *
Aug. 12 – Victor, ID – Music On Main Series *
Aug. 14 – ParkCity, UT – Canyons *
Aug.15 – Huntsville, UT – Blues, Brew, & BBQ *
Aug. 16 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up *
Aug. 17 – Vail, CO – Hot Summer Nights Series *
Aug. 18 – Cheyenne, WY – The Lincoln Cheyenne *
Aug. 24 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Plaza
Aug. 26 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Art Company
Aug. 27 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
Aug. 28 – Houston, TX – Last Concert Cafe
Oct. 8th – New Orleans, LA – Tipitinas *
Oct. 19th – Charleston, SC – Pour House
Oct. 20th – Savannah, GA – District Live
Oct. 21st – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
Oct. 22nd – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
Oct. 23rd – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
Oct. 24th – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
Oct. 27th – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Oct. 28th – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Oct. 29th – New York, NY – Webster Hall
Oct. 30th – New York, NY – Webster Hall
Nov. 4th – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Nov. 5th – Boston, MA – Big Night Live
Nov. 6th – Portland, ME – State Theater
Nov. 16th – Albany, NY – Empire Live
Nov. 17th – Harrisburg, PA – HMAC
Nov. 18th – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
Nov. 19th – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
Nov. 20th – Detroit, MI – El Club
Dec. 2nd – Richmond, VA – The National
Dec. 3rd – Philadelphia, PA – TBA
Dec. 4th – Columbus, OH – Bluestone
Dec. 5th – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation
Dec. 9th – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line *
Dec. 10th – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room *
Dec. 11th – Denver, CO – TBA
Dec. 14th – Madison, WI -Majestic Theatre *
Dec. 15th – Louisville, KY -Gravely Brewing *
Dec. 16th – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall *
Dec. 17th – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue *
Dec. 18th – Chicago, IL – Park West *
Dec. 30th & 31st – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall *

* w/ performances from Thumpasaurus

July 31, 2021

In Focus: Yam Yam brings the noise to Albany’s Alive at Five Funk Night

On Wednesday July 21st, Albany’s Alive At Five Concert series returned to the rain location under the 787 overpass. This week featured Albany’s own Funk/soul band, Hartley’s Encore, as well as Yam Yam, a Jam/Funk/soul group from Harrisburg, PA.

Check out the Setlists and photo gallery of the evening below. Alive at Five will hold their final FREE concert of the season on Wednesday, July 28 with 80s hair band Warrant, with Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band opening the night.

Hartley’s Encore: Feels So Good, Burnin, Mary Jane*, Bright Light Shining, Eyes Open, All to You, Move on Up*, Hartley’s Encore

Yam Yam: Cashew Reprise, Cashew, Juice Box, Big Bird, Grease Trap, Star Dog , Vulphie, Boogie On Reggae Woman*, Not My Dog, Central Station, Roy, ’94, Dinnertime, Kamal, Cory Wong*, Sizzle, Medusa’s Crisco, Treason, I’ll Be Right Here

July 24, 2021

Tag: albany

Remaining Turkuaz 2021 Fall Tour dates

Steve Vai 2022 Tour Dates

Turkuaz Fall 2021 Tour Dates, with Special Guests Thumpasaurus