NYS Music 202​1

Tag: Empire State Plaza

  • Wild Adriatic Go Underground for Dynamic Capital Concert Finale

    Capping off the Summer with a “wild” performance, the 2021 Capital Concert series came to a bittersweet close Wednesday night in Albany, with the final event at the Empire State Plaza headlined by Saratoga Springs’ hopefuls Wild Adriatic and Troy mainstays Super 400.

    Wild Adriatic capital concert

    The free event presented by SEFCU was initially scheduled to be outdoors, but with lingering precipitation from Hurricane Ida, organizers made the early call to move inside and underground to the underutilized Convention Center. 

    Holding nothing back on this night, Wild Adriatic [Travis Gray(guitar), Rich Derbyshire (bass) and Mateo Vosganian (drums)] expanded from trio to five-piece for this special performance, enlisting keyboard player Dusty DeLuke and Let’s Be Leonard saxophone player Connor Dunn to help fill out their sound.   The additions paid dividends early as the band opened with some of their oldest material, a one-two punch of “Letter” and the always upbeat “Mess Around.”

    Wild Adriatic capital concert

    From there the band slipped into the opening track off their 2019 Our Time EP, “Hard Living.”  Now firing on all cylinders, it felt like the boys put a little extra stink on a riff-rockin ‘Same As It Ever Was>Mistreated” jam sandwich, which at one point included a bit of call-and-response interplay between Gray and the audience.   

    Not done with sandwiches and segues just yet, Wild Adriatic would also uncork Tight Grip >Duende >Tight Grip and then finish up the set with an impressive triple decker treat that went from ” 40 Days, 40 Nights” to “Appleton” to a surprising cover of the Phish song “Carini,” one of the headiest type-II vehicles in their catalogue.

    Wild Adriatic capital concert

    The band would eventually find their way back to “Appleton” to close out the set.  After taking a bow and walking off stage, there seemed to be some confusion if they’d be back for an encore.  After a few minutes of wonder, a buzz started growing when people collectively realized the stagehands were actually adding instruments to the stage, not breaking it down.  When Wild Adriatic finally emerged from the shadows,  they weren’t alone. 

    Now joined by their friends from Super 400, the stage was set for a super-jam scenario.  Much to the delight of those who stuck around, fans were treated to a memorable three-song encore of classic covers; “Cissy Strut” by The Meters, “Loving Cup” from the Rolling Stones and finally, the show concluded with reggaed-out version of “I Shot the Sheriff.”  

    Wild Adriatic – Capital Concert Series, Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany – Wednesday, September 1, 2021

    Setlist: Letter, Mess Around, Hard Living, Same As It Ever Was > Mistreated > Same As It Ever Was, Ain’t The First Time, New Orleans, Tight Grip > Duende > Tight Grip, 40 Days 40 Nights > Appleton > Carini > Appleton

    Superjam: Cissy Strut, Lovin’ Cup, I Shot The Sheriff

  • In Focus: Capital Region Artist Freedom Stratton Sets The Stage For Ginuwine Performance at Empire State Plaza

    Wednesday, August 4 kicked off the Capital Concert Series at the Empire State Plaza in Albany and it did not disappoint with headlining act 90s favorite R&B singer, Ginuwine and opening act Freedom Stratton.

    freedom stratton ginuwine

    Gracing the Albany stage for the first time in 25 years, Ginuwine kept the crowd dancing and smiling with hits like “In Those Jeans” and “Pony.” While a large crowd was drawn to the Plaza with the chance to see an old school performance on a warm summer night, they had the perfect warm-up in the form of an opening act that came across as an artist with years in the business.

    Setting off the night of dancing was a young local artist Freedom Stratton. Popping onto the stage with an energy that reached beyond his stature, his vocals and movements took up the massive staging area. Slated to do two 10-minute sets, Stratton focused on his newly released singles. During the first set, listeners got to hear Stratton’s singles ‘Ray Banz’ and ‘Prophecy’, which gave them a taste of Stratton’s clever lyrical power.

    freedom stratton

    Born and raised in Albany, Freedom Stratton very recently celebrated his 21st birthday only days before the performance but is no stranger to the struggle and beauty of making music in the 518. At an early age, Stratton fell in love with musical theater, which led to his participation in high school plays, studying modern dance at Berkshire Ballet, and also a slew of performances in community productions across the Capital Region.

    ginuwine

    During the second set, he got the crowd dancing to more r&b/pop inspired singles ‘Tell Me What You Need’ and ‘New Things’. The audience bounced and grooved along all the way until Ginuwine took the stage. After Stratton’s second performance NYS Music had a chance to sit down with the budding artist.

    NYS Music: What started your career in music?

    Freedom: About three years ago I started working with BChaps. Then I had this idea to get a bunch of artists together for an album called “The Future” and it broke over 400,000 streams in less than a year. Then I knew.

    NYS Music: What sets you apart from other artists?

    Freedom: The drive. The drive to know that nothing is going to happen without you doing something to make it happen.

    NYS Music: Do you have a dream collaborator and why? 

    Freedom: Anderson Paak. Oooh. He’s spicy. He’s spicy right there. I feel like that’s one of the most influential people to me in the music industry. It’s like that newer version of the old school.

    NYS Music: Do you have any music that you often listen to these days? And who are the musicians that inspired you?

    Freedom: Jason Derulo, gotta throw him in there. Ariana Grande. Justin Bieber, I ain’t gonna lie. I really mess with pop, like Dua Lipa. It’s the kind of music that I’m pushing for. More mainstream but at the same time they can make a heartbreak song, or a happy song, or a love song. I just love the diversity pop brings.

    NYS Music: How would you like to see music help the community? 

    Freedom: Bringing people back together, you feel me? People are literally scared to be around each other. Music can bring us back together.

    Things shifted in 2018 though once it became clear to Stratton that pop stardom would achieve his goal of leaving “a legacy. Something that will carry on forever and be able to touch people for generations”. Stratton began working with local music producer, Brian Chiappinelli(B.Chaps) to capture music that makes people happy. All the hard work has already begun to pay off. Just last year Stratton released his first full-length studio album dubbed “The Future”. With a loaded roster of other 518 artists, Stratton pushed himself out of his typical style comfort zone. Not only did the success of the album cause him to release a deluxe version that included a whopping thirty songs but “The Future” was also picked up for distribution by record label Rexius Records in Sweden.

    Already back in the studio, Stratton has 2 singles set to be released this month. ‘First Love’ with Kortnee Simmons is dropping on Empire Media on August 13 and ‘For The Summer’ with B. Chaps and Money Montage is dropping on Foundation Media on August 20.

    Freedom Stratton is available on all major streaming platforms (iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Google Play).

    The Capital Concert Series at the Empire State Plaza continues this week with LIT.

    Photos of Freedom Stratton and Ginuwine courtesy of Mirth Films.

  • 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.

    capital concert series
    Empire State Plaza, Albany

    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.”

    capital concert series
    The Legendary Wailers

    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

  • Watch Live Music and Fireworks at the Empire State Plaza on the Fourth of July

    Albany’s Empire State Plaza Independence Day celebration returns for its 45th annual fireworks display this year. The festivities will include musical performances from local favorites, as well as food and drink vendors on Sunday, July 4.

    Empire State Plaza

    The night begins with a pop up COVID-19 vaccination site, while supplies last, from 5:30 to 8 PM at the Empire State Plaza. Later, attendees can enjoy food and drink vendors from 6-10 PM while watching the sunset around Albany’s cityscape. Alcohol will be served from 6 to 9:15 PM by vendors to adults with proper identification.

    The Fourth of July festivities will also feature two Capital Region bands throughout the night. Classic rock band Graham Tichy and the New Lowdown will take the stage at 6:30 PM, followed by the Powerhouse Funk Band at 8 PM after an official July Fourth Ceremony.

    Powerhouse Funk Band at the Empire State Plaza’s 2019 Fourth of July Celebration

    The official ceremony will begin at 7:45 with a color guard and singing of the national anthem by Air National Guard Master Sargeant Samantha Marquette. Fireworks will close out the night, beginning at 9:15 PM.

    Free parking begins at 5:30 PM in the Visitor, “P” Lot, Grand Street, and Elk Street Lots. No tickets are required, entrance to the event as well as firework viewing is free. For a list of ground rules, visit the New York State website.

    For more information about the event, including a list of vendors, see the event webpage or keep up with updates on the Empire State Plaza Facebook page.

    Empire State Plaza’s July Fourth Schedule:

    5:30 PM: Empire State Plaza parking lots open and registration begins at pop-up vaccination site.
    6:00 PM: Start of event and vaccination site opens
    6:30 PM: Performance by Graham Tichy and the New Lowdown
    7:45 PM: Official July 4 ceremony with color guard, national anthem, and remarks.
    8:00 PM: Performance by Powerhouse Funk Band
    9:15 PM: Fireworks
    10:00 PM: Event Ends

    Empire State Plaza
    2018 Empire State Plaza Festivities