NYS Music 202​2

Author: Abigail Baughan

  • Judas Priest Stops at MVP Arena and Nassau Coliseum this Fall

    Grammy-award-winning heavy metal band, Judas Priest, has announced their North American tour that will see them perform at Albany’s MVP Arena on October 15.

    Judas Priest
    Photo by Brandon Nagy via Shutterstock

    Beginning in Connecticut on October 13, the tour is in celebration of the iconic band’s 50th anniversary. Queensrÿche will join the group as openers for the 29-date tour over the course of October and November.

    Other stops across North America include Boston, Detroit, Tucson, Baton Rouge, and Cincinnati among others.

    ‘50 Heavy Metal Years Tour’ comes off of Judas Priests’ highest-charting album, Firepower, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The 14-track album was released in 2018 and produced by Andy Sneap and Tom Allom. 

    Originally forming as a band in Birmingham, England in 1970, Judas Priest helped form heavy metal, with records like “Sad Wings of Destiny” (1982), “Sin After Sin” (1977) and “Unleashed in the East (1979). The group has previously performed in some of the biggest concerts, including Monsters of Rock, US Festival, and Live Aid in the 1980s.

    Over the course of the group’s long career, they have received and been nominated for a long list of awards, including receiving a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for “Dissident Aggressor” in 2010. 

    Judas Priest
    Photo by Debby Wong via Shutterstock

    Judas Priest is celebrated for their heavy metal music and for embracing the iconic leather and stud fashion. In 2022, band members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, and Scott Travis are soon to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

    After the horrific last few years of restrictions we’ve all had to endure, what better place to break free, than the land of the free – the USA!

    – Ian Hill

    Most dates for this legendary group’s upcoming tour are available on June 24, 10 a.m. local time via https://www.livenation.com.

    FALL 2022 U.S Tour dates: 

    October 13 in Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale 

    October 15th in Albany, NY @ MVP Arena 

    October 16 in Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall Fenway 

    October 18 in Uniondale, NY at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

    October 19 in Wikes Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza 

    October 21 in Kalamazoo, MI at Wings Event Center 

    October 22 in Detroit, MI at Masonic Temple Theatre 

    October 24 in Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center 

    October 25 in Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre 

    October 27 in Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center Theater 

    October 29 in Moline, IL @ TaxSlayer Center Moline 

    October 30 in Mankato, MN @ Mayo Clinic Event Center 

    November 1 in Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Events Center 

    November 2 in Rapid City, SD @ The Monument 

    November 7 in Ontario, CA @ Toyota Center 

    November 8 in Tucson, AZ @ TCC Arena 

    November 10 in Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center 

    November 12 in Park City (Wichita), KS @Hartman Arena 

    November 13 in St. Charles, MO @ The Family Arena 

    November 15 in Corbin, KY @ The Corbin Arena 

    November 17 in Southaven, MS @ Landers Center 

    November 18 in Baton Rouge, LA @ Raising Canes River Center 

    November 20 in Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center 

    November 22 & 23 in San Antonio, TX @ Tech Port Center & Arena 

    November 25 in Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum 

    November 26 in Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street 

    November 28 in Edinburg, TX @ Burt Ogden Arena 

    November 29 in Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall 

  • Fernway Release Debut Album “Autocrave,” Announce Summer Tour

    Buffalo-based band Fernway released their debut album Autocrave on June 17, and will hold an album release show on June 25 at Town Ballroom in Buffalo.

    fernway
    Photo Credit: Matt Sledziewski

    Fernway formed as a band in 2017 and consists of RJ DeMarco (vocals/guitar), Brett Robertson and Jonah Wrest (guitar), Tanner DeMarco (drums), and Alec Dube (bass). The band has diverse influences, from Stand Atlanic, The Band Camino, COIN, and Bo Burnham, among others, no member of the band listens to exactly the same music.

    The new album includes 29 minutes of new music across 9 tracks. Produced and engineered by lead singer RJ DeMarco, the album’s refreshing sound blends pop-rock, alternative emo, and elements of jazz.

    Autocrave as an album acknowledges the immense impact technology has on our society as a whole. A large focus of the project is on mental health and regaining control over your own happiness. 

    fernway

    Even the album artwork’s underlying messages focus on concepts of the addictive forms of technology and the way it can interrupt human connections. Created by Aaron Gordon and Quinn Gundel, the artwork was one of the most important parts of the album creation process.

    The artwork of the record is a representation of how the advancement of technology has consumed each and everything around us. The red lips represent technological consumption and domination of all that is around us while the white represents the vast unknown.

    Aaron Gordon and Quinn Gundel

    Many of the tracks come from deeply personal experiences of the band, including the track “Compass Free” which was born out of guitarist Brett Robertson’s struggles and is now one of the band member’s favorites. Of the album, the band shares that they “hope these songs comfort you while you learn to navigate the ever-changing terrain of the world we live in.”

    In the months leading up to the album release, Fernway has had 3 successful single releases and a great Spring tour across the Northeast region. In March, the band opened up for The Dangerous Summer and Cory Wells at Buffalo’s Rec Room.

    Fernway will celebrate the recent release at the Town Ballroom’s new Oxford Pennant Stage. The stage was built with a specific focus to showcase local and up-and-coming touring acts. The tickets for the release show on June 25 can be found here, and Fernway will also be joined by close friends Marquee Grand, Ghostpool, and Amateur Hockey Club.

    Following the celebration of the album, Fernway will be touring this summer with 10 shows across 6 different states. The Rock and roll band Imposters will join them on the road for 4 of the shows.

    Listen to Autocrave, out now on streaming services. Fernway also updates their playlist, “Spread The Love”, every two weeks, which showcases artists they wish to bring more exposure to.

    Fernway Summer Tour Dates

    July 6 – Mercury Lounge – New York, New York

    July 7 – Balmville Grange – Newburgh, New York*

    July 8 – Soundbank – Phoenixville, Pennsylvania*

    July 9 – House Of Independents – Asbury Park, New Jersey*

    July 10 – Barca City – New Brunswick, New Jersey*

    July 13 – Local 506 – Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    July 14 -The Milestone – Charlotte, North Carolina

    July 15 – House Space – Charlotte, North Carolina

    July 16 -TBD – Nashville, Tennessee

    July 17 – Legends Bar and Venue – Cincinnati, Ohio

    *with Imposters

  • Concerts on the Waterfront Return to Sackets Harbor Starting June 26

    The Sackets Harbor Historical Society announced the lineup for their free upcoming summer concert series, Concerts on the Waterfront.

    Held from 3:00 to 5:00 pm every Sunday from June 26 through September 4, the summer concert series is back for its 38th season.  Last year, the theme represented the relief of the return of live music.  The 2022 theme, “Let’s Celebrate!” is yet another joyous return for summer shows.

    The spectacular waterfront views of Lake Ontario make for a perfect music venue, and Sackets Harbor also holds a deep historical significance. After the War of 1812 broke out between Great Britain and the United States, the harbor became the center point for American naval and military operations along Lake Ontario.

    Each concert in the series will be held at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield, and the long-standing popular jazz group Sacci Band will open the series on June 26. Featuring American pop music from the WWII era and styles from the Golden Age of Swing, the band continues to honor traditions with the series’ first performance.

    Other upcoming performances for the summer series include Tink Bennett and Taylor Made, ATLAS, The Dakotas, Oceans Below, and Maria DeSantis Orchestra, among others. With genres such as jazz, country, classic rock, Latin jazz, folk, classical and more, Concerts on the Waterfront certainly has something for everyone to enjoy throughout the summer season.

    Over the course of the summer 11 talented, diverse groups will take the stage at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield. Guests are invited to bring chairs and blankets, and should the weather not permit an outdoor show, the rain site will be St. Andrews Parish Center on East Main St. & Woolsey St.

    Below are the full summer series concert dates.

    Concerts on the Waterfront 2022 – “Let’s Celebrate!”

    June 26 Sacci Band  (Big Band)

    July 3 Tink Bennett and Taylor Made  (Country)

    July 10 Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra (Latin)

    July 17 Atlas   (80’s party)

    July 24 Dakotas  (Alternative Blue Grass)

    July 31 Son BoriKua*  (Caribbean)

    August 7 Oceans Below  (Favorites)

    August 14 Ruby Shooz*  (50 – 60’s)

    August 21 10th Mountain Division Army Band (Tentative) 

    August 28 Hot Jazz Jumpers  (Jazz)

    Sept. 4 Maria DeSantis Orchestra  (Big Band)

    *These concerts are made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the N. Y. S. Council on the Arts, with support of the Governor and State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

  • The Harlem Gospel Travelers Release Upbeat Single and New Album “Look Up!”

    The Harlem Gospel Travelers will release a new full-length album, Look Up! on September 16, via Colemine Records.  Ahead of the album’s release, the trio shared their empowering title track and fun-filled music video, which you can see below.

    Harlem Gospel Travelers

    With production by acclaimed soul singer-songwriter, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, the new album gives the trio their first collection of completely original material.  The trio consists of Thomas Gatling, George Marage, and Dennis Bailey, all of whom grew up in different areas but refined their talents in Harlem. While the group is greatly influenced by the gospel quartet tradition of the ‘50s and ‘60s, they give a modern edge with this recent release.

    Travelers Gaitling and Marage met producer Reed through an after-school program that grew their appreciation and knowledge of the deep history of the gospel quartet. The program allowed them to gain new perspectives, and tap into their true talents. After the 2019 release of the LP He’s On Time, Bailey joined the two, completing the group.

    He’s On Time garnered rave reviews in 2019 along with high-profile fans such as Elton John, who invited them on his Rocket Man radio show. The LP also gave way for the group to perform at festivals like Pilgrimage and Telluride Jazz. 

    This newest title track, “Look Up” empowers listeners and the upcoming album is sure to not disappoint. The Harlem Gospel Travelers are reviving old sounds and reminding listeners how prevalent the music is still today. While gospel is always at the root of their music, the group also incorporates country, folk, rock, soul, and blues.

    Check out The Harlem Gospel Travelers live, with the performance dates below.

    Tour Dates:

    July 23 – Staten Island, NY – Maker Park Radio

    Aug. 3 – Bloomington, IN – Buskirk Chumley Theater

    Aug. 4 – Springfield, IL – Levitt Pavilion

    Aug. 5 – Chicago, IL – Chop Shop

    Sep. 1 – Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s Alright

  • Legendary EDM artist Carl Cox Returns to Electric Zoo Labor Day Weekend

    For the first time in 11 years, dance music pioneer Carl Cox is back for NYC’s Electric Zoo Festival. Known as the “last dance” of the summer season, Electric Zoo brings a variety of acts from the electronic music scene.

    carl cox

    On Sep. 4, Cox will perform a rare US festival set and take over the Hilltop Area. As a part of the stage takeover, Cox curated a unique house and techno lineup, to bring all the energy to festivalgoers. 

    The highly-talented lineup includes DJ Holographic, Loco Dice, Charles Meyer, Chelina Manuhutu, and Andrea Olivia B2B Ilario Alicante. 

    Detroit-based DJ Holographic is known for her combination of House beats, R&B, Hip Hop, Disco, and of course, true Detroit techno. Loco Dice, hailing from Germany, frequently shares the stage with Carl Cox and has been a staple in the electronic music scene for years. NYC’s tech-house ambassador Charles Meyer’s music transforms, making him the perfect addition to the stage.

    Chelina Manuhutu will join the stage all the way from Ibiza, a talented, strong feminine force and one of the most exciting artists in the underground music scene. To top off the lineup, Carl Cox will welcome Andrea Oliva B2B Ilario Alicante to the stage. The duo is sure to deliver an unforgettable set for the fans of Electronic Zoo with an exciting house and techno set.

    carl cox

    Originally from the UK, Carl Cox exploded onto the British rave scene before making his own music with his debut hit “I Want You” in 1991. He continues to play shows all over the world, curates lineups, and even launched a new label, Awesome Soundwave in 2018. As part of his set, Carl Cox will also showcase new music from his forthcoming album, Electronic Generations for all festivalgoers to hear.

    I have been curating lineups now for many years now, and for Ezoo, I wanted to have a very special lineup, which was all about the music that each DJ Artist represents. I know that this will be an amazing time for all that will see and hear us play, something which the party people in NYC will appreciate.

    – Carl Cox

    Single Day tickets for the event can be purchased here.

  • FARROW to Release Debut Album “Agitate” on July 9

    After three years together, Rock ‘n Soul band FARROW, from Buffalo, is gearing up to release their first album, Agitate, on July 9. With joyous music and infectious melodies, this diverse group of musicians excels on this newest project.

    Agitate will be the first of three EPs in a series.  To accompany the sound component of the album, FARROW will have video releases for each song every month.  These videos will be available to the Farrow Fan Club on Patreon.

    FARROW is made up of seven talented musicians and artists.  Led by André Pilette (producer/bass) and Michael Farrow (lyricist/singer), the band released two previous singles on Spotify, “Rise Up” and “Insoluble” in 2020. Other members feature Tim Webb (drums), Michael Ruopoli (percussion), Cory Clancy (guitar), Rufus “Breezy” Cole Jr. (keys), and Danielle Johnson (backing vocals).

    The new album is filled with joyous, empowering lyrics and snappy beats. The second track, “Steal My Joy,” opens up with laughter and the lyrics “you ain’t gonna mess with me today!” – a phrase that seems to encapsulate a theme of the album. 

    Just one listen and it is easy to move to the rhythm. FARROW’s Agitate explores different beats and instrumentation on the album, and all 6 tracks are energetic and thought-provoking.

    The group has a history of performing around Western NY, with other performances including Buffalo Iron Works, Sportsmen’s Tavern, Bowery Electric, Rockwood Music Hall, and more. In the future, they will extend their reach, including a performance at the North By Northeast Festival in Toronto. 

    To celebrate the release of their first album, FARROW will hold a party and concert at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo on July 9.

    Key tracks: Steal My Joy, In This Place, Love Me For Me

    FARROW is also performing at the following upcoming events:

    June 18 – NXNE Music Festival – Toronto

    June 26 – Elmwood Summerfest – Buffalo

    July 7 – Thursday & Main – Buffalo

    July 9 – Sportsmen’s Tavern – Buffalo

    July 22 – Sunset at the Stables at Knox Farm State Park – East Aurora

    Aug. 19 – The Erie County Fair – Hamburg

    Sep. 17 – Borderland Music + Arts Festival – East Aurora

  • Troy Music Hall Announces Free Summer Square Concert Lineup

    The Troy Music Hall has announced the return of their free outdoor concert series Summer Square. The series will kick off on July 8th and continue every Friday and Saturnday until August 27th.

    Located in the Music Hall courtyard on 2nd Street, the series will be showcasing some of the Capital Region’s top talents.

    Troy Summer Square

    The Summer Square series will host 16 musical acts, opening with Arch Stanton Quartet and ending with Troy native Ryan Leddick.  Other performances include jazz band Heard and blues duo Mark & Jill, among others.

    Arch Stanton Quartet experiments with original jazz music, with influences in bop and post-bop traditions. They are planning their third album, inspired partly by the book “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison.

    The closing performer for the series, Ryan Leddick, released an album “Up, Up, & Away” in 2020.  Leddick grew his love of music in the Adirondacks, and his current music blends together folk and rock.

    The Summer Square music series also welcomes back musicians from previous years among the lineup. Acts such as Julia Alsarraf, Bossamba, Jordan Taylor Hill, and Triskele all took a part in 2021 and will come back this summer.

    Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has a long history of drawing top talent to the area. Opening its doors in 1875, world-renowned artists such as Lillian Nordica, Henri Vieuxtemps, Ignace Jan Paderewski, Albert Spaulding, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Myra Hess, and Jose Iturbi have performed within the historic Hall’s walls.

    Built in 19th century, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall was supported by the Troy Savings Bank to appreciate the citizens. With several intervention, the narrow shoebox form promotes early sidewall reflections that are important for a sense of envelopment, and the tall ceiling and ideal seat count of 1180 to provide intimacy and sustain an optimal reverberation. It also owned the nation’s largest nineteenth-century concert organ in original condition.

    Summer Square is a free outdoor concert series every Friday and Saturday evening at 6pm. Lawn chairs are allowed to enjoy this event.

    Troy’s Summer Square Concert Series Lineup

    Friday, July 8 – Arch Stanton Quartet

    Saturday, July 9 – Sonny & Perley

    Friday, July 15 – Triskele

    Saturday, July 16 – Lost Radio Rounders

    Friday, July 22 – Carol Daggs

    Saturday, July 23 – The Fatuzzo Brass Quintet

    Friday, July 29 – Jordan Taylor Hill

    Saturday, July 30 – As Iz

    Friday, August 5 – Heard

    Saturday, August 6 – Dust Bowl Faeries Duet

    Friday, August 12 – Julia Alsarraf

    Saturday, August 13 – Mark & Jill

    Friday, August 19 – Sydney Worthley

    Saturday, August 20 – Bossamba

    Friday, August 26 – Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

    Saturday, August 27 – Ryan Leddick

    For more information visit: www.troymusichall.org

    Troy Music Hall

  • Hudson Festival Orchestra Announces Free Community Concert

    On July 30, Hudson Festival Orchestra (HFO) will hold the first-ever “Hudson in Concert: A Community Celebration” in the scenic Henry Hudson Riverfront Park.

    The free event will begin at 4pm, with a range of opening ensemble performances. The opening acts feature traditional Latin music, songs from Bangladesh, and a new ragtime performance.

    At 7pm, Hudson Festival Orchestra will kick off their performance with a rousing community drum circle to introduce the first piece, Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. Hudson Festival Orchestra invites all community members to bring along a drum or hand instrument to join right in.

    The 57-piece orchestra will play other cultural favorites spanning many different backgrounds in celebration of community. Some of these include Gospel, Latin music, Cuban danzon, Argentine tango, Ragtime, Indian classical music, and more.

    I believe that music and culture can bridge divides and build community. I envision this as an annual musical event bringing area residents together through a live musical celebration of our shared American and diverse cultural heritages in a glorious natural setting on the Hudson River!

    -HFO Founder and Artistic Director Gwen Gould

    The concert will be performed in a beautiful setting. Under a tent set-up overlooking the river and the mountains, attendees can enjoy the scenery as they take in the performances.

    The Hudson Festival Orchestra also invites attendees of all ages to partake in the event. During intermission, children may join “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” parade (behind an actual life-size teddy bear) to a picnic with treats and snacks for all.

    To start the second half of the performance and express solidarity with Ukraine, the Hudson Festival Orchestra will perform the Ukrainian National Anthem. After more music and performances, the concert will conclude at 9 pm.

    Although this is the first “Hudson in Concert: A Community Celebration,” Hudson Festival Orchestra hopes to make the series an annual free event for all in the future.

  • Billy Joel to Extend Residency at Madison Square Garden this November

    Madison Square Garden Entertainment announced today due to overwhelming demand that Billy Joel has added to his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden with a show on November 23. The concert will mark the musician’s 131st at The World’s Most Famous Arena.

    Billy Joel performs at Madison Square Garden

    Back in 2013, Joel was named Madison Square Garden’s first-ever franchise musician and began his record-breaking residency in January 2014. Since then, he has played one show every month at The Garden. The added November show will be the legendary musician’s 85th.

    Billy Joel sings at Madison Square Garden

    Having sold 150 million records over the past 25 years with 33 Top 40 hits, it is no wonder Joel continues to rank as one of the most popular entertainers around the world. With six Grammy awards, a Tony award, and many more honors, Joel is known for his accomplishments as a musician and humanitarian.

    Tickets for the Billy Joel November show at MSG will be available for purchase by the general public beginning at 10:00 AM (ET) on Friday, June 24 via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the Madison Square Garden box office on Saturday, June 25. Prices range from $69.50 to $165.50.

    Read more about the Piano Man’s classic “New York State of Mind” with a look at the song’s history and origins.

  • monarch. Release Heartfelt Debut EP “Sweet Little Things”

    The Hudson Valley based band, monarch. release their EP, Sweet Little Things, on June 17, a stunning debut with five tracks sure to get you dancing. The project comes after the release of the single “Faces In Crowded Places,” in November 2021.

    Comprised of Sarah Hartstein (vocals), Johnny Lu (drums), Nick Pappalardo (guitar), and Jesse Hartstein (bass), the band pulls inspiration from multiple genres and influential artists, like Fiona Apple and Amy Winehouse. The group began Sweet Little Things in the summer of 2021 and is currently touring throughout New York.

    monarch. originally formed in 2017 and consisted of just Sarah Hartstein and Lu. As the duo started writing this most recent project, they knew they needed more, and the band’s debut EP represents that full evolution.

    The EP is sonically cohesive without being repetitive, as monarch. explores a range of tempos, instruments, and melodies. Themes of love, passion, growing up, and letting go of hardships make up the EP, the lyrics honest and relatable for any listener.

    With a strong start on vocals from Sarah Hartstein on “Morning Coffee,” the opening track on the EP grabs your attention and then keeps it with catchy lyrics and upbeat instrumentation.  The introspective lyrics over a bubbly tune make it easy to get swept away in the music.

    The title track slows things down, at first.  Soulful, the track drives the group to explore their blues roots and encompasses the overall theme for the project. Guitarist Pappalardo shines with an engaging solo over an energetic drum track. 

    Overall, the EP showcases the immense growth of the band, expanding on their talents and experimentation in their first single, “Faces In Crowded Places.” Energy and spirit intertwine throughout the EP, making it a joy to listen to. 

    The last of the five tracks, “Naive,” reminds audiences we can easily get lost in harmful relationships. Heart-wrenching lyrics from Hartstein pull you in, and intense instrumentation builds up for a passionate ending to the debut EP. 

    monarch. shines on this project, and certainly warrants one dancing around screaming the lyrics on repeat. The band has shows across NY in the promotion of their newest project, with dates well into the summer.

    Key Tracks: Morning Coffee, Sweet Little Things, Naive

    @monarchtheband.ny

    POV: you’re listening to our song NAIVE which will be on our debut EP “Sweet Little Things” being released in one week from today 🥺💗 #sweetlittlethings monarch. #music #musiciansoftiktok #hudsonvalleyband #hudsonvalleynightlife #nycband #nycmusician #brooklyn #newyork #newyorkcity

    ♬ Naïve – monarch.