NYS Music 202​2

Author: Abigail Baughan

  • AFROPUNK Festival Returns Home to Brooklyn This Fall

    On September 10 and 11, AFROPUNK Festival returns with headliners The Roots and Burna Boy. This fall homecoming marks the first time the fest has come back to Brooklyn since 2019.

    AFROPUNK began as a single-day event in Brooklyn in 2004 before evolving into a worldwide phenomenon. This year’s lineup brings some of the most exciting artists to Commodore Barry Park for two days of celebration.

    The legendary hip-hop band The Roots will headline night one. Their expansive set will cover decades of the bands’ music as they celebrate 30 years together. On the night of the 11th, Burna Boy will close the festival and promote his upcoming album Love, Damini. 

    Other performers include TDE rhymer Isaiah Rashad, Lucky Daye, Freddie Gibbs, Tierra Whack, Earl Sweatshirt, and many more. AFROPUNK also welcomes Brooklyn-based artists to the lineup, including rapper Rodney Chrome, R&B artist Alex Mali, and hip-hop artist Talia Goddess.

    AFROPUNK aims to highlight the diverse talent and depth of the Brooklyn Black music community. Audiences can expect performances from various genres and origins including rock, R&B, AfroBeats, and more. 

    The festival offers more entertainment than just a place to enjoy live music. Attendees will be able to peruse local foods from NYC chefs and food trucks at AFROPUNK’s Bites ‘n Beats. The Spinthrift Market will also operate, providing event goers with makers and curators from the area.

    After hosting festivals around the world, including Miami, Atlanta, Bahia, and Johannesburg, AFROPUNK’s long-awaited return to Brooklyn is sure to be one to remember. More additions to the lineup, as well as more entertainment with added activations, are set to be announced. Stay tuned with the festival on Instagram here, and visit their website for tickets, here.

  • National Tour of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Honoring Aretha Franklin Begins in Brooklyn this Fall

    From October 6 to 8, Kings Theatre in Brooklyn will host the national R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tour, which celebrates the iconic Aretha Franklin and brings the ultimate concert experience.

    R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tour casting announcement.

    After a national search for the perfect cast, the performers were recently finalized. Brooklyn native Trejah Bostic will lead the band, and vocalists Meghan Dawson, Nattalyee Randall, and Ashton Weeks will also act as hosts. Directed by Broadway’s Christina Sajous (Spongebob Squarepants, Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark), the show follows the life of Aretha Franklin using her biggest hits to tell her impressive story.

    I am super excited to be a part of this amazing cast and I’m looking forward to going on this journey and experiencing all the beautiful audiences that we will come to meet.

    -Trejah Bostic, Lead Singer

    Audiences at the Kings Theatre can expect to hear fan favorites such as “Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Chain of Fools,” and many more to celebrate the Queen of Soul. The soundtrack, with musical direction from Darnell White, explores the human condition intertwined with the timeless music from Franklin.

    The Kings Theatre in Brooklyn recently reopened in 2015 and provides the perfect venue for large-scale entertainment such as the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tour, with over 3,000 seats available. The architecture was inspired by the French Renaissance Revival style of the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House – making it a beautiful addition and atmosphere for any entertainment. 

    All shows from October 6 through 8 will begin promptly at 8:00 pm and tickets range from $35 – $75. For tickets and more information about the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tour, visit the Kings Theatre website, here.

  • Plattsburgh Music Series Parks Come Alive! Holds Season Finale on August 4

    The city of Plattsburgh’s new summer concert series, Parks Come Alive!, will come to a successful close on August 4 at South Acres Park. Over the course of the summer, the series has been held on the first Thursday of June, July, and now August, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

    Parks Come Alive! poster

    The Parks Come Alive! series aims to bring together the community with live musical entertainment, local drinks, food, and crafts, and is free for all ages to attend. The series also celebrates Plattsburgh’s parks, and previous performances included indie/psychedelic rock band Ursa and the Major Key at Melissa Penfield Park, among others.

    On August 4, Plattsburgh native Josh West will bring reggae-like live music entertainment to the Parks Come Alive! series. Local vendors such as Valcour Brewing, High Peaks Brew, Bunz on the Run, and more will also be selling products for audiences to enjoy. The series will also have arts and crafts available for kids of all ages.

  • Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival Continues in Richfield Springs

    The Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival began on July 11 at the Meadow Links Golf Pavilion and will continue to host live musical performances every Monday evening at 7:00 pm with the last show on August 29.

    Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival Lineup

    President of American Federation of Musicians Local 443, and talented cellist, Ruth Berry, founded the concert series alongside fellow AFM member, the late Richard Daley, in the spring of 2021. It is in part to Richard Daley’s vision and commitment that the music festival is held for the community to enjoy. 

    The Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival allows professional musicians to share their craft with the community and honors the legacy of athlete and Richfield Springs resident, Tom Hovey. The festival supports the immense talents of these musicians alongside a unique atmosphere.

    On July 11, classic rock duo Brian Murphy and Jeff Ruzich opened the festival among the scenic grounds of Meadow Links. The Dan Sales Jazz Trio performed on July 18, and the Hartwick College Jazz Trio will grace audiences with more fantastic jazz pieces on July 25. Other musical acts include Glimmerglass Trombone Trio, Aaron Brask and The Old Masters, and many more.

    All performances for the Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival are free and open to the public, in part due to funding from the not-for-profit, 443 Concerted Works Inc. Guests are more than welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, or with the ample parking available, listen in the car with the windows rolled down. In the event of bad weather, performances will still take place in a well-ventilated pavilion. For the full lineup of the performances, see below.

    July 11:   Brian Murphy and Jeff Ruzich: Classic Rock

    July 18:  Dan Sales Jazz Trio

    July 25:  Hartwick College Jazz Trio

    August 1: Glimmerglass Trombone Trio

    August 8 John O’ Connor; original songs and ballads

    August 15:  Aaron Brask and The Old Masters; classic and original jazz

    August 22: Bill Scranton and Jeff Ruzich; jazz/pop

    August 29: Lauren Mettler: classic and original folk

  • The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival Returns for its 13th Season

    The 13th annual Hudson Valley Jazz Festival returns for a celebration of jazz beginning on August 18 through August 21.

    Hudson Valley Jazz Festival 2022 Poster

    The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival continues to draw talented musicians to its lineup, all of whom will play in various settings around Hudson Valley. Instead of one stage showcasing each artist, these venues take the forms of parks, libraries, restaurants, performing arts centers, cafes, and more.

    Although the festival has hosted big names such as Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, and Lenny White, the aim is to showcase and highlight local jazz artists as well as provide live music to the audiences who wish to listen. The festival is a collaborative one, with participating venues and festival organizers coming together to craft the perfect schedule and lineup.

    On Thursday, August 18, The Hudson Valley Jazz Sextet will open the 2022 festival at 6:30 pm with an outdoor performance in Sugar Loaf. The Kaya Nicole Jazz Trio, keyboard artist Rave Tesar, and Gus Mancini & The Sonic Soul Orkestra will also all play concerts around the region beginning at 7 pm.

    Stanley Jordan

    On Friday, August 19, The Teri Roiger Trio will play in Kingston at 7 pm, and Neil Alexander & Nail will perform in New Paltz. Over the course of the festival, other acts include Slide Attack, The Steve Raleigh Jazz Band, Bill Ware & The Upstate All-Stars, and many more.

    Some of the shows during this year’s festival are free concerts, but others are moderately priced. The lineup for the 2022 season is still being finalized. For the full list of musicians to catch at The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival, visit their website available here.

  • Brooklyn-based Band Stay Inside Release Intense EP Blight

    On June 3, Brooklyn-based emo band, Stay Inside, released their newest work and 5-track EP, Blight, via No Sleep Records.

    Stay inside Blight Album Cover

    Stay Inside consists of Bryn Nieboer (vocals/bass), Chris Johns (guitar/backing vocals), Chris Lawless (guitar/backing vocals), and Vishnu Anantha on drums. Blight is the band’s newest release since their critically acclaimed 2020 album, Viewing.

    Jon Markson of Drug Church and Koyo returns on production for the Blight EP which showcases a more intense side of the emo Brooklyn band. Although only totaling five songs, the lyrics and carefully executed instrumentation put the release on a caliber of its own.

    The opening track, “Eraser,” starts slowly, with an emotional rhythm and vocals to draw you in before an intense build with drums and guitar. “Hollow,” plays with a unique beat and engaging message, with the lyrics “so I just sit there with my arms wide / I think I used up all my good lies / Oh god you started losing everything before you try to tell yourself to stop.” The EP was written while NYC was experiencing intense lockdown, and it fully represents the extreme feelings of the time.

    Other tracks, such as “Fracture” and “Spore” are great additions to the EP, bringing even more depth and experimentation to the work with addictive drums and melodies. Stay Inside is surely growing and expanding with this most recent EP, Blight. 

    This summer, the post-hardcore band perform at the Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn on July 22. Be sure to keep up with the band on Instagram here and Twitter here, and take a listen to some more of their music, available below. 

  • Don’t Miss These Free Summer Concerts in Albany County

    In case you have yet to get your live-music fix this summer, Albany County offers ample opportunities for live music and entertainment for the rest of the summer season.

    Town of Colonie albany County

    In addition to the region’s highly anticipated Alive at 5 concert series, and the incredible Empire State Plaza events here is a list of some fantastic talents coming to the area in the upcoming weeks. Highlights include a Motown Tribute from Garland Nelson’s Reflection, Get Up Jack, Doc Benson Band, Berkstar, and many more.

    Albany County offers endless opportunities for some summertime entertainment, from local up-and-coming artists to fan-favorite bands and musicians. There is something for everyone this summer in Albany to check out and enjoy. For a full list of concerts in the Albany area, see below.

    Concerts at the Crossings – The Crossings of Colonie

    July 7: New York Players 

    July 14: The Georgie Wonders Orchestra 

    July 21: Josh Casano 

    July 28: The Lustre Kings 

    Aug. 4: In The Valley 

    Aug. 11: Garland Nelson’s Reflection: Motown Tribute 

    Aug. 18: Big Sky Country 

    Aug. 25: Body and Soul 

    Sept. 1: Sirsy 

    Jamming at the GPAC – Guilderland Performing Arts Center, Tawasentha Park

    June 23: Guilderland Town Band Concert

    June 30: The Kyle Bourgault Band Concert 

    July 7: The Lustre Kings 

    July 14: Guilderland Town Band Concert 

    July 21: Becca Frame and the Tall Boys 

    July 28: Get Up Jack

    Aug. 4: Guilderland Town Band Concert 

    Aug. 11: Overture Band Concert 

    Aug. 18: An Evening with Rick Bedrosian

    Niskayuna Summer Concert Series – Niskayuna Town Hall

    June 9: Niskayuna Middle School Jazz Ensemble and Stage Band

    June 16: ABP 

    June 21: Doc Benson Band

    June 30: Qunitocracy

    July 7: The Carla Page Show Band 

    July 14: The All Paul Show

    July 21: Loose Change

    July 28: Joe’s Boys

    Aug. 4: Dadtet 

    Aug. 11: Band of Gold

    Thursdays in the Park – Elm Avenue Park, Bethlehem

    June 16: Heard

    June 23: Zucchini Brothers 

    June 30: The Rumble Kings

    July 7: Ron Cain’s “Captain HurriCain’s Underwater Adventure Magic Show” 

    July 14: Doc Benson Band

    July 21: Out of the Box

    July 28: Dave Engel’s “Captain Nemo’s Adventure Academy” 

    Aug. 4: Diane Edgecomb presents “Trail Mix” 

    Aug. 11: Playin’ with Fire

    Aug. 18: The Traveling Lantern Theater Company presents “Camp Ocean”

    Tuesday Nights in the Park – Cook Park, Colonie

    June 14: Lustre Kings

    June 21: Joe’s Boys

    June 28: Electric City Horns

    July 5: Jukebox Rebellion

    July 12: Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys

    July 19: TS Ensemble

    July 26: New York Players

    Aug. 2: Triskele

    Aug. 9: The Pine Boys

    Aug. 16: Dyer Switch

    Aug. 23; Get Up Jack

    Aug. 30: Skeeter Creek

    Cohoes Rock the Block – Canal Square

    June 16: The Refrigerators

    June 23: Big Sky Country 

    June 30: Tusk (Fleetwood Mac)

    July 7: That 80s Band

    July 14: Aquanett

    July 21: Skeeter Creek 

    July 28: Hammer of the Gods (Led Zeppelin) 

    Aug. 4: Berkstar

  • Singer-Songwriter John Moreland Performs in Woodstock and Buffalo this Weekend

    Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter John Moreland will grace audiences with his mesmerizing country sound this July. On July 23, the Oklahoma singer will promote his upcoming album, Birds in the Ceiling, at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock before traveling to Buffalo Iron Works on the 24. The Dead Tongues will join Moreland for both performances.

    The singer’s upcoming album will be released on July 22, just a day before the show at Levon Helm Studios. Bird’s in the Ceiling is John Moreland’s sixth studio album, and some of his previous works, including LP5, and High on Tulsa Heat, garnered much positive attention from fans and critics alike. The pandemic prevented Moreland from touring for LP5, so his live performances are highly-anticipated and a long time coming.

    John Moreland album art

    The imminent Birds in the Ceiling album, via Old Omens/Thirty Tigers, combines folk, retro-pop, rock, and roots with the foundations of Moreland’s strong sense of lyrical story-telling. The nine-track album gives listeners a glimpse into Moreland’s most recent thoughts and experiences. Singles off of the upcoming album were released earlier this year, including “Ugly Faces,” “Claim Your Prize,” and “Cheap Idols Dressed in Expensive Garbage,” all of which you can listen to below.

    An artist known for his lyrics, much of Moreland’s music cuts deep. The reflective lyrics “does it even matter? does it ever last? / I didn’t want the answer to the question that I asked / Can I kill a monster? can I be a man? / I can’t afford to give a damn if you don’t understand” off of “Ugly Faces” lend a lonesome and introspective perspective.

    With Moreland’s talented and accomplished guitar playing, emotional vocals, and combination of instrumentation, the live performances in NY this summer are sure to be memorable and captivating. For the Levon Helm Studio performance, tickets cost $30 or $45, and gates open at 6:30. The Buffalo Iron Works show begins at 8:00 pm with doors open at 7:00 pm and tickets cost $25. 

    Tickets for the upcoming shows at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock and Iron Works in Buffalo can be found with the link available here. To listen to some more of John Moreland’s work, see below.

  • Three Brooklyn-based Acts Release Collaborative Single “Straws”

    On July 1, Dogwood Last, Fysics, and Rose Porn – three acts from the Brooklyn area – released their single “Straws” on July 1 via Dogwood Last, Fysics, and Rose Porn

    The single was written and produced remotely over the last 12 months and combines the aesthetics of all three Brooklyn acts’ sounds. Dealing with some serious topics such as depression, a lost love, and more, the single combines a feel-good groove with hard-hitting lyricism.

    Kory Burrell, a member of the band Dogwood Last, developed “Straws” with signature drum programs and synthesizers as Zach Rosenberg of Rose Porn worked on the production. The outstanding lyrics and many of the vocals come from Josef Lamberti, of the band Fysics.

    Long before the groups worked on “Straws,” they were friends first and foremost. Of the track, the group shares, “We spent over a year crafting this song and the production, knowing we were getting at something greater than the sum of our parts. It was the dream quarantine collaboration.”

    And a dream quarantine collaboration it was. The “Straws” single will surely draw the attention of fans of popular artists such as Frank Ocean, Jim-E Stack, and Dijon. With a calming opening mixing in tech beats and warped vocals, the song continues to develop into a track meant for indie-pop playlists and your next emotional summer drive.

    Fysics

    We feel like it’s the summer banger Lil Peep would have made if he were a successful liberal arts undergrad.

    – Dogwood Last, Rose Porn, and Fysics on “Straws”

    If you are interested in hearing more of this music live, on stage, and right in the moment, catch one of the three acts off of the “Straws” single, Dogwood Last, on August 19 at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn. To hear more music from some of these talents, see below.

  • Paper Mill Island Amphitheater Announces Summer Concert Series

    The Paper Mill Island Amphitheater will host a series of summer concerts this season in Baldwinsville, located just outside of Syracuse.

    paper mill island

    On July 23, Badfish returns to the amphitheater for a Sublime tribute. Badfish expertly replicates Sublime’s unique sound and captivates any audience. Special guest The Frank White Experience, a hip-hop tribute band, will be joining the band during the show.

    A few days after Badfish comes to the Paper Mill Island Amphitheater, Almost Queen will arrive on July 30. The Queen tribute band will transport attendees into an intricate performance worthy of any Queen super-fan. With authentic costumes, real spirit, and signature four-part harmonies, Almost Queen does the band much justice.

    Bruce in the USA – a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band tribute – will grace audiences with a great performance on August 5. The band began back in 2004 along the Las Vegas Strip, where they were met with critical acclaim and a great atmosphere which they continue on to this day. 

    On August 11, Philadelphia-based band, Get the Led Out, will celebrate the music of Led Zeppelin like never heard before. Get the Led Out features six musicians, who deliver earlier Zed tracks, deeper songs seldom heard in concert, and an energy few bands can replicate. The act includes Paul Sinclair (vocals/harmonica), Paul Hammond (guitar), Tommy Zamp (guitar), Eddie Kurek (keyboards, guitar, vocals, percussion), Adam Ferraioli (drums/percussion), and Phil D’Agostino on bass and vocals.

    https://youtu.be/8qmSuDl40Lc

    Later in the season on September 2, Twiddle with special guest Annie in the Water will join the impressive Paper Mill series lineup. The Vermont quartet Twiddle will promote their fifth full-length studio album, Every Last Leaf. Featuring Mihali Savoulidis (vocals, guitar), Ryan Dempsey (keys, organ, synth), Brook Jordan (drums), and Zdenek Gubb (bass) the band has toured for 18 years and is sure not to disappoint. The group has previously performed in festivals such as Bonnaroo and Electric Forest.

    For tickets to the upcoming shows at Paper Mill Island, and for more information, visit the link available here.