At The Great New York State Fair this past Saturday, all time rockers ‘Foreigner’ came ready to rock. Syracuse was one of many stops on their 2022 Tour. The group formed in the Mid- 70’s in New York, New York 1976 and soon became a well known rock and roll band.
Foreigner skyrocketed in the 1970’s after releasing some of their top hits which still stand to this day. Such as, ‘Feels like the First Time’, ‘Cold as Ice’ and ‘Long, Long Way from Home’ back in 1977. Their first album was also released in 1977 by the name “foreigner”. Although, Foreigner hasn’t released since 1984 their performance and energy still puts on a stunning show. The crowd brought in not only the older generation but the younger generation as well which keeps their music alive.
One of the most memorable songs from the concert was “Juke Box Hero”. The song originated from a story of one of their fans who stood in the rain for hours just to see the show. That feeling stands today with foreigner’s fans urging to get the best view in hopes to see the all time rockers up close. Kelly Hanson (lead vocals) mentioned in the show that the band had just hit their 45th year anniversary since their first release in 1977. A proud moment not only for the band but the fans supporting the history they’ve created with rock and roll.
Overall, Foreigner has done an outstanding job keeping their music alive. Since celebrating the 45th anniversary, foreigner fans look forward to the years ahead for the band. Moving forward, the band continues their tour at their next stop in Bluffs, Iowa on September 2nd, 2022.
Saturday, August 27th brought the legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd to Seneca Niagara Casino In Niagara Falls. To note, the only original member of the band is Gary Rossington who plays guitar, but he was recovering from heart surgery so he was unable to play.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is a rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969. The band rose to fame in the 70s with five studio albums and one live album but their career was abruptly halted in 1977 when their chartered airplane crashed, killing three band members and seriously injuring the rest. They reformed in 1987 with their former singer’s brother Johnny Van Zant as singer. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and have sold more than 28 million records in the USA.
photo credit- Mike Miller
The show started off with AC/DC’s thunderstruck with a video montage of the band on the large stage screens. Once the whole band walked on the stage the fans went screaming loudly and all stood from their seats with applause. Lynyrd Skynyrd opened their set with “Workin for MCA”. They usually open most shows with this song so fans kind of expect it now.
photo credit- Mike Miller
Some other notable songs in their set (all the fan favorites) were “What’s Your Name,” “That Smell,” “Mississippi Kid”, “Sweet Home Alabama” and of course, “Free Bird” as their encore. This is the only band that you can yell out “Free Bird” and be guaranteed that they will play it and not look at you crazy as it is their most famous song.
photo credit- Mike Miller
Setlist: Workin’ for MCA, What’s Your Name, You Got That Right, The Needle and the Spoon, Whiskey Rock-a-Roller, That Smell, Cry for the Bad Man, Saturday Night Special, Tuesday’s Gone, Mississippi Kid, Red White & Blue, Simple Man, Gimme Three Steps, Call Me the Breeze, Sweet Home Alabama, Free Bird
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, Chris Stapleton entertained some 20,000 fans at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Friday, August 26. Supporting tour acts included Morgan Wade and Elle King.
Setlist: Nobody to Blame, Parachute, Second One to Know, Starting Over, Millionaire (Kevin Welch cover), Hard Livin’, Worry B Gone (Guy Clarke cover), What Are You Listening To?, Traveller, Whiskey and You, Arkansas, You Should Probably Leave, Midnight Train to Memphis (The Steel Drivers cover), Might as Well Get Stoned, Cold, Free Bird/The Devil Named Music, I Was Wrong, Joy of My Life, Fire Away, Broken Halos, Tennessee Whiskey (David Allan Coe cover).
On Saturday, August 27, The Jacksons came to ‘Blame it on the Boogie’ at the Great New York State Fair. Including three of the brothers `Tito, Jackie and Marlon’ which had originated from ‘The Jackson 5’ after Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, the group had taken their last tour with all together back in 1984. It was truly an honor for them to continue to play music and live out Michael’s dream as well as their own.
The Jacksons are originally from Gary, Indiana, and today a family of pop culture royalty and a rare group to see live. The group toured much more back in the 1960s and 70s, and have had various concerts across New York. As of this year, the group have made a comeback, with a few more shows ahead of them to continue their 2022 tour, heading towards Montreal, Quebec for a performance on September 9.
The Jacksons performed some of their top hits such as “Blame it on The Boogie”, “Shake Your Body” from their Destiny album released back in 1978. Their groove and funk really brought the crowd to a roar as “Can You Feel It” was performed. Not only did the brothers perform their own songs but managed to honor their brother Michael with a few of his hits, including an amazing performance of “Billie Jean” that took the fans from sitting to standing in seconds.
A combination of contemporary soul, R&B, funk and groove, The Jacksons put on a fantastic show at ease. This was such a special evening for those who attended and more than a night to remember. With over 50 years performing, New York is ecstatic to see what comes next for The Jackson Family.
It’s that time of year for the Seneca Niagara Casino to host their annual outdoor concert series in Niagara Falls. On Friday August 26th, they hosted their first of two this year with Lionel Richie headlining. Richie of course is the American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer who rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of funk band the Commodores.
Photo Credit- Mike Miller
There was no opening act, just Lionel Richie performing. The casino had announced this was their largest attended event ever since they started doing these outdoor concerts many years ago. Almost every seat was filled and the general admission section in the back of the lot was packed as well.
Photo Credit- Mike Miller
It had been a very long time since Lionel Richie has played a show in our area. The last time he played Buffalo was in 2000. The show was scheduled to begin at 8pm but due to a flight delay due to weather in NYC, Lionel was about 80 minutes late arriving. Fans were very eager for the show to start as once they saw his police escort arrive behind the fence, the atmosphere changed and the crowd got louder.
Photo Credit- Mike Miller
Before Lionel took to the stage the band started with “Overture”, it had many older photos of Lionel throughout his history on the large video display wall panel on the stage. He played all of his top hits along with some Commodores tunes. After the second song “Running With The Night”, Lionel told the crowd a story why he was late tonight. He mentioned that the mayor of NYC was behind him at the airport and if he isn’t going anywhere due to the weather, neither is he.
Photo Credit- Mike Miller
Lionel and his band were on fire all night, getting the crowd to sing along to every word. Some other memorable songs in his setlist were “Three Times a Lady”, “Hello” and “Brickhouse”. He closed the night with “All Night Long” as his encore.
In a double bill for the ages, Matador Records label mates Interpol and Spoon joined forces for their first show on the “Lights, Camera, Factions” tour on Thursday, August 25 at The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ.
Paul Banks of Interpol | Photo by Michael Dinger
Post-punk outfit Interpol, formed at New York University in 1997, have recently released their seventh studio album The Other Side of Make-Believe, which was produced by the legendary duo of Flood & Moulder at Battery Studio in London. Indie rockers Spoon, the 1993 brainchild of front man Britt Daniel and drummer Jim Eno (the band’s only consistent members), are touring in support of their latest album Lucifer on the Sofa, recorded in their hometown of Austin, Texas.
Britt Daniel of Spoon | Photo by Michael Dinger
With a glorious sunset sky as the natural background to their set, Spoon took to the stage a few ticks past 7:00 pm. Their opening number was “Held,” a cover by Smog (the alias of enigmatic singer/songwriter Bill Callahan), which also serves as the introductory song to their most recent studio release, the aforementioned Lucifer on the Sofa. Spoon would go on to perform a second cover near the halfway point of their 18-song set, John Lennon’s “Isolation,” taken from his first post-Beatles album released in 1970.
The Stone Pony Summer Stage | Photo by Michael DingerJim Eno of Spoon | Photo by Michael Dinger
The remainder of the quintet’s 75-minute set would be split up amongst their celebrated discography, with at least one offering from eight of their ten studio albums. Spoon fans eager to hear their new material in a live setting would also not disappointed, as they were treated to three tracks from Lucifer on the Sofa, including “Wild,” “My Babe” and “The Hardest Cut.” Albeit for some technical difficulties with Daniel’s guitar pedals late in their set, Spoon’s performance was filled with the high energy, crowd-engaging experience that you can always count on them to deliver.
Britt Daniel of Spoon | Photo by Michael Dinger
After a 30-minute turnover of the stage, and nightfall having settled over the beach boardwalk venue, the trio comprised of Paul Banks (lead vocals, guitar), Daniel Kessler (guitar) and Sam Fogarino (drums) unassumingly appeared in the dark shadows of the stage. Accompanied by a touring bassist and keyboardist, the set’s opening number was “Untitled,” taken from 2002’s critically acclaimed debut album Turn On the Bright Lights, written specifically to open the band’s live shows.
Paul Banks of Interpol | Photo by Michael DingerDaniel Kessler of Interpol | Photo by Michael DingerSam Fogarino of Interpol | Photo by Michael Dinger
Sharply attired in tailored suits, the band was often immersed in a deluge of smoke haze, heavily backlit with dramatic strobe lights, which made for a visually stunning experience. Like Spoon before them, Interpol’s 15-song set would also bestow upon their fans a representative sampling of their impressive music catalog, with the exception of 2010’s self-titled release, their fourth album overall.
Paul Banks of Interpol | Photo by Michael DingerDaniel Kessler of Interpol | Photo by Michael Dinger
A third of Interpol’s set was composed of songs from this year’s The Other Side of Make-Believe, namely “Fables,” “Toni,” “Something Changed,” “Gran Hotel” and “Into The Night.” However, the clear highlights of their 70-minute act included “Obstacle 1,” the second single from Turn On the Bright Lights and “Rest My Chemistry,” from 2007’s Our Love to Admire, which would see many of the nearly 3,000 fans light up the night with their raised cell phones to capture this fan favorite. As the show closed shortly after 10:00 pm with another one of Interpol’s biggest hits, “Slow Hands” from their sophomore album Antics (2004), my only regret is that it all happened too quickly.
Paul Banks of Interpol | Photo by Michael Dinger
Interpol and Spoon’s 18-date “Lights, Camera, Factions” tour will conclude mid-September in Portland, Oregon with a pair of shows at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Spoon Setlist: Held (Smog cover) > The Fitted Shirt > Wild > My Mathematical Mind > Do I Have to Talk You Into It > The Way We Get By > The Underdog > My Babe > I Summon You > Got Nuffin > Isolation (John Lennon cover) > The Hardest Cut > Inside Out > I Turn My Camera On > Don’t You Evah > Do You > Jonathon Fisk > Rent I Pay
Interpol Setlist: Untitled > Narc > Fables > Evil > Pioneer to the Falls > Toni > Something Changed > Obstacle 1 > Gran Hotel > All the Rage Back Home > Rest My Chemistry > Into the Night > The New > The Rover > Slow Hands
Thursday, August 25 marked the debut performance of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), a remarkable step for the all-star Grateful Dead tribute act featuring drummer Joe Russo, guitarists Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton, keyboardist Marco Benevento and bassist Dave Dreiwitz.
photo by Zak Radick
An enthusiastic Saratoga Springs crowd – one that has seen JRAD perform from Brooklyn Bowl to The Palace Theatre and stops across the country – was treated to a fitting opener of George Jones’ “The Race Is On,” followed by an extensive “Shakedown Street” that followed. After “Row Jimmy” (which had a “They Love Each Other” tease at the start), the band shifted into “Dancing In The Street” and then seamlessly into “The Music Never Stopped,” which featured teases of “Dancing” and “Shakedown Street” intertwined throughout, then provided a sharp return to the end before closing the set with “Touch of Grey.”
photo by Zak Radick
After a setbreak full of Tom Petty songs, Russo, wearing a Late Night with Seth Meyers shirt, led the band through a rousing jam that worked its way into “Playing in the Band.” Hinted at by pre-show MoTown songs (and The Chordettes “Lollipop” post show music), JRAD then debuted Smokey Robinson’s “Second That Emotion” after the 20 minute “Playing.” The highlight of the night would arise in “Brown Eyed Women” that found Hamilton, Metzger and Benevento alternating in taking the lead in the jam, each of them finding higher peaks to reach with each passing of the baton. “Let It Grow” and Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” followed the scorching “BEW,” and the set was brought to a close with an upbeat “Franklin’s Tower.”
During the encore of “I Know You Rider,” Hamilton found every peak to take the envigorating jam up another step, as JRAD gave the SPAC crowd an uplifting number on which to end their historic night.
Set 1: The Race Is On, Shakedown Street > Row Jimmy > Dancing In The Street > The Music Never Stopped > Touch Of Grey
Set 2: Playing In The Band, Second That Emotion > Brown-Eyed Women > Let It Grow > Masterpiece > Franklin’s Tower
Nostalgia, Hawaiian shirts, good vibrations and the sounds of Motown were abound in Saratoga Springs on Thursday August 18th, as legendary summer surf rock pioneers The Beach Boys and iconic Motor City hitmakers The Temptations belted out classic after classic at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Celebrating Sixty Years of The Sounds of Summer, the evening played out like a trip down memory lane, taking the mostly older audience back to a time when, on the surface, things just seemed simpler. Like a snapshot through American history, fans welcomed the chance to hear the songs that provided the soundtrack to so much of their lives.
The Beach Boys took fans at SPAC on a Surfin’ Safari on 8/18/22
From Hitsville USA to the Spa City, the evening kicked off with the Motown soul of The Temptations. Dressed in matching green suites, the dapper looking group was led by original member Otis Williams along with Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Tony Grant and Jawan M. Jackson and also included a full orchestra as part of the backing band. With vocals ringing true and like a well-oiled machine, the tightly choregraphed set included fan favorites “Get Ready,” “I’ll be in Trouble, “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” With the crowd fully engaged and singing along to almost every song, not only were fans having a good time, but it seemed like the members of The Temptations were too, exchanging smiles and high five handshakes that felt genuine and unchoreographed. After a medley of songs paying homage to other Motown greats of the era, The Temptations closed their set with a song everybody knows, their signature hit “My Girl.”
Otis Williams and The Temptations performing at SPAC 8/18/22 – Photo by Zak Radick
After a brief break to clear the stage, the fun-filled evening continued with an elaborate pre-produced video introduction that flashed images and soundbites of The Beach Boys storied career. With the group’s 60th anniversary of their first album, Surfin’ Safari, approaching in October – their impact on American culture through the decades cannot be overstated. Watching the montage of popular television shows and movies the band has been featured in – from Good Morning Vietnam, Cocktail, Look Who’s Talking, and the closing credits of Boogie Nights, to shows like Full House and Friends and their complicated association with the Fab Four, it’s clear not only does this band continue to have a wide-ranging generational appeal, but that their songs have indeed stood the test time.
Have Mercy: A career spanning video montage of The Beach Boys plays moments before showtime on 8/18/22
With a minimal stage setup that simply included some artificial palm trees and a jumbotron LED screen, original Beach Boy Mike Love and longtime member Bruce Johnston walked to the front of the stage and showed their love for the Saratoga crowd by blowing them kisses before launching into the first of many surf rock medleys, kicking the party off with a “Do It Again”>”Surfin’ Safari”>”Catch a Wave” trifecta. Bolstering their iconic sound with help from talented supporting musicians Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Brian “Ike” Eichenberger, Christian Love, Randy Leago, Keith Hubacher and Scott Totten, this incarnation of The Beach Boys both looked and sounded great.
Working their way through all the fan favorites – the surfing songs like “Rockaway Beach,” “Surfin’ USA,” and ” Surfer Girl,” to the cruising anthems like “Little Deuce Coup,””409” and “Little Honda” it was clear The Beach Boys not only welcomed the nostalgia, but thrived in it. With their signature sun-drenched vocal harmonies for days, hearing songs like “Don’t Worry Baby,” “I Get Around, “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” and “Sloop John B” felt truly special and provided some of the biggest ovations of the evening, but perhaps the loudest came on the heels of an emotional rendition of “God Only Knows,” a song many consider to be one of the greatest ever written.
After telling a short story about the time he ran into The Beatles in India, Mike Love would sing an original song called “Pisces Brothers”, before the band would string together another series of love songs (“Darlin,” Then I Kissed Her,” Help Me Rhonda”) that saw some of the elderly couples embrace in sentimental overload. Picking the tempo back up, possibly out of fear of being too mushy, “Dance, Dance Dance, ”Do You Wanna Dance?” and a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Rock and Roll Music” came next, followed by everyone’s favorite a luau anthem ”Kokomo,” which had everyone on the SPAC lawn singing and smiling, making the final song of the set, “Good Vibrations,” very fitting. The Beach Boys would return to the stage for a two song encore, “Barbara Ann” and “Fun, Fun,Fun,” sending the audience home satisfied and happy.
After more then six decades of performing, both The Beach Boys and The Temptations have proven they still have what it takes to entertain at a high level and that there is still an audience hungry to see them. With an astounding catalog of songs that have become engrained in American culture and themes that remain universal – teenage love and angst, rebelling against authority, driving fast and having fun in the sun, hearing them played live can feel almost surreal at times. It didn’t seem to matter the original members of each group were few and few between, it was all about being there in the moment, singing the songs you grew up on, and rediscovering a piece of your own youth. A great night of ‘Greatest Hits,” have mercy on me for saying it, but even Jess and the Rippers would have found this show satisfying.
If you missed the stop in Saratoga Springs, don’t worry baby, New Yorkers still have a few more chances to catch the Sixty Years of The Sounds of Summer Tour. The Beach Boys and The Temptations play Bethel Woods on August 25th, the Chautauqua Amphitheater on August 26th, and swing by Wildwood, NJ on August 27th.
The Beach Boys | August 18, 2022 | Saratoga Springs, NY | SPAC
Setlist: Do It Again, Surfin’ Safari, Catch a Wave, Hawaii, Little Honda, Rockaway Beach, Surfin’ USA, Surfer Girl, Don’t Worry Baby, Little Deuce Coupe, 409, Shut Down, I Get Around, Be True to Your School, Getcha Back, You’re So Good to Me, Darlin’, God Only Knows, Pisces Brothers, California Girls, Sloop John B, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Then I Kissed Here, Help Me, Rhonda, Do You Wanna Dance, Kokomo, Good Vibrations
Encore: Barbara Ann, Fun, Fun, Fun
The Temptations | August 18, 2022 | Saratoga Springs, NY | SPAC
Setlist: Get Ready, Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue), The Girl’s Alright With Me, Beauty is Only Skin Deep, I’ll Be In Trouble, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg, Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today), I Wish It Would Rain, Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone, I Can’t Get Next to You, Is It Gonna Be Yes or No, Get Up (I Feel like Being a Sex Machine / I Want to Take You Higher / Let’s Get It On, Treat Her Like a Lady / Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, My Girl
Twenty One Pilots stopped at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday August 23, the fourth stop of the group’s “The Icy Tour.” Along with performing songs from their 2021 album Scaled and Icy, the duo performed many of their old hits including “Ride” and “Stressed Out.” The show proved why they are considered as one of the most successful bands in the last decade.
Twenty One Pilots – Photo By: Lucas Kurzweil
Setlist: Good Day, No Chances, Guns for Hands, Morph, Holding on to You, The Outside, Message Man, Lane Boy, Chlorine, Mulberry Street, Addict With a Pen / Forest / Ode to Sleep / Hometown / Bandito / Choker, The Judge, Migrane, The Hype / Nico and the Niners / Tear in My Heart, Halo Theme (Martin O’Donnell Cover), Jumpsuit, Heavydirtysoul, My Blood / Saturday, Level of Concern, Ride, Shy Away, Car Radio, Stressed Out
Logic and Wiz Khalifa co-headlined at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, August 23. The Vinyl Verse Tour features 24kGoldn, Fedd the God, DJ Drama, and C Dot Castro. Within the nearly full amphitheater, the group of artists performed ongoing acts without missing a single beat.
DJ Bonics warmed up the audience to upbeat popular hip hop songs before C Dot Castro hit the stage. Settling in on stage, Castro rapped effortlessly to a fast beat entertaining the large crowd. For some in the audience, it was their first time hearing his music, and this didn’t stop them from dancing and chanting the lyrics right back.
DJ Drama kept the beats rolling for Pittsburg native, Fedd the God. Fedd instantly gave his full energy while performing original songs. Near the end of Fedd’s set, he jumped into the crowd and continued rapping without hesitation.
24kGoldn performed his hit songs “Valentino,” and “Mood,” while many in the crowd sang along, and danced without any encouragement needed.
The lights dimmed and Multi-platinum GRAMMY® Award-nominated Logic, nurtured the crowds excitement as he jumped on stage and performed songs including “Everyday,” “1-800-273-8255,” and more. Logic’s sound projects the same as it does on recordings and he comfortably delivered his lyrics at a rapid pace while walking from side-to-side on the stage.
Following Logic, the lights dimmed one more time for Grammy and Golden Globe nominee, Wiz Khalifa. Khalifa stood on a tall platform and opened with classic hip-hop record “Black and Yellow.” The standing audience waved their arms up and down to the beat of each song; there were a select few that jumped.
