It is that time of the year for each area to have its own local fair during the summer months. Masses of people come out to enjoy food, rides, entertainment, and live music. The Erie County Fair is hosting many musical acts this year. On Saturday, Aug. 13th, Halestorm played the Buffalo News Grandstand at the Erie County Fairgrounds racetrack. Halestorm is an American rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania.
The show started promptly at 7:30 P.M. Many fans were seen stalking the merch booth prior to the show starting. There were general admission tickets in the grandstand bleachers or seated and numbered tickets on the floor. Most of the floor section was filled in. They were the only band on the bill, there was no opener.
Halestorm is currently touring in support of their new album Back from the Dead. Lzzy Hale (singer, guitar), took to the stage with her brother Arejay Hale (drums), Josh Smith (bass), and Joe Hottinger (guitar) to play a 17-song setlist. They played all of their popular songs including “Love Bites,” “I Miss The Misery,” and “Here’s to Us.” Halestorm’s stage presence is well crafted since they tour so much, playing upwards of 205 shows a year. The band was very engaged with the crowd.
At one point in the show, Hale noticed a little girl holding a large envelope that said: “keep this” with a sharpie attached. She had it brought up on stage and she read the contents of it out loud to everyone, “please sign my first guitar.” Security then handed her the fan’s guitar and she signed and returned it.
Setlist: “Back From the Dead,” “Love Bites,” “Wicked Ways,” “Psycho Crazy,” “Mz. Hyde,” “Bombshell,” “I Get Off,” “Break In,” “Raise Your Horns,” “Terrible Things,” “Strange Girl,” “I Miss the Misery,” “Freak Like Me,” “I Am the Fire,” “Here’s to Us,” and “The Steeple.”
Thursday, August 11, will be fondly remembered by many people in Buffalo. Not only were there massive, record breaking traffic around Highmark Stadium, but it marked the return of Metallica to Buffalo. Metallica played their second out of three shows in the USA this year at Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills. For support they brought Ice Nine Kills and Greta Van Fleet.
Ice Nine Kills
Ice Nine Kills (sometimes stylized in all capital letters or abbreviated to INK, and formerly known as Ice Nine) is an American heavy metal band from Boston, Massachusetts who are signed to Fearless Records. Best known for its horror-inspired lyrics, Ice Nine Kills formed in its earliest incarnation in 2000 by high school friends Spencer Charnas and Jeremy Schwartz. Charnas is currently the only remaining founding member. Their drummer Patrick Galante, is from Buffalo so this was a special show to be opening for the biggest metal band in his hometown.
Greta Van Fleet
photo credit- Mike Miller
Greta Van Fleet is an American rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan, formed in 2012. It consists of Kiszka brothers Josh (vocals), Jake (guitar) and Sam (bass guitar, keyboards); and Danny Wagner (drums). They were signed to Lava Records in March 2017, and a month later they released their debut studio EP, Black Smoke Rising. Their debut single, “Highway Tune”, topped the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts in September 2017 for four weeks in a row.
Metallica
The last time Metallica played this stadium, it had a different name and was on July 25, 1992. It has been many years since then and Metallica has vastly grown their fanbase and released many popular songs and albums since then. Most of their setlist was older songs. This is because a majority of their fanbase grew up with their older material. Metallica is Lars, James, Rob and Kirk.
Metallica hit the stage at 9pm sharp once dusk came. When the Ecstasy of Gold video intro started, the place went nuts. Packed with 40,000 screaming diehard fans, you could feel the energy in the air and tell this was going to be a special show. As the first song “Whiplash” started, Lars Ulrich the drummer, appeared from below the stage on his drum set on a lift. There were microphone stands all over the stage for Metallica to sing from. A second drum set was in the middle of the stage which Lars would use later in the set. There was a “snakepit” in the middle of the stage filled with fans. The walkway circled around them so any fan inside it had the perfect view of the whole show. These tickets were given away to their fan club members.
photo credit- Mike Miller
There were also huge vertical video screens to show the rest of the stadium the action on the stage. Custom banners hung from each side of the stage with the date and the city on the bottom. Two spidercams (remote controlled camera) moved in the sky above the crowd. Metallica also was selling special Buffalo only merch and had special guitar picks made with the date and city on them. Metallica also used pyro many times from atop the stage and on the sides in the empty seats.
photo credit- Mike Miller
We would also like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Pegula Sports Entertainment. Mike Whitney and Dominic Verni were great hosts. They supplied a great landing area in between bands for the photographers and supplied drinks and food which made the experience more enjoyable for a summer Buffalo day.
Buffalo-based Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band is back with another excellent music release. The band released “Winning Number,” on Aug. 12 as the first single off of their upcoming album, Used Cars.
Formed in 2018, the band consists of longtime friends Timothy Patrick Henderson, Matt DiStasio (drums), and Bub Crumlish on bass. The trio released their debut album, SpaceStation AM500, in 2019, and is set to release their sophomore record, Used Cars, later this season.
As a single, “Winning Number,” showcases the passion, talent, and promise of what is to come from the upcoming Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band release. With Alice’s raspy vocals, guitar riffs, and settled drums, the classic rock single shines.
Alice’s lyricism intricately molds the story of a relationship through the eyes of a partner who wants more for both of them. The melody gets one singing along as Alice heads into the chorus, “I swear you’re gonna see what I mean, ‘cause I bought a winning number and they’re gonna call it out tonight.” Alice’s vocals and lyrics make it easy to imagine the vivid scene he paints as the instrumentation contributes to the longing feeling.
Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band recorded the single and upcoming album in the middle of a Buffalo snowstorm during the pandemic. The area has always impacted the group’s music, but Timothy Alice described this record as “distinctly Buffalo” with its tone, sound, and concept.
With catchy hooks, a unique combination of sound, and authentic lyricism, “Winning Number,” shines and Used Cars is sure to as well. Stay tuned for when the full album releases later this year for more and keep up to date with the Buffalo-based band on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Bandcamp.
Pink Talking Fish played an incredible after party at The Tropicana after Phish on August 6 in Atlantic City, including a full performance of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. The crowd-pleasing set featured Phish favorites like a “Sneaking Sally” encore and Talking Heads favorites like “Life During Wartime” as well as a nod to Bruce Springsteen’s, “Born to Run.”
The band played Dark Side of The Moonwith creativity, pizzaz, and virtuosity. Highlights included Cal Kehoe’s solo on “Great Gig in the Sky” and the synchronicity of “Any Colour You Like.” The lights and music provided a theatrical experience.
One fan was overheard saying, “Nothing’s better than seeing Dark Side live after a Phish show.” Agreed!
Pink Talking Fish features Eric Gould on bass, Richard James on keyboards, Zack Burwick on drums and Cal Kehoe on guitar. The band was created by musicians who love the epic emotion of Pink Floyd, the funky, danceable layerings of Talking Heads, the multitude of styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish. It’s purpose is to heighten people’s passion for this music by creating something fresh and exciting for fans.
Although the music from each act is different, Pink Talking Fish has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. Merging the music of these distinct bands into one.
Pink Talking Fish – August 6, 2022 – Dark Side of the Moon – Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City NJ
Setlist: Moon Rocks > Taste, Life During Wartime/Born To Run Mashup, Speak To Me > Breathe > On The Run, Time, Great Gig In The Sky, Money, Us And Them > Any Colour You Like > Brain Damage > Eclipse
Encore: Sneakin Sally Through The Alley, Once In A Lifetime > Thunder Road outro
On Aug. 8th Rage Against the Machine (RATM) played the first of five, sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden (MSG). This was the 15th stop of their “public service announcement” tour. The reunion tour has 51 shows throughout 12 countries and 40 different cities. They were accompanied by Run The Jewels (RTJ). RTJ is a hip hop duo consisting of Brooklyn based rapper/producer El-P and Atlanta based rapper Killer Mike.
Originally announced in 2019, and postponed several times due to the COVID pandemic, this tour marked the band’s first time playing together in 11 years. New Yorkers were clearly excited for their return as all five nights are sold out. The bands politically charged messages throughout their songs feel as relevant today as they did when they were first released decades ago. The energy in the arena was through the roof. Although frontman Zack de la Rocha had to perform the show sitting down due to a leg injury he sustained on the second stop of this tour, his passion and excitement were on full display.
Also outspoken about their political views, Run the Jewels is a perfect match as an opening act for RATM. They opened the show with “Call Ticketron” which appropriately has an opening verse of “run the jewels live at the garden”. They made sure to let us know they’ve been waiting years for that moment, and it set the tone for an explosive set. The chemistry between Killer Mike and EL-P on stage is incredible to see live.
Rage Against The Machine – Madison Square Garden – Aug. 8, 2022 Bombtrack, People of the Sun, Bulls on Parade, Bullet in the head, Revolver (intro only), Testify, Take The Power Back, Wake Up, Guerilla Radio, Down Rodeo, Know Your Enemy, Calm Like a Bomb > Sleep Now in The Fire, Born of a Broken Man, War Within a Breath, The Ghost of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen cover), Freedom > Township Rebellion > Killing in the Name
Run The Jewels – Madison Square Garden – Aug. 8, 2022 Call Ticketron, Yankee and the Brave (ep.4), Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck), Ooh La La (with Greg Nice), Blockbuster Night Part 1, Oh My Darling Don’t Cry, Legend Has it, Stay Gold > Don’t Get Captured, Ju$t, Walking in the Snow, A Few Words for the Firing Squad (Radiation)
The 10th annual Summer Hoot Festival will return to Olivebridge, NY, from Aug. 26-28 for three days of music, food, nature, and community. The festival will feature nearly two dozen musical performances in a family-friendly environment.
Folk-roots musicians Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar Merenda of The Mammals together produce and host the event. The duo started the Hoot Festival back in 2013 with friends and hold the event twice a year in the winter and summer to celebrate music and nature.
This year’s lineup features the talents of NY-based Naiika Sings, Catalan instrumentalist Lau Noah, Hudson Valley’s What?, dancers City Stompers, The Mammals, and many more. The Hoot has long attracted some amazing acts, including previous performances from Pete Seeger, David Bromberg, Natalie Merchant, Ani DiFranco, and Amy Helm, among others.
The Summer Hoot Festival promotes environmental sustainability alongside its intention to spread a love of music. The festival is completely powered by solar energy and uses reusable pint cups to reduce waste. Additionally, festival proceeds will benefit the year-round cultural and environmental education programs at the Ashokan Center.
It’s not every day that people of all ages can safely explore nature and enjoy new music together, but here at the Hoot that’s just the beginning. This festival lets us share the joy and freedom I was privileged to experience in my own childhood at Ashokan, and keep the party going for generations to come.
– Ruth Ungar Merenda, Hoot Event Producer and Director of Community Outreach for the Ashokan Center
The Summer Hoot Festival musical acts will take place across two stages with speakers in between sets offering talks on nature, nutrition, fitness, and more. Guided hikes to the Ashokan Center’s Cathedral Gorge and historic Covered Bridge will also be made available.
Information about ticket prices, additional programming, camping, and more, can be found on the festival’s website. The Summer Hoot Festival will take place at the Ashokan Center, located at 477 Beaverkill Road in Olivebridge, New York.
The evening of August 9 will certainly be one for the books as hundreds of fans wait eagerly to enter Glass Animals’ Dreamland. The Brooklyn Mirage is known for hosting big events but nothing compared to what the Glass Animals put on.
Glass Animals have come a long way since forming in Oxford in 2010 by childhood friends Dave Bayley, Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer, and Drew MacFarlane. In their live shows, they play re-worked, dance-heavy versions of their songs. Their song “Heat Waves” reached number one in Australia in February 2021 and was voted number one on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020. The song surpassed one billion streams on Spotify and eventually reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and five on the UK Singles Chart. Recently, they received their first Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their album, Dreamland.IRL, the band brought a one-of-a-kind celebration to Brooklyn Mirage. Dreamland is the album that brought us the global smash hit “Heat Waves.” The band now has over 5 billion global streams and 38 million monthly listeners, but it’s live events where Glass Animals come alive.
As soon as guests entered the venue one can immediately tell this show would be like none other. Decorations, electronic displays, and a Pac-man game room were all part of the band’s numerous activations. As the band’s set time approached all patience was lost when the stage brought out pineapples. Fans have started bringing them to gigs and even dressing as them at shows – due to the lyric, “pineapples in my head” from the song “Pork Soda”. The detail and precision that went into the show’s visual displays were nothing short of astonishing.
The band performed most of their set off their album Dreamland.IRL but also included fan favorites including “Life Itself” & “Youth”. As the sun set and night approached, fans refused to lower their energy level. Demanding 1 more song after the band wrapped up, Glass Animals couldn’t resist performing the staple song “Heat Waves”. Unfortunately, the band mentioned they won’t be in America for a while but the good news is they do not plan to slow down with live shows. Heading overseas, the band looks forward to several festivals including Mad Cool Sunset headlined by Rage Against The Machine.
Setlist: Dreamland, Life Itself, Tangerine, Black Mambo/ Hot Sugar, The Other Side of Paradise, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Waterfalls Coming Out Your Mouth, It’s All So Incredibly Loud, Your Love (Deja Vu), I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance), Youth, Helium, Gooey, Pork Soda
Zannie Owens, a Brooklyn-based artist, has released their title track “get that star” ahead of their upcoming debut album, out Aug. 19 via Kill Rock Stars. Under the moniker, zannie, the artist has crafted a space-inspired single with a captivating music video to accompany it.
zannie crafted their new single based on the inspiration from the Voyager One Golden Record which Carl Sagan and Lynn Margulis sent into outer space in 1977. The Brooklyn singer-songwriter lyrically explores an alien who is trying to return home, and intertwines that story with a message of hope about human connection.
With warm guitars, layered vocals, and whimsical instrumentation, “get that star” carries over hard-hitting but hopeful truths and lyrics of the human experience. zannie’s beginning vocals and dictation slowly draw you in before the melody takes off as the song builds. Despite being recorded in zannie’s bedroom, the video’s unique lighting effects, and focus on zannie, transform listeners into another space as they ponder over the song’s message.
The single is just a glimpse at what may be to come off of zannie’s upcoming album, How Do I Get That Star. Written over the course of four years, zannie explores the unknown, the mystical, and more. During the process, they listened to artists such as Judee Still and Prince, and the album reflects some of those inspirations.
If the single is any hint for what is to come on How Do I Get That Star, then listeners are in for some great new music to add to playlists on Aug. 19. To keep up with zannie as an artist, follow them on social media here. Listen to another single, “for a while,” off of the artist’s upcoming album, available below.
Chicago indie rock band, Beach Bunny, played two spectacular shows at Brooklyn Steel the weekend of August 7, 2022. The dates had originally been scheduled for May, but were postponed due to Covid. Initially a solo project by Lili Trifilio, Beach Bunny came into popularity when the song “Prom Queen” went viral on TikTok in 2019. The song has since gained more than a quarter billion streams, and Lili now tours with her four-person band. Ky Voss and Sidney Gish opened for Beach Bunny both nights.
Beach Bunny plays Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann
Multi-instrumentalist Ky Voss opened the shows with synth-pop beats, moody lyrics, and a textured industrial sound. Her third full-length record, “The After,” released earlier this year. During her set, Ky mentioned she had lived in New York for a year or so, but this was her first time performing in New York. The crowd basked in her performance, the pristine lighting, and the crisp sound Brooklyn Steel is most known for. She thanked Beach Bunny for having her, and left after an excellent set to wild applause.
Ky Voss opens for Beach Bunny, photograph by David Reichmann
Sidney Gish took the stage next, quipping with the crowd as she tuned her guitar and got settled on stage. Her performance was unaccompanied, but she used layers of looping pedals to fill the room with acoustic guitar riffs and drum loops. Sidney’s trademark charm and wit were present at all times. She joked between tracks, thanked Beach Bunny, and praised Ky Voss’s set. She played a number of hits from her catalog, including some tracks off her breakout record, “No Dogs Allowed.” After closing her set, she thanked the audience and left the stage to a burst of applause.
Sidney Gish opens for Beach Bunny, photograph by David Reichmann
Anticipation rose among the crowd as they waited for the headlining set. The venue was abuzz with energy as the house lights dimmed. Suddenly the stage was backlit by shining beams of blue and white light. After a brief pause, Beach Bunny walked onstage to massive applause. They opened their intense 90-minute set with “Oxygen,” the first single off their latest record, “Emotional Creature,” which was released in July 2022.
Sidney Gish plays Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann
After the second track, Lili told the crowd to crouch down and spring up when they started the next track, “Six Weeks.” By the time Beach Bunny finished the third track, the crowd had been worked into a frenzy by drummer Jon Alvarado’s driving beats, guitarist Matt Henkels’s energetic riffs, bassist Anthony Vaccaro’s pumping bass lines, and frontwoman Lili Trifilio’s catchy fan-favorite lyrics. Several times throughout the show, Lili encouraged fans to open up mosh pits, crowdsurf, jump, and dance. At one point, Lili even drew a tattoo on a fan’s homemade sign. She joked, “This is too much pressure!” to laughter and applause.
Beach Bunny’s setlist included a number of hit tracks like “Good Girls (Don’t Get Used),” “Sports,” and their breakout viral singles, “Prom Queen” and “Cloud 9.” Towards the end of the band’s set, Lili told the audience, “I wrote this song about New York,” before playing “Fire Escape.”
Beach Bunny jumps onstage at Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann
They closed out the show by instructing the crowd to separate down the middle, and rush together at the start of their final track, “Painkiller.” The crowd gleefully obliged, and sang along every word as they moshed and jumped until the last notes played. Beach Bunny took their bows, thanked the audience, and walked offstage to one final swell of cheers.
Beach Bunny is slated to play several more shows in the US before heading overseas for their tour. You can listen to their catalog here. Listen to Ky Voss here and Sidney Gish here.
Crowd surfing during Beach Bunny’s set at Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David ReichmannPhotography by David ReichmannBeach Bunny parts Brooklyn Steel crowd for final song, photograph by David Reichmann
After the first night of Phish’s three-night run in Atlantic City concluded, the line outside of The Bourbon Room (a former House of Blues) started forming, with fans eagerly waiting for Lotus. The show proved to be energetic and full of ridiculous jams, heavy bass lines, and non stop dancing. The band debuted a new song “Tar Pits” and encored with “Gilded Age.”
Set: Wax, Spaghetti, Sunrain, Greet The Mind, Wooly Mammoth, Tar Pits, Spiritualize, Automatic, Neon Tubes, Flower Sermon, Sunrain
