Category: Genres

  • SPAC Announces 2022 Classical Amphitheater Season

    SPAC has announced its 2022 Classical Amphitheater season, featuring top acts like the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra.

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center is located in the historic town of Saratoga Springs, and houses one of America’s most prestigious summer festivals.

    SPAC is pleased to announce premieres and debuts by women and BIPOC composers, choreographers, performers, and conductors this summer alongside the classical work.

    The NYCB residency from July 12-16 will have highlighted contemporary works by Jamar Roberts, Pam Tanowitz, and Justin Peck. Other programs include one dedicated to 20th-century masters, a story ballet of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and a special presentation of “NYCB On and Off Stage.”

    The Philadelphia Orchestra residency from July 27-August 13 will feature the return of music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin in four programs including a finale featuring Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

    President and CEO of SPAC, Elizabeth Sobol, said it is exciting to have people back after two years of uncertainty.

    After two long years without the full New York City Ballet in residence at SPAC, it is tremendously exciting to be announcing the return of the full Company in July 2022…SPAC’s ambitious and artistically inspiring programming continues our effort to bring significant contemporary works and iconic classics that have never been performed at SPAC to our stage, while also presenting a record number of works by BIPOC and female composers throughout the season.

    The SPAC 2022 season will also feature film night, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Princess Bride. Tickets for the season will go onsale to members on March 7, and March 16 for the general public, available here.

  • Bad Bunny Announces Tour, Yankee Stadium Concert in August and Latin America Tour in October

    Global superstar, Bad Bunny will begin his first stadium tour this August of 2022. Promoted by Live Nation and CMN, “Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour”, will be first located in cities across the U.S. including a stop at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, followed by Latin America in October.

    "Bad Bunny: World's Hottest Tour"

    The artist has already pushed boundaries by breaking the record at Ticketmaster, in April 2021 for the most tickets sales for a tour on its first day, when promoting his “El Último Tour Del Mundo 2022”. Additionally, for a consecutive second year in a row, Bad Bunny has been proclaimed to be the most listened to artist in the world on Spotify. Furthermore, he earned the title of #1 Latin Artist in the U.S. by Billboard for three consecutive years. With that being said, there is no doubt that, “Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour”, will be a huge success and transcend his career.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP4aY8kzK44

    Bad Bunny will be joined by Grammy nominated DJ and Record Producer, Alesso, along with ten-time Grammy nominated artist, Diplo.

    The “Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour” will stop at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx on August 27. By Wednesday, January 26, pre-sale tickets for the tour will begin at 12 pm. Subsequently, they will go on sale to the general public by Friday, January 28 at 12pm on worldshottesttour.com.

    Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest TourUnited States Tour Dates

    “Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour” 

    United States Tour Dates

    5-Aug Orlando, FL Camping World Stadium

    9-Aug Atlanta, GA Truist Park^

    12-Aug Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium^ – SOLD OUT

    13-Aug Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium> – ADDED DATE

    18-Aug Boston, MA Fenway Park^

    20-Aug Chicago, IL  Soldier Field

    23-Aug Washington, DC Nationals Park^

    27-Aug New York, NY Yankee Stadium> – SOLD OUT

    28-Aug New York, NY Yankee Stadium> – ADDED DATE

    1-Sept Houston, TX Minute Maid Park^ – SOLD OUT

    2-Sept Houston, TX Minute Maid Park^ – ADDED DATE

    7-Sept San Antonio, TX Alamodome^

    9-Sept Dallas, TX AT&T Stadium^

    14-Sept Oakland, CA RingCentral Coliseum^

    17-Sept San Diego, CA PETCO Park^ – SOLD OUT

    18-Sept San Diego, CA PETCO Park^ – ADDED DATE

    23-Sept Las Vegas, NV Allegiant Stadium^ – SOLD OUT

    24-Sept Las Vegas, NV Allegiant Stadium^ – ADDED DATE

    28-Sept Phoenix, AZ Chase Field^

    30-Sept Los Angeles, CA SoFi Stadium> – SOLD OUT

    1-Oct Los Angeles, CA SoFi Stadium> – ADDED DATE

    ^ with special guest Alesso  

    > with special guest Diplo 

    Latin America Tour Dates

    Date City/Country Venue

    21-Oct Santo Domingo, DR Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez

    28-Oct Santiago, Chile  Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos

    4-Nov Buenos Aires, Argentina Estadio de Vélez – José Amalfitani

    11-Nov Asuncion, Paraguay Estadio La Nueva Olla

    13-Nov Lima, Peru Estadio Nacional

    16-Nov Quito, Ecuador Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa

    18-Nov Medellin, Colombia Estadio Atanasio Girardot

    22-Nov Panama City, Panama Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez

    24-Nov San Jose, Costa Rica Estadio Nacional

    26-Nov San Salvador, El Salvador Estadio Cuscatlán

    29-Nov San Pedro Sula, Honduras Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano

    1-Dec Guatemala City, Guatemala Explanada Cardales de Cayalá

    3-Dec Monterrey, Mexico Estadio BBVA

    9-Dec Mexico City, Mexico Estadio Azteca

  • In Focus: Evanescence and Halestorm Tour Concludes at Prudential Center

    On January 21st, 2022, Halestorm and Evanescence finished their rocking tour at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The energy of the crowd was just as strong as the leading ladies that graced the stage for both bands, to say the least.

    Evanescence brings the house down at the Prudential Center in Newark NJ. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

    Halestorm started their set off with their newest single “Back From The Dead”. The whole show took off from there. With breathtaking vocals and her ability to shred on the guitar, Lzzy Hale is a force to be reckoned with.

    Because of Hale’s abilities, you’d imagine it would be hard to match her aura. However, with a blend between the astonishing guitar skills and presence of Joe Hottinger, the unbelievable mix between ease and heavy hitting rock by Josh Smith on both bass and keys and the incomparable talent and charisma of Lzzy’s younger brother Arejay Hale on the drums, they come pretty close. The four performers blend together to create the perfect Storm.

    Their set included a surprise appearance by Evanescence’s Amy Lee as she and Lzzy sang Halestorm’s “Break In” while Hale played piano. A hauntingly beautiful duet between the two powerhouses. After that, they went right back at it creating an atmosphere in which 11 songs did not feel like enough.

    Evanescence Halestorm
    The powerhouse, Lzzy Hale of Halestorm, shreds her way through the fans in Newark NJ. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki.

    Then, it was time to bask in the excellence that is Evanescence.

    This was not the bands first rodeo by far. However, it had the same thrill as if the band was playing their first show. Amy’s powerful vocals are intoxicating. bandmembers Tim McCord, Will Hunt, Troy McLawhorn and Jen Majura create a feeling where you know they are just as close off the stage as they are on. Their talent and energy is strong enough to showcase their own talents while at the same time adding to Amy. During the show, the audience was graced with another beautiful duet as Lzzy came back to perform a cover of Linkin Park’s Heavy with Lee.

    The crowd at the Prudential Center were witnesses to some of the best rock and roll around. Nobody else will be able to recreate the power of this show. That is unless, the two bands decide to tour together again. If they do, run to get those tickets and be prepared to watch history be made again.

    Evanescence Halestorm
    Lzzy Hale, Arejay Hale and Josh Smith of Halestorm in Newark New Jersey. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

    Halestorm Setlist: Back From the Dead, Love Bites (So Do I), Apocalyptic, I Get Off, I Am the Fire, Break In (with Amy Lee), Amen, Drum Solo, Freak Like Me, Uncomfortable, I Miss the Misery

    Evanescence Setlist: Broken Pieces Shine, Made of Stone, Take Cover, Going Under, Lose Control, The Change, Lithium, Wasted on You, Part of Me, End of the Dream, Far from Heaven, Better Without You, Call Me When You’re Sober, Imaginary, Heavy (Linkin Park Cover with Lzzy Hale), Use My Voice, Bring Me To Life
    Encore: My Immortal, Blind Belief

  • Buffalo Native Willie Nile Heads To The Linda in February, 4 more stops in NYS this summer and Fall

    Buffalo native Willie Nile will be coming to Albany to play at The Linda on February 18 and will be performing his new album The Day The Earth Stood Still.

    willie nile
    The Day The Earth Stood Still album cover.

    Nile used lockdown as a basis for his album. After seeing the boarded-up streets of Manhattan, he grew inspired. Speaking of the inspiration Nile said this:

    I have a storage space near the Holland Tunnel, and normally on a Friday night at rush hour, it can take an hour to move five blocks. But one Friday night last June…I realized that there wasn’t a car in sight, and that I could have laid down in the middle of the street without anyone noticing. The title The Day the Earth Stood Still hit me, and I carried it around in my head for awhile, and eventually it sparked this set of songs.

    Nile grew up in Buffalo, and in the early ‘70s, he moved down to NYC, where his music career started to take off. He earned national status with a series of albums, and his independent indie work added to his fame.

    Willie Nile, photo by Cristina Arrigoni.

    Nile has racked up many famous fans, including Bruce Springsteen and Pete Townshend, both of whom he has toured with on different occasions.

    After all these years I’m still feeling the passion and the power and the pull of rock ’n’ roll as a way out, as a vehicle that can offer salvation and redemption and joy in this crazy-ass world. Here’s to more music and magic on the road ahead!

    Willie Nile

    The Day The Earth Stood Still combines all the elements of rock and punk, mixed with the passion of going through a pandemic. Produced by Stewart Lerman, who worked with Elvis Costello and Mumford and Sons, the album is described as “magical.”

    Willie Nile and Steve Earle, photo by Cristina Arrigoni.

    Willie Nile will be coming to The Linda in Albany on February 18 to play his new album live, as well as other fan favorites with some rarities mixed in. Tickets can be found here.

    Willie Nile 2022 Tour Dates

    Fri., June 25  STANHOPE, NJ Stanhope House. 

    Fri., July 2  BOSTON, MA City Winery

    Sat., July 10  RED BANK, NJ  The Vogel at Count Basie Theater for the Arts. Two shows: 4 & 8 p.m. 4 p.m.—40th Anniversary Show for Willie’s second album, Golden Down, featuring the whole album played top to bottom plus several fan favorites. 8 p.m.—Willie’s eponymous first release played in its entirety (41st Anniversary) followed by different fan favorites.

    Sat., July 17  PIERMONT, NY  Turning Point (solo; two shows)

    Thurs., July 22   RIDGEFIELD, MA  (outdoor show)

    Sat., July 24  AVIS, PA  WQBR Radio gig; outdoor show

    Fri., Aug. 13  EGREMONT, MA  The Barn. (duo show)

    Sat., Aug. 21 TARRYTOWN, NY  Tarrytown Theater, 

    Sun., Aug. 22  NEW YORK, NY  City Winery (new album release show)

    Sat., Aug. 28  WASHINGTON DC The Hamilton 

    Wed., Sept. 1  WOODBRIDGE, NJ   Woodbridge HS Fields. 1 Samuel Lupo Place. Free show

    Sat., Oct. 2  BEACON, NY  Towne Crier 

    Sat., Oct. 16  THREE OAKS, MI Acorn Theater. 

    Sun., Oct. 17  EVANSTON / CHICAGO, IL  SPACE 

    Mon., Oct. 18  ANN ARBOR, MI  The Ark 

    Fri., Nov. 19  HOLYOKE, MA  Gateway Theater

  • Happy Birthday to Alicia Keys, The Girl on Fire

    Happy 41st Birthday to the 15-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer and much more Alicia Keys! Born on January 25th 1981 in Hell’s Kitchen, Alicia Augello Cook made a name for herself at the young age of 15 and professionally became known as Alicia Keys.

    Alicia Keys

    Back in 2001 Alicia Keys released her first album ‘Songs in a Minor’ with hit single ‘Fallin’ which led her to her first of many Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.

    Selling over 65 million records and becoming the #1 RIAA certified Female R&B artist of the millennium, Keys has become the title of her hit song ‘Girl on Fire.’

    On December 10th 2021, Alicia Keys released her double-album Keys making this the eighth album for her career. Artists Brandi Carlile, Lil Wayne, Swae Lee, Pusha T, Khalid and Lucky Daye joined forces with Keys to help her produce the 26 track double-album. Last month Key’s released a new official music video of one of her songs off the album, Old Memories.

    I could feel the power of Alicia’s presence even before she belted out the first soulful notes of the lyrics that made her famous—‘I keep on fallin’ in and out of love with you.’ I knew she had all those sparkling qualities that make stars shine. More important, Alicia has navigated the spotlight and pressures of fame while retaining a humble and beautiful spirit. I am honored she chose to share her personal story through my imprint.

    -Oprah Winfrey

    Diving further into a successful career, Keys reveals to the world an insight of her journey from self-censorship to full expression with a New York Times Bestseller book, More Myself. The part autobiography and part narrative documentary writes a 360-degree perspective of author Alicia Key’s life and journey with her experience with those who have walked alongside her.

    Alicia Keys continues to live life inspiring others with her music and writing – be sure to catch Keys on tour this summer with her new album! Happy Birthday Alicia Keys!

  • Umphrey’s McGee Covers Ween, Shreds Through Top Notch Show at The Palace Theatre in Albany

    Having performed in the Capital District 11 times since 2003, Umphrey’s McGee performed their most cohesive show in the region to date, a dialed in performance at the Palace Theatre in Albany on Saturday, January 22 that brought out the heavy hitters, a few bust outs and an audience that was immensely appreciative.

    If opening the show with “Cemetery Walk” didn’t set a tone for the evening, the 14+ minute “Booth Love” that followed certainly did. “Make it Right” and the relatively new “Suxity” followed, segueing nicely into a classic version of “The Floor.” From there, the piano stylings of Joel Cummins were front and center for “Salamander Strut,” a tune that has not been played this decade, let alone this century – the last performance coming in 1999, a gap of more than 2400 shows.

    And if a 23 year bust-out didn’t get your attention, a rare cover over Ween’s “Even If You Don’t” followed, marking the second time the band has played it, and third overall if you count the Godboner set from Summer Camp 2015. “Anchor Drops” -> “Mulche’s Odyssey” rounded out a cohesive 66 minute set, leaving the audience cheering for more.

    And more they would get. Opening up the second set with pure rock anthem “Attachments, with a high energy shredding jam to follow that segued into “Glory.” “The Crooked One” featured a tease of The Police’s “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” transitioning seamlessly into “It Doesn’t Matter,” each song clocking in at over 12 minutes a piece.

    “The Silent Type” followed, with a low key tribute to Albany’s roots in “The Fussy Dutchman,” followed by a patiently built “JaJunk” which built into an all time great thumping dance session. For the encore, the companion to the opener, “Cemetery Walk II” featured guitarist Brendan Bayliss joining Cummins on keys, a rare treat that put an exclamation point on the Umphrey’s best show in nearly two decades worth of Capital Region performances.

    Setlist via Allthings.Umphreys.com. Download or stream the show on Nugs.net.

    Umphrey’s McGee – Palace Theatre, Albany – January 22, 2022

    Set 1: Cemetery Walk > Booth Love > Make It Right, Suxity > The Floor, Salamander Strut > Even If You Don’t, Anchor Drops > Mulche’s Odyssey

    Set 2: Attachments > Glory > The Crooked One[1]-> It Doesn’t Matter > The Silent Type, The Fussy Dutchman, JaJunk

    Encore: Cemetery Walk II
    [1] with Wrapped Around Your Finger (The Police) tease

    Photos by Zak Radick

  • Alexa Dark finds herself on new single “Ungrateful”

    NYC-based artist Alexa Dark owns up to her mistakes in her new dreamy alt-country single and video for “Ungrateful.”

    Alexa Dark

    Raised between Barcelona, Munich, and London, Dark began writing songs at an early age, influenced by a wide range of artists, from Jack White to Patsy Kline.

    Alexa Dark’s new single, “Ungrateful.”

    Dark lived on both the west and east coasts and uses her experiences on both coasts to write her music. Dark explores the depth of her music, offering new singles like “Fade to Black and Blue” and “Blind Faith.” The song is produced by Matt Chiaravalle and mastered by Grammy-award winner Emily Lazar who has worked with the likes of Beck and Haim.

    Through the single, she admits to mistakes as she navigates the highs and lows of growing up, through her dreamy vocals and relaxed guitar.

    “Ungrateful” started off as a voice memo of me strumming the guitar. I wanted to bottle up the feelings brewing inside of me – feeling unsteady and unsure in my life, yet feeling like I had to figure it all out perfectly. Simultaneously navigating a night out and sifting through my past, “Ungrateful” became a kind of reclamation, an anti-apology, telling the world (and more importantly, myself) to accept my mistakes, because I’m never going to grow if I’m too scared to make them.

    Alexa Dark

    The new single “Ungrateful” by NYC-based artist Alexa Dark is out now and can be streamed here.

  • In Focus: Chris Pierce, Live at Caffe Lena

    This past Friday, Chris Pierce stopped by Caffe Lena and put on a passionate show for a small, but excited Saratoga crowd. The singer/songwriter recently released his latest album titled ‘American Silence,’ from which he performed a number of songs. Chris opened his set with the title track of his new album, and this set the tone for the evening. He sang soulfully, shared personal stories, and welcomed the crowd in to his world for over an hour and a half.

    Chris Pierce

    Chris also played the song ‘It’s Been Burning For a While.’ The song perfectly highlights his abilities as a musician and a lyricist. Chris put his vocal control on display all night, ranging from pained whispers to powerful roars. Chris even told a story of a childhood vocal coach who would, kindly, hit students in the stomach while attempting to hold out a note. The emotion and tone of his voice were allowed to breath all night, as Chris accompanied his voice only with his guitar, and on occasion a harmonica.

    Chris Pierce heads to the West Coast next, and you can see all his future tour dates on his website.

    Setlist: American Silence, The Bridge of John, Chain Gang Fourth of July, Sound All the Bells, Static Trampoline, Let Me Be Your Sunshine, Young Black and Beautiful, We Can Always Come Back to This, Stand By Me (Ben E. King), Are Your Beautiful, Invisible People, Residential School, It’s Been Burning for a While, Call it a Day

  • Local Midwest Band, Umphrey’s McGee, Celebrates 24 years at Landmark Theatre, Still Doing OK

    Umphrey’s McGee came to Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre on Friday, January 21 for a special evening, as the date marked their first gig as a band 24 years ago. The band told the crowd about their first gig where “the power went out,” but tonight the electricity was synchronicity in Syracuse. 

    They came full circle and treated their fans from their Midwest home in Chicago to the frigid Syracuse Landmark, playing their first album Local Band Does OK, in its entirety, and notably included a nod to the start of their tour with “The Empire State.” The excitement shared during soundcheck brought this night to life, as the Landmark was filled with ambient tones and occasional Eddie Van Halen riffs from Jake Cinninger, who also played a Duane Allman-esque slide guitar during “Partyin’ Peeps” before heading to the encore of “Slacker.”

    Actor Vince Vaughn once celebrated John Lennon’s birthday at the Hotel Syracuse,  just around the corner from the Landmark, where Lennon held his 31st birthday with guests including Ringo Starr. Whether Umphrey’s knew this fact or not, they version of “Ringo”  evoked a younger image of Vaughn in his Rudy character, with a full set of pads and gold helmet in the crowd at the Landmark, whose gold walls resonated the vibe as well. With the band hailing from South Bend, IN, Umphrey’s has offered no let up for nearly a quarter century – “It’s the last practice of the year and these guys are playing like it’s the Super Bowl!”  

    Umphrey’s McGee – Landmark Theatre, Syracuse – January 21, 2022

    Setlist via Allthings.Umphreys.com

    Set 1: Andy’s Last Beer, Uncle Wally, Hurt Bird Bath, Headphones & Snowcones, Ringo, Blue Echo > The Empire State[1], White Man’s Moccasins

    Set 2: Prowler > 2nd Self, Roulette, Dough Bro > Water > Nothing Too Fancy, I Don’t Know What I Want[2], Partyin’ Peeps

    Encore: Slacker

    [1] with Brendan on percussion

    [2] debut, original

  • Will Forte Returns to Saturday Night Live with Måneskin as Musical Guest

    Saturday Night Live stirred up one of their own mighty veterans as Will Forte, complemented with music guest and recent rockstar Måneskin for the January 22 episode. Forte used the monologue to announce the upcoming second season of MacGruber after its official beginnings on SNL back when he was still a cast member.

    Reminiscing on his olden days, Will Forte opened up about his misfortunes waiting for his special moment to host after watching his colleagues Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Fred Armisten, and Jason Sudeikis already do so. Finally, after 12 years, we get to see Will’s face, of course that was too soon joined by an appearance from Kristen Wiig and upcoming host Willem DeFoe, who Will was mistaken for after Lorne Michael’s phone had autocorrected “Willem.”

    The show started with a cold open Fox News update from Kate McKinnon interviewing Aidy Bryant’s Senator Ted Cruz and Pete Davidson as Novak Djokovic, an unvaccinated tennis player. Senator Ted Cruz urged us to book our Cancún vacations today, escaping this horrid New York winter. 

    MacGruber came back tonight alongside his longtime friend Kristen Wiig. Except this sketch had been modified to our current climate and Will Forte sported a cut open mask to then detonate his iconic bomb. 

    Mark Zazz (Will Forte) hosted Kid Klash, a show where Aidy Bryant had to find the flag at the bottom of the whipped cream pie, cross the slippery monkey bars above nacho cheese sauce to her shrimp parents. 

    On hiatus from their international nomination for Best Song of the Year for the 2022 Brit Awards, Måneskin rocked “Beggin” in a patterned white head-to-toe suit. Full faced, featuring a signature silver smokey eye, Damiano David showed us how he won our hearts winning Eurovision and later at the American Music Awards last year. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8CKvsKbrK0

    ‘Cinema Classics’ was welcomed by Keenan Thompson and gaslit by Will Forte. Kate Mckinnon played his wife who was gaslighted around gaslights.

    Måneskin came back for more with “I Wanna Be Your Slave.” A new flowered covered dazzling suit brought him to his knees whining beneath his guitarist Thomas Raggi just before luring the audience back in. Prancing about the stage with bassist Victoria De Angelis, he had us dancing until the end of the night. His performance on MTV UK sported a similar look this past November. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59MJbfNTUXs

    Earlier in the night Pete Davidson had stole some hearts on weekend update gloating with Weekend Update’s Colin Jost after purchasing a Staten Island Ferry soon to remodel as a nightclub.

    SNL returns with William DeFoe, alongside Katy Perry next Friday, January 29th.

Built in Breakdance