On Friday, July 29, Beyoncé dropped her seventh studio album, Renaissance, to the delight of her fans worldwide. The album is the first act of a trilogy project from the singer, who dedicated the record to her family, via Instagram.
Renaissance Album Cover
Renaissance, just as Beyoncé penned to fans, is surely an album of empowerment, exploration, and creativity full of hype songs to let loose to. The famous performer and mother wrote the album during the COVID-19 pandemic in the hope it would provide a safe space “to scream, release, [and] feel freedom.” With the 16 songs coming in at just over an hour, the new album does just that.
The first track, “I’m That Girl,” opens a hint at the album, providing listeners with multiple overlays, repetitive chants, and Beyoncé’s familiar vocals and empowering lyrics. “Cozy,” brings an entirely sultry new beat, where Beyoncé passionately sings, “comfortable in my skin / cozy with who I am.” Much of the album celebrates self-love and incorporates and honors so many different styles of dance music.
The popstar unapologetically explores multiple genres on her album – the first full release since her critically acclaimed Lemonade release – with inspiration from hip-hop, trap, techno, rap, and much more. “Break My Soul,” the first single released off the new album dropped in June and gives listeners a taste of her house music style with a sample of Robin S’s “Show Me Love” hit.
In addition to different samples from various artists, the album also features a great line-up. Fans can listen in for the collaborations of Grace Jones, Beam, and Tems. Beyoncé plays with her sound, lyrics, and creative inclusions, making the album the perfect release for the rest of the summer. It would not be surprising to see snippets of the album start trending across social media platforms.
The record is varied, offering the best beats to energize and dance in front of the mirror no matter who is watching. With a vocal range and energetic sound which fans have come to hope for from the star, Beyoncé continues to assert her domination in the industry with this newest release.
Key tracks: Break My Soul, Virgo’s Groove, I’m That Girl
Classic rock legend Lita Ford brought her heavy metal music from yesteryear to the “L”in Horseheads on Friday, July 22nd in front of a very excited crowd. Her line up consists of herself, Patrick Kennison (guitar), Bobby Rock (drums) and newly acquired bassist Martin Anderson.
photo by Tammy Peer
Since her early days with Joan Jett in the Runaways, Lita once again proved she hasn’t lost her touch at 64 years young, she can still take control of the venue and crowd. Getting away from the traditional structured tours Lita now plays as a ‘hired gun” playing for festivals, events and stand alone shows nationwide.
The last time Lita was in the Southern Tier was opening up for Vince Neil at Tags in Big Flats in 2019. Tonight it was her show and her solid lineup that took no prisoners. Just coming in from a show in Iowa, the stop in the Southern Teir at the “L” was before heading off to South Butler, PA and all points west.
photo by Charlie Berch
The set was a mixture of her entire career with some of her top hits, “Kiss Me Deadly, “Hungry” and “Close my eyes forever” with guitarist Patrick Kennison singing the Ozzy Osbourne part of the lyrics and “Cherry Bomb” from her Runways days. Also a huge hit that night was her version of Elton John’s “Bitch is Back.” It does not look like the ‘Queen of Metal’ is ready to slow down anytime soon. To find other Lita Ford shows this year visit her website.
Legendary Burlington, VT bar and music venue Nectar’s is officially in a new hands thanks to a recent change in ownership. ElmThreeProductions founder Edward Maier, along with an investor group who shares a passion for music, have purchased Nectar’s with plans to not only preserve the history of this local landmark but also update the capabilities of the venue to current technology standards.
Under the new ownership Nectar’s and it’s connecting space Metronome will maintain its reputation for booking local, regional, and national musical acts. The technology upgrades are set to include new lighting, 4K streaming capabilities and a podcast studio partnering with Osiris Media.
Maier and ElmThreeProductions are teaming up with Matt Kolinski, founder and agent at Omni Arts Group, who has an extensive history in the jam world, having worked with artists like Goose and Spafford previously. This merger will reestablish the Nectar’s Presents entity and bring in their talent buying, promotions, and management clients. Nectar’s Presents will now expand into a talent buying and management branch focused on emerging musicians as well as promoting musical acts in venues throughout the region.
Brett Fairbrother, former manager or Strangefolk, RAQ, guest service director of the Capitol Theater in Port Chester and talent buyer for Garcia’s bar, will also oversee the talent buying for Nectar’s and Metronome, further strengthening the venue’s musical ties.
As a huge supporter of live music and Phish fan, I couldn’t think of a better venue to co-own, while leveraging the name for a new talent management agency with Matt Kolinski. Nectar’s and Metronome have been a staple in my life for catching a show and discovering artists.
Ed Maier, managing partner for Nectar’s and Nectar’s Presents
The talent management arm under the Nectar’s Presents umbrella will be called APON Artists and will include musicians from both the Omni Arts Group and A.F.T Artist rosters as well.
ElmThree Productions is the creator of the “Jams on The Sand” for Asbury Park’s Convention Hall and has established itself as an independent promoter for venues such as Asbury Park, NJ’s The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, The Saint and Atlantic City’s Bourbon Room (Formerly House of Blues Atlantic City).
Earth Wind and Fire played in Lewiston at Artpark on Sunday July 31st. Earth, Wind & Fire is an American R&B band formed in Chicago, in 1969 and led by founder Maurice White. Also known as EWF, or the Elements of the Universe, the band has won seven Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards.
They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.They have sold over 90 million albums worldwide earning them a place on the list of best-selling music artists where they are ranked as the seventh best selling American band of all time. Earth Wind and Fire are currently on tour with Santana and touring all over the states this summer.
Sunset at Artpark.
The show was a near sellout with a capacity at Artpark near 10,000 people. With that said, some fans had a good experience and others, not so much, but it really depends when you arrived at the show. Prior to the show, the venue posted online many times to arrive early and expect heavy traffic and they were 100% correct. Those fans that arrived early, just as the gates opened, found parking and got in the venue prior to showtime. But those that did not heed the advice of the venue were waiting at the entrance for awhile after the show started.
The start of the show was delayed 15 minutes due to the amount of people still in line. There were various sections for fans to watch the show from. Front of stage area, marked seats by the soundboard, lower bowl and general admission seats. Fans were allowed to bring in lawn chairs to sit and watch the whole show. That helped a-lot as the average age in attendance seemed to be around 60 years old.
Gates opened at 6pm and the opener went on at around 6:30pm. This was not a typical opening band. The Brass Machine wondered their way around the crowd instead of playing on the stage. Fans seemed to enjoy this as they could directly interact with the band. The Brass Machine (formerly the Buffalo Brass Machine) is the one of the premiere touring acts on the live music circuit today, laying down funky New Orleans-style street beats across the United States and Canada. Formed in 2014 at the University at Buffalo, The Brass Machine provides a unique blend of hip hop, funk, and R&B, all in an infectious and energetic package.
Three original members of Earth Wind and Fire. photo credit- Mike Miller
Earth Wind and Fire took the stage at 8:15pm and played for about an hour and 45 minutes. There are only three original members left in the band. Phillip Bailey on lead vocals, Verdine White on bas and Ralph Johnson on percussion and backup vocals. They have been making music since 1972, celebrating 50 years in 2022. The rest of the band is comprised of Myron McKinley on keyboard, John Paris on drums, Phillip Bailey Jr. doing backup vocals and percussion, Morris O’Connor on lead guitar, Serg Dimitrjevic on rhythm guitar and B. David Whitworth on percussion and backup vocals.
photo credit- Mike Miller
They played all of their hits and then some, including “Shining Star,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove” and “September.” You could not ask for better weather for an outdoor concert. The sun setting over Artpark gave fans a great backdrop to the concert with the Niagara River and lower gorge behind the stage. Many fans of the band were seen outside of the venue sitting in their chairs along the road into the Village of Lewiston as the concert could be heard from that far away. Beside the normal heavy concert traffic for an event like this, many fans enjoyed the show.
photo credit- Mike Miller
Earth Wind and Fire – Artpark, Lewiston, NY – Sunday, July 31, 2022
Setlist: Shining Star, Let Your Feelings Show, Mighty Mighty/Celebrate, Gataway, Saturday Night, Serpentine Fire, Sing a Song, Got to Get You Into My Life, Sing a Message to You, Keep Your Head to the Sky, Devotion, Reasons, That’s the Way of the World, After the Love Has Gone, Rock That, Fantasy, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, September, In the Stone
Phish continued their Summer 2022 tour as they rolled into Columbia, Maryland for a weekend run at Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP)
Fans got their first look at the venues upgrades from the renovations in 2018. The raised canopy and improved sound system is a major upgrade if you’re on the lawn, the sightlines in the pavillion have also improved. They have also added a “Skylawn” if you’re looking for an almost pavilion like lawn experience, if you can manage to get in there early. The one thing they forgot to improve were the bathrooms, as the wait could take a good 30 minutes.
A bit light on the improv, Phish leaned on a mix of classics along with some surprises deep from their catalog for the first night of the run on a beautiful, but hot, Maryland summer night. The night started off with “Sand” to get things cooking. Next was an always welcomed “If I Could”, before throwing things back into high gear for the heart of the set with “Buried Alive”, “Set Your Soul Free” and “Llama”. Next Page took over with a “Halfway to the Moon” as the sun set. The song featured some improv for the first time in the song’s history as the jam melted into “Shafty.”
Afterwards was a take on The Brothers Johnson classic “Strawberry Letter 23”, which again, the band took the song out for an extended spin for the very first time. They made the perfect call to end the set with a Lizards, and not a person in the building disagreed with it.
The second set started out focusing more on the songs before loosening into a slippier fourth quarter. “First Tube” started the set off and had the venue pumping. Next up was a “Fuego” that included some of the better improv of the night. After was a solid combo of “Sigma Oasis” and “Prince Caspian.” The peak of the show was next with “Waves,” “Meastick” > “Simple. “
“Waves” was the another fantastic jam, and the “Meatstick” was one of the better versions they have played in some time. The band linked up like a funk Voltron and it felt like we were back in 1998. “Meatstick” oozed into a ‘Simple” that was sublime. Simple turned into “The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony,” which turned into a rocking “Suzy Greenberg” to wrap the set up. The encore started with a fun “Alumni Blues” > “Letter to Jimmy Page” > “Alumni Blues” and ended with a rocking “Character Zero.”
Knowing not to miss a Sunday show, Phish fans returned to MPP for a show with on-again, off-again rain throughout the day, best described as “alternately annoying, refreshing, fun, beautiful, obnoxious, baptizing, cleansing, cold, healing, and joyous” by phan @ZZBenz.
Set one began and ended with 15 minutes versions of “A Wave of Hope” and “Ghost,” respectively. Prior to “Ghost,” Mike Gordon Band’s “Mull” took a surprise turn as a jam vehicle, stretching out farther than many expected, and segued neatly into the Junta composition, “Foam.”
Prior to playing a Set two opening “Halley’s Comet,” Trey and Mike briefly teased “Those Were the Days” (All in the Family theme). A long-awaited “Tweezer” featured a jam on “All Along the Watchtower” before delving into a unique final seven minutes of improvisation. After a jump to “Wingsuit,” a little bit more “Tweezer” was played before working into “Birds of a Feather.” A rare second set “Taste” gave way to “What’s the Use?” which had Trey ‘holding the note’ in a “Divided Sky” manner. A combo of “The Howling” and “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” closed the set, with a three song encore of “Show of Life,” “Loving Cup” and “Tweezer Reprise” to wrap up another Sunday show at MPP.
Phish keep the tour moving to the beautiful Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, then Clarkston, MI at Pine Knob Music Center, before returning to the East Coast for three nights in Atlantic City over August 5-7.
Phish – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD – Saturday, July 30, 2022
Soundcheck: My Soul, Fluffhead
Set 1: Sand, If I Could, Buried Alive > Set Your Soul Free > Llama, Halfway to the Moon -> Shafty, Strawberry Letter 23 -> The Lizards
Set 2: First Tube > Fuego > Sigma Oasis > Prince Caspian > Waves > Meatstick -> Simple > The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg
Encore: Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues > Character Zero
The jam out of Halfway to the Moon contained Shafty lyrics from Trey and Page and teases from Trey and Mike. Mike teased Miss You (Rolling Stones) in Strawberry Letter 23 and Flash Light in Character Zero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA-N7BMMrjI
Phish – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD – Sunday, July 31, 2022
Set 1: A Wave of Hope, Dogs Stole Things, AC/DC Bag > Sparkle > Back on the Train, Mull > Foam, Ghost
Set 2: Halley’s Comet > Tweezer > Wingsuit > Tweezer > Birds of a Feather, Joy > Taste > What’s the Use?, The Howling > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Encore: Show of Life, Loving Cup > Tweezer Reprise
Mike teased Twenty Years Later in Ghost. Mike and Trey teased Those Were the Days before Halley’s Comet.
Dan Snaith, a.k.a. Caribou, returned to New York City on Thursday, July 28th for a show at City Parks Foundation SummerStage in Central Park. The show was free, and drew a capacity crowd on a hot and sweaty night in the city. The night filled out with DJ sets from Toribio as well as a performance from experimental electronic artist Ela Minus. Check out the full photo gallery below from Caribou’s set.
Caribou, Central Park SummerStage, 7/28/22. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Caribou was in NYC last November for a three show run at Brooklyn Steel; those shows being rescheduled from an earlier COVID-induced postponement. For these shows, Caribou is joined by three band members who relentlessly flush out Caribou’s live sound. Dan joins in as a second drummer for various songs, including the lengthy jam during fan-favorite song “Sun”, creating a dense layer of percussions behind the electronic elements.
Caribou, Central Park SummerStage, 7/28/22. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Caribou’s tour continues through August and September with shows across Europe before returning to California at the end of September, including a show at The Hollywood Bowl in support of Jamie XX. The lengthy tour schedule over the past ten months has all been in support of Caribou’s excellent fifth LP Suddenly; released back in 2020 on Merge Records. The album sees Caribou at his most proficient, especially in the live presentation. Head over to their website to see the full tour details.
Buffalo-based recording artist Mindy Davey released her newest pop and hip-hop single, “Destiny,” earlier this summer which grew out of her story of addiction and eventual recovery. The artist and full-time mom hopes her music inspires people to find purpose and brings about more awareness.
Davey began playing music before the age of 10. Her love of the craft helped her through some of the toughest times, including her four-year battle with opiates and arrest for possession in 2012. The singer-songwriter found out she was pregnant with her daughter while in rehabilitation. This experience pushed her forward, led her back to music, and she now dedicates her time to helping others. In a few short months, Davey will celebrate 10 years of sobriety.
Mindy Davey and her daughter, who saved her life. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey
Davey began writing the energizing and inspirational track “Destiny” with producer and vocal coach Mama Jan. The duo worked on the piece with weekly video calls until the track was ready to be recorded and finalized in Atlanta, Georgia, at Jan Smith Studios. Jesse Owen Astin also contributed to production on the track.
Davey in 2012 after her arrest. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey
Davey graciously took the time to answer some questions about her music and her story, via email. Here are some of her thoughts.
Abigail Baughan: What advice do you give to those maybe going through tough times or struggling with addiction?
Mindy Davey: Honestly, the biggest thing for me was getting rid of anyone or anything that triggered me to use or brought me down in any way. When we’re going through tough times the last thing we want is toxic people or an environment to make things even worse. So finding that positive outlet, surrounding yourself with good people, and a good environment that will inspire, keep you grounded and bring you up is key to happiness and change within your life.
AB: How has music contributed to your healing process and the way you view the world?
MD: It was everything to my healing process. If I had any urge to use at all I’d pick my guitar up and write about it. I’d just sing and use music to really take away those urges. So music is truly everything to me and I firmly believe music can heal the world.
AB: What do you hope audiences take away from listening to the track?
MD: I really hope people feel happy and inspired in some way. I wrote it about everything that’s happened along the way from my addiction, recovery, my daughter, and just who I am as a person. I hope when people listen to it, it helps them find their own destiny and understand their own path and journey to what they’re meant to be.
Davey in the recording studio. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey
To listen to more of Mindy Davey’s music, and keep up with her story, follow her on Facebook and Instagram. She is currently working on her upcoming album, Destiny, out later this year, and planning a show at Lost Music Studios in Jamestown for September 17. Audiences can expect a performance of new music, covers, and celebration.
On Friday, July 29, indie and alternative R&B artist Charlie Burg released his newest single, “Ohh! Sumthin’ New” from his upcoming debut album, Infinitely Tall, out on August 19.
Photo credit: Dannah Gottlieb
The artist was born in Detroit, Michigan but previously studied at Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music, and is now based out of Brooklyn. His upcoming album, Infinitely Tall, takes place across three spaces: Burg’s childhood home in Detroit, his beloved college house in Syracuse, and finally his experiences in NYC.
In the single, “Ohh! Sumthin’ New,” Burg explores the story of a character yearning for fresh and authentic experiences. With upbeat instrumentation and lyrics which critically examine the world around him, the track entices while simultaneously offering deeper meaning.
Of the track, Burg shares that it “celebrates and laments the rootlessness of youth … the world of social media makes the protagonist feel like a poser and a fraud, mostly because of how much they subscribe to and partake in its evils. The protagonist desperately wants a change of pace, which is ironic in the face of their desire for solid ground to stand on.”
Painting: Charlie Burg / Editing: Corinne Ferman
With soft vocals and acoustic guitar suddenly transformed by the sounds of electric guitar,”Ohh! Sumthin’ New” takes listeners through a whirlwind. Burg incorporates unexpected backing vocals, sounds, and lyrics to keep you guessing and embodies the phrase “a change of pace.”
Burg’s previous releases, including “Channel Orange in Your Living Room” and “I Don’t Wanna Be Okay Without You,” garnered him much attention, but his upcoming release marks a new shift in sound and ambition for the artist. The young 25-year-old expands on his previous works and leaves nothing behind in this new record.
Burg will hit the road this fall across the EU, UK, and North America in support of the upcoming release from September through November. Get tickets now via charlieburg.world. To see the complete list of U.S. tour dates, see below.
On August 4, Playhouse Stage Company continues its Summer 2022 season with an engaging musical, The Wedding Singer, based on the hit Adam Sandler movie of the same name at Park Playhouse.
The show, performed by Playhouse Stage Academy students, will run at Park Playhouse from August 4 to 20, Tuesday through Saturday, beginning at 8 pm. Earlier in the season, audiences enjoyed Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids at the iconic Cohoes Music Hall and can look forward to the show Pete (her) Pan coming the last week of August at the venue.
Playhouse Stage Company recently undertook the responsibility of managing Cohoes Music Hall in 2020 but originally began summer productions in Washington Park in Albany in 1989. After drawing large crowds with free, outdoor programming, the amphitheater was built facing the lake to accommodate 1,500 people.
Washington Park Lakehouse
In 2017, the stage company expanded its programming from just the summer season to all-year-around performances occurring both at Cohoes Music Hall and Park Playhouse. Attendees at the Park Playhouse venue for the upcoming The Wedding Singer show can enjoy for free on the lawn, or purchase tickets closer to the stage. The rest of the Summer 2020 Park Playhouse season is sure to entertain audience members of all ages.
Playhouse Stage Company also recently announced its 35th season of musical theatre, including shows such as Frozen Jr., Assassins, Something Rotten, The Secret Garden, and many more. Stay tuned and don’t miss out on some fantastic pieces at the historic Cohoes Music Hall and beautiful Park Playhouse in Washington Park.
For more information on Playhouse Stage Company programming and tickets to upcoming shows, visit their website available here.
Petting Zoo is a pop-rock band from Norwalk, Connecticut and currently based out of New York City. Bandmates include Zack Ely, Bennett Newman, Colin Berger, Joe Wen, and DEEGAN.
Born and raised in Norwalk, Petting Zoo released their first single “Lovin’ Yourself” in 2018. They released their first self-titled EP in late 2020 and have been releasing subsequent singles in 2021. Recently, they are coming back with new songs and lively performances.
Zack Ely is the vocal and rhythm guitar whose favorite ice cream is Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked. Joe Wen plays electric guitar and bass in the band and Colin Berger is the drummer. Bennett Newman plays bass and electric guitar who is a Black Raspberry ice cream lover. And DEEGAN sang and helped produce the tracks.
Growing up on Coldplay, Maroon 5, Green Day, the Beatles, Bob Marley, the Police, U2, Petting Zoo have firmly established themselves as purveyors of bright, chart-friendly indie-pop. They are also suckers for contemporary Top 40 and pop/hip hop.
Their new song “Food” came out on July 15 which is a song filled with summer vibe. The finger-popping bass backs the song while the refreshing vocal with simple guitar chorus and sand hammer created a feeling of drinking iced juice. The speed change and the following sound design in the middle of the song created a sense of running into the sea and diving into it.
Petting Zoo
The passion for the food is the inspiration of the newly released song “Food.” Zack is known to devour chocolate and/or chicken parm sandwiches like his life depends on it, which is the origin of him to write a song about food. The members agreed that “Food” doesn’t even have to be a love song since Zack could genuinely just be talking about the entity of food itself.
They had wonderful performance in Bowery Ballroom on June 10 and will show up more frequently in July which including the show in Red Lion on July 23, Bitter End on July 30, and opened for the 502s at the Bayley Beach Summer Concert Series on July 31. More upcoming shows can be found here.
