Alternative rock pioneers, the Pixies, have announced an intimate 4-date U.S. tour set to kick-off on October, 1. After being benched for nearly two years due to COVID, this set of performances will come on the heels of a massive global tour that begins in June. During that time, the Pixies will perform at a number of festivals throughout Europe, Asia and South America. Their return will be quickly followed by the September 30 release of their 8th studio album, Doggerel (BMG).
Their October run will see them perform at four intimate venues between California and New York. Beginning on October, 1 at SOMA and concluding on October, 5 at New York City’s Terminal 5 venue. As is the Pixies’ “standard,” the band will draw from their extensive catalogue to perform a different set every night. Attendees can expect the band to perform not only some of the most beloved Pixies songs, but also, new tracks from Doggerel.
Doggerel album cover
Pixies have been acclaimed as the most influential, pioneering band of the late 80s alternative rock movement, having served as a major influence for bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, the Strokes, Weezer, and many more. The group has released seven studio albums including the Gold- certified Surfer Rosa, and the iconic Platinum, Doolittle.
Dates for the Pixies October slate can be found below, while tickets are on sale here.
Pixies October Tour dates
Sat. October, 1 – San Diego, CA – SOMA Sun. October, 2 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Today we look back at perhaps the most memorable and influential music festival of the 21st century, the first Bonnaroo. Held June 21-23, 2002 in Manchester, TN, Bonnaroo has helped pave the way for the success of the modern day music festival. The original 2002 edition skewed jam band-heavy when compared to the contemporary version, but the communal vibes and appreciation for live music that the festival has fostered over the years have only gotten stronger. Discover how the first Bonnaroo Music and Art festival came to fruition, the memorable musical offerings that weekend, and how the festival laid the groundwork for successful music festivals in the years and decades that followed.
photo by Pete Mason
Origins
Bonnaroo, in name alone, is steeped in musical culture. The word derives from the French words “bonne,” meaning “good,” and “rue” which means “street.” This was done out of respect for the music tradition of New Orleans, a spirit the founders of Bonnaroo were looking to carry over into their next venture. And even more fittingly, “bonnaroo” also serves as Creole slang for a “really good time,” the very essence of any successful music festival.
Not only that, Angola Prison was located on Bonnaroo Avenue. To be on that street, and not in prison, was naturally, a good thing. The cajun expression “desitively bonnaroo” came to mean “better than the best,” originating among the inmates of the South Louisiana prison, for if you were on that street and not in the prison, it was “desitively bonnaroo.”
Not only that, Angola Prison was located on Bonnaroo Avenue. To be on that street, and not in prison, was naturally, a good thing. The cajun expression “desitively bonnaroo” came to mean “better than the best,” originating among the inmates of the South Louisiana prison, for if you were on that street and not in the prison, it was “desitively bonnaroo.”
The closing of Knoxville’s World’s Fair Park in 1999 unknowingly got the ball rolling for the creation of Bonnaroo. The park had been the yearly home of the Hot Summer Nights music festival until construction forced concerts to no longer be held there. Festival founders AC Entertainment were forced to pivot and look elsewhere and from there the seeds of Bonnaroo were hatched.
The closing of the World’s Fair Park for concerts precipitated getting creative and trying to find, ‘OK, if we can’t do this anymore, how can we still participate in the summer outdoor concert business,’ and it was from that that Bonnaroo was ultimately launched.
Ashley Capps, co-founder AC Entertainment
Bonnaroo seemed like a natural name for the massive new venture on a giant farm in Manchester, TN. Not only for the aforementioned translations, but the term itself wasn’t completely foreign either after being introduced to pop culture through Dr. John’s 1974 release Desitively Bonnaroo.
Superfly, who produced shows during New Orleans Jazz Fest in the late 90s, had experience in staging 28 shows over 8 nights at various New Orleans venues, typically late-night and catering to jam band fans. Superfly founders Kerry Black, Rick Farman, Richard Goodstone and Jonathan Mayers had attended Glastonbury and Coachella Festivals in years prior, and used these experiences to frame their vision for Bonnaroo Music and Art Festival.
The Superfly team brought in Coran Capshaw, who managed Phish and Dave Matthews Band, among others, to assist with financing, and worked with regional promoter Ashley Capps (AC Entertainment), based out of Knoxville. Working together, Superfly, Capshaw and AC Entertainment combined resources and dove in feet first, creating America’s most successful multi-day camping music festival since the original Woodstock.
Farman spoke to Relix in April 2002 noting that the first task was to establish bonafides to the fans:
The first thing that I think is important to let everybody know is that we have an extremely experienced and professional crew behind this event. I know many people know Superfly from the events we’ve done at Jazz Fest and other things. And I know people know AC for the events he’s done. But what I really wish to emphasize is that we have hired the best people in the camping festival business to help us put on this event. We have a lot of experience between AC and us in putting on concerts and concert promotion but we certainly understand that our experience is limited in putting on an event of this size.
Our basic plan has been to make the learning curve zero. Most of the people that we’ve hired were also key players in putting on the big Phish events- everything from our project manager, site coordinator, vending consultant, production manager, parking company, business manager, the head of security and the different security companies that were hiring. We’re going to have Clean Vibes out there, which I think people know through many events, including the big Phish events. So in terms of the quality of the people putting on the event and the quality of the facilities, its really going to be top notch.
The location the team would choose was found in Central Tennessee, in the small Coffee County town of Manchester. Located an hour drive southeast of Nashville, the town of less than 9,000 at the time had previously served as host to at least one previous music festival, Itchykoo.
Named for the Small Faces song “Itchykoo Park,” the festival was held only once, from August 12-15, 1999, featuring 40 bands over four days and nights. The event sold 20,000 tickets, but the event did not repeat, something apparent before the weekend concluded, with event staff reportedly departing mid-shift when it became clear their work would not be paid.
The classic rock-centric festival featured Dave Mason, Survivor, Rick Springfield, Blue Oyster Cult, Sammy Hagar, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Iron Butterfly, Leon Russell, Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz (performing separately), Starship and the Wilson sisters from Heart. The lineup, while ambitious, did not have a true headliner, but instead a list of classic rock bands with no clear connection between the artists.
Itchycoo not returning to Manchester for additional installments, coupled with World’s Fair Park closing for construction, made the perfect conditions for Bonnaroo to arrive in 2002. Of course, the two festivals would have a similar sounding name, and an ambitious first year endeavor like Bonnaroo needed to establish their brand as distinct from the predecessor, at least to all who were aware of Itchykoo. With a name that signified a ‘good time,’ was the name of a street in New Orleans as well as a Dr. John album, confusion with the 1999 festival was not a factor.
The location in Manchester, a 700-acre farm with access roads left over from Itchykoo gave it perfect location next to I-24, something that was a necessity for any major music festival to ensure easy access for arriving fans. The farm was purchased in 2007, and a permanent power source was added shortly after, so as not to use the TVA hookup that accounted for 70% of all power, with the rest coming from generators.
On March 13, 2002, with little advertising, tickets for Bonnaroo went on sale, at an initial cost of $100, eventually sold for as much as $170. Tickets were sold exclusively through the Bonnaroo website, with 10,000 tickets sold the first day. Within the first week, 70,000 tickets were sold, and the festival announced a sell out on March 24. Within 11 days, and mostly by word-of-mouth, Bonnaroo had sold out their first year with a lineup and vision that fans agreed with.
There was of course another failed festival in 1999 that also had an impact on Bonnaroo, and music festivals in general. Woodstock 99, which quite publicly showed Baby Boomer greed meeting Gen X angst, in full view on MTV. While Itchykoo failed due to lack of headlining acts and lack of funding, Woodstock tarnished a brand permanently, with founder Michael Lang unable to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock with a festival 20 years later.
Paul McCartney put on an epic show at Metlife Stadium on Thursday, June 16, just two days before his 80th birthday. The Beatles legend was joined by two New Jersey legends to help celebrate. First Bruce Springsteen joined Paul to sing his hit “Glory Days” as well as “I Wanna Be Your Man.” He also came out during the encore to trade guitar solos with Paul’s longtime touring guitar players Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray on “The End.” Jon Bon Jovi also made an appearance to wish Paul a happy 80th and lead the crowd in “Happy Birthday to You.”
Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney at Metlife Stadium
Another highlight, besides Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi unexpectedly showing up, was when Paul McCartney played a duet of “I’ve Got A Feeling” with footage of John Lennon isolated from the recent Get Back documentary. This show was the last stop on his Got Back Tour and it was a marathon. Paul played for 3 hours without leaving the stage and performed 40 songs. Other songs on the setlist included more Beatles hits like “Getting Better” and “Love Me Do” as well as “Blackbird” and “Get Back.”
Paul McCartney at Metlife Stadium
Paul sounded great and seemed to sound even better as the night went on. When asked on PaulMcCartney.com if he enjoyed being back out on the road after such a long break because of the pandemic, he said Yes! It’s always a bit of hard work trying to get back up to speed again, but the audiences make it so enjoyable that it doesn’t feel like work. So yeah, we’re all having a good time.
Before the show, some lucky fans got a glimpse of Paul as he arrived via police escort into Metlife Stadium. He passed by slowly with the window down waving to his fans, some waiting for hours just to see him for a few seconds, but it was totally worth it! It was amazing to see people of all ages, including kids from this generation, holding up signs to greet him and even getting emotional after he passed. V.I.P. ticket holders also got to attend a 13 song sound check that included many songs not on the actual setlist.
V.I.P. Soundcheck Setlist: Instrumental Jam, Matchbox, Honey Hush, Coming Up, I Wanna Be Your Man, Women and Wives, Let Em In, Every Night, Mrs. Vanderbilt, Ram On, Midnight Special, New, Lady Madonna
Setlist: Can’t Buy Me Love, Junior’s Farm, Letting Go, Got To Get You Into My Life, Come On to Me, Let Me Roll It, Getting Better, Let Em In, My Valentine, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five, Maybe I’m Amazed, I’ve Just Seen a Face, In Spite of All the Danger, Love Me Do, Dance Tonight, Blackbird, Here Today, New, Lady Madonna, Fuh You, Jet, Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite!, Something, Ob-La-Di,Ob-La-Da, You Never Give Me Your Money, She Came in Through the Bathroom Window, Get Back, Band on the Run, Glory Days (With Bruce), I Wanna Be Your Man (With Bruce), Let It Be, Live and Let Die, Hey Jude,
Encore: I’ve Got A Feeling, Happy Birthday to You With Bon Jovi), Birthday, Helter Skelter, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The End
Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from, Scotchka, Phantom Suns, Witch Culture and many more.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
Phantom Suns – “Probably Wrong”
From Burlington, Phantom Suns perform riffy and melodic Alternative Rock, and released their last album, Cordyceps in July 2021. On EQXposure you’ll hear “Probably Wrong,” a new tune from the group consisting of Seth Gundersen, Chris Mathieu, Chris Knauer, and Tristan Baribeau.
SCOTCHKA – “Corinthians”
From Albany, Scotchka is a rock band blending emo, pop punk, and alternative influences for an energetic, introspective style. The band includes Dominick Murdock (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals), Brian Fahey (Drums, Juul Master), Maiya Campbell (Lead Guitar, Backing Aux), and Jacob Hite (Bass, Producer)
Witch Culture – “You”
Witch Culture is a rock band based out of Nashville. Their music can best be described as intimate and emotional, yet energetic. “You” was released on released June 10, 2022 and the band includes Dan McGarr (Vocals/ Guitars), Aaron Messina (guitar), Joe Moran (bass), and Ryan Bedlack (drums)
Despite the relief Jason Isbell felt not playing in 125 degree heat for once, it was hot and humid for the western New Yorkers settling in at CMAC on Wednesday night. Isbell, along with Sheryl Crow, and Waxahatchee, incredible songwriters across three generations, would prove their inter-generational appeal over the course of the evening. Each brought their arsenals of songs and their own bands to aid in fleshing them out to their full splendors.
Waxahatchee, the brainchild of Katie Crutchfield, won over the early attendees, stuffing her 40 minute set to the gills with a expansive overview of her material. Gently lilting folk songs that floated upon Crutchfield’s angelic voice. The catchy-as-heck “Lilacs” was dedicated to both Isbell and Crow. You could just imagine each of them stopping her backstage earlier in the day to let her know how great it is. A late set “Witches” had some big 80’s energy that could have easily threaded into Crow’s ensuing set while “Fire” added more modern splashes of electronic pop into the mix. Crutchfield and her five-piece confidently commanded the stage for what could be perceived as quite a difficult position.
Indeed when Sheryl Crow strutted out on the stage in her hot pink leather jacket and sparkling pink cowgirl boots 20 minutes later, with the aid of an engaging light show, a full house, 40 years of experience and a few #1 hits in her pocket, it wasn’t even a fair comparison. The eldest performer of the evening matched both her tour mates in youthful energy, sounding as good as in her prime, or maybe her prime is now. As Isbell correctly pointed out, seeing Crow perform was “just great song after great song after great song,” a deceptively deep catalog.
She hit the crowd early with two of her biggest hits, “Happy” and “All I Wanna Do,” then delved deeper into her catalog where she was more prone to delve deep into their exploration. She brought along a strong 5-piece backing band including the great Audley Freed on guitar, who ripped some mean guitar solos in “Steve McQueen” and “Cross Creek Road.” Aside from the great songwriting and beautifully aged (or not at all) voice, Crow also boasted some great musicianship. She picked up bass duties for “My Favorite Mistake” and “Soak Up the Sun,” strapped on the guitar and even blew some impressive harmonica. And just when you thought she had played all of her hits, she still had “Everyday is a Winding Road” waiting in the wings for the big set closer. She also endeared herself to the locals with tales of taking her kids to the Museum of Play, the Rochester Museum and Science Center and out for some Pittsford Dairy Ice Cream. What, no Wegmans?!
Nestled generationally between Waxahatchie and Crow, Isbell came out for the knockout closer set. Him and his 400 Unit band were of course well up to the task. “Dreamsicle” was an early set highlight, with guitarist Sadler Vaden slinking back into a nuanced groove above an infectiously watery bass line. “Be Afraid,” played for Isbells’s 6.5 year old daughter before she had to get to bed, featured some guitar pyrotechnics with both Isbell and Vaden dueling it out. Though bassist Jimbo Hart proved to be the MVP of the set, providing a consistently powerful presence throughout, blasting bass bombs left and right while more than ably directing the rock and roll traffic. His playing was particularly and uniquely noteworthy on “If We Were Vampires,” evoking deep spacey moans, building in both intensity and eeriness. A thing of beauty.
Isbell’s respects to Crow boomeranged around to describe his set just as well, “great song after great song after great song.” The night closed with his Drive-By Truckers classic “Decoration Day,” “an old one, written 20 years ago.” When Crow was 20 years into her career while Crutchfield was a preteen, possibly dreaming of the day she would one day share the stage with rock stars.
It was an evening exhibiting song craft of the highest order. Each artist has a vision and a voice to share it with and we’re all the richer for it. Even so, they each saw fit to share an other’s song as well. To fit into a set with their own incredible works, they had to choose wisely, and that they did. Waxahatchee closed their set with a beautiful rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Light of the Clear Blue Morning,” strong enough to stick itself into your head across two sets and a night’s sleep. Crow tossed a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Live With Me” in the middle of her set, culminating in a raging jam featuring her aforementioned impressive harmonica playing. Sadler Vaden led the 400 Unit through Isbell’s cover choice, “Honeysuckle Blue,” from Kevn Kinney’s great band Drivin’ N Cryin’, of which Vaden was a member. The song was also featured on Isbell’s 2021 release Georgia Blue, an all covers album benefiting voting rights in Georgia.
By the end of the night the only heat and humidity was emanating off the CMAC stage, though mother nature kept the entertainment going with a wild lightning display that lasted well into the wee hours.
Setlists:
Waxahatchee: Oxbow, Recite Remorse, Can’t Do Much, The Eye, Hell, Lilacs, Ruby Falls, Witches, St. Cloud, Fire, Light of the Clear Blue Morning (Dolly Parton)
Sheryl Crow: Happy, A Change Will Do You Good, All I Wanna Do, My Favorite Mistake, Leaving Las Vegas, Strong Enough, Forever, Steve McQueen, Live With Me (Rolling Stones), First Cut is the Deepest, Cross Creek Road, Soak Up the Sun, Everyday is a Winding Road
Jason Isbell: It Gets Easier, 24 Frames, Dreamsicle, Be Afraid, Hope the High Road, Alabama Pines, Elephant, Overseas, Honeysuckle Blue (Drivin N Cryin), If We Were Vampires, Super 8, Cover Me Up E: Tour of Duty, Decoration Day
Ringo Starr, drummer for the Beatles, hit pause on his tour this month due to COVID-19 in his touring party. He has since rescheduled many of his dates, and kicks off the tour at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts on Labor Day, Monday, September 5.
The All Starr Band includes bandmates Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Gregg Bissonette, Hamish Stuart and Edgar Winter. When the shows were canceled, Starr shared a statement that read, “We were having so much fun paying again and it was disappointing to have to stop. But we were able to reschedule these shows and add them to our Fall tour – and so as the song goes – I’ll see you in September! Peace and love, Ringo.”
The tour was originally planned to begin on May 27, 2022 at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, being the fifth time in Starr’s career where he has launched his tour from there. Seeing him live will be well anticipated by his fan base, considering the delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, nothing stopped him from committing to what he loves, releasing two EPs, Zoom In and Change The World to add onto his legendary catalog.
I can’t wait to get back out on the road and play. This is the longest I’ve been off the road in years up until 2020 I was touring every year with the All Starrs and I’ve really missed it. Making music in the studio has been great, and it certainly saved me during the pandemic, but nothing beats playing live with great musicians in front of an audience. I love my fans and they love me and it’s going to be wonderful to be peace and loving and playing for them again.
Ringo Starr
Not only is Starr a nine time Grammy Award winner, but has also been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received an Academy and Emmy Award for his commendable acting. His success does not end there, however. Starr has published 8 books and released 20 studio solo records. The pandemic was a minor set back, but after celebrating 30 years of touring with his All Starr Bands in 2019, he has never felt more ready to continue this journey.
While he’ll be starting very close to Eastern New York, this does mean his shows at CMAC and Beacon Theater look like they won’t be rescheduled just yet.
Regardless of Starr’s many accomplishments, at heart he will forever love being a drummer and the impact he has on rock music.
For more information, visit his website.
Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band (Rescheduled) 2022 Tour Dates
Sept. 5/was June 17 Lenox MA – Tanglewood
Sept. 6/was June 14 Baltimore MD – The Lyric
Sept. 7/was June 15 Baltimore MD – The Lyric
Sept. 9/was June 11 Easton, PA – State Theater
Sept. 10/was June 18 Pittsburgh PA – PPG Arena
Sept. 11/was June 19 Philadelphia, PA – The Met
Sept. 15/was June 24 St Augustine, FL – The Amp
Sept. 16/was June 26 Clearwater FL– Ruth Eckerd Hall
Sept. 17/was June 25 Hollywood FL – Hard Rock
Sept. 19/was June 22 Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Sept. 20/was June 21 Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union Live
Sept. 22/was June 12 Providence, RI – PPAC
Sept. 23 Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amp
Sept. 24 Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Etess Arena
Sept. 26 Montreal, Quebec – Place Bell
Sept. 27 Kingston, Ontario – Leon’s Centre
Sept. 28 Toronto, Ontario – Massey Hall
Sept. 30 Mt Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
Oct. 1 New Buffalo, Mi – Four Winds Casino
Oct. 2 Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
Oct. 4 Winnipeg, Manitoba – Canada Life Centre
Oct. 5 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Sasktel Centre
Oct. 6 Lethbridge, Alberta – Enmax Centre
Oct. 8 Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre
Oct. 9 Penticton, BC – South Okanagon Events Centre
The Adirondack Independent Music Festival will once again take place in Lake George at the unofficial end of summer on Labor Day weekend. The festival will return to the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons and take place Friday, September 2 through Sunday, September 4.
Pink Talking Fish
This year’s headliners are moe. who are playing four sets over two nights and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong who will play two sets as well, returning to the festival for the first time since 2019.
In addition to lots of great music, the festival will also feature a variety of food and craft vendors as well a great view of the fireworks at Lake George on Saturday evening. $175 General Admission Weekend (3-day) tickets are on sale now at the Adirondack Music Festival website. There is also a special VIP option available, which includes admission to all three days, a meal each night, free snacks, half-priced adult beverages, $2 water / soft drinks, a private viewing area (with private bar) and access to private bathrooms.
Also featured on this year’s bill are Dopapod, Pink Talking Fish, Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime, Ryan Montbleau Band, lespecial, Dogs in a Pile, Neighbor, Hayley Jane & The Primates and Freekbass & The Bump Assembly (featuring former members of Turkuaz).
Music in the Festival Commons will begin at 1pm on Friday and 12:00pm on Saturday and Sunday and run continuously across two side-by-side stages until 11pm each night. The event is open to attendees of all ages and children 12 and under are free.
Fans of musical icon and New York’s own, the great, late Lou Reed, will soon be able to hear some new and previously unreleased material as part of a new archival release series. In partnership with Reed’s widow, Laurie Anderson, acclaimed label Light in the Attic will release the first album of the series, Words & Music, May 1965, later this summer on Aug. 26. It features some of the some earlier takes on Velvet Underground classics like “Heroin,” “I’m Waiting for the Man,” and “Pale Blue Eyes” that Reed helped craft along with fellow VU co-founder John Cale.
This newly unearthed material is the result of a five-inch reel of recordings that Reed mailed to himself in the form of a “poor man’s copyright” back in 1965. It went untouched for nearly 50 years, only discovered after the artist’s death in 2013. The raw, grainy material gives an early inside look at the genius of Reed and, per music journalist Greil Marcus in the liner notes, “They make a darkness, and Reed and Cale try to feel their way through it. In ‘Heroin,’ there’s just a hint of the hurricane it will become and the enormous authority it will carry two years later. … ‘Pale Blue Eyes’ says go farther, there’s no end to this, and you know that they will go farther — they’re almost there.”
Words & Music, May 1965 will be available in several formats, including LP, cassette, 8-track, digital and CD, and can be preordered here. The deluxe two-LP edition, is being limited to 7,500 copies and also includes an additional 7″ record that features six other early songs and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” The full track listings for both albums can be seen below.
In addition to this, the five-inch reel itself will be physically on display this week, along with other Reed-related artifacts, at Lou Reed: Caught Between the Twisted Stars. The exhibition opens on June 9 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
“This collection is to inspire people,” Anderson said in a recent NY Times interview. “It’s not necessarily to say, ‘Here’s the real Lou Reed.’ That’s never what it was meant to be. Here’s a lot of his music and how he did it. Be inspired by it. But it’s not and can’t be a real picture of the man.”
Lou Reed, ‘Words & Music, May 1965’ Track Listing 2xLP 1. “I’m Waiting for the Man” (May 1965 Demo) 2. “Men of Good Fortune” (May 1965 Demo) * 3. “Heroin” (May 1965 Demo) 4. “Too Late” (May 1965 Demo) * 5. “Buttercup Song” (May 1965 Demo) 6. “Walk Alone” (May 1965 Demo) 7. “Buzz Buzz Buzz (May 1965 Demo) 8. “Pale Blue Eyes” (May 1965 Demo) 9. “Stockpile” (May 1965 Demo) * 10. “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” (May 1965 Demo) 11. “I’m Waiting for the Man” (May 1965 Alternate Version) 7-inch 1. “Gee Whiz” – (1958 Rehearsal) * 2. “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down” (1963/64 Home Recording) 3. “Michael, Row The Boat Ashore” (1963/64 Home Recording) 4. “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” (Partial) (1963/64 Home Recording) 5. “W & X, Y, Z Blues” (1963/64 Home Recording) * 6. “Lou’s 12-Bar Instrumental” (1963/64 Home Recording) *
Cell phones have changed the dynamic of concerts and festivals in the past 20 years. Whereas in the early part of the 21st century, holding up your cell phone so your friend at home can (sort of) hear a song was fairly common, now in 2022 you can stream the concert direct to them with clear sound and visual quality.
It doesn’t have to be like this. When you’re at a show, naturally you want to take a photo or post to social media, but that can distract from your enjoyment of a show, as well as the enjoyment of those around you.
Enter Yondr. Since 2014, the company has partnered with comedians, musicians and even schools to provide pouches that seal phones inside so they cannot be used during performances or instructional time.
If you haven’t heard of Over Yondr Festival via social media, there’s a reason for that – the company does not have any social media accounts and does little advertising. “People are bombarded with so many notifications and advertisements, it’s not something we need,” said Yondr founder and CEO Graham Dugoni. “People don’t need to be hit up for new things. We practice less is more. Social media isn’t going away but its presence in daily life is going to change.”
The lack of social media hasn’t prevented Yondr from partnering with big names like Dave Chappelle, Alicia Keys, John Mulaney and more to keep events completely phone-free using Yondr’s patented sealable pouch.
The use of these pouches at shows is so that patrons are not distracted by their phones and unable to use them, all while holding onto them during the performance in a sealed pouch. Returning to the intimacy of a distraction-free environment is one thing that drove Dugoni to build the brand in the past 8 years.
At a show when someone photo or text, their attention leaves the space for a moment, making it harder to re-engage. You miss what a great show can be. Spaces need to be carved out for things, like music festivals and live entertainment, that are negatively affected by the presence of phones and digital media.
Yondr founder and CEO Graham Dugoni
Considering the impact phones have on young people, and the next generation of festival attendees, live music and performance patrons will need to keep the phone at bay so they can enjoy the full scope of the event, not what is limited to glances at screens.
Dugoni notes the factors that go into the artist’s decision to insist on a no-phone policy. “When there is privacy, perhaps an artist wants to try out new material and not have the music show up the next day. You need a degree of privacy to make that happen. If you pull a phone out often it can have a negative impact.”
By entering the venue, locking your phone in a pouch and carrying it with you, possession is maintained if access is not. There is of course a smokers-section style area to check your phone just in case, while creating a simple gorund rule for all to get along with.
“After 5-10 min people will forget about their phones. You get out of the rhythm of responding to texts and pings,” noted Dugoni.
Dugoni and his team first came up with the plan for a phone-free festival when the company was founded, he notes how “there is big community of people paying attention to their phones and social media who want to get together without that. Society is looking for spaces where they can unplug.”
aerial view of the festival grounds
Scheduled to take place from June 24-26 on private farmland at 5143 Route 81 in the town of Greenville, the Over Yondr Festival will bring more than a dozen eclectic musical acts and hundreds of music fans to Greenville.
map of the Over Yondr Festival grounds
Greenville was chosen for the location of the festival after the Yondr team took a trip to the area several years ago. They stopped in Rensselaerville and also looked for sites in California but they felt built up. Given how Yondr sees the world now, it seemed like a natural fit. “The locals have been great and it just seemed right. You still have the feel of counterculture and with this generation we are ready for one, pushing back on technology and aiming for simplicity in life. And I think it’s already beginning. Coming out of college, grads don’t want to stare at a screen all day, and a lot of political and social division can arise from that.”
We are trying to put the technology in its right place. The next generation has to learn to treat the physical world as real and their interactions online as different. If you don’t disaggregate those two, a lot of negative things tend to happen. Phone free spaces are helpful and unique places to see 20-30,000 interacting and talking in concession line. It takes only a little to remove this social impediment.
Yondr founder and CEO Graham Dugoni
As for that eclectic lineup? Dugani and his team assembled the artists, looking for a diversity of sounds among the more than 15 performers, a lineup that felt right for the atmosphere, per Dugani.
Tickets are on sale now for Over Yondr Festival. and get 15% off by entering code NYSMUSIC.
Over Yondr Festival Daily Lineup
Friday, June 24
Topaz Jones Kaleta & The Super Yamba Band Black Mountain Symphony Anna Fox Rochinski Nas Leber SVB
Saturday, June 25
!!! (chk chk chk) Sheer Mag Bones of JR Jones Kississippi Jadeisdxpe Artz
The Village of Lake George plays host to a number of music series throughout the summer, starting with Memorial Meltdown in May, ending with ADK Independence Fest in September, and free music series filling in the months between.
Free to the public in Lake George is the Fridays on Summer Concert Series at Shepard Park, starting on Friday, June 10. Eleven performances in all will be held, leading up to the finale on September 2.
The final Friday at the Lake of the season comes to Shepard Park on Friday, September 2, featuring two of the Northeast’s premier party bands: Kick (7:30-9:30) and The Schmooze (6:00-7:10). The Hartford Current newspaper music critic calls Kick “by far the best modern rock cover band I’ve ever seen.” Formed in 1996, Kick has a broad repertoire of over 400 songs covering many genres. This has allowed them to open in concert for such diverse national acts as Duran Duran, Staind (grunge rock), Reel Big Fish (ska) and Biz Markie (rap). They have played on the Las Vegas strip, the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Rentschler Stadium (University of Connecticut football games) and Madison Square Garden for the Stanley Cub Playoffs. They have played in casinos, arenas, stadiums and resorts nationwide.
Opening the show will be one of the region’s premier party bands for the past 15 years, The Schmooze. They will get the party rocking with their versions of rock, pop, dance and country cover tunes that will have the crowd dancing and singing along.
Kicking off the series on June 10 is an evening of classic rock, headlined by legendary regional favorites E.B. Jeb. The band is celebrating more than 40 years together and is the northeast’s “go to “ band for the Southern Rock genre. The eight piece band features two drummers, similar to the Allman Brothers’ configuration. E.B. Jeb has opened for many national acts, including Charlie Daniels, The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot.
Opening on Friday, June 10 is The Blue Moon Band, a premier classic rock band from the Lake George region. Their music includes covers by Santana, Bob Dylan and classic/southern rock hits and will perform from 6:00-7:10, with E.B. Jeb playing from 7:30-9:30.
All shows are free to the public, and there will be vendors selling food and beverages.
Saturday, June 11 will feature a special night of music for Saturday on the Lake A special Saturday concert at Shepard Park will feature a night of classic rock as The Trilogy Tribute will take the audience on a musical journey to the 60s and 70s with tributes to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, Jim Morrison of The Doors and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane. The Trilogy performers recreate the persona of each icon while performing the hit songs that enshrined these legends into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Classic Rock Productions concerts like the Trilogy Tribute have headlined shows at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City for the past ten years, including “The Deckstock Festival” tribute to Woodstock.
Opening act Bluz House Rockers are celebrating their 26th year as a seven piece configuration that includes two keyboard players and six members singing lead vocals and harmonies. They have been inducted into the New York State Blues Hall of Fame, and Trish Anderson’s “Three Dollar Bill” went to #2 on the Top 100 charts in Denmark. They are well known in the Glens Falls/Lake George region, having played Summer Jam, Taste of the North Country, Balloon Fest and Save the Lake.
On July 1, Soul Session is the headline act for Friday at the Lake at Shepard Park in Lake George. Soul Session, featuring band leader and lead vocalist, Garland Nelson, has presented high energy junk and R&B renditions of your favorite hit songs. In 2019, Garland won Eddies Award for “Best R&B Vocalist” and Soul Session won “Best Band in the Capital Region.” Garland connects with the audience and creates an atmosphere of Live and Celebration at his shows. He just performed on SPAC’s main stage as part of the annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, and will perform at Friday at the Lake 7:30-9:30 pm.
Opening the show from 6:00-7:10 is the dynamic duo Yellow Dog. John Repko and Jason Young have been rockin the Capital District for 29 years and have the biggest sound of any duo and play a variety of classic hits that will have the audience singing along.
On Friday, July 15, the New York Players will perform from 7:30-9:30 pm at Shepard Park. The Players are widely recognized over the past many years as being the #1 dance band in the region. They have several vocalists who sing lead and harmonies and an awesome horn section. They have performed at many galas and corporate events and are sure to bring a non-stop party to Fridays at the Lake.
Opening the show from 6:00-7:10 are Tumblin Dice, a Rolling Stones tribute band led by Lake George favorite, Jonathan Newell. Get there by 6:00 pm to catch your favorite Rolling Stones songs. All Fridays at the Lake are free to the public, and there are food, beer and wine vendors on site.
Carmen and Life’s Guilty Pleasures headline Friday at the Lake at Shepard Park in Lake George on Friday, July 22 from 7:30-9:30. Carmen is making a name for herself throughout the region for her stunning vocals and unforgettable stage presence. She has been lead singer with Grand Central Station, the Silver Arrow Band and Band of Gold. Their mix of dance hits from the 50s to today will energize the crowd, and a few musical surprises will be part of the mix as well.
The Ultimates will open the show, performing from 6:00-7:10. While they are a fairly new band from Saratoga, they consist of musicians well known in the region (two from Bad Chaperones and one from Dealt the Blues). Singer/guitarist Travis Rockenstire leads the band, singing amazing covers from John Cougar to Ed Sheeran, Springsteen to Harry Styles.
Over August 5-7, the three day Rockin for Ronald Benefit Concerts will support Ronald McDonald House Charities who have served families whose children are fighting serious illnesses in area hospitals for decades. The three-day, eight band festival on August 5, 6 and 7 is designed to raise money and awareness about the role Krantz Cottage serves as a Ronald McDonald house for families. The festival raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Krantz Cottage in Lake George, a beautiful four bedroom home that offers a beautiful, natural setting where families can stay free of charge while their child is receiving medical care for serious illnesses in nearby hospitals.
Friday at the Lake on August 5th kicks off the three day festival with two of the region’s most popular and acclaimed bands. Skeeter Creek has not only been the undisputed #1 country band our region; they are arguably the number one band in the region regardless of genre. In the Metroland readers poll, they won Country Band of the Year eight different years; were recognized by the Northeast country Music Association in various categories, including vocal group of the year; won the Colgate Country Showdown in the Albany region; won Froggy 100.7’s Country Shootout multiple times; won the Times Union’s Readers Poll six times and was named the Best Local Band three times in the Daily Gazette’s Readers Poll. Skeeter Creek will perform from 7:30-9:30.
Opening act, the Bluz House Rockers, are celebrating their 27th year in 2022. While they are honored to be members of the New York State Blues Hall of Fame, the Rockers have a varied repertoire, covering everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Allman Brothers. The fact that six of their seven members sing lead and/or harmony results in their ability to present a wide variety musical styles.
Headlining on Saturday is a fantastic tribute to the music of Steely Dan comprised of an all-star lineup of musicians, Reelin in the Years, a Woodstock based band led by drummer Jerry Marotta who has recorded and toured with Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Hall & Oates, Sarah McLachlan and the Indigo Girls. Guitarist Jesse Gress works with Todd Rundgren and Tony Levin and was former music editor of “Guitar Player.” Guitarist Matt Finck worked with Randy Brecker and John Medeski. Jennifer Maidman on bass performed with Boy George and Loudon Wainwright. David Jameson will be on keyboards. Vocalist Lindsey Skeye’s band “Skeye” has received over 12 million views on YouTube. Her cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” was included in HBO’s “Girls” and Fox’s “9-1-1.” The four-piece horn section includes Bill Harris (worked with Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen) and Don Mikkelsen, who worked with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Peter Gabriel. This is a huge treat for music fans of all ages.
Saturday’s schedule
3:00-4:30 The Dirty Harri’s
5:00-7:00 The Newells
7:30-9:30 Reelin in the Years
Sunday’s Schedule
1:30-3:30 Jacquelin Mignot and the Family Band
4:00-6:00 Last Band Left
6:30-8:30 New York Players
The Newells are a family affair. Jonathan and Jennifer Newell are joined by teenage sons Brandon and Evan plus a rhythm section of Tommy Ryzuck on bass and Rye Wylie on drums. They will perform songs from the 60’-80’s by groups as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin, Bruce Hornsby and 10,000 Maniacs.
The Dirty Harri’s start the festivities. They are a tribute to the music of George Harrison. Songs include Harrison’s hits with the Beatles, including “Here Comes the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Taxman.” The seven piece band also performs hits from George’s solo career, including “My Sweet Lord,” “What is Life” and “All Those Years Ago” as well as “Handle with Care” from his time with the Traveling Wilburys.
On Sunday, August 7, Rockin for Ronald is proud to bring New York Players back to Shepard Park. The Players are widely recognized over the past many years as being the #1 dance band in the region. They have four incredible vocalists who sign leads and harmonies and an awesome horn section. They have performed an many galas and corporate events and present a broad repertoire of your favorite hits.
Last Left is a cover band from Central New York. Their repertoire includes hits by Prince, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty as well as more current groups Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Chris Stapleton, Kings of Leon and the Killers. Their high energy set is guaranteed to have the audience dancing and singing along.
Opening the show on Sunday is Jacquelin Mignot and the Family Band. They opened for Ten Most Wanted earlier this summer at Friday at the Lake, and their R&B covers were well received. Her band is truly a family affair, featuring Jacquelin’s father Tony on drums and her brother Jaydon on bass. Jonathan Newell is on guitar and keyboards.
Admission to Rockin for Ronald is free all three days, and there will be food and beverage vendors on site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNSEj5eo6FU
On Friday, August 12, TS ENSEMBLE will perform from 730-930pm. A fixture in our region for more than 40 years, this eight piece band is known for their high energy performances, great male and female vocals and a strong Brass Section. Their music covers the Motown Era to today’s dance hits. They have presented memorable performances at many galas, corporate parties and clubs and have opened for many national acts.
THE ULTIMATES will open the show, performing from 6:00-7:10. While they are a fairly new band, they performed an outstanding opening set at Shepard Park on July 22. Saratoga-based, they consist of well known musicians in the region (two from Bad Chaperones and one from Dealt the Blues). Singer/ guitarist Travis Rockenstire is young and impressive, singing amazing covers from John Cougar to Ed Sheeran.
Fridays at the Lake – Shepard Park, Lake George – 2022 Summer Schedule
Music begins at 6pm and ends by 930pm.
June 10 Blue Moon with opener EB JEB
June 17 Stony Creek Band with opener Alex Torrez Latin Kings
June 24 Jacquelin Mignot and Ten Most Wanted with opener the Family Band
July 1 Yellow Dog with opener Soul Session
July 8 Jett Screamer with opener The Refrigerators
July 15 Tumblin Dice with opener New York Players
July 22 The Ultimates with opener Grand Central Station
July 29 Dirt Cheap with opener The Accents
August 5 Bluz House Rockers with opener Skeeter Creek
August 12 The Ultimates with opener TS Ensemble
August 26 Jonathan Newell with opener Band Vivid (from Connecticut)
