Borderland Festival returns to Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora, just 30 minutes southeast of Buffalo, over September 17-18, 2022. The unique music experience rooted in community brings headliners The Flaming Lips, Portugal. The Man., Michael Franti and Spearhead and many more for an end to summer gathering in Western New York.
The two-day festival will host more than 20 bands across three stages with a diverse mix of national and regional, rock, country and Americana artists performing at the historic and picturesque Knox Farm.
Additional artists include Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel – featuring an eight-person Gospel Choir that accompanies Keller as he performs Grateful Dead songs; The Infamous Stringdusters, Grammy Award winners for Best Bluegrass Album in 2018; Donna the Buffalo, Buffalo’s own beloved bluegrass and rock band, Driftwood, the New York-based and female fronted bluegrass band and The Big Easy of Buffalo presenting Dumpstaphunk, a storied funk and jam band from New Orleans.
We went a little out of the box this year with our headliners. This is the 4th year for Borderland and every year we aim to make it better and more memorable for both our loyal fans and newcomers. We know the talent we have lined up will bring an unparalleled energy to the stage, and throw in a few surprises along the way. We are always looking to expand and grow and can’t wait to share this with Western New York. We are so proud to host this festival, supporting local business, local artists and as always environmental awareness.
Jennifer Brazil, festival producer and owner
In addition to live music, you’ll find local artisans, vendors, a Sunday football zone near the Homespun Stage with local bands performing, live painting, local craft beer, food and culinary experiences. A curated kids area with face painting, games and music is free for all kids 10 and under.
Two-Day General Admission tickets for the 2022 Borderland Festival are for $149 with 2-Day & 3-Day VIP tickets available. The 3-Day Trailblazer VIP Ticket includes a Friday Night reception at the Knox Mansion, featuring live music from Borderland artists, culinary experience, and a cash bar featuring local craft beer and spirits. Kids 10 and under are free with a parent or guardian.
The rich music history of the Capital Region was celebrated on Tuesday, June 7 with the Eddies Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Held at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. The eight honorees included folk, ambient, rock, and acoustic artists, as well as a promoter, writer/musicians, and an independent radio station founder.
Paul Rapp, a musician and entertainment rights lawyer, as well as a 2020 Eddies Hall of Fame inductee knew them all and gave opening remarks noting such. Rapp, drummer for renowned Albany act Blotto, weighed in on each musician, offering heartfelt thoughts and a few laughs as he discussed his connection and the impact each of the eight left on the Capital Region scene.
Paul Rapp – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Honorees included Joel Ross, a 7-time Grammy Award winner who engineered songs for Broadway musicals and TV shows, and worked with Ray Charles and Tony Bennett among many others.
Joel Ross – photo by Joe Putrock
Brooks Brown, founder of WEQX, an independent radio station, was referred to by Rapp as having “saved the Albany Music scene” by creating a radio station that played local bands that couldn’t be heard elsewhere. Rapp noted that Brown took great joy in telling corporations looking to buy his station to “go fuck themselves.”
Jason Keller and Mimi Brown – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Super 400 from Troy has had an impact felt as far away as Spain, which led to Spanish band Red Apple sharing via prerecorded video how they were looking for bands that were real and similar to them. In discovering Super 400, they found a band on the same wavelength, as well as future friends. Red Apple then performed “Green Grass End” in tribute to Super 400.
Super 400 – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Greg Bell, the promoter who made Albany a jam band mecca and must hit tour stop, has run Guthrie/Bell Productions since the early 1990s. His presence in the Capital District will be profiled in the upcoming documentary from Mirth Films, Grapplin’ Greg. Rapp noted that no one has done more to support local bands than Bell, adding, “Music promoters are like adding kindling to a fire. The good ones make it burn bright.”
Greg Bell – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Rich Ortiz, the “fishin’ musician,” comes from a family rich in music history and plays more than 300 gigs a year and has been featured on the cover of numerous fishing magazines.. If night fishing were a thing, we may not have this legend from the Lake George region. Saratoga Springs guitarist from 80’s band The Morons, Steve Candlen, later performed Ortiz’ “I Love You Everyone.”
Rich Ortiz – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Michael Eck is many things – a painter, arts writer, Caffe Lena board member, and Ramblin Jug Stompers spoke with great emotion in receiving the Eddies Hall of Fame honor. Candlen later performed an Eck original “You’re a Mountain,” with the fitting lyrics “you’re a mountain, you’re a legend, you’re a king.”
Michael Eck – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Sara Ayers, with an eclectic career that includes folk, punk, bubblegum, rock, electronica and especially ambient music, was a crowd favorite as she was honored for her contributions to the scene.
Sara Ayers – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Greg Haymes, a man who did so much for local bands, venues and aspiring writers and photographers, was the final honoree of the night. The late “Sarge” Blotto has a varied career in multiple genres and styles, and in founding local music website Nippertown, he had a connection to nearly the entire room of musicians, journalists and fans. Rapp pointed to one of the many quirks of Haymes, was his mentions in reviews of a musician’s shoes, considering those with good shoes to have ‘made it’, and with that, Rapp pulled out a ruby slipper. The unofficial Jug Stompers theme song, “Jug Band Music,” by the Memphis Jug Band, and performed by Tom Lindsay to honor Haymes.
A young Greg Haymes. Photo by Amy Modesti
While Haymes passed away in 2019, he was fêted by his fellow inductees in a slideshow retrospective. Ayers accepted on behalf of her late husband, noting that he lived an artistic life as a musician, a writer and a website publisher, and it was a life he was proud of. His not too serious approach to preparing himself for a performance on stage (whether with a customized washboard, or a typewriter for a percussion instrument), his experience as a musician made him want to share the passion of local musicians in the Capital District through his writing. In doing so, Haymes gave many writers and photographers a chance to, a tradition we continue at NYS Music.
Rockin’ On The River in Troy, NY, announces the lineup for this summer, happening on July 20, Aug. 3, Aug. 17, and Aug. 31 at The Waterfront featuring Hanzolo, Super 400, and more.
Rockin’ On The River is one of the Capital Region’s best and longest-running outdoor music series. It is a free event, happening from 5:30- 8 P.M. with local artists and familiar favorites taking the stage. Geoff Brault, Executive Director, Downtown Troy Business Improvement District, spoke about the concert series.
We’re tremendously excited for Rockin’ On The River to return with four shows in 2022 at a new location at The Waterfront. Since the event was last held, there’s been so much investment in The Waterfront district, and we can’t wait to show off all the improvements and amenities that this area has to offer. And since it’s such a short walk from one end of the downtown district to the other, it’s easy to enjoy great shopping before the show, and fine food and drink after.
Super 400 is a Troy-based rock trio that is known far and wide for telekinetic jams and big love. They have played at Rockin’ On The River multiple times since its creation. Opening for them is Blue Machine.
Skeeter Creek is a country band who have won the Times Union Reader’s Poll winner for Best Local Band six times. Opening for them is Luggnuts, who play cosmic American music.
Saints & Liars is a five-piece Americana band blending their own variants of country, folk, bluegrass, and rock, and is ranked among the best of the new and upcoming alternative artists. Wild Leek River is a five-piece country band that has strong steel vocals and music you can dance to.
NYS Music March Madness winners Hanzolo are a 7-piece band from Upstate New York, with an explosive and emotional sound that mixes soul, jazz, rock, and funk. IAMDYNAMITE is a fast-paced, anthemic, catchy, chanting rock group.
Hanzolo
Rockin’ On The River’s free concert series will be held at The Waterfront in Troy, NY, throughout July and August.
Sir Paul McCartney returned to Syracuse on Saturday, June 4th to open up the first concert at the JMA Wireless Dome (formerly Carrier Dome). With a near full capacity crowd of over 35,000 in attendance, Paul McCartney was ready to rock Syracuse with a nearly three hour set.
With mounting anticipation, the show began around 8:20 p.m., as Paul McCartney took the stage to a massive roar of applause alongside his backing band which included Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, Paul Wickens, and Abe Laboriel, Jr. Seeming to really take in the Syracuse welcome, McCartney walked around the stage briefly waving to the crowd and smiling before putting his hand up into the air behind the mic and kicking off the set with The Beatles classic, “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
Throughout the set, fans were treated to his versatility in playing multiple instruments which included piano, bass, guitar, and ukulele. When McCartney wasn’t singing or playing an instrument, he engaged the audience with stories and memories with other members of the Beatles.
The concert featured tons of Beatles hits, including “Lady Madonna”, “You Never Give Me Your Money”, “Blackbird.” The energy of the crowd only grew as the set progressed later into the evening with the audience singing popular tunes, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and “Get Back.” Continuing on with some of the biggest hits including “Band on the Run” into a sing along of “Let it Be” followed by a fiery display of pyrotechnics and fireworks during “Live and Let Die.”
The climax of the performance this evening was during “Hey Jude” when the entire audience sung along for several minutes to the “Na na na Na Na Na Na!” This was one of the most amazing experiences to be a part of with just a feeling of unity among everyone, especially given vast struggles currently in the world.
Paul McCartney left the stage saying goodnight, however not many people were so easily convinced that he was done. As if his 30-song set wasn’t enough, the band returned to the stage with thundering applause waving the Ukranian Flag, UK Flag, Pride Flag, and New York Flag.
With a massive 6-song encore that included favorites such as “I’ve Got a Feeling” which McCartney performed essentially a duet with John Lennon. The screens broadcast footage of Lennon performing on a rooftop from Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” documentary, which sounded as if he were on stage performing right there with Paul and synched perfectly. Finishing out the encore with “Helter Skelter”, “Golden Slumbers”, “Carry That Weight”, and ending with the fitting Beatle song “The End.” Paul McCartney delivered what many can consider the greatest concert they have ever seen.
Being able to witness the inspiration for just about all modern music was awe-inspiring. Paul McCartney has a way about him that just commands your attention, and the performance he continues to give over a 60-year career as he pushes 80 years old cements his legacy as an all time great. This was truly a unifying and magical music experience that I would recommend anyone to see if given the chance.
Setlist
Can’t Buy Me Love (The Beatles)>Junior’s Farm (Wings) >Letting Go (Wings)>Got to Get You Into My Life (The Beatles)>Come On to Me>Let Me Roll It (Wings)>Getting Better (The Beatles)>Let ‘Em In (Wings)>My Valentine>Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five (Wings)>Maybe I’m Amazed>I’ve Just Seen a Face (The Beatles)>In Spite of All the Danger (The Quarrymen)>Love Me Do (The Beatles)>Dance Tonight>Blackbird (The Beatles)>Here Today (tribute to John Lennon)>Lady Madonna (The Beatles)>Fuh You>Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite (The Beatles)>Something (The Beatles)>Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (The Beatles)>You Never Give Me Your Money (The Beatles)>She Came in Through the Bathroom Window (The Beatles)>Get Back (The Beatles)>Band on the Run (Wings)>Let It Be (The Beatles)>Live and Let Die (Wings)>Hey Jude (The Beatles)
Encore
I’ve Got a Feeling>Birthday (The Beatles)>Helter Skelter (The Beatles)>Golden Slumbers (The Beatles)>Carry That Weight (The Beatles)>The End (The Beatles)
Even though it may be 200 miles to the nearest (ocean) beach, Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs is heating things up – aloha style – to kick off the Saratoga Summer. On Thursday, June 9, Saratoga Living will present The Jagaloons with special guest DJ BoyBoy for “Beach Please.”
Hailing from Albany, The Jagaloons play guitar-driven, reverb-drenched, all-instrumental rock and roll. This trio takes the surf music of the 1960s and adds modern and eclectic influences, creating their own unique sound. The Jagaloons have performed all over the Northeast since 2015 and have released a couple of full length albums on UK-based Sharawaji Records.
Throw on your most sizzling upscale resort wear, with Tiki-chic beach attire encouraged – photos will be taken for the next issue of Saratoga Living.
“Beach, Please” Summer Kickoff attendees will receive:
A welcome tiki cocktail by Wine and Liquor Shop of Malta
Sip of Sunshine tastings and more beer from Lawson’s Finest Liquids
The Who closed out the first half of its The Who Hits Back! 2022 North American Tour at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Saturday May 28. The tour date coincided with the Memorial Day weekend and the start of Bethel Woods’ pavilion show season.
Roger Daltrey, Loren Gold, Pete Townshend
Opening night duties belonged to Willie Nile. Drawing from his extensive catalog of music, Nile and crew offered up a powerful 45-minute set. Willie shared that he had gone to Woodstock in ’69 specifically to see The Who perform. His excitement of performing on the same stage with them was quite evident. A prolific writer whose songs talk to the common man, Nile dedicated a song to those impacted by gun violence, calling out his hometown of Buffalo. Willie closed with the anthem styled “One Guitar.” As a preamble to the song, he pressed that with one guitar, one voice, we can come together and help the world.
Backed by a full orchestra, Roger Daltrey,Pete Townshend and The Who took the stage. The night was an evening of essential Who. With slight vocal variations to support the aging Daltrey’s voice, both he and Townshend did not let the audience of 16,000 down. The core nine-piece band included Pete’s brother, Simon Townshend, on guitar and Ringo Starr’s son, Zak Starkey, on drums. The show featured a full orchestra enhancing the night’s experience. The orchestra, which varies location to location, was comprised of tri-state musicians, and was led by conductor Keith Levenson.
Willie Nile
Mid-set the orchestra left the stage. Pete and Simon Townshend donned acoustic guitars, shifting the tone a bit, as they started into “Seeker.” The mini set concluded with violinist Katie Jacoby, cellist Audrey Q. Snyder, and Pete Townshend sitting in the round as Roger Daltrey serenaded the audience with “Behind Blue Eyes.”
On the return of the orchestra, Pete noted he had fought against using an orchestra for the recording of Tommy. But with Quadrophenia, he realized its value. It was obvious at this point we were experiencing a live rock opera. The evening came to a close with with a song loosely inspired by Pete’s observations from their time at the original Woodstock Festival, “Baba O’Riley” from Who’s Next.
The Who
Were there guitars smashed or drums blown apart? No. However, that did not matter. This night was the about the genius of Pete Townshend, through the vessel that is The Who. For the Hudson Valley this was a trifecta night: Memorial Day weekend, live music, and The Who with an orchestra. Long Live Rock.
This July in the Madison County Village of Hamilton, the Village Green will offer an all ages free summer concert series each night at 7pm. Each night there will also be kids activities, starting at 5:30pm
Live music on the Village Green is a tradition that dates back to 1902 and is one of the Hamilton community’s most beloved summer activities.
This series is presented by Arts at the Palace and the New York State Council on the Arts in addition to a variety of other sponsors and community supporters.
The 2022 season kicks off on July 14th with family-friendly events and terrific musical performances each night. Folks are encouraged to picnic on the Village Green or enjoy the music from the patio of the Colgate Inn. The evening’s concert and activities are free for all to enjoy, with blankets, chairs and dancing encouraged.
Processed with VSCO with f2 preset
July 14 – Robert Rogers Puppet Show: Finnie’s Ocean Treasure, followed by music from Alea.
July 21 – The REV Theatre Co presenting The Fisherman and His Wife, followed by music from the Jesse Taylor Band with support from Zach Dupont.
July 28 – Didgeridoo Down Under is the early show for the kids, while music this evening will feature Pearly Baker’s Best: A Grateful Dead Experience.
August 4 – don’t miss a magic show by Nate the Great, followed by a reunion concert from local favorite Rabbit in the Rye.
Mosher Farms will sell popcorn at all events and a variety of food vendors will be on-site throughout the series including Brake From The Grind, Gilligan’s Ice Cream, Oh Crepe, Oscar Concession Gourmet Crab Cake & Steak, Ray Brothers Barbeque, Stathis Greek Food, Squeezers Lemonade, and TacoCat Gourmet Tacos. Follow @thursdaysonthevillagegreen on Facebook and Instagram for more details and to see which trucks will be present each week.
Thursdays on the Village Green is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who are proud to continue this 120+ year community tradition. Interested in helping out or learning more – send an email to thursdaysonthevillagegreen@gmail.com
Primus brought their “A Tribute To Kings” US Tour to Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette, Saturday, May 29th. This tour is especially fun because it is two separate sets, with the first one being strictly Primus and the second being Rush’s hit album A Fairwell to Kings.
Les Claypool is one of the greatest bass players and man did he slap at this concert. With smooth transitions and build ups, Primus performed 10 of some of their most fun and groovy songs on their first set. Starting off with a packed crowd chanting “Primus Sucks!”, Primus takes to the stage with the bassline of “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” which set the mood for the rest of the evening.
Primus flawlessly played through the first set, stopping a few times to talk to the audience as well as doing a quick costume change to wear a pig mask for the performance of “Lacquer Head”. Primus played fan favorites such as “Seas of Cheese”, “Spegetti Western”, and “Professor Nutbutter’s House of Treats” before closing out the first set with “Shake Hands With Beef”, leaving everyone wanting more.
The band took a 20-minute intermission before beginning their second set of Rush. Opening with “A Farewell to Kings” into “Xanadu” showcased Les Claypool’s guitar playing as well as his vocal range. Hearing him perform songs other than Primus was really interesting and put a different spin on the band which was fun to watch. Following up with “Closer to the Heart”, Les Claypool mentioned how difficult the vocals are to perform, and that Rush fans are typically very critical while bringing up his own admiration for Rush, and how they were his first concert. The crowd applauded and cheered showing their support and satisfaction of the performance. Closing out the Rush set with “Cinderella Man” into “Madrigal” and ending with “Cygnus X-1” the crowd was roaring in applause.
Primus wasn’t done yet though, and with an epic 4 song encore of “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” > “Welcome to This World” > “My Name is Mud” > “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” the band closed out their show with the best possible songs they could have played. Seeing Primus is always an absolute treat, and this was no different here. The atmosphere at Beak & Skiff was incredible, the drinks were delicious, and the view was beautiful. Having Primus perform for over 2 hours was a fantastic experience, and one that will make me want to come back for more shows at Beak & Skiff.
Setlist: Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers > Lacquer Head > Seas of Cheese > Mr. Krinkle > Spegetti Western > Groundhog’s Day > Conspiranoia > Professor Nutterbutter’s House of Treats > Del Davis Tree Farm > Shake Hands With Beef.
Setlist 2(Rush A Tribute To Kings): A Farewell to Kings > Xanadu > Closer to the Heart > Cinderella Man > Madrigal > Cygnus X-1
Encore: Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver > Welcome to This World > My Name is Mud > Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Aussie psych-mavens King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard last played in Rochester almost exactly seven years ago, a half-full affair at the Bug Jar. Since then, they have put out an astounding 14 albums. In those same seven years, Water Street Music Hall, their venue of choice on their return to town Tuesday night, has been closed and opened under different names multiple times before finding it’s way back once again to Water Street Music Hall. This show sold out hours after going on sale and anticipation has been building ever since.
The line to get into the show stretched the full length of Water Street. Once inside, the sold-out crowd was bounding with potential energy, a powder keg waiting to be lit. Every test by every roadie for every instrument and every light and video screen was met with screams of excitement in the lead-up to the band’s arrival. “Gizzard” chants started, stopped, and started again.
Opening with “The Dripping Tap,” an 18 minute epic off of their just out Omnium Gatherum, the sextet quickly erupted into their frenetic guitar-heavy signature. The fireballs of energy shooting off the stage set the crowd afire. Everyone was bouncing off the floor, bouncing off each other and bouncing off the walls. It was kinetic.
A screen on stage displayed colorful and glitchy animations that perfectly matched the bonkers activity of the musicians in front of it. The wild off-kilter lyrics, the everything all at once onslaught of sound, spasms of motion and color. Senses were sated, the audience transported.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard smashed jams from no less than nine of their 20 albums into two near non-stop hours of energetic rock. Songs flowed effortlessly in and out of each other. Guitars, bass, harmonica, keys, electronics, flute and whoops and screams wove a thick mesh of sound that blanketed the vast music hall. Drummer Michael Cavanagh inhumanly kept the pace throughout, a gong seeming to serve as a protective shield for most of the night until it was finally crashed in a late set “Straws in the Wind.”
The band and the crowd running on fumes, King Gizzard slammed on the accelerator one last time, closing out the night with one of their more recognizable and more frantic tunes, “Rattlesnake.” There was still enough left in the tank, the crowd revved the energy back up to a fever pitch one last time.
Water Street Music Hall has been an important piece of the Rochester live music scene for decades. From the show announcement to the final notes of the show, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard helped revive the venue to it’s former glory. A sellout show that won’t soon be forgotten.
NYC-based singer-songwriter Rachel Bard has released a new track, “The Buildings Are Fake,” her third song to be put on streaming services.
Having written it in 2018 after visiting Los Angeles as a first year film student, the track “is a heartbreak song about the City of Angels.”
Cover art for “The Buildings Are Fake.”
Produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey, the song takes a stripped down garage rock approach. Almost Pixies-like it sets a nice quiet-loud contrast between its imagery-driven verses and disillusioned, anthemic choruses as the track builds towards a loud finish.
As for Bard’s vocal performance, comparisons that ring strongly include Nico and Dan Bejar of Destroyer. Her gloomy, vibrato-laden delivery faithfully match the song’s cynicism and rise to meet the track’s energy during louder moments.
In “The Buildings Are Fake,” Bard is quite visual in how she delivers her ideas. During the verses she muses about pushing “through crowds of teardrops and sunscreen” and “watching the stars all over the floor,” picturesquely reflecting the excited curiosity of a young film student.
It’s all for nought however. “The buildings are fake, and so is your job,” Bard shouts on the hook, comparing the glamorous facade of Los Angeles and the artificial nature of movie sets to that of a dishonest romantic partner, enforcing the track’s general sense of disappointment.
While Rachel Bard doesn’t stray from being artsy and metaphorical in “The Buildings Are Fake,” its message never fails to be clear. This air of let down and heartbreak is conveyed in full articulation over a solid slacker-rock backdrop, making for a fine new addition to Rachel Bard’s resume.
