Category: Regions

Tedeschi Trucks Band Play 50th Beacon Show With Surprise Guest Hot Tuna

On Monday October 3rd, Tedeschi Trucks Band played their landmark 50th show at The Beacon Theatre with Hot Tuna opening as a special surprise guest. Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassady also joined the band later in the evening for a performance of Janis Joplin’s “Turtle Blues” as well as Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”

There was speculation online by fans earlier in the week as to who the “special guest” was going to be. It remained a well kept secret until the moment it was announced at the start of the show. The crowd erupted as Hot Tuna made their way to the stage as the unannounced opening act for Tedeschi and Trucks. They played an acoustic nine song set filled with covers as well as some original Tuna songs.

The first two songs of their set, “Don’t You Leave Me Here (Dime For Beer)” and “Hesitation Blues” were featured on their debut self-titled live album from 1970. That was followed by Reverend Gary Davis’s “Let Us Get Together Right Down Here” and a Richard M. Jones cover of “Trouble in Mind.” Other songs included a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “Good Shepherd” and “Day to Day Out the Window Blues” before ending their set with Jesse Fuller’s “San Francisco Bay Blues.”

Tedeschi Trucks took the stage around 8:45 and started their set with “Don’t Let Me Slide” from their 2011 debut album Revelator. This also happens to be the first song they ever played at The Beacon Theatre when they performed their first show there in 2011. The second song of their set was “All That I Need” from the band’s second album Made Up Mind released in 2013. They continued with “Laugh About It” and “Signs” before digging into their I Am the Moon: I. Crescent set.

I Am the Moon is the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s newest project. It is a series of four new albums along with four corresponding films made during the Covid lockdown. They have been working the albums into their shows during this current Beacon run. Thursday’s show featured I Am the Moon: III. The Fall while Friday’s show included I Am the Moon: IV. Farewell. Saturday’s crowd got to hear I Am the Moon: II. Ascension saving I Am the Moon: I. Crescent for their 50th Beacon show on Monday night.

Mike Mattison sang lead vocals on “Fall In” which then led into the title track of the project. After that was “Circles ‘Round the Sun” featuring Kebbi Williams on saxophone. For the final song of the album, “Pasaquan” most of the band left the stage leaving just Derek, keyboardist Gabe Dixon, bassist Brandon Boone and the two drummers Tyler Greenwell and Isaac Eady for this captivating twenty two minute rendition of the song.

Another highlight of the show was a cover of “Keep On Growing” by Derek and the Dominos. It was only fitting that an Allman Brothers song be included in this special Beacon show. Derek and Susan absolutely killed it on a “Whipping Post” before leaving the stage to a standing ovation. The encore featured two songs from I Am the Moon IV. Farewell, “Another Day” and “Soul Sweet Song.” The band then honored Leon Russell ending the show with a cover of “Space Captain” from Matthew Moore.

There are still a few more Beacon shows left. After that, they are doing shows in Denmark, Norway and the UK. You can see the rest of their upcoming tour dates here.

Setlist: Don’t Let Me Slide, All That I Need, Laugh About It, Signs, High Times, Hear My Dear, Fall In, I Am the Moon, Circles ‘Round the Sun, Pasaquan, Turtle Blues, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, Made Up Mind, Keep on Growing, The Storm, Whipping Post, Another Day, Soul Sweet Song, Space Captain

October 5, 2022
Reba McEntire extends tour to include show at Madison Square Garden

Reba McEntire has 15 American Music awards, 3 Grammys, 16 ACM awards and more. She’s in the Country Music Hall of Fame and a member of the Hollywood Bowl; she’s been honored by the Kennedy Center and has the GMA Dove Award and much more — but she’s never played Madison Square Garden. But after a string of sold out shows on the fall leg of the REBA: Live In Concert Tour, Reba has decided to add 14 more dates for Spring of 2023, with special guests Terri Clark and The Issacs. The tour will conclude at MSG.

The “Fancy” singer will be joined by Canadian country legend Terri Clark and gospel family band The Isaacs. The tour will kick off on March 9 in Jacksonville, FL and two shows in New England scheduled for April before the MSG show.

Tickets for Reba McEntire‘s extended tour go on sale October 14 at 10 a.m., but fans can access the special fan ticket presale that opens October 4 if they register by 11:59 p.m. on October 3.

Reba McEntire REBA: LIVE IN CONCERT, 2023 Dates

March 9 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville, FL

March 10 Columbia, SC Colonial Life Arena

March 11 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena

March 17 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum

March 18 Moline, IL Vibrant Arena at the Mark

March 23 Reno, NV Reno Events Center

March 24 Nampa, ID Ford Idaho Center**

March 25 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Arena

March 30 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center

March 31 Palm Desert, CA Acrisure Arena

April 1 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl

April 13 Manchester, NH SNHU Arena

April 14 Hershey, PA GIANT Center

April 15 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

October 5, 2022
In Focus: The Felice County Fair at Arrowood Farms

The Felice Brothers hosted The Felice County Fair on Saturday, October 1. Set on a crisp, fall day at the picturesque Arrowood Farms Brewery in Accord, NY, the event featured a day of musical acts and collaborations.

The Felice Brothers @ The Felice County Fair

The fair served as a sort of homecoming celebration for The Felice Brothers, who hail from nearby Palenville, NY. The band, made up of siblings Ian (vocals and guitar) and James Felice (vocals, keyboard, accordion), also includes Jesske Hume (bass guitar) and William Lawrence (drums) was concluding a long tour in support of their latest album, From Dreams to Dust (2021).

The day of music kicked off with a solo acoustic set by Will Lawrence. Lawrence delivered a quick solo set, featuring acoustic ballads off his first solo album, Through the Hollow Hills. Lawrence, who played the acoustic guitar and kick drum, was an appropriate act to start the day.

Al Olender @ The Felice County Fair

Up next was Al Olender, who dazzled the crowd with her powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence. Flanked by a full band, Olender was also joined by James Felice for several songs. Quite simply, Olender sings about life. She delivered passionate and honest lyrics to songs dealing with the realities of a harsh break up, the death of a close family member, and life during a pandemic. By the end of her set, the crowd was fully engaged.

The music continued with individual sets by Haley Heynderickx, Evan Stephens Hall (Pine Grove), and Hooray For the Riff Raff. As the day progressed, the collaborations became more plentiful. The Felice Brothers served as the backing band for songs with Stephens Hall and Hurray for the Riff Raff. Conor Oberst joined the fun, playing the kazoo with Stephens Hall. Even Ian Felice’s son joined on stage at one point, banging a toy drum.

Ian Felice @ The Felice County Fair

Finally, it was time for The Felice Brothers. As the band took the stage, James Felice proudly proclaimed the festival had sold out. It was a well-deserved accomplishment for a band that has earned a loyal and devoted following after almost two decades of touring. The band launched into their opening track, the catchy “Jazz on the Autobahn.” Crowd participation was at high at this point, as the audience joined in, singing and dancing along with the band.

Brothers Simone and Ian Felice embrace @ The Felice County Fair

On a day filled with special moments, perhaps the crowning moment occurred halfway through The Felice Brothers set when the band brought Simone Felice to the stage. Simone, a founding member, left the band in 2009 due to medical issues. It was clearly evident on the brothers’ faces how special this moment was. With Simone in tow, the band closed their set with several early-era Felice Brothers favorites, including “The Devil is Real” and “Whiskey in my Whiskey” before closing their set with “White Limo.”

Conor Oberst @ The Felice County Fair

The night was not over yet, as the fair closed with headliner Conor Oberst. Oberst, most known for his work with Bright Eyes, filled his set with tracks from his various solo albums. He was backed again by The Felice Brothers, who have served as Oberst’s backing band for serval tours, as well as his most recent solo offering, Salutations (2016). As the set neared a close, Oberst summoned all of the day’s performers to the stage, before closing with the Bill Withers classic “Lean On Me.” It was a fitting end to a wonderful day of music and collaboration.

Al Olender, Arrowood Farms, conor oberst, The Felice Brothers

October 5, 2022
Island Records’ Chris Blackwell Chronicles His Six Decades in Music in New Memoir

With THE ISLANDER: My Life in Music and Beyond (Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books), Island Records’ founder Chris Blackwell secures his status as one of the most insightful, ballsy and successful label owners in the history of the rough-and-tumble record business. The swashbuckling, swing-for-the-fences Blackwell’s M.O. was finding and patiently nurturing musicians of true originality, artists who were often overlooked by larger labels due to their distinctive edge. This was the very thing that Island tirelessly exploited to turn them into stars, ones who both delighted critics and sometimes moved tens of millions of albums. Bob Marley, U2, Steve Winwood, Traffic, Cat Stevens, The B-52s, Nick Drake, Free, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Tom Waits, Robert Palmer, The Tom Tom Club, Brian Eno, Sparks, Grace Jones and The Cranberries are just the tip of Blackwell and Island’s roster of finds. The man would not only go on to create an indelible mark over six decades of modern music but extend it into the worlds of films, technology and high-end hospitality.

Blackwell’s story begins and ends in Jamaica. He is the son of rich Brits who came to the island shortly after his birth, the fortunate heirs to a 300-year-old food concern, Crosse & Blackwell. His wealthy family was at the center of a star-studded expat community in Jamaica at that time. It included Hollywood actor Errol Flynn, songwriter Noel Coward and, most notably, Ian Fleming. Fleming wrote all of his James Bond novels at his famed home GoldenEye, one that Blackwell now owns and runs as an exclusive resort. His mother Blanche was a muse for Fleming and the basis for two of his most memorable Bond paramours, Pussy Galore and Honeychilde Ryder. Blackwell would head back to England for school in his teens. It was there that he would become fascinated with the burgeoning popular music scene.

It is in Jamaica, however, where Blackwell begins to enter the music business. His first job is as a “selector” who would supply R&B records he bought in his international travels to Britain and New York City to the island’s far-flung jukeboxes and mobile “Sound System” djs like the legendary Coxsone Dodd and Tom the Great Sebastian. After a few misses in record production in Jamaica, Blackwell’s first big success come with the signing of 15-year-old singer Millie Smalls. Blackwell would become her guardian and take her to England where she would score a huge international hit with the ska-flavored “My Boy Lollipop.”

Blackwell’s long foray into rock would begin with the discovery of teenage Steve Winwood and the string of hits with his first band, The Spencer Davis Group. Island would then go on to champion Winwood’s next venture, Traffic. It was Blackwell who came up with the idea of getting them away from the city and up to a country cottage to create the music for their first album. Bands have been doing the “going to the country” thing ever since, thanks to Blackwell and Traffic.

While he didn’t sign them, it is Blackwell, through his then number-two Guy Stevens, who we have to thank for connecting aspiring poet/lyricist named Keith Reid with composer/singer/pianist Gary Brooker. Together, they who would go on to create Procol Harum and “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” perhaps the greatest orch-pop anthem of the Summer of Love. A great section of Blackwell’s memoir deals with the some now immortal names in British folk – Nick Drake, Fairport Convention and John Martyn – artists Blackwell inherited when he purchased Joe Boyd’s Witchseason label. His description of the powder keg when the alcohol-loving Martyn and eccentric Jamaica dub master/producer Lee “Scratch” Perry worked together are worth the price of the book alone. So, too, are the stories from his long-running relationship with Cat Stevens. It was Blackwell who helped turn this failing lightweight pop idol into one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the ‘70s. He also dealt with the artist’s unexpected retirement and named change spurred by his new found devotion to Islam in the early ‘80s.

Through the two recording studios he founded, London’s Basing Street Studios and Compass Point in Nassau, Chris Blackwell was a party to a huge cache of hits that didn’t, unfortunately, come out on his label, from the Talking Heads “Remain in Light” to AC/DC’s “Back In Black.”

Of course, the heart of this book is the story of his two most successful artists, Bob Marley and U2.

Blackwell would go on to give the former the cash to make his first album with a simple handshake. The label owner was with Marley every step of the way on his long climb to stardom, something which was only cemented with the release of Marley’s 1975 live album. Blackwell also dishes the sad facts of Marley’s death and his belief that the reggae great could’ve lived if he promptly dealt with his cancer at diagnosis. And, naturally, one of the true joys of his life is witnessing the impact Marley continues to have as a symbol of freedom to oppressed people throughout the world.

And just like The Beatles, U2 were pretty much turned down by every record company when Blackwell was finally strongarmed by his staff to sign the Irish rockers. As with many of his artists, Blackwell’s hands-off approach in the studio helped the band find and refine its voice, until it became the biggest in the world with the release of its 25-million selling 1987 album, “The Joshua Tree.”

Some of the best parts of the book are about the less-known scenes, such as his partnership with NYC-based ZE Records. This was the label behind early ‘80s “No Wave” bands/artists like James White and the Blacks, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Suicide, Mars, Was (Not Was) and Kid Creole and the Coconuts. With his label Mango Records, Blackwell was perhaps the most important catalyst for the global spread of reggae by artists like Burning Spear, Max Romeo, Sly & Robbie and Lee Perry. And with the Bill Laswell-led Axiom Records, Blackwell played a part in unleashing some of the most adventurous and uncompromising music coming out of Greenpoint Studios in Brooklyn. Axiom was the label behind albums by Praxis and Material and the noise guitar great Sonny Sharrock’s classic, “Ask The Ages.”

Blackwell’s memoir also provides the details on his move into films with the release of the reggae classic, The Harder They Come and his founding of Palm Pictures, which gave the world acclaimed films like The Basketball Diaries and Sex and Lucia. Also detailed is his early move into technology with the ultimately failed webcasting service, Sputnik 7. In 1989, Blackwell would sell his stake in Island to Polygram and leave the record business for good in 1997. He would go on to make savvy investments in Miami Beach real estate, which he would have to sell in one of his inevitable cash crunches (due to Sputnik 7’s flop). He would ultimately settle on running a collection of distinctive hotels and villas in Jamaica which he continues to operate today under the banner Island Outpost. Fun fact: Sting wrote “Every Breath You Take” while staying at Blackwell’s GoldenEye, the same place Apple founder Steve Jobs celebrated his 29^th birthday.

Unlike some record company founder bios, Chris Blackwell humbly shares the credit for much of his success with his associates, chief among them producer and A&R man Guy Stevens. Blackwell also gives unvarnished views of his failures, like Sputnik 7, some promising singings that went south and his missed singing opportunities like Procol Harum and much of the early British punk scene.

For all the amazing achievements packed into its pages, Blackwell’s memoir is eminently readable, a tale imparted with the casual flow of a first-rate raconteur. It’s an absorbing recounting of one of the most remarkable lives, and longest winning streaks, in the fickle and constantly evolving world of popular music.

October 5, 2022
A Slice of Early Pink Floyd Returns to The Cap with Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets

Back in April of 2019 former Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason appeared at The Beacon Theatre in NYC with a saucerful of pre-Dark Side of the Moon songs from the Pink Floyd catalogue. That show (and the rest of that tour) proved the longevity of Syd Barret’s time with the band and resonated so well that Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets returned to the road, recently stopping at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on Monday, Sept. 26.

The show was originally set for January 2022 but was postponed due to pandemic uncertainties at the time; it was certainly worth the wait. But an even longer gap of time was present. Pink Floyd had played at The Cap on April 22, 1970, the last time Mason was at the venue. At the time, Pink Floyd was not having the best luck with touring the United States as their stop in New Orleans less than a month later resulted in the remainder of their US tour being cancelled. It wasn’t until the 1973 release of Dark Side of the Moon when Pink Floyd was discovered by a majority of their fans, and it was this premise that prompted the idea for bringing the band’s earlier works to a wider audience.

The introductory bass guitar notes of “One of These Days” excited the audience and established a pillow of winds that carried that feeling through the whole show. The quality of the sound far surpassed what would come from a cover band and was an authentic breath of new life to the early Pink Floyd songs. After all, Nick Mason has been the only continuous Pink Floyd member since he co-founded the band; bassist Guy Pratt is the son-in-law of late PF keyboardist Richard Wright and toured with David Gilmour’s backing band; keyboardist Dom Beken had collaborated with Richard Wright; guitarist Lee Harris suggested the idea for the project to Pratt; and guitarist Gary Kemp had great enthusiasm about joining the band.

The Capitol Theatre’s intimate space and its excellent acoustics topped off the decadent slice of progressive rock history brought back to life. As opposed to arena shows where one might feel disconnected from the band, every note played engaged the crowd. From every spot in the room it was easy to tell and feel the happiness and energy of the band members, especially with Pratt and Kemp playing off each other with their presence and Mason frequently displaying a humble smile from behind the kit.

Particular treats from the show included “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun,” “Echoes,” and “Astronomy Domine.” The entire setlist was enjoyable, although many more early Pink Floyd songs would also fit the bill (if time allowed). Ending the evening as a nod to Syd Barrett’s character was the quirky song “Bike.”

If you missed Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets at The Cap (or want to see it again), the tour will be stopping at The Beacon Theatre on Wednesday Oct. 12, rescheduled from January 2022.

Setlist:

Set 1: One of These Days, Arnold Layne, Fearless, Obscured by Clouds, When You’re In, Candy and a Currant Bun, Vegetable Man, If, Atom Heart Mother, If (Reprise), Remember a Day, Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
Set 2: Astronomy Domine, The Nile Song, Burning Bridges, Childhood’s End, Lucifer Sam, Echoes
Encore: See Emily Play, A Saucerful of Secrets, Bike

October 5, 2022
Depeche Mode Embark on 2023 “Memento Mori” World Tour with a Stops at MSG, Barclays Arena Date Added

Depeche Mode, the influential English electronic duo of Martin Gore and Dave Gahan, will embark on their first tour in over five years, in support of the band’s forthcoming studio album, Memento Mori, due in Spring 2023. They’ll make one stop in the Empire State at Madison Square Garden on April 14, before heading over the Europe for four months of shows across the continent. Stella Rose & The Dead Language will join as support. Just announced – they’ll play later this year at MSG on October 28, with an additional performance at Barclays Arena on October 21.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020 inductees, Depeche Mode remains an ever-evolving and singularly influential musical force. An indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike, Depeche Mode continues to press on as the Memento Mori album and tour represents the opening of the newest chapter of a peerless and ongoing legacy.

We started work on this project early in the pandemic, and its themes were directly inspired by that time. After Fletch’s passing, we decided to continue as we’re sure this is what he would have wanted, and that has really given the project an extra level of meaning.
Martin Gore

Fletch would have loved this album. We’re really looking forward to sharing it with you soon, and we can’t wait to present it to you live at the shows next year.
Dave Gahan

Memento Mori (Latin for “remember that you must die”) will be Depeche Mode’s 15th studio album and the follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed Spirit. Memento Mori will be released worldwide in Spring 2023 via Columbia Records.

Opening Acts for Depeche Mode

Darkly poetic and industrial leaning, Stella Rose and her band The Dead Language have graced venues all over their native New York City and Brooklyn. With a confidence that belies the band’s relative newness, The Dead Language has quickly built a distinctive sonic and visual identity on the foundation of Stella Rose’s lyricism and stage presence. Myles Mullen completes The Dead Language’s assault on the senses, painting the stage with imagery that meshes with and reacts to the music, creating a visceral story for the audience. The result is utterly unique and new—while paying homage to the downtown NYC golden age(s) that gave us the Velvet Underground, Patti Smith, Blondie, and Warhol’s Factory. Stella Rose’s first two singles, “Muddled Man” and “Angel” were released in Fall 2022.

Wales-born London-bred musician and producer Kelly Lee Owens’ unique melding of electronic music’s coolness and warmth has built her an eclectic following of fans, critics, and fellow musicians including St. Vincent, Bjork, John Cale, and of course Depeche Mode. With vocals as confident and captivating as her beats, Owens has built a formidable solo discography that includes the albums Kelly Lee Owens, Inner Song, and her latest record LP.8, released in spring 2022 to unanimous critical praise, including Clash magazine’s lauding its “giant leap in her evolution as an artist, continuing to build on an ever-growing discography of limitless promise”

For further information on the tour routing and ticket on-sale dates, please go to depechemode.com.

Depeche Mode Memento Mori World Tour 2023

Memento Mori World Tour 2023 – Leg One

March 23          Sacramento, CA            Golden 1 Center

March 25          San Jose, CA                  SAP Center

March 28          Los Angeles, CA            Kia Forum

March 30          Las Vegas, NV                T-Mobile Arena

April 2               San Antonio, TX            AT&T Center

April 5               Chicago, IL                     United Center

April 7               Toronto, ON                  Scotiabank Arena

April 9               Quebec City, QC           Videotron Centre

April 12             Montreal, QC                Centre Bell

April 14             New York, NY                Madison Square Garden

May 16             Amsterdam, NL             Ziggo Dome

May 18             Amsterdam, NL             Ziggo Dome

May 20             Antwerp, BE                  Sportpaleis Antwerpen

May 23             Stockholm, SE               Friends Arena

May 26             Leipzig, DE                     Leipziger Festwiese

May 28             Bratislava, SK                 Národný Futbalový Štadión

May 31             Lyon, FR                               Groupama Stadium

June 2               Barcelona, ES                Primavera Sound Festival

June 4               Dusseldorf, DE              Merkur Spiel-Arena

June 6               Dusseldorf, DE              Merkur Spiel-Arena

June 9               Madrid, ES                     Primavera Sound Festival

June 11             Bern, CH                        Stadion Wankdorf

June 14             Dublin, IE                      Malahide Castle

June 17             London, UK                   Twickenham Stadium

June 20             Munich, DE                   Olympiastadion

June 22             Lille, FR                          Stade Pierre Mauroy

June 24             Paris, FR                         Stade de France

June 27             Copenhagen, DK          Parken

June 29             Frankfurt, DE                Deutsche Bank Park

July 1                Frankfurt, DE               Deutsche Bank Park

July 4                Bordeaux, FR               Matmut Atlantique

July 7                Berlin, DE                     Olympiastadion

July 9                Berlin, DE                     Olympiastadion

July 12              Rome, IT                       Stadio Olympico

July 14              Milan, IT                       San Siro

July 16              Bologna, IT                   Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

July 21              Klagenfurt, AT              Wörthersee Stadion

July 23              Zagreb, HR                    Arena Zagreb

July 26              Bucharest, RO              Arena Națională

July 28              Budapest, HU               Puskás Aréna

July 30              Prague, CZ                     Letňany Airport

August 2           Warsaw, PL                   PGE Narodowy

August 4           Krakow, PL                    Tauron Arena

August 6           Tallinn, EE                     Tallinna Lauluväljak

August 8           Helsinki, FI                    Kaisaniemen Puisto

August 11         Oslo, NO                       Telenor Arena

– New dates just added –

September 21        Mexico City, MX          Foro Sol

September 29        Austin, TX                   Moody Center

October 1   Dallas, TX                   American Airlines Center

October 4   Houston, TX               Toyota Center

October 7   New Orleans, LA        Smoothie King Center

October 10 Orlando, FL                Amway Center

October 12 Miami, FL                   Miami-Dade Arena

October 19 Nashville, TN              Bridgestone Arena

October 21 Brooklyn, NY              Barclays Center

October 23 Washington, DC         Capital One Arena

October 25 Philadelphia, PA         Wells Fargo Center

October 28 New York, NY             Madison Square Garden

October 31 Boston, MA                TD Garden

November 3           Montreal, QC             Centre Bell

November 5           Toronto, ON               Scotiabank Arena

November 8           Detroit, MI                Little Caesars Arena

November 10         Cleveland, OH           Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

November 13         Chicago, IL                 United Center

November 16         Denver, CO                Ball Arena

November 18         Salt Lake City, UT       Vivint Arena

November 21         Edmonton, AB            Rogers Place

November 24         Vancouver, BC          Rogers Arena

November 26         Seattle, WA               Climate Pledge Arena

November 28         Portland, OR              MODA Center

December 1           Las Vegas, NV             T-Mobile Arena

December 3           San Francisco, CA       Chase Center

December 6           San Diego, CA            Pechanga Arena

December 10         Los Angeles, CA          Kia Forum

December 15         Los Angeles, CA          Crypto.com Arena

Kelly Lee Owens supports on all dates except * Stella Rose & The Dead Language

October 5, 2022
Chris Mazuera Releases Fourth Single “Roots” Ahead of Album Release

Chris Mazuera, a regular in the “Lofi Beats To Study To,” Spotify playlist, is getting a little less late-night cram and a little more late-night kickback in his newest single, “Roots.” Mazuera released four singles in advance of his upcoming album Let’s Take A Trip, with “Roots” as the closer on that album.

“I wanted to close out the album in a strong way,” Mazuera said. “So I mixed as many of my influences as I could in this track: rock, jazz, hip-hop, psychedelic, blues, classical.”

Chris Mazuera calls the sound on the upcoming album a more coherent mixture of all his influences from across genres, and he’s proud that the sound is more identifiable with himself as an artist. It’s uplifting, energetic, and has a funky bassline. The song comes in just over two minutes, but it’s the kind of song you could hit repeat on a couple of times.

What sets “Roots” apart from his past hits like “First Snow” and “Abundance,” is his departure from comfortable repetitive and symmetrical rhythms and harmonies to more ambitious beat switches and guitar solos. Mazeura said this is a call back to his “roots” in New York City when he first moved to the city from Miami and would busk in Grand Central Station, playing blues solos for hours and hours.

Since moving to NYC he has familiarized himself with the industry through partnerships with local hip-hop and lo-fi producers. In 2018 he released his first album Monstera, since he’s released over seven albums and EPs, composed of both solo projects and collaborations, in addition to several singles.

“Roots” is streaming across platforms now and you can pre-save the album, which is coming out on Dec. 2 here.

https://youtu.be/XGn4_-ylcaI

October 4, 2022
Ali McGuirk brings the Work of Love to The Linda Performing Arts Studio in Albany

Ali McGuirk delivered a pared-down but powerful performance at The Linda Performing Arts Studio in Albany on Oct 1. The theater was pleasantly packed and ready for a throaty earful from McGuirk.

Ali McGuirk performed solo with only a couple of guitars as “friends.” Her partner in performance couldn’t make it. Even so, McGuirk is a compelling and entertaining presence on stage with just guitars accompanying her! Her soulful voice and a jazzy and sparse guitar playing style connect well with her audience.

McGuirk’s set was filled with songs off her recently released a full-length album entitled Til It’s Gone. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with a gaggle of studio musicians, including Little Feat guitarist Fred Tackett. Highlights included “Ex-Boyfriends” and the title track “Til It’s Gone.” The audience was rapt and appreciative of the solo performance McGuirk delivered.

Upstate NY’ers can catch Ali McGuirk in neighboring VT at South Burlington’s Higher Ground on October 14. Her new album Til It’s Gone is available on all streaming platforms.

Setlist: All Back, Leave Me, Milk, Evelyn, Empty Vase, Work, Let It Be You, When I see You / Til It’s Gone, Exorcist, Anti Love Song, Ex-Boyfriends

October 4, 2022
Toubab Krewe is Making 4 Stops in NYS This Week

Toubab Krewe is making four stops in NYS this week, with a fifth stop next month. They will be hitting Buffalo, Albany, and Ithaca, with an appearance in Port Washington in November.

Toubab Krewe is an instrumental powerhouse from Asheville, NC that fuses west-African traditional music with elements of rock, jam, and Appalachian styles. Formed in 2005, the group is made up of Justin Perkins (Kora, Kamelngoni, guitar, percussion), Terrence Houston (drumset), Drew Heller (guitar, organ), Justin Kimmel (bass, keys), and Luke Quaranta (Djembe, Congas, Dundun, Sangban, Kinkini).

The group takes inspiration from African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab, and Salif Keita but remains true to themselves. They have also gone on many trips to learn more about African music, traveling to places like Guinea, the Ivory Coast, and Mali.

This short tour stops in numerous places in NYS. On October 4, they will stop at Buffalo Iron Works, a venue they have toured before. They will head to Albany on October 5, playing at Lark Hall. The next day they will go to Ithaca and play at Deep Dive. They’ll be in Brooklyn at Industry City on Saturday, October 8th. For tickets to the tour, go here.

Tour Dates

10/4 Buffalo NY – Buffalo Iron Works

10/5 Albany NY – Lark Hall

10/6 Ithaca NY – Deep Dive

10/7 Bridgeport CT – Park City Music Hall

10/8 Brooklyn NY – Industry City

10/30 Live Oak FL – Hulaween

11/12 Port Washington NY – Landmark on Main

October 4, 2022
LCD Soundsystem Announce 20 Show Residency at Brooklyn Steel

In November and December, LCD Soundsystem will return to Brooklyn Steel for a month-long residency. “We’re not aware that we’re getting older and somehow think that 20 shows is a good idea,” said bandleader James Murphy in a social media announcement.

Murphy wearing a Halloween mask with the face of his friend/collaborator/former bandmate Steve Nebesney.

The band’s concert dates at the venue are as follows: Nov. 18-22, 26, 27, 29, 30, and Dec. 2-4, 6, 7, 9-11, 13, 14, 16, and 17. For Nov. 27, 29, and 30, only American Express card members can purchase tickets.

Amex card members will also get early access to tickets from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Thursday before the general sale starts the following morning at 10 a.m. Customers can also request “fan presale access” for the opportunity to purchase seats between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday.

Priority will also be granted to fans who bought tickets for canceled shows from the LCD Soundsystem’s Omicron-shortened residency at Brooklyn Steel in 2021.

The announcement also came with the single release of “New Body Rhumba,” the group’s first song in five years. The track was made for the Noah Baumbach movie “White Noise” which debuted on Netflix in August.

October 4, 2022