Playing for over 4 million fans since 1988, The Australian Pink Floyd Show showed Rochester why they are the ultimate Pink Floyd tribute band after performing at the Kodak Theatre on September 21. Right down to the light show and lasers, Australian Pink Floyd, as they are sometimes called, got toes tapping and heads rocking right out of the gate.
Immediately, fans were transported back in time with remarkable renditions of classics like “Obscured By Clouds,” “Time,” “Money” and of course, “Another Brick in the Wall Pt 2.”
Hailing from Adelaide, group consists of Luc Ledy-Lepine (guitar), David Domminney-Fowler(guitar/vocals) Steve Mac (guitar/vocal), Jason Sawford (keyboard), Paul Bonney (drums), Ricky Howard(bass/vocals), Mike Kidson (sax), and the amazing Chris Barnes on vocals. Backup singers are Lorelei McBroom, Emily Lynn, and Lara Smiles.
Willie Nelson gave an intimate performance to 5,000 lucky fans at a sold out City Parks SummerStage show in Central Park on Tuesday night, September 20. The show was amidst the last few dates of Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival. The festival ends om October 16 at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, California.
Willie Nelson at SummerStage 9.20.22
Willie sounded and looked great as he ran through decades worth of hits in his hour and a half performance. He started his set with “Whiskey River,” a Johnny Bush song made popular on his 1973 album “Shotgun Willie.” He followed that with “Still Is Still Moving to Me” (from 1993) and “Bloody Mary Morning,” a song inspired by his struggle to become a better parent, released in 1970.
Willie briefly turned the show over to his son Micah, aka Particle Kid. Micah told the crowd his dad once said to him, “If I die when I’m high, I’ll be halfway to heaven,” adding that it was the greatest song title he ever heard. Willie replied “Why don’t you write it”, so he penned “Die When I’m High (Halfway To Heaven.)” Continuing the theme of Willie’s well know pot smoking and cannabis activism, they also performed “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” Willie has been arrested several times over the years for marijuana possession dating back to 1974. Fast forward almost 50 years and now marijuana is legal in many states. Willie even has his own weed brand called Willie’s Reserve.
Other highlights included mega hits “Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “On The Road Again” as well as “Always on My Mind” and Georgia (On My Mind).” The show ended with “Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away” and “It’s Hard to Be Humble.”
SInger-songwriter Charley Crockett open the show for Willie. His latest album, The Man From Waco was the second album he released this year. Crockett also won two Austin Music Awards this year. One for Musician of the Year, the other award was for Best Country Artist.
Charley Crockett Setlist: Jukebox Charley, Jamestown Ferry, I’m Just a Clown, Baby don’t tell me that, Banjo Pickin Man, Going Back to Texas, The Man From Waco
Willie Nelson Setlist: Whisky River/Stay a Little Longer, Still Is Still Moving to Me, Bloody Mary Morning, I Never Cared for You, (Die When I’m High) Halfway to Heaven, Mamma’s Dont Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys, Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground, On The Road Again, Always on My Mind, Everything Is Bullshit, Good Hearted Woman, Georgia (On My Mind), I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train, I’ll Love you Till the Day I Die, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, Write Your Own Songs, Truck Drivin’ Man, I Thought About You Lord, Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away, It’s Hard to Be Humble
The Big Eyed Blues Festival returns to Brooklyn for its 12-anniversary celebration, featuring three days of blues with established and upcoming artists on Sept. 22, 24, and 25.
The Blues Festival was created by Blues singer Beareather Reddy, who resides in Brooklyn to showcase talented Blues singers and provide a venue where these artists can be seen and heard. She noticed there was a lack of Blues venues in the city, and she wanted to create a solution to the problem.
Her passion to help keep Blues music striving, inspired her to found the not-for-profit organization, the Brooklyn Blues Society. “In some way, I feel it is my purpose to open the gateway to some and to bring others back to the realization, that Blues music is an integral part of their rich heritage,” she said.
Big Blue Eyed Blues Festival Schedule
Sept. 22, 7-9 P.M.- “The Acoustics” The Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia Street Brooklyn
The night features Junior Mack “Exploring The Blues And The Truth”, Mimi Block, and Keith “The Captain” Gamble will play “Blues in the Key of Violin”. Michael Hill’s Acoustic Blue Duo ends the night with electric blues. The event will be live streamed and is in partnership with the Jalopy Theatre.
Michael Hill is the MC for the event, which features talented singer/songwriter and guitarist from Paterson, NJ, Clarence Spady. Also performing are Beareather & The Brown Liquor Sounds as well as the musical and historically focused group the Antoinette Montague Experience. Brooklyn’s own The Alexis P. Suter Band will end the night with her earth-shattering vocals and electrifying rhythm. The schedule for the evening is as follows:
7:00 P.M. – 7:05 P.M. – Master of Ceremonies – Michael Hill 7:05 P.M. – 7:40 P.M.– Clarence Spady 7:45 P.M. – 8:20 P.M. – Beareather & The Brown Liquor Sounds 8:20 P.M. – 8:35 P.M. – Break 8:35 P.M. – 8:45 P.M. – Citation Presentation & Board Members Introductions 8:45 P.M. – 9:20 P.M. – The Antoinette Montague Experience & Band 9:20 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. – The Alexis P. Band
Sept. 25, 12-3 P.M.- “A Day in the Park” The Prospect Park Boat House Brooklyn.
The free final event is The Tilden Senior Center Drama Club presenting their version of “The Classic Blueswomen,” written by Beareather Reddy and directed by Evria Ince Waldron, in partnership with NIA Theatrical Production and The Prospect Park Alliance.
Tickets for the events on Sept. 22 and 24 are available here.
Harry Styles wrapped up his 15-consecutive night at Madison Square Garden, creating history at his “Love On Tour” dates and becoming the newest banner to be raised at the rafters.
Photo: Lloyd Wakefield/MSG Entertainment
Styles’ residency at The World’s Most Famous Arena wrapped up on Sept. 21, starting on Aug. 20. He joins only a few legends having their banners at the arena, presented to Styles by CBS Mornings host Gayle King during the encore of the final show.
Selling out 15 consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden is a massive accomplishment and reinforces Harry Styles as one of the most impactful artists of his generation. It is a testament to Harry and his fans that a banner celebrating this remarkable achievement will hang from the rafters alongside some of the most legendary artists and athletes in history. Harry has already headlined The World’s Most Famous Arena several times in his skyrocketing career, and we’re honored that MSG was Harry’s House for these 15 incredible nights.
Jim Dolan, executive chairman and CEO, MSG Entertainment
Fans traveled from all over the world to see Styles at MSG and to celebrate his brand new album Harrys House, with interactive photo activations placed around the venue for fans to share their best “Love On Tour” styles; custom postcards distributed at each show with various designs, and exclusive specialty food and beverage options. His fans wore feather boas to each show, and the final show saw them being placed at each seat in the lower bowl, courtesy of the Garden.
Harry Styles’ critically acclaimed single “As It Was” continues to smash records on the Billboard charts with a 14th week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a record 15th week atop the Billboard Global 200. It is also the first song to spend its first 24 weeks in the top three positions on the same chart, with 23 of the 24 in the top two, extending its record.
He joins only two other musical legends with banners at the arena, with Billy Joel and Phish occupying the rafters. It is a remarkable accomplishment for Styles, showing the new generation of artists are being loved by new and old, and his career is just beginning. He will continue his “Love On Tour” in cities like Austin, TX, and Chicago, IL.
The fourth installment of the Sea.Hear.Now Festival brought more than 30,000 fans of all ages to the picturesque waterfront in Asbury Park, New Jersey this past weekend, September 17 and 18. Produced by Tim Sweetwood of C3 Presents (Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza), along with iconic rock photographer Danny Clinch, his good pal Tim Donnnelly (a music journalist turned promoter) and HM Wollman (an industry veteran), the festival is a celebration of live music, art and surf culture.
Excited fans during Wet Leg’s set at the Park Stage | Photo by Michael Dinger
A Transparent Clinch pop-up gallery in Bradley Park featured pieces of art contributed by several of the artists performing over the weekend, as well as photographs snapped by local native and rock legend Bruce Springsteen. The weekend also included a professional team surf contest known as the “North Beach Rumble,” and despite the relatively calm ocean waters, still went on as planned. A portion of the proceeds is also donated to grassroots, non-profit environmental organizations and community charities such as the Surfrider Foundation, Operation Beachhead, Clean Ocean Action, Garden State Equality and Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, to name only a few.
Beach crowd watching Boy George & Culture Club’s set at the Surf Stage | Photo by Michael Dinger
When the gates to the festival grounds in the seaside town known for its sandy shore and beachfront boardwalk lined with shops, arcades and cafes opened promptly each day at noon, patrons were treated to a lineup that included more than 25 artists performing across three stages, aptly named Park, Sand and Surf. The Surf (main) Stage hosted headliner Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame on Saturday and Green Day, the rock trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool, on Sunday. Festivalgoers with VIP and Platinum wristbands had premium access to designated corrals on the side of each stage, including an exclusive viewing area with elevated sightlines of the Surf Stage.
Lollipop jellyfish blowing in the ocean breeze | Photo by Michael Dinger
The spectrum of music genres performed over the weekend was wide-ranging, more than ample to satisfy the taste palette of all patrons in attendance. There was punk (the aforementioned Green Day and IDLES), bluegrass (Billy Strings), pop (Boy George & Culture Club, Peach Pit and Aly & AJ), folk (The Head and the Heart), reggae (Skip Marley), blues (Gary Clark Jr.), rap (Michael Franti & Spearhead), Indie (Annie DiRusso, The Backseat Lovers, Wet Leg and Courtney Barnett), and of course, rock (My Morning Jacket and Cage the Elephant). And if the more than ten hours of music on the beach or in the park was not enough, there were ticketed “Late Night” shows at two of Asbury Park’s most venerable bar venues, The Stone Pony and Wonder Bar, which of course all sold out.
Tim Donnnelly & Danny Clinch | Photo by Michael DingerBerkeley Oceanfront Hotel | Photo by Michael Dinger
Famed English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello has revealed “100 Songs and More,” a concert series featuring 10 performances at Gramercy Theatre from February 9 to 22.
Promotional poster for the concert series.
Each night will have a completely distinct 10-song setlist, along with “at least ten more” different unprogrammed tracks from Costello’s discography. He’ll perform the first five nights solo, with longtime backing pianist Steve Nieve joining the series for the last five. Tickets go on sale September 23.
Costello wrote a sonnet in promotion of the production:
For ten nights at the Gramercy Theatre I’ll name ten songs to set the scene I’ll play those ten and then ten more Shake off the old routine Each night will tell a different tale So come to one or come to all “100 Songs” is what I promise But twice that number is quite a haul I will start this stand alone, that’s fine Nights One to Five, the Feast Day of St. Valentine Steve Nieve will join me for Nights Six, Seven, Eight & Nine But what else may happen is a secret of mine Let’s just set up the chair or two and play In case some friends turn up along the way
A London native, Costello’s decorated career includes 23 different albums over more than 40 years, including those with his backing bands the Attractions, the Costello Show, and the Imposters. His 1977 solo record My Aim is True has sold platinum in the US, and his most recent album work is his Elvis Costello and the Imposters album The Boy Named If, released in January.
Information regarding tickets and more for Elvis Costello at Gramercy Theatre can be found here.
On an overcast and at times rainy Sunday, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) was home to more than a concert, but instead the day long Outlaw Music Festival, with Particle Kid, Brittney Spencer, Larkin Poe, Billy Strings, The Avett Brothers and the legendary Willie Nelson.
The Outlaw Village, located towards the back of SPAC’s renovated concession area, featured a variety of vendors like you’d see at a festival or your nearest Shakedown Street. A packed crowd was lively and excited to see the new (Particle Kid, Brittney Spencer), the rising star (Billy Strings), Americana (Larkin Poe, Avett Brothers) and the old (Willie Nelson, closing in on 9 decades).
Billy Strings simply stole the show, and it seemed that the crowd was mainly there for the rising Nashville star (via Michigan). In fact, it could easily be argued that Billy Strings should have played just prior to Willie Nelson, flipping slots with Avett Brothers. Granted, Avett Brothers have been around for over 20 years, but the energy and draw of Billy Strings far outweighs the Americana of the Avetts. Having Billy and his high power set precede Avetts left the latter’s set feeling like something was lacking, and the speed was lower tempo and inconsistent by comparison.
When you factor in that the gracious Billy Strings thanked Willie, not just from the microphone, but in the setlist as well – spelling out THANK YOU WILLIE over the course of 14 songs in a 75Minute set. Highlights from the set included covers of Pearl Jam’s “In Hiding” and Bill Monroe’s “Uncle Pen.”
Billy Strings Setlist: Turmoil and Tinfoil, Hollow Heart, Away From the Mire, Nothing’s Working, Know It All, Y’all Come, Old Mexico, Uncle Pen, West Dakota Rose, If Your Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin in Your Heart), Love and Regret, Libby Phillips Rag, In Hiding, Everything’s the Same
The 89 year old Willie Nelson followed Avett Brothers with four band mates tore through a set that the audience waited patiently for, kicking things off with his classic “Whiskey River.” Bringing out grandson Micah Nelson (Particle Kid) for “Everything is Bullshit,” ” Halfway to Heaven” and “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” plus a few other tunes was an excellent touch; the set brought to mind Farm Aid in 2013 at SPAC, where Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real performed a short set and later joined his pater familias.
To close out Outlaw Music Festival at SPAC, Willie invited all the days performers to the stage for “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” and a finale of Mac Davis’ “It’s Hard to Be Humble.”
The Adirondack Wind Ensemble (AWE) will celebrate the occasion of its 20th anniversary on Sunday, September 25 at 2pm in the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium at SUNY Plattsburgh. AWE will be joined by Allan McMurray, guest conductor, who is the former graduate advisor of AWE director Daniel Gordon.
Adirondack Wind Ensemble is a professional musical ensemble of wind and percussion instruments comprised of music educators and other outstanding community musicians from around the North Country. Its performers represent every public school district in Clinton County as well as several communities beyond and they gather in AWE to share in the joy of making music. AWE is dedicated to providing quality concert performances by members of this community for this community.
The two worked together at the University of Colorado at Boulder in the early 1990s making the concert a joyous reunion for the two musicians. McMurray, widely considered one of the leading wind ensemble directors in the country, will conduct a program of music by Percy Grainger (Children’s March, Irish Tune from County Derry, and Lincolnshire Posy) and Gustav Holst (Hammersmith and First Suite in E-flat).
This project is made possible with funds from the Plattsburgh College Foundation Eleanor Marcus Music Endowment; the Statewide Community Regrants program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts; the SUNY Plattsburgh Student Association through the Campus Arts Council and the Music Department; and Stewart’s Shops.
SPAC announces the return of its WAMC@SPAC series with “BAM! And Then It Hit Me with Karen Brooks Hopkins” on Sept. 26 at 6 P.M. in the Nancy DiCresce Room at The Pines@SPAC facility.
Photo credit: Bob Klein
Karen Brooks Hopkins is the president emerita of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where she worked for 36 years, serving 16 of those as president. Hopkins was presented the National Medal of the Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts organizations by the U.S. government, on behalf of BAM by President Obama in 2014.
We are so proud to be presenting Karen Hopkins at SPAC. She has been a powerhouse and an icon in the industry, someone who was instrumental in the evolution of the Brooklyn Academy of Music into one of the most important presenting and producing organizations in the world. BAM’s fierce commitment to contemporary artists and new work made Brooklyn a magnet for anyone who cared about the arts. I myself moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn precisely to be right there in BAM’s orbit, a mere walking distance from a great cauldron of creativity. Both lovers of the performing arts and the uninitiated will be compelled by Karen’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ storytelling from 36 years at the helm of the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center
“BAM! And Then It Hit Me” is a memoir of Hopkins’ life and her 36 years at America’s oldest performing arts center. It is an inspiring and constructive read for any not-for-profit organization or local arts center detailing key strategies for institutional success. Visual elements highlighting behind-the-scenes moments from BAM’s legendary performances over the years will also be shared with the public for the first time.
The book event is a part of SPAC’s growing LiteraryArts@SPAC initiative, which includes WAMC@SPAC events and conversations with renowned authors and poets, like Presidential Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco, journalist Chris Cox, New York Times columnist Pamela Paul, and more.
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is known for its summer concerts, as well as for hosting residencies from the New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
“BAM! And Then It Hit Me with Karen Brooks Hopkins” is free to attend, however, seating is limited. Go here to reserve seating, there will also be a book signing following the event.
The newest release from New York bred ambient duo MoonTree, “Lullaby For Our Last Night,” is the anti-single: it lacks a catchy chorus, surprising bridge or album teasing theme. Instead, the haunting new track finds meaning in its formlessness, hitting a chord that though familiar, is truly singular. The song is saying goodbye, and though drifting, aimless and without structure, it still feels final.
MoonTree is made up of Purchase College students Ben Cuomo and Jaya Franceschini.
MoonTree is composed of Ben Cuomo and Jaya Franceschini, two 18-year-olds attending Purchase College. They released their first song last year, followed by an EP, For The Time We Have Left, of eight songs. The group shows an inclination toward odes in their song and album titles; each piece feels dedicated and specific to a time, place or person. Their tone has been honed in on since that album but their harmonic, off-kilter melodies and slow, paced-out rhythms have remained consistent through their discography.
In “Lullaby For Our Last Night,” Franceschini is droning and repetitive, probing the listener over and over “Will you say goodbye?” Then, “Be on time,” she orders, repeated by her counterpart Ben Cuomo’s technologically distorted voice. With their voices layering; they are begging — eachother, themselves — “Be on time.” The song, an ode to goodbyes, to the act of leaving, comes down to not wasting time, to honoring last moments. Though slow, the song is steady, not one second of its four minutes are wasted.
MoonTree’s sound is self described with many hyphens: avant-garde, neo-jazz, ambient-soul. Their sound doesn’t lend itself to most existing music genres; it’s easier to describe visually: like a glow and a glower, like a dark room over a busy street. MoonTree’s artist bio says they are “creating a soundtrack to twenty-first century city life,” and its true, but this new song more references the specific loneliness of a night in New York City — not just the sadness but the allure and dreaminess that loneliness holds. “Lullaby For Our Last Night” is out on all streaming platforms, and you can find MoonTree on Instagram.
