NYS Music 202​2

Category: Regions

  • In Focus: Rage Against The Machine at Madison Square Garden

    On Aug. 8th Rage Against the Machine (RATM) played the first of five, sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden (MSG). This was the 15th stop of their “public service announcement” tour. The reunion tour has 51 shows throughout 12 countries and 40 different cities. They were accompanied by Run The Jewels (RTJ). RTJ is a hip hop duo consisting of Brooklyn based rapper/producer El-P and Atlanta based rapper Killer Mike.

    Originally announced in 2019, and postponed several times due to the COVID pandemic, this tour marked the band’s first time playing together in 11 years. New Yorkers were clearly excited for their return as all five nights are sold out. The bands politically charged messages throughout their songs feel as relevant today as they did when they were first released decades ago. The energy in the arena was through the roof. Although frontman Zack de la Rocha had to perform the show sitting down due to a leg injury he sustained on the second stop of this tour, his passion and excitement were on full display.

    Also outspoken about their political views, Run the Jewels is a perfect match as an opening act for RATM. They opened the show with “Call Ticketron” which appropriately has an opening verse of “run the jewels live at the garden”. They made sure to let us know they’ve been waiting years for that moment, and it set the tone for an explosive set. The chemistry between Killer Mike and EL-P on stage is incredible to see live.

    Rage Against The Machine – Madison Square Garden – Aug. 8, 2022
    Bombtrack, People of the Sun, Bulls on Parade, Bullet in the head, Revolver (intro only), Testify, Take The Power Back, Wake Up, Guerilla Radio, Down Rodeo, Know Your Enemy, Calm Like a Bomb > Sleep Now in The Fire, Born of a Broken Man, War Within a Breath, The Ghost of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen cover), Freedom > Township Rebellion > Killing in the Name

    Run The Jewels – Madison Square Garden – Aug. 8, 2022
    Call Ticketron, Yankee and the Brave (ep.4), Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck), Ooh La La (with Greg Nice), Blockbuster Night Part 1, Oh My Darling Don’t Cry, Legend Has it, Stay Gold > Don’t Get Captured, Ju$t, Walking in the Snow, A Few Words for the Firing Squad (Radiation)

  • Summer Hoot Festival Returns for its 10th Year

    The 10th annual Summer Hoot Festival will return to Olivebridge, NY, from Aug. 26-28 for three days of music, food, nature, and community. The festival will feature nearly two dozen musical performances in a family-friendly environment.

    Folk-roots musicians Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar Merenda of The Mammals together produce and host the event. The duo started the Hoot Festival back in 2013 with friends and hold the event twice a year in the winter and summer to celebrate music and nature. 

    This year’s lineup features the talents of NY-based Naiika Sings, Catalan instrumentalist Lau Noah, Hudson Valley’s What?, dancers City Stompers, The Mammals, and many more. The Hoot has long attracted some amazing acts, including previous performances from Pete Seeger, David Bromberg, Natalie Merchant, Ani DiFranco, and Amy Helm, among others. 

    The Summer Hoot Festival promotes environmental sustainability alongside its intention to spread a love of music. The festival is completely powered by solar energy and uses reusable pint cups to reduce waste. Additionally, festival proceeds will benefit the year-round cultural and environmental education programs at the Ashokan Center.

    It’s not every day that people of all ages can safely explore nature and enjoy new music together, but here at the Hoot that’s just the beginning. This festival lets us share the joy and freedom I was privileged to experience in my own childhood at Ashokan, and keep the party going for generations to come.

    – Ruth Ungar Merenda, Hoot Event Producer and Director of Community Outreach for the Ashokan Center

    The Summer Hoot Festival musical acts will take place across two stages with speakers in between sets offering talks on nature, nutrition, fitness, and more. Guided hikes to the Ashokan Center’s Cathedral Gorge and historic Covered Bridge will also be made available. 

    Information about ticket prices, additional programming, camping, and more, can be found on the festival’s website. The Summer Hoot Festival will take place at the Ashokan Center, located at 477 Beaverkill Road in Olivebridge, New York.

  • Twiddle Announces Frendsgiving 2022

    Twiddle has announced that their annual Frendsgiving concerts will return to the Capitol Theatre on Nov. 25 and 26. The jam band’s Thanksgiving tradition continues into its fifth year, and this time will feature support from Dogs in a Pile on night one and Neighbor on night two.

    Crowd watches Twiddle Frendsgiving concert inside theatre.
    Photo Credit: Filip Zalewski

    Vermont-based Twiddle began the tradition in Port Chester at the Capitol Theatre in 2017. The band is comprised of Zdenek Gubb on bass and vocals, Ryan Dempsey on keyboards and vocals, Mihali Savoulidis on guitar and lead vocals, and Brook Jordan on percussion and vocals. Since then, the tradition has lasted bringing great sets from the jam band known for their jaw-dropping performances. The quartet is currently in the middle of a summer tour and the Thanksgiving show will bring them back to NY after other stops in Pennslyvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida.

    Twiddle recently released their fifth studio album, Every Last Leaf on Aug. 12. The 15-track album explores the “cyclical nature of life” and includes elements of funk, jazz, rock, and more. Listeners should expect songs that tackle all the aspects and emotions of the human condition. 

    Tickets for the Frendsgiving concerts are on sale now. To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit the Twiddle website. 

  • Jon Batiste Leaves Late Show With Stephen Colbert After 7 Seasons

    Grammy-award winner Jon Batiste announced his departure from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after seven seasons of being the show’s bandleader.

    Jon Batiste and Stephen Colbert
    Jon Batiste and Stephen Colbert, June 2022 (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)

    Batiste won Album of The Year at the 2022 Grammy awards for his album We Are and four other awards, as well as being the most nominated artist of the night, with 11 nominations.

    He has been the bandleader on the show for seven seasons with his band Stay Human. He was handpicked by Colbert after taking over the show in 2015, and leaving the show will give Batiste more time to record solo music and work on projects like writing the score to Soul, which won him an Oscar in 2021.

    Colbert announced the news of Batiste’s departure on Aug. 11, saying that guitarist and interim bandleader Louis Cato would assume that role fully.

    We’ve been so lucky to have a front row seat to Jon’s incredible talent for the past seven years. And will we miss him here? ‘Yeah!’ But we’re happy for you, Jon, and I can’t wait to have you back on as guest with your next hit record.

    Stephen Colbert on the Late Show

    Louis Cato is a Portuguese-born, Carolina-bred, and current Brooklyn resident. He is a Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He has recorded with Beyonce, Q-tip, John Legend, and Mariah Carey.

    Ahead of Batiste’s departure, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert hosted musical residencies from St. Vincent, James Taylor, and Joe Walsh.

  • The Lemonheads Announce Tour Dates With NY Stop at LPR

    Alternative rock band, The Lemonheads, have announced North American tour dates to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their acclaimed album, It’s a Shame About Ray. The tour’s lone stop in NY at the Le Poisson Rouge will occur on Dec. 15.

    The anniversary tour kicks off in Lititz, PA, in mid-November and includes stops in cities such as Cleveland, Omaha, Seattle, San Francisco, before ending in Boston, Massachusetts, in December. The Lemonheads will perform the entire album during the nights in concert, and multiple special guests will join them on specific nights on the road.

    The Lemonheads’ album It’s a Shame About Ray was released in 1992 and is the group’s fifth studio album. Produced by The Robb Brothers, the album was a breakthrough for the band and its reissue and addition of the band’s cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” brought much attention.

    For the NY show at LPR in December, former band member Juliana Hatfield will return as support. Hatfield as the bassist and backing vocalist contributed to the band’s album, It’s a Shame About Ray, before starting her own band and solo career. Other guests expected on the tour include Rusty, The Nils, Bass Drum of Death, and On Being An Angel.

    Tickets are on sale Aug. 12 via Ticketmaster. Before their North American run, The Lemonheads will play shows across Ireland and the UK. For the full list of North American tour dates, see below.

    It’s a Shame About Ray Anniversary Tour Dates:

    11.17 Lititz, PA Mickey’s Black Box

    11.18 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Theatre

    11.19 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop

    11.20 – Bloomington, IN – The Castle Theater

    11.21 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room

    11.23 – Billings, MT – Pub Station

    11.25 – Seattle, WA – Showbox 

    11.26 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall 

    11.28 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall 

    11.29 – Sacramento,- CA Harlow’s 

    12.1 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues 

    12.2 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory

    12.3 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues 

    12.4 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex 

    12.5 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre 

    12.7 – Kansas City, MO – Madrid Theatre

    12.9 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue 

    12.10 – Chicago, IL – Metro 

    12.11 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall 

    12.12 – Washington, D.C. – 9.30 Club 

    12.14 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer 

    12.15 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge 

    12.16 – New Jersey, NJ – White Eagle Hall

    12.17 – Boston, MA – Paradise 

    11.18 w/ Rusty, The Nils

     11.25 – 12.9 w/ Bass Drum Of Death

    11.25 – 12.17 w/ On Being An Angel

    12.9 – 12.17 w/ Juliana Hatfield

  • Glass Animals Brings The Euphoric Dreamland To Brooklyn Mirage

    The evening of August 9 will certainly be one for the books as hundreds of fans wait eagerly to enter Glass Animals’ Dreamland. The Brooklyn Mirage is known for hosting big events but nothing compared to what the Glass Animals put on.

    glass animals

    Glass Animals have come a long way since forming in Oxford in 2010 by childhood friends Dave Bayley, Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer, and Drew MacFarlane. In their live shows, they play re-worked, dance-heavy versions of their songs. Their song “Heat Waves” reached number one in Australia in February 2021 and was voted number one on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020. The song surpassed one billion streams on Spotify and eventually reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and five on the UK Singles Chart. Recently, they received their first Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

    To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their album, Dreamland.IRL, the band brought a one-of-a-kind celebration to Brooklyn Mirage. Dreamland is the album that brought us the global smash hit “Heat Waves.” The band now has over 5 billion global streams and 38 million monthly listeners, but it’s live events where Glass Animals come alive.

    As soon as guests entered the venue one can immediately tell this show would be like none other. Decorations, electronic displays, and a Pac-man game room were all part of the band’s numerous activations. As the band’s set time approached all patience was lost when the stage brought out pineapples. Fans have started bringing them to gigs and even dressing as them at shows – due to the lyric, “pineapples in my head” from the song “Pork Soda”. The detail and precision that went into the show’s visual displays were nothing short of astonishing.

    The band performed most of their set off their album Dreamland.IRL but also included fan favorites including “Life Itself” & “Youth”. As the sun set and night approached, fans refused to lower their energy level. Demanding 1 more song after the band wrapped up, Glass Animals couldn’t resist performing the staple song “Heat Waves”. Unfortunately, the band mentioned they won’t be in America for a while but the good news is they do not plan to slow down with live shows. Heading overseas, the band looks forward to several festivals including Mad Cool Sunset headlined by Rage Against The Machine.

    Setlist: Dreamland, Life Itself, Tangerine, Black Mambo/ Hot Sugar, The Other Side of Paradise, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Waterfalls Coming Out Your Mouth, It’s All So Incredibly Loud, Your Love (Deja Vu), I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance), Youth, Helium, Gooey, Pork Soda

    Encore: Tokyo Drifting, Heat Waves

    glass animals

  • PearlPalooza 2022 Lineup Announced for Sept. 17

    The 2022 PearlPalooza lineup for Sept. 17 has been announced, taking place on North Pearl Street in downtown Albany, and featuring a variety of artists.

    pearlpalooza
    Photo by Pete Mason.

    WEQX Director Jeff Morad is excited to bring in a lot of new and old talent to the stage.

    We are thrilled to be able to partner with the Downtown Albany BID and all of the incredible sponsors once again this year to bring some free live music to Pearl Street in downtown Albany!  There is so much talent in this area, it’s tough to decide who to put on the stage, but we think our local picks for this year will blow you away, plus the national acts and the return of Phantogram to the PearlPalooza stage will be something very special.

    The day starts out will YogaPalooza, the Capital Region’s only street-wide mass yoga gathering, at 11 A.M. After that, the music begins with BattleaXXX [battle ax], a hard-working trio of all-female rockers from Albany, starting at 12 P.M. At 1:30 P.M. comes Precious Metals, a solo project by Troy singer-songwriter J Lee White. The band’s sound pulls from the early 2000s emo explosion and 2010s indie rock revival.

    At 3 P.M. Arizona newcomer The Kaleidoscope Kid is playing. He blends counter-culture music with his broad musical and personal appeal. At 4:30 P.M., Los Angeles band Whole Damn Mess is playing. Made up of Don Miggs, C. Todd Nielsen, Lawrence Katz, and Greg Hansen, they bring a new perspective on reality and an understanding of the challenges to maintain a piece of yourself in the face of mounting responsibilities. 

    The featured artist this year is Phantogram at 6 P.M. Comprised of lifelong friends Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel, they amassed over a billion streams, achieved one platinum-certified single, two gold-certified singles, and have played at top festivals with artists like Arcade Fire and Miley Cyrus.

    The 2022 PearlPalooza will be happening on Sept. 17 from 11 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. on North Pearl Street in Albany. This free event will feature lots of local and national acts, as well as great food and beverage vendors.

  • Brooklyn-based zannie Releases Hopeful ‘get that star’ Ahead of Debut Album

    Zannie Owens, a Brooklyn-based artist, has released their title track “get that star” ahead of their upcoming debut album, out Aug. 19 via Kill Rock Stars. Under the moniker, zannie, the artist has crafted a space-inspired single with a captivating music video to accompany it. 

    zannie crafted their new single based on the inspiration from the Voyager One Golden Record which Carl Sagan and Lynn Margulis sent into outer space in 1977. The Brooklyn singer-songwriter lyrically explores an alien who is trying to return home, and intertwines that story with a message of hope about human connection.

    With warm guitars, layered vocals, and whimsical instrumentation, “get that star” carries over hard-hitting but hopeful truths and lyrics of the human experience. zannie’s beginning vocals and dictation slowly draw you in before the melody takes off as the song builds. Despite being recorded in zannie’s bedroom, the video’s unique lighting effects, and focus on zannie, transform listeners into another space as they ponder over the song’s message.

    The single is just a glimpse at what may be to come off of zannie’s upcoming album, How Do I Get That Star. Written over the course of four years, zannie explores the unknown, the mystical, and more. During the process, they listened to artists such as Judee Still and Prince, and the album reflects some of those inspirations.

    If the single is any hint for what is to come on How Do I Get That Star, then listeners are in for some great new music to add to playlists on Aug. 19. To keep up with zannie as an artist, follow them on social media here. Listen to another single, “for a while,” off of the artist’s upcoming album, available below.

  • Beach Bunny Plays Two Nights at Brooklyn Steel w/ Sidney Gish and Ky Voss

    Chicago indie rock band, Beach Bunny, played two spectacular shows at Brooklyn Steel the weekend of August 7, 2022. The dates had originally been scheduled for May, but were postponed due to Covid. Initially a solo project by Lili Trifilio, Beach Bunny came into popularity when the song “Prom Queen” went viral on TikTok in 2019. The song has since gained more than a quarter billion streams, and Lili now tours with her four-person band. Ky Voss and Sidney Gish opened for Beach Bunny both nights.

    Beach Bunny plays Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann

    Multi-instrumentalist Ky Voss opened the shows with synth-pop beats, moody lyrics, and a textured industrial sound. Her third full-length record, “The After,” released earlier this year. During her set, Ky mentioned she had lived in New York for a year or so, but this was her first time performing in New York. The crowd basked in her performance, the pristine lighting, and the crisp sound Brooklyn Steel is most known for. She thanked Beach Bunny for having her, and left after an excellent set to wild applause.

    Ky Voss opens for Beach Bunny, photograph by David Reichmann

    Sidney Gish took the stage next, quipping with the crowd as she tuned her guitar and got settled on stage. Her performance was unaccompanied, but she used layers of looping pedals to fill the room with acoustic guitar riffs and drum loops. Sidney’s trademark charm and wit were present at all times. She joked between tracks, thanked Beach Bunny, and praised Ky Voss’s set. She played a number of hits from her catalog, including some tracks off her breakout record, “No Dogs Allowed.” After closing her set, she thanked the audience and left the stage to a burst of applause.

    Sidney Gish opens for Beach Bunny, photograph by David Reichmann

    Anticipation rose among the crowd as they waited for the headlining set. The venue was abuzz with energy as the house lights dimmed. Suddenly the stage was backlit by shining beams of blue and white light. After a brief pause, Beach Bunny walked onstage to massive applause. They opened their intense 90-minute set with “Oxygen,” the first single off their latest record, “Emotional Creature,” which was released in July 2022.

    Sidney Gish plays Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann

    After the second track, Lili told the crowd to crouch down and spring up when they started the next track, “Six Weeks.” By the time Beach Bunny finished the third track, the crowd had been worked into a frenzy by drummer Jon Alvarado’s driving beats, guitarist Matt Henkels’s energetic riffs, bassist Anthony Vaccaro’s pumping bass lines, and frontwoman Lili Trifilio’s catchy fan-favorite lyrics. Several times throughout the show, Lili encouraged fans to open up mosh pits, crowdsurf, jump, and dance. At one point, Lili even drew a tattoo on a fan’s homemade sign. She joked, “This is too much pressure!” to laughter and applause.

    Beach Bunny’s setlist included a number of hit tracks like “Good Girls (Don’t Get Used),” “Sports,” and their breakout viral singles, “Prom Queen” and “Cloud 9.” Towards the end of the band’s set, Lili told the audience, “I wrote this song about New York,” before playing “Fire Escape.”

    Beach Bunny jumps onstage at Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann

    They closed out the show by instructing the crowd to separate down the middle, and rush together at the start of their final track, “Painkiller.” The crowd gleefully obliged, and sang along every word as they moshed and jumped until the last notes played. Beach Bunny took their bows, thanked the audience, and walked offstage to one final swell of cheers.

    Beach Bunny is slated to play several more shows in the US before heading overseas for their tour. You can listen to their catalog here. Listen to Ky Voss here and Sidney Gish here.

    Crowd surfing during Beach Bunny’s set at Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann
    Photography by David Reichmann
    Beach Bunny parts Brooklyn Steel crowd for final song, photograph by David Reichmann

  • In Focus: Lotus Brings the Groove to The Bourbon Room

    After the first night of Phish’s three-night run in Atlantic City concluded, the line outside of The Bourbon Room (a former House of Blues) started forming, with fans eagerly waiting for Lotus. The show proved to be energetic and full of ridiculous jams, heavy bass lines, and non stop dancing. The band debuted a new song “Tar Pits” and encored with “Gilded Age.”

    Set: Wax, Spaghetti, Sunrain, Greet The Mind, Wooly Mammoth, Tar Pits, Spiritualize, Automatic, Neon Tubes, Flower Sermon, Sunrain

    Encore: Gilded Age