NYS Music 202​2

Category: Western NY

  • Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival Returns to Jamestown

    From August 10-13, the Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival will return to downtown Jamestown for four days of shows and entertainment. The event will include over 40 bands and artists, live painting, comedy, dancing, and more.

    Funk band and western NY’s Smackdab will headline the festival, alongside Chicago-based Mungion. Other artists and acts include electronic funk rockers LITZ, indie artist Mikaela Davis, a Grateful Dead tribute by Workingman’s Dead, eberwine, and many more. The festival is full of talent from various artists across multiple genres, including funk, rock, jazz, R&B, soul, electronic, blues, and folk. Attendees will truly find something to enjoy throughout the four-day festival.

    The Whirlybird Arts & Music Festival will take place at various venues across downtown Jamestown such as The Beer Snob, Jamestown Wine Cellar, Pearl City Hops, 4 Below, Labyrinth Press Co, Brazil, and Crown Street Roasting. Free pop-up solo performances by Buffalo indie pop singer Marina Laurendi, Adam McKillip, Kyle Gustafson, SON, and more will occur throughout the festival.

    Other free shows for all ages will occur at the Winter Garden Plaza with performances from Miller & the Other Sinners, Porcelain Busdrivers, St Vith, and many more. The event will also include vendors, food, and a beer garden. 

    For tickets and more information, visit the Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival’s website. For the full schedule of events, see below.

    Winter Garden Plaza

    313 N Main Street | 21+ | No Cover

    5:50 – 6:30 Leopard Geckos

    6:35 – 6:55 Kallie Williams

    7:00 – 8:00 Emily Strong

    8:10 – 9:30 The Assembly

    The Beer Snob

    318 N Washington Street | 21+ | No Cover

    8:00 – 10:00 Comedy Open Mic, hosted by Karate Sleepover

    Jamestown Wine Cellar

    309 N Main Street | 21+ | No Cover

    9:30 – 10:00 Kallie Williams

    10:00 – 12:00 Open Mic, hosted by Sara, the Greatest!

    THURSDAY – August 11, 2022

    Crown Street Roasting Co.

    16 W 3rd Street | All Ages | No Cover | Starts at 11:00AM

    11:00 – 1:00 Songs of Sixpence

    Labyrinth Press Co.

    12 E 4th Street | All Ages | No Cover

    4:00 – 6:00 SON

    Winter Garden Plaza

    313 N Main Street | All Ages | No Cover

    6:00 – 7:30 St Vith

    7:30 – 8:00 Thee Ukaladz

    8:00 – 9:30 Mikaela Davis 

    The Beer Snob

    318 N Washington Street | 21+ | No Cover

    9:30 – 10:15 Hot At Bats

    10:25 – 11:45 Feverhawk

    Jamestown Wine Cellar

    309 N Main Street | 21+ | Weekend Pass or $5 at the Door

    10:15 – 11:00 Cindy Love

    11:00 – 1:00 Surprise Guise

    FRIDAY – August 12, 2022

    Crown Street Roasting Co.

    16 W 3rd Street | All Ages | No Cover | Starts at 11:00AM

    11:00 – 1:00 Kyle Gustafson

    Brazil

    12 E 4th Street | 21+ | No Cover

    5:00 – 7:00 Gavin Paterniti

    Pearl City Hops at DoubleTree, Jamestown

    150 W 4th St | 21+ | No Cover

    5:00 – 7:00 Mike Brunacini

    Jamestown Cruise-In

    N Main Street & 3rd | All Ages | No Cover

    5:00 – 8:00 In Crowd, Presented by the Jamestown Cruise-In

    The Beer Snob

    318 N Washington Street | 21+ | Whirlybird Pass or $20 at the Door

    8:30 – 10:00 eberwine

    10:00 – 10:30 LTTL

    10:30 – 12:00 LITZ

    12:00 – 12:30 LTTL vs DJ Jim Blomquist

    12:30 – 1:45 The Audience

    Jamestown Wine Cellar

    309 N Main Street | 21+ | Whirlybird Pass or $10 at the Door

    5:00 – 8:00 Bill Ward (FREE)

    8:00 – 9:30 Deep Fried & Dipped in Honey

    10:00 – 11:30 Cold Lazarus

    12:00 – 1:30 Orange Corner

    4 Below Haggy’s Bar and Grill

    104 E 2nd St | 21+ | No Cover

    10:00 – 1:00 Ryan Buzzetto

    SATURDAY – August 13, 2022

    Jamestown Public Market

    16 W 3rd Street | All Ages | No Cover | Starts at 10:00AM

    10:00 – 10:45 Miranda Wilcox

    11:00 – 2:00 Marina Laurendi

    Labyrinth Press Co.

    12 E 4th Street | All Ages | No Cover | Starts at 10:45AM

    10:00 – 10:40 Chase Johnson

    10:40 – 11:20 Adam Gould

    11:20 – 12:00 Harmony Dillingham

    Winter Garden Plaza

    313 N Main Street | All Ages | No Cover

    2:30 – 4:00 Miller & the Other Sinners

    4:00 – 4:30 Harmony Dillingham

    4:30 – 6:00  Workingman’s Dead

    6:00 – 6:30 DJ Jim Blomquist

    6:30 – 7:30 Porcelain Busdrivers

    7:30 – 8:00 DJ Jim Blomquist

    8:00 – 9:45 Smackdab

    The Beer Snob

    318 N Washington Street | 21+ | Whirlybird Pass or $20 at the Door

    9:00 – 10:00 Space Junk

    10:30 – 12:15 Mungion

    12:45 – 2:00 Solar Circuit

    Jamestown Wine Cellar

    309 N Main Street | 21+ | Whirlybird Pass or $10 at the Door

    10:00 – 11:00 Maufrey 

    11:30 – 1:00 Grub

    1:00 – 2:00 Zandari

    4 Below Haggy’s Bar and Grill

    104 E 2nd St | 21+ | No Cover

    10:00 – 1:00 Adam McKillip

    Pearl City Hops at DoubleTree, Jamestown

    150 W 4th St | 21+ | No Cover

    5:00 – 6:00 Ayri Brady

    6:00 – 8:00 Nick Slagle

  • eberwine Crushes DeadPhish Weekend

    There’s been quite a buzz surrounding the Buffalo-based rock/jam quintet eberwine lately, seemingly out of nowhere. The band’s name has been popping up all around social media and summer festivals across the Empire State asking the question, “Who the heck is eberwine?” So who is eberwine?  They’re the next band you need to see live. 

    The five-piece headed out this past weekend to honor the music of the Grateful Dead and Phish with a DeadPhish weekend that made stops at the Riverboat Bar in Alexandria Bay, Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, and Flour City Station in Rochester.  Each night, eberwine played one set of original material and one set of DeadPhish.  Each show seeped in its own distinct vibe including a noted variation with the cover set setlist. 

    Post covid, the jam scene feels different. Fans are looking for something new and different.  Enter eberwine. While people in the Buffalo jam scene have known about the band’s lead guitarist and frontman Todd Eberwine for years, eberwine may just be Western New York’s best-kept secret. And this weekend was their coming out party. 

    The band’s original material is rooted in rock and blues, but hidden among this traditional music lineage are hints of 90’s alternative rock greats like Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins. You can hear the influence of jam scene greats like the Dead or Phish, but eberwine doesn’t imitate.  There’s a great sense of familiarity with the band’s original material; it sounds like everything you know but is unlike anything you’ve heard before.  Even the band’s covers are unique.  Eberwine isn’t trying to play like Jerry or Trey.  His style floats in fluidity between dark, edgy intensity and moments of brightness and sheer joy.  At times, he appears to be in a trance, as if the notes are coming from a place that only he can see. He’s captivating to watch. 

    And while the band carries Eberwine’s namesake (with obvious reason), the rest of the band’s personnel are equal contributors to the band’s live show.  Bassist Pablo Zabrycki and drummer Jay Race add a deep, steady foundation that’s critical to the band’s groove and rhythmic sound.  Guitarist and vocalist Aaron Ziolkowski creates layers of subtle harmonies with Eberwine on all accounts.  For this three-day run, keyboardist Scott Molloy filled in for the band’s primary keyboard player who wasn’t able to play the shows due to other commitments. But you wouldn’t have known that by seeing any of the three shows.  Molloy’s contributions were thoughtful in placement and flow. eberwine may be a “new band”, but these five are highly experienced, players who thrive in moments of improvisation. Like they’re social media accounts claim, they are in fact a “ROCK band that JAMS.” 

    eberwine plays next weekend at the Whirlybird Music Festival where Todd Eberwine will be one of the events Artists at Large. You can also check out the band at Firelights Music Festival as well as the Lake George BBQ Festival. Todd Eberwine will be performing on August 25 at Buffalo Iron Works as Eberwine and Friends with Evan McPhaden (Aqueous), Ryan Nogle (Funktional Flow), and Donny Frauenhofer (Intrepid Travelers.)

    Friday July 29, 2022

    Riverboat Bar, Alexandria Bay, NY

    Set One

    In Flight Movie-> Cry Me The Blues, Fever, One Vision-> Movie Reprise

    Set Two*

    Althea> Back On The Train, Brown Eyed Women, Gotta Jibboo, Sand, Deal

    E: Character Zero

    *DeadPhish Weekend

    Saturday July 30, 2022

    Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, NY

    Set One

    Get On, Worlds Away, Real Good> One Vision, Divided, Cry Me The Blues

    Set Two*

    Carini-> The Other One->Bird Song, Free->The Wheel, Character Zero

    *DeadPhish Weekend set

    Sunday July 31, 2022 

    Flour City Station Rochester, NY

    Set One

    In Flight Movie, Cry Me The Blues, One Vision, Worlds Away, Fever

    Set Two*

    Bertha, The Moma (Brunch) Dance, Sugaree, Wolfman’s Brother, Deal, First Tube

    *Part of DeadPhish Weekend

    Kat Horton performed a 10 minute stand up set between eberwine’s Set 1 and 2

  • Leftover Salmon play Canalside Stage at Rochester JCC, Daniel Donato Sits In

    Leftover Salmon stopped by the Rochester JCC’s summer concert series on Wednesday, August 3rd, with the Colorado band inviting up-and-coming artist Daniel Donato to close out each set. Donato and his band were in town for his show at Party In The Park on Thursday.

    photo by Kyler Klix

    Salmon kicked off the show with”Zombie Jamboree” and the lively song had people out of their seats right away. The venue was seated, but people could stand outside of the tent and dance.

    The band played through a set that consisted of mostly originals and saving some cover songs to close the sets. Donate was invited on stage at the end of the first set to play a version of the Louvin Brothers’ “Cash On The Barrel Head” and closed the set with a rocking “Big Railroad Blues” (Noah Lewis cover), with Vince Herman pulling out the washboard vest to end it all.

    The second set was filled with more originals and ended with another Donato sit in. The crowd was livelier and wanted to dance. They filled in the empty space in front of the stage after Herman invited them in. I don’t think the JCC planned to have that happen at their shows, but it felt more appropriate for the type of show Leftover Salmon puts on.

    The band invited Donato back at the end and they played New Riders of the Purple Sage cover “I Don’t Know You.” Then they had everyone dancing like crazy with Salmon favorite “Ain’t Gonna Work” and they ended it with Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way.”

    Leftover Salmon – Rochester JCC – Wednesday, August 3, 2022

    Set One: Zombie Jamboree, Lonesome Road, Tu N’as Pas Aller, Get me out of the city, Mama Boulet, We’ll Get By, Light behind the Rain, Two Highways, Better Way, Cash on the Barrel Head?*  (Louvin Brothers cover), Big Railroad blues* (Noah Lewis)

    Set Two: Boulet, Midnight blues, Mountain Top, Hollerwood, Red Fox Run,m High Country, Foreign Fields, Freedom, I don’t know you * (New Riders of the Purple Sage cover), Ain’t Gonna work *, Are you sure Hank Done it this Way* (Waylon Jennings cover)

    * with Daniel Donato

  • Stryper invades the Southern Teir at The L in Horseheads

    Born in the 80’s, Christian heavy metal band Stryper is back and touring in full force. They recently made a stop in at The L in Horseheads on July 24 in support of their “Calling on you Tour 2022,” in front of a packed house.

    The current lineup consists of lead vocalist/guitar player and original founding member Michael Sweet, Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass) and Robert Sweet (drums.) Since their beginning the band has produced a amazing 14 albums and a strong following worldwide.

    Stryper

    Before the show, NYS Music had a chance to Interview lead singer and founding member Michael Sweet via phone as they made their way from the previous nights show in Pennsylvania to New York.

    Charlie Berch: So where did you guys play last night (Sat. July 23rd)?

    Michael Sweet: We played at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale, PA. It was a great night, great crowd. We last played their in 2019.

    CB: Doing some research on you guys we found a good article about how you struggle at times cause the Heavy Metal community doesnt really embrace you like they should and the religious side doesn’t embrace you like they should cause your just “too much”for them. How do you find balance between the two?

    MS: We don’t really try to balance it we just do what we do. It just comes natural, we’re not trying to fit into any “club”or “group” or anything we just kinda write and record, create and perform the music we love and everything falls into place, and obviously the lyrical content and the message is real too us. We all have a deep faith and its a very real thing for us. Thats why we’re not accepted by both sides, from the Christian side the mainstream side, you know cause we’re just different. I just think that they really dont know how to think about the way Stryper goes about things. And its been like that from the very beginning and its still like that. Things have gotten better in some ways and worse in other ways but it doesn’t stop us from us doing what we’re hear to do.

    Stryper

    CB: Do you guys ever run into situations where you try book shows with other bands but your so different that you have a hard time finding bands to play with?

    MS: Well you know, sometimes it is. I mean we’re one of those bands that would love to go out and open for bands like Judas Priest or Iron Maiden, and I feel like we would fit right in but unfortunately I don’t think that’s recognized often because of what and who we sing about. I think we get written off alot because of that. They’d say things like “Oh, it’s those Christian guys again.” People assume we’re going to be one way but when you come see Stryper perform its a rock show. And it’s like going see Van Halen or Judas Priest or any other band like that. But again our lyrical content is just different from their’s but in the end we’re a band, a rock band, we put on a show, and its loud and aggressive and lot of fun. It’s not a weird experience and I think some people think it might be and its not. But we’d love to fit right in with those bands but we continue doing what we do and thats why we go out and headline on our own. Do tours and ground runs all the time and fly dates and get opening bands for us and its a different band every night. We used to tour back in the day with bands like White Lion, Hurricane, TNT, Loudness, so many different bands that we performed with that opened for us we’d always figure out a way to work it out and go out and tour in one way or another weather its on our own or weather its played festivals for other bands we’ve done it all and it works out.

    CB: The venue you’re headed to – The L in Horseheads – the other night had Lita Ford and we mentioned to one of their techs that you guys were coming and he said to be prepared for one of the best live shows we will ever see and that you guys will rock this place, so we just wanted to pass that nice compliment on.

    MS: Well thats amazing, ’cause you know thats interesting cause we hear that from time to time. People that have seen alot of bands but they came and saw us and they felt like that we was one of the best live shows they have seen. That’s what I mean, I think people have these expectations that they think its going to be one way you know like us coming in sitting on stools and pulling out Bibles preaching to people and they dont expect it to be a rock show, and thats what it is – a rock show!!

    Stryper
    Stryper
    Stryper
    Stryper

  • In Focus: Lita Ford Live at The L in Horseheads

    Classic rock legend Lita Ford brought her heavy metal music from yesteryear to the “L”in Horseheads on Friday, July 22nd in front of a very excited crowd. Her line up consists of herself, Patrick Kennison (guitar), Bobby Rock (drums) and newly acquired bassist Martin Anderson.

    photo by Tammy Peer

    Since her early days with Joan Jett in the Runaways, Lita once again proved she hasn’t lost her touch at 64 years young, she can still take control of the venue and crowd. Getting away from the traditional structured tours Lita now plays as a ‘hired gun” playing for festivals, events and stand alone shows nationwide.

    The last time Lita was in the Southern Tier was opening up for Vince Neil at Tags in Big Flats in 2019. Tonight it was her show and her solid lineup that took no prisoners. Just coming in from a show in Iowa, the stop in the Southern Teir at the “L” was before heading off to South Butler, PA and all points west.

    photo by Charlie Berch

    The set was a mixture of her entire career with some of her top hits, “Kiss Me Deadly, “Hungry” and “Close my eyes forever” with guitarist Patrick Kennison singing the Ozzy Osbourne part of the lyrics and “Cherry Bomb” from her Runways days. Also a huge hit that night was her version of Elton John’s “Bitch is Back.” It does not look like the ‘Queen of Metal’ is ready to slow down anytime soon. To find other Lita Ford shows this year visit her website.

    Photos by Charlie Berch

  • Earth Wind and Fire bring soldout show to Artpark

    Earth Wind and Fire played in Lewiston at Artpark on Sunday July 31st. Earth, Wind & Fire is an American R&B band formed in Chicago, in 1969 and led by founder Maurice White. Also known as EWF, or the Elements of the Universe, the band has won seven Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards.

    They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.They have sold over 90 million albums worldwide earning them a place on the list of best-selling music artists where they are ranked as the seventh best selling American band of all time. Earth Wind and Fire are currently on tour with Santana and touring all over the states this summer.

    Sunset at Artpark.

    The show was a near sellout with a capacity at Artpark near 10,000 people. With that said, some fans had a good experience and others, not so much, but it really depends when you arrived at the show. Prior to the show, the venue posted online many times to arrive early and expect heavy traffic and they were 100% correct. Those fans that arrived early, just as the gates opened, found parking and got in the venue prior to showtime. But those that did not heed the advice of the venue were waiting at the entrance for awhile after the show started.

    The start of the show was delayed 15 minutes due to the amount of people still in line. There were various sections for fans to watch the show from. Front of stage area, marked seats by the soundboard, lower bowl and general admission seats. Fans were allowed to bring in lawn chairs to sit and watch the whole show. That helped a-lot as the average age in attendance seemed to be around 60 years old.

    Gates opened at 6pm and the opener went on at around 6:30pm. This was not a typical opening band. The Brass Machine wondered their way around the crowd instead of playing on the stage. Fans seemed to enjoy this as they could directly interact with the band. The Brass Machine (formerly the Buffalo Brass Machine) is the one of the premiere touring acts on the live music circuit today, laying down funky New Orleans-style street beats across the United States and Canada. Formed in 2014 at the University at Buffalo, The Brass Machine provides a unique blend of hip hop, funk, and R&B, all in an infectious and energetic package.

    Three original members of Earth Wind and Fire. photo credit- Mike Miller

    Earth Wind and Fire took the stage at 8:15pm and played for about an hour and 45 minutes. There are only three original members left in the band. Phillip Bailey on lead vocals, Verdine White on bas and Ralph Johnson on percussion and backup vocals. They have been making music since 1972, celebrating 50 years in 2022. The rest of the band is comprised of Myron McKinley on keyboard, John Paris on drums, Phillip Bailey Jr. doing backup vocals and percussion, Morris O’Connor on lead guitar, Serg Dimitrjevic on rhythm guitar and B. David Whitworth on percussion and backup vocals.

    photo credit- Mike Miller

    They played all of their hits and then some, including “Shining Star,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove” and “September.” You could not ask for better weather for an outdoor concert. The sun setting over Artpark gave fans a great backdrop to the concert with the Niagara River and lower gorge behind the stage. Many fans of the band were seen outside of the venue sitting in their chairs along the road into the Village of Lewiston as the concert could be heard from that far away. Beside the normal heavy concert traffic for an event like this, many fans enjoyed the show.

    photo credit- Mike Miller

    Earth Wind and Fire – Artpark, Lewiston, NY – Sunday, July 31, 2022

    Setlist: Shining Star, Let Your Feelings Show, Mighty Mighty/Celebrate, Gataway, Saturday Night, Serpentine Fire, Sing a Song, Got to Get You Into My Life, Sing a Message to You, Keep Your Head to the Sky, Devotion, Reasons, That’s the Way of the World, After the Love Has Gone, Rock That, Fantasy, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, September, In the Stone

    Earth Wind and Fire
    Earth Wind and Fire
    Earth Wind and Fire
    Earth Wind and Fire
    Earth Wind and Fire
    Earth Wind and Fire

  • ​​Railroad Earth play first ever show at Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua

    Railroad Earth brought their Americana/bluegrass rock ‘n roll to Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua on Thursday, July 28. The New Jersey band marked their first time playing at the venue, which opened in 2016, and it seemed like they would be welcomed back judging by the crowd’s reception. 

    The weather stayed perfect and there was nothing but good vibes on a beautiful, scenic farm as Railroad Earth shared their upbeat music that got many fans dancing. The band’s variety in the setlist took songs from each of their nine albums (minus one), bringing a show that gave us something old, something new and lots in between. There were so many great songs left off the table, and that will keep us coming back for more.

    railroad earth
    Lincoln Hill Farms

    The band got people moving right away with “Chasin A Rainbow.” Guitarist and lead vocalist Todd Schaefer’s lyrics flow right to the beat with this song and it already felt like the train started taking off. They segued into “Bread And Water” and that’s another fast-tempo song that helped get people moving. 

    Violin player Tim Carbone picked up the electric guitar for “When The Sun Gets In Your Blood.”

    The band played “Chains,” a song off their first album The Black Bear Sessions. They’d go into “Bill Monroe’s Old Dangerfield” and segue into “Blues Highway” which built into an epic “Black Bear,” another one off their first album fans love to chant along with. 

    Mike Robinson switched off between banjo and guitar here and there as they played “Across The Great Divide” and ended the set with “Long Way To Go.” “Blues Highway” and “Across The Great Divide” are on their most recent album, All For The Song, released this year.

    After the skies got darker during set break, the crowd was more lively and ready to go. The stage’s fancy lights started to get used and fog machines came out, changing the dynamic and turning up the excitement.

    Popular RRE cover song “Walk Beside Me” (written by Tim O’Brien) got things started with its bass-heavy intro. The band has fun with this song and each of the seven members trade off on solos for a minute. They all get their chance to have some fun.

    “Only By The Light” came next which is a nice peaceful tune. “Saddle Of The Sun” turned things more into a more upbeat feeling and then once the crowd recognized the drums for “Elko” starting off, people were excited for the RRE favorite.

    There was no shortage of playing cards as they went flying when the chorus hit. It brought a new rush of energy to the crowd and the band took the opportunity to jam out while everyone danced and picked up cards. Matt Slocum on keys went hard for his solo then they let Carbone finish it off with some crazy playing..

    They went into “Living in the Good Life” which is an upbeat happy slower song that let everyone catch their breath, then played “Potter’s Field” and the song segued into a Lonecraft Farewell jam and Robinson brought out the pedal steel.. They all continued to take the mellow jam and progressively get a little heavier as it continued. Andrew Altman’s bass lines were thick, and everyone was grooving to the funky beat. Altman would switch from electric bass to stand up bass throughout the night. The band segued into “‘Neat the Stars” afterward which really let the slide guitar shine.

    John Skehan’s mandolin with Harmon’s drums to kick off “Like A Buddah” felt like the best was yet to come. The band put everything on the table and Harmon and all of them looked like they were having the times of their lives. They all came with some intensity and Carbone shredded the violin and showed us what Railroad Earth is all about.

    The last song was “Give That Boy a Hand” and it brought some good vibes as everyone was smiling and dancing and giving the band a hand thanking them for the good times they shared. They played right up until curfew and didn’t have a chance for an encore, so Shaefer came out and thanked the fans and Lincoln Hill Farms and how much the band appreciated coming out.

    If there was one thing to say about the band is that every member looked like they were having an awesome time on stage, and they really loved what they were doing.

    As for Lincoln Hill Farms, the venue was very relaxed, and possibly one of the most chill places to see some live music. With doors at 5 p.m. and local musician Brian Ayers opened the stage at 6, there was plenty of time to get in and settle down. There’s food for dinner from tacos, pulled pork or chicken sandwiches, pizza and other snacks and sides. The food was fresh, tasted great and everything looked tasty.

    There was quite a bit to choose for the beer selection and it included local favorites. The bar is impressive the way it wraps around and gives patrons enough space. It makes it easy to grab a drink and get back to the music. 

    Talent Buyer Jon Willis said they wanted to make the venue more comfortable for that reason. There is plenty of room for people to dance, find a table to eat or they can explore part of the 95-acres the scenic venue is set on. Lincoln Hill Farms will be a great venue for a tourist to the Finger Lakes and a great way to take in the area and see some live music.

    It’s definitely one of the chilliest venues, with a relaxing atmosphere, scenic background and plenty of space. With good food, it’s the kind of place you want to come early and plan your whole night around.

    Railroad Earth – Lincoln Hill Farms, Canandaigua – July 28, 2022

    Set 1: Chasing A Rainbow > Bread & Water, When the Sun Gets In Your Blood, Chains, Old Dangerfield > Blues Highway > Black Bear, Across the Great Divide, Long Way To Go

    Set 2: Walk Beside Me > Only By The Light, Saddle of the Sun, Elko, Good Life, Potter’s Field > Lonecroft Farewell > ‘Neath The Stars, Like a Buddha, Give That Boy A Hand

  • Big Gigantic Sell Out Buffalo’s Town Ballroom

    EDM legends Big Gigantic wrap up their last dates of their Brighter Future Tour. The duo are no strangers to the electronic scene, especially in Buffalo where they sold out the Town Ballroom on July 27. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Buffalo had multiple DJ’s preforming for hours before Big G took over. Special guests Covex, MEMBA, and KASBO opened up the night getting the crowd pumped up. 

    Big Gigantic are veterans at mixing edm beats with multiple instruments to give a sound that is both danceable and intuitive. The Denver natives Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken utilize saxophone and drums to layer over samples. They don’t shy away from any style of music. Their range stretches from jazz to hip hop, and funk to dubstep. Alongside their cinematic production, Big G knows how to put on a show. Whether that be headlining a major festival like Electric Forest or filling up the Town Ballroom, these two do not disappoint.   

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    The duo opened up the show with their single “Future’s All I See” off of their latest 2022 album Brighter Future 2. They immediately captured the stage with their animated visuals and energetic crowd welcome. Their impressive instrumentation matched with their colorful lasers had everyone getting rowdy.  

    Big Gigantic never stopped once during their set. It was continuous beats and melodies blended into the next. This allowed them to play both old and new hits which left no one disappointed. Some of which included “The Little Things,” “Open Your Mind,” and “All of Me.” They managed to mix in some popular covers as well like Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Night.” 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    To top off the night Big Gigantic brought Covex back on stage to sing their song “Second Time” and closed out with “Love Unlimited.” No matter the size of the venue or location Big G proves again that they know how to put on a show. 

    Make sure to stay up to date with shows coming to the Town Ballroom. Joyce Manor has a show on August 10 and Cody Jinks performs August 17. 

    All photos by Maddie McCafferty

  • Buffalo Jazz Festival to Bring Live Music Labor Day Weekend

    On Sunday, September 4, Buffalo Jazz Festival brings four acts to the area for a full day of live music during Labor Day Weekend.

    From noon until 6:30 pm, the West Plaza of the Seneca One Tower in Buffalo will bring audiences live music, food trucks, refreshments, and entertainment for all ages. In the second year of the festival using the venue space, people can enjoy a free community concert.

    To open up the Buffalo Jazz Festival, NYC-based John Troy Quartet will perform from 12 noon until 1:15 pm. John Aaron Troy is a saxophonist, multiple woodwind musician, and educator. The artist picked up the saxophone at age 10 and his music is ever-evolving since then. 

    From 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm, Trigger & the Sermon will take the spotlight. Trigger & the Sermon Organ Jazz Quartet play classical soul-jazz while mixing in unique rhythm and groove. The group has played at multiple venues in the Buffalo area, including at the Four One Six and Duende at Silo City.

    Trigger & The Sermon

    The Dave Hill Group brings more entertainment to the Buffalo Jazz Festival, with a performance from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. Dave Hill Group consists of Jim Linsler (drums), Pat Georger (keys), Tim Sheldon (bass), Colin Brydalski (bass), and Matt Harris on saxophone.

    To close out the festival Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble will play from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm. A Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductee who has played with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Arthuro Sandovar, and Ben Vereen, the performance is sure to be one to remember.

    Wendell Rivera

    JazzBuffalo promotes the genre of jazz in the Buffalo area with news, live performances, festivals, events, education, and more. The organization uses music and events to bring the community together and the Buffalo Jazz Festival is one such event. For more information about the organization and ways to get involved, visit the website available here.

  • eberwine closes out July with DeadPhish weekend

    Buffalo-based fusion rock quintet eberwine will celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead and Phish this weekend. The band will play two sets each night, including one set of original music featuring songs from the project’s forthcoming studio album One Vision. The weekend takes the band to the Riverboat Bar in Alexandria Bay on July 29, Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs on July 30, and Flour City Station in Rochester for a brunch set on July 31. 

    The three-show run will highlight the band’s collective passion for the music of the two jam giants.  “Everyone in the band grew up on the Dead and Phish,” noted lead guitarist and frontman Todd Eberwine. “We’re looking forward to crafting sets that intermingle the two bands. So much of the bands’ respective histories are rooted in setlists that mixing their catalogs is exciting in an artistic and energetic way.” 

    eberwine will be joined in Saratoga Springs by Albany-based genre-bending improv quartet Hilltop, who will celebrate the music of the String Cheese Incident. Eberwine recently released Live at the Strand across all streaming platforms including Bandcamp and Spotify. 

    Known for innovative jams, soulful lyrics, and high-energy shows, eberwine is fronted by guitarist Todd Eberwine (Dive House Union, Todd Eberwine Band, Soul Roach). The five-piece pulls musicians from the Buffalo music scene into a Western New York supergroup featuring Aaron Ziolkowski (Little Mountain Band), Jay Race (Dead Alliance Buffalo), Scott Molloy (Lazlo Hollyfeld, BEU) and Paul Zabrycki (Dead Buffalo Alliance). For those who haven’t checked out the band, according to Eberwine, they can “expect plenty of hooks and plenty  of jams that range from a dance party to psychedelia.” More information about show details and tickets can be found through the band’s website at www.eberwineband.com.