NYS Music 2023

Author: Filip Zalewski

  • Bobby Weir & The Wolfpack Take Over The Capitol Theatre for A 5 Night Run

    Legendary guitarist Bobby Weir of the Grateful Dead has wrapped up holdng a 5-night run at The Capitol Theatre with the Wolf Bros, featuring The Wolfpack.

    The Wolfpack is made up of the Wolf Bros Don Was and Jay Lane, and Jeff Chimenti, who joined Wolf Bros in 2020 around the time of the forming of The Wolfpack, who are a string and brass quintet consisting of Adam Theis, Alex Kelly, Sheldon Brown, Brian Switzer, and Mads Tolling as well as Barry Sless on pedal steel.

    The second night of the run, Wednesday, December 13, saw the night start off with just Bobby on stage playing an acoustic “Easy to Slip,” and was then joined by Jay & Don, still on acoustic, for a cowboy favorite, “El Paso.” Bobby switched to electric to play “Queen Jane Approximately” before Chimenti came out for a full electric “Hell in a Bucket,” a crowd favorite. The room was getting hot and The Wolfpack came out to play “The Music Never Stopped”, but for Bob Weir, the music has truly never stopped. The rest of set was joined by Ron Carter on stand up bass and featured a dark and psychedelic “Dark Star” and a roaring “Scarlet Begonias.”

    Not bad at all for a Wednesday night! Spirits were high and the second set certainly delivered, starting off strong with “Throwing Stones.” Bobby’s vocals really shined on “Viola Lee Blues” and “Corrina.” This was followed by “Come Together,” an unexpected Beatles cover. Following were delightful symphonic renditions of “China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider,” featuring top notch horn solos accompanied with Bob’s iconic rhythm guitar playing.

    Following was a dark and somber “Wharf Rat” with the absolutely iconic Bobby song, “Sugar Magnolia” following. Weir absolutely wails at one point in that song, delivered beautifully but being careful not to blow his voice out before the next three nights at the legendary Capitol Theatre.

    The encore was a rather rare “Liberty,” masterfully delivered. The band took a bow and received a small banner stating “Warning: Genius at Work.” A true spectacle of a night, seeing the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist produce a unique soundscape with familiar material, brining the music to new places and keeping it fresh.

    Bob Weir and Wolf Bros., – Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – December 13, 2023

    Set 1: Easy to Slip, El Paso, Queen Jane Approximately, Hell in a Bucket, The Music Never Stopped, Easy Answers, Dark Star, Scarlet Begonias

    Set 2: Throwing Stones, Viola Lee Blues, Corrina, Come Together, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia

    Encore: Liberty

  • Daze of the Dead: Billy & The Kids Rock The Capitol Theatre

    This past weekend, Billy & The Kids played a two-night run at the legendary Capitol Theatre, with sets including covers of the Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, The Who, and Eric Clapton.

    This time around the band included of course Bill Kreutzmann, and the ‘kids’, Reed Mathis, Aron Magner, and Tom Hamilton, who were joined by Andrew and Brad Barr of The Barr Brothers.

    The band started of with a tight set featuring crowd favorites like “Eyes of the World,” “Jack Straw,” and “Beat It on Down the Line.”

    On October 20th, the theater celebrated the 1000th show for Head Usher Brian Lynch who had the occasion commemorated with a trophy which was handed by Pete Shapiro and Billy Kreutzmann himself.

    The second set started off with a traditionally psychedelic “Drums > Space” into another crowd favorite “Scarlet Begonias.” The second set was filled with elaborate jams and ended with an incredible “Fire on the Mountain” and the band came back for an encore of “Lay Down Sally” and “Ripple.”

    Billy & the Kids – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester – Friday, October 20, 2023

    Set 1: The Kids Are Alright, St. Stephen, Eyes of the World, She Belongs to Me, Beat It on Down the Line, Mama Tried, Jack Straw, Row Jimmy, Let’s Spend the Night Together

    Set 2: Drums > Space, Scarlet Begonias, Friend of the Devil, Ramble on Rose, A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, Fire on the Mountain 

    Encore: Lay Down Sally, Ripple 

  • In Focus: Tedeschi Trucks Band Holds Epic Garden Party at MSG, featuring Trey Anastasio, Norah Jones, & Lukas Nelson

    Tedeschi Trucks band made their debut with a ‘Garden Party’ at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on Friday, September 29, with the help of friends Trey Anastasio, Lukas Nelson and Norah Jones. There was some intense rain causing serious flooding around this day, but luckily the show went on.

    The performance recalled Derek Trucks sitting in with Phish, just a month prior for the Vermont Flood benefit. And now it looked like New York City would be flooding, but only an outpouring of love and music rained down at MSG this evening.

    Lukas Nelson and Promise Of The Real opened up the night with a rocking, bluesy set full of originals including a heartfelt “Georgia” and a thumping “Something Real” to close up their set.

    When it was time for the main act, the first reaction was “Boy do they have a large band even without three special guests!” The full Tedeschi Trucks Band played a memorable show with their guests, one that was full of surprises which included “The Seeker” & “Layla” with Trey sitting in, Susan killing it on “Sugaree”, Norah and Susan on “Have a Little Faith in Me”, TTB bangers like “Midnight in Harlem” and “Made up Mind”.

    The encore included “A Song For You” with Lukas Nelson and “Soul Sweet Song”. The band brought out the whole crew including Trey, Lukas, & Norah for two Sly and the Family Stone songs including “Sing a Simple Song” and “I Want to Take you Higher,” an incredible ending to a phenomenal night.

    Setlist via Relix

    Tedeschi Trucks Band – Madison Square Garden, NYC – Sept. 29, 2023

    Setlist: Anyhow, Playing With My Emotions, Ain’t That Something, Part of Me, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) (The Rolling Stones), I Am the Moon, Pasaquan, Have a Little Faith in Me (John Hiatt) [1] [2], You Wreck Me (Tom Petty) [1] [2], Midnight in Harlem, Made Up Mind, I Want More > Beck’s Bolero (Jeff Beck), Angel From Montgomery (John Prine) > Sugaree (Grateful Dead), The Seeker (The Who) [2] [3], Bell Bottom Blues (Derek and the Dominos) [3], Layla (Derek and the Dominos) [3] [4]

    Encore: A Song For You (Leon Russell) [5], Soul Sweet Song, Sing A Simple Song (Sly & The Family Stone) [6] > I Want to Take You Higher (Sly & The Family Stone) [6]

    [1] Norah Jones on keys, vocals
    [2] First time played by Tedeschi Trucks Band
    [3] Trey Anastasio on guitar, vocals
    [4] Lukas Nelson on guitar
    [5] Lukas Nelson on vocals; with Susan (vocals) and Gabe (keys) only
    [6] Trey Anastasio on guitar, Lukas Nelson on guitar, Norah Jones on keys

  • High Time Over the City: Billy and the Kids at Pier 17 Rooftop

    Grateful Dead drummer Billy Kreutzman, along with a cast of “kids” played a quick two show tour including one night at the scenic Pier 17 rooftop.

    Along for the ride were “new kids” like Daniel Donato and Sierra Hull but also some “kids” who’ve been around the block with Billy like Tom Hamilton and Aron Magner.

    The first set opened up with “China Cat Sunflower” and included crowd favorites like “Truckin” & “Cumberland Blues” closing with “Built to Last.”

    In Grateful Dead fashion the second set was opened up with “Drums”. The band joined the two drummers to play an unexpected Bob Marley cover of “Could You be Loved”. The second set included a Talking Heads cover “Take Me to the River” as well as deadhead favorites like “Bird Song”, “Wharf Rat”, & “Unlce John’s Band,” closing the second set with “Franklins Tower”.

    The crowd roared and cheered for this incredible band. They come back up to play an encore of “Wake up Little Susie” and “We Bid You Goodnight”. 

  • I’ll Meet You At The Catskill Mountain Jubilee

    The Catskill Mountain Jubilee was a blast this past weekend, held from August 10 to August 12 at Upstate New York’s Blackthorne Resort in East Durham. Friday night featured two sets from The Disco Biscuits, Dogs in A Pile, Space Bacon, a solo set by Mihali from Twiddle, and Legion of Melvin with Karl Denson, amongst a slew of other talented artists. Blackthorne Resort offered an ideal setting for the festival, with cabins, a public pool, and many comfortable amenities.

    Friday proved to be sunny and hot at first. Bands at the main stage like Beg, Steal, or Borrow and Melvin Seals had to play in direct sunlight, yet still managed to deliver rocking sets. Space Bacon and Dogs In a Pile were at the Hangar Stage which proved to be more shaded, but also more dusty.

    Mihali played some interesting originals, a take on “Best Feeling” by Keller Williams, and even a “Free Bird” cover. Dogs in a Pile played an energetic set full of originals, a “Hell in a Bucket” cover, and even a Led Zeppelin cover as their encore. Catskill Mountain Jubilee raged late into the night with two thumping Disco Biscuits sets followed by a variety of late night music.

  • In Focus: The LaMP is Getting Brighter Now

    Jam band supergroup LaMP performed their late night Phish afterparty at The Cutting Room on Wednesday, August 2nd. LaMP consists of Scott Metzger joined by Russ Lawton & Ray Paczkowski of Trey Anastasio Band.

    The room was packed and attendees were ready to boogie following Phish. The band played a very tight, rocking, funky set. The whole show was rather funky and Scott’s guitar playing as the only axe man in the band reminded me more of Trey Anastasio’s playing more than Scott’s guitar parts in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. There were incredible peaks and moments of dissonance, but mostly very tight and danceable funkiness.

    Truly a supergroup with three incredible musicians. With these three in the room, you’re bound to dance!

  • In Focus: JRAD at Pier 17 Rooftop

    Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) played a sold out show at the Pier 17 Rooftop. Packed with Deadheads and Phish phans eager for the upcoming MSG run, the band’s backdrop was the Brooklyn Bridge & Empire State Building. The venue featured a beautiful, panoramic view of Manhattan, quite the site to behold.

    The night started off with a bang “Playing in the Band” followed by “Mississippi Half Step”. The set included fan favorites like “Bertha” & “Scarlet Begonias”. They closed the set with “Touch of Grey”.

    The second set started off with Scott Metzger shining on “Hard to Handle” followed by a rocking “Here Comes Sunshine”. The second set was incredible and featured songs like “Truckin” & “St. Stephen”.

    The band played “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” >”Not Fade Away” but was cut short as the band was instructed to stop playing. This was not due to the amount of faces being melted, but due to lightning in the area. “Shine on” also  featured a saxophonist Stuart Bogie.

    The band and fans got to enjoy most of the show and quickly scurried out before the rain. This band just keeps getting better and every show is an incredible show. These guys don’t miss!

    Set 1: Playing in the Band, Mississippi Half Step, Music Never Stopped, Bertha, Tell Me Mama > Scarlet Begonias, Touch of Grey

    Set 2: Hard to Handle, Here Comes Sunshine > Throwing Stones > Wharf Rat > Truckin’, St.Stephen > Shine on You Crazy Diamond

  • Up Late With Dopapod at Sony Hall

    There was quite a big fish market near MSG with thousands rushing to midtown for night 5 of Phish, as well as the post-shows that would follow. Dopapod had the honors of playing Sony Hall in NYC on Saturday, July 29, playing from just around midnight until almost 3 AM.

    dopapod nyc

    The band has long been a staple of the jam scene and a crowd favorite for many years. The funkiness of Eli Winderman on keys, with Rob Compa’s expert and original guitar playing, mixed with phenomenal Chuck Jones on bass and drummer Neal ‘Fro’ Evans, making a late-night force to be reckoned with.

    dopapod nyc

    Their late night set was full of energy, as should be after a Phish show, especially one where many fans had just seen an exhilarating show right beforehand. Their set included originals like “Trickery” & “Present Ghosts” as well as a rocking cover of “Dazed and Confused,” played in true Dopapod fashion.

    dopapod nyc

    Dopapod – July 29, 2023, Sony Hall, NYC

    Setlist Trickery, Turning Knobs, Freight Train, Present Ghosts, Bubblehouse, Dracula’s Monk, Onion Head, Fannie, Dazed and Confused, We are Not Alone, Weird Charlie, End it on the Yeah, Nuggy Jawson

    dopapod nyc
    dopapod nyc

  • At The Bottom of the Mann: Two Scorching Nights with Phish in Philadelphia

    Phish stopped at the Mann Center in Philadelphia 7/25-7/26 as part of their summer tour. The tour is quickly gaining momentum with a seven-night run at MSG up next. Locals and fans descended to the lots in masses despite the intense heat and powerful rain storm during the first day.

    Night one started off with an impressive first set starting with “Strawberry Letter 23” and featured highlights like “Back on The Train”and “Axilla Part 2”. The set concluded with a thoroughly jammed out “46 Days.”

    The second set began with “Down with Disease,” followed by one of the new Phish song’s to make its debut this summer, “The Well.” This went “well” into a Type 2 Jams, getting dark and rocking hard. At the Osiris Podcast pre-party the next day ,everyone agreed that “The Well” is an amazing song and collectively as now our favorite.

    The show concluded with a powerful “Piper,” “Crosseyed & Painless,” and a beautiful segue into “Chalkdust Torture”. The band played a two-song encore: “Wading in the Velvet Sea” followed by a mind blowing cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire.”

    Spirits were high and the weather was hot on day two. The night opened up with “Mike’s Song” followed by “Boogie on Reggae Woman” > “Mike’s Reprise”. The first set was filled with crowd favorites like “Moma Dance” and “Mound.” The set concluded in rocking fashion with a raging “Fluffhead.” 

    The second set opened up with “Set Your Soul Free” followed by a dark “Carini.” Highlights included “Golden Age” & “Golgi Apparatus” with a well jammed “Harry Hood” to close out the second set. The band encored with “Life Beyond A Dream” and “Run Like an Antelope,” and boy did they run.

    Next up 7 nights at Madison Square Garden, happy summer tour!

  • Trying to Catch a Ray: Trey Anastasio Band at The Stone Pony

    Trey Anastasio’s Band stopped at The Stone Pony Summerstage amidst their tour. The place was packed and there were loads of people listening to the concert outside of the gated-off, outdoor venue. This proved to be an incredible show filled with fan favorites, incredible solos by Trey and the horns section and even Natalie “Chainsaw” Cressman’s masterful vocal work on “1977.”

    The band opened up with “Set Your Soul Free” which featured the lovely accompaniment on vocals by Jennifer Hartswick & Natalie Cressman. The first set included “Steam,” “Heavy Things,” a roaring “Night Speaks to a Woman,” and a funky “Moma Dance.”

    The second set opened up with a Trey original, “I Never Needed You Like This Before.” The sun was going down and the band was settling into a familiar groove with Trey’s solos getting loner and heavier. If this show is foreshadowing the Phish summer tour ahead, we are in for quite a ride! The second set included a personal favorite “Alaska,” which was jammed out entirely with an extensive solo by Trey, “1977” with Cressman’s mesmerizing rapping, an insanely jammed out “No men in No Man’s Land,” and “Everything’s Right” to close out the set.

    That last song really helped this writer get through a rough day. The positivity and healing in Trey Anastasio Band’s music have helped greatly and I am sometimes in awe of its power. The band came back for their encore, an a capella “Over the Rainbow” and a shredding “First Tube.”

    Set 1: Set Your Soul Free, Simple Twist Up Dave, Evolve, Rise/Come Together, Steam, Heavy Things, Cayman Review, Night Speaks to a Woman, The Moma Dance, Curlew’s Call.

    Set 2: I Never Needed You Like This Before, 1977, Acting the Devil, No Men In No Men’s Land, Oblivion, Love is What We Are, Drifting, Alaska, and Everything’s Right.

    Encore: Over the Rainbow, First Tube