On Friday, March 4th at The Linda in Downtown Albany, Sarah King and Sydney Worthley kicked off the venue’s month-long event celebrating Women’s History month with their Women’s Voices Concert Series. Despite the impending snowstorm, nearly every seat was filled, yet it was still an intimate and delightful show.
Sydney Worthley
Local phenom Sydney Worthley kicked things off. This young lady (only 17!) can write the types of songs that most people double her age would struggle to write, let alone understand, and her voice sounds like she has been training for decades, except that’s impossible. She played with guitarist TJ Foster and the pair’s chemistry on stage was delightful.
If you haven’t gotten a chance to see or hear Sydney, she just released her first full-length music video called “Heart Shaped Mess.” Or you can catch her playing with Lucid Street at Putnam Place on March 10th.
Sarah King
As someone who has been covering shows for quite some time, it is a struggle to find the words to describe just how delicious it was to watch Sarah King perform. First of all, her voice is incredibly unique — she started off training in opera and it shows despite the fact that she doesn’t sing in that style at all anymore. Her range is unlike anything I have heard before. She can go from a Janice Joplin-type growl to a stunning high note within a millisecond and she makes it look easy.
Like Sydney, Sarah is a songwriter and a storyteller and her lyrics are so powerful it felt like she was speaking for every woman when she was up on that stage. If you missed last night’s performance, it won’t be your last time to hear from Sarah. She has released four new tracks recently and is recording an album in May that is due out this summer. Friday’s show was her kick-off to a month-long series of shows celebrating Women’s History Month.
Setlist: Wedding Rings, Not Worth the Whiskey, Oh Mama, Nightstand, Cold Hard Ground, Crazy People, Always an Almost, You Were Wrong, War Pigs (Black Sabbath), Blame it on the Booze.
Check out the full gallery from the evening with Sarah King and Sydney Worthley below.
On February 28, Joe Bonamassa performed at the historic Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. Two fans shared their thoughts from the show, accompanied by photos by Zachary Todtenhagen.
Since opening for B.B. King at age 12, Joe Bonamassa has continued to grow and display his unparalleled guitar skills. Out of the 16 shows I’ve seen, Joe always has a unique theme, 70’s funk, big band, old time blues, etc. the show on Tuesday, February 28, was reminiscent of good old rock and role. Joe played a bunch of new songs with some of his older hits mixed in.
The crowd was whooping and hollering when “Dust Bowl” was played and everyone was on their feet for the encore, “Sloe Gin”. It seems like Joe’s ability to play the guitar somehow evolves and improves at every show he plays, keeping the audience surprised, entertained, and always coming back for more. – Kailey Gyorffy.
My uncle first introduced my mother and I to Joe Bonamassa about a year before this show. He played a show at The Tralf that I unfortunately missed. When I heard he was coming back to Buffalo and to Shea’s I knew it was a show I couldn’t miss. My mom took me to the show for my birthday with my brother. The music was comforting. It brought me back to the time I was young and covered me with a warm blanket. A time when I was picking my parents brains for that quality old school rock and roll, blues, you name it. If I had to compare this to anything it would be that. A feeling of what it was like to be alive through the 70’s.
He busted out beautiful guitar after beautiful guitar and had some really great banter in between. His stage presence was one of experience and confidence. Joe used that presence to bring you in closer rather than intimidate, with fun body movements, gestures, and words. It was definitely one of those shows that you wish never stopped, but end up saying ‘WOW That went fast.” – Doug Recore
The Winery Dogs (TWD) took the stage at the Agora Theater in Cleveland on Thursday, March 2nd. They delivered a spellbinding performance that had the crowd on their feet from the first notes of “Gaslight”. The band consists of Richie Kotzen on guitar and vocals, Billy Sheehan on bass and backing vocals, and Mike Portnoy on drums and backing vocals. Known for their incredible musicianship and infectious energy, TWD did not disappoint. This show was their closest to Western New York this tour cycle and a great deal of fans took I-90 West from Buffalo to Cleveland.
Billy Sheenhan and Richie Kotzen
Kotzen’s guitar playing was nothing short of breathtaking. His fingers flying over the fretboard as he effortlessly transitioned between intricate riffs and soaring solos. Meanwhile, Sheehan’s bass work was nothing short of incredible, with his signature style of playing providing a funky backbone to the band’s sound. And Portnoy’s drumming was as rock-solid as ever, with his beats and fills driving the band’s performance forward. You can say he is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).
Mike Portnoy
The band’s setlist was a masterclass in rock and roll, featuring songs from their entire catalog. Classics like “Captain Love” and “Hot Streak” had the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs, while newer tracks like “Mad World” and “Stars” showcased the band’s versatility and range. The inclusion of a bass solo and “The Red Wine” allowed Sheehan to shine, showcasing his incredible technical skills and unique style.
But it wasn’t just the music that made the night so special. The Winery Dogs’ stage presence was magnetic, with each member exuding a sense of joy and passion for the music they were playing. The chemistry between the band members was palpable, with each musician feeding off of the others’ energy and elevating the performance to new heights.
As a music photographer, I was thrilled to be in the audience capturing the magic of the night. From Kotzen’s intense facial expressions to Sheehan’s lightning-fast fingers, there was never a dull moment on stage. And Portnoy’s playful interaction with the crowd and his bandmates made for some truly memorable moments.
The encore of “Regret” and “Elevate” was a fitting end to an incredible night, with the band leaving everything on stage and the crowd cheering for more. The Winery Dogs proved once again that they are one of the most exciting and talented bands on the rock and roll scene today.
The Winery Dogs’ concert at the Agora Theater in Cleveland was a breathtaking display of musicianship, energy, and passion. The band’s technical skills, infectious energy, and undeniable chemistry made for a truly unforgettable night of rock and roll. It’s no wonder that they continue to amass a loyal following of fans and are regarded as one of the best live acts in the business. The Winery Dogs are currently touring in support of their new album III.
Setlist: Gaslight, Xanadu, Captain Love, Hot Streak, Desire, Breakthrough, Time Machine, Stars, Damaged, Mad World, The Other Side, Bass Solo, The Red Wine, I’m No Angel, Oblivion
Regina Spektor made her long awaited return to Ithaca on Wednesday, March 1, playing to a sold-out crowd at the State Theater. The much-anticipated performance was Spektor’s first in Ithaca since 2016 and was the first stop on her spring solo tour. The show, originally scheduled for October 2022, had been postponed after Spektor contracted Covid-19.
As the clock approached 8:30, excitement in the theater became palpable, with the sold-out crowd eagerly awaiting Spektor’s arrival. Moments later, the house lights dimmed, and Spektor strutted to the front of the stage. She greeted the crowd with an excited wave and a curtsy before launching into the a-cappella track “Ain’t No Cover.” Spektor immediately had a captive hold of her audience.
Following the opening number, Spektor took her familiar seat in front of her piano and continued her diverse musical journey. A classically trained pianist at heart, Spektor has been performing on the piano since the age of six. Tracks like “Folding Chair” and “Better” took new life while being stripped to their piano-laden foundation. She delighted the audience with the quirky “Reginasaurus” (while her guitar was being tuned for “That Time,”), sang in three languages on “Apres Moi”, and showed off her storytelling abilities with the cryptic and political “Ballad of a Politician”. Despite the emotional nature of her music, Spektor kept the mood light between songs, telling comical stories of failed rehearsal attempts prior to the evening’s show.
With the evening winding to a close, Spektor delighted the crowd with “Fidelity,” a standout track from her 2006 album Begin To Hope. The audience joined in, singing along on the catchy chorus. Following the song, Spektor left the stage briefly, to a standing ovation. She returned moments later, and obliged the audience with a previous request; by performing the emotional ballad “Samson”. The audience, in complete silence, hung on her every word until the end.
It is a rare feat in this day and age to see an audience so fully immersed in a live performance, but Regina Spektor clearly held a captive spell over the theater. A glance around the room was not met with the glow of cellphones, but rather audience members hanging on Spektor’s every note. It is a true testament to her talents as a songwriter and performer.
Equal parts British and American, The Backfires returned from a show across the pond to play at Brooklyn’s very own Baby’s All Right on Februrary 22. With support from indie rock band Secondhand Sound, The Backfires fully entranced the fans at the sold-out show.
Frontman Alex Gomez (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Rock group The Backfires hails from both sides of the Atlantic. When Alex Gomez, the frontman, went to London to study abroad in 2018, he met Harry Ruprecht (lead guitarist) and Max Wanduragala (drums). Right before the production of their debut EP “Consider the Backfires” in 2019, bassist Matt Walter joined the group. The band completed recording the EP in London in January 2020. In 2021, the band released the EP and later that year, remotely recorded and published “Song 55.” The British members of the Backfires have secured their visas for 2023, ready for many more live shows in the upcoming year.
Secondhand Sound (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Nashville-based alt-rock quartet Secondhand Sound was originally formed in Urbana, Maryland after Sawyer John Estok (lead vocalist/guitarist) and Collin Plank (drummer) began writing songs in their parent’s basements. Eventually, Estok and Plank headed to Nashville, making friends with Teagan Proctor (bassist) and Cam Schmidt (guitarist/keyboard player). Through anthemic hooks, fuzzy garage-rock riffs, and irresistible youthful energy, Secondhand Sound craft songs that have granted them vast success, with more to come as the band self-proclaims that they “Will Be The Biggest Band In The World”.
Bassist Matt Walter (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
During the show, Estok’s voice carried a windful southern howl that carries a weight of melancholy with a feisty rock n’ roll punch throughout the performance, while the band danced around and moshed in the pit. After playing stand-out songs “Dominoes” and “Pocket Change”, Estok left the stage to join the crowd in moshing. The remainder of the show kept the vibe energetic and fun. As their set closed out, the impression of their performance introduced an array of new followers to their rich Nashville sound.
Secondhand Sound Setlist: Heavy Metal Parking Lot Kind Of Cool, Darby, Stone’s Throw, Rorschach, Dominoes, Colm’s, Veritas, Pocket Change
Guitarist Harry Ruprecht (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
When The Backfires finally started playing, the crowd immediately went wild as Gomez launched straight into singing “Matador”. Throughout the show, their enthusiasm and stage presence shone through as they played such hits as “Song 55” and “City Queen”. Before the end of the show, after much anticipation, The Backfires played their new single “Joyride” live for the first time. The atmosphere in the room was absolutely unmatched as they rocked the house down. As their first show back in the US in 2023, The Backfires showed that they’re up to incredibly exciting things and new sounds.
The Backfires Setlist: Matador, Preoccupied, Never Seen You Before, Figure It Out, Anything, R U Mine, City Queen, Turn off The Lights, Reflection On My TV, I am the Walrus, Brighter Lights, Song 55, Joyride, Blindsided
Bassist Teagan Proctor (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
In terms of upcoming shows, Secondhand Sound doesn’t have any performances set up but be sure to check their Instagram for any updates. The Backfires also don’t currently have any upcoming tours, but any announcements can be monitored on their website or their social media accounts.
Photographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma
For the first time since 2018, moe. returned to the Palace Theatre stage in Albany for a pair of shows with new band member Nate Wilson on keys. The shows were marked by a proclamation earlier that day from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to rename part of North Pearl Street as moe.street.
photo by Jarron Childsphoto by Jarron Childsphoto by Jarron Childs
While moe. did play a live-streamed show from the Palace Theatre lobby in 2020, the return to the stage was marked by welcoming back Chuck Garvey for his sixth and seventh shows back with moe., following recovery from a stroke. This was also the first time moe. fans in Albany would be seeing a sextet, as Nate Wilson has officially joined the band on keys, finding a natural fit next to guitarist Al Schnier, as the tones of these two would add layers to classic and fresh moe. tunes alike.
Friday night was marked by a proclamation amending moe.day (February 24) to be moe.weekend, read from the stage by City of Albany Treasurer, Darius Shanifar (filling in for Mayor Sheehan). With that, Shanifar introduced six guys named moe., as the band made their way onto the stage and began the run with an extended “Billy Goat,” which segued into “Bearsong” after much hinting from percussionist Jim Loughlin via his vibraphone. The underrated “Crushing” surged forth next and made way for “Blue Jeans Pizza,” a great song made even greater with the inclusion of Wilson on keys. Following “ATL” and “Don’t Wanna Be”, Suke Cerulo, who filled in on guitar during Garvey’s absense, joined for “McBain”, a song Cerulo has become quite familiar with, leading to a psychedelic jam among the seven musicians on stage.
Set 2 opened with the rarely played Tin Cans and Car Tires tune “Again and Again,” only having been played twice previously in the last decade. Another bust out followed in “Faker”, not played since 12/30/2018. “The Road” held its own with Wilson adding additional layers, while “Water” marked the first time it was played since Chuck returned last month in Huntington. To close out the set, back to back 16-minute versions of “Downward Facing Dog” and “The Pit” were the icing on the cake, with “The Pit” accented by Wilson’s use of flute and the band coming out strong as ever for a fan favorite show stopper.
An encore of “Letter Home” and “Captain America” bid the crowd a good night, as the kids kept dancing long after the show. Options afterward were plentiful, with fans opting for Cerulo at Empire Underground, Hilltop at Parish Public House, or for the adventurous, a Shrek Rave at Empire Live.
Saturday proved to be just as hot inside despite wintery weather outside. Karina Rykman wowed the audience as the opener, showing off her power-trio’s sound and rock-star vibe that is as infectious as her inspired playing. Rykman would come up later in the evening for the guest-friendly “Meat” that saw her trade bass licks with Rob Derhak over the course of an 11 minute jam session.
moe. would open their set with a slow-building “Lazarus,” followed by “Seat of My Pants.” Nate Wilson continued to make his presence known in the extended “Sensory Deprevation Bank” followed by the newer “Jazz Cigarette.” Conehead Buddha’s Shannon Lynch joined the band for “Happy Hour Hero,” taking centerstage for a solo, reuniting musicians who have been playing together in the Albany scene for more than 30 years.
A four song, hour-long second set was as tight on paper as the band is in person – from the first notes of “Waiting for the Punchline,” through the always enjoyable “Kyle’s Song,” the dark grooves of “Puebla” and ol’ reliable “Rebubula.” To wrap things up, “Plane Crash” took the encore slot, before fans rolled out onto moe.street following two memorable and sentimental moe shows at the Palace Theatre.
moe. – Palace Theatre, Albany – Friday February 24
Set 1: Billy Goat -> Bearsong, Crushing, Blue Jeans Pizza, ATL, Don’t Wanna Be -> McBain* Set 2: Again and Again^, Faker -> The Road, Water#, Downward Facing Dog -> The Pit Encore: Letter Home, Captain America * with Suke Cerulo of Schleigho on guitar ^ LTP 12/30/2018 # Not played since before Chuck’s break
moe. – Palace Theatre, Albany – Saturday, February 25
Set 1: Lazarus, Seat Of My Pants > Sensory Deprivation Bank, Jazz Cigarette, Happy Hour Hero*, Meat^ Set 2: Waiting for the Punchline, Kyle’s Song -> Puebla -> Rebubula Encore: Plane Crash * with Shannon Lynch of Conehead Buddha on saxophone ^ with Karina Rykman joining on bass. Karina and Rob traded licks during the jam.
Stephen Sanchez, with opener Kings Elliot, made a stop at Irving Plaza on Thursday, February 16th for his show in New York during his Fall Tour. Sanchez, with his snazzy suit and southern charm, fully entranced the audience with his stellar vocals and rock star performance.
Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma
Stephen Sanchez is a 20-year-old Tennessee-based musician who’s been constantly on the rise. In June 2020, Sanchez posted a cover of Cage the Elephant’s “Cigarette Daydreams” on TikTok and he built an audience through a steady stream of content. After sharing a snippet of his song “Lady by the Sea”, singer-songwriter Jeremy Zucker reached out and offered to produce the official version, which was released in July 2020 and resulted in Sanchez signing a deal with Republic Records.
Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma
Kings Elliot is a blue-haired Swiss rockstar now based in London. Musically, the singer draws inspiration from the wistfully melancholic melodies of the ’40s and ’50s, blending these soothing harmonies with her own tumultuous lyrics. She has a knack for creating hauntingly beautiful and devastating songs that sound uniquely current, yet timeless with her out-of-this-world vocals.
Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma
Kings opened the show with a bang by launching into her hits “I’m Getting Tired of Me” and “Ashes by the Morning”, belting out these bangers to all her adoring fans. With support from Garrett Schwenk on keys, the entire performance was one to remember.
Kings Elliot Setlist: I’m Getting Tired of Me, Cry Baby Cry, ‘Till I Die, The Outsider, Ashes by the Morning, Lost Again, Call Me A Dreamer
Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma
When Stephen finally graced the stage, the crowd was warmed up and immediately went wild as Stephen started singing “Hey Girl”. Throughout the show, his enthusiasm and good vibes infected the crowd as he jumped around with his guitar, put on a birthday hat from a fan, and gave his “single bassist” Jesse Houle a shoutout. There was a moment near the end of the show when he sang his, arguably most famous song, “Until I Found You” when Stephen became emotional. The crowd shared in these feelings from the solid 3-minute ovation he received. As a stop on his first headline tour, Stephen brought the house down on the iconic venue.
Stephen Sanchez Setlist: Hey Girl, Hold Her While You Can, Kayla, Lady by the Sea, Please Don’t Go Home Yet, Mountain Peaks, See the Light, I Want You, The Pool, Evangeline, Only Girl (unreleased), To Stay (unreleased), Unchained Melody, Until I Found You, Amy & Mary [The Righteous Brothers cover]
Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma
In terms of upcoming shows, Kings Elliot will be performing with Stephen on this tour until Feb 26th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Stephen will continue on the winter/spring leg of the tour all the way until March 17th, ending up in Vancouver, Canada. He’ll be returning to NYC during the fall portion of tour, hitting up Terminal 5 on December 2nd.
For more information or announcements for upcoming performances from either of these artists, check out their social media accounts.
Photograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza AjuonumaPhotograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma
On Friday, February 10th, Flipturn played to a sold out crowd at Lark Hall. The show got off to a good start with band, Hotel Fiction, all the way from Athens, GA.
Vocalist, Dillon Basse of Flipturn at Lark Hall – Photo by Jarron Childs
They received a warm reception from the young crowd as their alternative indie style was pretty on par with the style of Flipturn. They are led by two vocalists, Jade Ireland and Jessica Thompson. After graduating college, they have been touring with a number of bands while also releasing their EP, Enjoy Your Stay, just ahead of this tour.
Ireland mentioned that they faced some animosity on the road and it was nice to actually feel welcomed at a show. It could be seen by the way the band interacted with each other how comfortable they felt on stage. Thompson even coming off the stage at points with guitarist, Aaron Daugherty, to either play guitar solos or encourage a sing-a-long from the audience. They played a strong 40 minute set including “Monster” from their recently released EP.
Vocalist, Jade Ireland of Hotel Fiction at Lark Hall – Photo by Jarron Childs
Coming out of Jacksonville, FL, Flipturn has grown a big following since playing in bassist, Madeline Jarman’s, garage in 2015. From playing to maybe 5 people at a local Albany bar, to selling out Lark Hall; they have been catching the attention of young fans at an exponential rate. They released their latest album, Shadowglow, last August and have been on their Shadowglow tour since late August.
They played a pretty long hour and a half set comprised of music from both their albums. The mic went on of the second song of the set, but the fans did not hesitate to sing every word to “The Disco.” Only joy could be felt in that room as fans jumped, cheered, and screamed for the majority of their performance.
Drummer, Devon VonBlason of Flipturn at Lark Hall – Photo by Jarron Childs
At one point the drummer took apart his snare and cymbal and asked a few fans to hold them to be played on. The chemistry both on stage and with the crowd was quite strong for this rock band of young adults. The end of their set fell kind of flat, which left the crowd very unsettled. Demands for an encore were answered with a 2-song encore including on of their hits from their freshman album, “August.”
Fans left quite happy to hear some of their favorite songs from Flipturn. As their tour continues, you can catch them again at Govball in Queens on Saturday June 10th.
Hotel Fiction Set List: Think Twice, Astronaut Kids, FU Jess, Allure, Instead of Us, Out of My Head, Athens, Monster
Flipturn Set List: The Fall, Sad Disco, Chicago, Playground, Whales, Six Below, In Consideration, Halfway, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Hollow, Brooklyn Baby, Burn/Weepy Woman, Goddamn, Space Cowboy Encore: August, Nickel
In the midst of intimate “Special Solo Performance” dates that kicked off in Portland, Maine the day before Valentine’s Day, Brandi Carlile performed back-to-back sold out shows this past week at The Capitol Theatre (affectionately known as “The Cap”) located in the center of downtown Port Chester. I was one of 1,800 lucky participants to attend Friday night’s show on February 17, to witness her multi-genre talents, including folk rock, alternative country and Americana, firsthand.
To say Carlile has been busy lately is an understatement. She played Madison Square Garden this past October, was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in December and just won her eighth and ninth Grammy Awards (out of 25 total nominations and seven from 2022 alone) for “Broken Horses” (Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song) at the 65th award ceremony in Los Angeles earlier this month, a night on which she also executed a fierce version of said song.
At 6:30 pm sharp, doors to the historic venue constructed in 1926 opened to adoring Carlile fans that had been patiently waiting in a short line, but that could not wait any longer. However, with the show still nearly two hours away, most fans who had arrived early to the village known as the “Gateway to New England” were seen congregating at nearby restaurants. Not only to pass the time, but to escape the frigid temperatures that had dropped by more than 30 degrees from earlier the same afternoon, my wife and I opted for authentic Mexican cuisine right next door to The Cap, enjoying margaritas as Brandi Carlile tunes played over El Tio’s speakers.
Suddenly, as show time neared, throngs of patrons hurriedly began to file through the maze of security fencing outside of the main entrance and into the warm confines of the theatre’s lobby. Many fans headed straight for the merch table to purchase a t-shirt, hoodie or poster commemorating Carlile’s brief two-night residency, while others grabbed a drink before heading to their seat in the orchestra or upper balcony.
Running slightly behind schedule, the moment finally arrived as Carlile took the stage at 8:25 pm, from which she would not depart until more than two hours later. With more than two decades of singer-songwriter experience under her belt, the rural girl from Ravensdale, Washington was about to give her fans a career-spanning glimpse at her discography, performing at least one song from each of her seven studio albums. Sharply dressed as always, tonight in an arctic blue blazer and matching turtleneck with lime green slacks, Carlile “took it all in” for several moments as the crowd erupted before her.
Excitedly, Carlile addressed her adoring fans, “Yes! I knew the crowd was going to be like this! I did this solo tour to recover my artist’s self after the Grammys, which I will never stop being grateful for, or terrified by. But I knew that I was going to need these concerts so that I could come back into myself and come face to face with my lyrics and do something that really scares me, which this does.” Then, as guitar tech Claire Murphy handed Carlile a well-worn, vintage Gibson acoustic (one of four she would play in addition to two custom Collings), the festivities were officially underway.
The first of 20 offerings that Carlile bestowed upon the packed house was her very first song (“Follow”) from her very first self-titled release in 2005. Although the audience would be seated for majority of the show, they rose to their feet triumphantly at the conclusion of each and every song, beginning with this one. On an evening filled with deep cut tracks, the next song (the aforementioned “Broken Horses”) from her most recent studio album (2021’s In These Silent Days) would not be one of them. During the introduction to “Mama Werewolf,” another song from her seventh album, Carlile playfully addressed her two young daughters seated stage left in VIP boxes above. After the third song had ended, and it was now time to head back up the aisle with my camera to a standing room only perch at the rear of the house, I glanced at the beaming faces of fans as I strolled by. The next two songs presented by Carlile were “The Things I Regret” (The Firewatcher’s Daughter, 2015), and speaking of deep cuts, “I Will,” the seventh track from her third studio album (Give Up the Ghost) released in 2009.
Taking a seat at the piano for the first time of the night, which she taught herself to play (along with guitar) after dropping out of high school to pursue her dream of a career in music, Carlile introduced her next song by revealing “I don’t know any other way to do [“The Eye”] without the twins (songwriting brothers Phil and Tim Hanseroth who also reside in the band’s family as bass and guitar players, respectively) and a three-part harmony. Without them, the only thing that I can think to do, is to do it different.” During the course of the next twenty minutes, Carlile beautifully delivered the title track from 2007’s The Story and “The Mother” (By the Way, I Forgive You, 2018), sandwiched by the first of the night’s four covers, Tears for Fears’ “Mad World.” “The Mother” followed, also taken from her sixth studio album released in 2018, before Carlile was joined by wife Catherine for a glorious coupling of fan favorites comprising “I Belong to You” and “You and Me on the Rock.”
Before commencing their final song together, Tracy Chapman’s “The Promise,” Carlile imparted a humorous tale about a recent time when she and Catherine performed the same song during a vow renewal at Ellen DeGeneres’ house (which really looks more like a castle): “Just when I thought the ceremony was at the lesbian tipping point, we were at a campfire a half an hour later with Melissa Etheridge playing to all of us. I was like what the hell, this is amazing! The sun was setting. We drank non-alcoholic beer. A perfect lesbian moment [Catherine adds]. And I was like, I know how we can top this. Right now, we can sing Tracy Chapman. So, we did. We’re going to repeat that moment for you right now.”
As the set rolled on, the crowd continued to display its deep appreciation for Brandy Carlile, vigorously clapping in unison during the chorus to “Raise Hell” (the lone tune performed from Bear Creek) and then cheering wildly for the night’s third cover, Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend.” What followed next was the ‘wipe the tears from your eyes’ moment of the show when Carlile moved to the edge of the stage apron to perform an off-microphone, six-minute version of “Cannonball” (The Story, 2007) – a song that was not played the night before – with every audience member remaining dead silent to ensure Carlile’s voice could be heard throughout the entire venue.
As if we had not already witnessed greatness, the final quintet of songs showcased Carlile’s unreal vocal chops as she took to the piano again for a string of recent hits consisting of “Letter to the Past,” “Right on Time,” “The Joke” (with Carlile back on guitar) and “Party of One.” And on a night where love filled the air, the final number (Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”) of the epic show was a fitting nod to Carlile’s close friend and folk icon.
The final stop on Carlile’s intimate solo tour will be at the Durham Performing Arts Center in North Carolina this upcoming Wednesday, February 22. For those of you who missed her Port Chester shows, you will get another chance when she returns this summer touring in support of P!NK at Citi Field in Queens on August 3.
Brandi Carlile Setlist: Follow > Broken Horses > Mama Werewolf > The Things I Regret > I Will > The Eye > The Story > Mad World (Tears for Fears cover) > The Mother > I Belong to You > You and Me on the Rock > The Promise (Tracy Chapman cover) > Raise Hell > Call Your Girlfriend (Robyn cover) > Cannonball > Letter to the Past > Right on Time > The Joke > Party of One > A Case of You (Joni Mitchell cover)
Adore Delano, of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame, brought her tour “Party Your World” to Buffalo Iron Works on February 19th and her performance was just that, a non-stop party.
Adore Delano putting on a show-stopping performance at Buffalo Iron Works. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Namely, Buffalo Iron Works is located next to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, an intimate venue that puts on a variety of shows, making it an ideal spot for Adore’s tour when it came to town.
Delano, 33, is a force when it comes to putting on a show. From belting out her rendition of “Toxic” by Britney Spears to screaming out her “Negative Nancy” her range is untouchable. The energy that she brought to the stage was so forceful, you couldn’t help but feel blown out of your seat (or spot that you were standing), she is the definition of a rockstar. In addition to her talents, her band included Dylan Ewing on the bass, Meghan Herring on the drums and producer Nathan Morrow on the lead guitar. On the whole, they were the perfect match for the singer and brought together a night of fun.
The show was a blast. The audience’s energy felt a notch lower than expected however that may have been because it was a Sunday night. Or, they didn’t know what they were in for and were completely blown away. Either way, it did not impact Delano’s performance because she is a show-stopping performer. Her presence and talent were intoxicating. You could not leave the venue without feeling good afterwards.
Setlist: Butterfly, Dirty Laundry, I Can’t Love You, Toxic (Britney Spears Cover), Negative Nancy, Pretty Boys Cry, I Put A Spell on You (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Cover), 27 Club, Creep (Radiohead Cover), DTF, I Adore U Encore: My Address Is Hollywood
