Category: Features

  • Listen To Alex Northrup’s Newest Single, “What Did I Miss”

    Alex Northrup, a Rochester composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, has released his newest single “What Did I Miss” as part of his bigger album, Turning Point, set for release this January.

    Alex Northrup what did I miss

    You may recognize Alex Northrup from other Rochester-based groups in the past such as Northern Spies, Brindamor, Jon Lewis Band, and the Demos. More recently, he has been touring the keyboardist for Kill Rock Stars artist Sean Barna.

    Locally, he has made appearances in the bands of Katie Morey and Overhand Sam. Recently, he’s been performing around Rochester both solo and with his latest backing group of the Darlingtones– anchored by Ryan Yarmrel on bass and Sam Hirsh on drums, with a revolving cast of guests.

    A follow-up to his album, Popular Songs That Will Live Forever, Alex Northrup’s Turning Point follows in the same home-made vein, with more guest appearances and a more soothing vibe. Popular Songs That Will Live Forever featured 10 songs, including the single “The Only Thought I Need,” released in June of 2020, with a quirky and whimsical tone via an upbeat tambourine from beginning to end.

    “What Did I Miss” follows that same psychedelic rock genre, but with a more relaxing feeling from an upbeat guitar and soothing vocals. “What Did I Miss” is a single that reminds me of the COVID shut down, where everyone was encouraged to take breaks from social media when it became “too much.” I love the sound but I, as always, am drawn to the lyrics: “What did I miss? // Don’t tell me – I don’t want to know // What did I miss? // This absence was to help me grow // What did I miss?” It’s like when you take a break from social media, but part of you– the addicted part of you– wants to know what is going on despite knowing it’s for the best that you don’t.

    “…I was distracted by things such as life and contributing to other people’s bands and recording projects. Actual songwriting was the furthest from my mind – I thought I had totally lost that part of me, and with the way things were going with the world, I wondered what the point even was. But after a couple years of that, the fog started to lift and the words started to come again. And soon enough, out of the mess of unfinished tracks and jams, a dozen actual songs emerged! Nearly half were written fresh at that point, and one 11 year old song that had never been properly recorded was revived. So now I’m back to writing and playing again (with my live band the Darlingtones) and there are definitely more songs that will be coming out! So Turning Point is hopefully the start of something bigger.”

    Alex Northrup

    Turning Point’s lead single “What Did I Miss” is available now to preview what’s to come from Northrup’s album set for release come January, which has been nearly three years in the making.

    To find out where Alex will perform next, or for any other info, check out his Instagram.

    For his single, “What Did I Miss,” click this link.

  • Drive-By Truckers and American Aquarium Get It Done at Water Street Music Hall

    It was a full night of earnest Southern Americana when Water Street Music Hall in Rochester hosted the Drive-By Truckers and American Aquarium on Tuesday, September 26.

    drive-by truckers american aquarium

    American Aquarium got things rolling with a tight workman-like set, punching in right at the listed 8pm start time and finishing up at 9pm on the button. With little to no chitchat and little to no breaks, they muscled through 14 songs in their hour. They weren’t in a rush though, and each tune was given it’s proper due, with room to breath. BJ Barnham’s voice carried his words with the weight and passion they deserved.

    A vision of his life as a singer/songwriter on the road, and the people and places he’s encountered along the way, unfolded song by song. And he usually wasn’t singing alone. The early-arriving crowd appeared to be as familiar and interested in the opening band as they were the headliner, singing, fist-bumping and genuinely hanging on the band’s every note. It was their first visit to town since 2014, but with that kind of welcome hopefully it won’t be another decade before their next return.

    The Drive-By Truckers wasted no time laying their cards on the table. Set opener “Maria’s Awful Disclosures” introduced the first of many characters to make an appearance, and erupted into triple guitar shredding reminiscent of Crazy Horse. Lead singers Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley swapped songs for most of their two-hour set, each getting ample opportunity to tell their own modern-day allegories. Messages delivered on waves of searing guitars hit like a fist through the chest. Cooley’s “Maria” and her distorted guitar tangle gave way to Hood’s “Charlie” (“Drag the Lake Charlie”) and it’s more anthemic rock sound.

    drive-by truckers american aquarium

    Later we’d hear about “Uncle Frank,” “Heathens,” “Women Without Whiskey” and “Rosemary With a Bible and a Gun.” Each song also took on a character of it’s own, spanning multiple flavors of rock: the deep dark blues of “The Driver,” the barroom banger “Surrender Under Protest,” the heavy rocking “Lookout Mountain.”

    “Hell No, I Ain’t Happy” had a more traditional classic rock feel with its sing-along chorus, fist-pumping beat and dense hooks. Then they took Prince’s “Sign of the Times” and crashed it right into the end, turning it into an Allman Brothers Band southern rock gem, with syncopated guitars exploding into the biggest jam of the night.

    drive-by truckers american aquarium

    The rest of the truckers helped flesh out the characters, stories and messages. Jay Gonzales was the swiss army knife everyman, filling in as needed when needed, with some perfectly placed Hammond B3 swells, electric piano sparkles and some of the best guitar playing of the night. Matt Patton kept the low end fresh and bouncing, smiling broadly the whole night long, no one was having more fun. Brad Morgan was as workman as anyone, providing the backbone for it all, helping the Drive-By Truckers deliver.

    American Aquarium setlist: Me & Mine (Lamentations), All I Needed, The Long Haul, Casualties, St. Mary’s, Six Years Come September, Losing Side of 25, Saturday Nights, Abe Lincoln (Backsliders Cover), Harmless Sparks, Katherine Belle, The Luckier You Get, Wichita Falls, Burn.Flicker.Die

    Drive-By Truckers setlist: Maria’s Awful Disclosures, Drag the Lake Charlie, Every Single Storied Flameout, Sink Hole, Uncle Frank, Heathens, Shit Shots Count, Why Henry Drinks, Women Without Whiskey, Pizza Deliverance, Panties in Your Purse, The Driver, Made Up English Oceans, Rosemary With a Bible and a Gun, 3 Dimes Down, Hell No, I Ain’t Happy > Sign of the Times (Prince Cover), Surrender Under Protest, The New OK, Gravity’s Gone, Lookout Mountain, When the Pin Hits the Shell, Shut Up and Get Off the Plane, Let There Be Rock

  • NYC Alt-Pop Artist Nicolas McCoppin Drops Single “more like u”

    Nicolas McCoppin, the NYC-based alt-pop artist released a brand new single, “more like u,” a synth-pop track that delves into body acceptance and rebirth. The single is part of the rollout for McCoppin’s sophomore album mind motel, to be released November 10.

    Nicolas McCoppin

    “more like u” is a catchy alt-pop track full of synth and fun rhythm, but the lyrics delve into meaningful topics. McCoppin sings about bodily acceptance as a gay man, referencing pressures and insecurities that led him to a new feeling of rebirth and acceptance.

    ‘more like u’ is by far one of the most vulnerable tracks on the record. it was a very intentional contrast to have the production feel so big against the intimate details of the relationship I had with my body at the time. I think everybody can relate to a breakup driving you a little crazy. however, as a gay man, there is an added layer of social pressure in terms of my body image. ‘more like u’ is the story of my destruction and rebirth into the person i am today – which is someone i’ve finally grown to love. I hope this song can first and foremost be a banger, but second something that offers a little comfort to people that don’t feel at home in their body. this song allowed me to reckon with myself and my image of my body and come out the other side as a more whole person.

    Nicolas McCoppin
    Mind Motel album art

    “more like u” follows McCoppin’s previous single, “L.E.S. boy,” marking a new era for the up-and-coming artist. He made an official US radio debut in 2021 with his single “Heaven,” and has since skyrocketed with billboards in Times Square, becoming an Instagram Official Pride Creator, and creative collaborations with the likes of Bonnie McKee (Katy Perry – “Teenage Dream”). 

    Nicolas McCoppin’s new album mind motel will be released worldwide on November 10th. Album release shows in NYC, LA and Boston will be announced soon, along with vinyl and merch pre-orders. You can stream “more like u” and keep up with Nicolas on social media here

  • In Focus: Osees Crush Cleveland

    Psych-punk rockers Osees, or Oh Sees, or Thee Oh Sees, or The Oh Sees or OCS played the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern in Cleveland on September 17.

    osees

    Touring in support of their new album Intercepted Message, an album that was a bit of a throw back to earlier sounds, and heavy on the synthesizer; the album is what you’d get if you threw John Dwyer and Devo in a blender. Osees have a monster sized catalog to choose from, and they tend to represent the band’s many sounds and eras throughout the show.

    John Dwyer and his Osees have gone through many line-up changes and different sounds. The current iteration has a two drummer setup, Dan Rincon and Paul Quattrone are completely locked in and give the show a driving, chugging force. Tim Hellman does a fantastic job holding down the bass and Tomas Dolas adds some color on the keyboards. John Dwyer is the main attraction though, he twists and gyrates and contorts his body to seemly push out the music.

    Do not miss a chance to see these guys when they come to your town, but make sure to bring some earplugs.

    Upcoming The Osees Shows

    9/28 – GONERFEST
    9/30 – Hotel Vegas in Austin, TX
    10/01 – Hotel Vegas in Austin, TX
    10/3 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar

  • Great Lake Swimmers To Perform in Albany This November

    Though a Canadian band, Great Lake Swimmers are set to have one show in Albany at The Linda come November, touring their newest album, Uncertain Country. This is the band’s first new album in five years, and is sure to impress all of their fans and newcomers.

    They also released an official music video which includes four videos for the album’s singles: “Uncertain Country,” “Swimming Like Flying,” “When The Storm Has Passed,” “Moonlight, Stay Above.”

    Great Lake Swimmers, fronted by lead singer/songwriter Tony Dekker, released their newest album  Uncertain Country (Harbour Songs/Fontana) this spring. The new album is the band’s first new music in almost five years, and richly compliments their two-decades-deep musical catalogue.

    The band has also announced Uncertain Country (Deluxe) that is set for release on September 29, and will feature new acoustic versions of six album tracks: “Uncertain Country,” “When The Storm Has Passed,” “Swimming Like Flying,” “Riverine,” “Respect For All Living Things,” and “Flight Paths.”

    Uncertain Country features 11 songs that track a prolonged period of collective anxiety. Though recorded in different locales—largely around the Niagara region, and with a variety of musicians—a theme of questioning runs throughout. Even before the world turned upside down, Dekker felt mired in uncertainty: from the climate crisis and the ever-changing political landscape to deep shifts within the music industry. The “uncertain country” Dekker chose as the album’s theme is not a specific place. Rather, it’s a territory we inhabit in the 21st century — a world that is confusing, unfamiliar and unsettling.

    What started out four years ago as a 10-day trip to the north shore of Lake Superior, inspired a collection of musical field recordings at various locations around the Niagara region (where Dekker now lives) and served as the album’s organic recording studio.

    “Long-time Great Lake Swimmers listeners will find much that they know, from a strong current of nature imagery to Dekker’s wistful & emotive vocal delivery, but also plenty of new territory to discover. Those who are new to the band will find a rich variety of emotional dynamics & musical approaches that still has a coherent core. ‘Uncertain Country’ stands as some of the strongest & most consistent work by one of Canada’s best bands…”

    Review from Great Dark Wonder

    GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS – UNCERTAIN COUNTRY TOUR

    September 13 @ Biltmore Theatre – Oshawa, ON 

    September 14 @ Isabel Bader Theatre – Kingston, ON 

    September 16 @ Le Ritz – Montreal, QC 

    September 27 @ Dominion Telegraph – Paris, ON

    September 28 @ Royal City Mission – Guelph, ON 

    September 29 @ Bridgeworks – Hamilton, ON 

    October 3 @ Hi-Fi – Indianapolis, IN

    October 4 @ The Southgate House Revival – Newport, KY 

    October 5 @ The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI 

    October 7 @ Ignition Music Garage – Goshen, IN

    October 10 @ Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB 

    October 11 @ Broadway Theatre – Saskatoon, SK 

    October 12 @ Festival Hall – Calgary, AB 

    October 13 @ Festival Place – Sherwood Park, AB 

    October 14 @ Rocky Mountain House, AB – Rival Trade Brewing Co 

    October 15 @ Bo’s Bar & Stage – Red Deer , AB 

    October 18 @ Dream Café – Penticton, BC 

    October 19 @ Biltmore Theatre – Vancouver, BC 

    October 20 @ Capital Ballroom – Victoria, BC 

    October 21 @ Waverley Hotel – Cumberland, BC 

    October 22 @ Bez Arts Hub – Langley, BC

    October 25 @ Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

    October 26 @ Café Du Nord – San Francisco, CA

    October 27 @ Volcanic Theatre Pub – Bend, OR

    October 29 @ Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA

    November 1 @ Globe Hall – Denver, CO

    November 2 @ The Slowdown – Omaha, NE

    November 3 @ xBk – Des Moines, IA

    November 4 @ Turf Club – St Paul, MN

    November 5 @ Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI

    November 6 @ The Bur Oak – Madison, WI

    November 7 @ SPACE – Evanston, IL

    November 8 @ Rumba Café – Columbus, OH

    November 9 @ Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH 

    November 10 @ Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, PA

    November 12 @ Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA

    November 13 @ The Linda – Albany, NY

    November 15 @ TD Music Hall, Massey Hall – Toronto, ON 

    November 17 @ Aeolian Hall – London, ON

    For more information on Great Lake Swimmers, click here, or follow their Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Spotify, or YouTube.

  • Exclusive: Kevin Drew Talks About New Solo Record, Upcoming Broken Social Scene Show in NYC

    NYS Music spoke with Broken Social Scene co-founder and frontman Kevin Drew about his new solo record Aging, the band’s upcoming show in New York City, and much more.

    kevin drew broken social scene
    Broken Social Scene frontman Kevin Drew playing a show at Webster Hall in New York, 2022. Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)

    In our exclusive interview, Kevin answered some of David’s burning questions, including “How did Broken Social Scene get Tracy Ullman and Meryl Streep on stage to sing “Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl” at Webster Hall last year?” Kevin told us he and Tracy dated for a year during the pandemic and maintained a friendship since, adding, “I told Tracy to come out and sing. Her bestie [Meryl Streep] showed up, and she’s a very lovely woman […] and I think she was just having fun!”

    Kevin also talked about how he felt seeing Phoebe Bridgers wear a sweatshirt with lyrics from the BSS song, “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” on Zane Lowe’s podcast. “I thought it was Photoshop!” The sweater instantly went viral, and the band began selling the sweater on their website in response, donating the profits for charity. He went on to talk about the difficulty of being a “middle-class band,” as he called it. “It’s difficult for us, because every dime counts now. It’s not like every dollar. It’s like every dime.”

    Then there is Boygenius, the indie supergroup comprised of Julien Baker, Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Drew played with the trio recently in Toronto, saying “They were louder than loud, I think it was the loudest audience I had ever attended. It was insane. […] I’m a big, big fan of Lucy [Dacus]. Lucy was the first one that I heard. And I just immediately thought ‘Who is this?’ So I was happy when I heard that Lucy was an admirer of our band. And then I think that’s probably how we got the gig.”

    Kevin spoke about his new solo record, Aging, and what it meant to record a solo project. “The desire to put up a solo record was not high, but it was actually Brendan Canning, you know, my partner in BSS, he said, ‘You gotta put it out man.’” Kevin went on to say, “I didn’t think my mom was going to pass a month before we dropped a song. You know, we arranged everything sort of the 10 months in advance and I had no idea why I was waiting so long and it all kind of lined u. And Brendan just says ‘Look, put it out and just we’ll play.’”

    Kevin Drew’s solo record, Aging, will be released digitally November 2nd. You can buy physical copies of the record here, which includes a 75-page book titled, “Towards Everything.”

    Broken Social Scene plays Brooklyn Steel this weekend with support from Hannah Georgas, buy your tickets here.

    Drew spoke to NYS Music about much more, including all things music, touring, and even haunted hotel rooms. Be sure to check back here next week for our full show review and much more from our interview.

  • Brooklyn-Based Band Every Us Drops Sophomore Single “Fool’s Gold”

    Every Us, a new NYC-based music collective released their new single, “Fool’s Gold,” a catchy track that marks the group’s second-ever release.

    Fools Gold by Every Us

    “Fool’s Gold” is an crowd-pleaser that captures the essence of a jubilant, carefree night out on the town. The track features catchy, anthemic vocals and a distinct vision of energized crowds clapping to the beat. 

    Every Us is a new music collective based in New York City, founded on the idea of capturing moments that make us feel a part of something greater than ourselves. The group has three more singles to come, with a full EP set to release in the spring. 

    Every Us

    Every Us boasts a lineup of collaborators including Olivia Reid, Michael Tighe (Jeff Buckley, Adele, Mark Ronson), Charlie Klasfield (Clean Bandit, Branchez), and guitarist Dan Sagher (Charlie Burg). 

    Through community events in the past year, they have curated a lineup of artists in the NYC and Brooklyn area, spanning genres like folk, R&B, jazz, and electronic. Their mission and outlook are to uplift new voices while sharing their music and fostering a larger community. Instead of being known as a singular figure or group, Every Us is a community sound and style.

  • Yes Tells Their Classic Tales At The College Street Music Hall

    A day filled with rain and overcast could not keep the Connecticut fans away from Yes at the College Street Music Hall in New Haven on Sunday evening. This show is only the fourth show of the Classic Tales of Yes tour as they are supporting their record that came out this past May titled Mirror To The Sky. 

    yes college street music hall

    Yes is composed of Jay Schellen on the drums, Billy Sherwood on the bass guitar, Jon Davison on lead vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, and Steve Howe on the guitar. Howe has been a part of Yes since 1970 and is the only original member left. 

    Despite there being no opening act for Yes, as fans were still piling into the venue, William Roger Dean who designed album covers for Yes, Asia, and Uriah Heep welcomed fans into the hall. Dean used a slide show and provided commentary about his journey with the band and announced that prints of his work would be made available upstairs by the bar.

    yes college street music hall

    After Dean left and the road crew changed around the stage a bit, the house lights dimmed, and Yes took the stage. While most rock bands try to wow the audience with amazing pyrotechnics, a massive screen with images, and a crazy light show, Yes on the other hand prefers to focus more on their music than what their stage looks like. With one backdrop with the band’s name behind them, and a few drapes off to the side of the stage, all eyes were on the progressive rock band from London, England.

    yes college street music hall

    Throughout the 13 songs that the band played, they dipped into every era of the band and played songs that spanned their entire career. Whether they played “Time and a Word” off of the record of the same name from 1970, or a brand new track titled “Cut From The Stars” the aforementioned Mirror To The Sky, no matter when fans first started to listen to the band, there were at least a few songs that they recognized.

    yes college street music hall

    The crowd, though on the older side, stuck with the band the entire length of their set. From the first note of “Going for the One” off of the record with the same name till the very last song, fans were singing and clapping throughout. Watching the band on stage was like watching a timewarp back to the 70s. The energy on stage was amazing to watch. While Davison is not the original singer, he deserves all the credit for his vocal range. Howe was a man possessed on the guitar, his skill has aged like fine wine and he was truly sensational. Schellen, Sherwood, and Downes also played great, added to the overall sound, and provided perfect harmonies.

    yes college street music hall

    Towards the end of the set, around the encore, the lower bowl flocked towards the barricade to get a closer look at their heroes before the show ended. When Davison ran to the front, he started fist-bumping, high-fiving, and shaking hands with fans who were at the very front. Davison did this as a form of appreciation and a thank you to them for coming out in the cold late September rain. You could see that the band truly appreciated their fans as they were smiling at them the entire set and interacting with them as much as they could.

    yes college street music hall

    As Yes took their final bow to a standing ovation from the crowd, fans were left joyful after watching the progressive rock masters at work on stage. As Yes paved the way for many other acts that came after them, it’s easy to see how the band once ruled the world and still has the skills to back them up.

    Setlist: Going for the One, It Will Be a Good Day (The River), Machine Messiah, I’ve Seen All Good People, America (Simon & Garfunkel cover) (instrumental version), Time and a Word, South Side of the Sky, Turn of the Century, Don’t Kill the Whale, Cut From the Stars, The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn) / The Remembering (High the Memory) / Leaves of Green / Ritual (Nous sommes du soleil), Roundabout, Starship Trooper

  • Smokey Robinson: a Night with the Motown Marvel in Niagara Falls

    Smokey Robinson graced the stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Canada, and from the moment he walked out to the introductory overture, the audience knew they were in for an unforgettable night of classic Motown magic.

    “Being With You” set the tone for the evening, with Robinson’s velvety voice still as captivating as ever. He transported us back in time with “I Second That Emotion,” a nod to his days with The Miracles, and followed it up with “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” a soulful rendition of The Miracles’ classic.

    As the night progressed, Robinson’s timeless hit “Quiet Storm” swept through the venue like a gentle breeze, and “Ooo Baby Baby” had the crowd swaying in their seats, relishing every note. The medley of “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Get Ready,” and “My Girl” paid tribute to The Temptations, showcasing Robinson’s versatility as he effortlessly crooned through these iconic songs.

    “The Tears of a Clown” brought a wave of nostalgia, and Robinson’s emotional delivery tugged at heartstrings throughout the venue. “I Love Your Face” was a tender and heartfelt moment, showing that even after all these years, Smokey’s ability to convey deep emotions remains unparalleled.

    Robinson’s rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” was a testament to his vocal range and ability to infuse a timeless classic with his unique style. “If We Don’t Have Each Other” and “Beside You” showcased his more contemporary work, reminding us that his talent continues to evolve.

    “Just to See Her” had the crowd on their feet, swaying and clapping along, and “The Tracks of My Tears” was a pure, unadulterated masterpiece, transporting us back to the golden era of Motown.

    Closing out the night with “Cruisin’,” Robinson left the audience craving for more, his voice as smooth and captivating as ever. The energy in the room was electric, a testament to the enduring appeal of Smokey Robinson’s music.

    In Niagara Falls, Canada, OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Smokey Robinson delivered a concert for the ages, taking us on a journey through his illustrious career. His voice, still as mesmerizing as when he first graced the stage, left no doubt that he is a true legend of Motown. The setlist was a perfect blend of classics and newer hits, ensuring that both longtime fans and newcomers alike left the venue with their hearts full and their spirits lifted. Smokey Robinson’s performance was a musical experience that will be cherished for years to come.

  • In Focus: Borderland Music & Art Festival Dazzles in Western New York

    Borderland Music & Art Festival brought some heavy hitting national and local bands to the historic Knox Farm State Park situated in the small village of East Aurora. Over three beautiful days – September 15, 16 & 17 – the historic grounds hosted many great bands on two stages that filled the air with sounds to sooth the soul from some amazingly talented artists.

    Friday started as a wonderful partly cloudy morning with perfect temps. As festival goers started to flow in, setting up their chairs and blanks for the day, you could hear the first band. Folk/Americana jam-type band The Stove Pipes playing the Homespun stage which was situated off behind the horse stables at the top of the hill opposite the Mainstage. As the day progressed there was very minimal overlapping of each band’s sets. Making it an easy walk between both stages through or around the horse stables to see each band play throughout the day.

    On the Homespun stage you could catch other local and reginal acts like, Dirty Blanket, Not Fade Away Band (Playing Dead Zepplin) & Farrow. The Mainstage acts included local, regional, and national touring acts like Leroy Townes Band, The 502s, Dawes & Goose. Goose being the closing act of night one, brought the house down with their amazing set of music. An absolute not to be missed band of abundantly talented musicians. Setlist via Elgoose.net.

    Goose setlist: Flodown[1], Mr. Action, Pancakes, Honeybee[2], Writing A Novel[3], Creatures, Rosewood Heart[4], Animal
    Encore: Slow Ready -> Arcadia
    [1] Flopener.
    [2] With Coach on rainstick.
    [3] Father John Misty.
    [4] With Taylor Goldsmith on guitar and vocals, Griffin Goldsmith on drums, and Jeff on guitar.

    Saturday at Borderland was met with beautifully clear skies and temperatures out on the farm. Saturday’s crowd filled in the ground of Knox Farm State Park much earlier being a Saturday. Again with very little overlapping of each band’s sets, it was quite easy to catch most of each act playing both the Homespun and Mainstage. Starting out the day on the Mainstage with a great improvisational set was The Damone Jackson Outcome, a band known for their high energy improv sets.

    First up on the Homespun stage was A Girl Named Genny, a folk/Americana band with a little bit of Rock and Roll. Other Homespun stage acts included local and reginal bands, Never Ben, Public Water Supply, Grosh and Organ Fairchild. Other Mainstage acts included local, reginal and national acts like, Miller & The Other Sinners, Mighty Poplar, Neal Francis and Sammy Rae & The Friends. Trey Anastasio Band closed out night two with a stellar set of mostly Phish tunes to send everyone home only wanting more. And what an exceptional set of music it was, made even better with an almost Phish/Kuroda level light show. Setlist via Phish.net

    Trey Anastasio Band setlist: Sand, Back on the Train, Everything’s Right, Blaze On, A Wave of Hope, Outside the Lines, Llama [1], Heavy Things, Oblivion, Pillow Jets > …And Flew Away, Wolfman’s Brother > First Tube
    Encore: Ghost
    [1] Performed in an alternate arrangement.

    Sunday, was the closing day to the perfect three-day Borderland Music & Arts festival and the weather could not have been better for mid-September. Starting out the day on the Homespun stage was The Red Grenadines, followed by Folkfaces, and NYS Dead Coalition. During Folkfaces and in between The Red Grenadine & NYS Dead Coalition was the Tailgate & Buffalo Bills Watch Party with many in attendance. Starting the day on the Mainstage was Karina Rykman, followed by, Krasno/Moore Project, The Infamous Stringdusters, and to close out the night, and festival, with two sets, our hometown heroes, moe.

    Set 1: The Pit> Rise, Blond Hair and Blue Eyes, Gone, Do It Again> George, Lazarus
    Set 2: Skitchin’ Buffalo, Mexico> Ups And Downs> Silver Sun> Rebubula> Four[1] > Rebubula
    [1] Chuck on vocals. 1st time played since Chuck’s stroke.

    View our full photo gallery from Borderland Music & Art Festival by John Raczynski