On October 24, 2017, Space Carnival performed their one and only show at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, packing the house with fans from across the Northeast. Opening the night were two little known bands at the time, Goose and The Southern Belles.
photo by Tom Fucillo
Earlier in 2017, Space Carnival went on their first Midwest tour, linking up with bands across the country for memorable shows and performances. Returning to the Northeast for their first Brooklyn Bowl show. Guitarist Jeremy Kraus recalls the evening:
Being a Tuesday in October, we weren’t sure what to expect as it was our first Brooklyn Bowl show, headlining nonetheless. But we packed the room and had fans travel from all over the Northeast!
Jeremy Kraus
Tom Petty had passed away a few weeks prior, leading Space Carnival to give a nod to the fallen Wilbury with “American Girl.” Following this was two newer tunes, “Pleasure in Sin” and had then-Goose percussionist Aaron Hagele join us for “Queen of Cups.” (Watch below)
After a two song jam-fest, the vibe shifted with a heavier pair of songs, “Mooshbah” -> “Sirius Rising,” and went into a classic pairing of “Rango” -> “Regal Krad”, with an appropriate “All Night Long” encore to celebrate the successful show.
Photo by Amanda Sanwich Photography
Space Carnival took a break in late 2018, parting ways amicably after a strong five year run as a band. The Oneonta group made waves with their disco-funk and prog rock sound and energetic live shows. Prior to this, the group (Jeremy Kraus on Guitar, Cameron Fitch on Keys and Vocals, Chris Meier on Bass, and Nick Tassinari on drums) performed across the Northeast and Midwest at clubs, concert series and music festivals. Listen to the recording here.
If you’re in Albany on July 6, don’t miss Space Carnival as they reunite for their first show in New York in nearly five years, with a show at Lark Hall. Get more info and tickets here.
Space Carnival – Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg, NY – October 24, 2017
Setlist: American Girl, Pleasure in Sin-> Queen of Cups, Mooshbah-> Sirius Rising, Yish, Rango->Regal Krad Encore: All Night Long
Horn and percussion were powered and individually formed by NYC subway supergroup Lucky Moon Zooz, comprised of Lucky Chops, Moon Hooch, and Too Many Zooz. The group finished off their recent tour with a stop to Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua on June 11.
A project years in the making, the LMZ live show featured each band performing in their usual configurations as well as a host of new combinations of the various bandsâ personnel. Drawing from their shared roots busking in the NYC subway to their years touring the world, this was the brass fueled evening to remember.
Their live show featured each band performing in their original configurations as well as a host of various impromptu combinations of each bands performers finally finishing up the night with all three bands performing together in their entirety.
The second day of the hotly anticipated Re:Set Concert Series brought Boygenius, Clairo, Dijon, and Bartees Strange to Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on Saturday, June 17. Fans lined up early ahead of the sold-out show, hoping to grab a GA floor wristband before they were all gone. Beautiful weather rolled in and the stadium filled up quickly for the great day of music ahead.
Boygenius, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/17/2023. Photo by David Reichmann
When Boygenius announced they were forming, they instantly became one of the hottest groups in the scene. Individually, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker were already enormously popular artists fresh off some of the best LPs and tours of their careers. Together, they feed off each other’s personality and energy to create an engaging and wildly fun performance. A packed house of 13,000 fans filled Forest Hills Stadium, screaming and crying along to every song. The lengthy setlist on Saturday night featured three acts and an encore, including the live debut of “Boyfriends” and covers of each other’s solo songs.
Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/17/2023. Photo by David Reichmann
Check out our photo gallery of Boygenius at Re:SET from David Reichmann below and stay tuned for our coverage of the closing night of Re:SET at Forest Hills. Revisit our coverage of the opening night of Re:SET featuring LCD Soundsystem.
The long strange trip is allegedly coming to an end, but not before one more Saturday night in Saratoga Springs. Kicking off Father’s Day weekend on a high note, the spirit of Jerry Garcia was alive and well as Dead & Company rolled into town for a pair of sold out shows at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on June 17th and 18th.
Billed as “The Final Tour,” concert goers from all over turned out in huge numbers, creating both a circus-like atmosphere, a bit of an over-crowded cluster, and oh yeah, one heck of a good time! While the weekend also marked the 40th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s first-time playing in Saratoga, many fans were also quick to point out the last time Dead & Company were in town, the show never actually happened, as it was abruptly called off due to a family emergency within the band. It was never rescheduled, although this year, a second Dead & Company show was added for the first, and last time ever.
Discover Grateful Dead shows from over the years across New York State with our interactive map below
In typical Dead fashion, just getting inside the venue was an adventure in itself. Between massive traffic jams, Shakedown Street shenanigans and huge lines at the turnstiles, before the show even started the lawn overflow had spilled well into the food court area. The place was absolutely packed and the buzz in the air was tangible, friendly, and electric. Strangers were literally stopping strangers just to shake their hand. As Dead & Company took the stage to a rousing ovation, things would kick off with a well-received cover of Sam Cooke’s classic “Let the Good Times Roll,” a sure sign that both the band and the fans were on the same page.
Anchored by original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir (guitar/vocals) and Mickey Hart (drums), this incarnation of the group features cross-over pop superstar John Mayer on lead guitar and vocals, Oteil Burbridge (bass/vocals), Jeff Chimenti (keyboards/vocals), and Jay Lane (drums). Noodling their way into the familiar sounds of “Scarlet Begonias,” the 14 minute dance party would pick up even more steam as the band segued into the time tested sing-along of “Deal.” Weir would croon “Black-Throated Wind” for us next, before handing over vocal duties to Mayer for the always appreciated “Dire Wolf.”
The centerpiece of the set, and perhaps the whole night, came next in the form of “Bird Song.” As people slowly realized what it was, you could almost feel the collective sense of joy. The delicate and lush harmonies transporting you to a place of peace and tranquility, despite having the controlled chaos of some thirty thousand people all around you, all clamoring for a better view of the stage. John Mayer’s melodic guitar work played particularly well off Chimenti’s tasteful keyboards here, yielding the longest piece of improvisation of the night, clocking in at just under 19 minutes. A silky smooth transition into “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad” had the entire place feeling groovy and singing along once again with huge smiles on their faces as the opening set came to close.
After a brief break in the action, an up-tempo “70’s era” version of “They Love Each Other” kicked things back into gear to start the second half of the show. The popularity of Mayer was very noticeable here. Anytime he would sing a verse, a wave of female cheers would cascade through the audience, though Mayer, wearing noise canceling headphones, would never hear them. Instead focusing on interplay with Weir and settling into a fiery groove that would eventually lead the train to “Terrapin Station,” the captivated crowed swayed to the music in pure delight as the lengthy, complex composition was executed beautifully. Oteil Burbridge, who will headline the Rye Bread Music Festival not far from Saratoga next month, was particularly charismatic as “Terrapin” reached it’s final peak.
Like I told you, what I said / Steal your face right off your head
– “He’s Gone”
After that, there was nothin’ left to do, but smile, smile, smile as the song that gave birth to one of the most recognizable logos of all time, “He’s Gone,” gave the audience both a chance to sing and to reflect. The slow and bluesy groove would gradually build on itself, adding subtle layers of momentum until coming around again and finally revealing itself as “The Other One.”
About 13 minutes into it, things would get a little weird as Mickey Hart and Jay Lane would tag team on “Drums/Space,” which took on a decidedly darker, droning-type vibe that had at least one person near me slightly concerned for their apparent heart condition. Eventually the rest of Dead & Company would return to the stage and seamlessly pick up right where they left off, continuing with the second half of “The Other One.”
Next, Bobby would lead the band though the emotional high point of the evening with a heartfelt rendition of “Days Between,” a tribute to the enduring legacy of Jerry Garcia and a sentiment that resonated deeply with everyone in the audience. Picking up the pace now, the band would get everyone back on their feet and dancing once again for a set closing “Turn On Your Love Light.” With the audience still hollering for more, everyone knew exactly what was coming for the encore. And while fans were treated to a smokin’ yet obligatory “One More Saturday Night,” you couldn’t help but feel skeptical at the shows bittersweet ending.
With the band currently sounding as tight as ever and clearly still with significant drawing power, are we really to believe this is the end of the road for Dead & Company, or is this perhaps just the start of an exciting new chapter? With scores of imitators and Dead cover bands already ensuing the music never stops, one thing is for certain: whether this band tours again or not, The Grateful Dead will never die. After a few days of rest, “The Final Tour” will resume at Citi Field in Queens, NY before heading to Fenway Park in Boston this weekend.
Dead & Company | Saratoga Performing Arts Center | Saratoga Springs, NY | 6/17/23 Set 1: Good Times , Scarlet Begonias > Deal, Black-Throated Wind, Dire Wolf, Bird Song > Going Down the Road Feeling Bad Set 2: They Love Each Other > Terrapin Station, He’s Gone > The Other One (verse 1) > Drums > Space > ‘The Other One (verse 2) > Days Between, Turn On Your Love Light Encore: One More Saturday Night
Dead & Company | Saratoga Performing Arts Center | Saratoga Springs, NY | 6/18/23 Set 1: Hell in a Bucket, Sugaree, Mississippi Half-Step > Mr. Charlie, Friend of the Devil > Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance > Big Railroad Blues Set 2: Samson and Delilah, Playing in the Band > Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower > Drums > Space > Death Don’t Have No Mercy, Throwing Stones, Sugar Magnolia Encore: Werewolves of London > Playing Reprise
The theme for the second installment of Albany’s Alive at 5 was Jam Night. On Thursday, June 15th, Mihali along with Side B played 2 non-stop jam sessions for the people of Albany.
Mihali is one of the co-founders of the jam band Twiddle. Out of Vermont, Mihali has been with Twiddle for the last 18 years. Late last year Twiddle, made the announcement that they were taking an “indefinite hiatus” following their Distance Makes the Heart tour.
Mihali plans to join the band for a few of their shows, but really started to branch off from the band. He has his own shows that he’s doing along with the Twiddle tour. He also released a single, “Raise it,” last month along with his second solo album Effection last summer.
Side B from Albany played a solid hour set to open Jam Night. They are no stranger to Albany stages as they played a set during the Holiday Tree Lighting. The young alt-rock band played an electric and energetic set for their first Alive at 5. Guitarist A.J. Horton ran in to the crowd to get them on their feet. They really started to turn heads as they grew a bit on an audience towards the end of their set, especially with a cover of Presidents of the United States of America’s “Peaches.”
Mihali played an almost non-stop one and a half hour set to a large crowd of Albany residents. The band really worked together well to take few breaks between songs and just really jam out. The saxophonist had a large presence on stage as they had many breakout solos alongside some of the other band members.
There was not one bad vibe to be found as Mihali played a mixture of covers, old, and new music. Parents with their children might have had stories to tell about some of their favorite Twiddle songs from high school.
As Mihali was leaving the stage, there was a reluctance from the crowd to just go home. No chants for an encore erupted, but instead a long applause. Nonetheless, Mihali came back saying that they still have 5 more minutes left of their set. He started of with the smooth a reggae beat from “Enemies” before switching to a more hard rock beat. It really felt that every strum of the guitar struck a cord on your inside.
Jam Night of Albany’s Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs
To catch Mihali next, he will be playing at the Peach Music Festival at June 29th in Scranton, PA. Mihali plans to rejoin Twiddle on August 10th for the Catskill Montain Jubilee on July 14th. To catch Twiddle next, they will be playing in Buffalo at the Cobblestone Music and Arts Festival on July 14th.
Mihali Setlist: All Day, Open House, Strongest of Our Kind, Terrestrial Tango, Carved Lines, Maplewood, Plush, Empty Overflow, Iron Lion Zion, Ballad of the Broken, Hypocrite, Find My Way, Breath and Let Go, Living is the Lesson, Enemies, Watchtower, Stairway
Pop icon Taylor Swift finished her run of hometown Pennsylvania shows to a record breaking crowd in Pittsburgh Saturday, June 17. She also happened to be the first tour to play in the Acrisure Stadium twice. However, breaking records is nothing new for Taylor. She has been dominating the music charts for the past decade and somehow still continues to surpass her previous records.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management
A sunny day in Pittsburgh made it perfect for the first opener of the night OWENN to make his mark on The Eras Tour. This artist looks to mix bluesy rock with airy R&B. He exudes an enigmatic spirit that no doubt comes from his many years working as a backup dancer for Taylor and other renowned pop stars. Indie pop musician Girl in Red followed up the night with her intense guitar riffs and rockstar energy. She creates music in the lens of a gay woman who talks about love in the queer space. She performed popular hits “… i wanna be your girlfriend,” and “bad idea!”.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management
Settling into everyones seats before Taylor took the stage is an environment that can not be recreated anywhere else. Fans are decked out in memes, iconic Swift looks, handmade outfits, and even dressed as her pet cat. From young girls to dads, the crowd is full of an array of people. A lot of which carry around friendship bracelets that they trade with other fans. All inspired by the song “You’re On Your Own Kid.” The Eras Tour pushes connection and bonding between people who might not rather say a word to each other. How many concerts do you go to and not even talk to all the strangers standing around you for those few hours? The level that Taylor Swift is at undoubtedly prompts lack of intimacy that smaller shows get. Taylor recognizes this and uses tactics to create a loving space for her fans. Something that the artist is all too familiar with: seeing the status quo and going against it yet again.
No Bad Seats
The anticipation before Taylor took the stage was uncanny as fans ran to their seats. Chaos definitely ensued once the two-minute timer went on the big screen. Something about a Taylor Swift concert that stands true is that calling it a “concert” just doesn’t feel like a big enough word to encapsulate the broadway production happening on stage. The countless outfit changes, dance routines, fireworks, introspective visuals, pyro, and acting performances are nothing short of spectacular. There is no bad seats at this show. No matter if you’re in the nosebleeds or on the floor, this tour offers so much to their audience visually.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management
Immediately as Taylor was seen by the crowd everyone went insane. There were tears shed, people hugging, and just about everyone screaming. It’s been five years since she has toured so it was only fitting that she opened up the night with “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince,” with the line ‘it’s been a long time coming.’ As the night proceeded Taylor took us through the many eras she has had over the years beginning with the album Lover.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management
With a throwback to Fearless and traveling to the Folklore house this show was a journey for fans. Many of which have grown up with Taylor and could pin point moments in their life with song releases. As she has gone through these different eras so has her avid listeners. The artist pays homage to her lifelong fans by having an acoustic session each night to play two secret surprise songs. She first brought out special guest Aaron Dessner in honor of Father’s Day Weekend. The two performed “seven” which examines troubled relationships with fathers. Taylor called to celebrate her own Dad that day as well as any fathers or father figures for those in the crowd. The second surprise song wished to celebrate Taylor’s rerecording of Speak Now which releases on July 7. She played the song “The Story of Us” on that album which left fans excited.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management
The Eras Tour Leaving its Mark
The span of The Eras Tour goes through Taylor’s 10 studio albums beginning in 2006 with Debut. There’s something special about seeing a musical artist have an intense and overwhelming support over the many years. Each album has countless hits that has broken records. Her heart wrenching lyricism and catchy beats has only improved with each release. The fanbase has strengthened over the years and continues to takeover cities with each stop over the weekend. A craze that seems all too similar to Beatlemania. Swifties are dominating the concert space. They have supported her relreases of albums so she can own her own art and sold out this tour. Even fans who couldn’t score tickets have driven countless hours just to stand outside the stadium to hear her songs.
Photo Credit: TAS Rights Management
Whether you are a hardcore Taylor Swift fan or not, you can’t deny that she is the moment. She herself has defined this era in time, not only in the music space but in our culture. In the way we tell stories and view our idols. In the way we choose to consume media and celebrate our friendships. In the way we hope to call out the wrongdoings we see in the world and make conscious choices everyday to correct them. In the way that we are trying to improve on the upbringing of the next generation of young girls. In hopes that those girls can see women in positions of power and never have to question if they can do the same.
Setlist: Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, Cruel Summer, The Man, You Need to Calm Down, Lover, The Archer, Fearless, You Belong With Me, Love Story, ’tis the damn season, willow, marjorie, champagne problems, tolerate it, …Ready for It?, Delicate, Don’t Blame Me, Look What You Made Me Do, Enchanted, 22, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I Knew You Were Trouble, All Too Well (10 Minute Version), the 1, betty, the last great american dynasty, august, my tears ricochet, illicit affairs, cardigan, Style, Blank Space, Shake It Off, Wildest Dreams, Bad Blood, seven, The Story of Us, Lavender Haze, Anti-Hero, Midnight Rain, Vigilante Shit, Bejeweled, Mastermind, Karma
Nevāda Nevada, a rock band based in Brooklyn, has recently released their single “CHARGE!” which is a part of their upcoming debut LP Past Life. The piece is a rallying cry for activism, a song of unity in a time of crisis.
The band’s four main members are Kathryn Musilek (of Burn Disco Burn and Deathships), Andrew Gerhan (of Our Lady of the Highway, Adam Arcuragi, and The Animals), David Olson (of The Poison Control Center, and The Wheelers), and Alicia Berbenick. The four are also joined by, Isiah Gage (cello) and Anya Combs (saxophone).
The name of the band, Nevāda Nevada, originates from frontperson Musilek’s hometown of Nevada, Iowa. Olson is also from Iowa, with Gerhan and Berbenick both being New Yorkers. The band is currently working with Rocks In Your Head Records, founded by Sonny Smith of Sonny and the Sunsets.
The Past Life LP is said to be “about time and activism, love and rage, and being stuck while still building something,” with figurative and feminist lyrics by Musilek. This is clear in “CHARGE!,” with the first line being “Good news, you cannot save the world.” The song itself is a question of who is in charge, who is responsible for the world, and who can do things beyond the human scale.
The vocals and the message of the song feel like the focus, but this is mixed up through gaps in the lyrics that let the instruments get their chance to shine. There is a repeated sequence throughout the piece that fills this hole at around 0:55. At 2:35, an electric guitar cuts through this sequence, a good addition.
A nice touch that starts at 3:00 is the echoing effect on the line “we’re callin’” which makes it seem as though the call is traveling through space. This is helped by the relatively long delay between the line itself and the echo, which is in itself distorted.
“CHARGE!,” will be followed by another single “The One About the Sky” on June 23, with the full Past Life LP to come out on July 21. For more information on the band and links to their music, check out their website.
Elysium Furnace Works (EFW) has announced that the Bass Bridge Quartet will be joining their 2023 seasonal lineup in the Hudson Valley. They are now one of five bands who will play with EFW from July until December 2023.
Co-led by Mike Faloon and James Keepnews, Elysium Furnace Works is a cooperative project that seeks to present the work of upcoming artists in dedicated art-focused settings. While not exclusive to live music, EFW primarily works through live music venues in and around the Hudson Valley.
2023 Lineup
Brass Bridge Quartet – Ballet Arts Studio, Beacon – July 22 at 8:00 p.m.
The new additions to the season, Brass Bridge Quartet, features four celebrated multi-instrumentalists all performing on upright double bass. A new band formed in 2023, members include: Che Chen, a guitarist for the band 75 Dollar Bill; Dave Hofstra; William Parker; and Dave Sewelson, an accomplished, veteran baritone saxophonist. The band seeks to “explore the lower frequencies of improvisation.”
They will be performing at a new location for EFW, the Ballet Arts Studio at 107 Teller Avenue in Beacon. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door, though the advance discount ends at midnight on the evening before the performance. Tickets can be found here.
exclusiveOr – Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Poughkeepsie – Sept. 23
A duo that uses electronic sound to leave behind conventional definitions of music. The two members of the group are Sam Pluta, a Peabody Institute professor of Computer Music and Music Engineering & Technology, as well as Jeff Snyder, a director of Electronic Music and the Princeton Laptop Orchestra at Princeton University.
Sana Nagano’s Smashing Humans – Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Poughkeepsie – Oct. 21
Led by the Brooklyn-based noise-jazz violinist Sana Nagano, the band also features Anna Webber on saxophones, Jonathan Goldberger on guitar, Kim Cass on bass, and Danny Sher on drums.
Joe McPhee with Strings – Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Poughkeepsie – Nov. 18
The group, which features legendary Poughkeepsie-based multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee, is a large string ensemble that includes: bassists Michael Bisio and Hillard Greene; cellists Fred Lonberg-Holm and Lester St. Louis; violists Melanie Dyer and Mat Maneri; violinists Rosi Hertlein and Gwen Laster; and guitarists James Keepnews and Billy Stein.
Joe Fielder – Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Poughkeepsie – Dec. 16
A solo performance by consummate trombonist, composer, and arranger Joe Fielder. It is built on his recent solo recordings of “The Howland Sessions,” and will close EFW’s 2023 season.
Nearing the end of a 29-date tour of North America that kicked off on May 6 in Canada, Dermot Kennedy visited Madison Square Garden – “The World’s Most Famous Arena” – on Wednesday, June 14. In the span of a just a few years, the crooner of his own emotionally charged folk-pop anthems has gone from busking on Grafton Street in his native Dublin to selling out arena after arena on The Sonder Tour. His second studio album of the same name, released in November of last year, has been described by Kennedy as “the realisation that each random passerby is living life as vivid and complex as your own.”
In a world where we are all connected by social media, it often seems like we have never been more separated from one another. But for at least two hours on a weeknight in Midtown Manhattan, we were 20,000 strong as his music united us all under one roof.
On a gorgeous late-spring evening, the first of two female opening acts was Laila Mach, a pop singer and local native from New Paltz. Best known for her Season 19 appearance as a 16-year old contestant on American Idol (2002), Mach released her first music in 2020 via a six-song EP dubbed Lessons Learned. The following year, the singer/songwriter who also plays the piano and guitar released her debut studio album, Stuck on You.
Also providing support for Kennedy was Sasha Alex Sloan, born in Russia and who was discovered at the age of 18 when one of her Reddit posts went viral. Having moved to Los Angeles the following year, working at a coffee ship to support her music aspirations, it was not long before Sloan was penning lyrics for major pop artists such as Dua Lipa and Charli XCX. Her debut album released in October 2020, Only Child, was met with critical acclaim. Sloan released her sophomore studio album, Blame the World, in May 2022.
At 8:40 pm, the house lights went down and Kennedy’s set commenced with the large black screen at center stage suddenly appearing with a series of white handwritten text penned by Kennedy himself. The messages read as follows:
I know that you can feel it, magic hangs in the air. I’ve heard if you can make it here, you’ll make it anywhere. I had a dream, and it came true, so will you celebrate with me? Guide me home, keep me warm, hold me tight New York City.
Suddenly, appearing in the dark shadows of the stage were the backing quintet of Elize Kellman (backup vocals), James Bradshaw (backup vocals, keyboards), Benjamin Keys (keyboards), Kieran Jones (guitar) and Micheál Quinn (drums). The sell-out crowd, already at a fervent pitch, somehow took it up another level when Kennedy finally arrived on stage, opening with “Blossom” (Sonder, 2022). “Power Over Me” (Without Fear, 2019) came next, Kennedy’s second single from his debut studio album that essentially launched him into stardom and winning him the world’s collective ear.
A quartet of tunes (“One Life,” An Evening I Will Not Forget,” “Lost” and “Young & Free”) composed over the span of five years by the Irish singer-songwriter subsequently transpired. The chorus refrain of each one of these songs was belted out by Kennedy’s faithful fans, filling up the iconic venue to its rafters where only the retired jerseys of past NY Knicks and Rangers legends have dared to soar. Next, the romantic folk rocker whose tracks often include a collision with the rap genre performed a sublime rendition of “Dreamer,” another gem taken from Sonder. As the song neared its climax, it segued into a speech by Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland, encouraging everyone to pursue their dream of creating art.
“Moments Passed” and “Glory,” each presented by Kennedy from his self-titled compilation album released in 2019, were succeeded by him taking a seat at his piano stage left for solo, heartfelt deliveries of “Rome” (Without Fear) and “Innocence and Sadness” (Sonder). Speaking of the heart, in between these songs – when a pin could be heard dropping – a young woman exclaimed “I LOVE YOU!” from the top of her lungs, immediately after which the entire arena erupted into laughter and applause.
Well into the second half of his 19-song set, Dermot Kennedy bestowed upon his legion of enthusiastic supporters a few more numbers dating to 2019, including fan favorite “Outnumbered,” “After Rain” and “Without Fear.” As the epic night entered its home stretch, the roof of The Garden was officially torn off with a goose bump inducing assemblage of five selections from Sonder – all of which are deemed classics despite their infancy – comprised of “Better Days,” “Don’t Forget Me,” “Homeward,” “Kiss Me” and “Something to Someone.” The last of which, accompanied by blasting canons that filled the sky with confetti bombs, was a fitting conclusion to the highly emotional show for everyone who bore witness. The night’s crowning moment saw Kennedy repeatedly serenading his fans with the chorus, and vice versa, “Once upon a time, I was something to someone.”
The excitement did not end when the house lights came back up at MSG. Immediately following his first ever headlining show in The Big Apple, Kennedy made a short trip downtown to the Swift Hibernian Lounge (his favorite Irish pub in Gotham) where he climbed atop the bar to thrill the punters with an acoustic rendition of “The Parting Glass,” a traditional ditty often sung at the end of a gathering of friends.
With a belly full of Guinness, Dermot Kennedy headed to Boston for a pair of dateson June 16 and 17, before moving onward to Saratoga Springs for an outdoor gig slated for June 19. The North American leg of The Sonder Tour culminates at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey on June 20, after which Kennedy will fly back home for a pair of outdoor shows at Marlay Park in Dublin on June 23 and 24. Ensuing the Emerald Isle performances will be an appearance on the main stage at Rock Werchter (Belgium) on July 2.
Setlist: Blossom > Power Over Me > One Life > An Evening I Will Not Forget > Lost > Young & Free > Dreamer > Moments Passed > Glory > Rome > Innocence and Sadness > Outnumbered > After Rain > Without Fear > Better Days > Don’t Forget Me > Homeward > Kiss Me > Something to Someone
Re:SET Concert Series kicked off its three day run at Forest Hill Tennis Stadium this past Friday, June 16th. The traveling mini festival is in their inaugural year, taking a stacked lineup on the road and commandeering local venues for a long weekend of music. The opening night of Re:SET Queens featured legendary NYC natives LCD Soundsystem supported by Jamie XX, IDLES, and fellow New Yorker L’Rain. Each band brings a distinct style of the music to the stage, creating a truly unique night of music you can’t get at a normal concert.
LCD Soundsystem, Re:SET Forest Hills 6/16/23. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
The atmosphere was electric from the beginning. General admission floor wristbands were given out on a first come first served basis, drawing a large crowd for the early start time. A brief thunderstorm pushed doors back an hour, but those first fans in the door were greeted to the amazing L’Rain welcoming them from the stage. Her uniquely experimental pop and R&B filled the stadium with dense layers of vocal loops and instrumentation. L’Rain finds herself on many bills throughout the city opening for all sorts of artists, keeping it fresh by bringing something new every time.
IDLES were up next, who brought a drastic shift in energy with their classic, in-your-face punk rock. The band boasts an extremely loyal and engaged fan base that made it out to Forest Hills in droves. IDLES have been pretty active since their excellent 2017 debut Brutalism, releasing four LPs in that time span and embarking on countless tours. Over the course of their one hour set, IDLES hit each of their four LPs including crowd favorites “Crawl!” from 2021’s CRAWLER and “Never Fight a Man With a Perm” from their sophomore LP Joy as an Act of Resistance.
The band loves to be engaged with the crowd, crowd surfing while singing and even jumping into the mosh pit and playing guitar while mixing it up with the kids. Before closing the set with “Rottweiler”, vocalist Joe Talbot thanked the fans for coming out, saying “the only reason we exist as a band is because of the love and passion you bring to the shows, so thank you.”
After the punk infused mosh pits cleared off the tennis courts, UK garage and house infusion was up next courtesy of Jamie XX. One half of The XX, Jamie XX blends the classic garage sound with old school house and rhythm and blues beats to create a unique style of dance music. Parked in front of a giant disco ball projecting rays onto the crowd, Jamie XX played a rather deep setlist littered with snippets of some of his bigger hits hidden in the layers. He opened the set with “KILL DEM”, a one-off single from 2022 that features a vibrant, glitchy vocal array over a very tribal garage beat. Jamie XX followed that up with “Idontknow”, another single that mixes scattered percussions with trippy vocal loops.
Jamie XX took a 5-song setlist and fleshed it out for his hour-long set by mixing his songs in and out of curious beats and musical tangents, without skipping a beat or allowing a second of dead space. He rolled on with the fun and vibrant duo of “I’ll Take Care of You” followed by “LET’S DO IT AGAIN” before ending things off with a funky edit of “Gosh”, the opening track from his stellar 2015 LP In Colour. The audience on the floor and in the stadium seats were dancing from the moment he took the stage
LCD Soundsystem always draw quite a bit of hype when they are in town, regardless of the countless residencies they perform in the city. A staple in the city’s thriving music scene since their inception in 2002, the band is beloved in New York and can bring a tiny dive bar or an entire arena to its knees with their infectious dance rock. Forest Hills Stadium was packed to the upper deck before the band took the stage to an enormous reception on a gorgeous night in Queens.
LCD Soundsystem, Re:SET Forest Hills 6/16/23. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
James Murphy and company started things off with a bang with the driving drum beats of “Get Innocuous!”, the opening track from 2007’s Sound of Silver. The beat sent the audience into a dance groove that did not let up until curfew. The song continued to swell until a sudden transition to “I Can Change” instigated a loud sing along from the 13,000 fans in attendance. The set rolled along with endless crowd favorites, leading up to a climactic three song finale. “New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down” always comes with a vocal outburst from the crowd, which was followed up by the thunderous jam “Dance Yrself Clean”. The band fleshed this song out a bit for the live show, sending an already amped crowd up into another gear. All good things must come to an end, with LCD Soundsystem ending the night with “All My Friends”. A truly joyous ending to day one Re:SET.
LCD Soundsystem, Re:SET Forest Hills 6/16/23. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Re:SET has certainly established itself as one of the more unique traveling festivals in only its first year. Each day features a bill of four bands that could all headline shows on their own; many who just completed or are in the middle of their own tours. Each band brings something new to the stage when it’s their turn to play, drawing the interest of the fans who came out, and the other bands themselves. During the earlier acts for Re:SET, James Murphy and others from LCD Soundsystem were in VIP checking out the music, rocking along to IDLES and dancing to Jamie XX. During the headline set, many of the band members from the earlier acts made their way into the crowd to witness the legends themselves. It’s truly a great festival for fans who enjoy a wide array of music.
LCD Soundsystem, Re:SET Forest Hills 6/16/23. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
