Category: Reviews

Fleet Foxes Come To Shore At College Street Music Hall

Continuing to tour in support of their fourth consecutive critically acclaimed album Shore (Anti-Records, 2020), Fleet Foxes visited College Street Music Hall (CSMH) in New Haven, Connecticut this past Tuesday night for the fifth show on a 28-date trek of North America that kicked-off in Chesterfield, Missouri a few days prior.

Robin Pecknold

Formed in 2006, the indie folk darlings hailing from Seattle, Washington are the quintet of frontman/guitarist Robin Pecknold, Skyler Skjelset (guitar), Casey Wescott (keyboards, mandolin, backing vocals), Christian Wargo (bass) and Morgan Henderson (multi-instrumentalist, including upright bass and saxophone). Since last year, Fleet Foxes have also been joined by touring drummer Christopher Icasiano.

Despite the distance from their home on the west coast, the Pacific Northwesterners – particularly Pecknold – share a strong connection to New York State. To make a long story short (too late!), the recording of Shore got underway at Aaron Dessner’s (The National) Long Pond Studios in Hudson, New York back in September 2019. Although the majority of Shore was subsequently recorded at Woody Jackson’s Electro-Vox Studio in Los Angeles, California from late-2019 to early-2020, progress was halted in March 2020 – due to what else – COVID-19 of course. With Shore conceptually complete from a music standpoint, Pecknold was not satisfied with his writings and was struggling to find the right words to match the music. However, it would not be for too long, as he eventually found the lyrical inspiration he craved during time spent on long drives from his Greenwich Village apartment, where he had been quarantined, to Lake Minnewaska in Ulster County, and further north into the Catskill Mountains.

College Street Music Hall

A few ticks past 7:00 pm, doors to the historic venue constructed in 1926 and located in the heart of New Haven’s downtown arts district opened to the loyal Fleet Fox fans that had been queued a half block south of Yale University, many since the early afternoon. As throngs of patrons hurriedly began to file into the concert hall’s lobby, many headed straight for the merch table to purchase a t-shirt, hoodie or signed tour poster. Others were seen grabbing a craft beer on tap or a cocktail before securing a spot on the General Admission floor or heading to the upper balcony.

Uwade

Fittingly opening the show at 8:00 pm, as it’s her voice you hear opening “Wading in Waist-High Water” on Fleet Foxes’ Shore, was Uwade Akhere. A Nigerian born singer-songwriter based in New York City, Uwade is an indie-folk artist whose star has been on the rise since the release of her very first single, “Nostalgia,” in 2019. Performing a 30-minute solo set, she favored stage right as she played a six-string Torino Green Gretsch that nearly matched her dress perfectly. With an angelic onstage presence – her songs are fittingly spiritual in nature as well – she relinquished sublime versions of her only other singles released to date, “The Man Who Sees Tomorrow” (2021) and “Do You See the Light Around Me?” (2022). As the venue was nearing its 2,000-capacity, Uwade played “One Way Trigger,” a cover that her fellow New York City natives The Strokes released in 2013. With Uwade’s set nearing its conclusion, and much to the delight of Fleet Foxes fans, she welcomed to the stage Wargo and Icasiano for her two final songs.

Skyler Skjelset

After a brief intermission to address the stage’s final preparations, Fleet Fox took the stage a few ticks past 9:00 pm to raucous applause from the now packed house. With Pecknold snapping a few shots of the adoring fans in front of him with a disposable camera, he announced immediately, “Thank you so much New Haven, thank you. And thank you so much to Uwade, that was an incredible opening set.” The night’s festivities officially got underway with “Sun Giant,” a soft, harmonic piece written in 2008 that began a cappella, before fading into full accompaniment, including a two-man horn section. Reprising her role from Shore, Uwade reappeared onstage to contribute backing vocals to “Wading in Waist-High Water.” It would not be the 22-year old’s last appearance of the evening, as she would later join the band during the encore for exquisite backing deliveries of “For a Week or Two” and “Going-to-the-Sun Road.”

Christian Wargo

For the entirety of the massive, 24-song set that encompassed Fleet Foxes’ rich and diverse catalog over the past 17 years, the Seattle musicians were in top form across the board, in particular, Pecknold’s unique baritenor voice. Hailed for their refined instrumentation and vocal harmonies, their music was meant to be executed in a place such as CSMH – the destination for concertgoers looking for a venue within spitting distance of Boston and Manhattan – renowned for its world-class acoustics and lighting.

Casey Wescott

Morgan Henderson

Because Fleet Foxes’ two hour plus gig was filled with stand-out moments, picking the top song highlights is not easy. However, if I could choose only three, they would have to be (in order by appearance): Pecknold’s solo acoustic performance of “Silver Dagger” (a traditional American folk ballad popularized by Joan Baez); “Blue Ridge Mountains,” my favorite Fleet Foxes tune taken from their self-titled debut studio album (2008); and the impressive show’s finale, “Helplessness Blues,” the title track from their sophomore studio album (2011).

Christopher Icasiano

In the coming days and weeks, the North American leg of Fleet Foxes’ Shore Tour 2023 will sweep through Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, the Carolinas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana and Maine. And in case you missed the CSMH show, or you just cannot get enough of Fleet Foxes in a live setting, they will be playing Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, New York on July 12. The tour finale is slated to occur near Fleet Foxes’ old stomping grounds, at Thing Fest in Port Townsend, Washington, on August 25. To date, the only additional public appearance on the calendar for Fleet Foxes is the Festival Corona Capital in Mexico City on November 17.

Fleet Foxes Setlist: Sun Giant > Wading in Waist‐high Water (with Uwade) > Sunblind > Can I Believe You > Ragged Wood > Your Protector > He Doesn’t Know Why > Featherweight > Third of May/Ōdaigahara > Phoenix (Big Red Machine cover) > Bedouin Dress > White Winter Hymnal > Mearcstapa > Mykonos > Silver Dagger (traditional cover) > Montezuma > Cradling Mother, Cradling Woman > Maestranza > Blue Ridge Mountains > Grown Ocean > Encore: Someone You’d Admire > For a Week or Two (with Uwade) > Going-to-the-Sun Road (with Uwade) > Helplessness Blues

FLEET FOXES

June 23, 2023
Buddy Guy’s Electrifying Farewell Tour Shakes Summerstage in Central Park

Central Park’s SummerStage played host to an extraordinary evening of blues music as the legendary Buddy Guy took to the stage as part of his “Damn Right Farewell Tour.” The event featured an exceptional lineup of opening acts, including Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Samantha Fish, who set the stage ablaze with their own brilliant performances. But it was Buddy Guy himself who stole the show, leaving the crowd in awe of his virtuosity and stage presence.

Buddy Guy at SummerStage Central Park 6.18.23

Samantha Fish, the incredibly talented blues-rock artist, opened the show. Adding to the excitement, she brought along her collaborator and fellow Texas guitarist, Jesse Dayton, with whom she had recently released their first collaborative album, “Deathwish Blues.” The electrifying night began with the title track, which instantly captivated the audience. Throughout the set, the duo showcased their musical chemistry, delivering standout performances of Dayton-led songs like “Down in the Mud.” The set reached its climax with the powerful and infectious “Riders,” a song that left the crowd craving for more. Together, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton left a lasting mark, celebrating the blues and leaving everyone in awe of their extraordinary talents.

Samantha Fish at SummerStage Central Park 6.18.23

Next up was Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, a young prodigy who has been making waves in the blues world. Despite his age, Ingram’s guitar playing showcased a depth of skill and emotional maturity. His soulful vocals and lightning-fast fretwork on “She Calls Me Kingfish” drew thunderous applause from the crowd, establishing him as a force to be reckoned with. The fiery energy continued with the blues-infused “Midnight Heat,” showcasing Kingfish’s impressive command over his instrument. Closing his set with the powerful “Long Distance Woman,” Kingfish left a lasting impression, proving himself as a true blues artist to watch out for.

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at SummerStage Central Park 6.18.23

And then, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. Buddy Guy emerged with his iconic Fender Stratocaster in hand. The crowd erupted with thunderous applause and cheers as he launched into his set, effortlessly transitioning between blistering guitar solos and heartfelt vocals. Backed by his incredibly talented Damn Right Blues Band, they created a mesmerizing atmosphere of blues and rock that resonated throughout the park. The audience was treated to a repertoire of his greatest hits, including “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues,” “Skin Deep,” and Muddy Waters “Hoochie Coochie Man.” Each song was met with resounding applause, highlighting the timeless appeal of his music.

Buddy Guy at SummerStage Central Park 6.18.23

But the surprises didn’t end there. Blues icon Bobby Rush and his son joined Buddy Guy on stage for a rendition of “Chicken Heads.” The trio brought a new dynamic to the performance, seamlessly blending their styles and creating a magical musical synergy. To conclude the evening, all the artists gathered on stage for an impromptu jam session. The stage was alive with energy as each artist took turns exchanging riffs, trading solos, and sharing the spotlight.

As Buddy Guy bids farewell to the stage, his music will continue to inspire generations to come. His virtuosity, passion, and undeniable talent have left an indelible mark on the blues genre.

June 22, 2023
Re:SET Forest Hills Day 3: Steve Lacy Gave the World to his Fans and their Fathers

The Re:SET Concert Series closed its New York run at Forest Hills Stadium this past Sunday, June 18th. The brand-new summer festival welcomed LCD Soundsystem and Boygenius on Days 1 and 2, respectively, and will continue to travel to many major cities across the US. Featuring alternative R&B artists like Fousheé, Toro y Moi, James Blake, and Grammy-winner Steve Lacy, Day 3 of Re:SET was not a show to miss. While some people celebrated their Father’s Day at home, at restaurants, or with family, others attended Sunday’s concert (with their dads) for a day full of dancing, singing, and an overall great time.

Steve Lacy, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun.

Thousands of eager fans lined up hours before doors to secure their spots at the front of the barricade, clearly ready to see their favorite artists. Bright colors flooded the entire venue, as concertgoers interwove the rainbow into their carefully-picked outfits, glittery makeup, and fun hair accessories. Fousheé successfully opened the show with unparalleled energy, exciting her crowd of almost 13,000. Her unique voice goes both ways—sweet and angry. During her performance of “stupid bitch,” she asked the crowd to repeat the lyrics, “I’ll blow your brains out, you stupid bitch” at the start of the song. Screaming into the mic and hitting impressive whistle notes during her other tracks truly wowed her audience—who gave her a well-deserving round of screams and applause at the end of her set.

Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun

Next up was Toro y Moi, wearing a bright orange jacket, blue shades, and lime-green nails. His chill, lofi set included songs like “Rose Quartz,” “Laws of the Universe,” and “Magazine.” Perfectly matching his vibe was a montage of cat videos on the large stage screen. Concertgoers were seen dancing, swaying, and twirling to his fresh beats on the tennis court floor and even in the seated sections of the venue.

Toro y Moi, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun

Toro y Moi is the definition of cool, as he scaled the stage with his swift, nimble movements. Knowing exactly how to keep his crowd engaged, he pointed to the audience members and encouraged them to move their hands up and down in sync. During his and Lacy’s set, Fousheé was even spotted in the general admission section dancing and spinning to the music.

Toro y Moi, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun

The last opener of the evening was James Blake, who upon entering was greeted with a large roar of applause. The 34-year-old musician from England blew up on TikTok in 2020 for his Frank Ocean cover of “Godspeed.” During his somber and deeply emotional rendition of this song, fans watched in complete awe—certainly mesmerized by his warm vocals and buttery vibratos.

James Blake, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun

During one particular song, he realized his keyboard was out of tune. While a stagehand replaced his keyboard, James continued on to his next scheduled song on a different instrument. Although his solo vocals are beautiful to listen to with eyes closed, James Blake is also an extremely talented electronic and experimental artist. He blended a variety of different elements into his performances of tracks, “CMYK,” “Hummingbird,” and “Say What You Will.”

James Blake, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun

The energy before Steve Lacy’s entrance was unmatched. Fans in the seated sections stood on their tippy-toes while those on the floor squished up against one another to get as close to the stage as possible. The buzz of excitement could be felt by anyone, as fans waited eagerly in anticipation for him to come out. A plume of smoke. Deafening screams. A flashing of lights. Another uproar. And finally, his entrance to the stage, wearing his iconic cyberpunk glasses—this time in navy blue. Fans jumped up and down, unable to contain their excitement.

Steve Lacy, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun

Steve Lacy opened his set with iconic songs like “Buttons,” “Cody Freestyle,” and “Helmet”—all of which are from his latest album Gemini Rights. He vibed to the music, moving his body to the beat as his band and backup singers accompanied him. During “Amber,” he told the crowd to take out their phone flashlights, leading to a beautiful and dreamlike scene as thousands of lights flooded the venue. Lacy is a very talented guitarist, and during many of his tracks, he performed his own guitar solos for the crowd to watch in amazement.

Steve Lacy, Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun

The alternative R&B artist brought out Fousheé during the performance of their song “Sunshine.” The two blended incredibly together on stage, and the crowd reacted accordingly. Before singing his hit songs, “Static,” “Bad Habit,” and “Dark Red,” Lacy said, “Pride month is almost over. It’s time to come out. Look to your neighbor, say, ‘Neighbor, you gay.’” The bisexual artist is proud of his sexuality and serves as a role model for many members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Steve Lacy put his all into Sunday’s performance. Fans sporting his iconic glasses waved and screamed as he made his bittersweet goodbyes. Finishing the night on a glorious note with his performance of “Dark Red,” fans were clearly satisfied by the show’s end.

Re:SET Forest Hills, 6/18/2023. Photo by Sarah Hyun.

Coverage of Re:SET Day 1 and Day 2 can be found through these links. Day 1 featured an incredible performance by New York’s beloved LCD Soundsystem, while Day 2 welcomed the iconic girl band called Boygenius. Below is a gallery from Steve Lacy’s closing night—be sure to check it out!

June 21, 2023
Flashback: The Who warm up for Reunion Tour at Glens Falls Civic Center – June 21, 1989

The Who had bid farewell to fans in 1982 after nearly 20 years together as a band, and after seven years had passed, it was time for a music industry tradition – the Reunion Tour. And where else to warm up for a major comeback tour than with a show at Glens Falls Civic Center, on June 21, 1989

Returning to the stage after seven years was no simple feat. Personalities and egos had clashed, drug use became endemic within the band, and members were itching to quit. Guitarist Pete Townshend had fallen into a depression, wanted to do more than play the hits on the road, leading him to eventually quit the band in 1983. Bassist John Entwistle nearly quit as well, but he hoped to stay on the road. Singer/guitarist Roger Daltrey shed some light on this time period, telling Record Collector,

I think Pete knew he’d made a mistake around 1980. He was going downhill with substance abuse and all that kind of stuff. And I decided at the beginning of that (1982) tour to pull the plug on the band and for it to be our last, because I was really frightened at the time of finding him dead on the bathroom floor, or dead in bed in the hotel room. It was one of those situations. I thought the only way to stop this is to come off the road. It was a difficult decision, but I felt it was the only way forward. We’d gone backwards.
Roger Daltrey, on The Who breaking up in 1982

Coinciding with their 25th Anniversary Tour, the 1989 The Who tour was also the 20th anniversary of the rock opera Tommy. On March 24th, Townshend, Daltrey and Entwistle appeared together at a press conference at Radio City Music Hall to announce they would once again tour as The Who that summer. Townshend, who had announced in 1987 he suffered from tinnitus, told the press that he still experiences hearing problems, garnering a laugh, saying “we will play very, very quietly.”

Skip ahead to June, and The Who were bound for Upstate New York, to perform a warm up show for the tour at Glens Falls Civic Center on June 21, 1989. The Kids Are Alright Tour: 1964-1989 kicked off with a career overview of their work and an unusual connection of songs that led the shows to lasting nearly three and a half hours at some venues. With a variety of songs from across a quarter century, including a great deal of new ones from Townshend’s Iron Man soundtrack (released earlier that year), some songs would be cut from the show, making this performance in Glens Falls full of rarities and popular tracks, side-by-side. Audiences in New York and Los Angeles featured full-scale presentations of Tommy.

The first half of the show featured a great deal of songs from Tommy, including an extended “Overture” which was uplinked to the BBC to be broadcast live in England, as well as aired locally, and uninterrupted, on WTEN in Albany.

Beyond Tommy songs, a fair amount of Townshend’s solo work appeared in the show, including “I Won’t Run Anymore,” “All Shall Be Well” and “A Friend Is a Friend” from Iron Man, a rarity “Trick of the Light” that had not been played since 1979, “A Little Is Enough” and “Give Blood.” Townshend would play acoustic guitar during Tommy and his solo songs, then switched to electric guitar for the second act.

The solo Entwistle song, “Too Late the Hero” stands out as well, in addition to covers of “Hey Joe” (The Leaves), “Summertime Blues” (Eddie Cochran), “Love Hurts” (The Everly Brothers) and a show stopping “Twist and Shout.”

Joining Daltrey, Townshend and Entwistle was Simon Philips on drums, filling the void left by the untimely passing of Keith Moon in 1978. The Who also brought in a large number of musicians to accompany them for each performance, including Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton (Guitar), John Bundrick (Piano, Keyboards), Chyna (Backing Vocals), Simon Clarke (Brass Section), Simon Gardner (Brass Section), Jody Linscott (Percussion), Roddy Lorimer (Brass Section), Billy Nicholls (Backing Vocals), Tim Saunders (Brass Section), Neil Sidwell (Brass Section) and Cleveland Watkiss (Backing Vocals). When asked why such a large number of musicians, Townshend replied on Good Morning America, “The more musicians you have, the quieter you can play. It’s a bit difficult to make a big sound with an electric guitar unless it’s quite loud. I’m paying the price now for playing too much loud guitar.”

While their record breaking performance in Buffalo in 1982 with The Clash was a sign fans were still hungry for punk in all its forms (godfathers optional), The Who of 1989 were looking for something a bit more dialed back. Speaking to David Gates of Newsweek, Townshend said, remarking on what audiences expect of The Who at this point of their career.

They expect us to be present. We’re just supposed to be there. It’s not that it’s unimportened what we play or how we play, but it’s importent that we’re present and that we want to be present. You don’t invite people to celebrate your work and then look like you don’t want to be at the party.
Pete Townshend

Fans of The Who were certainly enjoying this first chance to see a band that had bid farewell seven years prior. Daltrey, at age 45, still swung his microphone on its cord like it was a lasso, and Townshend (44), continued to leap in the air on cue, in addition to his trademark guitar windmill, which was now adorning t-shirts for sale at the show. Newsweek would say the night was “a hell of a show for the money.”

The Kids Are Alright Tour: 1964-1989 would first be seen in Glens Falls, but the official start was in Toronto on June 23 and 24, the city where the band played their final show in 1982.

Rehearsal Setlist: Sister Disco, You Better You Bet, Who Are You, Baba O’Riley, Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again, Hey Joe

Setlist: Overture, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks, The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, Do You Think It’s Alright, Fiddle About, I’m Free, Tommy’s Holiday Camp, We’re Not Gonna Take It, I Won’t Run Any More, All Shall Be Well, A Friend Is A Friend, I Can’t Explain, Substitute, I Can See For Miles, Trick Of The Light, Boris The Spider, Hey Joe, Who Are You, Naked Eye, Summertime Blues, Too Much Of Anything, Baba O’Riley, My Generation, A Little Is Enough, 5.15, Love Reign O’er Me, Love Hurts, Too Late The Hero, My Wife, Sister Disco, Give Blood, Join Together, You Better You Bet, Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again

Encore: Pictures Of Lily, Twist And Shout

Watch videos and recordings from June 21, 1989 at Glens Falls Civic Center below.

June 21, 2023
Space Carnival Releases 2017 Brooklyn Bowl Archive Recording

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

June 20, 2023
Re:Set Forest Hills Day 2: 13,000 Boygenius Fans Crying with the Teenagers

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.

Boygenius

Clairo

Dijon

Bartees Strange

June 20, 2023
Dead & Company Get Sentimental in Saratoga Farewell

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

June 20, 2023
In Focus: Mihali at Alive at 5

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 at Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs

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 at Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs

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

June 20, 2023
Taylor Swift Breaks the All-Time Attendance Record in Pittsburgh

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS1HcqiRNTM

June 20, 2023
Hearing Aide: Nevāda Nevada’s Single “CHARGE!”

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.

June 19, 2023