The initial lineup for the 2023 Wild in the Trees Music and Skate Festival in Lake George has been announced by Mirth Films.
Taking place October 7-8 at the Lake George Skate Plaza, this year’s lineup is set to feature Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band, FUNGKSHUI, Candy Ambulance, Victory Soul Orchestra, Hilltop, Shu, Fine Grain, The Skunches and many more. The multi-talented Connor Dunn will also be hanging out for the weekend as the Artist at Large.
The first ever Wild in the Trees Music and Skate Festival took place October 1-2, 2022 hosting local acts and also included five different skateboarding events. On the grounds of the festival you can find some of the area’s best food and craft beer along with over 20 craft vendors located at the space. Wild in the Trees pays homage to efforts made in 2008 to raise money to build the Lake George Skate Plaza while embracing all the incredible musical talent regionally and beyond.
photo by Frank Cavone
Back in 2008, local skateboarders in Lake George, NY brought to the towns attention about the need to have a skate park. Through various town board meetings and the creation of a skateboarding committee put together by skaters, family members and community leaders, it was time to raise money to make the dream come true.
Throughout the early 2010’s, local skateboarders held various fundraisers over the years including spaghetti dinners, coin drops, benefit concerts and much more. Between all the efforts locally along with a few grants, the skateboarders were able to raise nearly $100,000. By 2014, the park was designed with oversight from the local skaters. In 2015, ground was broken at the newly created Charles R. Wood Park and the dream was realized. The Lake George Skate Plaza attracts skateboarders from all across the Northeast and beyond each year giving kids a safe place to skateboard without getting in trouble.
photo by Frank Cavone
Wild in the Trees will also feature two days of skateboarding contests including Best Trick, Spot-Based Jam, Game of Skate, High Ollie and much more. Skaters will have the chance of winning prizes from Seasons Skateshop and Corners Skateshop.
If you thought Reubens were good, just wait until this year’s Wild in the Trees Music and Skate Festival!
Frank Cavone, owner of Mirth Films stated
The headliner to this year’s Wild in the Trees Music and Skate Festival will be announced on August 15th. This year will also feature an official after party with Two Planets Away at The Lagoon in the heart of Lake George on October 7th.
Wild in the Trees Music and Skate Festival 2023 is made possible by sponsors, including Lake George Steamboat Company, Seasons Skateshop, Ginter Electric Uncommon Grounds, S.F. Janitorial, Law Office of Paul Ryan, Altered Apparel, Radio Radio X and Corners Skateshop.
Weekend and single-day passes are available now at Mirth-Films.com/WildintheTrees. 50 percent of all ticket sales will go directly to the Ronald McDonald House of the Capital Region.
Whirlybird Music and Arts Festival have announced their stacked lineup featuring a wide variety of genres and bands! The festival returns to Downtown Jamestown from July 20-22.
Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival is a collection of carefully curated concerts that take place at a variety of venues across downtown Jamestown. Featuring three days of music with 20 artists scheduled, as well as live painting, comedy, dancing, and more, the festival has something for everyone. Headlining the festival will be jamtronica legends Jimkata along with Colorado-based festival favorite Magic Beans. Other acts include the Smackdab, Sophistafunk, Space Bacon, Miller & the Other Sinners, Charity Nuse & Friends, Grub, and many more. This years Grateful Dead tribute will be performed by Eberwine & Friends.
The Beer Snob and Jamestown Wine Cellar will play host to Whirlybird’s ticketed evening headliners; Sophistafunk, Space Bacon, Grub, Organ Fairchild, & Well Worn Boot. These shows are 21+ and require a Whirlybird Pass or Cover Charge to enter.
Free pop-up solo performances by the likes of Adam McKillip, SON, Kallie Williams, Ryan Buzzetto, Ion Sky, Catch Phrase, and more will be happening at Labyrinth Press Co, Brazil, 4 Below Haggy’s Bar and Grill, and Jamestown Public Market all throughout the festival.
For tickets, schedules, and information, please visit here.
The Jungle Shakedown Music Festival just announced its lineup featuring a wide variety of acts, relocating to the lush landscapes of Costa Rica.
Jungle Shakedown Festival has become synonymous with unforgettable musical experiences and enchanting destinations. This year, the festival is elevating the adventure by embracing the captivating beauty and raw energy of the Costa Rican jungle. Set against the backdrop of the Vajra Jahra Retreat Center, this immersive experience promises to be the ultimate all-inclusive VIP getaway.
It promises not to just be a transformative musical experience, but also an adventure in Costa Rica, including spotting wildlife, longing on beaches, surfing, and picturesque sites of the jungle. Not your average festival, the experience allows you to hang out with the musicians, uniting the power of music, the beauty of nature, and the magic of community.
The lineup for Jungle Shakedown features an impressive roster of renowned musicians from the jam band scene. Attendees can expect performances from music icons including Al Schnier and Vin Amico of moe., Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident, Steve Molitz of Particle, Mark Joseph of The Big Wu, and Janis Wallin of Family Groove Company. These talented musicians form the supergroup The Dire Wolves! More acts are to be announced.
Villas for Jungle Shakedown are on sale now. At the time of release there are only ten villas remaining, each with space for two-four individuals.
Get your school of fish/phish together – Oregon State University will host the second ever Phish Studies Conference on May 17-19, 2024, in Corvallis, Oregon.
artwork by Ryan Kerrigan
First held in 2019, the #PhishStudies Conference is an in-depth look at the band, fans, culture, community, publications, and of course music, of Phish. The event was a huge success, with 100s attending daily to take part in panels, discussions, observe gallery displays and presentations of Ph.D dissertations and theses.
Jnan A. Blau said of the 2019 conference: “I’ve just come back from one of the coolest, most stimulating and invigorating, and definitely one of the most “far out” (to quote Mr. Bill Kreutzman, via Mr. Benjy Eisen) experiences of my life. Late last Monday night, I got back home to San Luis Obispo, California from Corvallis, Oregon. I had to rise and shine the next day, no time at all to transition from Phishiness to so-called real life—a direct, rather abrupt segue (a rip cord if there ever was one!) into a full day of teaching in university classrooms. I was, and still am, kind of exhausted. But, I’ve had a secret smile the size of Mt. Icculus plastered across my face and tattooed on my heart ever since. This because I am back from Phish Studies, the first-ever academic conference dedicated to our favorite topic/subject/phenomenon.”
Also featured at the conference was an exhibit from the Phishsonian Institute, “Beyond The Moss Forgotten exhibit at the Phish Studies conference” which celebrated the art and history of Phish’s performances in the Pacific Northwest since the 1990s.
Check out more photos from the 2019 Phish Studies Conference by Derek Finholt and visit Phish.net for an in depth recap of the conference by Jnan A. Blau.
The #PhishStudies Conference is also looking for sponsors to support the mission and event. For more information, contact Professor Stephanie Jenkins.
The only rule is it begins! More info, including sponsorship opportunities, at phishstudies.net.
Pioneering trance-fusion band, the Disco Biscuits, have announced plans for a brand new two-day festival, BISCOLAND. Taking place on Oct. 6 and 7, the fall weekend of music will be held at the otherworldly Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, NY, just south of Syracuse. The new event space, campground, and concert venue nestled in the rolling hills of Central New York’s Apple Valley sets the stage for a weekend of unforgettable music and community.
BISCOLAND marks a fresh chapter for The Disco Biscuits as they bring their signature sound and energetic performances to this carefully curated festival experience, which follows the lifelong memories of events they’ve curated in the past, including many Camp Biscos and, more recently City Bisco. The location at Wonderland Forest is a space where concert-goers can “create new connections through a love of music and nature in a pristine landscape of lush forests, spectacular waterfalls, and glorious vistas.”
Bassist for the Disco Biscuits’, Marc Brownstein, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, saying,
2 nights in central New York with our Biscuits family, a carefully curated lineup, a blank canvas, a new beginning – that is a dream for the band and our community.
Marc Brownstein
The inaugural lineup for BISCOLAND features an array of long-time friends and collaborators from the jam, jamtronica, and electronic music scenes. Performances include four sets by The Disco Biscuits, two sets by Lotus, along with an impressive roster of artists, including Emancipator, Papadosio, Opiuo, Sunsquabi, The Floozies, two sets of Eggy, Maddy O’Neal, Space Bacon, and a special Spaga Plays Dead set featuring Aron Magner of The Disco Biscuits.
Music enthusiasts will have the opportunity to secure their spots at BISCOLAND with the Early Bird GA and VIP Weekend Packages. In addition to access to the festival, camping passes and various transportation options such as RV parking and shuttle services will also be available. Tickets and passes will go on sale starting Friday, July 14, at 10 a.m. ET, and can be purchased at Bisco.land. Learn more and find tickets to BISCOLAND here.
Later that month, the Disco Biscuits will celebrate Halloween weekend at The Capitol Theatre in West Chester. More info can be found here.
Disco Biscuits 2023 Tour Dates July 11 – Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House July 12 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory July 13 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox July 14 – Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom July 15 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater July 18 – Blue Lake, CA – Blue Lake Casino July 19 – Stateline, NV – Harrah’s South Lake Tahoe July 20 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore July 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre [SOLD OUT] July 22 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern [SOLD OUT] August 10 – East Hampton, NY – The Clubhouse August 10-12 – East Durham, NY – Catskill Mountain Jubilee August 13 – Dewey Beach, DE – Bottle and Cork September 15 – Austin, TX – Far Out Lounge and Stage * September 16 – Austin, TX – Far Out Lounge and Stage ^ September 20 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue September 21 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre ^ September 22 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater September 23 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Theatre September 24 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall October 6-7 – Lafayette, NY – BISCOLAND October 24 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground + October 25 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall October 26 – Portland, ME – State Theatre October 27 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre October 28 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre
* w/ TAUK Moore (TAUK ft. Kanika Moore) ^ w/ Sunsquabi + w/ Lazy Bird
Trey Anastasio’s Band stopped at The Stone Pony Summerstage amidst their tour. The place was packed and there were loads of people listening to the concert outside of the gated-off, outdoor venue. This proved to be an incredible show filled with fan favorites, incredible solos by Trey and the horns section and even Natalie “Chainsaw” Cressman’s masterful vocal work on “1977.”
The band opened up with “Set Your Soul Free” which featured the lovely accompaniment on vocals by Jennifer Hartswick & Natalie Cressman. The first set included “Steam,” “Heavy Things,” a roaring “Night Speaks to a Woman,” and a funky “Moma Dance.”
The second set opened up with a Trey original, “I Never Needed You Like This Before.” The sun was going down and the band was settling into a familiar groove with Trey’s solos getting loner and heavier. If this show is foreshadowing the Phish summer tour ahead, we are in for quite a ride! The second set included a personal favorite “Alaska,” which was jammed out entirely with an extensive solo by Trey, “1977” with Cressman’s mesmerizing rapping, an insanely jammed out “No men in No Man’s Land,” and “Everything’s Right” to close out the set.
That last song really helped this writer get through a rough day. The positivity and healing in Trey Anastasio Band’s music have helped greatly and I am sometimes in awe of its power. The band came back for their encore, an a capella “Over the Rainbow” and a shredding “First Tube.”
Set 1: Set Your Soul Free, Simple Twist Up Dave, Evolve, Rise/Come Together, Steam, Heavy Things, Cayman Review, Night Speaks to a Woman, The Moma Dance, Curlew’s Call.
Set 2: I Never Needed You Like This Before, 1977, Acting the Devil, No Men In No Men’s Land, Oblivion, Love is What We Are, Drifting, Alaska, and Everything’s Right.
It was a career-defining night for Connecticut’s indie-groove sensation Goose on Friday, July 7. Making their debut at the iconic Saratoga Performing Arts Center, it would ultimately prove to be their biggest headlining performance to date, drawing an estimated 11,000 fans from across the Northeast. Rising to the occasion, the high-flying band captivated attendees with their signature sound, all played with purpose, gusto, and pride. A milestone moment in time that was as satisfying for the fans as it was for the members of Team Goose, this show felt special and more like a homecoming celebration for our triumphant underdogs.
Goose made their Saratoga Performing Arts Center debut on 7/7/23
From the dimly lit club scene to lighting up amphitheaters across the country, the meteoric rise of Goose has been a phenomenon rarely seen in today’s music climate. Ever since accepting the proverbial “torch” from a guy named Trey at Radio City Music Hall last summer, the band has been running with it full speed ahead, no brakes and all gas. From making their national television debut to selling out Red Rocks and their residency at the Capitol Theatre, to earning praise from legendary Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh and even comedians like Jimmy Fallon and Bert Kreischer, the widespread appeal of this band seems to span across generations. Even people who don’t listen to “new” music are talking about Goose.
Goose guitarist/lead vocalist Rick Mitarotonda performing at SPAC on 7/7/23
Consisting of Rick Mitarotonda [vocals, guitar], Peter Anspach [vocals, keys, guitar], Trevor Weekz [bass], Ben Atkind [drums], and Jeff Arevalo [vocals, percussion, drums], the buzz surrounding Goose’s SPAC debut was palpable. Coming off major festivals like Peach and the final Resonance, then a pair of sold-out 4th of July shows at the Stone Pony and Portland, ME, the momentum coming into Saratoga had reached a level not seen since, well, Phish. Afternoon rain would make for a bit of a messy shakedown situation, but right around showtime, as if on cue, the clouds turned as fans started filling up the lawn and pavilion. The highly collectible posters commemorating the evening were long gone well before the first note was played.
Goose made a little Saratoga magic during their SPAC debut on 7/7/23
Walking out to a thunderous and sustained standing ovation, the members of Goose were grinning ear to ear upon taking their positions on the storied SPAC stage. Afterward, on social media, the band would reflect on it saying, “We will never forget the energy we felt right at the start of last night’s show, absolute chills.” Soaking it all in for a moment, the guys would suddenly drop into an inspired “Silver Rising,” with Mitarotonda emphatically singing out the opening lyrics:
Peter Anspach lead Goose through “Red Bird,” a touching tribute to his Mother on 7/7/23
Next came the emotional high point of the first set with a personal song near and dear to multi-instrumentalist Peter “Handini” Anspach. Leading the band through “Red Bird” in a fitting tribute to his mother who has supported his music every step of the way, hearing Peter sing it during the biggest show of his career was very touching. After dipping their toes into some gorgeous improvisational type-II territory, a rollicking rendition of “Same Old Shenanigans” (SOS) would send us to intermission and leave the excited crowd buzzing about what they’d just witnessed and what was still yet to come.
Red bird don’t get tired now
You can almost touch the light
Red bird don’t stop singing your song
Fly for tomorrow tonight
– Lyrics from “Red Bird”
The second set started off with the band paying homage to Goose’s precursor project Vasudo. Playing a heartfelt rendition of “The Empress of Organos,” a song that was also played at the final Vasudo show ten years ago, one couldn’t help but be inspired by just how far this band has come during that time. Now playing with a new custom-made guitar appropriately named “The Empress,” Mitarotonda’s tone sounded glorious all night long and the band looked completely comfortable and at home on the big stage. They are simply born for this. Following the 23-minute “Empress” came a beautiful blues-inspired cover of David Gray’s “Please Forgive Me” that saw some serious peak shredding from Snakes.
The Empress: Rick Mitarotonda’s new custom ax sounded glorious under the SPAC pavilion on 7/7/23
The SPAC show will be remembered for a lot of things, but for me, the real “get down” took place during the SPAC “Thatch.” One of the funkiest and crunchiest grooves this side of Phish’s “Moma Dance,” the band originally debuted the song just up the road in Glens Falls last November while opening for the Trey Anastasio Band. Nearly doubling its length with this version (while also managing to sneak a “Tequila” tease in), the song is destined to become a fan favorite and setlist staple for years to come. Check out pro-shot footage of “Thatch” here:
Easing us into the comedown was another beautifully executed version of “This Old Sea,” one of the most tender ballads in the band’s arsenal, it would also be the shortest song played all night. Seamlessly transitioning into the title track from the band’s latest studio album, 2022âs Dripfield, the mesmerizing climax and stunning light show courtesy of LD Andrew Goedde left Goose fans dripping for more.
On your way to kill the beast
You meet the child, the only one you know
And he sings to you, “Let go,
May the nighttime be your home
-Lyrics from “Factory Fiction”
After hanging backstage for a minute to bask in the ovation and savor the moment, there was only one song that made sense for an encore; a song reserved for only the most special and monumental occasions. As the opening notes of the rare “Factory Fiction” rang out (or ‘Spactory Fiction’ as some fans are already calling it), the excitement and jubilation could be felt by everyone who was there and collectively sent chills down your entire body. Bringing the band full circle on this surreal summer night, from beginning to end, their performance made an emphatic statement. The golden Goose has arrived, and buckle up because their time is now
Goose played their biggest headlining show to date on Friday, 7/7/23 at SPAC
Up next, the band will return to the Newport Folk Festival for their first appearance on the main stage. Later this fall, Goose will return to New York to headline the Borderland Music Festival in Buffalo, before heading across the pond to play their first European tour in November.
For more information, tickets, and tour dates, visit here.
Set 1: Silver Rising, California Magic, Animal, Red Bird, Same Old Shenanigans
Set II: The Empress of Organos, Please Forgive Me (David Gray cover), Thatch, This Old Sea, Dripfield
Bolstered by charismatic rock-star energy and a one-of-a-kind voice, the legendary live band known as My Morning Jacket lived up to all expectations and then some on Friday night, delivering a max effort, powerhouse performance to the storied city of New Haven, CT on the last day of June 2023.
An outstanding evening of song and dance, hugs and headbanging, and music with enough substance and depth to make even the most jaded concertgoer feel alive, fans who couldn’t make it to their headlining Peach Festival set the following night were treated to a far more intimate experience at the Westville Music Bowl. Featuring bust-outs, rarities, and songs played for the first time on this tour, the two-and-a-half-hour, career-spanning set felt inspired and special and showed exactly why many consider MMJ to be one of the greatest American bands of this generation.
My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23
A timeless attraction, My Morning Jacket possesses a rare appeal that spans across generations. Consisting of frontman Jim James on vocals and guitar, multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, and keyboardist Bo Koster, after more than two decades on the road the Louisville quintet have remained innovators of their genre and a creative force to be reckoned with. Still one of the “hairiest” bands out there, their look often harkens back to the glory days of 70’s rock n roll, while their sound has continually evolved to include more sonic experimentation and a wider palette of styles ranging from country to soul to psychedelia to even a bit of pop — all of it would be on full display on this hazy, humid Friday in New Haven.
With the bowl in Westville slightly more than half-packed, one could only assume the draw was directly impacted by The Peach Festival happening at the same time; the same festival My Morning Jacket would headline the very next night. But make no mistake, this was no “warm-up” gig for the band. In fact, they’d been on tour for several weeks already at this point, doing different setlists in each city, and by all fan accounts, have been having as much fun playing together as we’ve seen in years, acting reinvigorated and ready to rock out.
My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23
After taking the New Haven stage accompanied by some hypnotic orchestral music and, of course, the colorfully dressed bears, Pooch and Denise, fans would see the light early as the show kicked off with the tour debut of “The Dark” from My Morning Jacket’s earliest album, 1999’s The Tennessee Fire, letting everyone know they were in for a treat tonight and to buckle up for the ride. Flowing directly into the thought-provoking crowd-pleaser “Compound Fracture,” vocalist Jim James, wearing heart-shaped sunglasses, would put his guitar down and work his way out to the front of the stage, locking eyes with the audience and drawing them in closer with his every movement and gesture; his presence was simply magnetic.
There’s no evil, there’s no good Only people doing as they should There is life in love and sound Get as much as you can keep around Before they put you into the ground
For who knows how long? (paradise calling)
-Lyrics from “Compound Fracture”
Now strapping back up with an acoustic guitar, James would go back to his childhood way with the title track of 2011’s Circuital before flowing directly into the classic MMJ rock anthem “Anytime.” A reimaged rendition of “I’m Amazed” featuring a Beatles-esq intro brought out goosebumps when the whole crowd shouted “Where is the justice?” in unison. Our next tour debut was the delicate song “Sooner” which saw multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel move over to the slide guitar for one of the very few times in the evening. The show was already seven songs deep before the band would play anything from their most recent self-titled studio album, uncorking a seven-plus minute version of “Least Expected” that featured a beautiful extended keyboard solo from Bo Koster. Next came the song which perhaps best summed up the overall message of the night with “Love Love Love.”
Jim James of My Morning Jacket was all about love on 6/30/23
In another setlist surprise, “One Big Holiday,” a signature song usually reserved for the encore slot, dropped early and would feature James improvising lyrics over its outro, expressing his love for the “beautiful, scenic, historic, and wonderful people of New Haven,” leading us directly into one of My Morning Jacket’s most cherished songs and my personal favorite, “Steam Engine.” Played under hazy skies and a cool jeweled moon, the lyrics felt particularly potent on this number; complete with a beautiful saxophone solo from Broemel and a piano outro that seamlessly segued into a powerful rendition of “Feel You” that would see the members of the band huddle around Patrick Hallahan’s drum riser to headbang in unison, something the band often does when they are locked in and “feeling it.”
My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23
A well-received “Victory Dance” would then set the tone for the real meat-and-potatoes of the show, putting in motion a series of songs that would alligator together through “Cobra” and see the incredible light show come to life before your eyes. After giving the crowd a chance to show off their best falsetto voices, “Wordless Chorus” took on a particularly funky groove before transitioning back into the hard-rocking second part of “Cobra.” Somewhat reminiscent of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” here, the chugging low end was easily the heaviest of the night. “Cobra Pt 2” would then morph into the anthemic rocker “Wasted” which would evoke a dynamic, delayed pause that would send the audience into a frenzy, before reaching its high-octane peak.
Melting back into the conclusion of “Cobra” then slithering into the danceable electro groove of “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt 2” (as popularized by the band’s guest appearance on Fox’s animated series American Dad), the song would see a bit of a different arrangement here, jamming out with more intensity and yielding a rocking, hair swishing, shred fest that would bring the impressive near 40-minute frame of uninterrupted music to a close. Not done pummeling the audience yet, “Holdin’ On to Black Metal” would get the crowd singing along once again before the band would disappear behind the smoke-filled stage to leave fans begging for more.
Fissure is the thrill of the day Forget about feeling, that’s not what pays But you know, all of this can change Remember the promise as a kid you made
Ah, ooh, ah, ah, aha Aha, ooh, ah, ah
We are the innovators, they are the imitators C’mon, hey, don’t you know how we started We forgot about love, but weren’t brokenhearted
-Lyrics from “Wordless Chorus”
My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel letting it rip at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23
After a brief break in the action, the band would reemerge from the shadows and Jim James would candidly address the audience, letting them know how special this moment together was, saying “Thank you so much, New Haven, wow, what a beautiful bunch. We’re so grateful to be here, so honored that you’re here. Were so glad to all be together, all be alive right now, right here on this beautiful planet. All together just having a beautiful, beautiful night.” The band would then slowly strum the opening chords of another bust outplayed for the first time on this tour in “Old September Blues” which also included a healthy nod to the Santo & Johnny classic “Sleep Walk.”
As if the show hadn’t been epic enough already, My Morning Jacket would then uncork a monstrous nine-minute version of “Spring (Among the Living).” A bit of freestyle pandering in the middle of the song would again feature Jim giving the audience some love, singing “Among the living in beautiful New Haven now, among the living in historic New Haven town, wooo” before breaking it down into one of the funkiest grooves heard all night to coincide with perhaps the most impressive light show of the night. With the venue’s early curfew now rapidly approaching, there was time left for just one more song. With fans shouting out dozens of titles still on the table, it would be the time-tested favorite “Magheetah” that was chosen as the final sing-along, sending fans home gleefully into the night with huge smiles on their faces, bringing the powerhouse performance to a close.
My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23
In a city with such storied history, on the way out some fans could be heard drawing comparisons between Jim James and Jim Morrison. While the band never blatantly acknowledged The Doors’ influence, upon reflection, certain moments of the show certainly seemed to conjure up images of the Lizard King. From the opening lyrics of “The Dark,” to the cool jeweled moon above the venue, to the fact that Morrison became the first ever rock star ever arrested on stage in this same city, you couldn’t help but wonder if it was all a happy coincidence. Either way, both men should be considered icons of their era and two of the greatest frontmen in rock n roll history.
Strike a Pose: Jim James of My Morning Jacket performing live in New Haven, CT 6/30/23
After headlining the Peach Festival the following night, My Morning Jacket will get a few weeks of rest before returning to the road at the Newport Folk Festival at the end of July. Fans in New York will have plenty to look forward to this fall, as the band will return to the beautiful Beacon Theatre for a three-night run celebrating the 20 anniversary of their album It Still Moves. The fall tour will also see My Morning Jacket’s highly anticipated debut at the Place Theatre in Albany.
Setlist:The Dark *, Compound Fracture, Circuital, Anytime, I’m Amazed, Sooner*, Least Expected, Love Love Love, One Big Holiday, Steam Engine, Feel You, Victory Dance, Cobra (Pt 1) > Wordless Chorus > Cobra (Pt 2) > Wasted > Cobra (Pt 3) > Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2, Holdin On To Black Metal
Encore: Old September Blues* > Sleep Walk **, Spring (Among the Living), Mahgeetah.
The Peach Music Festival returned to Montage Mountain for its 11 year in a row showcasing headlining acts like My Morning Jacket, Ziggy Marley, Les Claypool, Umphrey’s McGee, JRAD, Goose, and many more. Along with music veterans were a large number of newer bands such as Dogs in a Pile, Thumpasaurus, Andy Frasco, Brown Eyed Women, & much more.
The festival takes place on a ski slope/water park. The trek up the mountain to camp or even between stages is physically demanding, but the leisurely vibe of the waterpark provides much needed relaxation.
Security was definitely beefed up this year, probably due to the recent shooting at an EDM festival on the west coast. There were dogs sniffing for explosives and some nonsensical rules enforced by security. The photo pit was entirely too small and quite dangerous. I scraped my legs on metal bars many times trying to maneuver in there around a slew of other photographers. We maintained civility in the pit, everyone was very kind and respectful.
The first day started off with Friends of Brothers followed by Thumpasaurus who played a very energetic set to get the crowd going. Next up was Twiddle, opening up with funky favorite “Jamflowman.” The band also performed the fantastic “Slipping in the Kitchen” and heart-touching “Out in The Cold.” The first night concluded with two monstrous sets of Goose. Their set started with “Feel it Now,” showcasing Rick Mitarotonda’s vocals. Their first set ended with “Butter Rum,” and the set was filled with clever improvisation and classic Goose jams. The second set featured “Fish in the Sea,” a Fat Freddy’s Drop cover, “Red Bird,” “Hollywood Nights,” a Bob Sager cover, and concluded with “Thatch.” “Hollywood Nights” had everyone in the house grooving and “Red Bird” featured some tasteful solos.
On Friday all three stages were open and the day was packed with music! Trouble No More brought out Daniel Donato to sit in with them, playing a full set of Allman Brothers tunes including an incredible “Blue Sky” and a shred-filled “Whipping Post” to close out the set. Dogs In a Pile are quickly getting popular and they packed the Mushroom Stage with dancing fans. They started and ended with “Wipeout” and played a masterful “Jack Straw.” Umphrey’s McGee played a heavy set that had the main stage raging, with songs like “Remind Me” and “Escape Goat.” Tauk played an incredibly energetic set with the help of the ever-talented Kanika Moore on vocals. Ween was up next with a great set filled with exceptional vocals and guitar solos, spanning 25 songs.
Fans were going crazy for favorites like “Roses Are Free” and “Piss Up a Rope.” LP Giobbi played a two-hour set of Grateful Dead house remixes which was very danceable but left fans with mixed reactions. Due to a food vendor’s propane tank exploding, the pathway to the Mushroom Stage was temporarily blocked off for about an hour. When security finally figured out a path around, I had made it for the last hour of Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Peach which was much more Lotus-like jamtronica rather than the country vibe I was expecting.
Day three was epic. Circles Around the Sun played an incredibly funky, spacey set with Mikaela Davis on the harp. Andy Frasco is quite the entertainer. This year they put him on the main stage, and that wasn’t going to stop him from stage surfing. There was a guy being held up by the crowd on a board while he was throwing jello shots into the crowd via slingshot. Then it was Andy’s turn, he crowd surfed from the stage all the way to the lawn! The set included sit-ins with Dogs in a Pile, Mike Dillon, & Mihali as well as raging covers of “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance and “Ramble On.” The energy was high and Mike Gordon delivered with his band playing new songs off his album like “Guilty Pleasures,” “Mull,” and crowd favorites “Cities,” as well as a raging “Carini” to close out the set. The place was going wild.
Les Claypool played an epic set including Pink Floyd’s Animals album in its entirety with masterful solos by Sean Lennon. Les wore a pig mask for a song and a disco ball helmet on “Whamola” to close out his set. My Morning Jacket played an absolutely rocking set with incredible vocals by Jim James including a Beatles cover of “The Ballad of John & Yoko” and a Rolling Stones cover of “Happy”. The place was lit up like a giant disco ball and everyone was dancing hard. Australian Pink Floyd put on a spectacle, playing Dark Side in full with three incredible female vocalists doing the vocal parts in “Great Gig in The Sky.” They covered favorites like “Wish You Were Here” and “Comfortably Numb” as well as digging deep in the archives with “High Hopes” and “See Emily Play.” Their stage antics included a giant teacher monster the size of the stage during “Another Brick In The Wall” as well as a giant inflatable bouncing Kangaroo.
The final day had come but it wasn’t over yet. Ghost Light played a packed set at the Mushroom Stage including the very catchy “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.” Tom Hamilton would later return to the Main Stage to play an electric set that had every deadhead grooving on their feet. This featured crowd favorites like “Shakedown Street,” “Hell In a Bucket,” “I Need a Miracle” and a Jack Straw to close out the set that had Tom Hamilton shredding a solo like a madman! Rain delayed Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel since the Mushroom stage is uncovered, but they eventually got around to playing an incredible set featuring a cover of his father Dickey Bett’s “Blue Sky.”
Ziggy Marley was up at the main stage keeping the energy very…high. This included Bob Marley songs like “Jammin” and “War” as well as originals like “Look Who’s Dancing.” There were some rumors going around about Tedeschi Trucks Band not playing that night, but boy did they prove us wrong. The crowd was a bit tired at this last set but still going strong. The combination of Derek’s masterful shredding, Susan’s vocals, and their diversely talented big band proves to be a true powerhouse. Their set included covers like the opener “Woman to Woman” by Joe Cocker and “Dreams” by the Allman Brothers as well as many originals like the epic “Midnight in Harlem.” The band came back out for a massive encore ending with “Space Captain” a Matthew Moore cover that featured a dueling drum solo and a guitar solo by Derek that almost blew the roof off.
This festival is filled with incredible music and loving fans. Both old and young are happy to see music veterans they love and discover new younger bands. With a gathering so big on a ski slope is logistically difficult and there will always be some hiccups, but this year went off rather smoothly aside from maybe one small food vendor explosion and a very long shuttle line on the last day. Other than that everything was more than Peachy and filled with respectful people for the most part. In conclusion, I’ll leave you with a lyric from an Allman Brothers song I recently discovered I love called”Blue Sky.” “You’re my blue sky, you’re my sunny day. Lord, you know it makes me high when you turn your love my way.” Another Peach Fest is in the books, see you on the mountain next time!
Liverpool Is The Place (LITP) is back with another summer of concerts in Johnson Park, with 22 acts in total. The series started back on Memorial Day and runs until Aug. 16. With almost two shows per week, concerts take place on Monday and Wednesday at 7 PM.
Liverpool is located just North of Syracuse, on the shores of Onondaga Lake. Liverpool Is The Place is focused on organizing cultural events and raising money for local programs. The goal of LITP is to encourage community gatherings between people of all ages and backgrounds in the Greater Liverpool area.
Each concert takes place at Johnson Park, where guests are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or blankets. This summer’s lineup of performers features a wide variety of sounds and genres. Rock, pop, folk, country, and blues will all be represented by a diverse set of artists.
