NYS Music 2023

Category: Genres

  • Ludacris to Perform at New York State Fair

    The New York State Fair has a stellar lineup of musicians coming this summer, including rapper and actor Ludacris performing on Thursday, Aug. 31 at the Suburban Park Stage.

    Ludacris

    Founded in 1832 by a group of local farmers for agriculture and local fairs, The Great New York State Fair did not become a musical showcase until the 1950s and 1960s, when the fair began gearing towards entertainment. Just announced, Ludacris will perform at the Fair along with a number of other great artists and bands. He will recently reprise his role as Tej in the Fast & Furious franchise’s newest film, Fast X, due out May 19. Beginning his career as a rapper, Ludacris has been nominated for twenty Grammy awards, winning three over the years including “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration” for the song “Yeah!” in 2005, and both “Best Rap Song” for “Money Maker” and “Best Rap Album” for Release Therapy in 2007.

    He has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide, and spent a solid 15 years at the top of the charts for hits including “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” and “My Chick Bad.” More recently, Ludacris created the Netflix animated series Karma’s World, geared toward children ages six to nine years old, following the story of a young Black girl who is finding her voice and using it to change the world. “Ludacris has as much heart as he does star power, and we’re really lucky to be able to have him join us this summer,” said Interim Fair Director Sean Hennessey. “We think fairgoers will be excited too! Recently, feedback from fairgoers has indicated to us that they’d like to see us book more rap artists, and we’re happy to deliver! When you think about music and pop culture going back to the early 2000s, Ludacris has been a part of so many moments.”

    The Aug. 31 performance will be his second appearance at the NYS Fair, playing to more than 30,000 people at Chevy Court in 2018. The Fair starts Wednesday, August 23, and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. All concerts within the Chevrolet Music Series are free with admission to the Fair.

  • Grateful Dead May 9, 1977 show at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium stands toe to toe with Barton Hall

    Fresh on the heels of the much loved Barton Hall show, the Grateful Dead followed up that evening with a show at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium the next night. Some consider this show to be superior to 5/8/77, one that is overshadowed by years of hype and adoration for the Cornell performance. While the debate will continue, we offer up for your consideration May 9, 1977 as a potentially equal if not better show than the night prior.

    Starting with a “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot” > “Franklin’s Tower” opening trio, the energy takes off over more than 30 minutes to start the show. From there, stand out versions of “Cassidy,” “Tennessee Jed” and a set closing “The Music Never Stopped.” This first set stand out on its own as one of the best you’ll find among 70s Dead shows.

    The second set kicks off with “Bertha” and The Rascals’ “Good Lovin,” before impressive versions of “Ship of Fools” and “Estimated Prophet.” With Donna and Keith Godchaux on board for this journey, the show features a pair of “Not Fade Away” and “Comes a Time” that stand up to any pairing from the previous night in Ithaca.

    Grateful Dead Buffalo
    Order a puzzle of this tape cover here

    Including the shows on May 5 in Boston and May 6 in New Haven, May 1977: Get Shown The Light covers all four incredible shows, a stellar component of one of the Dead’s best years. Enjoy these two shows from Ithaca and Buffalo, a true sign that the Grateful Dead perform with the highest caliber when in the Empire State.

  • The Next Festival of Emerging Artists Announces 10th Anniversary Schedule

    In celebration of the 10th anniversary, The Next Festival of Emerging Artists has announced their season schedule, which will take place from May 26 – June 9, at various venues in NYC, including the Kaufman Music Center and Tishman Auditorium.

    Next Festival of Emerging Artists

    The Next Festival of Emerging Artists, founded in 2013, provides young performers and composers (ages 20-30) with an immersion into 21st century music. Designed to cultivate the next generation of 360° artists, the Festival focuses on contemporary music, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and developing artist citizens. A champion for living composers, Next Festival commissions new compositions by both established and early career composers every year, presenting over 75 Guest Artists in the last 10 years, including Pulitzer, Grammy, and MacArthur award winners. Prioritizing artist futures, not the present bottom line, the Festival supports Fellows through a radical “pay-what-you-can” model, ensuring that deserving talent is able to participate regardless of financial circumstances. The Festival has been awarded grants by the Amphion, ASCAP and BMI foundations, and the Copland Fund for Music.

    Headling this years festival is guitarist Yvette Young. Hot off the heels of a national tour with her math-rock band Covet, Young will work directly with 20 hand selected string musicians from all over the country in the creation of new work for string orchestra. 

    Residencies and performances will take place as part of American Composers Orchestra’s SONiC Festival in New York City and at PS21/Performance Spaces for the 21st Century in Chatham, New York.

    It is extremely rare to find a festival that fosters an environment of hard work and camaraderie while making contemporary music its primary focus. The Next Festival is an extraordinary home for new music.

    -Jeffrey Zeigler, Cellist, Past Next Festival Guest Artist

    The Next Festival of Emerging Artists Schedule

    The 2023 SONiC Festival opens with Ecstatic Music, featuring multi-Grammy nominated violinist Curtis Stewart, alongside pianist and Kaufman Music Center Resident Aaron Diehl, the Harlem Quartet, and a chamber orchestra of musicians from The Next Festival of Emerging Artists and Kaufman Center’s Special Music School, conducted by Peter Askim. A New Sounds Live co-presentation hosted by WNYC’s John Schaefer, the program brings new creative voices to the fore, in part through reinterpreting works from the past, including the world premiere of Stewart’s ACO-commissioned work Embrace.

    Thursday, June 1, 7:30pm
    Ecstatic Music Series / American Composers Orchestra’s SONiC Festival
    Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 W 67th St, New York, NY 10023
    Tickets $25:

    Next Festival of Emerging Artists

    Friday, June 2, 7:30pm
    Program of World Premieres for String Orchestra
    PS21/Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, 2980 NY-66, Chatham, NY 12037
    Pay As You Wish
    All proceeds benefit the Crellin Community Parks & Recreation Department

    Next Festival Performance Fellows will present a 10th Anniversary program of world premieres for string orchestra by 2023 Guest Artist and guitarist Yvette Young, 2022 Pulitzer-Finalist Leilehua Lanzilotti, violinist and 2022 fellow alum Che Buford, saxophonist Matthew Evan Taylor, and The Next Festival’s Artistic Director Peter Askim. This event is the culmination of a weeklong residency at PS21’s state-of-the art venue on 100 acres of unspoiled meadows, trails, and woodlands in the heart of the Hudson Valley.

    Saturday, June 3, 7:30pm
    Program of World Premieres / American Composers Orchestra’s SONiC Festival
    Tishman Auditorium at Mannes, 63 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003
    Tickets $20 Suggested Donation

    After two weeks of rehearsals, performances, and individual coaching, Next Festival Fellows share their 10th Anniversary program as part of ACO’s 2023 SONiC Festival, a NYC-wide celebration of the breadth and vibrancy of the nation’s modern composers. The Next Festival will perform new innovative works by Featured Guest Artist Yvette Young, as well as Leilehua Lanzilotti, Che Buford, Matthew Evan Taylor, and Next Festival Director Peter Askim.

    Next Festival of Emerging Artists

    Thursday, June 8, 7pm
    Composer/Choreographer Workshop / ACO’s SONiC Festival and EarShot Program
    Tishman Auditorium at Mannes, 63 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003
    Free with RSVP

    The Next Festival’s 2023 Choreographer, Composer and Performance Fellows premiere new music and dance works, intermingling the world premiere of ACO EarShot compositions with a works-in-progress dance showing. This is the culmination of a week-long workshop, consisting of rehearsals, collaboration and spontaneous creation. ACO’s EarShot is the nation’s first ongoing program for creating relationships between orchestras and composers, in partnership with American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras and New Music USA.

    For Tickets and more information, please visit the Next Festival’s website.

  • Ward Hayden rolls into Rochester on ‘South Shore’ release tour

    Formed nearly 20 years ago on the outskirts of Boston, Ward Hayden & The Outliers have released 9 albums, including South Shore, which was released on May 5. Promoting the album’s release, the band has embarked on tour, with stops this first weekend in May in Syracuse, Rochester, Cleveland, and Columbus.

    The May 6 matinée in Rochester at Abilene was their third trip to the area in the past year as they hit up Abilene in the fall as well as playing to a joyous crowd at CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival last June. The Jazz Festival is the first place I had noticed these talented crooners and their sounds have stuck with me. Mellow, insightful, calming sounds that allow you to just sit back, relax and let your worries drift away.

    The first release off of South Shore is “Breaking up With My Hometown.” A nice mellow number that many people can relate to as they move on from the only surroundings they know. In a recent interview, Hayden says “It was very hard to move on, but you have to leave home if you want to grow. It’s hard to tap into those emotions if you haven’t been anywhere else.”

    With his “pillowy voice of 50s pin-up star” (according to Boston Globe) Ward Hayden & The Outliers 9th studio album is nothing short of spectacular. Starting with “I Can Write a Song About It” to get you deep into thought, South Shore continues with “Hush,” “South Shore,” “Crazy Love,” “Gasoline,” “Things These Days,” “Blink of an Eye,” “I Can’t Wake Up,” “(Breaking Up with) My Hometown,” and “The Great Unknown.”

    Like previous albums every song tells a story, especially the title track “South Shore.” This is an ode to where Hayden grew up. Having moved numerous times, his family finally settled down in Scituate, about 30 miles from Boston. The song talks of his personal struggle of leaving Scituate to discover life and who he was and then having to return as the pandemic took a hold of the country. “The Great Unknown” is about life and all that nobody really knows, deep thoughts that Jack Handy would be proud of. Crazy Love is about just that, crazy love. Was it a first crush? First long term relationship? It doesn’t matter, we have all been there to certain degree.

    And I left home for a while to see where I belonged.
    I searched high and low for a place to call home, but it all felt wrong. And people say, “You can never go home”,
    But I like to think that ain’t so ‘cause if it is I’ve got nowhere to go

    The band includes Josh Kiggans on drums, Cody Nilsen on guitar & Pedal Steel, Greg Hall on upright & electric bass Ward Hayden Vocals & Guitar

    Follow along with Ward Hayden & The Outliers as they tour with their own honky-tonk sounds.

  • Celebrate the legendary Grateful Dead show at Barton Hall, performed 46 years ago today

    It was 46 years ago today that one of the most notable Grateful Dead shows ever was performed at Barton Hall at Cornell University on May 8, 1977. One of the most revered and traded shows in the band’s history, the Barton Hall show is a thing of legend, a perfect way to introduce new fans to the band and a performance for the ages with stand out versions of numerous Dead songs.

    The band played its first of three shows at Cornell (1977, 1980, and 1981) on May 8, 1977, and were booked by the Cornell Concert Commission after some troubles with booking live acts in the years prior. However, this was not the first live campus appearance from the Grateful Dead members. Jerry Garcia Band had performed at Cornell’s Bailey Hall less than two years prior on October 27, 1975. The lineup for the May 1977 show included the core of Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, as well as Donna and Keith Godcheaux.

    grateful dead barton hall
    Cornell ’77 Poster designed by Cornell alumnus Jay Maybrey

    In past years, the Cornell Chimes have commemorated the day with a performance of Grateful Dead tunes on a set of bells housed in historic McGraw Tower. One of the university’s oldest musical traditions, the 21-bells are played primarily by student chimesmasters.

    Read our review of Peter Conners’ ‘Cornell ’77’ and our interview with then-Cornell freshman Larry Reichman who took photos at the legendary show for his book Barton Hall 5/8/77.

    Grateful Dead at Barton Hall, Cornell University, May 8, 1977

    Set 1: New Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Deal, Lazy Lightnin’, Supplication Blues, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Row Jimmy, Dancin’ in the Streets

    Set 2: Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Estimated Prophet, St. Stephen > Not Fade Away > St. Stephen, Morning Dew

    Encore: One More Saturday Night

  • Rock The Bells Announces The F.O.R.C.E. Tour, with Headliner LL Cool J, The Roots, Salt-N-Pepa and more

    Rock The Bells has announced The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), a North American Summer Tour. Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J will take the stage as the headlining performance. The tour begins on June 25th and will be making a stop at the Barclays Center on June 27th. 

    The tour was curated by LL Cool J himself and will mark his first headline arena tour in 30 years. Fans can expect to see additional performances from favorites such as the award-winning Hip-Hop band The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip. In select cities fans can also watch the legends Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, De La Soul, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss, and Rick Ross perform live. 

    LL Cool J is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, two-time Grammy Award-winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, actor, author, NAACP Image Award winner, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder and CEO of Rock The Bells. The icon has one of the most multifaceted careers in entertainment and continuously showcases his wide range of talents with every project. To this day LL Cool J increases his success throughout his trailblazing career after three decades.

    In March 2018, LL Cool J launched his own SiriusXM timeless Hip-Hop channel titled “LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio,” and it garnered millions of daily listeners. The channel features Hip-Hop content, music, interviews, and in-depth retrospectives curated, programmed, and presented by the award-winning artist. LL COOL J’S Rock The Bells has developed into a global platform that has become the preeminent voice for timeless Hip-Hop. More information about the platform can be found here.

    General on-sale kicks off on Friday, April 28 and can be purchased here. 

    TOUR DATES

    6/25     Boston, MA                     TD Garden

    6/27     Brooklyn, NY                   Barclays Center

    6/28     Newark, NJ                     Prudential Center

    6/29     Toronto, ON                  Scotiabank Arena

    7/1       Baltimore, MD               CFG Bank Arena

    7/2       Washington, DC             Capital One Arena

    7/4       Atlanta, GA                     State Farm Arena

    7/6       Hollywood, FL                Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

    7/8       Raleigh, NC                     PNC Arena

    7/9       Charlotte, NC                 Spectrum Center

    8/12     Cleveland, OH                Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse           

    8/13     Chicago, IL                     United Center

    8/18     Detroit, MI                    Little Caesars Arena

    8/19     St. Louis, MO                  Enterprise Center

    8/20     Indianapolis, IN              Gainbridge Fieldhouse                       

    8/22     Memphis, TN                  FedExForum

    8/23     New Orleans, LA            Smoothie King Center

    8/24     Ft. Worth, TX                  Dickies Arena

    8/25     Houston, TX                   Toyota Center

    8/27     Albuquerque, NM         Sandia Casino Amphitheater

    8/29     Denver, CO                    Ball Arena

    9/1       San Francisco, CA          Chase Center             

    9/2       Las Vegas, NV                MGM Grand Garden Arena

    9/3       Los Angeles, CA              Kia Forum

  • In Focus: Mikaela Davis Kicks Off Spring Residency At Funk ‘n Waffles In Syracuse

    A quick walk through Syracuse’s Armory Square on the evening of Thursday, May 4 would have provided an astute listener the sounds to give hope that another winter was behind us.  Conversation drifted from sidewalk tables, birds sang from nearby trees, and the music of Mikaela Davis poured from Syracuse’s Funk ’n Waffles, as the band kicked off their “Here Comes Sunshine” spring residency.  This was the first of three scheduled performances at Funk ‘n Waffles for the band.

    Davis, a native of Rochester, is a classically trained harpist who has toured extensively over the last decade.  She has built the reputation of being one of the brightest rising stars in the music industry.  In 2018 she released her debut solo album, Delivery.  Soon after the release, she joined forces with her backing band Southern Star.  The band, who consist of brothers Shane (bass guitar) and Cian McCarthy (guitar), Alex Cote (drums) and Kurt Johnson (pedal steel, guitar), have compiled an impressive touring resume. They have previously shared the stage with artists such as Bob Weir, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive, and will tour with The Mountain Goats and later this year.  The five members have contributed to the band’s unique and refreshing sound.

    Of late, the band has become known for their seasonal residency concerts;  three concerts over consecutive weeks in the same city.  The concert consists of two sets of music; one set of original music, and a second set of Grateful Dead covers. After selling out many residency shows across New York State this past winter, the band have again returned for a spring slate.  

    Shortly after 8pm the band took to the stage and launched into the groovy “Don’t Stop Now”.  The song’s drum and bass rhythm would soon be joined by the familiar sounds of Davis’s harp plucking and the night would be under way.  The first set would consist of tracks from 2018’s Delivery as well as offerings from the band’s upcoming release And Southern Star.   The songs placed Davis’s talents on full display, with her vocals and signature harp style blending beautifully with the band’s accompaniment.  A highlight of the first set would be the band’s performance of “Far From You”, the the hauntingly beautiful first offering off of And Southern Star.

    After a short intermission, the band would return to the stage for a set consisting entirely of Grateful Dead covers.  The stage, which was draped in bohemian decor, offered a fitting backdrop for the remainder of the evening.  During this portion of the evening, the band’s musical talent’s were really able to shine.  Grateful Dead classics turned in to musical jam sessions, while the near capacity audience filled the area closest to the stage and danced along.  During one jam session, Davis abandoned her seat at the harp, and each band member took a different percussive instrument.  They led the audience on an extended drum solo jam, much to the audiences’ delight.  

    After a brief encore, the band returned to the stage and closed out the evening with their rendition of Grateful Dead’s “Bird Song”.  The combination of Davis’s vocals and harp playing allowed for the classic track to soar to new heights.  The evening’s combination of original music along with Grateful Dead classics make for an evening of must see music.  Be sure to catch the band on one of their upcoming residency shows.  

    Mikaela Davis Residency Shows

    5/8 – Ithaca NY – Deep Dive

    5/9 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville

    5/10 – Albany NY – Parish Public House

    5/11 – Syracuse NY – Funk ‘n Waffles

    5/15 – Rochester NY – Lilac Festival

    5/16 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville

    5/18 – Syracuse NY – Funk ‘n Waffles

    5/19 – Albany NY – Parish Public House

  • Billy Idol Energizes Fallsview Casino

    Friday, May 5th was the return of Billy Idol to Niagara Falls at the Fallsview Casino in Ontario, Canada. Before Billy Idol took the stage, Kelsey Karter & The Heroines opened the night with their unique blend of rock and pop. The energy of the crowd was palpable as they eagerly awaited the start of the concert.

    Unfortunately, the band faced some challenges as two of their members were denied entry into Canada, resulting in a more mellow set than they had originally planned. Despite this setback, Kelsey Karter & The Heroines still impressed with their impressive vocals and dynamic stage presence.

    Kelsey Karter

    Kelsey Karter’s voice was a highlight of the performance, soaring effortlessly over the band’s catchy melodies. Their set included original songs such as “Bad News,” “Harry,” and “God Knows I’ve Tried,” showcasing their songwriting skills and musical prowess. Despite the unplanned changes, Kelsey Karter & The Heroines still managed to get the audience excited for the main event. Their performance was a great warm-up for Billy Idol, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of music and celebration.

    Overall, the night was a success, with Kelsey Karter & The Heroines paving the way for Billy Idol’s explosive performance. Despite the challenges they faced, they still managed to put on an impressive show and get the audience hyped up for what was to come.

    Billy Idol

    The setlist was fantastic, featuring a mix of Billy Idol’s classic hits and fan favorites. The show started with “Dancing With Myself,” a Generation X song that got the crowd pumped up right from the start. Other hits like “Cradle of Love,” “Flesh for Fantasy,” and “Eyes Without a Face” had everyone singing along. Steve Stevens’ guitar solo was a real showstopper, with him playing Led Zeppelin’s “Over the Hills and Far Away” and “Stairway to Heaven” to the delight of the audience. “Mony Mony,” a Tommy James & the Shondells cover, got the crowd moving and grooving.

    Billy Idol

    The setlist also included lesser-known tracks like “Running From the Ghost” and “One Hundred Punks,” which showed off the depth and range of Billy Idol’s music. The Blue Highway/Top Gun Anthem medley was a lovely tribute to the late composer Harold Faltermeyer. The encore was phenomenal, with Billy Idol belting out “Hot in the City” and “White Wedding.” The night ended on a high note with the entire audience singing along to “Happy Birthday to You” in honor of Steve Stevens.

    Billy Idol

    Overall, the Billy Idol concert at Fallsview Casino was an unforgettable experience. The setlist was impressive, and the performance was top-notch. Billy Idol and his band proved that they still know how to rock the stage after all these years, and the celebration of Steve Stevens’ birthday made the night all the more special. If you ever get a chance to see Billy Idol live, we highly recommend it! For more information about the tour, and to see Idol live, visit here.

  • St. Paul & The Broken Bones Tour Stops in Central Park, The Cap, SPAC and more

    American Soul band St. Paul & The Broken Bones have announced their newest tour. The run of dates finds the southern octet playing SummerStage in Central Park, Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre, Saratoga Performing Arts Center and more.

    The upcoming performances celebrate St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ acclaimed album Angels In Science Fiction, out now on ATO Records. Produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, John Prine, Elvis Presley) and recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, Angels In Science Fiction was written in the span of a few weeks after bandleader Paul Janeway learned that his wife was pregnant with their daughter, Marigold. Following the examples set by greats like Aristotle, William James and John Steinbeck, Janeway penned the album as a series of letters to his then-unborn daughter.

    Founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 2011, St. Paul & The Broken Bones consists of Paul Janeway (vocals), Jesse Phillips (bass), Browan Lollar (guitar), Kevin Leon (drums), Al Gamble (keyboards), Allen Branstetter (trumpet), Chad Fisher (trombone) and Amari Ansari (saxophone). The eight-piece ensemble burst into the world with their 2014 debutHalf the City, establishing a sound that quickly became a calling card and landing the band a slew of major festivals including Lollapalooza, Coachella and Glastonbury. Critical praise from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, SPIN and NPR followed, leading to shared stages with some of the world’s biggest artists—Elton John and The Rolling Stones among them—and launching an impressive run of headlining tours behind what Esquire touted as a “potent live show that knocks audiences on their ass.”

    The group has continued to expand their sound with every record, branching out well beyond old-school soul into sleek summertime funk and classic disco on albums like 2018’s Young Sick Camellia. Their latest LP, Angels In Science Fiction, stretches their limbs further afield, building on the shadowy psychedelia and intricate, experimental R&B of 2022’s The Alien Coast. The new record finds Janeway at his very best. With Angels In Science Fiction, St. Paul & The Broken Bones have crafted their most moving, comprehensive work—spanning their entire sonic and emotional scope.

    TOUR DATES

    May 20-21—Knoxville, TN—Southern Skies Festival
    May 21—Greenville, SC—Peace Center Concert Hall
    May 23—Augusta, GA—Miller Theatre
    May 25—Wilmington, NC—Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
    May 25-28—Cumberland, MD—DelFest
    May 25-28—Martinsville, VA—Rooster Walk 13
    June 10—New York, NY—SummerStage in Central Park
    June 17-18—Los Angeles, CA—Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival
    June 18—Napa, CA—Blue Note Summer Sessions
    June 23—Greenfield, MA—Green River Festival
    June 25—Saratoga Springs, NY—Saratoga Performing Arts Center
    July 8—Saskatoon, Canada—Sasktek Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
    July 9—Calgary, AB—Calgary Stampede
    July 23—Stuttgart, Germany—Jazz Open Stuttgart
    August 11—Telluride, CO—Telluride Jazz Festival 2023
    August 17—Minneapolis, MN— Bauhaus Brew Labs
    August 25—Tisbury, MA—Beach Road Weekend
    September 23—Louisville, KY—Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
    September 24—Bloomington, IL—Castle Theatre
    September 26—Indianapolis, IN—Murat Theater
    September 27—Kalamazoo, MI—State Theater
    September 29—Chicago, IL—Riviera Theater
    September 30—Milwaukee, WI—Pabst Theater
    October 1—Detroit, MI—Royal Oak Music Theatre
    October 3—Toronto, ON—Queen Elizabeth Theatre
    October 5—Boston, MA—Emerson Colonial Theatre
    October 6—Montclair, NJ—Wellmont Theater
    October 7—Port Chester, NY—Capitol Theatre
    October 9—Huntington, NY—The Paramount
    October 10—Washington, D.C.—Warner Theatre
    October 11—Durham, NC—Carolina Theatre
    October 13—Charlotte, NC—Knight Theater
    October 14—Charleston, SC—Charleston Music Hall
    October 29—Pelham, TN—The Caverns
    October 30—Memphis, TN—Minglewood Hall
    October 31—Wichita, KS—Wave
    November 2—Dallas, TX—Majestic Theatre
    November 3—Austin, TX—Paramount Theatre
    November 4—Austin, TX—Paramount Theatre
    November 6—Tuscon, AZ—Fox Theatre
    November 8—San Diego, CA—The Magnolia
    November 10—San Luis Obispo, CA—Fremont Theater
    November 13—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom
    November 14—Vancouver, BC—Vogue Theatre
    November 15—Seattle, WA—Moore Theatre
    November 17—Salt Lake City, UT—Capitol Theater
    November 18—Denver, CO—Ellie Caulkens Opera House
    November 19—Aspen, CO—Belly Up Aspen
    November 20—Cheyenne, WY—Cheyenne Civic Center

    Tickets are on sale now at the bands website.

  • Ellicottville Summer Music Festival On June 30-July 2, Headlined by Former Members of Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire

    The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce has announced the lineup for this year’s Summer Musical Festival at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, New York.

    “The Players” including former members of the stellar bands Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire will take the stage on July 1st as the headlining performers. Barracuda, America’s Heart Tribute, will also perfrom, taking fans back in time with 70s, 80s, and 90s hits. 

    The Summer Music Festival is a three-day event and is a tradition to those who spend the July 4th holiday in Ellicottville, NY. The weekend will be filled with live music, fun, and a spectacle firework show right above your head. Guests can bring chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to echoey the show. The festival is a one-of-a-kind event for the whole family

    Acclaimed rock band Chicago is among the most popular American recording artists of all time. The band was formerly known as the Chicago Transit Authority before they shortened the name to the city it was founded in. With over one hundred million sales in records, Chicago distinguished itself from other rock bands of the late 1960s. Earth, Wind & Fire is a pop, soul and jazz fused band that became one of the top-selling and most influential groups of the 1970s. The band is renowned for their remarkable versatility. Throughout the years the group has given their fans soulful ballads, spiritual anthems, Afro-Caribbean jazz, driving funk and rock, and upbeat disco dance hits.

    Bill Champlin, the two-time Grammy winner, and former member of Chicago will be joined by the former Chicago members Jeff Coffey and Keith Howland. Gorden Campbell, the former drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire will also accompany the Chicago members. Fans can expect to dance the night away with hits like “If You Leave Me Now,” “You’re the Inspiration” and “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” from Chicago and “Shining Star”, “Boogie Wonderland” and “September” from Earth, Wind & Fire.

    “We are ecstatic to have a soulful, jazz group come together with an iconic rock and roll group for one special night that families of all ages can enjoy!”

    -Brian McFadden, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

    Barracuda-America’s Heart Tribute has earned the reputation for one of the best tribute bands by recreating the rock band, Heart’s greatest hits with mind-blowing accuracy. Each member has traveled the world with an impressive number of years of experience and skill. Barracuda-America’s Heart Tribute is recognized for their masterful vocals, brilliant musicianship and unceasing over-the-top performances which has created a solid foundation for this extraordinary tribute. 

    Don’t wait to spread the word and make plans to kick off your fourth of July weekend with Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival. More information about the Summer Musical Festival and tickets can be found here.