NYS Music 2023

Category: Genres

  • Brew York Festival Returns With Headliners The Cold Stares and The Georgia Thunderbolts

    Brew York has announced it will return to Madison Barracks Polo Fields in Sackets Harbor on Aug. 26 featuring a wide variety of bands and activities.

    Brew York is an all ages event (kids 12 and under free) and features live music on two stages, as well as Beer, wine, & whiskey vendors, free tastings, food trucks, cornhole tournament, kids zone, and select craft/artisan vendors. Now in its seventh year, Brew York continues to showcase local, regional, and national acts.

    Headlining this year’s festival is The Cold Stares, an American rock band from Indiana formed in 2009. The Cold Stares have toured the world relentlessly as a duo, blowing away audiences across the US and Europe with a fierce, and powerful live show that belied their bare-bones, guitar-and-drums setup. Now, the band is embracing a whole new kind of chemistry as they launch their next chapter, adding a third member and channeling the power trio sound with their explosive new album, Voices.

    Also, headlining is The Georgia Thunderbolts, a Southern rock-infused group with a style steeped in soulful Southern swagger, blistering blues, and raw rock. Released in October of 2021, the quintet’s full-length debut Can We Get A Witness conjures a tried-and-true spirit through a fresh fire, with undeniable anthems and pulse-pounding percussion.

    The Brew York lineup also includes Mike Powell & The Echosound, The Old Main, Josh Cox & The Rattlesnakes, Undefeated, The Grizzly Ridge Band, Bread & Circuses, Joey Collins & The Creatives, and a Dusk Dance Party with “The Strictly Hip.”

    Proceeds and event donations will be split this year between sponsors and Fighting Children’s Cancer, with their newly established ROCC Charity. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.

  • Griselda Umbrella: Keisha “Paint the Town” Plum

    Hip-hop artists are the most envied and least protected individuals on the planet. Many pursue a rap career without knowledge of the risks associated with the occupation. Keisha Plum could be considered a rapper, yet she never has to sound like one. She sounds sensuous and soulful as her poetic tongue glides down the back end of Griselda tracks. A true spoken word poet – this woman gives hope to those who speak their truth in the form of soliloquies.

    In Plum Poetry We Trust

    Keisha Plum – a.k.a Buffalo Jill – drips Tears of Honey onto every page. A great deal of her poetry began when she would send meaningful letters to her brother who was serving in the military.

    keisha plum

    Growing up in Buffalo made her gravitate toward the African American Cultural Center to express herself. Within the AACC compound, she learned what she could do with her craft. A young Keisha Plum learned about her roots through various mediums of cultural black excellence. 

    “If Rakim & Nikki Giovanni did the nasty, they would have had me.”

    K.Plum on Flygod

    She learned that she could write poetry and talk shit at the same time. Obviously, it is much deeper than that but it is evident that she enjoys to paint vivid pictures with her poems. Drawing incredible inspiration from the likes of Maya Angelou, this phenomenal woman lays down piercing poetry that encapsulates the entire Griselda movement. 

    Griselda the Behemoth

    Griselda Records hits you from so many different angles. With nearly 30 artists on roster – each one brings something different and puts the listener into a different perspective on each and every track. 

    Not to mention, they are the head of the umbrella to all of these spectacular artists that hear their work and strive to go harder than the day before. It is such a blessing to discover all of these underground talents adjacent to Griselda who just want to put their own spin on it. 

    keisha plum

    Clearly, Westside Gunn never even had to touch a mic and he would still be set – his kid’s great-grandkids would be set. But we are so glad he did. His lead-by-example no nonsense approach, creative direction and guerilla marketing tactics place him head and shoulders above the competition.

    Estee Nack, Keisha Plum, 1000Words, Rome Streetz

    Westside Gunn is the type of individual who ensures that his legacy will carry on for generations. Ultimately, humans judgment ultimately occurs as a result of outcomes. Did you push yourself every day to ensure that your work will live on when your physical form no longer can? WSG pushes him and his team to their furthest extent – hence all of the new artists and real rap that has risen to the forefront in the past decade. 

    Buffalo Kids Stick Together

    Westside Gunn and Keisha Plum attended Grammar School for the Gifted & Talented together. When Keisha had to settle for a retail job, Wes pulled up on her at the mall to recruit her talent. He wrote poems for Keisha to lay down in the booth as everything came into fruition with meticulous planning and preparation. It was just up to her to fine tune the content, plug & play words that she saw fit and ultimately execute the vision laid before her. 

    The most impressive part about Keisha Plum and her ascension is the way that she bends the genre backwards and flips hip-hop on its headpiece. She is living proof that if you know yourself – know your worth – know what you’re capable of doing – and act upon ideas you can be successful. This woman is single-handedly rearranging the constructs of hip-hop one spoken word at a time.

    Interested in hearing her live? Catch her at The Cookout in September.

  • Jenny Lewis Brings Joy & A Lust For Life To College Street Music Hall In New Haven, CT

    This past Sunday evening, July 16, in the heart of New Haven’s downtown arts district, veteran singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis paid a visit to College Street Music Hall (CSMH), a historic concert hall constructed in the mid-1920s that was nearly sold-out to its holding capacity of 2,000 souls.

    Jenny Lewis | Photo: Michael Dinger

    Lewis is touring in support of her latest solo album Joy’All (Blue Note/Capitol) released last month, a good portion of which was written in early-2021 during a week-long virtual songwriting workshop hosted by Beck. For more than 90 minutes, the co-founder of the charting indie outfit Rilo Kiley in the late-1990s did not disappoint en route to a dazzling performance. But more on our treasured country-rock troubadour a bit later.

    College Street Music Hall Marquee | Photo: Michael Dinger

    The first of two opening acts was Hayden Pedigo, an eccentric 29-year old performance artist who also moonlights as a model and even a politician – he campaigned in 2018 to fill a City Council seat in his native Amarillo, TX. Pedigo mesmerized the growing audience on the general admission floor with four tranquil instrumental pieces featuring exquisite fingerpicking on an acoustic Yamaha 12-string and an electric Epiphone.

    Hayden Pedigo | Photo: Michael Dinger

    Following Pedigo was Cass McCombs who hails from Concord, CA, but calls NYC his home. Born in 1977, the alt-country musician who owns the reputation as one of the great songwriters of his generation was backed by a trio of touring musicians on bass, drums and keyboards. Like Pedigo, music is not McCombs’ only passion – in 2020, a book of his poetry was published titled Toy Fabels, with illustrations by none other than McCombs himself. For nearly 40 minutes, and without much pandering to the audience, the quartet presented a set filled with jaw-droppingly gorgeous, soulful rock delivered with a laid-back attitude, which was more than fine by me.

    Cass McCombs | Photo: Michael Dinger

    Smack in the middle of an 18-date tour that kicked off in early-June in Nashville, TN, including an appearance by Lewis at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, the Las Vegas native who first gained prominence in the 1980s as a child actress took to the CSMH stage at 9:15 pm. Bathed in a sea of red, purple and blue lights and accompanied by a foursome of all-female musicians, Lewis gracefully glided about the stage, frequenting an elevated circular platform adorned in red roses or taking a seat at her piano which was positioned front and center.

    Lewis’ evocative lyricism was on full display from the jump with “Psychos,” the lead single from Joy’All and her first No. 1 song on a Billboard chart that she earned only two days prior to the CSMH show. Lewis would go on to gift her fans four more songs from Joy’All, but she was sure to spread the wealth around from her discography, including “Red Bull & Hennessy” (On the Line, 2019), “Head Underwater” (The Voyager, 2014) and the title track from 2008’s Acid Tongue.

    Jenny Lewis | Photo: Michael Dinger

    During the sugary-sweet “Cherry Baby” (Joy’All), red, white and silver balloons were released into the air, much to the delight of the audience, many of whom were in their late-teens and early-20s and sung along to the chorus on several songs. Several of the flailing balloons that were being batted around by the fans depicted the likeness of Bobby Rhubarb, Lewis’ beloved two-year old black Cockapoo who even has her own Instagram account with more than 5,600 followers! Two tunes later, during “Just One of the Guys” (The Voyager), one of the balloons mysteriously hovered between Lewis and her bassist at stage left. Static electricity? A demonic possession? Check out the video below and you decide what the strange occurrence may have been attributed to.

    Speaking of Lewis’ dog, as the show turned for the home stretch, the rotary dial telephone sitting atop her piano suddenly rang. It was Bobby Rhubarb on the other end of the line, and she had a joke for all of us! Because most of us in attendance did not speak the “bark” language, Lewis translated, “Why is it so hot at the Grateful Dead show? Because their fans don’t work!” As part of the four song encore, Lewis offered up two wonderfully rendered covers – “Lust for Life” by Girls and the night’s finale, “With Arms Outstretched,” by none other than Rilo Kiley from 2002’s The Execution of All Things.

    Following its New Haven stopover, The Joy’All Tour continues for three more weeks, including scheduled dates along the west coast in early-August. For the final three shows of the tour – Bend, OR (August 3), Concord, CA (August 5) and Inglewood, CA (August 7) – Lewis will be joined by the aforementioned Beck and Phoenix, who are embarking on a split bill of their own next month.

    Jenny Lewis | Photo: Michael Dinger

    No rest for the weary, Lewis and the indie pop supergroup The Postal Service, a trio that she has been a part of since 2002 with Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello, will be hitting the road on a co-headlining, 30-date U.S. tour (performing Give Up in its entirety to celebrate the album’s 20th Anniversary) with Death Cab for Cutie this fall. So, in case you missed Lewis this time around, or you just cannot get enough of the “redheaded indie wet dream,” as the rock critic Robert Christgau fittingly referred to her in a 2004 piece for The Village Voice piece, she’ll be back soon!

    Jenny Lewis Setlist: Psychos > Do Si Do > She’s Not Me > Late Bloomer > Joy’all > Red Bull & Hennessy > Heads Gonna Roll > Head Underwater > Giddy Up > Cherry Baby > Little White Dove > Just One of the Guys > Puppy and a Truck > Acid Tongue > Encore: The Next Messiah > Lust for Life (Girls cover) > With Arms Outstretched (Rilo Kiley song)

    HAYDEN PEDIGO

    CASS MCCOMBS

    JENNY LEWIS

  • Hip Hop Pioneer Slick Rick Added to NYS Fair Lineup

    Hip hop pioneer Slick Rick has announced he will make his New York State Fair debut on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. as part of the statewide  I Love NY Summer of Hip Hop celebration.

    With his British accent, witty lyrics spoken through a leisurely cadence, and nasally voice, Slick Rick has one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop. Featuring legendary lyrics and note-worthy fashion, he has inspired many artists including JAY-Z, Eminem, and Idris Elba. Dubbed “the most sampled hip-hop artist in history,” it all started in 1984 when Slick Rick – who went by “Ricky D” at the time – joined Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh crew to record the breakout hit, “La-Di-Da-Di.” He then signed to Def Jam Records and had several multi-platinum albums, including The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988) and The Art of Storytelling (1999), his highest-charting album to date.

    Not just an inspiring artist, he also is active in the New York City real estate community, providing affordable housing to communities in the Bronx. As a philanthropist, he supports efforts to fight youth incarceration and poverty, and works to raise awareness about homelessness, food insecurity, and children’s literacy. In 2020, Slick Rick and his wife co-founded the Victory Patch Foundation, which empowers underserved and overlooked communities by partnering with FreshDirect, City Harvest, and the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development.

    I Love NY Summer of Hip Hop is a statewide celebration held in partnership with cultural organizations around the state – including Lincoln Center in New York City, The Plaza in Albany, and The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. “Since The Fair is a showcase of New York State, we also appreciate Slick Rick’s connections to New York. Hip hop was founded in The Bronx, which is where Slick Rick settled when he moved to this country at age 11, and where he spends time advocating for community causes today. It’s always great when we can highlight New Yorkers in our musical line-up!” said Sean Hennessey, Interim Fair Director.

    New York State Fair Lineup

    Chevy Court

    Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.- Chubby Checker

    Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.- Salt-N-Pepa

    Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.- Quiet Riot

    Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.- Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Adventure 

    Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.- Julio Iglesias Jr. 

    Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.- The Prodigals

    Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.- Matt Stell

    Aug. 28 at 1 p.m.- Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone

    Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.- Anne Wilson

    Aug. 29 at 1 p.m.- Tommy James and the Shondells

    Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.- Bret Michaels

    Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.- Danielle Ponder

    Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.- Chapel Hart

    Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.- The Fray

    Sept. 2 at 12-9:45 p.m.- JAMS Funk Fest Featuring: Brick (6:45 p.m.) & Dazz Band (8:15 p.m.)

    Sun. Sept. 3 at 1 p.m.- Disney Junior Live On tour: Costume Palooza

    Sept. 4 at 12 p.m.- The High Kings

    Suburban Park

    Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.- Steven Page

    Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.- Lainey Wilson

    Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.- Theory of a Deadman

    Aug. 26 at 2 p.m.- Slick Rick

    Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.- George Thorogood and the Destroyers

    Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.- Boys World

    Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.- REO Speedwagon

    Aug. 29 at 8 p.m- Tyler Hubbard

    Aug. 30 at 8 p.m.- Ann Wilson

    Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.- Ludacris

    Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.- J.I.D.

    Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.-Quinn XCII

    Sept. 3 at 8 p.m.- Yung Gravy and bbno$

    Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.- Skid Row

  • Clipse Duo Pusha T and No Malice to Headline Genius’ IQ/BBQ

    After teasing their return at Pharell’s Louis Vuitton Fashion Show, legendary rap brothers Pusha T and No Malice — known as Clipse — will continue their resurgence with a headlining performance at Genius’ IQ/BBQ. Presented in partnership with Infiniti, Paco Rabanne, Patron El Alto, and Paramount+ with Showtime’s The Chi, the all-day event takes place on August 19 at Knockdown Center in Queens, N.Y., and will feature live performances from some of the hottest names in hip-hop, including the platinum-selling duo.

    Clipse duo Pusha T and No Malice will be performing at Genius' IQ/BBQ

    In addition to the show, IQ/BBQ will feature experiences like the So Fresh, So Clean Shop from Paco Rabanne 1M, an art installation from Infinity featuring the new QX60, a VIP “Genius Lounge” presented by Patrón El Alto, and a Rap Cafeteria filled with lyric-inspired dishes from local NYC food vendors – presented by Showtime Original Series, The Chi.

    Clipse Making a Comeback

    With this performance, The Clipse continue their teased reunion. After previewing their first joint-record in 14 years the Virginia-bred brothers have garnered fans attention with the teased record. Their last collab was the outro to Pusha T’s most recent album It’s Almost Dry, titled “I Pray for You.”

    Moreover, since their days as The Clipse, the duo have been part of some of hip hop’s most iconic records. Notably, records like “Grindin’,” “Mr. Me Too,” and “What Happened to That Boy.” Since their last album — 2009’s Til The Casket Drops — Pusha T has embarked on a successful solo career that has resulted in several Grammy nominations and recognition as one of the best rappers ever. Meanwhile, No Malice left the music industry to become a pastor making sporadic feature appearances since, including an album cut on Ye’s 2019 release Jesus Is King.

    Tickets for the Genius IQ/BBQ are free and are now available at dice.fm, while the event maintains a 21+ age restriction.

  • Drom30 Festival in Hudson Valley Announces Eclectic Lineup

    Dromedary Records has announced Drom30, a weekend-long celebration of independent rock in the beautiful Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains of New York, from Sept. 15-17.

    Drom30

    Initially brought up as a party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kingston micro-indie Dromedary Records, the idea evolved into a greater event.

    As more and more bands got involved, it really started to look more like a celebration of the entire community of independent rock music, and the many of us who’ve kept our toes in this water for a really long time. Some of the artists have released records with Dromedary, some have been long-time friends, and some have been artists we’ve admired from afar. We’re all going to get together in the Hudson Valley and have a big,
    weekend-long party, hopefully feel like kids again, and celebrate this amazing community of artists we’re so proud to be a part of.

    Dromedary founder Al Crisafulli.

    “We hope people plan to come out to the party and enjoy the Hudson Valley for the weekend,” explained Crisafulli, “It’s a great lineup, an excellent blend of indie rock royalty, and great bands that haven’t played together in years, and younger bands that wear their 90s indie rock influences on their sleeve.” The lineup includes a number of musical luminaries, standout DJs, and some of the most important figures in the history of indie rock. Longtime Dromedary artists and collaborators Cathedral Ceilings, The Mommyheads, Stuyvesant, Joy Cleaner, Civic Mimic, Speed the Plough, and Guy Capecelatro III will perform. Each day’s events will be headlined by indie rock legends Yung Wu, Lotion, and Das Damen, three artists who seldom perform live.

    Single-day passes are on sale now. Admission for Friday night’s events will be $25 and will take place at Tubby’s in Kingston. Admission for Saturday and Sunday events in Catskill will be $40 per day. For more information about Drom30 and to purchase tickets, visit here.

    Drom30 Lineup

    Sept 15 – 7 pm-midnight
    Tubby’s Kingston
    Yung Wu, Speed the Plough, and DJ Jeff Economy (WGXC)

    Sept 16 – 1 pm-midnight
    The Avalon & Left Bank Ciders, Catskill
    Antietam, Sleepyhead, Flower, Cathedral Ceilings, Joy Cleaner, Civic Mimic, Das Damen, French, Dots Will Echo, Guy Capecelatro III w/Carrie Bradley, DJ Mark Shue (GBV), DJ Betsy Wright (Bat Fangs), DJ Al C (Dromedary/WIOX), and DJ Nick & Lysa (WGXC).

    Sept 17 – 3 pm-midnight
    The Avalon & Spike’s Record Rack, Catskill
    Lotion, Monsterland, The Mommyheads, Jenny Toomey & Friends, Dippers, Stuyvesant, Overheard, Bela Koe-Krompecher, DJ Metal Mark (Worldsucks), and DJ JC (Rigorous/KMES).

  • Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s Upcoming Midsummer Nights Concert Series

    The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) has announced the dates of events for its upcoming Midsummer Nights concert series, which will kick off with a special event featuring the recent recipients of the Jazz Leader Fellowship. The free events will take place in July and August, and will be outdoor in front of the BKCM building.

    BKCM is dedicated to giving every New Yorker access to high-quality music instruction and music therapy, as well as to supporting the musical talents of traditionally underserved New York communities. The all-ages event has been curated by BKCM Jazz Leaders Fellow Jasmine Wilson. All events are held at 6:30 p.m..

    Upcoming Shows

    Courtney Wright and Jazz Leader Fellowship Recipients – July 20

    Courtney Wright is a composer and baritone saxophonist based in Brooklyn, and she leads her own quintet and jazz orchestra that plays her original compositions. She will be joined by the winners of the third year of the BKCM Jazz Leaders Fellowship, Melanie Charles and Olithea Anglin (also known as Miss Olithea).

    Melanie Charles has made a name for herself through genre fusions with jazz, soul, rhythm and blues. She has lead a project called “Make Jazz Trill Again” since 2016, focused on taking jazz out of the museum and onto the streets.

    Miss Olithea is a singer, songwriter, producer, and sound healing practitioner, as well as a proud member of the renowned Burnt Sugar Arkestra Chamber. In November 2020, she started her own private studio known as “The Vocal Journey.”

    Courtney Wright

    Akua Dixon – July 27

    Akua Dixon is a cellist, composer, conductor, and educator. She has been at the forefront of improvising string since 1973, and was the first cellist to win the Downbeat Critics Poll. Dixon is also a multi-laureate of the National Endowment for the Arts in composition and performance.

    Akua Dixon

    Milena Casado – Aug. 3

    Milena Casado is a composer, flugelhorn, and trumpet player hailing from Spain. Casado has played with prominent artists, such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis, Aaron Parks, Jazzmeia Horn, Jorge Rossy, Francisco Mela, and Kenny Werner.

    Milena Casado

    Charisa the ViolinDiva – Aug. 10

    Charisa the ViolinDiva is a souljazz violinist and vocalist who has challenged the preconceptions of what a violinist can do in contemporary music. Her talent has led her to perform alongside artists such as Lauryn Hill, Paul McCartney, Vivian Green, Kim Burrell, Cyndi Lauper, and Quincy Jones.

    Charisa the ViolinDiva

    No RSVP is needed to attend any of these free events. More information can be found on BKCM’s website.

  • Organ Fairchild Releases Groovy Cover of Grateful Dead’s “He’s Gone” Ahead of New Album

    New York organist trio Organ Fairchild release a second lead single ahead of their new album Leisure Suit, this time around a groovy cover of the Grateful Dead’s track “He’s Gone.”

    The funky, upbeat instrumental rendition of the well-known song will come out Friday, July 21, 2023, serving as a taste of what’s to come from their second album coming this September.

    Organ Fairchild release Grateful Dead cover song.

    Recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Grammy-winning engineer Justin Guip (HotTuna, Levon Helm) and mastered by Alan Evans (Soulive), the song additionally showcases the band’s love for the Grateful Dead, a group that has meant a lot to them throughout their journey.

    Group members Dave Ruch, Joe Bellanti, and Corey Kertzie originally met and started off as the Wild Knights in 1983, a cover group for the Grateful Dead, incorporating some of their older cover styles with fresh, new funk sounds into the single.

    The three of us grew up playing Grateful Dead music together, so how fun to take our organ-trio format (with no singing and no bass player!) and reinterpret this song.”

    – Dave Ruch

    Coming together as Organ Fairchild in 2020, the trio began writing their first original music together, while also earning the title of New York’s number-one emerging band in 2021.

    Photo via the Organ Fairchild website

    Organ Fairchild is no stranger to large festivals either, playing shows and festivals with Goose, Trey Anastasio Band, Melvin Seals, moe., and many more.

    The lead single drops just one week before Organ Fairchild heads on their “Dead of Summer” Tour. Their tour expects to feature a full set of Grateful Dead covers, organ-trio style, along with a set of their award-winning original material.

  • In Focus: Sweet at Alive at 5

    On Thursday, July 13th, Sweet raced against the storm to deliver for Albany’s fifth installment of Alive at 5.

    Sly Fox at Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs

    Sly Fox and the Hustlers opened classic rock night under I-787. They formed in Albany in 2010 after Sly’s long time friend decided to embark on a solo career. He enlisted the help of guitarist, Zak Young and drummer, Sean Ireland to form the band. They created a classic blues rock and roll sound which has so far produced two albums. Sly Fox and the Hustlers are working on releasing their third album sometime this year.

    Luke McNamee at Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs

    Sly Fox and the Hustlers played about an hour set with the addition of three members. Saxophonist, Luke McNamee, Brian Mangini on the keyboard and John Dievendorf on the bass took the stage to with Sly Fox to modest crowd of Albany’s most loyal rock and rollers. The mood was a bit more mellow as their music leaned more towards a classic blues sound than a typically head banging rock n’ roll beat. Many of the songs were centered more around love, which may have helped to audience understand Sly more. Most of crowd saved their energy by resting in their lawn chairs in anticipation for Sweet. They were left off with a warm farewell before the night was revved up.

    Steve Priest at Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs

    Sweet was a band in the 70s who gained popularity in the UK with from their single “Blockbuster!” They had many songs reach the charts in both the UK and England before they disbanded in 1981. Most of the founding members died between 1997-2020, but they did not stop the legacy from continuing. Guitarist Andy Scott, has formed his own version of Sweet that continues to play shows today and even make music. His version of Sweet, however, was not the version that was in Albany.

    Bassist Steve Priest came out of retirement in 2007 and formed his own version of Sweet. This version shares similarities with Scott’s version, but are not actively making new music. They still are keeping the legacy alive by playing some of Sweet’s best songs at their shows. Their show in Albany was no show for the week hearted as they really gave it their all with the short window they had.

    Jim Burkard at Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs

    The show was moved to Albany’s rain location under I-787, but a torrential storm was so strong the highway could not protect everyone. Nonetheless, the show still went on with a few changes to the set.

    Coming out strong with hits like “Teenage Rampage” and “Set Me Free”, there was not one person still sitting in their seat for the show. Lead singer, Patrick Stone, really meshed with the crowd well by encouraging participation from all. Stone stuck his mic over the crowd, stood on the front speakers, and even ran through the crowd twice to keep everyone energized.

    Patrick Stone singing with fan at Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs

    Even though they could not complete their whole set, they were able to get off their two most notable songs before they departed early. “Fox on the Run”, which regained popularity after being on the The Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, still hit the same as it probably did back in 1974. Crowd members needed very little encouragement to sing it word-for-word with Sweet. The set ended early with “Ballroom Blitz,” which still left the energy on high just before the downpour.

    Steve Priest’s Sweet continues to tour with their next stop being Louisville Kentucky on August 25th.

    Sly Fox and The Hustlers Setlist: Back in Funk, Rough Patch of Road, Giving Dream, Revolution 2012, Look At You, Let Me Down Easy, Smooth, Home By Morning, Forever Young, Find Someone, S.U.N.Y. Girl, American Gypsy, Sympathy

    Sweet Setlist: Action, Teenage Rampage, Set Me Free, Love Is Like Oxygen, Sweet F.A., No You Don’t, Done Me Wrong, Willie/Block/Wig, AC/DC, Fox on the Run, Ballroom Blitz

  • Huntington Summer Arts Festival Hosts Performances Throughout July

    The Huntington Arts Council (HAC) is bringing live music to Long Island during the entire month of July with the Huntington Summer Arts Festival. The festival is now in its 48th season and features performances from July 1- 30. Concerts will take place at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park. 

    Free to attendees, the Huntington Summer Arts Festival aims to celebrate established acts while also highlighting up-and-coming artists. This year’s celebration features festival regulars Huntington Community Band, who perform each Wednesday of the month. Concertgoers still have the chance to see Huntington favorites North Shore Pops Concert Band. 

    Red Baraat

    This summer’s roster of musicians come from a diverse set of musical backgrounds. Genres like swing jazz, latin, R&B/Soul, rock, and classical are all represented at the festival. In addition to music, the Huntington Summer Arts Festival also includes dance and theatrical performances. The group Sol Y Sombra Spanish Dance Company performed earlier this month. Attendees however will still have the opportunity to catch the L.I. Dance Consortium is set to take the stage on July 23. 

    Created in 1963, The Huntington Arts Council has been a pillar in the Long Island arts scene. The organization looks to celebrate and nourish the cultural diversity of Long Island through different avenues. HAC is involved with constructing and sponsoring a multitude of activities, programs, and events. The Council maintains that “the arts create a vibrant, energized, and culturally rich environment”. 

    Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Co.

    Along with the Huntington Summer Arts Festival, HAC has also collaborated with the Folk Music Society of Huntington to bring back the Huntington Folk Festival on July 22. Co-headliners Lucy Kaplansky and Cliff Eberhardt take the stage at 8, with the festival getting underway at 12:30. 

    Below is the upcoming schedule for the Summer Arts Festival. Sunday performances start at 7:00PM, all others performances start at 8:00PM, unless noted. Here for a full list of the lineup and more details about the festival. 

    Remaining Schedule

    Wednesday, July 19 – Huntington Community Band, “Una Celebracion de la Musica Latina”- 7:00PM Jazz Band start time, 8:00 PM Concert Band start time

    Thursday, July 20 – North Shore Pops Concert Band– Northport Community Band- 8:30PM NPT Park

    Friday, July 21 – Huntington Latin Night: Tito Rodriguez Jr. Orchestra- 7:00 PM 

    Saturday, July 22 – 16th Huntington Folk Festival, Cliff Eberhardt & Lucy Kaplansky- Festival at 12:30PM, headliners at 8:00PM

    Sunday, July 23 – L.I. Dance Consortium, “Long Island Dances!- 7:00PM 

    Wednesday, July 26 – Huntington Community Band,”…and Home Again!”- 8:00PM

    Thursday, July 27 – Swing Sessions with Dudley Music & Guests- 7:30PM

    Thursday, July 27 – Northport Community Band- 8:30PM NPT Park

    Saturday, July 29 – Jazz Loft Big Band, Tom Manuel Conductor, and Nicole Zuraitis- 8:00PM

    Sunday, July 30 – Orchestra L.I., David Stewart Wiley, Conductor “In Concert With Nature”- 7:00PM 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUjUWYkZXZY&ab_channel=CarlosJimenez