Category: Rock

Weezer Announces Indie Rock Roadtrip Tour This Summer, Coming to CMAC and Forest Hills Stadium

Rock group Weezer announced the Indie Rock Roadtrip Tour set for this summer, joined by some of the biggest names in indie rock today, coming to CMAC and Forest Hills Stadium in July.

The summer tour will support last year’s release of SZNZ, the season-themed collection of EPs Weezer shared throughout each quarter of 2022. They’ve sold over ten million records in the United States and 35 million worldwide. Created in 1992, the group came together when Rivers Cuomo joined Patrick Wilson, Matt Sharp, and Jason Cropper, who Brian Bell later replaced. Some of their hits include “Buddy Holly,” “Undone (The Sweater Song,” “Say It Ain’t So,” “Island In The Sun,” and many more.

The Indie Rock Roadtrip features openers Modest Mouse and Momma, Future Islands and Joyce Manor, Spoon, and White Reaper. The tour will be coming to CMAC on July 3 and Forest Hills Stadium on July 13. Tickets are on sale on Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m., for more information, go here.

Weezer Tour

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Huntsville, AL, USA

The Orion Amphitheater

Modest Mouse, Momma

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Irving, TX, USA

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Modest Mouse, Momma

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Austin, TX, USA

Germania Insurance AmphitheaterModest Mouse, Momma

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Zoo Amphitheatre

Modest Mouse, Momma

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Bonner Springs, KS, USA

Azura Amphitheater

Modest Mouse, Momma

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Minneapolis, MN, USA

The Armory

Modest Mouse, Momma

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Madison, WI, USA

Breese Stevens Field

Modest Mouse, Momma

Friday, June 16, 2023

Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

Blossom Music Center

Modest Mouse, Momma

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Clarkston, MI, USA

Pine Knob Music Theatre

Modest Mouse, Momma

Friday, June 23, 2023

Columbia, MD, USA

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Charlotte, NC, USA

PNC Music Pavilion

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Alpharetta, GA, USA

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Philadelphia, PA, USA

TD Pavilion at The Mann

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Bridgeport, CT, USA

Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Friday, June 30, 2023

Bangor, ME, USA

Maine Savings Amphitheater

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Saturday, July 1, 2023

Worcester, MA, USA

The Palladium Outdoors

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Monday, July 3, 2023

Canandaigua, NY, USA

Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC)

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Toronto, ON, Canada

Budweiser Stage

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Gary, IN, USA

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana – Hard Rock Live

Joyce Manor

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Stage AE

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Queens, NY, USA

Forest Hills Stadium

Future Islands, Joyce Manor

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Auburn, WA, USA

White River Amphitheatre

Spoon, White Reaper

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Bend, OR, USA

Hayden Homes Amphitheater

Spoon, White Reaper

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Berkeley, CA, USA

Greek Theatre

Spoon, White Reaper

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Magna, UT, USA

The Great Saltair

Spoon, White Reaper

Monday, August 28, 2023

Denver, CO, USA

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

Spoon, White Reaper

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Phoenix, AZ, USA

Arizona Federal Theatre

Spoon, White Reaper

Friday, September 1, 2023

Las Vegas, NV, USA

Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood

Spoon, White Reaper

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Irvine, CA, USA

FivePoint Amphitheatre

Spoon, White Reaper

Sunday, September 3, 2023

San Diego, CA, USA

Gallagher Square at Petco Park

Spoon, White Reaper

February 28, 2023
In Focus: The Backfires Return From London

Equal parts British and American, The Backfires returned from a show across the pond to play at Brooklyn’s very own Baby’s All Right on Februrary 22. With support from indie rock band Secondhand Sound, The Backfires fully entranced the fans at the sold-out show.

Frontman Alex Gomez (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)

Rock group The Backfires hails from both sides of the Atlantic. When Alex Gomez, the frontman, went to London to study abroad in 2018, he met Harry Ruprecht (lead guitarist) and Max Wanduragala (drums). Right before the production of their debut EP “Consider the Backfires” in 2019, bassist Matt Walter joined the group. The band completed recording the EP in London in January 2020. In 2021, the band released the EP and later that year, remotely recorded and published “Song 55.” The British members of the Backfires have secured their visas for 2023, ready for many more live shows in the upcoming year.

Secondhand Sound (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)

Nashville-based alt-rock quartet Secondhand Sound was originally formed in Urbana, Maryland after Sawyer John Estok (lead vocalist/guitarist) and Collin Plank (drummer) began writing songs in their parent’s basements. Eventually, Estok and Plank headed to Nashville, making friends with Teagan Proctor (bassist) and Cam Schmidt (guitarist/keyboard player). Through anthemic hooks, fuzzy garage-rock riffs, and irresistible youthful energy, Secondhand Sound craft songs that have granted them vast success, with more to come as the band self-proclaims that they “Will Be The Biggest Band In The World”.

Bassist Matt Walter (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)

During the show, Estok’s voice carried a windful southern howl that carries a weight of melancholy with a feisty rock n’ roll punch throughout the performance, while the band danced around and moshed in the pit. After playing stand-out songs “Dominoes” and “Pocket Change”, Estok left the stage to join the crowd in moshing. The remainder of the show kept the vibe energetic and fun. As their set closed out, the impression of their performance introduced an array of new followers to their rich Nashville sound.

Secondhand Sound Setlist: Heavy Metal Parking Lot Kind Of Cool, Darby, Stone’s Throw, Rorschach, Dominoes, Colm’s, Veritas, Pocket Change

Guitarist Harry Ruprecht (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)

When The Backfires finally started playing, the crowd immediately went wild as Gomez launched straight into singing “Matador”. Throughout the show, their enthusiasm and stage presence shone through as they played such hits as “Song 55” and “City Queen”. Before the end of the show, after much anticipation, The Backfires played their new single “Joyride” live for the first time. The atmosphere in the room was absolutely unmatched as they rocked the house down. As their first show back in the US in 2023, The Backfires showed that they’re up to incredibly exciting things and new sounds.

The Backfires Setlist: Matador, Preoccupied, Never Seen You Before, Figure It Out, Anything, R U Mine, City Queen, Turn off The Lights, Reflection On My TV, I am the Walrus, Brighter Lights, Song 55, Joyride, Blindsided

Bassist Teagan Proctor (Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma)

In terms of upcoming shows, Secondhand Sound doesn’t have any performances set up but be sure to check their Instagram for any updates. The Backfires also don’t currently have any upcoming tours, but any announcements can be monitored on their website or their social media accounts.

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photographed by Chinaza Ajuonuma

February 27, 2023
A Wonderful Weekend of moe. at the Palace Theatre

For the first time since 2018, moe. returned to the Palace Theatre stage in Albany for a pair of shows with new band member Nate Wilson on keys. The shows were marked by a proclamation earlier that day from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to rename part of North Pearl Street as moe.street.

photo by Jarron Childs

photo by Jarron Childs

photo by Jarron Childs

While moe. did play a live-streamed show from the Palace Theatre lobby in 2020, the return to the stage was marked by welcoming back Chuck Garvey for his sixth and seventh shows back with moe., following recovery from a stroke. This was also the first time moe. fans in Albany would be seeing a sextet, as Nate Wilson has officially joined the band on keys, finding a natural fit next to guitarist Al Schnier, as the tones of these two would add layers to classic and fresh moe. tunes alike.

Friday night was marked by a proclamation amending moe.day (February 24) to be moe.weekend, read from the stage by City of Albany Treasurer, Darius Shanifar (filling in for Mayor Sheehan). With that, Shanifar introduced six guys named moe., as the band made their way onto the stage and began the run with an extended “Billy Goat,” which segued into “Bearsong” after much hinting from percussionist Jim Loughlin via his vibraphone. The underrated “Crushing” surged forth next and made way for “Blue Jeans Pizza,” a great song made even greater with the inclusion of Wilson on keys. Following “ATL” and “Don’t Wanna Be”, Suke Cerulo, who filled in on guitar during Garvey’s absense, joined for “McBain”, a song Cerulo has become quite familiar with, leading to a psychedelic jam among the seven musicians on stage.

Set 2 opened with the rarely played Tin Cans and Car Tires tune “Again and Again,” only having been played twice previously in the last decade. Another bust out followed in “Faker”, not played since 12/30/2018. “The Road” held its own with Wilson adding additional layers, while “Water” marked the first time it was played since Chuck returned last month in Huntington. To close out the set, back to back 16-minute versions of “Downward Facing Dog” and “The Pit” were the icing on the cake, with “The Pit” accented by Wilson’s use of flute and the band coming out strong as ever for a fan favorite show stopper.

An encore of “Letter Home” and “Captain America” bid the crowd a good night, as the kids kept dancing long after the show. Options afterward were plentiful, with fans opting for Cerulo at Empire Underground, Hilltop at Parish Public House, or for the adventurous, a Shrek Rave at Empire Live.

Saturday proved to be just as hot inside despite wintery weather outside. Karina Rykman wowed the audience as the opener, showing off her power-trio’s sound and rock-star vibe that is as infectious as her inspired playing. Rykman would come up later in the evening for the guest-friendly “Meat” that saw her trade bass licks with Rob Derhak over the course of an 11 minute jam session.

moe. would open their set with a slow-building “Lazarus,” followed by “Seat of My Pants.” Nate Wilson continued to make his presence known in the extended “Sensory Deprevation Bank” followed by the newer “Jazz Cigarette.” Conehead Buddha’s Shannon Lynch joined the band for “Happy Hour Hero,” taking centerstage for a solo, reuniting musicians who have been playing together in the Albany scene for more than 30 years.

A four song, hour-long second set was as tight on paper as the band is in person – from the first notes of “Waiting for the Punchline,” through the always enjoyable “Kyle’s Song,” the dark grooves of “Puebla” and ol’ reliable “Rebubula.” To wrap things up, “Plane Crash” took the encore slot, before fans rolled out onto moe.street following two memorable and sentimental moe shows at the Palace Theatre.

moe. – Palace Theatre, Albany – Friday February 24

Set 1: Billy Goat -> Bearsong, Crushing, Blue Jeans Pizza, ATL, Don’t Wanna Be -> McBain*
Set 2: Again and Again^, Faker -> The Road, Water#, Downward Facing Dog -> The Pit
Encore: Letter Home, Captain America
* with Suke Cerulo of Schleigho on guitar
^ LTP 12/30/2018
# Not played since before Chuck’s break

moe. – Palace Theatre, Albany – Saturday, February 25

Set 1: Lazarus, Seat Of My Pants > Sensory Deprivation Bank, Jazz Cigarette, Happy Hour Hero*, Meat^
Set 2: Waiting for the Punchline, Kyle’s Song -> Puebla -> Rebubula
Encore: Plane Crash
* with Shannon Lynch of Conehead Buddha on saxophone
^ with Karina Rykman joining on bass. Karina and Rob traded licks during the jam.

Photo gallery by Conor McMahon

February 27, 2023
Watch Jack White join the Five-Timers Club on Saturday Night Live

On Saturday, February 25, Jack White returned to the stage of Studio 8H for the fifth time as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, alongside host and new fellow five-timer, Woody Harrelson.

Jack White joins only 10 other musicians who have performed on Saturday Night Live 5 or more times, including Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Arcade Fire, Randy Newman, Beck, Maroon 5, Kanye West, Eminem, Rihanna and Coldplay.

White and his band – Dominic Davis (bass), Daru Jones (drums), and Quincy McCrary (keyboards) – performed a towering medly of “Taking me Back” and “Fear of Dawn,” two tracks that notably are the opening tracks from his 2022 solo album, Fear of the Dawn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJUDoB0errI

Later in the show, Jack White performed “A Tip From You to Me” from his other 2022 solo album, Entering Heaven Alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHp_h7RLfAU

The last time Jack White performed on Saturday Night Live, he filled in for Morgan Wallen, and gave a subtle nod to Eddie Van Halen during “Lazaretto.” White used a model of guitar similar to Van Halen’s, and played a finger tapping solo mid-song, a signature move of Van Halen’s. Watch below.

Saturday Night Live returns on March 4th with host Travis Kelce and musical guest Kelsea Ballerini.

February 26, 2023
Hooray For Earth Announces Livestream Performance

Storied NYC rock band, Hooray For Earth will play a Bandcamp Daily livestream performance, ‘Live From Death By Audio’ broadcasted from the Death By Audio in Queens, NY on Sunday, February 26.

Beyond the actual livestream on the 26th, the performance will be available to view for an additional 48 hours.

Established in 2003 by Noel Heroux as a placeholder name for Noel’s solo recordings, “Hooray For Earth” left the disc and found band members in Jessica Zambri, Cristi Jo Zambri, Seth Kasper, Joseph Ciampini, Gary Benacquista, and Noel’s dear childhood friend Christopher Principe.

Various live configurations toured frequently in the U.S. and internationally, engaged in radio appearances and studio collaborations while releasing Cellphone EP (2008), MOMO EP (2010), TrueLoves (2011), Never/Figure (2012), and Racy (2014)before ceasing activity via amical band breakup in Fall of 2014. After eight years away, Hooray For Earth materialized to support Modest Mouse on tour in summer and winter of 2022. Noel has spent much of the last few years in the studio.

Earlier this year, Hooray For Earth shared a reissue of their 2011 LP True (featuring tracks “True Loves,” “No Love,” “Realize It’s Not the Sun”), out now via Bandcamp, alongside previously unreleased track from the original recording sessions entitled “La Que” The True Loves reissue is out now via Bandcamp.

You can RSVP for the livestream HERE.

February 26, 2023
This Week Brings Groups Leyeux, A Little Overboard, and Luminous Crush to EQXposure

Each Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up-and-coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from A Little Overboard, Leyeux, and Luminous Crush.

WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

Leyeux – “Tightrope”

Leyeux, or Jack Snyder, was born and raised in central Vermont. He began drumming at the age of 8, and performed as a singer and guitarist in high school, playing drums in the school jazz band and other professional gigs. From 2013-2015 he attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and joined the a capella group Pitch Slapped, which competed and won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in the Spring of 2014. Since then he has released three records, and his song “Tightrope” from the album Day Is Calling will be played on EQXposure.
<a href="https://leyeux.bandcamp.com/album/day-is-calling">Day Is Calling by Leyeux</a>
A Little Overboard – “Second Row”

A Little Overboard is a five-piece American rock band raised in Saratoga, formed by childhood friends that reconnected later on. Some of the group’s influences are Staind, Aerosmith, Guns n Roses, Alice in Chains, Led Zeppelin, and bands of that realm. They are community-oriented, churning out music in the studio at a rapid rate for their fans. Their newest single “Second Row” is out now.

Luminous Crush – “Too Much And Not Enough”

Luminous Crush is made up of Laura Molinelli and Ben Campbell, who make a wide variety of music spanning multiple genres like bluegrass, country, indie, and psychedelic.

Luminous Crush · Too Much And Not Enough

February 25, 2023
Reunited Venezuelan Alt Rock Legends Zapato 3 Come to Cutting Room in March

South American rock legends Zapato 3 are making The Cutting Room the site of their first-ever New York City concert, one of a select number of U.S. stops on their much-anticipated “Requiem for A Shoe” reunion tour, on March 31 at 10 p.m.

One of the first Venezuelan rock bands to achieve worldwide success, Zapato 3 came together as high schoolers in early 1984. Over time, their original punk style transitioned into a more social-oriented rock with some sexual lyrics, something evidenced on albums like their 1990 debut, Amor, Furia y Languidez. Their second long player, Besame y Suicidate, is the one that would put them on the map internationally and would to several hits across Latin America and gigs in Mexico, Miami and other locales. The band would make several more albums, some embracing techno strains, before its “first” breakup after the release of their 1999 album, Ecos Punzantes del Ayer. The group would come together in 2012 for a reunion long tour called The Last Crusade.

Zapato 3’s current lineup includes founding members keyboardist Jaime Verdaguer, guitarist Álvaro Segura, vocalist Carlos Segura, bassist Fernando Batoni and a new drummer, Dario Adames. Critics have compared their sound to a fusion of New Order, The Cure and Soft Cell, with a live show that still packs a youthful, high-energy punk punch. Check their sounds out here on Spotify.

Opening for Zapato 3 at The Cutting Room will be another band with Venezuelan roots, New York’s own Toxic Tito.

The latest in a long line of musical outings by Hudson-based, Italian-Venezuelan art dealer Luis Accorsi, Toxic Tito is a band that puts a fresh spin of the adrenaline frenzy of classic NYC punks like The Ramones. In 1977 while living in Venezuela, Accorsi formed JANZ KAPPELLA, noted as perhaps the first-ever pure punk band in the nation. Upon his moves to Miami and New York City, Accorsi formed a host of other projectz including the ska-influenced Modern Method, Naked King and Screwy Louie. Check out Toxic Tito’s, music including their latest long player, 2022’s Energentico, and their cover of “Blitzkrieg Bop,” on Spotify. For a look at Accorsi’s “day job,” check out NYSMusic’s article on May 2022’s “Rock & Roll Circus Art Show” at his New Gallery in Hudson.

For tickets and information, visit the Eventbrite site here.

February 24, 2023
FRANK Release One-Take Instrumental Album “Moment”

NYC based FRANK have just released their newest instrumental recording Moment, on Thursday, Feb 23^rd. The album captures the more jammier side of the band, which is what the band is known for sounding during their live performances.

The band recorded this piece a few months ago in one live take at the end of the night. They stated, “We had no plan, nothing said at all, we just started playing. As always, we listened to each other, explored together, and when we stopped, something that didn’t exist before was in the world. We decided to release it as an instrumental FRANK record we are calling Moment.

Originally NYC based, FRANK has been playing live and creating music since 2001, with seven studio albums and another on the way. One night in December in between album sessions, they created Moment, an impromptu instrumental improvised and recorded in one take.

FRANK has been working on a new LP to follow up their 2021 release Dreams and Fears of the Outside. They stayed, “We’re very proud of Moment as it represents the jammier side of our band. We are always exploring new sounds, rhythms, spaces, and ideas, which our audience doesn’t always get to hear as part of our recorded works.”

FRANK’s new album features many songs like “The Sparkling Realization,” a song that features the bands core collaboration. Other songs like “Sucker for a Pharoah” and “Broken Kaleidoscope” give fans what they love most, rock. All of these songs are classic studio jams that sound as if you were at one of FRANK’s sessions personally.

In a previous article by NYS Music, the album Dreams and Fears of the Outside was described as “…It has everything you want from a Rolling Stones influenced vibe. It still maintains the characteristic heavy drums and renegade guitar that FRANK has been putting on display throughout the record.” For more of this article, click the link here to read.

To listen to FRANK, click the link here. To listen to Moment, click the link here. For more about FRANK, click the link here.

February 24, 2023
The Great New York State Fair 2023 Concert Lineup Announced

The Great New York State Fair 2023 lineup has been announced with a wide variety of genres, including rock, pop, and more. The 2023 season will kick off on Aug. 23 and wrap up on Sept. 1, Labor Day.

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. Last year artists that performed at the State Fair included Foreigner, City Girls, 24KGoldn, and more, with some new faces making their State Fair debuts, like Coin and Lizzy McAlpine.

Foreigner at the State Fair 2022, photo by Perri Sage

The biggest names tend to go on the Chevy Park stage, but recently the New York State Fair announced that after two years of confusion the name will be changed to Suburban Park, still at the same location.

Chevy Court Stage- Free Admission

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

Chubby Checker will be making his fifth performance at the Fair, and second in as many years. He is best known for “The Twist,” the first number-one song of all time from Billboard’s Hot 100, but also for releasing hits throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond with “The Hucklebuck,” “Slow Twistin’,” “Limbo Rock,” and more. Checker is set to take the Chevy Court Stage at 1:00 p.m.

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

Herman’s Hermits are an English rock group formed in 1964 in Manchester and fronted by singer Peter Noone. They make their return to the Chevy Court stage at 1 p.m. to play through their catalog of hits, including “I’m Henry the VIII I Am,” “I’m Into Something Good,” and “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.”

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

Tommy James and the Shondells have been featured in more than 60 films and 50 television shows, and continue to be covered by artists spanning multiple genres, including Billy Joel Armstrong, Carlos Santana, Cher, and more. Chevy Court audiences can look forward to hearing hits including “MONY MONY,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and “Crimson and Clover,” as they take the stage at 1 p.m.

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

Bret Michaels gained fame as the frontman of the rock band Poison who has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and 15 million records in the United States alone. His iconic smash hits include “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Nothin’ But A Good Time,” “Talk Dirty to Me,” his cover of “Your Mama Don’t Dance” and more. This will be his third appearance at the Fair, most recently performing at Chevy Court in 2017 as a solo artist, and played the Grandstand with Poison and Cinderella in 2002.

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

The Fray formed in 2002 when high school friends Isaac Slade (lead vocalist and pianist) and Joe King (vocals, guitar) ran into one another in a Denver guitar shop. After adding Ben Wysocki (drums) and Dave Welsh (lead guitar), the band landed on a name by asking people to write down ideas on pieces of paper. They burst onto the pop scene with their hits “How to Save a Life,” “You Found Me,” and of course, “Over My Head (Cable Car),” and earned a spot on Billboards’ Artists of the Decade list.

Also performing

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 6 p.m.- Anne Wilson

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

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

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

Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.- Crash Adams

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

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

Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.- Joywave

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

Sept. 4 at 4 p.m.- Foghat

Suburban Park- Free Admission

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

Theory of a Deadman are multiplatinum rockers, best known for “RX (Medicine),” “Bad Girlfriend,” “Not Meant to Be,” and other hits. They were launched into the scene in 2002 because of their unique sound, resurrected in their eighth studio album Dinosaur, out March 17. This will be their third performance at the Great New York State Fair, playing at Chevy Court in 2012 and 2019.

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

REO Speedwagon was formed in 1967 and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, known for their relentless touring as well as for jump-starting the flourishing rock movement in the Midwest. From 1977 to 1989, REO Speedwagon released nine consecutive albums all certified Platinum or higher, and sold 40 million records overall. The landmark Hi Infidelity album, which contained the massive hit singles “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run,” spent 15 weeks in the Number 1 slot in 1980.

Tyler Hubbard- Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.

Tyler Hubbard is best known as a former member of the Nashville-based duo Florida Georgia Line. After that duo went on hiatus in 2021, Hubbard began recording as a solo artist and released his highly anticipated debut album last month. Hubbard’s debut solo song, “5 Foot 9” is his 20th Number One hit, and right now, “Dancin’ In The Country” continues to climb the Country Top 30 and Billboard Top 200 music charts. This will be his third time performing at the Fair and his first time performing solo.

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

Critically acclaimed rapper J.I.D. has been hailed as “one of rap’s best storytellers,” by Rolling Stone and his most recent album topped several big “Best of 2022” lists. He made his way onto the rap scene in 2015, steadily gaining momentum and amassing new fans after every new project. His collaboration with Imagine Dragons yielded “Enemy” and propelled J.I.D to global fame.

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

Yung Gravy first got popular with the release of “Mr. Clean” on Soundcloud in 2016. Then, in the span of six years, he accumulated such accolades as three platinum and four gold singles. He contributes a unique blend of musical styles that harken back as far as the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, utilizing samples like “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes, “Careless Whisper” by George Michael, and, most recently, “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley, in his song “Betty (Get Money).” bbno$ is a rapper, singer, and songwriter, best known for his viral single, “Lalala” released in 2018, and more recently, “Edamame.”

Also performing

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

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

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. 27 at 8 p.m.- Bell Biv Devoe

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

Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.- Ludacris

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

Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.- Elvie Shane

Sept. 4 at 1 p.m.- Hairball

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

The Great New York State Fair 2023 edition will also have different areas where you can go experience a wide variety of cultures. Located between the Center of Progress Building and the Art and Home Center, you can visit the Pan-African Village to learn about New York’s African-American history while you listen to music with African roots. The Latino Village will feature music, food, and more pertaining to that culture. There will also be Talent Showcases and more.

February 23, 2023
Guns N’ Roses to Perform at SPAC in September

Legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses have announced their 2023 world tour, with a performance at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Sept. 1. The world tour, which lasts throughout summer and fall, marks the group’s first North American tour since their We’re F’N Back! Tour in 2021. Supporting the band on tour is a lineup of superstars, including Carrie Underwood, The Pretenders, Alice In Chains, The Warning, and Dirty Honey.

Guns N’ Roses members, from left to right: Axl Rose, Richard Fortus, Duff McKagan Dizzy Reed, Slash, Melissa Reese, and Frank Ferer. Credit: Katarina Benzova.

Originating from Los Angeles, Guns N’ Roses’ current members include Axl Rose (vocals, piano), Duff McKagan (bass), Slash (lead guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboard), Richard Fortus (rhythm guitar), Frank Ferrer (drums), and Melissa Reese (keyboard). The group is one of the best-selling rock bands and arguably the face of the genre. Their first album, 1987’s Appetite For Destruction, has been crowned “the best-selling U.S. debut album ever” and “the 11^th best-selling U.S. album of all time.”

Similarly, their 2016-19 “Not In This Lifetime…” tour ranks as the “fourth-highest grossing concert tour of all time.” In 1991, the band took the music scene by storm with their two-part record, “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II,” marking their third and fourth studio albums, respectively. Their 2008 sixth studio album, “Chinese Democracy” marked the band’s last full-length record, though continue to tour and produce music.

Pre-sale begins Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. General on-sale begins Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. through gunsnroses.com. For more information, including VIP Package details, visit vipnation.com.

2023 TOUR DATES

Aug. 5 – Moncton, NB @ Medavie Blue Cross Stadium with Carrie Underwood
Aug. 08 – Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean Drapeau with Carrie Underwood
Aug. 11 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium with The Pretenders
Aug. 15 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium with The Pretenders
Aug. 18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PNC Park with The Pretenders
Aug. 21 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park with The Pretenders
Aug. 24 – Chicago, IL @ Wrigley Field with The Pretenders
Aug. 26 – Nashville, TN @ GEODIS Park with Carrie Underwood
Aug. 29 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center with Dirty Honey
Sept. 1 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center with Dirty Honey
Sept. 3 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre with The Pretenders
Sept. 6 – Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena with Dirty Honey
Sept. 9 – St. Louis, MO @ Busch Stadium with The Pretenders
Sept. 12 – Knoxville, TN @ Thompson-Boling Arena with The Warning
Sept. 15 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live with The Warning
Sept. 17 – Atlanta, GA @ Midtown Music Festival
Sept. 20 – Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum with Dirty Honey
Sept. 23 – Kansas City, MO @ Kauffman Stadium with Alice in Chains
Sept. 26 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome with Alice in Chains
Sept. 28 – Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park with Alice in Chains
Oct. 1 – San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium with Alice in Chains
Oct. 6 – Indio, CA @ Power Trip Festival
Oct. 8 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival
Oct. 11 – Phoenix, AZ @ Chase Field with Alice in Chains
Oct. 14 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena(support act TBD)
Oct. 16 – Vancouver, BC @ BC Place with Alice in Chains

February 22, 2023