NYS Music 2023

Category: Needs Category

  • In Focus: Matchbox 20’s Slow Dream Tour stop at St Joseph’s Lakeview Amp

    On July 29, Matchbox 20 brought their Slow Dreams Tour to St. Joseph’s Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse. Filled with incredible performances, unexpected weather, and a dedicated crowd of passionate fans who weathered the storm and years of rescheduled show dates to witness their favorite band live on stage.

    Matchbox 20, photo by Allison Marie

    The evening began with an opening set by the talented Matt Nathanson, who wasted no time in captivating the audience with his infectious energy and witty banter. Despite the pouring rain that persisted for hours before the show, Nathanson’s performance had the crowd laughing and singing along, setting the perfect tone for what was to come. As the night continued, the weather may have been colder than the high heat we’ve been experiencing, but the excitement and anticipation in the air were palpable. For More on Matt Nathanson, click here.

    Slow Dream Tour opener, Matt Nathanson

    Matchbox 20 fans, who had been eagerly waiting for this concert were finally getting their chance to see their beloved band in action. Rob Thomas and the band wasted no time in delivering hit after hit, taking the crowd on a nostalgic journey through their iconic discography.

    Matchbox 20

    The band’s powerful presence on stage, combined with their genuine interactions with the audience, created a connection that went beyond the rain and cold, making it a truly magical experience for all in attendance.

    Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 performs, Real World at St Josephs Lakeview Amp on Saturday July 29, 2023

    As the concert came to an end, the cheers and applause echoed through the amphitheater, reflecting the collective appreciation for Matchbox 20’s extraordinary performances of their iconic hits.

    Setlist: Friends, How Far We’ve Come, Real World, Disease, Wild Dogs, She’s So Mean, All I Need, If You’re Gone, Mad Season, Don’t Get Me Wrong, Overjoyed, The Way, Downfall/Knocking On Heaven’s Door, Bent, Back To Good, Long Day, Rebels
    Encore: 3AM, Unwell, Push, Bright Lights
    Encore 2: Don’t You Forget About Me.

    For More on Matchbox 20, click here.

    Matt Nathanson

  • At The Bottom of the Mann: Two Scorching Nights with Phish in Philadelphia

    Phish stopped at the Mann Center in Philadelphia 7/25-7/26 as part of their summer tour. The tour is quickly gaining momentum with a seven-night run at MSG up next. Locals and fans descended to the lots in masses despite the intense heat and powerful rain storm during the first day.

    Night one started off with an impressive first set starting with “Strawberry Letter 23” and featured highlights like “Back on The Train”and “Axilla Part 2”. The set concluded with a thoroughly jammed out “46 Days.”

    The second set began with “Down with Disease,” followed by one of the new Phish song’s to make its debut this summer, “The Well.” This went “well” into a Type 2 Jams, getting dark and rocking hard. At the Osiris Podcast pre-party the next day ,everyone agreed that “The Well” is an amazing song and collectively as now our favorite.

    The show concluded with a powerful “Piper,” “Crosseyed & Painless,” and a beautiful segue into “Chalkdust Torture”. The band played a two-song encore: “Wading in the Velvet Sea” followed by a mind blowing cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire.”

    Spirits were high and the weather was hot on day two. The night opened up with “Mike’s Song” followed by “Boogie on Reggae Woman” > “Mike’s Reprise”. The first set was filled with crowd favorites like “Moma Dance” and “Mound.” The set concluded in rocking fashion with a raging “Fluffhead.” 

    The second set opened up with “Set Your Soul Free” followed by a dark “Carini.” Highlights included “Golden Age” & “Golgi Apparatus” with a well jammed “Harry Hood” to close out the second set. The band encored with “Life Beyond A Dream” and “Run Like an Antelope,” and boy did they run.

    Next up 7 nights at Madison Square Garden, happy summer tour!

  • NY Supergroup Boot Camp Clik Reunite After 16 Years With New Single “Wotcha Call Strength”

    As the world is getting ready to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, some of the genre’s biggest icons are stepping back into the limelight including the New York supergroup Boot Camp Clik. After a sixteen year long hiatus, the group now returns with an old school music video alongside their new single “Wotcha Call Strength.”

    Boot Camp Clik is a Brooklyn, New York hip-hop supergroup started by Duck Down Records in the 90’s and comprised of the eight members; Buckshot (Black Moon), Tek and Steele (Smif N Wessun), Rock, the late great Sean Price (Heltah Skeltah), Starang Wondah, Top Dogg, and Louieville (O.G.C.). The collective has also recently added long-time affiliate Rustee Juxx to the group. 

    The Clik was one of the genre’s first true supergroups that changed how hip hop music was received as their influence in music and fashion was undeniable during the genre’s golden age. Individually, and collectively, the BCC has created numerous classics, albums, and singles including Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage, Smif N Wessun’s Dah Shinin’, Heltah Skeltah’s Nocturnal, Fab 5’s (Heltah Skeltah & O.G.C.) ‘Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka” and Sean Price’s Monkey Barz.

    Now, back for round two, the BCC’s new single “Wotcha Call Strength,” produced by The Arcitype and directed by David Janoff, reminds the world what true icons they really are. The video shows the group roaming around an empty Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. Starting off strong with a verse by Rustee Juxx, the song follows each member taking their turn speaking their truth straight to the camera, showing viewers what a comeback truly looks like.

    BCC’s co-founder Dru Ha claims, “In honor and celebration of Hip Hop 50, we felt that the BCC’s catalog of work, contributions and legacy needed to be recognized properly. It’s too easy to sit back and say the Hip Hop community should verify you and painstaking to go out and have to remind people with words, so we felt there was no better way to make a statement than to drop a new record with all the original members (RIP to Sean Price).”

    The Boot Camp Clik will also be taking to the stage in the upcoming Rock The Bells Festival at the Forest Hills Stadium which will take place on August 5th. Until then, fans will be able to stream and enjoy their single everywhere.

  • Albany Latin Fest Lineup Announced

    The 2023 Albany Latin Fest have announced their lineup, returning to Washington Park in Albany on August 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Albany Latin Festival
    Latin Fest 2018, photo by Ramon D. Sanchez for NYS Music.

    Now in its 26th year, Albany Latin Fest is the largest free, multi-cultural outdoor festival in Upstate NY, with over 8,000 in attendance. The festival is dedicated to enhancing multicultural diversity and inclusion through the presentation of the rich and diverse contributions of Latino performing artists, committing to promote and present them in the local performance spaces.

    This year includes the Dominican Afro-Latino all-female ensemble Legacy Women, Lulada Club, a group of multi-national Latina females from NYC, and Boricua Legends, some of the most prolific and professional Puerto Rican musicians who have performed with the most acclaimed Latin artists. Local talent will also be presented.

    Besides music, the Albany Latin Fest features a wide array of food, arts and crafts vendors, children’s amusements, and community, government, and business information booths. For more information about the festival, visit here.

  • Artpark Welcomes Lauren Daigle Congregation

    Lewiston, NY is a beautiful little hamlet that backs up to the mighty Niagara River and not far from the infamous falls that bring in millions of visitors every year. ArtPark is a picturesque State Park in Lewiston, that sits atop the gorge of the Niagara, that houses a spectacular amphitheater which hosts numerous events throughout the season. After my first visit there last year, I said to myself that the venue kind of looks like a place for a church retreat of sorts. Not that I am a religious person, but that was one my first thoughts. Here we are, about a year later, as Lauren Daigle bringst her religious based music to the venue that I saw had retreat vibes.

    Starting the night off around 7:30 was Josh Garrels. Playing for about 30 minutes, Garrels immediately brought the crowd together with his smooth vocals as he preached through lyrics. A well rounded musician, he has been releasing music since 2001 and is a well regarded composer and writer, in addition to his singing.

    Hitting the extra large pulpit AKA the stage around 840, the Lafayette, Louisiana native was welcomed with boisterous cheers from music fans as young as 3.

    For nearly 90 minutes, she bounced around the stage telling stories as interludes to her songs, talking about how God got her through some anxiety riddled times during the pandemic, and reminiscing about her time in Guatemala.

    The trip to Guatemala really touched Lauren, as she befriended Maria. Maria is a child, now 16, who due to reasons out of her control is now the matriarch of her family. It was this situation, as well as time in Kenya that has driven Lauren to create and really push Lauren Daigle | ChildFund. With this, fans can sponsor a child in need in selected countries.

    While not a show I would normally choose to cover, my daughter convinced me to do this one, and I am glad I did. Lauren is a world class performer with a broad range of vocals that make you think of Pink, Adele, Shawn Colvin, with some hints of blues scattered about. Her stage presence was amazing, as she interacted with her band throughout the performance, kept the crowd involved and was waving to young folk in the front rows. The backdrop was a colorful piece that looked like a collection of unfinished latch hook projects. The colors and layers were perfect match for the lights used all night.

    Joining Lauren on stage was her 11 piece band that was just as active as she. There were 2 percussionists, 3 person brass section, 3 dancers/backup vocalists, a bassist, guitarist, and a DJ to round out the sounds.

    Songs, while religious based, weren’t all about ‘you need to listen to the word’ and ‘this is the way’. They all told stories about her life and how she got to where she is today. “Kaleidescope Jesus” is her take on finding God unusual spots and forms. Colors, shapes, movements, the results of an action. The setlist included “Thank God I Do,” “You’re All I’ll Take With Me,” “Rescue,” “St. Ferdinand,” “Tremble,” “Be Ok,” and “You Say.”

    “St. Ferdinand” was not on her set list for this show, however after recent interview where the interviewer requested it, it was added. After the song, as she was talking, she realized the person was in the front row and immediately thanked him for actually showing up. Rumor has it that most people who say they will be at a show, don’t show up. Lauren was thrilled to not only see this person, but see them up front.

    As the show concluded, Lauren played a 2 song encore of “Be Ok” and “You Say/How Can it Be”. The first encore was bone chilling as it was her poignant vocals backed with the pianist. The sounds echoed through the amphitheater like an empty chamber, a true testament to the power of her voice. Very award worthy.

    Making music for over 10 years, Daigle is no stranger to those awards. 4 AMA’s for Contemporary Inspirational, 6 Billboards in Cristian Music categories, 11 GMA Dove Awards (Gospel Music Awards), and 2 Grammy’s. Very respectable career so far, and chances are good that the finish line is not in sight.

    Her final song, a blend of 2 songs was powerful and moving. Belting out the lyrics, she stopped about half way through as the crowd took over and sang word for word and crystal clear. Nearly 6 minutes of playtime, fans were in tears and holding hands while swaying side to side. A perfect ending at the venue I thought was could host a religious retreat.

    Learn more about Lauren Daigle and her charities, as well as the forthcoming Kaleidescope Tour.

  • Metal Icons MESHUGGAH To Perform In NY and NJ

    The Swedish band, MESHUGGAH will be returning to North America for a three-week long tour this Fall. The metal icons will make a stop at the Long Island stage The Paramount on December 8th and The Wellmont Theater of New Jersey on December 10th.

    The tour will commence on November 21st in San Diego, California, leading the metal-heads throughout the states making stops in Canada along the way. These performances mark the first time the band has played on Canadian soil in over five years.

    The three-week trek follows the release of MESHUGGAH’s full-length ninth studio album, Immutable dropped earlier this year. Support throughout the tour will be provided by the Swedish heavy metal band In Flames along with Whitechapel, the American death core band from Tennessee. Additionally, during the final performance in Laval, Quebec, the three acts will be joined by Voivod.

    Fans are now able to purchase tickets for the metal packed shows through Citi and Artist. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general sales beginning on July 14th at livenation.com.

    MESHUGGAH 2023 North American Tour

    11/21/2023 SOMA – San Diego, CA

    11/22/2023 Hard Rock Live Sacramento – Wheatland, CA

    11/24/2023 Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA

    11/25/2023 Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre – Vancouver, BC

    11/27/2023 Midway Music Hall – Edmonton, AB

    11/28/2023 Grey Eagle Event Centre – Calgary, AB

    11/30/2023 Burton Cummings Theatre – Winnipeg, MB

    12/01/2023 The Fillmore Minneapolis presented by Affinity Plus – Minneapolis, MN

    12/02/2023 The Sylvee – Madison, WI

    12/03/2023 GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI

    12/05/2023 The Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana – Gary, IN

    12/06/2023 The Andrew J Brady Music Center – Cincinnati, OH

    12/08/2023 The Paramount – Huntington, NY

    12/09/2023 MGM Music Hall at Fenway – Boston, MA

    12/10/2023 The Wellmont Theater – Montclair, NJ

    12/12/2023 Toyota Oakdale Theater – Wallingford, CT

    12/14/2023 Wind Creek Event Center – Bethlehem, PA

    12/15/2023 HISTORY – Toronto, ON

    12/16/2023 Place Bell – Laval, QC – w/ Voivod

  • Brunswick Showcases Local Artists With Summer Concert Series

    The Brunswick Summer Concert Series is back for its 23rd season. The performances are held on each Tuesday at the Brunswick Community Center from June 27 to September 5. 

    With concerts scheduled to run 6:30-8:00 PM, the community center’s vast lawn provides a perfect backdrop for summer evenings. In addition to live music there will also be food trucks and other refreshments available. 

    The Brunswick Summer Concert Series looks to provide guests with quality music from all different kinds of genres. This year’s lineup features acts from all over the region. Local standouts include New York’s favorite horn band The Refrigerators, Celtic-rock outfit Get Up Jack, as well as country-rock group Whiskey Highway. 

    Located northeast of Albany, Brunswick has a long and storied history. The town’s first inhabitants settled in the early 18th century and were originally considered to be part of Troy. Positioned near the Hudson River, Brunswick and its neighboring towns became stopping points during the Revolutionary War. Famed American writer Herman Melville was a school teacher in the town during the mid 1800s. 

    Concerts are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and/or blankets. Here for more details and information. 

    Summer Lineup

    6/27                      The Refrigerators- Funk/ R&B/Rock

    7/11                       The Tichy Boys- Country/Rokabilly

    7/18                       The Lustre Kings- Country/Rokabilly

    7/25                       Big Fez and The Surfmatics- Surf and Beach Music

    8/1                         Harmony Rocks- One Hit Wonders

    8/8                        Get Up Jack- Celtic / Americana

    8/15                     The Hammerhead Horns- Roots, Ragtime and Blues

    8/22                     The Oldies Show- Oldies from the 50’s & 60’s

    8/29                      Whiskey Highway- Country

    9/5                       The Kyle Bourgault Band- Country

  • Glenville’s Thursdays In The Park Returns For Summer of 2023

    Glenville’s summer music concert series ‘Thursdays in the Park’ is returning this August for a five week run of incredible live performances. Thursdays In The Park is set to begin on August 3rd and continue every Thursday in August at 7:00 PM at Indian Meadows Park.

    glenville

    Thursdays In The Park has been a free annual summer event for the community of Glenville for years, and this summer is bringing a diverse and highly talented lineup to the park. The duo Double Barrel will kick off the series on August 3rd by delivering a country set list for audience members to enjoy while later in the month Nymbus will make an appearance with some classic rock!

    Various other genres will be featured throughout the month, but music isn’t the only attraction. The series also offers free Stewart’s Ice Cream for every performance as well as an additional movie night on August 26th at Maalwyck Park where members of the community can sit back and relax while watching the cinematic hit Top Gun 2.

    Thursdays In The Park Lineup

    August 3rd – Double Barrel (Country Duo)

    August 10th – Little Bit of Everything (Folk Music)

    August 17th – West Side Drive (Dance Music)

    August 24th – Nymbus (Classic Rock Music)

    August 26th – Special Family Night Movie @Maalwyck Park (Top Gun 2)

    August 31st – Soul Provider (Horns)

  • The City of Cohoes Presents “Rock The Block” Concert Series

    The summer of live music is heating up all around the state as the City of Cohoes has kicked off its Rock The Block Concert Series earlier this month. The 2023 summer performances take place every Thursday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in Canal Square with the series coming to an end on August 3rd.

    The rockin’ eight week concert series started on June 15th with a memorable performance by the impressive Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk. The connection between the five band members is close to unheard of as their relationships have spanned more than four decades. Tusk was followed the next week by Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses who rocked the crowd with all of the band’s greatest hits. In the coming weeks there will be so much more to enjoy, as select groups and performers will take the stage including the Eagle tribute band Eaglemania and the country/rock group Vinny Michaels Band.

    Every performance of Rock The Block welcomes individuals from the community with free admission as well as food and drink available for purchase, so bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the summer.

    Cohoes 2023 Rock The Block Lineup

    June 15th – Tusk (Fleetwood Mac)

    June 22nd – Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses

    June 29th – Skeeter Creek

    July 6th – Eaglemania

    July 13th – Vinny Michaels Band

    July 20th – Ten Most Wanted

    July 27th – The Refrigerators

    August 3rd – Hammer of the Gods (Led Zeppelin)

  • The Bones of J.R. Jones Releases Single “Heaven Help Me” Ahead of His Upcoming Album ‘Slow Lightning’

    The Bones of J.R. Jones has recently announced the upcoming release of his first full-length album in more than five years. Slow Lightning, will be dropped on October 13th, and to hold fans over, the announcement comes paired with the release of the album’s debut single “Heaven Help Me.” The New York-based artist, Jonathon Linaberry, won’t stop there, however, as he has also announced a US and European tour to begin in August.

    Linaberry first launched the one-man band in 2012 with his track “Wilderness.” Since then, he has worked to expand his blues, folk, and country sound through his talent as a songwriter, storyteller, visual artist, performer, and musician which can easily be seen through his new music and hoped for with the anticipated album. Slow Lightning will feature a total of 12 tracks produced by Linaberry’s frequent collaborator Kiyoshi Matsuyama and will deal with the sensations of doubt and desire in the face of nature and fate. The title, Slow Lightning, as well as the track themes were inspired by the difficulty of its creation. Linaberry claims he was at the hands and power of the music and his surroundings rather than the other way around.

    “I felt very lost at the time I was writing these songs,” Linaberry confesses. “It was a moment of deep crisis and anxiety, but I knew the only way out was through, which meant I just had to bring myself to the table every day and put in the work.”

    His latest single, “Heaven Help Me,” was created with the intention of constant movement both in rhythm and sound while the lyrics became a mode of expressing the relentlessness and overwhelming quality of the ups and downs of life. Throughout the song, both sound and lyrics work with one another to create an eerie and anxiety building record as Linaberry calls out through a distorted echo, “All my love pouring out of my eyes is drowning me tonight.” He hopes to reach his audience by conveying a shared desire for release which the song delivers at the very end after a constant build of instrumentals and layered voices gives in to wide open space. The Bones of J.R. Jones will take this debut single out on tour in the fall which will include an exclusive album release show in his home state of New York at Mercury Lounge on October 13th.

    “Heaven Help Me” is now available on all music streaming services with tickets for Linaberry’s tour going on sale on Friday, June 23rd. As for the highly anticipated album, Slow Lightning will be released via Tone Tree Music!

    The Bones of J.R. Jones 2023 Tour

    September 2 – Fairmont, WV – Palatine Park 

    September 7 – Buffalo, NY – Ninth Ward 

    September 8 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe 

    September 9 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop 

    September 10 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark 

    September 12 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi 

    September 13 – Chicago, IL – Schubas 

    September 14 – Columbus, OH– Basement 

    September 15 – Syracuse, NY – Funk N’ Waffles 

    September 16 – Windham, NY – Cave Mountain Catskills Festival 

    October 12 – Washington, DC – DC9 

    October 13 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

    October 14 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios

    October 16 – Richmond, VA – Camel 

    October 17 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern Cafe and Music Hall 

    October 18 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop

    October 19 – Charlotte, NC – Evening Muse 

    October 20 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic

    October 21 – Nashville, TN – The Basement 

    November 8 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso 

    November 9 – Luxembourg, LUX – Gudde Wellen 

    November 10 – Paris, FR – No.Pi 

    November 11 – London, UK – Omeara 

    November 14 – Cologne, DE – Jaki 

    November 15 – Hamburg, DE – Uebel & Gefährlich 

    November 16 – Berlin, DE – Kantine Berghain 

    November 17 – Leipzig, DE – Naumanns 

    November 18 – Frankfurt, DE – Brotfabrik