NYS Music 2023

Category: Beyond NYS

  • U2 Expanding Sphere Residency With 11 Shows in January and February 2024

    After an exciting and groundbreaking run of shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas, U2 has announced they are playing an additional 11 dates on their ‘U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere,’ run for January and February 2024.

    U2 Sphere

    ‘U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere,’ is a first-of-its-kind live music experience that ushers in a new era of live entertainment with the world’s biggest rock band, U2, in the world’s most cutting-edge venue, Sphere. The show marks U2’s first live outing in four years and Sphere will be the only place fans can see this show, now with 36 total dates running through February 18, 2024. Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton will once again be joined onstage by Bram van den Berg, sitting in on drums for Larry Mullen Jr.

    Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, U2, formed in Dublin in 1978, has since toured the globe countless times, released 14 studio albums, sold over 170 million albums, and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys and Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience award. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 and have twice been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. U2 has consistently pushed the boundaries of live performance, with ground-breaking stage shows that embrace the latest in technology and innovation.

    U2 Sphere
    Credit: Ross Stewart.

    The Sphere, curated by Madison Square Garden Entertainment, is becoming the next-generation entertainment medium, bringing wonder to the world and redefining the future of live entertainment, where artists, creators, and technologies create extraordinary experiences, taking storytelling to a new level. The venue transforms the concert-going experience with innovative technologies that include a 16K x 16K LED display inside the main venue bowl that wraps up, over, and around the audience, creating a fully immersive visual environment. The Sphere also has the world’s most advanced concert audio system, featuring crystal-clear audio and 10,000 immersive seats including a system that utilizes deep vibrations so guests can feel the rumble of thunder or a roaring motorcycle.

    Tickets will be available during a general on-sale starting Wednesday, October 25 at 11 a.m. PT. On-sale times may vary, check the Ticketmaster listing for more information.

    U2 Sphere Dates

    2023
    SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
    WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25
    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
    SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
    WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
    FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
    FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
    SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
    WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6
    FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
    SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
    WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
    FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
    SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
     
    2024
    FRIDAY, JANUARY 26
    SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
    WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31
    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2
    SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
    WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
    SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10
    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15
    SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18

  • Bandcamp United Launches Petition, Fights For Employee Rights Amidst Songtradr Acquisition

    Bandcamp United, a union comprised of Bandcamp employees, released a statement last week in response to the recent sale of the company to Songtradr, a music marketing company. They have launched a petition, demanding better employee treatment, among other things.

    According to Relix, the union acknowledged being engaged in negotiations with the company since August, reached out to Songtradr CEO Paul Wiltshire with a request for voluntary recognition, having not heard from Songtradr. According to Bandcamp United, most Bandcamp workers have had access revoked to critical systems by Epic Games during the transition.

    For almost 15 years, Bandcamp has been built on the idea of community. It has functioned as much more
    than a marketplace, providing a way for artists to connect and communicate with fans directly and for
    like-minded artists to find one another. Bandcamp has always stood strong in its beliefs and its place in
    the community that it has helped foster. Maintaining that value is critical for artists everywhere, and it starts with valuing the workers who have built it into the beloved platform it is today.

    They are pushing for demands that include job offers for all employees, clear, fair, and consistent voluntary severance offers, and recognition of their union at Songtradr, with a swift continuation of negotiations while retaining the progress achieved at the bargaining table. They added that Songtradr is “offering positions to workers on a rolling basis with a 72-hour turnaround for acceptance despite the sales documents stipulating that the Purchaser allow 7 days to consider the offer.”

    The integrity of the workers who build Bandcamp is a crucial aspect of the company’s ability to uphold its values. Bandcamp’s core mission is best protected by retaining all workers and by those workers having a seat at the table.

    Cami Ramirez-Arau, Support Specialist

    The union has initiated a petition, urging supporters to call on Wiltshire to acknowledge Bandcamp United. Songtradr has since issued a statement, saying “We have received Bandcamp United’s letter and are reviewing it. Supporting the Bandcamp community will be our number one priority once the purchase is completed.” They went on to say that “Not all Bandcamp employees will receive offers from Songtradr. Based on its current financials, Bandcamp requires some adjustments to ensure a sustainable and healthy company that can serve its community of artists and fans long into the future.”

    Ed Blair, another support specialist said, “Bandcamp isn’t Bandcamp without the people who build and maintain the website – we are the people who made this website the platform it is for artists. Songtradr not immediately recognizing Bandcamp United is a worrying indicator that they have misunderstood the value of Bandcamp. It’s not a platform or a portal, it is a painstakingly hand-crafted community. The workers who make up Bandcamp United are essential for the future of Bandcamp.”

    You can read more about Bandcamp United here.

  • Keanu Reeves and Dogstar Rock Niagara Falls

    Wednesday, October 4th was an unseasonably warm fall evening in Niagara Falls, Ontario, at Fallsview Casino. Keanu Reeves with his band Dogstar staged an outstanding performance that left no one in doubt about the memories it created. There was only one opening act, the group Archer Oh who hailed from the state of California. 

    Archer Oh
    Archer Oh

    Dogstar consists of Keanu Reeves on bass. Robert Jailhouse on drums and Bret Dormouse on guitar and lead vocals.

    As the lights lowered and excitement rose in the crowds, the members of Dogstar made their way into the stage with a powerful force that attracted viewers at first instance. Not only a great actor, Reeves showed himself to be a talented musician. The chemistry in the band was unmistakably good as they shifted from song to another with ease exhibiting their musical talent. The line-up came just at the right time for die-hard fans, who were looking forward to hearing all Dogstar’s old numbers which prompted many to sing and dance along. 

    dogstar keanu reeves

    Tracks such as ‘Lust’ and ‘Sleep’ were exemplary of a fusion between alternative-rock and grunge elements in the band’s music. The evening was not dull even for a moment. Reeves bass tone was haunting enough to send shakes into the bones of every listener. He interacted with the audience and made it seem as if they were participating in a unique happening. 

    There was a strong link between the band and its followers, making it possible for a large number of people in the venue to have an intimate environment. When the night finally ended, Dogstar received thunderous applause and shouts of ‘one more’ as they departed the stage. The audience could hardly wait for the encore from the duo who made their way back to finish the night in grand style, giving the audience four more songs.

    Dogstar 2023 Tour Dates
    10/08 Atlantic City, NJ – Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel
    10/10 Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre
    10/11 New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
    11/30 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
    12/03 San Francisco, CA – The Great American Music Hall
    12/05 Sacramento, CA – Crest Theatre
    12/07 Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
    12/08 Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre
    12/09 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
    12/11 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
    12/12 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
    12/14 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
    12/15 Washington, D.C. – The Howard Theatre
    12/16 Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
    12/18 Charlotte, NC – The Underground
    12/19 Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
    12/20 Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
    12/21 Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

  • Sound On Sound 2023 Day 2 Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, Sound On Sound Music Festival returned to Bridgeport’s Seaside Park in Connecticut over September 30 – October 1, 2023.

    sound on sound 2023 john mayer

    The two-day festival’s lineup this year featured headlining performances from Red Hot Chili Peppers on Saturday and John Mayer on Sunday. Additional performers included Alanis Morissette, Hozier, Trey Anastasio Band, Mt. Joy, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Dispatch, Ben Harper, Gin Blossoms and the Night Sweats among others.

    Heavy rain in the area Thursday caused a three-hour delay in opening the Festival on time on Friday. I had the pleasure of attending the second day of the Festival. The schedule was pretty tight giving each act a full 45min set, with a 10min change over time and things ran on time like clock work.

    The three main acts on Sunady each got a full hour and by mid day the grounds were packed with over 30,000 people leading to the highlight of the evening to most, John Mayer, who is a Bridgeport native, born and raised.

    My personal highlight of the day was Alanis Morrissette (who did not allow photos from the pit so we could not feature her), Ben Harper was in top form (same as Alanis, no photos), and I was impressed by how fresh Dispatch sounded and enjoyed their set. Below are some highlights from the day.

    JOHN MAYER

    HOZIER

    DISPATCH

    MT. JOY

    MARGO PRICE

    CAUTIOUS CLAY

    GIN BLOSSOMS

  • U2 Open Sphere in Las Vegas with Stunning AudioVisual Technology

    On Friday, September 29, U2 lit up the stage of the Sphere in Las Vegas with the opening night of their highly-anticipated U2:UV Achtung Baby Live series at the world’s most cutting-edge venue.

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: (Exclusive Coverage) Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

    Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg performed two sets of Achtung Baby tunes plus a lengthy encore of hits standing on a Brian Eno-inspired turntable stage. U2 utilized every part of Sphere’s LED screen, offering the world’s largest and highest-resolution, with an awe-inspiring gallery of visual art showcasing bespoke art from artists including Es Devlin, John Gerrard, Marco Brambilla, and Industrial Light & Magic.

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 30: (Exclusive Coverage) Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 30, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

    U2 provided fans a fully immersive experience featuring top of the line technology offered at Sphere, which is reinventing the live music experience with the world’s highest-resolution LED screen on the interior of the Sphere, spanning four acres and surrounding the stage and audience, creating a completely immersive visual environment.

    The four-football field long interior screen hovers 240 feet above the stage, with a steel framework supporting the 160,000-square-foot screen and the 160,000-speaker Holoplot multilayered audio system weighs about 730 tons.

    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: (Exclusive Coverage) Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

    Outside of Sphere, the Exosphere is the largest LED screen on Earth consists of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks across 580,000 square feet of surface, with each puck containing 48 individual LED diodes, and each diode capable of displaying 256 million different colors, all combining to create an unmistakably vivid landmark on the Las Vegas skyline.

    U2 sphere Las Vegas

    The Exosphere displays a wide range of custom artistic and branded content, attracting worldwide interest as a result of the venue being photographed and shared widely on social media daily.

    The state-of-the-art Sphere Immersive Sound, developed by Holoplot and considered to be the world’s most advanced audio system, provides the world’s largest, fully integrated concert-grade audio system and will revolutionize immersive audio experiences. A system of 1,600 permanently installed and 300 mobile Holoplot X1 Matrix Array loudspeaker modules includes a total of 167,000 individually amplified loudspeaker drivers. Using Holoplot’s next-generation 3D Audio-Beamforming and Wave Field Synthesis technology, the audio is transformed for delivery in large-scale venues such as Sphere.

    The result is a controlled, consistent and crystal-clear concert-grade audio for audiences of up to 20,000 people, providing individual audience members with a personalized listening experience, whether sitting in the front or back rows. At Sphere, you may not see the sound system as the entire apparatus is completely hidden behind the 160,000-square-foot interior LED display plane.

    So with this ground-breaking audio-visual venue at their disposal, U2 celebrated an historic live music milestone with fans from all over the world and VIP attendees including Dr. Dre, Jimmy Kimmel, John Starks, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Sandberg, Snoop Dogg and many more.

    Photo by StuFish

    The show was the first in a 25-date run of shows that celebrates the band’s acclaimed album Achtung Baby, as well as its accompanying and industry-defining ZOO TV Tour in 1991. U2 also performed a new song, “Atomic City,” an homage to the magnetic spirit of 70’s post-punk with a nod to Blondie, whose pioneering work with Giorgio Moroder inspired and influenced the band.

    The name “Atomic City” is also a 1950s nickname for Las Vegas from a time when nuclear fascination swept the nation and the city promoted itself as a center of atomic tourism due to its proximity to the Nevada Test Site.

    U2 – Sphere, Las Vegas, NC – September 29, 2023

    Achtung Baby Part 1: Zoo Station, The Fly, Even Better Than the Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, One,
    Until the End of the World, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Tryin’ to Throw Your Arms Around the World
    Turntable Set: All I Want Is You, Desire, Angel of Harlem, Love Rescue Me
    Achtung Baby Part 2: So Cruel, Acrobat, Ultraviolet (Light My Way), Love Is Blindness
    Encore: Elevation, My Way, Atomic City, Vertigo, Where the Streets Have No Name, With or Without You, Beautiful Day

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2f5NzAALCA

    Sphere has also announced the first movie studio collaboration with Dreamworks Animation for the upcoming Trolls Band Together. A brand campaign specifically designed for the Exosphere – the fully programmable LED exterior of Sphere in Las Vegas – Trolls Band Together, which hits theaters nationwide on November 17.

    We’re thrilled to have the innovative and imaginative DreamWorks Animation be the first movie studio to collaborate on a bespoke marketing campaign for the Exosphere. The Exosphere’s larger-than-life canvas has become the premier platform for brands looking to tell their stories on an unparalleled scale, reaching audiences across the globe from the heart of Las Vegas.

    David Hopkinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of MSG Sports

    DreamWorks collaborated with Sphere Studios, Sphere’s in-house creative studio, to develop custom animated content featuring beloved characters from the movie alongside kaleidoscopic art from the film. The week-long campaign began September 25, and will include a special takeover of the venue on the night of September 28 to countdown to the release of *NSYNC’s new single “Better Place” on September 29, which will be featured in Trolls Band Together.

    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    interior of Sphere
    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    U2 sphere Las Vegas
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    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: (Exclusive Coverage) Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    U2 sphere Las Vegas
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: (Exclusive Coverage) Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: (Exclusive Coverage) Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: (Exclusive Coverage) Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Bram van den Berg of U2 perform during opening night of U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

  • In Focus: Osees Crush Cleveland

    Psych-punk rockers Osees, or Oh Sees, or Thee Oh Sees, or The Oh Sees or OCS played the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern in Cleveland on September 17.

    osees

    Touring in support of their new album Intercepted Message, an album that was a bit of a throw back to earlier sounds, and heavy on the synthesizer; the album is what you’d get if you threw John Dwyer and Devo in a blender. Osees have a monster sized catalog to choose from, and they tend to represent the band’s many sounds and eras throughout the show.

    John Dwyer and his Osees have gone through many line-up changes and different sounds. The current iteration has a two drummer setup, Dan Rincon and Paul Quattrone are completely locked in and give the show a driving, chugging force. Tim Hellman does a fantastic job holding down the bass and Tomas Dolas adds some color on the keyboards. John Dwyer is the main attraction though, he twists and gyrates and contorts his body to seemly push out the music.

    Do not miss a chance to see these guys when they come to your town, but make sure to bring some earplugs.

    Upcoming The Osees Shows

    9/28 – GONERFEST
    9/30 – Hotel Vegas in Austin, TX
    10/01 – Hotel Vegas in Austin, TX
    10/3 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar

    osees
    osees
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    osees

  • Great Lake Swimmers To Perform in Albany This November

    Though a Canadian band, Great Lake Swimmers are set to have one show in Albany at The Linda come November, touring their newest album, Uncertain Country. This is the band’s first new album in five years, and is sure to impress all of their fans and newcomers.

    They also released an official music video which includes four videos for the album’s singles: “Uncertain Country,” “Swimming Like Flying,” “When The Storm Has Passed,” “Moonlight, Stay Above.”

    Great Lake Swimmers, fronted by lead singer/songwriter Tony Dekker, released their newest album  Uncertain Country (Harbour Songs/Fontana) this spring. The new album is the band’s first new music in almost five years, and richly compliments their two-decades-deep musical catalogue.

    The band has also announced Uncertain Country (Deluxe) that is set for release on September 29, and will feature new acoustic versions of six album tracks: “Uncertain Country,” “When The Storm Has Passed,” “Swimming Like Flying,” “Riverine,” “Respect For All Living Things,” and “Flight Paths.”

    Uncertain Country features 11 songs that track a prolonged period of collective anxiety. Though recorded in different locales—largely around the Niagara region, and with a variety of musicians—a theme of questioning runs throughout. Even before the world turned upside down, Dekker felt mired in uncertainty: from the climate crisis and the ever-changing political landscape to deep shifts within the music industry. The “uncertain country” Dekker chose as the album’s theme is not a specific place. Rather, it’s a territory we inhabit in the 21st century — a world that is confusing, unfamiliar and unsettling.

    What started out four years ago as a 10-day trip to the north shore of Lake Superior, inspired a collection of musical field recordings at various locations around the Niagara region (where Dekker now lives) and served as the album’s organic recording studio.

    “Long-time Great Lake Swimmers listeners will find much that they know, from a strong current of nature imagery to Dekker’s wistful & emotive vocal delivery, but also plenty of new territory to discover. Those who are new to the band will find a rich variety of emotional dynamics & musical approaches that still has a coherent core. ‘Uncertain Country’ stands as some of the strongest & most consistent work by one of Canada’s best bands…”

    Review from Great Dark Wonder

    GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS – UNCERTAIN COUNTRY TOUR

    September 13 @ Biltmore Theatre – Oshawa, ON 

    September 14 @ Isabel Bader Theatre – Kingston, ON 

    September 16 @ Le Ritz – Montreal, QC 

    September 27 @ Dominion Telegraph – Paris, ON

    September 28 @ Royal City Mission – Guelph, ON 

    September 29 @ Bridgeworks – Hamilton, ON 

    October 3 @ Hi-Fi – Indianapolis, IN

    October 4 @ The Southgate House Revival – Newport, KY 

    October 5 @ The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI 

    October 7 @ Ignition Music Garage – Goshen, IN

    October 10 @ Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB 

    October 11 @ Broadway Theatre – Saskatoon, SK 

    October 12 @ Festival Hall – Calgary, AB 

    October 13 @ Festival Place – Sherwood Park, AB 

    October 14 @ Rocky Mountain House, AB – Rival Trade Brewing Co 

    October 15 @ Bo’s Bar & Stage – Red Deer , AB 

    October 18 @ Dream Café – Penticton, BC 

    October 19 @ Biltmore Theatre – Vancouver, BC 

    October 20 @ Capital Ballroom – Victoria, BC 

    October 21 @ Waverley Hotel – Cumberland, BC 

    October 22 @ Bez Arts Hub – Langley, BC

    October 25 @ Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

    October 26 @ Café Du Nord – San Francisco, CA

    October 27 @ Volcanic Theatre Pub – Bend, OR

    October 29 @ Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA

    November 1 @ Globe Hall – Denver, CO

    November 2 @ The Slowdown – Omaha, NE

    November 3 @ xBk – Des Moines, IA

    November 4 @ Turf Club – St Paul, MN

    November 5 @ Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI

    November 6 @ The Bur Oak – Madison, WI

    November 7 @ SPACE – Evanston, IL

    November 8 @ Rumba Café – Columbus, OH

    November 9 @ Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH 

    November 10 @ Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, PA

    November 12 @ Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA

    November 13 @ The Linda – Albany, NY

    November 15 @ TD Music Hall, Massey Hall – Toronto, ON 

    November 17 @ Aeolian Hall – London, ON

    For more information on Great Lake Swimmers, click here, or follow their Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Spotify, or YouTube.

  • Live Nation to Drop Merch Fees, Pay $1500 Stipend to Acts with “On the Road Again” Program

    Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, is launching a new program to improve the lives of touring musicians and cut down on the growing costs traveling artists are facing.

    Willie Nelson performs in concert during Farm Aid at Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center on Sept. 23, 2023, in Noblesville, Indiana. Gary Miller/Getty Images

    As reported by Billboard, the concert giant has announced the launch of “On the Road Again,” a new program inspired by legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson to support developing artists and their road crews. The program has no expiration date and is expected to save artists tens of millions every year. It tackles the growing costs of travel expenses and the ability of artists to make money through merch sales.

    “Touring is a crucial part of an artist’s livelihood, and we understand travel costs take one of the biggest bites out of artists’ nightly profits,” a press release from Live Nation reads. “By helping with these core expenses, we aim to make it easier for artists on the road so they can keep performing to their fans in more cities across the country.”

    Starting today, all acts playing Live Nation-owned and operated clubs, from headliners to support acts, will receive a $1,500 gas and travel cash stipend per show to all headliners and support acts, on top of nightly performance compensation. The company’s clubs will no longer charge merchandise selling fees, allowing artists to keep 100% of merch profits, which many artists rely on to generate cash for the band while they’re on the road.

    Participating venues.

    In January, Ineffable Music Group became the first company to waive merch fees for the company’s venues and showrooms. The decision by Live Nation to waive these fees will likely lead to more cash in the hands of touring artists. Participating venues in New York State include Warsaw, Gramercy Theatre, and Irving Plaza.

    “Touring is important to artists so whatever we can do to help other artists, I think we should do it. This program will impact thousands of artists this year and help make touring a little bit easier,” said Nelson, who provided his hit song On the Road Again as the anthem for the program. 

    On the Road Again also includes financial bonuses to local promoters who help execute shows as well as tour reps and venue crew members who have worked over 500 hours in 2023. It also includes $5 million to Crew Nation, a fund created during the pandemic to support crew across the industry facing unforeseen hardship.

    Some industry workers have commented that this program could kill independent venues, who wouldn’t be able to compete. Prices on other things may increase as well to pay for the program as well. The National Independent Venue Association said in response “Temporary measures may appear to help artists in the short run but actually can squeeze out independent venues which provide the lifeblood of many artists on thin margins…it appears to be a calculated attempt to use a publicly-traded conglomerate’s immeasurable resources to divert artists from independent venues and further consolidate control over the live entertainment sector. Such tactics threaten the vitality of small and medium-sized venues under 3000 capacity, many of which still struggle to keep their doors open.”

    Company officials added that On the Road Again is “a true collaboration that draws on insights from Nelson’s years on the road as well as feedback from touring artists, their teams, and venue operators to help support day-to-day life on tour. All benefits from On the Road Again are being provided directly from the venue’s existing earnings, with no increases to consumers.”

    For more information on the program and a list of participating venues, visit here.

  • Yes Tells Their Classic Tales At The College Street Music Hall

    A day filled with rain and overcast could not keep the Connecticut fans away from Yes at the College Street Music Hall in New Haven on Sunday evening. This show is only the fourth show of the Classic Tales of Yes tour as they are supporting their record that came out this past May titled Mirror To The Sky. 

    yes college street music hall

    Yes is composed of Jay Schellen on the drums, Billy Sherwood on the bass guitar, Jon Davison on lead vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, and Steve Howe on the guitar. Howe has been a part of Yes since 1970 and is the only original member left. 

    Despite there being no opening act for Yes, as fans were still piling into the venue, William Roger Dean who designed album covers for Yes, Asia, and Uriah Heep welcomed fans into the hall. Dean used a slide show and provided commentary about his journey with the band and announced that prints of his work would be made available upstairs by the bar.

    yes college street music hall

    After Dean left and the road crew changed around the stage a bit, the house lights dimmed, and Yes took the stage. While most rock bands try to wow the audience with amazing pyrotechnics, a massive screen with images, and a crazy light show, Yes on the other hand prefers to focus more on their music than what their stage looks like. With one backdrop with the band’s name behind them, and a few drapes off to the side of the stage, all eyes were on the progressive rock band from London, England.

    yes college street music hall

    Throughout the 13 songs that the band played, they dipped into every era of the band and played songs that spanned their entire career. Whether they played “Time and a Word” off of the record of the same name from 1970, or a brand new track titled “Cut From The Stars” the aforementioned Mirror To The Sky, no matter when fans first started to listen to the band, there were at least a few songs that they recognized.

    yes college street music hall

    The crowd, though on the older side, stuck with the band the entire length of their set. From the first note of “Going for the One” off of the record with the same name till the very last song, fans were singing and clapping throughout. Watching the band on stage was like watching a timewarp back to the 70s. The energy on stage was amazing to watch. While Davison is not the original singer, he deserves all the credit for his vocal range. Howe was a man possessed on the guitar, his skill has aged like fine wine and he was truly sensational. Schellen, Sherwood, and Downes also played great, added to the overall sound, and provided perfect harmonies.

    yes college street music hall

    Towards the end of the set, around the encore, the lower bowl flocked towards the barricade to get a closer look at their heroes before the show ended. When Davison ran to the front, he started fist-bumping, high-fiving, and shaking hands with fans who were at the very front. Davison did this as a form of appreciation and a thank you to them for coming out in the cold late September rain. You could see that the band truly appreciated their fans as they were smiling at them the entire set and interacting with them as much as they could.

    yes college street music hall

    As Yes took their final bow to a standing ovation from the crowd, fans were left joyful after watching the progressive rock masters at work on stage. As Yes paved the way for many other acts that came after them, it’s easy to see how the band once ruled the world and still has the skills to back them up.

    Setlist: Going for the One, It Will Be a Good Day (The River), Machine Messiah, I’ve Seen All Good People, America (Simon & Garfunkel cover) (instrumental version), Time and a Word, South Side of the Sky, Turn of the Century, Don’t Kill the Whale, Cut From the Stars, The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn) / The Remembering (High the Memory) / Leaves of Green / Ritual (Nous sommes du soleil), Roundabout, Starship Trooper

  • Smokey Robinson: a Night with the Motown Marvel in Niagara Falls

    Smokey Robinson graced the stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Canada, and from the moment he walked out to the introductory overture, the audience knew they were in for an unforgettable night of classic Motown magic.

    “Being With You” set the tone for the evening, with Robinson’s velvety voice still as captivating as ever. He transported us back in time with “I Second That Emotion,” a nod to his days with The Miracles, and followed it up with “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” a soulful rendition of The Miracles’ classic.

    As the night progressed, Robinson’s timeless hit “Quiet Storm” swept through the venue like a gentle breeze, and “Ooo Baby Baby” had the crowd swaying in their seats, relishing every note. The medley of “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Get Ready,” and “My Girl” paid tribute to The Temptations, showcasing Robinson’s versatility as he effortlessly crooned through these iconic songs.

    “The Tears of a Clown” brought a wave of nostalgia, and Robinson’s emotional delivery tugged at heartstrings throughout the venue. “I Love Your Face” was a tender and heartfelt moment, showing that even after all these years, Smokey’s ability to convey deep emotions remains unparalleled.

    Robinson’s rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” was a testament to his vocal range and ability to infuse a timeless classic with his unique style. “If We Don’t Have Each Other” and “Beside You” showcased his more contemporary work, reminding us that his talent continues to evolve.

    “Just to See Her” had the crowd on their feet, swaying and clapping along, and “The Tracks of My Tears” was a pure, unadulterated masterpiece, transporting us back to the golden era of Motown.

    Closing out the night with “Cruisin’,” Robinson left the audience craving for more, his voice as smooth and captivating as ever. The energy in the room was electric, a testament to the enduring appeal of Smokey Robinson’s music.

    In Niagara Falls, Canada, OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Smokey Robinson delivered a concert for the ages, taking us on a journey through his illustrious career. His voice, still as mesmerizing as when he first graced the stage, left no doubt that he is a true legend of Motown. The setlist was a perfect blend of classics and newer hits, ensuring that both longtime fans and newcomers alike left the venue with their hearts full and their spirits lifted. Smokey Robinson’s performance was a musical experience that will be cherished for years to come.