NYS Music 2023

Category: Beyond NYS

  • Dream Theater’s Dreamsonic tour plows through Hamilton ONT

    Hamilton’s FirstOntario Center became a haven for progressive metal enthusiasts. The mighty Dream Theater stormed the stage on their highly anticipated “Dreamsonic” tour on Wednesday, July 5. Sharing the spotlight were the incomparable Devin Townsend and the virtuosic Animals as Leaders. The evening promised a sonic journey unlike any other, and the bands delivered an unforgettable experience that left the crowd breathless.

    Animals as Leaders

    The main support of the show was the one and only Devin Townsend, a visionary artist known for his eclectic and experimental soundscapes. With a mesmerizing stage presence, Townsend took the audience on a musical odyssey with his setlist. From the mind-bending complexity of “Truth” to the atmospheric beauty of “Kingdom,” Townsend showcased his ability to seamlessly transition between contrasting moods and styles. The crowd was captivated by his powerful vocal range and the intricate layers of instrumentation that formed the backbone of his performance.

    Next up, Dream Theater took the stage with an explosive rendition of “Caught in a Web,” instantly igniting the crowd’s energy after they started the setlist with some newer songs. The band’s technical prowess was on full display as they flawlessly executed complex time signatures and intricate melodies. Songs like “About to Crash” and “Solitary Shell” showcased their ability to seamlessly blend heavy riffs with melodic passages, creating a dynamic and captivating sonic experience. Their guitarist John Petrucci is one of the few performers who have mastered this.

    The concert reached its climax with the epic “The Count of Tuscany” a monumental piece that showcased Dream Theater’s musical virtuosity. The band’s chemistry was palpable as they flawlessly navigated through the song’s ever-shifting dynamics and intricate arrangements. The audience was spellbound by the precise synchrony between each band member, as they wove together a sonic tapestry of progressive metal mastery.

    For the encore, Dream Theater invited the other band members from the prior bands to join them on stage for a stunning rendition of “Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On.” The collective energy and talent of all the musicians on stage created a transcendent moment, leaving the audience in awe.

    Dream Theater’s setlist was a carefully curated journey through their illustrious discography. Classics like “Pull Me Under” ignited nostalgia in long-time fans, while newer tracks like “The Alien” showcased the band’s continued evolution and growth. Each song was performed with impeccable precision, showcasing the band’s unrivaled musicianship and dedication to their craft.

    The Dreamsonic tour in Hamilton was a night that will forever be etched in the memory of progressive metal fans. Dream Theater, accompanied by support acts Devin Townsend and Animals as Leaders, delivered a mesmerizing display of technical prowess, musical depth, and sheer sonic brilliance. With a setlist that spanned their extensive career, Dream Theater left no doubt that they are masters of their craft, captivating the audience and leaving them craving for more.

    Animals as Leaders

    Devin Townsend

    Dream Theater

  • My Morning Jacket Deliver Powerhouse Performance in New Haven

    Bolstered by charismatic rock-star energy and a one-of-a-kind voice, the legendary live band known as My Morning Jacket lived up to all expectations and then some on Friday night, delivering a max effort, powerhouse performance to the storied city of New Haven, CT on the last day of June 2023.

    An outstanding evening of song and dance, hugs and headbanging, and music with enough substance and depth to make even the most jaded concertgoer feel alive, fans who couldn’t make it to their headlining Peach Festival set the following night were treated to a far more intimate experience at the Westville Music Bowl. Featuring bust-outs, rarities, and songs played for the first time on this tour, the two-and-a-half-hour, career-spanning set felt inspired and special and showed exactly why many consider MMJ to be one of the greatest American bands of this generation.

    My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23

    A timeless attraction, My Morning Jacket possesses a rare appeal that spans across generations. Consisting of frontman Jim James on vocals and guitar, multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, and keyboardist Bo Koster, after more than two decades on the road the Louisville quintet have remained innovators of their genre and a creative force to be reckoned with. Still one of the “hairiest” bands out there, their look often harkens back to the glory days of 70’s rock n roll, while their sound has continually evolved to include more sonic experimentation and a wider palette of styles ranging from country to soul to psychedelia to even a bit of pop — all of it would be on full display on this hazy, humid Friday in New Haven.  

    With the bowl in Westville slightly more than half-packed, one could only assume the draw was directly impacted by The Peach Festival happening at the same time; the same festival My Morning Jacket would headline the very next night. But make no mistake, this was no “warm-up” gig for the band. In fact, they’d been on tour for several weeks already at this point, doing different setlists in each city, and by all fan accounts, have been having as much fun playing together as we’ve seen in years, acting reinvigorated and ready to rock out.

    My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23

    After taking the New Haven stage accompanied by some hypnotic orchestral music and, of course, the colorfully dressed bears, Pooch and Denise, fans would see the light early as the show kicked off with the tour debut of “The Dark” from My Morning Jacket’s earliest album, 1999’s The Tennessee Fire, letting everyone know they were in for a treat tonight and to buckle up for the ride. Flowing directly into the thought-provoking crowd-pleaser “Compound Fracture,” vocalist Jim James, wearing heart-shaped sunglasses, would put his guitar down and work his way out to the front of the stage, locking eyes with the audience and drawing them in closer with his every movement and gesture; his presence was simply magnetic.

    There’s no evil, there’s no good
    Only people doing as they should
    There is life in love and sound
    Get as much as you can keep around
    Before they put you into the ground

    For who knows how long? (paradise calling)

    -Lyrics from “Compound Fracture”

    Now strapping back up with an acoustic guitar, James would go back to his childhood way with the title track of 2011’s Circuital before flowing directly into the classic MMJ rock anthem “Anytime.” A reimaged rendition of “I’m Amazed” featuring a Beatles-esq intro brought out goosebumps when the whole crowd shouted “Where is the justice?” in unison. Our next tour debut was the delicate song “Sooner” which saw multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel move over to the slide guitar for one of the very few times in the evening. The show was already seven songs deep before the band would play anything from their most recent self-titled studio album, uncorking a seven-plus minute version of “Least Expected” that featured a beautiful extended keyboard solo from Bo Koster. Next came the song which perhaps best summed up the overall message of the night with “Love Love Love.”

    Jim James of My Morning Jacket was all about love on 6/30/23

    In another setlist surprise, “One Big Holiday,” a signature song usually reserved for the encore slot, dropped early and would feature James improvising lyrics over its outro, expressing his love for the “beautiful, scenic, historic, and wonderful people of New Haven,” leading us directly into one of My Morning Jacket’s most cherished songs and my personal favorite, “Steam Engine.” Played under hazy skies and a cool jeweled moon, the lyrics felt particularly potent on this number; complete with a beautiful saxophone solo from Broemel and a piano outro that seamlessly segued into a powerful rendition of “Feel You” that would see the members of the band huddle around Patrick Hallahan’s drum riser to headbang in unison, something the band often does when they are locked in and “feeling it.” 

    My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23

    A well-received “Victory Dance” would then set the tone for the real meat-and-potatoes of the show, putting in motion a series of songs that would alligator together through “Cobra” and see the incredible light show come to life before your eyes. After giving the crowd a chance to show off their best falsetto voices, “Wordless Chorus” took on a particularly funky groove before transitioning back into the hard-rocking second part of “Cobra.” Somewhat reminiscent of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” here, the chugging low end was easily the heaviest of the night. “Cobra Pt 2” would then morph into the anthemic rocker “Wasted” which would evoke a dynamic, delayed pause that would send the audience into a frenzy, before reaching its high-octane peak.

    Melting back into the conclusion of “Cobra” then slithering into the danceable electro groove of “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt 2” (as popularized by the band’s guest appearance on Fox’s animated series American Dad), the song would see a bit of a different arrangement here, jamming out with more intensity and yielding a rocking, hair swishing, shred fest that would bring the impressive near 40-minute frame of uninterrupted music to a close. Not done pummeling the audience yet, “Holdin’ On to Black Metal” would get the crowd singing along once again before the band would disappear behind the smoke-filled stage to leave fans begging for more.

    Fissure is the thrill of the day
    Forget about feeling, that’s not what pays
    But you know, all of this can change
    Remember the promise as a kid you made

    Ah, ooh, ah, ah, aha
    Aha, ooh, ah, ah

    We are the innovators, they are the imitators
    C’mon, hey, don’t you know how we started
    We forgot about love, but weren’t brokenhearted

    -Lyrics from “Wordless Chorus”
    My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel letting it rip at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23

    After a brief break in the action, the band would reemerge from the shadows and Jim James would candidly address the audience, letting them know how special this moment together was, saying “Thank you so much, New Haven, wow, what a beautiful bunch. We’re so grateful to be here, so honored that you’re here. Were so glad to all be together, all be alive right now, right here on this beautiful planet. All together just having a beautiful, beautiful night.” The band would then slowly strum the opening chords of another bust outplayed for the first time on this tour in “Old September Blues” which also included a healthy nod to the Santo & Johnny classic “Sleep Walk.” 

    As if the show hadn’t been epic enough already, My Morning Jacket would then uncork a monstrous nine-minute version of “Spring (Among the Living).” A bit of freestyle pandering in the middle of the song would again feature Jim giving the audience some love, singing “Among the living in beautiful New Haven now, among the living in historic New Haven town, wooo” before breaking it down into one of the funkiest grooves heard all night to coincide with perhaps the most impressive light show of the night. With the venue’s early curfew now rapidly approaching, there was time left for just one more song. With fans shouting out dozens of titles still on the table, it would be the time-tested favorite “Magheetah” that was chosen as the final sing-along, sending fans home gleefully into the night with huge smiles on their faces, bringing the powerhouse performance to a close.

    My Morning Jacket performing live at Westville Music Bowl on 6/30/23

    In a city with such storied history, on the way out some fans could be heard drawing comparisons between Jim James and Jim Morrison. While the band never blatantly acknowledged The Doors’ influence, upon reflection, certain moments of the show certainly seemed to conjure up images of the Lizard King. From the opening lyrics of “The Dark,” to the cool jeweled moon above the venue, to the fact that Morrison became the first ever rock star ever arrested on stage in this same city, you couldn’t help but wonder if it was all a happy coincidence.  Either way, both men should be considered icons of their era and two of the greatest frontmen in rock n roll history. 

    Strike a Pose: Jim James of My Morning Jacket performing live in New Haven, CT 6/30/23

    After headlining the Peach Festival the following night, My Morning Jacket will get a few weeks of rest before returning to the road at the Newport Folk Festival at the end of July. Fans in New York will have plenty to look forward to this fall, as the band will return to the beautiful Beacon Theatre for a three-night run celebrating the 20 anniversary of their album It Still Moves. The fall tour will also see My Morning Jacket’s highly anticipated debut at the Place Theatre in Albany.

    Setlist: The Dark *, Compound Fracture, Circuital, Anytime, I’m Amazed, Sooner*, Least Expected, Love Love Love, One Big Holiday, Steam Engine, Feel You, Victory Dance, Cobra (Pt 1) > Wordless Chorus > Cobra (Pt 2) > Wasted > Cobra (Pt 3) > Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2, Holdin On To Black Metal

    Encore: Old September Blues* > Sleep Walk **, Spring (Among the Living), Mahgeetah.

    *Tour Debut

    **Santo & Johnny cover

  • Sphere in Las Vegas Lights Exterior For First Time

    The Sphere in Las Vegas has officially lit its exterior for the first time, the world’s largest LED screen, transforming the Vegas skyline.

    Credit: Sphere Entertainment.

    Dubbed the Exosphere, the outside portion of the Sphere was lit on July 4, introducing a new global landmark where artists, partners, and brands can showcase impactful content to audiences from around the world. The Exosphere consists of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks, spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 48 individual LED diodes, with each diode capable of displaying 256 million different colors. The Fourth of July production was just the beginning for the Exosphere, as it will continue to display creative activations in coordination with major events in Las Vegas, with more content planned throughout the month.

    David Hopkinson, President, and Chief Operating Officer of MSG Sports, who oversees global marketing and brand partnerships across Sphere Entertainment and the MSG family of companies, said: “Sphere’s Exosphere is a 360-degree canvas for brand storytelling that will be seen around the world, offering our partners an unparalleled opportunity to become part of the greatest show on Earth. There’s nothing comparable to the impact from displaying innovative brand and immersive content on the world’s largest video screen. The extraordinary experiences we can create are only limited by imagination, and we’re thrilled to finally share with the world the spectacular potential of the Exosphere.”

    The Sphere is becoming the next-generation entertainment medium, bringing wonder to the world and redefining the future of live entertainment, where artists, creators, and technologies will create extraordinary experiences, taking storytelling to a new level. The venue will transform 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.

    Sphere at The Venetian (courtesy MSGE).

    Later this year, the Exosphere will be prominently featured as part of Sphere’s opening in September with U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, as well as during the first Sphere Experience, Postcard from Earth directed by Darren Aronofsky, in October. For more information about the upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, visit here.

  • Hilltop Announces 2023 Summer Tour, Mercury Lounge August 3rd

    Albany’s rising jam group Hilltop have unveiled their 2023 Summer Tour, taking them across New York, plus festival stops in Pennslyvania and the Catskills and a post Phish show in NYC.

    Photo by Frank Cavone

    Among the dates is a first ever show for Hilltop at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan, on August 3rd. During a non-consecutive 7-night run for Phish at Madison Square Garden, Hilltop jumps on an opportunity to play on one of the few nights off for Phish, bringing Thursday night funk to those looking to keep boogieing down in between Phish shows.

    Joining Hilltop at Mercury Lounge will be Whaley + Ernie & The Band opening the night.

    If you can’t catch them at Mercury Lounge, don’t miss Hilltop as they make a stop at Catskill Jubilee Music Festival in mid-August, featuring the Disco Biscuits headlining. More dates leading into the fall will be announced soon!

    hilltop summer tour

    Get tickets for the Mercury Lounge show here and stay up to date on Hilltop here.

    Hilltop Summer Tour 2023

    6/23 – Red Square – Burlington, VT
    6/24 – The Listening Room at East Coast Van Builds – Bradford, VT
    7/8 – Rock the Dock Music Festival – Lake George, NY
    7/14 – Riverboat Bar – Alexandria Bay, NY
    7/28 – Nietzsche’s – Buffalo, NY
    8/3 – MERCURY LOUNGE – New York, NY *
    8/10-13 – Catskill Jubilee – East Durham, NY
    8/16 – The Fire – Philadelphia, PA
    8/17 – Stella Blues Bar – New Haven, CT

  • A Deep Dive into Goth: John Robb’s “The Art Of Darkness: The History Of Goth”

    For those looking to dive deep into the darkness that is inherent in the Goth scene, “The Art Of Darkness: The History Of Goth” was released on May 16th (Manchester University Press). Author John Robb takes an in-depth look at all that makes up the Goth music scene – the music, the culture, and the history.

    goth book the art of darkness

    A book that took eight years to be published, “The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth” has received rave reviews across Europe, the nexus for Goth. The Irish Independent said of the tome, “Gloriously knowledgeable…stuffed with stories about the bands who changed your life as a teenager.”

    John Robb is a veteran of the global alternative music scene, coining the term “Britpop” in the 1990s, was the first UK writer to interview Nirvana back in 1989, and has written on popular music for The Times, The Guardian, NME, and founded the UK music website, Louder Than War. John has previously written the best-selling books “Punk Rock: An Oral History” and “The North Will Rise Again: Manchester Music City 1976-1996”.

    goth book
    John Robb: Photo by John Middleham

    This 546 page book takes the reader into a Goth club, before expanding to take a look at the wider culture and history of the times. Examining the subculture that rose in underground UK clubs, spread thrrough word of mouth at pubs or via posters and handbills, the early scene included hippies, scenesters, dominatrices, and gives a breakdown of what went down in the club scene.

    Taking a look at the social conditions at the time that led to the rise of Goth in the post-punk period, Robb finds history influencing art, shifting gears as he looks upon the fall of Rome, folk tales from Europe, the occult, Gothic architecture and more to tie present-day Goth to these continental roots.

    Examined is the Goth connection to the punk club scene and how it shifted from punk to goth over time, plus that which makes up various goth sub-groups: mall, traditional, romantic, vampire, etc… all the way to Glam Rock and how Goth arrives at present day, and even how certain genres of music (heavy metal, indie) correlate to the Goth culture.

    The book is built mostly around the 80s post-punk Goth period and features interviews with Andrew Eldritch, Killing Joke, Bauhaus, The Cult, The Banshees, The Damned, Einstürzende Neubauten, Johnny Marr, Trent Reznor, Adam Ant, Laibach, The Cure, Nick Cave and many others.

    An enjoyable read, one of the biggest takeaways, especially for the uninitiated, are the origins of Goth in the club scene of the 1960s, and the evolution of the beatnik/mod era through punk and post-punk, with goth borrowing as it arose during the time period.

    Order a copy of the definitive deep-dive into Goth here! 

    Ed. note: Thanks to Lola for her insight into goth culture.

  • Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers Expand Fall Tour, Include Stops in NY

    Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers have expanded their forthcoming tour into November, adding ten stops to an already jam-packed fall lineup. The group, which features lifelong collaborators and real-life brothers Victor, Joseph, Roy “Futureman,” and Regi Wooten, recently announced its highly anticipated reunion tour, making stops in NY cities including Troy, Buffalo, and Brooklyn.

    Wooten Brothers

    Lauded by Rolling Stone as one of the “Top 10 Bassists of All Time,” Victor Wooten has captivated audiences for over four decades with his dynamic stage presence and unparalleled technical chops. Wooten’s eclectic repertoire includes collaborations with the likes of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (of which he is a founding member), Chick Corea, Dave Matthews Band, India Arie, Keb’ Mo’, and more recently, Cory Wong. Widely regarded as one of the greatest living bassists today, Wooten continues to share his passion for music through numerous modalities. The multidisciplinary artist has authored two books and has mentored thousands of students at his own Center for Music and Nature since the year 2000.

    Remarkably accomplished in their own right, each of the Wooten brothers bring a unique flavor to the live experience. Joseph Wooten, also known as the “Hands of Soul,” has been the keyboardist/vocalist for the Steve Miller Band since 1993. He is a renowned composer, arranger, author, and motivational speaker whose collaborations include work with Whitney Houston, George Clinton, and Kenny G.

     Roy “Futureman” Wooten is also a founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and a five-time GRAMMY award winner, famously known for his trademark inventions the “Drumitar” and the “RoyEI” keyboard. A philosopher, researcher, filmmaker, and educator, Roy’s impressive solo career, symphonic works, and “Black Mozart” projects span the genres of classical, jazz, soul, gospel, and spoken word. 

    Regi Wooten’s signature guitar style of chording, slapping, tapping, and virtuosic strumming has earned him worldwide notoriety and comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and Chuck Berry. In recent years, Regi has performed with many artists including the legendary Ginger Baker. Known worldwide as “The Teacha,” Regi currently teaches music in Nashville, TN, and has taught many notable musicians.

    Wooten Brothers

    Together The Wooten Brothers bring an uncanny level of experience, originality, and expertise to the stage. Playing together since childhood, the formidable group has shared stages with the likes of Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations, Ramsey Lewis, Stephanie Mills, War, and others. Fans can expect an infectious, colorful, and exuberant production that showcases The Wooten Brothers’ impenetrable creative chemistry. An amalgam of original songs and choice classics, each show offers a one-of-a-kind adventure that defies the bounds of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock, and bluegrass. 

    On the forthcoming tour, Victor shares, “Being in a band with my brothers is the best thing for me. It’s like a family reunion every time we get together to play. They are my teachers and I feel most at home with them.”This will be the brothers’ first tour together as a band since the untimely death of their saxophone-playing brother Rudy a few years ago. In the forthcoming year, The Wooten Brothers will release their first studio album in several decades. 

    The music we are working on at the moment is a collection of new and old. We have songs that were recorded decades ago that have never been heard by anyone. We also have newer music that was recorded over the last year. It will be a nice collection of old and new. With the older music, we want to introduce the world to Rudy, our saxophone-playing brother who passed away in 2010. Be prepared to have your mind blown.

    The Wooten Brothers

    The forthcoming Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers tour will kick off on Sept. 28 in Chattanooga, TN. For tour dates, tickets, and info, visit here.

    Wooten Brothers

    Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers Tour Dates

    09/28 – Chattanooga, TN – The Barrelhouse Ballroom^

    09/29 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre^

    09/30 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse^

    10/01 – Asheville, NC – The Outpost^

    10/03 – Troy, NY – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall^

    10/04 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl^

    10/05 – Silver Springs, MD – The Fillmore^

    10/06 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live^

    10/07 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel^

    10/08 – Portland, ME – State Theatre^

    10/10 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground^

    10/11 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues^

    10/12 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – FM Kirby Center^

    10/13 – Roanoke, VA – Jefferson Center

    10/14 – Buffalo, NY – CMC International Jazz Festival

    11/01 – Saint Louis, MO – Delmar Hall

    11/02 – Nashville, TN – Riverside Revival

    11/03 – Germantown, TN – GPAC

    11/04 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue

    11/06 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

    11/07 – Cincinnati, OH – Hamilton Memorial Hall

    11/08 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre 

    11/09 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line

    11/10 – Evanston, IL – SPACE

    11/11 – Elgin, IL – ECC Arts Center

    01/11 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom

    01/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room

    01/13 – Hamilton, MT – Bitterroot Performing Arts Council

    01/14 – Bozeman, MT – The Elm

    01/16 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile

    01/17 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall

    01/18 – Eugene, OR – The John G. Shedd Institute For The Arts

    01/19 – Chico, CA – The Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery

    01/20 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre

    01/21 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre

    01/23 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern

    01/25 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour

    ^With Special Guests Rebirth Brass Band

  • In Focus: The Flaming Lips Bring Yoshimi to Cleveland

    The Flaming Lips delivered an unforgettable performance at the Agora Theatre in Cleveland on June 11. With two mesmerizing sets, they took the audience on a journey filled with nostalgia, energy, and musical brilliance. Wayne Coyne serves as the bands psychedelic ringmaster, constantly pulling things out of his bag of tricks or egging the crowd on to be as silly and to have as much fun as possible. The Flaming Lips treat every concert like it’s the last one on Earth, because you never know, it could be.

    In their first set of the night, The Flaming Lips paid homage to their iconic album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by performing it in its entirety. The crowd was immersed in a sonic adventure, as the band flawlessly captured the essence of the album’s whimsical melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. Accompanied by mesmerizing visuals, their performance breathed new life into the beloved tracks, evoking a wave of both nostalgia and renewed appreciation.

    As the night drew to a close, The Flaming Lips left the stage, but their impact lingered in the hearts and minds of everyone present. Their two-set performance was a testament to their artistic vision, their ability to captivate and transcend boundaries, and their unwavering commitment to creating a transformative live experience. The Flaming Lips once again solidified their status as masters of their craft, leaving the audience with an insatiable craving for more of their musical magic.

    Set 1: Fight Test, One More Robot/Sympathy 3000-21, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2, In the Morning of the Magicians, Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, Are You a Hypnotist??, It’s Summertime, Do You Realize??, All We Have Is Now, Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia)

    Set 2: Sagittarius Silver Announcement, She Don’t Use Jelly, Mother I’ve Taken LSD, How??, Always There, In Our Hearts, Feeling Yourself Disintegrate, Assassins of Youth, Will You Return / When You Come Down, Borderline(Madonna), Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung

    Encore: My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion, A Spoonful Weighs a Ton, Race for the Prize

  • Hudson West Folk Festival Lineup Announced

    The Hudson West Folk Festival returns for another year of music, art, and teaching in downtown Jersey City. The event is slated for Sept. 23 and will run from Noon to 10 pm at the Nimbus Arts Center.

    The festival incorporates both established and up-and-coming musicians into its programming. The event will feature ten different performers, two of which are new local artists. Although the festival is predominately based around folk and roots music, this year’s lineup bolsters acts from a diverse set of genres. 

    In addition to showcasing and highlighting great music, the Hudson West Folk Festival also works with the local visual arts scene. Local artists often create stage backdrops, helping to promote all the different creative talents in the area. 

    2022 talent search winner, Sofia Oro

    One of the most unique aspects of the Hudson West Folk Festival is the music workshops that happen as part of the celebration. Free with admission, the workshops are taught by professional musicians and aim to inspire and educate the next generation of performers. 

    As part of the festival, there will also be a variety of homemade food for sale and a bar. More details and information can be found here. 

    Festival Lineup 

    Crys Matthews- Matthews is a winner of the prestigious New Song Music and Performance Competition at the Lincoln Center. Her music is marked by poignant lyrics and hopeful rhythms which help to create a powerful and salient sound. 

    The Chivalrous Crickets- An often genre-being folk band that highlights the intersectionality of many different kinds of music. From Appalachian to Celtic, the group looks to share quality songs worldwide. 

    Nation Beat- Inspired by jazz and the spirit of celebrations like Carnival, Nation Beat creates music to dance to. Their performances often include captivating drums and lively horns, making it the perfect sound to cap off the Summer season. 

    Grey Reverend- Featuring layered strings and soulful lyrics, Grey Reverend has carved out a sound between folk and blues. Reverend’s music has appeared on MTV, ABC, NBC, HBO, BBC, and NPR. 

    Danielle Miraglia- A multi-dimensional artist that combines the sounds of folk, rock, blues, and even country. Miraglia’s strong voice and creative playing style are sure to catch anyone’s attention. 

    Joshua Nelson- Nelson is known as “The Prince of Kosher Gospel”, performing with numerous gospel legends. Nelson also performs frequently with the Jewish Klezmer band The Klezmatics. 

    The Scooches- A band that treasures the diversity of folk music from around the world. Their performances are a melting pot of Americana, folk, roots, and even jazz, 

    Sean Kiely- Kiely’s calm and comforting voice pairs well with his acoustic groove. Despite the strong influence of roots/folk, Kiely’s music also weaves in elements of rock and even indie-rock. His willingness to explore other genres generates performances that are friendly for all kinds of music fans. 

  • Fleet Foxes Come To Shore At College Street Music Hall

    Continuing to tour in support of their fourth consecutive critically acclaimed album Shore (Anti-Records, 2020), Fleet Foxes visited College Street Music Hall (CSMH) in New Haven, Connecticut this past Tuesday night for the fifth show on a 28-date trek of North America that kicked-off in Chesterfield, Missouri a few days prior.

    Robin Pecknold

    Formed in 2006, the indie folk darlings hailing from Seattle, Washington are the quintet of frontman/guitarist Robin Pecknold, Skyler Skjelset (guitar), Casey Wescott (keyboards, mandolin, backing vocals), Christian Wargo (bass) and Morgan Henderson (multi-instrumentalist, including upright bass and saxophone). Since last year, Fleet Foxes have also been joined by touring drummer Christopher Icasiano.

    Despite the distance from their home on the west coast, the Pacific Northwesterners – particularly Pecknold – share a strong connection to New York State. To make a long story short (too late!), the recording of Shore got underway at Aaron Dessner’s (The National) Long Pond Studios in Hudson, New York back in September 2019. Although the majority of Shore was subsequently recorded at Woody Jackson’s Electro-Vox Studio in Los Angeles, California from late-2019 to early-2020, progress was halted in March 2020 – due to what else – COVID-19 of course. With Shore conceptually complete from a music standpoint, Pecknold was not satisfied with his writings and was struggling to find the right words to match the music. However, it would not be for too long, as he eventually found the lyrical inspiration he craved during time spent on long drives from his Greenwich Village apartment, where he had been quarantined, to Lake Minnewaska in Ulster County, and further north into the Catskill Mountains.

    College Street Music Hall

    A few ticks past 7:00 pm, doors to the historic venue constructed in 1926 and located in the heart of New Haven’s downtown arts district opened to the loyal Fleet Fox fans that had been queued a half block south of Yale University, many since the early afternoon.  As throngs of patrons hurriedly began to file into the concert hall’s lobby, many headed straight for the merch table to purchase a t-shirt, hoodie or signed tour poster. Others were seen grabbing a craft beer on tap or a cocktail before securing a spot on the General Admission floor or heading to the upper balcony.

    Uwade

    Fittingly opening the show at 8:00 pm, as it’s her voice you hear opening “Wading in Waist-High Water” on Fleet Foxes’ Shore, was Uwade Akhere. A Nigerian born singer-songwriter based in New York City, Uwade is an indie-folk artist whose star has been on the rise since the release of her very first single, “Nostalgia,” in 2019. Performing a 30-minute solo set, she favored stage right as she played a six-string Torino Green Gretsch that nearly matched her dress perfectly. With an angelic onstage presence – her songs are fittingly spiritual in nature as well – she relinquished sublime versions of her only other singles released to date, “The Man Who Sees Tomorrow” (2021) and “Do You See the Light Around Me?” (2022). As the venue was nearing its 2,000-capacity, Uwade played “One Way Trigger,” a cover that her fellow New York City natives The Strokes released in 2013. With Uwade’s set nearing its conclusion, and much to the delight of Fleet Foxes fans, she welcomed to the stage Wargo and Icasiano for her two final songs.

    Skyler Skjelset

    After a brief intermission to address the stage’s final preparations, Fleet Fox took the stage a few ticks past 9:00 pm to raucous applause from the now packed house. With Pecknold snapping a few shots of the adoring fans in front of him with a disposable camera, he announced immediately, “Thank you so much New Haven, thank you. And thank you so much to Uwade, that was an incredible opening set.” The night’s festivities officially got underway with “Sun Giant,” a soft, harmonic piece written in 2008 that began a cappella, before fading into full accompaniment, including a two-man horn section. Reprising her role from Shore, Uwade reappeared onstage to contribute backing vocals to “Wading in Waist-High Water.” It would not be the 22-year old’s last appearance of the evening, as she would later join the band during the encore for exquisite backing deliveries of “For a Week or Two” and “Going-to-the-Sun Road.”

    Christian Wargo

    For the entirety of the massive, 24-song set that encompassed Fleet Foxes’ rich and diverse catalog over the past 17 years, the Seattle musicians were in top form across the board, in particular, Pecknold’s unique baritenor voice. Hailed for their refined instrumentation and vocal harmonies, their music was meant to be executed in a place such as CSMH – the destination for concertgoers looking for a venue within spitting distance of Boston and Manhattan – renowned for its world-class acoustics and lighting.

    Casey Wescott
    Morgan Henderson

    Because Fleet Foxes’ two hour plus gig was filled with stand-out moments, picking the top song highlights is not easy. However, if I could choose only three, they would have to be (in order by appearance): Pecknold’s solo acoustic performance of “Silver Dagger” (a traditional American folk ballad popularized by Joan Baez); “Blue Ridge Mountains,” my favorite Fleet Foxes tune taken from their self-titled debut studio album (2008); and the impressive show’s finale, “Helplessness Blues,” the title track from their sophomore studio album (2011).

    Christopher Icasiano

    In the coming days and weeks, the North American leg of Fleet Foxes’ Shore Tour 2023 will sweep through Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, the Carolinas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana and Maine. And in case you missed the CSMH show, or you just cannot get enough of Fleet Foxes in a live setting, they will be playing Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, New York on July 12. The tour finale is slated to occur near Fleet Foxes’ old stomping grounds, at Thing Fest in Port Townsend, Washington, on August 25. To date, the only additional public appearance on the calendar for Fleet Foxes is the Festival Corona Capital in Mexico City on November 17.

    Fleet Foxes Setlist: Sun Giant > Wading in Waist‐high Water (with Uwade) > Sunblind > Can I Believe You > Ragged Wood > Your Protector > He Doesn’t Know Why > Featherweight > Third of May/Ōdaigahara > Phoenix (Big Red Machine cover) > Bedouin Dress > White Winter Hymnal > Mearcstapa > Mykonos > Silver Dagger (traditional cover) > Montezuma > Cradling Mother, Cradling Woman > Maestranza > Blue Ridge Mountains > Grown Ocean > Encore: Someone You’d Admire > For a Week or Two (with Uwade) > Going-to-the-Sun Road (with Uwade) > Helplessness Blues

    FLEET FOXES

  • Peach Music Festival 2023 Announces Artist Set Times

    The Peach Music Festival 2023 has announced the set times for each artist performing at the festival, some include Goose, Ween, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more.

    With almost a week left until the first day of the festival, set times for the highly anticipated event are now available. The Peach Music Festival was created in 2012 as the first-ever Allman Brothers Band-inspired festival in the Northeast and has quickly evolved into one of the most highly-anticipated summer musical events loved by music enthusiasts from across the nation. It is a one-of-a-kind festival, as it features food and craft vendors on the grounds and access to the scenic Montage Mountain Ski Resort’s large water park.

    Headlining is Goose, performing two sets, on Thursday, June 29; Ween on Friday, June 30; My Morning Jacket on Saturday, July 1; and Tedeschi Trucks Band on Sunday, July 2, with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Mike Gordon, Lettuce, Twiddle, and Ripe. Featured at this year’s festival will be a performance of the Allman Brothers Band record Brothers & Sisters, with founding member Jaimoe performing as Jaimoe and Friends and duo Brother and Sister. There will also be a special appearance by Trouble No More, featuring Brandon “Taz” Niederaurer (Guitar, Vocals), Daniel Donato (Guitar, Vocals), Dylan Niederaurer (Bass Guitar), Jack Ryan (Drums), Lamar Williams Jr. (Vocals), Nikki Glaspie (Drums), Peter Levin (Keys) and Roosevelt Collier (Pedal Steel Guitar).

    Goose
    Goose, performing at Peach Festival 2022, photo by Andrew Hutchins.

    Newly added to the Peach Festival lineup include Ziggy Marley, Australian Pink Floyd performing a 50th-anniversary tribute to Dark Side of the Moon, Jupiter & Okwess, Broadband featuring Kanika Moore, The National Reserve, J.D. Simo, Little Bird, and Mountain Grass Unit. Late-night sets at the Peach Music Festival will feature LP Giobbi presenting Dead House and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Peach on Friday, June 30, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, and Magic City Hippies on Saturday, July 1.

    For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit here. Set times can be found below.