NYS Music 2023

Category: The Northeast

  • In Focus: Phish Shine at The Pavilion at Star Lake

    Making their way into to the Northeast, Phish made a two-night stop at The Pavilion at Star Lake, located in Burgettstown, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. Two nights of exploratory jamming and a few debuts had fans eagerly anticipating tonight’s show in Syracuse at St. Joseph’s Amphitheater at Lakeview.

    Friday night began with a pair of first set openers, “Party Time” and “AC/DC Bag” followed by a fiery “46 Days.” A few songs later, “Stash” was the jumping off point for the first major jam of the night, dark and introspective. Likewise, “Leaves” jammed out nicely, setting the stage for a “Maze” that had Page McConnell furiously hammering the organ, standing up so others could get down. “Scents and Subtle Sounds” would close the set, although tonight the crowd got the full version, unlike Wilmington, NC on Wednesday night where the band was forced to cut the song off due to torrential rain.

    The second set featured some of the biggest jams of the run, with “Sigma Oasis” clocking in at more than 16 minutes, “The Final Hurrah” providing a segue to the wonderful debut of “Pillow Jets” – a light and fluffy song with a jam to match. “David Bowie” was the highlight of the set though, the band making the most of each space created following the composed portion. During “Bowie,” Page teased “Eleanor Rigby”, as well as in “Ruby Waves” that closed the show. And while “Fuego” did provide the awesome visual of the lighting rig descending to just above the band’s heads, although “Cities” could have had a chance to breathe ahead of the segue to “Fuego.” The encore of “Character Zero” and “Slave to the Traffic Light” would wrap things up and send the crowd out to the lots for a Cosmic burrito and slow crawl out of the venue parking lot.

    Friday, July 21 setlist via Phish.net

    Set 1: Party Time, AC/DC Bag > 46 Days, Birds of a Feather, Bouncing Around the Room, Stash, Leaves, Maze, Scents and Subtle Sounds

    Set 2: Sigma Oasis -> The Final Hurrah > Pillow Jets > David Bowie, Cities -> Fuego > Ruby Waves

    Encore: Character Zero > Slave to the Traffic Light

    On first glance, Night 2 of Phish at Star Lake felt a little more pedestrian compared to Friday, but a cleansing Set 1, with three energetic numbers – “I Never Needed You Like This Before,” “Turtle in the Clouds,” and “Llama” – beginning the night. With the sunset glaring down on the band, a half dozen ‘take em or leave em” numbers were peppered in, with the valley rising to a peak with “Ass Handed” and “Sand” closing out the set on a high note. No complaints, no notes, this was an enjoyable Saturday evening first set.

    What awaited in the second set were jams tucked inside jams – “Everything’s Right” had a distinct “Slave to the Traffic Light” jam within, so if you went to your car Friday night as “Slave” encored, you got a second chance to enjoy this one. “Soul Planet” and “Twist” each had their own solid jams, with McConnell’s Vida Blue composition “Most Events Aren’t Planned” appearing at the right moment, giving the second set from Friday a run for the money. Tonight’s second set debut tune “Monsters,” joining “Pillow Jets” and the previously played “Oblivion” as having strong potential for future Type II exploration. “2001” appeared out of thin air, held its own and gave way to Lou Reed and Velvet Underground’s “Rock and Roll,” a rarer treat these days.

    A triple encore of “Grind,” and short but sweet versions of “Tube” and “Ghost” (first ever in an encore slot) would close the night and send the crowd off to hotels, with visions of Oranges dancing in their heads.

    Phish plays tonight in Syracuse – never miss a Sunday show.

    Saturday, July 22 setlist via Phish.net

    Set 1: I Never Needed You Like This Before, Turtle in the Clouds, Llama, Clear Your Mind > Sample in a Jar, Taste, Ocelot, Julius, Saw It Again > Sparkle, Ass Handed, Sand

    Set 2: Everything’s Right > Soul Planet -> Twist > Most Events Aren’t Planned, Monsters, Also Sprach Zarathustra > Rock and Roll

    Encore: Grind, Tube > Ghost

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

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

    Jenny Lewis | Photo: Michael Dinger

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

    College Street Music Hall Marquee | Photo: Michael Dinger

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

    Hayden Pedigo | Photo: Michael Dinger

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

    Cass McCombs | Photo: Michael Dinger

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

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

    Jenny Lewis | Photo: Michael Dinger

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

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

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

    Jenny Lewis | Photo: Michael Dinger

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

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

    HAYDEN PEDIGO

    CASS MCCOMBS

    JENNY LEWIS

  • 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

  • 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

  • Disco Biscuits Fall Tour Announced, Halloween Shows at Capitol Theatre

    Straight out of a pair of shows at Mulcahey’s on Long Island, the Disco Biscuits have their sights set on Fall Tour, with shows in Texas and the Midwest culminating with a five-show run in the Northeast. Over October 27+28, they’ll be celebrating Halloween weekend at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester.

    disco biscuits fall tour

    Joining Disco Biscuits this fall will be TAUK Moore (featuring Kanika Moore of Doom Flamingo) and SunSquabi on select dates.

    Tickets are available via an Artist Pre-Sale on Wednesday, June 21 at 10am Local time, Venue Pre-Sale(s) on Thursday, June 22 at 10am Local time, and a general On-Sale on Friday, June 23 at 10am Local time.

    VIP Packages are available, and will include early entry to each venue + early access to merch, pre-show soundcheck, a group photo with the band, limited edition show poster, and a commemorative laminate & lanyard.

    Disco Biscuits Summer and Fall Tour Dates
    July 6 – Rexford, MT – Abayance Bay
    July 7 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge
    July 8 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge
    July 9 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge
    July 11 – Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House
    July 12 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
    July 13 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
    July 14 – Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom
    July 15 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
    July 18 – Blue Lake, CA – Blue Lake Casino
    July 19 – Stateline, NV – Harrah’s South Lake Tahoe
    July 20 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
    July 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre
    July 22 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern [SOLD OUT]
    August 10 – East Hampton, NY – The Clubhouse
    August 10-12 – East Durham, NY – Catskill Mountain Jubilee
    August 13 – Dewey Beach, DE – Bottle and Cork
    September 15 – Austin, TX – Far Out Lounge and Stage * w/ TAUK Moore (TAUK ft. Kanika Moore)
    September 16 – Austin, TX – Far Out Lounge and Stage ^w/ Sunsquabi
    September 20 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
    September 21 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre ^w/ Sunsquabi
    September 22 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
    September 23 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Theatre
    September 24 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
    October 24 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
    October 25 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall
    October 26 – Portland, ME – State Theatre
    October 27 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre
    October 28 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre

  • Boston Calling – Food, Fun & Lots of Music at Harvard On Memorial Day Weekend

    Beginning in the afternoon on Friday, May 26 through the late evening on Sunday, May 28, the 12th installment of the beloved Boston Calling music festival returned to its home at Harvard University in Boston (Allston), Massachusetts this past Memorial Day weekend.

    For three straight days, more than 40,000 fans of all ages passed through the gates into the Harvard Athletic Complex where they were welcomed daily to engaging activities such as a ride on a 100-foot Ferris wheel, delicious food served up by 29 local vendors, and of course, great music performed by 51 artists (17 each day) across four outdoor stages dubbed the Green Stage, the Happy Valley Red Stage, the Blue Stage and the Tivoli Audio Orange Stage, which championed acts with local ties to New England.

    Paramore | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

    Inaugurated in 2013, the acclaimed Boston Calling festival is produced by Boston Calling Events, owned in part by Boston-based Crash Line Productions, whose hallmark of bringing new sounds each and every year was on full display again. In step with the festival’s commitment to securing an iconic mix of musical performances, headlining the festival on Day 1 (Friday) were Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Foo Fighters. Having played in New Hampshire two days prior, this would only be their second official concert following drummer Taylor Hawkins’ tragic death in March 2022. The Lumineers, soulful alternative-folk rockers from Denver, Colorado, headlined Day 2 (Saturday) of the festival. Day 3 (Sunday) of the festival was headlined by indie rock darlings Paramore, formed in Franklin, Tennessee in 2004. Paramore, having already performed at the festival back in 2018, made their triumphant return on the heels of releasing their sixth studio album, This is Why.

    Foo Fighters | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

    Boston Calling also featured renowned co-headliners on each day, including The National and Boston natives Dropkick Murphys on Day 1, the latter who quickly stepped in for the art-punk trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs due to an undisclosed illness announced the day prior. The Celtic punk band’s frontman, Ken Casey, would announce to the crowd during their blistering set, “The Yeah Yeah Yeahs said ‘no no no,’ but we never say no!” Day 2 saw seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette take the Red Stage, playing her first show in Boston since 2012. Queens of the Stone Age, alternative metal rockers from Seattle, Washington, brought their hard-pounding musicianship to Day 3 of the festival. Having recently announced their long-awaited eighth studio album, In Times New Roman, they thrilled their die-hard fans with two new tracks from this forthcoming release (June 16), including “Emotion Sickness” and “Negative Space.”

    Dropkick Murphys | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
    Queens of the Stone Age | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

    Joining these headlining and co-headlining acts were well-established artists such as Noah Kahan, Bleachers, The Flaming Lips (who celebrated the release of Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by performing the 2002 album in its entirety), King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (the psychedelic rock band from Australia who were forced to bow out of last year’s festival due to COVID-19), Mt. Joy, Maren Morris and many more.

    Bleachers | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
    Mt. Joy | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
    The Flaming Lips | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

    The holiday weekend also offered its patrons plenty of performances from up-and-coming talent, including Razor Braids, The Beaches, The Aces and The Linda Lindas (an all-girl quartet ranging in age from 13 to 19 who easily won over the crowd after a personal introduction to their set by the Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu), to name just a few.

    The Beaches | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
    The Linda Lindas | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

    Although the temperature each day of the festival was not as hot as it could have been for this time of the year, the sun did take its toll on some of the audience members who were not adequately hydrated. I witnessed firsthand at least five people who appeared to faint due to heat stroke, all of whom required to be quickly pulled out of the crowd by security and whisked away for treatment by EMT personnel.

    The only critique that I have for this year’s festival is also the same as 2022’s festival, the merchandise tent line was long, exceedingly long. As I talked to fans who were proudly wearing their new t-shirt or hat, I learned that time spent in line (and away from the stages) was a minimum of two hours! Often, the sought after merch had already been sold-out. However, fans were at least able to complete an order form for the requested item to be shipped at a later date.

    Fans soaking in the action at the Red Stage (Day 2) | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

    No festival experience is considered complete without first meeting and interacting with fellow fans. My own personal encounters included talking to Paul from Toronto, Canada in front of the Green Stage for most of Friday afternoon. I learned that he and his 16-year old son drove for eight hours Thursday night and into the wee morning hours to see the Foo Fighters for the first time. Paul emotionally shared with me that his son “will always remember this, so it was well worth it.” On Friday, I also met Kirby from Danbury, Connecticut, an avid fan of all music genres, as well as a talented drummer and guitarist. He revealed to me that he was dealing with painful plantar fasciitis in both feet, so when I saw him again on both Saturday and Sunday along the rail of the Red Stage, I was glad he was able to still see the artists he loves up close and personal. Being a graduate of the University of Connecticut (UCONN), it was also a pleasure to spend time speaking with Seth for a few hours, a UCONN professor for nearly 20 years and an amateur live music photographer.

    Shane Hawkins Joins Foo Fighters Onstage | Video Credit: Michael Dinger

    During a festival filled with three days and nights of highlights, it’s easy for me to pick out my favorite one. Throughout the Foo Fighters’ two hour set, Dave Grohl’s devastation by the loss of his friend and bandmate was palpable – on his face and in his speeches to the audience. So, when Grohl welcomed to the stage “one of [his] favorite drummers in the world,” 17-year old Shane Hawkins, it was truly a goosebumps moment. With Shane taking a couple of minutes at the drum kit to adjust the stool height left for him by the Foo Fighters newest member, Josh Freese, Grohl stalled for time. “Hello Boston, how’s it going over there? Earlier, I was in my dressing room and I heard the audience going absolutely fucking bonkers for someone. And I was like, who the fuck is playing that someone is going [this crazy]? It was Niall Horan [of One Direction fame], is that his name? How’s it going there Shane? Oh my God, there is a curfew Shane. This is an old song from our first record and when we play it . . .” Abruptly, in came Shane with a thunderous drum roll to launch “I’ll Stick Around.”

    Day 1 (Friday)

    RAZOR BRAIDS

    THE BEACHES

    DROPKICK MURPHYS

    FOO FIGHTERS

    Day 2 (Saturday)

    NEEMZ

    THE ACES

    MT. JOY

    THE FLAMING LIPS

    Day 3 (Sunday)

    JUICE

    THE LINDA LINDAS

    BLEACHERS

    QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

    PARAMORE

    The Fans & The Grounds

  • Jackson Browne to Perform Five Shows Between Beacon Theatre and Tanglewood Music Center

    Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne will perform four shows at the Beacon Theatre in New York City and one at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, MA this August. Beacon Theatre dates will be the 22nd, 23rd, 25th, and 26th and the Tanglewood date is scheduled for the 31st.

    A 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Browne’s stop at Tanglewood is his seventh appearance there since 1973.

    Long before Browne’s induction into the Hall of Fame, his career would start in 1972 after the release of his self-titled debut album. Since that mark, Browne’s 14 studio projects, four live performance collections, and two compilations make up an immensely decorated tenure in the music industry for the musician.

    If attending his upcoming August shows, prepare to hear some of his greatest hits such as “For A Dancer,” “The Pretender,” and more during his performance.

    In 2002, Browne was the recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, given to artists whose works display environmental and social values that the author found crucial in linking together. Browne is well-known for his advocacy towards the environment and its connection to arts and human rights.

    Alongside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he would join the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007.

    Beacon Theatre & Tanglewood Music Center Tickets

    Beacon Theatre: Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne will perform four shows on August 22, August 23, August 25, and August 26, 2023.

    General tickets go on sale beginning on Friday, May 26 at 10 AM.  Additional Presale, Fan, and VIP ticket information is available at LiveNation.com.

    Tanglewood Music Center: Browne will be performing at the Koussevitzky Music Shed with his full band on August 31, 2023!

    Tickets to Browne’s show will go on sale on Thursday, June 1 at 10 a.m. with additional information and tickets available at tanglewood.org.

  • Lexi Mariah Releases New Pop Single “No Worries…”

    Connecticut’s femme pop artist Lexi Mariah has just released her newest single “No Worries…,” a catchy electro-pop tune that is truly vibrant with melody. Presenting an upbeat tempo and electrifying melody, the track truly showcases Lexi Mariah’s vibrant personality and remarkable songwriting skills.  

    Lexi Mariah Releases New Pop Single “No Worries...”

    This new pop single features a captivating chorus that will have you humming along in no time produced by the acclaimed Kenny Cash (Sony, Disney, Nickelodeon, Netflix). The track is a fusion of Lexi’s unique style and Cash’s signature production. 

    Lexi Mariah Releases New Pop Single “No Worries...”

    “No Worries…” is completely full of infectious hooks, with pulsing beats and relatable lyrics. Lexi took inspiration from the styles of the industry’s top artists such as Taylor Swift, Bebe Rexha, and Ava Max. Overall, the single showcases all the best elements of electro-pop for fans to enjoy. 

    Lexi Mariah Releases New Pop Single “No Worries...”

    The storyline behind the single comes from the artist’s personal frustrations with disloyalty. “You know that feeling when you’re hanging out with someone, putting in the effort, giving them your undivided attention, but you can tell they’re distracted by someone else the entire time?” says Lexi.  

    “Then by the end of the night or the next day, they’re so apologetic and you’re just too emotionally exhausted to deal with it, so you brush them off with the low key sarcastic ‘it’s fine, no worries!’” she adds. “It’s a phrase I say a lot, and honestly, it’s almost always a lie. There’s pretty much always a worry and it’s usually never fine.” the singer laughs. The upbeat track can resonate with anyone who has ever felt the sting of betrayal, making it relatable for fans old and new. 

    With her previous songs receiving love and praise from outlets such as Rolling Stone IN, Melodic Magazine and EARMILK, it is no surprise that Lexi Mariah has cemented her status as one of the most exciting new voices in electro-pop with this track. “No Worries…” is a true testament to her growth as an artist. 

    Listen to “No Worries…” by clicking the link here. 

    For more information and music by Lexi Mariah, click the link here. 

  • Dead and Company to Auction Custom Signed Guitars for Charity on Final Tour

    The final Dead & Company tour, stopping in Saratoga Springs on June 17-18 and Citi Field June 21-22. will include a traveling charity auction featuring ten one-of-a-kind D’Angelico guitars designed by contemporary rock music artist AJ Masthay.

    Each guitar features designs using images from Masthay’s Dead & Company poster art, creating an anthology of his work with the band, dating back to 2016. 

    dead and company final tour guitars for charity

    The auction is part of the “Participation Row” activism village organized by HeadCount, a non-profit organization that promotes voter registration and civic participation, along with REVERB, which promotes environmental responsibility. Since 2015, Participation Row has raised more than $2.8 million dollars for nearly two dozen “Dead Family” charities through auctions and activity at over 180 concerts. Participation Row’s impact also includes over 25,000 fans registering to vote or signing up for election alerts, and over 100,000 single use water bottles being eliminated.

    Masthay has this to say about his collaboration with HeadCount:

    I’m a firm believer that if our democracy is going to function as intended, we all as citizens have an obligation to be informed and participate in said democracy, that’s why I am and will continue to be a supporter of HeadCount and their mission. My relationship with HeadCount started over a decade ago and out of our partnership has come some of the most cherished pieces in my portfolio.

    Masthay is most well known for his unique style of reduction block printing in the concert art arena. His blend of traditional techniques and love of live music has made him one of the most prominent figures in the rock art industry. Masthay established his own letterpress studio in 2001 and is currently based out of Hartford, CT. He has also done work for Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, South Park, Queens of the Stone Age, Umphrey’s McGee, Widespread Panic, and many more. 

    Dead & Company Summer ‘23 Tour Dates

    05-19 Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

    05-20 Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

    05-23 Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion

    05-26 Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion

    05-28 Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre

    05-30 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

    06-01 Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

    06-03 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

    06-05 Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake

    06-07 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

    06-09 Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field

    06-10 Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field

    06-13 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center

    06-15 Philadelphia, PA – Citizen’s Bank Park

    06-17 Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    06-18 Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    06-21 Queens, NY – Citi Field

    06-22 Queens, NY – Citi Field

    06-25 Boston, MA – Fenway Park

    06-27 Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

    07-01 Boulder, CO – Folsom Field

    07-02 Boulder, CO – Folsom Field

    07-03 Boulder, CO – Folsom Field

    07-07 George, WA – The Gorge

    07-08 George, WA – The Gorge

    07-14 San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park

    07-15 San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park