Category: Syracuse

Salt-N-Pepa Celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop at NYS Fair

Salt-N-Pepa will make their third appearance at the NYS Fair on Opening Day, Aug. 23, celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

Cheryl James (also known as “Salt”) and Sandy Denton (also known as “Pepa”) first linked up in the mid-1980s when they were both Queensborough Community College students and Sears colleagues in Queens. Their coworker – and Salt’s boyfriend at the time – asked them to rap on a song he was producing. That song, “The Show Stopper,” became an underground hit and landed on the national R&B charts, leading to a record deal and the duo’s debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious.

Since then, Salt-N-Pepa has received several Grammy awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, as well as a Lifetime biopic. Some of their hits include “Push It,” “Shake Your Thang,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.” Through party anthems, big beats, and pro-feminist lyrics, the group broke down barriers for women in hip hop and were one of the first rap artists to experience success in the pop music realm and played a big role in solidifying the acceptance of rap and hip hop in the mainstream music world.

Joining in the celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, Salt-N-Pepa will pay homage to their classic hip-hop roots, while entertaining the audience all night long. Don’t miss the group perform at Chevy Court at the NYS Fair on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. For more information about the Fair, visit here.

New York State Fair Lineup

Chevy Court

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

Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.- Salt-N-Pepa

Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.- Quiet Riot

Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.- Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Adventure

Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.- Julio Iglesias Jr.

Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.- The Prodigals

Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.- Matt Stell

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

Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.- Anne Wilson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suburban Park

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

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

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

Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.- George Thorogood and the Destroyers

Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.- Boys World

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

Aug. 29 at 8 p.m- Tyler Hubbard

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

Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.- Ludacris

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

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

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

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

June 29, 2023
Skid Row to Close 2023 NYS Fair

The New York State Fair has announced that Skid Row will close out the Fair on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Suburban Park Stage.

Founded in 1832 by a group of local farmers for agriculture and local fairs, The Great New York State Fair did not become a musical showcase until the 1950s and 1960s, when the fair began gearing towards entertainment.

Touring in support of their newest album, The Gang’s All Here, Skid Row will play through new songs as well as the fan favorites that first put them on the map, like “18 and Life,” “Youth Gone Wild,” and “I Remember You,” as well as new singles too, including “Tear it Down,” “Time Bomb,” and “The Gang’s All Here.” The band features original members Rachel Bolan (Bass), Dave “Snake” Sabo (Guitar), and Scotti Hill (Guitar), with Rob Hammersmith (Drums), and the newest member and longtime fan of the band, Erik Grönwall (Lead Vocals), a Swedish Idol winner (2009).

All shows, including Skid Row, are included in the New York State Fair admission.

New York State Fair Lineup

Chevy Court

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

Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.- Quiet Riot

Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.- Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Adventure

Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.- Julio Iglesias Jr.

Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.- The Prodigals

Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.- Matt Stell

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

Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.- Anne Wilson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suburban Park

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

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

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

Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.- George Thorogood and the Destroyers

Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.- Boys World

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

Aug. 29 at 8 p.m- Tyler Hubbard

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

Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.- Ludacris

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

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

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

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

June 23, 2023
In Focus: New York State Blues Festival, Day 1

The 31st edition of the New York State Blues Festival kicked off Thursday afternoon of June 15th at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, underneath beautiful blue skies. The annual event, which has grown substantially over the last thirty years, is known for being one of the largest, free, multi-day blues festivals in the northeast, and features a mixture of local, regional, and national blues acts.

Brandon Santini performs at the 2023 NYS Blues Festival

The festivities kicked off Thursday afternoon with a high energy set by Syracuse’s own Fillmore Blues Band. As the band took to the stage, the areas in front of the stage were already filled with early arriving blues fans, eager to get the party started. Festival goers sang and danced as the Fillmore Blues Band weaved their way through a 75 minute set of covers and originals. The set showcased a band known for their dynamic musical improvisation. Led by Mike Petroff on harmonica and vocals, the performance did not disappoint those in attendance. Petroff even took his harmonica into the crowd, playing stage-side on top of a table, giving passionate onlookers an up close view of the musician.

The Fillmore Blues Band kicked off the 2023 NYS Blues Festival

Next up was Memphis based rocker and blues harmonicist, Brandon Santini. Santini launched into his set with a harmonica solo which set the stage for his performance. The set was high energy, and saw crunchy blues guitar riffs to back Santini’s deep vocals and harmonica playing. Santini paid tribute blues harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson, with a phenomenal rendition of “Nine Below Zero”. Santini, who played the festival in 2016, was easily an early favorite of the audience as many in attendance came donning his merchandise. His set did not disappoint.

Brandon Santini performs at the 2023 NYS Blues Festival

Headlining the evening were the Blood Brothers ft Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia. The duo of blues guitar heavy-weights were touring in support of their January 2023 full length album Blood Brothers. Easily one of the most anticipated sets going into the weekend, the two did not let those in attendance down. The long time friends, known for their immense musical chemistry on stage, showcased why Joe Bonamassa once stated “They finish each other’s sentences, musically.” Their set, which leaned heavily on tracks from their self titled release, saw the pair dual on many guitar solos. Their passion for the music was visible from the audience, as the two routinely flashed smiles to each other as they tried to “out dual” the other.

Blood Brothers ft Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia perform at the 2023 NYS Blues Festival

The festival continues through Saturday and features headliner and blues legend, Buddy Guy with direct support from Samantha Fish on Saturday night. Admission is free.

June 17, 2023
Toosii’s R&B and Rap Talent Shine in Debut Studio Album “NAUJOUR”

After “Favorite Song” caught fire globally, becoming the Syracuse rapper’s highest charting single to date, Toosii builds off this excitement from his recent success, dropping his first studio album NAUJOUR on June 2.

Gaining traction in the industry in 2020 with his debut project Poetic Pain, Toosii’s melodic, raspy voice matched with rap and R&B instrumentals has made him a unique music industry member. Tracks “Sapiosexual,” “Love Cycle,” and others launched Poetic Pain to peak at number 14 on the Billboard 100, a glimpse into his skill set moving forward.

Late 2020 and early 2021 saw him generate more widespread buzz in Thank You For Believing where Toosii collaborated with DaBaby, Latto, and Key Glock, displaying his versatility by bouncing between genres. The overall hype around this project and past performances earned him a spot on the 2021 XXL Freshman List, and from there his career continued to explode.

Fast forward to 2023, Toosii’s first full-length studio album as a member of Capitol Records, NAUJOUR, hypnotizes his audience by evolving his R&B skills since his 2022 EP Boy’s Don’t Cry: Men Do.

In addition to his advanced R&B knowledge, he provides unique sample loops similar to earlier projects but acts as the foundation for more personal storytelling lyricism concerning his past.

Album Rollout and Overview

Coming in at 19 tracks, NAUJOUR‘s announcement came on May 5, 2023, via the rapper’s Instagram, while also continuously hinting at the album’s release in early 2023 through his lead singles and remixes of “Favorite Song.” Khalid and Future both appear in their own versions of the track, with Future’s being known as the “Toxic Version.”

Originally appearing on the aforementioned Boy’s Don’t Cry: Men Do before NAUJOUR, “Love Is…” utilizes a sample from Julia Michaels’ “Love Is Weird” for the project’s lead single. A vulnerable, heartbreaking song, it sticks out in Toosii’s discography as one of his more personal performances.

From track to track, we trek across his rise to stardom and come up in the highly competitive music industry, not skipping on any of the tough feats he had to endure from his childhood to the present day.

Featuring only 21 Savage, Wallo 267, Future, and Khalid, the project is a prime look into Toosii’s solo abilities and one-of-a-kind vocals that have driven him to the top of the R&B pyramid.

Standout Tracks

“Rule Number 1” kickstarts the project on a family-oriented note, opening with a voice message from his mother sending love to the rapper and disclosing core memories from his younger years.

He lists three rules for listeners to follow, going in on his past lack of trust with women, patience in waiting for his moment, and advice for future generations.

Across much of Toosii’s discography, we dive deeper and deeper into his past love life and current relationship with Samaria Davis, as the third track “Another Love Song” showcases. His struggle to find that perfect balance of love between both parties is heard through the strong vocal delivery over a catchy, melodic sample loop.

Despite the differences between Toosii and Davis, “Another Love Song” still ensures that he is there for her in the end no matter the situation.

This another love song, this another anthem, somethin’ to bawl your eyes out to, when you’re feelin’ damaged, call me, tell me you need me there, when you wasn’t carin.’
– Toosii on “Another Love Song”

Track six “Villains & Heroes” pins this past relationship as a devil, angel situation, while also describing some of his wrongdoings that cause him pain.

Another melodic sample loop lays out Toosii’s toxic lyricism towards his own actions and his partner’s as well, again a common theme when dissecting the pain of his past relationships.

Pouring pain in his voice, each R&B song touches on the longing for love and the presentation of his life experiences learned through hardship.

The stretch of “Go Go Go” and “Pull Up,” featuring 21 Savage, are fast-paced, upbeat rap performances, flaunting his capability in more than one genre.

Behind the flawless production from the well-known producer team The LoopHoles, 21 Savage and Toosii create one of the project’s most entertaining and energetic tracks. The menacing tone set by the two artists makes for a moshpit anthem for any concert crowd and is not the first one of these to sneak into Toosii’s discography.

Final Thoughts

Mixing heart and soul into his R&B tunes and intense energy into rap, Toosii’s NAUJOUR encapsulates the multi-genre talent he has been mastering for years.

On May 10, Toosii would announce his NAUJOUR Tour, a 22-city journey this Summer to showcase the rapper’s work to his fans.

Expect music videos to come along with multiple singles off the project, with Toosii already dropping a video for track four “FWLM” on the same day as the album’s release.

June 12, 2023
In Focus: Noah Kahan Dazzles Sold-Out Audience at Beak and Skiff

A picturesque late spring afternoon yielded way to a beautiful evening of music at Beak and Skiff, in Lafayette on Saturday, as Noah Kahan brought his Stick Season tour to the apple orchard. With the tour lauded as one of the summer’s hottest tickets, the event sold-out well in advance of the show.

Kahan, a native of Strafford, Vermont, is known for his blending of folk-rock and pop music. His first full length studio album, Busyhead, was released in 2019. But it was during the Covid pandemic when Kahan’s popularity began to really soar. He first released the Cape Elizabeth EP in April of 2020. Following its release, and during the height of the pandemic, Kahan would retreat home to Vermont and write his most successful album to date, Northern Attitude (2022). The album, which leans heavily on themes of mental illness, struggling with substance abuse, feeling homesick, and childhood nostalgia, has earned Kahan much critical acclaim and a devoted fan base all across the age spectrum.

The evening kicked off with a set by Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners. The folk-rock band from Montana was joining Kahan for a special, one-off concert. The four-piece band delighted early arriving concert goers with a forty five minute set of folk-rock jams.

During the stage change-over between sets, excitement in the concert field was at a high. Fans packed the area in front of the stage, and shouted the singer’s name. Each crew member received a small roar from the crowd as they made their way across the stage, placing set-lists and water bottles. Finally the house lights dimmed, and the band took to the stage. After a brief instrumental piece, Noah Kahan took to the stage with a mandolin and launched into the crowd favorite “All My Love”. The audience exploded with excitement, and sang along to every word. Impressively, the singing did not stop after the first song. The majority of the crowd sang along, every word, to every song. Kahan kept the energy running for the first portion of the set, playing tracks “Everywhere, Everything,” and “She Calls Me Back”.

As the setlist moved on, Kahan would touch on heavier subject matters. Kahan, a staunch advocate of mental health awareness, would sing openly about his own struggles with mental illness on many songs. He sang in loving memory for a friend who passed too soon, on “Carlo’s Song”. During this song the concert field would glow in a sea of green (for mental health awareness) as fans held lights up from their cellphones. Noah Kahan would sing of substance abuse and finding sobriety on the track “Orange Juice.” Perhaps the most power full moment of the night would be when Kahan returned for an encore. He would open the three song encore with “The View Between Villages”, a reflective and nostalgic track written about an emotional return to Kahan’s childhood home town many years later. The song would build with emotion until its epic climax, and the audience did not miss a beat, singing along to every word. Kahan would finish the night with crowd favorites “Stick Season” and “Mess”.

If you missed out on this performance, you are in luck. Kahan has already scheduled a return visit to Syracuse, at the Lakeview Amphitheater on September 1.

June 6, 2023
Five Can’t-Miss Shows in Syracuse in June

By now, Memorial Day has come and gone, the days are getting longer, the sun is shining, and summer concert season is officially underway. As always, Syracuse has an impressive mix of individual concerts and multiple day festivals to look forward to over the summer months. Here are five can’t miss shows around Syracuse for the month of June.

June 9, Meshell Ndegeocello at Homer Center for the Arts

Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello comes to the Homer Center for the Arts for a performance on Friday June 9th. The singer-songwriter and bass guitarist is known for blending elements of rap, hip hop, funk and soul in her music. She has been nominated for a Grammy Award 11 times, taking home the award for best R&B song in 2021.

The show starts at 8pm with tickets starting at $40.

June 15-17, New York State Blues Fest at NYS Fairgrounds

The New York State Blues Festival returns to Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds for a three day affair. The star studded line up features headliner and blues rock legend Buddy Guy, with direct support from Samantha Fish. The remainder of the three day festival features an impressive line up of both NYS artists and national touring bands. The daily schedule can be found here.

Daily admission is free, however VIP packages are available.

June 21-25, Syracuse Jazz Fest

The Syracuse Jazz Fest once again returns to Clinton Square and its surrounding areas for a five day celebration. This will be the 37^th incarnation of the event, which will be co-headlined this year by 14-time Grammy Award winning artist Herbie Hancock and 7-time Grammy Award Winner Gladys Knight. Hancock will headline the Clinton Square Stage on Friday, June 23 at 9:15pm, with Knight taking the stage on Saturday, June 24 at 9:15pm. Additional support will include Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, who bring their vintage sound to the Clinton Square Stage on Friday evening, at 7:30pm. In addition, the five-day festival will feature over 26 additional performances at various clubs, bars, and restaurants, highlighting local artists and other performers with New York State ties.

All performances are free and open to the public. A full schedule can be found here.

June 25, 95x Locals Only Fest at The Finish Line Bar & Grill

Curated by Syracuse music legend and local music connoisseur Scott Dixon, 95x is hosting the Locals Only Fest at The Finish Line Bar & Grill. Headlined by Central New York sensation Sydney Irving and the Mojo, the one day festival will feature a talented line up Central New York musicians. The line up includes Professional Victims, The Flashing Astonishers, Not Robots, Can’t, Mattydale Music Collective, Everneau, No Bush, and Cooled Jets. The festival will also showcase an assortment of local artists with proceeds of each ticket sale benefiting the Syracuse Arts Project.

Music starts at 12:00pm with tickets starting at $15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgr4LZ9pE9c

June 25, Snarky Puppy at Sharkey’s Event Center

Fresh off the heels of a spring tour which saw sold out performances in Buffalo and Ithaca, Snarky Puppy once again return to Upstate New York. The multi-grammy award winning band, known for its blend of jazz-rock fusion boasts an impressive line up of talented musicians. Led by founder Michael League, the instrumentalist band features a rotation upwards of twenty-five members, with nightly performances featuring eleven musicians.

Doors open at 5:00pm with tickets starting at $30.

June 1, 2023
Syracuse Opera Reveals 2023-2024 Season at First-Ever Opera and Beer Event

Syracuse Opera has revealed its 2023-2024 schedule, whose theme will highlight intimate portraits of hopes and dreams, at the first-ever opera and beer event in the organization’s history held at Harvey’s Garden.

Photos courtesy of Syracuse Opera Facebook and Bunn Hill Photo (Randy Cummings)

Established in 1974, Syracuse Opera is the only year-round professional opera company, opening many doors for the Central New York music community.

Circling back to the theme of hopes and dreams, this decision on the upcoming season expects to generate momentum following Syracuse Opera’s 2022-2023 season, which recently ended with an acclaimed production of The Marriage of Figaro.

“It makes opera more accessible. It’s a fun way to invite people into our world, kick off the summer, and celebrate the future of opera in Syracuse.”
– John Rozzoni

The full 2023-2024 schedule spans from October 2023 – May 2024.

2023-2024 Syracuse Opera Schedule

The season opens with I Am a Dreamer Who No Longer Dreams on October 20 at the Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse, a showing that will focus on the compassion versus the dark side of our society.

Following this, December 15’s All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 will move all in attendance with a true story of an extraordinary night during World War I, sharing the instance when Allied and German soldiers set down their weapons and created peace with one another.

2024’s shows will kick off on Valentine’s Day weekend when a love story hits the Syracuse Opera stage in The Fantasticks, the longest-running musical of all time.

Concluding the season on April 28, 2024, the prequel to The Marriage of Figaro, called The Barber of Seville hits Crouse-Hinds Theater in an unforgettable ending to the opera’s season.

In addition to these four productions, Syracuse Opera will also host two other exciting musical events. On September 24, 2023, they will host Celebrating 75: An Andrew Lloyd Webber Revue, a night hosted by well-known composer Andrew Llyod Weber.

As previously mentioned, the opera and beer event will be held at Harvey’s Garden in May 2024, offering a relaxing approach to opera by giving the audience the chance to connect with performers.

John Rozzoni, General Director of Syracuse Opera, believes that the Opera and Beer event will be the perfect opportunity for the organization and community to interact face-to-face.

Tickets for Syracuse Opera’s 2023-2024 campaign will go on sale soon. Single-show ticket options are not available for purchase until July 2023, but you may buy subscription packages through the form on Syracuse Opera’s website. The subscription package covers the entire season.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more updates!

May 30, 2023
The Rods to Appear at Wild Wednesday in Liverpool

On June 14 at 5:00 p.m., The Rods, a heavy metal band known for its ’80s albums, will be playing as the headliners for the “Wild Wednesday” event in Liverpool, NY. Also featured at “Wild Wednesday” is Adam and the Metal Hawks, Crazy Neighbors, Love Bone, and Wicked.

Members of the Rods. From left to right: Carl Canedy, David “Rock” Feinstein, and Freddy Villano. Credit: The Rods Official Website

The lead vocalist for the Rods, David “Rock” Feinstein, first came into popularity after playing in the band Elf with his cousin, Black Sabbath member Ronnie James Dio. Elf formed in 1967, and disbanded in 1975 after releasing three albums. Most of the band was absorbed into Rainbow, including Dio but not Feinstein.

The Rods formed and released their first album, “Rock Hard” in 1980, though “Rock Hard” was later rereleased as “The Rods.” The band toured with several noteworthy metal bands, such as Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Motörhead, and Metallica. They made six more albums until the group split in 1986, with their final album of the time being “Hollywood.”

The Rods reformed in 2008, playing at the Metal Rock Fest in Lillehammer, Norway. They have continued to release albums since then, including “Vengeance” in 2011 and their latest, “The Brotherhood of Metal,” in 2019. Current members of the band include: David “Rock” Feinstein as guitar and lead vocalist; Freddy Villano for bass and vocals; and Carl Canedy for drums and vocals.

For more information and for tickets, visit The Rods website.

May 23, 2023
In Focus: The Avett Brothers Deliver Two Nights of Sold Out Performances At Beak and Skiff

Beak and Skiff kicked off their Summer Concert Series this past weekend with a pair of sold-out performances by The Avett Brothers on Friday May 19 and Saturday May 20.

The Avett Brothers hail from Concord, NC and consist of brothers Scott (vocals, banjo, guitar, piano and Seth Avett (vocals, guitar, piano) along with Bob Crawford (bass, double bass, violin), Mike Marsh (drums), Joe Kwon (cello), Bonnie Avett-Rini (piano) and Tania Elizabeth (fiddle). The band have built a devoted fan base with over two decades of touring, and more than ten studio albums.

While the weather could not have been more perfect during the day on Friday, as show time approached wind gusts and rainclouds moved over the venue. This did not dampen the spirts of thousands of concert goers as the early arriving sold-out crowd packed the standing area in front of the stage, while more fans spread lawn chairs out across the field. At 7:15, Scott Avett led the band to the stage and was greeting with a thunderous ovation.

The band jumped right into “Laundry Room”, a stand out track from 2009’s I and Love and You. Scott and Seth dazzled the crowd with their harmonious vocals. “Stop your parent’s car, I just saw a shooting star,” Scott sang, to another loud ovation from the crowd, as the song exploded with energy. Next was the folk classic “Old Joe Clark”, which built off the already existing energy. Each band member took their turn displaying their talents, and the song broke into instrumental duals between the various members. Scott and Seth took turns wandering to the front of the stage, and onto the speaker cabinets to further excite the crowd. The remainder of the evening featured several stand out songs from the band’s catalog, including “Headful of Doubt,” “Murder in the City,” and “I and Love and You”.

Night two began in similar fashion, albeit with heavier rains and cooler temperatures. The weather appeared to be clearing as show time approached, however heavy showers again moved in at showtime. The band took the stage armed with kazoos and immediately jumped into the upbeat instrumental piece “The D Bag Rag”. Next was “Talk on Indolence,” a track which dated back to the band’s early blue grass days. Brothers Scott and Seth hopped about the stage and the crowd, who at this point had forgotten about the heavy rains, danced along with them.

The band would roll through over two hours of career spanning tracks, and even included the Doc Watson Family cover, “Groundhog.” As the set came to a close, the band performed the upbeat “Ain’t No Man.” The song featured both brothers taking turns on vocals, as they strutted and danced about the stage. The audience’s pleas for an encore were honored by the band, who returned to perform four more songs. The band would close two days of stellar performances with “No Hard Feelings,” a heavy and emotional track about staying free from harboring enemies, sharing love and ultimately about accepting death.

In all, the Avett Brothers delivered two nights of incredible performances at Beak and Skiff, featuring unique set lists, with over forty different songs played. Despite the weather, it was truly a special start to the summer concert season.

May 23, 2023
St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater 2023 Summer Lineup Includes Phish, Counting Crows, Shania Twain And Many More

St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater in Syracuse has revealed its 2023 Summer Concert lineup. Among the various artists performing at the venue are Chris Stapleton, Counting Crows, Shania Twain, and Phish.

This summer’s lineup features over 20 headlining acts, from a wide range of genres and musical eras. St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater has a 17,500-person capacity and has been hosting concerts since 2015, originally under the name Lakeview Amphitheater.

St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater Lineup

June 8- Chris Stapleton

Born and raised in Kentucky, Chris Stapleton has earned himself numerous accolades en route to becoming one of the biggest names in country music. The eight-time Grammy winner has captivated listeners since his 2015 debut album Traveller with a blend of traditional country, American rock, and soulful lyrics. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Stapleton has helped to write numerous songs including Adele’s “If It Hadn’t Been for Love”, “Never Wanted Nothing More” by Kenny Chesney, and Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song”.

June 15- Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is a country music singer-songwriter and television personality. After moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2001 the Georgia native quickly became a prominent songwriter. In 2007 Bryan released his hit-single single “All My Friends Say” to go along with his debut album I’ll Stay Me. He has earned over 50 major music awards an featured as a judge on American Idol since 2018.

July 1- Counting Crows

Counting Crows are an American rock band that rose to prominence during the 1990s. The group’s 1993 album August and Everything After sold over seven million copies and featured hits like “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here”. Billboard ranked the band 8th in its list of the Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Artists.

July 8- Shania Twain

Shania Twain is a country music artist, known as the “Queen of Country Pop”. Twain is widely regarded as one of the most popular country music artists of all-time, selling over 100 million records. After four commercially successful albums, the Canadian released her Greatest Hits in 2004, which went quadruple platinum. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.

July 23- Phish

Phish is one of the most well-known and noteworthy American jam bands. Originally created by four students on the campus of the University of Vermont, the group cultivated an intensely loyal fanbase during the late 1980s into the 90s. Phish is known for its live improvisation, fusing together sounds of rock, funk, bluegrass, and jazz, with drummer Jon Fishman hailing from Syracuse.

July 29- Matchbox Twenty

Matchbox Twenty is a Grammy-nominated alternative rock band formed during the 1990s. The band’s debut album Yourself or Someone Like you has sold over 15 million copies, earning it diamond status. In 2004 the group was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Musical Group.

Aug. 12- Disturbed

Created in Chicago, Illinois, Disturbed is a chart-topping heavy metal band. The group has found large-scale success since its inception in 1994, with five consecutive albums reaching the Billboard 200. In 2017 the band received the iHeartradio Music Award for Rock Artist of the Year. Disturbed released their most recent album titled Divisive in 2022, featuring the hit song “Hey You”.

Aug. 16- The Goo Goo Dolls

The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock group founded in Buffalo. The outfit began to garner attention in the 1990s and early 2000s thanks to albums like A Boy Named Goo and Dizzy up the Girl. The latter features the song “Iris” which spent close to a year on the Billboard charts. The track was named as the top pop song from 1992-2012 by Billboard.

Sep. 2- Foreigner

Foreigner is a rock band whose popularity stretches back into the late 1970s. The band helped to define the genre of arena rock thanks to tracks like “I Want to Know What Love is” and “Cold as Ice”. The band boasts an impressive roster of 10 multi-platinum albums and has exceeded over 80 million album sales.

Also Performing This Summer

June 30- Falling In Reverse & Ice Nine Kills

July 16- Kidz Bop Live

Aug. 1- Mudvayne

Aug. 3- Godsmack & Staind

Aug. 8- Pantera

Aug. 11- Zac Brown Band

Aug. 17- Yellowcard

Aug. 18- Ghost & Amon Amarth

Aug. 19- Parker Mccollum

Aug. 24- Pentatonix & Lauren Alaina

Aug. 25- Sam Hunt

Sep. 1- Noah Kahan

Sep. 13- Shinedown

More information on the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater’s 2022 summer concert lineup and links to purchase tickets can be found here.

May 18, 2023