Eric Frances, CEO of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, has announced that a new summer event, a multi-day festival in August, called Catbird Music Festival, will take place on the original Woodstock ’69 field on August 19 and 20.
Frances said that 2022 was the best year in the history of Bethel Woods in terms of attendance and the number of concerts. The planned festival will take place on the original Woodstock ’69 field on the former farm of Max Yasgur in Bethel, located in Sullivan County. The Catbird Music Festival will feature favorite Americana and folk indie music performers including headliners The Lumineers, Tyler Childers, The War on Drugs, and Trey Anastasio Band, alongside Band of Horses, Dispatch, Trampled By Turtles, Charley Crockett, Margo Price, Amos Lee, and many more.
The original festival, labeled “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music,” attracted an audience of more than 400,000 attendees, and is considered a pivotal moment in popular music history. The festival had 32 acts over the three days, including the Grateful Dead, The Who, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jimi Hendrix, and more.
Woodstock 94 took place from August 12-14 and can be credited for the growth of many young millennial bands, including Green Day. 500,000 young adults flocked to Winston Farm in Saugerties to take place in this historic remake. Although not comparable to the first one, it was still a rocking time for all those in attendance. A worse rendition of the festival, Woodstock 99, took place at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome. The festival ended in fires and mild rioting as people were sick and tired of the festival’s prices and poor infrastructure.
Woodstock 94
The last attempt at recreating the iconic festival was Woodstock 50, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original festival. There was supposed to be a huge three-day event at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, but due to a series of permit and production issues, venue relocations, and artist cancellations, it was canceled less than a month before the scheduled date. The event’s lineup included artists such as Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, and more. Woodstock took one of the festival’s investors, Dentsu, to court and demanded that they be refunded for the company’s fraudulent actions, quietly settling it after a few years.
The Catbird Music Festival will be held on the original Woodstock ’69 field from August 19-20. Presales begin Wednesday, March 8 at 10 a.m. In addition, for a $10 fee, festivalgoers can explore The Museum at Bethel Woods, a collection of authentic artifacts, interactive media, and even a psychedelic bus dedicated to the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair. Ticket options include 1-Day and 2-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP, and Platinum, as well as Weekend Camping, Weekend Premier Camping, Weekend Glamping, Weekend RV (with/without hook-up) passes, and 1-Day and 2-Day Premium Parking. For more information and to buy tickets, visit here.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
The Lumineers The War on Drugs Band of Horses Trampled by Turtles Margo Price James Bay Johnnyswim Adia Victoria 49 Winchester Briscoe John R. Miller
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
Tyler Childers Trey Anastasio Band Dispatch Charley Crockett Amos Lee Morgan Wade Celisse Allison Russell The Soul Rebels Eggy Madeline Edwards
The Ryan Matter Band, a Texas-blues power trio originating in Texas and now rocking New York State, got its start when Ryan Matter was working at 290 West Bar in Austin, TX. Working alongside several musicians, performing on the red dirt music scene, Ryan’s passion for music was noticed and he was encouraged to release his recordings and hit the road.
Now, this band born out of Texas calls New York home, with Dennis Knight (drummer & visual time keeper, vocals), Jon Monaghan (bass guitar, quantum physics) and Ryan Matter (guitar, vocals) are a power trio with a sound of Southern Rock and Dirty Blues – think ZZ Top meets Social Distortion.
Rob Smittix of RadioRadioX spoke with Ryan to get to know this unique act gracing the stages of Upstate New York,
Ryan Matter: What’s up brother?
Rob Smittix: What’s going on?
RM: Choking down a beer before I start playing.
RS: Excellent! So, what’s new and exciting with The Ryan Matter Band?
RM: I literally just booked this about 20 minutes ago. We’re goin to North Carolina in March, the week before that we’re in Florida for three days. Coming home we’re trying to pick up something in South Carolina then North Carolina and come home.
RS: That’s amazing man.
photo by Stephanie Bartik
RM: I mean it blows my mind how sh*t’s working out right now. But just trying to stay busy that’s been the big key. Trying to get re-established as a busy band.
RS: Right, well it looks like you’re on track for that. Up here you kind of fall into the category of southern rock but you’re going down south, what do they call bands from up north that play this kind of music?
RM: (Laughs) Southern rock.
RS: It’s still southern rock, alright.
RM: It’s southern rock with a touch of blues. When people think of ZZ Top, it’s dirty Texas blues. With me living in Texas for as long as I did, that’s kind of where we found our comfort zone. As a writer, that’s where the writing came out. It’s kind of like, hey, here we go, this is what we are, this is what we do.
RS: I remember you telling me that you were in Texas for a while. Are you from Texas?
RM: I’m from California. I’m from Los Angeles.
RS: The first time I was in LA was before the time of GPS and I found my way around easily just by remembering how it looked on TV.
RM: Mmm Hmm, it’s not hard to figure out. All of the roads are pretty squared.
RS: I don’t know how I did it. I drove from San Francisco. When I hit LA, I just came down Mulholland Drive. I’m staying on the Sunset Strip and it’s right there.
RM: It’s crazy because I used to be able to drive all of those f**king roads with my eyes closed.
RS: Hollywood was like Schenectady in the 80’s, but with stars on the sidewalk.
photo by Stephanie Bartik
RM: It’s gotten worse over time, it used to not be too bad. I mean it was always kind of dumpy but…
RS: Last time I was there was definitely worse than the first.
RM: My last time there was three and a half to four years ago and it was terrible. I don’t think I ever really want to go back.
RS: And you’re from there.
RM: And I’m from there. My dad still lives out there and he’s like do you want to come visit? I’m like not really.
RS: You’d love to see him though I’m sure. So, I’m really glad you are on board to be our first BANDwith segment. Stephanie J Bartik’s photography and my conversations with bands and artists seem to be a great combo. So, I guess I should ask, do you have any new recordings or anything in process?
RM: We’re actually working on a new live album right now. We recorded it several months ago, we’re in the mixing process right now, getting all of the tracks finalized. We actually just released a live track of “All Over Now,” one of the better songs that will be on the album. We dropped it as a single release leading up to the 2023 of the bootleg live album. That’s what we’re working on right now and from there when we take our mini tour we’re going to start working on pre-production and writing some new stuff and figuring out some of the other songs that I still have that we haven’t done.
RS: I’m glad it’s a live album. You’re a great live band to see and I think that’s definitely the way to go. I don’t know if you’re planning on doing CD, vinyl or MP3’s. What’s the deal going to be?
photo by Stephanie Bartik
RM: We’re going to start with digital but we’re probably going to end up doing CDs just because I feel strongly enough about the album that we can invest more money into the promo of it.
RS: It sounds like you’re getting the momentum that you need.
RM: We’re really starting to pick it up. It’s been a nice change of pace. 2022 ended the way it has. Obviously opening for Mountain. It’s the stepping stones right now that are falling into place. I’m very thankful. It’s all starting to pick up and go in a direction that it hasn’t for a very long time. It’s nice to see all of the hard work starting to pay off. If that makes sense?
RS: Definitely. Last time I saw you and I got to talk with you was at Pauly’s Hotel for the Mountain show. First of all, I think that they picked the best opening act, secondly you guys f**king crushed it so much, with a great stage presence. Your drummer is sick and I love the way that he talks to the audience to bring the crowd into it. But…I would say you guys did not sound like a local band opening up for Mountain, you sounded like the band that should’ve been on tour with Mountain.
RM: Well, I appreciate it.
photo by Stephanie Bartik
RS: Oh man, you guys f**king ripped it, man. I’ve only seen you perform a couple of times but I’ve always been impressed. I’m sure it’ll only get better and for people that haven’t seen you before I highly recommend it.
RM: It’s been a nice feeling, the reactions that we get when we come out that way and play. The bass player and I live in the Utica area and Dennis is the local guy. We love coming out there. It’s always a fun show, no matter where it’s at in Albany, in the Capital District. It’s a great time, everybody’s very open to the original music, which is a nice change of pace. I feel like we’re building a strong following out that way, it continues to open up new doors.
RS: I had to ask this silly question because I always kind of wondered. For a band that puts you front and center as The Ryan Matter Band. How does a band decide we’re going to go ahead and use your name as the band?
RM: It started out about 13 years ago and the band actually started out as 2 Lane Blacktop. Between solo shows and band shows, it started to lose name recognition. So, I started to build a following as a solo artist in Texas. When I’d go out with the band, nobody would know who 2 Lane Blacktop was. As things progressed, the two became one because of name recognition so it morphed into The Ryan Matter Band. It wasn’t for any other reason.
The Lumineers, an alternative folk band, announced their summer 2023 tour dates, including performances at three New York venues. Their first New York performance will take place in Wantagh at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 18, followed by a performance at the Catbird Festival in Bethel on Aug. 19. The Lumineers’ last New York performance will be at the Darien Lake Amphitheater on Aug. 22.
The two-time Grammy-winning band’s tour is in support of their 2022 fourth album, Brightside. The album reached the top 10 in both the U.S. and Canada, with its title track reaching the number one spot on Billboard’s Alternative National Airplay and Adult Alternative Airplay charts. This feat marked the sixth time the band topped the latter chart in less than 10 years.
The first edition of The Lumineers Brightside tour last year sold more than 750,000 tickets across five continents. The album was recorded throughout the winter and spring of 2021 at Baron’s Sun Mountain Studios in Boiceville, NY. Produced by longtime collaborator Simone Felice and engineered and mixed by David Baron, who also provided input on producing, the nine-song collection sees The Lumineers’ co-founders/co-songwriters Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites performing virtually all of the instrumentation.
Current members of The Lumineers: Wesley Schultz (mic) and Jeremiah Fraites. Credit: Instagram
Schultz and Fraites are from New Jersey and played at various venues throughout New York in the 2000s. In 2010, they relocated to Denver and met former band members Neyla Pekarek, Maxwell Hughes, and Ben Wahamaki. Their self-titled debut album was released in the spring of 2012. Shortly after, their debut single, “Ho Hey” was released. Before the release of their debut album and single, “Ho Hey” was featured in a December 2011 episode of The CW’s Hart of Dixie.
The Lumineers are continuing their partnership with environmental nonprofit REVERB to reduce the environmental footprint of this year’s tour. The band will help fund a REVERB-vetted climate project that aims to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Fans are encouraged to join the band’s efforts at every show in the REVERB Action Village.
Artist presale for The Lumineers’ summer tour begins Monday, March 6 at 12 p.m. General on-sale begins Friday, March 10, at 10 a.m. More information is available here.
It’s once again time to gear up for the biggest musical showdown in New York State – NYS Music March Madness! For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers.
March Madness 2023 is set to feature 64 up-and-coming artists and bands, hand-selected by the NYS Music team for their unique sound and undeniable talent. With the help of our dedicated sponsors, NYS Music March Madness provides a platform for these musicians to showcase their skills, gain exposure and be discovered. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to listen, vote, and join us in the madness!
With the aide of our sponsors, NYS Music March Madness is a way for artists to be heard, grow and discovered. Go Listen. Go Vote. And let the Madness begin.
NYS Music has partnered with businesses across New York State to highlight these 64 up and coming bands and artists.
Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night!
The Yard Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue nestled in the rolling hills of NY State with BBQ on site, an outdoor bar, space for lawn games, and room to dance! Watching a performance at The Yard is similar to watching a concert in your own backyard, with the exception that this backyard features a fully stocked outdoor bar, mouthwatering BBQ, and nationally touring performers.
Having a huge calendar each month with a wide variety of genres, shows and experiences, the Strand Theatre holds the distinction as the only major music venue in Washington and Warren Counties that is open year-round. The Strand creates community through music and the related arts in Hudson Falls.
Jane Dough help cannabis entrepreneurs win business licenses, optimize facility design, standardize operation, increase revenue and design their future.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
Enter your email address, meet the bands and vote for your favorites on Page 2!
Hudson Valley-based multimedia artist Cyote has just released her single “none the wise,” a gentle and driving ode to isolation. Accompanying the track is a self-produced music video, offering viewers a peek inside McElroy’s creative process and moments of vulnerability.
After 12 years of working behind the scenes for artists such as Tori Amos, Thurston Moore, Meshell Ndegecello, Kaki King, and more, Cyote returns to the scene. By using her own musical roots, she proudly shares her newest single titled “none the wish.” The track is a wintery ode to isolation and has a similar vibe to Cat Power or Weyes Blood.
…seductive but not without risk– treading the line between hope and truth.
BUST
“This song is a poem that speaks to the ability each one of us has to disconnect at any moment..‘none the wise’ to the world around you,” says Cyote.
Accompanying the song is a self-produced music video by Cyote herself, which acts almost as a diary. Doing so by inviting viewers to witness McElroy’s creative process with moments of vulnerable and solitude.
Catch Cyote’s live performance this Saturday (February 25th) at Sarah Gray Miller’s new upstate honky tonk Ravish Liquors. The show will begin at 7pm featuring an intimate performance by Cyote, alongside a screening of the music video, with a side of Miller’s famous Frito Chili Pie.
“A creative genius and a mesmerizing performer, Cyote has the soul of an artist and the voice of an angel—albeit a highly seductive angel with a dirty-South drawl and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She also happens to be incredibly kind, warm, generous, and down-to-earth. If my new bar could be a person, I’d want it to be Carter Lou McElroy. So, I couldn’t believe my good fortune when she agreed to become the house musician at Ravish Liquors.” – Sarah Gray Miller of Ravish Liquors
To listen to “none the wise,” click the link here. For more music by Cyote, click the link here.
Guitarist Zach Nugent will bring his Dead Set on a ‘Spring Thaw’ tour with all six stops taking place in New York, from April 19th to April 29th. The tour will kick off at Garcia’s in Port Chester on April 19th and will conclude with a show at Cohoes Music Hall on April 29th, with stops in Syracuse, Rochester, Ithaca and Woodstock in between.
Zach Nugent, lead guitarist of the nationally acclaimed Grateful Dead tribute act will be joined by a talented ensemble of musicians to bring the magic of the Grateful Dead to audiences across New York. The band’s blend of faithful renditions of Grateful Dead classics, soulful improvisations, and authentic jams are guaranteed to captivate fans old and new.
The ‘Spring Thaw’ looks to be a highlight of the year for NY fans of the Grateful Dead and live music enthusiasts alike. Zach Nugent’s Dead Set has been praised for their electrifying live shows and their ability to transport audiences to the height of the Dead’s legendary performances.
If you’re a fan of the Grateful Dead, or just love live music played to the highest caliber, you won’t want to miss Zach Nugent’s Dead Set. Seeing Nugent in concert is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience that leaves fans feeling energized, inspired, and uplifted. From the moment he takes the stage, Nugent’s virtuosic guitar playing and deep connection to the music of the Grateful Dead captivates the audience and transports them to another realm.
During the concert, fans are fully immersed in the music, swept away by Nugent’s expert improvisations, soaring solos, and dynamic interplay with his bandmates. Whether he’s performing classic Dead tunes or original compositions, Nugent’s passion and mastery of the guitar shine through, creating a sense of communal joy and celebration among the crowd.
Tickets for all six shows are available now and can be purchased through the band’s website or at the venues.
Zach Nugent’s Dead Set Tour Dates
April 19th – Garcia’s, Port Chester, NY – Tickets:
Hudson Valley’s brother and sister harmonic duo Plane Station has just released their newest single “Keep Me Grounded,” on February 24th. The two are currently preparing to release two more singles over the following months and completing their third album, Art or Content, in the spring.
Plane Station consists of Nick and Brianna Chiapparino, a sibling singer songwriter duo based in Peekskill. Their sound, honed through years of live performance, is built on harmony, memorable melodies and a collaborative approach to songwriting.
Their single “Keep Me Grounded” is a powerful piece that will send shivers down your spine. No mater your headspace, Nick and Brianna’s angelic melodies will pierce through your heart. The song is beautifully written, the harmony that Plane Station has is incredible. The two are unbelievably talented artists with their sound and lyrics, they deserve more spotlight.
Nick and Brianna both grew up in the Hudson Valley and began singing together in High School. The duo has fronted many bands spanning a wide variety of genres, keeping their unique connection front and center with Plane Station.
Their music is often driven either by Nick’s acoustic guitar or Brianna’s piano work. Their sound together weaves seamlessly through the intimate and the grandiose, whispered lines over a finger picked guitar often give way to soaring harmonies over swelling instrumentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJM6KdpxiWY
Their first album, The Other Side, finds the duo exploring themes of love, change and loss in a stripped down, predominantly acoustic setting. On 7th Street, Plane Station’s second full length LP, Nick and Brianna stretch their folk sound, taking full of advantage of a vaster sonic landscape while staying true to their singer/songwriter roots.
Their third and upcoming album, Art or Content, is coming together for release in the spring of 2023. For more information on Plane Station, visit their website by clicking the link here.
The first ever Soulshine Festival has been announced for Saturday, July 1st at Arrowood Farms in Accord, New York. A collaboration between Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST and Impact Concerts, in conjunction with Chet-5 Productions and Michael Franti, artists for Soulshine Festival include Michael Franti & Spearhead, along with special guests Tank & The Bangas, Son Little and The Big Takeover. The festival will also feature yoga and wellness, as well as local, sustainable food and craft vendors and family friendly activities.
Soulshine Festival
Musician and activist Michael Franti, whose energitic live shows foster a sense of community, is set to host and co-curate Soulshine Festival. He has performed in the Hudson Valley over the past 20 years, including many performances at Mountain Jam. Franti is the creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. Franti is thrilled to return to the Hudson Valley to not only perform, but to be able to co-curate Soulshine Festival.
There is no other artist whose universal message of peace, love, compassion, and hope resonates more with us, our listeners and our community than Michael Franti. Michael has been the soul of Mountain Jam and has brought countless memorable moments of joy and positivity to the Hudson Valley over the past 20 plus years. He has been an inspiration to so many and has shown us the transformative power of music and its ability to heal and bring people together. I am so grateful and honored to create with him and my partners at Impact Concerts a new festival with his imprint.
Gary Chetkof
Franti has been recognized by global awardes including three Billboard No. 1’s with triumphantly hopeful hits “Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You),” and “I Got You,” as well as six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA Singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. His band’s lastest album Follow Your Heart released on June 3rd, 2022. Franti has been in the studio since wrapping the Follow Your Heart World Tour, with new music on the way later this year.
General admission and VIP tickets for Soulshine Festival will be available for purchase beginning on Friday, February 24th at 10 am at RadioWoodstock’s website. General admission tickets are $90, and VIP tickets are $180 and include access to the VIP hangout area and other premium services. Children 10 and under are admitted to the festival for free with a paying adult.Radio Woodstock members and Michael Franti Fan Club Members can buy tickets early with a pre-sale code.
Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST has announced the return of Cannastock, the first-ever consumption-friendly cannabis festival in New York, on Saturday, May 13. This year, the event will be held at the newly renovated MJN Convention Center in Poughkeepsie.
Cannastock is a 21+ consumer-friendly festival and an immersive cannabis experience with local and national cannabis brands. At the festival, there will be like-minded consumers and large amounts of exhibitors, including licensed growers, manufacturers, and retailers, as well as games, contests, and free giveaways. There will also be educational panels on topics such as how legalization will change our society, and people can also learn about jobs within the cannabis industry.
The festival is also featuring live music acts with DJ Max Glazer from Federation Sound and local visual performance artists. Cannastock will also feature the first Excelsior Cup, a cannabis competition to honor the best cannabis products in New York State. To be announced is entry portal information, the judging panelists, and the array of categories spanning flowers, concentrates, pre-rolls, cartridges, and edibles that will be part of the initial competition.
The event is presented by Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST, described as the New York Times “favorite thing about driving around the Hudson Valley,” producing curated music programming and virtual and live music events, along with advertising campaigns. The station has founded both the Mountain Jam Festival and Taste of Country Festival, both of which have grown to become the largest rock and camping music festivals in the Northeast.
Radio Woodstock principal owner and Cannastock Founder Gary Chetkof, said “after our inaugural Cannastock sold out quickly last October, we realized that we needed to bring it back soon and in a much larger venue. With the first recreational retail dispensaries opening up to the public now, we thought the time was right to bring it to the MJN Center in May.” $30 General Admission and $65 VIP tickets are available for purchase on Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. here.
Hudson Hall has announced their beloved Hudson Jazz Festival will be returning for the 2023 season.
Taking place in New York State’s oldest surviving theater, the Hudson Jazz Festival began in February 2018 as a way to celebrate one of America’s greatest art forms in Hudson Hall’s historic 1855 theater.
The festival reflects Hudson Hall’s mission of not just promoting the arts, but supporting its community. The festival was intentionally programmed in February as a way to bring business to Hudson during the traditionally slower shoulder season.
In 2020, Hudson Hall added a visual arts exhibition that became an ongoing element of the festival. Featured artists have included Reggie Madison, Tschabalala Self, David Hammons, Bijan Mahmoodi, among others. This year features an exhibition by local artist and designer, Marine Penvern. The 2023 Hudson Jazz Festival kicks off with an exhibition opening party on Thursday, February 16 from 5-7pm.
In 2022, the Hudson Jazz Festival doubled in size, expanding from one four-day weekend to two. Entitled “Lift Every Voice”, the 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival featured Jazzmeia Horn, The Baylor Project, Jimmy Greene, Alexis Morrast, Warren Wolf, and Daniel J. Watts, who was presented in a new partnership with the Louis Armstrong House & Museum that included archival film screenings and a masterclass for youth.
Located just two hours outside NYC, Hudson Hall is a nonprofit arts organization offering a year-round schedule of music, theater, dance, visual arts, literature, free workshops for youth and adults, as well as family programs and large-scale community events such as Winter Walk.
2023 Festival Lineup
WEEKEND ONE: (February 16-19, 2023) Thursday, February 16 at 7pm Exhibition Opening – Marine Penvern: Body & Soul
Friday, February 17 at 7pm Sarah Elizabeth Charles: SEC & SCOPE
Saturday, February 18 at 7pm Marquis Hill: New Gospel Revisited
Sunday, February 19 at 3pm Michael Mayo
WEEKEND TWO (February 23-26, 2023) Thursday, February 23 at 7pm Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y
Friday, February 24 at 7pm Lucy Yeghiazaryan and Vanisha Gould : In Her Words
Saturday, February 25 at 7pm Aaron Parks & Samantha Rise: Dreaming Home
Sunday, February 26 at 3pm Endea Owens & The Cookout
Hudson Jazz Festival tickets are available at Hudson Hall’s website.
