The HERE Foundation, fresh off last year’s successful music festival, announced the date and lineup for HERE for NY, taking place at The Knockdown Center on Feb. 10, 2024.
HERE for NY is the next stop in the global concert series dedicated to creating hyper-local action within cities worldwide. With a focus on supporting local organizations and nonprofits, HERE aims to empower Gen-Z individuals and businesses to impact their communities positively. The festival is the first of its kind, transcending traditional festival experiences and embracing a new era of action, empowerment, and community.
Last December, HERE for LA showcased 22 acts, engaged over 1200 attendees, and made an incredible impact on HERE’s nonprofit partners. HERE Foundation is a non-profit organization that works at the intersection of culture and cause, supporting individuals, organizations, and nonprofits with charitable events, activities, gatherings, and workshops around causes that young people are passionate about.
HERE for NY welcomes artists across genres including Eartheater, Vegyn, Liv.e, RXK Nephew, Underscores, Roy Blair, James Ivy, 454, DJ_Dave, Alice Longyu Gao, Push Ups, and MGNA Crrrta.
“We think people are going to be very surprised when they show up on February 10th,” said co-founders Ethan, Stella, and Connor. “It’s not a vast grass field with the traditional layout and nonprofit booths, we have created something uniquely different from the existing array of festivals out there today” they share.
In line with HERE Foundation’s commitment to social responsibility HERE for NY is excited to partner with Big Reuse and the Urban Justice Center for Social Equity, local nonprofit organizations dedicated to climate justice, social equality, and education. HERE For NY sponsors include Perfectly Imperfect, Dice, and more.
There’s no escaping The Police; they’re everywhere. Individually, members of The Police continued to tour this past fall and winter, and garnered quite a bit of social media and press coverage with their music and publishing projects. A new book is now out by Laura Shenton for Wymer Publishing, The Police; A Visual Biography.
Featuring photography, text and layout that is visually appealing, The Police; A Visual Biography is a historical treat for Police fans as it chronicles their humble beginnings up to achieving world wide recognition and creative fame.
This coffee table book includes some little known tidbits about the band and some of their song origins. It includes rare press clippings from their unknown days, encompasses their musical journey to becoming what we now know them to be, and includes a discography and member’s solo projects. During their ascension, their record sales, tour grosses and GRAMMYs surpassed even that of the Rolling Stones. The Police would make history becoming the best band of their day, with “Every Breath You Take” still being the most radio played song in American history.
The Police gained traction here in New York at CBGB’s and in the Hudson Valley as relatively unknowns in 1979, also appearing at The Chance in Poughkeepsie. The song “Roxanne” would make its debut on U.S. radio here in the Hudson Valley on WDST, Radio Woodstock, 100.1.
Within three months, The Police had two singles and an album in the U.S. Top Ten.
In a phone interview I had in October, Andy Summers spoke of The Chance fondly, recalling how grateful they all were to get the gig and to be touring America at the time. “What it signified was how we had to maintain our spirit and do a raging show despite a small audience possibly due to a snowstorm at the time.”
Although meeting and forming in the UK, New York has been lucky to have shared in The Police’s early days, because it was also here in New York City and the Hudson Valley that The Police started creating such excitement for their unique sound in America and subsequently the world.
Laura Shenton is widely known for her music profile non fiction books, including profiles on Emerson Lake and Palmer, Kate Bush and Supertramp among others.
Featuring Alan Perry Concert Photography and Bill O’Leary Timeless Concert Images, the author’s voice is evenly paced, respectful of her subject, and engaging. Her interest in writing this book comes through and a recommended book on The Police.
This particular book differs from others on The Police in how thorough and methodically dates, press clippings, memorabilia, concert posters, song origins, tours, and the creative process is described, as well as how solo projects are detailed, and music reviews, awards, nominations and the discography is presented. The author included many quotes from band members giving us a good idea of their musical journey and lets us know the favorite song they all share.
As James Adams stated in 1983 and his quote is included in this book, “The Police are a band. Long may they arrest us.”
The Los Angeles-based company SaveLive has announced it is opening a new concert venue in Buffalo titled Electric City, at the former site of the Tralf Music Hall. Many are pleased with the prospect of a new venue, but some are worrisome about an outsider corporation coming in and taking over this historic venue.
The Tralf Music Hall opened in 1982 at 622 Main St, next to Shea’s Performing Arts Center, closing for good in 2022. The new Electric City venue, opening February 23, has a capacity of 750, with a few bars to the right and left when you walk in, and a stage in the back. It will also include a mezzanine level for an added VIP experience. Completely reimagining the old venue, it will include state-of-the-art equipment and is a nod to Buffalo’s role in the early use of hydroelectricity.
“There is really a demand for more shows, more music,” Marketing Manager Michele Riggi told WIVB. “So, we’re really looking forward to that. In our opinion, a rising tide raises all ships. So, if we can bring more venues to the area, bring more opportunity for artists to play, more tours will stop here.”
On the other hand, Buffalo music journalist Jeff Miers feels that bringing new venues to the equation might not be a good thing.
The Buffalo music scene is already saturated with venues that each have their own unique offering, at an independent level. These venues include The Town Ballroom, just down the street from Electric City, offering a rich diet of EDM, indie and alternative, hip-hop, and more, Rec Room with indie-focused acts, Mohawk Place with metal and rock, Iron Works with jam bands and up-and-comers, and more. The question Miers asks in his article is “What vacant niche is SaveLive hoping to fill with its new venture?”
SaveLive was co-founded by Marc Geiger, former global leader of the William Morris Endeavor Music Division from 2003 until 2020, and co-founder of Lollapalooza. The company began by seeking to acquire 51% ownership of financially hard-pressed independent music venues after the pandemic began. This Buffalo venture is the first venue the company has redone from the ground up.
While much of the local press is overall speaking positively about the buyout, Miers’ article focuses on how the independent venues that did not compete with one another now have this layer of competition, having to go against a corporate venue. Some pros of this venue are that more acts that may not be seen at the other venues in Buffalo may be booked, bringing more visitors to the area.
Whichever box you fall into, this new venue will arrive in February with new music and a revamped venue. Hopefully, Electric City doesn’t push out other iconic venues in the area and brings in more exciting acts to the area.
Different opening concerts at Electric City have been announced, including DJ James Kennedy on Feb. 23, Meshell Ndegeocello on March 12, Hippie Sabotage on April 17, Living Colour on May 16, and Echo & the Bunnymen on May 22. Also announced were Sammy Rae and the Friends on March 10, Kitchen Dwellers on April 3, Yachtley Crew on April 11, Larry Fleet on April 13, Dying Fetus on May 5, the Chats on May 7, and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes on May 18.
For more information about Electric City Buffalo and to purchase tickets to upcoming shows, visit here.
On December 16, 2023, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra performed its annual holiday concert, “Winter Wonderland,” to a packed house at the Broome County Forum Theatre.
A glittering celebration of the season, Winter Wonderland featured Christmas hits both old and new by Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss, John Williams, and young American composer Quinn Mason; carol singalongs led by soloists from Tri-Cities Opera; and a screening of the British animated classic “The Snowman” with live orchestral accompaniment.
There was something for everyone in the lively concert. Mason showed a distinctly American voice in his lyrical, atmospheric “Christmas Eve Festivities,” which is becoming a new classic. Local newscaster Jim Ehmke was the narrator for Bill Holcombe’s charming “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” a musical setting of the beloved poem by Clement C. Moore. The guest conductor for Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” was local businessman Jonny Norton, who had won the spot in a fundraising auction, and Norton clearly enjoyed himself heartily, along with the orchestra and audience. Young treble soloist Eva Dixon, a 13-year-old soprano from New York City, sang the haunting solo, “Walking in the Air,” in “The Snowman” with delicacy and aplomb.
The orchestra played with uplifting energy and precision, led by the confident conducting of Maestro Daniel Hege, who managed to infuse even the most familiar carols with a spirit of wintry revelry. Maestro Hege engaged the audience with his trademark lighthearted banter, and the audience responded with exuberant singing, hand-clapping, and a standing ovation at the end. For the enthusiastic and festively-dressed concertgoers, including many children, “Winter Wonderland” was a truly magical experience, and a not-to-be-missed event of the holiday season in New York’s Southern Tier.
Ireland-based cinematic, melancholic pop group The Coronas have supported Bruce Springsteen in front of more than 65,000 people in London’s Hyde Park, played for President Joe Biden in County Mayo during his visit to his ancestral home in Ireland, and made chart history as being the first independent Irish band with three consecutive topping the charts. They have announced they are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a special show at the Bowery Ballroom.
Voted #1 Live Act of the Year by Hot Press Magazine, one of Ireland’s best-loved bands The Coronas has no intention of slowing down, continuing tours in Europe and the States this March. They are fresh off a series of huge summer shows and festival appearances that included the iconic Electric Picnic Festival and Glasgow’s TRNSMT.
The Coronas is comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist Danny O’Reilly, bass guitarist Graham Knox, and drummer Conor Egan. They are returning to North America to begin a run of shows on March 5, 2024, culminating with St. Patrick’s Day at the Bowery Ballroom. They last toured the U.S., a year ago, but this past March performed at the celebrated pre-Academy Awards “Oscar Wilde Party” in Los Angeles and squeezed in an SRO nightclub show in Hollywood as part of this extraordinary year.
Last month the band released The Best of the Early Days, a compilation of records from the band’s first three albums, plus a special never-before-released album closer “One Last Time.” All of the tracks were released on vinyl for the first time, in addition to CD format, and via all digital platforms. Four songs each come from their 2007 debut Heroes or Ghosts, their 2009 breakthrough Tony Was an Ex-Con (winner of Best Album at 2010’s Meteor Awards, for which they beat U2 and Snow Patrol) and 2011’s Closer To You, their first Irish chart-topper, all chapters in an extraordinary, near 20-year career.
We loved listening back to our early albums and remembering the wild times we had making them. The three of us met at school, and we were still kids when we started the band. Choosing which songs to include was the hard part – each of us has our favourites. All of the songs are packed with memories of gigs we played, places we’ve been and the mates we’ve made along the way. We couldn’t make music like that anymore, but we wouldn’t change a thing. Every song has its place in The Coronas’ history. Hearing them together is a reminder of what we’ve achieved and how far we’ve come.
Danny O’Reilly.
The new song “One Last Time,” once known as “Bonus Night,” was recorded during the Tony Was An Ex-Con sessions. “We always loved it,” explained Danny, “but at the time we felt that ‘Warm’ was the album’s acoustic moment and having another stripped-back song would have been too much. It has a beautiful string arrangement by James Hallawell. It’s a Coronas gem that I’m delighted we can finally share with our fans.”
An eighth Coronas studio album is in the works to kick off the next 20 years. For more information about the band, visit here.
The Coronas Tour Dates
December 21—Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland December 28—INEC Arena, Killarney, Ireland March 5, 2024—Empty Bottle, Chicago March 6—Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI March 8—The Great Hall, Toronto, ON, Canada March 12—The Foundry, Philadelphia March 13—Atlantis, Washington, DC March 15—Brighton Music Hall, Boston March 17—Bowery Ballroom, New York City
To close out a tremendous year of touring, Billy Strings arrived in the Salt City of Syracuse on Saturday, December 16, for a performance at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial.
Having just returned from a European tour in November, Billy Strings embarked on a brief, 10 day tour worked its way up the East Coast from Greensboro, NC, stopping in Maryland and Pennsylvania before arriving in Syracuse.
photo by Allison Marie
A usual preshow crowd was found throughout bars and restaurants in downtown Syracuse, with a small lot scene taking shape on this temperate late fall night in Syracuse. Only a trio of shows in New Orleans over New Years Eve remain, following a year touring that was began and ended with shows in minor-league hockey arenas.
One of the best things about a Billy Strings show happens before the music even begins – the band gives you a heads up that the show will be starting soon, something more bands could and should do (especially if ticket time is all but ignored). Flashing on the three screens that frame the stage, the audience is forewarned with bright and brief flashes of “15 Minutes until Fuzzy Rainbows”, then 10 minutes, and 5 minutes, giving an extra level of anticipation for the patient, sold out crowd.
Over the course of two sets, Billy Strings would play nearly 30 songs, more than half of them covers, mainly from relatively obscure bluegrass and early country artists, plus a choice Led Zepplin cover.
The night began with original “Home,” followed by “West Dakota Rose” by Chris Henry. After “Down Yonder,” Billy greeted the crowd, noting it had been a long time since the band had last played there – but this was indeed the first show, while also having played Rochester a year prior.
An excellent psychedelic trance formed in “Fire Line” and shifted into the traditional “Raleigh and Spencer,” full of vim and vigor with each repetition of “There ain’t no liquor in this town. No there ain’t no liquor in this town,” with Billy swirling his hair around as he broke the song down. Air Mail Special on the Fly, by Leon Rusk, was among the highlights of the numerous covers, all made unique and brought into a new generation of bluegrass lovers.
“Be Your Man” gave a reference to the Big Apple with the line “When I got to New York City I was looking for another side of life”, followed by only the fifth version of the new “Escanaba,” named for a city in Billy Strings’ home state of Michigan. The set would close with “Away From the Mire,” a fan favorite, highlighted by bassist Royal Masat and a sparkly background, capped by Strings stepping out to the front of stage and playing to each side of the audience, closing the set on a highest of notes.
Set 2 would open with “Know it All,” followed by another traditional song – one made popular by The Dillards, Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, “Shady Grove.” Spotting Santa Claus in the audience, Billy Strings dedicated “Just Because” by Nelstone’s Hawaiians, referencing Santa a few times in this nearly 100 year old song.
From there, “Blue Mule” again put Royal Masat’s bass prowess on display, giving a smooth jazz club vibe in appearance, presence and sound as the band broke down “Doin’ Things Right,” which included a jam on Led Zeppelin’s “Moby Dick,” then giving way to an outright cover of “Four Sticks” off Led Zeppelin IV, a jaw-dropping version.
Two mellower songs would follow – “Libby Phillips Rag,” and Ralph Stanley’s “A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy’s Grave.” The soft respite was no match for the finale of the set, a pairing of “Psycho” (Eddie Noack) and “Thunder,” which got very spacey and nearly found a backdoor into “St. Stephen” before calling it a night, huge applause cascading from the audience to the stage.
An appropriate encore of Bill Monroe’s “Christmas Time’s A-Coming” was a reminder of the season that awaited all in a week, and with Billy Strings getting ready to head back home to Nashville, Jimmy Martin’s “Tennessee” closed the night.
Billy Strings – Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial, Syracuse – December 16, 2023
Set 1: Home, West Dakota Rose, Cabin Song > Down Yonder, Fire Line > Raleigh and Spencer, Ernest T. Grass > Air Mail Special on the Fly, Be Your Man, Escanaba, Away From the Mire Set 2: Know It All, Shady Grove, Along the Road, I’ll Be Gone a Long Time, Just Because, Long Forgotten Dream, Blue Mule, Doin’ Things Right, Four Sticks, Libby Phillips Rag, A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy’s Grave, Psycho > Thunder Encore: Christmas Time’s A-Coming, Tennessee
As the crescent moon descended over the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, Bob Weir & Wolf Bros delivered a compelling evening of music, marking the third show of their extended December 2023 residency.
Emerging from the rear of center stage, Bob Weir opened the evening solo with his rendition of “Peggy O.” A solitary figure with his guitar, Weir exuded a contemplative aura. Every note plucked and every word sung captivated theaudience, drawing them into the profound depths of his soul.
The five-night series harmoniously coincided with the festive season, capturing the joyous spirit of the holidays. With a twinkle in Weir’s eye and his beard all aglow, this musical Kris Kringle bestowed a plethora of gifts upon all the good boys and girls attending the sold-out show.
Enhancing the magical ambiance was a cadre of Santa’s musical helpers, featuring Don Was, Jay Lane, and Jeff Chimenti, as well as The Wolfpack (Alex Kelly, Brian Switzer, Adam Theis, Mads Tolling, Sheldon Brown, Barry Sless), who graced the stage alongside Weir at different junctures throughout the evening, intensifying the magic.
The musical choices for the evening spanned a diverse range of origins, featuring both Weir’s original compositions and beloved Grateful Dead classics. Each song’s energy seamlessly flowed into the next, creating a dynamic musical journey.
Both sets featured compelling covers, including Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” broadening the musical scope of the evening. The band’s portrayal of Eddie Cooley’s “The Fever” transcended into a profound and soulful masterpiece. Bringing the night to a memorable conclusion, the band encored with the timeless classic, “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad.”
As the band bid farewell, the capacity crowd journeyed out into the darkness of the night. If anyone among them cast their gaze skyward, they might have captured the sound of a celestial symphony. Voices from above exalting ‘On Dead, on Ratdog, on Kingfish, on Company; Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Rock’n Night!’
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros., – Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – December 15, 2023
Set 1: Peggy-O, The Winners, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Tennessee Jed, Odessa, Ramble On Rose, I Need a Miracle, Fever, U.S. Blues
Set 2: Me and Bobby McGee, Man Smart; Woman Smarter, Bertha, Cassidy, The Wheel, Eyes of the World, What’s Going On, Stella Blue, Not Fade Away
The oldest bar in Albany and a music venue for bands of all genres, Pauly’s Hotel, located at 337 Central Ave, has closed and is up for sale.
Established in 1862, Pauly’s Hotel has been a staple in Albany for multiple generations, located on the corner of Quail St. and Central Ave, where WAMC’s The Linda is located, and The Low Beat stood until 2020.
Hate to see this. Pauly’s has always been a big supporter of us, and were the first spot in Albany to ever take a chance on us. It’s safe to say without them, we may not have been able to break into the Capital Region as quickly as we did. Hopefully someone takes over this space and keeps it as a haven for independent, original music in the 518! Thanks so much to Shane and everyone else who made Pauly’s a great place to have an indie show.
According to the Times Union, owner Kip Finck noted that the 2020 shutdown was a major factor in closing the venue, as a lack of shows meant Pauly’s Hotel did not qualify for the federal Payroll Protection Program grants, which kept many venues afloat during this time.
Despite extensive renovations after purchasing Pauly’s in 2019, which included a state-of-the-art sound system, the bar sat largely dark for most of the next year and a half because of the pandemic. Adding in a capacity maxing out at 120, booking bands and keeping tickets reasonably priced posed a challenge for Finck.
Finck told the Times Union, “It was really hard financially, and I was handling everything to do with management and money myself.” Finck believes another, younger operator who is eager to reopen a storied music venue could make Pauly’s financially viable.
Finck also owned Northern Lights in Clifton Park for 18 years, and still owns the Village Tavern in Scotia, which itself is more than 80 years old.
The property listing notes that Pauly’s features a fully equipped bar area, an updated sound system, spacious seating areas, and a stage for live performances. The entire building is not for sale – only the business – with an asking price of $75,0000 to own Albany’s oldest bar.
“It would have to be the right person, the right fit,” Finck told the TU. “Once I find that, there would be a conversation about price.” He invites inquiries at kip.finck@gmail.com.
On December 15th, the indie-pop luminary mxmtoon/Maia wrapped up her “plum blossom (revisited) tour” in style at the cozy Roulette venue in Brooklyn, her adopted home. Despite her Bay Area origins, the artist warmly acknowledged the show as a second hometown gig, solidifying the special bond she shares with the Brooklyn crowd. The night was a whirlwind of distinctive moments, from a fan capturing the event with a 3DS to the collective knuckle-cracking orchestrated by Maia, showcasing both the uniqueness of her fanbase and her penchant for the offbeat.
In a touching moment, the emotional crescendo transpired during the performance of “Stuck.” Overwhelmed by a fan project featuring signs proclaiming “you are more than enough for us,” Maia paused and restarted the song, getting overwhelmed with emotion and tearing up a bit over the profound connection her music forms with her dedicated followers.
The concert became an interactive experience when Maia encouraged the audience to join her in a spirited rendition of “Prom Dress,” a poignant moment of shared emotion. Adding layers of sentimentality, Mxmtoon revealed that “Hong Kong” held a special place in her heart, as it was her mom’s favorite among all her compositions. The setlist, a carefully curated blend of fan favorites and surprises, included an unreleased jewel titled “Sarah,” a clever and quippy exploration of the concept of hate-watching YouTube videos.
The night unfolded as more than just a concert; it was a narrative journey with Maia providing glimpses into the stories behind her songs. The anecdote about “I Feel Like Chet,” a song where her youthful enunciation led to amusing misinterpretations (like “I feel like shit”), showcased her ability to infuse humor into her reflections. The concert concluded with an encore, featuring a cover of Vance Joy’s “Riptide,” cementing the evening as a nuanced exchange between artist and audience, leaving an indelible mark on all those present.
Legendary guitarist Bobby Weir of the Grateful Dead has wrapped up holdng a 5-night run at The Capitol Theatre with the Wolf Bros, featuring The Wolfpack.
The Wolfpack is made up of the Wolf Bros Don Was and Jay Lane, and Jeff Chimenti, who joined Wolf Bros in 2020 around the time of the forming of The Wolfpack, who are a string and brass quintet consisting of Adam Theis, Alex Kelly, Sheldon Brown, Brian Switzer, and Mads Tolling as well as Barry Sless on pedal steel.
The second night of the run, Wednesday, December 13, saw the night start off with just Bobby on stage playing an acoustic “Easy to Slip,” and was then joined by Jay & Don, still on acoustic, for a cowboy favorite, “El Paso.” Bobby switched to electric to play “Queen Jane Approximately” before Chimenti came out for a full electric “Hell in a Bucket,” a crowd favorite. The room was getting hot and The Wolfpack came out to play “The Music Never Stopped”, but for Bob Weir, the music has truly never stopped. The rest of set was joined by Ron Carter on stand up bass and featured a dark and psychedelic “Dark Star” and a roaring “Scarlet Begonias.”
Not bad at all for a Wednesday night! Spirits were high and the second set certainly delivered, starting off strong with “Throwing Stones.” Bobby’s vocals really shined on “Viola Lee Blues” and “Corrina.” This was followed by “Come Together,” an unexpected Beatles cover. Following were delightful symphonic renditions of “China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider,” featuring top notch horn solos accompanied with Bob’s iconic rhythm guitar playing.
Following was a dark and somber “Wharf Rat” with the absolutely iconic Bobby song, “Sugar Magnolia” following. Weir absolutely wails at one point in that song, delivered beautifully but being careful not to blow his voice out before the next three nights at the legendary Capitol Theatre.
The encore was a rather rare “Liberty,” masterfully delivered. The band took a bow and received a small banner stating “Warning: Genius at Work.” A true spectacle of a night, seeing the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist produce a unique soundscape with familiar material, brining the music to new places and keeping it fresh.
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros., – Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – December 13, 2023
Set 1: Easy to Slip, El Paso, Queen Jane Approximately, Hell in a Bucket, The Music Never Stopped, Easy Answers, Dark Star, Scarlet Begonias
Set 2: Throwing Stones, Viola Lee Blues, Corrina, Come Together, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia
