NYS Music 2023

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  • Watch Stevie Nicks Perform Her Signature Looks to a Buffalo Crowd

    Renowned icon Stevie Nicks came to the KeyBank Center on Wednesday, October 4 to a packed crowd. She brought a mixture of sound from her own solo album, covers with signature artists, and of course hits from her Fleetwood Mac days. 

    Special guest CIL opened up the night with her pop and R&B tunes. At just 20 years old she has taken her music career to new heights. CIL uses her unashamedly songwriting abilities to share her most raw and vulnerable experiences. Her soulful vocals lifted up the crowd for a magical night. 

    Stevie Nicks is nothing short of a singer-songwriter legend spanning over a decade. She performs with a full stage of band members and mystical lighting. She began the night with “Outside the Rain” showing off that the passage of time has had no effect on her outstanding vocal range. She followed up with Fleetwood Mac’s hit “Dreams” which brought the crowd immediately back to the hippy dippy days. 

    This tour paid much homage to nostalgia. Stevie brought out her old outfits from decades ago and told countless stories about tour life. She stated that Buffalo has always had a special place in her heart because it’s where she bought her first ever signature top hat. It’s a city she always feels called to return to. 

    Stevie then played “Gypsy,” which she said was a song that took her back to 1975 when she first felt fame and was no longer poor. Tour life back then meant traveling in a beat up car that couldn’t reverse. After, she brought out her iconic Bella Donna Cape for her performance of “Bella Donna.”   

    The visuals throughout the show flipped through photos over the years. One montage had both the crowd and Stevie in tears when she closed with “Landslide.” She dedicated the song to Christine McVie who passed almost a year ago. Stevie shared how she always struggled when singing this song after her best friend died. The legendary artist shared with Buffalo “something my Mother would share to me, she always said Stevie when you hurt you always go to the stage. So I’m going to the stage.” 

    This was a special night in Buffalo that was full of love and remembrance. As Stevie and the band members bowed, people could not stop cheering. The Keybank Center has an exciting up and coming fall schedule. Katt Williams is on stage October 7 and Shania Twain performs October 20. Get your tickets here. 

    Setlist: Outside the Rain, Dreams, If Anyone Falls, Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, Fall From Grace, For What It’s Worth, Gypsy, Wild Heart, Bella Donna, Stand Back, Soldier’s Angel, Gold Dust Woman, I Sing for the Things, Edge of Seventeen

    Encore: Free Fallin’, Rhiannon, Landslide

  • Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Begins 23-24 Season with Chevalier, Mendelssohn

    The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes will begin their 2023-24 concert season on October 14 at the historic Park Church in Elmira. The opening show will feature a piece by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, titled Overture to L’Amant Anonyme (The Anonymous Lover).

    Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

    Dubbed the “Black Mozart,” Bologne was a Frenchman of Creole descent whose work has been long overlooked, despite comparisons to many classical figureheads in European history. Bologne is the subject of the feature film, Chevalier, released in April 2023 by Searchlight Pictures.

    Prior to the concert, the Park Church will host a screening of Chevalier as part of the Meaningful Movies series. The screening will be on October 12 at 7PM. Guests can RSVP at OSFL.org to save a spot.

    In everything we perform this season, we are prioritizing music education for all. Listeners get the most out of live concerts by being informed before arriving at the concert hall. We are offering pre-concert lectures, educational activity packets for all ages, and now a popular option of holding a movie night.

    Karen Dusek, Managing Director of the OSFL

    The second piece of the concert is an instrumental adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw’s “and the swallow.” Originally a choral work based on Psalm 84, the piece has been adapted for orchestra. Finally, Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 will close the show.

    The night’s soloist will be OSFL’s principal trumpet, Frank Gabriel Campos, performing the Trumpet Concerto by Hummel. Campos authored the Trumpet Technique method book, used at colleges and universities worldwide, and recently retired from tenure at Ithaca College.

    Frank Gabriel Campos

    Season ticket packages are still available and include the October 14th concert. Packages also include 3 full-orchestra concerts and 5 concerts in the Musicians’ Choice Chamber Series. Contact the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes office at 607-936-2873 or order online at OSFL.org.

  • West Falls Center for the Arts Has Announced This Year’s Fallsfest

    West Falls Center for the Arts will hold its second annual Fallsfest this October, in conjunction with The Blueberry Treehouse Farm in West Falls, NY, outside of Buffalo.

    west falls center for the arts fallsfest

    The West Falls Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual, performing, music, and healing arts programming to a diverse rural population.

    Their ongoing programs include a weekly concert series with local youth performers opening for national talent, a free kids music jam series for young musicians (partnering with the Sportsman’s Foundation), the prestigious Southtowns Youth Jazz Orchestra led by Mark Filsinger, as well as the Buffalo Jazz Collective with young musicians performing alongside accomplished professionals.

    This year, they’re hosting FallsFest on October 14 from 10am-10pm, and October 15, from 10am-6pm. Come enjoy live music, the AKG Art Truck, craft vendors and artists, pumpkin smashing, animals, food trucks, the Super Hilarious Magic Show with Nick Mambretti, homemade WFCA pizza, a Prehistoric Reptile Show, a treehouse café, and beautiful nature trails.

    Purchase tickets online here for October 14 and/or October 15. Adults are $10, kids 3-12 are $5, and kids 2 and under are free.

    For more information, visit their website.

  • Samara Joy, Grammy Winner for Best New Artist, Announces ‘A Joyful Holiday’ EP

    Bronx native and two-time GRAMMY winner Samara Joy is set to release A Joyful Holiday, a 6-song EP of beloved seasonal favorites.

    Photo credit: Ambe J. Williams

    This extension of her latest album, Linger Awhile, features accomplished jazz musicians and includes singles like “O Holy Night,” “Warm in December,” and a new take on Stevie Wonder’s “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me.”

    A Joyful Holiday, produced by Matt Pierson, will drop on October 27 via Verve, with an exclusive emerald green color variant LP available.

    The holiday EP comes after an extraordinary year for Samara Joy, who clinched the prestigious Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album awards at this year’s Grammys.

    Samara Joy has shared a delightful rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” which you can listen to here.

    “Singing alongside my family has always been a special time kept between us, but this December, I’m excited to share that special feeling with you all! This holiday season, it brings me great joy to present my first role models, the McLendon Family, on a month-long tour throughout the US. Join us for a show you’ll never forget!”

    Samara Joy

    Samara Joy has also announced the Verve Vinyl Collection, comprising her three Verve LPs, Linger Awhile, Linger Awhile Longer, and A Joyful Holiday. This collection will hit the shelves on November 17 and can be pre-ordered here.

    A Joyful Holiday Tracklist

    “Warm In December”
    “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me ft. Sullivan Fortner”
    “The Christmas Song”
    “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
    “O Holy Night”
    “The Christmas Song (Live)”

    Samara Joy 2023 Tour Dates

    9/28 – 10/1 – Seattle, WA @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley Jazz

    10/4 – Davis, CA @ Mondavi Center

    10/6 – 7 – New York, NY @ Rose Hall at The Lincoln Center

    10/14 – Kansas City @ Folly Theater

    10/15 – Denver, CO @ Newman Center

    10/18 – Easton, PA @ Williams Center for the Arts / Performance Series

    10/20 – Storrs, CT @ Jorgenson Center

    10/22 – Brookville, NY @ Tilles Center

    10/24 – Columbia, MO @ Missouri Theater

    10/25 – Iowa City @ Hancher Auditorium

    10/27 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    11/3 – Zurich, Switzerland @ TVD

    11/5 – Athens, Greece @ Megaron Athens

    11/7 – Hamburg, Germany @ Elb Philharmonic

    11/8 – Berlin, Germany @ TBD

    11/12 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon

    11/17 – Bologna, Italy @ TBD

    11/18 – Milan, Italy @ TBD

    11/19 – London, UK @ Barbican Center, London Jazz Festival

    12/3 – Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall, UT Austin

    12/4 – Nashville, TN @ Nashville Symphony

    12/7 – Los Angeles, CA @ Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

    12/8 – Santa Barbara, CA @ The Granada Theater

    12/12 – Chesterfield, MO @ The Factory

    12/14 – 12/15 – New York, NY @ Apollo Theater

    12/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Symphony Hall

    12/22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kimmel Center

    12/23 – North Bethesda, MD @ Strathmore

  • Playhouse Stage Company Unveils 36th Season with Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde Musicals

    Playhouse Stage Company has announced its 36th Season, presenting both professional and youth musical theatre to the Capital Region. The upcoming lineup features four shows to be presented at Cohoes Music Hall and Albany’s Park Playhouse, as well as productions for schools and young people in the community.

    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

    The season will kick off in time for the holidays with the musical adaptation of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, running from December 1-23 at Cohoes Music Hall. The classic story by Barbara Robinson follows the “horrible Herdmans,” the rowdy bunch who force their way into the annual Christmas pageant, and transform the story into an unexpected extravaganza.

    Spring Awakening

    The group will present Spring Awakening, running from April 12-28, 2024. Featuring a cast of advanced teen students alongside professional actors, Spring Awakening showcases a fearless approach to taboo topics. A winner of eight Tony Awards, the timeless musical is based on the 19th century German book of the same name.

    The Marvelous Wonderettes

    Next summer will begin at Cohoes Music Hall with the musical The Marvelous Wonderettes. Running from June 28-July 24, 2024, this 1950s and 60s musical brings fabulous harmonies and fashions as four friends take the stage at their high school prom with a jukebox full of hits.

    Legally Blonde

    Finally, the company will return to Park Playhouse for the fan favorite Legally Blonde: The Musical. Based on the book and hit 2001 film, the musical follows Elle Woods, a fashion-forward, hard-working young woman as she embarks on a journey through Harvard Law. Legally Blonde will run from July 16-August 18, 2024.

    With this season’s productions, our goal is to continue exceeding audience expectations with first-rate  musical theatre that’s both entertaining and engaging. This season, we’re offering a lineup of shows that, each in their own way, invite  audiences to reflect on, reconsider and redefine how they see the world around them. With a mix of the  region’s most talented young performers from our Playhouse Stage Academy, local and regional  professional actors and musicians, and a world-class design and creative team, we’ll once again work hard  to prove to audiences why we were dubbed ‘Broadway in the Capital Region’s backyard’ when we were  founded all the way back in 1989.

    Playhouse Stage Co. Producing Artistic Director Owen Smith

    In addition to the mainstage offerings, the Playhouse Stage Company will offer two shows geared towards children: Grace for President, and Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. Both perfect for family audiences, Grace for President will run from February 26-March 22, 2024. Finding Nemo Jr. will run from August 21-25, 2024 at a new outdoor venue to be announced.

    Four-ticket Flex Packs that can be used for any of the company’s mainstage productions will go on sale Saturday, September 30 online playhousestage.org and thecohoesmusichall.org, or by phone at (518)  434-0776. Tickets to individual productions will go on sale later in the season. For  more information, audiences can visit www.playhousestage.org. 

  • New Live Nation Program Could Negatively Impact Indie Promoters

    On Sept. 26, Live Nation announced a new program, “On The Road Again,” designed to combat unfair merch sales cuts and provide supplemental money for touring staff and artists. Although this program appears on the surface to be a step in the right direction, in practice it could negatively impact both independent promoters and venues, potentially diverting bands and fans away from smaller independent venues.

    As a refresher, the new “On The Road Again” program, inspired by the Willie Nelson song, says that all acts playing Live Nation-owned and operated clubs, from headliners to support acts, will receive a $1,500 gas and travel cash stipend per show to all headliners and support acts, on top of nightly performance compensation. The company’s clubs will no longer charge merchandise selling fees, allowing artists to keep 100% of merch profits, which many artists rely on to generate cash for the band while they’re on the road.

    Participating venues in New York State include Warsaw, Gramercy Theatre, and Irving Plaza.

    However, this could have unrealized negative impacts on independent venues and promoters. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) released a statement, saying “Temporary measures may appear to help artists in the short run but actually can squeeze out independent venues which provide the lifeblood of many artists on thin margins.”

    The organization continued, saying “Instead, it appears to be a calculated attempt to use a publicly-traded conglomerate’s immeasurable resources to divert artists from independent venues and further consolidate control over the live entertainment sector. Such tactics threaten the vitality of small and medium-sized venues under 3000 capacity, many of which still struggle to keep their doors open.”

    NIVA is not the only one to take note of this PR move. Gideon Plotnicki, from GMP Live, voiced his concerns about the program, citing it as “pretty scary for indie promoters.”

    Independent promoters and venues are the lifeblood of the live music community. We invest in artists and provide crucial support and belief that helps them build their audience during the earliest phases of their career. How are independent promoters supposed to compete with a publicly traded company that uses its seemingly endless funds to entice artists to play their venues? How are we supposed to ask the artists to stick with us, rather than taking the bigger money elsewhere? It’s a question that a lot of independents will be asking themselves over the coming weeks and months.

    Gideon Plotnicki- GMP Live

    He also recognized that it is a pilot program, and may not “impact any specific market more than the other.” In turn, the “true impact will be felt if the program is successful and gets picked up for good. At that point, every Live Nation venue will hold an even more obvious financial advantage.”

    Although the “On The Road Again” program may be beneficial to smaller acts touring right now, it could have negative impacts on independent venues, which are where artists get their start. An agreement between indie venues and Live Nation might need to be implemented, but for now, support the indie venues in your area by going to shows, buying merch, and supporting your local scene.

  • Billy Joel Announces 100th MSG Residency Show for March 2024, Adds Three More

    Billy Joel announced his 100th monthly and 146th lifetime show at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, March 28, 2024. This show is part of his record-breaking, sold-out residency, with his final show, and his 150th lifetime show at the venue, slated for July 2024.

    Joel also announced two performances at the iconic venue on April 26, 2024, May 9, 2024, and June 8, 2024.

    Billy Joel

    Billy Joel’s history with Madison Square Garden began with his first performance at The World’s Most Famous Arena on December 14, 1978. In 2006, with 12 consecutive performances, Joel set the record for “most consecutive performances by any artist,” commemorated with a banner stating “Joel – 12” in the venue’s rafters, making him the first entertainer in the venue’s history to accomplish this feat.

    He is one of the world’s most iconic musicians, having received The Kennedy Center Honors, one of the United States’ top cultural awards, in December 2013. He is also the recipient of six GRAMMY Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Legend Award. He has sold 150 million records over the past 25 years with 33 Top 40 hits.

    Joel received both The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song which honors living musical artists’ lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences; and inspiring new generations, and the once-in-a-century ASCAP Centennial Award, which is presented to American music icons in recognition of their incomparable accomplishments in their respective music genres and beyond.

    In December 2013, he was named Madison Square Garden’s first-ever music franchise, joining the ranks of the venue’s other original franchises – the New York Knicks and New York Rangers. The record-breaking residency began in January 2014 with Joel playing one show every month at The Garden for, as Joel said at the time, “as long as the demand continues.” In January 2015, Joel broke his own record of the “most consecutive performances by any artist” with the 13th show of the residency, and a new banner was raised to The Garden’s rafters.

    In July 2015, with his 65th lifetime show, he broke another record for the “most lifetime performances by any artist,” for which another banner was raised. Both of Joel’s banners continue to hang at The Garden and are replaced each month with each performance. In July 2018, he performed his 100th lifetime performance at the venue, commemorated as “Billy Joel Day” in the state. His piano was put on display outside of Chase Square, and the performance saw Bruce Springsteen onstage with the Piano Man.

    A multitude of other incredible surprise guests have joined him on stage throughout the course of the ten-year run including Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, John Fogerty, Billy Gibbons, Brian Johnson, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Olivia Rodrigo, Paul Simon, and more. He also sold more than 1.6 million tickets from all 50 states and more than 120 countries.

    Billy Joel speaking at his MSG Press Conference, June 2, 2023. Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil for NYS Music.

    In addition to his ongoing residency run, Joel has also performed alongside other music greats at two of Madison Square Garden’s most extraordinary benefit concerts – “12-12-12, The Concert For Sandy Relief,” which raised awareness and money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, and “The Concert for New York City,” which was held to help aid 9/11 victims and heroes.

    Tickets for March 28, 2024, Billy Joel show at MSG will be available for purchase by the general public beginning at 10:00 AM (ET) on Friday, October 13. They will also be available at the Madison Square Garden box office on Saturday, October 14.

    Tickets for his April 26, 2024, are on sale now. Tickets for the May 9 and June shows go on sale at 10 a.m. on Oct. 27.

  • Nick Vanderwood Releases a Visionary New Single “Shimmy”

    Utica-born and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Nick Vanderwood has released his latest single “Shimmy”, a song preceding the recent EP entitled ‘Reload‘ released on September 29th.

    Nick Vanderwood encapsulates alternative indie in new single “Shimmy” using a blend of guitar and bass creating a mysterious sci-fi world that is brought to life in the music video. The short film is fun and cinematic which cultivates an imaginative visual experience, showcasing Vanderwood’s artistic vision.

    While “Shimmy” excludes a vocal aspect, the song in itself does more than enough without relying on vocals to make it complete. The build up of bass and guitar offers a blend of funk, syrupy and track mixed with an upbeat attitude, and recorded at Big Blue North Studio in Utica.

    Following the release of his single and music video “Shimmy”, Nick’s EP Reload became the sum of many years as Nick labored to overcome a chronic neck injury that impeded his ability to sing. Nick was kept at a distance from the microphone, as the EP title suggests, he is more than ready to come back with a bang.

    Vanderwood is not just a vocalist but writes and performs all instruments included in his solo projects. Over the course of the year, he took this period of silence and healing seriously while creating a silent short film/music video for “Shimmy” included in the EP. His collaboration with monomaniac studios allowed Nick to lean back into acting and sound design.

    Follow Nick Vanderwood on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram for more information on all-things such as future releases and music videos.

  • Geddy Lee Announces Exclusive New York Date for “My Effin’ Life” In Conversation Tour

    Geddy Lee, the iconic Canadian musician and Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Famer, is set to electrify New York City on Monday, November 13 with a one-of-a-kind event, “My Effin’ Life” In Conversation.

    This highly anticipated evening will take place at The Beacon Theatre, a legendary venue for music enthusiasts. Geddy Lee’s special appearance is not just a performance, it is a journey into the heart and soul of one of the most legendary figures in rock history.

    geddy lee my effin life in conversation

    The event will coincide with the release of Geddy Lee’s eagerly awaited memoir, “My Effin’ Life,” which hits the shelves on November 14, courtesy of Harper Collins. This intimate evening promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to connect with Geddy Lee and delve into the stories that have shaped his extraordinary life and career.

    As the curtain rises at The Beacon Theatre, Geddy Lee will offer a rare glimpse into the tapestry of his life, from heartfelt reflections on his family and childhood to a deep dive into the history of Rush alongside lifelong friends and bandmates, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.

    Joining Geddy Lee on stage will be a special guest interviewer who will guide the conversation, providing fans with an intimate and unfiltered look at the man behind the music. Geddy Lee will read select passages from “My Effin’ Life” and share insights and anecdotes from his incredible journey.

    Furthermore, fans will have the unique opportunity to participate in a special Q&A session, where they can directly engage with Geddy Lee and have their burning questions answered.

    “Being in a band all those years was reassuring because it was an ongoing thing. It felt like it was forever. There was always unfinished business: the next record, the next set design, the next tour. It’s been the theme of my life. But you need a lot more determination to proceed in the world of music without the comfort of your bandmates, and I can only hope that finishing this book will release me to return to what I do and love best.”

    Geddy Lee

    General ticket sales for this event begin on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 10 am, exclusively on Ticketmaster. Every ticket purchase includes a complimentary copy of Geddy Lee’s “My Effin’ Life,” which will be provided to ticket holders upon entry to the venue. Please note that there is a four-ticket limit per person.

    In addition to the excitement surrounding the event, Geddy Lee’s “My Effin’ Life” tour is giving back. $1 from every ticket sold will contribute to the Neil Peart Memorial At Lakeside Park fund. The success of this project and its timeline depends on raising the $1 million fundraising goal set for the project. Fans and supporters can make donations of any size towards the memorial project online at www.stcatharines.ca/neilpeart. Geddy Lee’s “My Effin’ Life” tour will be a 14-city journey, beginning in New York City and spanning the United States and Canada.

    Geddy Lee ‘My Effin Life’ Tour Dates:

    Mon Nov 13 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre

    Wed Nov 15 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia

    Fri Nov 17 – National Harbor, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor

    Sat Nov 18 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens

    Sun Nov 19 – Cleveland, OH – State Theatre at Playhouse Square

    Tue Nov 21 – Montréal, QC – Théâtre Maisonneuve

    Thu Nov 23 – Vancouver, BC – The Centre in Vancouver

    Fri Nov 24 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre

    Sun Nov 26 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic

    Tue Nov 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Orpheum Theatre

    Thu Nov 30 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre

    Sun Dec 03 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre

    Mon Dec 04 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit

    Thu Dec 07 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall

  • Sound On Sound 2023 Day 2 Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, Sound On Sound Music Festival returned to Bridgeport’s Seaside Park in Connecticut over September 30 – October 1, 2023.

    sound on sound 2023 john mayer

    The two-day festival’s lineup this year featured headlining performances from Red Hot Chili Peppers on Saturday and John Mayer on Sunday. Additional performers included Alanis Morissette, Hozier, Trey Anastasio Band, Mt. Joy, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Dispatch, Ben Harper, Gin Blossoms and the Night Sweats among others.

    Heavy rain in the area Thursday caused a three-hour delay in opening the Festival on time on Friday. I had the pleasure of attending the second day of the Festival. The schedule was pretty tight giving each act a full 45min set, with a 10min change over time and things ran on time like clock work.

    The three main acts on Sunady each got a full hour and by mid day the grounds were packed with over 30,000 people leading to the highlight of the evening to most, John Mayer, who is a Bridgeport native, born and raised.

    My personal highlight of the day was Alanis Morrissette (who did not allow photos from the pit so we could not feature her), Ben Harper was in top form (same as Alanis, no photos), and I was impressed by how fresh Dispatch sounded and enjoyed their set. Below are some highlights from the day.

    JOHN MAYER

    HOZIER

    DISPATCH

    MT. JOY

    MARGO PRICE

    CAUTIOUS CLAY

    GIN BLOSSOMS