NYS Music 2023

Tag: moe

  • Five Can’t-Miss Shows in Rochester This December

    2023 was a lot of things, and hopefully one of those things, for you, was music-filled. Happy to be here to help guide you to some of the good stuff in and around Rochester every month. Here are five more shows to help you finish the year off with a bang.

    December 6: Another Michael at Bug Jar

    Philadelphia’s Another Michael returns to the Bug Jar after their killer show there last November. They come with their brand new album, Wishes to Fulfill, in tow, ready to delight fans new and old with their hooky songs featuring breezy guitars and dreamy vocals. JODI, Pluck, and Comfy round out this excellent bill.

    Tickets are are $12/$15 dos and bands get started around 9pm.

    December 7: Howard Levy 4 at Fanatics

    Grammy-winning harmonica wizard Howard Levy, who long ago was an original member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, brings his new four piece to Fanatics. He and his signature diatonic harmonica playing are joined by Chris Siebold on guitar, Josh Ramos on bass and Luiz Ewerling on drums.

    Tickets are $25 and the show starts at 7pm.

    December 8: Mikaela Davis and Southern Star at Essex

    Way back in January we recommended Mikaela Davis’ shows at Abilene and Maybird’s show at Bug Jar. Twelve months later and we’re back to recommend a show featuring them both on one bill at the brand new venue Essex. Mikaela Davis and Southern Star have since released a new album and have been touring heavily throughout the year. These two bands go way back too. Davis used to frequently play in Josh Netsky’s bands and Kurt Johnson, now a pedal steel and guitarist in Southern Star was a founding member of Maybird. Will they sit-in with each other? Only time will tell, but either way, this is sure to be a groovy psychedelic night featuring some of the areas brightest talents.

    Tickets are $30 and the show starts at 7pm.

    December 16: Ember at Bop Shop Records

    Ember, the Brooklyn-based trio of Caleb Wheeler Curtis, Noah Garabedian, and Vinnie Sperrazza will close out what has been another busy and exciting year of eclectic live music at Bop Shop Records. Creative and band focused, they will push the limits of improvisation for a night of invigorating and heady night at the intimate shop in Brighton.

    Tickets are $20 and the music gets going at 8pm.

    December 31: moe. at Kodak Center

    moe. will jam in the new year once again at the Kodak Center, returning after their blowout run at the same venue to welcome in 2019. The band is finishing out a solid year of touring after being plagued by more unfortunate health issues, with guitarist Chuck Garvey suffering a stroke in November 2021. Rochester is blessed with many excellent live music options to ring in the new year, but this one should top them all.

    Tickets are $46-106 with an option to get a 2-night package. Show will start around 8p.

  • Northlands Music & Arts Festival Announces Initial Lineup Featuring Goose and More

    Northlands Music & Arts Festival has announced the initial lineup for the third annual installment, taking place June 14-15, 2024, in Swanzey, NH.

    The 2024 Northlands Music & Arts Festival lineup boasts a wide array of talent, featuring internationally acclaimed touring ensembles. the festival will again feature nonstop music on two adjacent stages facing a massive concert ground, as well as some of the region’s top acts on a bustling campground stage. Those camping onsite will be treated to late-night silent disco performances, with music going into the early morning.

    Northlands 2024 will include indie-jam sensation Goose, the rustic harmonies of Greensky Bluegrass, and jam band icons moe. Further adding to the roster are Krasno & Friends, Mihali, Sierra Hull, Dopapod, Spafford, TAUK, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and Magic Beans. The festival once again welcomes the all-star, all-female group Super Sonic Shorties, led by Nikki Glaspie. Other special guests include Kanika Moore (artist at large), Jennifer Hartswick, and Natalie Cressman.

    Additional main stage artists and 15+ emerging regional acts set to light up the Campground Stage will be announced in early 2024.

    Northlands continues to lead the way in sustainability, committed to the adage “Enjoy Life. Do Good”. Following the elimination of single-use plastics in 2023 and the introduction of industry-leading recycling and composting programs, the festival will continue to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

    As we enter our 3rd year, we’ve fine-tuned our approach based on what our patrons value most. The growth and connection within the Northlands community is truly inspiring. We couldn’t be more excited to share this year’s spectacular lineup, enhanced camping options, and further our commitment to sustainability. As always, our lineup proudly features many talented women, and we eagerly anticipate the magic they, alongside all of our performers, will bring to the festival.

    festival co-producer Jen Meyerhardt.

    Tickets go on sale on December 1 at 12 PM ET. Options include General Admission, Car Camping, powered and unpowered RV Camping, Family Camping, and VIP experiences, with a new VIP Glamping experience, providing an elevated camping experience.

    THE INITIAL NORTHLANDS 2024 LINEUP

    Goose 

    Greensky Bluegrass

    moe.

    Eric Krasno and Friends

    Mihali

    Sierra Hull

    Dopapod

    Spafford

    TAUK

    Super Sonic Shorties

    Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

    Kanika Moore (artist at large)

    Magic Beans

    The Psycodelics

    Special Guests: Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman, Nikki Glaspie

  • In Focus: Borderland Music & Art Festival Dazzles in Western New York

    Borderland Music & Art Festival brought some heavy hitting national and local bands to the historic Knox Farm State Park situated in the small village of East Aurora. Over three beautiful days – September 15, 16 & 17 – the historic grounds hosted many great bands on two stages that filled the air with sounds to sooth the soul from some amazingly talented artists.

    Friday started as a wonderful partly cloudy morning with perfect temps. As festival goers started to flow in, setting up their chairs and blanks for the day, you could hear the first band. Folk/Americana jam-type band The Stove Pipes playing the Homespun stage which was situated off behind the horse stables at the top of the hill opposite the Mainstage. As the day progressed there was very minimal overlapping of each band’s sets. Making it an easy walk between both stages through or around the horse stables to see each band play throughout the day.

    On the Homespun stage you could catch other local and reginal acts like, Dirty Blanket, Not Fade Away Band (Playing Dead Zepplin) & Farrow. The Mainstage acts included local, regional, and national touring acts like Leroy Townes Band, The 502s, Dawes & Goose. Goose being the closing act of night one, brought the house down with their amazing set of music. An absolute not to be missed band of abundantly talented musicians. Setlist via Elgoose.net.

    Goose setlist: Flodown[1], Mr. Action, Pancakes, Honeybee[2], Writing A Novel[3], Creatures, Rosewood Heart[4], Animal
    Encore: Slow Ready -> Arcadia
    [1] Flopener.
    [2] With Coach on rainstick.
    [3] Father John Misty.
    [4] With Taylor Goldsmith on guitar and vocals, Griffin Goldsmith on drums, and Jeff on guitar.

    Saturday at Borderland was met with beautifully clear skies and temperatures out on the farm. Saturday’s crowd filled in the ground of Knox Farm State Park much earlier being a Saturday. Again with very little overlapping of each band’s sets, it was quite easy to catch most of each act playing both the Homespun and Mainstage. Starting out the day on the Mainstage with a great improvisational set was The Damone Jackson Outcome, a band known for their high energy improv sets.

    First up on the Homespun stage was A Girl Named Genny, a folk/Americana band with a little bit of Rock and Roll. Other Homespun stage acts included local and reginal bands, Never Ben, Public Water Supply, Grosh and Organ Fairchild. Other Mainstage acts included local, reginal and national acts like, Miller & The Other Sinners, Mighty Poplar, Neal Francis and Sammy Rae & The Friends. Trey Anastasio Band closed out night two with a stellar set of mostly Phish tunes to send everyone home only wanting more. And what an exceptional set of music it was, made even better with an almost Phish/Kuroda level light show. Setlist via Phish.net

    Trey Anastasio Band setlist: Sand, Back on the Train, Everything’s Right, Blaze On, A Wave of Hope, Outside the Lines, Llama [1], Heavy Things, Oblivion, Pillow Jets > …And Flew Away, Wolfman’s Brother > First Tube
    Encore: Ghost
    [1] Performed in an alternate arrangement.

    Sunday, was the closing day to the perfect three-day Borderland Music & Arts festival and the weather could not have been better for mid-September. Starting out the day on the Homespun stage was The Red Grenadines, followed by Folkfaces, and NYS Dead Coalition. During Folkfaces and in between The Red Grenadine & NYS Dead Coalition was the Tailgate & Buffalo Bills Watch Party with many in attendance. Starting the day on the Mainstage was Karina Rykman, followed by, Krasno/Moore Project, The Infamous Stringdusters, and to close out the night, and festival, with two sets, our hometown heroes, moe.

    Set 1: The Pit> Rise, Blond Hair and Blue Eyes, Gone, Do It Again> George, Lazarus
    Set 2: Skitchin’ Buffalo, Mexico> Ups And Downs> Silver Sun> Rebubula> Four[1] > Rebubula
    [1] Chuck on vocals. 1st time played since Chuck’s stroke.

    View our full photo gallery from Borderland Music & Art Festival by John Raczynski

    The Stove Pipes
    Leroy Townes Band
    Dirty Blanket
    Borderland Music & Art Festival
    The 502s
    Borderland Music & Art Festival
    Not Fade Away Band
    Dawes
    Farrow
    Goose
    Goose
    Goose
    Borderland Music & Art Festival
    Goose
    Goose
    Goose
    Goose
    Borderland Music & Art Festival
    Goose
    The Damone Jackson Outcome
    A Girl Named Genny
    Miller & The Other Sinners
    Never Ben
    Mighty Poplar
    Public Water Supply
    Neal Francis
    Grosh
    Sammy Rae & The Friends
    Organ Fairchild
    TAB
    TAB
    TAB
    TAB
    TAB
    TAB
    TAB
    TAB
    TAB

  • Borderland Festival Returns for 5th Year, Lineup Announced

    Borderland Festival announces it will be returning for its 5th year to Knox Farm State Park, just 15 minutes from downtown Buffalo, featuring many well-known and legendary acts from Sept. 15-17.

    Borderland Festival

    Borderland Festival is one of the region’s most popular music and art festivals, taking place at Knox State Farm. The three-day experience will host more than 20 bands on two stages from Sept. 15-17. Festival goers can expect a diverse mix of music spanning the genres of rock, country, and Americana, along with performances from local musicians. Aside from the music, there will be a range of artisans, axe throwing, Kidsland, local chefs and food trucks, and alcohol from local breweries.

    The 2023 lineup features Trey Anastasio with Classic TAB from the legendary jam band Phish on Saturday night. Anastasio is known as the co-founder of the band and the lead guitarist, receiving several Grammy nominations for his work and a Tony nomination for “Best Original Score” in 2013 for writing the music to Hands on a Hardbody. For the first time, the festival will host a Friday night headliner with jam band Goose, a four-piece indie groove band from Norwalk, Connecticut. The band is made up of members Peter Anspach, Jeff Arevalo, Ben Atkind, Rick Mitarotonda, and Trevor Weekz, recently closing out five nights at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester.

    One of Buffalo’s own favorite bands, moe. will also be closing out the weekend for a sunset performance on Sunday, Sept. 17. The band has had a lot of success and longevity since its creation due to its engaged fanbase, aka the fa.moe.ly which has led them to do headline tours, international festival sets, music-themed cruises, and sold-out shows alongside countless household-name artists. The artist lineup also includes Dawes, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sammy Rae & Friends, Neal Francis, Mighty Poplar, The 502s, Krasno/Moore Project, and a full weekend of local bands.

    Tickets are on sale now, featuring three-day weekend passes, single-day “anyday” tickets, three-day VIP passes are sold out, camping passes, and more. Kids ten and under are free if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • Don’t miss the 2023 Adirondack Independence Music Festival this Weekend, feat. moe., DSO, Karina Rykman, Mihali and many more

    The 2023 Adirondack Independence Music Festival takes place this weekend, September 1-3, returning to the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake George for three nights over Labor Day weekend.

    The 2023 Adirondack Independence Music Festival features a stellar lineup of rock and jam bands, food, and craft vendors, and a great view of the Lake George fireworks on Saturday evening. This year’s festival will feature headliners moe., who will once again be performing four sets over two nights, as well as Dark Star Orchestra performing two sets of Grateful Dead music.

    Also performing this year over the three days are Rubblebucket, Keller Williams, Dumpstaphunk, Mihali, Prince/Bowie performing the music of Prince and David Bowie (featuring members of Pink Talking Fish, Twiddle, The Machine and the Cool Cool Cool horn section), Dogs in a Pile, Melt, Neighbor, Eggy, Roots of Creation, Jimkata, Lucid, Karina Rykman, Sophistafunk, former Lettuce/Soulive saxophonist Sam Kininger & The A-Beez, Baked Shrimp, Escaper, Creamery Station, Suke Cerulo Band, and Hilltop.

    Music in the Festival Commons will begin at 1 pm on Friday and 12:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, running continuously across two side-by-side stages until 11 pm each night. The event is for all ages, and children 12 and under get in free. For tickets and more information, visit here.

  • Snow Ridge, Former Home of moe.down in Turin, Damaged by Tornados

    Snow Ridge Ski Resort, the former home of moe.down, in Turin, NY, was recently hit by a confirmed EF-3 tornado, causing extensive damage to several lifts, outbuildings, the cat, and more.

    Snow Ridge damage, photo courteous of moe.

    One of the longest-running music festivals in New York State, moe.down, was started in 2000 by the jam band moe. No one knew what to expect, and the first installment featured a hodgepodge of talent including, of course, moe., Martin Sexton, Les Claypool, David Grisman, and Charlie Hunter, among others at Snow Ridge in Turin.

    The festival ran for three days and took place every Labor Day Weekend since 2000, however, the last one was in 2019. It attracted nearly 12,000 revelers a year. moe.down not only drew crowds because of its epic lineup of music but for its hilarious and quirky events that are fit for all ages such as its annual Campaign for Mayor or the opportunity to take part in overnight community camping.

    The festival attracted a diverse array of established and up-and-coming musicians, featuring an eclectic mix of jam, pop-rock, jazz, and other genres. Past performers have included Dr. Dog, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, TV On the Radio, Slightly Stoopid, The Black Keys, The Flaming Lips, and more.

    More of the damage, photo provided by Snow Ridge.

    With hundreds of trees down and their base area covered in debris, Snow Ridge will be holding a volunteer day on Aug. 26 starting at 10 a.m. to aid in the efforts of cleanup. They ask you to bring your own equipment, with lunch provided. If you’re unable to help clean up, there is a fundraiser set up to cover the things insurance won’t.

    Snow Ridge is a staple among the famoe.ly, and needs the community’s help to rebuild. For more information about the resort and to help out, visit here.

  • Jungle Shakedown Lineup Features moe., String Cheese, and More

    The Jungle Shakedown Music Festival just announced its lineup featuring a wide variety of acts, relocating to the lush landscapes of Costa Rica.

    Jungle Shakedown moe.

    Jungle Shakedown Festival has become synonymous with unforgettable musical experiences and enchanting destinations. This year, the festival is elevating the adventure by embracing the captivating beauty and raw energy of the Costa Rican jungle. Set against the backdrop of the Vajra Jahra Retreat Center, this immersive experience promises to be the ultimate all-inclusive VIP getaway.

    It promises not to just be a transformative musical experience, but also an adventure in Costa Rica, including spotting wildlife, longing on beaches, surfing, and picturesque sites of the jungle. Not your average festival, the experience allows you to hang out with the musicians, uniting the power of music,
    the beauty of nature, and the magic of community.

    The lineup for Jungle Shakedown features an impressive roster of renowned musicians from the
    jam band scene. Attendees can expect performances from music icons including Al Schnier and Vin Amico of moe., Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident, Steve Molitz of Particle, Mark Joseph of The Big Wu, and Janis Wallin of Family Groove Company. These talented musicians form the supergroup The Dire Wolves! More acts are to be announced.

    Villas for Jungle Shakedown are on sale now. At the time of release there are only ten villas remaining, each with space for two-four individuals.

  • In Focus: moe. at Saranac Brewery, June 9-10, 2023

    Local Utica musicians moe. played at Saranac Brewery over June 9 and 10, bringing in packed crowds to the Varick Street biergarten.

    The weekend provided as great a pair of hometown shows as you’d expect. A “Crab Eyes” to focus the crowd’s attention to the stage started the show off and was followed by a song for said crowd, “Happy Hour Hero.” Driving the tempo back up with “Not Coming Down” was met with Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home,” a rare treat that then dipped into the typical segue from “NCD,” “Wormwood.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MB-kJcookw

    Set two opened with Allman Brothers’ “Jessica,” and had Lotus guitarist Tim Palmeri join for a firey “Puebla” a few songs later. “Tubing the River Styx” did not go into “The Pit” as it typically does, but instead “Billy Goat” followed by “Tailspin.”

    An encore of “Farmer Ben” showcased percussionist Jim Loughlin’s vocal stylings where the medley portion at the end was used to highlight songs they were not playing “Moth,” “Plane Crash” and “Timmy Tucker” among them. “okayalright” closed the show and wrapped up a “Not Coming Down” > “Wormwood” > “okayalright” extended trio sandwich.

    moe. – Friday, June 9, 2023 – Saranac Brewery | Utica, NY

    Set 1: Crab Eyes, Happy Hour Hero, Not Coming Down > Can’t Find My Way Home > Wormwood > Deep This Time > Downward Facing Dog, Haze
    Set 2: Jessica, (nh) Silver Sun > LL3 > Puebla$ > Tubing the River Styx > Billy Goat > Tailspin
    Encore: Farmer Ben, okayalright
    $ w/Tim Palmeri

    While there were no bears during “Bearsong” on Saturday, the band fooled fans with a “Time Ed” fake out in a “Ricky Marten” jam that shifted into “Water” instead. Shannon Lynch joined on saxophone for “The Road” to close the set.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd2509fKTwg

    A setbreak performance by ‘FingerbanG’ -a crew band that first performed at Summer Camp Music Festival in May – found them wearing ‘ridiculous inflatable costumes’ and played Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom” and Queen’s “Fat Bottom Girls” in the short time they had.

    Set two opened with Not Normal track “Prestige Worldwide” and featured the ever-enjoyable combo of “Jazz Wank” > “Spaz Medicine,” followed by a solid “Opium” and “She” and “Brent Black” closing the set, with Chuck Garvey playing a top notch solo, even giving a Chuck.announcement and wishing his wife a happy birthday.

    The encore of Eric Clapton’s “Let it Rain” has found a comfortable spot in the rotation with Nate Wilson having joined the band and providing vocals for a proper Derek and the Dominoes cover.

    moe. – Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Saranac Brewery | Utica, NY

    Set 1: Skitchin Buffalo, Bearsong, White Lightening Turpentine, Big World -> Ricky Martin, Water, The Road*
    Set 2: Prestige Worldwide, Jazz Wank -> Spaz RX, Opium, She -> I don’t Wanna Be -> Brent Black
    Encore: Let It Rain
    *w/ Shannon Lynch on saxophone
    Ricky Martin had a Time Ed Jam fakeout.
    Opium had a “She’s So Heavy” by The Beatles intro.

    Our thanks to Pete Connors for show highlights.

  • Summer Camp Music Festival to go on Hiatus after 22nd year

    The Summer Camp Music Festival, an annual staple for Chillicothe, Illinois, is to be discontinued following this years gathering on Memorial Day weekend. Producer of the festival, Ian Goldberg, shared the news in a recent press release.

    The Summer Camp Music Festival first began in 2001 and has since been known for its trademark late night events, open field shows, campgrounds, and a consistent line up of incredible artists and bands. The 2023 Memorial Day weekend will mark its 22nd year running, bringing back host bands moe. and Umphrey’s McGee along with headliners Willie Nelson & Family, Badflower, and more.

    In his statement, Goldberg related that the show will not come to a definite end as the team still plans to throw a redefined camping and music experience at the Three Sisters Park every Memorial Day starting in 2024. The need for change is said to come from logistical challenges that emerged from the pandemic along with the difficulties of throwing an independent festival of this size against large corporate competition. Goldberg claims that these problems have had the team reevaluating how the festival runs for a while now which has led to more road blocks.

    “Reimagining Summer Camp had its own challenges, we could not figure how to scale back the event in a way that would feel true to everything Summer Camp Music Festival has come to be,” Goldberg stated. “Cutting pieces of it felt like leaving our children behind. So we decided it was time to put the Summer Camp Music Festival to rest. For now.”

    More details about the new Summer Camp festival are said to be released to the public after this year’s concerts. While being different from what concert goers have grown to love, the producer emphasizes that the new rendition will include certain aspects of the original that experienced Sumer Campers will find very familiar.

    This year’s Summer Camp Music Festival will commence on May 26th, and, as Goldberg claims, will be “insanely meaningful.”


  • 2023 Summer Camp Music Festival Lineup Announced

    The 2023 Summer Camp Music Festival lineup has been announced, including traditional sets from both host bands moe. and Umphrey’s McGee, taking place May 26-28 in Chillicothe, IL.

    2023 Summer Camp Festival

    The Summer Camp Music Festival first took place in 2001 to about 1,000 patrons with over 15 bands on two stages during the two-day event at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL. Now, the event is celebrating its 22nd anniversary, typically attracting around 20,000 visitors, of which between 8,000 and 10,000 arrive before the gates open. The festivities take place across Memorial Day Weekend and multiple stages with different genres. On top of all the live music, festival-goers have access to on-site camping, late-night shows, musician workshops, a non-profit village, unique arts & craft vendors and tons of great food and beer.

    The current lineup includes Umphrey’s McGee, moe., Willie Nelson & Family, Vulfpeck, Mastodon, Boogie T, Badflower, Keller Williams Trio ft. Tye North & Dave, Watts, Andy Frasco & The U.N., SunSquabi, The Funk Hunters, Buku, Sierra Hull, Maggie Rose, Jennifer Hartswick Band, Bella White, Circles Around The Sun, and Balkan Bump.

    moe. cohosts with Umphrey’s McGee.

    Other artists scheduled to play include Aqueous, DOGMA, Eggy, Joe Samba, K+ Lab, Leah Marlene, Oh He Dead, Perpetual Groove, Roots Of Creation, Southern Avenue, The Sponges, Super Future, In Alphabetical Order, Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, Cody Lee’s Last Detail, G-Nome Project, Old Shoe, Organ Fairchild, Jack Cloonan, LITZ, Manthom Phenace, Modern Drugs, Squeaky Feet, Still Shine, and Zentik.

    A variety of ticketing options are on sale now, including 3-Day GA Passes, Sunday 1-Day GA & VIP, Volunteer Deposits, Thursday Pre-Party Passes, VIP Upgrades, & RV / Car Camping Spots. For more information visit here.