It’s time to get Brown once again as rock band Ween announced a US headline tour today, which includes a show at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City this September. The band will perform at the venue on Sept. 14, shortly before their tour comes to an end. The last time the band went on tour in the US was in 2016, shortly after their reunion following their 2012 breakup.
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Ween was formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and consists of Gene and Dean Ween alongside longtime band members Claude Coleman, Jr. (drums), Dave Dreiwitz (bass), and Glenn McClelland (keyboards). The band’s sound combines elements of punk, psychedelic, alternative, country, and more. Their debut studio album, God Weed Satan, was released in late 1990 and since then, the band has released a total of nine studio albums. Ween’s most recent studio album, La Cucaracha, was released in 2007.
Ween’s headline tour comes after their already-announced series of live performances this April. The band is set to perform in Dallas on April 25, Houston on April 26, and New Orleans from April 28-29. Additionally, they will return to their home state of Pennsylvania for the Peach Music Festival from June 29-July 2. Furthermore, Ween has launched a new web store. Fans can find a variety of merchandise, including a web store exclusive variant on the gold foil of Todd Slater’s Las Vegas poster from this past weekend’s shows.
Tickets Today Artists Presales for the Ween tour, which includes a stop a The Rooftop at Pier 17, starts March 22 at 10 a.m., while venue, radio, and local presales begin, March 23, at 10 a.m., ending at 10 p.m. the same day along with all presales. General on-sale begins March 24 at 12 p.m. For more ticket information, click here.
WEEN – US TOUR 2023
APRIL 25 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom 26 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall 28 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater 29 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater
JUNE 29-7/2 – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival *
JULY 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre 29 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater 30 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
AUGUST 1 – Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater 3 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre 4 – Kansas City, MO – Grinders KC 5 – St. Louis, MO – St. Louis Music Park
SEPTEMBER 8 – Minneapolis, MN – Surly Field 9 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed Outdoors 10 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee 12 – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion 14 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 15 – Providence, RI – The Strand Ballroom 16 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
The Garden of Dreams Foundation, along with Madison Square Garden Entertainment have announced the 15th annual Garden of Dreams Talent Show, scheduled to take place at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, April 19, at 7:00 p.m.
More than 150 young people from the tri-state area will take the stage to showcase their talents. Additionally, this year’s festival will feature vocal performances of both original and beloved songs.
View of Radio City Music Hall from the stands. Credit: Architectural Digest
This year’s Garden of Dreams talent show at Radio City will welcome 22 acts made up of young people from 22 of the Foundation’s 29 partner organizations, including Make-a-Wish, Children’s Aid, Children’s Village, Covenant House, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, SCAN-Harbor, and more. Since the foundation’s inception in 2006, the Garden of Dreams Foundation has impacted more than 400,000 young people and their families.
The Foundation focuses on young people facing illness or financial challenges, as well as children of uniformed personnel who have been lost or injured while serving our communities. In addition to the local talent showcased at the talent show, Garden of Dreams has drawn a number of high-profile performers. Whoopi Goldberg, Alicia Keys, Sara Bareilles, Remy Ma, Susan Sarandon, Caleb McLaughlin, A$AP Rocky, Gaten Matarazzo, and more have served as both presenters of the event and mentors to the performers.
The Garden of Dreams Foundation established the annual Hero Award, recognizing those embodying the spirit of the foundation. The award was most recently awarded to legendary actor and comedian Tracy Morgan. The 2023 Garden of Dreams Talent Show at Radio City Music Hall is free and open to the public, but tickets must be reserved in advance at gardenofdreamsfdtn.org/talentshow2023.
King of punk rap music Curtis Waters brought the Bad Son Tour to the iconic Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. As part of his first ever headline tour, with help from Tommy Richman and Jonah Roy, Curtis Waters turned Baby’s All Right into an anticapitalist-rock paradise for an incredible show.
Curtis Waters (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Curtis Waters is a rising star in the music industry, known for his infectious beats, catchy lyrics, and fearless experimentation with various genres. Born in Nepal and raised essentially everywhere, Waters has been making music since his early teens and honed his skills through online collaborations with other musicians around the world. His breakthrough hit, “Stunnin’,” which he produced, wrote, and performed, went viral on TikTok in 2020 and propelled him to mainstream success.
Since then, Waters has continued to push boundaries with his music, blending elements of hip-hop, rap, and punk to create a unique sound that better reflects who he is and resonates with fans worldwide. With recent releases HIMBO and GOD’S LONELY MAN that were 7 years in the making, Curtis Waters is poised to become one of the most exciting voices in music today.
Tommy Richman (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Hailing from Woodbridge, Virginia, Tommy Richman is a certified star. Tommy’s passion for music started at a young age, when he began taking voice lessons and singing in his church choir. After dropping out of college to pursue his dreams, Tommy persevered and has become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. With hit releases such as “Star Girl”, Richman’s music gives us a glimpse into the mind of a true musical genius. Richman just released “Wish I Never Knew You”, produced by him and Jonah Roy. With his signature sound and unwavering commitment to his craft, we can’t wait to see where Richman’s journey takes him next.
Curtis accepting the “Most Humble Musician Ever” Award (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
The energy of the show was absolutely unmatched. From start to finish, the concert was akin to an eventful burst of a supernova, with support from Jonah DJing and playing guitar all night, to opening up the pit during every single song – even launching himself off the stage to mosh with the people. Between the jumping and yelling, there were sentimental moments, like when two dedicated fans presented Curtis with a specialized “Most Humble Musician” award and a brand new tie he wore at the rest of the stops on tour. While there was a general set list, because the crowd was so engaged with the show, he performed a never before seen song, specifically requested by his self proclaimed biggest fan. Riding off the high of the buzzing crowd, Curtis and friends left the stage to interact with fans after the show, showering them with support and admiration for the hardcore show. From anticapitalist rants to heartfelt speeches about success, anyone who attended the show is already counting down the days until the next time they can attend a Curtis Waters concert.
Curtis moshing in the crowd (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Though Bad Son Tour may be over, stay tuned to Curtis and Tommy’s socials for news for any upcoming performances.
My Morning Jacket have announced an upcoming North American headline tour that begins this spring, which includes a stop at the Artpark Amphitheatre in Lewiston. The band is scheduled to have a performance at the venue on June 26.
My Morning Jacket Band Members. Credit: IMDB
My Morning Jacket, originating in Louisville, Kentucky, comprises five members, Jim James (lead vocal, guitar,) Tom Blankenship (bass guitar,) Patrick Hallahan (drums, percussion,) Bo Koster (keyboards percussion, backing vocals,) and Carl Broemer ( guitars, pedal steel, saxophone, backing vocals.) The band has a more than 20-year-long career, with their debut album, The Tennesse Fire, being released in 1999. They have since released over nine albums, most recently the self-titled My Morning Jacket in 2021. The band’s sound is a mixture of rock and country and has been described as experimental and psychedelic. In partnership with Reverb for three years, My Morning Jacket will be supporting the environmental non-profit’s climate portfolio which funds projects that measurably reduce greenhouse gas pollution, address climate justice, and directly decarbonize the music industry.
Tickets for the My Morning Jacket headline tour, which includes a stop at the Artpark Amphitheatre, go on sale Friday, March 24 at 10 a.m. My Morning Jacket’s One Big Family members will have access to presale tickets until Monday, March 20 at 10 a.m. Spotify and local presales begin Thursday, March 23 at 10 a.m. and continue through 10 p.m. VIP tickets will also be available. For complete details and ticket availability, please see www.mymorningjacket.com/events.
This will be the third consecutive year that My Morning Jacket is partnering with the non-profit Reverb to reduce the environmental footprint of their tour.
MY MORNING JACKET – TOUR 2023
MAY
14 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
15 – Jackson, MS – Thalia Mara Hall
20 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Corona Capital Guadalajara ^
30 – London, UK – O2 Kentish Town Forum
31 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz Manchester
JUNE
3 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound ^
5 – Antwerp, Belgium – De Roma
6 – Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg
9 – Porto, Portugal – Primavera Sound ^
10 – Madrid, Spain – Primavera Sound ^
15 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
16 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery
17 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival ^
20 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre
21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater
23 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
24 – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion
26 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater
28 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
30 – New Haven, CT – Westville Music Bowl
JULY
1 – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival ^
29 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
30 – Floyd, VA – FloydFest ^
AUGUST
15 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield
16 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
18 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre †
19 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre †
20 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl †
22 – San Diego, CA – CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
23 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre
25 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
26 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
^ Festival Appearance
† w/ Fleet Foxes
Watch the music video for My Morning Jacket’s single, “Love Love Love,” from their recent album.
On Saturday, Aug. 19, the third annual Open Sky Music Festival will take place at Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA).
From 12-10 p.m., experience a day of fun, food, and music featuring everything from bluegrass to rock, pop, and blues. The festival is completely outdoors and is open to all ages.
The first Open Sky Music Festival was held in 2021 and continued into 2022. Incredible headliners are scheduled to perform on the mainstage and local favorites on The North Country Stage. Among the high-profile acts, Martin Sexton is scheduled to perform. Sexton grew up in Syracuse, and since the moment he picked up a guitar, has been hooked ever since. Sexton tours with what Rolling Stone calls his “soul-marinated voice,” acoustic guitar, and a suitcase full of heartfelt songs.
The LPCA has been a premiere destination for New York arts festivals for more than 50 years, since 1972. Against the backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains, audiences will have a great view to look at while watching the talented performers. LPCA is home to robust arts education programs, beautiful visual art galleries, and meaningful services to artists and fellow arts organizations. The center is the perfect destination for a weekend trip with the little ones, and or a quick day trip with your group of college friends. LPCA provides visitors with food and beverages from a number of vendors.
Festival passes for the Open Sky Music Festival at Lake Placid Center for the Arts start at $75 and go on sale on March 29 at 10 a.m. From March 29-31, LPCA members can purchase early bird passes for $50. Click here for more information.
“The Little Mermem” from the 2021 Open Sky Music Festival
This past Monday, March 13, Maya Hawke, well known for her role as Robin on the critically-acclaimed Netflix series Stranger Things, played an incredible show with opener Raffaella at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. The indie-folk singer, with her enchanting vocals and eclectic tone, truly wowed the crowd with various songs from her latest album, Moss. Fans from all over wearing long skirts, patterned tights, and fun jackets eagerly lined up in anticipation of Hawke’s sold-out show, one out of many for her Tactless tour.
Maya Hawke
Maya Hawke, born, raised, and based in New York City to Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, grew up surrounded by the music scene from a young age. The 24-year-old began truly taking off with her music career in 2020, with the release of Blush, a twelve-track record evoking somber yet raw lyrics with haunting instrumentals. Hawke, now nearing the end of her tour, is set to play four more shows in the US after playing eight across Europe and the UK. She last played New York in late August at the intimate, 120-capacity Colony venue in Woodstock.
Raffaella took the stage at 8 PM, rocking a pair of star-covered jeans and a gray t-shirt. Her set consisted of multiple songs like “GROWN UP” and “BLONDE” from her recent EP release, LIVE, RAFF, LOVE (Act I). Her clear and energetic tone captivated an engaged audience bobbing their heads along to her indie-rock tunes.
Raffaella
The Music Hall of Williamsburg hosted an engaging and intimate show, with Maya Hawke wowing her crazed and excited fans, many of whom brought signs, gifts, and letters for her to take. Prior to the show, a soundcheck experience and meet and greet were hosted to raise money for reproductive rights nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood and Noise for Now. Hawke improvised a song, “Running Shoes,” per the suggestion of a crowd member, and gave a heartfelt speech about her becoming the “best version of me and not the best thing that exists.” During “Here They Come,” Hawke sang beautifully with Hamilton Leithauser, and she became very emotional during her performance of “Thérèse,” waving her arms around to the beat of the music.
After a quick exit and outfit change, Hawke ended the show with an alluring encore, singing one of her earliest releases, “To Love a Boy.”
Setlist: Backup Plan, Bloomed Into Blue, Hiatus, Crazy Kid, Luna Moth, Into My Arms (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds cover), Generous Heart, Running Shoes, Mermaid Bar, Missing Out (unreleased), I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones cover), Here They Come (with Hamilton Leithauser), South Elroy, Thérèse, Sweet Tooth
Sister pop duo Aly & AJ released their fifth studio album, With Love From, on March 15. The album comes after 2021’s A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun, their first studio album in 14 years. Prior to its release, four singles, “With Love From,” “Baby Lay Your Head Down,” “After Hours,” and “Blue Dress” were released in support.
The cover of Aly and AJ’s debut album, Into the Rush. Credit: Amazon
Aly & AJ were born in Torrance, California in 1989 and 1991 respectively, and raised in both Southern California and Seattle. Both of their parents, who are now divorced, work in the music industry, their dad is a producer, and their mother is a musician who performed in the Christian rock band, JC Band. The sisters have a history with Disney, with Aly playing a supporting role in the sitcom Phil of the Future from 2004-06, co-starring in the 2005 Disney Channel Orginal Movie Now You See It, and starring with AJ in the network’s 2006 original movie Cow Belles.
Their debut album, Into the Rush, was released in 2005. The album was heavily supported by Disney, with their cover of “Do You Believe in Magic” appearing in the soundtrack of Now You See It…; the single “No One” appearing in the 2005 Walt Disney Pictures Film Ice Princess; another cover “Walking on Sunshine,” appearing in the soundtrack for the Lindsay Lohan film Herbie: Fully Loaded. The album’s debut track and fifth single overall, “Rush” was featured in Disney’s Twitches, before being released to mainstream radio and becoming their first single to chart the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at 59. Their single, “On the Ride” appeared in the soundtrack for Cow Belles.
Insomniatic, their third studio album, became their most successful release to date in 2007. The album’s debut single, “Potential Breakup Song” similarly became the duo’s most successful single to date. The sisters took an extended break after the album’s release, marking their return in 2017 with the EP Ten Years. In 2021, they released their first studio album in 14 years, A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun. The album didn’t reach the same success as their previous work, but it was supported by a single, “Slow Dancing.”
With Love From marks a minor departure from Aly & AJ’s previous work, something they started doing with their prior album. Highlights from the album include the title track, “With Love From,” and “After Hours.” While their early work encompassed upbeat dance music you were likely to hear at a party in the late 2000s, their newer music is a slower-paced, soft-pop sound. The change feels natural, reflecting the growth they’ve had over the years of their career. Aly & AJ are ready to introduce their new sound to a live audience, headlining a tour this spring that will have a stop at the Hammerstein Ballroom on April 22.
Listent to the With Love From music video by Aly and AJ.
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli is scheduled to host a 75th Birthday Celebration for Mikhail Baryshnikov. Mikhail Baryshnikov at 75 will take place on Sunday, June 25, at 2 p.m. The Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC), which Baryshnikov founded and directs, will host the event.
Mikhail Baryshnikov. Credit: Peter Baryshnikov
Baryshnikov, born in 1948 in Riga, Latvia, is considered one of the greatest dancers of all time. He came to New York City in 1974 and became a principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). In 1978, he joined New York City Ballet, working with George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Baryshnikov directed and danced in the White Oak Dance Project from 1990-2002, a project which he co-founded with choreographer Mark Morris to expand the visibility of American modern dance. More recently, Baryshnikov received Japan’s prestigious Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award in Theatre/Film.
BAC opened in 2005 in New York City. Baryshnikov’s goal was “establishing a thriving creative laboratory and performance space for artists from around the world.” BAC offers a robust residency program, in addition to presentations of performances by artists at varying stages of their careers. The organization is dedicated to building audiences for the arts by presenting contemporary, innovative work at affordable ticket prices, and in the fall of 2022, welcomed Sonja Kostich as Executive Director for BAC. For more information, visit bacnyc.org.
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park was founded in 1990. The 153-acre park, located in the Upstate New York village of Tivoli, is home to a wide array of cultural innovations and excellence. The park provides artists with state-of-the-art dance studios, accommodations, an indoor theater, and two outdoor stages. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are among Kaatsbaan’s top priorities, aiming to accurately reflect the culture of New York City. For more information, please visit www.kaatsbaan.org.
The Kaatsbaan Cultural Park 75th birthday celebration of Mikhail Baryshnikov will feature some of today’s definitive voices in music. Influential musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries who served as inspirations for Baryshnikov to perform. American avant-garde artist, composer, and musician Laurie Anderson, Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall, Russian–born American singer, songwriter, and pianist Regina Spektor, North America’s leading practitioner of Japanese flutes and percussion Kaoru Watanabe, choreographer Mark Morris, and actress Anna Baryshnikov are scheduled to appear.
The 12th annual Blue Note Jazz Fest is scheduled to run for the month of June, and then some, across seven locations in New York City this summer.
The festival begins on May 31 and continues until July 2. Venues for this year’s Blue Note Jazz Festival include the Beacon Theatre, Sony Hall, Town Hall, SummerStage in Central Park, Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell, and the Blue Note Jazz Club itself in Greenwich Village.
The lineup for this year’s Blue Note Jazz Fest. Credit: Sacks and Co
A number of artists are scheduled to perform at the Festival including Grace Jones, Pat Metheny, NxWorries, Robert Glasper, BJ The Chicago Kid, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, and more. The festival will open at the Hammerstein Ballroom with a performance by the great Grace Jones. While Jazz music is an inspiration behind the festival, the Blue Note continues to broaden its offerings, highlighting all musical styles, backgrounds, and cultures. Additionally, a number of celebrities have made appearances at the Blue Note. Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Liza Minelli, Dave Chapelle, and Chris Rock have made appearances, among others.
Since 1981, the Blue Note Jazz Club has been recognized for its artistic integrity, commitment to showcasing diverse and genre-spanning artists, and a long-running community of music lovers and friends built within its storied walls. The club is committed to preserving the history of Jazz while simultaneously showcasing new talent. In addition to highlighting new talent, the club has been known for iconic appearances from Chick Corea, McCoy Tyler, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, and Chris Botti. In 2011, the Blue Note Jazz Festival brand was established. It has since become the largest Jazz festival in New York City.
Ticket information and more about the Blue Note Jazz Fest in New York City can be found here.
2023 BLUE NOTE JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP
May 31 /// Grace Jones /// Hammerstein Ballroom June 1 /// Ghost-Note /// Blue Note June 1 /// Mashina /// Beacon Theatre June 2 /// Ghost-Note /// Blue Note June 2 /// Ms. Lisa Fischer /// Sony Hall June 3 /// Ghost-Note /// Blue Note June 3 /// Avery Sunshine /// Sony Hall June 3 /// Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers + John Scofield, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride /// Town Hall June 4 /// Ghost-Note /// Blue Note June 4 /// Harlem Blues Project /// Blue Note Brunch June 5 /// Talib Kweli and The Whiskey Boys /// Blue Note June 6 /// Talib Kweli and The Whiskey Boys /// Blue Note June 7 /// Talib Kweli and The Whiskey Boys /// Blue Note June 8 /// Lettuce & Friends /// Blue Note June 9 /// Lettuce & Friends /// Blue Note June 9 /// Manhattan Transfer /// Sony Hall June 10 /// Lettuce & Friends /// Blue Note June 10 /// Cortex /// Sony Hall June 10 /// Chucho Valdés & Paquito D’Rivera /// Town Hall June 11 /// Lettuce & Friends /// Blue Note June 11 /// Harlem Gospel Choir /// Blue Note Brunch June 12 /// Talib Kweli and The Whiskey Boys /// Blue Note June 13 /// Talib Kweli and The Whiskey Boys /// Blue Note June 14 /// Talib Kweli and The Whiskey Boys /// Blue Note June 15 /// Soulive /// Blue Note June 16 /// Soulive /// Blue Note June 17 /// Soulive /// Blue Note June 18 /// Soulive /// Blue Note June 18 /// Buddy Guy /// SummerStage June 18 /// Harlem Gospel Choir /// Blue Note Brunch June 19 /// TAUK /// Blue Note June 20 /// The Motet /// Blue Note June 21 /// The Motet /// Blue Note June 21 /// Meshell Ndegeocello /// Sony Hall June 22 /// Ron Carter /// Blue Note June 22 /// Omara Portuondo /// Sony Hall June 23 /// Ron Carter /// Blue Note June 23 /// Sergio Mendes /// Sony Hall June 24 /// Ron Carter /// Blue Note June 24 /// Pat Metheny Side-Eye /// Beacon Theatre June 24 /// NxWorries, Robert Glasper with Lalah Hathaway & Bilal, BJ The Chicago Kid /// Celebrate Brooklyn June 25 /// Ron Carter /// Blue Note June 25 /// Harlem Gospel Choir /// Blue Note Brunch June 26 /// Julius Rodriquez /// Blue Note June 27 /// Ron Carter /// Blue Note June 28 /// Ron Carter /// Blue Note June 28 /// Harlem Gospel Choir Sings Nina Simone /// Sony Hall June 29 /// Soulive /// Blue Note June 30 /// Soulive /// Blue Note July 1 /// Soulive /// Blue Note July 2 /// Soulive /// Blue Note
Welcome to Round 4 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2023. We’ve whittled down 64 the bands to these Elite 8 up and coming bands from across New York State. They’ve made it this far, and we’re digging in and highlighting this next generation of New York bands on the rise.
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness competition that spans all the musical harbors of the Empire State. As fans and musicians, the NYS Music team aims to spotlight the great talent found across New York in a friendly contest, bringing broader attention to the next generation of artists and bands on the rise. March Madness 2023 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 3 here.
Enter your email address, get to know the bands, and vote for your favorites below!
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Voting for Round 4 has ended. Stay tuned for the Final Four, starting Tuesday, March 21.
Yard Amphitheater Region
Honey Suckle Vine vs Mainline
Meet Honey Suckle Vine – Capital District
Honey Suckle Vine (HSV) is a high-energy 4-piece blues-rock band based out of the Capital District of New York State. The songwriting team of Joey Jaquez (vocals, harmonica) and Jeremy Silverman (guitar, vocals) have been creating original material for over 20 years across the USA. Joined in 2017 by long time friends Graham Espe (bass, vocals, recording and production) and David Snediker (drums, vocals), HSV is ready to entertain. Check out their most recent album Painted Nights. On March 24th, they’ll be playing at Putnam Place with Tops Of Trees, Kyla Silk, and House of Saturn. You can also catch them at Active Ingredient Brewery for an acoustic show on March 25 and Nanolas on April 15th.
Meet Mainline – Hudson Valley
Mainline officially hit the scene at the end of 2019 when Anthony Schettino (Bass), Johnny Iodice (Lead Singer & Guitar), Mason Servedio (Drums), and Devin Reck (Guitar) released their debut single “Open Fire” which eventually led to the self-titled EP that came out in February of 2020. Their album “The Unholy Idol” has garnered up over 80,000+ streams across platforms, and has gotten worldwide attention. The current lineup since 2022 now includes Ryan Hartell on guitar, replacing Devin Reck. As of November 2022, the band released their most recent single “In Nothing We Trust” everywhere on streaming. Their last show was March 10 at Pete’s Saloon in Elmsford, NY. You can find Mainline on April 22 at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, opening for Kore Rozzik!
Funk n Waffles Region
Fine Grain vs Forest Dwellers
Meet Fine Grain – Troy
Fine Grain, a shoegazey punk band from Albany took both the red and blue pills with a Genny and got banned from Trader Joe’s. The girthy tones of this gritty group will remind you of late nights on a stoop in September, your first beer after work, weird questions about your parents cephalopods, and of course, the crushing weight of capitalism. With prog-inspired riffs, post-punk murk, and the occasional ripping sax solo, fine grain offers up rambunctious reverie fit for hardcore fans of all generations. Fine Grain’s maturation is a testament to the transformative possibility of punk, showing how pulled threads of the past can still stitch together a promising new future. Check out their album “Missing Adult“.
Meet The Forest Dwellers – Rochester
The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ indie group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal medicine music. The band blends melodic music with incredible vocal harmonies. Stemming from different styles and genres, The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own. Listen to their song “Open Road” here. The Forest Dwellers are playing Sterling Folkfest in Sterling, NY dates May 25th- 29th. As well as The Family Hoedown at the G Lodge in Hannibal, NY dates June 9th-11th. You can also catch them playing every Wednesday in June at Abilene Bar and Lounge in Rochester, NY as part of their first residency.
Jane Dough Region
Murder in Rue Morgue vs Sarah King
Meet Murder in Rue Morgue – CNY
Murder in Rue Morgue is CJ Carr, John Wolff, Matt Biss, and Dan Ouimette, hailing from the hometown of Manowar, and Level 7 in Auburn. The band is highly influenced by melodic death metal, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage, and Times of Grace. The band is a group of hardworking musicians who leave it all up on the stage giving the best show every time. Listen to their 2019 album “Endless Cycles” here.
Meet Sarah King – Hudson Valley
Known for her powerhouse voice and “fiery, vulnerable songs,” Sarah King creates thought-provoking, versatile Americana music. Her genuine stories about real-life emotions and situations also draw on classic folk-blues themes, balancing songs about the devil and booze with hard-won moments of reflection and acceptance. Her acclaimed 2021 EP The Hour, produced by Simone Felice and David Baron, earned her recognition as the New England Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and performances at the 2022 Folk Alliance International and Philadelphia Folk festivals, as well as supporting slots for acts including Blues Traveler and The Steel Woods. Sarah will be busy finish recording her new album in Woodstock in May before playing at Red Ants Pants Festival in Montana at the end of July. She’s also scheduled for a busy summer of festivals and touring, so be sure to stay tuned for announcements!
Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Region
The E Block vs Seize Atlantis
Meet The E Block – Capital Region
The E-Block is a 5-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. Led by guitarist Luke Pascarella, with the line up of saxophonist James Soren keyboardist Devin Tetlak, bassist Daniel Folds, and drummer Leroy “Rudy” Dalton, the band’s deep bag of influences and free-flowing style have earned them a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene. Follow their instagram for all the current action, including their new project “Waterfall” releasing this spring. In the meantime, listen to their most recent track “Stay” here. There are currently no upcoming shows, but check back on their website for any announcements.
Meet Seize Atlantis – Glens Falls
Seize Atlantis has a unique, tight sound fueled by punchy bass, hard-driving percussion, melodic lead guitar, and pronounced moody vocals with meaningful lyrics, a truly dynamic range of soft to heavy Alternative Rock. Formed in 2019 out of Glens Falls, Seize Atlantis is a four-piece band most closely influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, providing their own spin on a variety of covers from classic rock to modern pop in addition to their own original music. Seize Atlantis is currently working on their second EP which will be released this July. Listen to their most recent release, “I Need It” here. Catch their performance at Scally’s Roadside Bar and Grill in Hudson Falls on March 24th.
NYS Music has partnered with these great businesses across New York State to highlight the 64 up and coming bands and artists of NYS Music March Madness.
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.
