NYS Music 2023

Tag: SPAC

  • Sammy Hagar will Drive 55 to SPAC with “The Best of All Worlds” Tour

    Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar today announced the long-awaited “The Best of All Worlds” 2024 tour, where Hagar will be joined by rock heavyweights and longtime bandmates Michael Anthony (bass, backing vocals), Jason Bonham (drums) and Joe Satriani (guitar). In addition to Sammy Hagar, the tour will also feature special guests Loverboy, the 28-date tour will feature a stop at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 22, performing on the Broadview Stage.

    Hagar has some history near Saratoga Springs, one that is captured in “I Can’t Drive 55.” The former Van Halen front man shared in 2019 how a drive on I-87 North was the inspiration behind the song after he was pulled over for speeding on a drive from Albany to Lake Placid.

    The tour follows on the heels of the chart-topping success of THE COLLECTION II, the box set released October 6 featuring newly remastered versions of the four consecutive #1 albums released during the Hagar era of Van Halen: 5150 (1986), OU812 (1988), FOR UNLAWFUL CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (1991), and BALANCE (1995). A reminder to fans of the arsenal of hits, many which haven’t been played live since the band’s 2004 reunion tour.

    sammy hagar I can't drive 55

    Collectively, Anthony, Satriani and Bonham have played together in nearly every phase of Hagar’s career including Van Halen, Chickenfoot and The Circle, so fans can expect a setlist which draws from some of the biggest rock anthems of the last 4-decades, including, Finish What Ya Started, 5150, Your Love is Driving Me Crazy, Best of Both Worlds, Poundcake, Sexy Little Thing, One Way To Rock, Right Now, Good Enough, Eagles Fly and more. They’ve also enlisted legendary Australian musician, Rai Thistlethwayte on keyboard and backing vocals. The tour represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this band of brothers deliver one of the most legendary hits-packed live shows of their career.

    It’s crazy to think that it’ll be 20 years since Mikey and I played these songs with Van Halen on the 04’ Best of Both Worlds Tour. With Joe on board, we can take a deeper dive into those years. We’re going to touch on some hits from my entire career but seeing fans old and new really embrace the new collection set off something in Mikey and I. We were at my Birthday Bash in Cabo for my 76th and looked at each other and high fived, like ‘let’s do it.’ We pulled out a couple of them and it was an instant lovefest with the fans from our first riffs. The music we created is going to outlive us all. They deserve to be heard so it’s time we go out and serve the fans that music, while we still can.

    Sammy Hagar

    Pre-sales begin Wednesday, November 15 at 10 am. General on-sale begins on Friday, November 17 at 10 am. For tickets and more details, go to RedRocker.com.

    Sammy Hagar The Best of All Worlds 2024 Tour Dates

    July 13 West Palm Beach, FL               iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

    July 14 Tampa, FL                                MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre        

    July 16 Alpharetta, GA                         Ameris Bank Amphitheatre                             

    July 19 Charlotte, NC                           PNC Music Pavilion

    July 20 Bristow, VA                              Jiffy Lube Live

    July 22 Saratoga Springs, NY               Saratoga Performing Arts Center                     

    July 24 Bridgeport, CT                         Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater                  

    July 26, Mansfield, MA                        Xfinity Center

    July 27 Holmdel, NJ                              PNC Bank Arts Center                          

    July 29 Cuyahoga Falls, OH                  Blossom Music Center                         

    July 31 Toronto, ON                               Budweiser Stage                                  

    August 2 Clarkston, MI                          Pine Knob Music Theatre

    August 3 Tinley Park, IL                        Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre 

    August 9 Las Vegas, NV                        MGM Grand Garden Arena                                   

    August 11 Morrison, CO                         Red Rocks Amphitheatre                     

    August 13 Spokane, WA                         Airway Heights, WA BECU Live at Northern Quest

    August 14 Ridgefield, WA                      RV Inn Style Resort Amphitheater                   

    August 16 Wheatland, CA                      Toyota Amphitheatre

    August 17 Concord, CA                         Toyota Pavilion at Concord                  

    August 19 Los Angeles, CA                    Kia Forum

    August 20 Phoenix, AZ                           Talking Stick Resorts Amphitheatre    

    August 22 Dallas, TX                              Dos Equis Pavilion

    August 23 Houston, TX                            Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion         

    August 25 Rogers, AR                              Walmart AMP              

    August 27 Cincinnati, OH                         Riverbend Music Center

    August 28 Nashville, TN                           Bridgestone Arena                               

    August 30 Noblesville, IN                         Ruoff Music Center

    August 31 St. Louis, MO                          Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

  • Parker McCollum Announces 2024 Tour, Stop at SPAC

    Parker McCollum, ACM Award Winning, and Multi-Platinum selling singer/songwriter, is set to embark on a 41-date U.S. Burn It Down Tour 2024, with one stop in Saratoga Springs in May.

    Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Parker McCollum released Never Enough, a statement album that cements his status as one of country music’s undeniable new stars, on May 12 via MCA Nashville. Along with headlining his own tour this summer, McCollum will play stadiums with Morgan Wallen on Wallen’s One Night at a Time World Tour. McCollum has been named an ‘Artist to Watch’ by Rolling Stone, Billboard, SiriusXM, CMT, RIAA, and more with American Songwriter noting, “The Texas native teeters on the edge of next-level superstardom.” MusicRow listed McCollum as their 2021 Breakout Artist of the Year and Apple also included him as one of their all-genre “Up Next Artists” Class of 2021.

    A dedicated road warrior, Parker McCollum made his debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry in 2021 and he already sells out venues across the country (over 40 sold-out shows nationwide in 2021) including record-breaking crowds in Dallas (20,000), The Woodlands (16,500), Austin (7500+), Lubbock (7700+), Jackson, MS (5000+), Kearney, NE (3000+), Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and three nights at Fort Worth’s iconic Billy Bob’s Texas. In March 2022, McCollum made his debut at RODEOHOUSTON to a sold-out crowd with over 73,000 tickets sold, returning to perform at the Opening Day celebration in 2023.

    He recently made a dream come true with his first-ever Austin City Limits performance, kicking off their 2023 season. In 2022, McCollum earned his first ACM Award for New Male Artist of the Year, took home “Breakthrough Video of the Year” (a fully fan-voted honor) at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, and scored his first-ever nomination in the New Artist of the Year category at the 56th CMA Awards.

    Produced by Emporium Presents, Parker McCollum’s tour will kick off on January 18 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA making stops in Dayton, New Orleans, Indianapolis, and more before wrapping up in Corpus Christi, TX at American Bank Center Arena on August 31. In addition, joining McCollum on select dates throughout the tour will be special guests Corey Kent, Larry Fleet, George Birge, and Catie Offerman.

    2024 is going to be the biggest and best show we have ever put together. I can’t wait for all the fans to come see what we are working up. The Burn It Down Tour is going to be absolutely epic.

    Parker McCollum

    The tour announcement comes on the heels of McCollum’s latest release, the critically acclaimed album Never Enough (released on May 12 via MCA Nashville) which includes his RIAA-certified Platinum hit, “Handle On You,” and his explosive current radio single, “Burn It Down.” Most recently, he was notably nominated for New Artist of the Year at the 57th Annual CMA Awards.

    Tickets will be available starting with presales (details below) beginning October 17. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday, October 20 at 10 a.m. local time and vary by city*; check local listings at EmporiumPresents.com for more information.

    Burn It Down Tour 2024:

    Thu Jan 18 | Spokane, WA | Spokane Arena

    Fri Jan 19 | Everett, WA | Angel Of The Winds Arena

    Sat Jan 20 | Eugene, OR | Matthew Knight Arena

    Thu Jan 25 | West Valley City, UT | Maverik Center

    Fri Jan 26 | Idaho Falls, ID | Hero Arena Inside The Mountain America Center

    Sat Jan 27 | Billings, MT | First Interstate Arena at MetraPark

    Thu Feb 01 | Peoria, IL | Peoria Civic Center

    Fri Feb 02 | Huntington, WV | Mountain Health Arena

    Sat Feb 03 | West Lafayette, IN | Elliott Hall of Music

    Thu Feb 08 | Kalamazoo, MI | Wings Event Center

    Fri Feb 09 | Dayton, OH | Nutter Center

    Sat Feb 10 | St. Louis, MO | Chaifetz Arena

    Fri Mar 01 | Columbia, SC | Colonial Life Arena

    Sat Mar 02 | Savannah, GA | Enmarket Arena

    Thu Apr 04 | Abilene, TX | Taylor County Expo Center

    Fri Apr 05 | Edinburg, TX | Bert Ogden Arena

    Tue Apr 11 | New Orleans, LA | Smoothie King Center

    Sat Apr 12 | Lake Charles, LA | Lake Charles Civic Center

    Sat Apr 13 | Waco, TX | Touchdown Alley at McClane Stadium

    Tue Apr 18 | Roanoke, VA | Berglund Center

    Fri Apr 19 | Greensboro, NC | White Oak Amphitheatre

    Thu May 02 | Salina, KS | Tony’s Pizza Events Center

    Fri May 03 | Rogers, AR | Walmart AMP

    Sat May 04 | Columbia, MO | Mizzou Arena

    Fri May 24 | Saratoga Springs, NY | Broadview Stage at SPAC

    Sat May 25 | Gilford, NH | Bank of NH Pavilion

    Sun May 26 | Bangor, ME | Maine Savings Amp

    Sat Jun 01 | Jacksonville, FL | Daily’s Place

    Sat Jun 08 | Detroit, MI | Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill

    Thu Jun 27 | Des Moines, IA | Wells Fargo Arena

    Fri Jun 28 | Indianapolis, IN | TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park

    Sat Jun 29 | Kansas City, MO | Starlight Theatre

    Tue Jul 18 | Brandon, MS | Brandon Amphitheater

    Fri Jul 19 | Orange Beach, AL | The Wharf Amphitheater

    Thu Aug 15 | Nampa, ID | Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater

    Fri Aug 16 | Bend, OR | Hayden Homes Amphitheater

    Sat Aug 17 | Ridgefield, WA | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

    Fri Aug 23 | Rio Rancho, NM | Rio Rancho Events Center

    Sun Aug 25 | Morrison, CO | Red Rocks Amphitheatre

    Fri Aug 30 | College Station, TX | Reed Arena

    Sat Aug 31 | Corpus Christi, TX | American Bank Center Arena

    For more information, visit Parker McCollum’s website, or follow him on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

  • Classic Jams Headline Outlaw Music Festival 2023 at SPAC

    Willie Nelson brought his Outlaw Music Festival to Saratoga for a late-summer jam session. With a tour that celebrates Willie’s lifelong musical genius and his legacy of hits, this tour seems extra special as Willie turned a remarkable 90 years old this year. The show brings an “Outlaw Village” with it, which is a little village of vendors that travel with the festival. And there is certainly a festival vibe as attendees ate and partied all throughout SPAC’s beautiful grounds.

    The evening opened with Waylon Payne playing a solo acoustic set of country and bluegrass. (Particle Kid (Willie’s Nelson’s son’s group) was not there to start the night off.) Highlights from Payne’s set include an excellent cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” and Payne’s own classic “Born to Lose.” Payne was genuinely thankful to be performing and expressed that gratitude many times. Payne showed up later in the night as Willie’s right hand man during Willie’s set. A good night for Waylon Payne.

    Los Lobos was up next. It’s unfortunate that the festival was held on a week night. Even though it was Friday, it was slow to fill and was still visibly empty when Los Lobos took the stage. They handled it like the classic professionals they are though and put on a hell of a set. Even with attendance low, one could look anywhere in the amphitheater and see people dancing to Los Lobos’ hits. With what had to be a nod to Bobby Weir, they opened with their song “Will the Wolf Survive?”. They followed that up with Three Midniters’ “Love Special Delivery.” The standout for the set was the set closing “La Bomba” segueing into The Olympics’ “Good Lovin’” and then back into “La Bomba.” With the set opening and closing with a nod to Mr. Weir, the crowd was warmed up indeed!

    Hitting the stage next was The String Cheese Incident. Having been 20 or so years since this listener last saw SCI, it was special to hear them open with “Smile.” Michael Kang busted out his violin and the jam took off into classic Outlaw territory. With a blend of deep cuts and new tunes, it was good to hear these guys again. The highlight for this listener was the 20ish minutes of “Missing Me” segueing into “Just One Story.” Looking around the venue, one could see many Friends of Cheese dancing to the jams.

    Setlist: Smile, Get Tight, Suntan, Barstool, Missin’ Me, Just One Story, Bhangra Saanj, Can’t Stop Now.

    While this constant listener is not an old-school Deadhead with hundreds of Grateful Dead shows under his belt, but I have been listening to them for about 40 years now, and they remain in regular rotation at my home and in my car. Having been at this show, and from seeing chatter online, what occurred with the Bobby set this evening was one hell of a Dead set. Bobby Weir and the Wolf Bros Featuring the Wolfpack dropped an incredible set of music on SPAC. The Wolfpack brings horns to jam. Drop a horn section into a “Dark Star”, a slow-building “Dark Star”, and magic happens. Add a “West LA Fade Away”, a “Wharf Rat”, and wrap it up with a “Sugar Magnolia” and you have one incredible set. And all this fails to mention the “El Paso”, the “Greatest Story Ever Told”, and the “New Speedway Boogie”! Listen to this set over Nugs.Net, and don’t you think of skipping that “Lost Sailor” with horns!

    Setlist: Bertha, Greatest Story Ever Told, Dark Star, El Paso, Lost Sailor, Saint of Circumstance, West LA Fadeaway, New Speedway Boogie, Wharf Rat, Sugar Magnolia

    To cap the evening off, Willie Nelson came on stage and amazed the crowd with his never-ending charisma and charm. His opening number “Whiskey River” segued into “Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer).” Listening to Willie is always a trip down Nostalgia Lane. He has written so many classic tunes, it’s mind-blowing. Highlights for this listener were “Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys”, “On the Road Again” and that all-time classic “Always on My Mind” (written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James).

    The patience shown by die-hard fans waiting for their statesman Willie Nelson paid off that evening. Sitting through the noodle-ly dancing of the Cheese- and Deadheads, fans were now saying they were glad that people were sitting so they could see Willie on stage. Willie was remarkable. At 90 years of age, he came out on stage unassisted, sat and played for an hour, and then left after waving and throwing his bandana into the crowd. Imagine catching Willie Nelson’s bandana? What a keepsake!

    Setlist: Whiskey River (Johnny Bush cover), Stay a Little Longer (Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys cover), Still Is Still Moving to Me, Bloody Mary Morning, I Never Cared for You, Workin’ Man Blues (Merle Haggard and The Strangers cover), Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys, Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground, On the Road Again, Always On My Mind, Good Hearted Woman (Waylon Jennings cover), Help Me Make It Through the Night (Kris Kristofferson cover) (Waylon Payne – lead vocals), Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, Still Not Dead, Georgia (On My Mind) (Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra cover), I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train (Billy Joe Shaver cover), Write Your Own Songs (Willie Nelson & Kris Kristofferson cover), Move It on Over (Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys cover), Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson cover), Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (William MacEwan cover) (with Bob Weir), I’ll Fly Away (Rev. J.M. Gates cover) (with Bob Weir), It’s Hard to Be Humble (Mac Davis cover), Saw the Light

  • Watch Derek Trucks sit in with Phish at SPAC

    Phish welcomed legendary guitarist Derek Trucks during the second set of their show on Saturday, August 26 at SPAC. For roughly an hour, Trucks traded guitar licks with Trey Anastasio and jammed on classic Phish songs as well as TV On the Radio’s “Golden Age.”

    Phish at SPAC with Derek Trucks
    Photo by Derek Java

    The late August shows served as a benefit for the Vermont and Upstate New York flood recovery effort. While rumors of Trucks abounded during the day, only when his amp was brought out on stage following a speedy “2001” did the audience let out an electric cheer for the guitarist of Allman Brothers Band, Derek Trucks Band, and currently, Tedeschi Trucks Band.

    Phish at SPAC 8/26/2023
    Photo by Derek Java

    Trucks had joined Phish once prior, in Charlotte, NC on July 7, 1999, for “Funky Bitch” and “Possum,” the latter of which would serve as the encore this evening as well. Additionally, Trucks and Susan Tedeschi were joined by Anastasio at Lockn 2019 for a recreation of Derek and the Dominoes Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

    Watch Derek Trucks join Phish for “Golden Age,” “Everything’s Right,” “First Tube” and “Possum.”

    Phish – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) Saratoga Springs – August 26, 2023

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Soundcheck: My Soul

    Set 1: Free, Wolfman’s Brother, Maze, Sigma Oasis, Pillow Jets, Tube > Twist > Harry Hood

    Set 2: Down with Disease[1] -> Ghost, Also Sprach Zarathustra > Golden Age[2] > Everything’s Right[2], A Life Beyond The Dream[2], First Tube[2]

    Encore: Possum[2]

    [1] Unfinished

    [2] With Derek Trucks on guitar

  • Phish Return to SPAC, Raise $3.5 Million for Flood Relief

    Phish returned to Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Friday, August 25th, for a pair of shows that served as a benefit for victims of flooding in Vermont and Upstate New York this summer. Their first time playing at the historic Upstate amphitheatre since 2019, Phish will record their 24th career show at SPAC, following the show on Saturday night.

    Earlier in the day, Phish connected with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, announcing that the band had donated $3.5 million dollars raised from the pair of concerts, to support flood relief for Upstate New Yorkers, as well as Vermonters affected by flooding earlier this summer.

    That number is sure to rise, with donations being raised during the shows through the Waterwheel Foundation’s 2023 Flood Recovery Fund, supporting victims and their families, area businesses, and non-profits. The Recovery Fund will support both shorter-term needs and long-term recovery and resiliency projects. 

    We are so grateful to everyone who donated their time and resources to make these benefits possible, and those that attended the shows or watched online. The joy in the room at these concerts was undeniable. But for the people affected by the flooding, it is an ongoing struggle. That’s why we are continuing to accept donations, raise awareness and distribute the funds.

    Page McConnell

    With rain in the forecast and a blanket of clouds enveloping the Saratoga Spa State Park grounds, fans arrived early and in great numbers, setting up a Shakedown off Route 50 while sprinkles fell intermittently throughout the evening. Filing into SPAC, fans dispersed to find spots on the lawn or head down to the pavilion, with the first notes of the evening at 8:05pm.

    What might look like a pedestrian set on paper was energetic and rocking from the start, with “Kill Devil Falls” and “The Moma Dance” opening the night, the latter finding its familiar home in the two-slot, clocking in at nearly 14 minutes. The trio of “Ocelot,” “The Wedge” and “Mull” packed a punch, especially “Mull” which deftly found a segue into “Punch You In the Eye,” with fans erupting upon the first notes, carrying the energy into “Sand.”

    phish spac shows
    artwork by Josean Rivera

    It was within “Sand” that a classic film was paid homage to, as teases and jams based on “We Welcome You to Munchkinland” spiced the jam vehicle nicely, a tribute to The Wizard of Oz on the 84th anniversary of the film’s initial release. This tidbit had fan’s ears perking up, searching their internal database to find where this ditty derived itself from, occuring later in a second set “Chalkdust Torture” and the original recording played outright as the postshow music.

    For a band that has played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a Brain” over the years, including with the legendary Ken Kesey, the band didn’t miss the chance to celebrate an inspiring American film. Drummer Jon Fishman even went so far as to put his hair in a pigtail to mimic a munchkin hairdo in the second set. The incredible “Sand” is a must hear, and led into a set closing “Rock and Roll” courtesy of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground.

    What would amount to a five song second set began with an Anastasio-penned quarantine tune “Evolve,” serving as an appetizer for the feast that was about to be plated. “A Wave of Hope” and “Simple” would pair up for back-to-back 22-minute jams, following in the vein of the excellent recent shows at Madison Square Garden. To follow were a pair of 11-minute jams in “Fuego” and “Chalkdust Torture,” wrapping up a powerful set, a true treat for the many first-timers in the crowd this evening.

    For an encore, the first breather of the night arrived as “Wading in the Velvet Sea,” giving way to Kasvot Växt’s “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” which has found a home in the set closing/encore slot to send fans on their journey to Oz.

    Phish – Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs – Friday, August 25

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Soundcheck: My Soul, Fast Enough for You, Wombat
    Set 1: Kill Devil Falls, The Moma Dance, Ocelot, The Wedge, Mull > Punch You in the Eye, Sand, Rock and Roll
    Set 2: Evolve, A Wave of Hope -> Simple > Fuego -> Chalkdust Torture
    Encore: Wading in the Velvet Sea, Say it to me S.A.N.T.O.S.

    This performance was a benefit for Vermont and Upstate New York flood recovery efforts and was a free webcast with all proceeds via donation going to those efforts. Coinciding with the 84th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz being released in the United States on the date of this show, Trey teased We Welcome You to Munchkinland (or It Really Was No Miracle) several times in Sand as well as at the end of Chalk Dust Torture, Fish wore his hair with a single pigtail sticking out of the front of his head like a munchkin for the second set, and We Welcome You to Munchkinland was the postshow music. Trey also teased Dave’s Energy Guide on Sand.

    photos by Dave Decrescente

    Phish SPAC
    Phish SPAC
    Phish SPAC
    Phish SPAC

  • SPAC Announces 2023-24 Spa Little Theatre Season

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announced its 2023-24 Spa Little Theatre season. It will feature a robust slate of global, jazz, classical, and pop offerings. The announcement marks the continuation of SPAC’s year-round programming in the Spa Little Theatre.

    Spa Little Theatre New Season

    Highlighting the series are the SPAC debuts of Grammy-nominated mandolinist Avi Avital alongside accordionist Hanzhi Wang. Also featured is the all-female jazz ensemble säje. Moreover, other performances include contemporary world music virtuosos TISRA: Zakir Hussain With Debopriya Chatterjee and Sabir Kahn. Additionally, there will be appearances by the recently announced modern dance troupes Pilobolus and BalletX. The year-round residency by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will also continue with three special performances.

    The “Sounds of the Season” series will also return this December. It will feature a capella group Kings Return, trio Time for Three, and vocalist Kat Edmonson.

    BalletX.

    “While we have continued to expand our programming outside of the summer months in recent years, being able to inhabit the Spa Little Theatre year-round has opened up new possibilities for our year-round line-up of programming. Our 2023-24 season is a diverse and rich mix of incredible artistry offering everything from jazz to global to classical music along with full modern dance productions,” said SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol.

    Tickets for the 2023-24 Spa Little Theatre season will be available to purchase on Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. for members and Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. for the general public. Multi-ticket packages will also be available in selections of three or five programs (excluding Sounds of the Season) for a discount of 15% or 20%, respectively. Visit spac.org for details.

    2023 Fall Season

    Pilobolus- Sunday, October 8, 2023, | 2 PM & 7 PM

    Pilobolus’s show reminds us that play and creativity are fundamental to the human experience and that stories are alive and breathing. Stories can also teach, comfort, and connect us to ourselves and each other. Building on the success of their critically acclaimed Big Five-OH! Anniversary tour, Pilobolus moves confidently into the next half-century of creation and performance. Alongside groundbreaking new pieces, the company breathes new life into beloved works from the past to create an experience both timely and timeless.

    Avi Avital & Hanzhi Wang– Thursday, October 19, 2023, | 7 PM

    GRAMMY-nominated mandolinist Avi Avital will make his SPAC debut alongside star accordionist Hanzhi Wang, in a truly unique program that will showcase each artist’s incredible virtuosity. Avital is the first mandolin soloist ever nominated for a Grammy and has been heralded by The New York Times for his electrifying performances. Wang is a rising talent in the classical world, recently winning a roster spot with Young Concert Artists (YCA), the first accordionist ever to do so.

    Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: American Panorama– Saturday, October 28 | 7 PM

    Led by CMS Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, this program will feature a roster of 13 musicians in a special performance of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring along with works by Dvořák and American Composers Arthur Foote and Harry Burleigh.

    säje– Saturday, November 11 | 7 PM

    The GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje, is the brainchild of vocalist/composers Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Traversing a vast array of compelling original material, beloved jazz standards, and contemporary re-imaginings of artists such as The Bad Plus, YEBBA, and Björk, the all-female collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers. Their highly anticipated debut album is expected to be released in the summer of 2023. It will feature new original work and compelling covers, highlighting collaborations with artists Jacob Collier, Ambrose Akinmusire, and more. 

    2023 Sounds of the Season

    Kings Return: We 4 Kings– Saturday, December 2 | 7 PM

    The Grammy-nominated Kings Return is back by popular demand following their SPAC debut last spring. The unique, harmonizing group turned internet sensation captures the essence of an old-school a cappella quartet with sounds inspired by gospel and R&B. Kings Return features tenor Vaughn Faison, bass Gabe Kunda, tenor JE McKissic, and baritone Jamall Williams. Their We 4 Kings program features pop, classical, and religious holiday classics. It also reinterprets modern and classic pop, soul, R&B, gospel, jazz, and sacred music.

    Time for Three: Home for the Holidays– Saturday, December 9 | 7 PM

    Defying convention and boundaries, Time For Three stands at the busy intersection of Americana, modern pop, and classical music. The trio featuring Charles Yang, Nicolas Kendall, and Ranaan Meyer, will present arrangements of Joni Mitchell, Led Zeppelin, and more. Additionally, they will also present special arrangements of holiday favorites.

    Kat Edmonson: Holiday Swingin’!– Sunday, December 17 | 4 PM

    Kat Edmonson is an award-winning songwriter and singer “with an equal foothold in jazz, cabaret, and vintage cosmopolitanism pop” (The New York Times). The songwriter and her band will perform Yuletide favorites along with Kat’s originals for a magical holiday evening celebration.

    2024 Spring Season

    Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: Instrumental Array– Saturday, March 9 | 7 PM

    In a celebration of instrumental odd couples, three duo teams highlight the extremes of possibility for their ensembles. Maurice Duruflé’s post-Romantic trio augments the duo format. All join for the concluding Septet by virtuoso pianist Johann Hummel, who was a pupil of Mozart and Haydn and was admired by Beethoven.

    BalletX– Saturday, March 16 | 7 PM and Sunday, March 17 | 2 PM

    Led by Artistic and Executive Director Christine Cox, BalletX creates extraordinary dance experiences that inspire human connection through live performances, dance education in Philadelphia public schools, free community pop-ups, and more. The company also offers free community pop-ups, dance classes, artist Q&As, open rehearsals, and in-school dance education.

    TISRA: Zakir Hussain With Debopriya Chatterjee and Sabir Kahn– Saturday, March 23 | 7 PM

    The pre-eminent classical tabla virtuoso of our time, Zakir Hussain is appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon. Hussain will lead his ensemble TISRA (three) with two of India’s finest young musicians, Sabir Khan and Debopriya Chatterjee. Showcasing rich folk and classical traditions, this unique trio is comprised of tabla, sarangi, and bansuri (bamboo flute). This colorful mix, combined with Indian classical music and the rich rhythm repertoire of Punjab, makes for a compelling program.

    Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: Wu Han, David Finckel, and Chad Hoopes– Saturday, May 11 | 7 PM 

    Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel return to end the season with guest violinist Chad Hoopes.

  • Phish Announce Benefit Shows at SPAC for Flood Recovery

    A late entry to their 2023 Summer Tour, Phish has announced two nights at the Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on August 25 and 26, with both shows supporting flood recovery in Vermont and Upstate New York.

    phish spac

    Catastrophic flooding has led to thousands of Vermonters and Upstate New Yorkers losing their homes and property, with flood waters wiping out bridges, train tressels, businesses, cars and disrupting lives. A ‘100-year storm’ follows a similarly malevolent storm that blew through the Northeast in 2011, Hurricane Irene, destroying 500 miles of road and 200 bridges.

    100% of net proceeds from all concert and merchandise sales will be directed to The WaterWheel Foundation’s 2023 Flood Recovery Fund, which will support the many victims and their families, area businesses, and non-profits. The Recovery Fund will support both shorter-term needs and long-term recovery and resiliency projects. 

    On September 14, 2011, Phish would hold a benefit concert at Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT, raising money for Vermonters most in need. Phish formed at UVM in 1983 and has deep ties to Vermont, with Trey Anastasio’s The Barn recording studio located near Burlington, and Mike Gordon and Page McConnell calling the Burlington area home for many years.

    A limited number of Foundation tickets will also be available that include a ticket to the show, a private pre-show performance with Phish’s Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, access to the Foundation Lounge before and throughout the show, and special Foundation poster and merch, in addition to other amenities. 

    Created by Phish in 1997 to oversee the band’s various charitable activities, The Waterwheel Foundation has been harnessing the kindness of the Phish fan community to create positive change for over 25 years.

    The Flood Benefit Recovery shows will be the 23rd and 24th overall performances for Phish at SPAC, who first played the summer shed in Saratoga Springs on July 27, 1992, opening up for Santana.

    Tickets for Phish at SPAC can be requested here.

  • SPAC Announces Dance Season in Spa Little Theatre

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announced that it will present modern dance troupes Pilobolus and BalletX in the Spa Little Theatre as part of its commitment to world-class dance.

    BalletX.

    Presented as part of SPAC’s 2023-2024 fall and spring seasons, the performances mark the first time that full dance productions have been mounted in the Spa Little Theatre in decades. “There is literally nowhere else in the Capital Region to experience full dance productions in this intimate and visceral way,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

    Kicking off the series is Pilobolus with two productions on Oct. 8, 2023, of its new Re: Creation Tour, featuring groundbreaking new pieces and beloved works from the past to create an experience both timely and timeless. Building on the success of their critically acclaimed Big Five-OH! Anniversary tour, Pilobolus moves confidently into the next half-century of creation and performance. The performances mark the SPAC debut of the company, following their participation in SPAC’s Festival of Young Artists event in 2021.

    Following their debut on the SPAC stage alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2022, BalletX will grace the stage for two performances on March 16 and 17, 2024. Based in Philadelphia, BalletX is one of the nation’s premier contemporary ballet companies. They create extraordinary dance experiences that inspire human connection through live performances, dance education in Philadelphia public schools, free community pop-ups, and more. BalletX’s dancers were named “among America’s best” by The New York Times, commissioning choreographers from around the world to create dance that is “fresh, inclusive, and connects to what people want” (Philadelphia Citizen).

    Pilobolus, photo by Grant Halverson.

    The announcement follows SPAC’s spring season in the Spa Little Theatre and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming that extends beyond the traditional summer months. Additional programming for the 2023-2024 Spa Little Theatre season will be announced soon. Tickets will be available for purchase on Aug. 10, 2023.

  • Soaring to New Heights: Goose Play Biggest Show Yet in SPAC Debut

    It was a career-defining night for Connecticut’s indie-groove sensation Goose on Friday, July 7. Making their debut at the iconic Saratoga Performing Arts Center, it would ultimately prove to be their biggest headlining performance to date, drawing an estimated 11,000 fans from across the Northeast.  Rising to the occasion, the high-flying band captivated attendees with their signature sound, all played with purpose, gusto, and pride. A milestone moment in time that was as satisfying for the fans as it was for the members of Team Goose, this show felt special and more like a homecoming celebration for our triumphant underdogs.

    Goose made their Saratoga Performing Arts Center debut on 7/7/23

    From the dimly lit club scene to lighting up amphitheaters across the country, the meteoric rise of Goose has been a phenomenon rarely seen in today’s music climate. Ever since accepting the proverbial “torch” from a guy named Trey at Radio City Music Hall last summer, the band has been running with it full speed ahead, no brakes and all gas.  From making their national television debut to selling out Red Rocks and their residency at the Capitol Theatre, to earning praise from legendary Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh and even comedians like Jimmy Fallon and Bert Kreischer, the widespread appeal of this band seems to span across generations. Even people who don’t listen to “new” music are talking about Goose.

    Goose guitarist/lead vocalist Rick Mitarotonda performing at SPAC on 7/7/23

    Consisting of Rick Mitarotonda [vocals, guitar], Peter Anspach [vocals, keys, guitar], Trevor Weekz [bass], Ben Atkind [drums], and Jeff Arevalo [vocals, percussion, drums], the buzz surrounding Goose’s SPAC debut was palpable. Coming off major festivals like Peach and the final Resonance, then a pair of sold-out 4th of July shows at the Stone Pony and Portland, ME, the momentum coming into Saratoga had reached a level not seen since, well, Phish. Afternoon rain would make for a bit of a messy shakedown situation, but right around showtime, as if on cue, the clouds turned as fans started filling up the lawn and pavilion. The highly collectible posters commemorating the evening were long gone well before the first note was played. 

    Goose made a little Saratoga magic during their SPAC debut on 7/7/23

    Walking out to a thunderous and sustained standing ovation, the members of Goose were grinning ear to ear upon taking their positions on the storied SPAC stage. Afterward, on social media, the band would reflect on it saying, “We will never forget the energy we felt right at the start of last night’s show, absolute chills.”  Soaking it all in for a moment, the guys would suddenly drop into an inspired “Silver Rising,” with Mitarotonda emphatically singing out the opening lyrics:

    Feel the rush

    Taste the blood

    Feel the fear behind your eyes

    All my dreams and

    All my reasons

    Swallowed up into the night

    Lyrics from “Silver Rising”

    Pardon the cliché, but with the combination of those lyrics and hearing Rick’s voice for the first time in that kind of atmosphere, it simply gave you goosebumps. Saratoga would soon see a little “California Magic” before Goose would unleash a monster 19-minute version of “Animal” that had everyone up and movin’ their bodies.

    Peter Anspach lead Goose through “Red Bird,” a touching tribute to his Mother on 7/7/23

    Next came the emotional high point of the first set with a personal song near and dear to multi-instrumentalist Peter “Handini” Anspach. Leading the band through “Red Bird” in a fitting tribute to his mother who has supported his music every step of the way, hearing Peter sing it during the biggest show of his career was very touching. After dipping their toes into some gorgeous improvisational type-II territory, a rollicking rendition of “Same Old Shenanigans” (SOS) would send us to intermission and leave the excited crowd buzzing about what they’d just witnessed and what was still yet to come.

    Red bird don’t get tired now

    You can almost touch the light

    Red bird don’t stop singing your song

    Fly for tomorrow tonight

    – Lyrics from “Red Bird”

    The second set started off with the band paying homage to Goose’s precursor project Vasudo. Playing a heartfelt rendition of “The Empress of Organos,” a song that was also played at the final Vasudo show ten years ago, one couldn’t help but be inspired by just how far this band has come during that time. Now playing with a new custom-made guitar appropriately named “The Empress,” Mitarotonda’s tone sounded glorious all night long and the band looked completely comfortable and at home on the big stage. They are simply born for this. Following the 23-minute “Empress” came a beautiful blues-inspired cover of David Gray’s “Please Forgive Me” that saw some serious peak shredding from Snakes.

    The Empress: Rick Mitarotonda’s new custom ax sounded glorious under the SPAC pavilion on 7/7/23

    The SPAC show will be remembered for a lot of things, but for me, the real “get down” took place during the SPAC “Thatch.” One of the funkiest and crunchiest grooves this side of Phish’s “Moma Dance,” the band originally debuted the song just up the road in Glens Falls last November while opening for the Trey Anastasio Band. Nearly doubling its length with this version (while also managing to sneak a “Tequila” tease in), the song is destined to become a fan favorite and setlist staple for years to come. Check out pro-shot footage of “Thatch” here:

    Easing us into the comedown was another beautifully executed version of “This Old Sea,” one of the most tender ballads in the band’s arsenal, it would also be the shortest song played all night. Seamlessly transitioning into the title track from the band’s latest studio album, 2022’s Dripfield, the mesmerizing climax and stunning light show courtesy of LD Andrew Goedde left Goose fans dripping for more.

    On your way to kill the beast

    You meet the child, the only one you know

    And he sings to you, “Let go,

    May the nighttime be your home

    -Lyrics from “Factory Fiction”

    After hanging backstage for a minute to bask in the ovation and savor the moment, there was only one song that made sense for an encore; a song reserved for only the most special and monumental occasions. As the opening notes of the rare “Factory Fiction” rang out (or ‘Spactory Fiction’ as some fans are already calling it), the excitement and jubilation could be felt by everyone who was there and collectively sent chills down your entire body. Bringing the band full circle on this surreal summer night, from beginning to end, their performance made an emphatic statement. The golden Goose has arrived, and buckle up because their time is now

    Goose played their biggest headlining show to date on Friday, 7/7/23 at SPAC

    Up next, the band will return to the Newport Folk Festival for their first appearance on the main stage.  Later this fall, Goose will return to New York to headline the Borderland Music Festival in Buffalo, before heading across the pond to play their first European tour in November.

    For more information, tickets, and tour dates, visit here.

    Set 1: Silver Rising, California Magic, Animal, Red Bird, Same Old Shenanigans

    Set II: The Empress of Organos, Please Forgive Me (David Gray cover), Thatch, This Old Sea, Dripfield

    Encore: Factory Fiction 

  • Bomb Threat Causes Cancellation at Noel Gallagher SPAC Concert

    “Due to circumstances beyond our control, the show will not continue.” That was the announcement made just moments before Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds were about to perform on Saturday night, July 8, in Saratoga Springs. Confused fans weren’t sure if it was part of the act or if it was a public safety concern as speculation quickly ran rampant. Gallagher, the former principal songwriter of British blue-collar bad-boy band Oasis, is no stranger to making headlines. Familiar to millions, at one time he was the most outspoken member of the biggest (and most controversial) band in the world.

    The stage was set for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds just moments before it was suddenly called off on 7/8/23

    All things seemed ‘business as usual’ just prior to showtime Saturday night at SPAC. After opening sets from critically acclaimed rock bands Metric and Garbage went on without a hitch, everything was on schedule for the evening’s headliner. As smoke machines began to ramp up and hip, pre-show music by Little Sonny, Larry Coryell, and Funk Inc. piped over the PA system, by 9:45 pm fans were getting anxious over the delayed start. Suddenly the house lights came on and the announcement was made that “the show will not continue” and to “please move calmly and safely to the nearest exit.” 

    What’s the Story: A disappointed fan reacts to the news that Noel Gallagher will not be performing on 7/7/23

    Security and Live Nation reps confirmed this was not “part of the show” and that everyone needed to leave the concert grounds immediately. Sent out into the night with more questions than answers, disappointed fans complied and exited the venue, seemingly without incident. Further information was hard to come by. There is currently no “official” word on what caused the sudden cancellation, refunds, or, rescheduling.

    After the show, Garbage’s Twitter feed posted “Our love and concern to all the fans at our show in Saratoga Springs tonight. We pray you are all safe and sound. This is fucking insane.” An Instagram post from bassist Daniel Shulman shed a little more light on the situation, saying “We had to evacuate quickly due to a bomb threat …. Scary.”