Ahead of Dave Matthews Band induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October, the band has announced a Fall Tour. They will hit many big cities on the eastern half of the country including Madison Square Garden on Nov. 22 and 23.
Photo credit: Sanjay Suchak
Since 1993 when Dave Matthews Band’s first studio album was released, they have been a power house in the rock world selling 38 million CDs and DVDs. They have also sold over 25 million tickets since their birth making them the second largest ticket-seller in history. After the group’s 2018 album Come Tomorow, they became the first ever band to have 7 consecutive studio albums hit number one on the Billboard 200.
Dave Matthews Band released a new album, the first in five years, Walk Around The Moon in 2023. The album has been praised by many publications and the band has supported it with many concerts and tours since its release. Most recently, they played their traditional Labor Day weekend concerts at The Gorge in Washington state. They will arrive in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Nov 22 and 23 closing out the six planned dates to take place in November.
Dave Matthews Band will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 19 in Cleveland, OH. The induction ceremony will stream on Disney+, and will be released on Hulu the next day.
General on sale for tickets begins on Friday, September 20, at 10:00 a.m. ET. For more information, visit davematthewsband.com.
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND FALL 2024 DATES
11/15 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
11/16 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
11/19 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
11/20 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
11/22 New York, NY Madison Square Garden – The Arena
11/23 New York, NY Madison Square Garden – The Arena
From Sept. 5-8, on Cool Whisper Farm in North Hillsdale, NY the Oldtone Music Festival will bring music lovers old and young together to celebrate the music of the past and even the future.
Ahead of the 2024 installment of one of the largest roots music festivals, I had the chance to speak with Trevor Roush, the co-producer of the Oldtone Music Festival. The festival is booting up again for the first time since 2022 following the worldwide pandemic caused music venues and festivals everywhere to close. On that fateful day, a small one-day festival was held and an unlikely visitor helped bring it back bigger and better than ever three years later.
But first, what is the Oldtone Music Festival? A three-day music festival in the Hudson Valley, Oldtone Music Festival aims to promote and preserve Roots music. “Roots music to me is just all music.” says Trevor Roush, “At Oldtone, it’s not just bluegrass. We have Conjunto music, which is, a traditional Mexican music, folk music, Cajun music, old-time string band music, New Orleans jazz, New Orleans R&B… You know, it’s just all music.”
As I spoke to Trevor, he was looking over volunteers who had shown up from across the country to help put together the festival. “I feel like what’s important to me about roots music, and I’m seeing it firsthand right now is that it brings people together. Cross-generationally, and cross-culturally, they all believe in this type of music. And, you know, I’m watching 40 volunteers of all different ages from other parts of the country build stages right now and set up tents. It’s like a real family-type art… There is no there is no one person here with one job. Everyone’s sort of all over the place.”
The motto of Oldtone is “Participation is preservation.” Trevor explains how participation preserves Oldtone, “You’ve seen this. Through the pandemic, if there’s a restaurant that somebody really likes or a community, if you’re not there patronizing it, it’s not gonna be there. And if you believe in something, you need to support it. “There’s so many different ways to support things. Like, you could volunteer or, you can buy a ticket. That’s kinda the easiest way. But, I feel like once somebody is involved, they’re involved for a lifetime. And they’re also excited about getting other people involved in it.”
This familial bond and community is an essential part of Roots music in general. According to Trevor, “The music is passed down. A lot of the tunes are passed down, from, you know, the older generation to a younger generation. And there are songs about families, and working and the familiarity of doing the same task. A lot of the songs are about raising a hog and slaughtering a hog. That type of thing.”
The pandemic that shut down most of the music touring and festival circuits in the world, unfortunately caused the demise of the Oldtown Music Festival. After much thought and changing the business to a nonprofit, they are back and better (and bigger) than ever. The lineup now features the grammy-winning winning Los Texmaniacs, as well as many other acts from across the country and beyond.
Los Texmaniacs
Trevor explains what’s changed, “We have reorganized as a nonprofit, which is different. That’s made it so the festival could come back through fundraising efforts and stuff like that. We have some more support, in that way. The festival always relied on musicians basically doing us a favor and playing for far less than they normally would play for just because they believed in the festival. Believed in us. So, now we’re at a point where, we can start to pay bands what they deserve, which is nice. Realistically, we’re back to where we were. 2019 was our best year. After that, as you would imagine, things got harder. We were on a roll in 2019. If we can make it back to 2019-type numbers and attendance, we’re doing good. The support is already at those levels, which feels nice. It was nice to bring this back, but we also want to bolster the [involvement] in this area. There’s a large Latinx community and we wanna get those folks more involved in the show.”
When asked how the Oldtone Music Festival was able to return this year, Trevor responded, “It’s on a working farm, and the farmers were supportive of us having it brought back. And the neighbor to the farm is this actor called Walton Goggins. He came to the festival in 2021. We did a one-day one, and he reached out to us and he was like, ‘This is amazing. I want to be a part of this.’ He’s been super helpful in helping us reach out to people that we’ve never been able to contact before and being an advocate for the festival. And also him feeling like he has a place – a calling in the community now. He’s been just an advocate, which feels really nice and supportive.”
Walton Goggins by Shayan Asgharnia
Walton Goggins, the Emmy-nominated actor, known for Fallout, and Sons of Anarchy, joined the festival this year as executive producer. But, I was curious about what got Trevor involved in the festival. He said, “So, I’m not a musician. Which I feel like is good in some ways. I can focus on organizing things, and not have to also worry about… the co-organizer is also a musician. and he’s said he’ll never play in the festival again because he’s just too chaotic organizing and doing stuff like that. But I guess where I came to this music was, I was working for my friend’s band and, I really like this music. What were their influences? And then you start going down this, rabbit hole. You start at one point and work your way back to, what was the root? Where where does this music come from? And then you can spur off of that into so many different ways where it’s “oh, wow. I really like this type of string band music.” And, then it’s like, “Now I’m l really interested and excited about Italian string band music.” And you can endlessly just be, discovering new things, and that’s what I like about curating something like Oldtone. The older generation gets inspired by the younger generation and vice versa and all the musicians are there sharing experiences with each other.”
I asked, “Can you see a future of roots music? Not just growing, or, continuing to exist, but, can you see it, evolve into something new? Different? Has it already?”
He responded, “Yeah. I feel like it sort of is evolving, and I feel like there are people out there that have started on the scale of, an Oldtone-type festival. Or, I know people that have played Oldtone before that are now, some of the largest touring acts and, are having crossovers with, Post Malone and people like that. And people, in that pop music world are, like, “What’s the root of this music that I’m making?” And, “How do I learn more about it?” The more industry-driven pop world is almost supporting, in a way, the roots music world just by notoriety. Those people with a bigger audience, [are] bolstering some of the people in this world.” He added, “There are some people who play Oldtone that have their hands in the pop world, they could come and play something like this and feel, more comfortable. It’s fun for them, and they could feel comfortable doing it without having the backlash of, ‘You didn’t play your your hit.’ You know? So it’s really nice for musicians to have an outlet for the things that they enjoy. Music’s funny. You’re always moving forward and backwards at the same time. As a musician, you’re developing your musical tastes all the time.”
What’s Trevor most excited about? He says, “I’m excited just to get it back. And personally, artist-wise, there is a woman from, Montana called Kiki Cavazos who is kind of elusive and really hard to get. And she is coming this year and it was no small task to get her here. They enlisted some buddies from New Orleans to basically go up there and kidnap her from Montana and drive her from Montana to New York. And then she’s going to do a run with her old buddies The Deslondes. That’s what I’m excited about. She played Newport Folk Festival in 2016 or 17 and kind of faded away and had some kids in Montana. And this is her coming out party again.”
Kiki Cavazos
Trevor said, “They can expect to have a good time.” He adds that you don’t even have to be a fan of roots music to enjoy yourself, “There’s a lot of volunteers on-site right now that have been here and are the most integral parts of it that are like, “I don’t even like this kind of music. I just like being around these people.” And everyone’s so nice and everyone’s so welcoming. There’s something for everyone. You will have your eyes opened to something special.”
When asked if there was anything else he would like to add, Trevor responded, “Just give a little nod to the weather so it doesn’t rain too much on Saturday.” And in a phrase that encapsulates the entire meaning of Oldtone, he adds, “But that’s no problem with us. We’ll still have fun.”
Day Lot Gate Times:
Thursday: 4 pm -12 am Friday: 11 am -12 am Sat: 9 am -12 am Sun: 10 am – 4 pm
For the first time ever, Western New York will get to experience the Finger Lakes Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival. From Sept 27 to the 29, balloons will fill the sky at the Castel Grisch Winery in Watkins Glen.
This year, which hot air balloon fans hope to be the first year of many, will be the inaugural Finger Lakes Hot Air Balloon Festival. For three days this fall, hot air balloons will rise into the air over Watkins Glen, and you can admire their beauty from the ground or the sky. You will have the opportunity to take a ride in one of these floating contraptions either tethered or untethered.
The first manned hot air balloons began to be tested in the air in 1783. Since then were mainly used as research devices for the first 150 years of their history. After the advent of the onboard heat source in 1950, Hot air balloons have mainly been used for recreational purposes.
If you are afraid of heights, the Finger Lakes Balloon and Music Festival will have plenty of entertainment safely on the ground. The festival will feature many food trucks, craft vendors, and samples from local wineries, breweries, and distilleries. But that’s not all, a classic car show will even be held on Sept 28.
As the balloons ripple across the sky, music will ripple over the grounds as 11 bands will entertain the masses throughout the days of the festival. Such acts as Jimmy Mowery, Clark Jackson, Jacob Gilpin, Alyssa Crosby, Major Bigtime, Nick G & The Neons, Tru Bleu, and many more.
In case you were curious, the world-famous RE/MAX Balloon will be there.
Experience live music, rides, a petting zoo, and more at the Yorktown Grange Fair on September 6, 7, and 8, in Yorktown Heights, Westchester.
At 99 Moseman Road, on the first weekend of September, the annual Yorktown Grange Fair will once again provide a variety of attractions to the people of Westchester and beyond. Since its first year in 1924, the fair has honored the region’s agricultural heritage by providing attractions showcasing aspects of farm life. This includes but is not limited to, Livestock Exhibits, the Tractor Display, the Pie Eating Contest, and much more.
Supervisor of the Fair, Ed Lachterman, stated, “For a century, this fair has been a cornerstone of our community, bringing together families and friends to honor our rich agricultural heritage and the hardworking farmers and artisans who make Yorktown so special.”
As always, live music will be performed all three days of the Yorktown Grange Fair, by acts such as No Options Band, Kurt Gallagher, The Knuckleheads, House Arrest Band, Annie & the Natural Wonder Band, and The Whiskey’s Edge Band.
Many classic fair events will bring guests the feeling of attending the fair in its inaugural year, way back in 1924. The Mighty Mike Strongman Show, Adam Auslander Stiltwalking, East Coast Pro Wrestling, along with others, will provide fun for all.
A livestock display at the Yorktown Grange Fair in the 1960s
A fair wouldn’t be complete without rides, and this year, a full amusement park will be open throughout the day thanks to the Rainbow Amusement Company.
Full Yorktown Grange Fair schedule:
Friday, Sept 6
4:00 Gates Open 4:00 Livestock Exhibits and Tractor Display 4:00 Michael Anderson Memorial Senior Dinner sponsored by Anne Anderson 4:15 Official Opening and Invocation Flag Raising by American Legion Yorktown Post #1009, Invocation by Msgr. Joseph R. Giandurco of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church 5:00 Rides Open (Wristband Special: $30) 6:00 Pie Eating Contest (Blacktop) 7:30 Live Music: No Options Band (Stage) 11:00 Rides and Fair Close
Saturday, Sept 7
10:00 Gates Open (Quiet Hour) All Day Livestock Exhibits and Tractor Display Strolling Variety Show with Adam Auslander 10:00 Children’s Games, Activities 10:45 Flag Ceremony by BSA Troop #164 11:00 Rides Open (Wristband Special: $35 all day) 11:00 Antique Tractor and Vehicle Parade Line Up (Behind Yorktown Heights Firehouse) 11:00 Kid’s Music with Kurt Gallagher (Stage) Noon WHUD’s KC Morabito (Until 2 p.m.) Noon Tractor Parade sponsored by Morano Bros. Corp. 1:30 East Coast Pro Wrestling Match (Grounds) 1:30 Bubble Gum Blowing Contest (Blacktop) 2:00 Mighty Mike Strongman Show (Blacktop) 2:45 Watermelon Eating Contest (Blacktop) 3:30 Live Music: The Knuckleheads (Stage) 5:00 East Coast Pro Wrestling Match (Grounds) 5:30 Tipsy Waiter Relay (Blacktop) 6:00 Mighty Mike Strongman Show (Blacktop) 8:00 Live Music: House Arrest Band (Stage) 11:00 Rides and Fair Close
Sunday, Sept 8
10:00 Gates Open (Quiet Hour) All Day Livestock Exhibits and Tractor Display Strolling Variety Show with Adam Auslander 10:00 Children’s Games, Activities 10:45 Flag Ceremony by BSA Troop #164 11:00 Rides Open (Wristband Special: $35 all day) 11:00 Kid’s Music with Annie & the Natural Wonder Band (Stage) 1:00 East Coast Pro Wrestling Match (Grounds) 1:15 Mighty Mike Strongman Show (Blacktop) 2:15 Street Beatz Dance Performance (Blacktop) 2:45 Mighty Mike Strongman Show (Blacktop) 3:30 Rubber Chicken Throwing Contest sponsored by Eddies Yard (Blacktop) 4:00 Live Music: The Whiskey’s Edge Band (Stage) 6:15 Mighty Mike Strongman Show (Blacktop) 7:00 Rides and Fair Close 7–8 100th Annual Produce Auction (Jerry Mulcahy Building)
For the third year in a row, Buffalo Jazz Festival will be hosted on the Richardson-Olmsted Campus in Buffalo on Sunday, September 1st from 12:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
JazzBuffalo, a non-profit organization, presents this year’s Buffalo Jazz Festiva, seeking to increase and spread Jazz awareness and appreciation. They also host a variety of events throughout the year such as “Food Truck Tuesdays at Larkin Square,” as well as the “Jazz at Richardson” series, which holds performances both on the lawn and inside the Richardson Hotel.
The Richardson Hotel is also the home of the festival this year. The stage on the south lawn will hold performances throughout the day. The historic hotel was built as a mental asylum by Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame,) and housed patients from 1880 until 1974. The campus was deemed a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Attendees this year will experience Salsa, Latin Jazz, as well as timeless jazz classics. The festival will include free salsa and swing dance lessons.
