Since the summer of 2008, legendary hip-hop group and Philadelphia’s hometown legend The Roots have put on the Roots Picnic, a music festival created and curated by the band that has evolved into one of the city’s most anticipated cultural experiences of the year.
The 2024 Roots Picnic opened its doors on Saturday, June 1, to the masses who filled the grounds of Fairmount Park in the City of Brotherly Love. Several brand activations had treats for guests, including French liqueur brand Grand Marnier, Charmin’, Chase Sapphire and more. Beyond the music, the festival has become a platform for social commentary and community engagement. This year, Roots Picnic Con featured panelists discussing music education, real estate and beauty careers, as well as a keynote conversation with renowned Roots drummer Questlove.
Jill Scott, Nas, Sexyy Red and more set the bar high on the first day of the 2024 Roots Picnic. Early acts such as BLK ODYSSY, Chioke, and more graced the festival stages before the crowds were treated to an afternoon of electrifying performances. Acclaimed DJ J.PERIOD brought his beloved THE LIVE MIXTAPE series to The Roots Picnic with Black Thought, Method Man, Redman, Common, Freeway, Ferg, and more.
Following that performance, The-Dream hit his trademark vocals and succulent R&B aura. The-Dream wasted no time letting people know he is a true R&B hitmaker with smooth renditions of “Fancy,” “Falsetto,” “Purple Kisses,” and more. Fans were enamored with the quick trip down memory lane and were left wanting more.
Nas then took over the main stage to perform his legendary catalog, even bringing out Ghostface Killah as a special surprise guest. He ripped through some of his classic hits such as “N.Y. State of Mind,” “The Message,” “Spicy,” “Get Down.”
The biggest part of Day 1 was the arrival of Sexyy Red with her dancers and secret service team. The St. Louis native brought her brand of rowdy and raunchy hip-hop to The Roots Picnic and turned it upside down, with fans screaming and twerking the night away.
Jill Scott closed out Day 1 with her headlining set, which featured a floral stage design. For her set, Scott performed “Hate on Me,” “Whatever,” “The Way,” “You Got Me” with Black Thought, a new track titled “Norf Philly” alongside Tierra Wack, and more.
The artists performing on Day 2 kept the momentum going from the previous day. On the bill were acts such as Robert Glasper, Shaboozey, Wale, BabyFace, Cam’Ron, André 3000, Gunna, Lil Wayne, and the hometown heroes, The Roots.
Rising country music star Shaboozey had the early afternoon crowd rocking at the Fairmount Stage with tracks off his newly released album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, blasting through the speakers.
Babyface, the legendary singer/songwriter let the crowd know why he’s been at the top of his game for over five decades. In addition to his own records, such as “Everytime I Close My Eyes” and “For the Cool in You,” Face dipped into his immense bag and performed incredible renditions of tracks he’s written over the years for artists such as Bobby Brown, After 7, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, TLC, Toni Braxton and more.
Following up after Babyface , but Gunna picked up the mantle and deliver his swagger injected brand of hip-hop. The Atlanta native took the stage and wasted no time getting into his set with electrifying renditions of “back at it,” “whatsapp (wassam),” “P power,” and “fukumean.” Unfortunately, fans were vibing for a limited time as Wunna’s set was cut short for undisclosed reasons.
With all the amazing performances spread out across two days, The Roots had to send the massive crowd home truly entertained with their headlining set. The hometown natives used their closing set to honor New Orleans, Louisiana, and its rich music history by having the city’s most talented artists, such as Trombone Shorty, Lloyd, and PJ Morton, join them onstage.
While fans were enjoying the New Orleans sounds, it was obvious they were anticipating the arrival of the man of the hour, Lil Wayne. Tunechi glided effortlessly through his set with fans screaming at the top of their lungs to hits like “Mr. Carter,” “John,” “I’m Goin In,” and more. It was a marvelous ending to a rather eventful weekend in the city of Brotherly Love. The Roots Picnic 2024 surely did it again.
On June 1, the streets of Bushwick, Brooklyn, came alive with the sights and sounds of the 13th Annual Bushwick Collective Block Party. Thousands of attendees gathered at the intersection of Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue to celebrate this iconic free street art and hip-hop festival. This year’s event once again transformed the neighborhood into a vibrant canvas of artistic expression.
Raekwon
The Bushwick Collective: A Community Pillar
The Bushwick Collective, an outdoor art gallery and collective located has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood since its inception in 2012. Founded by Joe Ficalora, the Collective was born from a personal journey of loss and healing. After his mother’s death, Ficalora channeled his grief into transforming an industrial stretch of Brooklyn into an internationally renowned art destination. The Collective began with a single wall donated by a neighborhood resident and quickly expanded as other local building owners offered up their walls to street artists from around the globe.
Artistic Contributions from Around the World
This year’s Block Party featured the work of 57 artists who had been painting new murals in the area over the past week. The diverse lineup included notable names such as Huetek, Sipros, Sef, and Enzo. These artists brought their unique styles and perspectives, adding to the rich tapestry of urban art that defines the Bushwick Collective.
A Day of Music and Community
Hosted by Dstroy from Shade 45, the event was a musical extravaganza that drew hip-hop enthusiasts from all over. The highlight of the festival was Raekwon from Wu-Tang Clan, who delivered a 45-minute set featuring classic solo tracks and Wu-Tang favorites like “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit,” “Ice Cream,” “Can It Be All So Simple,” and the timeless anthem “C.R.E.A.M.” The crowd was electrified, rapping along to every word and celebrating the enduring legacy of one of hip-hop’s most influential groups.
Before Raekwon took the stage, the renowned DJ and producer Statik Selektah energized the audience with a dynamic set. He was joined by a slew of guest performers, including Pitch Black, Rome Streetz, Termanology, and Nems, each bringing their unique flavor to the show. Earlier in the day, Fatman Scoop entertained the crowd with a DJ set of classic hip-hop hits, dancing and performing along to the beats. Tony Moxberg and Lil Dee also delivered memorable performances, adding to the day’s rich musical experience.
Fatman Scoop
Beyond Art and Music
The Bushwick Collective Block Party is more than just an art and music festival; it’s a celebration of community and culture. The event featured a variety of food trucks and local vendors, offering everything from delicious street food to unique handmade goods. This eclectic mix of art, music, food, and local craftsmanship highlights the vibrant spirit of Bushwick and the creativity that flows through its streets.
Looking Ahead
As the sun set on another successful Block Party, attendees left with a sense of fulfillment and excitement for what next year’s event will bring. The Bushwick Collective, under Joe Ficalora’s passionate leadership, continues to be a beacon of artistic expression and community engagement. Each year, the Block Party not only showcases the best in street art and hip-hop but also reinforces the enduring power of art to bring people together, inspire change, and celebrate diversity.
Khruangbin came to Buffalo to play outside the AKG Art Museum on May 25. Rain was in the forecast and it started to drizzle as fantastic opener John Carroll Kirby took the stage. The set was cut short a few songs later as a threat of lighting shut everything down.
As the sky darkened, it started to rain and people scurried to various spots for cover, the smarter people going inside (I was not one of them). The rain came down harder and I was starting to think that Khruangbin were going to get rained out. There was more and more movement onstage and credit to the crew, they were actually able to get the stage ready even though it was still pouring out.
Khruangbin breaks their show up into two sets, on this tour the first one was a play through of their fantastic new album, A La Sala. The album is a little more laid back than previous efforts, but it is full of luscious textures and melodies, which were often a slow burn that really simmered in the night with the rain coming down.
You could tell the Texas trio (Mark Speer on guitar, Laura Lee Ochoa on bass and DJ Johnson on Drums, with everyone sharing vocal duties) was enjoying playing the new tunes. The highlights from the album were my highlights from the set, (“May Ninth, “Hold Me Up (Thank you)”, and “Three From Two”) and the set peaked with the blissful ending of “A Love International”. The album closer then ended the set, the dreamlike “Les Petits Gris” and they took a quick break.
A “Bin Bin” started off set two and got the crowd moving. After playing the new album, the second set was more of their older crowd favorites. The rain was a little too much for some, so the crowd thinned out and we seemed to lose some talkers and some of the more fairweather fans, so the crowd during this part of the show was really locked in.
Khruangbin’s vibe is generally a deep groove but right during the last section of “Lady and Man”, they seemed to flip the switch and the rest of the set felt like music you’d hear in a club vs. on a beach. The drenched crowd ate it up and tried to unsuccessfully to dance themselves dry, though the rain did finally let up towards the end of the second set.
Khruangbin next heads to the Midwest before wrapping up their US summer tour in Bonnaroo.
Set 1: Fifteen Fifty-Three, May Ninth, Ada Jean, Farolim de Felgueiras, Pon Pon, Todavia Viva, Juegos y Nube, Hold Me Up (Thank You), Caja de la Sala, Three from Two, A Love International, Les Petits Gris
Set 2: Bin Bin, August 10, Master of Life, Father Bird, Mother Bird, Lady and Man, So We Won’t Forget, Even Finds the Third Room, Time (You and I), People Everywhere (Still Alive)
Genre-disrupting star Jelani Aryeh makes waves with his new complex single “Hang On” which dropped last May 17. The up-and-coming artist headlined The Wild Honey Pie x Stereogum Present: A Pizza Party at Round Top last February and played at the inaugural First River Festival in October 2021.
“Hang On” is accompanied by a visually stunning short film shot by acclaimed photographer Silken Weinberg in Yosemite National Park. “Hang On,” co-written with Jonny Pierce (The Drums) is the final single release off Aryeh’s upcoming sophomore album, The Sweater Club, out everywhere June 14.
Sonically, “Hold On” presents as a clipped, summer-ready feast of alt-pop. Yet, its lyrics dive headfirst into the bewitching early stages of love, particularly the exploration of the relationship between pleasure and pain. The interplay between its uptempo rhythm and trance-like melody further saturates the song with this bittersweet feeling. “Hold On” captures a sentiment where emotional struggle and connection through adversity can lead to a form of cathartic pleasure or deeper understanding.
Jelani Aryeh explains, “This is a sister song to “I’m In Love.” I think it comes from a more sincere place, or maybe honest is the right word. While “I’m In Love” is kind of in a fantasy/heady space, this one is me quite literally wishing I was speaking to this person. It’s talking about the same things but from a more dark and submissive kind of place.”
The previous release that Aryeh references leans heavily into the indie-rock aspects of “Hang On,” but from a more optimistic, idealized standpoint with lyrics like “a fantasy version of us, don’t wake me from this dreaming, just let me hold onto this dream that I have…”. The young artist first broke into the scene with his single “Stella Brown.” However, this distinct emotional perspective is one Aryeh has been drawing from since before 2019 in his debut EP “Helvetica” which includes popular favorites like “Brown” and “Marigold.”
Fans old and new can find this release and links to the upcoming album The Sweater Clubhere.
There’s a new music festival that’s been announced for the summer season. Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, NY will play host to Grateful Getaway, a series of Grateful Dead tribute acts playing over the course of eleven consecutive days in August.
The initial artist lineup has now been announced with more to follow and there’s various ticketing options for either individual shows or all eleven packaged together.
Grateful Getaway promises to feature a harmonious fusion of sound, nature, and community and begins on August 2 and 3 with two performances by the Sam Grisman Project. The August 3 show will also feature a supporting act from Grateful for Biggie – a band that blends the iconic worlds of the Grateful Dead and Notorious B.I.G.
Pink Talking Fish then takes over Wonderland Forest for a show on Sunday, August 4 and the artist for the Monday, August 5 show has yet to be announced.
Grateful Getaway then powers right along to Tuesday, August 6 with a performance from Steely Dead, another “mash-up” tribute act that lives up to the name. This then sets the stage for two of the more renowned and long lasting Dead cover bands that are playing today.
Melvin Seals & JGB will headline on August 7 and 8 and then pass the baton to Dark Star Orchestra for two shows on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10. Grateful Getaway will then come to an end on Sunday, August 11 with that night’s headliner also yet to be announced.
Tickets for individual shows and further information can be found here.
They say blood is thicker, but when it comes to musical siblings, being related can often be the kiss of death. Historically speaking, the list of dysfunctional “brother bands” is long and distinguished. From acts like the Everlys, The Kinks, and Duane and Greg Allman, to modern rockers like Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crows and Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis, tales of in-fighting, lawsuits and bad break-ups are the stuff of legend. Hell, the last thing in the world I can imagine is writing songs with my older brother. Not because I don’t love the guy, but simply because I just wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing my most personal feelings with him that way. But this article isn’t about me, it’s about The Avett Brothers and the shared bond that makes them so special and unique.
The Avett Brothers performing at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
For Scott and Seth Avett, trust is a must and their unwavering belief in each other is largely what’s responsible for carrying the genre-bending folk rockers from Concord, North Carolina all the way to the top. If you’ve never heard them play before, imagine three Bob Dylan’s rolled into one, or a cross between Tom T. Hall and Faith No More, or John Prine meets Nirvana. Hard-working and relatable, above all, the Avett’s are a family band with an uncanny ability to keep it real, no matter how tough times get.
No strangers to the area, The Avett Brothers formed in 2001 and have been making regular stops around the Capital Region for over two decades now. First playing for only a handful of people at a since-closed Italian restaurant in Albany, the Avett’s have also played memorable gigs at Troy’s Revolution Hall as far back as 2007, were regular fixtures during the early years of Mountain Jam Festival, and in recent times, have gone on to headline multi-night runs at Brewery Ommegang and Beak & Skiff Orchards. Their stop at MVP Arena on Thursday, May 23th, was the group’s first Albany date since performing at the Palace Theatre in 2012. Tapping red-hot Americana/roots artist Sierra Ferrell to open the show, fans old and new were all but guaranteed a magical evening of music. It’s just a shame more people didn’t get the memo in time.
Sierra Ferrell performing ahead of Avett Brothers at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
Kicking off the evening with a blistering, but brief set, West Virginia-born songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sierra Ferrell was stunning from the start. Seen as one of the brightest young luminaries in roots music today, Ferrell’s soulful voice was powerful and confident and instantly won the crowd over on songs like “In Dreams,” “Why’d Ya Do It” and “Jeremiah” from her 2021 debut album Long Time Coming. Along with her dapper and distinguished backing band, Ferrell’s wide rang of styles on songs like “Money Train,” “I Could Drive You Crazy,” and “Dollar Bill Bar” offered a taste of everything from country and ragtime, to foot-stomping folk to straight up rock n’ roll.
Pausing to ask the audience if anyone was looking forward to Del Fest as much as she was, the meager response was broken up by one man who screamed out “Del Yeah!” which elicited widespread laughter. After paying homage to a couple of her heroes by covering Arthur Smith Trio’s “Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County” and “Years” by John Anderson, the remainder of the set featured material from Sierra’s excellent new album, Trail of Flowers including “American Dreaming,” and the arena-ready, Celtic-like stomper “Fox Hunt” to close out the truly unique set. Proving the hype is real on this one, Sierra Ferrell stood tall in Albany and made instant fans out of many of the first-time listeners.
Sierra Ferrell performing ahead of Avett Brothers at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
After a brief intermission that included songs from local underground folk heroes, the Felice Brothers, the stage was set and I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. It was finally time for The Avett Brothers to take us to church. The rare kind of band that have always been honest with the audience and true to themselves, I may not be a smart man, but even I know that’s hard to find these days. For me, their show at the MVP Arena on May 23th was personal and it hit me over the head like a ton of bricks. Timeless harmonies with lyrics that have helped shape my life in a way few other bands have, I think that’s a big part of the Avett’s secret recipe. An ability to put feelings into words in a way that the common man can understand and relate to. It’s a gift the Avett’s have been sharing with us since deciding to make music a career more than 20 years ago.
The Avett Brothers performing at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
Opening their performance with the beautifully sung vocal prelude of “Never Apart” that featured both Scott and Seth sharing the same microphone, it was the first of six songs that would be played from the band’s recently released self-titled album. Along with older brother Scott on banjo and Seth on acoustic guitar, the group also consists of longtime members Bob Crawford on standup and electric bass, Joe Kwon on electric cello, Tania Elizabeth on fiddle, Mike Marsh on drums and Bonnie Avett-Rini on piano.
“I wonder which brother is better Which one our parents loved the most
I wondered what my dad would say He said, “I love you and I’m proud of you both In so many different ways
Always remember there was nothing worth sharing Like the love that let us share our name”
Lyrics from “Murder in the City”
The genre-bending folk rockers would show off their experimental side next on the digitally enhanced “Satan Pulls the Strings” before landing on the lone song played from 2012’s The Carpenter, the foot stomping singalong, “Live and Die.” From there the band would play a powerful rendition of their introspective hit, “Morning Song”, which received the biggest cheers of the night thus far. Bouncing back with the upbeat lead single from the new album, “Love of a Girl” set the stage for an early highlight of the show, the sentimental fan favorite “Murder in the City.” A song that embodies what The Avett Brothers are all about – a brilliant combination of lyrics, melody and chord progression – its mantra about family and love was stunning and poignant.
Seth and Scott Avett performing at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
Pausing for a moment to let the song resonate, fiddle player Tania Elizabeth, battling through some minor feedback, had her turn in the spotlight with an extended solo on “Le reel du pendu / Les bars de la prison,” shredding the hairs of her bow to a rabid applause as the rest of the band rejoined the stage behind her. After working their way through another new one “Country Kid,” the band would tug at the heart strings on “Living of Love”, our first song from The Avett’s breakthrough 2007 album, Emotionalism, before another well-penned Scott song, “Vanity,” forced the audience to take a critical look inside themselves.
Picking up the pace now, the momentum of the show took a major turn when The Avett’s launched into 2009’s high octane “Kick Drum Heart,” getting the entire crowd up on their feet and clapping in unison when suddenly, Seth Avett jumped off the stage with his wireless guitar, ran the length of the floor while high-fiving fans and soloing all the way into the upper deck of section 123 of the MVP Arena before making his way back to the stage for the songs epic conclusion. Completely connected with the crowd, the band easily could have stopped the show here and no one would have complained, but luckily for everyone in attendance, the magic was only just beginning.
Feeding off the crowds energy, Seth Avett runs wild at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
Transporting listeners to a contemplative space on “Cheap Coffee,” a song that features heartwarming audio samples and feels radically different from most of their other work, the tone was set for another beloved staple and perhaps most well-known song, “I and Love and You.” With the crowd taking over and singing those same words back in unison, it was a moment that truly gave you goosebumps. With the audience firmly in their grip, the placement of the sentimental love letter “I Wish I Was” flowed perfectly.
Watch fan shot footage of The Avett Brothers performing “I and Love and You” in Albany, NY 5/23/24
Until this point in the night the band had let their songs do most of the talking, so when older brother Scott took to the microphone and starting speaking from the heart, you knew he had something significant to say. Reflecting on the moment, he mentioned how he “looks out there and sees people that I connect to, how grateful [he] is and that those people are the reason they are here tonight.” Saying, “The opportunity to do that is amazing, it’s our life’s work, and we are so blessed to do it.” Reminiscing about what it was like getting reviews in the early days, Scott commented how “It was an interesting part of our journey, reading what people said about us. Eventually we had to stop reading until we could get to a point where we could do it without being crushed.
We would get things written about us like, “The Avett Brothers show potential, but write small songs,” to which the Albany crowd loudly started booing. “We booed them too, but later we realized writing small songs is kind of an awesome thing.” Seth would playfully stop him there and say, “What is this old man with a banjo talking about?” before continuing with similar sentiments. “In any event, we were always very excited to be written about no matter what they said. I do recall we had hoped to be compared to our heroes. We didn’t get that so much, but we did get comparisons to The Muppets. Those were very good days, very exciting days. We thought it might be fun to give you a glimpse of what those early shows were like. Instead of talking about it, we’re gonna try and illustrate it and there’s only one group in the whole world that can help us do that and luckily, here in Albany they are here tonight! So without further ado, would you please help us welcome to the stage… The Avetts.” Erupting in a massive applause, the spotlights then revealed three Muppet-like alter egos of the band – Seth Monster, Scott Monster and Bob Monster – who would go on to ‘perform’ “Hard Worker” and “I Would Be Sad.” You can watch fan shot footage of that in the clip below.
Master of Muppets: Watch fan shot footage of The Avett’s performing “Hard Worker” live in Albany, NY 5/23/24
Smiles for miles all around, the real-life Avetts would get serious once again, performing a flawless version of the song “Shame.” A true emotional journey of “ups and downs,” the band would bounce back with an upbeat rocker from the new album, “Orion’s Belt” before going all the way back to 2006’s “Left on Laura, Left on Lisa.” After a cathartic rendition of “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise,” the Muppet version of the band would return for a set closing singalong of the funky hit single “Ain’t No Man” resulting in a veritable party-like atmosphere on and off stage.
“When nothing is owed or deserved or expected And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected Decide what to be and go be it”
-Lyrics from “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise”
After exiting the stage to a standing ovation, the band would take a little extra time soaking it in before returning. “Ya know it’s funny how in some rooms three thousand people can sound like twenty thousand, so thank you for that.” Choosing to play the closer from the new self-titled album, “We Are Loved,” the vocal harmonies were about as beautiful as it gets.
Seth Avett performing at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
After paying homage to David Childers & The Modern Don Juans by covering “The Prettiest Thing,” the career-spanning show came to a proper close with Seth saying “Albany, thank you so much for letting us play for you. This is our last one and we are honored to do it with you,” as the band strummed the opening chords of perhaps the most emotional song in the Avett catalog, “No Hard Feelings.” Fading out with the repeating lyrics of “I have no enemies” sending chills up your spine, you knew you had just witnessed something special.
Scott Avett performing at MVP Arena in Albany, NY 5/23/24
With polished harmonies and heartfelt melodies, a charismatic stage presence and a wealth of wisdom contained within the lyrics, these songs feel timeless and should be heard by everyone. Rich with “repeat customer” appeal, the brothers Avett are veritable song-writing machines and put every ounce of energy and life experience they have into their craft. Even after a two-plus hour performance, there were still so many “favorites” left on the table in Albany. It’s no wonder people are so willing to travel from all over to see this band again and again.
With 3 Grammy nominations so far and over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, it’s easy to see the broad appeal and why the Avett Brothers continue to connect. From their first time in Albany playing at an Italian restaurant where people were more interested in pasta than what they were doing, to now playing the city’s biggest Arena two decades later, it’s fair to say this family band finally has Albany’s undivided attention now. At least they do mine. Salute.
No Enemies: Watch fan shot footage of The Avett Brothers performing “No Hard Feelings” in Albany, NY 5/23/24
The Avett Brothers | 5-23-2024 | MVP Arena | Albany, NY Setlist: Never Apart (w/ Vocal Prelude), Satan Pulls the Strings, Live and Die, Morning Song, Love of a Girl, Murder in the City, Le reel du pendu / Les bars de la prison, Country Kid, Living of Love, Vanity, Kick Drum Heart, Cheap Coffee, I and Love and You, I Wish I Was, Hard Worker, I Would Be Sad, Shame, Orion’s Belt, Left on Laura, Left on Lisa, Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise, Ain’t No Man. Encore: We Are Loved, The Prettiest Thing (David Childers & The Modern Don Juans cover) No Hard Feelings.
Sierra Ferrell | 5-23-2024 | MVP Arena | Albany, NY
Setlist: In Dreams, Money Train, Why’d Ya Do It, Chittlin Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County (Arthur Smith Trio cover), Jeremiah, I Could Drive You Crazy, Years (John Anderson), Amierican Dreaming, Dollar Bill Bar, Fox Hunt.
Gary Clark Jr. captivated a full house in the Mainstage Theater at Artpark in Lewiston, NY on Saturday, May 25. While he may best be known for his prodigious blues playing he’s made an effort in recent years to broaden his musical stylings, incorporating a wide range of genres in his more recent releases.
Nowhere is that more apparent than in Gary Clark Jr.’s latest full length release, JPEG RAW, which was showcased throughout the evening’s selections. Backed by his eight piece band he deftly moved through funk, rock and hip-hop inspired tracks to the delight of the crowd. His tour rolls on with upcoming shows in Albany and Lafayette, NY.
Gary Clark Jr. – Artpark, Lewiston, NY – Saturday, May 25, 2024
Setlist: Maktub, When My Train Pulls In, Hyperwave, This Is Who We Are, The Healing, Alone Together, Triumph, Bright Lights, Habits Encore: Stay (with Abraham Alexander), Funk Witch U
CMAC kicked off its summer concert season in a big way on Friday, May 24, with the much anticipated return by The Avett Brothers. The Avett Brothers, who last performed at CMAC in 2019, were joined by Sierra Ferrell.
It has been a long road for The Avett Brothers, now in their 24th year together. The North Carolina natives released their 11th studio album earlier this month, a self titled collection of ballads and rollicky folk-rock tracks which have helped the band build their passionate and devoted fanbase.
The evening kicked off with a brilliant set by Sierra Ferrell. Ferrell wasted no time getting the audience out of their seats and dancing along to her unique blend of folk and latin sounds. Seth Avett joined Ferrell early in the set to duet on the Steven Fromholz classic “I’d Have to be Crazy”, much to the joy of those in attendance. Ferrell closed out her set with the raucous “Fox Hunt”, which had the energy in the amphitheater boiling over like a pot of water.
After a short set change over, the Avett Brothers took the stage and wasted no time showcasing the beautiful harmonies fans have grown accustomed to. The band opened with an acapella duet between brothers Scott and Seth. The sounds segued brilliantly in to the opening track, the beautiful ballad, “Never Apart” off the band’s latest release. The band got the party moving next with the wild “Satan Pulls the Strings” which saw each band member taking a turn at the front of the stage to showcase their talents.
Through out the evening, the band brilliantly wove their new music with older fan favorites. The stunning new track “Cheap Coffee” held strong along side classic tracks like “Murder in the City”, “The Ballad of Love and Hate,” and “Laundry Room”.
Late in the set, the brothers reminisced on their past performances in the area. They spoke of their love for Canandaigua, and having vacationed there last year. The two praised the audience for the love and devotion they have shown the band since day one, a love not always reciprocated by the media. “Every night Seth says to me, ‘I love you, goodnight.’ We did not always get that from the media. Some of them loathed us. Some even compared us to muppets,” Scott proclaimed. With that, the stage lights dimmed on the band and a spotlight shone on ‘The Avetts’, a muppet version of the band, complete with their own instruments. ‘The Avetts’ would perform two tracks (with the brothers performing stage left, out of the spotlight), offering a reminder to never take yourself too seriously.
As the evening closed with the heartfelt “No Hard Feelings”, the band was met with a standing ovation, cheers, high fives and fist bumps. The message the audience sent back to the Avett Brothers was simple.
Finishing of the first leg of their Invincible Shield tour, Judas Priest played to a hyped-up crowd in Syracuse on May 22. With the help of Swedish metal group, Sabaton, the stage at Lakeview Amphitheater was rocking the shores of Onondaga Lake for nearly three hours.
50 years is quite the career in music. 50 years is something even more special when you are a pioneer, and Judas Priest is just that, special. Early pioneers of the heavy metal genre, Rob Halford and crew are still thrashing in 2024, promoting their newest release, Invincible Shield.
There is certainly some debate as to who are the OG’s of heavy metal. No matter who else you have on your list, Judas Priest deserves a spot. Formed in 1969, the band paved their own path to stardom, and it wasn’t until 1974, when a former salesman of men’s clothing took over as lead vocalist, did the band release an album. A young Rob Halford came in and in September of 1974, Rocka Rolla was released as the first of what would be nineteen studio albums.
Sabaton set list: Ghost Division, The Last Stand, Swedish Pagans, The Red Baron, Bismarck, Stormtroopers, Carolus Rex(done in Swedish), Resist and Bite, The Attack of the Dead Men, Primo Victoria, Soldier of Heaven, To Hell and Back
Hitting the stage around 9pm, Halford and Co began their set off with “Panic Attack”, the lead track from newest album. With lyrics that seem to fit the political and social media landscape these days, this was a fitting song for not only the show, but 2024.
The clamour and the clatter of incensed keys Can bring a nation to its knees On the wings of a lethal icon Bird of prey
Rounding out the first three for the photographers in the pit, Judas crushed “Rapid Fire” (1980) and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” (1982). Lucky for all of us photographers in the front of the stage, Halford and the rest of the band love getting up front and seemingly posing for the cameras.
While the music of Judas is not for everyone, it is always a joy to see fans bringing their kids to shows. Upfront, you see fans as young as four or five and as old as Halford himself, who is 72. Kids seeing a band their parents grew up with I am sure is a great bonding moment and testament to the power of music. The fact that a band like Judas Priest, while heavier in sound, is pretty family friendly music, which makes the decision to bring a child to the show that much easier.
As the progresses, fans get more and more into the music, chanting along and pumping fists as soon as the next song begins. “Turbo Lover” was prime example of this. Looking around, you could see faces open up as the drums and guitar notes were recognized. The guy next me ended his Tinder scrolling and the young lady in front of me began hooting and hollering by the time Halford started with “You won’t hear me, but you’ll feel me…”
Rounding out the set, were two more tracks from Invincible Shield: “Crown of Horns” and “Invincible Shield”, as well as “Painkiller”, which seemed to be the favorite of fans as the sounds from everyone was deafening.
After 50 years and a number of lineup changes, Judas Priest is still Judas Priest and Rob Halford, although his image has changed, is still Rob Halford. Nineteen studio albums, 50 million albums sold and several music awards later, Judas Priest has solidified their status among the greatest metal bands. Well deserved, they are a 2022 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as they were inducted by Alice Cooper.
Setlist: Panic Attack, You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, Rapid Fire, Breaking the Law, Lighting Strike, Love Bites, Devil’s Child, Saints in Hell, Crown of Horns, Sinner, Turbo Lover, Invincible Shield, Victim of Changes, The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Cow), Painkiller Encore: Electric Eye, (exit music We are The Champions – Queen) **Hell Bent For Leather and Living After Midnight were planned but venue was evacuated due to severe weather and set was cut short
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On Thursday, May 23rd, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB concluded their tour with a 3 night run at Brooklyn Steel, which saw their final show of the May tour sold out. Fans gathered by the masses at the brewery adjacent from the venue and all around the block, waiting in eager anticipation of what was to come.
Trey and Classic TAB traveled far and wide for this tour, going from Canada, to the Midwest, and ending in Brooklyn; it is clear that momentum is on Mr. Anastasio’s side. Fresh off an acclaimed 4 night run at The Sphere, a new album, Evolveon the way, and not to mention a nation wide summer tour, as well as a 4 night festival, Mondegreen, all of which on the horizon, it’s a busy time for Trey. However, he proved without a shadow of doubt that he has no intention of slowing down, regardless how much success he meets. Flanked by longtime collaborators Dezron Douglas on the bass, Ray Paczkowski on keys, and Russ Lawton on the drums, the evening featured an array of classics and bust-outs.
Their first song, “Party Time” foreshadowed the evening with fans swaying from side to side right off the bat. “A Wave Of Hope”, a song featured on the upcoming album, “Evolve”, saw Classic TAB delving into uncharted territory. Other classic tunes such as “Gotta Jibboo, “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan”, and “Twist”, solidified the evenings themes of a true celebration.
Returning for a second set, Trey and Classic Tab delivered an explosive rendition of “Blaze On”. Keeping the foot on the collective gas pedal, they navigated from “Plasma” to the rare but beloved “Alaska”. The vibe was locked and loaded when “Quantegy” rang out. The whole evening could be compared to a masterclass in the subject of musical exploration. Space, sound, and melodies interchanging, intermingling, and an audience paying such close attention, one could hear a pin drop.
Encores featured, “A Life Beyond the Dream”, and closed with “First Tube”. Fans left encouraged, knowing more music is on the way. Fans of Ray Paczowski and Russ Lawton can see their new project “Lamp” on a limited east coast tour. Fans of Trey can catch him with Phish on tour this summer, which features a 3 night run in Bethel. All tickets are on sale now.
Trey Anastasio – Brooklyn Steel – May 23, 2024
Set 1: Party Time, A Wave of Hope, All Pretending, Gotta Jibboo, Shade, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Where They’ll Find Us, Twist, About to Run
Set 2: Blaze On, Plasma, Alaska, I Never Needed You Like This Before, Quantegy, 46 Days
