Renowned Rock n Roll artist Marc Ribler has released a new single named “Dick Cavett,” along with a music video to honor the legend. The track also appears on Ribler’s latest album titled, Armageddon.
Marc Ribler is best known for being musical director for Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, with Steven Van Zandt. Ribler is a NYC native from Brooklyn and got his start in the Big Apple. Along with this, Ribler was a big part the Asbury Park music scene in New Jersey.
Ribler, like many from his generation, grew up admiring Cavett and drawing inspiration from the Dick Cavett Show. Dick Cavett was a star of late-night talk show, and an all-around entertainer from the 60s, into the 2000s.
Marc Ribler wanted deeply to pay homage to the great Dick Cavett for spotlighting of the Rock n Roll renaissance. Cavett would consistently have rockers on his show and give a voice to artists who were otherwise lesser known.
Marc released the song “Dick Cavett” with a music video to accompany it. Ribler portrays a youthful, nostalgic feeling in the tune. He is fondly reminiscing about the times he’d watch the Dick Cavett Show, and the rest of the world stopped.
All that mattered was the meaningful, uplifting, entertainment and intrigue the show had to offer. What mattered was the way Cavett held Rock n Roll up on a pedestal for the world to eat up. The song was recently named one of top 10 “Coolest Songs In The World” by listeners of SiriusXM’s The Underground Garage.
“Like so many of us, I grew up with the Dick Cavett show. In retrospect it is eminently clear that Dick was one of the most important presenters of the rock ‘n’ roll renaissance, not to mention introducing all the key players in every awe-inspiring and earth-shaking event happening in our culture in the 60s, 70s and beyond.“
Marc Ribler
To watch and listen to “Dick Cavett” by Marc Ribler, click here. To learn more about purchasing Marc Ribler’s new single and album, click here.
Pink Sweat$ delivered a soulful and electrifying performance at the Gramercy Theatre on February 16, 2024, leaving the audience mesmerized by his unique blend of R&B and pop.
The intimate venue provided the perfect setting for the artist to connect with his fans on a personal level, as he effortlessly transitioned between heartfelt ballads and upbeat tracks. Pink Sweat$ showcased his vocal prowess, hitting every note with precision and emotion, creating a captivating atmosphere that resonated throughout the venue.
Pink Sweat$’s presence was equally impressive, as he engaged the audience with genuine charisma and charm. The intimate nature of the performance allowed him to share anecdotes and stories behind some of his songs, creating a sense of intimacy that enhanced the overall experience.
The energy in the Gramercy Theatre was palpable, with fans singing along and swaying to the rhythm, creating a night that will undoubtedly be etched in their memories. Pink Sweat$’s ability to create a genuine connection with his audience, combined with his musical talent, made for an unforgettable and enjoyable concert experience.
Today marks a somewhat somber anniversary in Grateful Dead history as the band’s second show at their final residency at The Capitol Theater this day in 1971 would be the first of many without drummer Mickey Hart. Racked by depression and guilt from his father stealing money from the band, Hart would take a self-imposed hiatus for several years before rejoining in 1974.
stub via Ed Perlstein
As the Dead prepared for some of their last shows ever at The Cap, they were still treating this a short-term absence. They continued to deliver a string of new songs and material, many of which made their debuts at the memorable show from the night before. The music does not seem to suffer at all and takes on a sleeker, more focused sound with only one drum kit now being used. This show was even selected as one for live release by soundman Dan Healy back in the early 90s but never got officially unveiled until 2007 as Three From The Vault.
Discover Grateful Dead shows from over the years across New York State with our interactive map below
Unsurprisingly, the recording of tonight’s show begins with some on-stage tuning from the Dead. This actually elicits two distinct warm-up/time wasting songs with quick takes on “The Merry Go-Round Broke Down” and “Spring Song.” The end of the latter paves the way for the band to launch right into a show-opening “Truckin’.” It’s a tight and concise jam to start things off that certainly has a little less “thunder” to it thanks the subtraction of one drum kit. The always emotional “Loser” follows with Jerry Garcia taking the lead on vocals and delivering its powerfully somber guitar solo with ease.
“Cumberland Blues” swings the emotion right back the other way with a fun, spirited take fueled by some peppy Phil Lesh-produced bass lines before Pigpen gets his first say of the evening with his signature take on the Elmore James blues classic “It Hurts Me Too.” This rounds out a very similar opening to the show from the night before with the three of the four numbers being repeats.
These kept on coming with the brand new “Bertha” that follows, only the fourth one ever performed after its East Coast debut the night before. Some issues with the early vocals occur on the recording, but they soon get resolved on this fast-paced and energetic take with Pigpen on organ making notable contributions. The second-ever “Playin’ In The Band,” which also debuted last night, comes next although no jam of any merit is produced with the band very much still learning how to tackle this one. The string of repeats gets broken up with an electric take on a song more often associated with acoustic Dead, “Dark Hollow.”
The music does finally stretch out a bit with a 15-minute take on another blues classic “Smokestack Lightning,” with Pigpen once again manning the lead vocals and playing the part of Howlin’ Wolf as only he can. His improvised lyrics and harmonica play in conjunction with some stirring guitar licks courtesy of Garcia provide all the fuel that this first set highlight needs.
The Dead then round out the first set at The Cap this evening with a breakneck “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider” that features its traditional seamless segue between the two. The new songs then kept on coming in the second set, beginning with the Bob Weir-led tunes “Greatest Story Ever Told” and then only the third ever known performance of “Johnny B. Goode,” a Chuck Berry cover that would continue to be seen on Grateful Dead setlists throughout the band’s touring career.
After some intricate tuning, a fresh song finally emerges, the brand new “Bird Song,” with Garcia reassuming lead vocals and leading the group through an especially rhythmic early rendition that seems to peter out fairly suddenly instead of being stretched out like it would be in the years to come. This sets the stage for Pigpen to shine once more as then leads the group through the blues-laden and Robert Hunter-penned “Easy Wind.” There would be only two more performances of this vintage Pigpen tune ever played after this one.
Another Dead classic then makes its live debut at the Capitol Theater as the first ever “Deal” is played with Jerry grabbing the reigns once more and leading the band through a rapid take on another soon-to-be live show regular. The second set “Drums” section may be missing one drummer this evening but Bill Kreutzmann handles this, and the rest of the show, with ease and finesse, paving the way nicely into the percussive-heavy opening of “The Other One.” This offers some of the real exploratory playing of the show as Garcia, Lesh and Kreutzmann all seem to lock in, eliciting tribal-like rhythms and patterns in a jam that slowly crescendos.
It comes to a pretty abrupt ending, however, as the Dead seem to want to fit in the second ever “Wharf Rat” before things come to a close. This slows the tempo down significantly as Garcia belts out the emotional lyrics on a another future live show staple. After one last extensive tuning session, which serves as an unofficial encore break of sorts, the band launches into one last cover for the night, a rousing, stretched out take of “Good Lovin’” with Pigpen once more adding his signature style to the proceedings.
The show then wraps up with a standard run through of an “oldie,” in “Casey Jones” as night two of the Dead’s final residency at the Cap comes to a close and the short-lived Mickey Hart-less era of the band begins.
Grateful Dead – Capitol Theater, Port Chester, NY February 19, 1971
Set 1: Truckin’ , Loser, Cumberland Blues, It Hurts Me Too, Bertha, Playing In The Band, Dark Hollow, Smokestack Lightnin’, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
Set 2: Greatest Story Ever Told > Johnny B. Goode, Bird Song, Easy Wind, Deal, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Wharf Rat, , Good Lovin’ , Casey Jones
Each Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up-and-coming artists.
Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from Liam Davis, A Cave In Bloom, and ShortWave RadioBand.
Liam Davis – “Comin’ For Gold”
Liam Davis just went solo for his brand new single “Comin’ For Gold,” featuring hints of blues, rock, and synth.
A Cave In Bloom- “Bent”
A Cave In Bloom is a three-piece band from Glens Falls, informed by post-punk, indie, new wave, and prog tones. A Cave In Bloom is Joseph Beaty (Vocals and Guitar), Paul Coleman (Bass and Vocals), and Andy Farry (drums). “Bent” off of their self-titled EP is out now.
ShortWave RadioBand – “Plastic”
ShortWave RadioBand started as a semi-acoustic duo in late 2019, Lonny Eaton and Andy Scullin performed cover songs for a little more than a year before meeting drummer John Woods. The three quickly learned some more covers to play out with and in 2021, started writing their own songs. They then added Abby Stone on Trumpet and Ryan Shaw on Guitar. “Plastic” is out now.
Tuesday, February 13, was a sleet-streaked Tuesday, as the Big Apple got its first snowfall in two years, but within a few notes of Daniel Donato’s standout playing, New York City’s iconic Bowery Ballroom melted away into sun-drenched paradise as the sold out crowd packed in.
23 shows deep into his 2024 winter/spring tour, Donato is a regular visitor to New York State recently selling out Brooklyn Bowl just late last year, so it is a treat getting to see him in such an intimate venue. It’s clear Donato and his band are destined for greater things. Whether he’s strumming out phaser-soaked melodies or channeling his southern drawl through machine gun-like rapid-fire guitar riffs, Donato’s virtuosity, honed through hard practice, is simply breathtaking. His guitar becomes an extension of his soul, delivering lyrics like “..the country boy lived within the sky blue telecaster” with a palpable authenticity.
Donato’s synergy with his road warrior bandmates creates a groove that feels like a well-worn freight train. Will McGee on electric and standup bass, Nathan “Sugar” Aronowitz on keys, organ and guitar, and Will Clark on drums. Donato and his crew exude an aura of rock and roll royalty, with a crew whose uniform of black cowboy hats and boots evokes the “Memphis Mafia.”
From the onset, drummer Will Clark’s metronomic beat set the stage for a musical journey that refused to relent. Clark’s percussive prowess seamlessly navigated through various styles and tempos, providing the perfect foundation for Donato’s cosmic country odyssey. A standout of the night was Aronowitz’s multi-instrumental talents, stepping up from the keys to deliver exceptional guitar work during “Dancin In The Desert” and organ playing that is seemingly otherworldly.
The crowd’s unofficial uniform of tie dyes, western wear, and psychedelia underscores Donatos ability to tap into a psychedelic Americana renaissance. While his style may draw comparisons to jam aficionados, Donato’s signature sound remains firmly rooted, with an unwavering dedication to his craft shines through. From humble beginnings being introduced to Grateful Dead through a high school history teacher to honing his chops with over 400 sets with Nashville’s famous Don Kelly Band, Donatos’ rise in the music industry has been the product of his own dedication, and the hard work of those around him.
As Donato and his team bid farewell, the audience barely budged, eagerly anticipating an encore. Returning to the stage, they delivered a jumping cover of the Dead’s “Quinn The Eskimo,” echoing sentiments of endless possibilities and boundless horizons. With his new album, Reflector, now out, Donato has proved himself not just as a musician but as a captivating live performer. Fans can look forward to experiencing Donato in NYC again this summer when he joins moe. to play Pier 17.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Bowery Ballroom, NYC – February 13, 2024
Set 1: Hi Country, Haldway (In Between), Lose Your Mind> Waymore’s Blues> Mystery Train, Rose in a Garden, Darlin’ Cory [1] , Dance in the Dessert Set 2: Fee Wheelin’> Everybody’s Talkin’, Weathervane> Blue Skies> Weathervane, Cosmic Doo Doo, Better Deal Blues, Chore, Sugar Shack [2], Luck of the Draw, Sugar Leg Rag. Encore: Quinn the Eskimo [3] [1] The Weavers cover [2] Nathan “Sugar” Aronowitz on vocal [3] Grateful Dead Cover
They say sometimes you need to go away to come back and for fans of Long Island’s most promising powerhouse fusion trio Baked Shrimp, you can only hope that’s true.
After tirelessly traveling the roads, sailing the seas and playing music together for the last seven years, 2024 finds the band in uncharted waters. Murky and unclear. Fresh off the release of their 5th, yes 5th, studio album, fans of the band (known as the Crustnation), were both surprised and saddened to hear that Baked Shrimps’ current tour would also be their last. But before you can stick a fork in them, the tasty band with the tasty jams served up one final course on Friday, February 9th, giving longtime Albany supporters one final chance to dance at the packed-out Hollow Bar + Restaurant, a venue that’s played an important part in the bands storied history.
Baked Shrimp performed their final Albany show on 2/9/24 at The Hollow.
The double dose of entertainment started off proper with an opening set from Albany’s Glass Pony. Supporting the release of their latest album Washed Away, the self-described ‘psychedelic groove circus’ had fans both new and old mesmerized by their infectiously danceable tunes from the very start. Comprised of Eddie Hotailing (guitar/vocals), Chanda Dewey (drums), Jeff Picarazzi (bass) and Greg Pittz (lead guitar), the band has seen a noticeable growth in both their popularity and in their song writing over the last year. Showcasing their dynamic range and versatility with a set of mostly original songs like “Greenhorn Blues,” “Hypnos” -> “Somewhere to Go” and “Doppler,” it was Glass Pony’s searing rendition of the H.G. Wells/War of the Worlds-inspired jam “Grover’s Mill 1938” that was perhaps most memorable.
Glassy Pony’s Eddie Hotailing connects with the Albany audience on 2/9/24.
Humble and quiet off stage, when frontman Eddie Hotailing is in the grips of performing, he becomes like a rabid animal unleashed. Whether jumping off the stage and jamming out in the crowd, climbing up the walls or on top of Chanda Dewey’s drum kit, feeding off the energy and connecting with the audience is what he does best. Perched high atop The Hollow stage with his guitar in the air, Hotaling has never been more magnetic. Paying tribute to one of the groups biggest influences, Glass Pony would finish out their set with a cover of God Street Wine’s “Nightingale.” A great start to a great night of rock ‘n roll music indeed.
Glass Pony kicked things off proper at The Hollow on 2/9/24.
After a brief set break, promoter Greg Bell of Guthrie Bell Productions took the stage to say a few words about Baked Shrimp. An early believer in the band, Bell is largely responsible for bringing them to the Capital Region so many times over the years, but sadly, this night would be his last. Introducing the band by saying he loves these guys and calling them “the most polite fucking band he’s ever met in his life,” Baked Shrimp jumped right into the deep end with a near 12 minute confessional-like rendition of “More Or Less.” It was clear the guys weren’t just going through the motions. Every note had added meaning and things felt sentimental from the start.
Weird Times: Bassist Maz Perrotti filled in for Baked Shrimp’s Scott Reill on 2/9/24.
Briefly pausing to acknowledge the elephant in the room, the band took a moment to welcome bass player Max Perrotti to the “Crustnation” family. Filling in for original Shrimp bassist Scott Reill on this night, the amount of material and notes Perrotti was able to learn is a bit mindboggling. While the band has kindly requested privacy regarding the specifics of the situation, it was certainly weird seeing someone other than Scott holding down the low end. Perhaps intentionally building on that theme, the infectious opening licks of “Weird Times” and the deep improvisational jam that came from it further laid the blueprints of the unpredictability yet to come. After showing off a bit of country-style pickin’ and counting their “Lucky Stars,” Baked Shrimp would go all the way back to their earliest years with “Touché” from their 2018 debut album Feast of Delight.
Baked Shrimp’s Jared Cowen threw everything but The Wrench (his custom axe) at The Hollow on 2/9/24.
Seamlessly segueing from the psychedelic vibes into their first call-back cover of the night, the band jammed on the “Peter Gunn Theme” in a nod to their Blues Brothers-inspired Halloween set that took place at this same venue in 2023. Fans were eating it up and dancing their tushies off as the band brought it back to the final verse of “Touché,” which I could have sworn also contained teases of “The End” by The Doors.
Suddenly stopping the show and announcing he simply can’t go on any longer without Bones, lead guitarist and frontman Jared Cowen then introduced the Albany audience to the band’s latest amusing muse, a replica skeleton torso made of, you guessed it, bones. Placed atop the bass drum, it didn’t end there as this will forever be remembered as the night local artist Kosmic Kris introduced Bones to Legs, a rather creepy looking mannequin base covered in various inks. Paired together, somehow Bones and Legs just worked, like love at first sight, almost as if it were meant to be.
Bones got a Leg up during Baked Shrimp’s final Albany performance on 2/9/24.
The two props would remain on stage for the remainder of the show as charismatic drummer Jager Soss took over on vocal duties for the down and dirty rocker “Molly Ann.” Baked Shrimp would bring the tremendous first set to a close with the lead single “Chop Suey” from 2024’s final self-titled album. Catchy as hell and even better live. Working in more call-backs to previous Halloween shows, “Chop Suey” also contained “Scooby Doo Theme” teases (Scooby Doo 2018), and a “Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead” jam (Wizard of Oz 2019).
Drummer Jager Soss performing in Albany on 2/9/24.
Following a quick 10-minute set break, Baked Shrimp returned for Set II with purpose and vigor. After launching into an extended “Pork Etiquette” -> “Dragostea din tei” -> “Pork Etiquette” dance sandwich, the band called back to their 2021 NRBQ themed Halloween show with the rarely played “Howard Johnson’s Got his HoJo Workin.” From fun to introspective, there was a noticeable shift in The Hollow’s vibe when the band mellowed out on “The Victim” before lifting the mood back up with John Fogerty’s ‘can’t miss’ singalong “Centerfield,” which the band first played at their baseball themed Halloween show back in 2020. You can watch fan shot video of that in the video clip below.
Put Me in Coach: Baked Shrimp had the whole crowd singing along to their cover of “Centerfield” on 2/9/24.
After leading the crowd through another song from the new album called “Can’t Cut the Mustard,” the bittersweet feeling that the end was near suddenly felt very palpable. Expressing a genuine and heartfelt “thank you” to the audience for all the years of good memories and support, Cowen would mention how special this night felt to him and his hopes people will keep up with the guys down the line as they will still be out there making music in one form or another. After getting the ‘OK’ from both Greg Bell and Bones, Baked Shrimp would encore for the final time in Albany with a funked out nod to their 2022 Spinal Tap show with “All the Way Home,” before closing with a nostalgic speech about the importance of friends and loved ones, forgetting about those ‘weird’ times and to be present in the moment, to smile, to dance with strangers and the importance of supporting your local music scene. Pouring everything left in the tank into the powerful and soaring anthem “Rock Bottom,” which included subtle Umphrey’s McGee “All In Time” and Led Zeppelin “Immigrant Song” song teases, Baked Shrimp stood tall at the end, proud and powerful and completely exhausted as the marathon performance came to a close just after 2am.
Baked Shrimp serving it up in Albany on 2/9/24.
What. A. Show. Incredible musicians and even better people. While this chapter of Baked Shrimp may be coming to a close, it’s clear there’s still lots of music and lots of talent left inside these guys. It’s been a privilege watching them grow and getting to know them a bit over the years. From their earliest gigs at hole-in-the-wall clubs, to gracing the stage at major festivals like Peach, Northlands, Adirondack Independence, and the Great South Bay, to teaching us how to “Love Like Lon” at their own inaugural LonCon Festival, we here at NYS Music wish nothing but this best for all the members of this band. If hard work truly pays off, one day Baked Shrimp will surely be swimming in riches as bountiful as the heart of the ocean itself. Don’t take it from me though, listen for yourself! You can stream the entire show from The Hollow now on Bandcamp or at the link below. Baked Shrimp is scheduled to play their final show on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in Bridgeport Connecticut in what will surly be an emotional evening.
Baked Shrimp | February 9, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY
Set One: More or Less, Weird Times, Lucky Stars, Touché -> Peter Gunn Theme -> Touché, Molly Ann, Chop Suey. Set Two: Pork Etiquette -> Dragostea din tei -> Pork Etiquette, Howard Johnson’s Got his HoJo Workin’, The Victim, Centerfield, Can’t Cut the Mustard. Encore: All the Way Home, Rock Bottom. Notes: Entire show featured Max Perrotti on bass, filling in for Scott Reill. This show paid a tribute to Baked Shrimp’s 6 Halloween performances which all took place in New York, 2 of the most recent being at The Hollow. “Peter Gunn Theme” from Blues Brothers 2023, “Chop Suey” contained “Scooby Doo Theme” teases (Scooby Doo 2018), and a “Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead” jam (Wizard of Oz 2019), “Howard Johnson’s Got his HoJo Workin’” from NRBQ 2021, “Centerfield” from Baseball 2020, and “All the Way Home” from Spinal Tap 2022. “Bones” and his new partner “Legs” were introduced and brought on stage prior to “Molly Ann.”
Glass Pony | February 9, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY
New York City’s Terminal 5 was packed on Friday, February 9 as R&B star Tinashe played to a sold-out crowd. The singer-songwriter’s current tour showcases her sixth studio album, BB/Ang3l, which was released in September, 2023.
Tinashe — Photo by Molly Higgins
The energy in the 3,000-capacity venue was electric as Tinashe’s stylish fans packed in, and the crowd eagerly shouted along with a projected digital countdown in the minutes before she took the stage.
Tinashe emerged on top of a towering platform washed in blue light to sing her first song, “Treason.” She disappeared momentarily before reappearing at center stage, flanked by a group of athletic backup dancers, and transitioning into her upbeat track “X.”
The choreography for Tinashe’s BB/Ang3l tour is sharp and energetic, and looked truly effortless on the artist, who has been training in dance since the age of four. The crowd went wild with nearly every move Tinashe hit, and she worked the stage with a cool, laser-sharp focus.
The BB/Ang3l tour will continue through mid April, culminating in Tinashe’s set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Tinashe Terminal 5 Setlist: Treason, X, None of My Business, Talk to Me Nice, Life’s Too Short, Throw a Fit, HMU For a Good Time, Die a Little Bit, Stormy Weather, Bouncin, Link Up, Cash Race, Sunburn, Cold Sweat, The Worst in Me, Unconditional, Story of Us, 2 On, Rascal (Superstar), Gold Teeth, Uh Huh, Ghetto Boy, SHY GUY, Tightrope, Gravity/Superlove, Needs/All Hands on Deck
It was a headbangers ball on Saturday, Feb. 10, as Disturbed brought their Take Back Your Life Tour to the sold-out Mohegan Sun Arena in support of their new record, Divisive which was released last year. Disturbed’s tour was announced back in October of 2023 and featured 23 cities, with this show in Uncasville, Connecticut, being the halfway marker.
Disturbed, out of Chicago, Illinois, features Dan Donegan on guitar, Mike Wengren on the drums, with David Draiman on lead vocals and John Moyer on bass. This lineup has been together since 2004 after Moyer replaced Steve “Fuzz” Kmak.
As fans took a pause from their slot machines and rolling dice and filled into the arena, which sits at the heart of the casino, fans were greeted with the first of three bands of the night. The first group was the all-female band Plush. As the female foursome plugged in their guitars, they created a wall of sound behind the beautiful vocals of lead singer, Moriah Formica.
Despite the band only having a short seven-song setlist, they left their impact on the crowd. Fans who weren’t familiar with them were won over after hearing the group’s rendition of “Barracuda” by Heart which originally appeared on the band’s 1977 record, Little Queen. By the end of the set, fans headbanging and raising their fists in the air. It would be a surprise to no one if in a few years from now, Plush worked their way up the band bill to becoming the middle act and graduating to larger venues.
Rounding out Plush with Formica is Bella Perron on lead guitar, Ashley Suppa on bass guitar, and Faith Powell on the drums.
Following Plush’s set was the 2008 band Falling in Reverse. While the band is slightly different from the metal genre of Disturbed, Falling in Reverse brought hard rock and catchy choruses to the crowd and played their part well as the middle act. While lead singer Ronnie Radke is the only original member left, his energy alone was awe-inspiring.
Radke took fans down memory lane citing that the band used to play at the legendary Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, before upgrading to the Mohegan Sun Arena. Throughout the hour-long set, some mega fans in the general admission pit were screaming along to every song until the band took their final bow of the night.
Joining Radke in Falling in Reverse is Max Georgiev and Christian Thompson on guitars, with Tyler Burgess on bass and touring drummer Luke Holland.
As the clock struck 9 p.m. and the house lights dimmed to show a blank curtain with the shadows of the band, the thunderous roar from the crowd surged from the back and upper rafters to the front of the stage as the spotlights shot on. The curtain dropped and the metal masters of Disturbed greeted the Uncasville audience.
The band kicked off their pre-Super Bowl party with “Hey You,” off of the aforementioned Divisive. The band played 17 songs with at least one song off every album of theirs being played, making sure to accommodate every fan of every era of the band. In KISS-like fashion, a spectacular light show was rigged behind them with pyrotechnics and fire beaming out throughout the night.
As the band plunged further into their set, Donegan sat down at a piano with the top on fire and was accompanied by two string orchestra players. The band then began to play their famous cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence,” which can be heard on Disturbed’s 2015 album, Immortalized. The bone-chilling cover of this classic song also featured Wengren on giant symphony drums as the crowd once again screamed and cheered for a song they know extremely well.
As the band played on into the night they came to song number 15 in their set which was “Don’t Tell Me.” The studio version of their new album features Ann Wilson of Heart but this time, Moriah Formica of Plush made her triumphant return to the stage for her curtain call duet with Draiman. Throughout the night, Draiman would preach to the fans about fighting addiction and illness and claiming fans are “not alone” in the fight against mental illness which provided a sense of comradery and togetherness amongst the sold-out crowd.
As the band was transitioning into the second to last song of the set, Draiman hopped off stage to approach a young fan along the barricade in the front who, for the entire night, was holding a photo of a boy. The girl, who went by the name of Kailey, announced to the crowd that the boy’s name was Mark Rivers and he “lost his battle with addiction.”
While the two were interacting, what once was a loud arena filled with the sounds of heavy metal became as quiet as a church, you could hear the breath of fans around you. Before the band played “The Light,” Draiman brought Kailey on stage and dedicated the song to Rivers. Around the arena, you could see people shedding tears and embracing their loved ones beside them as they witnessed the heartfelt moment between the band and a fan in front of them.
As the band played their final notes, a moment of realization clicked in. Music is a force that joins people together. Music and concerts, in general, are an event and spectacle that bring out their emotions as a force that can heal fans no matter what they’re going through. The moment that a person’s favorite band is on stage, the music has the utmost power to heal and guide fans out of the darkest holes they might be in.
Disturbed was no different, through the headbanging and mosh pits of the GA section, to the harmony brought on by the band and one girl’s unifying story. Fans of all bands and all music, whether it was their first or ninth time seeing Disturbed, left Mohegan Sun Arena with hope and love in their hearts as Disturbed not only brought metal to Connecticut but a lasting impression that there is still good left in the world.
Plush Setlist: Athena, Champion, Run, Barracuda (Heart cover), Hate, Hope It Hurts, Left Behind
Falling in Reverse Setlist: Zombified, I’m Not a Vampire, Losing My Mind, Fuck You and All Your Friends, The Drug in Me Is You, Just Like You, Popular Monster, Voices in My Head, Watch the World Burn
Disturbed Setlist: Hey You, Stupify, Ten Thousand Fists, Prayer, The Vengeful One, Bad Man, A Reason to Fight, Land of Confusion (Genisis cover), The Game, The Sound of Silence, Indestructible, Don’t Tell Me, The Light, Stricken, Unstoppable, Down With the Sickness, Inside the Fire
A true hootenanny was held in the Catskill town of Olivebridge over February 2-4 at the Ashokan Center’s Winter HOOT. The weekend-long event brought together a diverse crowd of music and arts lovers, taking in the beauty of the Ashokan Center’s idyllic setting, while enjoying sets of music from The Mammals, Lau Noah, Mikaela Davis and Southern Star, Jeremy Schonfeld and many more.
Afternoon Square Dancing – photo by Mickey Deneher
Friday evening’s HOOT festivities started with a delicious dinner shared by Ashokan supporters, family and friends. Jay & Molly delighted a packed audience with storytelling and songs for the duo’s first-ever evening performance at a Hoot. The night concluded with a community jam-along where everyone got a moment to shine and solo in the spotlight with a world-class backup of musical support.
The acoustic stylings of many were heard over the course of Saturday, beginning with Little Roots – music for the kids and parents alike – a Family Square Dance, followed by piano man storyteller Jeremy Schonfeld taking the stage at 2pm. The Evening Bells shared enchanting harmonies in their hour long set, including a unique song from the late Vic Chesnutt.
Mikaela Davis and Southern Star – photo by Mickey Deneher
Rochester’s Mikaela Davis and Southern Star graced the stage for a powerful set of songs, many from their recent release, And Southern Star. A gorgeous set of music unfolded, starting with the first single, “Cinderella,” setting a tone for a smooth, flowing set that varied slightly in tempo but never lost the beauty of harp mixed with a live band including steel pedal, guitar, bass, drums and saxophone. Davis gave a nod to jazz harpist Alice Coltrane, and showed her vocal range on songs “Home in the Country” and “Don’t Stop Now,” the audience of 200 grooving along in their seats. Catch the group on tour with Circles Around the Sun this winter, with shows in Brooklyn, Ithaca and Albany.
With a brisk evening outside, amid fires to warm tots and parents, a set of Catalan guitar music inside featured old-timey songwriter fare from duo Lau Noah. Following this was the crowd being introduced to sponsors of the weekend’s Hoot, naturally in the form of song. “The NYS Music Song” was written last February and performed for the third time ever by The Mammals ahead of their set, in gratitude for NYS Music’s sponsorship of Ashokan Center events.
The Mammals – aptly described on their show poster as “Too rock for the folk show, too folk for the rock show” – were presented as advertised, and as host band, headlined the evening. Full of upbeat Americana and deceptively mellow, The Mammals fall into the Donna the Buffalo subset of the genre, sans accordion.
A brief Pete Seeger history lesson offered an interlude, recognizing the famous former local Hudson Valley resident who wanted to be remembered, above all, for teaching people to sing. With that, the crowd sang along to “I Like the Way it Feels,” to drive home the communal nature of the weekend, giving true surround sound inside the Ashokan Center lodge.
The Mammals – photo by Mickey Deneher
After Storey Littleton’s midnight set, Sunday began with a revitalizing yoga session lead by Sara Trapani – Ashokan’s Development Director – and an Ashokan tradition to sign off every program and camp with a community sing and “Ashokan” Farewell.Â
The Ashokan Center’s Winter Hoot was a rousing success from the smiles on all the faces of all ages across the room each day. Don’t miss the Summer Hoot this coming August!
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Lucius returned home to a sold-out crowd at Brooklyn Steel. At the grand finale of their highly anticipated “Wildewoman, The Anniversary Tour,” fans poured into the venue with palpable enthusiasm. Opening act Jeff Taylor kicked off the festivities, setting the stage for the iconic duo’s entrance.
Originating from Brooklyn, Lucius, the indie band and songwriting duo composed of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, curated a series of select shows to commemorate the album’s tenth anniversary that catapulted them to stardom. Returning to their roots in the city where it all began, the night held special significance for the band and their devoted fans. With multiple critically acclaimed albums under their belt and collaborations with esteemed artists such as Harry Styles, Roger Waters, and John Legend, Lucius has solidified their place in the music industry.
With vibrant hues and bold colors, the audience matched the band’s dynamic energy as the lights dimmed. The anticipation had almost reached a breaking point before they stepped out onto the stage. Made more magical by a beautiful set design, mirrors enveloping the band and reflecting back out onto the audience, the connection between the audience and the band was undeniable as the beginning notes rang out. The evening featured an array of highlights that included a special sit in by long time friend and collaborator, Louis Cato. The band also took time to read aloud letters from fans, each one recounting the impact of their music on their lives. The band played through “Wildewoman” in its entirety, interweaving a few other special songs into the setlist.
Taking an immersive turn, Lucius ventured into the crowd for their encores, symbolizing the evening’s themes of unity and celebration. Amidst the audience, they delivered an emotionally charged rendition of “Two of Us On The Run” and a fitting Beatles cover of “Goodbye.” As the evening concluded and the band navigated back through the crowd, a sense of nostalgia intertwined with excitement lingering for Lucius’ next move.
Setlist: Woman, Right Down the Line, Wildewoman, Turn It Around, Go Home, Tempest, Hey Doreen, Nothing Ordinary, Housewarming, Dusty Trails, Until We Get There, Wild Heart, Dont Just Sit There, Stranger Danger, Ice Cream, Monsters, It Doesn’t Matter Anymore, Wonderful, How Loud Your Heart Gets, Genevieve
