The 16th Annual Pan Afrikan Festival at the Highland Bowl in Rochester hosted by A.B.O.V.E. (Achieving and Bringing Our Vision to Excellence).
Throughout the day local independent artists performed, like Baaba Lin, Dane Jah & Jamal Younglood and Sould of the City.
The headliner for the day for Will Holton a smooth jazz saxophonist from Buffalo. He had a special guest come out and join him, Billboard Chart topping artist Judah Sealy. The played long after the sun set to end a great day of music.
On a hot August 1st evening at Albany’s Jennings Landing, funk outfit Galactic closed out this year’s Alive at 5 summer concert series with a performance that was out of this world.
Galactic, originating from New Orleans, has been a powerhouse in the funk and jazz scenes since 1994, known for their electrifying live performances and eclectic sound. Their unique blend of funk, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music, combined with Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph’s powerful vocals, creates an irresistible groove.
Albany-based band Hilltop opened the show, getting the crowd in the mood to groove with their lively performance. Their infectious energy set the tone for the night, building excitement and getting people vibing to the music.
Galactic took the stage next. Between singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph’s undeniable stage presence and the band’s exceptional musicianship, the show was a masterclass in funk. Highlights of the night included Jelly’s powerful rendition of “Right On,” Glen D. Andrews’ soulful “You Don’t Know,” and the crowd-pleasing “Crazyhorse Mongoose.”
The crowd, enthusiastic about enjoying the summer to its fullest, volleyed beach balls back and forth, while jet skis and boats passed by on the Hudson River, providing an exceptionally fun, summery backdrop. Galactic continues their tour, now heading west this summer.
Setlist: Here Comes The Funky Man, Right On, Making it Better, You Don’t Know Feat. Glen D. Andrews, Go Down, Something’s Wrong, People, Lady Liberty, Qualified, Heart For Steel, Crazyhorse Mongoose, Never Called You Crazy, Yes We Can, Dolla Diva, Compared To What
Be sure to check out Albany’s Jazz Fest Sept. 14th at Jenning’s Landing, featuring Roosevelt Collier, Nate Smith and many more.
Kingdom Bound is in its 37th year bringing the best in Christian Music to Western New York. The festival ran from Monday, July 29th through Wednesday, July 31st at Darien Lake over three days on four stages and over 50 artists.
Kingdom Bound had Gospel Music royalty here on Monday night, Miss Cece Winans. She has garnerned 15 Grammy Awards, the most for any female gospel singer, 31 GMA Dove Awards, 17 Stellar Awards, 7 NAACP Image Awards, and 1 Billboard Music Award. As well that night was Mac Powell formerly of Third Day.
The festival is attended by folks up and down the East Coast as well as Canada. They camp on site, rent a room in the lodge, as well as commute to the festival daily.
The final day of the festival was led off at the Gazebo stage with independent hip hop artists like Brea Miles from Virginia, Psalt-e from Syracuse and many more. Ending up at the main stage to close out the festival were the sister duo Renee and Cain with the closing act being The father/son band of We The Kingdom.
Dates for 2025 are already set for July 28-30 and one of the headline acts will be Skillet.
Lunar Vacation is the musical embodiment of a summer daydream. Hailing from Georgia, this indie rock quintet is made up of five lifelong friends. Their debut album, Inside Every Fig Is a Dead Wasp, was a gentle introduction to their hazy, feel-good vibe. But now, with their upcoming sophomore album Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire, they’re ready to turn up the volume and the feels.
When Lunar Vacation hit the stage at Brooklyn Steel on August 1, they weren’t just there to warm up the crowd—they were there to make sure everyone was floating on cloud nine before Vacations started their set. Starting with “Set the Stage,” they did just that. The track was like the musical equivalent of opening a window on a perfect summer day, inviting everyone to lean in and soak up the goodness.
As they transitioned into “Cutting Corners,” you could feel the energy in the room amp up. The sharp guitar riffs sliced through the Brooklyn air, locking the band into a groove that had the crowd swaying and grinning. “Unlucky” blended sadness and hope, captivating the audience with its lyrical contrast.
By the time they hit the final notes of “Tom,” the crowd was fully under their spell. The song ended the set with a burst of energy, leaving everyone feeling like they’d shared something truly special.
Lunar Vacation, with sunny tunes and deep lyrics, navigated the stage with confidence. And with Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire on the horizon, it’s clear this band is only just beginning to light up the indie music scene.
Setlist: Set the Stage, Cutting Corners, Unlucky, Monterey, Tom
On a picture perfect evening in the Southern Adirondacks, genre-blending guitarist Cory Wong held a unique and memorable performance with the Caroga Arts Collective in Caroga Lake, NY.
The venue itself is ungoing quite a transformation over the next few years, shifting into a small amphitheatre, with the shores of Caroga Lake right behind the stage. Located on the grounds of the former Sherman’s Amusement Park, Caroga Lake Music Festival brings a diverse and incredible array of live music events each summer, including an upcoming performance by David Alan Miller of the Albany Symphony Orchestra featuring Gerswhin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in its centennial year.
This evening’s performance from the Poughkeepsie-born Cory Wong and company, including band members Yohannes Tona (bass), Kevin Gastongua (keys), Armando Lopez (percussion) and Eddie Arbash (saxophone), was illuminated by a small orchestra of 28, better known as the Caroga Arts Ensemble. The group of musicians is primarily strings and woodwinds, with a horn and marimba included for good measure.
During the evening, Wong’s original work was on display, interlacing jazz and rock elements throughout his compositions. A highlight later in the show was a well-polished rendition of the Beatles “Blackbird,” with a guest singer on vocals.
A tremendous highlight though was a performance of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones ‘Stomping Grounds,’ a song that reportedly helped Wong make the shift from college towards his music career.
All of this at a venue that in a few years will transform into a Southern Adirondacks destination for live music.
Caroga, NY is a great location for live music now, and will be an even greater one in the next few years. If you’re anywhere between Albany and Utica or the Southern Adirondacks, you need to put this on your destination list for live music.
As a bonus after the evening was over and the stage was cleaned up, Wong, his band and members of the Caroga Arts Ensemble took a spin on the more than century-old carousel at Sherman’s, jamming out as they went around and around.
photos by Chris Bobillo
The Krockathon Reboot on Saturday, July 27, brought a thrilling resurgence of rock music back to the NYS Fairgrounds. With a memorable lineup featuring Puddle of Mudd, Hoobastank, Nonpoint, Stabbing Westward, Boy Hits Car, and Brand New Sin, fans were in for an unforgettable day.
From the moment the gates opened, the festival grounds were alive with activity. Attendees indulged in classic festival pastimes like playing hacky sack and flocked to the Monster Energy booth to grab free drinks, fueling the vibrant atmosphere.
As the day wore on, the crowd’s energy only increased. Early in the day, fans enjoyed the performances while lounging on the grass, but as each band took the stage, the audience became more animated. By later in the day, Nonpoint’s powerful set had the crowd on their feet, with spontaneous crowd surfing and circle pits adding to the excitement.
Stabbing Westward’s darker, industrial sound provided a unique contrast to the day’s lineup, while Boy Hits Car and Brand New Sin set the tone with their high-energy opening performances. Hoobastank’s set was a highlight, with the crowd passionately singing along to every word of their hit song, “The Reason.”
The festival reached its peak when Puddle of Mudd took the stage. As the sun began to set, its golden rays cast a beautiful glow over the stage, creating a magical backdrop for the band’s performance. The crowd sang along to every hit and savored the moment as the sun set
Overall, the Krockathon Reboot was a triumph, offering a perfect blend of nostalgic rock hits and modern festival energy. The NYS Fairgrounds proved to be an ideal venue, accommodating the enthusiastic crowd and providing ample space for the day’s activities. With such a successful return, the future of Krockathon looks brighter than ever.
San Diego’s very own almost monday is an electrifying trio making waves in the alt pop scene. Comprised of the ever-charismatic lead vocalist Dawson Daugherty, guitarist Cole Clisby, and bassist Luke Fabry, the guys have perfected the art of blending surf rock, indie pop, and 80s new wave into a sound that’s as catchy as it is unique.
Since dropping their debut EP don’t say you’re ordinary, almost monday has been on an unstoppable ascent. Their music captures the essence of youthful exuberance, heartbreak, and the rollercoaster of life, all wrapped in upbeat, danceable tunes.
almost monday rocked Madison Square Garden on July 27th as they opened for AJR. Dawson, wearing an “I ❤️ NY” shirt, set a high-energy tone for the night.
The set started off with “is it too late?”, immediately grabbing the crowd’s attention with an upbeat rhythm. Dawson’s boundless energy was on full display as he bounded across the stage, throwing in some impressive martial arts kicks and slices at the climax of each song. The fans couldn’t get enough, cheering louder with each jump.
Following up with “cough drops” and “can’t slow down,” the band kept the momentum going, and the energy in the room only grew. The highlight came during “tidal wave,” when the anthemic chorus had the entire audience singing along, their voices echoing through the legendary arena.
With “sunburn” and “only wanna dance,” the band showcased their talent for crafting feel-good tunes that make you move. The chemistry between Dawson, Cole, and Luke was undeniable. Their playful stage interactions added extra charm to their performance. “sun keeps on shining” had a perfect summer vibe, bringing a touch of their sunny Californian roots to New York City.
Closing with “life goes by,” almost monday left everyone on a high note. The crowd’s response was nothing short of enthusiastic, with cheers and applause ringing out long after the final chord. It was clear that almost monday had won over many new fans that night.
Their dynamic performance, featuring Dawson’s karate kicks and infectious tunes, left everyone smiling and with a new favorite band.
almost monday isn’t just a band to watch; they’re a band you can’t afford to miss.
Setlist: is it too late?, cough drops, can’t slow down, tidal wave, sunburn, only wanna dance, sun keeps on shining, life goes by
Bethel, New York, once the iconic site of the original 1969 Woodstock Festival, was transformed into a haven of nu-metal nostalgia on Friday, July 26th when Limp Bizkit brought their Loserville Tour to Bethel Woods.
Notorious for their unforgettable set at Woodstock ’99, where their intense energy contributed to the festival’s infamous chaos, it took 25 years for Limp Bizkit to successfully rewrite the script. Now older and wiser and out for redemption, the band delivered a high-octane, testosterone-fueled performance that both honored and deviated from their controversial past.
From the moment Fred Durst strutted onto the stage, sporting a backwards Yankees cap and a pinstriped Shohei Ohtani Japanese jersey, the audience—an eclectic mix of die-hard fans from the late ’90s and early 2000s and curious new listeners—erupted in a frenzy. The setlist, a deliberate nod to their greatest hits, had the crowd singing and headbanging along to former chart-toppers like “Nookie,” “Rollin’,” and “My Way.” Along with frontman Durst, all the OG members of Limp Bizkit were present and accounted for in Bethel.
Bassist Sam Rivers was looking particularly dapper performing in all white suit and shades, while DJ Lethal and drummer John Otto confidently held things down from the risers in the back. Guitarist Wes Borland, the band’s enigmatic and theatrically dressed master of disguise, was truly a sight to behold. Wearing a gold battle helmet and a pseudo samurai gi, he resembled something of a cross between the Predator and a character straight out of the Warhammer games.
His dark black eyes barley visible as the iconic axman thrashed circles around the stage to songs like “Eat You Alive” and “Hot Dog.” After showing off some tasty Pantera and Metallica licks between songs, Borland would then break into a signature riff almost anyone can play, having a field day on an extended version of “Break Stuff,” the same song that became the scapegoat for the way things spiraled out of control at Woodstock ’99. This time, however, when the song kicked in, the people didn’t kick in nearly as hard. There were no fires set or crowd surfing on plywood the entire night.
The audience itself was a fascinating mix. There were those who had been at Woodstock ’99, now older but still wearing their vintage band tees and reliving the glory days. Alongside them were younger high school-aged fans, some experiencing the raw energy of Limp Bizkit live for the first time. Eavesdropping on a stranger’s conversation, I almost spit my drink out when a guy asked his friend if they’d ever seen Limp Bizkit before and she responded, “No, but I’ve heard a lot about him.” This blend of generations created a unique atmosphere, one where nostalgia met the present day in a powerful collision of sound, emotion and hormones.
The history of Woodstock 1969 loomed large over the performance. Bethel, the birthplace of the peace and love movement, juxtaposed sharply with the aggressive, rebellious energy that Limp Bizkit embodied. Yet, this contrast seemed to be exactly what the crowd craved—a raw, unfiltered experience that tapped into the cathartic power of music. The resurgence of nu-metal, a genre that blends heavy metal with elements of rap and hip-hop, continues to captivate audiences. Fred Durst, as always, remained a polarizing figure and central to it all. Now in his 50’s and rocking a full silver beard, some see him as the quintessential anti-hero of the nu-metal era, a symbol of defiance and non-conformity.
Others, however, view him as a relic of a dark time in music history, often citing his vulgar and childish lyrics as the bands biggest handicap. Regardless, there is no denying Durst’s ability to command a stage and connect with an audience, even decades into his career. His provocative personality and off-the-cuff remarks kept the crowd at Bethel Woods on their toes all evening long as he clearly still resonates with a massive amount of fans. During the song “Livin’ it Up,” Durst would become one with the people by leaving the stage and performing while walking through the crowd. Later during “Full Nelson,” Durst would invite a bunch of kids up to sing with him and take selfies, a tender moment they will likely never forget.
On the wheels of steel, DJ Lethal had his hands full all night playing samples of songs between songs. Touching on everything from Bon Jovi’s “Livin on a Prayer,” and Creedence Clearwater Revivals’ “Proud Mary” to the Beastie Boys “Fight For Your Right” and Cypress Hill’s “Insane in the Brain,” perhaps his most surprising selections were snippets from Britney Spears “Baby One More Time,” and George Michael’s song “Careless Whisper,” which Fred encouraged everyone to slow dance to.
After working their way through “Boiler.” Fred wound pander to the crowd some more, asking “How many people have been in a shitty relationship before and how many are in a shitty one right now? You can’t say it, because you’re with them tonight and your fucking miserable because you had to come to the Limp Bizkit concert with them, I understand.” Without missing a beat, the band would then drop into the song that started it all for the LB, their cover of George Michaels “Faith.” It was the only song played from the band’s 1997 debut album, Three Dollar Bill, Y’all$.
Introducing its follow-up by saying, “This next song seriously chaps my nads,” the familiar riff of Mission Impossible had the crowd roar with delight when the band kicked into “Take a Look Around.” Getting a bit introspective in the middle of it, Durst would talk to the crowd once again. Using the opportunity to express his opinions on the current political climate, he would go on to suggest that politicians are using technology, cell phones in particular, to turn people against each other.
Declaring that it should always be “us against them” and that he will always be on the side of the people, he thanked everyone for coming out and rocking to some heavy music peacefully. Encouraging people to take a look around and hug their neighbors, Durst seemed genuinely appreciative for the strong turnout and that people still remember who they are. It was a clear sign of maturity for a group who, at one time, were considered the biggest and most juvenile band on the planet.
Prior to Limb Bizkit’s headlining set, Loserville kicked off with a diverse bill of opening acts that had a little something for everyone. Highlighted by underground rappers Bones featuring Eddy Baker and Xavier Wulf, their set had some of hardest rhymes and loudest bass I’ve ever heard in person. Before them was a dynamic synthpunk set from the one-man-band known as N8NOFACE. Mesmerizing the early attendees with his bizarre stage presence, guttural screams, and by slamming the microphone into his head to create drum beats, he openly discussed his struggles with crystal meth addiction, saying that for “anyone else who might be struggling, it doesn’t get easier, but it does gets better.”
Thanking Fred Durst from the bottom of his heart for taking him out on this tour, “Already Hate Your Next Boyfriend” was perhaps the song that stuck out most. Adding even more nostalgia to the festivities, actor Corey Feldman (yes that Corey Feldman) kicked off Loserville with a brief set of original music and over the top dance moves. A long-time friend of Durst, the two most recently collaborated on the music video for Feldman’s latest single “The Joke.”
As the night drew to a close, it was clear that Limp Bizkit’s performance in Bethel was more than just a concert. It was a testament to the enduring legacy of both the band and the historic site. It reminded everyone in attendance of the transformative power of music, capable of bridging gaps between eras, generations, and even differing personal tastes. For one night, Bethel and Limp Bizkit were once again at the center of a musical revolution, proving that while times change, the spirit of rock and rebellion is eternal.
Limp Bizkit | July, 26, 2024 | Bethel Woods | Bethel, NY
Setlist: Out of Style, Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle), Break Stuff, Hot Dog, Trust? My Generation, Livin’ It Up, My Way, Eat You Alive, Nookie, Full Nelson, Boiler, Faith, Take A Look Around, Break Stuff (Reprise).
N8NOFACE
Bones featuring Eddy Baker and Xavier Wulf
On Thursday, July 18, Cola and Galene gave us a night to remember at NO FUN in Troy. They played the perfect show for local indie rock fans.
NO FUN is a live music venue on river street in Troy, an amazing place to hear live music and enjoy some drinks. NO FUN has a full schedule of upcoming concerts, so despite the name there’s lots of fun to be had.
Galene opened the night with tons of energy that they kept thought their whole set. Cola followed close behind and ended the night leaving us all searching for their next congratulations . Be sure to visit NO FUN when you’re in need of good music or a new favorite song.
Upcoming Shows at NO FUN
August 1: Joyer, Shower Curtain, Stroma, and Cooper’s Hawk at 7 PM
August 2: Nailed Shut, Frozen Sun, Torpedo Lane, and Greyfleshtethered at 7 PM
August 3: Planetarium Party (Virgo SZN) at 8 PM
August 4: Coquette, Trepidation, Vaexus, and Beasteliaphiliac at 7 PM
August 8: The Thing, Native Sun, and Attack Dogs at 7 PM
August 16: Big Scary Indian, Adequate Phil, and Otobo from 7–11 PM
The Double Bass Experience was in Syracuse on July 11th as part of the Jazz in the City Series.
The explosive Jazz Double Bass experience featuring Jacob Webb and Phylicia Rae takes an audience to a place where they’ve never been before. The combination of these two stars in contemporary jazz have obtained seven number one Billboard records under their belt.
As a matter of fact, Phylicia Rae is the first female lead bassist to ever obtain a number one record on Billboard’s smooth Jazz National Airplay Chart in the history of this genre. Her history making single “Now or Never,” featuring Marcus Anderson, has granted the opportunity for female bassists to thrive in this genre.
In addition to his bass skills, Jacob Webb founded Next Paradigm Records, a nine artist contemporary jazz roster of fresh talent acclaiming multiple number one hit Billboard singles. Today, Billboard has recognized Next Paradigm as the number four label in smooth Jazz.
With all this success, Jacob and Phylicia brough their show to Syracuse and created a night of great music. From their chart topping hits to covers of Earth Wind & Fire and more. Switching back and forth as the lead bass player Jacob & Phylicia created a magical evening of jazz.
