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)
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
A night after receiving a warm welcome at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, genre-bending psych rockers Levitation Room brought their cosmic vibes up the Thruway to Troy’s No Fun on Tuesday, May 14. Delivering a captivating performance that took listeners to the other side and carefully back, the gravity-defying band showcased exactly why they’ve emerged as one of the leaders of their genre. Playing mostly songs from the recently released album Strange Weather, the cool cats from California made a colorful impression that first-time listeners won’t soon forget. Â
Kicking off the evening with Bob Forget of Schenectady’s The Abyssmals playing his first solo set, followed by a short, high energy set by the local rock trio Stroma, Levitation Room casually took the stage around 10pm. Getting their fingers loose with the technical and shifting rhythms of the opening instrumental “Pintura,” Levitation Room quickly found their groove with back-to-back bangers from their 2019 breakout album Headspace, “Warmth of the Sun” and “2025.”
“I wonder if I’ll be living In the year 2025 You know my futures uncertain I’m losing grip all the time”
Lyrics from 2025
Led by front man Julian Porte on vocals and guitar, alongside Gabriel Fernandez on guitar, Johnathan Martin on drums and Kevin Perez on bass, one look at this band and you could just tell they “weren’t from around here.” Casually dressed in retro threads, the music itself also sounded like a bit of a throwback. Blurring the lines of psych-rock, garage and surreal pop, every song felt catchy, like it could be a radio single, and it made you wonder why these guys aren’t more well known.
Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
Far from a “new band”, the East Lost Angeles quartet has been around for nearly a decade now. Carving out a niche in the psychedelic-rock realm and releasing three full length studio albums, it’s perhaps their harrowing experiences from the road that have earned Levitation Room the most publicity. Whether that be coming face-to-face with an alleged U.F.O. while passing through Arizona, or a terrifying incident in 2022 when members of the band were allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint, dosed with unknown hallucinogens, and robbed of all their equipment, Levitation Room has somehow soldiered on and continued making great music. Making their Troy debut on this Tuesday night, the band briefly paused to introduce themselves and invite the crowd of mostly twenty-somethings to come closer to the stage.
Levitation Room’s Julian Porte performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After taking “Mr. Polydactyl Cat” for a walk around the block, Kevin Perez’s infectious bass lines on “Cool It, Baby,” were so mesmerizing and playful that it nearly overshadowed the songs’ more serious lyrical themes. Such was also the case on the follow-up song “Grand Illusion (Expectations), where the far-out pop sound seemed to mask the existential questioning of Porte’s words.
Raise your glass, move your feet Are you dead or asleep? Talking heads on the screen Keeps you stuck in the dream Where the rat race is rigged And the presidents picked By the bankers who lend All that money you spend
And I said cool it, baby
Lyrics from Cool It, Baby
Further captivating the audience by switching gears and showing off their tender side with a pair of love songs “Heaven,” and the well-received “Ooh Child,” the waves of emotion swelled up like an ocean when Levitation Room uncorked what was perhaps the highlight of the set, an extended take on “Revelations,” a song about living in the moment, that saw the band firing on all cylinders and jumping around the stage, while guitarist Gabriel Fernandez navigated through a bevy of effects pedals during the song’s incendiary solo. It was refreshing to see the guys cutting loose, having fun and believing in what they were doing.
Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After reminding the audience to be weary of the CIA, FBI, and NSA keeping tabs on YOU during “The Other Side,” Levitation Room casually eased into their most well-known single, “Friends,” from their debut 2015 EP Minds of Our Own before the equally hypnotic and dreamy vibe of “Immoral Love” sent the entire room into a blissed-out trance. Bathed in abstract visual projections and peering through a pair of old school 3-D glasses, the cool and steady hands of drummer Johnathan Martin mesmerized all evening long. Shifting tempos and playing up their strengths, “Loved” snapped the crowd out of it before the title track of “Strange Weather” brought the main portion of our sonic odyssey to a close.Â
Watch fan shoot footage of Levitation Room performing “Reasons Why” in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After walking off stage to an enthusiastic ovation, the band decided to treat the crowd to one more song, choosing “Reasons Why” as the lone encore of the evening, bringing the colorfully cathartic, rewarding and fun performance to a close. Afterwards, the band could be found at the merch table taking selfies and signing records for the dozens of new fans they’d just won over. No rest for the weary, Levitation Room would find themselves playing gigs in Canada less than 24 hours later.Â
Taking place at No Fun in Troy, it’s easy to be fooled by the venue’s tongue-in-cheek name. A beacon for Capital Region counterculture since opening their doors in December 2021, the heady, 200 person capacity club known for its DIY punk-rock atmosphere and excellent craft beer selection, No Fun has proven to consistently contradict itself. Booking bands you won’t find anywhere else and holding events nearly every night of the week, it’s shows like Levitation Room on a Tuesday night that stand out as making the place truly special. That’s why when the venue suddenly announced it’s looking for a new owner and operator this week it, it sent shockwaves through the local music community. Claiming a “work life balance thing” as the reason with a listing of $149,000, the current owner wants it to be clear, No Fun is NOT closing, but rather opening the doors of opportunity for someone with the same spirit and passion to take over. Stay tuned to NYS Music as we will be sure to keep you up to date on this developing story.
Levitation Room | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun
Setlist: Pintura, Warmth of the Sun, 2025, Mr. Polydactyl Cat, Cool It, Baby, Grand Illusion (Expectations), Heaven, Ooh Child, Revelations, The Other Side, Friends, Immortal Love, Loved, Strange Weather
Encore: Reasons Why
Bob Forget (of Abyssmals) | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun | First Solo Set
Trey treated an appreciative audience to a mix of electric and acoustic music that delivered both high energy and subtle thrills. The setlist was a testament to the band’s versatility and musical prowess, spanning both familiar classics and experimental improvisations. From the infectious groove of “Gotta Jibboo” to the introspective “Water in the Sky,” each song pulled the crowd in and sent them on satisfied.
Wonderland Forest is a newer venue in the Syracuse area and a great place to see a show. It’s ten miles south of the city near Lafayette, sitting on 400 acres of forests and fields. When you initially enter the venue you walk down a gravel path through trees until entering a pristine clearing with a lovely pond. Vendors are clustered around the water, with a small stage for an opening act to use in the back. Walking further into a forest lit by brightly colored lights once the sun sets, you come to a beautiful amphitheater nestled in a grove.
As dusk descended upon this verdant expanse, eager concertgoers gathered under the canopies, their whispers mingling with the rustle of leaves, anticipating a night of transcendental music. They weren’t disappointed. Trey took the stage a little after 8 pm, opening with a driving, pulsating “Sand,” followed by some nice soloing on “Back on the Train.” He continued with “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan” and then “Steam” before pulling out the acoustic guitar for “Heavy Things.” The crowd was then treated to the debut of a never before played song called “It’s Happening Again,” followed by the first performance of “Windora Bug” in three years.
Set Two featured a few songs off of Phish’s upcoming album Evolve like “Oblivion” and “Pillow Jets” as well as Phish classics like “Ghost” and “Blaze On,” and Trey Anastasio originals. After finishing, the band took the stage for a two-song encore, with Trey pulling out the acoustic guitar for “Water in the Sky” and then finishing with an electric “Prince Caspian.”
As the final notes of the encore faded, the crowd walked away happy – many no doubt on their way to catch the next stop in the tour. It was a high-energy night of music, only marred by a little rain, and a satisfying experience. Trey and Classic TAB’s playing was imbued with a sense of purpose and passion that resonated with every note. They are bringing their A-game on this tour and it is not to be missed.
Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB – Wonderland Forest, Lafayette, NY – Saturday, May 18, 2024
Set 1: Sand, Back on the Train, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Steam, Heavy Things, It’s Happening Again, Windora Bug, I Never Left Home, Gotta Jibboo, I Never Needed You Like This Before
Set 2: Drifting, Oblivion, Ghost, Outside the Lines, Broken Into Pieces, Pillow Jets, Liquidate the Moon, Blaze On, A Wave of Hope, 46 Days
Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, 2024 in Albany, Washington Park was alive with families, tulips, and great music from bands on two stages at the 76th Annual Tulip Festival.Â
With weather that held out to provide a nearly dry weekend, Washington Park was alive with Catskill group Of The Atlas, Prince Daddy and The Hyena, and The Front Bottoms on the main stage, while over on WEXTâS 518 Stage, local bands Side B, Sofia Corts, Camtron5000 and The Insolent Willies entertained masses of crowds throughout the day.
This past Saturday, May 11, English singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone did not disappoint as she graciously took the stage at the Brooklyn Steel for one of two NY shows.
She is scheduled to tour until the end of May as part of “The Holly Humberstone (This Feels Like the Truman) Show” North American leg. Her tour, which makes lyrical reference to her song, “Ghost Me,” included many tracks off of her latest album, Paint My Bedroom Black.
Holly Humberstone, photographed by Sarah Hyun
The pop-rock artist gained popularity after releasing her debut EP, Falling Asleep at the Wheel. Fans resonated deeply with her heartfelt lyrics, as she sang candidly about the difficulties of navigating familial and romantic relationships, addiction, breakups, and growing up. “Falling Asleep at the Wheel,” one of her most popular songs, includes lyrics like “Oh, you never smoked this much before we / Light up, light up another cigarette / I can tell you’re drinking only to forget / Don’t know how I got you in such a mess.” Holly never fails to cut right to the heart with her words.
Holly Humberstone, photographed by Sarah Hyun
Currently, Humberstone has eighteen tour dates left. She previously played at Webster Hall in 2022, and also toured during Girl in Red’s “Make It Go Quiet” tour and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour” tour.
Holly Humberstone, photographed by Sarah Hyun
Holly started the night off strong with her song, “Paint My Bedroom Back,” of which her latest album is named after. Each band member took the stage one at a time, triggering a round of screams from fans who had been camping out hours ahead to make it to the front of the barricade. The energy swelled in the room as Holly’s guitarist, bassist, and drummer built up the opening track seamlessly.
Holly Humberstone, photographed by Sarah Hyun
Upon Holly’s entrance, the crowd made a deafening sound, and she scaled the stage freely, singing her heart out while swishing her hair to the beat. During “Elvis Impersonators,” she recounted her experience in Tokyo, and how she was surrounded by people “dressing up like Michael Jackson.” In the song, she sang lyrics like, “And the Elvis impersonators / Crowding at the elevators / Reminds you of a private joke we had.” The crowd stayed silent during this song, soaking in Humberstone’s beautifully raspy vocals.
Holly Humberstone, photographed by Sarah Hyun
Holly ended the night with “Ghost Me,” before singing “Friendly Fire” and “Scarlett” during the encore. Fans, feeling bittersweet that the show was over, exited the venue with satisfied smiles on their faces.
Setlist: Paint My Bedroom Black, Into Your Room, The Walls Are Way Too Thin, Overkill, Kissing In Swimming Pools, Cocoon, Dive, Deep End, Can You Afford To Lose Me?, Antichrist, Down Swinging, Lauren, Falling Asleep at the Wheel, Elvis Impersonators, Flatlining, Girl, Sleep Tight, Ghost Me
