Amidst a slew of tour dates, Nas made a stop at Albany’s Palace Theatre this past Friday (July 19) and delivered an all-encompassing performance. In turn, the normally quiet-kept streets surrounding the Palace felt a simultaneous murmur between 7 and 8 p.m. on Friday night as hip hop fans came out in droves in support of Esco.
With both floors of the Palace decked out, the legendary rhymer offered a passionate rendition of his biggest hits, album cuts and freestyles.
Nas performs “Fever,” the opening track from Magic 3
Backed by longtime tour DJ and friend, Rochester’s own DJ Green Lantern, Nas offered fans a non-linear run through his historic discography. In truth, An Evening With Nas, gave the feel of a distant family gathering. As though Nas was kickin’ it with his hip hop cousins from Upstate.
The crowd’s appreciation was apparent as the 17-time Grammy-nominee was on the receiving end of the night’s first standing ovation within the first 20 minutes, after a flawless, passionate performance of “N.Y. State of Mind.” Green Lantern played to the lively crowd, riling them up with chants of “hip hop, hip hop,” before dropping the iconic DJ Premier scratches preluding “Nas Is Like” as the crowd roared their approval.
Nas receives a standing ovation
Similarly, performances of “Got Ur Self A…,” “Made You Look,” and “You Owe Me” all earned the crowd’s approval. Yet, the most well-received songs are the ones that capture Nas’ soulful essence. For instance, performances of “Life’s a Bitch,” “The World Is Yours” and “If I Ruled the World” had the crowd hung on every word, particularly the latter two which led to a theatre-wide serenade.
Such was the scene as a noticeably vibrant Esco basked in he and the crowd’s shared catharsis. Afterwards, in a moment of reflection over his long-career, the hip hop mogul thanked his long-time supporters and encouraged the vivacious crowd of about 1500 to “live vicariously through me. Iâm still outside.”
Memorable Moments
During this period of elation DJ Green Lantern upped it and announced a Nas and DJ Premier album slated for later this year. As the show waned, Nas honored both Prodigy and The Notorious B.I.G with special renditions dedicated to both fallen legends.
Nas paid tribute to Prodigy
A large image of Prodigy appeared on the big-screen as he performed his verse on their classic hit, “It’s Mine.” He later shouted out Biggie before performing a special rendition of “One Love” over the “Sky’s The Limit” beat. Meanwhile a rendition of “Daughters” was cut short as Nas claimed it made him emotional, before transitioning to the more rugged “40-16 Building.” The show closed as the Queens native gave an impassioned performed “One Mic” to applause and shouts not to leave.
Bloomington, Indiana’s own Dizgo put out their third official studio LP, Melt on February 2nd. This follows the studio release of 2019’s Deeper, and their 2021 release of The Quarantine Compilation, an official live album.
Since its release, the on-the-rise electro-jam-funk band has been extensively touring in support of the new album, playing 40+ shows so far this year alone across the entire US. Dizgo has also made a name for themselves on the festival circuit, with appearances at major festivals like Peach, Summer Camp and Resonance. They’ve also supported acts such as Goose and Parliament-Funkadelic.
The quartet is made up of Andrew Pickel on guitar and vocals; Kevin Hinnefeld on bass, keys and vocals; Justin Clark on drums; and Jake Evatt on keys and vocals.
Photo Courtesy of dizgoband.com
One of the band’s strong suits and allures is their live improvisation; their ability to spontaneously communicate with each other in the moment is up there with the greats of the genre. With a melting pot of musical styles at their disposal, you never know what direction they’ll take their songs. Dizgo is effortlessly able to weave between musical styles at the drop of a hat. According to their biography, “Dizgo redefines the live experience by blending jamtronica with funk, deep-groove soul, and psychedelic rock, taking the audience on a musical journey that includes intricate compositions and extended improvisation. The result is something both danceable and introspective: soulful vocals, interweaving analog synths and shredding guitar all of which join forces under the banner of Dizgo.”
Melt does a great job at capturing elements of everyone’s favorite jamband and turning that unique blending of genres into a style and sound completely of their own. These influence’s shine throughout the record. When speaking on the album, the band shares, “When everything goes right, we all ‘melt’ into one collective unit, experiencing time & space together. The special moment where music connects and creates community – melting together a bond between the music, musician, and listener.”
Melt begins with the extremely funky “It’s Alright” right out of the gate. A catchy melody, synthesizer funk, grooving bass and the positive message that “it’s gonna be alright” lead into a tremendous guitar solo that brings the song to its peak.
Melt continues with this trend of up-beat danceable synthesizer funk. “Rainbow Lightning” keeps the energy high, and contains an extremely tight composed middle section. Dizgo composed harmonies in regard to the vocals and instrumentation are well executed and with intention. Even their prog influenced tracks, such as “Liquefaction” keep things spontaneous and danceable, despite its heavy nature at times.
Throughout the multiple genre-bending piece, the band is able to immediately bring us into a world of heavy metal and then at the snap of a finger transition into a buttery funk groove. Eventually this leads into a tranquil bliss that grows into a blistering guitar solo to end the tune. Their songwriting also has pop influences, notably on their tracks “Honey” and “Help Is On the Way”. Both of these songs were released as official singles. The album ends with one final bang, “Whiteout” a slow-building spacey introduction leads us into an ear-worm hook that you don’t want to end.
Dizgo’s studio LP Melt is currently available on all streaming services here.
On July 15, Lotus released their newest studio album, How to Dream in Color, embarking on a nationwide tour starting this past week, ending on New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia. This energetic, unique, and funky album is another hit for their discography, combining easy-listening funk with hip-hop and pop that gives it a perfect retro feel.
With a musical style as unique as Lotus, it can be hard to grab the attention of listeners and keep them interested. The opening track, “How Do I Come Down,” immediately captures the listener with a hypnotic drum beat and steady guitar riffs but quickly differentiates itself with funky, distorted vocals scattered throughout. It truly sets the tone for the rest of the album and may not be something that you’re used to, but it’s just as groovy nonetheless.
Throughout the album, Lotus manages to keep the listener on their toes. The album acts as a tribute to longtime percussionist Chuck Morris, following his and his son’s passing in 2023. During this transitional period, Lotus embraced a new approach to recording, including the use of layered drum sounds and a collage-based style that shows how far they’ve come their first few albums like Nomad (2005) or even their 2011 self-titled album.
With each track’s style, there is still a signature electronic spin one would expect from Lotus. How to Dream in Color puts the spotlight on the instrumentalists and gives them a chance to truly shine and show off their talents and experimentation through multiple genres. Most of the album is dedicated to the music itself, giving their musicianship a chance to shine. Songs with vocals like “Can You Hear the Sound” and the opening track “How Do I Come Down” are great introductions to the album, and elegantly juxtaposed against the full-instrumental tracks that surround it.
Lotus Album Release Show at Johnny Brenda’s. 7/11/2024. Photo: Jordan August
How to Live in Color is available on all streaming platforms. Lotus kicked off their tour in Lake George on Saturday, July 13, but the fun doesn’t stop there. The full tour is listed below. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lotusvibes.com.
Lotus How to Dream in Color Tour
July 18 – Secret Dreams – Thornville, OH
August 15 – The Big E – Springfield, MA
August 30 – September 1 – Summerdance – Garrettsville, OH
October 2 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
October 3 – Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT
October 4 – State Theatre – Portland, ME
October 5- Higher Ground – Burlington, VT
October 9 – Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, VA
Despite at least five confirmed tornadoes and a microburst of nasty weather, the show went on as planned Wednesday night, July 17th at SPAC in Saratoga Springs. Making good on their name, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, not only weathered the storms, but delivered a surreal night of nostalgia and note-for-note precision that had fans both young and old twisting and shouting for more.
Hitting the mark with spot on impersonations of the Fab Four – from the iconic haircuts and replica outfits, to the playful mannerisms and distinct personalities, the career retrospective performance encapsulated everything music fans know and love about The Beatles, arguably the most important and influential rock n’ roll band of all time.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
Transporting fans back to the heyday of Beatlemania as Rain, the acclaimed tribute band took the Broadview Stage at SPAC by storm shortly after 7:30pm. Dividing up the show into distinct eras of The Beatles, the throwback party kicked of with “Please Please Me” from the 1963 debut album of the same name. After working their way through “ I Want To Hold Your Hand” and a pair of love songs that included “This Boy” and “P.S. I Love You,” Rain transitioned into the A Hard Day’s Night portion of the show.
After an exciting rendition of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” fans were treated to some lesser-known cuts like the surf-rock inspired “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Tell Me Why” and “I Should Have Known Better.” Briefly pausing to welcome the audience to the show and inviting them to sing along with the next song, a poignant version of “Yesterday” had the entire pavilion on the cusp of tears.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
After an entertaining video package chronicled The Beatles rise to international superstardom, the show then entered the iconic “Shea Stadium” era of Beetlemania. Featuring a distinctly harder edge than earlier in the night, songs like “I Feel Fine,” “Day Tripper,” and “Drive My Car” sounded just as good today as they did nearly sixty years ago. While I personally found it hard to sit during this part of the show, fans needed reassurance that it was “OK” to get up on their feet for the next number, “Twist and Shout.”
Rain would break character a bit after “Eleanor Rigby,” by introducing the mysterious “5th Beatle” lurking in the back of the stage, their version of legendary record producer George Martin, who played all the string and horn parts via keyboard. Prominently featured on the potent “In My Life,” the first half of the show came to a close with “Got to Get You into My Life.”
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
After a brief intermission, things were about to get a little weird in Saratoga. Entering the experimental/psychedelic era of The Beatles, from the moment the opening chords of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” filled the air, the audience was spellbound. Now dressed in vibrant Edwardian military officer outfits, Rain both looked the part and sounded it. Flowing directly into “With a Little Help From My Friends,” the lysergic loving anthem “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” and “Lovely Rita,” the transitions between the early mop-top era, the psychedelic phase, and the mature later years were seamless, showcasing the band’s versatility and deep understanding of the Beatles’ evolution.
Rain’s meticulous attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the show, from the authentic period costumes to the spot-on Liverpudlian accents. Each band member perfectly embodied their respective Beatle, not just in appearance but in musical prowess and stage presence.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
One of the standout moments was their performance of “A Day In The Life.” Featuring all the complicated bells and whistles of the original, Rain pulled it off flawlessly. The chilled out “Flying” instrumental went largely unappreciated, but fans got back into it for the remainder of the Magical MysteryTour portion of the show that included stellar renditions of “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Complete with vibrant visuals throughout, the multimedia aspects of the show added an extra layer of immersion, with historical footage and colorful animations enhancing the live performances.
While not necessarily a “pavilion only” show, the somewhat relaxed security allowed most fans inside, leaving only a handful of people to linger on the lawn. Perhaps that’s why I felt so seen when Rain played “Fool on the Hill” and “Come Together” as I made my way across the notorious slope. “Get Back” was the lone song played from the Let It Be album, while “Revolution” and “The End” closed out the second set to a bittersweet ovation of gratitude.
The Fool on the Hill: Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
The setlist was a well-curated journey through the Beatles’ illustrious career, featuring beloved hits and deep cuts alike. Rain’s musicianship was impeccable. The harmonies were tight, the instrumentation was faithful to the original recordings, and the energy was palpable. When the band returned to the stage for the obligatory encore, the crowd couldn’t resist singing along to the ever appropriate “Give Peace a Chance” and finally the show closer “Hey Jude,” creating a communal experience that felt both nostalgic and celebratory. A vivid and heartfelt homage to the Beatles, it was a night of pure musical joy and a chance to relive the magic of one of the greatest bands in history.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
Rain (Beatles Tribute) | July 17,2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Set I: Please Please Me, I Want to Hold Your Hand, This Boy, P.S. I Love You, Roll Over Beethoven, A Hard Day’s Night, I Should Have Known Better, Can’t Buy Me Love, Tell Me Why, Yesterday, I Feel Fine, Day Tripper, Drive My Car, The Word, Eleanor Rigby, In My Life, Got to Get You Into My Life
Set II: Sgt. Pepper’s Loney Hearts Club Band, With a Little Help From My Friends, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, Sgt. Pepper’s (Reprise), A Day in the Life, Flying, Magical Mystery Tour, Strawberry Fields Forever, Penny Lane, I Am the Walrus, The Fool on the Hill, Tomorrow Never Knows, Come Together, Get Back, Revolution, The End
moe. has been performing in Buffalo for over 30 years and the fans are always ready for the group to come back to the band’s birthplace. So on a breezy summer evening, moe. put on a nostalgic homecoming show at Buffalo’s new Outer Harbor venue, Terminal B. It is offically summer now that moe. has paid Buffalo a visit.
Terminal B, an intimate yet festival-like venue, welcomed Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country to start the night, opening with “Broadside Ballad” and “Hangman’s Reel,” which brought the crowd of all ages into rhythmic heartbeats satisfying their musical expectations. An improvisational approach to country carried the whole crowd to groove into finale tune, “Two Hills.” If you missed Daniel Donato and Cosmic Country, they have just been announced for Borderland Music Festival in September.
moe. launched their set with “Spaz Medicine” and followed by moe.’s homecoming song, “Skitchin’ Buffalo,” paying homage to local bass legend Rob Derhak’s memories of Buffalo, including references to lost venues like Broadway Joe’s. Fans were delighted to have heard “Not Coming Down,” “Wormwood” and live favorite “Kids.”
As the sun went down over Terminal B at Outer Harbor, moe. played covers like “Fearless” by Pink Floyd and “In Stride” by Nate Wilson Group, transitioning into “Deep This Time” which included impressive solos and twisted interplay. The fans went ablaze for “Bear Song,” with moe. bringing out Daniel Donato to help finish the show in perfect summer fashion with Jerry Garcia’s “Deal,” leaving the crowd eager for more from moe..
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Setlist: Broadside Ballad, Hangman’s Reel, Translation, Got my Mojo Workin’, Gotta Get Southbound, Two Hills.
moe. Setlist: Spaz Medicine, Skitchin’ Buffalo, Not Coming Down, Wormwood, Fearless(Pink Floyd cover), Deep This Time, In Stride (Nate Wilson Group cover), ZOZ (Zed Nought Z), Kids, Time Ed, Kids, Bearsong, ZOZ (Zed Nought Z) Encore: Deal (Jerry Garcia cover) with Daniel Donato
One of England’s most prolific songwriters made a rare stop in Upstate New York on Tuesday, July 16, as Ben Howard performed at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock.
The historic theater provided a rare, intimate performance for Howard’s fans, who ofter have to seek out larger concert halls and amphitheaters to see the singer-songwriter perform.
The evening kicked off with a 30 minute set by Irish musician John Francis Flynn. Flynn took to the stage by himself, and performed a dramatic set of traditional Irish folk tunes. Performing solo, Flynn would create guitar and drum loops to back his vocals. He even took hand at the tin whistle, noting he had recently lost his previous instrument and was lucky to receive a new one in the mail earlier that day.
At promptly 9pm, Howard and his bandmates took to the stage with a roar from the audience. They would open with “Richmond Avenue”, a slow moving ballad off Howard’s 2023 release, Is It? Initially illuminated by a solo spotlight, dramatic lighting would adorn the stage as the song took shape.
Early in the evening Howard would praise the small town of Woodstock. “It seems quite perfect here”, Howard remarked, noting the band had visited a perfect shop, a perfect vegan restaurant, and the perfect concert venue before joking that he hoped to leave before discovering any dark secrets of the town. In truth, Howard is no stranger to the area, having recorded Is It? at Aaron Dessner’s nearby Long Pond Studio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAll4IK6Fig
Through out the set, the theater would become engulfed in ethereal and atmospheric sounds, played to near perfection from Howard and his bandmates. While the band would perform early tracks such as “Promise”, “Small Things”, and “Diamonds”, Howard seemed the most proud of his recent work. Much of the night’s setlist featured tracks off of Howard’s two most recent releases and included songs such as “Follies Fixture”, “Far Out”, and “Days of Lantana”. The tracks were met with warm reception from the audience, and Ben Howard would often flash back a modest smile in return.
It was quite the perfect experience for the perfect town.
On July 16, Long Island-based punk band Bad Mary released their newest EP, Better(er) Days. Their EP celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the release of their first album, Better Days.
Complete with remixes and re-recorded versions of their first album’s hits, Better(er) Days is a refreshing, hard-hitting collection that brings out the best of Bad Mary.
In the ten years since the release of Better Days, Bad Mary released four killer EPs â Killing Dinosaurs (2016), We Could Have Saved the World (2016), Glitter Bomb (2017), and Trash And Glamour (2023), and punk-rock opera The Return of Space Girl in 2019. But despite their ever-growing discography, the band kept their first album quite near and dear to them. Ten years later, the tracks on Better Days are still part of their touring setlist.
That being said, to be loved, at its core, is to be changed. Better(er) Days not only shows how Bad Mary has grown over time, but how much they truly loved the original songs on the original album. Bad Mary manages to keep the original integrity of each track, but the differences are still incredibly noticeable. It’s not just another way to re-release songs that fans have already heard hundreds of times, but a respectable homage to their debut. The re-release of these classic tracks shows how the band has grown over time, and how far they’ve come in the last decade. The tracks on Better(er) Days are tailored not only to each individual musician’s talent, but to their audience, giving their fans the songs they’ve loved in the past in the styles they love today.
Harder and louder than the original album, Better(er) Days makes a point of highlighting the band’s influences: classic punk artists like The Ramones, Sex Pistols, and Misfits. Unlike the original album, the instrumentation of songs on Better(er) Days is much clearer, and the fast drums and rolling guitars juxtapose perfectly against lead singer Amanda Mac’s punchy vocals.
Most noticeably different from their original tracks are “Ninja” and “Forget About It,” removing and replacing entire verses and backing track. For Bad Mary, Better(er) Days pays a fantastic tribute to their debut, reviving their classics in a unique way while still keeping them new, fresh, and modern. The EP perfectly reflects the roots of punk music yet updates it to the styles fans love today.
Better(er) Days is out now and available on all streaming platforms. Listen to it here. For more information, visit Bad Mary’s website, here.
Legendary Vermont jam band Phish released their new album, Evolve, on July 12. This new album – the band’s 16th studio release – is the centerpiece of a busy year for Phish. It comes following a boundary-breaking four-night run at Las Vegas’ Sphere, a tour across the US, their first music festival since 2015, and appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The ambitious new album finds Phish bringing audiences tons of new material to experience.
In 2020, Phish announced a performance hiatus prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this announcement, fans waited four years for a studio follow up to 2020’sSigma Oasis. That follow-up arrived on July 12, 2024, with Phish’s 16th studio album Evolve. The band, alongside producers Vance Powell and Bryce Goggin recorded the album throughout 2023 in their Vermont studio “the Barn.”
Evolve is truly a testament to Phish’s staying power, showing that even 30 years into their career, the group still retains a mastery of genre-experimentation and fun jams. The album mostly consists of softer-rock tracks that still contain enough instrumental flourishes and lyrical complexities to keep listeners invested. Whether it is the lush strings of “Mercy” or the vocal harmonies of “Ether Edge” these tracks illustrate a musical prowess and maturity like few other bands.
Although much of the album is more subdued, Phish still knows how to turn up the volume. “Wave of Hope” kicks off with an overdriven guitar riff that sounds straight from Deep Purple before evolving into a rock jam. With energetic guitar solos and a bluesy piano part, the song takes staples of classic rock and imbues them with Phish’s loose playfulness. “Life Saving Gun” really illustrated Phish’s genre-bending prowess. It begins as a funk-rock number, but as the song progresses it morphs into a psychedelic passage, featuring affected guitars and space-age sound effects, with spacey instrumentation before returning to its groovy base.
One highlight of the album is the title track “Evolve.” The song builds off catchy instrumental lines with jangly funk-inspired guitars, upbeat percussion and melodic pianos. On top of all this is Trey Anastasio’s lyricism touching on finding peace with the growing complexity of the world around us. “Then came the people with their problems and hope that don’t mean a thing if they just knew the scope.” Like the lyrical themes suggest, this song was born out of the Covid-19 Pandemic, with Anastasio penning it in the early days of the Covid lockdown.
This original version of the song was much more minimalistic than the final release, but still retained its beautiful ambience with whirling guitar lines and chimes. The album-version of “Evolve” is much more musically complex, evolving throughout its run. As the song progresses, it adds additional layers of strings, guitar lines, and energetic solos.
An early version of “Evolve” recorded by Anastasio during the 2020 Covid Lockdown
Overall, Evolve shows that Phish is still at the top of their game. The band takes their signature psychedelic jams, and imbues them with a toned-down maturity. Whereas for other groups, this could spell disaster, Phish pull it off especially well. As this album shows, “toned-down” is by no means boring, with each track containing complex instrumentation that keeps listeners going back to discover more. The album additionally retains Phish’s iconic genre-blending, knowing exactly when to splice in a harder track and add new flavor to its sonic palate. Evolve is a great testament to Phish’s experience and a sign of things to come in their future.
To celebrate the release of this new album, Phish made a special guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. On top of a performance of “Evolve,” the group took part in the show’s cold open. The skit features Phish, Fallon, and the Roots together in the Elevator of 30 Rock. The group then bursts into a parody of Aerosmith’s “Love In an Elevator,” comedically stopping whenever someone hops on the elevator.
This album release comes as part of a busy year for Phish. They have already sold out four-nights at the Sphere in Las Vegas back in April in the leadup to Evolve’s release. Following inaugural shows by U2, Phish made history as only the second band to play the state-of-the-art venue. The band played extended jams of songs both old and new, all while psychedelic imagery played on a 160,000 square foot screen above the stage. Among the songs performed was “Life Saving Gun” off of Evolve, brought to life by the venues immersive sound equipment.
Now, the band has announced a cross-country tour for the remainder of 2024. Beginning at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA, Phish will snake westward to Colorado. This tour includes many shows in and around New York, including two sold-out nights at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Arena. Additionally, Phish will play three shows at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, at the sight of the historic Woodstock Festival.
Phish Live 2024/2025 Dates
JULY
19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
20 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
21 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
23 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena (SOLD OUT)
24 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena (SOLD OUT)
26 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Music Valley Music Theatre
27 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Music Valley Music Theatre
28 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Music Valley Music Theatre
30 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena
31 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena
AUGUST
2 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
3 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
4 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
6 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
7 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
9 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
10 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
11 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
15 – The Woodlands, Dover, DE – Mondegreen
16 – The Woodlands, Dover, DE – Mondegreen
17 – The Woodlands, Dover, DE – Mondegreen
18 – The Woodlands, Dover, DE – Mondegreen
29 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
30 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
31 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
SEPTEMBER
1 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Brooklyn Paramount was electric on Saturday, July 13, as NOFX delivered a powerful performance on the second of their three-night stand, part of their much-anticipated final tour.
These shows were the only US dates on their tour, making them a unique and intimate experience compared to the rest of the Punk in Drublic festival.
The legendary punk rock band kicked off their worldwide farewell tour on April 22, 2023, in Austin, TX. The tour spans forty cities across the globe, including stops in Australia in January, Europe in May and June, and North America from April to October 2024.
Each night, NOFX performs 40 songs, featuring full albums and rare tracks, ensuring no setlist is ever repeated. This meticulous planning guarantees a unique experience for every show, culminating in their final performance in Los Angeles on October 6, 2024.
Frontman Fat Mike, alongside bandmates Eric Melvin, Erik Sandin, and El Hefe, poured their hearts into the Brooklyn Paramount show. The setlist on July 13 was a blend of tracks from at least 12 different albums, with a heavy focus on Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing and Pump Up the Valuum. The night began with the energetic “60%,” and included fan favorites like “Murder the Government,” “Bob,” “Whatâs the Matter with Parents Today,” “The Longest Line,” and “Drugs Are Good.” The encore was a high-energy conclusion featuring “Bottle to the Ground” and the iconic “Kill All the White Man.”
Opening the night was Fat Mike’s new project, Codefendants, whose set included “Brutiful,” “Prison Camp,” “Fast Ones,” and “Sell Me Youth.” Following them was Murphy’s Law, a staple of the New York hardcore punk scene since 1982. Despite numerous lineup changes, vocalist Jimmy Drescher remains the heart of the band. Their energetic set included “Quest for Herb,” “Crucial Bar-B-Q,” “Cavity Creeps,” and “Someone’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight.”
Formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, NOFX has been a cornerstone of the punk rock scene for over four decades. Their rebellious spirit and distinctive sound have influenced countless bands and garnered a dedicated global fanbase. Despite the ups and downs of the music industry, NOFX has maintained their independence, releasing music through their own label, Fat Wreck Chords.
Fat Mike, the band’s charismatic and often controversial frontman, has been vocal about his reasons for ending NOFX. “Because I don’t enjoy it like I used to,” he told Louder in December 2022. “And if I don’t get loaded, I really don’t want to do it. I don’t need to be onstage hearing people applaud and dance. I don’t need that. Some people are addicted to that.”
He added, “I’ve started doing stand-up comedy and I like that way better, in front of 30 people. And writing music. I’ve been writing [string] quartets, which I really enjoy, and writing for other people. I have another band called the Codefendants, which is really exciting to me.”
As the final tour progresses, fans worldwide are cherishing these last moments with NOFX. The Brooklyn Paramount shows are a testament to the band’s enduring legacy and their unwavering connection with their audience. For those in attendance on July 13, it was a night of nostalgia, high energy, and a bittersweet farewell to one of punk rock’s most influential bands.
Codefendants Setlist: Brutifal, Defcons, Abscessed, Suicide by Pigs, Disaster Scenes, Prison Camp, Fast Ones, Counting Back From 13, Sell Me Youth
NOFX Setlist: 60%, Seeing Double at the Triple Rock, Murder the Government, Bob, Pharmacist’s Daughter, 72 Hookers, All Outta Angst, Louise, The Man I Killed, Leaving Jesusland, What’s the Matter With Parents Today, 100 Times Fuckeder, The Marxist Brothers, Fuck the Kids, Juice Head, Hobophobic, Monosyllabic Girls, I’m Telling Tim, Instant Crassic, Can’t Get the Stink Out, The Longest Line, What Now My Love, I Don’t Like Me Anymore, Drugs Are Good, Benny Got Blowed Up, Radio, Shut Up Already, Green Corn, All My Friends In New York, The Seperation of Church and Skate
Encore: Riff Raff, Dinosaurs Will Die, Herojuana, Bottles to the Ground, Kill all the White Man
The Peach Music Festival just had their first “Peach at the Beach” at the Showboat Resort in Atlantic City. Although it was not at the usual Montage Mountain venue, this venue also had a waterpark, reminiscent of the festival people have grown to love, with familiar faces and favorite jams filling the air.
The waterpark sets were mainly DJs including DJ Logic, aside from Dogs in a Pile, who played a funky set for all of the waterpark attendants. The Dogs are quickly solidifying their place within the jam band scene. This set included a masterful “Ship of Fools” and even a cover of Phish’s “Tube.”
The main stage opened up with some reggae vibes from Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru. This featured a different, palette cleansing sound, which was quite different from the other music, yet lively and exciting.
Next up for Peach at the Beach was Karina Rykman who played some tracks off her new album Joyride. The set was filled with high peaks, bass bombs, and lots of jams.
Trouble No More played “Eat a Peach”, a great nod to the Allman Brothers roots of this festival. Highlights included “Blue Sky,” “Melissa,” and “Mountain Jam.” Taz’s guitar playing as a frontman just continuing toi get better with age.
Dogs in a Pile took the stage with a memorable set, putting the crowd into party mode. The set included their hit “Trunk Run” which references Atlantic City within the song, encoring with a face melting “Fire.”
After a longer break than expected, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead took the stage at 9:30 as opposed to 9 and played one long set as opposed to the advertised two. This proved to be rather disappointing but the band played an absolutely stellar set filled with genre-bending experimentation and mind-blowing peaks.
JRAD opened up with “Scarlet Begonias,” a Deadhead favorite, but this group makes it clear that they are much more than a Grateful Dead cover band, pushing the music to new heights and making their unique sound prominent. The set also included a masterful “Estimated Prophet” and a jammed out “Playing in the Band”. They finished with “Uncle John’s Band.”
