NYS Music 2024

Category: Show Reviews

  • Midwest Princess Chappell Roan Sells Out Buffalo’s Outer Harbor

    Gay pop icon Chappell Roan has taken the world by a storm in just these last few months and Buffalo is no exception to that. The artist performed at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor on May 24 for a sold out crowd where fans got to the venue as early as 8 a.m. to get a spot up close. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Chappell Roan was originally supposed to perform her Buffalo stop of The Midwest Princess tour at Town Ballroom. However, after a heavy demand from fans she got upgraded to an even bigger venue where she quickly sold out as well. 

    Chappell Roan is known for creating a safe space for members of the queer community and even sets to uplift those members in each city she performs in. She does this by having local Drag Queens perform as her openers who energize the crowd effortlessly. Western New York’s local queens included Morticia C Monroe, Daphne York, and Little Mx. Bunny. Chappell shared their Venmoes with the crowd so fans could directly support their own queer community. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    This Midwest Princess has flipped the concert scene on its head and has brought new art forms into live music. Inviting drag queens allows for greater representation and creates a fun environment. Chappell even has themes for each tour stop so fans can dress up alongside the artist. Buffalo’s theme was “My Kink Is Karma” which left a sea of red and black through the crowd. From devil ears, to cowboy hats, and go-go boots, people were dressed to the nines. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Buffalo’s Kink is Karma

    The iconic star came out in her red bedazzled corset and snatched makeup look that made her first song choice so obvious: “Femininomenon.” A song that invites listeners to question the norms that women must conform to in order to be deemed of value. This is one of many themes that Chappell displays in her music. She poses insightful questions while also encouraging everyone to embrace their femininity.

    The room for self-expression layered with Chappell’s unmatched vocal range makes this a concert experience everyone needs to have. She is a pop phenomenon that without a doubt has the talent but synchronously has the “it” factor that make her addicting to watch. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Chappell Roan’s control of the pulse of the crowd is of a true performer. She knows exactly when to let loose with fans and when to reel it back to take in those slow moments to feel all the feelings. Chappell then has everyone lifting a middle finger up for their exes. She guides people through pure entertainment especially when getting everyone to do hand signals for her song, “HOT TO GO!.” 

    Dedicated to the Exes

    Her stage is shared with other powerful women including Lucy Ritter on drums, Devon Eisenbarger on guitar and Allee Futterer on bass. The group mostly played tunes off of her latest album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. She performed her latest single, “Good Luck, Babe!” which has taken the internet by a storm. She obviously had to play Buffalo’s theme single “My Kink Is Karma” but not before dedicating it to the audiences exes.

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Some people tried to exit the venue before the encore in order to beat traffic. Although, once Chappell came back on stage singing “California” with her angelic voice so many people could be seen beelining it back into the crowd just to get a final glimpse.

    That’s the thing about Chappell Roan, she is constantly pulling the crowd in. She’s addicting to watch and enthralling to listen to. A Chappell Roan show isn’t just a safe space for the queer community, but a reminder of what letting go and embracing joy is all about.  

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Terminal B is having quite the lineup to kick off their Summer concert series. Brothers Osborne is coming June 14 and Lil Yachty performs June 15. Get your tickets here! 

    Setlist: Femininomenon, Naked in Manhattan, Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl, Love Me Anyway, Picture You, Guilty Pleasure, HOT TO GO!, After Midnight, Coffee, Kaleidoscope, Casual, Red Wine Supernova, Good luck Babe!, My Kink Is Karma

    Encore: California, Pink Pony Club

  • The Rolling Stones Electrify MetLife Stadium

    On Thursday, May 23, 2024, the legendary Rolling Stones kicked off the first of two nights at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking a triumphant return to the stage as part of their “Hackney Diamonds” 16-city tour. This tour supports their first new album in two decades, an eagerly awaited release that has re-energized their global fanbase.

    Opening for the Stones was the immensely talented Jon Batiste, who set the stage with an electrifying performance that included “Freedom,” “I Need You,” and a powerful rendition of “Tell The Truth.” Batiste was joined by special guest guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, whose exceptional skills added an extra layer of excitement to the opening set.

    The Stones opened with their classic hit “Start Me Up,” immediately followed by the crowd favorite “Get Off of My Cloud.” The electric atmosphere set the tone for a memorable evening, showcasing the band’s timeless appeal and their ability to captivate audiences of all ages.

    This tour marks a poignant chapter for the band, continuing their journey after the passing of their iconic drummer, Charlie Watts, in 2021. Steve Jordan, who replaced Watts and has already toured with the band, delivered a powerful performance, seamlessly fitting into the band’s dynamic and honoring Watts’ legacy with every beat.

    The band performed three tracks from their new album, “Hackney Diamonds,” giving fans a taste of their latest work. “Angry,” “Mess It Up,” and “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” were met with enthusiastic applause, proving that the Stones’ new music resonates just as strongly as their legendary catalog.

    Guitarist Keith Richards took the spotlight with his lead vocals on “You Got the Silver” and “Little T&A,” showcasing his distinctive voice and charisma. Richards’ performances were a highlight, offering a raw and intimate contrast to Mick Jagger’s dynamic stage presence.

    Jagger, ever the showman, kept the crowd entertained not just with his singing but also with his witty banter. At one point, he quipped about the weather, saying, “I was a bit worried about the weather tonight. I thought we were gonna get a bit of Stormy Daniels, but we’re all right.” The cheeky remark was met with laughter and cheers, showing that Jagger’s sharp humor is still very much intact.

    The concert spanned two electrifying hours, culminating in a powerful rendition of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The iconic anthem had the entire stadium on their feet, singing along to every word. The energy was palpable, a testament to the enduring power of the Rolling Stones’ music.

    Fans left MetLife Stadium buzzing with excitement, eagerly anticipating the second show on Sunday, May 26. With this tour, the Rolling Stones have once again proven that they are not just rock legends but living icons, continuing to make music history with every performance.

    Rolling Stones Setlist: Start Me Up, Get Off of My Cloud, Shattered, Angry, It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It), Wild Horses, Mess It Up, Tumbling Dice, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, You Got the Silver, Little T&A, Sympathy for the Devil, Honky Tonk Woman, Miss You, GImme Shelter, Paint It Black, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Sweet Sounds of Heaven, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

  • Dancing in the Beach: JRAD at The Stone Pony 5/17/24

    Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) paid homage to their Jersey roots with an unbelievable spectacle of a show at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The show included Stuart Bogie sitting in on many songs, notably during “Eyes of the World.”

    The first set started off with a classic Bluesy Dead song “Good Morning School Girl”. The set included an extensive “Fire on the Mountain” and a beautiful “Eyes of the World”. The band ended the set with one of my absolute favorite renditions of “Dancing In the Strets”.

    It was so good JRAD started the second set at Stone Pony with the same jam. The “Music Never Stopped” that followed was equally as groovy and kept the vibe going.

    What followed was a beautiful medley of Deadhead favorites including “Help on the Way”, “St Stephen”, “The Wheel”, and even “Uncle John’s Band” done in pristine JRAD fashion.

    Most of the band is from New Jersey, the show is in the Jersey shore, so proper homage was paid with a double Bruce Springsteen encore. This band was truly born to run!

    JRAD – Stone Pony – May 17, 2024

    Set 1: Good Morning School Girl, Touch of Grey, Silvio, Fire on The Mountain, Eyes of the World, Dancing in the Street

    Set 2: Dancing in the Street, The Music Never Stopped, Help on the Way, Slipknot!, St.Stephen

    Althea, The Wheel, He’s Gone, Uncle John’s Band

    Encore: Rosalita, Born to Run

  • Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB close out three nights at Brooklyn Steel

    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, Evolve on 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

    Encore: A Life Beyond the Dream, First Tube

  • Levitation Room Lifts Off in Troy

    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.  

    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. 

    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. 

    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

    Stroma | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun

  • Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB at Wonderland Forest: Debuts, Phish Classics and More

    Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB pulled their tour into Wonderland Forest in Lafayette on Friday, May 17 and delivered a rousing night of debut songs, Phish favorites and rarities. 

    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

    Encore: Water in the Sky, Prince Caspian

  • Holly Humberstone Brings Unmatched Energy to the Brooklyn Steel

    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

    Encore: Friendly Fire, Scarlett

  • Avant-Garde Electro Salsa Quintet Meridian Brothers Provide A Rollicking Season Opener at Opus 40

    The 2024 concert season at the sublime Opus 40 Sculpture Park in Saugerties opened May 9th with something that delighted ass-shakers and intellectuals alike– a high-energy performance by one of Colombia’s most renowned musical exports – Meridian Brothers.

    photo by William A. Loeb

    The five-piece is the brainchild of Bogota-based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Elbis Álvarez. Meridian Brothers is a moniker Álvarez has used on many albums and collaborations, on most of which he plays all the instruments.  Friday’s performance was the kick-off of the band’s latest tour, on which Álvarez is supported by a quartet of equally adept and captivating musicians.

    The Meridian Brothers sound is an intriguing amalgam of styles and influences.  The songs are anchored on danceable Latin rhythms – salsa, boogaloo and cumbia – accented with eerie, experimental keyboard sounds reminiscent of ‘50s sci-fi classics like Forbidden Planet and echoed guitaring that brings to mind Syd Barrett’s work on Pink Floyd’s debut, Piper at Gates of Dawn. In performance, Álvarez’s vocals are often treated with a harmonizer, digital delay and phasing as are some of the ever-present percussive accents. It brings to mind the short-lived era of early Roxy Music when Brian Eno slathered a boatload of sonic treatments on the live sound to ramp up the otherworldly vibe.

    photo by William A. Loeb

    But make no mistake. As heady and refined as this may sound, this is music for ass-shakers, first and foremost. And that was proved by the multitude that boogied down on the lawn at Opus 40 for all of The Meridian Brothers’ 90-minute plus set.

    Álvarez and his cohorts – María Valencia (wind instruments, percussion and keyboards), Mauricio Ramírez (drums), Alejandro Forero (keyboards) and César Quevedo (bass) – ran through a 12-song set of their neo-tropicalista classics from their 10-album discography. 

    The band commenced with its 2020 single, “Cumbia de la Fuente.”  Like many of the tunes, it’s anchored by a sub-harmonic bass riff and thump groove over which float cloud fronts of spacey keyboard effects and samples, triggered by Álvarez and Forero’s midi-keyboards.  This track winds down with arpeggiated bells samples that sound like a drunken ice cream truck.  Things moved more uptempo with the next number, “Bomba Atomica.”  This is an almost traditional salsa groove belied by the slightly dissonant harmonizer vocals.  Percussionist Valencia truly shined on this one, unleashing a heady dose of cowbell and delay-treated splash cymbals, something she would do all night with a bright smile delivered with each bash.

    photo by William A. Loeb

    Álvarez introduced the next number, “Salsa Caliente,” as a salsa boogaloo. This was Plan 9 from Outer Space meets Tito Puente, with some groovy, new wave-y keys and sax accents from Ms. Valencia.  The band’s 2022 album, Meridian Brothers & El Grupo Renacimiento, was the source for several of the best tunes performed including “Metamorfosis,” “Hipnosis” and “La Policia.”  The next song in the set, “La Policia, provided the space for an extended echo-y guitar solo from Álvarez.  The band initially closed their set with the high-energy dance jam instrumental, “Guaracha U.F.O.,” from their 2012 album, “Desesperanza.”  After a brief pause, they returned for an encore, their tropicalia take on the Dusty Springfield classic, “Son of a Preacherman.” 

    The Meridian Brothers’ wonderful show was the first concert of what promised to be a watermark one for Opus 40, which over the years has hosted many legendary performances, mostly notably the one by sax great Sonny Rollins chronicled in Robert Mugge’s documentary, Saxophone Colossus.  Read our remembrance of it here.

    Opus 40’s headlining events will include two nights with the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra led by 100-year-old Marshall Allen (July 5 and 6), London post-punk with Dry Cleaning (June 27), alternative R&B with Nick Hakim (May 29), reggae with Sundub & Upstate Reggae Posse (August 13), the Afro-Pop of Zimbabwe’s Mokoomba (August 2) and more. Opus 40 will also host Sunday afternoon shows highlighting homegrown Hudson Valley talent including Larry Locust, Biryani Boys, Blueberry, Mac $ Cheeze Balkan Trio and Spaghetti Eastern Music.

    photo by William A. Loeb

    “At Opus 40, I try to honor the musical legacy here with a curated selection of acts local and international, experimental and accessible, with a focus on spiritual jazz, ambient and singer-songwriters,” adds Mike Amari, Program Manager at Opus 40 and founder of local concert promoter, Chosen Family Presents. “Harvey Fite, who built Opus 40 by himself over 37 years, wanted his sculpture park to host events that uplifted the human spirit – just like his monumental earth art. So, this is why Opus 40 has committed so much effort and taken so much pride in bringing these incredible acts and many more community events to the site.” 

    “As for Meridian Brothers, I became obsessed with their brand of music via a compilation of ‘chicha’ music from Peru in the ‘60s/’70s called ‘Roots of ChiCha,’ continues Amari.  “A friend who knew I liked this music turned me on to Meridian Brothers.  They play some of the same ideas but chop them up and put them together in a Frankenstein-like, Krautrock-y way. It’s hypnotic, dissonant but somehow groovy and very danceable.  For these reasons, they were the perfect act to launch our new season.  It was the first night of their newest U.S. tour and they traveled for 24 hours to get here.  So, we commend them on giving us such an energetic performance.”

    Special props to the band’s sound engineer, Alejandro Araujo and the crew at Opus 40, for expertly balancing and EQing what could have easily descended into cacophony. This performance was more electric than the first I witnessed by the band at globalFEST 2023, an event co-programmed by another veteran Hudson Valley promoter, Isobel Soffer. 

    For a list at the Opus 40’s summer concert schedule, visit here.

    photos by William A. Loeb

  • In Focus: Origami Angel Electrifies Town Ballroom

    Emo-rock band Origami Angel took to the Town Ballroom stage on May 7. This set was the first of their stretch of opening for headliner Microwave, and their first return to Buffalo since April 2023. 

    Origami Angel took the stage following two 30-minute sets from Carpool Tunnel and Heart Attack Man. With the crowd already enlivened, Origami Angel took things to the next level. With Pat Doherty on drums and Ryland Heagy on guitar and vocals, their 45-minute set weaved through a few of their released and well-received albums, including Gen 3 (2019), Somewhere City (2019), GAMI GANG (2021), and The Brightest Days (2023). 

    They opened their set with the song “Fruit Wine”. The energy of the crowd illuminated as they sang along, despite the band only releasing the song the day prior. As their set went on, they played fan favorites including “Thank You, New Jersey”, “Ruby”, and “Self-Destruct”. With two band members, two instruments, and no other stage design or graphics, they kept the crowd engaged with their full sound, unique tempo changes and riffs.

    Though the venue discouraged crowdsurfing and moshing, Origami Angel’s performance was too enthralling for the crowd to do anything but. The band stopped in Toronto on May 9, and have begun the mid-west stretch of this tour.

  • In Focus: Pink Talking Fish & One Eyed Jack at The Wellmont Theater

    Jam band powerhouse Pink Talking Fish bring their variety filled show to the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey on April 26. One Eyed Jack opened up the show with a funky set.

    The band brings together a really fun medley of different bands. They started off their set with a Talking Heads cover “Life During Wartime”. The first set was Talking Heads heavy including “This Must Be the Place” & “Cities,” but that could technically be considered a cover of a Phish cover given the tempo. The first set also featured a playful “McGrupp” and a booming “Have a Cigar.”

    Second set, what’s the band going to do? Play the whole instrumental part of “Reba”, yes! “Simple”? Yup! “Squirming Coil”!? Okay! The second set was Phish heavy with some Talking Heads covers like “Psycho Killer” and a memorable Floyd “Mother” cover. The band wrapped up the night with “La Grange”.

    Pink Talking Fish – The Wellmont Theater, Montclair, NJ – April 26, 2024

    Set 1: Life During Wartime, Cars Trucks Buses, Have a Cigar, Cities, Mcgrupp, Run Like Hell, This Must Be the Place

    Set 2: Once in a Lifetime, Reba, Mother, Psycho Killer, Simple, Astronomy Domine, What a Day That Was, The Squirming Coil, Nobody Home, La Grange