Circles Around the Sun returned to Albany for a sold out show at Lark Hall on Saturday, March 9, with Mikaela Davis and Southern Star opening the night. With five disco balls on stage for the two bands, the audience was presented to an incredible evening of Discofied Grateful Dead-inspired dance music.
“Home in the Country” from her 2023 release And Southern Star led to a bit of improv, then shifted to “The Pearl,” which had a subtle Grateful Dead-esque intro. Towards the end of “Leave it Alone,” Davis encouraged the crowd to engage in ‘wooing’ – to which they eagerly participated – before smoothly moving into Alice Coltrane‘s “Journey in Satchidananda.” Davis then gave a shout out to her and the band’s collective Upstate roots, hailing from the Catskills, Syracuse and Rochester, before wrapping up her set with “Other Lover.”
Setlist: Cinderella> In My Groove, Home in the Country, The Pearl, Get Gone, Leave It Alone > Journey in Satchidananda> Promise, Other Lover
Circles Around the Sun took the stage for what would be a nearly two-hour performance, with John Lee Shannon (guitars), Adam MacDougall (keys), Dan Horne (bass), and Mark Levy (drums) channeling the spirit – but not the songs outright – of the Grateful Dead. What transpired was the full crowd grooving along, dancing outright but never standing still as Circles went full Disco on the Dead.
Whether it was the “Language“-adjacent “Away Team,” the slow funk disco of “Landline Memories,” or mellow 1970s mall music churning into a nightclub fever pitch in “Immoveable Object,” the performance led the crowd jive relentlessly.
Early Circles songs – “Babyman” and “One for Chuck” – put the focus on bassist Dan Horne, who held the beat all night, and effortlessly drove the tempo towards a swinging disco of “Money’s No Option.” A standing encore brought Mikaela Davis and her harp back out to the stage for a trio of songs – “After Sunrise” (originally a Sergio Mendes and Brazil 77 song, reworked by the artists), Gloaming Away (a late 70’s synth strut) and the hypnotic grooves of “Language.” The encore alone could have extended another hour and none of the sell out crowd would have complained.
Circles Around the Sun – Lark Hall, Albany – Saturday, March 9, 2024
Touring in support of their twelfth studio album (ROCKMAKER, Sunset Blvd Records) scheduled to drop on March 15, featuring special appearances by Frank Black (Pixies), Slash(Guns N’ Roses) and Debbie Harry (Blondie), The Dandy Warhols (TDW) – beloved alternative-rockers from Portland, Oregon – performed back-to-back shows this past Friday (March 8) and Saturday (March 9) in the East Village.
Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Brent DeBoer of The Dandy Warhols Photo Credit: Michael Dinger / Pit PerspectivesBrent DeBoer of The Dandy Warhols Photo Credit: Michael Dinger / Pit Perspectives
Friday night saw the quartet of Courtney Taylor-Taylor (vocals, guitar), Peter Holmström (guitar), Zia McCabe (keyboards, bass, percussion, vocals) and Brent DeBoer (drums, guitar, vocals) take to a set of bar stools at Gonzo’s Recording Studio for an exclusive, invite-only acoustic performance. The few dozen or so lucky souls in attendance were treated to an intimate, 30-minute set that included “I Will Never Stop Loving You,” an upcoming track from ROCKMAKER on which the aforementioned Harry makes a guest spot. The night’s festivities also included a ROCKMAKER listening party, followed by a DJ set by TDW’s very own McCabe.
Zia McCabe of The Dandy Warhols Photo Credit: Michael Dinger / Pit PerspectivesPeter Holmström of The Dandy Warhols Photo Credit: Michael Dinger / Pit Perspectives
Despite a chilly spring evening that pounded Lower Manhattan with torrential rain for hours on end, nothing could spoil TDW’s headlining gig at Webster Hall on Saturday, a landmark building constructed in 1886 that uniquely serves as both a nightclub and concert hall. Providing support for TDW were Sisters Of Your Sunshine Vapor (SOYSV), a psych-power band formed in 2009 who call Detroit home. Having released their sixth album (Nocturnal Train To Mars, Little Cloud Records) last month, the trio of Sean Morrow (vocals, guitar), Eric Oppitz (bass, keyboards) and Rick Sawoscinski (drums) enveloped the steadily growing audience in a sonic landscape of haunting melodies, fuzzed-out guitar riffs and hypnotic bass lines.
Sisters Of Your Sunshine Vapor Photo Credit: Michael Dinger / Pit Perspectives
Taking the stage at 8:50 pm, TDW dove right into a 90-minute set of hypnotic psychedelia that collectively mesmerized the 1,500-capacity crowd. Performing tracks spanning a magnificent three decade career, the night’s stand-out numbers included “We Used to Be Friends” and “The Last High” (Welcome to the Monkey House, 2003), “Bohemian Like You” (Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, 2000) and “Boys Better” (. . . The Dandy Warhols Come Down, 1997). The show closed with McCabe alone on stage as she lovingly serenaded us with an innocent rendition of The Velvet Underground’s 1969 song “After Hours.”
The Dandy Warhols Photo Credit: Michael Dinger / Pit Perspectives
TDW’s tour visits select North American cities over the next week, culminating in Los Angeles on March 19. The foursome will then relaunch the tour in Auckland, New Zealand on April 22, followed by a string of seven dates in Australia (April 25 – May 3).
Sisters Of Your Sunshine Vapor Setlist: Sweet Girl Insanity > She Makes a Great Parade > It’s Good to Be Alive > Walk of Sobriety > Crystal Cup > Suck Upon the Living > Night Crawler > Mister Baby (The Ballad of Ilk) > Black Mind
The Dandy Warhols Setlist (Gonzo’s): I’d Like To Help You With Your Problem > Styggo > Godless > I Will Never Stop Loving You > We Used to Be Friends
The Dandy Warhols Setlist (Webster Hall):Ride > I’d Like To Help You With Your Problem > We Used to Be Friends > Crack Cocaine Rager > Danzig With Myself > Styggo > Plan A > Be Alright > Summer of Hate > I Love You > The Last High > I Will Never Stop Loving You > Arpeggio Adaggio > Holding Me Up > Godless > Bohemian Like You > Pete International Airport / Boys Better
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
March 12 – Toronto, Ontario @ Danforth Music Hall
March 14 – Columbus, Ohio @ Newport Music Hall
March 15 – Indianapolis, Indiana @ Vogue Theater
March 16 – St. Louis, Missouri @ Delmar Hall
March 18 – Denver, Colorado @ Gothic Theatre
March 19 – Los Angeles, California @ Fonda Theatre
April 22 – Auckland, New Zealand @ The Powerstation
April 25 – Brisbane, Australia @ The Tivoli
April 26 – Adelaide, Australia @ The Gov
April 28 – Melbourne, Australia @ Forum
April 29 – Perth, Australia @ Astor Theatre
May 1 – Sydney, Australia @ Enmore Theatre
May 2 – Adelaide, Australia @ The Gov
May 3 – Melbourne, Australia @ Northcote Theatre
SISTERS OF YOUR SUNSHINE VAPOR
Photo Credit: Gabrielle WhitePhoto Credit: Gabrielle WhitePhoto Credit: Gabrielle White
On a rainy Saturday evening, March 9, devoted fans defied the torrential downpour to see their favorite band from their younger years, Alkaline Trio at Knockdown Center in Queens. Despite the onslaught of intense rain and wind, the enthusiasm of the crowd was undeniable, and anticipation soared as opening acts Warriors and Drug Church warmed up the stage.
Originally hailing from Chicago, the band consists of founding member Matt Skiba on guitar and vocals, accompanied by long time collaborator Dan Andriano on Bass, and Atom Willard on drums. Attendance numbers remained unaffected by the inclement weather, with Knockdown Center nearly reaching full capacity. Alkaline Trio is midway through their tour promoting the long-awaited release of their new album, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, adding another gem to their extensive, decade-spanning discography.
A gathering of longtime loyalists composed of groups of friends, couples, and diehard solo-goers flooded the venue. The audience roared as the lights dimmed and the band graced the stage at 9:45pm sharp. All 3 members, smiling ear to ear, struck the opening notes of “Hot For Preacher”, the first track off their latest album. Obvious highlights of the night included “Armageddon,” displaying shades of the albums’ post-apocalyptic themes, followed by the iconic “Fuck You Aurora”, evoking a wave of nostalgia for those who have cherished the band for decades. After each song, the band shared their gratitude for the audience with a hushed and humble “Thank you!”
As the band exited the stage, chants for an encore could be heard instantly. After a few suspenseful moments, the band eagerly obliged. For a final hurrah, the trio went with the timeless classic “Radio”, and fans got their last crowd surfing in before the band bid their passionate audience farewell. Despite the chilling rain, fans departed with warm hearts. Their latest album, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs is available for streaming on all major music platforms.
Alkaline Trio – Knockdown Center, Queens – Saturday, March 9, 2024
Setlist: Hot For Preacher, We’ve Had Enough, Take Lots with Alcohol, Bad Time, Versions of You, Mr. Chainsaw, One Hundred Stories, Calling All Skeletons, Cringe, Break, Armageddon, Fuck You Aurora, Mercy Me, Warbrain, Crawl, Blood Hair and Eyeballs, Stupid Kid, Private Eye, Time to Waste Encore: Radio
As the curtain falls on Porno for Pyros’ Horns, Thorns en Halos Farewell Tour, the iconic band graced the stage of the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester for one last explosive performance on March 7. Fans gathered to experience a night full of energy, memorable tunes, and a bittersweet goodbye to an era, creating a nostalgic and anticipatory atmosphere.
The current lineup of Porno for Pyros consists of the visionary Perry Farrell, the powerhouse drummer Stephen Perkins, the talented guitarist Peter Distefano, and the legendary bassist Mike Watt. While Martyn LeNoble left the band in 1995, Watt seamlessly stepped in, contributing to the band’s unique sound until their hiatus in 1998.
Contributing to the band’s rich musical blend were Etty Lau Ferrell, Perry’s wife, providing backing vocals, and Robin Hatch skillfully playing the keys. This dynamic ensemble left an enduring impact on audiences during their farewell tour, leaving an indelible mark in each city they graced with their performances.
Opening the night with an electrifying energy was Tigercub, a three-piece rock band hailing from Brighton, UK. The trio, comprised of Jamie Stephen Hall, James Allix, and Jimi Wheelwright, set the stage ablaze with a riveting set that included tracks like “Swoon,” “The Dark Below,” “Control,” and “Stop Beating on My Heart.”
As the anticipation reached its peak, Porno for Pyros took the stage to a thunderous applause. Launching into their set with classics like “Sadness,” “Meija,” and the eponymous “Porno For Pyros” from their 1993 album, the band immediately transported the audience back to the heyday of alternative rock.
The setlist highlighted the band’s growth, including their latest song, “Agua,” and a heartfelt rendition of Iggy and the Stooges’ “I Got a Right.” Each song underscored the band’s musical skill and the significant influence they’ve had on the alternative music scene.
As the night unfolded, Perry Farrell’s signature vocals echoed through the Capitol Theatre, creating an immersive experience for the audience. The climax of the evening came with the performance of Porno for Pyros’ two biggest hits, “Tahitian Moon” and “Pets,” bringing the audience to their feet in a wave of nostalgia and appreciation.
The Capitol Theatre, with its rich history, served as the perfect backdrop for Porno for Pyros to bid farewell to their dedicated fans. The intimate venue allowed for a genuine connection between the band and the audience, making the farewell tour a truly memorable experience for everyone in attendance.
As the final notes resonated through the Capitol Theatre, the crowd erupted into a chorus of cheers and applause, expressing gratitude for the decades of music and memories Porno for Pyros provided.
Setlist: Pets (Partial), Sadness, Meija, Porno for Pyros, Agua, Thick of It All, Cursed Female, Cursed Male, Good God’s://Urge!, Porpoise Head, Blood Rag, Little Me, Wishing Well, Orgasm, I Got a Right, Bad Shit, Tahitian Moon, Pets
Phil Lesh, the legendary bassist of The Grateful Dead, held his annual birthday run at the historical Capitol Theatre for five nights, two of them with “The Q,” made up of Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco, and John Molo.
The night began with “The Wheel” chorus and “Night of 1000 Stars.” The first set included “New Speedway Boogie” and classic “China > Rider” that featured Haynes & Herring trading guitar solos. Having two incredibly prolific guitar players with their own prominent style trading the role of lead guitar was very entertaining.
The second set featured deeper cuts and Deadhead favorites like “Unbroken Chain” and “Dark Star.” The second set also included the funky “Shakedown Street” and ended with “Into The Mystic” – a Van Morrison cover. The band brought the show full circle by encoring with “The Wheel.”
Phil Lesh is a legend and blessing to The Grateful Dead scene – seeing him and The Q play on stage, now celebrating his 84th birthday is nothing short of inspiring. Not fade away!
Setlist: Night of 100 Stars, New Speedway Boogie, New Potato Caboose, Bird Song, China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider
Set 2: Dear Mr. Fantasy, Shakedown Street, Unbroken Chain, Dark Star, The Lo Spark of High Heeled Boys, Passenger, Into The Mystic
New Haven, Connecticut is mainly seen as the smaller market city that the prestigious Yale University calls home. Some might not know that steps from the university sit the legendary club known as Toad’s Place.
The rock club has housed legendary acts such as The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This time around, on Wednesday, March 5, Mammoth WVH returned to the legendary rock club. After releasing their sophomore record, Mammoth IIon Aug. 4, 2024, the band is currently on their “Mammoth II Tour” supporting their newest album.
Before Mammoth WVH graced the almost 50-year stage, guitarist Nita Strauss of the Alice Cooper band warmed up the crowd with her solo act. Joining Strauss on stage was Christopher Dean on bass, Johnny Young on guitar, Katt Scarlett on keyboards, Kasey Karlsen on lead vocals and her fiancee, Josh Villalta on the drums.
Strauss provided amazing guitar skills throughout the opening set that dazzled the sold-out crowd. Being the in-house guitarist for the National League Football team, The Los Angeles Rams since 2020, Strauss has gained national attention for her guitar prowess and did not disappoint.
During Strauss’ nine-song setlist, she wowed the crowd with her signature sound which can be heard on her newest record, The Call of the Void. At one point in the show, Strauss took a minute between songs to recognize the legendary Toad’s Place. “Even out in California, we know about the legendary Toad’s Place and Pepe’s pizza!” brought a thunderous roar from the audience which was beginning to swell larger. With the band headbanging in unison, some of the Toad’s attendees joined in as the band did more than enough to warm the rainy New Haven crowd for Mammoth WVH.
The opening riff of AC/DC’s “Night Prowler” off of 1979’s Highway to Hell blasted over the PA system like thunder strike and the house lights dimmed. The anticipation for the Mammoth WVH’s second trip to Toad’s was palpable. Even with the house lights dimmed and fans packed wall to wall like a can of sardines, the headbanging again picked up while fans held their drinks and the rock horns up. As Mammoth jumped right into “I’m Alright” off the MammothII, as mentioned earlier, the band played a 15-song setlist that lasted just over an hour and a half.
Joining the ranks of Mammoth WVH is, Wolfgang Van Halen (son of the late, Eddie Van Halen) on guitar and lead vocals, Jon Jourdan on guitar, Ronnie Ficarro on bass, and Garrett Whitlock on the drums. Frank Sidoris tours as a third guitarist with the band but this time around he was on the road with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.
The crowd, which was of all ages, had smiles across their face like kids on Christmas for the entire set. Mammoth WVH performed at Toad’s two years ago on the double bill “Young Guns Tour” with Dirty Honey. Like the first time, Mammoth’s performance did not disappoint.
In between songs, Van Halen was smiling and playing along with the crowd. While he did not speak for a long time in between songs (certainly not as long as Paul Stanley of KISS), when he did though, he was laughing with his band and talking to members of the audience along the barricade.
At one point in the show, before the start of “Distance” off of 2021’s Mammoth WVH, the rest of the band, besides Van Halen exited the stage, for Van Halen to play an acoustic version of the song. With Oasis’ “Wonderwall” jokingly being played for a brief second at the start, the bone-chillingly beautiful rendition of the tune left lasting memories on the crowd. Typically during a Mammoth WVH performance, while the music is clear, at times with all the instruments you can’t fully grasp each individually. During “Distance,” you were able to fully grasp how great of a musician Van Halen is. His voice is amazing and his guitar skills are mind-blowing. It doesn’t take long to understand why he recorded every instrument track on the first two albums.
The energy of the entire band on stage kept the thrill alive in the audience which was entirely general admission. With Whitlock beating the daylights out of his drums, which kept each song moving forward, the rest of the band was in another gear. It’s easy to see how close of a tight-knit group they are. Each band member was able to feed off the other and bring out the best of the band.
With only two albums under the band’s belt, they were able to play multiple tracks from each of the first two albums. If you were hoping to hear some classic Van Halen, then this show isn’t the one for you. The band does not play anything Van Halen which is a great thing. Wolfgang is an excellent songwriter and overall great musician so it’s amazing to see what he has accomplished so far.
Mammoth WVH is one of the up-and-coming bands in rock music and the fan base is growing larger and larger every day. It’s only a matter of time until they sell out much bigger venues than Toad’s Place. There is very little to hate about this band. If you’re looking for a hungry band with excellent musicianship then this is the band for you.
With fans pilling out onto York Street, what was once a crowded venue turned into a crowded street. The cold and wet night did not keep fans away from standing outside the side door waiting to meet the band just minutes after they walked off the stage. With Toad’s Place dubbing themselves “The place that legends play,” fans exited the venue on Tuesday night knowing that they saw another rock legend in the making.
Nita Strauss Setlist: Summer Storm, Our Most Desperate Hour, Mariana Trench, Alegria, The Quest / Drum Solo, The Wolf You Feed, Through the Noise, Dead Inside, Victorious
Mammoth WVH Setlist: I’m Alright, Right?, Epiphany, Miles Above Me, Like a Pastime, Horribly Right, Optimist, Stone, Distance, Think It Over, Mammoth, You’re to Blame, Take a Bow, Another Celebration at the End of the World, Don’t Back Down
The human body is made up of 206 bones and on Wednesday, February 28th, the voice of Paul Janeway touched every single one of them during a dynamic, soul-shaking performance at The Egg in Albany. Along with his 7-piece powerhouse jazz ensemble, St. Paul & the Broken Bones cooked up a near perfect mix of colorful showmanship, joyful jams, and fantastic fan interaction as the band not only celebrated their third time playing the beloved venue, but also the ten year anniversary of their breakthrough debut album, Half The City. It was their first time back in the area since wowing the crowd last year at the annual Saratoga Jazz Festival.
Paul Janeway of St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.
A wet and windy Wednesday night outside The Egg, things started cooking inside with an impressive opening set from Bowling Green, Kentucky’s Sugadaisy. Combining a modern grunge vibe with a healthy dose of psychedelic pop, the venue’s excellent acoustics made them sound huge right off the rip. Sparked by a Daniel Johnston Hi, How Are You T-shirt worn by one of the guitarists, there were moments you simply couldn’t help but think of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. Unsure what to make of Sugadaisy at first, by the time they finished their short, but energetic set, it’s fair to say they’d won the Albany crowd over and earned a slew of new fans. Following a brief set change, it was finally time for St. Paul & the Broken Bones to take over.
Sugadaisy opened the show for St. Paul & the Broken Bones on 2/28/24.
Rising to prominence with over a decade of near constant touring, the Birmingham, Alabama-based rock n’ soul band boasts more than a million monthly listeners on Spotify, have released 5 studio albums and shared stages with a veritable who’s-who of music royalty that includes the likes of Sir Elton John and The Rolling Stones. Known for the signature falsetto voice of their flamboyant frontman Paul Janeway (aka St. Paul), The Broken Bones also consist of bassist Jesse Phillips, guitarist Browan Lollar, drummer Kevin Leon, keyboard player Al Gamble, trumpeter Allen Branstetter, trombonist Chad Fisher and Amari Ansari on saxophone.Â
St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing at The Egg on 2/28/24.
Kicking off their headlining set in style, each member of The Broken Bones came out one-by-one to the darkened stage, seamlessly picking up their instruments to join in on the opening “Marvin Jam” before the always dapper-looking Janeway sauntered out of the shadows to a massive applause. Instantly turning up the funk with “Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like), St. Paul & the Broken Bones wasted no time getting right to their biggest chart topping hit, “Call Me,” which the crowd immediately recognized and sang along to. All warmed up and feeling good, Janeway would take a brief moment to acknowledge the audience and make note that their debut album, Half the City, had been released ten years ago this week. Thanking the crowd for helping give them a career, the band would then play the album’s title track followed by an emphatic, soul-wrenching rendition of “I’m Torn Up,” the album’s opening song.
“I can’t let it down, this hope I feel
Oh this city has made me cry but I still can’t leave her
The streets paved with pain of all my past loves
Please don’t let it die cause I have had enough”
Lyrics from “Half the City”
From something old to something new, St. Paul & the Broken Bones would change things up a bit with a pair of songs, “Wolf in Rabbit Clothes” and “Sea Star” from their most recent album, 2023’s Angels in Science Fiction. Growing up on a steady diet of gospel and soul music like The Stylistics, Sam Cooke and old school Marvin Gaye, it’s easy to see where St. Paul & the Broken Bones draw their influences from, but it’s not often you hear a white man that sings falsetto with the power and control of Janeway. What really sets him apart, however, is the way he’s able to command the entire stage. Working both sides while simultaneously showcasing some fancy footwork (and fancy shoes), Janeway’s presence was mesmerizing.
St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.
Singing falsetto from the depths of his soul, so hard in fact, that at times it had him dropping to his knees reaching for the notes, like he did on “Grass is Greener.” After receiving a huge ovation for his efforts, Janeway quietly disappeared back into the shadows. Far from a one-man-show, The Broken Bones took over from there with an extended “Roach Clip” jam that saw each member taking turns soloing in the spotlight and the energetic Amari Ansari running from one side of the room to the other wailing away on his saxophone to the delight of the ultra-attentive Albany crowd.
The powerful horn section was heavily featured once again during “LivWithoutU,” before the dirty, slowed-down groove of “Minotaur” put the audience in a near euphoric trance. Building the energy back up with a pair of tunes from 2018’s Young Sick Camellia, “GotItBad” > “Apollo” would bring the main portion of the show to a close and leave fans hollering for more.
Baby
Is there a right when all is wrong?
Is there a partner when we’re left all alone?
Oh, but I wanna feel something real
Lyrics from “Sanctify”
St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.
Returning to the stage now wearing a sparkling sequin cape, Janeway would take his theatrics to the next level. First falling to floor and rolling around like a guitar-less Marty McFly as he crooned the lyrics to “Like a Mighty River,” the crowd who had largely remained seated to this point, finally got up on their feet when Janeway suddenly jumped off the stage to join them.
St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.
As fans quickly grabbed their phones to snap obligatory selfies, the connection between the artist and the audience here felt completely authentic. Singing “Sanctify” while climbing all the way up to the soundboard area of The Egg’s backrow, the man who once thought he wanted to be a preacher found his Albany congregation in the palm of his hand. High-fiving as many of them as he could on the way down, the entire room seemed to be smiling ear to ear. Back on stage for the disco-vibed “Last Dance,” the energy in the Egg had reached its boiling point. Already three songs into the encore, fans were given one last treat and one final song from Half The City as “Broken Bones and Pocket Change” would bring the stellar performance to a close. After a well-deserved standing ovation, even the seasoned ushers were left commenting on just how good of a show this was.
St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.
After playing in Buffalo the next night, St. Paul & the Broken Bones officially wrapped up their year-long Angels In Science Fiction tour in Charlottesville, VA on March 3rd. After taking a couple weeks off, the band will return to their stomping grounds of Birmingham, Alabama for a hometown throwdown on March 23 before setting off on a lengthy European tour later this summer.
St. Paul & the Broken Bones | February 28,2024 | The Egg | Albany, NY
Setlist: Opening Marvin Jam, Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like), Call Me, Half the City, I’m Torn Up, Wolf in Rabbits Clothes > Sea Star, Grass Is Greener, Roach Clip, Livwithoutu, Minotaur, GotItBad > Apollo.
Encore: Like a Mighty River, Sanctify, The Last Dance, Broken Bones & Pocket Change.
Circles Around The Sun was born in 2015 when lead guitarist Neal Casal was invited to compose a handful of Grateful Dead influenced instrumentals to play between sets at the Dead’s ‘Fare Thee Well’ concerts. Since, the Los Angeles-based band formed and influenced by contemporary instrumental rock.
The tour kicks off for their fourth studio album release, Language, welcoming guitarist John Lee Shannon, a longtime peer who joins bassist Dan Horne, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, and drummer Mark Levy. The six song release builds on a 70s groove with cosmic-disco and synth sounds that compliment extra percussion and bass riffs. This album allowed the band to explore a new-found sound that encourages a psychedelic and hypnotic feel. The audience was floored by the atmospheric presence they brought to the stage this past weekend. The new material harnesses soul-jazz, funk, rock and allows an exhilarating new path for Circles Around The Sun.
Overall, the band blew the crowd away with their incredible stage presence and new tune transformation. Influenced by free-form and fusing transformational instrumental elements to extend their art as musicians. New York looks forward to see what else the group has is in store for upcoming shows in Albany at Lark Hall on March 9, and in Buffalo at Iron Works on March 12.
Funky west coast powerhouse Circles Around the Sun (CATS) are bringing their magic to the East Coast and more, along with Mikaela Davis and Southern Star. The group stopped in at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park on February 29, quickly becoming the best thing to have happened on a this leap day.
The night started off with Mikaela Davis and Southern Star which was incredibly ambient, funky, and unique. The harp mixed in with intricate guitar and ultimately a saxophone provided a very unique sound. Their set included a nod to the good ol’ Grateful Dead with a “Here Comes Sunshine” cover.
Seeing CATS with Mikaela Davis sitting in at Peach Festival in July 2023, I knew we were in for a quite a treat. There’s something mesmerizing and attention demanding about the harp. It may be how difficult it looks to play, or how rarely a typical person may encounter one, especially in a live rock band setting.
Circles Around The Sun played a classic set with old and new song starting off with “Away Team.” Their set included “Money’s No Option” and ended with “Babyman.” Then Mikaela joined them on stage for three songs ending with “Language“, which is the title track of their newest record.
Circles Around the Sun is known well in the jam band community particularly for the tragedy in losing their founding member, the great Neal Casal. CATS is a band who prove to be unique, funky, and ground breaking in the absence of Casal, with guitarist John Lee Shanon fitting in well, unafraid to experiment, getting weird with guitar solos, truly showing off his unique musicianship. The space funk grooves of this band paired with the epic sounding harp playing of Mikaela Davis is truly a force to behold.
Circles Around the Sun – Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ – Thursday, February 29, 2024 – Leap Day
Setlist: Away Team, Landline Memories, Immovable Object, Moneyâs No Option, Halicarnassus, Babyman Encore: After Sunrise*, Gloaming Way*, Language* * with Mikaela Davis
On the night of February 29, the Tedeschi Trucks Band brought their electrifying performance to the Beacon Theatre in New York City, initiating the first of three remarkable shows at this iconic venue. This marked a pivotal moment as the band transitioned to the Beacon after rocking the stage for the initial two nights of the Deuces Wild Tour at the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in New Jersey.
Led by the incomparable duo of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the band continued to captivate audiences, showcasing their musical artistry throughout this third show of the tour.
The Deuces Wild Tour is happening from February to October 2024, and it’s all about the Tedeschi Trucks Band playing a bunch of different songs, some they wrote, some they didn’t. If you’re a fan in New York City, you’re lucky because they’re doing more shows at the Beacon Theatre, Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, and the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester.
The February 29 show opened with the soulful and atmospheric “Hear My Dear,” a track from the band’s 2022 album, I Am the Moon. The light and dreamy music set the stage just right, surrounding the audience in the band’s special mix of blues, rock, and soul.
The first set reached its climax with a powerful rendition of Blind Faith’s “Had to Cry” and the mesmerizing “Pasaquan.” Trucks’ virtuosic guitar playing took center stage, leaving the audience in awe of his unmatched skill and emotional depth.
As the second set unfolded, Susan Tedeschi showcased her singing skill with a soul-stirring cover of Mike Reid’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” famously performed by Bonnie Raitt. The emotional depth of Tedeschi’s performance resonated throughout the Beacon Theatre, capturing the hearts of everyone in attendance.
A memorable part of the night was when Alecia Chakour, a strong member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, stepped up and sang Aretha Franklin’s “It Ain’t Fair.” Chakour’s amazing singing and stage presence really impressed the audience, showing how important she is to the band’s overall performance.
Gabe Dixon, another gifted member of the group, showcased his exceptional singing skills in a soulful performance of “Gravity,” highlighting the band’s diverse musical abilities and collective talent.
The second set also featured a memorable cover of Derek and The Dominos‘ “Anyday,” where Susan Tedeschi and Mike Mattison engaged in a vocal duet, exchanging verses and harmonizing seamlessly. The band members worked really well together, making the music feel extra special and going beyond just the stage.
The night culminated in a soulful tribute to the late Bill Withers with a cover of “I Wish You Well.” The band’s emotional delivery of Withers’ timeless classic served as a fitting conclusion to an evening filled with musical brilliance and camaraderie.
Tedeschi Trucks Band – Beacon Theatre, NYC – Thursday, February 29, 2024
Setlist: Hear My Dear, Ain’t That Something, Laugh About It, I Am the Moon, Everybody’s Got to Change Sometime, Circles Round the Sun, Had to Cry Today, Pasaquan, I Can’t Make You Love Me, Soul Sweet Song, It Ain’t Fair, Gravity, Do I Look Worried, Last Night In the Rain, Anyday, Part of Me, How Blue Can You Get, I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free), I Wish You Well
