Category: Genres

  • Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper Announce Freaks on Parade Tour stopping in Syracuse this Summer 

    Hard rock icons Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper will embark on their Freaks On Parade Tour visiting 21 different cities this summer. The artists will perform at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse on Sept. 4

    Rob Zombie has always pushed audiences by pushing the limits of music and also films as a legendary rock singer and as a visionary director. The Massachusetts-based singer and film producer is one of the few artists to have achieved unheard-of success in both music and film, having written and directed eight feature films with a combined global box office receipt of over $150 million.

    Throughout his career, the rick-singer has demonstrated unquestionable box office success, creating and directing beloved horror films like House of 1,000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, and 3 From Hell. Among Zombie’s accomplishments is  the creation of the Freaks on Parade tour, which started in 2022. 

    Joining Rob on tour is the Detroit native Alice Cooper who delights both the crowd and his devoted followers with his unique brand of rock psycho-drama. Cooper is known for his wide range inspirations from vaudeville, garage rock, and horror films, his ensemble put on a theatrical production complete with electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood, and boa constrictors. 

    Over two decades into the new millennium, Cooper remains incredibly active and prolific in the rock scene. The singer writes, records, and produces music for his syndicated radio show every night in addition to touring all over the world. 

    Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper’s tour will also be accompanied by Al Jourgensen’s band Ministry and Richard Patrick’s band Filter, tickets for the Freaks on Parade Tour are available here

    2024 FREAKS ON PARADE TOUR DATES:

    Tue Aug 20 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

    Thu Aug 22 – West Valley City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

    Sat Aug 24 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena ^^

    Sun Aug 25 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center

    Tue Aug 27 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Summerfest Grounds

    Wed Aug 28 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center

    Fri Aug 30 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

    Sat Aug 31 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

    Sun Sep 01 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

    Tue Sep 03 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake

    Wed Sep 04 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview

    Fri Sep 06 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

    Sat Sep 07 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

    Sun Sep 08 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

    Tue Sep 10 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

    Wed Sep 11 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

    Thu Sep 12 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

    Sat Sep 14 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater

    Sun Sep 15 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

    Tue Sep 17 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

    Wed Sep 18 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena

  • Cyndi Lauper Holds Intimate Keynote Event at Berklee NYC Career Expo

    The students of Berklee NYC were treated to an intimate and fascinating experience with pop legend Cyndi Lauper in January.

    The 2024 Berklee NYC Career Expo was an event held at the Berklee NYC campus on January 22. The event featured several music icons including Cyndi Lauper, who took center stage.

    Cyndi Lauper Holds Intimate Keynote Event at Berklee NYC Career Expo

    Cyndi Lauper shared valuable knowledge about experiences in the entertainment business. Ms. Lauper was joined by several NYC songwriters, producers, and other accomplished industry leaders to discuss the many aspects of music and entertainment.

    The entire event saw many students excited to listen and learn from such greatness. The program included a discussion on how a song is written, produced and marketed, as well as an interactive workshop for theater writers.

    Further, students were shown a behind-the-scenes demonstration of the modern music festival setup with first-hand insights from creative designers.

    “We were honored to welcome the inimitable Cyndi Lauper to Berklee NYC, an artist who has left an indelible mark on music history just as she did with the audience at the expo. We extend our gratitude to all of the brilliant artists and industry leaders who shared their experiences with our students. Our team places an extremely high value on delivering meaningful and relevant industry insights to the aspiring professionals in our program, and this event reaffirmed that shared passion within our community in every way.”

    Betsie Becker – acting executive director

    The Berklee NYC Career Expo was a successful means of engaging the student body with a meaningful night of intrigue and networking. Every audience member present on January 22 left with something of value to take away from the experience. For more information on the career expo with Cyndi Lauper, visit Berklee NYC’s Website.

  • Hearing Aide: Gregory McLoughlin, “Hemispheres”

    Prolific bassist and songwriter Gregory McLoughlin has released his latest single, “Hemispheres” on January 15. Gregory McLoughlin, hailing from Jersey City, NJ, creates bass-forward, and acoustic tracks that can best fit into the category of folk or soft rock.

    Gregory McLoughlin Hemispheres

    A first thought on Gregory’s single, “Hemispheres,” is the opening sounds quite reminiscent of Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind.” It begins with a subtle bassline, melodic piano, and a recognizable acoustic riff. You can also hear accordion kick in as the vocals do. Backing vocal harmonies on this track are quite smooth and relaxing.

    The song tells a tale about a sort-of yearning for summer adventure with loved one. Certainly, a vibe any Northeasterner in the winter can get behind. The song has a mix of a tropical, Margaritaville sound, and American Folk. There is a smooth, guitar solo between verses and the chorus, which remains in the background for the remainder of the tune.

    The single has the same melody throughout, with little to no diversion in neither vocals nor instrumentation. That said, the song is sweet-sounding, and one where emotion and hope are the defining narratives.

    This is a song about summertime, but specifically inspired by the beautiful landscape of
    New England’s Cape Cod National Seashore. I am releasing it in the dead of Winter to
    remind us of warm summer memories and help push us through the cold months.

    Gregory McLoughlin, on “Hemispheres”

    To listen to Gregory McLoughlin’s latest single, check him out on Spotify, or YouTube. To learn more about the artist, visit his website at GregoryMcLoughlin.com.

  • NYC Festival Celebrating Black Electronic Talent, dweller, Announces Lineup

    dweller, the NYC music festival designed to amplify and celebrate Black talent in the field of electronic music, is returning for an unforgettable 2024 season, running February 20 to February 25 at clubs and underground spaces across Brooklyn.

    The dweller Festival was founded by the Discwoman collective co-founder Frankie Decaiza Hutchinson, who curates the festival alongside Enyo Amexo and Ryan Clarke. dweller’s mission of properly contextualizing Black creators’ influence over the past, present, and future of dance music remains as vital and singular as it did when Hutchinson launched the festival in 2019.

    “We strive to be a black lighthouse; a siren in the storm for those who know the isolating whitewaters of electronic all too well. At this time, the authorities controlling this current seek to drown the voices and new structures that can reverse the flow of power back into our hands. We must be vigilant towards persisting as to not just speak for ourselves but redistribute resource, equity, and justice in a space that has long made its worth on the backs of the silenced,” their site wrote.

    This fifth-anniversary edition of the festival features over 75 artists holding court in seven of New York’s most exciting dance spaces with featured artwork created by Hassan Rahim’s studio 12:01. dweller’s season begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20 with a free-with-RSVP ritual gathering at MoMA PS1 in Queens, headlined by the prolific and critically-acclaimed musician Actress.

    Photo by Kadar Small.

    As part of this year’s festival, the film streaming service The Criterion Channel has linked up with dweller beginning on February 1 to spotlight a collection of films that celebrate the Black roots of electronic music. Among the 13 films curated by the festival for streaming through February is the 1996 documentary, The Last Angel Of History, which explores the origins and significance of the concept of Afrofuturism in music, writing and other disciplines.

    Another film, 2003’s Maestro, explores the origins of house music via Black figures such as Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles. A selection of short films also on the playlist include Songs For Earth & Folk (2013), I Held The Truth In My Hands (2020), Pivot (2020), Lunar New Year (2021), MOSQUITO: The Movie (2022), Hyperfate (2023), Pacific Club (2023) and Trial Period (2023). A 7-day free introductory trial to the Criterion Channel is available by clicking here.

    For more information, visit here.

    dweller Festival Lineup

    Feb 20

    True Polar Wander

    “annual opening ceremony to reorient ourselves after a year of roaming”

    Actress, ALSOKNOWNASROX, S*an D. Henry-Smith, Tavish Timothy

    Opening Celebration @ MoMA PS1, 7-10 PM, Free w/ RSVP

    Feb 21

    Continental Drift

    Actress, Edward George, more artists TBA

    “experiments on how sound and sight know nothing of imagined borders”

    Education Night @ Nowadays, 7-10 PM, Free w/RSVP coming soon

    Entering Quadrant 5

    “legends of the underground..”

    DJ Black Power, Josey Rebelle

    Opening Night @ Bossa Nova Civic Club, 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets

    Feb 22

    Afro-Atlantic Dub

    “take a step back in time to the future”

    Edward George, Embaci, Liv.e

    Live Show @ Public Records, 7-10 PM, Tickets

    See the Jungle for the Trees

    “speed is what you need”

    Kush Jones and Tim Reaper

    Club Night @ Public Records 10 PM-3 AM, Tickets

    Absolute Music

    “paint pictures on the dance floor”

    Galcher Lustwerk and gum.mp3

    Club Night @ Bossa Nova, 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets at the door

    Curated Chaos

    “a beloved gathering”

    ASL Princess, Enfleshed (FKA Limitbreak!), Oneeleven, DOLLNXTDOOR, Archangel, :3LON (LIVE), Ms. Boogie (LIVE), Sissy Eliott, Naija Couture

    Body Hack @ Nowadays, 10PM-Late, Tickets

    Neptune Rising

    “all night subnautical sonic assaults”

    Upstairs: 1Morning, DJ Stingray 313, Memphy

    Downstairs: Bae Bae and Ashley Venom

    Club Night @ Paragon, 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets

    Feb 23

    One-Woman-Show

    “Do-Not-Miss” -New York Most

    Maya Margarita

    Live Show @ Paragon, 9-10 PM Tickets

    Cross-pollination

    “wind your waist”

    DJ Narciso, Scraaatch, Total XTC, DJ Lag, Kikelomo

    Club Night @ Paragon 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets

    A Special Request

    “sub-bass extensions in the hardcore continuum reach NYC”

    Coki, Livwutang, Sarra Wild

    Club Night @ Nowadays, 10 PM-Late, Tickets

    404 Sunset

    “threading with hope / atmospheric inspiration // soft haze”

    A Space for SoundKeiyaATAKA

    Live Show @ Public Records, 7-10 PM, Tickets

    Love Goes On & On

    “at home in house”

    Colored Craig, NIKS, Russell E.L. Butler, Waajeed

    Club Night @ Public Records 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets

    10PM in Detroit

    “full throttle for those who know”

    Eden and HiTech

    Club Night @ Bossa Nova, 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets at the door

    Seafloor Spreading

    “bottomless kaleidoscopic immersion”

    “Vulgar & sexy” – New York Grimes

    A.M.D, Sharlese, Charlton, Rroxymore, quest?onmarq

    Merge @ Warehouse, 10 PM-Late, Tickets

    Feb 24

    A Long Cast Shadow (Selenelion)

    “where the sun and moon are both audible” – NY Most

    “the seismic shadow we’ve been waiting for” – DJ Rag

    Theo Parrish, Patti Kane, Suzi Analogue Live, DJ Freedem, Zaida Zane, Donis, Batu, Beige

    Nonstop @ Nowadays, 10 PM-10 PM, Tickets

    BootySound

    “its bouncy”

    Swami Sound and Martyn Bootyspoon

    Club Night @ Bossa Nova, 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets at the door

    Thunder Down Under

    “techno at its molten core”

    Daiyah, Robert Hood, Devoye, Shaun J. Wright, Miss Twink USA, Kilopatrah Jones

    Club Night @ Basement, 10 PM-6 AM, Tickets

    Hard Drama

    “something a little different. feel the other side”

    Authentically Plastic, DJ Miss Parker, Hook (live), LustSickPuppy (live), Princess Peggie, Shamel Pitts | TRIBE, Tati au Miel

    Club Night @ Paragon, 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets

    dweller World

    “a hidden thing is more powerful than a visible one” -West African Proverb

    Anysia Kym, HiTech, Pretty V & dav1d, Niontay, Liv.e, Salimata

    Yung World x Dweller @ Cafe Erzulie, 7-9 PM, Tickets

    Feb 25

    The Final Frontier

    “a last embrace. Until next time…”

    AK and Blackmoonchild

    Bossa Nova Civic Club, 10 PM-4 AM, Tickets at the door

  • Lake Street Dive to Complete Extensive Tour Beginning This Summer

    Acclaimed pop/soul group Lake Street Dive has announced they will be touring throughout North America starting this June. The Good Together Tour will see four stops across NY – Saratoga Springs, Lafayette, NYC, and Buffalo, over the course of the tour, in that order.

    Lake Street Dive tour

    The tour will kick off on June 14 in Asbury Park, NJ. The last show of the tour will be on October 11 in Atlanta, Georgia. Saratoga Jazz Festival, Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, The Outer Harbor, and most notably, Madison Square Garden will be where Lake Street Dive winds up in the Empire State.

    The band makes music of a multitude of genres. Soul, pop, country, indie, folk and more can be heard in various works by the group. What’s common in all of it is the talent and musicianship that Lake Street Dive possesses. The grooves, licks, and vibes of this music are wonderful both recorded and live. Definitely not a tour to miss out on.

    “We’re going on our biggest tour yet!!! It’s gonna be a big ol’ party all around the United States and Canada and EVERYONE is invited! Looking for a place where you can get together with friends and strangers and dance the night away? Help is on the way! We cannot wait to set sail on this epic musical adventure. See you soon!”

    Lake Street Dive on The Good Together Tour

    Lake Street Dive – Good Together Tour 2024

    June 14—Asbury Park, NJ—Stone Pony Summer Stage

    June 27— Ottawa, ON—Ottawa Jazz Festival

    June 28 – Toronto, ON—Toronto Jazz Festival—History

    June 29—Saratoga Springs, NY—Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival

    July 07—Lafayette, NY—Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards

    July 09—Cleveland, OH—TempleLive at Cleveland Masonic

    July 10—Interlochen, MI—Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium

    July 12—Indianapolis, IN—Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park

    July 13—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater

    July 14—Cincinnati, OH—Andrew J Brady Music Center

    July 16—St. Louis, MO—St. Louis Music Park

    July 17—Bentonville, AR—The Momentary

    July 19—Dillon, CO—Dillon Amphitheater

    July 21—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT)

    July 23—Salt Lake City, UT—Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series

    July 26—San Diego, CA—Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

    July 27—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theatre

    July 28—Berkeley, CA—The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley

    July 30—Ketchum, ID—Sun Valley Center for the Arts

    August 01—Vancouver, BC—Orpheum Theatre

    August 02—Troutdale, OR—McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheatre

    August 03—Seattle, WA—Venue TBA

    August 04—Seattle, WA—Venue TBA

    August 17—Portland, ME—Thompson’s Point

    August 18—Portland, ME—Thompson’s Point

    September 13—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion

    September 14—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden

    September 15—Philadelphia, PA—The Mann

    September 17—Buffalo, NY—Terminal B at the Outer Harbor

    September 23—Grand Rapids, MI—20 Monroe Live

    September 24—Madison, WI—Breese Stevens Field

    September 26—Chicago, IL—The Salt Shed

    September 27—Chicago, IL—The Salt Shed

    September 28—Minneapolis, MN—Surly Brewing Festival Field

    September 30—Columbus, OH—KEMBA Live! Outdoor

    October 01—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE

    October 04—Raleigh, NC—Red Hat Amphitheater

    October 05—Charlotte, NC—Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre

    October 06—North Charleston, SC—Firefly Distillery

    October 08—Asheville, NC—Rabbit Rabbit

    October 10—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern

    October 11—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern

    Lake Street Dive tour

    The Good Together Tour presale begins Wednesday, January 31 at 10:00AM local time, and general on-sale begins Friday, February 2 at 10:00AM local time. For more information on Lake Street Dive, click here.

  • Selett Releases Breathtaking Self-Titled EP

    NYC-based songwriter Selett just released her new EP on January 26, Selett. The EP features a total of four tracks and comes across just under 15 minutes that showcase the artist’s potential and the power of self-discovery.

    Selett has been creating music and performing consistently, thrusting her sound into the spotlight and solidifying her mark in the NYC music scene. In the four track EP Sellet, the songs work together to create a message and the feeling of dread, worldly unknowns that lie ahead, and scars and memories from the past that one would prefer to forget. For instance in “Mourning Dove”, the theme takes form in the context of people’s relationships– both healthy and unhealthy– with one another and with themselves, intense vocals, and overwhelming yet amazing instrumentals backing each message.

    Each song on the EP takes the artist and the audience in a striking direction while also staying consistent in theme and tone. In “Wheels Within Wheels”, the anachronistic tune starts a very lifting piano before the singer’s vocal introduce the track’s dizzying themes of infinite regression, while in the beginning moments on “Hey Hey”, Selett immediately grasps the listeners with an intoxicating beat that builds in each measure as the singer adds in one instrument after another. 

    In celebration of her self-titled EP release, the singer also released the visualizer for the subtly magnificent single. In the visually pleasing visualizer for “Hey Hey”, the artist notes the delving  deep into the human quest for dignity and meaning. “It’s like a dance, intimate moments unfolding, kissing away fog, and passion expanding into the cosmos. There’s a lot of metaphorical guidance and searching. It’s a poetic journey, inviting you into this shared mystery, where each heart finds echoes of its own history. It’s emotional, it’s transformative, and it’s all about resonating with the messy, beautiful human experience.” Selett states. 

    In the self-titled EP, Selett shows a testament to the power of vulnerability, self-discovery, and just a taste of what the songwriter’s creative being is about. The singer/songwriter is known for working with artists like David Terranova who has been producing emotive and immersive voice, Charley Drayton, Parker Kindred and others whose artistry has enriched her layers of sound and meaning within each track. 

    Selett has been on a run which has given the singer various reasons to celebrate. Not only will the artist have new songs to perform to and share with her fans, but she will also be performing on February 16 at the Connolly’s Klub 45 in NY. Tickets and more information about the artist can be found here.

  • Hearing Aide: “Flight of The BumBillB” – A Few Laughs and One Very Uncomfortable History Lesson on The Latest Release from Buffalo’s Bill Bachmann

    Flight of The BumBillB is the latest release from Buffalo native Bill Bachmann.  This is the third full length album from the multi instrumentalist songwriter, who plays every instrument on the album’s 14 songs.  Bachmann is a true wordsmith who expertly uses wit and humor in his music. 

    Flight of The BumBillB lands between Weird Al Yankovic and Bob Dylan and somewhere between the city of Buffalo and the heart of Appalachia – Bluegrass, Americana, DooWop, Blues and even a parody of a Christmas classic, it’s all in there.

    Hearing Aide: "Flight of The BumBillB" from Buffalo’s Bill Bachmann

    “Size Don’t Matter on a Banjo” kicks off the album and is a tone setter for the humor and music that is about to come.  In a song that would fit perfectly in Disney’s Country Bear Jamboree, Bachmann takes shots at lawyers, harmonica players (who only suck half of the time), and even himself.

    The jazzy and funky sounds of “I’m a Real Man” are a stark contrast to the Bluegrass of the opening track. The lyrics are almost pure stand up comedy and some of Bachman’s finest on the album.  Couples beware! You will relate to this one, and that’s where it’s beauty truly lies. 

    As the title suggests, “Telecasterbatur” is full of sexual innuendos and double entendres. Bachmann is not very subtle on this not for kids tune which features some nice slide guitar.

    “Big Bad Josh” is a parody of Jimmy Dean’s classic “Big Bad John”.  Big Bad Josh is in fact Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and this tune sounds like it could be heard around tailgates and bars in Buffalo. Bachmann professes his love for his hometown team and predicts The Bills in “The Big Game” and Josh Allen heading to The Hall of Fame…maybe next year.

    Hearing Aide: "Flight of The BumBillB" from Buffalo’s Bill Bachmann

    Bachmann gets back to comedy through the middle of the album with parodies of “Turkey in The Straw” and “Blue Yodel”, the latter singing the laments of a big trust fund.

    “Double Negative” has a classic folk sound and lyrics like “How Much I Do Not, Not Love You.” A simple ditty that’s either a grammar teacher’s dream or worst nightmare.

    “Buffalo To Washington” is a musical journey from Buffalo, New York south through Pennsylvania and Maryland enroute to our nation’s capital and features a very catchy sing-a-long chorus.

    Nine songs deep into the album “Full Moon” finally delivers a serious love song.  The production on this one sounds very modern, almost garage band like or  “band in a box”.  The production, or lack of, seems to take away from the classic style of “Full Moon” which harkens back to great songs like “Blue Moon” and other classics from The Great American Songbook.

    Things seem to get a little jumbled and repetitive heading into the final stretch of “Flight of The BumBillB”. “Girls and Boys in The Ivy” is a parody of The Drifters classic “Poison Ivy”, taking shots at Ivy League students “memorizing elements and fighting about statistics”.  “Male in The Czech” sounds like it could be a Monkees song with a bad punchline and “Pissed Off at Christoph” seems to miss the mark.

    What starts as a parody of “Ghost Riders In The Sky”, “Check Writers in Disguise” soon becomes a very uncomfortable and almost vulgar bio of The Kennedy Family.  Blaming Marilyn Monroe’s death on her singing “or the drugs”, Hush Money, Harvard scandals, and the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in Chappaquiddick leading to a “permanent senate seat” for Ted Kennedy are just a few of the ways Bachmann shows his disdain for the Kennedy Family. A song that is irreverent at the least, crosses any line appropriateness with the songwriter’s account of a rape on the beach.  This song is vulgar and politically incorrect with total lack of taste and empathy. It is the only track on  the entire album which evokes any real thought or emotion other than the occasional chuckle. In today’s watered down, politically correct “Me Too” world is this true art or just shock value amid an album of fluff? 

    Flight of The BumBillB concludes with “Santa Claws Are Coming To Town”, Bachman’s dark twist on the holiday classic.

    You can find Flight of The BumBillB on streaming platforms including Bill Bachman’s YouTube page and his official website BillBachmannMusic.com

  • Down in the Hollow: Fireside Collective and Airshow Ignite in Albany

    Sooner or later, they say everything old is eventually new again. This seems particularly true when it comes to the surging revival of Americana/Bluegrass music and on Wednesday, January 24, concert fans in Albany found that out firsthand.  Sharing the stage at The Hollow for a co-headlining night of frantic finger pickin’ and foot stompin’ brilliance, Ashville, NC’s Fireside Collective and Nashville’s Airshow demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt why they are two of the hottest emerging forces in ‘Newgrass” music today.

    Fireside Collective brought the heat to The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    First on the docket put together by Guthrie Bell Productions was Airshow.  Originally formed in Reading, PA, it wasn’t until childhood best friends Steve Gallagher (guitar/vocal) and Cody Chelius (mandolin/vocals) met up with Bill Baker (bass/vocals) and John Rodrigue (drums/vocals) in Nashville that their high energy jams really started to soar. Two studio albums and a boatload of live recordings later, Airshow finally landed in Albany for the first time. 

    Nashville’s Airshow made their Albany debut at The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    After filling up their bellies at The Hollow’s adjoing restaurant, the guys quickly started burning off the calories by opening with “Burning the Hardwood Floor.” As tardy fans slowly filled in the room while the band worked their way through numbers like “Up Dog,” “On’ry and Mean” and “Up in the Clouds,” it wasn’t long before you could see what all the fuss was about.  More jammy and electric sounding than traditional Bluegrass, the Oysterhead shirt worn by Chelius gave the band instant street credit and signified they were students of improvisation by some of the best to ever do it.  

    Through a bevy of effects pedals, guitarist Steve Gallagher effortlessly made his acoustic sound like a raunchy electric axe, which paid huge dividends on songs like the funky “Skydiver” and “Up on the Ridge.” After showcasing their chops and technicality on the high-octane barn burner called “Spider Bite,” Airshow would ignite the crowd even further by their hilarious synchronized dance moves on their final number, “Up On The Hill.”  An excellent set that surpassed my expectations, this certainly was not your father’s bluegrass I was expecting. It was better.   

    Cody Chelius of Airshow performing at The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    As the pouring rain outside The Hollow continued, things inside were just starting to heat up. Making their return to the Capital Region after wowing fans at last year’s Eastbound Throwdown and again at Cohoes Music Hall opening for Kitchen Dwellers, Fireside Collective have quickly earned a reputation for their ferocious and infectious live shows.  Consisting of Joe Cicero (guitar); Jesse Iaquinto (mandolin); Tommy Maher (resonator guitar) and Carson White (bass), this tour also marks the latest addition to Collective by way of drummer Mike Tillis. 

    Fireside Collective
    Fireside Collective performing in Albany on 1/24/24.

    Kicking things into high gear with a “Devil’s On the Hillside” > “Choctaw Hayride” combo, the band was firing on all cylinders from the very start. Seamlessly trading vocal harmonies and instrumental leads at the drop of a hat, the band jelled together like a well-oiled machine. A tender, more, country styled vibe emerged on “Done Deal” from the bands 2020 album Elements, before a stellar re-imaged cover of “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue” endeared itself upon unsuspecting ears resulting in big time smiles both on stage and off.  

    Fireside Collective
    Fireside Collective performing at The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    Shifting focus to songs from the latest Fireside Collective album Across the Divide, “Let it Ride” threw caution to the wind, while extended jams on “Your Song Goes On” and “When You Fall” showcased some of the hottest licks and best interplay of the night between Tommy Maher and Jesse Iaquinto. After “Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me” came a special treat for those in attendance at The Hollow. Announcing a brand-new song saved for this specific night, the band would debut “Down in the Hollow” in the most appropriate and satisfying way possible.  Check out fan shot footage of that exciting moment in the clip below.

    Throwing it back to an oldie but a goodie from Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers on “These Old Blues,” Fireside Collective kept it classy while paying proper respect to the forefathers of the Americana/folk genre.  From the past to the present, the extended jam out of “And the Rain Came Down” felt like hearing a bit of the future.  This was Newgrass and the fun-loving crowd at The Hollow couldn’t get enough.  So much so that local promoter Greg Bell of Guthrie Bell Productions approached the stage and asked the boys to play one more.  Happy to oblige and perhaps pander to the obvious Deadheads in the audience, Fireside Collective spontaneously uncorked a 12-minute rendition of the Grateful Dead classic “Scarlet Begonias” to bring the already hot show to a scorching close.  Watch fan shot footage of that in the clip below.

    Guthrie Bell Productions does it again, I mean what a show! Two great young bands with musical chops and maturity far beyond their years. I suppose I walked in expecting some sort of hump day hoedown, but what I got felt more akin to a Saturday night rock ‘n roll rager. With choice cover songs, original debuts and a gorgeous commemorative poster designed Chelsea Housand, Fireside Collective and Airshow at The Hollow was an absolute barn burner.

    Fireside Collective | January 24, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY

    Setlist: Devils On the Hillside > Choctaw Hayride, Done Deal, It’s All Over Now Baby Blue, Let It Ride, Your Song Goes On, When You Fail > Jam, Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me, Down in the Hollow*, These Old Blues, And the Rain Came Down > Jam

    Encore: Scarlet Begonias

    *Original debut

    Airshow | January 24, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY

    Setlist: Burning the Hardwood Floor, Up Dog, Lonesome On’ry and Mean, Up in the Clouds, Skydiver, Up on the Ridge, Greenway, Spider Bite, Up on the Hill.

  • NY Philhamonic To Present The U.S premiere of  “Émigré” This Spring

    The New York Philharmonic will perform the U.S Premiere of Émigré, in February 29 and March 1 at the Wu Tsai Theater in David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center.

    Émigré

    Founded 1842, The New York Philharmonic is one of the most leading American orchestras and one of the one of the oldest musical institutions in the country. The orchestra was then just called the Philharmonic Society of New York and it was the third Philharmonic on American soil since 1799. 

    Émigré explores the little-known moment in history with an opulent, romantic score; beautiful music that exists in stark contrast to the reality that many went through. Different genres and styles converge in Zigman’s music, reflecting the rich and diverse musical landscape of 1930s Shanghai, known as “the Paris of the East.” 

    The premier in February 29 and March 1 will be semi-staged, featuring costumes and visual projection elements that will complement the music and showcase the city of Shanghai from various perspectives. Director Mary Birnbaum says, “Ultimately, we see this story as a contemporary vigil for those who find themselves far away from home,” and adds that Émigré is about “citizens of the world protecting each other.”Émigré, a musical of drama, hope, love and refuge composed by Aaron Zigman, with lyrics by Mark Campbell and Brock Walsh, conducted by Long Yu, and directed by Mary Birnbaum.

    Tickets to the performances my be purchased online, or at the Welcome Center at David Geffen Hallor by calling (212) 875-5656.

  • Odesza To Bring “The Last Goodbye Finale” Tour To MSG This Summer

    Electronic-duo Odesza have announced they are embarking on a farewell tour with support from Bob Moses, Ben Böhmer, Drama and Golden Features. The Last Goodbye Finale features two dates at MSG on June 21 and 22.

    the last goodbye finale gorge odesza

    The Odesza duo consists of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight and the two formed their electro pop band in 2012 shortly before they graduated from Western Washington University. The band took their name influence from the name of Mill’s uncle’s sunket vessel named after the Ukrainian city of Odessa. Since the spelling of “Odessa” was already being used by another Scottish synth band, the duo instead chose to use a form of the Hungarian spelling replacing “ss” with “sz” as in Odesza

    odesza
    Odesza at Gov Ball 2023 – photo by Joseph Buscarello

    In April 2013, the duo released the deluxe edition of The Last Goodbye album addinging singles “Hopeful” and “Two Be Yours”, as well as VIP remixes of “All We Need” and “Sun Models”, which had previously only been performed live. The duo later announced their  “The Last Goodbye” tour in support of the album which began in June of 2022, totaling over 40 shows across North America. The Chill wave duo appeared in major music festivals including Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Lollapalooza and Life Is Beautiful. 

    In January 2024, the duo announced a “Finale” slate of performances for the album, scheduled for Summer 2024 with two stops at the Madison Square Garden on June 21 and 22.

    Early access to tickets, VIP and travel packages starts on Wednesday, January 31 at 10 am with ODESZA’s Artist Presale, while the General on sale begins on February 2 and fans can access the tickets here.

    ODESZA’s The Last Goodbye Finale 2024 Tour Dates

    June 7: Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium #@+

    June 8: Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium %@+

    June 21: New York, NY – Madison Square Garden %@+

    June 22: New York, NY – Madison Square Garden #@+

    June 29: Boulder, CO – Folsom Field %*+

    July 4: George, WA – The Gorge ^@+

    July 5: George, WA – The Gorge %@+

    July 6: George, WA – The Gorge #@+

    Support key:

    % Bob Moses

    # Ben Böhmer (Live)

    ^ Tinlicker (LIVE)

    * Big Boi

    @ DRAMA

    + Golden Features