January is in full swing and while the month is quiet for live music, drummer and multi-talented musician Joshua West has a few shows around the state that are well worth checking out, including a run of shows around his 30th birthday in Albany, Plattsburgh and Burlington.
A singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist born and raised in Upstate NY on the shores of Lake Champlain, surrounded by the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains to the south and the Green Mountains of VT to the east.
From a young age, Joshua began studying an array of instruments and musical mediums ranging from orchestral percussion to vocal performance, rhythm guitar to world music. He has performed with numerous bands across the United States and internationally and shared stages with The Wailers, O.A.R., SOJA, Black Uhuru, Michael Franti, Rusted Root, Goose among others.
With a blend of reggae, hip hop, folk and soul, meshed with conscious lyrics that question the state of our world today, West will be celebrating his 30th birthday with stops in his ‘hometowns,’ starting at Lark Hall on January 25th, performing with Quantum Cosmic, then heads up to Burlington for a show at Nectar’s the next night to perform with Annie in the Water, then closes out the weekend at Olive Ridley’s in Plattsburgh with West’s new band on January 27.
That new band – the Joshua West Band – integrates West’s original music that hasn’t found it’s way into his other groups where he is a drummer or percussionist. West’s vocals will be front and center with his eponymous band, stepping out as a guitarist, vocalist and percussionist. The lineup features Jack McChesney (Satyrdagg) on drums, Mowgli Giannitti (Satyrdagg, The Reflexions, Heavy Nettles) on bass, Ty Miller (The Reflexions) on guitar/vocals, Van Garrison (All Night Boogie Band) on keys, and Connor Dunn (Let’s Be Leonard) on saxophone.
Coming up in February, Annie in the Water will kick’s off Winter Carnival at The Waterhole in Saranac Lake on February 2, prepared to warm up the crowd even if the temperatures are below freezing outside.
West has also recently released Let Your Voice Be Heard, and is back in the studio, currently recording “Something in the Water,” inspired by the pocket of roots reggae music that has come out of the Finger Lakes (John Brown’s Body, 10 ft. Ganja Plant, Thunderbody, Mosaic Foundation, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Root Shock). West shares that his collaborators include an all-time favorite rhythm section of Tommy Benedetti (John Brown’s Body, Dub Apocalypse) and Nate Edgar (The Nth Power, John Brown’s Body) along with members of Giant Panda and featured vocalists.
Joshua West’s recent debut album Let Your Voice Be Heard is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Dark Star Orchestra has announced their only New York date of their upcoming tour, returning to The Stanley Theatre in Utica on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m.
Dark Star Orchestra, photo by Filip Zalewski.
Recreating the sound, energy, and experience of The Grateful Dead, the renowned Dark Star Orchestra marks two decades and over 3,000 shows of musical excellence. Committing to authenticity and to the unique live experience, they have become a staple in the world of live performances. With seven talented musicians, the band brings the Dead’s music to life, using historical setlists and crafting their own unique sets locally and internationally.
Previous guest performances with Dark Star Orchestra include those of six original Grateful Dead members, including Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Bill Kreutzmann, and collaborations with artists like Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish, showcasing the band’s credibility and deep connection to the music community. “For us, it’s a chance to recreate some of the magic that was created for us over the years,” keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco explains. “We offer a sort of a historical perspective at what it might have been like to go to a show in 1985, 1978 or whenever. Even for Deadheads who can say they’ve been to a hundred shows in the 90s, we offer something they never got to see live.”
For nearly a century, The Stanley Theatre has brought the community together with live concerts, Broadway shows, musicals, ballets, movies, graduations, and recitals. Today, The Stanley Theatre operates as a not-for-profit organization run by the Central New York Community Arts Council, Inc. Originally built as a movie palace, The Stanley Theatre opened its doors in 1928 with 2,963 seats, a grand entry staircase that resembles the main staircase of the Titanic, a gold leaf interior and a terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior.
Tickets for Dark Star Orchestra at the Stanley Theatre in Utica start at $33.50 including fees and go on sale Friday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are available either in person at the box office or by phone at 315-724-4000. Tickets will also be available online here.
Tony Trischka, one of the most influential figures in roots music, is celebrating his 75th birthday at City Winery in NYC on Jan. 19. He has also announced the release of his new album Earl Jam: A Tribute To Earl Scruggs, out this spring.
Tony Trischka was born in Syracuse in 1949. Raised in a home full of music, he fell in love with the banjo through the Kingston Trio’s 1959 recording of “M.T.A.” In the early ’70s, he moved to New York City, releasing his landmark solo debut Bluegrass Light, mixing bluegrass, country, psychedelic pop, free jazz, and more. Many other milestone albums followed, including 1983’s A Robot Plane Flies Over Arkansas, and 1993’s World Turning, a global history of the banjo that ignited Marc Fields’ comprehensive 2011 documentary, Give Me the Banjo. As a banjoist he set new standards for genre-bending virtuosity, inspiring legions of younger players, among them Béla Fleck.
Trischka’s GRAMMY-nominated album Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, released in 2007, and Great Big World, from 2014, features a mix of veterans and up-and-comers. In addition to his GRAMMY nominations, he’s earned numerous honors, including the International Bluegrass Music Award for Banjo Player of the Year, as well as being named a United States Artists Friends Fellow.
One day during the COVID lockdown, he was checking his mail and was astonished to find a thumb drive full of rare recordings of his late friend Earl Scruggs jamming with John Hartford, mostly taken from private gatherings at Earl’s house during the 80s and 90s. Trischka began pouring over the more than 200 songs, transcribing the all-new solos, tones, and tricks from the man he’d been studying for over half a century, featuring a number of these pieces at Joe’s Pub. After that show, he decided there should be an album created of this unique material. “Whether or not you’re a banjo player, if you play bluegrass, you’re influenced by Earl. So it was easy to get world-class players on board,” says Trischka.
Names like Stuart Duncan, Ronnie McCoury, and Darol Anger are featured in the album notes, next to those of Molly Tuttle, Brittany Haas, Dominick Leslie, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes. Trischka just shared “Brown’s Ferry Blues,” the opening track of Earl Jam, and the only tune on the album to feature another banjo player: Bela Fleck. This song, produced by Fleck at Parlor Studios in Nashville, not only gets two banjo breaks, but the steady bass thump of Mark Schatz, Sam Bush’s legendary mandolin chop, show-stopper Michael Cleveland on fiddle, and Billy Strings, on lead vocals and guitar.
This song was written by Alton and Rabon Delmore and recorded by them in 1933. I heard Earl play it backstage at a show in Missouri in 2010. He had his banjo tuned to double C— that’s g, C, D, C, D—and as far as I know, he’d never used this tuning on a studio or live recording. In the various jams with John Hartford that inspired this album, however, he always played it in standard G tuning, which is the setting you’ll hear here.
Tony Trischka.
Trischka’s 75th birthday will be celebrated in the company of an all-star list of friends, including Michael Cleveland, Michael Daves, Jared Engel, Jacob Jolliff, Kenny Kosek, Steve Martin, Bruce Molsky, Joyce Carol Oates, Noam Pikelny, Sean Trischka, Abigail Washburn, Danny Weiss, and more at City Winery in New York City. While the show is sold out, a link to sign up for the waiting list and more information can be found here.
For more information about Tony Trischka, visit here.
The Thing will kick off their North American Tour with a stop at TV Eye, The Ballroom on February 2, and close out the tour back in New York State at Buffalo Iron Works on April 13.
The Thing is a four-piece band from New York City, that originated when Michael Carter, Jack Bradley, and Zane Acord bonded over a shared love for rock & roll in high school. Over the years, they honed their craft self-recording and writing songs influenced by 60s pioneers such as The Kinks, Grand Funk Railroad, and artists of the Nuggets compilation. As they progressed in skill and knowledge, the band started to envision a career inspired by the likes of Brian Jonestown Massacre, King Gizzard, and The Black Keys.
The band then started playing shows and generating a buzz around New York City in the winter of 2022. Shortly after, the band began touring up and down the East Coast. Their energetic live performances quickly earned the grassroots attention of honest music lovers.
In April 2023, the band released their debut record Here’s The Thing which was a compilation of nine songs written throughout the early years of the band. With the album out in the wild and the addition of Lucas Ebeling on the kit, The Thing is relentlessly touring, recording new music, and breaching the modern world of rock & roll as they work toward their second album The Thing Is set to be released on Feb. 2.
Also kicking off on Feb. 2, The Thing will be back on the road as their North American tour kicks off with a hometown show in Ridgewood at one of the band’s favorite venues, TV EYE, and later at Buffalo Iron Works on April 13.
The tour will kick off on Feb. 2 and tickets can be purchased here.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
February 2 – New York, NY – TV EYE
February 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
February 9 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
February 10 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House
February 14 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
February 15 – Auburn, AL – 1716
February 16 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
February 17 – New Orleans, LA – Santos
February 22 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
February 24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Resonant Head
February 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar
February 29 – San Diego, CA – WINSTONS
March 1 – Los Angeles, CA – Gold Diggers
March 2 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer
March 6 – Morro Bay, CA – The Siren
March 7 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst Atrium
March 8 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
March 12 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub
March 13 – Portland, OR – White Eagle
March 14 – Seattle, WA – The Sunset Tavern
March 17 – Sun Valley, ID – Sun Valley Resort (free show)
March 20 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest
March 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – The DLC
March 22 – Crested Butte, CO – Public House
March 23 – Buena Vista, CO – The Lariat
March 24 – Telluride, CO – The Alibi
March 28 – Fort Collins, CO – Surfside 7
March 29 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Schmiggity’s Live Music Dance Bar
March 30 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre*
April 3 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
April 4 – Milwaukee, WI – The Cooperage
April 5 – Appleton, WI – Gibson Music Hall
April 6 – Chicago, IL – The Hideout
April 10 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
April 11 – Detroit, MI – Lager House
April 12 – Toronto, ON – The Baby G
April 13 – Buffalo, NY – Iron Works
May 26 – Boston, MA – Boston Calling
* supporting Mo Lowda & The Humble + Bright Light Social Hour
The Governors Ball returns in 2024 for their 14th year, settling into its home at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for an exciting weekend filled with music and festivities.
The upcoming festival promises a stellar lineup, with headline performances from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Post Malone, The Killers, and SZA.
From June 7-9, This iconic NYC music festival will have music enthusiasts gather in one of the city’s most iconic spaces to witness equally iconic performances.
2024 Gov Ball Lineup
The 2024 lineup for Governors Ball showcases a diverse range of musical genres, also featuring an expanded presence of Latin music, with artists like Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro, and Farruko, among others. The weekend kicks off and concludes with powerhouse performances by Post Malone and Rauw Alejandro.
Friday and Sunday also feature special performances by the School of Rock Queens and Brooklyn, highlighting the talent of these performance-based music schools that cater to individuals of all ages. The house bands of these schools will deliver two exceptional performances during the festival. Among the lineup, New York natives such as Arcy Drive, Beach Fossils, and Quarters of Change add a local flair to the event.
Lizzo, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
For eager fans looking to secure their spots, can sign up for a presale passcode now for the SMS Presale happening THIS Thursday, 1/18 from 11am – 1pm ET.
All ticket prices will increase on Thursday at 1pm ET when the Public On-Sale begins. Ticket prices are all-inclusive with no fees on top.
For 2024, Gov Ball is pleased to announce two new ticket types – 2-Day bundles and Ultimate Tickets. The 2-Day bundle allows fans to customize their festival experience over the weekend and attend any two days of their choosing at any ticket type.
Stay tuned to NYS Music for the latest updates on Governors Ball 2024, including lineup updates, and the eagerly awaited general sale dates, yet to be announced.
In the meantime, relive the excitement of the 2023 edition by checking out our recaps for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Kendrick Lamar at Gov Ball 2023 – photo by Lucas Kurzweil
Phish has announced the details on their first four-day festival – Mondegreen – and their first in more than nine years. The festival will take place at The Woodlands in Dover, DE over August 15-18, 2024.
What is a Mondegreen? Webster defined the word as “a misunderstood or misinterpreted word or phrase resulting from a mishearing of the lyrics of a song.” One example from Phish would be “Read Icculus” being heard as Ridiculous. If there was ever a more fitting name for a Phish festival, it hasn’t been named yet.
Phish will perform multiple sets over the four days of the festival, with a great number of interactive fan experiences yet to be announced, as well as curated regional food and drink, art installations and much more in store.
Magnaball photo by Brian Ferguson
Mondegreen marks the first live performance in Delaware stage for Phish in over two decades, and the latest festival from a band who can be credited with influencing a resurgence of music festivals in the 1990s. Phish’s most recent festival, 2015’s Magnaball, was held at New York’s legendary Watkins Glen International and was widely considered among their best festivals yet.
Centrally located with easy access from all points in the northeast and mid-Atlantic, the festival site will feature an abundance of on-site camping, with many nearby hotel options also available.
Delaware’s picturesque Woodlands is conveniently located within driving distance from major metropolitan areas on the East Coast, including Philadelphia (under two hours), Baltimore (under two hours), Washington, DC (under two hours), and New York City (under three hours). Fans can also take advantage of Amtrak service to Wilmington, DE as well as SEPTA regional rail.
Magnaball Photo by Steve Olker
Travel packages will go on sale this Thursday, January 18, at 11AM ET, with Weekend passes and Camping passes on sale Friday, January 19 at 11AM ET.
For complete details on passes, car and RV camping and parking options, on-site glamping accommodations, travel packages, and more, please visit phish.com/mondegreen.
Multi-faceted Rochester alternative rock/indie band Public Water Supply has announced the release of their groovy new single “Leila” from their upcoming album General Strike which is set to be released in March 29.
Public Water Supplyconsists of five members blending and combining stunning vocals, remarkable instrumentalists, and distinctive songwriting. The band include Iggy Marino, Karis Gregory, Jr., Alex Brophy, Spencer Kornrich, and Tanner Kates.
“Leila” features catchy and eccentric guitars and continuous drumming that give it a sentimental and nostalgic vibe. While the song tells the story of two lovers on a cross-country crime spree, burning rubber, and living an intense but exhilarating life, it still manages to capture all the thrilling and anxious emotions that go along with it.
“We’ve been re-defining our music and experimenting with our sound all year long. I think our babies are really going to notice more of a rock n’ roll feel in these songs and basically, we take no prisoners,” declared frontman Iggy Marino stated, who also coined the affectionate term “babies” for their fans, which some find it odd yet unique.
With the announcement of a new track, the band has also announced the release of their new album General Strike to premier atalbum will premiere at sun festival in March.29 Tickets are on sale now.
“Leila” from Public Water Supply is available to stream everywhere. For more information about the band, visit here.
In the midst of his sixth decade in the music industry, Albert Lee is halfway through yet another month-long tour, with a stop scheduled at the Strand Theatrein Hudson Falls on Jan. 20. The guitar virtuoso, whose accolades and bonafides continue to grow, is showing no signs of slowing down, celebrating his 80th birthday not that long ago.
I had the humbling opportunity to chat with Mr. Lee in the week leading up to his scheduled Jan. 20 appearance at Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls. In a conversation that dances through and around his storied career, one thing is undeniable: the sheer passion he has for his craft. What follows is our conversation.
Lucas Garrett: How’re you doing today, sir?
Albert Lee: Pretty good, pretty good. Thanks. Relaxing.
LG: Great to talk with you today. You’re going to be in the area at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls on Jan. 20th.
AL: Yeah, that’s right. Looking forward to it.
LG: It’s awesome that someone such as yourself is coming to a hometown theatre. You’ve been involved in the music industry for a while.
AL: Yeah.
LG: What started all of it for you? What made you say, “This is what I want to do with my life?”
AL: I started playing when I was 13 or 14, and you know, it was exciting. I wasn’t really interested in school; I left school at 15, which you could do at that time in England. I did a couple of day jobs, you know… my main interest was playing the guitar, and pretty soon, I was able to pretty much do it for a living.
photo by Lucas Garrett
LG: How many years did it take for you to do it full-time for a living?
AL: Oh, pretty soon, really. I wasn’t trained to do anything else. I was on the road at 16 – I did a couple of day jobs when I got back from those tours. What I was able to earn in a week was more than I could earn as a 17-year-old… I could earn more playing guitar, and went on from there.
I went off to Germany, and been in a number of bands over the years. Very fortunate to go from one to another.
LG: Anyone with access to the internet is able to quickly lookup all that you’ve done in your impressive career, but are there any moments that really stand out for you?
AL: Oh, yeah! I felt very fortunate with my heroes, The Everly Brothers, for many years. I was friendly with Don Everly, in the 1970’s, when he and his brother weren’t talking to one another. I was also working with Joe Cocker and Emmylou Harris in the 1970’s – I was busy. Then, The Everly Brothers got back together in the early 1980’s… I thought, “This is great! At last, I get to play with The Everly Brothers, even if it’s for a couple of nights.” They decided to go back on the road for albums, and that went on for 25 years or more.
LG: Were you with them that whole time?
AL: Oh yeah! I was with them from 1983 until they finished in the early 2000’s.
LG: Now, you’re going on tour, and playing all these theaters. What other shows are you doing on this tour? Are you in bigger theaters? Smaller theaters?
AL: This tour finishes on Feb. 3rd, and in fact, we finish up in Clear Lake, Iowa, in a big dance hall where Buddy Holly did his last gig. They always celebrate Buddy Holly, and Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper around that time each year. I’ve done that half a dozen times now.
photo by Lucas Garrett
LG: How does it feel to still be on the road? Do you have the same appreciation for it that you’ve had?
AL: Yeah. I’m out here most of the year. It gets hard, you know? This tour is a month, then I’ve got two or three weeks off, and then I go to England for about two or three weeks, and back home again for a month or two, then back out again. I’ve just turned 80 a couple weeks ago.
LG: Well, happy birthday, belated!
AL: Thanks. I never thought this would be happening, but here we are! I’m glad the gigs are there and that I feel well enough – fit enough – to do it.
LG: What inspires you to keep this relentless touring schedule? Where do you find the energy to keep going like that?
AL: Well, we enjoy the work, you know? Sometimes the long trips… we have some long drives some days – couple hundred miles; three hundred miles – I don’t enjoy sitting in the van that long, but it’s what we have to endure to be able to do the gigs. We get there, and the people are happy to see us, and we can relax, have a nice meal, and do the gig. Hopefully get a good night’s sleep, and do it all again the next day.
LG: It’s all part of the deal, right?
AL: Yeah.
LG: What do you to pass the time in between shows?
AL: Well, when I’m home, there’s lots to do. Things fall behind at the house, and I’ve got cars to fix. That takes time, hahaha. The day I left the gig, the window mechanism broke in our car. I’ve got three days to fix it before I have to drive somewhere with a car full of equipment. I’ll manage it.
LG: Listening to you play is always a pleasure. I’m curious if you have any kind of routine that you practice by?
AL: I have to say, after all these years, I don’t pick the guitar up very often, you know? I’m lucky that the licks are still there – they’re always there. When you get to my age, the skin gets thin and you lose the calluses on your fingers. That’s a real pain.
LG: Who are some of your influences as a guitarist?
AL: I don’t listen to a lot of new music. I do know there are a lot of great guitar players out there – a lot more than when I started playing. There’s a lot more competition now. Hahaha. I was inspired by all the early rock and roll guitar players like Scotty Moore with Elvis Presley, and James Burton who played with Ricky Nelson and Elvis. Hank Garland. There were so many great players. I learned to play by learning their solos, you know? That showed me the way around the guitar so I was able to play it with ease.
LG: This show at Hudson Falls on Jan. 20th, what can people expect from this show? Do you have anything special planned?
AL: I’m pretty lazy, really. I think they’ve heard a lot of these songs before, you know, but I’ll be adding some new twists to them. I play differently every night, you know?
LG: Mhm.
AL: I try to keep it fresh for myself. The musicians I play with, it’s the same way. We’re improvising… there’s a set way of doing the songs, but we’re improvising our way through each night.
LG: Who’ll be with you that night?
AL: JT Thomas on keyboards. He also works with Bruce Hornsby. David Chamberlain is on bass; I’ve known him a long time. Jason Smith on drums. We’re all good friends and we like to work together. They’re not always available, so I’m glad that I’m able to get these three guys on tour. These guys have been with me for quite a few years, now, and I’m glad they can do it.
LG: I want to thank you, very much, for taking time out of your day. It was great talking with you.
AL: Oh yeah, you’re welcome. Thank you.
LG: Have a great show, and keep rocking on.
AL: Alright. Well, thank you so much for your interest, I appreciate it.
Referred as a singer with an exquisite tenor, echoing Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel in the piano pop, Seth Glier will perform at the Eighth Step in Schenectady on February 10. This will be the singer’s return to the Capital Region after appearing in October alongside folk singer Tom Rush.
Growing up in Massachusetts, Glier grew up singing a lot of traditional shape note choir music from Appalachia and mountain music from the countries of Bulgaria and Georgia. The singer also grew up in a singing camp called Village Harmony, but now as an artist and activist Glier’s love and understanding of nature, his care for social justice and his music are synchronous. The singer also dedicated his latest album Rise to supporting Trout Unlimited, a national organization dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring America’s coldwater fisheries and their watershed.
The singer’s commitment to using songwriting as a tool for positive change has prompted him to work with the students in Parkland, FL for the ‘Parkland Project’. The project aims to connect Parkland neighborhoods to five schools, three County Parks, and Pacific Lutheran University. It also provides a safe route for people of all ages and abilities to get around in the areas that currently have few sidewalks and bike lanes.
Doors will open at 7 pm on February 10 and tickets can be purchased here and through Proctors Box Office (518) 346-6204.
Nestled in Manhattan’s West Side since 1968, the cathedral of rock and roll, Madison Square Garden, opened its doors at 6:00 pm Friday night (January 12), welcoming into its friendly confines loyal card-carrying members of The Tool Army.
The last time Tool visited the hallowed grounds of Madison Square Garden (MSG) – more than 20 years ago – the city, and The Garden itself, were quite different. But one thing has endured the test of time, and that is Tool remains a thinking person’s band. One that is an amalgamation of analytical, primeval, uncompromising, bellicose, and melodic forces.
Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
Following an autumn trek of North America and a subsequent two month hiatus, Tool’s Winter Tour 2024 features the latest support from psychedelic metal warriors Elder. Formed in the mid-aughts and hailing from a small seaside town in Massachusetts, frontman and guitarist Nick DiSalvo, bassist Jack Donovan, guitarist Michael Risberg and drummer Georg Edert currently call Berlin, Germany home.
Undoubtedly a momentous occasion to open for Tool, no less while gracing The World’s Most Famous Arena’s hallowed stage, Elder performed like the seasoned veterans they are, delivering on all fronts. Appearing onstage shortly after 7:30 pm, the foursome offered a 30-minute set that showcased exceptional musical craftmanship, taking the steadily growing audience on an evocative, sonic journey.
Known for long-scale compositions, DiSalvo and company presented a trio of stoner rock, mind-altering numbers collected from three of the six studio albums in their discography, including “Sanctuary” (Reflections of a Floating World, 2017), “Merged in Dreams – Ne Plus Ultra” (Innate Passage,2022), and “Halycon” (Omens, 2020).
Elder | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
Promptly at 8:30 pm, as the heartbeat introduction to “Third Eye” (Ænima, 1996) began to play on tape over the house PA system, the 20,000-capacity venue went dark, and the crowd erupted with a collective, loud roar. One by one, members of the beloved Los Angeles outfit took to the stage, beginning with drummer Danny Carey, who as usual, was rocking NBA hoops gear. His jersey of choice Friday night was Quentin Grimes’ #6 of the hometown Knicks.
Following close behind Carey were bassist Justin Chancellor and guitarist Adam Jones, each of whom have already left an indelible mark in the annals of rock history with their individual technique and instrumental experimentation. As the title track from 2019’s Fear Inoculum got underway, vocalist Maynard James Keenan emerged from the dark shadows and came into view stage left. Wearing a white button down dress shirt and a dapper black suit vest, he clutched the microphone with both hands, revealing black fingerless gloves. Donning a blonde mohawk, Keenan prowled from side to side, high atop two risers constructed at opposite ends of the stage, and on which he would reside for the show’s duration.
Maynard James Keenan of Tool | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
Before “The Pot” (10,000 Days, 2006) commenced, Keenan addressed us all regarding Tool’s well-known policy regarding cell phones:
So, here’s the deal. We’re gonna go for a little ride. We’re gonna connect. Take a little journey, together. Stay present. Stay in your body. Join us. Stay connected. Put your fucking phone away. [At the] end of the show, last song, you can pull your stupid phone out. Until then, stay with us. Are you ready?
Yes, we were all ready! With Tool’s seven pointed heptagram symbol dangling high above the stage, ‘open’ to signify an invitation into the collective unconscious, Tool’s entire set design was a remarkable sight to behold. Stunning visuals projected on the massive LED backdrop, which ranged from the depiction of skeletal zombie bodies with beaming alien eyes to a man trapped inside his own body, were supplemented by a spectacular laser light show that cut through the MSG atmosphere.
Danny Carey of Tool | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
Following a 12-minute intermission and a goliath smack of the gong with his mallet, the second portion of the show embarked with Carey seated once again behind his massive kit. Another track from Fear Inoculum ensued, the futuristic interlude known as “Chocolate Chip Trip,” an electronic drum solo that saw the wizard Carey masterfully execute his Toolbox’s modular synthesizer.
Justin Chancellor of Tool | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
Chancellor, bathed in a white spotlight, beastly strumming during a distortion and reverb filled bass exhibition, was rejoined by Jones, and eventually Keenan, for the night’s first big surprise – a live performance of “Flood” (Undertow, 1993), unearthed after 13 years! And if that were not enough for the diehard fan, following the evening’s fifth and final offering from Fear Inoculum, “Invincible,” Tool played an extended version of “Schism” (Lateralus, 2001) for the first time as a show closer.
Adam Jones of Tool | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger
Following their two gigs in Gotham, Tool will spend the better part of the next two months bringing their Winter Tour to the masses, culminating in Las Vegas on February 18. Tool, who at present are unsigned to a record label, are reportedly flirting with the idea of releasing an EP rather than a sixth studio album, which would mark their first new material since 2019. Nonetheless, it looks promising that The Tool Army will finally get to hear new music from their art rock heroes later in 2024.
Elder Setlist: Sanctuary, Merged in Dreams – Ne Plus Ultra, Halcyon
Tool Setlist: Fear Inoculum, The Pot, Rosetta Stoned (with “Lost Keys” intro), Pneuma, Intolerance, Descending, The Grudge (intermission), Chocolate Chip Trip, Flood, Invincible, Schism
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
January 18 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live January 19 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live January 21 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center January 23 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena January 24 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena January 26 – Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena January 27 – Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum January 31 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center February 2 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center February 3 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center February 5 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena February 9 – Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center February 12 – Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center February 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena February 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena February 17 – Ontario, CA @ Toyota Arena February 18 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
