NYS Music 2024

Category: News Desk

  • Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir to Join Foreigner at SPAC

    As part of their historic farewell tour, Foreigner will play at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 30th. The local Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir (BPHS) will join the group for a performance of the legendary hit “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

    Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir

    In the lead-up to their tour, Foreigner began a contest to involve local schools in their performances. Among the many schools that submitted audition tapes was BPHS, who Foreigner ultimately chose to perform alongside at their Saratoga Springs show. Choir director Alex Hitrick recalled the immense work the students put into this audition. “I had the students figure out the harmonies sung by the New Jersey Mass Choir in the original song, arrange it, then sing it as a group.” To Hitrick, the student’s “ability to put their passions on display while having fun” made their tape stand out. 

    The BPHS Choir has grown immensely since director Alex Hitrick began five years ago. When he began, the choir only consisted of 12 students, but has since grown to 68. This upcoming year, they will have enough students to field two choirs. These students’ hard work has allowed them to return to the NYSSMA major festival for the first time in years. In light of all of this progress, Hitrick views their upcoming show with Foreigner as “absolutely a natural progression. The students not only put in the work that it takes to be stronger musicians, but have put their hearts into everything they do.”

    Since winning the contest, the students have continued to work hard at their musical craft. BPHS will send 25 students to perform alongside Foreigner. These students have worked to fine tune all details of the song during rehearsals leading up to the show. As Hitrick admits, “While they may be a little nervous to be singing in front of thousands, I know being in the moment with each other surrounded by music will calm any nerves they may have.”

    The Broadalbin-Perth Senior High School Choir, Source: Broadalbin-Perth Central School District

    The main feeling surrounding the choir is excitement. Hitrick noticed that most students “have only heard snippets of music created from the 60s to 80s.” While many were aware of Foreigner’s hits, they did not know much about the band. After explaining Foreigner’s status as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the students recognized how important they really were. Now, Hitrick says “They cannot contain their excitement.” He specifically wanted to shout out one of his students “who will be singing every word to every song that they play.”

    This performance has already had major impacts on the Broadalbin-Perth music program. Hitrick believes that the publicity from this performance will increase numbers for the choir. He expects that all music ensembles and extracurricular activities in the district will also receive a boost. This new interest can help students explore the “many different avenues of music that students can pursue.” In addition to increased interest, there are more immediate benefits to the performance. As part of the contest, Foreigner will donate $500 to the choir program to aid in its operations. 

    Hitrick believes that music is a fundamental part of education, “it is the time of day when we get to engage our brains in a different way. It’s the time when students don’t have to think about the pile of standardized tests they have to take or the insurmountable stress that is weighing them down.” In the end, music and creativity is what makes us human, so “When shaping well-rounded individuals to be the best that they can be, we mustn’t neglect the creative side to humans, and in our case, the future of music education.” Based on what Hitrick sees in his students, he says “the future of music looks bright.”

    The performance at SPAC comes as part of Foreigner’s historic farewell tour with Styx. This tour comes after a near 50-year career that propelled Foreigner into rock stardom. Across their nine studio albums, Foreigner has racked up 14 top 20 hits. Audiences are sure to know tunes like “Cold As Ice” and “Juke Box Hero.” 2024 marks a big year for the band beyond just this tour. Foreigner’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is also scheduled for October 19th. 

    For more information on Foreigner’s July 30th show at SPAC with Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir, visit their website here. 

  • Saturday Night Live Season 50 Premieres September 28

    This fall, Live from New York, Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary will be celebrated, with season 50 of SNL airing on September 28.

    snl50 SNL

    With an election year on tap, SNL50 will bring out plenty of sketches lampooning the presidential race, likely calling back former cast members for cameos, if not outright regular roles (we’re looking at you Maya Rudolph as VP Kamala Harris).

    An Election Special is slated for November, along with other specials around the holidays, plus a documentary series, a multi-part music specials series, and a comedy special at Radio City Music Hall. All this is part of a “seven-month long party” that celebrates the NBC institution.

    Saturday Night Live premiered on October 11, 1975, with George Carlin hosting, and musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian. The upcoming film, SNL 1975, directed by Jason Reitman, takes a look at what was unfolding behind-the-scenes in the moments leading up to SNL’s first broadcast.

    The actual anniversary episode will air in on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 8-11pm, when the red carpet will be rolled out for current and former Saturday Night Live cast members as they arrive at Studio 8H to take part in the SNL50 Primetime Special.

  • Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes Returns to Radio City Music Hall This November

    In celebration of “Christmas in July,” Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. has announced that America’s most beloved holiday show, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, will be returning to the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall from November 8, 2024, through January 5, 2025.

    November 3, 2021: Dress rehearsal for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes.

    A staple of the holidays in New York City, the awe-inspiring Christmas Spectacular features intricate choreography performed by the incomparable Radio City Rockettes throughout nine show-stopping numbers. The production, which can only be seen at Radio City Music Hall, blends classic numbers that audiences know and love, such as “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” with innovative technology that extends the show beyond the stage, including immersive digital projections.

    In “Dance of the Frost Fairies,” the production’s newest number, which was introduced in 2022, the Rockettes perform alongside Frost Fairy drones that magically fly above the audience, turning Radio City into a winter wonderland. Since it opened at Radio City in 1933, the Christmas Spectacular has brought holiday joy to more than 71 million people from around the world.

    The Radio City Rockettes, the longest-running precision dance company in America, are renowned for their unity, athleticism and iconic precision style that combines elements of ballet, jazz, and tap, as well as techniques of modern and contemporary dance. In addition to the Christmas Spectacular, the Rockettes perform annually in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting and have appeared as part of some of the biggest events in entertainment, including the Tony Awards, the MTV VMAs, the NYC Pride Parade, and “Saturday Night Live.”

    To ensure that the Rockettes line showcases greater diversity and that dancers from all backgrounds see themselves represented, the dance company actively works to open education and training opportunities to more dancers through a robust dancer development program, including the no-fee Rockettes Conservatory, and by establishing strong partnerships with diverse dance organizations like The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, and the International Association of Blacks in Dance.

    Radio City Music Hall and the Christmas Spectacular provide a variety of accessibility offerings so more guests have an opportunity to enjoy the magic of Christmas. Through an ongoing partnership with KultureCity, a sensory room and sensory bags that contain special KultureCity VIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available at all performances of the Christmas Spectacular. Audiences at every performance can also access closed captioning on their personal devices via VITAC, and additional accessibility programming is offered at designated shows each season, including open-captioned, audio-described, and American Sign Language-interpreted performances, as well as a sensory-friendly performance in partnership with the Theatre Development Fund. For more information on these and other accommodations, including accessible and companion seats, please visit here.

    Tickets for the 2024 production start at $45 when purchased in person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Radio City Music Hall and for $56 when purchased online here. Visit here for more information.

  • Chevy Court Hosts Krockathon Reboot on July 27

    After a five-year hiatus, Krockathon is making its long-awaited return to Syracuse on Saturday, July 27 at Chevy Court located in the NYS Fairgrounds.

    Since 1996, this iconic festival has been a highlight for rock fans, and this year’s reboot promises to deliver an unforgettable experience with a stellar lineup of bands.

    Krockathon

    Krockathon Reboot is not just a concert; it’s a full-day festival experience. The Chevy Court Fairgrounds will be buzzing with activity, food and drink vendors, and merchandise stands. The spacious grounds ensure plenty of room to enjoy the music and festival atmosphere comfortably.

    Throughout its original run, KRockathon drew hundreds of thousands of rock and metal fans to Central NY to see legendary acts like Deftones, Public Enemy and Korn. Following 21 years of rocking the region, KRockathon went on an indefinite hiatus. Its last showing was in 2018, featuring Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie.

    Halestorm at Krockathon 19

    This years line up includes performances by Hoobastank, Puddle of Mudd, and more that will transport concert-goers back to their moshing days.  Take a look at the full lineup below

    Puddle of Mudd leads the charge, bringing their unmistakable post-grunge sound. Fans can look forward to an electrifying performance featuring hits like “Blurry,” “She Hates Me,” and “Control.”

    Hoobastank is set to deliver a powerful set with their blend of alternative rock and post-grunge. Known for the mega-hit “The Reason,” their performance is sure to be a standout moment of the day.

    Stabbing Westward, adding a darker, industrial edge to the festival, Stabbing Westward will perform fan favorites such as “Save Yourself” and “What Do I Have to Do?” Expect an intense and dynamic show.

    Nonpoint, with their hard-hitting, high-energy performance style, Nonpoint is a must-see. Hits like “Bullet with a Name” and their cover of “In the Air Tonight” will have the crowd headbanging in unison.

    Boy Hits Car’s unique fusion of alternative rock and world music influences will add a diverse flavor to the lineup. Their energetic stage presence and catchy songs, including “LoveFuryPassionEnergy,” are sure to engage the audience.

    Brand New Sin representing local talent, Brand New Sin brings a gritty, southern rock-inspired sound. Their powerful riffs and heartfelt lyrics will make their set a memorable homecoming for Syracuse rock fans.

    Tickets for Krockathon Reboot are available now! This highly anticipated event is expected to draw a large crowd, so be sure to secure your tickets early. Whether you’re a long-time Krockathon attendee or experiencing it for the first time, this festival is set to be a highlight of the summer.

  • Brooklyn’s D.I.Y. Rock Scene of 1980s to be the Subject of Forthcoming Documentary

    When it comes to NYC’s D.I.Y. rock scenes and their club catalysts, CBGB wasn’t the only game in town. In the late 1980s, when the now uber-glitzy and fully gentrified borough of Brooklyn was still mostly grit, grime and crime, there was one incredibly unassuming dive bar on the fringes of Park Slope where a handful of bands built a scene that captured the attention of the indie rock world. 

    Now this bar and the many bands it birthed are set to be the subject of an in-the-works documentary, Before It Was Cool: The Brooklyn Beat from Lauterbach’s, with an online crowdfunding campaign and reunion concert set for September 14.

    Several years in the making, the nearly completed film is the passion project of three people who knew the scene best. Executive producer and director Michael West was there from the beginning, as a member of The Original Rays.  Today a DJ and music director at Radio Free Brooklyn, Rachel Cleary stumbled into this seedy venue when she went to see her boyfriend’s band play and was floored by what she heard but saw in the way of the unforgettable characters who were habitues of the bar. A Brooklyn native, Cleary is a producer and the on-screen interviewer who relates the tale through interviews with several dozen musicians and fans who religiously frequented the venue. Another Brooklyn musician who emerged a decade later, Jeannie Fry of the band My Little Eye, also serves as a Producer and Technical Advisor for the project.

    Lauterbach’s had a direct connection to CBGB’s. It all began in 1988 when Bob Racioppo, a former member of one of the original CBGB bands, The Shirts, walked into his neighborhood bar after a shift as a cab driver. In a 2023 interview with the Red Hook Star, Racioppo said: “It had a small stage and looked just like a mini-CBGB’s. It also had a pool table, just like the original CBGB’s. And in those days, the neighborhood was white and Puerto Rican working class, not yet upscale and gentrified.”  Housed on the ground floor of a two-story building on an otherwise residential block, Lauterbach’s was a true curiosity in the early days of Park Slope’s gentrification.

    With the blessing of the owners who lived upstairs, George and Alice Lauterbach, Racioppo began to bring in bands. “I brought in money and knew how to treat bands, so it took off right away.” The club soon began to attract aspiring bands from the borough and beyond.

    These D.I.Y-minded bands weren’t content to just play; they began issuing a series of self-financed compilation CDs, starting with 1988’s Today Brooklyn, Tomorrow The World.  Bearing the works of up to 20 bands in each CD, these compilations garnered national buzz, including radio airplay from popular stations like K-Rock and WNEW-FM and feature stories in outlets including The New York Times.

    This down-and-dirty but big-hearted scene is coming to life via in-person interviews with well over two dozen musicians and the locals who made this downscale tavern a must-stop every weekend. All totaled, there is 60 hours of footage being culled for the project including many archival performances taped at Lauterbach’s and at Brooklyn Beat events at other venues including CBGB.

    While artists including Joan Osborne and They Might Be Giants graced the stage in their early days, this film focuses on the bands who were the heart of the scene, with some musicians who have continued to perform professionally and others for whom their glory days in music are a cherished memory.  Interviewees include members of Racioppo’s band, Chemical Wedding, The Fields, Frank’s Museum, Formaldehyde Blues Train, Al Lee Wyer, The Moe, Squirrels from Hell and more.

    While much of the film is in the can, the producers are launching a campaign to secure completion funds for the film. They will use the monies to finalize its editing and to promote the documentary at leading film festivals in 2025. 

    The crowdfunding effort, housed at gofund.me/38eb3334, will be kicked off with an event on Saturday, September 14 at 8 pm at Young Ethel’s at 506 5th Avenue, South Slope, Brooklyn.  The event will feature performances by reunited Brooklyn Beat bands including Kenny Young and the Eggplants, Squirrels from Hell, Chemical Wedding, Medicine Sunday, Frank’s Museum and Hari Karaoke Trio of Doom.  Info at youngethels.com  (Ed. note: This writer was a member of the latter two bands in the lineup).

    “This film has come together much like the Brooklyn Beat scene itself,” begins West, “with a group of artists collaborating to create something more beautiful than any could’ve imagined or created on their own. This team, the interviewees and the subject matter have put us well on the road to producing a high-quality documentary about a fondly remembered corner of New York City’s rock history.”

    Rachel Cleary adds: “Trying something new can redirect the trajectory of a person’s life. In our interviews, people spoke about breaking their routine to go into Lauterbach’s and that it led to their lives taking a completely different course, for the better. I hope people will leave this film with an appreciation for the power and importance of community, shared experience, and especially music made for the love of it. The Brooklyn Beat crew is a family that lived and continues to thrive well beyond the walls of a bar.”

  • West Falls Center For The Arts Hosts “Music Mends”

    The West Falls Center for the Arts will host a special fundraiser known as “Music Mends.” The fundraiser is held at the Admiral Room in Buffalo, on October 3, from 6-9 pm.

    west falls center for the arts

    West Falls Center for the Arts is a nonprofit arts and cultural destination hub, offering programs designed to bring arts and culture enjoyment to all. Music Mends is yet another of the inspiring events hosted by the center.

    Music Mends offers a wide variety of activities, including free music lessons for Veterans and their families, lessons from the accredited PBS program Kids Jam, and music mentoring for young artists. The nationally recognized Musical Memories Cafe hosts a special program for individuals with Alzheimer’s/Dementia and their caregivers. Performances from special musical guests and Buffalo natives The Kensingtons will take place all night, celebrating the classic artists of the 1960s and 70s like Roy Orbison. Music Mends will end with a Community Concert Series.

    Guests can enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and soda all night long. Throught the night, there are basket raffles, wine pulls, a gift card wall, and more fundraising activities. All proceeds go directly to the West Falls Center for the Arts, and help fund a wide variety of programs to bring music and art to the citizens of West Falls.

    Tickets for Music Mends start at $75 each, or $130 for two – tickets and more information are available on the West Falls Center website, linked here.

    The Admiral Room is located in the Marin apartment buildings, located at 237 Main Street, 14203, in Buffalo.

  • Schroon Lake Arts Council Celebrates 50th Anniversary

    This year, the Schroon Lake Arts Council celebrates the 50th anniversary of its summer concert series, now named Schroon Lake Live.

    To commemorate the golden anniversary, Schroon Lake Live offers two months of free concerts, having started on July 3 and held weekly on Tuesdays, and the 34th Adirondack Folk Festival.

    schroon lake live

    Concerts for Schroon Lake Live! and the Adirondack Folk Festival are held at the 1874 Boathouse Theatre, or outdoors on the 1936 Bandstand. For Schroon Lake Live, this year’s program is more diverse than ever before and features artists of several genres, including Irish, folk, jazz, bluegrass, classical chamber music, and even a children’s and family program.

    Also bringing fans to Schroon Lake is the Adirondack Folk Festival, celebrating and honoring the roots of of folk music from the region. Local and regional artists are set to perform, including Jamcrackers, House of Hamill, E.T.E., Vanaver Caravan, Matoaka Little Eagle and Julia Haines presenting Indigenous stories and music, and Three-Quarter North. The festival is Sunday, August 11, from noon to 6 pm. Food trucks and local vendors are available throughout the duration of the festival, and guests even have opportunities to meet the performers after the show.

    In addition to the concerts, free open jam sessions are held in the Boathouse on Mondays from 7- 10 p.m. for all singers, musicians, and music lovers.

    The full lineup for Schroon Lake Live is listed below. All concerts and events hosted are free, and welcome guests of all ages. For more information, visit the Art Council’s website, linked here.

    Schroon Lake Live! Full Lineup

    July 3: Get Up Jack

    July 9: Dave Ruch

    July 13: The Puppet People

    July 15: Songs To Keep: Treasures Of An Adirondack Folk Collector with Dan Berggren

    July 16: Annie and The Hedonists

    July 23: The Kennedys 

    July 30: Marsh Lights

    Aug 3: Lake George Music Festival Preview Concert

    Aug 10: Goodnight Moonshine

  • Joe Bonamassa Adds 2024-25 Tour Dates, Multiple Shows Across New York

    Blues-rock titan and New York native Joe Bonamassa has announced a spring 2025 tour, set to captivate audiences from coast to coast with the world-renowned guitarist’s electrifying live performances. The tour kicks off on February 16, 2025, and will make stops in major cities, including New York City, Buffalo, Boston, Chicago, and more.

    Joe Bonamassa tour
    Photo Credit: Haluk Gurer Birmingham

    Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performers of today. As a three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and 15x Blues Music Award nominee (4-time winner), he achieved his 28th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with his most recent live album and concert film, Live at the Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra. Only in his mid-40s, Bonamassa has become a living legend with an astounding multi-genre catalog. He has released more than 40 albums, including studio and live recordings, as well as collaborative albums with his adventurous side projects, Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party.

    Bonamassa’s spring 2025 tour will feature a diverse array of venues, from the vibrant Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, to the historic Beacon Theatre in New York City. A native of New Hartford, NY, Bonamassa frequently returns to perform for his fans in his home state, even beginning his career opening for blues legend B.B King at the Rochester Lilac Festival in 1989, at just 12 years old. Bonamassa just recently headlined the Great South Bay Music Festival this month in Patchogue, NY.

    Before embarking on the spring 2025 tour, Bonamassa will be busy with an extensive schedule of performances. Next month, he kicks off the highly anticipated Blues Deluxe Tour, celebrating his seminal albums, Blues Deluxe and Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, Bonamassa’s most recent blues project, was a full-circle moment for the accomplished musician, acting as a sequel to his breakthrough album Blues Deluxe.

    The Blues Deluxe Tour includes 18 cities and features a mix of fan favorites and deep tracks, promising unforgettable shows for blues enthusiasts. Never one to slow down, Bonamassa will also be on the road this fall for a series of performances across the U.S., continuing to deliver his unmatched live experience to fans nationwide.

    A special fan pre-sale for the spring 2025 tour begins on Tuesday, July 23 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by the public on-sale on Friday, July 26 at 10 a.m. local time. Visit here for information and tickets to any of Bonamassa’s shows. See below for a full list of dates and locations for all tours.

    Photo Credit: Eleanor Jane

    All Tour Dates

    Joe Bonamassa Summer 2024 – Blues Deluxe Tour

    August 2 – Albuquerque, NM – Sandia Resort & Casino

    August 4 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

    August 6 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater

    August 8 – Topeka, KS – Topeka Performing Arts Center

    August 9 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater

    August 10 – Jackson, MS – Thalia Mara Hall

    August 12 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Concert Hall

    August 14 – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center

    August 16 – Evansville, IN – Old National Events Plaza

    August 17 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre

    August 18 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium

    August 20 – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion

    August 21 – Hershey, PA – Hershey Theatre

    August 23 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre

    August 24 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre

    August 25 – Rochester, NY – West Herr Auditorium Theatre

    August 27 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre

    August 29 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent

    August 30 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

    August 31 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

    September 15 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Blues & Brew Festival*

    Joe Bonamassa Fall 2024 Tour:

    October 26 – Henderson, NV – Lee’s Family Forum

    October 28 – Santa Barbara, CA -The Granada Theatre

    October 30 – Rancho Mirage, CA – The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage

    November 1 – Tucson, AZ – The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

    November 2 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre

    November 3 – Long Beach, CA – Terrace Theater

    November 5 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre

    November 7 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic

    November 8 – Sacramento, CA – SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

    November 9 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre

    November 12 – Portland, OR – Keller Auditorium

    November 13 – Boise, ID – Morrison Center

    November 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater

    November 17 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center

    November 19 – Park City, KS – Park City Arena

    November 20 – Springfield, MO – Juanita K. Hammons Hall

    November 22 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre

    November 23 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre

    November 26 – Springfield, IL – UIS Performing Arts Center

    November 27- Appleton, WI – Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

    November 29 – Davenport, IA – Adler Theatre

    November 30 – Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Civic Center

    Joe Bonamassa Spring 2025 Tour:

    February 16 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

    February 19 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater

    February 21 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre

    February 22 – Cleveland, OH – Playhouse Square

    February 25 – Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

    February 27 – New York City, NY – Beacon Theatre

    February 28 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway

    March 1 – Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Resort & Casino

    March 3 – Easton, PA – State Theatre

    March 5 – Charleston, WV – Clay Center

    March 7 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center

    March 8 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

    March 10 – Chattanooga, TN – Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium

    March 12 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center

    March 14 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium

    March 15 – St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre

    March 16 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre

    March 18 – Evans, GA – Columbia County Performing Arts Center

    March 19 – Melbourne, FL – The King Center

  • Allman Betts Family Revival to Make 4 NY Stops on Winter Tour

    The Allman Betts Family Revival has announced concert dates for its Winter 2024 tour. The tour will begin November 30, 2024 in St. Charles, Illinois, and will feature four dates across New York State. 

    The Allman Betts band during their Fall 2023 Allman Betts Family Revival tour

    The Allman Betts Family Revival is an annual celebration of American music, spearheaded by Devon Allman and Duane Betts. The tour brings together the biggest names in blues, americana, and rock in a star-studded celebration of the Allman Brothers catalog. 

    The Allman Betts Family Revival began with a single 2017 show at the Fillmore in San Francisco. The show began as a memorial to the late Gregg Allman on what would have been his 70th birthday. Following the success of this show, the Allman Betts Family Revival grew into a full-scale annual tour. Now entering its 8th year, the tour is annually one of the most anticipated musical events, being known as “the jam of the year.”

    “With the number 8 also being the symbol for infinity, we want the fans to know we’re doing our part to help this music live forever in a live format. We hope to continue to take them back in time”

    – Devon Allman

    The Allman Betts Family Revival tour will begin on November 30th, outside of Chicago, before snaking its way across the country. On December 4th, the tour will grace Buffalo’s Kleinhans Music Hall. The venue – home to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – is one of Buffalo’s premier spots for live music. With room for 2,400 fans and world-class acoustics, the hall provides an ideal concert space. 

    December 6th will kick off a three-day run of concerts in New York State. First, the Allman Betts Family Revival will travel to Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre. The theater has an immense history, dating back to its original opening in 1926. Since its renovations in 2011, the theater has become famous for its state of the art lighting and sound systems, and finely decorated interior.

    On December 7th, the tour will hit the Upper West Side’s famous Beacon Theatre. The theater is a world-famous venue for touring musicians, having previously hosted everyone from Miles Davis to Mariah Carey. to Trey Anastasio, and of course the Allman Brothers’ 25 year residency at the theater from 1989 to 2014. 

    The Beacon Theatre during its 2009 Renovations

    The tour’s final New York date will feature a show at Huntington’s Paramount on December 8th. Since its reopening in 2011, the near-100 year old theater has become one of Long Island’s premier concert venues. Its multi-level, 1,500 person space has made it “the best club that’s ever been on Long Island,” according to Billy Joel. 

    The tour will feature two sets highlighting the Allman Brothers’ 1970s and 1990s output. As part of these sets, the Allman Betts Band will celebrate the group’s enduring hits and extended jams. In addition to the Allman Betts Band, the tour will feature a number of hand-selected musicians from the blues, americana, and rock genres. Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Cody Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Jimmy Hall (Jeff Beck, Wet Willie), Lindsay Lou, Lamar Williams Jr., Alex Orbison (son of Roy Orbison), Jackie Greene, Larry McCray and Anders Osborne will perform at each show on the tour. Additionally, Sierra Hull, Grace Bowers, G. Love, and Jake Shimabukuro will join these artists at select performances. 

    For more information on dates and ticketing, visit the Allman Betts Family Revival website here

    Allman Betts Family Revival Winter 2024 Dates

    Nov 30 @ The Arcada Theater | St. Charles, IL 

    Dec 1 @ State Theatre | Minneapolis, MN

    Dec 3 @ The Palace Theatre | Greensburg, PA 

    Dec 4 @ Kleinhans Music Hall | Buffalo, NY

    Dec 5 @ Orpheum Theater | Boston, MA 

    Dec 6 @ Capitol Theater | Port Chester, NY

    Dec 7 @ The Beacon Theater | New York, NY

    Dec 8 @ The Paramount | Huntington, NY

    Dec 9 @ Capital One Hall | Tysons, VA

    Dec 11 @ Van Wezel PAC | Sarasota, FL

    Dec 12 @ Gaillard Center | Charleston, SC

    Dec 13 @ Norton Center for the Arts | Danville, KY

    Dec 14 @ The Factory | St. Louis, MO 

    Dec 15 @ Uptown Theater | Kansas City, MO

    Dec 16 @ Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN

    Dec 17 @ Moore Theatre | Seattle, WA 

    Dec 18 @ Paramount Theatre | Denver, CO

    Dec 20 @ Grand Sierra Resort/Grand Theatre | Reno, NV

    Dec 21 @ Fillmore | San Francisco, CA

  • Farm Aid Returns to SPAC September 21, 2024

    A Music Festival of national acclaim, the annual Farm Aid will return to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on September 21st. The 2024 edition of the festival will feature performances from the festival’s legendary board members: Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price, among other performers.

    Farm Aid 2024

    Farm Aid began in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms across the country. Bob Dylan’s Live Aid performance, where he commented on the hardships of American farmers, inspired Willie Nelson to begin the festival. In only six weeks the first Farm Aid was organized. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the September 22, 1985 festival drew 80,000 concert-goers. This first farm aid featured legends including Billy Joel, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty.

    Since its founding, the festival has grown into the longest running annual benefit concert, raising over $80 million. The proceeds made by the festival go towards keeping farming families on their land in the face of growing commercial consolidation. 

    The founders of Farm Aid: Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp
    Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp onstage at Farm Aid 1985

    A highlight of Farm Aid was its 2013 edition hosted at SPAC. The festival featured over 20 artists playing to a sold-out crowd of 25,000 fans. In addition to emotional performances from legends like Pete Seeger, the night was dedicated to education and political change. The festival highlighted the issues of GMO seeds and spending cuts to food stamps, among other plights farmers faced. 

    In 2024, Farm Aid remains true to these convictions. This festival will highlight farmers’ roles in supplying fresh, healthy food for Americans. There will be a specific focus on farmers’ acts of resilience and unity in face of mounting pressures. Rising demand and labor costs coupled with the effects of global warming have had detrimental effects especially for New York’s dairy farmers. In just 5 years, over 3,000 dairy farms across New York have closed due to these pressures.

    “We’re energized to be back in New York. The farmers here have always found ways to innovate and contribute to their communities, even as they deal with uncertainties, extreme weather and policies that favor corporations over people”

    – Willie Nelson, Farm Aid Founder

    The festival will feature performances from its board members as well as a host of other artists. The festival’s founder Willie Nelson is going strong into his 7th decade as a recording artist and will grace the crowd with his world-famous country twang. Also featured is Neil Young, who across his solo albums and work with CSNY, has firmly established himself as one of the greatest folk artists in history. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp will energize audiences with his iconic heartland rock. The festival’s newest board member Dave Matthews will play a rock set alongside long-time collaborator Tim Reynolds.

    In addition to these acts, the festival will feature performances from at least eight other artists. Among these are Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lukas Nelson, Charley Crockett, Joy Oladokun, Southern Avenue, Cassandra Lewis, and Jesse Welles.

    Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats

    In addition to these musical performances, the festival will feature a number of experiences revolving around the importance of small farms. Festival concessions will use family-farm raised ingredients to highlight local specialities. In addition, exhibits will educate festival-goers on soil, water, energy, food and farming. 

    Presale tickets for Farm Aid in Saratoga Springs at SPAC go on sale Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 10am ET. Public sale tickets will follow on Friday, July 26 at 10am ET. Ticket prices range from $85 to $325.

    For more information, visit the Farm Aid festival website here.