Saratoga Spring’s Universal Preservation Hall has a riveting slate of shows coming up this fall, spanning from Sept. 13 through Dec. 21. The lineup includes comedy shows, concerts, theatricals, and holiday performances.
Fall 2024 brings a versatile group of performers to Universal Preservation Hall. The first new show announced is comedian, Gary Gulman on September 13, who’s making a stop as part of his “Misfit” comedy tour. Gulman is widely beloved by many comedy fans and has performed in prestigious venues all over the country.
On Sept. 26, Grand Ole Opry member, Chris Janson will bring his hits like the four-time platinum “Buy Me A Boat,” and the nominee of CMA Song of the Year, and winner of ACM Video of the Year, “Drunk Girl.” Janson’s shows are lively and entertaining, as Rolling Stone declared him “a live legacy in the making.” This show is not one to miss and fans of country and music in general can look forward to an amazing performance.
Toward the end of the season, UPH will host a series of holiday shows, as it gets closer to Christmas. These events include “Merry Swift-mas: Taylor Swift Holiday Dance Party” on December 6 and a special Christmas show from country and bluegrass duo, The Gibson Brothers on December 21, the last show of the year. Moreover, the variety of shows allows people with any musical interests to experience a show in the Christmas Spirit.
Other announcements made are singer-songwriting duo, The Bengsons, with The Keep Going Concert as well as beloved country singer, LeAnn Rimes.
For the full Universal Preservation Hall fall show and event schedule and to purchase tickets visit atuph.org
UPH Newly Announced Fall Shows
September 13- Gary Gulman
September 26- Chris Janson
November 8- The Bengsons
November 10- LeAnn Rimes
December 6- Merry Swift-mas: Taylor Swift Holiday Dance Party
It was a night of sonic exploration and psychedelic virtuosity on Monday, August 12, when Les Claypool and the mighty Primus made their return to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. In a concert experience that definitely did not suck, the music was as eclectic as it was electrifying. Along with the ageless and genre-defying Primus, the stacked bill also included the progressive rock grandeur of Coheed and Cambria, and the surreal cabaret experience of Puddles Pity Party. This unlikely combination of acts came together to create a night that was both surreal and unforgettable.
Here Come The Bastards: Primus frontman Les Claypool performing in Saratoga Springs on 8/12/24.
Primus has always been a band that defies categorization. Fronted by the inimitable Les Claypool, Primus burst onto the scene in the late 1980s, blending elements of funk, metal, punk, and experimental rock into a sound that is uniquely their own. Their music is characterized by complex rhythms, bizarre lyrical narratives, and, most notably, Claypool’s virtuoso bass playing. Over the years, Primus has cultivated a devoted following, attracting fans of both hard rock and improvised jams, their live shows are known for their deeply hypnotic grooves and intense, energetic peaks. At SPAC, Primus delivered a set that was both nostalgic and forward-looking. After taking the stage to their customary Danny Elfman / Pee Wee’s Big Adventure walkup theme known as “Clown Dream,” the band would immediately surprise fans with an unexpected sit-in from Puddles Pity Party, the 6’8” sad clown with the golden voice. Delighting fans with a powerful cover of the Dio classic “Holy Diver,” Primus and friends made it clear they weren’t clowning around in Saratoga, and to strap in for a rollercoaster ride of the unexpected.
Holy Diver: Primus opened the show with a little help from from Puddles Pity Party on 8/12/2024.
Following things up with the heavy-hitting 1993 Pork Soda favorite, “Nature Boy,” Claypool’s basslines were as thunderous as ever, and his off-kilter vocals added an extra layer of strangeness to the proceedings. “Golden Boy” would be lone song played from The Brown Album before “My Friend Fats” took the honors as first extended jam of night, giving guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde ample time to showcase his dizzying effects pallet and technical chops, while Claypool’s frantic finger work on the high notes echoed through the pavilion in the most surreal and satisfying way.
C’mon kiddies, gather round: Primus performing at Space on 8/12/2024.
As the lights dimmed between songs and the fog machine continued working overtime, a hooded figure emerged from the side of the stage. Clutching a glowing skull and presenting it to the crowd as if it processed mystical powers, the identity of the druid was soon revealed as Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria! Teaming up with Primus for the second surprise sit-in of the night, Sanchez’ distinct voice was perfectly suited for the cover of Rush’s “Cygnus X-1.” Bouncing back with the standout song of the night, a deep dive into “Professor Nutbutter’s House of Treats” had all the old school Primates savoring every second. The crowd, a mix of dedicated followers and curious newcomers, were fully engaged, swaying and headbanging to the complex grooves. The visual experience was equally impressive, with trippy, surrealist animations projected behind the band, adding to the sense of being on a musical journey through the weird and wonderful.
Claypool for President: Bassist Les Claypool performing at SPAC on 8/12/24. Would you vote for this man?
Taking a moment to acknowledge the audience, Claypool would remark that it’s been quite a long time since they last played this historic venue. Nostalgic fans were quick to remember the bands appearance at SPAC during the H.O.R.D.E. days in the late 90’s and their many appearances at the Palace Theatre in Albany in the years since, but indeed, it had been awhile since they’ve played a venue of this capacity. Interrupted by a fan requesting “Tommy the Cat,” Claypool would immediately shoot them down by saying, “Did you just say Tommy the Cat? That’s funny because that’s exactly what we’re not going to play.” Instead going with the crunchy punch of “Hamburger Train” anchored by the powerful hands of drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander. Leaving the stage and returning in a horse mask, Claypool would take to his electric standup bass for the particularly poignant cautionary tale of “Jilly’s on Smack.” Ending the tune on a repeating loop, the band created a dark ambience that felt like it could take you in any direction. Choosing once again to return to the Pork Soda era, “The Ol’ Diamondback Sturgeon (Fisherman’s Chronicles, Pt 3)” seamlessly picked up where Jilly left off. Sensing a bit of a shift in momentum, Primus would strike back next with one of their most iconic songs, “Jerry Was a Racecar Driver,” which was famously featured over and over on the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skateboarder game. Sending fans into a frenzy every time he shouted “go!” the bolted down seats in the amphitheater where the only thing stopping a full-scale mosh pit from breaking out. Jerry would bring the main portin of the show to close and leave fans screaming for more.
House of Treats: Primus pleased the SPAC crowd with a tasty Professor Nutbutter on 8/12/24.
Returning for an encore and with lots of fan favorites still left on the table, Primus would select the title track of their latest EP, 2022’s “Conspiranoia,” which they also played their last time in town at the Palace Theatre. Going all in on the near twelve-minute jam, Claypool would march circles around the stage, stomping his feet to the songs monstrous bass lick while humorous soundbite samples of random conspiracy theories pipped over the PA. Segueing directly into the relentless rhythm of “Here Come the Bastards,” Primus would ultimately send fans home happy with one of their biggest hits, “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.” A well-curated mix of classic tracks and deeper cuts, satisfying both long-time fans and newer listeners, Primus never disappoints.
Watch fan shot footage of Primus performing “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” in Saratoga Springs 8/12/24.
If Primus represents the quirky and experimental side of rock, Coheed and Cambria bring a sense of epic grandeur to the table. Formed in 1995, Coheed and Cambria are known for their sprawling, concept-driven albums that weave together elements of progressive rock, metal, and emo. Their music often tells the story of *The Amory Wars*, a science fiction narrative that spans multiple albums and has even been adapted into comic books.
Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria performing in Saratoga Springs on 8/12/24.
At SPAC, Coheed and Cambria delivered a performance that was nothing short of cinematic. Frontman Claudio Sanchez’s soaring vocals and intricate guitar work were the perfect match for the band’s complex compositions. The set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of quiet introspection giving way to explosive, arena-sized choruses. Tracks like “Welcome Home” and “The Suffering” were particular highlights, with the audience singing along passionately.
Coheed and Cambria opening for Primus on 8/12/24.
At one point, the band would pause to reflect on their history in the area, with multiple mentions of their early gigs at the since burned down Saratoga Winners venue, even dedicating one of their new songs to the man who booked them way back then. With a sound that still resonates all these years later, there was a noticeable contingent in the audience decked out in sci-fi and comic book-inspired attire, clearly long-time fans of the band and their intricate storylines. Coheed’s set was full of high energy, hair whips and bombastic solos, that at one point even saw Sanchez playing his double-neck guitar behind his head for added showmanship. For the beers drinkers in attendance, the band also brought along their limited edition IPA collaboration with Six Point Brewery called The Liars Club, inspired by the bands album Vaxis II: Window Of The Waking Mind.
Watch fan shot footage of Coheed and Cambria peforming “Welcome Home” at SPAC on 8/12/24.
Puddles Pity Party, the opening act of the evening, was perhaps the most surprising element of the night. For the uninitiated, Puddles Pity Party is the alter ego of Mike Geier, a 6’8” tall clown with a melancholy demeanor and a voice that can only be described as stunning. Puddles rose to fame through viral videos and appearances on America’s Got Talent, where his deep, emotive voice and unique takes on popular songs won him a legion of fans.
Puddles Pity Party performing in Saratoga Springs on 8/12/24.
At SPAC, Puddles Pity Party delivered a set that was both hilarious and deeply moving. Dressed in his trademark white clown costume, Puddles performed a mix of covers and original songs, each delivered with a combination of deadpan humor and genuine emotion. Highlights included his renditions of “Ring of Fire,” The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” and a version of Ozzy’s Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” mashed up with Adele’s “Let It Go.” After a transformative “Space Oddity” homage to David Bowie was met with resounding approval, things would get downright whacky as Puddles then professed his love for actor Kevin Costner in bizarre hybrid of “Stairway to Heaven” meets Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” while images of the Costner 1995 Hollywood flop Waterworld projected onto the big screens. Suddenly, the music would bust into Metallica’s “One” for the high-intensity outro to a very fun set. The audience, initially unsure of what to expect, quickly warmed to the sad clown’s unique brand of entertainment. By the end of his set, there wasn’t a frown to be found.
Puddles Pity Party performing in Saratoga Springs on 8/12/24.
From die-hard Primus fans wearing vintage tour shirts to Coheed and Cambria followers letting their sci-fi geek flags fly, the audience was a melting pot of music lovers. The diversity in the crowd reflected the broad appeal of the evening’s acts, with each band bringing their own unique following to the venue. Despite the differences in musical taste and style, the atmosphere was one of mutual respect and shared enjoyment, with everyone there to appreciate the artistry on display. Whether you were there to witness Les Claypool’s bass wizardry, Claudio Sanchez’s epic storytelling, or Puddles’ deranged humor, there was something for everyone. Complete with surprise collaborations and stunning visuals, it was another spectacular night a SPAC and one that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who attended.
Primus | August 12, 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Clown Dream Intro, Holy Diver *, Nature Boy, Golden Boy, My Friend Fats, Cygnus X-1**, Professor Nutbutter’s House of Treats, Hamburger Train, Jilly’s on Smack, The Ol’ Diamondback Sturgeon (Fisherman’s Chronicles, Pt 3), Jerry Was a Racecar Driver.
Encore: Conspiranoia, Here Come the Bastards, Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.
*Dio cover featuring Puddles Pity Party
**Rush cover featuring Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria.
Coheed and Cambria | August 12, 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Easrth:3. Ten Speed (Of God’s Blood and Burial), The Willing Well I: Fuel for the Feeding End, Key Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant, A Favor House Atlantic, Blindside Sunny, The Crowing, The Liars Club, Shoulders, Welcome Home.
Puddles Pity Party | August 12, 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Ring of Fire, Pinball Wizard, Crazy Train > Let It Go, Space Oddity, Stairway to Heaven> My Heart Will Go On, One Outro.
Dogs In A Pile have announced a four-day run at Saratoga Springs’ Putnam Place from December 28-31 to ring in the New Year. These shows come in the aftermath of the band’s cross-country fall 2024 tour.
Art by Joe Winograd
Dogs In A Pile began in Asbury Park, at the heart of the Jersey Shore. Guitarist Jimmy Law and drummer Joe Babick teamed up with Berklee graduates Sam Lucid (bass), Jeremy Kaplan (keyboard), and Brian Murray (guitar). Together, the quintet has made a name for itself for their eclectic mix of funk, rock, and psychedelia. With live shows that build improvised psychedelic soundscapes, the band has amassed a large cult following, known as the Dog Pound.
2024 marks a monumental year for Dogs In A Pile. Throughout the Summer, the quintet has headlined multiple shows and concerts in Colorado, and toured with Andy Frasco & The U.N. and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Following up these shows, the band announced a cross-country fall tour. The tour begins on October 25th in Philadelphia, before looping around the country for a November 22nd show in Atlanta.
To cap off this busy year of touring, Dogs In A Pile will play four nights at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs. Located in Downtown Saratoga Springs, the 400+ person venue is a staple of Upstate New York tours. Over the years, the venue has hosted everyone from Ghostface Killah to Blues Traveler. Among Putnam Place’s many shows was a NYE 2023 show by Dogs In A Pile. The show was a display of the band’s musical ability, debuting four new songs, and playing a number of improvised psychedelic jams.
Dogs In A Pile at Putnam Place on December 31st, 2023. Photo by Nick Codina
Now, Dogs In A Pile will return to Putnam Place from December 28th to 31st. These shows will put their improvisational prowess to the test, and offer audiences the chance to see original tunes and fresh takes on loved covers. Ticket presale begins on Wednesday, August 14th at 12pm ET. General public sale will follow on Friday, August 16th at 12pm ET. In addition, concert-goers can purchase a 4-day pass including access to all shows. For more information, visit the Dogs In A Pile website here.
Dogs In A Pile Fall 2024 Dates
10/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia 10/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia 10/29 – St. Louis, MO – Atomic Cowboy 10/31 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall 11/1 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Art Co. 11/2 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Art Co. 11/6 – Buena Vista, CO – Surf Hotel 11/8 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre 11/9 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
11/12 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown 11/13 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line 11/15 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium 11/16 – Chicago, IL – Chop Shop 11/17 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache 11/19 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station 11/21 – Nashville, TN – Basement East 11/22 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West 12/28 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place 12/29 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place 12/30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place 12/31 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place
It was an evening of shock and awe in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, August 6th, when extreme metal made it’s return to SPACfor the opening night of the “Kiss of Death Part 2” tour. Featuring co-headliners In This Moment and Ice Nine Kills, along with Avatar and TX2, the heaviest bill of the summer was an unrelenting assault of the senses and a spectacle unlike any other. Pummeling the audience with dark themes, blood curdling riffs, demonic costumes and otherworldly images, the show made you feel like you were at the center of a crime scene. Surrounded by thousands of witnesses, only here there was no such thing as survivors’ guilt.
Kiss of Death: Avatar performing in Saratoga Springs, NY on 8/6/2024.
Setting the tone early with a brief set was TX2. Spearheaded by Even Thomas, the emo-leaning punk screamers largely focused on songs about mental health issues and using heavy music to work through them. Genuinely appreciative of the early bird fans who came to hear them, it was the perfect appetizer for what was to come. Next up was the melodic death metal band from Sweden called Avatar. Known for their over-the-top theatrical presentation, frontman Johannes Eckerström emerged on stage by popping out of a “gift” that was unwrapped by a leather-clad gimp! Wearing a top-hat with his face painted in sinister clown makeup like The Crow-era Sting, Eckerström’s charisma and powerful screams commanded your attention from the start.
Joined by dreadlocked guitarists Jonas “Kungen” Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, Henrik Sandelin (bass), and John Alfredsson (drums), Avatar may not have been a headliner, but they sure played like it. Working their way through songs like “Dance Devil Dance,” “The Eagle Has Landed,” “The Dirt I’m Buried In, and “Smells Like a Freakshow,” if you’ve never seen this band, think Alice Cooper meets Marilyn Manson, but with a futuristic twist. Combining death metal riffs with menacing grooves for dramatic flair, fans of classic shock rock were not disappointed. Urging the crowd to stand up and headbang along to their final song, “Hail the Apocalypse,” Eckerström told them they “came all the way from Sweden to watch you die.”
Avatar’s Johannes Eckerström performing at SPAC on 8/6/2024.
After a quick intermission that included songs by White Zombie, Deftones and Rage Against the Machine, suddenly the sound of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds “Red Right Hand” signified the horror juggernaut known as Ice Nine Kills was lying in wait. With intro narration by none other than the Crypt Keeper (Tales from the Crypt), the curtain dropped and the metal-core band from Boston came out slashing. Despite the rainy forecast, the audience’s spirits were undampened as INK kicked into high gear with a fitting combo of “Rainy Day” and “Meat & Greet.” With their clothes covered in blood and celebrating pop-culture’s darkest edges, the stage was full of elaborate props, including skulls, chainsaws, zombies, various monster masks and the ever-present knife-wielding hooded figure looming high above all.
Kiss of Death: Ice Nine Kills performing in Saratoga Springs on 8/6/2024.
Consisting of frontman Spencer Charnas, Ricky Armellino and Dan Sugarman on guitars, Joe Occhiuti on bass and Patrick Galante on drums, each song took on themes and soundbites from different iconic horror films. One of the early highlights was “Ex-Mørtis,” which depicted elements of the Evil Dead franchise. Complete with Spencer clutching his own Necronomicon and wielding a chainsaw, Charnas had no choice but to take down a wayward zombie that ventured on stage in the middle of it.
Klaatu, Barada, Nikto: Ice Nine Kills fought off the Evil Dead in Saratoga Springs on 8/6/2024.
Later, during “Wurst Vacation,” the body count continued to pile up as Charnas mimicked Eli Roth’s Hostile by throwing on a butcher’s apron before dismembering another victim, pulling the pseudo-intestines out above his head to great applause of the blood-thirsty audience. After killer versions of the American Pycho-inspired “Walking on Sunshine” and “Hip to be Scared,” Ice Nine Kills would bust out “The Nature of the Beast” for the first time since 2019. Following “Funeral Derangements” and a reenactment of IT, INK would bust out another one for the old school fans in attendance, playing “The Greatest Story Ever Told” for the first time since 2017. After the Freddy Krueger inspired “American Nightmare” and a memorable stab at cinemas most famous “Shower Scene” via Alfred Hitchcock, by this point the band had everyone up on their feet and dying for more. With time for just one more song, INK closed their set with the title track to their breakthrough album Welcome to Horrorwood. Creative, fun, and definitely disturbing, it’s no surprise this type of band comes with a warning label. Hell, they’ve been outright banned by Disney for being too evil! Steadily killing the scene with their decadent, devious and fiercely insane live shows, Ice Nine Kills have also launched their own hugely successful horror convention known as the Silver Scream Con.
I’ve Got to Return Some Videotapes: INK frontman Spencer Chamas channeled his inner Patrick Bateman at SPAC on 8/6/2024.
During the final intermission of the show, music by metal god Maynard James Keenan permeated through the pavilion as songs by Tool and A Perfect Circle piped in over the PA system. Oddly transitioning into Journey’s “Don’t Stop Belivin” as heavy fog began billowing out from behind the stage, a giant spider covered curtain suddenly dropped to reveal In This Moment. Met with hero’s welcome and a massive applause, it was a special performance for band’s charismatic frontwoman and lead vocalist, Maria Brink. An Albany native and the scream queen of modern metal, it was the type of homecoming usually reserved for a king. Growing up about 30 minutes away and now playing the area’s biggest stage, on this night, Brink gracefully conquered all.
Kiss of Death: In This Moment headlined the tour kick off in Saratoga Springs on 8/6/2024.
Wearing an ornate headdress and taking to her throne atop the SPAC stage, In This Moment was truly a spectacle to behold. Clad in costumes that were both beautiful and frightening, much like their music, the band has a certain aura that’s intoxicating. Opening with “The Purge” and their Grammy nominated single “The In-Between,” the visually stunning theatrical presentation the band is known for was on full display right out of the gate. Under the watch of “mother” figure Maria Brink, the band is far from a one woman show. Also consisting of co-founder Chris Howorth and Randy Weitzel on guitars, Travis Johnson on bass and Kent Diimmelis, ITM sent shivers up your spine with a rendition of 2012’s “Blood” from the album of the same name. Followed up by a pairing of “Sacrifice” and “Sanctify Me,” the evening would spotlight many of the songs from the band’s 2023 Kane Churko produced album Godmode.
Hometown Throwdown: Albany native Maria Brink holding court with In This Moment at SPAC on 8/6/2024.
Flanked by a pair of masked acolytes and singing from an elaborate alter for most of the show, Brinks’ amazing voice control mesmerized fans. Reaching intense emotional depth, powerful and pretty and with plenty of edge, it’s easy to see why she’s become such a role model for ‘against the grain’ teens and goth-girls everywhere. Frequently changing outfits and telling a story within each song, even if you couldn’t get into the music, you had to appreciate the artistry, creativity and overall effort of everyone on stage. Pushing boundaries with themes of witchcraft and mysticism, it’s no surprise In This Moment’s ritualistic approach has its share of detractors, mostly parents and people over 50. Still, as the band worked their way through signature staples like “Sex Metal Barbie” and the Black Sabbath-inspired “Big Bad Wolf,” over1.3 billion cumulative streams tell you it’s clear there’s still an audience hungry for heavy music. Towering over the Broadview Stage at SPAC, In This Moment sent fans home happy with their biggest song to date, closing the epic homecoming performance with “Whore.” Cathartic and surreal, the level of pageantry and attention to detail made for an unforgettable set of music from one of today’s most influential metal attractions.
Sex Metal Barbie: Maria Brink performing with In This Moment at SPAC on 8/6/2024.
A resounding triumph for shock rock and horror metal, the Kiss of Death Part 2 tour in Saratoga Springs was some of the most fun I’ve had all summer. After playing to Buffalo’s Outer Harbor the following night, the electrifying tour heads west for the next month and promises to deliver musical carnage and visual splendor at every stop along the way. Ice Nine Kills third annual horror convention, The Silver Scream Con, is set to take place in Worcester, MA from September 13-15.
In This Moment | August 6, 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Salvation Intro, The Purge, The In-Between, Blood, Sacrifice, Sanctify Me, Sex Metal Barbie, The Fighter, Big Bad Wolf
Encore: Whore
Ice Nine Kills | August 6, 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Red Right Hand Intro, Rainy Day, Meat & Greet, Ex-Mortis, Thank God It’s Friday, Walking on Sunshine*, The Nature of the Beast**, Wurst Vacation, Funeral Derangements, IT Is the End, Hip to Be Scared, The Greatest Story Ever Told***, The American Nightmare, The Shower Scene, Welcome to Horrorwood. ,
Avatar | August 6, 2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Beware of the Clown Intro, Dance Devil Dance, The Eagle Has Landed, Valley of Disease, Bloody Angel, The Dirt I’m Buried In, Smells Like a Freakshow, Hail the Apocalypse.
Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced a number of musical events in August. With shows ranging from folk and blues to jazz and classical, audiences can enjoy a variety of different stylings throughout the month.
Caffe Lena’s founding dates back to 1960 when William and Lena Spencer converted an old woodworking shop into a coffee house. 64 years later, Caffe Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the country. Since its start, the cafe has been dedicated to bringing Saratoga Springs quality folk performances. In 1961, Caffe Lena hosted a then up-and-coming Bob Dylan for a two-night residency. Since then, Caffe Lena has hosted over 12,000 shows, including sets by legendary artists like Dave Van Ronk and Don Mclean.
Starting in 2020, Caffe Lena expanded its operations, opening a music school. This program continues their mission of spreading music through the community by passing down the folk tradition to the next generations. Also started was live broadcasting of the cafe’s shows in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
August 2024 marks a busy month for Caffe Lena with many different events planned. Throughout the month, the cafe will host Monday Open Mics. During these events, community members can display their musical talents for the cafe’s audience. Since its start over 30 years ago, Metroland Magazine, The Alt Weekly, The Saratogian Reader’s Poll, and Saratoga’s Fab Five have recognized the event with “best of” awards. This event is free, but Caffe Lena suggests leaving a $3-5 donation. The open mic nights will take place Monday, August 5, 12, 19, and 26, at 7pm.
Kicking off the month of shows is an August 8th performance by the Nields. Sisters Nerissa and Katryna Nields make up the folk-rock group, blending pop melodies, folk instrumentals, and the edge of 90s alternative. Their sound has been described as a mix of the Cranberries, the Roches, and Joni Mitchell. The Nields’ performance begins at 7pm, with tickets starting from $11.94.
August 9th will feature a performance from Legendary country musician John McEuen. McEuen was a founding member and banjoist for the seminal country act The Nitty Gritty Dirty Band, propelling them to fame with songs like “Mr. Bojangles.” Now, over 45 years into his career, the Grammy-winning musician will perform at Caffe Lena for one night only. His performance will feature instrumental backing from banjos, guitars, fiddle, and mandolin. John McEuen’s performance will begin at 8pm, with tickets starting from $18.98.
Singer-songwriter supergroup Fantastic Cat will perform at Caffe Lena on August 10th. Members Anthony D’Amato, Don Dilego, Brian Dunne and Mike Montali bring years of experience in folk and Americana, making songs that are equal parts funny and heart-wrenching. With music that is equal parts Black Keys and Bruce Springsteen, Fantastic Cat pairs tight instrumentation with soulful vocals. This sold-out performance will begin at 8pm.
On Wednesday, August 13th, Rainbow Girls will perform at Caffe Lena. The trio hails from Santa Barbara, California, where they gained prominence from their live performances. Their music combines indie folk and Americana stylings with ethereal elements, making for a unique sound. UK music website For Folks Sake described their music as “A gang of sweet angels punching you in the heart.” Their set will take place at 7pm, with tickets starting from $15.18.
Following this is a performance by Paul Winter and Chuck Lamb titled “This Glorious Earth.” 7x Grammy-winning saxophonist Paul Winter made a name for himself as the bandleader of the Paul Winter Consort. Composed of jazz, world, and classical musicians, the group traveled the world for decades. Throughout his career, Winter took great musical influences from nature, and consistently fought for ecological protections. Now, Winter will return to a live club setting for the first time in decades to play a salute to the natural world. Caffe Lena jazz steward and pianist Chuck Lamb will accompany Winter. These performances are scheduled for Friday, August 23 at 8pm. and Saturday, August 24 at 8pm. Tickets start from $46.10.
August 27th and 28th will feature performances by legendary British folk musician Al Stewart. Stewart rose to fame in the 1960s, using folk-rock to tell mythological and historical stories. He is perhaps best known for his no. 8 hit “Year of the Cat” from 1976. Across his 16 studio albums, Stewart has worked with everyone from Jimmy Page to Tori Amos. Now after almost six decades in the spotlight, he will grace Caffe Lena with his folk stylings. His performances will start at 7pm, with tickets starting at $47.50.
Judith Owen & Her Gentlemen Callers will close out the month with an August 31st performance. Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen has made waves since the release of her 1996 American debut Emotions on a Postcard. Now, with the backing of a New Orleans septet, Owen explores the female artists that inspired her. The performance will celebrate boundary-breaking artists like Nellie Lutcher, Julia Lee, and Blossom Dearie. Owen will also interpret the works of timeless vocalists like Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone. With this modern twist on classic tunes, Owen’s performance is one to look out for. Her performance will begin at 8pm, with tickets starting from $20.61.
For more information on Caffe Lena’s upcoming events, visit their website here.
In the 25+ years since joining Styx in 1999, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan has found a home anchoring the stage with his bandmates on top of an already successful (and still ongoing) solo career. The band has embarked on an extensive co-headlining tour this summer with Foreigner, supported by John Waite, and is coming to Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, July 30 with subsequent performances in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts before venturing onward outside of the general Northeast area.
Lawrence Gowan of Styx at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, August 2023
The longevity of the “classic rock” genre is proven with the younger generations (often not yet born when the bands first formed) showing up to these concerts with parents and friends the past few summers. That observation that many of us have made was affirmed from the stage perspective, echoed by Lawrence Gowan when he recently spoke to NYS Music.
Along with Gowan, Styx consists of James “JY” Young, Tommy Shaw, Chuck Panozzo, Todd Sucherman, Will Evankovich, and Terry Gowan.
Styx (Photo by Jason Powell, provided by Styx)
Gowan took a few minutes before Styx’s recent show in Georgia about the tour, his solo work, and time with Styx. Here’s the interview in its entirety:
Steve Malinski: How’s the tour going so far for you guys?
Lawrence Gowan: Honestly, it’s exceeded expectations. You know, it’s an at-capacity house every single night, and the audience, they’re really phenomenal, quite honestly. It’s amazing to see, first of all, that half the audience, on any given night, half the audience could be like, under 40 years of age. So, they weren’t even born when these biggest records of the classic rock era were recorded. And yet they’ve embraced this music like it’s concurrent with their lives. You know, you can’t miss the fact that that’s very, very evident. So there’s that. Then there’s the fact that, you know, four hours straight of classic rock where you know every single song (and I’m including opener John Waite). It’s really entertaining, quite honestly, and I’m as entertained as anyone, you know, with the fact that I get to see the other bands and we have this, shared experience of seeing that this tour has exceeded expectations, and it’s just a joy to be doing.
SM: And how’s it been sharing the stage with a Foreigner? A lot of fun for you, I bet?
LG: Oh, you know, the last time we toured together was ten years ago. We did an extensive tour together, and then we also played the UK with them. So we have a nice shared history over the years. I mean, I even remember when they were going through a lot of the transition phase, because originally, when first couple of shows I’d ever done with Foreigner anyway, was back in, I think, 2001 or 2002. And then, you know, all the various transitions that Mick Jones had to go through were really pretty phenomenal. The guys in the band today are just tremendous. They really carry that flag so well. And they sound great. Every single night they put on a great show, and, you know, they definitely set the bar really, really high.
SM: I saw you guys last year at Bethel woods as actually one of the photographers right at the front of the stage near your setup. That was a really fun show, seeing you and Joe Bonamassa there.
LG: Yeah, yeah. Wasn’t that neat? We did that one and the next night, we did Jones Beach with him as well. That was pretty amazing. Maybe 15 years ago, he came out and actually was opening shows for Styx. Of course, everybody knew it was going to explode as a phenomenon and to see that happen, another great little, you know, side feature that I witnessed in my time in the band.
SM: Very cool. Yeah. When you were out on stage, it just seemed like yourself and the whole band was having just such a genuinely fun, high energy time. What drives you to have that energy and, you know, just that stage presence every single night?
LG: Great, great question. wish I had a pat answer for that. There’s something… There’s something about this band, the chemistry of this grouping of people. It just seems to embrace the moment, and that moment being the moment we get on stage, something happens where we really just kind of bond in a very entertaining way. Because I’m as entertained as the audience is when I look across the stage and see how everyone performs. I’d say it’s just one of those rare things. If you see it happen, you can’t really distill what the ingredients are. All I can say is that everybody wants to do it and wants it to be great every single day. Even if one or two, even if a member of the band is under the weather or something, I’ve seen them pull it together and somehow get through the show and still manage to put a smile on everyone’s face. So it’s a unique grouping of individuals that’s able to pull that off. I mean, even Todd, our drummer, has commented to this point, we’ve really never had a bad show. We can have things go wrong, but it still comes across as very good show. We’re genuinely as enthused about doing it as the audience seeing it.
SM: And you’ve been with Styx for… do the math quick here… 25 years, pretty much.
LG: I’m into year 26 now.
SM: How’s that experience been? And how’s the experience been recently with your brother joining the band on tour?
LG: Well, this is a phenomenal thing. Terry [brother] played with me in my solo band, solo career in Canada that is ongoing. We just did three more shows a couple weeks ago, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonds. I was on the break from the Styx tour. So I played with him, you know, since 1985. So this, the other cool thing is, see, Todd took him and came and played my solo shows from 2010 to 2020. So they had played together over 100 times on stage, you know, Terry and Todd. So they already were an established rhythm section. They’d already kind of worked out all kinds of, you know, things in the past. And it seemed very… it seems very natural to see him on stage, quite honestly. It’s not that big a surprise to me that I’m just thinking, wow, I wish my mom and dad had seen this. That’s the only disappointment I really feel. But, you know, it’s just one of those things that worked out just kind of right. And everyone in the band really embraced him right off the bat. And that’s all. That’s all worked out very seamlessly.
SM: Yeah. And you actually just answered a question I had about still having some time to work on solo work. But going back into your solo career a little bit before, you know, joining Styx and having that new phase of your music career, what were some memorable moments or collaborations you’ve had? I think I saw that you collaborated with Alex Lifeson [of Rush] once before.
LG: Yeah, my fourth album was called Lost Brotherhood, and Alex Lifeson is the guitarist on that album. I was managed by the same manager that managed Rush for 14 years. So I would frequently see those guys and go to their concerts, etcetera. And we used to play hockey together. When it came to my fourth album, it was the last one of the ’80s, I think it was released early 1990, but we recorded in 1989…I don’t think Rush were touring at all that year. So, I just asked Alex if he would play on the album. And he did, and we did the video together for the title track. That’s actually where my spinning keyboard comes from. We cobbled it together as a prop. But if you ever looked at that video, Alex plays the smokin’ guitar solo in the middle of the song. And that’s the first time I used my spinning keyboard was there. You know, Tony Levin is the bassist on really all my albums, actually. Tony from Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon and John Lennon, I think you know who he is. And Jerry Marotta, the drummer from Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates [and Orleans]. He’s been on a good number of my records, actually produced one of them in the nineties. Other great collaborations would be Jon Anderson of Yes; he was on my third album, but we did a song, actually, my most successful song ever called “Moonlight Desires.” That was the number one song in Canada and double platinum. I’ve been very fortunate.
SM: I know that’s quite a list of people to work with. I’m a little jealous!
LG: Yeah. Yeah. It’s pretty astounding, actually, when I start saying them all in a row like that. It is quite amazing. And that’s all prior to me joining Styx and so getting to play with these guys, that’s kind of like the cherry on top of all of that.
SM: Nice. Briefly, I just want to go back to Crash of the Crown, which was a pandemic era recording, if you want to call it that. I’ve spoken to a number. I’ve spoken to a number of musicians that recorded or did some creative thing during the pandemic, and everybody’s got a different story. Was recording a difficult experience for you, and were there any songs you were particularly fond of?
LG: It was almost like a predestined thing in a weird way, as far as the album goes, because we actually had all but two of the songs written in 2019, and we’d already begun recording at the time. We had most live on half of the bed tracks already done. So when everybody had to go home in March of 2020, we didn’t think about the record. Actually, for the first three months because we thought, oh, no, we’ll pick it up…because we’ll, you know… this will all be over… this will all be over in four weeks. You know, everyone did. You know, it’ll be like it never happened. And then it went to two months and it went to three months. We were doing these biweekly Zoom calls, which none of us knew what they were before March of 2020, and we’re discussing… the discussion was about how the dates got postponed and what new date they were going to be on – a lot of that discussion, which ended up being worthless. But then Tommy said, listening to the songs we’ve been recording, it’s amazing how lyrically they tie into what we’re going through right now. And we were all kind of shocked by that.
So we started listening again and realizing, you know, these songs seem to be about a sense of renewal after a cataclysmic event without ever stating what that event is. But somehow a lot of the songs are about this sense of renewal and coming through something that was a difficult ordeal. And that suddenly got our attention back. And we said, okay. And then Todd mentioned or, no, no, sorry. I was an engineer. I was working in Toronto, said, you guys ever tried Audio Movers, which is where you can hook up studios in various parts of the world in real time, you know, like a Zoom call, but in real time, you could hook up various studios to where you’re listening in the monitors in your studio simultaneously, because I’m listening in Nashville simultaneously with Todd listing in Austin, Texas. And we decided, let’s try. We had a couple of newer songs that come up. Let’s try recording those this way and see how it goes. Well, as you’ll probably remember, Steve, technology very quickly becomes second nature. You know, like, when I even say to you that I didn’t know what a Zoom call was before March of 2020, it’s amazing how quickly a Zoom call became part of our lives, you know, de facto kind of accepted part of our lives. And this is what happened with us in the studio where we had each other on the screens, we play in real time together and be able to listen back and criticize, etcetera.
And the next thing you know, we’re really carving at the album and getting well down the path and realized we can. We can get to the finish line here, which we did, you know, like a studio I have in Toronto, it’s got all the analog stuff, you know, like the old Studer 24-track tape, the two-track Studer tape machines, and all my best vintage keyboards, you know, an old Steinway and B3 and Mellotron, believe it or not, Minimoog and my old Oberheim OB-X8. So I had all my vintage stuff, which is like, oh, I normally don’t get to record with this for Styx because we’re, you know, they’re Nashville or, you know, we’re usually renting vintage stuff, you know, but my own stuff has got onto that record. So when we finished it. We were really proud of it. Universal said, so here’s the plan. We’re going to hold it until you guys start playing again, which was a brilliant strategy because, you know, so much was coming out on the internet during the lockdowns that things could get lost if you weren’t actively promoting them. So it was a good move because the moment we went back out, in June of 2021, they released the album, and two weeks later Billboard had it at number one on their rock album chart. There’s a rock album chart? I had divided everything into genres and subgenres, but when we saw that, we thought, oh, this is really, really worthwhile and really great for the faithful who followed the band for all these years, to see us at the top of a chart like that.
SM: Yeah, definitely the silver lining for a tough couple of years there.
LG: Yeah. Yes, it was. It was an emotional release as well. And I don’t mean just the album, but I mean, for the audiences in that first year in particular, you could see this heightened sense of gratitude. “Grateful emotion” is basically the best way I can put it, seeing it on the faces of the audience. And when they had those songs to those newer songs to kind of celebrate the reopening of the doors, so to speak, you could see that it was connected with them in a great way.
SM: So, to wrap things up here in a bit… With the Renegades and Jukebox Heroes Tour, what can fans look forward to at that show?
LG: Four nonstop hours of classic rock, where, you know, just about every single piece of music. You know, our opener, special guest, John Waite, he starts it off. Fantastic band. He sounds tremendous. You know, he sets the bar so high, vocally speaking, for everyone else to follow on the night. And then you have Foreigner and Styx, where again, the Foreigner said, you know, every single note and you just deliver so. So in such an entertaining fashion. And then for us, I think, you know, we. We are still at the top of our game as far as trying to exceed what we’ve done the night before. And that seems to, even if it’s only by 1%, we continue to push forward with the quality of what a stick show can be. And the kind of. I call it the pompous, the epic and pompous nature of what we do, which is really ties in so well with what classic rock is. It’s a larger than life kind of breath of be, so to speak. It goes into a great rock show, and I think we’ve got that.
SM: Excellent. Okay, well, thanks for your time. I really appreciate it. And good luck there on the tour and try to stay cool there in Georgia today.
LG: That’s the one. That’s the biggest challenge of the tour so far, believe me. Charleston, South Carolina, the other night, that was. I mean, I took a shower after the show. The shower was actually drier than we were on stage!
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.”
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.
Round Lake Auditorium, located in the historic Round Lake village, has served as a cultural center for over a century. Beginning as a religious settlement, the Round Lake Auditorium has evolved into a unique piece of capital region history. Notable figures, including Ulysses S. Grant and Cornelius Vanderbilt have visited the village of Round Lake, enhancing its deep history.
Round Lake History
Founded in the post-Civil War Era, the Auditorium served as a religious gathering place since 1868. A group of Methodists from Troy made Round Lake their designated spot for “campmeeting”. Round Lake began as a covered open air speakerâs platform with the audience sitting on rough boards set on top of tree stumps.
By 1884, an 80 by 140 foot building was erected with furnished seating for 2,000 people. As Round Lake grew in popularity, it expanded its facility to accommodate for a greater audience. The popular religious revivals attracted as many as 20,000 worshippers each summer for rousing sermons.
From the late 1880s to early 1900s, the Auditorium hosted church services, lectures, conventions, concerts, movies, and ice skating in the winter. The Auditorium’s physical space evolved from a platform surrounded by benches to an enormous tent, then to an open-sided pavilion with canvas sides, and, in 1912, to the glass-enclosed building we see today.
Round Lake Gallery
Its literal and metaphorical center, the Auditorium is an integral part of Round Lake’s cultural community. The Auditorium fell into ruin and was nearly bulldozed in 1950, but the venue was revived. Today, the auditorium continues to serve as a cultural venue for concerts, performances of all kind, art shows, and community gatherings.
David Ferris Pipe Organ
It is impossible to discuss the Round Lake Auditorium without mentioning the David Ferris Pipe Organ. The David Ferris Pipe Organ, built in New York City in 1847, came to the Round Lake Auditorium in 1888. The organ is the oldest of its kind in the United States, and was designated as a landmark in 2016.
Round Lake Organ
The organ is a feat of American manufacturing and craftsmanship. The organ remains largely unaltered, and it has remained the remarkable instrument it was when it was built over 200 years ago
The organ’s “trackers”, thin wooden pieces that connect the keyboard to the pipes, allowing the organist more control of the sound. The non-wooden pipes in the organ contain Zinc, which adds strength to pipes that otherwise would have been made of lead. Lead pipes, with many of the organ’s contemporaries were constructed with, tended to fold in on themselves and collapse.
Playing the David Ferris Organ is a unique experience some organists compare to, “typing on a manual typewriter versus the light responsiveness of a computer keyboard”.
Present and Future
The Auditorium’s rich history adds to the intimate ambiance of the venue. The Auditorium is capable of accommodating 300 guests, along with orchestras, and stage productions. The Auditorium also holds community events and contributes to local creative arts. An open mic will be held on July 19, offering a perfect opportunity for artists to showcase their gift and build connections with the community.
Round Lake hosts a market event every summer, with food trucks, vendors, and concerts. The free event offers an opportunity to engage with the community while enjoying live music.
Today, the Round Lake Auditorium continues to bring the arts to the capital region. Organ recitals will be presented on August 25 by Craig Williams, September 8 by Tom Dressler, and September 15 by Gail Archer. A lecture series, open mic events, community events, tours, chamber music and master classes will all be part of the summer series. Their full event schedule is available here, and a previous organ performance is available below.
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 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.
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.
Despite at least five confirmed tornadoes and a microburst of nasty weather, the show went on as planned Wednesday night, July 17th at SPAC in Saratoga Springs. Making good on their name, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, not only weathered the storms, but delivered a surreal night of nostalgia and note-for-note precision that had fans both young and old twisting and shouting for more.
Hitting the mark with spot on impersonations of the Fab Four – from the iconic haircuts and replica outfits, to the playful mannerisms and distinct personalities, the career retrospective performance encapsulated everything music fans know and love about The Beatles, arguably the most important and influential rock n’ roll band of all time.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
Transporting fans back to the heyday of Beatlemania as Rain, the acclaimed tribute band took the Broadview Stage at SPAC by storm shortly after 7:30pm. Dividing up the show into distinct eras of The Beatles, the throwback party kicked of with “Please Please Me” from the 1963 debut album of the same name. After working their way through “ I Want To Hold Your Hand” and a pair of love songs that included “This Boy” and “P.S. I Love You,” Rain transitioned into the A Hard Day’s Night portion of the show.
After an exciting rendition of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” fans were treated to some lesser-known cuts like the surf-rock inspired “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Tell Me Why” and “I Should Have Known Better.” Briefly pausing to welcome the audience to the show and inviting them to sing along with the next song, a poignant version of “Yesterday” had the entire pavilion on the cusp of tears.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
After an entertaining video package chronicled The Beatles rise to international superstardom, the show then entered the iconic “Shea Stadium” era of Beetlemania. Featuring a distinctly harder edge than earlier in the night, songs like “I Feel Fine,” “Day Tripper,” and “Drive My Car” sounded just as good today as they did nearly sixty years ago. While I personally found it hard to sit during this part of the show, fans needed reassurance that it was “OK” to get up on their feet for the next number, “Twist and Shout.”
Rain would break character a bit after “Eleanor Rigby,” by introducing the mysterious “5th Beatle” lurking in the back of the stage, their version of legendary record producer George Martin, who played all the string and horn parts via keyboard. Prominently featured on the potent “In My Life,” the first half of the show came to a close with “Got to Get You into My Life.”
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
After a brief intermission, things were about to get a little weird in Saratoga. Entering the experimental/psychedelic era of The Beatles, from the moment the opening chords of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” filled the air, the audience was spellbound. Now dressed in vibrant Edwardian military officer outfits, Rain both looked the part and sounded it. Flowing directly into “With a Little Help From My Friends,” the lysergic loving anthem “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” and “Lovely Rita,” the transitions between the early mop-top era, the psychedelic phase, and the mature later years were seamless, showcasing the band’s versatility and deep understanding of the Beatles’ evolution.
Rain’s meticulous attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the show, from the authentic period costumes to the spot-on Liverpudlian accents. Each band member perfectly embodied their respective Beatle, not just in appearance but in musical prowess and stage presence.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
One of the standout moments was their performance of “A Day In The Life.” Featuring all the complicated bells and whistles of the original, Rain pulled it off flawlessly. The chilled out “Flying” instrumental went largely unappreciated, but fans got back into it for the remainder of the Magical MysteryTour portion of the show that included stellar renditions of “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Complete with vibrant visuals throughout, the multimedia aspects of the show added an extra layer of immersion, with historical footage and colorful animations enhancing the live performances.
While not necessarily a “pavilion only” show, the somewhat relaxed security allowed most fans inside, leaving only a handful of people to linger on the lawn. Perhaps that’s why I felt so seen when Rain played “Fool on the Hill” and “Come Together” as I made my way across the notorious slope. “Get Back” was the lone song played from the Let It Be album, while “Revolution” and “The End” closed out the second set to a bittersweet ovation of gratitude.
The Fool on the Hill: Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
The setlist was a well-curated journey through the Beatles’ illustrious career, featuring beloved hits and deep cuts alike. Rain’s musicianship was impeccable. The harmonies were tight, the instrumentation was faithful to the original recordings, and the energy was palpable. When the band returned to the stage for the obligatory encore, the crowd couldn’t resist singing along to the ever appropriate “Give Peace a Chance” and finally the show closer “Hey Jude,” creating a communal experience that felt both nostalgic and celebratory. A vivid and heartfelt homage to the Beatles, it was a night of pure musical joy and a chance to relive the magic of one of the greatest bands in history.
Rain performing in Saratoga Springs on 7/17/24.
Rain (Beatles Tribute) | July 17,2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Set I: Please Please Me, I Want to Hold Your Hand, This Boy, P.S. I Love You, Roll Over Beethoven, A Hard Day’s Night, I Should Have Known Better, Can’t Buy Me Love, Tell Me Why, Yesterday, I Feel Fine, Day Tripper, Drive My Car, The Word, Eleanor Rigby, In My Life, Got to Get You Into My Life
Set II: Sgt. Pepper’s Loney Hearts Club Band, With a Little Help From My Friends, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, Sgt. Pepper’s (Reprise), A Day in the Life, Flying, Magical Mystery Tour, Strawberry Fields Forever, Penny Lane, I Am the Walrus, The Fool on the Hill, Tomorrow Never Knows, Come Together, Get Back, Revolution, The End
