NYS Music 2024

Category: Rochester

  • Irondequoit Concert Band Presents World Premiere of “Where The Land and Waters Meet”

    The Irondequoit Concert Band has announced the world premiere performance of “Where the Land and Waters Meet,” a captivating new fanfare for concert band by award-winning composer Stephen Shewan. The premiere performance is at the band’s 50th Anniversary concert on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Irondequoit High School Auditorium. 

    Commissioned by the band in honor of their golden anniversary, “Where the Land and Waters Meet” is a dynamic and evocative piece inspired by the Irondequoit landscape and the Seneca Nation. Incorporating the traditional Seneca Canoe Song, “Kayowajineh,” Shewan has crafted a musical journey that explores the intersection of land and water, showcasing Irondequoit’s vibrant spirit and rich natural beauty.

    The Irondequoit Concert Band is a community concert band that provides high-quality musical performances for audiences in Irondequoit and beyond. This group of talented musicians from diverse backgrounds showcases a wide range of musical styles and repertoire under the direction of David Schantz. Annually, the band performs a winter and spring concert, and an outdoor summer concert series at locations throughout Irondequoit. 

    Stephen Shewan is a retired music educator from Western New York and a renowned composer of music for ensembles of all types. He is known for modern, evocative pieces that are fun to play and listen to. His music has been performed across North America and Europe, winning numerous awards. 

    The April 21 concert will feature the talented musicians of the band, under the direction of David Schantz, and their favorite hits through the years such as “Highlights from Les Miserablés” arranged by Warren Barker, a unique composition by former conductor J. Russell Thomas, “A Piece for Didjeridu and Band” and more.

    Admission is free for this event. The Irondequoit High School Auditorium is fully wheelchair accessible. For more information or to donate, please visit Irondequoit Concert Band’s website.

  • New Supergroup BEAT To Pay Tribute To King Crimson

    Newly formed supergroup BEAT will be touring the country this fall and paying tribute to one of the legendary progressive rock bands of all time, King Crimson. BEAT is spearheaded by a pair of iconic guitar players in Adrian Belew and Steve Vai who are joined by Tool drummer Danny Carey and bassist Tony Levin. The tour includes three stops in New York: New York City’s Beacon Theatre on October 5, The Kodak Center on October 19 and at The Egg in Albany on October 21.

    BEAT will be reinterpreting three different King Crimson albums in Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect Pair. Former Crimson band members Belew and Levin will be joined by Carey and Vai to put their spin on these and other selected deep cuts. The supergroup has the blessing of King Crimson leader Robert Fripp who is even credited with giving the band its name.

    “The 1981 through 1984 King Crimson created a music all its own. Timeless. Beautiful. Complex. Fierce. For the fans who lived through it then, and the ones who never got to witness it, our aim is to bring it to life again. A monumental task but we’re going for it! There are not enough exclamation points to express my excitement!”

    ~ Adrian Belew

    An artist ticket pre-sale is already under way using the code BEATTOUR, and general ticket sales start today at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster. See below for a full list of the full Fall tour dates.

    BEAT’s 2024 Tour Dates:
    09/12 – San Jose, CA @ San Jose Civic
    09/13 – Napa, CA @ Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort
    09/14 – Los Angeles, CA @ The United Theater on Broadway
    09/15 – Anaheim, CA @ City National Grove of Anaheim
    09/17 – San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s Concerts
    09/18 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
    09/20 – Austin, TX @ The Paramount Theatre
    09/21 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Centre
    09/22 – Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
    09/24 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
    09/26 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ The Parker
    09/27 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
    09/28 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
    09/29 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
    10/01 – Charlotte, NC @ Knight Theater
    10/02 – Durham, NC @ Carolina Theatre of Durham / Fletcher Hall
    10/04 – Washington, D.C. @ Warner Theatre
    10/05 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
    10/06 – Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
    10/08 – Richmond, VA @ Carpenter Theater in Dominion Energy Center
    10/09 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Center
    10/11 – Boston, MA @ Shubert Theatre
    10/12 – Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
    10/14 – Halifax, NS @ Rebecca Cohen Auditorium
    10/15 – Moncton, NB @ Casino New Brunswick
    10/17 – Montreal, QC @ Maisonneuve Theatre
    10/18 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
    10/19 – Rochester, NY @ Kodak Center
    10/21 – Albany, NY @ The Egg
    10/22 – Greensburg, PA @ Palace Theatre
    10/23 – Reading, PA @ Santander Performing Arts Center
    10/25 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
    10/26 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre
    10/27 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
    10/28 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
    10/30 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
    11/01 – Chicago, IL @ Copernicus Center
    11/02 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
    11/03 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
    11/04 – Minneapolis, MN @ State Theatre
    11/06 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
    11/08 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Theater at Virgin Hotel

  • Rochester’s Own Moses Rockwell Teams With Plain Old Mike for ‘Regular Henry Sessions’

    Rochester’s own Moses Rockwell and Wisconsin native Plain Old Mike initially began working together in 2021. Along the way the duo settled on the name, Regular Henry, and the rest as they say is history. Moreover, they each brought their extensive experiences — Moses having previously worked with billy woods, J-Live, Homeboy Sandman and Von Pea among others and Plain Old Mike with Armand Hammer, Defcee, & Curly Castro among others — to bring about Regular Henry Sessions. In light, this latest effort is a blend of neurotic, quirky, descriptive rap album with quirks about every day life that resembles an episode of Seinfeld.

    Rochester native Moses Rockwell teams with Plain Old Mike for "Regular Henry Sessions"

    Regular Henry Sessions

    With a heavy De La Soul influence (and some old Eminem) the duo have now released their Hipnott Records debut project, Regular Henry Sessions, and a new video for “Raise Hell.”  

    “The record was an attempt to accomplish a couple of things.  First, it’s an ode to each of our favorite De La Soul albums; Moses’ is De La Soul Is Dead, and mine is Buhloone Mind State (Miss You Dave!!!).   Second, we wanted to make a fun record” Plain Old Mike offers.  “Life can be so heavy, maybe if you put Regular Henry on, you can just laugh at stupid jokes for 40 minutes. That sounds ok to me.”

    With this in mind, Regular Henry Sessions is a blend of the respective rappers favorite sector of hip hop. After all, the album combines old school snare and low baseline to create a laid back feel as the duo tee off with introspective quips about every day life. In essence, Moses Rockwell and Plain Old Mike come off as huge hip hop nerds which makes the album that much more fun as it emotes and every man vibe.

    “I think what Mike and I were able to produce as a group makes total sense” Moses Rockwell states.  “We’re each hung up on the same oddities in rap music and laugh at the same jokes.  All of which shines through on the record.”

    Regular Henry Sessions is now available at all DSP’s. 

  • The Chesterfield Kings Release Rockin’ “Meet You After Midnight”

    Garage rockers The Chesterfield Kings announced the release of their latest single, “Meet You After Midnight.” The band also announced their first live shows in over 15 years.

    The Chesterfield Kings formed in the late 70s, heavily influenced by the bluesy and rugged sounds of the 60s. The group hails from Rochester and has toured for decades but hasn’t since the early 2000s.

    The single is reminiscent of 60s bands like The Doors, Beach Boys, The Who, and more. The Chesterfield Kings add an element of that ’70s dirty garage sound as well. The track feels like entering a portal to the classic era of rock n roll, super well done in its instrumentation, lyricism, and catchiness.

    The band plans to tour for five dates across the US beginning March 16 and wrapping up March 22. The tour stops in Austin, Los Angeles, Pheonix, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.

    Catch The Chesterfield Kings on the The Wicked Cool Records Revue!, presented by Hard Rock and Little Steven’s Underground Garage, which marks the fabled garage rockers’ first live shows in over 15 years.

    To check out The Chesterfield Kings’ latest track, “Meet You After Midnight,” click here. For more information on the band and their upcoming shows, click here.

    The Chesterfield Kings Upcoming Shows:

    16 – Austin, TX – Continental Club (SXSW) *

    * w/ The Jellybricks and Bobby Mahoney

    19 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent

    20 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room Highland Park

    21 – Las Vegas, NV – The Shag Room at Virgin

    22 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar Music Hall

  • Albany Ranked Top Among Best Places to Live in New York

    Albany has been ranked as the best place to live in the state, according to a survey by the U.S. News & World Report. Some may also be shocked that New York City ranked fifth in the 2023-24 list of best places to live in the state, behind Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, respectively. What we find less surprising is that all five cities have a large music presence.

    Best Place to Live New York albany
    The Palace Theatre in Albany is one of the Capital Region’s premier music venues. Credit: Palace Theatre.

    Ranked as the #1 best place to live in New York State, the Capital Region is home to several music venues and recording studios. White Lake Music and Post, one of the recording studios on Albany’s roster, has produced, recorded, and mixed multiple Billboard Top 40 singles and provided audio services for clients including Netflix, Discovery, Lifetime, Universal, Disney, Nickelodeon, and HBO. Additionally, the Palace Theatre, which first opened its doors in 1931, has been graced by the presence of musical greats like the Rolling Stones and is home to the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

    Best Place to Live New York syracuse
    Central New York’s premier professional theatre, Syracuse Stage. Credit: Syracuse Stage

    Ranking second on the list, Syracuse is home to many venues, among them Syracuse Stage, which is approaching its 50th anniversary this year. The premier professional theatre in Central New York, Stage is part of Syracuse University and is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country. America’s leading actors, directors, and designers work and/or have worked at Stage including Tony Award-winners Jason Alexander, Lillias White, Chuck Cooper, and Elizabeth Franz, Emmy recipients Jean Stapleton, Sam Waterston, John Cullum, James Whitmore, and Ben Gazzara.

    Drive By Truckers at Water Street Music Hall – photo by Brian Ferguson

    Rochester ranks as the third best place to live in New York State. Rochester is home to Water Street Music Hall, the city’s largest and oldest concert venue. Originally opened in 1976 under the name The Country Warehouse, the venue has brought hundreds of large artists including Phish, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Ashanti, David Byrne, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Iggy Pop, Jack Harlow, Sublime, St. Vincent, King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard, Maroon 5, Weezer, and many more.

    Shea’s Theatre in Buffalo. Credit: Shea Performing Arts Center.

    Coming in fourth is the Queen City of Buffalo, a major music and entertainment region of its own. Buffalo is home to GCR Audio, a recording studio that has worked with Buffalo natives the Goo Goo Dolls, who recorded their self-titled debut album as well as Jed, Hold Me Up, Superstar Car Wash, A Boy Named Goo, Jessie J, and Who You Are at the studio. The city is also home to the nearly 100-year-old Shea’s Theatre, which this year alone has held performances of classic musicals such as Les, Mamma Mia, and in previous years Beetlejuice, Dear Evan Hanson, A Christmas Story: The Musical, The Nutcracker, and Mean Girls: The Musical, among others.

    Exterior of MSG – photo by Rob Tellerman

    As we know, New York City is the music and entertainment capital of the Empire State, if not the country. With countless music venues such as the Beacon Theatre, Knockdown Center, Brooklyn Bowl and Madison Square Garden, plus dozens of recording studios such as Electric Lady, the Big Apple has earned its title as one of the best cities for music in the world. MSG has hosted more than thousands of sports events and concerts, including upcoming tours by Fall Out Boy and Nicki Minaj. Electric Lady Recording Studio has made music for several big names in the industry such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, as well as New York natives Christina Aguilera and Lana Del Rey.

    The state of New York is home to several of the most prestigious and oldest music venues in the country, making it clear to see why the aforementioned cities rank in the top five best places to live in New York State.

  • CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival 2024 Lineup Announced

    The 2024 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival 21st edition lineup is available now, held from Friday, June 21 to Saturday, June 29, at 20 indoor and outdoor venues, all within walking distance in downtown Rochester’s east-end cultural district.

    CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival.
    Pedrito Martinez, photo by Thom Bell.

    Founded in 2002, the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals, held annually in Rochester with over 210,000 attendees. Over nine days, there are 300 shows with more than 1750 artists, traveling from Australia, Benin (West Africa), Canada, Cuba, Denmark, England, Finland, Japan, and more. The festival is produced by RIJF, LLC, a privately held company owned by John Nugent and Marc Iacona.

    We’re incredibly proud of this year’s diverse lineup and hope everyone will thoroughly enjoy all the spectacular performances. Once again, there has been no shortage of incredible artists from around the world who have submitted materials to perform for our amazing Rochester audiences! Choosing and confirming artists brings about a serendipity surrounding touring schedules and timing. We’re very pleased to have completed another artistic canvas for our audiences’ ears to enjoy. On behalf of our entire RIJF team, we thank everyone who attends the festival, our festival team and volunteers, and our amazing sponsors for their continuing support and loyalty. Three new sponsors are joining us this year: Rochester Institute of Technology, Wow Werks, and the Inn on Broadway. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our 21st Edition on Jazz Street in June!

    John Nugent and Marc Iacona.

    Music will fill the air with more than 1750 artists from 16 countries to play in 326 concerts, including 100-plus free shows. There are five free headliner shows, four nights on the Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, and one night on the City of Rochester Stage at East & Chestnut. On June 22, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram brings his dramatic and searing guitar tones to the stage, with Chris Beard Band opening. Shelia E. and the E-Train comes to the stage on June 26 with Grupo Ife opening.

    On June 27, Los Lonely Boys brings the Garza brothers to the stage, with Miller & The Other Sinners opening. June 28 brings Cimafunk to the stage with Latriste Fulton & Frequency opening. His name refers to his heritage as a “cimarrón,” Cubans of African descent who resisted and escaped slavery, as well as to the essence of his music, which aims to mix classical Cuban rhythms with funk, afrobeat, and hip hop. The last free event on June 29 is Rejuvenation 50! Celebrating The Meters, A New Orleans Mardi Gras Party – sure to bring quite the crowd!

    Two new venues join the Club Pass Series this year: the historic Inn on Broadway, with two shows nightly at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and The Duke, a new entertainment space located in Sibley Square adjacent to the Mercantile on Main Street, with two shows nightly at 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. Food and drinks will be available at both venues.

    A record 51 shows will be presented on the Jazz Street Stage, including 24 student jazz bands and jazz ensembles from Eastman. Jazz Starts at the Library, a series of five free noon concerts, returns to the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, featuring Trio 55, Hanna PK, Simon Fletcher, Jimmy Highsmith Jr., and Jazz Generation.

    Other highlights include five free Jazz Workshops sponsored by Wegmans, led by visiting artists for music students of all ages. Held at Eastman School of Music from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Ray Wright Room 120, artists include Tommy Smith, Saxophone, Jae Sinett, Drums, Roberto Occipinti, Bass, Johnny Johnson, Sax, and Mike Kaupa, Trumpet.

    Photo by Eli Stein.

    Jam Sessions will be held nightly at 10:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main, sponsored by the Dimarco Group. Jams will be led by trumpeter Mike Cottone on Fridays and Saturdays and guitarist Bob Sneider on Sunday through Thursday. Food and drinks are available, with no cover.

    Finally, five ticketed headliner shows will be presented at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater. All shows are at 8 p.m. On June 21, Taj Mahal brings his talents to the stage, with the Lee Ritenour Band on the 22. Rising star and recent GRAMMY award winner Laufey takes the stage on June 26, sold out. John Oates, co-founder of the iconic music creators Hall & Oates, takes the stage as a solo act on the 27, and multiple GRAMMY award winner Samara Joy wraps up the headliner shows on the 28.

    The Festival’s signature Club Pass Series will feature 216 shows at 12 diverse venues with some of the finest jazz artists. Access with a 3 or 9-day Club Pass, the festival’s value pass, or $30 cash at the door. Tickets for headliner shows and Club Passes are available now. For more information on other events at the International Jazz Festival, tickets, and the full lineup – visit here.

  • Spafford Releases 2024 Summer Tour Dates Featuring Multiple New York Shows

    As Spafford continues their spring tour in Colorado, they’ve now announced their summer tour dates which include two more New York shows. The Arizona-based jam band will get a full view of the Empire State with shows scheduled in a variety of areas as well as an upcoming one at New York City’s Brooklyn Bowl on April 20.

    Spafford’s summer tour pays special attention to the East Coast and Midwest with the tour starting in Michigan with performances slated in Ludington and Paw Paw. It then heads out to Illinois, New Hampshire for the Northlands Music Festival, and multiple New York stops.

    The first one is on June 12 at Rochester’s Water Street Music Hall. Three days later, Spafford is set to play Colony in Woodstock, a New York town with a rich musical history all its own.  The band then wraps up their time in NY with a stop on Long Island at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett. See below for a full list of upcoming Spafford shows. The tour includes multiple stops and cities the band has yet to play.

    Tickets for all Summer Tour dates are on sale at spafford.net. 

    2024 DATES

    3.16  Frozen Dead Guy Days – Estes Park, CO
    3.20  The Broadberry – Richmond, VA
    3.21-23  5 Points Music Sanctuary – Roanoke, VA
    3.24  Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
    3.26  Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA
    3.28-29  Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH
    3.30  Madison Theater – Covington, KY
    4.18  XL Live – Harrisburg, PA
    4.19  The Warehouse at FTC – Fairfield, CT
    4.20  Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
    5.24-26 CaveJam – The Caverns, TN

    6.6 Stix – Ludington, MI

    6.7 Moontown Brewing Co. – Whitestown, IN

    6.8 Warner Vineyards – Paw Paw, MI

    6.9 Danenburger Family Vineyards – New Berlin, IL

    6.12 Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY

    6.14 Northlands Music and Arts Festival – Swanzey, NH

    6.15 Colony – Woodstock, NY

    6.17 The Stephen Talkhouse – Amagansett, NY

    6.19 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD

    6.20 New Realm Brewing – Virginia, Beach, VA

    6.21 Bowstring Brewyard – Wilmington, NC

    6.22 Pisgah Brewing Company – Black Mountain, NC

    6.23 The Ramkat – Winston-Salem, NC

    7.18-20 4848 Music Festival – Snowshoe, WV

  • Dopapod and Ghost-Note to Perform at 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival

    The 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival has announced its headliners and direct support performers from May 10-19 – the largest variety of talent in festival history.

    2024 Rochester Lilac Festival

    The Lilac Festival brings over 500,000 people a year from across Western and Upstate NY, the tri-state area and Canada to Highland Park to see great music, look at the beautiful lilacs that grow in the park, and eat and drink amazing food. In 2024, the festival will return with 80+ musical performances, 300 juried arts and craft vendors, kids’ activities, and the star of the show – the lilac blossoms. The annual event is hosted by the Lilac Festival Board, which includes Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and Visit Rochester.

    “The Rochester Lilac Festival is one of our greatest community assets and is an essential component of our identity as the Flower City,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “The Festival showcases the spectacular beauty of historic Highland Park and provides residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy free, family-friendly, world-class talent. On behalf of the City of Rochester, I would like to thank the Lilac Festival Committee, organizers, sponsors, and partners for the energy they bring to producing this year’s Lilac Festival.”

    Nine of the ten headliners at the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival are national touring artists, including Rochester native Danielle Ponder. All ten direct support acts were intentionally selected to showcase a diverse array of genres and talent from well-known and emerging Rochester artists.

    2024 Rochester Lilac Festival
    Ghost-Note is performing at the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival.

    For more information about the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival, visit here.

    Friday, May 10 – Rayland Baxter

    Americana bliss that blends country, roots, and vintage pop. For fans of Fleet Foxes, The Lumineers, and Jack Johnson.

    Supported by Left-Handed 2nd Baseman

    Saturday, May 11 – Butcher Brown

    A genre-bending feast that blends jazz, hip-hop, and funk into an eclectic fusion. For fans of The Roots, Sly and the Family Stone, A Tribe Called Quest

    Supported by Zahyia

    Sunday, May 12 – Ghost-Note

    A fresh blend of afrobeat, and funk, led by Snarky Puppy’s percussion duo. For Fans of James Brown, Soulive, and Thundercat.

    Supported by Grace Serene and the Super Clean

    Monday, May 13 – Pachyman

    Breezy dub and reggae-infused experience with Puerto Rican Roots. For fans of Bob Marley, King Tubb, and Fela Kuti.

    Supported by The Medicinals

    2024 Rochester Lilac Festival
    Pachyman is performing at the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival.

    Tuesday, May 14 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

    Masters of high-energy swing, BBVD has helped revitalize swing music for over 30 years. For fans of Louis Prima, Duke Ellington, and Brian Setzer Orchestra

    Supported by Horacio & La Fama Salsa Band

    Wednesday, May 15 – The Skycoasters

    Rochester-based, nationally recognized, lively nine-piece cover band has been the life of the party for over 40 years.

    Supported by Teagan & the Tweeds

    Thursday, May 16 – An Evening of Soul Curated by Danielle Ponder

    Rochester native and nationally touring artist brings masterful songwriting, bold vocals, and soulful storytelling to the stage. For fans of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Black Pumas, and Aretha Franklin.

    Supported by Chi TheRealist & Natalia Ekua

    Danielle Ponder is performing at the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival.

    Friday, May 17 – Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

    An electrifying eight-piece band performance blending brass, funk, and hip-hop. For Fans of Trombone Shorty, Vulfpeck, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

    Supported by Claude Bennington’s Fever Dream

    Saturday, May 18 – Dopapod

    More than just a jam band, they deliver a mind-bending blend of funk, jazz fusion, and progressive rock. For fans of STS9, Disco Biscuits, and Yes.

    Supported by Eli Flynn & The Everymen.

    Sunday, May 19 – Trousdale

    This powerful female band brings melodic and heartfelt harmonies that spread a message of self-acceptance and love. For fans of The Chicks, Kacey Musgraves, and HAIM.

    Supported by Claudia Hoyser

  • Jason Isbell Brings Rustic Sounds to Rochester

    On February 27, Jason Isbell rolled into Rochester to play an intimate show at Kodak Center. Named after the photo giant that was founded there many moons ago, the Kodak Center offers a beautiful stage that Isbell and his band, 400 Unit, partied on for the crowd of roughly 1900 fans.

    Opening the show for Isbell, was Palehound, fronted by El Kempner. They took the stage for roughly an hour and hit some amazing sounds, very reminiscent of Hole, Mazzy Star, or Eve’s Plumb. Kempner, along with Zoe Brecher (drums), Larz Brogan (bass) and Beth (guitar) filled the theatre with subtle lyrics as fans shuffled to their seats.

    Playing through original songs such as “Fadin,” “Bullshit,” and “Good Sex,’ Kempner recalled her last visit to Rochester as they played Bug Jar. Talking about how they are fiscally responsible when they travel, she tells of a friend who set them up with accommodations for their visit. A friend of a friend of a friend scenario. Upon arriving at apartment, they were set up with, the band found an empty apartment with 10 air mattresses. Perfect for those who might want to sleep on the floor but aren’t quite committed yet.

    Shortly before 9, Jason Isbell and 400 Unit hit the stage to a very welcoming crowd. Starting off with “Save the World”, a song that the sends a very poignant message about the world we live in. While not a very uplifting song, Isbell brought some energy and positive vibes throughout the nearly 2 hour show.

    The 400 Unit consists of Sadler Vaden (guitar, vocals), Anna Butterss (bass), Derry deBorja (Keys, accordion, vocals), Chad Gamble (drums, vocals), and Will Johnson (drums, guitar, vocals, gong)

    Using his own personal experiences, Isbell has had pretty good success with songwriting, as he has won six of the seven Grammys he has been nominated for. Most recently, the 2023 Weathervanes album won the band a grammy for Best American Roots Song (“Cast Iron Skillet”) and album.

    Reflecting on events in the news has also been an inspiration for music. “24 Frames” was one of the more mellow songs played in Rochester. While there is catchy beat to the song, the lyrics are what make you stop and think. Think about life and how it can change in the blink of an eye.

    And this is how you make yourself call your mother
    And this is how you make yourself closer to your brother
    Remember him back when he was small enough to help you sing

    24 Frames – Jason Isbell

    The song was written back in 2015 after Jason had heard of a young girl being killed by stray bullet while playing in own yard. These are things you don’t think of, but artists like Jason Isbell will write a song about.

    https://youtu.be/_lV-BSYnWPU?si=f8wIZKz_j8sUUQ4P

    Adding commentary between songs, Isbell talks about how he has enjoyed his visit to Rochester, saying that he had some stuffed mussels and a patty melt for lunch. It’s odd combination, but to each their own. He went on to talk about the music stores he checked out and found a nice old amplifier.

    Coming out for a much-deserved encore, Isbell took center stage for an acoustic version of “Cover Me Up”. This bone chilling song was the opening track to his 2013, Southeastern album and originally written for his now ex wife, Amanda Shires, and his confessing his love for her. In a 2013 NPR interview, he said “…it was hard one to get through, even after not breaking down the first time…”

    So girl, leave your boots by the bed, we ain’t leavin’ this room
    ‘Til someone needs medical help or the magnolias bloom
    It’s cold in this house and I ain’t goin’ out to chop wood
    So cover me up and know you’re enough to use me for good

    Following the acoustic rendition, the band joined Isbell on stage and finished the encore with “Miles” and “This Ain’t It”. A perfect set to end an amazing evening of Americana Roots.

    Setlist: Save the World, King of Oklahoma, Strawberry Woman, Last of My Kind, Super 8, Something More Than Free, Overseas, Speed Trap Town, Alabama Pines, Stockholm, When We Were Close, White Beretta, Honeysuckle Blue, Cast Iron Skillet, 24 Frames, If We Were Vampires, Cover Me Up, Miles, This Ain’t It

  • From Ashes To New Announce Nationwide Tour, 4 Stops in New York

    Alt-metal vanguards From Ashes To New today, announce a headlining US tour this spring titled, “The Blackout Tour Pt. 2.” The tour will see support from California-based rockers Point North in addition to special guests including heart-hop rapper Ekoh, emo rapper Phix, and hip-hop/rock artist elijah.

    The tour sees four dates in New York State. Albany, Huntington, NYC, and Rochester will expect a stop from the acts. From Ashes To New has a diverse sound compiled of hard rock, hip hop, electronic and alternative. The band draws massive influence from the soundscape of the 90s and 2000s.

    “We are beyond excited to unveil our highly anticipated Blackout Tour Part 2. The response to Part 1 was so overwhelmingly positive that we knew we had to bring our most exciting show yet to new cities that missed out on the first round. Once again, we are pulling all the stops and bringing along our brothers in Point North, Ekoh, Phix, and Elijah to make each show a night to remember. Lastly, this tour is not just about music; it’s about creating unforgettable experiences and connecting with fans old and new. Get ready to join us on this incredible journey!”

    Vocalist Danny Case

    The tour sees From Ashes to New perform their classic hits as well as new music, including potent new track “Barely Breathing.” The tour kicks off in late May and extends to late July, with one final show well into September.

    FROM ASHES TO NEW – “THE BLACKOUT TOUR PT. 2”

    with Point North, Ekoh, Phix and elijah

    4/30     Albany, NY – Empire Live 

    5/1       Huntington, NY – The Paramount

    5/2       Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage 

    5/4       New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place

    5/5       Philadelphia, PA – TLA 

    5/6       New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre 

    5/8       Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues

    5/9       Orlando, FL – House of Blues *

    5/10     Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen ~

    5/12     Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre 

    5/13     Chattanooga, TN – The Signal

    5/15     Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans ~

    5/16     Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819 ~

    5/18     Rochester, NY – Water St. Music Hall ~

    5/19     Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center

    5/20     Cleveland, OH – House of Blues

    5/21     Madison, WI – The Sylvee 

    5/23     Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theatre ~

    5/24     Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom 

    5/25     Davenport, IA – Capitol Theatre 

    5/27     Houston, TX – House of Blues 

    5/28     Austin, TX – Emo’s 

    5/29     Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall *

    5/30     San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theater

    6/2       Wichita, KS – Cotillion Ballroom ~

    6/3       Springfield, MO – Gillioz ~

    6/5       Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren 

    6/6       San Diego, CA – House of Blues 

    6/7       Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues 

    6/8       Santa Ana, CA – Observatory OC 

    6/11     Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot 

    6/12     Denver, CO – Summit 

    6/13     Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre ~

    7/19     Caddott, WI – Rock Fest ^ ~

    7/20     Grand Rapids, MI – Upheaval Fest ^ ~

    7/21     Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration ^ ~

    9/27     Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life ^ ~

    ^ festival appearance (FATN only)

    * no Point North

    ~ non-Live Nation date

    Tickets and From Ashes To New VIP packages will be available starting with an artist presale beginning today at 12 P.M. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale starting on Friday, March 1 at 10 A.M. via From Ashes To New’s website HERE.