NYS Music 2024

Category: Rochester

  • Journey Teleports Through 50 Years in Rochester

    Reliving the glory years, fans in Rochester were treated to a night of classics as Journey blew the roof off the Blue Cross Arena, the eighth stop on the Freedom Tour. The February 22 show marked Journey’s seventh visit to the city, dating back to 1978.

    Playing for little more 90 minutes, frontman Arnel Pineda jumped around the stage enough to make his Fitbit question his activity. While not original to the band, Pineda has been doing his best Steve Perry impression for nearly 17 years, and despite nailing a nerve wrecking interview, he has solidified his role as lead vocalist. The vocal range, the sounds and pitch, all of it are exactly what Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain were hoping for as they sought out Perry’s replacement.

    Opening the show for Pineda and company was Toto. Not quite as tenured as Journey, Toto has just over 40 years of songs and 14 studio albums, and they chose a nice nine-song set for the Rochester crowd. As the lone original Toto member, Steve Lukather came out donning a floor length cloak and rocked out “Girl Good” Bye” and “Hold the Line.” Of course, the set ended with “Rosanna” and “Africa,” two songs that are synonymous with Toto and the 80s.

    Fans were out of their seats as Lukather led the charge during their set, belting out a little “Hakuna Matata” and a cover of the Beatles “With a Little Help From My Friends.” A little mellow, a little sappy, and a lot of high energy rock prepped the crowd for what they were about to endure.

    Hitting the stage shortly before 9, Cain and Pineda led Journey out before the Rochester crowd and opened up with “Only The Young,” a song about youth and the freedoms they encounter growing up. One of Journey’s best songs, it wasn’t originally released by them. Intended for the Frontiers album, it was a late cut and sold to Scandal. A few years later, it was on Vison Quest soundtrack and ultimately hit Number 9 on the charts and released as single by Journey.

    Progressing through the set, Pineda did not slow down. Dancing around withe mic stand, flipping the mic, hopping on and off the speakers, he flawlessly delivered note after note pointing out to random area of the crowd. “Stone in Love” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” get the crowd up and dancing like they were 17 again, before all the back and knee problems took over.

    About halfway through the set, Deen Castronovo delivers a powerful rendition of “Mother-Father.” Perched behind his drum set, Castronovo takes this song and makes it his own, delivering what I would consider the hit of the night. Powerful, serene, and thought-provoking performance from the former Bad English drummer.

    Leading into “Open Arms,” Cain let loose on the piano as the band waited in the wings, pounding the keys as smooth and as delectate as possible. The piano sounds filled the arena with aging fans who once held lit lighters in the air, are now turning on their phones flashlights. The iconic Journey ballad commences as Pineda encourages the crowd to sing along.

    Donning a hockey jersey from the hometown Rochester Americans, Cain continued the next song with some back story. In 1983, the band was looking to write a song that pays homage to loved ones at home with the band tours and is apart. Perry and crew decided to take it one step further and dedicate to the men and women of the Armed Forces who were also apart from loved ones. From this, we were given “Faithfully.” As the song played, the backscreen displayed band members with military personal, family members and fans alike. This was a dedication to anyone who is apart from their loved ones. You could quietly hear the tears being shed from those around me as the song began.

    For a little more than 90 minutes, fans were taken back to a simpler time. Memories were brought back of proms, weddings, friends, and other loved ones. Fans young and old were celebrating 50 years of hits, B-sides, and deep cuts. 50 years of iconic sounds have been copied and covered but there’s nothing like originals.

    Journey continues their Freedom tour through April, before hitting the road with Def Lepard.

    Toto set list: Girl Goodbye/Hold the Line/99/Dying on My Feet/ I’ll Be Over You/Home of the Brave/ With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover)/Rosanna/ Africa

    Journey set list: Only the Young/guitar solo/Stone in Love,/Don’t Stop Believin’/Lights/ Send Her My Love/Who’s Crying Now/Escape,/Mother-Father/Let it Rain/Lovin’, Touchin, Squeezin/piano solo/Open Arms/Faithfully/Girl Can’t Help It (Jason Derlatka)/guitar solo/Wheel in The Sky/Separate Ways/Be Good to Yourself/Any Way You Want It

  • fivebyfive Stuns at Strasenburgh In Celebration of the Coming Eclipse

    On the 8th of April, Rochester will be one of the cities in the direct pathway of a total solar eclipse. A rare celestial event worthy of celebration and awe. In anticipation of the event, local chamber ensemble fivebyfive played a series of three sold out concerts at the Rochester Science and Museum’s Strasenburgh Planetarium the past two weekends.

    fivebyfive eclipse

    “Light and Dark: Eclipse Music,” two years in the making, included five world premier pieces commissioned specifically for this concert, each written specifically in celebration of this monumental event. Each composer interpreted the concept of a solar eclipse in their own way. fivebyfive’s audio and visual engineer, and Executive Director, Marc Webster added his own interpretations, developing visuals for each to project on the dome of the planetarium. He approached the video treatments from a musician’s standpoint, taking cues directly from the scores. It was a feast for the ears and eyes for the audience, comfortably seated in recliners encircling the intimate space.

    A unique event deserves to be celebrated in a unique way by a unique ensemble. Made up of Laura Lentz on flute, Marcy Bacon on clarinet, Ken Luk on electric guitar, Eric J. Polenik on bass and Haeyeun Jeun on piano, fivebyfive certainly fit the bill. But the compositions called for the band to stretch it’s legs even more with some auxiliary sounds and techniques. Finger-tapped guitar added to the data-driven melodies of Glenn McClure’s set opening “Totality,” as numbers rained down from the skies. Bass clarinet, alto flute and a bowed guitar added warmth to Jessica Meyer’s “In the Path of Totality,” tapping into the human emotional response to the eclipse’s grandness and beauty. Light literally controlled the music for Julie Herndon’s “I Can Take.” Guest conductor Armand Hall conducted using only light bulbs strewn through the band’s setup. Through composed sections and even some improvisation, the bulbs dimmed and brightened in the darkened room, as the music ebbed and flowed along the way.

    The venue, the visuals, the music. It all came together perfectly in celebration and anticipation of an event that Rochester will remember forever. Las Vegas may have it’s much-hyped Sphere, but Rochester’s Strasenburgh Planetarium made an excellent host for these shows, and only one of those city’s is in the path of totality. With two more months to go there’s plenty more time to keep the celebration going so stay tuned for more events to come.

    fivebyfive eclipse

  • Five Can’t Miss Jazz Shows in Rochester This February

    Rochester is a jazz lover’s dream come late June during the Rochester International Jazz Fest. But in the last few years the options over the remainder of the year have been getting better and better. This February there is a solid slate of great jazz coming to Rochester, so much so that even narrowing it down to just five was a difficult task. So get out there and support some world-class improvised music this month.

    February 1: Joshua Redman Group @ Hochstein Performing Arts

    Live! is bringing reedman Joshua Redman and his group, featuring vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa, to beautiful auditorium at the Hochstein School of Music. They’ll be supporting their latest excellent release, where are we. On this night they’ll be in Rochester of course, but the material travels all over the country: Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore, Manhattan, Alabama… So come get phonically geographical, no better way to start off the month.

    Tickets range from $41.46 to $69.85 and the music gets started at 8pm. There will also be a cocktail hour in the chapel from 630-730pm.

    February 12: Ethnic Heritage Ensemble @ Lovin Cup

    This isn’t the first time this space has recommended Kahil El’ Zabar and his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and it probably won’t’ be the last. Rochester is lucky that this group makes frequent visits to our town, and you should be taking full advantage. They come celebrating their 50th anniversary and in advance of their new album, Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit, out in March. Take a spiritual journey and be deeply moved by music like few artists can provide.

    Tickets are $25/$30dos and the show starts at 730pm.

    February 23: Mostly Other People Do the Killing @ Bop Shop Records

    Another returner to Bop Shop Records, Mostly Other People Do the Killing are another group you can’t pass up anytime they are back. Now a trio, this NYC-based band led by bassist Moppa Elliott are a creative animal of their own making, playing by their own rules. Electronics are infused into a mostly acoustic affair, providing surprises around most turns.

    Tickets are $20 and the show starts at 8pm.

    February 28: Brass Machine @ Lovin Cup

    The Brass Machine, from nearby Buffalo, brings the New Orleans party vibes for a little early Mardi Gras celebration. But this isn’t going to be your ordinary brass band show, this is a special “Busted on Bourbon Street”, two-set all Grateful Dead tribute show. The Dead has been covered every which way, so why not brassed up?

    Tickets are $10 and music gets going at 7pm.

    February 29: Harold Danko @ Kilbourn Hall

    It’s a leap year so we get an extra day in February, might as well fill it up with some more live music. Jazz pianist, composer, and professor emeritus of jazz studies and contemporary media at the Eastman School of Music Harold Danko plays a special leap year show every February 29th, so this is your only chance to see this show for another four years! This is a tradition that has been going for 44 years, but there’s no better time to get involved then now. A great opportunity to witness the world-class talent we have right here in our own backyard.

    This show is free and will start at 7:30pm.

  • Public Water Supply Release New Catchy Single, “Leila”

    Multi-faceted Rochester alternative rock/indie band Public Water Supply has announced the release of their groovy new single “Leila” from their upcoming album General Strike which is set to be released in March 29.

    Public Water Supply

    Public Water Supply consists of five members blending and combining stunning vocals, remarkable instrumentalists, and distinctive songwriting. The band include Iggy Marino, Karis Gregory, Jr., Alex Brophy, Spencer Kornrich, and Tanner Kates.

    “Leila” features catchy and eccentric guitars and continuous drumming that give it a sentimental and nostalgic vibe. While the song tells the story of two lovers on a cross-country crime spree, burning rubber, and living an intense but exhilarating life, it still manages to capture all the thrilling and anxious emotions that go along with it.

    “We’ve been re-defining our music and experimenting with our sound all year long. I think our babies are really going to notice more of a rock n’ roll feel in these songs and basically, we take no prisoners,” declared frontman Iggy Marino stated, who also coined the affectionate term “babies” for their fans, which some find it odd yet unique.

    With the announcement of a new track, the band has also announced the release of their new album General Strike to premier at album will premiere at sun festival in March.29 Tickets are on sale now.

    “Leila” from Public Water Supply is available to stream everywhere. For more information about the band, visit here. 

  • Hearing Aide: Alex Northrup “Turning Point”

    Discover the spunky world of Turning Point, an imaginative album by Alex Northrup, released on January 13.

    Alex Northrup is a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in the wonderful and friendly Rochester. Instead of creating songs on the guitar or piano from start to finish as he usually did, Alex decided to go on a spontaneous recording journey for Turning Point by aimlessly recording tracks. “My usual process is to write the song start to finish either on guitar or piano, with a complete lyric/melody/chord change, then work out the arrangement. This time, I was creating songs out of bits and pieces of recorded tracks. The arrangements and productions were coming before the actual songs!” added Alex.

    Alex Northrup

    Turning Point was created over the span of three years, creating songs out of bits and pieces of recorded tracks. To Alex, it was important to experiment with different sounds and colors. However, he discovered about a dozen of these “songs” that were largely finished and appeared to belong together. He spent a lot of time perfecting those, and the result was the album.

    It’s definitely the most diverse sounding project I’ve done, but there are enough threads that tie the whole thing together – some chord changes, an old Univox drum machine, and a Mellotron that was at our house for a couple months. These songs would never have existed without that process – they’re just not things I would have thought up on an acoustic guitar.

    Alex Northrup

    Turning Point features members of Big Nobody, Overhand Sam & Bad Weapon, Pleistocene, Ginger Faye Bakers. The release party for Turning Point will be held at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester on Saturday, January 13. Expect to see exciting special guests such as The Bat Sisters (Katie Morey & Cammy Enaharo) and light show by Rainbow Full of Sound (Brian Blatt & Pat Doyle).

    Pre-order “Turning Point” here.

  • Public Water Supply Announce new Album and Pre-Eclipse “Sun Festival”

    Rochester-based alternative rock/indie Americana act Public Water Supply has announced the release of their new record General Strike, to be showcased at Sun Festival, the band’s pre-eclipse event.

    Sun Festival takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Essex, a music hall located at 1048 University Avenue which can hold 700 concert-goers. Public Water Supply will play their new record General Strike, plus some fan favorites. It started on Nazareth University’s campus when all five band members were enrolled for undergraduate studies. They have played on and off together since graduation in 2019 and the core group remains intact with Iggy Marino and Karis Gregory, Jr. on guitars, plus Alex Brophy on bass, and Spencer Kronrich on drums. Last summer, Tanner Kartes returned to the stage to flash his harmonica skills and rejoined as the fifth member. Public Water Supply has sold out Rochester venues such as Iron Smoke Distillery, Three Heads Brewery, and the Jackrabbit in Buffalo.

    “We are calling it SUN FESTIVAL in observance of the cosmos and we will assemble in celebration of the moon, the sun, and our musical surroundings,” exclaimed Iggy Marino, the band’s frontman. “It feels like the universe is truly coming together for us and we can’t wait for our babies to hear our creation!”

    The band released their first self-titled record last year, growing their fanbase dubbed the “babies,” with General Strike on its way. Billed as music written for the working class, “This album showcases the daily struggle of living, loving, and wanting to ‘stick it to the man’”, added Marino. “We’ve been re-defining our music and experimenting with our sound all year long. I think our babies are really going to notice more of a rock n’ roll feel in these songs.”

    The first single, “Leila” will drop on Friday, January 12.  Lead guitarist Karis Gregory, Jr. wrote the music and lyrics. “Leila is loosely inspired by the story of famed criminals, Bonnie and Clyde, two lovers on a cross-country crime spree, burning rubber and living an intense but exhilarating life,” claimed Karis. The rest of the songs on the album, including the title piece, “General Strike”, were written by lead singer and guitarist, Iggy Marino.

    Tickets for Sun Festival will go on sale Friday, January 12, priced at $25 each.

  • Five Can’t-Miss Shows in Rochester This January

    There might not be a lot of musicians traveling this time of year but Rochester is still brimming with great options for shows this January. Immerse yourself in all the local scene has to offer, high-quality music spanning all genres.

    January 13: Chi Therealist at Essex

    Rochester has original hip hop. Chi Therealist has made big splashes on the scene opening for the sold-out Danielle Ponder show where he is about to headline himself, and with big gigs at Flour City Station and shows at the Rochester Fringe Fest. Get ready to feel the beats as he starts off the year right. The bill is rounded out by local R&B singer Shay Shine.

    Tickets are $30 and the show starts at 8pm

    January 19: Overhand Sam and Bad Weapon at LUX Lounge

    Rochester has original psychedelic rock. And no one is hitting that space harder than Overhand Sam and Bad Weapon right now. An active 2023 looks to continue as they get things started early this year. Late night on a Friday at LUX is the perfect place to take in their manic and hooky typhoon of sound. Their local brothers in psychedelic rock Fuzzrod will open.

    Tickets are $5 at the door and show will start around 10pm.

    January 12: Honey Smugglers at Essex

    Rochester has original Americana. If you’re looking for a show with that down-home rootsy sound, look no further. The Honey Smugglers have got you covered. And tonight they’re joined by like-minded folks in Folkfaces and A Girl Named Genny. It will be a night full of singalongs, sway-alongs, and good old-fashioned body moving and foot stomping.

    Tickets are $29.50 and the show gets going at 8pm.

    January 20 & 21: fivebyfive at RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium

    Rochester has original classical music. Rochester also has a solar eclipse coming up in a few months. The two marry up, in one of many planned events around the celestial marvel coming our way. fivebyfive, an award-winning, chamber ensemble known for its impeccable musicianship and adventurous spirit, will play specially-commissioned works as immersive visuals are presented on the dome of the planetarium. Might be better than the actual eclipse?

    Tickets are $25 and the shows get started at 4pm, with pre-concert talks at 3:30pm.

    January 31: Dean Keller’s Soul Jazz Joint at Faircraft Brauhaus

    Rochester has original jazz. OK so this isn’t entirely original as they play covers of pop and rock hits, but of Dean Keller’s own arrangements and all very good. Sometimes it even gets into a name-that-tune situation, fun all around!

    This one is free, and will start at 6:30pm.

  • Dirty Blanket Celebrates New Year’s Eve at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester

    With Billy Strings tearing up stadiums, bluegrass is undeniably experiencing a renaissance.  And there are few bluegrass bands in New York right now on a hotter streak than Dirty Blanket.  The Canandaigua-based act sold out their fifth-straight concert on New Years Eve, ringing in 2024 with a rowdy crowd at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester.

    The band’s seamless blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, coupled with high-energy picking, had the audience jumping and shouting. The intimate venue provided the perfect setting for their energy, creating an unforgettable night of music and celebration.

    Dirty Blanket is a five-piece consisting of Joel Fedkiw on banjo, Max Flansburg on lead guitar, Richie Colf on mandolin, Kevin O’Leary on guitar and Benny Bleu Haravitch on the upright bass.  The band has been selling out shows all over the state and Flansburg just finished a weekend picking with the nationally-renowned Sam Grisman Project (not for the last time). 

    On New Years the impeccable musicianship was on full display, with each member contributing to the rich tapestry of sound that defines Dirty Blanket’s signature style.  A lot of bluegrass bands have the instrumentals down but what sets Dirty Blanket apart from the pack is their vocal harmonization. The singing just sounds great.  And the instrumentation is there – the synergy between the banjo, guitar, bass, and mandolin was nothing short of magic. Whether it was the lightning-fast fingerpicking or the soulful strains of the bass, every note resonated with precision and passion, captivating the audience.

    The band started off the first set with a driving rendition of the Hot Rize song “Hard-Pressed,” before turning to crowd-favorite originals like “My Getaway,” and “Hobo Jones.”  The first set also saw covers of Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue,” and “Jack-A-Roe” by the Grateful Dead before ending with the original “Better Days.”

    Set Two started with “New Disease,” and featured ten songs including covers of “On and On” by Bill Monroe and “The Shape I’m in by The Band.  As the clock struck midnight and the calendar turned to 2024, the venue erupted in cheers and applause. To add a festive touch to the celebration, balloons cascaded from the ceiling, creating a visually stunning moment that complemented the wild atmosphere. Dirty Blanket seamlessly transitioned into a lively rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” inviting the crowd to sing along and embrace the camaraderie of the New Year.  The band swapped instruments to showcase Benny Bleu’s old time banjo playing for the first two songs of the encore before ending the night with a version of “Burning Love” by Elvis and sending the crowd home happy.

    Three Heads Brewing provided the ideal backdrop for Dirty Blanket’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The rustic charm of the brewery, coupled with the intimate setting, created an environment where the music could take center stage. The great sound handled by engineer Hakeem Dodley enhanced the crispness of the instruments, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the nuances of Dirty Blanket’s performance.  Everybody had a great time celebrating the new year, and this band gave just one more example of why if they play near you, you need to get a ticket.

  • moe. Share Statement on Deadly Attack Outside Rochester New Year’s Concert

    Jam band moe. has shared a statement regarding the deadly potential terrorist attack outside their show at the Kodak Center in Rochester on New Year’s Day, which killed two people and injured nine.

    At about 12:50 a.m., 35-year-old Michael Avery from Syracuse drove a Ford Explorer heading eastbound, striking a Mitsubishi Outlander, killing both himself and two passengers in the other car as concertgoers were leaving the Kodak Center after moe.’s show.

    Justina Hughes, 28, of Geneva, Ontario County, and Joshua Orr, 29, of Webster were in the car’s rear in a ride-share. Rochester Police Chief David Smith spoke in a news conference about the incident, saying “Avery sped up, crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and appears to have intentionally been driving towards the pedestrian crossing.” The collision hit a group of pedestrians who were in the crosswalk, and then two other vehicles. There was an ignited fire that took over an hour to extinguish, and first responders found at least a dozen gasoline canisters in and around Avery’s car.

    Last night’s events outside the Kodak Center have left us all in profound shock and sadness. On a night that was meant for celebration and togetherness, we are faced instead with a tragedy that defies understanding. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with those who were injured.

    moe.

    moe. went on to thank the first responders for their “swift and courageous actions in securing everyone’s safety,” ending the statement by speaking about the resilience of their fans, saying “We believe in the power of music to heal and unite, and it is in this spirit that we will continue to move forward.”

    CNN reported that so far the FBI has not recovered any information that makes them believe this is a terrorist act, but are still looking into it. They do believe it could be an intentional act though, as he drove from Syracuse to Rochester, checked himself into a hotel room, went to the store, and made at least six purchases of gasoline and gas containers between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. that day.

    This story is still developing and is a tragedy for the victims, the band, and all those who were in attendance at the show.

  • RMSC Announces Eclipse Experience with fivebyfive

    In collaboration with fivebyfive, the RMSC (Rochester Museum & Science Center) announced they are presenting a one-of-a-kind concert experience with live music and immersive visuals presented on the dome of the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium on Jan. 20 and 21, 2024.

    fivebyfive, the artist-led Rochester-based ensemble, formed in 2015 with a simple mission, to engage audiences by performing music of leading and emerging composers. Composed of a flutist, clarinetist, electric guitarist, bassist, pianist, and audio/video engineer, the group advocates for creators who are underrepresented in the field and chooses to collaborate with artists across disciplines, while staying committed to performing new music. fivebyfive has been inspired to connect people in an engaging public event to build awareness and excitement for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024.

    “We’re thrilled to be partnering with fivebyfive for this collaborative concert in January,” said Jim Bader, RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium Director. “Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in newly commissioned works by fivebyfive, while celestial visuals illuminate the Planetarium dome, creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere.”

    The mission of the RMSC is to inspire a better future for all through curiosity, exploration, and participation in science, culture, and the natural world. The RMSC includes the RMSC Museum & Science Center, the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium, and the RMSC Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum & Science Center with more than 200 interactive exhibits, the Planetarium with a 65-foot dome screen and several hands-on exhibits, and the Nature Center on 900 acres of land and 14 miles of trails, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration.

    fivebyfive will present its eclipse-inspired program Light & Dark: Eclipse Music in Rochester at the Planetarium and other communities within the path of totality. Performances will include newly commissioned works by composers Jessica Meyer, Marc Mellits, Kamala Sankaram, Glenn McClure, and a new arrangement by Julie Herndon. 

    “These concerts will truly be the prelude to the Total Solar Eclipse,” exclaimed Laura Lentz, fivebyfive Artistic Director. “We can’t wait to share this multi-level concert of brand new eclipse-inspired music with new beautiful images, making for an incredible all-sensory eclipse experience!”

    Tickets are now on sale for this one-of-a-kind concert here. The RMSC is also offering experience gift packages for the holidays including tickets to the Light & Dark concert, admission to the RMSC ROC The Eclipse festival, and RMSC eclipse glasses to use for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse.