NYS Music 2024

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  • In Focus: Post Malone at Sold-Out Hometown Show in Syracuse

    Under the Saturday night stars on September 14, Austin Richard Post – a.k.a. Post Malone – delivered an unforgettable barefoot performance, a hometown show in Syracuse.

    The sold-out crowd filled the Empower Federal Credit Union at Lakeview Amphitheatre with energy, creating an electric atmosphere for Post fans. Dan Spencer and Muscadine Bloodline opened the Syracuse F-1 Trillion tour stop.

    post malone show

    Post is just a few dates in to his much-anticipated F-1 Trillion tour in support of his new crossover country album. Captivating the hometown fans with a setlist that balanced his chart-topping hits and brand new sound. Songs like “Circles” and “Rockstar” resonated through the air, while his new material like his duet with Luke Combs, “Guy For That” showcased his artistic evolution and versatility.

    Until the age of 10 Post was living in Baldwinsville with his family until his dad was offered a position with the Dallas Cowboys. Residing in Utah now, currently the family does still have a home in Baldwinsville.

    A standout feature of the night was a Post wearing an Otto the Orange shirt performing barefoot. Opening the show with the song “Wrong Ones” from his new F-1 Trillion album. Impressive stage production, highlighted with striking pyro effects ignited certain songs with explosive energy. Bringing the stage to life from his older rap hits to his newer country twang – Post really proved he truly is a Rockstar.

    The new Post Era includes songs like “Yours” which is about being a girl dad and how it has changed his life.

    Adding to the experience was the display of the iconic truck from his music video, Throughout the night, Post Malone took the time to connect with the audience, expressing genuine appreciation for their support.

    Syracuse fans echoed the energy and showed Post he always has a place here at home. As he thanked the crowd multiple times for their energy and support, it was clear that this night would be cherished by all who were lucky enough to attend. After the final notes faded, Post jumped into the pit, taking the time to sign autographs and hug fans, further solidifying his reputation as a good guy. Those lucky enough to meet him remarked on his kindness and authenticity, a testament to his character beyond the stage.

    With heartfelt gratitude and unforgettable moments, Post Malone once again proved why he is one of the most humble, iconic and loved artists of our time.

    Catch Post again in New York at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Monday, September 23 with Jelly Roll.

    Post Malone – Empower Federal Credit Union at Lakeview Amphitheatre, Syracuse, NY – Saturday, September 14, 2024

    Setlist: Wrong Ones, Finer Things, Circles, What Don’t Belong to Me, Guy For That, Chemical, California Sober, M-E-X-I-C-O, Candy Paint, Fallin In Love, Who Needs You, Two Hearts, Stay, I Fall Apart, Better Now, Psycho, Losers, Yours, White Iverson, Aint How It Ends, Go To Hell, Had Some Help, rockstar, Congratulations
    Encore: Sunflower

  • Metallica to Bring ‘M72’ World Tour to Syracuse

    Metallica has announced an expansion to their three year M72 World Tour with 21 North American Dates, including one night in New York at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse on April 19, 2025.

    Metallica Syracuse

    Barely needing any introduction, Metallica is one of the biggest selling acts in American history and have been leaving their heavy metal mark on the world since the band’s inception in 1981. Known as one of the “big four” bands of thrash metal alongside Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer, Metallica has rather humble origins.

    Formed through newspaper ads and mutual friends, the band had found themselves traveling to Rochester, New York in a stolen U-Haul to record their first album in 1983, resulting in their debut album Kill ‘Em All which quickly caught the underground metal scene by storm. 

    photo by Rob Tellerman

    Metallica just couldn’t stop the success from there, their third album Master of Puppets being hailed by fans as both the band’s best work and one of heaviest metal albums ever, their fourth album …And Justice for All earning the band its first Grammy nomination, and their fifth achieving mainstream commercial success not seen before with more than 16 million copies. 

    With 11 studio albums, 10 Grammys, and 37 tours under their belt, Metallica is a metal legend to be reckoned with- but they aren’t done yet. Having begun the M72 World Tour in April of 2023 in celebration of the band’s latest studio album 72 Seasons, Metallica has announced 21 additional North American Dates that will push the tour through 2025.

    Metallica at Metlife Stadium, August 2023 – photo by Rob Tellerman

    The band will be paying a visit to New York on April 19, playing a show at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse. Supported by heavy metal band Pantera and thrash band Suicidal Tendencies, this tour is not to be missed.

    As is tradition with Metallica, a portion of all ticket sales will go to local charities through the band’s All Within My Hands foundation that was established in 2017 so they could give back to the communities who have supported them throughout the years. Thus far, All Within My Hands has raised over $15 million, which has provided $8.2 million in grants to career and tech education programs including the ground-breaking Metallica Scholars Initiative, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, and more than $3.5 million to disaster relief funds.

    Tickets for Metallica in Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome go on sale on Friday, September 27 at 10:00 AM. For further information and ticket sales, please visit their website here.

  • Zach Bryan’s “Oak Island” Music Video Shot in Schenectady

    Zach Bryan’s newest music video for “Oak Island” featuring actors Casey Affleck and Jack Martin has recently been released after being filmed in Schenectady this past August. 

    zach bryan
    Photo: Zach Bryan

    Country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan has channeled his innermost emotions into folk melody, country sound, and raw, cutting lyrics since he came into the public light in 2019. One of many of his first songs to be uploaded onto his YouTube channel, “Heading South” was recorded outside of his Navy barracks by phone only minutes after he had written the song.

    The video quickly caught traction and ended up going viral, with just under 30.5 million views as of September 2024.  Since skyrocketing into fame, Bryan has stuck to the same principles that had captured the public, delivering lyrically raw, human songs that leave it all out on the table.

    Released on September 10, Zach Bryan’s music video for “Oak Island” delivers the gut wrenchingly human and emotional narratives he’s known for once again. One of 19 tracks from Bryan’s newest album, “Oak Island” tells the story of a jaded older brother with mistakes of his own watching his younger brother fall down the same path. 

    In “Oak Island,” the narrator is crushed by the realization that the hope he had placed in his younger brother’s future, a brother who had a good head on his shoulders and a better life than his own ahead of him, had thrown it all away and fallen in with a bad crowd. The narrator turns first to resentment for the people that had done this to his brother, which quickly becomes an aching sense of loss as he watches the kid he had grown up with become one of the men he loathes.

    Actors Casey Affleck, known for his work in Oppenheimer, Manchester by the Sea, and Interstellar, and Jack Martin portray estranged brothers in the music video’s narrative penned by Bryan and his girlfriend, influencer and Barstool Sports personality Brianna LaPaglia, that pulls heavily from the narrative spun in “Oak Island’s” lyrics.

    zach bryan
    Photo: Youtube

    Directed by long-time video collaborator Matthew Dillon Cohen, the music video features multiple careful frames of Schenectady, with local scenes interspersed throughout the narrative. The opening shot in particular features Affleck stepping out of local favorite Mike’s Hot Dogs while making one of many missed calls to his younger brother. 

    Split by unclear circumstances, the older brother played by Affleck attempts to reach his younger brother, played by Martin, in the hopes of redirecting his life away from less than favorable companions. As with the song’s narrative, the two brothers confront one another- the younger already along his own path, one diverging from everything Affleck believes to be right. 

    Tensions rise when Affleck pulls Martin out of a bar and goes after one of his brother’s associates, breaking into a fight. The video culminates in a car chase that ends in the two siblings staring at each other on either end of the road interspersed with flashbacks of their childhood, only to reveal that Affleck has been alone on the road this entire time – he had already lost his brother to the path he had walked down.

    Bryan is currently on tour for his The Quittin Time Tour 24, with two upcoming dates at the Barclays Center on December 18 and 19. For more information and tickets, visit his website here. 

    Watch the music video for “Oak Island” below.

  • Soulja Boy brings ‘The SODMG Tour’ to NYC

    It was like 2007 all over again when we were introduced to Soulja Boy when he came into New York City for his SODMG Tour on September 17, 2024 at the acclaimed Gramercy Theatre. The New York crowd danced and sang the night away as if it were the Summer of 2007 all over again.

    Atlanta, GA native, Soulja Boy found himself in the middle of what’s called the “Snap” era of Hip Hop with his 2007 hit debut, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”. At 17, he became an instant Hip Hop star due to recording his daily life and posting it on YouTube, his hit single and a fun dance to match.

    After SODMG’s various openers showcase, rather than treating the audience to silence between the build up—as is standard (and not necessarily frowned upon)—Soulja Boy began building the landing by allowing his DJ to play 2000s classics. Commanding the theatre illuminated by cellphone lights, he launched into one of his numerous classics “Turn My Swag On” to get the party started.

    The Grammy-nominated artist went on to perform hits such as “Kiss Me Thru the Phone”, “Soulja Girl”, “Pretty Boy Swag”, “Gucci Bandana”, “Yahh” and most recently, “Rick & Morty.” Soulja commanded the whole room with hit after hit from his multi-decade spanning career. Although the set was just shy of 45 minutes, the crowd was served a heavy dose and reminder of why Soulja Boy, the musical legend that he is, is cemented in Hip-Hop and overall music history.

  • Gov’t Mule Announces Annual New Year’s Run in NYC from December 30-31

    Southern Rock jam band Gov’t Mule has announced the return of their annual New Year’s show at the Beacon Theatre from December 30-31. The band will also see the stage at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut on December 28 as well.

    gov't mule beacon theatre

    The three-night stand – Celebrating 30 years of The Mule – kicks off Saturday, December 28 at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, CT and then return to the Beacon Theatre in New York City, the longstanding home of their New Year’s shows, for back-to-back nights Monday, December 30 and Tuesday, December 31.

    These special year-end shows mark the first Gov’t Mule headlining shows since their February “30 Years Strong Tour” and continue the celebrations for this major milestone as they honor the band’s past, present and future. This year marks the 22nd year in a row the band has hosted the annual New Year’s Run.

    Gov’t Mule has galvanized a global fan base with their honest, organic and daring music and improvisational virtuosity, leading them to be recognized as one of the most timeless, revered and active bands in the world whose spot amongst rock titans remains unshakable. This celebratory performance is one you’ll want to see live at the Beacon Theatre this December.

    The general on sale will commence Friday, September 20 at 12 pm ET. VIP packages will also be available, which include reserved seating, access to soundcheck, limited edition signed poster, and more starting Wednesday at 12pm ET. 

    “It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years. It’s also hard to believe we’ve been celebrating New Year’s together for over 20 years. These are always such special shows for us. I’m looking forward to being with the band revisiting some of the stuff we haven’t played in a long, long time and, of course, being with our incredible fans.”

    Warren Hayes, Guitarist and Vocalist

    For more information on the upcoming Gov’t Mule New Year’s Run and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Jersey City’s Hudson West Music Festival Returns Sept 28

    Hudson West Music Festival will provide a day of Americana, folk, and roots music on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024, from noon to 10:00 pm in Downtown Jersey City at the Nimbus Arts Center.

    Hudson West Music Festival

    Founded in 2016, as a non-profit organization, the Hudson West Fest is an Americana, Folk & Roots music festival that presents performers from across North America to both play and teach. New Jersey’s Hudson West Fest annually holds an all-day music festival but has also expanded its music programming over the years to include Music Workshops, a Talent Search, Open Mics, Free Concerts presenting local musicians, and School Music Programs. This year the festival will include a free street festival that will take place on Warren street right in front of the Nimbus Art center from 2:00 to 7:00. The street festival will include a book signing with Terri Thal, music lessons, performances, and a jam.

    You can enjoy all the performances indoors as well as a variety of music workshops on topics such as guitar tricks and song writing taught by this year’s Hudson West Fest performers and Welcome Home New Jersey will bring a taste of ethnic foods. Entry is $35 each person, or $40 at the door. 

    Hudson West says their mission is “to enable fine musicians to earn a living from their art.” and “to help the larger community hear high quality music and gain a greater appreciation.”

    Hudson West Music Festival Mainstage Lineup

    Jenni Muldaur & Teddy Thompson, with David Mansfield

    Lily Henley

    Adam Falcon

    Christine Santelli and Heather Hardy

    Ed Snodderly

    Joe Crookston

    Jared Tyler

    Paul Sachs 

    Learn more here.

  • Welcome to the Revolution – Outernational’s secret pop-up show in the LES with Chad Smith

    Outernational was on the Lower East Side under the Williamsburg Bridge at a makeshift staging area on Tuesday, September 17. Myles Solay, the band’s lead singer had reached out and asked if NYS Music could document their secret pop up show taking place on top of a flatbed truck, while driving around the Lower East side for a few hours.

    Outernational pop up show in the Lower East Side September 17th, 2024

    With no permit in sight and help from the folks of First Live who rigged up the truck in a true DIY fashion, everything was set for a 3pm departure. Chad Smith (of The Red Hot Chili Peppers) rolled in around 2:50pm, and with no soundcheck, took his place at the kit and drove off to the first location.

    The route included stops at various staples like the Joe Strummer mural in front of Niagara on Avenue A, Union Square, Tompkins Square Park, McDougal Street, and a layover stop at Heaven Can Wait to say hello to Jesse Malin and his crew, dedicating a few songs to him. After a few rounds about Washington Square Park, the mobile pop up show ended on Bleeker Street at Village Revival Records.

    After the final few songs in front of Revival the band hopped off the truck, vinyls in tow for a meet and greet and record signing with fans inside the store.

    The new release Welcome To The Revolution was produced by Myles and Chad Smith, and was released on September 13 this year. The band is set to play two record release shows with special guest Chad Smith sitting in on drums at both.

    On Thursday September 19, they play (le) poisson rouge in New York and the second show is in Los Angeles on September 28.

  • In Focus: Lemon of Choice and Fantasy of a Broken Heart at NO FUN

    On Friday September 13th two Troybands – Lemon of Choice and Fantasy of the Broken – brought a large crowd to NO FUN in Troy.

    Lemon of Choice is a rock band based in Albany. This band of friends makes every show more enjoyable by looping the crowd into their between song conversations. “I need my fancy drum sticks, or we won’t have any music” says Joe Taurone (Drummer and Lead Singer). They have a way of letting the crowd think every song is over then all of a sudden continues the song shocking the audience.

    Fantasy of A Broken Heart promoted their debut album coming out on September 27. The band consists of two New York City friends who also play in the band Water from Your Eyes. This band has a Neo-Psychedelic feel to their music which sounds perfect in NO FUN’s intimate setting. They played all four songs from their most recent release Follow Your Captain EP.

    They ended their set with title track “Follow Your Captain” which was the last song for them to finish on this project. The song follows the story of Al Nardo and Baliey Wollowitz’ childhoods. A song that they stated felt too personal to finish prior but when the opportunity arose, they decided to give it a try and added it to the EP.

  • NIVA Launches Groundbreaking “Live Independent” Program

    The National Independent Venue Association has announced their “Live Independent” program in partnership with Bandsintown in order to promote and preserve independent venues.

    NIVA, or the National Independent Venue Association, is the national trade association that represents thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. Their ethos focuses on the preservation and nurturing of live entertainment’s ecosystem, empowering members and their team with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more. 

    NIVA seeks to maintain and promote the smaller stages where the music community begins, especially those operated and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.

    Their newest program, “Live Independent”, is another large step towards this objective. Designed to enhance the quality and sustainability of independent live entertainment all while preserving the authentic energy of such cultural cornerstones, the “Live Independent” certification program will recognize excellence and commitment to the independent spirit via seals of certification that carry major benefits.

    When a venue is marked as an inductee to the “Live Independent” ranks, they will earn the certified seal along with various physical posters, stickers, and decals as well as digital assets with the “Live Independent” branding for websites, marketing, and social media. Partnerships with ticketing companies will also enable the “Live Independent” seal to appear on event tickets.

    The program will also include a dedicated website acting as an encyclopedia to “Live Independent” venues and events. Fans can search the site to see which venues are certified and find shows at certified stages.

    Finally, “Live Independent” certified venues can expect to have their seal displayed on their Bandsintown page in addition to appearing on the Bandsintown “Live Independent” certified venue map on both the platform’s app and website.

    When fans and artists choose independent stages, they’re investing in the soul of their community. Live Independent is our collective promise—to the artists, to the fans, and to the communities that cherish these spaces—that the spirit of independent venues will not only endure but will continue to flourish.”

    – Stephen Parker, NIVA Executive Director

    Eligibility for the “Live Independent” certification and its benefits is open to independent venues, promoters, and festivals that demonstrate a mission chiefly centered around delivering live performance to audiences, offer fair payment to all artists, performers, and creators, stand independent from multinational conglomerates or publicly traded companies, support a transparent, competitive, and diverse community, and show a commitment to protecting and preserving independent stages through their NIVA membership.

    For more information on the “Live Independent” certification program, including how to apply and the specific benefits of certification, please visit here.

  • Hearing Aide: Sons of Venus’ “Crisis to Crisis”

    Crisis to Crisis, the third album by NYC band Sons of Venus was released on in June. The album is a nuclear missile of existential prog-rock aimed at the heart of American greed.

    Crisis to Crisis

    Sons of Venus are John Sully, (Composition, Production, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards) Ruslan Baimurzin (drums), and Igor Reznik (Bass). Sully the band’s frontman, was a composer and sound designer at Ideal Glass, a film and TV studio in the east village, where he put together after-hour jams when he met Baimurzin. After adding Reznik to the trio, the band now experiments with musical styles like prog, psych, punk, and funk, and has three albums to their name.

    Crisis to Crisis, the third Sons of Venus album was recorded first by Sully; who tracked all the vocals, guitars, and keyboards, then sent the tracks to Baimurzin and Reznik for overdubbing. The result is a psychedelic journey that stays true to progressive and punk roots.

    Sons of Venus

    The particular sound of Sons of Venus’ Crisis to Crisis is difficult to pin down for many reasons. First, it is of a fleeting genre that has been out of the spotlight for decades. Second, the length of the songs averages over 6 minutes each, and third the lyrics are quite sad – depressing really. In all, Crisis to Crisis is not a pop album by any extent of the word. Sully says, “Crisis to Crisis is not music for the casual listener.” It will not be played on the radio. This, to me, is a positive. While not being tethered to what the broader population wants, the project has the freedom to speak of the future honestly and refreshingly. The lyrics explore the disappointing trajectory the world is heading down. Look no further than the album cover to see images of forest fires natural disasters, nurses, and the stock market.

    The album has a spacey psychedelic sound that is clearly inspired by classic 70’s prog and psych bands such as, Yes and Rush. Additionally, many of the songs have distinctly David-Gilmore-esque, bending, trembling solos which add to the 70’s zeitgeist. Even the vocals are often mixed in such a way that adds to the aesthetic of belonging to a different era.

    Standout Tracks:

    “Dead Languages,” the opening track, begins with a crunching scratchy acoustic guitar that I wish there was more of throughout the album. The song blasts by on an intergalactic mission to expose the crux of our society. Sully’s lyrics reflect on the current state of human affairs. “We will forget the truths we let die inside ourselves.”

    “Guaranteed,” the second track on the record has a unique groove to it that brings The Flaming Lips to mind. Sully says, “Forget about the world you can hardly care, as long as you’re getting what you think is fair.”

    “The Art of Coincidence” is the sixth and final track which is the existential climax of the album. Heavy ominous bells ring announcing judgment day for us all. The finale of Crisis to Crisis has heavy synth production, tremolo, delay, reverb, and the tappings of crash symbols. Sully advises, “Touch the heart, tilt the scales, unfold the flags, raise the sails.”

    Support Sons of Venus here.