NYS Music 2024

Tag: Capitol Theatre

  • The Black Crowes Close Tour with Spectacular Show at The Capitol Theatre

    Days before the holidays, The Black Crowes brought their Happiness Bastards (The Reprise) tour to the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. The band held the second North American leg of the tour in support of their newest record, Happiness Bastards after Aerosmith canceled their own farewell tour.

    While the band was out on the road, it was also announced that their previously mentioned record was nominated for a Grammy award. After a thrilling first night of music at The Capitol Theatre, the Black Crowes rode a massive high into night two.

    Just like night one (Saturday, December 21! the low temperature kept most famous from camping outside and waiting for the doors to open. By the time the 6:30 p.m. door time did arrive, there were only about 15-20 people in line. Before the opening act, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, “the cap” filled up in the blink of an eye. Fans quickly flocked inside from their cars once the doors opened. If you walked in, you might have thought The Black Crowes were immediately going on stage. That’s how many people were packed inside.

    By 8 p.m. the legendary George Porter Jr. walked on stage to begin his 45-minute set. Joining Porter Jr. was Michael Lemmler on keyboards and vocals, Chris Adkins on guitar and vocals and Terrence Houston on drums. The band played at most five or six songs that were infused with funk and jam.

    In comparison to last night’s setlist, there was more of a jump in their songs. These tunes got the crowd dancing more. At one point in between songs, Porter Jr. dedicated a tune to a friend of his that recently passed. Halfway through the band’s set, The Black Crowes guitarist, Nico Bereciartua watched from the side to witness the legend.

    Throughout the night, the band’s anchor, Houston was spectacular on the drums. It’s special when fans witness a drummer in a groove. No one could stop Houston, he brought his A-game with him. It’s easy to see why he calls himself the “groove guardian.” He has a great feel for the drums and for each song.

    The stagehands were also at the top of their game. They quickly swapped out George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners’ gear and got prepared for The Black Crowes. It wasn’t long until AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)” blasted at top volume across the PA system. In an instant, the house light flashed on and The Black Crowes started their 19-song set. The first tune played was the trilling “Bedside Manners” off Happiness Bastards.

    The Capitol Theatre is a legendary venue and massive names have played there. It’s only fitting that the band close out their tour by playing a setlist perfectly balanced with deep cuts and fan favorites. In between favorites and rarities, the group sprinkled in a few new tunes for the Port Chester audience. It’s great when a band acknowledges their newest record instead of completely ignoring it. It didn’t take long for the band to jump into deep cuts as they played into “Exit.” This rarity only appears on their 2010 live record, Wiser For The Time.

    The band features the two Robinson brothers, lead singer Chris Robinson and guitarist Rich Robinson. Joining them are Bereciartua on guitar, Sven Pipien on bass, Cully Symington on drums, and Erik Deutsch on keyboards. Rounding out the band were the amazingly talented Lesley Grant and Mackenzie Adams on background vocals. The dazzling singers’ dresses were made to look like Christmas trees. The dresses played great with Chris Robinson’s red suit, which put everyone in the holiday mood.

    Throughout the night, Chris Robinson ran around the entire stage and did not leave one corner unlooked. On the other hand, his brother stuck to his side of the stage and offered a warm yet shy smile. It wasn’t until one of the last songs of the night that Rich Robinson crossed the invisible line to the middle of the stage to sing with Chris Robinson.

    As the group crisscrossed through their discography, during “My Morning Song,” Chris Robinson showcased just how spectacular his voice is. He belted out bone-chilling lyrics that also included beautiful live harmonizations from Grant and Adams. “My Morning Song” was one of, if not the best song performed all night.

    During each solo, Bereciartua looked calm and collected on his side of the stage. Each solo was played with emotion and each note was played with a purpose. Bereciartua and Rich Robinson have a strong bond that goes way back to Rich Robinson’s solo group post-Black Crowes split up. It was great to see Rich Robinson look over to Bereciartua and offer a smile or a nod.

    With such a diverse discography, The Black Crowes covered a ton of eras in the two-hour span. At one point they got to “Thorn in My Pride” which appears off their Southern Harmony And Musical Companion record. The song was extended as Rich Robinson and Chris Robinson were going back and forth with each other to create a musical powerhouse. Chris Robinson would babble something into the mic which Rich Robinson would then inmate through a guitar riff. The Robinsons continued to play musical follow the leader. Only this time Chris Robinson swapped to a harmonia to carry the tune over the finish line.

    Despite this being the last show of the tour, the band remained in high spirits throughout. During their rendition of “Jealous Again,” Chris Robinson blew a kiss to his wife, Camille Robinson, who was sitting in the upper balcony. During the chorus, you could feel the fans in the general admission section jumping in unison to the beat. Their singing was even more deafening than the amp setups behind the band.

    As a little surprise, The Black Crowes gave a two-song encore instead of their usual one-song encore. But before they played a note, Chris Robinson publicly thanked all the members of the crew and the behind-the-scenes folks who make their rock and roll train run. It was an extremely classy move by “The Crowes” frontman. The band closed out their tour by playing the festive “Run Run Rudolph” before taking their final bows of the night.

    The next time that The Black Crowes run through New York, you have to go see them. Their drive to put on good shows is palpable and they feed off the energy from their loyal fans. The Robinson brothers have done an excellent job at keeping the rock and roll fire going in their historic career. Do yourself a favor and see one of the best rock bands still touring, they’ll leave you with unforgettable memories.

    George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners setlist: Out The Box, Stretch Your Rubberband, All We Wanna Do (Porter Batiste Stolz cover), Cabbage Alley, No More Okey Doke, They Love Each Other (Jerry Garcia cover), Ain’t No Use

    The Black Crowes’ setlist: Bedside Manners, Rats and Clowns, Think n’ Thin, Go Tell The Congregation, Exit, Rocks Off (The Rolling Stones cover), My Morning Song, Seeing Things, Hard to Handle (Otis Redding cover), Soul Singing, Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ (The Velvet Underground cover), Thorn in My Pride, Flesh Wound, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (The Undisputed Truth cover), Wilted Rose, Jealous Again, Remedy, Torn and Frayed (The Rolling Stones cover), Run Run Rudolph (Chuck Berry cover)

  • Joe Bonamassa Fills The Capitol Theatre With Essential Blues Rock

    Legendary blues rock guitarist and New York native, Joe Bonamassa brought his “Blues Deluxe Summer Tour” to the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. Most recently, Bonamassa released his newest effort Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra earlier this summer. Friday, Aug. 26 was the first of two back-to-back nights that Bonamassa rocked the “Original Rock Palace.”

    With fans finding their seats in the nearly 100-year-old venue, Bonamassa and his band graced the stage and jumped right into “Hope You Realize” off of Bonamassa’s Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 record. Since there was no opener this evening, it left the band with more time to play for their fans. From the moment the 11-piece band plugged their instruments in, their sheer power overtook the fans. For a blues band, they were certainly loud, but in the best way possible. The classic blues rock rang like joyful noise during the two-hour performance.

    The official music video for Joe Bonamassa’s “I Want To Shout About It”

    Bonamassa was firing on all cylinders. From the vocals to the guitar playing to his stage presence, he had it all. From the little he spoke during the night, he made up for it during his guitar masterclass. Watching Bonamassa play took the breath out of some fans’ bodies as they watched in awe. Some people in the crowd were recording on their phones while others air-guitared. Some simply watched stunned by the guitar hero in front of them.

    Bonamassa’s backing band consisted of a horn section featuring saxophones and trumpets, three backing singers in addition to the drums, bass, rhythm guitar and keyboards. Within the band, the musicianship was top-notch. They all played their part and had a welcoming sound to them. At one point in the show, Bonamassa called his band family and that he respects them the most. To see a leader like Bonamassa praise the band behind him was amazing to see.

    Within the band, the musicians as individuals were spectacular. The horn section added a uniqueness to the band while the backup singers added more beefiness to the vocals. At one point in the show, singer Jade MacRae had a solo during “Self Inflicted Wounds.” Listening to her vocals sent chills up and down the spines of the audience who cheered and applauded at the end.

    For those who don’t know all the individual members of Bonamassa’s band, on percussion, to his left sat Reese Wynans. Wynans is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble. When he was introduced, the audience all rose to their feet to pay respects to the legendary keyboardist. But, throughout the night, Wynans was spinning back and forth on the keyboard giving the performance of a lifetime.

    The show flowed effortlessly as each song slowly transitioned into the next. With each new song, came an even flashier guitar from Bonamassa who changed guitars for what seemed like every song. During a few songs, he would sport a beautiful Les Paul while other times it would be a classic telecaster or a gorgeous red Gibson. It did not matter which guitar was on stage because, by the end of the song, Bonamassa delivered an emotionally beautiful solo.

    While the band was setting up for the next song, Bonamassa took the time to say a proper hello to the audience and clarify that he is a New York native which brought a cheer from the audience. Bonamassa then proceeded to thank everyone for showing up to a homecoming show. It seemed that once he acknowledged he was in front of his home state’s audience, then the show got even better. There was a sense of the audience also acknowledging that the legendary guitarist was playing in a legendary venue and it made for a spectacular rest of the evening.

    The entire night of Joe Bonamassa and his band at the Capitol Theatre was one of the best ways to close out the summer concert season.

    Of the seven shows that remain on Bonamassa’s schedule, four are in New York. On Saturday, Aug. 24 he’ll be right back at the Capitol Theatre which is followed by a date in Rochester on Aug. 25 and Albany on Aug. 27. If you are a fan of blues rock and roll then you have to go see Bonamassa. It was a magical night of nothing but essential blues music.

    Joe Bonamassa Setlist: Hope You Realize, You Upset Me, 24 Hour Blues, Done Got Over It, Self Inflicted Wounds, I Want To Shout About It, Last Matador of Bayonne, Breaking Up Someone’s Home, Heart That Never Waits, Is It Safe To Go Home, See See Baby, Humming Bird, Hard But It’s Fair, Mountain Time

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

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

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

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

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

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

    – Devon Allman

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

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

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

    The Beacon Theatre during its 2009 Renovations

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

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

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

    Allman Betts Family Revival Winter 2024 Dates

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

    Dec 1 @ State Theatre | Minneapolis, MN

    Dec 3 @ The Palace Theatre | Greensburg, PA 

    Dec 4 @ Kleinhans Music Hall | Buffalo, NY

    Dec 5 @ Orpheum Theater | Boston, MA 

    Dec 6 @ Capitol Theater | Port Chester, NY

    Dec 7 @ The Beacon Theater | New York, NY

    Dec 8 @ The Paramount | Huntington, NY

    Dec 9 @ Capital One Hall | Tysons, VA

    Dec 11 @ Van Wezel PAC | Sarasota, FL

    Dec 12 @ Gaillard Center | Charleston, SC

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

    Dec 14 @ The Factory | St. Louis, MO 

    Dec 15 @ Uptown Theater | Kansas City, MO

    Dec 16 @ Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN

    Dec 17 @ Moore Theatre | Seattle, WA 

    Dec 18 @ Paramount Theatre | Denver, CO

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

    Dec 21 @ Fillmore | San Francisco, CA

  • Quinn XCII to Make New York Stops on Fall Tour

    Michigan-based singer-songwriter Quinn XCII has announced three New York shows as part of his “All You Can Eat” Tour. The cross-country tour will stop at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre, Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre, and Huntington’s Paramount in October.

    Quinn XCII performing

    Detroit native Quinn XCII burst onto the music scene with his trademark brand of pop. Quinn combines his pop prowess with influences from reggae and hip-hop, crafting a unique sound. His alternative yet catchy pop propelled Quinn to stardom with platinum selling hits “Straitjacket,” “Kings of Summer”, and “Love Me Less.” Off the back of these hits, Quinn’s catalog has garnered over 3.5 billion streams.

    Quinn XCII has also found success on the live stage, headlining shows across the country. During his tours, Quinn has played at major festivals including Bonnarroo, Governors Ball, and Lollapalooza. This success has also allowed him to collaborate with major names in pop music, releasing collaborations with AJR, Noah Kahan, and Big Sean.

    Quinn XCII’s “All You Can Eat” Tour comes at a new stage in his career. He kicked off this new era with the EP Breakfast, which is to be followed by Lunch, and Dinner. These three EPs follow Quinn’s alter-ego Mustard Mike, who is a sarcastic restaurant owner. In the leadup to this tour, Quinn XCII has released a new single titled “Melt.” The track is an upbeat and bouncy Summer anthem sure to get audiences dancing during the tour.

    Quinn XCII in his Mustard Mike Persona

    Playing off the culinary theme of his new era, Quinn has partnered with charities fighting hunger as part of his tour. $1 of all ticket sales will go towards supporting Conscious Alliance’s mission to end hunger across the US. Quinn XCII has also encouraged audiences to bring canned foods to select concerts to be donated for this cause.

    Quinn will begin the “All You Can Eat” tour on September 20th in San Diego, before making his way Eastward. He will perform his first New York date at Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre on Wednesday, October 16th. Following this performance, Quinn will make his way down to Long Island to play a show at Huntington’s Paramount. The Long Island show will take place Friday, October 18th. Quinn will close out the New York Leg of the tour with a Tuesday, October 20th show at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre.

    QUINN XCII 2024 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES: 

    Fri Sep 20 — San Diego, CA — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

    Sat Sep 21 — Oakland, CA — Fox Theater 

    Tue Sep 24 — Missoula, MT — The Wilma

    Wed Sep 25 — Boise, ID — Revolution Concert House and Event Center

    Fri Sep 27 — Salt Lake City, UT — Love Letters Music Festival

    Sat Sep 28 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium 

    Mon Sep 30 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha

    Tues Oct 01 — Fayetteville, AK — JJ’s Live

    Thu Oct 03 — West Des Moines, IA — Val Air Ballroom

    Fri Oct 04 — La Crosse, WI — La Crosse Center Arena

    Sat Oct 05 — Milwaukee, WI — The Eagles Ballroom 

    Tue Oct 08 — Nashville, TN — Ryman Auditorium

    Thu Oct 10 — Louisville, KY — The Louisville Palace

    Fri Oct 11 — St. Louis, MO — The Factory

    Sat Oct 12 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J Brady Music Center

    Tue Oct 15 — Toronto, ON — The Danforth Music Hall

    Wed Oct 16 — Syracuse, NY — Landmark Theatre

    Fri Oct 18 — Huntington, NY — The Paramount

    Sat Oct 19 — Wallingford, CT — Toyota Oakdale Theatre

    Tue Oct 22 — Port Chester, NY — The Capitol Theatre

    Wed Oct 23 — Washington, DC — Echostage

    Fri Oct 25 — Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheater

    Sun Oct 27 — Birmingham, AL — Avondale Brewing Co.

    Mon Oct 28 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues Orlando

    Tue Oct 29 — St. Petersburg, FL — Jannus Live

    Ticket Presale for the tour begins Tuesday, June 25th, with general sales beginning Friday, June 28th. To learn more about Quinn XCII’s ‘All You Can Eat” Tour, visit his website here.

  • The String Cheese Incident Announce 4 New York Tour Dates

    The String Cheese Incident have announced their 2024 fall tour, which will include four New York dates. In addition to two shows in Port Chester, the renowned jam band will also play in Brooklyn, and Wonderland Forest in LaFayette.

    String Cheese Incident

    The String Cheese Incident (SCI) are a world renowned jam band, innovating musically since the early 1990s. The Colorado-based sextet incorporates elements of psychedelia with bluegrass, dubstep and many other genres into their sound. With all six members writing songs, and trading off vocals, the band’s music is uniquely collaborative. Their musical ingenuity has brought widespread acclaim, with the group sharing stages with Lauryn Hill, James Brown, and Sheryl Crow.

    !On top of their musical innovation, SCI has put their fans at the forefront of their career. They are famous for their immersive live shows, incorporating themed experiences and chances for audience participation into their shows. In addition, the band pioneered file sharing, offering their shows to fans with free online downloads. Since their rise to success, SCI has sought to give back to the community, aiding a number of philanthropic causes. The band were among the first to encourage green tours, and regularly donate to Conscious Alliance and HeadCount charities.

    This tour celebrates the band’s 30th anniversary, with SCI traversing the country throughout much of 2024. The String Cheese Incident’s fall tour is set to begin in Las Vegas on September 12th. Following this inaugural show, SCI will move eastward, ending the first leg of their tour in Baltimore on September 29th. This leg of the tour will see the band play Wonderland Forest in LaFayette, NY on September 28th. The second leg of their show will begin at Suwanee Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida, before moving up the Eastern Seaboard. On October 30th, SCI will perform at the newly opened Brooklyn Paramount Theater. The band will conclude their tour with two dates at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre on November 1st and 2nd.

    Tour Dates

    Sept 12-15 @ Bender Jamboree | Las Vegas, NV

    Sept 18 @ The Criterion | Oklahoma City, OK  

    Sept 19 @ The Midland Theatre | Kansas City, MO 

    Sept 20-21 @ Riverside Theater | Milwaukee, WI 

    Sept 22 @ Vibrant Music Hall | Waukee, IA 

    Sept 25 @ Royal Oak Music Theatre | Royal Oak, MI 

    Sept 26 @ Palace Theatre | Louisville, KY 

    Sept 27 @ Cain Park Evans Amphitheater | Cleveland Heights, OH 

    Sept 28 @ Wonderland Forest | Lafayette, NY  

    Sept 29 @ Pier Six Pavilion | Baltimore, MD 

    Oct 24-27 @ Suwannee Hulaween | Live Oak, FL

    Oct 30 @ Brooklyn Paramount Theater | Brooklyn, NY* 

    Oct 31 @ The Met | Philadelphia, PA*  

    Nov 1 @ The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY* 

    Nov 2 @ The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY* 

    *with special guest Stolen Gin

    Artist presale kicks off Wednesday, May 29 at 11:00 AM MT. Public on-Sale is Friday, May 31 at 10:00 AM local. For more information on tour dates and ticketing, visit SCI’s website here.

  • The Driver Era Rock Out in Port Chester

    The Driver Era is a dynamic sibling duo comprising Ross and Rocky Lynch, born from the talents honed during their time in their sibling band R5. Hailing from LA, the Lynch brothers have cultivated a unique sound that blends elements of alt-rock and pop. This all results in a captivating discography that resonates with audiences worldwide.

    Since their start as The Driver Era, Ross and Rocky have embarked on a creative journey of artistic exploration. With a passion for pushing musical boundaries and a commitment to authenticity, they captivated listeners with their electrifying live performances.

    The Driver Era made a triumphant return to NY at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. This marks a highly-anticipated follow-up to their electrifying show at Pier 17 in NYC the previous summer. Amidst a backdrop of euphoric energy, Ross and Rocky delivered a spellbinding performance that left the audience spellbound.

    The Show

    From the opening notes of “OMG” to the encore of “A Kiss,” The Driver Era unleashed irresistible hooks that had the crowd roaring from start to finish. The Lynch brothers showcased their dynamic stage presence and undeniable chemistry, commanding the stage with effortless charisma and boundless energy.

    Throughout the night, the band treated fans to hits, including “Feel You Now,” “Scared of Heights,” and “Afterglow”. Special moments such as Riker Lynch bringing out his wife to dance during one of the songs added a touch of intimacy to the performance. Rydel Lynch’s presence in the photo pit served as a testament to the band’s close family dynamic as well.

    The audience was fully immersed in the experience, with many fans sporting pink cowboy hats and waving handmade signs. One sign read “I’ll trade my hat for your shirt”, demonstrating audience dedication. The electric atmosphere reached a high when two fans threw their bras on stage during “Preacher Man,” a testament to the band’s magnetic appeal.

    As the night started to close, The Driver Era left the crowd wanting more. They decided to end the show with a euphoric encore performance of “Heart of Mine” and “A Kiss.” With their infectious energy and undeniable talent, The Driver Era proved once again why they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of music.

    Setlist: OMG, Feel You Now, Heaven Angel, Scared of Heights, End of Your Life, Afterglow, Low, Rumors, On My Own (from Teen Beach Movie), Get Off My Phone, Cray Z Babe E, Take Me Away, Giveuwhatuwant, Malibu, Nobody Knows, Fantasy, Preacher Man

    Encore: Heart of Mine, A Kiss

  • Lotus Boogies Down Hard with Friends at The Capitol Theatre

    Lotus brought along Blendmode to open up their Capitol Theatre show on Saturday, April 6, along with Eli Winderman from Dopapod & Jonathon Grusauskas of lespecial.

    lotus capitol theatre

    Blendmode really go the night going with their unique, bass heavy, danceable groove.

    lotus capitol theatre

    Lotus played a special show featuring guitar dueling between Tim Palmieiri & Johnny from lespecial. Winderman fit in well adding his unique synth sound to the Lotus soundscape. The set was filled with groovy jams and some face melting solos. The second set included a memorable Radiohead cover, “Airbag.”

    lotus capitol theatre

    Lotus – Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – April 6, 2024

    Set 1: Middle Road, Expired Slang, Tar Pits, Marquee Moon, Debris, Shimmer and Out

    Set 2: Opus, Reed, It’s All Clear to Me Now, Flower Sermon, Airbag, Wax

    lotus capitol theatre
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    lotus capitol theatre
    lotus capitol theatre
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  • Sarah Elaz’s Double Threat: Booker and Bassist Celebrates Birthday Bash at Capitol Theatre

    March has been busy for bassist birthdays at the illustrious Capitol Theater in Port Chester, a sign of New York’s thriving jam scene. The month opened with an 84 birthday celebration and a five-show residency for rock legend and Grateful Dead founding bassist Phil Lesh and will close out with a show honoring jam scene newcomer Sarah Elaz.

    The March 27 performance will put Elaz’s eponymous “Sarah Elaz’s Almost Phish” in high company, reaching a venue she has worked hard to reach. Off the stage, Sarah is a double threat working behind the scenes as a booker and promoter. On International Women’s Day, we spoke with Sarah about her journey. 

    Onstage with Sarah Elaz’s Almost Phish at Brooklyn Made. Photograph by Taylor Weinberg.

    Sarah Elaz has accepted certain realities about the music industry and has found a rhythm as she builds a name for herself. Faced with a pivot from a career as a professional dancer, Sarah, like many others, found that “getting into the music industry isn’t that easy, it doesn’t have a simple path.” 

    As a neophyte in the industry, Sarah has built a network of connections through hard work. To support her career as a professional dancer, she started waitressing at City Winery, where she would work her way backstage to a position coordinating artist hospitality. Now, Elaz is a talent buyer at MRG Live. While her focus is music, sticking with her commitment to genera-spanning Elaz also books comedy shows for acts like Modi Rosenfeld and Kyle Gordon. 

    Asked how being a musician influences her work as a booker, she said it “makes [her] more empathetic and able to anticipate and understand artists’ needs.” In an industry where band’s touring margins can be a razor thing, having that reflective understanding of tour budgets has benefited Elaz in building trust. Recently she booked the shows in the great white north of Canada for Connecticut jam bands Eggy and the L.A.-based Thumpasaurus. Elaz is dedicated to sowing the seeds of a jam scene in Toronto, organizing “The Grateful Jam” an open jam focused on improvised psychedelic rock. 

    Off the clock, Sarah can be found playing in a half-dozen projects at any given time, from collaborating on original work with the Brooklyn jam band Boojum to enthralling crowds with her eponymous Phish tribute act and playing with newcomer acts like Katzroar. When live music returned after the pandemic, Elaz would gig at any opportunity, but she has grown more selective, focusing on the improvisational-oriented music that has always inspired her. She has won that privilege by “playing as many gigs with as many people as she can until afforded the luxury of saying no.” 

    For Elaz, that insistent need to perform has its benefits; playing across genres and “playing a pop show, a punk show, a jam show, with people of all ages and experience makes you learn faster and play better, plus now you know all these other musicians you can work.”

    Onstage, in costume, at Brooklyn Bowl with Boojum. Photograph by Taylor Weinberg.

    Elaz, a Massachusetts native, has found a “partner in New York” after she moved to pursue her career in dance. She doesn’t see herself leaving the city any time, in part because of the density of standout music venues. While the Brooklyn Bowl is her favorite in the city, the Bowery Ballroom was another standout (in part due to it’s proximity to nearby Katz’s Deli).

    Elaz’s love for the jam music she prefers to perform could be genetic, inherited from a sister 15 years her senior. Some of Sarah’s first memories of Phish come from her sisters’ return from a summer tour. That inspiration led Elaz to Limewire to download whatever Phish and Dead tapes she could come across. It was a show in 2018 where watching Phish’s Mike Gordon inspired Elaz to pick up bass, saying, “watching him play up close, it looked like it made sense. I understood it wasn’t easy, but it seemed intuitive.” Now Elaz compares playing bass to her professional experience as a dancer, “it’s all about finding the groove and keeping in it. Any note or move can be intentional if it’s in the groove.”

    Speaking with Elaz’s mentor and occasional instructor, Dan Kelley of Neighbor, he commented how “passion for the art” is what drove Sarah’s success rapid achievement in picking up the bass. 

    An eight-year-old Sarah Elaz enthusiastically greets her sister returning from Phish tour. 

    Image is essential for an artist, and while Sarah can be found sporting her iconic sparkling amethyst Music Man bass, that isn’t always enough. Elaz acknowledges that as a female performer, she feels pressure to have a new look for every show. Finding a silver lining, she notes how rental services like Nuuly allow her to be creative without adding to fast fashion waste. “It’s another creative outlet for me, fashion becomes another part of the performance” 

    For Sarah, the pressure of sexism as a musician is more overt, from the lecherous fans who are bold enough to grab at the musicians onstage to the more banal, like audio techs who assume Sarah to be a fan of whatever band she performs in. 

    Behind the scenes, Sarah says the situation is more egalitarian, noting that  “I am lucky to have so many examples of women above me who I look up to” with the quip that “I hope there’s no glass ceiling to that.”

    Sarah Elaz’s next performance is with her original band, Boojum, on March 16 at the Sultan Room. On March 27, Sarah Elaz’s Almost Phish will play at Garcia’s at the Capitol Theatre.

  • Goose Announce 4-Show Capitol Theatre Run

    Connecticut-based indie-jam quintet Goose has announced their return to Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre, for four performances over April 7-10. These shows will mark the highly anticipated live debut of the Goose’s newest addition, drummer Cotter Ellis.

    goose capitol theatre

    In February, Goose introduced Ellis as their new drummer, simultaneously releasing Ted Tapes 2024, an album comprising instrumental improvisations recorded during Ellis’s audition process. These sessions have given fans an exciting taste of the fresh energy and creative dynamism Ellis brings to the band.

    Goose at SPAC – photo by Zak Radick

    This month, Goose surprised their faithful and rapidly expanding fan base with the premiere of Chateau Sessions Pt I on their YouTube channel. This hour-and-forty-five-minute video, captured in-studio with two moving cameras, offered fans a sneak peek at the new lineup performing a handful of catalog staples and fan-favorites.

    Following the success of the first video, the band released Chateau Sessions Pt II on the evening of March 11. This second installment, running nearly 75 minutes in length, continues to showcase the unique chemistry between the band members and their new drummer. Audio versions of Chateau Sessions Parts I and II are now available for streaming or purchase via the band’s Bandcamp and Nugs.net pages.

    With tickets to all previously announced tour dates in high demand, the band is working diligently to eliminate the secondary market and to ensure concert tickets end up in the hands of fans. As such, there will be no general on-sale for The Capitol Theatre shows. Instead, tickets will be made available exclusively via a lottery request system.

    The request period starts today, March 12th at 12 pm ET, and ends on Saturday, March 16th at 5 pm ET. Lottery winners will be notified and charged for their tickets no later than the evening of Tuesday, March 19th. Following the end of the lottery request period and prior to emails going out to lottery winners, team Goose will examine every entry for suspicious activity and cancel entries from known scalpers. 

    For more information on Goose’s upcoming shows, remaining ticket availability, and to enter the Capitol Theatre ticket lottery, please visit www.goosetheband.com

    GOOSE – TOUR 2024

    APRIL

    7-10 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre  

    MAY

    24-26 – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Presents Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie

    JUNE

    4 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory

    5 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory

    7 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

    8 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

    10 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse

    11 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland 

    12 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park

    14 – Swanzey, NH – Northlands Music & Arts Festival (Two Sets)

    15 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC

    16 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion

    18 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater

    20 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

    21 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

    22 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

    23 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre

    25 – Portland, ME – Thompson’s Point

    26 – Portland, ME – Thompson’s Point

    28 – Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center

    29 – New York, NY – Forest Hills Stadium

    30 – New Haven, CT – Westville Music Bowl

  • Phil Lesh & The Q Cover Just a Little More Ground: Deep Cuts & Darkstars at The Cap

    Phil Lesh, the legendary bassist of The Grateful Dead, held his annual birthday run at the historical Capitol Theatre for five nights, two of them with “The Q,” made up of Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco, and John Molo.

    Phil Lesh The Q

    The night began with “The Wheel” chorus and “Night of 1000 Stars.” The first set included “New Speedway Boogie” and classic “China > Rider” that featured Haynes & Herring trading guitar solos. Having two incredibly prolific guitar players with their own prominent style trading the role of lead guitar was very entertaining.

    Phil Lesh The Q

    The second set featured deeper cuts and Deadhead favorites like “Unbroken Chain” and “Dark Star.” The second set also included the funky “Shakedown Street” and ended with “Into The Mystic” – a Van Morrison cover. The band brought the show full circle by encoring with “The Wheel.”

    Phil Lesh The Q

    Phil Lesh is a legend and blessing to The Grateful Dead scene – seeing him and The Q play on stage, now celebrating his 84th birthday is nothing short of inspiring. Not fade away!

    Phil Lesh The Q

    Setlist: Night of 100 Stars, New Speedway Boogie, New Potato Caboose, Bird Song, China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider

    Set 2: Dear Mr. Fantasy, Shakedown Street, Unbroken Chain, Dark Star, The Lo Spark of High Heeled Boys, Passenger, Into The Mystic

    Encore: The Wheel