NYS Music 2024

Tag: Show Reviews

  • Pitbull brings the “Party After Dark” Tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena

    After multiple shows in New York during the summer/fall leg of the “Party After Dark” Tour, Pitbull brought the tour north to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. The sold-out crowd had options to see Pitbull at five locations during the summer and fall legs before he looped back around ahead of a European leg. Unlike the summer, special guest T-Pain did not come for this show leaving Pitbull the lone performer for the evening.

    Before Pitbull graced the stage, one of his DJs hyped the crowd up by playing music and getting the fans in the right mood. With the DJ on stage, there was a rush of fans trying to get inside for “Mr. 305.” The entire audience contained people of all ages. Whether it was people in their 60s or little kids, Pitbull had a diverse audience spanning a generation or two.

    Once Pitbull hopped on stage and began “Don’t Stop the Party,” off of 2012’s Global Warming: Meltdown, the dance party inside the casino arena started. For an hour and a half, Pitbull delivered hit after hit leaving the audience wowed and out of breath. When Pitbull ran on stage in the dark, from the back of the arena you could see a sea of phones leading to the barricade. The last time he was in the general area was Sept. 13 in Hartford and Sept. 12 on Long Island. Even if it was three short months, the excitement was in the air.

    The Mohegan Sun Arena is home to the Connecticut Sun. So the lower bowl seats are pulled out on metal stands. Throughout the night, fans danced with each other or by themselves. They also jumped to the music, the stands swayed back and forth. Like the lower bowl, the upper deck was also having a party. They did not sit down for one second during the show.

    During each song, the screens off to the sides and behind Pitbull and his seven-piece backing band and six backup dancers showed the audience. Each concertgoer had the same surprised and happy look on their faces. They were singing along and dancing to each show and you could just see the raw and pure joy on their faces throughout the night.

    Throughout the show, Pitbull and his dancers would run off stage after certain songs to change into different stage clothes. This led to Pitbull’s on-stage DJ playing music to keep the good energy alive. Whether it was Aerosmith & Run DMC’s “Walk This Way,” or Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison,” the DJ did a great job at not letting the show come to a screeching halt.

    When Pitbull and the dancers returned, they all had corresponding colors. Pitbull looked as snazzy as ever in his black, white, and red suit jacks. He dawned a charming smile each time a new color was debuted. His amazingly gorgeous dancers also had matching colors as they strutted around the stage for the entire 90 minutes. Pitbull was able to cleverly play off the dancers and vice versa to create a cheeky yet mesmerizing show.

    It’s impressive that Pitbull has a backing band behind him. Sometimes popstars and rappers do not carry any other on-stage personnel with them. But the previously mentioned seven-piece band was spectacular. There was guitar, bass, saxophone, drums, keyboards and percussion that all created a beautiful live wall of sound behind Pitbull. Having a band play live enhanced the pop sound that Pitbull has polished off so well. It adds another complex but necessary layer to the live performance.

    It was great to see Pitbull give a nod to other artists. Covering others’ tunes was his way of acknowledging their impact on him. Pitbull rapped a beautiful and clever version of Elic Crespo’s “Suavemente” which had the fans dancing all over the arena. He also included a cover of “Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee in his set. Hearing the familiar intro had fans looking at each as to say “I know this one.” It was great to hear Pitbull’s rendition of people’s favorite tracks.

    In between each song, Pitbull would give some advice to the audience and give them a pep talk while also thanking them for coming out to the show. At one point, he talked about how his one teacher, Hope Martinez had changed his life. He then told the sold-out crowd that he had built 12 schools nationwide as part of the S.L.A.M! program. S.L.A.M stands for “Sports Leadership, Arts & Management.” Those schools are “non-profit educational organization supporting the expansion of K-12 tuition-free, public charter schools in underrepresented communities nationwide.”

    Upon hearing this, the crowd roared in approval. It’s hard to imagine what The Beatles at Shea Stadium sounded like back in the 60s. Or, if you’ve never been to a Taylor Swift “Eras” Tour show, you might not be able to imagine what a roaring audience sounds like. A close third is any Pitbull show. He had the audience in a frenzy at the start of each song and at the end of the night.

    At the tail end of the show, the setlist got swapped around slightly. Instead of ending on “ Give Me Everything” off of 2011’s Planet Pit, he ended on the smash hit “Fireball” off of 2014’s Globalization. The quick change in songs at the end of a great subtle switch flowed nicely into the end of the show. When fans left the area, they all had smiles around.

    Pitbull is an entertainer that can easily fill up any arena, theater, or amphitheater. His hard work, drive and dedication for a great show spills out into the audience. It leaves the crowd with a lasting impression. The entire show is perfectly choreographed and the musicianship just doesn’t stop at “Mr. Worldwide.” He also surrounds himself with the best dancers and band to make sure that the show is as best as humanly possible. Seeing Pitbull live is an experience that everyone must do once in their life. Do yourself a favor and see him as soon as possible, you’ll witness one of the best and most pure entertainers on the road.

    Pitbull setlist: Don’t Stop the Party, Hotel Room Service, International Love/Bounce Generation Sweet Child o’ Mine/Rain Over Me (Guns N’ Roses cover), Whoop! (There It Is) (Tag Team cover), I Feel Good, Suavemente (Elvis Crespo cover), The Anthem, Gasolina (Daddy Yankee cover), Culo, I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho), On the Floor/I Like It/DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love, Timber, Time of Our Lives, Give Me Everything, Fireball.

  • 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)

  • Daughtry Brings Holiday Hard Rock Bliss to Toyota Oakdale Theatre

    Hard rock band Daughtry brought their “Adrenaline Gone Ballistic” holiday tour to the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut. Sleep Theory and Devour the Day joined Daughtry throughout the 13-date tour.

    The night was every hard rock fan’s dream. They got a great mix of metal, hard rock and pop-metal while witnessing great live stage performances. Daughtry made a triumphant return to the area after touring Breaking Benjamin and Staind in September and October. 

    As fans pilled in from the harsh winter cold, the Memphis, Tennessee-native band Devour the Day hopped on stage. Led by Blake Allison on lead vocals, the band blasted into their first tune of the night, “Respect,” off of their Time & Pressure record. The band’s hungriness was apparent from the start. Devour the Day made sure the crowd felt their impact for the seven songs they played. The quartet was the loudest group of the night. They infused post-grunge, nu metal and hard rock influences all into one band that put together a great performance.

    Joining Allison who is also the drummer for Pop Evil, is Joey “Chicago” Walser on bass guitar, Justin Kier on drums and Stephen Freeman on guitar. The foursome did an excellent job at getting the – at the time small – crowd ready for the next two acts.

    In between Devour the Day and Sleep Theory, there was a brief intermission. But, it wasn’t too long until the houselights dimmed for Sleep Theory. It was fitting that Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” was blasted through the speakers sparking holiday cheer. Sleep Theory, also from Memphis, Tennessee, jumped right into the first song of the evening “Fallout,” off of 2023’s Paper Hearts – EP. Sleep Theory’s style of music was very similar to Devour the Day’s. So, the hard rock and metal theme blossomed during their set.

    Lead singer Cullen Moore’s vocals were amazing. Throughout the band’s set, he would walk back and forth on stage and interact with the audience while he belted out the lyrics. There have been few singers who could yell in key. Rob Halford from Judas Priest and Bruce Dickinson are some of the masters. But, Moore was able to be in perfect key while screaming which brought goosebumps to some of the fans.

    Unfortunately, Sleep Theory was extremely backlit and at times it was hard to see them on stage. This forced fans to listen rather than gain the whole experience of the show. Nonetheless, just by listening, you could tell that the band was extremely tight and together as one on stage. Because they were excellent musicians, fans were a lot more receptive to them and cheered loudly after every song. Sometimes middle bands don’t receive such generosity so it was great that they did.

    In addition to Moore, Sleep Theory consists of Daniel Pruitt on guitar, Paolo Vergara on bass, and Ben Pruitt on drums. The quartet put the fans in the right mood for Daughtry and was an excellent middle band.

    By this point, the crowd was in a frenzy for Daughtry and very quickly the band jumped on stage and went straight into “The Reckoning.” For the band’s entire performance, the entire theatre was on their feet and did not sit down for one single minute. There was a buzz in the building for their headline set since the next time the group would be in the area would be on the Creed summer tour in 2025.

    Rounding out Daughtry was Chris Daughtry on lead vocals and guitar, Brian Craddock on guitar, Elvio Fernandes on keys, Marty O’Brien on bass and Jeremy Schaffer on drums

    Like Moore in Sleep Theory, Daughtry’s vocals were amazing and were the best out of the three. For the time that the band was on stage, you could feel his power and strength. Even though he was as serious as can be while singing, in between songs he charmed the crowd. At one point before “Home” he told the audience to “light up anything that lights up… phones… lightsabers are also welcomed.”

    The band kept their stage simple so the audience could focus more on the music. Only a few screens were lit up behind the group with lights draped on the drum riser. It was nice that the band kept their stage simple and did not overwhelm the crowd. Twice during their set, they paid homage to the mighty Led Zeppelin and Journey. During their rendition of “Crashed” there was a snippet of “Kashmir” before they fully jumped into a cover of “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).”


    The crowd let out a thunderous cheer to some of their favorites. “Home” and “It’s Not Over” received the loudest approval with fans taking out their phones to record the song or their favorite moment. It was great that they even played a handful of tunes from their newest record, Dearly Beloved. Their new material was even received positively by the crowd as if it were already setlist staples

    When the band walked off stage before the encore, you could hear a low roar for them to come back on stage. It originated at the back of the theatre in the rafters before thrusting its way towards the front. Fans got what they wished for. Daughtry played “The Dam,” “Heavy Is the Crown and “Artificial” as the three encore songs before calling it a night.

    When the audience left the building, the buzz was still thriving throughout the crowd. They witnessed a special holiday performance. There aren’t many groups that can put together a short and small holiday tour and knock it out of the park. But, for Daughtry, they delivered one of the best holiday shows in recent memory.

    Devour the Day setlist: Respect, Nobody Owns Me, Good Man, Worse Than Death, Outsider, The Bottom, Empty

    Sleep Theory setlist: Fallout, Enough, Paralyzed, Static, Hourglass, Gone or Staying, Stuck in My Head, Numb, It’s Over, Another Way

    Daughtry setlist: The Reckoning, Changes Are Coming, World on Fire, Crashed, Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), Home, Waiting for Superman, Shock to the System, It’s Not Over, Nervous, Pieces, Over You, The Dam, Heavy Is the Crown, Artificial

  • 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

  • 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

  • The Doobie Brothers Take It To The Streets at Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater 

    After a thrilling performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City days before, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, The Doobie Brothers traveled north to Bridgeport, Connecticut. The band, which is on their “The 2024 Tour,” packed in fans who braved the rain and played a thrilling 15-song set. Before the show began, fans had to arrive early as the show was moved up a half hour with the storms approaching.

    Official music video for The Doobie Brothers – “Black Water” from ‘What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits’ (1974)

    As fans were finding their seats, the legendary Steve Winwood and his spectacular band warmed up the humid audience. Winwood – who has been in famous bands like Traffic and Blind Faith – played a small, yet powerful seven-song set. Winwoods set featured music from his old bands. With the intro of “Can’t Find My Way Home,” fans roared to their feet and stood there the entire song. After each song ended the audience would repeatedly rise to their feet to pay respect to the living legend.

    Winwood’s band featured five stellar musicians. The band featured Edwin Sanz on percussion, Tristan Banks on drums, Paul Booth on saxophone and piano and Nate Williams playing keyboards. Lastly, Winwood’s very own daughter, Lilly Winwood was featured on background vocals. The entire band had smiles on their faces, bringing an amazing atmosphere to the audience.

    Just as quickly as Winwood jumped on stage, the stage was reset for The Doobie Brothers. The band did not have any flashy intro or spectacular entrances. Classically, the house lights dimmed and the band walked on and kicked into “Rockin’ Down the Highway” off of 1972’s Toulouse Street. Almost immediately, the rain – which stopped for Winwood – picked up again yet did not deter the band. They met the weather with great tunes and excellent showmanship.

    In between songs, guitarist Patrick Simmons would whip out some of the brightest colored guitars in all of rock. One after the other, the spotlights would bounce off the shiny colored red and blue guitars. Flanking Simmons on his right was John Cowan who appeared to barely move all night. Despite the minimal movement, fans could tell that he was chugging away at his bass guitar throughout the entire set.

    Some fans might have wondered what The Doobie Brothers sounded like during their “Golden Age.” Well, they didn’t need to think hard or long at all. Singer and guitarist, Tom Johnston along with keyboardist and singer, Michael McDonald, sound just like the records. Not every band can say that their singer’s voice has stood the test of time, but The Doobie Brothers can. Whether the song was “What a Fool Believes” or “Long Train Runnin’” Johnston and McDonald’s vocals were top-notch. The Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater is open to the outdoors on either side and sometimes vocals can get mushy. That didn’t happen for either vocalist. The vocals were one of the highlights of the show.

    Joining Johnston, McDonald, Simmons and Cowan were four other stellar musicians. On drums were Ed Toth, John McFee on guitar, Marc Russo on saxophone and Marc Quiñones on percussion. Despite the crowded stage, each musician perfectly played their part in The Doobie Brothers’ rock and roll machine.

    Throughout the show, the video screen would show moments in the band’s career and fade into the band on stage. The band’s crew did an amazing job enhancing the audience’s experience and giving them a little insight into the band in their heyday. 

    By the time the band reached the middle backend of the set, the smell of weed was distinct in the air, in typical Doobie Brothers fashion. By that point, the band was on another level as they were cranking out hit, after hit, after hit. Some fans took to the aisles to dance with their spouses. Others even tried to run up to the front to record their favorite songs. The amphitheater was in a Doobie Brothers frenzy.

    In an attempt to save time, the band very quickly jumped back on stage for the four-song encore. The encore, highlighted by a Paul Simon cover of “Still Crazy After All These Years” was an instrumental duet between McDonald and Russo. Russo would take center stage when he belted out an amazing solo. It combined jazz, blues and classic rock into one solo reimagined by The Doobie Brothers.

    As the summer winds down, The Doobie Brothers brought nothing but great vibes to the Bridgeport Audience. “The 2024 Tour” will take both bands to Saratoga Springs, New York to play at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This tour is not to be missed, each band compliments each other perfectly and will make for a great night to “Listen to the Music.”

    Steve Winwood Setlist: Glad, Can’t Find My Way Home, Why Can’t We Live Together (Timmy Thomas cover), Roll With It, Back in the High Life Again, Higher Love, Gimme Some Lovin’
    The Doobie Brothers Setlist: Rockin’ Down the Highway, Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While), Here to Love You, Depending on You, Minute by Minute, It Keeps You Runnin’, Without You, Jesus is Just Alright (The Art Reynolds Singers cover), What a Fool Believes (Kenny Loggins cover), Long Train Runnin’, China Grove, Black Water, Still Crazy After All These Years (Paul Simon cover), Takin’ It to the Streets, Listen to the Music

  • An Evening With Nas at Albany’s Palace Theatre

    Amidst a slew of tour dates, Nas made a stop at Albany’s Palace Theatre this past Friday (July 19) and delivered an all-encompassing performance. In turn, the normally quiet-kept streets surrounding the Palace felt a simultaneous murmur between 7 and 8 p.m. on Friday night as hip hop fans came out in droves in support of Esco.

    With both floors of the Palace decked out, the legendary rhymer offered a passionate rendition of his biggest hits, album cuts and freestyles.

    An evening with Nas
    Nas performs “Fever,” the opening track from Magic 3

    Backed by longtime tour DJ and friend, Rochester’s own DJ Green Lantern, Nas offered fans a non-linear run through his historic discography. In truth, An Evening With Nas, gave the feel of a distant family gathering. As though Nas was kickin’ it with his hip hop cousins from Upstate.

    The crowd’s appreciation was apparent as the 17-time Grammy-nominee was on the receiving end of the night’s first standing ovation within the first 20 minutes, after a flawless, passionate performance of “N.Y. State of Mind.” Green Lantern played to the lively crowd, riling them up with chants of “hip hop, hip hop,” before dropping the iconic DJ Premier scratches preluding “Nas Is Like” as the crowd roared their approval.

    Nas receives standing ovation
    Nas receives a standing ovation

    Similarly, performances of “Got Ur Self A…,” “Made You Look,” and “You Owe Me” all earned the crowd’s approval. Yet, the most well-received songs are the ones that capture Nas’ soulful essence. For instance, performances of “Life’s a Bitch,” “The World Is Yours” and “If I Ruled the World” had the crowd hung on every word, particularly the latter two which led to a theatre-wide serenade.

    Such was the scene as a noticeably vibrant Esco basked in he and the crowd’s shared catharsis. Afterwards, in a moment of reflection over his long-career, the hip hop mogul thanked his long-time supporters and encouraged the vivacious crowd of about 1500 to “live vicariously through me. I’m still outside.”

    Memorable Moments

    During this period of elation DJ Green Lantern upped it and announced a Nas and DJ Premier album slated for later this year. As the show waned, Nas honored both Prodigy and The Notorious B.I.G with special renditions dedicated to both fallen legends.

    Nas pays tribute to Prodigy
    Nas paid tribute to Prodigy

    A large image of Prodigy appeared on the big-screen as he performed his verse on their classic hit, “It’s Mine.” He later shouted out Biggie before performing a special rendition of “One Love” over the “Sky’s The Limit” beat. Meanwhile a rendition of “Daughters” was cut short as Nas claimed it made him emotional, before transitioning to the more rugged “40-16 Building.” The show closed as the Queens native gave an impassioned performed “One Mic” to applause and shouts not to leave.

  • Goose Flies to New Heights at CMAC

    Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Canandaigua, CMAC proved to be the perfect setting for an wonderful evening of music with Goose, the jam band phenomenon that has been capturing hearts and ears across the country. 

    As the sun dipped below the horizon after a bluebird day, casting a golden glow over the amphitheater, Goose took to the stage amidst thunderous applause. The band’s lineup—comprising Rick Mitarotonda on guitar and vocals, Peter Anspach on keyboard, guitar and vocals, Trevor Weekz on bass, Jeff Arevalo on percussion and Cotter Ellis on drums —immediately set a vibrant tone with their eclectic mix of rock, funk, jazz, and electronic elements. Known for their improvisational prowess, Goose wasted no time in diving into extended jams.

    Photo by Derek Java

    The first set started off strong with “Hot Love & The Lazy Poet,” and then “Mr. Action,”  followed by a blistering cover of “Me and My Uncle,” the song by John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas that was made famous by the Grateful Dead and one of the highlights of the show.  “Seekers on the Ridge” Parts 1 and 2 were followed by “Drive,” and then “So Ready” to end the first set.

    Photo by Derek Java

    Individually, each member of Goose shone brightly throughout the night. Mitarotonda’s soulful vocals and intricate guitar work provided the backbone of many songs, while Anspach’s keyboard solos added fiery bursts of energy to the mix. Weekz’ basslines were deep and resonant, anchoring the rhythm section alongside Ellis’ dynamic and precise drumming, which drove the band forward with relentless energy.  The chemistry between the band members was palpable, with each musician feeding off the others’ energy to create moments of pure musical synergy.

    Goose CMAC
    Photo by Derek Java

    Set 2 started off with a cover of “Fish in the Sea” by the New Zealand band Fat Freddy’s Drop.  Then came another highlight of the night, “Tumble,” an extended jam where Goose brought the crowd to joyous heights with blissful high-energy guitar.  Next was a serene “Red Bird,” followed by “726,” and then a lengthy “Arcadia” to end the set.  The encore was a rocking “Madhuvan” that ended with a triumphal bow to thunderous applause.

    Photo by Derek Java

    Goose’s performance at CMAC was nothing short of spectacular. From their electrifying musical explorations to their heartfelt connection with the audience, Goose proved once again why they are at the forefront of the jam band scene.  As they continue on the road, fans and new followers looking to catch the wave should be sure to pick up a ticket and treat themselves to a wonderful night of music.

    Goose CMAC
    Photo by Derek Java

    Goose – CMAC, Canandaigua, NY – June 15, 2024

    Set 1: Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, Mr. Action > Me and My Uncle [1], Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II, Drive, So Ready

    Set 2: Fish In The Sea [2], Tumble, Red Bird > 726 > Arcadia

    Encore: Madhuvan

    Coach’s Notes:
    [1] John Philips
    [2] Fat Freddy’s Drop

    Goose CMAC
    Photo by Derek Java

  • Journey’s “Freedom” comes to a close with a career-spanning show in Bridgeport

    The Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is not known for its concerts. The arena typically hosts the American Hockey League’s Bridgeport Islanders and is overshadowed by the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater which sits steps away from the entrance. During the summer months, the Amphitheater gets all the big names like Neil Young, Queens of the Stone Age, Santana and Ghost. But, once or twice a year the Total Mortgage Arena gets one or two “big hitters” in the music sphere to balance it out.

    This year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Journey closed out their “Freedom” tour in Bridgeport ahead of their run of stadium shows with Def Leppard beginning in the summer. Journey’s tour is in support of their new record, Freedom, which was released back in 2022. Fans packed the arena ahead of the 7:30 p.m. start time and the anticipation was high. The last time the band was in the area was last March in the state capital of Hartford at the XL Center.

    Photo Credit: Mike Savoia

    The Los Angeles native band Toto was again brought out on the road with Journey as their support act. On the first leg of the “Freedom” tour, Toto was also opening for Journey so fans who missed the show last year finally got to see it in a slightly smaller, more intimate venue. As fans were still filing into the arena and finding their seats, the band plugged in their instruments and started with their first song of the night, “Girl Goodbye,” off of their debut self-titled record. Toto played a total of nine songs that had the entire audience dancing and singing along.

    Toto has seven band members and brings so much power and energy to the band’s live performances. The band features Warren Ham on percussion and saxophone, Steve Maggiora on the keyboards and Shannon Forrest – who has recorded with the likes of Taylor Swift, and Willie Nelson – on the drums. Joining those three is John Pierce from Huey Lewis and the News on bass, and Greg Phillinganes on keyboard. For those who don’t know Phillinganes, his extensive career consists of touring with the likes of Stevie Wonder and was the musical director for Michael Jackson. The final two and arguably biggest stars of the band is Steve Lukather on guitar who was heavily involved in Jackson’s Thriller album and played on Oliva Newton-John’s Physical album. Lastly on vocals is Joseph Williams who was the adult singing voice for Simba in Disney’s The Lion King.

    Photo Credit: Mike Savoia

    Toto was an excellent opener for Journey, even if Lukather once screamed “Pittsburg!” instead of Bridgeport. They did a great job readying the crowd for the heavy hitters in the rock and roll sphere. Once the clock struck 9 p.m. the house lights dimmed and lead guitarist Neal Schon appeared on stage with guitar in hand. Immediately after, the rest of the band jumped on stage and jumped into “Only the Young.” The one noticeable thing between Journey and Toto was the excellent vocals and how strong they sounded as a band. It’s not very often that bands from the 80s still sound like they did when they debut but both of these bands still do.

    Joining Schon in Journey is Jonathan Cain on piano and guitar, Deen Castronovo on drums, Jason Derlatka on keyboards, Todd Jensen on the bass with Arnel Pineda on lead vocals. Pineda has been in the band for 17 years now after Schon saw him singing on YouTube and asked him to audition.

    Photo Credit: Mike Savoia

    From the very beginning of the show, it was clear just how energetic the band was. Pineda from the jump was running, dancing and jumping all around the stage. Multiple times throughout the show, he would go up to the front of the crowd and interact with fans in the first few rows. He even hopped off the stage during one song and ran through the crowd high fiving the audience.

    Journey delivered all of their greatest hits at this show. Early on they played the smash hit “Don’t Stop Believin’” off of 1981’s Escape. Their powerful set included other hits like “Stone in Love,” “Faithfully,” and “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” At the start of each song, it brought a thunderous cheer from the jam-packed arena.

    Photo Credit: Mike Savoia

    The band was able to feed off the lively energy from the crowd. From the moment the doors opened, a recognizable buzz ran through the building. During “Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” two fans tossed a banner that said “The Journey Junkies” to Pineda to signify their love for the classic rock group. During “Open Arms,” strangers and friends embraced each other while other fans in the first few rows took out their lighters and lit them just like in the band’s golden years.

    After Cain thanked the service men and women for protecting the country and the band returned to the stage, he was wearing a Bridgeport Islanders hockey jersey that got a cheer from the audience. The band – now in the home stretch of the show – started “Wheel in the Sky.” Pineda again took to the crowd and jumped in front of the guard rail separating the first row from the stage to embrace more fans.

    Photo Credit: Mike Savoia

    While confetti and streamers were shot from the stage at the end of the last song, “Any Way You Want It,” fans were all cheering and applauding for the band as they will not be returning to the state on their next tour. Journey put on an amazing show and did not miss one fan-favorite tune. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see them yet, you must as they make one stop at Citi Field in Queens, New York. Journey is a band that continues to put on amazing shows and it’s clear why they pack stadiums across the globe. Their energy is unmatched and the fans’ appreciation in response to their hard work and dedication.

    Toto setlist: 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, Rosanna, Africa

    Journey setlist: Only the Young, Stone in Love, Keep on Runnin’, Don’t Stop Believin’, Lights, Send Her My Love, Who’s Crying Now, Just the Same Way, Escape, Let it Rain, Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’, Open Arms, Faithfully, Girl Can’t Help It, Wheel in the Sky, Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), Be Good to Yourself, Any Way You Want It

  • Ace Frehley And His “Rock Soldiers” Lay Rock and Roll Siege Upon Sony Hall

    New York City has been given many nicknames like “the city so nice, they named it twice,” as well as “The Big Apple.” The city at any given moment can hold multiple events at one time. Friday, March. 28 saw country star Zach Bryan play at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn while President Biden hosted a fundraiser which featured former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The fundraiser was only steps away from where former KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley played as he filled up Sony Hall just a month after his newest release, 10,000 Volts.

    Frehley has announced 15 dates to his itinerary for 2024. Three of those dates, including the Sony Hall show, are in New York. Frehley is playing at the Rome Capitol Theatre on April. 12 as well as the River Theatre in North Tonawanda on Aug. 21. These tour dates are also in support of his newest release which has been praised very highly by the music community.

    Before the rock and roll siege of “The Spaceman,” the New York City natives known as Kore Rozzik warmed up the eager crowd. Kore Rozzik played seven songs and did their part well at getting the crowd hyped up for classic Kiss and original tunes from Frehley. Kore Rozzik, while a harder style of rock music than Frehley powered through technical difficulties and wonky mic feedback to deliver their brand of metal and hard rock. The fans who knew the band loved them and screamed wildly. It took a few songs for the band to win over fans that weren’t so familiar with them. Once lead singer Kore Rozzik graced the stage in different stage clothes for multiple songs and sprayed the audience with water after their final song, “Spellbound,” the band made multiple fans and left a lasting impression on the rowdy crowd.

    Joining Rozzik on stage were Andrei Patorski and Alex Devious on guitars, Matias Sanes on bass and Crow Starbird on the drums.

    As the house lights dimmed and one of Frehley’s instrumentals blasted of the speakers, a sudden surge rushed from the back of the general admission audience and pushed the crowd closer to the stage. With what seemed like one quick motion, Frehley and his band blasted into “Shock Me,” off Kiss’ 1977 record, Love Gun. Frehley played 14 total songs that took fans through memory lane of his Kiss days while also sprinkling in a few solo songs including the title track to his newest release. Frehley sported a sparkly jacket that draped over his NASA t-shirt to start the first few songs of the night. Dawning classic Rayban aviators and his classic Les Paul guitar, it was clear that Frehley and the rest of his band were indeed “back in the New York Groove.”

    Accompanying Frehley on stage was bassist Ryan Cook, guitarist Jeremy Asbrock and drummer Scot Coogan. This was the same band that played on his record in addition to touring with Frehley across the United States recently.

    Like Kore Rozzik, the Frehley band was not only battling the bad feedback from their speakers but at one point in between the band’s rendition of “Rip It Out,” and “Detroit Rock City,” Cook’s bass strap broke and had to be taped back together for the remainder of the show. But, with a calm smile, Cook took the minor setback like a true professional and continued to wave and point into the crowd of fans.

    Unlike the last show that Frehley played at the Paramount Hudson Valley back in October, multiple fans put on his classic face paint and rushed to the front of the stage before the band’s set. The entire crowd, which consisted of all ages never left their spot in the general admission and continued to clap, throw up the rock horns and raise their fists to the loud wall of sound in front of them. If you closed your eyes and pictured what a Kiss concert sounded like in the mid-1970s’ when the band was at the height of their powers, without a doubt, it would have sounded something very close to last night’s show.

    In classic Frehley showmanship, for the band’s rendition of “New York Groove,” Frehley brought out his classic guitar that lights up. When the special Les Paul guitar made its appearance, the crowd went crazy as they knew exactly what song was coming up. At the beginning note of every song, the crowd gave the band a thunderous cheer. The cheering was so loud at one point that it seemed like the roof was going to cave in.

    It was extremely impressive to hear the band play their new material from the aforementioned 10,000 Volts. Despite the band only playing the title track, it was neat to hear the band acknowledge their new record. Throughout the show, fans were yelling for the band to play some of their favorite tunes from the brand-new record. Regardless of Frehley being 72 years old, he still had his skill from the ‘70s on guitar while also having his signature voice on lead vocals.

    At the end of the show, when the doors were flung open and the cool New York air filled up the downstairs theater, there was not one unhappy fan in the venue. With Kiss now being retired and the band not playing, Frehley is one of two members still out on the road. With that being said, fans were extremely happy to have their night filled with Kiss tunes and seeing the one and only Spaceman

    Kore Rozzik Setlist: Welcome To Rock Hell, I Am Your Savior, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, Vengeance Overdrive, Mistress, Guilty As Charged, Spellbound

    Ace Frehley Setlist: Shock Me, Rocket Ride, 10,000 Volts, Rock Soldiers, Love Gun, Parasite, New York Groove, Rip It Out, Detriot Rock City, Cold Gin, Strange Ways, Shout It Out Loud, Deuce, Rock And Roll All Nite