New York City based Americana and roots-rock group Jamie McLean Band will be bringing their One Step Forward Tour, celebrating their upcoming release of the same name, to four venues across New York State.
A triple threat of New Orleans soul, middle Americana roots, and New York City dazzle, Jamie McLean Band create energetic and captivating live experiences each and every time they step on to the stage. Fronted by McLean himself with southern soul vocals, deft guitar skills, and heartfelt, profound songwriting, the band’s live performances are brought to life with the collaboration of drummer Brian Griffin, bassist Chris Anderson, and the return of Jamie McLean Band’s original keyboardist, Jon Solo.
Following six albums, several singles, and a handful of live releases, Jamie McClean band returns with One Step Forward, to be released on October 25. Featuring themes of life, loss, and love, the tracks of One Step Forward explore the bright lights that provide joy and motivation as well as the heavier experiences of loss and grieving.
Written after the loss of a dear friend to suicide, one of the most poignant tracks on the album “Don’t Leave Us Now” grapples with the tragedy and calls listeners to action- to help the ones they love around them, and to help themselves, as there is no shame in being the one in need.
The One Step Forward Tour, which began on August 22 in Pawling, coincides with their upcoming release and will continue throughout the country- including upcoming stops at the Falcon in Marlboro on October 4 and The 443 Social Club & Lounge in Syracuse on October 12, in addition to later dates at the Colony in Woodstock on November 8 and the Drom in New York City on November 22.
Tickets for the tour are on sale now. Visit Jamie McLean Band’s website here for further information and ticket purchasing.
The full list of upcoming tour dates is featured below.
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 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 âCirclesâ and âRockstarâ 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 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.
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.
Tops of Trees takes the stage at Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse on September 21, and joining them for this high-energy event is local favorite, Spent Grain.
Tops of Trees are an original nine-piece rock & soul ensemble hailing from Saratoga Springs. They have quickly made a name for themselves in Upstate NY and beyond, known for their genre-blending sound and dynamic live performances, they are set to deliver an unforgettable show that highlights their tight rhythm section with blistering vocals and an unshakeable horn section.
In the short time they have been together they have created a buzz by thrilling audiences with their high-energy performances. The group’s modern interpretation of soulful music steeped in early R&B, funk and blues propelled them to notoriety in upstate NY culture.
Sharing the stage with Tops of Trees is Spent Grain, a Syracuse-based band renowned for their unique fusion of blues, rock, and a touch of Americana. Spent Grain’s heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies have earned them a loyal local following. Their performance is expected to set the perfect tone for the evening.
Doors to the show open at 7:00 PM, and the music kicks off at 8:00 PM. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see the debut of Tops of Trees to Syracuse with Spent Grain.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the event, visit Funk ‘n Waffles website by clicking here. To learn more about Tops of Trees and to stay up to date on their shows, click here.
The “CNY Jazz at Timber Banks” talent lineup has been announced, the first launch of the CNY Jazz 2024-2025 season. The 34-show event takes place on Tuesday nights at Timber Banks Golf Club in Syracuse.
Cheri Giraud & Dan Pugh
The CNY Jazz series lasts from September to May, with a total of 34 groundbreaking shows. It features regional and national artists from 6 to 9 p.m. at Persimmons restaurant in the Carlton Holmes-designed clubhouse of the Seneca River golf and marina community. The cabaret dining schedule starts September 17, focusing on the finest voices in jazz, pop, and Americana in the region, and a twist or two has been thrown into the mix.
Singers Ronnie Leigh, Nancy Kelly, Cheri Giraud, Julie Falatico Montalbano, Mike Houston, Kirsten Tegtmeyer, Scott Dennis, Alex Becerra, Vanessa Vacanti, and Mary Nickson all appear. QUATRO provides progressive Americana harmony by Chuck Schiele and Heather Kubacki. Instrumental groups led by Steve Brown and John Rohde step in to play.
A special Mardi Gras event is the centerpiece of the season. On Fat Tuesday, March 4, the legendary Soda Ash Six, brings their 6-piece unit to play a party. This event is accompanied by a special New Orleans menu.
The unusual “Bass On Top” duo makes its first winter season appearance in the CNY Jazz series. The entire series is free, with no admission or cover charges. Holders of CNY Jazz Club cards receive 10% off food and drink at these events.
“This is the only weekly cabaret dining experience to be had north of the Thruway in Central New York. Literally every established jazz vocalist in the region is represented. We have a lot of talent around here, and you can sample virtually all of it without leaving the Persimmons premises. These things regularly sell out, so reserve your tables in advance, folks.”
Larry Luttinger, CNY Jazz founder
For more information on the CNY Jazz series at Timber Banks in Syracuse, click here.
Americana bluegrass band Hackensaw Boys brings their celebratory tour for the 20th Anniversary of their 2005 album, Love What You Do. All in all, the group will bringing performances of the acclaimed project to Woodstock, Syracuse, and New York City this September and October.
Hackensaw Boys have been touring since 1999, known throughout the country and beyond for their exciting performances and unique use of the “charismo”, a DIY percussion instrument constructed of cans and other household objects. Carving out a distinctive sound of their own, current members David Sickmen (guitar), Caleb Powers (fiddle), Thomas Olivier (mandolin), Taylor Shuck (banjo), Aaron Smith (bass), and Bee Roberts (percussion) have been delivering high energy, down to earth shows as a collective for years now, with yet another sensational tour ahead of them beginning in just a few weeks.
About “Love What You Do”
Moreover, the album in question for the upcoming tour is one of their most beloved works, Love What You Do. Released in 2005, the album combines influences from American traditional music and modern indie rock, resulting in fan favorites that are still requested at almost every show just under 20 years later. This tour is a love letter to longtime listeners and fans of some of their oldest works, offering fresh interpretations of the classics while keeping the spirit of the original recordings alive.
In addition to the live celebration, Hackensaw Boys will be pressing the album to vinyl for the very first time – a physical token to commemorate how far the group has come.
As a result, Hackensaw Boys will begin their tour on September 26 in Woodstock. In addition to the opening show, the group will be performing in Syracuse on September 27 accompanied by opener Kidbless, and they will return to the state to perform at the Mercury Lounge in New York City on October 6. For tickets and further information, please visit here.
Moreover, dates for the east coast and midwest this fall have been announced, with more to come in the winter and spring. Thus, for the full list of currently announced tour dates, please see below.
TOUR DATES
Sept 26 – Colony (Woodstock, NY)
Sept 27 – Funk ‘n Waffles (Syracuse, NY)
Sept 28 – Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats (Rehoboth Beach, DE)
Sept 29 – Small Batch Cellars (North Haven, CT)
Oct 1 – Club Cafe (Pittsburgh, PA)
Oct 2 – The 8×10 (Baltimore, MD)
Oct 3 – 118 North (Wayne, PA)
Oct 4 – Askew (Providence, RI)
Oct 5 – Roy’s Hall (Blairstown, NJ)
Oct 6 – Mercury Lounge (NYC, NY)
Oct 19 – Trading Post by Traber Ranch (Lynchburg, VA)
Oct 20 – Roanoke GO Fest (Roanoke, VA)
Nov 7 – Shank Hall (Milwaukee, WI)
Nov 8 – The Tarlton Theatre (Green Bay, WI)
Nov 9 – Evanston SPACE (Evanston, IL)
Nov 10 – Turf Club (St. Paul, MN)
Nov 11 – Raccoon Motel (Davenport, IA)
Nov 13 – Southgate House Revival (Newport, KY)
Nov 14 – Duke’s Indy (Indianapolis, IN)
Nov 15 – Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill (Grand Rapids, MI)
A Day To Remember is bringing their Fall 2024 Couple More Shows headline tour to the Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse on November 4. Special guests August Burns Red and Stand Atlantic will accompany the act.
Composed of vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, rhythm guitarist Neil Westfall, percussionist and drummer Alex Shelnutt, and lead guitarist Kevin Skaff, A Day To Remember has been delivering punk hits since their conception in 2003 and first official release with And Their Name Was Treason in 2005.
Over the past 19 years, the band has released a total of seven studio albums, embarked on several tours in the United States and beyond, and sold over three million units. Now, just after their biggest North American headline run to date, The Least Anticipated Album Tour, A Day To Remember returns to New York for another powerful performance.
With gritty instrumentals and electrifying choruses that meld the edge of rock and punk with the catchiness of pop, A Day To Remember has always bent the conventions of sound and genre to their will. Audience members at the Upstate Medical Arena will be able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime performance filled with sounds that are uniquely ‘A Day To Remember’.
Supporting bands August Burns Red and Stand Atlantic will also be performing the evening of November 4.
August Burns Red shares history with A Day To Remember, also debuting their metal sound in 2003. Two-time Grammy nominees, their most recent release Death Below marks their tenth studio album.
Pop punk band Stand Atlantic originates in Sydney, Australia. With four studio albums, three EPs, and a myriad of singles, Stand Atlantic will be adding this tour to their impressive repertoire of tours they have opened in addition to their own shows, presenting audiences with their contemporary twist to the traditional pop punk sound.
Couple More Shows in Syracuse will begin at 7:00PM, November 4 at the Upstate Medical University Arena at the Oncenter War Memorial.
The full list of tour dates are listed below. Ticket sales are live now.
TOUR DATES:
10/17 – Las Vegas, NV – Fountainebleau Las Vegas 10/19 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young Festival 10/20 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young Festival 10/23 – Wichita, KS – Wave ICT 10/25 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center 10/26 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena at The MARK 10/27 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center 10/29 – Huntington, WV – Marshall Health Network Arena 10/30 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center 11/1 – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena 11/3 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens 11/4 – Syracuse, NY – Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial 11/6 – Norfolk, VA – Chartway Arena 11/7 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena 11/9 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
The Great New York State Fair 2024 initial lineup of concerts has been announced, featuring a mix of new and old and a little bit for everybody. The fair begins Wednesday, Aug. 21 and continues through Monday, Sept. 2.
Founded in 1832 by a group of local farmers for agriculture and local fairs, The Great New York State Fair became a musical showcase in the 1950s and 1960s. A variety of artists perform at the fair, including popular and up-and-comers. Last year, Salt-N-Pepa, Chubby Checker, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, The Fray, Joywave, and more appeared. Both stages are free with the price of admission.
2024 New York State Fair Concerts
photo by Allison Marie
Chevy Court Stage
Chubby Checker- Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.
Chubby Checker will be making his sixth performance at the Fair, and third in as many years. He is best known for “The Twist,” the first number-one song of all time from Billboard’s Hot 100, but also for releasing hits throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond with “The Hucklebuck,” “Slow Twistin’,” “Limbo Rock,” and more. In 2014 he was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. Checker is set to take the Chevy Court Stage at 1:00 p.m.
90s Rewind: Digital Underground, Tone Loc & Color Me Bad – Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.
To celebrate the fair’s opening day, a 90s rewind concert will take audiences back in time with music from 3 classic acts. Grammy-nominated group Digital Underground will kick off the event, playing hits like “The Humpty Dance” and “Kiss U Back.” Led by rapper Money-B, the group rose to stardom, incorporating elements of 70s funk into their hip-hop stylings. Their early output, including the track “I Get Around,” helped introduce the world to former member and rap legend Tupac Shakur.
Also included is 80s rap legend Tone-Loc. Known for mega hits “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina,” Tone-Loc was one of the original stars of Hip Hop. His debut Loc-ed After Darkreached no. 1 and has since been certified 2x platinum. Tone-Loc is also known for his acting, being featured in hit films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Closing out this lineup is the classic 90s R&B group Color Me Badd. Together the group has sold 12 million records worldwide, with nine top 40 singles. Color Me Badd are best known for their two no. 1 singles, “I Adore Mi Amor” and “All 4 Love.” Since their breakout, they have been nominated for 2 Grammy Awards, won two Soul Train Awards, and an American Music Award.
Ace Frehley – Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
Rock legend Ace Frehley rose to fame as the guitarist of KISS. Raised in the Bronx, Frehley was drawn to the guitar, founding KISS in 1973. His powerful riffs and solos on tracks like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City” played a large part in propelling KISS to rock stardom. In 2014 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Frehley as a member of KISS, with Guitar World magazine since ranking him the 15th greatest metal guitarist of all time.
Sophie B. Hawkins- Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.
American pop legend and Native New Yorker Sophie B. Hawkins is a dynamic creative force known for a spellbinding live show. Hawkins’ appearance at The Fair is part of her tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of her platinum-selling debut album, Tongues and Tails. The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter/musician will showcase music from her well-received recently released album, Free Yourself, featuring an original new video and the single, “Love Yourself.” She challenged the norms of gender expression and sexual orientation at a time when political, social, and sexual labels were more rigid. Her career arc includes releasing six widely beloved albums, breaking chart records with her smash hit “As I Lay Me Down,” four worldwide singles from Whaler, songs in cultural touchstone TV shows and films, and a starring role as Janis Joplin in the critically acclaimed musical Room 105.
Sister Sledge- Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.
Hailing from Philadelphia, the Sledge sisters became household names and a symbol of unity with their 1979 worldwide hit and iconic album We Are Family. The legendary vocal group is responsible for some of the biggest dance anthems like “Lost in Music,” “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” and “Thinking of You.”
Sister Sledge has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, London’s Royal Albert Hall, and Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. They have also performed at the White House, and even before Pope Francis during the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, PA. Over the years, the family group has amassed a string of Gold and Platinum hits and earned hundreds of awards and commendations, including GRAMMY Nominations for Record of the Year, Best R&B Duo or Group, and Best Produced CD for their African Eyes album. Their worldwide anthem “We Are Family” was entered into the prestigious Library of Congress in 2017.
CAIN- Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.
Pop/Contemporary Christian band and sibling trio sensation, CAIN is comprised of siblings Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain. They have been delighting audiences with their joyous performances since 2012 when they got their big break opening for Dave Barnes and Andrew Ripp. Since then, they have gone on to release four projects and shared the stage with artists such as TobyMac, Zach Williams, and Casting Crowns, while also performing on the famed stages of The Grand Ole Opry, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Ryman Auditorium. Following the success of their breakout album, Rise Up, which won a K-LOVE Fan Award for Top Breakout Single “Rise Up (Lazarus),” Honest Offering was released in 2022, followed by Jesus Music in 2023.
Little Anthony- Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.
Doo-wap singer Little Anthony will make his debut appearance at the Fair. With over 60 years in show business and over 50 million records sold worldwide, he has “shimmy shimmied” his way into the hearts of fans across generations. With hits including “Tears On My Pillow,” “Goin’ Out Of My Head,” “Hurt So Bad,” and “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop,” Little Anthony was inducted into the 2009 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and most recently inducted into the 2018 class of The Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
Blue Öyster Cult- Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.
Heavy metal masters Blue Öyster Cult will rock the Chevy Court stage for the band’s fourth appearance at The Fair and the first since 2017. For five decades, they have thrilled fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs – becoming one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn genuine mainstream critical acclaim and commercial success. The band is often cited as a major influence by other acts such as Metallica, and BÖC was listed in VH1’s countdown of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. Upon the release of BÖC’s self-titled debut album in 1972, the band was praised for its catchy-yet-heavy music and lyrics that could be provocative, terrifying, funny, or ambiguous. Their discography includes three songs that no doubt go down in history as stone-cold classics: “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla,” and “Burnin’ for You.”
Danielle Ponder– Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.
Rochester native and soul R&B performer Danielle Ponder first worked in the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office – first as a public defender, then as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer – for nearly a decade, while performing regularly throughout Rochester’s music scene. While working as a public defender, she toured Europe, opening for George Clinton. In 2018, she decided to pursue music full-time, just one week before her 40th birthday. She stepped into the national spotlight with the release of her debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, in September 2022 with her unique sound – a blend of pop, R&B, blues, rock, and soul. Currently, she’s working on her second album.
AJ McLean is known by fans across the world as a beloved member of the Backstreet Boys. As a seasoned performer, McLean has been performing some of pop music’s biggest hits – featuring tightly crafted songs, floor-shaking rhythms, and unmistakable harmonies – for over twenty years.
Over the last few years, McLean has been hitting the road with the Backstreet Boys for the band’s international, stadium-filling “DNA Tour,” which performed over 150 shows across five continents. The band, comprising McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson, also released their documentary series Making of the DNA Tour in 2022. Recently, McLean released a new single called “Electric” and will have more solo music coming out this year
Joey Fatone first rose to fame as a member of the record-shattering, multi-platinum boyband *NSYNC. Following the band’s incredible success with albums that sold over ten million copies and countless awards, Fatone took on projects spanning from television, film Broadway, and beyond. In November of 2019, during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat series, Joey performed three days of Joey Fatone and Friends, entertaining fans alongside Chris KirkPatrick, Ryan Cabrera, Nathan Morris of BOYZ II MEN, MC Search and more. And, in August 2021, Fatone brought together brought together some of pop superstars like Wanya Morris, Nick Carter, and AJ McLean for the AFTR PRTY, an intimate pop classic for a sold-out residency in Las Vegas.
Fatone recently made headlines with a long-awaited reunion with his bandmates in NSYNC, releasing their first single in nearly 20 years in November 2023. The track, “Better Place,” was featured on the soundtrack of the third main installment in the Trolls franchise, the “Trolls Band Together.” The five members, including Fatone, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick, also made headlines during a united public appearance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
TLC– Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.
One of the most popular female music groups of the 1990s, TLC, is performing at The Fair on Pride Day, Friday, August 23. The ladies of TLC – Tionne “T-Boz” and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas – formed the group in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia. The four-time GRAMMY award-winning group became one of the biggest-selling female groups of all time, producing an extensive musical resume. TLC has sold 85 million records worldwide, produced ten Top Ten singles in the U.S., and four multi-platinum selling albums, including the 1994 breakthrough CrazySexyCool. The album, which Rolling Stone recognized as one of The Best 500 Albums of All Time, produced four top-five singles including “Creep,” “Diggin’ on You,” and “Waterfalls.” This summer TLC is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic album.
Dropkick Murphys– Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.
The Dropkick Murphys will return to the Chevrolet Music Festival at Chevy Court for the fourth time. The Celtic-influenced rockers have generated half a billion streams and continue to sell out venues. They’ve headlined Boston’s Fenway Park and have been personally invited to share the stage with everyone from Foo Fighters to Bruce Springsteen to Mumford & Sons. Their celebrated discography includes two critically acclaimed acoustic albums – 2022’s This Machine Still Kills Fascists and 2023’s Okemah Rising, four consecutive Billboard top 10 album debuts, along with the double-platinum classic “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.”
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts– Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts formed in 1979, creating the iconic hit “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Over the next 40+ years, the band went on to amass nine Top 40 singles, including “Bad Reputation,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. This will be their fifth time performing at The Fair – closing out Women’s Day this year, which is very fitting for a frontwoman who broke down barriers in the mid-1970s to prove women could make it in the world of rock music. Joan Jett was rejected by 23 labels before forming her own independent record label, Blackheart Records.
Big Boi – Aug. 30 at 8 p.m.
Big Boi is a 7x Grammy Award winner best known for his work with legendary Hip Hop duo OutKast. Originating in Georgia, Big Boi helped put Atlanta on the musical map through his rapping and production work. He rose to fame with the release of OutKast’s 1994 debut Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik, which went platinum. Their subsequent albums Stankonia and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below spawned numerous number 1 hits, making Big Boi a household name. Audiences are sure to know mega-hits like “Ms. Jackson” and “Hey Ya.” Individually, Big Boi is a force to be reckoned with, frequently cracking Billboard charts and racking up millions of streams.
Brian Kelley– Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.
DIamond-selling superstar, Brian Kelley, is first known as the Florida half of the GRAMMY-nominated Florida Georgia Line (FGL). The ACM Breakout Artist of the Decade Award recipients garnered 19 career #1s and became the first and only act to achieve two RIAA DIAMOND singles in Country music history. They have surpassed 17 billion global streams, selling more than 40 million tracks and 4.8 million albums worldwide, plus playing to over four million fans. Kelley’s “Trucks, Ducks, Bucks & Beer” is the latest preview of his much-anticipated full-length album on Big Machine Records due out this spring, having already introduced the project with “See You Next Summer,” “Dirt Cheap,” and “How We’re Livin’.”
Ned Evett, a pioneer in the world of fretless guitarists, makes his return to upstate New York for the first time in over two decades this August.
Evett kicks off a string of live performances with a live concert at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, on August 6. Immediately following, is his show at The Lounge at Revolution Gallery on August 7. Evett finishes off his New York stops with a live show at the Spirit Room in Rochester.
Over the last two decades, Ned Evett has cemented himself as an influential figure in the world of guitar players. In the early 1990s, Evett smashed his guitar after playing a show and handcrafted his own fretless guitar. Since then, Evett has mastered the style of fretless playing, which requires an immense understanding of the instrument’s sound and impeccable perfect pitch.
During his career, Evett has performed in over 30 countries with hundreds of touring artists, including Joe Satriani, Leon Russell, Kansas, Eric Johnson, George Thorogood, and John Scofield. Despite his extensive touring history, he has not made a return to upstate New York in over two decades. His name might be familiar to longtime guitar fans in the region, though. In 2003, Evett won the North American Rock Guitar Competition at the University of Buffalo. Since then, Evett has received massive critical acclaim. Described by Guitar Player magazine as “the world’s first fretless guitar rockstar” and dubbed “the king of the glass-necked guitar” by USA Today, Evett is the inventor of the glass-necked fretless guitar and the glass slide capo.
Evett will perform in a trio, with Rochester-based Steve Imburgia on drums and percussion and Brian Barr on bass for the New York shows. He will perform songs from his forthcoming record, Strange Kind of Freedom, which is set to release on November 8, as well as several fan favorites from his 12 prior solo releases.
Information for the New York shows are listed below.
Aug. 7 — Buffalo @ The Lounge at Revolution Gallery tickets: free doors: 5:30 p.m. show: 6 p.m. start address: 1419 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Aug. 8 — Rochester @ The Spirit Room doors: 7 p.m. show: 8:30-10:30 p.m. address: 139 State St., Rochester, NY 14614
8/2 Friday Syracuse NY Funky Town Comics & Vinyl 8/6 Tuesday Syracuse NY The Lounge at Revolution Gallery 8/7 Wednesday Buffalo NY Iron Works 8/8 Thursday Rochester NY The Spirit Room 11/8 Friday Okinawa Japan Kadena Festival 11/14 Thursday San Pedro CA Alvas Showroom 11/16 Saturday Mill Valley CA Sweetwater Saloon 11/23 Saturday Boise ID Sapphire Room
Any additional information and tickets are available on Ned Evett’s website linked here.
Papadosio brought their Summer Sequence Festival to Wonderland Forest on June 21 and 22 in Lafayette, New York. Summer Sequence has been around in different variations since 2017. This summer they decided to give the new venue in the Finger Lakes a try, moving the festival from their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.
Wonderland Forest, still in it’s nascent phase, was a great low-key location for a music festival, as it was intimate and hassle free. Everything was centrally located with two campgrounds on either side of the venue, and besides a trek up the hill for the late-night stage, you were never a far walk from anything. The main stage, nestled in the forest was intimate, and the trees offered a great spot for people to set up their hammocks and set up their own home bases away from their camp site. I did not venture into the other campground area, so I’m not sure if they had any other food options out that way, but the main stage did have a small menu for food. They cooked it made-to-order and they had a pretty damn good wood-fired pizza as an option. If you are camping there for a festival in the future it would probably be smart to not depend on those options for the whole weekend though. The Finger Lakes offers a ton of opportunities to take in some nature in the afternoon, both onsite and offsite, exiting and entering the venue was a breeze.
Papadosio are a mix of Prog Rock, Livetronica, Jazz and Jamband, and their eclectic style reflected on the wide-ranging line-up. Along with Psy-Dub producer Ott, both acts were scheduled to play longer sets each night. After some afternoon Yoga, the music started both days around noon. The afternoons started off laid back, with sparse crowds but as the days went on, the crowd thickened out and were really ready to go by 7 or so.
As it was a new venue, there were still a few kinks to the weekend. As reported, a neighbor in the area is not exactly excited about the venue, and the late-night stage on Friday was shut down early at 2 AM (it was supposed to go until 5). Because of the legal issues with the sound, the late-night for Saturday was entirely canceled. The late-night stage itself was a hike up the mountain, but the venue had shuttles to remedy this and escorted people back down into the late of the night. To no fault of anyone, Ott’s Saturday’s set was cut short after only 45 minutes, as a lighting storm appeared in the area. Everyone went back to take shelter at their camp sites, some left but most stayed in the hopes that Papadosio would still be able to properly close out their festival. During the break the storm turned into a torrential downpour, but as quickly as it started, it stopped. Right before their scheduled set at 10, you could hear some sounds from the stage, and the lights turned back on. Someone from venue drove around in an ATV and let people know that Papadosio would be coming on soon.
Papadosio was able to play their final set, you could tell that everyone was enjoying getting a win at the end. Wonderland Forest was a great spot for their Summer Sequence Festival, the weekend was a success with only a few hiccups. Hopefully the venue is able to work out some of the issues and they will be able to come back next summer. Papadosio still has several dates planned throughout the summer, including the Secret Dreams Music & Arts Festival in Ohio and AVL Fest in North Carolina. Wonderland Forest will be bringing back the Disco Biscuits over the 4th of July weekend for their second Biscoland music festival.
