Live music came back strong this summer, with so many performances in the capital region that it was hard to keep up. We’d be sad to see the end of summer, but fall looks just as promising for local arts and entertainment. Here are 15 of the most anticipated shows and music festivals of the fall.
– St. Vincent, led by singer Annie Clark, performed one of the best local shows of the decade at the now defunct Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park. Clark returns to the area on September 14 to bring his “Daddy’s Home” tour to promoter Ted Etoll’s new venue, Empire Live (93 North Pearl Street, Albany). The genius performer has only grown from her early days in the area, so we’re thrilled to see her in the fairly intimate Empire Live space. 8 p.m.
— Vetiver is the stage and recording name of Andy Cabic from San Francisco, who creates beautiful melodic songs that reward careful listening. On this upcoming tour, which will arrive at Hangar on the Hudson (675 River St., Troy) on September 16, the band Vetiver will be a trio with drummer Otto Hauser and Dan Lead on guitar and steel pedal. This is Vetiver’s first tour of the North East since the 2019 release of the album “Up on High”. 8 p.m.
– Once again, country music legend Willie Nelson brings his beat-up guitar Trigger, tireless spirit and always enjoyable Outlaw Music Festival to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs) on September 18 with special guests the Avett Brothers, Billy Strings, Larkin Poe and Brittney Spencer. He’s 89 now, so catch Nelson while he’s still on tour. 4:30 p.m.
– Singer-songwriter Michael Eck got his start in local live music in 1982 during a Battle of the bands competition at Bethlehem High School. Since then he has played with The Plague, Ramblin Jug Stompers, Lost Radio Rounders and several other local bands. On September 25, Eck celebrates his 40th anniversary of live music at the place he considers his spiritual home: Caffè Lena (47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs). 7 p.m.
– Indie rock band Yo La Tengo continues to tour and make vital records 38 years after forming in Hoboken, New Jersey. He’s played many venues in the Capital Region, but come to Lark Hall (351 Hudson Avenue, Albany) for the first time on September 26. The room’s stellar sound will serve Yo La Tengo’s sometimes hushed, sometimes tumultuous sonic adventures well. 8 p.m.
– From September 30 to October 2, more than 100 artists will perform in Troy for the first Bacchanalia Arts & Music Festival at venues like El Dorado Bar, Whiskey Pickle, No Fun, Franklin Alley Social Club and more. The three-day festival features food trucks, pop-ups, art exhibits and a main outdoor stage featuring national and local artists. Wristbands will be sold for the entire festival, and a limited number of individual event tickets will also be available at the door. Musical artists on the bill include garage-soul rockers Nude Party, New York soul DJ Jonathan Toubin and Chali 2na and Cut Chemist, founding members of hip-hop group Jurassic 5. Participating local bands include Laveda, the Abyssmals, Haley Moley, Victory Soul Orchestra, Swamp Baby and many more.
– British folk rocker Billy Bragg is always good for incisive social commentary, amusing stage banter and classic Bragg songs like “The Saturday Boy”, the ultimate unrequited love song punctuated by a whistle solo, and the heartfelt “Must I Paint You a Picture”. .” He appears at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on October 11 to support a new album, “The Million Things that Never Happened”. 7:30 p.m.
— A brass bandleader in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans from a young age, Trombone Shorty never fails to give a joyous and energetic performance with his band Orleans Avenue. Expect upbeat jazz standards, original tunes and Dixieland standbys like “When the Saints Go Marching In” when Shorty returns to the Egg (Empire State Plaza, Albany) on November 1. 8 p.m.
— Famous American singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne and his trio hit the road this fall to perform songs from his album “Monovision” as well as hits from his catalog. The tour will take them to Proctors (432 State St., Schenectady) on November 6. Expect LaMontagne’s understated, pretty tunes and tender voice. 7 p.m.
— Black Violin, an exciting duo led by violinist Kev Marcus and violist Wil B., are classically trained musicians who mix classical music with hip hop and contemporary pop. A Black Violin set could include everything from Charlie Daniels’ “Devil Went Down to Georgia” to Imagine Dragons. The duo have previously performed at SPAC and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, but on November 18 arrive at the Proctors’ GE Theater. 8 p.m.
Other fall highlights:
— Classic heavy metal band Quiet Riot rock their catchy anthems Sept. 16 at the Strand Theater in Hudson Falls.
– The PearlPalooza festival finale in downtown Albany on Sept. 17 is a DJ set from synth-pop stars Phantogram.
— Texas power trio ZZ Top bring their blues-rock boogie to Albany’s Palace Theater on October 14.
– British heavy metal band Judas Priest joins Queensryche at MVP Arena in Albany on October 15.
– The legendary Chubby Checker headlines a doo wop spectacular at Proctors on Nov. 19 with all-star Broadway supergroup the Doo Wop Project.
The week ahead
— This weekend, the Adirondack Independence Music Festival brings a huge amount of talent to the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in the heart of Lake George (17-19 West Brook Rd.). Starting Friday at 1 p.m., the three-day all-ages event features non-stop music on two side-by-side stages until 11 p.m. each evening. Featured artists include moe., Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Dopapod, White Denim, Ryan Montbleau Band, the Big Takeover, Sly Fox and the Hustlers, and many more. Visit adkmusicfest.com to learn more.
— Singer-songwriter Sawyer Fredericks, who got his start at age 13 playing Caffè Lena’s open mic night before winning Season 8 of NBC’s “The Voice,” returns to the cafe Legendary (47 Phila St. Saratoga Springs) for three shows this Labor Day weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. You can’t do it? You can stream every show live on caffelena.tv with a $5 live stream ticket. 8 p.m.
– On Saturday, R&B pop group En Vogue will rock the Rivers Casino & Resort Event Center (1 Rush St., Schenectady) with their vocal harmonies, legacy of hits and entertaining show. “Free your mind” and “I’ll never get it”. The current band members are Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis and Rhona Bennett. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $50 plus taxes and fees and are available at riverscasino.com/Schenectady.
– On Wednesday, September 7, British singer Sting performs one of the few remaining great rock concerts of the summer season, when he brings his rock ensemble and “My Songs” concert to SPAC (108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs). Expect a few songs from his new album, “The Bridge,” as well as hits from his career with The Police and as a solo artist. 8 p.m.
Contact Kirsten Ferguson at [email protected]
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Categories: Entertainment, Life and Arts, Life and Arts
