FLASHBACK: Jeff Beck @ the Palace Theatre, 10/8/13
Editor's Note: Very sad news to hear of guitar giant Jeff Beck's death at age 78. Republishing this review of a 2013 concert to remind everybody how impressive he was,…
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Halloween Moment with Smashing Pumpkins
(Editor's Note: This was originally published 10 years ago today.)Happy Halloween!
Ze Frank’s Thanksgiving Etiquette
Online performance artist and former Nippertonian Ze Frank weighs in with some Thanksgiving etiquette advice for your dinner-table celebration. You may or may not want to…
APRIL 13: The Daily Flashback
1742: George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" was premiered at Fishamble Street, Dublin.
1808: William "Juda" Henry Lane perfected the tap dance.
1870: The Metropolitan Museum of…
OCTOBER 26: On This Date in Nippertown Concert History
Cuddle Magic @ Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs, 10/26/14Compiled by Greg HaymesPhotograph by Thomas Dimopoulos2016: Elvis Costello & The Imposters @…
On this date in 1969: Led Zeppelin rocks Schenectady!
Robert Plant - the former Led Zeppelin swaggering frontman is celebrating his 72nd birthday today.
Plant didn't invent rock & roll superstardom, but he seemed to perfect…
On This Date in 1961: Bob Dylan bombs at Caffe Lena
If you’re a music fan in Greater Nippertown, you’re undoubtedly aware that Bob Dylan performed at Caffe Lena very early in his musical career when he was…
4/5/19: Today’s Top Tips: Friday
MUSIC: Rodney Crowell @ Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes. Simply one of the all-time great Texas singer-songwriter-story-tellers. With Joe Robinson. 8pm. $42-$62..TALK:…
LIVE: Golfstrom @ Caffe Lena, 3/24/19
Photograph by Glenn KaplowitzWHO: Golfstrom
WHERE: Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs
WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 2019UPCOMING: It's another jam-packed week at Caffe Lena…
A FEW MINUTES WITH… John Hammond
By Don WilcockIt’s nothing short of divine justice that veteran bluesman John Hammond has sold out
his Saturday show (April 6) at Caffe Lena. Bob Dylan first…
4/4/19: Today’s Top Tips: Thursday
MUSIC: The Secret Sisters @ College of Saint Rose's Masssry Center for the Arts, Albany. 8pm. $35.MUSIC: Previte/Saft/Cline @ Quinn's, Beacon. A powerful new trio of…
LIVE: The Yardbirds @ The Egg, 3/17/19
Review by Don Wilcock
Photographs by Andrzej Pilarczyk“We’re sort of underrated, aren’t we,” said Yardbirds’ founder Jim McCarty when I asked him what was the most…
LIVE: Robert Cray Band @ The Egg, 3/13/19; The Yardbirds @ The Egg, 3/16/19
Review by Steven Stock
Photographs by Andrzej PilarczykI was fortunate enough to see two shows at The Egg in the same week: a fine performance by blues guitarist…
NEW CONCERT NEWS
By Greg Haymes
Photograph by Andrzej PilarczykLittle Steven & the Disciples of Soul land at the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park at 8pm Sunday, July 14.…
Hump Day Unusual Moment…
A vintage gem from Reg Kehoe & His Marimba Queens featuring the all-hopped-up bass antics of Frank DeNunzio...
4/3/19: Today’s Top Tips: Wednesday
MUSIC: Experience Hendrix @ Palace Theatre, Albany. An all-star guitar-fueled tribute to Jimi Hendrix, featuring Billy Cox, Joe Satriani, Dave Mustaine, Jonny Lang,…
LIVE: Monterey Jazz on Tour @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 3/19/19
Review by Jeff Nania
Photographs by Rudy LuLast month's presentation of the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall was much more than a…
John Hammond, What Was the First Song You Ever Performed in Public?
Photograph by Andrzej Pilarczyk"'No Money Down,' the old Chuck Berry tune."It was 1960, and I was 18 years old, about to be 19. I was at a party, and I played it…
UPAC Announces BIG New Concert
Photograph by Alan GoldUlster Performing Arts Center in Kingston is hosting a big roots music double bill featuring the David Bromberg Big Band and Los Lobos at 7pm…
SPAC Announces Another New Concert
Steve Martin and Martin Short...
Steve Martin Short...
The Two Amigos...Whatever you call 'em, the two A-list comedians are bringing their Now You See Them, Soon You…
4/2/19: Today’s Top Tips: Tuesday
MUSIC: Keith Pray's Big Soul Ensemble @ The Van Dyck, Schenectady. 8pm. FREE.OPEN MIC: Open Mic with Cameron & Ryder @ Club Helsinki, Hudson. 6pm sign-up 6pm; 7pm…
LIVE: Talas @ Jupiter Hall, 3/13/19
Review by Mark Alexander HudsonTalas was a rock band formed in Buffalo at the end of the '70s. They played a mixture of hard rock and a more commercial hybrid pop/glam…
SEEN/HEARD: Playlist, 3/25-31/19
Here’s a round-up of what we’ve been watching and listening to during the past week:SEEN
"Burnt" (John Wells, 2015)
"Spend an Evening with Saddle Creek" (Jason…
The Mahaiwe Announces Four New Concerts
Photograph by Ted WereThe Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington has just announced for new shows for its upcoming concert calendar. Tickets will be…
Rivers Casino Announces New Show
Magician, comedian, improv artist and actor Michael Carbonaro brings his latest mindboggling show to the Rivers Casino & Resort Event Center in Schenectady at 7pm on…
SPAC Announced New Concert
Cardi B is coming to SPAC!The hitmaker is bringing her Femme It Forward Tour to the Saratoga Performig Arts Center at 7:30pm on Sunday, May 26 with special guests…
4/1/19: Today’s Top Tips: Monday
MUSIC: Boys of Fall @ the Low Beat, Albany. With Oh Weatherly and Never Loved. 6pm.MUSIC: James Supercave @ the Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Albany. With Satellite Mode. 8pm.…
3/31/19: Today’s Top Tips: Sunday
MUSIC: Amy Rigby @ Colony, Woodstock. The sublime Catskill singer-songwriter hit the top of our Best of the Year album round-up with The Old Guys, her first solo disc in a…
3/30/19: Today’s Top Tips: Saturday
MUSIC: Ana Egge @ Spencertown Academy, Spencertown. The Roots & Shoots Concert Series kicks off with a show by singer-songwriter Ana Egge. With Alec Spiegelman. 8pm.…
It’s the Weekend!
Congratulations! You made it through another work week, so let's go out and celebrate.But before we head out for the last weekend of March, we'd like to send a great…
LIVE: Hugh Pool & Tony Markellis @ the Mouzon House, 3/22/2019
Review and photographs by Andrzej PilarczykHugh Pool is a practitioner of the authentic Delta blues sound from Robert Johnson through Muddy Waters. And not unlike John…
LIVE: Donnybrook Fair @ Caffe Lena, 3/17/19
Photographs by Glenn KaplowitzWHO: Donnybrook Fair
WHERE: Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs
WHEN: Sunday, March 17, 2019UPCOMING: This weekend at Caffe Lena, it's the…
HOT READS: Nippertown’s Top 12 Stories of the Week
Yes, we’ve heard all the complaints that some of you simply don’t have the time to read all of the Nippertown.com news as fast as we write it.And we understand… So for…
3/29/19: Today’s Top Tips: Friday
Drawing by Charles H. HaymesMUSIC: Joshua Redman Quartet @ The Egg, Albany. One of the most esteemed and charismatic artists of our time, the ceaselessly innovative…
LIVE: Marcia Ball @ The Egg, 3/9/19
Review by Mark Alexander HudsonTwo artists associated with the blues rolled into town at The Egg's Swyer Theatre Egg earlier this month. I say "associated," for to…
LIVE: Shana Falana @ BSP Kingston, 3/2/19
Photographs by Tim ReidyWHO: Shana Falana
WITH: Bellows and Soft Fang
WHERE: BSP Kingston, Kingston
WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 2019UPCOMING: Shana Falana takes…
FEST UPDATE: High Mud Comedy Festival @ MASS MoCA This Weekend
It’s the High Mud Comedy Fest! MASS MoCA’s annual salute to all things funny will gather world champion comedians to enlighten us all with much-needed humor. For two days…
Bands Announced for 2019 Tulip Festival
The Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event. Featuring annual traditions rooted in the city’s rich Dutch heritage, nearly one hundred artisans selling their…
3/28/19: Today’s Top Tips: Thursday
MUSIC: Carrie Newcomer @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. The veteran singer-songwriter makes a stop in the Spa City to celebrate the release of her sublime new album, The…
LIVE: Weezer @ the Times Union Center, 3/14/19
Review and photographs by Andrzej PilarczykThe Times Union Center in Albany hosted the double bill of Weezer and Pixies earlier this month with Basement added to the…
Hump Day Unusual Moment
The Xylopholks were voted "Best Buskers Dressed as Animals" by The Village Voice...
NEW CONCERT NEWS
By Greg HaymesThis oughta be mighty interesting... At Colony in Woodstock, author and Cabinet of Wonders impresario Wesley Stace and longtime sideman Robert Lloyd pay…
Win FREE TICKETS to Experience Hendrix @ the Palace Theatre
Experience Hendrix - an all-star touring concert honoring the music of the guitar innovator Jimi Hendrix - is slated to make a landing at Albany's Palace Theatre at 8pm on…
The Egg Announces Three New Concerts
The Egg has added three new concerts to its fall 2019 performance series.Tickets to the newly announced shows are currently available exclusively to members of The Egg…
3/27/19: Today’s Top Tips: Wednesday
Photograph by Ed ConwayMUSIC: Hamell on Trial @ the Low Beat, Albany. Yes, it's the final Hump Day Happy Hour show of the month for the great Ed Hamell. 7pm.MUSIC:…
LIVE: Lunasa @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 3/15/19
Photographs by Timothy RaabWHO: Lunasa
WITH: Natalie Merchant
WHERE: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
WHEN: Friday, March 15, 2019UPCOMING: Next up on the…
SEEN/HEARD: Playlist, 3/18-24/19
Here’s what we’ve been watching/listening to during the past week:SEEN
"A Star Is Born" (Bradley Cooper, 2018)
"The Dirt" (Jeff Tremaine, 2019)
"Film Stars Don't…
Palace Theatre Announces New Concert
Albany's Palace Theatre welcomes A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie to the stage on Saturday, April 20. DaBaby is slated to open the show at 8pm.Tickets are on sale now, priced at…
Jazz @ Atlas Announces First Round of 2019 Concerts
Jazz at Atlas has announced the initial slate of concerts for its 2019 season in the gallery at Atlas Studios in Newburgh:Saturday (March 30), 8pm: THUMBSCREW
$20 in…
RIP: Scott Walker, 1943–2019
A great pop ballad crooner, a magnificent interpreter of Jacques Brel, an tireless musical adventurer and innovator, Scott Walker was all three... and more.One of the…
3/26/19: Todays Top Tips: Tuesday
Photograph by Rudy LuMUSIC: The Levin Brothers @ the Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton. Pete and Tony Levin lead the band in an evening of jazz from the old-school to…
LIVE: The Levin Brothers @ Senate Garage, 3/16/19
Review by J Hunter
Photographs and video by Rudy LuJust like in life, the worst thing you can do in music is “settle”: “I did it right once, so why change anything?”…
Performers Announced for the Eddies Music Awards @ Proctors
Greater Nippertown singer-songwriter and comedian Erin Harkes has been announced as the host for the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards Show, which will be held at…
FEST: Bands ‘N Beans @ Fort William Henry on Sunday
The Lake George Arts Project is throwing its annual Bands ‘n Beans fundraiser fest at Fort William Henry Conference Center in Lake George from 2-7pm on Sunday (March 31).…
Tanglewood Announces Three New Concerts
Photograph by Rudy LuOver in Lenox, Tanglewood has announced three new concerts for the 2019 summer season.Tickets to the newly announced concerts will go on sale…
3/25/19: Today’s Top Tips: Monday
MUSIC: Super Dark Monday @ Desperate Annie's, Saratoga Springs. Featuring Komrads, Sinkcharmer and Blood Blood Blood. 9:30pm. FREE.THEATER: Talkin' to This Chick…
3/24/19: Today’s Top Tips: Sunday
THEATER: An Evening with C.S. Lewis @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy. A performance by British actor David Payne. With a Q&A session following the performance.…
3/23/19: Today’s Top Tips: Saturday
MUSIC: Blake Shelton @ Times Union Center, Albany. The country music superstar and judge on "The Voice" brings his Friends & Heroes Tour to town, also featuring Lauren…
It’s the Weekend!
Congratulations! You made it through another work week, so let's go out and celebrate.But before we head out for the first official weekend of spring, we'd like to…
LIVE: Marty Wendell and The Bluebillies @ Caffe Lena, 2/24/19
Review and photographs by Amy Modesti
Johnny Cash would have turned 87 years old Tuesday, February 26. His legacy will live on through his legions of fans, musicians…
HOT READS: Nippertown’s Top 12 Stories of the Week
Yes, we’ve heard all the complaints that some of you simply don’t have the time to read all of the Nippertown.com news as fast as we write it.And we understand… So for…
MASS MoCA Announces New Concert
Anticipation for Maggie Rogers’ major label debut has been building for three years - ever since a viral video shot her to instant stardom, and Heard It in a Past Life,…
Palace Theatre Announces New Concert
In support of their upcoming fourth full-length album, Living Mirage (due for release on May 17), The Head and The Heart will bring their tour to Albany's downtown Palace…
3/22/19: Today’s Top Tips: Friday
MUSIC: Del & Dawg @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy. The partnership of bluegrass masters Del McCoury and David Grisman. 8pm. $35, $45 & $55.…
LIVE: Sierra Hull @ Caffe Lena, 3/10/19
Photograph by Glenn KaplowitzWHO: Sierra Hull
WHERE: Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs
WHEN: Sunday, March 10. 2019UPCOMING: This week's schedule at Caffe Lena…
Tanglewood Announces More New Concerts
Tanglewood in Lenox has added another batch of new concerts to its 2019 popular music series. Tickets are on sale now for the following newly announced concerts:…
The Choir of Man Takes Over the Colonial Theatre Tonight [Berkshire on Stage]
The Berkshire Theatre Group is thrilled to present The Choir of Man as part of their inaugural North American tour at Pittsfield's Colonial Theatre at 7:30pm tonight…
3/21/19: Today’s Top Tips: Thursday
Photograph by Arnie GoodmanMUSIC: The Yardbirds @ the Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton. Founding drummer Jim McCarty leads the legendary British rock band that…
LIVE: The Robert Cray Band @ The Egg, 3/13/19
Review by Don WilcockSpoiler alert: my view of this concert does not match that of most attendees...I run tapes in my head of what I expect to hear in the concerts I…
Jen Durkin & The Business to Play The Garage [Berkshire on Stage]
Berkshire Theatre Group welcomes Jen Durkin & The Business at Pittsfield's The Garage (located in The Colonial Theatre lobby) at 8pm Friday (March 22). Tickets are $10…
NEW CONCERT NEWS
By Greg HaymesViva Los Straitjackets! Led by by former Nippertonian guitarslinger Eddie Angel, the Mexican wrestling masked twang-time combo is headed back to the…
FEST: Woodstock 50 Announces Line-Up of Bands
OK, here it is...We've got the line-up for the big Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival in Watkins Glen. The three-day bash takes place from Friday-Sunday, August…
3/20/19: Today’s Top Tips: Wednesday
MUSIC: Fleetwood Mac @ Times Union Center, Albany. In yet another in a long line of incarnations, it's the classic hit-making line-up minus Lindsay Buckingham, plus Neil…
LIVE: Mwenzo & The Shakes @ The Linda, 3/9/19
Photographs and video by Rudy LuWHO: Mwenzo & The Shakes
WHERE: The Linda, Albany
WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2019UPCOMING: Next up at The Linda is the Rochmon…
SEEN/HEARD: Playlist, 3/4-17/19
Here’s a round-up of what we’ve been watching and listening to during the past couple of weeks:SEEN
"The Other Boleyn Girl" (Justin Chadwick, 2008)
"Strangers on a…
SPAC Announces Five New Concerts
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is going global this summer with five new concerts that explore the contemporary international music scene from Japan to India and well…
Ruth Pelham & Kevin McKrell to Be Honored with Eddies’ Hall of Fame Awards
Singer-songwriter Kevin McKrell and Music Mobile founder Ruth Pelham have been announced as the first inductees to the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards Hall of…
FREE: Crandall Public Library’s Live! Folklife Concert Series
In Glens Falls, the Crandall Public Library's Live! Folklife Concert Series has returned for another season of free concerts. All concerts will take place at 7pm on…
3/19/19: Today’s Top Tips: Tuesday
MUSIC: Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy. It's an all-star jazz concert featuring Grammy Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant…
LIVE: Maria Schneider Orchestra @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 3/8/19
Review by J Hunter
Photographs by Rudy LuThe Maria Schneider Orchestra hasn’t recorded in over five years, but that’s no big whoop: From the beginning, the Gil Evans…
Palace Theatre Announces Two New Shows
Nick Offerman - comedian, actor, writer and woodworker, best known for his award-winning role as Ron Swanson on NBC-TV’s hit comedy series “Parks & Recreation” - steps…
Rivers Casino Announces New Concert
Veteran R&B singer Keith Sweat will sing his chart-topping hits at the Rivers Casino and Resort Event Center in Schenectady at 8pm on Friday, June 14.Sweat's debut…
The Linda Announces Four More New Concerts
Photograph by Glenn KaplowitzWAMC_FM's Performing Arts Studio The Linda has announced a handful of new concerts for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.Here's…
3/18/19: Today’s Top Tips: Monday
MUSIC: Ariana Grande @ the Times Union Center, Albany. The pop superstar kicks off her Sweetener Tour right here in Greater Nippertown. With Social House and Normani. 8pm.…
3/17/19: Today’s Top Tips: Sunday
MUSIC: Circle of Willis @ O’Tooles, Colonie. Mike Kelley & Co. host a marathon St. Pat's party. 1-5pm & 6-10pm.MUSIC: The McKrells @ Rivers Casino &…
3/16/19: Today’s Top Tips: Saturday
Photograph of Punch Brothers by Timothy RaabMUSIC: Punch Brothers @ MASS MoCA's Hunter Center, North Adams. With their Grammy Award-winning 2018 album All Ashore,…
It’s the Weekend!
Congratulations! You made it through the work week, so let's go out and celebrate.Before we head out for the big St. Patrick's Day weekend, we'd like to send a great…
George Winston, What Was the First Song You Performed in Public?
"I started playing piano in '71, and as far as the piano goes, it was probably 'Skating' by Vince Guaraldi, which is from the A Charlie Brown Christmas album. Or it could…
A FEW MINUTES WITH… Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds
By Don Wilcock
Photographs by Arnie Goodman“For Your Love” has long been referred to as the song that pissed off Eric Clapton and caused him to leave The Yardbirds in…
HOT READS: Nippertown’s Top 10 Stories of the Week
Photograph by Rudy LuYes, we’ve heard all the complaints that some of you simply don’t have the time to read all of the Nippertown.com news as fast as we write it.…
The Mahaiwe Announces Four New Concerts
Photograph of Chick Corea by Rudy LuMahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington has announced a handful of new concerts, and tickets for the new shows are on…
3/15/19: Today’s Top Tips: Friday
Beware the Ides of March...MUSIC: Cyrille Aimee @ The Egg, Albany. She's simply one of the most charming and charismatic vocalists on the jazz scene today. 8pm.…
THEATER: To Have Faith Is to Have Wings [Berkshire on Stage]
By Patrick White, director of "Peter and the Starcatcher" at Siena College's Beaudoin TheaterPeter Pan, I’ve come to appreciate during this rehearsal process, is probably…
Club Helsinki Announces New Concert
Americana Queen and four-time Grammy Award winner Rosanne Cash is headed into Club Helsinki in Hudson for an intimate concert at 9pm on Saturday, May 4.But you're…
Palace Theatre Announces New Concert
In support of his new album, Late Nights and Longnecks, country hitmaker Justin Moore is bringing his tour to Albany's Palace Theatre at 8pm on Saturday, April 13.…
3/14/19: Today’s Top Tips: Thursday
MUSIC: Weezer @ the Times Union Center, Albany. With Pixies. 7pm. $25-$125.MUSIC: Donnybrook Fair @ The Egg, Albany. Back by popular demand following their summer…
LIVE: Robbie Fulks @ Caffe Lena, 3/3/19
Review by Steven Stock
Photograph by Glenn KaplowitzRobbie Fulks is becoming a regular visitor to Greater Nippertown, with two visits to the Linda and one to…
A FEW MINUTES WITH: Lucy Kaplansky
By Don WilcockShe got her first great review from The New York Times when she was 21 in 1982. “It’s easy to predict stardom for her,” they said. It might have been an…
NEW CONCERT NEWS
By Greg Haymes
Photographs of Adrian Belew by Andrzej PilarczykThe Bearsville Theater in Woodstock plays host to Belew, Levin, Mastelotto & Friends at 8pm on…
3/13/19: Today’s Top Tips: Wednesday
Photograph by Andrzej PilarczykMUSIC: The Robert Cray Band @ The Egg's Hart Theatre, Albany. A double-barrel blues bash with Joe Louis Walker. 8pm. $34.50 &…