Show Detective – Weekend Shows – Friday, August 18th through Sunday, August 20th
Written by Staff on August 17, 2023
Show Detective.
Friday, August 18th
Earth: An HD Odyssey, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 7:30pm
This night features two films shown on large LED screens and accompanied by The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Philharmonia Fantastique is set to an original score by Mason Bates. The animated film follows a musical sprite that explores the different instruments of the orchestra and the connection between music, sound, performance, creativity, and technology. Both informative and entertaining, this portion of the evening will capture the attention of the whole family, or anyone who’s musically curious!
Following Philharmonia Fantastique, the large LED screens will feature ravishing images of our planet with Earth: An HD Odyssey. Set to the music of John Adams and Richard Strauss played live by The Orchestra, prepare to wow your sense, both through sight and sound! The opening notes of Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra are recognizable by anyone who has seen 2001: A Space Odyssey!
Theater Camp, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 2pm, 4:30pm, 7pm
Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star in the new original comedy Theater Camp as Amos and Rebecca Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York. When clueless tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro) arrives to run the property (into the ground), Amos, Rebecca-Diane and production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) band together with the staff and students to stage a masterpiece and keep their beloved summer camp afloat.
The return of ADHARA record release for “Abandoned Future”, Empire Underground, Albany, 8pm
w/s/g Invoke Thy Wrath, Oakheart, Ghost Chant
RESIST: August 2023 with DJ Ared, Fuze Box, Albany, 9pm-2am
Strap in for an evening of throwing down in the dark to a diverse selection of dark dance music brewed from the finest industrial, ebm, darkwave, hyperpop, electro, hip hop, rhythmic/tribal/power noise and modern goth ⚙️
Special guest DJ Ared joins fukulo and Boss Salvage as we bash our way into an Industrial hellscape together 🔥
Tzara, Heathmonger, G.O.L.E.M., Hudson Station, Albany
Nora Kelly Band, Keta Ester, Carol, Siberian Summer, Elephant Alley, Troy
Maddie Poppe, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 8pm
Unless you’ve experienced it firsthand, there’s no way to understand just how dramatically instant fame can mess with your head. In winning American Idol in 2018, Maddie Poppe experienced all types of emotions — from elation to self-doubt. In these last four years, Maddie has grown tremendously, as both a person and an artist. The Iowa native has evolved from folksy singer-songwriter into a multi-faceted powerhouse artist and musician. Maddie, now 25, can still very much bowl over a crowd with only her honeyed voice and acoustic guitar. But she’s upped her game by tapping into a modern sound that blends R&B, pop, and Americana, and by committing herself to writing her own songs.
In Spring 2019, following Maddie’s coronation on American Idol, her debut album Whirlwind released. By summer, the record hit #2 on the charts. Whirlwind featured four radio singles, including two
top-25s – “Made You Miss” and “Not Losing You”. The year saw Maddie win a People’s Choice Award, guest-star on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Live With Kelly & Ryan and Good Morning America, and tour in support of Ingrid Michaelson. During the height of the pandemic, Maddie released a holiday EP titled Christmas From Home. In Fall 2021, Maddie hit the road for her first headline tour dates. This year, Maddie has been constantly creating, both lyrically and musically. She is joined by an all-star team, including Nashville’s Adam Sickler, and hit songwriters like Willie Morrison,
Fraser Churchill, and Thomas Finchum.
This Spring, Maddie released her irresistible new single “One That Got Away”. The song focuses on the dissolution of a friend’s longtime relationship, predicting that the guy who foolishly dumped her will realize he threw away something great. But the track — a soulful jam with shades of Bruno Mars and Maroon 5 — can also be seen as a commentary on Maddie’s own experience in the music industry.
Unlike the tracks selected for Maddie on her debut record, each new song on Maddie’s upcoming EP will be rich in her own voice. “I’m very proud of Whirlwind, but I feel like this new project speaks truer to me and my story,” she says. “When you’re just starting out like I was then, it can feel like 100 different people are trying to tell your story. Now, I’m finally telling it in my own voice.”
Mullett, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 9pm-12am
For over a decade now, Mullett has proven themselves time and time again to be THE Premier Rockers for Hair Band fanatics and lovers of Rock ‘n’ Roll all over the world. By delivering the best of the 1980’s in Big Hair and faithful renditions, Mullett recreates the vibe of those times with unrivaled passion and conviction. From corporate functions and private parties to college campuses, theaters, nightclubs and casinos, Mullett has the unique ability to ROCK and captivate their audience with the sights and sounds of the Glam Band era. Mullett fans agree; this is the closest anyone can get to classic Van Halen, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Journey and Poison without hitting 88 mph in a tricked-out DeLorean. Catch Mullett at a venue near you and let the 80’s live forever!
Website: www.mullettrocks.com
Radney Foster, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm
Billboard-charting masterful songwriter & country music legend Radney Foster blends poignant melodies with powerful, engaging storytelling
As a young musician straight out of Texas, Radney Foster spent the lengthy drives in between tour stops reading the likes of John Steinbeck, Larry McMurtry, and Harper Lee. Over 30 years of artist cuts later, there is no question that he himself is an established storyteller. Whether it’s navigating the ever-changing music industry or battling a sudden, terrifying illness – Foster definitely has a story to tell. In late Fall 2015, the legendary songwriter got the diagnosis every musician fears – a severe case of pneumonia and laryngitis. However, for someone who’s been producing songs for almost 40 years, the desire to write doesn’t fade along with the voice. During a grueling six week period of vocal constraint, Foster’s creative side emerged in the form of a short story inspired by the song, titled “Sycamore Creek,” and the idea for Foster’s newest endeavor was born.
For You To See The Stars is a project comprised of a collection of short stories informed by Foster’s upbringing on the Mexican border in Del Rio, TX, and a companion 10-track album. “For me, the goal of writing is always to touch that one person so much that they wonder how I got a peek into their living room – how I understood exactly what they felt. More than just rhyming or having a pretty melody, I try to express a part of the human condition that can make someone want to laugh, cry, make love, or all of the above.” Famed journalist Peter Cooper once commented: “Radney Foster writes with uncommon depth of emotion, humor, empathy, and clarity. I’m going to ask him how he does it, and if he tells me I’ll let you in on his secret. Until then, it’s best that we read, wonder, and revel.”
Tropa Magica / Flavour / Front Biz, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
Tropa Magica – https://tropamagica.bandcamp.com
“Invigorating”, “brilliant”, and “charismatic” are just a slew of the adjectives used to describe Tropa Magica. “The East L.A. duo made a name for themselves by combining alternative, grunge, and psychedelic rock with cumbia” -Spin magazine.
Having toured nationally and on multiple southwest and west coast tours, they have supported established acts such as Bomba Estereo, Molotov, and comedian Felipe Esparza. The band has boldly and successfully taken on larger LA stages at venues such as The Microsoft Theater, El Rey Theater and The Hollywood Palladium.
Flavour – https://tastetheflavour.bandcamp.com
Saturday, August 19th
Aiva & Hayley, Troy Music Hall, Troy, 6pm
The Summer Square Concert Series is a free, outdoor event at 6 PM Saturday nights July and August in the Music Hall Courtyard.
Singer songwriters from Latham, NY now attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. Performing covers from different genres and original music as well.
Community Block Party, Palace Theater (area), Albany, 12pm
Join us on Saturday, August 19 from Noon to 4PM as we close down Clinton Avenue and fill the area around the Palace Theatre with music, family friendly activities, vendors, community organizations & more! This event is free and open to the public. Bring the entire family for an afternoon of fun including live music, performances, face painting, balloon artists, games, food trucks, giveaways and much more.
There will be a Kids Zone with a bounce house and kid friendly activities and lots of vendors, music and entertainment for the adults too!
The Community Block Party is made possible thanks to the generous support of our community initiative sponsors Price Chopper/Market 32, National Grid, The Bender Family Foundation, Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family, CDTA, Plug Power, Ostroff Associates & Hot 99.1FM.
In This Moment & Motionless In White: The Dark Horizon Tour, MVP Arena, Albany, 6:30pm
with special guests Fit for a King & From Ashes To New
Jurassic Park in Concert, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 7:30pm
The action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, this epic film is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original film, experience Jurassic Park projected in HD alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture.
Jurassic Park is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. Licensed by Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
K-pop Dance Party, Fuze Box, Albany, 9pm-2am
Come dance to your favorite K-pop from our curated playlist!
Tand, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 9pm-12am
Tand is a 5-piece rock band from South Florida known for their deep catalog of originals, covers and high energy live shows. The band’s first official studio release, Puzzle Piece, was released in 2022 and will be followed by their first full length album in late 2023. With a relentless touring schedule and frequent performances at major music festivals including Summer Camp Music Festival, Peach Music Festival and Suwannee Hulaween, Tand has solidified their place as one of the most exciting up-and-coming musical acts.
Website: www.tandtheband.com
Blue Ranger / Lily Seabird / Bruiser and Bicycle, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 8pm-11pm
Blue Ranger
The Albany-based band Blue Ranger reminds us that there are small moments of magic in the everyday. Formed in 2015, the trio has been crafting soft-focused folk that celebrates the beauty in uncertainties with an existential flair. Following their 2018 LP Saving A Beauty comes fresh single “True Blue,” where candid, autobiographical tales dance among a wealth of imaginary characters. The trio brings their folk-influenced sound to improvisatory heights in live settings, the product of countless years of moving sound.
Lily Seabird
Lily Seabird is a musician whose music is a mix of folk, indie rock, and grunge a la Big Thief, Wilco, and Dinosaur Jr. Lily’s songs capture the nature of various kinds of relationships, taking sometimes painful memories and experiences and turning them into charming songs. She has been based in Burlington since January of 2019 and has also been involved in other Burlington musical projects Soft Spot, Human Thermos, and Cavities. Before moving to Burlington she played in a two-piece punk band under the name Mommy’s Lying in New York City.
Bruiser and Bicycle
Holy Red Wagon is a world to get lost in. Across nine elastic tracks, meticulously channeled freak-folk influence twists its way into Bruiser and Bicycle’s progressive rock-skewed artpop.
Replete with rich imagery and burning affirmations for life, the Albany, NY group’s exploratory writing takes the form of grandiose song structures, call-and-response passages, and confrontations with the unfamiliar. ‘Holy Red Wagon’ releases April 5th, 2023 on Topshelf Records.
Makes My Blood Dance, Pauly’s Hotel, Albany, 6pm
Alpha Centauri Records Presents: Heaven Collides Tour Feat Makes My Blood Dance w/ Special Guests
Sonic Sacrifice
Mutt Farm
Ebro
No More Heroes
Mundy
The Lunkheads
Makes My Blood Dance has been making the Underground dance, bleed and ROKK with their touring, social media blitzkrieg and tantalizing get-up-and-move music videos. Described as #DiscoMetal #MetalforTheaterKids #GothDisco Reminiscent of Mindless Self Indulgence with a good dose of Rocky Horror Picture Show and a sprinkle of Panic at the Disco, they’ve created some space in a crowded landscape splicing and mutating the genes of metal with disco, glam, and electropop.
Sunday, August 20th
Sam Morril: The Class Act Tour, The Egg, Albany, 7pm
Part of the Guest Comedy Presentations Series
Sam Morril is one of the fastest-rising stand-up comics in New York City and one of the best joke writers in the scene today. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s This Week at the Comedy Cellar, where he appeared on frequently when not touring cities across the nation. He was named one of Comedy Central’s Comics to Watch in 2011 and has performed multiple stand-up sets on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late, Late Show with James Corden and Conan. He’s also had stints on Last Comic Standing, America’s Got Talent, @midnight with Chris Hardwick, and Inside Amy Schumer. Morril can be heard on the podcast We Might Be Drunk with co-host Mark Normand and seen on Netflix’s That’s My Time with David Letterman. His 4th stand-up special, Sam Morril: Same Time Tomorrow, can also now be viewed on Netflix.
In 2021, Sam self-released his stand-up special, Up On The Roof, in which he navigates performing live during COVID. In February 2020, Morril released his 3rd stand-up special for Comedy Central, I Got This on their YouTube channel and received over 1.5 million views within the first two weeks. Morril then later released it as a comedy album with 800 Pound Gorilla Records.
In 2015, the comedian recorded his debut album, Class Act, with Comedy Central Records, which went to #1 on iTunes and made numerous top 10 lists and appeared on season four of Comedy Central’s The Half Hour. His first one hour special, Amy Schumer Presents Sam Morril: Positive Influence premiered on Comedy Central in 2018.
Morril was the host of his very own show on MSG called People Talking Sports, which ran for two seasons and received an Emmy® nomination. Morril also has a cameo in the Academy Award nominated film, Joker.
New Classics, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 3pm
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
CMS is more than proud to have helped little-known yet deserving works enter the standard chamber repertoire. These performances of Bloch’s and Suk’s quintets will astound, as they have worldwide, in the hands of CMS musicians.
Weathers & Almost Monday, Empire Underground, Albany, 7pm
w/s/g Hoko
Holiday Party 518, feat. Kastro, DJ Riddick, DJ ChizZzik, Hudson Station, Albany
Christie Lenée, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 7pm-9pm
Singer/Songwriter Christie Lenée’s spiritual and sublime songwriting, inspirational lyrics, and virtuoso guitar playing radiate absolute joy.
“Acoustic Guitarist of the Year” (Music Radar) and celebrated singer/songwriter Christie Lenée is more than a musician – she’s an experience. Symphonic compositions flow from her fingertips effortlessly, with sound ranging from transcendental folk-pop to virtuosic instrumentals. Lenée has been described as “Dave Matthews meets Joni Mitchell and Michael Hedges,” integrating melodic pop lyricism with catchy hooks and percussive, harmonic textures. Her captivating performances have been seen on stages with Tommy Emmanuel, Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews Band), Andy McKee, Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Melissa Etheridge, Antigone Rising, Kaki King, Jake Shimabukoro and Christopher Cross to name a few.
Featured on the Grammy Museum’s virtual program streaming from Los Angeles, a 2x Finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition, plus a variety of articles in Guitar Player Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and the recent notability of “Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now” (Guitar World Magazine), Christie continues to awe crowds with the unique essence of her music. “Watching Christie Lenée perform her solo acoustic act is like seeing a firecracker execute a high-wire circus routine while doing flips and juggling flaming bowling pins.” (Guitar Player Magazine). The first line of the intro title track from 2022’s Coming Alive (“I’ve got a feeling deep inside”), tells you everything you need to know: Lenée’s latest album is a chronicle of joy and hope, of self-confidence and empowerment, of renewal and light.
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