Alive at Five Summer Concert Series Kickoff

Albany, NY – Albany’s free Alive at Five Summer Concert Series kicks off this Thursday June 6th to celebrate its 35^th season. Due to the threat of inclement weather, Alive at Five will take place at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch, at Water & Colonie Streets under the 787 overpass. For more detailed directions and a map, visit www.albanyevents.org.  Tomorrow’s concert is presented by Verizon, In Our Own Voices & Pride Center of the Capital Region, featuring music from Let’s Sing Taylor – A Live Band Experience and local indie artist Sydney Worthley. Media sponsors for the event are Fly 92.3 & B95.5.

Albany’s signature free concert series premiered in the summer of 1990 with a performance by legendary folk artist Richie Havens, and has since grown into a staple of summer in the Capital Region. This year’s season begins on June 6 and runs through August 1 (with no show on July 4), showcasing a diverse lineup of big names, up-and-coming acts and the region’s most talented original local artists. The concerts take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday nights.

$8.00 Event Parking will be available at the Quackenbush Garage starting at 4pm on Thursday June 6th. Guests can easily access the Alive at Five rain location –  the Corning Preserve Boat Launch – via the Albany Skyway or the pedestrian bridge located along Water St. For additional parking options, visit www.parkalbany.com.

JUNE 6 – TAYLOR SWIFT / PRIDE NIGHT
Presented by: Verizon, In Our Own Voices, Pride Center of the Capital Region
Media partner: Fly 92.3 / B 95.5

LET’S SING TAYLOR (A Live Band Experience) [Website]

with SYDNEY WORTHLEY [Website]

LET’S SING TAYLOR

Let’s Sing Taylor – A Live Band Experience – is the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift. We can show you incredible things, including the most faithful and lively covers of Queen Taylor’s expansive and sacred catalog. Taking the country by storm, we’re bringing the communal experience of celebrating Taylor’s music in a live setting to Swifties near and far. So, let the games begin. Calling all Swifties to sing your hearts out and sport your Taylor inspired attire. You can show up at our party any time.

 

SYDNEY WORTHLEY

Sydney Worthley is a singer/songwriter at heart with influences from the pop world. She pulls influences from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Kate Bush, and The 1975. While the production of her single “How Soon Is Now?” draws from the 80s with dreamy synthesizers and echoing drums, it can be stripped down to its core to reveal a story of wondering when the heartbreak will end. Prepare yourself for topics of growing pains, raising your standards, speculating about the one that got away, imposter syndrome, and so much more. Get ready for the emotional rollercoaster Sydney Worthley and her electric band brings to the stage.

 

Here’s the rest of the 2024 Alive at Five Summer Concert Series lineup below:

 

JUNE 13 – CLASSIC ROCK NIGHT

Presented by: Overit

Media partner: Q105.7 / Q103.5

DOKKEN [Website]

with HARK [Website]

 

DOKKEN
Dokken exploded out of the boiling hard rock/heavy metal scene in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. 1983’s“Breaking the Chains” with its catchy title track, set the stage for Dokken becoming the most dominant creative and commercial force in the world of Melodic Hard Rock for the following years. Such classic albums as “Tooth and Nail”, “Under Lock and Key” and “Back for the Attack” all became Multi-Platinum selling smashes and the live “Beast from the East” went gold in Europe and Japan. Songs like “Alone Again”, “Just Got Lucky”, “Into the Fire”, “In My Dreams”, “Unchain the Night”, “Dream Warriors”, “Burning like a Flame” and “Heaven Sent” are still nowadays regarded among the genre’s finest. Dokken has shared the stage with AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Kiss, Scorpions, as well as Bon Jovi, just to name a few. The band hit stadium status in 1988, playing in front of over a million fans in just five weeks. It seemed Dokken was on the verge of superstardom. But like so many other bands that have come before and after them, Dokken broke up his group in 1989. In 1994, the legendary A&R man John Kalodner offered Dokken a recording contract on the condition the group had to be original members. The band released the appropriately titled “Dysfunctional” in 1995 selling 450,000 copies, which by the mid ’90s was considered by industry standards very respectable. But just as they were on the verge of releasing a second single, filming a video, starting a world tour and “taking it all the way”, as Don Dokken puts it, the baggage from their past reared its ugly head, and again the group began to unravel. Soon after guitarist George Lynch left the group, he was replaced by Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake).They released “Erase the Slate” in 1999 Followed by their DVD “Live from the Sun” in 2000. In 2001, Beach was replaced by John Norum (Europe) and released the album “Long Way Home”. By 2003 guitarist Jon Levin came on board with the subsequent release of the albums “Hell to pay”. Lightening strikes Again’and ‘Broken Bones’ and has remained with the group for over 20 years now. All 3 CD’s have been aclamained as a true and definite return to there classic sound. In October2016,the original members of Dokken reunited for a brief Sold-Out tour of Japan, playing in several Arenas as well as co-Headlining the Loud Park Festival with the Scorpions. But as Don says, “It was fun to play with the original members again, but my current line-up of Dokken will remain so. ”DOKKEN is now Don Dokken (vocals), Mick Brown (drums), Jon Levin (guitar) and Chris McCarvill (bass). Dokken has survived and kept their loyal fans in a time when people’s tastes change as fast as Britney Spears’ wardrobe, they have been embraced by a whole new generation of rock fans. They recently played at ‘The Bang Your Head Festival’ in Germany as well as ‘Rambling Man’ in England receiving rave reviews. They say a cat has nine lives and it seems Dokken is enjoying more than a few as well.

 

HARK

Local veteran to the Capital District music scene put together an extraordinary party cover band in the last few years and named it “Hark” to separate it from her original works. The band features a young sharp line up of some of the best musicians in the area with an eclectic and diverse song list to go along with Harkes’ signature powerhouse vocals.

 

JUNE 20 – LATIN NIGHT
Presented by: Hudson Valley Community College, Mirth Films

Media partner: 99.5 The River

TITO PUENTE JR. [Website]
with BRONTE ROMAN [Website]

 

TITO PUENTE JR.

The comparison is inevitable. How could it be otherwise? Tito Puente Jr. carries his father with him – imprinted on his physical being and locked in his soul. It’s in his looks, his joy, and his music. Tito, Jr. is on a passionate mission. The younger Puente is determined to nurture the musical legacy left by his father. He refuses to let his father become a distant memory. “He was just too vibrant, too exciting. There was magic in the music my father made. It made people happy all over the world.” He has found captive audiences who echo his passion. Crowds lured to a venue by the father are returning to see the son — and to once again participate in the high voltage celebration that takes place on stage. Tito Puente, Jr. has become an audience favorite in casinos, performing arts centers, symphony halls and jazz festivals worldwide, performing more than 300 shows over the past 5 years. His 2004 album, “In My Father’s Shoes” featured the classic Puente titles and was spun into a BET Jazz television special of the same name. He was seen in a tribute to his father’s music on NBC’s two hour special–“The Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem.” He has also appeared on the ABC soap opera hit “One Life to Live” in performance with his big band. Symphony appearances include Dallas, San Antonio, Colorado, South Bend, and upcoming performances with the Palm Desert Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. Tito, Jr.’s new CD release, “Got Mambo?” is a mixture of the old and the new as he takes a musical departure into some powerful new music he can truly call his own. Guest artists Bobby Cruz and Hansel & Raul help make this a coming of age project for Puente, Jr. and the album is receiving heavy praise from Tropical and Latin Jazz critics alike. Tito Jr. reveres the magnificent, lasting impact his father had on our musical lives. “People who don’t know anything about Latin music know my father and people always, always smile when they say my father’s name,” he confides. “That is a very special gift I have been given.” Tito, Jr. lives in South Florida and has two children, Miranda and Antonio.

 

BRONTE ROMAN

Bronte Roman…from Brooklyn, NY offers an 8-10 piece group. This high-spirited Pop Contemporary Vocalist shines with her melodic, rich tones and musicality for a variety of Genres. Bronte loves highlighting her Puerto Rican heritage by performing Latin-Pop and Spanish Classic hits. Bronte is excited to debut her new release,” The Dark Side” in English and Spanish.

 

JUNE 27 – POP NIGHT
Presented by: ParkAlbany

Media partner: B 95.5 / Fly 92.3

 

VANESSA CARLTON [Website]
with CANELLA [Website]

VANESSA CARLTON

“Always building up, falling apart. Love is an art,” sings Vanessa Carlton on the title track of her sixth album, Love Is An Art. Like the record itself, the song is a meditation on the eternal seesaw that is human connection: the push, the pull, the balance, the bottoming out. It’s that constantly evolving nature of love, expectations and compassion that Carlton analyzes from all angles on Love Is An Art, from romantic, to parental, to the friends that hold us up and the leaders that repeatedly let us down. And on tracks like the album’s opener, “I Can’t Stay the Same,” that also includes the relationship with the person staring back at us in the mirror, each and every morning. “Love is the energy you put out into the world,” says the Nashville-based Carlton, who was inspired in part by the 1956 book The Art of Loving by philosopher Erich Fromm, and by stories and struggles both in her interior world and the world around her. “And it can be so incredibly messy at times.” Produced by Dave Fridmann (MGMT, Flaming Lips), Love Is An Art finds Carlton reckoning with toxic relationships (the confessional “Miner’s Canary”), eternal partnership (“Companion Star”) and the children who fill the world with love and grace while politicians fill their pockets (the passionate “Die, Dinosaur,” written after the shootings in Parkland, Florida). And true to Carlton’s skill as both a lyricist and an instrumentalist, the arrangements on Love Is An Art tell these tales as vibrantly as the words themselves: piano parts that speak of rage and tenderness, synths that burst and glow like dawn. Love Is An Art doesn’t just explore connections – it was also born of one. Carlton wrote the album with the acclaimed Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tristen, camped out and working while her daughter napped. “This record is about being out of my comfort zone,” says Carlton. “What’s going to happen when we do things that people assume are not naturally a match, like working with Dave Fridmann? I loved the idea of working with someone who’s known for a palette that isn’t associated with me, but it was a fit the second we started working together. Or what could happen when I sit with another writer, and just collaborate?” The result is an extremely dynamic LP filled with sticky melodies and haunting phrases as well as experimental constructions: super high highs, super low lows, and song structures that break the mold from the expected. Unlike her previous, critically-acclaimed 2015 album Liberman, which Carlton describes as having a calming, almost meditative palette, Love Is An Art reads, and sounds, “red.” Huge. Passionate. The color of a beating heart. “I want to run, but I won’t get very far,” Carlton sings on “The Only Way to Love,” the album’s first official single. “Cause I can’t fight the force of my young beating heart. Like a soldier’s steady march, answering the call. It’s the only way to love.” It’s a song about loving with everything you’ve got – that love itself is precious and rare enough to commit to, above all. “When you believe in a relationship, in a connection, you are actually believing in yourself,” she adds. Carlton has constantly challenged that belief, in both herself and the expectations that surround her throughout her lengthy, accomplished career: she attended both the School of American Ballet and Columbia University, and was discovered as a singer-songwriter/pianist when a cassette tape demo was given to legendary music impresario Ahmet Ertegun. With her debut single “A Thousand Miles,” Carlton soared to the top of the Billboard charts and garnered multiple Grammy nominations, though that song is only a small fraction of the body of work and artistic identity she’s developed since then, ever evolving and growing as a performer and songwriter. In the summer of 2019, she pushed that even further, making her Broadway debut as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. There’s a striking image on the cover of Love Is An Art: it’s a delicate hand grabbing a tiger by the tail, but it’s not meant to conjure the familiar colloquialism. Instead, it captures something different. It’s a about going after something bigger than you, more powerful than you, something that you’ll never be able to really control: but you grab it anyway. Something like love. That’s the spirit of Love Is An Art – connections aren’t easy to make, and sometimes we fail. But it’s always worth trying. As Carlton sings on “Die, Dinosaur,” the hope comes when there’s nothing left to lose.

“Why not grab the wild animal?” Carlton asks. “And see what happens?”

 

CANELLA

The members of indie-rock band Canella love to create. They meet up in the basement, akin to the ones they frequently play in Albany, NY, to write, record, and enjoy each other’s company. Juliana Castrillón, lead singer and songwriter from Bogotá, Colombia, brings her criss-cross applesauce bedroom acoustic songs to the rest of the band. Bassist Joe Taurone, guitarist Gabe Klingler-Horn, and drummer Dan Carr, take the songs in, and output what they think is right, funny, or stupid. This makes them smile and laugh. Once the songs are done, they play them with all of their might on stage. Juliana dances and flails, and the other members quickly follow suit. Canella loves playing with their fellow Albany bands usually composed of their own band members and other Tummy Rub Records’s musicians, and they have won a couple of awards from the local college radio station WCDB in 2021 and 2022 for ‘Best Song of the Year’. Canella has heavy riffs and pop melodies that they’d love to share with you.

 

JULY 11 – HIP-HOP NIGHT
Presented by: CDTA
Media partner: Hot 99.1

 

KRS-ONE [Website]

with DJ SHOW [Website] & OHZE [Website]

 

KRS-ONE

Appearing on the rap scene in 1986 as Boogie Down Productions releasing his first hit single “South Bronx” with his late DJ Scott La Rock, KRS “the one” made it clear that Hip Hop was going to have to take itself a lot more seriously than simply being a music genre. KRS, an acronym for ““Knowledge Reigning Supreme”, has been called the “conscience of Hip Hop” (Rolling Stone), “the greatest live emcee ever” (The Source), the “spokesperson for Hip Hop” (Wall Street Journal), “master teacher” (Zulu Nation) and the “son of Hip Hop” (Kool DJ Herc). With 20 published albums to his credit and his numerous appearances with other artists, KRS-One is believed to have written the most rhymes in Hip Hop’s history. In the 1990s as “hip-hop” grew more and more commercialized and corporate, it was KRS-One that openly rejected such cultural exploitation and materialism grounding Hip Hop in its original principles of peace, love, unity and safely having fun. Teaching everything from self-creation to stopping violence; from vegetarianism to transcendental meditation, from the establishment of Hip Hop Appreciation Week (every third week in May), to establishing Hip Hop as an international culture at the United Nations (2001), KRS-One has single-handedly held the history and original arts of Hip Hop together now for over two decades. In addition to lecturing at over 500 universities in the United States and publishing three ground-breaking books; “The Science of Rap” (1995), “Ruminations” (2003), and the Gospel of Hip Hop” (2009), KRS-One has also established the Stop The Violence Movement (1989), influenced the creation of the “West-Coast All-Stars’ anti-gang anthem “We’re All In The Same Gang” (1990), warned the Hip Hop community against giving up their humanity for technological advancement (H. E. A. L.—Human Education Against Lies-1991), and has established the Temple of Hip Hop for the spiritual exploration of Hip Hop’s culture (1996). It was KRS-One who first argued that “rap is something we do; Hip Hop is something we live” and introduced the “I am Hip Hop” philosophy in 1994 which Black Entertainment Television uses as the title of their Hip Hop Lifetime Achievement Award today. Without question, KRS-One has been the loudest voice for the actual preservation and expansion of original Hip Hop worldwide. When he is not touring or lecturing, on his so-called “down-time”, KRS-One continues to share his unique knowledge of Hip Hop to younger audiences eager to hear the ‘teacha’ speak. Operating as a kind of “pop-up” school, KRS-One’s Temple of Hip Hop has appeared in various cities in USA also in the UK and Europe offering the more serious student of Hip Hop an effective way to live and understand the culture of Hip Hop more deeply.

 

DJ SHOW

DJ SHOW, born and raised in the Bronx, fell in love with Hip-Hop early on, inspired by mentors like DJ Joey O and legends such as Kid Capri. Once he received his first set of turntables from his parents at 12 years old, SHOW’s hobby turned into a career path. Over his career, DJ SHOW has worked on stage with legends such as Rakim and Big Daddy Kane, current artists Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Chris Brown, as well as interviews with artists from Sean Paul to Migos as the former weeknight on air personality at Hot 99.1fm. With over 25 years in the game, the DJ, MC/Host, radio & podcast personality has provided years of joy and excitement to all that have had the privilege of being at a DJ SHOW event. From house parties to arenas and radio airwaves, SHOW knows how to rock the crowd!

 

OHZHE

Hip-Hop Artist – songwriter Ohzhe brings his charisma and versatility to the stage with his ability to connect to his audience through relatability and vulnerability. Coming from upstate NY, Ohzhe looks to inspire his city with his perspective, lyrics and lifestyle.

 

JULY 18 – REGGAE NIGHT

Presented by: Luizzi Property Management

Media partner: 88.3 WVCR The Saint

 

THIRD WORLD [Website]
with UPSTATE REGGAE POSSIE [Website]

THIRD WORLD

Celebrating 50 years, ‘Reggae Ambassadors’, THIRD WORLD is one of the longest-lived Reggae bands of all time, and one of Jamaica’s most consistently popular crossover acts among international audiences. Mixing in elements of R&B, funk, pop, and rock and, later on, dancehall and rap, Third World’s style has been described as “reggae-fusion”. With 9 Grammy nominations and catalogue of charted smash hits (including“Now That We Found Love”,”96Degrees in the Shade” and “Try Jah Love”) spanning over four decades, sold-out tours, a vibrant and loyal fan base and inspirational messages, one may wonder, “Where did it all begin? What gives Third World the staying power so rare in the music industry? “Third World is more than just one of the top Reggae bands of all time, it is an institution that stands for producing and performing music that, while holding firm to the cultural and ancestral roots of its members, still pushes forward the cutting edge of music worldwide. It is an institution whose themes are positive, progressive and internationally relevant: an asset to any size festival /event. Third World has performed to thousands of music fans on 6 of the 7 continents: TW toured & recorded with late great Bob Marley, including opening for Marley’s first world tour in 1978, TW recorded and toured with master blaster Stevie Wonder, who produced 2 of their albums in the 80’s released with CBS, they toured America with legendary guitarist Santana, opened for the Jackson 5’s first concert in Jamaica, shared stages throughout the world with the U2, Sting, The Police, Whitney Houston, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Jimmy Buffet, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Gladys Knight, the Marley Brothers and more. Third World’s hit songs have reached top 40on the Billboard charts in the US, UK, Europe and Japan and received a platinum award in Japan. In 1986,Third World received the United Nations Peace Medal for their contribution of music and their lyrical prose. They performed on the MTV Amnesty International Concert at a sold out Giant Stadium in 1986, performed at the Rose Bowl with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder & Michael Jackson, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, the Welcome Home Nelson Mandala concert in1990, and have been featured at major sporting events including the Lord’s Cricket Grounds in the UK in 2000, and Opening Ceremony for Cricket World Cup in 2007,America’s Cup Bermuda2017. TW has entertained millions over the television with performances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Arsenio Hall Show, Soul Train, Top of the Pops, Shirley Bassie show and more! Third World has received the keys to the cities of Atlanta, Brooklyn, Atlantic City, Hartford, Key West & Hollywood. Additionally, the band has received accolades including multiple IRAWMA Awards, National Black Arts Excellence, Lifetime Achievement Awards from Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica Jazz & Blues, City of Miramar, FlI cons and more. Third World released a new studio LP, More Work To Be Done, August 2019, produced by Multi-Grammy winner, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, the youngest son of the legendary Bob Marley, under the Ghetto Youth International imprint. The album was nominated by the Recording Academy /Grammys for Best Reggae Album 2020.We invite you to be entertained by the Reggae Ambassadors, THIRD WORLD!

 

UPSTATE REGGAE POSSIE

Upstate Reggae Possie is the ultimate traditional Dancehall Experience with a profound Roots flavor. Originally from Jamaica and Trinidad, each of the 4 singers charm their audiences in a unique style. Reggae with Soul, Harmony and Dance moves to Rock New York and Beyond.

JULY 25 – INDIE ROCK NIGHT
Presented by: Barefoot

Media sponsors: WEQX

 

THE RECORD COMPANY [Website]

with SIRSY [Website]

 

THE RECORD COMPANY

When The Record Company pick up their instruments, the members—Chris Vos [guitar, lead vocals, harmonica], Alex Stiff [bass, backing vocals], and Marc Cazorla [drums, backing vocals]—participate in a musical back-and-forth akin to a formative and supportive conversation among siblings. The nuances of their personalities seep through loose, bluesy guitar leads, airtight drum grooves, thick bass, and vividly evocative lyrics. With such fluidity, the musicians respond to one another so instinctually you’d swear they were telepathically linked. However, there’s no such superpower necessary when you’ve got the closest thing to a brotherhood that three musicians unrelated by blood can share…The GRAMMY Award-nominated trio only amplify the power of this bond on their fourth full-length offering and 2023 debut for Round Hill Records. “We know each other’s personalities on the instruments, so we reconnected with one another and really found that brotherhood again,” explains Chris. “It’s always been there, but we got back into a room where it was like a circle of stone. We’re creating something that will go out into the world. We all stand behind it equally, and we’re willing to put our lives and love into it. When you put your career, your future, and your art into another person’s hands and you know they’re doing the same for you, there’s a different level of trust. That’s been our secret since day one. When it’s challenging, we’re all trying to figure out the challenge. When it’s good, we’re all experiencing it together. ”They’ve experienced everything as a family since forming back in 2011. Along the way, they served up a tested-and-proven epic in the form of their 2016 debut, Give It Back To You. The release earned a GRAMMY Award nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Blues Album” and spawned “Off The Ground,” which reached #1 at AAA Radio and tallied nearly 40 million total streams and counting. Beyond a string of stunning late-night television appearances, they performed on CBS This Morning, at Bonnaroo, and on an extensive tour with John Mayer in addition to headlining coast-to-coast. They maintained this momentum with All Of This Life [2018] and Play Loud [2021]. On top of praise from American Songwriter, Classic Rock, and more, NPR hailed the latter as “the band’s biggest and most dynamic record to date.” In 2021, the guys hunkered down and commenced creating what would become their fourth LP. Working out of an intimate home studio in Beachwood Canyon, they wrote, recorded, and self-produced the music. Outside of cutting drums at the legendary Sunset Sound, it proved to be a homegrown affair through and through. “We got back to our old perspective, which is to trust the idea, get out of the way, make something, listen, and respond to it,” affirms Chris. Alex elaborates, “We decided to record the organic thing that got us really excited to play music as a band in the first place. That was the general theme of this record. Keep it as close to a three-piece sound as possible. Keep the music raw. It’s a return to form in a way, but we’re still growing.” “We’ve been doing this for a while,” adds Marc. “As long as we sound like us, we can be proud of it. It’s not going to be for everybody, but we’ve never been prouder of what we’re doing.”

 

SIRSY

Hailing from Upstate NY, SIRSY plays sassy singer-songwriter pop-rock with lots of heart and soul. Sirsy is known for their passionate, honest, heartfelt live performances that have a charming intensity, loads of stories from the road, and even some nerdy jokes. They can somehow make an audience sing along, dance, laugh, and cry – all at the same show. You will be moved. Playing more than 200 shows per year all over the US, Sirsy is fronted by a charismatic, soulful, powerhouse of a lead vocalist. (Seriously, wait until you hear Mel sing!) Mel is also the band’s drummer (and she’s been featured in Modern Drummer) who simultaneously plays bass on a keyboard with her drumstick. She also plays piano, melodica, and the occasional badass flute solo too. Mel’s bandmate, husband, co-writer, & bestie is Rich Libutti. Rich masterfully plays a well-loved and road worn Rickenbacker through a pedal board full of vintage effects. He sounds like 3 guitarists all on his own at live shows. Rich also plays bass (and at live shows often does it on a pedal board with his feet). These 2 multi-instrumentalists manage to sound like a full band and somehow do it all with big smiles on their faces. Their clever smart songs have more hooks than a tackle box, with lyrics that center around empowerment and resilience. Fans have supported the duo through the pandemic, their 11 records, and Mel’s 2 bouts with cancer. Every show is like a celebration for this couple and their fans. Come celebrate life with them! Sirsy’s had songs on the hit TV show “Shameless”, the NFL, HBO, MTVu, and PBS. They’ve shared stages with Brandi Carlile, Maroon 5, Train, Grace Potter, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick, Collective Soul, Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, Adam Ezra Group, Pat McGee Band, Lifehouse & many more. Their last several records were produced by Grammy-Winner Paul Q Kolderie. The SXSW Music Blog says “Sirsy’s not just a 2 piece but a head scratching WOW!” And the Houston Music Blog says “Sirsy makes edgy feel-good music that’s fun to watch. You must see them live!” “SIRSY is your favorite band, you just don’t know it yet.” – Rochester City Newspaper.

AUGUST 1 – FUNK NIGHT
Presented by: DeCrescente

Media partner: 102.7 WEQX / NYS MUSIC

 

GALACTIC feat JELLY JOSEPH [Website]

with HILLTOP [Website]

 

GALACTIC feat JELLY JOSEPH

History doesn’t stand still. It impacts, influences, and inspires the ebb and flow of the future by informing the present. Galactic draw on 25 years together in order to progress with each performance and subsequent record. After 10 albums, over 2,000 gigs, and tens of millions of streams, the proud New Orleans, LA quintet—Ben Ellman [saxophone, harmonica], Robert Mercurio [bass], Stanton Moore [drums, percussion], Jeffrey Raines [guitar], and Richard Vogal [keyboards]—have kept the torch burning through five U.S. presidential regimes, the turn-of-the-century, Hurricane Katrina, a Global Pandemic, and a much-anticipated recovery. They’re the rare collective who can support Juvenile on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, contribute music to a blockbuster soundtrack such as Now You See Me, and light up the stages of Coachella, Bonnaroo, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (a staggering 22 times). Joined by vocal powerhouse Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, they continue to forge ahead with a 2021 headline tour and more new music. “There is a history to the band, yet we continue to release and perform new material,” says Stanton. “I’m truly excited for our fans and audience to hear this next record we’ve been working on. I think it’s some of our best work yet.” They laid the groundwork for this future upon coming together in 1994. Two years later, the guys dropped their full-length debut, Coolin’ Off, and hopped in a Ford Econoline van (with trailer in tow) for their very first official tour. Along the way, they released seminal albums such as 2007’s From the Corner to the Block, boasting collabs with the likes of Chali 2na, Juvenile, Trombone Shorty, DJ Z-Trip, and Boots Riley. During 2015, Into The Deep marked their first debut in the Top 25 of the Billboard Top 200 and second straight #1 bow on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart. Not to mention, it boasted the title track “Into The Deep” [feat. Macy Gray], racking up nearly 20 million streams and counting. Along the way, they performed alongside the likes of Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, Jack Johnson, Talib Kweli, the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, B.B. King, Counting Crows, James Brown, and many more. They’ve also recorded and performed with the likes of Allen Toussaint [“Bacchus”] and Big Freedia “Double It”]. Most recently, 2019’s Already Ready Already garnered acclaim from New York Times, NPR Weekend Edition, Exclaim!, and many more, while they’ve appeared on the covers of Downbeat and Relix Magazine. Around the same time, they welcomed Jelly to the fold after joining forces on stage for a handful of unforgettable performances. “I was super nervous at first, because I had some pretty big shoes to fill—but like those other singers I had to bring myself and I think I’ve fit in pretty well,” Jelly smiles. “Jelly came to Fuji Rock in Japan with us to sing background with Macy Gray,” recalls Stanton. “We needed someone to sing one of our Galactic originals, and she stepped up. Since there was no time for rehearsal or soundcheck, she showed up prepared, knew the tune completely, and rocked it. When it came time to find someone new to sing with us, she was our first choice. She has such effortless stage presence and a very comfortable rapport with audiences. She also brings an element of unbridled fun!” That fun came across loud and clear on the 2020 single “Float.” Uplifted by Jelly’s powerhouse pipes, it hinted at the potential of their collective chemistry. “I love listening to Galactic’s older records, because they were very funk driven,” Jelly goes on. “Now, it seems like they’re incorporating more pop, rock, and soul to create a newer sound.” As they continue writing, recording, and performing, Galactic always keep New Orleans close to their hearts at all times. In 2018, the band purchased and took over one of the city’s most hallowed venues—Tipitina’s Nightclub. Their history with the venue even predated the band as Ben’s first job was as a cook in the old kitchen, while they’ve graced its stage more than 100 times over the years. In the end, Galactic keep moving forward as they add more chapters to their incredible history. “We’ve just achieved 25 years as a band of brothers, so we know how to work with each other and move ourselves through the next 25 years,” Robert leaves off. “We’re always trying to push ourselves with our songwriting and studio collaborations. I look forward to where the future will take us.”

 

HILLTOP

Hilltop is a four piece Funk Rock band from Albany, NY. Over the past six years they’ve made a name for themselves with carefully crafted originals, mind bending improvisation & fun, diverse covers. Each member offers a proficient, unique approach to their instrument that defines the musical experience. Hilltop has already been featured on bills with headlining acts like Dark Star Orchestra, moe, Eggy and many more. They are currently touring to promote their new EP, Getting There Together. This band of young musicians is eager to spread their music and will continue to engage crowds wherever they go.

 

THE 35th ANNUAL ALBANY ALIVE AT FIVE SEASON IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Verizon

In Our Own Voices

Pride Center of the Capital Region

Overit

Hudson Valley Community College

Mirth Films

ParkAlbany

Hilton Garden Inn

Recovery Sports Grill

CDTA

Luizzi Property Management

Barefoot

DeCrescente

Yuengling

Renewal by Andersen

New Castle Asphalt

UniFirst

Advantage Tree Service

Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH)

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

American Cancer Society (ACS)

United Way of the Greater Capital Region

Department of General Services

Albany Recycles

Tri-City Valleycats

Albany Patroons

Albany Firebirds

Media Partners:
Fly 92.3

B95.5

Q105.7 / Q103.5

99.5 The River

Hot 99.1

88.3 The Saint WVCR

102.7 WEQX

NYS Music

The Spot 518

Albany.com

RadioRadioX

Lamar Outdoor Advertising

 

Through a partnership with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Cancer Society and United Way of the Greater Capital Region, 100% of the proceeds from tips collected in the beer garden will benefit each charitable organization:

• June 6 – Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
• June 13 – Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
• June 20 – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• June 27 – United Way of the Greater Capital Region
• July 11 – American Cancer Society
• July 18 – United Way of the Greater Capital Region
• July 25 – Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
• August 1 – Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

City of Albany events are produced with the help of community volunteers. Sign up to be a part of this great experience by visiting www.albanyevents.org/volunteer, calling 518.434.5416 or emailing volunteer@albanyny.gov.

 

For more information on Alive at Five, visit www.albanyevents.org, call 518.434.2032 or follow @albanyNYevents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.