It’s many happy returns this week, as Ithaca native Greg Schatz returns from New Orleans for his first hometown show in four years, Adam Arritola returns from Rochester to launch his latest tour, and Newfield’s own Trevor Exter returns from Los Angeles to share a show with his sister Bronwen Exter. Plus, Born of Osiris brings its prog-metal sound to The L in Horseheads, and the Great New York State Fair continues at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse!
Note: This week’s shows are listed in chronological order in two sections below, followed by a list of New York State Fair concerts and upcoming shows around upstate New York.
Get Rhythm
Dave Davies RhythMakers return for Jazz Mondays, as Dave Davies, Doug Robinson, Brian Earle, and Chad Lieberman will play classic jazz, blues, originals, and more.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m., second and fourth Mondays of each month
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Happy Homecoming
Ithaca native and pianist/accordionist Greg Schatz returns from New Orleans to perform “his quirky original music in his hometown for the first time since 2019. He'll be joined by the Friggin' Geniuses, which comprise longtime local collaborators Doug Robinson (guitar) & Jim Sherpa (washtub bass). Come hear some new tunes and catch their debut performance at the Downstairs.”
When: 7-10 p.m. Monday
Where: The Downstairs
Pressure Drop
Angelo Paradiso (New Planets, Living Myths, Big Mean Sound Machine, Swamp Kids) continues his weekly residency at Deep Dive, joined by special guest drummer Tom Gilbert (Donna the Buffalo, Sharkpony)
“Angelo Paradiso (multi-instrumentalist/mad scientist) brings you a VS battle that will make that tush pop and jaw drop. Man vs. Machine: Angelo invites a rotating cast of characters that range in instruments, names, and forms to battle machine sequences, modular synths and all things sample-able. All styles from all places. All things funky. No computers, just humans. Bring your dancing shoes, your party hat, and dial 1-800-NOREQUESTS.”
When: 8:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
String Thing
The Southern Old Time String Band Jam Session returns to Deep Dive, as the Northside String Band hosts a traditional “fiddle music jam with a great groove. Join us on the deck to listen or join in!” The session is held every last Tuesday of the month.
When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free
Underground Sounds
The ElectroZone – “Ithaca's salon for electromusicians and experimenters” – returns with another cool show, this one featuring Adam Arritola, Modular Moose, and Avoidance with visuals by Distorted Reality.
“On August 29th we're returning to the Downstairs with a star-studded lineup on a Tuesday night if you can believe it!?! Adam Arritola is coming back and he hand-picked Ithaca to be the start of his massive West Coast tour! Modular Moose and Avoidance along with Distorted Reality join Adam in initiating your ears and eyes, plus maybe one or two more senses, in an unforgettable evening. Trust us there will be much more happening than the poster suggests. We say this all the time, and it's always true, YOU DEFINITELY WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!”
Adam Arritola: “Synth wizard, show wizard, and performance maniac. Earlier this year, Adam did 55 shows in 55 days and now he's back for more! Now Adam is heading West and Ithaca is the first stop on this awesome journey. He specifically picked Ithaca to start things off because he knows we have an amazing scene here so let's all come out and prove him right.”
Modular Moose: “Modular Moose is a solo experimental music project that is focused on exploring the nearly untouched sonic frontier that is electroacoustic music. Centered around an ever-morphing modular synthesizer, Modular Moose combines instruments and noise makers of varying timbre using inventive compositional techniques to craft interesting new sounds.”
Avoidance: “Curators of the popular Dungeon Knights series and Ithaca's own home-grown Dungeon Synth band! Avoidance is the language of the night!”
Distorted Reality (visuals): “Creating a variety of digital art Glitch/Al Generated/B&W Photos.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Read a recent interview with Adam Arritola here!
Bang Your Head
Illinois prog-metal and Born of Osiris comes to the Southern Tier. The band – lead vocalist Ronnie Canizaro, lead guitarist Lee McKinney, rhythm guitarist/bassist Nick Rossi, drummer Cameron Losch, and keyboardist/vocalist Joe Bura – has released six albums since 2009, including its latest, 2021’s “Angel or Alien,” and it just released a new single, “Torchbearer.”
Opening the show are regional bands Upon A Burning Body, Traitors, Bound and Quartered, and Absentia.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Pit at The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads
Cost: $22 in advance, available online here
Blurring Boundaries
Local non-profit Ithaca Underground returns Angry Mom Records to offer a “night of live high energy synth pop, punk, and experimental sounds in your favorite DIY Ithaca venue!” On the bill are Glad Rags (Chicago), Bogo La$ik (Ithaca), sallow friend (Connecticut), and Magz1lla (Ithaca)
Glad Rags: “Following tour cancellations due to the on-going pandemic, Chicago group Glad Rags heads out on a 30-date tour from the end of Summer through early Fall. They performed at their first regional music festivals last year in support of their debut LP ‘ALL OF THEM’ released in late 2021. Produced by bandleader Mabel Gladly, it was released through label Sinkhole Sounds and mastered by Jake Viator (Jerry Paper, MNDSGN, Julia Holter). The concept album navigates themes of cancel culture and community responses to healing. Embroidering disparate influences into original art pop mosaics has become the group's signature style, and they are poised to share a series of EP’s and singles by end of the year highlighting their sonic range.”
“The core members write and arrange collaboratively to create an original blend of psych rock, disco, new wave, electronic, chamber pop, and experimental jazz. They’ve been featured by Bandcamp, Bust Magazine, Chicago Tribune, The Reader, and the Windy City Times.”
Bogo La$ik: “Shaawan Francis Keahna is a writer and cross-disciplinary artist who performs solo under the name Bogo La$ik, or Billy Jackass when in collaboration with his father. His work has been featured at Watermark Art Center in Bemidji MN, Cranberry Lake Biological Station in the Adirondacks, and the Berlin Club in Chicago.”
sallow friend: “sallow friend is a band from new haven connecticut. they are hayden on guitar and luke on drums. their music has been described as “angular”, “introspective”, “off-kilter”, “harsh”, “complex”, “howling”, “delightful”, “energetic”, “meditative”, “wistful”, “unpredictable”, “good””
Magz1lla: “Magz1lla is an American singer/songwriter based in Ithaca, New York. She produces electro-pop music that combines ethereal dance beats with silvery vocals. Magz1lla fuses music that moves your feet with an introspective and often vulnerable narrative, which she refers to as ‘electro-pop tunes for the soul.’ Her debut single ‘Hush Hush’ was released in October of 2022.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Angry Mom Records
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Melancholy, Baby!
On the last Wednesday of every month, join Not From Wisconsin’s Angela and Dave Yantorno and NFW bassist John Young for an evening of “Midweek Melancholy” at the Downstairs. “For this month, on August 30th, we'll feature Hannah Law, a local singer-songwriter who we're excited to share the stage with.”
When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10/PWYC
Event Info
A Big Adventure
The Galactic Escort Service returns every other Wednesday to Deep Dive, promising “another epic journey through sonic cosmology.” Core players include Tenzin Chopak, Emmett Scott, Michael Schuler, Josh Oxford, and Ashley Ickes, who on the spot create improvisations on a variety of instruments. “The group projects both obscure and classic films to aid in enhancing the experience as both audience and performers embark into the unknown spaces and places of the sonic realm. Guaranteed no two shows are the same, come be a part of the excitement of musical creation in real time.”
This week’s theme is “Big Adventure, featuring special guest Pee-Wee Herman”!
When: 9:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
Sibling Revelry
South Hill Cider’s Community Concert Series continues this week with local singer-songwriter Bronwen Exter and her brother Trevor Exter, who now lives in Los Angeles and has switched from his usual bass and cello to electric guitar for his current tour.
“Bronwen Exter fronts a six-piece band with multilayered electric guitar and lap steel (Jason Shegogue), piano and organ (Michael Stark), harmonies (Jennifer Middaugh), drums (Matthew Saccuccimorano), upright and electric bass (John Young). Her first two records, ‘Junkyard’ (2012) and ‘Elevator Ride’ (2006) garnered a wide range of comparisons, film and TV placements, and 2 nominations for Independent Music Awards. The New Yorker describes Exter’s voice as “a warm mist capable of obscuring all of life’s problems” and Performing Songwriter wrote, “OK, picture this: Lou Reed and Astrud Gilberto have a baby. She’s raised by the band Mazzy Star until the age of 16, when she falls in love with James Bond and runs away to Argentina.” About her third studio album, ‘Snakeskin, There,’ (2018) No Depression’s Amos Perrine wrote, ‘I don't think I'm the first to make a Mazzy Star reference, but Exter's themes are more mature and more immediate, leaving youthful excesses strewn along the wayside like so much excess baggage. Exter envelopes you in a Lynchian alternate universe, minus the perversity, minus the obscurity, yet ultimately romantic – be it in nature or personal.’”
“For most of his life, Trevor Exter has been a professional singer and cellist with his own approach to all aspects of composing, songwriting, producing, performing, and touring. He’s had a few bands where he got to make a spectacle of himself, and some producers like to use him as a secret weapon. Exter has toured with De La Guarda, Steve Kimock, author James McBride, DJ Tasha Blank, and his duo with John Kimock, XVSK. He frequently performs solo, and is currently workshopping new material for a forthcoming record.”
“The new music is being performed on electric guitar, although still deeply informed by cello and tuned like the cello.” He’ll be joined by some members of his sister’s band for this show. He also has his own Substack newsletter, “Play It Like It’s Music,” which you can check out here!
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Voices Carry
The Downtown Ithaca Summer Concert Series continues its 2023 season with local hiphop-rock-pop-rap collective Gunpoets, who have been one of Ithaca’s most popular bands for more than a decade. “Mics and instruments are our weapons, and we fight for peace and love.”
The Downtown Ithaca Summer Concert Series runs through Sept. 14; see the full lineup here!
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Bernie Milton Pavilion, The Commons
Cost: free
Wisc-y Rebellion
Tail Light Rebellion comes to downtown Ithaca. The Wisconsin band describes itself as “an amalgamation of roots music genres, incorporating styles from Irish, Slavic, Canadian, and American folk music. Started as a one-man band, this project blossomed into what is now a folk dance band that has been called a melding of Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, and The Pogues. Consisting of an acoustic guitar player who sits upon a homemade suitcase drum kit, and accordion/keyboard- the rich tones, moving rhythms, dynamic leads, and righteous harmonies will not disappoint.”
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: small donation requested
Wolf Tracks
“Come get your groove on at Atlas Bowl with Pete Wolfanger – aka "DJ Wolfy" – as he spins soul, funk, disco, and 80's booty shakers. Whether you’re busting moves in the Back Alley or cutting some rug inside, it will be a great night inside or out. Grab your gang for dinner, dancing, great cocktails, bowling, cornhole, and a whole lot of great music.”
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Atlas Bowl, Trumansburg
Cost: free
More Shows
Brett Beardslee is back with the blues at Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 5-8 p.m. Mondays
Mark Maynard hosts Open Mic Night at Lucky Hare Brewing in Hector at 6-8 p.m. Mondays
Laura Thurston is at Barnstormer Winery at 5-8 p.m. Tuesday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesdays
Auburn Public Theatre hosts Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
The Westy hosts its Open Mic Night at 9 p.m. Tuesdays
Gravel Gertie is at the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 4-7 p.m. Wednesday
Stereopticon are at the Stonecat Café’s Pub Night at 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays
Madd Daddy plays “Friendsday Wednesday” at Lucky Hare Brewing in Hector at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Fabi is at Cayuga Shoreline/O’Malleys in Sheldrake at 6 p.m. Wednesdays
The Bollicine Brothers are at Damiani Wine Cellars at 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays
Rachel Beverly is at Bright Leaf Vineyard in King Ferry at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
MSZM are at Ithaca Beer at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Tru Bleu returns to Salt Point Brewing at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday
DJ Dale hosts Trivia Night at Revelry Yards at 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
City Limits closes out the 2023 “Nautie Nights” series at Lucas Vineyards at 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday
Good Dog is at Atwater Vineyards at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Blue Eyed Soul is at the Scale House Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Davey O is at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Michael Francis McCarthy is at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
DarkWine are at Six Mile Creek Winery at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Crossroads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Atlas Bowl in Trumansburg hosts the weekly Vinyl Showcase at 7-10 p.m. Thursdays
DJ Dale hosts Karaoke Night at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Thursday
Music at the State Fair
The 2023 Great New York State Fair – running through Monday, Sept. 4, at the Fairgrounds just outside of Syracuse – will once again present The Chevrolet Music Series, which is known for providing high-quality entertainment from national touring acts throughout those 13 days.
The Suburban Park Stage, formerly known as the Experience Stage at Chevy Park, is located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway, and will host at least one major concert every day during the 2023 Fair. Chevy Court is located near the Gate 1 entrance and will host at least two concerts every day during the 2023 Fair.
All concerts/acts in the Chevrolet Music Series – including those at Suburban Park – are free to fairgoers with the price of admission. Seating areas in Suburban Park are available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Additional information is provided in the Fair’s Concert Policy. Here’s this year’s schedule of shows:
Monday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m., REO Speedwagon
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m., Tyler Hubbard
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m., Ann Wilson of Heart
Thursday, Aug. 36, 8 p.m., Ludacris
Friday, Sept. 6, 2 p.m., Danielle Bradbery
Friday, Sept. 6, 8 p.m., J.I.D
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2 p.m., Claire Rosinkranz
Saturday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m., Quinn XCII
Sunday, Sept. 3, 2 p.m., Disney Junior Live on Tour: Costume Palooza
Sunday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m., Yung Gravy featuring bbno$
Monday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m., Hairball
Monday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m., Skid Row
Monday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m., Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
Monday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Anne Wilson (not of Heart)
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m., Tommy James and the Shondells
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m., Bret Michaels
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 1 p.m., Danielle Ponder The Seven Wonders (Fleetwood Mac tribute band)
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 6 p.m., Chapel Hart
Thursday, Aug. 31, 1 p.m., Avalanche
Thursday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m., Lee Greenwood
Friday, Sept. 1, 1 p.m., Crash Adams
Friday, Sept. 1, 6 p.m., The Fray
Saturday, Sept. 2, 12 p.m., DJ Dretronix - JAMS Funk Fest 2k23
Saturday, Sept. 2, 12:30 p.m., JAMS Funk Fest 2k23 Youth Performances
Saturday, Sept. 2, 1:30 p.m., Brownskin Band - JAMS Funk Fest 2k23
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2:45 p.m., Fallout From WAR - JAMS Funk Fest 2k23
Saturday, Sept. 2, 4: p.m., Trump Tight 315 - JAMS Funk Fest 2k23
Saturday, Sept. 2, 5:15 p.m., The Blacklites - JAMS Funk Fest 2k23
Saturday, Sept. 2, 6:45 p.m., Brick - JAMS Funk Fest 2k23
Saturday, Sept. 2, 8:15 p.m., Dazz Band - JAMS Funk Fest 2k23
Sunday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m., Elvie Shane
Sunday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m., Joywave
Monday, Sept. 4, 12 p.m., The High Kings
Monday, Sept. 4, 4 p.m., Foghat
Regional Shows
Aug. 28, Pixies and Modest Mouse, Artpark, Lewiston
Aug. 29, A Tribute to the Music of Van Morrison, The Ridge, Chittenango
Sept. 1, Trace Adkins, Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
Sept. 1, Odesza, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Center
Sept. 1, Noah Kahane, St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse
Sept. 1, Guns N’ Roses, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs
Sept. 1, Rod Stewart and Cheap Trick, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
Sept. 2, Foreigner and Loverboy, St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse
Sept. 2, Quinn XCII, Suburban Park, New York State Fair, Syracuse
Sept. 3, Duran Duran, CMAC, Canandaigua
Sept. 4, The High Kings, Chevy Court, New York State Fair, Syracuse
Sept. 7, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse
Sept. 8, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd and Uncle Kracker, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs
Sept. 8, Pink Talking Fish, Westcott Theatre, Syracuse
