music

Thousands eat their biscuits at Camp Bisco

By Eric Vilas-Boas

July 15, 2011 - 8:18am

Review: The Disco Biscuits' 10th annual music festival sold out this year because fans cared enough to make the trip.

Not everyone likes or even respects jam bands. The golden age of acts like the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane are for the most part, gone, replaced by the followings of moe., Phish, or the Disco Biscuits.

The Disco Biscuits' sold-out, 10th festival in Mariaville, NY — 12 miles from Schenectady — drew flocks of hippies and drug-addled electro-nuts by the thousands this past weekend.

Camp Bisco Day 2: Disillusioned and dirty

By Eric Vilas-Boas

July 9, 2011 - 7:34pm

The downsides to summer music festivals become more apparent at the electronic/jam band event.

While Camp Bisco X's first day presented unmatched excitement and the thrill of attending a three-day summer concert, Day Two disillusioned us. The sets we saw still drove through jamming and electronic sweetness, but overpriced food, sound issues, high-anticipation and muddy conditions put a damper on the day.

With that in mind, here are two complaints from Camp Bisco Day Two:

Super Ball IX reflects Phish's remarkable projection

By Lorna Oppedisano

July 7, 2011 - 10:51am

For its ninth musical festival, the now legendary jam act creates a fan experience like no other at Watkins Glen.

You’ve probably seen the reviews of Super Ball IX already: “Jam band Phish played to a crowd of 30,000 this past weekend" or “Hippies flock to Watkins Glen for weekend music festival.”

But here’s some fresh news you may not have heard: Phish members’ projections from 23 years ago manifest for weekend long phestival, creating a community and experience like no other.

Rain doesn't dampen Wilco fans' spirits

By Ashli Truchon

June 28, 2011 - 9:00am

The popular indie rock band curates its second annual music, comedy and arts festival at MASS MoCA.

Less-than-favorable weather didnt keep fans from the soaking up live music, comedy shows and gallery exhibits at the Solid Sound Festival this past weekend.

Singing as a family

By Charnice Milton

June 12, 2011 - 7:07pm

Members of the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble reflect on the bonds they made over the years as they close out their 34th year of performances.

The members of the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble don't see their choir as just another student organization. Even as they prepare for their 35th anniversary next year, they will do it the best way they know how — as a family.

"We say we're a close-knit family and we are," said Byron Canada, the group's director. "You find your closest friend in the choir. You will go through things with people in the choir."

Concert Crowdsourced: Diplo at SU

By Nathan Mattise

March 27, 2011 - 2:18pm

The popular DJ partied both during and after his set on Saturday to the delight of all at Goldstein Auditorium.

Diplo's show on Saturday was the most anticipated event on campus up to this point in the year. So when the DJ actively engaged our fondness for social media throughout his night in addition to providing what seemed to be a highly regarded set, it all lived up to the hype.

Kid Cudi coming was inevitable, that's not a bad thing.

By Nathan Mattise

March 1, 2011 - 10:12am

Considering the other choices on UU's Survey and SU's near miss with the rapper last year, Kid Cudi was a predictable yet solid booking for UU.

No one is surprised, right?

Diplo is the act everyone's been waiting for

By Nathan Mattise

February 22, 2011 - 9:47am

The big name DJ can appeal to everyone and has a chance to be the can't-miss event of the year.

I've been critical of some University Union bookings in the recent past. Campus shows so far this year have recycled some of the artists we've seen neighboring CNY schools bring first or they included acts that failed to excite the masses (either groups were still on the brink or too niche for most).

'Refugees and Exile': Music of Afghanistan and the Middle East

By Leah Rankin

February 20, 2011 - 7:37pm

John Baily and Michael Frishkopf show a different side of the Middle East through music.

The sun has been beating against your skin for eternity as you curl your bare toes into the burning yellow sand. You inhale through parched lips to breathe in the heavy heat. As you shade your eyes with tanned fingers you see that the fiery globe is finally nearing the horizon. Across the snaking, dry desert dunes the coming night outlines a caravan of camels, silhouetted against the setting sun.