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Posts Tagged ‘The Upstate Concert Hall’

Real Good for FREE: The Lumineers @ the Upstate Concert Hall

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

Led by vocalist-guitarist Wesley Schultz, Denver-based folk-rockers the Lumineers will be rolling into the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park for a free concert in December, sponsored by WEQX-FM.

The band – which released their Top 20 self-titled debut album earlier this year – is currently in the midst of a sold-out European tour, and they’ll be dropping in to headline in Clifton Park on Monday, December 17 in the midst of an east coast tour as the opening act for the Dave Matthews Band.

Joining the Lumineers in concert at the Upstate Concert Hall will be indie folk-rock quartet Swear and Shake. Nippertown’s own B3nson Records faves, the Parlor will open the show at 8pm.

Tags: Clifton Park, The Lumineers, The Upstate Concert Hall
Posted in Be Here Now: Previews, Music, Real Good For Free | 3 Comments »

Brett Scallions, What Was the First Album You Ever Bought?

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

Fuel

“My mom and dad gave me a stack of records when I was a kid. You know, stuff like old Elton John, the Beatles, the Mamas & the Papas, Three Dog Night. And I would just sit around and listen to all of that over and over when I was a kid.

The first cassette tape that I ever bought was ‘Van Halen II,’ and then the first album that I ever went out and bought was Kiss’ ‘Destroyer.’”

Brett Scallions – the former lead vocalist of Fuel – has returned to claim the bandname, although none of the other original bandmembers are onboard. Scallions and the re-constituted Fuel will be making a Fuel stop at the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park on Friday (June 22). The show is scheduled to start at 7pm with The Cringe, Bad Axis, Pillowhead and Frank Palangi. Tix are $15 in advance; $17 at the door.

Tags: Brett Scallions, Clifton Park, Fuel, The Upstate Concert Hall
Posted in First Record | Comments Off

The Name Game X 2

Thursday, May 24th, 2012

Northern Faces

Yeah, it’s all a little confusing…

Last week, Northern Lights in Clifton Park changed its name to the Upstate Concert Hall, and it appears that a lot of folks are still flummoxed by the change.

And on Sunday, the Upstate Concert Hall will play host to Around the World And Back as the opening act for British pop-rockers the Kooks – but they’re not Around the World And Back anymore. The band has changed its name to Northern Faces. (Well, at least something will still be Northern at the former Northern Lights.)

Oh, and by thee way, there’s been a personnel change in the line-up for the newly dubbed Northern Faces, too. Mike Ryan has taken over the drum throne formerly occupied by Jared Bashant back in the ATWAB days.

Sunday’s show will mark the debut of the band’s new name, as well as their new drummer.

In support of their latest album, “Junk of the Heart,” Brit pop-rockers the Kooks headline at the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park on Sunday (May 27) with Northern Faces and Louisiana band Royal Teeth opening the show at 7:30pm. Tix are $18 in advance; $20 at the door.

Tags: Clifton Park, Northern Faces, The Kooks, The Upstate Concert Hall
Posted in Be Here Now: Previews | Comments Off

The Upstate Concert Hall? Really?

Friday, May 18th, 2012

Now under new ownership, Northern Lights in Clifton Park has changed its name to the Upstate Concert Hall.

We can’t think of a more generic, less imaginative name…

But then again, just how much does the name of the place really matter?

“Concert Hall” might be a bit too grandiose a description for a strip-mall bar, but, I mean, nobody actually walks into Valentine’s Music Hall expecting it to be anything like the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, do they?

Truth be told, every once in a while, we still slip up and refer to Northern Lights as Park West. Or Tiger’s Pub.

And oh, by the way, there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that McGeary’s Pub will be changing its name to the McGeary’s Performing Arts Center.

UPDATE (3pm, 5/18/12): Here’s an official statement from Ted Etoll of Step Up Presents and the Club Marketing Director of the newly dubbed Upstate Concert Hall:

“We feel a name change and new branding is essential to chart a fresh course. The club has been totally rebuilt and revitalized. With 100% control, we all felt a re-branding was necessary to show the Capital Region that this venue and its management have undertaken every step to change the image of the club physically and professionally. Upstate Concert Hall will continue to book the biggest touring shows in the country. If anyone was disappointed in their concert experience prior to the new management, please come on out and see the changes that have been done. There is no one that cannot notice this is a new club with a new energy.”

UPDATE: (4:30pm, 5/18/12): According to today’s press release from Ted Etoll, recent improvements to the former Northern Lights include:

* Beautiful full service state of the art dressing and production rooms for touring bands
* Redesigned sound system and state of the art digital sound boards
* New air conditioning
* Renovated men’s and ladies’ facilities
* Male and female bathroom attendants
* Young professional and courteous staff, all college music industry graduates
* Full line of craft draft beers
* Immaculate and impeccably maintained facility
* Wide screen TVs throughout the club for sports viewing or watching the bands
* Professionally trained and certified security

Tags: Clifton Park, Northern Lights, The Upstate Concert Hall
Posted in News | 11 Comments »