CONTACT: Alay Medina, Director / 518.434.2032
Albany, NY –Albany’s free Alive at Five concert series returns for its 33rd season on June 9 presented by KeyBank. Concerts will take place at the Jennings Landing location along the riverfront.
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 9 and runs through August 4 (with no show on June 30), 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.
$5 flat fee parking will be available at the Riverfront Parking Garage, located at 677 Broadway in Albany. Click here for additional parking options.
Alive at Five’s rain location at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch will continue to serve as an alternate site in case of inclement weather.
Read on for the full schedule of concerts or view online at www.albanyevents.org.
JUNE 9
Presented by: Pride Center of the Capital Region, In Our Own Voices
Media partner: Nippertown
STATE CHAMPS [Website]
with YOUNG CULTURE [Website]
STATE CHAMPS
Album four is often when a beloved rock band shifts gears, frustrating longtime fans, searching for a more “mature” sound. STATE CHAMPS raise a joyous middle finger to that trope with Kings Of The New Age, an enthusiastic and confident reminder of what the Upstate New Yorkers do best. Younger than Gen X punk heroes like Billie Joe Armstrong and Mark Hoppus; older than Willow and Trippie Redd; the foursome balances energy and experience. As a new generation resurrects angsty unrest on TikTok and Machine Gun Kelly puts guitars back on the mainstream chart, STATE CHAMPS double down on the vibrant pop-punk they’ve championed for a decade. They were several steps ahead of the seismic sonic shift. Kings Of The New Age will now claim the crown. Derek DiScanio, Tyler Szalkowski, Ryan Scott Graham, and Evan Ambrosio deliver a strong message. Produced by Drew Fulk (Lil Wayne, A Day To Remember, Ice Nine Kills) aka WZRD BLD, Kings Of The New Age is a big album, without sacrificing the heart cherished by a legion of fans. Starting in bedrooms and basements in 2010, STATE CHAMPS quickly ascended as leaders of a new scene owing as much to early Fall Out Boy and Green Day as latter-day Warped Tour bands. In 2022, Kerrang! declared them “one of the most authentic and well-respected bands in pop-punk.” Over the course of their career, STATE CHAMPS delivered their music and heartfelt message on extensive tours with bands like Fall Out Boy, 5 Seconds Of Summer, A Day To Remember, and Simple Plan; three different Warped Tours; and a co-headliner with Neck Deep. Kerrang! gave the band’s first album, The Finer Things, a rare 5K review in 2013. Rock Sound and Alternative Press served up adoring cover stories. Around the World and Back entered the Billboard Current Rock Albums chart at No. 3 and made Rock Sound’s Top 10 Albums of 2015. Living Proof followed in 2018. Billboard called them “modern-day pop-punk torchbearers” the same year. They are an arena-ready rock band with the freedom of punk’s soul. 2022 belongs to STATE CHAMPS. Welcome to The New Age.
YOUNG CULTURE
Young Culture, the three-piece alternative rock band from Albany, NY, is back and ready for summer with their new feel-good EP, ‘Godspeed’. After spending nearly every Sunday during the pandemic brainstorming and writing together, childhood friends Alex Magnan (vocals), Gabe Pietrafesa (guitar), and Troy Burchett (guitar) were ready to share the found happiness and love that many people are now being able to experience once again. The band’s debut self-titled LP released in 2020 was an extremely diverse mix of songs, so the guys decided to base the pop-rock sound of this EP off of the style of music their fans enjoyed the most from their previous album. Offering the group some new perspective, Young Culture took a different creative approach and decided on the artwork and the name ‘Godspeed’ before they dove into the writing process. “We knew what kind of vibe the artwork and name would have, so we polished off these songs with that in mind,” Gabe reflected. This approach created a cohesive blend of happy songs that are perfect for summer and a great reminder to practice love wherever you go. Because the pandemic forced them to take a different approach to the recording process as well, the group recorded this EP in a true DIY fashion. After tracking the songs at an old friend’s studio in Albany, they were then passed onto long-time friends of the band, Derek DiScanio of State Champs and Sam Guaiana, to produce, and Gabe’s brother, Tony Pietrafesa, to engineer. It became clear that the connection between the guys grew even greater during those Sunday sessions when it didn’t take long to polish off this group of fun and loving pop rock tracks. “It felt good to be able to see that we can do this on our own and have it come out like this,” Gabe commented. The EP kicks off with a strong title track, “Godspeed”, which focuses on two star-crossed lovers and the importance of continuously exploring life with the one you love. According to Young Culture, “when writing this song, it just felt so natural. This idea started from the notes app on our phone, and it’s now the first song you hear on our new EP. ”Filled with catchy riffs and feel-good instrumentals, “Hum”, the first single off of ‘Godspeed’, touches on how fun it feels to be in love. The lyrics portray a relatable story that alludes to feelings of both a nostalgic past and a hopeful future no matter who the listener is. The remaining tracks continue to bounce off of these feelings of romance and pure joy and will be exciting additions to your favorite summer playlists. According to Alex, “these 5 songs are just a showcase of what we’ve always been about, solidifying who we are and what we do. I want the listeners to feel the different emotions we’re trying to convey with each track. Each song has something special to offer and I want it to be felt to its fullest.” Young Culture had so much fun making this EP and they are very eager to kick off this summer with some positivity and love for anyone who will listen
JUNE 16
Presented by: ParkAlbany
Media partner: EQX
SPAFFORD [Website]
with ANNIE IN THE WATER [Website]
SPAFFORD
Spafford are known for their astonishing improvisational ability and off-the-cuff extended jams. Spafford paints a picture in real-time each night with a musical palette known only to each other. It’s a private language comprising both their talent as musicians as well as their formidable catalog of influences, spanning 90’s alt-rock radio hits to Steely Dan and The Crystal Method. Each Spafford show is a sonic pilgrimage, the journey of a team of musicians so in tune with each other that a single note communicates intent and purpose. Spafford is amongst the most creative and hard-traveling bands on the contemporary jam scene, performing countless sold-out headline dates along with high profile festival sets at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Firefly Music Festival, and many others.
ANNIE IN THE WATER
Annie in the Water is the feeling of driving down mountain roads with longtime friends. As the sun rises in the rearview, an unwritten story awaits on the road ahead. Comprised of members Brad Hester (Lead Vocals/Rhythm), Michael Lashomb (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Ryan Trumbull (Drums/Vocals), Chris Meier (Bass/Vocals), Matt Richards (Keys/Vocals) and Brock Kuca (Percussion/Vocals), each performance is another adventure; exhilarating and everlasting.
JUNE 23
Presented by: Keybank, Hilton Garden Inn - Albany Medical Center, Recovery Sports Grill
Media partner: PYX 106
LITA FORD [Website]
with CANDY AMBULANCE [Website]
LITA FORD
Lita Ford’s career began in 1975 as a founding member and guitarist of the groundbreaking all female group the Runaways. The groups hard rock / punk edge spawned hits like “Cherry Bomb” and “Queens of Noise”. Lita and the Runaways proved their timelessness in 2014 when “Cherry Bomb” was featured in the critically acclaimed Marvel / Disney Studios hit movie “Guardians Of The Galaxy” and was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1983 Lita launched her carrier as a solo artist with her début album “Out For Blood” establishing her as the premier female performer in rock and Heavy Metal. Lita quickly followed up in 1984 with the release of “Dancin’ on the Edge” which earned her a Grammy nomination in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category. The album produced the world charting single “Fire In My Heart” and the U.S. Billboard top 50 charting hit “Gotta Let Go”. The song, along with the video being in MTV’s top rotation began to make Ford a household name and face. 2018 Celebrated the 30th anniversary of the self-titled multi platinum “Lita” album. Released on February 2nd 1988 the “Lita” album boasted four charting hit singles. “Back to the Cave”, “Falling In and Out of Love” (co written with Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx) along with the world wide mega hits “Kiss me Deadly”, nominated for the MTV Video Music Awards Best Female Video of The Year and the certified gold ballad single “Close my Eyes Forever” featuring Ozzy Osbourne, which remained in the Billboard top 10 for 25 weeks. The “Lita” album solidified Ford as one of the most influential female performers in the music industry and earning her the title “Queen of Metal”. Ford released three more studio albums following “Lita”. Stiletto, “Dangerous Curves” and “Black”. These albums produced the radio and video hits “Hungry”,“Playin’ with Fire” and “Shot of Poison” again nominating her for a Grammy. In 1995 Lita Ford took a sabbatical from the industry. But in 2008 Ford answered the calling of her fans and after thirteen years triumphantly returned to the stage. The excitement generated by Ford’s return quickly showed the world that the Queen was back.
CANDY AMBULANCE
Troy, NY’s Candy Ambulance are Jesse Bolduc (bass), Jon Cantiello (drums) and Caitlin Barker (guitar, vocals). Formed in 2014, the trio have been honing their songwriting and touring around in a Toyota Corolla these past 8 years.
JULY 7
Presented by: Keybank
Media partner: Hot 99.1
TALIB KWELI [Website]
with DJ TGIF [Website], DJ SIROC [Website], JB!! Aka DIRTY MOSES [Website]
TALIB KWELI
The Brooklyn-based MC earned his stripes as one of the most lyrically-gifted, socially aware and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years. “I’m a touring artist. I’m an artist that’s internationally known. I’m not just a local artist at this point in my career. I’m cognizant of the fact that what I do is beyond where it started. I’m trying to reach the apex of where I am now, but without turning my back on or dismissing what I’ve done before. ”After nearly 20 years of releasing mesmerizing music, Talib Kweli stands as one of the world’s most talented and most accomplished Hip Hop artists. Whether working with Mos Def as one-half of Black Star, partnering with producer Hi-Tek for Reflection Eternal, releasing landmark solo material or collaborating with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Just Blaze, J Dilla, or Madlib, Kweli commands attention by delivering top-tier lyricism, crafting captivating stories and showing the ability to rhyme over virtually any type of instrumental. In 2011, Kweli founded Javotti Media, which is self-defined as “a platform for independent thinkers and doers.” Kweli has set out to make Javotti Media (which released his 2011 album, Gutter Rainbows, and is named after his paternal grandmother) into a media powerhouse that releases music, films and books.
DJ TGIF
THE HYP3ST DJ PERIOD!
DJ SIROC
DJ Siroc is making a wave for himself in his own respective lane. Born in the Bronx NY, but raised Upstate in Albany NY: With 6 years of DJing under his belt Siroc has been booked alongside Queen Naija, Ari Lennox, Bleu, Cardi B, Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Da Baby, A Boogie, Megan The Stallion, Saweetie, Fivio Foreign, and many more. Siroc gained more notoriety and traction through touring with Souly Had, a college tour, and a national tour with Lonr, YBN Cordae, and 24Goldn. The versatility through touring, playing clubs, corporate events, college parties, arenas, and gaining recognition from his native town is what keeps the gas to the flame.
JB!! AKA DIRTY MOSES
JB!! aka Dirty Moses is a recording artist, DJ, producer and rapper-singer-songwriter, based in Albany, NY. The Capital regions 2022 & 2020 Eddies award winner for HipHop/Rap Artist of the year. A natural showman, JB!! is well known for his energy and charisma on stage, as well as his diverse arsenal of verbal weaponry. When JB!! isn’t demolishing microphones, you can catch him producing, DJing, beatboxing, or pretty much anything else related to hip-hop.
JULY 14
Presented by: Decrescente
Media partner: Wild Country 99.9
CASSADEE POPE [Website]
with SYDNEY WORTHLEY [Website]
CASSADEE POPE
For Cassadee Pope, who’s topped Billboard’s Country Album chart, was the first woman to win on “The Voice,” and toured the world as a rocker, she’s ultimately a songwriter who’s always worked to distill truth. She’s grown, ventured into various genres, been playful and sad, but always serious about the music. Cassadee just released her ninth album Thrive that blends pop-punk melodies from the inception of her career, with the Country storytelling that overflows from her heart. The two worlds collide into a harmonious collection of songs that best represent where Cassadee is at this stage in her life: happy, confident and healthy.
SYDNEY WORTHLEY
Sydney Worthley rings out melodies and vocal parts nodding towards Florence and the Machine, while songwriting styles comparable to Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers shine through her songs. By writing from personal brooding memory, Worthley strives to make connections with her audience through her healing processes. Now in 2022 following the release of her 2020 EP "Rose Colored Glasses", she has two nominations at the Eddie's Music Awards, a feature on NPR's Heavy Rotation list, and a new project right around the corner.
"Right when Worthley’s voice struck the microphone, it was easy to hear the effortless power and true passion behind her enchanting voice." -Nippertown
JULY 21
Presented by: CDTA
Media partner: WVCR The Saint
BALLYHOO! [Website]
with SOULY HAD [Website] & THE E-BLOCK [Website]
BALLYHOO!
A rock band with punk energy and pop reggae grooves, Baltimore’s BALLYHOO! are a fun, fan-loving powerhouse. These road dogs have tirelessly toured coast-to-coast taking their music to the people. Between the road and the studio, BALLYHOO! have crafted a sound distinctly their own; fresh, fun, and embodied by the soul of the party lifestyle. Lead singer and guitarist, Howi Spangler, has a reputation for mixing slick lyrics with his smooth but powerful voice. Drummer Donald Spangler lays out the hard-hitting beats. Scott Vandrey layers in the finishing touches to the band’s signature sound on keys. The guys recently welcomed Nick Lucera as their new bass player. BALLYHOO! released their 5th studio album Pineapple Grenade on June 25th 2013. It broke through the Billboard Top 200 at #189 as well as reaching #4 Billboard Heatseekers and #5 at iTunes Alternative charts.The album features “No Good,” produced by Rome Ramirez (Sublime with Rome) and mixed by Paul Leary (U2, Sublime); while the first single “Run” saw an early radio add from KRAB Bakersfield and early radio spins by KROQ Los Angeles, WHFS Baltimore, KTCL Denver, and KCXX Riverside among others. Alongside the album release, BALLYHOO! co-headlined the 2013 Summer Sickness Tour with Authority Zero and special guests Versus The World. Pineapple Grenade is the band’s follow-up to the 2011 LAW Records release of “Daydreams,” which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae Charts and #4 on Amazon. BALLYHOO!’s unique yet melodic blend of genres, along with their hardcore devotion to the road and their fans have pitched them into snowballing success. The band has performed with a myriad of national touring acts; 311, Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, The Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, and more. Tour highlights include the 2011 311 Pow Wow Festival, the 2012 and 2013 311 Caribbean Cruise, Bamboozle 2012, 2012 Charm City Music Festival, 2013 Cali Roots Festival & the entire 2012 Vans Warped Tour. In 2011, after concluding the Last Calls and Liabilities tour with respected contemporaries, Pepper, they were honored with being included on the ever-popular Hollister Holiday Playlist. They were listed on MTV’s Top 100 Bands to Watch and even featured 2 downloadable songs on the popular video game ROCK BAND.
SOULY HAD
Souly Had is an artist from Duanesburg, New York, who creates hip-hop and R&B music, with over one million streams on Spotify.
THE E-BLOCK
The E-Block are an indie band from Albany, New York, named after the street they all grew up on.
JULY 28
Presented by: Motor Oil Coffee
Media sponsors: WEXT
DONAVON FRANKENREITER [Website]
with SEAN ROWE [Website]
DONAVON FRANKENREITER
For nearly four decades Donavon Frankenreiter has been traveling the globe, first as a professional surfer and now as a musician. Born in Southern California, Donavon spent most of his youth chasing waves, turning pro at the age of 16. These days instead of surf competitions, its concert halls that bring Frankenreiter to town, where he entertains audiences with his unique blend of laid-back grooves, philosophical lyrics and soulful delivery. You can find him touring the world with his three-piece band and still catching waves anytime he can.
SEAN ROWE
A blessing and curse of a curious mind paired with a sense of adventure is that one becomes a collector of stories. Some, like this, play out over the course of a few minutes while others, more profound and complex, take years to untangle. Rowe, an artist and nomad at heart, has made himself into the perfect repository for spun yarns of every variety — hysterical, terrifying, heartbreaking, mystifying, and ridiculous — and on this record, he makes it clear that at some point it’s hard not to feel them all at once.
AUGUST 4th
Presented by: CDTA
Media partner: Hot 99.1
DOUG E. FRESH [Website]
with DJ HOLLYW8D [Website], OHZHE [Website] w/ DJ TGIF [Website]
DOUG E. FRESH
Doug E. Fresh (born Douglas E. Davis, 17 September 1966, in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) is an American rapper, record producer, and beatboxer. One of the earliest beatboxers (and still seen as one of the best), Fresh is able to imitate drum machines and various special effects with often startling accuracy. Fresh’s early records are out of print, and have never been released on compact disc; thus original records can command high prices. He was born in St. Thomas, but came to the United States with his family when he was young. His recording debut was 1983’s single “Pass the Budda,” also featuring Spoonie Gee and DJ Spivey. However, Fresh’s breakthrough was 1984’s “Beat Street” behind the Treacherous Three. That same year saw Fresh’s debut as a solo artist with the singles “Just Having Fun” and “Original Human Beatbox”. Fresh became a major rap star in 1985. His single “The Show/La Di Da Di,” is considered an early hip hop classic. The “Get Fresh Crew” was featured: DJs Barry B., Chill Will, and MC Ricky D (who would later achieve fame as Slick Rick). In 1987, Fresh’s first full-length record was issued. Called Oh, My God!, this included a few more notable tracks such as (“Play This Only at Night” and “All the Way to Heaven”) and was critically hailed for incorporating elements of reggae and gospel music. The next year saw another long player, The World’s Greatest Entertainer, which appeared on Billboard magazine’s charts due in part to a popular single, “Keep Risin’ to the Top”. Slick Rick’s input was not appreciated by their joint record label, Fantasy Records, and he was asked to leave the group. However, subsequently Slick Rick released his own solo debut The Great Adventures of Slick Rick on Def Jam, to big success. Fresh did not record again until 1992’s Doin’ What I Gotta Do, issued by MC Hammer’s Bust It Records. Rap had changed appreciably in the interim, and Fresh seemed a little lost. The record performed poorly. In 1995, Slick Rick and Fresh reunited for a record entitled Play which found Fresh back on his feet. Play received positive reviews; Bret Love writes that the record is “a welcome flashback to the days when guns, drugs, sex and violence were not the genre’s primary lyrical focus.”[1] In the late 1990s, Fresh collaborated with Prince on a number of recordings, notably Newpower Soul and the “1999, the New Master” EP. Recently, Fresh has appeared on VH1’s I Love the 80s. Fresh is a Scientologist and has performed for large audiences of Scientologists at the annual Scientology Celebrity Centre Gala in both 2004 and 2005. He also recorded a couple of songs on the Scientology music album “The Joy of Creating” along with Isaac Hayes, and Chick Corea. Discography: 1985 - Oh, My God! (Reality), 1988 - The World’s Greatest Entertainer (Reality), 1992 - Doin’ What I Gotta Do (Bust It), 1995 - Play (Gee Street), 1996 - Alright (Gee Street)
DJ HOLLYW8D
DJ Hollyw8d energizes crowds throughout the Upstate New York Capital Region and beyond. He has been featured in various media platforms such as The Alt Weekly, PBS, ABC and has played music at venues such as Rivers Casino, Night Owl Saratoga, and Albany Cap Center. Recently, DJ HollyW8D won a merit award at 'The Eddies' in proctors theatre for his latest venture which is a community concert series titled "More Music Less Violence”. DJ HollyW8D also teaches the youth how to DJ and find the right rhythm for them. HollyW8D quickly learned that with being a DJ It`s more than music; it's to share light with other artists and space
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.
THE 33rd ANNUAL ALBANY ALIVE AT FIVE SEASON IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
- Key Bank
- CDTA
- Albany Parking Authority
- DGS
- DeCrescente
- New Belgium Brewing
- Yuengling
- Tri-City Valleycats
- Pride Center of the Capital Region
- In Our Own Voices
- Waterworks Pub
- Stantec
- Hudson Valley Community College
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Recovery Sports Grill
- Bath fitter
- Motor Oil Coffee
Media Partners:
- WVCR The Saint
- Kiss 102.3
- Hot 99.1
- WEQX
- WEXT Radio 97.7 and 106.1
- Wild Country 99.9
- PYX 106
- Albany.com
- Nippertown
- Xperience
- NYS Music
- Spiral Design Studios
- The Spot 518
Through a partnership with Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region and Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, 100% of the proceeds from tips collected in the beer garden will benefit each charitable organization:
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.
For more information on Alive at Five, visit www.albanyevents.org, call 518.434.2032 or follow albanyNYevents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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