Set against the foothills of the beautiful Berkshire mountains, it’s FreshGrass! North Adams is a family-friendly festival with the best in bluegrass and roots music filling the fields, courtyards, and galleries of MASS MoCA—the largest contemporary art museum in the country (gallery admission included with all tickets!). Along with world premieres, emerging artist competitions, farm-fresh food, local brews, and pop-up jam sessions, this is three days of festival magic produced in partnership by MASS MoCA, the FreshGrass Foundation, and No Depression.

The FreshGrass North Adams 2023 lineup is here featuring Dropkick Murphys Acoustic—playing songs from their two albums with the lyrics of Woody Guthrie – plus acoustic arrangements of all your DKM favorites—Lukas Nelson + POTR, Sierra Ferrell, Rhiannon Giddens, The Devil Makes Three, Aoife O’Donovan premiering a FreshGrass Composition Commission, Allison Russell, Mighty Poplar featuring Noam Pikelny, Andrew Marlin, Chris Eldridge, & Greg Garrison, and so many more!

FreshGround camping is on sale now. Learn more & book a campsite here.

Learn more about FreshGrass | North Adams at freshgrass.com

On Saturday, August 19th, the The Dark Horizon Tour brings both In This Moment and Motionless In White to the MVP Arena in downtown Albany.

Join Old Saratoga Mercantile as they shut down their parking lot and celebrate the return to live events. Parking will be available at the Corn Maze (corner of Route 29 & Burgoyne) and shuttle buses with provide transportation over to A Day of Fun for Everyone. Members of Annie in the Water will be on hand for music and sharing their Balloons IPA collab with Northway Brewing Co. You can also plan on enjoying the incredible creations of The LAN Chef!

Head down to The Coffee Bar in Bennington, Vermont to catch an intimate show with Jordan Tice on Wednesday, April 19th.

Ben Harper
Ben was raised in a hub of activists, poets, artists and of course great musicians.
They included frequent patrons such as Chris Darrow, Leonard Cohen, Jackson
Browne and Taj Mahal – the latter of whom gave Ben his first major tour and
asked him to record Follow the Drinking Gourd with him (1990), all of which
culminated in playing with Taj on Austin City Limits (which would become the
first of five times Ben would be on the show).
Born October 28, 1969 as the sixties came to a howling end, and having been
raised in such a potent community, Ben’s music and career embodies that
musical brilliance, open mindedness, lyrical honesty and abiding social activism
of that pivotal time. With over 15 million records sold worldwide, the career of
this multi-GRAMMY® award-winning musician, producer, activist and now,
record label founder, spans decades, during which he has been established as a
singularly powerful songwriter and performer with range across multiple genres
with a rare ability to blend the personal and political.
After his successful tour and record release with Taj Mahal, Ben returned to
California and in 1992 teamed up with childhood friend Tom Freund to record
Pleasure and Pain. In 1993 Virgin Records offered Harper a worldwide
recording contract and he released his debut, Welcome to the Cruel World in
1994. The album was created with musicians who would eventually become
known as the Innocent Criminals (percussionist Leon Mobley, bassist Juan
Nelson and drummer Oliver Charles). What makes the band so unique is that
they come from different places musically and complement each other because
of the different styles that they play. This led to a string of successful and
critically acclaimed albums and the accolades poured in. Rolling Stone hailed
his “jewels of unique and exquisitely tender rock & roll,” while Entertainment
Weekly praised his “casual profundity,” and Billboard said his music “reminds
us of the power and beauty of simplicity.”
Many albums with various iterations of the Innocent Criminals followed
including: Fight for Your Mind (1995); The Will to Live (1997); Burn to Shine
(1999); Live from Mars (2001); Diamonds on the Inside (2003); Both Sides of
the Gun (2006); Lifeline (2007) – for which he was nominated for Best Pop
Instrumental GRAMMY® and Call It What It Is (2016).
Harper’s need to continually explore every aspect of creating music has led him
to some brilliant and highly acclaimed collaborations, both as a performer and
as a producer. In 2004 Ben and the Innocent Criminals backed The Blind Boys
of Alabama resulting in the collaborative album There Will Be a Light. They
were awarded the GRAMMY® for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album and
Ben won the Best Pop Instrumental Performance GRAMMY®. In 2007 Ben
assembled a new band which he called Relentless7 and went on to release White
Lies for Dark Times (2009) and Give till it’s Gone (2011). 2010 saw Harper
team up with Dhani Harrison and Joseph Arthur and they released a self-titled
album as Fistful of Mercy. In 2013 Ben teamed up with Charlie Musselwhite
and the duo created two records, the first, Get Up! (2013) which won the Best
Blues Album GRAMMY® award, followed by GRAMMY® nominated No
Mercy in This Land (2018) which won the Blues Foundation Best Blues Song of
the Year.
His credits as a producer illustrate Harper’s musical curiosity and include an
impressive diversity: Tom Freud, Collapsible Plans (2008); Grace Woodroofe,
Always Want (2010); Rickie Lee Jones, The Devil You Know (2012); Natalie
Maines, Mother (2012); Mavis Staples, We Get By (2019) that Harper also
wrote and sang on, garnering them the prestigious Folk Alliance Album of the
Year Award; Birdthrower, Birdthrower (2019); Christopher Paul Stelling, Best
of Luck (2020) and Hey, King!, Hey, King! (2020).
For many of these artists Harper not only produced the music but also helped to
find a label to release it, using his vast network, insight and knowledge of the
music industry to find these gems the right home.
2020 also saw Harper break more new ground with the October release of his
first ever instrumental record – Winter Is for Lovers – which unfolds entirely
without words. It is a profoundly emotional story told exclusively through the
nuance of sound. The narration is provided by a single lap steel guitar and the
music references blues and folk as well as flamenco, Indian and classical, but it
transcends any specific style. In that, the album philosophically evokes the
American Primitive movement pioneered by John Fahey and Leo Kottke,
utilizing masterful playing to create an impressionistic and affecting work.
Harper’s social activism has continued throughout his career and has seen him
support a broad array of organizations and events including LIFT, Living Lands
and Waters, Moveon.org, Newlight, Pat Tillman Foundation, Plastic Pollution
Coalition, Surfrider Foundation and Tony Hawk Foundation.

TIPPING POINT TOUR PART II
TEARS FOR FEARS
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
COLD WAR KIDS
JULY 2ND
7:30 PM
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH AT 10 AM
www.LiveNation.com
Ticketmaster
*Tickets subject to applicable service charges. Price subject to change without notice.

THE 75th ANNUAL ALBANY TULIP FESTIVAL

EQX Main Stage Saturday set times:
Precious Metals 1:30
Karina Rykman 3:00
Guster 4:30

Presented by Keybank May 13 & 14, Washington Park 11am – 6pm
FREE www.albanyevents.org / 518-434-2032 for more information
or albanyNYevents on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
The Tulip Festival is a showcase for all things Albany; from the
beautiful Washington Park setting to the focus on local traditions,
businesses, vendors, and artists, the Festival is true cross-section
of the Albany area’s culture.
We are thrilled to back! We will present local music on EVERY stage
again this year.
Kicking off the WEQX Tulip Festival Saturday Main Stage at 1:30pm,
its Capital Region new favorites PRECIOUS METALS. • The band’s
high energy alt-rock sound pulls from the early 2000s emo explosion
and 2010’s indie rock revival.
• Established Capital Region musicians Mateo Vosganian,
Jesse Bolduc and Chase Keener.
• They have performed PearlPalooza, Wisconsin’s
Mile of Music and played the inaugural Bacchanalia festival
At 3:00pm, we welcome KARINA RYKMAN.
Karina Rykman plays bass, sings, jumps around,
and laughs a lot. In doing so, she has garnered a rare attention
and avid listenership.
• You may have seen her rocking out on the bass with
Macro Benevento a few years ago at Alive at Five!
• Karina has performed major festivals such as Bonnaroo,
Peach Music Festival and Sweetwater 420.
• Karina has made television appearances on The Today’s Show,
America’s Got Talent and in the 8G Band on
Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Headlining the WEQX Tulip Festival Main Stage at 4:30pm is GUSTER!
• American alternative rock band from Boston, known for their
unique live shows and large dedicated fan base.
• Guster has always maintained a close relationship with its
fans and extensively tours, at time splaying up to 250 shows a year.
More on Tulip Fest 2023: – City Gardener Jena Commerford and
her small crew planted approximately 248,000 tulips bulbs in
175 different varieties throughout Albany and you can find nearly
155,000 bulbs in Washington Park.
– Tulip Fest kicks off with the Street Scrubbing on Friday, May 12th
at noon at State & Lodge Streets – a tradition dating back to the
first Tulip Fest and the heritage of Holland, where the streets
were always scrubbed clean before a big celebration.
In Washington Park May 13 & 14: – 75th Anniversary of Tulip Festival
– 100’s of vendors including food, craft and fine art.
– The Price Chopper/ Market 32 Tulip Festival KidZone,
featuring fun for the whole family! Continuous live entertainment
all day, including live performances, rock climbing wall, pony rides
for the kids, face painting and more!
– Crowning of the 2023 Tulip Queen: Saturday at noon on the
Lakehouse Stage The Tulip Queen & Court work together on
community service and educational projects year-round.
Nominations open now at AlbanyEvents.org
– Crowning of the 2023 Capital Region’s Best Mom: Sunday at noon
on the Lakehouse Stage Nominations open now! Visit www.timesunion.com/capitalregionbestmom
– Even more local music from the T-MOBILE 518 Stage on
Saturday from SPACE TRASH, FRANK PALANGI, OHZHE & T.V. DOCTORS
FREE parking and CDTA shuttle service to and from the park from
Eagle Street Garage and Elk Street Parking Lot.

Catch a show with Bully as they make their way to Lark Hall Albany on Wednesday, September 20th.

Make your way to Joe’s Field in North Adams, Massachusetts on the campus of Mass MoCA to catch an evening of music from Pixies, Modest Mouse, and special guest Cat Power.

Get out to Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, New York for a co-headlining show with Pixies and Modest Mouse along with special guest Cat Power on Friday, August 25th.

Make your way to The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, New York on Saturday, April 22nd to catch The Wailers performing live.

Saturday, April 15th, catch Beyond Purple at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, New York as they pay tribute to the music of Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Whitesnake.

The Proudest Monkeys pay tribute to the work of the Dave Matthews Band at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, New York on Friday, April 7th.

Saturday, July 8th, the Rock the Dock Music Festival returns to The Lake George Steamboat Company in Lake George, NY. This festival is for all ages and will feature live music on the pier, surrounded by the beautiful Adirondack mountains. Enjoy the sounds of several well-known jam bands from the dock or aboard the steamboats that surround the stage. This truly is one of the most unique experiences you will get from a live concert.

For the full lineup, CLICK HERE

For additional details CLICK HERE

Mark Lettieri is a guitarist, composer, producer, and instructor
based in Fort Worth, TX.  Proficient in a multitude of styles,
he records and performs in virtually every genre of popular
music with both independent and major-label artists.
He also composes and produces original instrumental
music under his own name.

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lettieri came to
Texas via Texas Christian University (TCU), studying
advertising and public relations, and competing in
track and field. A passionate guitarist since
middle school, he began his music career in the
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area upon graduating from TCU.

Playing in the vibrant Metroplex gospel and R&B scene
led Lettieri to join jazz/world group Snarky Puppy in 2008,
where he contributes as guitarist, as well as arranger and
composer. His work with group has resulted in four
GRAMMY Awards: Best R&B Performance for
“Something” feat. Lalah Hathaway in 2014, and
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
(Sylva in 2016, Culcha Vulcha in 2017, and
 Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2021).
Snarky Puppy tours constantly,
having performed on every continent except Antarctica.

Outside of Snarky Puppy, Lettieri has released
six albums as a leader: Knows (2011), Futurefun (2013),
Spark and Echo (2016, #2 on iTunes Jazz and #11 on
Billboard Jazz) Deep: The Baritone Sessions in
(2019, #21 on Billboard Jazz), Things of That Nature
(2019, #1 on iTunes Jazz), and most recently,
Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2 (2021, #2 on iTunes Jazz).
Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2 earned a
GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary
Instrumental Album for the 64th GRAMMY Awards,
giving Lettieri his first nomination as a solo artist.
Due in large part to Lettieri’s vibrant social media
presence, these records have created a sizable buzz
among fans of instrumental music worldwide,
enabling him to tour internationally with his quartet,
the Mark Lettieri Group.

In 2018, Lettieri joined up with Vulpeck-produced group
The Fearless Flyers, featuring Cory Wong and Joe Dart
of Vulfpeck on guitar and bass respectively, and drummer
Nate Smith (Chris Potter, Pat Metheny). The quartet has four
releases to date: The Fearless Flyers (2018), 
The Fearless Flyers II (2019), Tailwinds (2020), and Live
at Madison Square Garden (2021).

As an in-demand session guitarist and touring sideman,
Lettieri has logged miles with neo-soul icon Erykah Badu,
gospel singer Anthony Evans, and American Idol: Season 11
winner Phillip Phillips. He’s also performed with a myriad of
other artists, including Nelly, Anthony Evans, Chrisette Michele,
Myron Butler, N’dambi, Bilal, and even alongside comedians
Dave Chappelle and Harry Shearer.

Session recording work includes artists such as David Crosby,
Kirk Franklin, The Jacksons, Fred Hammond, Tori Kelly,
50 Cent, Ledisi, Tamela Mann, Eric Roberson, Lecrae,
Lupe Fiasco, Keyshia Cole, and Xzibit.

Lettieri recently teamed up with Paul Reed Smith Guitars
to create his signature model electric guitar, the Fiore,
released during Winter NAMM 2021. He serves as a
demonstrator and clinician on behalf of PRS and other endorsing brands

Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
If you ask Reese about himself, he’ll tell you he’s a brand new soul. But his songs tell a different story, with a clear eye, poetic touch, and unique imagination, of a conduit to something much older and deeper. Born and raised in Gloucester, MA, Reese has quickly made a name for himself in the Capital Region, NY, as a precocious songwriter and engaging performer, with a sound reminiscent of early work from Josh Ritter, Justin Townes Earle, and Iron & Wine. The Carriage House Band features a fluid lineup with some of the finest and most versatile musicians in the area, making every live show a unique performance.

Blue Ranger
Upstate NY based band Blue Ranger are here to remind us that there are small moments of magic in the everyday. Formed in 2015, the trio have been crafting soft-focused folk that celebrates the beauty in our uncertainties with an existential flair. Following their 2018 LP Saving A Beauty (Five Kill Records) comes a fresh single – True Blue – where candid, autobiographical tales dance among a wealth of imaginary characters. The trio brings their propulsive folk influenced sound to improvisatory heights in live settings – the product of countless years moving sound.

Caity Gallagher
A folk singer songwriter based in the Capital Region, Caity Gallagher’s rootsy compositions and lilting vocal lines serve to showcase intimate lyrics that tell universally relatable stories. Likened to a modern combination of Jewel and Emmylou Harris, Caity elevates melodic, lyrical, and emotional expression in her music, with each song aiming to map the endless meandering paths of the human experience.

Laveda
“Drawing experience from the darkest of times and reflecting in the half-light that comes with the dawning of adulthood, Laveda’s sophomore album ‘A Place You Grew Up In’ presents 12 shimmering, sensory, and sensitive tracks to savor. The full album releases everywhere on April 14, via PaperCup Music. Laveda is Ali Genevich and Jake Brooks, and is joined live by Dan Carr and Joe Taurone.”

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.”

Bear Grass
“Bear Grass is built around the songs of Katie Hammon, who’s sultry pipes have been compared to a ‘fresh from the dryer blanket feeling instrument’. Hammon’s roots in the pacific northwest shape the character of the music with lyrics often referencing the people and places from her childhood memories. Bear Grass can be classified as indie, folk rock and released their sophomore album LEFT, to a global audience in 2018.”