NEW CONCERT NEWS

By Greg Haymes

Hand Habits (featuring former Nippertonian Meg Duffy) is slated to play a pair of back-to-back homecoming shows this spring. You can catch up with her at Post Contemporary at Woodside in Troy at 7pm Monday, April 8, as well as at the Half Moon in Hudson at 8pm on Tuesday, April 9. Ticket prices TBA…

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Hootie & The Blowfish are reuniting for their first full-scale tour in a dozen years, and they’re slated to make a stop at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center with Barenaked Ladies opening the show. Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday (December 7).

Two new concerts have been added to the concert calendar for The Linda in Albany. Nous, an experimental ensemble led by composer-producer Christopher Bono (Ghost Against Ghost, Bardo), takes the stage at 8pm on Wednesday, Wednesday, December 12. The band also features Christopher Pravdica (SWANS, Yonatan Gat), Mike Pride (Millions of Dead Cops, Anthony Braxton) and Matt Nelson (tUnE-yArDs, GRID ). Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Also coming up next year, Evan Stephens Hall leads New Jersey’s Pinegrove at 8pm on Saturday, March 30, in support of their new album, Skylight. Tickets are $16 in advance; $20 at the door.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: With the howlin’ Rob Halford at the helm, classic old-school headbangers Judas Priest will be roaring into Albany’s Palace Theatre for a two-night stand in the spring. Uriah Heap will open both shows. Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday (December 7).

Hatebreed roars into the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park at 6:30pm on Saturday, April 6, celebrating their 25 years of ruthless breakdowns, pit-stirring anthems and poignant lyrics across eight albums and consistently sold-out shows. The Connecticut band will be joined by Obituary, Terror, Cro-Mags and Fit for an Autopsy. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Bluegrass greats Del McCoury and David Grisman – better known collectively as the duo Del & Dawg – have scheduled a return to Greater Nippertown for a concert at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday (December 7).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Dead & Company are returning for their third annual tourstop at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center next summer. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10am Saturday (December 8).

The annual Melodies of Christmas holiday show once again takes over Proctors in Schenectady from Thursday-Sunday, December 13-16. Featured performers include with Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, Grand Central Station, the Empire State Youth Orchestra & Youth Chorale, the Northeast Ballet and Orlando’s School of Dance. Tickets are $25 & $35 with proceeds benefiting the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston will be playing host to Angelique Kidjo’s concert interpretation of Talking Heads’ Remain in Light album, as well as a show by jazz-pop trumpeter Chris Botti and his band. Tickets for both new concerts go on sale to the general public at 11am Thursday (December 6).

Rachael & Vilray (featuring Lake Street Dive’s Rachael Price) step into the spotlight at Club Helsinki in Hudson on Wednesday, February 27 to deliver an evening of vintage jazz-pop. Taylor Ashton will open the show at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now, priced at $25 & $35.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Four new shows have been announced for The Egg – Marcia Ball with Sonny Landreth, Cat & Nat, Red Molly and Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 11am Friday (December 7).

The Turtles’ Happy Together oldies tour rolls into the Calvin Theatre in Northampton at 7pm on Sunday, June 16. Joining Flo & Eddie will be Chuck Negron, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, The Buckinghams, the Classics IV and The Cowsills. Tickets are on sale now, priced at $49.50, $65.50 & $75.50.

Speaking of oldies in Northampton, how about the duo of Peter Asher & Jeremy Clyde at the Iron Horse Music Hall at 7pm on Sunday, January 20? Yes, that’s Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon with Jeremy Clyde of Chad & Jeremy. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 at the door. Other upcoming highlights at the Iron Horse include Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers at 7pm Thursday, February 7 ($35 in advance; $40 at the door); Big Easy keyboardist Jon Cleary at 7pm on Monday, March 4 ($20 in advance; $25 at the door); and sublime jazz-pop singer Kat Edmonson at 7pm Thursday, March 14 ($20 in advance; $25 at the door).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kenny Chesney is bringing his Songs for the Saints Tour to Albany’s Times Union Center. Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday (December 7).

The Bearsville Theater welcomes back Andy Frasco & The U.N. on Saturday, March 23, in support of their upcoming album, Change of Pace, slated for release in February. Wild Adriatic opens the show at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now, priced at $20, $30 & $40.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Melvin Seals & JGB are comin’ back for another Greater Nippertown concert at the Cohoes Music Hall. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday (December 7).