LIVE: Taylor Hicks & Madison VanDenburg @ Cohoes Music Hall, 01/08/2022

Upstate New York music fans braved the chilly weather to experience a one-of-a-kind show at the Cohoes Music Hall with Taylor Hicks and local rising star Madison VanDenburg.

American Idol season 17 top finalist Madison VanDenburg stunned the audience with her powerful singing and songwriting ability Saturday night in Cohoes. The young and energetic performer opened the night with her unreleased song “Game Changer,” which will find the public this year. 

Vandenburg didn’t veer too far from her original songs, however, she wasn’t intimidated to showcase her talent by covering Back to Black by Amy Whinehouse. According to her team, they will be pursuing the stage lights of Nashville for the next couple of months.

Taylor Hicks, the winner of American Idol’s season five and, we think, part-time comedian, filled the room with applause and laughter with a relaxed and chilling performance. 

Hicks’ one-of-a-kind performance allowed the audience to request and ask questions between his setlist. He answered questions such as “Where is your harmonica?” and “Are you going to dance tonight?”, leaving the audience with smiles and laughter under their masks.

Aside from the laughter, Hicks also touched on more serious topics with his performance. “Hell Of a Day,” written with John Mayer, and “Six Strings & Diamond Rings” presented the rough roads in relationships. One of his final songs of the night, “Nineteen,” gave acknowledgment to first responders and those serving the country as we enjoy the nights of music in Upstate New York.

Photo Gallery of Taylor Hicks by Ben Gifford

Photo Gallery of Madison VanDenburg by Ben Gifford