The 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Spongebob Squarepants by Nickelodeon

One of the greatest spectacles in American show business once again came to New York City on Thanksgiving Day.  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in its 88th year swept through the streets to a live audience of 3.5 million.  That is in addition to the 50 million watching at home on NBC.  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade features massive helium balloons, floats, guest musical appearances, marching bands, celebrity appearances, and to top it off, Santa Clause.  This magical event has been going on since 1924 and used to feature lions, tigers, camels, bears, goats, and elephants.  Santa Claus himself has always ended the parade except for one year when he started it off.  In recent times, they have added “Falloons” (float and cold air balloon hybrid), Balloonicles (balloon and vehicle hybrid) and “Trycaloons” (part tricycle part balloon).  The parade strolls through Manhattan, the most densely populated borough of New York.  It starts on the west side of Central Park on 77^th St. and finishes at Macy’s on 34^th St. 

12-12-12 The Concert for Sandy Relief

Bruce Springsteen

Tonight, nearly 2 billion people are tuning in around the world to watch and listen to one of the most epic concerts in the history of the United States.  The lineup of performers include some of the best performers of our time.  Tune in live now!  Do not forget to contribute to the Robin Hood Fund which is the benefactor of tonight's concert to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Performers of tonight's concert include Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Taylor Swift, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Kanye West, The Who, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones.

Deer Tick and Jonny Corndawg - Red Hook Park, Brooklyn NY

Images and article by Bill Kelly

Providence based alt-folk-rock band Deer Tick played  a brief but exubernt set in the neo-hipster,  warehouse waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook Brooklyn  last Thursday night.  Red Hook,  former home of dockworkers and milieu for the movie “On The Waterfront” is another one of those New York neighborhoods transitioning from dangerous to home of kimchi tacos.  

B&H Photo Video

B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio is the best camera store in the United States.  Not only does the independent camera store stock all of the best pro and consumer camera, video and audio gear, B&H has a huge inventory of computers & laptops, software, lighting, telescopes, hard drives and home entertainment electronics.

B&H Photo Video

 

12 Days of Furthur - Day 11 - Madison Square Garden

12 Days of Furthur - Day 11 - Madison Square Garden on November 10, 2011 - Furthur at MSG in NYC on 11/10/2011

Concert Photos Magazine and Performance Impressions concert photography archives are bringing you photos from 12 Furthur shows by David Oppenheimer on the first 12 days of 2012! Here is Day 11 - Furthur at MSG in NYC on 11/10/2011

More photos from this show at Performance Impressions - Furthur at MSG

 Furthur at Madison Square Garden

Furthur w. Phil Lesh & Bob Weir - Best Buy Theater 3/10/2011

Carrying out a legacy of countless adventure, the band Furthur, the latest carnation of the Grateful Dead, has just completed their 2011 spring tour only to immediately announce a full summer tour.  What began 46 years ago when the Grateful Dead started touring and developing unique sounds, songs and a concert experience, Furthur has lost none of that spirit and energy as Furthur, featuring Phil Lesh & Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, continue to deliver heartfelt and energetic performances some of which have gone on longer than 5 hours of solid music.

 Furthur - Phil Lesh & Bob Weir

Along Furthur's spring tour the band made two visits to New York City with the first being a 5 night run at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square on 1515 Broadway & West 44th St.  More of a nightclub than a theater with a capacity of just 2100, the Best Buy Theater (formally the Nokia Theater) has a dance floor with seating in the rear and all tickets were general admission.  All 5 shows sold out in the blink of an eye and a line for entry started early in the afternoon each day so those who really wanted to be up front could assure to get very close to the stage.

 Phil Lesh with Furthur

Despite a heavy rain on the opening night at the Best Buy Theater, fans braved a long line to get into the venue.  After the opening night, the delay for entry was fixed and for the other 4 nights at the Best Buy Theater, folks entered with little time in line.  Furthur started around 7p.m. each night yet often performed past midnight.

Full of anticipation, the band opened the show with a brief upbeat jam into Sittin On Top of the World.

Half the audience seemed to sing along to Cosmic Charlie and then Furthur, which was performing a song from The Beatle's album Abbey Road each night, performed Octopus's Garden during the first set. 

Second set treated fans to a full Terrapin Station and a Unbroken Chain.

 Bob Weir with Furthur

 Phil Lesh, after encouraging everyone in attendance to become an organ donor, which he does at every performance, the band encored with a widely covered Gloria.  And with that, the band and fans went out into New York City for what was to be a 6 day adventure with 5 nights of music—more to come!

 Phil Lesh & Bob Weir with Furthur

 Furthur at Best Buy Theater in New York City

 Joe Russo with Furthur

Setlist for Furthur at the Best Buy Theater on March 10, 2011
Jam >
Sittin' on Top of the World
High on a Mountain >
Cumberland Blues
Cosmic Charlie
Octopus's Garden
Lost Sailor >
Saint of Circumstance
Casey Jones
Playin' in the Band
Colors of the Rain
Let It Grow
Slipknot
We Love You
Unbroken Chain >
Wharf Rat >
The Other One >
Lady With a Fan >
At a Siding >
Terrapin Flyer

Streaming audio of this show is up at Achive.org: Furthur on 3/10/2011 at Best Buy Theater

 John Kadlecik with Furthur

 Jeff Pehrson & Sunshine Becker with Furthur

 Jeff Chimenti with Furthur

 Phil Lesh with Furthur

 John Kadlecik with Furthur

 Furthur

More Furthur photos from this show at Performance Impressions' concert photography archives:  Furthur Tour Photos 3/10/2011

LCD Soundsystem's final show at Madison Square Garden

Already being hailed in certain circles as the concert of the decade, LCD Soundsystem performed their final show at Madison Square Garden on April 2, 2011.
Frontman, James Murphy, and band may of put on the performance of their career, it's just too bad it was their last show ever. The band's self imposed retirement was announced in February and not surprisingly, tickets sold out in just minutes. Fans actually traveled from most parts of the globe to see this historic concert. And those who were lucky enough to attend were treated to over 3 hours of live music...the evening was peppered by many special guests including Shit Robot, Arcade Fire, Reggie Watts, choir ensembles, and even LCD's original guitarist, Phil Mossman. It was the type of concert that will be talked and written about by fans and critics alike 10 years from now.

The energy at the Garden drew to such a fever pitch at times the rafters continously trembled. As the "best funeral ever" came to an end, the last song was probably the saddest of the night. Murphy sounded nostalgic as he said how it was the last time they were playing, "NY I love you, but you're bringing me down". LCD rocked their way to the very end leaving the stage during a massive balloon drop from the ceiling. It was completely epic!


Photos by Joe Ryan/ ryanfoto.com

Aziz Ansari (of NBC's Parks & Recreation) crowd surfing

Video by Joe Ryan






Setlist:

INTRO: “I’m Not In Love” by 10cc
Dance Yrself Clean
Drunk Girls
I Can Change
Time To Get Away
Get Innocuous!
Daft Punk Is Playing At My House
Too Much Love
All My Friends
Tired (w/ “Heart of the Sunrise” by Yes)
—
Set 2
45:33 Part One
45:33 Part Two (w/ Reggie Watts)
Sound of Silver
45:33 Part Four
45:33 Part Five (w/ Shit Robot)
45:33 Part Six
Freak Out/Starry Eyes
—
Set 3
Us v Them
North American Scum (w/ Arcade Fire)
Bye Bye Bayou (Alan Vega cover)
You Wanted A Hit
Tribulations
Movement
Yeah (Crass Version)
—
Set 4
Someone Great
Losing My Edge (w/ “Da Funk” by Daft Punk)
Home
—
Set 5
All I Want
Jump Into the Fire (Harry Nilsson Cover)
New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down (with “Twin Peaks Theme”)

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE

LCD Soundsystem at Terminal 5, NYC 5.23.2010

LCD Soundsystem electrified Terminal 5 in New York City on Sunday, May 23, 2010. This performance was their 4th sold-out concert in a row in their home city. LCD's frontman, James Murphy, is a master at what he does and continues to push the limits with their new CD, "This is Happening".

Photos by Joe Ryan/ ryanfoto.com

LCD Soundsystem Tickets and Tour dates:

Sun 05/30/10 Quincy, WA

Mon 05/31/10 Vancouver, BC

Thu 06/03/10 San Francisco, CA

Fri 06/04/10 Hollywood, CA

Sat 06/05/10 Pomona, CA

Tue 06/08/10 Austin, TX

Wed 06/09/10 Dallas, TX

Fri 06/11/10 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival

Thu 06/17/10 La Coruna, Spain

Fri 06/18/10 Barcelona, Spain

Sat 06/19/10 Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany

Sun 06/20/10 Sheessel, Germany

Tue 06/22/10 Zagreb, Croatia

Fri 06/25/10 St. Gallen, Switzerland

Sun 06/27/10 Pilton, United Kingdom

Thu 07/01/10 Roskilde, Denmark

Fri 07/02/10 Werchter, Belgium

Sat 07/03/10 London, United Kingdom

Sun 07/04/10 Belfort, France

Thu 07/08/10 Novi Sad, Serbia

Sat 07/10/10 Lisbon, Portugal

Thu 07/15/10 Mariaville, NY

Fri 07/16/10 Mariaville, NY

Sat 07/17/10 Chicago, IL

Wed 08/11/10 Helsinki, Finland

Thu 08/12/10 Oslo, Norway

Fri 08/13/10 Goteborg, Sweden

Fri 08/27/10 Reading, United Kingdom

Official LCD Soundsystem website

See all photos from this show.

Furthur Tour New York City w. Phil Lesh and Bob Weir at Hammerstein Ballroom - Tickets Available for 2010 Tour

Furthur is the Grateful Dead's newest offspring.  With original Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir - the new lineup now also includes Jeff Chimenti, John Kadlecik, Jay Lane, Joe Russo.  Furthur tickets for the two night run at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City quickly sold out.  Tuesday night's show was more mellow compaired to Wednesday night where the band seemed to really let loose and tear it up.  Lots more photos from the Furthur tour coming up soon at Perfomrance Impressions. 
Photos - © 2009 David Oppenheimer - All Rights Reserved

 Phil Lesh - Furthur Tour - © 2009 David Oppenheimer

Phil Lesh at the Hammerstein Ballroom on December 8, 2009 in NYC - Furthur Tour photos

 Phil Lesh & Bob Weir - Furthur Tour

 Joe Russo - Furthur Tour

 Bob Weir with Furthur

 Phil Lesh & Bob Weir

 Phil Lesh and Bob Weir with Furthur

Phil Lesh and Bob Weir w. Furthur in New York City

Phish Photos from Madison Square Garden in New York City

New gallery from Phish's epic 2009 run at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

New live music concert photography gallery from the NYC MSG concert are up at Performance Impressions.

Enter gallery:  Phish photos from Madison Square Garden in New York City

Phish at MSG - New York City - Madison Square Garden

Had a great time photographing the last two nights of Phish's tour at Madison Square Garden.  Phish sold out all three shows at MSG in NYC in less than two minutes.  Despite some offering $200 for tickets, others still managed to find miracles.  Phish live music concert photography galleries w. streaming audio up at Performance Impressions.  Lot more coming soon!

Photograpy of The Dead at Madison Square Garden in New York City

Performance Impressions was in NYC on April 25 to photograph The Dead at Madison Square Garden. The flight up was uneventful but traffic out of Newark Airport was horrendous. After a brief stay with family in Westchester, Kristen and I headed into Manhattan. The Dead put on an amazing show as they have been doing this whole tour. Here are a few photos. They are currently running on the cover of Glide Magazine and in their gallery section. The full gallery is here: The Dead at Madison Square Garden in New York City