ALBANY — Squeeze kick off their Fall North American Tour with the Psychedelic Furs Thursday, Sept. 7 at The Egg. The tour continues with an appearance at Radio City Music Hall the next night.  

The band – then known as U.K. Squeeze – made their first indentation upon the music scene in the spring of 1978, with the release of their debut album (on red vinyl) and a string of weekend shows at CBGB’s, immediately following a similar three-day engagement at the Bowery Club by the B-52’s – themselves riding the buzz of their small label debut single “Rock Lobster.”  

Squeeze debut L.P. featured “Take Me I’m Yours,” and was followed by a cadre of U.K. hits, including “Cool for Cats,” “Up the Junction,” “Pulling Mussels From A Shell,” “Black Coffee in Bed,” and “Labeled With Love,” and made an indelible mark on the U.S. in the early 1980’s with the release of their classic hits, “Tempted,” “Hourglass,” and “853-5937” (from East Side Story.) 

Squeeze disbanded in 1999, then reunited in 2007. In addition to Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, Squeeze currently features keyboardist Stephen Large and drummer Simon Hanson (since 2007), percussionist/backing vocalist Steve Smith (since 2017) along with pedal/lap steel guitarist Melvin Duffy (since 2019) and Owen Biddle, former bassist for The Roots, (who joined in 2020.)

The Psychedelic Furs, led by vocalist and songwriter Richard Butler and his bass-wielding brother Tim, quickly developed as one of the premiere bands at college and alternative radio, scoring hits with “Love My Way,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Heaven,” “The Ghost In You,” and “Heartbreak Beat.” In total, the Furs have released eight studio albums, spawning several compilations, a boxed set, a live concert DVD, and inspiring one of the most iconic motion picture soundtracks of all time. 

Ticket info, go to: theegg.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Described as the greatest front-porch blues band in the world, Rev. Peyton & his Big Damn Band are slated to deliver their boot-stompin’ bluesy American roots atop the stage at Caffe Lena Sunday, Aug. 13. 

Led by premier finger-picker Reverend Peyton, the band’s latest record, “Dance Songs For Hard Times” landed atop the Billboard, iTunes and Sirius XM Blues Charts and was produced by Grammy winner Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton). 

Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets may be gotten at: caffelena.org. 

ROCK CITY FALLS –Juilliard trained singer, songwriter, actress and recording artist Morgan James performs 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 at The Mansion of Saratoga.

James is currently on tour supporting her fifth studio album, “Nobody’s Fool.”  

In addition to her original music, James co-produced and starred in an all-female concept recording of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and has taken on full album covers of the Beatles’ iconic “White Album,” Joni Mitchell’s “Blue,” and Jeff Buckley’s “Grace,” among others. 

On Broadway, she was in five back-to-back original companies: The Addams Family (starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth), Wonderland, Godspell and Motown: The Musical, and as a guest at Kristin Chenoweth’s For The Girls.  

The Mansion of Saratoga, which features a dinner and a show as part of its 801 Convert Series, is located at 801 Route 29, Rock City Falls. Go to: www.themansionsaratoga.com/concert-series-line-up. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs is kicking off summer with some brand-new shows on sale coming to the Great Hall in fall 2023. 

The Tony Award-winning “Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation,” Gerard Alessandrini’s musical spoof of Broadway’s biggest shows and brightest stars, will make a stop at Universal Preservation Hall 7:30 pm. Thursday, Oct. 5. Up-to-the-minute spoofs include comic looks at “Moulin Rouge,” the all-Yiddish “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Hadestown,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Beetlejuice,” “Frozen” and more! 

Chris Funk’s “Redefining Wonder” – a magic show with live music, will be at UPH 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. 

“Back To The Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl” – a tribute to the music of the ‘80s will be at the Great Hall 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 21. 

Brooklyn Rider with Anne Sofie Von Otter will perform in the Great Hall 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Anne Sofie Von Otter, a multi-award-winning mezzo-soprano, has seen her work with legendary artists ranging from the late greats of Carlos Kleiber, Claudio Abbado and Giuseppe Sinopoli to Elvis Costello, Brad Mehldau and Rufus Wainwright. 

“Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” is at UPH 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Through requests and memories, “Yesterday and Today” tells the audience’s story using the Beatles catalog. The band, anchored by brothers Billy, Matthew and Ryan McGuigan perform as themselves and the set list is created based on the audience filling out postcards with their favorite songs by The Beatles as the show happens. 

Tickets are available through the box office at Proctors, via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online at universalpreservationhall.org. Groups of 10 or more can get their tickets by calling 518-382-3884 ext. 139.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thoroughbred horse photographer Patricia McQueen will be featured in a book signing, from 10 a.m. – noon  Sunday July, 30 at Impressions of Saratoga, 368 Broadway. 

McQueen spent nearly 40 years photographing Thoroughbreds, traveling North America to cover important annual horse racing events and visiting with retired stars at breeding farms. For more than 20 years, McQueen’s photos were featured in the pages of Thoroughbred Times.

The book is “Secretariat’s Legacy,” a one-of-a-kind look at Secretariat’s descendants and their impact on Thoroughbred racing and breeding.

LAKE GEORGE —“Rock The Lake” 80’s music festival returns to Lake George for a two-day outdoor concert event on Aug. 11- 12.

Rock The Lake, brought back by music promoter E1PRESENTS, features a lineup of tribute bands providing attendees with performances that pay homage to some of the greatest artists and songs of the 80’s. 

In addition to the sounds, the Harley Davidson of Brian Johnson (AC/DC) will be onsite, offering opportunities for fans to have their picture taken next to the autographed Harley that Johnson owned and rode.   

Lineup:

On Friday, Aug. 11 from 3-10 p.m.: Broken Clover (90’s alt rock); BrokenHearted (Tom Petty Tribute); Monsters Of Rock (80’s hair metal); and Tommy V Live (arena rock).

On Saturday, Aug.12 from 1-10 p.m.: Beatin’ The Odds (The Skynyrd Experience); Led Sabbath (Zeppelin/Black Sabbath); Run Rabbit Run (Pink Floyd tribute); The Ultimate Journey Experience by LEGEND; KISSTORY (KISS Tribute); and Back In Black (AC/DC Tribute).

Food vendors and merchandise will be available, and  a large VIP tent will be available for VIP ticket holders. Event is rain or shine.  For ticket information and additional details, please visit www.e1presents.com or follow on Facebook @e1presents. Online tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com. E1 PRESENTS Box Office 518-792-0996.