2017 Moments We're Thankful For at The Cap
Happy Thanksgiving from The Capitol Theatre! In the spirit of giving thanks, we're taking a moment to remember some great memories and new friends we've made throughout 2017.
Joe Russo's Almost brings The Cap into the New Year
We started the year off right with our dear friends in Joe Russo's Almost Dead, drawing from every corner of the Grateful Dead songbook to create a three-set masterpiece of a run! These shows inspired us to keep the energy at an all-time high throughout the entire year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS__-7mtpvoA Bad Moon on the rise with John Fogerty
Classic rock has always been a cornerstone for the successful musical formula here at The Cap, and nobody better exemplifies the classic rock mentality better than John Fogerty, former bandleader of Creedence Clearwater Revival. There was no slowing Mr. Fogerty down as he blasted through a barrage of CCR hits as well as an arrangement of his own tunes that proved to be both a fun and nostalgic.
Happy 77th Birthday, Phil Lesh!
Having now performed 70 times at The Cap, Phil Lesh has become family. Entering his 77th year on earth, March 15 was an extremely special show. The entire audience held up candles as we sang "Happy Birthday" to our dear friend.
https://youtu.be/xKd510Bcud8The Revivalists’ revival
The Revivalists, the quintessential NOLA rock powerhouse, were propelled to stardom with the success of their single “Wish I Knew You.” We felt so lucky to have them fill the house with New Orleans energy during a two-show run in March! Both shows were filled with so much style and charisma.
Psychedelic jazz fusion with Hooteroll? + Plus!
Adored as a modern day brainchild of reinterpreting Grateful Dead music, Joe Russo has immersed himself in a wide variety of Dead projects including Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and Furthur. Though this past April, Russo brought together an eclectic group of musicians including Jordan McLean and Stuart Bogie to present a one-off performance of Hooteroll? + Plus!, which reinterpreted the jazz fusion album from Jerry Garcia and Howard Wales, along with a collection of other tunes from the same musical vein.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5L3aJ8NQ2ABefore the Baker's Dozen, Trey Anastasio Band preheats the oven
In what has become a modern feat in jamband history, Phish headlined Madison Square Garden for an unprecedented 13 nights through July and August for what was dubbed as The Baker’s Dozen. Though only months earlier, Trey Anastasio, lead guitarist and vocalist for Phish, brought the Trey Anastasio Band to The Cap for two shows that highlighted a new side of Anastasio, but also keeping people on their toes with no repeats.
Sky-high jams with The Disco Biscuits
If you’ve talked with anyone who went to the sold-out three night run of The Disco Biscuits at The Cap back in April, they’ll all say the same thing; The Disco Biscuits brought enough jams to butter your toast. The Cap soared to unreachable heights that still linger to this day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF1jROayDyEA foot stompin’ good time with The Avett Brothers
Whenever The Avett Brothers come to Port Chester, you’re always guaranteed one thing; a foot-stompin’ party surrounded by some of your best friends. In 2017, the brothers from North Carolina greeted The Cap faithfuls with a three-night run in May that highlighted not only their latest release, True Sadness, but also their storied career. Did we mention there were Dead covers a-plenty?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKBGJDrknmMThe Cap celebrates 500 shows
Since Peter Shapiro revived The Capitol Theatre in 2012 from the ashes of music history, The Cap has gone on to host over 500 prolific shows. The first show to kickoff The Cap’s legendary revival was none other than the modern folk icon, Bob Dylan. 499 shows and 5 years later, Bob Dylan made his famous return to Port Chester for a 500th show celebration for the ages. Talk about coming full circle!
Surprise show with Tame Impala
A week ahead of the New York-based music festival, Panorama, the excitement was beyond palpable as the likes of Frank Ocean and Nine Inch Nails were set to headline the second year of the festival, however, the buzz of the festival came with Saturday headliner, Tame Impala. With only four days eclipsing the festival, Tame Impala surprised everyone when they announced a show at The Cap on the Friday, serving as a warm-up gig ahead of their Panorama performance. Needless to say, a frenzy took place and we are still talking about how transformative that show was to this day.
Laughter is the best medecine
While everyone knows that The Cap is one of the best places to catch a live show, did you know that it is also a great spot to catch some outrageously funny comedy acts? In 2017 alone, The Cap has hosted four of the greatest comedians of our era, including Saturday Night Live showrunner John Mulaney, and comedic genius and Breaking Bad star, Bill Burr. If 2017 is any indication of how funny The Cap can be, we can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.
A return to film
In 1926, when The Capitol Theatre opened up to the masses, the theater served as a movie complex that specialized in Vaudeville and Cinema. In 1970, music took over and The Cap has changed ever since. But in 2017, The Cap has been fortunate enough to host two movie screenings Long Strange Trip, Let’s Play Two, that have changed the way audiences enjoy The Cap, while ushering in nostalgia from the past life of the Cap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULtDqU0SbfA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B85SIjDZ_JwQueens of the Stone Age fly under the radar
Being billed at venues such as Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheater, it was a surprise to many that Queens of the Stone Age, one of the biggest alt-rock acts touring today, took a quieter route and opened up their tour here at The Cap. Issuing a rollicking 19-song set that highlighted both songs from their latest record,Villains as well as a wide array of fan favorites and deep cuts, QOTSA not only set a precedent of how to rock The Cap but also how to kickoff one supreme tour.
Pure comedy with Father John Misty
Coming off the critical and commercial success of Pure Comedy, Father John Misty had the indie world in his socio-political palms, with his critique of modern America and distaste for the current administration. Though when Father John made his way to The Cap after coming off a string of amphitheater shows, all bets were off as he serenaded the audience with a full orchestra and a vocal range for the ages. The best part? Pitchfork was there capturing it all for their Pitchfork Live series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMuLZeAyySY&t=3sThe meeting of the spirits
You could hear a pin drop as guitar icons John McLaughlin and Jimmy Herring showcased their supreme musicianship during this once-in-a-lifetime experience at The Cap. McLaughlin and Herring were each be joined by their respective bands, 4th Dimension and Incredible Whip, and the legends joined forces for a set of Mahavishnu Orchestra classics. Watch the full show below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPWa9F4UBQQAnything but modest
Coming in hot off a massively successful Fall Tour, Modest Mouse used every aspect of their elaborate catalogue to deliver a rollicking show that not only proved why they're the hottest ticket today, but also why they’re the kings and queens of modern indie rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0tuZxjxlTgUmphrey’s McGee shows us true (Umph)Love
Between the the big bust-outs (“Africa,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream”) and historic jams (“Speak Up,” “Phil’s Farm”) Umphrey’s McGee took The Cap to an otherworldly place for two special nights in October. Being the first stop on their 2017 New York run, the UmphLove was clear from the start of their first night and it didn’t stop for one second. Public Service Announcement: Rage, Rest, Repeat. That is all.
We can "Feel it Still"
Portugal. The Man gave fans a high-energy psychedelic show featuring song songs from their last two albums, Woodstock and Evil Friends. Insane covers from the night also included Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall." Watch the full show below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV7Eny9HJ18&t=4138sPainting the colors of the rainbow with Primus
Releasing The Desaturating Seven this September to their legion of undying fans, the weirdly-lovable stylings of the jam-funk group Primus took over The Cap during Halloweekend for a night of soaring jams and crazy antics. Highlighting the evening for many was the inclusion of The Desaturating Seven in its entirety for the second set, which blew fans away with its arcane themes and unparalleled zaniness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw4PYdlTD2g&t=1780sThe key to our hearts!
When darkness falls across the land and the midnight hour is close at hand, fans know what to expect at The Cap; Philoween. This year’s iteration of the Halloween celebration saw Phil Lesh and The Terrapin Family Band headlining Halloween night with a slew of special guests in tow, including the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Rob Barraco, Nicki Bluhm, and Robert Randolph. Additionally, after the show, Phil was presented with the key to the town of Port Chester by Peter Shapiro and Deputy Mayor Luis Marino.
Sheryl Crow records a concert film
After selling out The Cap in record time, Sheryl Crow decided to give back to her fans in Port Chester by recording this last stop on her acclaimed Be Myself Tour for a 2018 concert film that will be put on Blu-Ray, CD, and Vinyl, as well as broadcasted on TV in the coming months. Sheryl Crow now joins the ranks of The Rolling Stones and David Bowie as Cap alumni who have famously recorded their performances at the venue.
Most importantly, you!
As great as having some of the best live musicians play The Cap in 2017, nothing beats seeing you, our fans, showing your patronage and having a real good time. We strive to give back to you what you give to us. We cannot wait to show you what we have in store for 2018 and we hope you enjoy the remainder of The Cap’s shows in 2017.
