On Saturday, September 6, two country music stars – Lee Brice and Rotterdam native David J – kicked off a new era in Schenectady at Mohawk Harbor, with a the first ever concert at the new M&T Bank Arena.
With an all ages crowd peppered with cowboy boots and hats, the crowd sang along and knew the songs from both artists this evening.
David J is a Schalmont graduate who grew up in Rotterdam and now lives in Nashville. He was not just the proper first act for a venue like this in Schenectady, he was himself stoked to be opening the venue as an act who got their start not far up the Mohawk River. He showed his appreciation for the crowd throughout his performance, as well as throwing t-shirts from the stage and handing out guitar picks to the front row.
David J Setlist: AWBU w/intro, Summer Like You, Sandbar, Save a Horse, Built for Burning, Before You, Once, Truck Broke Down, Lost My Heartbreak
Lee Brice started sharply at 8pm, noted the local opener connection to the area, performed while working his way across the stage playing guitar, a solo piano number as well as pausing for a compelling drums segment, all while getting rowdy with the fans and cracking a few beers on stage.
In a 2015 interview with NYS Music, Brice said “I was always writing the songs to sing them. When I came to Nashville, I had been writing since I was about 10, I had a little bit more success early on as a songwriter than as an artist… it worked well for me as I was able to take those songs on the road and play them. I think there’s nothing better than being a songwriter.”
Check out photos of the show from Dave Decrescente.
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