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The stories behind the songs we love

The stories behind the songs we love

April 14, 2025

Happy Monday, Capital Region! It’s our first week on the new Monday / Thursday schedule because there’s nothing better on a Monday than seeing our faces 😂

Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of The Music Experience, a totally unique rock show coming to The Egg. We’ve partnered with the producers to promote the show and get discounted tix for our readers. Speaking of, watch our Instagram this week for more ticket giveaways!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Today in The 518:

The Music Experience digs deep into the history of rock 🎸
Asian grocers worried about the Trump tariffs 🇨🇳
What y’all really think about the coming Costco 🚧
All the music shows you need to know + what’s hoppin’ 🐰

The Music Experience makes its Albany debut at The Egg

The Music Experience explores the stories behind the songs we love

In the summer of 1975, Lou Masur was 18 years old, living with his parents in their two-bedroom apartment in the Bronx, and just itching to get out.

Luckily, he had a car—a used metallic blue Dodge Dart Swinger—and Bruce Springsteen on the radio. Springsteen’s seminal album, Born to Run, had just been released. Lou blasted The Boss as he gunned his Dodge up Route 17 to the Catskills.

“I first heard Born to Run that August on my car radio and it did two things: It spoke to my soul and it made me drive faster,” Lou writes in his book, Runaway Dream: Born to Run and Bruce Springsteen's American Vision.

Born to Run electrified fans with its themes of youthful longing, escape, and the search for meaning in a gritty, restless America. A rock legend was born.

It’s this universal connection to music, both personally and historically, that ties together The Music Experience, coming to Albany for the first time on May 10 at The Egg.

But this isn’t your average rock show. It's part concert, part storytelling, part masterclass in the music that has defined our times through the generations. The show tells us the stories behind 16 of the most iconic songs, with rare footage and visuals to match, followed by a live performance of each selection.

And who’s the storyteller for this event? That 18-year-old kid, now a professor of American studies and history at Rutgers University, and an expert on rock & roll history. Lou estimates that he’s seen Springsteen live in concert more than 100 times.

In Part One, The Music Experience takes us through the 8 songs that shaped rock & roll, including Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog, Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone and, of course, Born to Run.

“It starts with Elvis and ends with Springsteen. That arc alone tells the story of rock’s evolution,” Lou tells us.

Part Two focuses on 8 supergroups and the songs that defined them, including Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, U2’s Sunday Bloody Sunday and Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit.

For many folks in the audience, it’s likely that much of this music will be “before their time.” But something happens when you understand the story behind the songs you’ve heard a million times.

“After this show, people are going to hear these songs differently because they’re going to know the context and the history,” Lou says. “They’re going to love them even more.”

The deets: The Music Experience at The Egg on May 10. Pro tip: Exclusively for our subscribers, use promo code THE518 to get $10 off your ticket. Get tix here.

“Music, what so many sentences aspire to be.” —Mary Oliver

It looks like our Third Winter is on its way out finally 🙏 Expect temps to rise this week, culminating in a warm, wet weekend. Watch out for tender shoots and delicate buds underfoot in the garden.

🇨🇳 Asian grocers like Min Zhang, owner of Albany’s Asian Supermarket, are wringing their hands over Trump's new tariffs, which threaten the viability of stores that rely mostly on imported products. With Trump slapping 145% tariffs on goods coming from China and at least 10% on imports from other countries (that’s the latest, anyway), everything from sauces to spices to cooking utensils could get a lot more expensive. [Times Union]

🚓 The number of car crashes and crash-related injuries have dropped in Albany since the city lowered its speed limit to 25 mph at the beginning of the year. Also, more drivers are slowing down in front of Albany schools on account of the speed enforcement program. [Times Union]

🚧 Judging by the results of our reader poll about the coming Costco in Guilderland, y’all can’t wait to fight the traffic and crowds to shop there. A full 81% expect to be Costco customers come summer of 2026, when the Capital Region’s first Costco is scheduled to open for business. Your reactions:

“They have higher quality products than the other warehouse clubs, and the vibe is different, too. Also, a pro tip for new parents: Kirkland brand diapers and wipes are the best, hands down.”
“With Trump destroying our economy, we need all the help we can get.” 🤣
“Gotta support their support of DEI! Bye Walmart 👋🏻”
“They are standing up to the evil one. I will give them all of my money. I hate buying in bulk but I love corporate responsibility!”

100 3rd Street, Troy, NY 12180

This pristine row house in the heart of Troy is pure magic—soaring ceilings, original hardwood floors, gorgeous fireplaces, and all the sweet nooks. Other highlights include an expansive living room and formal dining room with wet bar, plus a large bonus room with sophisticated library / lounge vibes. Enjoy three spacious bedrooms (all with walk-in closets), updated baths, and a sleek galley kitchen with stone counters and gas range. Chill out in your totally private backyard. Or step outside and easily stroll to Troy’s many bustling cafes, shops, and restaurants.

The deets: 3 bd, 3 ba, 2308 sf. Asking: $424,900. Days on market: 4. Likely to sell 97% faster than comps. See the full listing here.

Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

🐇 It’s Easter weekend! Liberty Ridge Farm invites you to its 13th annual Easter Celebration. Grab your pup and head to Hudson Crossing Park for K9 Easter Egg Hunt. Altamont Vineyard & Winery has its Easter Eggstravaganza. In Washington Park, there’s the Love Albany Egg Hunt. Knickerbacker Park hosts its annual Egg Hunt with free games, Easter baskets and candy.

🍺 Ryan’s Wake in Troy celebrates its 20th year with specials like $2 Utica Club pints.

🎬️ With spring beak underway, the Palace Theatre is putting on a free screening of “Toy Story.”

🌎️ It’s Earth Week (and spring break) at miSci, so bring the kids to any one of these STEM workshops to get them off their screens.

🐟️ On Wednesday, families are invited to the exciting Trout Release at Geyser Creek in Saratoga Spa State Park.

🖼️ On view: The Albany Public Library and Opalka Gallery presents, "Repeat Play: “The Art of Pattern," through May 10 at the Pine Hills Branch.

🧺 On Thursday, The Little Theater on the Farm in Glens Falls holds its annual Huge Spring Barn Sale.

🚴 Also Thursday, the cool kids at Albany Social Cycling start up their season with a casual evening ride, starting at the Washington Park Playhouse. (Full article coming on Thursday in the newsletter!)

🎛️ On Friday, Paper Moon in Troy puts on a mini-rave in its fantastic shop / gallery. Check their full calendar for similarly cool events all month.

🧑🏾‍🌾 On Saturday, the Albany Institute of History & Art screens Farming While Black, a full-length doc about the plight of Black farmers in America, featuring Soul Fire Farm co-founder Leah Penniman. Watch the film, then find her portrait in the Americans Who Tell the Truth exhibit.

💨 Also Saturday, NYzipline in Schenectady opens for the season.

🐰 Not all bunnies are cute. The Upstate Oddities Market celebrates an eerie Easter on Saturday with its Nightmare Bunny. Uh, we’re really supposed to bring the kids to this??