orange velour at the glove

 12.27.24 | written by: Penny Piper

Orange Velour lit up the Glove Theater in Gloversville, NY, on December 27, 2024, delivering a performance that was equal parts electrifying and unforgettable. With Adam Gurga (vocals, guitar), Jeff Blaha (vocals, guitar), Brian Breyo (vocals, bass), and Whelan Hounsel (vocals, drums) commanding the stage, they treated us to an incredible mix of covers and originals, proving why they have such a massive local following.

The band’s range was on full display. They covered everything from The Phish From Vermont—including a high-energy “Tweezer” that had everyone out of their seats boogieing—to Pink Floyd, and even Wang Chung’s “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” Hearing that Wang Chung track was particularly special for me, as it brought me back to my first-ever live concert experience at SPAC when they opened for The Cars. It’s one of my core memories and the start of my love affair with live music.

The holiday spirit was alive as well, with an energetic rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Run Run Rudolph.” The crowd went wild, singing and dancing along—it was pure joy.

But the true stars of the show were Orange Velour’s original songs. They played several tracks from their upcoming album, and I was blown away by how good they were. The writing and melodies are top-notch, and while I usually find it hard to connect with new songs during a live show, these tracks immediately resonated. Jeff Blaha’s performance of “Stephanie” was fantastic, while songs like “Mr. Shingles” left me wanting to hear them all over again. Whelan Hounsel impressed not just with his drumming but also with his powerful vocals, and Brian Breyo brought the funk alive with his basslines, especially during their cover of “Funky Bitch” (a Son Seals classic made famous among Phish fans).

Adam Gurga’s poster design for the event was the cherry on top—a gorgeous piece of artwork that perfectly captured the night’s vibe. His talent extends far beyond the stage!

Thank you to Kathleen Evers Perrott and her team for making this incredible night possible as part of the 518 Concert Series. It’s amazing to see such fantastic talent brought to my hometown. Be sure to check out the 518 Concert Series on Instagram and Facebook for upcoming events—I can’t wait to see Orange Velour again soon!

All the best,

Penny Piper