Polaris, Mates of State & more played new New Haven venue College Street Music Hall (pics)

May 11, 2015

Polaris / Mates of State @ College Street Music Hall 5/9/2015
Polaris

On Saturday May 9, the third show at the newly opened College Street Music Hall in New Haven played host to bands with Connecticut roots. The venue was formerly the Palace Theatre and sits just a handful of blocks away from New Haven staple Toad’s Place and not too far from a Metro-North Station. College Street isn’t quite yet finished but beyond the open doors is a taco stand, a bar with craft brews (including some local offerings) and a spacious, though dark, room with tiered sections that are highest the furthest away from the stage to allow for better viewing.

Up first was long-running rock band Mighty Purple featuring brothers Steve and Jon Rodgers hailing from Hamden. Steve Rodgers owns and operates a music venue, The Space, which has grown into an intimate collection of stages that attract all ages just down the road from New Haven.

Husband and wife duo Mates of State, with a little help from trumpeter John Panos (formerly of MT Bearington), followed up with a short set during which Hammel gave props to his wife and her Connecticut roots. They premiered some new music from their forthcoming EP, You’re Going to Make It, but also gave the crowd a lot of hits including, “Goods (All in Your Head)” and “Now”.

Headlining was Polaris, a New Haven favorite and Miracle Legion offshoot formed to create the music for the Nickelodeon show The Adventures of Pete & Pete. (Maybe you picked up the soundtrack on vinyl this past Record Store Day). In the past, Danny Tamberelli (young “Pete”) has performed with the band, but on this night he had another commitment. Panos, however, did get to guest on a few songs with his trumpet as Polaris rocked out.

Polaris will be in NYC to play Highline Ballroom on Friday (5/15) with Rocket & the Ghost opening. Tickets are still available.

More photos from the Polaris / Mates of State show in New Haven, below…

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