On a sweltering Thursday night in Albany, UK funk icons The New Mastersounds delivered the kind of show that turns into legend. One of those nights where the grooves are too deep, the crowd too electric, and the sense of finality too profound to ignore.
Bringing their “Ta Ta For Now” tour to Lark Hall on July 17th for what could be their final appearance in the Capital Region, The New Mastersounds lit up the place with the kind of soulful swagger and high-energy funk that has defined their legendary 25-year run. With the group heading into a self-imposed hiatus at the end of the year, for longtime fans, this proper no-holds-barred party felt like one last chance to dance and a celebration of the endless boogie. If this was goodbye, The New Mastersounds made sure it counted.
It’s no exaggeration to say Lark Hall was packed to the rafters. Perched in Albany’s historic Center Square neighborhood, the venue is as beloved for its charm as it is for its commitment to community. Downstairs at The Eleven, local acts often play free happy hour sets, and that same spirit was alive on this Thursday night as opening act Tops of Trees warmed up the crowd with a groovy, genre-blending performance. Their infectious mix of soul, funk, and jam-based rock on tunes like “Go Get It,” “Do Something, “Elvis” and the brand-new single “Upstate” was a reminder that the local scene is thriving and ready to carry the torch.
By the time The New Mastersounds hit the stage, the room was buzzing and the temperatures boiling as the 90 degree heatwave outside created the kind of swampy, sweat-drenched atmosphere that’s somehow perfect for this kind of music. The band, formed in Leeds, UK in 1999, has carved their niche with a fusion of retro funk, psychedelic-jazz, and gritty boogaloo. Over the years, they’ve gained a loyal international following through tireless touring, top-tier musicianship, and an unmistakable energy that’s earned them the reputation as one of the most reliable live acts in music. Consisting of guitarist and bandleader Eddie Roberts, drummer and master of ceremonies Simon Allen, organ wizard Joe Tatton, and bassist Pete Shand, each member is a virtuoso in their own right, but it’s their chemistry that’s made The New Mastersounds so potent for so long.
Roberts’ tone, played through his beloved ’65 Gibson 330 hollow body, is equal parts stank and sophistication. Dressed to kill in a full sportscoat despite the heat, Eddie barely seemed to break a sweat. Cool as ever, his guitar playing was fluid, fiery, and flawless. His solos sprawling upward in perfect sync with Allen’s crisp, syncopated rhythms. Shand’s bass lines are like a locomotive running on molasses, thick and always on time, while Tatton’s Hammond licks and Rhodes textures dance in and out, keeping the funk warm and fluid. His sense of restraint is as notable as his chops. Never overplaying, always supporting the groove, and stepping forward with purpose when it’s time to shine.
The setlist was a greatest-hits tour through their deep catalog. From the opening punch of “Do the Sausage Roll” and “Miracles” to stone-cold classics like “Hole in the Bag,” “Take What You” and “This Ain’t Work,” the funk never let up. The band took their time with each tune, leaning into extended solos and tight improvisations that reminded everyone just how dialed-in they are. Fans ranging in age from 21 to 70 were dancing with abandon, each song a call to keep moving because, as Roberts himself put it from the stage, “there might not be another chance.” Allen, who handled most of the crowd banter with affable British wit and dry humor, kept the pocket deep and infectious. Cracking jokes about the heat before launching into more burners like “San Frantico,” and “Burnt Back.”
Upstairs, the mezzanine offered a cool view for those needing a brief reprieve, but the real action was down on the dance floor, where the funk was thickest. A throbbing, joy-soaked celebration of a band that’s spent over two decades spreading the gospel of groove. You could see years of fandom etched into the faces of those getting down in the front. Whether it was longtime devotees mouthing every lick or new fans jumping in with both feet, the vibe was unified and stellar. Going heavy on the jams, The New Mastersounds know how to lock into a groove and stay there, building tension and release with seamless communication honed over thousands of gigs. It’s a language they’ve been speaking fluently for a quarter-century.
The second half of the set brought deeper cuts like “Pudding & Pie,” “Could’ve Been So Good,” and the undeniable banger “102%.” By the time the band played “Make Me Proud!” to close the set, the room was a sauna of rhythm and smiles. Though they initially didn’t plan for an encore, Simon Allen admitted the band had been swayed by the outpouring of love showed by the rowdy crowd. They returned to the stage with huge smiles and launched into a euphoric version of “One Note Brown,” a hypnotic, modal groove that captured everything magical about the Mastersounds’ live show. For longtime fans, it was the perfect send-off.
As the last notes rang out and the band took their final bows, many in the room were visibly emotional. After more than two decades of constant motion, The New Mastersounds are finally hitting pause. Citing the logistical grind of transatlantic travel, shifting music economies, and the natural desire for personal growth as contributing factors, the future still looks bright. Eddie Roberts’ new project, The Lucky Strokes, is already making waves with a new direction that blends blues, funk, and rock with soulful vocals from Shelby Kemp and rhythmic firepower from Taylor and Ashley Galbraith. No matter where their paths lead, The New Mastersounds have already earned a permanent place in the hearts of Capital Region fans and this show at Lark Hall was a reminder of what makes them great. Groove, camaraderie, spontaneity, and soul. It was sweaty, it was joyful, and it was unforgettable. As the band heads into a new chapter, we here at NYS Music want to send them off with gratitude for the music, the memories, and for giving Albany one last chance to dance. Thank you, New Mastersounds, ta ta for now.
The New Mastersounds | July, 17, 2025 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Do the Sausage Roll, Miracles, Take What You Need, Tantalus, Boogaloo is Dead, In Da Club, Coming Up Roses, Breakfast T, Hole in the Bag, Pudding & Pie, 3 on the B, This Ain’t Work, Burnt Back, Freckles, San Frantico, Could’ve Been So Good, 102%, Land of Nod, Make Me Proud!
Encore: One Note Brown.
Tops of Trees | July, 17, 2025 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Go Get It, Pocket Change, Pickin’ Up, Heart, Do Something, Frontline, Upstate, Elvis.
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