Puddle Of Mudd

Puddle of Mudd Brings Heart, Humor, and Rock to Saranac Brewery in Utica, NY

There’s nothing quite like live rock in the summer air, and Puddle of Mudd proved just that at their engaging outdoor performance in Utica. Performing in the open-air Biergarten lot of Saranac Brewery, the band delivered a show that was equal parts raw emotion, fan connection, and unapologetic rock swagger. The crowd, while roughly half capacity, roared like a packed arena from the very first chord.

Before the show even started, vocalist Wes Scantlin made it clear this wasn’t going to be just another night on tour. He strolled along the front barrier, thanking fans, fist-bumping, and even posing for a few quick photos, setting a tone of appreciation and real connection. It’s rare to see that kind of openness from a frontman, and the fans loved every second of it.

Wes’s performance was genuinely heartfelt and consistently strong, but what made it even more compelling were the human moments. During “Spin You Around,” he fumbled the lyrics, laughing and quipping, “That’s what happens when you hang out in the brewery!” The crowd roared with laughter, but Scantlin wasn’t about to let it slide. He quickly apologized, restarted the song, and even poked fun at himself by asking the crowd to give him the finger — before flipping himself off with a grin. It was the kind of realness fans live for. You could tell the mistake bothered him, but it only added to the authenticity of his performance.

Between songs, Wes occasionally wandered the stage, checking in with his bandmates — not out of distraction, but as someone deeply engaged and making sure everything hit just right. And it did. Despite numerous line up changes over the years, currently Scantlin is complimented by Jon Smith {drums}, Miles Schon {lead guitar}, and Michael Anthony Grajewski {bass}.

The night kicked off with a blast of nostalgia as the band launched into “Control,” the WWE Survivor Series 2001 theme that sent a wave of energy through the crowd. From there, Puddle of Mudd mixed old-school hits with fresh material that shows they’re still evolving. The standout was “Beautimous,” a new track from their latest album Kiss the Machine, which kept fans glued to every lyric and riff.

Of course, the band didn’t forget their roots. They played “Blurry”, “Drift & Die,” and even teased fan-favorite “Spaceship,” although it didn’t make the final cut. An unexpected moments came when Wes shared the story behind “Psycho,” revealing it was written during a surreal, drug-induced moment when he mistook a statue for a real person — proving once again that sometimes, inspiration comes from the strangest places.

The night ended on a high with their angsty anthem “She Hates Me,” which had the whole crowd singing in cathartic unison.

Puddle of Mudd may have been around for over 25 years, but their music still feels fresh, their performances full of life, and their sound unmistakably theirs. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just starting to dig into their catalog, this show proved they’re still a force in post-grunge rock — especially under the stars on a warm June night.