NYS Music 20​14

Category: Syracuse

  • The Great New York State Fair – There Is a Reason It’s Called “Great”

    This year’s Great New York State Fair is adding up to be one spectacular event with headlining shows at the Grandstand and Chevy Court venues, while the regional stages offer a diverse mix for music lovers of all genres. Taking place for 12 days and nights – August 21-September 1, 2014.

    The Great NY State Fair is appropriately named as Syracuse, NY was the site of the nations very first State Fair back in 1841. The fair traveled for the next 47 years amongst New York State cities until finding its final home in Syracuse in 1890; when the Syracuse Land Co. donated its current 100 acre property. Originally held to promote agricultural improvement and local farm and home, the fair has evolved over the years to feature not only these items, but also to promote both local musicians and national musicians as they celebrate traditional customs and cultures of regional areas and attract families to the event. In 1972, Sonny & Cher’s performance broke all concert attendance records, holding the record until 2009 when Shinedown’s concert of 15,000 strong exceeded the record, only to be ousted once again in 2011 when Bruno Mars drew more than 35,000 concert goers to Chevy Court. Can any acts beat that attendance record this year? It could happen I believe with the stellar line up being offered.

    In addition to multitude of fair like attractions; i.e. livestock, carnival rides, competitions for home-made goods and wares, and of course fried everything, the New York State Fair also offers five stages throughout the fairgrounds featuring the most diverse collection of music and entertainment for all attendees.  The State Fair Grandstand is the largest venue hosting the powerhouse performers and events each evening, while Chevy Court is an attendee favorite as huge acts come to perform for the fairgoers free of charge right inside the main gates twice a day. The Midway Music Series features acts on the west side of the fairgrounds over by the Midway carnival rides showcasing national and regional performers of all sorts throughout the entire day, while the Regional Artists Variety Stage features special regional artists and acts from our great state. The Empire Theater Stage is located inside at the Art & Home Center and features a multitude of talent from special speakers, to performers, and dancers all day long inside the cover of the Art & Home Center Building.

    NYS Music Music Guide will be there throughout the week to highlight as many shows as possible for our readers. With acts all over the grounds at the same time, our team will try to bring to you a diverse mix of national, regional, and local entertainment throughout the week with sneak peek photos, social media uploads, and a full review of shows, interviews, and photo galleries we are able to document.

    Overview of  Venue Lineups –

    Grandstands – For dates, times, and ticket information please go online to www.nysfair.org

    Brad Paisley/Randy Houser/Leah Turner/Charlie Worsham – This amazing line up has been touring this summer bringing down the house in venues all over the nation.  Each one of these acts are favorites in country music and to have all four together is a real treat and a must see lineup for everyone.  Brad Paisley shreds like a rock star, Randy Houser still has me floored with how he showed up at Taste of Country after his bus broke down and did the most amazing acoustic set I have ever seen, while Leah Turner rocks the stage like a country superstar, and one of the most loved new artists Charlie Worsham gives so much back to his fans that it’s no wonder he’s a fan favorite.

    Carrie Underwood – Super excited to have this sensational powerhouse here this year.  One of the first to be announced, the anticipation of her arrival performing at the Grandstands mounts daily.

    Journey/Cheap Trick – Both amazing rock and roll bands, their music spans generations of fans bringing to Central NY one amazing rock show.  These bands are timeless and it is bound to be packed.
    Uproar – Entire Lineup of Bands was featured in NYS Music ‘s recent preview article.  Have you seen it yet?  This will be one full day of energy and mayhem. Mark my words.

    Train/Wallflowers – Having Train and the Wallflowers together totally is mind-blowing and has me in high anticipation of this show as these two Grammy award-winning groups will absolute blow the roof off the stage. Can’t wait. Forget San Franciso, just save me.

    Jason Aldean/Florida Georgia Line/Tyler Farr -Wow is all I can say about this trio of acts.  Some of the biggest names in country music on the stage on the same night?  Each should be headlining their own shows, and together they are a winning trifecta. Definite winning bet.

    Kid Rock with Big Smo – This multi talented musician has made leaps across genres bringing to audiences everywhere an amazing eclectic sound.  Opening with Big Smo, who is categorized as an american country rap musician, what an awesome combo.

    Pitbull – The 315 can’t wait to welcome the 305 to the state fair this year as this international superstar fires up the stage at the fair.

    CHEVY COURT – for dates and times please go online to nysfair.org

    Jason Derulo – Can he possibly break the record set in 2011? I’m betting on this one.

    Kellie Pickler – Opening the stage for the first show, this country superstar will get this party started.

    Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – Nothing is cooler than a rocking chick with a guitar, and Joan Jett is the epitome of rock and roll.

    Angie Johnson – Up and coming country artist Angie Johnson is best known as part of Cee Lo Green’s team on The Voice, but what makes this young lady so special is her dedication to her country as part of our military.

    Eli Young Band – This highly popular country band has been topping the charts over the past eight years, and for those who have not had a chance to experience the  Eli Young Band, you are in for a treat.

    Uncle Kracker – Hugely popular country musician, Uncle Kracker is one of those musicians that can leap across genres with the ease of spiderman.  Love that voice.

    MKTO – These two young men share their talents in not only stage but screen.  Emerging pop duo hit the charts already with “Classic”, can’t wait to see what else is on their new album.

    Phillip Phillips – Hard to believe Phillip Phillips just won Idol only two years ago.  Since that time he’s released two albums hitting the charts and making his way in the business as a veteran now.

    Barenaked Ladies – This Canadian rock band certainly has a way of bringing to life their music in a fun-loving, quick quitted, fast paced manner, that makes it fun to experience.

    Smash Mouth – California-based rock band, Smash Mouth has a unique way of bringing to life covers as well as their own original music that has an effect on your feet that can’t stop them moving around in time to the music.  Strange…very strange.

    The Bacon Brothers – Okay, who’s with me on this one?….Is there anything better than Bacon?  Okay maybe two of them then.  I stand corrected.

    Sean Kingston – This dynamic Jamaican based musician brings the tropics together with the asphalt jungle mixing music in a way that moves his audiences.

    Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone – Original lead vocalist will bring audience members back to their 60’s roots with hits such as “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “There’s A Kind of Hush”

    Bowser’s Rock and Roll Party – Like to travel back to the ’50s Bowser certainly has a way of transporting you with his Rock and Roll Party

    Night Ranger – Turning the volume back up with Night Ranger is just what the audience will love as they belt out hits such as “Sister Christian”

    Chef Anne Burrell – Originally from the central New York region (Cazenovia), it’s a pleasure to welcome back Food Network host and great Chef Anne Burrell.

    The Neighbourhood – It’s fitting to have the band who plays “Sweater Weather” come to upstate NY and share their talents. We promise to keep it cool without the need for any sweaters.

    Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes – Jersey based rock group, this band has been making music with the likes of Steve Van Zandt and the Boss and Jon Bon Jovi over the years.

    Bell Biv Devoe – When talking about R&B and Hip Hop in the 90’s you can’t help but think of Bell Biv Devoe.  Again, it does something to your feet, where twitching begins and movement takes over.

    John Kay & Steppenwolf – Classic rock at it’s best, these guys were “Born to Be Wild” and CNY is ready to be wild right along with them.

    The Doobie Brothers – No introduction is needed for this group.  This group is considered timeless rock, and deservedly so.

    As you meander around the fairgrounds don’t forget to stop in at the Region Artists Variety Stage, The Midway Music Stage, and the Empire Stages to get a taste of local and regional music and performers. Looking to see dancers, don’t miss the Ukrainian Dancers, the Irish Dancers, or the Cloggers. For a special treat this year you can see the contestants from The Voice, three of the original Brady Bunch children, ice carving demonstrations, comedians from Chelsea Lately, a hypnotist, favorites from The Amazing Race and Big Brother, and variety of instrumentalists. As for music, there is something for everyone from Caribbean and Latin acts of One Black Voice and Panigma Steel Drum Bands, and Grupo Pagan, to Polka with Fritz’s Polka Band.  You’ll have Indian music with Veena & Devesh, and Folk/Americana Music with Mark Zane, Dark Hollow, Ruddy Well Band, and Big Eyed Phish.   If Country is more your thing fans will see John Anderson with Logan Brill  and Morgan Frazier, and newcomer Shannon Marie. For those into Hard-Rock/Rock  you’ll love Afterburn, Pacinello, Young The Giant, 4 Point 0, Mo Chester, and Action Item.  For a diverse mix, don’t miss these other regional favorites – Ferguson & Rogers, Margo Macero, Wagner Inc., Two Hour Delay, Ashley Allen with the Goonies, Cold Sweat Roc, Jenna Renae, Action Item, Bill Schmitt & The Bluesmasters, Until It’s Over There, Merry Mischief, Cash, Chris Dukes Band, Anthony Gargiula & The AG Dance Crew, Jason J., Megan & Liz With Heyday, The Lake Effect, the Rick Short Band, and Michael & Anjela Lynn featuring the Talented Ones.

    To find out more information about specials each day at the fair, purchasing tickets online, maps and directions, vendors, or schedule of events and competitions, please visit the Great New York State Fair webpage.

  • The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival is Coming to the NY State Fair

    Uproar-2014The 5th Annual Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival is coming to the NYS fairgrounds August 22.  This year’s festival may be the best yet with names such as Godsmack, Skillet, These Raven Skies, and many more performing. The full afternoon and evening event begins at 2PM.

    Beginning in the afternoon on the festival stage will be Escape the Fate, Redlight King, 3 Years Hollow, Tattered, and SuicideGirls. Also performing will be UPROAR 2013 Battle of the Bands winner, Sons of Revelry.

    Headlining on the Rockstar Energy main stage will be Godsmack. They are touring in support of their sixth full length album, 100hp, which debuted August 5, 2014. The metal legends have sold over twenty-million records since their start in 1995. This will be their second time at UPROAR.

    Joining Godsmack on the main stage will be Skillet and These Raven Skies. Ranked as one of the top five hardest working bands in 2011 by songkick.com, Skillet has sold over two-million records in their eight years together. They are touring to promote their new album Rise, which was released in 2013. These Raven Skies is the band formerly known as Dreams of Reason; They are touring to promote their debut album as These Raven Skies.

    Don’t miss your chance to attend one of the hottest tours of the summer! Buy your Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival tickets here!

  • 95X Fest Packed A Punch At Papermill Island In Baldwinsville

    Although Paper Mill Island is located in the small town of Baldwinsville, outside of Syracuse, with practically no parking and a strict noise ordinance, apparently it doesn’t mean that it can’t be a great local destination for a kick ass rock show. 95X (WAQX) took the risk of holding an all day rock festival on Saturday, June 21 and combined it with entertaining wrestling matches from Central New York’s own 2CW to make this year’s 95X Fest one of the most memorable rock and metal experiences this summer in Upstate New York.

    The stars aligned as the weather cooperated that day and the Town of Baldwinsville allowed the music to go on for thousands of people to enjoy themselves. Props to Joe D, dXn, and their promotions staff for running the entire gig smoothly.  With the wrestling ring built at the opposite side of the island, there were some wrestling matches from 2CW going on between music sets. dXn had the guts to enter the ring and really put on a show for the crowd, including lots of beard pulling.

    The lineup wasn’t spectacular, but every band delivered. Adelita’s Way was the sole headliner, followed by Vegas rockers Otherwise, the veterans Smile Empty Soul, along with Nothing More, who is hot on the rise, followed by Ume and Edisun. Local area bands Jeremiah’s Razor, How To Disappear Completely, and Cry To The Blind kicked off the show.

    Every band was amazing, but the one band that really took it to a whole new level was Otherwise. Their stage presence and ability to deliver was completely unmatched; it was hard rock at its finest. Hands down, the band could have and should have been the sole headliner. 95X has this band at their disposal and I would imagine they will be back in Central New York again very soon.

    Overall, the day was fun, the beer was cold, the bands kicked ass, the wrestling was over the top, and everyone seemed to have a really good time (I didn’t see any fights). I feel 95X still has their work cut out for them for future local shows, but this one was definitely in the right direction.

  • Papadosio Announces Fall Tour 2014

    North Carolina’s jazzy jamtronica favorite, Papadosio has announced an extensive 35-date US tour for fall 2014.

    Billed as the “Imaginal Cells” tour, ‘dosio will be visiting old and new cities and will be joined by Twiddle, Jimkata, Asian Teacher Factory, Ghost Owl, and Tauk on select dates.

    Upstate will get four visits – September 5 at the Catskill Chill festival, October 14 at The Haunt in Ithaca, October 15 at The Westcott in Syracuse, and October 22 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo. Regarding the tour’s name, the band released the following statement:

    “Intertwined with evolution lies design.  Nature casts blueprints for transition that resemble reinvention. Embryo, larva, pupa and imago mark the lifespan of the caterpillar, and nestled in the depths of metamorphosis lie dormant cells with an ancient memory of the future embedded within.”

    We’re not sure what that means either, but you can bet will be there to find out!

    Papadosio Fall Tour 2014.

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  • 93Q Summer Jam Rocks Papermill Island

    For the sixth year now 93Q has celebrated the beginning of summer with a party.  This year’s party was held June 22, at Papermill Island in Baldwinsville, on the perfect sunny 70 degree evening.  As the gates opened, the stage began to fill in as though a tide was washing the crowd inward.  This evening definitely had the potential to bring the party up a notch or two with a stellar lineup just ready to start the summer bash off right; beginning with Erin Bowman, then followed by the new hit group AJR, My Crazy Girlfriend, and ending with the AMA award-winning Hot Chelle Rae.

    As the shows began, Erin Bowman, a stunning young lady with a powerful voice, won over the crowd immediately with her original tunes such as “King Boy”, “Problem”, and of course her new smash hit, “Hey Summer”.  It was the mash-up medley though that truly showcased her vocal range, style, and influences in music with songs as diverse as “Oops I Did It Again”, “No Diggity”, “If You Want to Be My Lover” and even REM’s “Loosing My Religion”.  This diverse collection was beautifully choreographed and delivered perfectly. Every performer/band has a signature look that makes them unique.  Erin was no exception.  Her look was classic 1960’s retro from her high wasted shorts and donut themed top to her retro camera and felix the cat looking phone cover.  This musician was extremely talented, playing and writing her own songs, and wowing the audience.  She definitely left an impression on the audience who now know her as an up and coming star.

    Next up for the evening was AJR.  Watching these three brothers, Adam, Jack, and Ryan, take the stage I felt a bit reminiscent of how the fans must have behaved with the Beatles all those years ago.  These young fans were pushing and shoving, shouting and crying, just to get a view of them.  As they began to play I could see why.  Their style was uniquely their own.  Raised and influenced by many great artists of the 60’s and 70’s these young men truly shone through in a Beach Boys kind of way.  Their breakout hit “I’m Ready” featuring the voice of cartoon character SpongeBob Squarepants is one example of their creative and fun-loving mannerisms and musical style.

    Next on the bill was the pop/hip hop group My Crazy Girlfriend.  Myah Marie, Cosmo, and twins Justyn and Bennett Armstrong took over the stage and won over the audience with their harmonic, upbeat and individualistic style.  Performing for years individually, their unique style and outstanding stage presence meld together perfectly to bring audiences hit songs such as “Crazy, Stupid Love”.  The one thing that stood out with this group was their love of their audience, as they demonstrated doing everything in their power to reach out and make their day as they were performing.

    The final act of the evening, and Central NY favorite, Hot Chelle Rae took over the stage and owned it the moment they came out. These three young men  never cease to amaze me with their talent.  Taking American Music Awards Best New Artist award in 2011, it is apparent why Ryan and Jamie Follese’ and Nash Overstreet continue to create hit after hit forging new directions with their music each time they put out an album.  Can’t think of a better band to start-up the summer fun with or a better setting to do so.

  • Lake Street Dive Welcomed Warmly to the Westcott Theater

    Lake Street Dive is a band on the upswing, and their Westcott Theater performance shows it. After more than ten years of playing music together, this little Boston four-piece has made a big splash and are progressively building a solid fan base. After a YouTube performance of the Jackson 5’s, “I Want You Back” that went viral (two million views) and their appearances on the Colbert Report, The Late Show with David Letterman, the Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Town Hall (NYC), they are definitely carving a niche for themselves.

    Bands like theirs generally get a good turnout in hip and trend-savvy metropolitan areas like Brooklyn or Cambridge, but generally not as much in smaller cities like Syracuse. But, thanks to a soulful subculture of Syracuse show-goers, and a breathtaking performance at last year’s Blue Heron Music Festival in Sherman, NY, Lake Street Dive was about 70 tickets away from selling out the Westcott Theater – a 700 person capacity venue. This is quite a feat, and came as a lovely surprise to the band, “You are very nice,” lead singer Rachael Price said to the audience with a very appreciative and genuine tone, “we like you very much.” The show-stopping soul-queen also stated that they would definitely be back again, much to the chagrin of fans.

    The scene was hot, sweaty, sultry and sweet that Thursday, June 26. The Westcott Theater was packed wall-to-wall with fans and newcomers of all ages, eager to be near the now big-stage dive bar band. Rachael Price wasted no time in filling the air with impressive vocal pushes on “You Go Down Smooth” and soulful sing-along lines on the title track of Lake Street Dive’s 2014 album release, Bad Self Portraits. The evening felt a bit like it was taken from a page of Rachael’s diary; as her songs reflected on her bitter-sweet, sometimes tragic, sometimes triumphant love life. She proceeded to dive into the complexities of love, musing on the dichotomy of sad break-ups and the happy resignation of reuniting with the one you truly love in the fun and soulful rock/pop tune “Stop Your Crying”.  She went on to flex her vocal muscles and impress the crowd further as she held insane sustain on the sultry and sexy “Just Ask”. Lake Street Dive demonstrated that it is much more than a front-woman band on songs like the funky soul tune “Rabid Animal”, wherein bassist Bridget Kearney and drummer Mike Calabrese sang immaculate and perfectly balanced harmonies and inspired the crowd to clap along. Lake Street Dive maintained audience attention and interest throughout a full set, and encore finished by a cover the classic rock/soul hit by Hall and Oates, “Rich Girl”. This nostalgic, feel-good hit was a perfect choice. Everyone loves “Rich Girl” and everyone left loving Rachael Price and Lake Street Dive.

  • One Last Shot To Play Vans Warped Tour

    Syracuse punk band, One Last Shot will play the Kevin Says stage at this year’s Vans Warped Tour at Darien Lake, NY on July 8.

    One Last Shot  has been touring all over New York and gained fans in the process. They were nominated for a Sammy, the highly coveted music award in the Syracuse music scene, for the area’s Best Metal Band. The band is featured in the February and August  2014 issues of Alternative Press Magazine.

    Last Halloween, the band released their full length album, Bastards of the Plague. The album has songs featuring William Control of Aiden and, and Matt Good of From First To Last.

    Keep up to date with One Last Shot on their  Pure Volume page and buy Bastards of the Plague HERE.

  • A Musical John Legend Sells Out The Oncenter

    John Legend @ Oncenter Syracuse
    John Legend @ Oncenter Syracuse

    Every once in a while you just know you are in the midst of greatness as it’s unfolding.  This summarizes “An Evening With John Legend“, as he played for the sold out crowd in Syracuse at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater, June 12, 2014.

    John Legend, 2007 Starlight Award recipient from the Song Writers Hall of Fame and a nine time Grammy Award Winning, musician/songwriter/producer, is best known for his collaboration with artists such as Kayne West, Jay Z., Alicia Keyes, Britney Spears, The Roots, Sade, and Lauren Hill to name a few.  This multi-talented musician spans genres of R&B, Soul, and Hip Hop crossing over to the pop charts with his recently number one hit “All of Me”.  However John Legend has dominated the R&B chart for years with his albums, Get Lifted, Once Again, and Evolver.  John is currently touring and promoting his current album Love in the Future which debuted in the Billboard Top 200 at number 4.  This album to date has released four hits, “Who Do We Think We Are”,  “Made to Love”, “You & I (Nobody in the World)”, and of course the number one hit , “All of Me”.

    Just like John’s music, his set was comfortable and intimate with four couches set up behind the string quartet, guitar player, and John’s baby grand piano. Four lucky couples who won their upgraded seats from local radio and television stations, were able to view the entire show from the stage.  As John began the show, this intimacy extended even more so to the audience as he shared an amazing history of how he began singing in his grandfather’s church choir at the age of seven.  After graduating from high school as his class Salutatorian, John was offered scholarships at such prestigious schools as Harvard, Georgetown, and Morehouse College, however it was the University of Pennsylvania where he further fine tuned his musical knowledge and experience as a side bar to his studies in English and African American Literature.  This insight into his course of studies, helped to explain to me his wonderful way with words and songwriting.

    John Legend @ Oncenter Syracuse
    John Legend @ Oncenter Syracuse

    From the moment John took the stage, the crowd was truly mesmerized by each number he sang, as they sat on the edge of their seats awaiting the next story, joke, song he shared.  As he played hits such as “Made to Love”, “Tonight”, “Maxine”, “Used to Love U”, “Ordinary People” and so many more, the audience sang back, clapped along, and prompted him to continue begging him to not stop.  His rendition of “Where Did My Baby Go” with the accompaniment on strings was spectacularly beautiful, while his “Good Morning Love” was as though he was serenading each and every one of us.  As he sang “Caught Up” the audience became a part of the song singing along and clapping as though they were part of the show themselves.

    During the show John shared a personal story of how he was invited to perform on Jimmy Fallon’s show the week they were honoring Bruce Springsteen.  During that show he sang his version of “Dancing In the Dark” hoping at one point and time to hear feedback from Bruce’s team or Bruce himself.  He spoke of months going by with no hope of any response either good or bad, when out of the blue he received a call from Bruce’s management personally requesting him to play his version at a tribute for Bruce Springsteen himself. This validation should not have been a surprise to anyone as the rendition was amazingly beautiful.  We often see songs remixed time and again to speed ballads up into dance numbers.  However to see a fast song slowed down to a ballad tempo was amazingly beautiful as we heard the song with new insight.

    It was however his dedication to his grandmother who taught him how to play that moved me the most.  Many covers have been done of Simon and Grafunkels’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, however the raw emotion he put into this number brought goosebumps as he sang his resonating melody straight up to heaven for her.  One could feel the love and adoration as he sang to her.

    As the night came to an end and John left the stage for a moment, the crowd chanted over and over for one more song.  As they cheered in anticipation, it was of course the encore they had awaited all night, “All of Me”.  This sexy song, seems to touch everyone who hears it as an anthem to love, after all it was written as such for John’s wife, Christine Teigen.  As I left the show, these feelings seem to spill out onto those in attendance. Unbeknownst to one unexacting lady, out in the lobby was a surprise orchestrated by her boyfriend who took this opportunity to express his love and propose to her after the show.  To paraphrase one comment made by John Legend during the show, “for those men in attendance, I(John) am setting you guys up nicely for a wonderful romantic evening with your ladies.  Please don’t ruin it and say something stupid”.  That young man didn’t.  She said yes.  John would be proud.

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    John Legend @ Oncenter Syracuse
    John Legend @ Oncenter Syracuse
    John Legend @ Oncenter Syracuse

  • Godsmack to Headline Uproar Festival

    Rockstar Energy Drink has announced their lineup for the 2014 Uproar Festival. This year’s tour will be headlined by heavy metal rockers Godsmack as they support their brand new, sixth studio album 1000hp. Formed in 1995, this will be  Godsmack’s second time appearing at the Uproar Festival.

    Check out Sully and Shannon of Godsmack in the Uproar Festival announcement video.

    20130406-SullyErna

    What would a festival be in 2014 without Seether? The band has already seen Rock on the Range and Rocklahoma. They will also be on the Aftershock Festival later this year. Seether will hit the tour for their second time in support of their sixth studio album, Isolate and Medicate. 

    Skillet will make their first run on the Uproar Festival. Skillet has been touring for over the past year supporting their current album Rise. Skillet has been on four separate tours since the summer of 2013 including last years Carnival of Madness.

    Skillet-2

    Buckcherry will also grace the main stage and make their first appearance on the festival. Their single “Crazy B!^@#” is certified 2x platinum by the RIAA. The band is rumored to release an Ep titled “F#@k,” which every track on the disc will have that word in it’s song title.

    Uproar’s lineup will feature 13 bands in all. The rest of the lineup will include Pop Evil, Escape The Fate, Redlight King, Three Years Hollow, New Medicine, Within Reason, Sons of Revelry, These Raven Skies & Tattered.

    Also look out for the Suicide Girls to perform a Burlesque show on the festival this year.

    With more dates still to be announced, Uproar will bring the festival to New York on Friday, August 22nd in Syracuse at the New York State Fairgrounds. The festival itself will kick off on Friday, August 15th at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.

    Take a look back at past Uproar Tour poster’s and learn the history of this event.

    Uproar’s main stage looks like one big melting pot for rock and metal music. Godsmack will bring the hard rock and heavy metal, Seether will bring their post grunge style of rock. You will hear the Christian rock and metal sound of Skillet and the hard alternative style of Buckcherry. With all the energy this show is gonna bring , you’re going to need all the free Rockstar Energy Drinks you can handle.

    Click below to connect and stay updated with Rockstar’s Uproar Tour:

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  • Syracuse, Prepare for Total Heart and Soul Meltdown with Lake Street Dive

    If you haven’t listened to Lake Street Dive’s cover of the Jackson 5 single, “I Want You Back,” then you should. After hearing it, if you aren’t swooning, crooning, or feeling the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, you might want to check your pulse; chances are you are dead. This single performance around a single mic on a Brighton, Massachusetts street corner brought nearly instant and well-deserved attention (now almost two million views) to this tremendously talented Boston-based group. They have since performed on the Colbert Report, The Late Show with David Letterman, the Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Town Hall (NYC). This rising star of a band brings its captivating soul/Motown/jazz/pop sound to Syracuse’s Westcott Theater on Thursday, June 26th at 8PM.

    Lake Street Dive is a four-piece, formed by fellow students who met over a decade ago at the New England Conservatory in Boston. The band was hand-picked and named by trumpet/guitar player Mike Olson, who found inspiration in a neighborhood of seedy bars in his hometown of Minneapolis. All members of the band assist in writing songs, singing, and are phenomenal musicians in their own right, but the reality is, Lake Street Dive is fronted by a goddess. Rachel Price, a Nashville native, commands a silky, yet full and powerful, soul-rattling voice that will make you melt. Her vocal technique is impeccable, her dynamic works seamlessly with her backup vocals, and her look…well, just Google her, you’ll see what I mean.

    Lake Street Dive’s tour follows the release of their sixth album, Bad Self Portraits, and is sure to draw a good crowd to the Westcott Theater on Thursday, June 26th. Come support the little dive bar band that is making waves worldwide, and keeping soul alive and relevant in modern music.