Category: Rochester

In Focus: The Struts At The Main Street Armory in Rochester
Show-stopping, astounding, and phenomenal are just a handful of words you can use to describe The Struts, whose ‘Strange Days Are Over’ tour hit Rochester at the Main Street Armory on October 15th and the glam rock band brought the house down.

Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Lead singer, Luke Spiller, is an electrifying showman. Luke nailed every single note of every single song as the energy kept up. He ran back and forth and eventually had to remove his shirt, which naturally sent the fans into a frenzy. Accompanying Spiller was Adam Slack on the Jed Elliott on the bass, and Gethin Davies on the drums.

Fans of The Struts packed the Main Street Armory. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Each musician brought their own personality. This mixed with a killer performance and the die-hard fans that knew every word created an atmosphere that was intoxicating in the best way possible.

If you ever have the chance to see this band, don’t walk, strut.

Setlist: Primadonna Like Me, Body Talks, Kiss This, I Hate How Much I Love You, Fire, One Night Only, Dirty Sexy Money, Low Key In Love, Mary Go Round, Medley, Am I Talking To The Champagne (Or Am I Talking To You), Wild Child, I Do It So Well.

Encore: Strange Days, It Could’ve Been Me
Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Adam Slack of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Jed Elliott of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Gethin Davies of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Adam Slack of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Jed Elliott of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Adam Slack of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
October 18, 2021
The Montage Music Hall host Attila Day Drinking tour

Rochester is home to some long standing music venues, one in particular is Montage Music Hall. This venue has seen many acts from locals to national artists ever since it opened its doors many years ago, it has been host to bands such as Tantric, All That Remains, Clutch, and many other big names. On October 5th, Montage Music Hall hosted Attila on their “Day Drinking Tour,” along with Jynx and with local support from Destroy//Create, and Perspectives. The show had a great turnout and energy throughout the night, especially for the show being on a weekday. Head over to the Montage Music Halls site to find out what shows are next.

Attila

Perspectives

Destroy//Create

Jynxy

Attila

October 12, 2021
Acid Dad Gives Psychedelic Performance New Meaning at Bug Jar in Rochester

Alternative-rock band Acid Dad made a stop in Rochester at Bug Jar on Tuesday, October 5, as part of their Fall 2021 tour. Many avid fans gathered in the well-renowned venue to see the group perform.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

The rock-n’-roll fanatics The Ginger Faye Bakers opened up the show with their head banging tunes. The trio paid homage to heavy metal in their set while incorporating a modern sound. Acid Dad later took over the stage by opening with the song “Drone.” The group consists of singer-guitarists, Vaughn Hunt and Sean Fahey, and drummer Trevor Mustoe. Zoltán Sindhu played alongside them as well. Immediately, the audience transcended into their psychedelic ambience. With the addition of their trippy visuals, they lived up to their enthralling band name.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

The Bushwick natives played several of their most popular hits off their latest album Take It From The Dead, some of which includes “BBQ,” “She Only Eats Organic,” and “Searchin.” The Bug Jar’s kaleidoscopic atmosphere meshed perfectly with Acid Dad’s set. The fresh sound from the group rippled through the underground setting giving fans a great fall show.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

A year ago, Acid Dad spent time independently producing all their own music and art. From building a new studio space to even building their own guitars, this band has continued to fiercely go after their desires. This tour is the start of a new era for Acid Dad.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Make sure to check out upcoming shows at the Bug Jar. The Four Horsemen perform on October 14 and The Shivas do on October 15. Tickets are available here.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Acid Dad – Bug Jar, Rochester – October 5, 2021

Setlist: Drone, Bada Bing, RC Driver, BBQ, Searchin’, Living With a Creature, She Only Eats Organic, Dissin’, Get Me, Don’t Get Taken, Die Hard, Mr. Major, Djembe

October 8, 2021
Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr., Folk Implosion, goes Acoustic this week in Ithaca, Rochester and Buffalo

Lou Barlow, founding member of Dinosaur Jr., will make a few stops in New York State this week, with performances in Ithaca, Rochester and Buffalo.

On Tuesday, September 28, Lou will be at Six Mile Creek Vineyard in Ithaca, and the next night head north to Rocheter for an intimate show at the Bug Jar on Wednesday, September 29. He’ll then play a unique backyard show in Buffalo on Thursday, September 30.

Lou shared this message with his fans in announcing the shows:

Hi everyone, I’ve got even more time before I head out on tour with Dinosaur Jr. so I want to do even more acoustic shows, again in the eastern US and a little further south. If you haven’t seen me before it’s always pretty fun and loose. I take requests and ramble on about things here and there. I really enjoy it, play for about 2 1/2 hours and haven’t had any complaints! I’ll play songs off my new LP too. Join me!

Lou Barlow began writing songs in 1981 inspired by bands like Minor Threat and the AM radio of his childhood, John Denver and Black Flag. The first official results of these pendulum swings were released as contributions to the 1984 Deep Wound 7”. By 1986 he was home recording his first acoustic LP Weed Forestin’ and touring his post-hardcore collaboration, Dinosaur Jr,, leaving in 1989 to join Sebadoh, and late in the ’90s, Folk Implosion, including the 1995 top 40 hit “Natural One.”

In 2005 Lou finally released a proper, under his own name, solo LP: EMOH,” an acoustic-based, singer-songwriter , studio-recorded effort that began a run of 4 similar collections culminating with 2016’s Apocalypse Fetish EP. Concurrently he rejoined Dinosaur Jr. and contributed songs to their successful 4 LP (and counting) reunion era.

For the Bug Jar show, proof of vaccination is required to attend this show, and seating is first come, first serve for this limited capacity event. Tickets for all shows are available here.

September 27, 2021
Sean Chambers Announces Upcoming Album on A Solemn Note

Tour dates have been announced for Sean Chambers, following the release of his most recent album, Thats What I’m Talkin About on Quarto Valley Records. The album is packed with nine tracks, most that long term fans will remember from the 90s. He honors his former guitarist as well as producer on his new label. You can find him in Lima, Seneca Falls, and Buffalo at the end of September starting the 21st, and in New York City at Terra Blues on September 29.

This album went out with a heavy heart, where it is a tribute to former Howlin’ Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Lucky for the band, this album was recorded in March 2020 just before the pandemic hit. Ben Elliot passed away shortly after engineering and producing the album. In tribute to Sumlin, the album includes 10 songs Sean regularly performed on the road as a member of Hubert Sumlin’s touring band, as well as “Hubert’s Song,” an original piece saluting Sumlin. Sean Chambers and his band also join lauded keyboardists Bruce Katz and John Ginty on a few tracks as well.

It all began when Sean received a call asking if they’d be interested in backing up Hubert at ‘Blues Stock’ in Memphis. After relentless practice, the performance with Hubert in October of 1998 was nothing short of extraordinary There was no denying the immediate chemistry between Hubert and Sean, he soon asked the group to become members of the full-time band and they went on to tour for over four years. Hubert was a mentor to Sean, giving him a ‘college education in the blues’. ‘That’s What I’m Talkin About’ was used as a title where it was a phrase commonly used by Hubert.

I will always be grateful to both Hubert Sumlin and Ben Elliott and will never forget all the work we did together, as well as all the lessons that I learned from them both. The music will always live on, and I hope that you enjoy this album as much as we enjoyed making it
Sean Chambers

This album being Ben Elliott’s last project pushed the band to put a picture of the two behind the mixing board for his last song. Ben of course also produced the band’s previous two albums, Trouble & Whiskey and Welcome To My Blues.

Sean Chambers will performing at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo on Wednesday September 22. Tickets are available here.

September 22, 2021
Steve Vai Announces 2022 Tour with Multiple stops in New York

Steve Vai has announced a tour with multiple stops in New York starting in January of 2022. The tour will have 54 stops across the country.

Steve Vai is an american guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer who is known for his solo work that has earned him 3 Grammy’s and for his work with Frank Zappa. Steve Vai grew up in Carle Place, New York and has released 8 solo albums throughout his time as a musician. Some of his most well known songs include “For The Love Of God,” “Tender Surrender,” and “The Attitude Song.”

The tour will start at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas, NV on January 27, 2022 and will wrap up at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, CA on April 2, 2022. The tour will include four dates in New York. The first date in NY will be in Huntington on February 25 at The Paramount. The second in Port Chester on February 26 at The Capitol Theatre. The third stop will be in Albany on March 3 at The Egg. The fourth and last stop in NY will be in Rochester on March 4 at the Kodak Center. Vai will be joined by his long-tenured ensemble members Dave Weiner on guitar / keys, Philip Bynoe on bass, and Jeremy Colson on drums.

Steve Vai explained the motivation behind this tour saying, “A performer thrives on performing. It’s been my life for the past 49 years, with the exception of the last two years, so we are chomping at the bit to get out there and play for people. A music concert has the ability to dissolve the many challenges we face, and celebrate one of the good things in life, live music.”

The general on-sale will go live on September 17, 2021, with a VIP pre-sale available on September 15, 2021. For tickets visit here. For more information on Steve Vai’s 2022 tour visit his website.

Steve Vai 2022 Tour Dates

1/27 Las Vegas, NV House Of Blues

1/28 El Cajon, CA The Magnolia

1/29 Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center

1/30 Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theatre

2/01 Salt Lake City, UT The Rockwell at The Complex

2/02 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater

2/04 Oklahoma City, OK Tower Theatre

2/05 Austin, TX Paramount Theatre

2/06 Dallas, TX House Of Blues

2/08 Houston, TX House Of Blues

2/09 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre

2/11 Birmingham, AL Lyric Theatre

2/12 Macon, GA Hargray Capitol Theatre

2/14 Atlanta, GA The Eastern

2/15 Clearwater, FL Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

2/16 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live

2/17 Ft. Lauderdale, FL The Parker

2/18 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

2/19 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore Charlotte

2/21 Charleston, SC Charleston Music Hall

2/22 Alexandria, VA The Birchmere

2/23 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre

2/24 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Theatre

2/25 Huntington, NY The Paramount

2/26 Port Chester, NY The Capitol Theatre

2/27 Providence, RI The Strand

3/01 New Haven, CT College Street Music Hall

3/02 Boston, MA The Wilbur

3/03 Albany, NY The Egg

3/04 Rochester, NY Kodak Center

3/05 Harrisburg, PA Sunoco Theatre

3/06 Greensburg, PA Palace Theatre

3/08 Warren, OH Packard Music Hall

3/09 Detroit, MI Masonic Cathedral Theatre

3/10 Morgantown, WV Metropolitan Theatre

3/11 Louisville, KY Old Forester’s Paristown Hall

3/12 Nashville, TN CMA Theater

3/13 St. Louis, MO The Pageant

3/15 Chicago, IL Copernicus Center

3/16 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater

3/17 St. Paul, MN The Fitzgerald Theater

3/18 Kansas City, MO The Uptown Theater

3/19 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre

3/20 Des Moines, IA Hoyt Sherman Place

3/22 Sioux Falls, SD The District

3/23 Fargo, ND Fargo Theatre

3/25 Billings, MT Alberta Bair Theater

3/26 Bozeman, MT The ELM

3/27 Missoula, MT The Wilma

3/28 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre

3/29 Portland, OR Roseland Theater

3/31 Turlock, CA Turlock Community Theatre

4/01 Napa, CA Uptown Theatre Napa

4/02 Los Angeles, CA The Theatre at Ace Hotel

September 15, 2021
Fringe On: Rochester Fringe Festival Live events return

Keybank Rochester Fringe Festival is back in swing this year, with more than 400 in-person and online performances between September 14 and September 25. The 10th anniversary features the return of fan favorites such as the Silent Disco, Cirque Du Fringe, Fringe Street Beat dance off, and Pedestrian Drive-In.

For the first time, organizers have curated a mini music festival, called Smokestacks, to mark the finale. The free outdoor event takes place starting at 4pm on September 25 at Parcel 5 on Main Street, and features live performances by Cammy Enaharo, Mikaela Davis, Kopps, Spencer, Cannons, and Joywave.

For safety, COVID protocols are in place. All indoor events require masking and proof of vaccination. Attendees ages 12 and up who are unvaccinated must be masked at all times, even for outdoor events. Protocols may be subject to change. Prior to attending, check for updates online.

“After 18 months of closure that have devestated the performing arts, we’re thrilled to play our part in getting them back on their feet. Nearly 90% of our shows are live and in person, which wouldn’t be possible without our absolute commitment to keeping performers and attendees safe.”
– Erica Fee, Founding Festival Producer

A plethora of entertainment is available – from theater and dance to spoken word and comedy. And of course, music. Some Ska Band will heat things up with irresistible ska and reggae beats at the JCC canalside (outdoor) stage on opening night, September 14 at 7:30pm (get your tickets here). Gospel Sunday takes place on September 19 at 2pm, led by Reverend Rickey Harvey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church at One Fringe Place (free). And the Taiko Japanese Drumming Performance makes a reprise at The Little on September 25 at 3:15pm (also free). And don’t forget about Smokestacks on September 25 at Parcel 5, where you can catch rising singer/songwriter Cammy Enaharo, the eclectic talent of Mikaela Davis, and of course Rochester’s own Joywave.

The complete lineup of events at Rochester Fringe is available online at RochesterFringe.com.

September 14, 2021
Folkfaces Fest V Announces Daily Lineup for Darien Center

Folkfaces have announced the lineup for their fifth annual edition of Folkfaces Fest V. 2021: A Folkface Odyssey will celebrate roots music, community, and culture in Western New York and beyond.

This year’s festival features a space/alien theme “2021: a Folkface Odyssey,” riffing on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Held over September 30 – October 3 at Cherry Hill Campground in Darien Center, NY, located in between Rochester and Buffalo, the event features camping, raffles, a film tent, bonfires, yoga, open jams and much more.

The lineup for Folkfaces Fest V includes Scott H Biram, JD Wilkes, Bruce Molsky, Folkfaces, Andy Cohen, Mike Gantzer, Subsoil, Dirty Blanket, The Ditrani Brothers, and many more!

The venue for Folkfaces Fest V, Cherry Hill Campground, is a beautiful location with well-manicured grounds, including a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite. On-site, there is a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers, as well as multiple spigots with potable water throughout the grounds. Firewood, snacks, blankets, soft drinks, coffee, and many other supplies are available for sale at the Cherry Hill Campsite.

The daily lineups can be found below. Tickets are available for purchase here for only $95. Kids under 12 are free and puppy passes are available for just $25. You’re in for a treat full of endless music, camping, workshops, raffles, food vendors, artists, dancing, beer, artists, and more! Stay up on all new information via the Facebook Event here, and get out to Darien Center for the kickoff on September 30th.

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September 13, 2021
Rochester’s Two Truths Release Debut Single/Video “Brushstrokes”

Two Truths, Rochester’s newest indie pop/rock outfit, was conceived during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic by musicians and roommates Blake Pattengale and Garrett Mader. Quarantine went quite swimmingly, as this new indie pop/rock band set off on the right foot with their first single “Brushstrokes,” with their forthcoming debut EP, Electric Campfire.

To fill out Two Truths, Max Greenberg joined on keys and Byron Cage on drums. Together their band’s sound pulls from a range of genres from Americana to rock, mixed with folk and a little electronic. Pattengale provides down to earth lyrics which are complimented by full vocal harmonies with electric drums and synths.

As ambiguous as “Brushstrokes” sounds, the song itself has more meaning than what meets the eye. Kerry Regan portrays a man who is looking to connect with his lost love. We see him at his art studio to revisit an old painting. The story unfolds to explain the man’s dreary present day life, compared to his past young happy and inlove self. A scenic picnic, a couple running through the fields accompanied with “When I was a younger man, I’d chase you through the fields that we painted with soft brushstrokes.”

Kerry Regan becomes covered in paint, attempting to immerse himself in his past with his young lover. The music almost feels ambient through its synth texture and angelic guitar picking. Luckily for the protagonist, he finally finds himself in the painting with his lover.

Two Truths serves up true potential in their first single, and we’re excited to see where they will go next. Follow Two Truths on Instagram.

The music for “Brushstrokes” was produced by Pattengale & Mader in Pattengale’s home studio, accompanied by Max Greenberg & Byron Cage, Mixed by Pattengale and Mastered by Ed Brooks. Video production for “Brushstrokes,” was made possible with collaborations by Olivia Rose (pre-production, artistic director, actor), Krit Upra of Floated Magazine (videographer, post-production, director), with additional help from Jeanne De Keyserling (painter, actor) & Kerry Regan (actor).

September 10, 2021
Japanese Breakfast Returns to Rochester with a new era for creativity
Indie rock band Japanese Breakfast returned to Rochester on August 3. Earlier this year, Japanese Breakfast released their newest album Jubilee. This textured and imaginative album brought even more joy when the songs were performed live.

Opener Mannequin Pussy brought intense energy to Anthology. The Philadelphia punk band is made up of Missy on lead vocals and guitar, Colins “Bear” Regisford on bass, and Kaleen Reading on drums. Michelle from Japanese Breakfast described this trio as the “punk self-help motivational speaker that we all need.”

Front woman Michelle Zauner has transferred from her previous album dealing with grief to now a new era searching for happiness. Michelle keeps her ambitions high while constantly trying to search for new ways to express indescribable feelings. She has utilized her love of creation to develop unique tracks that cater to her childhood love in an adult catered world.

When Japanese Breakfast took the stage there was instant euphoria that took over the crowd. The band opened with their popular song “Paprika” that sent the crowd into a dreamlike state. The profound instrumentation in addition to Michelle’s airy vocals made the vision for the album come alive on stage.

Returning to Rochester after previously playing at the Bug Jar in 2018, Japanese Breakfast paid tribute to many die-hard fans in the crowd. Some fan favorites of the night included “Be Sweet,” “Posing in Bondage,” and “Everybody Wants to Love You.” A member from Mannequin Pussy even joined on stage as well. She performed a saxophone solo for Michelle’s single that’s dedicated to her love for soccer: “Slide Tackle.”

With a packed crowd, entrancing instrumentals, and Michelle’s angelic vocals, the performance left everyone mesmerized. Japanese Breakfast is continuing on their tour throughout the U.S. and even returning to Brooklyn in the fall. Tickets are available here.

Setlist: Paprika, Be Sweet, In Heaven, The Woman That Loves You, Kokomo, IN, Tactics, Boyish, The Body Is a Blade, Savage Good Boy, In Hell, Posing in Bondage, Road Head, Slide Tackle, Ballad 0 (Bumper Cover), Everybody Wants to Love You, Posing for Cars
Encore: Diving Woman
August 6, 2021