Although the summer is ending soon, the live music scene in Rochester is still as rockin’ as ever. Here are five eclectic picks to keep it going and close out your month in high style.
Providing modern arrangements of old, forgotten, perhaps nearly extinct Italian folk music, Alla Boara will likely sound like nothing you have heard before. Certainly it won’t be what you’re getting at the local Italian eateries! Put on by the good people at the Bop Shop, you know this show is going to be good.
This Chicago trio roll out some fuzzed up psychedelic rock with a minimalist aesthetic. Their new album was released back in the earliest days of 2023 and they’re blowing through town to give you chance to see those tunes live. Local boys Leus Zeus will give a rare and anticipated performance in the opening slot.
Tickets are $10/$15dos and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Annual Fairport Music Festival takes place across six stages for two days smack dab in the middle of the village of Fairport, bringing together incredible local talent with some national acts. They also raise a ton of money for the Golisano’s Children’s Hospital. Highlights of this year’s lineup are Magnolia Boulevard, The Campbell Brothers, Miller and the Other Sinners, and the John Payton Project.
Tickets are $20/$25dos and the music gets started at 4 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
What you need is some berserk groovy dance punk from Amsterdam. The Mauskovic’s in the Mauskovic Dance Band aren’t actually related, but this music is highly relatable, and highly infectious. Local rockers Triglactogon open the show at Bug Jar.
Tickets are $15/$18dos and music starts around 9 p.m.
Alumni of the Rochester International Jazz Fest, The Bad Plus reinvented what it means to be a piano trio, and now they’ve reinvented themselves for the second time. Gone is Ethan Iverson on piano, gone is his replacement Orrin Evans, and in are Ben Monder on guitar and Chris Speed on saxophone. The core of bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King remains as does the band’s ethos and songbook.
Rock’s finest were on display on Aug. 5 at Artpark in Lewiston, as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit took the stage, with S.G. Goodman opening. The band was touring in support of their recent release, Weathervanes.
It has been quite the journey for Jason Isbell. The former Drive By Truckers guitarist left the band in 2007 to pursue a solo career. He writes often about his sobriety journey that he started in 2012 in hopes of serving as an inspiration for others. He is often lauded as one of this generation’s best songwriters. While performing with the 400 Unit, he is backed by Sadler Vaden (guitars), Derry DeBorja (keyboards, accordion), Chad Gamble (drums) and Will Johnson (guitar, percussion). Longtime 400 Unit bass-player Jimbo Hart sat this tour out due to personal reasons.
Jason Isbell performs at the Artpark in Lewiston.
The evening would open with a set by S.G. Goodman. Promptly at 8 pm Goodman’s bandmates took to the stage and jumped right in to the groovy “Work Until I Die.” After a lengthy instrumental introduction, Goodman took to the stage and the song’s indie garage-rock sound took off. Goodman, from Hickman, Kentucky, joked with the crowd between songs. “I’m sure by the sound of my voice, you can tell I’m not from around here,” she said with a laugh and a heavy southern accent. Goodman’s songwriting really shined, as she performed tracks like “Space and Time,” a song recently covered by Tyler Childers. As the set came to a close, Goodman paid tribute to Waylon Jennings, with a cover of “Waymore’s Blues.”
S.G. Goodman performs at the Artpark in Lewiston.
At promptly 9:10 the house lights dimmed and Isbell’s familiar anchor-dove logo illuminated above the stage. Moments later Isbell and his bandmates took the stage and immediately launched into the crunchy guitar riff of “When We Were Close,” a track chronicling Isbell’s friendship with the late Justin Townes Earle. The crowd quickly stood to their feet and their energy began to build like a pot of water coming to a boil, coming to a complete boil by the third song, “King of Oklahoma.” The powerful, anthemic song saw the audience sing back the song’s chorus in near deafening fashion.
Jason Isbell performs at the Artpark in Lewiston.
As the evening moved on, Isbell’s strength as a song writer became more and more apparent. He has the ability to place the listener directly into the scene of the song, while singing songs dealing with not only his own personal struggles, but issues plaguing society as a whole. The song “Save the World” touches on the need for gun law reform, while “King of Oklahoma” tells the tale of the protagonist struggling with a painkiller addiction. Then, there are more personal songs to Isbell like “Cover Me Up” which addresses coming to sobriety, and Isbell grappling with his own mortality in “If We Were Vampires.”
Sadler Vaden performs at the Artpark in Lewiston
Isbell and his bandmates shined musically through out the evening as well, with Isbell and Vaden often trading guitar solos. Derry DeBorja added unique layers of sound with his keyboard and accordion playing. Perhaps the pinnacle moment of the evening was the band’s performance of “Miles.” The song, reminiscent of a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young track, saw layers of sound build upon each other and featured dual percussion, with Gamble and Johnson both taking seats behind a kit. This only further drove the song’s intensity, which peaked with the crash of a gong.
Jason Isbell performs at the Artpark in Lewiston
Like all good things, this evening had to come to a close. The band closed with “This Ain’t It,” which saw Isbell and Vaden partaking in one last guitar solo dual, much to the crowd’s delight. It was a fitting way to close an evening of classic rock sounds.
The Jonas Brothers’ “The Tour” has expanded with new dates internationally, bringing the total number of shows to 90. “The Tour” kicks off with two sold-out shows in Yankee Stadium this August, with future performances in Buffalo this November and Albany this December.
Visiting 20 countries, many of which for the first time, and 86 cities, “The Tour” is the largest tour the band has ever put together. Earlier this year, the Jonas Brothers released a new album, titled similarly to their tour as The Album. It was produced by Jon Bellion and released with Republic Records.
The Jonas Brothers themselves are one of the most successful groups of this century, with over 20 million sold albums, two Grammy Award nominations, and three consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard 200. Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Kevin Jonas have not only had successful careers in music, but also in TV, film, and other business ventures. 2019 saw the band’s comeback with the Platinum-certified album Happiness Begins.
For more information and for tickets, check out the Jonas Brothers’ website. For information on VIP packages, check out the link here.
Old Tour Dates
Aug. 12 – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Aug. 13 – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Aug. 15 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
Aug. 16 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
Aug. 17 – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
Aug. 19 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON
Aug. 22 – Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
Iconic rappers JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown have left zero crumbs on their stops through the east coast on their SCARING THE HOES tour. Their show in Buffalo Aug. 1 was no exception to this as they performed for a sold out crowd at the Town Ballroom.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Opener DJ_Dave brought her experimental production to Buffalo by performing her music using code. She combines her electronic pop music and love for tech to create a newfound fluidity to the industry. Her visuals go beyond just cool tech symbols because she is live coding on stage, refereed to as algorave which is both impressive and entertaining to watch.
DJ_Dave, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Later on JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown took over the stage. Their presence can not be taken lightly because they had fans going crazy from start to finish. They began the night introducing themselves and immediately going into their track “Lean Beef Patty.” With just 30 seconds in the energy was insane. The rappers were spraying water into the crowd, climbing on top of the barricade, and interacting with fans nonstop.
JPEG, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
This tour is in honor of the two rappers’ joint album SCARING THE HOES which released earlier this year. After much anticipation it was especially satisfying for fans to get to see the collaborative talent of these two in action. Even with many songs of theirs being together they still took the time to perform a section of the show by themselves.
JPEG, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
JPEGMAFIA performed fun covers of songs by Carly Rae Jepsen and Denzel Curry. Fans especially got pumped up when he rapped his hit “1539 N. Calvert.” Danny Brown then came back on stage with JPEG, then gave the audience a solo show. The crowd got even more excited for this and couldn’t stop chanting his name.
Danny Brown, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Danny performed his popular song “Really Doe” that features Kendrick Lamar. This track had people immediately riling up and opening up the pit for mosh pits. It’s so impressive to watch both Danny and JPEG rap in person because there is no gimmicks. Neither of the artists use a backing track. This means every word you hear them rap live is them actually rapping live, and if they mess up it becomes 10x more obvious to the audience watching.
JPEG, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The two finished off the night with “SCARING THE HOES” and “Fentanyl Tester.” The packed in crowd was lit with rage and sweat from the non-stop party. Something about Danny Brown finally being back in Buffalo after all these years and visuals that paid homage to old-school video games gave a nostalgic feel.
Danny Brown, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
If you missed this dynamic duo in Buffalo, fear not because more NY dates are on the horizon. The SCARING THE HOES tour will be making stops in NYC at both Pier 17 on Aug. 9 and Terminal 5 on Aug. 11. Upcoming shows at the Town Ballroom can be found here.
Danny Brown, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Setlist:
JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown: Lean Beef Patty, Burfict!, Steppa Pig, Garbage Pale Kids
JPEGMAFIA: Jesus Forgive Me I Am a Thot, 1539 N. Calvert, BALD!, Baby I’m Bleeding, Call Me Maybe (cover), VENGEANCE | VENGEANCE (cover)
JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown: Run the Jewels, God Loves You, Shut Yo Bitch Ass Up / Muddy Waters, Hermanos
Danny Brown: Really Doe, When It Rain, Dip, Monopoly, Tantor, Ain’t It Funny
JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown: Guess What Bitch, We Back Hoe!, SCARING THE HOES, Fentanyl Tester
The Allman Betts Family Revival announced its 2023 dates and all-star lineup. The tour kicks off on Nov. 25 in Saint Louis, MO and will be making three stops in New York.
The Allman Family Revival initially began as a one-off concert in 2017 at The Fillmore in San Francisco to celebrate the late Gregg Allman’s life on what would have been his 70th birthday. Now entering its seventh year, the tour announced their rebrand from The Allman Family Revival to the Allman Betts Family Revival.
Gregg Allman’s son Devon and Dickey Betts’ son Duane spearhead the tour and hand-picked an array of guests who will perform two sets. One will feature songs by Gregg Allman and the other will feature songs by Dickey Betts. The performances will also include deep cuts from their legendary Allman Brothers Band catalog.
Performers include Anders Osborne, Luther Dickinson & Cody Dickenson (North Mississippi Allstars), Jimmy Hall (Jeff Beck, Wet Willie), Jackie Greene, Larry McCray, Orbi Orbison, Ally Venable, Devon Allman, Duane Betts, and the Allman Betts Band featuring the Tal Wilkenfeld on Bass (Jeff Beck). There will also be additional artists that will join in select cities including Sierra Hull & G Love, with more to be added.
The tour will also welcome back The Brotherhood of Light for the otherworldly visuals Allman Brothers fans experienced at the height of their career.
Tickets and up-to-date information are available here.
The Allman Betts Family Revival Tour Dates
November 25 @ The Factory | Saint Louis, MO
November 26 @ Brown County Music Center | Nashville, IN
November 27 @ The Arcada Theater | St. Charles, IL
November 29 @ Kleinhans Music Hall | Buffalo, NY
w/ special guest Sierra Hull
November 30 @ Santander Performing Arts Center | Reading, PA
w/ special guest Sierra Hull
December 1 @ Orpheum Theater | Boston, MA
w/ special guests Greg Koch, Sierra Hull
December 2 @ Beacon Theatre | New York, NY
w/ special guests Greg Koch, Sierra Hull
December 3 @ The Paramount | Huntington, NY
w/ special guests Greg Koch, Sierra Hull
December 5 @ Capital One Hall | Tysons, VA
December 7 @ Macon City Auditorium | Macon, GA
w/ special guests Chuck Leavell, Vaylor Trucks, Melody Trucks
December 8 @ Gaillard Center | Charleston, SC
December 10 @ Sunrise Theatre | Fort Pierce, FL
w/ special guests J.D. Simo, Melody Trucks and Frank Hannon
December 12 @ Van Wezel PAC | Sarasota, FL
w/ special guests J.D. Simo, Melody Trucks and Frank Hannon
December 13 @ Florida Theatre | Jacksonville, FL
w/ special guests J.D. Simo, Melody Trucks and Frank Hannon
December 14 @ Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium | Spartanburg, SC
w/ special guests J.D. Simo
December 15 @ Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN
w/ special guest G. Love
December 16 @ Mobile Civic Center | Mobile, AL
December 17 @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater | Austin, TX
Rochester’s acclaimed music chamber ensemble fivebyfive recently unveiled its 2023-2024 season. The theme for this year’s round of programming is “Dichotomies” and is aimed at pushing artistic boundaries. As part of “Dichotomies” the ensemble will be releasing an album, holding collaborative concerts, hosting discussions, and much more.
Created in 2015, fivebyfive has earned a reputation for its ambitious performances and creative programming. The outfit is devoted to commissioning, developing, and performing the works of living artists. Boasting an incredible roster of musicians, fivebyfive takes pride in trying to highlight underrepresented and overlooked creators in the field. “Dichotomy” serves as another impressive artistic challenge for the ensemble. In honor of the theme, the group has curated an extraordinary lineup of visual and auditory experiences based on juxtaposition and contrast.
Fivebyfive is comprised of world-class artists, including Laura Lentz (Artistic Director & flute), Marcy Bacon (clarinet), Ken Luk (electric guitar), Eric Polenik (bass), Haeyeun Jeun (piano) and Marc Webster (Executive Director & audio/video engineer).
The upcoming season is designed to captivate and engage audiences through a range of complex feelings from primordial expression to celestial wonderment. We cannot wait to share these transformative musical experiences with the world.
Laura Lentz
Laura Lentz
Release of fivebyfive’s Third Album
“breath & fire”
Release date: Oct. 15, 2023
The project is inspired by the explosive and intense nature of fire balanced with the steady and tranquil essence of breath. Pieces on the album strongly invoke stillness or motion, and the recording process of matching spaces to the mood or pace in the music seeks to further draw out these energies as you listen.
Oct. 21, 2023 (Syracuse) and Oct. 22, 2023 (Rochester).
Musicians from Pegasus Early Music/NYS Baroque and fivebyfive will perform back-to-back concerts in Syracuse and Rochester. The concerts will feature both traditional and newly arranged versions of Sephardic music. Based in Jewish culture from medieval Spain and Portugal, the traditional performance will include instruments such as the lute, recorder, duduk, shawm, harp, and percussion. The new renditions will be performed in chamber style by fivebyfive featuring flute, clarinet, bass, piano and electric guitar. Additionally, artist Lynne Feldman will display several tapestries depicting Jewish life and discuss Judaic art.
Concert Featuring Medieval and Renaissance-Inspired Music
“Reflections: Music of Then & Now”
Nov. 15, 2023.
As part of a Jewish Music Series, fivebyfive will travel to Buffalo to present a program that reflects back in time to explore medieval and renaissance-inspired music. The performances will also incorporate other pieces that connect us to this present moment. This concert will feature Sephardic music, pieces from the Of and Between album, and Pale as Centuries, composed by Sarah Kirkland Snider.
Meet the Composer: Special Public Discussion with Roberto Sierra
Zoom presentation: Nov. 19, 2023
Grammy-nominated and Latin Grammy winning composer Roberto Sierra will be part of an online Zoom discussion. Through a grant provided by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), fivebyfive commissioned Sierra to create a new work for the ensemble. In Sonidos de Tlön, Sierra explores the dichotomy of fantasy vs. reality using inspiration from 20th-century Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges. During the 2024-2025 season, fivebyfive will showcase his piece in a concert of music and poetry from Latin America.
Multimedia Presentation with Eclipse-Inspired Music and Immersive Video
“Light & Dark: Eclipse Music”
Jan. 20, 2024 & Jan. 21, 2024.
To celebrate the 2024 total solar eclipse, fivebyfive has created a multi-media concert experience with original music by five composers. Jessica Meyer, Marc Mellits, Glenn McClure,Julie Herndon, and Kamala Sankaram were all invited to create work for the celebration. The Strasenburgh Planetarium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center will also present an immersive to go along with the event. The program combines art, science, music, and audience engagement activities to mark this unforgettable event.
Fivebyfive visits Minnesota’s Carleton College in 3-day Residency
In February of 2024, fivebyfive will travel to Carleton College in Minnesota for a three-day residency. The ensemble will present a concert, lead a reading session of student works, and participate in several workshops.. Composition professor and frequent fivebyfive collaborator, Andrea Mazzariello has previously produced works for fivebyfive including Of and Between which was featured on Performance Today several times.
Buffalo artist Stress Dolls released a new single, “Body,” preceding a performance at Funk ‘N Waffles in Syracuse.
Stress Dolls is the moniker of Chelsea O’Donnell, an alt/pop/rock artist from Buffalo. Originally the name of a band, O’Donnell adopted the Stress Dolls title for herself and decided to move to Nashville after the group split up in 2017.
However, chronic health issues led to O’Donnell’s hospitalization less than a year later. After undergoing a feeding tube procedure, O’Donnell moved back to Buffalo, and after a period of recovery, began writing, performing, and recording again. Largely due to the tentative nature of her health, O’Donnell established Stress Dolls as a solo act in order to decrease stress and go at her own pace.
During this time, O’Donnell wrote “Body.” The song is a reflection of O’Donnell’s complicated relationship with her body in the face of ongoing health concerns, including Crohn’s disease and gastroparesis.
“I’m working on not pitting blame, or shame, on my body anymore, and through that practice I’ve realized that, really, the body is amazing.” O’Donnell said. “Mine withstood all of that anger, angst, stress, and physical anguish, and with some help, it found ways to heal. I’m learning to be a friend to my body instead of an opponent, and that’s making all the difference.”
Playing to a packed house at Darien Lake Amphitheater, Country rapper Jelly Roll brought his Backroad Baptism to Western NY on Aug. 3. Fans in attendance were in for one hell of a show by Jelly Roll and opening acts Struggle Jennings and Caitlynne Curtis.
While I did not make it in time for the opening acts, I did manage to catch the end of Struggle Jennings set. Not knowing much about him, I did talk to a few fans, and he seems to have a good following, as everyone I spoke with said that he is a regular on their streaming services. What I did get from his set was that, like Jelly Roll, Struggle Jennings (William Curtis Harness Jr) has a troubled past with prison time included. Lucky for him and for us, he has found the right path and is making the most of every opportunity. He has a voice that one cannot just describe, yet it matches his style and muse perfectly.
Wake up tomorrow and make it the best fucking day of your life
Struggle Jennings
Like his successor on stage, Jennings is a humble dude. He spoke about how everything happens for a reason, and you need to take advantage of every opportunity that is thrown your way, and he used his own daughter as an example. With him being incarcerated, and the mother of his child passing away, his daughter was in and out of foster care and dealt with her own demons along the way, but kept her head up and graduated with high honors and is heading off to college.
After dabbling in the rap and hip-hop markets for about ten years, the Tennessee native entered the country market and immediately made a name for himself. His unique vocals, inspirational messages, and powerful range have led him to be one of the most recognizable names in music today. With his current tour barely underway, Jelly Roll is riding high on music charts as well, with his latest album Whitsitt Chapel sitting at number two in iTunes’s top 100 country albums and is up there on Billboard rock/alternative chart as well.
Getting back to the show at Darien Lake, Jelly Roll hit the stage around 9 p.m., with his drummer welcoming him with a solid little beat. He starts the night off in absolute style, with “The Lost,” “Hate Goes On,” and “Halfway to Heaven,” with the latter heating up with pyrotechnics joining the party. It is clear at this point the next 90 minutes are going to be loud, fun, and hot. Talking about his roots and how he came to country music, Jelly Roll spoke about the power of 90s country and unleashes a mash-up of covers starting with the very vocal Toby Keith.
Naturally, the crowd sang along as he rolled through four or five songs. At this point, I think the only fans left sitting were way back on the lawn. The crowd was pumped up and made Jelly smile from ear to ear. He talked about Buffalo and the area and of course the well-known Bills Mafia. He played Darien Lake on Tuesday, after a Buffalo Bills Monday night game and he said the crowd was something he had yet to see, with the Mafia out in full force. He added that it really made an impression on him about the passion that Bills fans have.
Onward with the music, he does a couple more covers, starting with a mix of The Animal’s “The House of The Rising Sun.” Very much making it his own, he nailed the melancholy rhythm and with some effects of the fire towers on stage, this arrangement instantly becomes a talking piece. His next cover was that of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” which holds a special place in Jelly’s heart. With an acoustic vibe, this piece was done perfectly and with the crowd chiming in for the final verse, the mix became complete.
As Jelly Roll finished his set, one can look around and see what a diverse group he gathers. Out on the lawn, there are grown men, chugging Bud Light and rocking t-shirts. You see the younger crowd, discretely vaping and dancing to every beat. There are groups of older folks who you might have thought took a wrong turn on the way to bingo, yet they are having a time listening to this 38-year-old rapper turned country star. Jelly Roll is the star that doesn’t just attract country music fans of a certain demographic. He manages to lure in everyone with his humbleness, simple messages, and simple charm. While he has been in the music business for several years, Jelly Roll is now just making his mark and defining who he is in the field of music.
our windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason. Cuz what’s in front of you is much more important that what’s behind you…”
Jelly Roll
Set list: The Lost, Hate Goes On, Halfway to Hell, Creature, Dead Man Walking, Son of a Sinner, Country Medley/mix, She, Dancing With The Devil, Teaks Could Talk, Dirty South, Bottle And Mary Jane, Need a Favor, House of Rising Sun medley, Wheels Fall Off/Kill a Man, Fall in the Fall, Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Smoking Section, Save Me
Harpist Mikaela Davis and her band Southern Star, released their first album as a unit this week. The album, simply called Mikaela Davis and Southern Star, is also her first release in five years and her first on label Kill Rock Stars.
The band however, is not new, and most of them have been playing together since before her last album, Delivery was released. Joining Davis’ harp is Alex Cote on drums, who has been friends with Davis, and been playing with her in some way or another, since they went to school together just outside Rochester, NY. From nearby Syracuse, Cian McCarthy plays guitar and his brother Shane picks up bass duties. Rounding out the quintet is Kurt Johnson on pedal steel and guitar, originally hailing from Rochester southern outskirts, he has been a fixture in the city’s music scene, along with Davis and Cote for many years.
Mikaela Davis and Southern Star, the band, is locally-grown, organically-formed, and grade-A quality. Mikaela Davis and Southern Star, the album, is a superb documentation of their unique and diverse sound that will equally satisfy the hunger of the most ardent fans and those that have yet to get a taste.
It is rare for a harp to front a rock band, rarer still for a harp to intermingle with a pedal steel. Add in a guitar and bass and Southern Star comes in with a whole lot of strings in tow. It works incredibly well, and provides the band with a lot of versatility.
The set eases into the listeners ears with the beautiful harp melody in opening track “Cinderella.” With Davis’ voice and Johnson’s moaning pedal steel work joining in shortly after, the unique magic embedded inside is immediately apparent. From there each track adds new and interesting elements into the fold until the palette is revealed in full. It explodes into an extended guitar-led workout on album-closing “Leave It Alone,” before petering into ambient spaciness. But the band isn’t quite ready to call it a day and the jam re-emerges for another couple minutes like a classic album hidden track.
In between, the album jumps through genres effortlessly. Country rock awash in early 70’s psychedelia moves to pop-tinged folk, languid grooves flip over to muscular choogle. Despite it’s diversity it all comes across as a coherent whole, a satisfying full album listen with a rich and timeless-sounding production that should keep this a regular on the turntable or streams for years to come.
Key tracks: Saturday Morning, Don’t Stop Now, Leave It Alone
Darien Lake Amphitheater witnessed an electrifying spectacle Friday night as Fall Out Boy took the stage and delivered a concert experience that left the sold-out audience in awe. Joined by the dynamic rockers Bring Me The Horizon, as well as the talented acts Royal & The Serpent and Games We Play, this event was nothing short of an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster of emotions and musical excellence.
As the sun began setting on the picturesque outdoor venue, Games We Play kicked off the night with an impressive set, warming up the crowd and setting the tone for what was to come. Their energy and catchy tunes got concert-goers moving and set the stage for an evening of non-stop entertainment. While only having a few songs to perform, Games We Play did a crowd-engaging cover of “Mr. Brightside” which got the spark going.
Next up, Royal & The Serpent took the stage and proved why they are a band to watch. With an eclectic mix of indie-pop and alternative sounds, the group the audience with their raw, emotional performance. Lead vocalist Ryan Santiago’s vocals soared through the amphitheater, leaving a lasting impression on the fans.
Bring Me The Horizon, the British rock sensation, took the Darien Lake Amphitheater by storm, cementing its status as one of the most captivating and innovative acts in the contemporary rock scene. From the moment they stepped on stage, it was evident that they were on a mission to leave an indelible mark on their audience. Led by the enigmatic frontman Oliver Sykes, Bring Me The Horizon’s performance was a masterclass in showmanship and musical prowess. Sykes’ raw and emotionally charged vocals pierced through the air, commanding the attention of every person in the amphitheater. His dynamic stage presence drew the audience into an intense and immersive experience, transforming the concert into an intimate connection between the band and their fans.
The band’s ability to seamlessly blend different genres was on full display, as they effortlessly transitioned between heavy metalcore anthems and more melodic, atmospheric moments. Tracks like “Shadow Moses” and “Can You Feel My Heart” showcased their heavier side, igniting mosh pits and fervent headbanging, while songs like “Drown” and “LosT” showcased their ability to craft emotionally resonant and introspective pieces.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of Bring Me The Horizon’s set was their unwavering authenticity and vulnerability on stage. As they performed intensely, it was clear that the band was baring their souls to their fans. This authenticity fostered a sense of unity between the audience and the musicians, making the concert feel like a cathartic and shared journey.
In addition to their emotive performances, Bring Me The Horizon also used their platform to address important social and environmental issues. Between songs, Sykes took a moment to speak passionately about mental health awareness, urging the audience to support each other and seek help when needed. The band’s commitment to using their music and influence for positive change resonated deeply with the audience, further solidifying their place as more than just a rock band.
As Bring Me The Horizon concluded their set, the anticipation for Fall Out Boy reached a fever pitch. The pop-punk veterans did not disappoint, rotating through a diverse selection of songs with each set. Fans were elated to hear the rarely played “The Takes Over the Breaks Over,” a classic from their 2008 record Infinity On High. But the surprises didn’t end there. During the medley, lead vocalist Patrick Stump treated the audience to an acoustic, shortened version of “Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part to Save the Scene and Stop Going to Shows)” from their iconic 2006 album From Under The Cork Tree. The crowd went wild, relishing in the nostalgic moment.
Fall Out Boy’s impeccable musicianship and stage presence were on full display, proving why they have remained a staple in the alternative rock scene for years. Patrick Stump’s soulful vocals, Pete Wentz’s electrifying basslines, Joe Trohman’s killer guitar riffs, and Andy Hurley’s powerhouse drumming came together in perfect harmony, elevating the concert to a whole new level.
Fall Out Boy’s signature “Magic 8 Ball” portion of the evening had become a fan-favorite since the tour began, with the band usually performing one obscure song from their repertoire. This night, they went above and beyond, playing two hidden gems. The first was the live debut of “You’re Crashing but You’re No Wave,” a long-awaited treat for die-hard fans. The second was “27,” a beloved fan-favorite from their 2013 post-hiatus record Folie à Deux.
The camaraderie between the band members was palpable, with moments of lighthearted banter and genuine appreciation for their devoted fans. It was evident that Fall Out Boy was not just performing; they were sharing an experience with their audience, creating an emotional connection that extended beyond the music.
This show at Darien Lake Amphitheater was an unforgettable night of musical marvels. With their energetic performances and raw emotion, both Fall Out Boy and Bring Me The Horizon demonstrated why they are two of the most celebrated acts in the rock scene. The show’s sold-out status was a testament to the unwavering passion of their fans, who were treated to a night of timeless classics and unforgettable rarities. This concert will undoubtedly be remembered by all who attended as one epic night.
Fall Out Boy Setlist: Love From the Other Side, The Phoenix, Sugar, We’re Goin Down, Uma Thurman, A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More “Touch Me,” Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy, Calm Before the Storm, This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race, Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes,Heaven, Iowa, The Take Over, the Breaks Over, Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet, Fake Out, Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part to Save the Scene and Stop Going to Shows), Golden (Partial; Piano Medley), Don’t Stop Believin'(Journey cover) (Piano Medley), Save Rock and Roll, Baby Annihilation, Enter Sandman(Metallica cover) (Partial), Dance, Dance, Hold Me Like a Grudge, You’re Crashing, but You’re No Wave, 27, My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up), Thnks fr th Mmrs, Centuries, Saturday
Bring Me The Horizon Setlist: AmEN!, Teardrops, Happy Song, DiE4u, MANTRA, Shadow Moses, sTraNgeRs, Drown, LosT, Can You Feel My Heart, Throne
