 Silverstein brought their 25 Years of Noise tour to Stage AE for the venue’s first show of the year on Friday with a high-energy, fan-centric performance.
First to the stage was Split Chain, a grunge/nu-metal inspired band all the way from Bristol England. Though the venue was only about half full, the crowd clearly resonated with the band’s heavy sound with memorable guitar and vocal hooks. Split Chain may be a new band, but they had the early arrivals to the show forming a mosh pit by the end of their set, and are definitely one to watch as they break into the US market. The second opener of the evening was Arm’s Length, a Canada-based emo/pop-punk group. The group’s clean vocals and catchy guitar riffs combined with a relentless touring schedule have seen them quickly gain fans and invitations to festivals throughout the country. The Silvestein crowd was no exception. Many early show arrivals were already fans singing along to their favorite songs, while new listeners were happy to dance along. Both early openers, despite being relative newcomers to Pittsburgh, set the tone for a fun, high energy night. The final opening band was Thursday, the post-hardcore band who have been making music for the better part of three decades. Despite a mid-2000s hiatus and limited new music released since 2011, the band has plenty of fans in Pittsburgh. A throwback to their punk influences, Thursday made their political stances clear, including some anti-establishment statements that resonated with the audience. Their sound was heavy, singer Geoff Rickly’s vocals strong and emotional prompting the formation of another mosh pit and priming fans for the main act. Silverstein opened their set with a video tribute to the fans. Their video chronicled the band’s start playing small venues to a handful of fans, and their growth through the years. The video highlighted the fact that the band would not be where it is without crowds to attend their shows and spread the word about their music. Silverstein took the stage to cheers, opening with their recent songs “Skin and Bones” and “Confession” from their upcoming album Anitbloom. They then encouraged the crowd to form a circle pit as they moved into a heavier song. Silverstein designed their setlist starting with their most recent songs, moving back through their discography throughout the nights. Fans had had the opportunity to vote on the songs selected from each album, and as such were delighted to hear many of their favorites. Crowdsurfing was common throughout the night, with varying degrees of success.* The show included a mid-set acoustic song or two, along with some chatting by vocalist Shane Told. But most of the night was about the music, and it was clear that the band was enjoying the performance as much as the fans. They laughed, moving around the stage and pointing out the antics of the crowd. It seems that even after 25 years, Silverstein are still riding that high of connecting with their fans through live performances. *If you’re planning to crowdsurf at a future show, make your body stiff to avoid being dropped (likely on your head!) and be aware, not every venue allows crowdsurfing. Stay safe out there! Review/Photos By: Aarika MacIntyre
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 The Young Dubliners may not be quite so young anymore, but they certainly know how to bring an audience to their feet. On Wednesday, January 8th they took the stage at the City Winery, opening with a bass solo and an instrumental tune to warm up the crowd. Then lead singer Keith Roberts took over with his deep raspy vocals and Irish brogue, ramping up the energy and setting the tone for the night.
After a few fan favorite songs, the band transitioned into a few new songs, teasing the upcoming release of a new album. They then seamlessly picked up the pace with some traditional Irish songs, including “I’ll Tell Me Ma” and “Foggy Dew,” prompting singalongs from the crowd. Fans would definitely have been dancing had there been enough room! But the seating didn’t stop any of the fun as the band moved through more original songs, taking time to highlight the talents of each band member with solos for the fiddle, lead guitar, drums, and bass. The band slowed the evening down with “Pair of Brown Eyes” before leaving the stage with only violinist Chas Waltz to carry the music. He spent the next 10 minutes winding his fiddle through an epic story composed of traditional jigs and reels interspersed with slower, moody pieces full of emotion. The show may have been at a winery, but for a few minutes the crowd was transported to an Irish pub. The Young Dubliners returned to the stage, picking up the action again with two more original tunes before bidding the crowd good night. But the crowd wasn’t satisfied. It only took a few moments of chants of “one more song!” to bring the band back for not just one, but three more songs. A few intrepid fans even found some space to get up and dance, encouraging more people to join in. The night ended as any good Irish show should: with dances, cheers, and toasts. Review/Photo By: Aarika MacIntyre  Steel Panther has always been a fan favorite of the Steel City, and this year’s visit was no exception. The show was opened by Stone Horses, a rock band out of Baltimore, Maryland. The four-piece band got the fans ready to rock with their high-energy blend of blues grooves over a heavy rock beat. Their unique sound resonated with the crowd, who enjoyed the high energy performance and original rock tunes.
The main act of the night was Steel Panther, a glam rock comedy band based in Los Angeles. They opened the night with their hit “Eyes of a Panther” to cheers and most of the crowd singing along. Steel Panther has a well-deserved reputation for a fun high-energy, 80’s hair band metal parody performance. Friday’s show was no exception. Band members Michael Starr, Satchel, Spyder, and Stix (all stage names, of course) entertained fans with solid performances of their most popular songs and comedic banter throughout the 90-minute show. This year’s tour is a celebration of the 15th anniversary of their first major record label album, “Feel the Steel.” Steel Panther may be a bit of an acquired taste for many listeners. Their lyrics are overtly profane, their shows explicit and definitely not for children. Yet it’s clear it’s all in good fun, the songs very much tongue-in-cheek comedy; the band’s on stage personas are over-the-top parodies of the glam metal music scene. The act clearly resonates with fans, with many coming dressed up in their glam rock best, singing along and letting loose for an evening and returning show after show. Sometimes people need a night to trade their day job for a night of absurd fun, and Steel Panther is happy to facilitate. Review/Photo By: Aarika MacIntyre  The Spill Canvas brought their Bottle of Red Tour (version 3!) to the City Winery in Pittsburgh on Monday, November 18. Their limited tour, which included City Winery locations across the northeast, featured new takes on old favorites and a few new songs.
Fans packed the City Winery, enjoying the venue before the show. With no supporting acts, The Spill Canvas started the show without fanfare. Unlike their usual rock shows, this set featured the addition of violin, keyboard, trumpet, and even accordion accompaniment on most of the songs. These new arrangements had an energy all their own, a more low-key acoustic style but with singer Nick Thomas’ solid and emotional vocals. Mid-show, Thomas took the opportunity to speak about his struggles with mental health and sobriety before performing a solo version of “Self-Conclusion.” Pittsburgh loves The Spill Canvas. A dedicated fan base packs the house regardless of the venue, singing along to old and new songs. The City Winery crowd enthusiastically responded to the stripped-down show throughout the evening, embracing the reimagined versions of old favorites. The band thanked the crowd for their 20-plus years of support through trials and triumphs, emphasizing that these songs are not just the bands but the shared experiences of everyone who hears and sings along. The tour continues for just one more weekend, but The Spill Canvas has scheduled several one-off shows through the end of the year. Review/Photo By: Aarika MacIntyre  Wednesday night saw the opening night of Tall Heights’ Softly Softly tour at the Thunderbird Cafe. The show was opened by Dug, a folk duo based in Dublin Ireland. Although only having been a band for around one year, Dug’s sound had the crowd tapping their toes and moving to the music. Their sound, a blend of traditional Irish and American folk, was made all the richer by members Jonny Pickett and Lorkin O’Reilly accompanying themselves with a harmonium on the floor and bells strapped to their feet. Despite being a new band, Dug has clearly had plenty of experience in the music business, entertaining the crowd with stories and a song about the best and worst concert promoters (the Thunderbird, they said, is one of the best so far). After their set, O’Reilly and Pickett greeted fans and sold their hand-dyed Dug t-shirts and stickers. After the enthusiastic reception for their first show, I suspect they’ll need to dye another batch soon.
The main event was the return of Tall Heights to Pittsburgh. Also a folk duo, primarily playing cello and an acoustic guitar, Paul Wright and Tim Harrington played a stripped-down set without frills or fanfare. Wright and Harrington let the music and stories shine, and it paid off in a big way. The music was calm and quiet, reaching directly to the hearts of audience members. The show also featured the live debut of a number of songs from the new album “Softly Softly.” Despite their claims of minimal practice and nerves playing the new music, their sound was clean and rich, and the vocals a beautiful harmony. It may be 15 years of making music together, it may be shaking off the dust of a break in touring, but the night was a showcase of storytelling and the emotions of the human experience. From the evolution of love with a long-term partner to the loss of loved ones and frustration with the current political climate, this show was more of a collective cathartic experience that reminded the crowd not of what makes us different, but how we are all alike. The Softly Softly tour continues through January, with Dug providing support through all November tour dates. Review/Photo By: Aarika MacIntyre Animal Instincts tour featuring Pop Evil and Bad Wolves brings a night of hard rock to Pittsburgh11/7/2024  Pop Evil and Bad Wolves co-headlined the Animal Instincts tour that rocked an intimate crowd of die-hard fans at the Roxian Theatre on November 7.
Five-piece metal band from Canada, Oni, took the stage first to warm up the crowd. As the first of four bands, they had limited space on the stage, but made the most of what was available. Oni delivered heavy, yet musically complex songs with strong vocals that got the fans ready to headbang through the evening. Next to the stage was Sierra Pilot, another Canadian rock group who took the energy up another notch. Their songs combine melodic, highly-singable choruses with heavy, fast verses with driving beats. Their clear enthusiasm drew in many new Pittsburgh fans. After their set Sierra Pilot met with fans at the merch table and really connected with everyone. They continued this energy after the show, staying back and continuing to meet their fans and signing autographs. The first headliner, Bad Wolves, opened their set with heavy-hitting “Bad Friend.” Fans sang along from the first notes. Singer Daniel Laskiewicz kept the crowd fired up, offering fist bumps and chances to sing along, often singing directly to fans at the rail. Closing out the set with their cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie,” the crowd sang along, clearly having enjoyed the show and ready for the next act. To finish the evening, Pop Evil blew their set open with their hit “Eye of the Storm.” Their energy was infectious, with guitarists bouncing around the stage, through smoke machines flanking the drum kit, and headbanging with the crowd. Mid-set the band paused for an acoustic performance of their song “100 in a 55” featuring singer Leigh Kakaty accompanied by Pittsburgh native Nick Fuelling on guitar. Pop Evil quickly ramped the energy back up to finish the set with a few heavier songs, followed by a one-song encore. Though an intimate crowd for the Roxian, it was clear the fans were there to rock, and the bands delivered in a big way. After an emotional week in the city, the bands and concert goers avoided talking politics, instead focusing on what brings people together: the music. Review/Photo By: Aarika MacIntyre  Sueco (whose name means “Swedish” in Spanish) rocked the Roxian Theater on Tuesday, October 29, with one of the final stops in his Attempted Lover Tour. Taking the stage to warm up the crowd, Suicidal-Idol performed bass-heavy electronic dance songs. The 20-year-old EDM artist skipped and bounced around the stage while delivering their vocals over the pre-recorded backing track. Despite the genre not being a great fit for the Roxian’s crowd, some pit members definitely enjoyed the beat.
Shortly before the main act began, guitarist James Marino took to the stage and announced to the crowd, “Sueco is super sick, so you guys need to sing extra loud tonight, okay?” And with that, the show began. Sueco, clad in red leather, opened the show with the recent releases “Bathroom Floor” and “Anastasia.” From his entry on the stage, Sueco pandered to the crowd, encouraging them to sing along, leaning for fist bumps and moving to the ramp to sing directly to audience members. Despite the warning, Sueco's performance showed little evidence of illness. His voice was a bit hoarse while bantering between songs, but otherwise, he was at the top of his game. Perhaps it was a bit of late-tour momentum or the excitement of the recent release of the deluxe version of the Attempted Lover album. Regardless, Sueco is an artist who values his fans and their enjoyment of his performance, which was clear in how he chatted with audience members and even paused the show to sign the arms of two fans (to be turned into tattoos, of course). Midway through the set, both guitarists crowd surfed, followed by Sueco himself and a few fans. Energy remained high throughout the entire show, both from the stage and the crowd. The set ended with a few older songs, with Sueco encouraging the audience to sing the lyrics, which they knew well. His voice held through the entire show, both clean and unclean vocals. When finishing the set with fan-favorite “Paralyzed,” the venue had the vibe of one big family connected through a shared love of music. And yes, ever the crowd-pleaser, Sueco returned to the stage for an encore, earning a much-deserved day off to rest his voice before the tour picks up on October 31 in Philadelphia. Review/Photo By: Aarika MacIntyre Opening up the sold out show at Star Lake in Burgettstown was Grammy award winner Allison Russell. Allison recently released her album “The Returner” which followed her debut solo LP “Outside Child”. Allison’s music has been described as a “soulful declaration of liberation” and I couldn’t agree more. The way she performed on stage felt freeing, not being afraid to be herself. Her sound complements Hozier’s as they both speak from the heart through their music. They show that further through their song “Wildflower and Barley” which was released this year.
Of course it was then time to see who we’ve all been dying to see, making an enchanting entrance Hozier took the stage with “De Selby” before heading into “Jackie and Wilson”. The way Hozier performs is something else, he doesn’t need to have a lot going on stage to keep the crowd engaged. The way he sings takes you to another place, it makes you feel something. That night the crowd was feeling that together. Whether it was singing your heart out to crowd favorites like “Take Me to Church” and “Eat Your Young” or feeling all the emotions when he came into the crowd to sing “Cherry Wine” on an elevated platform before returning to the stage to finish out the night singing “Work Song” with Allison. We’re a little more than halfway through the Unreal Unearth Tour (2024) and I might be biased when I say this but I can’t recommend enough that you go and check out the show for yourself. I highly doubt you’ll regret it. Upcoming Tour Dates: 08/06 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center 08/07 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center 08/09 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater 08/10 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center 08/13 – Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MO 08/14 – Lincoln, NE @ Pinnacle Bank Arena 08/16 – Madison, WI @ Breese Stevens Field 08/17 – Saint Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center 08/20 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre 08/21 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre 08/23 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome 08/24 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place 08/27 – Billings, MT @ First Interstate Arena 08/28 – Casper, WY @ Ford Wyoming Center 08/31 – West Valley City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre 09/03 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Arena 09/04 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheatre 09/06 – George, WA @ Gorge Amphitheatre 09/07 – Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater 09/09 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center 09/10 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre 09/13 – Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Arena 09/14 – Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre 09/17 – Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum 09/18 – Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum 09/20 – Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum 09/22 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater 09/24 – San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center 09/26 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center Review/Photo By: Cheyenne Simmons  The 90’s punk icons of Lit garnered a huge crowd during the final night of the annual four day Ribfest event that takes place in the big parking lot of the Fargodome venue in Fargo, ND. The fest features four days of award winning ribs and sides and nights filled with huge bands that bring out large crowds. Ribfest began Wednesday with music from country act Parmalee followed by Diamond Rio on Thursday and the rock band Fuel on Friday before closing out the festival with Lit on Saturday night.
The show was opened by local band FM All Stars who brought up the energy with their upbeat covers of hit songs across many genres. FM All Stars played from 7:15-8:15 as the night crowd rolled into the venue before Lit took the stage around 8:45pm and opened their set with “Kicked Off the Plane” from their seventh and latest studio album, Tastes Like Gold. The setlist featured a handful of newer tracks from their recent release as well as all the hits and throwbacks like “Zip-Lock” and “Miserable” the crowd was eager to hear live! The setlist also featured a cover of “American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and “Let’s Go” by The Cars, which they also recorded for their new album. The show ended with their huge 2x platinum hit “My Own Worst Enemy” and the crowd roared with excitement as soon as they heard those first few seconds of the song’s intro. The band allowed me to photograph this last song of the show from the stage so I could really see how much energy the band was putting into their performance as well as the amount of energy the crowd was giving back to the band as they jumped and sang along to the 1999 track. As the song ended, the crowd went wild, I gave the drummer a high-five as I walked off the stage and then the audience slowly started to disperse to get their last rib meal or fair food from one of the stands before Ribfest closed until next June. The show was an energy packed event with great music and fans of all ages enjoying an outdoor concert to kick off their summer. The show absolutely showed that Lit is still rocking out and bringing out big crowds to hear new and old music two decades later. Lit is Kevin Baldes on bass, A. Jay Popoff on lead vocals, Jeremy Popoff on guitar and Taylor Carroll on drums. Watch Lit’s most recent music video featuring Adrian Young of No Doubt here: https://youtu.be/qk2TqHoMvCs Follow along with upcoming releases and tour dates on the band’s social media pages! https://www.litband.com/ https://www.facebook.com/LitLounge/ https://twitter.com/LitBandOfficial https://www.instagram.com/litbandofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/user/LitTV https://www.tiktok.com/@litbandofficial You can check out the band’s recent album here! https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mgr0FFpvy267wKVAYg8qp https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lit/213555 Review/Photo By: Aly Goelzer  It was a nice cool evening in Pittsburgh when All Time Low, Mayday Parade and Games We Play rocked Stage AE on Pittsburgh's North Shore. Starting the night was Games We Play, who last year gained a lot of popularity on TikTok after their song “Get A Job” blew up on the platform. They even played here in Pittsburgh at last year's Four Chord Music Festival 8. They opened their set with “Get A Job” and “Deadbeat” before doing a cover of “Mr. Brightside” where their lead singer threw the mic into the crowd and had fans sing along to the cover before successfully catching the mic being thrown back on stage. The set closed out with “Kristina” and “Hey Ben” before playing another one of their TikTok hits “I Hope You’re Happy”.
Mayday Parade, one of my favorites, was up next. Playing a nicely stacked ten song set they opened up with hits “Three Cheers For Five Years” and “Oh Well, Oh Well” before playing their recently released single “Like A Car Crash”. Half way through their set they played a cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” then went straight into “Miserable At Best”. The crowd at a Mayday show is always great, being able to go from calm to crazy in a matter of seconds once the song changes. As soon as they started closing out the set with “Jersey” and “Jamie All Over” the crowd erupted and it was nonstop movement and crowd surfers. I’ve seen Mayday Parade so many times and have never been disappointed by a set they’ve put on and I don’t think I ever will. Then it was time for the band everyone came here to see, All Time Low! Kicking off their set with title track from their most recent album “Tell Me I’m Alive” and an oldy “Break Your Little Heart” before heading into “Modern Love” with a snippet of “Stella” in there. The guys always have so much energy when they’re on stage together and their antics are what make the show great every time, it really feels like a group of friends just hanging out, playing music and being goofballs together and we’re all here for every second of it. The night's setlist really gave a good mix of hits off of a lot of their albums over the years and their newest release. We got crowd favorites like “Somewhere In Neverland”, “PMA”, “Dirty Laundry”, “Therapy”, “Lost In Stereo”, “Time-Bomb”, and “Sleepwalking”. One song that I was sad we didn’t get to hear that I’ve heard at every ATL show I’ve been to was “Backseat Serenade”, which is one of my favorites so I might have been a little bummed. But if they were to play everyone’s favorites all of the time we’d be here for hours watching their set. For the encore the guys came out and played “Weightless” and “Monsters” before closing out the night with their most popular song “Dear Maria, Count Me In”. Overall the show was nothing short of a great time for everyone in attendance and I can’t wait for their next tour! The tour has a few more dates left on this run and I highly recommend going if they’re passing through a city near you or you can catch them on their “The Sound Of Letting Go Tour” with Gym Class Heroes and Grayscale this fall! Upcoming Tour Dates: June 9th - Columbus, OH June 10th - Stroudsburg, PA June 11th - Portland, ME June 14th - Richmond, VA June 16th - Raleigh, NC June 17th - North Myrtle Beach, SC Photo/Review By: Cheyenne Simmons  English rock band You Me At Six’s newest album, “Truth Decay,” was released on February 10, 2023. This new record follows 2021’s SUCKAPUNCH. The 13 song record has a run time of 45 minutes and 37 seconds and is full of new music I’m sure you will enjoy!
The band’s eighth album goes through a wide range of emotions that can be fully felt in every aspect of its tracks. It talks about battling with anxiety and mental health and not knowing how to escape your own mind or if it’s okay to talk about it with someone on “Mixed Emotions (I Didn’t Know How To Tell You What I Was Going Through).” The lyrics of “Breakdown,” the album’s eighth track shows this release of emotions when it says, “I’m about to have a fuckin’ breakdown, throw a peace sign on my way out.” The band’s lyricism takes you right into the moments of pain or angst or letting go. The album has special guest features from Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds on “No Future? Yeah Right,” and from previous The Voice contestant Cody Frost on “A Love Letter To Those Who Feel Lost.” View Truth Decay's full track list: DEEP CUTS - Watch the song’s music video here! Mixed Emotions (I Didn’t Know How To Tell You What I Was Going Through) - Watch the song’s music video here! God Bless The 90’s Kids After Love In The After Hours No Future? Yeah Right” (feat. Rou Reynolds) heartLESS Who Needs Revenge When I’ve Got Ellen Rae Breakdown Traumatic Iconic :my dopamine: A Smile To Make You Weak(er) At The Knees Ultraviolence A Love Letter To Those Who Feel Lost (feat. Cody Frost) I beg you to go give this album a full listen through and fully appreciate all it has to offer! I believe that You Me At Six makes some of the best modern rock music in the game and they are definitely being slept on by many people who would enjoy what they put out! (And if you like what you hear, check out some of their old stuff to see how they’ve rocked and evolved over their 19 years as a band! You Me At Six is Josh Franceschi, Max Helyer, Chris Miller, Matt Barnes and Dan Flint. Recommended for fans of: PVRIS, Tonight Alive, Bring Me The Horizon, Boston Manor, The Maine, We Are The Ocean, Mayday Parade, Stand Atlantic. Follow You Me At Six on their social media platforms for updates on their current Truth Decay Tour and information about new music! https://truthdecay.co/ https://www.instagram.com/youmeatsixofficial/ https://www.facebook.com/youmeatsix/ https://twitter.com/youmeatsix https://www.tiktok.com/@youmeatsix You can enjoy music visualizer videos for every song on the album, as well as music videos for certain songs, on their YouTube page! Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify Review By: Aly Goelzer  On March 24, 2023, Fall Out Boy delivered what patient fans have long awaited with their first full length album of all new tracks since 2018’s MANIA. “So Much (For) Stardust,” the bands eighth record, brings 13 new tracks to life with an album run time of just over 44 minutes of new songs to scream out and dance to for new and old fans alike. The album was produced by Grammy award winning Neal Avron, who the band has worked with on past albums.
The album opens with the rock power hit “Love From The Other Side” which was the first single released in promotion for the new album two months prior to the album’s release. This track fully announced that Fall Out Boy was back and had never really left. They weren’t straying from their roots and I think even OG Fall Out Boy fans can appreciate this song and the influences throughout the album. Following the opening track is the band’s second single leading up to the album’s release, released a week after the previous single, “Heartbreak Feels So Good,” which leads well into the rock power song filling track three, “Hold Me Like a Grudge.” This track is the latest Fall Out Boy song to get its own music video (Track one and two also have music videos!) which I have linked at the bottom of this review! “Fake Out” brings a little more melody and pop into the classic Fall Out Boy sound with a beautiful chorus sure to get stuck in your head long after your first listen. The track, along with many others on the album, really showcases Patrick Stump’s vocals. The lyrics “Scar-crossed lovers forever. I’m checking myself out forever.” really make track 5, “Heaven, Iowa,” stand out as a powerful song both musically and lyrically. “The Pink Seashell” is the only track on the album that has a featured artist on it. That featured artist being popular actor Ethan Hawke in a snippet from the 1994 film, “Reality Bites.” The track acts as an interlude about half way through the record and is just a few seconds over a minute in length. “I Am My Own Muse” is an absolute head banger and the angsty lyrics and beat make this track one to add to your most powerful playlists. “Baby Annihilation” is another spoken word interlude on the album lasting 1:07 kicking off the last portion of the record. Tracks 11 and 12, The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years) and What A Time To Be Alive are some of my personal favorites from the new record. They have perfect upbeat melodies to bop your head to and lyrics that call you to sing along, even if the lyrics don’t always match the upbeat tune of the track! “Everything is lit except my serotonin.” The record’s title track ends the album with a bang. “So Much (For) Stardust” is the longest song on the album standing at just under five minutes and shows what the record has been all about. “So much for stardust. We thought we had it all.” I recommend you give the new album a front to back listen to fully take in all the record’s themes and to find your new favorite track! The Album’s Full track list is as follows: Love From The Other Side Heartbreak Feels So Good Hold Me Like a Grudge Fake Out Heaven, Iowa So Good Right Now The Pink Seashell (feat. Ethan Hawke) I Am My Own Muse Flu Game Baby Annihilation The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years) What a Time To Be Alive So Much (For) Stardust Watch the music video for Love From The Other Side! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBrkbWSB3Ls Watch the music video for Heartbreak Feels So Good! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGvLD7D2Xsg Watch the band’s most recent music video for Hold Me Like A Grudge! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rAQGxRFvN0 In January Fall Out Boy’s co-founder and guitarist Joe Trohman announced he was stepping away from the band for a while to focus on his mental health. Fall Out Boy heads out on a US tour on June 21, 2023 with special guests Bring Me The Horizon, Alkaline Trio, The Academy Is…, Four Year Strong, Royal & The Serpent, Daisy Grenade, CARR, and Games We Play which is followed by a UK/Europe tour with guests PVRIS and nothing,nowhere. Keep up with Fall Out Boy on their social media platforms to see tour dates, updates and news! https://falloutboy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/falloutboy/ https://www.facebook.com/falloutboy https://www.youtube.com/user/falloutboy Review By: Aly Goelzer  Colony House is one of those timeless rock bands that everyone loves. At their NYC show at Irving Plaza, the night could not have been better. This tour is kicking off their newest album, “The Cannonballers”, which is an emotional yet uplifting album from start to finish. Their openers on this tour are a band called Little Image. This band has an amazing sound and are definitely going to be making big in the music scene. Most of the audience was singing along to their songs which shows the loyalty of the Colony House fanbase. At one point the lead singer brought out his dad, and then the rest of the band and members of Little Image came on to sing acapella. They finished off after a strong encore with “Cannonaballers” and “You Know It”, two crowd favorites. I couldn’t have asked for a better night as a fan and concert goer.
Review/Photo By: By Tharynn Olson  “It’s not always about them loving you back. Sometimes it’s just about them knowing you do.” This quote by Stephen during the concert encapsulates everything he does for his fans. Although he was talking about these lyrics and undoubtedly people in his life, this can also be felt during his concerts. When you are a fan at his show, the entire world feels like it is in that one room. The love, the intensity, the emotion that can be felt through his voice and love for his fans, as well as the fans’ love for him, is so pure.
The opener, Kings Elliot, is such an amazing pairing to add to the beauty of the show. She has such a gorgeous voice and the fans were all sad to see her go by the end of her set. When it came time for Stephen’s set, he played energizing, amazing classics of his, like “Evangeline”, but we also got some gorgeous unreleased songs, one of those being "Stay”. He also got a bit emotional during the not, not only from the love of his fans, but about his own friend’s love. He played a touching cover of “Unchained Melody” and told an enchanting story of his friend who fell in love while listening to this song on a date with her, and Stephen shed some tears at the end. It was all very heartwarming and there were definitely more than a few people tearing up besides Stephen. Overall it was just a lovely, magical evening that I hope all fans of Stephen’s will get to experience during this tour. Review/Photo By: Tharynn Olson  “Strawberry Pie” is a pop hit by young artist Arden Alexa that tells the story of a turbulent relationship and breakup and the journey to being okay following it.
The new track is Alexa’s first release of the new year following her 2022 EP “Day Dreams.” Here's what she had to say about the songwriting process: "It wasn’t until four years after meeting my first love that I was actually able to write a song about him. When I sat down to write Strawberry Pie, I knew I wanted the song to recreate all the playful, fun, youth of that relationship while simultaneously conveying the sarcastic hurt following our breakup. Just as this song was a cathartic experience for me to write, I hope listeners can use it as both an ironic “getting over you” song and a freeing, joyful anthem". The artist from San Francisco, CA takes a lot of her inspiration from pop icons like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry and you can definitely hear that inspiration throughout her recent releases. “Strawberry Pie” shows off a more modern side of Alexa while keeping her same fun, sunny personality that you can hear in her older releases. Stream “Strawberry Pie” here! https://hypeddit.com/ardenalexa/strawberrypie Catch up with Arden Alexa online: https://www.ardenalexa.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ardenalexa04/?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk%3D https://www.facebook.com/ardenalexa04/ https://www.tiktok.com/@arden_alexa?lang=en Listen to the song and look out for the music video later on Arden Alexa’s YouTube! The video was made in her backyard with her best friend and gives viewers a vision into Arden’s fantasy world with tea parties, stuffed animals. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOI5RY8qQ6mCnvEgAAqxvIg Review by Alyssa Goelzer Losing Yourself is explored in Fox Revett and Laila Kharouba’s new duet, “I Think I’m Missing.”1/31/2023  The two minute and twenty second collaboration was released on December 16, 2022, after long time friends and pop singer-songwriters Fox Revett and Laila Kharouba worked together to release their first duet, “I Think I’m Missing.” The pop track explores how we sacrifice our hopes and dreams in the pursuit of what may come easier and how we can feel a loss of self in that journey. The song’s percussive elements take listeners from a dreamy state to a state of confusion in its transition from legato to staccato which represents our inner fights with finding what self is in a world that pulls and distracts us from who we are. The collab is Kharouba’s first release as a solo artist and the song is currently available on all streaming platforms! “Fox played the song for me in the car before the release and it left me speechless. After my break up earlier this year (relationship and band), I totally connect with feeling like I’ve lost myself and my identity. I still feel that way,” says Kharouba. “I jokingly asked Fox if I could write a verse and he was all for it. Fox and I have been making music together since we were 16 year old theatre kids. I'm so excited for this song to be my entrance into music as a solo artist.” Revett is inspired by nature and wildlife and in recording the song, sampled lots of outdoor sounds including the rainstorm that was happening outside and used those sounds to build the instruments for the song. “I Think I’m Missing” was written by Fox Revett, Adrian Morningstar (Birds of Bellwoods), Laila Kharouba (Your Paris), and produced by Fox Revett, with additional production by Adrian Morningstar, mixing by Vic Florencia (Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter), and mastering by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kacey Musgraves). You can check out the song’s music video here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4KDMIGJCas The video was released in November before the collaboration with Laila Kharouba. Check out Fox Revett online: https://www.instagram.com/foxrevettmusic/ https://www.tiktok.com/@foxrevett https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClxL1suqeYBspEFaMXBTlKQ https://soundcloud.com/cameronwalker-3 Check out Laila Kharouba online: https://www.instagram.com/helloitslaila/ https://www.tiktok.com/@helloitslaila https://www.facebook.com/helloitslaila https://twitter.com/helloitslaila https://www.helloitslaila.com/ Review by Alyssa Goelzer   Adam Popowitz On January 13th, BANNERS is releasing a new, deeply personal and relatable EP titled “I Wish I Was Flawless, I’m Not.”
BANNERS is award-winning singer-songwriter Michael Nelson and he has a 1.5 billion streams to his name at this point in his career. You may have heard his huge single “Someone To You” which went platinum and gold in multiple countries. His first single went straight to number one on the alternative radio charts in Canada which racked up 10 million Spotify streams nearly overnight! His music has been featured in numerous tv shows and movies such as “America’s Got Talent,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Love Is Blind,” “Beautiful Boy,” and “Love, Simon.” The album is about love and also about celebrating the imperfections that make us interesting in a world obsessed with perfection and trying to appeal to certain standards. The six song EP brings all your emotions to the surface as you relate to the specific lyrics and beautiful inspiring melodies and instrumentals. “I Wish I Was Flawless, I’m Not” is the Liverpool pop artist’s first collection since 2021’s “It’s Gonna Be OK,” which has garnered more than twenty million streams since its September release date last year. Four of the six EP tracks are already available to stream everywhere you listen to music! You can check out “Easy,” “Perfectly Broken,” “Keeps Me Going,” and “Happier” on your preferred music streaming platform now! Watch the music video for “Perfectly Broken” here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=megeCFl4z8c This EP is perfect for fans of artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Dean Lewis, James Arthur, and Kodaline. It’s also perfect for anyone who loves a good pop ballad or who needs a good emotional track to let out some tears. (I recommend “Perfectly Broken” for that!) Fans can hear these tracks live soon! BANNERS is starting the “Perfectly Broken Tour” in the UK during February and March 2023. Connect with BANNERS online! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bannersmusic Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BANNERSmusic Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BANNERSMUSIC TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@bannersmusic Official Website: http://www.itsbanners.com/ Review By: Alyssa Goelzer “We Only Live Here on This Planet For So Long” The New LP from Too Close For Comfort Streaming Now!12/12/2022  The ten track LP by Too Close For Comfort features eight original tracks and includes a reimagined version of one track and a Lo-Fi Remix of another.
The album kicks off with a pop-punk power track titled “Out of Luck” that sets the tone for the rest of the LP. “Turn Back Time” takes a more acoustic pop punk edge and levels out the albums track list. “Burn Bright (feat. Joey Fleming)” is another stand out track on the album that is worth adding to your latest playlist! You can watch the music video and see the lyrics for “Burn Bright” here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8vX1RaeGmE A personal favorite track of mine is the last song on the LP, “You’re Home Now.” It ties the lyrics and melodies of the album together in a beautiful way. When talking about their new album Too Close For Comfort said, “We Only Live Here on This Planet for So Long” is a album about making the most of the time that you have on this planet. We truly believe that everyone has felt like quitting their job at some point, or losing friends, or even getting older and feeling like you’re running out of time. That’s why this record is so good, it’s relatable from the first song to the last song no matter who you are. We are so incredibly proud of this record and of the hard work that we’ve put into it. We hope that everyone will give us a chance and will enjoy the album.” Too Close For Comfort’s music is great for fans of bands like Ego Trip, Misplaced, Eat Your Heart Out, Carousel Kings, Unturned, Goalkeeper, Chief State, Young Culture, and any fans of pop punk hits! The band from Nevada includes members Tyler Pfeifer on lead vocals, Ryan Gilpin on lead guitar and back up vocals, Jimmy Cooper on bass, and Evan Dini on drums! The album features catchy pop choruses and punk vocals and instrumentals and is available to stream everywhere now! Stream “We Only Live Here on This Planet For So Long” here! https://toocloseforcomfort.streamlink.to/hW7i?fbclid=PAAaYUVzcwOB7klGAQGSpb1_EBz5QmZ1ZIudpjuMyOdrycF91qR1u2UU_Q0Yw Watch the music video for “Burn Bright” (feat. Joey Fleming) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8vX1RaeGmE Connect with Too Close For Comfort here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toocloseforcomfortnv/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TCFC_band Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toocloseforcomfortnv Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toocloseforcomfort Review By: Alyssa Goelzer  "The Aces (previously The Blue Aces) are an indie pop band from the US and consists of four members. Katie Henderson on guitar, McKenna Petty on bass and sisters Alisa Ramiez on drums and Cristal Ramirez on vocals and guitar. Tonight they traveled all the way to Scotland to support The Vamps on tour but didn't show any signs of fatigue or jet lag as they took to the stage at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
Their opening song was electric and it didn't stop there as they played their full set. My favourite song from the night was definitely "My Phone Is Trying To Kill Me", the performance put on by the girls during this song was top form and created an unforgettable night. No sign of stage fright in sight as they played to thousands of fans who seemed to enjoy every moment that they were on stage (the OVO Hydro is the largest indoor venue in Scotland, holding 14 thousand people roughly). They continue around the UK so if you can, I would recommend checking them out before they jet back across the pond home. Review/Photo By: Tyler Sams  You might have heard of these guys before, Parliamo are an underground pop group from Perth in Scotland and have risen to heights and are gaining increasing popularity. They even ventured across the pond to play in Texas at SXSW. Those who were lucky enough to grab a ticket from the sold out gig on Friday were able to see them playing at the Oran Mor in Glasgow. Despite it being a smaller venue than the stage at TRNSMT last Summer, they still played an amazing set.
They opened with "Red Letter", "Life on the TV" and "Catholic Guilt" which were all well received by the crowd who were being held back by the barriers at the front. I think if they weren't there, the crowd would have been up on that stage too judging by their enthusiasm. It all really kicked off when they played "All Dolled Up" (which is a personal favourite of mine), and it felt like the energy doubled. The room was packed and everyone was having the best of nights, can't beat a Friday night listening to one of your favourite bands. Their banter was on top form on the night as they were able to fill silences between songs with witty commentary that didn't dampen the night (even if the rain was trying to do so outside). If you missed them, they are on stage again in December at the 02 Academy, supporting The View! Review/Photo By: Tyler Sams  Billy Idol will certainly be missed by his Vegas fans now that his short residency at The Chelsea has ended. When someone like Idol comes to town it isn’t really a moment you want to miss. He is one of the great’s. One that everyone aged 18 to 80 knows, and to be able to experience that live now, after we thought his most iconic performances had ended, is a pleasure. This particular set started with everyone’s favorite “Dancing With Myself” and while amazing it created a nostalgic feel in the room. We were all getting prepared for the night ahead. He played some new music too, like “Cage”, which we were lucky to hear and amazed me with how personal he got with the audience. It was such a surreal experience getting to be so close to such an icon. This is a night I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I could tell it will be the same for a lot of people who were at shows tonight. There were some people who had seen him live when they were all young, and young people like me who had wished we were alive to experience it then and feel so lucky we get to experience it now.
Review/Photo By: Tharynn Olsonf  In the last show of their tour, Bad Suns went out with a bang. First let me mention the band’s two amazing openers, Quarters Of Change and Last Dinosaurs. I love finding new music through openers and they definitely gained a new fan with me. Now back to Bad Suns, in the cozy venue of 24 Oxford, there’s no better way to feel like a family with your fans than in this venue. It was completely packed in the standing room from door to door. The crowd was singing along just as loud as the band and everyone was letting loose, dancing, and being free. At one point, lead singer, Christo Bowman, had enough trust in his fans to have them hold him up while he stood on their hands and they supported his legs. It was honestly a special moment that showed the connection this band has with their listeners. Make sure to look out for their next tour. You really won’t want to miss it.
Photo & Review by: Tharynn Olson  “I have never been to a show like this.” A phrase I heard many times throughout the night, and definitely said myself by the end. At this sold out show in Las Vegas, the dedicated fans were definitely ready for the insane night ahead. The crowd was intense from the start, in the best way possible of course. Photographing the first three songs was like being in a mosh because so many people were crowd surfing to the front and security was pulling them into the pit. Turnstile is one of those bands that was made to perform. It’s clear to see in the way they move. While the crowd was insane during favorites like “Blackout”, there were also some really beautiful moments where we all just watched in awe, specifically with “Underwater Boi”. I had an amazing time. It was the most high adrenaline show I’ve ever attended. It made me so excited and I can’t wait until I get to see them again.
Photo & Review By: Tharynn Olson  With a #1 hit in the country, the “Bad Habit” singer/producer, Steve Lacy, came and completely bodied The Filmore stage. The Detroit venue was sold out and had a long line of people wrapped around the building, waiting to hear the popular artist. Center stage stood a large reflective Gemini symbol as the crowd waited in anticipation. The show started with singer, Foushee, who was also featured on Steve’s new sophomore album, Gemini Rights. She displayed so much range vocally and within her music genres as well. From singing upbeat pop-rock songs to singing soulful melodies, Foushee put on a great opening performance, nearly shattering the glass in the building with her voice.
After some time from Foushee’s set, it was time for Steve to perform. His set was amazing from start to finish. Starting with a few songs from Gemini Rights, Steve came out singing “Buttons” wearing a replica of his outfit from the “Mercury” music video. His voice and guitar playing was so raw as he ripped through the crowd with every note he sang and played. After playing a few songs from his newest album, he began playing songs from his debut album, Apollo XXI. The crowd sang every last word. Even when he played songs from his sophomore album, It seemed as if the crowd knew every lyric to all the songs he played, and their voices radiated throughout the venue along with his. Overall, this was one of the best performances I’ve seen in awhile. The energy and vibes was at an all time high and both acts put on one hell of a show for fans to never forget. Photo & Review by: William Smith  We Three are a three siblings who recently starred on America's got talent (season 13) and reached the semi-finals, you might recognize them more from TikTok where several of their songs gained popularity. Joshua, Beth and Manny Humlie make up the band and must have such a close relationship to be able to do what they do, I couldn't do that with my siblings, we would fight too much.
They kicked off their UK/European tour named "Happy", in Glasgow. More specifically, at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, where (in my opinion) all the best music can be found. If you weren't there on time, you would have to fight your way through the crowds to find a good spot because the venue was packed to the roof, they even opened the back seating area which is normally closed off. It was obvious that the band had many fans in Glasgow that night as it was a sold out show. They started the show to cheers from fans and played "Bad Guy" followed by "FTJ" and "Night Light". Listening to the pop sound that was created by the band made it easy to see how they were so popular and able to do so well in AGT. The vocals by Manny (lead singer/guitar) and Beth (bass) worked so well together and Joshua (drums) pitching in now and then too just made the whole thing come together. It was impossible to not to have a smile on your face that night, with the energy that was going through the venue. Not all of their songs were joyous though, this did have some tear jerking and heartfelt songs such as "Heaven's Not Too Far" and "Sara". The band continues to tour Europe and is then hitting Australia so if you're around then why not pop down to listen to some incredible music. Review/Photo By: Tyler Sams |