The Piano Man is still keeping the faith at PNC Park – Aug 11, 2022

On Thursday, August 11th, Billy Joel continued his non-stop tour with an incredible show at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. It had been six years since Joel played here and the capacity crowd showed their appreciation. Many fans came to the stadium early to tailgate, getting ready to party with their idol. Having been a Billy …

Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, and Joan Jett rock Highmark Stadium – Aug 10, 2022

The 80s were the heyday of the hard hitting hair bands, shredding the stage but with smiles on their faces. They played to sold out stadiums of eager young’s fans and partied like there was no tomorrow. Not privy to backstage antics, I don’t know if they’re still partying and the hair is definitely not …

Wet Leg sells out Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto – Aug 2, 2022

As the “it” band of the last year, Wet Leg has been selling out venues faster than you can say “Isle of Wight”! Toronto was no exception as they stopped by the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Tuesday, even though there were at least four other amazing shows that same evening: Glass Animals, Cage the Elephant, …

Warpaint makes triumphant return to Toronto – July 27, 2022

It's been six years since Warpaint headlined the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. Returning to a full house at the Opera House, the band saw eager fans packed into the beautiful venue. Personally, I saw the quartet of Emily Kokal (guitar/vocals), Theresa Wayman (guitar/vocals), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass/vocals), and Stella Mozgawa (drums) at the Music …

Every teenage girl in Toronto came to History to see Clairo – July 26, 2022

Indie pop sensation Clairo (aka Claire Elizabeth Cottrill) has been making music since she was 13 and it only took five years to introduce herself to the world when one of her songs “Pretty Girl” went viral. With her hit debut record “Diary 00” and successful tours in 2018 and 2019 (who jumps all the …

The Pretty Reckless play first headline show since 2017 – July 22, 2022

The Pretty Reckless headlined their first show since December 2017 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh on Friday, July 22nd. After their Paris show in 2017, little did they know that it would be almost five years before they would headline a show again. They had a tour planned in spring/summer 2020 that was pushed to …

New Kids on the Block brought some friends to the KeyBank Center – July 17, 2022

When New Kids on the Block announced their "Mixtape Tour" would include Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, and Rick Astley, I was in! Not having been much of a boy band fan, I did listen to the other three acts quite a bit back in the day. As I entered the KeyBank Center in Buffalo on July …

Death Cab for Cutie plays to packed ArtPark – July 11, 2022

With a new LP "Asphalt Meadows" set to be released in September, Death Cab for Cutie hit ArtPark's mainstage in Lewiston on July 11th for a welcome back party. The band is touring extensively through 2022, first with Illuminati Hotties supporting (as they did at ArtPark), then with Low, and finally with Yo la Tengo. …

Howard Jones and Midge Ure keep the 80s alive in Buffalo – July 7, 2022

At the age of 67, 80s hit-maker Howard Jones continues to tour extensively. Yes, those high notes are a little harder to hit now but his fans are there to help him through those. I covered his Acoustic Trio tour when he, bassist and ex-Kajagoogoo member Nick Beggs, and guitarist Robin Boult performed in Ithaca, …

Noga Erez plays JCC Buffalo’s inaugural Creekside Concert – June 28, 2022

Noga Erez is Israel’s biggest pop star…at least according to Erez’s brother Gon. But who can argue with him. Having won Best Newcomer of the Year in 2018 (VIA), her sophomore album “Kids” critically acclaimed, and touring along the likes of Tove Lo and Florence and the Machine, her bona fixes are solid and indicate …

Tash Sultana parties with Buffalo at Babeville – Jun 22, 2022

If there was one way I would describe Tash Sultana, it would be a one-person jam band. The multi-instrumentalist from Australia makes full use of the available technology and is able to seamlessly able to create music incorporating any number of instruments from guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums to mandolin, trumpet, saxophone, panpipes, and recorder!! …

PUP shoot their wad at final tour stop in Buffalo – June 18, 2022

Canadian punk rock band PUP (aka Pathetic Use of Potential) wrapped up the spring/summer portion of their North American tour in Buffalo, NY at Babeville/Asbury Hall on Saturday, June 18th. This final show in support of their latest record "The Unraveling of PUPTheBand" was a high energy affair with a capacity crowd from start to …

Lo Moon lays down some serious mood at Drake Underground – May 28, 2022

Back in 2017, when Lo Moon was signed to a major label and was touring extensively, it seemed like the band was ready to explode. It didn’t happen, with differences in marketing strategy between the label and the band. Matt Lowell, formed the band, is the lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and wrote much of the …

A Skating Polly punk sandwich at Mohawk Place in Buffalo – April 14, 2022

It was a hell of a night for punk rock at Mohawk Place on Thursday with a trio of Sad Place, Skating Polly, and Together Pangea. Whether you call it emo, ugly pop, or garage rock, it was hard, heart pounding punk rock. I had been following Skating Polly since their collaboration with Veruca Salt …

Dancing the night away with Nation of Language at Lee’s Palace – April 7, 2022

Nation of Language is one of those bands that seems to have come from nowhere and exploded onto the music scene. That being said, they did form back in 2016 with Ian Richard Devaney on guitars and lead vocals, Aidan Noell on synthesizers, and Michael Sue-Poi on bass. Supposedly Devaney took inspiration from OMD's "Electricity" …

One of the best shows of the year? That’s right…Gary Numan! – Mar 12, 2022

If all you know about Gary Numan is his big 80s hit “Cars”, then you’re missing out. Yes, he was an icon back in the 80s but he’s been putting out new music and touring regularly ever since. If you’ve ever been to one of his shows, you’d remember it vividly. And his music has …

Sunflower Bean previews new album at Club Cafe – Mar 6, 2022

How old are the members of Sunflower Bean? "TwentyTwo in Blue" came out pretty recently, right? The pandemic and subsequent lockdown have caused us to lose two years so, yes, they're TWENTY SIX now!! After being somewhat radio silent since the "King of the Dudes" EP was released in January 2019, we finally have a …

Tame Impala opens 2022 US tour with a bang at the Petersen Events Center – Mar 7, 2022

The last time I saw Tame Impala was at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY in 2017. At that show all attendees were asked to place their phones in Yondr pouches for the duration of the show. Fast forward five years; same amazing band, different restrictions (vaccination cards). The band opened up their 2022 …

Fenne Lily’s music was warm and soothing on a cold night – Feb 24, 2022

I was enjoying the warm almost summer-like 68 degrees in Washington Square Park as I anticipated the show I was to see last Wednesday night. The lineup was definitely something to look forward to with British indie folk singer Fenne Lily as the headliner. Her beautiful voice had been hanging on the skirts of my …

It was a GROUPLOVE birthday celebration at Brooklyn Steel – Feb 23, 2022

Did you know that on Tuesday 2/22/22 Pluto completed one revolution around the sun after 246 years? Ok, so we missed by one day and it hasn't really been that long since we last saw Grouplove. However, for some of us die-hard fans, it SEEMS that long. The band had just started doing promos in …

The Howard Jones Acoustic Trio re-ignites at the Hangar Theater – Feb 11, 2022

I was just eighteen when “Human’s Lib” was released. With new wave music in full swing at the clubs and “What is Love?” being pondered by young men and women everywhere, Howard Jones and his music became an integral part of my college experience. I had said debut album, “Dream Into Action”, and “One to …

James Taylor brings back memories at Key Bank Center – Dec 13, 2021

James Taylor and Jackson Browne wrapped up a long US tour at the Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Monday. I was lucky enough to attend and photograph for QRO Magazine. All their respective hits were in play as well as a number of covers, evoking memories from my younger days. Taylor, at points, hopped …

*beabadoobee wraps up tour at Stage AE – Dec 11, 2021

It's been a rough two years for many but definitely not for UK artist beabadoobee (aka Beatrice Laus aka Bea Kristi). Besides releasing her amazing critically acclaimed debut album "Fake It Flowers" in 2020, she also collaborated with The 1975’s Matty Healy and George Daniel on 2021's EP "Our Extended Play" and, on Saturday December …

Tokyo Police Club celebrates “Champ” at Bowery Ballroom – Nov 19, 2021

Canadian indie-band Tokyo Police Club was originally going to celebrate the ten year anniversary of their Juno nominated second full length album "Champ" in 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic shut things down but when live music started to come back, the band immediately put together a "replacement" tour and a re-issue of that great record. The …

Finneas brings the house down at Irving Plaza – Nov 17, 2021

For two consecutive nights in November, young fans of FINNEAS (AKA Finneas O'Connell, AKA Billie Eilish's older brother and collaborator) could be found lined up for blocks around Irving Plaza. And why not? His debut studio album "Optimist" (released Oct 15, 2021) is stupendous. His charming good looks (kinda reminds me of a young Darryl …

Aurora makes Terminal 5 the happiest place on Earth – Nov 14, 2021

When talented Norwegian singer/songwriter/activist/fairy Aurora announced just two shows in the United States for 2021, I knew I had to be at Terminal 5 on November 14th. Having attended every one of her NYC shows since 2017, I've had the pleasure of watching her grow and evolve as an artist. Besides having a beautiful voice …

Wolf Alice crushes two nights at Bowery Ballroom – Nov 13, 2021

UK rock band Wolf Alice stopped by the Bowery Ballroom in NYC (Nov 12/13) as they wind down their first tour in three years. Their critically acclaimed third album "Blue Weekend", released last June, has the been the source of much press coverage and garnered them a nomination for the 2021 Mercury Prize. After attending …

Samantha Fish was on fire last night in Buffalo – Nov 2, 2021

Blues/rock guitarist and singer/songwriter Samantha Fish, in the midst of a worldwide tour supporting her seventh studio album "Faster", stopped by Asbury Hall on Tuesday night. Winner of many awards for her blues albums and performances, her new record does skew a bit more pop. That being said, her consummate guitar playing is evident and, …

Larkin Poe rocks the house at Asbury Hall – Oct 12, 2021

What a night of constant searing guitar solos and good old rock and roll!! Are we talking about Eric Clapton? Led Zeppelin? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Nope! It was Larkin Poe who played an electric show at Asbury Hall/Babeville in Buffalo last night and wowed my socks off! The Nashville-based sister duo (Rebecca Lovell on lead vocals …

Billy Idol fans definitely not dancing by themselves at the Capitol Theatre – Sept 22, 2021

Shot for QRO Magazine. You can also view the gallery here. After seeing the crowd at the Sea Hear Now Festival (see my coverage here) singing along to every Billy Idol song just this past weekend, I kinda knew what to expect as I drove up to Port Chester for his headlining show at The …

Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins anchor Sea Hear Now Festival – Sept 18-19, 2021

This past weekend, I photographed my first festival. Pretty unbelievable, isn't it? Even fellow photographers I saw at the Sea Hear Now festival could have sworn they've talked to me at other festivals. As a last minute fill-in, I received my credentials through QRO Magazine. Not knowing quite what to expect, I took the long …

Princess slays Mercury Lounge for last concert ever – Mar 12, 2020

Ok so maybe it won't be the last concert ever but, with the COVID-19 pandemic, voluntary social distancing, and many tours/venues cancelled in the near future, Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum's show at Mercury Lounge sure felt like it was going to be the last concert ever. Princess (I'll abbreviate from now on), with …

Caroline Vreeland gets the party started at Mercury Lounge – Mar. 4, 2020

Today may be International Women's Day but a few days ago on Wednesday, March 4th, female artists helped Mercury Lounge celebrate early. Two Rochester based bands with female leads, Roses & Revolutions with singer/keyboardist Alyssa Coco and KOPPS with singer Patricia Patrón, were the co-headliners but, like me, many were here for opener Caroline Vreeland. …

Local indie bands Wilsen and Purr celebrate respective record releases at Rough Trade – Feb 21, 2020

Friday night was a good night for me to catch up with a couple of local bands that I've been following for awhile: Purr and Wilsen. Also turns out they both had record releases that day. Purr did a signing for their debut record "Like New". Oddly enough, even though I've been seeing them at …

Madison Cunningham provides her fans a double dose in NYC – Jan 28, 2020

You know you're doing something right when your debut LP is nominated for a GRAMMY award for Best Americana Album. At just 22 years old, Madison Cunningham has done just that with her record "Who Are You Now". While she did not win the award, it shows how mature and respected her music is within …

Sam De Rosa kicks off the new year at Paste Studio – Jan 6, 2019

Songland contestant Sam De Rosa, a native New Yorker who now lives in LA, was visiting family for the holidays but took the time out to come over to Paste Studio to play a set. Recently signed to Monument Records, she played three songs including her first official single "Pill for This", which she wrote …

She & Him bring the joy of Christmas to Kings Theatre – Dec 6, 2019

As the holiday season approached, there were quite a number of Christmas themed shows in and around the city. One of the more anticipated was by the duo She & Him, comprised of actor/singer Zooey Deschanel and guitarist M. Ward (Matthew Stephen Ward). A holiday shows seems apropos since 40% of their total records sales …

MTV Push showcases Lolo Zouaï and Isaac Dunbar in Chelsea – Nov 25, 2019

Young artists showcased by MTV Push tend to be the next big thing. Just take a look a couple of 2019's class: Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and H.E.R. If that's any indication, Lolo Zouaï (aka Laureen Rebeha Zouaï) and Isaac Dunbar are in good company and you can expect their careers to skyrocket and hit our …

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