• STYX / CHICAGO
• Morton Amphitheater – Riverside, MO
• August 25, 2026

 

 

Photos by Michael Smith/Media Mikes

 

I’m going to be 66 years old next week, which means my “wheelhouse” of music is most definitely from the 1970s and 80s.  Two of the biggest bands from that era came together recently at the new Morton Amphitheater outside Kansas City on what was billed as “the Windy City Tour” (both bands herald from the area around the city of Chicago) but was, for me, a ride back to some amazing music and memories.

I still have this hat!

I can’t remember when I wasn’t a STYX fan.  In high school I wore hat emblazoned with the band’s logo so often that when it came time to pick a name for the garage band my friends and I put together, we called ourselves the Hats!  Each album brought forward new songs that wove amazing stories and “Come Sail Away” continues to be an emotional gut punch to everyone that longs for yesterday.

Chuck Panozzo

The show began with a nice selection of classic hits, sounding just as good as they did when they were first released.  The group dedicated their early hit, Lady, to the memory of Dolly Parton, who had passed away earlier that day.   A combination of long time band members (band co-founders James “JY” Young and Chuck Panozzo, as well as Tommy Shaw, who joined the band in 1975), and longtime bandmates – lead singer and keyboardist Lawrence Gowan began fronting the band in 1999 – Styx did an amazing 15-song set that took the audience from the Grand Illusion to the Paradise Theater to a raucous visit with Mr. Roboto!  The set finished with an extended audience participation version of Renegade, which had the crowd on their feet!

Tommy Shaw Lawrence Gowan

I was actually living in the Chicago area when the band of the same name broke on the musical front.  I’m happy to say that my first slow dance was to Color My World, and that song always triggers a fond memory when I hear it.  The band has undergone many changes over the years, beginning with the tragic passing of guitarist Terry Kath in 1978.  When I’m asked how good a guitar player Terry Kath was, I simply mention that Jimi Hendrix once called him the greatest guitar player he’d ever heard!  With the recent passing of band co-founder Walter Parazaider, and the retirement from touring by Jimmy Pankow and Robert Lamm, the only original member of the group still touring is Lee Loughnane, an amazing achievement when you consider that the band has toured every year since they began as the Chicago Transit Authority in 1967.  The musicians may change but the sound….THAT sound that is so singularly Chicago, remains loud and clear!

The group mixed classic hits and rocking cover versions of songs by Jackie Wilson (Higher and Higher) and the Spencer Davis Group (I’m a Man) that had the crowd on their feet from the first song all the way through the encore.  Video tributes were also paid  to Lamm and Parazaider, keeping their spirit and music alive.  And let me wish a quick “Happy Birthday” to Jimmy Pankow, who turned 79 last month!

Nick Lane Lee Loughnane (l) and Eric Baines

To sum it up, the Windy City Tour swept into town and took those that attended on a wonderful ride.

 

SET LISTS

 

STYX

Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man), Lorelei, Build and Destroy, Lady, Too Much Time on My Hands, The Grand Illusion, Light Up, Crystal Ball, Rockin’ the Paradise, Our Wonderful Lives, The Best of Times, Blue Collar Man (Long Nights), Come Sail Away.  ENCORE:  Mr. Roboto, Renegade

 

CHICAGO

Dialogue (Part I & II), Alive Again, If You Leave Me Now, Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Hard Habit to Break, You’re the Inspiration, Old Days, Beginnings, (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, I’m a Man, Just You ‘n’ Me, Street Player, Hard to Say I’m Sorry / Get Away, Saturday in the Park, Feelin’ Stronger Every Day, ENCORE:  Free, 25 or 6 to 4

 

 

• THE ROMANTICS/CHRISTOPHER CROSS/TOTO
• Morton Amphitheater – Riverside, MO
• August 24, 2026

 

Photos by Michael Smith/Media Mikes unless noted

 

Photo Credit: Tyler Cook / Live ’80s Kansas City

 

NOTE:  As the show began, I had a serious malfunction with my camera.  I want to thank my fellow photographers who were in the pit with me for figuring out and helping me correct the issues, especially Peter Amisano, who gave me a new SD card, and Tyler Cook, who very kindly supplied me with a great shot of the Romantics for this article.  You guys are the best!

 

In the past few years, I’ve heard the term “Yacht Rock” used to describe most of the music I grew up with as a young man.  Smooth and mellow, but always with a little touch of rock and roll.  On this night, the Morton Amphitheater became an ocean, with some of the greatest “Yachts” sailing in to an enthusiastic audience.

 

Kicking off the night, the Romantics played a fun, lively (11) song set, beginning with Rock You Up.  The band sounded great and had the audience on their feet almost immediately, ending their evening with a rousing What I Like About You.  I had never seen the Romantics live before and I’m glad I finally had the opportunity to cross the band from my Bucket List.

Christopher Cross

In 1981, Christopher Cross seemingly came out of nowhere to make Grammy Award history by becoming the first person to win Grammy’s for Best Album, Best New Artist and both Record and Song of the Year (Sailing).  That record stood until 2020 when Billie Eilish joined him in that rarified air.  Like Eilish, Cros has also won an Academy Award, having co-written Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).  Cross kicked off his set with two straight hits (All Right and Never Be the Same), then took the audience on a journey playing both classic tunes as well as more current songs accompanied by some great musicians a trio of background singers.  Before Arthur’s Theme he gave a shout out to the song’s co-writer, Kansas City born composer Burt Bacharach.  It was the second time this year I’ve heard Bacharach honored this year, with Herb Alpert also paying tribute to the legendary songwriter this past spring.  Cross closed his set with another hit, Ride Like the Wind.

Backup provided by Bella Hicks, Lisbet Guldbaek, and Stephcynie

One of my earliest concert memories is seeing Boston in Largo, Florida.  There were two acts opening for Boston that night:  Sammy Hagar and a band called Toto.  Led by Steve Lukather, David Paisch, and Steve and Jeff Porcaro (brother Mike would join the band in1982), Toto hit the charts running with Hold the Line and never looked back.  In 1983, the band won (6) Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Toto IV and Record of the Year for Rosanna, with Lukather also taking home an individual Grammy for co-writing the George Benson hit Turn Your Love Around.

L-R: Vocalist Joseph Williams, drummer Keith Carlock and bassist John Pierce

Toto began the evening with Goodbye Elenore before delivering a kick-ass performance of Rosanna which eventually featured three keyboardists!  Quick fun fact:  five years before Dirty Dancing, both Patrick Swayze and Cynthia Rhodes were featured dancers in the Rosanna video!  Still led by guitarist Lukather (sadly both Jeff and Mike Porcaro have passed and Steve Porcaro and Paich no longer tour with the band), the band is fronted by Joseph Williams, who revealed during the show that he was the singing voice of young Simba in The Lion King by sharing a few lines from Hakuna Matata!  Lukather also introduced the newest member of the band, an amazing musician named Dennis Atlas, who has serious musical chops!  The band was tight musically and Williams hit all the notes.  If it wasn’t for my hair loss and weight gain I would have sworn I was 18 again!  The show concluded with a powerful rendition of Africa, with Toto joined on stage by the Romantics and Christopher Cross.   The perfect ending to a perfect evening of music!

Dennis Atlas John Pierce

SET LISTS

THE ROMANTICS

Rock You Up, Do Me Any Way You Wanna, When I Look in Your Eyes, Got Me Where You Want Me, Little White Lies, Real Good Thing, Bop, She’s Got Everything, Stone Pony, Talking in Your Sleep, What I Like About You

CHRISTOPHER CROSS

All Right, Never Be the Same, I Really Don’t Know Anymore, Dreamers, Sailing, Think of Laura, I Know You Well, The Light Is On, Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do), Say You’ll Be Mine, Ride Like the Wind 

TOTO

Goodbye Elenore, Rosanna, Hydra, Georgy Porgy. I Won’t Hold You Back, Endless, Kingdom of Desire, Pamela, I’ll Be Over You, I’ll Supply the Love, Taint Your World, Hold the Line.  ENCORE:  Africa (with Christopher Cross and The Romantics)

• FOREIGNER/LYNYRD SKYNRD
• Morton Amphitheater – Riverside, MO
• August 14, 2026

Photo Credit:  Michael Smith/Media Mikes

 

 

Long time readers of Media Mikes know how much we love the band Lynyrd Skynyrd.  In the past we have featured interviews with group members Ricky Medlocke and Johnny Van Zant and covered their music.  I’ve been a fan since Sweet Home Alabama first hit my radio in 1974.  For five decades they have unapologetically personified Southern Rock.  I was in high school when I first heard Feels Like the First Time by a band named Foreigner.  My friends and I used to frequent a popular comic book shop owned by a gentleman named Dusty Hess from Rochester, NY.  He would tell us of a great local band called Black Sheep and how his friend, Louis Grammatico, was the lead singer.  Dusty played bass (he even jammed with my band once), but we could never figure out if he had been in the band.  One day we’re in the shop and Feel’s Like the First Time comes on the radio.  When it was over Dusty said, “that was Lou.”  It was.

 

Since then, both bands have endured highs and lows but have never stopped making music.  Last week they brought their high energy to the new Morton Amphitheaters and, plain and simple, rocked the house.

What is amazing about both bands is that they continue to create new music, and the evening was a great mixture of classic hits and newer songs.  Foreigner kicked off their set with a rousing version of Double Vision. From the opening chords, the band was tight.  Lou Gramm first left Foreigner in 1990 (though he did return and tour with the group until 2003).  He was replaced by Kelly Hanson, who left the band this year.  Today the band is fronted by Luis Maldonado and, as the night went on, he powered through each song as if he was born to sing them.  By the end of the night, he was physically drained but you couldn’t tell from his performance.  The show included such hits as  Head Games, Dirty White Boy, Say You Will and an encore that included a moving version of I Want to Know What Love Is, with the band accompanied by the choir from Liberty High School.

 

Skynyrd then took the stage, kicking off their set with a double dose of Workin’ For MCA and What’s Your Name?  Like Foreigner, they played a great mixture of much-loved hits and new material.  Lead singer Johnny Van Zant roared through the classics, with the crowd singing along with every song.  A touching moment came when, during Sweet Home Alabama, the stage included a microphone stand on which rested the iconic hat of the band’s original lead singer, Ronnie Van Zant.  It was a powerful image, especially to those of us who still remember that tragic day in October 1977 when a plane crash took Van Zant, fellow band mates Steve and Cassie Gaines and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick.  Both the pilot and co-pilot were also killed.  Tribute was also paid to lead guitarist Gary Rossington, who passed away in 2023.

 

The night ended with an amazing performance of Free Bird.  A quick tip of my hat to drummer Michael Cartellone.  He never missed a beat during what has to be one of the longest and hardest songs to play along to ever!

 

 

Opening act Six Gun Sally put the crowd in the proper mood with a fun comgination of classic covers and a few original tunes.  Vocalist Aimee Jane Williams has a voice reminiscent of the late Janis Joplin, which she proved on songs like Piece of My Heart and Somebody to Love, as well as the title track of their upcoming album Ain’t Going Down.  They are definitely a band to keep an eye on.

SET LISTS

Six Gun Sally

 Sittin’ Pretty, Stand Up, Piece of My Heart, Ramblin’ Man, Ain’t Goin’ Down, Somebody to Love, Gypsy Queen, Fast Train

 FOREIGNER

Double Vision, Head Games, Cold as Ice, Waiting for a Girl Like You, Say You Will, Dirty White Boy, Break It Up, Feels Like the First Time, Urgent, Juke Box Hero, Long, Long Way From Home   ENCORE  I Want to Know What Love Is, Hot Blooded 

LYNYRD SKYNYRD 

 Workin’ for MCA, What’s Your Name, That Smell, Saturday Night Special, I Know a Little, On the Hunt, Don’t Ask Me No Questions, I Need You, Gimme Back My Bullets, The Ballad of Curtis Loew, Tuesday’s Gone, Simple Man, Gimme Three Steps, Call Me the Breeze, Sweet Home Alabama   ENCORE Free Bird

 

 

 

 

 

“Summer Tour” 2026

Atomic Rule, The Virgos, Mistress, Cactus Cathedral
Saturday, July 11th 2026
The Song & Dance, Syracuse, NY

Our Score 4 out of 5 Stars

Atomic Rule and Company brought their thunderous durge to the intimate Song and Dance music venue in Syracuse, NY on Saturday night as part of the groups on going summer tour which runs through mid-July.  For those not familiar with the band Atomic Rule is the newest musical offering from former Every Time I Die guitarist Andy Williams, bassist Travis Bennington (Eternal Sleep), Vocalist James Henderson and filling in on drums for this run of shows from the band 68′ is Nikko Yamada. The four band line up featuring The Virgos, Mistress and Cactus Cathedral was a sonic assault on the senses as each act brought their own unique interpretation of what’s become known as “Doom Metal”.

Upon descending the marble stairs leading to the Song and Dance Music venue we were quickly descended from a rather unassuming upper lobby down to a dimly lit, red carpeted subterranean lower lobby complete with its own lighted marquee and heavy double doored entrance which. The vintage roaring twenties esque aesthetics only added to the underground venue mystic.  Once in side the mid-sized venue looked as though it would be the perfect host for the evenings festivities with a low stage set up and open floor plan allowing concert goers to be up close and personal with the performers..

Kicking off the night were a local act by the name of Cactus Cathedral. The three piece power trio performed a blistering thirty minute set of what could be described as sludgy rock. The bands set featured all original material from the bands fairly deep catalog. Cactus Cathedral percussive sound was a solid mixture of overdriven bass and heavy drums complemented by a number intricate guitar solos and unique vocal passages.

Mistress, a five piece funeral doom band from Boston, Massachusetts would follow laying down a feedback filled performance that did not seem to impress nor be the intention of its members. Technical issues aside the band presented rather stiff as each member stood fairly stoic and still through out the half hour set which included tracks from the recently released “Promo” EP. Had the groups set gone off without any issues I would like to think that the performance would have been a bit more lively however that may not be the m.o. for those in the “funeral doom” genre.

“Pennsylvania’s Heaviest Band” The Virgos would take the stage next and almost instantly kicked things in to overdrive mode. The groups sound is a mixture of fast, riff fueled instrumentation which sets a rhythmic foundation for frontman/guitarist Andy Saba’s psycho-billy like vocals. If that name sounds familiar you may know Andy from his previous work in groups such as Bad Seed, Harms Way and Nails. Saba along with bassist Danni Crockett and drummer Eli Gerrity could possibly live up to their moniker as the evenings set was plenty heavy and consisted of a variety of songs from the groups three albums (including my personal favorite “Demolition Dan” from the “Road to Noxen” live album). The trio demanded the crowds attention for every minute of their set and those demands were met with an awe struck crowd frothing for more.

Atomic Rule would close out the night by taking the stage which was now set against a giant image of Thulsa Doom from the classic 1982 film “Conan the Barbarian”. After making brief mention of the characters stylish haircut the band immediately launched into the track “Lizard” subsequently pummeling the crowd for next thirty plus minutes. During that time the band performed a handful of songs from their two Ep’s (The Golden Rose and With Skull Crushing Force) before closing out the night with a bombastic version of Soundgarden’s “4th of July”. Though the six song set was brief in time the band made up for it by giving everything they both physically and sonically.

Having come a long way since debuting at “Bliss-mas 2025”, Atomic Rule in one year has experienced set backs and line up changes including one just prior to this tour with the addition of Nikko Yamada on drums. Where lesser bands would have faltered Atomic Rule has persevered. It is very obvious the love of the music and performing is what drives the band and it clearly shows more and more each time I see them. From performing initially without a vocalist to now seeing the band fronted by James Henderson this is Atomic Rule in its complete form. Atomic Rule will be out on tour through July and we highly recommend you get out to one of their shows as you won’t be disappointed.

Atomic Rule Set List:

1. Lizard
2. Thoth-Amon
3. Neptunium
4. Song One
5. Bone Lady
6. 4th of July (Soundgarden Cover)

For more info on Atomic Rule visit their official site by clicking here.

“Gor Gor Strikes Back Tour”

GWAR, Soulfly, King Parrot
Saturday, March 30th 2026

Our Score: 4 out of 5 Stars

Everyones favorite Intergalactic crack-heads…Gwar landed in Buffalo, New York, on March 30th where they headlined a sold out show at the intimate Town Ballroom. The latex clad aliens are currently traveling the US on their “Gor-Gor Strikes Back” tour, marking their 40th anniversary since being awoken from their frozen slumber. Supporting them on this run is the Australian grind-core act King Parrot and former Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera’s Soulfly.

Right from the start, the show was full of energy as the sold-out crowd was ready to go from the second the venue doors opened. Australian export King Parrot would take the stage and instantly pummeled the senses of the quickly growing crowd. The groups set was packed with fast and heavy riff-age which worked the crowd into several impressive circle like pits which still continued to whirl as the sets closing notes echoed through the venues tiers.

Soulfly would hit the stage next capitalizing on the intensifying energy of the now at capacity room. Veteran frontman Max Cavalera immediately endeared himself to the Buffalo crowd as he took the stage sporting a bright red Buffalo Bills football jersey. The groups signature Brazilian infused groove was superbly held down by Max’s son Zyon who dominated the drums with speed and precision over the course of the bands 40 minute set.

The next time the lights went out the sold out crowd roared as it was now time for the almighty Scumdogs of the Universe to decimate the stage and, decimate they did! Those standing within a fifty foot radius were almost instantly covered in Gwar’s signature multi-colored spew as the band launched into their opening number “Fuck This Place”. “Crack in the Egg” would be performed next and featured the birth of Baby Gor-Gor from a large smoldering egg. This would not be the only time during the night that fans would be visited by special guests. Also stopping in to greet the crowd and (meet their maker) were former President Clinton and current President and First Lady Trump. We were also introduced to Gwar’s newest nemesis Rexor Terror-saur who made several appearances through out the evening. The set was a great mixture of classic Gwar numbers like “Have You Seen Me”, “Saddam a Go-Go” and “Hail, “Genocide!” coupled with newer tracks like “El Presidente” and “Tyrant King”. If that wasn’t enough fans were given a three song encore which included a cover of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” before closing out the night with the bands signature song “Sick of You”.

Whether you are a long time devoted scumdog or a Gwar newcomer the “Gor-Gor Strikes Back” tour has something for you. From stunning visuals and a hysterical tongue and cheek story line to thunderous instrumentation and witty lyrics Gwar puts on a show that grabs all your sense and rips them from your body making for a unique immersive concert experience.

The “Gor-Gor Strikes Back” tour will be running through April, ending in Charlotte, NC on 4/29. If you get the chance we highly recommend sacrifcing yourself to the lords of Scumdogia.

GWAR Setlist:

1. Fuck This Place
2. Crack in the Egg
3. Eighth Lock
4. Have You Seen Me?
5. Tormentor
6. Hate Love Songs
7. Lot Lizard
8. Saddam a Go-Go
9. I’m in Löve (With a Deåd Dog)
10. Metal Metal Land
11. El Presidente
12. Tyrant King
13. Hail, Genocide!
14. Gor-Gor

Encore:
15. Mother Fucking Liar
16. Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan cover)
17. Sick of You

Special thanks to Jason Forsyth for his coverage of the show.

HERSHEY, PA, March 13, 2026 — When Andy Robbins from Palladium Entertainment contacted me about interviewing Brit Floyd founder and musical director Damian Darlington, I was intrigued. I’ve seen Brit Floyd several times over the years and have always been impressed by their musicianship and faithful recreation of Pink Floyd’s music. Still, with some recent lineup changes, I was curious whether the band would still capture the same magic.

From the opening notes of “In the Flesh?” it was clear the answer was yes – and then some. The band sounded tighter and more balanced than I remembered, with every member locked into the music and moving seamlessly from one moment to the next. The production itself was spectacular. Brit Floyd has always delivered strong visuals, but this year’s laser and video show was on another level. The sound mix was equally impressive – clear, powerful, and well balanced, with the kind of deep bass that gives Pink
Floyd’s music its full weight.

The evening felt less like a tribute and more like a celebration of the music created by the legendary Pink Floyd lineup – Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Syd Barrett, and David Gilmour. The band opened with material from The Wall, moving through crowd favorites such as “Another Brick in the Wall, Parts 1 & 2,” “Hey You,” and “Young Lust,” while also reaching back to songs from Meddle and A Momentary Lapse of Reason. After intermission, the show shifted gears with “Breathe (In the Air)” and a powerful sequence of songs from The Dark Side of the Moon, including “Time,” “Money,” and “Us and Them.”

The 2026 lineup features founding members Damian Darlington on guitar and vocals, Ian Cattell on bass and vocals, and Rob Stringer on keyboards and vocals, joined by Jamie Humphries on guitar, Randy Cooke on drums, Rhiannon Dewey on saxophone and percussion, and backing vocalists Lilian Ximenes, Shannon Fayth, and Hannah El-Ayadi. Together, the expanded lineup captures the layered studio sound that made Pink Floyd so distinctive.

The night closed with “Wish You Were Here” and a soaring performance of “Comfortably Numb,” which brought the audience to its feet. The band returned for an encore with “Run Like Hell,” sending the Hershey crowd home energized.

For a few hours at Hershey’s Giant Center, Brit Floyd transported the audience back to a time when albums were immersive musical experiences rather than simply collections of songs. If you haven’t seen them live, it’s well worth the trip. Brit Floyd doesn’t just perform Pink Floyd’s music – they recreate the entire experience.

 

 

 

• PAUL McCARTNEY – Got Back!
• Casey’s Center
• Des Moines, Iowa

 

Though I don’t remember it, my father told me that I watched the Beatles first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in February 1964 with rapt attention.  My father wrote poetry and he often wrote about day to day things that he found interesting.  There was a children’s program in Cleveland hosted by a gentleman who called himself Barnaby and one poem described my youthful frustration as the show was apparently pre-empted by a message from the President of the United States – “it seems that Mr. Kennedy was on instead of Barnaby.”  I make this point because I truly can’t remember a time in my life where the Beatles were not present.  The first record I ever purchased with my own money (.69¢ if I remember correctly, money made by collecting glass soda bottles and returning them to the store – was “Hello, Goodbye.”  So when I learned that Paul McCartney was coming to the Midwest, I made sure to buy tickets the day they went on sale!

 

Kicking off the show with a rousing rendition of “Help!,” McCartney immediately made the legions of Beatles fans happy, kicking off a nearly three-hour show that featured no less than (21) Beatles songs, from their very first song, made when they called themselves the Quarrymen, “In Spite of All the Danger,” to their last, the Grammy award winning “Now and Then.”  Throw in a plethora of his music with the band Wings and his solo material, and you found yourself treated to a performer who, at age 83, rocks like a man a third his age.

McCartney was assisted by a great back up band, many of whom, like drummer Abe Laboriel, Jr and guitarist Rusty Anderson, have played with him for decades.  Add to this a first rate light and video show and you instantly know why the man sells out everywhere he goes.

I have to say I was moved to tears during “Now and Then.”  For those who don’t follow the news, this was a song written and recorded on a homemade tape by John Lennon.  It was one of three songs that the surviving Beatles (Paul, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) worked on in 1995 for their “Beatles Anthology” specials.  Due to technological difficulties, they were unable to produce a decent version of the song.  However, in 2023, technology caught up and the song was recorded.  To me, “Now and Then” was a on John wrote TO Paul, telling his old mate through song what he meant to him and his life.  When finished, Paul thanked John “for writing such a beautiful song.”  Another emotional highlight was his tribute to George Harrison, which included Paul playing “Something” on the ukelele.

This was the 7^th time I’ve seen McCartney live – dating back to my first time on July 4, 1990 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.  The highlight that night was Macca singing “Birthday” to America!  Each time the show has been amazing, with McCartney mixing Beatles, Wings and solo songs each time, making each show fresh and new.

 

The Paul McCartney – Got Back tour recently concluded the U.S. leg of the tour.  But if I know Paul – I mean, I don’t but you get what I’m saying – I’d look for him back on the road sooner then later.  If you’ve never seen him live, I urge you to find the nearest venue and buy a ticket.  If you’ve already seen him…see him again!

SET LIST

Help!, Coming Up, Got to Get You Into My Life, Drive My Car, Letting Go. Come On to Me, Let Me Roll It, Getting Better, Let ‘Em In, My Valentine, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five, Maybe I’m Amazed, I’ve Just Seen a Face, In Spite of All the Danger, Love Me Do, Dance Tonight, Blackbird, Here Today, Now and Then, Lady Madonna, Jet, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!, Something, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, Band on the Run, Get Back, Let It Be, Live and Let Die, Hey Jude.  ENCORE:  I’ve Got a Feeling, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Helter Skelter, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The End.

HERSHEY, PA – September 20, 2025

When the Slayer flag rose, you could feel the energy shift in the crowd. Fans of all ages shuffled side to side, trying to capture an unobstructed photo of the iconic logo. As the lights cut out, a short video began to play showing highlights from Slayer’s early years. Vintage images of the founding members appeared as they spoke about the band’s origins. Multiple clips of Kerry King, Tom Araya and the late Jeff Hanneman played as they reflected on how Slayer began and what the band meant to them. Additional clips of Gary Holt and Paul Bostaph, the current guitarist and drummer, explained Slayer’s influence on the thrash genre and how they became members of the band. 

The lights went dark, before Delusions of Saviour could be heard from the speakers as the stage was set for the band. 

As the song faded, the crowd grew quiet with anticipation. Slayer took the stage as the opening of South of Heaven. Those iconic lyrics every Slayer fan knows echoing through the arena to start the night belted out of the crowd as the lights went bright. “Before you see the light you must die” The band wasted no time after showing what they were there to do – play fast and hard. No time was wasted as they trashed through the tracks Repentless, Disciple, Die by the Sword, and Jihad before Tom took a minute to check in with the crowd. 

The crowd would need for the consistent onslaught of fast paced head banging brought by the songs War Ensemble, Chemical Warfare, and Reborn. For me, one of Bostaph’s best moments can be heard through the complex transitions in Chemical Warfare. The pace shifted after Reborn to the slower chugs of Mandatory Suicide. Born of Fire followed which lit up the stage with an amazing pyrotechnic display. 

After that, Araya took a moment to respond to a fan yelling out their love for the band. He smiled and reminded everyone that the band loved their fans and were just as grateful to be there and have the amount of support that has shown for them. He then dedicated the next song to his wife of 30 years, one of Slayer’s love songs, Dead Skin Mask. The song was accompanied by disturbing visuals behind Holt and King as they traded riffs and solos as masters of horror sounding metal. Spirit in Black and Hate
Worldwide pushed the guitarist whammy bars to the limit before the band slowed the pace back down into melodic chugs of Seasons in the Abyss. 

Turning 40 this year, Hell Awaits was performed with more ferocity than its studio version I believe. As Araya proved he could still scream with the demonic speed that built Slayer’s legacy. While Gary Holt rips heralding solo’s, at one point one handed, as flames erupt behind him. 213 from the album Divine Intervention followed, before taking fans back to the 1980s with Slayer’s classic thrash sound with Postmortem. 

The venue fell silent again as inverted crosses started to burn. Bostaph produced the thunderous bass and rolls while Holt and King unleashed piercing guitar cries before the legendary riff echoed between them for Reign in Blood.  Flames burst from the set as the crowd chanted the infamous lyrics along with the band. King transitioned everyone seamlessly into Black Magic. A song I believe he played better than the original studio version. You could hear the years of experience he has gained playing that song. Slayer
closed the night with one of their most scrutinized yet defining songs, Angel of Death.  The production team also deserves credit for elevating the show. Pyrotechnics during songs like Jihad, War Ensemble, Born of Fire, and Hell Awaits were flawless. Slayer demands fire, and they delivered plenty. The visuals of gore, war, and some of the iconic Slayer artwork were blended perfectly. Dead Skin Mask and Mandatory Suicide standing out among the rest. The audio team kept the sound crisp and balanced, while the lighting crew matched every moment with flawless timing and color synchronization.  After a 20-song set, I believe Araya’s smile says it all. Slayer’s return to touring is fueled by their genuine love for playing for their fans. Add in the fact that they still sound incredible while delivering a visually stunning show, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. 

I remember being 15, listening to my first Slayer CD Decade of Aggression and telling myself this was a band I needed to see live. After 20 years, multiple worn-out Slayer shirts, and endless anticipation, I finally saw why Slayer is more than just a band for so many people. It was music to filter the hate through. A different road to take. It was F****** SLAYER!

Johnathan Perambo is a Field Reporter, Journalist, and Schuylkill County Slayer fan. I can be reached at jperambo@yahoo.com with any questions.

Photo credit by: Aaylan Zapotoczny

 

• LIVE     Collective Soul   Summer Unity Tour with Our Lady Peace +  Greylin James Rue      
• Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO   
• August 12, 2025

 

Originally scheduled for June 16^th, Mother Nature did not cooperate that night and after Special Guests Greylin James Rue and Our Lady Peace performed, the skies opened with a long steady rain and after an hour or so, the show was cancelled.

 

Rescheduled for August 12^th, we all tried it again, and this time the hot August night was a success and very entertaining for the crowd, although it seemed that there were not quite as many attendees, probably due to the change of date of course.

 

Greylin James Rue – from Los Angeles, this Model, Actor, Musician opened with a short set of tunes, best of them being Steve’s House.  Hints of Morissette for me…..

 

Our Lady Peace – Canadian Alt Rockers – Multi Platinum award winners now for over 30 years.  Cool moment, the re-do of the song Whatever…originally used by WWE Wrestler Chris Beniot, proceeds from the songs play are now donated to suicide prevention initiatives.

 

Collective Soul – For me, the highlight of the evening was this bands performance.  It seemed many attendees agreed with me as there was a noticeable exodus after their set, which consisted of a couple of newer songs and the hits like “Shine”, “The World I Know”, “December”, “Where The River Flows” and “Run”.   Formed in 1992 by brothers Ed and Dean Roland in Georgia, on this night, the band was spot on with the music and the overall show performance.

 

LIVE – While I have always enjoyed the “hits” of LIVE, I really wasn’t aware of some of the other songs from their playlist but did enjoy everything that they played.   Formed in 1984 as LIVE, the band has gone through some changes to get to their current lineup.  Front man, Ed Kowalczyk, the last of the original members, is a great showman, and keeps the repertoire moving thru their set.   Throwing Copper remains their biggest selling album with hits such as “I Alone”, “All Over You”, “Selling the Drama” and “Lightning Crashes”.

 

Overall, a great night of music.   (Starlight, as always, is a top notch venue)

Rating; 4 out of 5     

 

• Happy Together Tour – 2025
•    Kauffman Center – Kansas City, Missouri
• August 22, 2025

 

 

I was born in 1960.  So I’ve had the amazing opportunity of listening to music for almost seven decades.  And while I will always maintain that the 1970s was the best decade for film, you can’t compare any other decade to the 1960s when it comes to music.  Rock and roll.  Pop.  Soul.  We had it all together on the same radio station.  So when a band or performer from that decade comes to town I do my best to attend.  But when FIVE groups come to town, you cant keep me away.  This past Friday the latest version of the popular Happy Together Tour hit Kansas City and I was not disappointed.

The Cowsills (l-r) Susie, Paul, Bob.

Staring the show were the Cowsills, a band so popular in it’s day that they served as the inspiration for the popular television series, and recording act, the Partridge Family.  Brothers Paul and Bob, along with little sister Susie, had a great set, ending with a raucous audience sing-along of their huge hit “Hair.”  I also learned something new when they sang the theme from the television show “Love, American Style.”  I was today years old when I learned that they sang the song.

 

They were followed by the Vogues, whose harmonies on such hits as “Five O’clock World” and “Come a Little Bit Closer” were as pure as the day they were recorded.    Next up was the great Gary Puckett who, at age 82 still has a powerful voice.  Again, the audience joined in happily as he led them during “Woman, Woman.”

 

Jay and the Americans were next.  I had forgotten that they sang “Only in America,” a song I always loved listening to as a boy.  Jay Reincke hit all the notes on Cara Mia,” a great tribute to the band’s original lead singer, Jay Black, who passed away in 2021.  All of the groups had a distinctive sound during their heyday and it was their voices that shined on this evening, none more so then the next act, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Anthony.  At age 84 his voice was as soft and sweet as when he released his first hit, “Tears on My Pillow” in 1956!

 

Closing the show were the Turtles, whose hit song gave the tour it’s name.  Fronted by Ron Dante, the band brought the crowd to their feet repeatedly with hits like “Elenore” and “You Baby.”  Fun fact:  the most popular record of 1969 was “Sugar, Sugar,” by the Archies, a popular comic book series that became an animated show I watched faithfully as a kid.  I was taken back to Saturday morning when Dante did the song.  I wish I had been closer to the stage because I would have yelled, “Now do Bang Shang-a-lang!”

“Sugar, Sugar”

The show ended with all of the groups returning to the stage for a mini-medley that had the crowd on their feet clapping and singing along.  To paraphrase another 60s band, the Beatles, “a splendid time was indeed guaranteed for all!”

 

SET LIST:  COWSILLS – Indian Lake, The Rain, the Park & Other Things, Love, American Style, Hair.  THE VOGUES – Five O’clock World, My Special Angel, Turn Around, Look at Me, You’re the One.  GARY PUCKETT – Lady Willpower, Over You, Woman, Woman, Young Girl.  JAY AND THE AMERICANS – Only in America, Let’s Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key, “Cara Mia, Come a Little Bit Closer, This Magic Moment.  LITTLE ANTHONY:  Tears on My Pillow, Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop, Hut So Bad, Goin’ Out of My Head.  THE TURTLES – She’d Rather Be with Me, You Baby, It Ain’t Me Babe, Sugar, Sugar, Elenore, Happy Together.  

 

• HERB ALPERT AND THE TIJUANA BRASS
• Kaufman Center, Kansas City, Missouri
• August 5, 2025

 

The decade of the 1960s gave us some great music.  The Beatles.  The Supremes.  The Doors.  Their sound changed the industry forever.  You wouldn’t know it by listening to today’s music, but when I was a kid instrumental music – loud horns and sweet strings with no or minimal vocals – ruled the airwaves.  Al Hirt.  Sergio Mendes and Brasil ‘66.  But the king, at least in my house, was Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.  At age 90, Alpert and the Brass took over the Kaufman Center and had the crowd on their feet for two solid hours.

 

Accompanied by vintage film clips, the show began with the great Louis Armstrong, no slouch on the trumpet himself, introducing the band.  As the opening notes of “The Lonely Bull” began, the crowd roared.  Something about a trumpet that gets your blood flowing.  At age 90, Mr. Alpert could have been excused for taking the occasional break.  But he played every note as strong and as sweet as if he was still in his 30s.  In between songs he addressed the audience and even invited questions.  He told some great stories, from how the “Whipped Cream and Other Delights” came to be to how he met his beautiful wife of 52 years, vocalist Lani Hall, who joined him on stage later in the show for a medley of some of the songs she did as the lead vocalist for Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, including “The Look of Lovke” and “Fool on the Hill.”

 

Before introducing Ms. Hall, Mr. Alpert choked up when talking about his dear friend Sergio Mendes and gave a loving tribute to songwriter Burt Bacharach, who penned his #1 hit “This Guy’s in Love with You.”   I’m not sure if Mr. Apert knew it or not, but Bacharach not only grew up in Kansas City but lived about 20 blocks from where the Kaufman Center now stands.

 

As the band played hit after hit (“Tijuana Taxi,” “A Taste of Honey,” “Rise”) the crowd clapped along, giving many of the numbers well deserved standing ovations.  The music brought back so many great memories for my wife and myself.  As we left I noticed several young children among the capacity crowd and each one I asked, “did you like it?” gave a resounding “yes!”

 

The tour runs through January 2026.  If you have the opportunity to see Mr. Alpert and the Brass, I urge you to take it.  For information on upcoming shows, please click HERE.

 

SET LIST

 

The Lonely Bull, Work Song, Whipped Cream, Spanish Flea, Lady Fingers, Lollipops and Roses, Bittersweet Samba, Mexican Shuffle, Tangerine, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, Love Potion No. 9, This Guy’s in Love with You, a medley of songs with Ms. Hall, Rise, A Taste of Honey, Smile, What Now My Love, A banda, Tijuana Taxi. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – May 23, 2025  

It was more than just a concert. It was a full-blown sonic and visual experience as Metallica stormed Lincoln Financial Field Friday night on the first of two dates in their much-hyped “M72 World Tour.” With over 50,000 multi-generational fans in attendance, the night was a blistering showcase of the band’s enduring power and their willingness to evolve even four decades into their career. 

Three-story-high, cutting-edge LED screens transformed the entire stadium. Suddenly, every seat was the best seat in the house. These visuals didn’t just support the performance—they became part of the story. 

Metallica kicked off the evening with “Creeping Death,” a Biblical tale turned metal classic that hit like a thunderbolt. From there, the setlist traveled through time, covering all eras of their discography. Staples like “Harvester of Sorrow,” “Fuel,” and “Sad but True” kept the old-school faithful happy, but it was the inclusion of newer tracks like “If Darkness Had a Son” and the title track “72 Seasons” that added freshness to the show’s familiar formula. 

The 2023 album 72 Seasons served as both a thematic and sonic backbone of the concert. As front man James Hetfield has explained, the title refers to the first 18 years of life—72 seasons of formative experiences. The maturity and introspection of this theme could be felt throughout the night, especially in darker, emotionally heavier songs like “The Day That Never Comes” and “Orion,” the latter an instrumental tribute to late bassist Cliff Burton that remains hauntingly beautiful. 

The emotional peak of the night may well have been “Seek and Destroy.” All four members—Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo—clustered together in the Snake Pit, recreating the gritty intimacy of their garage days. The moment was raw, real, and exhilarating. For fans close enough to reach out and touch Hetfield, it was unforgettable. 

The musicianship was flawless. Hetfield’s voice is still a thunderous growl, Ulrich’s drumming sharp and relentless, Hammett’s solos blistering, and Trujillo a force of nature on bass. Pulling off a production of this size night after night isn’t just about the band—it takes a massive effort from a tight-knit touring and local crew, and Metallica made sure to tip their hats to them. 

While the show leaned heavily into the darkness that has always defined the band’s aesthetic, the atmosphere was anything but depressing. There’s a strange kind of joy that pulses through a Metallica crowd—a intense sense of unity forged through shared struggles and triumphs. When Metallica launched into ‘Nothing Else Matters,’ the stadium was transformed. Tens of thousands of cell phone lights flickered to life, dancing like a sea of fireflies in the dark, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the crowd. It was a moment of collective stillness, as if time paused and 50,000 hearts beat to the same melody. 

If the first night of Metallica’s Philly takeover was any indication, this isn’t a nostalgia act on autopilot—it’s a living, breathing, headbanging beast of a band that still has a lot to say. And on this night in South Philly, they said it loud and clear. 

Photo credit by: Aaylan Zapotoczny 

Walter Zapotoczny is an author, historian, and local music fan. He can be reached at mail@wzaponline.com. 

HERSHEY, PA – May 9, 2025
Under the glow of lasers and the pulse of perfectly synced sound, Brit Floyd returned to the Hershey Pennsylvania at the Giant Center on Friday night treating a crowd of 3,500 to a mesmerizing celebration of Pink Floyd’s legacy. The evening marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic Wish You Were Here album, and the band delivered a show as ambitious as the music it honored.

Getting ready for sound check, musical director Damian Darlington was on stage making some last-minute adjustments to the lighting rig. “I am a perfectionist,” he said underscoring what sets Brit Floyd apart: a deep, almost obsessive commitment to accuracy and atmosphere.

From the first note, it was clear—this wasn’t just a tribute; it was a resurrection. Brit Floyd’s signature production values were on full display, from the award-winning laser and light show to the massive circular screen projecting original Pink Floyd visuals. Every beam of light, every ripple of color, was intricately programmed and timed to match the music, making for a completely immersive experience.
The band launched into Wish You Were Here, including “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Have a Cigar,” “Welcome to the Machine,” and of course, the hauntingly emotional title track. The audience was spellbound, erupting into applause and standing ovations throughout the night.

Bass player Ian Cattell anchored the sound with his signature blend of finesse and power, switching seamlessly between his new headless Washburn Status and his classic Fender Precision. Cattell also handled lead vocals on several tracks, channeling the spirit of the original performances with both reverence and originality. Damian Darlington, switching effortlessly between lead guitar and lap steel, delivered soaring solos that drew waves of applause and cheers from the crowd. Edo Scordo added his own guitar wizardry, while Ryan Saranich’s saxophone solos soared—each note delivered with expressive nuance and impeccable control, adding depth and emotion that resonated throughout the arena.

The show’s emotional peak came during “The Great Gig in the Sky.” Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, joined by former Pink Floyd backing vocalist Machan Taylor, stunned the crowd with a vocal performance that built from delicate to explosive. Their harmonies brought the house to its feet, a truly magical moment in a night full of them

Keyboardist Matt Riddle and drummer Arran Ahmun laid down a flawless rhythmic foundation, faithfully channeling the spirit of Pink Floyd’s Richard Wright and Nick Mason. The backing vocalists Eva, Machan, and Genevieve Little enriched the soundscape with lush harmonies. Together, the ensemble embodied what Rolling Stone has dubbed “the world’s premiere Pink Floyd experience.”

At the end of the show, Damian’s guitar solo of “Comfortably Numb” had the crowd on their feet asking for more. If the roar of the Hershey audience was any indication, that legacy is alive and well. And for one unforgettable night, Brit Floyd made sure no one forgot what made Pink Floyd’s music so transcendent in the first place.

Photo credit by: Aaylan Zapotoczny

Walter Zapotoczny is an author, historian, and local Pink Floyd fan. He can be reached at mail@wzaponline.com.

“10,000 Volts” Tour

Ace Frehley

Thursday, August 22nd 2024
Chevy Court @ The New York State Fair
Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ace Frehley continued his “10,000 Volts” Tour with a stop at the Chevy Court as part of the annual New York State Fair Concert. The event held in Syracuse, NY is a multi day event featured music, rides, animals and exhibits from all over the Empire State. Frehley a native New Yorker was a fitting and welcome addition to this years concert line up which also featured Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Dropkick Murphys, Blue Oyster Cult and Jackyl to name just a few. The New York State Fair offers something for everyone so if you are in the area at the end of August and are looking for something to do to cap off your summer the New York State fair is a great choice!

SetList:

1.) Shock Me
2.) Deuce
3.) Cherry Medicine
4.) Rock Soldiers
5.) Love Gun
6.) 10,000 Volts
7.) Rocket Ride
8.) Parasite
10.) New York Groove
11.) Detroit Rock City
12.) Rip It Out
13.) Cold Gin
14.) Ace Frehley Guitar Solo
15.) Shout It Out Loud

Encore:
16.) Rock and Roll All Nite

“Smoke and Fiction” Tour 2024

X, Dead Rock West

Thursday, Sept. 26th 2024
Water Street Music Hall, Rochester, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Legendary Los Angeles punk band X brought their unique blend of musicality to the Flower City on Thursday evening for a nostalgic walk through the bands 40 plus year career. The band which formed in 1977 and is made of up bassist John Doe, Vocalist Exene Cervenka, Guitarist Billy Zoom and Drummer DJ Bonebreak announced in June of this year that their latest album titled “Smoke & Fiction” and its subsequent tour would also serve as the bands farewell. Despite the thought of this being the last time fans would get to see the long standing punk staple perform the mood and energy was high as fans made their way into the historic venue.

Opening up the evening was the acoustic duo “Dead Rock West” which consists of Vocalist Cindy Wasserman and Guitarist/Vocalist Frank Drennon. The duo performed a unique blend of alt rock tinged country western that resonated through out the medium sized venue. The bands set clocked in at just under an hour and featured a variety of songs from the groups 5 studio albums. Though the music’s subtle cadence might not be what you would normally associate with a punk show the duo showcased a very polished and enjoyable sound and performance which earned them an ample response from the growing crowd.

Headliners “X” would take the stage next performing a blistering 23 song set that touched on all aspects of the groups career. The band opened up the evening with “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not” from the 1980 “Los Angeles” album followed by “In This House That I Call Home” which comes from the “Wild Gift” album. As the night progressed Exene and John would take brief moments to address the crowd however, the focus was certainly more centered around the music more than the fact this would be the bands last time in Rochester. As the energy in the room continued to build the band tore through a mixture of long standing live staples such as “Breathless”, “The Hungry Wolf” and “White Girl” while also mixing in newer songs like “Water & Wine”, “Ruby Church” and “Smoke & Fiction”. Though there were a couple points in the evening where songs needed to be stopped and re-started the band played the small hiccups off as if they hadn’t even happened with each prospective member retaking their spots and paying little to no attention at all to what had just happened.

Ekene and company began to bring the night to a close via fan favorites such as “Los Angeles”, “Sugarlight” and their unique version of the Doors classic “Soul Kitchen” fans were left asking for more as the band left the stage while the the rawkus tones of “Nausea” still echoed through Zoom’s lone guitar amp. After a brief pause Doe and Cervenka would return for the first of three encore songs performing an acoustic duet of “See How We Are”. The rest of the band would l=them come back to the stage to perform “Come Back to Me” before ending with the Sax and Xylophone tinged “I Must Not think Bad Thoughts”.

The evening was everything a fan of X could have asked for and possibly a touch more as each of the bands four members (all in their late 60’s and early 70’s) continue to perform at a level higher than other bands half their age. With tour dates running through the end of October fans still have just a few more chance to see one of the last great punk bands from 80’s before they put an end to their impressive career. Get out there and catch one of these shows as you won’t be disappointed!

SETLIST:
1.) Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not
2.) In This House That I Call Home
3.) We’re Desperate
4.) I’m Coming Over
5.) Adult Books
6.) Water & Wine
7.) Sweet Til the Bitter End
8.) White Girl
9.) Breathless (Otis Blackwell cover)
10.) Ruby Church
11.) True Love
12.) The Hungry Wolf
13.) Smoke & Fiction
14.) Flipside
15.) The Unheard Music
16.) Los Angeles
17.) Sugarlight
18.) Soul Kitchen (The Doors cover)
19.) Motel Room in My Bed
20.) Nausea

ENCORE:
21.) See How We Are (John and Exene acoustic)
22.) Come Back to Me
23.) I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts