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

We’ve all had that moment in life, you hear about a party that you don’t think you’re cool enough to go to, or you don’t get the invite, or maybe you just hear about it after the fact. Whatever the reason, it has free booze, free food, cool celebrities, a pool, a concert, and it’s all on a rooftop. It’s the kind of party Hollywood glamorizes in various films as a place to rub elbows with greats. Well, at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), for several years now, it’s been Fandom’s annual party. MediaMikes was lucky enough to join the Fandom party for the first time as they celebrated their 20th anniversary.

While one of the most difficult parties to get into at SDCC, the entertainment company still makes it accessible to regular people, whether by invite, social media, or pure chance (like us). While not invited, MediaMikes managed to score some passes at a Fandom panel. That means, if you’re attending future SDCC’s, you should attend as many Fandom panels as you can. This year’s Fandom party was a breathless display of amazing cosplay, a gorgeous view of the Gaslamp district atop the Hard Rock hotel, demos for “Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” and of course, a raucous set by Jason Derulo with various celebrities scattered about the crowd, including Colin Kaepernick, Kevin Durand, and others.

If you couldn’t make it, we took several photos you can enjoy below, but if you want to be part of the excitement, keep track of Fandom on social media, keep an eye on the news leading up to SDCC 2025, and of course, just like we did, try and stump a panel of Fandom experts. A big thank you to Fandom for throwing a party that has become one of the many crown jewels of SDCC, we hope to see you next year.

• REO Speedwagon  – Night Ranger   
• Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO  

I have mentioned before but it behooves me to remind everyone that I was once a DJ on a top 40 radio station in the 80’s and I cut my teeth on both of the bands I’m writing about.  The nostalgic night had me smiling and singing along the entire show.

Night Ranger – Jack Blades – Kelly Keagy – Brad Gillis – Eric Levy – Keri Kelli

Kicking it off with (You Can Still) Rock in America, Night Ranger kept the hits coming with Sing Me Away, Sentimental Street, When You Close Your Eyes and closed their set with Don’t Tell Me You Love Me, and of course, Sister Christian.   Bonus:  Jack Blades threw out a couple of Damn Yankees tunes: Coming of Age and High Enough!

REO Speedwagon – Kevin Cronin – Bruce Hall – Dave Amato – Neil Doughty – Bryan Hitt

There is a unique reoccuring weather element to an REO concert in Kansas City, I’m sure you get the hint….

An amazing evening with one of my favorite bands.  Growing up in Central Illinois in the 70’s, REO Speedwagon was on my radar early.  The band formed in Champaign at the University of Illinois in the late 60’s, grew a dedicated following in the 70’s and went stellar with the success of the album “Hi Infidelity” in 1980.

Opening the show with Don’t Let Him Go, the band then jumped into Music Man, Take It On the Run and Keep Pushing, which got the sold out crowd up and singing along with every word.   Throwing in Live Every Moment and Tough Guys as the rain began a brief downpour, most fans stayed in their seats and Cronin noted their dedication.

Slowing down a touch for Can’t Fight This Feeling and Poor Man, the moonlight returned and with a brief moment of encouragement about the state of the world, and especially the United States, Cronin reminded everyone we are in this journey together and need to work to get along.  Golden Country followed and was a special part of their set, followed by Time For Me to Fly.  Then came the history lesson…

Kevin Cronin recalled their performance at Kaufman Stadium in the 70’s, the “tornado” show, another storm at another show, they seem to bring the rain and this appearance continued the tradition.  Rocking into the familiar synth siren of Ridin The Storm Out had the Starlight crowd on their feet and the encore set of Keep On Loving You and Roll With The Changes closed the show.

Concert rating:  On a scale of zero to five stars, REO Speedwagon/Night Ranger receives ★★★★★

U.S. Summer Tour 2023

Baroness, Portrayal of Guilt, Gozu,

Sunday, June 2nd 2024
Essex, Rochester, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Progressive heavy metal-ers Baroness made a stop in Rochester, NY at the newly opened Essex music venue for a night of thunderous guitar driven music. The show is one of a handful of dates making up the Georgia based bands Summer tour and is support of their most recent studio release titled “Stone”. Along with the evenings headliner were Portrayal of Guilt and Gozu who each took their turn at filling the air of the dimly lit, industrial venue which served as a near perfect location for the nights sonic festivities.

Taking the stage first were Boston, MA natives Gozu. The band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Marc Gaffney, guitarist Doug Sherman, bassist Joe Grotto and drummer Seth Botos performed a brief set which oozed forth a sonic dirge of fuzz driven stoner rock that had those in attendance slows nodding their heads in a eerie cadence as the bands dual guitar attack ripped through the venues front of house speakers. The band played performed tracks from their five album catalog including tracks from their most recent release “Remedy”. Fans who made it out to the venue early got a real treat as Gozu’s performance was a perfect blend of melodic psychedelia.

Next up was the black metal band Portrayal of Guilt. Hailing from Austin, TX the three piece group couldn’t have been more different from the other bands on the bill as their intense attack and abstract song structure was much more aggressive than I think some fans were ready for. Vocalist/guitarist Matt King was all business as his guttural vocal style socked listeners in the gut while the bands instrumentation finished them off with a bludgeoning knockout blow. Though personally I didn’t find anything particular appealing about the bands sound or performance they did receive a sizable amount of applause at the close of their set.

After a minimal set change Baroness would take the stage next performing a 13 song set made up of tracks from the bands expansive catalog. “Last Word” from the recently released “Stone” album would kick things off by setting the foundation for fans favorite like “A Horse Called Golgotha” and “March to the Sea”. The blend of guitar and vocals provided by John Baizley and Gina Gleason worked flawlessly together and only seem to get better as the set progressed in to tracks like “Chlorine and Wine” and my personal favorite “Shock Me”. Equally impressive was the bands rhythm section which features Sebastian Thomas on drums and Nick Jost on bass and keyboards. Much like the duo of Baizley and Gleason both Jost and Thomas are keyed in to one another on such a high level that they could easily be considered one of the best rhythm sections out there. The frantic “Borderlines” and the overdriven “The Sweetest Curse” would close out the main portion of the evenings set however after a short pause the band would take the stage for two final songs. Before ending the night John Baizley would thank the crowd for their continued support and dedication to the band which goes back to the bands early days. The band then closed out the night with the always popular “Take My Bones Away” a track which had the crowd singing along to nearly every word and “Isak” an older number that’s notes and lyrics seemed to hauntingly hang in the air as the closing sounds rang out and the band exited the stage.

It was surprising to hear that Baroness was returning to the area so soon as we were lucky enough to catch them in late November about and hour north of Rochester in Buffalo, NY so to be able to see them again so soon and with a new set of openers was certainly something the crowd (myself included) were not complaining about. I felt the second time around the package of opening bands far surpassed that of the previous run and Baroness only continues to impress me each time I am able to see them. With shows running through the end of June you will certainly want to get a ticket for this show as you will not be disappointed.

Baroness Setlist:

1.) Last Word
2.) Under the Wheel
3.) A Horse Called Golgotha
4.) March to the Sea
5.) Green Theme
6.) Beneath the Rose
7.) Chlorine & Wine
8.) War, Wisdom and Rhyme
9.) Shock Me
10.) Borderlines
11.) The Sweetest Curse

Encore:
12.) Take My Bones Away
13.) Isak

10,000 Volts Tour 2023

Ace Frehley, Angel, Bad Marriage,

Friday, April 12th 2024
Capitol Theater, Rome, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

In support of his newly release solo album titled “10,000 Volts” original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley made a stop at the historic Capital Theater, located in Rome, NY for night of out of this world music. The weekend jaunts will run through August and feature a variety of opening acts sharing the stage with the Space Man but for this night the bill included Bad Marriage and 70’s Casablanca label mates Angel.

The band Bad Marriage would take the stage promptly at 7pm performing their own unique signature blend of 80’s tinged rock and roll which set the stage nicely for the nights other performers. The band consisting of Mike Fitz, Ian Haggerty, Todd, Boisvert, Michael Delaney and former Tesla guitarist Tommy Skeoch were full of energy and wasted no time transitioning between songs over the course of their 45 minute set. Though a majority of the crowd were still making their way to their seats the band put on a top notch performance both musically and visually.

Veteran 70’s hard rockers Angel would be next to the stage clad in their signature white leathers. Original members Frank DiMino and guitarist Punky Meadows worked the stage like seasoned veterans taking time to thank the growing crowd for their continued support over all these years. The set featured songs from all aspects of the bands of the bands 40 plus year career and those in attendance showed their appreciation for the band through loud applause and cheer which the band seemed very appreciative of.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ace Frehley closed out the night by blasting onto the stage opening the night with “Shock Me” from Kiss’s 1977 album Love Gun. The crowd seemed surprised the Space Man was starting things off with one of his more well known sounds however they didn’t seem to mind is the entire theater seemed to instantly take to their feet to dance and sing along. “Rocket Ride” would be next on the set list album and as the closing notes rang out Frehley would take a brief pause to address the crowd and talk about his newly released solo album “10,000 Volts” which was followed by the track of the same name. This would be the only new material that was included in the evenings set and though Frehley seemed to struggle some with the vocals his backing band made up of bassist Ryan Cook, guitarist Jeremy Asbrock and drummer Scot Coogan all did great jobs filling in for the hard rock legend. As the night stretched Frehley pulled out all the signature stops which made him a fan favorite in his previous group. From his light up guitar on “New York Groove” to his smoke billowing solo guitar Frehley was the consummate professional and much like he had done for thousands of shows before he and the band closed things out with the sing along anthem “Rock and Roll All Night” which had fans of all ages leaving the venue with smiles on their faces and ringing in their ears.

The “10,000 Volts” tour runs through late August and has Ace and Co. performing all over the U.S. If the Spaceman is set to land in your area I highly recommend catching a show as you will be hard pressed to find another 73 year old artist performing at this level.

Ace Frehley SetList:

1.) Shock Me
2.) Rocket Ride
3.) 10,000 Volts
4.) Rock Soldiers
5.) Love Gun
6.) Parasite
7.) New York Groove
8.) Rip It Out
9.) Detroit Rock City
10.) Cold Gin
11.) Guitar Solo
12.) Strange Ways
13.) Shout It Out Loud
14.) Deuce
ENCORE:
15.) Rock and Roll All Night

• A.J. CROCE
• The Kauffman Center, Kansas City, MO
• April 13, 2024

“And I carry it with me like my daddy did.”

“I Got a Name” – Jim Croce

I remember when Michael Douglas won his Oscar for “Wall Street” he thanked his dad for allowing him to “step out of a shadow.”  In the history of singer/songwriters, very few people left a shadow as large as that of Jim Croce.  In a tragically shortened career that lasted less than two years, Croce wrote and performed some of the most popular songs of the 20^th Century.  His son, A.J., following in his father’s footsteps, has become an influential singer/songwriter of this century.  This past Saturday night, the two centuries converged on the Kauffman Center as, to paraphrase the name of the tour, Croce played Croce.

The show opened with a film clip of Jim Croce talking about his young son, Adrian James, asking his wife, Ingrid, to “bring him out.”  With that introduction, A.J. took the stage and, for the next two and a half hours, kept the audience grooving with a combination of songs by himself, his father and some of his musical heroes.

Musically, the show was flawless.  Mr. Croce is an accomplished musician and, along with his backup band made up of some amazing session players, he rocked the house.  But even better then the music were the stories Mr. Croce shared with the audience.  Stores about his father.  Stories about his own musical journey.  A highlight was when he opened the show up to the audience, encouraging them to shout out titles of songs they wanted to hear, Mr. Croce and the band obliging them.  The songs were presented with a variety of videos, featuring everything from family films of his father to an animated cartoon of “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown,” which I can remember watching as a kid on “The Sonny and Cher Show.”

While I could not grab a set list, both Croce’s catalogues were well represented.  A great story about Rod Stewart evolved into a kick-ass version of “Stay with Me.”  Another musical highlight was “Name of the Game,” a song Jim Croce was working on before he passed that A.J. finished.

All in all, it was an amazing night filled with amazing music.  One I highly recommend.  On a scale of zero to five, “Croce Plays Croce” receives ★★★★★

“Croce plays Croce’ continues though the end of the year.  For tickets, please click HERE.   

• Gladys Knight     
• Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts – Kansas City, Missouri   
• November 19, 2023

Multi-Grammy Award winning Gladys Knight’s performance in front of a sold-out audience at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center was an entertaining 90 minutes of original hits as well as crowd pleasing covers including a raucous version of the Jackson 5’s  “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” or the poignant “The Way We Were,” a hit for both Barbra Streisand and Ms. Knight.   Backed by a trio of ladies (but no PIPS ☹ )  and an impressive band, the Empress of Soul proved she still has what it takes to deliver her style of music.

While I wasn’t familiar with every song, the hits were certainly a treat to behold. “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”,” Love Overboard”, “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” (recorded after Marvin Gaye but released first) Grammy winners “Neither One of Us *Wants to be the First”) and my all-time favorite “Midnight Train to Geogia”.  I really missed the classic choreography of the Pips for that one……

It is always nostalgic and does my heart good to see the musical stars from my childhood, even in their waning years.  The style and talent such as Gladys Knights is no longer a part of the music industry of today…IMHO.

Ms. Knight’s tour continues both in the sates and in Europe through July 2024.  For tickets and more information, please click HERE.  

While I was unable to get a set list for this show, here is a set list from a recent show to give you an idea of what to expect when she comes to your town!

Taste of Bitter Love, Love Overboard, Every Beat of My Heart, Daddy Could Swear – I Declare, Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, Oh! What a Love I Have Found, On and On, I’ve Got to Use My Imagination, Shake Your Body (On to the Ground), Save the Overtime (For Me), I Heard it Through the Grapevine, The Way We Were, Midnight Train to Georgia, Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye), If I Were Your Woman.

Sweet Oblivion Tour 2023
Baroness, Soul Glo, Spotlights

Sunday, November 26th 2023
Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY

Media Mikes Score 3.5 out 5 stars

In support of their sixth studio “Stone” heavy metal group Baroness along with special guests Soul Glo and Spotlights made a stop at the quaint Town Ballroom which is located deep in the heart of Buffalo, NY. With both the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres being out of town on this post Thanksgiving weekend, the historic music venue was the place to be on an unseasonably snowless night.

Starting off the night with a thunderous dirge that shook the rafters of the vintage room was the three piece doom metal trio Spotlights. The group consisting of husband and wife duo Sarah Quintero (bass) and Mario Quintero (guitar/vocals) along with drummer Chris Enriquez performed a brief set which was a mixture of extremely down tuned instrumentation and multi layered sonic landscapes which gave listeners plenty to listen to despite numerous redundancies which could be easily identified from song to song.

Despite a majority of the crowd being huddled around the bar television due to the Bills/Eagles football game going into overtime the Philadelphia based punk/hardcore band Soul Glo would take the stage next. I found little to be impressed with as the bands sets was a chaotic mess of noise and sloppy musicianship. The group which appeared to be heavily influenced by legendary D.C. punk band Bad Brains did little to captivate the crowd which was evident in the minimal applause that was garnered at the end of the bands thirty plus minute set.

Headliner Baroness would take the stage next launching immediately into the song “Last Word” from the bands latest album “Stone” followed by “The Sweetest Curse” from the bands 2009 album “Blue”. Frontman John Baizley addressed the crowd briefly through out the bands fifteen song set taking time only to thank the fans and other bands on the bill and to ask for some leniency from the Bills fans in attendance due to the bands ties to Philadelphia. (The Buffalo Bills lost in overtime shortly before Baroness took the stage). Also gracing the setlist this evening were long time fan favorites such as “March to the Sea” and “Cocainium” along side more tracks from the new “Stone” album including “Beneath the Rose” and my personal favorite of the night “Anodyne”. Baizley and co-lead guitarist Gina Gleason worked flawlessly together replicating even the most minute detail and lick heard on the studio recordings. Bassist Nick Jost and drummer Sebastian Thomson added to the units tightness as each of their playing elevated the bands performance on multiple levels.

Before leaving the stage for the evening the band treated the crowd to a two song encore which was made up of the song “The Gnashing” and probably the bands most well know the song “Take My Bones Away”. Just like the thirteen previous songs these final two sounded just as good with the final number garnering a tremendous applause from Buffalo faithful. Though the tour only has a few more dates left on this leg we can only hope that 2024 will bring fourth a whole new slew of dates. If that ends up being the case we highly recommend getting out there to one of those shows as the level of musicality that Baroness bring to the stage is really enjoyable to experience in a live setting.

Baroness Setlist:

1.) Last Word
2.) The Sweetest Curse
3.) Isak
4.) A Horse Called Golgatha
5.) March to the Sea
6.) Cocainium
7.) Beneath the Rose
8.) Green Theme
9.) Anodyne
10.) Seasons
11.) If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain?) / Fugue
12.) Under the Wheel
13.) Shock Me

Encore:
14.) The Gnashing
15.) Take My Bones Away

Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Baroness guitarist Gina Gleason here.