iMatter Festival 2011
Date: Friday, September 2^nd Saturday, September 3^rd, Sunday, September 4^th 2011
Venue: Eldridge Park, Elmira, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Check out our interviews with Texas In July, Emery and August Burns Red.

iMatter Festival an event held annually for the past 2 years at Eldridge Park in Elmira, NY kicked off on September 2 and ran through September 4^th.  The festival is the brain child of Elmira Pastor Scott Lowmaster and is a 3 day event aimed at eliminating suicide among teens in the Upstate NY area. Though the festival sports a faith based theme there is something for everyone at the festival.

I had never gone to iMatter festival prior to this year as I was a bit skeptical about the faith based themes that were present though out the 3 day event. I don’t think there is anything wrong with those themes however it generally is not my scene. This year’s line-up which featured, Emery, Texas in July and August Burns Red to name just a few was enough to put those worries aside and take in the event. Though it was extremely hot as temperatures reach almost 95 degrees the festival was a great experience. All the staff working the various locations throughout the festival grounds were very courteous and friendly. It seemed as though great lengths were taken to ensure a safe and fun event for all those who attended. Each band that performed on Saturday really brought their A game in my opinion. Some highlight performances of the day were put on by The Great Commission, Texas in July, August Burns Red and Emery who even though being stopped mid performance 3 different times due to lightning still put on a solid performance.

I really can’t say enough good things about iMatter Festival and the people who put it on each year. Everyone involved does a really great job providing a safe environment to watch a concert. Combine that with getting some real top notch bands to perform every year and you have iMatter Festival. I will tell you that if you are uncertain about the festival and its thoughts or ideas I say put those aside and come out to the next iMatter Festival. You will not be disappointed!

I would like to send out a big thank you to Scott and Lauren Lowmaster for allowing MediaMikes.com to cover the event.

Friday Line Up: Benjah, Flame, Trip Lee, Oceans and Vessels, The Ember Days

Saturday Line Up: As Hell Retreats, My Heart To Fear, Gideon, To Speak Of Wolves, The Great Commission, Hundreth,

I, The Breather, Life In Your Way, Texas In July, Impending Doom, A Plea For Purging, Emery, August Burns Red, The Ember Days

Sunday Line Up: The Ember Days

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Kittie “I’ve Failed You Tour 2011”
Date: Thursday, August 25th 2011
Venue: The Lost Horizon, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Kittie brought their growling vocals and rumbling rhythm section to the historic Lost Horizon venue in Syracuse, NY on what turned into an extremely hot night for the Canadian band. Opening up the show were local bands Kill the Maestro, Armed with Valor, and Capricorn Black followed by the tours direct support bands Diamond Plate and Dirge Within. Even though crowd numbers seemed to vary throughout the course of the night which was probably due to the extreme temperatures inside the club and or combined with the kick off of the NY State Fair happening just a few miles away Kittie put on a stellar show proving to the fans in attendance that they had in fact come to the right place.

I had some reservations about attending the show at The Lost Horizon solely on the fact that the club really isn’t the nicest or most fan friendly place to watch a show. However I was very surprised on arrival as the club seemed to have received a face lift both inside and out. The choice of opening bands was fitting and those who played most notably Armed with Valor and Dirge Within did a great job entertaining the crowd and fighting through the heat. Kittie played an extremely tight set which included songs of their newest album “I’ve Failed You” as well as fan favorites such as “Spit” and “Funeral for Yesterday”. The girls did not disappoint and even though you could tell they were suffering some from the heat they fought through and really brought it to the Syracuse crowd. A big thank you goes out to the band as well as Neil and Bill who were responsible for making this coverage possible.

Be sure to check out our interview with Mercedes Lander as well as the album review of “I’ve Failed You”

Set List:
1.) I’ve Failed you
2.) My Plague
3.) Looks So Pretty
4.) Oracle
5.) Spit
6.) Never Again
7.) Cut Throat
8.) Wiaw
9.) Sorrow
10.) Flower
11.) Pussy Sugar
12.) Empires (Part 2)
13.) Funeral For Yesterday
14.) What Have I Done?
15.) Forgive & Forget
16.) We Are The Lamb

Kiss “The Lost Cities Tour 2011”
Date: Thursday, July 28th 2011
Venue: Turning Stone Casino, Verona, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Kiss wrapped up their 18 date Lost Cities tour at The Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY on July 28th. A surprisingly smaller venue than what Kiss has been a custom to after 35 years in the music business however the intimate venue didn’t stop Kiss from unleashing their bombastic stage show on the near capacity crowd. Fans were treated to a somewhat scaled down version of the “Hottest Show on Earth” but none the less Kiss still delivered!

This was my 10th Kiss show and despite Paul’s almost verbatim chats with the crowd and Tommy Thayers cheap and almost sickening Ace Frehley imitation I was still entertained. Kiss proved that no matter how big or small a venue they can still entertain a crowd. Gone were Gene and Paul’s flying rigs and the massive back line of speakers however it was nice to see the band play without that stuff bringing back an almost eighties stripped down Kiss feel to the night. I would have liked to have heard a little more variation in the set list as I am sure most diehard Kiss fans like myself would agree however the night proved to be very enjoyable and showcased just why Kiss is the hottest band in the land!

Set List:
1.) Modern Day Delilah
2.) Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll
3.) Firehouse
4.) Deuce
5.) Do You Love Me
6.) Calling Dr. Love
7.) Shock Me
8.) I Love It Loud
9.) Love Gun
10.) God of Thunder
11.) Black Diamond
12.) Detroit Rock City

Encore:
13.) Beth (Acoustic)
14.) Lick It Up
15.) Shout It Out Loud
16.) Rock and Roll All Nite