Otto-Tune

November 22, 2011 - 4:19pm
The perfect playlist for you and your family this Thanksgiving

It's not yet December and already Christmas lights adorn porches and radio stations throughout Central New York are playing nonstop Christmas music. While the unstoppable Christmas machine may already be in motion, it's never too late to stop and remember a holliday that doesn't get many decorations or FM air time: Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving may not boast the same volume of topical music allotted to Christmas or Halloween, but here are some key songs that should be a part of everyone’s celebration:

October 29, 2011 - 2:40pm
Preview: Kreayshawn and Neon Indian will team up at Schine Tuesday night.

Neon Indianites and White Girl Mob soldati usually don’t hang out. Constructing one’s own synthesizer takes time and bad, um, ladies, are notoriously difficult to assemble. There’s just no room on the calendar, right?

Wrong.

October 22, 2011 - 12:31pm
Review: The 90s rockers played their hit album Pocket Full of Kryptonite in its entirety at The Westcott Theater

The audience at The Westcott Theater was split Friday night.

On one hand there were run-of-the-mill college kids – 90s babies. On the other, a crowd of folks who might have passed for their parents.

October 14, 2011 - 3:42pm
The student radio station’s first concert of the semester showcased three acts that played energetic but diverse sets

WERW’s first concert of the semester showcased three acts: Mouth’s Cradle, Guards and Class Actress.

Hip-hop, alt-rock, and synth-pop all found their onstage niche in the Schine Underground. While the artists represented a wide spectrum of styles, sounds and showmanship, they shared an enthusiasm and vigor in performance that made for a happy audience – from the eardrums to the dance floor.

October 10, 2011 - 11:00pm
The DJ bumped booming bass at the Center of Progress Building just outside Syracuse.

Right before he went on, stage crew tore down the black curtain obstructing the mysterious white structure that would house Skrillex for his set Tuesday at the New York State Fairgrounds.

The icy castle-looking fortress with an embedded stage in front towered above the crowd. Angular shapes protruded from each side of the stage, contributing to the futuristic feel. But it wass when Skrillex finally fired up his Macbook that things started to get interesting.

October 7, 2011 - 1:22pm
Review: The Dean's List and OnCue light up Westcott Theater with live-band hip-hop

The Pledge to Rage tour hit Syracuse on Thursday with acts The Dean’s List and OnCue in what appears to be a niche subset of rap music. Call it the Asher Roth-effect, but everyone at this concert happened to be male, white and high school or college-aged. Of the handful of girls there, most were being toted in by their guy friends. The whole theater seemed to be filled with graphic tees, hoodies and fitted caps, worn even by the performers.

And the performers went hard. The main acts didn’t go on until about 11 p.m., which meant three hours of opening acts.

September 30, 2011 - 11:52am
Want to check out the Syracuse music scene this month? Here is a run-down of bands that will be in the area, where they will be performing and how to purchase tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 1: Rubblebucket is an indie/afro-beat band that hails from Brooklyn, New York (check out their new song, Silly Fathers, here). They’ll be playing at the Westcott Theater at 8 p.m. as part of their Omega La La Fall tour. The show will also feature ‘Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt’ and ‘Sports’. Tickets are available here.

September 25, 2011 - 10:30pm
Review: Marc Broussard rewarded a small audience with an intimate show Saturday night at The Westcott Theater.

With an audience of approximately 50 people (including theater employees), Marc Broussard started his concert at The Westcott Theater Saturday night. Paying no attention to the turnout, Broussard gave it his all in what ended up being a very intimate concert.

September 24, 2011 - 5:50pm
Sophistafunk, a homegrown Syracuse band that started in 2007, uses improvisation, the audience and other bands to help them create their unique music.

Four years ago, Newhouse graduate Adam Gold sat in on performances by Jack Brown (who was a Newhouse student) and Emanuel Washington at Syracuse's own 'Funk 'n' Waffles.' A jam session with a big group of guys eventually whittled down to just the three men, and Sophistafunk was born.

"It's more of a statement than a generic name," said Brown, the band's MC and lyricist. "It sets you up for the band itself."

September 21, 2011 - 12:51pm
Preview: Paper Diamond headlines at Westcott Theater Friday night with openers Michal Menert and Sorry For Partying.

Friday night is going to be loud and bright at the Westcott Theater.

The Turnt Up Tour, featuring a showcase of rising DJs, comes to Syracuse for a high-energy evening of electronica and dub step. The 15-city tour spans the northeast and midwest, arriving at Westcott Theater Friday, September 23.