live music

September 28, 2010 - 10:29pm
The upstate heroes played a lighthearted, often nostalgic show at the OnCenter Tuesday night.

John Rzeznik pointed to a girl in the crowd as the music died down and the lights dimmed. He waved his hand toward his chest, brushing his large golden necklace, signaling for the girl to pass up her big, blinking sign. “Let me see that,” he said. The crowd parted and formed an assembly line across the rows, sending the white sign Rzeznik’s way. It read “biggest fan” in large, blue letters with a row of blinking white swirls underneath. “This is a technological marvel,” he said, gawking at the flashing poster. “Do you want it back?”

September 26, 2010 - 12:35pm
Review: Several years after their heyday, Rogue Wave attempt relevancy at the Westcott.

It’s nearing 11 p.m. at the Westcott Theater and Rogue Wave frontman Zach Schwartz is starting to look sheepish.

“Play – what?” He says languidly, squinting into the blue-toned stage lights. “Play the entire soundtrack?”

There’s a high-pitched, feminine cry from the front of the tiny crowd.

The O.C.?” Schwartz grumbles again. “Is that show still on?”

September 25, 2010 - 5:33pm
Upstate favorites the Goo Goo Dolls finally bring their long-anticipated ninth album to Syracuse

If everything had gone according to plan, the Goo Goo Dolls would have been showing off tracks from their latest album, Something For the Rest of Us, last September. A decision to push the release date back, however, led the group to mix, edit and re-record the songs and produce a freshly polished album. The band hits the OnCenter in Syracuse Tuesday night as part of its extensive nationwide tour to promote that release.

September 25, 2010 - 2:46pm
Canadian indie rock collective put on a singularly emotional, two-hour show.

Kevin Drew started the night off by letting the audience know the exact atmosphere he wanted to create.

“It’s a Friday night, let’s pretend we’re all at a basement party somewhere in Ohio.” He paused and took in the scene at the Ithaca State Theater, “At least it is a Friday night.”

September 23, 2010 - 10:51am
The Canadian indie rock giants kicked off their fall tour with a powerful live show.

Stars frontman Torquil Campbell raised his plastic cup to the crowd with a smirk as he sauntered onto the stage at Rochester’s Water Street Music Hall Wednesday night. Someone needs to find out what was in that cup.

September 22, 2010 - 11:58pm
Midlake and Peter Wolf Crier are well worth a listen, even if Rogue Wave have passed their peak.

There’s a reason Rogue Wave is playing the Westcott this Saturday, and it has nothing to do with Syracuse’s love of mid-tempo indie rock or the proximity of Alto Cinco.

September 21, 2010 - 1:02am
Review: One-time stars rocked an uncomfortably screamo sound at their Lost Horizon show.

Ronnie Winter has the voice, lyrics and hair of a radio rock god. However, his band’s screamo-filled performance at The Lost Horizon Sunday night  proved that The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus won’t make it back on the airwaves anytime soon.

September 16, 2010 - 6:55am
Review: The iconic indie pop duo inspired singing, dancing and crowd adoration at their second Syracuse show.

Brooklyn-based dance punks Matt & Kim know how to draw a crowd — and make them happy. Before the doors opened at the Westcott Theater on Wednesday night, youngsters sat along the sidewalk waiting to get in.

September 9, 2010 - 7:29pm
Otto-Tune previews the annual back-to-school concert and names 10 tracks you must hear before you go.

Juice Jam 2010 sold out four full days before the annual back-to-campus show -- indisputable evidence, we think, that this year's line-up skews well above past offerings. Between the witty, genre-melding rap of bespectacled legend Lupe Fiasco and the dance-inducing synthpop of blogosphere faves Passion Pit, there's something at Juice Jam for everyone to love.

February 25, 2010 - 12:57am
Before you react to the announcement, put Drake's SU date in perspective.

There are two days to annually mark in your calendar as a Syracuse University student who cares about music - the second Sunday in September (Juice Jam) and the last weekend in April (Block Party).