concerts

Top 5 Disappointments in Music this Week
By Trevor Jett Wells
November 18, 2009 - 2:14pm
Musically, this week has really me bummed out -- from music videos to canceled shows. I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.

It's bad enough I broke my fifth pair of headphones this year, but it's a whole other kind of torture when so many things have sucked in music news this week. Canceled shows top the list, but lazy music videos and sheer WTF? moments also demand attention.

1) Phantogram cancels their trip to Albany, NY

A night not to be missed
By Brenda Bee
November 16, 2009 - 10:33pm
Music ensembles, rockers, famous radio hosts and comedians converge on Syracuse during an event-packed Tuesday.

Before the campus becomes a ghost town for Thanksgiving break, there will be a surge of life in the next week, providing alternatives to final papers and projects.

Tuesday is especially notable with at least six major speakers, concerts and performances in Syracuse. Make plans to attend at least one of these and keep yourself safely distracted from studying for a night.

Resilient rocker
By Adam D'Arpino
November 16, 2009 - 12:54am
Former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty discusses his new album and his “Question Jar” tour, which comes to the Westcott Theater Thursday.

“Intimate” is probably the best way to describe former Soul Coughing lead singer Mike Doughty’s most recent artistic endeavors. His latest record, Sad Man Happy Man, is a collection of pared-down acoustic offerings that lean heavily on his scratchy, emotive vocals and syncopated guitar work. Lyrically, Doughty combines the quirky wit of his Soul Coughing days with the sage observations of his three previous solo efforts, touching on everything from breakups to heroin addiction (Doughty himself is a recovered addict).

The glory of The Felice Brothers
By Leah Dennison
November 14, 2009 - 12:55pm
Review: Despite a run-in with the police, the New York-based quartet keeps things cheerful during the local stop of their tour.

The Felice Brothers had plenty of cause for low morale on Friday night, yet their spirit and energy hit a climactic high by the end of their show at the Westcott Theater.  

The band of four, who travels by Winnebago, had been pulled over by police within yards of the venue and issued seven tickets (for what exactly, they didn't specify). Consequently, The Felice Brothers kicked off their set about an hour and a half past the original 9 p.m. start time.

Aument to perform at Funk 'N Waffles
By Trevor Jett Wells
November 5, 2009 - 6:52pm
Sophomore Sarah Aument brings her music to new audiences, thanks to student-run record label.

Those who want to become rock stars usually make a demo, send it to record companies and hope for the best. Sarah Aument is not one of those people.

In fact, she did not even come to Syracuse University thinking she would be recording music, let alone playing shows around campus.

“We were just coming back from a show and we came back to my good friends’ dorm,” said Aument, a sophomore. “I was playing guitar, and Dan said ‘Ooh, let’s do this.’”

Mike Posner sets it off in the Underground
By Drew Carr
October 29, 2009 - 1:04am
Review: Hip-hop artist and Duke senior stages an energy-packed party to celebrate his new album release.

Early Wednesday night, 21-year-old musician and Duke University student Mike Posner strolled leisurely into the Schine Underground. Scheduled to perform two hours later and still appearing tired from his flight, Posner sat down to relax after a routine sound check.

“Today’s a really special day because my new CD just came out,” Posner said. “It leaked a day early, so I’ll be singing several songs from that CD I’ve never sung before.”

Vertical Horizon shows the love at Westcott
By Drew Carr
October 27, 2009 - 8:00am
The Washington, D.C.-based band makes a connection with the Syracuse crowd.

Last night at 10 p.m., a restless crowd cheered as Vertical Horizon finally appeared onstage under the blue spotlights of the quaint Westcott Theater.

Dressed in jeans and black T-shirts, lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Scannell, backing vocalist and guitarist Keith Kane, and bass guitarist Corey McCormick strapped on their guitars and drummer Jason Sutter struck the first notes of what would be great show.

Airplane flight 188 misses destination
By Alexa Olson
October 23, 2009 - 11:32am

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is reviewing the cockpit voice recorder after a Northwest airliner overshot its destination by 150 miles on Wednesday.

According to CNN.com the airplane was flying from San Diego, California to Minneapolis, Minnesota carrying 147 passengers.

After the airplane had reached 37,000 feet there was no longer any radio communication between...

George Bush a motivational speaker
By John Mangano
October 22, 2009 - 12:49pm
George W. Bush will be a featured speaker at a motivational Texas business seminar

Former president George W. Bush has a new job. He will be a featured guest speaker at the "Get Motivated" business seminar in Fort Worth,Texas. He will be joined at the motivational seminar by his former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. The seminar will take place on October 26th.

My take: It seems fitting that Bush will speak in Texas. It quite possibly could be the only place where he gets a warm reception. This is also the first major function for the former president.

Stevie Wonder to perform at Turning Stone...

How You Make Your Concert Experience Rock
By Trevor Jett Wells
October 19, 2009 - 4:58pm
Being a part of a concert audience is an art form. In light of the upcoming St. Vincent show in Ithaca this Thursday, here's some tips on how to get the most out of your concert trip.

Just like any college football game, there's a lot of different elements that going into the preparation, viewing and reflection of a concert. It's more than just about going and standing idly as the music swoops in one ear and out the other. For the people who really love going to live concerts, they have a technique to get the most out of the experience. Fortunately, most of it is just a head game. Concerts embody a wild spirit that can only be harnessed with the right state of mind.

1) Do it Small