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Alternative Music


Cartel’s Chroma Turns 20: Detroit Sings Every Word
Marking the 20th anniversary of their seminal debut Chroma, Cartel took Detroit back to 2005 with a front-to-back play through that had fans hanging on every note.

LJ Portnoy
2 days ago


Peach Pit Bring Surf-Rock Sunshine to Cleveland
Peach Pit wasted no time in making their entrance unforgettable. They launched with a tongue-in-cheek cover of “War Pigs” before blending seamlessly into “Magpie,” the title track from their latest album.
Madison Cozzens
2 days ago


ALBUM REVIEW: Twenty One Pilots - Breach
Twenty One Pilots have never just released albums, but they’ve ALWAYS built worlds. With Breach, the duo officially closes the book on the Blurryface saga, giving fans a powerful final chapter that feels both nostalgic and brand new.

Rebecca McDevitt
5 days ago


Hayley Williams Strips It Down on Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
As fall creeps in and emos lace up their Vans and pull on their flannels, Hayley Williams has delivered the soundtrack of the season. Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party (Post Atlantic) isn’t Paramore redux—it’s something more introspective.
Konstantina Buhalis
7 days ago


Motherfolk’s Eternal Joy Lights Up Mahall’s
Going to a show at Mahall’s in Lakewood, OH, feels like stepping back into a basement gig in the best possible way. The neon lights, exposed ceilings, patterned paint, and low-lit stage created a nostalgic backdrop for a night where fans stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the artists. Motherfolk turned the cozy room into something bigger—raw emotion, pure joy, and plenty of dancing.
Madison Cozzens
Sep 16


Quinn XCII Crowned Hometown Hero in Sterling Heights
On September 12, 2025, Quinn XCII turned the Michigan Lottery Amphitheater into a hometown celebration, with a crowd that felt less like strangers and more like family invited to the biggest backyard party in Sterling Heights.

LJ Portnoy
Sep 13
Long Live The Black Parade
My Chemical Romance’s Long Live the Black Parade was the anniversary tour of the summer. The band embarked on a brief run, playing The Black Parade in its entirety, following their full album performance at last year's When We Were Young Festival.
Konstantina Buhalis
Sep 11


Philly Was Just a Kid Again with Simple Plan
On a late-summer Saturday night, the Skyline Stage at The Mann transformed into a time machine. Thousands of fans gathered under the Philly sky, ready to scream, laugh, and maybe even cry with Simple Plan. By the end of the night, one thing was clear: Philly was just a kid again.

Rebecca McDevitt
Sep 3


Phantogram Light Up Detroit with a Hypnotic Night at The Fillmore
Detroit got a full dose of dream-pop intensity when Phantogram brought their tour to The Fillmore on Sunday night. The ornate theater became a swirling storm of bass, synths, and flashing lights, and by the end of the night, it felt less like a concert and more like being pulled into the band’s own universe.

LJ Portnoy
Sep 2


Conan Gray — Wishbone Album Review
From bedroom-pop heartbreak to bold confessionals, Conan Gray proves he’s grown into one of pop’s most daring storytellers.

LJ Portnoy
Aug 26


JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown Tour
Article by Rebecca McDevitt, Contributions by Annie Gallo Photos by Annie Gallo & Rebecca McDevitt Bristow, Virginia • Virginia Beach,...

SoundCheck Team
Aug 23


Philly’s Modern Culture Makes MilkBoy Feel Like Home
If you’ve been paying attention to Philly’s alternative scene, you’ve probably heard the name Modern Culture floating around. The...

Rebecca McDevitt
Aug 13


Dirty Honey Joins The Struts for a High-Voltage Rock Revival
If you closed your eyes at the House of Blues on August 5th, you could almost believe you’d time-traveled to the golden era of rock — the flashlights were up, the riffs were loud, and the crowd sang every word like their lives depended on it. Dirty Honey and The Struts weren’t just playing a show; they were leading a revival.
Madison Cozzens
Aug 13


FLIPTURN SHOWED CLEVELAND THAT BURNOUT CAN BE BEAUTIFUL
The Burnout Days Tour lit up The Agora with emotion, energy, and unforgettable connection.
While many of the songs on Flipturn’s discography can be described as “chill-indie,” their live performance is anything but. The Agora Theater in Cleveland was a place of connection, dancing, good vibes, and burnout days on the evening of July 30th.
Madison Cozzens
Aug 8


SoundCheck Session: Livingston - July/August Featured Artist Interview
Livingston opened up about everything from navigating grief and identity to the wildest moments on tour—and let’s just say, you’re going to want to watch this one all the way through.
Check out our exclusive video interview below, and keep scrolling for the full conversation.

LJ Portnoy
Aug 7


The Break Plans Bring the Poptimism to Philly
MilkBoy – July 25, 2025 Photos & Review by Rebecca McDevitt You know that feeling when a band you just discovered ends up blowing you...

Rebecca McDevitt
Jul 27


BILMURI CRANKS HARD AT THE FILLMORE PHILLY
Review and Photos by Rebecca McDevitt The Fillmore, Philadelphia – July 18, 2025 Sweat, Sax, and Shoeys: A Night of Pure Chaos If The...

Rebecca McDevitt
Jul 21


ALBUM REVIEW: Yungblud – "Idols"
Release Date: June 20, 2025 Label: Locomotion/Capitol Reviewed by: SoundCheck Mag The Theatrics Return—Louder, Bigger, and All...

Rebecca McDevitt
Jun 29


Punk Rock Under the Big Top: Less Than Jake’s Summer Circus Storms Chicago
Photos and Article by Ernesto Raul Aguilar Chicago, IL June 25, 2025 The Summer Circus Tour headlined by Less Than Jake made its...

Ernesto Raul Aguilar
Jun 28


Psychedelic Serenity on the Cuyahoga
After a gloomy day of rain and gray skies, the clouds finally broke just in time for Goose to bring the sunshine.
Jacob’s Pavilion was bursting with life—glittered cheeks, tie-dye shirts, funky outfits, and fans already dancing before the band even took the stage.
This wasn’t just a concert—it was a gathering. A celebration. A shared pulse. And Goose hadn’t even played a note yet.
Madison Cozzens
Jun 24
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