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Rock Music


Blow-Up Dolls, Beats, and Bedlam: Lords of Acid Turn Tucson Into a Cheeky Freaky Dance Riot
Article and Photos Contributed by Ernesto Raul Aguilar Lords of Acid performing at 191 Toole in Tucson, AZ on the Cheeky Freaky Tour. Photo by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (IG: @blacksheepimagery) The walls of 191 Toole pulsed with industrial beats, electro chaos, and unapologetic theatrics as The Cheeky Freaky Tour stormed through Tucson. Headlined by legendary provocateurs Lords of Acid and backed by an eclectic lineup that ranged from glam-pop spectacle to dark wave intensity, the

Ernesto Raul Aguilar
May 29


Album Review: Josceppi’s Riveting New Album ‘Chämeleon’
Article Contributed by Monica Soriano It seems that artists don’t always have the monthly listeners that are equivalent to their talent. This is the case for Josceppi. ‘Chämeleon’ is a wonderful piece of storytelling that has the potential to grab the attention of many new listeners. While starting the listening journey it was clear that this was intentionally crafted and Josceppi as an artist has a clear direction. The alternative pop rock meets classic rockstar feel is a de

Monica Soriano
May 24


Sterling Heights Was Frozen, But YUNGBLUD Made It Burn.
Twenty-four North American dates kicked off in a sold-out Sterling Heights amphitheater on a Friday night in May, where the temperature dropped from fifty to the thirties before YUNGBLUD ever hit the stage. By the time the lights went down, the amphitheater was speckled with snow.

LJ Portnoy
May 5


The Afterglow Tour Fired Up Chicago and Lit Up The Salt Shed
Article and Photos Contributed by Ernesto Raul Aguilar The Afterglow Tour with Bob Moses, joined by Cannons and opening act Oxis, arrived at The Salt Shed in Chicago on April 22 and delivered a night defined by atmosphere, pacing, and cohesion. The show unfolded with intention, each set flowing seamlessly into the next and shaping a larger emotional arc. It was a lineup that fully embraced mood and immersion, drawing the crowd in from the very beginning. Bob Moses performing

Ernesto Raul Aguilar
Apr 24


Dead Wrong Lay It All Out on Debut Full-Length Album “The Extent”
Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Dead Wrong photographed in Philadelphia, PA - Photo by Chris Lopez (IG: @ chrislopezest89 ) Philadelphia has never had a shortage of bands willing to wear their hearts on their sleeves. It's practically a city requirement. But Dead Wrong, the four-piece pop-punk outfit made up of Matt McKay, Stephen Morrell, Roberto Marcial, and Dan Fedele, do something a little more specific than just feeling things loudly. On their debut full-length T

Rebecca McDevitt
Apr 4


Rise Against Turn Vancouver Into a Roaring, Generational Singalong
An unrelenting set of hits by Rise Against—a fleeting moment of stillness, and a crowd that carried every word.


Hawthorne Heights Bring If Only You Were Lonely Back to Life at El Corazon
From Warped Tour memories to a crowd-immersed finale, the band bridges past and present in Seattle. Article & Photos by Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff On that typical drizzly Tuesday night in Seattle, El Corazon was packed with a crowd nearly going out the door. Emo fans spanning generations gathered, filling every corner of the darkly lit venue, shouting lyrics, hands held high in the air, singing their hearts out to songs rushing back as if it were still 2006, the album spinning
Vaneza Gutiérrez Wyckoff
Mar 20


Michigan Metalcore Returns with Of Virtue's "Death Of The Altar"
Article Contributed by Konstantina Buhalis Michigan metalcore heroes, Of Virtue, hit the ground running with their latest single, “Death Of The Altar”, an intense and emotional look at their innerworlds, and their battles with their demons. Midwestern politeness is nowhere to be found on this track, but Michiganian truth flows through the track. Photo: Alexander Bemis Power in Collaboration “Death Of The Altar” was written in partnership with Lee Albrecht (Bilmuri, The Devil
Konstantina Buhalis
Mar 7


HOT TAKE: Nostalgia Isn’t the Problem, Staying There Is
Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Let’s say the quiet part out loud. The reason so many artists are living off nostalgia instead of putting out new music isn’t just an industry problem. Fans play a role too. Across the industry, nostalgia has become the safest option. Anniversary tours sell out instantly. Full album playthroughs move merch. Entire festivals are built around who we listened to in high school. It works because nostalgia is powerful and comforting, especia

Rebecca McDevitt
Mar 6


SINGLE REVIEW: Die To Fall – The Maine
Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Photo Provided by Spotify Die To Fall is The Maine’s first release off their upcoming record Joy Next Door, and it already feels like a song made to be shared. It has that indie alternative glow to it, but with a beat you can still move to. The kind of song that turns into a group scream at a summer show, arms thrown over each other’s shoulders, yelling “I feel alive” like you mean it. There’s something really freeing about it. It feels

Rebecca McDevitt
Mar 4


MGK Times of My Life Release: The Release of a Fan Favorite
Article Contributed by Konstantina Buhalis MGK has been a poster boy of the alternative and rap scene for the last decade, with 2020 making him a household name after the release of Tickets to My Downfall. Six years later, MGK is back with a single and music video for “Times of My Life,” off the album lost americana, to fan excitement. Photo: Sam Cahill Times of My Life Lore Fans have been patiently waiting for the official release of Times of My Life, which had been locked
Konstantina Buhalis
Feb 27


Badflower, Point North, and Olive Vox Deliver a Sold-Out Night of Electricity in Detroit
On the evening of February 17, 2026, just after 6:30 PM, a line of fans stretched far beyond the entrance of St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, waiting for performances from Badflower, Point North, and Olive Vox. The line spilled across the parking lot, wrapped around the block, and disappeared toward the far sidewalk. The February air was cold, fog hanging low across the city, but no one moved. No one left.

LJ Portnoy
Feb 19


Marsupial Magic in Cleveland: The Wombats Bring Indie Euphoria to the House of Blues
Article & Photos by Madison Cozzens The Wombats have been around since the early 2000’s providing listeners with the quintessential feel-good indie rock. Spanning from 2007 to 2025 their discography transports you back to the feeling of the 2010’s, making you feel like the star of your own coming of age movie. The group packed The House of Blues on a Thursday night in Cleveland, OH as they take their “Oh the Ocean Tour” across North America. The Wombats performing at The Hous
Madison Cozzens
Feb 16


Panda House – Panda House (Album Review)
Panda House, one of the local legends of Detroit, is releasing their sixth album. Formed in 2012, Panda House has been on the circuit for a while, after their 2024 EP, The Means, and their return with their latest album, a self-titled journey spanning their career to date, accompanied by a vinyl release through Third Man Records.
Konstantina Buhalis
Jan 16


Hot Take: When Do Musicians Stop Being Yes Men and Start Being Human Again
Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt The music industry runs on hustle. It runs on nonstop promo cycles, back to back tours, brand partnerships, soundtrack placements, movie cameos, clothing lines, skincare lines, energy drinks, and whatever the next big viral thing is. Fans watch their favorite artists jump from one opportunity to another and it starts to blur into this giant machine where the artist feels more like a product than a person. We see it happen every year. Someone b

Rebecca McDevitt
Dec 15, 2025


ALBUM REVIEW: EVERYONE’S A STAR - 5 Seconds of Summer
Article Contributed by Monica Soriano The Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer recently released their album ‘EVERYONE’S A STAR’ which is filled with expressive commentary, reflective tracks and an almost theatrical-esque feel for a few songs. Album Artwork by Brian Ziff If you’ve ever needed a recommendation for an album to play while you’re out on a late night drive - this is it. ‘EVERYONE’S A STAR’ by 5 Seconds of Summer is the perfect mix of melancholy, vibey tunes and lyr

Monica Soriano
Dec 10, 2025


Young Culture Turned Ukie Club Into a Full-Blown Fever Dream on Their Farewell Tour
There’s a different kind of energy when a band is playing their last run of shows. It’s louder. Softer. Heavier. Lighter. Everything all at once. And Young Culture’s stop in Philly carried that exact emotional whiplash in the most beautiful way. Young Culture performing at Ukie Club in Philadelphia, PA on their farewell tour. Photo by Kayleena Ayusa (IG: @ayusa_media ) Ukie Club was already hyped before the first note of the first band. The openers Bike Routes & Wakelee had t

SoundCheck Team
Dec 4, 2025


Cleveland’s on the Yung Gravy Train
If Zebra Cakes and a Microsoft PowerPoint are not on your concert bingo card, you’ve never seen Yung Gravy live. The House of Blues in Cleveland had “sold-out” flyers taped to the doors on Saturday night. If you didn’t get your tickets early, you were sadly out of luck. The crowd was prepped with a “How to Have the Most fun at Yung Gravy Concert” PowerPoint, and they really took it to heart. The venue was packed with people letting loose and having fun.. and of course MILFs.
Madison Cozzens
Nov 30, 2025


ALBUM REVIEW: Set It Off - Set it Off
Article Contributed by Konstantina Buhalis Set It Off has been a major player in the rock and alternative scene since 2008, when they gained notoriety through their YouTube channel, eventually signing to Equal Vision Records and then Fearless Records. In the last year, Set It Off went independent and released their latest self-titled album on November 7, featuring Rock and Nu-Metal influences. Dopamine Era In 2023, Set It Off left Fearless Records and began what they called t
Konstantina Buhalis
Nov 29, 2025


Mac Saturn: Rising From the Ashes
November 14th was a jam-packed day at The House of Blues in Cleveland, OH. The Academy Is… was playing in the main room, and Mac Saturn packed the smaller Cambridge Room at the venue. The house was buzzing with fans excited to see their show of choice that evening. The intimate Cambridge Room was filled with people of all ages, ready to have a 70s rock-inspired evening.
Madison Cozzens
Nov 19, 2025
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