top of page

Experience all the excitement from every angle, exclusively at SoundCheck Mag!
Rock Music


Hot Take: Big Artists Need To Stop Booking Big Artists As Openers
Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt There is something magical about stepping into a venue early, grabbing a drink, and discovering an artist you have never heard of. That is the point of an opener. It is the spark before the headliner. It is where so many lifelong fans realize they just stumbled into their next obsession. Crowd at All Time Low in Detroit, MI - Photography by Laura Jean Portnoy (IG: @ljportnoy ) But somewhere along the way, major artists started treating openers

Rebecca McDevitt
Nov 16, 2025


ALBUM REVIEW: girlfriends – THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Pop punk is alive, loud, and definitely moving back into the neighborhood. girlfriends’ new album THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD is the perfect mix of early 2000s nostalgia and modern-day edge. Think Yellowcard and Blink-182 colliding with MGK’s pop-punk revival. It’s fun, chaotic, and full of emotion in all the right ways. The record kicks off with pure energy. The singles “Landslide,” “Garbage,” and “West Coast” already hinted at what wa

Rebecca McDevitt
Nov 13, 2025


ALBUM REVIEW: Taylor Acorn - Poster Child
Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Taylor Acorn isn’t new to the scene, but she’s definitely started redefining it. With her latest album Poster Child, she surpasses the expectations she’s built. The record feels like flipping through pages of her diary, every lyric blurring the line between strength and softness, heartbreak and healing. “Poster Child” delivers everything you’d expect from Taylor — upbeat, infectious melodies — but it’s the vulnerability underneath that hits har

Rebecca McDevitt
Nov 4, 2025


Arcy Drive Brings ‘Attic Rock’ to the Main Stage
On October 28th, anyone driving through the Waterloo Arts District of Cleveland would see a line of people waiting to get into the Beachland Ballroom. The crowd was there for the self-proclaimed “attic rock” band, Arcy Drive. The venue was covered in stickers and flyers, with graffiti all over the bathroom and neon signs at the bar – It was the perfect setting to rock the night away.
Madison Cozzens
Nov 3, 2025


Why Your Favorite Artists Need You to Buy, Not Just Stream
Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Streaming has made music feel endless. Millions of songs at your fingertips, playlists that update overnight, and the ability to dive into a new artist’s world in seconds. It’s convenient, sure. But here’s the truth: streaming is more like renting than owning. And if we really want to support the artists we love, buying their music still matters, maybe more than ever. Buying Gives Artists What Streaming Can’t When you hit play on Spoti

Rebecca McDevitt
Oct 21, 2025


Twenty One Pilots: The Legends That Live On
Photo by Fernando Flores (IG: @fernandofloresphotography ) Review & Photos Contributed by Fernando Flores October 4, 2025 Wantagh, NY The Global Reach Twenty One Pilots has thrived on blending narrative, symbolism, and emotional transparency. Through their music, they’ve built a cinematic world that has opened the eyes of fans all around the globe. Fans that still hold their early cult classics close to heart such as one of my close favorites, “Jumpsuit” which was part of the

Fernando Flores
Oct 16, 2025


Calliope Wren Channels Goddess Energy on Debut EP Fade and Wither
The Long Island alt-rock siren celebrates with a ritual-themed release show at Amityville Music Hall. Press materials courtesy of Jocelyn...

Rebecca McDevitt
Oct 6, 2025


Soccer Mommy at Globe Iron
Sophie Allison, better known as Soccer Mommy, stopped at Globe Iron in Cleveland on the tail end of her September Tour. The venue opened...
Madison Cozzens
Sep 30, 2025


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
Sep 20, 2025


Yungblud at the Fillmore Detroit: Chaos, Catharsis, and Pure Connection
Fans of all ages buzzed with anticipation, knowing they were about to see Yungblud in the flesh. The energy was palpable, a steady hum running through the room. When the crew moved a lone mic stand to the center of the stage, the roar made it clear: Detroit was ready for their favorite artist to arrive.
Rachel Catherine
Sep 12, 2025


Album Review: Jonas Brothers – Greetings From Your Hometown
Article by Rebecca McDevitt Back to Where It All Began With Greetings From Your Hometown , the Jonas Brothers are asking us to slow...

Rebecca McDevitt
Aug 15, 2025


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, 2025


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, 2025


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, 2025
bottom of page
