Choice Concerts
Though the members of Brand New started out in hardcore bands, the group has a much more indie-rock feel to it. They've worked their way up the ranks, having played on shows with acts like New Found Glory, Good Charlotte, and Blink-182, among others. The band's just-released disc "Daisy" is
Choice Concerts
It seems like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been around since the dawn of the holiday shopping season, but the group actually first convened in the mid-90's. Since then TSO has essentially become synonymous with Christmas (like eggnog and ill-fitting sweaters as gifts), touring around the holidays with its wildly eclectic
Choice Concerts
The Silversun Pickups have been turning heads lately thanks to "Panic Switch," the debut single from their recently released "Swoon" album. Having toured with Ok Go and Snow Patrol hasn't hurt, either. With a fuzzy, dirty yet atmospheric sound, the quartet toes the line between grungy and lofty, soaring pop.
Choice Concerts
Chthonic is a black metal sextet that hails from Taiwan, and the band uses the lore from its nation's history to help formulate the lyrics to its dark songs. In 2007, Chthonic), became the first Asian rock band to ever tour as a part of Ozzfest, which helped fuel interest
Choice Concerts
Electric Six is a sextet of guys who hail from Detroit, bringing with them a dance-rock sound that is full throttle and thoroughly satisfying. The group's albums are full of short, staccato bursts of songs that are filled with energy and usually, if not mostly, kind of nonsensical (lyrical
Choice Concerts
Insane Clown Posse, or ICP if you're hip to the lingo, is a hardcore (sometimes called "horrorcore") hip-hop duo made up of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, who hail from Detroit, Michigan. The duo sport KISS-style make-up to get into their alter egos (clowns, ‘natch). Their lyrical style is
Choice Concerts
This isn't your typical benefit show, but then again these aren't your typical performers. "Bette Midler," "Cher," and "Tina Turner" come out to Daisy Dukes to perform their hits at The Comedy Club, as a fundraiser for AIDS Rochester. While the Bette and Cher impersonators are out-of-towners, Rochester's very own
Choice Concerts
The Counting Crows hit it big with their debut, "August and Everything After," featuring the ubiquitous single "Mr. Jones," and never looked back. A string of radio hits, including "A Long December" and "Hangin' Around" cemented the band's popularity in the 90's. While more recent songs, like "Accidentally in Love"
Choice Concerts
The original "American Idol" (crowned back in 2002, if you can believe it) and Gavin DeGraw launch this year's grandstand line-up at the New York State Fair. Breaking out of the sugary sound of her initial singles, Clarkson has not only gained real credibility in the business, but has the
Choice Concerts
Flo Rida headlines the second Summer Jam of 2009, bringing his radio-friendly R&B club hits like "Low," and this year's singles "Right Round" and "Sugar," to Frontier Field. Boys Like Girls represent the pop/rock band scene, while newcomers Jessie James (who sounds very similar to Christina Aguilera), Wale, and Tina
Choice Concerts
Back in the late 90's, Creed was one of a handful of "new rock" bands that came in and shook up the mainstream music world in a big way. Of these bands, Creed was the biggest success, and over the course of only 10 years it released three multi-platinum
Choice Concerts
Jason Mraz blasted on the pop scene with "The Remedy" several years ago, and recently released the uber-popular, lazy-day feeling "I'm Yours." A very natural, up-tempo singer-songwriter, Mraz has a laid-back, feel-good vibe to his music, one that has allowed him to carve out a niche for himself on pop
Choice Concerts
**UPDATE: This show has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 22** Best known for hits like "I Feel For You" (a cover of the obscure Prince tune) and "I'm Every Woman" (itself covered successfully by Whitney Houston), Chaka Khan has maintained a constant presence on the R&B scene since she rose to
Choice Concerts
Self-described as "The Roots meets Rage Against the Machine with a slice of Sublime," The Gunpoets are a six-piece live hip-hop band hailing from Ithaca. Having become a prominent part of their local music scene, The Gunpoets have now focused their attention on building a regional audience, and thus have
Choice Concerts
NKOTB is back on the touring circuit, playing all those 90's boy-band hits for the throngs of screaming female fans, along with the more "mature" fare found on last summer's release, "The Block." Current teen pop star Jesse McCartney is along for the ride, along with the dance troupe Jabbawockeez.
Choice Concerts
98PXY's Summer Jam returns this year, collecting several up-and-coming acts that have broken through in just the past six months or so. The line-up includes Kevin Rudolf, 3OH!3, The Ting Tings, We the Kings, The White Tie Affair, and Kristinia DeBarge. While their sounds vary, from Rudolf's rock/hip-hop to 3OH!3's
Choice Concerts
Hard to believe it's been two years since MIMS blasted into the mainstream consciousness with the impossible-to-avoid single "This is Why I'm Hot." He's recently issued his sophomore album, "Guilt," keeping his successful, easy-going lyrical flow intact, but also expanding his sound to incorporate different styles. MIMS features strong production
Choice Concerts
Hailing from one of Sean Combs' more successful and recognizable groups, "Slim" from the group 112 has a built-in fan base. Particularly big in the late-90's and earlier this decade, the group tended to stand above stylistic peers Jagged Edge and Dru Hill, and had several hit songs on radio.
Choice Concerts
Joan Osborne has an instantly recognizable voice, and she uses that voice to meld a variety of musical genres in her shows, most notably blues and pop. After finding commercial and critical success with the pop album "Relish," Osborne has continued to find critical acclaim with subsequent releases, like the
CD Reviews
"It's Not Me, It's You" showcases Allen's growth as both a songwriter and a performer. The album improves upon everything that her previous album, 2007's "Alright, Still," did well, and pushes it just a little further. At times louder, at other times more restrained, Allen's voice shines throughout the disc,
