Author and Photographer: Ian Urquhart

Sure, any band with a long lasting career in the music industry can afford a fancy display to showcase while performing. But it takes more than a bank account and fireworks to make a concert great. A great example of this was found during Shinedown’s performance of “Simple Man” off of Leave a Whisper (2003). During this song, Brent Smith (Shinedown’s vocalist) ran through the crowd to stand on a table elevated in the middle of the venue to create a closer connection with the crowd. A request was then asked by Brent for everyone to take their phones out and shine them bright while “Simple Man” filled the Xfinity Center. Not a light was being used in the venue apart from the crowd’s cell phone participation. 

Author & Photographer | Peter Jones-Torregrosa

​Fall means tours, lots of tours. It feels like we wake up every morning to a new alert of another favorite band announcing a tour - is there anything better? This Fall's list of killer tours didn't disappoint - especially not with this show.

Neck Deep headlined The Peace and Panic USA Tour 2 with support from Trophy Eyes, WSTR and Stand Atlantic. The blend of British and Australian bands put on an energetic show that had the sold-out crowd off of their feet all night. 

The Webster was packed with fans enjoying the supporting bands, but nothing matched the energy when Neck Deep came on. The atmosphere was jubilant, filled with carefree fans singing along to their favorite band. Neck Deep is both able to perform in a way that is energetic enough to engage a neutral fan, while also using the vulnerability shown in their lyrics to connect with fans in an almost therapeutic way. It was truly a great show - be sure to catch them on the remaining dates of tour! ​

Author & Photographer | Bex Rodriguez

On October 1st, All Time Low played a last minute make up show in Houston, Texas at White Oak Music Hall. Not only was this show impressive, because they managed to scramble and get a venue after having to cancel their co-headliner with Dashboard Confessional. All Time Low and Gnash managed to keep the energy high from the second doors opened to when they played their outro.

Photographer & Videographer | Molly Kinnunen

On September 28th, we captured Counterparts on their 2018 album and tour titled 'Private Room' at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, IL. The tour is supported by Have Mercy, Varials, and, *Being As An Ocean [* : includes a live concert video below].

For more information on this tour; visit the announcement in our archives here.

Author & Photographer | Anthony Cannella

On September 5th, the one and only Fozzy visited The Forge in Joliet, Illinois with specials guests The Stir, Stone Broken, and Adelitas Way for the Judas Rising Tour:

This show was nothing less than perfection due to the combination of talent that was different in its own way. If you are lucky enough to catch this tour or was lucky enough to have caught it already, you understand the perfect build up and anticipation each band gives all the way up until Fozzy controls that stage from start to finish.

As the opening special guests (The Stir, Stone Broken, Adelitas Way) completed their headbanging/venue rocking sets, you could feel the energy in the venue as everyone waited for Fozzy. As soon as the lights cut out, The Forge erupted as Chris Jericho (Vocals) and his band of rockstars came out strong from the start as they dropped the hit song “Judas”!

The thing that makes Fozzy such a fun band to see live, is that they don’t lift their foot off the gas, which forces the crowd to be theirs till the very end. Lead singer Chris Jericho has always been a person to get the crowd going ever since he started in the wrestling industry. It is obvious that he derives those special set of crowd interaction skills from the WWF/WWE and they work.

The thing that makes Fozzy such a super group though is that band members, Rich Ward (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals), Frank Fontsere (Drums), Billy Grey (Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals), and Randy Drake (Bass) have plenty of experience as well and know how to work a crowd just like Chris! One second you’re watching Jericho smash his vocals and then before you know it Rich Ward is jumping off stage and leaping into the crowd giving us some good ol’ fashion hard Rock N’ Roll.

As Fozzy’s perfectly planned out setlist wrapped up, the crowd needed one more thing and Chris Jericho and the band gave us exactly that! A Y2K Jericho pose that lead right into their smashing hit "Sandpaper" to end an amazing night of Rock!

Fozzy is definitely an experience to see live, so check the tour dates below to see if they are coming to a venue near you!

Sep 29 – The Culture Room ** – Ft. Lauderdale, FL Package
Oct 6 – Rock Allegiance – Camden, New Jersey
Nov 7 – The Studio – Auckland
Nov 9 – Max Watts – Melbourne
Nov 10 – Manning Bar – Sydney
Nov 13 – The Gov – Adelaide
Nov 14 – The Triffid – Brisbane
Nov 21 – Casino New Brunswich – Moncton, NB
Nov 23 – Cunard Centre – Halifax, NS
Nov 24 – Centre Videotron – Quebec City, QC
Nov 25 – Mtelus – Montreal, QC
Nov 26 – The John St Pub – Arnprior, ON
Nov 27 – London Music Hall – London, ON
Nov 28 – Rockpile – Toronto, ON
Nov 30 – Crocks – Thunder Bay, ON
Dec 01 – Burton Cummings Theater – Winnipeg, MB
Dec 02 – The Exchange – Regina, SK
Dec 03 – Starlight Room – Edmonton, AB
Dec 04 – The Gateway – Calgary, AB
​