Rock Show Critique

Concert Review
Triumph
Wednesday June 3, 2026
Darien Lake Amphitheater
Darien Center, NY
Review: Joseph Suto
Photos: To Come Shortly

October 25, 1986 marked the last time Triumph stepped foot on a WNY stage as a band. That was when the band played the old Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on what was the Sport Of Kings tour. It was my first Triumph concert and til 2026 my last. That tour in 1986 proved to be the band’s last full tour featuring all original members. At the time I never would have thought I would ever see them live again. They reunited for two one-off shows in 2008 and quietly disappeared again. No one expected them to launch a tour in 2026 and yet there they were Wednesday evening out at the Darien Lake Amphitheater. This marked the first time the band had played the venue which did not open until 1993 after the demise of the original lineup. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Don McLean
Thursday May 28, 2026
West Herr Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

A long, long time ago, I can still remember as a young kid playing the “American Pie” 45 on my record player. It was unique in that the song was so long it had to be divided into part one and part two in which each part took up both side of the single. So you had to play part one then flip the single over to play the song in proper sequence. Well Thursday night after all these years I finally was able to catch McLean live in concert. Even at 80 years old he did not disappoint. Continue reading →

Concert Review
David Lee Roth
Thursday May 21, 2026
OLG Stage at Fallsview
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

When looking back at the annals of Rock and Roll you would be hard pressed to find a more charismatic frontman for a rock band than Diamond David Lee Roth. Roth of course earned his credentials fronting Van Halen from the beginning, left for a fruitful solo career in 1985 then rejoined for the final years from 2007-2015. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Avatar
Frozen Soul
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Saturday May 16, 2026
Buffalo RiverWorks
Buffalo, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Avatar made a triumphant return to Buffalo this past weekend as they took over Buffalo RiverWorks for  a headlining show. They were last in town at Terminal B two years ago supporting In This Moment. This is how to truly experience the band as a top billed band and they gave it their all. The current tour dubbed “Don’t Go In The Forest 26” also featured special guests Frozen Soul and Fleshgod Apocalypse who helped set the tone for the evening. Continue reading →

In Conversation
Gene Marchello
Marchello
May 2026

Join us as we speak to Gene Marchello, the guitarist and vocalist from Marchello. In March 1989, Marchello’s debut album “Destiny” hit the shelves, combining high quality AOR/melodic heavy rock with Gene’s amazing vocals and fretboard skills. The song “First Love” was chosen as the first single and achieved heavy rotation on MTV.

Today, “Destiny” is hailed as a forgotten gem of the genre. This new remastered edition of the album on High Roller Records will surely make the name Gene Marchello known to a much broader public.

Concert Review
Dayseeker
Northlane
Wind Walkers
sace6
May 6, 2026
Buffalo RiverWorks
Buffalo, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

It was not just another sold out night at Buffalo’s RiverWorks this past Wednesday. No it was the return of Dayseeker who stormed the stage from start to finish during their all too brief set. The remaining dates of this tour have also sold out and judging from the glow and response of the audience one can see why. Joining them on this bill were Australian metal core band Northlane, Massachusetts natives Wind Walkers and the genre blending sace6. Continue reading →