Rock Show Critique

Concert Review
Fitz And The Tantrums
Tuesday August 12, 2025
Artpark Amphitheater
Outdoor Stage
Lewiston, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

With temperatures once again surpassing 90° it was another blistering day in Lewiston. Things only appeared to get hotter once Fitz and the Tantrums took the stage at 8:30 PM. It first appeared it would be a very light crowd but by the time the band took the stage the venue filled in nicely. Looking at the Artpark schedule when this one was announced I was quite surprised to find the last time I saw the band was 2016. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Foreigner
Thursday August 7, 2025
Erie County Fair Grandstand
Hamburg, NY
Choir: Starpoint Chorus
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

It was not a night like any other night Thursday out at the Erie County Fair. Foreigner making their first ever appearance at the fairgrounds were also honoring vocalist Kelly Hansen as he made his final western NY appearance with the band. Hansen has been in the band since 2005 and recently announced his retirement from the band. His final show will take place in October. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Lou Gramm
Friday August 1, 2025
Rockin’ The Downs
Batavia Downs
Batavia, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Lou Gramm made a triumphant return to Batavia Downs Friday night. This show drew the biggest crowd of the season to date as a part of the Rockin’ At the Downs 2025 concert series. It also marked his first appearance at the venue since the inaugural 2017 season of the Downs. Gramm brought his all-star band and boy did they deliver. The band featured guitarist Gary Hoey, bassist extraordinaire Tony Franklin, keyboardist Jeff Jacobs, multi instrumentalist Scott Gilman and last but far from least Gramm’s brother Ben on drums. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Toto
Christopher Cross
Men At Work
Saturday August 2, 2025
Seneca Niagara Outdoor Show
Niagara Falls, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Toto, Christopher Cross and Men At Work performed on the outdoor stage that was setup in the rear parking lot behind the venue. The show concluded the summer’s two outdoor shows at the Seneca Niagara Casino for 2025. Darius Rucker played the night before. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Bret Michaels
Vince Neil
Stephen Pearcy
Parti Gras 2025
Sunday August 3, 2025
Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
Bethel, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Bret Michaels brought his summer Parti Gras tour to the Center For The Arts last night. The show featured three bands all fronted by three of the greatest frontmen in the history of hard rock music from the sunset strip 80’s era. Playing nothing but the hits or songs which received a ton of radio airplay back in the day made this show a little extra special. Continue reading →

Concert Review
The Founder
Tuesday July 29, 2025
Buffalo Iron Works
Buffalo, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

After an eight year hiatus from touring Austin John Winkler brought his current band to town called The Founder. It may have been a Tuesday night but the Buffalo Iron Works faithful were on hand to witness Winkler and his current band. They had just released an EP in May entitled Walking Ded. For those expecting to hear nothing but songs from his former band Hinder well you should have known better. He is trying to showcase his current project and the set list was a good mix of The Founder, some solo songs and a couple of songs from his old band. I applaud him for not going the other route. Many artists who go solo make their show up mainly of songs from their previous band. As time goes on they forget about their solo material which is an injustice to not only the fans but the artist themselves. Continue reading →