Syracuse Music Scene

[hitormiss92]

Since I'll be a member of the SU class of '14, can anyone tell me how the local music scene is at/around the Syracuse area? I'm really interested in finding out.

[rosielikesyou]

I have a friend who's actually going to start out there as a freshman of '14. She's super into bands like Brand New/Thrice/Coheed/lots of AP.net-extensive bands.

Dowse for her.

[hitormiss92]

That's awesome, I'll definitely have to find her when I get there

[jrtbighurt]

Since I'll be a member of the SU class of '14, can anyone tell me how the local music scene is at/around the Syracuse area? I'm really interested in finding out.

I grew up in Syracuse. The scene was awesome back when I was in high school, then it died down after most of the venues closed and the guy who did all the booking moved to New Jersey. However, it's started to pick up some steam again and people are starting to book shows.

Local venues include The Westcott Theatre (http://www.thewestcotttheater.com/) which has been completely redone recently. It used to be a small indie movie theatre. The Lost Horizon is another venue (this place is a tiny shithole of a bar, but it's great). Those are about the only 2 venues that have been getting consistent shows lately.

http://syracuseshows.com/ is a great site to keep up to date on shows in Syracuse. If you have a car and don't mind an hour drive Rochester isn't too far, and they get a lot of shows out that way too, and Buffalo even gets more, which a little over a 2 hour drive.

[teamgoldie]

don't usually dive into the forum but i saw this thread from the main page and as an SU grad i had to chime in. syracuse has a rad music scene with a lot of different things going on.

a good starting point would be hitting up the message board at www.itszombietime.com/315forum (http://www.itszombietime.com/315forum). 99% of shows will be posted there and i'm sure it can be helpful if you're looking to meet some like-minded people.

my friend matt brings through a lot of national acts (and is always sure to put on local openers if he's able.) his site is www.syracuseshows.com (http://www.syracuseshows.com)

there is a cool venue right on campus called funk n waffles (www.funknwaffles.com (http://www.funknwaffles.com)) owned and operated by a dude i graduated with. lots of local shows and occasional smaller touring acts. also, within walking distance from campus (though a bit longer if you get stuck down in brewster/boland) there is the westcott community center. i don't think as many shows are happening there as there once were but most of the shows happening there would be posted about on the forum i linked above. also within walking distance is the westcott theater (www.thewestcotttheater.com (http://www.thewestcotttheater.com)). this was an indie movie theater while i was at SU but is now a venue, one of the larger ones in the city. SU is great about bringing music to campus as well. the site for the student concert board is www.universityunion.org (http://www.universityunion.org).

that should be a good starting point for you. i'm sure new venues will pop up and current venues will close (i can count 5 venues off of the top of my head that closed in my 4 years there) but hopefully this info will help. i was in your shoes a decade ago so if there is anything i can do to help feel free to hit me up.

[avengedtbs]

I go there now. I graduate next year. Lots of good shows at Lost Horizon this past year. It's a tiny venue so it's always a god time.

[Vandelay]

Polar Bear Club!

[JordanBuell]

scene is so mediocre compared to the surrounding areas. I personally dont like the syracuse scene at all.

its not to bad though if you dont mind driving an hr and half to rochester. most major acts stop in either rochester or buffalo.

[Lirr168]

Lost Horizon is pretty good: http://www.bandsintown.com/venue/309484-the-lost-horizon-syracuse-ny-tickets-and-schedule

I graduated last spring and things were first starting to look up for the music scene. The new Westcott is awesome and does a great job at bringing in national acts and tours. Lost Horizon is coming back in a big way too. Set Your Goals and The Maine both have headlining shows there in the next month or so.

Le Moyne College is getting much better with the bands too. Last year was Jack's Mannequin and Treaty of Paris and this year they had NFG and Dashboard.

[KEB182]

I've seen the Hold Steady and Ra Ra Riot at the westcott theatre. It's not a bad venue, the ra ra riot show was way too hot though. I go to school at Hobart in Geneva, NY and I've gone to shows in Rochester and Buffalo as well. The Water Street Music hal in Rochesterl has had 2-4 great shows I've gone to every year while being at school. so def. check them out. A lot of bands to come up this way though...

[JordanBuell]

I've seen the Hold Steady and Ra Ra Riot at the westcott theatre. It's not a bad venue, the ra ra riot show was way too hot though. I go to school at Hobart in Geneva, NY and I've gone to shows in Rochester and Buffalo as well. The Water Street Music hal in Rochesterl has had 2-4 great shows I've gone to every year while being at school. so def. check them out. A lot of bands to come up this way though...

yeah i agree. Waterstreet in rochester is by far one the best venues around.

[Lirr168]

Rochester gets great shows and has some awesome venues. A few years ago, I saw The Format, The Starting Line, and All-American Rejects at Hochstein Hall, which is actually an opera house. The acoustics in there were unbelievable; I've never been to a better-sounding live show. If you can catch a show there, do it.

[tobiasofwar]

http://www.highfivesworldwide.com/press/barnburnerflyer.jpg

[Gregv]

syracuseshows.com that pretty much is your music scene in syracuse. Also there in a growing hardcore community in syracuse again. Most shows at the WCC. But in all, ive lived here my whole live and still to this day some of my favorite shows Ive been too come outta Syracuse