Author

Darren Kemp 228 posts 0 comments

I have worked in the IT/Internet industry for 20 years. I live in the culturally rich and flower laden Park Ave neighborhood in Rochester NY with my son. In the past few years I have written for several music based publications and run a fan blog for the Buffalo based band Aqueous. (@unclephilsblog). Also I like long walks on the beach....

Show Reviews

Futurebirds Take Flight At Three Heads Brewing for Rochester Residency

Darren Kemp Oct 27, 2019

In the case of the Futurebirds, it's a whoa-eliciting moment. Two electric guitars, one acoustic, pedal steel, bass and drums round out this band from Athens, Georgia. They're so tight, and the sounds intermingle so well. As a listener you…

Folk/Americana

Photo Gallery: Sheryl Crowe Soaks Up the Fun at XRIJF

Darren Kemp Jul 12, 2017

Xerox's International Rochester Jazz Fest brought the heat with a slew of headliners including Joss Stone, Maceo Parker, King Crimson, and singer songwriter Sheryl Crowe who performed to a sold out crowd at Kodak Hall June 29. Miss Crowe…

Jam/Progressive

Umph Gets Extra Oomph with Joshua Redman in Rochester

Darren Kemp Jan 31, 2017

On a quiet and cold late January Sunday night, one beacon of activity in Rochester was drawing in warm bodies from all over Western New York. The line wrapped from Anthology's doors, down the tour bus-filled alley and around the corner as…

Jam/Progressive

Visuals: Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Darren Kemp Jul 15, 2016

Phish took their "en Fuego" summer tour to the beautiful park-set and spring fed Saratoga Performing Arts Center this past Fourth of July weekend. And while the overall set list selections may have not been everyone's "AC/DC Bag" (Are they…

Funk/Soul/R&B

Rochester Jazzfest Visuals: Erykah Badu at Kodak Theater

Darren Kemp Jun 27, 2016

Fans of legendary R&B artist Erykah Badu got to spend an extra hour and a half getting to know each other outside Rochester's picturesque Kodak Hall at Eastman Center as the 8:00 p.m. scheduled show was delayed due to flight issues. As…

News

Update: Full Rochester Party in the Park 2016 Lineup Announced

Darren Kemp May 3, 2016

Rochester's Party in the Park has released the official lineup for the 2016 summer season. John Brown's Body with special guests ThunderBody will kick off PITP on June 16. Other mainstage acts scheduled for the season include the Outlaws,…

Exclusive

Exclusive Interview: Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle

Darren Kemp Apr 27, 2016

Tim Merrill of Sugar Foot Photography sat down with Ryan Dempsey, keys player for Vermont's hottest "three dimensional" rock band, to talk Twiddle tour, influences, favorite bands, and even a bit of politics. Check out the video interview…

Buffalo

Aqueous Pushes New Live Release ‘From the ArQives’

Darren Kemp Apr 15, 2016

If there's anything the fervent fans of Buffalo's Aqueous have had to complain about the past few years it's the lack of released live material. This all changed recently with a slew of high quality recordings including last years fantastic…

News

Springsteen Cancels Greensboro NC Show for the Noblest of Reasons

Darren Kemp Apr 8, 2016

Bruce Springsteen shows solidarity with North Carolina LGBT community, canceling Greensboro show. An hour ago Springsteen announced via his website that his upcoming April 8, Greensboro NC show will be canceled in response to the HB2…

News

Water Street Music Hall is Back

Darren Kemp Apr 2, 2016

Rochester's Water Street Music Hall has been awarded a conditional entertainment license allowing the historical venue to re-open. Water Street, as previously reported, was not given a renewal for their entertainment license due to several…

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