A collection of hot, young rockers is set to heat things up when they take the stage in the Flour City this weekend. The Paradox and OUT IN FRONT warms things up at Anthology on January 16, while rising Central NY singer/songwriter Sydney Irving fills the Rochester air with her songs at the Bug Jar on January 17. These youthful talents dream of big national tours, chase their artistic passion, and seek to conquer the music industry.
Jan. 16th The Paradox, The Unlikely Candidates, OUT IN FRONT, and Edgehill at Anthology, sponsored by 94.1 The Zone
This show at Anthology is sponsored by local Stephens Media Group station, 94.1 The Zone, and is the middle night of a short mini-tour, sandwiched by stops in Buffalo and Syracuse for these four bands.
With a distinct identity as a young African American power pop-punk band, The Paradox has quickly gained the attention of music fans and legendary musicians alike. Formed in June 2024, the Atlanta quartet has already opened for Green Day, and Jack White slid into their DM’s with a personal invite to open for him in Nashville. Travis Barker of Blink 182 sat in with the band on Warped Tour and is featured in their music video, “Bender” which has gained nearly one million views in five months on YouTube. They make a brief stopover in Rochester before embarking on a European tour in February.
The Unlikely Candidates are a hook-driven indie rock band with Imagine Dragons vibes from Fort Worth, Texas, formed in 2008. Their song “Novocaine” topped the Alternative Songs chart and received over 66 million streams and video views as of July 2021. They signed with Atlantic Records in 2013, then parted ways and began a long journey through the Sony Records system. With over half a dozen charting singles, TUC is currently operating as a self-released independent artist.
Meanwhile, OUT IN FRONT returns to Rochester after debuting two months ago at the Bug Jar. The Los Angeles-based trio arrives after incessant cross-country touring in support of their debut EP Straight Up to Space and its biggest single, “Float.” They recently finished a run of West Coast shows supporting AJR, Sublime, and the All-American Rejects. Lead singer and guitarist Madie Renner fronts the garage-rock indie-punk band, influenced by Paramore and The 1975.
Edgehill is an indie pop rock trio formed at Vanderbilt University. Signed to Severence Records, their new release, “I Can Be Your Dog,” is a high-energy, guitar-driven anthem – a fan favorite at electric house shows.
The all ages show at Anthology starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $30.52 and still available here, but they are selling quickly, so don’t wait for the door.
Jan. 17th Sydney Irving & The Creatures w/s/g The Turbulents at The Bug Jar
After a whirlwind finish to 2025 that included a new local management team and a new record deal with Deko Entertainment (a division of Warner Music Group with artists like Slash from Guns n Roses, John Entwhistle from The Who, Albert Bouchard, Warrant, Tiffany) Syracuse-native Sydney Irving comes to Rochester for the first time with her full band, The Creatures, at the iconic Bug Jar.
The versatile Central NY singer/songwriter was last seen in the Rochester area at Country Roads in Fairport with her solo acoustic set. In addition to a heavy solo schedule, Irving often performs a vast catalog of covers with The Mojo. At the Bug Jar, Sydney will be joined by her original touring band, The Creatures. The rising star looks to build on the momentum of her third music video, “Something Better,” which has garnered over 41,000 views in just over one month. At 21, she is touring in support of her third LP, Unfashioned Creatures.
Opening the night off is The Turbulents, an Upstate New York-based pop-rock band. Their latest LP, Falling Through Stories, showcases their diversity while maintaining a sound uniquely theirs. This show is 21+ only at the door, but is 18+ with advance online purchase and a government-issued ID. Doors open at 8 pm.
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