WQAQ-FM (Hamden, CT)

This show was my second time in New York City for a concert, and I felt welcomed with open arms by the incredible musicians, friendly concert goers and delicious drinks of NYC. The stage at Baby’s All Right was a dazzling array of light bulbs of different shapes and colors, and it was a mesmerizing backdrop for the bands that took the stage. The Shining Hours opened up the night, with a Brooklyn-based shoegaze four-member band.

Oldies – Concert: 11/21 – TRAMPS LIKE US (A Bruce Springsteen Tribute) @ Small Batch Cellars “Lies” by the Thompson Twins was released as a single on Oct. 8, 1982 and it would be featured on their album “Quick Step and Side Kick.” The Thompson Twins, at the time of the album’s release, had dwindled to a trio (Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway) after originally being a seven-member band. This song is wacky just for the sake of being wacky, and that is exactly why we love it.

Rock/Alternative – Concert: 11/17 – Primer 55 @ Space Ballroom “Stormwatcher” is the second single released this year from legendary guitarist Tony Iommi and collaborating musician Jorn. The single is an almost orchestral metal piece, incorporating bell tolling and a gorgeous arrangement of guitar chugging and a simple but effective drum pattern.

On the first night of the nor’eastern storm, I made my way to Space Ballroom in Hamden, Connecticut, for Edgehill’s sixth stop on their “Moving Out Tour” for a night of dancing like nobody’s watching. I arrived 30 minutes after the doors opened, and was surprised to see a crowd of people already loosely organized in the pit facing the stage, at the venue where people notoriously wait until the very last minute to gather around the stage.

Brynn Pinkes (she/her) is WQAQ’s ’25-’26 Music Manager! Brynn is a junior majoring in Communications and Media Studies with a minor in Sociology. In her free time, she loves shooting photos at concerts as well as reading and watching movies. Her artist highlight this year is indie rock band, benches. They’re an indie rock band similar to the likes of The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys. Their music commands the stage when playing live and is full of raw and powerful emotions.

Hip-Hop/R&B – Concert: 11/18 – Pouya @ Toad’s Place When I saw “Fireflies” by Pharell Williams and John Legend pop up, I knew it’d be good. I didn’t know HOW good. I played this song while I was in the library studying, and it just set me off on a great track. Opening up with clean crisp keys and raw vocals… they knew what they were doing for sure. I’ve been consistently playing it on loop. Okay.

Categories: September 21, 2026 Out of my two experiences with laundry days on September 10, one characterized by folding endless piles of shirts and the other headlined by a spunky Manhattan based pop rock band, I definitely preferred the latter. As my friends Zach, Delilah and I pulled up to the Space Ballroom in Hamden, CT, I had no clue what to expect.

British rockstars Bring Me The Horizon (BMTH) played a sold-out show at the renowned Madison Square Garden on May 2, 2026. I was one of the lucky 20,000 fans to have secured a ticket to this once-in-a-lifetime show. This was stop five on their “N. American Ascension Program 2 Tour.” The activities started before they appeared on stage.

Oldies – Concert: 10/4 – Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band @ Toyota Oakdale “Nobody Sees Me Like You Do” is the first time Yoko Ono acknowledges the passing of John Lennon in her music, and it was released in 1981, almost a year after his passing. It is one of the most beautiful songs I have listened to from this era. As you listen to it, you feel her grief, but it can also be spun into a celebration of life as she sings of how the pair were soulmates.

The Jonas Brothers recently sold out three nights at Madison Square Garden to officially kick off the Burning Up All Over Again Tour. I went with my friends and former WQAQ members Becca Steeves and James Kassan as lovebugs. We knew the basic songs, (although I knew a bit more) so we hoped to enjoy our experience. We left having had the time of our lives, dancing around, getting complimented for our outfits, and experiencing pure collective joy.