Rock Makes Its Big Return to The Mid-Ohio Valley with Gemini Syndrome

The night rock fans of the Mid-Ohio Valley had long been awaiting finally arrived July 24th!  Rock music finally returned to the MOV, and the beginning of the Adelphia Summer Concert Series was kicked off in style with the first indoor show.  And what better way to start than with a local favorite, Gemini Syndrome coming back to the area with their full Communion Tour line up.

Opening the show was the rising alternative rock punk band Pushing Veronica.  The L.A. based teenagers entertained the audience with their high energy and lyrical perspectives.  They performed their newly released “Chad”, which was a definite hit with the audience.  Pushing Veronica tackles today’s issues, such as teenage drug addiction, cancel culture, and generational differences with interesting twists.  They like to use characters like Veronica and Chad, to highlight absurdities within our society and push the commentary to the limit.

The heavy hitting Rochester, NY based band Ovtlier (Outlier) took the stage next.  They rocked the crowd with their amazing stage presence.  Founder and vocalist Joey Arena came on stage wearing a bulletproof vest to promote their new single and video “Bulletproof” released in June.  The overall message of the song is a call to fellow man to remove the veils and look into the grey.  Influenced by Breaking Benjamin, Korn, and others, Ovtlier brings a hybrid sound to rock and metal with harshness and clean choruses.

A Killer’s Confession led by vocalist Waylon Reavis (formerly from Mushroomhead) came out hard playing hits such as, “Numb”, “Trapped Inside”, and “Angel on the Outside”.   As a local favorite there was lots of band and audience interaction.  Since the end of 2019, they have been hard at work on new music.   The band debuted its new single, “Light to Darkness” in March.  The premiere came a few months after the band debuted its then-latest single, “Remember”.   A Killer’s Confession also just announced on July 26th that they are set to release its brand new single “Tell Your Soul,” featuring Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray on August 5th along with accompanying video by Wombat Fire.  The single is from the band’s highly anticipated third album coming out later this year and is about forgiveness and acceptance of one’s own shortcomings.

Gemini Syndrome captivated the audience the moment they walked onto the stage.  The L.A. alternative metal band started the performance with their hit single “IDK” following with “Die With Me”.  Both recent 2021 releases from the long-awaited new alum, 3rd Degree – The Raising, which was announced to release on Oct 15, 2021 the night before.  The album is the band’s final installment of their album trilogy, which is about death and rebirth, finding your true self and fostering its growth.  In celebration of the new alum announcement, the brand new single “Abandoned” was also released.  Gemini Syndrome performed twelve songs layered with deep meaning, closing with fan favorite “Stardust.”  After a lengthy absence from touring the band is glad to get back out and visit with their fans again.

These four bands are playing most of the Communion Tour dates together and make for one amazing line up.

 

The original idea for the The Adelphia Summer Concert Series started out as one festival in 2020 and has now ended up being six shows and counting for 2021.  Adelphia Entertainment Director Ric DeRubeis had partnered with The Adelphia to come back to the Mid-Ohio Valley for three weeks in 2020.   A fest was planned, but then the pandemic happened.  They reconnected to see if the idea was feasible for 2021 and he began working on it from home in Pittsburg.  DeRubeis came back to the area in December of last year and engaged to get it done, by March the hours were being put in.  With the uncertainty of the pandemic, it made sense to go outside.  When things opened back up and every band wanted to hit the road, they started to pick up indoor shows as well.  “The response has so great it’s unbelievable, though it had to be.”  Concerned about the current relevance, Ric had wondered if others still cared as he did.  “Evidently they still do.”,  as Buckcherry sold out for the first Saturday show on the 31st.  “The more tickets we sell the more shows we can do.  It’s my passion, but also a business, and green light is lit.  People are excited, and it’s exciting.”  Providing diverse shows and national artists is a chance for the people who can’t go to a festival to see the show as well.   The outdoor shows began July 30th with Paul Thorn, and as a Thank You, 500 tickets were given to local first responders, medical personnel, and veterans.   The outdoor series concludes the weekend of October first, however inside shows have been scheduled for the dates in between and beyond with many great national artists.

The Adelphia Music Hall is Marietta, Ohio’s premier live music and entertainment venue.  Located at the center of this historic city, it is also conveniently connected to The Galley restaurant and The Hackett Hotel.  Featuring a diverse assortment of local, regional, and national entertainers, The Adelphia has become the gathering place for Mid-Ohio Valley music lovers of any age and genre.  Live music is at the very core of The Adelphia’s entertainment mission; “To enrich the Mid-Ohio Valley and surrounding areas by booking quality entertainment to produce opportunities where artists can share their gifts while providing an unparalleled intimate atmosphere.”  This year, that mission is being expanded upon with the outdoor Summer Showcase.

MORE PHOTOS:

By Dragonhawk Photography