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In Trevor Fraticelli’s first two years at Syracuse University, he could walk down Euclid Avenue on any given day and follow the sounds of drums and guitar into a live show in someone’s basement.

But since last fall, Fraticelli, an SU senior, noticed a shift in the performance scene and has to venture further to find live shows. As a longtime lover of live music, it’s now a matter of knowing where to look.

“There’s absolutely lots of space and lots of potential for students to become a really important part of the broader Syracuse music scene and music community,” Fraticelli said.

When one of SU’s most prominent house venues, Dazed, closed its doors in August, many students like Fraticelli were disappointed. Much of the music-loving community at SU frequented the house’s weekend shows, and student artists could book steady gigs. Now, students are turning to downtown clubs to keep the university music culture alive.

Fraticelli began working at The Song & Dance as a booking intern in the fall. Since then, he’s viewed the venue and other downtown spaces as viable spots for local artists to still perform. The venues are legitimate and have potential to jumpstart aspiring artists’ careers, giving them a taste of their futures, he said.

“No matter what size the artist is, we treat everyone as if they’re a professional artist, and go through the process of creating a show as if they were not just a student artist,” Fraticelli said.

SU sophomore Isabella Allon has experienced this firsthand. Next month, she’s playing a gig at The Song & Dance, opening for the touring band West 22nd. Last year, she performed at Westcott Theater, collaborating with SU Records.

Allon said she has to practice self promotion when booking downtown shows. Networking with established artists and industry professionals is a valuable hands-on experience, she said.

Downtown venues also encourage SU students to play there. Adam Gold, owner of Funk ‘n Waffles, remembers his college days when there was always a night of music on campus or downtown. After graduating in 2007, he and a friend started the venue to give back to the music community.

Syracuse University sophomore Isabella Allon performed at Westcott Theater last year. Next month, she’s playing at The Song & Dance. Courtesy of Isabella Allon

“I was an SU student. I built this place essentially for them. Might as well utilize it, it’s here for you,” Gold said.

Along with physical spaces, a community like Syracuse’s is a vital resource for students, and they should take advantage of it more, said Eric Binion, owner of The Song & Dance. Locals have always been supportive of aspiring musicians, which is what makes the scene so strong, he said.

Binion has followed the dwindling house venues around SU. Since starting The Song & Dance just three years ago, he’s aimed for it to be a space to support student artists.

“I’m willing to take a financial risk to open the doors and staff the room for a show with four or five student bands and see how it goes,” Binion said.

For some students, the distance from campus is an obstacle preventing them from attending shows downtown, SU sophomore and student musician Jocey Davis said. Live house shows were always cheap entry and just a block away from dorms or apartments. However, the costs of Uber rides or coordinating a way to make it downtown hinders student audiences, Davis said.

That mindset is what keeps so many people from making the trip to see live shows.

“There’s such a big disconnect, which is unfortunate, because in hindsight, it’s not that far away,” Allon said.

Fraticelli said he has noticed the same pattern. While The Song & Dance is less than two miles from campus, Fraticelli said physical barriers like the I-81 highway make the city feel disconnected from campus. In coming years, he hopes the university will do more to integrate students within the downtown community, like offering transportation options from campus.

When Funk ‘n Waffles was located on Marshall Street, Gold ran a limousine service from the venue to a former club called Mezzanotte Lounge, a 10 minute drive from campus.

“It’s not like the kids could get there any other way,” Gold said. “So the limousine service would have a bottle or two of champagne. It was pretty wild.”

Since performing at Funk ‘n Waffles in December, Syracuse University sophomore Jocey Davis appreciates any opportunity to perform for a live audience. However, Davis said transportation to downtown Syracuse can hinder student audiences. Courtesy of Jocey Davis

Binion hopes students will continue to make conscious efforts to seek out events in Syracuse. He’s seen how many students come to SU from out of state, from big cities like Los Angeles or Chicago, where there are always shows and festivals.

“They just think they’re in the middle of nowhere, but what they don’t realize is right down the road, a lot of that is coming to our city as well,” Binion said.

Fraticelli said he hopes with time and future collaborations with the university, word will spread and downtown shows will attract students.

Live music spaces aren’t just for performers. They are also an opportunity for students in other fields to immerse themselves in their interest in music. SU junior Ciane Lopez and her team at Hill Communications, SU’s student-run public relations firm, have Westcott Theater as a client. Throughout the school year they have been working to organize more student shows.

Since hosting a DJ competition and an upcoming Battle of the Bands at Westcott Theater, Lopez said she’s seen how eager students are to enter a live performance venue.

Going forward, Lopez even hopes to see students dip their toes into the scene, especially those who might not otherwise.

“Not every student is pursuing music as a definite career option, and you want to get the most out of your time in college,” Lopez said.

The decline of house shows around SU has been disheartening for many students. But Davis said she’s appreciated how acoustic house shows like The Shipyard and downtown performances are focused on appreciating music.

“On the positive side, these bands are getting recognized in a different light, and for their music, rather than just being background music to a party,” Davis said.

When Davis performed at Funk ‘n Waffles in December, she was appreciative of just having a chance to play for a live audience.

Live music is not only a form of interaction between creatives, it’s also a chance to learn something new, Binion said. As a venue owner and event promoter, he enjoys teaching students the process of booking shows or setting up equipment.

As long as student artists promote their work and music-lovers seek out new shows, Syracuse’s music scene will continue to flourish, Fraticelli said. It’s all a matter of interconnection; as more people go watch performances, more may be inspired to host their own, Binion said.

“It’s just awareness and openness to that relationship being there,” Fraticelli said. “I think it’ll come with time. Downtown is becoming a better and better place to be.”

Published on March 25, 2026 at 10:31 pm
Contact Claire: cmzhang@syr.edu