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An evening dedicated to R.E.M., The Smiths, and The Cure at Middle Ages Beer Hall in Syracuse — three tribute acts sharing one stage, each honoring a band that shaped the alternative music landscape of the 1980s. For those of us who lived through that extraordinary period of musical invention, this is an evening of considerable historical resonance.
About the Artists
Murmur (a tribute to R.E.M.), THE SMITHS etc, and Disintegration (a tribute to The Cure) represent three of the most influential bands in the history of alternative and indie rock. R.E.M. essentially invented American alternative rock, creating a template of jangly guitars, enigmatic lyrics, and college-radio sensibility that an entire generation of bands followed. The Smiths, led by the singular pairing of Morrissey and Johnny Marr, produced some of the most literate, emotionally complex, and musically inventive guitar pop ever recorded. The Cure, under Robert Smith’s visionary leadership, explored the full spectrum from post-punk darkness to irresistible pop melody. Together, these three bands form a holy trinity of 1980s alternative music, and their combined influence on everything that followed is immeasurable.
The Venue
Middle Ages Beer Hall in Syracuse offers an intimate performance space within the Middle Ages Brewing Company complex. The casual, craft-beer-centric atmosphere creates exactly the kind of environment where alternative music tributes can flourish — unpretentious, communal, and focused on the music itself. For songs that were born in small clubs and college radio stations, a venue of this scale feels historically appropriate.
Tickets & Details
Murmur, THE SMITHS etc, and Disintegration perform at Middle Ages Beer Hall on April 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $25. Get tickets.
As someone who taught the history of popular music for many years, I find evenings like this profoundly satisfying. R.E.M., The Smiths, and The Cure each represented a different facet of the alternative revolution — the American, the British literary tradition, and the gothic romantic, respectively — and hearing their catalogs presented together illuminates the breadth of what “alternative” actually meant. These were bands that expanded the vocabulary of popular music, and their songs remain as vital and emotionally resonant as the day they were recorded. Twenty-five dollars for an evening that surveys this landscape is a remarkable value. I would encourage any student of popular music to attend.