Columns

Must See Shows (6/11/25-6/17/25)

June 10, 2025

Friday, June 13th Perfume Genius @ Electric City   Art-pop crooner Perfume Genius makes a stop Friday night for an undoubtedly gripping performance in the Theatre District. Perfume Genius is the performing name for Iowa native Mike Hadreas and his rotating cast of musicians who have been performing under the project name since 2008. The band has connected with their fans largely in part to Hadreas’ vulnerable lyrics and commanding story telling.   The band touring in support of their critically acclaimed album, Glory, which came out in the tail end of March. If you are a fan of Sufjan Stevens, Andy Shauf, or Arcade Fire, this is up your alley. It’s $45.28.   Glory by Perfume Genius Saturday, june 14th @ 5pm The Beaches @ Albright Knox Gallery   The AKG ups the ante after last spring’s Khruangbin performance as part of their Rockin’ the AKG series. This year,[...]

Must See Shows (6/4/25-6/10/25)

June 3, 2025

Wednesday, June 4th @ 7pm Sunny Day Real Estate @ Electric City   Second wave emo forefathers Sunny Day Real Estate hit the big stage at Electric City for a night of nostalgic feels mid-week. Formed in Seattle, Washington in 1992, the band has been credited for the recipe and rise of the Midwest emo sound. Sunny Day has been inspired many of the movers and shakers in the third wave of emo and early to mid 2000s pop punk fields, serving as a major influence and inspiration on their songwriting styles. If you’re a fan of The Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring, or Appleseed Cast then you already know about Sunny Day Real Estate and you already have your ticket most likely. It’s $49.32.   Diary (Remastered and Expanded Edition) by Sunny Day Real Estate Saturday, June 7th @ 7pm Lazlo Hollyfeld Plays In Rainbows @ Town Ballroom[...]

Must See Shows (5/28/25-6/3/25)

May 27, 2025

Thursday, May 29th @ 7pm Keep Flying @ Rec Room   Since 2015, high energy pop punk/ska hybrid act Keep Flying has been consistently pumping out Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater adjacent singalong anthems that have been hooking listeners throughout their tenure. The outfit may already be in your periphery as they have been regularly touring Western NY between Buffalo and Fredonia for close to a decade. If you are fan of Less Than Jake, Four Year Strong, or Millington, this one is for you.   This gig has a great undercard as well, featuring Buffalo post-hardcore act Gatto Black (who also released one of our favorite albums in 2024). Joining the lineup is local indiemos We Were Blank and alt-rockers Star Theory. $20.55 landed.   To save the bartender from repeating the same phrase over and over again, yes, Rec Room has mozzarella sticks.   Daylight by Keep Flying Saturday,[...]

Must See Shows (5/21/25-5/27/25)

May 20, 2025

Wednesday, May 21st @ 7pm Low Cut Connie @ Town Ballroom   Philly-based vintage rock and rollers Low Cut Connie play mid-week in the Theatre District. Since forming in 2010, the project has evolved from the early days of playing karaoke bars and honky tonks to getting the presidential rub by landing a slot on President Obama’s coveted Spotify playlist. Fans of J. Roddy Walston and the Business, King Tuff, or Har Mar Superstar would be enthralled with LCC’s encapsulating lyrics and their twangy, no-frills western saunter. Tickets are $37.25.   Low Cut Connie – Audiotree Live by Low Cut Connie Friday, May 23rd @ 7pm Smoking Popes @ Rec Room   Influential Chicago-based punk act Smoking Popes play the Chip Strip for a night of nostalgia and familiar tunes. Since forming in 1991, the band has been largely influential to the punk/indie scene with their earnest pseudo-Morrissey delivery and[...]

7 Acts to Catch at Elmwood Village Porchfest 2025

May 14, 2025

Ian McCuen @ 1pm 444 Forest Avenue   If you wanted to minimize your steps for the day, I would suggest bringing a lawn chair to 444 Forest Avenue and not leaving, as the lineup has some true talent from the emerging local scene. Starting the indie lineup is Ian McCuen, a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalists who has somber and gripping songs that are reminiscent of Bright Eyes or Sufjan Stevens.   As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls by Ian McCuen Kriggy @ 3pm 390 Richmond Ave   New kids on the block Kriggy aim to prove what the buzz is all about on Richmond Ave mid-afternoon. The band has an angular, math-y messiness that is appealing and no-frills in the most charming way possible.   Sonny Baker Trio @ 3:30pm 1110 Elmwood Ave.   Buffalo music scene mainstay Sonny Baker teams up with his frequent collaborators for a rare trio[...]

Must See Shows (5/7/25-5/13/25)

May 6, 2025

Wednesday, May 7th @ 7pm M.A.G.S. @ Rec Room   Arguably one of the biggest Buffalo musical exports in the past decade, M.A.G.S., returns to his home turf on Wednesday for mid week rager on Chippewa. M.A.G.S. is the moniker for multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Elliott Douglas, who has nurturing the project since 2014 and has achieved numerous accolades under the flag. Pre-pandemic, Douglas relocated to the West Coast, where M.A.G.S. really took off, sparking numerous sold out shows, multiple national tours, and even catching the attention of Polyvinyl Records, who invited Douglas to cover one of American Football’s classics on their 25th anniversary tribute album.   If you’re a longtime reader of the blog, we’ve been covering Douglas’ evolution as an artist, going back to the days of DIY shows with the Malones or even short-lived projects like Marie Antionette. Regardless of the banner, Douglas has consistently pumped out high quality, heart-on-your-sleeve[...]

Must See Shows (4/30/25-5/6/25)

April 29, 2025

Thursday, May 1st @ 7pm Michigan Rattlers @ Rec Room   Michigan Rattlers make a stop on the Chip Strip in support of their third studio album, Waving From a Sea, this Thursday. Hailing from Michigan (shocking), the band’s unique blend of Americana, rock, and indie-folk has been capturing the attention from critics since their formation in 2016. Fans of American Aquarium, Tommy Prine, or Driftwood would be into the band’s twangy and rootsy sound coupled. Michigan Ratttlers with earnest vocals and gripping story telling make this an easy Must See Show this week. 7pm with a $26.70 cover, get there early for locals VOYAGR.   Saturday, May 3rd @ 8pm Wild Once @ The Attic @ Mr.  Goodbar   The Upstairs at Mr. Goodbar plays host to a local rager on Friday night, headlined by local indiemos Wild Once. We try to focus on an all-locals lineup once a[...]

Must See Shows (4/16/25-4/22/25)

April 15, 2025

Wednesday, April 16th @ 7pm TV Star @ Area 54 Wednesday night has a certified ripper headlined by touring alt/psych act TV Star. Since forming in 2020, the band has been compared to The Jesus and Mary Chain and Mazzy Star, leading to much buzz in the Washington music scene. TV Star even managed some face time with famed KEXP DJ Cherlyl Waters and recorded a live session and interview with the outlet in 2023.   The lineup also features two Ontario power-pop acts with  Windsor’s Heavenly Sweetheart and Welland’s Big School. Fun fact, I had no idea Welland was so close to Buffalo until maybe a month ago. I had never even heard of the city, which is only 36 minutes from downtown Buffalo. After spending a weekend in Toronto recently, I discovered that many creatives have been moving to that area which seems quite promising for southern Ontario’s[...]

Must See Shows (4/9/25-4/15/25)

April 8, 2025

Thursday, April 10th @ 7pm Moon Hooch @ Buffalo Iron Works   One of New York City’s most successful (former) busker acts, Moon Hooch, returns to the Queen City Thursday for a night of dance, positivity, and woodwinds. Moon Hooch emerged from the Bedford L platform in the early 2010s and their live set was so mesmerizing, the band was actually banned from playing the platform because it became a standstill and was too dangerous to gather. From their early days, the project has mastered the upbeat, live dance looping sound that gets the crowd moving and grooving into the palm of their hand.   Opening the show will be space funk duo Future Show. Iron Works has really cornered the market on saxophone-centric dance acts. $25 and it’s well worth it.   Red Sky by Moon Hooch Friday, April 11th @ 7pm Bright Eyes @ Buffalo Riverworks   This[...]

Must See Shows (4/2/25-4/8/25)

April 1, 2025

Thursday, April 3rd @ 8pm Stephen Babcock @ The Caz   Buffalo-based indie/singer-songwriter Stephen Babcock headlines a great bill at the Caz in South Buffalo Thursday evening with support from two additional bands we are excited about. The Caz (on Seneca St.) has been open to the public for just about six months now, with a variety of programming ranging from jam to jazz to cover shows. The venue has barely dipped it’s toe into the local indie scene, so Thursday’s showcase will undoubtedly be a testing ground for the genre.   Like many of the current artists we are jazzed about in Buffalo, Babcock found his footing in a post-COVID landscape, emerging into the scene in 2021 with his debut album Monroe. Babcock’s songwriting is vulnerable and has range, with the ability to channel a somber Paul Simon or James Taylor feel with indie-pop contemporaries such as Matt Pond PA[...]

Must See Shows (3/26/25-4/1/25)

March 25, 2025

Saturday, March 29th @ 7:30pm buffaBLOG’s 15th Birthday Party @ Milkies   We are turning 15! It seems like yesterday we were logging into blogger after a 27 minute crash course in HTML at Spot Coffee on Elmwood. The blog has shared the sounds of hundreds of local bands over the past decade and a half and we are excited to continue for the foreseeable future. After a very successful holiday party, we are happy to put quality music on your radar and share our passion for live music and the local community again.   With that, we are excited have our first birthday celebrattion since 2016. On Saturday,  Milkies on Elmwood is set to host new-coming indie rock act Fear of Sleep, which features some former members of Feverbox. Also on the bill will be powerpop veterans Matt Smith’s Nervous System *, Tony Hawk’s Pro-Skater ska band Skamagotchi *,[...]

Must See Shows (3/19/25-3/25/25)

March 18, 2025

Thursday, March 20th @ 8pm Kenzie Cait @ Rec Room   Erie County repatriate/Nashville-based emerging sad girlie act Kenzie Cait will be returning to the stage on Thursday. After an impressive showing last summer with her gig at Buffalo Iron Works, the city was clamoring to see the buzzing pop singer/songwriter return. Cait’s sound is familiar, as it would nestle nicely on a playlist with Taylor Swift’s later repertoire, Olivia Rodrigo, or even Chappell Roan.   Ultimately. Kenzie Cait’s discography is full of bangers that could easily super-break into the super-mainstream – the project is swelling and about to burst. This may be your last chance to see Kenzie Cait before graduating to Terminal B. $21.06 doors.   Friday, March 21st @ 8pm Elemantra * @ Milkies   Milkies is set to host a certified banger™ on Friday evening with a loaded local lineup that will surely be worth your[...]

Must See Shows (3/12/25-3/18/25)

March 11, 2025

Wednesday, March 12th Haley Blais @ 9th Ward   Vancouver’s Haley Blais will make her first stop in Buffalo with tour mates Wormy. The band had originally planned to stop here in late September, however, the concert gods felt otherwise and Blais had to reschedule. Now here we are, with the same lineup and a new opportunity to check out the singer/songwriter’s cheeky sound.   Signed to the record label Arts & Crafts (Andy Shauf, Broken Social Scene, Feist, & MANY MORE), Blais’ sound is lush with clever lyrics that navigate life in your twenties in the 2020s. Touring in support of their latest album Wisecrack, fans of Caroline Rose, Soccer Mommy, or Snail Mail would be pleased with Blais’ sound.   Starting things off right is Wormy, the music moniker for Brooklyn singer/songwriter Noah Rauchwerk. He may look familiar as his other gig is the touring drummer for Samia. It will[...]

Must See Shows (3/5/25-3/11/25)

March 4, 2025

Saturday, March 8th @ 8pm Chores @ The Cave Rochester indie outfit Chores plays Buffalo this Saturday in support of their new cassette, Tender as a Wound. For those who follow the blog closely, you’ll remember Chores as they were our Album of the Week back in December 2024. Grunge-y locals Stress Dolls will share the stage and are the only representative from Buffalo on this one, with Syracuse indie-pop act Paper Rabbit making the 11 exit trip down the 90 for this goodwill exchange. The three bands will be trading off gigs between The Cave, the Bug Jar in Rochester on March 21st, and ending the run with a show at Syracuse’s famed Funk’n Waffles on April 4th. So if you like what you see, you can do this two more times. $10 for this one and it’s a steal.   Tender As A Wound by Chores   Sunday,[...]

buffaBLOG Announces 15th Birthday Party Lineup

February 28, 2025

We are turning 15! It seems like yesterday we were logging into blogger after a 27 minute crash course in HTML at Spot Coffee on Elmwood. The blog has shared the sounds of hundreds of local bands over the past decade and a half and we are excited to continue for the foreseeable future. After a very successful holiday party, we are happy to put quality music on your radar and share our passion for live music and the local community again.   With that, we are excited to announce our lineup for our first birthday part since 2016. On Saturday, March 29th Milkies on Elmwood is set to host new-coming indie rock act Fear of Sleep, which features some former members of Feverbox. Also on the bill will be powerpop veterans Matt Smith’s Nervous System *, Tony Hawk pro-skater ska band Skamagotchi *, and sun-soaked indiejammers Hartwell Hospice House[...]