Columns

The Ten Best Songs from Rochester in 2025

January 16, 2026

2025 felt like a landmark year for Rochester indie music, rivaling any era since buffaBLOG’s inception. We’ve dug through hundreds of songs to hand-pick our absolute favorites of the year. Did we miss that critically acclaimed jam band album or a classical musician’s final bow? Probably. But that’s not really our bag. We chose to focus on the tracks our team truly championed and debated the ones that came out on top. Here is a Spotify playlist we made with all of our picks. Without further ado, here are our favorite ten songs from Rochester in 2025.     10. Harmonica Lewinski – “Rat Race”    Rochester creepsters Harmonica Lewinski started off the year right with their beachy, 60s-era single “Rat Race,” which showcased the band’s punchbowl of surfy guitar riffs, jungle beats, and signature oddness. For a band that’s been around nearly fifteen years, Harmonica Lewinski still has got[...]

Must See Shows (12/17/25-12/23/15)

December 18, 2025

Saturday, December 20th @ 7pm buffaBLOG Holiday Show @ Milkies   Since the blog has re-emerged in fall 2024, we have re-worked many of our operations to better fit the music landscape in 2025. One tradition we needed to continue was our annual holiday party, where we feature some of our favorite local/regional bands emerging from the scene and showcase them on one bill. We like to market this as a catch-all for all for some of the best bands in the scene currently and local scene supports to attend and semi-curious home-for-the-holidays Buffalonians to get a sense of what the Western NY indie scene is all about.   The holiday party’s past lineups had always tried to feature one out-of-town regional band, and this year’s performer comes by way of Rochester slacker-rock outfit kitchen. The band emerged into the blogosphere in 2025 with their highly acclaimed album Blue Heeler[...]

Must See Shows (12/10/25-12/16/25)

December 9, 2025

Friday, December 12th @ 8pm Passed Out (Release Show) @ Milkies   On Friday Buffalo emotional boys Passed Out will take the stage at Milkie’s on Elmwood for a special double release show. The event celebrates their 10th anniversary as a band and the release of their debut album, I just don’t feel like myself anymore, and their fourth EP, Do you miss anything at all?, both released on local stalwart label Harvest Sum Recordings.   Since forming in 2015, Passed Out has gained a local following with their raw emotion, intense energy, and thoughtful, poetic lyrics. Fans of Desaparecidos, Cloud Nothings or the Appleseed Cast would be into this one.   Joining the celebration will be local scene indie vets Roger Bryan and the Orphans (RBATO) *, pop-punk indiemos west ferry, and newer angular act Fear of Sleep. $10 or Pay What You Can (PWYC) at the door.  [...]

Must See Shows (12/3/25-12/9/25)

December 3, 2025

Thursday, December 4th @ 7pm Prairie Pavement * @ Milkies   Elmwood Avenue’s best weirdo bar has night of infectious indie rock and jangle-pop as Buffalo’s own Prairie Pavement * headlines a local bill with some up-and-coming acts. Known for their commanding and energetic live performances, Prairie Pavement features multiple talented songwriters who each take turns on leading their songs, creating a diverse and dynamic sound. If you’re a fan of Surf Curse, Dr. Dog, or Car Seat Headrest, then you’ll dig this one.   Prairie Pavement * will be joined by SUNY Fredonia alt-rock newcomers New Venice and raw indie rock act Power Creep *. Doors are $10.   All-Star Special by Prairie Pavement Saturday, December 6th @ 4pm Triple Hammer Records Showcase @ Mohawk Place   Saturday Night is set to feature a showcase from Buffalo hardcore punk label, Triple Hammer Records, with their holiday expo: Scrooge’s Big[...]

Must See Shows (11/26/25-12/2/25)

November 26, 2025

Friday, November 28th @ 8pm bar italia @ Nietzsche’s   London’s buzzy indie rock band Bar Italia will take the stage in the heart of Allentown on Friday evening. Known for their lo-fi sound that blends post-punk and shoegaze, the trio has been generating significant global attention as of late, with Rolling Stone recently dubbing them “one of the most dynamic and thrilling U.K. rock bands in years.”   Friday’s  performance is expected to feature tracks from their acclaimed album, Some Like It Hot, a collection of songs praised for turning their quirks into huge choruses and finding elevation in tension. Attendees can anticipate a dynamic live show as the band brings its unique sound across the pond. If you’re a fan of TAGABOW, Geese, or Wednesday, then this one is for you. Tickets are $34.80.   Some Like It Hot by bar italia Saturday, November 29th @ 8pm Thee[...]

Must See Shows (11/19/25-11/25/25)

November 18, 2025

Thursday, November 20th @ 8pm Cut Copy @ Electric City   Australian synth-pop outfit Cut Copy bring their high energy new wave stylings to the Theatre District this Thursday. Since forming in the early 2000s, the band has has achieved vast critical acclaim since their breakout 2008 album, In Ghost Colours. Cut Copy is pure indie sleaze adjacent, with the band’s breakout hits “Lights and Music” and “Heats on Fire” nestling comfortably in any sweaty hipster basement dance party for the following decade. Fans of Duran Duran, Friendly Fires, or Hot Chip would be into this one. Record the Bills game and start it when you get home at 10:55pm. Get there early for an opening set from Ora the Molecule. Tickets are $43.99.   Belong To You by Cut Copy, Kate Bollinger Friday, November 21st @ 8pm Dolly Sods @ Milkies   Early 2020s Buffalo COVID project Dolly Sods[...]

Must See Shows (11/12/25-11/18/25)

November 12, 2025

Thursday, November 13th @ 8pm The Arcadian Wild @ 9th Ward   Nashville indie folk act The Arcadian Wild makes a mid-week stop on their national tour at our favorite basement venue, the 9th Ward. Known for their immersions of indie, chamber pop, and bluegrass, the band is still buzzing from their critically acclaimed 2023 album, Welcome. If you are a fan of Chris Thile / Nickel Creek, The Crane Wives or Tophouse (both bands coming soon to Buffalo), then you will be pleased as punch for this one. $25 cover.   Happy Golden Days by The Arcadian Wild Saturday, November 15th @ 8pm Lower Pony (Release Show) @ Milkies   Lower Pony has been grinding through Buffalo’s underground slacker scene for a bit now – with some very familiar faces, especially if you’ve has a grasp of the local scene over the past fifteen+ years. The project formed in 2019[...]

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

November 4, 2025

Thursday, November 6th @ 7pm On the Cinder @ Mohawk Place   Buffalo-based punk rock trio On the Cinder joins the re-opening month of programming at beloved, recently re-launched live music staple Mohawk Place. The venue is running on all cylinders after a successful back-to-back Halloween weekend so expect much more programming notes from our side.   On the Cinder has been a project since 2013, formed by three college roommates who have remained friends and collaborators for over twelve years. They operated out of a cherished local DIY spot called The Flower House and hosted/shared the stage with countless touring punk acts throughout the 2010s. Thursday night’s show is no different with the band sharing the stage with Sacramento pop-punkers Addalemon who are in the midst of an east coast tour.   Local support is coming via local indiemos West Ferry and Niagara Falls skate-punks Working Class Stiffs. 7pm[...]

Must See Shows (10/29/25-11/4/25)

October 28, 2025

Thursday, October 30th @ 8pm Fruit Bats (solo) @ Asbury Hall   Eric D. Johnson, lead mind behind indie-folk act Fruit Bats, makes a stop at our favorite Delaware Ave church to play some songs in support of the project’s latest album, Baby Man.  The band has been cranking out quality work since its inception in the late 90s, with temporary retirements and various breaks to work on other projects, including label stints at Sub Pop and Merge. Fans of Vetiver, M. Ward, or The Shins would be into Fruit Bats’ gentle, warm, and genre-bending delivery. Tickets are $35.   Baby Man by Fruit Bats Saturday, November 1st @ 7pm Hot Mulligan @ Buffalo Riverworks   Sometimes we make a goof and schedule writing about a show that’s already sold out. So, apologies about this. Pop punk hotshots, Hot Mulligan is coming to Buffalo Riverworks on Saturday and unless you have[...]

Must See Shows (10/15/25-10/21/25)

October 15, 2025

Friday, October 17th @ 7pm The Sword @ Town Ballroom   Austin, Texas heavy metal act The Sword returns to Buffalo Friday evening for a night of loud smells and gentle head banging. The band has made a name for themselves over the past twenty plus years within the stoner rock scene, a genre that is characterized by a combination of doom metal and psych-rock that is both slow moving and heavily distorted. Fans of Sleep, Weedeater, or The Melvins would be into this one. Opening the night will be doom-woppers Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol and sludgy post-punk outfit Moon Destroys. $36.40 to get in.   Warp Riders (15th Anniversary Edition) by The Sword Tuesday, October 21st @ 7pm Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons @ Shea’s   Stardew Valley is one of the most popular indie games of the 2010s, garnering a cult following of comfy gamers who dove headfirst[...]

Must See Shows (10/8/25-10/14/25)

October 9, 2025

Friday, October 10th @ 6:30pm   White Reaper @ Rec Room   Louisville, Kentucky garage-rock rascals White Reaper make their way down the Chip Strip via the Rec Room. The band is touring in support of their new album Only Slightly Empty, released on September 26th, so it’s still fresh on the shelves. If you’re a fan of PUP, The Dirty Nil, or FIDLAR, then this is your vibe.   White Reaper will be sharing the stage with NYC electro-punk act Lip Critic, Salt Lake City shoegazers Worlds Worst, and recent blog favorite Jerry Big’s World Famous Band (you may remember JBWFB as our Album of the Week earlier in 2025). We were blown away by their high octane sounds and hooks and we are looking forward to their Friday night, end-of-week energy. $27.26 gets you in.   Only Slightly Empty by WHITE REAPER Saturday, October 11th @ 7pm  [...]

Must See Shows (10/1/25-10/7/25)

September 30, 2025

Saturday, October 4th @ 1pm THEYFEST IV @ Amy’s Place / Area 54   Queer DIY collective, The Lavender Room, celebrate their fourth year as an organization that has been unwavering in their promotion and support of the LGBTQIA+ music and arts scene. This year’s THEYFEST features a wide variety of local and regional talents, dabbling in pop, to hip-hop, to hardcore. There are so many bands to check out, but in order to save time just know there will be pop-in sets from Science Man, Muddle, Welks Mice, Stress Dolls, Neftali, Bile Study, All Maine Points, Torture Agenda, and much much more. The festival starts at 1pm and goes into the wee hours of Sunday morning so pack like four Bang Energies and a Nalgene. $15 and all-ages.   Blub Blub by Welks Mice Monday, October 6th @ 7pm AFI @ Buffalo RiverWorks   AFI aka A Fire Inside has[...]

Must See Shows (9/24/25-10/1/25)

September 23, 2025

Wednesday, September 24th @ 7pm   Soccer Mommy @ Electric City   Perpetually buzzing indie act Soccer Mommy plays the big stage at Electric City mid-week, which we will be using as a good music crutch to recover from what we thought was a rained-out Turnstile show on Sunday night, IYKYK. Since forming the project in 2015, Soccer Mommy (aka Sophia Regina Allison) has caught the ears of many with her melding of tender lyrics and grunge-y ethos, accented by hooks that simply deliver. If you are a fan of Snail Mail, Alvvays, or Tennis, then you’ll want to be at this.   Opening the night is Los Angeles-based indie pop act Dummy (recommended for fans of Yo La Tengo or Big Thief). Get there on time! $20.31,   Evergreen by soccer mommy Friday, September 26th @ 7pm   The Melvins @ Electric City   For over 40 years, Melvins[...]

Six Bands to Catch at Music is Art this Weekend

September 16, 2025

Every September, Ruff Buff roars to life with the sights and sounds of Music is Art (MiA), a beautifully grassroots festival that has become an annual cultural cornerstone. If you’re a buffaBLOG regular, you probably already know the drill – founded by Goo Goo Dolls’ Robby Takac (whose band originated here in Buffalo way back when), MiA is more than just a lineup of bands. It’s a community-focused showcase of the artistry, creativity, and resilience that celebrates our Rust Belt locale. For locals, Music is Art has become both a homecoming and a rallying cry, proof that our city’s spirit is thriving, and that music continues to unite Buffalonians across neighborhoods.   You’ll notice we’re skipping some of our usual blog favorites to focus on new and friendly faces for this article. Writing about the same, blog-worthy acts can feel like a bit of a refutation on why we exist[...]

Six Bands We Aren’t Missing at Borderland Festival 2025

September 10, 2025

Knox Farm State Park’s annual music festival, Borderland, returns for their seventh consecutive year (COVID doesn’t count) this weekend with their biggest production yet. Since their beginnings as a two day festival in 2018, the crew behind Twenty6 Productions has added an extra day and turned the buzz meter up to eleven with their thorough and thoughtful curation of this annual staple that is driving home the message we’ve always hammered home – Western NY has great potential for a thriving music scene, complete with dive bars to full music festivals… And Oasis should play here.   Tickets are still available with weekend passes going for $240.95 and daily passes for $136.45. Here are six acts we aren’t missing this weekend at Borderland 2025.   Saturday @ 3pm   Sneaky Miles @ Mike’s Amazing Homespun Stage   Newmarket, New Hampshire project Sneaky Miles starts our schedule off Saturday afternoon with[...]