Photos

Johnny Marr at Town Ballroom (10/20/18)

October 23, 2018

Legendary Smiths guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr made a much-anticipated appearance in Buffalo with a sold-out show at Town Ballroom on October 20, 2018. A dynamic and lively performer, the Britpop icon treated the rapturous crowd with a indelible setlist of masterful jangle-pop, swaggering indie-rock, and choice covers of classic Smiths cuts (“Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” among others). One of the most inventive and influential guitarists today, Johnny Marr and his band demonstrated the enduring power and emotional resonance of rock and roll. Marr was supported by Vancouver, British Columbia’s Belle Game, whose ethereal crush-pop anthems set the stage for a night of euphoric bliss. Belle Game Johnny Marr

Bully at Mohawk Place (9/21/18)

September 25, 2018

Nashville’s Bully brought down the house at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place on September 21st, touring in support of their ferocious sophomore LP, Losing (Sub Pop). Bully reignited the raw intensity of 90s grunge and indie-alternative with confessional, intimate lyrics indebted to classic emo, with Alicia Bognanno’s sandpaper rasp spitting caustic kiss-offs to anyone with the gall to stand in her way. Along for the ride that evening were fellow Nashvillains JEFF the Brotherhood, whose latest record, Magick Sounds (Dine Alone), deepens and expands upon the band’s downtuned garage-rock sound with elements of drone, psychedelic, and even krautrock. Originally a two-piece, brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall were joined onstage by an expanded lineup featuring members of Daddy Issues, The Dead Weather, and Raconteurs, whose masterful playing created an atmosphere of hypnotic, surreal intensity. Opening the show that night were Buffalo’s own Made Violent, proving that the Queen City is no slouch when it comes to raucous rock[...]

Humble Braggers at Nietzsche’s (9/1/18)

September 5, 2018

Synth-pop fan favorites Humble Braggers celebrated the release of their newest EP, Cycle (Admirable Traits Records), with a spectacular musical showcase at Nietzsche’s on September 1st, 2018. Eschewing guitars in favor of lush synth pads, and with a greater emphasis on dance rhythms, Cycle explores feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt over some of the most jubilant pop hooks the band has crafted yet. With a stunning light show from Shawn E. Lewis, Humble Braggers’ transcendent and impassioned tunes simply exploded onstage. The band were supported by experimental pop purveyors Space Cubs and effervescent jangle-pop quintet Little Summer, with a closing indie-dance set from DJ collective Dance Yrself Clean. Little Summer Space Cubs Humble Braggers

G-Eazy at Darien Lake (08/24/18)

August 28, 2018

Last Friday, Darien Lake was treated to a packed hip hop show filled with both superstars and up and coming artists.  Over the course of the night, the amphitheater filled up to capacity, while P-Lo, YBN Nahmir, Murda Beatz, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Uzi Vert, and G-Eazy all performed high energy sets. There was a little something for everyone, and the crowd seemed head over heels while the artists played their chart topping hits. Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. YBN Nahmir Murda Beatz Ty Dolla $ign Lil Uzi Vert G-Eazy  

Alkaline Trio at Town Ballroom (8/11/18)

August 15, 2018

Ahead of the release of their new album due out later this month, Alkaline Trio made their long awaited return to Buffalo on Saturday.  The iconic pop punk act absolutely packed the Town Ballroom, selling out the show months in advance.  They played a whopping 22 song set, spanning their entire back catalog dating back to 1998, and mainly focused on songs from their 2003 record, Crimson and their new record that comes out in a couple weeks, Is This Thing Cursed?.  The energy in the room was insane for their entire set and the band took minimal breaks, making up for lost time since their last stop in Buffalo.  Check out some photos from the awesome show below, including shots of the energetic LA based rock crew, together PANGEA.  All photos shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. together PANGEA Alkaline Trio

Fleet Foxes at Artpark (07/26/18)

August 3, 2018

Last week, Artpark served as the perfect backdrop for Fleet Foxes show in WNY in quite some time.  The night was kicked off with a short but sweet set by Nilüfer Yanya and her band.  She began her set solo, but eventually brought her band mates out to finish out her half hour set, packed with sweet, soulful tracks.  Her mellow set served as the perfect warm up for the indie folk titans, Fleet Foxes.  During my dig for info on Fleet Foxes last appearance in WNY, I actually wasn’t able to find anything, just to give you an idea of how longs it’s been.  They did make up for lost time though,  performing a huge 20 song set packed with songs from all three of their studio records. Artpark’s scenic backdrop combined with the warm sunset provided the absolute perfect setting for the show.  Check out some photos from the night below, taken by blog photographer,[...]

Father John Misty at Canalside (07/26/18)

July 30, 2018

Three years after his last appearance at the Town Ballroom, Father John Misty made his triumphant return to Buffalo. Since his last appearance in 2015, Mr. Tillman and crew have released two critically acclaimed full length records, 2017’s Pure Comedy, and 2018’s God’s Favorite Customer.  The sizeable crowd in attendance was treated to a handful of tracks from both of those records, as well as a bunch off of his first two full lengths under his Father John Misty moniker. Supported by his tight backing band, Tillman went all in with his infamous showmanship, seemingly to frantically preach to the crowd at points, begging and pleading. Highlights included a stunning performance of “Bored in the USA,” closing out the main set with an insanely grandiose rendition “I Love You, Honeybear,” and kicking off the encore with “Real Love Baby”, equal parts sweet and soaring.  Over the course over his 20[...]

Japanese Breakfast at The Bug Jar (7/16/18)

July 19, 2018

Japanese Breakfast returned to Rochester, NY for a sold-out show at The Bug Jar on July 16th in the midst of their 2018 USA tour. Packing the tiny club to its full capacity, Michelle Zauner and her bandmates played an electrifying set of emotionally-charged, shimmering indie-pop, culling key tracks from 2016’s Psychopomp (Yellow K Records) and last year’s Soft Sounds from Another Planet (Dead Oceans). Radiating pure joy, Zauner’s sprightly voice and animated stage presence elevated her songs to higher plane of expression. Japanese Breakfast were supported that night by Philadelphia’s Mothers and Rochester’s own Calicoco. Check out the photos below. Calicoco Mothers Japanese Breakfast

Kerfuffle at Canalside (6/16/18)

June 21, 2018

Buffalo’s indie leaning radio station, Alternative Buffalo,  has successfully done it again. Last Saturday, the radio station hosted its 5th annual incarnation of their growing music festival, Kerfuffle. After a long day of fist bumping, it was abundantly clear that the crowd loved the programmed bands along with the adorable puppies offered by the SPCA . Nobody does it quite like this radio station when it comes to hosting a giant crowd at one of the most scenic spots on the Buffalo waterfront. Throughout the day, a roaring crowd of 10,000 people enjoyed a bill with nine of the most exciting active alternative bands in the music scene today. These bands include: Mainland, Mansionair, Family of the Year, Robert DeLong, Marian Hill, Manchester Orchestra, Taking Back Sunday, Matt and Kim, and last but not least the headliner, Awolnation. See the gallery below for a visual representation of these performances. Mainland[...]

Sunflower Bean at Mohawk Place (5/6/18)

May 8, 2018

New York indie-rock trio Sunflower Bean blew the roof off Mohawk Place on Sunday, May 6th, marking their return to the Queen City since opening for Best Coast at The Tralf Music Hall two years ago. With indelible pop hooks, Fleetwood Mac harmonies, Mick Ronson riffs, and a bit of Johnny Marr’s jangle, Sunflower Bean played with confidence and charisma, invigorating the songs from their newest album, Twentytwo In Blue (Mom & Pop). The band even gave a shout-out to Buffalo’s own rock photographer extraordinaire Andy DeLuca, their friend and creative collaborator. Sunflower Bean were supported by feisty London punks Dream Wife and local psychedelic shamans Deadwolf. Deadwolf Dream Wife Sunflower Bean

Built to Spill & The Afghan Whigs at Town Ballroom (04/24/18)

April 27, 2018

Earlier this week, Built to Spill and the Afghan Whigs both returned to Buffalo for an awesome co-headlining show. Both bands played career spanning sets, making up for lost time since their last shows in Buffalo. The Afghan Whigs offered a  high energy set, focusing on tracks from their 2017 LP, titled In Spades. Built To Spill took a more intimate, no BS approach to their set, cruising through the show as a three piece, engaging in very little small talk.  While they did play fan favorite “Carry the Zero”, they focused on their deep cuts, making for a great show for longtime fans of the band. Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. The Afghan Whigs Built to Spill  

Moose Blood at the Town Ballroom (04/17/18)

April 20, 2018

Earlier this week, UK pop punk four piece, Moose Blood, made their way back to Buffalo.   They seemed to make the best of Tuesday’s mediocre weather, drawing a sizable crowd. They played a pretty even split of songs between all three of their major records, and the die hard fans in the crowd seemed to love every minute of it.  Indie/emo veterans Lydia also made their first Buffalo appearance in quite some time, debuting a lot of their newer pop oriented material, along with a couple older cult classics.  Buffalo’s own Marigold kicked things off with a solid set, following a tour cancellation from McCafferty.   Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Marigold Lydia Moose Blood    

Wolf Alice at Town Ballroom (4/6/18)

April 10, 2018

Wolf Alice made their long-awaited return to Buffalo––“The home of Made Violent”––with a specular headlining show at Town Ballroom on Friday, April 6th. Touring in support of last year’s Visions of a Life (Dirty Hit/RCA), the band were a ferocious presence onstage, seasoned by rigorous gigging and a tight musical chemistry. A stylistically-malleable musical force, Wolf Alice’s idiosyncratic alt-rock evoked shadowy post-punk, radiant dream pop, and hushed folk, played with unabashed energy. Likewise, singer Ellie Rowsell’s impassioned delivery and commanding stage presence inspired feverous devotion from the crowd. Opening that night were The Big Pink, whose outsized electro-rock anthems were a perfect match to Wolf Alice’s sweeping sound. The Big Pink Wolf Alice

Sylvan Esso at the Town Ballroom (03/30/18)

April 2, 2018

Last week, Sylvan Esso thrilled a sold out Town Ballroom.  The electronic/synth pop duo finally made their way to Buffalo,  selling out the venue months in advance.  A few songs into their set, they explained they had no idea that so many people in Buffalo wanted to see them, and the audience made it clear that they did not want to wait long before another Buffalo appearance.  The packed house seemed to love every minute of their set, with nonstop singing and dancing from the ecstatic audience. The duo’s stellar lighting rig provided a great aid to the hypnotizing effect of the music, keeping the audience a near trance the whole night.  Check out some photos from the show below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Sylvan Esso    

Atmosphere at the Town Ballroom (3/20/18)

March 27, 2018

Last week, Atmosphere made their triumphant return to Buffalo for a near sold out show at the Town Ballroom. The producer/rap duo were not on tour for any specific record, but played material from their extremely extensive back catalog, including a bunch of tracks from their cult classic LP released in 2002, God Loves Ugly. While there were no local openers on the show,  Atmosphere’s friend and collaborator Evidence kicked things off with a great set, swiftly rapping his way through a set of tracks from his 2018 release, Weather or Not, as well as a handful of his older tracks as well. Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Evidence Atmosphere