Preview

Tonight: Neko Case

September 26, 2018

Neko Case made headlines earlier this month for a series of tweets lambasting Bradley Cooper as the “beige demon who makes sure very standard white dudes get to be in everything,” but if you were unfamiliar with her name up to that point, you’ve been missing out. Over the past two decades, Case has written and performed some of the most arresting and affecting music out there. Though she’s recorded with The New Pornographers as well as the supergroup case/lang/veirs, Case’s best work is on her solo albums, where she tells tales of the fury of the natural world and acutely felt human suffering in her signature alto. Forget about Cooper – people will still be singing Case’s “Star Witness” long after “The Hangover” has fallen out of syndication (long live “Wet Hot American Summer,” though). Moral of the story: check out Case’s show tonight at Asbury Hall, where she’s[...]

Tonight: Super Whatevr

September 21, 2018

Sugar City is hosting a rock show with headlining Cali natives Super Whatevr. This groovy alt rock band is touring in support of their debut full-length album Never Nothing , which came out this past January via Hopeless Records. Listening to the album is reminiscent of bands like Modern Baseball (first heard specifically in “Katherin with a K”) and Microwave. Seamlessly woven into the fabric of upbeat rhythms are heavier messages within the lyrics and tones. A catharsis for the band, they’re hoping Never Nothing will bring peace to listeners also struggling with demons. Also on the band’s east coast tour are Beach Goons (surf punk) and Canadian band dubé (indie grunge). Additionally, tonight’s show at Sugar City also has alt rock band The Orange Friction as local support. Tickets are $12 and available to all ages. Doors are at 6:30pm. Written by Samantha Schweitzer

Tonight: Harmonica Lewinski

September 21, 2018

Tonight Rochester Hell raising gang of malcontents Harmonica Lewinski make a welcome return to the Queen City opening for local legends The Irving Klaws and fellow Rochesteronians The Fox Sisters at Nietzsche’s. Frankly, this is a pretty bonkers lineup, featuring the aforementioned Rochester hellraisers, plus the hard charging, R&B party up fun of The Fox Sisters, as well as the raunchy and intense fun of The Irving Klaws, so this show might be exactly what you need after this extraordinarily wacky week. Also, this show is so not whitebread that the only suburban Millennial gentrifiers you’ll have to put up with are the ones you pass on Allen on your way to the show. Cover is $5 and doors are at 10pm. Lewinski Grind by Harmonica Lewinski

Tonight: Hundred Plus Club

September 13, 2018

Mr. Goodbar is hosting a quality local bill tonight, featuring notably Hundred Plus Club.  The four-piece last released an EP titled Everybody’s Friend . Notably last March, the EP reached #30 for “Most Added Album” on the North American College and Community (NACC) Chart.  Listening to the EP, it’s easy to hear why they made the list with their approachable indie rock leanings reminiscent of Bloc Party, Interpol, and Tokyo Police Club. Since releasing the album, Hundred Plus Club has been playing a number of local and in-state shows with bands like The Rifts, Humble Braggers, and Younger Then. Also on the billt tonight are rock bands The Brownstones  (formerly Nothing Casual) and Venus Vacation (formerly Major Arcana). The show will be held in the upstairs portion of the venue for a 21+ audience.  Doors are at 8pm with a $5 cover. Everybody’s Friend by Hundred Plus ClubWritten by Samantha Schweitzer

Tonight: Yo La Tengo

September 13, 2018

Cancel your plans and hold onto your butts because living indie rock legends Yo La Tengo will be gracing Asbury Hall in Buffalo tonight. Debuting in 1986, Yo La Tengo are heavyweight cult heroes whose music is so beautifully emotive and engrossing-ly atmospheric it will bring a tear to your eye. Their eclectic records range anywhere from Lynchian instrumentals to lazy river folk and make up 15 studio albums and countless additional material. This year, the resilient Hoboken, NJ trio released their latest lucid full-length, There’s a Riot Going On, adding to their impressive repertoire of celestial bedroom grooves. Yo La Tengo is a gift and will blow your mind with what’s sure to be a can’t-miss show. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. Tickets are $30 and you can get them here. Everyone’s going so don’t be the only one missing this supremely seminal band live.

Tonight: Bearhunter

September 8, 2018

Bearhunter is celebrating the release of their new album, Nothing Further Beyond, tonight at Mohawk Place. The trio has been writing tasteful and nuanced indie rock for over a decade, and their newest release promises to be just as excellent as what we’ve come to expect. Local support tonight is also very strong, and comes from local mainstays dreambeaches, The Tins, and Coral Collapse. Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $10. A copy of Bearhunter’s new release, Nothing Further Beyond, is included with the door.

Tonight: Beach Slang

September 8, 2018

It’s been a pretty wild year of shows, and Robbie Takac has literally given us a genuine doozy, bringing indie band Beach Slang back to headline his Music Is Art festival, going down all day today at Buffalo Riverworks. After playing the area twice last year and creating much joy both times, the intense, exuberant, and frankly hilarious Philadelphia band released the achingly haunting Everything Matters But No One Is Listening, an affecting orchestral take on righteous cuts from the bands first few albums under the name Quiet Slang. But for tonight’s show they’re billed as Beach Slang so don’t expect an orchestra tonight… although that would be pretty sweet; instead you should probably expect an epic blowout of serious jams to get yer ya ya’s out to and then some. Music Is Art begins at 11am down at Riverworks, and as always it’s free, including Beach Slang, who play the main stage at 9:30pm.[...]

Tonight: Humble Braggers

September 1, 2018

Iconic Buffalo synth-pop quartet Humble Braggers is releasing their latest batch of songs tonight with the six-song Cycle EP, out now on Admirable Traits Records. Over the last 5+ years, the Braggers have released some of the most consistently excellent music Buffalo has to offer, and Cycle certainly continues that trend. Local support for this evening comes from jangle-pop act Little Summer and experimental synth act Space Cubs. Stick around to end your night out with a very dance-able DJ set from Buffalo mainstay collective, Dance Yrslf Clean. Tonight’s show is $10 – a copy of Cycle will be included with the price of admission. Doors are at 9pm. Remember kids, Nietzsche’s is a 21+ venue. Cycle by Humble Braggers

Tonight: Shonen Knife

August 28, 2018

The 9th Ward at Babeville in Buffalo is going to be rocking tonight as it hosts the legendary livewire power pop trio, Shonen Knife. These candy-coated cult heroines from Osaka, Japan have an amazingly storied and accomplished history over their rocking 40-year career. Shonen Knife first found US underground success during the 90’s with sugary sweet pop rock melodies that delight the ears and make heads rush. During this decade, they toured the country with Lollapalooza, appeared on Beavis & Butthead and counted Sonic Youth and Nirvana among their fanbase, even opening for the latter in one of their early gigs. And now the esteemed bubblegum rockers are coming to Buffalo, where you can one day tell your grandchildren you saw them live. So who cares if it’s a work night? Come out and experience infectious renditions of original songs and awesome Ramones covers from this extraordinarily fun group. Adding[...]

Tonight: G-Eazy

August 24, 2018

If you’re looking for some last minute Friday plans, Darien Lake might be your best bet. Look no further if you’re a fan of hip hop, as Darien Lake’s outdoor amipthetear is hosting a star studded lineup tonight. The show will be headlined by chart topping Oakland pop rap star G-Eazy, and will also feature four other sets. Up and comer P-Lo will kick things off, followed by a DJ set by producer to the mega stars, Murda Beatz. Ty Dolla $ign and Lil Uzi Vert will also perform full sets.  Every artist on the bill has released a project within the past year, so expect to hear some new material. Tickets can be found relatively cheap on Livenation’s website, and all ticket purchases include admission to the amusement park for the day. Not a bad deal. Tickets are also available at the door, and the show is set to[...]

Tonight: J Roddy Walston and the Business

August 24, 2018

J Roddy Walston and the Business will make their return to Buffalo tonight. Taking the stage at Babeville’s Asbury Hall, the Baltimore rock n rollers bring an energetic bar room sound, bolstered by the rollicking piano of frontman J Roddy Walston. The band is touring in anticipation of their fourth LP, Destroyers of the Soft Light, which is due out on September 29th via ATO Records. Opening the show is Virginia alt rock duo Illiterate Light. The pair posses a commanding stage presence, featuring Jeff Gorman, who simultaneously sings, shreds guitar, and plays synth bass with his feet, and drummer Jake Cochran, who sings harmony vocals and plays drums while standing up. The show begins at 8pm, with doors at 7pm. Day of show admission is $21.

Tonight: Queer Kevin

August 21, 2018

Ohio “shoegayzers” Queer Kevin  are swinging through Buffalo tonight, bringing their simmering indie rock vibes and haunting melodies in tow. They’re bringing Northampton punks Dump Him along for the ride, in what promises to be a night of beautiful punk-esque noise. Local support tonight comes from the ever-sad indie rockers in honey COMA and a slow, ambient set from scene vet Kay Stuitje. Tonight’s show is a very affordable $5. Be at Sugar City at 7pm – music starts at 7:30pm. A friendly reminder that Sugar City is a drug and alcohol free, all-ages venue. all dykes go to heaven (demo) by Queer Kevin

Tonight: Kyle & The Pity Party

August 18, 2018

Nietzsche’s in Buffalo is the place to be tonight as they host an exciting indie show with a stacked lineup. Taking the stage and setting your Saturday night ablaze are Kingston’s very own evocative and electrifying indie rock quartet, Kyle & The Pity Party. If you haven’t heard of them, where have you been? These guys have been on the scene since 2012 and are known for their melodic and full-hearted barnburners that will rattle your ribcage and send shivers down your spine. Hopefully Nietzsche’s has insurance because this set is going to blow the roof off the place. Don’t miss it. Providing trippy and colorfully abstract melodies to the evening are Buffalo faves, The Tins. Indie rock with a sense of wonder; their buoyant and playful psychedelic jams are positively excellent and enchanting. Think this is just fake news? Check them out for yourself tonight for a performance that[...]

Twin Speak Group

Tonight: Twin Speak

August 17, 2018

Groovy with a fresh coat of grime thrown on top comes close to approximating Utica act, Twin Speak, who will be stopping by the Mohawk Place tonight. Twin Speak’s singular blend of psych rock, stoner, and post-rock makes an almost transcendental experience. Their latest record, SOULSS puts you through a kaleidoscope of twists, turns, riffs, and beats. Think Explosions in the Sky with exceptionally more teeth, that are sharper and dripping with something’s blood. Joining them are psych-rock garage rockers, Bold Folly and lyrically driven indie group, Leyda. This won’t be a show you will want to miss. Doors are at 8pm, music at 9pm. $6 for the door.

Tonight: Dentist

August 15, 2018

Fuzzy, buzzing indie pop act Dentist will be visiting Buffalo tonight. Their unique, surf-punk-tinged, indie-pop aesthetic is driven by the ethereal vocals of singer Emily Bornemann, coupled with smart drums and California-esque guitar crunch. Having recently been named by SXSW as one of “2018’s top 10 bands,” they’ve just released their third LP, Night Swimming, earlier this year. Joining them are the poppy punky goodness of Chicago act Jupiter Styles and New Orleans act Treadles, and Buffalo’s very own honey COMA. Tonight’s show is at 9pm at Electric Avenue. Bring $5 for admission. Night Swimming by Dentist