Preview

Tonight: ronaldraygun

September 18, 2015

ronaldraygun is finishing its Buffalo career tonight at Mohawk Place. The band plays spacey and psychedelic rock n’ roll almost reminiscent of Janice Joplin in attitude and sound, but tinged with punk and grunge moments. The departing group will be joined by enigmatic comedian and artist Clayton Williams. Having played together before, hometown classics and Mohawk royalty Irving Klaws and the raygun crew are no strangers. Their rockabilly meets Tony Hawk Pro Skater-core has been drawing fans to Mohawk for years and will be sure to make the farewell a memorable one. The BiPolaroids will round out the night beginning at 8pm. Cover is $5.

Tonight: Murder By Death

September 16, 2015

If your Wednesday plans involve Netflix and a pizza-induced coma, you’re doing something wrong. Now before you get your jimmies all rustled because I just shit-talked pizza, keep reading. Between this weekend’s MiA festivities, Monday’s of Montreal show, and Mikal Cronin’s visit to Mohawk Place last night, Buffalo has been on somewhat of a hot streak. And that streak continues tonight at Waiting Room with a set from Indiana roots rock outfit Murder By Death. For those unfamiliar, Murder By Death crafts a particularly gothic-tinged vein of Americana; imagine a Decemberists / Deer Tick crossover for a good starting point. The five-piece tour in support of its latest effort, the crowdfunded Big Dark Love, released earlier this year on Bloodshot Records. Tonight’s show features local slots from Sonny Baker (having just released a sizzling full-band EP last month), and The Leones, the fresh folkgaze project of former Crows and Jays frontman[...]

Tonight: Mikal Cronin

September 15, 2015

Over three albums, Mikal Cronin has established himself as an incredibly consistent and solid musician, creating catchy and throughly enjoyable power pop since launching his solo career in 2011. Having previously recorded with Ty Segall, Cronin skews in a sunnier direction that Segall’s sludgey garage rock, favoring lusher instrumentation and more tuneful vocals. Obviously indebted to the heady mix of yearning and soaring melody that characterized Big Star’s  most upbeat songs. Cronin’s most recent album, MCIII, released earlier this Spring fills out the promise of his breakthrough, MCII, with better recording quality and added strings and horns. The album’s latest single, “Made My Mind Up,” playing to all the right anthemic notes. This concert should prove an excellent way to celebrate the last few blissfully nice nights of Summer as it gives to chill of Fall. Doors for tonight’s show open at 7pm with a cover of $14. Arts & Crafts pop artist[...]

Tonight: of Montreal

September 14, 2015

of Montreal is coming back to Buffalo tonight (this time to Babeville’s Asbury Hall), along with their infamous choreographed circus brigade, as a part of their current tour supporting their most recent release, Aureate Gloom. Okay let’s be honest: you already know about of Montreal. Your friends have told you about the strange costumes and the small army of performers and dancers that will take the stage. You’ve probably even taken a liking to a couple of their songs; you’re just afraid of having to “make the commitment” and listen to a whole of Montreal LP (or all thirteen). I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to do this– just go to the show tonight and enjoy the strage combination of a live show, visuals, and performance art. Yes, sure, I didn’t know most of the songs after my first time seeing the band two years ago. But[...]

Today and Tonight: EdgeFest 2015

September 12, 2015

What a day for music in Buffalo, huh? Once a year, 103.3 the Edge puts together a showcase of impossible acts that you’d never think to see together on a show. That showcase is known as EdgeFest 2015. With such a jam-packed schedule a schedule is truly the best way to preview a special night like tonight. 2pm: Parking lot and box office open 3pm: Doors open 3:40pm – 4:10pm: Boots 4:15pm – 4:45pm: Made Violent 4:50pm – 5:20pm: Highly Suspect 5:25pm – 5:55pm: The Sheepdogs 6:00pm – 6:30pm: July Talk 6:35pm – 7:35pm: Our Lady Peace 7:40pm – 8:40pm: Coheed and Cambria 8:45pm – 10pm: Modest Mouse 10:05pm – 11:20pm: Rise Against Tickets for EdgeFest are $43 at the door. Anyone under 16 needs to have a parent with them. The event is rain-or-shine, so pack a poncho and get ready to rock regardless of the weather.  

Tonight: Igloo Unofficial MIA After Party

September 12, 2015

If you haven’t learned by now, the masterminds of Igloo Music refuse to let the party end before we’ve had a healthy dose of their old school vibes. Saturday night will be no different at their Music is Art after party, held at the ever-intimate Gypsy Parlor. The usual suspects (though not to be downplayed) of John Patrick and Rufus Gibson will be joined by an impressive lineup including Brandon Chase, Dharma Doctor, Xotec, and Swivel. Dharma Doctor, who is Chris B. of Dharma Lab, will be opening the evening from 10-11 p.m., bringing some psychedelic flavor to the dance floor. I assure you, his set is one you don’t want to miss. Next up, from 11 p.m.-midnight, Igloo resident Rufus Gibson will serve up some Chicago-inspired house music that’s sure to put you in the mood. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/214580651″ params=”color=000000&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] From midnight-1 a.m., Igloo co-founder Brandon Chase takes[...]

Tonight: Transmission’s 80’s Dance Party

September 12, 2015

Do you like swaying and bopping back and forth to obscure new wave pop songs? Do you love the 80’s or were you made in the 80’s? If yes, you might not want to miss DJ duo Transmission’s freshest 80’s dance party. After watching the Goo Goo Dolls at the sloppy Music is Art, head over to Mohawk Place for plenty of the Smiths AND the Cure; you don’t even have to pick a side this time. While you are bound to hear mainstays like New Order and Violent Femmes, the night usually gets more mainstream and raucous as they spin toward closing. The wild party costs $5 and starts at 10:30pm.

Tonight: Circuit des Yuex

September 11, 2015

Help ease in a busy Saturday here in Buffalo by paying a visit to Dreamland and spending the evening with Haley Fohr’s experimental folk project, Circuit des Yeux. The Thrill Jockey recording artist and NPR favorite combines electronic minimalism with organic strings, woodwinds, and percussion for a meditative yet challenging style of folk that fans of Chealsea Wolf and Zola Jesus should be drawn to. Expect the Indiana native to tackle selections from her well received and powerful 2015 album In Plain Speech. Joining Fohr this evening will be the rather busy Cages. The avant-garde folk outfit has had a busy summer, including performances at the Burchfield Penny and tomorrow’s Music is Art festival on the Sugar City stage. The evening’s set should be the proper format to catch the act: intimate and intense. Music begins tonight at 8pm with a suggested donation of $10.

Tonight: Kharlos

September 10, 2015

Dreamland on Franklin Street is hosting a proper Buffalo blowout that’s not to be missed in honor of the release of the debut cassette from post grunge troublemakers Kharlos. Assembled for the occasion of the release of Don’t Think About Dying At My Party (More Power Tapes) will be [redacted; secret] and buzz band Sixties Future, with a special vinyl DJ set from Queen City Cartel’s Dante Velour, a keg of beer, and a piñata. With Kharlos, a local super group of sorts, and [redacted; secret] about to [redacted] for [redacted] to tour the [redacted] with [redacted], it’s going to be a hell of a party.  Admission is free. Show starts at 7pm.

Tonight: Hank & Cupcakes

September 10, 2015

What better way to start a weekend early than with Hank & Cupcakes? The Brooklyn-based duo brings genre creation to the next level with their fresh electro-tinged disco punk rowdiness, and their live show is no joke. Perhaps you caught their high-energy display earlier this year at Rochester’s Bug Jar; the end of the night yielded a sweaty, smiling crowd in varying degrees of undress. Their return to WNY tonight at Nietzsche’s should be no different—a true testament to the duo’s penchant for #partylife. Be there or be boring. Opening slots on tonight’s bill include Scajaquada Creeps, the reigning survivors of last year’s Queen City Music Lottery, and Bryan Johnson & Family, local surf-pop royalty in their own regard. Fun will be in full supply tonight. Doors at 9pm, music starts shortly after. $5 cover.

Tonight: Chon

September 10, 2015

Guitar lovers rejoice as instrumental math rock quartet Chon is set to take the stage at the Studio at Waiting Room later on tonight. Known for incredible, flashy guitar work and a groove heavy style of math rock inspired instrumentals, the San Diego bred group is sure to have the audience in awe as the members flawlessly rip through tracks off of their latest full length album, Grow. Opening the show will be locals Dininex and Amputecht, and doors open at 6:30pm tonight. Plenty of tickets are still available at the door for $14, and all ages are admitted, 16 and under with an adult.

Tonight: Swervedriver

September 8, 2015

Buffalo is in for one hell of a treat as British shoegaze legends Swervedriver take the stage at Waiting Room tonight. Spawned from the same scene as bands like My Bloody Valentine and Ride, Swervedriver were right at the forefront of early 90’s shoegaze that would prove to be one of the most influential movements in modern popular music. Swervedriver’s distinctly more rock (although no less beautiful) sound meant they always hit a little bit harder than their poppy compatriots. However, this is no pure nostalgia trip as the band are currently fresh off of the release of its first album in 17 years, the absolutely stunning I Wasn’t Born To Lose You. Rare is it that a comeback album doesn’t disappoint, but Swervedriver’s return finds the band in almost the exact form (if not better) than it left in 1998. This will be rare opportunity to see a band that truly[...]

Tonight: Lichens

September 5, 2015

Artist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe has a body of work that ranges from acting, film composition, playing in experimental psychedelic rock band Om, as well as a solo modular synth project under the name Lichens. These vocal/electronic explorations bring to mind musicians like Julianna Barwick and Holly Herndon, with intricately layered and droning sounds. Back in 2005, Lowe released his first full length, The Psychic Nature of Being on Kranky Records, and has since put out six LPs under the Linchens project. Tonight, the Brooklyn based musician will perform at Buffalo’s Silo City to help celebrate the life and works of Hollis Frampton, the pioneering avant-garde multimedia artist who finished his career teaching at University at Buffalo. Also performing tonight will be local experimental pop/electronic artist Lesionread, putting on a collaborative noise set with Space Cubs. Music starts at 8pm and the event is free to the public

Tonight: Pappy Stardust

September 5, 2015

Tonight Buffalo’s newest psychedelic guru Pappy Stardust celebrates the release of his latest CD All Around Sound with Tomoreaux, Mooses side project Moody Cosmos, and Buffalo dream pop outfit SHEDS. The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Steve Leszyk, Pappy Stardust has emerged as a supremely bold and experimental force for mind expansion, like the entire lineup for tonight’s show at Sugar City, and All Around Sound is a definitely a journey into out there sounds. Doors open at 7pm, and it’s pay what you can, so don’t be stingy. All Around Sound by Pappy Stardust

Tonight: M & T First Friday College Night

September 4, 2015

Buffalo indie rockers the Albrights will be performing at their namesake gallery, the Albright Knox, this evening as part of it’s M & T First Friday College Night featuring extended evening hours and free admission. College students also get to enjoy the remarkable AK Screen Play animation exhibition in the upstairs gallery, including two claymation films by Alison Schulnik featuring songs by Scott Walker and Grizzly Bear. “Forest,” featuring Grizzly Bear’s “Ready, Able,” is a haunting and exceptionally trippy riot of color and motion that’s one of the many standout works on display. The Albrights play at 8pm while the gallery is open til 10pm.