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Tonight: Saintseneca

October 14, 2015

Stellar indie folk crew, Saintseneca, will be rolling through Buffalo for an incredibly intimate performance at Babeville’s Ninth Ward tonight. The Columbus, OH outfit’s new album, titled Such Things, just dropped on Anti Records and while most critics have yet to weigh in, it is just as special and unique as their previous releases, still managing to avoid the label of just another bland indie folk band. Doors are set to open at 6pm with music starting at 8pm. Tickets will be available at the door for $15, and touring acts the Sidekicks and Yowler are set to open the show at the intimate venue. This is one you won’t want to miss.

Just Announced: Joanna Newsom

October 6, 2015

As she preps the release of the much awaited follow up to her critically praised album Have One on Me, beguiling folk singer Joanna Newsom has announced a fall tour that will include a stop at Babeville’s Asbury Hall on Sunday, December 13th. The harp player is set to drop her latest album Divers on October 23rd, so expect some road testing of the record when the storyteller takes the stage. And with Sleater-Kinney and Waxahatchee also set to play Babeville this December, the Delaware venue appears set to end 2015 on a major high note. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, October 9th at 10am for $30 in advance, $35 day of. Alela Diane and Newsome collaborator Ryan Francesconi will provide support.

of Montreal at Asbury Hall (9/14/15)

September 16, 2015

The always ambitious of Montreal avant-garde freakshow rolled through Buffalo for it’s annual visit, this time in the post religious sanctuary space that is Asbury Hall at Babeville, and for the brave music fans who left the safety of their homes on a Monday night, it was a glorious night to thoroughly get their ya-ya’s out- physically and otherwise. I really wanted to like of Montreal’s opener, especially because I usually dig their openers (Janelle Monae, Dream Tiger, Kishi Bashi), but Surface to Air Missive failed to excite When they veered into early R.E.M. territory, things looked up, but their predilection for 60’s jam band guitar noodling and staring earnestly at each other while they played became turnoffs. Their vocalist/rhythm guitar player did sing his heart out, putting the hammer down mightily on his throat muscles to hit some impressive falsetto notes, and I had to appreciate the effort, because[...]

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[...]

The Tallest Man on Earth at Asbury Hall (7/22/15)

July 23, 2015

Having apologized for not being back to Buffalo for five years, Kristian Matsson recalled his last visit at Babeville: “Last time I was here I played in the basement. I haven’t improved as a person,” he paused. “…but I have friends now.” The Swedish songwriter flashed a proud smirk as he caught the members of his backing band in an over-the-shoulder periphery. In addition to his new backing band, Matsson—or The Tallest Man On Earth—brought a particular liveliness to the stage of Asbury Hall this past Wednesday night. With a fresh album on his fingertips, the NC folk outfit Hiss Golden Messenger in support, and the beautiful Asbury Hall packed with adoring fans, Matsson had a few things to be excited about. Opener Hiss Golden Messenger got the night rolling with an impressive set of their folky alt-country mash. I’ll admit to not knowing much about HGM before just a[...]

Tonight: The Tallest Man on Earth

July 22, 2015

Critically-acclaimed folk artist Kristian Matsson returns to Buffalo tonight as The Tallest Man on Earth. The Swedish musician is fresh off the release of his latest record, Dark Bird is Home, so fans can expect a lot of new material and a heaping helping of old favorites while he is on tour for the first time with a full band. The artist has won many comparisons to Bob Dylan, thanks to his uniquely beautiful songwriting style and vocal delivery. For melodic indie folk stylings, there’s no better place to be than Babeville’s Asbury Hall tonight. Tickets are $26 and doors are at 7pm. Hiss Golden Messenger kicks the show off at 8pm. Learn more about the North Carolina country-folk act here.

Hiss Golden Messenger

July 22, 2015

Rare is the bill on which the opening band draws as much (or more, in even rarer cases) anticipation as the main act. Last year’s Band of Horses / Midlake show comes to mind (still sore for missing that), or perhaps the stacked My Morning Jacket / Wilco / Bob Dylan roster at Darien Lake a few years back, if that even counts. Well that aforementioned phenomenon repeats itself tonight at Asbury Hall (for myself, anyway), where Swedish folk top-dog The Tallest Man on Earth will have his stage warmed up (or set ablaze) by the excellent Hiss Golden Messenger, a folk duo out of North Carolina. I use the term ‘folk’ as loosely as I can in this case; HGM—consisting of primary songwriter M.C. Taylor, recording partner Scott Hirsch, and a rotating cast of touring musicians—evades traditional “call ‘em as I hear ‘em” classifications with their soul-warming blend of[...]

Glass Animals at Asbury Hall (6/16/15)

June 18, 2015

The great hall at Babeville was less a house of God and more a temple for trippy beats, jazz cigarette smoke, and sweat Tuesday night when Oxford quartet Glass Animals made its local debut. Layered, brain melting textures, hypnotic beats, and the sensually soulful vocals of Dave Bayely  got the sold out crowd moving and got us at peak rapture, before the house lights came back on and we were turned loose on society, overstimulated and wired for sound. The chaps seemed almost embarrassed by our exuberance, bless them.

Just Announced: Sleater-Kinney

June 16, 2015

As we marvel at the ridiculous amount of fantastic acts visiting the Buffalo area this summer and early fall, winter has just called its shot with the first must see show of the season as Sleater-Kinney will help end Babeville’s year on a high note with a performance at Asbury Hall on Thursday, December 10th. After parting ways nearly 10 years ago, the Olympia, WA trio returned earlier this year with well received No Cities To Love and will take the album on a short December tour that will hit a handful of East-Coast and Mid-West cities. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 19th, at 10am for $28 each.

Tonight: Glass Animals

June 16, 2015

I still remember the first time I heard Glass Animals. It was about this time last year on a long road trip down to Bonnaroo. The band’s lead single “Gooey” seemed to an in an endless radio rotation, sandwitched between other recent buzz bands like Joywave and Walk the Moon. It was the type of song initially that seemed fun as a catchy pop song on a road trip, but not as much more than that. However, as the month passed, I still found myself coming back to it, something was sharper and stranger about it than the pop songs that surrounded it. Finally taking the plunge into the debut album, ZABA, I found myself richly rewarded. This was certainly an album that had all the hooks of a big indie pop record, but the more I listened, I found something more sexy and sinister about it. Having more in[...]

Tonight: Jooklo Duo

June 9, 2015

Saxophonist Virginia Genta and drummer David Vanzan have been collaborating musically as Jooklo Duo since 2003. Since then, the pair have forged a visceral, impassioned sound that blends elements of free jazz and noise rock, making for chaotic spontaneous performances that continue the tradition of artists like Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane. Their avant-garde inclinations have also led them to collaborations with Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Sonic Youth, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and Andrew Barker. Tonight, Jooklo Duo will perform at Buffalo’s 9th Ward at Babeville along with local jazz artists Bacz/Sack Duo, who have been creating improvised music for several years and have recently been collaborating live with drummer Jim Abrason. Music starts at 8pm, admission price has been listed as pay what you can, suggesting $6-10. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/181667019″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Hurray for the Riff Raff

Tonight: Hurray for the Riff Raff

June 3, 2015

It may be a chillier-than-usual start to the summer, but that doesn’t mean the essence of down home dog days can’t be celebrated. Hurray for the Riff Raff, a New Orleans based outfit, will help you do just that. Hurray for the Riff Raff is American folk that is dressed plainly — as in it doesn’t rely on contrived exaggerations of the genre to convey anything. It’s upfront, honest, and backed by authentic born-with-it type talent. Somewhere at the rootsy core of HFTRR’s music, the band offers a very real, palpable feeling delivered through Alynda Lee Segarra’s smoky, subtle vocals, the rawness of the instrumentals, and the slow unfolding of a beautiful story. Mechanical River, hailing from Charleston, SC, is set to kick off the show at Asbury Hall at Babeville. Doors are at 7pm with music starting at 8pm. Tickets are only $15. More information can be found here.

Tonight: Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas

May 27, 2015

After the absolute blast that was last Friday’s sold out !!! show, Babeville’s basement venue, the Ninth Ward, looks to keep things rolling tonight as it welcomes the buzzing act, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas. The Detroit born Hernandez, a sultry, rock and roll version of Amy Winehouse, will be in town to support the group’s debut album, Secret Evil. Tickets are still available to grab at the door for $10. The Albrights will open the show beginning at 8pm.

Just Announced: of Montreal

May 27, 2015

of Montreal’s annual visit to Buffalo will continue this year, moving from the band’s normal stopping grounds of Town Ballroom to acoustically rich confines to Babeville’s suddenly busy Asbury Hall. Kevin Barnes and crew will hit town on Monday, September 14th, in what is becoming a fantastic month for live music in Buffalo to support the band’s 13th(!) studio album, Aureate Gloom. Tickets for the Dan Smalls presented show will go on sale this Friday, May 27th, at noon for $17.50 in advance, $20 day of via Ticketweb. Surface to Air Missive is set to open.

Tonight: !!! (Chk Chk Chk)

May 22, 2015

The beautiful old bricks that bless the Ninth Ward at Babeville with sublime acoustics will be vibrating with all sorts of sexy funky future sounds when !!!, blog favorites KOPPS, and Groove Cereal take it over tonight. Sacramento, California’s dance-punk outfit, !!! (or, Chk Chk Chk, a reference to the 80’s classic The Gods Must Be Crazy), is in town promoting 2013’s Thr!!!er, with a follow up in the wings, while this show will also be KOPPS second show in Buffalo this week, having played Waiting Room Monday night opening for Priory at one of the Alt Buffalo’s $1.07 shows. Even though their set was plagued with sound problems, the unstoppable Rochester darlings overcame the static and utterly owned the audience, and the show. I’ve never been to a show at the Ninth Ward that didn’t sound absolutely wonderful, so tonight ought to be a genuine treat. Plus, dancing. Buffalo trip-hop[...]