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Just Announced: Mac DeMarco

After a sold yet, yet unexpected solo show last summer at the Tralf Music Hall, indie rock class clown, Mac DeMarco, will make a return appearance later this summer, hopefully with band in tow, to the downtown venue on Sunday, August 16th. Earlier this morning, both Rolling Stone and Stereogum announced DeMarco’s MASSIVE tour, which kicks off tonight in Portland, as well as a new “mini album” titled Another One, set to drop sometime this summer. On-sale dates and prices were not available at the time of this writing, so keep an eye out. Photo by Candace Camuglia

Just Announced: The Smashing Pumpkins

In all of the “say what?” announcements I have seen in Buffalo lately, this one is near the top. The Smashing Pumpkins will be appearing at North Tonawanda’s fantastic Riviera Theatre for a gig titled “In Plainsong – An Acoustic-Electro Evening,” on Monday June 15th. According to front man Billy, I mean William, Corgan, the set will be comprised of material from the Pumpkins (including songs from the band’s 2014 album Monuments to an Elegy), Zwan, (I always liked that band!), and various solo work from over the band’s long and storied career. The 20th anniversary event will be presented by 103.3 the Edge. Tickets currently available for purchase via an online pre-sale (hint: the code is wedg) for $42.50. P.S. I would pay good money to hear “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” on the Riviera’s prized Wurlitzer. Can this happen? Mellon collie and the infinite sadness from Jozek on[...]

Just Announced: Sebadoh

If there was any doubt that Mohawk Place was back in business, that question has been laid to rest over the last couple months. It seems like we are writing about show announcements from fantastic bands on a near weekly basis, and like clockwork, this morning we got word that Sebadoh will be playing the venue on Thursday, June 4th. Sebadoh formed as a new venture for Dinosaur Jr.’s Lou Barlow after the songwriter/bassist left the band in the late 80s due to lack of song contribution and conflict with J Mascis. The trio became one of the leading acts in the lo-fi movement of the early 90s and consistently released quality albums, most notable 1991’s III and 1994’s Bakesdale, into the late 90s. The band’s ended its lengthy hiatus a couple years ago with the 2013’s Defend Yourself, and will see that reunion continue this summer on a tour that run’s[...]

Just Announced: Pity Sex

I’ve been yearning for this one for a while. The fuzzrocious emogazers in Pity Sex will be joining us on Sunday, July 5th, for a night of noise at Mohawk Place. Pity Sex is a great example of what the recent emo revival has to offer. Between gigantic guitars and lilting male/female vocals, PS sounds like what would happen if the Pixies discovered a big muff. Joining the bill are fellow shoegazers (albeit of the hardcore variety) Ceremony and solo act Tony Molina. Mohawk is the place to be. Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

Just Announced: Blonde Redhead

While caught up in an intense battle of paper football at the office today, Waiting Room announced a rare appearance of ethereal NYC trio, Blonde Redhead, set to hit Buffalo on Tuesday, June 16th. Beginning 20+ years ago, the long time threesome teeter taughters between dreamy electro pop and shoegaze to delicate indie a la Lykke Li. The band is best known for its stunning 4AD release, 23, dropped in 2007, and most recently released its latest album, Barragán, back in 2014. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, April 17th, at noon for $20 in advance, $25 day of.

Just Announced: Lord Huron

LA based folk band Lord Huron will be back in Buffalo this summer on Tuesday, July 28th. After playing at Mohawk Place a couple years back, the quartet has now graduated to the stage of Town Ballroom. Lord Huron made its full length debut in 2012 with the ethereal collection of tunes, Lonesome Dreams, and just yesterday, dropped its sophomore LP, Strange Trails, which should see some serious road testing this summer as the band rolls through town. Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 10th, at noon for $23 in advance, $26 day of. Widowspeak will join Lord Huron as support.

Just Announced: !!!

This morning, ESI announced it would be bringing one of the best live party bands, !!!, back to Buffalo after a 3+ year hiatus. On Friday, May 22nd, the dance punk act will be getting sweaty in the Ninth Ward basement. !!! (pronounced chk chk chk) have been mainstays in the indie dance sector, coming up with the likes LCD Soundsystem and remaining active long after. So pack your short shorts, hydrate up, and prepare to witness one of the best shows to come to Buffalo this summer. Tickets can be purchased on ticketweb for a cool $15.

Just Announced: Strand of Oaks

One of 2014’s best success stories came from Timothy Showalter’s Strand of Oaks project. Last summer, the Philadelphia rocker released his acclaimed new album, the emotionally raw Heal, which was anchored by the blistering lead single, “Goshen 97” and the devastatingly nostalgic nod to Song: Ohio’s Jason Molina on “JM.” In leaving some of his folk roots behind, Heal would go on to find itself on countless year end lists and put Showalter under an unexpected spotlight. To keep the momentum going, Showalter will take Strand of Oaks on a summer tour in support of Heal, which will include a stop in Buffalo on Saturday, July 25th at the Tralf Music Hall Tickets will go on sale this Friday, Apri 3rd at noon, for $10.

Just Announced: Pile

This afternoon it was announced that Boston-based heavy indie rockers / 2015 tour warriors, Pile, will be taking the stage at Mohawk Place on Sunday, May 17th. The band has literally been all over the country in 2015, playing for four months straight in support of the highly praised album You’re Better Than This. After listening to the album over and over again this afternoon, I would best describe it as meeting in the middle venn diagram between Cursive, Pissed Jeans, and Attic Abasement. The bill will definitely be the best line-up on Buffalo that night. Support for Pile comes from spooky locals, JOHNS, who are still high on their very successful release show for Grift Marks as well as buzzing heavy-hitters, the Slums. No word on doors, but I imagine it would be on the early side and well worth your money.

Just Announced: The Rolling Stones

After weeks of rumors, its turns out those Rolling Stones to the Ralph speculations are true after all. The British Rock legends will play the Orchard Park stadium on Friday, July 11th as a part of their Zip Code tour, a tour that will take the band to 15 stadiums in 15 cities. The tour will also coincide with the deluxe re-issue of the Stones’ classic Sticky Fingers album, set to drop on May 25th. Arguably the greatest band in rock n roll history, as long as you don’t get into the argument with a Beatles fan, the Stones have continued to stay relevant over the years as the members have toured their asses off while celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary back in 2013, and sadly, performing an unfortunately boring and predictable Super Bowl Half Time show in 2006. Tickets are set to go on sale on Friday, April 10th at[...]

Just Announced: UB Spring Fest

The State University of NEW YORK (see the men’s basketball jerseys) at Buffalo continues to prove it is with the times as its Student Association announced this year’s Spring Fest yesterday, set to be headlined by Young the Giant on Saturday, May 2nd. N̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶n̶’̶t̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶A̶l̶t̶-̶B̶u̶f̶f̶a̶l̶o̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶w̶.̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶c̶u̶r̶r̶e̶n̶t̶l̶y̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶b̶u̶s̶y̶ ̶l̶o̶s̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶i̶t̶s̶ ̶s̶h̶i̶t̶ ̶o̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶i̶t̶s̶ ̶u̶p̶c̶o̶m̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶K̶e̶r̶f̶u̶f̶f̶l̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶n̶o̶u̶n̶c̶e̶m̶e̶n̶t̶.̶   Nevermind, they found time to sponsor this. The rest of the bill, though, is comprised of alternative radio mainstays Bear Hands, In the Valley Below, Banks, and local act, Royal Tongues, so it’s close enough. UB, who frequently seemed a tad out of touch on many of its Fall/Spring Fest acts, took a major step in the right direction with last year’s Kendrick Lamar show, although I am still waiting for them to top that Outkast Spring Fest when I was in high school. The multi-band show will once[...]

Just Announced: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings

With spring in full bloom (sort of), Artpark has begun to roll out its summer concert schedule. We learned of the My Morning Jacket show a few weeks ago, along with Amos Lee just recently. The next show that should be of note is an August 4th engagement with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. The retro soul act will be a part of the “Wheels of Soul Summer Tour 2015” along with Tedeschi Trucks Band and Doyle Bramhall III. The show will be the conclusion to the venue’s annual  “Tuesday at the Park” series. After successfully beating cancer last year, its a pleasure to see Jones and her band returning to the WNY area. Those who caught them a few years back at Town Ballroom know should expect another soul explosion from the dynamic front woman and one of music’s finest backing bands. Tickets will on sale this Friday,[...]

Just Announced: Melt-Banana

One of 2013’s more bonkers shows in Buffalo had to be Melt-Banana’s ridiculous fall show at the Tralf Music Hall. The schizophrenic, Japanese punk/pop/noise group unleashed a chaotic set full of squealing guitars, out of control percussion, and songs sung so strangely you barely recognized they were sung in English. Concert opener Lesionread, who was still establishing her live act, even brought along a 15 foot machine pinata to the show, which was quickly destroyed at her request almost as quickly as it was assembled on the venue floor. If you missed this one-of-a-kind show, fear not. Melt-Banana will be back in town on Saturday, May 16th, at the strangely early time of 6pm, this time around at Mohawk Place. Tickets will go on sale this Friday at noon for $14 in advance, $16 day of.

Just Announced: Great Lake Swimmers

The next couple months should be a formidable stretch for Buffalo folk fans. Horse Feathers and Shakey Graves will run through town within a two day period at the end of this month. And now, on Saturday, May 16th, Great Lake Swimmers are set to make a stop in Buffalo at the Tralf Music Hall. The Canadian folk outfit will be on the road in support of its forthcoming album, A Forrest of Arms, due out this April. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 13th, for $14 in advance/$16 at the door.

Just Announced: AWOLNATION

Just yesterday, alternative rock giants, AWOLNATION, announced a summer return to Western New York. After a successful show at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls in 2013, the band will be back in support of its new album, Run (3/17), on Sunday, June 28th at Town Ballroom. Hearing a packed house at the Rapids all scream along the lyrics to the hit single “Sail” was one of the crazier concert experiences I’ve had, and I definitely look forward to seeing the AWOLNATION again. Take my word for it, this band can put on an incredible show. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 13th, at noon for $25 in advance and $30 day of show via Ticketfly.  A VIP meet and greet package will also be available.