Latest Posts

of Montreal at Asbury Hall (4/26/17)

May 1, 2017

The semiannual of Montreal art rock freakout rolled through Asbury Hall at Babeville Wednesday night with Christina Scheider’s Jepeto Solutions, and the results were customarily intense and deeply satisfying. Jepeto Solutions were instantly effective, with a continental psychedelic sound that recalled the soundtracks to Michelangelo Antonioni and Barbet Schroder films. Christina Schneider’s dreamy vocals kept everything in a hazy focus while she and her band bathed the crowd in shimmering guitars and kept us guessing through whimsical, swinging timing changes that conjured pleasing sensations of detached freedom and innocence, ideal sensations before a set from of Montreal. of Montreal devotees know that their shows are happenings in the truest sense, and the current show came at the audience hard with a teasing set that largely explored the band’s last three albums and visions of masculinity in 2017. Frontman/guru Kevin Barnes dazzled the crowd with a cross dressing series of tasteful[...]

Tonight: Of Montreal

April 26, 2017

of Montreal will be making their what seems to be their yearly stop in Buffalo tonight.  Since their inception, of Montreal has basically been dropping a project a year, all having their own unique feel.  The band is currently on tour for their 2016 full length, Innocence Reaches, and gracing the stage tonight at Buffalo’s Asbury Hall.  Most of the band’s performances in Buffalo have been at the Town Ballroom, and a change of scenery for this show should be something to look forward to.  If you’ve ever been to an of Montreal show before, you should know that this will a show you won’t want to miss.  Set lists spanning their entire discography, insane stage antics, as well as the band’s ability to make every place they play feel like a stadium, all come together to create some of the most interesting live shows I’ve ever seen. The show will[...]

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[...]

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.

World Cup Brasil 2014

June 12, 2014

Starting today, whether you like it or not, World Cup soccer is back. And with that in mind, we have a little playlist to get you ready for it, or piss you off because you’re tired of the World Cup and all this soccer already.  If you’re in the latter category, well, good luck with that during the next month, because it’s going to be everywhere this time around (and you can forget about Twitter during matches)…. even in Buffalo, with bars all over town vying to be your “World Cup bar.” If you’re a fan, then you know it’s going to be a hell of a party. Enjoy. “Tive Razao” by Seu Jorge. The standout track from the FIFA 06 soundtrack, this sublime acoustic ditty from Brazilian superstar Seu Jorge is gorgeous, irresistible, and a glimpse into the soul and rhythms of Brazil. “Festival” by Sigur Ros.  This soundtrack[...]

Tonight: of Montreal

May 13, 2014

“Let’s pretend we don’t exist, let’s pretend we’re in Antarctica.” I’m sure you are familiar with these two lyrical lines, sung by Kevin Barnes in a droll tone supported by a roaring, peppy synth. If you haven’t, they belong to the ever-popular of Montreal, who will be taking the Town Ballroom tonight. Since then, they have moved on to an inclusive, eclectic sound, riding hard on guitar and experimenting with strong diction in their vocals. Atlanta’s of Montreal was formed a while back in ’96, and since then, has grown a long repertoire of albums. They are contemporaries of The Elephant 6 Collective including bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel and Apples In Stereo. Most recently, their latest album lousy with sylvianbriar, featured a strong rock and roll edge mixed with an upbeat pop twang. WNYBAC designed the poster for tonight that you can have a chance to purchase for $20[...]

WNYBAC Designs Latest of Montreal Gig Poster

May 12, 2014

With the exception of the stellar design work over at Your Cinema and the now west-coast based Hero and Sound, the Western New York Book Arts Center has been producing some of my favorite gig posters in Buffalo over the last few years. Better known as WNYBAC on the streets, the Washington St. printing center has been producing prints for the likes of Godspeed You Black Emperor!, the New Pornographers, First Aid Kit, tUnE-yArDs and my personal fav, the Broken Social Scene poster for their last gig in Buffalo on their “final” 2010 tour. I have a pair of these hanging in my apt. WNYBAC’s most recent commission is for tomorrow night’s of Montreal show at the Town Ballroom. Samantha Epps, WNYBAC’s retail manager, filled us in on the design process: “This is a 5 color letterpress print produced using metal and wood type exclusively from the collection at the[...]