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EdgeFest 2015 at the Outer Harbor (9/12/15)

In 2011, I went to the notoriously rainy UK festival, Glastonbury. In what was one of the festivals worst years yet, rain poured for five days straight creating flash floods and leaving 12 foot piles of boots littering the fields. It was deemed “The Year of Mud.” Never did I think I would experience anything like it again, but as I stare at the mud caked jeans in my laundry hamper, I think Edgefest 2015 might come close. That being said, if there’s one thing that both festivals have proven, it’s that as bad as weather gets, it’s nothing that a few beers and some good bands can’t solve. Opening the proceedings were the rising hometown heroes of Made Violent. After continuing to grow over the past year, the band even caught the attention of UK indie rocks Wolf Alice, who asked the trio to open their UK tour. It’s hard[...]

EdgeFest 2015 at the Outer Harbor (9/12/15)

In spite of Saturday’s less than ideal weather, 103.3’s annual Edgefest was hugely successful. Thousands turned out on a dreary day to see the likes of Rise Against, Coheed & Cambria, Modest Mouse, and many other groups as the rain ceased to let up. Local band Made Violent has created quite a fan base over the last couple years and put on a show that seems to ensure its continued success. The trio, who leave for a two week tour of the UK today, managed to set the tone of the show and the other acts followed suit. Edgefest was a show not to be missed, downpour and all. For a full gallery of EdgeFest 2015, click here.

Edgefest at the Outer Harbor (8/10/14)

Whoever is setting up the dates for the Outer Harbor concerts deserves a round of applause, or at the very least a well-excecuted high five. We really couldn’t have asked for a better day/night combo for Sunday’s Edgefest 2014, presented by 103.3 The Edge.  Well, it probably could have been a bit cooler during the day, but temperatures dropped as the night’s “supermoon” replaced the unforgiving sun, serving as a perfect backdrop to Sunday’s festivities. (Anyone remember last month’s City and Colour show? Think “Supermoon Strikes Back.”) The lineup could easily be considered one of the year’s best, featuring headliners Weezer and Brand New with support from The Sheila Divine, Pentimento, and Dirty Smile. Edgefest was undeniably the best deal of the summer, especially for those of you lucky enough to snag the $25 early bird tickets before they sold out. I’m just going to go ahead and say it—Weezer’s[...]

Tonight: City and Colour, Young the Giant, and Tokyo Police Club

Not just everyone in the world gets to be in two wildly successful bands… But then again not everyone is Dallas Green – he’s the man with the golden voice that you hear singing in those beautiful City and Colour songs. Buffalo’s Outer Harbor series nailed it earlier this year with Vampire Weekend and Cults – tonight is poised to do the same. City and Colour is supported by alternative radio mainstays Young the Giant and the upbeat, keyboard-driven indie rock of Tokyo Police Club. This particular date at the Outer Harbor is sponsored by Alternative Buffalo 107.7 and seems to be one of the ones to appeal to a younger crowd. The show is all ages, but plenty of beer will be flowing for the 21+ crowd. City and Colour, Young The Giant, Tokyo Police Club, and Clear Plastic Masks Outer Harbor All Ages Gates at 6:00pm $45 Day[...]

Tonight: Vampire Weekend w/Cults

Today looks like a perfect day for an outdoor concert and what better band for this than Vampire Weekend. Still touring in support of their 3rd and strongest album to date, Modern Vampires of the City, the group seems to be on a perpetual victory lap. For after making two memorable appearances in Rochester recently, the band will be making their Buffalo debut (although I think they played with Dirty Projectors at Soundlab many many years ago before either band hit it big, which was probably amazing for a number of reasons). Tonight, they will be playing the Outer Harbor, a venue that seemingly became a summertime staple overnight. Rounding out this perfect indie summer concert is Cults, touring in support of the excellent sophomore release Static. The NYC band has quickly proven themselves to be a band on the rise and their live appearances are not to be missed. So, the[...]

Vampire Weekend and Contra

Last year we ran an article about Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires of the City. I basically just went song-by-song and tried to explain some of the more potentially obscure references and how I thought the songs fit into the larger thematic arc of the album. You can still read that piece, here, on the old buffaBLOG (from the “before times” in the “long, long ago.”) That article was pretty well received and some people said that it was nice to have some extra context in which to enjoy the songs, even if most of it was just pure speculation and interpretation on my part. So, in anticipation of Vampire Weekend’s upcoming show at the Outer Harbor on Monday, I’ve made some comments below on the rest of the band’s catalog, which includes all of the songs from their self-titled debut album and follow-up, Contra. Pick and choose from your favorite songs below[...]