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Japanese Breakfast at The Bug Jar (7/16/18)

July 19, 2018

Japanese Breakfast returned to Rochester, NY for a sold-out show at The Bug Jar on July 16th in the midst of their 2018 USA tour. Packing the tiny club to its full capacity, Michelle Zauner and her bandmates played an electrifying set of emotionally-charged, shimmering indie-pop, culling key tracks from 2016’s Psychopomp (Yellow K Records) and last year’s Soft Sounds from Another Planet (Dead Oceans). Radiating pure joy, Zauner’s sprightly voice and animated stage presence elevated her songs to higher plane of expression. Japanese Breakfast were supported that night by Philadelphia’s Mothers and Rochester’s own Calicoco. Check out the photos below. Calicoco Mothers Japanese Breakfast

Sunflower Bean at Mohawk Place (5/6/18)

May 8, 2018

New York indie-rock trio Sunflower Bean blew the roof off Mohawk Place on Sunday, May 6th, marking their return to the Queen City since opening for Best Coast at The Tralf Music Hall two years ago. With indelible pop hooks, Fleetwood Mac harmonies, Mick Ronson riffs, and a bit of Johnny Marr’s jangle, Sunflower Bean played with confidence and charisma, invigorating the songs from their newest album, Twentytwo In Blue (Mom & Pop). The band even gave a shout-out to Buffalo’s own rock photographer extraordinaire Andy DeLuca, their friend and creative collaborator. Sunflower Bean were supported by feisty London punks Dream Wife and local psychedelic shamans Deadwolf. Deadwolf Dream Wife Sunflower Bean

Built to Spill & The Afghan Whigs at Town Ballroom (04/24/18)

April 27, 2018

Earlier this week, Built to Spill and the Afghan Whigs both returned to Buffalo for an awesome co-headlining show. Both bands played career spanning sets, making up for lost time since their last shows in Buffalo. The Afghan Whigs offered a  high energy set, focusing on tracks from their 2017 LP, titled In Spades. Built To Spill took a more intimate, no BS approach to their set, cruising through the show as a three piece, engaging in very little small talk.  While they did play fan favorite “Carry the Zero”, they focused on their deep cuts, making for a great show for longtime fans of the band. Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. The Afghan Whigs Built to Spill  

Moose Blood at the Town Ballroom (04/17/18)

April 20, 2018

Earlier this week, UK pop punk four piece, Moose Blood, made their way back to Buffalo.   They seemed to make the best of Tuesday’s mediocre weather, drawing a sizable crowd. They played a pretty even split of songs between all three of their major records, and the die hard fans in the crowd seemed to love every minute of it.  Indie/emo veterans Lydia also made their first Buffalo appearance in quite some time, debuting a lot of their newer pop oriented material, along with a couple older cult classics.  Buffalo’s own Marigold kicked things off with a solid set, following a tour cancellation from McCafferty.   Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Marigold Lydia Moose Blood    

Wolf Alice at Town Ballroom (4/6/18)

April 10, 2018

Wolf Alice made their long-awaited return to Buffalo––“The home of Made Violent”––with a specular headlining show at Town Ballroom on Friday, April 6th. Touring in support of last year’s Visions of a Life (Dirty Hit/RCA), the band were a ferocious presence onstage, seasoned by rigorous gigging and a tight musical chemistry. A stylistically-malleable musical force, Wolf Alice’s idiosyncratic alt-rock evoked shadowy post-punk, radiant dream pop, and hushed folk, played with unabashed energy. Likewise, singer Ellie Rowsell’s impassioned delivery and commanding stage presence inspired feverous devotion from the crowd. Opening that night were The Big Pink, whose outsized electro-rock anthems were a perfect match to Wolf Alice’s sweeping sound. The Big Pink Wolf Alice

Sylvan Esso at the Town Ballroom (03/30/18)

April 2, 2018

Last week, Sylvan Esso thrilled a sold out Town Ballroom.  The electronic/synth pop duo finally made their way to Buffalo,  selling out the venue months in advance.  A few songs into their set, they explained they had no idea that so many people in Buffalo wanted to see them, and the audience made it clear that they did not want to wait long before another Buffalo appearance.  The packed house seemed to love every minute of their set, with nonstop singing and dancing from the ecstatic audience. The duo’s stellar lighting rig provided a great aid to the hypnotizing effect of the music, keeping the audience a near trance the whole night.  Check out some photos from the show below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Sylvan Esso    

Atmosphere at the Town Ballroom (3/20/18)

March 27, 2018

Last week, Atmosphere made their triumphant return to Buffalo for a near sold out show at the Town Ballroom. The producer/rap duo were not on tour for any specific record, but played material from their extremely extensive back catalog, including a bunch of tracks from their cult classic LP released in 2002, God Loves Ugly. While there were no local openers on the show,  Atmosphere’s friend and collaborator Evidence kicked things off with a great set, swiftly rapping his way through a set of tracks from his 2018 release, Weather or Not, as well as a handful of his older tracks as well. Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Evidence Atmosphere

Joywave at the Town Ballroom (03/07/17)

March 12, 2018

This past Wednesday, our neighbors down the 90, Joywave, finished up a very lengthy full US tour with a stacked show at the Town Ballroom.  Buffalo’s own Humble Braggers opened things up, followed by Joywave collaborators and boisterous Rochester natives Kopps.  Low key pop act Sasha Sloan was also on the whole tour as well, and delivered a sweet set to get the crowd ready for Joywave.  When they finally took the stage, they ripped through tracks from their whole discography, and they drew a huge crowd that packed the room.  Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Humble Braggers Kopps Sasha Sloan Joywave

Lights at the Town Ballroom (03/06/18)

March 9, 2018

Earlier this week, Lights played her first show in Buffalo in over five years.  The packed house at the Town Ballroom didn’t seem to mind the wait though, singing along to all of her songs, both old and new. Her live show not only looked great due to her intense lighting rig, but her tight electro pop sound sounded absolutely massive as well.  Hopefully it wont be so long before the next time her and her band roll through town.  Australia’s Chase Atlantic opened up the show, serving as a solid warm up for Lights. Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Chase Atlantic Lights

Andrew Bird at UB Center for the Arts (2/24/18)

March 2, 2018

Multifaceted singer-songwriter Andrew Bird made his much-anticipated return to Buffalo on February 24th with an extraordinary performance at the UB Center for the Arts. Billed as An Evening with Andrew Bird, the show began with a twenty-minute installment of Echolocations, an experimental audio-visual project recorded and filmed in Utah’s Coyote Gulch and the Los Angeles River, with live accompaniment by Bird on violin. He was later joined onstage by his backing band for an electric set of choice cuts throughout his catalog, including 2016’s Are You Serious (Loma Vista). Seamlessly integrating indie, folk, baroque pop, classical, and country rock into his rich tapestry of sound, Bird’s resonant voice, impressive technique, and impeccable whistle were invigorated by the talents of his bandmates. An Evening with Andrew Bird was undoubtedly a night to remember. Andrew Bird

Tyler, The Creator & Vince Staples at the Main Street Armory (02/21/18)

February 28, 2018

Last week, Vince Staples and Tyler, the Creator rolled through Rochester for an unforgettable show. Energy levels were maxed out from start to finish, with a quick DJ set to kick things off by Odd Future affiliate, Taco. Vince Staples’ high octane set touched on all of his major projects, and he did not disappoint, taking no time to mess around.  Based off of the reaction when the curtain dropped on Tyler though, it sounded like nothing could have prepared the audience for his set. Tyler performed tracks from all of his major albums, but mainly focused on his fantastic 2017 release, titled Flower Boy. The album’s mature sound translated perfectly to the big stage, not a single person in the crowd looked disappointed whether he was playing older or newer tracks, just further proving the fact that Tyler is here to stay. Check out some photos from the night below, shot by blog photographer,[...]

Diet Cig at Mohawk Place (1/29/18)

February 2, 2018

Effervescent pop-punk duo Diet Cig kicked off their 2018 tour at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place on January 29th, beginning the final lap in support of their full-length debut, Swear I’m Good at This (Frenchkiss Records). Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman were joined onstage by Karli Helm (Pllush) and Anna Cory (The Spook School), marking their debut as a live four-piece. Diet Cig’s exuberant slop-pop sound incited a rapturous response from the adoring crowd, as Luciano advocated for music as a force for inclusivity, acceptance, and positive change. The band were supported that evening by Chicago punks Lala Lala and Scottish indie-pop quartet The Spook School. Lala Lala The Spook School Diet Cig

Every Time I Die’s Annual Christmas Show at Riverworks (12/16/17)

December 19, 2017

Tid the season!  The Every Time I Die annual Christmas shows have turned into a sort of local legend, and this year, the local metalcore legends went all out.  They invited an insane assortment of  touring acts to open the all day event, including Vein, Knocked Loose, Frank Iero and the Patience, Reggie and the Full Effect, Pup, and Eighteen Visions.  This was probably their biggest Christmas show to date, Riverworks was totally packed, sold out months in advance, and the fans went off like the show was still a venue as small as at the Waiting Room.  Check out some photos from the hours of total madness below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Vein Knocked Loose Frank Iero and the Patience  Reggie and the Full Effect Pup Eighteen Visions Every Time I Die

Circa Survive at the Main Street Armory (12/01/17)

December 5, 2017

This past Friday, Circa Survive brought an insane tour package to the Main Street Armory in Rochester.  We sent our photographer down the 90 to catch some of the action.  The massive venue did not deter the bands nor the passionate fans from giving it their all.  Balance and Composure kicked things off, followed by instrumental prog/math rock act Chon.  Things started to get a little crazy after Thrice went on, in a good way.  The madness was only amplified into Circa Survive’s set, as both bands are known for having exceptionally passionate fans.  Check out some photos from the show below, shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Balance and Composure Chon Thrice Circa Survive

Turnover at the Town Ballroom (11/13/17)

November 20, 2017

Last week, Turnover made their triumphant return to Buffalo in support of their new album, Good Nature.  The band managed a surprisingly great turnout at the Town Ballroom after the closure of the Waiting Room, causing the show to move locations.  They cruised through a handful of tracks off of their past two records, and with the help of Pronoun and Elvis Depressedly, made for a killer show overall.  Check out some photos from the night below, shot be blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Elvis Depressedly Turnover