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Tonight: Stiff Little Fingers

July 14, 2015

Grandfathers of punk Stiff Little Fingers take over Town Ballroom tonight with hometown band Governess. SLF formed in Ireland back in 1977 and these hooligans put the punk in punk rock. The band broke up in ‘83 but reformed a couple years later, and have been churning out records ever since with varying line-ups. To be honest, when I heard that Stiff Little Fingers was touring, I was surprised because I couldn’t believe they were still on the road after all of these years. the group’s current tour will bring these long time punks to the Ballroom tonight at 7pm. Tickets are $24 at the door. Their first single is still their greatest hit.

Tonight: Sun Riah

July 12, 2015

Sun Riah, the recording alias of Oklahoma City native Moriah Bailey, presents a more melancholic side of the harp, with her haunting, experimental arrangements and a vocal delivery reminiscent of Joanna Newsom. Incorporating elements of ambient, folk, and shoegaze, and using mesmerizing loops to achieve a reflective, otherworldly sound, her work has developed a reputation for blurring genre boundaries. Firefly Night Light, the artist’s latest self-released album, is a comprehensive look at Sun Riah’s ambitious style of songwriting that ranges from celestial to ominous and unsettling. Tonight, the singer/songwriter will perform at Buffalo’s Silo City as a part of its Silo  Sessions series. Music starts at 7pm with an opening set from local singer/ukulele player Sica Marinaccio. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/207681787″ params=”color=ff5500″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Gillian

July 11, 2015

In elementary school, I had this friend named Gillian (spelled the same way). She was a fearless girl careful coordinate every outfit, had every hair on her head neatly trimmed, was clear and concise, but was also totally unafraid to throw down on the monkey bars, make up  Britney Spears songs by herself at recess and live in an eccentric bubble of her own. All of this comes to mind because it seems to be an adaptive description for Gillian the band (hear me out on this one). The quintet has a sound that’s super cohesive and well thought out, but entirely daring at the same time. It’s a cool fusion between 70’s disco and 80’s power rock, all housed under an undeniably catchy umbrella of indie dance pop. The alternating male/female vocals add a fresh and sonically pleasing dimension to it all. The New York City band recently released[...]

Tonight: Cages

July 10, 2015

As a part of the M&T Second Friday program, the Burchfield Penny Art Center will be holding a one night only showing of the experimental 1970 film, Zorns Lemma, accompanied by a soundtrack performed live by local avant garde act Cages, in collaboration with local string section Wooden Cities. The film, directed by Hollis Fampton, will be projected onto three panels in the front lawn of the art center. The performance begins at dusk ( around 9pm), and is set to last one hour. The event is totally free, and the film and music combination is sure to be nothing short of ethereal. This is one you’re not going to want to miss. Get there even earlier to catch Lazlo Hollyfeld out on the lawn around 5:30pm. Cages – “Vivipary” Record Release Show – Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center – 1/10/15 – Set 1 from David Bailey on Vimeo.

Tonight: Lazlo Hollyfeld

July 10, 2015

The Burchfield Penney, in collaboration with M&T Bank, will once again host its monthly Second Friday event this evening, this time featuring music from Lazlo Hollyfeld on the gallery’s front yard. Lazlo Hollyfeld is an instrumental art-rock group that originated in Buffalo in 2003. The long time act has a sound that teeters between mellow and intense grooves with a lot of experimentation. While at the Burchfield Penney, the gallery will also be up and running inside, and visitors will even have the opportunity to create their own art until 7:30pm. If you are looking for a night out away from the kids, or a place to bring them, Burchfield Penney is the place to be tonight. Music begins at 5:30pm. Stay tuned for a closer look at Cages, also performing on the front yard, later on today.

Tonight: Frame and Mantle

July 9, 2015

Tonight kicks off a mini-tour for our ambient indie-rock friends from Erie, Frame and Mantle. In the first of nine tour dates that take the band from Buffalo to as far south as Wilmington, North Carolina, Frame and Mantle will be setting up camp at Mohawk Place with Elemantra and Sea of Teeth. Frame and Mantle have an EP out right now, which is available for free download over at its bandcamp. While Our Fields Lie Fallow has 5 songs, and shifts back and forth from loud, intense busts to American Football-esque ambient rock. It’s the kind of stuff you’d love to see in an intimate location, such as a basement show. Or Mohawk Place. So, as the day grows longer and this rain clears up, go download the EP, memorize all the lyrics, and sing right back at the band tonight at Mohawk. It’s $5 at the door and well[...]

Tonight: STS9

July 8, 2015

Santa Cruz-based instrumental electronic band Sound Tribe Sector 9, better known as STS9, have been been touring extensively since 1998, becoming mainstays in the North American festival circuit while releasing eleven studio albums in that time. With a progressive, organic sound that draws upon funk, electronica, jazz, and hip hop, STS9 have developed a reputation as one of the most consistently dynamic live electronic acts. Its most recent EP, When The Dust Settles, was released on the bands’ label 1320 records, which has also released music from artists like Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Big Gigantic, and The Glitch Mob. Tonight, STS9 will headline a performance at Artpark‘s outdoor amphitheater with support from Portland, Maine electronica band JAW GEMS, whose jazz and funk infused beats are as soulful as they are cerebral. Tickets are $17 general admission and can be purchased here. Gates open at 4:45pm while music begins at 6:30pm.

Tonight: The Tins w/ Applennium

July 8, 2015

The rebirth of Larkinville over the past five years has been a beautiful thing to witness. The once desolate business park in Larkin Square has become a hub for life and culture, and has even inspired the birth of further restaurants and bars in the area. Adding to the life in Larkinville is this summer’s Live in Larkin concert series which has showcased a plethora of local talent throughout the summer. That said, I’d be remiss if I didn’t stress just how special tonight’s showcase is, featuring two of Buffalo’s best acts in Applennium and the Tins. If you haven’t been lucky enough to hear Applennium, then you’ve missed out on perhaps the most intriguing bands in Buffalo. The band’s songs are rich with layers and harmonies, inventive but still completely melodic. Applennium is one of those groups that’s garnered a lot of local praise despite its limited live appearances,[...]

Tonight: Curly’s Grand Re-Opening

July 8, 2015

The West Side’s newest basement venue is set to reopen its doors. Over the last couple months, Curly’s, the home base to Steak and Cake Records, was forced to relocate a handful of shows and go dark due to some residential conflicts, but now that matters have sorted themselves out, the DIY space will celebrate a grand re-opening this evening and smoother sailing for here on out. Tonight’s show will include the debut performance from Sonny Baker’s new trio. The group premiered its first single from the upcoming Flesh It Out EP on Monday, and is set to break in some of the new tunes for the eager audience. This evening will also feature the regrouping Queen City Lotto band Beast Coast, the return of basement super group Hot Tip, and the welcoming of Halifax’s psych pop act Walrus. Doors open at 6pm with a cover of $5. Music kicks[...]

Tonight: Steve Earle & The Dukes

July 6, 2015

Legendary American singer/songwriter/alt country founder/novelist/actor Steve Earle makes a stop at Buffalo Iron Works this evening with backup from the Dukes and opening support from Austin TX husband and wife duo, The Mastersons. In town to promote his latest, 2015’s Terraplane, Earle has deservedly achieved hero status among his many devotees and admirers for his progressive outlook, hard-bitten eloquence, road warrior longevetiy, clean playing style, and authentic songwriting in the Guthrie tradition, while retaining some of that outlaw cool so missing from modern country. Steve Earle is the man, pure and simple, and his show tonight at Iron Works is a can’t miss if you were lucky enough to grab a ticket (the show sold out last week). Doors are at 8pm.

Tonight: Little Ruckus

July 6, 2015

Mohawk Place has been killing the gig game lately with a jam packed calendar and it isn’t stopping anytime soon. The extremely prolific and eclectic Little Ruckus, a sort-of collective from Iowa, is hitting Mohawk tonight on tour with Calliope Musicals. Calliope churns out classic rock and roll with twinges of folk and psychedelic landing on a happy, feel good vibe. Little Cake and Jack Toft is simple, catchy, and weird.  Self described as Kool Keith meets Crass plus a classically trained music teacher, the duo is undeniably alluring. Catch them with their experimental rap tonight at 8pm for $5. I think I just talked myself into going.

Tonight: Ceremony

July 5, 2015

Ceremony is a beautiful oddity. Throughout its career as a band , the group has shape-shifted and morphed, broadening its sound, and, most importantly, took risks. This is especially impressive considering the fact that Ceremony started as a nondescript power violence group. Early works gave no indication of things to come. Then, in 2008, out of nowhere, we were blessed with the gift of Rohnert Park; a focused, angry blast of aggression, strong songwriting, and lyrical poignancy that stood out amongst a sea of pretend hardcore bands and breakdown-obsessed nonsense. Rohnert immediately put Ceremony on the map and the best was yet to come. Defying convention again, the band signed to Matador and put out a more post-punk influenced collection of songs in Zoo. Last month, the group stretched a bit farther with the Joy Division and Interpol obsessed, The L-Shaped Man, undergoing another dramatic transition. The L-Shaped Man is[...]

Tonight: Anti-Venue Tour Kick Off

July 2, 2015

Haute La Vie, a new-to-the-scene Buffalo entertainment company, will launch its Anti-Venue Tour later this evening at the 464 Gallery on Amherst Street. Aimed at bringing musical and artistic performances to non traditional spaces, the series is spread-headed Shawn Patterson, a Buffalo born, Southern raised entrepreneur who recently returned home to find himself part of the city’s growth and development. Musical support for the Anti-Venue kick off showcase will be provided by EKL roster members Truey V and Radarada, plus Saint Opal from the Black Sol crew. Keep up on the future installments of the Anti Venue Tour, which runs weekly throughout the month in Buffalo before moving on to cities like Rochester, NYC, and more, by following the series’ hashtag. The event begins this evening at 7pm and runs til 10pm. Entry is free of charge.

Tonight: Strange Acres & Orations

July 2, 2015

Anyone looking to get a head start on their holiday weekend should find themselves at Allen St. Hardware Café tonight. In Queen City Cartel’s third installment of their bi-weekly Thursday series, Orations and Strange Acres will be taking over the intimate confines of Hardware’s back room. Orations’ brooding post-punk has a pumping heart similar to that of Joy Division or Siouxsie and the Banshees, while the chilling arrangements and emotional outpourings of Strange Acres will have you laying horizontal on the floor in a contemplative tizzy. For those of you who haven’t seen one (or both) of these dark local heavyweights, tonight is your night. The best part about this show? Well, the bands (along with Dante Velour spinning tracks in the gaps). But the second best thing? It won’t cost you a thing. Unless you plan on getting sauced, in which case you should bring some cash. Just tell[...]

Tonight: Steve Miller Band

June 30, 2015

“Some people call me the space cowboy, yeah / some call me the gangster of love.” Chances are, even if you’ve never heard of the Steve Miller Band, you are at least familiar with the above lines, which are the iconic opening to the San Fran outfit’s most familiar song, “The Joker.” But the Steve Miller Band had an impressive and successful run of hits, mostly in the 1970s, including “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Jungle Love.” Clearly, the band has not been relegated to dinosaur or one-hit wonder status: the group’s set at Artpark tonight sold out days in advance. Opening the show, fittingly enough, is the local R&B/soul group Miller and Other Sinners. The show begins at 6:30pm, with doors opening at 4:45pm. Artwork is located in Lewiston, just off Route 104.