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Mac DeMarco & The Flaming Lips at the Rapids Theatre (09/13/17)

If you were one a the lucky ones who was able to score tickets to Wendesday’s Mac DeMarco and Flaming Lips show at the Rapids Theatre, consider yourself lucky.   Mac DeMarco’s boyish charm was in full effect, cursing his way through a set in which he played some real smooth cuts off his most recent LP, a rippin’ Steely Dan cover, and cuts from his earlier LPs, including “Chamber of Reflection” and “Ode to Viceroy.”  The Flaming Lips brought along their usual extreme level of stage production, and kicked their set off with and explosive version of “Race for the Prize”, turning the Rapids Theatre into some sort of ethereal party, letting huge balloons into the crowd and blasting off an insane amount of confetti into the crowd.  Their set included songs from their latest LP, a cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”,  some deep cuts for the freaks, and an unforgettable[...]

Tonight: Mac DeMarco & The Flaming Lips

What will probably be one of the best indie shows of the year is happening tonight in Niagara Falls. The Rapids Theater will host two enormous acts, Mac DeMarco and the Flaming Lips, who will soon be releasing a split record where they cover each other’s songs. The two giants are only playing seven shows together, and the Buffalo area is lucky enough to be home to one of them. Mac recently dropped a fantastic full length, titled This Old Dog, so expect to hear some cuts off of that, the usual cuts off of his other records, as well as his some of his famous live classic cover tracks, of course. The Lips also had a great record drop early this year, titled Oczy Mlody. Be prepared for lots of bonkers stage antics and sublime moments throughout the crowd. If you were unable to score tickets, you might be out of luck.[...]

Tonight: Gogol Bordello

An intense week for WNY music lovers continues tonight when legendary gypsy punk heroes Gogol Bordello hit up the Rapids Theatre up in Niagara Falls. In town in support of their latest album Finders Keepers, the venerable and picturesque Rapids is the perfect venue for their big time theatrical show. Opening the show will be the idiosyncratic and funky NYC brass band Lucky Chops. Tickets are $30 and doors open at 7:30pm.

The Shins at the Rapids Theatre (7/11/17)

This past Tuesday, legendary indie act, The Shins, played a sold out show at the Rapids Theater in Niagara Falls. Even after all these years, the band still sounds incredible, Mercer’s voice sounds as great as it ever has, and they were able to absolutely pack the Rapid’s to the brim on a Tuesday. Check out some photos from their career spanning set below, as well as a setlist. Setlist: Caring Is Creepy Australia Name for You Mine’s Not a High Horse Girl Inform Me Gone for Good Mildenhall Saint Simon Kissing the Lipless So Now What Painting a Hole The Rifle’s Spiral Half a Million Phantom Limb Simple Song Encore: The Fear New Slang Sleeping Lessons

Disturbed at Rapids Theater (4/5/16)

Chicago-based heavy metal band Disturbed performed at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls last Tuesday night in support of their sixth album, Immortalized(the band’s 5th consecutive chart topping album).  An energetic, powerful and hits filled performance provided the fans with exactly what they have been waiting for during the band’s self-imposed four year hiatus. Performing a mixture of songs from their new album littered with hits from yesteryear and a few covers thrown in, Disturbed were triumphant in their return to WNY. Rapids Theatre was the perfect intimate setting for their latest cover of Simon & Garfunkles “Sound of Silence” and the venue was literally shaking as the band ended the night with “Down with Sickness.” Non Point Disturbed Setlist: Ten Thousand Fists The Game The Vengeful One Prayer Land of Confusion A Welcome Burden Stupify Darkness The Sound of Silence Inside the Fire Stricken The Light Closer / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For /[...]

Ratatat at Rapids Theatre (9/3/15)

I was told I’d encounter two things at Ratatat’s live show: lasers and birds. It was my first time experiencing the rock-tronica duo, comprised of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud, and after the forecast I was given, I walked into the Rapids Theatre entirely unsure of what to expect. I think it’s rare to be able to say that and see your own genuine sense of uncertainty equate to bona fide bewilderment come show time, which is exactly what happened. There was a palpable anticipation and an even more palpable energy soaked into the crowd. Pressed up against the stage barrier in the midst of wait time, the security guard in front of me smiled to the few of us up front and said, “This is one of the brightest shows I’ve ever seen, that’s why I’m sittin’ down on the ground when they start.” He definitely wasn’t wrong. About[...]

Tonight: The Kooks w/ Joywave

Brighton, UK indie-pop band, The Kooks, is known for its consistent output of straightforward, hook-heavy rock songs since the release of debut album, Inside in/Inside Out, back in 2006. With a jangly, retro-inspired sound, the band has cited The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and David Bowie among its influences that contribute to infectious songwriting style. Most recently, 2014 album Listen borrowed stylistically from jazz, gospel, and R&B, successfully broadening the group’s sound. Tonight, the band will headline at Niagara Falls’ Rapids Theater with Joywave and Young Rising Sons opening the show. Joywave, the Rochester-based band, is touring in support of the five piece’s debut studio album, How Do You Feel Now?, featuring the breakout singles “Tounges” and “Somebody New,” both of which have received significant alt-rock radio airplay and interestingly blend indie rock and electronic production to achieve a refreshing sound that balances gritty elements with melodic hooks. Also opening tonight’s show are New Jersey alt-rock band[...]

Just Announced: Ratatat

The Rapids Theater up in Niagara Falls apparently decided to get on this ridiculous late summer fun and book Ratatat to perform on Thursday, September 3rd, as the NYC experimental, electro-rock duo will be on tour to support its latest record, Magnifique (7/17). The new material should be properly road tested after the pair runs through a shorter festival itinerary during the back half of summer as it moves on to a run of theater shows. Tickets for the September gig on sale this Friday, June 12th, at noon for $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Tonight: The Pixies

The Pixies are an important band. Let’s just start there. In the 80’s, when alternative acts were rejecting all forms of “mainstream” music, pop or otherwise, the Pixies opened their arms and embraced it, fusing the more melodic aspects of sound with an experimental (yet no less aurally pleasing) style, along with some good natured, pre-irony, ironic humor. In the process, they saved the all-too-serious indie rock scene from itself, stoked Kurt Cobain, influenced a who’s who of musicians and artists, put out some great records, imploded, Breeders, Frank Black, reunited, Indie Cindy (minus Kim)…wow. Their’s is a documentary waiting to happen… Word on the street is that the Pixies are killing it live these days. And that is important for two reasons. First, it is a testament to the fact that the greats, if they’re truly great, never lose it, whatever it is. And second, they’re playing tonight, so[...]

Tonight: Every Time I Die

Every Time I Die (ETID for you ETIDIOTS out there) are clear frontrunners in the “Hometown Heroes” category. They’ve toured the world, sold a ton of records, and amassed a legion of fans during their 17-year tenure. What impresses most, however, is their unabashed loyalty to and love of Western New York in spite of all this. They usually play here 3x a year, whether it be as part of a summer festival (singlin’ you out Warped Tour) or for one of their famed Christmas shows. I’ve seen them a great many times here in countless venues over the years, probably more than any other touring band. The other day, I was trying to think of all the places ETID has played in the area, and that is a history lesson on its own. Here’s my count; the Atomic, the Basement Bar, Cruise Inn, 33 Tyler St, the Funeral Home,[...]

Tonight: Odesza

Seattle production duo, Odesza, formed back in 2012 when Western Washington University seniors Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight began collaborating on tracks, eventually releasing the debut album, Summer’s Gone, later that year. Blending elements of chillwave, synthpop, ambient and downtempo, the pair’s lush, atmospheric sounds caught on in the electronic music community, as two tracks from the debut, “How Did I Get Here” and “iPlayYouListen,” reached number one on the Hype Machine popular chart. The following year saw the release of the EP, My Friends Will Never Die, and a booking to open for Pretty Lights on his Fall tour. Extensive touring and the release of its second album, In Return, has earned Odesza widespread acclaim, appearing at Coachella, Hangout Festival, and Sasquatch Festival. The duo has been on the road in support of the sophomore effort since this past fall and will continue through the summer as the pair continued to develop its sets which[...]

Just Announced: The Pixies

This morning, Niagara Falls’ most prestigious venue, The Rapids Theatre (sorry Hard Rock Cafe) announced it would be hosting legendary indie rock group, The Pixies, this spring as the college rock legends will be hitting the Falls on Tuesday, May 19th. Despite making several “reunion” appearances over the years, in 2014, the band formally returned with the release of the underwhelming Indie Cindy, its first formal LP since 1991, and the first without long time founding member Kim Deal. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, February 27th, at 10am for $45.50-$50. This could be a sell out so don’t sit on this one.