Latest Posts

Must See Shows (9/18/24-9/24/24)

September 17, 2024

Wednesday, 9/18 @ 7pm STRFKR w/ Happy Sad Face @ Electric City Ever-evolving Portland electro-pop act STRFKR returns to Buffalo mid-week to deliver ear worms from the band’s deep catalog. Since forming in 2007, the outfit has seen massive success on the indie scene with their knack for melodies that live inside your head and never seem to reach an expiration date. STRFKR is touring in support of their seventh album, Parallel Realms, released via the band’s long-term partner Polyvinyl Records. If STRFKR isn’t already a staple on your playlist, then it would be recommended for fans of Passion Pit, Toro y Moi, or the synth-heavy side of of Montreal. Also sharing the stage will be Joshua Tree-based psych-pop act, Happy Sad Face. Doors are somewhere around $29 to get in.   Friday, 9/20 @ 7pm Man on Man w/ Star Theory @ Mohawk Place Polyvinyl really makes a splash[...]

Tonight: gus dapperton

November 9, 2019

Tonight futuristic dream pop star gus dapperton will be manifesting at the venerable Town Ballroom with up-and-coming soul man Spencer. gus is a definitely whole thing: highly self curated, vaguely alien and mysterious with an soulful chillwave sound that’s utterly compelling and ideal for stimulating all of those feelings. Spenser. meanwhile has the voice of a stoned John Legend, an ear for spacey melodies and tight hip hop beats; and a handful of singles on 4AD that definitely suggest he might be around for a while. Doors are at 7pm and tickets are $20.

Tonight: The Midnight

June 25, 2019

Tonight Atlanta chillwavers The Midnight brings their epic and hyper evocative synth drenched electronic jams to the Town Ballroom with local support from Armageddon Party. The Midnight is total collaboration featuring Atlanta singer songwriter Tyler Lyle and Danish producer Tim McEwan that results in something like aural virtual reality: hazy, ephemeral synthetic atmospheres that fully immerse the listener in a timeless past while offering a deep, soulful connection via Lyle’s clean, big eyed alto vocals. There’s also some trenchant and meaningful social critique of the gauzy, almost addictive nostalgia they and their audience are swimming in and of the simultaneously connected and disconnected dystopia America is descending into, so that’s nice, and you can dance to it. Opening the show will be local electronic mayhem gurus Armageddon Party. Doors are at 7pm and tickets at the door are $20. America Online by The Midnight

Tonight: They Might Be Giants

November 3, 2018

World-touring veteran alt-rockers, They Might Be Giants, take the stage at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom tonight in support of their new album, I Like Fun. Perhaps best known for their defiant theme song for the TV show, Malcom in the Middle, TMBG was formed by childhood friends John Flansburgh and John Linnell back in 1982. With a DIY attitude and tireless work ethic, the duo released their official debut, Flood, in 1990 and grew into cult sensations thanks to catchy melodies and idiosyncratic lyrics. Over the years, TMBG’s sound and direction constantly evolved over an endless catalog of releases, including hit songs “Birdhouse in your Soul” and the incomparable cover of “Istanbul.” I Like Fun is the decorated musicians’ 20th studio album and features the single, “I Left My Body.” This show is one of epic proportions so don’t miss your chance to experience one of the hardest working and diverse[...]

Johnny Marr at Town Ballroom (10/20/18)

October 23, 2018

Legendary Smiths guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr made a much-anticipated appearance in Buffalo with a sold-out show at Town Ballroom on October 20, 2018. A dynamic and lively performer, the Britpop icon treated the rapturous crowd with a indelible setlist of masterful jangle-pop, swaggering indie-rock, and choice covers of classic Smiths cuts (“Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” among others). One of the most inventive and influential guitarists today, Johnny Marr and his band demonstrated the enduring power and emotional resonance of rock and roll. Marr was supported by Vancouver, British Columbia’s Belle Game, whose ethereal crush-pop anthems set the stage for a night of euphoric bliss. Belle Game Johnny Marr

Tonight: Social Distortion

October 16, 2018

Legendary greaser punk rockers, Social Distortion, roll through Buffalo’s Main Street tonight to rock Town Ballroom as part of their cross-country tour. Having stood the test of time since their inception in 1978, Social D is the Cadillac of the original SoCal punk movement. The seemingly invincible singer and guitarist, Mike Ness, has led the group through a storied three decade run and pioneered an invigorating throwback punk rock ‘n’ roll sound with rockabilly style. Throw on your whitest tee, slick your hair back and don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance to see Ness strum his Les Paul and croon jukebox classics like “Story of My Life” and the Johnny Cash cover, “Ring of Fire.” Opening acts include Will Hoge and Pony Bradshaw. Doors at 7pm. ID required for entry. Show is sold out.

Alkaline Trio at Town Ballroom (8/11/18)

August 15, 2018

Ahead of the release of their new album due out later this month, Alkaline Trio made their long awaited return to Buffalo on Saturday.  The iconic pop punk act absolutely packed the Town Ballroom, selling out the show months in advance.  They played a whopping 22 song set, spanning their entire back catalog dating back to 1998, and mainly focused on songs from their 2003 record, Crimson and their new record that comes out in a couple weeks, Is This Thing Cursed?.  The energy in the room was insane for their entire set and the band took minimal breaks, making up for lost time since their last stop in Buffalo.  Check out some photos from the awesome show below, including shots of the energetic LA based rock crew, together PANGEA.  All photos shot by blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. together PANGEA Alkaline Trio

Tonight: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

May 12, 2018

Tonight Buffalo’s excellent spring and summer of shows keeps rolling on when beloved San Francisco garage rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club return to the City of Good Neighbors after a decade plus absence for a greatly anticipated show at the Town Ballroom. BRMC is currently celebrating 20 years together kicking vintage yet immediate rock jams that keep the flame alive, and they’re out touring in support of their eighth album Wrong Creatures, their first in five years. Opening the show will be Portland Oregon psychedelic supergroup Pete International Airport, a veritable indie rock Voltron featuring Peter (Dandy Warhols) Holmstrom,Json (The Upsidedown) Adams, Collin (The Brian Jonestown Massacre) Hegna and Jason (The Warlocks, Spindrift) Anchondo. Tickets are $30 and doors are at 7pm.

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