Latest Posts

Tonight: Buffalo Rap Round Robin

April 16, 2015

What began as an annual Baltimore tradition has made its way to Buffalo, where three local acts meet three touring acts for a nonstop rap action in an innovative presentation of music. The Gypsy Parlor hosts tonight’s event, which begins at 9pm. The aim of the Rap Round Robin is to eliminate the “dead air and general lameness” of rap shows by creating an environment where there is continuous music throughout the show. Three stages are set up, and each act performs a single track before passing the mic to the next group. The audience is literally surrounded by music, and with three local favorites representing, this is a can’t miss show for hip hop heads. Jack Topht & Little Cake will take a stage tonight, along with Dr. Ooo, and Short Moscato. The touring acts for the tour are Passalacqua, Height Keech, and Eze Jackson, along with special guest PT[...]

Tonight: Headshots! Vol IV

February 19, 2015

Looking for something fun (and free!) to do on yet another frigid Buffalo night? Gypsy Parlor has you covered with another installment of their Headshots! series. Featuring some of Buffalo’s best hip hop acts, the showcase, soundtracked by Covert and hosted by Wza, is the fourth in a series that shows no signs of slowing down. Doors for the 21+ show are at 10, and with so many performances on deck, you don’t want to be late. Whether you are a staple of the scene a la We Stole the Show, the duo comprised of Grand Phee and Rhyson Hall, or are newer to the game like Short Moscato featuring Death Picnic,  musically there is something for every hip hop head in the city. Headshots! also has performances by Koolie High and Drew Hartman aka Dr. OoO. There will be a merch table disguised as a popup shop, brought to[...]

Chae Hawk Drops Video to “Dirty Gospel”

January 19, 2015

Chae Hawk, who has been in the game longer than some of his fans have been alive, does it again with the release of his latest effort, Dance Party for the Heavy Hearted. The album, an audio-visual journey now four years in the making, is well worth the wait. Like any great quest, it’s not just the destination, but how you actually get there, that makes it worthwhile. Anyone can churn out a record, but Chae chose to carefully curate this release, and it shows in the quality of the beats, lyrics, and visuals. Buffalo gets to claim his as ours, but with an ever-expanding fanbase, Hawk’s name is known almost everywhere, and not just for the music. Visually, his music comes to life via expressively personal and poignant videos, with his latest getting a hand through another Buffalo start-up, Vidbolt. “Dirty Gospel”, a standout track from DPFTHH featuring Jayce[...]

Tonight: Jeremy Jermaine Jerome

January 18, 2015

The theme of tonight’s show is expect the unexpected, and with Buffalo’s favorite avant-garde artist, Jeremy Jermaine Jerome (performing as just ending now), you should expect more than just name confusion. The show, held at Babeville’s Asbury Hall, will be known, for this one magical night, as the lyrics labyrinth. No word on whether there will be an actual labyrinth, or if David Bowie and/or Jennifer Connelly and her majestic eyebrows are dropping by, but according to the event page, there will be surprise appearances. For just $10, you get an intimate evening with just ending now as he adapt his upcoming album, self (destructive), into a theater-worthy display known as the missing link. Conducted by the multi-talented Art Lakewood, who will be blurring the lines of fantasy in ways Robin Thicke can only dream about, the show is truly art coming to life in provocative and evocative ways. Have[...]

Tonight: Cage

January 16, 2015

The Studio at the Waiting Room is becoming the definitive place to see hip hop shows that not nearly enough of your friends are excited about. Tonight, it’s Cage: progressive rapper, founder/establisher of underground favorites  Smut Peddlers and The Weathermen, and (unsurprisingly) object of Shia LaBoeuf’s artistic boycrush affections. Cage (born Chris Palko), a part of the East Coast hip hop scene since the late 90s, has a body of work that spans over 20 years and 4 studio albums. His most recent effort, Kill the Architect, was released in late 2013. Openers include Buffalo artists Short Moscato and Tr38cho, along with the always intriguing Ceschi Ramos, who head south next week to kick off another tour, and  Weerd Science. The act-packed show is 16+ with ID, and tickets are available at the door for $15. Doors for the event, hosted by rapper on the rise Chuckie Campbell, are at 7pm.

Tonight: Transmission Dance Party

December 31, 2014

Time travel back to the future this New Year’s Eve at Mohawk Place. Just two years ago, it was the end of an era when they closed their doors, but now you can dance your way into 2015 for just $5 at the famed venue. Doors for Transmission, a long-storied Buffalo dance party tradition, are at 10pm, and if you want to catch your favorite tracks from everyone from Robert Smith to Robert Palmer, you’ll show up on time and ready to dance. It’s a New Wave, New Order kind of evening, and while there’s no dress code, you should definitely come dressed to impressed in your best black and sexiest scowl. Bill Page and Jason Draper might call themselves the worst DJ’s in Buffalo, but the consistently packed dance floor at their events say otherwise. Ring in the New Year right tonight with the best dance party in Buffalo.[...]

Radarada

December 19, 2014

Who got the jazz? Buffalo’s freshest hip hop outfit Radarada, of course. The unsigned group has a cult following in the 716, and with their blend of jazzy beats, mellow vocals, and sly samples, it’s easy to see why “DayQuil Nyquil” made the blog’s top 20 Buffalo tracks of 2014. The song, from their latest release First Edition, is one of seven head-nodding, shoulder-shimmying tracks that remind us of when hip hop was more about beats and less about bitches. Citing old school heavyweights like Pete Rock, Primo, Mos Def and Talib Kweli as influences, the group represents their musical muses well. They bring their highly listenable records to life when performing, and have a stage presence that is a present you can’t wait to unwrap. Catch them live tomorrow at buffaBLOG’s holiday party.

Tonight: Lil Debbie

December 11, 2014

California sweetheart and lean queen Lil Debbie brings it to Buffalo tonight as part of her White Clouds tour. Supported by Caskey, the tour also features Godz, Chi City, Big Tim, and 716 entertainer Aj Jordan The-Crescendo. The Cali born and bred rapper, born Jordan Capozzi, is a former member of the now defunct White Girl Mob, whose members included Gucci Gucci viral video creator Kreayshawn and culturally inappropriate appropriator V-Nasty. While these not so basic bitches don’t talk anymore, fans still speculate on Debbie’s departure and Kreay’s role in it. Queen D began her solo career in 2012, and has since released four EP’s.  Her November 2014 effort, aptly titled Young B!tch, is her boldest record to date, brimming with bass, beats, and Bay Area pride. The Studio at Waiting Room welcomes the tour to the upstairs lounge, allowing for a more intimate concert experience than their downstairs venue.[...]

Tonight: Peelander-Z

December 3, 2014

Mohawk Place welcomes music (and anime) festival staple Peelander-Z to Buffalo tonight for a colorfully comical show. The NYC via Japan via outer space group formed in 1998, and have made an indelible mark on the music scene, mainly due to their live performances, which rely heavily on audience participation and sassy superhero-esque costumes. The group is color coded, and after Peelander-Blue left the group in 2008, Peelander-Green joined Yellow and Red on their quest to become the best Japanese action comic punk band in the game. They are joined by Pink (vocals), Purple (bass), and Black, who plays guitar and produces. Their bold anime-inspired costumes are just that, so don’t believe the band when they tell you that it’s their actual skin. Concertgoers may want to consider wearing workout clothes, as the group fully expects audience participation in various cardio-friendly activities, including bowling, limbo, and some ubiquitous cowbell-ringing. Joined[...]

Tonight: DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist

November 11, 2014

Once upon a time too long ago DJ’s used turntables to maximize flow, records were heard and no one stood; dancing was better and the music was good. There was a young DJ who was misled; he thought a laptop playlist could make him bread. When DJ’s stop creating and start pushing buttons both metaphorically and on Serato, the art of actual turntablism is lost, but tonight in Buffalo, two of the genre’s greatest combine forces to rep the music of yet another musical innovator. Presented by MNM, a local promotion company with global reach, this stop on the Renegades of Rhythm tour is easily one of the best shows to hit Buffalo all year(s). When two of the best in the game come together to celebrate the work of  Afrika Bambaataa (aka Kevin Donovan) you don’t sleep on it. Genre-shaping hip-hop electro legend and founder of the Universal Zulu[...]

Tonight: Home Body

November 9, 2014

According to the Facebook event page,  this will be good. Not exactly the ringing-est of endorsements, but modesty is always appreciated in the music world. With sets from five different acts, it’s not a stretch to assume there will be something for everybody, and the guarantee of sugar highs for your ears, brain, and eyes make this show a sweet stop on your Sunday night of debauchery before the work week begins. Dreamland opens its doors at 7pm for this all ages (I think) show, and while there isn’t a specified amount of scratch you need to get in, when an event tells you to bring “$ and all yr buds,” it’s safe to assume some sort of green will cover the ticket cost. The lineup boasts electropop weirdos Home Body, along with sets from Providence acts Player 2 and Invisible Robot Hands. Rounding things off are Buffalo faves Little[...]

Tonight: Jimkata & Turkuaz

October 31, 2014

After Dark Entertainment lives up to it’s name this Halloween night when two frightfully funky bands take the stage at Waiting Room. Jimkata, an indie elctro-rock quartet from Ithaca, join Brooklyn-based funk machine, Turkuaz, for a night of good music and better vibes. Both acts are no stranger to Buffalo, frequently blessing the city with a rush of soulful jams and grooves. Turkuaz seems to be making a push to play every venue in town. See the funk collective, along with Jimkata, cross another one off the list later tonight at the Delaware Ave haunt. The 18+ show opens it’s doors at 9pm, and tickets are available both at the door and online for $15.

Tonight: Halloween at the Hamlin House

October 25, 2014

In a monster mashup of epic proportions, Buffalo’s scary-party-throwing veterans OLD FRIENDS, NEW FACES team up with our very own buffaBLOG for one of the city’s favorite Halloween parties. The 21+ event promises an evening of fun, food, dance, and drink, and with free beer (included in the ticket price) flowing til 2am, the drink part is a definite yes. Held at the  haunted Hamlin House, the event is the perfect blend of house party and spooky scary atmosphere. Playing two sets, Buffalo’s own “Tied to the 90s” cover band Soul Patch will be providing the soundtrack for the party, along with a DJ set from Spooky Stephen, one half of the appropriately named Spooky Business. Pre-sale tickets are no longer available, so get yours at the door for $20. Doors are at 10, and while costumes aren’t required, there is a costume contest. Suggestion: don’t be that guy. Yes,[...]

Tonight: Zak Ward EP Release Show

October 18, 2014

Join Niagara Falls native, and former Son of the Sun front man, Zak Ward at Nietzsche’s tonight for the much-anticipated release party of his latest EP, That’s What You Get (think Woods, M Ward, early Wilco). Ward, who calls the record “his best work to date,” will be accompanied by a live band, featuring guitarist Sonny Baker and SOTS drummer Brandon Delmont. Tonight’s show, also features two openers, including an acoustic set by Buffalo’s own Sleepy Hahas. Rounding off the bill is folk/rock Chicago duo Joyeux. Doors for the show are at 9pm, with Sleepy Hahas slated to perform at 9:30pm. Ward and crew take the stage around 11pm. Don’t be late for what the Buffalo News is hailing as one of the four best club shows of the weekend.

Tonight: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

October 2, 2014

Catch three of Rochester’s best acts on one bill tonight at the Tralf to support Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. The boundary-bending reggae act is known for their live shows, and they truly put the jam in jam band. Their latest album, Steady dropped September 30th on NYC-based indie label Easy Star Records. The release party also features 585 favorites Maybird, a five-piece compilation of BK and Rochester artists, including Overhand Sam Snyder, and Josh and Adam Netsky. Special guests Occupanther round out the bill. Tickets for the event are available for $15 online, at the Tralf Box Office (716-852-2860), Terrapin Station, and Walmart. Doors for this 21+ show are at 8pm, and music starts at 9pm.