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Toro Y Moi at Waiting Room (9/29/15)

September 30, 2015

Columbia South Carolina electro-funk chameleon Toro Y Moi at last made his Buffalo debut Tuesday night at a sweltering Waiting Room with Astronauts, etc. and the clear consensus is that show was absolutely worth the wait. In town in support of  What For, his fourth studio album in five years, the prolific Toro Y Moi (aka Chaz Bundick) delivered an expansive set of chilled out electronica and corporate funk as heady, psychedelic ear candy that got the crowd moving Opening act Astronauts, etc. established an incredibly chilled out vibe with an intensely smooth and soulful light disco rock built on a tight yet laid back rhythm section, dreamy keyboards and the seemingly effortless falsetto of lead vocalist and member of Toro Y Moi’s touring band,  Anthony Ferraro. The vibe was straight up late 70’s and it was strong, moving the growing crowd with sharp grooves and mesmerizing them with melodic and[...]

Tonight: Toro Y Moi

September 29, 2015

Often referred to as the father of the chillwave movement, Chaz Bundick, more commonly known by his stage name, Toro Y Moi, will perform at Waiting Room tonight. Since 2008, Bundick has released four albums, each drastically different in style, with inventiveness as their common thread. Bundick recently released What For? in April, revealing a completely new layer to this already multifaceted discography. Although Bundick protested in a 2013 Rolling Stone interview that his first album, Causers of This, “was not supposed to be played live,” his past performances prove otherwise. Despite his recent dabbling in the electronic disco rock genre, we can only hope that Bundick will play what initially made him so compelling — that unforgettable synthetic dream: chillwave. Opening for Bundick this evening will be arena pop act Astronauts, etc. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are still available for $22.

Tonight: The Internet

September 28, 2015

Even with the break-up of Odd Future, it seems that luckily for Buffalo, every member still seems to have an affinity for the Queen City. After shows already from Tyler, the Creator and Mellow Hype in the past year, The Internet arrives to represent a decidedly different side of the former Odd Future family. Initially making a name for herself as the lead producer for most of Odd Future’s acts, Syd tha Kyd finally embarked on her own creative venture with fellow producer Matt Martians to form the neo-soul group. With some of the finest beats the duo have ever produced, the band expertly blends jazz, R&B, and hip-hop in a way that almost sonically resembles the early Bristol sound. The group also acts as a platform to showcase the shockingly beautiful voice of Syd herself, which itself plays as a spell-binding instrument in the group’s sound. The group is[...]

Tonight: IAMDYNAMITE

September 25, 2015

At some point in time, over the last ten years or so, 80’s music suddenly became cool again. People started getting hip to the fact that retro-style new wave was catchy as all hell and, honestly, just fun, fun music. This led to some great bands, a lot of so-so bands, and a legion of please-stop-now bands. Place IAMDYNAMITE in that first category. With an undeniably catchy sound found somewhere in the midst of the Police, Hall and Oates, and Modern English, IAMDYNAMITE has carved out a unique niche in the 80’s influenced pop world. To simply label them an “80’s retro band” does a great injustice. Pulling influences from a modern assortment of electronic music, current pop and pop-punk they have developed a sound that can only be described as their own. Tonight, IAMDYNAMITE are in town celebrating the release of their new album, Wasa Tusa. You can catch[...]

Tonight: Atlas Genius

September 19, 2015

Buffalo will play home to one of the most popular up-and-coming bands in indie rock tonight in Atlas Genius. Fresh off the release of their sophomore album, these Australian brothers look to make good on the promise of their first album and it’s huge breakthrough hit, “Trojans.” Mixing melancholy and infectiously hooky pop music, the band will be sure to provide quite the dance party for those making it out to Waiting Room this evening. Atlas Genius only continues to seem to be moving on to bigger and better things, so tonight could be a rare opportunity to catch the rising act at a smaller venue. Also, make sure to get there early for NY post-punkers, Mainland. The band has a sleek breezy indie rock sound and just released the Jim Eno (Spoon) produced EP, Anyway. The group has a very anthemic UK indie rock sound and should make for a wonderful[...]

Tonight: Swervedriver

September 8, 2015

Buffalo is in for one hell of a treat as British shoegaze legends Swervedriver take the stage at Waiting Room tonight. Spawned from the same scene as bands like My Bloody Valentine and Ride, Swervedriver were right at the forefront of early 90’s shoegaze that would prove to be one of the most influential movements in modern popular music. Swervedriver’s distinctly more rock (although no less beautiful) sound meant they always hit a little bit harder than their poppy compatriots. However, this is no pure nostalgia trip as the band are currently fresh off of the release of its first album in 17 years, the absolutely stunning I Wasn’t Born To Lose You. Rare is it that a comeback album doesn’t disappoint, but Swervedriver’s return finds the band in almost the exact form (if not better) than it left in 1998. This will be rare opportunity to see a band that truly[...]

Just Announced: The Wombats

August 27, 2015

After gracing WNY earlier this summer with an appearance in Rochester, the Liverpudlian indie rock trio will next play Buffalo with a late Autumn visit to Waiting Room on November 25th. The band are hot off the heels of the release of their electropop-infused third album Glitterbug and will be sure to treat fans to a host of new and old NME-approved anthems. Having seen the band myself play an absolute barn-burner of a set at Glastonbury 2013, I can say defintively this will be a show not to be missed. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, August 28th, for $18 in advance, $20 day.

Tonight: The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die

August 14, 2015

Emo lovers rejoice. Another absolutely stacked lineup makes it was to Waiting Room tonight. Taking the stage tonight will be indie emo/post rock outfit The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, fresh off of the announcement of a new album, Harmlessness, set to be released September 25th via Epitaph Records. The band has hyped the record as one of its most ambitious releases yet. Also on the bill is the post hardcore / screamo act turned turned soft (in a good way), Pianos Become The Teeth. Opening will be emo / pop punk outfit Turnover, making their much awaited return to Waiting Room. Turnover also embraced a softer, lighter sound on their latest release, Peripheral Vision, creating an incredible atmosphere throughout the new record.  First to take the stage will be the talk rock band Take One Car, also making their return to Buffalo.[...]

Tonight: Talib Kweli

July 15, 2015

Legendary Brooklyn MC and righteous dude Talib Kweli brings true hip-hop to the Waiting Room this evening for a hotly anticipated show with K’Valentine. One half of seminal MC duo Black Star, Kweli is a true teacher and student of hip-hop. A product of the early 90’s New School that was always intrinsically aware of the classic origins of the hip-hop art form, Kweli has always distilled and represented the essence of hip-hop culture while teaching (preaching) as a vigorous public intellectual and activist. Joining him will be Chicago MC and poet K’Valentine, local MC’s Jae-Skeese and Devon Charles, and DJ sets from Milk & Dovey. Doors are at 7pm and tickets are $25 at the door.

Just Announced: Joywave

June 24, 2015

After opening up for the Kooks last night at the Rapids Theater in Niagara Falls, Rochester’s next great hope, Joywave, will return to Buffalo in a headlining role set for Friday, October 9th at Waiting Room. The band has been on absolute fire this year, dropping its debut LP, How Do You Feel Now, earlier this spring, making an appearance at the ESPN studios, chillin with Tony Hawk, and touring with Brandon Flowers. I haven’t caught the band for a while, but I hope it’s still mixing in some cuts from its fantastic EP, Koda Vista, into its live sets. Anyways, you can grab a ticket for Joywave’s latest WNY homecoming gig starting this Friday, June 26th, at 10am for $15 in advance, and if there are any left, $17 at the doors.

Tonight: Blonde Redhead

June 16, 2015

Since the release of its self-titled debut in 1995, New York based trio Blonde Redhead has explored the melodic side of noise rock, emerging from the avant-garde scene that saw artists like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine flourish with a textured, experimental pop sound. Comprised of twin brothers Amedeo and Simone Pace along with singer Kazu Makino, the band’s ability to stretch conventional song structure and use stark atmospherics has defined its understated, groove-based style. With notably immersive live performances, Blonde Redhead is capable of combining vicious percussion and noisy guitars with celestial vocals making for a blissful, yet chaotic sonic attack. Last year, the band released its ninth studio album, Barragán, on Kobalt Music Group, marking yet another shift in aesthetic direction for the ever-evolving trio. Incorporating minimalist and electronic elements into their distilled songwriting, BR’s often poetic soundscapes have continued to make for some of the most consistently[...]

Just Announced: Title Fight

June 15, 2015

Title Fight is a polarizing band. Their newest record, Hyperview, eschews the melodic hardcore/punk that their fanbase was built upon for chorus-drenched guitars and far-off vocals. But cries of indie-crossover have fallen upon deaf ears here at buffaBLOG, and we’re sure their stop through Buffalo will be a raucous time for punks and shoegazers alike. Rounding out the evening will be a set from the still-buzzing indie wunderkinds in Alex G. The show is all the way out on October 23rd, but sometimes these things tend to sell out. You can grab tickets starting this Friday at 10am for $15 or $17 if you wait until the day of.

Just Announced: Talib Kweli

June 8, 2015

Seasoned Brooklyn MC, Talib Kweli, will be in town this summer as part of his Midsummer Nights Dream Tour, which is set to include a stop at Waiting Room on Wednesday, July 15th. Going strong for 20 years, the Black Star member is one of the genre’s most socially conscious and thought provoking lyricists, so make sure to set the night aside to catch one of hip hop’s finest artists. Tickets on sale this Friday, June 12th, at 10am for $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Just Announced: The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die

June 4, 2015

There was a time where I thought And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead was the longest band name ever. How naive of me. With that being said, After Dark announced this afternoon that the atmospheric indiemo octet, The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die (TWIABP), would be making a stop at Waiting Room on Friday, August 14th.  Fans of Explosions in the Sky, The Front Bottoms, or early Taking Back Sunday should buy tickets when they go on sale Friday, June 5th via Ticketfly.com. Another layer of this already delicious bill is the addition of Pianos Become Teeth  on this bill. Make sure you are over 16 or you bring your parent/cool guardian.

Just Announced: Toro y Moi

June 2, 2015

Toro y Moi, the ever evolving project from musician Chaz Bundick, will be making its Buffalo debut later this fall on Tuesday, September 29th at Waiting Room. One of the leaders of the rather defunct and frequently mocked chillwave movement, Bundick’s sound been constantly tinkered with over the years, most recently settling in on soulful pop for his latest release. What For?, which dropped earlier this spring. Tickets for the After Dark presented show will go on sale this Friday, June 5th, at noon for $20 in advance, $22 day of. Oakland’s dreamy Astronauts, etc is set to open.