Where the Bands Are: This Week in Live Music and Concert News

New music from Roger Bryan & the Orphans, lots of news, more concert announcements, and this week's must-see gigs

Aug 07, 2024

Hello again, music lovers.

Last week, Roger Bryan & the Orphans dropped their new EP, Days Or Nights, and played an album release show at Mohawk Place. I was already booked that night, but have spent the time since immersing myself in the band’s new music, and as always, I’m digging the blend of Americana, indie, and roots rock ’n roll Roger and the guys summon.

A serious shout-out is in order for Marc Hunt, who produced the album along with the band; the sound is pristine, warm, organic - listening on headphones, you truly feel like you’re there in the room with them while they’re laying these songs down. And of course, it’s the songs themselves that tell the story here - subtle ear-worms that sneak into your brain and your heart and stay there. I love this music, and feel wholly comfortable suggesting that you will, too. Check it.

Jazz guitarist Adam Bronstein also dropped a new record August 2, and it’s excellent.

KeyBank Center has announced an October 7 show with British producer/DJ/songwriter/musician Fred Again. Many of you reading this quite likely greeted this news with a blank stare, while muttering ‘Fred who?!?’ - and I get it. But I’d also be surprised if this show isn’t a sell-out. Fred Again - whose mom knows him as Frederick John Phillip Gibson, and probably calls him ‘Freddie, dear” - is widely held to be one of the most talented producers and collaborators in modern popular music, having collaborated with the likes of Skrillex, Four Set, Anderson.Paak and Chika. Admittedly, I know about the guy primarily because he made an ambient album with Brian Eno, in the form of 2023’s Secret Life, a record I hold close to my heart. Good enough for Eno, good enough for me.

General on-sale kicks off on Friday, August 9 at noon. Get tickets here.

Finally, the French jazz-funk outfit Cortex - founded in 1974 by the pianist Alain Mion - is currently on the road with a lineup featuring some original members and new vocalist Virginie Hobble. The band is celebrating it’s (relatively) underground masterpiece, 1975’s Troupe Bleu, on this run. If you’ve never heard this band, do check them out. They summon a joyous, fiery din, and I’m absolutely here for it. Somewhat miraculously, the tour includes a Buffalo date.

CORTEX: Performance of Troupeau Bleu in its entirety

Saturday, October 19, 8 pm at Electric City, Buffalo.

In other news…

THE LOST WEEKEND – The Photography of MAY PANG

Meet May at the Exhibit on all three days. Candid photos of John Lennon.

Friday, August 9, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, August 10, 1 pm - 7 pm
Sunday, August 11, 12 pm - 4 pm

Aerosmith Retire From Touring, Cancel Farewell Schedule

Jazz at Richardson Returns Indoors with Nancy Kelly on August 16 and Marianne Solivan on September 13

Nancy Kelly

Friday, August 16, 7:30 pm inside the Richardson Hotel, Buffalo.
The band includes saxophonist Jerry Weldon (Harry Connick, Jr.), organist Dino Losito, and drummer Carmen Intorre, Jr. (Pat Martino).

Marianne Solivan

Friday, September 13, 7:30 pm inside the Richardson Hotel, Buffalo.
Performing with her quartet.

Just announced…

After Dark Presents: Jon Spencer

Monday, September 3, 8 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $20

54-40

Friday, November 29, 7 pm at Town Ballroom, Buffalo. Tickets on sale Friday, August 9 at 10 am.

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway w/ Harper O'Neill

Saturday, November 23, 8 pm at Electric City, Buffalo. $30 - $90

Some must-see shows this week…

KeyBank Live at Larkin: Buffalo’s Last Waltz Band Does Dylan & The Band

Wednesday, August 7, 5 pm at Larkin Square, Buffalo. FREE

The Aristocrats

Friday, August 9, 8 pm at Electric City, Buffalo. $34 - $54

Music Matters Summer Concert Series: Queen City

Thursday, August 8, 7 pm at Harbor Walk, Buffalo. $10

Primus and Coheed and Cambria w/ Puddles Pity Party

Friday, August 9, 7 pm at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo. $50/$80

Central Terminal Summer Concert Series: Curtis Lovell and George Caldwell Trio

Thursday, August 8, 6 pm at Buffalo Central Terminal, Buffalo. FREE

A Series of Strange Events Part 3: Blaised And Confused, Strange Standard, SMAC!, Sara Elizabeth

Saturday, August 10, 4pm at The Hilltop Inn & Grove, Alden, NY. $15/ $20

Workingman’s Dead wsg/Dave Turner

Friday, August 9, 6 pm on the Kenan House front lawn, Lockport, NY. FREE

GROSH Plays Led Zeppelin

Saturday, August 10, 7 pm at Sportsmen’s Park, Buffalo. $20

Jon Lehning Presents: The Music of Herbie Hancock

Friday, August 9, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $12/$15

Chameleons

Wednesday, August 14, 7 pm at Town Ballroom, Buffalo. $40

Stray Cats w/The Midnight Cowgirls

Tuesday, August 13, 7 pm at Artpark Amphitheater, Lewiston, NY. $25/$69/$79

Buffalo Music Coalition presents Saturday Sessions at Flying Bison: Kickstart Rumble

Saturday, August 10, 4 pm at Flying Bison Brewing Company, Buffalo. FREE

Future Crib wsg/Hyperview

Friday, August 9, 9 pm at Sportsmen’s Tavern, Buffalo. $15

“The Hang” with Alex McArthur & John Aaron Troy

Thursday, August 8, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $13/$15

Gin Blossoms + Toad The Wet Sprocket w/ Vertical Horizon

Sunday, August 11, 6 pm at Artpark Amphitheater, Lewiston, NY. $20/$39/$49

James McMurtry

Thursday, August 15, 5 pm at Sportsmen’s Park, Buffalo. $25

Buffalo Dead All-Stars

Featuring Aaron Ziolkowski, Rob Enderle, Judd Sunshine and Jamie Sunshine, Jeff Miers and Mark Hitchcock
Wednesday, August 14, 7 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $10

KeyBank Live at Larkin: Handsome Jack Does CCR

Wednesday, August 14, 5 pm at Larkin Square, Buffalo. FREE

Blues Traveler + Big Head Todd and the Monsters

Friday, August 16, 7 pm at Artpark Amphitheater, Lewiston, NY. $20/$39/$49

Green Jello, The Convalescence, & Well Worn Boot

Friday, August 16, 6:30 pm at Riff City, Buffalo. $19.75/$25

Music Matters Summer Concert Series: Funktional Flow

Thursday, August 15, 7 pm at Harbor Walk, Buffalo. $10

University United Festival: Robin Thicke, Musiq Soulchild, Silk!

Saturday, August 10, parade at 2 pm, show at Rotary Field, UB South Campus, Buffalo. FREE

S.I.N.ers & Sailors/Service Industry Night with D.J. SIKE

Sunday, August 11, 6pm at HarborWalk, Buffalo. FREE

Thursday Night Live: Root Cellar

Thursday, August 8, 5:30 pm at Wilson Town Square, Knox Building, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo. FREE

House Concert with Stephen Clair plus Jonathan Bobowicz of Whitetails

Saturday, August 10, 4:00 pm doors, pot-luck picnic and socializing, 6 pm show at Marty Boratin & Susan Tanner’s House, Eden, NY. Suggested donation $10-$20