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

A look back at last week, a look ahead to the coming weeks, some music news, and a few travel-worthy gigs

May 15, 2025

(Have a cool concert or interesting event you know about? Email all the info and links to jeffmiersmusic@gmail.com to be considered for inclusion in Where the Bands Are.)

Hey there, music-freak family.

Thought I’d start a new section of this weekly column. Since time and economic reality prohibit me from writing full reviews of every show I’ve attended, or even the shows I couldn’t make it to that were worthy, it seems like a good idea to occasionally offer a “catch-all,” with some photos and videos from gigs that went down in the Buffalo area over the previous week.

Here are a few of them…

Carl Verheyen and his Band

Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, Friday, May 9

Carl Verheyen and Band. Nietzsche's, Buffalo, May 9, 2025. All photos by Michael Lee Jackson.

Soul Street

The Cave, Buffalo, Saturday, May 10

Buffalo Dead All Stars

Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, May 14

bob. - An Interpretation of Dylan, featuring members of moe.

Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, Thursday, May 8

A view of a packed house at Nietzsche’s, as the crowd welcomes bob. - An Interpretation of Dylan, featuring Al Schnier and Vin Amico of moe. Photo by John Weber.

Some new stuff…

$30 Ticket to Summer

Live Nation (I know, I know…) is offering $30 tickets to 1000+ concerts on Wednesday, May 21. Check out the list of eligible acts, get more info and grab tickets here.

Jam Cruise 22 Lineup Announced - Public on sale Friday

Tuesday, February 7- Saturday, February 12, 2026, Miami, FL-Grand Turk-Ocean Cay, Bahamas on MSC Divina. Cabins on sale now.

Phish: Riviera Maya 2026 Announced!

January 28-31, 2026, Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico. Special Alumni Pre-Sale packages for previous attendees begins at 1 pm edt on Tuesday, May 20. Packages for public go on sale Wednesday, May 21 at 1 pm edt. Visit phishrivieramaya.com.

Music Matters Summer Concert Series

Thursdays, June 5 - September 4, 7-10 pm (plus 2 Special Friday shows, July 11 and August 1) at Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill at Harbor Walk, Downtown Buffalo. $10.

June 5 - Olmsted Dub System & Critt’s Juke Joint

June 12 - Organ Fairchild

June 19 - Scarlet Begonias

June 26 - The Strictly Hip

July 3 - GROSH

July 10 - Jeff Miers’ Grateful Birthday Jam

^**Friday, July 11 - Push the Lil’ Daisies (Ween tribute) ft/ Jason Staniszewski

July 17 - Little Mountain Band (plays the music of Little Feat and the Band)

July 24 - Lazlo Hollyfeld & Büe

July31 - The Scales (play the music of Phish)

^**Friday, August 1 - Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

August 7 - Relics (play the music of Pink Floyd)

August 14 - TBA

August 21 - The Garage Doors (play the music of The Doors)

August 28 - the Damone Jackson Outcome & Tiger Chung Lee

September 4 - The Black Rock Beatles

New And Noteworthy:

Billy Strings

Wednesday, November 11, at Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY. Artist presale now (sign up for password here.) Public onsale Friday, May 16 at 10 am.

Johnny Marr

Thursday, September 25, 8 pm at Electric City, Buffalo. Tickets: Venue presale Thursday, May 15 ay 10 am. CODE: FLOWERS. Public on sale Friday, May 16 at 10 am.

After Dark presents:

Peach Pit

Tuesday, September 15, 7 pm at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo. Tickets on sale Friday, May 16.

Craig Finn & The Band of Forgiveness w/James Felice

Tuesday, October 21, 8 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. $30/$35. Tickets on sale Friday, May 16 at 10 am.

SoleTurn - Live Concert & Video Premier Event

Saturday, May 31, 8 pm at The Caz, South Buffalo. $19

Melvins w/ Red Kross

Friday, September 26, 8 pm at Electric City, Buffalo. Tickets: Venue presale Thursday, May 15 ay 10 am. CODE: FLOWERS. Public on sale Friday, May 16 at 10 am.

After Dark presents:

Cannibal Corpse

Tuesday, September 22, 7 pm at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo. $51.66 - $77.29

Joss Stone

Wednesday, October 1, 7:30 pm at The University at Buffalo Center for the Arts, Buffalo. $50/$60/$70/$90. Tickets on sale now.

BTPM The Bridge presents:

Soccer Mommy wsg/ Dummy

Wednesday, September 24, 7 pm doors at Electric City, Buffalo.$ Presale tickets on sale Thursday, May 8 at noon, code: FLOWERS. Tickets on sale Friday, May 9 at 10 am.

Jessie Murph

Thursday, August 21, 7:30 pm at Terminal B at Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY. $

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Wild & Swingin' Holiday Party

Tuesday, December 16, 7:30 pm at Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY. $49

John Papa Gros Band wsg/ Critt's Juke Joint

Saturday July 12, 2 pm doors at The Cave, Buffalo. $20/$25

Rockin’ at the Buffalo AKG 2025: The Beaches, The Trews, and Menno Versteeg of Hollerado

Saturday, June 14, 5 pm at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo. $62.50 (all incl)

The 5th Annual Hilltap Festival featuring Uncle Ben’s Remedy

Saturday, July 26, Holiday Valley, Ellicottville, NY.

(Early bird tickets are now on sale for $35 and include free parking, a lift ticket up to Spruce Lake, and a full-day of music and adventure sports demos and clinics. A twilight ticket will also be offered that provides admission to the base of the mountain for the final two musical performances.)

Young the Giant

Saturday, July 19, 8 pm at Seneca Niagara Event Center, Niagara Falls, NY. $55/$75/$95/$125

Vinny Appice’s Sabbath Knights: A Night Of Black Sabbath

Friday, August 1, 6 pm at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo. $25

The Surfrajettes wsg/ Evil Things

Thursday, June 26, 5 pm doors at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $20

This week and beyond…

Zepparella

Thursday, May 15, 7 pm doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $25/$30

Eberwine & Friends

Thursday, May 15, 7 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $10

Mary Ramsey & Joe Rozler

Thursday, May 15, 6:30 pm doors at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $15/$13

Thursday Night Live: Wayne Moose Quartet wsg/Cindy Miller

Thursday, May 15, 5:30 pm at Wilson Town Square, Knox Building, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo. FREE

The Fox Sisters and Thee Isolators

Friday, May 16, 8 pm at The Cave, Buffalo. $10

The Garage Doors

Friday, May 16, 8 pm at Evening Star Concert Hall, Niagara Falls, NY. $

Stress Dolls

Friday, May 16, 10 pm at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo. $

Emily Nenni wsg/ Dylan Earl

Friday, May 16, 8 pm at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo. $16/$20

Dead Flowers (an evening of the Rolling Stones)

Friday, May 16, 7 pm at The Cove, Depew, NY. $

Jon Lehning Presents: The Music of Roy Hargrove

Friday, May 16, 7 pm doors at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $15/$20 stage area, $13 bar area

The Royal Scam – The Definitive Steely Dan Tribute

Friday, May 16, 7:30 pm at Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY. $20

Hamburg Music Festival

Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, Multiple Sites, Hamburg, NY. $40 2-day pass.

Buffalo Porchfest

Saturday, May 17, 1-6 pm on various porches in the Elmwood Village, Buffalo.

Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute

Saturday, May 17, 7 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. $25/$30

Buffalo Music Coalition presents:

Saturday Sessions: Greg Zeis

Saturday, May 17, 4-7 pm at Flying Bision Brewing Company, Buffalo. FREE

Alison Pipitone w/ Grace Stumberg

Saturday, May 17, 6 pm doors & kitchen, 7:30 pm show at The Caz, South Buffalo. $24-$29

Minuets & Mimosas: John Lehning & Harry Graser

Saturday, May 17, 1 pm at Duende in Silo City, Buffalo.

Dozo My Lady ft/Carolyn Lansom

Saturday, May 17, 7 pm doors at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $15/$13

Steel Panther & Buckcherry

Sunday, May 18, 7 pm at Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY. $69

Liberty Hound Anniversary Patio Party ft/Dave Schulz

Sunday, May 18, 3 pm at Liberty Hound, Buffalo, NY. FREE

D’Mott “Higher” Single Release and Label Signing Party

Hosted by Tony “Grandtone” Simmons (A&R Exec. Rochester, NY) and music by DJ King Shad

Monday, May 19, 6:45 pm doors at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo. $20

Art of Jazz: The Emmet Cohen Trio

Sunday, May 18, 3pm at Lipsey Auditorium, Knox Building in Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo. GA $45/AKG member $40

Funtime presents:

Low Cut Connie

Wednesday, May 21, 7 pm at Town Ballroom, Buffalo. $37.25

Lettuce

Wednesday, May 21, 7 pm at Electric City, Buffalo. $49.92/$109.14/$120.99

The Strictly Hip

Thursday, May 22, 7 pm doors at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo. $25

Hall Pass Heroes

Elmwood Village Charter Schools Music Department Fundraiser

Thursday, May 22, 6 pm doors at Duende in Silo City, Buffalo. $20

A Look Ahead…

J.WAIL Live Band ft/Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), David Murphy (formerly of STS9), and members from Mihali Band, Hive Mind, and more

Friday, May 23, 8 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $28.42-$33.85

SAMF FEST: Willie Nile, 10 Cent Howl, Leroy Townes Band and The Love Supreme School

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 1 pm gates open at the Sportsmens Park, Buffalo. $20.00 SAMF Members (Availble at Sportsmens box office or with coupon code)/$30 public. Tickets on sale now.