Live Music Reviews and Photographs / NYC, Buffalo, Toronto, Pittsburgh
Over the last ten years, we’ve seen a resurgence of New Wave/synthpop bands from the 80s coming out of retirement to tour, discovering that their fans from forty years ago were nostalgic for the music of their youth and now had disposable income!! Besides bands like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and the Cure who never …
Many words can be used to describe the Flaming Lips: Eclectic? Brilliant? Or maybe just weird?? If you search for a band formed maybe ten years earlier than the Flaming Lips, you might be referring to the Talking Heads! But what’s one body part amongst friends? This year brought the second leg of the band’s …
Continue reading "The Flaming Lips battle the pink robots at ArtPark – July 22, 2024"
Train, those hit-makers from the aughts, are on tour! If you haven’t been paying attention, the popular rock band from San Francisco, led by vocalist Pat Monahan have never gone away. Granted there is more time between studio albums (numbering eleven now) and their singles don’t make the impact on the charts like “Drops of …
I must admit I get very excited every time a young band emerges from high school and their parents' garages to come out rocking their guitars and drums. With technology allowing more and more new artists to make music on just their computers, it's refreshing to see young people pick up and get excited about …
Continue reading "Horsegirl hits Rec Room in Buffalo – June 22, 2024"
What can I say about Nation of Language that I haven't already said when we covered their shows in Toronto in 2022 at Lee's Palace and last December at the Phoenix Concert Theatre? On the heels of their third Studio album "Strange Disciple" being named Best Record of 2023 by Rough Trade and UK/EU and …
Continue reading "Buffalo partied with Nation of Language at Electric City – Jun 19, 2024"
The last time we caught Sarah McLachlan, she performed with the New York Pops at Forest Hills Stadium in NYC. Fast forward through the pandemic and it's now been thirty years since her breakthrough album "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" was released! That record was also my introduction to this amazing artist and it remains one of …
Many Americans are not yet familiar with Claire Pommet (aka Pomme), a French folk singer/songwriter/actress who has already released four studio albums and won the award for 2021's Female Artist of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique (French Grammy Awards). Her 2022 duet with Aurora, "Everything Matters", brought her a new army of …
Continue reading "Pomme brings all “Saisons” to Toronto – June 10, 2024"
Soccer Mommy fans were excited when Sophie Allison announced a small number of intimate events that she called The Lost Shows. She said that she would be playing some hits, some rarities, as well as new songs that portended a new Soccer Mommy studio album! These shows would be scaled down: just a guitar and …
Continue reading "Soccer Mommy opens The Lost Shows mini-tour in New York – May 31, 2024"
In the midst of his Hyperwave Tour, Austin-based blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr made a stop at ArtPark in Lewiston, NY near Niagara Falls. In support of his latest studio album “JPEG Raw”, Clark is a throwback to old rock and blues days of yore, playing his screaming guitar accompanied by his smooth vocals including …
Continue reading "Gary Clark Jr fires up ArtPark with his searing guitars – May 25, 2024"
NOTE: All photographs are copyright Howard Shiau Photography 2024. Apologies to drummers Colanthony Humphrey and Jon Kereliuk who I somehow missed College students meet and decide to form a band, start playing some gigs, and through hard work and gigging non-stop, they make a name for themselves and get popular. In this day and age, …
Continue reading "Geeks of Toronto unite! Good Kid is in town – May 10, 2024"
The Driver Era has been around for around six years but the brother duo of Rocky and Ross Lynch have been making music together since 2010, back when their band R5 included Riker and Rydel Lynch. They haven't released a record since 2022's "Summer Mixtape" but that's not a reason not to tour, which they've …
Continue reading "The Driver Era closes out tour with a party in Toronto – May 8, 2024"
Icelandic phenom Laufey (aka Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir) played the first of two nights in Toronto as part of her completely sold out North American tour. If anyone had jazz singer releasing her first EP in 2021, a debut LP in 2022, a Grammy winning sophomore album in 2023 and going from playing the NYC’s …
Continue reading "Laufey plays first of two sold out shows at Massey Hall – Apr 30, 2024"
Exactly one month after she released her debut studio album “All I Ever Want is Everything”, Blu DeTiger stopped at the Velvet Underground in Toronto as part of the tour to support new new record. This amazing performer, named one of the "30 under 30: Music" people to watch in 2022, she has spread her …
Continue reading "Blu DeTiger gets all she ever wanted in Toronto – Apr 29, 2024"
The indie punk band Vial has been around for around five years. However, with Covid hitting right in the middle, I feel like they've really only been a band for three years. Not that they didn't make full use of that lockdown time, making music and establishing their social media presence with TikTok videos that …
Continue reading "A manic frenzy accompanied Minneapolis punks Vial at Mohawk Place – Apr 25, 2024"
It feels like we just saw South African singer/songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou (aka Alice Matthew) in Brooklyn last July. Maybe because she has been on the road non-stop. After taking just a couple of months off in 2024, she flew from Berlin to Cambridge, MA to kick off her 2024 North American tour. The first …
Continue reading "Alice Phoebe Lou kicks off solo tour at the Sinclair – Apr 2, 2024"
You might have heard about The Last Dinner Party . . . ok, there's probably no way you haven't heard about them already. They are the hottest indie band right now and, yes, I've also heard the complaints. They're an industry plant, living off their rich parents, and pretentious as hell. But they write their …
In the early mornings, when I'm staring out of the window with a coffee cup in hand, the silky voice and chill vibe of English singer/songwriter Arlo Parks (aka Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho) is the perfect soundtrack to those mornings. She was well on her way to success with her first single "Cola" in 2018, …
To say that Grouplove is one of my favorite bands is an understatement. They have always been such a fun act, seeming to enjoy every moment on the stage and off. In fact, just thinking about attending one of their shows brings a non-stop smile to my face. Their current “ Rock and Roll You …
Continue reading "Grouplove parties it up at the Roxian – Mar 22, 2024"
Seventeen years ago, Silversun Pickups released “Lazy Eye”, the first single off their first full studio album “Carnavas”. The success of the single and video, plays on a number of TV shows/movies, and inclusion in the hot Rock Band and Guitar Hero:World Tour video games brought the band immediate success. I’ve seen them perform ten …
Continue reading "Silversun Pickups rock Toronto – Mar 5, 2024"
It’s been non-stop touring for Canadian band Softcult the last six months, first supporting Movements and Mannequin Pussy, then headlining a tour this month up and down the east coast of the U.S. They closed out their current tour with a packed show at Mohawk Place in Buffalo on a frigid Friday night. Softcult’s last …
Continue reading "Softcult wraps up their US tour in Buffalo – Feb 23, 2024"
It's been almost eight years since the Kills embarked on a major tour. After touring in support of their fifth studio album "Ash and Ice" in 2016, it makes sense that the duo, made up of Alison Mosshart (vocals) and Jamie Hince (guitar), are finally back on the road after releasing their sixth record "God …
Continue reading "The Kills return to Danforth Music Hall – Feb 20, 2024"
Talented artist Mitski (aka Mitsuki Miyawaki aka Mitsuki Laycock) retired back in 2019 due to frustrations with the music business and a desired disconnect between her personal life and her public persona. We're all happy that she changed her mind and returned to music, releasing "Laurel Hell" in 2022 and "The Land is Inhospitable and So …
Continue reading "Mitski sold out three nights at Massey Hall – Feb 12, 2024"
Indie rocker Briston Maroney is just twenty-six but it feels like he’s been around forever. Maybe it’s because he’s been touring non-stop. Besides the pandemic year of 2020 (which disappeared for everyone), he’s been prolific in putting out new music year after year. His latest, “Ultrapure”, released in September of 2023, was well received and …
Continue reading "Briston Maroney brings heat to a cold night in Toronto – Feb 6, 2024"
This year wasn’t quite as productive as last year but I was fortunate to attend and photograph some major events, including Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. That being said, it was also disappointing to be denied for some of my favorite bands like Depeche Mode (twice!!) and the Cure. A nice surprise towards the end of …
It's been six months since the Japanese House (aka Amber Bain) released her sophomore LP "In the End it Always Does". Keeping in line with the somewhat depressing lyrical topics of her first album, the most recent record somehow makes these sad songs more upbeat and dance-able. "Sad to Breathe" is a perfect example. It …
Continue reading "The Japanese House hit a sold out Danforth Music Hall – Dec 6, 2023"
The last time Nation of Language visited Toronto, they played to a packed Lee's Palace in April of last year. Just One More Concert was there to cover that show and it was a raucous affair. In March 2023, the band released "Sole Obsession", the first single off what would be their third studio album …
Continue reading "Nation of Language wrap up their 2023 tour in Toronto – Dec 2, 2023"
Gayle (aka Taylor Gayle Rutherfurd) is having quite a year. The Nashville based nineteen year old pop rocker released her fourth EP, toured with Taylor Swift and Pink, and had a Grammy nomination for her viral TikTok hit "ABCEDFU". So why not wrap up this amazing year with a solo tour! Added to the tour …
It’s an old story. A legendary band gets back together after twenty years, releases new music, and sells out venues across the country. Dogstar a definitely not a legendary band but they have just released a new album “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees” on October 6th, the day of their show at …
Continue reading "Dogstar packs the house at Mr Smalls – Oct 6, 2023"
Fans have been grooving to the synth-pop tunes of Scottish band Chvrches for the last decade. Two years after their last studio album, lead singer Lauren Mayberry is taking a turn on the solo circuit. She’s been working on her first solo album, releasing the first single “Are You Awake” the beginning of this month. …
Continue reading "Lauren Mayberry celebrates anniversary at the Horseshoe Tavern – Sept 20, 2023"
Bully’s (aka Alicia Bognanno) music may technically be classified as alternative rock but it’s not the alternative rock of the 2020s. Rather it’s a throwback to the alt rock of the 90s, a bit harder hitting, fuzzy guitars, and an in-your-face punk style that makes you want to mosh. The Nashville-based Bully’s fourth studio record …
Continue reading "Bully blows the roof off Lee’s Palace – Sept 19, 2023"
The last time we saw Grace Potter was towards the beginning of the Covid pandemic when she visited the Paste Studio and was touring in support of “Daylight”. In fact, she was sick at that NYC show in January 2020 and could possibly have had Covid when we were all just a bit clueless. She …
Continue reading "Grace Potter closes out ArtPark’s season in style – Sept 9, 2023"
Electronic pop band Cannons can be a bit of an enigma musically. On the one hand, it's wonderful to listen to them poolside, letting Michelle Joy's soothing voice put you into a relaxed mood. On the other hand, while you're relaxed, somehow your feet start bouncing and you want to dance, your body not quite …
Continue reading "Cannons partied with Toronto at the Danforth Music Hall – Sept 6, 2023"
If it seems like just yesterday when Duran Duran brought their hits to venues around North America, it’s because their Future Past Tour has been going on for the last two years! It’s obviously never enough for their enormous fan base as they continue to sell out venue after venue across North America, Europe and …
Continue reading "Duran Duran bring their hit parade to Canandaigua, NY – Sept 3, 2023"
Indie rock was in full swing at ArtPark last night as nineties stalwarts The Pixies and Modest Mouse stopped by in the midst of their co-headlining tour across the US. The Pixies released their eighth studio album (fourth with the current lineup) “Doggerel” in September of last year. Modest Mouse released their fifth studio album …
On the heels of her sophomore studio album "The Good Witch" debuting at number one on the UK charts, Maisie Peters embarked on a two month tour of North America. A week after the kickoff in Minneapolis, she played History in Toronto on Aug 14th. With just two albums under her belt, she is already …
Continue reading "Maisie Peters enchants Toronto – Aug 14, 2023"
What an incredible couple of years it’s been for British/Japanese pop star Rina Sawayama. After her critically acclaimed debut album “ Sawayama” in 2020, she’s not only released her second hit album “Hold the Girl” last September but also started in the lates John Wick movie opposite Keanu Reeves! Could her star get any brighter? …
Continue reading "Rina Sawayama ignites Hold the Girl Tour in Toronto – Aug 9, 2023"
It’s been less than a month since Berlin-based singer/songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou released fifth studio album “Shelter” and she stopped in Brooklyn for the final stop of her 2023 US tour before heading up to the Newport Folk Festival. Since there were only seven US stops on the tour and two of them were in …
Continue reading "Alice Phoebe Lou wraps up US leg of solo tour at Brooklyn Steel – July 26, 2023"
When legendary guitarist Peter Frampton announced that he had inclusion body myositis (IBM) and that he would embark on his farewell tour in 2019, it was a tour that everyone wanted to attend, not only because it was the culmination of a glorious career with a hiccup caused by starring in the ill-fated "Sgt Pepper's …
Canadian singer/songwriter Luna Li (aka Hannah Bussiere Kim) played a one-off show at the Elsewhere Rooftop in Bushwick, NY on Monday, July 24th. After last year's tour, we hadn't expected her to grace us with her presence so soon but were happy to see this hit our schedule. The show was quickly sold out and, …
Continue reading "Luna Li enchants Brooklyn at Elsewhere Rooftop – July 24, 2o23"
As conservative movements globally try to turn back to a time when women had fewer rights (eg. The US Supreme Court invalidating Roe vs Wade), and the music industry continues to struggle with misogyny and regular sexual assault allegations, riot grrrl music pioneer Kathleen Hanna has brought her messages back, first with Bikini Kill touring …
Continue reading "Le Tigre brings the riot grrrl message back to Toronto – July 21, 2023"
Ever since the original members of Veruca Salt got back together, released a new record “Ghost Notes”, and toured North America. We’ve been eagerly awaiting more news from this incredible band and, while we don’t have a new Veruca Salt record, vocalist/guitarist Louise Post has released her first solo LP “Sleepwalker” and is touring North …
Continue reading "Louise Post brought 90s memories back to Toronto – July 18, 2023"
Australian singer/songwriter Julia Jacklin first caught our attention when she released her sophomore studio album “Crushing”. Her live performance of “Don’t Know How to Keep Loving You” at the Paste Studio in 2019 is so achingly good, way more emotional and heartbreaking than the studio version. After she released her third studio album “Pre-Pleasure” in …
Continue reading "Julia Jacklin making us cry at Asbury Hall – July 16, 2023"
Indie singer/songwriter Blondshell (aka Sabrina Teitelbaum) last played in Toronto in January opening for Suki Waterhouse at the Axis Club. Since then, she has released her self-titled debut album, been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, Billboard and many others, and performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon! Not too shabby! At the end of …
Continue reading "Blondshell crushes her first headlining show in Toronto – July 14, 2023"
The Thursday and Main concert series at the Fountain Plaza in Buffalo is always a good time and popular with locals. On July 13th, Canadian indie rock band Tokyo Police Club graced the stage, their first show in Buffalo since 2017 even though it's just a skip and a hop from Toronto. Just One More …
Continue reading "Tokyo Police Club play free show in Buffalo – July 13, 2023"
Singer/songwriter Melanie Martinez, a former contestant on The Voice's third season, archived all her Instagram posts back in January of this year, making her fans wonder what was happening. When she release Portals, her third studio album, on March 31st, she also debuted a new look: a dark fairy complete with a mask with four …
Continue reading "Melanie Martinez enchants Cleveland – July 5, 2023"
NOTE: All photos are copyright of JYP Entertainment What do you think Canadian reactions were when K-pop girl group TWICE (consisting of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu) announced a stop in Toronto as part of their "Ready to Be" tour? Their fan club, called ONCE, and their fans ONCEs have …
Continue reading "TWICE are “Ready to Be” dominant in Toronto for two nights – July 2, 2023"
A week after Tears for Fears kicked off part two of The Tipping Point Tour, the iconic band from the 80s landed in Toronto to play at the Budweiser Stage. I was lucky enough to also catch Roland Orzabal (guitar/vocals), Curt Smith (bass/vocals), and crew in Cleveland for the first leg of the tour (see …
What else can we say about Taylor Swift's Eras Tour that hasn't already been said? Besides the monumental scale of the tour, each show is over three hours long, with a massive stage having to be built and torn down at each stop, and comprising of ten acts with multiple costume changes and colors representing …
Continue reading "Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour takes over Pittsburgh for two days – June 16, 2023"
It’s been a busy couple of years for Tegan & Sara (Tegan and Sara Quin) , the twin musicians from Calgary. They signed with Mom and Pop records, released their latest studio album “Crybaby”, debuted “High School”, a TV show based on their memoir, toured North America supporting “Crybaby”, and recently released a graphic novel …
Continue reading "Tegan & Sara play make-up show at Danforth Music Hall – June 15, 2023"
This past Sunday saw the first Lavender Wild Festival, focused on the 2SLGBTQ+ community, comprised of a pure 2SLGBTQ+ lineup, and provided a safe space for queers and friends. I was privileged to attend and photograph the festival on a beautiful afternoon at Echo Beach in Toronto. While there were two stages, I primarily focused …
Over fifty years since Styx released their debut album in 1972 and over forty five years since their classic album "The Grand Illusion" became certified triple platinum, the band continues to tour even through personnel changes including an acrimonious separation from former lead singer Dennis DeYoung. They've even been making new music, the latest being …
Continue reading "Styx still rocking at ArtPark – June 2, 2023"
It’s hard to believe it’s been over eight years since a young Declan McKenna (not that he’s not still young) won the emerging talent competition at the Glastonbury Festival. His first single “Brazil” was released on his YouTube channel and expressed dissatisfaction with FIFA and its governing body. That doesn’t change the fact that it …
Continue reading "Declan McKenna brings excitement to Town Ballroom – May 31, 2023"
When Seal's self-titled debut album came out in 1991, it took the world by storm! With his incredible vocals that dare you not to listen and hit singles "Crazy", "Killer", and "Future Love Paradise", he was on his way. That album garnished Seal awards left and right. When he released his sophomore album and also …
Continue reading "Seal brings it on at Massey Hall – May 15, 2023"
It’s been quite a busy year so far for LA indie pop band MUNA. They started off with some shows in Australia before taking a two week break, played Coachella, then embarked immediately on their North American tour. This is their second tour supporting their third studio album, the self-titled MUNA, released in June 2022. …
Continue reading "MUNA celebrates with Toronto at History – May 14, 2023"
It's not often that you get to see a living legend on the stage. The word "legend" has been thrown around way too much but in the case of Graham Nash, it's not debatable. Being a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a two-time Songwriter's Hall of Fame inductee can attest to that. …
Continue reading "Legend Graham Nash inspires Asbury Hall – May 8, 2023"
Indie pop singer/songwriter quinnie from New Jersey exploded onto our collective consciousness via her viral hit "Touch Tank" on TikTok, like many young artists these days. Yes, she had previously released music when she was just a teenager but it was that snippet of a song that finally made her known to a larger audience. …
Continue reading "Feeling all kinds of emotions with quinnie at the Drake Underground – May 6, 2023"
After kicking off their North American "Take Back Your Life" tour in Montreal a few nights ago, heavy metal stalwarts Disturbed stopped by ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto to start the month of May in proper fashion. The band had released their eighth studio album "Divisive" on November 18th of last year, with both the record …
Continue reading "Disturbed had ScotiaBank Arena shaking – May 1, 2023"
Indie pop band Tennis, comprised of the married couple Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, stopped by History in Toronto in the midst of their "Pollen" tour. Their sixth studio album was released back in February on their own label Mutually Detrimental and three singles, "One Night With the Valet", "Let's Make a Mistake Tonight", and …
Continue reading "Tennis brought smooth 70s grooves to History Toronto – Apr 5, 2023"
Buffalo loves Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Pigeons love Buffalo right back! The incredible jam band played two sold out nights at Town Ballroom at the end of March and we were there to bear witness! Pigeons had played the Cobblestone Festival in Buffalo last summer so nine months sounds almost too long to welcome …
Continue reading "Pigeons Playing Ping Pong jam for two epic nights in Buffalo – Mar 31, 2023"
Last night, pop star Jake Wesley Roger’s stopped by the Opera House in Toronto as his “Peace Love and Pluto” tour hits the Northeast. I say “pop star” even though he’s still a young man, having released just four EP’s, the latest “LOVE” last year. However, his dynamic personality already flags him as a star …
Continue reading "Exuberant joy followed Jake Wesley Rogers to the Opera House – Mar 30, 2023"
It's been quite a month for Canadian band Softcult, consisting of twins Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn. They were named as a Stereogum Band to Watch, released their latest EP "See You in the Dark", and completed their first US headlining tour! A true DIY band, with the sisters handling everything from album art to production …
Continue reading "Softcult brings their tour back to Ontario – Mar 28 2023"
NOTE: Ted Sablay, Lemon Twigs, and crowd shots are copyright Howard Shiau Photography 2023. The Killers photos are copyright Chris Phelps | @chrisphelps Las Vegas rockers The Killers hit Pittsburgh on March 19th (a re-scheduled show from last October) in a continuation of their 2022 "Imploding the Mirage" Tour. The record, released in 2020, is exactly …
Continue reading "The Killers play re-scheduled show at Petersen Events Center – Mar 19, 2023"
Four years is much too long to not see Muse on tour. Granted, we had a little hiccup with the pandemic but it's wonderful to have Muse hit North America on the fourth leg of their "Will of the People" tour. Even better, American rock band Evanescence was tagged as a support act. I can't …
If there was a band that exemplifies lo-fi dream pop, Afternoon Bike Ride would be that band. Their soothing sounds are perfect for coffee in the morning while looking out the window, a quiet evening by the fireplace, or perhaps a nice afternoon bike ride!! While their songs are not all chill, there do seem …
Continue reading "Afternoon Bike Ride is also great in the evening – Mar 7, 2023"
VÉRITÉ (aka Kelsey Regina Byrne) stopped by Longboat Hall in Toronto on Friday as the opening night of her Love You Forever Tour. The record of the same name was released just a week ago and I’ve been playing it on repeat ever since. Her lush music and honest lyrics always spoke to me, although …
Continue reading "VÉRITÉ, Love You Forever! Signed, Toronto – Mar 3, 2023"
As a fan of Alvvays, Phoebe Bridgers, and indie rock in general, it was a no brainer to cover The Beths at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre as they continued to tour in support of their third studio album “Expert in a Dying Field”. If you haven’t heard the songs and have been following popular music …
Continue reading "The Phoenix Concert Theatre welcomes The Beths – Feb 26, 2023"
It's been almost exactly three years since I last saw the Silversun Pickups on a double session at the Paste Studio, then Terminal 5 in NYC. A pandemic and a record release later, I was able to catch them at the Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh (actually McKees Rocks if you want to get technical) as …
Continue reading "Silversun Pickups play historic Roxian Theatre – Feb 23, 2023"
It's been three years since Swedish pop star Tove Lo (aka Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson) graced Toronto with her presence. Still in the early days of the tour supporting her latest studio album "Dirt Femme", released in October 2022, she arrived at History to a sold out venue. Walking around the before Tove Lo came …
Continue reading "Tove Lo returns to Toronto with a bang – Feb 16, 2023"
It's been almost exactly five years since I was last able to cover a Lights (aka Valerie Ann Poxleitner-Bokan) show. That's pretty much the time between "PEP", her fifth studio album, released in April of last year and "Skin and Earth", her previous record that coincided with the release of her comic books and a …
Continue reading "LIGHTS hits Hamilton with PEP party at Bridgeworks – Feb 11, 2023"
If you watched the Grammy's last weekend, you'd think that rock and roll is now just a tiny fringe music genre with few followers. While rock acts are finding it much harder to earn a living with record sales and streaming, the music continues to live on with touring and merch sales being the primary …
Continue reading "Mac Saturn and Billy Tibbals bring glam rock to Town Hall – Feb 9, 2023"
A model and/or actor wanting to become a musician has become a cliche. That’s not to say they can’t be incredibly successful but it’s often times an immediate strike with critics. Suki Waterhouse has been an exception to this rule, with her 2022 debut LP “I Can’t Let Go” garnishing relatively positive reviews. On the …
Continue reading "Suki Waterhouse packs the house at the Axis Club – Jan 24, 2023"
It's been quite a year for Just One More Concert. It was the first full year of live music post-pandemic although much has changed since 2019 (the last full year). Bands are still having to cancel shows/tours because someone in the band or crew tests positive for Covid, more acts have opted for having their …
It's been quite a hectic three months for Alvvays even though there was a period of time where I wasn't sure if they would be back. But after a long hiatus and, on the heels of their well received latest studio album "Blue Rev" on October 7th, the band hit the road for twenty three …
Continue reading "Alvvays close out 2022 with two hometown shows – Dec 15, 2022"
After touring for much of the year, Toronto band The Beaches surprised Buffalo by announcing a one off show in December. On the heels of winning the 2022 Juno Award for best rock album and an extensive tour, we were happy that the band was able to find the time to stop by Buffalo Iron …
Continue reading "Buffalo loves Beaches in December! – Dec 10, 2022"
It's been quite a year for beabadoobee (aka Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus). She has been touring non-stop since April with stops globally, during which she also released her sophomore studio album "Beatopia". On Thursday, she stopped at History in Toronto just prior to wrapping up her tour tonight in Boston. After a well deserved rest, …
Continue reading "beabadoobee and her Beatopia tour play a full house at History – Dec 1, 2022"
Normally, I'd say that moving from NYC to Buffalo makes it more difficult to see all the bands I want to see but somehow this year, I've been lucky enough the have the English Beat hit Buffalo twice!! First, they opened for Culture Club this summer at ArtPark and, on Tuesday, they graced us with …
Continue reading "The English Beat help melt the snow in Buffalo – Nov 29, 2022"
The multi-talented twenty four year old bassist Blu DeTiger hit Toronto on Saturday just in time to bring her party beats to the Axis Club. I first noticed her when she was playing bass and her brother playing drums for alternative band Kitten, as well as other NYC acts. She's gained a huge following as …
Continue reading "Blu DeTiger parties with Toronto at the Axis Club – Nov 5, 2022"
LA rockers Starcrawler stopped in Toronto this week in support of their third studio album “She Said”. Known for their high energy outrageous shows, they make every performance a must see, making you wonder what's going to happen next! Their latest record is a bit more polished than their previous two, although the rawness of …
Continue reading "Starcrawler rock Adelaide Hall – Nov 4, 2022"
An hour before doors opened at HISTORY Toronto on Monday, October 24th, the line for entry had already wrapped all the way around the block. This didn't even include the 250 or so fans on the separate VIP line! Taylor Swift? Maybe Harry Styles? Nope. Korean band, the Rose, had hit Toronto as part of …
Continue reading "The Rose had their fans swooning at History Toronto – Oct 24, 2022"
Since James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain rejoined the Smashingi Pumpkins, it feels like the band has been touring non-stop. Of course that’s not quite the case since they found the time to work on a THIRTY THREE song three-act rock opera “Atum”. The first act will be released on Nov 15th and each subsequent act …
Continue reading "Smashing Pumpkins play PPG Paints Arena without Jane’s Addiction – Oct 22, 2022"
NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2022 Moroccan born Canadian singer/songwriter Faouzia (aka Faouzia Ouihya) took her Citizens Tour to a rainy Toronto evening at a sold out Opera House on Wednesday, October 19th. Fans had been waiting in the rain for hours before doors, eagerly awaiting the show. While the name …
Continue reading "Faouzia has Opera House Toronto bursting at the seams – Oct 19, 2022"
If you haven’t heard of the Linda Linda’s, you may be living under a rock. They exploded onto the scene, not necessarily the music scene, when they released a song and video for “Racist, Sexist Boy” after a schoolmate made a racist remark to the band’s drummer early in the Covid pandemic. That song became …
Continue reading "The Linda Linda’s rock Music Hall of Williamsburg – Oct 2, 2022"
There are cover bands and there are good cover bands. Wednesday saw Zoso, the Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, come to Brooklyn Bowl in NYC and evoke strong memories of the golden age of 70s rock and roll. Having been formed over twenty years ago, the band has honed its craft and is one of the …
Continue reading "Zoso and the shades of Led Zeppelin invade Brooklyn Bowl – Sept 28, 2022"
After a two year postponement, 80s synth-pop hitmakers Pet Shop Boys and New Order kicked off their Unity tour at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto. I was planning to cover this show originally in NYC but the first show of a tour is always fun and sometimes unexpected. It was very interesting to see what …
If you haven’t heard of Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum, you’re not alone. For a couple of years after they formed, they were primarily only known by a rabid group of fans in the NYC area, even though the band is fronted by award winning actor Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Six Feet Under on …
Continue reading "Princess goes to the Bowery Ballroom – Sept 15, 2022"
Austin based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mobley (aka Anthony Watkins II) stopped by the offices of LiveNation in NYC to preview his latest record "Cry Havoc!" ahead of its release on September 23rd. I first saw Mobley at Rockwood Music Hall back in 2016 (see photos here) before he started playing drums as well as guitar …
Continue reading "Mobley previews new record at LiveNation – Sept 12, 2022"
Take a look at music over the last forty years and it’s hard to even count the number of bands that were either influenced by Roxy Music or were influenced by a band that was influenced by them! One major act that we covered recently, Duran Duran, drew heavily on from Roxy and the New …
If you've been following Just One More Concert, you'll find that we've recently been covering quite a number of top 80s bands who have discovered that, not only are their old fans still eager to see them perform live, they have built a new generation of younger fans who love the retro sounds of ska, …
Forty one years after the release of their self-titled debut album, Duran Duran is still going strong. Besides their well deserved election to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they released their fifteen studio album “Future Past”, released last October. The record sounds very retro, reminding me of past records from the 80s and …
Continue reading "Duran Duran celebrate Future Past at Budweiser Stage in Toronto – Aug 22, 2022"
On Thursday, August 11th, Billy Joel continued his non-stop tour with an incredible show at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. It had been six years since Joel played here and the capacity crowd showed their appreciation. Many fans came to the stadium early to tailgate, getting ready to party with their idol. Having been a Billy …
Continue reading "The Piano Man is still keeping the faith at PNC Park – Aug 11, 2022"
The 80s were the heyday of the hard hitting hair bands, shredding the stage but with smiles on their faces. They played to sold out stadiums of eager young’s fans and partied like there was no tomorrow. Not privy to backstage antics, I don’t know if they’re still partying and the hair is definitely not …
As the “it” band of the last year, Wet Leg has been selling out venues faster than you can say “Isle of Wight”! Toronto was no exception as they stopped by the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Tuesday, even though there were at least four other amazing shows that same evening: Glass Animals, Cage the Elephant, …
Continue reading "Wet Leg sells out Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto – Aug 2, 2022"
The Houston based trio Khruangbin hit ArtPark in Lewiston, NY last night. In the midst of their cross country Space Walk Tour, the Buffalo show was a late addition and the fans in western New York could not be happier. The venue was packed before the opener even started, with many dressed as if they …
Continue reading "Khruangbin brings some funk and some fun to ArtPark – Aug 1, 2022"
It's been six years since Warpaint headlined the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. Returning to a full house at the Opera House, the band saw eager fans packed into the beautiful venue. Personally, I saw the quartet of Emily Kokal (guitar/vocals), Theresa Wayman (guitar/vocals), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass/vocals), and Stella Mozgawa (drums) at the Music …
Continue reading "Warpaint makes triumphant return to Toronto – July 27, 2022"
Indie pop sensation Clairo (aka Claire Elizabeth Cottrill) has been making music since she was 13 and it only took five years to introduce herself to the world when one of her songs “Pretty Girl” went viral. With her hit debut record “Diary 00” and successful tours in 2018 and 2019 (who jumps all the …
Continue reading "Every teenage girl in Toronto came to History to see Clairo – July 26, 2022"
The Pretty Reckless headlined their first show since December 2017 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh on Friday, July 22nd. After their Paris show in 2017, little did they know that it would be almost five years before they would headline a show again. They had a tour planned in spring/summer 2020 that was pushed to …
Continue reading "The Pretty Reckless play first headline show since 2017 – July 22, 2022"
When New Kids on the Block announced their "Mixtape Tour" would include Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, and Rick Astley, I was in! Not having been much of a boy band fan, I did listen to the other three acts quite a bit back in the day. As I entered the KeyBank Center in Buffalo on July …
Continue reading "New Kids on the Block brought some friends to the KeyBank Center – July 17, 2022"
Music fans in Buffalo were treated this past weekend to the annual Cobblestone Live music festival, located on the old cobblestone streets of Illinois and Columbia in Buffalo. Sponsored by Twenty6 Productions, Buffalo Iron Works, and Lockhouse Distillery, the two day event featured local bands and national acts like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, who anchored …
With a new LP "Asphalt Meadows" set to be released in September, Death Cab for Cutie hit ArtPark's mainstage in Lewiston on July 11th for a welcome back party. The band is touring extensively through 2022, first with Illuminati Hotties supporting (as they did at ArtPark), then with Low, and finally with Yo la Tengo. …
Continue reading "Death Cab for Cutie plays to packed ArtPark – July 11, 2022"
At the age of 67, 80s hit-maker Howard Jones continues to tour extensively. Yes, those high notes are a little harder to hit now but his fans are there to help him through those. I covered his Acoustic Trio tour when he, bassist and ex-Kajagoogoo member Nick Beggs, and guitarist Robin Boult performed in Ithaca, …
Continue reading "Howard Jones and Midge Ure keep the 80s alive in Buffalo – July 7, 2022"