Live Music Reviews and Photographs / NYC, Buffalo, Toronto, Pittsburgh
There are many pros and cons to living in western New York. It's beautiful and affordable but it's also cold and wintry nine months of the year. But one not so obvious benefit, given our proximity to Ontario, is being able to see Canadian electro-pop artist Lights (aka Valerie Anne Poxleitner-Bokan) at least once a …
Continue reading "Lights closes out US leg of tour with a killer show in Buffalo – Mar 14, 2026"
Up and coming pop star Benee (aka Stella Rose Bennett), like many young artists nowadays, started by uploading her music online when she was just in high school. Her offbeat funky style gives me early Lily Allen vibes, very apropos since she ended up supporting Lily Allen on her New Zealand tour stop in 2019! …
Continue reading "Benee brings a taste of New Zealand to Electric City – Mar 13, 2026"
It's been less than a month since we covered synth-pop legend Andy Bell, singer for 80s hitmaker Erasure, and we're back with another synth-pop act, this time Australian band Cut Copy. Formed by lead vocalist and keyboardist Dan Whitford in 2001, they had a number of hits during that decade, primarily "Hearts on Fire" and …
Continue reading "Buffalo goes dancing with Cut Copy on Thursday night – Nov 20, 2025"
I can’t believe it’s been twenty five years since the Neon Trees’ debut album Habits was released and thrust the Utah indie-pop band into the spotlight. With the album and singles “Animal” and “1983” making waves on the Billboard charts, it seemed like you heard and saw (lead singer Tyler Glenn and his signature mohawk) …
Continue reading "Neon Trees sink their teeth into Buffalo – Apr 27, 2025"
It's hard to believe it's already been twenty five years since nu-metal band Disturbed released their debut classic album "The Sickness", propelling themselves into immediate stardom! Their hit single from the album "Down With the Sickness" with its inimitable "ooh-wah-ah-ah-ah" from lead vocalist David Draiman seems to still be everywhere from movies to television to …
I don't think you can possibly over-emphasize Mary J Blige's accolades and impact to hip hop and R&B. We won't list all her accomplishments and even her latest, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, was a long time coming. On the heels of the release of her fifteenth studio album “Gratitude” in …
Continue reading "Buffalo welcomes Queen of hip hop Mary J Blige to KeyBank Center – Mar 22, 2025"
After previewing a lot of new music during Lauren Mayberry’s first solo tour in 2024, we were finally able to listen to her full studio album “Vicious Creature” when it was released in November. The songs on the album can’t really be locked down into a single genre, poppy but not, dance but not, punk …
Continue reading "Lauren Mayberry plays Electric City supporting first solo album – Feb 8, 2025"
Remember that time at band camp when a bunch of campers started jamming and turned a quiet evening into a dance party? Yeah, neither do I but that's what watching indie rock band Rubblebucket reminds me of. Every show is so much fun, where you don't know what to expect, whether it be outrageous costumes, …
Continue reading "Buffalo danced to Rubblebucket to stay warm – Jan 18, 2025"
Five years ago, if you had said that a Mongolian throat singing band would be a huge up and coming metal band, no one would have believed you. It was just not on anyone’s bingo card! Since they opened for Halestorm in 2019 at ArtPark, they showed up on every metalhead’s radar big time! They’ve …
Continue reading "The Hu play to a costumed crowd at Electric City – Oct 31, 2024"
Indie rock band Joywave, from Rochester, NY, has been making music for a dozen years now, generating new fans with every release, ever since "Dangerous" (Big Data featuring Daniel Armbruster) hit the clubs and had everyone dancing! Five studio albums later, this funky band announced a North American tour to support their latest "Permanent Pleasure", …
The Tokyo Police Club are breaking up. Yes, it's true. After twenty years as one of the bands you immediately think of when you say "indie rock" and not having released new music since 2018, they have decided to call it quits. Living in NYC during the aughts, it felt like you couldn't go for …
Continue reading "Tokyo Police Club’s “Final Tour” hits Buffalo – Oct 8, 2024"
Arizona pop singer/songwriter UPSAHL (AKA Taylor Cameron Upsahl) has evolved quickly over the ten years of her young career. It's odd to say young career and ten years in the same breath but that's because she released her first EP (as Taylor Upsahl) at the tender age of fourteen!! Fast forward to 2024 and while …
Continue reading "UPSAHL melts down Buffalo – Sept 28, 2024"
It's been over eleven years since Aussie alt-rockers Atlas Genius released their debut studio album "When It Was Now" and their first single "Trojans" invaded our collective consciousness. That record ended up on my top ten albums of the decade with its enticing melodies, toe-tapping beats, and well thought out lyrics. We managed to catch …
Continue reading "Atlas Genius stop by Rec Room for one-off solo show – Sept 20, 2024"
When Cage the Elephant announced a new studio album "Neon Pill" and an accompanying tour with support from Young the Giant, it brought together two extremely popular alt-rock bands that both came up around fifteen years ago. After the release of the previous album "Social Cues" in April 2019, Cage the Elephant did tour in …
In the current day when Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is ruling the world, there exists a huge appetite for acts that dominated the charts when Gen X was growing up. “Nostalgia” tours have typically been dominated by 80s bands but the 90s are now raising their hands and saying “hold up!”. The I Love the …
Continue reading "The Erie County Fair loves the 90s – Aug 10, 2024"
The Linda Linda's exploded onto the scene in 2021 when their song "Racist Sexist Boy", written about a...well, you know...who said something to drummer Mila de la Garza (who was 10 at the time), went viral. Formed in 2018 in LA, this band of teenagers include guitarist Bela Salazar (19), bassist Eloise Wong (16), guitarist …
Continue reading "The Linda Linda’s are setting an example for young punks – July 31, 2024"
If you were paying any attention in the 2010's, chances are you were going to hear one of Two Door Cinema Club's songs at clubs, on TV, or in commercials and video games. The indie rock band from Bangor, Ireland was a staple during that decade and their 2010 debut studio album "Tourist History" was …
Continue reading "Buffalo shows up to dance with Two Door Cinema Club – July 29, 2024"
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"
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 …
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’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"
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 …
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"
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"
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 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"
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"
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 …
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"
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"
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, …
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 …
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"
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"
Everyone has a significant other that adores the handsome operatic crooner Josh Groban. With his boyish good looks, dazzling smile and smooth voice, I can see why. Yeah, it's may not be cool to enjoy what's considered "old people music" but you can't deny the fact that he's been immensely successful and has developed quite …
Continue reading "Josh Groban has Darien Lake swooning – July 1, 2022"
Noga Erez is Israel’s biggest pop star…at least according to Erez’s brother Gon. But who can argue with him. Having won Best Newcomer of the Year in 2018 (VIA), her sophomore album “Kids” critically acclaimed, and touring along the likes of Tove Lo and Florence and the Machine, her bona fixes are solid and indicate …
Continue reading "Noga Erez plays JCC Buffalo’s inaugural Creekside Concert – June 28, 2022"
If there was one way I would describe Tash Sultana, it would be a one-person jam band. The multi-instrumentalist from Australia makes full use of the available technology and is able to seamlessly able to create music incorporating any number of instruments from guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums to mandolin, trumpet, saxophone, panpipes, and recorder!! …
Continue reading "Tash Sultana parties with Buffalo at Babeville – Jun 22, 2022"
Superstar Patti Labelle picked a great evening to play the beautiful outdoor ArtPark on Tuesday, June 21st, and she was in fine form. Regularly engaging with and waving to individual members of the audience, she showed that she still has the pipes, with a little support from her excellent backup singers. She even danced a …
Continue reading "Patti Labelle wows ArtPark in Lewiston – June 21, 2022"
Canadian punk rock band PUP (aka Pathetic Use of Potential) wrapped up the spring/summer portion of their North American tour in Buffalo, NY at Babeville/Asbury Hall on Saturday, June 18th. This final show in support of their latest record "The Unraveling of PUPTheBand" was a high energy affair with a capacity crowd from start to …
Continue reading "PUP shoot their wad at final tour stop in Buffalo – June 18, 2022"
Why are jam bands so tightly associated with hippie culture and drugs? It's understood that 60s era hippies and psychedelics were an influence that drove some of the music of early jam bands like the Grateful Dead. However, it continued to persist with Phish in the 80s to even current day jam bands like Goose. …
Continue reading "Goose jams through the night at ArtPark – June 8, 2022"
It was a hell of a night for punk rock at Mohawk Place on Thursday with a trio of Sad Place, Skating Polly, and Together Pangea. Whether you call it emo, ugly pop, or garage rock, it was hard, heart pounding punk rock. I had been following Skating Polly since their collaboration with Veruca Salt …
Continue reading "A Skating Polly punk sandwich at Mohawk Place in Buffalo – April 14, 2022"
If all you know about Gary Numan is his big 80s hit “Cars”, then you’re missing out. Yes, he was an icon back in the 80s but he’s been putting out new music and touring regularly ever since. If you’ve ever been to one of his shows, you’d remember it vividly. And his music has …
Continue reading "One of the best shows of the year? That’s right…Gary Numan! – Mar 12, 2022"
In late 2019, I had just started to get into The Regrettes' sophomore album "How Do You Love?" after kicking myself for missing their show in NYC. I was hoping for another tour in 2020 but, unfortunately, that was not to be. However, the band stayed busy during the lockdown, releasing two stand-alone singles "What …
Continue reading "The Regrettes slay Rec Room Buffalo – Mar 2, 2022"
James Taylor and Jackson Browne wrapped up a long US tour at the Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Monday. I was lucky enough to attend and photograph for QRO Magazine. All their respective hits were in play as well as a number of covers, evoking memories from my younger days. Taylor, at points, hopped …
Continue reading "James Taylor brings back memories at Key Bank Center – Dec 13, 2021"
Blues/rock guitarist and singer/songwriter Samantha Fish, in the midst of a worldwide tour supporting her seventh studio album "Faster", stopped by Asbury Hall on Tuesday night. Winner of many awards for her blues albums and performances, her new record does skew a bit more pop. That being said, her consummate guitar playing is evident and, …
Continue reading "Samantha Fish was on fire last night in Buffalo – Nov 2, 2021"
What a night of constant searing guitar solos and good old rock and roll!! Are we talking about Eric Clapton? Led Zeppelin? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Nope! It was Larkin Poe who played an electric show at Asbury Hall/Babeville in Buffalo last night and wowed my socks off! The Nashville-based sister duo (Rebecca Lovell on lead vocals …
Continue reading "Larkin Poe rocks the house at Asbury Hall – Oct 12, 2021"
Unless you are an indie rock fan, Phoebe Bridgers was a relative unknown (even though she had four Grammy nominations) until she played Saturday Night Live and smashed (up for debate) her guitar. All of a sudden, everyone knew who she was! Those of you already in the know had heard and loved her debut …
Continue reading "A Dreamy Night with Phoebe Bridgers at ArtPark – Sept 15, 2021"
When I shot my last show at NYC’s Mercury Lounge in March 2020, little did I know that it would be 18 months and a move up to the Buffalo area before my next concert. When Nashville-based Halestorm announced a nearby stop at the OUTDOOR amphitheater at ArtPark in Lewiston, I knew I had to …
Continue reading "Beautiful evening for Halestorm at ArtPark – Sept 1, 2021"