An old saying — part marketing tool, part observation based on the group’s lyrical content — “Wu Tang is for the Children” is proving itself to be true after all. Throughout their decorated history, the Wu Tang Clan has impacted music, culture, television, fashion and now — nearly 30 years after their debut — the Clan is still impacting today’s school-children.
As first reported in NYSUT UNITED, the Wu have developed a new legion of followers and they refer to themselves as the “Depew-Tang Clan.” Amidst the pandemic, Depew Middle School teacher, Joe Cena, noticed that less than half of his eight grade students were completing their independent reading requirements. As remote learning conditions prevented teachers from having a hands-on connection with their students, Cena acted desperately.
To motivate students, Cena created a prestigious “Wu Wall” where students would earn a spot whenever they completed an assignment or quiz. Cena didn’t stop there, he also ordered a bunch of Wu Tang themed stickers and magnets, took pictures of the children and used an online name generator to give them their official Wu Tang Clan names.
As silly as it is, it definitely increased their motivation to read books.
Joe Cena
The Wu’s impact on Depew Middle School didn’t end there, as Cena began to explain the art of rhyming to the children using verses from the Clan. As part of the poetry unit, he presented the song “Triumph” with color-coded lyrics to explain the intricacies of rhyme patterns.
Although Depew operates inconspicuously as part of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolis, Cena’s innovate and creative efforts to motivate his students did not go unnoticed.
As part of an effort to have Cena recognized, student, Aleigha Sharpe, secretly reached out to several members of the Clan. Writing,
As everyone knows, due to COVID-19 school hasn’t been the same. But my English teacher has put so much effort to make this year for his students the best and memorable.
Aleigha Sharpe
Unsure if she would get a reply, Sharpe was shocked to receive a personalized message from Method Man himself, shouting out the Depew Middle School and Joe Cena. The Ticallian Stallion even bestowed Cena with his own personalized Wu nickname, labeling him, “Excessive Gallant,” as he congratulated the teacher for his continued efforts towards educating the children.
I want to shout out Depew-Tang Clan… and also especially Joe Cena. AKA Excessive Gallant. I love what you are doing over there. You’re keeping learning fun and you’re including Wu – Tang. Salute to you, brother. Hats off!
Method Man
Cena’s students presented him with the Method Man response video and the English teacher was visibly touched from the gesture. Holding back a smile and plenty of emotions, Cena was in disbelief to hear Method Man say his name.
On October 2nd, Janet Evra performed her concert “A Night in Paris” to a sold out crow at the Seneca One Auditorium in Buffalo. This was a big moment for JazzBuffalo as it was their first use of the auditorium.
Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Janet Evra along with guitarist Will Buchanan, sax and flutist David and drummer Tim Moore created a wonderful night of jazz that took the audience to Paris. Evra’s voice was soothing and pure. Plus, her ability to play the bass was equally as flawless.
With this performance, the audience at Seneca One was taken on a beautiful journey through songs by Miles Davis, Édith Piaf as well as Janet Evra originals. Those originals, Evra has been eager to play since pre-pandemic times. Tony Zambito, Executive Director of JazzBuffalo, said it best “The future of jazz is in good hands.”
Janet Evra and company provided an amazing night of music that was just what Buffalo needed.
Setlist: Comment te Dire Adieu, C’est Si Bon, Que Reste-t-il, Baila, Dream a Little Dream of Me, Solar, Paris, La Vie en Rose, Koop Island Blues, La Mer, Zou Bisou Bisou.
Photo by Samantha Rychlicki Photo by Samantha RychlickiPhoto by Samantha Rychlicki
Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Photo by Samantha Rychlicki Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Photo by Samantha Rychlicki Photo by Samantha Rychlicki Photo by Samantha RychlickiPhoto by Samantha Rychlicki Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show has announced his “Back to Abnormal” World Tour, with 21 new dates slated for 2022.
Produced by Live Nation, the tour opened in London with two sold out shows at The O2 Arena and will continue with stops in Washington D.C., Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and more before the 2021 leg wraps up with two nights at San Francisco’s Chase Center on December 10th + December 11th..
Due to overwhelming fan demand, 2022 dates have just been announced with 21 new shows including a night at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden, plus stops in Baltimore, Indianapolis and more before ending internationally in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on October 1, 2022.
Trevor Noah is the most successful comedian in Africa and is the host of the Emmy® Award-winning “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. Under Trevor, “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” has broken free from the restraints of a 30-minute linear show, producing engaging social content, award-winning digital series, podcasts and more for its global audience. “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” has received numerous Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Variety Talk Series and Outstanding Writing for A Variety Series.
Trevor has written, produced, and starred in 11 comedy specials, including his most recent, “Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia,” which launched in November 2018 on Netflix. The special touches upon racism, immigration, camping and more. “Trevor Noah: Son Of Patricia” received a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Variety Show, as well as a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album.
Trevor is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” which has received the Thurber Prize for American Humor and two NAACP Image Awards. The Audible edition of “Born a Crime,” performed by Trevor, remains one of the top-selling, highest-rated, and most-commented-on Audible performances of all time.
To date, “Born a Crime” has sold over 1 million copies across all formats. In April 2018, Noah launched The Trevor Noah Foundation, a youth development initiative that empowers youth with the foundation for a better life: access to high-quality education. Noah’s vision is a world where an education enables youth to dream, see and build the impossible.
General tickets for new dates go on sale Friday, October 1 at 10AM local time on LiveNation.com.
Trevor Noah Back to Abnormal 2021 Tour Dates
Friday, October 1, 2021 – Loveland, CO – Budweiser Events Center
Saturday, October 2, 2021 – Colorado Springs, CO – Broadmoor World Arena
Friday, October 8, 2021 – Estero, FL– Hertz Arena
Saturday, October 9, 2021 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
Friday, October 15, 2021 – Washington D.C. – Capital One Arena
Saturday, October 16, 2021 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Friday, October 22, 2021 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Friday, November 5, 2021 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Saturday, November 6, 2021 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Friday, November 19, 2021 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
Saturday, November 20, 2021 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Friday, November 26, 2021 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Saturday, November 27, 2021 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Sunday, November 28, 2021 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center
Friday, December 3, 2021 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Saturday, December 4, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Friday, December 10, 2021 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Saturday, December 11, 2021 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Trevor Noah Back to Abnormal 2022 Tour Dates
Friday, January 14, 2022 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Saturday, January 15, 2022 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena
Sunday, January 16, 2022 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Friday, January 21, 2022 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Saturday, January 22, 2022 – Syracuse, NY – Upstate Medical University Arena at the Oncenter War Memorial
Friday, February 4, 2022 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Saturday, February 5, 2022 – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
Friday, February 11, 2022 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Saturday, February 12, 2022 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center
Friday, February 18, 2022 – Baltimore, MD – Royal Farms Arena
Saturday, February 19, 2022 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Sunday, February 20, 2022 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Friday, February 25, 2022 – Ridgefield, WA – Ilani Casino
Saturday, February 26, 2022 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Friday, March 25, 2022 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Saturday, March 26, 2022 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
Friday, April 1, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Saturday, April 2, 2022 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Friday, April 22, 2022 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena
Saturday, April 23, 2022 – Tulsa, OK – River Spirit Casino
Sunday, April 24, 2022 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Tool has confirmed tour dates for shows taking place around the world in 2022, with dates kicking off in the United States in January. The prog-metal legends will play at the new UBS Arena on February 23 at Belmont Park, and at Key Bank Center in Buffalo on February 27.
“It is with great pleasure I get to announce our return to the road,” Tool drummer Danny Carey stated. “These past 18 months have been trying to say the least but from great trials come great lessons and great rewards. We are genuinely looking forward to sharing them with you.”
Singer Maynard James Keenan added, “Let’s finish what we started. Shall we?”
Tool were set to play Eugene, Oregon last year just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and they’ll pick up right where they left off with a show at Matthew Knight Arena serving as the tour kickoff on January 10.
Tool makes its way into the Northeast in mid-February, with shows in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Belmont Park at the new UBS Arena, Newark and Buffalo at Key Bank Center.
Blonde Redhead will support Tool from January 10 to February 10. The Acid Helps will serve as openers from February 19 to March 20.
The eager return to the road follows the long-awaited 2019 album, Fear Inoculum, which led to the band earning the Best Metal Performance Grammy for the song “7empest.”
Tickets for the new tour dates go on sale this Friday, October 1 at 10 a.m. local venue time.
Tool 2022 Tour Dates
January 10 Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Arena January 11 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome January 13 Boise, ID Ford Idaho Center January 15 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center January 16 San Francisco, CA Chase Center January 18 Anaheim, CA Honda Center January 19 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena January 21 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center January 22 Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena January 25 Salt Lake City, UT Maverik Center January 27 Denver, CO Ball Arena January 30 Tulsa, OK BOK Center January 31 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center February 2 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center February 4 Houston, TX Toyota Center February 5 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center February 8 Orlando, FL Amway Center February 9 Tampa, FL Amalie Arena February 10 Miami, FL FTX Arena February 19 Boston, MA TD Garden February 20 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center February 22 Washington, DC Capital One Arena February 23 Belmont Park, NY UBS Arena February 26 Newark, NJ Prudential Center February 27 Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center March 1 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena March 3 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena March 4 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center March 6 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena March 8 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena March 10 Chicago, IL United Center March 12 Omaha, NE CHI Health Center Arena March 13 Minneapolis, MN Target Center March 15 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center March 17 Moline, IL TaxSlayer Center March 18 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center March 20 Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Tool 2022 European Tour dates
April 23 Copenhagen, DK Royal Arena April 25 Oslo, NO Spektrum April 26 Stockholm, SE Avicii Arena April 28 Hamburg, DE Barclaycard Arena April 29 Frankfurt, DE Festhalle May 2 Manchester, UK AO Arena Manchester May 4 Birmingham, UK Resorts World Arena May 6 Dublin, IE 3Arena May 9 London, UK The O2 Arena May 12 Paris, FR AccorHotels Arena May 13 Antwerp, BE Sportpaleis May 15 Berlin, DE Mercedes-Benz Arena May 17 Cologne, DE Lanxess Arena May 19 Amsterdam, NL Ziggo Dome May 21 Krakow, PL Tauron Arena May 23 Prague, CZ O2 Arena May 24 Budapest, HU SportAréna
Lou Barlow, founding member of Dinosaur Jr., will make a few stops in New York State this week, with performances in Ithaca, Rochester and Buffalo.
On Tuesday, September 28, Lou will be at Six Mile Creek Vineyard in Ithaca, and the next night head north to Rocheter for an intimate show at the Bug Jar on Wednesday, September 29. He’ll then play a unique backyard show in Buffalo on Thursday, September 30.
Lou shared this message with his fans in announcing the shows:
Hi everyone, I’ve got even more time before I head out on tour with Dinosaur Jr. so I want to do even more acoustic shows, again in the eastern US and a little further south. If you haven’t seen me before it’s always pretty fun and loose. I take requests and ramble on about things here and there. I really enjoy it, play for about 2 1/2 hours and haven’t had any complaints! I’ll play songs off my new LP too. Join me!
Lou Barlow began writing songs in 1981 inspired by bands like Minor Threat and the AM radio of his childhood, John Denver and Black Flag. The first official results of these pendulum swings were released as contributions to the 1984 Deep Wound 7”. By 1986 he was home recording his first acoustic LP Weed Forestin’ and touring his post-hardcore collaboration, Dinosaur Jr,, leaving in 1989 to join Sebadoh, and late in the ’90s, Folk Implosion, including the 1995 top 40 hit “Natural One.”
In 2005 Lou finally released a proper, under his own name, solo LP: EMOH,” an acoustic-based, singer-songwriter , studio-recorded effort that began a run of 4 similar collections culminating with 2016’s Apocalypse Fetish EP. Concurrently he rejoined Dinosaur Jr. and contributed songs to their successful 4 LP (and counting) reunion era.
For the Bug Jar show, proof of vaccination is required to attend this show, and seating is first come, first serve for this limited capacity event. Tickets for all shows are available here.
Tour dates have been announced for Sean Chambers, following the release of his most recent album, Thats What I’m Talkin About on Quarto Valley Records. The album is packed with nine tracks, most that long term fans will remember from the 90s. He honors his former guitarist as well as producer on his new label. You can find him in Lima, Seneca Falls, and Buffalo at the end of September starting the 21st, and in New York City at Terra Blues on September 29.
This album went out with a heavy heart, where it is a tribute to former Howlin’ Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Lucky for the band, this album was recorded in March 2020 just before the pandemic hit. Ben Elliot passed away shortly after engineering and producing the album. In tribute to Sumlin, the album includes 10 songs Sean regularly performed on the road as a member of Hubert Sumlin’s touring band, as well as “Hubert’s Song,” an original piece saluting Sumlin. Sean Chambers and his band also join lauded keyboardists Bruce Katz and John Ginty on a few tracks as well.
It all began when Sean received a call asking if they’d be interested in backing up Hubert at ‘Blues Stock’ in Memphis. After relentless practice, the performance with Hubert in October of 1998 was nothing short of extraordinary There was no denying the immediate chemistry between Hubert and Sean, he soon asked the group to become members of the full-time band and they went on to tour for over four years. Hubert was a mentor to Sean, giving him a ‘college education in the blues’. ‘That’s What I’m Talkin About’ was used as a title where it was a phrase commonly used by Hubert.
I will always be grateful to both Hubert Sumlin and Ben Elliott and will never forget all the work we did together, as well as all the lessons that I learned from them both. The music will always live on, and I hope that you enjoy this album as much as we enjoyed making it
Sean Chambers
This album being Ben Elliott’s last project pushed the band to put a picture of the two behind the mixing board for his last song. Ben of course also produced the band’s previous two albums, Trouble & Whiskey and Welcome To My Blues.
Sean Chambers will performing at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo on Wednesday September 22. Tickets are available here.
Indie artist Phoebe Bridgers made a stop in Lewiston for her Reunion Tour. On September 15 the witty lyricist filled Artpark with skeleton suits and serenity.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
In a surprise turn of events, Phoebe Bridgers’ guitarist ended up opening the show. After two long years, Harrison Whitford finally got to perform live again. His guitar skills and soft vocals captured the crowd’s attention. His sense of ease on stage meshed well with his heart felt lyrics. The performance made the audience even more eager for the following act.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Fans screamed with excitement as the group dressed in skeleton costumes ran on stage to the iconic Black Eyed Peas song, “I Gotta Feeling.” Phoebe Bridgers immediately grabbed her guitar and opened up the show with the viral single “Motion Sickness.” The Grammy nominated musician has an ethereal presence on stage. Her angelic voice and smooth guitar strums carry the audience through these complicated yet all too relatable human emotions.
The new tour has allowed Phoebe to perform her latest releases that haven’t been heard live before. In 2020, she dropped her second solo album Punisher. Fans got to hear a lot of these newer songs like “Kyoto,” “Halloween,” and “Savior Complex.” Phoebe’s dreamy hooks make her ability to capture the different brands of depression that much more hard-hitting.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The renowned musician described her show in Buffalo as “a rock concert with no rock music.” This is a perfect way to define the rare environment Phoebe creates at her concerts. She can pull at very specific heart strings that entrance her listeners into a seemingly new world. Through struggles with depression, a turbulent relationship with her father, and lack of faith, Phoebe doesn’t shy away from raw honesty. She further opened doors of vulnerability as the night closed with “I Know the End” and the buzzing Bo Burnham song “That Funny Feeling.” A sensation of awe swept over the whole venue that night.
Setlist: I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas), Motion Sickness, DVD Menu, Garden Song, Kyoto, Punisher, Halloween, Smoke Signals, Chinese Satellite, Moon Song, Savior Complex, Funeral, ICU, Scott Street, Me & My Dog (boygenius), Graceland Too, I Know the End
New York jam/groove trio Organ Fairchild today release their debut album Brewed In Buffalo. The trio consists of Joe Bellanti on keys, Corey Kertzie on drums and Dave Ruch on guitar. The three lifelong musicians have played together in cover band Wild Knights since 1983, but only began writing and performing originals in 2019.
The album offers a classic jam sound, begging to be heard at an outdoor venue with plenty of space to dance. The trio operates like a well-oiled machine, maintaining steady grooves while deferring to each other with communicative solos. On opening track “Amateur Night at the Apollo,” Bellanti’s organ and Ruch’s guitar quite literally feel in conversation with each other, steadied by Kertzie’s masterful rhythms. Although none of the tracks have lyrics, in its best moments, this album speaks.
What stands out most about Organ Fairchild is their fascination with building a melody from the ground up. Building melodies with this in mind creates an immersive experience; Organ Fairchild’s music is as easy to fall into as it is to snap out of. The thick, whirring hum of Bellanti’s organ is essential in building Organ Fairchild’s musical environment, and especially hypnotic on longer tracks.
The album mainly follows traditional jam/groove patterns, displaying the trio’s mastery of their craft. But tracks like album highlight “Bailar” step outside of the mold, proving Organ Fairchild best find their footing in experimentation. “Bailar,” anchored by a breathless Latin percussion line, is pure fun and movement.The beginning of the track boasts a guitar solo from Ruch that would drop Santana’s jaw; the climactic end brings the maniacal riffs of Funkadelic to mind. The extensive influences that come from the trio’s years of cover experience convalesce here into a beautiful crescendo. The song runs through your body like a shock.
Album closer “Dylan St. James” takes a lighter approach, employing the eye-on-the-sky warmth of Tom Petty’s music. Of all the tracks, Dylan St. James feels the most listenable in daily life; on a long car ride at sunset, or a particularly introspective moment where headphones drown out the rest. If the album speaks without words, this track represents a central mantra; keep moving, keep trying, keep finding joy in the little moments. Uplifting, mournful and downright fun in equal measures, Organ Fairchild leaves the listener with their head held high, looking onwards and upwards.
Organ Fairchild also won this year’s NYS Music March Madness, voted #1 out of 64 bands in the annual friendly competition.
Organ Fairchild will perform songs from Brewed In Buffalo live at upstate New York’s Borderlands Festival, to be held September 18th and 19th. Watch a live performance of album single “Get The Scotch Out” below:
Folkfaces have announced the lineup for their fifth annual edition of Folkfaces Fest V. 2021: A Folkface Odyssey will celebrate roots music, community, and culture in Western New York and beyond.
This year’s festival features a space/alien theme “2021: a Folkface Odyssey,” riffing on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Held over September 30 – October 3 at Cherry Hill Campground in Darien Center, NY, located in between Rochester and Buffalo, the event features camping, raffles, a film tent, bonfires, yoga, open jams and much more.
The venue for Folkfaces Fest V, Cherry Hill Campground, is a beautiful location with well-manicured grounds, including a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite. On-site, there is a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers, as well as multiple spigots with potable water throughout the grounds. Firewood, snacks, blankets, soft drinks, coffee, and many other supplies are available for sale at the Cherry Hill Campsite.
The daily lineups can be found below. Tickets are available for purchase here for only $95. Kids under 12 are free and puppy passes are available for just $25. You’re in for a treat full of endless music, camping, workshops, raffles, food vendors, artists, dancing, beer, artists, and more! Stay up on all new information via the Facebook Event here, and get out to Darien Center for the kickoff on September 30th.
Larkin Poe, the Grammy nominated sister duo of Atlanta-bred, Nashville-based singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Rebecca and Megan Lovell, will be hitting the road with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour this Fall. They’ll bring their brand of gritty, raw, and in your face rock n roll on a 27-date cross-country tour that kicks off on September 15 in St. Louis and will continue through the fall and winter.
Rebecca & Megan of Larkin Poe create their own brand of Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll that is gritty, soulful, and flavored by their southern heritage. Originally from Atlanta and currently living in Nashville, they are descendants of tortured artist and creative genius Edgar Allan Poe.
With all of the music for the band’s 2020 release Self Made Man originally written with live performance in mind, Larkin Poe is truly excited to finally let the songs breathe.
We can’t wait to get back on stage with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour this fall for the first time since our album, Self Made Man, came out! It’s going to feel so good to be back in front of people celebrating live music again!
For their newest release, out September 17th, Larkin Poe partnered with innovative hybrid orchestra Nu Deco Ensemble for Paint the Roses: Live in Concert— a new album that reinterprets Larkin Poe’s music, including their 2020 release Self Made Man and more,through an orchestral lens. Paint the Roses documents a collaborative, livestreamed concert by the two artistic groups in December 2020 at Miami’s North Beach Bandshell. The performance was part of Nu Deco’s 2020-21 virtual and socially-distanced concert season, which featured the ensemble’s genre-bending orchestral music and its powerful first collaboration with Larkin Poe.
In addition to the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, Larkin Poe has announced several festival dates they are expected to perform at throughout the late summer and fall including BeachLife Festival, San Diego Blues Fest, Telluride Blues & Brews, Treefort, Columbia Roots N Blues, Shaky Knees, Fort Worth River & Blues, Lancaster Roots & Blues and more. The duo will also be supporting JJ Grey & Mofro for one performance in Salt Lake City this September.
