Category: Western NY

  • Phoebe Bridgers Gets Vulnerable at Artpark

    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.    

    Phoebe Bridgers
    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

    Encore: That Funny Feeling (Bo Burnham)

    All Photos By Maddie McCafferty

  • Organ Fairchild Release Long-Awaited Debut Album “Brewed In Buffalo”

    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. 

    organ fairchild Brewed In Buffalo

    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:

  • Steve Vai Announces 2022 Tour with Multiple stops in New York

    Steve Vai has announced a tour with multiple stops in New York starting in January of 2022. The tour will have 54 stops across the country. 

    Steve Vai Tour 2022

    Steve Vai is an american guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer who is known for his solo work that has earned him 3 Grammy’s and for his work with Frank Zappa. Steve Vai grew up in Carle Place, New York and has released 8 solo albums throughout his time as a musician. Some of his most well known songs include “For The Love Of God,” “Tender Surrender,” and “The Attitude Song.” 

    The tour will start at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas, NV on January 27, 2022 and will wrap up at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, CA on April 2, 2022. The tour will include four dates in New York. The first date in NY will be in Huntington on February 25 at The Paramount. The second in Port Chester on February 26 at The Capitol Theatre. The third stop will be in Albany on March 3 at The Egg. The fourth and last stop in NY will be in Rochester on March 4 at the Kodak Center. Vai will be joined by his long-tenured ensemble members Dave Weiner on guitar / keys, Philip Bynoe on bass, and Jeremy Colson on drums.  

    Steve Vai explained the motivation behind this tour saying, “A performer thrives on performing.  It’s been my life for the past 49 years, with the exception of the last two years, so we are chomping at the bit to get out there and play for people. A music concert has the ability to dissolve the many challenges we face, and celebrate one of the good things in life, live music.” 

    The general on-sale will go live on September 17, 2021, with a VIP pre-sale available on September 15, 2021. For tickets visit here. For more information on Steve Vai’s 2022 tour visit his website.

    Steve Vai 2022 Tour Dates

    1/27     Las Vegas, NV                                               House Of Blues

    1/28     El Cajon, CA                                                  The Magnolia 

    1/29     Riverside, CA                                                 Fox Performing Arts Center

    1/30     Phoenix, AZ                                                    Celebrity Theatre

    2/01     Salt Lake City, UT                                         The Rockwell at The Complex

    2/02     Boulder, CO                                                   Boulder Theater

    2/04     Oklahoma City, OK                                        Tower Theatre

    2/05     Austin, TX                                                      Paramount Theatre

    2/06     Dallas, TX                                                      House Of Blues

    2/08     Houston, TX                                                   House Of Blues

    2/09     San Antonio, TX                                             The Aztec Theatre

    2/11     Birmingham, AL                                            Lyric Theatre

    2/12     Macon, GA                                                     Hargray Capitol Theatre

    2/14     Atlanta, GA                                                    The Eastern

    2/15     Clearwater, FL                                                Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

    2/16     Orlando, FL                                                    The Plaza Live

    2/17     Ft. Lauderdale, FL                                          The Parker

    2/18     Ponte Vedra Beach, FL                                  Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

    2/19     Charlotte, NC                                                 The Fillmore Charlotte

    2/21     Charleston, SC                                                Charleston Music Hall

    2/22     Alexandria, VA                                              The Birchmere

    2/23     Glenside, PA                                                   Keswick Theatre

    2/24     Red Bank, NJ                                                 Count Basie Theatre

    2/25     Huntington, NY                                              The Paramount 

    2/26     Port Chester, NY                                            The Capitol Theatre

    2/27     Providence, RI                                                The Strand

    3/01     New Haven, CT                                              College Street Music Hall

    3/02     Boston, MA                                                    The Wilbur 

    3/03     Albany, NY                                                    The Egg

    3/04     Rochester, NY                                                Kodak Center

    3/05     Harrisburg, PA                                               Sunoco Theatre

    3/06     Greensburg, PA                                              Palace Theatre

    3/08     Warren, OH                                                    Packard Music Hall

    3/09     Detroit, MI                                                      Masonic Cathedral Theatre 

    3/10     Morgantown, WV                                           Metropolitan Theatre

    3/11     Louisville, KY                                                Old Forester’s Paristown Hall

    3/12     Nashville, TN                                                 CMA Theater

    3/13     St. Louis, MO                                                 The Pageant

    3/15     Chicago, IL                                                     Copernicus Center

    3/16     Milwaukee, WI                                               Pabst Theater

    3/17     St. Paul, MN                                                   The Fitzgerald Theater

    3/18     Kansas City, MO                                            The Uptown Theater

    3/19     Lincoln, NE                                                    Bourbon Theatre

    3/20     Des Moines, IA                                              Hoyt Sherman Place

    3/22     Sioux Falls, SD                                               The District

    3/23     Fargo, ND                                                       Fargo Theatre

    3/25     Billings, MT                                                   Alberta Bair Theater

    3/26     Bozeman, MT                                                 The ELM

    3/27     Missoula, MT                                                 The Wilma 

    3/28     Seattle, WA                                                    Moore Theatre

    3/29     Portland, OR                                                   Roseland Theater

    3/31     Turlock, CA                                                    Turlock Community Theatre

    4/01     Napa, CA                                                        Uptown Theatre Napa

    4/02     Los Angeles, CA                                            The Theatre at Ace Hotel

  • Fringe On: Rochester Fringe Festival Live events return

    Keybank Rochester Fringe Festival is back in swing this year, with more than 400 in-person and online performances between September 14 and September 25. The 10th anniversary features the return of fan favorites such as the Silent Disco, Cirque Du Fringe, Fringe Street Beat dance off, and Pedestrian Drive-In.

    For the first time, organizers have curated a mini music festival, called Smokestacks, to mark the finale. The free outdoor event takes place starting at 4pm on September 25 at Parcel 5 on Main Street, and features live performances by Cammy Enaharo, Mikaela Davis, Kopps, Spencer, Cannons, and Joywave.

    rochester fringe

    For safety, COVID protocols are in place. All indoor events require masking and proof of vaccination. Attendees ages 12 and up who are unvaccinated must be masked at all times, even for outdoor events. Protocols may be subject to change. Prior to attending, check for updates online.

    “After 18 months of closure that have devestated the performing arts, we’re thrilled to play our part in getting them back on their feet. Nearly 90% of our shows are live and in person, which wouldn’t be possible without our absolute commitment to keeping performers and attendees safe.”

    – Erica Fee, Founding Festival Producer

    A plethora of entertainment is available – from theater and dance to spoken word and comedy. And of course, music. Some Ska Band will heat things up with irresistible ska and reggae beats at the JCC canalside (outdoor) stage on opening night, September 14 at 7:30pm (get your tickets here). Gospel Sunday takes place on September 19 at 2pm, led by Reverend Rickey Harvey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church at One Fringe Place (free). And the Taiko Japanese Drumming Performance makes a reprise at The Little on September 25 at 3:15pm (also free). And don’t forget about Smokestacks on September 25 at Parcel 5, where you can catch rising singer/songwriter Cammy Enaharo, the eclectic talent of Mikaela Davis, and of course Rochester’s own Joywave.

    The complete lineup of events at Rochester Fringe is available online at RochesterFringe.com.

  • Folkfaces Fest V Announces Daily Lineup for Darien Center

    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.

    folkfaces fest

    The lineup for Folkfaces Fest V includes Scott H Biram, JD Wilkes, Bruce Molsky, Folkfaces, Andy Cohen, Mike Gantzer, Subsoil, Dirty Blanket, The Ditrani Brothers, and many 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.

    Thursday

    Friday

    folkfaces fest

    Saturday

    Sunday

  • Larkin Poe to Headline Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, Dates in Tarrytown, Albany and Buffalo

    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.

    larkin 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.

    For tickets visit LarkinPoe.com/tour.

    larkin poe

    LARKIN POE ON TOUR

    September 10 – Redondo Beach, CA – BeachLife Festival 

    September 11 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Blues Fest

    September 15 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall*#

    September 16 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown*#

    September 17 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre*#

    September 21 – Ketchum, ID – Argyros Performing Arts Center

    September 22-26 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest 

    September 24 – Columbia, MO – Roots N Blues Festival

    September 25 – London, KY – World Chicken Festival

    September 26 – Prestonsburg, KY – Mountain Arts Center*#

    September 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden supporting JJ Grey & Mofro 

    October 7 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts*# 

    October 8 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall* 

    October 9 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue*

    October 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre* 

    October 12 – Buffalo, NY – Forbes Theatre*

    October 14 – Albany, NY – Empire Live*

    October 15 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall*

    October 16 – Baltimore, MD – The Recher* 

    October 17 – Lancaster, PA – Lancaster Roots & Blues

    October 19 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVA*

    October 21 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre*

    October 22 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre*

    October 23 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Music Festival

    October 28 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom*

    October 29 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre*

    October 30 – Grand Rapids, MI – Fountain Street Church*

    October 31 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues*

    November 5 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford*

    November 6 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues*

    November 7 – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall* 

    November 10 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theatre* 

    November 11 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*

    November 12 – Fort Worth, TX – River & Blues Festival

    November 13 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge* 

    December 3 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel* 

    December 4 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre*

    December 8 – Little Rock, AR – U. of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

    *Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Larkin Poe

    #w/ The Cold Stares

  • Rochester’s Two Truths Release Debut Single/Video “Brushstrokes”

    Two Truths, Rochester’s newest indie pop/rock outfit, was conceived during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic by musicians and roommates Blake Pattengale and Garrett Mader. Quarantine went quite swimmingly, as this new indie pop/rock band set off on the right foot with their first single “Brushstrokes,” with their forthcoming debut EP, Electric Campfire.

    two truths

    To fill out Two Truths, Max Greenberg joined on keys and Byron Cage on drums. Together their band’s sound pulls from a range of genres from Americana to rock, mixed with folk and a little electronic. Pattengale provides down to earth lyrics which are complimented by full vocal harmonies with electric drums and synths.

    As ambiguous as “Brushstrokes” sounds, the song itself has more meaning than what meets the eye.  Kerry Regan portrays a man who is looking to connect with his lost love. We see him at his art studio to revisit an old painting. The story unfolds to explain the man’s dreary present day life, compared to his past young happy and inlove self. A scenic picnic, a couple running through the fields accompanied with “When I was a younger man, I’d chase you through the fields that we painted with soft brushstrokes.”

    Kerry Regan becomes covered in paint, attempting to immerse himself in his past with his young lover. The music almost feels ambient through its synth texture and angelic guitar picking. Luckily for the protagonist, he finally finds himself in the painting with his lover.

    Two Truths serves up true potential in their first single, and we’re excited to see where they will go next. Follow Two Truths on Instagram.

    The music for “Brushstrokes” was produced by Pattengale & Mader in Pattengale’s home studio, accompanied by Max Greenberg & Byron Cage, Mixed by Pattengale and Mastered by Ed Brooks. Video production for “Brushstrokes,” was made possible with collaborations by Olivia Rose (pre-production, artistic director, actor), Krit Upra of Floated Magazine (videographer, post-production, director), with additional help from Jeanne De Keyserling (painter, actor) & Kerry Regan (actor).

  • More Venues Across New York to Require Proof of Vaccination for Audiences

    More venues across the state of New York are starting to require proof of vaccination for entry. With rising outbreaks of COVID-19 across the country due to the delta variant, the requirement of proof of vaccination to enter premises is becoming more and more normalized. 

    New York Proof of Vaccination
    Photo by Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

    On August 3, 2021 Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that NYC would be moving to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, gyms and performances areas by mid September. Since then venues in NYC have been rolling out their vaccination proof protocols but more and more venues across the state are following in their footsteps. 

    Madison Square Garden announced that all guests 12 and older must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, meaning they have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.  Guests may also show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, meaning the day of your event is at least 14 days after your final vaccine dose, which, depending on the type of vaccine, may be one dose or two. Fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear a mask. Everyone else must wear a face covering while in The Garden, except while actively eating or drinking. Children under age 12 – not currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccination – can attend events with a vaccinated adult, but please note that children ages 4 to 11 must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test (an antigen test taken within six hours of the event start time, or a PCR test taken within 72 hours of the day of the event.)

    The State Theatre of Ithaca announced on September 2, 2021 that it will now be requiring proof of vaccination for entry. They also stated that results from a negative COVID-19 test will NOT be accepted for entry for individuals over the age of twelve. In addition, masks are required to be worn at all times while at the venue and in any common areas.  People who already have tickets to an upcoming show and are unable or unwilling to adhere to the new policy can request a refund at the following link at any point until end of day, September 16.

    New York Proof of Vaccination

    The Capital Theater in Port Chester announced as of August 18, 2021 they would be requiring attendees to have either proof of their vaccine or a negative test result taken within the last 24 hours at the event. People can use the Excelsior Pass, NYC COVID Safe App, CDC Vaccination Card or NYC Vaccination Record for proof of vaccination.

    On September 11, 2021Nietzsche’s in Buffalo announced that in will now require all patrons to provide full vaccination proof in order to attend a show and will go into effect on Friday, September 17th.

    The KeyBank Center in Buffalo announced that people will need to have received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or single dose of the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the date of the game for entre. People who are fully vaccinated can show their vaccination card at doors. The venue will also accept Proof of negative antigen Covid-19 test (test must be taken within 6 hours of puck drop) or proof of negative PCR Covid-19 test (test must be taken within 72 hours of puck drop). They will also have Quest Diagnostics as an option that will offer antigen tests for $30 with test results within 30 minutes. Quest will also continue to offer PCR tests for $64 for people who have purchased tickets. 

    Many more venues across New York State will likely be announcing proof of vaccination requirements. For live music to survive, masking up and getting vaccinated are becoming the most useful way to insure it does. 

  • From School Yard Boys to Music Connoisseurs, Glass Animals Continue to Turn Heads at Artpark

    British indie rock icons Glass Animals started off their Dreamland North America tour right in Buffalo. With a sold-out show at Artpark on August 30, this band completely steam rolled the crowd. Getting to this level of success was nothing short of hard work and dedication. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    How It Started

    Glass Animals members Dave Bayley (lead singer), Edmund Irwin-Singer (bass), Drew MacFarlane (guitar) and Joe Seaward (drums) met each other at age 13 in school. They began making music as a side hobby in 2010 and released their debut album ZABA four years later. This release accelerated their careers significantly, especially due to the viral hit “Gooey.” 

    After touring globally and appearing on several popular night shows, the band began developing their second album. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, front man Dave Bayley wanted to stray away from standard lyricism. Instead of writing about himself, Bayley sought to tell the stories of people he met on the road. And that’s how the How To Be A Human Being album was curated.   

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Creating Their Dreamland

    These musicians built a community by celebrating the ability to be unique and different. Bayley felt this openness with his fans and decided to finally write material that was personal to him. The band faced a significant hardship as Seaward got into a horrific accident. This caused the group to have to reset as the drummer went through rehabilitation. It wasn’t until years later that they made their comeback with multiple singles and further on released their most ambitious album yet: Dreamland

    The 2020 autobiographical album was the most personal and raw material of theirs to date. Unsure of the outcomes of the future, Bayley spent time looking at his past. Dreamland is about growing up and learning to be vulnerable even in the strangest of times. The band looks to challenge conformity and embrace the inevitable uncertainties of life. In hopes of capturing the essence of getting older, Bayley chose to add audio from old home movies. He layered audio from his Mom’s videos between the songs as interludes to provide a narration aspect. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Dreamland is nostalgic, funky, and very intricate. So many elements of this album are detailed in such a meticulous way that often go unnoticed. From creating a table of contents in the intro song to paying homage to Bayley’s favorite artist to alluding to album features on their website through games, everything was thought through. Basically, nothing went untuned when it came to producing this masterpiece. Glass Animals had to transform their at home production talent to an onstage experience after many years away, and let’s just say they did not miss a beat. 

    From Quarantine to Tour

    The stage at Artpark was an immersive experience no matter where in the crowd you were located. The stage set-up felt like you were in a dream or rather submerged in Bayley’s head. A desktop computer image was loading in the background as the stage was filled with peculiar materials like a diving board, basketball hoop, neon signs, and even palm trees. Seeing all this made the packed crowd pumped up. It also helped that opening artist binki kept the funk alive. The indie musician filled the venue with groovy tunes and also performed magic tricks.  

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    When Glass Animals hit the stage, the screams echoed throughout Artpark. The band has undeniable infectious energy that had everyone up and dancing. They opened the show with the beloved single “Dreamland” which set the mood for the night. After that, not a single person sat down.

    The hypnotic beats mesh effortlessly with Bayley’s delicate vocals. In addition, the rippling guitars and background psychedelic imagery was entrancing. The liveliness of the audience was incomparable as the band had to stop playing multiple times just to listen to everyone cheer. Being back to live shows never felt so good. They continued throughout the night playing hits off of all three of their albums including “Hazey,” “Pork Soda,” and “Space Ghost Coast to Coast.”      

    The energy shared from Glass Animals and the crowd made one huge epic dance party. No one wanted the night to end as multiple encores were cheered for. They closed the set with the streaming hit “Heat Waves” which did not disappoint. The song resonates with many as it deals with the struggle of identity and confronting one’s true emotions. Beyond that though, the beat and tempo in this is what makes it even more popular among fans. The night ended as an image of a desktop computer read, “It’s now safe to turn off your computer. Thank you, Lewiston.” There was no room for anything but feelings of awe as everyone left the venue.  

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Future Outlooks

    If there was a “plain-Jane” section in the record store then Glass Animals’ discography would be located on the complete other side. Wait no scratch that, they would be located in their own area outside the store. Their sound is unmatched. From the use of rainforest audio, to obscure lyrics which always includes some kind of food, to mixing genres in innovative ways, this band cannot be contained. It’s only up from here and with all the growing momentum, the sky is the limit for Glass Animals. 

    Make sure to check out upcoming shows at Artpark. GOV’T Mule performs on September 7 and Phoebe Bridgers has a show on September 15. 

    Setlist: Dreamland, Life Itself, Tangerine, Black Mambo, Hot Sugar, Hazey, The Other Side of Paradise, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Cane Shuga, It’s All SO Incredibly Loud, Your Love (Déjà Vu), Take A Slice, Gooey, Youth, Pork Soda 

    Encore: Tokyo Drifting, Heat Waves 

    All Photos by Maddie McCafferty

  • Jazz On the Plaz! Comes To Seneca One Tower

    The plaz is alive, with sounds of jazz. Jazz On the Plaz! has arrived at the West Plaza of Seneca One Tower in Buffalo between Pearl Street and Main Street. A partnership between Seneca One and JazzBuffalo, the weekly series will play outdoors from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Fridays through September 24,  The surrounding trees offer plenty of shade, and snacks and beverages are available thanks to food trucks.

    Jazz on the Plaz

    While the series kicked off in late August with Terry Buchwald’s Elvis tribute and Tech Night, the fun continues throughout September. The remaining lineup is as follows:

    • September 3: Summer Wind: The Music of Frank Sinatra
    • September 10: Patti Parks Band
    • September 17: Saranaide
    • September 24: Hot Club of Buffalo

    All Jazz On the Plaz! shows are free, but JazzBuffalo is accepting free-will donations for the Keep Jazz Alive Fund, which supports the musicians as well as sound and equipment. Each event has a bucket for cash donations, and attendees can also donate via Venmo at @jazzbuffalo716 and PayPal at @jazzbuffalo.

    In addition to Seneca One Tower and JazzBuffalo, other sponsors include Douglas Development Corporation, Buffalo Construction Consultants and the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY.

    For information on parking and transportation, see Seneca One’s website.