NYS Music 202​2

Tag: Town Ballroom

  • Watch moe.queous Animal-Themed Halloween Show

    On October 29, two bands who got their start in Buffalo, moe. and Aqueous combined forces for only the second time. Watch the rare below moe.queous performance below.

    Watch moe.queous
    photo by Matt Shotwell – Strawberry Island Dweller

    The Town Ballroom show found the two bands donning a musical costume with a theme of ‘animals’ leading to covers of Phish, The Beatles and Pink Floyd, as well as songs from the moe. and Aqueous catalogs that centered around various creatures and critters.

    photo by Matt Shotwell – Strawberry Island Dweller

    The lineups for the two band combo included Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico from moe., and Mike Gantzer, Evan McPhaden and Rob Houk from Aqueous. David Loss of Aqueous would also make a surprise appearance on vocals of “I Am The Walrus.”

    Gantzer said of the collaboration, “It’s a cool full circle thing to intertwine the AQ and moe. worlds so directly-Both bands have history at Town Ballroom and share strong roots being from Buffalo, too. There’s something really connective about that, and I’ve always felt a unique kinship and chemistry when making music or even just hanging with those guys. Much of AQ’s early inspiration came from seeing moe. too, so that should tell you just how truly special this will be!”

    Schnier agreed, saying “We love our boys in AQ almost as much as we love Buffalo! Last time we all got together for a moe.queous throw down, it was such an awesome amalgamation of our two bands, and we knew it was something we should definitely do more often.”

    photo by Curtis Kruetter

    Check out the moe.queous setlist and watch videos from across the evening below.

    Set 1: Bearsong > Strange Times > Bearsong, Birds of a Feather > Kitty Chaser > Downward Facing Dog, Marty, I Am The Walrus*

    Set 2: Moth > Pigs > Moth, Warren in the Window, Terrapin Station > Four#, Buster#

    * Dave Loss on vocals
    # Mike on vocals

  • Lotus Announces 2023 Tour, Stops at Empire Live and Town Ballroom; Brooklyn Bowl Shows Thanksgiving Weekend

    Electronic-fusion band Lotus will be on the road has announced a massive 2023 US Tour in support of their new album Bloom & Recede, released in August of 2022. The coast-to-coast tour features nearly 40 shows in the early part of 2023, with stops in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Texas, California, the Pacific Northwest and more.

    They’ll make stops in Albany at Empire Live and Buffalo at Town Ballroom in January, as well as two nights at Brooklyn Bowl over Thanksgiving weekend, November 25-26. Get tickets here.

    lotus tour

    Lotus is a five-piece instrumental band who have been playing music for more than 20 years ago. One of hte first bands to fuse electronic beats with dance, jam, psych-rock, post-rock, disco and jazz. the group have become renowned performer and have built a loyal following wherever they venture.

    Live Lotus shows take listeners on a dance-inducing journey of improvisation that can only be described as a one-of-a-kind experience. They’ve toured actively throughout the U.S., working their way up from dingy basement clubs to world class venues such as Red Rocks. They’ve become festival favorites, performing at Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Electric Forest, and more. Lotus additionally hosts their own annual Summerdance Festival in Garrettsville, OH with a lineup of various Electronic artists. 

    In 2021, Mike Rempel departed the band he founded, and Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu, The Breakfast) joined Lotus, who forge ahead with Mike Greenfield, Luke Miller, Jesse Miller and Chuck Morris on this national tour.

    LOTUS 2023 TOUR DATES: 

    Nov 25 & 26 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY 

    Dec 10 – North Beach Music Festival – Miami, FL Dec 30 & 31 – Boulder Theater – Boulder, CO 

    Jan 21 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA 

    Jan 25 – Higher Ground – Burlington, VT 

    Jan 26 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA 

    Jan 27 – Empire Live – Albany, NY 

    Jan 28 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY 

    Jan 29 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH 

    Feb 2 – The Majestic – Detroit, MI 

    Feb 3 – KEMBA Live! – Columbus, OH 

    Feb 4 – MegaCorp Pavilion – Newport, KY 

    Feb 5 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY 

    Feb 7 – Goshen Theater – Goshen, IN 

    Feb 8 – The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN 

    Feb 9 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI 

    Feb 10 – Park West – Chicago, IL 

    Feb 11 – Myth Live – Minneapolis, MN 

    Feb 14 – The Majestic – Madison, WI

    Feb 15 – Old Rock House – St Louis, MO 

    Feb 16 – Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN 

    Feb 17 – Salvage Station – Asheville, NC 

    Feb 19 – Music Farm – Charleston, SC 

    Feb 22 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC 

    Feb 23 – The National – Richmond, VA 

    Feb 24 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC 

    Feb 25 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA 

    Apr 14 – Emo’s – Austin, TX 

    Apr 15 – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX 

    Apr 16 – Echo – Dallas, TX 

    Apr 19 – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ 

    Apr 20 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA 

    Apr 21 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA 

    Apr 22 – Crown Room – Crystal Bay, NV 

    Apr 23 – Goldfield Trading Post – Sacramento, CA

    Apr 27 – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR 

    Apr 28 – Midtown Ballroom – Bend, OR 

    Apr 29 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR 

    Apr 30 – Nectar Lounge – Seattle, W 

    lotus tour

  • Greensky Bluegrass Winter Tour Starts in Buffalo, Port Chester and Utica

    Greensky Bluegrass have announced their Winter Tour 2023, featuring 16 dates with a kickoff on January 12 in Buffalo, followed by stops in Port Chester and Utica. The Michigan jamgrass band will make their debut performances at the Stanley Theater in Utica, as well as the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ.

    They’ll bring along with them support acts including Mikaela Davis, Neighbor, Mihali, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Railroad Earth and Holly Bowling.

    Greensky Bluegrass are widely known for their thoughtful lyricism, edgy and genre-expansive sound, dazzling live performances and relentless touring schedule. Featuring Anders Beck [dobro], Michael Arlen Bont [banjo], Dave Bruzza [guitar], Mike Devol [upright bass], and Paul Hoffman [Mandolin], the five are connected through a deep bond, just as they are seasoned road warriors, they’re a band of brothers who have seen each other through decades of ups and downs, personal and collective highlights, and the moments when life turns it all upside down. 

    For the past century, bluegrass music has traditionally relayed real tales of American life, struggle, tragedy, and triumph. It gives a voice to the quiet, yet colorful stories woven into the fabric of the country itself. Greensky Bluegrass live these stories through their records and performances. 

    Greensky is and always has been very unique in our world. We put our love, energy, and focus into what we appreciate about our music. We come together as a band in a way that’s organic. We take a lot of pride in how we grow and challenge each other too. We’re maturing together. I think we get more Greensky all of the time.

    Paul Hoffman

    Tickets can be purchased at greenskybluegrass.com. 

    Greensky Bluegrass 2022 Winter Tour

    1/12 @ Town Ballroom | Buffalo, NY*

    1/13 @ Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY# 

    1/14 @ Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY<> 

    1/15 @ The Stanley | Utica, NY*

    1/18 @ Count Basie Center For The Arts | Red Bank, NJ# 

    1/19 @ Flynn Theatre | Burlington, VT – An Evening With

    1/20 @ MGM Music Hall at Genway | Boston, MA #

    1/21 @ The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 

    1/25 @ The Agora Theatre | Cleveland, OH+

    1/26 @ Stage AE | Pittsburgh, PA+ 

    1/27 @ The Anthem | Washington DC=

    1/28 @ The Anthem | Washington DC+

    2/1 @ Kemba Live! | Columbus, OH!!

    2/2 @ The Pageant | St. Louis, MO!!

    2/3-4 @ The Vic Theatre | Chicago, IL!!

    * Mikaela Davis
    # Neighbor
    <> Mihali
    + Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
    = Railroad Earth
    !! Holly Bowling

  • Petrucci, Portnoy and LaRue rock Chill Crowd at Town Ballroom

    Sunday, October 9th brought progressive metal heavyweights to Buffalo. John Petrucci, considered by many as the greatest guitarist of his generation, has just released his first solo effort in 15 years, Terminal Velocity. For the first time in 12 years, he is joined by his longtime musical collaborator, one of his closest friends, and undoubtedly one of the greatest drummers on the planet, the incomparable Mike Portnoy. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, moments like this don’t come around all that often, and for longtime fans of Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment, this moment could not have come soon enough. If you’re reading this review because you’re wondering if JP and MP were able to recapture their storied musical chemistry, catalogued on over a dozen classic Prog Metal albums, then let me make it clear that they did indeed—and then some. Dave LaRue joins them on bass for the tour. He has played many times with JP and MP on past G3 tours.

    What is special about this tour is their three wives are in the band Meanstreak, opening for Petrucci and company every night. Formed in 1985, Rena Petrucci is on lead guitar, Marlene Portnoy is on rhythm guitar, and their bassist Martins Myung is the wife of John Myung who plays bass in Dream Theater. The band also consists of singer Bettina France and drummer Yael Rallis.

    The atmosphere of the show had a very calming presence to many fans in attendance. The floor of Town Ballroom which is usually standing only, had 40 chairs for fans to watch the show, while the rest of the upper level was standing room only. Fans watched with their jaws dropped when Rena Petrucci shredded solos just as well as her husband John Petrucci does. It was an amazing sight to see for sure.

    Rena Petrucci

    Meanstreak’s set was 45 minutes in length where they played eight songs from the album released in 1988 titled Roadkill.

    Petrucci/Portnoy/LaRue

    John Petrucci

    After a 30 minute changeover, John Petrucci and company took the stage to the Sopranos theme music. The crowd screamed intensely as the band took the stage. Mike Portnoy counted off the title track “Terminal Velocity” and that went into “The Happy Song.” John Petrucci then spoke to the crowd and said “How about that number 17?,” referencing Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and their big win earlier in the day. All of the fans cheered in excitement for the local connection.

    Mike Portnoy

    “Jaws of Life” was next on the setlist. From his original album Suspended Animation. This song is a nonoffensive and rather straight-beat opener that at least lets unsuspecting listeners know what kind of guitar trio this is; the players are pros. Other memorable songs played were “Damage Control” and encore “Glassgow Kiss.”

    Dave LaRue

    Shredding and art tend to be mutually exclusive by nature, since too many chord crunchers refuse to let the music be more important than they are. It often doesn’t help when a member of a well-known group undertakes a solo project, since standing out becomes even more urgent. John Petrucci avoids the land mines and delivers more depth than many listeners will likely appreciate.

    Setlist: Terminal Velocity, The Happy Song, Jaws of Life, The Oddfather, Gemini, Out of the Blue, Tunnel Vison, Damage Control, Snake in the Boot, Temple of Ciracida

    Meanstreak- Photo credit- Mike Miller
    Portnoy/Petrucci/LaRue- Photo Credit- Mike Miller

    John Petrucci’s 2022 North American Tour Dates:
    10/13 – New York, NY @ Town Hall
    10/14 – Glenside, PA @ The Keswick Theatre
    10/15 – Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theater
    10/17 – Richmond, VA @ The National
    10/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre
    10/20 – Nashville, TN @ CMA Theater
    10/21 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
    10/22 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
    10/23 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Café
    10/26 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
    10/27 – San Antonio, TX @ Charline McCombs Empire Theatre
    10/28 – Houston, TX @ Stafford Centre
    10/29 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre
    10/30 – Dallas, TX @ Factory Deep Ellum
    11/02 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater
    11/03 – San Diego, CA @ The Magnolia
    11/04 – Los Angeles, CA @ Ace Hotel
    11/05 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
    11/07 – San Francisco, CA @ Palace of Fine Arts
    11/12 – Minneapolis, MN @ Pantages Theatre
    11/13 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic
    11/14 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater
    11/16 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
    11/17 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall

  • Big Gigantic Sell Out Buffalo’s Town Ballroom

    EDM legends Big Gigantic wrap up their last dates of their Brighter Future Tour. The duo are no strangers to the electronic scene, especially in Buffalo where they sold out the Town Ballroom on July 27. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Buffalo had multiple DJ’s preforming for hours before Big G took over. Special guests Covex, MEMBA, and KASBO opened up the night getting the crowd pumped up. 

    Big Gigantic are veterans at mixing edm beats with multiple instruments to give a sound that is both danceable and intuitive. The Denver natives Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken utilize saxophone and drums to layer over samples. They don’t shy away from any style of music. Their range stretches from jazz to hip hop, and funk to dubstep. Alongside their cinematic production, Big G knows how to put on a show. Whether that be headlining a major festival like Electric Forest or filling up the Town Ballroom, these two do not disappoint.   

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    The duo opened up the show with their single “Future’s All I See” off of their latest 2022 album Brighter Future 2. They immediately captured the stage with their animated visuals and energetic crowd welcome. Their impressive instrumentation matched with their colorful lasers had everyone getting rowdy.  

    Big Gigantic never stopped once during their set. It was continuous beats and melodies blended into the next. This allowed them to play both old and new hits which left no one disappointed. Some of which included “The Little Things,” “Open Your Mind,” and “All of Me.” They managed to mix in some popular covers as well like Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Night.” 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    To top off the night Big Gigantic brought Covex back on stage to sing their song “Second Time” and closed out with “Love Unlimited.” No matter the size of the venue or location Big G proves again that they know how to put on a show. 

    Make sure to stay up to date with shows coming to the Town Ballroom. Joyce Manor has a show on August 10 and Cody Jinks performs August 17. 

    All photos by Maddie McCafferty

  • In Focus: Spoon at Town Ballroom in Buffalo

    Spoon opened their second leg of their summer tour at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo on July 7. Touring in support of their recent release Lucifer On the Sofa. Though it was the first show they had played since June, you wouldn’t know it. Opening up the leg with a Smog cover of Held, the show was an eclectic mix of old and new, playing 5 songs from Lucifer on the Sofa, along with an impressive mix of their older catalog. It really highlighted the deep well they can draw from and keep the audience on their toes.

    Spoon is a band that serves no bullshit; no stage theatrics, no elaborate light setup or costumes. Britt Daniel (vocals, guitar), Jim Eno (drums), Alex Fischel (keyboards, guitar), Gerardo Larios (guitar, keyboards) and Ben Trokan (bass, keyboards) are just 5 guys on stage who are focused on just playing their music. The band represents their cool Austin roots from the 80’s and 90’s where bands were cool without trying too hard. The show moved along like a locomotive, it didn’t slow and keep chuggin along and gaining momentum. Their 5 song encore started with a cover of John Lennon’s Isolation and ended with their musical nod to The Rolling Stones with 2014’s Rent I Pay. Some people say that rock is dead, but Spoon is proof that it’s alive and well.

    Setlist: Held (Smog Cover), The Devil & Mister Jones, Don’t You Eva, Wild, The Beast and Dragon, Adored, The Way We Get By, Don’t Make Me a Target, The Underdog, I Summon You, My Babe, Feels Alright, My Mathematical Mind, Do I Have To Talk You Into It, Inside Out, I Turn My Camera On, Got Nuffin

    Encore: Isolation (John Lennon Cover), The Hardest Cut, Do You, Small Stakes, Rent I Pay

  • “The Bay Strikes Back Tour” with Testament, Exodus and Death Angel play to sold out Town Ballroom

    On Friday May 6th 2022, Testament brought their “The Bay Strikes Back Tour” to Town Ballroom in Buffalo. The tour features Death Angel and Exodus as support for Testament. This show was originally scheduled for a different date last year but had to be rescheduled because of Covid-19. Testament has not played New York in many years, but that has now changed.

    Death Angel

    Death Angel singer
    Vocals-Mark Osegueda. Photo credit-Mike Miller

    Death Angel is an American thrash metal band from Daly City, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. Death Angel has released nine studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and three live albums. The band has gone through several line-up changes, leaving guitarist Rob Cavestany as the only constant member; he and vocalist Mark Osegueda (who joined the group in 1984) are the only members of Death Angel to appear on all of their studio albums.

    Death Angel is often referred to as one of the key bands in the Bay Area thrash metal movement of the 1980s, and secured opening slots at club venues in that decade, including opening for their peers Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Testament and Overkill.

    Setlist: The Ultra-Violence, Evil Priest, Voracious Souls, Seemingly Endless Time, Claws in so Deep, The Dream Calls for Blood, The Moth, Humanicide and Thrown to the Wolves.

    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    Photos by Mike Miller

    Exodus

    Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza. There are no original members left in Exodus other than Hunting, who has departed from the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Exodus is also notable for its inclusion of guitarist Kirk Hammett in its initial lineup; he eventually left the band in 1983 to join Metallica as Dave Mustaine’s replacement.

    Exodus singer
    Vocals-Steve “Zetro” Souza. Photo Credit-Mike Miller

    Setlist: The beatings Will Continue, A Lesson in Violence, Blood in, Blood Out, The Years of Death and Dying, Deathamphetamine, Blacklist, Prescribing Horror, Bonded by Blood, The Toxic Waltz, and Strike of the Beast.

    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    The Bay Strikes Back Tour
    Photos by Mike Miller

    Testament

    Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band’s current lineup comprises rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Dave Lombardo (formerly in Slayer).

    Testament bassist
    Bassist- Steve Di Giorgio. Photo Credit-Mike Miller

    Testament has experienced many lineup changes over the years, with Peterson being the only remaining original member, though they have since been rejoined by one of its songwriters Skolnick, who was out of the band from 1992 to 2005. Billy has been a member of Testament since 1986, when he replaced original singer Steve “Zetro” Souza, who had joined Exodus as the replacement of Paul Baloff. He and Peterson are the only members to appear on all of Testament’s studio albums, with the latter being the only constant member overall.

    Testament’s fan base is mostly older fans, but the younger generation was peppered in the crowd for The Bay Strikes Back Tour. Their set featured 14 songs for the sold-out crowd. Playing such hits as “Children of the Next Level”, “Eyes of Wrath” and “Disciples of the Watch”. Their stage show used co2 air blasts, and arena LED stage lighting with strobes that was changing colors often.

    Drummer Dave Lombardo sat atop his high rise drum platform hidden from camera and the crowd but with his playing technique he sits really low on his drum throne so it is hard to get a glimpse of him. There were many mosh pits happening and crowd surfing all night. The fans really enjoyed the show because they needed a way to release their stress from the current world situation happening. Parking was cheap, drinks were cold and cheap, and fun was had by everyone the whole night.

    Setlist: Children of the Next Level, The Pale King, Practice What You Preach, The New Order, WWII, Eyes of Wrath, D.N.R, Legions of the Dead, Electric Crown, Souls of Black, Night of the Witch, Over the Wall, Into the Pit and Disciples of the Watch.

    Photos by Mike Miller

    Upcoming Testament shows

    Sept. 9 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Van Buren
    Sept. 10 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Sunshine Theater
    Sept. 12 – Wichita, Kan. @ Cotillion
    Sept. 13 – Kansas City, Mo. @ Truman
    Sept. 15 – St. Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant
    Sept. 16 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Brooklyn Bowl
    Sept. 18 – St. Petersburg, Fla. @ Jannus Live
    Sept. 19 – Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. @ Revolution
    Sept. 21 – Asheville, N.C. @ Orange Peel
    Sept. 22 – Silver Spring, Md. @ Fillmore
    Sept. 23 – Stroudsburg, Pa. @ Sherman Theater
    Sept. 26 – Hartford, Ct. @ Webster Theater
    Sept. 27 – Albany, N.Y. @ Empire Live
    Sept. 28 – Portland, Maine @ State Theatre
    Sept. 30 – Montreal, Quebec @ Mtelus
    Oct. 1 – London, Ontario @ London Music Hall
    Oct. 3 – Ft. Wayne, Ind. @ Piere’s
    Oct. 4 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ The Rave
    Oct. 6 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Burton Cummings Theatre
    Oct. 8 – Calgary, Alberta @ Palace Theatre
    Oct. 10 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Commodore
    Oct. 12 – Ventura, Calif. @ Majestic Ventura Theater
    Oct. 13 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Wiltern
    Oct. 14 – Reno, Nev. @ Cargo
    Oct. 15 – San Jose, Calif. @ San Jose Civic

  • In Focus: Twiddle and Andy Frasco & the U.N. at Town Ballroom in Buffalo

    Twiddle and Andy Frasco and the U.N. came to The Town Ballroom in Buffalo on April 7. You can tell both bands on tour are having a ton of fun because all three sets featured various members and friends sitting in, giving a vibe that you were seeing a collective of friends and musicians versus two seperate bands doing their thing.

    Twiddle and Andy Frasco

    The show started with a set by Mihali and a few friends which was a mellow open to get the night started. Andy Frasco & The U.N. was next. Half show and half house party on stage, Andy Frasco and his band ramped up the energy, whether swigging from a bottle of Jim Beam, jumping on the piano or pulling various friends and musicians onstage, Andy Frasco is all about having a good time onstage and the Buffalo crowd ate it up.

    Twiddle rode the energy from Andy Frasco and the U.N. and kept the crowd dancing all night. An encore of Baba O’Riley brought all of the musicians throughout the night back together onstage for a finale that left the crowd walking out with smiles.

    Setlist: Collective Pulse > Be There, Play, The FRENDS Theme, Apples > White Light > Apples > Lost in the Cold, Milk*, Juggernaut
    Encore: Baba O’Riley^

    * with Mike Gantzer
    ^ with Andy Frasco & The U.N., Mike Gantzer, and Scott Hannay

    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco
    Twiddle and Andy Frasco

  • Upstate Locals Joywave Throw It Back to Where it All Began in Buffalo

    Western New York natives Joywave came back to their local roots in Buffalo on April 3. 

    In the spirit of a local show, Buffalo’s very own Humble Braggers opened up the night at the Town Ballroom. This synth pop band played hits off of their new EP Love & Fear. Following up, joe p took the stage with his signature basement-produced songs that wowed the crowd. Especially when performing his popular song, “Off My Mind.” 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Fans of Joywave packed in throughout the night with excitement as its been many years since this indie rock group toured. The Cleanse tour showcased many songs off of their latest album release in February while still playing the classics.  

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Joywave is no stranger to the music scene in Buffalo. The born and raised Rochester group has been made all too familiar with the back and forth drives between the two cities to see all their favorite artists growing up. So, getting to perform at a venue they spent their youth going to was a full circle moment.  

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    The group consists of Daniel Armbruster (vocals), Joseph Morinelli (guitar), Paul Brenner (drums), Kevin Mahoney (bass guitar), and Connor Ehman (keyboard). The band took over the stage with their matching mechanic outfits and innovative production design. They began the night with a more recently released song “Cyn City 2000.” They even paid tribute to their pandemic album Possession by playing a couple of songs they hadn’t got to perform live. The intricate synth usage and unique sound structure made even unfamiliar listeners be awed.     

    As excited as the crowd was to have such high energy, it doesn’t exceed the excitement that the band had to return home and finally sleep in their own beds again. The night ended with an absolute bang with heavily praised songs “Tongues” and “Dangerous” finishing up the set. Nothing compared though to the rage worthy crowd that went crazy after heavy beats dropped off of the classic “Destruction.” 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    No one wanted the night to end and luckily for that Joywave is making their way back to their actual hometown in Rochester. If you unfortunately missed out on these energetic guys, don’t worry. They’re performing at the Anthology both April 8 and April 9. 

    Also check out upcoming shows at the Town Ballroom. Peach Pit performs April 9 and The Airborne Toxic Event takes the stage on April 10.     

    Setlist: Cyn City 2000, Buy American, It’s a Trip!, Obsession, After Coffee, Every Window Is A Mirror, Coming Apart, Half Your Age, Traveling at the Speed of Light, The Inversion, F.E.A.R., True Grit, Somebody New, Ugly Ending, Goodbye Tommy, We Are All We Need, Tongues, Dangerous, Destruction 

  • Gary Numan Intrudes at Town Ballroom in Buffalo

    Gary Numan stopped by the Town Ballroom in Buffalo on March 12th. Best known from his 1970’s and early 1980’s hits “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” and “Cars“, Numan is still going strong in support of his newest album Intruder, his 21st solo record.

    gary numan

    Though he played a good amount off of his new science fiction soundtrack about the impending climate catastrophe, he also included a good mix of his material throughout the years. Gary still has some dates in America before heading back overseas to continue his world tour.

    Gary Numan – Town Ballroom, Buffalo – March 12, 2022

    Setlist: Intruder, Metal, The Promise, The Gift, Everything Comes Down to This, Films, Ghost Nation, Love Hurt Bleed, Pray for the Pain You Serve, Bed of Thorns, Down in the Park, Cars, Here in the Black, The Chosen, My Name Is Ruin, A Prayer for the Unborn

    Encore: Me! I Disconnect From You, Are ‘Friends’ Electric?