Category: Buffalo

  • In Focus: Dave Matthews Band Amuses at Darien Lake

    On June 14th, Dave Matthews Band took the stage at Darien Lake, delivering an electrifying performance that left the crowd buzzing.

    Dave Matthews Band darien

    From the energetic opener “When the World Ends” to the soulful encore of “You Never Know” and “Shake Me Like a Monkey,” the band captivated the audience with their musical prowess and heartfelt lyrics. One of the highlights of the night was a fantastic version of “Don’t Drink the Water.” The song featured a weird and exploratory intro, which sounded similar to something you’d hear at a Phish show. As the venue is close a Native American reservation, the song about the slaughter and colonization of the Native Americans was extremely poignant.

    Dave Matthews Band darien

    As it often is, “Lie In Our Graves” was the standout of the night. Probably the longest song of the night, they stretched out the classic and the Darien Lake crowd loved it. The night was heavy with new songs from their recently released album, 2023’s Walk on the Moon, but it was also sprinkled with some deeper cuts to keep everyone happy.

    From the infectious energy of their opening song to the soul-stirring encore, the band showcased their exceptional musicianship and their ability to create an unforgettable live experience.

    Dave Matthews Band – Darien Lake, Darien Center, NY – June 14th 2023

    Setlist: When the World Ends, Stay or Leave,Funny the Way It Is, All You Wanted Was Tomorrow, Madman’s Eyes, So Damn Lucky, Busted Stuff, Grey Street, Looking for a Vein, Don’t Drink the Water, The Space Between, Lie in Our Graves, Walk Around the Moon, Louisiana Bayou, Break Free, You Might Die Trying, Jimi Thing, Brick House (Commodores cover)

    Encore: You Never Know, Shake Me Like a Monkey

  • Hilltop Announces 2023 Summer Tour, Mercury Lounge August 3rd

    Albany’s rising jam group Hilltop have unveiled their 2023 Summer Tour, taking them across New York, plus festival stops in Pennslyvania and the Catskills and a post Phish show in NYC.

    Photo by Frank Cavone

    Among the dates is a first ever show for Hilltop at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan, on August 3rd. During a non-consecutive 7-night run for Phish at Madison Square Garden, Hilltop jumps on an opportunity to play on one of the few nights off for Phish, bringing Thursday night funk to those looking to keep boogieing down in between Phish shows.

    Joining Hilltop at Mercury Lounge will be Whaley + Ernie & The Band opening the night.

    If you can’t catch them at Mercury Lounge, don’t miss Hilltop as they make a stop at Catskill Jubilee Music Festival in mid-August, featuring the Disco Biscuits headlining. More dates leading into the fall will be announced soon!

    hilltop summer tour

    Get tickets for the Mercury Lounge show here and stay up to date on Hilltop here.

    Hilltop Summer Tour 2023

    6/23 – Red Square – Burlington, VT
    6/24 – The Listening Room at East Coast Van Builds – Bradford, VT
    7/8 – Rock the Dock Music Festival – Lake George, NY
    7/14 – Riverboat Bar – Alexandria Bay, NY
    7/28 – Nietzsche’s – Buffalo, NY
    8/3 – MERCURY LOUNGE – New York, NY *
    8/10-13 – Catskill Jubilee – East Durham, NY

    8/16 – The Fire – Philadelphia, PA
    8/17 – Stella Blues Bar – New Haven, CT

  • Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers Expand Fall Tour, Include Stops in NY

    Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers have expanded their forthcoming tour into November, adding ten stops to an already jam-packed fall lineup. The group, which features lifelong collaborators and real-life brothers Victor, Joseph, Roy “Futureman,” and Regi Wooten, recently announced its highly anticipated reunion tour, making stops in NY cities including Troy, Buffalo, and Brooklyn.

    Wooten Brothers

    Lauded by Rolling Stone as one of the “Top 10 Bassists of All Time,” Victor Wooten has captivated audiences for over four decades with his dynamic stage presence and unparalleled technical chops. Wooten’s eclectic repertoire includes collaborations with the likes of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (of which he is a founding member), Chick Corea, Dave Matthews Band, India Arie, Keb’ Mo’, and more recently, Cory Wong. Widely regarded as one of the greatest living bassists today, Wooten continues to share his passion for music through numerous modalities. The multidisciplinary artist has authored two books and has mentored thousands of students at his own Center for Music and Nature since the year 2000.

    Remarkably accomplished in their own right, each of the Wooten brothers bring a unique flavor to the live experience. Joseph Wooten, also known as the “Hands of Soul,” has been the keyboardist/vocalist for the Steve Miller Band since 1993. He is a renowned composer, arranger, author, and motivational speaker whose collaborations include work with Whitney Houston, George Clinton, and Kenny G.

     Roy “Futureman” Wooten is also a founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and a five-time GRAMMY award winner, famously known for his trademark inventions the “Drumitar” and the “RoyEI” keyboard. A philosopher, researcher, filmmaker, and educator, Roy’s impressive solo career, symphonic works, and “Black Mozart” projects span the genres of classical, jazz, soul, gospel, and spoken word. 

    Regi Wooten’s signature guitar style of chording, slapping, tapping, and virtuosic strumming has earned him worldwide notoriety and comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and Chuck Berry. In recent years, Regi has performed with many artists including the legendary Ginger Baker. Known worldwide as “The Teacha,” Regi currently teaches music in Nashville, TN, and has taught many notable musicians.

    Wooten Brothers

    Together The Wooten Brothers bring an uncanny level of experience, originality, and expertise to the stage. Playing together since childhood, the formidable group has shared stages with the likes of Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations, Ramsey Lewis, Stephanie Mills, War, and others. Fans can expect an infectious, colorful, and exuberant production that showcases The Wooten Brothers’ impenetrable creative chemistry. An amalgam of original songs and choice classics, each show offers a one-of-a-kind adventure that defies the bounds of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock, and bluegrass. 

    On the forthcoming tour, Victor shares, “Being in a band with my brothers is the best thing for me. It’s like a family reunion every time we get together to play. They are my teachers and I feel most at home with them.”This will be the brothers’ first tour together as a band since the untimely death of their saxophone-playing brother Rudy a few years ago. In the forthcoming year, The Wooten Brothers will release their first studio album in several decades. 

    The music we are working on at the moment is a collection of new and old. We have songs that were recorded decades ago that have never been heard by anyone. We also have newer music that was recorded over the last year. It will be a nice collection of old and new. With the older music, we want to introduce the world to Rudy, our saxophone-playing brother who passed away in 2010. Be prepared to have your mind blown.

    The Wooten Brothers

    The forthcoming Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers tour will kick off on Sept. 28 in Chattanooga, TN. For tour dates, tickets, and info, visit here.

    Wooten Brothers

    Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers Tour Dates

    09/28 – Chattanooga, TN – The Barrelhouse Ballroom^

    09/29 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre^

    09/30 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse^

    10/01 – Asheville, NC – The Outpost^

    10/03 – Troy, NY – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall^

    10/04 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl^

    10/05 – Silver Springs, MD – The Fillmore^

    10/06 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live^

    10/07 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel^

    10/08 – Portland, ME – State Theatre^

    10/10 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground^

    10/11 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues^

    10/12 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – FM Kirby Center^

    10/13 – Roanoke, VA – Jefferson Center

    10/14 – Buffalo, NY – CMC International Jazz Festival

    11/01 – Saint Louis, MO – Delmar Hall

    11/02 – Nashville, TN – Riverside Revival

    11/03 – Germantown, TN – GPAC

    11/04 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue

    11/06 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

    11/07 – Cincinnati, OH – Hamilton Memorial Hall

    11/08 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre 

    11/09 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line

    11/10 – Evanston, IL – SPACE

    11/11 – Elgin, IL – ECC Arts Center

    01/11 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom

    01/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room

    01/13 – Hamilton, MT – Bitterroot Performing Arts Council

    01/14 – Bozeman, MT – The Elm

    01/16 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile

    01/17 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall

    01/18 – Eugene, OR – The John G. Shedd Institute For The Arts

    01/19 – Chico, CA – The Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery

    01/20 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre

    01/21 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre

    01/23 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern

    01/25 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour

    ^With Special Guests Rebirth Brass Band

  • Cobblestone Live Announces P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative as Primary Beneficiary

    The Cobblestone Live Music & Arts Festival has announced their partnership with the Buffalo-based nonprofit organization P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative as the primary beneficiary of the event. The festival will be on July 14 and 15 in downtown Buffalo.

    cobblestone live 2023

    P.U.N.T. provides financial, practical, and emotional support to families in Western New York facing pediatric cancer, and also collaborates with hospital partners to ensure that money raised is brought to where it is most needed. The organization was originally founded in 2004 by former Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman and his wife Amber. The acronym itself stands for Perseverance, Understanding, Need and Teamwork.

    With support from the Western New York community, P.U.N.T.’s scope and impact has grown significantly over the past several years. A portion of the proceeds from the Cobblestone Live festival will now help support the organization and its initiatives.

    As a grassroots nonprofit with a critical mission for Western New York families facing the incomprehensible plight of pediatric cancer, we are honored to be the charitable partner of Cobblestone Live Music & Arts Festival…. [the Cobblestone Live team] will undoubtedly make this two-day festival a highlight of our Buffalo summer and an unforgettable event experience. The fact that it also will lift our cause in the process makes us exceedingly proud and grateful.

    P.U.N.T. Executive Director Gwen Mysiak

    Cobblestone Live is now in its fifth year, organized by Twenty6 Productions and Buffalo Iron Works. On top of their collaboration announcement with P.U.N.T., Cobblestone Live has announced its detailed list of over 50 food and craft vendors that will be present at the event.

    In addition, they have made several ADA improvements sponsored by the braille fashion company Aille Design. CEO Alexa Jovanovic and Director of Operations Jake Walsh of Aille Design will work with local members of the disability community to make the festival a more accessible experience. More details on the accessibility plan have not yet been announced.

    For more information on the festival, check out this article and the Cobblestone Live website. For more on P.U.N.T., take a look at their website.

  • Party on the Portico Returns to The Buffalo History Museum

    The Buffalo History Museum announced the return of the Party on the Portico summer concert series. The events will take place from 6:00pm- 9:00pm on the third Friday of the summer months: June 16, July 21, and August 18. 

    Party on the Portico has been a staple summer celebration on the Museum’s iconic portico overlooking Delaware Park and Mirror Lake for more than a decade. Guests can also explore the museum’s exhibits, and enjoy a cash bar and complimentary snacks. This year’s line-up is supported by Music is Art

    The concerts are 21 and over events and run rain or shine. Tickets are $15 for the public ($5 for members) and can be purchased online or at the door.

    Party on the Portico 2023 Lineup

    June 16 – Sunday Reign and tuesday nite 

    July 21 – Rabbit Jaw and Falconeers 

    August 18 – Damon Jackson Outcome and Smac! 

  • Country On Tour continues for Luke Bryan at Darien Lake

    Luke Bryan gets his Country On at Darien Lake as his 4 month long tour makes stop in Western NY. Coming off a boisterous and packed house in Syracuse, Bryan coasted into Darien Lake Theme Park with special guests Alana Springsteen (no relation to the famous New Jersey guy), Chayce Beckham, and Tyler Braden.

    With over 15 million album sales under his belt, 30 #1 hits, and 20 billion streams, the native of Georgia is no stranger to success and the crowds that come with it. The packed house at this Live Nation venue in Corfu, NY was proof of that as the crowd was on their feet for his entire set, singing along to nearly every word.

    Opening the night for Bryan was Alana Springsteen. Newer to the music scene, Springsteen has released a few EPs since her debut in 2019, and in July 2023 will be releasing TWENTY SOMETHING: Figuring It Out. The first single, “When We Were Friends”, was just released this week and of course she belted it out for the crowd at Darien Lake. The song is about hardships among friends which many can and will relate to.

    Used to wear each other’s sneakers // Get drunk behind the bleachers // Raise some hell, but we always said amen // I knew who you were kissin’ // What tattoo you were gettin’ // Now I don’t even know how you’ve been // Truth is, I miss when // When we were friends

    A little Miranda Lambert, a little Chirstina Aguilera, and a whole lot of fire, Springsteen sang her heart our for about 25 minutes, preparing the fans for who was following her.

    To learn about this rising star, click here Alana Springsteen

    Next up to the stage, came Chayce Beckham. Imagine being a forklift operator and deciding to enter a singing competition on national television. Imagine being told by Katy Perry that you “sound like the heart of America”. Imaging singing a song you wrote and having that be the reason you won American Idol. This was the path that led Chayce Beckham to where he is now. He no longer is a forklift operator.

    Serenading young and old alike, Beckham confidently kicked some ass on this stage, getting some hand shakes and fist bumps from fans. Sultry voice, with some slicked back hair, thoughts of early Johnny Cash, and maybe some Chris Isaak are sure to enter your mind as this 27 year old belts out lyrics from his song “23”

    Following Beckham, Tyler Braden strutted around on the stage for another 25 minute set. The former firefighter has been raising eyebrows for about 7 years as he makes his presence know. Go watch him on stage for one set, and you will be forever hooked. Luke Combs-esque looks and smooth vocals will make Braden a household name very soon.

    Where the longnecks don’t get hot in our hands
    The bar keeps doublin’ down on doubles
    It ain’t hard to find a little trouble

    Neon Grave – Tyler Braden

    Released in early 2023, Neon Grave is the latest EP that features the title track along with “Try Losing One”, “Middle Man,” “Wrong Right Now,” and “Choose Me,” Check out more of Tyler Facebook

    I first saw Luke Bryan about 10 years ago. I don’t recall much of the night, honestly, but that story isn’t for publication. What I do recall is that Bryan got the crowd jumping, hooting and hollering immediately and never let off the gas. This night was no different in that regard.

    From his first notes of “Kick The Dust Up” to his last notes of “Light it Up” Bryan had the entire seated crowd of 6400 and the extras in the lawn up and dancing around. The glow of cell phone screens filled the amphitheater and the subtle smells of vapes, pot, and spilled beer were prevalent as Luke was “Knockin Boots” on stage for close to 2 hours.

    Starting around 905, the stage and house lights went dark as the crowd suddenly erupted in massive screams and cheers. We heard a little mash up of Luke Bryan songs as the curtains were pulled back and light filled the stage with light and finally Luke Bryan as he started off his set with a “Kick The Dust Up”

    Along with his infamous dance moves and thought-provoking lyrics, Luke Bryan shows also boast quite a picture/light show throughout his performances. Each song is paired perfectly with proper graphics and/or light shows on large screens behind him. “Roller Coaster”, an appropriate theme for this venue, displays large coaster on the backdrop, complete with matching sounds. Other songs like “I Don’t Want This Night to End” show clips from music videos. While “Country On”, Luke’s most recent chart topper, the screen becomes an ode to service people.

    With that song coming to an end, Luke called out Shannon from the pit area and brought her up on stage with him has he thanked her husband for his active duty service. Of course, this can’t be done without a surprise, right? Shannon’s husband Jeff came out from back stage and was welcomed by not only Shannon but the rambunctious crowd. Chants of USA were heard throughout the seating area. Very touching moment that brought tear to many eyes.

    As Bryan continued playing until nearly 11pm, the fans kept getting louder and more active as they were dancing in all the aisles. As much as the ushers tried, these active fans were not clearing out. Ushers near me eventually gave in and began dancing along to the music.

    Having been signed to music labels since 2017, Luke spent time prior to that writing songs for the likes of Travis Tritt and Billy Currington. With this experience, Bryan has nearly 40 musical awards, 10 headliner tours, and has played countless festivals and spring break events. Its no wonder why he has become one of the most famous acts in country music history. Keep up Luke as he continues his current tour and his subsequent ones. Farm Tour 2023 (lukebryan.com)

    Setlist: Kick the Dust Up, What Makes You Country, Knockin’ Boots, Roller Coaster, But I Got a Beer in My Hand, Strip it Down, Rain is a Good Thing, Games, Country On, One Margarita, Sunrise/Sunburn/Sunset, Huntin’/Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day, I Don’t Want This Night to End, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, Buy Dirt (Jordain Davis), Play it Again, What She Wants Tonight, Down to One, I See You, Light It Up, Country Girl (Shake it For Me), That’s My Kind of Night

    Photos by JM Photography

  • Marina Laurendi Releases Groovy Single With Deeper Meaning, “Silver Lining”

    Marina Laurendi, recognized as a “sad girl on the rise,” returns with a series of rock-centric singles, starting with her latest, “Silver Lining.” The Buffalo-based singer released the single following the success of her debut EP and music video, “Stay Mine.” The indie rock songstress further solidifies her hold as “one to watch” in the alt. world with this dancey, evocative up-tempo.

    Buffalo born and bred, Marina Laurendi is an indie pop/rock singer-songwriter. Her sound fuses storytelling, alternative elements, and bursts of cinematic pop. Through this, she evokes a sense of wanderlust, nostalgia, and dreamy idealism. With poetic verses, infectious hooks, and haunting vocals, Marina throws a refreshing twist on old school Alt.

    “Silver Lining” grooves with nostalgia, featuring reverberating guitars and subtly nuanced vocals, oozing texture and allure. The elements blend together seamlessly to create the perfect soundtrack for road trip radio jamming, or a sunny day stroll.

    Despite the song’s happy melody and dance-worthy beat, but carries a raw, honest message about change. Laurendi says that the song is about going through life-changing events that alter who you are as a person. Written during her father’s terminal battle with cancer, the song depicts being unable to keep up with appearances in the midst of grief and loss.

    The music contrasts with the lyrics, with a nostalgic vibe of a 1950’s bandstand—vintage vocals, layered instruments, and a melancholic slide guitar. The song details a romantic relaitonship where one party can always see the silver lining, but the other is in a different place entirely, struggling to feel seen.

    Laurendi says of the song, “I think it’s so relatable because at some point we all suffer a loss that alters us, at least for a little while. When you’re in a different place emotionally than yout friends or even your partner, you can drift apart. Sometimes people can’t fathom what you’re going through unless they’ve lived it.” The feeling of being unseen and misunderstood is simply and eloquently summed up in the lines, “You want to paste a smile on my face and act like I’m alright…I can’t dance the way I used to anymore.”

    marina laurendi silver lining

    For this single and her upcoming sophomore EP, Laurendi dove headfirst into the alternative rock pocket, lovingly nicknaming her particular genre as “Bitch Rock.” She says, “It’s about embracing all the emotions women are taught not to show – rage, desire, ugliness, all of it. We’re people not flowers,” she laughed. If you’re a fan of the honest songwriting style of Samia, the gritty textures of Angel Olsen, and the effortlessly nostalgic quality of Alvvays and Best Coast, “Silver Lining” is sure to top your summer sad girl playlist.

    Marina grew up as a theatre performer and moved to NYC shortly after college to perform Off-Broadway and around the East Coast. She recently performed at The Bitter End (NYC), Buffalo Ironworks, Rec Room, and Nietzsche’s, Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival (Jamestown, NY), and Buffalo’s 20th Annual Music is Art Festival. Her music has been featured on Thunder 102 in Sullivan County, WBFO The Bridge, Broadway World, NYS Music, and more. In 2022, she was a quarter finalist in a national competition to open at the Hollywood Bowl. Her debut EP “Stay Mine” and title track music video are out now on all platforms. Follow Marina Laurendi on social media here and catch her next hometown performance on August 4th at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo.

    Listen to “Silver Lining” here.

  • 4 Years Later and Young The Giant Returns to Buffalo

    Alternative indie band Young The Giant performed in both rain and shine at Artpark on June 13. The group has been off the road for the past four years and finally decided to come back to tour life this Summer. 

    Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Indie artist Talk kicked off the rainy night in Lewiston and had people crowded around to hear his hit “Run Away to Mars.” German rock duo Milky Chance followed up their set just as skies began to clear. Starting as high school friends, Clemens Rehbein and Philipp Dausch have been making music together for years. They create this infectious energy on stage by constantly moving and switching instruments. They are able to liven up a crowd effortlessly as shown when they performed “Stolen Dance.” 

    Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Later on in the evening Young the Giant took the stage. The band consists of Sameer Gadhia, Jacob Tilley, Eric Cannata, Payam Doostzadeh, and Francois Comtois. The group finally got to play tracks off of their 2022 album American Bollywood live for the first time. An album that explores the preservation of cultural identity while simultaneously assimilating to a new country. 

    Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Frontman Sameer utilizes dreamlike lighting matched with cinematic visuals to take the audience through the journey of the human experience. Throughout their set the band would take a break to show optimistic and storytelling displays. This made the Young The Giant show feel like a journey the audience got to endure. 

    Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty

    With five studio albums under their belt Young The Giant has plenty of music in the discography to perform. However, they don’t shy away from playing their oldies such as “Cough Syrup” and “Mind Over Matter.” One song in particular that really wooed the crowd was their closing performance of “My Body.” This age-old hit has broken records for a reason because people have no choice but to dance. This was no exception either at that night in Buffalo.  

    Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty

    This Summer concert series at Artpark is something you don’t want to miss. Michael Franti & Spearhead will be there June 21 and My Morning Jacket performs June 26. Get tickets here.

    Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Setlist: American Bollywood, Wake Up, Something to Believe In, Cough Syrup, My Way, Apartment, Nothing’s Over, The Walk Home, Dollar $tore, Cult of Personality, Heat of the Summer, Tonight, Mind Over Matter, Dancing In The Rain, 

    Encore: Metropolis, Superposition, Tightrope, Silvertongue, My Body

  • Neighborhood Heroes: Billie Essco, Buffalo Pioneer

    Billie Essco flourishes within the hip-hop and fashion scene on his own terms. Holding it down for Buffalo, NY – which he also describes as a “hyperbaric chamber.” Essco is a Buffalo kid through and through. The city of of Buffalo is known for its grimy-ness and is known to make men out of boys by placing individuals on the frontlines and running them through the gauntlet. Hence, some get chewed up, spit out and booed off stage – others accept the challenge and emerge war-ready. Billie Essco stands tall amidst the onslaught of adversity as a true Fashion Rebel in every sense of the word.

    Billy Essco
    Twitter/@BillyEssco

    Subsequently, Griselda Records x Fashion Rebels encompass everything that hip-hop has been missing. The way that they have ushered in their own style, adornment, musical influence and mastery resembles the way that A$AP Mob emerged to fill a void in the 2010s. Griselda Mob carries the torch in a valid manner through top-tier excellence and curation.

    Surging Buffalo Renaissance

    Beautifully, Billie Essco blossomed under the Griselda umbrella as a contemporary curator. His brand, Cafe spurned from the idea that local cafes felt outdated without contemporary taste. To coincide with Cafe, his brand Czen specializes in repurposed garments and consciously progressive graphic design. 

    Billy Essco's brand Cafe is here to stay.
    -Recently, Cafe announced a collaboration with New Era.

    Nonetheless, the way he designed the brand represents meticulous construction. Drawing from his Fashion/Textile technology experience at Buffalo State – Billie came up with two four-letter brands. The brevity and impactful nature of these eight letters combined with the color schemes and exquisite patterns create the ultimate consumer’s dream.

    Multihyphenate Ghetto Couture

    Incredibly, the most beautiful part about Essco’s creations lies within their multifaceted roots. Everyone gets their start from somewhere – it just so happens that Billie arose from Buffalo’s trenches. Essco’s vision received the ultimate boost in 2020 when he styled Westside Gunn for the Off-White x Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Show. Working with Virgil Abloh encouraged him to double down on his efforts. 

    A political-conscious contemporary brand, Cafe represents the times and adapts accordingly. Similarly, Cafe + Czen releases merchandise that deconstructs racist policies and politics. Auspiciously, with youthful aura and purity, the Cafe trucker hat gives off a Midwestern type vibe. Geographically, this makes perfect sense given Buffalo’s proximity to Cleveland. Foundationally, this brand performs well and resonates heavily with consumers because of its underlying message and the creative connections associated with its core brand elements.

    Undoubtedly, the world needs more people like Billie Essco – a critical thinker with historical prowess, tried-and-true methodology and contextually colorful design schemes. In like manner, the young designers continues to elevate with a collaboration with New Era symbolizing a major milestone. Essco’s journey can serve as inspiration for many Buffalo natives. A person who pursues spiritual and mental growth will never plateau in regards to their potential. No matter what age, color or creed – you have limitless abilities – just tap into your gift and never stop working toward your destiny.

  • Rock the Locks Brings Bands and History to Albany, Buffalo, Rochester

    Nine bands will be playing as a part of “Rock the Locks,” a rock and roll showcase with six shows near three Upstate NY cities: Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester. The shows will take place on July 7, July 8, Aug. 4, and Aug. 5.

    Rock the Locks events are being presented by Rockin’ Rochester Productions, Hey Greasy! and Yace Booking. Each of the three cities has three bands playing, and each has two events. The three groups of bands switch between cities for the different dates, excluding the city that they are native to.

    The name is a callback to the Erie Canal, which passes by all three cities. Locks 1 and 2 are near one end in Albany, locks 65 and 66 near Rochester, and locks 67-71 near Buffalo in Lockport. Locks were used to raise and lower boats traveling through the canal, and were a key part of the system’s infrastructure. Mules were often used to pull boats along, with mules and canal boats pictured in the Rock the Locks promotional material.

    Albany

    Taking place across the river in Troy at No Fun, the two concerts here will be on July 8 and Aug. 5, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m.. The first show will feature Thee Isolators, The Evil Things, and The Burkharts, with the second show featuring Aweful Kanawful, Low Spirits, and Jazz Goons.

    The tickets are $10 for advanced payment and $13 at the door. More information can be found on No Fun’s website.

    Buffalo

    At Nietzsche’s in Buffalo, the concerts will be on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, Aug. 5. For the Friday show, doors will open at 9:00 p.m., with the show starting at 10:00 p.m.. Bands on that day will include Aweful Kanawful, Low Spirits, and Jazz Goons. For the Saturday show, doors will open at 8:00 p.m., with the show starting at 9:00 p.m.. Bands on that day will include Flavour, Abysmals, and Safety Meeting.

    For both dates, tickets are $10. More information can be found on Nietzsche’s website.

    Rochester

    The two concerts in Rochester will be held at Lux on July 7 and on Aug. 4, starting at 10:00 p.m.. For the first show, Flavour, Abysmals, and Safety Meeting will be featured. For the second show, Thee Isolators, The Evil Things, and The Burkharts will be featured.

    Tickets are $5 for both dates. More information can be found on Lux’s website.