Lespecial’s Odd Times Tour stopped in to play Buffalo Iron Works Dec 06, 2023 to an eager and packed house. Opening for Lespecial this night and next on tour is Grub. Grub, a Niagara Falls based band are well known to the Western New York music scene and beyond for their high energy flowing Psych Rock jams.
Grub took to the stage and wasted no time jumping right into their set. The spacy, angelic, bass thumping, drum driving songs filled the room to a very engaged crowd all night from the very first song on. There is no surprise why this band has a continually growing fan base.
The trio is made up of Zack Tilton – Guitar/Vocals/Synth/Samples, Nick Woodcock – Bass/Vocals/Synth, and Ryan Henderson – Drums/Samples.
Lespecial are no strangers bringing the house down with their building shaking, body pounding and air ripping sound. And that’s exactly what they did all night. Right from the start they came out hard and fast. The crowd took notice and kept right up with them dancing and cheering. Some almost seemingly ready to mosh with the energy so high.
This prog-tronic Power Trio is made up of Luke Bemand – Bass/Synth/Percussion/Vocals. Jonathan Grusauskas – Guitar/Synth/Sampler/Percussion/Vocals. Rory Dolan – Drums/Sampler/Percussion/Vocals
Setlist: Lungs of the Planet, Snells Fleet, Jackwise, Fear the Djinn, Repeater, Machine Elf, Homieverse, Whats Crappenin’, DGH II (FT Noah Fense), What’s the Use (FT Noah Fense), Fruit Wolf Dance, I Might Be Wrong, Rays, Onlookers, Chird, Chromakey, The Vessel, They Live Encore: Tonberry
Trancefusion pioneers the Disco Biscuits will embark on a lengthy winter/spring tour to start 2024, with shows at Empire Live in Albany and Town Ballroom in Buffalo, named the “Why We Dance Tour.”
photo by Brian Ferguson
With an impressive touring schedule in 2023 – more than 70 shows, with three more lined up for late December – and the return of a Disco Biscuits festival, BISCOLAND, the band is not slowing down in the coming new year.
The “Why We Dance Tour” includes 13 previously announced dates, and adds 20 more shows, with a few more still to be announced.
photo by Conor McMahon
Bassist Marc Brownstein shares the excitement for the band looking ahead to 2024:
We are so excited for these late winter and spring dates! 2024 starts off with a bang and is filled with amazing venues, some of which are new to us like Stage AE, College Street, and the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, while some are old faves like the Kirby, the HOBs in Boston and New Orleans, and ultimately the Tabernacle. We are looking forward to heating up the country from west to east this winter and spring!
Marc Brownstein
The Disco Biscuits last performed in Buffalo and Albany in January and February 2023, respectively.
VIP Packages will be available for all Why We Dance Tour dates as part of this week’s pre-sale and on-sale, and will include early entry to each venue and early access to merch, pre-show soundcheck, group photo with the band, limited edition show poster, and a commemorative laminate & lanyard.
Disco Biscuits “Why We Dance” 2023-2024 Tour Dates
12/28 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square (Late Show) 12/30 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall ! 12/31 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall 1/25 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Casino Ballroom 1/26 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Casino Ballroom 1/27 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore 1/28 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst 2/1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre 2/2 – San Diego, CA – Observatory North Park 2/3 – Tucson, AZ – Gem & Jam Festival 2/5 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up 2/6 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up 2/7 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up 2/9 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater * 2/10 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater * 2/11 – TBA 3/7 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore 3/8 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore 3/9 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE 3/10 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater 3/13 – Albany, NY – Empire Live 3/14 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall 3/15 – Portland, ME – State Theatre 3/16 – Boston, MA – House of Blues 3/28 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – F.M. Kirby Center 3/29 – TBA 3/30 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom 3/31 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom 4/2 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom 4/4 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues 4/5 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater 4/6 – Dallas, TX – Longhorn Ballroom 4/7 – Burnet, TX – Texas Eclipse Festival 4/11 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel 4/12 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl 4/13 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle 4/14 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre 6/20-23 – Rothbury, MI – Electric Forest Festival
Rochester surf-rock outfit Harmonica Lewinski released their newest album, SUPER HOT, on November 24. Recorded in analog style on a Tascam reel-to-reel machine, the album showcases 12 tracks with a fun groove and creative tone.
Harmonica Lewinski formed in 2012 in Rochester. The group cites a distinct blend of surf-rock, disco, and punk that inspires their new EP. Since their first release, Good Vibes/Bad Vibes released in 2012, the five-piece band has dropped eight full-length releases, with SUPER HOT marking their first since their 2021 EP Lost Weekend.
Largely focused on instrumentals, SUPER HOT marks an investigation of funky, groovy disco-rock beats. The album was recorded on a Tascam reel-to-reel machine, an analog tape recorder that dates back to the 1980s.
A key track on the record, “Burgundy Bandit” is a groovy, methodical track to open the album. Led by the commanding bass line and meandering guitar melodies, the track introduces Harmonica Lewinski’s style and strongly holds listeners’ attention for its four and a half minute instrumental run.
“Shadow Sequence,” the fifth track on SUPER HOT, diverts slightly from the groovy, meandering tone that the majority of the record follows. Beginning with an alternative, syncopated rhythm, the vocals are reminiscent of an excitable Orville Peck. The track is relatively short with only two minutes and change, but is certainly a strong point in the EP.
Finally, “Cakewalk” is introduced by a solo bass line supported by a steady, rhythmic drum kick and vocals. Again, this track is only about two minutes, but after a few listens the guitar melody will get caught in your head.
SUPER HOT is a proficient review of funky, bass-driven surf rock. Though many of the tracks get lost in each other due to similarity in overall sound, this doesn’t detract from the clear skill and fun listening experience from the whole album. SUPER HOT is available on all streaming services and Harmonica Lewinski on BandCamp.
CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival 2024 producersMarc Iacona and John Nugent announced the first two headliners for the nine-day 21st Edition Festival, from June 21 to 29, 2024.
One of the festival headliners is Samara Joy. Photo credit: Meredith Traux.
The 21st edition of the Rochester International Jazz Festival is from June 21 to 29, 2024. The first headliner is the 2023 GRAMMY-winning Artist of the Year Samara Joy, who performed at RIJF in 2022 and 2023 in the Club Pass Series.
23-year-old Samara Joy has a rich, velvety, precociously refined voice, earning appearances on the TODAY Show, The Tonight Show w/ Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show w/ Stephen Colbert, and CBS Mornings. She further cements her status as perhaps the first Gen Z jazz singing star every day. The New York Times praised the “silky-voiced rising star” for “helping jazz take a youthful turn” while NPR All Things Considered named her a “classic jazz singer from a new generation.” Joy will perform at the 2024 Rochester International Jazz Festival on Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Jazz guitar legend, Lee Ritenour makes his debut performance at RIJF on Saturday, June 22, with his band and special guests Randy Brecker and Bill Evans. The concert is at 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. During his dazzling five-decade career, Lee Ritenour has taken his music to the outer limits, touching on every genre and occupying every position in the rock ‘n’ roll sphere.
He’s been involved in ’70s fusion, the ’80s pop chart, Brazilian jazz, and the ’90s supergroup, Fourplay. Ritenour’s accolades include 45 albums, 16 GRAMMY nominations, Alumnus of the Year at USC, Los Angeles’ Jazz Society Honoree (2019), plus thousands of sessions with legends such as Frank Sinatra, Pink Floyd, B.B. King, and Tony Bennett, among others.
Tickets for both shows go on sale this Friday, December 8th at 10 a.m. EST.
Peter Frampton announced a set of new tour dates this past week, adding to his Never EVER Say Never Tour this spring. After traveling the nation throughout this 2023, Peter Frampton will continue his unexpected run with a show in Waterloo, NY at the Del Lago Resort and Casino.
After Frampton announced a farewell tour in 2019 due to his diagnosis of the degenerative disease, inclusion-body myositis, fans were surprised by more recent appearances by the acclaimed artist. His 2024 Never EVER Say Never Tour will see stops in Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Waterloo, NY, where he will stop at The Vine at Del Lago Resort & Casino on March 9.
I am delighted to let you know I’m planning more shows in March and April for the new Never EVER Say Never Tour! I don’t want to give up my passion and will play as long as I physically can. Hope to see you in 2024!
Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020. The English-American guitarist has a star-studded career, having played with Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and more since the beginning of his career in 1966. Most recently, he made an appearance on Dolly Parton’s newest album, Rockstar, released last month.
Tickets for Peter Frampton at Del Lago Casino go on-sale to the general public on Friday, December 8 at 10 A.M. local time at frampton.com.
Acclaimed rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers has announced that their Unlimited Love Tour will extend into 2024 across the U.S. Following massive 2022 and 2023 tour runs, the band shows no sign of slowing down as they announce their upcoming North America tour slated for next year.
The 2024 run includes a stop at Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center, NY, on Friday, July 12. Special Guests Kid Cudi, Ice Cube, Ken Carson, Otoboke Beaver, Seun Kuti & Egypt80, Wand and IRONTOM will be joining the band on select dates throughout the tour as well.
After wrapping up dates in North America and Europe last year, the band continued their global trek into 2023 with several dates across New Zealand and Australia in January, followed by another run of shows throughout North America, Europe, the UK, Singapore and Japan earlier this year. Most recently, Red Hot Chili Peppers concluded their sold-out Latin America leg of their 2023 tour with two shows in Buenos Aires.
Last year, Red Hot Chili Peppers took home the prestigious Global Icon Award and delivered a show stopping performance at the MTV VMAs. Their No. 1 single “Black Summer” also won the award for Best Rock Video. In addition, “Black Summer” scored a Grammy nomination for “Best Rock Song” and the band garnered a MTV Europe Music Award nomination for Best Rock and earned three American Music Awards nominations for “Favorite Rock Artist,” “Favorite Rock Album” for Unlimited Love and “Favorite Rock Single” for “Black Summer.”
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 2024 UNLIMITED LOVE TOUR DATES
Tue May 28 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater +
Fri May 31 – Quincy, WA – The Gorge +
Sun Jun 02 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheater +
Wed Jun 05 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre =
Fri Jun 07 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater ^
Tue Jun 18 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre *
Fri Jun 21 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre ~
Wed Jun 26 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park ~
Fri Jun 28 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach ~
Tue Jul 02 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake =
Fri Jul 05 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center *
Fri Jul 12 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater ^
Mon Jul 15 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage ^
Mon Jul 22 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center #
Thu Jul 25 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center @
Tue Jul 30 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre @
+ With Ken Carson and IRONTOM
= With Kid Cudi and IRONTOM
^ With Wand and IRONTOM
* With IRONTOM
~ With Ice Cube and IRONTOM
# With Seun Kuti & Egypt80 and IRONTOM
@ With Otoboke Beaver and IRONTOM
% Not a Live Nation Date
Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale (details below) beginning on Tuesday, December 5. An artist presale will begin on Wednesday, December 6 at 10 AM. Additional presales will run Thursday, December 7 ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, December 8 at 10 AM here.
For more information on the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Darien Lake, visit their website.
2023 was a lot of things, and hopefully one of those things, for you, was music-filled. Happy to be here to help guide you to some of the good stuff in and around Rochester every month. Here are five more shows to help you finish the year off with a bang.
Philadelphia’s Another Michael returns to the Bug Jar after their killer show there last November. They come with their brand new album, Wishes to Fulfill, in tow, ready to delight fans new and old with their hooky songs featuring breezy guitars and dreamy vocals. JODI, Pluck, and Comfy round out this excellent bill.
Tickets are are $12/$15 dos and bands get started around 9pm.
Grammy-winning harmonica wizard Howard Levy, who long ago was an original member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, brings his new four piece to Fanatics. He and his signature diatonic harmonica playing are joined by Chris Siebold on guitar, Josh Ramos on bass and Luiz Ewerling on drums.
Way back in January we recommended Mikaela Davis’ shows at Abilene and Maybird’s show at Bug Jar. Twelve months later and we’re back to recommend a show featuring them both on one bill at the brand new venue Essex. Mikaela Davis and Southern Star have since released a new album and have been touring heavily throughout the year. These two bands go way back too. Davis used to frequently play in Josh Netsky’s bands and Kurt Johnson, now a pedal steel and guitarist in Southern Star was a founding member of Maybird. Will they sit-in with each other? Only time will tell, but either way, this is sure to be a groovy psychedelic night featuring some of the areas brightest talents.
Ember, the Brooklyn-based trio of Caleb Wheeler Curtis, Noah Garabedian, and Vinnie Sperrazza will close out what has been another busy and exciting year of eclectic live music at Bop Shop Records. Creative and band focused, they will push the limits of improvisation for a night of invigorating and heady night at the intimate shop in Brighton.
moe. will jam in the new year once again at the Kodak Center, returning after their blowout run at the same venue to welcome in 2019. The band is finishing out a solid year of touring after being plagued by more unfortunate health issues, with guitarist Chuck Garvey suffering a stroke in November 2021. Rochester is blessed with many excellent live music options to ring in the new year, but this one should top them all.
Tickets are $46-106 with an option to get a 2-night package. Show will start around 8p.
The Buffalo Central Terminal invites the WNY community to join in seasonal merriment at the inaugural Winter Fest. As the cold weather sets in, Buffalo Central Terminal’s outdoor Winter Fest event promises a heartwarming and memorable experience for attendees of all ages.
Winter Fest at the Terminal features an ice sculpture display, horse-drawn carriage rides, a variety of winter characters, live saxophone performance and DJ music from Will Holton, Victorian-themed carolers, AKG Art Truck kids’ activity, and more.
The Central Terminal Restoration Corp. (CTRC) is a 501c3c non-profit organization driven by a mission to develop the Buffalo Central Terminal – a majestic historic landmark – as a lasting cultural and economic hub for the community. The CTRC has cared for this living landmark for more than 20 years. A prominent feature of Buffalo’s East Side and the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, the Buffalo Central Terminal is an opportunity to ignite a shared vision for a new future. The 2021 community-driven Master Plan re-establishes the Terminal as a vibrant local and regional destination—a beacon that attracts people and investment, celebrates and fosters community voice, and shapes broader equitable development.
Buffalo Central Terminal‘s Winter Fest is the perfect opportunity to embrace the winter spirit, bundle up for an outdoor celebration, and create lasting memories with friends and family, so clear your calendar on Saturday, December 9th, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
“These events at Buffalo Central Terminal are all about uniting our diverse East Buffalo community. We’re creating an inclusive space right in our very own neighborhood where families can come together and celebrate the season without having to venture out of the heart of the city.”
Lindsey Taylor, events consultant for the Buffalo Central Terminal.
EVENT FEATURES
Ice Sculpture Exhibition: Renowned artist Stan Kolonko from The Ice Farm will craft a 7-ft tall Terminal Tower and other impressive ice sculptures.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides: Enjoy scenic rides against the backdrop of Buffalo Central Terminal in charming horse-drawn carriages.
Winter Characters: Meet popular winter characters Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, the Grinch, and a festive Toy Soldier.
Live Jazz and DJ Music: Will Holton returns to the Terminal for a live saxophone and DJ performance.
Victorian-Themed Carolers: Experience the spirit of the season with holiday favorites performed by a trio of Victorian-themed carolers.
AKG Art Truck: Encourage creativity at the AKG Art Truck, offering engaging artistic activities for kids.
Crafts for All Ages: My Victorious Lifestyle will offer candle decorating for all ages.
Hot Beverages: Bubba’s Blue Coffee & Logan Berry will offer hot beverages for attendees to enjoy.
Winter Fest at the Buffalo Central Terminal is completely free to enter, and all are welcome. For more information and event updates, please visit the Buffalo Central Terminal website.
Country star Jason Aldean has announced a 24-city extension of his cross-country Highway Desperado Tour, featuring special guests, festivals, and VIP opportunities for fan across the US. Kicking off on May 18, the tour includes three NY dates in Syracuse, Wantagh, and Darien Center this summer.
After a successful 40-date run in 2023, Jason Aldean will continue the Highway Desperado Tour in the summer of 2024. The tour begins on May 18 in Thackerville, OH, with stops at landmark venues such as Bristow, VA’s Jiffy Lube Live, NC’s Greensboro Coliseum, and more. Aldean will play in New York on three dates. He will stop in Syracuse at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview on July 11, in Wantagh at the Jones Beach Theater on July 12, and finally, at Darien Center’s Darien Lake Amphitheater on August 1.
Aldean recently released his 11th studio album on November 3 to huge success. The 14-track record includes hit singles such as “Try That In A Small Town” and “Let Your Boys Be Country.” The latter includes a brand new music video featuring guest appearances by Aldean’s young son and daughter, and focuses on the simplicity and nature of rural childhood life.
The Highway Desperado Tour features special guests including Hailey Whitters and Lauren Alaina, as well as Chase Matthew, Austin Snell, and Dee Jay Silver at select shows. In addition to the newly added dates, Jason Aldean will headline festivals such as the Winstock Country Music Festival, the Voices of America Country Music Festival, and Canada’s YQM Country Music Fest.
Tickets for the Highway Desperado tour go on sale on December 15 at 10AM. A variety of VIP packages and experiences are available, including premium tickets, access to the Jason Aldean VIP Lounge, pre-show acoustic performance and Q&A, VIP gift items, and more. Tickets and more information are available at JasonAldean.com and vipnation.com.
Jason Aldean HIGHWAY DESPERADO 2024 Tour Dates
5/18/24 – Thackerville, OK – WinStar World Casino and Resort*
7/11/24 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview&
7/12/24 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater&
7/13/24 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
7/25/24 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena^
7/26/24 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach^
8/1/24 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater^
8/2/24 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion^
8/3/24 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain^
8/8/24 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center^
8/10/24 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake^
Avenged Sevenfold announced the third leg of their North American “Life Is But A Dream… Tour,” set to kick off in Buffalo on March 6. Featuring special guests Poppy and Sullivan King, the tour includes 16 shows across the country for an exciting new leg of the tour.
Avenged Sevenfold formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach, CA, and have released seven studio albums and sold over 8 million copies since their beginnings. Now consisting of M. Shadows (vocals), Zacky Vengeance (rhythm guitar), Synyster Gates (lead guitar), Johnny Christ (bass), and Brooks Wackerman (drums), the group is promoting their most recent full-length release, Life Is But a Dream…
Photo Credit: Steve Thrasher
The third leg of the Life Is But A Dream… Tour kicks off on March 6 with a show at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. The band will make stops in Toronto, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh, before finishing off with a show at Newark, NJ’s Prudential Center on March 31.
General onsale for tickets will begin on December 1 at 10AM. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale. More information is available at avengedsevenfold.com and LiveNation.com.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD LIFE IS BUT A DREAM…NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES LEG 3:
Wed Mar 06 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Thu Mar 07 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Sat Mar 09 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Mon Mar 11 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
Wed Mar 13 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center
Fri Mar 15 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
Sat Mar 16 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena*
Mon Mar 18 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena at The Mark
Tue Mar 19 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Thu Mar 21 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Sat Mar 23 – Manchester, NH – SNHU Arena
Mon Mar 25 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Tue Mar 26 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Thu Mar 28 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson–Boling Arena
Fri Mar 29 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
Sun Mar 31 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
*Without Sullivan King, Featuring Support from Vended
