The Buffalo music scene is a prominent part of the nightlife in Western New York. Locals have numerous venue and genre choices when attending a live show.
In a unique rock nâ roll and pop genre mix, akloh. brought Electric Avenue Cafe to life on Monday, June 3. After the show, akloh. sat down and shared some insight on Buffalo, the music scene, and himself.
Alexandra Clark: Who would you say is your main inspiration or influence currently?
akloh.: Rock bands that truly value the art of quality songwriting have always been at the top of my list – Green Day, Foo Fighters, Nickelback, Switchfoot, etc. Those really haven’t changed for quite some time now because that “brand” of larger-than-life rock ‘n roll has never ceased to light a fire in me. With that said, I also draw a hefty amount of inspiration from more pop-based acts such as Jonas Brothers, The Struts, Twenty One Pilots, etc. as well as a variety of local acts.
AC: What do you love about performing live?
akloh.: I truly believe that I shine in a live-performance setting, especially considering the fact that all of my performances thus far have been delivered as a solo acoustic act. In an era when so many artists focus solely on releasing music and racking up streams/likes/views; when so many bands rely more on backing tracks than their own talents to put forth an engaging live experience; when the human-connection component of being a musician has been lost on so many, it’s a feeling unlike any other when I’m able to get up in front of a crowd armed with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and deliver a performance that’s just as if not more captivating than that of a full band.
And while I do have a live band in the works that I hope to perform with on occasion as sort of “special events,” I’m going to continue riding this solo-acoustic wave for as long as I possibly can. As a local-level artist beginning to breed notable success without having released any music or performed with a full band, I think it’s safe to say that there’s something special about the atmosphere I’m able to create with that acoustic guitar.
AC: What’s your favorite aspect of the Buffalo music scene? What about Buffalo as a whole?
akloh.: My favorite aspect of the Buffalo music scene has to be the musical diversity present within it – you can truly find acts of nearly every genre that both have originated in and perform around WNY. It’s often relatively easy to pinpoint the most prominent genre coming out of a given city, but with this city that’s simply not the case.
Otherwise, I’m an absolute sucker for Buffalo summers. While I’m not much of a fan of our winters, the way in which they create a shared sense of excitement and eagerness to be outside experiencing nature when the weather does (finally) change creates an environment unlike any other.
AC: What is your dream and or goal for your music career?
akloh.: My goal – while lofty – is to be the next artist on the forefront of the anthem and arena-rock sounds. I want to continue creating music that is not only true to myself, but that also carries with it a tangible sense of empowerment and vitality that lights the fire in others’ souls and allows them to share in that collective energy – music that 50,000+ people in an arena could relate to individually while singing and dancing along as one.
Summer is here, and Western New York amusement park Six Flags Darien Lake has announced its lineup of shows coming to their 21,600-capacity amphitheater. The stacked lineup includes countless stars, including but not limited to Janet Jackson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Avril Lavigne and Creed.
HARDY with special guests Kip Moore, Travis Denning and Stephen Wilson Jr. – Quit!! Tour – June 8, 6:45 PM
Country Rock veteran HARDY will open up Darien Lake’s summer lineup with the second New York show on his Quit!! Tour. Fellow country artists Kip Moore, Travis Denning and Stephen Wilson Jr. will open up the show as special guests.
Niall Horan with special guest Del Water Gap – The Show Tour – June 22, 7:30 PM
Former One-Direction member Niall Horan will be stopping by Darien Lake for his The Show Tour. Brooklyn-based indie-pop artist Del Water Gap will join as a special guest.
James Taylor and His All-Star Band – June 25, 8:00 PM
Six-time Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee James Taylor and his all-star band will arrive in Darien Lake on June 25. Some of the all-stars from Taylor’s band include The Blues Brothers saxophonist Lou Marini and Steely Dan and Bee Gees drummer Steve Gadd.
Kenny Chesney with special guest Megan Moroney – Sun Goes Down Tour – June 27, 7:30 PM
Grammy-nominated and Country Music Association award-winner Kenny Chesney will play in Darien Lake as a stop for his Sun Goes Down Tour. The Academy of Country Music Awards’ 2024 New Artist of the Year, Megan Moroney, will join Chesney.
Third Eye Blind with special guests Yellowcard and ARIZONA – Summer Gods Tour – July 3, 6:30 PM
American rock band Third Eye Blind will be coming to Darien Lake as the first of three New York stops for their Summer Gods Tour. Similarly-popular band Yellowcard will be the featured opener, alongside pop-rock band ARIZONA.
Janet Jackson with special guest Nelly – Together Again Tour – July 5, 8:00 PM
Iconic pop star Janet Jackson is set to appear in Darien Lake on July 5 before playing in Brooklyn later in the month. Rapper and singer Nelly, known for hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Ride Wit Me,” will appear as a special guest.
Kidz Bop Kidz – July 7, 4:00 PM
The renowned family-friendly pop song cover group, Kidz Bop Kidz, will perform in Darien Lake for an early show on July 7. This child-friendly concert is perfect for any younger children looking to hear clean versions of some of their favorite modern pop hits.
Chris Stapleton with special guests Marcus King and Nikki Lane – All-American Road Show – July 11, 7:00 PM
Ten-time Grammy Award winner Chris Stapleton will come by Darien Lake for a stop on his All-American Road Show. Fellow country singers Marcus King and Nikki Lane will contribute opening performances.
Red Hot Chili Peppers with special guest Wand – Unlimited Love Tour – July 12, 7:00 PM
Genre-defining American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers will arrive in Darien Lake the day after Chris Stapleton for their Unlimited Love Tour. Psychedelic rock band Wand will open up the set.
Jason Aldean with special guests Lauren Alaina, Chase Matthew, Austin Snell and Dee Jay Silver – Highway Desperado Tour – August 1, 7:30 PM
Country musician Jason Aldean will kick off August with a performance at Darien Lake as a stop on his Highway Desperado Tour. Lauren Alaina, Chase Matthew, Austin Snell and Dee Jay Silver will all appear as special guests.
The Queens of R&B: Xscape and SWV with special guests Mya, Total and 702 – The Queens of R&B Tour – August 6, 7:00 PM
Known for their active reality television series, The Queens of R&B, Xscape and SVW, will be performing at Darien Lake for their last of three New York shows. Mya, Total and 702 will join as special guests.
Avril Lavigne with special guests Simple Plan and Girlfriends – The Greatest Hits Tour – August 20, 7:00 PM
Pop-punk idol Avril Lavigne will play nothing but the best in Darien Lake for her new tour focusing on her greatest hits. Rock bands Simple Plan and Girlfriends will open up the show.
New Kids On The Block with special guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff – Magic Summer Tour – August 22, 7:00 PM
Classic boy band New Kids On The Block is celebrating the release of their brand new album, Still Kids, with their Magic Summer Tour. The Darien Lake performance will be opened by Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Pitbull with special guest T-Pain – Party After Dark Tour – September 6, 8:00 PM
Mr. Worldwide, aka Pitbull, will perform some of his classic pop hits to the Darien Lake crowd on September 6 for his Party After Dark Tour. Fellow 2000s and 2010s hitmaker T-Pain will appear as well.
Falling In Reverse with special guests Black Veil Brides, Dance Gavin Dance, Tech N9ne and Jeris Johnson – The Popular MonsTOUR II: World Domination – September 10, 5:45 PM
American rock and pop-punk band Falling in Reverse is set to perform at Darien Lake for their Popular MonsTOUR II: World Domination. The packed night of performances will also feature Black Veil Brides, Dance Gavin Dance, Tech N9ne and Jeris Johnson.
ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd with special guest The Outlaws – The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour – September 12, 6:30 PM
American rock bands Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top will perform at Darien Lake for their last of four New York shows as a part of their collaborative tour. Fellow American rock band, The Outlaws, will open up the show.
Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse – The Outlaw Music Festival – September 17, 5:00 PM
American folk legends Willie Nelson & Family and Bob Dylan will play together in Darien Lake as part of the traveling “must see music festival of the summer,” Outlaw Music Festival. Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and Celisse will perform as well.
Creed with special guests 3 Doors Down and Finger 11 – Summer of ’99 Tour – September 27, 7:00 PM
Post-grunge American rock band Creed will cap off Darien Lake’s summer lineup with a performance for their Summer of 99′ Tour on September 27. 3 Doors Down and Finger 11 will open up the show.
Tickets for all of the shows shown can be found here.
As we approach the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025, let’s look back at this marvel of modern engineering. Not only did the Canal transform much of Upstate New York, but it also transformed folk music. While known by many names since its composition, “The Erie Canal Song” has become a staple of the American folk songbook. With lyrics reflecting life on the canal, and the changes it brought to the state, it proves a useful tool for exploring New York’s history.
Before the Days of Rapid Transit, Edward Lamson Henry (1841-1919) c.1900 Pencil and watercolor, ht.13 3/4′ x w.34 3/4″ Albany Institute of History & Art Purchase, 1976.7.2
The year is 1807, and the United States is slowly expanding into The Northwest Territories (or what is now the Midwest). This region was rich in the grain and metals needed to supply populations on the East Coast. The only issue was that transporting these resources to the East Coast commercial hubs was difficult to say the least. The Appalachian mountains provided a massive barrier for mule trains, with the journey from New York City to Detroit taking four weeks.
New York was specifically poised to tackle this transportation issue. The Hudson River was the main artery of trade for New York, connecting commercial Manhattan to the capital in Albany. Of the Hudson’s many tributaries, the Mohawk River proved to be the most important. Flowing eastward from Oneida County, it cut a low valley through the Appalachians, the only valley of its kind in the Northeast. Because of this, Governor DeWitt Clinton authorized the construction of a canal along this route in 1817.
Map showing Present and Proposed Canal System, to accompany report of Edward A. Bond, State Engineer and Surveyor of N.Y. (from:Annual report of the State Engineer and Surveyor of the State of New York, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1903 (Oliver A. Quayle, Albany, 1904) — facing p. 60)
Following eight years of disease, construction accidents, and hard manual labor, the Canal was opened in 1825. The canal was 4 feet deep, 40 feet wide, and spanned 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. With the construction of the canal, boats could travel from the Hudson River to Lake Erie in less than five days. While many were originally skeptical of the canal, it soon proved its worth. Completed ahead of schedule, and under-budget, the canal paid itself off with tolls in under ten years.
The Erie Canal was one of the first great highways of the United States, bringing goods, ideas, and most importantly people across New York. The Canal revolutionized the economy of Upstate New York, practically creating the cities we know today. In 1817, Buffalo was a village of 2,000 people recently destroyed by the British. Canal commerce turned Buffalo into the world’s premier grain hub, with the city growing into the 9th largest metropolis in the US. Cities sprang up all along the canal route. Hamlets like Rochester, Syracuse, and Schenectady grew into cities with hundreds of thousands of residents, and national centers of industry.
“The most fertile and extensive regions of America will avail themselves of its facilities for a market … [and New York City] will, in the course of time, become the granary of the world, the emporium of commerce, the seat of manufactures, the focus of great moneyed operations.”
– DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York
Thomas S. Allen
On top of having such economic importance, the canal quickly became a cultural symbol of New York. To many, the canal symbolized their identity as Upstaters, and hope for a prosperous future. One person enamored by the legendary canal was Natick, Massachusetts’s Thomas S. Allen. Allen recalled, “When a boy in school, a picture of the Erie Canal in a Geography attracted my attention and I exclaimed: ‘If I ever see the Eric Canal, I’ll think I’ve seen something worth seeing.’” Sometime around 1910, when traveling to Rochester, Allen finally saw the canal, and immediately knew he had to write a song about it.
It turns out Allen was somewhat of a 1900s musical renaissance man. He was foremost a violinist, playing everywhere from professional orchestras to burlesque shows. On top of this, he directed Vaudeville shows, composing songs for them in the Tin Pan Alley tradition. Throughout his career, he published nine songs under his name, including “The Erie Canal Song.” Originally published in 1913 by Manhattan’s F.B. Haviland Publishing Co, the song was titled “Low Bridge, Everybody Down.” The song looked back to the work of mule barges along the canal.
At the time of its publishing, New York was constructing the Barge Canal System, a mechanized successor to the Erie Canal. Newer diesel and steam powered barges carried much of the cargo down these new canals. Allen’s writing harkened back to a simpler time of mule-drawn ships on the Erie Canal. “We’ve hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal and hay. And every inch of the way I know, From Albany to Buffalo.” These lines also highlight some of the major midwestern resources that would have flowed Eastward through the canal. Grain and ore were the two specifically that allowed cities like Buffalo to become breadbaskets, and industrial hubs of the East.
The lyrics while romanticizing life on the canal, also speak to the hardships it brought. The repeated chorus “low bridge everybody down,” reflects just one of these difficulties. Nearing the fledgling cities along the canal, extremely low bridges were common obstacles for barges. The cover for the song’s original sheet music depicts this, with the narrator ducking down on his mule to pass under one such bridge. In reality, however, these bridges were bigger dangers for barge passengers. Passengers on barges would commonly ride on top when conditions allowed, having to quickly get down to safely pass under these bridges.
Lift Bridge and Canal St., Canastota, N.Y. — Postcard ; not postmarked ; another slightly variant copy is postmarked Sep. 19, 1907. [CSNYS 1096.1.0890]
The song’s lyrics also play into the themes of hardiness that would fit perfectly in a Spaghetti Western. The lyrics repeatedly mention Sal the Mule’s fighting spirit. Throughout the song Sal brawls her way across the state, sending Mike McGinty to the bottom of the canal, and kicking a man all the way to Buffalo. All of this fighting occurs during the narrator’s 15 years of hard work along the canal. This story of hardy enterprise and masculine bravado call to mind the Wild West. One could easily imagine these stories of barging and brawling taking place in a classic Eastwood or Wayne movie. This makes sense remembering that at the canal’s completion, Upstate New York very much was the “Wild West.”
Since its original composition in 1913, “Low Bridge” has become a folk standard, being performed by countless artists. The first known recording we have of the song is by Billy Murray (not to be confused with actor Bill Murray) from 1912. Murray was a star Tenor of the early 1900s, recording many vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley tracks. This recording is now featured in the Library of Congress’s National Jukebox and Recorded Sound Section.
Aiding in the Canal’s place in American mythology was a recording by folk legend Pete Seeger. Seeger included “The Erie Canal” as track #10 on his 1954 album Frontier Ballads. This album celebrated the stories of workers, and settlers who traveled westward through the new territories of the United States. This album places the Erie Canal alongside stories of Cowboys and railroad workers, placing it firmly within the canon of Americana, and further cementing its Western connection.
Perhaps the latest great recording of “The Erie Canal Song” came from rock legend Bruce Springsteen, as part of his 2006 album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. This album included Springsteen’s interpretations of 13 folk and Americana classics popularized by Pete Seeger. Because of this, this version is moreso a Springsteen cover of Seeger’s version, rather than a direct reimagining of the original. The album, including “Erie Canal” shot to number 3 on the billboard top 100, also earning Springsteen a Grammy for best folk album.
Since its publishing 111 years ago, “The Erie Canal Song” has become an icon of American folk music. Not only have massive stars covered it over the years, but it has also really lived up to the definition of folk music, and spread to the masses. Reading comments on the YouTube video of Seeger’s version you see nothing but fond memories. Whether it’s people who learned it as kids in school, or sang it with their grandparents, the song holds an important place in the collective American cultural memory.
On top of all of this, the song speaks to the role the Erie Canal plays in American imagination. It singlehandedly built upstate New York, and connected the country more than it had ever been before. More than just this, it represents a time long gone, where the Wild West wasn’t so far west. Its no wonder why when many people think of New York, they think of the Erie Canal.
“The Erie Canal Song” Lyrics:
I’ve got an old mule, and her name is Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She’s a good old worker and a good old pal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
We’ve hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal and hay.
And every inch of the way I know, From Albany to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, we must be getting near a town.
You can always tell your neighbor; you can always tell your pal.
If he’s ever navigated on the Erie Canal
We’d better look ’round for a job old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
You bet your life I wouldn’t part with Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Giddyap there gal we’ve passed that lock, we’ll make Rome ‘fore six o-clock
So one more trip and then we’ll go, Right straight back to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Once a man named Mike McGinty tried to put it over Sal
Now he’s way down at the bottom of the Erie Canal
Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal? Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, I’d like to see a mule as good as Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
A friend of mine once got her sore, Now, he’s got a broken jaw.
Cause she let fly with her iron toe and kicked him into Buffalo.
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
If you’re looking ’round for trouble, better stay away from Sal.
She’s the only fighting donkey on the Erie Canal
I don’t have to call when I want my Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She trots from her stall like a good old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
I eat my meals with Sal each day, I eat beef and she eat hay.
She isn’t so slow if you want to know, she put the “Buff” in Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Eats a bale of hay for dinner, and on top of that, my Sal.
Tries to drink up all the water in the Erie Canal
You’ll soon hear them sing everything about my gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
It’s a darned fool ditty ’bout my darned fool Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, every band will play it soon, Darned fool words and darned fool tune!
You’ll hear it sung everywhere you go, from Mexico to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
She’s a perfect, perfect lady, and she blushes like a gal.
If she hears you sing about her and the Erie Canal
Buffalo’s Larkin Square has announced the return of its beloved Live at Larkin and Food Truck Tuesday weekly events this summer. The KeyBank Live at Larkin Summer music series will begin June 5th.
The summer series will include 13 weeks of live shows, ending on August 28th. Larkin’s annual Food Truck Tuesdays season will also begin June 4th, offering a host of curated food trucks and live music until August 27th.
This year marks the 12th season of Live at Larkin, which has become a staple of Buffalo’s Larkinville neighborhood. The site was home to the former Larkin Soap Factory, which supplied the second largest catalog sales business in the country. Since the factory’s closure in the 1940s, there have been many attempts to revitalize the neighborhood. These came to a head in 2012, with the opening of Larkin Square. Since its establishment, the venue has become a community gathering place, offering a host of family-friendly events.
One of the most popular events hosted by Larkin Square is Food Truck Tuesdays. This weekly event begins June 4th, offering around 25 food trucks each Tuesday. Truck offerings range from Italian to Thai to Halal, with each truck offering nutritionist-certified options. The event draws trucks from Buffalo, Rochester, and beyond for visitors to enjoy. Guests can bring their own chairs, but coolers and outside alcohol are prohibited.
In addition to food trucks, the weekly event offers the chance to enjoy live music from local bands. The Walter Kemp 3 will kick off the summer season with their award winning jazz. When not playing with legends like Sun Ra’s Arkestra and Sabu Adeloya, kemp teaches at Buffalo’s Villa Maria College. The event series offers a diverse spectrum of genres, ranging from McCarthyizm‘s garage rock to Dee Adams’ country. With this vast array of music, event-goers are sure to enjoy the performances while enjoying food truck fare.
June 5th also marks the return of the KeyBank Live at Larkin summer concert series. This weekly concert series will feature performances from local groups, as well as other amenities. Concert-goers will be able to purchase bites from a curated array of on-site food trucks each week. In addition, Larkin Square will offer beer, wine, and cocktails for purchase. Larkin Square’s Bratts Hill Restaurant will be open to serve authentic Jamaican cuisine for dinner services during Live at Larkin.
The concert series kicks off at 5pm on June 4th with a performance from John & Mary & the Valkyries. The folk-rock duo is comprised of 10,000 Maniacs members John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey. The series will continue for 13 weeks, until a closing performance by hard rockers Grosh on August 28th. Over the course of the summer series, concert-goers can enjoy tributes to classic groups like Steely Dan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Fleetwood Mac.
Food Truck Tuesdays Band Lineup
6/4 – Walter Kemp 3 Quartet
6/11 – McCarthyizm
6/18 – Diyené
6/25 – The Fever Pitch String Quartet
7/2 – Stress Dolls
7/9 – Whitford-Klyma Band
7/23 – Sabu Adeyola & Oasis
7/30 – The Britt Band
8/6 – Zak Ward
8/13 – Dueling Pianos Band
8/20 – Dee Adams’ Grand Isle Opry
8/27 – Jony James Band
Live at Larkin Summer Season Lineup
6/5 – John & Mary & the Valkyries
6/12 – Will Holton & Daniel Powell’s Mid-Week Vibe
6/19 – Juneteenth ft. Farrow & Project Access to A-Free-Kas
6/26 – Dirty Work: A Tribute to Steely Dan
7/3 – Blues 4 Vets w/Miller & the Other Sinners & more
7/10 – Songbirds: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
7/17 – Talking Dead Heads
7/24 – Ticketed Event, TBA
7/31 – Big Easy in Buffalo presents: Terrence Simien and the Zydeco Experience with El Batey’s Agua de Liberté”
8/7 – Buffalo’s Last Waltz Band Does Dylan & The Band
8/14 – Handsome Jack Does CCR
8/21 – Stoneflower/ Hollyfeld Does Springsteen
8/28 – Grosh Prime ft. Alex McArthur, Harry Graser & Michael DeLano
Thanks to sponsorship from KeyBank and Independent Health, both Food Truck Tuesdays and Live at Larkin are free events. There will be free parking in lots along Exchange Street and Hydraulic Street.
Larkin Square will continue to announce live events for the summer. For more information and updates, visit the Larkin Square website here.
Raz Fresco collaborated with Billie Essco? Say less, though! It’s only right that these two also teamed up with The 6th Letter – an underground producer who emerged circa 2010-2011. Hence, this mixtape takes it all the way back to the back of the Cadillac and makes you feel so fly. The smooth tunes will certainly take you for a ride and makes you want hoodie season to be every season.
Initially, the internal rhymes stood out between Fresco/Essco – the interesting part about this mixtape on paper points to the Jonny Shipes connection. Shipes propelled Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era a great deal amongst several talented others along the way. 6th Letter/Raz Fresco opened on Jonny Shipes ‘Smokers Club’ Tour in 2011. Later, they hosted their own ‘Bakers Club’ in Toronto, Raz/6th’s respective hometown.
Furthermore, Kazaa/Ares/Limewire Days evolved into the MySpace/Worldstar/Datpiff essentially within decades. Judiciously, the pace of the world continues to turn on its axis. Rotationally, each spin may contain an urge to splurge on some Bape – quick hint – hit Pondon for authentic gear. Either way, when these tracks play it puts the listener in a space-time-continuum loop that engulfs the audience all throughout the experience.
Nonetheless, sensationalism within journalism must perish. Within the aura and orchestral collection of gems these gentlemen pieced together a fully textured and evenly weaved garment of a mixtape. Truly, a piece of history to have heard this formulaic foundry of intertwined intricacies.
TCT Track Reviews
Track: Getting Baked in the Bakery
Notes: “Mary go round” line symbolizes the amount of haziness provided.
Music supplies, “Homeostasis brainwave shifts.”
“Closet is brolic” means that their apparel selection and wardrobe stands next to impeccable.
Cream team on these tracks represent the trifecta of making the listener feel fly.
Thus, the accompaniment of “wisdom and mic divine” together combine to make an incredible project.
Track: 05 Baby Milo
Notes: Track brings great energy and tempo to an all-inclusive listening experience.
Track: Favorite Sweater
Notes: This track definitely has the most bop and best soul out of any of them
Quotable: “She turned the capital sweater into a crop top
Almost got cut off for that but she my top stop
We go back like blank tees from Top Shop
Calmly mami graduate to Givenchy.”
Track: Patent Leather Bapestas
Notes: These artists hit the track with a trifecta of angles. This track reminds you of an old school Wale track as this whole tape makes the listener feel fly.
Quotables: “All Star Lebron the blue resembling Neptune
Basquiats in the bedroom
On the flights you know it’s emergency
Real leg room in first class
I ain’t camera shy get real close and see the details.”
Other tracks like “Japanese Fabrics” and “Multiple Choice” stood out amongst a collection of wavy tunes. Make sure to tap in and ride the waves.
Khruangbin came to Buffalo to play outside the AKG Art Museum on May 25. Rain was in the forecast and it started to drizzle as fantastic opener John Carroll Kirby took the stage. The set was cut short a few songs later as a threat of lighting shut everything down.
As the sky darkened, it started to rain and people scurried to various spots for cover, the smarter people going inside (I was not one of them). The rain came down harder and I was starting to think that Khruangbin were going to get rained out. There was more and more movement onstage and credit to the crew, they were actually able to get the stage ready even though it was still pouring out.
Khruangbin breaks their show up into two sets, on this tour the first one was a play through of their fantastic new album, A La Sala. The album is a little more laid back than previous efforts, but it is full of luscious textures and melodies, which were often a slow burn that really simmered in the night with the rain coming down.
You could tell the Texas trio (Mark Speer on guitar, Laura Lee Ochoa on bass and DJ Johnson on Drums, with everyone sharing vocal duties) was enjoying playing the new tunes. The highlights from the album were my highlights from the set, (“May Ninth, “Hold Me Up (Thank you)”, and “Three From Two”) and the set peaked with the blissful ending of “A Love International”. The album closer then ended the set, the dreamlike “Les Petits Gris” and they took a quick break.
A “Bin Bin” started off set two and got the crowd moving. After playing the new album, the second set was more of their older crowd favorites. The rain was a little too much for some, so the crowd thinned out and we seemed to lose some talkers and some of the more fairweather fans, so the crowd during this part of the show was really locked in.
Khruangbin’s vibe is generally a deep groove but right during the last section of “Lady and Man”, they seemed to flip the switch and the rest of the set felt like music you’d hear in a club vs. on a beach. The drenched crowd ate it up and tried to unsuccessfully to dance themselves dry, though the rain did finally let up towards the end of the second set.
Khruangbin next heads to the Midwest before wrapping up their US summer tour in Bonnaroo.
Set 1: Fifteen Fifty-Three, May Ninth, Ada Jean, Farolim de Felgueiras, Pon Pon, Todavia Viva, Juegos y Nube, Hold Me Up (Thank You), Caja de la Sala, Three from Two, A Love International, Les Petits Gris
Set 2: Bin Bin, August 10, Master of Life, Father Bird, Mother Bird, Lady and Man, So We Won’t Forget, Even Finds the Third Room, Time (You and I), People Everywhere (Still Alive)
Gay pop icon Chappell Roan has taken the world by a storm in just these last few months and Buffalo is no exception to that. The artist performed at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor on May 24 for a sold out crowd where fans got to the venue as early as 8 a.m. to get a spot up close.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Chappell Roan was originally supposed to perform her Buffalo stop of The Midwest Princess tour at Town Ballroom. However, after a heavy demand from fans she got upgraded to an even bigger venue where she quickly sold out as well.
Chappell Roan is known for creating a safe space for members of the queer community and even sets to uplift those members in each city she performs in. She does this by having local Drag Queens perform as her openers who energize the crowd effortlessly. Western New York’s local queens included Morticia C Monroe, Daphne York, and Little Mx. Bunny. Chappell shared their Venmoes with the crowd so fans could directly support their own queer community.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
This Midwest Princess has flipped the concert scene on its head and has brought new art forms into live music. Inviting drag queens allows for greater representation and creates a fun environment. Chappell even has themes for each tour stop so fans can dress up alongside the artist. Buffalo’s theme was “My Kink Is Karma” which left a sea of red and black through the crowd. From devil ears, to cowboy hats, and go-go boots, people were dressed to the nines.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Buffalo’s Kink is Karma
The iconic star came out in her red bedazzled corset and snatched makeup look that made her first song choice so obvious: “Femininomenon.” A song that invites listeners to question the norms that women must conform to in order to be deemed of value. This is one of many themes that Chappell displays in her music. She poses insightful questions while also encouraging everyone to embrace their femininity.
The room for self-expression layered with Chappell’s unmatched vocal range makes this a concert experience everyone needs to have. She is a pop phenomenon that without a doubt has the talent but synchronously has the “it” factor that make her addicting to watch.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Chappell Roan’s control of the pulse of the crowd is of a true performer. She knows exactly when to let loose with fans and when to reel it back to take in those slow moments to feel all the feelings. Chappell then has everyone lifting a middle finger up for their exes. She guides people through pure entertainment especially when getting everyone to do hand signals for her song, “HOT TO GO!.”
Dedicated to the Exes
Her stage is shared with other powerful women including Lucy Ritter on drums, Devon Eisenbarger on guitar and Allee Futterer on bass. The group mostly played tunes off of her latest album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. She performed her latest single, “Good Luck, Babe!” which has taken the internet by a storm. She obviously had to play Buffalo’s theme single “My Kink Is Karma” but not before dedicating it to the audiences exes.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Some people tried to exit the venue before the encore in order to beat traffic. Although, once Chappell came back on stage singing “California” with her angelic voice so many people could be seen beelining it back into the crowd just to get a final glimpse.
That’s the thing about Chappell Roan, she is constantly pulling the crowd in. She’s addicting to watch and enthralling to listen to. A Chappell Roan show isn’t just a safe space for the queer community, but a reminder of what letting go and embracing joy is all about.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Terminal B is having quite the lineup to kick off their Summer concert series. Brothers Osborne is coming June 14 and Lil Yachty performs June 15. Get your tickets here!
Setlist: Femininomenon, Naked in Manhattan, Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl, Love Me Anyway, Picture You, Guilty Pleasure, HOT TO GO!, After Midnight, Coffee, Kaleidoscope, Casual, Red Wine Supernova, Good luck Babe!, My Kink Is Karma
Pride month is upon us once again, and New York has no shortage of inclusive pride events. From live music events to festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Below you’ll find a complete guide to New York State’s pride events this coming June, from Long Island to Rochester.
Albany
May 31, 5:00 PM: Start Pride on the right foot with the Waterworks Pub’s Pride Kick-Off block party and BBQ. Admission is free!
June 1, 9:00 PM: Pay homage to queer art with ICONS: A Pride Variety Show and Party at Lark Hall. The celebration begins with a pre-show party from 9-11, where there will be giveaways and teaser performances. The main show, ICONS- The Variety Show, will feature drag queens Brita Filter, Lagoona Bloo, Amanda Blair, and many more. The fun does not stop after the show. An after party with DJ Synes will begin at midnight and continue until 2 AM. Tickets are available here.
June 9, 11:30 AM: Capital Pride Parade & Festival will take place in Washington Park. Registration can be found at the following link, and proceeds go to the Pride Center of the Capital Region’s programming advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.
Troy
June 15, 2:00-6:00 PM: Join Collar City Pride for their picnic in Troy’s Prospect Park. The barbecue will feature vegan and non-vegan options, snacks, and beverages. There is a suggested donation on a sliding scale, and everyone is invited to bring lawn games, speakers, and frisbees.
July 14: The pride celebration continues into July, with performances by Typhoid Mary and DJ Lovely Candela. More queer artists and drag performers are to be announced. Good Karma Studios will also be performing an acrobatic act. There will be a family section with balloon animals and a drag story hour. There will also be over 40 vendors, most of whom are from Rensselaer County and LGBTQ+ owned and operated. The festival will be held in Riverfront Park, further details can be found on the facebook page linked here.
Schenectady
June 1, 10:00 AM: The Dynasty will introduce their first ever wrestling event for this year’s pride celebration. “Sounds Gay, I’m In” will be held at Gateway Park. The festival will begin at 10:00 AM, and the wrestling will begin at 6:00 PM. All ages are welcome, and more information is available at the following link.
Saratoga Springs
May 30, 2:45: Join the Ballston Spa High School in the raising of the pride flag.
June 27, 6:00 PM: LGBTQ parents and children are invited to Saratoga Arts’ “POP” Gathering (parents of pride). The event will feature arts, crafts, and community building activities for the whole family. More information can be found here. Saratoga Arts hosts the event monthly, so dates will be available all year!
July 11, 6:30 PM: Join Saratoga Pride members for their Cornhole League. The informal, weekly drop-in league costs $15 a ticket, which offers guests a 20% discount on all food and drinks. Tournaments will be held at Saratoga Winery, and guests are encouraged to support the local restaurant. There will be more sessions every Thursday throughout the summer, with the tournament finals on August 29.
June 23, 2:00 PM: Saratoga’s Pride festival will return to High Rock Park this year, with an after party to follow. The family friendly event will feature live music, family activities, and community groups. Food and ice cream will also be available for purchase on site.
Lake George
Lake George Pride Festival, ages 16+ (under 16 admitted with parent/guardian only), featuring DJs from the community representing, vendor village, disc golf, frisbee golf, lawn games, walking trails, photo areas, cash bar and more! $20 to enter, brought to you in partnership by Warren County and The Lake George Area and powered by Rocavaka and Goldstein Auto Group.
Binghamton
June 20, 6:00 PM: Binghamton Pride Coalition will host a clothing swap from June 3-10. Participants are asked to donate gently used, clean clothes and accessories at Butterfields. On June 20, the clothes will be organized and displayed for people to choose. There is a suggested donation of $10, which will be donated to Identity LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Binghamton. The invitation is available at the following link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Pride Palooza will return this year to Otsiningo Park. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic blankets and lunches to enjoy live music and entertainment. Local food vendors will be available, and admission is free! The flyer is available at the following link. There will also be a firework show in Martin Luther King Jr. Park & Promenade.
June 21, 5:00 PM: Join Southern Tier Aids Program (STAP) in celebrating their 40 year anniversary. STAP will hold a gala at the Binghamton DoubleTree, and admission costs $50. Tickets are available at the following link. STAP will honor the dedication of Drew and Gertrude Noden, whose support of their AIDS Ride for Life fundraiser has been instrumental. STAP also thanks JPMorgan & Chase for their generosity and allyship. A cash bar will be available, and there are menu options for vegetarian and vegan guests.
Otsego County
June 1, 2:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host their annual Pridefest. The festival will be held on Main Street in Oneonta. Parade line up begins at 1:00 PM, and the route will begin at 27 Market St to Elm St. Guests are asked to bring a chair, water, cash to tip performers and flags. The full schedule can be found below, and the event is open to the public.
June 13, 7:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host a Baseball Pride Night at Damaschke Field. Admission is $5, with discounts available to seniors and students.
June 1: Winners of the “Pets for Pride” event will be announced at the OPA’s Pridefest. Voting is open to decide on the winner, cast your ballot at the following link.
Hudson Valley
May 30, 6:00-10:00 PM: Dutchess County Pride Center is throwing Poughkeepsie’s Kick off Party for pride month. The Factory at Sloop Brewing will host the party, with appetizers and drinks available. There will be special programing to commemorate the 100 year mark of the modern pride movement, and guests will be offered a sneak peek of the Annual Pride Auction items before they’re released to the public. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 1, 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM: Habitat Newburgh will host a Pride Build, bringing together members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to help those in need. Attendees will help build affordable homes for local families, and celebrate pride while making a difference. Volunteers can register here.
June 1, 12:00-5:00 PM: New Paltz Pride Coalition and Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center will host their annual Pride March & Festival in Hasbrouck Park. Voting for local Pride Marshall is also open, cast your ballot at the following link. More information about the festival and parade is available here.
June 1, 12:00-4:00 PM: Join Opus 40 and Queer Conspiracy for a family-friendly celebration of pride in the Hudson Valley. The picnic will be held at Opus 40 in Saugerties, and carpool tickets are available here. The event will feature a drag story hour, live music, a kids dance party, and local vendors.
June 1, 4:00-7:00 PM: Join DJ Trevor for an afternoon tea party in Pine Plains. More info about the dance celebration is available here.
June 1, 7:00: Join Hudson Valley Improv for their celebration of PrideProv! Doors open at 6:45 and the show starts at 7:00. The show will be held at Boughton Place in Highland. Tickets are only available online at the following link. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to GLSEN, a non-profit dedicated to ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
June 2, 9:00-10:15 AM: Inspired by Holi and powered by pride, Pound Ridge Partnership and the Human Rights Advisory Committee have come together to host the 3rd annual Pound Ridge Color Run. The 5K race will begin at Pound Ridge Elementary School, and runners of all ages and abilities are welcome. Registration is available at the following link. Highlights from the 2022 race are available below.
June 2, 11:30 AM: Watch the White Plains raising of the Pride Flag outside the Michaelian Office Building. More information is available on The Loft LGBTQ’s instagram here.
Didn’t find an event in your town? A full list of Hudson Valley Pride Events is available here.
Catskills
June 15, 5:30: Catskills Pride will host an Awards Gala to honor champions of the LGBTQ+ community. The awards ceremony and following reception will be held at The Eldred Preserve. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 8, 1:00 PM: Woodstock Public Library will host a drag story hour and sparkle party with Katrina Mirage, who will read a book about peace, acceptance, and love. More information is available here.
Syracuse
June 13, 5:00 PM: Join the Syracuse Mets in their pride celebration. Enjoy a tailgate party with giveaways, a DJ, $1 hot dogs, and $2 beers. Everyone is welcome, tickets are available here.
June 22, 11:00 AM: Central New York Pride will host a Pride Parade and Festival in Progress Park. The parade will begin at 11:00 AM, and the festival will go from 12:00 to 5:00 PM. More information is available at the following link.
Watertown
June 2, 12:00 PM: Watertown NY Pride, Lewis County Pride, and Planned Parenthood of the North Country New York, Inc., have joined together to host their annual Pride Picnic.
June 14, 11:00 AM: Join Watertown NY Pride for their pickleball activity. Foster community while picking up a new hobby at the downtown YMCA. The event is open to beginners, and no sign up is necessary. 30 spots are available, the announcement is available at the following link.
Rochester
July 20, 11:00 AM: Celebrate pride at the Rochester Pride Festival at Highland Park. The festival will feature food, wine, beer, games, vendor tables, and live music and performances. Tickets are available for purchase at the following link.
July 14, 11:00 AM: Join the Rochester Rainbow Riders in this year’s Pride Ride. The race is 18+, and registration is available at the following link.
July 14, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride at the annual Rochester Pride Picnic. There will be food trucks, DJs and dancing, a piano bar, a gift raffle, and community information tables. Check this link for ticket information, which is TBD.
Finger Lakes
June 7, 4:00 PM: Join Southern Finger Lakes Pride for their “Twas the Night Before Pride” event. There will be an official raising of the pride flag at 6:00 PM, and several activities throughout the evening. Art installations, drag bingo, and tarot readings are among the exciting activities SoFLX has scheduled for the event; find the full schedule here.
June 7: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will also host a 21+ dance party, featuring performances 5 DJs. There is a suggested donation of $5 for entry, which supports SoFLX and local breweries and restaurants. More information is available here.
June 8, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will welcome back its Pride fest for the fifth year, with an exciting lineup of performers and a weekend of celebration. More details are available at the following link.
Ithaca
June 5, 8:30 PM: Ithaca Pride Alliance hosts weekly support meetings for LGBTQ+ youth. This is the first meeting of pride month, but the meetings take place every Wednesday. More information is available here.
June 8: The evening of June 8th will mark the beginning of the celebration, with speeches from Ithaca Pride Alliance and notable LGBTQ+ leaders in the community. The ceremony will take place on the Bernie Milton Pavillion at 6 PM, more details are available at the following link.
June 9, 2:00 PM: Pride in the Park will celebrate Ithaca’s LGBTQ+ community with food vendors, arts and crafts, and a resource fair. Performances will be held on the Pride Stage, including local bands, dance groups, and drag performances. More information is available here.
Buffalo
June 2, 202411:00 AM: Show off your pride at the Buffalo Pride Parade. The march is free and open to the public, though registration has ended. The parade will march along Elmwood Avenue, and volunteering positions are available at this link.
June 15, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM: Oliver Street Merchants’ Association presents the 4th annual Pride Fest at Heritage Park. Admission is free, and over 70 vendors will be there. All are welcome, more information is available here.
New York City PRIDE
Manhattan
June 28, 7:30 PM: City Winery at Pier 57 will host a documentary concert exploring the history of the Stonewall Uprising. Proceeds from ticket sales go to The Stonewall Community Foundation, which works towards liberation for all LGBTQ+ people. Enjoy the musical performances and oral history that make up the story of the Stonewall Uprising and the vibrant community culture it stemmed from. Tickets are on sale at the following link.
June 29, 12:00 PM: The South Street Seaport will host a Youth Pride event, celebrating LGBTQ+ teens and youth. The event is free, and a wide range of activities will be available, including carnival activities, free food and snacks, DJs, and musical performances. More information is available at the following link.
June 30, 11:00 AM: Join New York City’s 30th annual Pride March. The march began in 1970, on year after the Stonewall Uprising, and has continued the legacy of civil rights and awareness. The march will form on 25th St and 6th Ave, and move down to Christopher Street, passing the Stonewall Inn. Footage of the 2023 Pride Parade is available below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGl2QbxsjrI&t=51s
Brooklyn
June 7, 7:30 PM: In New York, enjoy Brooklyn Pride’s Movie Night for a screening of Sekiya Dorsett’s inspiring short film Caribbean Queen. RSVP here for a free ticket.
June 15, 12:00 PM: Join the Brooklyn LGBTQ+ community for a youth festival. Intended for kids and teens age 13-21, there will be arts and crafts, food, music, and giveaways. RSVP to attend at this link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Brooklyn Pride’s Main Stage offers an exciting lineup this year, with a wide range of genres and performances. Find the full lineup of up and coming artists here.
Queens
June 2, 12:00 PM: Celebrate your Pride at the 32nd Queens New York Pride Parade. The parade will start in Jackson Heights, and the multicultural festival will memorialize Jackson Heights resident Julio Rivera, whose murder sparked community activism. Learn more about Julio Rivera here, and find more details about the parade at the following link.
June 28, 7:00 PM: Join the New York Mets in celebrating pride at Citi Field. The first 15,000 fans to arrive will receive an exclusive Mets hat. Festivities will include a DJ, in-game entertainment, Mets merchandise, and themed cocktails. Tickets are available here.
The Bronx
June 18,7:00 PM: Join the New York Yankees in celebrating Pride Night. A portion of every ticket sold will go to The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. Purchase of a special event ticket includes a special edition hat, a hot dog, and your first drink of the game. More information is available here.
July 20, 11:00 AM: The 13th Annual Bronx Pride Fair will be held at the Crotona Park Amphitheater.
Staten Island
June 1, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride with the Pride Center of Staten Island at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. The event will feature live music, art, activities, food, and performers. More information is available here.
Long Island
June 9, 12:00-5:00 PM: Huntington Village will host the 34th Annual Pride Parade and Festival. The parade will end with a concert and festival. More information is available here.
July 1-July 7: Commemorate the Fire Island Invasion of 1976 by recreating the event with the New York LGBT community. A longtime landmark in LGBTQ+ history, Fire Island has served as a safe haven for members of the community to express themselves freely. In 1976, after a restaurant in Fire Island Pines denied entry to a visitor in drag, the visitor and their friends stormed into the Pines dressed in drag. More information about this year’s recreation is available here.
1970s-style Americana/hard-rock band Well Worn Boot released Live from Jamestown on May 20, a live album featuring four songs from their 2023 album, Riverbottom Nightmare. The nearly 20-minute experience uses recorded audio from two live 2022 performances, one in Jamestown and the other in Forestville.
Initially formed in 2010, Well Worn Boot has always thrived on their commitment to entertain. Constantly dressed in extravagant costumes for live sets, the band’s public inspiration of GWAR is worn on their sleeves. Their 2023 album, Riverbottom Nightmare, saw Well Worn Boot returning and refining the comedy-laced American hard rock sound they began in their early years, particularly on their only previous full-length project, Greatest Hits: Vol. 1 (2010-2014).
The boys in the band’s newest project, Live from Jamestown, which was released exclusively on Bandcamp, sees Well Worn Boot taking a choice few songs from their previous album to a live setting. The live atmosphere of both sets is perfectly encapsulated through lead singer/flutist Plainsman’s natural stage banter and the crowd’s cheers, but clearly mixed with care so that the online quality is top-notch.
Photo Credit – Rob Emhof
While not having any original tracks, Live from Jamestown shows Well Worn Boot in their element: the stage. All four songs maintain the manic and over-the-top energy that came from their studio counterparts, but dialed up to 11. Good luck trying to keep the hooks from “Knockin’ One Back with the Boys” or “Makin’ Money for the City” out of your head.
The biggest highlight of the album has to be the eight-minute barn burner, “Boys in the Band.” Already a six-minute track on the 2023 album, the live version extends the run time by an additional two minutes, mostly taken up by a mid-song passionate yet hilarious comparison of being in a band to being on a sports team.
Hopefully Live from Jamestown is just a hold-me-over for Well Worn Boot’s next full-length LP, because the world needs more of the theatric aggression that Well Worn Boot relentlessly displays with every release, especially this one.
Key Tracks: “Knockin’ One Back with the Boys,” “Makin’ Money for the City,” “Boys in the Band”
The 2024 Artpark summer lineup offers concert-goers a wide variety of live performances including everything from jazz to rock. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Artpark, with a host of live shows, art exhibitions and an anniversary gala scheduled for the summer.
Artpark is Located in Lewiston, NY, a short 30 minute drive north of Buffalo. Artpark combines Western New York’s cultural heritage with the natural scenery of the Niagara region. On top of all of this is a concert venue that has hosted tens of thousands of artists.
Artpark was established in 1974, through a partnership between New York State Parks and the Artpark & Company nonprofit. At its inception, Artpark was a haven for experimental and visual arts. Most works placed a focus on public engagement, nature and the impermanence of art. Artpark has hosted theater productions and musical artists from around the world on one of the largest and best-equipped stages in all of New York.
Gary Clark Jr – May 25
Artpark is just one stop for 4x Grammy winning multi-instrumentalist and singer Gary Clark Jr. during his American tour. The tour celebrates Clark’s 2024 album JPEG RAW. The album combines genres ranging from pop, blues and R&B, and social commentary to create a compelling and anthemic release.
Los Lonely Boys – May 31
Brothers Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza formed Los Lonely Boys, a San Angelo, TX trio. They gained prominence with their take on Texican rock & roll, which tackles themes of brotherhood. The brothers have sold over 2.5 million records, and have won a grammy. They have also received acclaim from legends like Santana, Dr. John and The Who. Their 2024 tour comes in the leadup to a new album.
Sarah McLachlan – June 18
Artpark is just one stop on Sarah McLachlan’sFumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th anniversary tour, celebrating her multi-platinum 1994 album. McLachlan is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of our times, winning 3 Grammys, and 12 Juno Awards. She raised over $7 million through her Lilith Fair music festival, the largest all-female music event of all time.
Bonnie Raitt – June 21
Legendary singer-guitarist Bonnie Raitt, has been captivating audiences with her cross-genre blending of blues, rock and pop for decades. Raitt is a 13x Grammy winner, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. She has also ranked on Rolling Stone’s lists of Greatest guitarists and singers of all time. Artpark is one stop on Raitt’s cross-country 2024 tour.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue – June 22
Trombone Shorty, is renowned for his eclectic blend of jazz, rock, fun, pop and hip hop. He has released four chart topping albums, collaborated with everyone from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Pharell Williams and played venues ranging from the Newport Jazz Festival to the White House. Trombone Shorty and his band, Orleans Avenue, will be gracing Artpark with what is sure to be a vibrant performance.
Dispatch – June 28
Vermont roots rock band Dispatch have drawn massive crowds for almost three decades. They rose to fame with their infectious blend of alternative, folk, reggae, and blues. Dispatch’s mix of pointed lyrics and lively instrumentation has consistently drawn massive crowds. They sold out Madison Square Garden three times, and drawing crowds of over 100,000 fans in Boston in 2004.
Orville Peck – July 1
The masked alt-country star, Orville Peck, will perform at Artpark as part of his Stampede tour across North America. Peck combines his smooth voice and vivid songwriting to tackle topics such as his sexual identity. Peck leads a new style of country music, reminiscent of the classics, but also looking to the future. His career has featured musical collaborations with the likes of Shanaia Twain and Diplo.
Norah Jones – July 6
Multi-Grammy winning singer-songwriter Norah Jones will grace Artpark with her acclaimed mix of pop, jazz and folk. This concert is part of a larger American tour in the wake of her 2024 album Visions. Since her 2002 debut Come Away with Me, Jones’s introspective approach to lyrics and intimate production has garnered massive commercial success. Jones has sold over 52 million albums, and received over 10 billion streams worldwide.
Jamey Johnson – July 16
The Washington Post lauded 11x Grammy nominated Jamey Johnson as “one of the greatest country singers of our time.” His vivid storytelling lyrics and rootsy instrumentation evoke classic Nashville. Johnson has received critical and commercial acclaim, thanks to the likes of modern classics like “In Color” and “Give it Away.” Johnson is performing at Artpark as part of his cross-country What a View Tour.
Train – July 19
Pop-radio mainstays Train will be performing at Artpark as part of their larger Summer Road Trip 2024 Tour. The San Francisco pop-rockers have received international renown, selling 10 million albums and 30 million tracks worldwide. Audiences are sure to know mega-hits like “Hey Soul Sister” and “Drops of Jupiter.”
The Flaming Lips – July 22
Alternative rock mainstays, The Flaming Lips, have spent almost four decades releasing critically acclaimed indie classics like “Do You Realize.” The Flaming Lips will bring their signature psychedelic, sci-fi influenced strain of indie rock, accentuated by singer Wayne Coyne’s playful yet profound approach to lyricism.
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – July 24
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are a singer-producer duo who have been mainstays of pop-rock radio since the 1980s. They rose to fame producing timeless classics like “We Belong,” and “Love Is a Battlefield.” Along with these hits, the duo have produced 19 top 40 hits, and sold over 36 million worldwide. The duo’s success has brought them critical acclaim, receiving 4 consecutive Grammy awards, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Two Door Cinema Club – July 29
Two Door Cinema Club, a Northern Irish indie band, have made waves across the pond since their 2010 debut Tourist History. Their sophomore release Beacon debuted at number 1 on the Irish charts and number 2 in the UK. The band quickly became mainstays at British festivals like Leeds and Glastonbury ever since, being famous for their live performances.
Slash – S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival – July 30
The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival is short for “Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance.” It is a celebration of the blues headed by legendary guitarist Slash of Guns N’ Roses. The festival features thrilling performances from blues veterans like Keb Mo, ZZ Ward and Robert Randolph. The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival is dedicated to advancing social justice, with $1 of all ticket sales going to charities such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Equal Justice Initiative.
The Machine Performs Pink Floyd with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – August 3
The Machine are a New-York based quartet who have captivated audiences since 1988 with their faithful renditions of Pink Floyd classics. The quartet will play songs spanning Pink Floyd’s 16 albums, accompanied by a state of the art laser-light show and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Backroads Blues Festival – August 10
The second annual Backroads Blues Festival will stop at Artpark as part of its cross-country tour this summer. The festival is spearheaded by 5x Grammy nominated blues-rock virtuoso Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Shepherd will be joined by blues legends Bobby Rush, Duane Betts and Jimmie Vaughan. The festival will also feature Cirque Kikasse, a Quebecois acrobatic circus show on an operational food truck, offering beer, and fast food to concert-goers.
Gin Blossoms & Toad the Wet Sprocket – August 11
Gin Blossoms have topped the charts with their characteristic brand of jangly alternative rock since 1987. They are known hits like “Hey Jealousy” off of their 1996 platinum selling album Congratulations I’m Sorry. California alt-rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket will join Gin Blossoms on stage. Toad the Wet Sprocket are on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their platinum selling Dulcinea album. Audiences will recognize them from billboard-charting hits “All I Want” and “Walk on the Ocean.”
Stray Cats – August 13
Long Island rockabilly legends, Stray Cats, have captivated audiences for over 40 years. Their loose, jazzy and energetic guitar playing and crooning vocals from singer-guitarist Brian Setzer propelled them to stardom. Their mega-hits “Stray Cat Strut” and “Rock This Town” helped introduce their signature blend of glam and punk-influenced rockabilly to new generations.
Blues Traveler & Big Head Todd and the Monsters – August 16
New Jersey jam band legends Blues Traveler have graced audiences with their blend of bluesy alternative since 1987. Hits like “Run-Around,” off of the 6x platinum Four launched Blues Traveler to fame. Blues Traveler have released four gold selling albumsselling over 10 million combined units worldwide. They will be joined by platinum-selling Colorado Rock band Big Head Todd & the Monsters, who will play their signature hybrid of rock, blues, and country.
Bush – August 17
Bush’s signature style of grunge-influenced alternative rock has captivated audiences for three decades. Their timeless hits “Glycerine” and “Comedown” off of their 6x platinum debut Sixteen Sour have made them one of the most successful bands of the 1990s. Bush will be joined by singer-guitarist Jerry Cantrell of the legendary grunge band Alice in Chains.
Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop – August 18
The Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop are an ensemble of Buffalo-based composers and instrumentalists. Joined by a shared love of collaborative performance and writing, the group has crafted a unique improvisational take on contemporary jazz. The group also collaborates with visual and theatre artists to create enthralling live performances.
Tedeschi Trucks Band – August 20
Tedeschi Trucks Band are a Grammy-winning 12 piece band hailed as one of the greatest live acts touring today. NPR hailed the Husband and wife duo Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi as “two of the best roots rock musicians of their generation.” The band’s seamless blending of American music genres, like blues rock, soul and jazz have brought them renown. With a massive catalog of songs, no two Tedeschi Trucks Band shows are bound to be the same.
O.A.R. – August 27
O.A.R. – Short for “Of a Revolution” – are a platinum-selling alternative band from Rockville, MD. They are known for their mix of indie and roots rock. The band has sold out venues as large as Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks, all while retaining an unseen amount of freedom in the music industry, and a dedication to philanthropy. They will be headlining a US tour this summer in the wake of their 2022 album The Arcade.
Cole Swindell – August 29
Cole Swindell is an up and coming country singer-songwriter, who previously wrote hit singles for the likes of Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan. He has released four albums, with 8 singles reaching number one on the country charts. 2023 was a big year for Swindell, with him winning 3 Academy of Country Music awards, and releasing a 3x platinum cover of Joe Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California.”
Cage the Elephant – September 7
Kentucky indie darlings, Cage the Elephant, will grace Artpark on a cross-country tour in the wake of their new album Neon Pill. The band blends an eclectic mix of classic rock, 90s alternative, blues and funk. They are mainstays of alternative radio, with audiences sure to recognize charting hits like “Come a Little Closer” and “Cigarette Daydream.”
