Merry Christmas!

By Frank Housh

2024 was a good year for live music. Below are reviews of 2024 concerts from Buffalo, Rochester, Darien Lake, and the Chautauqua Institution. They were published at my publication, Media Room, as many of the performances predated The Buffalo Hive’s July 22, 2024, launch.

I am proud to have been one of the founding editors of The Hive, and I served as managing editor until November 2024. I now participate as a contributing editor.

Media Room shares some of its content with The Buffalo Hive, but only Media Room subscribers can access all reviews of the BPO, jazz concerts, rock shows, folk concerts, films, books, and comprehensive coverage of the Buffalo AKG Museum of Art. 

Annual subscriptions are 20% off through the end of the month. Paid subscribers receive exclusive audio and video posts, 20 years of archives, Media Room’s “The Song of The Day” playlist at Tidal, and a complimentary subscription to American Karma, which launches January 2025. Click here to subscribe. 

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Joshua Redman Leads A Young Band of Adepts

Joshua Redman’s February 1, 2024 Rochester performance

My first jazz review of 2024 was Joshua Redman at Hochstein Hall in downtown Rochester. It is a beautiful space, a desanctified church that now serves as a community music destination. For Buffalonians, think Babeville with music lessons.

You can read my review here.

A 21st Century Trobairitz 

Cecile McLorin Salvant’s February 9, 2024 Performance at the University at Buffalo

Cecile McLorin Salvant is one of the most unique and accomplished musicians of our time. On February 9 she performed at UB’s Slee Hall. You can read my review here.

Concert Review: Veronica Swift in Buffalo

Kleinhans Music Hall February 28, 2024

Veronica Swift describes her music as “transgenre.” She and her band’s Leap Day performance at The Mary Seaton Room was a raucous display of vocal talent. I was joined by photographer Sara Heidegger who provided some great images.

You can read my review here.

Keiko Matsui at Buffalo State 

Sophisticated musicianship thrilled her raucous fans

Keiko Matsui performed at Buffalo State’s Performance Hall on April 13, 2024. I was joined by photographer Kirsten Anderson.

You can read my review here.

Wilco At The Chautauqua Institution

Wilco closed their brief summer tour at the Chautauqua Amphitheater on July 5th. You can rad my review here.

Concert Review: Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and John Mellencamp At Darien Lake

I don’t remember a lot of it but here are my notes, man.

This concert was a lot of fun, and I took the opportunity to try something new: a humorous essay in the form of a concert review. You can read it here.

Concert Review: ‘Mingus Dynasty Septet’

Mingus Dynasty Septet Presents Charles Mingus, November 1, 2024

Mingus Mingus Mingus. A great show. You can read my review here.

Concert Review: Samara Joy And ‘A Joyful Holiday’

UB Center For The Arts December 17, 2024

Samara Joy’s Christmas concert was a highlight, with some fantastic images from Kirsten Anderson. You can read my review here.

Spotlight Performances

I close with The Buffalo Hive’s “Spotlight Performances” which highlight artists with high artistic merit whose work may not be well known in Western New York.

Antje Duvekot is a singer and songwriter who performed as part of the Buffalo Friends of Folk Music Series on September 6, 2024. Stephanie Lambring made her Buffalo debut on October 8, 2024 at Babeville.

You can read the Antje Duvekot review here and Stephanie Lambring’s here.

Please accept my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy 2025.

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Frank Housh is a contributing editor of The Buffalo Hive and the publisher of Media Room, an arts and cultural publication that reviews music, film, books, and the visual arts. It is the only publication that offers regular, comprehensive reviews of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Buffalo AKG Museum of Art. 

Click here for a 20% off, discounted, annual subscription. It has never been more important to support the arts.