The Talking Dead Heads return, Folk music legend Jim Kweskin comes to The Meeting House, some amazing concerts of note, and a curated list of upcoming shows

By Jeff Miers

(REMINDER: these listings are curated and definitely not intended to list ALL the live music out there! If you have a cool concert or interesting event, email info and links to jeffmiersmusic@gmail.com to be considered for inclusion in Where the Bands Are. Thanks!)

Hello, music lovers.

It’s that “most wonderful time of the year” with tons of shows leading up to — and sandwiched in between — the holidays. Get your calendars ready, there’s a lot to fill in! A few notes first…

Call for Bands:

Interested in playing some Bowie in the Tribute show at Mohawk Place? The show is slated for Saturday, January 9, 2027. See details below and email topcatmanagement25@gmail.com.

Be a part of Deeann Dimeo’s Christmas Music Video

Soul and jazz artist DeeAnn is creating a special music video for her song “Christmas Time Is Here,” and inviting fans, friends and families everywhere to share their own Christmas moments. SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2026. More info here. >

Bands coming to town worth a listen…

Country Honk

Saturday, November 14, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $15

Ariella & Nicolaas

Friday, December 4, 7 p.m. at Hallwalls Cinema, Buffalo, NY. $25/$30 seated

New and Noteworthy

Jim Kweskin, Samoa Wilson & Matt Berlin w/Chris Panfil

Friday, November 20, 7 p.m. at The Meeting House, Williamsville, NY. $30/$25 member/$10 student. Get tickets here

Per Facebook: Buffalo Friends of Folk Music is pleased to present folk music legend Jim Kweskin and acclaimed vocalist Samoa Wilson for an evening of timeless American roots music…A pioneering figure in the 1960s folk revival, Jim Kweskin is renowned for his distinctive blend of traditional folk, blues, jazz, jug-band music, and early American popular song. Joining Kweskin is Samoa Wilson, a captivating vocalist whose expressive voice and natural stage presence bring fresh energy to vintage jazz, blues, country, and traditional American songs.

Rochester International Jazz Festival

June 18-26, 2027

Patti LaBelle

Saturday, June 19, 2027 at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester, NY. Tickets on sale Friday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m.

Marcus King Band

Friday June 25, 2027 at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester, NY. Tickets on sale Friday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m.

Bryan Adams

Saturday, May 22, 2027, 8 p.m. at at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ONT, CA. Tickets on sale Friday, November 13 at 10 a.m.

Trampled By Turtles

Wednesday, January 27, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Presale ends 11/12 at 10 p.m.

A Perfect Circle w/Puscifer

Thursday, April 22, and Friday, April 23 2027, 8 p.m. at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ONT. $89.57+ (FRIDAY SOLD OUT)

Sportsmens Americana Music Foundation Holiday Party: John Lombardo & Mary Ramsey w/Joe Rozler, and Elena Izquierdo w/the Wiessmans

Thursday, December 17, 7 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20 (with proceeds going to the annual Holiday Instrument Scholarship Program.)

Michael Massé

Friday, April 9, 2027, 7 p.m. at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $28.66

A Jazz Holiday With Star People and Alex McArthur

Thursday, December 17, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $25 stage/$22 bar

Junior Jerry Jam Holiday Shakedown w/Big Martha

Saturday, December 6, 11:30 a.m. doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $15 Adults, Kids FREE. Bring a toy for the Toy Drive.

Ninth Key

Saturday, March 27, 2027, 7 p.m. at Rec Room, Buffalo, NY. $$33.67

Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams

Sunday, January 31, at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. More info coming soon.

Smilo & The Ghost

Saturday, February 6, 2027, 7 p.m. at West Falls Center for the Arts, West Falls, NY. $24.73+

Strummerville 25: A Tribute to Joe Strummer and The Clash

Saturday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $22.50/$30

Aaron Lee Tasjan

“..telling tales of unapologetic hard livin’ and lovin’ existing somewhere between Todd Snider, Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen.”– American Songwriter

Tuesday, February 23, 7 p.m. doors at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $25/$30. Tickets on sale Friday, 10/30 at 10 a.m.

King Buffalo & Handsome Jack

Saturday, January 2, 2027, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $31.03.

This week

Strawberry Girls & Andrés wsg/Secret Gardens, MAKEITSTOP

Thursday November 12, 6 p.m. doors at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $27.63

Miller & The Other Sinners

Thursday November 12, 6 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

Super Smash Bros Jazz

Thursday November 12, 7 p.m. at Amy’s Place, Buffalo, NY. $10 suggested donation

High Vis

Thursday November 12, 8 p.m. at Rec Room, Buffalo, NY. $33.16

Cousins Trio & Friends

Thursday November 12, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $20/$18

TJ Zindle, Noon Fifteen, and Girls of Grosh

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m. at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY. FREE

Zuffalo

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $15/$20

GOD’S CHILDREN

Featuring all original members: Peter Vincent, Peter Ajemian, Bruce Wojick, Leo McDonald and Mark Pirolli, wsg/Joe Cafarella

Friday, November 13, 7 p.m. doors at Evening Star Concert Hall, Niagara Falls, NY. $20

Too Many Zooz

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m. at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $28/$31

BPO: Music of The Rolling Stones

MiG Ayesa, lead vocals

Friday, November 13, 7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $29-$103.50

An Evening of Music and Stories with Rob Stoner

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m. at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $30 advance, $40 day-of.

Listening party at Hi-Fi Hits: U2 – Carnaval De Luz

Friday, November 13, 6 p.m. at Hi-Fi Hits on Main Street in Williamsville, NY.

Hot For Teacher (Van Halen Tribute) & Hurricane Rocks (Scorpions Tribute)

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20

UNTZ is Dead ft/Allen Aucoin, formerly of the Disco Biscuits

Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 8 p.m. doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $20/$35 2-day pass

The Music of Willie Nelson: Mark, Chris and Scott Panfil, and Katie and Jayson Clark

Friday, November 13, 7 p.m. at West Falls Center for the Arts, West Falls, NY. $24.73+

Toronzo Cannon

Guitarist, singer and songwriter, and Chicago Bluesman

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m. at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $20/$25

Country Honk

Saturday, November 14, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $15

SOMBR

Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m. at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY. $51.50+

Alexandra McArthur Quartet

Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $25/$20

Randle & The Late Night Scandals

Saturday, November 14, 2 p.m. at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $12.68

Jony James Band

Saturday, November 14, 2 p.m. at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. FREE

Punk 716

Saturday, November 14, 8 p.m. at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY. FREE

Chris Botti w/BPO

Saturday, November 14, 7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $31.50-$136.50

Blizzard Of Ozz – A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Randy Rhoads w/ Sacred Art

Saturday, November 14, 8 p.m. at The CAZ, Buffalo, NY. $24-$29

The Punch Brothers

(Chris Thile, Chris Eldridge, Paul Kowert, Noam Pikelny and Brittany Haas)

Sunday, November 15, 7:30 p.m. at UB Center for the Arts. $45 – $228 (VIP Package)

Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation members and followers can save $5 on tickets with unlock offer code CFA26FRIENDS!

Bruce Katz Band

Sunday, November 15, 5 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $20

Don Broco

Monday, November 16, 8 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $36.01+

The Damone Jackson Outcome

Tuesday, November 17, 7 p.m. at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $10

The Record Company

Tuesday, November 17, 7 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $36.01+

Ecce Shnak

Art-rock from NYC.

Wednesday, November 18, 7 p.m. doors at Mohawk Place, Buffalo. $12/$15

My Life Tribute to Billy Joel ft/Elton Lammie

Wednesday, November 18, 7 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $20/$25

Art Meets Jazz: Victrola Voilà

Wednesday, November 18, 6 p.m. at Hunt Art Gallery / Beebe’s on the Square, Buffalo, NY. $20

Dar Williams

Wednesday, November 18, 7 p.m. doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $43/$53

Coming Up…

Strauss Plays Strauss

Band features: Mike Kaupa – Trumpet, Matt Incontro – Woodwinds, Harry Graser – Keyboards, Ed Croft – Bass, John Bacon – Drums, Rick Strauss – Guitar

Thursday, November 19, 7 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20

The Talking Dead Heads

Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21, 8 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $20/$30 two-night pass

Buffalo’s The Last Waltz

Friday, November 20, 8 p.m. at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. SOLD OUT

Goo Goo Dolls

Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21, 8 p.m. at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. SOLD OUT

The Carolyn Lansom Sextet

Friday, November 20, 8 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $20 stage/$18 bar

O.B.F. Sound System, Iration Steppas, Phisha, Basha, DJ Universal

O.B.F. (Original Bass Foundation) is a pioneering French dub and reggae sound system, formed in 2002 outside Geneva and known for a high-energy steppers style and an iconic orange speaker wall. Iration Steppas, formed in Leeds, UK, in 1990 and nicknamed the “Vanguard of Dub,” blend traditional Jamaican roots with hard-hitting electronic steppers rhythms and deep bass.

Saturday, November 21, 8 p.m. at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $25

The Hot Club of Buffalo

Saturday, November 21, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $20 stage/$17 bar

Big Martha

Wednesday, November 25, 7 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20

The Strictly Hip

The Strictly Hip performs the set list from The Hip’s final show August 20, 2016 at K-Rock Centre in Kingston. In order. In its entirety.

Wednesday, November 25, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $27.88

Mitch’s Infydels Reunion Show

Friday, November 27, 8 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $15/$20. Tickets on sale here >

Full lineup from the “Oh, The Taste!” album – Jon Chazen, John Kregg, Kevin Kukoda, Joe Muffoletto, and Chris Vasi.

54·40

Friday, November 27, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $47.88

THE SMITHS etc (Tribute to The Smiths)

Friday, November 27, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20/$25

Depeche Mode vs. New Order Transmission Dance Party

Friday, November 27, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20/$25

Curtis Lovell & Sehréa N’dayu – “Caress”

Friday, November 27, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $25/$20

Roger Bryan & The Orphans Record Release Show w/Failures Union, Eugene Palmer

Saturday, November 28, 7 p.m. doors at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20/$25

Buffalo Dead All Stars

Saturday, November 28, 8 p.m. at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY. FREE

Freightrain’s 15th Annual Toy Drive

Sunday, November 29, 2 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $20. Please bring a new unwrapped toy for children of all ages.

From Belfast to Buffalo: A Tribute to Van Morrison

Featuring Brad Robbins, Dave Ruch, Jim Doersam, Sue Kincaid, and Joe Bellanti

Sunday, November 29, 7 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20.

Marty Party w/ The Jacklords, Thee Isolators, Irving Klaws, Steam Donkeys, Greg Klyma, and more

Sunday, November 29, 6 p.m. doors at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $20

Dexter and The Moonrocks

Wednesday, December 2, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Sold Out

Spitballin’ Jazz Jam

Wednesday, December 2 and 16 and 30, 7 p.m. at Amy’s Place, Buffalo, NY. $5

The Buffalodown: Home for the Holidays w/GROSH and Robot Holiday

Benefiting Compass House

Thursday, December 3, 5 p.m. doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $10 GA/$25 GA + Pre-show Reception

Aqueous

Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $43.35

Ariella & Nicolaas

Friday, December 4, 7 p.m. at Hallwalls Cinema, Buffalo, NY. $25/$30 seated’

Isaiah Collier/Tim Regis Duo – John Coltrane Centennial Celebration

Friday, December 4, 7:30 p.m. at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $25 GA, $20 students/seniors/members

The concert will feature critically-acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and activistIsaiah Collier and rising drummer Tim Regis performing in a rare duo setting inspired by Coltrane’s ground-breaking suite of compositions for tenor saxophone and drums entitled Interstellar Space.

“A Night of Harmony” Alex McArthur, Megan Brown, Grace Stumberg, Sue Kincaid, Grace Lougen

Saturday, December 5, 7 p.m. doors at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20

Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas Radio Special

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 7 p.m. at West Falls Center for the Arts, West Falls, NY. $17.50+

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