Some music news, new concert announcements, and this week’s gig picks!

By Jeff Miers

(Have a cool concert or interesting event you know about? Email all the info and links to jeffmiersmusic@gmail.com to be considered for inclusion in Where the Bands Are.)

Hey there, music-freak family.

I’d like to take a minute to offer a heartfelt ‘thanks’ to the many people I’ve run into at concert venues, clubs, bars and music community events since the beginning of this hyper-speed blur of a summer.

In addition to bumping into so many friends and musical colleagues during this ceaseless stream of gigs, I’ve been approached by folks who wonder if I’m the guy they recognize from the photo (mugshot?) that accompanied my byline in The Buffalo News between 2002 and 2023.

“Yep, that’s me,” I say.

“Wow, I really miss reading your stuff in The Buffalo News,” they say (or something similar.)

To which I generally reply, with a laugh, “I miss reading my stuff in The Buffalo News, too.”

The laugh belies the anger, disappointment, and disillusionment I still feel regarding how that whole deal went down, and about the (somewhat self-inflicted, but also, part of this ongoing march toward full-on authoritarianism) damaged state of newspapers in this country in general.

But when I talk to people who approach me at shows, that anger disappears immediately, because of their kindness, their deep and abiding love for music and words about that music, and their insistence that what I did during those two decades-plus mattered to them.

To be perfectly honest, meeting people who love music so deeply, and so consistently support it in our community, was always the best part of the job. (Well, that and the health insurance.)

It’s nice that this hasn’t changed since I left my former job. And it’s even nicer that so many of these people are now here, as part of the Miers On Music Substack community.

Thanks for the kindness, all of you. See you out there at a show!

A note from The Buffalo Hive: If you like Jeff’s “Miers on Music” coverage, subscribe to it!

A little bit of music news…

You or Your Favorite Local Band Could Win The Final Spot At Borderland Festival!

After over a hundred plus bands entered last year, we’re bringing the Battle of the Borderland Band Contest back with our friends at Visit Buffalo Niagara and Buffalo Iron Works. Battle through two rounds of voting and earn a spot at the finals show on Thursday, August 14th at Buffalo Iron Works where four finalists will compete for a chance to take the stage at Borderland Festival.

ROUND 2: 15 Bands Selected for Online Voting Round

7 Days (Thursday July 31 – Wednesday, August 7)

ROUND 3: Four Finalists Play the Finals Showcase at Buffalo Iron Works

6:30PM on Thursday, August 14th in Buffalo, NY

Winner selected & announced after!

Learn how to enter your band and get votes for Round 1 here!

**Gig Moved: NEW VENUE from The 9th Ward to Asbury Hall: Fruit Bats (Solo)**

Thursday, October 30, 8pm show at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. Tickets on sale now: $30 advance, $35 day of show.

New and Noteworthy

Funtime Presents

The Disco Biscuits

Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22, 7 pm at Town Ballroom, Buffalo. Get tickets here.

Mariah The Scientist wsgs/Chxrry, Kocky KA, Lekan, Hennessy, DJ Jet, Screw, and Sisko

Friday, September 26, 7 pm gate at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo. Pre-sale: Wednesday, July 30 at 10 am – Thursday, July 31 at 10 pm (PW: SENECA25). Get tickets here.

Funtime presents

54-40

Friday, November 28, 7 pm doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo. $46.36

The Alex Skolnick Trio

Saturday, November 22, 8 pm doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $30 GA Adv / $40 Pref Adv. Get tickets here

Funtime presents

The Wrecks w/phoneboy & Wall Carpets

Monday, October 27, 7 pm doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo. $35.25/$115.75

Song Swap with Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr) and Bobby Bare Jr (Guided by Voices)

Monday, August 25, 7 pm doors at the 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo. $25

Musicians of Buffalo: Christmas Rocks Concert

BILLY SHEEHAN / JESSIE GALANTE / BOBBY LEBEL

Sunday, December 13, 7 pm doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. $30 advance/$40 day of show. Limited Gold Circle Reserved Seating $40

Darksoft w/Elementra and Precious Love

Thursday, August 28, 7:30 pm doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $10. Get tickets here.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/0s5fnKxrPus?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

Photo City presents

Greywash – EP Release Show wsg/ Destroy Create, Alterist, Crown Conscious, Atlas Rain, & Arcana

Saturday, September 20, 5 pm doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $20/$30https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/35klFah3U1cBhyPBkxFNED

Riot Squad Media presents

JER w/The Abruptors and Do It With Malice

Saturday, September 20, 8 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $20. Get tickets here.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/12RwEPD1YJU?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

After Dark presents

Elliott + special guests

Thursday, October 2, 7 pm at Rec Room, Buffalo. $34.70

Béla Fleck & Flecktones, ft/ Jeff Coffin & Alash “Jingle All the Way”

From the press release: “Performing this music together for the first time in over 15+ years, the band reunites for a uniquely unforgettable evening, as founding members Fleck, Wooten, Wooten, & Levy take the stage alongside former Flecktones bandmate and saxophonist, Jeff Coffin, and Tuvan throat singing ensemble, Alash – all of whom appeared on the ‘Jingle All the Way’ studio album.”

December 11, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester, NY. $25-$95

Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

Saturday, September 6, 5 pm at Perinton Center Park Amphitheater, Fairport, NY. $44.19/$56.09/$99.35

This week…

Blackberry Smoke + Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

Thursday, July 31, 5:30 pm at Artpark Amphitheater, Lewiston, NY. $27/$45.50/$55.50

Music Matters Summer Concert Series: The Scales play the music of PHISH

Thursday, July 31, 7 -10 pm at Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill at Harbor Walk, Downtown Buffalo. $10. Get tickets here!

Robert Lester Folsom w/ Babehoven

Thursday, July 31, 8 pm at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo. $32/$40

Investigative Post Summer Benefit Concert: Tom Toles & Junkman’s Choir

Thursday, July 31, 5 pm doors at Sportsmen’s Tavern, Buffalo. $25. Get tickets here.

Thursday & Main: An Evening with Donna The Buffalo

Thursday, July 31, 5-8 pm at Fountain Plaza, Downtown Buffalo. FREE

Elena Izquierdo and The Stu Weissman Trio

Thursday, July 31, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $15/$13

Music on Main: Organ Fairchild

Thursday, July 31, 6 pm at Glen Park Tavern, Williamsville, NY. FREE

Vin DeRosa

Thursday, July 31, 9 pm at RationAles, Williamsville, NY. FREE

Dead on the Hilltop presents

DABfest 2025 ft/Dead Alliance Buffalo recreating a surprise Grateful Dead 2-night run

Opening acts: Maria Konter Krawczyk & Brian Senefelder on August 1, and Diggin Roots Band on August 2

Friday, August 1 and Saturday August 2, 3 pm gates at The Hilltop Inn and Grove, Alden, NY. $20/$25 day of or $40/both. Tickets for sale at Terrapin Station and The Hilltop Inn & Grove

Darius Rucker

Friday, August 1, 7 pm at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino Outdoor Concert, Niagara Falls, NY. $55+

Slightly Stoopid w/Iration & Little Stranger

Friday, August 1, 5:30 pm gates at Artpark Amphitheater, Lewiston, NY. $37/$77/$87

SPECIAL: Music Matters Summer Concert Series: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

Friday, August 1, 7 pm at Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill at Harbor Walk, Downtown Buffalo. $15.

The Music of Sade w/Blaise Mercedes & Saranaide

Friday, August 1, 8 pm at The Cave, Buffalo. $10/$15

Dave Viterna Group

Friday, August 1, 7 pm at Wilson Boat House, Wilson, NY.

Witty Tarbox

Friday, August 1, 9 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $10

Band Named Sue

Friday, August 1, 6 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. FREE

Sabbath Knights

Friday, August 1, 7 pm doors at Showplace Theater, Buffalo. $24.40 – $158.80

Toto, Christopher Cross & Men At Work

Saturday, August 2, 6:30 pm at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino Outdoor Concert, Niagara Falls, NY. $40+

Les Dudek

Saturday, August 2, 8 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $25

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra w/Frank & The Great Ladies of Song

Saturday, August 2, 7 pm doors at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo. GA FREE/VIP $25

Aircraft & T.K. Lipps

Saturday, August 2, 8 pm doors at The Cave, Buffalo. $10

Buffalo Music Coalition presents

Saturday Sessions: Eric Weinholtz

Saturday, August 2, 4-7 pm doors at Flying Bision Brewing Company, Buffalo. FREE

The Garage Doors: An afternoon of the music and poetry of The Doors

Sunday, August 3, 3 pm at The Cave, Buffalo. $10/$12

Bearly Dead

Sunday, August 3, 8 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $15/$20

Europa: A Tribute to Carlos Santana

Featuring: Tony Padilla-Congas, Freddy Colon–Timbales, Phil Lake–Drums, Geoff Smith–Bass, Lou Spezio–Keys, Keith Dudinski–Guitar, Anthony-Dounte Simmons– Vocals

Sunday, August 3, 4:30 pm doors/kitchen at The Caz, South Buffalo. $25-$30

Redd Volkaert w/The Twang Gang

Sunday, August 3, 4 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $10

Concert to Benefit Chris Benbenek from The Tudor

Tons of bands. All proceeds from the ticket sales, 50/50 tickets and raffle tickets will go directly to Chris and his family. If you are unable to attend and you’d like to support, here is the link to the gofundme.

Sunday, August 3, 2-10 pm at The Tudor Lounge and Monday, August 4, 6-10 pm at The Cave, Buffalo. $25/$45 for both.

Dropkick Murphys & Bad Religion

Wednesday, August 6, 7 pm at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo. $62+

Graham Nash

Wednesday, August 6, 7:30 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. SOLD OUT

Central Terminal Summer Concert Series ft/ The Buffalo Brass Machine and Walter Kemp 3 & Co.

Thursday, August 7, 6 pm at Buffalo Central Terminal, Buffalo. FREE

Music Matters Summer Concert Series: Relics

Thursday, August 7, 7 pm at Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill at Harbor Walk, Downtown Buffalo. $10. Get tickets here!

Guitar & Memorabilia Auction presented by Friends of MiA

Benefits Music is Art. Hosted by Robby Takac and Shred (97Rock). Music by Robby Takac.

Thursday, August 7, 6-9 pm, Variety Club, Lancaster, NY. $60

Jackie Venson

Thursday, August 7, 8 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $20/$25

Coming Up…

A Brothers Revival-A Tribute to The Allman Brothers

Friday, August 8, 7:30 pm at Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY. $20

THE SMITHS etc & Disintegration (Tribute to The Cure)

Friday, August 8, 7 pm doors at The Cave, Buffalo. $20/$25

2025 Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series: The Commodores wsg/Will Holton

Friday, August 8, 4 pm outdoors at Batavia Downs, Batavia, NY. $20-$75

RiShon Odel & The 5th Element Triple CD Release

Friday, August 8, Dinner and a show, 6:30 pm seating at The Caz, South Buffalo. $99-$105

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, 5:30 pm doors at Perinton Center Park Amphitheater, Fairport, NY. $64.26/day or $123.57/both. Tickets here.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/awMSkZxIbW4?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0