To AI or not to AI? Analog Rewind at Artpark, more big concert announcements and a variety of shows to check out this week and beyond

(Above: Illustration by Ben Dunkle, May 20, 2026.)

(REMINDER: these listings are curated and definitely not intended to list ALL the live music out there! They are compiled weekly mostly from scouring venue websites and posts. PLEASE – if you have a cool concert or interesting event, email all the info and links to jeffmiersmusic@gmail.com to be considered for inclusion in Where the Bands Are. Thanks!)

Hey there, fellow music-lovers.

Strange days indeed. Hope you’re keeping well and keeping on.

Last week, a wee bit of tumult erupted around this very column — or, more specifically, around the piece of artwork that accompanied this column.

For the past 3 years, we (Kim and I) here at the corporate headquarters of Dharma Din Creatives LLC — also known as our dining room — have been using art created through a combination of AI and Adobe Photoshop to offer an overview of the general thematic content of the accompanying column. We did this because we wanted the column to stand out and to have art that changed weekly. We also didn’t want to use generic art or the work of photographers without paying them or getting their permission, with the exception of images that have clearly been circulated as publicity materials.

Well aware that we have zero budget to pay an artist to create something new and specific each week for a column that we create and distribute for free, we felt that the AI/Photoshop approach offered a reasonable solution. Kim is a professional designer and artist who would love nothing more than to be able to paint, draw or illustrate a new piece of artwork each week. Time doesn’t allow this. Creating, curating and distributing this free column each week already takes between 6 and 8 hours of our time.

Last week, via social media and on the site of The Buffalo Hive, which we gratefully and happily allow to distribute this column for no fee, comments critical of the use of AI art in the column became plentiful enough to be noticeable.

I’m not interested in recreating all of this here. I just wanted to offer a little bit of context. There are plenty of reasons to fear, distrust and boycott the use of AI. I’m on board with all of them. Aside from the single piece of artwork accompanying the Where the Bands Are column each week, and the use of Logic’s AI-based EQ analyzer to help me focus on problem areas in my mixes when recording and mastering music projects, I steer clear of it. But believe me, I do not suffer from the delusion that avoiding AI will make it go away.

As has always been the case, it’s generally not the technology itself that’s the problem. Rather, it’s the unchecked greed and short-sightedness of folks who seek personal gain from the exploitation of said technology. Like everything else, this is about money — who has little (or none) of it, and who has all the rest of it, and will move mountains and destroy ecosystems to get their hands on that tiny remaining portion which the rest of us are currently splitting. If you’re worried about the unregulated spread of AI, as we all should be, then doing what we can to put pressure on tech billionaires (and their powerful friends) who see AI as an opportunity for an unchecked cash grab should be our aim.

But yeah, in the meantime, we’ll stop using AI art in this free column, and work with local artists whenever we can.

More importantly, as always, I’m beyond grateful to all of you for supporting the Miers On Music Substack! We are all here because we care deeply about music in general, and about live music in our community in particular. And we’ve got a lot to celebrate! Here’s some of it …

Analog Rewind – featuring The Ramrods, Girlpope, The Tails, Ansley Court, and Marvelous Sauce

Saturday, August 22 , 5 pm at Artpark Mainstage Terrace. $35 (to benefit Artpark’s Memory Cafe for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia)

Presented by Artpark & Curated by Jeff Miers

From Artpark’s press release:

This special reunion concert brings 5 iconic local bands back together for a fundraiser supporting Artpark’s Memory Café, a free, art, movement and music program for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or memory loss, along with their caregivers.

Event curator Jeff Miers said, “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Artpark as Music Curator of Analog Rewind. The ’90s were such a special time for the Buffalo original music scene. I was a part of that scene as a musician, but I was also a huge fan of so many of the bands. It wasn’t uncommon for us to attend each other’s gigs on the regular, which created a real feeling of community and togetherness. Musically, the bands covered a pretty broad array of genres, most of which fit beneath the umbrella of ‘alternative music’. That meant everything from punk, post-punk and garage rock, ska-inflicted sounds, funk and interesting hybrids of all of these. What a thrill to be getting some of these bands back together to celebrate that exciting era of Buffalo music! And what a great opportunity to see so many old friends again!”

Ansley Court

One of the finest power-pop ensembles to emerge from the Buffalo independent music scene, Ansley Court — vocalist Joe Foldes, guitarist Brian Woods, bassist Joe Mattimore and drummer Mike Boncaldo — married an indie rock aesthetic to their love for indelible pop hooks and garage grit. The band’s 1996 album Jade Heart Bleeder is a stone-cold classic of the era.

Girlpope

If you loved your garage rock with a healthy dose of Kinks-style power chords, unforgettable power-pop choruses, and a palpable sense of rock ’n’ roll abandonment, you were an easy mark for Girlpope. With albums like Cheeses of Nazareth and The Whole Scene Going, the ‘Pope’ offered a fat-free body of work long on hooks, high on energy and stuffed to the brim with heavenly melodies.

Marvelous Sauce

A band that seemed like a shoo-in for a broader breakthrough beyond Buffalo, Marvelous Sauce brought a vivacious power-pop edge to their obvious love for the taut early punk and Mod revivalism of The Clash and The Jam. Songs like “Sister Knows What To Do”, “Animals and Bicycles” and “Strength and Sobriety” made the band’s self-titled 1995 release a must-have, but on stage, these tunes truly came to life. Marvelous Sauce made music that was built to last.

The Ramrods

Blasting out of Kenmore, NY, in the late ‘80s, the Ramrods raucous and ribald blend of primal garage rock, Stooges-style swagger, and killer hooks defined the Buffalo indie-alternative rock movement of the time. Singer Bill Scott, guitarists Pat Neal and John Paa, bassist Norm Schwagler, and drummer Craig Voight were the coolest band in town for a brief but brightly-burning period. Rest assured — they’ve still got it!

The Tails

Another powerful Kenmore-born ensemble, The Tails became a mainstay of the ’90s regional music scene with their heady blend of influences ranging from the Beatles to New Wave luminaries, prog-rock iconoclasts, world music visionaries, grunge gods, and jazz icons, as best exemplified by their 1995 album Spiral World. Though guitarist and founding member Kevin Boyle passed away in 2022, remaining members Nelson Starr, Jeff Miers, Eric Starr and Dave Hill recently reunited for a show at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo, dedicating their set to their bandmate’s memory.

Music Matters Summer Concert Series

Thursdays, June 12 – September 3, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.+ at Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill, Erie Basin Marina, Downtown Buffalo, NY. $10. ** Plus, 4 special shows as noted. This year you can get your tickets for any or all shows in advance HERE> $10 Pre-sale includes voucher for a free Red Stripe Lager!

24th Annual Music is Art Festival call for artists

The event is Saturday, September 12, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at Terminal B and Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY. FREE. To participate in this year’s event, click here!

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New and Noteworthy

Arkells wsg/The Main

Saturday, August 15 at 7 p.m. at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo, NY. Presale tickets go on sale now. Public on sale Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m.

Live Dead & Brothers

Monday, June 29, 5 p.m. doors at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $40

Gogol Bordello

Tuesday, September 29, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Tickets on sale May 20.

Push Th’ Lil’ Daisies – a tribute to Ween

Wednesday, July 29, 8 p.m. at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $15

OLE 60 wsgs/Garret Elias, Kolton Moore & The Clever Few

Saturday, October 3 at 7 p.m. at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo, NY. Presale tickets go on sale now. Public on sale Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m.

Americana-rama 250th Independence Day Celebration ft/Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun, Twang Gang, The Steam Donkeys, Ten Cent Howl, Cory Grinder & The Playboy Scouts

Saturday, July 4, 2 p.m. at Sportsmens Park, Buffalo, NY. $20

The Elton John Show featuring Jo Rozler, Ron LoCurto, Nelson Starr & Rob Lynch

Sunday, May 31, 4 p.m. at the Sportsmen’s Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $20.

The Felice Brothers

Sunday, July 19, 8 p.m. at Rec Room, Buffalo, NY.

Phantogram

Friday, September 25, 8 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $171.97

Johnny Manchild and The Poor Bastards wsgs/Karma & the Killjoys, Friend Of A Friend

Sunday August 9, 7 p.m. at Rec Room, Buffalo, NY. $20.86

Fred Eaglesmith & The Full Band

Saturday, October 10, 8 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $50

Hejira – A Night of Joni Mitchell

Thursday, July 9, 8 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $34.98+

The Allen Degenerates

Dave Schulz – Keys/Vox, Joey Dynamite – Guitar/Vox, Samantha Hoy – Vox, Josh English – Drums, Ron Locurto – Lead Guitar, Brian Burd – Bass, Nikki Kazz – Vox

Saturday, June 13, 10 p.m. at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo, NY.

Roger Daltrey: A Great Night Out Tour

September 17, 7:30 p.m. at Artpark Mainstage Theater, Lewiston, NY. $46/$86 seats/VIP available. Tickets on sale now.

Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls w/Emily Wolfe & Black Guy Fawkes

Wednesday, September 16, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $37.87

LEGACY IN MOTION: Celebrating Miles Davis at 100

Jon Lehrer Dance Company with John Bacon and Star People

Friday, July 17, 7:30 p.m. at Artpark Mainstage Theater, Lewiston, NY. $28 seats/$38 table seating/$69 VIP table seating

The SoapGirls

Wednesday, June 17, 7 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20

Barry Manilow (rescheduled)

Tuesday, June 30, 7 p.m. at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY. $38+

An Evening with Greensky Bluegrass

Wednesday, July 22, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $42.93

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy

Saturday, November 7, 8 p.m. at Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. $53.75 to $62.50.

Fetty Wap

Saturday, August 22, 8 p.m. at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B. Tickets on sale Friday 5/15.

Death From Above 1979

Saturday, November 28, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Tickets on sale TBA.

The Mountain Goats

Monday, August 17, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Tickets on sale Tuesday, May 19.

This week…

River Glen

Trever Stribing, Sara Elizabeth, and Jade Marciniak

Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m. doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $15

Southern Culture on the Skids

Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m. doors at ** NEW VENUE ** Showplace Theater, Buffalo, NY. $27.52

Eberwine & Friends

Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

Thank You Scientist

Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m. doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $22/$25

Bruce Wojick & Jamie Holka

Thursday, May 21, 8 p.m. at Foley’s, Niagara Falls, NY.

The Kensingtons

Friday, May 22, 6 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

Soul Street

Friday, May 22, 7 p.m. at The Strand Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY. $10

97 Rock Friday Bike Night Season Opener: Allykat

Friday, May 22, 6 p.m. at The Hilltop Inn & Grove, Alden, NY.

Digba Ogunbiyi Quartet Album Release

Friday, May 22, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $18 stage/$15 bar

Seattle Sons & Smells Like Dave Grohl

Friday, May 22, 8 p.m. at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $15/$20

Dead Allliance Buffalo

Friday, May 22, 8 p.m. at Penny Lane, Buffalo, NY. $10

Public Water Supply w/The Snake Oil Serenaders

Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

Wilcox Mansion, Landfill Hearts & Anxious Cricket

Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $10

Strange Standard wsg/Threefold

Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. at Penny Lane, Buffalo, NY. $10

2026 Lancaster Live Concert Series: Scott Celani Band’s Tom Petty Tribute and Tequila Sunrise (Eagles Tribute)

Saturday, May 23, 6-10 p.m. at West Main St. in the Village of Lancaster, Lancaster, NY.

Jim Whitford & Friends

Jim Whitford, Joe Bellanti, Jim Celeste and Dave Ruch

Saturday, May 23, 5 p.m. at Turning Bridge Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10/$15

The Thurman Brothers Band- The Music Of The Allman Brothers

Saturday, May 23, 5:30 p.m. doors at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $20-$25

Uncle Ben’s Remedy

Saturday, May 23, 9 p.m. at Hofbrauhaus, Buffalo, NY. $10 – reservations recommended.

Back 2 the Ballroom Part 2: DJ Kholes, DJ Spin, DJ Mr. Illmatic

Saturday, May 23, 9 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $33.82

Grosh

Saturday, May 23, 6 p.m. at Sunset Bar & Grill, Wilson, NY.

Addisyn Logan wsg/Stress Dolls (solo)

Saturday, May 23, 7 p.m. doors at the Lounge at Revolution Gallery, Buffalo, NY. $10

Kickstart Rumble

Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. at Gene McCarthy’s, Buffalo, NY. FREE

Kabaka Pyramid

Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $25.71

Grateful Brunch – OG Edition

Former members of Sonic Garden, Workingman’s Dead, Wild Nights and The Maniacs

Sunday, May 24, 1-4 p.m. at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo, NY. Make reservations here.

Anybody Out There (Pink Floyd Tribute)

Sunday, May 24, 2 p.m. doors, 4 p.m. show at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $25

Masti World Music Ensemble

Sunday, May 24, 4-6 p.m. at Duende at Silo City, Buffalo, NY.

FREE Blues Sundays: The FEAST

Sunday, May 24, 3-6 p.m. at The Hilltop Inn & Grove, Alden, NY. FREE

Todd Eberwine & Aaron Ziolkowski

Sunday, May 24, 4 p.m. at Penny Lane, Clarence, NY. $5

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’68 – Farewell Tour wsg/Nate Bergman

Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m. doors at Rec Room, Buffalo, NY. $29.58

Superheaven w/Modern Color, All Under Heaven

Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. doors at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. All Ages. $16.46+

Driftwood

Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m. at West Falls Center for the Arts, West Falls, NY. All Ages.

Tina Williams Sings Jazz with Stu Weissman and Ed Croft

Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. All $17/$20 stage area, $15/$18 bar

Music in the Park 2026: Miller & the Other Sinners, Uncle Ben’s Remedy

Thursday, June 4, 5-9:30 p.m. in Cazenovia Park, South Buffalo, NY. FREE

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