It’s Music Is Art time!, Goo Goo Dolls “Long Way Home” exhibit, concert announcements and show recommends

By Jeff Miers
(Image above by Don Keller)

(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!)

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Music is Art 2026 Festival

Saturday, September 12, 11 am – 11 pm at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo, NY. FREE. FYI – $10 parking at Terminal B for, free parking along Fuhrmann Blvd.

Here’s the map of the grounds. AND get the full schedule here >

Long Way Home: 40 Years of the Goo Goo Dolls

NOTE: I have been working as co-curator on this exhibit with Anthony Greco, and will be posting a full update and preview coming soon!

Opens to the Public Thursday, September 17 and is included with Museum admission. More info here >

Members-Only Preview is Wednesday, September 16, 7-9 pm (Doors open at 7 pm) at The Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo, NY. Advance registration was required and tickets are limited to the number included with your membership level and are non-transferable.

Launch of Neo-Soul Tuesdays, Part 2

As envisioned and originally curated by Michael DiSanto. (Thanks to Linda Appleby for the heads up on this one!) More on the revival of this event to come.

Tuesdays, 7-10 pm at Buffalo Kitchen Club on Elmwood, Buffalo, NY. No cover.

May be an image of text that says 'ROD BONNER x BUFFALO KITCHEN CLUB PRESENTS... NEO-SOUL TUESDAYS HOSTED The Rod Thio Bonner BY: SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2026 7-10 7-10PM PM DRINK AND FOOD SPECIALS! SINGERS, MUSICANS, POETS: ALL WELCOME! 431 ELMWOOD AVE. BUFFALO, NY 14222 716-240-9751 FOR RESERVATIONS FEATURED VOCALIST: TORI HORTON Rabu ငေ် lub'

New and Noteworthy

Strange Machines w/Calabash

Friday, November 6, 9 pm doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $10/$15

May be an image of text that says 'STRANGEMACHINES MACHINES STRANGE UJ BUFFALO, NY I NIETZSCHE'S NOV στΗ 9PM DOOR I 10PM WSG CALABASH SHOW FALL 2026 201L 烏家产屋屋 248ars金日 alirs 民社 Malfala, Paffala NJETZSCHE'S'

Ben Folds with the BPO

Saturday, May 1, 7:30 pm at at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $33+

https://youtu.be/svDlLXSaPvc

Damone Jackson Outcome

Every Tuesday, starting September 22 , 7 pm at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $10

Analog Kids (RUSH Tribute)

Friday, October 16, 8 pm at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20

Mozart + Melissa White

Saturday, January 23, 7:30 pm at Sunday, January 24, 2:30 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $17.50+

Big Something w/ Big Blitz

Friday, November 20, 8 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $29.21

https://youtu.be/QW6CagdqLz8

Workingman’s Dead (3 sets)

Friday, September 25, 8 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $26.42

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

Saturday April 3rd, 2027, 7:30 pm at West Herr Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY. $45.90

A Night with Labrina & Friends

Saturday, October 3, 7 pm at Revolver Records Elmwood, Buffalo, NY. $16

The Sheila Divine wsg/Will Dailey

Saturday, November 7, 7 pm doors at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $25

Ana Popovic

Saturday March 13, 2027, 7 pm at Samuel’s Grande Manor, Williamsville, NY. Tickets at Outhousetickets.com.

This week…

Music Matters Summer Concert Series FINALE: Gavin Petrie Band and Tiger Chung Lee

Thursday, September 10, 7 pm at Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill, Buffalo, NY. $10

Breaking Benjamin

Thursday, September 10, 6 pm at Darien Lake Amphitheater, Darien, NY. $24+

Adam Bronstein & ABtrio

Thursday, September 10, 6-8 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. FREE ($20 suggested donation)

John Troy Group

Thursday, September 10, 9 pm at Allen Street Hardware, Buffalo, NY. FREE

Matt Incontro Sextet

Thursday, September 10, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $18 stage area, $16 bar area

Miller & The Other Sinners

Thursday, September 10, 6 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

A celebration of Life of Orion Borroughs w/music from Randal & the Late Night Scandals

Friday, September 11, 5 – 8:30 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY.

Upstate Connection Plays Miles Davis

Friday, September 11, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $20 stage area, $18 bar area

Fluff Dead

Friday, September 11, 8 pm at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $10

Vanilla Fudge wsg/Jamie Holka

Friday, September 11, 6:30 pm doors at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $55-$75

Music Is Art 2026

Saturday, September 12, 11 am-11 pm at Terminal B at the Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY. FREE. MAP and SCHEDULE here >

Post MIA Musician Mixer and Open Jam

Saturday, September 12, 9 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. FREE

Shiner wsgs/Bursting and Contester

Saturday, September 12, 7 pm at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $20

https://youtu.be/0RmtN5wWmdc

Dead on the Hilltop presents Little Mountain Band and The Feast

Saturday, September 12, 3-11 pm at Hilltop Inn and Grove, Alden, NY.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters w/ Charlie Sexton

Saturday, September 12, 8 pm at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ONT. $72+

Tappo Vista Social Club

Saturday, September 12-Saturday, September 19, 6 – 9 pm at Tappo Restaurant, 330 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY.

“Introducing Tappo Vista Social Club: a celebration of Latin music, dancing, and the unmistakable spirit of Havana, happening September 12–19 on Ellicott Street.

Join us throughout the week for outdoor live music and dancing in front of Tappo, featuring performances by Hernandez, Sons Borikua and Sol y Sombra, with dance groups Sarah Haykel & Salsa for the Soul and Queen City Cuban Dance.”

Shredd and Ragan present The Zeptember Show: Out on the Tiles, Wilcox Mansion, Tsavo Highway, Letter to Elise, Garden Party, Part Time Genius, Big Black Zeppelin

Benefits Make A Wish foundation.

Saturday, September 12, 4 pm at Sportsmens Park, Buffalo, NY. $25/VIP $50 (first 50 includes New Era hat, drink ticket, special seating area and more)