Improvement Movement and the ‘How the hell did I not hear about this show!?’ quandary; plus new announcements, this week’s picks and a curated list of upcoming gigs!

By Jeff Miers

(Above: Live music on the patio of Rationales. Photo/Artwork by Kim 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.

In late September, I caught an incredible set by Atlanta, GA, quartet Improvement Movement, at the Rec Room in Buffalo.

In a sense, my being there was a happy accident. My wife, who offers me some pretty clutch assistance in my ongoing quest to stay on top of what’s happening music-wise, both locally and nationally, happened upon the band via Seattle, WA, listener-supported, non-commercial radio station KEXP FM.

“Check these guys out, I think you’ll like them,” she said.

She was right — the band’s blend of 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies, subtle musical virtuosity, and creative wanderlust (one song might recall the taut rhythms of early XTC, while the next suggests what it might sound like if Crosby, Stills & Nash were harmonizing on an early Yes tune, all delivered with an earthy, indie-rock ethos) appealed to me immediately. We cranked the band’s newest album, Your Perfect Real Life, during a few back yard happy hours, and enjoyed having a new band to love.

And then, while scouring the internet for shows to include in this weekly column, we noticed that Improvement Movement was slated to play the Rec Room the very next week.

The show was incredible, if sparsely attended. (There were about 60 people there, but rather tellingly, at the end of the show, pretty much all 60 of those people were lined up at the merch booth to buy t-shirts and vinyl copies of the new album — surely a sign of a strong show.)

Since that night, we’ve been missionaries spreading the Improvement Movement gospel wherever and whenever we can. Invariably, the response has been “Wow, they sound cool, wish I knew they were coming, I never heard anything about it.”

Without a centralized hub of authoritative concert listings here in Buffalo (or almost anywhere else, for that matter), so many worthwhile shows escape our radar. Similarly, bands that don’t get played on the radio don‘t get talked about on the radio, either. As a result, we all end up hearing about cool shows after the fact, more often than we’d like.

Bearing this in mind, Where the Bands Are will be highlighting a couple of artists/shows each week — gigs and/or bands that might’ve escaped your attention, ones that we think you’re likely to be glad you heard about. Some of these will be obvious choices to some of you, but surely not to others. Please, if there are bands and shows that you’ve recently been hipped to, share them here in the comments, or drop me a line at jeffmiersmusic@gmail.com. Thanks!

Bands coming to town worth a listen…

Die Spitz

Tuesday, November 10 at Town Ballroom

Big Shrimp

Saturday, October 24 at The Cave

The Nicole Zuraitis Quartet

Sunday, November 8 in The Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall

Aqueous VIP Upgrade Offer

Town Ballroom anounced an Aqueous VIP Upgrade available for Saturday, December 5 ONLY. It includes and AQ-oustic Performance, Handmade letterpress print, whale pin and early merch access. (It does NOT include a ticket to the show.) Tickets go on sale Friday, 10/23. Get them here >

New and Noteworthy

Umphrey’s McGee

Sunday, February 7, 6:30 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $53.56

CHVRCHES

Monday, February 22, 2027, 7 p.m. doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $46/$50. Tickets on sale Friday, 10/30 at 10 a.m.

Zach Bryan wsg/John Fogerty and Fey Fili

Wednesday, June 2, 2027 at Highmark Stadium, Buffalo, NY. Register for presale here >

REPRISE: Recreating Iconic Phish Shows

Featuring Cal Kehoe (Pink Talking Fish), Adrian Tramontano (Twiddle, Kung Fu and The Breakfast), Scott Chasolen (Ulu and Pink Floyd tribute The Machine), Chris DeAngelis (The Machine, Kung Fu, and The Breakfast)

Wednesday, November 4, 8 p.m. at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $26.42

Babyfxce E

Sunday, February 28, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Tickets on sale 10/22. >

Musicians of Buffalo: Christmas Rocks Concert

Saturday, December 12, 7p.m. doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. Seated $30 advance, $40 day of show

Tropidelic w/SensaMotion, Palmer Squares

Friday, January 22, 2027, 6:30 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $32.92+

The Trews

Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 7 p.m. at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Tickets on sale 10/21.

Badfish – A Tribute To Sublime w/Kash’d Out

Wednesday, February 3, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. Tickets on sale 10/23.

Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band

Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 8 p.m. at The Bear’s Den Showroom in Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls, NY. $65, $75

El Scorcho – Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Saturday, December 5, 8 p.m. at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $17.84 to $23.51

Saxsquatch

Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21, 2027, 7 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $32.05/2-night pass $59.89/VIP $114.31

The History of R&B Starring Dru Hill

Saturday, March 6, 8 p.m. at Seneca Niagara Event Center in Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls, NY. $50/$65/$85/$105

Green Jello

Friday, April 16, 7 p.m. at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $30

House Concert with Massachusetts singer/songwriter/educator Bernice Lewis plus Davie O.

Saturday, November 21, 5 p.m. doors, pot-luck and socializing…7 p.m. show at Marty Boratin & Susan Tanner’s House, Hamburg, NY. $10-$20 Suggested donation

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

Buffalo Chamber Players presents:

Nikki & Timothy Chooi: Double at Asbury Hall

Friday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. Seated $40/Reserved $60

Four Year Strong: Rise or Die Trying 25 Year Anniversary w/ Heart Attack Man, Sunbloc

Saturday, March 20, 6 p.m. doors at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $109.65-145.80

Steve Hackett: Best of Genesis & Solo Gems Tour

Wednesday, Apr 28, 2027, 7:30 p.m. at UB Center for the Arts Mainstage Theatre, Buffalo, NY. $56 – $109.

This week

Wolfman Jack: Primal Dead

Wednesday, October 21, 7 p.m. doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $20.72

Sarah Elizabeth

Wednesday, October 21, 6 p.m. doors at duende at Silo City, Buffalo, NY.

All Them Witches

Wednesday, October 21, 7 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $41.93

Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light w/Wind and Wire (Maria Sebastian and Matt Pszonak)

Presented by Buffalo Friends of Folk

Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m. at 5658 Main St., Williamsville, NY. $25 general/$20 members/$10 students

SMAC! Celebration of the Release of “The Liar”

Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m. at Revolver Records Elmwood, Buffalo, NY. $10/$15

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Dead Alliance Buffalo (wsg/Jim Wynne)

Friday, October 23, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $10

Jimkata w/ Sophistafunk

Friday, October 23, 7 p.m. doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $26.42

John Troy Group: A Coltrane Celebration!

Friday, October 23, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $18 stage/$16 bar

Uncle Ben’s Remedy, Folkfaces, The Night Shift, Witty Tarbox, and TJ Zindle

Friday, October 23, 6 p.m. doors at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $15

The Kensingtons

Friday, October 23, 6 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

John Fohl Band

Friday, October 23, 8 p.m. at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.

DISORDER with DJ sets by Osiris and Chvck

Friday, October 23, 8 p.m. at The Lounge at Revolution Gallery, Buffalo, NY. FREE

Jeff Tweedy wsg/Case Oates

Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m. at the Rochester Institute of Technology Performing Arts Center, Rochester, NY. $58+

The Jay/Sharptet: The Music of Chet Baker and More

Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $18 stage/$16 bar

The Informers

Saturday, October 24, 3 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

Big Shrimp

Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m. doors at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $15

Mimosas & Minuets: Zane Merritt, classical guitar

Saturday, October 24, 1 p.m. at duende at Silo City, Buffalo, NY.

Make Me Smile (Chicago tribute band)

Saturday, October 24, 7:30 p.m. at The Hawk, Cheektowaga, NY.

Songbirds: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Saturday, October 24, 8 p.m. at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $20

Cold Shot Trio

Saturday, October 24, 8 p.m. at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.

Grace Lougen’s Birthday Bash

Saturday, October 24, 8 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY.

Whitetails – Album Release Party

Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m. at Revolver Records, Buffalo, NY. $20/$25

Thundercat – The Distracted AF Tour

Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m. at Buffalo Riverworks, Buffalo, NY. $49.95

Bye Week Ball ft/DP & Sanctified Funk, Grosh, Grub, Stress Dolls, David Jonathan & The Inner City Bedlam, Pocketship, Johnny Hart & The Mess, BEÜ plus: A Super Jam Finale

Sunday, October 25, 3 p.m. at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $37.87

Paul Todaro & The Standards

Sunday, October 25, 7 p.m. at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $10-$15

BPO: Symphonic Spooktacular

Per website: Costumes encouraged, curiosity required! Symphonic Spooktacular is a family-friendly celebration of the season, filled with spooky music, big orchestral sounds, and a playful atmosphere. Conducted by Grant O’Brien, the program features eerie, swirling, and surprising pieces that show how composers tell stories through sound. Afterward, kids can parade across the Kleinhans stage in costume—a fun, memorable mix of music and participation for the whole family.

Sunday, October 25, 2:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $8

The Empty Pockets

Sunday, October 25, 4 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20-$25

23rd Annual Female Musicians Fighting Breast Cancer

Sunday, October 25, 1 p.m. at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

Alley Girl w/Evil Things & Thee Isolators

Monday, October 26, 7 p.m. at Revolver Records Elmwood, Buffalo, NY. $10

Marc Scibilia

Tuesday, October 27, 7 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $38.07

The Lowest Pair

Tuesday, October 27, 8 p.m. at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $18/$20

Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen

Tuesday, October 27- Sunday, November 1, various times at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. Various $

Omar Hakim – Pathways to Success in Music & the Arts Speaker Series

Wednesday, October 28, 5:30 p.m. doors at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. FREE.

Marshall Crenshaw Band wsg/Sarah Borges & Eric Ambel

Wednesday, October 28, 5 p.m. doors at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $40

Neo-Soul Tuesdays, Part 2

Hosted by the Rod Bonner Trio. As envisioned and originally curated by Michael DiSanto.

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

Damone Jackson Outcome

Tuesdays, 7 p.m. at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $10

The Steam Donkeys

Tuesdays, 6 p.m. at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. FREE

Coming Up…

Dogs In A Pile & Kitchen Dwellers

Thursday, October 29, 7 p.m. at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $41.92, VIP Meet & Greet $119.37

Tina Williams Sings Jazz w/Stu Weissman and Ed Croft

Thursday, October 29, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $17 stage/$15 bar

Grosh w/Blaised and Confused

Friday, October 30, 7 p.m. doors at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $15

The Damone Jackson Outcome

Friday, October 30, 7 p.m. at Revolver Records Elmwood, Buffalo, NY. $15/$20

The Thurman Brothers Band – The Music Of The Allman Brothers

Friday, October 30, 7 p.m. at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $25-$30

The Irving Klaws Halloween w/The Soul Butchers

Friday, October 30, 9 p.m. doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $10

Adam Ezra Group

Friday, October 30, 7 p.m. doors at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $25/$30

Junior Jerry Jam presents Grateful Dead Disco Halloween w/ Pocketship

Saturday, October 31, 11:30 a.m. doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $15

The Medicinals w/Part Time Genius

Saturday, October 31, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $15

ETERNITY: A Vampire Metal Opera by Vincent James Mastrantonio

Saturday, October 31, 8 p.m. at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $20-$28.66

MOLL-O-WEEN with Buffalo Dead All Stars

Saturday, October 31, 8 p.m. at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.

A Very 90s Halloween ft/Nineties by Nature

Saturday, October 31, 7 p.m. at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo, NY. $25/VIP $75

BPO: Hauntingly Halloween

After concert Halloween Night Dance in the Mary Seaton Room with DJ Milk

Saturday, October 31, 7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $17.50-$126.50

Corrosion of Conformity & The Sword w/Hippie Death Cult

Monday, November 2, 6 p.m. doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $44.95

The Complete Unknowns

Monday, November 2, 6 p.m. doors at Nietzsches, Buffalo, NY. FREE

The Robert Cray Band

Tuesday, November 3, 7:30 p.m. at Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. $51.75 to $137.50

Pat Travers Band wsg/Sydney Irving & the Creatures

Wednesday, November 4, 7 p.m. at The Caz, South Buffalo, NY. $45/$55

Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime – The Final Chapter

Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. at Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY. $39

Stone City Band (ft/original members of Rick James) w/Unity Band

Friday, November 6, 7 p.m. doors at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $60+

Strange Machines & Calabash

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

The Worlds Greatest Tribute To The Traveling Wilburys

Friday, November 6, 7:30 p.m. at Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. $56.75–$68.50

Ally Venable Band w/The Grosh Girls and Dylan Hund

Friday, November 6, 7 p.m. at Samuel’s Grande Manor, Williamsville, NY. $30

It Dies Today – 25th Anniversary of IDT and 20th Anniversary of “Sirens

Saturday, November 7, 5 p.m. doors at Rec Room, Buffalo, NY. $38.82

Cock Robin

Saturday, November 7, 7 p.m. at Hofbräuhaus, Buffalo, NY. $10

The Sheila Divine wsg/Will Dailey

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

Mono Means One (ft/John Ferrara of Consider the Source) wsg/Sailing Stones

Saturday, November 7, 8 p.m. doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $10/$15

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band – 50th Anniversary Tour

Saturday, November 7, 7:30 p.m. at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts, Jamestown, NY. $24-$57

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy

Sunday, November 8, 8 p.m. at at Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. $53.75–$62.50

The Garage Doors

An afternoon of the music and poetry of The Doors

Sunday, November 8, 8 p.m. doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $15

Kleinhans Music Hall and JazzBuffalo present:

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