To the informed music fan, the music scene in Western New York is an enigma of sorts. On one hand, concerts and shows are a short ride away, and there is a slew of good local bands to accompany the various touring acts that come through town. On the other hand, shows often skip Buffalo based on its reputation for having unenthusiastic concert-goers and sporadic attendance.
The Mohawk Place, 47 East Mohawk St., is a prime example of this phenomenon. Nearly seven days a week, the bar plays host to a wide array of independent music, from alternative to country to emo to blues. Bands like Pedro The Lion, The Dismemberment Plan and the Gloria Record have played to packed houses and raved of their time spent in town. However, notable artists like Richard Buckner, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and Aveo have played to less than stellar crowds with nary a toe tapping.
The pros and cons are also in effect at Broadway Joe's. Providing a different genre each day remains both an asset and a detriment to the bar located at 3051 Main Street, less than a mile down the street from South Campus. On jam nights, members of Rusted Root have played. Broadway Joe's also presents "Baby Steps," the area's premiere hip-hop performance evening.
210 and Then Productions' "Indie Mondays" at Broadway Joe's is not only a guaranteed rock show, it is a chance to hang out with like-minded and religiously devoted music lovers. The night also offers an opportunity to sample the quality local indie rock by bands including Johnny Nobody and The Process.
Of course, for those who love Dave Matthews or John Mayer, there is every other bar in the area, which feature singer/songwriters and bands, wooing the ladies and winning over the guys with a wide selection of covers, as well as a scarce sprinkling of originals. Popular places are The Steer, located a few blocks from South Campus at 3151 Main St., Big Shotz, 45 W. Chippewa St., and Mr. Goodbar at 1110 Elmwood Ave. where you can often hear the similar local stylings of More Than Me, Scott Celani or No U-Turn at every turn.
For more popular acts like Thursday, Seether or Chaimara, as well as numerous other hard rockers, Showplace Theatre at 1063 Grant Street is the best bet in town. The atmosphere can be a little dingy, but the opportunity to see breakout artists in an intimate setting more than makes up for it.
Last, and possibly least, are larger venue shows like those held downtown at ECC's Flickinger Athletic Center, 21 Oak St. and the HSBC Arena at One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza, or those at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, 9993 Alleghany Rd., Darien Center, NY. These are the only venues where you will get to see fairly large bands in Buffalo. Of course, unless you are dealing with veterans like Bruce Springsteen or Pearl Jam - who strive to make sure every show sounds great at every venue - you run the chance of spending $30 to hear a muddled mess. Enter boy bands.
Western New York is no slouch to good shows, as long as one knows where to look. Artvoice is a free publication that provides event calendars, concert listings and feature stories. It can be found on numerous news stands throughout campus and around town. The Buffalo News features a pull-out Gusto section every Friday detailing what is going on. And of course, The Spectrum's Arts and Entertainment section covers a wide array of musical happenings on campus as well as around the Western New York area.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
