The grapevine

Buffalo always has a few surprising shows from week to week. This week, legendary musician and former-Beatle Paul McCartney is coming to play a sold-out show at First Niagara Center and 2000s pop punk Mayday Parade will play at Town Ballroom. With midterms wrapping up, get out and enjoy the Queen City and all that it has to offer.

Tuesday, Oct. 20

In the Valley Below – Tralf Music Hall

In the Valley Below, one of UB’s headliners for last year’s Spring Fest, will be returning to Buffalo to play a show at the Tralf. The group, hailing from Echo Park, California, is known for its hit single “Peaches,” as well as other songs from its debut album The Belt, released in 2013. The alt rock band has been touring ever since its album debut and looks to keep pushing its success from 2013.

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Mayday Parade – Town Ballroom

Mayday Parade, a rock band from Tallahassee, Florida, was one of the progenitors of the late 2000s pop punk movement, alongside more famous acts like Plain White T’s and The Academy Is… The band will be performing at Town Ballroom on Wednesday – come out and listen one of 2000s throwbacks.

Peter Mulvey – Babeville

Based out of Milwaukee, Peter Mulvey has been touring practically nonstop since the early 1990s. The musician has had a long, strange career – he first began playing music seriously while traveling in Dublin and, later, Boston. He has released over 20 studio albums and is known for his easygoing percussive guitar and dry humor.

Thursday, Oct. 22

Paul McCartney – First Niagara Center

Everyone knows who Paul McCartney is. The legendary singer-songwriter has been busy since his days with the Beatles, collaborating with numerous artists including Paul Simon, Dave Grohl and Kanye West. Now 73, the veteran is still touring hard and his show on Thursday at First Niagara reportedly sold out in under five minutes. If you were one of the lucky few to get tickets before they sold out, McCartney’s show is sure to be a one-in-a-lifetime concert.

Friday, Oct. 23

Neon Indian – Tralf Music Hall

Neon Indian is an American electronic band from Texas. Its newest album, VEGA INTL. Night School, follows up on the band’s first two successes, Psychic Chasms and Era Extraña. Heavily influenced during the rise of chillwave during the late 2000s, Neon Indian is known for its experimental live shows, wowing crowds with its unique brand of synthpop. The band will be performing at the Tralf Music Hall on Friday.

Saturday, Oct. 24

Mat Kearney – Town Ballroom

American folk musician Mat Kearney will be coming to Buffalo on Saturday. His most recent album Just Kids was released on Feb. 24 and he has been promoting the album on tour since then. Kearney, never able to replicate the success of his first album Nothing Left to Lose, has been chasing after his debut acclaim since 2005. The musician is a standout performer, having toured since 2003, and is set to headline Town Ballroom on Saturday.

Sunday, Oct. 25

STS9 – Town Ballroom

Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) is an instrumental rock, electronic, funk and psychedelic band whose obsessive touring has brought them acclaim. Its music, officially dubbed “Livetronica,” is a heavily improvised music style, making every live show different. Recently, the band lost its bassist when former member David Murphy left the group, replaced by Alana Rocklin. The show on Sunday will likely have a good turnout – frequently stopping in Buffalo on their tours, the group has a large underground following in the city that comes to see the jam band every time it plays. Come out and dance.

Brian Windschitl is the senior arts editor and can be reached at arts@ubspectrum.com.