Western New York's concert scene is definitely taking it up a notch this year, and there's no better evidence of that than today's announcement that Brit band of the moment Arctic Monkeys, will be playing Artpark on June 18th. OK, that's not completely fair to the pride of Sheffield (position previously held by Pulp), who've been kicking around and building up to this moment for over 10 years, and they're taking full advantage with an expanding tour that's bringing them far and wide across our great nation and to our neck of the woods. Frankly we're usually skipped over by these big UK band shows, so this is entirely refreshing and something of a big deal... especially with the nice advance general admission ticket price of $10 and $25 for in front of the stage. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 AM.

Former Smiths frontman Morrissey just announced a spring/summer tour and the string of dates will include a stop at Artpark in Lewiston on Monday, June 16th. If you follow him at all, you know he is notorious for canceling shows due to various ailments, moods, and such, so lets hope this date stays intact. No further on-sale date and price info is currently known, so keep an eye out.

Last night, I saw a cover band. They played most of The Machine's songs, and they actually sounded a lot like them. It was pretty impressive. But there was this problem: we bought tickets to see The Machine, the semi-famous Pink Floyd tribute band and ended up seeing God knows who, because the bass player and lead vocalist, guitarist, and drummer were all new. Now I suppose someone could make the argument of "you knew you weren't going to see the real Pink Floyd so what difference does it make who is in the cover band?" and to some extent have a valid point, but The Machine are supposed to be the cream of the crop and overall, they sounded pretty ordinary.

Western New York's stellar summer concert season continued Wednesday night with a wonderful and freaky blowout from The Flaming Lips at Art Park's outside amphitheater. Not even the blistering heat courtesy of THE HEAT DOME could keep the area's wildest music fans from turning up to see and hear what the Oklahoma City psychedelic rockers had up their sleeves three years after their last local appearance, and we didn't leave disappointed.

Things got started in controversial fashion with Pittsburgh electronic act Tobacco opening the show with an interesting set of hip hop inspired sound collages and sardonic visual projections that always seemed to be lampooning American commerce. The chilled out vibe was ideal for a crowd baking under the early evening sun... until the set abruptly ended with official looking types pulling the plug mid jam. Word on the street has it that some porn was included in Tobacco's visuals, but I didn't see it to be honest with you (I do recall a lot of Fat Boys footage), and even if that was the case, that's pretty cheesy considering three years ago a projection of a giant nude star goddess "gave birth" to the Flaming Lips to kick off their show. The "thin line between art and pornography" indeed.

The word going into the show was that frontman/ideas guy/guru Wayne Coyne had revamped the Lips' live set after a ten year run. Not only was I glad as it was getting a bit hackneyed, I was also very keen to see what was next from the longtime Oklahoma City multimedia artist. What that was turned out to be a shiny mic stand / lighting rig / podium connected by tubes to the lights surrounding the pop art pixilated video screen, with flashing lights pulsating to and from and around the entire stage. It was all very sci-fi, even more so when Wayne in a blue space alien suit reminiscent of his Christmas On Mars movie took his place on his cloud spaceship/altar/podium and led us in song. Gone was the space bubble, the giant balloons, and the rote pomp and circumstance that opened previous Flaming Lips show. The band took their places, the lights kicked in, the music started, and the journey began.

Kicking off with "Look... The Sun Is Rising" and the title track off of their current album, The Terror, the show was framed by the album's Brian Eno ambience and Krautrock influences, creating an intense and strangely beautiful musical experience that carried through to the show's end. Resident Lips musical genius Steven Drozd was on fire with the sonic ear candy that found it's way into every song, highlighting the pretty bits that have been a hallmark of their sound for 20 years. Whether it was the gorgeously fuzzed out Iommi-esque guitars of "The W.A.N.D." or the majestic splashes of sound that punctuated "Virgo Self Esteem Broadcast" and "Silver Trembling Hands," Drozd seemed to be wringing the sweet sounds from the music washing over us for the mesmerized audience's enjoyment.

Rooted to his mic stand light rig contraption and robbed of his usual habit of running around, Wayne took full advantage of his elevated perch upon the vaguely Doctor Who podium he designed, reaching out to the audience, exhorting us to get wild and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding us in conjunction with their show, and singing with tremendous clarity. The wonderful humanity of Lips classics like "Race For The Prize," "All We Have Is Now," and "Do You Realize?" was on full display in large part due to his excellent vocal work, which definitely seems to be getting better with age. Stripping the show of some of the gimmicks and the "inside of a snow globe" effect that was a large part of the Lips live experience for this new exhibition has forced him to up his game as a performer and showman, and he was terrific.

A cohesive musical experience from start to finish, the show built to an exceptional apex, starting with a spirited cover of Devo's "Gates Of Steel" that continued into a powerful exploration of their current single "Turning Violent" and the main set closing crowd pleaser, The Soft Bulletin's "Spoonful Weighs A Ton," pummeling the crowd with it's joyful ear candy, ear candy that carried over to the encore's always heartfelt "Do You Realize?" The Lips brought the show to an apocalyptic and visually intense close with "Always There In Our Hearts," The Terror's closing track. As the music throbbed, the lights flashed and the infrequently utilized confetti canons blasted their confetti into the night, the crowd got swept up in the experience one last super intense time, our senses tested and worked over before being sent home dazed and sort of confused.

It was a Flaming Lips show different from previous Lips shows yet still quintessentially a Lips show in every way, an energizing and focused art experience that showed that even in their 30th year the Lips are blazing ahead and finding new ways to express what they're all about, which is quite a bit actually. Between Tobacco's contentious and controversial abbreviated set and this new and improved Flaming Lips experience, the show Wednesday night was a spicy and memorable happening... and definitely one of the best shows of the year.

Western New York's excellent summer of music continues tonight when legendary Oklahoma City psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips return to Artpark after a three year absence. Currently on tour behind their critically acclaimed 15th album, The Terror , and enjoying a seemingly unlikely 30th anniversary, the band has changed things up sonically on the dark, Kraut-rock infused Terror, and have retooled their live show for this tour, adding another level of excitement to an already hotly anticipated show.

With the perfect combination of music, guided by the resident musical genius Steven Drozd,  and the artistic ambitions and showmanship of ringleader Wayne Coyne, the Lips in live performance is a show unlike anything you've ever seen, and for the low low price of $5 in advance and $10 day of, it's a must see for the uninitiated. The Lips' 2010 Artpark show was magnificent, if poorly attended; a shared communal experience that was part birthday party, part psychedelic art rock freak out, and all catharsis. Who knows what we're in for tonight? The only thing I know for sure is that it will be unforgettable.

Alleghany PA native, electronic music artist, and Black Moth Super Rainbow frontman Tobacco opens the show, and gates open at 4:30 and the show starts at 6:30.

It's a good week for Western New York Flaming Lips fans (of which there should be many considering they record their stuff down the road near Fredonia) with tomorrow night's show at Artpark and yesterday's excellent piece by John Hugar about Zaireeka. Today they also get the new video for "Turning Violent", off of their sublime current release, The Terror. A relatively sedate and minimalist affair by Wayne Coyne standards, the focus is on the music until the song's climax when the crazy light show kicks off and the freak-out commences, perhaps previewing tomorrow night's entertainments. The only thing that would make this week better for Lips fans would be if Sugar City announced they were bringing back their wonderful Zaireeka listening parties...

Tonight, Western New York (and southern Ontario) are on the receiving end of a bonafide treat when neo psychedelic troublemakers MGMT make a rare local appearance at Artpark. Consisting of college chums Andrew Wyngarten and Benjamin Wasserman, MGMT was hot stuff from the get go thanks to a well received EP and the resoundingly critically acclaimed debut LP Oracular Spectacular (2007) before running into the critical thresher with their 2010 release Congratulations. It wasn't that it was a necessarily bad or uninteresting album, just a bit too indulgent and purposely lacking in the best aspects of Oracular Spectucular. With an eponymous third album on the way, MGMT is looking to get back on track, making tonight's local debut even more hotly anticipated. Tickets are $15, gates open at 4:30, and the show starts at 6:30.

Earlier this morning, Artpark released their full summer concert schedule.  Traditionally, the Tuesday in the Park series is for nostalgia freaks with acts like Billy Idol, Chicago, and ZZ Top still chugging along on yesterday's hits. The Coors Light Wednesday series, though, is usually a bit more interesting.  Two of the stand out acts to be playing this summer is MGMT on June 19th and the Flaming Lips on July 17th. MGMT is busy preparing their third studio album, set to be released this summer, and just recently released one of the forthcoming album's songs, "Alien Days," for Record Store Day. As for the Flaming Lips, they just released their latest critically acclaimed album, The Terror, last week and are making their return to Artpark after playing a bonkers show couple years back in 2010.

Roots rocking bluegrass act, the Avett Brothers, will be returning to the Western New York area this spring with a performance at Artpark on Friday, May 24th.  Since forming in North Carolina in 2000, the band has become somewhat of a live act staple and has gone on to release 7 studio albums, most recently 2012's The Carpenter, the 2nd release under the watchful eye of uber producer Rick Rubin.  Tickets for the show are $38 (thats a long way from their free Square show a few years back) and can be purchased through Tickets.com outlets beginning next Friday (1/18) at 10am.
 

Jane's Addiction are, without a doubt, one of the most important rock'n'roll bands of all time. They were one of the first "alternative" bands (whatever the hell that term actually means) to break through to the mainstream, all whilst maintaining their dignity and preserving their art. Instead of cashing in when grunge started booming, they did the smart thing and bowed out, cementing their legacy as a band you just couldn't put your finger on. And to be quite honest, I think they were better than most of those bands anyways. With Jane's, you were always working in the spiritual realm, intangibles abound (mysticism was a heavy part of their early work). Their ethereal combination of funk, punk, hard rock and soul was captivating and important. In a world pre-internet, where virtually everything is known, the mysteries were what kept us fascinated.

Since that time, the band has re-formed several times, and although that aura of mystery around the band no longer exists, it doesn't mean that Jane's can't still put on one helluva show. Not that I would know. I've never seen them. I've only seen videos. Jane's is actually one of three bands on my bucket list I've been waiting most of my life to see. Needless to say I am excited.

Artpark is ground zero tonight (7pm, 40-50$). Along with the ever popular Mutemath, what you can expect is a visually and aurally pleasing show and probably some extra surprises. Perry and Dave like to "free" themselves and that takes different forms in their shows. Head out tonight and see what I mean.

It was another beautiful summer Tuesday in Lewiston, NY as Heart took the stage in the latest installment of Artpark's Tuesday in the Park series.  I'm surely not the only one who was excited to make the short trip up the I-290 to enjoy an evening with the Wilson sisters because this had to be the most packed show I have seen at the outdoor stage of Artpark... and I thought the Ted Nugent show last August was busy!

I entered the venue around 7pm, as the opening band was finishing their set and quickly came to the realization that my best bet was to find a spot where one I could watch the stage and the other eye could monitor the video screen.

Mission accomplished... I found a decent spot right against a walkway guard rail.

Anywho, Heart too the stage shortly after 7:30 and proceeded to rock the night away with all of their hits and a few new songs as well.  i don't remember the names of the newer material they played, but they were markedly heavier than what you may expect from Heart.

It was certainly a treat to hear such classics as "Magic Man" and "Barracuda" performed to the level I was expecting; and I'll certainly give it up for Nancy Wilson, who played more lead parts and solos than I even remember seeing her perform in the videos I have seen of Heart in the 70s... she was certainly rocking all night.

The Tuesday in the Park series continues next week with the Steve Miller Band, but I'm more excited for what is further down the tubes in that of Peter Frampton and Roger Hodgson of Supertramp.

It is a great opportunity to see some all-time greats for little more than what you would spend to get into local bar shows... but be forewarned, that if you expect to have prime seating, you will have to show up shortly after they open the doors at 4:30PM... because that is when the middle-aged lawn chair militia starts staking their claim to... everywhere.

Tonight, the four former lads from Antigonish, Nova Scotia that are The Trews make a return visit to the Greater WNY area for a free show up at Artpark in Lewiston. 14 years and 4 albums later The Trews have become Canadian alternative rock heavy hitters, and being sandwiched in between Artpark's new pay shows, this free ditty is a proper classic Artpark show in the making. The show starts at 6:30 PM and once again it is free so get there early. 

If you were a child of the nineties (or a stoner or hippie) Sublime was inescapable. I remember visiting my friend Brian in California in '96 and it seemed like they were the only band anyone talked about. Sublime was everywhere, whether that influence was direct or not. I still believe that shirtless, white suburban kids with bleached blond hair and baggy shorts owe a debt of gratitude towards Sublime.

We all know what happened next. Brad Nowell died a tragic death, the band broke up while their popularity surged and the legend of Sublime grew and grew. In recent years mega fan Rome Ramirez joined the fold, inspiring the band to get back together and start playing shows again.

Tonight we find Sublime with Rome (I'm happy they called it that by the way. Sublime without Brad is kind of misleading) at Artpark along with Rochester's Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. It's only $15; a price well worth all the memories that Sublime has given to us over the years. I ain't got no crystal ball, but I can tell you tonight will be all about summertime in the living easy.

According to Bob Dylan's website, the folk rock legend will be his long awaited return to the Western New York area on September 6th at Artpark.  I won't sit here and waste time my time or yours writing about Bob Dylan's career because frankly if you are a music fan, you should pretty much know the guy and the impact he has had over the last 50 years since his debut self titled release in 1962.  I took my father, a huge Dylan fan, to his show a couple falls back at RIT, and we loved every minute of it. While Dylan's voice is clearly not his strong suit anymore, not that it ever really was, his band has morphed into this solid road house blues band, giving his old classics a fresh life on stage.  The man is living legend and regardless of how his voice sometimes sounds like broken glass coats his throat, you should make a point to catch him at least once before age finally catches up with him.  Ticket prices are not clear yet, but they do go on sale Friday, July 13th.
 

Indie rock band Tokyo Police Club makes another triumphant return to Buffalo this evening. After introducing themselves to the scene in 2005, these Canadian rockers quickly rose to fame and have never left Buffalo shy of a tour date. Since their first EP in 2005, the band has not slowed down and with countless festivals (Bonnaroo,Coachella,Lollapalooza,Glastonbury) under their belts as well as two full length albums.  It is safe to say TPC has what it takes to make it big.

Tonight, the boys have a gig at Lewiston's Artpark apart of the Coors Light Wednesday concert series.  This is a free show which means it is at the outdoor stage and not in the amphitheater.  Buffalo's own The Tins will be getting things rolling.  Showtime is at 6:30 and again is free, so no ticket is required. Fans, get there early and show both of these bands the love that Buffalo can really deliver.

One of the absolute treats of this year's Record Store Day was the limited edition vinyl Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends which featured collaborations between the Lips and Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave, Yoko Ono, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Erykah Badu, Tame Impala, Prefuse 73, and Neon Indian. These collaborations were originally released in a variety of wacky formats throughout 2011, and the band took the best of them and assembled them into a remarkably cohesive and sprawling double album masterpiece that debuted on Record Store Day on limited edition handmade vinyl albums, and will be getting wide release on cd and digital download from Warner Brothers on June 26. 






With a new album slated for the fall, Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends is an excellent tour of the modern music universe with the Lips as tour guides/instigators, as well as an excellent introduction to this legendary American band. Every now and again people talk about "the American Radiohead" and they always go with Wilco even though the American band that's really pushing the sound has consistently been The Flaming Lips, something underlined repeatedly on Heady Fwends. 






There are currently no area tour dates scheduled, but with a new album on the way you never know (if not this year, maybe next year). Even if you're not a big Flaming Lips fan, you've still got to have seeing them on your "to do" list because they have to be experienced to be believed. I still think a Rocking the Knox with the Lips and an exhibition of Wayne Coyne's art would be dope...

It's pretty fair to say that Jane's Addiction is the most legendary alternative band that never made it mainstream. Oh sure, they had a bit of success with "Been Caught Stealin'" and no doubt turned heads as Lollapalooza headliners, but the kind of fame and fortune reserved for the Nirvana's of the world never seemed to come. They were everyone's influence and chart-toppers to boot but always seemed to exist in the periphery; familiar to some, but not most. A strange enigma in the world of rock. I'm ok with that though. Oftentimes, the music industry machine chews up and spits out groups, turning great bands into one hit wonders (See: Nada Surf). When Janes decided to call it quits in the early '90's, it was on their terms, cementing their reputation as a band that didn't give an F about the money; it was always about the art. Since that time, the group has re-formed on three separate occasions dosing the world with their undeniably unique blend of funk, punk, and hard rock.

I have to be honest:  I'm really excited to break this news. Jane's is one of my all time favorite bands and I honestly thought I would never get the chance to see them. So you can probably understand how I felt when I heard that the group would be coming to Artpark August 20th. Elation would be the best word to describe it. So details: Along with Jane's MuteMath, another excellent band, will also be playing. There are reserved seating and lawn seats. Tickets ($47.50 reserved seating / $32.50 GA lawn plus $2.00 facility fee) are available through Tickets.com or the Artpark Box Office and go on sale this Monday, May 21st, at 10am. I am willing to bet this is going to be a sell out so don't sleep on tickets! Get them now. If you know anything about Jane's you know that their is a mystical force that guides them; their shows are still the talk of the town some 25 years later. Experience the experience.