Last week, the Outer Harbor Concert Series was teasing the announcement of two big shows, and after today's unveiling, it's clear the organizers weren't lying. The first and biggest land, Vampire Weekend, is set for Monday, June 9th (doors 6pm, show 7pm), and second, a loaded bill of City and Colour, Tokyo Police Club, and Young the Giant, on Friday, July 11th (doors 6pm, show 7pm).

Vampire Weekend is still riding the critical success of Modern Vampires of the City, the band's third, and in this writer's opinion, best release yet. VW recently played Rochester's Main Street Armory, but hasn't graced Buffalo since their early days, so expect this to be a much hyped and anticipated affair. As for the second show, it has been said before and it will be said again: Buffaloians LOVE Canadian bands. While the Hip won't be touring this summer, City and Colour and Tokyo Police Club are sure to fill the Canadian fix, and along with California's Young the Giant, both will be making welcome returns to the WNY area after numerous visits in the past.

The folks over at the Outer Harbor Series and Alternative Buffalo (the series' co-presenters) have been nice enough to give the blog a pair of tickets for each show to give away this week. Make sure to follow us on all forms of social media (facebook, twitter, instagram) this Wednesday for a chance to snag two Vampire Weekend tickets, and Thursday for City and Colour/Tokyo Police Club/Young the Giant.

If you aren't lucky enough to win the giveaway, tickets will go on sale to the general public this Friday, March 14th, at 12pm. Vampire Weekend tickets will run $39 in advance/$43 day of, while City and Colour and co. will be $42/$47. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, in addition to the Town Ballrom and After Dark offices.

These are exciting times for Buffalo's waterfront with Canalside and Habor Center taking shape at the foot of Main Street and big plans being contemplated for the Outer Harbor site off of Fuhrman Boulevard. There's been talk about a new stadium for the Bills, a park designed by some big time park architects, and a mystery third option yet to be determined. After a long period in limbo and  after an even longer period of neglect, a big decision with long-term ramifications for the area and our vastly underused waterfront is coming, and hot damn I want that park... just so long as we get to keep and develop the Outer Harbor Concert Series.

Now of course this isn't just because I'm a music fan. There's a lot of reasons why a well designed park is not only a great option, but rather it's really the only option. The stadium idea of course it's patently nonsensical, as anybody who sat in traffic for those Hip and Black Keys shows can attest. The two lanes of Fuhrman Boulevard can't cut it for 15,000 concert goers, so a modern football stadium that would hold 80,000 is utterly out of the question. As far as other uses for that patch of land, I just don't see any, considering it is waterfront property and we still have Buffalo winters (for now, global warming is sure to take care of those for us eventually).

But how about a mall? Or office park? Yes. Let's sell that land to somebody so they can develop it, and we can shop on the Buffalo waterfront. And go to work. On the waterfront. Because we can't do either of those anywhere else in Western New York. Yeah, let's not do that. We're pretty good for museums. Are there ideas for the Outer Harbor yet to be articulated? Sure, and I want to hear them, but we've had a few years to spitball ideas, and frankly it's time to move forward.

No, this park concept from the folks who designed Brooklyn's idyllic Brooklyn Bridge Park is something to really chew on and dream about. Looking at what's happening along the New York waterfront, and Brooklyn in particular, it's amazing the amount of park land there or going in there after post industrial reclamation. From the Brooklyn Heights Promenade overlooking the Piers 5 and 6 parks to Brooklyn Bridge Park itself, it's almost one big park system for the people of that proud borough, and where people gather, it's largely believed that economic development follows. And if this good enough for Brooklyn, the new center of the universe, and if NYC is getting in touch with it's Olmsted legacy, there's a good possibility that it might be good for Buffalo, with its own Olmsted pride. 

After calamitous weather struck down their show two weeks ago, we get another crack at seeing Kingston Ontario's The Tragically Hip at Buffalo's Outer Harbor tonight. Smooshed together with the previously scheduled Lowest of the Low and Flogging Molly show, this mini festival thang with the Hip now headlining ought to be interesting not only from a musical and logistical perspective, but also in terms of being a possible vision of things to come for the Outer Harbor. Yes, it is a pain in the ass getting in and out of there, but if there's a big bill and I'm going to be there for a bunch of hours, I'm kind of cool with it... especially if it's for a day long festival ala the Grove Festival originally scheduled for Niagara-On-The-Lake (but now in Toronto). The lots open at 4, gates open at 5, and the show starts at 6:45.

For my money, The Hold Steady was the Buffalo show of the year until Monday night's Black Keys show at Buffalo's Outer Harbor site with The Joy Formidable. They might still be Buffalo show of the year had there been more than 500 people at Canalside due to dubious weather, severely limiting the band's impact and robbing them and us a mass transcendent experience. Monday night's show however came together perfectly, and at last, the Outer Harbor lived up the hype.

The Joy Formidable got things started right with an thrashing, electrifying set that riled up the growing crowd up front and mesmerized the crowd back by the beer tents. I knew we were in for some powerful stuff when I saw that the drum set up was to the side of the stage instead of near the rear, and the Welsh band delivered in spades, with drummer Matthew James Thomas jamming out and communicating directly to bandmates Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Dafydd Davies (the Welsh are the best), who were busy bewitching me with some wonderful vocal harmonies. They were the perfect opening act for The Black Keys. The crowd absolutely loved them, I loved them, and their explosive set kind of reminded me of the Keys show at the Town Ballroom in 2010, where hopefully we'll get to see them again as headliners.

After a tastefully short interregnum, Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney came out to a properly rapturous welcome and positively tore through a set heavy on their most recent LP's, 2010's breakthrough Brothers and 2012's El Camino, with a few older cuts sprinkled throughout for their longtime fans. "Howling For You" kicked things off and set the tone for the evening with it's naked longing and rowdy sing-a-long chorus that instantly swept the crowd up and established the group mind meld that prevailed for the rest of the show, even when they brought out their additional musicians for a few numbers throughout the set. I would have to attribute that to the fact that the focus never comes off of  Auerbach and Carney thanks in no small part to their profound energy and workingman's ethic of working for that dollar. They didn't take it easy in the least, and the crowd properly appreciated and responded to their energy in kind.

Still, one of the highpoints of the night came when Auerbach (Can I call him Auerbach? I'm calling him Auerbach) said that we were "like a mini Lollapalooza out there," which was frankly a lovely thing to say, and more importantly, a fine idea to consider. No, not a three day indie music blow out (not yet at least), but that Outer Harbor site is crying out for a solid one day music festival. They've got the Port-A-Cans, they've got the food trucks, that stage is dynamite, that ground is nice and Bonnaroo soft, and hot damn that would be nice. Maybe next year. Auerbach also scored when he asked the crowd if the Old Pink has the best steak sandwich, further establishing his Buffalo and old smoothie bona-fides with his rather large congregation.

By the time things came to a head with raw and unflagging jams on "Tighten Up" and "Lonely Boy," the  scene was one of people either ecstatically jamming out or contentedly blissed out to the powerful vibes being laid down by the guys from Akron, Ohio in a properly Rust Belt post industrial tableau, and everything just seemed right... like this was why they're doing shows on that site in the first place, and it was all good. The obligatory encore, a gritty and nasty shredding of Attack and Release's "I Got Mine" sent the crowd home on their death marches back to their cars happy, and with joy in their hearts (believe me, I had time to gauge reactions during my death march).

If the last ten years has seen Buffalo emerge as genuine Springsteen country, then the last three have done the same for The Black Keys, as the band has moved in that short period from playing to 450 people at the Town Ballroom to Artpark in 2011 and culminating Monday night at the Outer Harbor. The Black Keys proved that they are indeed true Rust Belt compadres; good people, hard working dudes, and soulful bluesmen who've turned it up to 11 to set themselves, and us free.

Welsh indie rock band The Joy Formidable formed in 2007 when childhood friends Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Davies, returning to their hometown of Mold, were united with drummer Justin Stahley. The band's debut EP A Balloon Called Moaning, which included the single "Austere," was released in 2009 and contained elements of noise rock as well as shoegaze.

After signing to Canvasback Records in 2010, they recorded their debut LP, The Big Roar, in London, receiving favorable reviews from publications like BBC Music, NME, and Spin. During the year long world tour supporting the record, the band began writing material for their latest full length, Wolf's Law. The title references a scientific theory suggesting that bones become stronger in response to stress as an adaptation and is said to be influenced by Native American Mythology.

Since the album's release back in January, the trio has been touring nonstop throughout North America, making their way to Buffalo's outer harbor concert site in support for Akron blues rockers The Black Keys (in what promises to be the show of the summer). Gates open at 6pm so look for The Joy Formidable to take the stage around 7:30pm.

So, it's a day after the Guns N' Roses show at the Harbor and my facebook feed is buzzing. Everyone seems to be talking about this show; some of it good, some of it bad, depending on which camp you fall in. The audience is, and always has, been pretty divided when it comes to the NEW Guns N' Roses. You're either of the "GNR is the best thing since sliced bread, they can do no wrong and they KILLED it last night" variety or the "Axl is fat, out of tune, and his band sucks" variety. Truth be told, praise for the show last night seems to be over-inflated, and the criticisms aren't entirely justified, or even accurate. Here's my opinion of the show.

Got there as Monster Truck were hitting their stride. Their set was kind of meh. Like alot of Canadian bands they rock, but never hard enough. You've seen this band a thousand times. A few memorable, bluesy licks but too much contrived rock star nonsense, and a singer who tries to "belt" but inevitably sounds like that guy from Seven Mary Three. I have becuuuuuuuuuume cumbersome...and so has this music.

GNR is noteworthy for their late start times. I was worried that it would be well after midnight by the time they began. As a guy who gets up early for work, this is a very serious concern, especially considering the fact that they typically play 2-4 hour shows. Fortunately, the band started on time, right around 10pm.

After opening with a shredding version of "Chinese Democracy", the band transitioned into some of their older material including "Welcome to the Jungle," "It's So Easy," and "Rocket Queen." All of the essentials were, in fact, covered during this set including epic versions of "Civil War," and "Knocking on Heaven's Door." The band sounded tight...pretty heavily locked from the get-go. I could have done without all the solos, and those two songs by Bumblefoot and Tommy, but I give them props for not endlessly shredding for 10 minutes like most guitar players. At least they played songs. The only "shredding" came by way of Richard Fortus, and I like when he shreds. Quite the underappreciated guitar player in my book...especially if you like old time rock'n'roll and finger picking.

And Axl? I'd say Axl sounded alright. In recent times, he's been knocked for his voice, but, aside from some minor pitch problems, it sounded like plain old Axl Rose, which, if you're a fan, is a good thing. He didn't sound UNBELIEVABLE mind you, but when you play a 3 hour show outdoors in the cold, you have to cut a guy some slack. I thought he delivered the goods, even if there were some pitch issues here and there. His voice has kind of morphed in recent years and he's becoming more of a baritone. I don't mind this. He's certainly no 2013 Dylan (Youtube some of his more recent performances and prepare to cringe).

There were the usual explosions, and costume changes you'd expect to see at a rock show like this and some interesting visual elements including a screen depicting some overtly sexualized dancing from beautiful women and GNR attempting to make the occasional serious "statement", whatever that was all about. I always laugh at that stuff because no one ever takes it seriously. And no one ever knows what the artist is trying to say when making said statement.

The crowd was overwhelmingly lame. I thought there would be more participation. People seemed almost apathetic during the course of the show, which kinda bummed me out. Very little dancing, very controlled... too tame. 20 years ago, this was a band that would incite an almost feverish response, on the verge of riotous behavior. Time has unfortunately moved beyond Guns N' Roses. I guess everyone's just getting old.

This was not the best show I have ever seen but, all told, it was still pretty fantastic. It's what I expected to be honest. I've seen this band in its new incarnation three times and I'm beginning to get comfortable with what it is that they do. And what they do is put on long sets, cover most of their best material, and still seem to genuinely enjoy it. GNR isn't phoning it in, like so many other bands of their era. Something about them is still authentically real. And for that I tip my hat. I am a supporter for life.

Guns N' Roses. Need I say more?

The seminal, hard rock band with arguably the finest debut in rock'n'roll history, will be performing for the first time in Buffalo since their legendary show with Metallica way back in 1992 on the Use Your Illusion Tour. Since that time they have disappeared, re-appeared, and are currently on a world tour-de-force, re-establishing themselves at the top of the pecking order. The throne is there's to take.

The announcement came just minutes ago, an air of mystery surrounding the event. Outer Harbor Concerts facebook page announced a "BIG" event and I couldn't be more pleased. Guns N' Roses are legends, as famous for their visceral live gigs as any of their recorded output. They are without a doubt my favorite band of all-time, haters be damned.

G n' R have always had their detractors. Many say its not the same band since the original lineup departed. I say (as an unabashedly loyal super-fan whose seen the band twice in its new incarnation) you have to witness the spectacle live to become a believer. Not only did they exceed my expectations, they blew them out of the fucking water.

June 5th. Outer Harbor. Biggest rock show of the year. There's really nothing left to say.

Buffalo's been down with the Tragically Hip for a long time, and the Hip in turn have graced us with some amazing shows at a variety of venues throughout Western New York. UB, the Aud, Darien Lake, Audio Magic Studios, HSBC Arena, the Town Ballroom, Artpark, and Canalside, the Hip are always up for new spaces to play, and this July they'll be adding the Outer Harbor to that list. Funtime Productions and After Dark Entertainment will be bringing the pride of Kingston Ontario back to Buffalo's waterfront after a two year absence July 19, this time at the new venue located on the site of the old Pier nightclub, with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals opening the show. Tickets are $50, go on sale Friday April 12, and are available thru Ticketmaster and at the Town Ballroom and After Dark Entertainment box offices.

And for a special treat, here's a clip from the Hip's set at the old Southtowns FYE in 2007, in between their two sold out shows at the Town Ballroom.

One hour to go til doors and it was pouring rain. I was sulking about the prospect of standing by the stage in the mud. My friend called to let me know he was picking up ponchos. I was prepared for misery.

And just like that the clouds broke, the sky cleared and things were right in the world again. You take risks when you live in Buffalo and outdoor concerts in the fall are one of them. Fortunately for me and the rest of the crowd who descended upon the Outer Harbor that evening, this wouldn't be one of those nights.

Arriving shortly after doors, we were greeted with a line a quarter mile long, full of some of the best Buffalo had to offer; punk rockers, South Buffalo Irish drunks, yahoos, freaks, scoundrels and scalliwags....but mostly a lot of normal people. After making our way through the gate, we headed to the "over 21 section" which seemed to remain more populated throughout the night than even stageside. Some drunk was yelling "Dropkiiiick Muuuuuuuuuuurphys" for five minutes straight and I wouldn't mind if this guy was eliminated from the earth. God have mercy on your soul you swine.

Anyways, after a bit of delay and a few beers, Snapcase hit the stage, which was the highlight of my whole evening. For those not in the know, Snapcase is a Buffalo-based hardcore band that was really popular in the nineties and early 2000's before their untimely breakup a few years ago. Since that time they've played a few reunions. None however had quite the impact of last nights firestorm. The sound was fantastic and the setlist was incredible. Charging out of the gate immediately with "Coagulate", one of the group's strongest tracks, the band continued its tour de force with an End Transmission heavy set, as well as hitting numerous other classics before closing their set with their most popular song, 1997's "Caboose." The usual Bills and Sabre's jokes followed the songs, but it felt more natural coming from a bunch of Buffalonians who have lived through the constant state of sports misery.

Waiting. Waiting. It seemed to take forever before Dropkick Murphys took stage but when they did, it was with a commanding presence. The audience went nuts as traditional Irish music filled the park over the monitors signaling what was to come.. and when the band rushed the stage you'd swear it was AC/DC and not the humble, punk rock of a simple Boston-based band. One thing you have to respect about Dropkicks, whether you're a fan or not, is the energy and passion they put into their music. You can't fake the kind of love they were giving, smiling and jumping around the stage like madmen. In terms of the setlist, it was a lot of newer songs. What I consider "new" though is anything after their classic albums Do or Die and The Gangs All Here. It was at this point when they went from being an Irish influenced punk band to being a full on Irish band. I was pleasantly surprised to hear "Which Side Are You On", "Warriors Code" and "Boys on the Dock", and a few of the newer numbers such as "The Boys are Back (and They're Looking for Trouble)" certainly hold their own in the catalog. Overall though, I would liked to have heard a Do Or Die heavy set. That's just the old punk rocker in me I guess.

The night ended in style, with most crowd goers either stumbling drunk or half deaf (my GOD, was it LOUD!). A rousing finale left Buffalonians feeling proud to be Irish or wishing that they were. It's fair to say Dropkick and Snapcase, although an odd pairing, were perfect for that particular night and that particular place in time. Hell, it didn't even rain.

Everybody's favorite Irish upstarts are back! Dropkick Murphys, the Boston-based punk band turned loud and proud Ireland-via the States representatives, are returning to Buffalo tonight along with barrels of Guinness and enough green to blind the eyes you can expect to hear chants, sing-alongs, bagpipes, and the fiercest hard luck tales this side of the Atlantic.

Opening the show is Snapcase, Buffalo's most legendary hardcore band. This is, in fact, their reunion show, and may be your last opportunity to catch their discordant brand of HC, at least until the next time they do it.

Hopefully we ward off the bad weather as this show is at the Outer Harbor (325 Fuhrmann Blvd), come rain or shine. Shows at 6pm so if you work downtown swing by afterwards. Don't worry about wearing a suit and tie. The crowd will be too drunk to notice either way. Sing loud, sing proud.

Ever find yourself listening to "The Weight" by The Band when subliminally in the back of your mind you hear the familiar shouts of Young Joc saying "anywhere ya meet me, guaranteed it's goin' down."  Girl Talk tends to have that effect.

Under Illegal Art Record label, mash-up artist Greg Gills, better known by his moniker Girl Talk, will be taking the stage tonight at the Buffalo Outer Harbor.  If you have no knowledge of his work and can't quite grasp the immensity of his jam-packed sampled catalog, his newest album All Day has 372 samples in a matter of 71 minutes.  Yeah, 372 song samples in nearly an hour.  Multi-genre and impeccably cut and blended, his tracks have a way of satisfying everyone's taste buds all the while keeping you bumpin' and grinding.  

"Livetronica dubcore" will be heard from Rochester group RootsCollider and Buffalo electronic duo Love Scenes will be opening as well.  

Supernaut, Funtime, AfterDark and MNM Presents
Girl Talk
Tonight - August 23, 2012
Buffalo Outer Harbor (325 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo, 14203)
gates at 7 pm
all ages

Check out the event page on Facebook for more information.

@girltalk
Girl Talk on Facebook

Here's a video to take a peek at what you'll be getting into.