Where the bands are: this week in live music and concert news | Music

I had one of those hallelujah moments last week, when I walked into Sportsmen’s Tavern just before the Miller & the Other Sinners album release party started, I took a look. Look around and realized that what seemed like half of the Buffalo music community was present.

It was meaningful, partly because it was comforting to have so many friends in one place at once, but also because of the subtext. There were so many musicians, music lovers, venue owners, veterans and newcomers here, gathered to celebrate one of our own, in the form of David Michael Miller – the bandleader, singer, songwriter and guitarist by Miller & the Other Sinners. who had also overseen the production of the album we were there to celebrate, the excellent Thieves in the bread line.

The fact that so many people came to see a program of entirely original music flew in the face of what we have come to accept as a brutal reality for working musicians in our region – that we are much more easier to fill the house when we play programs of other people’s music than when we play music we have written ourselves. (This is not a disadvantage for tribute bands – I attend their shows regularly and have played in several of them myself. And I find that, for the most part, these groups bring a lot of their own their own creativity and personality to the music, no matter who wrote it.)

Miller & the Other Sinners put on a transcendent show, blending southern soul, blues, rock and gospel, and transforming Sportsmen’s Tavern into an impromptu, pop-up, non-denominational church for several hours. And the crowd was enthusiastic, attentive and truly inside.

For one night at least, I really felt like I was part of a beautiful, unified community, a community that knows that music speaks to the best in us and unites us in a way than pettier concerns never had and never will.

If I could bottle this feeling, I would fill my fridge with it and empty 6 of it every night.

Artpark announced a show featuring the Pink Floyd tribute set The Machine, with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by a laser light show. This one will take place at the Artpark Mainstage Theater – that’s the indoor stage, to be clear – on Saturday August 3. Tickets start at $29 for reserved seating and go on sale Friday, May 10 at 10 a.m., via ticketmaster. com and Artpark Box Office (716-754-4375.)

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Roadtrip!!!!!

Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, New York announces Don Was, Guster, Drive-By Truckers, Andy Frasco, Guided By Voices, Karina Rykman and more

Some pretty incredible shows on offer this week. Here are a few…

Drummer/composer Bobby Previte was in Buffalo this week to present his Music 360 improvisation workshop, thanks to a partnership between The Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation and Hallwalls. The workshop will conclude with a live performance at The Cave on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. Hear the band Workshop and a performance by Bobby and Steve Baczkowski!

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Alternative

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Rock

Living color

Thursday, May 16, 8 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY $29.50

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Jam

Eggy with Fairchild organ

Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m. at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY $16 – $18

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Zappa!

The Furious Bongos – A project by Frank Zappa

feat members of Dweezil Zappa’s band

Monday, May 13, 7 p.m., doors to Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY $20

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Rock

Crash test dummies

Sunday, May 12, 8 p.m. at Electric City, Buffalo, NY $29.50 – $59.50

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Rock

Alison Pipitone’s “Best Things” album release party

Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m. at Sportsmen’s Tavern, Buffalo, NY $15

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Jazz

LE QUENTET – A Thursday evening Jazz Happy Hour

Thursday, May 9, 5:30 p.m. at the Lounge at Revolution Gallery, Buffalo, NY Free

Enjoy an eclectic mix of reimagined jazz standards infused with neo-soul funk.

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Tribute

Analog Kids: tribute to RUSH

Saturday May 11, 8 p.m. at The Cave, Buffalo, NY $15

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Jazz/New Music/Brazilian

2nd Annual Concert Donation to the Community

Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m. at Lippes Concert Hall at Slee Hall, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY Free

A program featuring UB Music Department faculty, students and local musical luminaries in a concert honoring the strength and diversity of Buffalo. Performers include Sabu Adeyola, George Caldwell, Jaman Dunn-Danger, Colter Harper, Eric Huebner, Curtis Lovell, Alex McArthur, Jeff Scott, Michael Serio, the UB Friday Band and the UB Choro Ensemble.

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Flamenco/Rock

Rodrigo and Gabriela with OKAN

Sunday, May 12, 8 p.m. at Asbury Hall, Babeville, Buffalo, NY $45

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Alternative

Album Stressdolls Queen of no Release Show, wsg/Son of Luther

Friday May 17, 8:30 p.m. at the Lounge at Revolution Gallery, Buffalo, NY $10/$15

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Bluegrass

Buffalo Bluegrass Allstars

Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m. at 42 North Brewing Company, East Aurora, NY $15/$13

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R&B

David Jonathan and the chaos of downtown

Saturday May 11, 7 p.m. at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY $15/$13