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

Even though the summer concert season is now upon us, the announcements of new shows continue to come in, leading me to wonder how I’m actually going to fit all this craziness into the next 4 months or so. It’s a good problem to have.

THE Asbury Arts Center from the Babeville complex took over this week, with three new concerts that run the gamut from alternative r&b/funk to Nigerian alternative rock to metal.

The first of these is particularly exciting, as it features Nigerian-inspired alternative rock legend Takamba. Mdou Moctar in Buffalo for the first time. Blending serious six-string virtuosity with lyrics that offer an unflinching view of the lives of the Taureg people of Niger, Moctar and his band bring psychedelia and acid blues to traditional Taureg rhythms, and they melt your face into the process.

“What does it mean to be free in our time? » asks Moctar in the press release of his namesake group. “Can the world be freed from the colonial mindset that has caused so much harm and mistrust? Can we mourn our losses while rebuilding into something more amazing, more fantastic? Funeral for Justice (the band’s new album) says we can do this.

Mdou Moctar comes to Asbury Hall with JRCG (Justin R Cruz Gallego) on Friday June 21 at 8 p.m. Check out this video of the band having a blast during a session for Seattle’s KEXP.

Babeville also brings Robert ‘Sput’ Seawright’s Ghost Note back to town for a stop on their Mustard n’Onions Summer Tour 2024. This impressive, virtuosic and spooky set, which you may have seen many times over the years at Buffalo Iron Works, comes to Asbury Hall Wednesday, September 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m. at babevillebuffalo.com.

Finally, former Black Sabbath/Dio/Heaven & Hell/Derringer drummer Vinnie Appice brings his Knights of the Sabbath at Asbury Hall on Thursday, July 25, at 7 p.m., with guests Fly And 1980 Something. In addition to Appice on drums, the band includes Buffalo’s Jim Crean on vocals, Jimmy Caputo on bass and Artie Dillon on guitar. The line-up will include favorites from Appice’s tenures in Black Sabbath and Dio. Tickets are available now at babevillebuffalo.com.

I’m taking some well-deserved time off next week, so this Where the Bands Are is a double edition, offering a curated list of recommended shows between June 6 and 21. See you soon!

Saturday, June 8, 1:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at various locations in East Aurora, NY $20 advance/$30 day

Here is the complete program.

Thursday, June 6, 6:30 p.m. at Harbor Walk, Buffalo, NY $12.50

Thursday Night Live: Managerial

Thursday June 6, 5:30 p.m. Wilson Town Square, Knox BuildingBuffalo AKG Museum, Buffalo, New York Free

Music Matters Summer Concert Series: Damone Jackson Outcome and Tiger Chung Lee

(Proceeds from the event will benefit Kleinhans Music Hall programming, including the Global Grooves music series and the maintenance of this national historic building.)