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Hidden Hospitals

[INDIE] Formed from the Buffalo-based, Equal Vision Records signed band Dameira and the Upstate New York based band Kiss Kiss is Hidden Hospitals. Since 2011, the band has released two EPs and a full length record, 2015’s Surface Tension, which has landed them shows along side bands like Hot Rod Circuit, Cartel, Kevin Devine, and the Used. Now based out of Chicago three-piece band’s moody yet poppy form of indie rock might grab the attention of fans of The Postal Service, Muse, or Radiohead.

Saintseneca

[FOLK] Led by multi-instrumentalist Zac Little, Columbus Ohio’s Saintseneca are leading an indie-folk revival. Four full length albums in, the band has a pretty substantial set of songs to pull from, but beginners might want to start with their ANTI-Records debut Dark Arc, which includes their haunting single “Uppercutter.” 2015’s Such Things doubled down on the band’s folky, sometimes dark but catchy indie rock sound, and expanded their already impressive instrumentation even further. Fans of Violent Femmes and Neutral Milk Hotel, line up.

Roast Battle Buffalo

[COMEDY] If you’ve ever submitted your humanity for roasting on Reddit, or been the target of a good roast on a group chat, then you might be ready for the first bout of Roast Battle Buffalo. This is a battle of insults, maybe some “your momma jokes,” and definitely plenty of one liners, but don’t take them personally, it’s just a game; and the winner gets a $500 cash prize. The event, part of the Tralf Summer Comedy Series, takes place at the Tralf Music Hall this Saturday, July 8. 

Return to Bass Island

[DRUM AND BASS] There’s Bass Mountain, but in the summer, it becomes Bass Island. And Bass Island, apparently, is located at the Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center where Rinse 716 is throwing a massive bass music party to celebrate their two year anniversary. Party headliners include two imports from the UK, drum and bass gurus Jayline and Deejay Ruffstuff. Both DJs are master architects of extended drum and bass sets, and will be complimented by the sounds of Toronto’s  Brockout.

Lung

[WEIRD] “Dark playful, and cellotastic,” is the way one fan described Cincinnati-based indie rock  band Lung. The two-piece band, Kate Wakefield and Daisy Caplan make music that oscillates between beautiful and idealistic and gritty and grimey. Their latest album, Bottom of the Barrel was released earlier this years and features 10 tracks of weird tunes made with mostly distorted cello and pounding drums. They’ll make a stop at Buffalo’s Sugar City this Wednesday, July 12 along with fellow Ohio-ans Dandelion Hunter, and Buffalo freak-rockers Tina Panic Noise and Lesionread. 

Green Jelly

[PUNK] Western New York’s take on GWAR, or something like that, is Green Jelly. The over-the-top live band formed in Kenmore in the early 1980s, opening for classic punk bands like The Ramones and the New York Dolls; though their style has always been even whackier than your typical punk band. They’ve had hits on MTV and their songs have been placed in video games and movies.

Canadian Hall of Fame: Loverboy and Kim Mitchell

[ROCK] The second in Artpark’s Canadian Hall of Fame set of shows this year features the classic arena rock band Loverboy and guitarist Kim Mitchell, known for his work with the band Max Webster, and for solo singles like “Go For Soda” and “America.” Formed in Calgary, Loverboy briefly broke up in 1989 before reuniting only to break up and reunite once again in 1991. They’ve been active ever since, though suffered a tragic lost when bassist Scott Smith died suddenly in 2000.

Michelle Wolf

[COMEDY] Don’t underestimate Michelle Wolf; she’s got some writing chops. Working on two popular late night shows, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and the Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Wolf has likely written some of your favorite bits in the last few years. Now she’s on the stand up circuit and you can catch her at Helium Comedy Club for five shows this Thursday, July 6 through Saturday, July 8.

Billy Strings with Trout Steak Revival

[AMERICANA] Billy Strings is a young, up and coming singer/songwriter based in Nashville. At 24, the guitarist and singer has shared the stage with the likes Del McCoury and Yonder Mountain String Band, and has recently played a string of festival dates. His next tour date is this Wednesday, July 12 at Buffalo Ironworks and he’ll be joined by the Colorado-based Americana-bluegrass band Trout Steak Revival. Don’t miss it.

Nickelback

[ROCK] Look, if you like Nickelback, that’s ok. Some people like the flavor of cilantro; some people love the 2001 romantic comedy Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale; and some people love having lots of babies. There’s no judgement here. You do you. If you want to go see Nickelback at Darien Lake on Wednesday, July 12, I for one say do it. YOLO, am I right?

Magic Giant

[INDIE] ​Out of Los Angeles, Magic Giant are something to see. Their single “Set On Fire” gained them quite a lot of recognition, namely by Billboard when the single charted in the top 30 on the Alternative chart. Magic Giant consists of Austin Bisnow, Zang, and Zambricki Li, a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist who came out of a coma at age 12 and as a result of a rare type of brain trauma, was able to teach himself violin in a matter of days. These guys are individually successful in the music industry, working with artists like David Guetta, Steve Aoki and Big Time Rush.

The Shins

[INDIE] The Shins came out of Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996 as a side project to James Mercer’s then-band, Flake Music. And they’re still really with it. Currently consisting of James Mercer, Jon Sortland, Mark Watrous, Casey Foubert, Yuuki Matthews, and Patti King, the band has had a ton of members in and out since their start. They’ve recorded five studio albums, including their first two—Oh, Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow—which received critical acclaim.

Tibetan Monks

[BUDDHISM] Western New Yorkers will have a rare opportunity to see traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture in action during two events on Saturday at UNITY of Buffalo Church, when a touring group of Tibetan monks from the centuries-old Drepung Loseling Monastery will visit and perform. First, at 3pm, the monks will perform a Tara Puja ceremony, a ritual involving music, chanting and offerings meant to praise and invite the blessings of Tar

Greenwatch Sunday Morning: Generations

The Gerry Bucheit/Queen City Landing LLC business organization that is behind the proposal to build a 23-story glass residential tower on the Buffalo NY Outer Harbor is back in the news again. The company has been assessed a $50,000 penalty by the State of New York as a result of the demolition of the former Freezer Queen building that was located on the site.  Despite detailed community concerns and objections, the city of Buffalo granted a demolition permit for the building. 

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