[SURF ROCK] It’s hard to believe that such tidy, ultra-melodic surf-pop can actually come from the cloud-heavy cover of Western New York. True, the sentiment isn’t always as sunny to match, but that’s part of the fun. Bryan Johnson and Family wrap old-timey themes of juvenile angst in bouncy, two- to three-minute pop songs that help us forget how awfully complicated life has become.
[ROCK] The local trio’s bluesy stew got a proper analog showcase on 2013’s Call It a Red, which was recorded on reel-to-reel tape and exemplifies the chemistry at the band’s core. David Carlos’ lilting vocal style projects a world-weary honesty that recalls a less polished Dan Auerbach—and references to the Black Keys surface in other areas as well—but Bearhunter also embraces an indie-pop spirit the pokes through often enough to make their sound very much their own.
[PARTY] For those scoring at home, this will be the sixth Trimania event since 2002, and first one since 2013. There will be over 30 bands participating, at least 20 artists with work on display on the walls and performing in the halls, three live photo booths, a handful of food trucks, microbrews from Flying Bison and two specialty cocktails fitting the theme of mischievous business: Vanilla Gorilla and Chocolate Monkey.
[SOUL] Coated in soul and teeming with the dazed momentum of psychedelic rock, Monophonics have a knack for putting a contemporary slant on the kind of moody, booming 1960s anthems that tackle themes from riots to twisted romance. This Thursday
[JAM] Buffalo’s kings of the Queen City jam scene are back. Aqueous will be making a long-awaited return to Buffalo this Saturday, April 18, for a special show at Buffalo Iron Works. The band’s last performance in Buffalo was on New Year’s Eve with fellow scene friends, Funktional Flow. It sold out and was a great way to kick off the new year. If there’s one band that continuously ups the ante though, it’s Aqueous.
[ROCK] The Tragically Hip sits in the pantheon of Canadian rock gods alongside Neil Young and Bryan Adams. The platinum selling, Juno Award-winning quintet is marked by their energetic showmanship and powerful roots-rock sensibilities. Their 12-album repertoire is an infectiously rhythmic treasure trove baring gems like “New Orleans is Sinking” and “Bobcaygeon.” By the mid-1980s they had become a household name in their Canadian homeland, but in 1993 they became a global concern.
[CLASSICAl] Classical cellists Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser strike their strings with John Bonham ferocity. The Croatian duo is known as 2Cellos, and they’re bringing new meaning to the term classic rock. Their self-titled debut and sophomore album, In2uition, boast instrumental (usually cello) arrangements of rock favorites. They rose to fame on YouTube with their cover of “Smooth Criminal,” which was eventually featured on Glee—arguably one of the show’s finest moments.
[ROCK] The Soft White Sixties adopted their name from light bulbs, which is fitting since their music hits you like a smoky soulful-rock electric shock. The San Francisco quartet spent their early years relentlessly perfecting their live showmanship, boasting seething rock with deep grooves and fuzzed-out hooks—modern pop with a gritty edge.
[DANCE] The University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts welcomes the Russian National Ballet Theatre to the stage for their presentation of The Sleeping Beauty on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30pm. This traditional full-length ballet, made up of three acts, features music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreography by Marius Petipa. The piece, which is often recognized as one of the finest achievements in classical ballet, first debuted in St. Petersburg in 1890.
[DANCE] The University at Buffalo Theatre & Dance Department will showcase the Zodiaque Dance Ensemble Friday, April 17 through Sunday 19. The dance performance, directed by Kerry Ring and Anne Burnidge, will feature works from two guest artists, faculty choreography, and mentored student works. New York City-based dancers Kendra Portier and Daniel Gwirtzman will present their guest choreography paired with works from UB dance faculty members Burnidge and Jeanne Fornarola.