Though it may not be evident from the weather, spring has finally arrived at the University at Buffalo, and along with it a bevy of activities for these coming months of thaw. The once hibernating nightlife of our area is about to be invaded by throngs of touring acts who were previously too daunted by the cold and snow to pay us a visit. So what better way is there to enjoy the second half of your semester than by grabbing your hoodie, and enjoying a semi-frigid night of live music?
April 1: Matt Pond PA @ Nietzsche’s
Matt Pond PA is an indie-pop quintet hailing from Philadelphia, headed by Matt Pond, who plays upbeat acoustic songs with just a touch of sadness that the kids seem to love these days. This is the perfect show to just go and have a few drinks at while kicking off the spring concert season.
April 2: Bloc Party @ Lee’s Palace
For those who are willing to make the drive to Toronto this weekend, Bloc Party, the latest in a burgeoning line of British dancecore exports (think Franz Ferdinand), will be kicking out the Duran Duran-style jams all night while hipsters wearing skinny ties sip PBR and dance awkwardly. It promises to be loads of fun.
April 13: As I Lay Dying @ The Penny Arcade
It’s no secret that hardcore is all the rage in Buffalo, so if you’re looking for something to break up the monotony of your Wednesday evening, why not don your best black apparel and head on over to Rochester to catch As I Lay Dying?
April 14: Lisa Loeb @ The Tralf Music Hall
Remember that cute nerdy chick with the glasses who sang that “Stay” song? Yeah, well, apparently she’s still around and she’s playing a show in Buffalo in a few weeks.
April 14: …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead @ Icon
If Lisa Loeb doesn’t do it for you, you can catch this five-piece rock group from Austin, Texas. Though their newest album Worlds Apart was a critical disappointment, but their live show is rumored to be pretty great.
April 17: The Shins @ Kool Haus
The Shins are still reaping the rewards of the spotlight in last year’s Garden State, (and for those not in the know, aside from getting several prime spots on the film’s soundtrack, Natalie Portman promises that their songs will “change your life” within the movie itself.) as is evidenced by the fact that they’re bringing their indie-pop pomp and bleary-eyed energy to one of Toronto’s largest non-arena concert venues.
April 26, 27, 28: Arcade Fire @ The Danforth Music Hall
Arcade Fire was perhaps the most hyped of any band to make their debut this past year, and whether it was because of their lushly textured album Funeral, or their awe-inspiring live show, they are one band that definitely deserves to be checked out. They’ll be making this three night stand in Toronto right before leaving their native Canada and heading off on a European tour, so expect it to be epic.
April 30: Snoop Dogg, The Game, and Jadakiss @ UB
Though SA has yet to top Outkast’s appearance at Springfest a few years ago, this year’s concert looks to be a marked improvement over last year’s headliner, Hoobastank. Things will be dropped as if they were hot, gin and juice will be drank, and maybe if we’re lucky enough, 50 Cent will show up to shoot at The Game.
May 1: Ani Difranco @ Shea’s Peforming Arts Center
Ani Difranco is a Buffalo native who never lets her hometown audience down with her blend of punk-infused folk and brash politics. A few words of warning, though: do not allow your friends to buy you several beers before the show and then proceed make an off-color feminist joke. It won’t go over well. Trust me.
May 4: Green Day @ The John Labatt Centre
The reigning godfathers of pop-punk will be bringing their latest tour in support of 2004’s surprisingly good American Idiot to London, Ontario. They will be joined on this tour by current radio darlings My Chemical Romance.
May 5: Alkaline Trio @ The Water Street Music Hall
If you still haven’t gotten the whole latter day punk thing out of your system after Green Day, Alkaline Trio, a band with a bit more street-cred and a darker sound, will be hitting the stage in Rochester the next night in support of their new album which comes out later this spring.
May 13: The Mars Volta @ Kool Haus
Even though their new album was a huge disappointment after their brilliant debut, Deloused in the Comatourium, their commanding stage presence and fusion of almost every kind of music out there (jazz, post-punk, Latin, and prog-rock just to name a few) make this post-At the Drive-in band perfect to catch during your final weekend of the semester as a break from finals.
So maybe none of these artists interest you, or there’s simply not enough of them to get your aural fix, but fear not! There are literally hundreds of other options out there for live music enjoyment right in your backyard. Open mic nights are held weekly all over Buffalo at places like Broadway Joe’s, Nietzsche’s, and SPoT Coffee, while there are always local and smaller bands playing the many clubs we have downtown. For further assistance in finding a concert you’d be interested in, try checking some of these websites: www.buffaloshows.org, www.buffaloplace.com, www.pollstar.com, or even www.ticketmaster.com. And there you have it: a summary of all of the fun that awaits you this spring, even if it won’t look like spring until you’re heading home for the summer.
