Live music in Buffalo, NY

A show from Steam Powered Giraffe welcomes attendees of all ages. Doors open before the performance begins.

Buffalo-bred musician Justin Rizzo brings an upbeat acoustic set to RationAles. He performs as a solo artist and is also a member of More Than Me, El Scorcho, and The Kensingtons. Admission is free. The show is part of the RationAles Live Music Series, produced in collaboration with EWM Promotions and sponsored by the Eric Houlahan State Farm Agency. RationAles complements the music with fresh food and locally made drinks.

Lake Street Dive is performing live at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. The show starts in the evening, with doors and ticket details handled through Ticketmaster.

Join Buffalo’s live band karaoke night featuring a backing band that will play along as you sing your favorite 90s pop and rock hits. Doors open at 10:00 PM, and there is no cover before 11:00 PM, then it’s $5 after. Guests must be 21 and over.

The original HOME BY 10 throwback dance party for adults takes over Chippewa Street with a special outdoor block party edition from Rec Room and DJ Lil Joe. Tickets start at $10 and include entry to eight participating bars plus access to a full street party along the Chip Strip. Move between Soho, 67 West, Rec Room, Bottoms Up, VENUE, Buffalo Taphouse, Vintage Room, and Banshee while late 90s and 2000s dance favorites play in every venue and out on the street. Food and drink specials will be available, and the format keeps the spirit of being home early at the heart of the experience.

A Billy Joel themed brunch at RationAles features Captain Jack performing live on the patio. This free event is part of the RationAles Live Music Series, sponsored by Eric Houlahan State Farm Agency and presented with EWM Promotions. Captain Jack honors the music of Billy Joel and includes Buffalo musicians Gary Styn on keyboards and vocals and Brad Moser on vocals. RationAles highlights fresh food and local drinks.

Rusty Nickel returns to Old Man River with a high energy set of danceable, sing along songs covering the 70s, 80s, 90s, and current rock and country rock hits. The event highlights music, food, and plenty of fun.

The Bidwell Parkway Concert Series presents Nineties by Nature for an evening of live music on Bidwell Parkway. This outdoor concert is free, family friendly, and open to all. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets, gather with friends and family, and enjoy live music in the heart of the neighborhood. Support for this community event comes from West Herr Auto Group and West Herr Lincoln, Canterra, a cannabis store, Chandler Street Breweries, M&T Bank, The Benchmark Group, MJ Peterson Real Estate, Hodge Liquor, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Erie County, New York, and the City of Buffalo. Special thanks go to Council Members Joel P. Feroleto, Leah M. Halton-Pope, and David A. Rivera for their continued support.

Bruce Hornsby is bringing his music to the Riviera Theatre. The show starts at 7:00 PM.

Experience live music paired with a curated selection of food. Admission and parking are free, courtesy of presenting sponsor KeyBank and sponsor Independent Health. Returning by request for the fourth straight year, the Lockport-based and internationally touring band Handsome Jack brings a powerful, soulful blend of boogie and rock and roll that aligns with the rousing sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revival. The performance features two sets, beginning with the band’s own songs, then moving into a second set of Creedence Clearwater Revival classics.

Peppers hosts a weekly music gathering that pairs an open mic with karaoke. A different featured artist leads each week, performing and selecting a limited number of open mic performers. Once the open mic concludes, the focus shifts to karaoke to keep the songs coming. Cocktails and a full bar are available, and a late night menu is offered. Whether stepping on stage or cheering from the crowd, expect a relaxed atmosphere with limited performance slots curated by the host.

Bike Night returns to Main Street in Tonawanda, featuring live music and a lively street atmosphere. Adoptable dogs from Buffalo C.A.R.E.S. will be on hand, offering a chance to meet potential new companions while enjoying the scene.

Music on Main spotlights yacht rock with The Yachtfathers at the Glen Park Tavern lot. Connected with the creators of Nerds Gone Wild, this Western New York tribute brings smooth AM Gold and soft rock favorites from the 1970s and 1980s. The set highlights songs by Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Hall & Oates, Ambrosia, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, and more for an easygoing evening of classic melodies.

This Rock the Boat Concert Series cruise aboard Miss Buffalo II features Prestige Worldwide Band performing 90s and 00s pop and party rock. The all ages, family friendly experience lasts two hours and includes a cash bar that accepts all forms of payment, with alcoholic beverages requiring a valid ID, plus a snack bar offering sweet, salty and frozen options. The ticket office opens one hour before departure, boarding begins 15 minutes prior, and the boat leaves on time, so planning ahead is recommended. No refunds are issued. Space is limited, and this cruise sold out twice last year.

Funtime Presents brings Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country to Town Ballroom for a live performance. The show is open to ages 12 and older, and anyone under 16 must attend with a parent. A government issued ID is required for entry.

Part of the Town of Tonawanda Youth Parks and Recreation Outdoor Summer Concert Series at the Town of Tonawanda Aquatic and Fitness Center, this concert features Easy Street Big Band. Enjoy live music in a relaxed, family friendly setting, with food available from the Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels Food Truck. Admission is free, and attendees can bring lawn chairs along with friends and family. Plans are weather dependent, with updates shared on Facebook.

Celebrate the season with a summertime concert series event that presents live music as part of an ongoing lineup.

Sportsmen's Tavern hosts an installment of The Big Easy in Buffalo NOLA Series featuring Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. with Yellow Jack. Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. carries forward the legacy of his father, Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Sr., leading the Ils Sont Partis Band and performing on his father’s custom monogrammed accordion alongside his son, Kyle Anthony Dural, on rubboard. His career includes sharing stages with artists ranging from Eric Clapton and Paul Simon to Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Dwight Yoakam, and Los Lobos. In 2024 he and The Ils Sont Partis Band earned the GRAMMY Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album for New Beginnings and were inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Yellow Jack brings a rousing mix of roots music from the Buffalo Niagara region, weaving together fiddle tunes, spirituals, bluegrass, and songs that highlight local stories about the Erie Canal, Niagara, the War of 1812, and labor history, with many originals written by Dennis Reed Jr. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. This event is presented as part of The Big Easy in Buffalo, a program that has shared New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture across Western New York through affordable performances and educational outreach since 2007, with support from the New York State Council on the Arts, Erie County, Goldfarb Financial, Erie County Legislator Michael Kooshoian, Buffalo.fm, National Fuel Gas Co., Dick & Jenny's, and Sportsmen's Tavern.