Where the Bands Are: This Week in Live Music and Concert News

September 20, 2026

(REMINDER: these listings are curated and definitely not intended to list ALL the live music out there! If you have a cool concert or interesting event, email info and links to jeffmiersmusic@gmail.com to be considered for inclusion in Where the Bands Are. Thanks!)

We’ve made it to Borderland 2026…let’s go!

From Kim:

Honestly, all three days of Borderland are packed with great acts—from famous to less well-known to combo bands (like moe./Organ Fairchild mashup). The big names (Jack White, Alabama Shakes, Lord Huron, the Pixies, Jesse Welles, etc.) are enough of a draw, but, as evidence has proven from past years, the lesser known acts tend to range from impressive to outright dynamic—and definitely worth the walk from the main stage area to the ancillary stages. It’s here where you may end up witnessing an electric performance by the next “Jack White,” “ or “Vampire Weekend.” So, I encourage you to wander around, much like you would at Music Is Art, to take in the cornucopia of sound and maybe find your next favorite artist!

At the time of the is writing, GA Weekend, GA Saturday, and Weekend VIP passes are SOLD OUT. There are still passes for Friday and Sunday GA. Get here >

Along with amazing local and national acts gracing the 3 stages, the Borderland Band Camp returns, performing on the Homespun Stage on Sunday at 12:45pm. A Sportsmens Americana Music Foundation/Buffalo Music Club/Borderland sponsored camp, the 30+ kids in attendance this year (more than triple from 2025) have compiled a set of covers and originals from their time in camp—specifically to play on a Borderland stage. Band camp leaders Eric Crittenden, Jeff Miers, and David Cloyd, and teachers, will be there backing the campers. Consider coming over and supporting the future of music on Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy Borderland, folks!

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20, at Knox Farm, East Aurora, NY. More info and tickets here>

Misty City Music Festival

An alternative to the Borderland festival this weekend hosted by our neighbors to the north.

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20, at Fallsview Event Grounds, Niagara Falls, ONT, CA. More info and tickets here >

Spend “A Night with Janis Joplin” ft/Samantha Hoy as Janis Joplin

We’re hearing great reviews for this one—definitely a show to put on your radar…

The Kavinoky Theatre presents: “An electrifying concert experience celebrating Janis Joplin and the powerhouse women who inspired her unmistakable voice, including Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, and Etta James. Spend an evening on an unforgettable musical journey bursting with iconic hits including “Piece of My Heart”, “Me and Bobby McGee”, and “Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)” and more. Raw, rebellious, and wildly joyful, this is a night that doesn’t just play—it rocks.

Through Oct 3, 2026, Thursdays – 7:30 pm, Fridays – 7:30 pm and Saturdays – 2:30pm & 7:30 pm at Kavinoky Theatre, Buffalo, NY. More info here >

Daniell Green, Anika Pace, Samantha Hoy, Ember Tate-Steele, Dasia Cervi perform in *A Night with Janis Joplin*

New and Noteworthy

Metallica w/Limp Bizkit and Avatar

Tuesday, June 8, 2027 at Highmark Stadium, Buffalo, NY. Local presales start Thursday, September 24, 10 am – 10 pm. Additional presales throughout the week ahead of the General on-sale beginning Friday, September 25 at 10 am. More information and ticket info here >

Kenny Chesney w/Eric Church, Old Dominion, and Greylan James

Saturday, June 19, 2027 at Highmark Stadium, Buffalo, NY. Presale tickets on sale now, public on-sale beginning Friday, September 25. For more information >

As I Lay Dying w/Immortal Disfigurement

Sunday, February 21, 2027, 7 pm doors at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. Tickets on sale soon.

Junior Jerry Jam presents Grateful Dead Disco Halloween w/ Pocketship

Saturday, October 31, 11:30 am doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $15

Big Eyed Phish (8-piece Dave Matthews Tribute)

Friday, October 9, 6 pm doors at The Cove, Depew, NY.

Sounds of the Underground— The Bands That Possessed Us

Annual Halloween Cover Series: Underoath performed by Katspo, Dream Theater performed by Promachina, Chris Cornell performed by The Impurity, Green Day performed by Silver Proof

Saturday, October 3, 6:30 pm doors at Evening Star Concert Hall, Niagara Falls, NY. $19.75

Strange Machines w/Calabash

Friday, November 6, 9 pm doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $10/$15

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Spencer LaJoye

Friday, October 9, 8 pm at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $20/$25

Ben Folds with the BPO

Saturday, May 1, 7:30 pm at at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $33+

This week and next…

Long Way Home: 40 Years of the Goo Goo Dolls

Thursday, September 17 (opening), at The Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo, NY. More info here >

Roger Daltrey wsg/Amy Helm

Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 pm at Artpark Mainstage Theater, Lewiston, NY. $86/$46 lawn

The Bouncing Souls w/The Suicide Machines, Strike Anywhere and Human Issue

Thursday, September 17 at 6 pm doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $43.94

Borderland Festival 2026

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20, at Knox Farm, East Aurora, NY. More info and tickets here>

Misty City Music Festival

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20, at Fallsview Event Grounds, Niagara Falls, ONT, CA. More info and tickets here >

Goo Grief (early Goo Goo Dolls tribute), Wolf Tickets

Friday, September 18, 7 pm doors at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $10

Bangers and Trash #3 Dance Party: DJ Pat K, Mad Matty and Dave G (aka DR. KNOW)

Friday, September 18, 8:30 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $5

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Joe Rozler’s Universe

Friday, September 18, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $15/$17 stage area, $12/$15 bar area

Scott Celani Band-Tribute to Tom Petty

Friday, September 18, 8 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $15

97ROCK Friday Bike Night Finale: Tiny Music

Friday, September 18, 6 pm at the Hilltop Inn & Grove, Alden, NY.

Coat of Many Colors: A Celebration of The Life, Music & Legacy of Dolly Parton ft/ Amy Frost, Leah Pinnaveah,Sherri McMahon, Scott Celani and more

Benefitting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Friday, September 18, 8 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $20

17th Annual Niagara Falls Blues Festival

Saturday, September 19, noon-10:30 pm on Old Falls Street in downtown Niagara Falls, NY. FREE

1-2:30 pm – Rockin Jake
2:30-3 pm – Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band
3-4:30 pm – The Coupe De’Villes
4:30-5 pm – Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band
5-6:30 pm – Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr.
6:30-7 pm – Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band
7-8:30 pm – Coco Montoya
9-10:30 pm – Mud Morganfield Band

Edge of Sundown: A Tribute to Southern Rock

Saturday, September 19, 8 pm at The Stage, Williamsville, NY. $10/$15

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Alison Pipitone Band 20th Anniversary of Tigerbabies

Saturday, September 19, 8 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo NY. $20

GROSH

Saturday, September 19, 6 pm at Buffalo Olde Brewery, Buffalo NY.

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Opening Night with Lang Lang

Saturday, September 19, 7 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo NY. $42.50+

Buffalo Vs Everybody Vol. III release party ft/

Saturday, September 19, 8 pm at Bridge Studios NY, Buffalo NY. $10

Thundersmack w/ Chuckie Campbell

Sunday, September 20, 7 pm doors at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $26.42

The Steve Stepper Funk Experience

“Da Steppa” Album Release Concert

Sunday, September 20, 3 pm doors at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20/$35 VIP

Ray LaMontagne wsg/The Weather Station

Tuesday, September 22 at 7 pm at Artpark Mainstage Theater, Lewiston, NY. $66

9Million w/Viewfinders and Pleasure Dome

Tuesday, September 22 at 8 pm at The 9th Ward in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $17/$20

Morrissey

Tuesday, September 22 at 8 pm at Shea’s Performing Arts Theater, Buffalo, NY. $66.80+

Improvement Movement

Tuesday, September 22, 8 pm at Rec Room, Buffalo, NY. $29.58

Marc Scibilia

Tuesday, September 22, 6 pm doors at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $38

Neo-Soul Tuesdays, Part 2

Hosted by the Rod Bonner Trio. As envisioned and originally curated by Michael DiSanto.

Tuesdays, September 22, 7-10 pm at Buffalo Kitchen Club on Elmwood, Buffalo, NY. No cover.

Damone Jackson Outcome

Tuesdays starting September 22 , 7 pm at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $10

Ricky Ford Quartet – John Coltrane 100th Birthday Celebration

Ricky Ford – tenor saxophone
John Kordalewski – piano
Tony Marino – contrabass
Thurman Barker – drums

Wednesday, September 23, 8 pm at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. $25 general admission, $20 students/seniors, $18 members

Jet – Down The Moonlight Mile Revue

Wednesday, September 23, 8 pm at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $40+

The Nighthawks

Wednesday, September 23, 5 pm doors at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $25

Black Veil Brides w/Caskets, Archers, Autumn Kings

Wednesday, September 23, 5:30 pm doors at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo, NY. $74+

Art Meets Jazz: Rick Strauss Trio

Featuring pianist Lisa Hasselback and bassist Ed Croft.

Wednesday, September 23, 6 pm at Beebe’s At The Gallery, Buffalo, NY. $23.18

Black Flag

Thursday, September 24, 8 pm at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. $31.89+

Tyler Westcott “Wanderlust” Album Release Party

Friday, September 25, 9 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $

Sing On, Neighbor, Sing! A Woody Guthrie Singalong Concert w/Yellow Jack and Friends

Friday, September 25, 8 pm at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $15/$20

Lakeview

Friday, September 25, 7 pm doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY. $32.81/$84.95 VIP

Workingman’s Dead

Friday, September 25, 8 pm doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY. $20

The Strictly Hip

Friday, September 25, 7 pm doors at The Forbes Theater, Buffalo, NY. $20

Slip Madigan

Friday, September 25, 8 pm at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.

John Oates & The Good Road Band

Friday, September 25 & Saturday, September 26, 8 pm in The Bear’s Den Showroom, Seneca Niagara Casino, Niagara Falls, NY. $65, $75

Phantogram

Friday, September 25, 7 pm doors at Electric City, Buffalo, NY. Only tables left >

S’Wonderful Gershwin ft/Alex McArthur

Friday, September 25, 10:30 am & Saturday, September 26, 7:30 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $17.50+

Luna wsg/Constant Smiles

Saturday, September 26, 8 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $42.69

The Band in Black performing the music of Johnny Cash

Featuring members of The Strictly Hip and El Scorcho

Saturday, September 26, 7 pm at West Falls Center for the Arts, West Falls, NY. $40+

The American Doors

Saturday, September 26, 8 pm at Sportmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $10

Latin Night w/Ladies First Jazz & Verneice Turner

Saturday, September 26, 7 pm at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $20

Buffalo Dead All Stars

Saturday, September 26, 8 pm at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.

Olmstead Dub System

Wednesday, September 30, 7 pm at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo, NY. $

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