Big Neck Fest

Thursday & Friday, June 12 & 13

What started out on a drunken night has evolved into a tradition to keep rock music thriving, thanks to Bart Hart and his creation of Big Neck Records Festival, a masterpiece inspired by his love for music and the need to help out local bands. Starting out in Buffalo and moving to NorthernVirginia, Big Neck Records will be returning to it’s birthplace for Big Neck Fest at Neitzsche’s on Thursday (June 12) and Friday (June 13). This two day event features 11 bands from seven different cities, including Chicago duo White Mystery (pictured), and Buffalo bands Governess, Soul Butchers, and Afterbirth Tycoon. “I remember the electricity in my veins, the water in my eyes from not blinking, and the dryness of my mouth ffrom not closing.. It was the Big Neck Records Festival,” says promoter Malik Von Saint, adding that he wanted everyone to experience what he did. That is exactly what he did: Von Saint created Shaken Stylus, which he described as a pipeline for bands to showcase what he witnessed. Shaken Stylus will be hosting Big Neck Fest 14’. As it says on the event page, “Keep Rock Alive,” and come on down to Neitzsche’s to experience history in the making.

- sara ali

10pm Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com) $7

Friday - Sunday, June 13 - 15

Donnaroo

The two-day music and hangout session that is Donnaroo continues to grow, year after year. Now in its fourth installment, the festival held in nearby Sinclairville, New York is full of your favorite Buffalo-based and regional acts. This year’s line up includes a diverse line up of bands, DJs, singer/songwriters, and rappers from Mad Dukez to Big Basha, Second Trip to the Heavenly Chillbillies, JeffRepeater, Groove Force, Joseph Donohue III, Loki, LoPro, M.E.L., Armageddon Party, and many more. The promoters of the event are also boasting a bigger sound system, two stages, and more lights, food trucks, games, and merch tables than ever before. This year will be Halloween themed, so pick out a gnarly costume and enter yourself in the costume contest. The three day event happens this Friday (June 13) through Sunday (June 15) in Sinclairvillle, about an hour drive from the city of Buffalo.

- cory perla

Friday, 10pm – Sunday, 5pm 2095 East Rd., Sinclairville $30

Saturday & Sunday, June 14 & 15

Allentown Art Festival

Technically, the first day of summer is June 20th. But in Buffalo, the Allentown Art Festival is the true kick-off to summer. For the last 57 years, on the second weekend in June, the Allentown Historic Preservation District is riddled with an eclectic mix of artists and their crafts. This year it will take place on Saturday and Sunday June 14th and 15th and will include over 400 unique exhibits. Since its modest beginnings as a small art show in 1958, the Allentown Art Festival has become not only Buffalo’s metropolitan right, but also a symbol for the deep-rooted character of this re-emerging rustbelt region – it’s sort of like our modern day, pygmy Pan-American Exposition. Every year tens of thousands of art patrons spend their weekend enjoying the charismatic sui generis of the Allentown area while exploring all facets of artistry. From jewelry and accessory designers, to painters and illustrators - the Allentown Art Festival is a tapestry of Buffalo’s esteemed artists and their original creations. Through the years the Allentown Art Festival has made a heavy cultural and social footprint on Buffalo and earned a national reputation for artistic elegance.

- kellie powell

11am-6pm The Allentown Historic Preservation District (881-4269 / allentownartfestival.com)

Saturday, June 14

Peter Murphy

To say that Peter Murphy is a bold performer is an understatement. This is, you’ll remember, the man who has willingly performed suspended upside-down like a bat. Yet, Murphy is hardly lacking substance; he has an impressive enough back catalogue to prove this. He pioneered the gothic rock culture ever since he croaked “the bats have left the bell tower” with Bauhaus, on their classic 1979 debut single, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” His solo career has been just as innovative. Rooted in a deep 1980’s sound, his music has a synth-gothy feel that plays with so much energy, it’s like listening to a gothic David Bowie. That feral glamness perfectly harmonizes with Murphy’s throaty vocals. He moans and croons and the end result is more delicate than cheesy, proving that Murphy has the talent and restraint to refuse to succumbing to schmaltz. His latest album, Lion, dropped June 3rd and has been met with exceedingly positive reviews. Brooding, dynamic and musically relevant, Lion maintains the classic Peter Murphy elegance that we’ve all come to love. Thematically romantic, the 11-track album weaves an eclectic mixture of symphonic rhythms through meaty gothic undertones. The goth-rocking icon will perform at the Town Ballroom on Saturday (June 14).

- kellie powell

7pm Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com) $24 advance, $29 day of show

Saturday, June 14

World's Fair

Love hip-hop? Keep a close eye on Queens, New York collective World’s Fair. Their debut album, Bastards of the Party, released in September 2013, integrates boom-bap style production with clever word play. The album’s most popular jam, “Sammy Sosa,” smoothly blends intricate melodies and current pop-culture references with a thick, head-bobbing cadence. The Queen’s squad (Jeff Donna, Prince SAMO, Cody B. Ware, Lansky Jones, Remy Banks, and Nigel Nasty) begins their northeastern Cross Faded tour with Atlanta’s Two-9 records crew. Frontman of the Two-9 crew, Curtis Williams, is featured on Wiz Khalifa’s “How To Be Real,” a track on his newest mixtape titled 28 Grams. Each member of the deeply rooted World’s Fair crew has released more music individually than as a group; however, their recent collaborative track “N.A.A.S” certainly brings the flavor. You can catch World’s Fair partnered with the Two-9 crew on Saturday (June 14) at the Waiting Room with local support from Network, Bill $abre, Blair Copeland, and Devon Charles.

- hanna epstein

7pm The Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (852-3900 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $12 advance, $15 day of show

Tuesday, June 17

Andrew Jackson Jihad

Who doesn’t love a little bit of punk music meshed with their traditional folk? Andrew Jackson Jihad continues to create that perfect marriage of the two genres as a feast for the ears. The hype built up back in April when it was announced that AJJ would be pairing up with Cheap Girls to form a harmonious treat that will rock throughout the Waiting Room on Tuesday (June 17). Produced by Grammy nominated producer John Congleton , AJJ’s latest album, Christmas Island, stands out from their last two albums, Knife Man and Can’t Maintain which steered towards a more electric feel. Christmas Island continues to represent the bands signature of upbeat acoustic style combing gloomy yet humorous, sarcastic and satirical lyrics. The lyrics are crude, honest and may be difficult for some listeners to stomach with the complicated and interesting concept from songs such as “Temple Grandin Too” and “Children of God.” Check out AJJ and their eccentric style when they return to Buffalo.

- sara ali

7pm The Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (852-3900 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $15 advance, $17 day of show

Thursday, June 12

moe. with Conehead Budda

If you’re looking to dance in the sunshine this summer, moe. will be jamming alongside Conehead Buddha at Canalside on June 19. The band formed at UB in 1989 and has since become one of the most prominent jam bands to date, headlining Radio City Music Hall on New Year’s Eve 2007 and gaining a national and international fan base. moe. is a five piece consisting of Chuck Garvey and Al Schnier on guitar, Rob Derhak on bass, Vinnie Amico on drums, and Jim Loughlin on acoustic guitar. They’ve produced 24 albums and have joined the stage with the Allman Brothers, Dave Matthews Band, The Who, and Robert Plant to name a few. Conehead Buddha also got its start in Western New York. The eight-piece recently reunited after a decade-long hiatus. Their sound is a unique blend of of rock, funk, ska, reggae, & salsa. Tired of dancing in dark clubs and sticky bars? Head down to Canalside for an energetic dance party in the beautiful outdoors.

- sarah barry

6pm to 10pm Canalside, 1 Navel Park Cove (canalsidebuffalo.com) free / $40 VIP