Dark Star Orchestra with Soulive, and Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Friday & Saturday, June 24 & 25

Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor kicks off this Friday (June 24) at the Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf with Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra (pictured) and support by upstate New York rock band Soulive. Dark Star Orchestra formed in Chicago in 1997 and have played over 1,600 shows in the guise of the Dead. Expect a trip through 1960s psychedelic rock memories, as Dark Star is known for their passionate attention to detail. On Saturday (June 25), the Harbor will again be packed for Elvis Costello & the Imposters. Not many musicians could put together 38 hit songs, but Elvis Costello can, and he has put them together in a rather odd way. On his latest tour—with long time band the Imposters—dubbed “the Revolver Tour,” Costello took 38 of his favorite cuts, like “Radio, Radio,” “Veronica,” and “Pump It Up” and put them on a spinning “wheel of fortune.” Where the needle lands determines which song Costello plays next, ensuring a unique set list every night. Whether or not Costello will have his spinning wheel of hits when he comes to the Erie Canal Harbor on Saturday is unknown, but either way, expect to hear some pub rock favorites. Also, lookout for two post-Rocks the Harbor performances, presented by the Good Neighborhood at the Pearl Street Grill. On Friday local Lazlo Hollyfeld side-project Logo City perform, followed on Saturday by the Albrights’, Ask, Tell CD release show, with proceeds going to the Give For Greatness campaign. Both post-Rocks the Harbor shows start at 9:30pm with a $3 cover. —cory perla

Friday and Saturday June 24 & 25, 6pm. Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf. $10.

Thursday, June 23

TV Ghost w/White Whale and The Fucking Hotlights

Ever wonder what it would sound like if you crammed Echo & the Bunnymen, the Cramps, and Suicide into an elevator before cutting the cables sending them plummeting 50 stories to their doom? The resulting sounds of the trip down would be that of TV Ghost. Few bands around today put out music as manic and severe as what you’ll find on Mass Dream, their new full length on the do-no-wrong In The Red Records. Garage infused art-punk that attacks you from all angles, TV Ghost hone the rare ability to captivate an audience while downright terrifying them. The foursome hailing from Lafayette, Indiana have already gathered a cult following due to their intense live shows and will be bringing that cathartic intensity to Soundlab this Thursday (June 23). Doors are at 8pm, White Whale and the Fucking Hotlights get the creepshow rolling. —eric kendall

8pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. (440-5907 / bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab). $8.

Thursday, June 23 - Sunday, June 26

Citybration

Buffalo Citybration, a four-day celebration of our city’s unparalleled history and future potential begins Thursday (June 23) and will run through Sunday (June 26). This year it’s bigger than ever. Buffalo Old Home Week, originally held in 1907, was revived in 2006 after years of decline in the city. The event’s name changed to Citybration after it doubled in size every year thereafter, and it’s now more than just an old home show—it’s a party focused entirely on the city’s development. The festivities begin at 5:30 pm on Thursday with Buffalo Spree’s Best of WNY Party at Shea’s. Friday (June 24) night features an up-in-the-air double-header, with two different events that promise to give spectacular aerial views of Buffalo. The City Hall Observation Deck will be open from 6pm to 9pm for a Sunset Reception, including food and a tour of the city from above. For those feeling more daring, a bevy of tethered hot-air balloons will be rising at the same time from the Outer Harbor. There will be music, food, and lawn chair space for balloon watching. Friday’s third event is Citybration Night at the Ball Park, beginning at 5:30pm with live music and other specials, and continues with a baseball game (Buffalo Bisons vs. Norfolk Tides) including post-game fireworks. Saturday (June 25) is tour day, featuring a variety of tours beginning at 10am that showcase Buffalo’s landmark buildings and important stories. To cure any headaches accumulated Saturday, get up Sunday (June 26) morning and Ride the Waterfront from 9am to 10am or Walk the Waterfront from 10am to 12pm. There are also many more events so for more info visit our Artvoice Daily Blog or go to Citybration.com —ian carlino

Begins at 5:30pm aVarious venues throughout the city. (Citybration.com).

Friday & Saturday, June 24 & 25

Raven (Returns)

Formerly known as the rockin’ blues band Raven, musicians Tony Galla, Jim Calire, and Gary Mallaber plan to reunite in the band’s hometown this weekend to play hits from the late 1960s that reverberate in the souls of many Buffalonians. Raven’s first recordings, such as “No Turning Back,” “Farmer’s Daughter,” and “Hollin’ for my Darlin’” are still fan favorites, and the titles alone evoke sweet nostalgia. Missing from the ensemble is guitarist John Weitz and the late bassist, Tom Calandra. In the band’s prime, they received endorsements from Jimi Hendrix, and were offered production by George Harrison under Apple Records—an offer turned down to sign under Columbia Records instead. Galla, Calire, and Mallaber reunite as Raven (Returns) this Friday (June 24) and Saturday (June 25) at the Tralf Music Hall with special guest performances by Mick Hayes and Bella Buscarino. Doors open at 7pm. Get your tickets early for $25 at all Ticketmaster locations, the Tralf Box Office, or for $28 at the door. —rachelle toarmino

7pm, Friday and Saturday. Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / tralfmusichall.com). $25 advance, $28 day of show.

Saturday, June 25

Cowboys of Scotland perform "Original: The Mark Freeland Story"

The greatest operas of all time have thrived on the aspects of triumph and tragedy. Mark Freeland’s life was ripe with both of those concepts, so it makes sense then that local indie rock band Cowboys of Scotland have transformed the story of Mark’s life into a multi-media rock opera, “Original: the Mark Freeland Story.” Combining elements of punk, funk, electronic, rap, and rock n’ roll, the five-piece rock group takes the audience on a musical and visual tour of the legendary Buffalo artist’s loves, heartaches, his travels and addictions. “Mark always loved good concept songs, and after Mark passed away, I kept getting song ideas about him,” said Cowboys of Scotland guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Bud Redding. “The more I wrote the more engulfed with this project I became.” Redding is joined by band mates Steve Myers, Paul Hojnowski, Ron Leisten, and Robert Raithel, as well as a team of artistic and visual directors who help pull off this unique musical experience. The band will perform “Original: the Mark Freeland Story” for the first time, in its entirety, on Saturday (June 25) at Club Diablo. Come and see a new chapter of the Freeland Saga, and be a part of Buffalo music history. —cory perla

9pm. Club Diablo, 517 Washington St. (842-0666 / clubdiablo.com). $5.

Saturday, June 25

Son of the Sun

Buffalo psyche-rockers Son of the Sun have wrapped up their new EP, Almost Not There (I Blame Yoko Records), but don’t let the title indicate otherwise—this band is definitely “there” in terms of talent and number of quality performances they’ve given since forming in 2007. They recently opened for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, and Blue Oyster Cult at Thursday at the Square and Artpark respectively, and are slated to play with Our Lady Peace at the Hard Rock Café and the Tea Party at the Molson Canal Series in July. Their new single “My Best Mistake” is a deep, dark garage-pop anthem with psychedelic guitar swirling over lead singer Zak Ward’s gloomy blues vocals. Son of the Sun have proven they belong on the big stage, but before you go see them among the masses this summer, be sure to hear them up close and personal at their EP release show this Saturday (June 25) at Nietzsche’s. Here Come The Comets and Kingsley Flood open the show. —jon wheelock

9pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com). $7

Tuesday, June 28

Free Summer Concert Series at Bidwell Parkway

Here’s another series of free concerts to add to the already packed calendars of lucky Buffalonians. Elmwood Village Association with the help of M&T Bank will present seven incredible free shows at Bidwell Parkway at 7pm every Tuesday starting June 28. To kick-start the series, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will take the stage to commemorate the 75th year of its existence. On July 5, the Outer Circle Orchestra will perform their exciting African-Caribbean and World Beat sound with a display of structured and improvised music. On July 12, the Shadows of Motown & Soul Revue featuring Barbara St. Clair & Billy McEwen will go on with local blues musicians taking the helm, as experienced jazz veterans Barbara St. Clair & Billy McEwen inject vocals into their soulful music. On July 19, Babik will bring gypsy-jazz style to Bidwell to engage listeners with their toe tapping, head bobbing music. On July 26, the Skiffle Minstrels, a group of local Buffalo musicians will perform a mix of original country and cajun music. On August 2, N’Dias, a 12-member group consisting of a number of percussionists, guitarists, and bassists will perform African-root music, as well as covering multiple genres and styles. Finally, as the curtain drops on the series on August 9, the Wendell Rivera Quintet, an award-winning percussionist and Latin jazz musician, will take the stage with a group of elite instrumentalists as you enjoy the beautiful Buffalo sunset. Enjoy the wonderful lineup and expect good vibes and weather. —michael koh

7pm, every Tuesday from June 28-August 9. Bidwell Parkway at Elmwood Avenue. (elmwoodvillage.org). Free.

Tuesday, June 28

Peter Frampton

He was a larger than life force during the heyday of arena rock in the 1970s, with his trademark talk box guitar and electric stage presence making him one of the most memorable performers of all time. But Peter Frampton’s career began long before he was filling stadiums—he started playing guitar at 8-years old, and by the time he was 10 he was playing Buddy Holly tunes with David Bowie during their lunchtime at Bromley Technical Institute where they both attended. It was with seminal rock outfit Humble Pie that Frampton first saw commercial success. With such success before he even turned 20, it’s easy to see how Frampton’s solo career took off the way it did, and his breakthrough live album Frampton Comes Alive! quickly became a record-breaker, six times platinum with over 16 million copies sold worldwide, making it the fourth biggest selling live album to date. Some of Frampton’s most recognizable songs appeared on the album, including “Show Me the Way,” “Baby I Love Your Way,” and “Do You Feel Like We Do.” The three-hour show at Artpark this Tuesday (June 28) will feature a complete performance of Frampton Comes Alive!, as well as other highlights from his extensive catalog, including his newest release, Thank You Mr. Churchill. Even at 61, Frampton still possesses that uncanny ability to draw magic out of his Gibson Les Paul and thrill audiences with timeless music that “comes alive” now the way it did thirty years ago. —jon wheelock

6:30pm. Artpark, 450 South 4th St., Lewiston (754-4375 / artpark.net). Free.