2025 Best Bands and Vocalists in Buffalo, NY as Voted by BoredomMD.com. We went to over 40 concerts this summer and these are the musicians we believe were outstanding. Having lived in over a dozen cities in the US from NYC to Chicago to Dallas to Seattle, the music scene in Buffalo–most of which is free or affordable, can’t be beat.
Best Rock Band- Songbirds- Fleetwood Mac tribute band. They have two great vocalists- Julie Riley and Maryssa Peirick, an amazing guitarist- Christian Hehr, and Dave Cocuzzi- drummer, and Jeffrey Fischer – Bass and Keys. They are talented, actually dress to perform and work hard to be professional. We especially like them at the CAZ and they played at Larkin and Bidwell as well this year. They will be playing on January 24, 2026 at the CAZ and January 31 at Batavia Downs.
Best Jazz Band– Bob Meier and Hitmen Horns Big Band– this 17 piece band with vocalist Denise Beehag play classic rock plus R&B, and Soul. We like them at the CAVE as well as at Orchard Park. They will be playing at the Caz on January 2, 2026 at 7pm.
Best Vocalists-Orchestra– The FREE Buffalo Philharmonic Concert at the Outer Harbor with Broadway star Capathia Jenkins and Jazz Vocalist Tony DeSare was terrific. Ok, billed as Frank (Sinatra) and Ladies of Song), we almost didn’t go but it turned out to be one of the best concerts of the summer.
Popular Bands– Nerds Gone Wild, Strictly Hip, Grosh, Hit N’Run. We also like Romeo Delight at The Riveria and Talking Dead Heads at Sportsmens.
Best Irish Band- Crikwater
Best Music Events– Niagara Falls Blues Festival – terrific this year with Sauce Boss, Dave Weld, Wayne Baker Brooks. The Queen City Jazz Festival was amazing as well with G. Thomas Allen, Birckhead, Amari Hawkins, Dominic Missana and Jeol Nicholas. Orchard Park Jazz Festival- Guabaza was great as well the Bob Meier/Hitman Horns.
Most Missed– Alex McArthur and Bobby Militello- both have medical issues. Alex was in a major auto accident in late June/early July. Alex is schedule to perform at the Terrace in Delaware Park on February 8 and March 21, 2026. Life happens when you are making plans. We welcome her BACK!!
There are dozens of bands- local and national—that perform in Buffalo so we will continue to explore those we haven’t experienced. We are a very lucky community to have so many talented musicians.
