Staff Reports
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
From LaFayette Square to Lewiston, here’s a look at all the free shows coming up this week.
Umphrey’s McGee
Thursday at the Square, 6 p.m. today
Founded in 1997, Umphrey’s McGee set its sights on becoming one of the premier live acts in today’s touring circuit. Over the course of the last 10 years, the band has performed at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, and continues to sell out shows in the nation’s premier venues coast to coast. A progressive rock jam band, McGee music is often referred to as “progressive improvisation,” or “Improg” Their musical influences include Yes Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden and The Police.
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Three Dog Night
Molson Canal Concert Series, 5:30 p.m. Friday
If mama tells you not go to this one, ignore her.
From 1969-1974, nobody had more Top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night. The band had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, 18 straight Top 20s ,11 Top 10s, seven No. 1s, seven million-selling singles and 12 straight gold LPs, according to Classic Bands.com. By late ‘75, they had sold nearly 50 million records. The band was unique for it’s time, featuring three separate lead singers, Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron and Cory Wells.
These days Wells and Hutton still tour with the band.
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BPO playing the music of Pink Floyd
Hard Rock Concert Series, 6 p.m. Saturday
Roger Waters may be nowhere to be found but the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will more than make up for it with its takes on “Comfortably Numb” and the like.
The night opens with Scott Celani and Holka, Kertzie & Wynne.
While the show is free, VIP tickets, including food and beverages from 8-11 p.m. and front row access to the stage, are available at ticketweb.com for $50.
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Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Wednesdays at Artpark, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Trombone Shorty is equally adept on trombone and trumpet and is a man to be reckoned with on both. A product of New Orleans’ culturally rich Treme neighborhood, Trombone Shorty was a bandleader by the age of six.
Along with his band, Orleans Avenue, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews will be bringing the “Supafunkrock” sound to Lewiston — a blend of jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop and soul.
