BUFFALO, NY – Thursday At The Square has been renamed “Thursday At The Harbor ” and this year all of the Thursday shows have been moved to the Erie Canal Habor. After 25 years of free concerts at Lafayette Square in Buffalo the free Thursday night concert series has a new home.

Promoters have cited better crowd control and site lines as reasons for moving the summer concert series to the Erie Canal Habor. Music fans have also championed the move stating too many non music fans were crashing and over crowding the free concerts at the previous venue

I’m looking forward to seeing Fitz & the Tantrums as well as  Built To Spill although I’m not interested or familiar enough with any of the other bands in this lineup.

The past two years we’ve witnessed the event get away from the jam bands that were common at Thursday At The Square. Ever since Buffalo Place brought the promotions in house in 2011 downtown Buffalo is no longer a mini festival  on Thursday nights featuring some of the country’s best jam bands.  After seeing the likes of Umphrey’s McGee, Mike Gordon, John Butler Trio, YMSB, Ryan Montebleau, Marco Bennevento, Jacob Dylan, North Mississippi All Stars, The Avett Brothers, JJ Grey & Mofro, & Donna The Buffalo in past years this lineup pales in comparison. While I commend Buffalo Place for booking Grace Potter, Conspirator, & moe. on a weekend show at the Harbor (for a nominal ticket price)  these shows would have been better served on Thursdays. Many people leave town and make other plans during various weekends in the summer.

June 7: The Cult (with Against Me)
June 14: Fitz & The Tantrums (with  ZZ Ward & Royal Teeth)
June 21: Built To Spill
June 28: Fountains of Wayne
July 5: Arrested Development 
July 12: Seether 
July 19: Young The Giant
July 26: Arkells
August 2: The Jesus and Mary Chain
August 9: The Mighty Mighty Boss Tones
August 16: Salt -N-Pepa
August 23: Matt Nathanson