Last year’s Canalside Live concert series brought us the musical acts of Gary Clark Jr. and Ghostface Killah with Slick Rick. The 2018 lineup brings more notable names including Vanilla Ice, Method Man and Redman, and Father John Misty.
Tickets for general admission are $5 dollars. That’s something they are keeping the same from last year. In the past these concerts had been free.
Be Our Guest Canalside Management Group President Jon Dandes said the 5 dollar tickets were meant to make sure the people who were coming were there for the music.
“Without jinxing it, we had no real issues last year,” said Dandes. “People who were down here brought their families and felt good about the security presence that we’ve had. We’ve had a great relationship with the Buffalo Police Department. As a result we are going to do it again and believe that the same type of respect for what we are trying to do here will be in place.”
So how do the musical acts get picked every summer? Be Our Guest Canalside Management Group President Jon Dandes said it’s a very inexact science.
“Basically we listen to the radio (and) talk to radio stations. We look at who is touring, who is available, and we take a shot,” said Dandes. “It’s an excruciating process, but we’re thrilled with what we have come up with.”
All concerts fall on a Thursday except for those noted. The lineup is as follows:
- June 7th Method Man & Redman
- June 14th Fitz & The Tantrums
- June 28th Umphrey’s McGee
- July 7th Vanilla Ice (Saturday)
- July 12th Arrested Development
- July 19th Beth Hart & Kenny Wayne Shepherd
- July 26th Father John Misty
- August 2nd Dark Star Orchestra
- August 9th Headstones
- August 17th Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Friday)
Music will start at 6 PM with headliners taking the stage around 8 PM for most concerts. Tickets for all shows are available now and can be purchased on Eventbrite.com or at any Western New York Consumer’s Beverages locations.
