The Western New York region is quietly becoming a hot spot for some of the biggest & best concerts around! There are so many places that attract some of the biggest names in music, including Buffalo’s KeyBank Center, Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena, & great outdoor venue’s like Darien Lake or CMAC! Those are the venues featured on this list, but there’s also great entertainment coming to Artpark, Main Street Armory, & if you go a little further outside WNY, you’ll find names like Paul McCartney in Syracuse & Lady Gaga in Toronto! As a reminder, you can find EVERYTHING on our website, but for now, let’s focus on the 10 MUST SEE shows coming to the greater Buffalo & Rochester areas in the Summer of 2017!
- Kings of Leon – August 2nd – Darien Lake PAC
The Followill brothers are hitting the road again, in support of their latest album “WALLS.” The seventh release from Kings of Leon earned the group their first ever #1 album on Billboard! The band has a large catalog of songs that mix rock/alternative elements with some flair from their hometown of Nashville! This will be a great rock show & make sure to come early to check out supporting artist, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats!
- John Mayer – August 27th – Darien Lake PAC
It has been awhile since John Mayer took the stage all by himself. Recently, his work with side project, John Mayer Trio, plus his involvement with Dead & Company, has kept the talented singer/songwriter from his solo career. John Mayer surely will not disappoint & he’ll be a great finale to an amazing weekend of shows at Darien Lake, which we’ll cover a little later on this list!
- Neil Diamond – June 4th – Blue Cross Arena
All we really need to say is “because it’s Neil Diamond,” but in the interest of giving this show the same attention as the others on this list, we won’t. Neil Diamond is one of the best-selling artists of all time, plus he holds the distinction of being a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Blue Cross Arena is smaller than KeyBank Center in Buffalo, so there will be more of an intimate feel to his June concert!
- Chance the Rapper – May 31st – Darien Lake PAC
One artist that seems to be destined for superstardom is Chicago’s Chance the Rapper. Fresh off of three Grammy Awards, this performer is selling out shows from coast-to-coast! Chance the Rapper is also making headlines these days for giving lots of money to Chicago-area schools. The next time he comes through WNY on tour, he could be #1 on this list!
- Luke Bryan – August 25th – Darien Lake PAC
Country Music’s brightest star is arguably Luke Bryan. Luke Bryan’s commitment to his fans is unquestionable as he is on the road nearly every summer. Despite the frequency of his tours, Luke Bryan concerts remain a “must see” when he makes his yearly trips to Darien Lake. He’s received numerous “Entertainer of the Year” awards from nearly every Country Music Award Show there is, so why would you pass up a chance to see him live?
- Tom Petty – July 2nd – CMAC
It’s always a treat to see Tom Petty in concert. This living legend has accomplished nearly everything that can be done throughout his 40+ years of performing. Petty is the rare artist who has been rediscovered by younger generations, so his shows are filled with people of all ages! Tom Petty has toured more & more infrequently as the years go by, so you should never pass up a chance to see him live. Catch him this time around at CMAC in Canandaigua!
- Green Day – August 26th – Darien Lake PAC
Can you believe that Green Day has been around for so long, that they’re already members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?! This band has evolved quite a bit since their debut in the late 1980’s. Green Day has moved from their punk roots, to their 2004 smash “American Idiot,” which even spawned a Broadway musical! It’s incredible when you think about all Green Day has done & it’s easy to forget just how many songs you may know if you’re not a hardcore fan of theirs!
- The Who – July 16th – CMAC
You almost have to re-read it to believe it: The Who are coming to Western NY! Like some of the other artists on this list, there really isn’t much that needs to be said! Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend just recently celebrated the group’s 50th Anniversary, but despite getting up there in years, The Who still manages to get out on the road every few years. You won’t want to miss all of their classics LIVE in person!
- Guns N Roses – August 16th – New Era Field
There was quite a buzz around Buffalo when Guns N Roses flyers & logos started to appear around town in 2016. Sure enough, the elusive group announced a tour & The Ralph was on that list! Granted, the stadium name was changed shortly thereafter, but people are still incredibly excited to see GNR. Axl Rose has got his act together in recent years & even filled in for Brian Johnston of AC/DC, even AFTER breaking his leg. Gone are the days of doubting whether or not Guns N Roses would or even could reunite, as they are primed & ready to go this August!
- Ed Sheeran –July 9th – KeyBank Center
If you have been living under a rock since 2013, you have missed the meteoric rise of Ed Sheeran! His debut album actually came out in the UK two years prior, but it wasn’t until his partnership with Taylor Swift on her “Red” album, that people started to take notice! It was in 2013 that Ed Sheeran performed with Elton John at the Grammys where he was nominated for “Song of the Year” (The A Team) & he toured the country with Taylor Swift. After his second album, “X” (Multiply) in 2014, there was no turning back for Sheeran. He is a tour de force on the radio and his Buffalo concert sold out in minutes! There are not many tickets left! Don’t miss the biggest show coming to WNY in 2017!
Honorable Mention:
Jason Aldean- June 3rd – Darien Lake PAC
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds- June 4th – CMAC
Florida Georgia Line-June 16th – Darien Lake PAC
Elvis Costello-June 17th – CMAC