Concert Review
The Kerfuffle Before Christmas
First Niagara Center
Buffalo, NY
Thursday December 18, 2014
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
With Christmas one week away, it became an evening of celebration in downtown Buffalo Thursday night. The grand opening was held for The Ice at Canalside which now sits on the site of the where the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium had once stood. Alternative Buffalo (107.7), also held what they hope will become an annual tradition with their first holiday concert entitled “Kerfuffle Before Christmas”. The radio station also sponsored the original Kerfuffle at Canalside Buffalo this past summer to a rousing success.
The crowd of just over 6,000 were treated to stellar sets by Fitz and the Tantrums and The Neon Trees at the First Niagara Center Thursday evening. While the crowd may have been less than half of what last night’s Bob Seger concert drew, it did not take away from their energy.
It was a no-brainer having Fitz and the Tantrums headline the affair. They put on another strong showing back in July at Canalside and seem to be hitting on all cylinders. Led by singers Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs they tore through their standards. “Out Of My League” and “Break The Walls” were among the highlights.
The Tantrums are an impressive collaboration of musicians including bassist Joe Karnes, keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna, drummer John Wicks and saxophonist James King.
The show concluded with the band’s two biggest hits “Moneygrabber” and “The Walker” as they closed out an excellent set that many were hoping would last all night. While some bands may find it harder to play a bigger venue, Fitz and Company seemed quite at home almost as if they were made to play on the big stage.
The Neon Trees are certainly no stranger to this town as they did double duty by playing an acoustic set at the Ice At Canalside opening before their Kerfuffle appearance.
Led by singer Tyler Glenn the band proceeded to play a solid set that was capped off with their two top-40 hits “Animal” and “Everybody Talks”.
Other acts on the bill included Walk The Moon (who received a huge response from the crowd) as well as Robert Delong, Airborne Toxic Event and Jungle who hail from London, England.
Overall a very eclectic mix of artists for the first Kerfuffle Before Christmas. Fitz may have stolen the show as expected but the other artists were able to open up some eyes and went away with some new fans of their own making this show a big success for all involved. After two successful and delightful concerts the futures looking very bright for Alternative Buffalo 107.7.
Set List
Fitz and the Tantrums
Get Away
Don’t Gotta Work It Out
Break the Walls
Breakin’ the Chains of Love
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Out of My League
Fools Gold
6AM
L.O.V.
MoneyGrabber
The Walker
