Concert Review
Candlebox
Sponge
Wednesday October 21, 2026
Electric City
Buffalo, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
It had been thirteen years since the last time Candlebox played a headlining show in the Niagara Frontier. Wednesday night Candlebox brought their Can’t Quit You Tour 2026 to Electric City in Buffalo. Opening the show was fellow 90’s rockers Sponge making this a special double-bill.
Sponge’s day did not start off good. They had played a show in Silver Spring, MD the night before only to wake up at their hotel to find their trailer was broken into and had guitars and gear stolen. Thanks to Candlebox they loaned some of their gear to help Sponge be able to pull off a fantastic show.
Sponge these days features only vocalist Vinnie Dombroski from its original lineup. That is not to take away from the other members of the current lineup. The twin guitar attack of Kyle Neely and Andy Patalan have been in the band since 2003. Rounding out the current lineup were bassist Tim Batalan who worked on producing the first three Sponge albums among others and drummer Dave Coughlin who is the newest member coming aboard in 2021..
The band’s forty-five minute set featured many of the band’s beloved songs such as “Wax Ecstatic”, “Molly” and of course the grand finale of the band’s biggest song “Plowed”.
It is not very often Sponge comes to town. Despite how their day started the band are true professionals and did not let that affect their performance as they delivered a standout show and won a new legion of fans. Hopefully we get to see the band come to town more often.
Closing out the show was Kevin Martin and Candlebox. Martin made several positive references to the city of Buffalo throughout the show even saying he wished the Buffalo Bills well and hopes they go all the way as he gave up on his (Dallas) Cowboys. Martin also vowed to come to town more often as really enjoyed his time in the Queen City.
The band does a great job mixing up their setlist on a nightly basis. This evening the band kicked off with “Arrow” followed by “Stand” from Lucy. The band played songs from six different albums but the debut had eight tracks played in all. Who can argue with the success of the band’s debut now showing four times platinum and was the album that put them on the map.
Joining Martin was original guitarist Peter Klett who came back to the band last year after leaving in 2015. Klett also was the main reason why Martin decided to retract from retiring as they Martin has said there is no other guitarist like him. Bassist Adam Kury has been around since 2007, guitarist Island Styles joined in 2016 leaving drummer BJ Kerwin the “new” guy who came aboard in 2021.
The band was solid and really shone during the band’s big songs. The band’s biggest song “Far Behind” which is also the highest charting song in the catalog peaked at #18 in 1994. It was the third single released from the debut and like they say third time was the charm. Martin warned the crowd as he introduced “You” as his favorite Candlebox song to not mess it up when they sang. Ending the night with the slow moody “Rain” off the debut closed out the bands 75-minute set.
These double bills are where the fans not only get good value but allow them to see two of the best bands from the 1990’s a true win-win. Add to the fact that Candlebox and Sponge fit together on a bill like the best tasting peanut butter and jelly sandwich you ever had. One can hope these bands will be back in the not too distant future.
Candlebox Gallery
Sponge Gallery
Candlebox Set
Arrow
Stand
Change
Blossom
Don’t You
My Weakness
Turn Your Heart Around
A Stone’s Throw Away
Bitches Brewin’
Breathe Me In
I Remember Everything
Cover Me
Elegante
Far Behind
You
Rain
Sponge Set
Wax Ecstatic
Molly
Glue
1000 Times
Have You Seen Mary
Treat Me Wrong
Self Inflicted Loss
Plowed
