Buffalo has a long tradition as a great music scene – going back into the 19th century as I recall, with some great jazz and other traditions. Ani DiFranco, the GooGoo Dolls and others have roots here, Ani having restored a downtown church, turning it into her Babeville studio and an art and performance venue. The Buffalo Philharmonic, on another end of the musical scale, is a prominent part of the Buffalo culture and provides outstanding performances throughout the year. 
The musical scene in the Buffalo region is probably at its height during the summer months when there is an incredible number of free concerts in addition to the paid admissions scenes. Last week my wife and I, and one of the largest venue crowds in Artpark’s history, enjoyed an great concert by the Guess Who. This week we had to choose between Chubby Checker at the Hamburg Fairgrounds and Grand Funk Railroad at Artpark – Chubby Checker won that contest.
I haven’t actually sat down and mapped it out but I suspect that among regular scenes like the Fairgrounds and Artpark, a host of festivals and town concert series, Thursday at the Square and the like, a person could attend a free concert every day of the week from mid-June through the end of August. Check out an extensive list of free concerts that someone took the time to compile.
Buffalo rocks!
Dave Frasier, Assistant Dean
Buffalo does rock Dave!! I just heard that UB offers free concerts as well during the summer!! What a great place to be!!
Jen