Top 10 concerts 2025

Beth and I decided rather than taking a big trip in 2025, we would see lots of music. And that we did.

It wasn’t just Art Park, where we saw George Thorogood, Todd Rundgren and UB 40, or Academy Park where Ray Berry Entertainment took a big successful risk in hosting Junior Marvin and the Wailers and Steven Page, the former leader of the Bare Naked Ladies. We traveled afar too.

We took in all 3 days of Borderland in East Aurora, the Jazz Festival in Lewiston and even went to see Black Keys in Canandaigua.

Without further adieu, here is a Top 10 list of shows for the year:

1. Neil Young at the Molson Amphitheater in Toronto with our sons Ben and Joe on Aug. 17. “Uncle Neil” as I call him has so much work that unless you are die hard, he will always rock out some songs you don’t know. The highlight for me was his angry encore “This Note’s for you,” an indictment of the corporate music industry and “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” punctuated by him shouting “Take America Back.” We took the train from Burlington. Hassle Free travel and a great time.
2. Black Keyes at the Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center with Gary Clark Jr. We rented a nearby AirBnb and had a good view from our lawn seats.
3. Driftwood at Borderland. Oh sure, there were more popular acts and some of them topped the list for other people but the Americana/blue grass sound of these roots musicians made it impossible not to dance.
4. Steven Page at Academy Park. There was something magical about a major act returning to Lewiston for a free show. It was like Art Park used to be. Ray Berry of Berry Entertainment booked the show and it was a magical night.
5. George Thorogood at Artpark. Old George hit on all his hits and had energy reminiscent of his youth when he put on killer shows in the 70s and 80s.
6. Uncle Ben’s Remedy at The Caz, Americana/blues with fun riffs, singable hooks and a great fan following.
7. Heavy Heavy, Borderland, sort of pop but emotional. Happiness is a great song.
8. Tom Stahl at Davey O’s Nickel City Sessions at The Cave. Tom can be hysterical, and political, and unrepentant. He played four songs reflecting on these trying times. It was cathartic.
9. Maria Sebastian, on DiCamillo's patio, alone with her guitar. I don’t remember the song but it was a cover from the 1950s that made us both cry.
10. Fuzzy and the Rustbelts, 9th Ward at Babeville, our first time seeing these guys who fit a groove that falls in line with some of our other favorite regional acts like Uncle Ben’s Remedy and Leroy Townes.