A City You Can Hear Before You See
When walking the streets of Buffalo, you are bound to hear music. Whether it's a summer street performance like Porchfest, a jazz echo from the Colored Musicians Club, or the bass from a house party. Other than sports and food, the city's history has music baked into it. In Buffalo, music isn’t just entertainment — it’s part of our identity.
A Legacy of Sound
History will always list music cities such as Nashville, New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. But Buffalo has a historical resume that matches the others. Rick James, Barbara Vernice Siggers Franklin, Brian McKnight, Goo Goo Dolls, and the Colored Musicians Club are just a few musical acts connected to Buffalo.
Buffalo's musical identity spans across multiple genres that find their homes in different pockets of the city.
Punk found its home in the Allentown and Elmwood neighborhoods. Small venues and basement shows became a safe space for young people going against the grain, creating a do-it-yourself environment that still lingers today.
Hip-Hop grew up on the East and West sides, shaped by neighborhood pride and storytelling. Community centers and local radio provided early platforms for artists who spoke on real-life Buffalo experiences. That authenticity fuels the rise of Griselda Records, who wear Buffalo on the sleeves while on the national stage.
These genres and many more speak to Buffalo's resilience, working-class spirit, and cultural complexity.
The Current Pulse
The local music scene is well and alive today. Indie artists can be found just about anywhere in the city. Head to a local bar or small venue for an open mic event, and you'll find an indie artist sharing music. One local artist you can find on a stage around town is a BTPM The Bridge favorite, Chelsea O.
"I can only speak from my experience, but I think the indie artist community is, by and large, supportive of one another," said Chelsea. "I feel like artists actively root for each other and, most of the time, don't get caught up in pettiness or competition. It's one of my favorite things about being involved in the music community in Buffalo/Western New York."
The criticism of the local music community does not go unheard or unrecognized, but Chelsea still believes that the work that needs to be done to bring everyone together can still be done.
"What I know for sure is that we are so fortunate to have the artists that we do, and that one of the biggest ways we can help this music community thrive is to work to lift each other up," said Chelsea.
Music fosters community. Look no further than block parties on the East Side, open mics, festivals like Juneteenth and Music is Art. It's a unifier, and not just locally. With digital access and local radio such as BTPM The Bridge, Buffalo music has the opportunity to reach beyond city limits.
Why It Matters
Music matters when it comes to Buffalo's ongoing story. It preserves culture, brings people together, and gives voice to movements. It's one of the most enduring forms of expression. Music and artists are the storytellers of where the community is, who they are, and where it's headed.
Today, as Buffalo continues to rebuild and redefine itself, music remains a significant part of that process. It’s not just about entertainment, it’s about connection. From local shows to viral recordings, music gives Buffalonians a chance to celebrate their roots, challenge the status quo, and build bridges across generations and neighborhoods.
Preserving and supporting Buffalo’s music scene means more than saving venues or promoting concerts. It means investing in culture, storytelling, and the soul of the city. It means making sure young artists have spaces to create, elders have platforms to pass down wisdom, and communities can continue to find joy and meaning through sound.
"I think we can all actively work on trying to connect with each other and go out of our way to check out artists who we may be unfamiliar with," said Chelsea. "I'm hopeful that a program like The Scene helps to give artists a chance to be heard, but I think it would also be helpful to have more coverage in local press about regional bands, as well as opportunities for local bands to open for national acts."
"At the end of the day, I have a lot of love for our music scene, and I hope to see it grow and strengthen in the times ahead."