M&T Bank Presents: Thursday & Main 8th Anniversary Season

Buffalo Place will produce the 8th Anniversary season of the free outdoor summer series, Thursday & Main, weekly from June 6th through August 1st (except July 4th), at Fountain Plaza in Downtown Buffalo. Thursday & Main is presented by M&T Bank. The series continues to pay homage to the venerable Buffalo Place-produced summer tradition, Thursday at the Square.

The free and open-to-the-public happy hour, presented on Thursday evenings at Fountain Plaza, Main Street south of Chippewa, continues the mission of Thursday at the Square: creating awareness and spin-off business for Downtown restaurants, bars, and retailers.

In 1987, Fountain Plaza hosted the first Thursday at the Park season, produced and managed by Buffalo Place. One year later, crowds became too large for the space. The series was shifted to Lafayette Square and renamed Thursday at the Square. In 2016, the new Buffalo Place produced series, renamed Thursday & Main, returned to Fountain Plaza.

Thursday & Main is made possible with the generous support of our official sponsor family. The series is presented by M&T Bank. Supporting Act Sponsors include: Crowley Webb, Big Ditch Brewing Company, The Buffalo News, Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Iroquois Construction Services, Katz Americas, Lawley Insurance, National Grid, Premium Parking, Try-It Distributing, and VanDette Law PLLC.

Visit our Facebook and Instagram​ pages for updates on the 2024 schedule!

To kick off the 2024 season presented by M&T Bank on June 6th, Buffalo Place is pleased to welcome Organ Fairchild and their groovy tunes to the stage at Fountain Plaza. The evening will serve as an album release celebration for their new record “Songs We Didn’t Write,” featuring their adventurous instrumental take on music by Stevie Wonder, The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, and more. Organ Fairchild was recently featured on Spotify’s “Instrumental Funk” editorial playlist. They performed two sold out shows at Babeville’s Ninth Ward in 2023. Opening the evening of performance is Diyené, a new Buffalo-based soul, funk, and pop fusion band. Concert-goers will recognize lead singer Danielle A. Johnson, a powerful vocal force formerly of Farrow.

Thursday, June 13th will feature masters of the music of The Tragically Hip, The Strictly Hip with special guest and incredible vocalist, Erin Hoyle. Since 1995, The Strictly Hip have been evangelists, spreading the good word of The Tragically Hip’s music far and wide. Taking an almost academic and studious approach to performing the music of Canada’s most popular band, the band works to present The Tragically Hip music with reverence, respect, and accuracy. A Western New York summer must-see, Buffalo Place is delighted to welcome these talented musicians to the heart of Downtown Buffalo.

Thursday, June 20th, Handsome Jack and their boogie soul rock n’ roll return to Fountain Plaza. The band recently completed a twelve-stop tour across the pond that included performances in Germany, The Netherlands, France, and Belgium. Handsome Jack leans on rootsy blues, soulful vocals, swampy guitars, and countrified rock. They are celebrated for their groovy exploration of country and rock n’ roll. Their latest album, “A Good Thing” features a stacked list of toe-tapping tracks, sure to move any audience. Fredonia country rockers, Uncle Ben’s Remedy, will open the evening of performance.

On Thursday, June 27th, Buffalo Place will welcome the cleverest of pop punk outifts, Buffalo born and bred band, Super American. The dynamic multi-instrumentalist duo of Pat Feeley and Matt Cox will take the stage in Downtown in celebration of their new album “Gangster of Love.” Their breakneck indie rock sound, combined with pop punk and breezy emo, has landed them as support on shows with Taking Back Sunday, Belmont, and Neck Deep. Special guest for the evening is Letter to Elise, a new iteration of the popular Buffalo-based, Mom Said No band, featuring lead singer Elliott Hunt.

On Thursday, July 11th, following the 4th of July holiday hiatus, Buffalo Place welcomes longtime friends, and Niagara Falls natives, Son of the Sun. The quintet is known for seamlessly blending psychedelic rock and harmonies with raucous guitars and soulful vocals. The band was a major player in the local music scene when they first formed in the late-aughts and performed often at Buffalo Place produced Thursday events. 2024 marks a reunion of sorts as the bandmates have pursued other passions as of late. The band will be re-releasing their catalog on streaming services in celebration of the reunion performance, and offering new original music. Opening the evening of performance is A House Safe For Tigers, featuring drummer for Son of the Sun, Brandon Delmont.

Buffalo’s favorite son Willie Nile returns to Downtown on July 18th Nile has toured the country with The Who, and sung with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Uncut Magazine called him “A one-man Clash” and the New York Times called Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” His album, “American Ride,” won Best Rock Album of the Year at the Independent Music Awards. He is currently working on a “Best Of” compilation album. Opening the evening of performance is A Potter’s Field.

Dwayne Gretzky will mesmerize fans during the evening of July 25th. Canada’s reigning champs of nostalgia, their show is a can’t miss live music experience, and a curated nostalgia trip that captures the unique joy of turning a radio dial and being surprised by the familiar. This 10+ piece juggernaut features a talented group of Toronto musicians known for igniting audiences with their charm, fidelity, and theatrical flair. Celebrating classic pop and rock, from Fleetwood Mac to Fatboy Slim, Dwayne Gretzky has delivered electrifying renditions of over 700 songs. Since the band’s inception in 2011, Dwayne Gretzky has developed a fervent fan base across Canada on the strength of their live show. The band recently sold out Toronto’s most iconic venue, Massey Hall, as well as marquee debut shows from Vancouver to Las Vegas to Montreal and Buffalo’s own Town Ballroom.

Lowest of the Low will close the season at Fountain Plaza on August 1st. One of the most lauded independent Canadian bands of all time, the alt-rock superstar band holds a special place in Thursday at the Square history, performing in 1993 and 2005. In 2011, lead singer Ron Hawkins and crew inaugurated the official move of Thursday at the Square from Lafayette Square to the Buffalo waterfront. The quartet has built a faithful following and a very full dance card on the strength of their joyous live shows, featuring their signature mix of clever wordplay, razor-sharp hooks, and airtight harmonies. Special guest for the evening is garage rockers, Thee Isolators.

The 2024 Thursday & Main Series Schedule is:

Thursday, June 6, 2024: Organ Fairchild Album Release Celebration with special guest Diyené

Thursday, June 13, 2024: The Strictly Hip with special guest Erin Hoyle

Thursday, June 20, 2024: Handsome Jack with special guest Uncle Ben’s Remedy 

Thursday, June 27, 2024: Super American with special guest Letter to Elise 

Thursday, July 4, 2024: No show – Happy Independence Day!

Thursday, July 11, 2024: Son of the Sun with special guest A House Safe For Tigers

Thursday, July 18, 2024: Willie Nile with special guest A Potter’s Field

Thursday, July 25, 2024: An Evening with Dwayne Gretzky

Thursday, August 1, 2024: Lowest of the Low with special guest Thee Isolators

Guests will enjoy a rotating roster of local restaurants on site weekly. Bijou Grille, Fat Bob’s Smokehouse, and Jack Rabbit will be set up Fountain Plaza weekly with wonderful food items available for attendees to purchase and enjoy.

Series details may be found online at www.buffaloplace.com, www.facebook.com/ThursdayAndMain and www.instagram.com/thursdaymainbuffalo.