M&T Bank Presents: Thursday & Main

Buffalo Place will produce the 9th Anniversary season of the free outdoor summer series, Thursday & Main, weekly from June 5th through July 31st (no event on July 3rd), 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.

This free, open-to-the-public happy hour concert series, presented on Thursday evenings at Fountain Plaza on Main Street (south of Chippewa Street), carries forward the mission of Thursday at the Square: to create awareness and drive spin-off business for Downtown restaurants, bars, and retailers.

In 1987, Fountain Plaza hosted the first season of Thursday at the Park, produced and managed by Buffalo Place. Just one year later, the growing crowds necessitated a move to Lafayette Square, where the series was renamed Thursday at the Square. In 2016, Buffalo Place debuted a new version of the series – Thursday & Main – bringing the concerts back to their original home at Fountain Plaza.

To kick off the 2025 season presented by M&T Bank on June 5th, Buffalo Place is pleased to welcome the Dave Matthews Tribute Band. The Dave Matthews Tribute Band is a celebration of the music of the Dave Matthews, a time machine to a funky tea party in the 90’s, a boisterous time of tape trading, sing-alongs, and exploration of a new sonic landscape. Dedicated to recreating the moment in musical history, the Dave Matthews Tribute Band has been honing their craft for over 20 years. Since 2004, the band’s touring schedule has been unparalleled, playing over 2,000 shows in 46 states and 10 countries.

Thursday, June 12th, Handsome Jack brings their signature boogie soul rock ‘n’ roll back to Fountain Plaza. Known for their rootsy blues riffs, soulful vocals, swampy guitar tones, and a countrified rock edge, Handsome Jack continues to evolve their sound with their latest album, “A Good Thing.” Deeply steeped in blues influences, the record features standout tracks like the slow-burning “Sasparilla” and the swagger-filled “Wind It Up” – each a testament to the band’s ability to channel classic blues through a modern rock lens. Kicking off the night is Buffalo-based band, Witty Tarbox, who will bring in their genre-blending, surf riffs, and indie melodies to get the crowd moving.

Thursday, June 19th brings a powerful tribute to one of Canada’s most beloved bands as The Strictly Hip take the stage at Fountain Plaza, with phenomenal vocalist Erin Hoyle supporting the evening. Since 1995, The Strictly Hip have been passionate ambassadors of The Tragically Hip, performing their music with a deep sense of reverence and precision. With a nearly academic dedication to authenticity, the band captures the spirit and sound of The Tragically Hip in a way that resonates with diehard fans and new listeners alike. A true Western New York summer staple, Buffalo Place is thrilled to welcome these extraordinary musicians back to Thursday & Main.

Thursday, June 26th, we’re bringing the laid-back, sun-soaked sounds of Southern California to Downtown Buffalo with Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime. Known for their spot-on renditions of Sublime’s classic ska-punk anthems, Badfish brings the same energy and vibe that made songs like “Santeria” and “What I Got” fan favorites. Whether you’re a longtime Sublime fan or a newcomer, their high-energy performance will keep the summer vibes rolling. Boston-based Crooked Coast will kick off the evening with their infectious blend of rock, reggae, and hip-hop, and high-energy, genre-defying performance.

On Thursday, July 10th, following the Independence Day holiday weekend, one of Buffalo’s most iconic bands, Great Train Robbery, makes a first-time appearance at Fountain Plaza. Known for their rock, ska, and reggae-inspired sound, they are considered living legends of the Buffalo music scene, having packed dance floors and concert venues since the 1980’s. Great Train Robbery has been performing together for nearly 50 years and are known for their ability to change the song order on stage, adapting to the crowd and making each show unique. The band continues to play a select number of shows each year, which always sell out, and we’re honored to host the talented musicians at Fountain Plaza. Opening up the evening is Maria Aurigema Trio. Aurigema is an energetic, gutsy, hard-driving original blues guitarist and singer/songwriter. She and her bandmates enjoy an enthusiastic following throughout the greater Buffalo Niagara region.

GROSH will light up the stage on Thursday, July 17th, bringing their signature high-energy rock sound to Thursday & Main. Known for their visceral, heavy, and inspiring style, the band recently released their highly anticipated new album, “Start Again,” showcasing their evolution with bold songwriting and electrifying performances. The group features acclaimed vocalist Megan Brown, whose powerful alto and commanding stage presence elevate every performance; guitarist and songwriter Grace Lougen, a force on the fretboard; bass virtuoso Dylan Hund; and powerhouse drummer Josh English, one of Buffalo’s most in-demand rhythm makers. Supporting the band is Diyené, a Buffalo-based soul, funk, and pop fusion band. Concert-goers will recognize lead singer Danielle Johnson, a powerful vocal force formerly of Farrow.

Buffalo Place is delighted to welcome The Sheila Divine to Fountain Plaza for an encore performance on July 24th. Veterans of our Lafayette Square stage, and known for their emotionally charged blend of post-punk and alt-rock, the band has long been celebrated for powerful live performances and a loyal fanbase stretching from Boston to Belgium. Fronted by the unmistakable voice of Aaron Perrino, the band combines soaring melodies with raw, introspective lyrics that speak to themes of identity, struggle, and hope. Their latest album, “I Am The Darkness, We Are The Light,” continues that tradition while pushing into more atmospheric and reflective territory. Supporting the night is Stress Dolls, the alt/pop/rock project of Buffalo-based Chelsea O’Donnell, whose raw, emotionally charged sound blends punk energy with thoughtful songwriting.

Thursday, July 31st marks the grand finale of the season and an evening with Donna the Buffalo, the beloved roots-rock ensemble from Trumansburg, New York. Celebrated for their eclectic fusion of Americana, zydeco, folk, rock, and reggae, the band delivers groove-heavy, danceable music that resonates with audiences across generations. Led by founding members Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear, Donna the Buffalo has been captivating fans since 1989 with their spirited live shows and community-driven ethos. Their devoted fanbase, affectionately known as “The Herd,” follows them from festival to festival, drawn by the band’s uplifting lyrics and infectious rhythms. As co-founders of the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival, Donna the Buffalo embodies the spirit of togetherness and celebration, making their performance a fitting and joyous conclusion to our 2025 season.

The 2025 Thursday & Main Series Schedule is:

June 5, 2025: An evening with The Dave Matthews Tribute Band

June 12, 2025: Handsome Jack with Witty Tarbox

June 19, 2025: The Strictly Hip with Erin Hoyle

June 26, 2025: Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime with Crooked Coast

July 10, 2025: Great Train Robbery with Maria Aurigema Trio

July 17, 2025: GROSH with Diyené

July 24, 2025: The Sheila Divine with Stress Dolls

July 31, 2025: An evening with Donna the Buffalo

Guests will enjoy a rotating roster of local restaurants. Bijou Grille, Fat Bob’s Smokehouse, and Jack Rabbit will be a part of the event each week with wonderful food items available purchase.

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