John Butler Trio Concert

Last thursday I took a trip to Buffalo with my cousin Jamie, and 2 friends Tim and Katie to see the John Butler Trio. One special thing about this concert was it was totally FREE. Every thursday night throughout the summer, buffalo city puts on a concert series called "Concert in the Square". It's basically this square (obviously) dead in the middle of the downtown core. There is maybe 1000 people standing around the stage with another 500 or so back behind everyone just hanging out and drinking beer. So there was maybe 35% of the people there knew who the band was. Most are just out for a night of music and drinking. Good times either way you look at it.

So Jamie and I get down to the square around 5:30 (show started at 5, went to 9). I had been to a show there about 2 years ago and it was quite busy. To gaurantee a good spot we thought we would just show up early, have a beer or to and talk fantasy football. Turned out to be a good move going early, even though there wasn't a lot of people there. Right in front of the stage about 50 yards back is this statue raised up about 6 stairs. We were able to plant ourselves right on the top stair for the most perfect view. Not only did we get to sit and relax for the hour and half we had to wait, but we also had no worries of seeing over people, and were close enough to see everything perfectly. What i mean by this, is Butler is probably the most talented Guitar player i have ever seen. It's a show in itself just watching him play. Just amazing at his craft.

John ended up coming on just before 7 and played a full 2 hour set. AMAZING. I was hoping for a hour, maybe an hour and half set, but it was a full freakin set. It was an amazing show. What was cool about the crowd was that almost no one knew who he was when it started. after the first few songs you could see a few people clapping and cheering. By the end of the concert the whole crowd was going nuts. It was great. Hopefully he saw the reaction and will make a stop in buffalo from now on when he tours through toronto.

Anyways, great show, great night capped off by Yanks pizza. Hopefully we get lucky next year and he plays the Square again.