“Wannabe – A Spice Girls Tribute,” “Simply the Best – A Tribute to Tina Turner,” and “Mr. Brightside – The Ultimate Killers Experience” are all acts that have recently been booked across noteworthy music venues across Buffalo like Iron Works, The Riviera Theater and Electric City.
But what are they and why are they so popular?
A tribute act is when one or more performers cover the songbook of a famous artist, often while dressing like the artist to whom they’re paying homage. These artists usually try to perform like the original band, and will promise that their vocals, and sometimes dancing, is as close to the original as possible.
Sometimes these artists have purposely pun-ny names; other times their names are references to popular songs or inside jokes familiar to the fandom. In Buffalo, some recent acts have included “Don Jovi,” “Fooz Fighters” and “Dead Flowers,” a “Rolling Stones” tribute.
These bands have already been trendy in the United Kingdom for years, but outside of some popular Elvis impersonators, tribute acts seem new to Buffalo.
“Tribute bands have become a major force in live music and for good reason; they offer an instant connection,” Grace Vesneske, the co-owner of Iron Works in downtown Buffalo, said. “That kind of nostalgia and familiarity is powerful, and it guarantees an engaging experience from the start.”
Vesneske also noted that tribute bands can be a win for music venues.
“[Iron Works] consistently sees strong turnouts, and it’s not just about the crowd size. These audiences come ready to have a night, which means higher energy, stronger response, and bigger bar sales,” she said.
It is fun to be singing and dancing along to iconic hits of familiar bands, especially when these bands no longer exist or are no longer capable of giving a great performance.
When it comes to this city in particular, Vesneske believes that Buffalo, in particular, has a deep appreciation for live music, and the tribute scene thrives here.
“Maybe it’s our working-class, music-loving culture – people want a fun, stress-free night where they know every word to every song,” Vesneske said. “And when you can experience the energy of your favorite artist’s music at a fraction of the price, performed by a band that’s seriously good at what they do, why wouldn’t you?”
Nadia Brach is an assistant arts editor and can be reached at nadia.brach@ubspectrum.com
