The 2023 Artpark Summer Concert lineup promises a wide range of live performances for the summer season. 2023 marks Artpark’s 50th season of unforgettable live performances, art, and culture. Located in Lewiston, NY, just north of Buffalo on the Niagara River, the venue houses one of the state’s largest stages, and an amphitheater voted one of the top 100 Amitheaters Worldwide by Pollstar.
Artpark’s 50th show will celebrate 50 years of creativity and excellence. Over 110 days of summer, Artpark’s season will showcase the natural beauty and cultural legacy of the Niagara Gorge. Artists from far and wide will engage audiences in a multifarious conversation all summer long.
Artpark opened in 1974, originally owned and operated by New York State until the early 1990s, when it became independently owned by the non-profit Artpark and Company. Initially, the venue was an experiment with artist-public interaction, commissioning some of the most avant-garde art of its day. Today, Artpark hosts over 150 events attended by over 150,000 visitors on their 150+ acres of land. Their facilities include a mainstage theater that seats 2,400 people indoors and 2,000 people on the lawn, in addition to an outdoor amphitheater atop the Niagara River Gorge.
Mt. Joy – May 25
Mt. Joy, a Philadelphia-based quintet, takes their name from a rural town in southwest Pennsylvania. The group surpassed half a billion streams over the past four years through their widely successful alternative and indie rock albums, their most recent Orange Blood. The group has been highly acclaimed from NPR, Billboard, RollingStone, The Line of Best Fit, and more.
Noah Kahan – May 26
Noah Kahan, a Vermont-based singer-songwriter has achieved over one billion streams through his two full length albums Busyhead and I Was/I Am, EP Cape Elizabeth, and Gold Certified song “Hurt Somebody” feat. Julia Miachaels. Additionally, Kahan is partnering with PLUS1 to ensure $1 of each ticket goes toward mental health organizations.
STYX – June 2
Artpark is just one stop on the STYX 2023 World Tour. STYX, a Chicago-based rock band and one of the most popular rock groups in the 1970s and early 1980s will perform well over four decades of hits.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise – June 7
A mix of jam and indie, Rainbow Kitten Surprise has received well over one billion streams since their 2013 debut. The band has been acclaimed by Billboard, TIME, Vice, and NPR, who commend their unique sound. Additionally, Rainbow Kitten Surprise will partner with PLUS1 to ensure that $1 per ticket will support local food banks.
Young The Giant with Milky Chance – June 13
Since their start in 2004, Young The Giant have released countless alternative hits. Their 2023 tour includes their newest album, American Bollywood, their first release in four years. “The Walk Home,” their most recent single, has quickly become a hit amongst alternative listeners. Milky Chance, a German rock group largely recognized for their hit single “Stolen Chance” amongst others.
Michael Franti & Spearhead – June 21
Artpark is just one stop in Michael Franti & Spearhead’s Big Big Love Tour. Michael Franti, a highly successful musician, activist, hotel owner, and award-winning film maker, has had a widely successful multi-decade career. Franti’s high-energy shows and inspiring music have earned him three Billboard No. 1’s, six Top 30 Hot AC Singles, 10 Top 25 AAA Singles, and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums.
My Morning Jacket – June 26
Each of My Morning Jacket’s nine studio albums have received Grammy Award nominations for ‘Best Alternative Album.’ Their 2020 single “Feel You” made history, reaching #1 at Triple A radio outlets across the country, and on Billboard’s “Adult Alternative Songs” chart.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show – June 28
The Australian Pink Floyd Show brings the magic of Pink Floyd to life through The Darkside 50 Tour, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s classic, The Dark Side of the Moon. Additionally, the show will include state-of-the-art lighting and video, pinpoint lasers, and signature gargantuan inflatables.
Barenaked Ladies – July 11
The Toronto-based quartet will perform at Artpark for their Last Summer on Earth Tour. Over the past 35 years, Barenaked Ladies have sold 15 million records worldwide, considered one of the best live acts in the world. Their signature hits such as “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” and “The Big Bang Theory Theme” have won them eight JUNO Awards, and secured their spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Lauren Daigle – July 14
Lauren Daigle, a contemporary Christian singer-songwriter has achieved Billboard Top Christian Album charts ever since her debut album How Can it Be in 2015. Daigle’s well-received albums and singles have earned her two Grammy Awards, seven GMA Dove Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and two American Music awards.
Larkin Poe with the Allman Betts Band – July 27
Larkin Poe’s gritty, soulful sound is the product of sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell’s Southern heritage, originally from Atlanta and currently residing in Nashville. The sisters have been highly regarded by Billboard, NPR, and other notable publications as the new faces of blues rock. The Allman Betts Band, an internationally recognized rock group, will perform their two hit albums, Down to the River and Bless Your Heart.
Orville Peck – August 1
Orville Peck’s Bronco Tour will grace Artpark with Peck’s deeply personal lyrics and theatric stage presence. Peck, known for captivating audiences through his voice and songwriting, recalls the golden age of country through his performances.
Richard Marx with Yacht Rock Revue – August 10
Richard Marx, a professional singer-songwriter for 35 years and counting, has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Based in Chicago, Marx has written a No. 1 single in each of the last 4 decades, and has written songs for a plethora of notable artists, including Barbara Streisand, Keith Urban, Kenny Rogers, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and many others. Additonally, Yacht Rock Revue will perform their 70s and 80s inspired yaucht rock.
Whiskey Myers – August 20
Since their 2007 debut, Whiskey Myers have sold over 1.65 million albums and accumulated over 2.25 billion streams, earning six RIAA Gold & Platinum certifications. The Texas-based band is known for their genre-bending, high-energy live shows and unique blend of Southern rock and gritty country.
Pixies and Modest Mouse – August 28
Pixies, known for their signature “loudquietloud” sound and quirky, catchy melodies, have defined the alternative genre. Acclaimed as the most influential band of the late 80s alt/rock movement, Pixies have influenced many notable artists including Nirvana, Peal Jam, Radiohead, the Strokes, and Weezer. Their simultaneously electrifying and lo-fi sound, paired with their improvisation, ensures that each Pixie show is one-of-a-kind. Modest Mouse, based in Portland, will perform their most recent album, The Golden Casket amongst their greatest hits.
Artpark Mainstage Theater Concerts
The Avett Brothers – May 21
Since their 2009 debut, The Avett Brothers have become three time GRAMMY Award nominees and inductees to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. The critically acclaimed folk rock group’s hit albums and singles have scored grammy nominations, making their way to the top of Billboard’s Top Albums, Billboard’s Top 200, and more.
Buddy Guy – June 10
Hall of Fame inductee and American treasure Buddy Guy will perform at Artpark for The Damn Right Farewell Tour. At age 86, the rock legend’s widely successful career will be celebrated through performances of his classic hits. Guy has received 8 GRAMMY Awards, a Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, 38 Blues Music Awards, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts, amongst others.
Ben Folds – June 16
Ben Folds, one of our generation’s major music influencers, will perform music from his new collection, What Matters Most. The album, an examination of the tragic and absurd, gratitude and lss, marks Fold’s first new studio release in eight years. Additionally, $1 of each ticket will support Ben’s Keys For Kids initiative.
July 8 – Tori Amos
Tori Amos will perform at Artpark amidst her Ocean to Ocean Tour, following a sold-out world tour in 2022. Amos will perform alongside bassist Jon Evans and drummer Ash Soan, renowned throughout the UK.
RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles – July 16
One of the most notorious rock bands of all time lives on through RAIN, the next best thing to seeing The Beetles. The performance will transport audiences back in time through a theatrical, mind-blowing performance.
Jason Isbell l& The 400 Unit – August 5
Since his 2013 debut, Jason Isbell has established himself as one of the most notable songwriters of his generation. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit will perform their latest album Georgia Blue, along with other Grammy-winning hits for a night of Americana music.
Parker McCollum – August 17
Parker McCollum’s Sumer Tour will stop at Artpark for an unforgettable night of country music. McCollum, singer-songwriter and multinstrumentalist, has recently gained recognition as ACM’s 2022 Male Artist of the Year, earned the CMT Award for ‘Breakthrough Video of the Year,’ and a 2022 CMA Award Nomination.
Alvvays and Alex G – September 1
Alvvays, a widely recognized alternative indie band based in Toronto, will perform at Artpark amidst their tour across North America and Europe. Additonally, Alex G, an indie-rock musician and singer-songwriter will perform his signature lo-fi pop.
New Music in the Park
Jeremy Dutcher – July 7
Jeremy Dutcher, a classically trained operatic tenor and composer, will perform music that incorporates his Wolstoq First Nation roots. Dutcher creates something entirely new through his combination of classical, traditional and pop.
Third Coast Percussion – July 9
Third Coast Percussion, The GRAMMY Award-winning, Chicago-based percussion quartet, invites listeners to embark on an exciting musical adventure. Known for their elegant performances, Third Coast Percussion will perform virtuosic pieces written by many iconic music creators.
L’Oiseau: Guided Walking-Concert Along the Niagra Gorge – July 13
L’Oisseau will explore the intersection of art, nature, and human expression through their immersive concert installation. The concert, a guided walking set will explore a plethora of contemporary composers.
CS4: Philip Glass String Quartets – July 20
Violinist Chase Spruill will lead CS4, an all-Glass program, through a celebration of 30 years of compositions by Philip Glass. The performance will include the US premiere of Glass’s String Quartet No. 9, “King Lear,” amongst others.
Jacob Bacon Quintet
The Jacob Bacon Quintet, consisting of the finest jazz artists and composers in the region, is a modern jazz quintet. The quintet will their own original compositions in celebration of the release of their first recording.
LUX: Vivaldi Redefined The Four Seasons – August 13
Vivaldi Redefined will form a bridge between the natural world and technocratic future through an exploration of Vivaldi’s most radical work. LUX, an immersive orchestra project, reimagines the symphonic concert experience.
Tickets and more information are available here.
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